#47: The Letter

Shi Luoyi’s heart felt as though two voices were arguing within her. One said: Zhao Shu is just a mortal. You searched for sixty years and found no solution—how could he possibly have one? Most likely, this is a deception.

The other countered: What if it’s true? Though he’s only a mortal, he is an emperor surrounded by capable individuals. If he truly has found a way, who knows? Besides, as a cultivator, you don’t need to fear Zhao Shu’s schemes.

“Zhao Shu doesn’t have a method,” Bian Lingyu suddenly interjected.

Shi Luoyi looked at him with a dazed expression: “How do you know?”

Bian Lingyu knew because Shi Huan should have died ten years ago. His lingering soul had survived only thanks to Bian Lingyu sealing it away.

In the Delusion Sea, Bian Lingyu had set up a soul-nurturing array. Shi Huan was like a ragdoll that Bian Lingyu had forcibly pieced together, clinging to his last remnants of life. Whether he would awaken depended entirely on fate.

Shi Luoyi had done all she could back then; there was nothing more she could have done.

But Bian Lingyu couldn’t explain this to her. Instead, he said: “If Zhao Shu genuinely wanted to help you, or admired Dao Lord Shi Huan, he would have directly revealed the method in his letter. Yet, he uses coercion and temptation to lure you into attending the banquet—his intentions are far from pure. Zhao Shu isn’t a fool; fools don’t seize thrones. If he lacked confidence, he wouldn’t dare provoke a cultivator like you. By sending this letter and setting the banquet seven days later, he’s clearly prepared a foolproof plan to subdue you. If you go, you won’t return. Even if your father wakes up someday and learns you sacrificed yourself—or paid a heavy price—for him, he wouldn’t consider being revived a blessing.”

Shi Luoyi sat by the window, staring blankly at him.

Bian Lingyu frowned: “You don’t believe me?”

Shi Luoyi shook her head: “No, it’s just… I’ve never heard you say so much before.”

“…” At times, Bian Lingyu couldn’t help but admire her. No matter how romantic the atmosphere, she could shatter it with a single sentence. And no matter how dire the situation, she could veer off-topic effortlessly.

In the end, Shi Luoyi decided not to attend the banquet. Though she desperately wanted to save her father, she could still heed others’ advice. Bian Lingyu’s reasoning made sense—if Zhao Shu truly intended to help, why hold a banquet? If he meant harm, he wouldn’t invite her without certainty.

Her father had many close friends in the past; if there had been a way, they would have informed her long ago. It wouldn’t have waited until Zhao Shu stepped in.

If worse came to worst, she also wanted to wait and see. If she didn’t attend, perhaps Zhao Shu would reveal his next move.

The banquet was scheduled for seven days later. Shi Luoyi had no intention of returning to the palace immediately, nor did she plan to rush back to Buye Mountain. For now, she and Bian Lingyu stayed in the old house.

Hui Xiang mentioned that Southern Yue had been experiencing strange disturbances, which was why Wei Changyuan, Bian Qingxuan, and their group of disciples had come.

Even the flower and tree spirits were uneasy when discussing this. They couldn’t explain why, only trembling as they confessed their fear to Hui Xiang. It was an ominous premonition. Throughout history, such widespread unease among living beings had only occurred when a great demon emerged.

Shi Luoyi suspected it might be related to the aftermath of the demon-slaying battle ten years ago—perhaps some demons had escaped. When she had gone to the Delusion Sea back then, she had seen countless corpses, leaving her deeply shaken. Even gods descending to earth couldn’t exterminate them all.

Her guess was eerily accurate.

Even if she weren’t Shi Huan’s daughter, as a cultivator, Shi Luoyi was prepared to die fighting demons. She couldn’t simply walk away knowing there was a world-ending threat looming.

She and Bian Lingyu stayed in the house for five days, each occupied with their own tasks. Shi Luoyi and Hui Xiang discussed investigation plans. The more information they gathered, the better their chances against the demon.

Wei Changyuan had been gravely injured by the shadow creature. Naturally, Shi Luoyi didn’t think she—a cultivator yet to break through to the Yuan Ying stage—could handle it alone.

She distributed everything she knew via messenger cranes to the various sect leaders, hoping they would bring reinforcements.

If these were indeed the fallen celestial demons that escaped ten years ago, then this was the responsibility of all cultivators under heaven.

No one could escape this fight.

Though Bian Lingyu could now walk freely, he continued carving his bamboo figures. Sometimes, after finishing her tasks, Shi Luoyi would come over to watch curiously: “What are these? Carvings? They don’t look like it. Bian Lingyu, were you a carpenter in a past life?”

Bian Lingyu held a handful of deadly weapons and remained silent for a long time: “Something like that.”

