novelOvercoming the Ferocious Waves
| ← Ch.021 | Ch.023 → |
"Prince, young master is looking for you."
"Ask him to wait in the study."
"Yes."
The butler lowered his head and left the room. He had seen things through the satin and heard the coy voice of a woman, making him blush. It seemed that his Prince was at his peak. He had... better return and reply to the young master.
After leaving the back courtyard and taking a few short steps, the butler knocked into someone. He took a few steps back before he could see who it was clearly.
"Lady, are you still waiting for the Prince? Return and rest. The cold air at night is strong; don't catch a cold."
The butler glanced at his mistress and thought of how the Prince was having fun with his beautiful concubine and did not know what to do.
The lady in front of him was gentle and was like orchids in the valley, looking noble. But the Prince favored brightly colored peonies. It was a pity that the lady loved him deeply and could not bear to leave. He had better let her know about young master returning home.
"Young master is back. He is in the study. Does your lady want to meet him?"
"Ling'er is back?"
"He had just returned."
The butler's statement had just ended and the lady walked toward the study quickly.
"Your Lady, please slow down. The ground is slippery and little young master won't fly away."
The butler held a candle and ran after her. The room was closed tightly. The butler stood under the eaves and watched the figures in the window. He watched the tightly embracing mother and son, and his eyes turned wet.
He knew that the marriage between that of the Prince and the Lady was an arranged one. They would be a couple for life for their own interests. It was such a pity for the Lady for she was a good woman. But what could she do? This was the fate of a woman. She had to follow whoever she married. He wondered when the Prince would come to his senses and notice that there was a good woman at his side, waiting for him silently, waiting for his love. The Lady might never be able to get it. The butler sighed once more and looked at the figures through the window.
"Prince, you are here."
The butler opened the door for him. He peeked through and saw the little young master crying. He must have missed his mother.
"Send the Lady back."
"Yes."
The butler looked at the reluctance in the Lady's eyes and carefully backed out of the study.
"Father, mother has become thinner. Please treat her better."
"How have I not treated her well? Why have you returned?"
Xiao Yan was a little impatient, and he interrupted Xiao Linggong. He did not like that woman one bit. She only pretended to be kind and virtuous and kept a stoic face for decades without feeling tired.
"Father, who is Xiao Qi?"
"Your aunt's son. He'd disappeared for many years. I heard that your grandfather hid him away, afraid that the fairy king would kill him. Why do you ask?"
"Xiao Qi came today."
"What? Say that again."
He looked at his son to ascertain that he was speaking the truth. Xiao Yan's expression darkened as he recalled what happened many years ago.
Xiao Yan still remembered that it was a sunny day. Xiao Yi brought a group of people and charged into Liang Songxue's (Xiao Qi's father's) home.
They found a large amount of evidence that he had been colluding with other tribes. Only Xiao Yan knew that he was the one who had doctored these evidence, bribed the Liang family's butler to do these things, and let Xiao Yi know about it after the incident.
This older brother of his was very rash and was always afraid that someone would steal his throne. He had attacked the Liang family one night, and the entire clan had died other than Xiao Qi's mother and Xiao Qi.
By the time his father had found out everything was over. His first sister had died, leaving behind Xiao Qi, while his youngest sister—Xu Linghe's mother (Isn't Little Fox great? Is this making people dizzy? Hahaha) pitied Xiao Qi and took care of him. But it was a pity that his youngest sister fell in love with a human and ran off to the human realm.
Xiao Qi gradually grew up in the Fairy City. He was intelligent and became Xiao Yi's greatest source of trouble. Jealousy made Xiao Yi lose his rational mind, and he tried many times to kill Xiao Qi, but Xiao Qi was saved by Xiao Yi's father.
Xiao Qi disappeared from then on. He had not expected him to have returned. He wondered if Xiao Qi knew of the cause of the problems then? If he knew that his father had been killed by his uncle, what would he do?
"Father."
Xiao Linggong looked at Xiao Yan who was lost in his thoughts and called out for him many times. This was the first time he had seen his father being lost in reverie.
"Ling'er, what were you talking about?"
"I mentioned the secret plot between Xiao Qi and Little Fox and that they're going to pit two tigers against each other."
"Father, so Xiao Nai is Xiao Yi's claws. If not for what I eavesdropped today, I would never know that Xiao Nai is an expert."
"We cannot just judge one by his appearance. Every spiritual cultivator is a representation of the power behind them."
"Father, what should we do?"
