Chapter 15

The Divine Lord of Yinze

Since the dawn of time—when Pangu created the heavens and earth, Gonggong shattered Mount Buzhou, Nuwa mended the sky, and Hou Yi shot down the suns—none of these monumental events could compare to the shock I felt in my heart at this moment.

Perhaps because I was too overwhelmed inside, my outward demeanor was unusually composed.

“Yes, Grandmaster.” I obediently kowtowed again and stood up with the utmost propriety.

Thinking back now, when we first met, he was able to command such a fearsome dragon into submission—it was clear he was no ordinary figure. But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine he would turn out to be a Divine Lord.

“Since the Grandmaster has forgiven you, stand over there.” My Master waved me off as if warding off a plague, pointing me toward the group of disciples in the distance.

“Wait.” The Grandmaster raised a hand to stop him. “You are called Luo Wei?”

“Yes, yes, yes. Replying to the Grandmaster, this junior’s name is Luo Wei.”

But why did his voice sound so familiar? By all logic, after so many years without hearing his voice, I should not find it so recognizable. Furthermore, his demeanor toward me was different from the last two times.

That fleeting glance under the parasol was already unparalleled elegance, yet it didn’t carry the same intimidating pressure as now. Could this be what they call divine authority?

Looking around at the people nearby, I noticed that everyone had become meek and subdued, which oddly put me at ease.

The Grandmaster said, “Xuxing.”

Xuxing Tianjun stepped forward and saluted, “This disciple is here.”

I could find no adequate words to describe how both absurd and amusing this scene was. Xuxing Tianjun, with his snow-white hair and willow-like brows, was the epitome of a venerable celestial. And yet, here he was, addressing a Grandmaster as youthful and striking as the morning dew in such a deferential manner.

That said, when the Grandmaster spoke, it was indeed in a tone befitting a deity.

During my time on Qinghong Mountain, I had also come to understand a bit about the titles of celestials and gods.

The titles of celestials are notoriously convoluted. Some ascended from mortals, while others were born in the immortal realms. The difference lies in the former having surnames and the latter only names. They also have courtesy names and titles. When addressing them by their courtesy names, you must pair it with their honorific titles, like Xuxing Tianjun—courtesy name Xuxing, honorific Tianjun. When addressing them by their titles, only the title is used, such as Ruyue Weng. Close acquaintances might directly call them by their given names. It’s headache-inducing just to think about.

But all these rules cease to apply in the divine realm. Gods only ever have one name. For instance, our supreme deity, the Cangying God, is simply called Yinze.

The Grandmaster asked, “What did she do to deserve kneeling here as punishment?”

Xuxing Tianjun hurriedly exchanged glances with my Master. My Master quickly stepped forward and explained, “Replying to the Grandmaster, Luo Wei has been coming and going at odd hours recently, neglecting her duties, so we made her kneel in punishment…”

The Grandmaster replied, “This is not her fault. She has been looking after me these past few days.”

These words left everyone around stunned. I was so shocked my jaw nearly dropped.

Grandmaster, I wronged you! You remain so perfect, kindhearted, and compassionate, even going out of your way to make excuses for me and save me from peril once more. Your disciple is moved to tears and vows to repay you in the next life, even as an ox or a horse!

“Oh… I see.” My Master was so nervous that even his sweat seemed ready to freeze into ice on the ground. “So this child, Luo Wei, is still quite dutiful. It was my fault; I wrongly accused her…”

Afterward, I was sent to stand among the other disciples, accompanying the three dignitaries from the divine realm as they inspected the state of the immortal academies. Senior Sister Rouli was among the disciples and kept throwing sidelong glances at me, her face full of discontent. After a while, the Grandmaster seemed to have other matters to attend to and, in the blink of an eye, flew to a mountaintop. The other two gods continued their patrol.

I took advantage of a moment when no one was watching and quietly slipped away, climbing up the mountain peak where the Grandmaster had gone. The peak wasn’t tall, but it was incredibly steep. Climbing it nearly cost me my life. By the time I reached the top, I saw his figure flash and instantly fly off again. I stretched out my hand toward him. “Wait, wait...” 

This was truly exhausting. He was faster at running away than I was at talking. 

I plopped onto the ground, grabbed Xuan Yue by the neck, and shook it vigorously. “Tell me, why does the Grandmaster enjoy running around so much? Every time I try to approach him, he turns into petals, light, or just vanishes into thin air. Is he playing with me? At his age, running around like a butterfly—so unbefitting of his status!” 

A voice behind me said, “Who are you calling unbefitting of their status?” 

“The Grandmaster, of course.” After blurting that out, I paused for a moment, then spun around sharply to see the Grandmaster standing behind me. I immediately switched from sitting to kneeling. “Grandmaster, please spare me! I won’t dare again!!” 

“Get up,” the Grandmaster said impatiently. “What did you mean earlier when you said I turned into petals?” 

“Grandmaster, don’t you remember? Three months ago, something happened in my family that left me heartbroken, and it was you who showed up, turning into golden lotuses to comfort me. Only then did I stop crying...” Seeing him frown in confusion, I cautiously added, “And later, when I was lost in the snowy ice valley, it was you who guided me with a peach blossom path, allowing me to find Qinghong Mountain...” 

“Three months ago?” 

“Approximately three months.” 

“You must have been dreaming. I haven’t set foot outside the divine realm in nearly thirty years.” 

“Thirty years?” I blinked. “But I’ve met you before! On the North Sea cliff, when the Panglong nearly dragged me off to use as pregnancy medicine, it was you who saved me.” 

He pondered for a moment, then gave a faint, fleeting smile. “So, you were that little water spirit. You’ve grown quite a bit.” 