During this time, the bamboo figures had scoured the land for spiritual materials. One of the two remaining ingredients Shi Luoyi needed had already been found, and the bamboo figures were now busily refining the Soul-Cleansing Pills deep in the mountains.

The pills would be ready in about two days. After that, he would set out to deal with Zhu Yan.

Over the years, Zhu Yan had consumed countless hearts. If it truly allied with Zhao Shu, things could get complicated.

Rain fell outside the windows of Southern Yue. Both of them carried their burdens silently. Shi Luoyi feared that the cultivators of the world might not stand a chance against the demon. If she perished, what would become of Bian Lingyu? But Bian Lingyu knew the cultivators would survive. If the sky collapsed, the gods would shield them.

He would always stand in front of them.

Despite the grim circumstances, the atmosphere between them remained light and unburdened.

Early in the morning, they ate the famous steamed buns from Wang Ji’s shop on the street. Holding an umbrella, Shi Luoyi said: “I’m going out for a bit.”

“What for?”

“I need to buy some things for women. I’ll be back soon. It’s raining outside—you don’t need to come with me.”

Bian Lingyu glanced at her: “Alright.”

After leaving, Shi Luoyi went to scout houses. If anything happened to her, she wanted to ensure everything was arranged for Bian Lingyu. She had promised to let him live this life well, sparing him any tragic fate.

But she didn’t want him to worry unnecessarily before anything happened.

After she left, Bian Lingyu also stepped out. Guided by the bamboo figures, he visited the outskirts of the city and arrived at the cave Bian Qingxuan had discovered earlier.

He stood silently outside the cave for a long while.

What Bian Qingxuan couldn’t see was crystal clear to him. Beyond the dense demonic energy, there was also a pervasive stench of decay.

Whatever lay beneath the ground could no longer be considered human.

They were corpse fiends—soldiers transformed into undead monstrosities by Zhao Shu. These corpse fiends were immortal, immune to pain, and their skin was as hard as rock. This was Zhao Shu’s weapon to dominate the world, explaining his confidence as emperor.

Corpse fiends were ancient entities that had once appeared in the mortal realm. Clearly, this was Zhu Yan’s doing. It specialized in corrupting armies, and transforming humans into such creatures was child’s play.

The bamboo figures hopped around angrily, indignant at the sight.

Bian Lingyu calmly said: “Let’s go back first.”

Dealing with Zhu Yan took priority. The stench of decay wasn’t yet overwhelming, indicating the soldiers hadn’t been fully transformed.

Perhaps Zhao Shu was hesitant, fearing the consequences of losing control. He hadn’t fully obeyed Zhu Yan’s commands, allowing the transformation to proceed slowly. There was still room for reversal.

When Shi Luoyi returned after inspecting the houses, Bian Lingyu was already back.

Neither of them mentioned what they had done, but they were both working toward the same goal. After dinner, with Shi Luoyi having some free time, she went to watch Bian Lingyu carve his bamboo figures.

His hands were beautiful and deft, and her thoughts drifted to a few years after her death—imagining him becoming an outstanding carpenter, marrying a neighboring girl, and living a peaceful life together.

Shi Luoyi couldn’t help but wonder: Would he kiss his new wife like that too?

This was a question she would never know the answer to. Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and today happened to be the day of the palace banquet.

True to her word, Shi Luoyi didn’t go. From morning till night, she waited for Zhao Shu to make a move. However, Zhao Shu seemed to have given up entirely. There was no sign of activity, and he didn’t send another pigeon to lure her with promises of reviving Shi Huan.

On the other hand, Wei Changyuan and his group discovered traces of the heart-devouring shadow once again in the eastern suburbs.

The sect sent over a few elder disciples, but the sect leader still hadn’t arrived, only ordering Wei Changyuan to return and recuperate from his injuries.

Wei Changyuan sensed something ominous and, despite disobeying his master’s command, refused to leave.

After much deliberation, Shi Luoyi discussed with Bian Lingyu: “Next time, I want to join my sect and chase that shadow with them. Can you return to Buye Mountain tomorrow?”

Bian Lingyu knew that the shadow wasn’t Zhu Yan but merely one of Zhu Yan’s minions. He gazed at her for a long while before replying: “Alright, but promise me this—you won’t meet with Zhao Shu or the Grand Master, and you won’t enter the palace.” After a pause, he added: “And don’t trust Bian Qingxuan. Take the clay rabbit I gave you.”

That object contained one of his bone spines and could resist Bian Qingxuan’s illusions.

If she just waited a little longer—until he killed Zhu Yan, returned, and the bamboo figures found the final ingredient—he could completely help Shi Luoyi purge her inner demon.

