“Big Brother?” Dongli Zhao was delighted at first, then immediately worried again. His imperial brother had been confined in his sleeping chamber like this, and he had no idea how much he had suffered over the past several days. Holding his breath, Dongli Zhao took a few steps forward.
But in the next instant, he heard another person speaking inside and immediately sensed that something was very wrong.
Xu Ziqing’s face, meanwhile, flushed red and then went pale. Dongli Zhao was a mortal with ordinary hearing, but Xu Ziqing could hear everything perfectly clearly.
That was clearly, clearly…
Dongli Zhao remained wary. He carefully moistened a fingertip in his mouth, poked a tiny hole through the window paper, and with the sound now clearer, he too could make out what was being said.
[Author’s note in the current JJWXC text: This section was reportedly considered too detailed, so it was removed. I added a short extra scene in the author’s note to make up for it, but there is nothing I can do about the rest. I’m very sorry, everyone. The other parts should be fine, right? If there is still a problem, then I can only say… what the hell is even wrong with it?! I didn’t describe anything in detail at all! If I can’t even gloss over it, how am I supposed to develop the plot? And I only wrote a little dialogue! If even that isn’t allowed, what am I supposed to do? This is so frustrating!]
Through the small hole in the window, he could see two naked men grappling on the bed.
[Author’s note in the current JJWXC text: This section was reportedly considered too detailed, so it was removed. I added a short extra scene in the author’s note to make up for it, but there is nothing I can do about the rest. I’m very sorry, everyone. The other parts should be fine, right? If there is still a problem, then I can only say… what the hell is even wrong with it?! I didn’t describe anything in detail at all! If I can’t even gloss over it, how am I supposed to develop the plot?]
Dongli Zhao’s face turned ashen. How could he possibly fail to recognize the burly man as the Realm-Protecting Grand General? And the young man he was violating at will was none other than the big brother Dongli Zhao had been worrying about all this time!
His imperial brother, born to the highest nobility, was handsome and gentle, brilliantly talented, and as outstanding a Crown Prince as anyone could ask for. Yet now he was beneath an enemy who had brought disaster upon the kingdom, twisting and crying out as though he had forgotten everything else!
H-how could this still be the Crown Prince Big Brother he respected and adored above all others?
Dongli Zhao’s teeth ground together. Rage made his head throb, and he wanted nothing more than to charge inside at once and demand an answer from the Crown Prince.
Have you forgotten the blood feud over Mother’s death? Have you forgotten how he imprisoned the two of us? Have you forgotten that he wants to overthrow your dynasty? How can you be so, so shameless…
Unable to endure another moment, Dongli Zhao was about to burst into the room when someone caught his arm. He turned his head and saw the refined cultivator who had escorted him safely all the way back.
“…Sir.” He spoke through gritted teeth. “I’ve made a spectacle of myself before you. I absolutely cannot let Imperial Brother go on like this, like this…” Shameless. He swallowed the final word and forced himself not to say it aloud.
Xu Ziqing sighed softly. He had already recovered from his earlier embarrassment and lowered his voice. “Zhao’er, look carefully at the Crown Prince’s eyes.”
Dongli Zhao froze, but a sudden surge of hope rose in his heart. He hurriedly asked, “Sir, do you have a way to let Zhao’er see more clearly?”
Xu Ziqing’s gaze softened. Joining two fingers together, he lightly brushed them across Dongli Zhao’s eyelids.
Dongli Zhao immediately felt his vision brighten. Everything inside the room became visible down to the smallest detail. He deliberately ignored the Realm-Protecting Grand General and focused all his attention on his imperial brother’s face.
Sure enough, although Dongli Xi looked as though he were lost in the moment, and his half-lidded eyes indeed appeared intimate, a closer look revealed a clear brilliance within them. He was completely lucid, and whenever his gaze fell on the burly man who was □□ against him, a trace of coldness spilled from his eyes.
Elio’s Notes: The current JJWXC page is explicitly marked as a revised/unlocked version. Two earlier passages in this chapter have been replaced in the source by the author’s deletion notices, and this paragraph contains a literal □□ censorship gap. FD preserves those gaps exactly rather than restoring wording from older mirrors.
