Chapter 28
The Lingzhi Ink Jade Brush ultimately fell to Sheng Ningyu.
She clutched her head and cried out "Ouch!" while muttering to herself. One minute she was saying, "Who starts hitting people the moment they meet?" The next, "Why are these poisonous mushrooms getting harder?" and then she started cursing again.
"No wonder Old Man Yuan and Sister Ayan didn't tell you."
Yuan Bushu paused, then realized something: "They all knew?"
Yuan Bushu sneered, grabbed Sheng Ningyu, and went back to their room, slamming the door shut. He said indifferently, "Speak."
Under the shadows, Sheng Ningyu was almost sweating.
That's why she's afraid of not being forgiven.
One was unforgiving, and the other was Yan Ruchao. Although they were not very old, they were able to suppress her. No matter how lawless and unruly Sheng Ningyu was, as soon as she saw these two, she would immediately turn into a kitten and could no longer show her power.
But Sheng Ningyu also knew that Yuan Bushu hadn't changed at all.
He was still the same upright, old-fashioned, and protective Yuan Bushu.
Even when facing an unfamiliar "Wang Jiu," he would offer words of comfort, consider all aspects, and even come up with a way to conceal his appearance.
He is a very good person.
Recalling Yuan Bushu's previous expression, Sheng Ningyu felt that she could elevate her position in Yuan Bushu's heart once again.
Faced with Yuan Bushu's questioning, Sheng Ningyu omitted Xie Qianjing's part and told almost everything.
If she felt more respect for Yuan Daojun, then she felt more trust for Yuan Bushu.
Sure enough, when she heard that she herself did not remember who did it, Yuan Bushu frowned. When she heard that a piece of her spiritual bone seemed to be on the Chu family, Yuan Bushu's face darkened completely.
"The Chu family has undergone a major change."
The former patriarch of the Chu family suddenly fell ill, and his sons fought for power. In the end, by a twist of fate, Chu Jiye benefited from the situation.
Yuan Bushu: "This is the official statement."
“Your senior brother has never given up investigating the outbreak of the demonic seed in the Mitian Realm back then. The people he suspects the most are the Chu family. We all believe that on that day, when you were facing a life-or-death situation, you couldn’t have left nothing behind. So before this ‘Ghost Nurturing Day,’ your senior brother deliberately spread the news that he had found your belongings, hoping to lure out the person behind the scenes.”
The Ghost Festival occurs once every ten years, and on this day, the banquet is held as if on a morning day, yet no one is ever seen.
Few people knew about this, so even in front of Yuan Daojun, Sheng Ningyu did not reveal the slightest bit of it.
Sheng Ningyu: "I did send messages out."
Yuan Bushu shook his head: "Neither I nor your senior brother received any letter. You were already at the Tianji Realm back then, and there were very few people in the world who could intercept your spiritual power... In that case, the former patriarch of the Chu family is even more suspicious, but now that he is dead, there is no way to verify it."
Sheng Ningyu suddenly smiled: "If I can crawl out of a coffin, maybe this Chu family head can also escape unscathed?"
Originally, he remained silent, and Sheng Ningyu was already used to his behavior. She casually changed her posture and took out the pastries and fruits she had taken from the banquet from her Star River Pouch.
Even if it contains some spiritual energy, not many people in the cultivation world actually eat it; most just keep it for decoration.
She said casually, "Besides, if what happened back then was truly man-made, the Chu family alone is far from enough."
These words were spoken with the air of a profound and unfathomable sword master, but paired with the way she was chewing on pastries, they had a somewhat eerie quality.
Yuan Bushu watched as Sheng Ningyu picked up another pastry, hesitating to speak.
Can a person's tastes really change after lying in a coffin for sixty years?
“It’s not just the Chu family.” Yuan Bushu paused, then reminded him, “Back then, I was possessed by demonic energy and was rescued but trapped inside the Ghost Cang Tower. I couldn’t get there in time, and Feng Shiwen…”
Sheng Ningyu knew what he wanted to ask as soon as she heard it, and nodded generously: "I killed him."
The Phoenix Clan is a divine race, always high and mighty, and this Phoenix Prince is no exception, but he is far more excessive.
Yuan Bushu asked, "His reputation has always been excellent. Even when rumors of his possible possession by a demon spread, many people felt sorry for him and even resented your cold-heartedness."
Sheng Ningyu: "I know."
Yuan Bushu: "What did he do?"
There are many.
Sheng Ningyu thought for a moment and summarized simply: "He condoned his subordinates' bullying of others and also did many wrong things himself."
Please forgive my frown.
He also abhorred such behavior, but his attitude remained one of disapproval: "You can simply capture him and hand him over to the Phoenix Clan for trial; you don't need to do it yourself."
This is the rule in the cultivation world; there is no reason to ask someone else to clean house.
Sheng Ningyu's actions would draw criticism anywhere.
