Fang Geyu reveals that Jiushijiu and Little Five were creations of her mother, designed to control and guard her. After her mother's death, these puppets became masterless and developed autonomous consciousness, leading to their destructive tendencies. Fang Geyu compares her own existence and feelings to that of Jiushijiu, questioning if they are truly different. She advises Baili An to obtain his reward from Jiushijiu and leave Shifang City, but he expresses a desire to complete her entrusted mission wholeheartedly, causing Fang Geyu to admit her past feelings for him and the trouble his presence brings.
“Although the Dragon Ball possesses miraculous effects, who can guarantee it won’t shatter unexpectedly like the gemstone on my sword one day?”
She calmly weighed the advantages and disadvantages. “Your existence poses merely a threat to me.”
Baili An’s eyelashes fluttered subtly as he fixed his gaze upon her.
The swirling snowflakes, cold and pure, settled upon his lashes, melting into droplets that traced paths to the corners of his eyes, vanishing into his bright, unblinking pupils.
He suddenly spoke, his voice soft. “Your father is resolute in pursuing this arranged marriage. Even with you employing the Evil God’s power tonight to repel Mu Yunye, he may not be willing to cease his efforts.
I perceive him as a man driven by great ambition. Having witnessed the extent of your power firsthand, he will likely become even more determined not to relent.
If you choose to keep me, I can alleviate numerous difficulties for you. Should you deem me a threat, I am prepared to maintain a respectful distance.”
Despite Baili An’s conciliatory tone, Fang Geyu remained unswayed.
She slowly lifted her slender, jet-black eyebrows and let out a soft chuckle. “Do you believe my warning to Mu Yunye signifies my opposition to this union?”
“Perhaps in times past, that would have been the case. However, I am now beyond the clutches of greed, rage, infatuation, and love. Having wielded the sword of wisdom to sever all desires, my heart is purified, its allegiance solely to my mission.
I have lost the capacity to love anyone, whether it be you or Mu Yunye. You both are but fleeting elements within the grand tapestry of existence.”
“The peril facing Shifang City is imminent. Both the Witch Plague Poison and the Taboo forces have their origins within our city.
Once this truth is revealed, Shifang City will undoubtedly become the target of global condemnation, akin to the second Demon Land. My father’s anxieties are not without foundation.
If I were to perish along with the city, without the guardianship of the Thirteen Swords bloodline, all innocent lives would surely fall into suffering.”
Fang Geyu cast a casual glance at Baili An and stated, “If circumstances demand it, I shall select one from the numerous suitors to father a child and continue the bloodline, much like my mother did.”
“Just like your mother?” Baili An released a low chuckle, yet his expression appeared to betray an anger that manifested as laughter.
“Listening to your words, Fang Geyu, it seems you intend to conceive a child with another man and, following your mother’s example, offer yourself as a sacrifice for the greater good of humanity?”
Observing his expression turn somewhat menacing, Fang Geyu knitted her brows darkly and offered a cold smile, her words inevitably sharpening.
“Why do you exhibit such agitation? Could it be that you desire me to choose you? Yet, you seem to forget, you are a corpse demon, incapable of procreation with humans.
Otherwise, what would be the harm in selecting you?”
The exchange gradually unraveled.
Baili An’s eyes narrowed profoundly. Fang Geyu had assumed these words would inflict deep wounds, yet she remained indifferent.
Just as she anticipated Baili An would succumb to humiliation and erupt in anger, his furrowed brows slowly relaxed.
He suddenly raised his hand, gently brushing aside a lock of hair from her temple, tousled by the wind. He carefully twirled it around his finger for a moment before tucking it behind her ear.
He offered her a faint smile. “It is getting late. You’ve indulged in some wine today, and the biting wind will only exacerbate a headache if you remain exposed for too long. Please, retire inside and rest.”
Fang Geyu permitted him to finish, her expression maintaining its detached indifference.
...
...
Tonight’s banquet had taken everyone by considerable surprise. Fang You departed his daughter’s chambers with a heavy heart.
As the Steward of Qin Lou drew back the silk curtain to usher him, he was on the verge of boarding his carriage to return to the main city.
“City Lord Fang, a moment, please.”
A voice echoed from behind at that precise instant.
Fang You frowned and turned, beholding the young man clad in green emerging from the residence – the same impertinent fellow who had dared to challenge his daughter earlier that evening.
A displeasing, dark aura suffused City Lord Fang’s handsome features, his expression stiff and cold. “It is you? What is it that you require of me?”
“I have but one question for you, City Lord.”
Baili An descended the steps unhurriedly, inquiring with a faint smile, “Today, I observed the Third Miss’s garden, where countless flowers bloomed in magnificent splendor, all of them rare varieties.
Yet, only that ancient plum tree is of a common species. May I inquire as to the reason for this?”
Fang You, uncertain of the young man’s intentions in stopping him to pose such a trivial question, felt his annoyance increase, and he harbined no desire to provide an answer.
“Why do you ask such a thing?”
“City Lord Fang, there is no need for such tension. I merely wish to ascertain one specific detail.”
