Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 124: A Difficult Problem

Shi Jingzhi clutched Yin Ci’s hand tightly, curling up on the bed.

If those terrifying speculations were true, then past oddities now made sense—like Yin Ci’s initial state of “no desire”, his “blindness” upon returning to Huilian Mountain, and that sinister lamp formed of skulls and arms.

And then there was the incident twenty-four years ago in Juyi Valley. Why did someone as powerful as Yin Ci fall into a state of possession, and why was he so sensitive to “betrayal”?

Shi Jingzhi deeply understood the pain of confinement. But at least in his prison, he had a yard of a certain size and a huge tree in the backyard that showcased the changing seasons. The emperor allowed him to read and practice internal martial arts for health. He wasn’t completely isolated or left in the dark. Still, over two decades of this soft imprisonment left a void in his heart.

The time Yin Ci was trapped under the Northwest Great Prohibition was definitely longer than just twenty years.

A book lay quietly beside them, emanating a faint scent of ink.

Shi Jingzhi wouldn’t believe everything in this old tome right from the start. However, the absurdities mentioned in this book, he had encountered their real-life answers—

The trading of military merit for individuals wasn’t straightforward. Yin Ci, as a general, would occasionally separate from Sun Wang for battles. The timing and circumstances of each campaign had to be meticulously adjusted. Such manipulation required the involvement of the imperial court, cleaning up inconsistencies year by year.

…And he had indeed seen obscure books with traces of alterations. The time before the changes coincided precisely with Yin Ci’s memories.

According to Sun Wang’s records, a ritual involved sealing a body in a stone coffin filled with fire and overflowing mercury. The Northwest Great Prohibition was placed above, constantly draining Yin Ci’s strength. Being buried this deeply, Yin Ci should’ve had no chance of escape.

…The Hua family ancestor once infiltrated the team building the seal and stole some mercury to sell during the “Awakening Ceremony”. If that mercury was extracted from the coffin, it wasn’t surprising that a gap was left in the coffin.

And it was this tiny gap that gave the person inside the coffin a glimmer of hope. The reason the Northwestern Great Prohibition still functioned might be due to Yin Ci’s remnants—the coffin was made from the hardest muyan stone. With no known earthquakes or human interference, and Yin Ci devoid of any inner force, Shi Jingzhi could only assume he used his body to resist.

Considering this, the diminishing efficacy of the Northwest Great Prohibition might be due to the loss of Yin Ci, its source of energy, with the remnants underground gradually depleting.

…Everything matched up.

Human’s plans couldn’t outsmart fate. Even after three hundred years, the shadow of a true tragedy still lingered. It was a pity that Yin Ci’s achievements were wiped out, and no one delved deeper into his disappearance.

According to the records, Sun Wang didn’t know about Yin Ci’s immortality. He believed his dear friend from the past turned against him, considered a threat based on unfounded suspicions and was sacrificed. Had he known Yin Ci was alive, General Sun wouldn’t have been so desolate and wouldn’t have retired.

The next events were hard to explain. Given Sun Wang’s personality, he wouldn’t have taken credit for Yin Ci’s achievements nor bowed to the palace in exhaustion.

The disappearance of He Cheng’an was also mysterious. How did he learn of Yin Ci’s immortality, and how did he manage to exploit it while keeping it a secret? The Northwest Great Prohibition did indeed protect the people, but what was He Cheng’an’s ultimate goal? Where did he go?

The mystery of immortality and long-term plans eventually pointed back to He Cheng’an. Shi Jingzhi felt a buzzing in his head and buried his face into Yin Ci’s long hair, inhaling its scent sorrowfully.

“A’Ci.” He turned to the sleeping Yin Ci. “It’s so hard.”

Naturally, Yin Ci didn’t respond.

Drawing closer, Shi Jingzhi felt the warmth of Yin Ci’s body. All the pain and suffering he had endured in his life turned into pity at that moment. He hugged the man in his arms, like he was grasping a lifeline in a raging river, but afraid to grip too tightly lest he drag both of them down.

Such feelings surged deep within him, indescribable in their intensity.

“From your state earlier, it seems you’ve separated delusions from memories,” Shi Jingzhi shifted, propping himself up to face Yin Ci. “The suffering A’Ci endured, just by imagining it, I can hardly bear it. If you go crazy like this, would it be a kind of relief…? Do you think I will say that?”

