Wutong Phoenix Isle lay silent through the night.
Outside Songfeng Courtyard, Er Yun paced in agitation. Since she had told Songfeng last night that Chong Zhao had tried to assassinate the Ziwei Star, he had said nothing and had not stepped out of his room once. With Chong Zhao's punishment drawing near, she was frantic.
At dawn the door opened. Er Yun turned to see Songfeng walking out slowly in his Daoist robe.
"Second Uncle, Junior Brother is..." She hurried toward him, but Songfeng waved a hand.
"Yun'er, leave Zhao'er's matter alone. Second Uncle knows what he is doing."
He patted her hand and started toward the courtyard gate. After two steps he stopped.
"Yun'er, these past days I have been thinking. The road of immortality is long, and the rise and fall of a sect is much like the sun and moon rising and setting. It is quite ordinary. From now on, as long as Piaomiao holds to the purpose it was founded on and protects the people of the Eastern Sea, that is enough. Whether we ever return to the Three Mountains and Six Mansions hardly matters anymore."
"Second Uncle?" Er Yun was stunned.
"When Zhao'er comes back, tell him what I have said."
Songfeng sighed softly, said no more, and walked out of the courtyard.
As the hour of punishment approached, the sect heads led their disciples toward the main hall of Phoenix Isle in twos and threes.
Xiyun walked briskly, and Nan Wan, following behind him, could not hide her smugness.
"Master, you are truly shrewd. With just a few words yesterday you made Chong Zhao throw away his chance to be spared. The Thirty-Six Thunder Whip lashes of Supreme Immortal Jinglei might not kill him, but they will surely shatter his immortal bones and ruin his cultivation."
Xiyun gave a cold snort. "A clown. What right does he have to be the Wutong champion and be granted a post in the Celestial Palace? Kunlun has always kept to itself, and Beichen's status is special; he ranks alongside the head of Kunlun and will not enter the Celestial Palace. No one among the younger generation of immortals can stand beside you. Once today's thunder punishment is over, I will recommend you for a spiritual appointment in the Celestial Palace."
"Thank you, Master." Nan Wan's face lit up, then turned puzzled. "Master, there is something I don't understand."
"What is it?"
"Assassinating the Ziwei Star is a capital crime. Yet yesterday, with one sentence from Supreme Immortal Yufeng, Presiding Seat Jinyao and all the sect heads accepted that he had done such a thing only out of personal grudge and not to throw the mortal world into chaos. Why?"
Xiyun paused. "You are young, so naturally you wouldn't know. Ever since His Majesty Muguang took the Celestial Palace and ruled the Three Realms sixty thousand years ago, every Ziwei Star in the mortal world has been an immortal of the Celestial Palace who descended to undergo a tribulation."
"You mean...?" Nan Wan was startled.
"The Ziwei Star of the last tribulation was Supreme Immortal Yufeng himself."
"So that's it." Nan Wan understood at once. "I heard Supreme Immortal Yufeng went down to the mortal world to undergo a tribulation not long ago. So he became the Ziwei Star. Master, what grudge could Chong Zhao have with the Ziwei Star, that he would rather have his immortal bones shattered than repent before him?"
"The Ziwei Star governs all under heaven, and he recognized Chong Zhao's identity at a glance. In the mortal world Chong Zhao must have come from a noble house. To choose destroying his spiritual veins over bending, I suspect it is blood vengeance for the destruction of his family. All the better. We of Yunxiao need not lift a hand, and this hidden threat is removed."
Xiyun gave another cold snort, then stopped suddenly and looked into the distance with a frown.
"How did this lord forget about him?"
Nan Wan followed his gaze and saw Songfeng stepping into Stillwater Hall, where Jinyao resided.
Inside Stillwater Hall, Jinyao had already learned Chong Zhao's origins from Yufeng, and could not help sighing.
"So that is how it was. His father's hunger for power brought ruin on the whole family. Chong Zhao's immortal bones are excellent. It is a pity."
