Chapter 41

Tao Junran and Wang Yicheng both possessed exquisite control over their power. Their silent clash barely leaked any energy waves or gale winds. To the juniors standing behind them, it was merely a passing breeze. But those with sharper senses saw a clue in Wang Yicheng’s sudden shift in demeanor. They had no right to speak, however; they were here to “see the world” and “provide presence,” not to act as Wang Yicheng’s advisors.

“The Dragon Veins in Jiang City and Shen City were damaged. The Xuanzhen Dao Court obtained the permits and is undertaking repairs.” Wang Yicheng met Tao Junran’s gaze, pausing deliberately until he saw the Alchemist’s brow furrow before continuing slowly. “Our Mystical Families are also part of the Divine Land, concerned with Dragon Vein matters. For the array to be set at the Dragon Vein this time, we wish to participate.”

Tao Junran considered for a moment, then answered, “That can be arranged.” ‘Concerned with the Dragon Vein’ was just an excuse. The closer one got to the pure Dragon Vein Essence, the greater the benefits. Even within the Dao Court, people fought tooth and nail for such spots. If the Mystical Families weren’t envious, it would be a miracle. And knowing their habits, even if refused, they’d show up unannounced with people and artifacts. Better to agree to Wang Yicheng’s terms and get the fox’s belongings back than face an ugly scene later.

But Wang Yicheng’s concession was… far too great.

Was it genuine concern, or was there another scheme?

Tao Junran’s thoughts churned, but his face betrayed nothing. Smiling at Wang Yicheng, he said, “Daoist Wang, you are truly wise and righteous.”

Wang Yicheng’s eyes shifted. He smiled back. “We Wangs could enter the Dragon Vein on our own, but such conflict is unnecessary.” He paused. “Actually, I have a small request. Once inside the Dragon Vein, we’d like to borrow a bit of Qi Luck to replace the Nine-Tailed Fox’s Inner Core, to safeguard my Wang family’s enduring prosperity. What does the Alchemist think?”

A small request? This was Wang Yicheng’s true aim! Tao Junran cursed inwardly, then declared righteously, “The Qi Luck within a Dragon Vein is not something to be casually borrowed.”

Wang Yicheng feigned dejection. “My Wang family’s loss of the Inner Core and Magical Artifacts is immeasurable.”

Tao Junran pondered for a long while before replying, “The Xuanzhen Dao Court can compensate the Wang family for some of the loss.” If the Wangs were willing to take a step back, the Court didn’t need to be so hardline. A consensus reached, the tense atmosphere eased. Wang Yicheng pulled Tao Junran into a discussion on Daoist arts, exchanging pleasantries. A smile remained fixed on his face, showing neither the frustration of being suppressed by Tao Junran nor his earlier anger. This calm lasted until the Dao Court delegation departed with the items. Only then did his face abruptly darken. His narrowed eyes flickered with cold light.

“Family Head, we didn’t need to listen to the Dao Court,” an elder of the Wang clan couldn’t help but say. In his view, the Court were the newcomers. Originally, the Divine Land was protected by the Mystical Families. Guarding the Dragon Veins and enjoying their benefits was their birthright.

Wang Yicheng merely gave him a sidelong glance. “I have my reasons.” Did he truly care about the meager compensation from the Court? This retreat was partly at the request of the Zhao and Zhang families, and partly because of the Court’s firm stance. The fox’s core had always resisted refinement—returning it was no real loss. If the Zhao family’s plan succeeded, many past concerns would become irrelevant.

In the car.

Qi Ji carefully replayed Wang Yicheng’s shifting attitude, suspicion filling her mind. Of the Four Great Families persisting to this day, the Jiangs were closest to the Court. Under Jiang Li’s firm methods, their branch families had long since scattered, unlike the other three, who remained colossal entities clustered generation after generation. The Zhao family kept a cold distance, hard to read, but the Zhang and Wang families’ hostility toward the Court was undisguised. The Zhangs, because their eldest daughter had been ‘stolen’ by Senior Fu; the Wangs, because their carefully groomed heir had defected. They’d stormed the Court several times over it, until they grew utterly disappointed in Wang Xuanming. But disappointment didn’t mean their hatred had faded.

“Alchemist, I—”

“I know what you want to ask.” Qi Ji was cut off mid-sentence. Stroking his beard, Tao Junran narrowed his eyes. “Wang Yicheng is injured.”

Qi Ji was stunned, eyes wide. “What?” Supernatural incidents were flaring everywhere, but most were handled by Court cultivators and young Mystic Sect disciples. She hadn’t heard of the Wang Family Head personally engaging in combat. How could he be wounded?

Tao Junran said, “If others knew, it wouldn’t be a secret.” After a moment’s thought, he asked, “Has Daoist Jiang contacted you?”

Qi Ji shook her head. “No.”