Sheng Ningyu smiled and said, "Senior Brother Fei, do you really think that after returning to the Phoenix Clan's territory, their clansmen will punish their own little prince? Or do you think that the Phoenix Lord can withstand Lady Lanxi's tears and truly uphold justice, giving Feng Shiwen the punishment he deserves?"
Yuan Bushu: "If that's the case, there are other ways."
Sheng Ningyu: "But they can't wait any longer."
Yuan Bushu turned his head, a hint of doubt flashing across his cold, hard face: "Who?"
Sheng Ningyu chuckled, propped her head up with one hand, looked out the window, and said nonchalantly, "Some mortals."
She was nonchalant, holding a piece of fruit in her hand but not eating it, instead tossing it up and down, her tone casual.
“The Phoenix Clan enjoys longevity, and you and I, having cultivated the Great Dao, can also live for a thousand years, but mortals only live for a hundred. After a hundred years, dust returns to dust, and all love and hate will dissipate between heaven and earth. Senior Brother Yuan, they can’t wait any longer.”
I never imagined that Junior Sister Sheng was angry.
When she gets angry, she calls him "Brother Yuan". Only when she needs his help or is in a good mood will she call him by his courtesy name, "Brother Fei Fou".
"If we follow Senior Brother's approach, as long as the Phoenix Clan drags things out, no one can do anything to Feng Shiwen. At most, he will suffer some physical pain and remain silent for a hundred years before he can reappear with a sanctimonious air."
He knew that Sheng Ningyu had always enjoyed wandering in the mortal world, and he didn't object, but he also had his own stubbornness.
Yuan Bushu: "Even so, Feng Shiwen should be brought back to the Phoenix Clan, petitioned to all the major families and sects, and announced to the world before he is executed."
Sheng Ningyu paused, then smiled. "Yes, that's certainly possible." She picked up the fruit, turned it around, and then took a big bite, as if she were biting into the person's head. "But on what grounds?"
"Mortals live for a hundred years, born in spring and dying in autumn, but their love and hate are the same as mine."
She saw their hatred, their love, and the heart-wrenching pain of their separation from their loved ones.
So she not only killed Feng Shiwen, but also dug out his divine bones. While Feng Shiwen still had a breath left, she brought him to those mortals so that they could vent their anger on him, and then took some of his flesh and blood remains back to the Phoenix Clan.
Sheng Ningyu's thinking was very simple.
Since he left so many people with their bodies mangled, he shouldn't expect to leave a whole corpse for himself either.
Yuan Bushu frowned, recalling Sheng Ningyu's later experience of being sealed in a coffin, and couldn't help but worry: "Such desecration of the corpse and mutilation of the body may not be tolerated by Heaven."
Sheng Ningyu laughed loudly: "Heaven will not tolerate it? If Heaven had any sense, it would surely say, 'Sheng Ningyu, you did a great job, quickly help me cut a few more times!'"
Yuan Bushu looked at her without a trace of a smile.
Even so, you don't need to do this yourself.
This was a statement that was completely at odds with the "strict and cold" image of the former master of Yunwang Palace, but Yuan Bushu still said it.
Sheng Ningyu suppressed her smile: "But Feng Shiwen was already close to the Tianji Realm back then, and there were few people in the world who could suppress him."
Yuan Bushu remained unmoved: "Even if there aren't many, there are."
Sheng Ningyu's face also turned cold, and an inexplicable anger rose in her heart: "A big deal, ha, what a big deal! Then, Senior Brother, do you think that besides me, who else would be willing to offend the Phoenix Clan and do this thankless task?"
After a moment of silence, a cold voice rang out without hesitation.
"I."
Sheng Ningyu looked up in surprise.
As Yuan Bushu looked at her surprised expression, the prophecy of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion suddenly flashed through his mind.
A century passes in the blink of an eye, the bright moon is about to rise. All generations bow their heads, all evil deeds will be punished.
But if she could have another chance, would she still have such a miraculous encounter, escape from that perplexing scheme, and reappear before him?
I would not dare to gamble.
He spoke slowly, carefully, word by word.
"If this happens again, send me a message and I will handle it."
Sheng Ningyu called him "Senior Brother," and Yuan Bushu immediately treated her as family.
He's just a phoenix prince; if his sister wants to kill him, he'll do it.
Sheng Ningyu doesn't need to suffer any blame or be questioned; she just needs to survive.
As always, I will live freely and unrestrainedly in this world.
"My mother told me before she died that if I could find you, I must protect you and be humble towards you. If I could not find you, I should treat all those in the world who have your qualities with kindness, but I must not treat anyone as a substitute for you." Yuan Bushu paused and said softly, "My mother has reached her end, and no medicine can help her. She saw through it all, so don't be sad."
...Aunt.
Sheng Ningyu lowered her eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then turned her face away.
