Chapter 75: Qingcheng Wang Bows His Head

Beside the stone steps stood one hundred White Horse Yi Cong. Men and horses were silent, their Northern Liang blades exuding a chilling battlefield aura in the twilight.

The general leading them, Ning Emei, was clad in pitch-black heavy armor, gripping a glossy, raven-black 'Bu-character' iron halberd that weighed nearly one hundred jin. His black horse, black armor, and black halberd created a stark and suffocating contrast with the one hundred light cavalrymen on white horses.

In front of the Azure Goat Palace stood a Divine Heaven Sword Formation of thirty-six men. Men and swords moved as one, the thirty-six swords pointing towards the crowd, glinting brilliantly. Amidst them were Lu, Shu, and Yang, surrounded by the bodies of numerous Taoist priests scattered across the ground. A drop of warm blood dripped from the tip of Lu Qiantang's Red Glow Sword. Shu Xiu was regulating her breath, bearing the spiritual pressure from both the sword formation and the light cavalry. Yang Qingfeng extended his pale fingers to gently wipe away the crimson blood from his left cheek. He stood, intentionally or unintentionally, where the bodies were most concentrated.

Wu Shizhen was dumbfounded. Against the three who had broken the Jade Heaven formation, he still had a chance of victory with the Divine Heaven Sword Formation. That Northern Liang princeling, riding a fine horse and carrying a good blade, had cursed the King of Azure City and insulted the Azure Goat Palace; this was not yet a capital offense. However, ignoring the dismounting stele for dukes and marquises and riding a horse into the plaza was a capital offense. Killing eighteen officially registered Taoist priests in one go, in this dynasty which prioritized the Huang-Lao Taoist tradition and downplayed Buddhist dharma, was an even graver capital offense. Therefore, even after the Jade Heaven Sword Formation was completely annihilated, he unhesitatingly deployed the Divine Heaven formation. His goal was to apprehend this audacious descendant of a Northern Liang general, executing him first and reporting later. Everyone in Yong Province would surely approve, and he wasn't even afraid of this reaching the capital. Perhaps even those Yong Province scholars with prejudices against the Azure Goat Palace would clap and cheer. Who would then care that Wu Shizhen had privately taken a few women?

But the scene before him far exceeded Wu Shizhen's imagination. One hundred cavalrymen, radiating killing intent, charged into the Azure Goat Palace. Was this an act of war, with weapons pointed directly at the Azure Goat Palace? This was no longer a simple capital offense; mobilizing military forces and deploying troops without authorization clearly warranted the extermination of one's entire nine generations of relatives!

Putting aside this grave crime, second only to rebellion, Wu Shizhen wondered what he could do if the Divine Heaven Sword Formation couldn't withstand the onslaught of over a hundred light cavalrymen, the Great Halberd General, and the three martial artists within the palace. His father, Wu Lingsu, practiced alchemy rather than martial arts, always asserting that using martial force to achieve the Great Dao was the lowest and most unorthodox path. On Dragon-Tiger Mountain, Qi Xuanzhen was said to possess the power of an immortal in his hands, but had anyone ever heard that Great True Man Qi claimed to be the greatest in the world?! So, if the sword formation unfortunately broke again, his father, an alchemy master who could only speak eloquently, was clearly unreliable. Then they would have to trouble the Azure Goat Palace's true immortal? His nominal mother? But the question was, would that ugly hag be willing to act? That Northern Liang princeling had been disrespectful to Azure City Mountain, but she was a madwoman who frequently punched and kicked both him and his father. Wu Shizhen even wondered how he had managed to survive until today. This Divine Heaven Sword Formation was something she had devised during her secluded cultivation, and even a significant portion of the 'Lingbao Scripture,' on which Azure Goat Palace's fame rested, was written by her.

Behind the front main hall was only a solitary bell tower, lacking a drum tower for balance, which seemed to violate the Taoist principle of yin-yang harmony. The bell tower stood tall, but no great bell hung within it; the top story was merely used for storing miscellaneous items. At that moment, a Taoist priest, only about thirty years old, stood at a window. He wore a purple Taoist robe, his lean and upright posture like that of a pine tree. A faint green aura seemed to flow across his face, and he exuded the ethereal detachment of a Taoist immortal. His spirit was vibrant and unconstrained, making those who saw him forget worldly concerns. He was observing the dangerous standoff in the plaza before the hall, his sinister gaze a stark contrast to his carefree demeanor. He chuckled, saying, “It would be best if this damn Divine Heaven Sword Formation failed and everyone died. That would save my Azure Goat Palace some provisions. Our incense offerings are meager; if I raised a pig, I could at least slaughter it for meat. But these fellows are living gluttons who only consume and never give back. They presume to be masters, riding on my head and shitting all over me, all thanks to that woman!”

