Breaking Army - Chapter 5

Xiao Chen finished dressing behind the screen. The clothes fit him perfectly. He wondered if they had specially commissioned a weaver from the Celestial Realm to take his measurements and rush the job. In the Underworld, the lotus pattern was supposed to be the symbol of the Sovereign, yet this garment, embroidered with silver thread in that very pattern, had been prepared specifically for him.

Regardless, the Underworld had certainly provided him with more than enough courtesy and face.

Now that the poison was neutralized, Xiao Chen wondered when Rong Yuan intended to discuss his terms.

As he tied his hair back, the palace doors opened. Xiao Chen adjusted his collar and stepped out from behind the screen just as Rong Yuan entered. The heavy doors groaned shut behind him, and the attendants remained outside, leaving the two of them alone.

Xiao Chen finally had a chance to look closely at Rong Yuan, though the iron mask obscured the man’s full features. Searching his memory, Xiao Chen still couldn’t recall ever having contact with anyone from the Underworld.

Star Lords, Celestial Officials, and Underworld Officials were all considered deities, but the spiritual power of the Underworld clan was unique. It was a deep, dark purple that bordered on black. No other clan possessed such energy, making their identity easy to recognize. During the Great War, the Underworld had been overwhelmed by the sheer influx of lost souls, and the Sovereign at the time had strictly forbidden his people from leaving their realm. Consequently, no one from the Underworld had joined the army.

After the rebellion was suppressed, the Underworld saw a change in leadership with Rong Yuan ascending the throne. During that time, Xiao Chen had been busy moving from place to place, so he had never met a member of the Underworld clan. They shouldn’t have been old acquaintances.

The atmosphere between them should have been delicate, but Rong Yuan walked right up to him and cut straight to the point, sparing Xiao Chen any awkwardness. “Your cultivation has dissipated.”

Talking business was good, it allowed for focus. As expected, the loss of his cultivation couldn’t be hidden. Xiao Chen sighed inwardly but kept his face calm. “As you can see.”

“How do you recover it?”

Rong Yuan used his spiritual power to trace words in the air. Once Xiao Chen spoke, the script changed rapidly, flowing smoothly rather than appearing character by character. Communication was seamless, yet Xiao Chen detected a hint of… urgency in the speed of the transitions?

Did what Rong Yuan wanted from him depend on his cultivation?

“I already have a way,” Xiao Chen decided to be direct. “Is there something the Sovereign needs from me? This life-saving debt should be” For some reason, the phrase ‘a life-saving debt should be repaid with one’s body’ popped into his head. Back then, his friend Xiang Zhi used to drone on about mortal storybooks where that line appeared constantly. Caught off guard, Xiao Chen nearly bit his tongue.

Where were these strange thoughts coming from?

Fortunately, the Star Lord of the Broken Army kept his composure and finished righteously, “Should be kept in my heart. If the Sovereign has a need, please do not hesitate to speak.”

While multitasking, he didn’t forget to criticize his own previous thought: If you really want to count it, I’ve already ‘repaid with my body’ once.

Rong Yuan, however, replied, “There is no rush. Recover your cultivation first.”

So he did want something? Since it required his cultivation to be restored, it likely involved some heavy lifting. It was better to negotiate the terms openly. Xiao Chen didn’t like owing favors. He said, “Since the Sovereign is not in a hurry, then please give me some time. To recover my cultivation, I must leave the Underworld for a while. I cannot give an exact timeframe yet. If the Sovereign is afraid I will default on the debt, you can state your request now, and we can swear a blood oath as a contract.”

Xiao Chen’s words carried several layers of meaning: he wanted to leave alone, and he wasn’t willing to disclose his destination. Furthermore, if Rong Yuan was in a hurry, he should speak up so Xiao Chen could decide if he was capable of doing it and plan accordingly.

Rong Yuan shook his head, simply stating, “Your cultivation is gone, and the culprit who poisoned you has not been found. Leaving the Underworld now would be full of danger. I will have someone escort you.”

The ruler of a realm couldn’t leave for too long without permission, otherwise, Rong Yuan would have been happy to go himself. But Xiao Chen was going to face a tribulation, not go on a sightseeing tour. If he was protected, what if the tribulation never came? He wouldn’t even let the other Star Lords follow him, so he naturally wouldn’t agree to Rong Yuan’s offer.

“I still have skills to protect myself, there is no need for the Sovereign to worry.”

Because of the mask, Xiao Chen couldn’t see Rong Yuan’s expression. Since the man relied entirely on writing, his tone had to be guessed. While his emotions were hard to read, they weren’t entirely untraceable. For instance, the moment Xiao Chen finished speaking, Rong Yuan’s lip line pulled tight.

When no new words appeared in front of Rong Yuan for a long moment, Xiao Chen also fell silent. He realized that silence didn’t suit the two of them. Without conversation, his mind would drift from his aching waist to the fact that they had shared an intimate night. He found himself uncontrollably recalling blurry details, realizing that, strictly speaking, he could no longer call Rong Yuan a stranger.