She wasn't good at apologizing, but her tone softened. Instead of mentioning the "Xie Family Bodhi Lord" matter she had originally intended to inquire about, she said, "The rumors that he 'seemed to have fallen into demonic possession' are not false. If I hadn't arrived in time that day, Feng Shiwen would have swallowed the demonic seed and refined it."
His pupils contracted slightly.
He was well aware of the dangers involved, and amidst his worry was a rare hint of impatience: "Then why don't you just say it outright?"
Sheng Ningyu: "Oh, because I made a spiritual pact with Feng Jun, he can't cause trouble for those mortals who whip corpses. Similarly, I also covered up for the Feng Clan, which can be considered as saving face for the Feng Clan."
"The reason I can speak now is because the spiritual contract is engraved on my spiritual bone. Without my spiritual bone, I am naturally free from its constraints."
Yuan Buqi: "..."
So that's how it is.
He was so angry that he was speechless for a long time.
After a pause, Sheng Ningyu squinted and whispered, "Senior Brother Fei, do you think the Feng family is also involved in my affairs?"
The Phoenix Clan are of one blood and one family.
Not to mention that the current Feng Jun is the elder brother of Feng Xiaosheng's mother. Sheng Ningyu has met him several times, and Feng Jun treats Feng Xiaosheng very well, let alone his own flesh and blood.
Yuan Bushu: "I'm not sure, but you should be careful. The safety of Qingyi Academy is guaranteed, which is probably why your father went to great lengths to get you into the academy."
"But... I know you want to investigate the truth of what happened back then, but even old friends have changed a lot over time."
Sheng Ningyu understood his unfinished words.
After all, Qingyi Academy was rebuilt by Feng Xiaosheng. If she still harbors hatred towards her, seeing her face now would probably not calm her down.
Sure enough, Yuan Bushu said, "Although your appearance has changed, those who know you well will be able to see through it at a glance."
Yuan Bushu expressionlessly withdrew the Lingzhi Ink Jade Brush: "We'll talk about everything after we find the spirit bone. Keep quiet for now."
Sheng Ningyu covered her head, looking pitiful: "Oh."
She straightened her posture and said obediently, "By the way, Xiao Er touched my spiritual veins, he must have seen something. I had agreed with him that he would come to find me after entering the academy, but these days, he has been avoiding me. Every time he looks at me through the crowd, his eyes are very strange."
Sheng Ningyu was disappointed; she had no chance to say what she had carefully prepared.
Yuan Bushu: "...I will handle it."
Sheng Ningyu had complete confidence in what her senior brother, Fei, did.
However, as it turns out, the unexpected always comes faster than the plan.
On that day, Sheng Ningyu, wearing a mask, was about to enter the school when she saw a large crowd of people, many of whom were not in this classroom on other days, crowding the road.
What? Did another classroom at the academy get bombed?
Just as Sheng Ningyu was about to see who shared her ideals, she was suddenly pulled aside by Ji Qingwu, who appeared out of nowhere.
"No, don't go in!" The little girl gasped for breath, her face pale, and her hand holding Sheng Ningyu's was trembling. She had obviously rushed over and was almost exhausted of her spiritual energy.
Upon hearing this, Ji Qingwu immediately dropped out of class and rushed out to find Sheng Ningyu.
The Qingyi Academy stretches across the mountains, with eighty-one rooms. Yet, the Chu family head chose the classroom where Sheng Ningyu was today. Even a blind man could see what his intentions were.
Just as Ji Qingwu was about to speak, a sudden chill ran down her spine, as if she were being entangled by some sinister and cold-blooded creature, which made the girl's already pale face turn even paler.
"Why are you two disciples lingering here instead of going to the classroom?"
Dressed in a magnificent robe, Chu Jiye ascended the steps with an indifferent and composed expression, as if he truly did not recognize Sheng Ningyu, showing no trace of his previous madness.
Ji Qingwu's body trembled slightly. Sheng Ningyu patted her hand, turned her back to Chu Chang'an, and gave her a reassuring smile: "It's okay, go to class."
Turning around, Sheng Ningyu lowered her head and said to Chu Jiye, "Junior Sister lives with me. She knew I wasn't feeling well today, so she came to visit me, but she didn't expect to take up so much time. I'll go right away."
The more obedient she was, the more suspicious Chu Jiye became.
The Sheng Ningyu of the past would never have explained so much.
Regardless of what Chu Jiye thought, Sheng Ningyu turned and walked towards the classroom, humming a tune in her heart, feeling extremely happy.
She was just worried about how to get close to the spirit bone, and now someone has delivered themselves to her doorstep.
In that case, even if something goes wrong, it wouldn't be considered that she broke her promise to her former senior brother, right?
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Author's Note: Xiao Sheng (excitedly): Everyone saw it! The other side attacked first! [Let me see]
Our little Bodhi Lotus is about to be exposed!
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