Breaking Army - Chapter 20

His strange and stubborn prejudice against those of the Heaven Realm wasn’t something that formed overnight. In the past, he had been impartial, he simply hated everyone from the Heaven Realm equally. It was only after serving in the army under Xiao Chen for three years that his view shifted regarding some of them, and even then, it was only a select few. While many in the Netherworld considered themselves equal to the Celestials as divine officials and loved to compare themselves at every turn, what Rong Yuan harbored was clearly more than simple competitiveness. As for the reason, only he knew the truth.

Having obtained what he wanted from Hua Wuhen, Rong Yuan signaled the Judge to bring Hua Wuhen to trial according to the regulations. The Judge opened the Ledger of Life and Death, took a sharp breath, and couldn’t help but exclaim, “He is also connected to the poisoning of His Highness Po Jun, this”

Rong Yuan had already searched Hua Wuhen’s soul, so he naturally knew. The moment the Judge spoke, the others heard it too. Zuo Yi and You Chang had already returned and were present in the hall. Zuo Yi said, “My Lord, since you just performed a soul search, did you find the person who conspired against His Highness? Those fools in the Heaven Realm haven’t found a thing yet. If we get there first, the Star Realm will owe us the favor.”

Rong Yuan’s gaze swept across the room. Everyone was looking at him with expectation. These Netherworld officials had watched him grow from a child into a man and eventually inherit the position of Lord. His master had left him only those he deemed trustworthy, and Rong Yuan got along well with everyone. He truly hoped that any Netherworld inhabitant involved in the plot against Xiao Chen had nothing to do with them.

Rong Yuan replied with only a few words, “I have the matter in hand.” Beyond that, he said nothing more. Zuo Yi was tactful, seeing that Rong Yuan had closed the subject, he didn’t press further.

Xiao Chen possessed great merit from the three realms. Anyone who had raised a blade against him would have a heavy stroke added to their record in the Ledger of Sin upon death, let alone those who had feasted on his flesh and blood. Once the Netherworld officials reviewed the records for Hua Wuhen and the mortal souls from Ruoshui Town today, they would all realize that Xiao Chen had actually been in the mortal world. The cover story of his secluded meditation in Tingfeng Creek would be instantly blown.

But it didn’t matter. Xiao Chen had returned to the Netherworld, and his cultivation was recovering. Even if there was a mole lurking in the Netherworld, as long as Rong Yuan was there, they wouldn’t dream of laying a finger on Xiao Chen. What happened in the mortal world would never happen again.

Rong Yuan thought for a moment and took his seat at the head of the Hall of Yama. An order materialized before him, “Bring up the hundreds of demons who died mysteriously today, as well as the mortal souls from Ruoshui Town, in order. The Judge shall pronounce the sentences, and I will personally oversee the punishment.”

Any punishment overseen by the Lord himself was a significant matter. None of the subordinates raised an objection, bowing respectfully as they said, “By your command.”

Hua Wuhen’s crimes were too numerous. Just the hundred demon lives credited to his name were enough to have him fried crisp in a cauldron of oil. Since Rong Yuan had searched his soul, he wouldn’t regain consciousness for a while, meaning he wouldn’t even hear his own sentencing. By the time he woke up, he would already be suffering his punishment in hell.

After sentencing him, there were still the hundred demons and the mortals of Ruoshui Town. Rong Yuan pushed all other clerical duties aside for the time being, intending to stay here until the sentencing was complete.

Xiao Chen lost track of how much time had passed. He finally managed to calm the spiritual energy rampaging through his body. His physical foundation had been too heavily damaged previously, making it impossible to hold his original level of cultivation all at once. Consequently, he had only recovered about half of his former strength, the rest would have to return slowly as his body mended. However, even with only half, thrashing most people wouldn’t be a problem.

When Xiao Chen opened his eyes, he circulated his spiritual energy to summon the Purple Lotus, which floated before him. This was the first time he had looked closely at the lotus that had saved his life. Its petals were a ghostly purple and translucent. It wasn’t large, small enough to be cradled in a palm. As it drifted gently in front of him, it looked beautiful and obedient, much like a certain person. But, that obedient shell was just a disguise, one would have to cut it open to see the true form inside.

