Chapter 47

Awakening After a Century

After returning to Su Zhao with the Tide Pearl, we immediately prayed for rain and restored the once water-rich and radiant beauty of Su Zhao. Instantly, all the people of Su Zhao were unanimously grateful to me. I thought, now that we possess such a sacred treasure, not only can we mitigate droughts, but we can also rely on the Pearl’s power to accomplish greater things for Su Zhao. After all, during this period, all six realms were in dire straits. 

In chaotic times, heroes arise. If Su Zhao can seize this opportunity to establish alliances with powerful clans and provide them with water resources, perhaps we can revive our nation, or even expand our influence. 

I had thought that my second sister would wholeheartedly approve of this plan, but when I shared my thoughts with her, she merely gave a cold, distant laugh and said, “My dear little sister, it seems your time in the Celestial Realm has made you forget who you really are.” 

Confused, I asked, “What do you mean?” 

“I’ve already heard about it. To obtain the Tide Pearl, you caused the Kingdom of Liu Huang Feng to vanish from existence. What makes your actions any different from those hypocritical immortals like the Celestial Lord Huang Dao? Taking advantage of others’ misfortune, annexing weaker nations—how are you any better than Kai Xuan Jun?” 

“Second Sister, how could you say such a thing?” I widened my eyes in disbelief and gave a mocking laugh. “Without this Pearl, would your precious husband Kong still be alive? Everything I’ve done was for Su Zhao.” 

“Luo Wei, let’s stop talking nonsense. If Father and Mother knew of your actions today, would they rest in peace? Would they be proud of you? Think about it carefully yourself.” 

I had indeed pondered this question. The people of Feng had repeatedly haunted my dreams, their cries at night forming a river of blood. In my dreams, the king of Feng had become a dried corpse, endlessly repeating the same eight words to me: “Repaying kindness with betrayal, a cursed fate awaits.” 

But by this point, if I were to retreat, wouldn’t it already be too late? 

Thus, without my second sister’s approval, I began gathering troops and cultivating spiritual power in Su Zhao. I had my eyes set on a small city a hundred miles away, intending to negotiate with them when the time was right—offering water resources to secure their surrender. And if they refused to yield, we would resort to force. Thanks to the merit of bringing back the Tide Pearl, the people enthusiastically responded to my call. Very soon, the Ministry of Military Affairs had organized a ten-thousand-strong army. 

However, upon learning of this, my second sister issued an order to obstruct my plans, declaring that no one could mobilize troops without her approval. 

I could understand others opposing me. But what I could not accept was my second sister’s rejection. As the ruler of a nation, how could she be so naïve and harmless? The law of the world is simple: the victor becomes king, the defeated are reduced to nothing. That is the natural order of things.

One night, I tied up Kong Shu and used him to threaten my second sister, forcing her to declare herself ill and hand over the nation’s affairs to me. Kong Shu had always been her weakness, so she hardly resisted and relinquished all authority. I placed them under house arrest in the Purple Tide Palace, forbidding them from taking a single step outside, while I set out energetically to conquer other cities.

In this manner, within just fifty years, even the renowned Snow Demon Kingdom fell to my hands. However, on the very morning I returned with this triumphant news, my second sister passed away in the Forbidden Palace. Originally, her children should have succeeded her, but I took that chance away. Using the same methods, I confined my nephews and usurped the throne, becoming the new Emperor of Su Zhao.

The day after my coronation, Su Shu came to bid farewell, saying he planned to return to the Eastern Sea. “Now that Your Majesty has ascended the throne and Xi He has come of age, there’s no longer any reason for me to stay.”

“Why? It wouldn’t hurt for you to remain in Su Zhao.”

He cupped his hands and smiled faintly. “I’ve always lived in the past, by the little princess’s side. That’s unfair to Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty takes good care of yourself and finds a new companion to play the zither.”

It was only after he said this that I realized I hadn’t played the zither under the moonlight in nearly fifty years.

After Su Shu left, I felt melancholic for some time, but fortunately, I had my daughter by my side. Every night after dealing with state affairs, during the quiet hours before dawn, her presence kept me from feeling too lonely. Over time, as my campaigns continued to expand, the once obscure name “Su Zhao” began appearing in the history books of more and more countries.

