Volume One: The Most Ruthless Phoenix Parasol Blossoms Chapter Twenty-One: Suspicion

Zhuo Hua saw that Tian Chong no longer dared to speak, and the anger in her heart had already dissipated for the most part, so she asked him, "Since you just said that it is now difficult for the descendants of the Lantian and Tian families, do you have any plans for the future?"

Tian Chong sensed that Zhuo Hua was no longer angry, so he relaxed a little, but still did not dare to lift his head, replying in a low voice, "Your Excellency, it is indeed true that our offspring are few, but the clan rules cannot be defied. I recall that back then, the chiefs of the Lan and Tian clans, in order to maintain the purity of the Xuanhuang bloodline, did not hesitate to clash with the other five clans, abducting the most pure-blooded children from among them. I know you will blame us for turning against our own kin, but it is precisely because we share the same root and origin that the Lan and Tian families could not stand by while the other five clans intermarried with the Pu people and muddied the bloodline without taking action! Your Excellency, my heart is loyal to Xuanhuang above all!" At this, this monarch, who was already over fifty, could no longer restrain his tears.

Zhuo Hua rose and helped him to lean against the bedside, her tone softening as she said, "Your loyalty, Lord Tian, is evident to heaven and earth. Ever since the Fairy of Lanling withdrew from the world, I have secluded myself in the Celestial Palace, and paid little heed to the affairs of mortals."

Turning, Zhuo Hua paced to the window. Outside, the tree leaves were gradually turning yellow, some drifting down in the chill—a scene of desolation.

She continued, "You have governed the people under Yun Palace for generations, sparing no effort to continue the Xuanhuang line. If I were to say you two great clans are blindly loyal, you would surely protest. But after so many years, why is it that the once-glorious Lan and Tian families have declined? Have you ever truly reflected on this?"

Tian Chong, visibly troubled, answered, "Your Excellency, the reason is known to us. In the beginning, because our bloodline was pure, practicing our family's spiritual arts was natural and effortless. But because we only married within our clans, even when members of the other five clans proposed, we would require proof of their lineage. After several generations, cases of child mortality increased, and even among adults, many suffered from hidden ailments. Thus, those who could attain mastery became few. However, if a healthy child survived, they would be exceptionally gifted in cultivation. I am unworthy, but my daughter Guangping has just turned sixteen and is now of age. I have had the court diviner examine her; she is indeed a rare talent, though she lacks a distinguished master to guide her."

"I will personally assess Guangping later. If she is truly a promising candidate for cultivation, I will take her back to Mount Cangwu. But you must agree that, from this day forward, you will lift the marriage ban and actively promote unions between the Lan and Tian clans and the Pu people. As for the Lan clan, you will act as the envoy," Zhuo Hua said.

Seeing that further resistance was pointless, and that his daughter might have a chance to enter Yun Palace, Tian Chong gladly agreed, "I will follow your command, Your Excellency. I shall order the Secretariat to draft the decree at once and present it for your review this afternoon."

Zhuo Hua waved her hand dismissively, "There is no need to show me. You decide for yourself. Once this is done, I will have the Four Palaces select candidates from your two clans for further instruction. As for the other five clans..."

Tian Chong quickly picked up her thread, "As for the five clans, I will write on behalf of the Lan and Tian chiefs, issuing a proclamation to each, announcing the lifting of the marriage ban and the pursuit of harmony. However, Your Excellency, the Jade clan among these five is rather unruly and intractable; I fear they will ignore us."

Zhuo Hua replied impatiently, "Handle the other four clans first. We will deal with the Jade clan later. Now, tell me about the purple-clad woman who offered the young beast at your palace, and how you came to be possessed. Spirit possession is a trick of the Anli tribe!"

As Zhuo Hua finished, there was a dull thud. She turned to see Tian Chong had rolled off the bed onto the floor, knocking his head repeatedly in panic. He stammered, "I deserve to die, I deserve to die! Some days ago, my daughter fell ill. I searched everywhere for a cure, but found none, so I issued a proclamation to find a skilled healer or secret remedy. The purple-clad woman took the notice at Honglu Pass, claiming to have a secret cure for my daughter's illness. Your Excellency, let me explain: Guangping has suffered from chest pains since childhood. When I heard that this woman's remedy could bring her relief, I was overjoyed and lost my caution, giving her the chance she needed. On the day of the offering, she requested all attendants be dismissed so she could deliver the secret in person. Seeing she was frail, carrying nothing, and knowing that I am considered one of the kingdom's martial experts, I agreed. Who would have expected that once the servants and guards left the hall, she would suppress my consciousness with a Soul-Sealing Spell, and then her spirit entered my body."

At this, Tian Chong glanced up awkwardly at Zhuo Hua.

Zhuo Hua comforted him, "You were indeed overconfident, but this woman must possess significant power for you to be defeated so quickly."

She signaled him to continue. Tian Chong said, "While possessed, sometimes I could faintly sense what was happening. I felt she was searching for something, but I couldn't guess what—until just before you arrived at the hall. Then, in my secret chamber, she finally found what she sought: the Cloud-Taming Umbrella, the relic bestowed upon the Lan clan by the Fairy of Lanling."

Zhuo Hua interrupted, "How can you be so sure that's what she wanted?"

Tian Chong smiled confidently, "Because when she took the umbrella, the joy she felt was so intense that I could sense it too."

"Very well," Zhuo Hua nodded. "That umbrella has been destroyed by me."

"Yet what puzzles me," Tian Chong said, "is how that woman could wield a fairy's treasure so deftly, yet I saw no sign her cultivation surpassed the Immortal level. She carried few Sunstone Jades, so she is not from the higher-ranked Artificers. It's truly strange."

"There are things you are better off not knowing," Zhuo Hua replied. "By the way, are there any treasures in your Honglu Pass?"

Tian Chong looked puzzled. "Why do you ask, Your Excellency?"

Zhuo Hua closed the window and faced him, "Don't you think it odd that the mountain beast attack on Honglu Pass seemed deliberately orchestrated?"

Tian Chong pondered, "Honglu Pass is a border fortress; there are some supplies and weapons, but as for treasures—ten years ago, after suppressing a group of Sun-Worshipper rebels, we acquired a sacred relic of their faith: the Huayang Pearl. Nothing else of value, really."

"Sun-Worshippers?" Zhuo Hua frowned.

Seeing her confusion, Tian Chong hurried to explain, "Your Excellency, the Sun-Worshipping Cult arose a century ago in the Huaxu Kingdom of Central Shenzhou. Despite their name, they actually worship darkness. Their doctrine claims the golden sun will ultimately perish, and darkness is the true foundation of the void. The god of darkness possesses great powers, and those who devote themselves to him will find salvation and protection. Our Xuanhuang clan venerates the eternal sun, so such heresy is condemned everywhere and ruthlessly suppressed. Strangely, though, the more we stamp them out, the more they proliferate. In recent years, their followers have numbered in the millions. Over a decade ago, the commander at Honglu Pass suppressed a rebel sect and acquired their sacred artifact. At first, it seemed trivial, but then many strange things occurred. The treasury housing the Huayang Pearl repeatedly caught fire, and the guards were often assassinated. To prevent the pearl from falling back into the rebels' hands, I ordered several Taoist temples to be built within the pass and had the pearl buried deep beneath one of them. It has remained safe for over ten years."

"So this time, they lured away the mountain beast to destroy your Honglu Pass, then seized the chance during temple reconstruction to steal the Huayang Pearl. A cunning plan, hitting two birds with one stone," Zhuo Hua remarked as she left Tian Chong's bedchamber.