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墨書 Inktalez
Yama's Wedding
Meanwhile, Xue had already set off on the road to the court. Along the way, for some reason, he kept thinking of that weeping girl from years ago. He remembered how she cried when she saw those humans die because of her. He had helped her back then because he saw a pure heart within this child, a heart of a divine being. Perhaps this was an opportunity for the court, so Xue reached out to assist her. Later, he even helped to reshape the two war-torn nations, allowing them to thrive for a century, compensating for the disasters brought by Yao Guang. He hoped that the court's punishment for her would not be too severe.
However, just now, Yama King's demeanor clearly indicated that something was being concealed. Although Xue did not ask for answers on the spot, an unsettling feeling lingered in his heart, a compulsion driving him to seek the truth behind it all.
Upon arriving at the court, Xue felt as if he had stepped into another world. The resplendent palace and the jade towers floated with an ethereal aura, making it seem like a realm above his own Underworld. When he reached the South Gate, he was stopped by the guards.
"Who goes there?" The two guards seemed not to recognize him. It made sense; he hadn't set foot in South Gate for a hundred years.
"I am one of the Yama in Yama's Hall," Xue announced his title.
"What do you think you are? Just a Yama? Is this South Gate somewhere you can enter freely? Hurry up and leave," one guard scoffed upon hearing that Xue was merely one of Yama King's subordinates.
Taken aback by their words, Xue wondered when South Gate had become so difficult to enter. It seemed he had indeed spent too long in the Underworld.
"I ask you both to let me pass; I have urgent matters and need to see Flower Fairy," Xue maintained his composure and continued to plead.
"Haha, did you hear that? Let him pass just like that! How do we know what business you have with Flower Fairy? Is she someone you can meet? You must bring something so we can understand what you intend to do here!" Their tone was unmistakably mocking. However, after spending a century in the Underworld, isolated from the world, Xue was unaware of such rules. Even during his time in the West, he was revered by many and had never been obstructed anywhere he went.
Seeing that Xue did not intend to offer them anything as tribute, their expressions darkened immediately. "Since you are so ignorant of our rules, I see no point in letting you through South Gate. Go back from where you came!"
Faced with their fierce demeanor, although unsure of their intentions, Xue could only sigh and prepare to turn away since they refused him entry.
"Xue." A voice filled with surprise called out from behind him. Turning around, he found it was Flower Fairy.
"Flower Fairy." The two guards immediately bowed deeply upon seeing her and greeted her with smiles. "Flower Fairy, this person claims he wants to see you..."
At that moment, Blossom had no interest in listening to what the guards were saying; her eyes were solely focused on Xue. For hundreds of years since Xue had been sent to the Underworld, she had not seen him again. When she spotted him from afar just now, she could hardly believe her eyes. Now that she saw him about to leave, how could she let this opportunity slip away? Blossom rushed in front of Xue and eagerly asked, "Xue, did you come up to see me? Why are you leaving without even saying hello?"
The two guards had never witnessed Flower Fairy act so out of character before; they had only ascended for a few decades and had always seen her as untouchable and sacred. They had never seen her treat a man with such care and urgency.
Xue smiled at the Flower Fairy and said, "I had a small matter to discuss with you, but these two guards wouldn't let me in, so I was about to leave."
Blossom glared fiercely at the two guards upon hearing this. It was clear they were trying to extort something from Xue. The situation in the court was becoming increasingly intolerable; now even guards dared to obstruct Xue. If she hadn't seen it herself, she would have missed him entirely. Thinking of this made Blossom even more displeased with the guards.
"You two have some nerve to block Xue."
"He's just a king from the lower realm; what's so impressive about that?" One of the guards muttered under his breath upon seeing Blossom's serious expression.
Hearing the guard's words, Blossom didn't get angry; instead, she laughed lightly. No wonder they were so brazen in front of Xue—they thought he was merely a king from the underworld.
"Open your eyes and see who you think this king is. The illustrious Wheel King doesn't need to report to you! I suggest you prepare yourselves for a trip back to the mortal realm."
Her words were meant to send them back down to the lower realm. The two guards turned pale with fear and quickly begged for mercy. Although the Flower Fairy's magic wasn't particularly formidable in the court, she was a favored one beside the Queen Mother. Who would dare offend her? The two guards immediately knelt and pleaded, "Flower Fairy, Wheel King, we were blind and failed to recognize your greatness. We deserve punishment; please spare us!"
