Undercurrent

In the main hall of the imperial palace, the candlelight crackled.

Yun Shu slept peacefully, his breathing shallow. Murong Jin gently stroked his slightly furrowed brow with his fingertips, carefully brushing away the strands of hair clinging to his pale cheek. The dragon energy around him continuously flowed into Yun Shu's body, like warming a block of ice that would never melt.

The lamplight flickered, and the guard knelt silently behind Murong Jin, whispering, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Preceptor has arrived at the outer hall."

"Hmm." Murong Jin merely raised his palm, and the guard lowered his head and left. In the dim candlelight, he slowly leaned closer, confirming that the faint breathing was still continuing, the slight rise and fall not ceasing, before very slowly withdrawing. Even his own breathing was unconsciously made as quiet as possible, for fear of disturbing Yun Shu's rare peace tonight.

The beaded curtains hung down, and the palace doors were tightly shut.

Liu Qing stood alone under the eaves, gazing at the stars with great interest, as if the turmoil had never happened. Only the faint smell of burning from his cuffs revealed that he had just returned from the center of the chaos.

Upon hearing this, Liu Qing averted his gaze, turned around respectfully, and bowed: "Your Majesty."

He remained bowed for a long time, but Murong Jin still did not order him to rise. The Emperor's gaze was deep and cold, and when it fell on the Grand Preceptor's back, it sent chills down one's spine. However, Liu Qing remained neither humble nor arrogant, still bowing his back, quietly awaiting the Emperor's decision.

"Grand Preceptor," Murong Jin's voice was devoid of emotion, yet it carried an oppressive air of impending storm, "the strange events at the hunting grounds, the Demon Lord's surprise attack, the destruction of the altar... and the frightened fox spirit. What explanation do you offer?"

Liu Qing remained in that posture, his expression calm and composed: "Your Majesty, that Demon Lord still harbors lustful intentions towards the Fox Fairy, and has dared to infiltrate the hunting grounds to plot his attack. His demonic aura is ferocious; within half an hour, he destroyed the altar and ruined the winter hunt… yet he swiftly vanished into the night. In my humble opinion, the Demon Lord's actions are intended to provoke Your Majesty and disrupt the peace and prosperity of our dynasty. His methods are despicable, to the point that I was caught off guard and failed to protect the array's core in time. I have disturbed Your Majesty and the auspicious omens; I deserve to die a thousand deaths."

With a few words, he casually shifted all the blame to the Demon Lord, while he himself remained unscathed.

Murong Jin sneered, the jade thumb ring clashing against the scabbard of the Emperor's Sword, the sound of the metal ring being particularly jarring.

After a long silence, amidst the gradually clearing clang of the Imperial Guards' armor and the eerie laughter of the night owls, Murong Jin slowly spoke, emphasizing each word: "Failed to provide timely protection?"

"yes."

"But why do I feel that when that demon appeared, the little ones in your sleeves... seemed particularly excited?"

Before he finished speaking, the two green snakes in Liu Qing's sleeve were severed into several pieces, landing on the white marble veranda with a muffled thud. Their speed was so great that even a highly skilled cultivator like Liu Qing did not notice when the Emperor's sword was drawn.

As the saying goes, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger. At this moment, it has become somewhat of a concrete reality.

His fingers, hidden in his sleeve, curled almost imperceptibly, and his palms were slightly damp. Liu Qing bowed again, lowering his eyes, and said, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. The spirit snake I raise feeds on the purest and most impure things in the world, and is therefore exceptionally sensitive to immortal and demonic energy. When the demon committed its crime, the demonic energy in the hunting ground surged, and thus, driven by its prey, it nearly lost control. I used all my strength to suppress it, thus preventing a great disaster. I have failed in my duty, and I beg Your Majesty to punish me.”

After he finished speaking, there was another suffocating silence.

