Chapter 11: The Royal Soul in Fengdu

                            

Xie Huan practiced upon the ice for an unknown span of time, until something wet and hot roused her from meditation.

Her eyes snapped open, body tense, ready to strike at whatever dared disturb her. Yet Li Wen’s mocking words echoed in her mind: “With such a low‑grade attack method, who can you sneak attack?”

Inferior. Lame. Ridiculous. That was the self she had been not long ago—the self even Feng Xun had pitied.

She stilled. A pair of trembling hands clung to the ground before her—the underworld beast. It had fled here in fear, and now lay prostrate, shivering. She realized it was the beast that had awakened her, sent by Feng Xun to remind her it was time to return to Fengdu. The resentment of Ice Hell was too heavy; prolonged exposure would harm her cultivation.

“Annoying,” she muttered, climbing onto its back and patting its neck.

The beast licked her palm, loyal and gentle, perhaps influenced by its master. Xie Huan wiped the saliva away on its fur and held tight.

Through the endless fog they traveled. Cold breath stung her face. She remembered Li Wen’s words: Honesty is a beautiful character.

She did not need honesty. Pretending kindness and politeness would serve her better. She forced a smile, distorted and painful, until at last it settled into something almost natural. Her beauty magnified with the expression, though not long ago her strange mannerisms had marked her as inhuman.

In the distance, a ghost appeared—running in pale pink gauze, panic in every step. At her waist hung a silver token, glowing in the dark. Xie Huan’s pupils contracted. She knew that shape: a phoenix, symbol of royalty.

Suppressing the urge to tear the soul apart, she leapt down, forcing her twisted hatred into a sweet smile.

Chu Fengxue trembled before the looming beast, covering her eyes in terror. The beast’s steaming breath washed over her, making her shiver more violently.

Xie Huan extended a pale hand, nails neatly trimmed—Feng Xun had cut them after she scratched him too many times. Her voice softened: “Little girl, are you okay?”

Chu Fengxue lifted her head, tears spilling, and rushed toward her. “Do you know where this is? I just slept—how did I wake here? Who are you?”

Xie Huan realized instantly: this was no ghost. Chu Fengxue’s body radiated yang energy. She was a living soul.

Ghost messengers would soon arrive to escort such souls back to the human world. Xie Huan raised her brows, deciding to hide her.

“Shh.” She pressed a finger to Chu Fengxue’s lips. “They are dangerous. Hide behind the beast.”

Her beauty and gentle tone convinced the girl. Chu Fengxue obeyed, nestling against the beast’s warmth, trusting Xie Huan completely.

Ghost messengers emerged from the fog, bowing when they recognized Feng Xun’s beast. “Girl, have you seen a ghost pass by?”

Xie Huan stroked the beast’s fur casually. “No. Fengdu is foggy—you are mistaken.”

They dared not look closely, and departed.

Xie Huan pulled Chu Fengxue up. “Thank you…” the girl sobbed, clutching her hand.

“This is Fengdu. How did you come here as a living soul?” Xie Huan asked, lifting her onto the beast.

“I… I don’t know. I drank wine at the Spring Festival banquet in the palace. I felt dizzy, asked my maid to help me rest. When I woke, I was here.”

Xie Huan’s eyes flicked to the jewelry on her wrist. A royal girl indeed.

They entered Fengdu City. The bronze‑armored general blocked their path, axe lowered, soul lamp burning. “Who is the ghost behind you?”

“The lost soul I picked up outside the city. A messenger of the First Hall asked me to bring her.”

The general checked, then allowed them entry.

Daylight filled Fengdu. Snow ceased, and the city bustled faintly. Chu Fengxue stared, stunned. “This is the underworld… Am I dead?”

“Maybe,” Xie Huan said. She suspected poison in the wine, leaving Chu Fengxue’s soul half‑detached.

She lodged the girl in an inn. Chu Fengxue clung to her hand, grateful. “I didn’t expect to meet a good person here. Miss Xie of the Xie family is also so kind.”

Xie Huan’s eyes flashed. She thought of throwing the girl into Ice Hell.

But outside, the underworld beast stirred, running to greet its true master.

Blending into the crowd, Xie Huan saw Feng Xun approaching, leading the beast toward her.

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