Chapter 66: Power Moves and Moonlit Confessions

 

"Esteemed colleagues, what greater opportunity could we ask for?" Wind Emperor's voice rang with fervent conviction as he rose from his ornate seat of red gold and spirit jade. "If my disciple Xia Yan speaks truthfully, then Lord Cizang walks among us unguarded. Surely this is fate's gift—our chance to unite and eliminate this menace once and for all!"

His impassioned speech met only uncomfortable silence. The assembled masters of major and minor immortal sects avoided his gaze, their lack of response creating an atmosphere thick with awkwardness.

Displeasure flickered across Wind Emperor's features as he turned toward Crimson Water Abyss, his equal in status. "Master Yu, surely you have thoughts on this matter?"

The red-robed Master Yu appeared utterly fascinated by his own fingernails, examining them as if they'd sprouted miraculous flowers. Without lifting his gaze, he offered dismissive ambiguity: "Hmm, yes, well... this situation seems rather complex. Perhaps we should deliberate further."

Growing increasingly frustrated by such obvious disinterest, Wind Emperor pivoted toward Heaven Worship Palace. "Palace Master, what wisdom do you offer?"

The Palace Master wore the glazed expression of someone whose mind had wandered to distant realms. Even after Wind Emperor called twice, he responded with sluggish confusion: "What? Oh... has the meeting concluded?"

Wind Emperor's face flushed with suppressed rage, though political necessity forced restraint with these powerful equals. Turning to the remaining major powers, he demanded: "Elder Rui, City Master Shang—surely you possess some semblance of courage?"

The elderly representative from Auspicious Crane Village had somehow materialized a star chess board and become completely absorbed in his game, utterly ignoring Wind Emperor's existence. Only City Master Shang Qinyin of Pipa City bothered acknowledging him, twirling a jeweled hairpin while fixing him with a sardonic look.

"Do you mistake us for simpletons?" Her voice dripped with contempt. "You summon us here, deliver some rousing speeches, then expect us to risk our lives while you claim the victory? The world doesn't operate so conveniently."

Wind Emperor's complexion alternated between scarlet and ashen as her barb struck home. Scanning the lesser sect masters desperately, he found only averted gazes—some studying their sleeves with sudden fascination, others discovering urgent business elsewhere, all maintaining attitudes of complete disengagement.

These spineless fools! Years of suppression under Gengchen Immortal Mansion had utterly broken their fighting spirit.

He snorted contemptuously. "Perhaps you still doubt my words. My disciple Xia Yan formerly served Gengchen Immortal Mansion—he can confirm that individual's identity. I've also dispatched investigators to Guyu Hollow, and indeed, no demon generals accompanied him."

"Consider what befell Gengchen Immortal Mansion years ago. His injuries were so severe that decades of recovery couldn't fully heal them. A few years hiding in the demon realm means he's likely maintaining mere appearances. Otherwise, would his return to our world be so unremarkable? Would we dare discuss him so openly?"

Wind Emperor's voice gained momentum. "Remember—he inexplicably turned demonic and slaughtered countless Gengchen Immortal Mansion families. Such blood debts demand justice from righteous cultivators! Moreover, he now rules half the demon realm. Who knows when he might lead demon armies against us? Perhaps this infiltration serves reconnaissance for future conquest! We must eliminate this catastrophe before it fully manifests!"

His passionate rhetoric concluded to a room filled with shocked gasps, though their horrified stares focused not on his words, but on something behind him.

Slow, mocking applause echoed through the suddenly silent chamber.

Wind Emperor, who had stepped forward during his speech, now saw a young man in black robes occupying his former seat.

The stranger possessed ethereally pale skin and flowing dark hair. Lowering his hands after the sardonic applause, he offered a single word: "Magnificent."

Though few present had ever seen Lord Cizang's true form, his brief yet devastating impact on their world had left everyone simultaneously fearful and fascinated. Witnessing this figure appear soundlessly among so many powerful cultivators, then casually claim the primary seat, left no doubt about his identity.

It could only be him.

If not Lord Cizang—Sima Jiao himself—who else possessed such supernatural ability?

"The First Immortal Mansion oppressed you for so long," Sima Jiao's voice carried no obvious emotion, yet somehow conveyed infinite mockery and disdain. "Now that obstacle has been removed, you've scavenged some scraps and already dream of claiming the vacant throne."

Wind Emperor, so eloquent moments before, now found himself speechless before Sima Jiao's presence. He retreated several steps, cold perspiration streaming down his brow.

Sima Jiao's gaze fixed upon him with predatory intensity. "How exactly did you plan to 'deal with me'? Unite these people to besiege Guyu Hollow?"

