Chapter Five: The Reason for Defying Heaven

Ming Kong slowly closed his eyes, a pained expression crossing his face.

“All the causes and effects in this mortal realm have already come to an end, yet for your selfish desires, you have forced it all to begin anew. You...”

“Yes, it’s all over,” Shen Ningshuang interrupted, “but I am unwilling to accept it. How can I let him remain forever lost in the mortal world? I will help him, with a mortal body, to overcome countless dangers and ascend to divinity!”

Ming Kong’s voice suddenly sharpened:

“Do you realize that this mortal realm originally had no immortals? By planting the immortal root here, corresponding demons, monsters, and spirits will inevitably appear. No one can predict what will happen next in this world. If something beyond limits arises, uncontrollable by mortal means, this realm will collapse, and countless lives will perish. How will you bear such responsibility?”

Shen Ningshuang looked indifferent. “Bear responsibility? At worst, we burn together. The decision is made. There is no turning back.”

Ming Kong slowly opened his eyes, filled with compassion and helplessness. “Miss Shen, what fault have the people committed to deserve endless calamity because of your selfish desires?”

A flicker of emotion flashed in Shen Ningshuang’s eyes, but it vanished quickly, replaced by cold hardness. She sneered.

“Innocent? When has this world ever been truly fair? We are but pawns cruelly manipulated by fate, struggling and suffering through countless reincarnations. In every life, all we seek is to be together, to grow old hand in hand, yet we are always obstructed by so-called heavenly laws and rules. If the people are innocent, then does that make me guilty?”

With that, she clenched her fists, her body trembling slightly as the painfully etched memories surged like a tide.

Scenes flashed before her eyes like a revolving lantern: separated by life and death amidst raging war, their hands almost touching but never meeting; on a cold, rainy night, his body struck by heavenly thunder, dissipating with a reluctant gaze filled with attachment; or in the imperial court, caught in political strife, he became a prisoner, tortured mercilessly, while she was powerless to save him...

Each and every one tore at her heart.

If both he and she could live as mortals, experiencing the passage of years, the cycle of seasons, living and dying amidst the mundane world, accompanying each other through reincarnation, how could she have been driven to such desperation, her hands stained with the “sins” of defying the heavens?

Alas, she was not mortal. She was an udumbara flower, blooming only before the Buddha.

She should have quietly guarded the years, untouched by the mortal world, listening to the sacred chants, comprehending the mysteries of Zen.

But she was born with a burning heart full of passion and desires, enamored with mortal love, and thus stepped into this endless cycle of ruin.

Every time the cycle ended, an invisible force pulled her back to her true form, and without hesitation, she would embark again on the path of reincarnation to reunite with her beloved.

But such defiance of the heavenly way could not escape the watchful eyes of the gods. The high gods condemned her for her attachment to the mortal world and her meddling with fate, demanding severe punishment without mercy.

It was then that one of her sisters whispered a secret: by sacrificing half of her true self, she could reincarnate her previous life anew, guiding her destined partner early onto the path of cultivation. If he truly ascended to godhood, all problems would be solved.

Hope was rekindled.

So many years, so much blood and tears, so many thorns endured, all for this one chance. Turn back? Impossible.

She cast one last, complex look at Ming Kong.

“Master Ming Kong, you are compassionate, caring for all living beings, while I am trapped in this chaotic mortal world, entangled by worldly matters, my heart and eyes filled with personal grievances. We are destined to walk different paths, but I still hope that in the future, we will not stand as enemies forced to draw swords against each other.”

With that, she left, leaving behind a faint trace of melancholy that lingered long after she was gone.

On the carriage ride back to the manor, Shen Muyun clearly sensed Shen Ningshuang’s sour mood.

“Sis, what’s wrong? Today didn’t go well, but there will be other chances.”

Shen Ningshuang seemed not to hear, clearly unwilling to discuss these troubling matters.

After a long silence, she finally spoke: “Is Father at the manor now? Once we return, I suppose he’ll trouble us over Shen Wan and the Crown Prince.”

Hearing this, Shen Muyun’s face flushed with indignation. “What’s there to fear? You’re the victim here. How can he judge without hearing both sides?”

“Even so, do you think with his temper he will stand up for me?”

Shen Muyun’s lofty resolve seemed drenched by cold water; she sighed helplessly.

“Don’t worry. Even if he’s displeased, he’ll only reprimand a little. He won’t make things too difficult for you.”

When they returned, they found Shen Fengmo was not present at the manor. Given the black-clad men incident in the capital today, he was probably summoned for a council.

Late that night, the quiet was suddenly shattered by a small figure dashing out from Shen Ningshuang’s courtyard, heading straight for the Jade Blossom Pavilion.

The Jade Blossom Pavilion was the foremost jewelry shop in the Ningyuan Kingdom and the largest auction house.

Yet beneath its glittering facade lay secrets unknown to most.

Shen Ningshuang entered the pavilion. The shopkeeper immediately greeted her respectfully, “Mistress.”

She nodded slightly and softly asked, “Where is Shadow Mourning?”

The shopkeeper hurriedly replied, “Waiting upstairs, Mistress.”

Shen Ningshuang nodded and gracefully ascended to the second floor.

A woman greeted her with a respectful bow.

Had the people from the Shuiyun Pavilion been here today, they would have been surprised to see that this woman was the same mysterious figure who brandished a whip with heroic poise earlier that day.

“How is the investigation?” Shen Ningshuang asked bluntly.

Shadow Mourning frowned, her expression grave as ink. She replied solemnly:

“These black-clad men are all death warriors, leaving no marks on their bodies. Their targets were precise, their actions coordinated. This attack must have been planned for a long time.

Moreover, to carry out such a large-scale assault within the imperial city, the mastermind behind this is undoubtedly unfathomable. So far, we have no results.”

Shen Ningshuang pondered before speaking: “It’s certain the mastermind is deep and inscrutable, but I don’t understand why they would risk so much to attack the Shuiyun Pavilion.”

“The Shuiyun Pavilion was filled with scions of noble families that day. Perhaps some have already become thorns in the sides of certain factions, and this was an attempt to eliminate them.”

“That still doesn’t justify such a large-scale operation. Has the area around Shuiyun Pavilion been thoroughly investigated?”

“Yes, but no obvious anomalies were found. In my opinion, these black-clad men are highly trained, resolute fighters, backed by a well-organized group and formidable power. We must not take this lightly.”

Shen Ningshuang bit her lip gently; her cherry-like lips pale slightly as a trace of worry flickered in her eyes.

“Right, you’re correct. Increase the investigation efforts, starting with the weapons and fighting styles of these black-clad men. See if we can trace their origins.”

Shadow Mourning nodded in acknowledgment. “Yes, Mistress. I will arrange it immediately.”

“This matter is grave and will affect the entire imperial city’s situation. I have a strong premonition that this is only the beginning; greater conspiracies may lie ahead.”

Shadow Mourning took her orders and departed.