Yufeng comforted him. "His path of immortality is still short. A few more hardships may not be a bad thing for him."
Jinyao nodded. Just then an immortal general came to announce that the head of Piaomiao requested an audience. Jinyao and Yufeng exchanged a look and had him shown in.
Songfeng entered the hall. Seeing Yufeng there too, he understood, and bowed to Jinyao with his hands clasped. "With Supreme Immortal Yufeng present, I take it the Immortal Lord already knows why my disciple Chong Zhao went into the imperial city to assassinate the Ziwei Star."
Jinyao was startled. "Sect Head Songfeng, did you already know who Chong Zhao was in the mortal world before he became an immortal?"
Songfeng's face was calm. "I did."
Jinyao was puzzled. "If you knew he carried such an obsession, why did you take him into Piaomiao?"
Songfeng raised his head. "Immortal Lord, once a person steps onto the path of immortality, the affairs of the mortal world become mist and cloud. He went through great hardship to seek an immortal teacher, and since he arrived at Piaomiao, it was fate between him and my sect. The Great Dao comes first. Piaomiao will not turn away a disciple who comes with a sincere heart for the Dao."
Piaomiao had been in decline for a long time, and Chong Zhao's immortal bones were excellent. Even knowing his past in the mortal world, no immortal house would have shut its doors to him.
Jinyao sighed. He could understand Songfeng's regard for such talent.
"Immortal Lord, this junior lord is willing to stake Piaomiao's thousand-year reputation on it: Chong Zhao tried to kill the Ziwei Star only out of private vengeance. He had no intention of colluding with the demon clan to bring chaos upon the living."
"Supreme Immortal Yufeng has already vouched for him on that point. Sect Head Songfeng can rest easy. I will not hold this against Piaomiao."
"The Immortal Lord misunderstands. Songfeng has not come out of fear that the sect will be implicated."
"Then the sect head has come for...?"
Songfeng bowed deeply. "I ask the Immortal Lord, in consideration of the labor Piaomiao has spent for a thousand years protecting the ten thousand people of the Eastern Sea, to grant this junior lord an improper request."
"The sect head need not do this." Jinyao quickly helped him up. "Chong Zhao saved a group of young disciples of the immortal sects in the foreign city, and yesterday he saved Fuling's life. Out of public duty and private feeling, I have no wish to take his life. But..." Jinyao paused, and said gravely, "He has broken an ironclad law of the immortal realm and cannot escape severe punishment. Even if I wished to show him favor, with the anger of every sect before me, I truly cannot spare him these thirty-six lashes."
"This junior lord understands. That is not what I am asking."
Jinyao was startled. "Then what do you ask?"
Songfeng suddenly bowed toward Jinyao. "Immortal Lord!"
"Sect Head Songfeng? What are you doing?!"
"Immortal Lord, there is something Songfeng must say."
"Please speak."
"Chong Zhao has no family left in this world. When he joined Piaomiao, Piaomiao became his home. He entered under my senior brother's name, but for these three years his immortal arts and his understanding of the world have all come from me. Though I am his uncle in the sect, I have in truth borne a master's duty. That I could not dissolve his obsession is my fault. The mortals have an old saying: when a son is not taught, the father is to blame. This junior lord understands that Chong Zhao has committed a grave wrong and that severe punishment cannot be avoided. I only ask the Immortal Lord's mercy: let this junior lord take my disciple's thirty-six lashes in his place!"
"Sect Head Songfeng! This...!"
Jinyao's expression changed, but Songfeng had already prostrated himself.
"Chong Zhao's golden core has already been badly damaged. If he takes another thirty-six lashes, his spiritual platform will surely be gravely harmed and his immortal veins severed. He would never advance another step on the Great Dao. I beg the Immortal Lord to take pity on Piaomiao and leave my sect one thread of life!"
Songfeng's hair was streaked with white. He pressed his forehead to the floor, every word solemn. In Stillwater Hall, a dropped needle could have been heard.
After a long while, Jinyao helped Songfeng up. "The sect head's devoted heart moves me. I grant your request."
