Chapter 242: Past and Future (Revised)

Splash~

The iron door of the prison cell opened, and Shen Cang raised his hand in a polite gesture:

"Young Master Xie, please."

Xie Jinhuan adjusted his robes slightly, walked out of the cell, and followed Shen Cang to a duty room outside the corridor, where an oil lamp was lit inside.

A middle-aged man in a crimson official robe stood with his hands behind his back in the room. He was as plump and fair as ever, but he had grown a beard, so although he was originally a military officer, he now possessed a touch of scholarly air. His entire demeanor had changed significantly from before; unless one had grown up with him, it would be hard to recognize him.

The child-faced, large-breasted female constable stood by his side. She had just been flattering him with sweet words, but upon seeing him enter, she hurriedly introduced:

"Young Master Xie, this is Lord Guo Deng of the Department of Punishments, a relative of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. He is upright and warm-hearted. You may speak freely about any grievances you have."

Xie Wen looked at the grown-up Xiao Deng, whom he could barely recognize, and felt a surge of emotions. However, given his current special identity, he adopted the manner of a Northern Zhou official receiving a foreign envoy, bowing with hands clasped without being humble or arrogant:

"Young Master Xie."

Xie Jinhuan raised his hand to return the greeting, then scanned the surroundings and said with a troubled expression:

"The matter of Lishan is quite complex. If too many people know, it might cause unnecessary trouble. May I discuss this with Lord Guo in private?"

Xie Wen nodded solemnly, raised his hand to signal Miss Jiang Xiao Biao to go out and wait. Only after the sound of footsteps faded away did a trace of excitement appear between his brows. He raised his hand and lightly tapped the back of Xie Jinhuan's head, speaking in a low voice:

"You rascal! What are you doing? The outside world is in an uproar. It was one thing to strike Lu Yan, but why kill Li Huaichuan?"

Xie Jinhuan was also quite helpless. He had asked A Piao to keep watch on the outside situation, and now he took two scraps of paper from his robe:

"I was set up. My friend and I had just arrived at Bai Hua County when we heard news regarding the person who killed her father. Following the clues, we easily found this in the Jianchuan Mine. Then Li Huaichuan ambushed us at the exit, harboring murderous intent. I had no choice but to act. Lu Yan arrived almost immediately after..."

Xie Wen knew his son was not so rash. He took the note and examined it, analyzing slightly based on his years of experience as a county commandant. His brows immediately furrowed:

"It seems the person who set this trap intends to shift the blood feud of Queyue Manor onto Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, causing you to misjudge. I just don't know the relationship between you and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager..."

Xie Jinhuan shook his head: "Not only that. I came here concealing my tracks, yet the opponent could spread accurate information on a large scale to lure me to Jianchuan. This shows their network spans the Southern Border, Great Qian, and Northern Zhou, and they are at high levels. At first, I didn't believe such a powerful force existed, but Li Huaichuan appeared in time, and Lu Yan arrived shortly after. Even if they didn't kill me, they used laws, morality, and stance to seal the trap for me, making it impossible for me to establish myself in the North. I cannot prove my innocence, and I don't believe a word of these coincidences."

"..."

Xie Wen also didn't believe any force could be so all-powerful. If such a force existed, it certainly wouldn't be mere evil cultists; it would have to be one of the Immortals who survived the Wu Sect uprising.

The specific details were beyond Xie Wen's level to speculate on. He immediately said:

"These matters must be discussed with Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Father and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager will certainly believe you, but this matter is truly difficult to handle. Li Huaichuan is a descendant of merit; even if he wanted to kill for treasure, he died in his own home with no evidence. As for Lu Yan, his actions were legally and reasonably justified in the past; he probably doesn't even realize he was tricked by a demon Daoist into targeting you. If you say you were framed by a demon Daoist, no one in the Northern Zhou court or among the people will believe it. If all else fails, you can only return to the Southern Court to lay low for a while..."

Xie Jinhuan shook his head: "The opponent dared to use bait to calculate me; I must definitely investigate the matter thoroughly. If I run back in disgrace, wouldn't that confirm I committed murder for profit? I can handle this matter, I just need the Empress Dowager's protection."