Agony exploded through Wind Emperor's skull as invisible hands ruthlessly ransacked his spiritual mansion. Against his will, truth spilled from his lips: "First capture Liao Tingyan..."

The sound that followed defied description—somewhere between a whisper and an explosion.

Every witness paled in terror.

Wind Emperor's cultivation ranked highest among those assembled, which had been the only reason others attended this clandestine gathering out of respect for his power.

Yet this formidable cultivator offered no resistance whatsoever as Lord Cizang cracked open his mind before their very eyes. His soul's anguished wail echoed briefly before flames erupted from Sima Jiao's palm, completely incinerating both body and spirit.

What level of cultivation could accomplish this so effortlessly?!

Master Yu and the others' expressions transformed dramatically, their eyes reflecting pure vigilance and terror as they stared at the suddenly lethal Lord Cizang.

Would he, in his wrath, eliminate them all? This man had destroyed Gengchen Immortal Mansion without hesitation—they posed no greater challenge. Many silently cursed Wind Emperor's arrogance. Ever since White Emperor Mountain had absorbed territories from the fallen Gengchen Immortal Mansion, he'd grown increasingly presumptuous. Now he'd not only destroyed himself but potentially doomed them all.

Sima Jiao settled back into the main seat with casual authority. No one in the hall dared move or whisper. All remained frozen, many not even daring to meet his gaze.

"I require territory," Sima Jiao announced with calm finality. "Near the demon realm's exit, extending outward eight thousand eight hundred li, ending at the Lonely Group Mountain Range. Henceforth, all belongs to me. Every cultivation sect within those boundaries must relocate."

The demand stunned everyone into silence. The cleverer ones immediately grasped this powerful figure's meaning and felt overwhelming relief! Better that such a terrifying individual had specific demands than none at all! After all, if he chose, he could slaughter them all and claim whatever he desired. His willingness to negotiate suggested he didn't seek complete annihilation of their world.

Moreover, while the demanded territory contained some spiritual mountains and treasure lands, it lay far from most major sects. Its proximity to the demon realm had always given it a rather wild reputation. If they could trade this land for peaceful coexistence, the exchange seemed remarkably generous.

When Sima Jiao departed on his business, Liao Tingyan remained unaware of his activities. They didn't spend every moment together, and after he'd revealed the spirit source's true nature, she'd eagerly sought her master at dawn.

Though she'd merely given up an unfashionable necklace, this represented a monumental matter for Guyu Hollow. Master Ji Wuduan therefore brought her to the Settlement Master, where they convened with numerous elders.

Learning of her willingness to provide such abundant spirit sources to resolve the settlement's crisis moved the elders to tears. Momentarily forgetting their fear of Lord Cizang, they lavished praise upon Liao Tingyan. A grateful procession then escorted her to inspect the back mountain, explaining how the spirit sources would be utilized and planning to award her a plot of land in recognition.

"This entire valley now belongs to you!" the Settlement Master declared, marking out an extensive area.

"Oh no, please give it to my master instead," Liao Tingyan protested. "I don't understand farming."

"That works perfectly," Ji Wuduan agreed. "We'll register it in your name, and your senior brothers will help with cultivation. Simply tell your master what you'd like to grow."

This tremendous good news warranted another grand celebration. This time, Liao Tingyan suggested hot pot, with everyone contributing ingredients. Her table groaned under the weight of countless offerings, barely containing the abundance. The duck-raising uncle proved particularly generous, providing a small mountain of tender ducklings.

Sima Jiao circled her briefly before the feast began, then departed to soak in the Youpu pond. Liao Tingyan dined alone, though without his intimidating presence, everyone relaxed considerably. The celebration continued past midnight, with senior sisters producing homemade spirits that felled countless brothers and sisters. Liao Tingyan indulged moderately, feeling pleasantly dizzy.

She wandered to the stone pool behind Youpu, where the familiar figure soaked in crystalline waters.

Sima Jiao opened his eyes to find her sitting poolside, holding her head while gazing at him through slightly hazy vision. He extended his hand, sleeve creating gentle ripples, cold wet fingers caressing her face tenderly.

"Did you enjoy yourself?"

Liao Tingyan's mind cleared somewhat as she nodded with a smile. "The senior brothers' vegetables and meat were absolutely delicious."

Typically, when Sima Jiao soaked and saw Liao Tingyan, he would pull her into the water. Tonight, however, he simply traced her eyes with gentle fingers.

She found his cool touch wonderfully comforting, pressing against his palm and unconsciously nuzzling into it with her nose.

"Are you drunk?" he asked softly.

Liao Tingyan shook her head. "No, I didn't drink much. The senior sisters wouldn't let me have the strong spirits."

She released his right hand back into the water and reached for his left. "This hand isn't cold anymore—let me have the other one."