Songfeng's eyes filled with emotion and he moved to bow again in thanks, but Jinyao sighed.
"After this, I believe Chong Zhao will be able to let go of his obsession and cultivate the Great Dao anew. I too would not want our immortal realm to lose such a rare talent."
"Thank you, Immortal Lord!"
In a flash of immortal light, Bai Shuo and Qingyi landed outside Jiuhua Pavilion. Nearby, Hua Hong came out of Xiaoyao Pavilion with a stern face, with Mu Jiu trotting eagerly behind her like a little tail.
"Hey, hey, hey, Little Hua, are you going to the Phoenix Hall to watch the excitement too..."
The two ran straight into Bai Shuo. Mu Jiu clapped a hand over his mouth, and Hua Hong froze.
She had sent word to the Hall Master. Why had this ancestor come back anyway?
Before she could speak, Bai Shuo rushed up to her.
"Little Hua, where is A-Zhao? Where is he?"
Bai Shuo asked three questions in a row. Hua Hong frowned and said nothing, but Mu Jiu answered quickly enough.
"In the Phoenix Hall. Little Bai Shuo, your senior brother is about to take the Heavenly Thunder Whip. I doubt his body will survive it. There's still a little time, so go say your farewells..."
Before Mu Jiu finished, Bai Shuo had turned and run toward the Phoenix Hall.
"Why did you tell her?" Hua Hong snapped.
"If we don't, will she never see Chong Zhao? Even your Hall Master didn't keep her. You should know by now how much Chong Zhao matters to her."
Mu Jiu's voice was easy and unhurried. Hua Hong turned in surprise. The Young Lord of the Fox Clan, usually so carefree, had his eyes narrowed and could not hide the cunning in them.
"Relax, stop worrying about your Hall Master. The two of them won't end up together. Chong Zhao has a heavy obsession and a deep mind. In his heart, other things always weigh more than Little Bai. Better to let the girl hit the wall. Once she breaks against it, the bond between them breaks too."
"You..."
"They can't get together, but we can." Before Hua Hong could say more, the little fox grinned, moved close, and grabbed her hand. "Come on, come on, to the main hall. Immortal clan excitement, no reason not to watch..."
Outside the Phoenix Hall the guard was tight, but with Qingyi beside her, no one dared stop Bai Shuo.
"The Presiding Seat has said that if Chong Zhao is willing to let go of his worldly grudge, the thirty-six lashes can be waived. Bai Shuo, there is one incense stick's time before the punishment. This is his last chance."
Qingyi urged her. Bai Shuo nodded and went into the Phoenix Hall.
She pushed open the doors. Inside the golden cage of light, Chong Zhao turned his head, his face ashen and defeated.
"A-Zhao..."
When he saw who had burst in, Chong Zhao's pupils contracted, and then he lowered his head without expression.
Bai Shuo ran forward and reached out to touch the cage. Golden light flashed. Chong Zhao's face changed. "Don't touch..."
But the light struck Bai Shuo and did not harm her at all. Chong Zhao froze, and so did Bai Shuo.
"This light... why does it have no effect on me?"
"A-Shuo, you..." Chong Zhao stared in disbelief. "You have risen to High Lord?"
Phoenix Isle's restraining cage always rebounds on anyone below the rank of High Lord. That Bai Shuo was unhurt meant she must already be a High Lord. Yet two days ago she had still been only an unaffiliated immortal.
"High Lord?"
Bai Shuo looked blankly at her palm. Since she had woken at Purple Moon Lake, one strange thing after another had happened to her, and only now did she realize that not only had the old injury knotted in her spirit veins healed, but her spiritual platform was filled with abundant spiritual power.
It was the Purple Moon Breath! The big demon had taken her to Boundless City not to take revenge on her, but to heal her...?
Warmth rose in Bai Shuo's chest. Chong Zhao's low cough sounded, and she pulled her thoughts back and raised her hand to break the cage.
"A-Zhao, I'll get you out."
"No need."