Yin Ci’s eyelashes quivered slightly.

“I’m the product of that old bastard He Cheng’an. I naturally don’t know how to ‘let go’.”

With a surge of emotion, Shi Jingzhi playfully bit Yin Ci’s nose tip.

“You clearly promised me we’d watch the lanterns together and even talked about proposing. Now, before anything has even started between us, you want to flee? Are the events from 300 years ago more alluring than your master?”

Sect Master Shi said this with growing grievance. After a moment, he took a deep breath and mumbled ambiguously, “No, this won’t do.”

Ignoring the mysterious He Cheng’an, his own blood carried that of Xu Li and Sun Wang. If he were to act carelessly and Yin Ci saw him as a gift-wrapped enemy, he might actually flee.

Thinking about this, Shi Jingzhi grew increasingly melancholic. He quickly tied his robe’s corner to Yin Ci’s. Then, he cleared his throat and said affectionately, “The schemes of He Cheng’an have lasted for hundreds of years. Together, we can solve the mystery… Haa, it still feels wrong. A’Ci, what should I do with you?”

Yin Ci’s eyelids twitched.

Sect Master Shi probably didn’t realize that Yin Ci had clearly heard his entire rehearsal.

Shi Jingzhi pressed several acupoints on Yin Ci, which would keep him unconscious. But today was different from the past; with this little brat around, even if he wanted to plunge into madness, there were countless ties holding him back.

[Though I may not be able to promise you much time… whatever you are, I will watch over you till the end.]

Without any clarity on Shi Jingzhi’s fate, this “end” seemed… useless.

Darkness prevailed—not more, not less. Moths might be consumed by flames, but in endless darkness, all one needed was a glimmer of light to find their way.

Yin Ci’s scattered will began to converge, the sounds from the outside world slowly returned, waiting for Shi Jingzhi to release his acupoints. Instead, that fox started rehearsing dialogues again, treating Yin Ci as if he were fragile sugar candy that would crumble upon touch.

Listening to Shi Jingzhi transition from being cute to affectionate, from righteousness to sweet talk, it was uncharacteristic of the Sect Master of the Kushan Sect to be so tongue-tied. He became increasingly incoherent, even humming in the end.

All these worries and troubles, all because of love.

Eventually, Shi Jingzhi’s voice became hoarse, and he grew tired. Flipping through some pages, he finally leaned half of his body onto Yin Ci, his voice becoming slightly dreamy.

“I don’t know what to say.” Shi Jingzhi murmured in near despair. “I’m still afraid—afraid I’ll die this year, afraid you’ll leave me. This situation is complicated. I can’t promise anything, but…”

Shi Jingzhi didn’t finish his sentence and buried his face into Yin Ci’s collar. After a long sigh, he whispered.

“Yin Zizhu*, I will never betray you.”

*Clarity: This is a title given to Yin Ci. Often times, the Emperor would award titles for their meritorious deeds.

When he heard this, Yin Ci was momentarily taken aback.

Titles were more respectable than names, and his title was given to him by Emperor Xu Li himself. Although Yin Ci was the youngest, the other three always addressed him by this title out of respect. However, given subsequent events, this “respect” was rather ironic.

Three hundred years.

For over three hundred years, this name disappeared from books and rumors. Connected to endless battles and betrayals that even Yin Ci considered it a part of his “delusions” and cast it aside.

…And yet, Shi Jingzhi bravely brought it back, placing it right back into his heart. In an instant, memories found their place, resonating silently.

Yin Ci could no longer wait for him to release the acupoints and forcefully broke free. He stretched out his arms, tightly holding the person in his embrace. Shi Jingzhi shivered, then exerted all his strength, as if wanting to merge with the person in front of him.

“Saying this is enough,” Yin Ci whispered. “It’s more than enough.”

The Fallen God Tower was eerily silent, while the Taiheng Sect was bustling with noise.

Qu Duanyun hadn’t yet returned to his sect when news from Taiheng reached the horse station. The gray pigeon delivering the message didn’t escape Shi Zhongyu’s notice. She left the bandit village early, as usual, to intercept Taiheng’s news.

The news this time surprised her so much she almost hurt the pigeon.

