Chapter 860: Vermilion Bird VS Nine Serenities

Chapter 860: Vermilion Bird vs. Netherworld

Xia Chichi sat clutching her chest, on the verge of tears but unable to weep. She had been the target of Ye Jiuyou’s deliberate assault on the formation, taking a severe beating. The greatest harm wasn’t being used as a breach point to successfully break through, but the profound contempt in Ye Jiuyou’s gaze as it swept over her chest before the formation was shattered—an insult of immense humiliation.

Before leaving, he left behind this remark: “I’ve heard that emperors are supposed to have broad minds, yet I never imagined Her Majesty would be inferior even to the youngest, Cui Yuanyang.”

At least ten to fifteen percent of the formation’s collapse was due to those words breaking her composure, causing her mind to waver.

Fortunately, no one blamed her. The Four Symbols were one entity; no matter why the formation was broken, everyone bore responsibility, and it couldn’t be pinned solely on Chichi. If someone else had been targeted for a beating, they likely wouldn’t have fared much better.

Among them, San Niang was the most smug, for she had noticed that the glance Ye Jiuyou cast her way was one of envy. If he had chosen her position to break the formation, he probably wouldn’t have succeeded, and it might not have been clear who would have been broken first.

So what if he was a primordial demon god? A demon god born of heaven and earth was only about the same size as that silly bird.

Yue Hongling and Huangfu Qing found the expressions of these two rather amusing. A demon god like Ye Jiuyou comes for sparring, and this is what you’re thinking about? What’s even more infuriating is that someone like San Niang, whose mind is always a mess of mush, still cultivates no slower than anyone else.

That is truly acting without striving—no wonder they say the Black Tortoise is closest to the Way.

Zhao Changhe crouched before Xia Chichi, who was on the verge of tears, and amusingly tapped her nose: “My Majesty, where are you hurt?”

Xia Chichi sniffled, grabbed his big hand, and pressed it to her chest: “Here.”

“But I like this kind.” Zhao Changhe pulled her into his arms, and Xia Chichi immediately wrapped her arms around his neck triumphantly, refusing to let go.

Watching the other women’s expressions of sidelong glances and grinding teeth, the observing Piaomiao finally realized: this little vixen was putting on an act, just waiting for the man to comfort her.

The art of human palace intrigue was unfathomably deep; there was still much to learn…

Huangfu Qing glanced at her disciple’s demeanor with the most irritation and asked, “Did you and Jiuyou discover something very serious?”

Zhao Changhe laughed: “What makes you say that?”

Huangfu Qing said crossly, “If the situation weren’t dire, how could you not continue to strike while the iron is hot? You’ve already coaxed someone into adorning herself for your pleasure, and the first thing you do is come for a trial by combat. It shows that the enemies ahead will be very troublesome… But we’ve gone over it, and we don’t feel that Sword Sovereign or White Tiger could be that troublesome, not even Ye Wuming seems to be at that level.”

Yue Hongling also said, “I felt that when you were watching the battle just now, your mind wasn’t on it; you seemed somewhat heavy.”

Zhao Changhe smiled: “It’s nothing. We’ll deal with whatever comes. In the end, we still need to keep up with our own cultivation. When have we ever fought an easy battle?”

San Niang suddenly asked, “Your cultivation… have you broken through?”

“Yes, I still need to cultivate in seclusion for a while.” Zhao Changhe didn’t say more, then continued, “The Four Symbols Formation is just a temporary cooperative technique. You can’t always be bound together, moving and stopping as one. So the essential meaning of practicing the Four Symbols Formation is to understand the connections between the Four Symbols, driving your own cultivation to strengthen, not to rely on the formation. How are your individual cultivations now?”

Everyone shook their heads; it wasn’t that fast.

Among them, San Niang and Huangfu Qing both felt a slight loosening in their bottlenecks, but it was hard to find the trigger. They were originally the strongest, so it was normal for them to sense signs of a breakthrough first. In truth, there was also a psychological factor.