Not only did his waist feel more sore, but even his teeth felt a bit “sour” with awkwardness.

After the strange atmosphere lingered for a moment, Rong Yuan finally wrote again, “You want to leave right now?”

Xiao Chen nodded. “Yes, to regain my cultivation as soon as possible.”

He made sense, and Rong Yuan had no reason to stop him. Although leaving alone on the second day of a “marriage” sounded strange, from every perspective, Xiao Chen was itching to disappear from the Underworld—especially from Rong Yuan’s sight. Perhaps after some time had passed, he could find enough equanimity to face the person he had spent a night of passion with.

Probably?

Alas, troubles of the heart were indeed the true troubles, unlike ghosts and monsters that could be cleaved with a single sword.

Xiao Chen mentioned the blood oath again, suggesting they hurry and swear it so he could leave. Rong Yuan’s words drifted out slowly: “There is no need. I trust you.”

Ever since being poisoned, Xiao Chen had tucked away his usual easygoing nature so as not to worry the other Star Lords. He was intelligent and perceptive; in the past, he simply felt there was no need to look at people with deep suspicion. It wasn’t that he couldn’t do it. Once his walls were up, doubt and caution came easily.

But at this moment, Xiao Chen couldn’t help but think: If Rong Yuan isn’t plotting something, I really should let my friends see this. You all say I’m too open-hearted, but look at this man; his heart is as vast as the sea.

Now, he was truly curious about the face beneath the mask. At least if he saw the face, he could determine whether they actually knew each other.

Rong Yuan conjured a scroll in his hand, his words explaining to Xiao Chen, “A map of the Underworld. It marks the locations of all the realm gates.”

Xiao Chen didn’t actually need it. He could perform a simple divination for pathfinding; even with his meager cultivation, finding a road was possible. However, he didn’t refuse Rong Yuan’s kindness again and accepted it politely.

Afterward, Rong Yuan dismissed the attendants outside, so no one knew what the Sovereign and the Star Lord did next. Rong Yuan’s subordinates waited in the main hall for a long time, only for Rong Yuan to return alone.

The Right Envoy of the Underworld looked around, confirming there was no one beside or behind Rong Yuan, and couldn’t help but ask, “Where is His Highness Broken Army?”

The Left Envoy gave a lazy yawn. “They’re newlyweds. The wedding night doesn’t necessarily end after one night. Why are you being so insensitive?”

The Right Envoy glared at him. “Drop the improper attitude, Zuo Yi! You’re the Left Envoy of the Underworld, act like it!”

Zuo Yi gave a shameless grin. “Well, I certainly can’t be like you, You Chang. You’re too boring.”

Rong Yuan walked straight to the main seat and sat down. Only the Left and Right Envoys remained in the hall. His words finally drifted out unhurriedly: “The Star Lord’s poison is cured. He is currently in seclusion at Listening Wind Creek. Pass the order: no one is to approach Listening Wind Creek without cause, and the Star Lord’s seclusion must not be disturbed.”

Zuo Yi and You Chang took the order. “Yes, Sovereign.”

They were very respectful when receiving orders, showing the loyalty of subordinates to their lord. However, once the orders were given, their interaction with Rong Yuan returned to normal. They didn’t seem like monarch and subjects, but more like friends or family. Rong Yuan was only about six hundred years old, quite young. The two envoys had essentially watched him grow up, so they were naturally close.

You Chang asked, “Is His Highness Broken Army really in seclusion at Listening Wind Creek?”

“Don’t be silly, if the Sovereign says he is, then he is,” Zuo Yi shook his head, exasperated by his straightforward colleague. “Every time His Highness goes into seclusion, he’s truly hard to find until his enemies start a ruckus. This time, since the Sovereign has spread the news of his seclusion, anyone who dares come to the Underworld to cause trouble for the Star Lord will never leave alive.”

Rong Yuan gave Zuo Yi an appreciative look. By spreading the news, he wanted people to believe Xiao Chen was still in the Underworld, which would keep the traveling Xiao Chen safer.

“You’re the silly one!” You Chang snapped back before straightening his back. “That’s right. We aren’t like those useless fools in the Celestial Realm.”

Rong Yuan nodded silently; he liked that last sentence.

“I am curious, though,” Zuo Yi said. “You’ve done so much for the Star Lord. What exactly are you seeking? If you’re in trouble, why not discuss it with us? Maybe there’s another way so you wouldn’t have to give up the Purple Lotus.”

There was something he sought, but it wasn’t convenient to let others know yet. Thus, Rong Yuan simply shook his head and refused to talk about it. Zuo Yi smacked his lips. “Fine. But if you really have a problem you can’t solve, I’ll go through fire and water for you. Don’t be polite if you need me.”

You Chang interjected, “Back off. If anyone’s going through fire and water, it’s me first. What does it have to do with you?”

“No way, you’re going to compete with me over this too?”

