The Frost Beneath Her Veil - Chapter 26.1

The scorching sunlight rose from the horizon, causing the drifting soul to dissipate completely. Occasionally, white parasol flowers drifted past Fu Qing, beautiful as a veil of silk.

Fu Qing knelt, holding the lifeless form of Yin Jiuruo. The body was shattered and broken; the azure robes had long been dyed red by blood, losing all traces of their former vividness and spirit.

The surrounding scenery became ethereal. A void opened in her chest, accompanied by a feeling as if a lifetime had passed. She became weak, seized by a sudden terror, unable to believe that even with her cultivation having glimpsed the Heavenly Dao there were still moments where she was powerless.

Fu Qing’s ink-black hair trailed down. A breeze brushed over the cliffside, her silhouette graceful. For the first time in a thousand years, her heart, which had been as still as an ancient well, felt a slight ripple.

She was angry that things had spiraled out of her control.

This scene had happened too fast. The people of the immortal sects were still immersed in the joy of protecting the world, saving the masses, and sealing the heavily wounded demonic energy. They laid down their weapons, embracing and cheering. The sound of clashing metal was more like the festive firecrackers of a mortal New Year.

“This wretch actually self-detonated. Now that her soul is extinguished, her blood has lost its value. What a waste.”

“Indeed. Who would have thought this creature, who always placed Changfan above all else, would dare to disobey her words?”

Shen Cangli observed Fu Qing surreptitiously. She found that in just a brief moment, the woman had returned to her state of detached indifference and cold seclusion. It seemed Yin Jiuruo’s death had no impact on Fu Qing. She finally felt relieved; for a second earlier, she had thought… she had thought Changfan wanted to chase after that wretch’s soul.

It was an illusion, all an illusion. A filthy, lowly creature could not possibly occupy the mind of the ethereal Daoist Sovereign Changfan.

“Venerable One, the demonic energy is purged. We still need you to go to the Outer Lands to reinforce the seal, to calm the people’s hearts and ensure everything is foolproof.”

However, amidst the cheers of thousands, the woman remained in her posture of holding Yin Jiuruo’s remains. Her body was covered in blood, her face devoid of both joy and sorrow. She leaned down to kiss Yin Jiuruo’s lifeless lips, murmuring something under her breath.

The Sect Leader watched this scene in astonishment. Such a tender kiss—it was like a young girl on a deserted street on a cold winter night, using the tip of her nose to touch her beloved kitten.

“Venerable One, are you alright? You won’t be contaminated by the creature’s blood, will you? Do you feel any discomfort?”

The Sect Leader felt uncertain. Their understanding of Yin Jiuruo was limited to the methods provided by the Sovereign. The blood of a “wretch” after being baptized by the five extreme emotions was the purest and most lethal substance in the world, capable of suppressing demonic energy. As for how the Sovereign knew of the creature’s utility, they never dared to ask. They only wondered privately if the Sovereign was a great being from the upper realms who had descended to slay demons, given her unshakable Daoist heart.

Seeing this, Shen Cangli stepped forward with dissatisfaction. Looking at the wooden expression on Fu Qing’s face, she spoke after a long silence:

“Changfan, set your heart at ease. The demonic energy is gone. While it is a waste that this creature’s blood was lost, it is the will of Heaven. Do not trouble your spirit over it.”

After another long while, Fu Qing’s eyes finally regained their luster. She gently released Yin Jiuruo’s body, letting the girl lie in the cold snow. She allowed the accumulating snow to cover the blood, the two conflicting colors of red and white seeping into one another, inexplicably bringing to mind the blooming brocade forests of Hexue Peak.

She stood up and straightened her robes, her slender phoenix eyes sweeping over those present.

“It is a pity,” she said softly, like a sigh.

Her voice was very light, as if she were lamenting the damage of a fine weapon, the wilting of a sea of flowers, or the departure of a flock of wild geese. But it was of no consequence. Weapons can be reforged, water cycles endlessly, fallen flowers will bloom again, and geese always fly back.

