Eternal Love Within A Smile - Chapter 33
Chapter 33
The towering Mount Xiao outside the capital city pierces the clouds. In the mortal world, the frost of October brings a chill, but snow has already begun to fall on the mountain’s peak. The same starry river and bright moon seem to have been polished by the fine snow, appearing even more radiant and luminous.
Li Ying landed on the mountain peak, and Bai Tan quickly wriggled out of her arms, transforming into human form upon touching the ground.
Li Ying returned the ancient qin to Bai Tan. After the flight, her drunkenness had subsided somewhat, but her demeanor remained unchanged.
“Master Bai, what do you think of this place?” Li Ying held a flute in her hand, gazing up at the bright moon with a smile. “Green pines, white snow, a solitary moon above the high mountains—such a beautiful scene. How can there be no music?”
Bai Tan stared blankly at Li Ying’s back. Her rosy lips pressed against the warm jade, and the clear, piercing sound of the flute shattered the clouds, making Bai Tan recall the arrow that had once pierced the sky like a white rainbow.
—At that moment, he had thought he would die.
The flames had suddenly extinguished, and a sharp pain pierced his chest. In his dazed state, he had seen Li Ying’s enchanting yet sharp phoenix eyes, as fierce and unstoppable as her arrows, carrying a momentum that could burn the heavens and destroy the earth. Yet, they were also breathtakingly beautiful, exuding a wild, untamed charm that made one tremble from the depths of their heart.
But could someone as noble and powerful as her also harbor shadows in her heart…?
Bai Tan let out a soft sigh, sitting cross-legged. His slender fingers plucked the qin strings, gently and slowly, producing a soft, melodious tune. The music was tender and evocative, like a gentle breeze skimming the surface of water, stirring ripples. The passionate and resentment in the flute’s melody gradually dissipated, sinking into the gentle of the gin’s notes, like a weary bird returning to its nest, a phoenix resting on a wutong tree, restoring peace and tranquility.
After a long while, Li Ying finally put down her flute and let out a melancholic sigh, mocking herself, “During the day, I was the one comforting you, Master. Now it’s your turn to comfort me.”
Bai Tan lightly pressed the gin strings, but the music continued to echo through the mountains.
“Those with a heart are bound to have sorrows. In this life, it’s inevitable that the heart is enslaved by the body. Lowly as I am, I cannot escape imprisonment. Noble as you are… you too are bound by circumstances.”
Bai Tan’s voice was low but carried an inexplicable force, making one unconsciously want to listen.
Li Ying turned her head, looking down at Bai Tan’s amber eyes with a faint, desolate smile. “Heaven creates all things; how can there be distinctions of nobility and lowliness? Master, you need not belittle yourself. Everyone calls me the Feather Emperor, but that is merely another shackle placed upon me.”
Li Ying’s nimble fingers played with the red jade flute.
“Master, do you know that it has been four hundred years since I last played this flute?”
Bai Tan was startled.
“Four hundred years ago, I inherited the legacy of the Nine Suns Li Fire and became the Feather Emperor. From that day on, I was no longer Li Ying, but the Feather Emperor, leading eight thousand feather clans. Such glory.” Li Ying sneered.
“Yet, I could not escape the fate of those with divine bloodline.”
Bai Tan asked in confusion, “What is the fate of those with divine bloodline?”
“It’s utterly ridiculous,” Li Ying said with a cold laugh.
“It’s simply about continuing the divine bloodline.”
Li Ying sat down beside Bai Tan, leaning against the mountain wall behind her, her cold eyes gazing into the distance.
“Those with divine bloodline must continue their lineage, producing offspring to strengthen the clan. Li Que is the same, and I am no exception. To ensure the purity of the divine bloodline, female Di Luan birds are strictly forbidden from marrying outside the clan.”
Li Ying spoke indifferently.
“Today, Ling Zhi conveyed the elder’s orders, instructing me and Li Que to return to the Vermilion Radiant to choose mates and marry. In truth, I should have realized long ago that in the eyes of the elders, I, the Feather Emperor, am nothing more than a tool. No matter how capable I am, all they care about is the continuation of this divine bloodline within me.”
Bai Tan fell silent for a moment before asking, “Then, what is it that you desire, Your Highness?”
Li Ying was momentarily stunned, her phoenix eyes flickering with a hint of confusion.
