Chapter Sixty-Nine: Plots in the Shadows and Schemes in the Light

In the gloomy darkness of the Netherworld, pale blue lanterns flickered to life. Countless wandering souls, lost spirits, and stray ghosts drifted as if they were puppets under some spell, gazing vacantly at the glowing lights. They formed a long procession and slowly entered the great Iron Encircling Mountain. These were the immortals who perished in the slaughtered city—souls that should have been sent to the Ninefold Heavens for reincarnation. Yet, beguiled by the illusory brightness, their minds were seized and led astray to the Netherworld, where darkness would consume them, transforming each into a warrior of the Nether Army.

Lord Ming stood atop the lofty suspension bridge of Iron Encircling Mountain, rolling a string of obsidian beads in his hand, watching the scene with unrestrained delight. “Second Brother, you have truly accomplished a great feat! Had I not witnessed it myself, I wouldn’t have believed Cloudsky had fallen. Our victory is absolute!”

Mingzhong looked at the procession of souls, raised his hand to cover his mouth, and coughed twice; blood trickled from beneath his mask. With a spell, he wiped away the stains, his voice cold and vicious. “If I decide to kill him, he will not live.”

“Still, with Cloudsky dead, his little disciple is heartbroken—who would have thought him so devoted? What a splendid drama! I relish such scenes!” Lord Ming clicked his tongue in admiration, his gaze fixed on Mingzhong. “You said he angered you, didn’t you? Wasn’t his leap into the Celestial River just what you wanted? Why save him, then, worsening your own injuries?”

A chilling light flashed in Mingzhong’s eyes as he gritted his teeth. “His life belongs to me—not to Cloudsky.”

“Haha, I knew you weren’t so benevolent. I haven’t had my fill of amusement either. If my divine powers weren’t so vulnerable to the river’s spiritual force, our disguises could have lasted longer, and we could have enjoyed more of the spectacle.” Lord Ming’s smile was sly and oily.

“You orchestrated Third Brother’s apprenticeship so cleverly! He learned well under Cloudsky these years—devised scheme after scheme: the wolf’s poison, the ruse of self-sacrifice to gain trust, capturing the flower thief by drawing Cloudsky in and injuring him, poisoning, arson—all to throw Jade Pure Realm into chaos, leaving Cloudsky overwhelmed. Then he stole the Jade Dragon Vessel, securing our victory! Each act more brilliant than the last. Even if Cloudsky’s spirit remains, he’d die of rage!” Lord Ming praised.

“It is thanks to Father and you, Brother, for your wise guidance. If Cloudsky isn’t destroyed, how can I face Father and you?” Mingzhong spoke humbly before Lord Ming.

“Indeed, I’ve played a grand game myself—an exquisite one! While you recover, and Father reconstructs his body, the Netherworld can recuperate and celebrate a joyous occasion.” Lord Ming was elated.

“What joyous occasion, Brother?” Mingzhong asked in confusion.

“A marriage alliance! You didn’t know? I’ve already negotiated with the Celestial Palace, hehe—the Seventh Princess is on her way. Those cowards in the palace fold so neatly when pressed!” Lord Ming declared proudly.

“Oh? You fancy the Seventh Princess?” Mingzhong inquired.

Lord Ming leaned in, whispering, “Though I do desire the Seventh Princess, this time she is for you! A reward for your great service!” He grinned wickedly.

“Your loyal brother, wounded in the battle at Luolong, is hardly fit for romantic pursuits. There’s a little lady in the palace who’s already chiding me for not sharing her bed…” Mingzhong laughed.

“Stop your nonsense—I know you fear Father’s scolding for indulging too much in women. Rest assured, you’ve earned this. Father himself agreed to grant you a proper consort. Injured or not, accept her now, enjoy her at leisure; once you’ve healed, you can reclaim your vigor! Let’s see if you’ll bear to destroy her…” Lord Ming chuckled lewdly.

“I only worry that I might accidentally kill this princess, ruining Father’s plans and unable to answer to him. Brother, you know I’m not gentle…” Mingzhong’s words were flippant.

