Chapter 74
The Phoenix Wutong Island was enveloped in a night of silence.
Outside the Songfeng Pavillion, Eryun paced anxiously.
Since she had informed Songfeng the previous night about Chong zhao’s assassination of the Ziwei, Songfeng had remained silent and had not stepped out of his room.
With the time of Chong zhao’s punishment drawing near, Eryun’s anxiety grew unbearable.
As dawn broke, the door creaked open. Eryun turned to see Songfeng, clad in a Taoist robe, slowly walking out.
“Uncle, about Junior Brother…” Eryun stepped forward, eager to speak, but Songfeng waved her off.
“Yun’er, do not concern yourself with Zhao’er’s matter. Your uncle has it under control.”
Songfeng patted Eryun’s hand and strode towards the courtyard gate.
After a few steps, he paused.
“Yun’er, in recent days, I have come to realize that the path of immortality is long and arduous. The rise and fall of immortal sects are as natural as the rising and setting of the sun. In the future, as long as the Piaomiao Sect upholds its founding principles and protects the people of the East Sea, it will be enough. Whether we return to the Three Mountains and Six Palaces or not is any longer important.”
“Uncle?” Eryun was taken aback.
“When Zhao’er returns, tell him what I have said.”
Songfeng sighed softly and, without another word, walked out of the Songfeng Pavillion.
As the time for punishment approached, the various sect leaders and their disciples began to gather towards the main hall of Phoenix Island.
Xi Yun walked briskly, with Nan wan following closely behind, unable to hide his satisfaction.
“Master, your wisdom is unparalleled. With just a few words yesterday, you made Chong zhao give up his chance to avoid punishment. The thirty-six thunder lashes from the thunder will surely shatter his immortal bones, making it impossible for him to continue on the path of immortality.”
Xi Yun snorted lightly, “A mere clown, unworthy of being the top disciple of Wutong Martial Banquet and receiving the blessings of the Heavenly Palace. Kunlun has always been aloof, and Beichen’s status is too special, equivalent to the Kunlun Sect Leader. He will not enter the Heavenly Palace. Among the younger generation of immortals, no one can rival you. After today’s thunder punishment, I will recommend you to the Heavenly Palace to receive the blessings.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Nan wan’s face lit up with joy, but then he frowned in confusion.
“Master, there is one thing I do not understand.”
“What is it?”
“I don’t understand why Chong zhao’s assassination of the Ziwei Star, which is a capital offense, was dismissed by the Lord Yufeng with just a few words yesterday. Why did the Lord Jinyao and the other sect leaders accept that his actions were driven by personal grievances rather than a plot to bring chaos to the mortal world?”
Xi yun paused, “You are young, so you wouldn’t know. In fact, since Emperor Mu Guang ascended to the Heavenly Palace and took control of the three realms sixty thousand years ago, every Ziwei in the mortal world has been an immortal from the Heavenly Palace undergoing a mortal trial…”
“You mean…?” Nan wan was stunned.
“The Ziwei of the previous trial was none other than the Lord Yufeng.”
“So that’s how it is.”
Nan wan suddenly understood. “I heard that the Lord Yufeng descended to the mortal world some time ago to undergo a trial, and he became the Ziwei . Master, what kind of grudge does Chong zhao have with the Ziwei that he would rather shatter his immortal bones than repent to the Ziwei ?”
“The Ziwei governs the mortal world. For the Ziwei to recognize Chong zhao’s identity at a glance, Chong zhao must have come from a noble family in the mortal world. He would rather die than submit, likely due to a blood feud involving the extermination of his family. This is even better; we won’t have to lift a finger to eliminate this threat.”
Xi yun snorted lightly but suddenly stopped, his brow furrowing as he looked into the distance.
“How could I have forgotten about him.”
Nan wan followed his gaze and saw Songfeng entering the Zhishui pavillion, where Lord Jinyao resided.
Inside the Zhishui Pavillion, Jinyao had already learned of Chong zhao’s background from Yufeng and couldn’t help but sigh.
“So that’s how it is. His father’s lust for power brought disaster upon his entire family. Chong zhao has exceptional immortal bones, but it’s a pity.”
Yufeng comforted him, “He is still young on the path of immortality. A little hardship might not be a bad thing for him.”
