Chapter 263: Traitor

Chapter 263: The Traitor

The door of Siyou Pavilion swung open at the sound, and "Song Xiaoyu" stepped inside, setting down a pile of miscellaneous items.

Xiao Wu nodded at him. "Xiao Yu."

Xie Shu pretended it had been a long time since they last met and greeted, "How has the Immortal Lord been these past few days without me?"

As he spoke, he observed Xiao Wu's complexion. Lord Pingwu was injured, but his recovery was good, and his face looked even rosier than before "Song Xiaoyu" had left—proof that Pharmacist Wu’s medicinal baths worked.

Xiao Wu paused, unable to suppress the memories of his inexplicable interactions with Xie Chunshan these past few days. Lord Wuwang was surprisingly easygoing, and he couldn’t quite decide whether that was good or bad. He only gave a hurried reply, "Fine."

Xie Shu smiled. "That’s good."

Xiao Wu spaced out a little. Ever since returning from Xie Chunshan’s residence, he had been prone to distraction. Now, he snapped out of it and asked gently, "And you, Xiao Yu? Was the temple fair fun?"

Xie Shu mimicked him. "Fine."

Before he’d even finished speaking, something cold and jagged was placed in Xiao Wu’s hand.

The object was made of wood and seemed movable. Xiao Wu turned it over but couldn’t figure out what it was.

Xie Shu said, "Immortal Lord, the Luban lock you wanted."

Xiao Wu held it, pleasantly surprised. "So this is what it looks like."

During that temple fair in his youth, he had only glimpsed it in passing from afar, seeing a crowd gathered around something interesting. But just how interesting it was, Xiao Wu had never known.

This was a brain teaser that required some skill. Unable to see, Xiao Wu fumbled with it for a while, but the Luban lock remained still in one piece—just a solid block of wood.

He laughed awkwardly. "It’s a bit difficult. I can’t solve it."

"It’s not hard. The Immortal Lord just hasn’t seen anyone play with it before. Otherwise, you’d get it right away." Xie Shu reached over, guiding Xiao Wu’s fingers to the mechanism and giving it a gentle twist. "Like this."

Back in the Previous Dynasty, during busy projects, Xie Shu had liked fiddling with things—Rubik’s cubes, nine-ring puzzles, Luban locks—he could solve them all blindfolded. So, in less than two minutes, he’d taken it apart.

Xiao Wu lowered his eyes, fingers tracing over one piece, then another, looking a little lost. "Can it be put back together?"

Xie Shu laughed. "Of course."

He guided Xiao Wu’s fingers again, reassembling it with him. Before Xiao Wu could get used to it, Xie Shu handed him a cloth bag instead.

"Immortal Lord, try this first—sugar-roasted chestnuts. I warmed them up, but they’ll cool if left too long."

The bag was heavy, weighing a good pound or two. Xiao Wu lifted it and frowned disapprovingly. "Xiao Yu, this is too much. I—"

In front of Song Xiaoyu, Xiao Wu was not only gentle but also acted like a worried parent, concerned that he was spending recklessly and wouldn’t have a steady income once he left Wuwang Palace. Xie Shu could guess exactly what he was about to say without even opening his eyes.

He felt a twinge of annoyance.

Why was Xiao Wu so cold to the Pharmacist, indifferent to Xie Chunshan, yet so patient with Song Xiaoyu?

"It’s no trouble. I’ll be eating some too," Xie Shu said, taking one from the bag. "Immortal Lord, have a taste."

He peeled the chestnut and tossed it into his mouth. In the game’s set dynasty, good sugar was hard to come by, and the temple fair in the small town at the foot of the mountain couldn’t possibly have high-quality sugar. It tasted sour and bitter, and since Xie Shu wasn’t fond of sweets to begin with, he made a face after one bite and didn’t want another.

But Xiao Wu seemed as if he didn’t know how to eat it.

He held the hard shell of the chestnut, seemingly at a loss, until Xie Shu cracked it open, extracted the nut, and fed it to him.

Xie Shu asked, "How is it?"

