Chapter 353: The Fate Star Cursed Tool, The Zhengyang King p1
In the neighboring room.
Inside the spacious room, only two people sat facing each other, a table laden with exquisite and steaming dishes, their aroma filling the air.
But facing this feast, Shanghan found it hard to swallow…
…because the meaningful gaze of Youluo, sitting opposite her, made her feel quite uncomfortable.
After taking a couple of bites of fish, Shanghan pursed her lips and couldn’t help but whisper: “Sister Youluo, is there something on my face?”
Youluo rested her chin on her hand, took a sip of fish soup with a lazy expression, and said: “Little girl, pretending to be so well-behaved must be quite tiring, isn’t it?”
Shanghan’s pupils constricted abruptly.
She quickly said awkwardly: “What do you mean, Sister Youluo?”
“Your eyes are full of mischief and cunning, little girl, I can see it clearly.”
Youluo chuckled: “But it’s normal for you to have such thoughts at your age, quite adorable, in fact.”
“…”
Shanghan pursed her lips, the innocent look on her face gradually disappearing, and she said coldly: “I’m just trying to be polite to Master and the others, it would be rude to be sullen.”
“Then blushing when you look at Lin Tianlu is also an act of politeness?”
“…What are you trying to say, Sister Youluo?”
“I’ve already told you.”
Youluo put down her spoon and chuckled: “You seem quite talented, little girl, I want to teach you some Yin techniques. If you rely on yourself, it might take you years to reach the Crimson Demon Realm.”
Shanghan’s expression was calm, and she asked: “Why are you helping me?”
“Do you remember this?” Youluo turned her wrist slightly, revealing the black jade bracelet in her palm.
Just a glance, and Shanghan frowned, a look of lingering fear on her face: “I remember, it suddenly flew towards me, and Master Lin blocked it, but he accidentally crushed it. If you want compensation, I’ll gladly pay.”
“I don’t want any compensation.”
Youluo smiled wryly: “This belonged to a member of the Due’e Sect, I just confiscated it. Although it’s damaged, I can still repair it.”
Shanghan blinked her bright eyes and murmured: “Then why are you…, Sister Youluo?”
But Youluo suddenly smiled mysteriously: “Do you know its origin?”
“I don’t.”
“It’s called a ‘Fate Star cursed tool,’ forged by the ancient eight clans, an artifact for controlling souls and destinies from ancient times.”
Youluo’s tone was light and casual as she explained: “Legend has it that there are thirty-six Fate Star cursed tools, representing the thirty-six evil stars of destiny. Only those who possess them can break through the barriers of heaven and reach the true pinnacle of this world, achieving an unparalleled realm.
And the recent battle in Fengtai County, the various factions fighting over the secrets of the ancient realm, is partly because of these Fate Star cursed tools. Even if they can’t find the secret to breaking through, obtaining these artifacts from the secret realm might also give them a chance to ascend.
But the eight clans’ secret realm has already been destroyed, no one expected the Due’e Sect to have one of these Fate Star cursed tools.”
Shanghan was stunned, her heart filled with shock.
This information about ancient secrets, why would—
“Why… am I telling you this?”
Youluo narrowed her eyes and chuckled: “Naturally, it’s because you’re still quite weak, little girl.”
Shanghan pouted slightly, a speechless look on her face.
Although her cultivation was indeed weak, it was still a bit hurtful to have it pointed out so directly.
“Are you… teasing me, Big Sister?”
“I’m just telling you about its origin.” Youluo smiled and casually tossed the bracelet to her.
“Wah?!”
Shanghan was startled and hurriedly caught the bracelet, asking in surprise and uncertainty: “Wh-What are you doing?”
“You know the effects of the Fate Star cursed tool, but you don’t know its other secrets.”
Youluo said with interest: “This artifact isn’t something that just anyone can use. Just like that Second Sect Master of the Due’e Sect, he simply embedded it within his body. If he could have used even half of its power, I would have been in trouble that night.”
