Chapter 79: Soul’s Journey

Chapter 79: Soul's Journey

A sword through the heart.

Neither Shang Junning nor Lu Yan himself could have anticipated the events of that day.

Lu Yan had intended to lead his troops back to the city, but he hadn't expected to run into Zui Ling, who was out for revenge. The latter led a group of strangely dressed poison masters, nearly a hundred in number, surrounding them and chanting, their voices penetrating every crevice of their minds, causing splitting headaches.

Lu Yan didn't have time to ponder how they were found; he immediately engaged Zui Ling in combat. His sword thrust straight forward, aiming to take the other's life, but unexpectedly, a sinister smile appeared on Zui Ling's face, hidden beneath his black robe. On his right hand, missing an index finger, he wore several peculiar silver soul-capturing bells, which began to hum:

"Today, I'll send your soul away, early rebirth before the King of Hell!"

"Today, I'll send your soul away, early rebirth before the King of Hell!"

As Zui Ling chanted, Lu Yan suddenly lost control over his body, unable even to hold his sword. He stared in shock as if an invisible hand was forcefully peeling his soul from his flesh, the pain so intense it threatened to split his eyes open. He watched helplessly as his spirit left his body, while Zui Ling's sword pierced his heart, causing him to fall straight off his horse.

"Hahahahaha!"

Zui Ling laughed maniacally at the sight, then quickly withdrew his sword and retreated: "Mission accomplished! Retreat!"

The system's warning sounded frantically in his ear:

"Warning! Warning! Encountered unknown force interference, soul body has lost its storage vessel!!"

"Warning! Warning! Soul body is on the brink of collapse!"

"Warning! Warning..."

Warning my grandmother's leg! Think of something!

Lu Yan's soul floated in the air, speechless and unable to descend, cursing wildly in his mind. It seemed as if an invisible force was pulling him upward, while the black heart nervously hovered beside him, anxiously saying:

"Host, it's bad! That black-robed freak knows soul-capturing techniques, disrupting the spatial body. You can't return to that body for now. I'll find a place to temporarily house your soul, or you'll dissipate soon!"

Lu Yan couldn't hear what the system was saying. All he saw was the clear sky suddenly turn stormy, with thunder and lightning. The gathering dark clouds formed a black vortex that forcibly sucked him in.

"Boom—!"

A bolt of lightning suddenly split the sky, illuminating the ancient room as bright as day, only to plunge it into ink-like darkness. The embroidered golden curtains hung to the ground, half-blown open by the wind, revealing the unconscious man on the bed, his brows furrowed, mumbling restlessly:

"Today, I'll send your soul away... early rebirth before the King of Hell..."

"Today, I'll send your soul away..."

A maid entered with warm water and, seeing Lu Yan as if possessed by a nightmare, gently patted his shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Your Highness? Your Highness?"

"!"

The man on the bed abruptly opened his eyes, staring straight at her. The maid fell to the ground in fright, then hurriedly approached and asked, "Your Highness, are you alright?"

Lu Yan stared at the maid without speaking, taking a moment before hoarsely uttering, "You are... Yanbo?"

Though unsure why Lu Yan would ask such a question, the maid timidly nodded. "To Your Highness, this servant is indeed Yanbo."

Lu Yan used his hands to sit up from the bed with difficulty, his headache feeling like his head would split open. What was happening? Didn't the system say it would find a temporary place for his soul? Why did he still end up back at the Fengling Duke's Mansion?

Lu Yan closed his eyes and pressed his temples. "What about Chancellor Shang?"

He was attacked outside the city, and when the news reached the mansion, it would surely give Shang Junning a huge scare.

However, the maid asked in surprise, "Chancellor Shang? Who is Chancellor Shang?"

Lu Yan paused in his rubbing, subconsciously looking at Yanbo, only to see her face full of confusion, as if she truly didn't know who Chancellor Shang was.

"..."

Silence filled the room, interrupted only by the rolling thunder outside.

A foreboding premonition arose in Lu Yan's heart as he asked emotionlessly, "I mean Shang Junning, the one sent as a hostage together with Prince Wuyun."

Upon hearing this, the maid recalled the person from the depths of her memory. Her delicate brows slightly furrowed as she delivered a shocking message to Lu Yan: "Your Highness, you've forgotten. The three-year term has ended, and the Emperor ordered envoys to present treasures in exchange for the hostages' return to their countries. Those hostages were released two years ago."

"Prince Wuyun presented the Mountain River Sword in exchange for Crown Prince Yuzhang's return."

"East Li presented the Founding Nation's Seal in exchange for Crown Prince Que Dan's return."

"Heavenly Water presented the Snow Region Ice Toad in exchange for Crown Prince Wuyou's return."

Yanbo paused after speaking, recalling for a moment before uncertainly saying, "As for Shang Junning, no one wanted to exchange for him. He seems to still be locked up in prison."

As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Yan suddenly lifted his head, his gaze like two sharp swords, too intense to look directly at. "What year is it now?"

Yanbo didn't know what she said wrong, hurriedly bowing her head in panic. "To Your Highness, it is the thirty-seventh year of Divine Glory."

