Chapter 127: The Theft of the Red Pearl

Midnight, deep in dreams, unaware.

The events in the dream felt vivid and real, lingering even upon waking, as if possessed by a divine spirit.

Liu Zhong awoke suddenly, his memory sharp and clear. He recalled everything and couldn’t help but feel a surge of ecstatic joy.

“Someone!” Liu Zhong got out of bed and shouted, “Quick, someone come here!”

A eunuch hurried over from the doorway and saluted. “Your servant is here!”

Liu Zhong recognized him immediately—it was his trusted attendant, Xiao Zhao, specially appointed by the Empress Dowager from Baihe.

“Xiao Zhao, get up quickly and bring me my clothes!”

“Master, aren’t you going back to sleep? It’s not yet the hour of the tiger!”

Hearing this, Liu Zhong’s excitement grew. “All right then! They must all be asleep by now. It’s the perfect time to seek the treasure!”

Xiao Zhao was alarmed. “Master, what treasure do you mean? The roads are slippery in the dark; it’s better to wait until dawn.”

“I want the Emperor’s personal jade pendant!”

Xiao Zhao was stunned and quickly tried to dissuade him. “That’s the Emperor’s most treasured item, even more valuable than his fan. If discovered, what would happen? The current situation is tense, master—you must think carefully!”

Liu Zhong smiled calmly. “Don’t worry. I only want the pearl attached to the pendant.”

While Xiao Zhao was still puzzled, Liu Zhong had already dressed.

He opened the door and stepped outside, startled by two night guards.

“Why aren’t you standing properly? Why are you just standing there at the gate?”

“Master, we heard someone call just now, so we’ve been waiting here.”

Liu Zhong nodded without hesitation. “Very well. Stand guard carefully—I’m going out for a while.”

At that moment, Xiao Zhao came out and whispered, “Master, do you really intend to take the Emperor’s jade pendant?”

“So what if I do? I want to see how the guards of my third brother’s chamber are.”

“But the Emperor hasn’t worn the pendant in a long time. We don’t even know where he keeps it. Going now might be in vain; better to find its location first.”

Suddenly, a night attendant approached. “Second Prince, I just saw Lord Gao carrying something toward the Imperial Garden!”

Liu Zhong was surprised, then smiled with satisfaction. “Did you see what he was carrying?”

“It was too dark to tell. But Lord Gao left at the hour of the ox, and the Imperial Garden was nearly deserted. His movements are rather suspicious, so I reported it, hoping to assist you.”

“Ha ha ha, you’re alert and clever—well done! No wonder the Empress Dowager chose you; you’re all excellent.”

“And what about you, master?” Xiao Zhao asked, suspicious.

Liu Zhong smiled and said, “You two go first to investigate and find the exact location. Then come back and tell me. If there really is something hidden, all three of you will be richly rewarded!”

Hearing this, the three were overjoyed and quickly began plotting their plan. Soon, Xiao Zhao and one other went out to search, while Liu Zhong sat in his chamber, filled with excitement and anticipation.

“By chance, I have been guided by celestial beings. It seems my third brother is too timid to keep the divine pearl. But such a precious treasure must surely be in the hands of one worthy. If he buried it, he has severed his bond with it. No wonder it turned away from darkness to embrace the light!”

At dawn, the mountain forests were thick with mist, and the carriage path muddied with water and earth.

Feng Xing rode a swift horse, galloping without rest. Whenever he looked at the girl cradled in his arms, his expression grew resolute, as if he had consumed some secret fruit that invigorated his spirit.

Ahead, the forest grew stranger, veiled in wisps of white fog. Feng Xing knew the border of the Tianshan Mountains was near.

At the path’s end came a sharp chill that chilled the bones.

Feng Xing carried Feng Nuan down and walked through the white mist until they reached the edge of Blue Lake.

Kneeling by the lake, Feng Xing gazed at the boundless Tianshan range, thoughts swirling within him. “I beg the celestial beings for their blessing. I must save Feng Nuan. Feng Xing vows to repay this kindness through all lifetimes.”

Suddenly, a gentle breeze swept by, and tens of thousands of doves flew over Blue Lake, stirring a mist of white smoke and water vapor. Bai Yu appeared before Feng Xing.

