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A woman dressed in a long Daoist robe leisurely walked into the Azure Sea Pavilion. She had lustrous skin and a beautiful build. Her long hair was beautifully tied up, and a Daoist cap with stars adorned her head. In the center of her pure white forehead, there was a cinnabar star mark.
She seemed to have come from beyond Heaven, a distant mystery.
Ziya??
“You are Jiang Ziya?” The first name that Chen Mo recalled in his mind was Taigong Wang, Lü Shang.
“You and I are truly connected by fate, you actually know Ziya’s name.” The woman’s tone was a bit amazed.
Qin Weiyu was perplexed: “Jiang Ziya? Does Star World have such a Star Name?”
“You didn’t know?” Chen Mo asked.
Qin Weiyu shook her head.
Was it an Immemorial Star Name?
The Magpie Bridge Immortal was actually aware of some very old Star Names that predated the Zulong.1 Extremely few people would inherit them, or they would never appear again after being inherited, remaining unknown to all. Star Names of this kind were called Immemorial Star Names.
“Ziya has come forth this time to bring her back.” The woman pointed to Nianyou and faintly smiled.
“Back to where?” Chen Mo cautiously asked.
“The place where Nianyou belongs. You should know that Nianyou has overused the power of her Star Name while in her gestational phase. She is especially weak right now. If she stays in the Outer Star Fields any longer her Star Name will dissipate. Have you the heart to see this outcome?” Ziya said.
“I can cure her.” Chen Mo was not willing to give up.
“No.” Ziya very clearly denied this reply: “You are unable to cure her, and the Inner Star Fields will not be able to cure her either. What afflicts Nianyou is not a disease. She requires special care.”
“What is it?”
“I cannot speak about it. In brief, I have come to take Nianyou back.” Ziya approach.
“I want to see just what you are capable of.” Qin Weiyu’s thoughts moved. The Flying Hawk Departing Thoughts Flying Daggers drew seven flickering lights in a flash, and she used her Dark Rank Moonlight Upon Misty Banks.
The Flying Daggers were like seven stars accompanying the moon, slashing extremely quickly at Ziya.
The woman leisurely walked over, her gait lithe and graceful. Before Flying Hawk Departing Thoughts could touch her, they were subdued and repelled by an invisible force.
Qin Weiyu was stunned.
Chen Mo’s expression changed, and he took action at the same time.
His palm was like a blade, and a powerful Star Energy smothered the woman’s figure. As before, Chen Mo’s palm chop seemingly collided with an invisible barrier, unable to move an inch further.
Ziya stopped her approach: “Ziya is very grateful for the meticulous care you have given Nianyou, but for the sake of her wellbeing, she must return with Ziya.”
“How did you find this place?” Chen Mo used the Black Turtle’s power, indomitably barreling towards the Daoist-robed woman.
Her figure vanished, and Chen Mo landed on nothing. His counterpart was already gone without a trace, “From the Secret Dragon Pool.” Her voice came from behind him. Chen Mo turned his head to see that the woman had at some point already reppeared behind him and was continuing on towards Qin Weiyu.
Qin Weiyu felt her body stiffen and become restrained, as if a pair of hands were firmly gripping her shoulders, making her unable to budge.
Ziya wore a thin smile as she glanced at Nianyou. She gently stroked the girl.
Her fingertip seemed to be surrounded by spirit-light. Nianyou was half-awake and opened her eyes, apparently recovering a bit of consciousness. “Sister Ziya?”
“It is I.” Ziya nodded.
Seeing that Nianyou surprisingly was somewhat familiar with her, both Chen Mo and Qin Weiyu were taken aback.
“The emperor is very worried about you, return with me.”
Nianyou grunted, “I don’t want to leave Chen Mo…”
“You can come back to play with him when you are better, okay?” Ziya said.
“Oh.”
“Can you pass Nianyou to me?” Ziya smiled warmly.