Thirty-seventh year...

Hearing this, Lu Yan couldn't help but feel disoriented. How did he suddenly return five years later? No... more accurately, it seemed he returned to his previous life, where the three hostages returned to their countries and Shang Junning was abandoned. Wasn't this the predetermined course of fate?

Lu Yan was baffled because this deviated from the timeline the system once told him. In the set ending, not long after the hostages returned, the Emperor passed away. But now, the Emperor lived two years longer. Unfortunately, since he woke up, the system never reappeared, as if vanishing into thin air, leaving no one to answer his questions.

The last heavy rain took away the last warmth of the immortal spirits, replaced by a vast expanse of snow. Snowflakes fell from the sky, covering the palace walls and green tiles, shrouding the entire imperial city in bleakness.

In the thirty-seventh year of Divine Glory, the Emperor fell gravely ill. The Nanxun Duke and the Guxu Duke jointly supervised the state, plunging the court into a subtle turmoil.

When Lu Yan arrived at the Emperor's bedroom, he smelled the strong scent of medicine in the air before entering. He paused, seeing through layers of curtains that the Emperor was drinking medicine under the service of palace maids. Eunuch She stood by, both with white hair at their temples, seeming to have aged significantly overnight.

"Your son greets Your Majesty."

Lu Yan knelt and paid his respects, rising only upon the Emperor's permission.

"Third son, how did you come here? This Emperor heard from Eunuch He that you caught a chill some time ago, with a high fever that wouldn't subside. Are you feeling better now?"

The emperor, weak and leaning against the bed, had wrinkles etching his once valiant face. His lips were blue-black, like a lion with dulled fur, yet his gaze upon Lu Yan remained as loving as ever.

Lu Yan was unsure if this was reality or a dream. He lifted his robe to kneel by the foot of the bed, grasping the emperor's hand, quivering from age, and whispered, "Thank you for your concern, Father Emperor. Your son is fine now, but I've been preoccupied with thoughts of your illness..."

"The old will inevitably face such trials."

The emperor seemed resigned. He patted Lu Yan's shoulder, his voice aged and frail, as if making final arrangements: "Once this year's snow passes, pack your things and return to your fief. The court is in turmoil; the further away you are, the better. Only return to the capital when everything has settled."

Prince Nanxun and Prince Guxu were locked in a bitter struggle for the throne. Whichever one ascended would surely suppress Lu Yan, which was why the emperor hesitated in deciding who should be the crown prince.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan frowned, not worried about the succession but another matter: "Father Emperor, I've heard that Zhao Yuzhang, Liu Que Dan, and Gong Sun Wuyou have all ascended their thrones. They were once hostages in Xianling, enduring miserable circumstances. They may harbor resentment and might secretly unite to attack Xianling..."

He barely began before the emperor raised a hand to stop him, speaking sternly, "Xianling has a strong army. If we could defeat them then, we can do so again now. If they dare to court death, this Emperor won't show mercy!"

Lu Yan wasn't sure if the emperor was boasting or genuinely confident, but it seemed more the former. This monarch, a lifelong competitor, wouldn't concede defeat at this juncture.

Lu Yan set aside his concerns and brought up another issue: "Father Emperor, I wish to release someone from prison."

The emperor furrowed his brow. "Who?"

Lu Yan slowly uttered three words: "Shang Jun Nian."

He knew he needed a solid reason to convince the emperor. Bowing his head respectfully, he said, "I thought that since Wu Yun didn't exchange him back home, Shang Jun Nian must bear a grudge. This person is quite capable. If we could recruit him..."

The emperor closed his eyes, silent in contemplation. No one knew what he was thinking—whether he was hesitating to place a clawless beast by Lu Yan's side or pondering if Lu Yan lacked a truly brave and wise companion.

As Lu Yan said, if Shang Jun Nian could be recruited, he would be a formidable ally.

"Three months."

The emperor opened his eyes, fixing his gaze on Lu Yan. "Within three months, if you cannot bring this person under your wing, he must be returned to prison. Though he hates Wu Yun, he hates Xianling even more. Don't underestimate him; don't let an eagle peck out your eyes."

Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Lu Yan's face. "Your son thanks you for your grace, Father Emperor!"

Snow blanketed the palace paths, white flakes contrasting starkly against the vermilion walls. In such cold, the biting wind felt like it could carve flesh from bone, yet Lu Yan stood in the snow for a long while, seemingly waiting for someone.

The prison gates creaked open, a sliver of daylight piercing through before being swallowed whole.

A guard, responsible for watching over the prison, dragged out a prisoner on his last breaths. The man looked as if he'd just endured brutal torture, his shoulders marred by shocking bloodstains, two ghastly holes visible. His neck and wrists, worn raw from years of shackles, bore bloody marks. His overgrown hair concealed his emaciated form, and his eyes were like stagnant pools, dull and empty.

"Bang—!"

The prisoner was thrown into the snow like trash. He struggled to move his fingers, attempting to rise, but fell back, powerless.

A guard in ghost-faced armor bowed to Lu Yan, his muffled voice devoid of emotion: "Reporting to Your Highness, the criminal Shang Jun Nian is here."