At once, Dongli Zhao let out a tremendous breath of relief. What followed was an even deeper hatred for that treacherous minister.
“That Jiao Tu would humiliate Big Brother like this. He deserves to die!” he said furiously.
Xu Ziqing patted his shoulder. “Do not go in yet.”
Dongli Zhao answered in a muffled voice, “Yes, sir.” After a pause, he added, “I understand.”
If he barged in now, not only would he alert the enemy, he would also leave his big brother with no dignity at all. The Crown Prince was destined one day to receive Heaven’s Mandate and ascend the throne as Son of Heaven. If the younger brother he cherished saw him in such a state, he might be so ashamed and enraged he wished he could die.
For Dongli Xi’s dignity alone, Dongli Zhao, who had already calmed down, would never act impulsively again.
After enduring for a while, Dongli Zhao caught the edge of Xu Ziqing’s sleeve and said, “Sir, I… don’t want to watch anymore.”
Xu Ziqing understood his feelings very well. He did as Dongli Zhao asked, and the two of them withdrew once more into the shadows.
The sounds from inside continued for more than four hours before they finally ceased.
Not long afterward, the rustle of clothing came from within. The Realm-Protecting Grand General emerged from the sleeping chamber fully dressed again, looking perfectly respectable.
Dongli Zhao saw a eunuch hurry forward and smile ingratiatingly. “Grand General, this servant has already prepared hot water. Shall we send it in for His Highness the Crown Prince now?”
The burly man wiped his face. “Go on. Don’t wake him.”
The eunuch repeatedly assented. The burly man ran a hand through his hair once more, then strode away.
Dongli Zhao’s eyes were bloodshot as he stared at the eunuch ordering the hot water to be carried inside. His voice was vicious. “These wretched slaves. This prince will make every last one of them accompany Jiao Tu in death!”
Xu Ziqing frowned slightly, then shook his head with a faint sigh, but said nothing.
Someone inside asked, “Your Highness, would you like a meal?”
A voice carrying both weariness and coldness answered, “No need.”
Night had already fallen completely, and the sounds of water inside the sleeping chamber gradually faded. The eunuchs filed out together, leaving the room in utter silence.
Dongli Zhao’s fingers trembled. With Xu Ziqing’s help, he passed through the wall and entered.
Inside the sleeping chamber, the bed curtains had been drawn. Someone lay flat within, one thin hand resting carelessly at the edge of the bed, while steady breathing could faintly be heard.
Dongli Zhao could no longer restrain himself. Without making a sound, he hurried forward until he reached the bedside.
In the next instant, the person on the bed sprang up and seized him tightly by the throat. “Who’s there?”
Dongli Zhao was forced to tilt his head back. His throat hurt, but his eyes grew hot. Big Brother’s movements were still as swift and decisive as ever, nothing like the dispirited state Dongli Zhao had imagined. That was wonderful.
Dongli Xi had already seen who it was. He abruptly released his grip, but his voice trembled as he whispered, “Zhao’er?”
Dongli Zhao nodded hard. “It’s Zhao’er… Zhao’er came back!”
Dongli Xi drew a deep breath and lowered his voice even further. “How did you get in here? What reckless courage! What would you have done if you were caught?”
Not wanting his imperial brother to worry, Dongli Zhao immediately smiled. “Sir brought me in. No one noticed us along the way.”
Only then did Dongli Xi notice the young man in green standing quietly behind Dongli Zhao.
He looked no older than seventeen or eighteen. He was very handsome, with an exceptionally gentle and approachable bearing. Dongli Xi still felt some caution in his heart, but he would not embarrass his younger brother. He immediately rose and cupped his hands. “Many thanks for your noble aid, sir. May I ask how I should address you?”
Xu Ziqing was also studying the Crown Prince.
He had long brows and phoenix eyes, a handsome face, and an upright figure. Elegant and courteous, he naturally possessed an open, generous, and benevolent bearing. Although he had only just been forced into submission, not the slightest trace of unbearable humiliation showed on him. He truly was worthy of being chosen as heir apparent.
Xu Ziqing smiled faintly. “I am Xu Ziqing, merely a man from the mountains.”
Dongli Zhao hurried to add, “Big Brother, sir is an immortal cultivator with tremendous abilities. He is also this foolish younger brother’s lifesaving benefactor!”
