Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 146: Rebellion

The internal situation of the Taiheng Sect was in chaos.

The reappearance of the Reverse Yang Token was a rare event that hadn’t happened in a century. The Taiheng Sect was an ancient sect that existed since the founding of the country, and the Reverse Yang Token had only been formally invoked twice. The Taiheng Sect owned shops and fertile lands, with a considerable income. The two sect leaders lost their sanity, colluding with corrupt officials to embezzle the sect’s assets.

Then the Reverse Yang Token was invoked, and the evidence was irrefutable. In a few days, the two were dealt with severely and expelled from the sect.

However, Shi Zhongyu used the Reverse Yang Token ambiguously. She didn’t find evidence of Qu Duanyun’s wrongdoings, but brazenly displayed the Reverse Yang Token. This meant that Qu Duanyun had to inform her before making any major moves in the Taiheng Sect.

A single mountain couldn’t accommodate two tigers*. Suddenly, the Taiheng S ect had two “sect leaders”, leaving the members at a loss. Unlike other sects that resolved conflicts quickly, the situation in Taiheng dragged on painfully.

*(一山不容二虎) Idiom referring to how it’s incompatible for two strong people to be in the same place.

On a sunny spring day, two sect members chatted in low voices.

“Lately, Sect Master Qu hasn’t been returning to the sect. Maybe he’s too annoyed by Senior Sister. They used to get along. How did things end up like this?”

“Who knows? I feel Senior Sister is nitpicking. The Qu Clan has good relations with the imperial court, so it’s not surprising that the Immortal Assembly would want the sect leader as the Alliance Leader. Their methods may be unclean, but our sect leader may not be aware.”

One of them became quite agitated. “The duel drawing box was made by Senior Brother; our sect guarantees no cheating. Just because Senior Sister had bad luck and ran into someone from the Immortal Assembly, she can’t vent her anger on the sect leader.”

“Shh! Keep it down, isn’t that Senior Jin?”

Not far away, Jin Lan was carrying a pile of miscellaneous items with a helpless expression on his. He had clearly been there for a while. Known as a supporter of Shi Zhongyu, he had heard their unkind words. The two stood upright, waiting for a reprimand.

“I believe Senior Sister is thinking of Taiheng’s best interests.”

Jin Lan didn’t reprimand them but instead continued calmly.

“Don’t talk about the martial arts conference; there’s a big problem with our Tranquil Heart Pills. If we don’t take some tough measures, who knows how the rumors will spread in the martial world.”

“Brother Jin is right.” The two young disciples immediately bowed their heads.

Jin Lan forced a smile. “No need for idle chit-chat here. Go to the east gate and help. The people from the Twin Rivers station just returned and brought back many things.”

The two hurriedly agreed and rushed towards the east gate. Jin Lan looked at the clear sky feeling as if a weight had dropped in his stomach, pulling on his heart and making him feel heavy.

Twin Rivers had fallen.

Taiheng was close to Yidu, surrounded by prosperity and peace. People had lived peacefully for three hundred years and had long forgotten the taste of war. Originally, Great Yun could rely on its population to resist Luojiu. Now, with spring in full bloom, Luojiu’s cavalry was unstoppable.

Twin Rivers was the closest major city to Luojiu. It used to be filled with merchants from all countries and had many wealthy families. However, in just a few days, the bustling market turned into ruins. Soldiers fought on the frontline, and the people of Taiheng did their best but only managed to evacuate some of the civilians safely.

Once the front line was broken, it was like a flood; hard to control. Twin Rivers was far from the Emperor’s reach, and the imperial court’s response was even slower than usual. Seeing the breach, neighboring small countries also took action, afraid of missing out.

Under the beautiful spring light, the bloodstains on the ground looked even more vivid.

However, in this crisis, the imperial court didn’t take any measures. Half of the people had no idea, saying all sorts of things. The other half believed that Great Yun, glorious for three hundred years, couldn’t possibly fall to barbarians. The idea of “country destroyed and family ruined” seemed too distant and unreal; hardly anyone took it seriously.

If the martial world were still stable…

Sect Master Qi would definitely approach the imperial court for inquiries, send experts to protect the people, and decisively handle the Twin Rivers situation. Seeing this, the Jianchen Temple would not sit by and watch the suffering; they would help. Matron Wuxue would probably join hands with Taiheng, sending assassins to disrupt the enemy formation. The Ling Sect, though full of lunatics, was territorial like wild animals and would likely wreak havoc in the enemy camp.

