“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Second Day. Today marks my third day of marriage, and counting back, I’ve been in this world for two and a half years now. Let me formally introduce myself – I am Xu Qi An, a cultivation practitioner of two and a half years, who enjoys combat and listening to music at entertainment houses.

“In my previous life, people used to say men go through three stages: born single, establishing a family, and lying in a coffin!

“Now that I’ve entered the second stage, I find it meaningful and feel I should record this period.

“Following tradition, on the third day after marriage, Lin An and I must return to the palace to express gratitude. Empress Huai Qing will host banquets in both the inner and outer courts for court officials. Everyone in the family attended the palace feast except for Xu Ling Yue and Mu Nan Zhi, who remained home ‘ill.’

“Ling Yue, eldest brother believes you’re a strong girl. You’ll overcome this crisis of your persona collapsing. Ah yes, at the banquet there was a dish of monkey brains that left quite an impression – it was genuinely delicious.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Third Day.

“Fourth day of marriage. Fearing Lin An might be too exhausted, we abstained last night. Oh Lin An, you’re the girl I can’t bear to be rough with even in bed.

“I gave Mu Nan Zhi a spiritual haven of ‘where my heart finds peace,’ and allowed Imperial Mentor Luo Yu Heng to fulfill her wish of ‘extinguishing the karmic fire and advancing to Primordial Rank [Yi Pin].

“Yet all I could offer you was status, so I shall cherish you doubly.

“Starting today, I’ll no longer visit entertainment houses [entire section crossed out]. I’ll reduce my visits to entertainment houses. Additionally, I’ll temporarily cease dalliances with Mu Nan Zhi, Imperial Mentor Luo Yu Heng, and Fu Xiang. I must properly care for Lin An and help her fully adjust to married life.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Fourth Day.

“Lin An is excessively shy. Until now, she hasn’t mastered the fundamentals of dual cultivation (positions). This won’t do – it will affect my cultivation progress.

“Lin An, you must strive harder!”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Fifth Day.

“A major incident occurred today. According to Cai Wei, yesterday Senior Brother Sun and Senior Brother Yang had an internal conflict. Senior Brother Sun pursued Senior Brother Yang, and neither has returned. Strange – could they be fighting over the position of Celestial Observatory Head?

“But this isn’t like Senior Brother Sun’s character.

“Li Na and Ling Yin went to play at the Celestial Observatory with Cai Wei.

“By dusk, Li Na and Ling Yin hadn’t returned. Aunt came to me worried, asking me to check the Observatory. Upon arrival, I found Ling Yin, Cai Wei, and Li Na crouching motionless before Song Qing’s secret chamber.

“They stared intently at the door as if some priceless treasure lay within. I called out, ‘Xu Ling Yin, your mother summons you for dinner!’ She remained unmoved, maintaining her eternal, passionate gaze at the door.

“So I questioned Li Na, who explained that Guardian Yuan had hidden in Song Qing’s secret chamber. The chamber door proved too sturdy to breach, so she and Ling Yin were camping out waiting for Guardian Yuan.

“I suddenly understood – all because of that monkey brain feast two days prior. Was Empress Huai Qing doing this deliberately? No wonder Chu Cai Wei invited Li Na and Xu Ling Yin to the Observatory today – using others to hunt the monkey! Among the three gluttons, Cai Wei is indeed clever.

“Wait – if memory serves, Song Qing’s secret chamber… besides this door, the walls are merely ordinary brick… I retract my previous praise.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Sixth Day.

“Imperial Mentor hinted at dual cultivation, but I painfully declined. I must focus on guiding Lin An to a successful graduation. Similarly, I rejected Nan Zhi’s hints. On a related note, since the grand wedding, Aunt’s gaze toward the Flower Deity has grown peculiar.

“Peculiar how? Let me summarize: I treated you as a sister, yet you desire my nephew!

“Time will soothe those who’ve suffered social death, Amen!”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Eighth Day.

“Ling Yue finally emerged from her chamber. I hope she emerges from the shadows and turns toward light. Lin An has finally grasped the basics of dual cultivation techniques – as her teacher, I’m greatly pleased. Ling Yin and Li Na returned to the Observatory to wait for Guardian Yuan. Guardian Yuan is so adorable – why would anyone want to eat Guardian Yuan?

“Song Ting Feng and Zhu Guang Xiao invited me to the entertainment houses, but I righteously declined. One must learn to grow – I’m no longer the youth I once was. I’m a family man now.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Ninth Day.

