Chapter Forty-Seven: The Wind-Stabilizing Pearl

The next day, once the effects of the wine had worn off, Su He resolved to bid farewell to Que Yunzi.

He realized he had tarried far too long. First, he feared for Yi Qingchen and Huai Yin; the longer they were delayed, the greater the danger. Second, Wushuang’s time was running out.

Life on the island was pleasant, but he could not afford to linger.

Que Yunzi did not urge him to stay. With only a slight nod, he let him go, then, weighed down by sorrow and desolation, returned to his thatched cottage.

As the door closed, mottled sunlight slipped through the cracks, illuminating the room. Shuffling to the tea table, he sat and gazed at the unfinished chess game. Suddenly, he laughed.

Perhaps... the rise and fall of life is like the waves of the sea.

Tides come and go, all according to their destined rhythm.

So too, perhaps, are meetings and farewells.

...

Upon leaving Lion Island, Su He immediately sensed something amiss. He slipped away by water, and those lurking in the shadows lost their target.

After searching in vain, they returned to the island to report to Yan Sanbei.

When Su He arrived at the Xiao Tong River, he did not go directly to Yinshan Lake. Instead, he sought out Steward Zou and asked if there was any way to enter Yinshan Lake.

In the dense forest, Steward Zou replied bluntly that he did not know—not out of refusal, but genuine ignorance.

Su He frowned. “Truly no way?”

Steward Zou shook his head, pondered a moment, then, with some hesitation, said, “I really don’t know. But, I could tell you a story.

“If you wish, listen. If not, just forget it.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“After we parted, I found my master. By chance, he too was at Yinshan Lake, watching over the Solitary Shadow Bridge.”

“Is that so?” Lin Mao? Could it be that Liu Xinzai is somehow involved here?

“Yes. I asked him where his wife was. He told me he’d secured her a bright future.

“After that, I never saw her again.

“If you truly wish to enter, perhaps you could start from there. Who knows, you might gain something unexpected.”

“Thank you.”

Steward Zou looked pained and waved his hand. “No need to thank me. Just don’t come looking for me unless it’s important. If there’s news, I’ll find you.

“I still want to live a few more years. Farewell.”

Even as he spoke, there was an unresolved bitterness in his tone.

“Please.” Su He bowed.

After seeing off Steward Zou, he made his way to the edge of Yinshan Lake. Staring at this sunless place, he fell into deep thought.

This Yinshan Lake was not the one everyone knew; what lay within was what he truly sought.

Yet entering was no simple matter.

He understood Steward Zou’s meaning, but for the sake of his own interests, he could not bear to let others risk themselves on his behalf.

Yet if not, his only choice was to force his way in...

While he hesitated, a disturbance arose on the Solitary Shadow Bridge.

He quickly slipped into the forest to observe.

Soon, a woman descended from the bridge—one of the maids who had previously escorted Xi Yuan: Shao’er. It seemed fate had caught up with her; until now, she’d never encountered anyone while running errands.

After all, this was no celestial paradise; even mice rarely ventured out.

Yet today, a sword was suddenly pressed to her throat from behind.

“Miss, please wait.”

Shao’er glanced back, slowly turned, and replied, “Who are you? Why block my path? Do you know who I am?”

Su He twirled his sword and bowed apologetically. “Forgive me, but you were leaving in such haste. I had no choice but to stop you this way.”

“I see you’re not bad looking, but your conduct is filthy. The area around Yinshan Lake spans hundreds of miles—why can you travel and not I? Whether I go fast or slow, what’s it to you?

“If you don’t give me a proper explanation today, you’ll regret offending me.” As she spoke, a fierce wind surged around her.

Her sleeves fluttered as a sinister aura coiled about her.

Su He’s expression darkened. “You practice demonic arts?”

She laughed coldly. “Oh? Regretting now?” Shao’er raised her hand and pulled out a wooden hairpin—borrowed from Wan’er before leaving. Without it, she could not pass the barrier of the Solitary Shadow Bridge.

With a surge of true energy, the hairpin transformed into a three-foot green blade, glinting coldly in the wind.

With a breath, the sword, as if alive, spun into the air and dove into the earth.

The ground trembled, fissures splitting open as the sword burst forth, unleashing countless venomous snakes, insects, and scorpions.

These creatures were no ordinary pests; they flew and leapt, spitting poison and seeking lives.

Su He’s brows knitted as he swept his sleeve, shrouding himself in immortal light. The creatures could not advance, but they hurled themselves at the barrier, striking with a sound like clashing metal and drums, rattling the soul and soon causing his blood to stir restlessly.

Shao’er recalled her sword, which reverted to a hairpin in her hair. Eyes half-closed in provocation, she taunted, “Well? Not feeling so great, are you? If you beg and kowtow to me, I might forget your little ambush today. My time is more precious than your life, after all.”

If those higher up blamed her, she couldn’t bear it.

She cursed Lin Mao for neglecting his duties; usually, he sent people to deliver the goddess’s offerings, but today she’d had to run to Liu Xinzai herself.

Otherwise, how would she have run into this man?

Thinking of the cruel methods of her superiors, she wished she could tear Su He apart. Who knew what awaited her if she was late? She had no wish to become another “wife.”

But Su He shouted, “I did not wish to trouble you today, but since you are a demon, there is nothing more to say. The wicked must be slain!”