Great Yun’s martial world forces were strong, and with the unity of military and civilians, the situation wouldn’t be too bad.

Unfortunately, there were no ifs in this world.

…The villains had harmed the senior members and disrupted the martial world. Now it seemed there was a deeper purpose. Bad news followed bad news, and the ordinary people were helpless.

Hopefully, the Emperor would wake up soon and face the dire situation on the frontier.

Unfortunately, Jin Lan’s wish was destined to be in vain—inside the palace, the situation wasn’t much better than at Taiheng.

Xu Jingxing had fallen seriously ill.

He didn’t collapse suddenly like Qi Xundao but weakened day by day. The imperial physician could only diagnose it as “being overworked”.

Xu Jingxing was a decent Emperor. He had been studious since his days as crown prince and wasn’t interested in romance. He ascended the throne late, and though he had several heirs, the eldest was only around ten and couldn’t bear great responsibilities.

Thankfully, Xu Jingxing was smart. His brothers, who were pampered and weak, weren’t daring enough to rebel. Xu Jingming, his maternal brother, even had the privilege of visiting.

Everyone, from officials to commoners, knew that the Prince of Rong was just a decorative figure.

“Twin Rivers is gone.”

Xu Jingxing leaned on his sickbed; his eyes somewhat vacant.

“Jingming, do you think I did something wrong? I did my best, yet I couldn’t protect this land… Could it be true about fate and luck? Have I been too disrespectful to the Imperial Celestial?”

Xu Jingming looked at his emaciated brother and couldn’t find words.

Before Xu Jingming could reply, Xu Jingxing turned his head weakly and smiled. “What’s the matter? If it were usual times, you’d seize the opportunity to, cough, scold Jingzhi.”

Xu Jingming held his fan tighter, looking down even more.

“I don’t know,” he said dispiritedly. “I… I don’t think you did anything wrong. As for the rest…”

He paused, unable to continue.

His elder brother always disagreed with Jiang Youyue. In reality, the Imperial Preceptor and his followers were indeed plotting. Xu Jingxing hadn’t misjudged them.

His brother had let Shi Jingzhi, the “nation’s calamity”, roam free. Yet from what he saw, Shi Jingzhi didn’t seem to have the opportunity to stir things up. Xu Jingxing’s judgment was still accurate.

So was rectifying corrupt officials wrong? Or was ensuring the people’s livelihood and peace wrong? Even when fighting with Luojiu, Xu Jingming watched the entire time.

Although Xu Jingxing leaned conservative, the ultimate reason for defeat wasn’t the Emperor’s incompetence but the overwhelming power of the enemy, as if they weren’t mere mortals.

The only solution was to take the initiative to invade and annex them when Luojiu was weak. If one had to point out the only “mistake” of his elder brother, it might just be “disliking war”.

It was a mistake that wasn’t really a mistake, but it still pushed his Emperor Brother to a dead end, and he was on the verge of bearing infamy forever.

When the country was at peace and the people were safe, he always made early preparations against Shi Jingzhi. But now that calamity was upon them, Xu Jingming no longer had the heart to blame that monster.

“Forget it, don’t force yourself to answer me,” Xu Jingxing said, closing his eyes slightly and his voice getting fainter. “Things have come to this point, I… I also…”

Just as Xu Jingxing revealed a hint of regret, Lu Fu’s greeting came from outside the door. That fleeting vulnerability was replaced by the emperor’s usual dignity.

The old eunuch entered the door, immediately bowing down in respect.

“This Old Slave brought you today’s reports.”

Xu Jingming, already irritated, became even more frustrated. “If it’s just a war report, so be it. But why bring in these trivial matters at this time?”

“Your Highness, this is no small matter,” Lu Fu whispered. “I also feel for the Emperor, but I really have no choice… Haa, the rumors outside are spreading like wildfire. His Majesty must know.”

Xu Jingxing, too weak to get out of bed and with no mood to listen to the old eunuch’s incessant talking, glanced aside. Lu Fu got the hint and began to read the report.

The report wasn’t long, but its contents left both of them pale—

Shi Jingzhi was planning a rebellion.

Xu Jingxing immediately forced himself to sit up, furrowing his brows. Lu Fu moved closer on his knees, presenting the report for the emperor to see clearly.

