Love & Redemption
Chapter 220: Volume 5 Phoenix Flower Blooms - 27 Blooming Panorama (7)

Chapter 220: Volume 5 Phoenix Flower Blooms Chapter 27 Blooming Panorama (7)

The weekend has arrived, and today sees the release of two Chapters. Here’s the first update.

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In the main hall where cups and laughter intertwined, it was the height of liveliness. All the young people had run off to tease the newlyweds, leaving the older generation like Chu Lei to drink and converse at their leisure. When Xuanji and Yu Sifeng arrived, Dongfang Qingqi was the first to wave them over, "Little Xuanji! Si Feng! Come, sit! You impish girl, what a bold move to leave without a word, gone for two years—your parents’ hair turned white with worry!"

Xuanji felt somewhat embarrassed and could only smile as she held her wine cup. Dongfang Qingqi continued, "Today is your sister’s big day; we should all celebrate with a drink. When can we expect to drink the wedding wine at yours and Si Feng’s celebration?" After this remark, everyone around burst into laughter. Xuanji’s face turned red, and she did not reply, stealing glances at Chu Lei to gauge his reaction. Seeing his face remain undisturbed, neither smiling nor angry, her heart suddenly chilled.

It seemed they were still unable to accept that Si Feng was a demon. To others, it didn’t matter deeply and thus could be a subject of jest, but her parents would definitely not approve of their daughter mingling with a demon. With this thought, she felt like sitting on pins and needles, becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

Those who were perceptive saw Chu Lei’s expression and understood, promptly excusing themselves from the table to offer toasts at others, providing father and daughter some private space for conversation. Chu Lei lifted a wine pot and poured a cup for Yu Sifeng. Silent, they drank together, and after a long while, Chu Lei spoke in a low voice, "Si Feng, about Lize Palace..." His sentence trailed off, but even a fool would understand what he meant.

Yu Sifeng replied softly, "I am no longer associated with Lize Palace, nor will I be in the future."

Chu Lei remained silent for a moment before asking, "So, what are your plans for the future? As a young man, do you intend to wander alone indefinitely?"

Yu Sifeng gave a light smile, gently saying, "I have a keen interest in the field of medicine and aspire to be a doctor."

Chu Lei shook his head and lamented, "Young people should harbor great ambitions. Even if one cannot accomplish great things, at least one should make a name for oneself. To live without contention is, after all, a sign of weakness."

His words were harsh, and Xuanji nearly crushed her wine cup in response, her face alternating between red and pale. Chu Lei, however, seemed oblivious to her reaction, not minding it in the slightest. Yu Sifeng, sitting beside her, placed his hand over hers under the table, gently patting to comfort her, his demeanor neither servile nor overbearing as he spoke, "Even a century-long reign will eventually burn out. With all due respect, I believe that in life, the ultimate pursuit is freedom. I have no ambition to establish a second Lize Palace, and never will."

Chu Lei looked at him thoughtfully and then said softly after some contemplation, "Mr. Ting Nu said the same thing; it isn’t easy for someone so young to be so open-minded."

At the mention of Ting Nu, Xuanji couldn’t restrain herself from interjecting, "Father, where is Ting Nu? Why haven’t I seen him?"

Chu Lei replied, "He left Shaoyang Sect a year ago, it seems he went back to the East Sea Coast. We saw his determination and did not stop him."

The East Sea Coast? Was it Ting Nu’s hometown? So he left as well. Xuanji suddenly experienced a strange sense of loneliness. Tengshe had left, Ting Nu had left, and Brother Liu was unwilling to come; looking at his peculiar behavior, it seemed he might also vanish without a trace soon. The notion of family remaining together forever, truly, was nothing but a dream.

Just like the lively wedding feast before her, no matter how merry or cheerful everyone was, the gathering would eventually disperse, and each would return to their own world. Everyone had their own realm—and hers? Xuanji looked up at Yu Sifeng, who was conversing with Chu Lei, smiling. That’s right, her world was right here, with him.

Her mood improved suddenly, and just as she was about to pour herself another drink, she heard Chu Lei say, "Xuanji, you shouldn’t leave after returning this time. The Shaoyang Sect has lost two Elders of the Seven Peaks, and there are no suitable replacements among the others. After some discussion with my fellow Elders, we believe with your exceptional abilities, you can certainly take on the role of one of the Seven Peaks Elders. Give it some thought."

