Chapter 76: The Bridal Chamber Bathed in Candlelight
The King of the Underworld ordered the Underworld Minister to open the Ghost Eye and Ghost Ear to guard the realm, then returned to his chamber, sealing it with a blood-bound barrier to prevent the minister from spying, and resumed his cultivation. Even on the day of his second son’s grand wedding, he could not interrupt the critical stage of his practice.
He had not yet conquered the Heavenly Realm, the six paths remained ununited, and the ten sons he had painstakingly raised—ten tools, as he saw them—had been ruined by his confidant Zhanpo because of a woman. How could he allow himself to grow old? What meaning was there in possessing everything if he was decrepit? Why should the immortals of the Heavenly Realm gain immortality by simply eating a peach, while he could not? Tens of thousands of years were not enough for him; he sought endless life, endless longevity, and supreme power.
Mingzhong had brought him a prescription from the Jade Pure Domain to preserve his youth, but it was not enough. He desired the body of a supreme god, a perfect vessel. He needed to draw power from the Chaos Artifacts, to use his new form as the carrier for the divine forces that refined heaven and earth, and thus become the sovereign of all creation.
Tiande wanted to eliminate Yunxiao—fine! Even though the Underworld was not prepared for a great war, and he still needed to cultivate his true body, Tiande was so eager that the Underworld would not do business at a loss. Tiande would have to pay the price: surrender two cities from the Heavenly Realm, expose Yunxiao’s strategic deployments, and procure the Chaos Artifacts—the Heaven-Sealing Seal and the God-Binding Lock—for the Underworld.
Tiande sought to gain the Crown Prince position by negotiating peace and to humiliate Yunxiao through marriage. That was acceptable, but Tiande must offer the Infinity Cauldron as “the Seventh Princess’s” dowry. The Infinity Cauldron, among the ten great Chaos Artifacts, alone contained the power to refine heaven and earth.
Astonishingly, Tiande, the spendthrift, agreed and sent the Infinity Cauldron as dowry, not realizing its true value. All the King needed to do was prepare his new body, unlock the cauldron’s seal, and he could wield the power to refine heaven and earth. The only one who could rival him, Yunxiao, had already perished; if all went well, he would soon be the sovereign of all realms.
Thus, Mingzhong’s young bride was not married in vain, nor merely for Mingzhong’s pleasure. To obtain a new divine body, besides cultivating his own, there was another way: seize the body of a supreme god. The cunning King of the Underworld would never bet everything on refining his own body—if there was a chance to grab one, he would not let it slip.
Yunxiao and Chunfeng were both supreme gods, possessing immortal and incorruptible bodies. Sadly, Yunxiao was too gravely wounded; his vessel was ruined and unusable. Chunfeng, with her everlasting youth and boundless vitality, had depleted her power protecting with the Soul-Capturing Art—this was a golden opportunity.
Yufei was merely a reward he gave his second son, a means for the son to torment her. The happier the second son, the more anxious Chunfeng would become. In her desperation, she would lose her reason and, like Yunxiao years ago, venture alone into the Underworld. Back then, Yunxiao had cunningly enlisted help and used a diversion to rescue Yufei. This time, if Chunfeng dared to come, the King would not let her escape.
With Chunfeng’s handsome body, which woman would ever again find him old and ugly, or cry herself to sleep at his side? Jiang Wu, having captured Keke, was the perfect pawn: release Keke, lure Chunfeng in, and then act personally.
Only one more hour of cultivation remained before he could pause. The King of the Underworld gathered his energy, circulating his blood, concentrating on his practice. His face and body grew younger and stronger…
Suddenly, the Left Guardian Ghost King burst out laughing with a loud “pfft.” The King’s concentration shattered, his energy wildly surged through his veins, and he coughed up blood. Three centuries of refining his body were wasted in a moment, and he reverted rapidly to his aged form. Startled, the Ghost King dropped to his knees, begging for mercy.
Suppressing his rampaging energy and blood, the King furrowed his brow and strode to the Ghost King, asking coldly, “Why are you laughing?”
Trembling, the Ghost King replied, “Your servant recalled a passage from a book and could not help but laugh. Please spare me, Your Majesty!”
“What book?” the King demanded angrily.