Jinyao nodded.
At that moment, an immortal guard entered to report that the Piaomiao Sect Leader had requested an audience. Jinyao and Yufeng exchanged a glance and invited him in.
Songfeng entered the hall and, seeing Yufeng present, showed a look of understanding.
He bowed to Lord Jinyao, “Since Lord Yufeng is here, I assume you already know why my disciple Chong zhao entered the imperial city to assassinate the Ziwei Star.”
Jinyao was surprised, “Sect Leader Songfeng, did you already know about Chong zhao’s mortal identity before he became an immortal?”
Songfeng remained calm, “Yes.”
Jinyao was puzzled, “If you knew he harbored such deep resentment, why did you still accept him into Piaomiao?”
Songfeng looked up, “Sect Leader, once one steps onto the path of immortality, all mortal concerns become like passing clouds. He endured countless hardships to seek the path of immortality. Since he arrived at Piaomiao, it was fate that brought him to us. The Great Dao is supreme, and Piaomiao would never turn away a disciple who sincerely seeks the Dao.”
Piaomiao had been in decline for a long time.
With Chong zhao’s exceptional immortal bones, no sect would have turned him away, even knowing his mortal past.
Jinyao sighed, understanding Songfeng’s desire to nurture talent.
“Sect Leader, I am willing to stake Piaomiao’s thousand-year reputation to vouch that Chong zhao’s assassination of the Ziwei Star was driven by personal vengeance and not by any collusion with demons to bring chaos to the mortal world.”
“Immortal Yufeng has already testified on his behalf. Sect Leader Songfeng, you need not worry. I will not hold Piaomiao accountable for this matter.”
“Sect Leader, you misunderstand. I am not here to ensure Piaomiao is not implicated.”
“Then what is the Sect Leader here for…?”
Songfeng bowed deeply, “I beg the Sect Leader, in consideration of Piaomiao’s thousand-year service in protecting the people of the East Sea, to grant me an unreasonable request.”
“Sect Leader, there is no need for this.”
Jinyao quickly helped Songfeng up.
“Chong zhao did save a group of immortal disciples in a Yi city and saved Fu ling’s life yesterday. Both in terms of justice and personal sentiment, I have no desire to take his life. However…”
Jinyao paused, his voice heavy, “He has still violated the iron laws of the immortal realm. A severe punishment is unavoidable. Even if I wished to be lenient, the collective anger of the immortal sects makes it impossible for me to exempt him from the thirty-six thunder lashes.”
“I understand. My request is not for that.”
Jinyao was taken aback, “Then what is it that you seek, Sect Leader?”
Songfeng suddenly bowed deeply to Jinyao, “Lord!”
“Sect Leader Songfeng? What are you doing?!”
“Lord, I have something to say.”
“Please speak.”
“Chong zhao has no family left in the mortal world. When he joined Piaomiao, Piaomiao became his home. Although he was formally accepted under my senior brother’s name, for the past three years, I have been the one teaching him the ways of immortality and the world. Though I am his uncle master, I have taken on the role of his master. It is my fault that I failed to help him let go of his obsession. There is an old saying in the mortal world: ‘If the child is not taught, it is the father’s fault.’ I understand that Chong zhao has committed a grave mistake, and a severe punishment is unavoidable. But I beg you, Lord, to show mercy and allow me to take his place in receiving the thirty-six thunder lashes!”
“Sect Leader Songfeng! This…!”
Jinyao’s expression changed, but Songfeng had already prostrated himself on the ground.
“Chong zhao’s golden core has already been severely damaged. If he endures these thirty-six lashes, his spiritual core will be shattered, and his immortal veins will be severed. He will never be able to progress further on the path of immortality. I beg you, Lord, to have pity on Piaomiao and leave a glimmer of hope for our sect!”
Songfeng’s hair was streaked with gray as he pressed his forehead to the ground, his words heavy with emotion.
The Zhishui pavillion was so silent that you could hear a pin drop.
After a long while, Jinyao helped Songfeng up, “Sect Leader, your compassion is evident. I grant your request.”
Songfeng’s eyes filled with emotion, and he was about to bow again in gratitude when Jinyao sighed.
