Chapter Forty-Nine: Both Good and Evil

Within the shadowed and sinister bedchamber, a biting cold wind swept in from the endless icy prison, whistling through intricately carved balustrades. It ravaged the silken curtains, delicate as cicada wings, twisting and tearing them with abandon. The perfumed gauze fluttered wildly in the storm, tracing mesmerizing arcs through the air, swaying as if to escape the wind’s grasp—yet, it could only writhe and tremble in captivity.

Upon the bed, Mingzhong, his face concealed beneath a mask of black gold, pressed against a petite and beautiful fairy. One bellowed like a dragon and tiger, while the other murmured like a songbird. After a tempestuous union, Mingzhong seemed spent; he clutched his chest and paused to catch his breath.

The fairy, her face flushed with pleasure, gently touched Mingzhong’s hand over his heart and cooed, “Second Prince, are you wounded?” Her slender, snowy fingers traced across his pale, muscular chest and slid down toward his abdomen.

Mingzhong remained silent, abruptly pushing away her hand. Like a wolf or tiger, he seized her arms and resumed his assault.

“Look at me!” Mingzhong’s voice was low and domineering as he pressed the languid fairy beneath him.

She gasped softly, “I am looking at you, Second Prince…”

“Do you love me?” Mingzhong demanded.

“I do! Of course, I love you!” Her eyes smoldered, still intoxicated by their passion.

“In that case, you will stay with me! You will never leave again!” Mingzhong declared with absolute authority.

The fairy softly caressed his mask. “But I have never seen the Second Prince’s true face…”

“If you see my face, will you truly give your heart to me?” Mingzhong asked.

“I am already honest with you, Second Prince. Why wouldn’t I be sincere?” she replied, shyly.

“Very well.” Mingzhong removed his mask.

Upon seeing his visage, the fairy’s languid gaze brightened with astonishment. She touched his face, stammering, “Second Prince! You are… you are…”

“Look into my eyes!” Mingzhong barked fiercely.

“I am looking…” The fairy greedily drank in his features, pressing her rosy lips to his.

A loud slap rang out. Five crimson fingerprints bloomed on her pale cheek.

“Look with your heart!” Mingzhong growled.

The fairy stroked her cheek, feigning seduction as she pouted at him, “Is this right, Second Prince?”

Mingzhong gripped her delicate throat. “Your heart! I want your heart!”

Breathless, the fairy acted frail, turning aside. “Second Prince, you hurt me. I won’t speak to you anymore.”

“Your heart belongs to me! You will never escape!” Mingzhong’s eyes blazed with madness; his hands summoned power.

The fairy thought he was playing, her sighs of pleasure turning to terror, then desperate struggle. She clawed and kicked, but Mingzhong pinned her firmly.

“Give me your true heart!” Mingzhong hissed through clenched teeth.

Her face reddened and darkened, her seductive eyes rolled back, limbs convulsed—after a bout of violent spasms, she gaped, tongue lolling, gasping for air. Her body went limp. She was dead.

Mingzhong released her, restored his mask, and rose, leaving the lifeless fairy behind. He dressed, gathering his jet-black hair.

“So, my second brother, always bold and domineering, is now playing at deep affection? Too crude, far too crude—this is not how sincere love is done…” A slightly plump man entered, his speech oily and lascivious, a wicked grin on his face. He was Mingbo, heir to the Netherworld.

“Elder brother, you skip the opera to watch your brother’s affairs?” Mingzhong laughed.

“Ah, I am troubled, but stumbled upon it.” Mingbo pointed to his brow. “Our parents gave me all their gifts, none to you—what a pity. But don’t worry, when your wedding night comes, I won’t watch! Haha!” Mingbo slapped Mingzhong’s shoulder, laughing wickedly.

“Thank you for your care, brother.” Mingzhong bowed, his deep, cold eyes hidden beneath his dark hair.

“Since you returned injured, you haven’t rested—always bringing women in, demanding their hearts, only to kill them. All so delicate and lovely, yet you don’t leave any for your brother? You aren’t very considerate.” Mingbo’s smile was cold.

“Any woman who sees my face without offering her heart must die with me. And those lowly wild fairies are unworthy of the Netherworld’s heir,” Mingzhong replied.

Mingbo basked in the praise, sighing with feigned sympathy. “Since that woman died, you’ve had this mask affliction. How pitiable.”

Mingzhong bowed his head. “I am lacking.”

“These days you favor small, sweet fairies. Have you found something extraordinary? When will you bring one for me to see?” Mingbo inquired.

“I killed her,” Mingzhong said coldly.

“You enjoy killing them so much?” Mingbo lamented.

“She angered me,” Mingzhong replied.

“What a shame! Where was this little fairy from?” Mingbo asked.

“A disciple of Jade Pure Domain,” Mingzhong answered.

Mingbo’s eyes shifted slyly. “Could it be…?” He burst into laughter. “Second Brother! Have your tastes changed? Fancying a boy now?”

“Those eyes, so moving, unforgettable,” Mingzhong mused.

“Oh! Second Brother, a killer of thousands, now cherishes a disciple from Jade Pure Domain. Even I am intrigued.” Mingbo grinned lewdly.

“A thousand years ago, the one who destroyed the Melting Pool artifact,” Mingzhong said.