“Haha! You’ve always been too rough, never learned any finesse! Take this chance to learn how to cherish beauty—don’t kill her and regret it later, venting your temper on other little immortal girls, demanding sincerity, only to end up killing them all—such a waste…” Lord Ming teased.

“I gratefully accept your kindness, Brother. Cherishing beauty is something I truly do not understand,” Mingzhong admitted.

“Fool! Always obsessed with violence, ignorant of pleasure! Take time to study—read some entertaining books, don’t always pore over military strategy and swordplay—it’s dull!” Lord Ming waved his hand, conjuring a tall stack of scrolls and dumped them into Mingzhong’s arms, rolling his obsidian beads as he walked away, pleased.

Mingzhong stood on the suspension bridge, arms full of heavy scrolls, baffled by the sudden marriage arrangement and the pile of books. He couldn’t help but cough again, spitting up blood and instinctively casting a spell to wipe it away, but the books tumbled from his arms, cascading down Iron Encircling Mountain.

He scrambled to gather them, but the more he bent to pick them up, the more slipped from his grasp.

The bloodthirsty, ruthless demon lord looked, in that moment, as bedraggled as a bookish scholar…

The scrolls conjured by Lord Ming fell into the Nether Sea below, where the ghosts swarmed to snatch them, stuffing them into their mouths. Finding the taste unpleasant, they spat them out and began to read.

“Moonlit Romance and Winning Hearts,” “Fairy Maidens and Immortal Men,” “The Defeat of the Reckless Brute,” “One Hundred and Eight Undead Demon Lords and a Fairy Maiden,” “One Hundred and Eight Fairy Maidens and a Single Undead Demon Lord,” “The Ugly Lord and the Unfaithful Lady,” “What Does a Fairy Maiden Want,” “Tales of Dual Cultivation in the Underworld,” “Hold Steady, Demon Lord, the Fairy Maiden Is Coming”—ghosts of all sizes read with relish, even the Ghost Kings on duty couldn’t resist grabbing a few volumes.

Meanwhile, in the Thirty-Three Heavens’ Grand Tai Chi Hall, the Emperor’s personal attendant presented the Netherworld’s peace treaty, reporting, “Upon receiving the treaty, the Crown Prince ordered us to hasten back to the Celestial Palace overnight to deliver the good news.”

The Celestial Emperor opened the treaty, glanced at it, and nodded. “Now that peace and security have returned to the heavens, the immortal ministers are all to be commended.”

“The Netherworld, greedy for small gains, employs a marriage alliance to buy us off—without a single soldier or battle, our realm can recuperate. The Crown Prince is wise indeed!” an immortal minister praised.

“Now that the heavens have lost the Star of Renewal and the god who presides over light, do any of the gods or immortal lords have a solution?” asked the Celestial Emperor.

“A god’s duty is to emerge in times of disaster and vanish when calamity has passed. It follows the heavenly way; you and I cannot decide this,” declared the Supreme God Kaiyuan.

“Ah, Kaiyuan, isn’t that just admitting defeat? Since there’s nothing we can do, let’s listen for now,” interjected the Supreme God Wuxiang.

“The heavenly realm cannot be deprived of light and hope. I, Puhua, have a suggestion,” said the Supreme God Puhua.

“Speak, Supreme God,” the Emperor replied.

“With Cloudsky gone and the Star of Renewal fallen, the Emperor should appoint a Crown Prince, establish the Purple Star, inherit the Star of Renewal’s mission, shoulder its responsibilities, and revive the glory of the heavens,” Puhua advised.

“I concur!” declared an immortal minister.

“To secure stability within and without, we can appoint the Crown Prince after the Netherworld has been subdued. All the princes must still be tested,” said Kaiyuan.

“Very well,” the Emperor murmured.

“Establish virtue anew, appoint the Crown Prince, secure the heavens, destroy the Netherworld—now is the perfect time,” Puhua urged.

“Yes, the timing is right. Gods and ministers, please share your thoughts,” the Emperor said with a smile.