Seeing that Nianyou indeed recognized Ziya, Chen Mo and Qin Weiyu were unable to find a reason to refuse her request. They also knew that the Realm of the woman before them was unfathomable, yet she was refined and courteous, not forcing them to abide her. It was obvious that she indeed cared for Nianyou very much.
Although they were very reluctant to part, the two of them knew that this was perhaps the best choice for Nianyou. To continue on like this would only make them appear too selfish.
“Where should I go to find you in the future.” Chen Mo stared Jiang Ziya in the eyes.
The woman’s pupils seemed to conceal an immortal-light, for her eyes glowed brightly. From start to finish, she showed this considerably warm expression. “If I said that you would need to pay a very steep price to search for Nianyou, would you still be willing to do so?”
“If you mean to say that I would lose my life, then my answer is I am willing.” Chen Mo did not hesitate.
“En.” Jiang Ziya’s slender finger curled a lock of her hair. She pondered for a while: “For the sake of Nianyou’s safety, the place we are at cannot be disclosed to anyone.”
Changing topics, the woman smiled: “But I can give you a quote. If the day comes that you are able to fully grasp it, perhaps you will have the qualifications to find Nianyou. This is also for your sake. Are you willing to accept?”
“Can I refuse?” Chen Mo asked back.
Jiang Ziya nodded.
“Then speak. I will definitely grasp it.”
“Fine, then.” Jiang Ziya said: “Heaven and Earth first judged and split Yin and Yang, supreme virtue developed from primeval chaos, and the Land of Gods put the people in a state of blood and panic. The twin dragons drive the chariot awaiting the Human Sovereign, supporting the imperial canopy and divining the Heavenly Stems. Henceforth, the sword severs sorrow.”2
Chen Mo wrinkled his brow. These words were a bit confusing.
“If you comprehend them in the future, you will be able to find us.” Jiang Ziya extended her hand.
Qin Weiyu looked at Chen Mo, who nodded.
Only then did the Magpie Immortal have no choice but to carry Nianyou over to her.
“Many thanks.” Jiang Ziya said gratefully.
Taking Nianyou into her embrace, Jiang Ziya’s gaze was extremely loving as she looked at Nianyou: “Your Highness, let us go back now.”
“Just what is Nianyou’s Star Name?” Chen Mo asked.
“You will understand when you grasp it. This is also for your own good.” Jiang Ziya answered cryptically.
Jiang Ziya turned and took a step, then recalled something. She looked at Chen Mo’s forehead and contemplated slightly: “In a few days, you will suffer a calamity. In consideration of the care you have shown Nianyou, Ziya shall likewise look after you once.”
“??”
The woman winked. An ivory-white jade pendant appeared out of thin air.
This jade was exceedingly delicate, carved with the pattern of two dragons soaring the heavens. Immortal-light undulated around it. It appeared to be a treasure of some sort.
“This is known as the ‘Three Worlds Immortal Movement Pendant.’ Use it should you ever meet with danger. It can help you travel the three worlds and escape any threat. If you can reach Human Immortal, it can even nurture Primordial Spirit and allow you to reach Immortal Soul Nine Turns even faster. However, the Immortal Movement Pendant can only be used three times. After the third time, it will have no further spiritual power.”
Chen Mo caught the Three Worlds Immortal Pendant. He ran his fingers along it, and a spiritual power flowed throughout his whole body.
“Ziya!” Nianyou suddenly said.
Jiang Ziya leaned in close, and the two of them whispered something.
“Your Highness, are you truly sure you want to do this?”
“Very well, then. Ziya shall oblige you, however, we cannot divulge this to anyone else.”
Jiang Ziya raised her head and looked at Chen Mo: “Nianyou has something to give you.”
“Hm?”
Nianyou extended a finger. Ever since Ziya appeared, her condition was turning for the better.
“Nianyou, I don’t want your things, you don’t owe me anything. If you still feel I am your Big Brother, I will come find you in the future.” Chen Mo warmly said.
