Chapter 055: He Is Yan Shuo

In the snowy bamboo grove, Ji Lin idly twirled that piece of silk, occasionally letting out a discontented sigh.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, what kind of needlework is this? Silk? A handkerchief? Alas, it looks just like a rag!”

Before Ji Lin finished his complaint, Lan Shui had already walked in, startling him so much he dropped the silk to the ground.

“What are you doing?” Lan Shui looked at Ji Lin, who quickly picked up the silk, his expression full of bewilderment. “Where did this come from? When did you take a liking to such things?”

“Ah? This… well…” Ji Lin hesitated, unsure whether he should answer.

Lan Shui chuckled softly, “Last time, I heard our junior sister say you enjoy collecting all sorts of trinkets from the mortal realm, even girls’ rouge and powders. I didn’t believe her then, but now I see! Well, enjoy yourself—I’ll leave you to it!”

Ji Lin panicked. “Elder brother, don’t misunderstand! This was given to me to pass on to you!”

“What?” Lan Shui looked at him, suspicion in his eyes: Who made this? Surely our junior sister’s handiwork isn’t this poor? And even if it were, she wouldn’t have chosen such material!

Ji Lin froze, sinking into hesitation—after all, he had just recklessly transformed into Lan Shui’s appearance mere moments ago.

Clearly irked, Lan Shui shook his head, unwilling to pursue the matter further. “Return my sword! And how did the thing I asked you to do go?”

Ji Lin handed him his sword with a cheerful grin. “Elder brother’s sword was indeed effective against that vicious python—I’ve already subdued it!”

“Good. And the other matter?”

“That’s done as well. Yu Qixian should be on his way back to West Sea Prefecture with them.”

“Very well. Did you encounter anyone from Lansin Pavilion along the way?”

Ji Lin hesitated, then nodded.

“You didn’t engage in any deep conversation, did you?”

“No, not at all!”

“Any other unusual occurrences?”

Ji Lin paused, bowed his head, and replied, “N—none!”

Lan Shui nodded and turned to leave.

Watching him go, Ji Lin finally breathed a sigh of relief and glanced uncertainly at the silk in his hand. On the silk was embroidered a white cloud and a butterfly; the motif was odd, the stitching poor, and the more Ji Lin looked at it, the more he disliked it. In the end, he simply locked it away in a cabinet.

“I want to throw it out, but I don’t dare. I’ll just wait for the right chance and stuff it into elder brother’s hands.” Ji Lin smiled wryly and headed for Listen-to-the-Wind Pavilion, thinking to himself: Junior sister, I’ve caught you red-handed again. Let’s see how you get out of this one!

In the inner courtyard of Listen-to-the-Wind Pavilion, snow and wind swirled, white shadows scattered in all directions. It took Ji Lin quite some time to realize that Xue Ze was practicing a new spell.

“Sigh, is Master playing favorites again? I’ve never even heard of this spell, and he’s teaching it directly to junior sister. How am I supposed to survive at this rate?”

Ji Lin’s lament barely faded when the wind and frost in the yard stilled. Xue Ze gathered her hair and walked over.

“Elder brother, complaining again?” she smiled, explaining, “This is a spell passed to women, not to men. Naturally, elder brother wouldn’t have a chance to learn it. Would you call that favoritism?”

Ji Lin’s spirits lifted considerably at this, and he replied with a laugh, “That’s fine, then. You’re doing well, junior sister! By the way, where’s Lianzi? Has she learned any new spells?”

Xue Ze froze, turning to tidy up the remnants scattered across the courtyard, anxiety rising within her: What should I do? How should I answer? I went out for a stroll early this morning, and when I came back, Lianzi was gone. She must have gone to Apricot Blossom Village…

“Junior sister, what’s wrong?” Ji Lin approached Xue Ze, half-smiling. “You… are you hiding something? Did you do something wrong and can’t admit it?”

Xue Ze started, her face flushing red in an instant. Awkwardly, she replied, “Elder brother, do you… do you know something?”

“Of course I do!” Ji Lin grinned smugly. “I went down the mountain myself this morning!”

“Elder brother, I didn’t mean to sneak away—it was for spell practice! Can you keep it a secret for me?” Xue Ze asked nervously, thinking to herself: At this point, all I can do is admit my mistake and draw attention away from Lianzi. Lianzi, you’d better hurry back!

“Naturally, but you’ll have to agree to a condition of mine!”

The plum blossoms in the Western Spring Hall were always lush and fragrant, but the flowers and petals grew sparser by the day, slowly withering away. The Plum Blossom Spell, though it connected people across distances, drew on the vital spirit of the plum trees.

Jian Rong had been especially diligent these days, sweeping up fallen petals, afraid others would notice the strange, scorched color upon them.

Every evening, when the afterglow faded, the fragrance of plum blossoms would thicken in the Meizhen Palace. When the Plum Blossom Spell was activated, the scent became even richer, intoxicating, always drawing Jian Rong immediately. She saw the fiery-bodied demon summoned by the spell—this was already the third time this month.

Again, that strange, overwhelming fragrance…

“Why that expression? Am I not welcome here?”

“Jian Rong wouldn’t dare! But today the guards on Mount Tian are on high alert, and Master has been contacting me frequently. I fear…”

“Hahaha, don’t worry—it’s just the scent of flowers. Blame it on your red plum tree. No one will ever discover my Plum Blossom Spell. Have no fear!”