Before, they were the strongest pillars beside Zhao Changhe, but since the ancient demon gods arrived, and Piaomiao and Jiuyou came, they suddenly became ordinary. Neither said a word, but they were both simmering inside.

“This kind of thing might need to be sought in battle; sitting in meditation cultivation isn’t very meaningful.” Huangfu Qing hesitated: “I’ve gained some insights from the battles with Sister Piaomiao and Jiuyou, especially with Jiuyou this time. I feel there are many points of resonance between us. What’s your current relationship with her? If I go to her alone for sparring, what would her attitude be?”

Zhao Changhe turned to look at her, sensing the fighting spirit and unwillingness in Huangfu Qing’s heart—she was even willing to face Jiuyou alone.

He sighed: “No need for that… Actually, many karmic debts are for you to bear and end yourselves. It’s not easy for me to say much… From my heart, a man works to improve his strength so that his woman never has to face danger. I don’t want you to fight at all.”

Huangfu Qing tilted her head, looking at his smug expression while holding Xia Chichi, and laughed: “You’ve only been fighting alone in Kunlun for two months, and you’ve already forgotten how not long ago we relied on division of labor to campaign in the northern frontier. Trying to keep us as caged birds? No way. I was already roaming the martial world when you and that little brat in your arms were still nursing!”

“Alright, alright.” Zhao Changhe knew she was unconvinced. Huangfu Qing’s pride was also the charm of her Vermilion Bird status, and that was fine: “You can go find Jiuyou yourself. If you can’t find the place, let Piaomiao take you… There should be many things you can exchange. Don’t worry, she won’t shut you out.”

Huangfu Qing brightened a bit: “And you?”

“I need to go into seclusion, about three to five days.” Zhao Changhe looked up at the sky, estimated briefly, and said in a low voice: “By the time I emerge, the time will be about right.”

Xia Chichi sighed with a hint of regret. She had thought that after Zhao Changhe’s business with Ye Jiuyou was settled, he would come back and spend some leisurely time with everyone, but instead, he was going into seclusion right away and then heading out to battle.

Regretful as she was, no one here couldn’t live without a man. That battle had given each of them insights to digest. San Niang had already lain down to one side, whether sleeping or contemplating; Yue Hongling sat cross-legged with eyes closed, still as a sword. Xia Chichi herself also had a lot to process, so she didn’t intend to cling to Zhao Changhe. She left his embrace and sat to one side.

But the moment she left, Zhao Changhe pulled her back and carried her into the Tianhe.

“Hey, hey? What are you doing?” Xia Chichi nervously grabbed his collar, her eyes darting to look at her sisters: “Didn’t you say you were going into seclusion? If it turns into you summoning me, I’ll be laughed at.”

“You’re afraid of being laughed at.” Zhao Changhe bit her ear and whispered: “The insights I gained with Piaomiao a few days ago—the mountain and river veins, the power of life—are all connected to you. Your cultivation started later than everyone else. If I don’t take this chance to give you some extra tutoring, are you planning to let someone break the formation through you again?”

Xia Chichi’s eyes shimmered with seductive charm: “How will you tutor me?”

“The way you’re thinking…”

In the last moment before they disappeared into the river, Xia Chichi cast a meaningful glance at Piaomiao.

Piaomiao crossed her arms in exasperation. The emperor seeking heirs was a matter of state stability, so why did it feel so infuriating… Had you even performed the sacrificial rites before asking me to help?

She grudgingly took Huangfu Qing’s hand and looked away: “Come on, let’s go find Jiuyou.”

…

When they saw Ye Jiuyou again, she was not in her abyss but standing alone on a mountaintop, quietly gazing into the distant sky.

Her silhouette was still desolate, but Piaomiao could no longer find the deathly stillness she had once seen in Ye Jiuyou. Instead, it was like a flower blooming defiantly in the snow.