"I have already sent word; there should be news soon..."

After the two discussed the current situation, Xie Wen began to examine Xie Jinhuan's body again. Finding it covered in battle scars, he felt great pain in his heart. He then raised his eyes to signal the prison cell in the distance:

"That young lady is your..."

Xie Jinhuan certainly couldn't say she was his wife, so he said softly:

"She uses the alias Hua Ruyue and is currently a friend from the Jianghu."

Currently...

Xie Wen nodded slightly, understanding her identity—a Jianghu beauty he was still pursuing.

The Southern Court's envoy team had arrived at Yanjing two days ago. Xie Wen heard that an old acquaintance had also come. While receiving them at the Ministry of Rites, he even went to take a look. The result was a large group of female attendants: Princess Wan Yi, Linghu Qingmo, Zisu, Duoduo, and others. He wasn't clear on who was the future daughter-in-law. He had intended to subtly inquire, but instead, he heard urgent footsteps coming from outside:

Tap, tap, tap...

Xie Wen immediately straightened his posture, adopting the appearance of someone engaged in serious diplomatic communication.

Xie Jinhuan, who had been trained in body language and demeanor since the age of three, naturally instantly restored his cold and extraordinary aura. He looked outside and saw Shen Cang quickly approaching the door, clasping his hands and saying:

"Lord Guo, a noble person requests to question Young Master Xie. Please, Young Master Xie, accompany me."

A noble person?

Xie Wen was originally curious about who held such great authority to meddle at such a time, but he immediately realized and hurriedly raised his hand:

"Young Master Xie, please."

Seeing this, Xie Jinhuan thought it must be the red-haired big sister arriving in person. He didn't delay, quickly followed, and walked out...

—

The snow had passed and the sky cleared. Above the city illuminated by brilliant lights, a full moon hung.

Four female guards in brocade robes carrying swords stood outside a hall behind the Ministry of Punishments. Inside, the lights were bright, yet the doors and windows were tightly closed.

Xie Jinhuan was brought to the courtyard gate, where Shen Cang stopped. He entered the courtyard alone. The female guard standing at the door did not speak, but simply raised her hand to open the main gate.

Creak~

Inside the room, one could see the Seven Talents Painting beneath the main hall. It was unclear whose office it was. Through the inner door, a shadow could be seen.

Seeing this, Xie Jinhuan entered the door and glanced around. He saw a woman wearing a magnificent phoenix skirt and a golden hairpin standing alone in front of a scroll. Her figure was extremely tall. Her long hair, tied up in a bun, was as black as ink. From head to toe, she exuded a noble air that could only be admired from afar and not trifled with. Yet, she did not seem as delicate as a landlord's wife; instead, she felt very tough. Her waist and back were straight like a sharp sword, or a towering pine standing firm against the sky.

?

Xie Jinhuan remembered that the Jin Jia big sister had red hair. Seeing this scene, he was naturally confused. To avoid mistaking the wrong patron, he stepped forward and clasped his hands:

"Foreign subject Xie Jinhuan dares to ask, who is Her Ladyship?"

Click~

The door behind him closed accordingly.

The woman standing before the scroll turned around, revealing a face as white as cold jade. Her eyes were kind yet possessed a sharpness of their own. Her voice carried the oppressive weight of one who had long held a high position:

"It has been three years. You have grown so much."

Hearing the voice, Xie Jinhuan finally confirmed her identity. He stepped closer, looking slightly puzzled:

"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, why is your hair different from the last time I saw you?"

Empress Dowager Guo walked lightly toward the tea table. Halfway there, her entire appearance changed. The bun on her head began to turn wine-red from the roots. Her facial features also changed slightly, becoming much more three-dimensional. Her black pupils revealed a faint green, and her skin was whiter than that of an ordinary woman.

Although the changes were not drastic, her entire being instantly became a hundred times more radiant. The exotic style of red hair and green eyes, with breasts larger than her head, was fully displayed. Yet, she did not lose her inherent nobility. Her aura was at least four meters tall...