Shanghan’s eyes widened slightly: “You mean… I can use this?”
“Indeed. The reason it flew towards you earlier was partly because it was attracted to you.” Youluo chuckled: “In other words, you are the chosen master of this Fate Star cursed tool.”
“…”
Shanghan held the bracelet, speechless.
After a moment of silence, she couldn’t help but ask hesitantly: “Even Master, with his abilities, can’t use this Fate Star cursed tool?”
“Him?”
But Youluo chuckled softly and waved her hand: “There’s no need to mention him, Master Lin’s abilities far surpass those of this artifact, he doesn’t need it.”
“Uh—”
Shanghan’s lips twitched slightly.
That seemed to be the case.
Although this Fate Star cursed tool was said to be unparalleled and incredibly valuable, it had almost been crushed by Master earlier, it didn’t look like any kind of ancient treasure, she had even thought it was just a trinket.
“Of course, this Fate Star cursed tool has some sentience after being passed down for thousands of years, and its method of choosing a master isn’t simple. Even though the Second Sect Master of the Due’e Sect was able to activate and bind it to himself, he was still ultimately killed by the backlash. It’s not something that anyone below the Savage Realm can touch, even Crimson Demon Realm demons and ghosts would be either killed or injured upon contact.”
Youluo’s words made Shanghan’s hands tremble, and she looked terrified, almost instinctively throwing the bracelet away.
Even powerful Crimson Demon Realm demons and ghosts couldn’t touch it, and she, a ghost practitioner not even at the Evil Spirit level, would surely die ten times over.
“There’s no need to be so afraid~”
Youluo chuckled and pointed: “Look at the bracelet, it’s not even completely shattered, how could it harm you?”
“…Since it’s not dangerous, why don’t you use it yourself, Sister, instead of giving it to me?”
Although Shanghan was relieved, she was still wary and hadn’t been completely blinded by this unexpected treasure.
“Me?”
Youluo’s figure suddenly blurred.
Shanghan’s expression changed slightly, and she was about to stand up when a hand gently landed on her shoulder, a seductive breath brushing against her ear: “Naturally, it’s because… I don’t need this Fate Star cursed tool right now. Might as well put it to good use and give you, little girl, a bit of good fortune.”
“You, you—”
Shanghan’s body stiffened slightly, and she asked nervously: “Give me good fortune, are you doing this to make me… obey your orders?”
“You’re quite a clever girl.”
Youluo smiled and gently caressed Shanghan’s face: “However, I don’t intend for you to do anything evil. I just want you to cultivate diligently and interact with Master Lin more for me in the future. Whether you can seize this opportunity depends on your cooperation.”
Shanghan was slightly stunned.
Then, a cold look gradually appeared in her eyes.
…
Inside the open-air pavilion.
Mother Tan waved her sleeve, picked up a piece of tender fish, and placed it in Hua Shuya’s bowl: “Shuya, try this steamed perch with scallions.”
“Ah… Thank you, Aunt Tan.”
Hua Shuya quickly thanked her.
After putting the delicious fish into her mouth, the young woman nibbled on her chopsticks, glanced at the gentle and considerate Mother Tan beside her, and couldn’t help but feel a bit puzzled.
—She wasn’t very close to this Aunt Tan.
They hadn’t interacted much since she was a child, only exchanging greetings occasionally. What she knew about her was mostly from the gossip within the mansion. Now, although Master had “bridged the gap” between them, and they had just had a pleasant chat, seeing Aunt Tan treat her with such affection, Hua Shuya felt a strange and complicated emotion.
Was her aunt truly such a gentle and kind woman?
But thinking about it carefully, Master beside her also seemed to be receiving special treatment, with food constantly being placed in his bowl, and his mouth even being wiped with a handkerchief just now, a very intimate gesture… Although Master seemed a bit embarrassed.
