Chapter 016 Unveiled

Northern Point of Heaven Mountain, Qingming Palace.

Thousand Return Celestial Lord and Pure Lotus Celestial Master sat in silence, awaiting a venerable elder whose hair bore three strands of white as he read from a scroll.

The elder's brow was dignified, his expression stern and resolute, with a touch of commanding presence. Anyone from Heaven Mountain would show him utmost respect; even the usually unruly Pure Lotus Celestial Master held him in awe. To have three white strands atop one's head was a mark of the highest rank, and this man was the Nine Skies Celestial Lord, steward of Heaven Mountain within and without.

On Heaven Mountain, ranks were distinguished by attire and the number of white strands in one's hair: the Divine Sage's hair was entirely silver-white, Celestial Lords wore three, Celestial Masters two, Celestial Officials one, while disciples and commoners bore none. Only Blue Water was an exception—her extraordinary talent awarded her the treatment of a Celestial Master.

“Thousand Return, what do you make of this?” Nine Skies Celestial Lord closed the scroll and addressed Thousand Return. “I have reviewed the events from twenty years ago and compared them with today's situation. It seems Empress Xue has been plotting for a long time. Back then, she contrived to obtain the Snow Lotus but has yet to use it. Aside from her suspected role in harming the late emperor, her slander of Heaven Mountain’s reputation is a grave misdeed. How should we punish her appropriately?”

Thousand Return smiled calmly. “Worldly affairs ought not concern us. If we punish her, are we not falling into her trap? The Xue clan accuses Heaven Mountain of bringing disaster and neglecting the people, insinuating that we aspire to unify the world. To punish her would be to confirm her claims.”

“But now, the plague and famine rage unchecked. We cannot comply with her demand and bestow the Cold Ice Lotus.” Nine Skies Celestial Lord turned to Pure Lotus, “Pure Lotus, what is your opinion? How did our sacred treasure become a cure-all miracle in mortal eyes?”

Pure Lotus Celestial Master smiled gently and replied, “I too have been curious and made some inquiries. Combining what Thousand Return has said, it appears Empress Xue seeks to collect all three Snow Lotuses. Previously, she obtained the Frost-Soaked Lotus, which is said to have been given to the royal family when the late emperor was gravely ill. Now, rumors among the mortals claim that boiling Snow Lotus cures the epidemic, prompting Empress Xue to covet the Cold Ice Lotus as well.”

Nine Skies was puzzled. “If all three Snow Lotuses are gathered, what benefit does it bring? What use would a mortal have for them?”

“Celestial Lord, precisely because she is mortal, gathering all three is even more advantageous. The Frost-Soaked Lotus cures minor ailments and is most common, thriving in frost and snow. The Cold Ice Lotus possesses comprehensive effects but grows only in thousand-year-old ice, rarely seen. The Ice Crystal Lotus is rarer still, found beneath the ice osmanthus, and only with the brilliance of three-colored ice crystals does it achieve its full potency. Cultivators seek but one, for more brings no added benefit. Yet for mortals, immortality requires the Cold Ice Lotus, and to ascend and bring one's clan to enlightenment, one must collect all three. I believe Empress Xue harbors such intent.”

Nine Skies Celestial Lord nodded, sighing in admiration. “Indeed, I understand now. Empress Xue aims to secure the Northern Hua Kingdom, grant herself and her clan immortality, and ultimately pursue cultivation. How lamentable that someone of her disposition should aspire to such fortune.”

“Haha, Nine Skies, you’ve returned from your journey and now you speak of fate?” Thousand Return laughed.

“Ah, Thousand Return, is this matter for jest? Among Heaven Mountain, you alone are the most open-minded. Our reputation has been sullied by mortals, and I am ashamed to face the Divine Sage. Heaven Mountain is no longer as stable and peaceful as before. The Divine Sage has not appeared in years, vanished without trace. Of three Celestial Lords, only two remain. Celestial Lord Lejie has wandered for decades, and you seldom leave the Bamboo of Snow. Heaven Mountain is restless, and I alone cannot steady it.”

“Nine Skies, you sound like you’re complaining. Yet here I am with Pure Lotus to share your burden. You shoulder great responsibility; Heaven Mountain’s people obey your command. What worries you?”

“Though there are many disciples and officials, only Celestial Master He’an can share the load. Pure Lotus is busy with mortal affairs and oversees only the Snow Lotus. Bai Ling teaches female disciples in the Western Spring Hall and rarely leaves. Pu Jun instructs the males in the Eastern Autumn Hall, his duties demanding. So, I often must seek your help.”

Thousand Return quickly declined, “Don’t. I only helped you for a month. You can’t expect me to shoulder the burden every time you return! Bamboo of Snow keeps me busy, and my three disciples still require my careful guidance. Besides, aren’t you always allocating tasks to us? Isn’t that enough?”

