Three months in the Nether Realm was but a fleeting three hours in the mortal world. For Luo Wushuang, the day had only just begun.
Remembering her sister’s request to return early today, the ever-obedient Luo Wushuang hurried back to the Phoenix Hall the moment the morning court session concluded.
Seeing the palace maids waiting outside the bedchamber with washing basins and attire, Luo Wushuang instinctively lightened her footsteps. She approached them and asked in a hushed whisper, “Is Sister not awake yet?”
The head maid shook her head and replied respectfully, “Since Your Majesty departed, there has been no movement within the hall. We did not dare enter to disturb her.”
Luo Wushuang nodded slightly, giving the maid an appreciative glance before gently pushing open the doors.
Expecting to find her sister still asleep, Luo Wushuang stepped softly into the inner hall. To her surprise, she found Shangguan Liqian wide awake, staring blankly at the tassels hanging from the bed canopy, lost in thought.
If she’s awake, why hasn’t she gotten up?
Luo Wushuang’s brow furrowed in confusion as she stepped forward. Upon seeing her sister’s unusually pale complexion, her narrow red phoenix eyes filled with immediate concern. “Sister, did you not sleep well last night?”
Shangguan Liqian shook her head slightly. With a soft sigh in her heart, she reached out and took Luo Wushuang’s hand, asking warmly, “Did the court affairs go smoothly today?”
Luo Wushuang frowned. Her sister had never taken an interest in politics before; what was different today? Despite her confusion, she answered honestly. “Everything went well. You needn’t worry about such things, Sister.”
Seeing her sister nod, Luo Wushuang couldn’t help but press further. “What about you? Are you feeling unwell? Why is your face so pale?”
Shangguan Liqian remained silent for a moment. She looked up at Luo Wushuang and spoke in a calm, steady voice. “Wushuang… I don’t think I can feel my legs.”
Luo Wushuang froze. A flash of panic crossed her phoenix eyes. With trembling hands, she pulled back the Harmony of the Luan and Phoenix brocade quilt and placed her hands gently on those slender legs. “How… how could you suddenly lose sensation?” she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.
Shangguan Liqian lowered her gaze, unsure of how to respond.
During the time Wushuang was at court, she had been agonizing over how to explain this once her sister found out. Even now, she had no answer. She couldn’t speak of her experiences in the dream, nor did she want Wushuang to know the horrors of the Nether Realm. Yet, she didn’t want to exhaust herself weaving lies to deceive the one person whose heart and soul were entirely devoted to her.
Seeing her silence, a wave of self-reproach washed over Luo Wushuang. She felt she had asked the wrong thing—surely her sister was just as bewildered by this sudden affliction.
Luo Wushuang carefully pulled the woman into her arms, her voice shaking as she asked, “Aside from your legs, is there anywhere else that feels uncomfortable?”
Shangguan Liqian bit her lip and whispered, “I… I’m in some pain.”
In truth, it wasn’t just “some” pain. It was agonizing. The sensation of her soul being scorched and torn felt like a red-hot blade slowly scraping the flesh from her bones, layer by layer.
Although the Nether Lord had suppressed most of the soul-rending agony, the small portion that remained was still more than any ordinary person could endure. While in the Hall of the Nether Lord, she had been a mere ghostly soul; fueled by her longing to return, she had forced herself to endure it. Now that she was back with Wushuang—now that she had someone to lean on—the moment she let her guard down, she realized the pain was almost unbearable.
She hadn’t intended to say anything that would worry Wushuang, but looking into those concerned eyes, the words slipped out instinctively. She sounded like a child seeking comfort, yet also like someone who was purposely trying to tug at the heartstrings.
In the past, she never would have acted this way. But after seeing Wushuang spend day after day in the Underworld, searching the dark, lightless River of Forgetfulness for every fragment of her soul… her perspective had shifted.
She knew her Wushuang wanted her whole and complete. Given Wushuang’s temperament, she likely wanted to know her sister’s every thought and every pain. Shangguan Liqian understood this now, and she no longer wished to hide things. Even if the truth caused Wushuang to worry or fear, she would share it. For Wushuang, knowing—even if it was bad news—was better than being kept in the dark.
Hearing her sister cry out in pain, Luo Wushuang’s hold became even more delicate, her eyes brimming with heartache. She knew that for her sister to actually admit to being in pain, the suffering must be extreme. Otherwise, with her sister’s stoic nature, she would have simply endured it in silence.
Luo Wushuang’s heart tightened painfully, but she swallowed her tears and offered a gentle comfort. “Don’t be afraid, Sister. I will summon the Imperial Physicians immediately.”
“Mm. With you here, I’m not afraid,” Shangguan Liqian whispered, patting her hand.