Only then did Dongli Xi exclaim in surprise, “Mr. Xu is a cultivator?”
Xu Ziqing paused. This Crown Prince actually knew that cultivators, people beyond the ordinary world, existed. He nodded. “Indeed. Your Highness knows quite a lot.”
Dongli Xi smiled calmly. “Ever since Father Emperor fell gravely ill, he summoned Xi to his bedside and told me many closely guarded secrets. Thus, I know that the world contains not only the Lower Nine Continents but also the Upper Nine Continents. The Upper Nine Continents are said to be a world beyond the mundane world. I have long yearned to see them, yet I never knew where traces of immortals might be found.” As he spoke, his eyes filled with affection when he looked at Dongli Zhao. “Since Zhao’er was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Xu, I imagine he must have strayed into the Upper Nine Continents. His fortune is even greater than mine.”
From only a few scattered words from his younger brother, Dongli Xi had inferred so much. His mind truly was meticulous. If he gained the throne, he would surely benefit both court and common people. No wonder his dragon qi was golden, its scales, whiskers, and tail vivid and distinct in every detail.
Xu Ziqing understood as well. Although the Nine Continents had been divided into Upper and Lower for countless years, it was not as though every trace of the past had vanished. It was entirely possible for a great kingdom with a long inheritance to preserve old legends and secret traditions.
At this point, the Crown Prince bowed deeply and said with great sincerity, “Zhao’er suffered disaster, yet Xi has not thanked Mr. Xu for saving his life.”
Xu Ziqing said gently, “It was only a small effort. Zhao’er has already thanked me. You truly need not do this.”
Dongli Xi replied, “Zhao’er is Xi’s only brother. If I do not express at least some measure of gratitude, I could never feel at ease.” Only after completing the full courtesy did he straighten again.
Moved by his sincerity, Xu Ziqing could only accept the bow, and his favorable impression of the Crown Prince deepened. But now that Zhao’er had been delivered safely, there was no need for him to remain. He said, “Since Zhao’er is safely in your hands, it is time for me to leave.”
Dongli Zhao was shocked. “Sir is leaving?”
Xu Ziqing gave an apologetic smile. The rise and fall of dynasties was truly not something he could involve himself in. He had no choice but to go.
Dongli Xi knew cultivators had their own taboos, but seeing his younger brother’s reluctance, he still asked earnestly, “If Mr. Xu wishes to leave, Xi and Zhao’er naturally would not dare stop you. But it is already late tonight. Would Mr. Xu please stay for one night and leave tomorrow instead?”
Xu Ziqing was about to decline again when something stirred in his mind, and he agreed.
To keep outsiders from discovering anything, Dongli Zhao stayed with Dongli Xi, while Xu Ziqing was placed in a rear side room behind the sleeping chamber. It was very quiet there, and since no servants had been assigned to attend him, no one disturbed him. It suited him well enough.
Xu Ziqing entered the room, leaving the two brothers to speak privately.
Xu Ziqing closed the door, laid down a restriction, and only then sank his consciousness into his storage ring and called, “Brother Yun, Brother Yun.”
Sure enough, in no more than a moment, the man in white appeared.
Xu Ziqing looked at him and smiled slightly. “Brother Yun, why did you ask me to stay just now?”
Just as Xu Ziqing had been about to leave, Yun Lie’s voice had suddenly come from within the ring, telling him to agree to stay. Xu Ziqing was very curious. His friend rarely concerned himself with outside affairs and was a man of few words. Why had he taken notice of this matter?
Yun Lie gave a slight nod. “Sit.”
Xu Ziqing raised his brows in surprise. Could this truly be difficult to explain in only a few words? He sat at the table and quietly waited for his friend to speak.
Across the round table, a round stool moved out on its own. Yun Lie sat as well, his expression as cold as ever. “The Kingdom of Chenghuang nearly being overturned this time is the work of someone from the wicked demonic path. Since you cultivate the immortal path, you cannot ignore it.”
Xu Ziqing’s eyelid twitched. “The wicked demonic path?”
Yun Lie nodded. “Look at this dynasty’s fortune again.”