She sighed, “What do I desire…? Who cares…”
“Your Highness, why should you care whether others care or not?” Bai Tan smiled faintly.
“You’ve burdened yourself with too many responsibilities. Must you do everything you are capable of? You were born as Li Ying, not the Feather Emperor. No one can force you to do what you don’t want to do, and no one can stop you from doing what you wish to do.”
Bai Tan lightly plucked the gin strings, his voice deepening.
“I do as I please. I have never harmed anyone, so why should they have the right to control me?”
Li Ying’s heart trembled. She turned her head, staring blankly at Bai Tan’s profile.
His words were like a hook, prying open the thoughts she had buried deep within her heart, exposing them one by one under the moonlight, allowing her to see herself clearly.
“Ha ha ha ha ha…”
Li Ying burst into laughter, tears even welling up in the corners of her eyes.
“Well said! Well said! I, Li Ying, have been proud and chaotic all my life, but only now do I truly understand!”
She grabbed a wine jug, tilting her head back to drink deeply, venting the frustration in her chest. Her cheeks flushed, and her phoenix eyes sparkled, her radiant beauty becoming even more dazzling.
“The strongest should become the Feather Emperor? Those with divine bloodline should be reduced to breeding tools? Who made these absurd rules! I refuse to be the Feather Emperor. If the divine bloodline is meant to perish, then let it perish. What does it matter to me?”
Bai Tan watched her carefree smile and couldn’t help but curl his lips as well.
“You don’t have to force yourself,” he said gently.
Li Ying laughed mockingly.
“Force myself? Why would they think I’m forcing myself? As the Feather Emperor, I stand above all. Countless emperors and heroes flatter me, waiting for my favor. What more could I want?”
“If it’s not what you truly want, no matter how much they give, it’s meaningless,” Bai Tan said.
Li Ying, with a smile on her lips, looked at Bai Tan.
“If they understood me even half as well as you do, I might as well marry them.”
Bai Tan’s heart skipped a beat. His hand gripping the qin tightened, and he said hoarsely, “Your Highness, you’re drunk…”
Li Ying suddenly leaned closer to Bai Tan, pressing him against the mountain wall behind him.
Her delicate nose lightly touched his face, their eyes mere inches apart.
His amber cat-like pupils clearly reflected her drunken, smiling face.
“It’s just wine made from red fruits. How could I be drunk?” Li Ying’s breath was much warmer than his, carrying the sweet, intoxicating aroma of red fruits, gently brushing against Bai Tan’s face.
“But you, you haven’t had a single drop of wine. Why is your face so red?”
Li Ying’s hand caressed Bai Tan’s cheek, lightly touching his thick eyelashes.
Bai Tan lowered his eyes, not daring to meet Li Ying’s gaze. He forced himself to remain calm. “The sense of smell of the cat clan is exceptionally sensitive. Just smelling it can make one drunk.”
Li Ying chuckled softly. “Is that so…? Master, you are my confidant, and I also know what’s in your heart.”
Bai Tan was startled.
“Bai Tan, you like me, don’t you?” Li Ying said with a smile, her tone certain.
Li Ying’s slender fingers lifted a strand of his slightly frosty hair.
“Why? Is it because I hurt you, or because I saved you?”
Bai Tan’s throat tightened, his eyes unable to hide his panic.
“Never mind, it doesn’t matter,” Li Ying said with a faint smile, pressing her forehead against his slightly cold one.
“You advised me to follow my heart, to not force myself as long as I don’t harm others. If I were to kiss you now, would it be considered harm? Would it be forcing myself?”
Bai Tan raised his eyes, meeting her smiling phoenix gaze, and answered her question with action.
Their soft lips, carrying the sweetness of red fruits, clumsily explored, familiarized, and then entwined.
The wind ceased, the snow stopped, and the frosty moon shone brightly. Accompanied by the qin and flute, though no one paid them heed, they were not lonely.
Xu Manman had been cultivating in Demon Lord Lang Yin’s room all night. It was almost dawn when the Demon Lord lang Yin interrupted her and chased her out of the room. This suited her just fine, as she would have had to come up with an excuse to explain to the Immortal Lord why she had spent the night in his room.
Just before dawn, when the darkness was at its deepest, a red light flashed before her eyes. Xu Manman thought it was the break of dawn, but upon closer inspection, she realized it was Li Ying standing in front of her.
