The ancient city’s moon hung in mid-air, both round and clear. Xue Yu sat on the third floor of the small bamboo building. The air inside was stale, permeated with the ancient scent of books, paper, and ink, threads of fragrance sinking into her nostrils with a uniquely refreshing effect.
She pulled over a stool, swept away the dust, and sat by the small window, holding a thick Demon Elimination Manual. Opening it, she found the talismans and arrays within were extraordinarily mysterious, sharing similarities with later demon-slaying formations but comparatively more obscure and difficult to understand.
Everything else was useless. The latter world had no demons to eliminate – she only sought the soul-stealing technique mentioned on the paper.
She flipped through page by page. Soon, she found what she was looking for. As the name suggests, the soul-stealing technique was sinister, and the depicted scenes were extremely simple, direct, and unbearable to look at. After two glances, Xue Yu felt irritation rising in her heart.
Her fingers moved slightly, marking the page before closing the book and gazing straight ahead, slowly furrowing her brow.
An unsettled heart leads to disturbed emotions.
Footsteps came from downstairs, neither light nor heavy, echoing with low reverberations in the empty bamboo building. Logically, she should be alert and cautious, but these sounds were too familiar – she didn’t need careful identification to know who was coming upstairs.
Upon reaching the final step, the footsteps quietly stopped. Xue Yu looked toward the sound, her gaze falling through hazy light like smoke and mist on the handsome young man leaning against the stairway.
He approached with a smile.
Before he could speak, Xue Yu handed him the heavy book and pointed to a stool behind the cabinet: “Found the soul-stealing technique. Take a look. Sit while reading.”
Under the lamplight, her profile was exquisite, her voice clear and cold. Every feature could withstand the most demanding scrutiny, yet everywhere revealed a manner that kept people at a thousand li distance. From appearance alone, it was hard to imagine what she looked like when moved by emotion or affection.
Su You accepted the book, pulled a chair to sit at a neither far nor near distance from her, and following the marked page, carefully read the soul-stealing technique before looking up and asking softly: “What are the young lady’s thoughts?”
“The most confusing point now is that we don’t know what we’re supposed to do.”
Previously, even with four-and-a-half-star missions like the Worldly Lamp, regardless of the process’s twists and turns, at least from the beginning they knew their task was to find the lamp.
Su You had considered this point as well. He said, “Based on current circumstances, we probably need to unravel layers of mystery to open those two letters before having new direction.”
Xue Yu turned toward the window, squinting as she said slowly: “This should be the ancient imperial capital.”
“Few books have been passed down from ancient times. They either record simple local customs and territorial layouts, or detail various imperial palace delicacies and market snacks, but regarding other matters, everything is deliberately omitted.”
For instance, how the two powerful races of Azure Dragon and Tian Ao suddenly perished in one period, or what demons were, what ‘Mei’ was – not one ancient text mentioned even a single word about these things.
From ancient times to now, whether in prosperous, clear times or when people’s livelihoods were destitute, many scholars denounced with words and writings, and even more literati who loved mountains and waters, indulged in worldly pleasures. The hands of the literati, their brushes, were unstoppable and impossible to guard against completely. Among so many people, surely one or two pieces should have survived and been passed down.
But there were none, not at all.
Handled so cleanly – besides the Heavenly Mechanism Book and Fusang Tree, there was no other explanation.
“I heard that in ancient times there were no Sacred Lands or Demon Capital. The Human Emperor was immortal, majestically supreme, the highest ruler in the world.” Su You continued along her topic: “Later, the Fusang Tree awakened and designated the Demon Capital and Sacred Lands. The Human Emperor’s power declined repeatedly, becoming today’s imperial court.”
Without needing to think, there must be unspeakable secrets within, indelible various hardships.
“The Fusang Tree was born from all things of heaven and earth. Its decisions are decisions of all living beings. Since it is determined to bury this history, never mentioning it for ten thousand years, why gather us together at this moment to unveil a corner of the sealed past?”
These matters were impossible to contemplate deeply.
Su You looked at the hair falling beside her cheeks, thinking she was always such a pure person, destined to carry many burdens forward. She had to avoid her previous life’s outcome while constantly bearing the responsibilities of a Sacred Land inheritor and Yedu princess, following the Fusang Tree’s hints in endless speculation, with many concerns.
For the people, for demons, for all the beautiful and gentle things before her eyes.
This was the path she had walked alone to the end in her previous life.
He remained silent for a moment, then said softly: “When soldiers come, we’ll block them; when water comes, we’ll cover it with earth. The young lady needn’t worry. When this mission ends, everything will naturally become clear.”
Obviously comforting words.
Xue Yu had heard similar words from Song Heng’s mouth many times in her previous life. He told her not to be too tired, too busy, and not to ruin her health for things unrelated to herself. But this person’s tone was truly different upon hearing.