Blossom was still unwilling to let them off easily when Xue stopped her, saying, "Let's go; I have something to ask you."
Only then did Blossom relent and hurriedly lead Xue to her Flower Garden.
The two guards finally breathed a sigh of relief. They had always known there was a Wheel King in the West, a figure whose name echoed through the heavens. A thousand years ago, when demonic forces invaded with an army of hundreds of thousands, it was the Demon Martial Emperor leading them who was invincible until they reached the gates of Purple Cloud Palace, staining the ground with celestial blood. Just as the demons were celebrating their triumph, a Golden Wheel appeared from the sky and swept through thousands of heads in an instant. By the time everyone reacted, that Golden Wheel had transformed into a figure—clad in white with black hair, untouched by blood, standing amidst the carnage in an eerie yet enchanting manner. With just one person's strength, he annihilated the Demon Martial Emperor and his hundred thousand Demon Lords. At that time, merely mentioning Wheel King sent shivers down the spines of demons. Yet such a person had been exiled to the Underworld by Western Buddha after the great war, disappearing from people's memories. Who would have thought that such a seemingly delicate person was actually that feared Wheel King? The two guards looked at his departing figure in disbelief.
"This is my latest brew of Baihua Tea; it's been a long time since you've visited," Blossom said as she took out her homemade Baihua Tea.
"Not bad." Looking at the fragrant Baihua Tea before him brought back memories of old times spent here with Blossom and Taibai Jinxing, enjoying life freely and carefreely. This visit seemed to evoke too many emotions within him.
"Flower Fairy, I came to see you because I have an important matter to discuss." Setting down his tea cup, Xue slowly began.
Blossom smoothed out her wrinkles and sat across from him. "You come here only when you have something to ask? Can't you chat with me when there's nothing on your mind?" She frowned slightly in exasperation; after all, she was known as the most beautiful woman in the court. Even a slight frown from her could make any man feel pained, yet Xue seemed unfazed.
"Alright then, Xue, what brings you here?" Blossom asked curiously; she wondered what could be so significant that it warranted Xue's journey from the Underworld to the court.
"I want to know about a person, the Breaking Army Star Lord—Yao Guang."
The words were spoken softly, yet they caused a noticeable change in the expression of the Flower Fairy. It was just a slight shift, but Xue caught it with keen sensitivity. Blossom composed herself and smiled faintly. "The Star Lord of the Big Dipper has never been well acquainted with me, as you know. As for your Breaking Army Star Lord, I only know that she has been demoted to the mortal realm to undergo tribulations; beyond that, I am not aware of anything else." To mask her inner tension, the Flower Fairy picked up her cup.
"Flower Fairy, do you know why she is undergoing tribulations?" Xue was certain that the Flower Fairy must know something. Although he didn't understand why she, like Yama King, was reluctant to share with him, he felt that this matter had something to do with him; otherwise, why would everyone refuse to mention it?
Hearing Xue's tone, the Flower Fairy realized he was suspicious. However, should she really reveal everything? She had loved Xue for a thousand years; this was known by all on earth. Many laughed at her behind her back—here was the first beauty of the court, the Flower Fairy, foolishly trailing after Wheel King for a millennium without a single response. Then suddenly, another Breaking Army Star Lord appeared. The thought of this girl filled the Flower Fairy with a deep sense of crisis; that child's pure heart was something she lacked. Would Xue be moved by her? With this thought in mind, the Flower Fairy couldn't help but grip her sleeves tightly.
The steam from the tea rose slowly. Amidst the hazy vapor, Xue noticed the Flower Fairy's nervousness. He gazed quietly at her, waiting patiently. He knew that his requests had never been refused by the Flower Fairy; it was merely a matter of time. Sure enough, he didn't have to wait long. The Flower Fairy seemed to have made up her mind as she lifted her head and slowly began to speak.
"The Breaking Army Star Lord is the last main star among the Big Dipper's Seventh Star, controlling life and death in this world. However, this Breaking Army Star Lord is a girl with a pure heart." Pure-hearted—Xue felt that this description truly suited that girl from back then in this court. "But a hundred years ago, the Breaking Army Star Lord boldly ventured westward to seek a method from Buddha." Blossom's eyes were fixed intently on Xue.
Xue's heart sank in shock—could it be?
Seeing Xue's expression, the Flower Fairy knew he had guessed correctly.