“Not bad, you’re quick!” Bai Yu smiled at Feng Xing.

Seeing Bai Yu, Feng Xing immediately bowed. “Master, please—”

“Enough!” Bai Yu interrupted. “I will send your message. Whether anyone comes to help is another matter.”

“Thank you, miss!”

Bai Yu smiled and took flight with the doves.

“How should I speak to them? Should I be passionate or cold? I wonder if I can persuade Xue Ze to come down.”

While Bai Yu pondered, Jian Rong suddenly appeared.

“Junior sister, you’re back! Why are you standing here?”

Bai Yu smiled, glancing toward the other side of Soul-Breaking Bridge. Proudly, she replied, “I’m waiting for them to come down the mountain to save someone!”

“Save someone? Who?”

“A mortal.”

“Who would go? You just want to see Lan Shui, don’t you?”

Bai Yu shook her head firmly. “This time it’s not that. I want Xue Ze to come down.”

Jian Rong was taken aback, then laughed lightly, thinking: It seems the respected master has already met Bai Yu down the mountain and captured her heart. Now she’s even easier to control.

“You have a new plan?”

Bai Yu nodded with a smile, her eyes shining with determination. “Senior sister, you’ll support me, won’t you?”

Jian Rong squeezed Bai Yu’s hand gently, her rare warmth showing. “Of course, junior sister. Keep it up!”

“They’re coming!” Bai Yu said with a smile.

Jian Rong nodded, released Bai Yu’s hand, and turned to leave. “In that case, I’ll be off first!”

“Safe journey, senior sister!”

At the far end of Soul-Breaking Bridge appeared four figures—the disciples from Xuezhu Land. Each wore a different expression, yet all bore a hint of displeasure and coldness.

Standing at the bridgehead, they offered no greetings to Bai Yu but got straight to the point.

“What urgent matter did you send the message about?” Ji Lin asked.

Bai Yu smiled and looked each of them in turn. “On my return, I saw a man kneeling by Blue Lake—the same general you met descending the mountain last time. Because of the internal chaos in the Northern Hua Court, someone poisoned his sister with a curse. He’s come here seeking a cure.”

“What? Who do you mean?” Lian Zi asked anxiously.

Xue Ze soothed Lian Zi softly. “It seems to be General Feng Xing.”

Seeing their shock and worry, Bai Yu felt a surge of happiness. She thought: You are all so loyal and kind-hearted, surely you will go down the mountain to see him? I guarantee you will feel pity and show great compassion! Xue Ze, no matter how favored you are here, countless in the mortal world despise you. Many, like me, want to see you gone. Just go down!

“Senior sister, I’ll go down to see him!”

“But you—” Xue Ze grasped Lian Zi’s hand, then looked to the two senior brothers.

“Lian Zi, is this Feng Xing really that important?” Ji Lin asked, puzzled.

“Lian Zi, don’t act rashly!” Lan Shui said sternly.

Lian Zi was helpless and looked to Xue Ze pleadingly, eyes full of supplication.

Bai Yu watched with amusement and sighed, “He’s just a mortal, nothing special. Junior sister, don’t break the sect rules—listen to senior brother.”

Lan Shui snorted coldly and glanced at Bai Yu. “Then why did you come here to deliver this message?”

Bai Yu lowered her head with a gentle smile. “Senior brother, don’t misunderstand. I thought you might have some affection for him. Given the situation, it’s only right you see him once more. If Feng Nuan passes away, it will be a final farewell—after all, mortals say a last meeting before death is sacred.”

“Well, you’re kind-hearted after all.”

Lian Zi ignored the dispute between Lan Shui and Bai Yu and anxiously pulled Xue Ze’s hand, begging repeatedly, “Senior sister, please!”

Xue Ze understood Lian Zi’s feelings. She looked to Lan Shui and implored, “Senior brother, please let me take Lian Zi down. It will only be a brief meeting—we won’t act rashly!”

Lan Shui softened and said to Ji Lin, “Ji Lin, accompany them. Watch over them. If anything happens, you’ll be held responsible.”

Ji Lin nodded. “Don’t worry, senior brother.”

“Bai Yu, why are you standing there dazing? Come with me to meet the Celestial Venerable.”

Bai Yu nodded and followed Lan Shui away.