The Frost Beneath Her Veil - Chapter 26.2

The three mechanical animals looked at one another and replied in unison, “Yes.”

The snowy night sky was silent and high, filled with stars. The woman in snowy white robes closed the door of Linyue Residence, bringing the cold jade ice coffin inside.

Self-detonating the primordial spirit was the suggestion the wisp of demonic energy had whispered into Yin Jiuruo’s ear. Initially, she hadn’t wanted to believe it, fearing it was a trap.

But when she heard Fu Qing intended to erase her memories, an unspeakable sorrow flooded her heart. She was already a complete fool surrounded by false affection; now Fu Qing wanted to erase her memories just so she could act as if nothing had happened.

She might be stupid, but she refused to become a pathetic pawn whose very memories were a lie. Death was better; death was clean.

If you have ever truly loved someone, the hardest thing to witness isn’t them hurting you or leaving you, it’s them remaining completely indifferent regardless of what happens.

She once thought that if she was just a bit more obedient, a bit more well-behaved, and worked hard at her cultivation, she could stay by Fu Qing’s side forever. But now she saw that her obedience was merely foolishness, stupid enough to hand over her heart to be pierced and transfixed.

Fu Qing wanted her alive, wanted to erase her memories, and wanted her to continue being a carefree, ignorant fool. Fate had made her a wanderer and subjected her to every insult, but she was a human, not a dog. She had a dignity that could not be violated.

Yin Jiuruo would never allow Fu Qing to erase her memories with a clear conscience. Why should Fu Qing have peace of mind? This was the only “revenge” she could take absurd and lamentable as it was.

It appeared the demonic energy hadn’t lied to her; there truly were things in this world that even Fu Qing could not stop, especially when a person had resolved to die.

Yin Jiuruo closed her eyes peacefully, waiting for reincarnation. However, the next second, she heard aged voices calling “Little Highness, Little Highness.”

She snapped her eyes open. Her head spun, and she gradually saw three worried yet relieved old faces. Then, with a snap, her world quickly turned into a blur. Darkness and light fluctuated.

“Are you… King Yama or the Judge?” she struggled to sit up, but found herself weak and close to fainting again.

“Little Highness, do not move. Please do not move. We are indeed in the Underworld, the Reincarnation Prison of the Underworld, which governs the world’s emotional debts and matters of rebirth,” explained an old man wearing an eagle-head crown. “I am the Eagle King.”

Yin Jiuruo managed to sit up, but as far as she could see, there was only darkness. “I… I can’t see clearly.”

The three kings looked at the Little Highness’s soul state; her body, swirled with black mist, flickered weakly.

“Little Highness, your soul has suffered severe injuries; that is why you are temporarily blind. Fortunately, the Reincarnation Prison is rich in resources, and our Demon Realm’s foundations are deep. We will surely find a way to heal your eyes.”

“Am I about to be reincarnated then?” Yin Jiuruo opened her sightless eyes, her gaze unable to focus.

The old man named the Eagle King shook his head excitedly. “Little Highness, you are the Young Master of the Demon Realm. You have long transcended life and death; you do not enter the cycle of reincarnation. Though you are only a soul now, once your injuries are healed, you will naturally return to your true body, and your power will increase greatly.”

“Are you saying, I didn’t originally look like this?”

“Correct. That mortal body was merely a ‘tribulation body,’ only bearing a slight resemblance to your true appearance.”

Facing these three dark-looking, strangely dressed men in black robes, Yin Jiuruo showed a look of disbelief. The other two, claiming to be the Whale King and the Wolf King, hurriedly began to explain.

They said that a thousand years ago, the Demon Realm had suffered a crushing defeat in a war against invaders from another world. The previous Demon Sovereign had fallen, and the Young Master had gone missing. Now, the Demon Realm was weak and could only linger in the Reincarnation Prison, a place the God Realm could not govern.

“But you have returned, Little Highness. From now on, we will surely revitalize the Demon Realm.”

