“Nanrao?”
…Many years ago, she too had tied wind chimes to the sail of a bamboo raft, bringing a jug of wine as she let the raft drift downstream with the wind.
The cloud beasts pulling the small cloud carriage eyed the people blocking their path, timidly stepping back and nervously pawing the ground.
“Old thief,” Ao Guanghan’s eyes were bloodshot as if trying to pierce through the carriage. “If you’re still alive… come out and face me!”
With those words, it seemed he had exhausted years of longing.
Everyone held their breath, watching the small cloud carriage. After a long while, an aged voice spoke.
“This old man is Yu Que, the Grand Elder of the Red Emperor’s Jade Palace. I shouldn’t have come unannounced today… but hearing the outside world’s criticism of our State’s Lady Nanfang, I feared you might misunderstand Xuanzai. That’s why I’m here.” A frail old man appeared before the cloud carriage. Looking at Ao Guanghan’s bloodshot eyes, he bowed his head and said, “Lady Nanfang is in the carriage. All answers will be clear to the Dragon Lord with one look.”
The sound of wind chimes faded in the dying wind. The carriage wasn’t concealed by any other restrictions, and Ao Guanghan, despite his reluctance to admit it, could see inside.
There lay an ice-jade coffin.
He couldn’t move a step. After a long moment, he suddenly tore down the wind chimes from the eaves, then shattered the carriage wall with a palm strike. As the cloud beasts stirred in fright, the jade coffin was exposed.
The visitors from various States, who had been closely observing the scene, were completely stunned. After a while, they addressed the rigid Ao Guanghan:
“Dragon Lord, please verify for us if the one in the coffin is…”
The Grand Elder of the Red Emperor’s Jade Palace bowed slightly: “Dragon Lord, please.”
The touch was bone-chillingly cold. The harsh sound of the coffin lid moving stopped abruptly after opening just a crack. Ao Guanghan slammed the jade coffin shut and spoke hoarsely.
“…Give me an explanation.”
With even the Dragon Lord saying this, the identity of the person in the coffin was undoubtedly confirmed.
Almost ninety percent of the cultivators present were momentarily dazed.
…Lady Nanfang was dead.
The Grand Elder of the Red Emperor’s Jade Palace sighed, “Twenty years ago, Lady Nanfang pleaded with the Hall of Righteous Law for the Linglong Capital case. As everyone knows, for the Hall to show mercy, one must undergo the trial of the Heavenly Dao Stele and complete a task it assigns. Only then can the offender be pardoned. That task was to reinforce the seal on the Filthy Valley in the mortal realm!”
The patriarch of the Yun family from Shen State spoke coldly, “The demon sealed in the Filthy Valley is a major concern. Thinking about it now, Lady Nanfang must have been ambushed by the demon while strengthening the seal. Could the demon have even stolen Lady Nanfang’s immortal Red Emperor’s Demon Heart?”
The Grand Elder replied, “Indeed, Lady Nanfang was gravely injured in the Filthy Valley, but she still managed to reseal the demon with her last strength. She then returned to Yin State and went into seclusion to heal. However, the wound left by the demon was irreversible, and ultimately… she perished!”
The Yun family patriarch asked, “Oh? Then why keep her death a secret?”
The Grand Elder replied sorrowfully, “With the Red Emperor’s Demon Heart in the demon’s possession, surely some would risk venturing to the Filthy Valley to tamper with the seal for this supreme treasure… To prevent such a catastrophe, Lady Nanfang strictly ordered us before her death to keep this secret. Only when Xuanzai completed the Five Decays and could contend with the demon’s threat to the world could we announce this matter!”
Every word pointed the blame towards the Filthy Valley.
The Yun family patriarch, sensing the change in atmosphere, revealed a look of triumph in his eyes. He suddenly pointed at Yin’e, whose expression was fluctuating.
“Then how do you explain this woman claiming to be of Lady Nanfang’s bloodline?”
— This is bad, the situation has escalated.
Surrounded by so many Deity Transformation cultivators, Yin’e knew he couldn’t escape. As cold sweat poured down his face, he suddenly saw one of the Deity Transformation auras rise. Clad in golden kasaya, with golden prayer beads, and a golden Sanskrit seal on his chest, a figure resembling a bejeweled Maitreya Buddha slowly appeared.
“This old monk will explain!” The Maitreya Buddha figure waved his hand, producing a jewel-encrusted golden alms bowl. Pointing it at Yin’e, he commanded, “Capture!”
Bathed in Buddhist light, Yin’e could no longer maintain his illusion and reverted to his original form.
