Chapter Thirty-Four: Imperial Island

In the depths of the night, the forest lay silent, and Su He found himself caught in a dilemma.

For family, he could not abandon Wu Shuang.

For friends, he could not let Huai Yin and Yi Qingchen follow him into danger.

His own life was of little consequence; others' lives, however, were different.

Yi Qingchen's bright eyes flickered; she raised her hand to loop around Bu Feng's arm, saying, "Uncle Master, won't you tell us how to go?"

Bu Feng glared at her. Foolish girl, do you know what sort of place Emperor's Island is? How many disciples did Uncle Master lose there in years past because of this matter?

He didn't want to drag you all into it, and yet you’re pleading on his behalf?

Are you not being foolish? Uncle Master acts for whom?

"Uncle Master, you wouldn't want little Chen to be an ungrateful person, would you? Without his insistence on taking me out of the Starry Pavilion, your little Chen would have long joined your junior brother."

Bu Feng was stumped, shaking his head with a sigh. Did they think him blind in both eyes and heart, unable to spot her hidden intentions?

Seeing her resolve, he was moved and sighed, "Enough, enough. If you wish to go, then go. Su, I warn you: if my little Chen loses a single hair, I will hold you solely responsible."

Huai Yin pursed his lips and smacked them together. He felt the words sounded right, yet somehow not quite so. But what was wrong?

Su He cast a grateful glance at Yi Qingchen, then bowed deeply to Bu Feng, "With your profound kindness, Su He will remember it forever."

Bu Feng snorted, "Come with me. What you seek, I do not carry on my person."

The three followed, quickly returning to the Double Insect Courtyard.

Ming Yi, sword in arms, watched as the group departed and then returned together, merely raising his eyelids and continuing his vigil outside.

Inside, Bu Feng opened a hidden compartment in the wall. He retrieved a brocade box containing the farewell letter from years ago, as well as the route map to Emperor's Island that he had personally drawn. He kept these together, as if the two would die in the same place, never parted.

He opened the brocade box, took out the route map, then put the box back.

Coming before them, he spread the map on the table, saying, "This was drawn by me years ago, originally kept as a memento, to be together with her.

Even with this map, do not act rashly upon arrival. Time has passed; it is likely that much has changed within. Above all, your lives must be preserved."

With that, he rolled up the map and handed it to Su He.

Su He’s heart surged with emotion, gratitude written on his face, yet words failed him. He managed to squeeze out, "We shall remember your instructions."

Bu Feng looked to the door, "It’s late. Spend the night here in the Double Insect Courtyard. I’ll call Ming Yi to arrange several rooms for you."

"Wait." Su He carefully stowed the map, hurriedly stopping Bu Feng, "Please, we will leave immediately—no need to trouble you further."

"Hmm?" Bu Feng glanced at Yi Qingchen, wondering her meaning.

Yi Qingchen only smiled. Su He explained, "Your kindness shames me, Senior.

But I am the source of trouble. The Gate of No Life has long dwelled in the Heavenly Wind Branch, a place of purity. How could I disturb the peace of the sect for my sake?

Thus, we must depart this very night. If fate allows me to return alive, I shall seek you for a cup of tea. Would you be willing then?"

Bu Feng snorted, "Do you think me one to shy away from trouble? If they come, so be it. If they wish to fight, let them. The Gate of No Life does not seek war, but never shrinks from it."

Though Su He remained resolute, Yi Qingchen had the look of one determined to follow. Bu Feng’s heart softened, "Fine, do as you wish.

Remember the words you spoke, or I will not treat you kindly."

Su He bowed in farewell, "Yes."

Yi Qingchen and Huai Yin also bid their farewells.

The three seized the last moments before dawn, departing the Heavenly Wind Branch under cover of night.

Bu Feng saw them off and sat alone until morning.

A-Xiao, do you think these children might succeed…

As dawn broke after a night of travel, Yi Qingchen suddenly fell from the clouds.

Fortunately, Su He reacted quickly, reaching out to catch her at the waist, descending from the clouds and bringing her to rest beneath a tree.

"Miss Yi?"

"I'm fine, perhaps the rush shortened the effect of the elixir," Yi Qingchen’s face was pale, lips bitten hard.

"I'm sorry, it was Su He who troubled you," he said, quickly offering her another elixir.

Once she had taken it, he added, "Forgive me," turning her around, back toward him, channeling true energy into her body.

At once, the uncontrollable heat within Yi Qingchen was soothed. Huai Yin, arriving shortly, set aside his worries.

There was nothing to be done, since he could not change their decision. He could only hope nothing else would go awry.

After about the time it takes incense to burn, Su He withdrew his energy, and color returned to Yi Qingchen’s cheeks.

She rose, "Thank you!"

"It is only right for me. Without your help, I would not know where to go, nor to whom to ask about the Emperor Stone.

If thanks are due, it should be Su He thanking you," he said, bowing.

Huai Yin waved impatiently, "Stop thanking each other. If someone didn’t know better, they’d think you two were getting married.

Let’s talk about what comes next. Three hundred more li ahead and we’ll reach Teng Sea. Crossing it will be troublesome."

He muttered, "The Taoist just handed us a map and left it at that. He could at least have told us how to deal with the red serpents in the sea."

These creatures could be fought but not killed; without slaying them, passage was impossible. But if killed, the Emperor Birds would attack. The three of them would be nothing but a snack.