More and more envoys came seeking our aid and support. Others, with ill intentions, launched attacks against us, only to be decisively repelled. Then, one day, among the visitors, there appeared an extraordinary guest.

“After careful consideration, only you can accomplish this task,” Zi Xiu, dressed in a black robe embroidered with purple, spoke with a childlike yet pure smile. “I want you to impersonate Shang Yan and bring her back to me. In return, I will grant you any land you desire. Whoever you wish to eliminate, I will ensure their death.”

From Zi Xiu, I learned that Shang Yan was currently in Tian Shi City and was pregnant with Yin Ze’s child. Hearing this, jealousy burned within me, nearly consuming me entirely. Without hesitation, I accepted his request. With his assistance, I mastered the art of transformation, allowing me to assume Shang Yan’s appearance, and traveled alone to Tian Shi City.

But I ended up doing something that killed two birds with one stone: using the transformation technique, I turned a celestial maiden who had long harbored feelings for Zi Xiu into Shang Yan. I sent her to Zi Xiu and then personally killed Shang Yan and her seven-months-pregnant child. 

Zi Xiu quickly saw through the deception and descended into madness, triggering the most terrifying war against the gods in history. Indirectly assisted by him, the drought intensified, allowing Su Zhao to seize countless more lands and bringing great fortune to our cause.

After several years of preparation, I mounted my horse and returned to Tian Shi City, seeking an audience with Yin Ze at Cang Ying Manor.

“Lady Luo Wei, you’ve finally arrived. The Divine Lord has been waiting for you for a long time,” a child attendant said as he led me inside.

Following the winding corridor, I entered the courtyard. Here, the blossoms had all withered, the fragrance of wine filled the air, and the solitary moon cast silver frost across the ground. On the stone table rested a golden goblet of fine wine, and Yin Ze stood beneath a peach blossom tree with his back to me, seemingly watching the flowers fall in silence.

Hearing my footsteps approach, Yin Ze turned his head, gazing at me through the flower-laden branches. A faint smile appeared on his face, tinged with melancholy. “Wei’er, it’s been a long time. Your hair has turned white.”

That smile, cold as frost and snow, had bewitched all beings. I looked at him quietly for a long time and said, “So, you still prefer black hair?”

“No, this is beautiful too. I just don’t understand why your face hasn’t aged a single day.”

“Do you not like how I looked when I was younger?”

“I do. No matter what form Wei’er takes, I will always like it.”

Hearing his response, I finally felt content. In truth, after so many years of conquest and toil, wrinkles had already formed on my face, and my eyes had lost their luster. Though not yet decrepit, I was far from youthful. 

The reason I appeared young was due to a doctor from a foreign land who specialized in anti-aging techniques. Among the ingredients for the golden elixir he prepared for me was “the eye of a Qiongqi.” To obtain it, Xuan Yue had protested fiercely but ultimately relented, gouging out one of his own eyes for me. Afterward, he left Su Zhao, and I don’t know where he is now.

The golden elixir preserved my youthful appearance, making me look no different from my younger self. However, the elixir’s effects only lasted for ten years. If I didn’t take another dose, I would likely turn into a ghastly figure. The doctor told me that when the time came, I could either refine more elixirs or adopt the method of the Painted-Skin Ghost, wearing a layer of skin over my own.

It was a bitter process, but I trusted things would work out when the time came. For now, appearing as I did in my youth allowed me to remain by this man’s side as before. I smiled and said, “I am still the same as ever, with only my Master in my heart.”

Standing here now, it felt as though I had traveled across countless rivers and mountains, reaching the ends of the earth.

I recalled a story I once read about a dancer. The dancer, skilled in both singing and dancing, was overly harsh on herself. She practiced day and night until her legs gave out. Though others sympathized with her, she felt nothing. One day, she saw her reflection in the water and realized she wasn’t as beautiful as she’d imagined. Instead, she was broken and incomplete. Finally, she knelt on the ground and wept.

I think the reason I’ve never felt sorry for myself is that, like the dancer, I cannot see how others perceive me.

I never thought I had sacrificed much. Yet, at this moment, I realized I had long since lost all my friends and loved ones.

Years ago, on a similar night, my elder brother had led me to find our Grandmaster beneath a tree. Naively, he had declared me his betrothed. Back then, I could never have imagined that the Grandmaster, so close yet so distant, would bring me to this point.

