Volume Three: Blossoms on Twin Branches, One Tree Alone Cannot Stand Chapter Eight: The Bond of Affection

Zhuo Hua took out the items he had prepared from the Universe Pouch and laid them one by one on the stone platform beside him: a blue-ice jade box containing Lan Sheng’s hair and blood, a large handful of divine-grade Sunstone Jades, and a Cangyue Pearl.

He then placed his hands on the Thousand Mechanisms Jar and softly intoned, “The stars and moon alternate, new life shall arise.”

A series of mechanical clicks sounded as the lid of the jar slowly lifted. Wisps of white mist poured out, cascading down like a waterfall from the massive vessel. Zhuo Hua summoned his inner energy, drawing a stream of clear spring water from the Cold Pool beneath him. The water hovered briefly in midair before he directed it all at once into the Thousand Mechanisms Jar.

Next, he gathered up the prepared items, floated to the mouth of the jar, and first shattered all the Sunstone Jades into powder with a surge of energy. With a flick of his wrist, he scattered the pale green dust into the jar.

Afterward, Zhuo Hua opened the blue-ice jade box, taking out a small porcelain vial and a lock of hair from the cold mist within. He rubbed the strand of Lan Sheng’s hair between two fingers until it crumbled into powder, then released it, letting it drift onto the surface of the cold pool water.

With a gentle flick of his thumb, he uncorked the vial and carefully let Lan Sheng’s blood drip slowly into the water. When the vial yielded no more drops, he rinsed it thoroughly with water from the cold pool.

Once all this was done, Zhuo Hua glanced up at the faint starlight above, then shot upwards, swiftly reaching the vaulted ceiling. Before the stars could scatter, he snatched a “starlight” from above—and, on his way down, also gathered a smear of “starlight” droppings.

Landing back in the light, the “starlight” in his hand dimmed. It turned out to be an enormous, grotesque bat—large eyes, protruding ears, pig-like snout, savage fangs—a creature of rare ugliness. The smear on his left finger was clearly the bat’s excrement.

Zhuo Hua looked at the squawking pig-faced bat in his hand and cursed with a laugh, “People say you’re ugly and fear you, but they don’t know you’re the perfect match for the Thousand Mechanisms Jar. Whatever beast’s blood you drink, you become its mirror image in flesh and blood—what a wondrous thing.” With that, he supported the bat in his palm. As the bat hovered there, Zhuo Hua drew in the surrounding energy with a sudden force. The poor bat, unaware of its fate, was instantly reduced to a mist of blood, drifting down into the jar.

A moment later, a small black bead was tossed into the water. Zhuo Hua clapped his hands, pondered for a moment, then suddenly recalled something. He drew a delicate dagger from his sleeve, pricked his own finger, and let a few drops of his own blood fall into the Thousand Mechanisms Jar.

Sucking on his still-bleeding finger, he nodded and mumbled, “That should about do it.”

Having completed the process, he closed the lid and left the Cold Pool the same way he came. Holding his lantern stone, he ascended the still pitch-black stone steps back to the surface.

The moment he emerged from the underground palace, his mood brightened considerably. The gloom and melancholy that had weighed on him were swept away by the warm sunlight. Humming a little tune, he followed the winding path for more than half an hour. Glancing up at the noonday sun, he thought that no one would notice the entrance to the underground palace. Taking advantage of the moment, he gathered his energy and transformed into a streak of white light, flying toward Lan Sheng’s residence.

As soon as he landed, lively laughter and chatter drifted from Lan Sheng’s house. Zhuo Hua held his breath, concentrating, and could make out the voices of Jiao Mu Jiao and Tian Jialan, Zhuo Yun and Su Xin, and, of course, Lady Qin Ying. From the tone, everyone seemed to be in high spirits—Lan Sheng hadn’t laughed so freely in a long time, and the others joked and teased with relaxed ease. The atmosphere was harmonious.

Seeing Lan Sheng able to set aside his burdens and move forward, Zhuo Hua was truly pleased. Yet, he hesitated—should he enter or quietly take his leave?

Suddenly, a voice called loudly from within, “Friend outside, since you’re here, don’t stand there hesitating!” This was followed by another burst of laughter.

With a darkened face, Zhuo Hua pushed the door open and stepped inside. He saw everyone gathered as expected, but what he hadn’t anticipated was the presence of Kui Mu Lang, who sat quietly sipping tea, smiling but silent.

Zhuo Hua walked past the laughing group and greeted Lan Sheng, “Lan Sheng, are you feeling better today?”

