Living Up to You

Chapter 41

There was a special place in the mortal realm; money squandering establishment and burial ground of many beauties. When the outside world was in unrest and people were in a terrible situation, it still remained standing. When the outside world was peaceful and the commoners lived in peace and happiness, it looked splendid and glorious.

Such a special place was the palace of the mortal realm.

According to the legends, the owner of the mortal realm was the proud and beloved son of heaven and was he bestowed the title “Son of Heaven” upon himself and benefited from the world.

At this moment, the beauties in the palace were countless like clouds and celebrated peace with songs and dances.

A middle-aged man adorned in a bright yellow robe with a big belly stared lewdly at the woman who swayed gently on the dance floor. His favorite concubines on his left and right side poured wine for him. They poured again after he drank it and once more.

Among the bamboo trees, all kinds of giggles and applause could be heard continuously.

Truly an obscene and extravagant palace.

“Big brother, are you sure that that person is the leader of the world?” On the beam of the roof where no one paid attention to, a woman’s voice was delicate but her words were sarcastic.

“You don’t believe your big brother?” The man chuckled. His voice was clear.

The woman pursed her lips and said helplessly, “Of course, I believe you. But he has such a big belly. I’m afraid that I will dirty my hands if I take action.”

“Should big brother go do it?”

“Well…” The woman thought for a moment. “Forget it. I will go do it myself.”

While she was speaking, the woman in white seemed to have descended from heaven in the middle of the luxurious and lively hall. She lightly flew to the son of heaven. The son of heaven adorned in a bright yellow robe thought that he had seen a fairy descend from heaven. He looked lecherously at her, opened his arms and planned to hug her. The only thing missing was his drool.

However, the woman hadn’t gotten into his arms yet when he felt a pain in his heart.

He looked down in panic and was shocked to see the five slender fingers inserted into his heart socket. The wrist turned and retrieved that bloody heart of his.

He didn’t even have the time to scream when he went limp and fell onto the ground.

In the brightly lit palace, the sound of bamboo was replaced by the screams of fear. Singers, dancers and the palace guards were in chaos. They shouted, “There is an assassin! Catch the assassin! Save the emperor!”

However, in just a blink of the eye, the woman in white who had descended from heaven disappeared without a trace as if she had never been here. Only the empty heart socket of the man in a bright yellow robe showed what had just happened.

The mortal realm turned chaotic overnight. Rumors were flying outside the mortal realm.

The four realms, demon, devil, immortal and the netherworld received a written war challenge simultaneously, saying that it wants to get the internal core of the leader of each realm. The written war challenge to the immortal realm was particularly arrogant. It said to let them quickly choose a leader, so to make the goal clear and that it would be easier to take action then. The signature on the war challenge with was no exception…Jing Yan.

- Neidan: internal core focuses on the three treasures.

- Essence: a complete essence can preserve the body.

- Energy: a complete energy can nurture the mind

- Soul: a complete soul can recover emptiness.

In response, Qing Feng of the demon realm stroked comfortably the face skin that she had just changed into and said pleased, “Just right timing. I’m also tired of living.”

The devil king of the devil realm had no reaction. The little king of hell of the netherworld, while he used the glowing pearls of the Eastern Sea like marbles, he drove out the judge who was reading the war challenge out loud. “Get out, get out, get out. Don’t disturb me when I’m playing! This king has lived for seventy thousand years. Bother me only when king father falls down from heaven.”

As for the immortal realm, everyone gathered at Cangjia Mountain to discuss how to meet the attack of the enemy as well as to discuss who this “Jing Yan” is.

However, as soon as they reached Cangjia Mountain, everyone couldn’t help but toss this matter to the back of their mind and were distracted by another matter. Great disciple Feng Shu whose soul had been dispersed and scattered a few years ago and who was considered the pillar of Cangjia had been quietly resurrected.

Everyone didn’t know how Feng Shu was resurrected from the death. In the past, Cangjia had mustered large forces to collect the Soul-Locking water and Soul-Suppressing pearls and asked for high-tiered deity Donghua’s help, but still failed. This time, it was really strange that this great disciple returned quietly like this.