For so many years, I had done countless foolish things just to stay closer to him, to stand by his side.

And yet, no matter how many wounds I bore or how much I changed, to the point I no longer recognized myself, I had once again returned to his side.

I walked up to Yin Ze and said, “I know Shiang Yan’s death made you very sad. It’s okay. I said I’d stay by your side forever. Even if you see me as her, I don’t mind.”

“Really? You don’t mind?”

I gently shook my head. “You can keep her in your heart.”

His fingers, like a spring breeze, brushed through my snow-white hair and over my cheek. He smiled, with a hint of helplessness, and said, “Wei’er, why are you so foolish?”

I am a fool, deeply infatuated with this man. No matter how much time passes, just one word from him can make me drop all my defenses and grievances, bringing with me all the bitterness, as I return to his embrace. I buried my head in his chest and hugged him tightly, as if under a spell, but I only felt colder and colder.

With trembling voice, I said, “Yin Ze, I promised you long ago that I would stay by your side forever in this life. In the days to come, you’ll have me, our daughter… and, and I’ll find a way to create an elixir of immortality. Maybe one day I won’t die, and you’ll never be lonely again…”

Of course, I wouldn’t tell him the hidden dangers of the elixir of immortality.

I am old, and indeed can no longer love as I once did. But my feelings for Yin Ze are a bond, deep and fierce like blood, that has tied me to him since childhood. It’s an illness, one that can never be cured. So, as long as I can stay in his embrace, even if it’s just for a moment, even if it means being torn apart in the next instant…

But just then, a sharp pain pierced through my chest. My eyes widened, my hands pressing against the dagger that had stabbed through me from behind. Staring at Yin Ze in shock, I stammered, “W-why…”

Yin Ze looked at me coldly and said, “You killed Shiang Yan. If I didn’t know that, would I still be worthy of being the God Sovereign?”

I froze for a moment, then let out a bitter laugh. “Yes, I killed her. But I love you more than she ever could.”

“What does that matter? I don’t love you.” He pushed me to the ground and clapped his hands as if shaking off dirt. “You can’t even compare to a single finger of Shiang Yan’s.”

My breathing grew heavier and heavier, but it became increasingly difficult to catch my breath. Supporting myself with one hand on the ground, I knelt and gasped, “Yin Ze, Yin Ze… don’t abandon me again. My feelings for you… they’re real… You have no idea, I’ve done so much for you…”

The pain spread through my body. I struggled desperately, flailing my arms. Then suddenly, I felt a chill and jolted awake, my eyes snapping open. Someone had used a piece of clothing to scoop water and splash it on me.

It wasn’t Yin Ze. It was Sha Hai. He stood beside me, looking down with contempt and saying, “Had enough of your tantrum? If so, get up.”

What was going on? Why was it Sha Hai? It had been decades since I last saw him. The last time was when we parted ways at the Kingdom of Liuhuang Fengshi. Since then, there had been no news of him. Why…?

Struggling to catch my breath, I looked around and found myself lying beside an oasis in the desert. Lowering my head to look at my hands, I saw my skin was still fair and smooth, without a single blemish or wrinkle. My body felt full of energy, but it wasn’t because of the youth-preserving elixir. Not far away, Xuan Yue and Su Shu were lying down, clawing desperately in their sleep as if tormented by nightmares. I immediately ran over and shook Xuan Yue awake. It opened its eyes and stared at me blankly before letting out a roar.

Its eyes were intact. Xuan Yue was still here; it hadn’t gone anywhere. Overwhelmed, I nearly cried as I hugged its furry body tightly. Then, I looked at Sha Hai and asked in confusion, “I don’t understand. When did I start dreaming? Was the Kingdom of Liuhuang Fengshi truly a mirage?”

Sha Hai replied, “The Kingdom of Liuhuang Fengshi? We still have several days’ journey before we get there. I didn’t see any mirage either. But as for you all, you just suddenly collapsed while walking, and I had to carry you here.”