“Aunt Tan.”
Hua Shuya couldn’t help but whisper: “You seem quite close with Master?”
Mother Tan pursed her lips slightly and said indifferently: “I wouldn’t say we’re close, but this Tianlu child is indeed quite likeable.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly:
“You keep praising me, Mother Tan, I’m starting to feel a bit embarrassed.”
“It’s good for you to be more confident.”
Mother Tan looked back at him with a gentle smile: “Being too humble and self-deprecating might make some people look down on you.”
Just then, the sounds of music and drums came from outside the pavilion.
Everyone looked over and saw musicians playing their instruments.
But there were also some wandering performers playing and singing, their voices mixing with the cheers and shouts from the streets and alleys, creating a rather cacophonous and noisy atmosphere.
Lan’er, standing beside them, lowered her head slightly and whispered: “The ceremony is about to begin, the sacrificial rites will be performed first, it will take about a stick of incense’s worth of time.”
“Sacrificial rites?”
Mao Ruoyu asked curiously: “Is this a custom of the mansion, or…”
“It’s a tradition of… Qingcheng, and the surrounding area, I believe.” Mother Tan explained: “During festivals and holidays, there will be music and dance performances, and martial artists will perform sword dances and pour wine in the streets, reciting poems and songs, to honor our ancestors.
It’s said that the Zhengyang Princes have been generals and warriors for generations, renowned throughout the land, but hundreds of years ago, several generals from the Qingcheng area also made great contributions, and these customs were established to commemorate their sacrifices, continuing to this day. And since Prince Zhengyang is from this area, and famous for his military achievements, now that he’s old, it can be considered a glorious homecoming, honoring the spirits of his ancestors.”
Lin Tianlu and the others nodded in understanding.
“So this grand ceremony is also a form of ancestral worship?”
“Indeed.”
Mother Tan nodded slightly: “Although it’s quite extravagant and lively, it’s not without reason. Otherwise, why would the people of Qingcheng participate so enthusiastically?”
She looked at Lin Tianlu thoughtfully: “Tianlu, I heard that you’re not only talented in literature and scholarship, but also in music?”
Lin Tianlu paused slightly, then replied: “I do know how to play the flute, but compared to professional musicians, I’m still far inferior.”
Hua Shuya said softly: “Master’s flute music is very beautiful, both Madam Mao and Madam Cheng have praised it.”
Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi exchanged glances and couldn’t help but smile faintly.
In their opinion, their husband’s musical talent was unparalleled in this world.
Seeing their admiring expressions, Mother Tan glanced at the jade flute hanging from Lin Tianlu’s waist and asked curiously: “Tianlu, since this is a grand and festive occasion, why don’t you play a tune for me?”
Lin Tianlu chuckled: “Then I’ll make a fool of myself.”
Without hesitation, he took out his jade flute, placed it to his lips, listened to the rhythm of the music outside, and then closed his eyes and began to play.
“Eh?”
But as soon as the flute music started, Mother Tan and Lan’er beside her were startled.
Such a beautiful melody.
The clear and melodious flute music echoed, pure and elegant, incredibly beautiful and moving. Within moments, Mother Tan closed her eyes, immersed in the music, humming along unconsciously.
Although not loud, it gradually drowned out the noisy sounds from outside, as if the only thing left was this beautiful melody, resonating in their hearts.
Until the tune suddenly changed, his fingers moving swiftly, the melody rising, like a passionate and stirring battle song echoing in their minds, their blood seemingly boiling.
“…”
Mother Tan listened to the passionate flute music, her mind becoming hazy, as if she were truly on a battlefield, flames of war raging everywhere. Looking around, tens of thousands of soldiers were charging and fighting, their deafening roars shaking the heavens!
That majestic and desperate charge made the energy within her surge, her blood boiling, wanting to sing loudly and join the battle, sword in hand, to defend her home and country.
…