The prison was personally managed by the emperor, who had cultivated a group of emotionless killing machines to guard this hell on earth. Lu Yan wouldn't waste words with them, merely nodding almost imperceptibly. "Withdraw."

He came alone today, with Eunuch He and others waiting outside the palace gates. After the guards left, Lu Yan slowly approached Shang Jun Nian, silently removing his fox-fur cloak to wrap around him, then lifting him into his arms.

Palace maids and eunuchs passing by were stunned, stumbling into pillars in shock.

Lu Yan paid no heed, carrying Shang Jun Nian down the steps at a slow pace, as if holding a fragile glass vessel that would shatter at the slightest touch.

Shang Jun Nian couldn't count the days he'd spent in the dark dungeon. The sudden light blinded him, making it impossible to open his eyes. The soft fox-fur cloak, scented with sandalwood, couldn't mask the intense stench of blood, instead creating an uncomfortable aroma.

The snowstorm battered him, cold winds seeping through his collar, numbing his wounds.

His tangled hair hid Shang Jun Nian's face, revealing only icy, dark eyes. Under the dim sunlight, he exuded a ghastly aura, as if ready to devour anyone in his path.

Yet years of imprisonment had reduced him to skin and bones, unable to even struggle. He stared intently at Lu Yan's chiseled chin to identify his rescuer, finally managing a hoarse, broken whisper:

"You are... Fengling Wang..."

Lu Yan didn't pause, only tightening his hold, his voice low. "Yes."

Shang Jun Nian's throat felt like it was lined with sandpaper, his voice weak, barely audible: "In the twenty-third year of Divine Splendor... I saw you..."

Back then, Shang Jun Nian and Zhao Yuzhang were both imprisoned in the dungeons of Fengling Wang's mansion. Now, the hostages had returned home, leaving him alone.

Shang Jun Nian closed his eyes. "Why did you bring me out of prison... What do you want..."

His expression was numb, indifferent to whatever answer Lu Yan gave. Whether to torment or humiliate him, nothing could stir any emotion within him.

Lu Yan's voice, usually warm and clear, carried a distant tone in the biting snow: "They all went home. Don't you want to go home?"

Their previous meetings were in dungeons, but this encounter was far more impactful than any other. Shang Jun Nian was truly hanging by a thread, shattered and weak to the extreme. The thick fox-fur cloak was so soft that no one noticed Lu Yan's trembling fingertips. He controlled his breathing, trying to remain calm, but his slightly reddened eyes betrayed his emotions.

Shang Jun Nian spoke indifferently: "I have no home. All I want now is an end..."

Lu Yan paused. "..."

The snowstorm blurred his vision.

Lu Yan took Shang Jun Nian back to the mansion, offering no explanations. He simply summoned the best physicians to treat him, sparing no expense on precious medicines, leaving others puzzled about his attitude toward Shang Jun Nian.

"Reporting to Your Highness, this... this young master is too internally depleted, his organs damaged. He's already at the end of his rope. Even if we feed him countless treasures of heaven and earth, it's too late for him to benefit. We can only nurture him gently, hoping for one more year of life."

The usually cautious physician spoke these words with trepidation, indicating just how dire Shang Jun Nian's condition was. Lu Yan had anticipated this, and instead of anger, his heart sank.

"Everyone, withdraw."

Lu Yan waved his hand and entered the inner chamber. Pulling back the curtains, he found Shang Jun Nian lying in bed, staring straight at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Shang Jun Nian's bloodstains were washed clean, his wounds swathed in bandages thicker than his clothes. His face was pale and gaunt, but his slightly upturned fox-like eyes still held a hint of his former spirit. Yet, looking deeper, there was only emptiness.

Lu Yan sat by the bed, smoothing the disheveled hair from his face. "Stay here with peace of mind. No one will lock you up again. This is your home."

The last sentence, upon closer listening, revealed a hint of overbearing arrogance.

Upon hearing these words, Shang Junian finally moved his eyes, slowly turning his head to look at Lu Yan. However, he remained silent, merely curling the corner of his mouth in a cold sneer that conveyed nothing but derision and mockery: "Is that so?"

Lu Yan: "It is."

Suddenly, without any context, Shang Junian said, "Peel a pear for me, would you?"

Though he didn't understand why Lu Yan had saved him, the other party had been fulfilling all his requests during this time, even personally feeding him medicine. He assumed this request wouldn't be refused either.

Surprised by Shang Junian's words, Lu Yan paused. Though he couldn't fathom why Shang Junian, with his notoriously poor appetite, suddenly wanted a pear, he still rose from his seat. Picking a small fragrant pear from the fruit platter—its origin unknown—he sat by the bedside and began peeling it with a small knife. Casually, he asked, "Anything else you fancy eating?"

No one answered him, and the air was filled with an eerie silence.

"..."

Just as Lu Yan was about to look up, his hand suddenly felt empty. The knife was unexpectedly snatched away and pressed against his throat with deadly force, its sharp edge sending a chill down his spine.

Slowly raising his head, Lu Yan met the gaze of a pair of eyes that were dark and filled with malevolence.