Volume Five: Down and Out, Gazing North at the Cloud Stele Chapter Two: Night Conversations

“Everyone, stop!” The Serpent Lord shouted, his voice ringing through the hall. A surge of true energy froze the two golden-armored warriors who had just charged in, pinning them to the spot, while the four palace lords nearby swiftly dodged the sudden attack.

“A scattered heap! Completely disunited! Today’s Cloud Palace is just like the demon coalition once was. I’ve already witnessed one collapse and I don’t wish to see it happen again. Tell me! When Zhuohua is absent from the palace, who usually takes charge?”

Doumu Xie, who oversaw the palace rules, stroked his long beard and replied, “According to the statutes of the Cloud Palace, if the Prime Lord is away, the master of Azure Dragon Palace handles daily affairs, the Black Tortoise Palace master supervises investigations and the dungeons, and the White Tiger Palace master is in charge of mobilizing the palace’s three armies and twelve guards.”

“Since there is precedent, why are you all still arguing?” The Serpent Lord frowned, clearly puzzled by the thoughts of the palace’s pillars.

“Because in addition to that rule, another decree states: none may enter the Treasure Pavilion beneath the Cloud Stele, nor may any use divine-grade artifacts. But without using the Mirror of Xuanhuang to divine the Prime Lord’s whereabouts, how are we supposed to find him with just the few of us?” Kuimu Wolf, who had been silent for a long while, finally spoke up.

“In that case…” Lin Bai stepped forward and said, “Since I am currently handling the palace’s affairs in the Prime Lord’s stead, I propose we activate the Mirror of Xuanhuang to search for him. If he returns and seeks accountability, I will bear the responsibility alone.”

Qin Ying wiped her tears away, dissatisfied that this decision had come so late, and said with a hint of resentment, “Then let’s hurry! We’ll go to the Spiritual Perception Palace to start the divination. And if anything happens, you won’t bear it alone—I’ll stand with you.”

Lan Sheng, hearing that the Mirror of Xuanhuang would finally be used, brightened and added, “Count me in too! If the Prime Lord blames us, I’ll take my share.”

Seeing these three had made up their minds, the Serpent Lord looked over at Ri Xuluo and Yu Heishi. They remained silent, and from that, he understood the real reason for all the arguing these past days.

“Lin Bai, doesn’t it take all four palace lords to cast the spell and open the Mirror of Xuanhuang?” the Serpent Lord asked, narrowing his eyes at Lin Bai but actually watching Ri Xuluo and Yu Heishi closely.

“Senior, all divine-grade artifacts require all four lords to activate them, each reciting a section of the incantation in strict order,” Lin Bai replied.

“And every time, there are always two who refuse to cooperate, is that not so?” The Serpent Lord’s eyes suddenly sharpened.

Lan Sheng interjected, “Exactly! The Ri and Yu clans are truly harmonious, aren’t they!”

Just as the two were about to retort, Lin Bai scolded Lan Sheng, “You are speaking out of turn among elders!” Then, turning politely to Kuimu Wolf and Doumu Xie, he said, “You two are highly respected; please don’t take offense at this junior. Let’s go to the Spiritual Perception Palace.”

With things said so plainly, even with hidden motives, the two couldn’t very well refuse in front of everyone. With a flick of their sleeves, they followed the others to begin the Mirror of Xuanhuang’s divination.

Within Moonwatch City, two figures, one tall and one short, strolled slowly down an ancient street. It was the start of the lunar month, and a slender crescent moon hung lonely in the night sky. The winter heavens were sparse with stars.

“Aren’t you going home?” Zhuohua glanced up at the moon climbing higher and asked offhandedly.

“Only if you come with me!” Su Mengling answered stubbornly.

“No, I have to be on my way. The journey is long; I must leave early.”

“Tell me where you’re going. I’ll have my father hire a carriage for you.” Su Mengling hurried a few steps, her small frame blocking Zhuohua’s path.

“Beilun Continent.” Zhuohua glanced northeast into the night.

“Bei… Beilun Continent? That’s over thirty thousand li away! You’re going on foot?”

“How else?”

“You’re so powerful—you could fly on qi! Or ride a flying beast.” Su Mengling tapped her lips with a finger, chattering at Zhuohua.

Zhuohua spread out his tattered, hole-ridden robe before her in silence.

She stopped muttering at once. “Oh right, how did you end up like this?” she asked, her eyes widening.

“I was robbed,” Zhuohua replied calmly, lowering his arm.

“Who could possibly rob you? You’re so strong!” Su Mengling exclaimed in disbelief, tugging at his ragged sleeve.

“There are many stronger than I. Still, this time, it was my own carelessness.” Zhuohua’s voice was a little sheepish, as if the last part was meant for himself.

Su Mengling pouted. “No! In my heart, big brother is the strongest!” She paused, then asked, “Do you really have nothing left? Why has your cultivation vanished as well?”