She truly wasn’t afraid for herself; she knew it was Wushuang who was currently terrified. It was just like yesterday when she had collapsed without warning—Wushuang’s fear was palpable. However, Shangguan Liqian suspected that her condition was beyond the reach of even the most skilled mortal doctors. She allowed the summons anyway, knowing Wushuang would find no peace otherwise.
Soon, the Imperial Physicians and the famous physicians of the realm recruited by the Princess Manor were all gathered in the Phoenix Hall.
Yet, after taking her pulse, none of them could offer an explanation. Not only were they unable to treat the paralysis in her legs, they couldn’t even provide a moment of relief for her physical pain.
Luo Wushuang’s anxiety turned into a raging fire. With reddened eyes, she barked at the room full of doctors, “Useless! You are all utterly useless!”
“Someone! Guards! Drag these incompetent fools out of my sight!”
Just before Luo Wushuang could order their execution in her fury, a soft voice reached her from behind. “Wushuang… do not take your anger out on the physicians.”
“Sister…” Luo Wushuang choked out. She didn’t dare turn around, instead using her sleeve to hurriedly wipe her face.
Shangguan Liqian knew she was crying in secret. Though it pained her, she couldn’t even manage to sit up to comfort her. A sudden sense of powerlessness washed over her, and a shadow of desolation flickered in her bright eyes.
After a moment of silence, Luo Wushuang gathered her resolve and turned back to the bed. “Your legs will be fine, and you will be fine. I will issue an order to search the entire world for famous physicians. As long as they can heal you… as long as they can heal you…”
As she spoke, Wushuang could no longer hold it back. She collapsed against Shangguan Liqian’s arm, sobbing uncontrollably.
A single tear fell from the corner of Shangguan Liqian’s eye as she gently stroked Wushuang’s back. Seeing her like this felt like a knife to her heart. She was just wondering how to tell Wushuang to seek out Master Yujing when she was interrupted by a hurried voice.
“Your Majesty, Master Yujing requests an audience!”
Luo Wushuang was stunned. Master Yujing? He had refused to enter the palace no matter how much she had asked before; why was he coming to cause trouble now?
She frowned, about to order the “shaved-head” to be thrown out, when she felt her sister’s hand tighten on her arm. Before she could look down, the secret guard delivering the message added cautiously, “Master Yujing says he has come specifically regarding the matter of Lady Shangguan.”
Luo Wushuang’s attitude shifted instantly. “Quickly! Invite Master Yujing inside!”
“Yes!” The guard responded and rushed off.
“Wait for me here, Sister. I must go see this Master Yujing.”
Seeing Wushuang’s desperate hope, Shangguan Liqian gave a soft affirmative. “Go.”
As Wushuang hurried away, Shangguan Liqian let out a quiet sigh of relief. She had tried to speak his name earlier, but just like her inability to describe her dreams, she found she couldn’t even mention the monk’s name to Wushuang. It was fortunate he had come of his own accord, or she would have had to find another way.
Under Luo Wushuang’s anxious watch, Master Yujing, dressed in simple monastic robes, was led into the hall.
The monk’s face was lean and peaceful. When his eyes were cast down, they held a look of profound mercy, as if he could see through all the illusions of the world. When he looked up, his gaze was serene and deep—possessing a natural authority that was both commanding and compassionate. He seemed capable of seeing into one’s soul and dispelling all shadows.
One couldn’t help but feel a sense of reverence and trust in his presence, as if all inner turmoil would vanish just by looking at him. Even within the solemnity of the palace, he remained calm and unperturbed, as if standing in a pure land detached from the mortal world.
With just one glance, Luo Wushuang made her judgment: This Master Yujing seems actually reliable!
The “actually reliable” Master Yujing pressed his palms together in a greeting and spoke. “Amitabha. Do not be distressed, Your Majesty. This poor monk has come specifically to assist Lady Shangguan.”
Hope flared in Wushuang’s eyes. “If the Master can heal my sister, I will grant a massive reward.”
Master Yujing merely smiled and said nothing. He sought neither fame nor fortune, and he had no use for gold and silver. To him, an imperial reward was meaningless.
He had come to the palace today because he had seen that the Tianfu Star—the star of the Empress which rules the Southern Dipper—had grown dim. He knew that vengeful spirits and malicious souls were clashing with a noble person. If this were not resolved, it would inevitably affect the neighboring Ziwei Star, the Emperor Star. Should that happen, the world would fall into chaos and the common people would suffer.
Beyond that, through the cycles of karma, he had calculated that he shared a destiny with Lady Shangguan. By helping her through this tribulation, he could resolve the plight of the masses and settle a lingering debt from his own past in the secular world.