“Then may I ask what brings you here this time?”

“At present, once the Prince’s affairs are settled and Liu Qing is dead, I’ll be able to seize the royal aura and achieve my great work. By then, we’ll have nothing to fear! But for now, you must redouble your efforts!”

“Understood. I’ll do everything I can regarding Mount Tian! Only, the people from the Snowy Bamboo Grove often leave their grounds, and I can’t stop them. That’s hard to control.”

“That’s nothing! I have someone in the mortal world to rely on—ruthless, cunning, no shortage of means to keep them in check. But Tian Mountain depends on you. Strive to seize power soon and enter the snowy domain!”

“Yes!”

“With the entry of the four celestial masters, your opportunity has arrived. This is the moment for you to rise. Don’t let your greatest rival beat you to it! Jiu Cang values merit and ability—learn what pleases him.”

“Yes, I’m working on it!”

“But be careful with your schemes—not to leave evidence for others to seize upon. If you’re going to act against the Snowy Bamboo Grove, be swift and clean. If Qian Gui finds out, things will get complicated! Qian Gui may seem gentle and cheerful, but she’s far more ruthless and decisive than Jiu Cang. If you can, win Jiu Cang to your side—even if something happens to you, he won’t deal with you harshly.”

“Yes! That’s exactly what’s been troubling me. Qian Gui the Celestial Venerable is fiercely protective and has foiled me more than once. Master, do you have any strategies?”

“Of course, but all strategies require human agents and proper timing. Let me give you some advice—you must analyze each situation on its own merits; don’t apply things blindly, or you’ll end up outsmarting yourself! Speaking of which, what about your junior sister? Have you won her over yet?”

Jian Rong paused, replying with an apologetic tone, “I’m sorry. The White-feathered Spirit Girl has kept a low profile since last time, perhaps frightened by Lan Shui. Lately, I’ve tried to set her against Xue Ze and the others, but she hasn’t responded much, as if she refuses to stand with me.”

“If she truly cares for Lan Shui, there’s no need to worry. She’s only afraid of being exposed, but likely wouldn’t mind fanning the flames. For now, just pull at Xue Ze and the others. When the time is right, she’ll see the benefits and join you. Last time you harmed her a little—this time, let her pick up some easy rewards and get a taste for reaping without sowing.”

“That will make it much easier to win her over. Thank you for your guidance, Master!”

“Think nothing of it. Your business is my business! Never forget our agreement—our pact binds us together, sharing both glory and disgrace. When you hold power and I achieve my great work, the world will be ours!”

“You wish to awaken the Mirror of Dawning Light, that man wants the imperial throne, and I desire supremacy over Mount Tian. The three of us, if we play to our strengths and support each other, are sure to accomplish something great!” Jian Rong answered thus, though her heart did not agree: No matter how powerful you are, so what? I call you Master now, but in the future, you’ll be the one relying on me!

“Indeed, but to take that first great step, we must rely on the sacred relics of Mount Tian. That man allied with us because of those treasures from the snowy domain—only when we have them can we move forward.”

“I have never understood, though—why does one need the sacred relics of Mount Tian to control the court and the rivers? Is it…?”

“That’s not what he truly wants—do you really think his ambitions are so shallow? Jian Rong, are you merely curious about this, or do you want to know more?”

“What do you mean, Master? I don’t understand.”

“Would you like to know my true name?”

“Well…”

“It’s no harm to tell you. I am Yan Shuo.”

The sun blazed like fire, its light fierce and searing; among blades and swords, the spear stands supreme.

Yan Shuo—the Fire Demon sealed away ten thousand years ago. For ages, there had been no word of him; those who knew the truth had long since ascended to immortality, and his peers had grown white-haired in their old age.

Legend held that Yan Shuo was the junior brother of the One-Harmony Celestial Sage. Both were prodigies, deeply skilled in the arts, but Yan Shuo committed a grievous error and tasted forbidden fruit. As punishment, the Celestial Sage himself sealed him within the Azure Profundity Valley, shrouding the place in mystery and enchantment ever since.

A day passed, and Jian Rong was still pondering this matter, her heart no less unsettled than when she had first learned the truth. From the moment she met him, she knew he was capable, but never imagined he would be so formidable.

He was the Celestial Sage’s junior brother—surely one of the most powerful figures in the world. Now that Jian Rong knew the true identity of her ally, she wasn’t sure whether to rejoice or despair.

“No wonder he could find me, probe my thoughts! No wonder he could wield the Plum Blossom Spell and know all the secrets of Mount Tian! But how did he escape? That seal has lasted ten thousand years, and I’ve never heard a whisper of its weakening. Now, he’s slipped out, quietly feeding on vital energies, slowly rebuilding his strength… If this continues, will…”

The more Jian Rong thought, the more afraid she became. She truly did not wish to accept this reality—she had forged an alliance with Yan Shuo, Mount Tian’s mortal enemy!

At first, when Jian Rong stumbled upon him, she was merely charmed by his eloquence, seduced by his vision, awed by his skills. She only wanted to use him to climb higher; if she could learn his arts and seize his treasures, so much the better—she could dispose of him when the time came…

But now, to her shock, he possessed such an identity, and she had become a traitor, colluding with an outside foe. This step—she had taken it, and there was no turning back!