The immortal ministers began to debate—

“The Crown Prince must be resilient and embrace virtue.”

“He must harbor care for all under heaven.”

“He must feel the pains of the people, share in their sufferings.”

Wuxiang waved his folding fan, pinched his fingers in silent calculation, saying nothing. Behind his cunning masked face, no one could decipher his thoughts.

While the Grand Tai Chi Hall buzzed with debate over the Crown Prince, in the shadowy chamber of the Xianghua Palace, the Emperor’s beloved consort, Lady Jiuhua, lay draped in gauzy silk, biting her lips, sweat glistening on her brow. Amidst a fierce surge, she nearly cried out, but a slender hand behind her stuffed a silk wad into her mouth.

Tiande slowed his movements, embracing Lady Jiuhua from behind, whispering softly in her ear, “My sweet, don’t play mute before the Emperor.”

Lady Jiuhua nodded. Tiande said gently, “My beloved is so much more delightful than that noisy serpent woman.”

Afterward, Tiande straightened, seized Jiuhua’s arm, pressed it to her back, unleashing a storm. With the silk wad between her teeth, Lady Jiuhua and Tiande indulged silently in their passion…

The Celestial Emperor lay on his bed in Jiuhua Palace, holding Lady Jiuhua in his arms and sighing.

“Is something troubling you, Majesty?” Jiuhua asked.

“Appointing the Crown Prince… Everyone wants me to choose now. These immortal ministers are always flattering, spouting vague advice, leaving the decision to me.”

“They wouldn’t dare meddle in your family affairs, Majesty.”

“Since it is a family matter, Jiuhua, you are clever as ever. I wish to hear your opinion on the Crown Prince.”

“Majesty should consult the other consorts. Surely you have your own thoughts. Jiuhua dare not presume.”

“Speak. Tiande and Tiansheng’s mothers have perished in calamities. I am left alone, longing for honest counsel,” the Emperor said, embracing Lady Jiuhua.

“Forgive my frankness, Majesty. Tiansheng is sincere and straightforward, lacking intrigue. His military achievements are unmatched, and he’s allied himself with Jade Pure Realm through marriage, which is good. Yet, friendship with Jade Pure Realm is a double-edged sword. Though Cloudsky is gone, the Emperor of Nine Provinces and the God of Spring Breeze remain formidable. Can Tiansheng hold Cloudsky’s position? If he becomes a puppet of Nine Provinces, the Crown Prince would be chosen for Jade Pure Realm, and who can say who will be Emperor in the future? Would your sons have any hope? Would your princesses all be married off to the Netherworld?”

“Indeed. If Tiande is chosen, there is the risk of undue influence from his maternal clan. Though Lei Xiaze’s power is less than Nine Provinces, its roots in the heavens are deep; the Five Hills and Eight Lakes all follow Lei Xia.” The Emperor pondered.

“But it is different, Majesty. Tiande’s consort, Lei Ci, is the most favored princess. With Tiande comes Lei Xiaze’s loyalty—they would die for him. Tiande is mature, farsighted, and with the support of the Celestial Palace and the various provinces, he can counterbalance Lei Xia and Jade Pure Realm, maintaining equilibrium. He would never let his maternal clan seize power and harm your children. Moreover, his mother’s humble origins made him suffer in youth and wounded on the battlefield—he understands the hardships of the celestial people and acts with compassion.”

The Emperor nodded. “It seems I must keep Tiansheng in check.”

“Yes, Majesty. Though all your sons are precious, you must consider the greater good. Tiansheng’s mother was nobly born, with the support of her clan. She forced your hand in the grand assembly, securing the marriage with Jade Pure Realm, giving him pressure is truly giving Jade Pure Realm pressure. If Jade Pure Realm cannot withstand it and fails to shoulder Cloudsky’s duties, most authority can be reclaimed by the Celestial Palace,” Lady Jiuhua argued skillfully.

The Emperor smiled with satisfaction. “My beloved, your insight is remarkable.”

“It is your wisdom and might, Majesty!” Lady Jiuhua threw herself into his arms…