They happened to be passing a lamb shop still open by the roadside. Zhuohua gazed at the steaming mutton soup and the freshly baked white buns, and his empty stomach grumbled loudly.

Su Mengling burst out laughing, tilting her head up at Zhuohua. “Big brother, are you hungry again?”

Embarrassment crept onto Zhuohua’s face. “Now that I have no true energy sustaining me, I’m always famished. The three meals of mortals are a real nuisance.”

Su Mengling grinned. “You’re tall—you should eat more. My father always says young men shouldn’t starve themselves while growing.” With that, she pulled at his sleeve, trying to lead him inside.

Zhuohua stood unmoving, and as Su Mengling tugged, there was a tearing sound—the sleeve came half off.

“Big brother, you…”

“I have no money. I can’t afford the mutton.”

“I have money—I’ll buy for you!”

“No. I can’t accept a meal for nothing; it would weigh on my conscience.”

Su Mengling thought for a moment. “You saved my father and me. Treating you to a meal is the least we can do.”

“The two steamed buns at noon already repaid that favor,” Zhuohua replied.

“But I just tore your sleeve! Let me buy you dinner as compensation. Deal?” Taking advantage of Zhuohua’s hesitation, Su Mengling seized his hand and pulled him into the shop.

“Waiter, two bowls of lamb soup! One large, one small. And five white buns.”

“Right away! One big, one small lamb soup—five buns!” The shop boy called out cheerfully as he hurried to the kitchen.

Su Mengling propped her chin on her hands and smiled at Zhuohua. “Big brother, can you tell me now how you ended up like this? I’m really curious!”

Zhuohua cleared his throat and turned his bright eyes thoughtfully.

“Where to begin? Ah, yes.” He seemed to have decided.

“That year, I was seven. Old enough for school. My family had already fallen from glory; we were nobles in name only. My father pinned all hope for revival on me, sparing no effort in my upbringing. But I never liked those tedious texts or the endless training in qi, fire, and lightning. I just wanted to tinker and craft interesting artifacts.”

“Oh… so you wanted to be an ingenious artisan!” Su Mengling interjected.

Zhuohua nodded and continued. “I’d skip school every day to make things. Naturally, my studies suffered. One day, I arrived at the academy only to be told I was expelled. When I returned home, my father punished me severely.”

“Did it hurt? I once skipped class and got my palm rapped with a ruler—it hurt so much! But my father never had the heart to hit me,” Su Mengling said.

Zhuohua smiled at her with a brother’s gentle gaze. “Yes, it hurt a lot. I remember I was bedridden for three days.”

“Yikes…” Su Mengling winced as if her own bottom had been soundly thrashed. “What happened next?”

“Afterward, my father pulled every string he could and sent me to the royal academy. There, I met the person who changed my life.”

As he spoke, Zhuohua’s eyes grew distant, as if he’d returned to those innocent, carefree days of youth.

“It was a girl, wasn’t it?” Su Mengling said confidently.

“How did you know?” Zhuohua asked, curious.

At that moment, the shop boy brought over two steaming bowls of lamb soup, garnished with green onions, snowy radish, and perfectly sliced meat—truly a heartwarming winter meal.

“Look at your mouth—it’s almost up to your ears. Anyone can tell you’re thinking of someone you like.” Su Mengling, with her dainty fingers, stirred her soup, pursing her lips and blowing at the shimmering oil.

Seeing Zhuohua still staring at her, she urged, “Big brother, aren’t you starving? Eat up!”

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony.” Zhuohua clasped his hands in thanks and began to eat, savoring each bite with the poise of one still seated in the Spiritual Perception Palace or atop Phoenix Pavilion, despite his growling stomach.

“And then? How did you get along?” Su Mengling asked between bites.

“She was brilliant in both studies and cultivation. A royal daughter, gifted from birth, the pride of her peers. She always teased me for my poor grades, but she loved the clever little artifacts I made. After school, she’d always pester me for new tricks. Every time she succeeded in pranking a classmate with one of my inventions, her laughter was pure joy. Later, she told me those days were among her few happy memories.”

Su Mengling set down her bowl, resting her chin on her hand, her clear eyes gazing skyward. “How I envy that big sister, able to spend every day with you. Only someone so exceptional could be worthy of you.”

She suddenly shifted, her sparkling eyes glinting mischievously at Zhuohua. “Big brother, was she pretty?”

“Very,” Zhuohua replied as he ate.

“How pretty? Prettier than me?” Su Mengling asked, a little displeased.

“You’re not the same. Her beauty is like falling snow in winter—enchanting from afar, but if you try to touch it, be careful not to get frostbitten. As for you…”

Zhuohua looked up at Su Mengling, who waited eagerly for his answer, and set down his bowl. “You’re like a patch of sunlight in the heart of winter—small and faint, perhaps, but the most precious and rare thing of all. Because you truly warm the heart.”