Shi Luoyi felt an uncanny resemblance between their current situation and the scene where her mother had quietly instructed her father before he left to slay demons. She said: “I’ll remember.”

Bian Lingyu didn’t interfere with her decision. As long as it wasn’t fatal, Shi Luoyi had her own path as a cultivator.

He was destined not to protect her forever. She possessed the divine pearl; as long as she grew steadily, purged her inner demon, and cultivated diligently, she would eventually ascend.

The next day, Shi Luoyi returned to her sect’s group. Three or four elders had joined the team. When Bian Qingxuan saw her return, she was somewhat surprised.

She had assumed Bian Lingyu wouldn’t let Shi Luoyi leave.

But then, thinking about what Bian Lingyu was currently doing, Bian Qingxuan curved her lips into a faint smile.

Yes, Bian Lingyu probably had no choice. He had to go and slay Zhu Yan. Being by his side was the most dangerous place. He couldn’t take Shi Luoyi along. Staying with these cultivators might seem perilous on the surface, but in reality, it offered the best chance of survival.

However, this time, forcibly transforming his divine body meant that even if he emerged victorious, Bian Lingyu wouldn’t have much time left to live.

Before Bian Qingxuan could act, she noticed the clay rabbit on Shi Luoyi’s person, almost laughing in frustration.

Bian Lingyu truly understood her well. In just a few short years, the once-blank slate of a young god had transformed so rapidly.

During the great battle ten years ago, she had also suffered damage to her core while slaying demons. With so many elders present now, directly seizing someone wouldn’t be easy.

Bian Qingxuan decided to wait. She still had the patience to bide her time. Someone else would surely make the first move. Hopefully, they wouldn’t disappoint her.

Early on the third morning, golden light burst across the horizon.

After gazing at it for a moment, Bian Qingxuan knew that Bian Lingyu had made his move. He had consumed all the Soul-Cleansing Pills and headed to Zhu Yan’s lair.

Meanwhile, Shi Luoyi received a carrier pigeon.

When she opened the letter, a blood-soaked leaf fell out first. Shi Luoyi gripped the leaf tightly, her lips pressed into a thin line as she read the message.

It contained only one sentence: “Immortal Lady Luo Yi, since you refused the palace banquet, I’ve invited Miss Hui Xiang to be my guest instead.”

The hand holding the letter turned pale, the knuckles white. That leaf—it came from Hui Xiang’s true form.

Hui Xiang had been forced back into her original shape.

A nightmare from her memories seemed to replay itself in a cycle. This lifetime, so many paths had already diverged. She hadn’t fallen into demonic possession or betrayed her sect, and Hui Xiang no longer needed to risk her life to deliver a message—but she was still in trouble.

Shi Luoyi’s mind reeled. In that moment, she suddenly realized that Hui Xiang’s tragic end in her past life hadn’t been an accident—it had been deliberate.

They wanted her to kill using the Divine Collapse Blade.

For a fleeting moment, Shi Luoyi’s gaze went blank. Instinctively, she looked to the side for Bian Lingyu but then remembered—he had already returned to Buye Mountain. He wasn’t here.

Once again, she was alone.

As if intent on shattering her psychological defenses, a second and then a third pigeon arrived shortly after.

Each one carried a piece of Hui Xiang’s true form.

Blood soaked through the envelopes.

Who knew how many such pigeons had been sent?

Shi Luoyi closed her eyes briefly, recalling a scene from a few mornings ago. Hui Xiang had stood under the corridor, smiling as she presented a flower that Bian Qingxuan had cut down.

Like a mother soothing her child, she had gently reassured Shi Luoyi: “I know how upset you were when Bian Qingxuan bullied you. I’ve been nurturing this for you ever since. Look, it’s budding again. In a few months, you’ll see it bloom.”

Throughout her growth, Hui Xiang had always been a gentle presence. Even in her past life, on the brink of death and forced to beg Shi Luoyi for help, she had remained silent.

Her final words to Shi Luoyi had been: “Miss, run quickly.”

And now, Zhao Shu gave her no time to hesitate. If she hesitated even for a moment, Hui Xiang would be torn apart alive.

Shi Luoyi didn’t even have time to report to the elders. She leapt into the air and flew straight toward the palace. She couldn’t bear to watch Hui Xiang die before her eyes again! They had promised to return home together.

Wei Changyuan noticed something was wrong and tried to call out to her: “Luo Yi!”

Shi Luoyi had always believed Hui Xiang’s death was an accident—a result of the filthiness of some cultivators and the injustice of this world toward kind-hearted people. But now, she realized that Hui Xiang’s death in both lifetimes had merely been part of a chess game. What did they think Hui Xiang was? And what did they think she herself was?

Since they were courting death, she would make them pay with blood for their crimes.