“Dong—”
“Dong—”
“Dong—”
The tightly shut gates of the ancestral temple suddenly swung open. Three chimes of a bell, struck as if echoing from the ethereal depths of antiquity, reverberated straight into the heart and soul. Carrying no spiritual energy whatsoever, the tolling nonetheless swept across every corner of the imperial capital in an instant, finally congregating above the imperial palace and lingering for a long time.
Clad in a floor-length black-and-red robe, Zongzheng Huangyue ascended the high platform step by step and stood at the center of the sacrificial altar. Taking three long sticks of purple-gold incense into her hands, she waited until the chimes faded before approaching the ceremonial cauldron, where incense smoke curled vigorously.
“I, Zongzheng Huangyue of the Zongzheng clan, blessed by our immortal ancestors to inherit our bloodline, shall never betray our ancestors' teachings. I will dedicate myself entirely to the Zongzheng clan of Houchi and uphold it for all eternity.”
She planted the long incense sticks into the ceremonial cauldron and knelt in reverence toward the ancestral temple.
There were three grand bows in total, and this was only the first.
Once the intricate ritual of three grand bows was completed, Zongzheng Yingchu raised his voice:
“The sacrificial ceremony is complete! All pay respects to Her Highness Huangyue!”
He merely nodded slightly, but the commoners present fell to their knees in prostration, while cultivators cupped their fists in respectful salutes.
“We pay respects to Her Highness Huangyue!”
“We pay respects to Her Highness Huangyue!”
A thunderous chorus echoed through the air. The sight of everyone kneeling in unison and submitting was heart-stirring; this was the essence of imperial power.
Watching everyone bow in submission before her, Zongzheng Huangyue reined in the burgeoning ambition deep within her eyes. Her lips curved faintly in a gentle, dignified smile.
Yet as her gaze swept across the crowd, it suddenly froze.
She saw that while everyone else bowed in reverence, the two perched upon the roof beam simply watched her with utter nonchalance, their postures relaxed and completely motionless.
No, that wasn't entirely true—the female cultivator was actually smiling at her.
It was a meaningful smile, a tacit exchange of looks understood only between the two of them.
Zongzheng Huangyue's expression remained unchanged, though her brows curved softly as she shifted her gaze away.
With the sacrificial ceremony concluded, Her Highness Huangyue returned to the palace, while the Imperial Preceptor remained behind at the Zongzheng Ancestral Temple to continue guarding this forbidden ground.
The spectators gradually dispersed, and those who had entered the ancestral temple's outer grounds were ushered out.
Yet just as Wen Li and Gu Linshu prepared to follow Zongzheng Huangyue's sedan carriage, they were stopped.
“Fellow Daoists, the Imperial Preceptor requests your presence.”
Gu Linshu looked at Wen Li with an eager expression as if watching a spectacle unfold. Oho, Master had been found out; an encounter between bitter enemies was bound to go terribly.
Wen Li furrowed her brows, wondering where she had slipped up. She had disguised her appearance and even altered her voice. Had Zongzheng Yingchu recognized her, or was she merely implicated in something else?
Looking at the Late-Stage Golden Core guard before them, Wen Li realized that running would only draw out a Nascent Soul cultivator. Besides, if Zongzheng Yingchu had actually recognized her, he would have charged straight at her himself instead of politely sending someone to invite her.
It was most likely something else. Wen Li offered a hollow smile and nodded.
“Sure, lead the way.”
Tugging Gu Linshu along, she transmitted via divine sense, “Watch my cue later. If things go south, split up and run.”
Gu Linshu nodded solemnly. “Don't worry, Master.” Reading cues was practically what he did best.
Zongzheng Yingchu was waiting in the side hall of the ancestral temple.
“Imperial Preceptor, the guests have arrived.”
Wen Li parted a pair of ragged bead curtains and walked into the side hall with Gu Linshu. Looking up, her eyes met Zongzheng Yingchu's strikingly handsome, unruffled gaze.
Whoa, I went too easy on him back when I gave him those two black eyes.
That was Wen Li's immediate reaction. She promptly put on a look of nervous awe, acting as though she were meeting him for the very first time.
“Greetings, Imperial Preceptor.”
Adaptable as ever, she bowed and cupped her fists, and Gu Linshu followed suit.
Zongzheng Yingchu's gaze swept over her entirely, carrying the imposing pressure unique to high-level cultivators. The entire side hall fell completely under his domain.
“Please, have a seat.”
Feigning flattered trepidation, Wen Li happily plopped down into a chair. “Thank you, Imperial Preceptor.”
