Chapter 101: The Perilous City of Luyang

Luyang City, Imperial Treasures Pavilion.

Ye Xiaoniang’s new day began at the cusp between dusk and dawn. The essence of the “Ten Twists of Azure Water and Sun” emphasized the mutual transformation of yin and yang. These concepts were profoundly intricate and difficult to comprehend. Since yin and yang are inherently opposite yet complementary, the idea of effortless transformation sounds simple, but truly grasping it is far more challenging. Therefore, she chose special times to practice the Ten Twists of Azure Water and Sun.

Although her body was still frequently invaded by spiritual energy, causing alternating sensations of cold and heat, since practicing the Ten Twists, the spiritual energy within her had become less volatile, sparing her some of the pain.

After morning exercises, if her body felt well, she would head to the kitchen. For the lazy, it was a place of torment, but for Ye Xiaoniang, she simply enjoyed cooking.

Xiaoyue’er watched her gradually regain health with joy, though that happiness was tinged with worry—especially when Ye Xiaoniang dashed into her room.

“News from Gucheng Qinghe says our relations with the Li Kingdom have grown tense. Yue’er, you’re good with people but know little about state affairs... and I wonder how the young master is faring.”

Those left behind truly suffered, each day dragging slowly. Waiting felt like gazing into an endless abyss.

If bad news arrived—say, if Gu Yi was captured—the anxiety would be unbearable.

Fortunately, nothing had happened yet. Ye Xiaoniang believed firmly he would return.

“When cooking, focus carefully—don’t let your mind wander. I want to try the hotpot broth again. Is everything ready?”

Xiaoyue’er obediently replied but could not hide her impatience. “Try again? If you keep trying, the bugs will turn into a ball.”

Lately, Ye Xiaoniang had been simmering the broth repeatedly. It was already delicious, and at least the bugs agreed. Xiaoyue’er thought it tasty too, fragrant and spicy with a lingering flavor.

Yet Ye Xiaoniang was demanding and never satisfied.

“Cooking requires endless trials. It can always taste better.”

With her health improving, her cheeks flushed with a rosy glow. Despite her busy schedule, she remained spirited.

Xiaoyue’er could not understand the joy of cooking—it was eating that was fun.

Meanwhile, in the Literary Garden.

Chongchong, now plump-faced like a little meatball, sat at a table opposite Ma Yuan. They studied how to draw more beautiful spiritual talismans.

Originally, the plaque of Imperial Treasures Pavilion bore a fragmentary talisman, which Ye Xiaoniang used to conceal the phrase “A splash brings light to the endless night.” Later, Gu Yi had deciphered it, so it no longer needed to be displayed.

Thus, Ye Xiaoniang replaced the plaque, now allowing Chongchong to paint the talisman freely.

At first, her drawings were better than Ma Yuan’s. But lacking formal training, Ma Yuan from Luyang Academy soon surpassed her, even becoming her teacher.

“I want to write well so that when the young master returns, Chongchong will surely surprise him.”

Ma Yuan shook his head. “If you keep eating like this, you’ll surprise him all right.”

“Isn’t chubby cuter?” Chongchong pinched her cheeks, bouncing them. “I see the older sisters like fat dogs—they never want skinny ones.”

Ma Yuan pondered deeply. Explaining this to a little girl was tricky. Dogs might be cuter when plump, but men’s views of women are a different matter altogether.

“Chongchong, you aren’t your master’s dog, so being too fat isn’t good. Besides, he doesn’t like fat dogs.”

Chongchong half-understood. “Oh~ so that’s why you keep yourself so thin?”

Ma Yuan’s face stiffened. That sounded off somehow, but he couldn’t pinpoint why.

“Never mind, children speak without guile. Chongchong, let’s write talismans.”

Within Imperial Treasures Pavilion, all was serene and beautiful as usual.

The locust tree in the Literary Garden grew taller each day. Leaves fell only to be replaced quickly by fresh green ones.

No one disturbed this haven.

Yet beyond the pavilion, turmoil brewed.

