Love & Redemption
Chapter 205: Volume 5 Phoenix Flower Blooms - 12 Phoenix in Flight (2)

Chapter 205: Volume 5 Phoenix Flower Blooms Chapter 12 Phoenix in Flight (2)

Lize Palace was divided into two main palatial complexes: the Xidou Palace, which fell under the Vice Palace Master’s jurisdiction, and the Jingui Palace, which was governed by the Great Palace Master. Between the two complexes stood a huge stone platform, coated in vermillion, known as the Danyat Platform. Whenever there was an important matter that required consultation between the two palace masters, the fire pillars on the Danyat Platform would be lit as a signal.

By the time Yu Sifeng and the Great Palace Master arrived at the Danyat Platform, the Vice Palace Master had already been waiting there. Standing against the wind, his green robe rustled, and Ruo Yu stood beside him with her head bowed. Upon seeing the Great Palace Master, she immediately knelt to pay her respects.

"You’ve been missing these past few days, and yet you have the audacity to show your face here now," said the Great Palace Master coldly.

The Vice Palace Master chuckled twice, then turned and softly said, "Big brother, why must you be so harsh with me? In the end, we’re all working together on this matter. I can’t always stay cooped up in the palace." He noticed Yu Sifeng standing behind him, his voice became even silkier as he smiled, "Big brother, why have you brought him here? Didn’t you make a pact with Liu Yihuan back then..."

"Enough with the nonsense," the Great Palace Master furrowed his brows slightly, "You’ve lit the fire on the Danyat Platform. What’s so important?"

The Vice Palace Master said with a smile, "Ruo Yu, give me the keys." Ruo Yu immediately took out a silk pouch from her sleeve and respectfully placed it in his hand. "This matter is not only important; it’s also quite fortunate. Big brother, do you know what this is?" He took an item out of the silk pouch, his pale and delicate fingers tweezing it—it was a string of eight Xuantie keys, each about the thickness of a human finger and the length of a palm. They gently clinked together in his hands, producing a muted sound.

The Great Palace Master glanced at it and was immediately startled, "Are these the keys to the Sea Stabilizing Iron Chain? Where did you get them from?!"

With a slight shake of the innocuous-looking keys, the Vice Palace Master chuckled, "Big brother, you always think I’m no good, that I should just follow behind you and listen to you. I don’t want to be that kind of fool. As for how I got the keys, you can ask this kid; he knows it all too well." He gestured with his chin towards Yu Sifeng.

The Great Palace Master looked at him intently for a moment, skeptical, then shifted his gaze to Yu Sifeng and asked, "Sifeng, what’s going on?"

Yu Sifeng replied, "It was acquired on Fuyu Island. There is no Sea Stabilizing Iron Chain beneath Fuyu Island, but the keys to the Iron Chain are hidden there. The Vice Palace Master must have bribed Manager Ouyang on the island and stolen the keys. Manager Ouyang is a demon too. Owing a debt of gratitude to the Dongfang Island Master, he stayed to repay the favor."

The Vice Palace Master smiled and said, "That’s right, but you got one thing wrong. Ouyang was not bribed by me; he has always been one of my men. When he asked for leave to repay a favor, explaining the reasons, I conceived this plan and asked him to steal the keys after he fulfilled his debt of gratitude. I was afraid that he wouldn’t bear to do it, but he turned out to be a real man, clear about his debts and gratitude. He became a stranger as soon as he repaid his debt, and I must admit, I have a certain admiration for that."

The Great Palace Master snorted coldly, "Indeed, a real man. I had no idea that you had so many talented and loyal people under you. Impressive! When did you begin gathering such a throng of talents? Even I, your big brother, was kept in the dark."

The Vice Palace Master sighed, "I knew you would doubt me. We are brothers, why should it be so? Would I ever harm you? Aren’t my men also yours? I am also working for the good of Lize Palace. Hehe, besides, you’ve also said that you know all my little tricks, how would I dare to harbor any delusions?"

The Great Palace Master said nothing, only let out a cold laugh that sent shivers down the spine. After a long pause, he finally stopped laughing and said indifferently, "Now that the keys are in hand, everything is ready. We just need to wait for the gates of the Netherworld to open and then we can go in to save them."

