Chapter Eleven: Exposure—The Fall of Home and Ruin of Lives

The morning court had dispersed. Yuori returned to the Lingye Pavilion, lost in thought. She could not fathom what the Divine Lord intended, and without knowing his mind, she could not prepare herself. Should anything go awry, the consequences would be dire.

While she was absorbed in her musings, Mufeng startled her. Instinctively, she summoned her dual swords, "Ziyin," pointing them straight at him. Mufeng quickly pinched the tip of her sword between his fingers, narrowly avoiding harm.

"Divine Lady, what brings you here without so much as a greeting? I nearly hurt you," he said.

"I am looking for Qinglan and Mufeng. Do you know where they are?" she asked.

"I haven't seen them. Lanlan hasn't been in the Divine Realm these past days. Perhaps she's training somewhere," Mufeng replied. Yuori tried to withdraw her blade, but Mufeng did not release his grip, making it impossible to sheath.

"Your 'Ziyin' swords bear faint marks—evidence the sword spirit is damaged. I happen to have free time; I can help you repair them," Mufeng offered, noticing the cracks as he looked closely.

"Very well, but my swords are sentient. If separated from their master for too long, they may grow violent and injure others," Yuori explained.

"Then, Divine Lady Yuori, please accompany me to my residence. Once the swords are restored, perhaps Qinglan will appear," Mufeng suggested.

"That is agreeable. The Divine Lord’s words at court today make me wary; I must confer with Qinglan and Cangyi," she replied.

Mufu was rather remote, lying neither in the Divine Realm nor the Demon Realm. Fearing Yuori might lose her way, Mufeng took hold of her wrist and led her there.

Inside, Yuori observed the house—bare walls, no ornaments, only a table and a single chair with a pot of tea upon it. The style was very much Mufeng’s: casual and unadorned. With nowhere else to sit, Yuori settled herself in the chair and, growing bored with waiting, took out a book to read.

A day passed. As she was sipping tea, Mufeng finally emerged, hair disheveled, carrying both swords and a flute tucked into his belt, looking quite comical. With a wave of his sleeve, Mufeng transformed back into a refined gentleman.

"Have you waited long?"

"It was a good opportunity for quiet contemplation; the wait did not feel long. May I ask what reward you require?" Yuori knew of Mufeng's rules: he always demanded rare forging materials in exchange for his craftsmanship.

"I had intended to ask for some 'Fire Jades,' but the place where they’re found is unbearably hot—not suitable for you. Perhaps, if you discuss it with Qinglan, she might be willing to fetch them," Mufeng mused.

"Fire Jades? I read that they exist in places of extreme heat. Since Lanlan cultivates ice, it may indeed suit her. But as you have aided me, it is only right that I should repay the debt myself," Yuori replied.

"That place isn’t for you. Never mind, I’ll go myself. If anything happened to you, I’d be in real trouble," Mufeng conceded. Though he did not know Qinglan well, he had spent enough time with her to understand what mattered most.

"Thank you, Divine Lord," Yuori said, but resolved to seek the Fire Jade herself.

The land of searing heat lay south of the Demon Realm, where the ground was covered in flames, leaving nowhere to stand, and fiery beasts dwelled, making the quest even harder.

Fire Jades were found in the burning earth, the flames merged into the very rock. Only those with strong fire cultivation or advanced ice or water powers could traverse the land safely.

Yuori could only fly above the ground on her sword. As for how to retrieve the jade, she pondered and found no better way than to descend, shrouded in spiritual power.

She picked up a stone containing fire, channeling her energy to merge the flames into the rock. After succeeding, she felt faint from exhaustion and nearly fell into the sea of fire.

Fortunately, she was saved by Chiyan, who brought her to his cultivation retreat and healed her wounds.

Yuori awoke to see Chiyan there and cried out in surprise, "Why are you here? And where is this place?"

"You’re in my training grounds. Cultivating here brings twice the results. I saw you were injured and rescued you as a matter of course."

"Thank you."

"My relationship with Lanlan is amicable, and she respects you like a sister. Saving you is my duty, so there’s no need for thanks."

"A favor is a favor. If you ever need anything, Divine Lord Chiyan, I will do all I can to help."

"We’ll speak of that another time. You must have business with Lanlan."

"Take care, then. I’ll be off," Yuori said, and after she left, Chiyan disappeared as well—but not to the Divine Realm; instead, he went toward the Demon Realm.

—

Qinglan was thrilled to see the red ice crystals of the Demon Realm. It was her first time witnessing such vividly colored ice. If she could carve them into flowers and display them in Jinglan Palace, they would surely become the centerpiece. Without hesitation, she began her work. She pulled Cangyi along, directing him in her tasks.