“It’s… it’s a book from the Hungry Ghosts of the Underworld River…” the Ghost King stammered.
“How would the Hungry Ghosts have books?” the King barked.
“The second prince… accidentally dropped it into the Underworld River…” the Ghost King considered before answering.
The King scrutinized the Ghost King’s expression, “How could the second prince’s book amuse you so? You dare hide something from me!” With a swipe, he severed the Ghost King’s arm.
The limb dissolved into countless black spirit particles. The Ghost King trembled in pain, clutching his stump, and pleaded, “It’s… from the eldest prince to the second prince…”
“What book? Give it here!”
Quaking, the Ghost King pulled a book from his robe: “One Hundred and Eight Undying Demon Kings and a Little Fairy,” handing it over.
“Any others?”
The Ghost King produced another: “One Hundred and Eight Little Fairies and an Undying Demon King.”
“More?” The King, barely containing his rage, pressed.
“The Ugly Husband and the Faithless Wife.” The Ghost King handed over another trembling.
“Scoundrel!” The King’s fury erupted like a volcano, obliterating the Ghost King with a single blow.
“Do you have any?” the King asked the Right Guardian Ghost King. The latter fell to his knees, swearing, “Your Majesty, by all that’s holy, I have none!”
The King dispelled the blood barrier around his chamber and flew out. The Right Guardian hastily destroyed a book hidden in his sleeve.
The Underworld Minister was gleefully watching the bridal chamber through the Heavenly Eye, narrating, “Oh, they’ve entered… taken off the mask! Wait, why is it dark?”
Looking up, he saw the King standing before him, face ashen. The Minister said in confusion, “Father, second brother’s bridal chamber…”
Before he could finish, the King, livid, slapped him hard, sending him rolling into the corner of the table. The Minister clutched his face and back in pain, grimacing, “Father! Why are you hitting your son!”
“Scoundrel! Spoiled by your talent, arrogant! Always peeking and snooping—your Ghost Eye and Ghost Ear will soon be depleted! If you become useless, I’ll kill you!” The King summoned the God-Beating Whip and began thrashing the Minister.
“Father! It’s just watching the bridal chamber, what’s the harm? Why are you beating me?” The Minister scrambled to dodge.
“My body, refined for three centuries, was ruined by your wretched book! Are you dissatisfied with how slowly I age? Trying to drive me mad?” The King shouted as he struck.
“Father! What book? Stop! You’ll kill me! Spare me!” The Minister cried as he ran.
“Without your talent, you’re worthless! If you can’t watch the drama, you watch your brother’s wedding instead! Who will keep an eye out for Chunfeng?” the King roared.
“No, no, I wouldn’t dare!” the Minister protested.
“Those ridiculous books—‘Undying Demon King,’ who does that refer to?” the King bellowed.
“Father! Don’t misunderstand! It’s not about you—it’s just fiction, made up!” The Minister covered his head and ran, explaining as he fled.
“Fiction! And yet my divine body, refined for three centuries, was destroyed by you! Ungrateful child!” The whip lashed down hard.
“I didn’t mean to! I’ll help you refine it again!” the Minister pleaded.
“Do you have the skill? What do ‘Ugly Husband’ and ‘Faithless Wife’ mean?”
“No other meaning, Father, don’t misunderstand! Just stories, not about you and Mother!” With that, the Minister covered his mouth and sprinted off.
The King, enraged, ignited black flames of spirit, “Scoundrel! Stand still!” He chased the Minister, whip in hand, battering him…
“I won’t! If I stop, you’ll kill me! Spare me, Father! There’s always Chunfeng’s divine body, I’ll keep watch for Chunfeng!” The vast Underworld echoed as the Minister darted about, clutching his head…
Inside the bridal chamber, he drew me into his arms, one hand on his mask, listening to the commotion outside…
I frowned, thinking, “Who is making such noise, disturbing my sweet dreams?”
“They’re fighting again, and there’s a blood barrier,” he laughed.
“The senior disciples are quarrelling again, but it doesn’t matter, Bai Ze senior is keeping order. Forget Chunfeng… Take off your mask now.” I smiled at him, full of anticipation.
