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Yao Yin’s biggest regret today was not leaving with Shi Yan. She watched the Everbright Stone dim, resembling the setting sun, but she had been wandering around the Lotus Palace all day and still hadn’t managed to leave. Along the way, she encountered some maidservants who looked at her, giggling and whispering behind their hands. But when Yao Yin tried to approach them for directions, they stopped smiling, straightened their faces, and walked directly past her, moving swiftly without any pause.
“I’ve never seen her before...”
“Fool, she’s the woman the Master personally brought back last night. Madam Li Luo is furious now.”
“This Lotus Palace is Madam Li Luo’s private garden. We shouldn’t get involved with her, lest Madam blames us later.”
“So that’s her. She doesn’t look special at all.”
“What do you know? Look at her in that flowing white dress, completely different from the women here. Maybe I’ll get some similar clothes someday; who knows, a pheasant might turn into a phoenix...”
“Are you a pheasant now?”
“Go on with you.”
“Haha.”
The chirping and chattering behind her, like orioles and swallows, were too loud and persistent for Yao Yin to ignore. She had no choice but to turn around and smile, “Do you ladies have anything else to say?”
As soon as they saw her turn around, they immediately fell silent, then walked out of the garden in twos and threes, expressionless. Yao Yin sighed and had to continue feeling her way around alone.
Yao Yin walked further and further, so far that after a long time, she hadn’t encountered a single palace maid. Only occasional roars of birds and beasts echoed. The surrounding palaces were dilapidated, presenting a desolate and uninhabited appearance. A cold wind swept through, and Yao Yin clutched her clothes tighter, still feeling a biting chill. Her body felt as thin as paper, as if it could be blown away by a strong gust at any moment.
Just then, her eyes lit up. A magnificent temple appeared before her.
Within ten zhang of the temple, not a speck of dust could be seen. Its architectural style was distinctly different from that of the Ghost Tribe, clearly a product of the Heavenly Realm. Its simple and grand lines gave it a bright yet soft feel. Two palace lanterns illuminated the stone steps at the entrance, unadorned yet appearing so unique. This instantly made Yao Yin feel as if she had returned to the Thirty-Three Heavens.
“Whose sleeping quarters are these?”
Yao Yin couldn’t resist her curiosity and walked up the stone steps to the door. She found the door unlocked; a gentle push opened a crack inward. Yao Yin, holding a lantern, cautiously stepped inside.
“Who’s there?” A furious roar came from above. As soon as he spoke, a powerful palm wind struck towards Yao Yin’s face.
Yao Yin narrowly dodged it, falling onto the doorstep with a pounding heart. The lantern toppled at her feet and caught fire, but the flame didn’t ignite the carpet beneath. The entire room seemed to be protected by a spell, unmoving for thousands of years.
“Yao Yin?” Hua Jun Yan, clad in a nightshirt, flew to Yao Yin, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized her: “How are you here?”
“Uh... dark and windy night, just out for a stroll,” Yao Yin chuckled awkwardly.
“Is that so?” Hua Jun Yan’s face darkened. He turned his back, coldly saying, “This is a forbidden area. No one is allowed to enter. I can forgive you this time, but if there’s a next, I won’t be lenient.”
Yao Yin nodded, secretly thinking that this person’s mood changed faster than flipping a book; all his previous gentleness had vanished. However, this demeanor did allow her to connect Hua Jun Yan with Yun Yan—that arrogant look was simply identical.
Yao Yin stood up and subconsciously patted the dust off her clothes.
“Don’t bother. There’s no dust here,” Hua Jun Yan said coldly.
“Oh, it’s just a habit, sorry.” Yao Yin stopped her meaningless actions, but as she did, the water mirror slipped from her pocket.
“Strange, I distinctly remember putting it in the Lotus Palace. Why is it still following me?” Yao Yin picked up the mirror and looked at the reflection. It was still Yao Yin’s face, not the red-clad woman she had seen on Cloud Ridge that day.
