Chapter Thirty-Three: The Gate of No Life

When Su He and the others arrived at the Gate of No Life, it was high noon.

Given their sensitive identities, the three of them wore veiled hats along the way. To be cautious, they decided to wait until nightfall before entering the sect.

The Gate of No Life was situated in the region known as Heavenwind Blind, where most residents were blind or had deformed eyes, a consequence of the perennial assaults of the celestial wind—thus the name. Over time, as the Gate of No Life established its stronghold there, the old name faded, and the place became widely known as the sect itself.

As midnight approached, Yi Qingchen, who had previously stayed at the Gate of No Life, had some idea of where to find Daoist Bufeng. Ordinarily, she would have announced herself openly. But these were turbulent times, and so they acted with discretion.

Yet no sooner had they entered Bufeng’s Twin Worms Court than they were apprehended by the night watch.

“Who goes there? Daring to sneak into the Gate of No Life at night—show yourselves!” The speaker was Ming Yi, Bufeng’s senior disciple.

Huai Yin, eyeing the grotesquely deformed eyes of Ming Yi, sidled up to Su He and whispered, “What do we do? Do we speak plainly or start fighting?”

Having come this far, they could hardly leave empty-handed.

Just then, the lamps in the Twin Worms Court burst into flame. Daoist Bufeng emerged, robed in an outer cloak and bearing an oil lamp.

His eyes were all white, devoid of pupils—a startling sight at first glance.

He said, “Ming Yi, withdraw. Let your master handle this.”

Ming Yi sheathed his sword, saluted, and retreated to stand guard outside.

Bufeng glanced in the direction Ming Yi had gone, then turned back to the three and said, “Enough. You come without murderous intent at this late hour, so I take you for friends, not foes. Why not remove your veils and come inside to talk?”

The three exchanged glances. Yi Qingchen nodded, “As you wish.”

Bufeng led them inside.

Yi Qingchen removed her veil at once, her voice trembling, “Uncle Feng, it’s me.”

“Xiao Chen’er, is it truly you? You’re alive?” At last, Bufeng recognized her voice.

He dropped the oil lamp, fumbling anxiously in the darkness, all composure of a master forgotten—only raw anxiety remained.

“Uncle Feng, I’m right here.” Seeing this, Yi Qingchen could not hide her sorrow. She rushed forward and took Bufeng’s hands.

Bufeng squeezed her hands, patting them again and again, repeating, “So long as you’re alive, so long as you’re alive.”

Tears glimmered in Yi Qingchen’s eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. “I’m sorry to have worried you, Uncle.”

“It’s nothing, nothing. I blame myself for leaving seclusion too late. If I’d returned sooner, Shuxing Tower might not have fallen, and your father would not have been left so defenseless…” At mention of Yi Daishan, Bufeng’s grief was palpable.

Though their acquaintance had been brief, their conversation had run deep. Even in the short time Yi Daishan had stayed, the two had become sworn brothers for life.

But fate is ever fickle. One night out of seclusion, and the world was utterly changed…

Yet Heaven had mercy, and Daishan was not left without an heir.

After a time, Bufeng looked up, his gaze sweeping over Su He and Huai Yin.

Huai Yin marveled inwardly: This old man’s eyes are sharp indeed—no pupils, and yet nothing escapes him.

Bufeng pointed at Huai Yin. “You, boy—do you think my sightless eyes prevent me from knowing what’s on your mind?”

“Not at all, Senior! I respect you greatly—no offense meant!” Huai Yin hastened to defend himself. Even if he had any thoughts, he dared not entertain them now, lest Bufeng see through him again.

Bufeng snorted, then fixed Su He with a sudden, murderous gaze. “Who is he?”

Yi Qingchen hurried to intervene. “Uncle, please let me explain.”

“Speak,” Bufeng replied curtly, his killing intent surging like a storm.

“He…is Bai Li Su He.”

Instantly, Bufeng’s expression darkened. “So it’s him. Killing him wouldn’t be unjust.” He drew his blade, Songless, in a flash.

Yi Qingchen cried out, “Su He, be careful!” as she tried in vain to restrain Bufeng.

Su He too drew Minshu, and the two fought from the house into the open.

Huai Yin approached, asking, “What now? At this rate, we can’t interfere at all.”

Yi Qingchen dashed outside after them, only to see the duel heading straight for the rear summit. “No! The celestial wind there is fierce—if he takes it head-on, he’ll die for certain.”

She mounted her cloud and gave chase. Hearing this, Huai Yin realized the gravity of the situation—no matter what, they couldn’t let Su He die here.

He followed, and from afar, they saw Bufeng cleave half the mountaintop with a stroke.

“Should I go help him?” Huai Yin rolled up his sleeves, hefting his silver wolf blade.

“Wait.” Yi Qingchen suddenly held him back.

Huai Yin, distracted by the beauty of her hand, asked, “Why?”

She pointed at the fighters. “See how the air around them shimmers? That’s the celestial wind drawn by Uncle Bufeng. If you rush in now, you’re just courting death.”

“So we just wait?” Huai Yin put away his weapon, watching the chaotic battle with growing frustration.

This way won’t work, that way won’t work—just what are we supposed to do?

Sensing his concern for Su He, Yi Qingchen reassured him, “Calm down. Haven’t you noticed Uncle’s killing intent isn’t as strong as before?”

Huai Yin paused, stroking his chin. “Now that you mention it…”

Soon enough, Bufeng returned, floating down with the bloodied and battered Su He in tow.