So, from the moment I saw the mirage in the desert, everything that followed had only been a dream? That’s wonderful—everything was just a dream, none of it ever happened… I didn’t steal the soul pearl, didn’t kill the prime minister, didn’t harm Su Shu, Xuan Yue, or my second sister. I didn’t commit wanton slaughter, didn’t conspire with Zi Xiu, didn’t double-cross anyone. I didn’t self-harm or recklessly consume the youth-preserving elixir. I didn’t kill Shiang Yan or her unborn child… None of it was real. That’s truly wonderful…

At that moment, a middle-aged man’s voice rang out: “Well, young lady, did you enjoy this dream?”

“Who’s there?” I asked warily.

A soul in the attire of a king from the Spring and Autumn Period floated down from the air and stopped in front of us. Stroking his beard with pride, he said, “It’s been over a hundred years since we last met. Back then, you were just a little child. But I’m not someone you can easily forget after meeting once, am I? Do you remember me, Floating Life Emperor?”

“Floating Life Emperor?” I asked, startled. “What are you doing here?”

“Back then, you and the God Sovereign Yin Ze humiliated me, mocking my illusion arts, saying they were just superficial tricks. You even claimed that the ultimate illusion is when people willingly destroy each other within it.” He sneered, folding his hands into his sleeves. “How about it? Satisfied with this dream? I’ve been preparing it for decades just for your arrival.”

Thinking about everything that had happened in the dream, I was too shocked to speak for a long time. I couldn’t believe that such a petty person truly existed in this world. I was just a child back then, speaking thoughtlessly, and he held a grudge for this long? Truly unbelievable. Shaking my head as I looked to the sky, I muttered, “No matter how realistic, it’s still just a dream.”

“Ha, I knew you’d say that. But do you know what makes this dream so interesting? I didn’t craft it alone. This dream foreshadows your future and reveals the only way you could return to Yin Ze’s side. The only thing I changed was the part where he killed you—that was just my personal touch, to give you a scare.” He chuckled coldly. “If you truly follow the path laid out in the dream, you could return to his side and stay with him forever. Otherwise, you’ll likely miss him for eternity.”

I was utterly stunned. Not because returning to Yin Ze required so much sacrifice, but because of what he had revealed about my greatest desire.

So it turns out, the thing I wanted most in life wasn’t to revive Suozhao, wasn’t to support my elder sister, wasn’t even for my daughter to live in peace and happiness. Instead, it was something so laughable and meaningless—to be with Yin Ze forever…

All the setbacks I’ve endured over the past century pale in comparison to the blow of this realization. Am I truly so pathetic, so devoid of dignity? If I can’t even change what I want most, what right do I have to be a minister, a mother?

“Heh, heh,” I laughed bitterly, my eyes closed. After fifty-eight years, I realized I was still the same fool. I hadn’t grown at all. He had hurt me so deeply, and even after all this time, I couldn’t forget him.

Once, I hated him so much. But I also loved him. Time is cruel. It had eroded my hatred for Yinze, but it hadn’t taken away what it shouldn’t have.

I had no idea what the future held. Perhaps I would forget him in another fifty years. Or perhaps I would never recover.

I was starting to be afraid. What if I was too old to move but still thought of him? Would my life be over?

Floating Life Emperor laughed, “How is it? This dream is both beautiful and cruel, isn’t it? Isn’t it contradictory? So, will you do it? Hahaha, I love this expression of yours...”

“Haha.”

The laughter wasn’t mine, nor was it Sha Hai or Su Su’s. It came from above the oasis. Floating Life Emperor’s face darkened. “Old Drought Demon, we don’t interfere with each other. You’d better not meddle in my affairs.”

“Floating Life Emperor, it’s been a hundred years. You’re still as stupid as ever. You haven’t improved at all.” The voice was strange, sounding like two voices overlapping.

“I’m stupid? At least I’m not as stupid as a half-demon who’s afraid of children’s urine and black dog blood.”

“See, you’re still the same, so quick to anger, and you never think before you speak. From a while ago until now, you’ve been trying to trick this girl into harming herself to pursue the Divine Lord Yinze, but you haven’t considered that the Divine Lord is deeply in love with her. There’s no need for you to set this trap for her.”

Floating Life Emperor scoffed, “You guessed it again.”

The Drought Demon chuckled, “Is it that hard to guess? You’ve fallen into the demonic path and can barely protect yourself, yet you still protect her. Isn’t that enough proof of your devotion?”