Ch116 - Bloodline

F**k, why is the King of Nine Provinces here?

Xie Zhiwei looked at Mu He, stunned, but Mu He’s eyes were wide open in confusion as well. He turned and said nothing, but narrowed his eyes at Mahavira Hall. A group of people emerged from the hall with the king mixed amongst them. If not for his eye-catching coiled dragon robes, he would look no different than one of the crowd. Xie Zhiwei was extremely lost. Dammit, didn’t you say you discussed things with your father? What did you talk about? Why does his face look even longer?

But when Xie Zhiwei looked ahead of the crowd, his puzzlement turned to astonishment. Leading the group was a cheery Yin Cangshan.

Why is it that guy? He’s gotten a lot of scenes recently, but I didn’t see him jumping around in the original novel? The daoist and Buddhist sects had just escaped danger and were still counting heads in the hall, but looked up in surprise at their arrival.

Du Sheng asked doubtfully, “Your Royal Majesty?”

The King of Nine Provinces nodded at Du Sheng. “Great Master, we’ve troubled you.”

A few disciples carefully set Chu Zhishi under the eaves. His face was pale and his body covered in blood after long falling unconscious. Yin Cangshan stopped smiling at once and exclaimed, “What happened to City Lord Chu?”

No one answered him. Wearing a heavy face, Yan Zhifei only busied himself with Xia Zhiqi to stop his bleeding. Chu Zhishi had been previously injured and put on a tough front before his disciples even with one arm dangling uselessly by his side. Outsiders had never seen him so disheveled. All of his disciples formed a silent circle around him, many of those from Heavenly Sun City with red-rimmed eyes. But they didn’t say a peep as tears gathered by their irises.

As the sect leader, Yan Zhifei had led everyone down the mountain and met with all sorts of twists and turns. Nothing had gone smoothly, so he was quite displeased by the flairs of the imperial court. “Today the Buddhist sect has met with trouble yet the King of Nine Provinces is here. Have you any guidance to offer again?”

The King of Nine Provinces was gloomy and aggressive to start, but started at his words and actually began to stammer. “Because the Buddhist sect was suffering from disaster, this king…made a special visit here.”

His statement was full of loopholes. Xia Zhiqi gave him no face and said, “Although the capital city isn’t far from the Buddhist sect, Your Royal Majesty has come a little too soon. After all, the incident only happened two incense sticks ago.”

Her revelation would even make an idiot wonder about the coincidence. The Buddhist sect had entertained royal visits before, but that was after news of its disaster spread to the capital city and the king appointed Mu He to set off the next day. Though it was only a few dozen li between the Buddhist sect and the capital, it still took half a day for one to arrive by carriage. How could the King of Nine Provinces or Yin Cangshan fly over with their skills as soon as they heard of the explosions?

Unless they knew about it beforehand and rushed here preemptively.

Chen Daoyuan’s mouth twitched before he cried, “It’s too much! My old man shizun doesn’t see eye-to-eye with you, so you stomped on his face. Do you want shizun’s life so much? Then I’ll pay with my life, stop hurting shizun!”

Immediately, the other daoist disciples echoed in chorus to condemn the King of Nine Provinces and even dragged in Mu He. They said the king was “malicious and venomous” while Mu He was “not a real man for being so calculative.” This was simply pinning the cause of the explosion on the king and Mu He’s heads. Even Xie Zhiwei couldn’t help looking at Mu He with suspicion to ask, “Is that so?”

Mu He only shook his head soundlessly and let go of the hand that was tugging Xie Zhiwei’s sleeve. Feeling his grip loosen, Xie Zhiwei had a bad premonition….an extremely bad one. He had to see through this plot and ask Gallant Outlaw to uncover the bug in the storyline.

The King of Nine Provinces said in a heavy voice, “You all mean to imply…this king was responsible for today’s affairs? But Royal Son was heavily injured too, what could he be planning?”

“Perhaps…” Yin Cangshan continued, “Nephew is after the Golden Lotus.”

The King of Nine Provinces’ expression instantly changed. Everyone else was in a fog about Yin Cangshan’s attitude. Why did these two friends suddenly start infighting? Why would Yin Cangshan accuse Mu He in public?

Xie Zhiwei felt that Yin Cangshan was acting strange. He felt that the trap today had nothing to do with the daoist sect at all, but was actually aimed at the hero. …what a joke. The protagonist has cheats, okay. If anything happens to him, this world will collapse.