“Uncle, is he…”

“He won’t die. He’s a rare talent. Pity the stubborn fool insists on going to that wretched Emperor’s Isle, and flatly refuses to become my disciple.” Bufeng, still fuming, tossed Su He over. “Brat.”

Of all things, he had to learn arrogance. Granted, Bufeng had misunderstood him first, but could the boy not show respect and explain himself? Did he have to jump straight to fighting? If Bufeng hadn’t sheathed his sword in time, the boy would have met the King of Hell by now.

Yi Qingchen and Huai Yin rushed to support Su He. “Are you all right? I have medicine—”

Su He turned aside, spat out several mouthfuls of blood, and shook his head. “No need.”

He pushed them away, straightened his attire, and bowed respectfully to Bufeng. “Thank you, Senior, for showing mercy.”

Bufeng tugged at his collar, averting his eyes. “It wasn’t for your sake…”

“Pardon, Senior? What did you say?” Su He looked up, puzzled.

“Ahem, nothing. If you want to know about Emperor’s Isle, follow me.” Bufeng mounted his cloud and headed toward a forest path.

The three were overjoyed. Yi Qingchen touched down first. “Uncle, do you really know how to reach Emperor’s Isle?”

Bufeng, sword in hand, walked slowly, stroking his long beard and gazing at the moon. “Ah, that’s a place that devours people whole. Why must you seek death there?”

Su He stepped forward and offered the Minshu sword. “Senior, please inspect this closely.”

“This is why you refused to become my disciple?” Bufeng studied the weapon. He’d sensed something unusual during their fight—now he realized a remnant soul dwelled within the blade.

“My apologies, Senior. Your kindness is wasted on me.”

Bufeng returned the sword. “To bind a soul into a sword already inhabited by a spirit, without harming the latter—few possess such skill. To stabilize a remnant soul in this way, across all the Boundless Seas, only Ye Gu Qingfeng could achieve it. You, boy, have remarkable fortune.”

Su He sheathed Minshu, bowed, and said, “Senior speaks truly. Please, tell me how to reach Emperor’s Isle. One day, I’ll repay this debt with my life if need be.”

But Bufeng fell silent for a long time, finally letting out a heavy sigh. “To tell you the truth, the two Emperor Bird Stones from Shuxing Tower were not acquired by my junior and me directly.”

Yi Qingchen was startled. “Then how?”

“Long ago, my junior and I were traveling when I, lacking in cultivation at the time, was struck from a cliff by an enemy. I was rescued by a woman living below the cliffs.

We were both young, and as time passed, I came to love her for her kindness, and she admired my integrity. Before long, we married at the foot of the cliff.

One day, I went out to seek news of Daishan. When I returned, she was nowhere to be found. I waited for more than a month, but she never came back. I thought she’d finally tired of my sightless eyes and, heartbroken, returned to the sect.

A few days later, a letter arrived at the Gate of No Life, addressed to me.”

“Was it from Aunt?” Yi Qingchen blurted.

Bufeng sighed with a bitter smile. “Yes. She wrote that she’d had enough of my miserable state. She was leaving to find a better life, and sent me an Emperor Bird Stone as compensation for her betrayal.”

Huai Yin turned to Su He, exclaiming in disbelief, “The Emperor Stone was a gift from your wife?”

“Yes, she was foolish, and so was I—to the point of not believing in her. If she truly despised me, why would she have married me? And when she left, she was carrying our child…” His voice trailed off in regret.

Yi Qingchen asked, “Then how did my father come to possess the stone?”

“After I lost Ashao, I had no desire to go on. I sent the stone to your father at Shuxing Tower. At the time, he had just taken charge, surrounded by wolves and bears. I thought, if misfortune struck, the stone might at least save his life.”

“And the second stone—how did you come by that?”

Bufeng stopped walking and looked at Yi Qingchen with paternal affection. “I’m ashamed to say, both stones were gifts from me, but neither was truly mine to give.”

Su He asked, “Was the second stone also from your wife?”

“Yes, and no. The stone was sent by the Third Prince of Emperor’s Isle, who wrote that Ashao had married him and their unborn child was gone. He told me to abandon any hope, and sent another Emperor Stone as a final severance. After that, my hair turned white overnight…”

At this, Huai Yin could no longer contain himself. “So you just accepted it? You never tried to storm the island and save her?”

Anyone could see how these treasures were obtained. With such deep affection, how could you just sit here as sect master?

Bufeng’s wrist flicked; the scabbard of Songless flew out and struck Huai Yin in the stomach.

“Hey, old man, could you at least give some warning…” Huai Yin doubled over in pain.

“Foolish boy, that was my wife. Do you think I didn’t want to save her? But it’s not so simple. Outside Emperor’s Isle lies the Crimson Serpent of Tenghai—do you think it’s just for show? Even if you get past the serpents, countless dangers await. Who knows in which trap you’ll fall? Surviving is as likely as death, if not less. To storm the island would only bring her more suffering, and send my disciples to their graves for nothing.”

Chastened, Huai Yin edged behind Su He, peeking out and trying to appease Bufeng. “Sorry, sorry. I was just upset. A woman as loyal and true as your wife is rare indeed—how could anyone bear to let her go, right?”

Bufeng shot him a sidelong glance. “At least you know enough to apologize. Don’t count on being so lucky next time.”

“Heh, I understand, I understand.” He nudged Su He. “Well, brother, are you still going?”

This is a death mission, after all. Think carefully.

Su He was silent for a long time, unable to speak.

I…