Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 141: The Hanging Tree

After hearing Shi Jingzhi’s intermittent description, filled with suppressed pain, Yin Ci remained silent for a long while.

The night wind gently blew into the carriage, making it cool and dry. The night sky was as clear as water, with a full moon hanging overhead. The two sat closely together, a moment that should have been deeply comforting.

However, they couldn’t even enjoy this fleeting tranquility.

“Don’t speak any further. The wound on your neck hasn’t healed. Be careful not to tear it.” Seeing Shi Jingzhi, with his still fresh injury, struggling to speak, Yin Ci extended two fingers to silence him by pressing his lips.

Shi Jingzhi, deeply traumatized, was physically and mentally exhausted. He half lay in the cramped carriage, clinging to Yin Ci, as if he couldn’t bear to move even a step away.

Yin Ci was all too familiar with this state. Twenty-four years had passed, and their situations seemed to have reversed entirely. Now, it was Shi Jingzhi who stood at the edge of the abyss, and Yin Ci needed to firmly anchor him.

“I’ll repeat it again. See if there are any oversights. Just blink your eyes to respond: once for ‘yes’, twice for ‘no’.”

Yin Ci allowed him to cling, not showing a hint of impatience or disdain.

“There is an ‘inverted colossal tree’ in Great Yun, which absorbs the vital qi of everything, especially from humans. To ensure an ample supply, it uses ‘Heaven’s Displeasure’ to weed out the weak and keep humans like livestock… Given the circumstances, Luojiu also possesses a ‘Heaven’s Displeasure’. It’s highly likely they have a similar ‘Demon Tree’.”

Shi Jingzhi instinctively wanted to nod, but a sharp pain from his throat stopped him. Startled, he stiffened and blinked instead.

“Where there’s abundant vital qi, monsters arise. Considering your condition and the numerous monster materials in Yuanxian village, it appears the sporadically appearing ‘monster’ and ‘monster material’ simply inherited a unique constitution and absorbed more vital qi from the demon tree.”

If the monster materials and monsters are influenced by this colossal tree, everything would make sense. Considering the returned vital qi as “feed”, they were just better adapted and extraordinarily thriving “anomalies”.

Shi Jingzhi seemed to have come to the same realization. His eyes dimmed, and he blinked weakly.

But Yin Ci laughed. It started as a small smile but grew into hearty laughter. A beautiful man laughing under the moonlight was a delightful sight. However, considering what might be lurking in the shadows, Shi Jingzhi felt chills.

Could it be that Yin Ci was overly stimulated and on the verge of going mad? Sect Master Shi nearly lunged forward to embrace him tightly in preparation.

However, Yin Ci just continued laughing for a long while, patting Shi Jingzhi’s back comfortingly.

“Shizun has always been shrewd. Why can’t he see through this now?”

Not only was he not in despair, but he also teased. Shi Jingzhi, looking lost, let go of Yin Ci, who still seemed as steady as a mountain. Gazing into those familiar eyes, some of Shi Jingzhi’s despair dissipated.

“If the ‘Demon Tree’ has sentience, it wouldn’t let someone as troublesome as me roam freely. At the very least, it could have signaled He Cheng’an to handle me. Yet, here I am, perfectly fine. There’s only one possibility—”

Yin Ci stated casually.

“It hasn’t gained consciousness.”

It felt like a cool drink on a scorching summer day, instantly relieving Shi Jingzhi’s anxiety.

Legends of monster materials and monsters existed a thousand years ago. However, the immortal wine and the Children of Desire only appeared after the founding of Great Yun. Behind this vast conspiracy, it might not be the demon tree itself that was pulling the strings.

After all, when humans kept livestock, they didn’t have them do unnecessary tasks.

If that thing had intelligence, why rely on humans to incite the Invitation to God? Or wait for someone to execute a “Hundred-Year Project”? It could simply target influential individuals, dangling the bait of “immortality” and let people eagerly tend to its “livestock”. If people’s loyalty wavered, they could be replaced.

Perhaps the “Inverted Colossal Tree” was just a colossal tree.

Like every other tree, drawing nutrients from their roots and growing branches upward. They existed in their own right but didn’t possess thoughts or emotions. Left to its own, it would just establish its “Heaven Displeasure” and steal vital qi from other beings.

This was no different from weeds in a field or rats in a granary.

With this realization, Shi Jingzhi’s restless spirit felt grounded. He rummaged through his belongings, pulling out Chen Qianfan’s notebook, and began writing quickly with charcoal.

Seeing Shi Jingzhi’s calm demeanor, even with a hint of determination, Yin Ci leaned in, planting a tender kiss on the corner of his lips.