Xiao Wu held the chestnut in his mouth. Immortals like them emphasized chewing slowly and savoring each bite, taking their time with even a few small pieces of fruit, as if savoring some elusive flavor. After a long while, he finally smiled and said, "Thank you, I like it very much."

Xie Shu replied, "Glad you like it."

Once Song Xiaoyu's identity was no longer usable, he wouldn't have the chance to bring these things to Xiao Wu anymore.

After sharing the chestnuts, he stuffed a few more assorted pastries into Xiao Wu's hands, then packed up the leftovers and tucked them into the cabinet for him.

Xie Shu glanced at the sky. "Immortal Lord, there's still some chores left to do, so I'll take my leave now."

"Alright." Xiao Wu rubbed the Luban lock in his hand and added, "Xiao Yu, the Demon Palace has been unstable lately. Be careful and don't come to my side too often—you might get into trouble."

From Xiao Wu's perspective, Xie Chunshan had been visiting frequently lately. He feared Song Xiaoyu might accidentally cross paths with him. The Palace Lord of Wuwang Palace was unpredictable, and any encounter could lead to trouble.

Xie Shu nodded. "Alright, I'll remember that."

He stood up to leave. As he stepped over the threshold, Xiao Wu seemed to sense something and suddenly called out, "Xiao Yu."

Xie Shu hummed in acknowledgment. Xiao Wu sighed softly, quelling an inexplicable unease in his heart, though he didn't know why he had stopped him. He only said, "...Be careful. Goodbye."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

Xie Shu paused slightly, turning back to observe. The towering walls closed in, creating an extremely cramped space, with sunlight spilling in from the corners. Xiao Wu sat behind iron bars, his long lashes casting fragmented shadows over the bridge of his nose, his face etched with indescribable desolation. His hand, which could no longer wield a sword, hung limply as he toyed with the crude Luban lock.

Though this small courtyard was far better than the water prison, it was still a cage—just as Xiao Wu, though seemingly in good spirits, was still a shadow of the former Lord Pingwu.

Xie Shu suddenly halted and abruptly asked, "Immortal Lord, if there were a chance to restore your cultivation—assuming the path was paved with hardships—would you be willing?"

Xiao Wu was taken aback, as if he hadn't expected such a question, then smiled faintly. "Of course."

He still spoke like a gentle elder, patiently guiding a junior. "Cultivation is like sailing against the current—if you don't advance, you'll retreat. The path will undoubtedly be arduous, so you must be prepared."

Xie Shu nodded. "I understand."

He stepped forward, whispering to himself, "Goodbye, Immortal Lord."

*

In the servants' quarters, the real Song Xiaoyu—completely dumbfounded—was yanked to his feet and came face-to-face with an equally baffled Xue Sui.

Xue Sui had handled many strange tasks recently, but none stranger than this.

Ever since Lord Wuwang had discovered the talismans on him, Song Xiaoyu had been confined to his room. At first, he had been terrified, certain he wouldn't survive the night. But gradually, he realized things weren't as dire as he'd thought.

The Palace Lord seemed to have forgotten about him, showing no signs of punishing him. Meals were still delivered to his door daily, and he didn't have to sweep floors or wipe tables—just slept in till noon every day. Life was surprisingly cushy. Over time, he'd even forgotten he was a prisoner.

Now, faced with Lord Xue, Song Xiaoyu looked like a deer in headlights, too scared to even cry. Trembling, he clung to Xue Sui's boots, a mess of tears and snot. "S-Sovereign, wh-what is this about?"

Xue Sui grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. "Don't ask. I don't know either. The Palace Lord specifically asked for you. Wish yourself luck."

With that, he hauled Song Xiaoyu up and, in a few leaps, cleared over a hundred yards before landing at the Hundred-Step Pavilion.

The Hundred-Step Pavilion stood at a high point in Wuwang Palace. Above it stretched boundless azure skies, while below yawned a sheer cliff hundreds of yards deep. The lone pavilion perched precariously in the middle, and as Song Xiaoyu looked around from its vantage, his legs turned to jelly.

Xue Sui set him down, and he immediately collapsed at Xie Shu's feet, tears flowing freely. "P-Palace Lord!"

