Chapter Twenty-Five: The Water Lantern Festival

Legend has it that on the night of the full moon, the human world and the ghost world connect. Although humans and ghosts can communicate, humans cannot see ghosts. To alleviate their longing, people write messages to their deceased loved ones on water lanterns, hoping the lanterns will convey their thoughts.

This tale is actually just a comforting story. There is no true connection between the human and ghost worlds; it's merely a way for people to find solace. Despite knowing it's false, Zisang still wanted to try, perhaps just to find a place for her heart, a sense of closure.

Following the customs of the human world, Zisang wrote a message on a water lantern and set it afloat on the river. Wuchen watched the lantern drift away, a complex expression in his eyes. He seemed burdened with many thoughts, yet he never shared them, not even with Zisang, who knew nothing about his past.

She had never heard him mention his parents or his origins. Who was he? Why did he appear in Fusang? Why did he work for the Demon Lord? She wanted to know everything. After her father's departure, besides Luyan, Wuchen had been the one who spent the most time with her. To her, he was like family, and she wanted to care for him, to ensure he wasn't so lonely.

Zisang sat beside him, hesitating for a long time before speaking. "Do you remember the first time we met in Fusang?"

"Yes," Wuchen replied mechanically, devoid of emotion.

Zisang continued, "When I first saw you, you seemed like an iceberg, exuding coldness."

"Honestly, I was a bit scared of you back then," she admitted, recalling how his icy demeanor had been intimidating.

"And now?" His voice held a hint of anticipation.

But Zisang, being mischievous, refused to satisfy him, pouting as she replied, "You haven't changed a bit."

Her answer didn't please him, and he just stared at her in silence. She offered no explanation, leaving him frustrated. Let him be angry!

Zisang went on, "When you suggested I become the Demon Lord, I refused. Yet you followed me back to the demon realm, helped me avenge my father, and reclaimed the Wanyao Order. After five years, you must know me well by now."

He avoided her gaze and remained silent, which she took as tacit acknowledgment. "But I know nothing about you. Will you tell me your story?"

This princess had lowered her pride to ask him this. If he refused, it would be too humiliating! "I have no story," he said.

Fine, fine! I'll take it as I'm talking to a wall. If you don't want to tell, then forget it. I'll leave! As she lifted her foot to leave, Wuchen grabbed her.

"Ha! Now you want to keep me? Promise me first, or there's no deal."

Cornered by Zisang's persistence, Wuchen had no choice but to give in. "Do you really want to hear?" he asked again. Zisang nodded earnestly.

Wuchen's mother, like Zisang's, was a member of the Mei tribe, named Liushuang. The Mei tribe originally belonged to the demon realm but was hunted down by the Demon Lord after rebelling. Liushuang managed to escape and was rescued by someone from the celestial realm. That person, infatuated with her beauty, took advantage of her while drunk.

She thought the matter would end there, but later discovered she was pregnant. When that man found out, he secretly sent assassins to kill her to protect his reputation. Fortunately, she survived and gave birth to Wuchen.

So, she had encountered a scoundrel!

"And where is your mother now?" Zisang asked.

Wuchen's expression turned cold, and after a long struggle, he replied, "She's dead."

Those two words seemed to drain all his strength. Zisang realized she had touched a painful memory. She had wanted to know more about him, but ended up opening old wounds. However, wouldn't such memories be more painful if buried inside? How had he endured these thousands of years?

Reflecting on it, she felt ashamed for never having cared about him before.

In the Nine Heavens, the Celestial Emperor possessed a magical artifact called the Mirror of All Things, which, true to its name, could observe everything in the world. The deeds of mortals would appear on its surface, including those of Nan Xianyi and his companions. At this moment, the Celestial Emperor was watching their activities in the mortal realm through this mirror.

After a long while, he stroked his beard and sighed, "Junfeng, you cannot escape this calamity after all." With a wave of his hand, the mirror dissolved into nothingness.

The Celestial Emperor raised his voice, saying, "You've been watching for so long, aren't you going to come out?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Yaoxi appeared behind him. From the start, he had sensed someone following him but had chosen not to reveal it. Yaoxi, the Flower Fairy, was the daughter of Lingxuan Emperor. Her character and beauty were praised by all the deities, and countless immortals were enamored with her, yet none had caught her eye.

Her heart belonged to Junfeng, a fact known to all. The other deities often remarked that her standards were too high, especially since she was of marriageable age. If she continued this way, she wouldn't find a suitable husband. But she paid no heed, for her heart was already taken.

Junfeng was reticent and seldom left his abode. Although he was the God of War, few had seen his true face, knowing him only by his illustrious name. Yaoxi, however, was an exception. She had once stumbled upon Junfeng playing the qin, the sound so clear and beautiful that she couldn't resist joining him with her flute. After the duet, they became close friends.

When Junfeng descended to the mortal realm for his tribulation, Yaoxi selfishly brought him to Fusang, claiming the Lingxuan Emperor had brought him. The emperor, doting on his children, agreed. She knew he was meant to face a love tribulation, so she hid him in Fusang, hoping to keep him there until it was over. But fate had other plans, and he met her after all.

She had once harbored the desire to kill Zisang on the day she returned to Fusang. Watching the dying fox outside the window, she knew Junfeng had been trying to heal it. She had never seen him so concerned about anyone, not even her, always keeping a distance. She was jealous. If she killed Zisang, would she become his only one? Yes, kill her, kill her...

She had intended to kill Zisang but ended up triggering her demonic soul, causing it to rampage and lose her sanity bit by bit. Consequently, she ruined the grand banquet at Qingcheng Palace. Later, when Nan Xianyi left Fusang, she had wanted to follow, but reconsidered, fearing Junfeng would wake and see her in such a disgraceful state. He would surely despise her.