Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 338 : The Yellow Springs (1)

Chapter 338: Chapter 338 : The Yellow Springs (1)

A magnificent bird, its long, vibrant tail feathers trailing like a painter’s brush, gracefully swooped in through the open window and settled at the foot of the bed.

The bird’s beady eyes, like glistening jewels, locked onto Zhang Fengxi’s face.

[This is rather unexpected. How did you know about me?]

Zhang Fengxi held Xie Jianyu’s lifeless body closer to his chest, as if trying to protect what was left within from the Goddess of Fate and Destiny’s grasp.

"Jianyu was perfectly healthy," Zhang Fengxi gritted his teeth. "I asked many physicians’ opinions about his physical condition month after month, and they all agreed that he was doing very well in his advancing pregnancy."

"Additionally, his death was too abrupt. Too unnatural, as if someone had personally stolen his soul and taken it away."

Zhang Fengxi pinned Caihong with a burning glare.

"It can only be you, the one who made the Birth Reading that prophesied his death."

Caihong tilted its small head to the side.

[If you have known all along, then have you been pretending to be sad and inconsolable all this time?]

Zhang Fengxi pointed his spear at Caihong’s head.

"If you did not show up until tomorrow, I was planning to capture Jianyu’s soul on the seventh day and return it to his body."

[You can’t do that.]

"Then I will keep his soul with me until I find a way to do that," Zhang Fengxi remained stubborn. He had his whole life to figure it out.

Caihong clicked with its beaks.

[... You are defying the will of heaven.]

"So what???"

Zhang Fengxi’s eyes were filled with hatred.

"Has heaven ever considered the impact of Jianyu’s death on all of us? Why must I bend my head before the will of heaven???"

A soft sigh was heard.

[... What do you want, General?]

"I want my wife back," Zhang Fengxi said. "I want you to return him back to me."

[I can’t. He already exchanged the remaining years of his life for the memories from his past life.]

"Then let me pay for it instead," Zhang Fengxi offered. "Bring him back. Take my soul, take my everything."

Another sigh was heard. The Goddess of Fate and Destiny sounded rather annoyed when she spoke again.

[What’s with the two of you? So sorry, General. I am not a soul trader. You just have to accept the current situation as it is. The Crown Prince had already accepted it.]

Zhang Fengxi gently released his embrace, his gaze lingering on Xie Jianyu’s serene countenance. Even in death, his beloved wife radiated an ethereal beauty that surpassed all other omegas.

Amidst the sorrow that clouded his heart, Zhang Fengxi could see the subtle difference in Xie Jianyu’s expression in death. A hint of tranquility graced his lips, suggesting a departure not of despair but of quiet fulfillment. It was as if, having accomplished his life’s purpose, he embraced death with a sense of serenity and acceptance.

"I can’t," the alpha nonetheless said as he traced his wife’s soft lips with his thumb.

"You two have your agreement behind my back. Although you knew that it would impact me heavily, you chose to leave me out of it completely. I cannot accept this."

[General.....]

"Like I said, I am going to do what I planned to do. I have no intention of accepting his death, whether or not Jianyu is fine with it."

Caihong spread its wings out of frustration.

[You stubborn, selfish man! Can you not think of your own sorrow for once? It was not easy for the Crown Prince to make this decision!]

An exasperated chuckle escaped Zhang Fengxi’s lips.

"That doesn’t make me feel any better.

Now, I require you to make a decision. Either you bring Jianyu back to me, or I will forcefully do so."

The alpha and the bird engaged in a glaring competition that lasted for several minutes until the Goddess of Fate and Destiny gave in.

[Let’s go,] she said. [I will take you to meet with the Crown Prince.]

Zhang Fengxi’s eyes widened in anticipation.

After days of holding onto Xie Jianyu’s lifeless body, he was finally willing to let it go.

Zhang Fengxi staggered to his feet and stood in front of Caihong.

"What now?"

Caihong took flight off the bed and headed outside.

[Follow me.]

Caihong flew out of Fuxi Palace with smooth, gliding movements. Without making a sound, Zhang Fengxi stepped off the ground beneath his feet and followed the bird.

Against the backdrop of a velvety black sky, two silhouettes flew gracefully against the luminous glow of the moon, crossing one layer of heaven after another. Like ink spilled upon a canvas, their dark forms moved with a mesmerizing rhythm, their outlines sharp and distinct against the moon’s ethereal radiance.

After they arrived at the ninth, uppermost layer of heaven, Caihong dipped downward.

With a graceful sweep of its wings, it touched down upon a cloud’s surface.

[We are here.]

Before them lay a vast expanse of crystal-clear water, surrounded by a fluffy pillow of white clouds that seemed to kiss the cerulean sky. The water was so still that it mirrored the heavens, reflecting the sun’s rays as if they were scattered diamonds suspended within its depths. The depth of the water was impossible to fathom, its surface shimmering like a mirage, taunting the curious visitors with its secrets.

Zhang Fengxi furrowed his brows.

"This is...?"

[This is the Spring Of Lost Souls. The bottom of the spring is directly connected to the Yellow Springs*. What is it, General? I sense your hesitation.]

Zhang Fengxi scoffed as he took off his bloody armor one by one, leaving only the robes underneath.

"No one is hesitating. I merely did not expect to swim to get to the other side."

The Goddess of Fate and Destiny let out an amused chuckle.

[Souls do not fear death, unlike the living. Go in, I shall meet you on the other side.]

---------

Author’s note :

*Yellow Springs is another Chinese word for the Underworld.

We will meet Little Xie - Baby Jianbao soon!

Mini-theater as I cannot resist :

Goddess of Fate and Destiny : Dive deep if you want to get your wife, General.

Fengxi : What if I drown in the depth?

Goddess of Fate and Destiny : Then you will get to meet the Crown Prince right away. Isn’t that what you want? ╮⁠(⁠.⁠ ⁠❛⁠ ⁠ᴗ⁠ ⁠❛⁠.⁠)⁠╭

Fengxi : ... (⁠ノ⁠ಠ⁠益⁠ಠ⁠)⁠ノ⁠彡⁠┻⁠━⁠┻