Murong Jin's expression remained calm and composed, even the way he stroked the dragon pattern was casual and effortless. Only his gaze was sharp as a knife, sweeping over him as if to peel away his skin and dissect his bones, revealing his true intentions and schemes.

Just now, the fear that almost tore him apart and Yun Shu's almost transparent paleness were still vividly present in his mind. After the indescribable restlessness and doubt, all that was left for Murong Jin was the bone-chilling cold and the pain of broken tendons.

To live as long as the heavens and earth as a fox spirit, and to enjoy eternal prosperity with the clouds, all while slowly absorbing the fox spirit's power... How much of Liu Qing's promise is true and how much is false?

"That so-called 'Twin Trees and Wings' formation..." The Emperor's Sword lifted Liu Qing's gloomy mask; with just a slight tilt, it could slay this man second only to one. Murong Jin's gaze was deep, his scrutinizing intent undeniable: "Does it actually harm the Fox Immortal's Sacred Body's essence?"

His throat bobbed, and Liu Qing deliberately tilted his head, causing the blade to slice his skin. Blood seeped out like beads, dripping down the silver-white sword and staining the lustrous white jade beneath the corridor. He raised his face, his eyes, always hidden in the shadows, cold as a snake, and spoke calmly: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. The Fox Fairy's sacred body was already extremely fragile due to the vicious demonic poison inflicted by that fiend. Moreover, this formation was meant to both cure the Fox Fairy's poison and prolong Your Majesty's life. Today, the formation was suddenly attacked, and as the source of immortal energy, the Fox Fairy was the first to suffer the backlash, which was inevitable. The most urgent task is to repair the formation's core as soon as possible, lest all previous efforts be in vain and the Fox Fairy suffer the calamity of the demonic poison penetrating to her marrow."

"Repair?" Murong Jin said coldly, his wrath so intense that it stopped the wind and snow from raging. "How come I heard that the Commander of the Imperial Guards and the Deputy Commander of the Right Wing 'coincidentally' met my beloved ministers at the altar tonight, when they should have been resting early and paying their respects at the end of the winter hunt?"

"My dear minister, instead of staying properly in the Imperial Preceptor's tent, you went to the altar in the middle of the night... I wonder what brings you here?"

The snow piled up on the eaves could no longer bear the weight and suddenly fell, making Liu Qing's eyelashes tremble slightly. Just as he was about to exonerate himself, Murong Jin pushed the Emperor's Sword forward halfway, almost pressing it against the Grand Preceptor's throat artery.

"My dear minister, going to the altar was merely to activate the formation. Am I right?"

"...Yes. Your Majesty is wise."

Murong Jin's tone grew even harsher, the emperor, who rarely showed his emotions, was angry for the first time tonight: "But today, I clearly did not grant you permission to activate the formation! My dear minister, you truly have great audacity to defy the imperial decree!"

Blood was already seeping from Liu Qing's lips, yet he still refused to look away. When he faced Murong Jin, a hint of manic certainty flickered in his eyes: "Your Majesty, how can extraordinary things be accomplished without extraordinary dangers? The Fox Immortal is a nine-tailed celestial fox who has cultivated for ten thousand years, possessing profound inner strength. She only suffers from a slight backlash; after a period of rest following the completion of the task, she will be fine. However, Your Majesty's precious body is tied to the safety of the world. If the Fox Immortal's power is not used to prolong your life and continue your imperial energy, what will become of the people if Mount Tai were to collapse one day? What will become of the Fox Immortal? Does Your Majesty intend to abandon the lives of all people for the sake of the Fox Immortal's minor pain?"

Murong Jin was furious and rebuked, "Insolence! Even if your actions are for the sake of my eternal rule, you still cannot use the formation without my permission! And you have even damaged the Fox Immortal's sacred body!"

"If the fox spirit does not suffer this pain today, when will His Majesty be able to achieve immortality? When will he be able to rule the world?"

These words pierced the deepest, most fearful desires within Murong Jin's heart. Yet, no matter how turbulent his inner world was, only his eyes flickered slightly.

