Volume One: The Most Heartless Phoenix Tree Blossom Chapter Twenty: Bloodline

Just as Zhuo Hua and Zhuo Yun were having breakfast together, the princess sent someone to summon Zhuo Hua, saying that the Sovereign had awakened.

When Zhuo Hua arrived at the Hall of Pure Origin, she learned that the Sovereign had awoken at dawn, and, upon discovering he was residing in the princess’s quarters, insisted on returning to his own chambers.

Zhuo Hua saw that after a few sips of thin porridge, the Sovereign could eat no more. He waved his hand, and the palace maids immediately withdrew. The Sovereign whispered to an elderly attendant for a moment; the man bowed and then walked toward them.

This attendant was somewhat advanced in years. Though his chin bore not the slightest trace of a beard, his face was etched with countless lines, the deep furrows telling of a life weathered by hardship. Despite his apparent age, his bright eyes and steady gait were no less vigorous than those of a younger man. He came before them, bent in a half-bow, and said, “Honored guests, His Majesty requests your presence.” He then stepped aside, making a gesture of invitation.

Zhuo Hua did not stand on ceremony and strode forward. Yet as the old eunuch let Zhuo Hua pass, he blocked Little Fish, snapping sharply, “None may enter without summons—” Zhuo Hua turned to see Little Fish trying to push past the eunuch, her eyes wide with indignation, her anger nearly bursting forth. Zhuo Hua could not help but smile, saying, “Yun’er, wait here for me. Do not be upset.” Only then did Zhuo Yun relent, stepping aside with a sulky look and shooting the attendant a fierce glare as she did.

Zhuo Hua approached the Sovereign, preparing to pay her respects. The Sovereign hastily stopped her in a weak voice, “You must not, Exalted One! I am but a disgraced subject, and you are my savior. It should be I who prostrate myself in thanks—but alas, this broken body cannot move. Such a crime, such a crime!”

With that, the Sovereign lay prone on his couch, silent and trembling like a cicada in winter.

“Since your mother has already told you who I am, I see no need to conceal it further. My visit to the mortal realm is for some mundane affairs; saving you was merely a matter of convenience. There are, however, some matters I wish to discuss with you at length.” As Zhuo Hua spoke, she moved to the Sovereign’s bedside, gesturing for him to give her his hand.

“You address yourself as a subject—are you, then, a descendant of Xuanhuang?” Zhuo Hua’s left hand took his pulse, feeling it grow steady and strong. The Sovereign, head still bowed, replied, “I am indeed of the Xuanhuang lineage from North Lun Continent. My ancestors, at your and Lady Lanling’s command, descended to the mortal realm to shepherd its people, and so it has been for a hundred generations.”

Zhuo Hua placed his hand back and stood up. “You are no longer in grave danger. The meridians in your lower body are still somewhat blocked, but with a month’s rest, you should walk again.” The Sovereign bowed his head even lower. “Your Exalted Grace and kindness in saving my life can never be repaid. My life is yours to command, and I would gladly serve you, even at the cost of my own.”

Zhuo Hua found his constant prostration rather awkward and bade him rise. Once upright, the Sovereign, seeing Zhuo Hua standing, grew anxious again and quickly ordered a jet-black, exquisitely carved chair to be brought for her.

After Zhuo Hua sat, she spoke. “Though we have spent much time together, I have yet to know your name.”

The Sovereign grew nervous once more and answered, “My father’s family name is Tian; my mother is of the Lan clan from Central Divine Continent. My given name is Chong.”

Seeing him bow his head again, Zhuo Hua was inwardly amused and decided to tease him. “Both your parents’ clans are first and second among the Xuanhuang lineages. Over the years, many stars and heroes have arisen from them. Yet since meeting you, I haven’t sensed the least hint of immortal aura.”

Tian Chong replied, “The Lan and Tian clans, unlike the other five, did not intermarry with the primitive tribes after the immortals departed. For tens of thousands of years, Lan and Tian have only married within each other. The maxim of ‘utmost truth and purity,’ given by Lady Lanling, has always been our family creed, never to be shaken.” He paused, a little embarrassed, and continued, “But over the past millennium, our descendants have grown fewer, and remarkable talents are rarer than in days past. Now, Lan and Tian can barely hold onto the richest lands of North Lun and Central Divine continents—the rest has been all but swallowed by the other five clans.” With that, Tian Chong shook his head in resignation.

Zhuo Hua’s expression grew grave. “I remember, when Lanling and I first arrived in this void, we were enchanted by its beauty and chose this place to begin creation. The purpose was twofold: first, to continue the Xuanhuang bloodline and prepare for the calamities of the end times; second, to assimilate the myriad living beings of this void.”

Tian Chong replied, “Our family creed says: ‘On Cangwu Mountain, the Thousand Mechanisms Jar; from Zhuo and Lan, the essence is inherited. When Nuwa’s spell is done, the immortal scions arise; in seven days, the seven clans of Xuanhuang are born.’”

Zhuo Hua nodded, but her expression remained stern. “We created the seven immortal clans after the traits and names of Xuanhuang’s seven lineages. Of the seven, only your Lan and Tian clans were endowed with Lanling’s flesh and blood; the rest received mine.”

Tian Chong said with feeling, “Lady Lanling’s gift of creation to the Lan and Tian clans is a grace we can never forget.”

Zhuo Hua replied coldly, “It is true Lanling’s essence gave you life, but without my Cangyue Pearl, your ancestors would have been but lumps of clay and stone.”

Knowing he had misspoken, Tian Chong hurried to explain, “That was not my meaning, not at all.”

“Oh? Then what did you mean? Are you saying only Lanling’s ‘utmost truth and purity’ is divine law, while my prohibition of intermarriage among the immortal clans is mere empty ritual?”

Realizing he had no argument, Tian Chong buried his head between his knees, kowtowing and begging for mercy. “Forgive me, Exalted One, I was disrespectful. Forgive me, Exalted One, I was disrespectful.”

Though Zhuo Hua no longer felt anger in her heart, she did not soften her expression, scolding him sternly, “After the seven days of creation, the seven clans numbered only a hundred. I used the Cangyue Pearl to grant you consciousness, and told you that the Xuanhuang clan’s strength has always lain in its inclusiveness and ability to embrace all. Only by absorbing the strengths of others could you thrive, so that the strongest among you might become a Star on the Celestial Tablet, and thus lead you in casting the Sky-Mending Array to sustain our Lanling Golden Sun. I told you to care nothing for bloodline purity, that anyone who upheld the ideals of Xuanhuang was of our kin. Back then, your Lan and Tian clans were the largest and most powerful of the seven. And now? Has your ‘pure’ bloodline not nearly died out?”

She paused, noting Tian Chong’s continual wiping of sweat from his brow, and continued, “I cannot reveal the secrets of Celestial Palace, but I can tell you this: the great array must be activated increasingly often. Though the Stars are all of the highest rank, after three invocations of the array, their essence is depleted and they must retire to the mortal world. Celestial Palace can no longer assemble enough Stars for the next activation!”

Enlightenment dawned on Tian Chong. “No wonder you yourself have come to the mortal realm to awaken new Stars.”

Zhuo Hua replied irritably, “So if you persist in this obstinacy, what hope is there for the Xuanhuang bloodline? We’ll die out on our own, without the Anli tribe ever lifting a hand!”