Chapter 289: The End of the Story, End of this Volume

Taohua Shanzhuang.

Although it is now the turn of summer and autumn, the peach blossoms are still in full bloom, fragrant and intoxicating, making one lose themselves in it without realizing.

"Has that fellow left the Capital?"

Wuchen Gongzi, dressed in white as snow, stood with his hands behind his back in a courtyard, his black hair draped over his shoulders, looking like someone from the heavens.

If one looked closely, they would discover that there was always a hair's breadth of distance between his feet and the ground, unstained by even a speck of dust.

Wuchen Gongzi looked into the distance, divine light swirling in his eyes. A towering and domineering aura was circling above the Capital, incomparably powerful, as if it could suppress all evil spirits.

But this aura was fading rapidly.

Replacing it was another Imperial Qi of the Heavenly Origin; although still weak, it was growing and expanding rapidly, and perhaps before long, it would be able to command the four directions and unify the six harmonies.

Wuchen Gongzi is learned in the ways of the Heavenly Human, and in recent years, he has mastered the legendary art of Qi observation. It was precisely by using this method that he understood Zhu Wushi's rebellious heart even more clearly.

Although he rarely leaves Taohua Shanzhuang, he has a very detailed understanding of the world's trends.

He could already guess that the previous domineering aura originated from Yu Liancheng, while the newly rising Imperial Qi was Zhu Puzhao.

It was precisely because Yu Liancheng left the Capital that the True Dragon Qi, which had been suppressed from the very beginning, was able to rise.

Just at this moment, Wuchen Gongzi suddenly moved, turned his head, and looked outside the courtyard, a warm smile appearing at the corners of his mouth: "This girl, having been out for so many years, finally remembers to come back to see me, her master."

A moment later, a figure stepped into the courtyard; it was Shangguan Haitang, who was also dressed in white as snow, holding a Folding Fan, and dressed like a graceful young gentleman.

"Master."

Upon seeing Wuchen Gongzi, a look of joy immediately appeared on Shangguan Haitang's face, and she walked quickly to his front and bowed in salute.

"Alright, you girl, when did you become so formal?" Wuchen Gongzi chuckled and helped Shangguan Haitang up.

"Having not seen Master for many days, Haitang is truly overjoyed," Shangguan Haitang said, looking slightly moved.

"You are indeed better at speaking than before."

The two reminisced for a moment, then Wuchen Gongzi changed the subject: "By the way, how are things in the Capital? Tell me about it in detail."

"Mm." Shangguan Haitang nodded, sat on a stone stool, and recounted everything she knew, one by one, without any concealment.

After a long while, when Shangguan Haitang finished speaking, Wuchen Gongzi sighed: "Zhu Tiedan was once my close friend, and his martial arts and talent were both world-class. But since he gave birth to a heart of rebellion, having this end is only what he deserves."

Shangguan Haitang's expression was slightly dim as she said: "Shen Daguanren was killed by the Divine Marquis, and with the First Manor in the World having no boss, I have felt relaxed ever since."

Wuchen Gongzi patted her head: "Alright, from now on, just follow Master and cultivate at Taohua Shanzhuang; fortunately, it is never boring here."

Shangguan Haitang looked around, a smile appearing on her lips again, and said: "Master, Taohua Shanzhuang is still exactly the same as before; all year round, the peach blossoms are in full bloom."

"This manor is a masterpiece I spent my whole life on; wanting to maintain this scene of never-fading peach blossoms took a great deal of effort." Wuchen Gongzi showed a look of self-satisfaction; in front of the disciple he had taught, there was no need to hide that little bit of pride at all.

"But... although I, the disciple, have become idle, you, Master, are not idle at all," Shangguan Haitang blinked and said.

"Hm?" Wuchen Gongzi showed a look of confusion.

Shangguan Haitang smiled: "Master, you are now the 'Second Heavenly King' of the 'Heavenly Sky', and now that the 'Heavenly Sky' is growing and expanding, there are many things waiting for you to handle."

Wuchen Gongzi hurriedly interrupted: "Wait, when did I become the 'Second Heavenly King'?"

"Ever since the 'Heavenly Sky' was established, you, Wuchen Gongzi, became the 'Second Heavenly King', decreed by this seat."

A clear and bright voice rang out, and Yu Liancheng walked out from among the peach blossoms with his hands behind his back, smiling: "By the way, remember our bet from back then."

Seeing Yu Liancheng, Wuchen Gongzi could not help but show a bitter expression. He first shouted three times, "Young Master Yu is peerless in the world," then shook his head and said: "I am used to being idle; you should find someone else for this Second Heavenly King position."

"Hahaha. With all this talent of yours, just letting it sit here is truly a waste." Yu Liancheng laughed heartily, his figure flashed, and he had already placed his hand on Wuchen Gongzi's shoulder.

He had already planned to withdraw from the Heavenly Sky, so naturally, he needed to find someone to take the helm.

And Wuchen Gongzi could not be more suitable.

Yunmiaoshan.

The cliff is ten thousand feet high, standing above the clouds.

