Volume Two: The Fleeting Life of Kunlun Chapter Seventy-Six

Keeping track of the time, Jinli needed to deliver gifts and had to leave first, so she bid farewell to the boy.

The boy stubbornly clung to her shawl, but fearing he might dirty it, he quickly let go.

“What’s your name? Where can I find you?”

The woman turned, her fair fingers swiftly and skillfully traced a short phoenix feather over his heart. She also handed him a jade pendant.

“My name is Ajing. Come to Pear Blossom Valley and you will find me.”

With those words, she hurried away.

The boy touched his heart, feeling its pounding rhythm. The phoenix feather was warm to the touch. The translucent jade pendant was beautiful, inscribed with a character in shark script: Jing.

Pear Blossom Valley.

It sounded like a beautiful place.

“Young Lord, why have you run here?”

A woman dressed as a maid hurried over, her expression sorrowful yet her gaze full of gentle affection. She knelt before the boy, examining his injuries, tears welling in her eyes.

“They… bullied you again, didn’t they?”

The boy lifted his hand to wipe away her tears, his face indifferent. “No, Aunt.”

Nan Mo gazed at the boy’s mature demeanor and hugged him tightly, repeating, “It’s not over yet. We will definitely leave this place.”

She vowed to take the Sea God’s only child away, far from here.

After delivering the gifts, Jinli was about to leave when someone shouted, “It’s her!”

She was puzzled, turning to see several reckless youths from the earlier group.

They had dragged their fathers and mothers, who now blocked Jinli’s path.

“This Immortal Envoy, our family has no past grievances with you. Why do you humiliate my child?”

Humiliate? Who was humiliating whom was still unclear.

Those children, pitiful now, had lost all their earlier arrogance.

Pretending?

Jinli had always despised those who acted one way in public and another in private. She stepped forward and asked directly, “May I ask, Immortal Lord, did you see me bully your child?”

The man was speechless, unable to utter a word.

The boy beside him wailed, “It’s her! She used immortal magic to control us! She threw stones at us!”

“Silence.”

Jinli’s cold voice, laced with threat, turned the boy’s cries into whimpers.

The Immortal Lord beside them looked pale and embarrassed.

The commotion drew the South Sea Water Lord, who appeared in person. The crowd parted to make way.

She looked up, her expression changing instantly.

Her previously calm thoughts became chaotic, anxious.

Her gaze darted about, wishing to hide, afraid the man would recognize her.

The South Sea Water Lord spoke, “What’s happening?”

The Immortal Lord hurriedly bowed. The crowd followed, respectfully greeting, “Greetings, Emperor Jiuxuan.”

Emperor Jiuxuan, Jingye.

He was already Emperor now?

She bowed with them, feeling her heart about to burst from her chest, her limbs cold and trembling uncontrollably.

“What exactly happened?”

The Water Lord asked again. The Turtle Envoy explained, “This Immortal Lord accuses this Immortal Envoy of humiliating his child, and a dispute is underway.”

Jinli thought: Why must it involve me?

Everyone followed the Turtle Envoy’s gaze to Jingyue, who hung her head, silent.

“Raise your head.”

She dared not. She knew that if she lifted her head now, Jingye would surely be looking at her.

The Water Lord spoke again, “Whose Immortal Envoy are you? Why cause trouble for no reason?”

Jinli raised her head, unwilling to be misunderstood.

When Jingye saw her, his heart ached fiercely, the sour, stinging sensation returning.

But this person wasn’t her. Neither the face nor the voice matched.

Yet why did he have such a strong reaction to this stranger?

Jinli forced a stiff smile and made a small courtesy. “I am the Immortal Envoy of High Deity Jincheng of the Southern Wilds. My lord was unable to attend and sent me to deliver congratulations.”

Hearing Jincheng’s name, the Water Lord immediately changed his demeanor, adopting a respectful tone. “How has the High Deity been lately?”

“My lord is well, thank you for your concern. Today, I must apologize for accidentally offending your child and causing trouble for you. I hope for your understanding.”

Since she was from Jincheng’s household, any grievances would have to be swallowed. Few dared provoke High Deity Jincheng; even sending a gift was an honor.

“It’s nothing, nothing at all.”

The Water Lord smiled broadly.

Jinli felt the searing gaze upon her and bowed to Jingye.

To her surprise, the usually courteous Jingye glanced coldly at her and looked away.

She remembered the Yiyan Pearl.

Indeed, bringing the Yiyan Pearl was a wise decision.

Jinli placed the gift and left.

She wished she could vanish instantly.

But as she reached the door, Jingye called out to her.

She turned, the dull ache in her heart rising again.

But now, she was Jinli, no longer Tianyu, and no longer feared him.

“Emperor Jiuxuan, is there something you need?”

Jingye’s face remained cold. “Has High Deity Jincheng returned?”

Why was he asking about Jincheng?

“My lord has been traveling for a hundred years and has not returned.”

She saw the disappointment in Jingye’s eyes.

Jingye continued, “Then please inform me when your lord returns.”

Why?

“What do you mean, Your Majesty?”

Jingye’s lips did not smile. “If it’s inconvenient, then forget it.”

She had no desire to be entangled with Jingye. If it was inconvenient, all the better. But if she wanted Jingye to thoroughly dislike her, she still needed to do…

“Oh, Your Majesty must be joking. It’s no trouble. You may tell me, and I’ll inform my lord. In fact, I have always admired you.”

Jingye had always despised sycophants, especially clingy women.

As expected, Jingye frowned, stepped back to widen the distance, his gaze cold and full of disdain beneath the frost.

“No need.”

With that, Jingye turned and left in a swirl of immortal mist.