“Since you like following me so much, I’ll keep you then.” Yao Yin felt relieved, assuming it was just an ordinary dressing mirror, and put it back in her pocket.
“Where did this mirror come from?” At this moment, Hua Jun Yan looked at her with a surprised and complex expression.
“Shi Yan forced it on me. I didn’t even want it. I clearly left it on the table in my room with my letter before I ran away.”
“Letter? Ran away?” Hua Jun Yan raised an eyebrow.
“Uh... yes, I want to go back to the Immortal Realm. I still need to go back and report to the Bashe. There’s no point in me staying here...” Facing Hua Jun Yan’s increasingly grim expression, Yao Yin’s voice grew softer and softer, until she finally closed her mouth, waiting for his reprimand.
“No need to rush. Since you’re here, I’ll take you to see her,” Hua Jun Yan said, abruptly changing the subject, leaving Yao Yin confused.
“Her? Who? Shi Yan?”
“Follow me.” Hua Jun Yan didn’t answer directly, merely turned and walked away.
Yao Yin was utterly bewildered, but curiosity overcame her fear. Against her better judgment, she followed Hua Jun Yan up to the second floor.
In the center of the room on the second floor hung a huge, magnificent painting. In the painting, a large, blooming tree stood solitary on a cliff. Against the backdrop of a full moon, it appeared even more solitary and clear. A woman in a red dress stood beneath the tree, gazing at the bright moon. In her right hand, she held a long sword, entirely transparent and emitting a silver glow. The sword tassel, flower petals, and the hem of her dress danced in the wind.
“So beautiful...” Yao Yin looked at the painting on the wall, utterly speechless with awe. She felt that the immortal in the painting was truly exquisitely beautiful and extraordinary, an ethereal grandeur that words could not describe.
“Goddess of the Moon,” Hua Jun Yan said, a hint of admiration on his face.
“The immortal in the painting?” Yao Yin was almost mesmerized. Such a beautiful painting, such a stunning person.
“No,” Hua Jun Yan shook his head, “that tree is called ‘Goddess of the Moon’.”
“Don’t tell me you’re admiring the tree in the painting.”
Hua Jun Yan smiled faintly, not answering, which implied agreement.
“Normal people would be attracted to the goddess. You’re so strange,” Yao Yin said, puzzled. “Who is the woman in the painting?”
“Emperor Jun Hua.”
“Emperor?!” Yao Yin was shocked, “In the Heavenly Realm, I’ve only heard of Emperor Qing Taiyi, White Emperor Xihe, and Heavenly Emperor Haoyue... I’ve never heard of any other emperors in the Three Realms.”
“She died tens of thousands of years ago,” Hua Jun Yan sighed.
Yao Yin simply said, “Oh,” then added, “But if she was an Emperor, why isn’t there a single word about her in the Heavenly Realm?”
“Heh, you’ll have to ask Haoyue about that...” Hua Jun Yan curved his lips, smiling enigmatically.
“Do you like her?” Yao Yin blurted out. By the time she realized how abrupt she had been, it was too late. Hua Jun Yan’s face darkened, and he said nothing. Yao Yin didn’t dare to speak further and stood silently beside him.
After a long while, Hua Jun Yan finally said, “Why do you ask that?”
“Because... because of your expression.”
“What about my expression?”
“Your expression shows longing.”
“...” A layer of frost covered Hua Jun Yan’s face, and he stopped talking.
Yao Yin silently gazed at the mural on the wall, allowing herself to be immersed in the beauty of the scenery and the person. She suddenly became very curious about who possessed the talent to capture it.
“Did you paint this?”
“No,” Hua Jun Yan shook his head, his face stern. “At that time, I hadn’t yet discovered her goodness; I never took her seriously. The painter was someone else.”
“...” Yao Yin was somewhat surprised and couldn’t help but ask, “Can you tell me her story?”