The Vice Palace Master said, "The only difficulty is choosing the right person, someone capable of handling big tasks, yet steady, able to withstand turbulence, skilled... and most importantly, utterly loyal. Do you, big brother, have any good candidates in mind?"

The Great Palace Master indifferently replied, "All your men are capable. Why not suggest a few yourself?"

The Vice Palace Master seemed to have anticipated his suggestion and ordered, "Ruo Yu, are you willing to take a trip to the Netherworld? This is a life-and-death mission. Think it over carefully before answering."

Ruo Yu immediately knelt down, his voice grave, "Disciple is willing to face death without hesitation!"

The Vice Palace Master smiled and said, "Big Brother, what do you think of this child?"

The Great Palace Master neither agreed nor disagreed, but looked him up and down, his gaze cold as lightning, causing Ruo Yu to shudder involuntarily and lower his head. After a while, he heard laughter from above, the sound colder than ice and snow, "So you are Ruo Yu. Hmm, Ruo Yu, Ruo Yu... the one willing to kill his own sect members!"

His heart went cold. He heard the sound of wind above, knowing it was the Great Palace Master’s palm strike. He was about to be struck dead as revenge for the stab to Yu Sifeng’s chest! In that instant, countless thoughts raced through his mind, but they all turned into nothingness. Resigned to his fate, he closed his eyes and awaited death.

The Vice Palace Master urgently said, "Big Brother, please show mercy!" Having said that, he intervened at his wrist, diverting much of the force of the palm, yet still, the strike landed on Ruo Yu’s back. His body trembled slightly, hands slammed into the ground as he gasped for breath, and slowly, blood seeped out from beneath his mask, dripping onto the ground.

The Great Palace Master said grimly, "How can someone so wildly ambitious, who slaughters his own sect members, be entrusted with such an important task? How can he remain in the palace?!"

The Vice Palace Master said softly, "Big Brother, if you are angry, come to me directly. Why take it out on a child?"

The Great Palace Master shrugged off his hand, saying coldly, "You’re becoming bolder by the day."

The Vice Palace Master laughed, "My courage is not actually that great. I never dared to do anything out of line since I was young, nowhere near as bold as you, Big Brother, who has been fooling so many, yet still sits securely as the Great Palace Master. Everyone praises you, but if they knew what you did back then..."

He didn’t finish, because the Great Palace Master’s gaze was cold as glacial ice, fixed on him. Although he said nothing, that look was a clear reminder that if the conversation continued, he would not hesitate to harm him, brotherly affections aside. The Vice Palace Master then smiled and said lightly, "Big Brother, since he has left, why bother bringing him back? Protecting him while also worrying about Wuzhiqi’s affairs, you’re overburdening yourself."

The Great Palace Master chuckled twice and replied, "Enough, what’s the point of talking about such nonsense now? Do you really not have a better candidate?"

The Vice Palace Master shrugged, "I chose Ruo Yu, but now you’ve injured him." His tone seemed to blame him. The Great Palace Master pondered for a long while; in fact, he had intended to personally go to the Netherworld to save someone. He wouldn’t trust anyone else with this task. He was about to express his intention to go himself when he noticed the Vice Palace Master lowering his lashes, feigning indifference.

This behavior was all too familiar to him. The Great Palace Master always believed that one had to remain composed in all situations to truly succeed. He didn’t take the Vice Palace Master too seriously, especially since he had one significant weakness—if he intended to deceive or scheme, he would lower his lashes and put on an innocent façade.

At this moment, his lashes were lowered again, clearly calculating his next move. The Great Palace Master swallowed back his words; upon reflection, he somewhat understood. He must be planning to take advantage of his trip to the Netherworld to harm Si Feng. Ruo Yu, being a junior disciple, where would he get the courage to attempt an assassination on Si Feng? Clearly, someone behind the scenes had instructed him.

