Chapter Forty-Five: The Grand Gathering of Heavenly Words (Part One)

The Seventh Prince held Nuo Nuo in his arms, Tao Ming carried Ruan Ruan, and behind them followed Mu Zhu. The group stepped out of Linfeng Tower; darkness had already fallen, and the streets were sparsely populated.

The Seventh Prince glanced at Tao Ming. “Shall we head back?”

Tao Ming, now wearing her veiled hat, concealed her expression. She pondered and asked, “Once we reach the Imperial City, will we still be able to stroll around freely?”

“You’ll be living on Sacred Mountain, not in the Imperial City.”

Sacred Mountain? From the name alone, it sounded like a secluded place, unlikely to have bustling streets to wander.

“Then let’s look around a bit more.”

The Seventh Prince gave a soft reply, yet stood unmoving.

Tao Ming was surprised. “Why aren’t we going?”

“You lead the way.”

She glanced around. Many shops along the street remained open, so she decided to visit them one by one.

But the next few places were all eateries or inns, and another was a shop selling snacks.

Inside the snack shop were many pastries, and a treat resembling candied fruit skewers—except the bamboo sticks held small yellow fruits about the size of grapes, called “Yellow Sand Fruits,” coated in a honey-like glaze.

Each skewer held ten Yellow Sand Fruits and was sold for a single white crystal coin.

Ruan Ruan clamored to try them, so the Seventh Prince bought five skewers—though it was Mu Zhu who paid.

Mu Zhu, holding the skewers, thought to himself: Why did I hurry back to report?

Tao Ming took a bite; the fruit itself was tart and a little astringent, but mixed with the honey-like coating, it was a delightful sweet and sour flavor.

The group wandered and ate as they went, time slipping swiftly by. Ruan Ruan and Nuo Nuo soon grew so sleepy they could barely keep their eyes open, nestling into Tao Ming’s and the Seventh Prince’s arms and falling asleep.

Tao Ming remained energetic, hardly noticing the weight of Ruan Ruan in her arms.

When they reached the end of the street, the city gate of Xin Feng Town appeared before them.

It was late by now; normally the gate would be closed, but a small side door was open, and groups of townspeople passed through it into the city.

Curious, Tao Ming asked, “What are these people doing?”

Of course, the Seventh Prince knew, but he instructed Mu Zhu, “Go ask.”

Mu Zhu nodded and walked toward the gate.

Tao Ming saw Mu Zhu approach the guards, and soon he returned, speaking quietly: “Tomorrow, in front of the Heavenly Emperor’s Temple, there will be a Grand Heavenly Speech Gathering. People from nearby villages are arriving.”

“What is the Grand Heavenly Speech Gathering?” Tao Ming watched the crowds entering, thinking it couldn’t be just a market; why would they come at night?

The Seventh Prince spoke softly, “The Grand Heavenly Speech Gathering is a means by which the Heavenly Emperor controls the people.”

Mu Zhu, alarmed, interjected, “Master, be careful with your words.”

Tao Ming was also astonished; from his tone, the Seventh Prince seemed to harbor hostility toward the Heavenly Emperor.

What could this mean?

Wasn’t the Heavenly Emperor his father?

Did some hidden conflict exist between them? Had he stolen the prince’s wife?

Now was not the time to ask.

After a moment’s hesitation, Tao Ming said, “Let’s head back. After holding them so long, they really are getting heavy.”

They slipped into a small alley. The Seventh Prince handed Nuo Nuo to Mu Zhu, hid the four of them, then quietly returned to the main house, changed clothes, and emerged again.

Eight guards now stood by the carriage. One stepped forward and addressed the Seventh Prince, “Your Highness, shall we serve supper?”

“No need. Guard the carriage.”

“As you command.”

Inside the carriage, they released the four from hiding. The Seventh Prince took Nuo Nuo from Mu Zhu and followed Tao Ming into the bedroom.

