Chapter 116: Tit for Tat

The great war had just ended, and the situation had yet to fully stabilize. Fearing a counterattack from the Netherworld, I instructed Chunfeng to remain on the island to care for Shanhe and Little White. In case any news of Keke reached the island, it would be easier to notify them. As for me, I returned to the Western Sea.

First, I visited Worryless Valley. Because of my changed appearance, I was almost mistaken for a spy by Jiang Ye. He was in the midst of fervently recruiting prisoners of war. Remarkably, he was personally directing a grand play with the Netherworld’s shadow soldiers. The play was an adaptation of his illusory experience in the Dreamlike Order, enriched with touching scenes. After each performance, the shadow soldiers would weep and pledge never to commit evil again.

“Jiang Ye, you’re quite the talent,” I said to him.

“Of course! That plate of peaches you gave saved a capable man,” Jiang Ye said proudly.

“Indeed! If you hadn’t been the first to inform me about the Blood Moon’s appearance in the Netherworld, perhaps the Netherworld would have succeeded,” I replied.

“Did I? These past few days felt like a dream,” Jiang Ye said confusedly.

“No?” I asked.

“No, I think not. I’ve been a bit dizzy from all the rehearsals,” Jiang Ye admitted, bewildered.

Clearly, he was the one who sent me the message. If it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t have believed it myself. Yet he seemed to have forgotten.

I drew Keke’s likeness and Jiang Ye instructed his men to have the shadow soldiers take a look—none had seen her before. Anxious about her, Jiang Ye received a secret message from Senior Brother Eleven. It said that Master had ordered the military command of Tian Sheng to be revoked for violating orders and that Tian Sheng was to be escorted to the Celestial Palace. Jiang Ye was summoned to join the delegation pleading for leniency.

“Why would Master do this?” I wondered in my heart.

Jiang Ye and I hurried to the central military tent, where generals knelt both inside and outside.

“Auntie, you’re here! I was just about to notify you. Please represent Master to plead for Tian Sheng—he’s been treated unfairly,” Senior Brother Eleven said.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“Master says Tian Sheng privately redeployed celestial troops, formed factions with the True God Dayin, disobeyed the emperor’s orders, failed to arrange the promised hundred thousand celestial soldiers to guard the Celestial Palace, and delayed prisoner processing… the list goes on,” he explained.

“Just the other day, they were talking about posthumously honoring Dayin, and now suddenly it’s factionalism…” I thought.

I entered the tent and saw Master sitting solemnly in the center, with Lu Xue seated beside him. Master glanced at me coldly.

“Master, please revoke the order!” “High Deity, please reconsider!” the crowd urged.

I thought to myself, Master was strict in his military discipline, and unaware that Tiande had betrayed the Celestial City and framed both him and me. If the punishment strictly followed military law, it was justifiable. This matter required patience and persuasion.

“Yunxiao, the war is urgent. Orders from the sovereign may not be followed blindly. Although Tian Sheng disobeyed orders, he hasn’t lost the trust of the troops. He swiftly deployed forces to resist the Netherworld’s million-strong army. Even if it’s not meritorious, his military command cannot be revoked as punishment,” I said firmly.

“You’re not one of our ranks. How dare you meddle in military affairs? Leave immediately!” Master said.

I was stunned for a moment, then replied, “In the mortal realm, when the nation is in peril, every man has a responsibility. How much more so when it’s a conflict between the heavens and earth involving countless lives? I am the wife of the High Deity; if I am not allowed in the army, how can the fiancée be allowed? How can she sit, participate, or intervene?”

Senior Brother Eleven secretly gave me a thumbs-up.

“Han Qing has already been granted a military position. Don’t insult her with insinuations. Han Qing, order this peasant woman out!” Lu Xue said.

“Lu Xue has received a military position. Your husband oversees farming seasons. You, an ignorant peasant woman, should not cause trouble in the army. Return to your Hundred Flowers Island to tend to your family,” Master said.

I had no words. He had become so unreasonable and aggressive. Tears welled up in my eyes but were stopped by the mask on my face, flowing back into my heart.

“Who said she has no military position?” a crisp voice rang from outside.

“She is the commander of the Five Hills and Seven Marshes Allied Army!” Princess Changyang strode in like the wind, handing me a grand order. “What is your name?”

“Bai Fei,” I replied.

“In the name of the Five Hills and Seven Marshes authority, I appoint Bai Fei as the chief commander of the allied forces!” Princess Changyang decisively granted me military power.