A white horse-tail whisk struck his face, leaving a red mark.

A cool, clear voice sounded in his ear: “Wu Lingsu, don’t forget who made you this damn King of Azure City. It wasn’t the emperor with his golden decree; it was me.”

Wu Lingsu, Master of Azure Goat Palace? The King of Azure City, having been slapped by the whisk, did not turn his head or change his expression. He sneered, “Zhao Yutai, if I had known in my youth that I would meet you, I wouldn’t have bothered with alchemy. I would have learned the sword instead. With my talent and comprehension, how could you possibly be my match?”

The voice from Wu Lingsu's side remained cold: “You only have some skill with your mouth. Other than that, what do you have to show for yourself? You're a coward afraid of death and pain, a good-for-nothing who only ever skims the surface of things. Could you endure the hardships of sword practice? I'd sooner believe you're having an affair with Consort Zheng than believe that.”

Wu Lingsu said blandly, “You can hit people randomly, but you can't speak nonsense.”

The spirited horse-tail whisk, following the momentum, delivered another slap to Wu Lingsu's face. Now both his cheeks were equally red, and no one could laugh at the other.

A snow-white gyrfalcon, also from Liaodong, swooped down, flying straight towards Xu Fengnian. It wasn't 'Little White,' the six-year-old phoenix by nickname. Though slightly less agile, it was still a rare treasure among the azure-white luan falcons. Xu Fengnian used the scabbard of his Xiudong blade as a perch. The large gyrfalcon landed, and the Xiudong blade didn't tremble in the slightest, momentarily stunning Wu Shizhen, who didn't practice swordsmanship but had seen many sword formations in action. Xu Fengnian reached out and stroked the gyrfalcon's head, taking a small bamboo tube tied to its claw. It was a handwritten note from the Grand Tutor Li Yishan. After reading it, Xu Fengnian's expression remained calm. He raised the Xiudong, and the gyrfalcon flapped its wings and flew away. Xu Fengnian put away the Xiudong, turned his horse around, and slowly rode towards Ning Emei, saying softly, “Retreat back down the steps.”

Ning Emei, the Great Halberd General whose face was obscured by his black armor, showed no doubt. He made a gesture to sheathe blades, and the one hundred light cavalrymen returned their standard Northern Liang blades to their scabbards. They turned and left the plaza, their horses' hooves light and synchronized. Although these one hundred White Horse Yi Cong had not actually drawn their blades, regardless of the outcome, their imposing presence had already decisively outmatched the sword formation.

This was the benefit of the Grand Marshal wantonly trampling the martial arts world back then. In the martial arts world, whether they were lone rogue heroes or established sect members, all held an innate awe for the Northern Liang cavalry, who were equally fierce and cold-blooded in mounted combat.

A great weight fell from Wu Shizhen's heart, yet he still dared not easily withdraw the Divine Heaven Sword Formation. Heaven knew if it was a trick or scheme from that Northern Liang lunatic. Xu Fengnian dismounted and walked towards the sword formation in front of the main hall. Lu, Yang, and Shu immediately shielded him, ignoring the thirty-six cyan-steel swords of the formation as they advanced directly. The sword-wielding Taoist priests were at a loss, turning their heads to look at Wu Shizhen, their temporary linchpin. Wu Shizhen was in an impossible situation, caught between a rock and a hard place. When Lu Qiantang was only ten paces from the formation, Wu Shizhen gritted his teeth and said fiercely, “Disperse the formation!”

In the bell tower, the woman with the whisk, called Zhao Yutai by the King of Azure City, sighed, “What a pity.”

Wu Lingsu frowned, “Since you didn't intervene, the sword formation was bound to fail anyway. What’s there to pity?”

The woman with the whisk turned and left. Wu Lingsu had been a nominal couple with her for over a decade. He rarely saw her grim, fearsome, and bleak face, but occasionally, he would glance at her sturdy back, which was no less imposing than his own. Most of his current achievements were thanks to her; his entry into the palace and his ennoblement as king were all her doing. Wu Lingsu had never been able to fathom her thoughts. He only knew that she wielded a sword and was a female Taoist priest who had transitioned from a worldly life to a reclusive one. She usually used her white horse-tail whisk as a sword, and several times, when he was in danger, it was she who saved him. The Divine Heaven Sword Formation was her creation. Once, on a Mid-Autumn full moon night, he saw her practicing swordplay on the iron chain bridge between the two peaks of Azure Goat Heavenly Venerable. With an ancient sword, she astonished ghosts and spirits, and even the fierce mountain gusts were cleaved apart by her, stroke by stroke. Wu Lingsu was considered a well-traveled and knowledgeable Taoist priest, yet he had never seen a woman with such powerful sword intent. He had, however, heard of one: the Northern Liang Princess Consort, who was said to have died of illness—that extraordinary woman named Wu, who had countless hidden connections to the Wu Family Sword Mound.