Xuanji, shocked, nearly spilled her wine, pointing to herself incredulously, "Father... you mean me? I’m to become one of the Seven Peaks Elders?!"

Chu Lei nodded, "With your unparalleled skills, I would feel secure entrusting Shaoyang Sect to you. Who could be a more suitable candidate than you?"

Muttering, Xuanji replied, "No...but...I’ve never thought about becoming an Elder...I think...I’m totally unsuitable for the role," she blurted out confusedly.

Chu Lei said, "One can learn to behave and interact with others, but power and talent cannot be learned. The dream I had the night before you were born indeed foreshadowed that you were no ordinary child and were destined for greatness. It is only right for Shaoyang Sect to be passed on to you."

Xuanji was too astonished to reply. She was to become an Elder of the Seven Peaks? To become a leader of the Shaoyang Sect? She looked around at the vastness of the Sect, the idea of her taking charge in the future overwhelming her. The youngsters had returned from their pranks in the bridal chamber, many stealing glances at her and Yu Sifeng, their expressions odd. Whenever their eyes met hers, they quickly looked away or turned around, pretending to be indifferent. Only Du Minxing gave her a gentle smile, his gaze full of kindness.

In the hearts of many, Yu Sifeng was a demon, and she was not human. Although unspoken, the event when the demon attacked and she accidentally killed a fellow disciple with her fire was a fact witnessed by countless people. Humans naturally fear those with extraordinary powers, especially someone who has killed. Even if one’s close ones don’t mind, others certainly feel uncomfortable.

She didn’t want to be treated like a monster, nor did she want Yu Sifeng to live amidst such strange stares.

So Xuanji shook her head and whispered, "Father, I’m sorry, I can’t..."

Before her words were finished, suddenly a hubbub of shouting came from outside. All three were startled to see the guests inside the hall rushing out, and the clear weather with blue sky and white clouds had, in an instant, turned into dark clouds, with lightning and thunder. Seeing the lightning red as blood, Xuanji felt a bad premonition rise in her heart. She ran out, with Chu Lei and Yu Sifeng hastily following.

Once they left the hall, they were met with a storm of wind and flying stones. The blood-red lightning, mixed with the tornado, ravaged the peak. Chu Lei hastily ordered his disciples to escort the guests into the hall and shut the doors, while sending other disciples in small teams to patrol the Seven Peaks. If anything suspicious occurred, they were to report back immediately.

In the midst of the chaos, the thunder and lightning struck overhead, crackling fiercely as if gathering strength in mid-air, flashing but delaying their fall. Xuanji’s brow furrowed as she stared at the dark clouds above, which spun anxiously before being torn apart by an unseen force, revealing a Heavenly Eye hidden behind them. Were the people from Heaven here to monitor her again? Just as Xuanji was about to ascend with Sword Control, her sleeve was grabbed by Chu Lei. He spoke gravely, "Don’t go, Xuanji! Don’t oppose the Heavens!"

She looked at him in surprise and he repeated, "Don’t oppose the Heavens!"

Xuanji pulled her hand free and whispered, "I’m not opposing them, just taking a look." As her voice fell, she flew up into the air. Bengyu in her hand shook as she was about to throw it up, and indeed, the Heavenly Eye vanished instantly. Cowards! She cursed in her mind, suddenly seeing lightning flashing around her, forming a huge blood-red electric net with her at the center. The massive lightning held back its strike, but if it were to descend, the hall below would likely vanish in smoke.

Xuanji shouted, "Who is here to trouble me? Threatening with mortals is despicable!"

No sooner had she spoken than a chilled voice from above spoke coldly, "The edict of the Heavenly Emperor arrives, sinner! Why do you not kneel swiftly to receive it?!" Xuanji turned quickly, only to see the surrounding dark clouds gradually dissipating, revealing a golden-armored giant behind them, who was stern and formidable, holding a golden scroll, which was obviously the edict.

Xuanji was about to question him—for all the thunder, lightning, and tornadoes in the mortal world, what grandeur was he trying to display? However, Chu Lei’s words suddenly echoed in her ear: Don’t oppose the Heavens! A chill ran through her heart; he was indeed different, having guessed the reason for her reincarnation in the Lower Realm. Don’t oppose the Heavens; was she to be more submissive in this life?

Her knees bent, and she knelt on the sword, murmuring softly, "Xuanji... receives the edict!"