Jinli collapsed, breathing heavily.

With this, Jingye should never fall for her.

But she could never have imagined that only a month after her rebirth, someone arrived at Lotus River whom she never expected.

“Lady, Emperor Jiuxuan is here.”

Yunxiang had just finished speaking, and Jinli, fishing by the pond, was startled.

Why had Jingye come here? What had happened?

Had she been exposed?

“Don’t see him.”

She frowned, wanting Yunxiang to send him away, watching the fish in the clear pond.

She was no longer Tianyu. She was no longer Tianyu. She and Jingye had nothing to do with each other. Was she afraid to see him because she still cared for him, or because she feared he would recognize her? But even if he did, what use was it?

It was a doomed fate.

It should end.

“Where is the Emperor?”

“He’s in the Lotus Pavilion.”

Jinli covered her face with shark silk.

Through the drifting veil in the Lotus Pavilion, she saw him at once. He was still outstanding, his tall, graceful figure bearing the bearing of an immortal, the ribbons of his crown fluttering in the wind.

Nothing seemed to have changed; he still stood in the light—or perhaps he had always stood in the light.

“What brings Emperor Jiuxuan to my Lotus River?”

Jingye turned, the High Deity’s clear gaze falling on her, his heart aching again, that strange, familiar feeling resurfacing. Yet, seeing the divine mark on the High Deity’s forehead, he realized this was not her.

He nodded, raised his hand, and performed the immortal salute.

Jinli was startled—this was new; it was the first time she’d seen the Emperor salute someone else.

“I heard Lady Divine had obtained the Soul-Casting Candle. May I borrow it?”

“What does Your Majesty need the Soul-Casting Candle for?”

Was he planning to forge Tianyu’s soul?

Her mind wandered.

Jingye’s eyes grew sorrowful. “A friend of mine is injured and requires the Soul-Casting Candle.”

“A friend? The Soul-Casting Candle is only for one’s closest kin or beloved. Is this friend the Lady Yousu?”

She probed.

Jingye paused, and Jinli continued, “All the realms know of the legend between Your Majesty and Lady Yousu. Now you ask for the Soul-Casting Candle—is Lady Yousu injured?”

“If I say yes, will you lend it?”

Jinli’s heart sank. So it really was Yousu Wen. Jingye had always loved only Yousu Wen, three hundred years ago and still now.

She replied calmly, “…I’ll lend it. Why not?”

“But, I have conditions.”

A glimmer appeared in Jingye’s eyes.

“What is it?”

“I want you to marry me. Let me be your wife.”

She would never let Jingye marry Yousu Wen. As long as she lived, Yousu Wen’s wish would remain unfulfilled.

Jingye stiffened, surprised and hesitant.

Seeing his hesitation, she continued, “Your Majesty knows, once the Soul-Casting Candle is used, it becomes useless until it encounters the next fated person who reforges it with their soul. How long will you have to wait for the next fated one?”

Jingye was silent.

Jinli went on, “That’s one reason. Secondly, after three hundred years of peace, you know the Demon Lord won’t remain a subject. The Lotus River’s divine line has had a marriage pact with the Holy Domain since ancient times. So, marrying me is no loss to you.”

“Of course.”

Jingye’s lips curled into a bitter smile, faintly. His raised eyes were full of sorrow. “Lady Divine, you are right. But my heart belongs to another. You would enter Junhua Palace in name only.”

“From the day I was born, I never had the freedom to love. To marry the legendary Emperor Jiuxuan, to choose between protecting all beings and love—I willingly choose the wish of the living.”

Jingye regarded the deity before him, not old in years, but mature in gaze and speech. Such was the demeanor of one who guarded the world.

“Very well, I accept.”

When Jingye spoke those words, she thought she saw his eyes redden, filled with regret, shame, reluctance, and sorrow.

In the end, Jinli handed the Soul-Casting Candle to Jingye. She did not regret it.

When Jincheng learned his sister was to marry Emperor Jiuxuan, he came to Lotus River overnight to confront Jinli.

It was the first time Jincheng was so furious. He more than anyone did not want Jinli to marry someone she didn’t love, merely for the family’s mission—a fate destined from birth to die for the world.

Eventually, Jinli convinced Jincheng, and the wedding was set for three days hence.

Now, Jinli wore a mask and came to the banks of the Weak Water. The clear waters of three hundred years ago were now ink-blue, hiding countless souls.

Yet, in every other water outside the Weak Water, the clarity and purity were thanks to Emperor Jiuxuan alone, who defended it, barring demons and monsters from crossing.

She gazed at the man wearing a golden mask, the dragon scales gleaming, his sword able to shake heaven and earth and drive back countless demon lords.

He had moved forward, leaving Tianyu behind. That was best. Who would keep a mortal in their heart?

Three days arrived.

Jinli touched the festive wedding robe, as Yunxiang joyfully helped her dress. But her heart was mixed with emotions.

Once, she could have worn this joyful robe to marry her beloved. But she was unworthy.

Now, she could wear it, but it was a transaction.

Many from the Holy Domain arrived. She saw Yunyi and Xinien.

Step by step, she walked toward that man. He was still handsome, unchanged. The stars in his deep eyes were fading.

He reached out his hand, Jinli looked up and slowly placed her hand in his.

That hand was still warm. Once, it had caressed her face, stroked her hair, soothed her shoulders…

The cloud carriage left Lotus River, red veils fluttering among the clouds, magpies celebrating from all directions, divine birds soaring, multicolored clouds stretching toward the heavens of the Holy Domain.

She looked at the ribbon around her waist and smiled.

She still married him.

Jinli, wearing shark silk, glanced up at the man standing beside her.