Even though it wasn’t the first time I’d heard such sounds, I still felt terrified. Although I love gossip, I don’t like overly bloody events. The world is better when it’s peaceful.
Turning around the corridor, I saw Feng Qing in a purple robe, the treasure sword in his hand dripping with bright red blood, with blood stains on his body and face. It looked like he had just been through a fierce battle. Looking beside him, that man was also there, hurriedly following and saying: “My lord, the palace maid reported that Empress Mu has gone to the Cold Palace. But at this time, shouldn’t she be trying to escape?”
“That crazy woman has wanted to kill Qier for a long time. With the situation gone, she certainly won’t be reconciled. I’m afraid that even in death, she wants to drag Qier down with her.” Feng Qing’s tone was calm, but his breath was heavy.
I shook my head. Outside the courtyard, a piercing cry came. Feng Qing’s expression changed: “It’s Empress Mu.”
He quickly turned and rushed down another corridor. I rode a cloud and followed.
At the end of the corridor was another small courtyard. At this moment, blood was soaked on the ground, and the moonlight added a bloody, mysterious feel. My pupils contracted as I saw the person lying on the ground – Qingfei. Looking at the sword-wielding person, dressed in splendid clothes, with a disheveled hairpin but an undeniable noble and majestic bearing – this must be Empress Mu.
“Bitch!
Feng Qing shouted, stepping forward to kill her, but the man quickly reached out to stop him, sincerely saying: “My lord, do not kill her now, or it will be difficult to appease the world.”
Feng Qing’s eyes turned red. Empress Mu gave a miserable laugh: “Feng Qing, just kill me. Now, I’m of no use to you. Uncle Wu’s troops were defeated, you’ve seized power, and you can’t tolerate me anymore.”
I clicked my tongue a few times, looking at Empress Mu’s grievous expression. It seemed Feng Qing had whispered sweet nothings to her, blowing sweet winds by her pillow, turning Empress Mu – originally sent by the Fifth Uncle to monitor Feng Qing – into someone who served Feng Qing.
The words were intermittent, and not much time was left. I couldn’t let her die before making a decision, otherwise the mission would end, and my salary would be deducted again this month, and how would I go back to play mahjong at Cuizhu Lin? I leaned forward and asked, “One, or two?”
Qing Fei looked toward the sky, her eyes already bright, as if seeing something marvelous. I sighed, thinking she was probably remembering the past again. I said, “Do you want to return to the past? I’ll cast the spell for you.”
“Two.”
“What?” I scratched my ear, “You’re giving up?
This god must explain to you that if you choose to give up, nothing will change, and the injuries you’ve suffered are enough to cost you your life.”
“Ah, giving up,” Qing Fei’s eyes were already closed, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible, “I’m afraid if I don’t go find Third Brother, I won’t be able to keep up with his footsteps, and I won’t find him in the next life.”
My heart suddenly trembled, and I looked at her in disbelief.
I didn’t know whether to call her foolish or heartless. If she had lived and known of Feng Qing’s feelings for her, they could have started over. A living person, yet unable to compare to a dead one, his kindness toward her now seemed like nothing. I could only feel sorry for Feng Qing.
“As you wish,” I sighed, and the mission jade token in my hand flew up into the air. My fingertips drew a cross in blue light, and the mission was complete.
“Qing’er!”
Feng Qing let out a heartbreaking cry as Qing Fei had no breath left, her fragrance dissipating.
I sat on a floating cloud, looking at his weathered face.
After a night in the Northern Lu Imperial Palace, when the first rays of the next day rose, everything appeared as usual on the surface.
Feng Qing was now the ruler of Northern Lu with real power.
Three days later, he would ennoble the daughter of the most meritorious general as empress, and the world would appear peaceful.
After the bloody carnage, everything recovered quickly and orderly. I had to admit he would be an accomplished king.
Feng Qing no longer looked at the jade pendant, but stood on the high tower of the imperial palace each day, gazing toward the palace gates for half a day. His expression mirrored that of Qing Fei’s on that day.
What cannot be obtained is always the best. An ordinary life that cannot be returned is always something to miss.
I sighed with a look of worldly wisdom and returned to the spirit realm to report my mission.
As the clouds drifted to the heavenly path entrance, just about to enter, I saw a black shadow float over. I didn’t even look directly at him: “Oh, Soul-Collecting Lord is done too?”
The black-robed man was the Soul-Collecting Lord of the spirit realm, always busy—wherever someone was about to die, he would come to help, capturing their soul early.
Soul-Collecting Lord said flatly: “If you could resurrect Qing Fei, my mission would be easier.”
I mentally imagined a stampede of ten thousand inexplicable creatures.
Resurrection and soul-collecting were two closely linked positions. If my client chose two and rushed toward death, Soul-Collecting Lord would have more work. If my client chose one, he would be free.
To others, we seemed to dislike each other because of this. I always liked wearing white, while he always wore gloomy black. Other spirit lords would click their tongues when seeing us: “Oh, the black and white impermanence from the Underworld Hall have come to the spirit realm again.”
And so, for hundreds of years, they’d continue with such banter.
Wherever I appeared, I’d first investigate if Soul-Collecting Lord was present. Even if we accidentally met, I’d immediately turn and run.
Seeing him about to enter the heavenly path, I blocked his way: “I’ll go back to report my mission first. You can go half a time-period later.”
Then… then he simply went around me and entered the path…
Sword of Destiny (Part One)
“Hu la!”
Ah, returning from a mission feeling relaxed, just having received my salary. I waved my hand: “Quickly, bring the money.”
Three spirit lords reluctantly threw over a few gold bars, which I quickly grabbed, humming a little tune.
We three were overjoyed, sitting down again, chatting: “We’re one short, let’s find Network Game Guy.”
Jiang Hu Guy stared at us with a look of resentment.
Task Guy tossed him a manual, and also tossed one to me.
I jumped up: “Isn’t this about a Jianghudispute? Why do I have to go?”
Task Guy nodded, saying seriously: “Because a sword needs to be reborn, and we’ve accepted the task.”
“Oh.” I nodded, then paused, “Who’s the target?”
Task Guy said with a straight face: “The sword.”
I was annoyed: “Not accepting!”
God Guy continued with an unchanging face: “Salary, full attendance bonus, special bonus, year-end bonus…”
Damn it! I’ll do it! Hearing suppressed laughter behind me, I grabbed the gold bar and glared at them: “Wait till I come back and unleash hell!”
Furiously taking the task token, I walked to the intersection and kicked Jiang Hu Guy into the Tongtianjie passage.
To get close to the Zhui Xi sword, I’d have to get close to its owner—Mo Junqing.
According to the information, Mo Junqing became famous with a single sword in his youth, doesn’t like alcohol, doesn’t approach women, has no close friends, no relatives. A young swordsman who views fame and fortune as dirt.
I looked at the manual, frowning. How could I approach him?
Disguise as a maid? He doesn’t need one; Seduce him? He’s not interested; Tempt with fame and fortune?
He doesn’t care; Transform into a precious sword? He already has one.
