The grudge between Ao Guanghan and Nan Rang was long-standing.
The Red Emperor and the old Dragon Lord’s family were close friends. After establishing the various states, they often visited each other, bringing their children along. Unfortunately, Ao Guanghan had a fiery temper, and Nan Rang’s was even worse. She often bullied him, using her slightly older age as an excuse.
Now that Nan Rang had come of age, she rarely quarreled with Ao Guanghan. She mostly teased him verbally. Seeing his desire to lunge at her, she tilted her head, resting her finger on her chin. “I was wrong to kick you into the Soul River Waterfall, but you came scratching at my door in the middle of the night first. We’ve fought and argued. Now, tell me, what did you want from me that night, all alone?”
“…Nothing. Just reminding you it was time to dig up the wine you buried.”
Nan Rang responded appreciatively, “I didn’t expect you to become so considerate in two years. Since you’re so thoughtful, I’ll visit you with wine on a dark, windy night. Don’t close your windows; we’ll talk by candlelight…”
Many people were eavesdropping. Ao Guanghan’s throat felt dry, and his face flushed with annoyance. After a long pause, he merely grunted, avoiding her gaze, and left abruptly.
Nan Rang turned to Nanyi, sitting on her other side. “Counting Meng Xiaolou who challenged me to a duel this morning, is this the third person I’ve driven away today?”
Nanyi replied, world-weary, “Whatever makes you happy. I’ve already heard you called a demon for the thirtieth time.”
Indeed, she was a demon – one that no one could tame or deal with.
Someone nearby frantically signaled to Nan Rang. Confused, she followed their gaze to see her discarded clog had rolled into the center aisle.
The elders would soon walk down this aisle, and leaving a clog there was inappropriate. As the Dao Venerable and others approached, Nan Rang desperately tried to retrieve the clog with her fingers under the table.
Halfway through her attempt, the clog seemed to freeze in place. Nan Rang looked up to see a black-clad man with demonic markings staring at her intensely. He walked behind the Dao Venerable and the old Dragon Lord.
As the Dao Venerable’s group neared, all seated cultivators stood to pay respects.
“We greet the Venerables. May the Dao Venerable’s path be perfected and enlightenment achieved soon!”
The Dao Venerable, Suihan Zi, was over a thousand years old. Even before the State-Breaking Era, he was the most revered and powerful in the cultivation world. After establishing Shangzhou, he became the universally respected teacher of all states.
Everyone felt the sudden increase in spiritual energy as the Dao Venerable approached. Those with weaker cultivation even sensed a subtle improvement in their realm.
After exchanging pleasantries, Suihan Zi stopped before Nan Rang. “Rang’er, Yi’er, why hasn’t your father come?”
Nan Rang bowed her head, “It was Mother’s death anniversary recently. Father is busy sorting through old belongings and won’t let anyone help. He asked us to convey his apologies to you.”
Suihan Zi stroked his beard, “The Red Emperor does this every year. It must be hard on Cloud Consort. Well, I’ve saved some wine for him. I hope he won’t miss our appointment.”
Aware that the Six Venerables of State-Breaking would soon discuss an important matter about ascension, Nan Rang quickly agreed on her father’s behalf.
As Suihan Zi left, Nan Rang tried to retrieve her clog, but the man who had been staring at her stopped in front of her.
“I remember when you barely reached my waist. In just over a decade, Lady Nanfang has blossomed into such a stunning beauty.”
His words were flirtatious, but no one dared underestimate the speaker.
“Sister,” Nanyi frowned, secretly communicating, “Father isn’t here. Find an excuse to leave; I’ll deal with this Demonic Master from Sizhou.”
“How can I let my little brother shield me?” Nan Rang scoffed, then spoke aloud, “Seeing Uncle approach so fiercely that you wouldn’t even let your niece put on her shoes, I thought you were upset about those dozen corpse-controlling cultivators I killed from the Evil Dao two months ago.”
Despite her cool demeanor, the young woman’s subtle fragrance of clear streams and mountain valleys was intoxicating. As a demonic cultivator, Senlo struggled to control his desires, his gaze intensifying. “Forget about a few lives. If you’re willing, all of Sizhou could be yours.”
Senlo’s intentions toward her weren’t new. Even the Red Emperor had noticed, gently refusing Senlo’s hints multiple times, but he wouldn’t give up. Helpless, the Red Emperor had considered Cloud Consort’s suggestion to send Nan Rang and Nanyi to study under Daosheng Tian. This would temporarily avoid Senlo’s harassment and potentially help Nan Rang find a husband among the Dao Venerable’s disciples, hopefully taming her wild nature.
Nan Rang, proud as ever, remained unmoved even when Senlo personally came to court her. She responded directly, “The Venerables are on the brink of ascension. Even if they linger in the mortal realm, it’s only for a few years. And even if I agreed, would you truly forsake ascension to stay with me in the mortal world?”
“Stay with you?” Senlo’s eyes darkened at the teasing in her gaze. “After I ascend, everything I have in the mortal realm will be yours. Isn’t that enough to earn your fidelity?”