[Why does the Immortal Assembly nurture the ‘Children of Desire’, using them as fodder? What’s the meaning behind it?] Shi Jingzhi revealed a faint smile.

“According to Yan Budu’s original words, consuming the ‘Shirou’ would lead to immortality. If becoming an immortal means eternal life, then my current state is probably due to it… and it most likely has something to do with the demon tree.”

Yin Ci pondered.

“The Children of Desire are very cunning and outsmart most. However, they’re often overly arrogant and desire more power, making them hard to control. Inside that ‘Shirou’, there might be a means to manipulate people.”

This was said with some reservation. Being forcefully controlled might be tolerable, but the real fear was if one’s heart got erased, turning one into a loyal puppet.

As for who this loyalty would serve and who it would benefit, that was hard to say.

After all, spending over a hundred years cultivating the perfect Child of Desire, the Immortal Assembly didn’t seem to be particularly careful. They even openly confronted Shi Jingzhi without any disguises. If the ‘Shirou’ only granted longevity and Shi Jingzhi just took it and left, wouldn’t their hundred-year long plan become a joke?

Thinking of this, Yan Budu might have seen through the tricks and didn’t want to consume the ‘Shirou’.

Shi Jingzhi seemed to understand Yin Ci’s thoughts. He gave a bitter smile and then wrote down a sentence.

[I share your thoughts. That demon tree happens to have two human flesh roots. If our assumptions are correct, the person who consumed the ‘Shirou’ might still be around. We need to find that person as soon as possible.]

“Okay.”

Shi Jingzhi still looked pale from his injuries, making Yin Ci want to call it a day.

Their hardships were rooted in the mortal world. Knowing that the strange demon tree lacked wisdom, they should focus on opposing the Immortal Assembly. This way, Shi Jingzhi wouldn’t be hindered by fear.

Yin Ci comforted Shi Jingzhi, suggesting he should rest. However, Shi Jingzhi’s eyes shone coldly in the darkness.

He touched the wound on his throat, then looked at Yin Ci, writing carefully in the book—

[There are no trees on Kushan. Cutting grass without removing its roots can lead to future troubles*. Once we expose ourselves, it’ll be hard to act again.]

_{*(斩草除根) Idiom referring to destroying something thoroughly or dealing with the problem completely so it doesn’t recur.}

Yin Ci chuckled. “What are you writing? You can’t accomplish everything at once. First, ruin their hundred-year long project; preserving our lives is the priority. As for the demon tree, we can deal with it later.”

Shi Jingzhi pursed his lips and gently shook his head. The wound didn’t hurt this time, so he sighed in relief.

A glint of affection and attachment appeared in Yin Ci’s eyes, and Shi Jingzhi knew their origin. Given Yin Ci’s personality, he probably just wanted him to live a peaceful life and leave the demon tree’s matter for after his death.

He would let Yin Ci deal with it.

[I’m insatiable. I want to grow old with you.]

After Shi Jingzhi finished writing, he circled the words “grow old with you” emphatically.

Yin Ci, realizing his thoughts were exposed, looked a bit stiff. After a pause, he tried to maintain a dignified demeanor. “Just now you were terrified, now you’re not? I think our current situation is good. Don’t think of impractical things…”

This time, Shi Jingzhi didn’t write. He cleared his throat, interrupting Yin Ci.

“No, I’m still scared.”

His voice was soft and hoarse but full of the Child of Desire’s distinctive madness.

“But I want to destroy both it and the Immortal Assembly and live with you without any reservations… I yearn for it immensely.”

In the temple at the Imperial Preceptor’s Residence.

This was Qu Duanyun’s first time here. The temple appeared darker compared to the well-lit exteriors. Incense burned for meditation wafted strongly, having been burning for a long time. Qu Duanyun identified a scent of painkillers.

The moon was obscured, making the room even darker.

There were curtains hanging in front of the altar. Behind it, a faint silhouette of a statue could be seen. Jiang Youyue took two steps forward and forcefully pulled the curtain. The sight behind made Qu Duanyun step back.

It was horrifying.

As the Imperial Preceptor’s best disciple, Qu Duanyun knew about the function of the flesh statues. But he had never seen one like this—this statue lacked the golden outer shell to hide its form and didn’t have the compassionate look of a deity. The lower half resembled a perfect statue, but the upper half was a twisted humanoid figure.

This creature’s head was the size of a human’s, but its arms and palms were about five times longer. Its spine was unnaturally bent, as if it were forcibly stuffed into a box.

The dry, hairless head’s eyes were still blinking. Suddenly exposed to the light, it squinted, making an unclear murmuring noise.

“This Disciple pays his respects to Master.”

Towards this creature, Jiang Youyue only showed reverence. He, who was usually headstrong, now seemed utterly obedient.