It was no big deal.

The Sect Leader withdrew his divine powers and artifacts. Standing beside Fu Qing, he frowned at Yin Jiuruo’s silent body and asked seriously once more:

“Is the Venerable One injured? This creature did not hesitate to self-detonate to escape; perhaps it was an attempt to use her soul’s power to harm you.”

“This Sovereign is not injured,” Fu Qing’s voice was slightly strained. “Xiao Jiu would not hurt me.”

“That is good. But to be safe, please go to the Herbal Hall to have a healer examine you.”

“No need. It is unnecessary.” Fu Qing stared fixedly at the frozen smile on Yin Jiuruo’s face—a smile that was radiant, free, and cruel. It was the cruelty of despair—despair over deception, and cruelty toward oneself.

At this thought, Fu Qing’s body trembled slightly. A strange feeling arose from deep within her heart, which she had to suppress with all her might to maintain her current balance. Perhaps she was indeed injured—a hidden wound she herself was unaware of. After all, the power of the demonic energy was great, and having resisted it alone for so long, it was only natural to be hurt.

The Sect Leader glanced at Yin Jiuruo with utter disdain, then beckoned Feng Qi over, saying sternly:

“Go count the number of injured disciples in our sect. Provide medicine and lodging for the allied sects, and have the outer disciples come to clean up.”

Feng Qi’s face was ashen. She stood there like a wooden puppet, suddenly unsure of what all this was for. She hadn’t yet recovered from the fact that Yin Jiuruo was dead and Chong You was heavily injured and unconscious. It took her a long time to answer with a dull “Yes.”

“Pull yourself together. Think of the common people,” the Sect Leader encouraged her gently. “Learn from the Sovereign to be free of attachments. To achieve certain goals, something must always be sacrificed. It is the cycle of cause and effect. Do not let yourself be trapped by emotion.”

“Is that so? Is the Sovereign truly free of attachment?” Feng Qi thought of the kiss Fu Qing had given Jiuruo just now. She wondered how someone free of attachment could do such a thing.

She looked up and saw Fu Qing standing beside Yin Jiuruo, her expression normal. The brilliant golden light on the horizon made the woman look even more noble and sacred.

“Venerable One, after years of lurking, Feng Qi has not failed her mission. Now that the task is complete, I hope the Venerable One keeps her promise and fulfills my heart’s desire.”

Hearing Feng Qi’s voice, Fu Qing finally looked away from Yin Jiuruo. Her gaze was very cold, like stagnant water that hadn’t moved in a long time. “This Sovereign will keep her word. The reincarnation of your clansmen will surely be peaceful and smooth.”

After finishing the formalities with the other sect leaders, the Sect Leader walked over again. He glanced at the unconscious Chong You, his face full of disappointment. He commanded Feng Qi loudly:

“Take your senior sister back. As a disciple of an immortal sect, she actually softened toward a wretch. She must be severely punished.”

Shen Cangli paced around, fanning herself with a bone fan, and nodded. “The Sect Leader is right. If Feng Qi hadn’t blocked Chong You, this creature might have been saved, and Changfan’s thousand-year plan would have been ruined.”

Hearing this, Feng Qi hurriedly knelt. “Master, Eldest Senior Sister simply didn’t know the whole truth. As they say, ignorance is not a crime. I believe a punishment of one month of secluded reflection is appropriate.”

The Sect Leader glanced at Fu Qing, whose robes were fluttering by the cliffside, and sighed. “You and your senior sister certainly share a deep bond. Fine, since you plead for her, she shall be punished with one month of reflection. But her recovery comes first; the punishment can be delayed.”

“Thank you, Master.” Despite her joy, Feng Qi’s heart was still in pain. “Master, I wish to erect a monument for Jiuruo and let her rest in peace in the earth. I beg Master for this grace.”