His implication was clear: he wanted Nan Rang before his ascension, promising her everything in return for her loyalty during his absence.
Nan Rang’s eyes flashed with mockery. “Is this how an elder should speak to a junior?”
Senlo pressed on, “Think of the benefits. If I become a god in the upper realm, I’ll find a way to help you ascend too. Won’t your faithfulness be rewarded then?”
Recognizing empty promises, Nan Rang glanced at him indifferently. She drank half a cup of cold wine, nearly telling him off when a monk in white robes stooped to pick up her fallen clog. Placing it by her feet, he spoke gently:
“Fidelity stems from mutual understanding and willingness born of a long companionship. It’s never an imposed doctrine.”
Interrupted, Senlo’s face darkened. Turning to see the serene-looking Buddhist cultivator, a flicker of wariness crossed his eyes. “Since when has the Buddhist Penitence Master taken interest in others’ private affairs?”
Nan Rang turned to look at the Buddhist Penitence Master. She last saw him seven years ago when the Demon Empress passed away. The Red Emperor had desperately salvaged some remnants of her soul, asking the Buddhist Penitence Master to personally gather and summon it, allowing the Demon Empress to peacefully enter reincarnation. Even the mighty Red Emperor’s hair had grayed since then, but Jiming still looked as calm and kind as he did years ago.
“The Dao Venerable wishes to establish grand laws for the cultivation world before ascending, with ‘falling into demonic ways’ as the first crime,” Jiming said softly. “However, the demonic path is one of many cultivation methods. The Demonic Master’s input on punishment is needed. Please go quickly.”
This was a matter Senlo couldn’t ignore. To prevent chaos after the Venerables’ ascension, rules needed to be set. The Dao Venerable proposed three crimes for universal condemnation: slaughtering mortals, body snatching, and falling into demonic ways. The details still needed discussion.
Senlo’s face darkened slightly. He seemed to let Nan Rang go for now, but after a few steps, he turned back with a cold smile. “Nan Rang, my patience has limits.”
The Lady of Nanfang deliberately provoked him, “Rest assured, Uncle. Father’s favoritism knows no bounds.”
Senlo left with a cold snort. Nan Rang heard someone chuckle softly.
The Buddhist Penitence Master didn’t look like a typical Buddhist cultivator. Nan Rang’s gaze swept from his gray-white hair to his earlobe with its demon-subduing ring. To others, her gaze now mirrored Senlo’s from earlier.
“Master, it’s been a long time.”
Jiming almost physically felt the burning gaze on his back, yet he remained outwardly calm. Turning, he lowered his eyes and said, “I hope autumn finds you well, Lady of Nanfang.”
Though blind, Nanyi sensed the odd atmosphere. Unsure why, he took the initiative to greet the Buddhist Penitence Master. “My sister and I are staying with the Dao disciples on Mount Daoqung. We haven’t had the chance to congratulate you on your impending ascension.”
Jiming replied gently, “This monk hasn’t yet overcome his inner confusion. Perhaps ascension isn’t my destiny in this life.”
“The Dao Venerable said one needn’t necessarily overcome the fifth celestial tribulation. If Daosheng Tian successfully builds the State-Breaking Immortal Platform, the combined power of the Venerables could break the void barrier, granting immortal longevity. Why would you give that up?”
“This monk… is still studying a certain method. Perhaps when my lifespan nears its end, if I still cling to life, I might attempt ascension.”
Nan Rang looked at him intently. “Ascension is a matter for tomorrow. Master, do you remember our agreement?”
Jiming’s eyes flickered briefly before returning to their usual calmness. “This old monk’s memory isn’t what it used to be.”
Despite the intimidating title of the Six Venerables of State-Breaking, the Buddhist Penitence Master had only been a little over a hundred when he entered the Celestial realm. He was just of an older generation.
Nan Rang continued, “I promised to brew you a unique wine as thanks for gathering my mother’s soul. But I was young then, and now I regret gifting such strong liquor.”
Jiming responded slowly, “Indeed, that happened.”
Nan Rang: “So, what did you think of that wine—”
Jiming: “I had my novice use it to braise spring bamboo shoots. It was delicious.”
Nan Rang was speechless.
After a long pause, seeing Nan Rang staring at him silently, Jiming felt a chill down his spine. Fortunately, the Dao Venerable sent someone to summon him, and he left immediately.
A beauty’s gift of wine used to braise bamboo shoots—despite her years of flirtation, Nan Rang couldn’t understand this approach. She turned to ask, “Yigu, this demon monk is so handsome and doesn’t completely reject me. Why does he always take such an odd approach? I can’t seem to provoke him.”
Nanyi tried to reason, “Master is our elder. Sister, you just spoke righteously to Senlo; you should show the same respect to Master.”
Nan Rang: “Fine, I’ll be mindful next time. But tell me, are the bamboo shoots more attractive or am I?”
Nanyi: “…”