He slowly removed the mask from his face…
Under the faint underworld light, the familiar contours, the living features, all seemed so hazy…
“It’s because I cried too much, I can barely speak, and even my vision is blurred,” I regretted inwardly, wiping away my tears, trying to see him clearly.
“The silly little bird stole my wine and became addicted. Who would have thought it would bring us so much trouble,” he spoke as if gently scolding a child.
I laughed sheepishly, “I only sneaked a drink twice… I’m not addicted, just light-headed, that’s why I spilled fruit wine all over you and caused chaos in the Jade Pure Domain…” I answered silently, tugging at his robe, searching for the wine stains.
“What are you looking for?” he asked softly.
“Your robe is always spotless, but now it’s stained with fruit wine. I didn’t mean to…” I clutched his robe and showed him the red “wine stain,” my eyes full of guilt.
He looked down at the garment, took my hand, and was silent…
A cool, gentle energy flowed through my immortal veins… Suddenly, my body shuddered, and the sealed immortal power within me surged forth, breaking the restraints like a flood…
“Does the wound still hurt?” his voice was soft and low.
I shook my head, gazing at him, “With you here, my heart doesn’t hurt. What are these wounds compared to that…” I pressed my hand to his chest, asking silently, “And you?”
“It hurts… it hurts very much…” His gentle voice trembled.
“Your medical skills are my true inheritance; I’ll help heal you!” I tried to summon my immortal power but could not draw a single strand…
“Take good care of yourself…” He lightly stroked my cheek and held me close… A great force stirred the immortal energy within me, sending it surging through the grand cycle…
“Why do you tell me to take care of myself again? Are you leaving? Dongfang Mo wants to harm you! Mingzhong wants to harm you!” I gripped his arm tightly, trying to channel my power, but it would not flow.
He looked at me, his eyes full of deep affection and reluctance…
“You’re looking at me that way again… You’re leaving…” I said in disappointment.
“Drink the dew, eat well, sleep well, live well. No mischief,” he gently instructed.
“Don’t tell me that! I won’t sleep! I won’t let you risk your life in that dragon’s den! I want to be mischievous—I’ll entangle you again today!” I slowly untied my sash, letting my robe slip from my shoulders, exposing my skin…
He stared into my eyes, his gaze moist, deep and lingering, as if spanning the ages, as if parted too long… Tears fell from his eyes…
“You’re crying, you’re leaving again? My beauty trap didn’t work? Then I’ll strip off your robe too—let’s see how you leave now!” I tugged his belt, pulling off his robe…
Seeing him disheveled, shoulder exposed, tears on his face, I grinned mischievously, “So shy! The mighty Lord Chongming—how will you leave in this state?”
He broke into laughter, “My wife is so bold.”
“Wife? So you’ll give yourself to me? In that case, another kiss on your lips! Now you won’t be able to leave the Jade Pure Domain!” I hooked my arms around his neck and kissed his familiar cheek…
After kissing him, my nose pressed against his ear, lingering… Whispering, “Don’t let me sleep; wherever you go, I’ll go with you!”
In the tranquil bedchamber, white gauze curtains drifted like soft feathers, teasing the heart… The air was filled with the scent of orchids and irises… The two of us embraced, motionless, our hearts beating like the drums of triumph…
“Wife,” he called softly…
My heart fluttered, as if a nest of little rabbits were leaping about…
“Husband,” I replied in my heart…
He wrapped his arms around my waist, cradling my head, his noble nose tracing along my cheek, his soft lips seeking mine…
Cool and fresh, sweet as the snow of Jade Pure Domain, fragrant as pear blossoms…
I closed my eyes, mind awash in white, my heart scattering snowflakes in the sky, amid which was the figure repairing the celestial breach atop Chasing Immortal Cliff…
We pressed close, kissing passionately, the world spinning around us…
“I want to be your wife, never parted from you again…”
In the Underworld, bridal chamber candles glowed… Rain and clouds mingled…
Reality and dream, dream and reality…
On the cliff of Iron-Encircled Mountain, the bruised and battered Underworld Minister knelt, wiping his tears as he stared at the boundary, “Father! I just wanted to watch a good show for once. You never grieve for your ten dead sons, but a few books rouse you so much! I didn’t even get a glimpse of second brother’s wedding! All that effort teaching him to script a good scene, wasted! Honestly!”