Chapter 919: Where Can One’s Heart’s Blood Be Laid to Rest?
The Grand Unification Ceremony of Nanxi Zhai came to an inconclusive end, yet the events that transpired within shook the entire world. The battles between Divine Domain-level powerhouses, the exposure of the Western Continent’s conspiracy, and the death of the Azure-Robed Guest became the hottest topics of discussion for everyone in recent days. The Holy Maiden Xu Yourong broke through her seclusion, and her alliance with the Pope Chen Changsheng allowed them to stand against Divine Domain-level powerheads head-on, sparking countless debates and awe.
The four great clans—the Tang Clan, the Qiushan Clan, the Muzhe Clan, and the Wu Clan—had become extremely low-key in their actions, which was naturally inseparable from the role Tang Thirty-Six played in the matter. The latest news from the Longevity Sect arrived, formally apologizing to the Tang Clan and sending an elder to detoxify and heal the wounds of the Tang Clan’s eldest master. But Chu Su had vanished. Anyone could see that the increasingly declining Longevity Sect could no longer control this monster.
The Great Zhou court remained powerful, and Shang Xingzhou still sat firmly in the highest seat in the world. According to the agreement from years past, the Pope Chen Changsheng still could not return to the capital, only wandering the world, with no one knowing when he might break the deadlock. Yet everyone could sense that the grand trends of the world were like the starry sky after rain—subtle changes were brewing.
After finishing that pot of bean curd fish, Chen Changsheng did not linger any longer. The next morning, he took Tang Thirty-Six and the others and left the Holy Maiden Peak. As for what he said or did that night with the Holy Maiden Xu Yourong inside Nanxi Zhai, naturally, no one knew.
Upstream of the Tong River, numerous peaks stood tall, some bathed in sunlight, others shrouded in clouds and mist, each possessing its own beauty. On Spirit Camphor Peak, where Cijian Temple was located, many camphor trees grew, filling the view with lush greenery that greatly lifted one’s spirits. Walking deeper into Spirit Camphor Peak for about ten li, they arrived at a cliff edge. Beyond the cliff, clouds and mist swirled, making it impossible to see the bottom. Opposite them, a solitary peak was faintly visible, connected by an iron chain that swayed with the mountain wind from the ravine. Just looking at it stirred fear in one’s heart, let alone walking across it.
“What is that peak called?” Tang Thirty-Six pointed at the opposite side and asked.
Ye Xiaolian, who had escorted them here, said, “That peak is named Solitary One Peak. It is the easternmost of the Thirty-Six Peaks of Lishan. Back then, Senior Brother Qiushan often practiced his sword on this peak. Sometimes, when the clouds and mist disperse and the sky brightens, standing here, you can see him clearly.”
Hearing the emotion in her voice, Tang Thirty-Six teased, “So when you saw him here as a child, you fell for Qiushan Jun at first sight?”
Back then, on the Divine Path of the Li Palace, he and Ye Xiaolian had a famously heated argument, so he naturally knew of her feelings. Ye Xiaolian was no longer the young girl of those days. Hearing this, she didn’t get angry but said calmly, “So what if I did?”
Tang Thirty-Six sidled up to her and lowered his voice, asking, “If I may be so bold, who do you like now?”
Ye Xiaolian glanced subtly at Chen Changsheng in the distance and said with a smile, “I like the Zhai Master the most.”
Tang Thirty-Six found this answer terribly dull and said, “Women are truly fickle.”
Zhe Xiu, listening to this exchange from the side, found it equally dull. He walked toward the cliff’s edge, gazing at the iron chain swaying in the wind and mist, thinking that was far more interesting.
The solitary peak appeared and disappeared in the mist before them.
Chen Changsheng looked at it but was thinking of other things.
Tang Thirty-Six knew what he was worried about and said in a low voice, “There’s still no news from White Emperor City.”
Chen Changsheng said, “Even if we can’t find Zhi Zhi, why hasn’t there been any contact with Chief Clerk Jin?”
Tang Thirty-Six replied, “Because the incident was sudden, with few details reported. But I remember from the excerpts I’ve read over the past two years, that Chief Clerk Jin has been demoted again and is still farming outside White Emperor City as before. Even if we contact him, it probably won’t solve the problem.”
Chen Changsheng said nothing.
After that night on Snow Ridge, while recuperating at Ban Cliff Horse Farm, he had already reestablished contact with Zhi Zhi. Later, he went through Songshan Military Prefecture to Wenshui City, while Zhi Zhi traveled alone to White Emperor City, eight thousand li away. The state religion had to contend with the court for the world’s momentum, and he needed to compete with his master Shang Xingzhou in laying out their pieces. The first thing to consider was their respective external allies. His visits to the Tang Clan in Wenshui, to Holy Maiden Peak, and his upcoming journey were all part of this consideration. In this matter, Zhi Zhi played the most crucial role.
To the state religion and the court, what was the most important external ally? It wasn’t the four great clans led by the Tang Clan, nor the various sects south of the heavens, nor Holy Maiden Peak—it was the demon race. In a sense, the stance of White Emperor City could decide many things. Madam Mu’s attitude was already very clear. He could only hope that Zhi Zhi, who had deep ties to White Emperor City, could temporarily stabilize the situation. Logically, even if Madam Mu was involved in the Western Continent’s conspiracy and stood on his master Shang Xingzhou’s side, Zhi Zhi should still be safe in White Emperor City.
But he was growing more and more uneasy, and he didn’t know why. Perhaps it was because his soul connection with Zhi Zhi had been severed. Perhaps it was because members of the state religion couldn’t reach Jin Yulu. Or perhaps it was because he hadn’t heard any news of that guy for years. Where have you been all these years, and what have you been doing?
Tang Thirty-Six walked over to him, looked at him, and said comfortingly, “Don’t worry. That bear kid is tough-skinned and thick-fleshed. He won’t get into trouble. At worst, he’ll suffer a bit.”
Zhe Xiu, thinking of that bear clan youth at the National Academy who used his back to smash trees every day and secretly hoarded food, found his usually hard facial lines softening, a rare occurrence.
Tang Thirty-Six asked, “Where to next?”
Chen Changsheng pointed at the opposite side and said, “Lishan.”
The solitary peak in the mist was Lishan. At the northernmost end of the Plum Falling Mountain Range, beside the most fertile plains of the human world, stood thirty-six peaks, like swords pointing north. Those peaks were all Lishan.
Tang Thirty-Six’s expression grew serious, and he asked, “Are we really going? We don’t have time now.”
Chen Changsheng glanced at Zhe Xiu, thinking that indeed, there was no time.
Suddenly, a tremor arose at the cliff’s edge.
This tremor was violent. The mist beyond the cliff was shaken into wisps, drifting away lazily. The iron chain became much clearer, even the rust on it visible. Then, another tremor sounded. Dust on the ground was kicked up, floating slowly in the air.
Where was this tremor coming from?
Tang Thirty-Six’s expression turned grave.
Chen Changsheng grew tense.
They were all looking at Zhe Xiu.
The tremor came from Zhe Xiu’s body.
Like a tidal wave, like thunder.
Zhe Xiu’s face turned deathly pale, as if he had just suffered a severe injury.
There was clearly something wrong in White Emperor City, and Chen Changsheng still wanted to go to Lishan. It wasn’t because he was acting on a whim. It was because the frequency of Zhe Xiu’s heart’s blood flare-ups was increasing, and his condition was worsening.
“Don’t rush. I should still be able to live another ten days or half a month.”
Zhe Xiu made a rare joke.
But no one could laugh.