“This is Nianyou’s intention. She is giving you this to let you see her even sooner.” Jiang Ziya said.
Nianyou slightly nodded. “Nianyou will go back and rest for now. I will come find Big Brother again in the future.”
Chen Mo loved her dearly. He extended his finger and touched her tiny finger. A yellow spirit-qi that seemed substantial flowed into Chen Mo’s finger from hers. This yellow qi was somewhat similar to what he saw before in the dream world, surprisingly not losing out to a Star General’s Heaven, Earth, Dark, and Yellow.
“This is Dark Yellow Sword Qi. Use it well. Someday, it will be of help to you.”
Nianyou’s little hand waved to Chen Mo, and Chen Mo’s mood sank even more.
“Let us go.”
Jiang Ziya turned and left, her figure vanishing in the blink of an eye from the Azure Sea Pavilion like mist. Her presence was already gone entirely. Chen Mo could even sense she was already no longer in this Star Field. To be able to traverse across Star Fields in an instant, her Realm was already at a stage that left him in the dust.
Glancing at the Dark Yellow Sword Qi that Nianyou left on his fingertip, Chen Mo seemed to be in a dream.
“What just happened.” Chen Lin seemed to have awoken from a dream, all of a sudden feeling the atmosphere was amiss.
It was very evident that Chen Lin was apparently unaware of Jiang Ziya’s arrival. He had yet to even notice that Nianyou was not in Qin Weiyu’s embrace.
“Oh, Fourth Brother, I’m going to confess to Xiaoyuan.” Chen Lini said loudly.
Chen Mo, who had sunk into the middle of melancholy, roused his spirits. “Second Brother, Big Sis said you confessed to several of Chang’an’s ladies in the past. What kind of insanity are you up to this time.”
“I’m serious this time. Xiaoyuan is unable to practice martial arts, and I sympathize with that. She makes me remember when you were little, Fourth Brother. In the past, Second Brother was unfettered and did not carry out my responsibilities as your Second Brother. This time, I will definitely protect Xiaoyuan properly.” Chen Lin was very solemn.
Chen Mo was speechless.
Chen Lin ran out and towards the Ning Xiaoyuan, who was outside a hall right now.
“Weiyu, what do you think about Jiang Ziya’s words?”
“I am unable to make any sense of it, but I can sense that the other side is unfathomable. Nianyou’s identity is very extraordinary. Let us not think about this for now.” Qin Weiyu was relieved. “That Ziya is not a bad person. She can take better care of Nianyou than we can.”
Chen Mo also realized that, but he was a bit unreconciled.
“Chen Mo, you had better properly cultivate right now. So long as they are still in Star World, there will always be a chance to meet someday. Ziya said you will suffer a calamity. I fear this is not baseless.” Qin Weiyu worried about this matter.
Chen Mo had more or less guessed what it was, “Probably that Imperial Empress Of Bedfellows that she mentioned.”
The two of them looked out the door. Chen Lin said something to Ning Xiaoyuan, who suddenly glanced at Chen Mo. Then, she bit her lip, and whether it was out of bashfulness or anger, she ran away, leaving Chen Lin standing blankly where he was.
Chen Mo was taken aback.
Did Second Brother just get friendzoned?
Chen Mo walked over, “Second Brother, did Xiaoyuan accept.”
Chen Lin was dumbstruck, “Fourth Brother, I hate you.”
“Hate me for what, didn’t you just say you loved me a moment ago.” Chen Mo laughed.
Chen Lin covered his face and sighed. “Youwei was like this, why is Xiaoyuan like this, too.”
Chen Mo was confused.
Qin Weiyu was unable to bear how slow this man was. “Are you still unable to notice? The person that Ning Xiaoyuan girl is in love with is you.”
Chen Mo was astonished, “Didn’t you jab me as a warning a moment ago, Weiyu? Aren’t they just shy?”
“Moron. I was warning you about the changes in that lady after you arrived.” Qin Weiyu had crossdress before, so she knew the subtleties of a girl’s thoughts like the back of her hand.