“You want to know?”
Yao Yin nodded, “Very much so.”
Hua Jun Yan sat by the table, poured two cups of tea, and invited Yao Yin to sit.
Tea smoke curled upwards, and the aroma of tea filled the air. His thoughts drifted, and he began to recall the past.
He said, “Have you heard of Emperor Yan?”
Yao Yin nodded.
“The Creator God-Monarch Emperor Yan had a daughter. Emperor Yan used half of his immortal power to create heaven and earth, establishing the Heavenly Palace Realm, and then used the other half of his power to give birth to his daughter. When the great goddess descended, colorful clouds covered the sky across the nine heavens and ten lands, all things revived, and golden phoenixes circled the Heavenly Palace Realm, unwilling to leave for a long time. Emperor Yan named her Qionghua, meaning ‘heavenly jade.’ Everyone hoped that this blessed goddess would bring peace to the Heavenly Palace Realm, but unexpectedly, she became a generation’s God of War.”
“The Creator God-Monarch Emperor Yan was selfless, yet also selfish. The Immortal Realm, protected by half of Emperor Yan’s cultivation, was the most noble in the Three Realms, and the Azure Sea with its immortal aura was indeed the most beautiful scenery in the world. However, the lower realms were barren of vegetation, and flowers and trees struggled to survive. To ensure the eternal continuation of the immortal gods of the ten directions, Emperor Yan willingly ascended. After his demise, he passed the imperial throne to his only disciple, the High God Mu Jun. Mu Jun became the first Heavenly Monarch.”
Yao Yin listened blankly. This was something she had never heard of. Not to mention the first Heavenly Monarch Mu Jun, even the name Qionghua had never been mentioned by anyone.
Hua Jun Yan continued, “Mu Jun had two disciples: one was the great goddess Qionghua, and the other is the current Heavenly Monarch Haoyue. Many years later, when he grew tired of the position of Heavenly Monarch, he betrayed the Immortal Clan, transformed himself into an Asura, and opened up the Ghost Tribe. After that, demons and monsters proliferated, leading to the division of the Ghost Realm, Human Realm, and Immortal Realm.”
Yao Yin looked at Hua Jun Yan in surprise, uncertain, “You are Mu Jun?”
Hua Jun Yan nodded and continued, “Emperor Yan protected the Thirty-Three Heavens but did not bless the Human Realm and the Demon Clan. The souls of immortals are eternal and can be reborn through the Spring of Rebirth. But mortals and spirits cannot; once they die, they don’t get another chance. So I stole the Spring of Rebirth, brought it underground, and established the Ghost Tribe, giving all citizens of the Three Realms a fair chance at reincarnation. Qionghua, who had the other half of Emperor Yan’s divine power, vowed to unify the Three Realms, to return her father’s empire to unity. Thus, she campaigned north and south, becoming an undefeated God of War. The Demon Realm and the Mortal Realm both submitted. It’s just a pity... Emperor Jun Hua reigned as emperor for only three days before she was slain due to a Ghost Tribe rebellion in the Lingxiao Palace of Lihen Heaven. From then on, there was no longer a God of War in heaven or on earth.”
Yao Yin listened, lost in thought, speechless for a long time.
Hua Jun Yan sat beside her, quietly sipping his tea.
“No, Qionghua wasn’t killed by the Ghost Tribe. She was betrayed...”
Hua Jun Yan’s face was calm, but the tea in his hand spilled, wetting his clothes.
“How do you know?” Hua Jun Yan looked dazed, “Could it be, another guess?”
“I... just said it.”
“Go back to bed and lie down. You’re running around before your injuries are healed, truly disobedient,” Hua Jun Yan said angrily.
“Can I look a little longer?”
“No.”
“...Okay.” But she truly loved this painting. Yao Yin looked at the painting with lingering affection, reluctant to leave.
Hua Jun Yan, helpless, simply grabbed her by the collar like a little chick and walked out.