Tao Ming laid the two children on the mat, removed their shoes, covered them with blankets, then stood to face the Seventh Prince, who lingered nearby. After some thought, she said, “You wanted me to know, didn’t you?”

The Seventh Prince gazed down at the sleeping children and replied quietly, “You’re overthinking.”

Tao Ming pursed her lips. She hadn’t even specified what she meant, yet he accused her of overthinking.

She didn’t bother to argue. “Tomorrow, I want to see the Grand Heavenly Speech Gathering.”

“Very well. Get some sleep.” The Seventh Prince turned and left.

Tao Ming lay on the mat, sleepless, pondering the words the Seventh Prince had spoken. It seemed tomorrow’s gathering would be quite a spectacle.

…

Mu Zhu sat quietly by the low table. When the Seventh Prince emerged, Mu Zhu met his gaze, seeking answers. The prince signaled him to follow, and together they entered the first room on the left.

Inside, Mu Zhu couldn’t wait. “Aren’t you afraid the three holy women will leak what you said?”

The Seventh Prince waved his hand, casting a barrier. “I merely wanted to test them.”

“Why test them?”

The Seventh Prince was silent for a moment, then spoke softly, “Mu Zhu, you’ve followed me since childhood. You know what’s on my mind.”

Mu Zhu replied gravely, “This is fraught with danger. You wish to win over the three holy women?”

Recalling Tao Ming’s earlier reaction, the Seventh Prince murmured, “Why not?”

Mu Zhu advised, “Throughout history, the holy sons and daughters have always been loyal to the Heavenly Emperor. They’re not easily swayed. If word gets out, your life will be in peril!”

The Seventh Prince smiled bitterly. “I know too much, and I’ve waited too long. Besides, the Heavenly Emperor grows ever stranger; no matter how cautious I am, my life depends on his whim.”

Mu Zhu wanted to say more, but the Seventh Prince stopped him. “Tomorrow will reveal all.”

…

Qin Sihai received word from his subordinates and immediately mustered five hundred Qin family death warriors to besiege the two hundred men led by Wind Shadow.

Two hundred could not stand against five hundred. Wind Shadow’s own prowess was unmatched, but even he could not fight endlessly without rest.

By dawn, all two hundred death warriors had perished, leaving Wind Shadow alone.

Qin Sihai’s force had suffered heavy losses as well, with barely over a hundred remaining.

Qin Sihai wiped blood from his face and stared at the lone figure cornered at the edge of a cliff, not daring to relax for a moment.

The enemy was cunning, fighting and fleeing all night in the opposite direction of the holy women’s return. Qin Sihai wondered where they were now.

Wind Shadow, too, was despairing. How unlucky to encounter the Qin clan?

Unable to use his true magic or deploy Su family formations, he was thoroughly constrained.

If the Qin family discovered he was from the Su family, both sides would tear away the last shred of pretense, though it was already threadbare.

He wondered how Nan Xing was faring. Had she succeeded in killing the holy woman?

Enemies pressed ahead, behind lay a bottomless chasm—was there any hope if he jumped?

Wind Shadow checked his treasure pouch one last time; almost everything usable was exhausted, only Su family’s secret formations remained—using them would expose his identity.

Wait—what was this?

At the deepest part of the pouch, something caught his attention.

He pulled it out and recalled it was an object Su Nan Xing had brought back from another world—a glider. He’d played with it a few times.

Wind Shadow took out the last Chen family defensive formation, unfurled the glider, swiftly donned the gear, and leapt off the cliff.

When Qin Sihai saw the glider, he shouted, “Attack!”

Alas, their assaults struck only the defensive barrier.

Qin Sihai watched as Wind Shadow plunged down the cliff, believing him doomed. Yet, not far below, Wind Shadow suddenly soared upward, flying away!

With pursuit impossible, there was no reason to linger.

Qin Sihai turned to his remaining warriors and declared, “Rest for half an hour. Gather everyone. We go to meet the holy women.”

“As you command!”