Before Bai Shuo's power was released, Chong Zhao cut her off quietly. Her hand stopped in mid-air.
Chong Zhao looked at her. "A-Shuo, this is not something you can interfere in. Assassinating the Ziwei Star is a grave crime. If I flee, all of Piaomiao will be implicated."
"I'm not trying to make you escape. I want to take you to the Immortal Lord Jinyao to admit your guilt. As long as you're willing to let go of your grudge, those thirty-six lashes won't have to..."
"Impossible." Chong Zhao raised his head, his eyes heavy with resentment. "A-Shuo, don't forget, I took up cultivation for the sake of vengeance. If I gave up the hatred for my family's destruction, how could I face the hundred members of the Chong family who died unjustly? If I live through today, then one day I will kill the Ziwei Star with my own hands!"
"They did not die unjustly!" The words burst out of Bai Shuo. Inside the cage, Chong Zhao went rigid, and his bloodshot eyes turned to her.
"What did you say?"
He walked toward her step by step, letting the cage's power strike him, until, bloodied, he reached the bars, gripped them with both hands, and fixed his eyes on her.
"A-Shuo, a hundred lives of my Chong family were wrongly killed before my eyes. What do you mean, they did not die unjustly?"
The Phoenix Hall was deathly silent. After a long time Bai Shuo said haltingly, "A-Zhao, back then Chancellor Chong really did intend to rebel. The evidence was solid."
"Nonsense! My family held the chancellorship and a place in the Cabinet for three generations. My father was loyal to the emperor and cared for the people. How could he commit treason!"
"The Chong treason case was investigated by the Grand General's Residence."
Bai Shuo kept her eyes down. After that single sentence, the Phoenix Hall was dead silent.
Chong Zhao stared at her in disbelief, his voice hoarse and breaking.
"What did you say? Who judged my father's crime?"
"The Grand General's Residence." Bai Shuo looked up, met his shocked gaze, and spoke softly.
In the present dynasty of the mortal world, only one man held the title of Grand General and Pillar of the State: Grand General Bai Xun.
Inside and outside the restraining cage, Bai Shuo and Chong Zhao looked into each other's eyes, each reflected in the other's.
They had spent more than ten years side by side, and now they seemed both familiar and strange.
Bai Shuo had finally said it. All these years she had stayed beside the lonely Chong Zhao, and at last she had said this sentence aloud.
The big demon had asked her how many lives she had, and how deep her feeling must be, to keep guarding and protecting Chong Zhao like this.
The big demon did not know that what she felt for Chong Zhao was not only the bond of growing up together, nor only guilt over running away from the marriage in her youth. What truly made her protect Chong Zhao at any cost was that the one who had personally placed the Chong family's treason evidence on the imperial desk was her father, Grand General Bai Xun.
The Chong family's treason was a matter of a subject doing his duty, and her father was not at fault. But what had Chong Zhao done wrong? She owed Chong Zhao, and apart from her own life there was nothing she could give back to him.
Bai Shuo's eyes were full of guilt, and yet calm, as if she had been waiting for this day all these years.
After several years of cultivation, Chong Zhao's mind was no longer that of the boy he had been. Had his obsession not been so deep, had he not refused to think about the past, he might have worked out the truth long ago. Now a single sentence from Bai Shuo told him that the old Chong case was not what he had believed.
Anyone in the world might have wronged the Chong family, but Bai Xun would not.
His father had recognized Bai Xun's worth first, and the marriage alliance between the Chong and Bai families had come after. The two houses had been close for decades. The old General Bai had no son and no desire to seize power, and beyond the emperor's orders he had no need to do anything more.
But why was it Bai Xun himself who uncovered all of it?
"The Grand General's Residence, Old General Bai..." Chong Zhao's hands were burned bloody by the cage, yet he felt no pain at all. He looked at Bai Shuo and murmured, "Why was my Chong family's crime decided by your Bai family, of all people! Why? Why!"
"A-Zhao." Bai Shuo could not speak. Her eyes were almost drowned in guilt.
