Chapter One: Beneath the Gates of Heaven

At the foot of the Heavenly Gate, the sea of clouds surged and rolled. Today, a few uninvited guests had arrived, seemingly by prior arrangement.

Suhe stood atop Xiaohei’s back, watching the approaching figures with a hint of displeasure clouding his brow. Yet he said nothing. This Eastern Heavenly Gate—he had come, and so could others.

He simply wished to avoid entanglements, but trouble seemed to seek him out.

The newcomers were not strangers, but rather the sole heir of Qingqiu, the former Grand Elder—Qi Wumian.

Qi Wumian urged his cloud forward and, from a distance, bowed respectfully, sleeves draping as he greeted, “This humble immortal greets the True Lord.”

Suhe’s brows knitted, his tone cool and aloof. “You and I are not close. There’s no need to feign such familiarity.”

“Heh… True Lord is truly amusing. But since you stand here, may I ask where you intend to go?”

“My destination is my own affair, Grand Elder. There’s no need for your concern.”

“Oh? You say so, but a moment ago you claimed we are strangers, and yet you seem to know quite a bit about me. Yes, there were once many grievances between Qingqiu’s Holy Maiden and your younger sister. But that is all in the past—those who are gone are gone, and the living must look ahead, mustn’t we?” With that, he looked at Suhe, a smile that was not quite a smile upon his lips. Courtesy, it seemed, was only for show.

“If you know it brings discomfort, why bring it up? Are you deliberately trying to upset people?”

Qi Wumian was momentarily taken aback, his face flushing an ugly shade of purple. He glared at Suhe and snapped, “Does the True Lord not discipline his own mount?”

Just a beast that hasn’t shed its original form, daring to bark at him—whose power was it relying on?

Suhe lowered his gaze, dusted off his wide sleeve, and tugged at the cuff, his eyes cool as he looked at Qi Wumian. “Xiaohei spoke no falsehoods. Why should I restrain him? If you cannot stand it, you may leave. Of the four gates of the Celestial Palace, is there anywhere they would bar your entry? Why insist on making yourself uncomfortable here?”

The more he learned about Long San’s fate, the more he wanted to drag certain people out and flog their corpses. Were it not for the selfishness and filth of these people, his younger sister would never have been driven to such an end. And if not for that, that fool would not have lost his life in vain. Then he himself would not be forced to stand here, against his heart, to send him home.

One last journey to a place he never wished to tread again—a journey into darkness.

Qi Wumian raised his eyes, clearly not expecting Suhe to so openly shield his own, and the muscles in his cheeks twitched with fury. Yet he had come here with a purpose. If he truly let his temper get the better of him and offended Suhe outright, his master would undoubtedly deal with him harshly afterwards.

So he forced a laugh. “No, no, I come with full sincerity. Surely the True Lord could at least give me a chance? What old grudges could outweigh the wishes of the Sage Physician?”

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere turned abruptly cold and murderous.

“What do you know?”

A ferocious wind caught Qi Wumian off guard, making his lungs ache as he choked on the blast. He coughed into his sleeve, cursing inwardly, but forced a pleasant smile onto his face. “Cough… True Lord, please restrain your power. This old immortal is aged and may not withstand it.”

“Pah,” came Xiaohei’s scorn, his contempt plain. Old thing, acting the part—would he die if he didn’t put on a show?

Qi Wumian hid his mouth and said nothing. Yes, if he didn’t act, he really might die. You little feathered beast, what can you do to me?

Xiaohei was livid, flapping his wings. Master…

Suhe’s gaze flickered. How could he not know what Xiaohei was thinking? But this concerned Wushuang, and he could not afford to be careless.

He swept his sleeve and withdrew his celestial aura, turning to Qi Wumian. “State your purpose.”

If you cannot convince me, this day shall be your end.

Seeing that he’d achieved his aim, Qi Wumian lowered his sleeve, bowed, and smiled. “I come under my master’s orders, seeking honest cooperation with the True Lord.”

“Continue.”

“Since you have lingered here so long, I doubt it is solely out of nostalgia for old times. Am I right?”

“You are.”

“Heh, so it is. This realm was sealed by some great power countless ages ago. Not only is spiritual energy scarce, but none can ascend to higher worlds. Nor can immortals from beyond enter. I trust you know this well. But I have not come merely to recount old, moldy tales. Suppose I told you there is a way to break the seal—would the True Lord be willing to cooperate?”

Suhe fell silent for a moment. Suddenly, a sharp light flashed through his eyes. “How certain are you? What can you accomplish?”

Qi Wumian dropped his smile, raised three fingers solemnly. “Not much, but with both our strengths, we could hold the passage open for three breaths—enough for us to pass through.”

So brief a window—during the crossing, not the slightest mistake could be made, or they would be torn apart by the chaos of the void. He trusted his own ability to make it, but not Qi Wumian’s character. After all, the latter had escaped the destruction of Qingqiu when even the crafty Fox Lord and Fox Tianyin had not. Clearly, he was not to be underestimated.

As Suhe pondered, Xiaohei could stand it no longer. “Master, don’t believe his nonsense! If he really had such skills, he’d have boasted all over the world by now. He comes now, not before, not later—obviously up to no good. Nothing good ever comes out of Qingqiu! All cunning and no heart—they must have charcoal for hearts, none of them are human!”