Upon receiving orders to enter the palace, the Fourth Princess set out immediately and bowed before her father atop the grand terrace of the Human Palace.

Emperor Xu’s favorite daughter was the eldest princess—intelligent, sensible, and gifted in cultivation.

The others, however, often left him dissatisfied.

The Second Princess lacked talent and was rebellious, ignoring social conventions, indulging in tales—some real, many imagined—praising strange figures and ridiculous ideals in his view.

The Third Princess was reserved and thoughtful, deeply involved in court affairs with a gentle demeanor and no hint of anger. Even he, as her father, could not read her thoughts at times.

The Fourth Princess was on the opposite extreme—disinterested in mundane matters, silent, aloof, difficult to get along with. Sometimes Xu disliked seeing her; speaking even a few words with her left him frustrated.

The Sixth Princess was a bookworm.

The youngest, the Seventh, was kind and sensible but spoiled as the baby of the family.

“Father, why have you summoned me?” The Fourth Princess lowered her head, bowed, and spoke without emotion.

Sometimes Xu wondered if his daughter, devoted to immortality, truly cared for or respected him—or if that elusive immortality was the only thing she honored.

Putting aside such thoughts, Xu signaled the Northern Eunuch to hand the flying letter to the Fourth Princess and spoke:

“There has been a mishap at Desheng Pass Rain Tomb. The top disciple of Luyang Academy, Shu Le, and the talented cultivator Gu Yi disappeared during battle against the enemy. Their fate is unknown.”

“Meanwhile, Shu Yu, Left Palace Protector of the Great Rain Palace, has also gone missing, escalating tensions. The commander of Desheng Pass, He Jiang, reported: After Shu Le’s disappearance, only two Return-to-Simplicity cultivators remain, while the Li Kingdom has three. Worse, Shu Le was no match for Shu Yu, and only the Resolve Stage Gu Yi was there to assist when they vanished together...”

“They fear Shu Yu will return, but Shu Le will not.”

Return-to-Simplicity cultivators are rare and precious in both Xu and Li Kingdoms.

Losing Shu Le was a significant blow and caused the situation at Desheng Pass to deteriorate rapidly.

This was the emperor’s chief concern.

Yet the Fourth Princess’s expression remained unchanged.

After watching her silently for a while, Xu lost patience and waved his hand. “Go to Desheng Pass. The Seventh Princess is still there, and I know that child well. No one can persuade her to leave.”

Moreover, after a comrade’s death, the young are often too fiery to let go of their hatred easily.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the Fourth Princess replied, bowing slightly.

Without even a word of farewell like “Take care of yourself in Luyang,” she turned and left.

Once her figure disappeared, the emperor angrily pointed and said, “Look at her—does she even resemble my daughter? I still cherish our father-daughter bond enough to send a Return-to-Simplicity cultivator to Desheng Pass, weakening Luyang’s strength. And look at her.”

The Northern Eunuch tried to smooth things over. “Your Majesty, the Fourth Princess is not eloquent, but your father-daughter relationship is genuine, as she knows well. Affection is sometimes shown through actions, not words. Has she not always fulfilled your orders diligently?”

“Ha! You eunuchs know more about familial love than I do?” The old emperor’s sarcasm was sharp.

The eunuch could only smile and say, “Your Majesty understands better, Your Majesty understands better.”

Still, Xu’s anger was understandable. Return-to-Simplicity cultivators were scarce, and the Fourth Princess was among the best, reportedly having glimpsed the Dao’s path, far surpassing Shu Le, who had just entered that stage.

Her departure severely weakened Luyang’s defenses.

Moreover, the Left General Jiang Ben was away from the capital due to the Xiaoyuan Mountain incident.

Though the Lord of the Seventeenth Tower was trustworthy, Xu recalled the recent northern upheaval—the dark clouds blotting out the sky still vivid in his mind.

This was Luyang—Luyang.

Standing atop the Human Palace, gazing down on the bustling city, Emperor Xu silently prayed that Luyang City might be spared from calamity.

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Though it’s not the first time, it still makes me nervous T﹏T

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