He wanted Yun Shu, but he couldn't let go of immortality, nor could he give up the world.

He never imagined that the so-called "perfect solution" would be so sharply opposed tonight.

Seeing his hesitation, Liu Qing's eyes darkened, and his tone became even more earnest: "Your Majesty is willing to stake your life on this. Once Your Majesty has fully integrated with the Fox Fairy's immortal essence, eternal peace can be guaranteed. At that time, Your Majesty's dragon energy will be abundant, and it will not be difficult to nourish the Fox Fairy... Perhaps it can even help her resolve that sinister demonic poison, allowing the Fox Fairy to see the light again, and to witness the prosperity of the world and travel together with Your Majesty. The suffering we endure now is only for a better companionship in the future."

Whether moved by "eternal peace" or "a shared view of the world," Murong Jin remained silent for a long time before finally putting down his sword and turning back into the inner hall. Only Liu Qing remained, blood trickling from her neck, standing in the same spot.

"I'm giving you one last chance," Murong Jin said in a deep voice, "If there's another time when the fox spirit's life is in danger..."

He didn't spell it out, but Liu Qing already knew that the consequences would be nothing more than being torn apart by chariots or slowly sliced ​​to death. The Imperial Preceptor, his long robe trailing on the ground, actually performed a kowtow in the snow.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for sparing my life."

Then, he slowly retreated into the shadows, slithering out of the palace like a snake.

The inner sanctuary remained silent, with only the fragrance of ambergris and calming incense lingering, helping the fox spirit to have a good sleep.

“Xiaoxue…trust Ajin one more time…” Murong Jin leaned down, gently touching Yun Shu’s forehead, like a child who had suffered injustice outside and was seeking comfort from her parents at home. “This is the last time…the very last time. For the peaceful and prosperous world we promised, Xiaoxue…please bear with it a little longer…Ajin will be with you…Ajin will always be by Xiaoxue’s side…We…will never again experience the hunger and cold we felt in the cold palace…I will be good to you…I will offer you all the treasures in the world with both hands…Ajin will always, always, always be good to you…”

On the couch, Yun Shu's fox ears twitched almost imperceptibly, as if it were merely because she was having a good dream.

Murong Jin did not summon a palace maid to help him change. He gently removed all his shackles, leaving only his undergarments, before carefully climbing onto the bed. As Longyanxiang completely embraced Yun Shu, he himself was completely enveloped by the indelible aura of the mountains and forests and the freedom emanating from the fox spirit.

I don't want to leave you, not even as a close friend.

At the edge of the hunting grounds, Mo Yiheng once again suppressed the churning blood in his throat caused by the drug's backlash. Under the cover of night, he casually wiped away the blood that had spilled from his lips, his eyes still fixed on the luxurious palace.

Night Demon appeared behind him like a ghost and offered him a pill.

"This was sent by Wu Ying; it can alleviate the pain of the backlash." Ye Xiuluo's words remained flat, like a talking dead person. "Also, she asked her subordinates to pass on a message, saying that if Your Majesty acts recklessly again, even a Great Luo Golden Immortal cannot save you, and she will have no choice but to send you a coffin for a proper burial."

"Meddlesome." Mo Yiheng swallowed the medicine without even looking at it. A brief cool sensation suppressed the burning pain in his meridians. He only asked, "How are you?"

"The array's core has been destroyed, and the fox spirit is temporarily out of danger. However, someone is repairing the array's core, and it has been preliminarily determined that they are the Grand Preceptor's henchmen. Apart from the hunting grounds and Yilan Palace, which are inaccessible, my subordinates have dispatched people to various fox spirit temples to destroy the array points."

Ye Xiuluo paused, as if he had sensed something. After a moment, he said, "The Emperor summoned the Imperial Advisor, and after about a quarter of an hour of conversation, the Imperial Advisor returned to his camp. We do not yet know what the two of them are plotting."