The two of them stared at each other, both momentarily stunned.
Li Ying: “You…”
Xu Manman: “You…”
They spoke simultaneously, then abruptly stopped.
Xu Manman coughed dryly, lowering her voice.
“Your Highness, the Feather Emperor, you’re only returning now?”
Li Ying nodded nonchalantly, glancing at Xu Manman and then at the tightly closed courtyard gate behind her. She raised an eyebrow in confusion.
“Did you spend the night in Immortal Lord’s room?”
Xu Manman’s eyes flickered, and she stammered, “Well… I was cultivating…”
Li Ying suddenly reached out to Xu Manman, who, being far inferior in cultivation, couldn’t dodge in time and had her wrist seized.
“Such a significant improvement in cultivation overnight?”
Li Ying’s pupils shook as she stared at Xu Manman in shock and suspicion.
“Did you two… dual cultivate?”
She didn’t have the heart to ask directly: Did you absorb his yang to replenish your yin?
In the path of cultivation, there were some shortcuts. For example, dual cultivating with someone of high cultivation could yield twice the result with half the effort. Xu Manman, a mere Golden Core cultivator, could reasonably ascend to Nascent Soul if she dual cultivated a few times with a powerful immortal like the Immortal Lang Yin.
Of course, Xu Manman hadn’t dual cultivated with Immortal Lang Yin. It was just that her cultivation technique was somewhat special. But she couldn’t explain this to Li Ying. After struggling for a while, she could only blush and say, “If you want to think that way, I can’t stop you…”
Li Ying was dumbfounded.
She released Xu Manman’s wrist and watched her leave.
As Xu Manman’s figure gradually disappeared into the distance, Li Ying couldn’t help but feel that this person was becoming more and more enigmatic. Not long ago, Immortal Lang Yin had wanted to teach her a lesson, and now he was letting her absorb his energy?
What exactly was the relationship between these two?
The morning light spilled over the Shennong Temple, bathing the statue of Shennong in golden light, making it appear even more warm and holy.
Xu Manman hurried past, heading straight for the inner courtyard’s Prayer Hall.
Due to the threat of the Blood Sect, the leaders of the Daoist Alliance had gathered here to discuss matters. Normally, someone of Xu Manman’s status wouldn’t be qualified to enter, but she had played a key role in eliminating the Soul-Reaping Division. Moreover, the newly appointed leader of the Siyi Sect, Senior Xihe, had insisted on inviting her, allowing her to enter the Prayer Hall and participate in the discussions.
Xu Manman was the last to arrive. She glanced around the room, noting that aside from the sect leaders, the Feather Emperor Li Ying and the Sea Emperor Ao Xiu were also present.
Immortal Lang Yin, however, was not among them.
Given his disinterest in worldly affairs, this was to be expected.
Xu Manman smiled and bowed to the assembled leaders, apologizing, “I’m late. Sorry to keep you all waiting.”
As she spoke, she made her way to Ning Xi’s side.
Ming Xiao Fazun, temporarily acting as the Daozun, sat in the main seat. He nodded to Xu Manman and said, “You’ve arrived just in time. I have an announcement to make. The Jianzun has sent word that he has discovered traces of the Fate-Defying Division and was ambushed by the Blood Sect. Ya Sheng Xingzun has gone missing.”
Everyone was shocked by this news.
“Ya Sheng Xingzun is over nine hundred years old, with profound cultivation. There are few in the world who can match him. How could he have fallen into the hands of the Blood Sect?” Li Ying frowned, her voice heavy.
Ming Xiao Fazun explained, “With the Soul-Reaping Division Division eradicated, the Blood Sect is on high alert, fearing a repeat of what happened.”
Ao Xiu pursed his lips, surveying the room. A strange glint flashed in his eyes.
“Or perhaps… there is a traitor within the Daoist Alliance who leaked the Po Yue Jianzun and Ya Sheng Xingzun’s plans.”
Qun Yu Fangzun’s gaze sharpened as she stared at Ao Xiu.
“What do you mean by that, Sea Emperor? If you suspect someone, speak plainly. There’s no need to sow discord within the Daoist Alliance.”
Ao Xiu smiled faintly.