“What kind of potion has he been feeding you these days?” Piaomiao stopped behind Ye Jiuyou and asked incredulously: “The image you project has changed. Theoretically, it wouldn’t be wrong to say you are no longer Jiuyou.”

“Whether I am Jiuyou or not doesn’t matter. As long as I am myself.” Ye Jiuyou did not turn around, still gazing at the distant light, and said softly: “And you, are you still Piaomiao?”

“My body was reshaped with him, so it’s fair to say I’ve become a different person.”

“Then can we say that Piaomiao and Jiuyou are both dead?”

“More or less.”

Ye Jiuyou was silent for a moment, then slowly said: “Then do you still hate Ye Wuming now?”

Piaomiao said: “The hatred has faded a little, but it hasn’t disappeared. What she did to me is unforgivable.”

Ye Jiuyou nodded: “Good. Your kindness hasn’t turned you into a fool.”

Piaomiao smiled and said nothing more.

Ye Jiuyou said: “The moment the primordial demon gods are completely annihilated, the influence of the Heavenly Dao on this world will become minimal. That is the moment Ye Wuming has been waiting for. Now the question we must consider is: in this matter, do we avenge ourselves against Ye Wuming, or something else?”

Piaomiao was silent.

Ye Jiuyou said flatly: “There are many ways to take revenge. Killing her is one; thwarting what she wants to achieve, turning her two epochs of planning into empty words, is another. Which do you think would hurt her more?”

Piaomiao finally said: “The latter. If her plans are truly ruined, it would certainly be worse than death in her eyes.”

“So, are you willing to do it?” Ye Jiuyou said softly: “But stopping her might let another enemy rejoice.”

Piaomiao had already seen the translation Zhao Changhe had given and knew exactly what Ye Jiuyou was talking about, but she could only remain silent.

As someone who had once been a pre-sculpted clay puppet, Piaomiao was naturally extremely displeased. Fortunately, before she learned of this, she had already reshaped her body and soul. Now she had long since broken free, so the shock was less severe.

But she could fully understand Ye Jiuyou’s feelings—the kind that made one want to eat their flesh and sleep on their hide.

If Ye Wuming was opposing the Heavenly Dao, then should they still thwart Ye Wuming’s plans?

Should they instead cooperate with Ye Wuming first, and settle accounts with her later? But once Ye Wuming’s grand vow spanning two epochs was fulfilled, her cultivation would inevitably rise to a level beyond their reach. Then who would settle whose accounts?

Piaomiao had no answer.

Beside her, Huangfu Qing’s voice rang out: “Though I don’t fully understand what you’re saying… Since you’re conflicted, why not let Changhe decide? Or do you still not trust Changhe?”

Ye Jiuyou finally turned and looked at her: “Changhe can cleave Ye Wuming for me. I trust him. But being willing to cleave and being willing to kill are two different things. Even Changhe himself may not have made up his mind. I don’t want to force him into an extreme choice.”

Huangfu Qing was somewhat shocked.

Not wanting to force Changhe into an extreme choice… That was the kind of thinking that came from loving him deeply.

It was one thing for Piaomiao to think that way, but for Ye Jiuyou to say it…

It truly shattered all preconceptions.

Huangfu Qing hesitated for a moment, then ventured, "So you say among yourselves, don't mention it to Changhe? But what if the outcome of your deliberations is something Changhe doesn't want to see?"

Ye Jiuyou shook her head. "It's mainly that I'm wary of bringing up Ye Wuming with Changhe."

"Why?"

"Because Changhe can see in my dark abyss and even move through it at will—I believe even Piaomiao might not navigate it as effortlessly as he does." Ye Jiuyou said flatly. "Ye Wuming can't enter my domain freely, but what happened before... aside from Changhe's visit, there was no other factor. I don't suspect Changhe, but I suspect Ye Wuming has done something to him that even Changhe himself doesn't know about. When he's present, our conversations can't escape Ye Wuming's eyes and ears. That's troubling—I can't even warn Changhe, because that would be like speaking in front of Ye Wuming."