“Grandmaster?!” Qu Duanyun exclaimed in shock.

Although immortal wine could prolong life, it couldn’t teach people to live forever. If this monster truly was Jiang Youyue’s master, he would already be over a hundred and sixty years old—a lifespan ordinary people couldn’t achieve.

“Come here, kneel.” Jiang Youyue calmly reminded. “Previously, you only knew about the ‘Hundred-Year Project’—knowing its purpose but not the reasons behind it. Today, let Master teach you a lesson. Listen carefully.”

Qu Duanyun saw the creature twisted beyond human recognition and braced himself to kneel before it. The monster extended a huge hand, lightly placing it on Qu Duanyun’s head. The thin and withered fingers brushed past Qu Duanyun’s ear, sending shivers down his spine.

The creature paused and then murmured in an extremely vague tone. Unlike before, Qu Duanyun understood its meaning this time.

“In ancient times, there was the Hanging Tree, growing in the shadows. When it matured, it bore sparse fruits, which people called the ‘Shirou’.”

In his mind, the murmur transformed into the voice of an old man, filled with the weight of time.

“Humans find its scent enchanting, while animals are repelled by its peculiar odor. When the ‘Shirou’ appears in the world, those predestined to find it can consume it. After consumption, one’s heart becomes dominated by the Hanging Tree, achieving immortality and being called the ‘Imperial Celestial’.”

‘This is different from what Master told me,’ Qu Duanyun thought, slightly confused. Initially, his master said that only carefully cultivated individuals could eat the ‘Shirou’ to allow the Imperial Celestial to manifest. Now, it seemed anyone could consume it—even a mere farmer who stumbled upon it.

Isn’t the fate of this fruit, then, just like any ordinary tree?

The creature, seeming to be Qu Duanyun’s grandmaster, ignored his thoughts and continued, “The Hanging Tree borrows wisdom from the True Immortal, and in return, the immortal gains strength from the Hanging Tree, becoming one. When the next ‘Shirou’ matures, the immortal will be replaced—the older one will sever ties and travel to distant lands. They will then bury themselves deep in the earth, giving birth to new Hanging Trees.”

‘It’s just like any ordinary tree,’ Qu Duanyun realized. Normal trees enticed birds with its fruits, while the Hanging Tree lured humans. In the end, both aimed to spread their seeds.

As for the difference… Ordinary birds wouldn’t lose their will upon eating the fruits.

“With the assistance of the True Immortal, we can set up formations to spread roots and eliminate external threats. We can also seek good weather and avoid calamities through the power of the Hanging Tree.”

“Unfortunately, everyone is different, with varying intelligence and power. The heart of the True Immortal belongs to the Hanging Tree, but they retain the desires from their mortal lives, making it difficult to achieve eternal accomplishments. To unify all countries under Great Yun and create a prosperous era for thousands of years, one needs a purely ambitious ruler to become the true Imperial Celestial.”

“Although the True Immortal has a limited lifespan, they can guard our Great Yun for hundreds of years. From there, we can carefully select and refine. With the power of the Hanging Tree, we can achieve the grand ambition of Great Yun… This is the ‘Hundred-Year Project’.”

As the words ended, a vision was imprinted in Qu Duanyun’s mind. He saw territories merging, and a giant Hanging Tree growing, its roots reaching the skies, overshadowing the sun, creating an indescribable sight.

Between heaven and earth, temples dotted the vast landscape, each looking as insignificant as a grain of millet. Yet, it was this very grain that shaped the world.

Qu Duanyun’s heart almost stopped. He couldn’t tell who was using whom; humans using gods or the other way around.

Jiang Youyue sighed in amusement. “You… are just like me back then. Very good. If you feared the Hanging Tree, you wouldn’t be suited for this position.”

“This Disciple was arrogant and didn’t understand the painstaking efforts of my predecessors,” Qu Duanyun replied with a complicated look, regaining his senses after a long pause.

“If I could achieve such a grand legacy, I’d gladly eat the ‘Shirou’. Unfortunately, the winners write history, and Shi Jingzhi is much stronger than me… The ‘Hundred-Year Project’ will surely be realized soon.”

Jiang Youyue nodded in approval.

“But I have one more question.”

“Ask away.”

“The Hanging Tree is strange and hard to control. Master, even with the True Immortal as a mediator, have there been any mishaps over these centuries?”

Jiang Youyue’s expression shifted upon hearing this. After a brief silence, he shook his head.

“Just a minor ‘source of trouble’ that we’ve dealt with. When you’re more familiar, I’ll tell you.”

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The author has something to say:

Fox: ? Guess if I’ll eat?

Demonic Lord: ? Guess where the troublemaker is now?

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