As the two began their daily bickering, Rong Yuan watched them and smiled helplessly. Suddenly, his expression shifted, and the smile at the corners of his lips deepened. Seeing this, the two stopped fighting. You Chang said, “It’s all your fault, making the Sovereign laugh at us again. You’re thousands of years old, can’t you be more steady!”

Zuo Yi shrugged. “I think something good just happened to the Sovereign.”

Rong Yuan shook his head, then nodded. You Chang was utterly confused and finally sighed, “Alas, not being able to see your face or hear you speak is just too inconvenient. It’s been hundreds of years, Little Highness, when will that strange cultivation technique of yours be complete?”

“Little Highness” was the title You Chang and Zuo Yi used to call him. Occasionally, they still used it in private, but never in front of outsiders to maintain the Sovereign’s prestige.

This time, Rong Yuan’s words appeared: “Soon.”

“That’s great,” Zuo Yi snapped his fingers. “I haven’t seen your face in hundreds of years either. Once our Sovereign takes off that mask, the title of the number one handsome man in the Six Realms will definitely be yours.”

You Chang rarely agreed, but he did now. “Exactly. Let’s see if those guys still dare to spread rumors about you being blue-faced and fanged. Absolute nonsense!”

Rong Yuan chuckled softly. He was indeed in a good mood because he had just discovered Xiao Chen’s destination: the Mortal Realm. Since Xiao Chen’s spiritual power was currently depleted, he didn’t know the other uses of the Purple Lotus, and thus didn’t realize he was being sensed by Rong Yuan. He had left the Underworld as he wished, but he hadn’t truly left Rong Yuan.

Once Xiao Chen recovered his cultivation and could use the Purple Lotus, his reaction would likely be quite spectacular.

The Mortal Realm was a good choice. Restricted by the laws of the Heavenly Dao, powerful masters from other realms would find their cultivation suppressed there, unable to use much of their ability. Realm Lords were strictly forbidden from descending in their true forms; to do so would trigger heavenly punishment. As such, even though Xiao Chen’s cultivation was mostly gone, he wouldn’t have to worry too much in the Mortal Realm. No one else could use world-shaking moves there anyway. Moreover, his martial skills were still intact, and with his magical treasures, even if enemies found him, Xiao Chen wouldn’t necessarily lose when everyone’s cultivation was equally low.

Rong Yuan felt more at ease. He stood up. “Go to your duties. Bring today’s scrolls from the Hell Office to my study. I will handle them shortly.”

“We obey your command.”

Xiao Chen didn’t send a message back to the Star Realm to report his safety until he stepped into the Mortal Realm. Once his life-star stabilized, the other Star Lords would surely know he was cured, but he still needed to send word. Hearing “I’m fine” personally was different, after all.

It was a beautiful season in the Mortal Realm. Xiao Chen narrowed his eyes slightly at the clear sky and the lush green landscape. Ordinarily, the sky in the Underworld was always dim. After staying there for a while, encountering such a bright, clear sky should have been refreshing, but Xiao Chen didn’t feel that specific relief. This meant the scenery of the Underworld hadn’t left him feeling stifled.

The Mortal Realm was beautiful, but the people of the Underworld had turned their barren land into a different kind of beauty, which was a sort of elegance in itself.

The gate from the Mortal Realm to the Underworld was located in a remote, ancient forest. Unlike the conspicuous celestial gates, it took the form of a massive, ancient pagoda tree. Even if ordinary people stumbled upon it, they wouldn’t see anything unusual and couldn’t pass through. Mortal cultivators had ways to “knock” on the door, but the Underworld wasn’t like the Celestial Realm that everyone dreamed of ascending to, so no one went there without reason.

Xiao Chen was dressed light, carrying neither a sword nor any bundles or luggage. He wore no jewelry except for a silver earring on his left ear. It was an exquisite storage treasure, functioning like a spatial sleeve, and it held many items.

Xiao Chen stood before the tree for a moment to appreciate the scenery, then spent half a second considering where to go. Finally, he decided to just walk forward and see where the path took him, leaving it all to fate.

The pain from the poison over the past half-month had put him through hell. Now that he was free of it, as long as he didn’t dwell on what had happened with Rong Yuan, his mood was quite good. He would treat this as a trip to clear his mind; he could deal with the schemes and deceptions later.

As for the tribulation… as long as it wasn’t a “love tribulation,” it would be fine. A mysterious peach blossom had already bloomed, and he doubted any others would follow for now. Xiao Chen was confident he wouldn’t go looking for trouble in that department. For everything else, he would face it as it came; he would surely find a way to break the tribulation.

And so, Xiao Chen strolled leisurely toward the world of mortals, looking less like someone facing a trial and more like a noble son out for a scenic walk. About fifteen minutes after he left the ancient tree, a ripple appeared in the air before it. Another person stepped out from the tree. With a light step, he accurately followed the direction Xiao Chen had taken.

The dense leaves of the ancient tree rustled in the forest wind. The tree sought stillness, but the wind would not subside. When the wind finally stopped, the tree stood tall as before, and the forest returned to its silence, as if nothing had ever happened.

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