“Fangzun, please don’t be angry. My words are not meant to maliciously sow suspicion. I merely recall hearing on the day of the Hall of No Return incident that the Blood Sovereign was hiding in the capital, plotting something significant. Over the past few days, you’ve searched the entire city and interrogated all high-level cultivators, but found nothing suspicious. But upon closer thought, are there not some who have not been interrogated? For example… those present here.”
Qing Luo Yaozun slammed the table and stood up, furious.
“You can suspect others, but you cannot suspect Fangzun!”
Li Ying’s eyes flickered.
“If we’re going to say that… it’s not just those present. Po Yue Jianzun and Ya Sheng Xingzun were also in the capital that day and were not interrogated.”
Ao Xiu smiled. “The Feather Emperor makes a good point. The Blood Sovereign must be someone of profound cultivation, and the most powerful and influential figures in the world are among the seven leaders of the Daoist Alliance. In fact, I’ve been wondering: when the Blood Sect killed Lian Yue Daozun, was it really just a move to draw out Fu Yue Shenzun? If it was merely a move, the sacrifice seems too great. Perhaps it was killing two birds with one stone… With Lian Yue Daozun’s death, aside from the Blood Sect, who benefited the most?”
As soon as Ao Xiu finished speaking, many eyes turned to Ming Xiao Fazun.
Ming Xiao Fazun’s expression remained unchanged.
His handsome face was calm and composed as he looked at Ao Xiu.
“So, over the past few days, the Sea Emperor has been approaching me because you suspect me.”
Ao Xiu smiled.
“Please forgive me,Fazun I do have some suspicions. When we were trapped by the Soul-Reaping Division, we discovered something: the Blood Sect has someone skilled in formations. And as everyone knows, there are only two formation masters in the world: the lateLian Yue Daozun and Ming Xiao Fazun. With Lian Yue Daozun’s death, the Cardinal Tower has fallen entirely under the control of the Shenxiao sect, and you have taken over the position of Daozun, leading the Daoist Alliance. Moreover, the protective formation set up to safeguard Tun Tian Shenzun was entirely your doing. If there were any flaws, no one would know better than you.”
After Ao Xiu’s words, the looks directed at Ming Xiao Fazun grew even more suspicious.
Ming Xiao Fazun smiled faintly. “The Sea Emperor is indeed deep-minded. I am not the Blood Sovereign. If you all suspect me, I can immediately relinquish my position as Daozun and hand over control of the formations at the Shennong Temple to someone else.”
With that, Ming Xiao Fazun placed the Yuntie token, symbolizing the position of Daozun, on the table.
Everyone exchanged glances, but no one dared to take it.
Qun Yu Fangzun frowned slightly. “Without any evidence, how can we suspect Ming Xiao Fazun based solely on the Sea Emperor’s speculation?”
Qian Luo Yaozun agreed. “Fangzun is right. Ming Xiao Fazun and Lian Yue Daozun were close friends. His actions over the years have been above reproach, unlike those of the Blood Sect’s evil cultivator.”
Ning Xi glanced at Xu Manman, only to find her expression grave, her eyes lowered in thought, as if pondering something else.
“Master, what do you think?”
Ning Xi gently tugged at Xu Manman’s sleeve, whispering.
Xu Manman snapped out of her thoughts and looked up.
“What the Sea Emperor said is purely speculation, but it’s not without merit. Of course, we want to believe in Ming Xiao Fazun’s innocence, but to avoid suspicion, temporarily handing over the Yuntie token is for the best. However, without a leader, the Daoist Alliance would be in disarray. So, someone must take up this token.”
Qian Luo Yaozun’s eyes lit up. “That’s right! I think Fangzun is the most suitable candidate!”
Xu Manman smiled.
“Well… according to the Sea Emperor, everyone present in the capital that day is under suspicion. However, Senior Xihe, being from the Siyi Sect, is beyond suspicion.”
Everyone was stunned.
Ning Xi was also taken aback.
Xu Manman spoke earnestly, guiding the conversation.
“In terms of cultivation, she has already reached the Dharma Aspect realm. In terms of handling affairs, she is steady and dignified. In terms of status, she is the Daozun’s disciple. In terms of position, she is the leader of the Siyi Sect. Among the seven leaders, she is the only one without suspicion of being the Blood Sovereign. Moreover, she has a deep grudge against the Blood Sect. All things considered, she is the most suitable to take up the Daozun position.”