As his foot struck the ground, immortal light burst forth, and the poisonous creatures fell like rain, lifeless.

“How dare you kill the sacred spirits of this mountain!” Shao’er screamed in fury, leaping back, hooking her foot under several long snakes.

She formed a seal and chanted a spell; the snake corpses transformed into spears and shot toward Su He.

She herself leapt, light as a lotus, snatching a spear mid-flight and charging at him.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Su He met her charge, sword flashing left and right, moving with the wind. He met her spears with overwhelming true energy, then returned them all at once.

A single clash left Shao’er appalled. She could not withstand even one blow and was struck down.

She tumbled into the forest, dozens of spears piercing her as she fell. Before she understood what had happened, she was dead, and the spears reverted to snakes.

Su He sheathed his sword and entered the forest to inspect. To his surprise, the body was that of a shattered bronze spoon. Indeed, all things possess spirit; this spoon, bestowed with fortune, had achieved what many seek in vain.

“What a pity.” She had strayed from the right path.

With a sigh, Su He turned to leave. Suddenly, a crimson light flared behind him, casting the surroundings in red.

He spun around and saw the red light darting out from the pile of snakes. Rushing over, he found a radiant red pearl—the very image of the Wind-Stilling Pearl described in ancient texts.

Just as he’d been fretting over how to enter Yinshan Lake, the treasure had come to him.

He tucked the Wind-Stilling Pearl into his sleeve pouch and burrowed into the earth toward Emperor’s Island.

After he had gone, Chunliang Ren appeared in the forest, holding a jade-green bamboo umbrella. In his palm lay a Memory-Jade. After a quick glance at the woods, he too vanished.

Liu Xinzai

“Who’s there?” Steward Zou had just sat down at home when he sensed something amiss.

“I am, of course, a friend.”

“Show yourself.”

“Hm? I don’t care for your tone, but I’ve brought you a stroke of fortune.”

The words had barely fallen when Zou felt something rushing at him. He leapt back, encasing the object in true energy.

It was a Memory-Jade.

He looked around warily. “Who are you? Why leave this here?”

But the visitor had already departed; there was no reply.

Zou turned the Memory-Jade in his hand for a moment, then infused it with true energy. To his shock, the image it projected depicted Su He killing and seizing a treasure.

He immediately withdrew his energy, heart pounding. Slipping the jade into his robe, he hurried to the flower hall.

He found Fan Si and Liu Kouzhang chatting inside. Seeing him, they rose to greet him. “Brother Jiren, what’s the rush?”

“Is the master here?”

Liu Kouzhang answered, “The master just returned to rest. Do you need him?”

“Yes.” Without another word, Zou turned to leave.

But Fan Si and Liu Kouzhang pulled him aside, whispering, “What’s going on with you and the master lately? Some misunderstanding? Tell us—maybe we can help.”

Zou glanced at them. “Nothing. There’s just much to do. With the madam and young lady away, the master must be extra cautious.

“I really have urgent business. I’ll make it up to you later.”

He shook himself free and headed to Lin Mao’s quarters.

“Master, Jiren requests an audience.”

Lin Mao opened the door, visibly displeased. A sacrificial offering had escaped recently, leaving him restless. And now Zou had picked this moment to add to his woes. He stepped over the threshold. “What is it?”

Zou offered up the Memory-Jade with both hands. “Master, something major has happened.”

“What could be so alarming? And where did you get this?”

“Upon returning to my room, I found it on the floor. I picked it up and, to my shock, saw that the girl from Yinshan Lake is dead.”

“Who?”

“The round-faced maid—killed by Bai Li Su He.” Zou lowered his head, watching Lin Mao’s reaction.

Lin Mao paused, then poured true energy into the jade, watching as a sense of unreality washed over him. Was this an illusion? If not, this was his opportunity.

“What should we do? Should we go to the First or Second Palace Mistress...?”

“Fool! Of course this is for us alone. Why hand such a chance to others? Are you stupid?” Lin Mao shot Zou a look and pocketed the jade.

“You’ve done well. Keep an eye on the Goddess Hall.

“Leave the matter of capturing the offerings to Fan Si and Liu Kouzhang. Keep everything in the hall secure.”

Zou bowed, feigning ignorance. “As you command, Master. But may I ask where you are going?”

Lin Mao straightened his robe and said, “To meet the Demon Prince. Jiren, our opportunity has come.”

“Congratulations, Master!” Zou chimed in, laying on flattery that made Lin Mao glow with satisfaction. His previous suspicion toward Zou faded, and it felt as though things were as they once were.

“I’m off—take care of everything here.”

“Yes.”

With the master's words, Zou felt invigorated and walked with newfound spring in his step. In the flower hall, Fan Si and Liu Kouzhang were nearly goggle-eyed.

Fan Si asked cautiously, “Brother Jiren, are you alright?”

Had the recent stress unhinged him?

“I’m fine. The master is leaving me in charge. You two go capture the offerings. This batch isn’t as good as the last—after the Goddess is done, there won’t even be scraps left for Yinshan Lake.” Zou half-dragged them out of the hall.

He was in a rare good mood. Even Fan Si’s look, he let slide.

After all the bitterness he’d swallowed, he’d finally had his release. Bai Li Su He—when you schemed against me, you didn’t give warning.

Now, I’m returning the favor in full.