“Feng Qi, you are far too sentimental,” the Sect Leader said with a look of incomprehension, his voice unable to hide his disappointment. “On the path of cultivation, one must prioritize universal love over petty emotions. If you are so attached to appearances, your cultivation will never progress. The Sovereign is emotionless and without desire, undisturbed by external things and untrapped by feelings—she is the model for our sect. Why can’t you learn from her?”

“I beg Master to grant this. I shared several years of friendship with Jiuruo; I feel I have failed her and cannot bear it.” Feng Qi kowtowed heavily.

“Fine, fine. This creature was the Sovereign’s disciple; go ask for the Sovereign’s opinion.”

“Yes. I thank Master.” Feng Qi stood up, bypassed the crowd, and walked toward the cliffside where Fu Qing stood.

On the snowy cliff, the water was soft and the mountains were warm. Clouds and mist drifted by. Fu Qing stood with her hands behind her back, her eyes slightly closed. The sunlight on her robes had dimmed, and her jade-like fingers seemed to be repeatedly stroking something.

Feng Qi looked closely; it was the emerald Double Fish jade pendant. But the jade was stained with blood—blood that seemed to have soaked deep inside, impossible to wash away. It possessed a bloody, cruel beauty. She was dazed, vaguely remembering having seen this pendant somewhere before, but she couldn’t recall it immediately.

While Feng Qi was lost in thought, Fu Qing opened her eyes. Her voice was majestic and cold. “What is it?”

“Venerable One,” Feng Qi bowed. “Jiuruo and I were once like sisters. Now… she has died tragically. I cannot bear for her to have nowhere to belong. I wish to take her back to Peach Blossom Town for burial. I hope the Venerable One will permit it.”

“Why take Xiao Jiu back to Peach Blossom Town?”

Feng Qi found Fu Qing’s expression strange, so she explained in detail: “Jiuruo and I met in Peach Blossom Town. The people there are simple. Our mutual friend, Suige, might return there; we can then pay our respects to Jiuruo together.”

Seeing Fu Qing remain silent, she quickly added, “Given Suige’s feelings for Jiuruo, if she knew she was dead, she would surely visit her every year. Jiuruo would not be lonely in the afterlife.”

“Not be lonely?” Fu Qing looked down and gave a short laugh, though she didn’t know why.

“If there is anyone left in this world who truly grieves for Jiuruo, aside from Senior Sister Chong You, it is likely Suige. She will burn paper and see her off. I hope the Venerable One will show Jiuruo this final mercy.”

“Suige?”

“Yes. She was always sincere toward Jiuruo—unlike… us.”

The fingers Fu Qing used to stroke the jade pendant suddenly clenched tight, and her breathing grew ragged. She remained silent for a long time. “Sincere… she was sincere to Xiao Jiu… how would you know?”

Feng Qi found that Fu Qing’s expression had become very strange—angry and confused, as if she were forcibly suppressing something.

“I do not dare to make a final judgment. But in any case, no one in this world could have treated Jiuruo worse than we did.”

Parasol petals drifted from afar like a sudden snowfall, a memorial to a life that had passed like frost. Fu Qing lowered her eyelashes. After another long while, she said with difficulty:

“This Sovereign permits it.”

“Thank you, Venerable One. If Jiuruo knew, she would be grateful to you,” Feng Qi gave a bitter smile.

“She won’t,” Fu Qing said softly.

“Venerable One, Jiuruo was a person so pure she was almost foolish. She will forget the pain and live well,” Feng Qi bowed again, preparing to leave.

“Are you saying Xiao Jiu will forget this Sovereign?”

Just after taking two steps, Feng Qi heard Fu Qing’s voice, which was slightly trembling. But when she turned around, she saw only a woman with a steady mind and a detached expression. It was as if it had only been an illusion.

“Yes, but the person is gone; there’s no need to speak of it further.” Feng Qi gave a bitter smile. They were all sinners. Given Jiuruo’s nature—resolute yet soft-hearted—she would most likely choose to forget.

Because she was resolute, she would never forgive. Yet because she was soft-hearted, she would never find the resolve for revenge.

Jiuruo was such a foolish person; no wonder she was so easily deceived. Deceived by a group of disgusting, filthy people like them.