"Alan, I'm not good at this," Cangyi protested.

"If you don’t know how, I’ll teach you. Just summon your artifact and carve here—but be careful not to freeze yourself," Qinglan said, demonstrating. Her reflection shimmered in the ice, and Cangyi, watching her, spoke up.

"Hold still; let me try."

"Why?" Qinglan turned to look at him.

"Just give me a quarter hour, Alan," Cangyi pleaded softly.

"Very well, I want to see what you’re up to," Qinglan replied, turning her gaze back to the ice.

Cangyi summoned his artifact, "Illusion," shrinking it to the size of a dagger. Holding it carefully, he began to carve, fearing the slightest mistake.

After a quarter hour, Qinglan saw her own likeness taking shape in the ice—vivid and lifelike. She realized halfway through that he was sculpting her.

"Cangyi, I didn’t expect you to be so skilled at ice carving. You’ve made me look so beautiful," Qinglan praised.

"Certainly not as well as you would have done."

"This is your first attempt, and you can already do this. My first try was a disaster; when my father and the others saw it, they laughed, and I felt so wronged."

"Alan, you’re too modest."

"Hmph, now it’s my turn. May I use your artifact?" Qinglan asked, eyeing the "Illusion" in his hand.

Without hesitation, Cangyi handed it to her. "Illusion" was sentient and attuned to its master.

"This sword is rather unique—two colors," Qinglan remarked, studying the white-and-red blade. She had never seen the like. In the Divine Realm, all artifacts were monochrome, and even the "Illusion" wielded by the War God Tianyu was pure white, as was Divine Lady Xuanyi’s.

"You know Tianyu is the War God of the Divine Realm, and his lineage is purely divine, as is Xuanyi’s," Cangyi reminded her.

"But you’re of both divine and demonic blood. Is that why 'Illusion' is white and red?" she asked.

"Alan, you are astute," Cangyi replied. Since learning Qinglan sought Mufeng’s help to heal Yuori, he had begun to cultivate his mother’s bloodline, and "Illusion" had changed appearance accordingly.

"No wonder it’s called 'Illusion.' The sword truly lives up to its name." Qinglan began carving beside her own image, rendering Cangyi’s likeness. Having gazed upon his face countless times, she could reproduce it perfectly without even looking at him.

As she carved, she spoke to Cangyi. "Cangyi, when I was younger, I found I could imprint memories directly into the ice, and the images would appear. It was so easy that I stopped carving by hand."

"Today you carve again—for me. I am honored," Cangyi replied, watching her work.

"For you, I wish to do my best," Qinglan said earnestly. In the past, she had carved for fun, but now it was different.

One carved the ice, the other watched her.

"Done. What do you think of my work?"

"It’s lifelike."

"I agree," Qinglan said, handing "Illusion" back to Cangyi, who sheathed it.

"You’re not shy about praising yourself," Cangyi teased, his gaze full of affection.

"I was praising you. Since you don’t appreciate it, I won’t let you see," Qinglan retorted. She conjured an ice sword and sliced off the whole chunk of ice, storing the carved crystal away.

"I was complimenting your skill," Cangyi quickly explained, afraid she would be upset.

Qinglan, hearing his words, still looked displeased. She would never admit she wanted to keep the ice carving for herself.

"I’m off to find Mother for some comfort," Qinglan announced, darting away before anyone could stop her.

Cangyi was briefly at a loss, then realized Alan intended to keep the carving for herself. But he could not say so. He could only return to the Flame Demon Palace to tend to his duties, sitting in the high seat and thinking of his father, who had likely found his mother by now. He wondered if this time there would be a happy ending. If time allowed, he planned to take Qinglan with him to the mortal world.

—

"By order of the Divine Lord, Qianfeng and Lingxi are summoned to the Golden Imperial Hall for questioning," Xulian, retainer to Lord Fengyun, relayed the message at the border, sealing their spiritual powers and escorting them to the hall.

"Your Excellency," they saluted. "May we ask what matter requires your command?" Qianfeng sensed ill intent.

"It is said you were seen in the Demon Realm. Can you explain this?" Lord Fengyun's gaze was deep, his intentions unreadable.

"My daughter is mischievous. I went to find her, fearing for her safety," Qianfeng replied.

"So, you acted out of fatherly concern. Very well, I shall release you both," Lord Fengyun said, about to lift their seals.

But just then, someone requested an audience. He had to pause. Fairy Fuyi entered the hall, her face full of disdain as she bowed to the Divine Lord.

"Your Excellency, I personally saw the War God enter the Flame Demon Palace and confer with the Demon Lord."