Senior Brother Eleven looked at Princess Changyang with admiration.

“You are acting recklessly!” Lu Xue snapped.

“Who did you say was acting recklessly?” Princess Changyang’s gaze was like a sword aimed at Lu Xue.

Lu Xue shrank back beside Master in fright.

“Han Qing… she frightened Xue’er…” Lu Xue trembled as she coquettishly spoke to Master.

“Don’t be afraid. I am here,” Master said gently.

“Say what you want! I refuse to be silenced!” Princess Changyang said to me.

“All the celestial heroes admire the righteous spirit of Chongming God and are willing to sacrifice their lives to follow him. If Tian Sheng is wrongfully condemned, Tian Sheng’s heart will freeze, the soldiers’ hearts will freeze, Yu Fei who leapt the Heavenly River will freeze, the Seventh Princess who died in the Netherworld will freeze, and even Dayin God, who has followed the High Deity for five centuries, will freeze! When heaven’s heart freezes, all living beings suffer!” I said.

“Master, Auntie speaks reason!” “High Deity, the commander speaks sense!” the crowd agreed.

“Lu Xue, did you hear that? That ‘peasant woman’ you mock is more knowledgeable than you! Have you been asleep for forty thousand years?” Princess Changyang glared.

“Han Qing said I’m foolish…” Lu Xue complained aggrievedly.

“Don’t be afraid, I’ll stand up for you,” Master comforted Lu Xue, then his expression darkened as he said to me, “If everyone claims to be capable and refuses orders, everyone wants to be commander, how is that different from chaos? Don’t spread these dangerous words here!”

“Heaven and earth do not mix, the old does not transform, so what if the world is turned upside down! If Tian Sheng is condemned, Master, you forget the principle of the nine changes of warfare! Orders from the sovereign may not be followed blindly!” I retorted angrily. The nine changes of warfare were taught to me by him—how had he become so stubborn?

“Impertinent! Guards! Escort her out! Expel her from the camp! Escort Tian Sheng to the Celestial Palace!” Master ordered.

I thought that if Tian Sheng were sent to the Celestial Palace, he would fall into Tiande’s trap. Even with strict discipline, one cannot ignore such dangerous relationships.

Resolving this, I raised my hand and drew divine power to seize Lu Xue, forcing her arm down. I said sternly, “If that’s the case, I’ll escort her out with me! Yunxiao, you exchange Tian Sheng for her.”

Everyone gasped. “Auntie, no!” “Commander, have mercy!” “Auntie, calm down—we can talk!”

Even Princess Changyang was stunned. “Bai Fei…”

Lu Xue tried to summon the Xuánjīng Sword but failed. One arm was held firmly by my divine power. In response, she used immortal energy, spinning and grabbing at my face with her other hand. I blocked her and delivered a sharp slap. That slap was not for stealing my beloved—it was because she did not try to mediate but only stirred trouble beside Master.

“You hit me! Han Qing… she hit your Xue’er!” Lu Xue pouted as if to complain.

I thought to myself, you have hit me countless times in the Thirty-Three Heavens and kicked me repeatedly, yet I hit you once and you act so wronged.

Master’s eyes flashed cold light as he said sharply, “Let her go!”

I knew what he intended. I had witnessed how he treated Princess Yuheng, whom he held captive in the Celestial Palace garden. Even if he crushed my bones, I would protect Tian Sheng!

“Master, Auntie, calm down! Calm down!” the senior brothers urged.

“Han Qing! Teach her a lesson! Use the Niyun Heart Technique!” Lu Xue commanded.

A cold light shot toward me. I barely dodged as an ice crystal grazed my shoulder and struck a wooden stake behind the tent, piercing it instantly.

“Ah!” everyone shouted in unison. “Master! Please have mercy!” “High Deity, think of the family…”

Master truly made a move. I pressed on Lu Xue’s arm and secretly activated the Niyun Heart Technique, sending two tiny ice crystals into her acupuncture points. The crystals would melt in the heat of the body, causing no real harm, but the pain at the points was intense.

“Ah!” Lu Xue screamed.

Everyone pleaded with me, “Auntie, sit down and talk.” “Auntie, don’t anger Master!”

Another cold light came flying toward my left arm—stronger this time. I dodged sideways. Fine! Three shots for your Xue’er!

Senior Brother Eleven paced anxiously. “Auntie, let go! If Master finds out I brought you here to reconcile and he hurts you, he’ll kill me!”