“After this incident, I believe Chong zhao will be able to let go of his obsession and return to the path of immortality. I, too, do not wish to see such a rare talent lost to the immortal realm.”
“Thank you, Sect Leader!”
In a flash of immortal light, Bai Shuo and Qing Yi landed outside the Jiuhua Pavilion.
Nearby, Hua Hong was walking out of the Xiaoyao Pavilion with a stern expression, followed closely by Mu Jiu, who trailed behind her like a little tail.
“Hey, hey, Little Hua, are you going to the Phoenix Hall to join the excitement too…”
The two of them ran into Bai Shuo, and Mu Jiu covered his mouth while Hua Hong’s expression froze.
Hadn’t she sent a message to the Palace Master? Why had this ancestor still returned?
Before she could speak, Bai Shuo rushed forward anxiously.
“Little Hua, where is Ah Zhao? Where is he?”
Bai Shuo fired off three questions in rapid succession.
Hua Hong frowned and remained silent, but Mu Jiu quickly answered.
“He’s in the Phoenix Hall. Little Bai Shuo, your senior brother is about to undergo the thunder whip punishment. I doubt his body can withstand it. You still have a little time to say your goodbyes…”
Before Mu Jiu could finish, Bai Shuo turned and ran towards the Phoenix Hall.
“Why did you tell her?” Hua Hong snapped.
“If we didn’t tell her, would she never see Chong zhao again? Even your Palace Master couldn’t stop her from coming back. You should know how important Chong zhao is to her.”
Mu Jiu’s leisurely voice rang out, and Hua Hong was momentarily stunned.
She turned to see the usually carefree Fox Clan young lord squinting, unable to hide the cunning in his eyes.
“Don’t worry about your palace Master. They won’t end up together. Chong zhao is too burdened by his obsessions and too deep in his thoughts. In his heart, other things will always be more important than Little Bai. It’s better to let the little girl hit a wall. Once she breaks through it, the bond between them will shatter.”
“You…”
“They won’t end up together, but we can.” Before Hua Hong could speak, the little fox with a playful smile, leaned forward, grabbing her hand.
“Come on, let’s go to the main hall. The excitement of the immortal realm isn’t something you see every day…”
Outside the Phoenix Hall, security was tight, but with Qing yi accompanying her, no one dared to stop Bai Shuo.
“The Sect Leader has said that if Chong zhao is willing to let go of his mortal grudges, the thirty-six lashes can be waived. Bai Shuo, there’s only one incense stick’s worth of time left before the punishment. This is his last chance.”
Qing yi reminded her, and Bai Shuo nodded before entering the Phoenix Hall.
Bai Shuo pushed open the door.
Under the golden light of the cage, Chongzhao turned his head, his face pale and his expression desolate.
“Ah Zhao…”
When he saw who had entered, Chong zhao’s pupils contracted, but then he lowered his head expressionlessly.
Bai Shuo rushed forward, her hand touching the cage.
A flash of golden light erupted, and Chong zhao’s expression changed, “Don’t touch…”
But the golden light struck Bai Shuo, and she remained unharmed.
Chong zhao was stunned, and even Bai Shuo was momentarily dazed.
“This light… why doesn’t it affect me?”
“Ah Shuo, you…” Chongzhao’s eyes filled with disbelief, “You’ve reached the Immortal lord level?”
The Phoenix Island’s magical cage would backlash against anyone below the Immortal level.
Since Bai Shuo was unharmed, she must have already reached that level.
But just two days ago, she had been nothing more than a wandering immortal.
“Immortal Lord?”
Bai Shuo stared blankly at her palm.
Ever since she woke up at the Purple Moon Lake, strange things had been happening.
Only now did she realize that not only had her old injuries, which had been clogging her spiritual veins, healed, but her spiritual core was also filled with abundant spiritual energy.
It was the Purple Moon Divine aura! The big demon had taken her to the Unruly City not to take revenge on her, but to heal her…?
A warmth spread through Bai Shuo’s heart, but Chong zhao’s low cough brought her back to reality.
She quickly raised her hand to break the cage.
“Ah Zhao, I’ll get you out.”
“No need.”
Before Bai Shuo could release her immortal energy, Chong zhao interrupted her in a low voice.