Baili An approached Fang You, retrieving an item from his inner garments. “Speaking of which, my visit today was rather abrupt, and it is my oversight that I did not prepare a gift for the City Lord upon our meeting.
Fortunately, I happen to have a small token with me to convey my sincerity, and I sincerely hope the City Lord will deign to accept it.”
A proper gift would have been presented during the banquet, not offered in secret afterwards.
Fang You's disdain for Baili An's furtive actions grew, and he waved a dismissive hand. "There's no need for this. Shifang City doesn't require such pretenses. You had better return quickly..."
His words halted mid-sentence as Fang You's peripheral vision landed on the object in Baili An's hand. His eyes widened in a manner that suggested he had seen a ghost. His voice trailed off, as if struck by a profound shock, his legs suddenly weak, almost causing him to tumble from the carriage.
Baili An swiftly moved to steady Fang You by the arm, a gentle tone in his voice, "City Lord, please be careful of your footing."
A sheen of sweat appeared on Fang You's brow, his expression a complex blend of dread and surprise. The hand Baili An held trembled uncontrollably.
Qin Lou, the steward, wore a perplexed look, unable to determine if Fang You's face conveyed delight or utter astonishment.
Supported by Baili An, Fang You's footing stabilized, and his demeanor underwent a complete transformation. He urgently invited Baili An onto the carriage. "Please, please, you must get on the carriage first. In this cold wind and snow, Fang You was indeed discourteous."
Baili An remained still, his gaze subtly shifting towards Qin Lou.
Fang You immediately understood. "Qin Lou, you may depart now."
The steward, Qin Lou, appeared momentarily surprised, caught off guard, but uttered no further words, simply nodding before vanishing into the night.
Inside the carriage, Fang You, with trembling hands, returned the half-piece of jade. "Fang You did not realize... an Immortal Lord was gracing us with his presence. Many apologies for any discourtesy at the banquet, but this is Heaven Emperor Jade. Fang You would dare not accept it, even if he were to die a thousand times."
Heaven Emperor Jade?
Baili An's eyes deepened, though his face maintained its calm and composed facade.
In the celestial realms, there exist Five Venerables and Two Emperors. The Five Venerables reside in the Outer Realm, including the Kunlun God Cang Nanyi, Netherworld Venerate Taiyin, Jun Yi the ruler of Guyin Nation, Human Emperor Chenghuang, and Emperor Taigeng Di Jun.
Of the Two Emperors, only one has been officially appointed thus far: the Northern Black Emperor, Zhu Zhan, foremost among Immortal Venerables.
As for the Eastern Heaven Emperor, foretold on the Star Plate of the Heavenly River, his ascension into the Sanctum has yet to occur.
Fang You had never imagined that within his brief lifespan, he would be granted the privilege of witnessing the Heaven Emperor Jade. Even as only half a piece, he could faintly discern the ancient inscription of 'Heaven' on the jade, likely left by its owner who wished to conceal their 'Immortal Name', unwilling to reveal their identity.
But... at what moment did this Eastern Heaven Emperor rise into the Mortal Realm? And why, during this expansive night of the Star River, was there never any celestial omen?
Fang You's mind was filled with questions, he barely dared to speculate, let alone address the person before him rashly. He could only cautiously refer to him as Immortal Lord.
After all, the title of Immortal Lord is not one that can be easily attained by just anyone.
Tonight, those who attended the banquet were descendants of Golden Immortals and Daoist Immortals, yet they were not, in the truest sense, Upper Pure Immortal Monarchs. Only by personal appointment and coronation by Immortal Venerable Zhu Zhan could one rightfully hold the esteemed position of Immortal Monarch.
Even within the boundless Immortal World, this represented an exceptionally elevated status.
Among the eight individuals present, including Mu Yunye, despite possessing True Immortal Bloodline, he was still too young, with only a scant hundred years of cultivation. In truth, only Mu Yunye's might had managed to transcend the tribulation realm.
Were it not for the superior Spiritual Power of the Upper Pure Immortal Realm, which far surpasses that of the Mortal World, Mu Yunye, a talent of such caliber in the Immortal World, would still find his aptitude vastly inferior to mortals famed in the Taixuan Nine Classics, Cangwu Ten Hidden Palaces, and Tianxi Thirteen Swords – those truly dedicated cultivators.
Only in the Mortal World are there fewer restrictions. As a gesture of respect, Fang You addressed him as Immortal Lord, to emphasize his extraordinary identity.
However, within the Upper Pure Immortal Realm, the title of Immortal Lord is not one that can be uttered casually.
It was only tonight that Baili An realized the half-piece of jade he had retrieved from the corpse within the serpent's belly was indeed the Heaven Emperor Jade, a symbol of supreme authority.
His mind reeled with shock, the mysteries surrounding this discovery growing increasingly complex and difficult to unravel.
This led to a crucial question.
No one had ever laid eyes on the Emperor Jade of the Upper Pure Immortal Realm. Even someone as well-read as Baili An knew precious little about it, gleaning only fragmented information from ancient scrolls.
How, then, was Fang You able to instantly recognize the origin of this jade?