Nine Skies shook his head and sighed. “I knew I couldn’t count on you. But for this matter, you must assist to the best of your ability.”

“Of course! Safeguarding Heaven Mountain’s reputation is our shared duty. You need not worry.”

At this, Nine Skies looked joyfully toward Pure Lotus, who immediately understood and stated her commitment.

“Pure Lotus stands ready at all times, attentive to all matters.”

“Good, then together we shall thwart Empress Xue’s plot and restore our rightful honor!”

After a while, Thousand Return Celestial Lord returned to Bamboo of Snow.

Just past the Bridge of Lost Souls, he heard a faint, ethereal laughter coming from the flower garden. Following the sound, he realized it was from there.

He listened for a moment, smiled with interest, and walked deeper into the garden.

At that moment, Snow Ze and Ji Lin were dressing up Lotus Seed.

“Wear this, this flower is beautiful!”

“Senior brother’s taste is so unique, but this branch is better!”

Lotus Seed sat pouting on a stone bench, letting Snow Ze and Ji Lin select garments, flower branches, and jeweled hairpins for her.

“What’s going on here? Are you two conspiring to bully the newcomer?”

Hearing their master’s voice, Snow Ze and Ji Lin quickly stopped, grinning mischievously at him.

“Master, you’re back!” Ji Lin stepped back.

Snow Ze saw his master approach and laughed foolishly, “Master, how did you return so quickly?”

“If I hadn't come, were you planning to turn Lotus Seed into what?” Thousand Return looked at her; her hair was strewn with flower branches and specks of rouge dotted her face. “Where did this rouge come from?”

“Junior sister brought it from the mortal world!” Ji Lin answered first.

Snow Ze shot Ji Lin a dissatisfied glance, then confessed to the master, “I don’t care for such things; senior brother gathered them while traveling among mortals—perhaps gifted by some young lady!”

Lotus Seed couldn’t help but laugh at this.

“You, Lotus Seed, still have the heart to laugh? You’re almost pickled!” Thousand Return brushed away the decorations from her hair and face, then instructed Ji Lin, “Clean up here, then go brew wine for your master.”

“Ah? Master!” Ji Lin complained, “Master, you’re so partial—why not punish them? Whatever junior sister says goes, how come you never favor me?”

“I trust Snow Ze wouldn’t use these vulgar trinkets; surely you brought them out of curiosity! You just bullied Lotus Seed, and now her hair is messy and her face dirty. Shouldn’t you let her freshen up?”

“Then… at least let them help me brew wine. It’s boring alone!”

Thousand Return laughed heartily, “When did you ever find it boring before? Now that Bamboo of Snow has a bit of human warmth, you’re getting carried away? Your junior sisters are to be cared for, not made to share your boredom!”

“Senior brother, you brew the wine. I’ll take Lotus Seed to change clothes and join you soon,” Snow Ze was about to leave when Ji Lin called her back.

“Junior sister, wait!”

Snow Ze looked at Ji Lin in confusion, a hint of pale blue appearing in the corner of her eye. “Did senior brother send a message?”

A feathered pigeon flew by; Ji Lin caught it, smiling with satisfaction. “Junior sister, senior brother needs me. I must go to the medicine hall, so the wine brewing is yours!”

“Master, look at him!” Snow Ze whined to Thousand Return.

He stroked her head gently, smiling, “Ji Lin, what’s the matter? Did Blue Water discover something?”

“That’s right, senior brother called me to assist.”

Before Thousand Return could reply, Snow Ze spoke up, “Master, I’m meticulous—let me help senior brother!”

Ji Lin was startled and objected, “No! Whenever senior brother summons me, it’s a tough task. Junior sister, don’t fight me for it! Brewing wine is leisurely—perfect for you!”

Snow Ze and Ji Lin quarreled, and Thousand Return could only watch as Lotus Seed suddenly leaped before him.

“Master! Let Lotus Seed go! I’m not afraid of hardship, I’m careful, and I want to become familiar with the surroundings!”

While Snow Ze and Ji Lin were surprised, Thousand Return already nodded in approval. “Go, then! Let the feathered pigeon guide you!”

Lotus Seed nodded, glanced at Snow Ze, and departed with the pigeon.

“Master!” Snow Ze tugged at Thousand Return’s sleeve, “You treat Lotus Seed better than me!”

“Are you unhappy?” Thousand Return led her toward the wine house.

“Happy! Lotus Seed is favored by master—Snow Ze couldn't be happier!”

Ji Lin followed, smirking mockingly, “Women are so often two-faced—even my junior sister hasn’t escaped!”

“Senior brother, what do you mean? Snow Ze speaks honestly. Don’t direct your prejudice at me—we’re to brew wine together!”

“Hahaha! The two of you never change—bickering and laughing without end. I won’t join your merriment. Brew the wine slowly; I and Pure Lotus Celestial Master are off to see the snowy lands!”