The dangerous cliff is steep; wanting to climb this high mountain requires being prepared to be smashed to pieces at any moment.

The "Fifth Heaven Sun" of the "Heavenly Sky" resides here.

During the period when the "Heavenly Sky" swept through the Central Plains, this "Fifth Heaven Sun" revealed a blade technique that transcended the mundane, once again ascending to the throne of the number one master of blade techniques.

Now that the momentum of the "Heavenly Sky" has been established and is rolling and growing, there is no need for more fighting and killing. The "Fifth Heaven Sun" ascended Yunmiaoshan and retired here.

Occasionally, blade technique experts come to challenge him, but there is never any other outcome than a mangled corpse falling from the ten-thousand-foot cliff.

And today, another young man in black clothes carrying a blade is climbing the mountain.

The young man is like a drawn long blade, incomparably sharp. His movement technique is also swift and peerless, soaring through the air like a wild goose, and the steep and dangerous mountain road cannot cause him the slightest obstruction.

When the man in black reached the top of the mountain, he saw a figure with both hands behind his back, seemingly gazing at the sea of clouds and the long sky.

"Yidao, my disciple, you have finally come." A weathered and ancient voice sounded, and the man slowly turned his face; it was the "Fifth Heaven Sun", the Tyrant Blade.

Only, he no longer had the loftiness and unpredictability of being a "Heaven", nor the sharpness and dominance of being the "Tyrant Blade"; he was ordinary and plain.

"That's right, I have come; I have come to defeat you," Guihai Yidao said coldly, the gale blowing his robes until they rustled.

"Heh." The Tyrant Blade smiled lightly and slowly turned his body. That calm and deep gaze looked Guihai Yidao up and down, and he nodded, saying: "Very good, you have finally not disappointed me. Draw your blade; let your master defeat you."

Guihai Yidao said coldly: "Where is your blade?"

"I am the blade!" As he said these words, the Tyrant Blade's eyebrows lifted slightly, and a sharp aura permeated from his body, straight into the blue sky, forcing the clouds and mist to disperse to both sides.

"Good, watch the blade."

After a moment of silence, Guihai Yidao drew his long blade, and the blade light tore through the long sky, slashing down toward the Tyrant Blade.

The Tyrant Blade laughed heartily, held his palm upright as a blade, and swung it over in the same way.

Giant Whale Gang.

A cenotaph.

One could see written on the tombstone.

—The grave of my beloved daughter, Yagyu Yukihime.

Duan Tianya stood before the cenotaph, gazing deeply at it, his face revealing a complex mix of reminiscence, regret, and sweetness, which finally dissolved into a long sigh.

This was the cenotaph set up by the Liusheng father and daughter for Yagyu Yukihime; Yu Liancheng had told him about it before leaving the Capital.

Duan Tianya suddenly picked up a flagon of wine and tilted his head to pour it down his throat. But he poured too urgently and too quickly, not only causing him to choke and cough, but also spilling most of the wine onto his clothes, making him look even more dejected and dispirited, completely lacking the demeanor of a Heavenly Secret Agent.

"Yukihime..." Duan Tianya finished the flagon of wine, then took a Dongying short flute from his bosom and began to play; the sound of the flute was lingering, possessing an indescribable sorrow and attachment that made anyone who heard it feel heartbroken.

The Imperial Palace.

An exquisite palace.

"This makes no sense. The third Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom has already been consumed, yet Mother has been in a coma for an entire night." Cheng Shifei paced back and forth, his face showing signs of anxiety.

"Cheng Shifei, stop walking around; you're making my eyes dizzy." A pretty girl in magnificent clothes tapped the table, her brows revealing a hint of wilfulness.

This girl was the current Emperor's younger sister, Princess Yunluo.

She and Cheng Shifei were like magnets; whenever they met, they would stick firmly together, and no one could pull them apart.

And on a fancy bed to the side lay a woman.

She was only in her twenties, with pretty and gentle features, her figure rising and falling as gracefully as mountains and rivers, as if she were trapped in a deep sleep.

This woman was none other than Cheng Shifei's mother, Suxin.

Suxin had long since taken the second Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom, awakened from her slumber, and reunited with her son Cheng Shifei, living in harmony.

She had taken the third Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom yesterday, but had fallen into a deep sleep once again. Even after bringing in the world's number one physician, "Hua Tuo," it was to no avail; she had now been in a coma for a full night.

"You say it easily; this is my mother, not the Empress Dowager, so of course you aren't worried," Cheng Shifei said irritably.

"What did you say? You dare to curse the Empress Dowager?" Princess Yunluo put her hands on her waist, her willow-leaf eyebrows standing upright.

"Princess, I didn't curse the Empress Dowager; I was asking you to consider it from my perspective. The one in a coma right now is my mother, so it is only right that I am worried," Cheng Shifei said helplessly.

"Hmph, didn't the person who gave you the Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom say that? Taking the third Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom would cause a period of unconsciousness; your mother's pulse is steady and strong right now, she'll be fine."

"Alright, alright, stop arguing." Seeing that this pair of bickering enemies was about to have another big fight, the slender maid Xiaonu, dressed in green, hurriedly tried to mediate. She suddenly gave a cry of surprise and pointed at Suxin: "Look, look, her fingers moved."