Suddenly Chong Zhao raised his head and looked straight at her. "The Chong treason case began with the private troops at Muxiao Mountain, didn't it?"
Bai Shuo's throat tightened. She nodded. "Yes. A-Zhao, I'm sorry. It was I who harmed..."
"You have nothing to be sorry for. The Chong family committed treason, and I am the descendant of rebels. Old General Bai spared my life and looked the other way. It is I who owe you a life."
Everything had been set in motion by his own hand. If he had known the truth back then, if he had not so willfully called out that private army, perhaps he could have talked his father back. Perhaps the Chong family would not have been wiped out entirely.
It was he. He had made everything final and left the Chong family no way out.
Chong Zhao staggered back into the cage.
"How laughable. I cultivated the Dao, believing myself wronged, even meaning to kill the Ziwei Star to win justice for my family..." He lowered his head, his expression hard to read, his mouth twisting into a self-mocking smile uglier than tears.
"In the end, I am the biggest joke of all. What are thirty-six lashes? I should have died long ago." He suddenly looked up at Bai Shuo. "The Grand General did nothing wrong. The guilty ones are my Chong family. Even so, the hundred lives of the Chong family are watching me from below..." Chong Zhao struck his own chest hard and spat out a mouthful of blood.
"A-Zhao!" Alarm filled Bai Shuo's eyes. "What are you doing!"
Chong Zhao's eyes were blood red, and a faint evil aura seemed to coil around him, violent and murky.
Bai Shuo's heart lurched.
"A-Shuo, I can accept anyone's kindness in this world, but not your Bai family's. The Old General's gift of my life, and these three years of your protection: Bai Shuo, I return all of it to you today!"
Chong Zhao closed his eyes and brought a palm down on his own spiritual platform.
Immortal power flared, and a far stronger golden light burst out of the Phoenix Hall. Outside, Qingyi's face changed. She shoved open the doors and rushed in, then stopped short.
The restraining cage that had held Chong Zhao had been torn apart. Bai Shuo, covered in blood, held Chong Zhao tightly, and the hand he had swung at his spiritual platform was blocked by her shoulder. The sound of bones and sinews breaking rang through the hall.
Bai Shuo's arm was truly broken.
"Bai Shuo!" Qingyi cried out, and for a moment did not dare approach.
Bai Shuo paid no attention to the arm hanging limp at her side. In a panic she caught hold of Chong Zhao with her other hand.
"A-Zhao, it isn't your fault. It's me. Everything is my fault. Don't blame yourself. Live well, please, will you? Will you?"
Chong Zhao looked blankly at Bai Shuo, her face covered in blood and tears. The evil aura faded from his eyes, replaced by a tangle of pity and grief. He reached out as if to touch her broken arm, but his hand trembled and stopped. At last he nodded, dry-voiced.
"Yes. A-Shuo, I'll admit my guilt. I'll go to Immortal Lord Jinyao..."
Just as Chong Zhao finally said those words, a resounding bell rang from the center of Phoenix Isle. A bolt of thunder then streaked across the sky, and in broad daylight the whole Phoenix Hall shook.
"What's happening?"
Bai Shuo and Chong Zhao did not understand.
"Supreme Immortal Jinglei's Heavenly Thunder Whip!" Qingyi was startled. She looked at Chong Zhao. "Could someone in the main hall have taken the punishment in your place?"
"Uncle?!"
"The sect head?"
Chong Zhao's face changed completely. He turned and streaked away as a flash of light toward the Phoenix Hall's main hall.
Bai Shuo tried to follow, but Qingyi stopped her. "Bai Shuo, your injuries are severe!"
Bai Shuo, pale, fumbled several pills out of her Qiankun pouch and swallowed them. "My lord, I won't die. The sect head already has an old injury. If he is the one taking Supreme Immortal Jinglei's thirty-six lashes, something terrible will happen!"
Only then did Qingyi understand why Chong Zhao had left without sparing a thought for the badly wounded Bai Shuo. She took Bai Shuo's hand and hurried toward the main hall.