Tao Junran made a sound of acknowledgment and closed his eyes to rest. After a while, he said, “She went to Jiang City previously, investigating that Fortune-Changing Talisman—which ties directly into the Dragon Vein. The Daoist who tampered with it was slain, yet she remains missing… Even the Six Jia Arcane Gates can’t divine her whereabouts…”

His voice faded. Qi Ji listened, heart pounding. She cultivated the Tai Yi Calculation Canon and was skilled in divination, but it couldn’t compare to a Heavenly Constellation Divine Power like the Six Jia Arcane Gates. Only when her cultivation was sufficient might she comprehend that ability. Was the Alchemist implying he’d already tried to divine Teacher’s location? What place could evade the Six Jia Arcane Gates? Somewhere that obscured Heaven’s Secret? Qi Ji didn’t think Jiang Li was dead, for if she’d died, divination would have already found her remains.

“A great tribulation looms.” Tao Junran sighed, then fell silent.

Having obtained the Inner Core and the Magical Artifacts forged from the severed Fox Tails, Tao Junran and Qi Ji headed straight for the Jiang residence. But this time, they didn’t even see Tushan Yi’s shadow. Only Fu Juan was in the empty living room. Her face was pale, but her dark, silent eyes sent a chill through anyone who met them.

Qi Ji asked, “Where is Envoy Tushan?”

Fu Juan replied flatly, “Busy.” She unhurriedly brewed tea for her guests. Though her legs were crippled, her control over spiritual power was exceedingly fine, far from a helpless invalid.

Qi Ji: “…” So busy she ignored her own Inner Core? It was almost as if she didn’t care. After a moment’s thought, she decided not to pry. She pushed the jade box toward Fu Juan. “Please deliver this. If she has time, the Court would also like an opportunity to speak with the envoy.”

Fu Juan nodded.

The Court’s agreement to retrieve the core and allocate funds for the fox’s upkeep was precisely to learn about Azure Hill from Tushan Yi and maintain that millennia-old alliance.

Tao Junran suddenly asked, “Xiaofu, would you be interested in taking on some assignments from the Dao Court?” He’d noticed Wang Xuanming’s cooperation with Fu Juan, but those were small-scale. The Court had ultimately given up on her due to her condition. But Tao Junran felt that with her resilience and talent, even if she never became Dao Lord, she should be a prominent figure. The Revival of Mountains and Seas Realm was unstoppable; many boundaries would be shattered, and perceptions overturned. Now he suddenly wanted to see where Fu Juan’s path would end. After all, her mother was Zhang Xuanji!

Fu Juan looked up, her gaze somber as she faced Tao Junran.

Whether it was alienation or closeness, she could sense a hint of deliberateness in both. It instinctively disgusted and repelled her.

Her refusal was crisp: “No.” Her tone was icy, as if determined to draw a clear line between herself and the Court.

Qi Ji turned to Fu Juan, surprise unconcealed in her eyes. She’d thought Fu Juan would want to be involved. Otherwise, why work with Wang Xuanming? Wasn’t this a chance to prove herself? Why refuse? “Fu Juan, we may be facing the Revival of Mountains and Seas Realm next. This is an opportunity. Don’t worry about the difficulty; initially, the tasks will be low-level.” Qi Ji tried to persuade her.

Fu Juan’s hands, resting on her wheelchair, clenched tightly. A sudden, acute embarrassment surged within her. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her whole body radiating a coldness that kept others at bay.

She recalled years ago, when, with Aunt Jiang’s encouragement, she’d emerged from the shadows. After finally learning to control her wheelchair with her arts, she’d wanted to take on Court assignments again, as before. But she’d faced looks of mockery or pity. Even for a task as simple as locating and registering a newly sentient minor Demon, no one was willing to partner with her.

“We investigated this matter. It was indeed an accident. Your father was Fu Changheng, your mother Zhang Xuanji. They sacrificed themselves on a Court mission, and you paid the price as well. You needn’t rush about or trouble yourself. The Court will provide for you for life.” That had been the Court’s kindness. Nearly everyone thought she should accept. But how long would such “grace” and “merit” be remembered? Perhaps the initial intent was sincere, but within a few years, she’d become synonymous with “burden.”

“If your mother hadn’t been so headstrong, running off with a pauper, how could she have met such an end? She refused to send you back to the Zhangs back then. Now, even if you wanted to return, it’s impossible.” Those words, however, had come from her own blood kin.

A fine sweat beaded on Fu Juan’s forehead, her pallid face utterly bloodless. A bone-grinding pain swept over her. She couldn’t tell if it was from her legs or the dark hatred that had accumulated in her heart over the years. She was like a sword suddenly unsheathed, her eyes unconsciously glinting with sharpness and malice.

Even Tao Junran found it alarming.

After leaving the Jiang residence, he furrowed his brow. “We must pay more attention to Xiaofu from now on.”

Qi Ji looked at him in confusion.