The other two hurriedly shifted their gazes over, only to see Suxin still looking like a sleeping beauty. Just as Princess Yunluo was about to lecture Xiaonu, she heard Suxin let out a soft moan, and a pair of beautiful eyes slowly opened.

"Mother, Mother, are you alright!?" Cheng Shifei hurriedly sat down, as happy as a child: "Do you remember who I am? I'm Fei'er, I'm Cheng Shifei."

"Sister Suxin, I'm Yunluo, do you remember me?" Yunluo also hurriedly leaned in. Although she and Suxin were a generation apart, Suxin's time had been frozen for twenty years, so their actual ages were not much different.

"Alright, Fei'er, Yunluo, I'm fine, I've recovered." Suxin smiled slightly; although she was not stunningly beautiful, she had a unique, gentle, and moving charm.

"As long as you're fine, as long as you're fine." Cheng Shifei let out a breath of relief: "But we should still call the imperial physician to check on you, just to be safe."

"I'll go right now." The maid Xiaonu ran out of the room in a flurry.

"I'm already fine, there's no need to call an imperial physician, don't worry," Suxin said.

"Cheng Shifei is right, Sister Suxin, it's better to get checked," Princess Yunluo nodded, then turned to Cheng Shifei: "Did the person who gave you the Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom tell you if there was anything else to do after the patient wakes up? Are there any taboos?"

"No, he didn't say," Cheng Shifei shrugged.

Suxin's heart stirred: "By the way, Fei'er, who exactly gave you the Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom? Someone used such a treasure to save my life; no matter what, we should go and thank them."

"No need," Cheng Shifei waved his hand: "It's because the old man passed the 'Diamond Indestructible Divine Skill' and the 'Energy Absorption Technique' to him that he agreed to help find the Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom."

"Alright, regardless of the reason, Mother should still go and thank the savior. You wouldn't even refuse to tell your mother, would you?" Suxin said softly, her voice carrying a gentle power.

"Fine," Cheng Shifei said helplessly: "That person is Yu Liancheng."

"The First Heavenly Venerable, Yu Liancheng!!" Princess Yunluo's eyes lit up instantly.

"That's right, it's Brother Yu."

"You're going to find Yu Liancheng? I want to go too." Princess Yunluo turned her head, grabbed Suxin's sleeve with her hand, and said in a pleading tone: "Sister Suxin, let me go with you, okay? He is the Martial Arts Myth; I admire him the most."

"Fine, we'll all go, let's go together." Suxin looked at Princess Yunluo with gentle eyes; this was her future daughter-in-law, so naturally, she had to build a good relationship in advance. She then looked at Cheng Shifei: "Fei'er, in two days, we will go together to pay our respects to that benefactor Yu."

"Oh, got it." Cheng Shifei looked indifferent.

The summit of Tianshan.

Cold wind, accumulated snow.

Two figures suddenly flew up from a snowy field and landed lightly on the snow.

"'Fire in the mountains, ice in the fire,' the wonders of heaven and earth are truly magical. I never imagined there would be such a miraculous sight." Liusheng Piaoxu's long hair draped over her shoulders, and her bright, beautiful eyes still held a look of astonishment.

It was rumored that there was a Tianchi on Tianshan, and every once in a while, flames would gush out from the Tianchi; it was one of the wonders of the world.

Liusheng Piaoxu had thought it was just a legend, but she never expected to witness this wonder today; it was truly spectacular. After seeing the fire of the Tianchi, the two jumped into the Tianchi and entered an ice cave to see the legendary Tianchi Guaixia, although it was now just a corpse.

But that corpse was as lustrous as jade, and though dead, it did not fall.

"Could I possibly be lying to you?" Yu Liancheng laughed, then reached out to brush the snowflakes from her long hair: "By the way, your father took a large group of experts back to Dongying; aren't you planning to go and help?"

Liusheng Piaoxu smiled charmingly: "I have great confidence in Father. Even without the help of a clumsy daughter like me, he can still unify the Dongying martial arts world."

"That would be for the best," Yu Liancheng laughed: "Let's go, let's head down the mountain quickly; it's going to get colder and colder here."

Liusheng Piaoxu spread her arms slightly, her pretty face blushing a little, and said: "I want you to carry me on your back; I have no strength left."

"You've been eating for three months in the Imperial Palace and have turned into a little fat pig; I can't carry you." Although he said this, he had already lowered his body, letting Liusheng Piaoxu lie on his back.

When Yu Liancheng stood up, he felt she was as light and soft as a feather.

A strand of Liusheng Piaoxu's hair fell down, tickling Yu Liancheng's neck. Her face was as beautiful as a flower, and she gave a light shout as if riding a horse: "Down the mountain, let's go."

Yu Liancheng reached out and patted her bottom, causing her to cry out, and he laughed: "Alright, let's go."

With every step taken, a string of shallow footprints was left on the snow, only to be covered by the wind and snow in an instant.

PS: This volume ends here, tomorrow is Twin Dragons.