Typically, Buddhist light subdues demons, but Yin’e felt no discomfort. Just before being drawn into the golden bowl, he finally realized why the Maitreya Buddha’s appearance seemed familiar.
“Aren’t you Eating Bitterness Old…”
Before he could finish, the Maitreya Buddha whisked him away into the bowl and tucked it into his robes. Clasping his hands together in prayer, he chanted a Buddhist verse before continuing his deception.
“This fox demon has been pursued by this old monk for days. It once stole lamp oil from the Brahma Sea Holy Mountain, making its demonic aura extremely difficult to detect. Skilled in disguise and illusion, it managed to deceive Dragon Capital… It was Cloud’s friend’s keen perception that allowed this old monk to finally capture this demon. I shall certainly express my gratitude another day.”
The Yun family patriarch choked. He had intended to use this to implicate Mu Zhanting further, but the old monk’s words had cut off that plan.
Gritting his teeth, he said, “I see. This fox demon’s abilities are indeed formidable, nearly fooling even us Deity Transformation cultivators. Its potential seems considerable. Might I inquire if the Treasure Radiance Tathagata would be willing to sell this fox demon to me?”
After all, being able to impersonate Lady Nanfang’s daughter so convincingly was no small feat. With Lady Nanfang now deceased, other cultivators also began to show interest. “Old monk, this fox has deceived both high and low in our Dragon Capital. It shouldn’t be let off easily. I’m willing to offer ten thousand high-grade spirit stones. How about selling the fox to me?”
The Treasure Radiance Tathagata chanted “Amitabha” and replied, “The Dragon Lord is in a foul mood. Do you all wish to further anger him?”
Everyone fell silent. A cold voice came from above.
“This matter ends here. Disperse.”
The Treasure Radiance Tathagata was about to leave when he heard Ao Guanghan transmit a message specifically to him.
“Old monk Treasure Radiance, you’re not allowed to leave.”
… It seemed inevitable that they would eventually be confronted.
Half an hour later, Baoqi Rulai entered a spacious hall in the Dragon Palace.
“Dragon Lord, about Master Nan’s remains…” he began.
“The so-called remains that old Yu Que brought were merely a projection, but… it was indeed her,” Ao Guanghan replied, standing in the hall. After Baoqi Rulai took his position, he continued, “I don’t believe a single word that old Cloud family traitor said. Old monk, you’ve cultivated the Great Thousand Bitter Zen, with nine avatars wandering the Four Seas. That year, you returned the token to us on several States. You must have seen Nan Rao in the Mortal State.”
Baoqi Rulai reluctantly admitted, “One of my Yuanying Bitter Zen bodies did encounter Mistress Nan with her daughter in the Mortal State.”
“With her daughter… quite leisurely, it seems,” Ao Guanghan slowly repeated, then laughed bitterly. He punched a nearby carved pillar, his voice frantic, “Why didn’t you come back? Why didn’t you say anything? Why did you die out there without returning?”
After Ao Guanghan calmed down, Baoqi Rulai explained, “Because Master Nan… wanted to protect that child.”
“What’s wrong with the child?”
“The child…” Baoqi Rulai’s face showed a helpless expression. “Master Nan feared that if she returned, the child might not be safe.”
“Why? Even if we don’t trust others, can’t we protect a single child?”
“Because… that child is also born with ‘Buddha Bone Zen Heart’,” Baoqi Rulai reminded him. “Does the Dragon Lord remember the Emperor of Zi State who died violently twenty years ago? With thirty-six paths, an unparalleled talent in ancient and modern times, when he ruled all States, his Six Harmonies Dao Heart was already cultivated.”
Red Emperor’s Demon Heart, undying and indestructible.
Buddha Bone Zen Heart, untainted and pure.
Six Harmonies Dao Heart, neither increasing nor decreasing.
This was the interpretation of these three great Daos by one of the Six Venerable Ones of the State Destruction era, using the Heart Sutra.
The Red Emperor’s Demon Heart could make the physical body immortal, the Buddha Bone Zen Heart could keep the mind undisturbed, and the Six Harmonies Dao Heart could make cultivation supreme.
Ao Guanghan’s eyes seemed to clear off a layer of darkness, his expression changing dramatically. He murmured, “The Dao Lord once said, Red Emperor’s Demon Heart, Six Harmonies Dao Heart, Buddha Bone Zen Heart… the three paths combined can cut through realms and ascend to heaven.”
…
As the thunder from Dragon Capital faded behind them, Nan Yan stopped after being pulled along for over two hundred li, causing Ji Yang to halt as well.
“I think we should go back,” she said.
Ji Yang reassured her, “Don’t worry, I specifically divined that Yin Ya will have noble help these two days.”