Xu Ziqing did as he said. Two masses of azure light gathered in his eyes, and he stared directly out the window, his expression far more cautious than when he had observed the dynasty’s qi that evening.
Yun Lie said, “Do not look at the golden dragon. Look only at the black jiao.”
Xu Ziqing examined it carefully. The black jiao looked even more domineering in the night. Its tail was now entangled with the dragon’s tail, and their two enormous bodies were wound ever more tightly together.
In that posture, it looked almost as though… the dragon and jiao were coupling.
Remembering what he had just seen outside the sleeping chamber, Xu Ziqing paused.
Yun Lie said coldly, “Look at its eyes.”
Xu Ziqing’s heart tightened. Somewhat embarrassed, he steadied himself and looked at the jiao’s eyes. They were shaped like a snake’s, with dark-gold pupils ringed in blood-red, while wisps of black mist coiled over them. It was difficult to see at first glance, but under careful inspection it appeared exceptionally eerie and chilling.
This was unmistakably the appearance of the black jiao having been tainted by demonic qi.
Although Xu Ziqing cultivated the immortal path, he knew that the world also contained demonic cultivators, yao cultivators, ghost cultivators, and several other kinds of cultivators whose chosen paths differed greatly from his own.
Those who cultivated the yao path were chaotic and difficult to categorize, while the demonic and ghost paths stood opposite the immortal path. The former were yin and negative; the latter was yang and positive. Yet among those who pursued the Dao, no path was inherently good or evil. All existed beneath the Heavenly Dao.
Ghost cultivators were extremely rare. Demonic cultivators and immortal cultivators, however, were strongly opposed to one another. Over the years, though they had not quite reached the point of fighting until one side was destroyed, they were not far from it.
Even so, cultivators of every path had to obey the rules of the Heavenly Dao. That was why Xu Ziqing kept well away from matters of imperial courts, and why he was astonished to find a demonic cultivator entangled in them.
There was still one thing he did not understand. “Brother Yun, what is the wicked demonic path?”
Yun Lie looked at him calmly and explained in his cold voice.
Demonic cultivators possessed all seven emotions and cultivated according to their own desires. Besides drawing in the spiritual qi of Heaven and Earth, their arts often required baleful qi, yin qi, blood qi, death qi, foul qi, and other negative forms of qi. They were also prone to clinging to greed, anger, and delusion, or indulging in wine, lust, and killing, their desires constantly arising.
Within the demonic path, there was a distinction between the orthodox demonic path and the wicked demonic path.
Suppose two people cultivated the same Great Dao of Yin-Yang Union. A cultivator of the orthodox demonic path might be amorous without being depraved. Any coupling would be mutually willing, never forced, and both sides would benefit. A cultivator of the wicked demonic path, by contrast, might commit abduction and sexual violence, treat people as cultivation cauldrons to drain for their own benefit, and ruin their bodies or even take their lives.
Thus, immortal cultivators might dislike those of the orthodox demonic path, but would simply avoid them. When it came to those of the wicked demonic path, however, they would kill them without hesitation.
Because demonic cultivation arts were unusual, the wicked demonic path was far easier to cultivate than the orthodox demonic path. As a result, practitioners of the wicked demonic path greatly outnumbered those of the orthodox demonic path.
Xu Ziqing listened, absorbed. Before this, he had only occasionally heard that the demonic and immortal paths were enemies. He had never known the reasons behind it, much less all these details. Now that he had heard them, he found himself thoughtful.
When his friend finished, curiosity made him ask, “Between those two… how do you regard them, Brother Yun?”
Yun Lie said coldly, “Those of the orthodox demonic path follow a Dao different from mine, so we do not walk together. Those of the wicked demonic path are to be killed on sight. If an entire sect commits evil, it should be exterminated.”
His tone was icy, his killing intent so dense it was nearly tangible. Xu Ziqing’s hair stood on end, and he could not help shivering. “Brother Yun, may I ask…” How many had he killed?
Yun Lie already understood. His killing intent had not faded as he answered directly, “Nine hundred thirty-three who committed great evil on the wicked demonic path.”
Xu Ziqing clicked his tongue. Such a heavy killing nature truly made one’s blood run cold. Yet he was not afraid of Yun Lie. Instead, he felt that although Yun Lie’s killing nature was strong, he never killed indiscriminately, which was genuinely admirable.