“Today I sent a grand gift to the Holy Son. Gift list: Chai Xing Er, Wen Ren Qian Rou, Zhao Su Su, Yu Han Xiu, Lan Lan, Mei Er (Master Rong Rong), Yin Ling…

“Holy Son, brother can only help you this far. May your days be peaceful.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Tenth Day.

“The border markets established by Empress Huai Qing are showing initial success. Large quantities of goods flow into the Central Plains – cattle, sheep, medicines, timber, and more. With increased trade, job opportunities continue to grow. The common people of Great Feng have work, while the Demon Tribes, Southern Borders, and Monster Nations obtain what they desire.

“How wonderful – peace across four seas, people living and working in contentment. This is my ideal golden age.

“The only issue, according to Empress Huai Qing, is that children from the Force Insect Tribe refuse to bring their food. More outrageously, they’re sending newly weaned babies to public schools – utterly unconscionable.

“I plan to visit the Southern Borders soon to educate the undisciplined Force Insect Tribe. This isn’t because Luan Yu wrote me love letters.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Twelfth Day.

“Today I accompanied Imperial Mentor to Heaven Sect to fulfill the Heaven-Human Duel agreement. All of Great Feng’s supernatural powerhouses came to watch. The Heavenly Lord seemed displeased, though perhaps that’s my imagination – the Heavenly Lord is emotionless, how could such trivial matters anger him?

“Though I must say, Golden Lotus Daoist and others setting up tables for wine on the side was excessive.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Fourteenth Day.

“The Heaven-Human Duel concluded. Imperial Mentor was severely wounded, but I could sense that after seizing the Heavenly Lord’s original essence, her karmic fire had nearly extinguished. The Heavenly Lord fares relatively well – he’s become more ‘human.’

“I could sense he wanted to kill Luo Yu Heng and seize all original power. Without my presence, following normal development, Imperial Mentor would have certainly perished in the Heaven-Human Duel.

“This is for the best. After the duel, Imperial Mentor’s cultivation will advance further. When we launch the surprise attack on Alanda, she’ll have a better chance guarding the capital.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Seventeenth Day.

“For some unknown reason, I’ve felt melancholic these past few days. Can’t pinpoint why – just feeling gloomy and uninformed. I tried self-reflection but gained no insights. Until this morning, when I saw Second Uncle and Second Brother each returning with a bag of green tangerines…”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Eighteenth Day.

“Yesterday, having achieved great enlightenment, I accompanied Song Ting Feng and Zhu Guang Xiao to the entertainment houses. Familiar atmosphere, familiar singing styles, familiar performances, familiar young ladies… In this world lacking entertainment, only visiting entertainment houses gives me a touch of warmth.

“As I write this diary entry, a thought flashes through my mind: I remain the same youth as before, unchanged in the slightest.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Nineteenth Day. Entertainment houses!”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Twentieth Day. Entertainment houses.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Twenty-First Day. Entertainment houses.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Twenty-Second Day. Today I shared tea with Duke Wei. He inquired about my cultivation, and I mentioned slight progress, but advancing to mid-stage Primordial Rank remains distant – Primordial Rank advancement is truly challenging.

“Duke Wei expressed concern. Setting aside future catastrophes, even the Alanda battle cannot be taken lightly. After painful reflection, I’ve decided to focus on cultivation.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Twenty-Third Day. In the afternoon, Mu Nan Zhi suddenly sent Bai Ji to find me, saying she’d lost her bracelet and was quite distressed. I went to her chamber to help search… and searched until dusk.

“This won’t do, Xu Ning Yan. Not even a month has passed, and you’ve lost self-control? How can you face Lin An? Next time, regardless of Mu Nan Zhi’s reasons, I won’t take the bait.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Twenty-Fourth Day. Flower arranging.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Twenty-Fifth Day. Flower arranging.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Twenty-Sixth Day. Flower arranging. This afternoon, Imperial Mentor invited me to Ling Bao Temple for tea.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Twenty-Seventh Day. Flower arranging and jade flute!”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Twenty-Eighth Day. Flower arranging and jade flute!”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Twenty-Ninth Day. Flower arranging and jade flute. Ah Lin An, your husband pursues cultivation only to prepare for future catastrophes…

“Several days of cultivation show good results. Additionally, Xu Yuan Huai officially joined the Night Watch today. I think it’s good – working outside is better than staying home dependent on others. I asked Song Ting Feng and Zhu Guang Xiao to look after this adopted brother, considering it my duty to his birth mother.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Thirtieth Day. Birth mother came running to me, deeply worried that Xu Yuan Huai returns home daily smelling of rouge powder, surely learning bad habits outside. He’s not even of age yet.