Xu Jingxing struggled to read, his face growing paler. He looked at his younger brother beside him, seemingly exhausted, and leaned back on the bed.

“I’m tired, you continue reading,” he said with a sense of despair.

“Yes.”

Lu Fu cleared his throat and carefully continued. The report, written by the prefect of Qizhou, expressed grave concern. It claimed that Shi Jingzhi was “posing as the Emperor’s heir”, causing unrest on the frontier, stirring up the people near Kushan, and bribing martial artists.

Much of the report was filled with various evidence, from “disrupting the martial world and placing forces everywhere” to “recruiting soldiers and spreading rumors about the Emperor’s immorality”. The multitude of allegations was overwhelming.

Listening, Xu Jingming’s head buzzed, and he barely dared to breathe.

He had heard about the issue of Shirou being taken away. Could it be that Shi Jingzhi, having lost his sight, wanted to stir the waters and drag the entire Great Yun to ruin with him? But it could also be a conspiracy by the Imperial Preceptor’s faction. Everything was so confusing that Xu Jingming didn’t know who to trust.

However, given the sensitive situation and this news of rebellion…

“I understand.”

Indeed, Xu Jingxing’s face was calm, but his eyes betrayed a hint of near-desperate exhaustion. His gaze passed over Lu Fu, staring at an empty space, as if communicating with someone.

“True or false, I’ve made a miscalculation in this game of chess. There’s no choice… no choice,” he murmured.

Beside him, Xu Jingming remained silent, his hands clenched into fists beneath his sleeves.

The atmosphere in the imperial palace was heavy, while a warm wind blew in the quiet town outside.

The river shimmered with a faint red hue, and the strong smell of blood dispersed with the wind. Yin Ci put away his Hanging Shadow Sword and wiped it with a cloth.

In front of him lay a neatly dissected… pig. Although the cuts were precise, they seemed to be done with a hint of irritation, perhaps reflecting the butcher’s mood.

The two were newlyweds but hadn’t enjoyed much marital bliss. Shi Jingzhi got the finger of the True Immortal and devoted himself day and night studying it, almost locking himself in the temple. If not for Yin Ci bringing him meals, he might have starved.

Yin Ci also had tasks, gathering news in a place where information was hard to come by and ensuring they were always informed. Their collaboration was good, but still…

Shi Jingzhi seemed to lock himself away too much. They had important matters to discuss today and needed a serious talk.

After preparing the rest of the pork, Yin Ci began to cook. He arranged the food in a box, adding a peach blossom and a candied fruit. Carrying the food, he headed towards the temple courtyard.

“Zizhu,” Shi Jingzhi called out, sensing him even before he knocked. “Is it braised pork and oil-fried vegetables today? Just leave it at the courtyard door.”

“We’re eating together today,” Yin Ci said firmly.

On the other side of the door, Shi Jingzhi was silent for a moment and replied aggrievedly, “Of course I thought about it too… But I just like you so much. If you stay here for too long, I can’t calm down for half an hour. Go back, go back quickly. Otherwise, Master will have to recite the Purifying Words again.”

Yin Ci chuckled. “It’s been so long, you think I don’t want to see you?”

Before he finished his sentence, Shi Jingzhi quickly opened the door, a face full of “you can’t blame me” sneakiness. That fleeting joy didn’t last long before it was shattered by Yin Ci’s next sentence.

“You’ve become a traitor.”

Ignoring the chopped fingers of the True Immortal near him, Yin Ci casually brought the stewed meat to the table as he said it lightly.

“Ah? So soon?” Shi Jingzhi’s expression froze for a moment, then his smile became bitter. “I thought that Sun… the True Immortal would come to see me a few more times.”

“He’s probably afraid of you lingering too long, allowing me to find a way to persuade you.” Yin Ci scoffed coldly. “Besides, being an ‘Immortal’ who is always watching you, fearing you might run away, wouldn’t that make him even more suspicious?”

“…True.”

Shi Jingzhi fed Yin Ci a piece of meat with chopsticks and smacked his lips.

“Well, whether I stick my neck out or not, I can’t avoid the knife. At least it proves that they were fooled by us, which is a good thing.”

That day, when they lured the “Immortal”, in order for their opponent to feel they had an advantage, the two intentionally didn’t appear too intimate.