Tao Junran said quietly, “Years of Ghost-Fire Baleful Qi invading her body… that ultimate darkness and negativity cannot have had no effect.” He paused, murmuring to himself, “A Ghost King’s baleful qi… and no cure exists…”

–

Fu Juan sat in the living room for a while, until her turbulent emotions calmed. Then she smoothly adjusted her hair and wheeled herself toward the training room. Ever since Tushan Yi had discovered Jiang Yiguang practicing the Dark Lady Sword Art, her interest had soared. She’d made it her daily mission to train Jiang Yiguang. After observing for some time, Fu Juan confirmed that Tushan Yi genuinely wanted to be Jiang Yiguang’s teacher, and only then did her heart settle.

With Aunt Jiang absent, having the divine maiden of the Tushan Clan step in was the best possible outcome.

On the long bench.

Jiang Yiguang sat resting. If not for caring about her image, she would have collapsed into a starfish sprawl on the floor. Under Tushan Yi’s training, she realized how lazy she’d been, even in the Eternal Space. With this intensity, her swordsmanship would advance by leaps and bounds.

“Although it’s the same sword art, different sword intents yield different effects. In the hands of Emperor Xuanyuan, it was the majestic imperial sword, towering as a mountain. Later, the Maiden of Yue learned it, and it became graceful as drifting clouds… Think carefully—which path does your sword follow?” Tushan Yi sipped her drink and glanced sidelong at Jiang Yiguang, her smile ambiguous. “You don’t need to tell me now. This question will follow you your whole life. Nothing is eternally unchanging.”

Jiang Yiguang nodded.

The feeling of “listening to rain in a high pavilion in youth” naturally differs from “listening to rain in a traveler’s boat in middle age.” Sword intent follows the heart, constantly shifting. After a brief rest, she rubbed her sore hands and lifted her Ritual Sword again. But as she looked up, she saw Fu Juan pushing the door open. In her arms was a jade box. Even from a distance, the roiling baleful energy within was palpable.

“Oh?” Tushan Yi rose, turning to Fu Juan. “So quickly?”

Fu Juan didn’t look at Jiang Yiguang. Meeting Tushan Yi’s inquisitive gaze, she said slowly, “The Court doesn’t delay important matters.”

Tushan Yi laughed meaningfully. “I thought everything would be a trade of interests.”

Fu Juan agreed inwardly, but her face remained impassive. “Perhaps,” she replied. That was for the upper echelons of the Dao Court to deliberate. It had nothing to do with her. No one would tell her, and she had no interest in asking.

Tushan Yi gave a soft, scornful laugh. She took the jade box, her slender fingers brushing the lid carved with Taiji runes. Suddenly, she felt a sense of utter disinterest. Perhaps, after cutting off her obsession, this object holding a thousand years of love and hate wasn’t as important as she’d imagined. Still, it was her Inner Core, containing seventy to eighty percent of her power. After a moment, she unlocked the Eight Trigrams Lock and gazed at the perfectly round, lustrous Golden Core sealed within. With a tap of her fingertip—

Jiang Yiguang craned her neck curiously, a little worried. “Are there any Restrictions?”

“None,” Tushan Yi shook her head, giving Jiang Yiguang a light smile. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll regain my power and kill you all?”

Jiang Yiguang shrugged. “The Jiang residence has Magical Artifacts for house protection.”

Hearing this, Tushan Yi’s smile grew more radiant. She’d noticed this the moment she followed Jiang Yiguang home. “What was your mother’s cultivation like?” she asked, curious. She sensed the residual aura of a powerful being in this house, comparable to some formidable Demonic Beasts in the Mountains and Seas—surely a top-tier figure among humans.

Jiang Yiguang answered without hesitation, “Very strong.”

A child’s worship of their mother could be blind; it was hard for Tushan Yi to gauge the truth from Jiang Yiguang’s words. She turned to the silent, composed Fu Juan. But there was no introduction, only an answer identical to Jiang Yiguang’s, like a copy-paste.

Tushan Yi: “…”

–

After the Jiang City incident was resolved, calm persisted throughout April, save for the occasional chaotic ruckus in the training room.

Tushan Yi lived at the Jiang residence. Fu Juan was also living there. Jiang Yiguang couldn’t quite figure out Fu Juan’s intentions. Outwardly, she was cool and detached, yet she managed all the household chores perfectly. Why hadn’t Jiang Yiguang noticed this talent before? Most importantly… how much longer was she planning to stay? As she pondered her relationship with Fu Juan and their future fates, Jiang Yiguang suddenly recalled the System.

She hadn’t communicated with the System since her last quest ended. And lately, exhausted by Tushan Yi’s grueling training, she’d had no time to remember her “cheat.” Didn’t this prove that current events were, in fact, escaping fate’s control? Then when would fate strike again, dragging them back onto the single predetermined future?

“You’re spacing out.” A melon seed shot from Tushan Yi’s hand, striking Jiang Yiguang’s wrist. Before she could respond, Tushan Yi propped her chin and drawled, “I hear in the human world, there’s a holiday for Labor Day. I’ll give you a break too. Go out and have fun.”

Jiang Yiguang looked skeptical.

Tushan Yi smiled. “But I also hear there are makeup workdays. Remember to make them up.”

Jiang Yiguang: “???”