Ning Xiaoyuan already spent many months managing the Eastern Lin Sword Sect’s affairs. No matter how reserved she was, she should have already been familiar with this, after all, she once managed the Ning Family’s businesses; she surely had very close interpersonal relationships. But Chen Mo’s arrival nevertheless amde the girl even more bashful. Anyone with a brain could figure out the reason why.
“Blame Scond Brother for imagining his love was reciprocated.” Chen Lin also felt that there was a kind of first love atmosphere a moment ago, which was why he confessed. The result was that he was ruthlessly rejected.
“Her bashfulness is merely because this is the first time she has seen your Second Brother.” Qin Weiyu saw through this at a glance. This was like the first time meeting the family of the person you love. It was only natural to be a bit shy when facing the other party’s family.
“Turns out Sister Weiyu understands women better, after all.” Chen Lin was in great suffering.
This was certainly outside of Chen Mo’s expectations. He originally even thought of playing matchmaker for the two of them, after all, he only treated her as a little sister mostly because of their encounter. For crying out loud, he was already in a deep relationship with his elder sister. Could it be that he was to add in his little sister? He would simply be no better than a beast.
“Maybe I should go talk to her?” Chen Mo was caught in a tough spot.
“If you dare hurt Xiaoyuan’s heart, this Second Brother will kill you.” Second Brother, who only just moments ago was speaking about making up for the lack of attention to Chen Mo when he was little, placed righteousness before family in an instant.
Chen Mo was a bit unsure whether to laugh or cry.
“I’m going to go calm down.” Chen Lin waved his hand.
“What will you do?” Qin Weiyu asked him.
“It’s alright, Second Brother is simpleminded. He won’t be hurt long. Back then, he vowed to make Yu Youwei his wife. In the end, after Yu Youwei left Chang’an, I didn’t see him despondent at all.” Chen Mo was already accustomed to this.
Qin Weiyu did not mean this at all. She had no interest in the lives of men aside from Chen Mo. “I was talking about that Ning Xiaoyuan girl.”
“I only treat her as a little sister.” Chen Mo was straightforward.
“Is that so? But are you not already an elder sister to someone else?” Qin Weiyu was sharp-tongued.3
Chen Mo felt crushed. He actually was unable to refute her.
“My Second Brother treats you as my wife, what do you think of that?” Chen Mo asked back.
“I will be leaving soon. In the future, we may not have a chance to meet again in the future. Wife or not, there is no meaning at all.” Qin Weiyu very easily said.
Chen Mo felt even more hurt hearing these words.
“So, in the end, even if I stand at the pinnacle of the Tail Fire Star Field, no one will stay by my side?”
“If you want to journey even further, then all good things must come to an end.” Qin Weiyu said, soft as silk.
In truth, Chen Mo was very aware of this. He was unable to give any promise to the people at his side, so in the end, he was leaving, too.
Chen Mo all of a sudden could not help but recite one of Wang Guozhen’s poems. This poem was perhaps the one most able to represent his current mood.
I won’t think about whether I can succeed or not.
Since I’ve chosen to go someplace faraway
I will focus on making the trip as fast as I can.
I won’t think about whether I can gain love or not.
Since I’m in love with a rose,
I will boldly reveal my sincerity.
I won’t think about whether snow or rain will come behind me.
Since my goal is beyond the horizon,
What I leave behind in the world can only be my back.
I won’t think about whether the future will be smooth or bumpy.
So long as I love my life
Everything will be as expected.4
Volume One, A Gentleman Is Invincible, end.
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- 祖龍, an alias of Qin Shi Huang. ↩
- I’ll probably have to revise the TL for this later, just like with the prophecy from 108MOD ↩
- So I think the point here is that he already has Nianyou as a little sister, and Qin Weiyu doesn’t take kindly to him just making little sisters out of girls will-nilly. And yes, she described Chen Mo’s position as “elder sister.” ↩
- Adapted from here. ↩