If she were to change into a sheer slanted skirt, revealing her long white legs and snow-white skin, and let her hair down, she would be a veritable Queen of the Western Regions...

Xie Jinhuan blinked, quite surprised:

"What kind of divine ability is this?" Empress Dowager Guo raised her hand to signal Xie Jinhuan to take a seat:

"A mere concealment trick, used to disguise my identity."

Xie Jinhuan sat down before her, somewhat puzzled:

"Aren't you Empress Dowager Guo?"

Empress Dowager Guo had been sizing up Xie Jinhuan the whole time. Though they were acquainted, this was indeed only their second formal meeting. She replied:

"I am naturally the reigning Empress Dowager, but my origins are a bit more complicated than you imagine. You should be able to recognize my identity through certain serendipitous opportunities. I won't hide it from you, then…"

To quickly understand each other, Empress Dowager Guo gave Xie Jinhuan a rough account of her own past.

Roughly during the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of Northern Zhou, a clansman of the Guo clan of Cangzhou, who served as Chief Secretary in the Anxi Protectorate, happened upon a baby girl while relieving a disaster. His Lady took her in as an adopted daughter and named her 'Meiren' (Beauty).

Though Guo Meiren was born in the Western Regions, she was raised as one of their own from childhood. Clever and quick-witted, she displayed extraordinary talent at a very young age—by sixteen she was already invincible within the army. She then bid farewell to her parents and set out to travel the four corners of the world.

The result was that while seeking serendipitous opportunities in the Phoenix Tomb of the Southern Frontier, she accidentally fell into a rift and was trapped underground for sixty years. By the time she emerged, it was the moment the Phoenix Tomb reopened a full sexagenary cycle later. Her parents had long since passed, and the world had changed utterly—demonic evils rose on all sides, and it was the eve of the Wu Sect Uprising.

Fortunately, while trapped underground she did not give up hope. She spent years burying herself in bitter training and seeking a way to escape. By the time she left the mountain, she had already become the Northern Zhou Female War God, standing at the very pinnacle!

Though her parents were gone, they had often taught her in childhood: 'When stationed at the height of the court, worry for the people; when dwelling in the distant rivers and lakes, worry for your lord.' Moreover, it was precisely because of her parents' compassion for the suffering common folk of foreign races that her life had been spared.

Thus, without the slightest surprise, she took the path of 'carving out peace for the common people.' She returned to Northern Zhou, began purging demonic evils from every region, assisted the imperial court, and even became the female alliance leader of the northern martial world.

But just as the various sects worked together and the situation was gradually being stabilized, dire news arrived from the south.

Master Sikong had a disciple whose talent was so high it left her in awe—but the disciple had no sense of right or wrong, would stop at nothing to achieve her goals, and secretly studied the soul-refining arts of the Corpse-Witch Faction and Ghost Cultivators. She should have been expelled from the sect.

But though the Corpse Ancestor committed a thousand evils, she never betrayed her teachers. The reason the upheaval was named the 'Wu Sect Uprising' rather than the 'Demonic Dao Uprising' was precisely because although the Corpse Ancestor dabbled in demonic cultivation techniques, she never once betrayed the sect.

On the contrary, it was Sikong Shitang who had originally taught her disciple: 'Make the Wu Sect stand at the pinnacle of all sects; on the path of cultivation, one's Dao-heart must be like iron; mercy cannot command armies, sentiment cannot accomplish affairs.' Yet in the end, he was the one who chose the righteous path and betrayed his former ideals and ambitions.

Facing a disciple who had outstripped her master, Sikong Shitang could not bring herself to strike the blow. Publicly she claimed to be expelling her from the sect, but in truth she hid her away in the Hundred Thousand Mountains of the Southern Frontier.

By the time the righteous sects learned of this news, the Corpse Ancestor had already emerged from seclusion, standing before the world in an invincible stance.