Lan Sheng straightened up, his face radiant as he replied, “Reporting to the Prime, thanks to everyone’s attentive care these days, my health is nearly restored.”

Su Xin chimed in, “We only came by to check on you every now and then, but Miss Zhuo here visited several times a day! Surely it’s her devoted care that’s brought about your miraculous recovery.”

At these words, everyone’s gaze shifted to Zhuo Yun beside Su Xin. Little Fish’s cheeks flushed crimson, and she fidgeted endlessly with her embroidered handkerchief.

Lan Sheng hastily protested, “Everyone has been very kind to me. Lan Sheng thanks you all from the bottom of his heart.”

Qin Ying’s smile curved her eyes into crescent moons as she rocked with laughter. “Lan Sheng, you’d better buy a few more handkerchiefs for Zhuo Yun. Each time she visits, she tears another to shreds—it’s costing her a fortune.” The room erupted in laughter, even the usually stern and dour Kui Mu Lang unable to suppress a grin.

Zhuo Hua, seeing the lively camaraderie, was reluctant to interrupt. He leaned in and whispered into Lan Sheng’s ear, “Preparations for restoring your arm are nearly complete. Come to my chambers after this gathering.” With a parting nod to the others, he quietly left.

Lan Sheng, exhilarated by the news, leaped off the bed and, oblivious to everyone else, grabbed Zhuo Yun’s hands and bounced with excitement. “Little Fish, did you hear? The Prime just told me he can restore my arm—I’ll no longer be a cripple!”

Zhuo Yun’s face lit up as well. She instinctively cupped his right hand in hers, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at him. “How could you be a cripple, Brother Lan Sheng? You lost your arm protecting Sister Qin Ying and upholding the honor of Cloud Palace—you’re a true hero.”

Touched by her words, Lan Sheng pulled Zhuo Yun into a one-armed embrace.

The room fell into an almost terrifying silence, as if the very air had solidified in that moment.

After three or four heartbeats, Su Xin couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter. Instantly, everyone else, long straining to contain themselves, erupted into noise. The sudden uproar startled Lan Sheng and Zhuo Yun from their reverie. Zhuo Yun’s face, already flushed, turned so red it was almost unrecognizable. She glanced around in desperation before finally burying her head in Qin Ying’s arms, pressing close and mumbling, “So embarrassing! So embarrassing!”

Su Xin wagged her finger as she walked over to Lan Sheng, scolding playfully, “Lan Sheng, why don’t you tell us when you won over our Little Fish? No wonder Zhuo Yun’s been visiting you three or four times a day lately. When asked, she always claims it’s just to change your medicine, or that she’s made porridge to tempt your appetite.”

Qin Ying picked up the teasing, “I always thought only someone as seasoned and slick as Lin Bai would manage to win over the Tian family princess under everyone’s nose. But who would have guessed—you, Lan Sheng, so young and upright, have such skills! Come on, was it Lin Bai who secretly taught you?”

At this, Lin Bai shifted uneasily, but before he could speak, Tian Jialan cut in, hands on hips, stepping in front of him and jabbing her chin at Qin Ying, “It wasn’t Lin Bai who won me over—I went after your precious Lin first. Admit it, are you impressed?” She turned to Lan Sheng with a grin, “But cousin, you really kept this well hidden! Not a hint—no shame to the Lan family name!”

Su Xin piped up again, “Well, well! So both of you are so capable—it must run in the family! An ancestral art, is it?”

The room was once again filled with peals of laughter.

Under the barrage of good-natured teasing, Lan Sheng found it impossible to slip away. Glancing around, he spotted Kui Mu Lang in the corner, quietly sipping tea with a gentle smile. Seizing the chance, he darted out of the circle of Su Xin, Qin Ying, and Tian Jialan, grabbed Kui Mu Lang’s arm, and, sweating profusely, said, “The Prime just summoned me, but I’m new here and don’t know the way to his chambers. Palace Lord, could you lead the way?” At the same time, he shot Kui Mu Lang a pleading look.

Kui Mu Lang shouted, “Of course!” and followed Lan Sheng out the door.

But as they reached the threshold, the others clamored again—one claiming to have business with Zhuo Hua, another wanting to beg the Prime for some medicinal pills to restore vitality.

In a rush, the whole group surged forward, grabbing the still-flustered Lan Sheng, and together they transformed into streams of light, flying straight toward Zhuo Hua’s chambers.