Sima Jiao obliged while observing, "Hmm, you are drunk." Otherwise, having forgotten her past, she rarely initiated such intimate contact.

But Liao Tingyan wasn't drunk. The night simply felt magical—the moon hung so perfectly round in the sky, reflecting in the pool's surface. The man resting in the water, offering her that faint smile, made her heart skip erratically, compelling her closer.

Sometimes people unwilling to acknowledge attraction blame it on moonlight. Liao Tingyan swayed slightly before stepping into the pool, reaching out to embrace Sima Jiao's neck and burying her face against his cold, damp chest. The embrace carried winter's chill, yet Sima Jiao returned it warmly, habitually pinching the back of her neck with one hand while threading fingers through her hair.

The moon at their feet reflected the moon above, hanging like a jewel on the osmanthus tree beside the pool.

Fallen osmanthus blossoms floated in the water. Liao Tingyan felt several scattered petals land on her hand and impulsively tasted them.

"Do you eat osmanthus flowers?"

"Mmm... no," Sima Jiao replied lazily.

Liao Tingyan pulled at his collar and leaned closer.

After a moment, Sima Jiao pinched her neck to create distance. "That fragrance is quite intense."

Liao Tingyan giggled softly.

"Why do you always watch me for a while, then smile?" she asked suddenly. "Was it like this before too?"

Sima Jiao raised an eyebrow. "Do I always smile?"

"Yes, you do."

Sima Jiao shook his head, seemingly unconvinced but unwilling to argue. He made a sound of acknowledgment: "Well, if you say so."

But he did smile. Sometimes Liao Tingyan would casually crack sunflower seeds, accidentally dropping one. When the ruined seed fell to the ground, inedible, she'd show slight disappointment. Glancing up, she'd catch Sima Jiao watching her with apparent amusement, displaying a brief smile.

Sometimes she'd sit cross-legged watching live streams, becoming interested in counting the trotters a chef was stewing, unconsciously pursing her lips in concentration. Then she'd notice Sima Jiao observing her with that same subtle smile.

Sometimes she'd simply change into a different skirt, twirling to see how it flared, only to discover Sima Jiao watching with gentle amusement.

Everyone spoke of Sima Jiao's ruthlessness, but no one mentioned his tendency to smile.

Perhaps only she knew this secret.

They remained at Guyu Hollow for some time afterward. The days passed with extraordinary peace—no conflicts troubled the settlement, unlike other places. Disciples frequently gathered for communal meals, and Liao Tingyan occasionally overheard mentions of outside chaos. Something about White Emperor Mountain disciples fighting for power and creating opportunities for other sects. Guyu Hollow generally avoided such politics, being the cultivation world's largest supplier of spiritual food ingredients.

Living daily in this agricultural paradise, Liao Tingyan nearly forgot her dao companion ruled half the demon realm.

"Time to return," Sima Jiao announced one day.

Liao Tingyan considered briefly before understanding: "Oh right! Hong Luo should be about to be born!"

Sima Jiao hadn't been referring to that specifically, but he remained silent as they prepared for the demon realm. Before departing, however, he took her elsewhere.

"Where is this?" she asked, gazing at unfamiliar landscape.

"Autumn Leaf Dai Mountain, Cold Sand Encircling Water, Dai Encircling Mountain. Future palaces will be built here for your residence."

"But this lies outside the demon realm?"

"So?"

"This territory?"

"Now belongs to you." Sima Jiao indicated mountains stretching beyond the horizon. "Eight thousand eight hundred li, ending at the Lonely Group Mountain Range."

Liao Tingyan stared in bewilderment. In her original world, she couldn't even afford an apartment. Now what was she supposed to do with such vast territory?

She pondered this question all the way back to the demon realm.

Upon returning, the massive black snake greeted them first. It had accompanied other demon generals to attack the three southern cities, but when they returned to claim credit, they'd found their ancestor missing along with the newly recovered Liao Tingyan. Remaining in the forbidden palace had nearly driven it to depression.

Then Liao Tingyan, dragging the miniaturized dog-like black snake, encountered Hong Luo. Having been nourished with various spiritual medicines while in the womb, Hong Luo had grown to the size of a three or four-year-old child within days of birth.

Liao Tingyan initially didn't recognize the little girl who hugged her legs enthusiastically, exclaiming: "Damn! Damn! Damn! I never imagined you'd be so incredible, sister! I never dreamed I could be resurrected, let alone in such a badass way! Damn, I've hit the jackpot! Hahaha, I love you! You're like my second parent—I'd even call you dad from now on!"

The distinctive speech pattern revealed her identity immediately.

Liao Tingyan thought: This constant cursing style resembled Sima Jiao's childlike flame voice remarkably. Perhaps calling him "dad" would indeed be more appropriate.

Previous/Next