Yi Qingchen froze, then covered her mouth in laughter. Now that he mentioned it, it really was so, and a blush crept up her cheeks.

She stole a glance at Su He, then composed herself, "I suspect this is Uncle Master's way of urging us to turn back.

After all, Emperor's Island is not a gentle land; otherwise, he and Aunt Master would not have suffered so."

"That makes sense, but how are we to cross? We can't reason with those snakes, can we?"

If it were that easy, there would be nothing to worry about.

The red serpents of Teng Sea were the Emperor Birds’ enforcers and gatekeepers, able to fly in the sky and swim the seas, and their numbers were legion.

Su He looked at the sky, "I see signs of impending storm. Better to cross early, and if time allows, investigate the area before making plans."

Yi Qingchen agreed, "That seems wise."

"And your injury?" Huai Yin asked anxiously.

"I'm fine now. Thank you for your concern, Brother Huai."

Huai Yin replied, "No problem. If you say you’re well, what else can I say?

If we must travel, let’s do so early."

The two nodded, and set off toward Teng Sea, with Huai Yin urging his cloud alongside them.

Upon arrival, storm clouds roiled overhead, lightning flickering within.

The sea's waves surged ten fathoms high, crashing against the cliffs.

At first glance, it seemed like any other sea.

Each focused their vision, peering into the water, and saw three fathoms below a dense mass of red serpents, all baring fangs and flicking tongues, watching the shore's visitors.

Huai Yin withdrew his gaze, "Looks like we’re doomed—I'd rather be eaten by the Emperor Birds than fill these serpents’ bellies. At least, the birds are better looking."

No sooner had he spoken than Yi Qingchen, closest to him, suddenly kicked him, sending him sprawling.

Unprepared, he climbed up, clutching his neck, as a streak of purple lightning struck, grazing his hair.

He quickly extinguished the sparks, only then noticing Su He had shielded them with a light barrier.

Gazing at the attacking serpents, Huai Yin felt his throat go dry, "Is it starting already?"

Mother, he wasn’t ready at all…

Su He turned, "Brother Huai, take Miss Yi and go. I’ll hold them off."

"No way, we go together. I don’t abandon friends," he said, summoning his Silver Wolf blade.

He never said they couldn’t be knocked out…

With those words, Huai Yin's figure shot like an arrow from the barrier, engaging the flying serpents in battle.

"Brother Huai, sigh…" Su He shook his head, intending to urge Yi Qingchen to leave.

But she, too, gathered energy in both hands and drew out the Four-Element Lute, said to embody the laws of heaven, earth, and mankind.

She plucked the strings, and though the sound was silent, its refined resonance spread.

The serpents grew dizzy, many falling into the sea.

Yi Qingchen was delighted, seeing her music effective against them, and played again.

But her joy lasted only a moment; a strange howl sounded from the sea, and the dazed serpents snapped free of her control, their ferocity redoubled.

Her playing grew frantic, barely able to keep up.

From every side, more red serpents gathered.

Su He, seeing this, thought rapidly. If things continued, they would all die of exhaustion.

Endless serpents, limited strength. Even with immortal bodies, they could not withstand such ceaseless assault.

No way forward, no way back.

He reasoned: better to gamble for a sliver of hope.

Even if the Emperor Birds arrived, if he bought enough time, two might escape alive—rather than all perish.

He withdrew the barrier, summoned Min Shu, and leapt onto the clouds, striking down with his sword.

In an instant, countless serpents died, waves surged, and anguished cries echoed.

Su He shouted, "Brother Huai, take Miss Yi and go!"

The words had barely left his mouth when their retreat was blocked.

"You wish to leave? After harming this island’s guardians, you think you can walk away?

Do you disrespect me—or Emperor’s Island?"

With that, golden feathers drifted through the void, transforming into sword rain that battered mountains and seas, descending upon the three.

"Boundless heaven and earth!" Su He hastily blocked, his body flung into the sea.

At the moment he touched the waves, Yi Qingchen plucked a string and pulled him back, only to be pierced through by a sword, her robe stained with blood.

Huai Yin surged forward, blade raised to block the sword rain, "Young Master!"

Su He reached out to catch her, using another move to fend off the danger. He pushed Yi Qingchen into Huai Yin’s arms, "Go, I’ll carve a path for you. Do not hesitate."

With that, he soared on the clouds, his true energy stirring the winds, holding the waters of Teng Sea as if suppressed.

"I honor the brave. For your sacrifice to shield your friends, I’ll grant you a swift end."

"Wait—if you wish us dead, it is not difficult.

But at least let us know which master claims our lives."

Su He gripped Min Shu, channeling his energy.

"Hahaha, very well—I’ll let you die knowing. Tell them in the Hall of Yama that it was my doing." As he spoke, a golden giant bird appeared, crowned, wings spanning over ten meters, a single leg beneath its body, about a meter long.

"Judging from your bearing, you must not be unknown on this island. So, why not make a gentleman’s agreement?

Let us each strike once. If I lose, we will submit to you. If by chance I win, may you grant us mercy?"

The Emperor Bird regarded Su He, then laughed, "I’ve long heard humans are hypocrites, skilled in deceit.

You wish to wager with me? I accept.

I do not fear your tricks, but… how much of my power can you withstand?"

Su He’s gaze sharpened, "We shall see."