The King of Nine Provinces looked darkly at Yin Cangshan and prepared to speak, but the latter suddenly sighed and stepped forward. “Your Royal Majesty, calm your anger. There is no better explanation.” He paused, then went on with a dignified expression, “I am a father too and deeply understand the feelings of Your Royal Majesty. But this concerns the matter of the imperial bloodline and Your Royal Majesty’s face, so it must be clarified.”

Xie Zhiwei gave a start. Bloodline?

…the original novel had no conflicts about the hero’s bloodline. He even criticized the story for it. Obviously the imperial clan was picky about bloodline, but no one ever brought it up. But in the end, it was just criticisms for a brainless thrilling-type novel. So why was it suddenly coming into the spotlight now?

Mu He’s voice suddenly fell. “Shizun, can you take disciple away.”

Xie Zhiwei recovered his wits and nodded. “All right.”

There was a dark tide raging against them. If there were really untoward intentions, Mu He’s current state wouldn’t able to cope with it. Although the plot was important, they might as well abandon it if it didn’t help the hero. He didn’t care that the protagonist was now the focus of the scene; his five stars’ worth of Presence Points was enough to stabilize his character even if he snatched the spotlight. Under everyone’s scrutiny, he unsheathed Qingping Sword and jumped aloft before reaching out to Mu He. “Give me your hand.”

In the eyes of others, he was clearly ignoring right and wrong to protect another’s shortcomings.

Yan Zhifei straightened up. “Zhiwei!” Although he had no goodwill towards the King of Nine Provinces, he wouldn’t add to the gray before things were explained. Yet Xie Zhiwei’s shocking actions were too inappropriate for the moment. Once the imperial court was involved, it was out of their hands. How could Xie Zhiwei, as an outsider to palace affairs, take Mu He away?

When Mu He reached for Xie Zhiwei, he chanced a glance at the King of Nine Provinces and saw the man suddenly turn his back. His eyes flashed as he prepared to step on the sword when a sudden burst of spiritual energy exploded towards him. It was similar to the explosions in the rear mountains and activated White Lotus, which formed a shield to block the blow for its master.

Xie Zhiwei only felt the air before him shake and stir as the vision of Mu He fluctuated surreally. Right after that, pale red spiritual energy burst out from Mu He’s fingertips before the white lotus petals outside his body withered like ruffled grasses back into his palm. Mu He stumbled backwards a step, his body surrounded by the red light that slowly intensified like evil spirits. He had never suffered such a setback since he became an adult. But even though he was in a rare vulnerable position, he remained airy and indifferent. After finding his footing, he quickly rationalized the situation but didn’t realize that person was to blame.

Xie Zhiwei failed to take them away and landed with a serious expression before replacing Qingping Sword in his sleeve. Yan Zhifei dragged him away from Mu He and he followed woodenly, his eyes never stopping their blank stare at his body. The King of Nine Provinces only turned for a look before turning away again. He was standing in a shadowed part of the Mahavira Hall with his expression completely obscured.

Yan Zhifei pulled Xie Zhiwei all the way beneath the eaves and said solemnly, “Zhiwei, you were too out of line just now.”

Xie Zhiwei had no heart to listen when he was already stunned by the scene before him. Crap, what is all this? Something evenly matched with the White Lotus on the hero’s body? The protagonist could still fight back if he was full of spiritual energy, but he doesn’t have much left after saving me and getting seriously injured!

What other unknown force existed in this world that could be so powerful? Did the original novel ever mention it? He didn’t have any impression!

Is Mu He…going to be okay?

Yan Zhifei saw Xie Zhiwei’s drifting, distracted gaze and added, “Zhishi’s life is hanging by a thread. If he…in the end, he needs an explanation, you understand?”

Xie Zhiwei finally looked at him and shook his head. “Senior brother, my disciple didn’t cause the disaster today.”

His tone was firm. Yan Zhifei had never see him so stubborn even when he was trying to shift tasks and reject requests in the past. He was always vague and evasive and never spoke straightforwardly. After a while, Yan Zhifei looked towards the center of the steps to the great hall. “Read the situation. Even if he didn’t, he has to be guilty now.”

Xie Zhiwei followed his gaze before his eyes dimmed.

Yin Cangshan slowly descended the steps with multiple ministers of the imperial court behind him. He looked reluctant as he said, “Nephew Mu He, your expression towards me…I can’t bear it in my heart. But it’s already led to the calamity at the Buddhist sect today, so running away isn’t the answer.”