Now that he understood the reason, Xu Ziqing said, “Brother Yun, do you mean that I should find the person from the wicked demonic path and eliminate him?” He thought of the slaughtered city he and Dongli Zhao had seen earlier. It was surely connected to this wicked demonic cultivator. Although he felt uncomfortable, he did not object, only asked in confusion, “Cultivators are not permitted to interfere in the affairs of mortal courts. How can I…”
Never mind anything else. If he incurred the Heavenly Dao’s displeasure, his future cultivation path might become difficult at every step. If he offended it badly enough, divine lightning of heavenly punishment might even descend on him, which would be a terrible injustice. But Yun Lie would never harm him, so Xu Ziqing believed there had to be another reason.
As expected, Yun Lie said, “The rise and fall of dynasties is ordinarily a matter of mortals. But once the demonic path intervenes, those of the immortal path who encounter it cannot stand aside.”
So mortals were meant to handle mortal affairs. Once a demonic cultivator waded into those waters, the balance was broken, and an immortal cultivator had to stand against him, turning a mortal dispute into one between cultivators.
Yun Lie’s expression remained cold as he continued, “Good deeds bear good fruit; evil deeds bring karmic retribution. The wicked demonic path acts against what is right. Your happening upon this is Heaven’s will.”
Xu Ziqing froze. “If I had never come here…” If he had never met Dongli Zhao, or had met him but not saved him, what would have happened here?
Yun Lie said coldly, “The rules of the Heavenly Dao follow their own course. If not you, there would have been someone else. Since you encountered this, it is your opportunity.”
Xu Ziqing sighed with a smile. “I understand. I will follow Brother Yun’s guidance.”
Indeed. The empress of the Kingdom of Chenghuang had borne two sons. Dongli Xi, Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, possessed golden dragon qi, a sign of flourishing heavenly fortune. The second son, Dongli Zhao, was pure-hearted and deeply respectful of his elder brother, and his dragon qi was golden as well. This was the Heavenly Dao leaving a path of survival for the dynasty. From Dongli Xi to Dongli Zhao, its blessings should have continued unbroken. The dynasty plainly possessed abundant fortune and should not have looked as though its allotted span were nearly exhausted and a change of dynasty imminent.
Moreover, Dongli Xi was clear-minded, generous, and benevolent, with the bearing of an enlightened ruler. If he were destined to be the ruler who lost the kingdom, he should not have been like this. There had to be an outside calamity throwing the court into disorder and interfering with Heaven’s ordained course.
This was a grave karmic offense.
Xu Ziqing followed the immortal path. Since he sought cultivation and immortality, he naturally had to act on behalf of the Heavenly Dao. If he handled the matter well, he might even receive a reward. If he handled it poorly… the Heavenly Dao intended to use his hand to punish those who had disrupted the proper order. As long as he did everything within his ability and did not try to fool Heaven, he should not meet some miserable end.
Yun Lie observed his expression and said calmly, “You understand now.”
Xu Ziqing nodded. “Yes, I understand now.” He smiled again. “Thank you for your guidance, Brother Yun.”
That night, to prevent the wicked demonic cultivator from sensing the movement of spiritual power within him, Xu Ziqing did not meditate or cultivate. Instead, he slept in bed like an ordinary mortal and rested for the night.
The next day, Dongli Zhao knocked on the door early. “Sir, are you awake?”
Xu Ziqing opened his eyes, rolled out of bed, and went to open the door. Smiling, he said, “You’re here early.”
Dongli Zhao looked embarrassed. He had hardly slept the entire night, afraid that Xu Ziqing would leave him. Dawn had only just begun to break in the east, but he could wait no longer and had hurried over.
The eunuchs serving in the Eastern Palace had not noticed him. Seeing the dark shadows beneath Dongli Zhao’s eyes, Xu Ziqing sighed softly and let him inside. “Do not be so reckless. Be careful not to let anyone see you.”
Dongli Zhao answered, “All right,” entered the room, and shut the door. “I’m small, so I crept here along the base of the walls. This place is secluded too. Unless someone has important business, no one should notice me.”
Seeing how dependent the boy had become on him, Xu Ziqing’s gaze softened.