Indeed, it was rare for the Golden Winged Bird clan to produce a Twelve Feather Bloodline, and typically only those of the Twelve Feather Bloodline could become the Palace Master. One day, he would have to yield his position to Yu Sifeng, because aside from himself, Yu Sifeng was the only one with the Twelve Feather Bloodline. Hence, first sending him to the Netherworld on a near-certain death mission, then using the opportunity to eliminate the inexperienced Yu Sifeng during his absence, would ensure the Palace Master’s throne would be securely his.

Could this scheme possibly be his own plan? The Great Palace Master watched the Vice Palace Master across from him without betraying any emotion, his heart also riddled with indecision. No, no, it should not be so superficial; what he desires should be more than just this... Could it be possible that he learned of the greatest secret of Lize Palace?

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, and then he said, "Hmm... I also need to carefully consider the candidate selection. Keep the key with you for now, I’ll discuss it again once I have gathered the right people, we’ve been planning this matter for many years, there’s no rush at this moment. The more critical the moment, the more we need to remain steady."

He turned and left, deep in thought, not even noticing Yu Sifeng’s contemplative expression on the side. Yu Sifeng followed him a few steps, then someone suddenly tugged at his sleeve, the Vice Palace Master whispered in his ear with a smile, "You owe me a favor, I killed your love rival for you. Sifeng, how will you thank me?"

Yu Sifeng was shocked, then immediately realized what had happened, his complexion turning deathly pale, he stared at him in disbelief, his voice trembling, "You killed Min Yan?!"

The Vice Palace Master laughed heartily, his icy fingers gliding across Yu Sifeng’s cheek, he said softly, "You indeed are an astute child; you immediately know who it is when I mention your love rival. But why do you become foolish concerning some matters?"

What was he referring to? Yu Sifeng stared at him fixedly, remaining silent. The Great Palace Master called from ahead, "Sifeng, let’s go." He responded and gave the Vice Palace Master one final glance before turning away full of thoughts.

That evening, the Great Palace Master suddenly said, "That lad isn’t dead; you can rest easy." The remark came out of nowhere, it was completely unclear what he was referring to, but Yu Sifeng nodded nonetheless, his heart finally feeling some relief, yet soon after, he fell into another kind of contemplation, silent all night long.

******

Yu Sifeng did not approve of Lize Palace’s actions, but he did not want to interfere either. With the forces gathered at Buzhou Mountain annihilated, the Great Palace Master’s desire to overturn all Cultivation Sects anytime soon would not be possible, especially with a scheming Vice Palace Master present in the palace. With his restraint, the Great Palace Master would not be able to act wantonly and irresponsibly.

The words spoken by the Vice Palace Master on Fuyu Island had been weighing on Yu Sifeng’s mind. He had hinted at the grave, irreversible mistake committed by the Great Palace Master in his youth, yet what that mistake was remained unclear in his evasive speech, and according to Lize Palace’s ironclad rules, anyone who committed such a serious offense should never be able to assume the role of Palace Master—suddenly, a thought struck him, no! Historically, Lize Palace had only ever had one Main Palace Master until this generation, which was the first to split into Main and Vice, each overseeing Xidou Palace and Jingui Palace respectively. Could it be that the Old Palace Master also divided the supreme authority into two positions because of the Great Palace Master’s wrongdoing, in order to allow the Vice Palace Master to check his power?

Yes, the Great Palace Master possessed the invaluable Twelve Feather Bloodline, and his succession as the Palace Master had been a foregone conclusion, but it was precisely because he committed an unforgivable error that the Old Palace Master appointed the Vice Palace Master just before his death, clearly expressing his dissatisfaction with the Great Palace Master’s accession internally.

What exactly was the mistake the Great Palace Master had once made?

Once the question sprung to mind, he could no longer suppress it, and it flowed through his thoughts continuously. When the Lover’s Curse took effect, he was in unbearable pain, but his hearing hadn’t faded, he had heard the conversation between Liu Yihuan and the Great Palace Master very clearly, which gave rise to his doubt—who exactly was his real father?

The Great Palace Master had once said that his mother died early, his father was a vile man who abandoned his wife and child, and there was no need to remember him. But the truth was likely not so, many signs suggested an epiphany to Yu Sifeng that there was some connection between the Great Palace Master and his father.