The King of Azure City, Wu Lingsu, thought it was truly wonderful that she shared his surname. Although Wu Lingsu had been beaten and scolded by the woman with the horse-tail whisk for over a decade, he wasn't afraid of her in the slightest, let alone held any respect for her; they were two grasshoppers on the same string. Unfortunately, Wu Lingsu still hadn't figured out what she truly wanted. However, he was absolutely certain that without him, she couldn't accomplish her grand scheme, which spread its hidden threads for a thousand li like a grass snake's trail. In his earlier years, Wu Lingsu racked his brains trying to find clues, but later he gave up. He was already past fifty. If he didn't forge his own path to enlightenment by cultivating dual alchemy, how could he ever challenge the Immortal Capital Dragon-Tiger Mountain? In any case, she was beneficial to him and posed no harm. Wu Lingsu was not a fool who worried needlessly. On the contrary, if he weren't so intelligent, how could the Old Celestial Master of Dragon-Tiger Mountain have valued him? In his entire life, Wu Lingsu only feared one woman: Empress Zhao Zhi in the imperial palace. He only respected one woman: the Northern Liang Princess Consort, who shared his surname.

It was rumored that for Xu Xiao, who was then still a minor captain in Jinzhou, she did not hesitate to break with the Wu Family Sword Mound, riding a single white horse alone to Liaodong. For General Xu Xiao, she, in white robes, beat the war drums. When she journeyed to Northern Liang via Qingniu Pass, she contentedly dedicated herself to her husband and son, moving further and further away from the supreme sword dao that was originally within her grasp.

Wu Lingsu finally came back to his senses. He spat and said bitterly, “The capital told me to keep an eye on the Butcher. What can I see when my hands and feet are bound by Zhao Yutai, unable to even leave the mountain? I’m also a king not of the imperial surname, but compared to Xu Xiao, I'm nothing! Zhao Yutai, if you push me too far one day, I’ll go to the palace again and report you!” After saying these angry words, the King of Azure City shuddered. He then laughed to himself, “Just kidding, just kidding. One day as husband and wife, a hundred days of kindness. I'll be my King of Azure City, cultivating enlightenment daily through dual practice and enjoying festivities nightly. I don't care about the murky affairs of the world. Zhao Yutai, you can cause whatever trouble you like, as long as you ensure a hundred years of glory for my son and me.”

Zhao Yutai, tall and unwomanly in stature, descended the bell tower, holding her white horse-tail whisk. She passed through gates and halls. Along the way, the female and male Taoist priests who encountered her were hushed as cicadas in winter, standing silently with bowed heads, daring not to speak. She walked as if no one else was present, exiting the Azure Goat Palace and arriving at Sword Vengeance Pavilion. This was the residence of this eccentric woman, who was the true ruler on Azure City Mountain. However, she did not enter the pavilion but walked to the cenotaph behind it. A sword was planted in front of the tomb. This pavilion and cenotaph were forbidden grounds in Azure Goat Palace. Let alone trespassing, even approaching them slightly would result in one's head being swept off by her horse-tail whisk. Zhao Yutai stood there for a long time before turning and entering the pavilion. She put down her whisk, ground the ink, and took up a brush to write: “After this commotion, the capital’s suspicions regarding Wu Lingsu can be dispelled. The King of Azure City has long been a dead mountain, with six thousand armored troops stationed there, unknown to anyone.” Zhao Yutai put down her brush and sighed softly, “It’s a pity the Divine Heaven Sword Formation wasn't broken; otherwise, it would have been even more foolproof.”

At the Hall of Three Pure Ones, Xu Fengnian saw the sword formation retreat. He was the first to step over the threshold and enter the main hall. He turned, smiling, towards the sweating Wu Shizhen, and said, “Where’s the immortality technique you promised? This young master’s one hundred light cavalrymen are waiting outside. If I don't get a satisfactory answer, how much will eighteen lives plus thirty-six lives amount to?” Wu Shizhen, no longer able to maintain his composure, gave a forced laugh. “This humble Taoist will go and invite my father out to greet you right away.” Xu Fengnian said with a frivolous, contemptuous expression, “The King of Azure City certainly puts on airs!”