[The “Shirou” has appeared. Sect Master, return immediately.]

“Since Qu Duanyun is undoubtedly from the Immortal Assembly, do you still want to get involved?”

After being publicly injured by Shi Jingzhi, Shen Zhu pretended to fall out with him and returned to the village early. She quickly sold the inside story of the Chigou chaos to Shi Zhongyu and made a small profit.

With Shi Zhongyu, she could keep track of Taiheng’s movements, so she wouldn’t miss this opportunity. However, Shen Zhu was puzzled—Shi Zhongyu, a renegade, even if she knew the news, couldn’t possibly influence the mighty Taiheng.

What was she busy with? Was it really for some elusive “greater good”?

“Master Qi’s death is linked to Qu Duanyun. Initially, when Jin Lan and the others were inexplicably attacked, it was probably the Immortal Assembly pressuring me.” Shi Zhongyu folded the message back and released the trembling gray pigeon.

“Hmm—so what? Sister, you don’t seem like the kind of person who’s driven by emotions and grudges. Are you planning on seeking revenge?” Shen Zhu hummed thoughtfully, her eyes darting around.

Shi Zhongyu was taken aback for a moment, then sighed softly. “Duanyun grew up before my eyes. He’s not inherently evil. Rather than seeking revenge, I want to know the reason behind his actions. If it’s for fame and profit, he already has all his needs met and was set to be the head of Taiheng. If it was out of malicious intent, he’s not like Wu Huai, who abused his power after obtaining it.”

Seeing that Shi Zhongyu was about to start with her moral reasoning, Shen Zhu’s interest waned. Before she could show her disdain, Shi Zhongyu added calmly, “…So once I have the answer, I’ll decide whether to spare his life or not.” She looked determined, despite her disheveled bandit appearance.

Shen Zhu immediately perked up, her voice turning sweeter. “Do you have a plan, Sister?”

“Yes. If Duanyun wants to play by ‘rules’, I’ll fight him using his own methods. Miss Shen, please deliver a message for me. I need to meet with Sect Master Shi.”

“Piece of cake. What are you planning, Sister?”

“Although the martial world can’t affect the imperial court, the major sects are preoccupied with their own troubles, allowing Taiheng to monopolize power. The ‘Shirou’ chaos has not yet been resolved, and now is an excellent opportunity.”

Shi Zhongyu wiped her face and touched the Yang Reversal Token on her chest.

“The martial world despises monopolies. Given the current chaos, it’s time to choose a leader for the martial world.”

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Kinky Thoughts:

For those confused so far, part of the conspiracy has been revealed. About 300 years ago, before the establishment of Great Yun, three leaders rose: Li Xu (the first emperor of Great Yun), He Cheng’an (the Imperial Preceptor), and Sun Wang (the great general).

Due to the war during that era, Yin Ci, an orphan, escaped into Great Yun and eventually became a great general, guiding Great Yun into battle and successfully reuniting and stabilizing the country.

However, after the country stabilized, misfortune started to fall. He Cheng’an, for reasons not yet revealed, advised that Yin Ci needed to be sacrificed in order to stop the calamities from befalling Great Yun. Yin Ci was fed immortal wine which drained him of his inner force.

Yin Ci was then sent, unknowingly, to be sacrificed, except this sacrifice came at the cost of him being beheaded thousands of times in order for them to gather his headless corpse to use as material for spells. The stronger the body, the stronger the spell.

After collecting enough of Yin Ci’s corpses, He Cheng’an buried Yin Ci under the Northwest Great Prohibition in a stone coffin made of muyan stone (the hardest known material in this world), covered by an array of mercury.

He was supposed to lie beneath the Northwest Great Prohibition in order to feed power into the seal. However, Hua Jingchun’s ancestor stole a bit of mercury from the coffin during the building process, allowing a small gap to appear in the coffin. This small gap eventually allowed Yin Ci to break out of his tomb (by breaking his arms over and over again and using his bones to carve a hole into the coffin, which took almost 80 years).

With Yin Ci’s escape, the Northwest Great Prohibition is now showing signs of weakening (as observed by Qu Duanyun). It has been powered all this time by the remnants of Yin Ci’s body parts that he used to escape, but now that power source is almost depleted.

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