"Very simple. We wait. We wait for those plotting to lose their patience. They will naturally make a move then. But you have to be on guard against the plots around you in the process of waiting. Those who can participate in the soul battle are all strong. Xiao Nai you mentioned is a hidden expert. You have to take notice of him at all times. The person who possesses the military talisman would become the new fairy king."
"Why isn't Su Gong taking over?"
"That's because he made an agreement with your grandfather. He cannot go against it. If he does, he would experience pain that is like tens and thousands of arrows piercing his hear. Nobody can break your grandfather's curse."
"Father, you have to be better to mother. Linggong will leave now."
Xiao Yan looked at his son walking into the distance. He left the study and headed to his new concubine's courtyard. He was afraid of that woman's resentful gaze, and even more afraid of that woman's tears. He had better stay far away so that he could get some peace.
Xiao Qi left the room when Xiao Linggong had walked off some distance. He knew where Xiao Linggong was heading, and his smile deepened. It seemed that some people would not be able to fall asleep after he showed up today.
The night was busy. After Xiao Linggong left, Xiao Nai came. Xiao Qi glanced at the dark figure, and then signaled to Wuyou with his eyes. With a glance, Wuyou knew at once that the person was Xiao Nai.
After sending Xiao Qi off and closing the doors, Wuyou quietly followed the dark figured that jumped up a high wall in the snow light. Xiao Nai turned into a phoenix and flew into the clouds. Wuyou turned into green smoke and followed closely behind. When Xiao Nai tucked his colorful feathers in and stood on the palace walls, Wuyou landed in a forest. The palace doors opened. Xiao Nai nodded slightly and the servant was shocked and pleased.
Wuyou jumped into the courtyard and followed. She had to be very vigilant in the inner yard of the imperial palace. Otherwise, she might get killed. She watched from afar as Xiao Nai entered the imperial study. Wuyou followed him to the rooftop of the study and carefully opened a small crack.
"You're here."
"Your Majesty, why have you called for Xiao Nai?"
"Have you heard of this person called Xiao Qi?"
"Your servant has never heard of it."
"Oh, you were still young at that time, and then you must not remember this person."
"Have Your Majesty seen this person?"
"The spies report that Xiao Qi went to the soul battle arena today and they said that he was very close with someone called Little Fox."
"I have never seen Xiao Qi."
Wuyou, who was on the roof, could not understand. Xiao Nai had seen Xiao Qi, so why would he say that he had never seen him before?
"Xiao Nai, how do I treat you?"
Wuyou felt despise toward him. The nobility is always so high and mighty. They ask for greater returns when they give little benefits. They would not hesitate to give up those less important to them to protect those more important. In the end, even their lives were not safe. Wuyou pitied every pawn including Xiao Nai and herself.
"I always remember that if not for Your Majesty's grace, I would not be here."
"It's good that you remember. The 15th is arriving, don't forget to bring Xiao Qi's head to me on the 15th of this month. Otherwise, you'll..."
It seemed that the Emperor had something on Xiao Nai. He had to kill Xiao Qi on the 15th of this month? Wuyou was first shocked. And then, she thought of how Xiao Qi waved his spiritual finger and the entire mountains collapsed.
It was a low-level mistake that the emperor of a kingdom should not make. An intelligent man would not underestimate anyone. The Fairy King would pay a bloody price for underestimating his opponents. It seemed that she should get some time to try to find out more about Xiao Nai's skills.
"Your Majesty, please give me some antidote."
Xiao Nai looked at the Emperor as he slowly knelt down. Wuyou could see Xiao Nai's resentment. This shame was deeply rooted in his heart. If she used this shame well, it would be a good chess game.
"This is half of it. I will give you the other half when Xiao Qi's head falls."
Wuyou pitied Xiao Nai a little. As a pawn, he not only had to fear his master, he also had to be vigilant against his opponents' plots. Xiao Nai took the antidote and swallowed it. It seemed that the show had ended. Wuyou shook the snow off her and flew away from the palace.
The competition was still going on. Shen Chuya was finally going up. Xiao Nai was especially happy. Xiao Linggong hoped that Shen Chuya would win this match. His father had been very disappointed that he had tied with Leng Mohan in their match.
Xiao Nai was very excited about Shen Chuya's match. If Wuyou had not known of the powers behind the youth, she would have believed that Xiao Nai was an innocent and active youth. Phoenix was slightly distracted as they traveled along a stone bridge toward the soul battle arena. She stood at the head of the bridge and looked at the arena and then, turned and walked away. Xiao Nai teased her, saying, "Does your brother Su not want to see you?"