Because Cang Yu disappeared at the same time, some people speculated whether it was this Priest Qing Yu who loved his disciple very much, sacrificed himself in exchange for the return of Feng Shu.

At this time, sitting in the Cloud Hall was no longer Cang Yu but Feng Shu who had an indifferent expression and who was of few words.

“Don’t know where Priest Qing Yu is. Could it be that in the future Cangjia Mountain…,” Yu Liuli glanced flabbergasted at Feng Shu and hesitated to continue.

Feng Shu had his eyes closed and was peaceful as if he was in a deep sleep.

Cang Hai who was at a side cupped his hands and said, “Supremo Yu didn’t guess wrong. Feng Shu is senior brother’s great disciple and is the first candidate to be the next supremo. However, a formal worship hadn’t been paid to the ancestors, so, we didn’t make a clear statement to everyone yet.”

“Then, Priest Qing Yu…”

Yu Liuli was still hesitating about how she should ask this without offense, Zhuge Xu at a side already asked aloud, “Could it be that Priest Qing Yu sacrificed himself for his disciple to be resurrected?”

There was a slight anger on Cang Hai’s face. He said in a deep voice, “This matter is Cangjia’s inner matter. Supremo Zhuge asking this question, isn’t it overstepping your bounds?”

Zhuge Xu stroked his long beard and smiled indifferently, “There are really too many “geniuses” at Cangjia. The demon king used to be Cangjia’s disciple and the devil king used to be Cangjia’s disciple’s immortal spirit. I’m really worried that another “genius” would be brought up another day and harms priest Qing Yu. Then, it would truly be the immortal realm’s loss.”

This remark was pointing in the open and suggesting in the dark and also mocking Feng Shu. Although, Feng Shu had disappeared for many years, but his image among Cangjia’s disciples had never declined. At this time, everyone was filled with righteous indignation. It was due to the usual stern discipline that no one came out to strike back.

Feng Shu’s eyebrows moved slightly. he opened his eyes. The black eyes were calm without any ripple. However, such calmness was too much and made people didn’t dare to face him directly.

Being looked at by him (FS), Zhuge Xu was at loss about what to do. He restrained his smiling face.

“Since, we gathered today to discuss Jing Yan who appeared out of thin air, I think that outsiders shouldn’t bother with the inner matters of Cangjia.” The one who spoke was Donghua Mountain’s Hongluan.

Ever since high-tiered deity Donghua left Donghua Mountain for no reason, Donghua didn’t chose another supremo. Perhaps, they were expecting that high-tiered deity Donghua would return one day or perhaps, they haven’t selected the right candidate yet. These past three years, Hongluan with the help of the ten stars of Hongluan had been in charge in the stead of the supremo.

At this moment, the ten women were standing quietly, dressed in white clothes like clouds and faces like flowers. It was undoubtedly a great view in the Cloud Hall.

“Exactly, let us not forget the purpose of today’s gathering.” Yu Liuli was young, but the time she had been a supremo was not short. Moreover, when she spoke, she had always been gently unlike Zhuge Xu who was impetuous and rampant.

When Zhuge Xu saw that both Hongluan and Yu Liuli didn’t want to pursue the matter, it was not good for him to say more. He humphed once and said, “That Jing Yan is very arrogant. Forget it that my immortal realm was a thunder of dragons without a head at the moment. He actually dared to send a war challenge to the netherworld? It is truly a joke! Does he really think that the king of hell is a seven-year-old baby?!”

- Thunder of dragons without head: a group lacking a leader.

“Jing Yan, Jing Yan…” Yu Liuli frowned and muttered these two words. She said, “Hearing this name, my instinct tell me that it’s just a girl.”

Zhuge Xu sneered, “That demon king Qing Feng is also just a girl. She still dominated the demon realm in just a few years. This Jing Yan who had appeared out of thin air better not be some evildoer that had also came from Cangjia Mountain.”