Gu Linshu sat down behind her.
With a slight flick of Zongzheng Yingchu's gaze, two cups instantly flew over and settled before them.
“It seems you two are not from our Houchi Kingdom.”
“The Imperial Preceptor has sharp eyes; indeed we are not. The two of us are merely rogue cultivators from a small mountain village on the border of the Eastern Province, with no clan or sect to speak of.” Wen Li caught the cup and caught the whiff of wine in an instant.
She suddenly recalled that back in the Central Province, he seemed to have seen her abstain from alcohol. Was this guy testing her?
Wen Li calmly set the cup down.
Zongzheng Yingchu's gaze paused, and he asked casually, “Fellow Daoist dislikes wine?”
Gu Linshu also remembered Wen Li's habit of not drinking. His heart tightened, his eyes already darting toward the surrounding windows to scout out an escape route.
“Mm, I usually enjoy a drink, but unfortunately, I've recently become with child, so it's not suitable for me to drink.”
Wen Li lowered her head with a look of profound maternal tenderness, gently resting her palm against her abdomen.
“...” Gu Linshu nearly spewed out the mouthful of wine he had just taken.
Even Zongzheng Yingchu was momentarily stunned. His gaze instinctively dropped to her abdomen, but realizing it was improper, he immediately regained his composure and looked away. “Then it was thoughtless of me. My apologies.”
He swapped Wen Li's cup for warm water.
“It is fine. It is still in the early months, so it does not show yet.” Wen Li shook her head. “May I ask why the Imperial Preceptor has sought us out?”
At this, a faint ripple stirred across Zongzheng Yingchu's aloof expression, and he shook his head.
“Nothing of consequence. It is merely that Fellow Daoist bears some resemblance to an old acquaintance of mine, and I wished to ask if you might know her.”
“Feel free to speak, Imperial Preceptor. Who knows, perhaps I really do know her.” Wen Li raised a brow. Could he have mistaken her for an old acquaintance's child? But this disguised face didn't look like her, nor did her voice. Did Zongzheng Yingchu hate her so intensely that he could somehow recognize her even like this?!
Talk about holding a grudge.
“That acquaintance... goes by the name of...” Zongzheng Yingchu hesitated.
Gu Linshu blinked. Why was he hesitating over a mere name?
At last, Zongzheng Yingchu let out a soft sigh and uttered the name:
“She is called Makabaka.”
Even though he had deliberately slowed his cadence and enunciated every syllable clearly, speaking those four characters still brought an inexplicable sense of embarrassment.
Gu Linshu: “...” Maka-what baka?
Although it wasn't Master's real name, for some reason, it felt suspiciously like Master's naming style. That acquaintance was definitely Master, without a doubt.
Wen Li pinched her thigh viciously to keep from bursting out laughing. “Ah, I have never heard of such a name. The Imperial Preceptor's acquaintance is truly extraordinary, but I am afraid I do not know her. Might I ask where the Imperial Preceptor encountered her? If I happen to cross paths with her in the future, I will certainly inform her that you are looking for her.”
“Thank you, but that will not be necessary. She is no longer of this world.” Zongzheng Yingchu's eyes darkened slightly, as if recalling something past.
What?! This dog bastard was going around spreading rumors that she was dead!
Wen Li, who had been struggling not to laugh a moment ago, was instantly displeased. Sensing her slip in composure, she cleared her throat and hastily covered: “My apologies. I assumed that an acquaintance of the Imperial Preceptor must possess an extraordinary status. I never imagined it would be such a pity.”
“There is no need for pity. She stirred up trouble wherever she went and was ruthless in her methods; being hunted down by enemies was practically her daily routine. It is only natural that she died.” Zongzheng Yingchu's expression turned frigid.
Gu Linshu stole a glance at Wen Li, keeping his mouth shut.
Wen Li was already cursing him up and down in her mind, yet her face showed only polite intrigue. “Ah, what a peculiar person she must have been.”
“Since it was merely a misunderstanding, you two may take your leave.”
Seeing that they had never heard of Makabaka, Zongzheng Yingchu did not detain them any longer and summoned attendants to escort them out.
“Very well, farewell, Imperial Preceptor.” Wen Li and Gu Linshu promptly made their exit.
Zongzheng Yingchu narrowed his icy eyes at her retreating back. He disposed of all the tea from earlier. By all rights, she should have perished in that catastrophe in the Central Province; how could she possibly appear again? The woman just now was merely at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, whereas that person had already been an Early-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator when he first met her. It could not be her.
Could it be that his hatred ran so deep that he was losing his mind?
...
Rate on N.U.
