Chapter 179: The Face in the Bronze Mirror
After receiving that letter, Chen Changsheng exchanged a few words with Jin Yulu and Xiao De, then departed on the crane.
Jin Yulu and Xiao De exchanged glances, sensing each other's doubts and unease.
Before leaving, Chen Changsheng said he was going to handle a matter and would return once it was done, but then added that he hoped the matter would not be completed.
These words were very strange and difficult to understand. And what matter could be more important than helping the White Emperor break free from his predicament?
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On a snowy peak about a dozen miles from that black cliff, wind and snow drifted lightly, blending with white robes.
Xu Yourong had been standing here for some time. She watched Chen Changsheng, Jin Yulu, and Xiao De enter the black cliff, saw the white crane arrive, and then Chen Changsheng leave.
She vaguely guessed what had happened in White Emperor City, and her mood was affected as well.
She had observed the forbidden formation within the black cliff long enough and had found a possible way to break it.
She took a piece of white paper from her sleeve, folded it into a paper crane, and released it, letting it go.
The paper crane drifted away with the snowy wind, fluttering lightly to the ground before the black cliff.
Xiao De looked around warily but found nothing. He picked up the paper crane, unfolded it, and saw two characters written in a delicate hand, likely a woman's script.
The two characters were: "Sword Formation."
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From the Falling Star Mountains back to White Emperor City, given Xu Yourong's speed, it took only a very short time.
She did not go to the small courtyard behind the Temple of the Heavenly Tree, because she was not yet ready to meet Chen Changsheng, and also because she subconsciously did not want to see those scenes.
Returning to the inn from yesterday, she did not go to her room. Instead, she ordered some of the inn's most famous steamed buns in the front hall.
The atmosphere in White Emperor City was tense and eerie. There were not many pedestrians on the streets, and naturally, business at the inn was very poor. Very few people had the leisure to come here for breakfast.
At this hour, anyone still thinking of eating out was bound to be a true idler who loved excitement—and those who loved excitement also loved gossip.
As Xu Yourong ate her steamed buns with beef and egg porridge, she listened to the idle chatter of the guests at the next table.
The biggest excitement in White Emperor City lately was naturally the Heavenly Selection Ceremony, followed by the successive appearances of the Demon Lord and Chen Changsheng.
As for the most rampant gossip, it was naturally the words that Xuanyuan Po had shouted before the imperial city, and the words that Princess Luoluo had personally confirmed.
*I wonder what the Pope thinks? But seeing how he traveled thousands of miles on a crane and said what he did, he must also like Her Highness the Princess, right?*
*I heard that among the humans, such matters are taboo, but when have we demons ever cared about such things? If you like someone, just sleep with them.*
*I heard that the Pope is betrothed to the Holy Maiden, but when have we demons ever cared about that? Snatch her away, and if you really can't, just sleep with her too.*
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Xu Yourong's mood was already somewhat low. Eating while listening to a bellyful of gossip, she hadn't even eaten her fill, and her mood grew even worse.
The so-called enlightened heart, calm as still water—she had long since forgotten where she had left it.
She grabbed a steamed bun and a dish of vinegar and garlic, then returned to her room.
She washed up briefly, sat down at the table, and stared at the bronze mirror, gazing at her own reflection as she began to drift off.
The bronze mirror was not very clear, somewhat blurry, but the face in the mirror was still beautiful, like the most beautiful flower imaginable.
*—I am her teacher. If I say she cannot marry, then she cannot marry.*
*What a domineering statement. What a wonderful teacher-student relationship.*
She thought to herself with a hint of mockery.
She knew very well that the little black dragon represented a debt of gratitude that Chen Changsheng would have to repay for the rest of his life. The real trouble was still Luoluo.
From any angle, Luoluo was the kind of girl men liked best—not to mention the way she loved Chen Changsheng was so pure and without any demands.
She could not do that. She could not love Chen Changsheng more than herself. She could not even understand how anyone could do such a thing.
