Chapter 84: Imperial Edict, the Forests Drenched in Crimson

Yu Ke walked into the room, recalling the divine bird that had perched on the pear tree just now.

In that instant!

Like an ordinary man climbing a high mountain and encountering a tiger, or crossing a vast marsh and coming upon a dragon.

His hairs stood on end, his spirit seized by it.

Even now, seated quietly in the room, his heart still trembled.

As his spirit began to fray!

The ancient great cauldron deep within his soul trembled slightly, emitting a distant hum that calmed his agitated heart.

Yu Ke’s heart was utterly still.

What exactly was the origin of this boy named Yingzhao?

Recalling the confident demeanor of the beautiful woman today.

Whoever could command such a divine beast was surely no ordinary person.

Tonight’s visitors were clearly hostile.

Yu Ke stopped thinking about it!

Within the Shenxiao Sect, internal conflict between inner and outer disciples is forbidden; any found engaging in it will be expelled.

Perhaps!

Moving out of the courtyard, away from this place of trouble, would be a wise choice.

I could even profit from it by earning some spirit stones.

But all of this must wait until after the simulation ends.

Begin the Heavenly Reincarnation simulation!

Yu Ke’s spirit sank into the great cauldron.

【Cooldown complete. Begin Heavenly Simulation?】

【Save point: forty years.】

Yu Ke slowly closed his eyes and murmured silently.

【Agree】

……

……

【This year you are forty-one. Today marks early autumn; the persimmons on Mount Zhongnan sway on their branches like clouds of red.】

【Lu Yu’s disciple brought you a basketful, quietly placing it at your doorstep.】

【You felt a quiet warmth in your heart.】

【Of your seven disciples, the fifth, Yang Su, was closest to you—mischievous since childhood, always climbing and leaping, and possessing the highest talent.】

【Now, at eighteen, he is but one step away from becoming a Grand Master.】

【Fighting among disciples was common; Yang Su’s fierce temperament and brutal methods made even his peers fear him.】

【Liu Jinchan could barely control him, feeling the boy carried a wolf’s nature within him.】

【Lu Yu’s philosophy was to subdue others by force; Yang Su had endured the most beatings since childhood.】

【Yet he held you in profound respect—if anyone in the mountains spoke ill of you, the moment he heard it, he would personally come to confront them.】

【If he won, fine. If he lost, his name was recorded in the ledger, and he’d have to watch his step walking at night.】

【Yang Su often boasted, “I’m the first loyal hound under Master’s door.”】

【Today, your cultivation advanced further—you have fully mastered the Twelve Layers of the Great Huangting, becoming a true Grand Master of the martial world.】

【You sensed that in five years, you would enter the realm of Supreme Grand Master, when you could perceive the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. The thought brought a smile to your face.】

【At that moment!】

【Yang Su knocked on the door of the Living Dead Tomb.】

【“Master, the pomegranates are ripe—I picked some!”】

【You opened the door.】

【There stood a lean, muscular boy in a loose Daoist robe, sleeves rolled up to his shoulders like a short tunic, his features well-formed yet tinged with a rogue’s charm, grinning as he held a basket of pomegranates.】

【You smiled and waved him in: “Come, follow me to the Ancestral Hall.”】

【Today, an imperial decree arrived from the capital—your master Liu Jinchan has already informed you.】

【“Got it!” Yang Su set down his basket and eagerly followed behind you.】

【As he walked, he shared with you what he had seen and heard of the world.】

【He knew you lived secluded in the Living Dead Tomb and knew little of the outside.】

【Yang Su spoke with grave concern of the current situation:】

【“Though the Second Prince Zhou Zhen has ascended the throne of Daqing, three other princes have declared themselves kings. For years, war has raged, and the entire south has fallen into chaos.”】

【In April this year, the princes allied with two factions and successfully captured the Fourth Prince in Yizhou, dividing his territory between them.】

【Faced with his brother’s pleas for mercy, Prince Jing Zhou Cheng declared with magnanimity, “Why must brothers devour each other?”】

【Yet the very next day, the Fourth Prince died suddenly in his home—the truth was obvious.】

【Today’s Daqing, though nominally unified, is in fact split among three powers, each ruling independently.】

【Zhou Zhen claims legitimacy and sits firmly on the dragon throne; Prince Jing enjoys the support of northern river clans; Prince Zhou Xuan of Hexi has declared himself Heavenly King—forming a tripartite standoff.】

【Yang Su sighed deeply and continued: “It’s not just Daqing—across all five nations of the world, chaos is rampant. Qianyuan has been locked in prolonged warfare with Han and Chu at Hangu Pass; the land burns, the people suffer.”】

【“In centuries past, there has never been such turbulent times.”】

【In times of chaos, heroes emerge.】

【“Beifeng has designs on invading Daqing, especially during autumn pasture season—they often graze horses along Daqing’s borders, their intentions unclear.”】

【Court ministers argue that the two nations have long-standing alliances—the Oath of Sishui, the Covenant of Taishan—and the Northern Princess resides in court, so relations must remain harmonious.】

【Upon hearing this, Yang Su erupted in fury: “Those so-called ministers in court are nothing but empty-tongued wine-bags who ruin the nation!”】

【“Tuoba Shu’s ambition is known to all.”】

【Yang Su stole a glance at you and saw you listening intently. He continued: “Master, are you even listening?”】

【You smiled: “Of course I am.”】

【Yang Su suddenly changed tone, his eyes brightening: “I know you don’t like hearing about politics—let me tell you about the martial world instead.”】

【You smiled faintly—you had seen through his intent—and nodded gently.】

【“Master, I went down the mountain with several senior brothers and met a few bold, likable men—each one loyal to honor, not profit, each a true hero.”】

【“We bonded instantly, swore brotherhood—not to live together, but to die together. There was also a little sister, fiery and sharp-tongued, always teasing me, telling my embarrassing stories—I hated her most.”】

【But when I was trapped in death’s grasp, it was she…】

【The boy fell silent here.】

【“It was she who came to save me, risking her life.”】

【“Later, I learned they were all…”】

【Yang Su hesitated, stammering, unable to speak the words.】

【You smiled: “So they weren’t righteous sect members after all.”】

【Yang Su was startled, then slumped slightly, forcing a bitter laugh:】

【“Master, can you please stop guessing my thoughts every time?”】

【“They really aren’t from the righteous path. When I heard, I immediately wanted to cut ties.”】

【“But…”】

【The boy had learned sorrow. He remembered the look in the eyes of the woman who had saved him, grievously wounded—how she chased him to the riverbank after he cruelly boarded the boat, each memory cutting like a knife.】

【Yang Su said: “I dare not tell Master about this. You know his nature.”】

【Over the years, Lu Yu has killed a thousand or more demons and heretics—any he encountered met only death.】

【You smiled faintly: “So you want to leave the sect, escape Mount Zhongnan.”】

【At these words, Yang Su’s face stiffened. He lowered his head, knelt before you, forehead pressed to the ground, tears streaming hotly down his cheeks.】

【“Yes, Master. I want to leave the mountain.” His voice trembled.】

【“Even if Master kills me for it, Yang Su will never regret it.”】

【“I’m just afraid… that after I’m gone, no one will pick persimmons for you anymore.”】

【“No one will pick pomegranates for you.”】

【“No one will come to visit you!”】

【You reached out and stroked his head—the boy was weeping uncontrollably.】

【“What’s the big deal?”】

【“I never thought the little beggar I picked up all those years ago would grow up.”】

【You looked again at Mount Zhongnan—it was now deep autumn.】

【A thousand mountains ablaze, forests dyed in crimson.】

(End of Chapter)