"Hmm." Mo Yiheng closed his eyes, his senses spreading towards the palace. Although he hadn't found out the exact situation inside, the suffocating suction had disappeared, which made him feel a little more at ease.

"Master..." he murmured to himself, a half-foot-long gash appearing in the bark of the tree beside him. Murong Jin and that cunning venomous snake were still by his master's side. This made him feel like he had thorns in his back; emotionally, he wanted nothing more than to rush in and tear that guy who wanted to harm his master to pieces, but reason held him back, preventing him from moving.

The forced entry just now was already the limit; if we were to make another rash move, it would only be suicide.

They might even give those two villains an opportunity to exaggerate and tarnish his image in the eyes of his master.

"Your Majesty," Night Demon broke the silence, "what are the next instructions?"

"Next... um?"

Just as he was about to open his eyes and give the order, a faint but familiar divine sense probed into Mo Yiheng's mind.

"Heng'er, wait."

Mo Yiheng was suddenly shocked. He grabbed the wisp of divine consciousness and turned it over and over in disbelief, as if trying to see through this little thing.

Until the divine consciousness spoke to stop it.

"...Stop shaking, I'm dizzy."

That cool yet gentle aura... that demonic power...

It's Master! It really is Master!

His bloodshot eyes suddenly shone with disbelief, and the corners of his mouth, which he had been pursing for months, couldn't help but turn up in joy.

Night Demon had never seen the Venerable One look like this before, but wisely kept quiet and hid behind a tree to wait.

After the initial joy, a wave of grievance and bitterness overwhelmed Mo Yiheng. So much so that when another mouthful of blood welled up, he forgot to swallow it back, letting it drip down his lips to make his voice even more hoarse and pitiful.

Master... told him to wait.

Master believes in him... Master... has come to find him...

He almost burst into tears, but couldn't help wiping them away and laughing heartily.

"Okay, wait."

Master, Heng'er is waiting for you.

Heng'er is the best girl, Heng'er can wait as long as she wants.

After the divine consciousness dissipated, Mo Yiheng still looked reluctantly at the main hall of the palace.

He obediently suppressed all his overflowing demonic energy and killing intent, squatted by the stream, and carefully and patiently wiped away all the blood and dust from his body. He let down his long hair, which had not been groomed for many days, wash and comb it, and then tied it up again. He stopped taking medicine indiscriminately and instead carefully stored the medicine away, waiting for his master's instructions to use it.

He washed, wiped, and kissed the jade pendant repeatedly before placing it once again in the most intimate position, close to his heart.

"...Your Majesty," Night Asura finally returned, "the next step..."

Mo Yiheng glanced at him warily and stuffed the jade pendant even further inside.

Night Asura: "...?"

"Ahem," Mo Yiheng cleared his throat and said seriously, "Investigate the background of that Imperial Preceptor thoroughly. In particular, what grudges he has with Master... or Yunhua, and how he colluded with Murong Jin."

"yes."

Ye Xiuluo accepted the order and was about to leave when Mo Yiheng called him back.

"Wait a minute."

"Is there anything else Your Majesty wishes to instruct you to do?"

"Next time you come to report, give Gu Xun a set of more dashing and heroic clothes."

"……yes."

Ye Xiuluo was about to leave again, but was stopped by Mo Yiheng once more.

“The last thing,” Mo Yiheng looked towards Yunhua Mountain, “is that the Yunhua Ancestor Worship Ceremony is approaching. Find the whereabouts of the Yunhua Sect Leader, Immortal Venerable Yunhe.”

"..."

Night Demon finally managed to leave.

Mo Yiheng clutched the jade pendant, listening to his heartbeat and thinking of his master, he murmured softly, "Master... if I could get your senior sister's help, and with the aid of the medicine refined by Wu Ying... it should be able to help the demonic poison dissipate more quickly, right?"

Master, Heng'er will wait for you obediently.