He was confusing the audience with his rhetoric. Mu He was avoiding the issue of bloodlines, but now he’d been accused of masterminding the attack on the Buddhist sect too, splicing the two issues seamlessly… Yin Cangshan was truly an old fox. How did he ever bow so submissively to Mu He in the original novel? Xie Zhiwei looked at Mu He with worry, but the latter only kept his head bowed and closed off to the outside world.

Tantai Meng was looking at the unmoving Cheng Daoyao before she suddenly asked, “Why does he…want Golden Lotus?”

Yin Cangshan sighed. “That would have to start from Nephew Mu He’s origins.” He looked towards the lonely King of Nine Provinces. “Apologies for offending, Your Royal Majesty, but we’ve already discussed this ahead of time.”

As he spoke, he lifted a hand and a civil official stepped forward to take a thin booklet from his sleeve. Loudly he read, “There are two saintesses in this sect of the Left and Right. The Saintess of the Right Qiu Zhaoshui is a fugitive accused of treason who destroyed the cultivation base of the current Saint Sovereign Chi Yan. Her whereabouts are currently unknown—this is an edict from the Demonic Sect.”

Once finished, the official retreated into the crowds while silence reigned before Mahavira Hall. Only smoke and dust from the aftermath of the explosions lingered in the air. Most of those present had no idea why the irrelevant Demonic Sect had been mentioned, but the King of Nine Provinces only shut his eyes with creased brows.

Yin Cangshan didn’t disturb him, but looked towards Du Sheng instead. “Great Master Du Sheng, His Royal Majesty traveled all over the world in his early years. He once befriended a female actress, is this true?”

Du Sheng was a proper man who was currently hiding away, but was caught off by the sudden question. He wanted to see what the king meant by this, but the man’s back gave him no clues. As the crowd watched, he could only say cautiously, “His Royal Majesty did seem to have…praised a certain female actress for her excellent arts and looks.”

Yin Cangshan nodded. “The Saintess of the Right Qiu Zhaoshui also had a moving singing voice and stunning appearance.”

Pandemonium broke out in the crowd as they processed Yin Cangshan’s words. In other words, the King of Ning Provinces had entanglements with a Demonic Sect woman and gave birth to the current Shizi…the current emperor had no empress and the king this sole son, so everyone knew who would eventually inherit the throne.

But this sole heir was actually mixed with the blood of the Demonic Sect.

Mu He stood quietly beneath all the stares, as unmoving as a mountain. Strange looks landed on his body and Xie Zhiwei seemed to see past the dust and smoke to the skinny, weak boy who had been humiliated as a child. He couldn’t help taking a step towards him, but Yan Zhifei held him back. “Zhiwei, even less should you approach him now.”

Not only the imperial court, but the daoist sect, had a blood feud with the Demonic Sect. Back then their founder had been heavily injured by them and died before he reached 200 years old. But which of the top-ranked sects in the world didn’t have clashes with the Demonic Sect?

Yan Zhifei tried to dispel Xie Zhiwei’s notions and added, “Even his own father is indifferent, so there’s no need to blame yourself for being a bystander, either.”

Hearing this only sent a stab to Xie Zhiwei’s heart. It wasn’t very sharp, but left a lingering pain. Yan Zhifei saw that he was still staring at Mu He but not speaking and thought he’d taken his words to heart. He settled Xie Zhiwei down into a seat and said, “If you don’t want to look, you can enter the hall and rest.”

Xie Zhiwei pursed his lips and said nothing.

In the past, Mu He’s faction had remained firm and they objected now. “No one has even seen what Qiu Zhaoshui looked like. How can one suspect Shizi based on the one-sided words of King Yin?”

Yin Cangshan nodded his head in deep understanding. “Naturally this king had considered the matter. Since everyone is here today, mere words are not enough.” He looked up and said to the sky, “May the Saintess of the Left appear and speak.”

Before everyone could react, a clear bird’s song rang out in the sky, breaking the dullness of the night. Flocks of birds fluttered out of the forest, making a louder din than the previous explosions. Following that, a huge red bird flew through the glocks and appeared in the night. The red-robed silhouette standing on its back was wearing a fiery dress like the feathers of her mount and looked akin to a blaze burning in mid-air.

Xie Zhiwei looked up and met her glowing eyes.

“Qiu Chongyun of the Demonic Sect greets you all.”

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The author has something to say: Aunt Yun is back online~~~it’s really nerve-wrecking being stuck in this spot, I’ll do my best to update faster. But can you guess what happens in the plot later on?

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Translator’s Note: ( ￣ᵕ￣)