Seeing that Yin Jiuruo remained skeptical, the Eagle King spoke solemnly: “Little Highness, have you not been unable to cultivate since childhood? Was your spiritual aperture closed and shrouded in black mist?”

“Yes,” Yin Jiuruo leaned against the black rock wall, breathing deeply.

“That is because the cultivation methods of the Demon Race differ from other races. Furthermore, our entire bodies are treasures, easily coveted by various factions.”

“Moreover, the red markings on your face have been there since birth. Back then, the Demon Sovereign calculated your fate—you were destined to face a ‘Love Tribulation’ and return today in soul form.”

“Some years ago, we sent someone to search for you everywhere, but that person returned severely injured and is still recovering to this day.”

“Is her name Gouyu? She didn’t die?” Yin Jiuruo’s eyes brightened.

“Indeed. We of the Demon Race do not die easily. Besides, she said the person she faced back then showed mercy, blocking seventy percent of the power from the Canglan Sect elders’ array for her. She is currently recuperating in our Demon Realm.”

Hearing this, Yin Jiuruo believed about eighty percent of it, given her current state of being neither alive nor dead and the greed those people had shown for her blood. She truly might be the “Demon” they spoke of.

However, she wondered how she could be sure this wasn’t just another deception that even death couldn’t stop.

“What does the demonic energy of the Outer Lands have to do with the Demon Race?”

“That is a long story. It has a slight connection to us, but that energy is also something we strive to resist.”

As for the Love Tribulation, Yin Jiuruo gave a cold laugh. “A Love Tribulation?”

To undergo a trial of love, only to… become a demon?

Seeing Yin Jiuruo’s unstable state of mind, the Eagle King hurriedly comforted her: “Little Highness, that was merely your tribulation. A calamity that cannot be avoided, only faced. Please, do not take it to heart anymore.”

The Wolf King, being more steady, lit a Soul-Sustaining Lamp for Yin Jiuruo before saying seriously: “Little Highness, you have suffered to the extreme. Your soul scattered and you attained demonhood on the spot. From now on, your achievements will surely be great. There is no need to be tethered to the past.”

No need to be tethered to the past. It was easy to say. Yin Jiuruo lay down with a bitter smile, listening to the sounds outside this place called the Reincarnation Prison. It seemed very, very quiet—so quiet there was nothing at all. She lay weakly in the eternal darkness, not knowing what she was waiting for. There was a hollow void in her blind eyes.

It was so hollow that she could only hear herself asking over and over: “Why? Why lie?”

If she didn’t think of the past, what should she think about? Was there anything else to think about? Yin Jiuruo painfully realized that her life was a vast expanse of blankness, and the only spot of color was filled and occupied by the word “Deception.” Like a monstrous demon baring its fangs and claws.

The Three Kings watched her frail and injured state. They exchanged glances and sighed deeply in their hearts. They knew that undergoing a tribulation was never a good thing. Though one could achieve enlightenment and cultivation through the emotions experienced, the heart remained scarred.

“Little Highness, our Demon Realm currently governs reincarnation and the world’s emotional debts.”

“Emotional debts?” Yin Jiuruo felt dizzy, but she forced herself to converse to distract her troubled thoughts.

“Yes. We have a duplicate of the Marriage Register; we can check the marriages of people in the mortal world.”

“Can it be modified?”

The Three Kings looked at each other and asked tentatively: “Little Highness, who exactly was it that hurt you? Though the Demon Realm has fallen to this state, we still have enough strength to teach one or two people a lesson.”

Yin Jiuruo, who had been lethargic, felt the gloom dissipate slightly upon hearing such protective words. At least she knew what she was now; perhaps it was a good start.

“Little Highness, tell us. We were masters of fighting back in the day. We are just keeping a low profile now, which makes us look a bit weak.” The kings rolled up their sleeves, eager to act.