The bodies in the plaza had been dragged away. The Taoist acolytes, suppressing their nausea and fear, began sweeping the ground with buckets and brooms. Jiang Ni and her companions detoured around the horrifying pool of blood. Yu Youwei covered Que'er's eyes, and Little Hawthorn, led by the hand by Wei Shuyang, did not show much fear. Inside the hall, no sooner had Xu Fengnian's words fallen than Little Hawthorn, who had just crossed the threshold of the main hall, quietly exclaimed, “Look, an immortal has appeared.”

The King of Azure City, Wu Lingsu, indeed perfectly matched the ethereal image of a Taoist immortal in the minds of common people. Though clearly over fifty, he looked only like a man who had just reached his thirties. Wearing a purple Taoist robe bestowed by the current emperor, he exuded an airy, unworldly grace. If any scholar, carrying a satchel and traveling through Azure City, were to chance upon Wu Lingsu in the woods, they would very likely mistake him for an immortal descended to the mortal realm, bowing to speak with him. They would be even more astonished by the profound sagacity of this King of Azure City. To Little Hawthorn, who considered every Taoist priest and nun in Azure Goat Palace a 'little immortal,' the one before her was undoubtedly a 'great immortal'!

The King of Azure City dismissed everyone. Inside the main hall, apart from Xu Fengnian's group, only Wu Lingsu and his son Wu Shizhen remained, a clear sign of his sincerity.

Wu Lingsu bowed his head slightly and said, “This humble Taoist greets Your Royal Highness. My apologies for not coming out to welcome you sooner. Please do not blame me.”

Wu Shizhen was stunned.

Xu Fengnian smiled, “The King of Azure City recognized me?”

Wu Lingsu smiled, “Your Royal Highness is brimming with heroic spirit; this humble Taoist knew at a single glance.”

Xu Fengnian, having gained an advantage, feigned innocence and tentatively said, “The little scuffle and squabble outside the hall just now, I hope the King of Azure City won't take it to heart.”

Wu Lingsu, radiating vibrancy, said nonchalantly, “A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding.”

Xu Fengnian felt surprised but maintained an unperturbed expression. He said, “Would staying here for a night disturb the King of Azure City’s pure cultivation?”

Wu Lingsu shook his head and smiled slightly. “Not at all. My humble dwelling is honored by your presence.”

Xu Fengnian surveyed the hall and laughed heartily, “What a magnificent humble dwelling.”

Wu Lingsu merely smiled at this. He turned and said, “Wu Shizhen, why haven't you paid your respects to His Royal Highness yet!”

Wu Shizhen, his face pale, bowed deeply. “This humble Taoist greets Your Royal Highness.”

Xu Fengnian mocked, “I don’t deserve your bow. Your bow at the Crane Dwelling Pavilion brought forth a Jade Heaven Sword Formation. Now you're pulling this trick again. Are you planning to secretly spring a Divine Heaven Sword Formation on me tonight?”

Wu Shizhen remained bent at the waist, his expression unclear.

The King of Azure City, Wu Lingsu, quickly interceded for his son: “Your Royal Highness exaggerates. This humble Taoist will now lead Your Royal Highness to your quarters.”

The rear section of the Azure Goat Palace comprised a large expanse of exquisite Southern-style courtyard architecture. With carved beams and painted pillars, it was grand and splendid. Innumerable cloud dragons, jade rabbits, auspicious beasts, and propitious birds were carved, lifelike. Little Hawthorn watched, wide-eyed and stunned; it was an eye-opening experience for her. Wu Lingsu led Xu Fengnian to a Ganoderma Garden. On the east and west sides of the garden were four corridor rooms each. In the center of the garden was a courtyard well, beside which stood a thousand-year-old osmanthus tree with gracefully swaying branches. Seeing the Prince, this plague god, with a satisfied expression, Wu Lingsu finally spoke, “This humble Taoist will go and arrange for vegetarian meals to be prepared.”

Xu Fengnian waved his hand and said, “After the vegetarian meals are delivered, don't bother me again. Just deliver a few respectable secret manuals before I leave the mountain tomorrow. Then this Prince won’t hold a grudge against Azure Goat Palace for its short-sightedness today.”

Jiang Ni watched the King of Azure City depart, still smiling, and puzzled, asked, “Can't this immortal of Azure City Mountain summon heavenly thunder? Why didn't he strike Xu Fengnian dead?”

The old sword god smiled, “As for this King of Azure City, Wu Lingsu, forget about him. Qi Xuanzhen would be more like it. I have some acquaintance with him, but unfortunately, that Taoist has already ascended to immortality. Otherwise, if we went to Dragon-Tiger Mountain, I could spar a few moves with him, and then you would see the sight of rolling heavenly thunder and purple qi rising from the east.”