No wonder Mu Qing, or rather, Rong Yuan, no wonder Rong Yuan could find him. It turned out the two Netherworld Purple Lotuses could sense each other. Previously, Xiao Chen’s cultivation was insufficient to notice, but now he could clearly feel the thousands of intricate threads connecting them. He could follow that connection to find Rong Yuan’s location.

Xiao Chen had always thought he was the ancestor of pretending to be harmless, but it seemed the younger generation was truly formidable. Rong Yuan wasn’t a lotus or a spider lily at all, he was clearly a narcissus spirit, piece by piece.

Xiao Chen retracted the Purple Lotus, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly. Very well, they had one more debt to settle.

The wounds on his body had already healed. The cuts made by mortal iron had left no trace, but his clothes were tattered and stained with blood, rendered unwearable. A waste of a good robe.

Xiao Chen shed his clothes and used his spiritual power to clean away the bloodstains. He immediately noticed a set of new clothes placed beside him. He picked them up and saw another white robe embroidered with lotus patterns.

He paused while looking at the clothes, but eventually put them on. Regardless, he had a few things he wanted to confirm, and wearing this was just fine.

Once his physical condition stabilized, he wasn’t in a hurry to leave the hall. He first sent a spiritual transmission to the other Star Sovereigns. They must be worried sick, and indeed they were. As soon as Xiao Chen’s transmission arrived, everyone crowded around. Geng Xie and Xiang Zhi didn’t miss out either. Their voices overlapped one after another. Xiao Chen didn’t find it noisy; he laughed quite genuinely.

Zi Wei also laughed, “It sounds like you’re in a good mood.”

“Talking to all of you naturally puts me in a good mood.” Not like a certain Lord… not like a certain brat who made him swallow a stomach full of anger.

Xiao Chen recounted the events of his mortal ordeal, choosing to highlight the “key points” while skipping the specific “details.” In short, the ordeal was over, he had recovered half of his cultivation, and with time and rest, the rest would return.

Xiang Zhi, who was currently on duty, sent a transmission while hiding in the archives. He asked, “You aren’t hurt, are you?”

Geng Xie snorted, “With his personality, do you think he’d tell you if he were hurt?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Xiao Chen said in a nonchalant tone, “I suffered a few minor flesh wounds, but they healed instantly. It’s nothing major.”

“Whatever you say. You’re the only one who knows, so we have to take your word for it.”

“Your temper has certainly grown lately, Highness Qi Sha,” Xiao Chen narrowed his eyes, “Are you two still in the Heaven Realm?”

Xiang Zhi immediately said, “Gou Chen gave us permission to stay and investigate! This doesn’t count as running off. Don’t go doing anything rash. It would be very troublesome if our identities were exposed!”

He was truly worried that Xiao Chen would charge straight into the Heaven Realm to snatch them back. After all, even if Xiao Chen only had half his strength, Xiang Zhi still couldn’t beat him. Geng Xie could probably give it a try, but they couldn’t exactly start a massive brawl in the Heaven Realm. How would they explain that if they were seen?

Xiao Chen frowned, “How did he agree to let you two stay in the Heaven Realm? Tell me what has happened during this time.”

Taibai took the lead in recounting everything they had discovered. When Xiao Chen heard that the poison contained ‘Xiangsi,’ he sighed, “The Celestial Demons and the Netherworld are both involved. No wonder I couldn’t divine anything back then. This is quite a mess.”

He had been ambushed by flower demons in the mortal world, and his whereabouts were likely leaked from the Netherworld, though Xiao Chen didn’t suspect Rong Yuan. It was likely someone else. He really was burdened by many debts and a high level of hostility.

“Since the Hundred Demon Array has appeared, I’ll likely have to take a trip to the Demon Realm later,” Xiao Chen said, “You two be careful in the Heaven Realm.”

Geng Xie replied, “Don’t worry. By the way, did Rong Yuan make any demands? What does he actually want, and when are you two getting a divorce?”

Xiao Chen answered the first part first, “He hasn’t said what he wants yet. He meant to discuss it after my cultivation recovered. Now that I’ve recovered most of it, I’m planning to ask him again. Also…” Regarding Geng Xie’s second question, Xiao Chen didn’t answer directly. Perhaps he found the following words difficult to say. He coughed twice, his expression conflicted, and his voice dropped a few octaves, “I feel like he seems… unusually attentive toward me. It’s a bit, uh, you know, a bit excessive. Not quite normal.”