“No need. I don’t want anything to do with her ever again.” Yin Jiuruo pressed her throbbing head, her brow furrowed, her smile melancholy.

To have her spirit and form extinguished right in front of Fu Qing, yet survive—from now on, the world would be vast, and they would never meet again. It could be counted as having deceived Fu Qing once.

The Three Kings all showed suspicious expressions. The fact that the Little Highness had returned in soul form was already absurd enough. How could she be bullied and not strike back? Their Demon Race was not so easily pushed around.

“Little Highness, marriages can indeed be modified, but a price must be paid.”

“What price?” Yin Jiuruo laughed softly. Now that she was alone, what did she have left to fear losing?

The Wolf King shook his head: “Little Highness, the will of Heaven is unknowable. What the price is, and when it will arrive, cannot be predicted.”

Hearing this, Yin Jiuruo smiled freely. “Give me the Marriage Register. I want to strike that person’s name out.”

“Yes.” The Wolf King reached out, and after a flash of light, a thin volume appeared. He handed it respectfully to Yin Jiuruo.

The volume felt warm in her hand, seemingly sensing the information of the person touching it. it automatically flipped to the page belonging to Yin Jiuruo. The Three Kings leaned in to look. They saw black ink soaked through the paper:

【Yin Jiuruo Fu Qing Fate】

Beside it was a pale green Linked Branch, but the branch was weak and appeared as if it might collapse at any moment.

“Little Highness, you originally had no fate with this person. This Linked Branch was forcibly connected. Strange, truly strange,” the Wolf King remarked repeatedly. “The person who connected your two fates possesses divine power that reaches the heavens, reversing cause and effect. But it only requires…”

He guided Yin Jiuruo to use her finger as a pen, lightly drawing a line through the Linked Branch. The green branch snapped instantly, its vitality vanishing as it turned withered and dead.

The word “Fate” on the register changed to “Fate Ended.”

Yin Jiuruo watched the change quietly. Her slightly solidified soul form felt a flicker of gratification. Because cutting the bond consumed a massive amount of spiritual energy, her vision blurred again, and she could only fall into a deep sleep.

“Little Highness, please rest in peace. In some time, we will return to the Demon Realm to plan further.”

Over those days, the demonic energy had been purged, and the Outer Lands could not invade for the time being. The entire cultivation world was immersed in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere; everyone was joyful.

On Hexue Peak, the world remained frozen under vast snow. The plum blossom forest was at its peak, yet the parasol trees beside Linyue Residence showed signs of withering.

“Young Master Shen, what business brings you to Hexue Peak?” The crane boy was sweeping snow when he saw Shen Cangli standing outside the barrier on her sword.

Shen Cangli was dressed in grand attire today, her face like white jade—heroic and beautiful. “Crane boy, I am here to discuss our wedding with Changfan.”

“Wedding?” The crane boy muttered to himself, remembering such a thing existed, arranged by the Sovereign’s master. “Young Master Shen, but my Sovereign is currently in secluded cultivation and cannot be disturbed…”

Hearing this, Shen Cangli immediately frowned. “Crane boy, given my relationship with Changfan, I don’t think ‘disturbing’ is the right word. She and I have known each other since childhood; our bond is deep, more than anyone else could compare to.”

“Is that so?” The crane boy scratched his head with his wing, torn between his orders and her words. The Sovereign had said not to let anyone disturb her, but the Young Master said this… The crane grew so troubled it almost plucked out its mechanical feathers.

Just then, the wooden door of Linyue Residence opened. A piercing cold wind blew in, and the snow on the eaves seemed to shimmer with a cold, ice-blue light.

Fu Qing’s hair was unbound, three thousand silken strands fluttering in the wind. Her snowy white robes were unusually wrinkled. Her eyes were clear but empty, a void of nothingness as she walked out with singular focus.

“Chang… Changfan,” Shen Cangli’s high-spirited air vanished. She was startled by Fu Qing’s appearance. The woman still looked detached and holy, but she seemed to have lost her soul. She had never seen Changfan like this; even when they were in mortal peril during their youthful training, Changfan had always been the image of majestic, calm solemnity.