Beyond the cliff, the sky met the sea of clouds, blending with the morning mist. His smile, though casual and devoid of any true joy, instantly dimmed the boundless dawn light amidst the mist. 

For a brief moment, my mind went blank. I shook my head slightly before starting to process his words. “Water spirit? What’s a water spirit?” I recalled that he had called me that before. 

“Even after all these years, you still don’t understand,” the Grandmaster said, clearly lacking patience. “Go ask your master yourself.” 

“Grandmaster! For the sake of our three encounters!” 

“I’ve only met you once,” he retorted without mercy. 

“Even one encounter is enough! I really want to know what I am. They keep calling us water demons. Am I truly a demon? A creature born of water?” 

“No. All things have a soul, including every flower, blade of grass, stone, and tree. When a soul absorbs enough of heaven and earth’s energy, it can transform into human form. However, atmospheric energy is pure and tends to disperse, creating spirits, while terrestrial energy is dense and tends to gather, creating demons. Thus, most spirits eventually cultivate into demons. Without the help of immortals or gods, it’s very difficult for spirits formed from pure energy to take human form. You were able to do so because you are the spirit of the Luo River.” 

So that’s how it was. It turns out my Suozhao Clan wasn’t descended from the Cangying God but was merely the spirit of the Luo River. No wonder we were so weak, unable to resist when the immortals massacred the city... 

After hearing his explanation, I was nearly moved to tears. “Thank you for enlightening me, Grandmaster. I deeply regret my past mistakes. If only I had been humble enough to seek your guidance back then, I wouldn’t have ended up homeless...” 

The Grandmaster was truly an extraordinary person. Any ordinary individual hearing such words would at least ask, “Why?” Yet he merely shifted his gaze slowly into the clouds and said four words: “Defy me and perish.” 

Brilliant response. I had nothing to say. I was convinced. 

Seeing that he was about to descend the mountain again, I hastily called out, “Grandmaster, wait!” 

“What now?” he asked without even turning around. 

“When I asked your name before, you said you didn’t have one. So is your name just ‘Grandmaster’? Surname Tai, given name Shizun? Or perhaps your surname is Taishi, and your name is Zun?” 

He seemed nearly driven to distraction by me. With a light sigh, he replied, “I have no surname. My given name is Yinze.” 

With that, he dissolved into mist and disappeared at the edge of the cliff. 

Yinze? 

Yinze?! 

My legs gave out, and I staggered back a step. This time I truly knelt. Yinze, the Divine Lord... the Grandmaster is Yinze, the Divine Lord. Father, Mother, am I about to join you in the afterlife? I just met the Cangying God... 

Reality and fantasy always differ. On the altar above the Zichao Palace, there’s a statue of the Cangying God. In the hearts of the Suozhao Clan, His Lordship ought to be a benevolent old man with flowing white hair. I never expected him to be so young. 

On further thought, divine beings possess boundless power and live as long as heaven and earth. Choosing a handsome vessel to inhabit seems perfectly reasonable. 

Still, on my way back, I couldn’t stop pondering. Yinze, the Divine Lord, said he hadn’t left the divine realm in over twenty years. So who were the figures I encountered the other two times? Could it be that my childhood meeting left such an impression that I unconsciously yearned for him, leading to hallucinations in moments of peril? Or was it just a trick played by some demon? That seems like the more plausible explanation... 

Finally finding an opportunity, I snuck away to take a bath, changed into clean clothes, and immediately felt refreshed. Upon returning to the group of disciples, Yinze, the Divine Lord, was nowhere to be seen, leaving only Lingyin Divine Monarch and the elders continuing their inspection. 

But I was once again targeted by Rou Li. She threw me a sarcastic glance and started whispering with the other disciples. I even overheard her say, “Some people don’t just ride horses without a whip; they also kiss up to everyone they meet. Even the Grandmaster wasn’t spared. Look, back at it again, currying favor.” 

I couldn’t hold back anymore and retorted, “Senior Sister, your beauty surpasses the moon and shames the flowers. You don’t even need to curry favor; everyone naturally adores you.” 

Rou Li sneered, “Good that you understand. I’m still better than you.” 

Second Senior Brother intervened helplessly, “Enough, enough. You two never stop. Junior Sister Rou Li, can’t you stop provoking her?” 

Rou Li retorted, “I’m not the one arguing. Look at her, currying favor wherever she goes. Who knows what schemes she’ll cook up when Third Senior Brother returns?” 

I said, “Who knows who your dear Third Senior Brother is? Someone you treasure might not mean a thing to others.” 

Rou Li retorted, “Remember what you just said! When Third Senior Brother comes, you’re not allowed to talk to him.” 

I replied, “As long as you don’t bother me, I guarantee I won’t say a word.” 

Rou Li stomped her foot in frustration. “Who’s bothering you!” 

Second Senior Brother looked utterly exasperated. “Alright, alright, that’s enough. Are you two really going to keep arguing over Fu Chenzhi?” 

…Wait, what did he just say? 

I thought I misheard, but then Second Senior Brother continued, “Rou Li, listen to me: that Fu Chenzhi is nothing more than a blockhead, dull as a wooden stake. He’s so boring! You’re constantly following him around, but he doesn’t care about your feelings. What’s the point of that?” 

Rou Li countered, “I like him exactly because he’s dull!” 

The skinny disciple beside her pouted. “It’s all because of his looks...” 

“Wait, what did you just say?” I couldn’t help but take a step forward. “Fu Chenzhi? Which Fu Chenzhi?” 

“See?” Rou Li clung to Second Senior Brother’s arm, shaking it with a theatrical air of grievance. “You said she wouldn’t talk to him, and now her fox tail is showing! Second Senior Brother, look at her—she’s clearly after Third Senior Brother. Hurry and kick her out of Qinghong Mountain; I don’t ever want to see her again!”