Xu Manman’s words left everyone speechless, even more so than Ao Xiu’s earlier remarks.
Yet, no one could refute her.
Ao Xiu was stunned for a moment before saying, “The affairs of the Daoist Alliance are not for outsiders to meddle in.”
Xu Manman glanced at him and chuckled.
“Whether they are or not, the Sea Emperor has already said much. If you can speak, why can’t I? Are my words not reasonable?”
Ming Xiao Fazun suddenly smiled lightly. “What Cultivator Xu said is very reasonable. If no one objects, the Daozun position will be temporarily held by Senior Xihe.”
Qun Yu Fangzun lowered her eyes, remaining silent. Qian Luo Yaozun glanced at Fangzun, then at Xu Manman, his eyes shifting as he also fell silent.
When Ning Xi took the Yuntie token, she was still in a daze. She turned her head to see Xu Manman’s smiling crescent eyes.
The token felt heavy in her hand. She clenched her right hand, tucking the token her master had worn for many years into her sleeve. She raised her head and declared, “In that case, I will temporarily take up this token. Once the Blood Sect is eradicated, we will reconvene to decide the next Daozun.”
Li Ying had remained silent throughout, observing the situation with a sidelong glance, her gaze never leaving Xu Manman’s face.
Ao Xiu’s intentions were unclear, but no one had expected that the one to benefit the most would be Ning Xi, the newest and least experienced among them.
And all of this was due to Xu Manman’s maneuvering.
If not for Ao Xiu’s grim expression, Li Ying might have thought the two had planned this together.
After Ning Xi took the Daozun position, Xu Manman spoke again.
“Actually, yesterday I made a small discovery in the capital.”
She took out a bronze mirror from her storage bag.
“This mirror contains a sealed evil entity. I obtained it from the Mo Mansion yesterday, along with Immortal Lord… and Li Que.”
Xu Manman explained. “Over four hundred years ago, the Mo Mansion was massacred. According to the Tianzhu record, it was the work of a female cultivator from the Blood Sect, but the culprit was never caught. When we investigated the Mo Mansion, we found this mirror, which contains some remnant souls and has even given rise to an intelligent evil entity.”
Li Ying had already heard about this from Li Que, so she showed no reaction. The others, however, focused their attention on the bronze mirror in Xu Manman’s hand.
Xu Manman loosened the seal slightly, releasing the evil entity from the mirror. The creature tried to escape back into the mirror as soon as it emerged, but Ning Xi was quick, immobilizing it with a wave of her hand.
Xu Manman said, “Take a close look at the golden mark on this creature.”
Ming Xiao Fazun’s eyes flickered. “That’s the mark of the Xuantian Temple.”
“Exactly. It’s the mark of the Soul Binding Lock. Remnant souls that have been subjected to Soul Search technique will bear this mark,” Xu Manman explained.
Qian Luo Fa was astonished. “Isn’t that a forbidden technique? How could it have been used in Mo Mansion?”
As he spoke, he stepped forward. The Evil entity, immobilized, floated in the air, its disheveled hair hanging down, allowing everyone to examine it.
“I originally planned to ask Ya Sheng Xingzun about this today, but upon arriving here, I learned of his disappearance,” Xu Manman said.
Ao Xiu’s expression shifted. “Could it be that the Xuantian Temple is colluding with the Blood Sect? Is Ya Sheng Xingzun truly missing?”
Li Ying glanced at Ao Xiu and chuckled. “The Sea Emperor is indeed suspicious. Now you’re doubting Ya Sheng Xingzun?”
Ao Xiu’s expression remained unchanged.
“I’m merely voicing my suspicions. Earlier, it was said that the one who committed the massacre was a female cultivator from the Blood Sect, and the Soul-Reaping Envoy happens to be a woman. I wonder if it was her doing.”
Qun Yu Fangzun said, “Since this evil entity has intelligence, why not have the Xuantian monk perform a soul searching?”
As soon as Qun Yu Fangzun finished speaking, the evil entity shuddered violently, as if struck by great fear or anger.
Xu Manman was momentarily stunned. She quickly turned to look at Qun Yu Fangzun, her mind racing.
She released the seal on evil entity, and it lunged madly toward Qun Yu Fangzun.