Mingbo’s expression changed. “So it’s that boy! But dressed as a girl, he was quite adorable. Enough! I know what you want. Come, let’s visit Father.”

He patted Mingzhong’s shoulder, and together they entered the Hall of the Underworld King. The king, his face ashen and fierce, was laughing with his ministers—the laughter chilling and cruel.

“Second son! Where have you been? Tangling with women again?” the king demanded.

Mingzhong remained silent.

“Useless! What’s happening in Jade Pure Domain?”

“Forgive me, Father. I attacked Jade Pure Domain and was injured. I’ve been recovering these days and could not attend to it,” Mingzhong replied.

“Fool! Were you resting or playing with women?” the king growled.

Mingzhong quickly knelt. “Your son knows his fault!”

“Idiot! I entrusted Jade Pure Domain to you, and you ignored it! Such opportunity wasted! Executioner, flog him!”

“Yes!” A murderous general beside the king summoned a whip and struck Mingzhong from behind. Mingzhong endured without moving. “Your son accepts punishment! Please quell your anger, Father!” The harsher the lash, the fiercer Mingzhong’s voice.

“This king spares no useless sons!” the king roared.

“Father, spare my brother. He was injured by the spring wind. Though he failed, it brought results. The Blood Moon is still far off, no need to rush. To save the disciple, Jade Pure Domain was severely weakened, and Spring Wind spent much of her power. Second Brother’s merit is great. This is a prime opportunity,” Mingbo interceded.

“Enough!” The king raised his hand to halt the flogging. The executioner sheathed his whip and brought forward two bound and battered underworld soldiers, bloodied and scarred.

“Useless! You failed in Jade Pure Domain, and let spies from Heaven infiltrate our forces. Your brother dealt with them for you! Without gifts, you must work harder! Do not indulge in women! Understand?”

“Yes!” Mingzhong gritted his teeth.

Mingbo, pleased by the king’s praise, grinned foolishly. “Father, you flatter me.”

The king continued to berate Mingzhong. “Deal with these two Heaven spies who infiltrated your camp! Investigate further! If any escape, bring your own head!”

“Yes!” Mingzhong’s eyes flashed with murderous intent. He summoned the Nether Sword and killed the two spies, disemboweling them.

“Heaven Palace is busy with the Peach Banquet, distracted by festivities—this is a golden chance!” the king declared.

Blood dripped from Mingzhong’s sword. He spat the word “Heaven Palace” through clenched teeth, then grinned darkly.

Within Jade Pure Domain, ever since my throat was injured, I have been unable to speak. Spring Wind concocted immortality elixirs, forcing me to take them until I was dizzy and nosebleeding, all to no avail. Fortunately, Shanhe helped me—whatever Spring Wind brought, she consumed, her voice growing louder, so that each day she roared at sunrise and sunset. Fifteenth Senior Brother joked that Jade Pure Domain need not toll the morning and evening bells anymore. Eleventh Senior Brother avoided Shanhe daily, claiming her roar made his knees weak. Seeing his awkward and cautious manner always made me laugh. Since the “madman” incident, he feared Shanhe even more than Spring Wind.

Unable to speak, I gained more time for meditation and cultivation. Observing my heart, I found it clearer than before. Each day brought new insights; my progress improved remarkably. Curious, I regulated my breath and examined myself. To my surprise, my dantian was filled with pure, radiant aura—not my own flame, but pure celestial energy.

Master had transferred some of his divine power to me to save my life! No wonder he remained gravely injured.

How much had Master given? Was he well? How long would he remain in Sunset Cave to recover? Or had he gone out again? Worried, I could not sit still and transformed into a cold crow, flying to Sunset Cave and hiding in a tree.

I saw Senior Brother Baize rush out of the cave. As Eleventh Senior Brother said, Master, despite his wounds, was still busy. The western war must be intense. Baize left—was Master back?

Soon, Master emerged from the cave, hands behind his back, strolling beneath the tree. “No need to hide, come out.”

Master saw through me so easily—his power must have recovered somewhat. I flew down, transformed back, and smiled at him.

“Are your wounds healed?” Master asked.

I nodded.

He frowned. “Still unable to speak?”

I nodded, then quickly shook my head. I was not seeking him because I could not talk.

Master took my hand to check my pulse. “Why so much fire in your body?”

I shook my head, indicating I did not know.

“Come, follow me into the cave to regulate your breath.”

Master used his power to guide my energy, trying several times without success. Seeing him weaken with each attempt, I felt my nose sting and tears fell.

Master quickly ceased his spell. “Are you uncomfortable?”

I shook my head.

“Your silence is temporary. With my protection, you’ll recover,” he comforted.

I had come out of concern for him, and his words made my heart ache; a surge of inexplicable grievance spilled over, and tears flowed.

“No more crying. If you ruin your eyes, how will you trouble Jade Pure Domain or sneak out?” Master wiped my tears.

I broke into a smile.

“Master, the Heaven Palace envoy has delivered an invitation,” Fifteenth Senior Brother reported from outside the cave.

“Come in,” Master replied.

Fifteenth Senior Brother entered, eyes downcast, and presented the invitation to Master. After reading it, Master smiled at me. “Fei’er, come with me to Heaven Palace.”