Bai Shuo’s hand, raised mid-air, froze.
Chong zhao looked at Bai Shuo, “Ah Shuo, this is not something you can interfere with. Assassinating the Ziwei is a grave crime. If I escape, the entire Piaomiao Sect will be implicated.”
“I’m not asking you to escape. I want to take you to plead with Lord Jinyao. If you’re willing to let go of your grudges, the thirty-six lashes can be waived…”
“Impossible.”
Chong zhao raised his head, his eyes filled with deep resentment.
“Ah Shuo, don’t forget that I sought immortality for the sake of revenge. If I give up my hatred for the massacre of my family, how can I face the hundreds of innocent lives lost in the Chong family? As long as I live, one day I will personally kill the Ziwei!”
“They did not die in vain!”
Bai Shuo blurted out.
Inside the cage, Chong Zhao froze, his bloodshot eyes turning toward Bai Shuo.
“What did you say?”
He took one step after another toward Bai Shuo, allowing the power of the prison to lash at him.
Bloodstains covered his entire body, yet he pressed forward until he stood before the bars, gripping them tightly, his gaze locked onto Bai Shuo.
“Ah Shuo, my Chong family—one hundred lives—were unjustly slaughtered before my very eyes. How can you say they did not die in vain?”
The Phoenix Hall fell into a deathly silence.
After a long pause, Bai Shuo spoke with difficulty, “Ah Zhao, back then, Chong Xiang did harbor treasonous intentions. The evidence was irrefutable.”
“Nonsense! My Chong family has served as ministers for three generations. My father was loyal to the emperor and cared for the people—how could he have committed treason?”
“The Chong family’s treason case… it was investigated by the Grand General’s residence.”
Bai Shuo lowered her gaze.
With just that one sentence, the hall fell into an even deeper silence.
Chong Zhao stared at Bai Shuo in disbelief, his voice hoarse and shattered.
“What did you say? Who determined my father’s guilt?”
“The Grand General’s residence.”
Bai Shuo lifted her eyes and met Chong Zhao’s stunned gaze, speaking softly.
In this dynasty, there was only one person who held the title of Grand General and the rank of Pillar of the Nation—Grand General Bai Xun.
Inside and outside the prison, Bai Shuo and Chong Zhao stared at each other, their reflections mirrored in each other’s eyes.
After more than a decade of companionship, at this moment, they seemed both familiar and unfamiliar.
Bai Shuo had finally spoken the words she had kept buried all these years.
She had stayed by Chong Zhao’s lonely side, waiting for the day she could finally say it.
The big demon once asked her—how many lives did she have, how deep was her bond, to remain by Chong Zhao’s side, protecting him like this?
The big demon did not know that her feelings for Chong Zhao were not just the friendship of their youth, nor merely guilt for fleeing their engagement.
What truly made her willing to protect Chong Zhao at all costs was the fact that, all those years ago, it was her father, Grand General Bai Xun, who personally presented the evidence of the Chong family’s treason before the imperial court.
The Chong family’s treason—her father, as a minister, had done no wrong.
But what about Chong Zhao?
What had he done wrong?
She owed Chong Zhao a life, and aside from returning it to him, she could do nothing else.
Bai Shuo’s gaze was filled with guilt yet resolute, as if she had been waiting for this moment for years.
Chong Zhao had cultivated the Dao for years—his mind was no longer that of his younger self.
If not for his deep obsession, his unwillingness to think back on the past, he might have unraveled the truth long ago.
Now, with just Bai Shuo’s words, he immediately realized that the Chong family’s case was not as he had always believed.
Anyone in the world might have wronged the Chong family—but Bai Xun would not have.
His father had once been Bai Xun’s benefactor; the Chong and Bai families were bound by marriage and had been close for decades.
The old General Bai had no sons and no desire for power—other than an imperial decree, he had no reason to do anything excessive.
But why?
Why was it Bai Xun who personally uncovered everything?
“The Grand General’s residence… the old General Bai…”
Chong Zhao’s hands, burned raw by the prison, bled profusely, yet he felt no pain.
He looked at Bai Shuo and murmured, “Why… why was it your Bai family that determined my Chong family’s guilt? Why? Why!”