“Second Brother should be fine; worst case, he can always rely on his looks,” Nan Yan hesitated before continuing, “But I feel like that small cloud car at the end looked familiar… Do you remember years ago in the Filthy Valley, a small cloud car broke in and was chased by a hundred thousand Yin Curses?”
“The small cloud cars in Zi State are all similar; it might just be a coincidence.”
Nan Yan shook her head and sat on a blue stone. “I heard the sound of wind chimes. I suspect my mother might be in that cloud car.”
Ji Yang nodded slightly, his voice tense, “Your thinking is correct. You’d stay behind, waiting for the person in the cloud car to slowly find you.”
“No wonder you pulled me away,” Nan Yan realized. “So where should we go now?”
“Let’s find a nearby place to gather information first.”
The next morning, Nan Yan and Ji Yang entered Wang Qiong Capital, north of Dragon Capital.
At the city gate, they noticed a Yuanying cultivator standing guard. Fortunately, Ji Yang had complete documentation, allowing them to enter the city safely.
They didn’t need to seek information; as soon as they entered the city, cultivators were discussing the recent events everywhere.
“What’s the background of that demon from the Mortal State who could kill the supposedly immortal and indestructible Mistress Nan? If it’s true, won’t our Upper State be in danger once he breaks the seal?”
“Don’t worry. Not only are the State lords all demon-slaying experts, but we also have Dao Sheng Tian to protect us if the sky falls. It’s a pity about Mistress Nan, though. Such a beauty, now gone forever, and I never even got to see her.”
“Seeing but not having would be even more torturous. I heard from Dragon Capital that there’s a fox spirit impersonating her daughter, and it’s incredibly convincing!”
“But I’ve heard that Mistress Nan did have a daughter. The fox spirit might just be mimicking her appearance. Otherwise, why would there be so many patrolling cultivators flying around the streets?”
Nan Yan pretended to select spirit herbs in front of an alchemy shop, hearing all sorts of exaggerated rumors. Shaking her head, she decided to lay low for a while. As she followed Ji Yang out, discussing whether to rent a temporary cave dwelling near the city gate or one rich in spiritual energy, Nan Yan sensed a fierce sword aura behind her.
She slowed her pace and, using a roadside bronze mirror, saw a familiar face.
… It was Song Zhu.
Nan Yan felt uneasy about this person, always considering him unfathomable and dangerous. Sure enough, when Song Zhu saw them stop, he approached expressionlessly.
“Fellow Daoist, please wait.”
Could it be? Had they been discovered so quickly?
Ji Yang turned around calmly, saying, “Fellow Daoist Song, what a coincidence.”
Song Zhu stared at him intently. They had met once before, and while he found Ji Yang familiar, he couldn’t quite place him. After that encounter at Pan Yin Temple, he had thought this person resembled someone he knew.
“Fellow Daoist… Ji,” Song Zhu asked uncertainly, “Do you have any other names?”
Nan Yan often called him Shao Cang in private, but most outsiders only knew him as Ji Yang.
Ji Yang was his secular name before entering the Dao, while Shao Cang was the courtesy name given by his elders after he came of age and entered the Dao.
Ji Yang asked, “Why does Fellow Daoist Song ask this?”
“I apologize, I just feel that Fellow Daoist Ji’s presence is very familiar, like…” Song Zhu trailed off.
“Like whom?” Ji Yang prompted.
“Like someone…” Song Zhu struggled to find an appropriate description, his expression worsening as if recalling an unpleasant memory. “Just tell me, do you have any other names?”
Nan Yan knew Ji Yang had many small secrets, but it wouldn’t be good if Song Zhu discovered anything in public. Seeing that the alley was relatively empty and Song Zhu’s back was turned, she reluctantly removed her mask, put on a kindly expression, and turned around with a smile.
“Fellow Daoist Song, it’s been a while. You…”
As expected, Song Zhu’s attention was immediately drawn to her, and he froze in place.
News from Dragon Capital had spread quickly these past two days. Song Zhu knew about Nan Yan’s fox spirit brother and, following his master’s orders, had been searching for Nan Yan’s whereabouts. He had thought she had escaped but unexpectedly encountered her here in Wang Qiong Capital.
“Come with me,” he said.
Song Zhu led them to a secluded alley, standing backlit at the entrance with a solemn expression.
“True Yuan Shigu,” he began, then remembered his sect’s instructions about dealing with women. Feeling that this wasn’t an appropriate way to discuss matters, he drew his sword with a metallic ring as Nan Yan looked at him in confusion.
“I have something to tell you,” he said.
Nan Yan thought to herself, “Is he… planning to corner us in this alley and finish us off together?”