Volume One: The Sovereign’s Decree Chapter 100: Regretting the Capture

Page 1/3

Master Feng Jue was a nickname for the woman in the black robe. Born with a natural sensitivity to formation techniques, it was said that at birth, her skin bore the intricate patterns of a formation. As she cultivated, these markings gradually faded, yet even to this day, she has not fully refined them.

During her travels across the magnificent lands, Feng Jue instantly took a liking to Yu Wenwan, who occasionally came out to relax. Although Yu Wenwan had never practiced Taoist arts, Feng Jue earnestly begged her to follow her path of cultivation, pledging to impart all her skills to her.

“Wenwan has a constitution similar to mine, which will give her a natural advantage in practicing formation arts. However, you two can’t meet often now. She must return with me to quietly cultivate for three or five years,” Feng Jue explained reasonably. Otherwise, she would have long since taken Yu Wenwan away.

The Iron Dynasty was a wretched place, without a single blessed sanctuary. No matter how one cultivated here, breakthroughs were impossible. At her level, the convergence of perfect timing, location, and harmony with people was essential—such places were exceedingly rare.

If Yu Wenwan hadn’t insisted on meeting Liu Xiaoyi and refused to leave without bidding farewell, they would have already left the Iron Dynasty’s borders with Feng Jue.

“Where are you going? How can I find you?” Liu Xiaoyi had wanted to accompany Feng Jue, but she firmly declined, saying that intimacy during cultivation would disturb his Taoist mindset. Besides, Liu Xiaoyi’s potential was sufficient for him to live a long, healthy life, whereas Yu Wenwan was merely a mortal and could not stay by his side for long.

Feng Jue handed him a name card. “You can find me at the Hunyuan Palace. Or whenever you want to find us, open this card. It will tell you where to go.”

She then pointed to Xiao Qingshu, who was hiding timidly behind and not daring to face her. “You mischievous one, you’re coming back with me. I have to let your master know that this little girl has been running wild outside, even flirting with a man who already has a partner. I’ll teach you a lesson to straighten you out!”

Feng Jue was well acquainted with the people of Hunyuan Palace and had naturally heard of Xiao Qingshu’s existence. This unruly saintess had caused endless trouble for the disciples there; those disgraceful pranks were too shameful to mention.

“I won’t go back! If I go back, I’ll definitely be locked up tight. My master doesn’t even know where I ran off to! I won’t go back!” Xiao Qingshu clung tightly to Liu Xiaoyi’s arm, hoping he would plead for her. But Liu Xiaoyi gently pushed her away. “You’d better behave and return for cultivation. What I’m about to undertake is even more dangerous.”

Liu Xiaoyi had made up his mind to set out for the Great Wilderness in search of his mother’s whereabouts. His father’s death could not be in vain. He wondered about his mother’s family status—how it required the fortune of the Iron Dynasty just to barely allow him to meet her.

That Prince Qin as well, during their discussion, his emotions clearly fluctuated. Liu Xiaoyi suspected the prince might have feelings for his mother too.

“Well then, young sir, we shall meet again in a few days. By then, I’ll have a great gift for you,” Feng Jue sighed in relief. She had worried that upon seeing her cherished apprentice reunited with her beloved, the girl might suddenly refuse to leave with her. Yet, seeing Liu Xiaoyi’s surprising composure, none of the measures she had prepared were necessary.

“I’ll thank you on Wenwan’s behalf first, Master. After I finish things here, I will come find you as soon as possible.”

The martial world was perilous, and matters of love were best left unspoken. Tears unknowingly welled on Liu Xiaoyi’s cheeks. Yu Wenwan raised her sleeve gently to wipe them away. “Once I’ve mastered my skills, I can help you more. I’ve long wanted to scale rooftops and roam the martial world with you.”

After many years, Liu Xiaoyi once again felt that bittersweet reluctance. He was momentarily at a loss for words, embracing Yu Wenwan tightly.

“I’m still waiting for you to meet your mother. You must take good care of yourself.”

In the courtyard’s open space, Feng Jue formed a complex pattern of a formation. Holding the hands of Yu Wenwan and Xiao Qingshu, they stepped into it together. As light shimmered, the three figures gradually dissolved until they vanished completely, as if they had never appeared there at all.

Page 2/3

Instant teleportation! Many martial experts present recognized Feng Jue’s extraordinary skill. Bai Yiting clicked his tongue, scolding his apprentice, “Look at her—at the mention of cultivation, she’s eager to follow her master. And you? Still dreaming of running wild outside!”

Meng Qiaoqiao bristled, “Old man! Can you do this? This is true Taoist magic. What you’ve taught me is just trickery!”

Everyone burst into laughter, and the banquet’s atmosphere lifted further. The feast continued until midnight before gradually dispersing. Shen Desan and others busily prepared gifts for the next day’s enthronement ceremony.