They gave their opponents a seemingly plausible “truth” —

They both knew about the Hundred-Year Project. Shi Jingzhi might not be foolish enough to be easily deceived, but he was willing to risk his life to investigate, most likely under Yin Ci’s influence. Yin Ci’s action was simply to destroy the Hundred-Year Project and seek revenge on the royal family and the Imperial Preceptor.

The seemingly harmonious master-disciple duo of the Kushan Sect was just a relationship of using and being used.

For the Immortal Assembly, the path ahead was clear.

To force Shi Jingzhi to drop his reservations quickly, making him feel trapped would be more effective than persuasion. The chaos had already begun, with the power of the emperor and longevity being presented together. One step forward, and he’d be the ruler of the world. Who would want to keep guessing and doubting along with a sworn enemy?

And with Shi Jingzhi carrying the label of a “national calamity”, it wasn’t out of the question that the Emperor was framing him. Either way, the Immortal Assembly had everything calculated perfectly.

Thinking about this, Shi Jingzhi couldn’t help but look at Yin Ci again.

Spring peach blossoms looked like pink snow, and he too was dressed in light colors. However, the image of Yin Ci dressed in a wedding gown from not long ago was still firmly etched in his mind.

The lineage of the Imperial Preceptor probably never imagined that the true nature of the storm’s center involved the two of them “using each other” to the point of becoming wedded.

Thinking of this, Shi Jingzhi felt a wave of contentment.

“Speaking of which, they really know how to make a fuss. They sent such a seditious script, and if I don’t accept it, I’d lose my head. How could I refuse? …I wonder when my elder brother will come to destroy me. I’ve never been to the front lines of a war myself, so there’s something new to do.”

Holding the chopsticks, Shi Jingzhi spoke nonchalantly.

Well, the stewed meat is delicious, and the soup is also good soaked in the bread. After all, he and his general were together, so they could tackle any problem. Compared to becoming a traitor, he had more important things to worry about.

“But Zizhu, if they come too fast, remember to block for me a bit. That Immortal’s finger is interesting. I need to study it for some time.”

Seeing him bring it up, Yin Ci raised an eyebrow. “I just saw a sparrow.”

“Oh, that’s Shen Zhu returning to Yidu, giving me a report.” Shi Jingzhi waved his hand, wiping the bottom of the plate with a piece of bread. “You can rest assured, everything is going smoothly.”

“Although I can’t use magic, theoretically I can help you a bit. You don’t need to work too hard—”

Shi Jingzhi was truly frail. He even stopped practicing martial arts, only burying his head in work day after day. Even though this person wouldn’t die easily, Yin Ci still found it hard to watch.

Before he finished speaking, Shi Jingzhi leaned over and pecked Yin Ci’s lips.

“I’ve got the true teachings of Senior Chen and have plenty of time. Now that it’s so chaotic outside, you’re tired enough scouting around.”

Shi Jingzhi smiled contentedly, with an air of having everything under control.

“Alright, go rest for a while. I’ll continue to ponder some magic here and will rest on time.”

However, just after Yin Ci stepped out, Shi Jingzhi took out the thin silk that the sparrow had brought. The silk was densely written on, and at a glance, it wasn’t just a simple “reporting safety” message.

[I’ve returned to Yidu and used a good magic weapon to inspect the Shirou.]

[Once integrated with the Hanging Tree, all internal organs must be nurtured by its roots. Forcibly separating the roots would only result in a puddle of flesh. Senior Yin is bound to live and die with the Hanging Tree, unable to return to his ordinary human form.]

[However, if you keep the Hanging Tree, that Immortal will certainly not let you go easily. What will you do?]

Holding the thin silk with two fingers, Shi Jingzhi slowly burned it with a golden flame until it was completely consumed, leaving no trace of ash. Then, Sect Master Shi wiped the ash from his hands, lifted a large cylindrical piece of finger flesh, and wobbled into the inner chamber of the temple.

Inside the temple, the floor was littered with scattered papers, and the stench of blood and flesh was nauseating. Shi Jingzhi seemed unaffected by the smell. He found a clear space, sat down directly, and began to write feverishly. From time to time, he would cough, wiping away the blood he spat out with scrap paper and carelessly throwing it aside.

“Why does everyone force me to make choices?”

While researching the technique in his hand, he murmured to himself.

“…I choose not to choose.”

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