“Don’t worry! I won’t tell him,” I said.

“Han Qing! Tell her to release me! She’s about to kill me!” Lu Xue cried bitterly.

“Release her!” Master said coldly.

I thought to myself, he still gave Chunfeng and me some face, only lightly striking me with two ice crystals. This stalemate was no solution. Lu Xue was his precious heart and soul; if truly angered and wielding the Longyuan Sword, Little White would lose his mother. Since that was the case, I would settle for the next best option.

“Release her, fine. You can revoke Tian Sheng’s military command, but it must not be handed over to the Celestial Palace. It should be led temporarily by the Jade Clear Realm. Before the investigation is concluded, Tian Sheng must not be sent to the Celestial Palace but held in the Jade Clear Realm’s Hundred Beasts Garden for confinement. If you agree, I will release her; if not, we will die here together!” I declared.

Secretly, I sent five more small ice crystals into Lu Xue’s arm. She cried out in pain, “Han Qing, please agree! This shrew is torturing me to death.”

“Fine! I agree. Release her!” Master hurriedly said.

“Order it!” I commanded fiercely.

Master gave the order as I instructed.

I pushed Lu Xue toward him. She collapsed into Master’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. I turned and left the central tent.

Senior Brother Eleven slipped out behind me, bowing and saying, “Auntie, you’re formidable! Don’t tell Master what happened.”

“Rest assured. Once Tian Sheng is in the Jade Clear Realm, watch him carefully. Don’t let anyone take advantage, especially Tiande’s people. Persuade him well,” I said.

Princess Changyang also left the tent. “Old fool! I’d rather have stayed under Mount Wushan than come out! He’s even more obsessed with Lu Xue than forty thousand years ago!”

Senior Brother Eleven stepped forward, bowing and smiling, “Master just revived, his soul is still dazed, a moment of confusion—please don’t be angry, Your Highness.”

“If it weren’t for the Two-Life Mirror revealing him, I’d have thought his soul was incomplete or someone was impersonating him!” Princess Changyang said.

It turned out she had secretly used the Two-Life Mirror to examine Master.

“He’s also being considerate to Chunfeng and me. Thank you, Your Highness, for your timely assistance!” I bowed respectfully.

Senior Brother Eleven quickly praised, “Your Highness is wise and decisive! I admire you greatly!”

“Admire my foot! Admire Bai Fei instead! She’s truly bold! Back in the day, when Lu Xue confronted Han Qing, it was with this kind of spirit. How did it become like this after forty thousand years? It sickens me!” Princess Changyang said.

Senior Brother Eleven nodded, bowing repeatedly. “Yes, yes! Your Highness is right! Even we disciples detest Lu Xue. She has harmed our little junior brother. I don’t know why Master remains so devoted to her.”

“A little junior brother is nothing—she’s a perfect match with her love. She’s long forgotten your little junior brother!” Princess Changyang said.

“Please don’t be angry, Your Highness… We will persuade Master. He just woke up and might not have remembered everything yet. He cares most for the little junior brother and admires Tian Sheng; Tian Sheng is his adopted son-in-law. It can’t be like this. He must not have fully recovered,” Senior Brother Eleven tried to soothe.

Princess Changyang nodded. “You’re reasonable, Dingmao. Please do more to persuade Master.”

Senior Brother Eleven smiled broadly. “Yes, Your Highness, your orders will be carried out! You flatter me…”

Senior Brother Eleven’s flattery skills had improved over the past five hundred years.

Jiang Ye ran over and asked, “Are you alright? How could the High Deity strike you? You are his…”

“He didn’t strike hard and didn’t hit me. Don’t mention it,” I quickly interrupted Jiang Ye, with Senior Brother Eleven present.

“I have to ask—did the True God Dayin really die? I heard you saw it?” Princess Changyang grabbed Jiang Ye’s arm.

“Your Highness, the High Deity’s heart was pierced by a fractured arrow and perished. The celestial soldiers of the Seal Immortal Formation witnessed it. His body fell into the Western Sea, where sword-toothed sharks fought over and devoured him. Our Sea Wolf Navy saw it too,” Jiang Ye said.

“Forget it! Better dead! Seeing those two’s appearances is worse than dying on the battlefield! I’m returning to Qingqiu!” Princess Changyang said.

“Your Highness, let me escort you! Master isn’t usually like this…” Senior Brother Eleven hurried after her.