“Let go of me! Who walks like that? Am I a child?” Yao Yin was frantic, struggling incessantly.
Hua Jun Yan thought for a moment and said, “Indeed, it’s not quite appropriate.” He turned around, eyed her, and simply picked her up horizontally.
Yao Yin was startled: “This is even less appropriate!”
“Less nonsense,” Hua Jun Yan didn’t even look at her, carrying her straight towards the Lotus Palace.
Along the way, many palace maids bowed respectfully. This scene was clearly witnessed by everyone.
“The new girl is certainly favored by His Lord...”
“Where did that country bumpkin come from? So hateful!”
“Poor Madam Li Luo. She finally got the Master to settle down, and now another rival appears.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Place your bets! Will Madam Li Luo win, or will she?”
“Madam Li Luo, without a doubt. This country girl is merely somewhat attractive, just a temporary diversion.”
“I’ll bet on Madam Li Luo too... Ah! What was that!” The palace maids were in full swing, when a shoe hit one of them squarely between the eyebrows.
“Can you wait until I’m gone to talk? If you can’t help it, at least whisper!” Yao Yin’s face was flushed with shame. She struggled fiercely out of Hua Jun Yan’s embrace. The shoe from her left foot was now resting on the maid’s face, while she stood barefoot on the ground.
“Your maidservants talk too much. Aren’t you going to discipline them properly?” Yao Yin looked at Hua Jun Yan, enunciating each word.
Hua Jun Yan shook his head with a light laugh, and said faintly, “Those about to die, let them speak their fill.”
“What do you mean by that?” Yao Yin asked, confused.
The palace maids gasped in horror, prostrating themselves on the ground, begging repeatedly for mercy: “Palace Master, spare our lives! This servant knows her mistake!”
“Palace Master, please spare us this time!”
“Palace...”
The rest of their words never had a chance to be uttered. Hua Jun Yan flicked his sleeve, and the three bodies turned into blood mist, dissipating into the air, leaving only the head maid kneeling on the ground, trembling.
“Thank you, Palace Master, for sparing my life.” The head maid instinctively kept kowtowing.
“Don’t misunderstand, I just wanted my beloved consort’s shoe back.” Hua Jun Yan stepped forward, took the shoe from her hand, and the next second, she too, like the others, vanished from the Three Realms...
“...I didn’t mean for them to die. You’re far too ruthless,” Yao Yin swallowed, trying to remain calm.
“Talkative things need not exist in this world.”
“If I ever offend you, will you treat me the same way?” Yao Yin clenched her hands, a little nervous.
“No,” Hua Jun Yan shook his head, smiling enigmatically, “I will only use a better method to make you willingly beg for mercy.”
“Shameless,” Yao Yin rolled her eyes at him and walked forward.
“Wait.” Hua Jun Yan grabbed her hand, crouched down, cupped her left foot, and put the shoe on her foot. Finally, he tied three bows.
“Do you really take me for a child?” Yao Yin’s face was slightly red.
“I take you for a treasure.” Hua Jun Yan gave her a faint smile, his exquisite face radiating immense brilliance. At that moment, it was as if all the surrounding flowers bloomed.
Yao Yin turned her head away, her face already crimson. She feigned composure and said lightly, “Sweet talk doesn’t work on me. And who’s your beloved consort? Did I say I was going to marry you?”
“You’ll marry me someday. I’m just trying out the feeling first.”
“You... shameless!” The warmth from her sole instantly made Yao Yin blush. After getting her shoe on, she didn’t dare to look directly at Hua Jun Yan. So she ran even faster. Hua Jun Yan, meanwhile, followed leisurely behind her. One sprinted, the other drifted slowly. Yet, the distance between them remained consistently three steps.
Yao Yin occasionally glanced at him from the corner of her eye. His expression remained serene. She suddenly felt incredibly weak. The feeling of everything being in someone else’s hands was truly unpleasant...
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