Huangfu Qing let out a breath and chuckled. "If that's the matter, you can rest assured. Changhe knows what he's doing."

Ye Jiuyou's expression shifted slightly. "He knows?"

"Yes. Though Changhe hasn't said it outright, we've been together long enough to sense that he's been preparing for this in secret. He's always been trying to shake off Ye Wuming's influence."

Ye Jiuyou smiled faintly. "If that's the case, I'll wait for Ye Wuming's downfall."

Huangfu Qing said, "You're so certain he'll bring about Ye Wuming's downfall?"

"This little man is actually quite vengeful." Ye Jiuyou said no more, studied Huangfu Qing for a moment, then laughed. "You've come to seek confirmation of life and death?"

"Indeed. I wonder if Senior Ye Jiuyou would—"

Before she could finish, Ye Jiuyou cut her off. "Senior? Am I that old?"

Huangfu Qing kept her face taut and said nothing. Piaomiao also turned her head away.

If you're not old, who is? As far as Piaomiao knows, no one in this world is older than you.

Ye Jiuyou crossed her arms. "Anyway, if you call me senior, don't expect to get a single word out of me."

You and your man are of the same generation—trying to make me a senior? Nice try.

Huangfu Qing held back for a long time, but finally couldn't help herself. "If you're willing to be called 'little sister,' I don't mind offering you a cup of tea as a younger sister."

Ye Jiuyou: "?"

So we're going to fight this battle, are we? Good thing I'm prepared.

Ye Jiuyou ground her teeth, then finally said, "If you want to comprehend life and death, you don't need to fight me... Come and see the lotus pond that your man and this Piaomiao sister here created together. Perhaps then your intent of nirvana will take shape."

Piaomiao was utterly astonished.

With that one remark, she had casually elevated Piaomiao to the status of "sister," subtly aligning Piaomiao with herself on the same front. And if Piaomiao was the sister, then it wasn't a matter of who came first, but of strength and age—so naturally, Ye Jiuyou was also a sister.

Now the dilemma lay before Huangfu Qing... Would she go see the lotus pond? If she did, she'd have to accept this title. If she wanted to keep fighting, the lotus pond might not be open to her.

Who would have thought that Ye Jiuyou, seemingly aloof, could pull such a move... Was it from bickering too much with Ye Wuming?

But Huangfu Qing's skill in this arena was nothing short of demonic. She paused only briefly, then sighed smoothly: "Calling you 'senior' or 'sister' is no big deal, after all, you are indeed much older. But I wonder, when the young lady of the Li family marries into the Han dynasty, does she need the Empress Dowager to officiate the wedding..."

Ye Jiuyou's face changed dramatically.

Damn it. I forgot—this woman is the Empress Dowager! The only elder of the Han imperial family, and she was also the matchmaker for her and Zhao Changhe!

Ye Jiuyou wished she could go back a year and sever the karmic thread of being the Li family's young lady. What kind of self-imposed trap was this?

Piaomiao clutched her head.

And you thought you could stir up trouble in her household? Your skills in this area don't seem to be on the same level. Why not come back with me and learn from Yangyang? That girl seems to have a high level of expertise in this.

Oh, right, Xia Chichi has already collapsed... And since the theme of their dual cultivation this time is the power of life, it seems the dragon seed is nearly ready—maybe it won't even need her divine power...

"What are you spacing out for?" Ye Jiuyou's indignant thought reached Piaomiao's mind. "Are we going to let a mortal woman bully us like this?"

"She's hardly a mortal—she's the embodiment of the Vermilion Bird's laws, a top figure at the peak of the second realm of Imperial Realm, on par with the ancient Vermilion Bird." Piaomiao sighed. "Don't worry, I've already avenged you."

"How?"

"At least her daughter will have a child before she does."

Ye Jiuyou: "???"

What in the world is this? This Piaomiao has been hanging around humans for a few days, and now even I can't understand what she's saying.