Feng Qi quickly suppressed the tears in her eyes and instructed several disciples who had once been close to Yin Jiuruo to guard her. She would first take Chong You to the Herbal Hall for treatment before returning to take Yin Jiuruo away.

By the time she settled Chong You and returned, the dried black blood within the great array had already been cleared. Clean snow covered the earth; everything looked as if it had never happened.

When the fellow disciples saw Feng Qi return, they said nothing, stepping aside with exhausted faces.

Before long, only Feng Qi and Yin Jiuruo remained outside the Abandoned Firmament Hall. Snow had piled up over half of the girl’s body, and her silken long hair had turned snow-white from the frost. Feng Qi brought over a basin of warm water, intending to wipe the bloodstains from Yin Jiuruo’s face. But just as she wrung out the cloth, a pair of soft, cloud-white robes appeared in her field of vision.

“Venerable One? I thought you had returned to Hexue Peak to meditate after sealing the demonic rift.” Feng Qi was stunned. Looking at the silence around them, she almost thought she was hallucinating. “Do you have further instructions?”

“This Sovereign is taking Xiao Jiu back to Hexue Peak.”

Feng Qi was confused and asked cautiously, “Does the Venerable One wish to bury Jiuruo personally and erect a monument for her?”

Fu Qing did not answer. Her profile was cold and noble. With a gentle flick of her sleeve, she summoned a Cold Jade Ice Coffin.

The coffin was covered in frost, its radiance inward and subtle. It appeared to be crafted from the divine relic Cold Jade Ice Soul, capable of preserving a body from decay, keeping it lifelike for ten million years.

“Venerable One, what is the meaning of this?”

“Ask no more.” Fu Qing carried Yin Jiuruo away within the ice coffin. Amidst the vast wind and snow, her receding figure was distant and unreachable.

Left alone, Feng Qi’s expression turned dark and unreadable. She didn’t know what Fu Qing intended to do, but she figured no further harm could come to Jiuruo. What harm could a dead person suffer?

At this thought, a certain possibility flashed through Feng Qi’s mind, but she quickly shook her head, thinking she was overthinking it.

On Hexue Peak, the world was frozen for thousands of miles. The red plums, nourished by spiritual energy, remained in bloom year-round amidst the fluffy snow.

The crane boy and the other mechanical animals stood outside the snowy forest. Seeing Yin Jiuruo in the ice coffin, they all lowered their eyes.

By logic, they were merely inanimate objects created by mechanical arts, possessing only a sliver of intelligence granted by Fu Qing’s powers. They shouldn’t have any emotions or thoughts. Yet, at this moment, their spirits were unexpectedly low.

The person they called “Little Master” was now sleeping eternally in an ice coffin. It felt like only yesterday when she arrived at Hexue Peak—a frail, pale girl whose gaze always followed the Sovereign, her pure black eyes flickering with a melancholy light.

“Venerable One, shall we place the Little Master’s coffin in the Spirit-Algae Cave for preservation?”

After a long silence, the crane boy stepped forward to ask on behalf of the group.

The woman’s indifferent phoenix eyes were like ancient mirrors that had lost their luster, reflecting only a void.

“No need. This Sovereign will stay with Xiao Jiu in Linyue Residence.”

“But, the Little Master is already…” the mechanical black bear’s voice rumbled, but he stopped after catching Fu Qing’s icy glare.

“There are no ‘buts’.” The woman gazed at the person in the ice coffin. Her mind throbbed with waves of pain. For some reason, she felt instinctively that Yin Jiuruo belonged with her. No matter the time or place, this person should belong to her, accompanying her by her side.

It felt as though it were meant to be.

“Venerable One, what is wrong?” The crane boy felt Fu Qing’s state was strange; a faint, nearly imperceptible aura of hostility swirled around her.

“This Sovereign shall enter seclusion for three months. Activate all the barriers of Hexue Peak. No outsiders are to disturb me.”

Support The Frost Beneath Her Veil