Shen Zhong repeatedly tried to chat with Liu Xiaoyi but was stopped by Shen Desan, who firmly held his ear. “Be good and help me prepare. Tomorrow is when the Shen family rises! No mistakes allowed!”

The others returned to their rooms to rest, postponing all discussions until morning. The elder Daoist Bai was drunk to the point of staggering; it took three or four attendants quite some effort to carry him back to his guest room.

Liu Xiaoyi carried a food box and a pot of fine wine, stumbling back along the path to the courtyard. This place was originally Yu Wenwan’s residence. He came accompanied, but now returned alone, feeling somewhat downcast.

He wished to keep Yu Wenwan from leaving but saw her smile when near Feng Jue, realizing the master was no villain. With age came many worries. He himself could barely preserve his own life, let alone fully protect Yu Wenwan.

He could no longer let his troubles endanger others’ lives. Since leaving Sanshan City, Liu Xiaoyi had carried deep guilt—many around him had died partly because of him.

“Hey, the seal is broken. I brought some food; come out and eat something,” Liu Xiaoyi said, tearing off the seal from Mount Zhenyuan. The magical power used to seal it dissipated swiftly, but there was no response from inside.

Liu Xiaoyi’s heart sank. Could the long confinement have suffocated them?

He kicked the mountain with force, and a muffled sound came from within. A faint voice said, “If I’m going to die, I’ll haunt you for life…”

“All right, come out and see what I brought.” Liu Xiaoyi opened the food box, revealing three layers filled with six exquisite dishes: steamed lamb, roast chicken, golden treasures, glutinous rice cake, sweet and sour fish slices, and old duck soup.

Warm, fragrant aromas filled the room. The cooks he had hired, after escaping the banquet, had prepared these anew. Knowing the sealed ghost fox inside was a girl even younger than himself, Liu Xiaoyi’s heart softened.

A wanderer in the martial world had no concept of right or wrong. This one didn’t sound threatening, more like a simpleton, reminding him of the little girl next door during his time at the weapons shop.

The girl, still wearing her ghost fox mask, barely crawled out of Mount Zhenyuan. She was too hungry to have any strength left. Ignoring her dirty hands, she reached for the dishes but was flicked on the palm by a pair of chopsticks, causing her to pull back in pain.

“Don’t you find it dirty? Use chopsticks!”

The girl snorted, removed her mask, and quickly devoured the sweet and sour fish slices. In the blink of an eye, the plate was cleared.

Eating too quickly, before she could put the plate down, she began choking and coughing, grabbing the wine pot and gulping down several large mouthfuls.

Page 3/3

“That’s wine! The water is here!” Liu Xiaoyi hurriedly took the pot away, filling a cup with warm water. But it was too late—the girl’s cheeks flushed, showing signs of intoxication.

“Slow down. It’s all yours. I’ll just nibble on some peanuts.”

The starving girl collapsed face-first on the table like a ghost returned from the dead. When six gleaming plates appeared before Liu Xiaoyi, she leaned back, lying on the ground, patting her bulging stomach weakly.

“Whatever comes next—death or dismemberment—is up to you. At least I got a full meal before dying. You’re a good person,” she said contentedly.

Liu Xiaoyi chuckled and teased, “Why do you think I want to kill you? You look quite nice; can’t I have a taste?”

“Doesn’t matter anymore. I’ll just lie here, do whatever you want,” the girl stretched out, slurring her words drunkenly.

“What’s your name? Tell me the story of Bing Zhong. I want to listen.”

The girl hummed a few times, turned over, and leaned against the bed. Her bright eyes met Liu Xiaoyi’s. “I’m going to be the strongest spirit captor in Bing Zhong! Now I’ll tell you my name. Remember it well—I’m Shangguan Baozi!”

“Shangguan what?” Liu Xiaoyi thought he misheard and asked again.

“Shangguan Baozi! That name was given by the owner of the bun shop I used to steal from as a kid. It stuck. I’ll be the strongest spirit captor in Bing Zhong!” She pointed at her nose as she spoke.

A little girl with such a funny name made Liu Xiaoyi’s lips curl into a smile. “You’re making fun of me! I thought you were different from those people. Stop laughing!”

After a long while, the room fell silent again. The girl, refusing to relent, suddenly lunged forward and began sobbing in front of Liu Xiaoyi, the smell of alcohol making him tilt his head.

“Wuwuwu… When you kill me later, please use internal injuries. I don’t want my parents to not recognize me. Please!”

“I told you, I’m not going to kill you. This is my new robe—don’t wipe your nose on it!” Liu Xiaoyi felt his head ache; of all times, he had brought home another little troublemaker.

“Let’s pinky swear. You say you won’t kill me, so you won’t. I’ve been mean to you, so there’s no way you won’t kill me. You must be lying. Wuwuwu…”

They fussed like this for half the night. Perhaps due to the alcohol, the girl finally fell asleep heavily on Liu Xiaoyi’s shoulder, leaving a trail of glistening snot on his brand-new robe.