She only knew that she wanted to walk the long, thousand-year path of cultivation with Chen Changsheng, and she knew what the greatest challenge would be.
The more she thought about it, the more unhappy she became. She pouted, revealing a girlish demeanor she never showed outside.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she muttered, "You're so beautiful. You're the most beautiful. You're the most beautiful girl in the world. He's not blind."
After saying this, she suddenly came to her senses and felt terribly embarrassed. With a soft whimper, she covered her face.
At that moment, a thin mist suddenly rose in the bronze mirror.
Xu Yourong's expression sharpened. She returned to calm in the fastest possible time. There was no more annoyance or shyness in her eyes—only a serene, clear beauty.
At this moment, she was the Holy Maiden, her aura like a spring forest after fresh rain.
The thin mist in the bronze mirror gradually shifted, coalescing into lines both thick and thin, vaguely forming a face.
The image was still blurry, the features unclear, but for some reason, the face seemed extraordinarily handsome, exuding a mountain-like aura.
Xu Yourong said to the person in the mirror, "I went to see the forbidden formation myself. Since the White Emperor is still alive, he should have a way to get out, or at least send out some information."
Hearing this, the person in the mirror was silent for a long time. Clearly, these seemingly ordinary words had struck his mind.
Xu Yourong did not press further. She simply waited quietly.
The person sighed, a sigh full of emotion, even tinged with sadness.
He said, "Since that's the case, then let's help him out."
Xu Yourong said, "I've already sent word to Chen Changsheng. With his insight, he should be able to break the formation quickly."
The person said, "Given this situation, you both need to be cautious."
Xu Yourong suddenly asked, "Why is he willing to help you? Don't you have other means? In the current situation, you have many chances to kill him."
The person asked in return, "Then why are you willing to help me?"
Xu Yourong said, "The greater good takes precedence."
The person said calmly, "It's the same logic. So he's not helping me, and I don't care about him. Killing him... there will be plenty of opportunities later."
Xu Yourong asked one last question, "Is there really no way for Master Bie?"
The person thought for a moment and said, "If that wayward disciple can't cure him, then there is no way."
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The so-called greater good naturally referred to how humanity could survive and thrive on this continent.
Xu Yourong had to consider this issue. The person in the bronze mirror had to consider this issue. And Chen Changsheng, as the current Pope of the human race, certainly had to consider it even more, even though he believed he lacked such ability.
There were many things he could not resolve, even in his most skilled field—medicine—which at times seemed utterly useless.
The white crane passed through the great tree in the Temple of the Heavenly Tree and landed in the desolate little courtyard.
Xuanyuan Po's face was pale, his right arm hanging limply and weakly. When he saw Chen Changsheng, he forced a faint smile.
Chen Changsheng stepped forward and embraced him, patting his broad back firmly three times. Without another word, he walked into the room.
Bie Yanghong leaned against the wall, his eyes closed, his complexion normal, as if he were sleeping.
Chen Changsheng walked up to him in silence, removed the golden needles from his fingers, and began treating him again.
It was said that his cinnabar pills could regenerate bones and revive the dead, but that was just an exaggerated rumor. The cinnabar pills, infused with holy blood, could only treat external injuries like blood loss, broken bones, or abdominal wounds.
Bie Yanghong's injuries were caused by the two angels from the Holy Light Continent. His soul and physical body had both suffered irreversible damage and could not be healed.
No one knew how much time had passed. Chen Changsheng's Daoist robe was completely soaked with sweat. Fortunately, after his meridians had been reconstructed by the Heavenly Sea Holy Empress, there was no longer that strange fragrance that could drive the world mad.
Bie Yanghong slowly opened his eyes and finally woke up.
Chen Changsheng once again saw that faint, grayish aura deep in his eyes.
That aura was very faint, like fresh snow falling on a plain, like raindrops falling into a mountain stream.
If not for someone with such a strong spiritual sense as his, it would have been impossible to detect.
This aura was the will of death. (End of chapter.)