Had their Palace Lord finally remembered there was a traitor in the palace and come to make an example of him?

But Xie Chunshan, holding a hand warmer, merely smiled kindly and waved. "Xiao Yu, come here."

Here is the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

He stood at the edge of the cliff, his long hair loosely tied, the biting wind lifting his fox-fur cloak as he gazed far beyond the Chu horizon.

Song Xiaoyu obediently walked over: "Palace Lord."

Xie Shu then pointed to a protruding rock nearby: "Remember this spot."

There was a cinnabar-marked spot on the rock.

Song Xiaoyu was puzzled, but then heard their Palace Lord explain: "Tomorrow, I will gag your mouth and place you here. When I hurl you, it will also be from this spot."

Song Xiaoyu: "!"

He immediately dropped to his knees, crying out: "Pa-Palace—"

Before he could finish, Xie Chunshan glanced at him and added the second half: "—There's a spell I cast below. If you jump, you'll be caught, and then Xue Sui will arrange for someone to escort you back to Song Family Manor."

Song Xiaoyu: "Wait, what?"

Seriously?

Xie Shu: "I called you here today to familiarize you with the technique and process of jumping off a cliff."

There was indeed a net below, but for realism, it couldn't be placed too close. The cliff had protruding rocks, and improper posture could easily lead to injury.

He pointed at the cinnabar-marked spot: "Jump straight forward from here. When we throw you, don't struggle too hard. Land with relaxed posture. Struggling too much and deviating from the direction might cause injuries. Understand?"

Song Xiaoyu: "...?"

Still bewildered, Xie Shu had already said: "Xue Sui, accompany him for a trial run."

"..."

Xue Sui's face was cold: "Yes, Palace Lord."

Those who frequently jump off cliffs know that once accustomed, it's not much different from bungee jumping. Song Xiaoyu, still a youth, was naturally drawn to excitement. After several attempts, he found that each time he was safely caught by the formation, landing unscathed. Sovereign Xue even deigned to accompany him the entire way, responsible for fetching him back from the foot of the mountain. Far from being afraid, Song Xiaoyu, carried by Sovereign Xue while looking around, found it pretty fun.

Unfortunately, just as his excitement peaked, Xue Sui gave him a cold look and withdrew his hand.

*

Song Xiaoyu shut up awkwardly.

March 23rd, an ill-omened day of celestial conflict—ill-suited for any endeavor.

Xie Shu rose early today. For major events, he preferred preparing in advance—such was his habit in the Previous Dynasty, and so it remained in this life. After a brief cleanup, Xie Shu reviewed the script, going over the day's plot.

Whether in the game's setup or 66's "script," today was a crucial day—one that determined both Xiao Wu's fate and whether Xie Shu could return to his original world.

First, the Shangling Sect's cultivation method had flaws. Even with just a single broken meridian left, Xiao Wu couldn't restore his cultivation. Thus, Xie Shu, as Xie Chunshan, would first pressure him to abandon his broken meridians, then engineer Song Xiaoyu's death to solidify Xiao Wu's resolve to cultivate. With both conditions met, the subsequent plot would unfold naturally.

66 had helpfully highlighted every key line in red. Xie Shu sighed softly and pushed open the door.

The Wuwang Palace buzzed with activity.

Even in the remote quarters of the Siyou Pavilion, Xiao Wu sensed something unusual. Demonic cultivators patrolled back and forth outside, their numbers suddenly increased. Faint murmurs of "spy," "Righteous Path disciple," and "infiltration" could be heard.

Xiao Wu frowned silently, listening to the commotion outside as a growing sense of foreboding tightened in his chest. Then, a flurry of disordered footsteps approached—before someone kicked the door open to the Siyou Pavilion.

Xiao Wu slowly rose, his voice icy: "Who goes there?"

Outside, Xue Sui secretly groaned. He had no idea what scheme the Palace Lord was concocting, but he had no choice but to obey. In a grave tone, he declared: "A servant has been exposed as a Righteous Path lackey, colluding with external enemies. He confessed to having contact with you. The Palace Lord has summoned you for questioning. Lord Pingwu, come with me."