Perhaps benefiting from that elegant, melodious voice like striking gold and stone, originally ordinary words, when he slowly articulated them with deliberate pronunciation, were both light and clear, like a gentle night breeze, yet also carrying natural coolness in his words, drifting deeply into her ears.
The same tone as when he said he’d come to coax her that day.
Meeting eyes, Xue Yu’s eyelashes suddenly blinked once.
Under a perfect, flawless countenance, even a small crack was enough to become a point of impact.
Su You took the opportunity to stand, stepping forward, then half-knelt before her. His sleeves scattered like flower petals, falling in groups on the bamboo building’s floor. In the clear pine fragrance, he lifted his chin slightly, saying gently: “Now, let’s talk about what happened earlier.”
“Why was the young lady unhappy?”
Xue Yu hadn’t expected him to ask such a question. After a slight start, her eyes moved.
That momentary emotional fluctuation – she didn’t understand what happened. Now truly recalling to explain the reason, she only felt this five-star mission was too harsh and inhumane, while his attitude was matter-of-fact, nearly to the degree of calm acceptance.
Xue Yu couldn’t help looking toward Su You.
Whether from habit of identity or not, he always liked looking up at her, chasing the light’s rippling movement. But precisely this posture made him like a fully bloomed, graceful flower. Whether his deep eyebrows and eyes, straight nose bridge, or smooth, sharp jawline – all were taken into her vision one by one in a stunning manner.
Unconventional, subtle yet composed beauty.
Xue Yu gazed into those rippling peach blossom eyes, her red lips moving slightly, honest to the point of inner confession: “I didn’t think it would be you.”
“Among the eight of us, the identity of Marquis Ding Jiang had some probability of falling to me.” Su You didn’t stop there. He rarely used a tone half-forceful, half-seductive: “This isn’t strange.”
Xue Yu remained silent for a long while, looking at him: “I know this isn’t strange. My selfish thoughts are at work.”
“You are a young master of the Palace Guard, a trusted minister I cultivated. Your wedding should light a thousand candles, be adorned with pearls and beautiful jade, with silk and red cloth filling the streets – not in a five-star mission, becoming a heartless person who serves as bait for so-called righteousness due to circumstances.”
“That Demoness Zi Peng – you haven’t even met her.” She was visibly somewhat unhappy, her brow slightly furrowed: “This is your first marriage.”
This seemed to be the first time she mentioned matters between men and women, marriage affairs.
Cold fingertips curled within wide sleeves. Su You’s eyelashes fell like individual threads. He asked: “According to Your Highness, what kind of woman should be matched as my wife?”
In the small building, the atmosphere seemed to deepen with this single sentence.
Xue Yu didn’t speak for a long time. When he couldn’t bear this death-like silence and frowned while gazing intently at her expression, she suddenly moved, rolling up the book beside her and tapping his shoulder once, her voice carrying unexpected coldness and stiffness: “Move away.”
Like flipping a switch, Su You’s eyebrows and eyes gradually relaxed, his dark pupils painted with obvious amusement. He corrected in a low voice: “The young lady spoke incorrectly. A thousand candles, pearls filling the hall, red silk on the streets – these aren’t the ceremonials for a young master’s wedding.”
Only an Imperial Crown Princess’s wedding or a ruler’s wedding would have such grand arrangements.
Glimpsing the water-like bewildered confusion rising in her eyes, Su You almost forced himself to step back. He lowered his eyes, letting out a laugh from his throat. Whether convincing himself or speaking to her, he said: “It’s enough.”
Such a response was undoubtedly much better than he had imagined.
“Mm?” Xue Yu asked.
She had just told him to move away, but he hadn’t shifted his steps, still looking up at her with that smile, his voice neither light nor heavy, even the pauses between words entirely deliberately alluring: “No rush, young lady. Let’s take it slowly.”
“I’ll always stay with you.”
Soon, the two came down from the third-floor small compartment one after the other.
From entering until now, only two and a half hours had passed, yet Nine Phoenix and Shen Jingshi could already frequently lean their heads together to whisper incomprehensible words. Now, carefully observing Xue Yu’s expression, Nine Phoenix tilted her head and said definitively to Shen Jingshi: “Good, almost there.”
“Can’t tell.” Shen Jingshi clicked his tongue in admiration: “Su You is so good at coaxing people.”
“What do you understand?” Speaking of this, Nine Phoenix became spirited: “With that face, he doesn’t even need to speak. Just stand there and half the anger disappears – this is unquestionable.”
Shen Jingshi looked at her with surprise, continuing: “I know worldly men mostly rely on their looks, but women looking at men are the same?”
Especially Xue Yu – she didn’t seem like that type of person at all.
“What are you saying? Everyone has a love of beauty.” As Nine Phoenix spoke, seeing the two sit down in the courtyard again, analyzing that paper repeatedly, she couldn’t help feeling overwhelmed, her voice weakening by half: “Didn’t we look at this paper before? Why take it out for discussion again? What flowers can we see from this?”
