Volume One: The Most Heartless Phoenix Tree Blossom Chapter Eleven: Imprisonment

Within the gates of Honglu Pass.

Zhuo Hua and his companions were surrounded by cheering crowds as they entered the city square, which was adorned with lanterns and banners, tables laden with food—a scene as festive as the New Year. The leading general raised his cup and declared, “I am Wang Shuang, General of the Northern Garrison. By the order of our monarch, I have spent more than half a year here to rid the region of the beast infestation. Yet the mountain beast was thick-skinned and mighty, impervious to ordinary weapons. Our only recourse was to hastily repair the city walls and evacuate the civilians. Not long ago, an envoy from Xunyang brought news that a brave warrior from the northern frontier had accepted the challenge and would vanquish the beast. Today, I am fortunate to meet these heroes in person, and it is a great honor.” As General Wang spoke, his excitement grew, and much of the wine in his raised cup spilled.

Jiaomu Jiao bowed and replied, “To rescue the people from disaster is the duty of cultivators like us. The general’s praise is undeserved.”

General Wang waved grandly, “Master Lin, you are too modest. I have already sent news of our victory to Xunyang by swift horse. Soon, I trust, the monarch’s envoy will arrive to reward the troops. Come, let us drink!”

Jiaomu Jiao laughed heartily and drained his cup.

Zhuo Hua rose to toast the general, then asked, as if casually, “General Wang, you have endured hardship and deserve the highest merit. But I am puzzled—why did this wild beast massacre the border? I cannot fathom the reason.”

General Wang, now slightly drunk, grasped Zhuo Hua’s hand and said, “Master Zhuo, you may not know. Months ago, a woman in purple came to Honglu Pass, claiming she had a rare beast to present to the monarch. So we escorted her, along with the young mountain beast, to the capital. Unexpectedly, only a few days later, the giant beast arrived. We organized troops to hunt it outside the city, but our weapons could not harm it. We could only evacuate all civilians into the city and fortify our defenses. Yet this giant beast would not relent—it attacked for months without pause. I petitioned the monarch, asking him to return the cub in hopes of appeasing the beast, but for reasons unknown, my requests vanished without a trace, and no reply ever came.”

Hearing this, Zhuo Hua understood much. The next day, he led his companions to bid farewell to General Wang and returned to the capital, Xunyang. Before leaving, Zhuo Hua gave General Wang the magical Green Oriole Mirror, instructing him that when the mountain beast returned, he should use the mirror’s light to shine into the beast’s eyes, so it would lose direction and halt its attack. Zhuo Hua promised that he would explain the situation to the monarch and bring back the cub.

On the journey back, Qin Ying asked Zhuo Hua, “Why does the monarch ignore the lives of his people and insist on keeping the cub?” The old Jiao interjected, “The old king must have some secret he cannot reveal.” Qin Ying rolled her eyes, “As if that wasn’t obvious.”

Zhuo Hua slowed his horse, turning to them, “The scars on the beast are connected to the Dark Fury Clan. When the woman in purple took the cub, she must have fought the mother mountain beast. The urgent task is to return to Xunyang and investigate the origins of this woman. This matter is grave—none of us can afford to be careless.” Seeing Zhuo Hua’s solemn expression, the group fell silent.

Several days later, Zhuo Hua and his companions entered Xunyang. Upon learning they had come for the cub, the monarch barred them from the palace gate. Zhuo Hua petitioned for several days in vain, with the guards saying either that the monarch was ill or receiving foreign envoys. Eventually, soldiers were ordered to drive them away. The old Jiao, unable to bear such humiliation, said, “Yuan Shang, take them back to the inn. I’ll be right back,” and soared over the palace walls. Zhuo Hua shook his head and returned to the inn with the women.

They had barely finished a cup of tea when a commotion erupted outside, and the old Jiao arrived, having bound the monarch and dragged him to the inn. With a loud crash, the monarch was thrown at Zhuo Hua’s feet. The monarch’s hair was disheveled, clad only in inner garments, barefoot—clearly pulled from his bed by the old Jiao. Yet despite his bedraggled appearance, his face showed no fear; he remained expressionless, coldly staring at Zhuo Hua.

Zhuo Hua stepped forward to help him up and said, “I have a question for you—one that concerns the fate of all people. I beg you to answer truthfully. Afterwards, I will accept any punishment.” The monarch remained silent.

Zhuo Hua continued, “May I ask, is the cub sent months ago still alive?” The king replied, “It is.” “Does Your Majesty know why the mountain beast attacks the city?” The monarch glanced at Zhuo Hua and replied calmly, “For its cub.”

The crowd murmured in shock. Zhuo Hua waved for silence and pressed on, “Why not return the cub and relieve the suffering of the border folk?” The monarch replied, “Princess Guangping’s illness requires the cub’s blood for treatment.”

It turned out Princess Guangping had suffered from a mysterious illness since childhood: any time she sweated, she would feel severe pain in her chest and faint. Every remedy and doctor had failed, and in recent years her attacks had become more frequent. The palace physicians predicted she had little time left. Then, months ago, the woman in purple claimed she could cure the princess.

“What method?” Su Xin could not restrain herself.

The king ignored her and continued, “On the night of the full moon, use the blood of the mountain beast cub as a catalyst, mix it with the medicine she prepared, and the princess will be cured.” His eyes remained fixed on Zhuo Hua.

“Nirvana Blessing,” Zhuo Hua thought, startled.

“You want your daughter to try this method?” Qin Ying asked.

The monarch glanced at Jingmu Han and snorted, “Exactly.”

“And you care nothing for your people?” the old Jiao growled, clenching his fists.

“What’s it to you?” The monarch sneered, “I’ve said everything I need to. Either let me go or kill me here.” With that, he strode toward the door.

The old Jiao and Su Xin moved to block him, but Zhuo Hua waved his hand, saying, “Your Majesty, please depart. Forgive our offense.”

The monarch turned back, gave Zhuo Hua a meaningful look, then left quickly.

In no time, the Imperial Guards surrounded the inn, declaring them assassins plotting against the monarch and demanding their arrest.

Jiaomu Jiao said, “Yuan Shang, you all go ahead. I’ll deal with these rotten yams and worthless bird eggs.”

Qin Ying shook her head, “It’s not so simple. I find the monarch very strange, but I can’t quite pinpoint what’s wrong. If we leave now, returning to investigate will be even harder. Don’t forget, this matter is tied to the Dark Fury Clan. The treatment the monarch described was the Nirvana Blessing used exclusively by their royal family.”

Zhuo Yun put down her packed bundle and said timidly, “If we don’t leave, are we supposed to let them throw us in prison? Yuan Jun can’t go to a place like that.” She shook her head as she spoke.

Su Xin scoffed, laughing, “They know they can’t do anything to us. The siege is just for show—soon they’ll grab a few beggars to take back instead. Why should we go ourselves? Silly girl.”

“No, we will go with them.” Zhuo Hua, to everyone’s surprise, stepped out of the room.

That gaze had already been branded onto Zhuo Hua’s heart. He could not help but wonder—has Lanling returned?