Sikong Shitang was clearly too soft-hearted. At first she could not bear to expel her disciple, and later she did not wish to bring death to countless common folk. The result was that she harmed both the countless common folk and the disciple she had been so proud of. For this reason, after the war her Dao-heart simply shattered, and she vanished without a trace.

But the Corpse Ancestor was different—steadfast in purpose and decisive in action. Even when besieged by the combined assault of the Three Immortals of the Northern Realm, Ye Ci, True Person Qixia, and other prodigies, and even stabbed in the back by her own master, she still strove with all her might to seek victory.

But human strength has its limits.

She had fought alongside the leaders of the various sects in the counterattack, and finally in the decisive battle at Dragon Bone Shoal, they beat the Corpse Ancestor down a realm and sealed her within Demon-Suppressing Tomb.

But she was also wounded by the demonic blade condensed from ten million vengeful souls. Though her life was preserved, she already showed signs of falling into demonic corruption, and there was no way to suppress it.

To prevent calamity from befalling the world, she resolutely chose corpse dissolution—that is, self-destruction—to join her parents in the Nine Springs below.

But before her corpse dissolution, to prevent any more cultivators from harming the world, she prepared to take Shang Lianbi with her. After all, this Daoist friend was both powerful and adept at hiding, and while the Corpse Ancestor at least still had some faith, this grandson only sought longevity—a born cultivation machine.

Unfortunately, her damaged body could not prevail; she only managed to grievously wound Shang Lianbi.

At the time this seemed excessive, for Shang Lianbi had never committed any great wrong and had indeed contributed to the righteous cause—he merely valued his own life.

But she did not care. Once it was done, she underwent corpse dissolution and ascended, returning her flesh, blood, and essence to heaven and earth, settling all debts of gratitude and enmity.

Originally she had thought she truly died, becoming one of the martyrs of the Wu Sect Uprising.

But unexpectedly, when Zhu Que Tomb reopened a sexagenary cycle ago, she woke once more!

She completely did not understand the reason. She only discovered that her body seemed to have become a shadow—her true form remained in Zhu Que Tomb, unable to cultivate or train Qi any longer. Whenever she left Zhu Que Tomb, her body would continuously weaken.

Thus she could only stay in the Zhu Que Tomb to recuperate, seeking a way to restore normalcy. Then, more than twenty years ago, the Wu-Gu Calamity struck Northern Zhou, and the Guo clan was drawn into it as well.

She had once been a child of the Guo family, and now she was the Guo family's Laozu Sect.

By virtue of her contributions during the Wu Sect Uprising, the Guo clan had become a great house of Northern Zhou. Both the current young emperor and the short-lived Emperor Ai could be counted among her descendants.

Sensing that Northern Zhou showed signs of perishing, she did not forget her parents' childhood teachings. She left the mountain, returned to the Guo clan, and under the name of a legitimate Guo daughter, entered the palace as Empress Dowager to hold court behind the curtain, purging the Northern Zhou court and realm.

But after three hundred years, Northern Zhou had accumulated deep grievances. She was no true immortal either; despite exerting her utmost, she could only maintain a superficial stability.

Reforms and new laws damaged the interests of the great houses, and many powerful clans and nobles worked behind the scenes, trying to force her from power.

The feudal kings, fearing the Guo clan would usurp the throne, also pressured her.

Most critically were the demonic Daoists. She had shattered their schemes in Northern Zhou, and over these years they had been using the banner of the 'Chiwu Sect' to run amok and sling mud at her.

From the rumor 'The state perishes by the Red; demons descend upon Zhou's soil,' it seemed the figures behind the demonic Daoists had some inkling of her identity, and had even attempted assassination several times to probe whether she was the reincarnation of the Female War God.

If her identity were exposed, she would surely be settled accounts with by enemies like Shang Lianbi. Back then she had resolutely undergone corpse dissolution, and even tricked the greenhorn Xie Laomo out of a heap of little tears, returning all the serendipitous opportunities she had snatched from her.

Given Xie Laomo's temperament, if she discovered that Guo had not died, she would probably strip her of every last stitch of clothing to soothe her wounded little heart…

(End of this chapter)