Fu Qing did not respond. She simply walked slowly and steadily through the snow. Shen Cangli was forced to call out again: “Changfan, it is I, Cangli. Wait for me.”

Finally, Fu Qing noticed her. The Chishuang Sword arrived at her call, hovering steadily outside the cliff. The woman seemed about to leave on the sword. She turned back and asked coldly:

“What is your business?”

Her fingers were constantly stroking the emerald Double Fish jade pendant. She was lost in thought; not a single word or flower from the outside world could garner half of her attention.

Shen Cangli caught up a few steps, maintaining a two-person distance from Fu Qing. She spoke carefully: “Changfan, my parents urged me to come and ask you today. Now that the demonic energy is gone and the world is at peace, shall we set our wedding for three months from now?”

“Though we are cultivators, since we live in the mortal world for a day, we should follow the mortal customs. The betrothal gifts and documents are all ready. I will also send two spiritual geese over.”

“Furthermore, my family has already sent invitations to the major sects, inviting them to our wedding. You won’t be angry that I didn’t consult you again, will you, Changfan?”

Shen Cangli stood in the snow-covered courtyard, rambling to herself for a long time. When she looked up, she found Fu Qing had already departed on her sword, leaving behind only an ambiguous, “As you wish.”

“Perhaps Changfan has some urgent matter,” Shen Cangli thought for a while and decided to treat it as though Fu Qing had agreed to the marriage. After all, they had known each other for so long; it was impossible for Changfan to refuse.

A dozen days passed in the Reincarnation Prison. Under the nourishment of the Demon Race’s spiritual power, Yin Jiuruo was barely able to walk. Her eyes had not fully recovered, and her vision was blurry, but she could at least walk on her own.

The Three Kings watched the pale, beautiful, and melancholy Little Highness, frequently wiping away tears with mixed emotions.

“You call me Little Highness? Then… I should have siblings?” Yin Jiuruo took two steps and turned pale, clutching her heart. Even in soul form, the wound caused by a divine artifact like the Chishuang Sword was long-lasting, the pain not diminishing in the slightest.

“You originally had a sister and two brothers, but… they all died in battle a thousand years ago. You are now the only sprout of the Demon Realm.”

“So, are there only the four of us in the Demon Realm now?”

“Well, you can’t say that,” the Kings said bashfully, hesitating. “Actually, there are many minor demons and spirits, but they are too young and their cultivation is low.”

The Wolf King explained in a deep voice: “That is why our entire Demon Race rests and recovers in the Reincarnation Prison. This place governs the reincarnation of souls who died unjustly. Here, we can absorb pure emotions and transform them for our own use.”

“Pure emotions?” Yin Jiuruo’s eyes sharpened, and she emitted a low, cold aura. She remembered the activation method of that ancient array, it required the heart’s blood of one in despair.

“Exactly. We of the Demon Race cultivate by experiencing the deepest human emotions; many of our people possess high cultivation. Once your injuries are healed and you begin cultivating, your progress will be extraordinary.”

“I was so happy you returned that I forgot my duty at the Reincarnation Prison,” the Eagle King straightened his crown and prepared to leave reluctantly.

Suddenly, a minor demon holding a spear ran into the hall in a panic, shouting that things were bad.

“The Daoist Sovereign Changfan of the Canglan Sect has ignored all protocols and forced her way in!”

“Daoist Sovereign Changfan?” The Three Kings thought for a moment and finally remembered who this was. They couldn’t help but gasp. They couldn’t afford to provoke her. “Fu Qing? Her cultivation has reached the Great Perfection; she’s about to ascend to Godhood. What is she doing in the Reincarnation Prison?”

The minor demon glanced at Yin Jiuruo and answered tremblingly:

“The Daoist Sovereign Changfan said she is here to find her Dao companion.”

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