“Ah Zhao—” Bai Shuo could not find the words, her eyes drowning in guilt.
Suddenly, Chong Zhao lifted his head and fixed his gaze on her.
“The Chong family’s treason… it all started with the private soldiers at Muxiao Mountain, didn’t it?”
Bai Shuo’s throat tightened.
She nodded.
“Yes… Ah Zhao, I’m sorry… it was because of me…”
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
“If the Chong family was guilty of treason, then I am a traitor’s descendant. The old General Bai spared my life, showed mercy—if anything, I owe you a life instead.”
Everything… everything had been set in motion by him.
If he had known the truth earlier—if he had not recklessly mobilized that private army—perhaps… perhaps he could have persuaded his father.
Perhaps the Chong family would not have been exterminated.
It was him.
It was him who sealed their fate, who left the Chong family with no path to survival.
Chong Zhao staggered back into the prison.
“How ridiculous… I cultivated the Dao, convinced of my own injustice, vowing to cut down the Ziwei and restore justice to my family…”
His head hung low, his expression unreadable, but his lips curled into a self-deprecating smile—one more painful than tears.
“In the end, I am the greatest joke of all. What does thirty-six lashes of the Punishment Whip mean to me? I should have died long ago.”
Suddenly, he lifted his head and looked at Bai Shuo.
“The Grand General was not wrong. The ones at fault were my Chong family.”
“But even so, the hundred lives of the Chong family are watching me from below…”
Chong Zhao struck his own chest heavily, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
“Ah Zhao!” Bai Shuo’s eyes filled with panic.
“What are you doing!”
Chong Zhao’s eyes were blood-red, dark energy faintly swirling within them—violent, chaotic.
Bai Shuo’s heart clenched in fear.
“Ah Shuo, I can accept the kindness of anyone in this world—but not from your Bai family.”
“The old General Bai’s mercy, these three years of protection from you—Bai Shuo, I return them all to you today!”
Chong Zhao shut his eyes and struck toward his spiritual core.
Immortal energy flashed, accompanied by an even greater golden light surging through the Phoenix Hall.
Outside the palace, Qing Yi rushed in, his expression changing—only to freeze in shock.
The prison confining Chong Zhao had been torn apart.
Bai Shuo, covered in blood, was holding Chong Zhao tightly, and the hand he had raised to destroy his spiritual core—had been stopped by Bai Shuo’s shoulder.
The sound of bones shattering echoed through the hall.
Bai Shuo’s arm had been completely broken.
“Bai Shuo!” Qing Yi cried out, hesitating to step forward.
Bai Shuo paid no heed to her uselessly hanging arm, gripping Chong Zhao with her other hand.
“Ah Zhao, it wasn’t your fault. It was me—everything was my fault. Please, don’t blame yourself. Just live—please, just live!”
Chong Zhao stared blankly at Bai Shuo, her face covered in blood and tears.
The dark energy in his eyes dissipated—pain, sorrow, and countless emotions tangled within them.
He reached out toward her broken arm but trembled and stopped.
Finally, he gave a dry nod.
“Alright, Ah Shuo… I will confess my crimes. I will go before the Lord Jinyao—”
Just as Chong Zhao spoke those words, a deep bell tolled from the heart of Phoenix Island.
A streak of lightning split the sky.
Thunder roared in broad daylight, shaking the entire Phoenix Hall.
“What’s happening?”
Bai Shuo and Chong Zhao were stunned.
“The Thunder Punishment Whip!” Qing Yi murmured, turning to Chong Zhao.
“Could it be… someone inside the main hall took your punishment for you?”
“Master Uncle?!”
“Sect Leader?!”
Chong Zhao’s expression changed drastically.
Without another word, he transformed into a streak of light and shot toward the Phoenix Hall.
Bai Shuo tried to follow, but Qing Yi stopped her.
“Bai Shuo, your injuries are severe!”
Pale-faced, Bai Shuo hastily swallowed a few pills from her storage bag.
“Lord, I won’t die. The Sect Leader already has old wounds—if he’s the one taking the Thunder thirty-six whips, something terrible will happen!”
Qing Yi finally understood why even the wounded Bai Shuo disregarded everything else.
He grabbed her and rushed toward the main hall.