Shen Jingshi also hissed and sucked in cold air: “I’m not good at things requiring such careful analysis and brain work.”
“Always complaining about not being good at it.” Shan Shu helplessly glanced at him and beckoned: “Even if you’re not good at it, come over and learn properly.”
At the round table in the courtyard, Xue Yu looked around at the familiar faces and asked: “How should we proceed next? What are your thoughts?”
Lu Qin, still shadowed by that four-and-a-half-star mission, silently touched his nose bridge and said nothing. Nine Phoenix rolled her eyes and waved her hand. The remaining Yin Ling, Ji Tingxi, and Shan Shu exchanged glances but had no ideas either.
“Let’s go out and look first.” In the awkward silence, Su You pointed his long finger at the paper: “Leave two people to use techniques on the household servants, asking about this mansion’s purpose, the master’s situation, and relationships among us eight. Send two more to search for overlooked, ignored clues. The rest will go to various wine shops, tea houses, and cosmetics and jewelry stores to understand the current era, situation distribution, and why people in the capital are panic-stricken.”
“Alright.” Nine Phoenix immediately spoke: “I’ll interrogate servants. This work suits me – I quite like it.”
Shan Shu said gently, “Whether staying in the mansion or going out to gather information, everyone, be careful and don’t let your guard down. This is a five-star mission.”
Xue Yu nodded, glancing at the full moon in mid-air: “Tomorrow at noon, gather in this courtyard.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“Nineteen.” As Xue Yu stood to leave, crossing the threshold, she seemed to suddenly remember something and turned back, looking at the handsome man walking toward them: “You stay behind to search for materials. They don’t pay much attention to details.”
Su You stopped, frowning slightly, wanting to say something, but finally only nodded: “If you discover something wrong, withdraw immediately. We’ll think of solutions together afterward.”
“Don’t worry.” Xue Yu nodded, speaking concisely: “I have proper judgment.”
After everyone dispersed, Shen Jingshi approached Su You with a meaningful look, clicking his tongue and saying in a low voice: “Listen to that – us not paying attention to details is false. I think Young Master Su You’s injuries not being fully healed is the truth.”
In the third month of spring, willow catkins are flying.
Not knowing what day yesterday was, when Xue Yu went out wearing a veil, countless palace lanterns still hung by the Imperial River, though people were scarce. Many lit paper boats drifted down with the current. Someone punted a boat downstream, easily scooping up patches of paper boats carrying people’s prayers and beautiful wishes, tossing them to the stern in high piles.
Most shops had closed their doors. Only inns for travelers still had lights on, along with several major restaurants in the city that also served cultivators for eating, drinking, and entertainment, gradually receiving visitors at night.
Xue Yu chose the largest one and climbed the steps.
An enthusiastic server led her to the second floor. She deliberately chose a table with people conversing front and back, ordered several famous pastries and dishes from this establishment, and when the food arrived, the sounds from surrounding tables entered her ears.
“Brother Hua, after years apart, long time no see.” Two middle-aged men sat diagonally across from Xue Yu. The host raised his wine cup, sighing endlessly: “Today’s wine must be drunk.”
The one called Brother Hua drained his cup. Not being a regular drinker, after several cups, his face flushed deep camel red. He sighed: “Coming from Southern Ridge to the imperial capital nowadays is truly difficult. My traveling party was stopped and questioned several times – we almost weren’t allowed through.”
“Ah.” Hearing this, the long-bearded man across from him sighed: “Don’t mention this – it gives me a headache. Since demons emerged from the valleys a hundred years ago, rampaging everywhere, more and more people have died in various places. Just when things seemed to improve, before we could celebrate, those demons somehow all flocked to the imperial capital like locusts, creating disaster under the Son of Heaven’s feet.”
“But I heard something else.” The outsider warily glanced around and lowered his voice: “Marquis Ding Jiang is marrying the Qiongzhou demoness? If this succeeds, won’t things become even more uncontrollable?”
“Yesterday during the Jiu Si Festival, on both streets flanking the Imperial River – I won’t say more, but at least half were demons. They also imitate human appearance, competing in sword matches, and releasing flower lanterns. That scene was truly… nauseating to watch.”
“Let’s wait and see. His Majesty still sits in the imperial capital. Perhaps gathering all the demons in the capital was planned from the beginning.” When discussing this, both men’s voices became like mosquitoes, deliberately obscuring words. Xue Yu had to listen carefully to understand their meaning.
“Brother, why do you say this?”
“You know my distant cousin serves in court as a third-rank official, specifically managing various clans entering the capital and tribute affairs. He’s been frantically busy these past months. I heard my uncle mention while drunk that in just two or three months, many powerful reclusive families have quietly arrived in the imperial capital.”
“Reclusive families?” One person pursued: “Which ones?”
The person with poor alcohol tolerance was already quite unclear mentally. He slumped on the table, mumbling while counting on his fingers: “The three great cultivation sects, um, and people from Azure Dragon and Tian Ao sides have all come.”