"Fuyi is Divine Lady Yuori’s own sister. War God, how do you explain this?" Lord Fengyun asked with a cold smile.

At this, Qianfeng finally understood Lord Fengyun’s true aim: to eradicate them.

When Lingxi saw Chiyan arrive and speak as he did, she, too, realized the situation. If this was not proof enough, then should Mayan herself come, the truth would be undeniable.

"Fengyun, what do you intend to do to the War God and the Divine Lady?" Mayan swept her whip, "Remnant Demon," at the gathered immortals and the high seat. Fengyun easily evaded, but many lesser immortals were not so lucky.

"Mayan, you dare attack here?" Fengyun roared in anger.

"My lord heard the two of them were framed and targeted for death, so I have come to rescue them," Mayan declared, her voice echoing through the hall for all to hear.

Seeing her so brazen, Fengyun summoned his "Endless Ash" wheel and attacked. Mayan transformed her whip into a sword to defend herself, but her cultivation was insufficient; she could not withstand the Divine Lord. Blood spurted from her lips as she was injured.

"You dare harm me? My father will not spare you," Mayan shouted fiercely, then vanished in a huff.

"You have all witnessed this. I did not wish to believe, but the evidence is plain. How should they be punished?" Lord Fengyun asked, taking his time, as if he had long foreseen the outcome.

"These two colluded with the Demon Realm, with the princess herself. Their souls should be destroyed as punishment," Immortal Wuhuo said, long harboring resentment against Qianfeng.

"Your Excellency, if someone is falsely accused, should you not investigate lest your authority be undermined?" Lingxi argued.

"If the Demon Princess risked her life to come, how could they not be in league?" Wuhuo countered.

"If someone—" Lingxi tried to say more, but Qianfeng stopped her.

"Lingxi, when one wishes to condemn, any excuse will do. I only regret dragging you into this. Ascending to the Divine Realm was hard-won for you; I am the cause of your misfortune," Qianfeng said, closing his eyes to hide his sorrow, sending a silent message to Lingxi’s mind.

Lingxi turned to gaze at him, seeing his helplessness. She resolved she would not remain in the Divine Realm, only hoping Qinglan would not return and that the Demon Lord would protect her from harm.

"You have aided me for years as my husband. Talk of who burdens whom is meaningless; our hearts are one, and that is enough," Lingxi replied in silent speech.

A bolt of power shot from Fengyun toward Qianfeng, obliterating his soul and body. Lingxi, not waiting for Fengyun to strike, destroyed her own soul and followed him in death.

"Though these two are gone, their daughter is also a threat—a natural born divine body. She must be guarded against," Wuhuo insisted.

"Insolence! Wuhuo, you slander and confuse the court. Strip him of his immortality and banish him to the mortal world," Fengyun thundered, a divine decree hovering over Wuhuo’s head.

"Yes," responded the guards, seizing Wuhuo and carrying out the order.

"The traitor is gone; you have all witnessed it. If Fairy Qinglan asks, you must answer truthfully," Fengyun said with a smile.

"Yes," the assembly replied in unison.

"The War God is dead. A new War God will soon be chosen. Prepare yourselves well," Fengyun decreed.

When Fengyun departed, the assembly finally relaxed. Whoever the Divine Lord wished to eradicate, none dared speak of it.

"Lord Fengyun, please wait," Qinglan called out as she arrived, seeing him about to leave.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, Fairy Qinglan?" he asked.

"You know why I am here. Where are my father and mother?" Qinglan demanded.

"They conspired with the Demon Realm. Naturally, I dealt with them," Fengyun replied.

"My parents defended the border for years, never once betraying us. You did this deliberately," Qinglan accused, her eyes reddening.

"Qinglan, you must not speak recklessly. The immortals present can all testify. Ask them if you wish," Fengyun said.

"You think I would believe you?" Qinglan retorted, tears in her eyes. He was being so sanctimonious, yet his actions were clearly premeditated.

Fengyun raised his hand, and a seal shot toward Qinglan. She conjured an ice sword to block it. Fortunately, the power of the seal was not overwhelming; otherwise, she could not have withstood it.

Fengyun summoned his "Endless Ash" wheel, but before it could leave his hand, Qinglan had already fled, disappearing from the Golden Imperial Hall.

Cangyi saw Qinglan appear at the entrance of the Flame Demon Palace. Her eyes were red, and he knew she was distraught. In a flash, he moved to her side.

"Alan, you—" he asked, worried.

"My parents are gone… sob…" Qinglan wept in his arms, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"How can that be? What happened?"

"I will kill—" But before she could finish, Qinglan fainted in his embrace.