Now, the one sitting in the main seat wasn’t high-tiered deity Donghua. He was just a Cangjia disciple who hasn’t officially become the supremo yet. Zhuge Xu didn’t have any scruples when he spoke. After he finished, he wanted to laugh out loud a few times. To his surprise, the air in his throat had been blocked and blocked that laughter.

“Supremo Zhuge, don’t blame Qing Lian for disrespecting elder, for not having etiquettes and speak up against elder! Supremo being a head of a sect, while being a guest at Cangjia, you ridicule and are sarcastic. Although, we have to treat the guest with respect and treat Liyang well, but if supremo Zhuge continues to insult, then, don’t blame Cangjia for being disrespectful. I would like to ask supremo to go down Cangjia Mountain quickly with your disciples!” Once Qing Lian’s bottom line was touched, her whole personality would change like a lotus that broke out through the mud; cold and though.

Her words set the score for Cangjia’s disciples. Listening to it carefully, some people even applauded secretly.

Zhuge Xu naturally wasn’t a person who could tolerate being taught a lesson by a younger generation. However, even if he wanted to refute, he was helpless because he was frozen from his throat to his tongue and completely unable to move them. He looked at Feng Shu and saw that he (FS) swept over him (ZX) as if nothing was going on. Then, he lowered his eyes and thought in his heart: This Feng Shu was actually so powerful. Without a word or movement, he (FS) was able to make him unable to speak. If he (FS) used a bit more force when casting the spell, wouldn’t he be able to suffocate the lifeblood out his throat and take his life in the blink of an eye?

Thinking like this, Zhuge Xu was startled and no longer resisted. He lowered his head to cover his red face. The disciples of Liyang knew that their supremo was in the wrong, they also lowered their heads in embarrassment.

Hongluan said slowly, “It may not be a woman, and not even a …”

“You mean…,” Yu Liuli asked puzzled.

Perhaps, due to seeing Zhuge Xu being defeated, Cang Hai’s expression was a lot better at the moment. When he spoke, it was full of energy like his usual self, “The disciple who received the war challenge said that the senders were a man and a woman. The woman was dressed in white and the man in purple. Their appearances were impressive, but it couldn’t be seen from which realm they were, and we also don’t know if the two are “Jing Yan” or that they had just been sent to bring the war challenge.”

Hongluan said, “That is right. Some disciples of Donghua also said they had seen such two people when they (disciples of Donghua) entered the demon realm by mistake. It seemed that their cultivation isn’t shallow. Their actions when cutting demons were extremely neat. It seemed that it was just in between the talking and laughter of the two.”

“So, that “Jing Yan” truly want the internal core of the leaders of the five realms?” Yu Liuli didn’t conceal her surprise. “Before, the heart of the emperor of the mortal realm had been gauged out. Now, they went to the demon realm. Could it be that their next target is the demon king?”

“Very possible.” Hongluan and Cang Hai said at the same time.

Cloud Hall quieted down. Everyone seemed to be in deep thoughts. Hongluan and Yu Liuli swept over Feng Shu from time to time. Seeing that he didn’t intend to say anything at all, they also couldn’t ask. After all, he had just resurrected. And, Zhuge Xu was restrained by the spell and couldn’t speak. Also, he was worried about being found out and lose face. So, it was rare for him to be silent.

“Junior uncle Cang Hai, why don’t we first look at the movement of the demon realm? Once the identity and motives of the two are determined, we can discuss the countermeasures?” Qing Lian asked Cang Hai.

Cang Hai pondered for a moment. He turned and looked at Feng Shu, “Feng Shu, what do you think?”

Only now did Feng Shu’s eyelashes move a bit. His eyes opened slightly, and he made a “mm” sound.

Cang Hai didn’t get angry. He faced Hongluan and Yu Liuli and said, “What about supremo Yu and miss Hongluan?”

“This matter can’t be urged. Wait and see first is also a good strategy,” Yu Liuli replied.

Hongluan stood up and cupped her hands, “Hongluan also has no objections. That being the case, there are still many miscellaneous things to deal with at Donghua Mountain. Hongluan and the ten stars of Hongluan will take our leave first.”