"That's right. A hundred years ago, you were assigned to the Underworld. This girl went alone to seek a method; breaking armies naturally brings death in battle. She appeared quite formidable. Although Buddha is compassionate and did not hold it against her too much, it nearly caused a conflict between the West and our court. Therefore, Jade Emperor intended to have her soul scattered. However, due to Lady Ziguang and Buddha's intercession, she was instead reincarnated until she repented before being allowed to return to court."
So it was like this! At this moment, Xue felt his heart swell slightly. He had been unjustly sent to the Underworld; though he felt resentment within him, he still followed Buddha's teachings. Little did he know that during his absence, there was such a girl who ventured alone to seek methods for him. The calmness in Blossom's words belied their underlying peril; how could Xue not understand? Regardless of anything else, how did she manage to enter West Gate and confront the Eighteen Arhats with their formidable powers? How could she even meet Buddha? What punishment did the Emperor impose on her? Suddenly, Xue recalled something.
"Then why is Yao Guang's soul so weak that it cannot be found?"
Blossom gasped in surprise. "You have seen her soul?"
"She was supposed to be reincarnated but sneaked out of the Underworld. Yama King searched everywhere but informed me that her soul's aura is weak and difficult to locate."
"Death sentences can be avoided, but living crimes cannot escape punishment; thus the Emperor imposed Thunder Punishment."
Thunder Punishment—so it was Thunder Punishment! This Thunder Punishment is used to discipline those celestial beings who have committed grave errors by extracting their souls from their celestial bodies and subjecting them daily to eighty-one strikes of thunder from Thunder Lord and Thunder Mother for forty-nine days straight. Once the soul is extracted from its celestial body, it no longer enjoys its protection and becomes as powerless as a newborn baby; thus each strike of thunder does not dissipate within the soul but collides with it until gradually fading away. Therefore, this form of punishment is rarely employed.
"Xue, what's wrong?"
Xue's face turned pale instantly. "Flower Fairy, just pretend you didn't see today's events. I will take my leave." Before the Flower Fairy could respond, Xue hurried away, ascending into the clouds.
Blossom watched Xue's departing figure, her heart in turmoil. The girl was so pure and innocent; it was rare to find someone like her in this realm and in the world. Xue, will you fall in love? The lingering scent of tea wafted through the Flower Garden, persistent and unyielding.
The wind brushed against Xue's face, bringing her back to reality for a moment. Yao Guang, Yao Guang! These two words echoed in her mind. How could she have achieved such a feat a century ago? How could Xue repay this sentiment? And now, she had to personally pursue her soul and send her back to reincarnation, allowing her to experience the cycle of life and death once more. Xue understood the hesitation of Yama King; how could she accept this truth? At that moment, her mind flashed with the image of that round face crying, then shifted to the vast Thunder Punishment. In a daze, she seemed to hear Buddha's words: "Xue, you are too calm; though wise, you do not engage with the mortal world." Xue replied to Buddha, "Is there anything wrong with slaying demons and upholding righteousness?" Buddha shook his head, looking at her with pity. No, I do not need pity; those from the demon realm deserve death—what wrong have I done? As Xue's head rolled away, it fell into a forest. She raised her hand and unleashed her fury; a golden light swept across, and the sprawling forest vanished in an instant.
Watching the forest disappear, Xue gradually calmed down. Perhaps this was why Buddha had cast her out; although her powers were formidable, she always struggled to control them. Just like back then during that great battle when she became blinded by rage, only remembering the blood swirling before her eyes—how she managed to stop was now hard to recall. There was a flash of purple light in her memory, but who could say for sure? Perhaps she was simply exhausted.
Xue stood up and brushed off the dust from her clothes. She had never been one to dawdle. Since the past was gone and she had returned to the Underworld, she was now one of its denizens; it was just that this court had led her self-control astray. With hands clasped behind her back, she gazed into the distance for a long while.
She hadn't anticipated that Breaking Army Star Lord would suffer such punishment because of her actions. Saving her life back then was not meant for this outcome. Now, the only plan was to find her soul and send it back to reincarnation, helping her return to the court.
Having made up her mind, Xue cast a spell to disguise herself as a mortal. This time she needed to search for souls among humans without drawing attention. After some thought, Xue altered her appearance slightly, transforming her slender peach blossom eyes into a simpler form. Once she finished changing her looks, Xue became quite unremarkable.
It truly felt like hiding in plain sight, Xue thought with self-deprecation.
Earlier when she surveyed from above, it seemed there were some disturbances in the northwest direction; thus, she decided to start searching from there.
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