Upon hearing this, the various Star Sovereigns began to ponder the meaning behind Xiao Chen’s words and the deeper intent behind Rong Yuan’s actions. Different people naturally had different thoughts. Only Geng Xie stood out. Using a different tone, he repeated a sentence he had said on Xiao Chen’s wedding day, “…He couldn’t actually be lusting after your looks, could he?”

When he had said it back then, it was just a casual remark. Now, however, he spoke with surprise and uncertainty, his tone becoming a bit more serious, as if it were a genuine possibility.

Xiao Chen said, “…Lord Qi Sha, no one would think you were mute if you stayed quiet.”

Furthermore, speaking of looks, Mu Qing was an avatar created by Rong Yuan. An avatar’s appearance could be chosen at will, but most people modeled their avatars after themselves. Even if not identical, there would be a seventy to eighty percent resemblance because it was more convenient. Mu Qing looked like a youth, and Rong Yuan’s stature was clearly no longer that of a boy. If the face beneath that mask was the grown-up version of Mu Qing…

Hiss. With a face that could topple kingdoms, it would be a wonder if others weren’t lusting after his beauty. Why would he need to pine after someone else just for their looks? Wouldn’t it be better to just look in a mirror?

Taibai gave a light chuckle and smoothed things over, “Alright, alright. Speaking of which, how do you feel about the karmic hindrance on you?”

There was no set time for how long it took for karmic hindrance to fade, but for powerful beings, they could sense its weight. Xiao Chen said, “There isn’t much left. It’s thinning out faster than I expected.”

“It must be related to the merit you carry,” Zi Wei said in a gentle, nostalgic tone, “Everyone is waiting for you to come back.”

Xiao Chen’s expression softened, “I also—” Before he could finish, he was interrupted by a low cry. It was supposed to be a tender moment, but Xiang Zhi let out a startled yelp and spoke rapidly, “Someone’s coming! I have to go. I’ll contact you all later. If there’s any important news, you must tell me! Don’t forget! Also, I miss you too!”

Xiang Zhi cut the transmission in a flurry, leaving Xiao Chen to chuckle helplessly, “He took the words right out of my mouth.” He also missed the other Star Sovereigns dearly.

Geng Xie was currently off duty and in his own room, so he didn’t need to hide from anyone. “Now that this whole mess has come out and you have an extra spouse, you won’t be able to stay in hiding for long. But the Netherworld might not be safe either. You must quickly determine whether Rong Yuan is friend or foe.”

Xiao Chen replied, “Naturally.” He also wanted to confirm certain things.

The reason Xiang Zhi had cut the transmission so abruptly was because there was a knock on the archive door. Cheng Feng frowned, “Why is the archive locked? Who is in there?”

Xiang Zhi hurried to answer, “Me, me! Stop knocking!”

He opened the door, and Cheng Feng looked at him suspiciously. “The archive is for everyone to consult books at any time. Why would you lock yourself in?”

Xiang Zhi said, “I just hung the lock out of habit. My apologies.”

Cheng Feng looked past him into the archives but found nothing amiss. “You aren’t doing something bad behind my back, are you?”

Xiang Zhi rolled his eyes secretly and then said solemnly, “I am responsible for organizing the scrolls, but I prefer peace and quiet when I work. For the past two days, someone has been constantly buzzing in my ear while I’m sorting. I instinctively hung the lock. I am truly sorry.”

Cheng Feng raised an eyebrow. “Fine, so you’re insulting me now?” Don’t think he couldn’t tell who Xiang Zhi was referring to as the one buzzing in his ear!

“Second Highness, you were the one who slandered me for doing bad things first. One’s reputation is a serious matter, how can you speak so recklessly?”

Cheng Feng fell silent. This foul-tempered prince then actually nodded and said seriously, “If you are innocent, I apologize.”

Xiang Zhi was extremely surprised, and his tone softened involuntarily, “Fine, I—”

“But if you really are doing something in secret, you’d better watch out.” Cheng Feng tilted his head up. “As long as I’m around, no conspiracy will succeed.”

Xiang Zhi took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to smack the prince with a book. There was really no point in being soft-hearted with this royal!

“What are you standing there for? Weren’t you going to organize the scrolls? Get on with it.”

Xiang Zhi gritted his teeth and squeezed out each word, “Coming!”

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