Yu Liuli followed suit.

The sects took the same actions without prior consultation. They all ignored Zhuge Xu. No one asked for his opinion and no one said their goodbyes to him. When the disciples of Donghua and Juyu Mountain were almost withdrawn, Zhuge Xu thought about his own disciples behind him. He flung his sleeves and left.

In any case, he couldn’t let Feng Shu dissolve the spell in front of his disciples!

As soon as these people left, Qing Kui who had been standing still for a long time finally couldn’t bear it anymore and quickly left the hall. Qing Lian and Qing Nian also hurriedly followed.

“Senior brother Qing Kui! Why are you in such a hurry?” Qing Lian yelled after him.

Qing Kui said anxiously, “Didn’t you hear them say just now that Jing Yan went to the demon realm to get Qing Feng’s internal core? I have personally killed her once. I can’t watch her die once more.”

While Qing Kui spoke, he wanted to get on his sword. Qing Lian quickly shouted, “Wait, wait! Senior brother Qing Kui, don’t be impulsive!”

Qing Kui frowned, turned his head and said, “Qing Lian, could it be that you have forgotten? Qing Feng was once our little junior sister and was with us every day on Tianmai Peak for three hundred years. Even if she had become a demon and caused a big trouble at Cangjia Mountain last time, but she didn’t take the life of any disciple.”

“Senior brother Qing Kui, listen to me first.” Only now did Qing Lian caught up with him and grabbed his arm. She said, “Didn’t you feel that what had happened these days were very strange?”

They…had obviously died once!

The gloomy and cold wind of that night seemed to be still blowing in her heart and seemed to have never had dispersed. That night, Cangjia Mountain was covered in corpses. Blood flowed like a river and tears stained the hills. Such an -all dark and without daylight- night was carved in the bones and engraved in the heart. No one could forget.

However, after that night, everything seemed to be just a dream.

Cangjia Mountain was still green and sunny. The disciples still practiced cultivation as usual. They still laughed as if nothing had happened. Even eldest senior brother returned inexplicably.

“Even master couldn’t tell the reason. What use does it have to be entangled in these?” Qing Kui said impatiently, “Anyway, Cangjia Mountain is still here. Master and junior uncles are still here. The disciples are still here. Eldest senior brother had also returned. Only…”

Qing Kui suddenly choked and didn’t continue speaking.

Qing Lian was said. Yes, everyone came back to life. Only Ling Xi…

“If you want to understand these, go ask master or eldest senior brother. I will go to the demon realm first!”

Qing Kui threw off Qing Lian’s hand and left on the sword.

Qing Lian hesitated a moment and then followed him on a sword.

Qing Kui looked back and asked, “What are you following me for? Go back and take care of eldest senior brother!”

Qing Lian only said, “Qing Feng is also our little junior sister!”

As for eldest senior brother…

Eldest senior brother is very well now. After being resurrected, master talked a whole night with him and then retreated behind the scenes. He gave him (FS) the supremo’s purse of tail feathers and let him be in charge of the affairs of the sect. He (FS) doesn’t need her to take care of him and also doesn’t need her company.

Many years ago, she longed for his affection. Occasionally meeting one gaze of him was already enough to make her heart beat uncontrollably. Seeing him treat Ling Xi well, her heart felt very uncomfortable. She hated out of jealousy and felt repulsion. When his soul was dispersed and scattered, she hated Ling Xi to the core and hated that she (QL) couldn’t grind her (LX) bones and then scatter the powder.

However, after all these years, after experiencing so many things, those feelings had gradually faded away.

Perhaps, people’s feelings were like this. Because it was unattainable, one would pursue it vigorously step by step. Because being too high to reach, one would yearn for it. Because not getting it after seeking it, it would make it precious. She thought that it was love. Only after time had passed did she discover that she and he didn’t have memories together and there was no bond between him and her. The things that she chased after, yearned for and thought that it was love had always been her own wishful thinking that sketched flowers in a mirror and the moon reflected the lake.

- Flowers in a mirror and the moon reflected the lake: unrealistic rosy view