The golden-armored giant, however, did not read it, but arrogantly and disdainfully said, "Sinner! Where are your accomplices? Bring them here at once to receive the edict together!"

Xuanji felt somewhat irritated, being called a ’sinner’ repeatedly, but still, she suppressed her anger and said sternly, "I have no accomplices! I have always been alone. Go on and read! I am listening."

The golden-armored giant sneered, "You rats dare to fight against the Heavens! Sinner, receive the edict! There is the sinner Chu Xuanji, who has caused chaos in the Netherworld, colluded with associates, and plotted rebellion. She must be captured and taken back to the Heavenly Court for questioning! And there are the Golden Winged Bird Liu Yihuan and the Merfolk Ting Nu, one charged with the grave crime of stealing the Heavenly Eye and the other charged with the crime of associated guilt. They must be brought back to the Heavenly Court for questioning as well!"

Xuanji was taken aback and exclaimed, "Plot a rebellion? Who’s rebelling?"

The golden-armored giant put the imperial edict back into his sleeve and said arrogantly, "You should ask yourself that! Enough nonsense! Just go to the Heavenly Court and defend yourself!" He took out the Immortal Binding Rope and was about to ensnare Xuanji when suddenly a cold light flashed in her hand. Startlingly fast, by the time he realized what was happening, his neck was already icy cold, pressed against by her sword.

His eyes bulged with surprise, likely never having faced someone daring to defy a decree. His face turned green as he trembled, "Criminal! Drop the sword! How dare you! Do you want to be thrown into Abyss Hell?!"

Xuanji took a deep breath, organizing her chaotic thoughts. Her mind was a complete mess. By all that’s holy! When had she ever planned a rebellion? Could it be that not killing Wuzhiqi and even smiling and talking with him constituted rebellion? The matter of Liu Yihuan stealing the Heavenly Eye was even stranger—why had it taken over a decade to settle this account? And as for the implicated crime of Ting Nu, that was the most baffling of all; what had he done to be implicated?

She suddenly thought of Tengshe’s abrupt departure, a flash of realization striking her, she demanded loudly, "Tell me, what happened to Tengshe?!"

The face of the golden-armored giant grew ugly as he shouted, "Audacious Evil Spirit! How dare you question me!" However, the sword on his neck moved a few inches closer, and knowing the fierceness of Ding Kun, he had no choice but to say, "...Tengshe has a pact with you, so of course, he confessed early! He admitted his guilt voluntarily, and Emperor Bai pleaded on his behalf. His death sentence may be spared, but punishment is inevitable! Don’t be pleased with yourself. You’ll soon find out the consequences of opposing the Upper Realm and defying an imperial mandate!"

Xuanji turned even paler than he in an instant. That despicable wretch Tengshe! Sure enough, he smelled danger and fled first! She had never expected him to share hardships with her, but for him to run away in the face of disaster was truly disheartening!

Seeing her silent, the golden-armored giant added, "Oh right, when I was coming down to the Lower Realm, Emperor Bai asked me to convey a message to you: as a War God of the Upper Realm, you must have no personal desires. It would be fine if you realize this now, but if you remain willfully ignorant, the Golden Winged Bird Yu Sifeng will also be implicated and held accountable!"

Before he could finish speaking, Xuanji let out a cold laugh, and the pressure on his neck suddenly eased as she let go of him. Bengyu spun rapidly in her hand as she lightly tossed it into the air, cry out, "Rise! Sever!" It burst forth like lightning, soaring into the sky and then abruptly elongated with a "whoosh" that cut through the electric trap encircling her.

The golden-armored giant, terrified by her prowess, stumbled backward. Just as he was about to vanish into the clouds, she suddenly advanced, and his neck was met with cold steel once again. Swallowing hard, he asked with a veneer of toughness but underlying fear, "How bold! What are you planning to do?!"

Xuanji thought it over and, after carefully organizing her thoughts, said, "I won’t kill you, and I have not rebelled. I think this might be a misunderstanding. Please go back and report that there’s no need to send anyone after me, nor to threaten me with someone else. Give me some time, and I will surely return to the Heavenly Court to explain myself clearly!"

After saying that, she pushed him away, and the golden-armored giant was not bold enough to linger any longer. He immediately withdrew the storm and disappeared in the blink of an eye. (To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com, more Chapters available, support the author, support genuine reading!)