“Indeed, he’s still a child – how can he visit courtesans? So I secretly taught Xu Yuan Huai the proper use of green tangerines.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Third Month, Thirty-First Day. The birth mother has stopped complaining – excellent.

“Xu Yuan Huai is at the age where thoughts turn to women. Being corrupted by Song Ting Feng and Zhu Guang Xiao is normal – better than suppression, better to be a more normal person. He and Yuan Shuang grew up in quite an abnormal environment, developing not-so-good personalities.

“How does that saying go? A troubled childhood needs a lifetime of healing – let the courtesans heal him with their warm bosoms.

“It reminds me of when I was his age, I also had a girlfriend who only knew how to make unreasonable demands. Each time she acted up, it made one’s scalp tingle – had to press it firmly against the keyboard to prevent its chance to show off. In comparison, Xu Yuan Huai is fortunate.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Fourth Month, First Day. Visited the Southern Borders today. The Extreme Abyss remains stable, but cracks in the Confucian Saint statue have reached the waist. Within a year, the Insect God will certainly break free.

“In other words, catastrophe arrives within a year. At times like these, I can’t help but miss Observatory Master. How is that old codger doing now? Did Wilderness take him to romantic Turkey, or Tokyo and Paris…

“Mm, Luan Yu’s flavor was quite nice.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Fourth Month, Second Day. Lin An can now chat and laugh with their Aunt, and her relationship with her birth mother is good too. Though her spoiled nature hasn’t changed, both her Aunt and birth mother can tolerate it.

“She occasionally spars with Ling Yue, rarely winning… Poor skills but great ambition. Why not bully Ling Yin and Li Na instead of picking fights with Ling Yue? Fu Xiang is better – hasn’t caused me any trouble.”

“Second Year of Huai Qing, Fourth Month, Third Day. Li Miao Zhen officially joined Earth Sect. Golden Lotus Daoist gave her a Daoist name – Blue Lotus. What the hell kind of name is Blue Lotus? Now whenever I see Li Miao Zhen, my mind echoes with – Blue Lotus flower, ah, ah~~”

…

Second Year of Huai Qing, Fourth Month, Seventh Day.

In the Imperial Palace.

In the magnificent bedchamber, doors, and windows were tightly shut, and palace maids and eunuchs all cleared out.

Xu Qi An stood within the chamber, beneath his feet lay floor tiles bright enough to reflect images. From the golden beast’s mouth by the window wafted delicate strands of sandalwood incense.

On the dragon bed, the imperial yellow dragon-embroidered bed curtains were rolled up. Empress Huai Qing wore casual imperial garments, her cold beauty mixed with the charm of masculine attire.

Men wearing women’s clothing looks awful, but women in men’s attire have quite a flavor – so unfair. Hmm, Li Ling Su, Second Brother, and Nan Gong Qian Rou in women’s clothing would certainly outshine most women… Xu Qi An thought to himself, then asked:

“Are you ready?”

After more than a month of preparation and accumulation, Empress Huai Qing had adjusted her condition to optimal, preparing to break through to Third Rank today.

“Ready!” Huai Qing said:

“Once we get through to supernatural rank, those annoying flies should quiet down for a while.”

As the world gradually became peaceful, the court officials’ greatest concern became the Female Emperor’s marriage.

This matter proved difficult to suppress because it was genuinely important. While some ambitious nobles and officials desired to “marry into” the imperial family, some members of both the Wei and Wang factions also urged Huai Qing to marry.

They were precisely those who opposed establishing a crown prince. If Huai Qing delayed marriage and “established an empress,” the position of crown prince would eventually go elsewhere. It would be fine if it went to other princes’ offspring.

But if Emperor Yong Xing’s descendant became crown prince, half the court officials would face future persecution.

“Don’t mind them,” Xu Qi An smiled.

He then took out the Earth Manual fragment, while Huai Qing retrieved the blood pearl from her robes.

Instantly, rich surging life essence pervaded the bedchamber. The potted plants in the corners first grew lush and verdant, then swiftly withered, dying silently.

The blood pearl contained vast life force, yet proved a lethal poison to ordinary beings and objects.

“Ding!”

Xu Qi An lightly tapped the Earth Manual’s surface. A thick, almost tangible dragon essence emerged, charging toward Huai Qing with teeth and claws bared. Golden light rippled like water waves from her chest.

After absorbing the dragon essence, Huai Qing picked up the blood pearl and gazed at it intently.

The blood pearl was crystal clear and smooth to the touch. As she inhaled its essence, she felt her blood boiling, her heart.