Could it be that the Great Palace Master had made the same mistake as Liu Yihuan had in the past, resulting in an illegitimate child? Many disciples within Lize Palace had their own families who came to visit annually, but Yu Sifeng had never known what family was. His only impression of his hometown was an endless blue sky, the rustling of the wind, the first time in his life when he spread his wings and flew gently.

He had once spoken of his hometown to Xuanji, with an air of nostalgia and sorrow, but in reality, he had no concrete impression in his heart of what his hometown was like; he was already in Lize Palace by the time his real memories began.

Perhaps the Great Palace Master really was his father? Then who was his mother? Why did the name Hao Feng sound so familiar? And why was he missing an entire year’s worth of memories?

Plagued by many questions, Yu Sifeng tossed and turned, unable to sleep. It wasn’t until dawn began to break that he finally fell into a deep slumber. After only a short while, he heard the door creak open as someone pushed it. He instinctively opened his eyes, only to see the Great Palace Master standing at the bedside, silently watching him, holding an open food box emitting medicinal fumes and exuding a strong fragrance.

"Master..." Yu Sifeng called out softly, puzzled, sitting up in bed.

The Great Palace Master watched him for a while before heaving a long sigh, placing the food box on the table, and speaking in a grave tone, "Sifeng, this is the antidote for the Lover’s Curse. Drink it up and put my mind at ease. Only then can I entrust Lize Palace to you with peace of mind."

Yu Sifeng was taken aback and asked anxiously, "Master! How could you..."

The Great Palace Master said in a low voice, "The antidote for the Lover’s Curse is exceedingly complex, with several ingredients not from the mortal world, making it incredibly precious. Do not ask questions; just drink it first."

Yu Sifeng gently took the bowl of medicine from the food box. It was as blue as the deep sea, clear and beautiful, with steam wafting through the air, giving off an extremely thick and sweet aroma. He was about to drink it when suspicion suddenly took hold, and he stopped, looking up to ask, "Didn’t you say before, Master, that there was no antidote for the Lover’s Curse?"

The Great Palace Master spoke indifferently, "There is no poison in this world without a cure, but to detoxify, one must pay a different price. Since the Lover’s Curse arises from affection, this antidote naturally breaks through the fog, making you forget all painful memories. You’ve been bewitched by that girl, your feelings deep and exclusive, thus I was worried that you’d blame me later. But now, there isn’t much time left, and serious matters prevail. After you take the antidote, I have instructions for you."

Yu Sifeng stood there, a whirlwind of emotions inside him. So there was an antidote after all, and it was to forget everything. By drinking it, he would no longer suffer for love, with no trace of her in his heart, the Lover’s Curse would dissipate naturally.

But how could he forget?

He slowly put down the medicine and shook his head, "I cannot drink it. I don’t want to forget."

The Great Palace Master said sternly, "Are you still being foolish? Do you want me to die with worries?!"

Yu Sifeng was shocked and looked at him uncertainly. The Great Palace Master said softly, "Since ancient times, the struggle for power has been the most fearsome. The Old Palace Master despised me for breaking the iron laws, so he split the position of Palace Master into two, a Main and a Vice, to suppress me. Now that a great event is about to unfold, I must personally make a trip to the Netherworld. Once I leave, there will be no one to protect you at Lize Palace, and the Lover’s Curse will surely cause me concern. Listen well, Sifeng, you must not hand over Lize Palace to the Vice Palace Master! Even if my journey fails, do not feel sorrow for me, but guard Lize Palace in my stead! The position of Palace Master is yours, and no one else should even dream of touching it!"

After these words, the room fell into dead silence. After a long, long time, Yu Sifeng, his face pale, lightly tapped his finger, and said wearily, "Master’s affection is too deep, I am eternally grateful... However, there is one thing I don’t understand, please enlighten me, Master... The law you broke back then, was it the same as Brother Liu’s?... Father?"

That last word "father" was uttered lightly, yet it struck the Great Palace Master’s ears with the impact of thunder, causing his hands to violently shake and knocking the food box on the table to the ground with a sharp shattering sound. (To be continued. To find out what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com. More Chapters are available, support the author, support genuine reading!)