Qi Wumian shot Xiaohei a sly look. Who are you to judge whether I speak truth or lies? He straightened his back, shook out his sleeve, and with a sly smile, said, “My little friend, your words are unfair. How could you slander my good intentions? Granted, there have been some past grievances, but those are bygones. I do have a way, but not just anyone is worthy of my help. Breaking the seal is no small feat; the True Lord is one qualified, and I, thanks to my master’s favor, may assist. Is it that you look down on me, or do you not trust the True Lord?”

“You… you… sophistry! Master, don’t listen to him!” Xiaohei’s feathers bristled furiously, longing to smack that smirk off Qi Wumian’s face.

But Suhe called him to heel. “Enough.”

“Master…”

“Hmm?”

Suhe’s voice was cold as ice, and Xiaohei immediately deflated, glaring at Qi Wumian in silent protest.

Qi Wumian ignored him, instead turning to Suhe. “Well, True Lord, have you made up your mind?”

“Cooperation is not the issue, but I must know where your method comes from.”

If they were to negotiate, some sincerity must be shown. Otherwise, he could simply wait for the others to break through and attempt the crossing then. Though there was risk of death, it was still a chance. Dealing with Qi Wumian was no less dangerous than facing a pack of wolves.

Qi Wumian’s mouth twitched, but he forced himself to remain cordial. “Strictly speaking, without my master’s command, I should not act on my own. But since you ask, I cannot refuse to answer.”

Suhe made no comment, waiting quietly for a reply.

“All I can say is: once we leave this place, the True Lord will meet my master in due course. Do you understand?”

“I do,” Suhe replied, a cold smile playing on his lips. “But I wonder: what method did your master give you?”

“Oh, the method itself is unimportant. What matters is that it allows us to escape.”

“Very well. Show your sincerity.”

Suhe bowed his head in thought, realizing no more could be learned, and lost interest in further debate.

Qi Wumian lifted his eyelids and glanced at Suhe. “Forgive my clumsiness.”

As he spoke, a strange black light flashed in his palm, whirling about and swirling in a misty haze, revealing a piece of flawless white jade. Three fingers wide and square, it bore neither engraving nor inscription, but its overwhelming pressure sent the surrounding winds and clouds into turmoil, distant thunder rumbling. A streak of violet lightning tore across the sky.

Suhe’s face darkened instantly, his gaze toward Qi Wumian turning unreadable. He clapped his hands in praise. “Your master is no ordinary immortal. To entrust you with the Yin-Yang Profound Jade—he must be truly capable.”

“You flatter me. May I ask if the True Lord finds my sincerity sufficient?” Qi Wumian released the jade to float freely, flicking his sleeve with a self-satisfied air. Some things could not be said, but his master’s ability was indeed first-rate.

“It will suffice.”

“Then when shall we act?”

Suhe glanced up at the surging clouds. Suddenly, a bolt of thunder crashed down at the foot of the Heavenly Gate, sparks flying like dancing serpents.

He shouted, “Now!”

In a flash, he waved his hand, sending the Yin-Yang Profound Jade spinning to the gate’s center, gathering his energy and pouring it within.

Instantly, the gate shone with ninefold radiance, heaven and earth trembling. Gradually, a pitch-black passage appeared. But before Suhe could stabilize it, Qi Wumian shot forward like a streak of light, plunging into the darkness.

“Hahaha, my thanks! True Lord, we shall never meet again!”

“Not so fast.”

With those words, Xiaohei darted in after him, catching up in the blink of an eye.

Qi Wumian glanced back, murder in his eyes. With a turn of his hand, a long spear appeared, immortal power surging as he thrust it forward like a dragon from the sea, bringing death in its wake.

Suhe’s eyes narrowed. “Xiaohei.”

“Master, your sword!” With a crane’s cry, the Sword of Mingshu flashed into Suhe’s hand like a pool of autumn water, resonating with a new, fierce fury.

It was the wrath of Mingshu—and his own.

“A spark of spiritual will—True Heaven’s Might!”

This strike was unlike any before, imbued with overwhelming righteousness. In an instant, the approaching attack was shredded to pieces, and the sword’s brilliance, undiminished, swept toward Qi Wumian like a hurricane.

Qi Wumian sensed disaster and feinted desperately, mind racing for a way out. But Xiaohei, sharp-eyed and alert, had long seen through him and would not let him escape. Bearing Suhe on his back, he blocked every avenue of retreat.

“True Lord, you are ruthless indeed! Will you betray me after crossing the river?”

Suhe replied only with the sword’s ringing cry, each strike swifter and more dazzling than the last, reality and illusion entwined with lethal force. Qi Wumian had to block left and right, retreating rapidly as blood bloomed anew.

Coughing up blood, Qi Wumian stared at his wounds, gritting his teeth in hatred. “If you won’t let me live—then we’ll die together!”

Their battle grew ever fiercer, chaos engulfing them both.

Meanwhile, Chunliangren had quietly appeared at the foot of the Heavenly Gate, watching the closing passage with a half-smile.

“Die together? What an excellent idea.”

Suddenly, the bamboo umbrella flew from his hand. With a thump, he leapt onto its tip and, raising his hand, unleashed a world-shattering blow—the passage shattered at once.

He flipped down, the bamboo umbrella returning to his grasp. With a satisfied arch of his brow, he gazed at the now-peaceful Eastern Heavenly Gate.

“Hmm… I truly am a good person.”

Go back?

Hmph. This—this is the right way.