Phoenix turned around and flicked her spiritual finger. A small flame burned on Xiao Nai's black hair. Xiao Nai did not avoid it and let it burn. Wuyou saw this and thought to herself that Xiao Nai really knew how to act. She had to learn how to act from him.
Shen Chuya flicked his spiritual finger and the tiny flame disappeared. Then, he rubbed off the ash off Xiao Nai's neck casually. Xiao Nai's eyes narrowed into a fine line. He did not care about what had just happened at all.
"The girl likes Su Chenyang, but he already has someone he likes. I just said something and she unleashed all her anger on me. I'm so unlucky today."
Xiao Nai made a face and laughed at Phoenix. His statement had accurately pointed out what she was worried about, and she made a run for it. Xiao Nai laughed again and looked at Phoenix who was far away now. Wuyou thought of Xu Linghe. Indeed! When would she be able to meet Xu Linghe?
The buzzing at the soul battle arena and the thrumming of the drums were even more enthusiastic today as compared to the previous matches. When the chief judge whistled. Shen Chuya jumped into the soul battle arena. He was going against a cold beauty. Compared to Phantom of the Wind City, she was sexier. She wore thin satin in the extreme cold. Wuyou admired the beauty and touched the thick cotton she wore. It seemed that beauties were indeed beauties. They had to be beautiful no matter how cold it was.
The beautiful woman flicked her spiritual finger and the equinox flowers floated in mid-air. They were beautiful and shed tears as they spun. When the tears filled the sky, a piece of demonic music started playing on the snow plains. These were soul-summoning flower tears. Shen Chuya knew that it was an illusion, and yet he could not help but be drawn to it. When he neared it, a burning sensation spread throughout his body. Wuyou was also stunned by the beauty's sorcery. It seemed unassuming but had surprising results. When she looked at Shen Chuya's expression, she knew that he must feel horrible.
The beauty extended her slender fingers and wrapped them around Shen Chuya's neck tightly. Xiao Linggong frowned tightly, his hands clenched tightly. Wuyou found the anxious Xiao Linggong funny.
This match was very important to Xiao Yan. If Shen Chuya lost as well, Xiao Yan would not even have the right to fight for the military talisman. On the stage, Xiao Yi looked at his brother. That smile seemed extremely warm in the snow. Only Wuyou knew how much filth was hidden in the smile.
There was a loud roar and the entire soul battle arena shook. A large lion leaped at the cold beauty. Wuyou had not expected Shen Chuya to be a lion. He would definitely be a royal, possessing such a true body. Xiao Qi was a lion, but why wasn't Xiao Linggong?
The cold beauty was not afraid of the lion. She pointed her slender fingers at the lion's eyes. The soul-summoning bell rang rhythmically. The people under the stage started to fall left and right, following the tempo rhythm of the bell. They started feeling dizzy. Those who had weak willpowers fell asleep on the ground. The Prince on the stage also showed odd signs. He leaned against the back of his chair listlessly.
"The Fairy Kingdom is so weak... Haha"
She laughed coldly. And then, the beauty leaped at Xiao Yan, her eyes blood red. Wuyou looked at Shen Chuya who was deep asleep. It seemed that the beauty's soul-summoning skills were truly powerful. If she had not been a parasitic soul, she would have been summoned as well.
Xiao Linggong was worried for his father and he jumped onto the soul battle arena, wanting to protect him. The chief judge blew on his whistle and hoped that the cold beauty would stop."Was the woman's target Xiao Yan?" the chief judge thought, sweating cold sweat as he thought more about it. The cold beauty flew up into the sky, her hands shooting out sorcery incessantly.
Dark clouds rolled in the sky. The little demons who flew on the clouds from afar arrived, making a dark patch in the sky. Wuyou flew into the sky and saw the little demons flying towards the soul battle arena. It seemed that someone was going to make use of the military talisman incident to cause bloodshed at the soul battle arena. Who was the biggest enemy of the Fairy Kingdom? The cold beauty had been specially arranged to appear. A beautiful woman who unleashed her sexiness was a visual enjoyment to young soul battlers. The cold beauty waved her spiritual finger in the air and smoke filled the skies. Oh no! This was a signal to ambush. She had to capture this woman, or the soul battle arena would become the graves of spiritual cultivators.
Wuyou rushed toward the cold beauty and hoped that she still had time to capture her. When Wuyou was just a step away from the cold beauty, a dark crowd of little demons rushed into the arena and started biting and tearing. This was the bloodiest battle Wuyou had ever seen. Those little demons had sharp teeth and chicken heads. If not for those sharp claws, Wuyou would have thought they were eagles.
Xiao Qi, who was on a tall wall in the distance smiled victoriously. The little demons would make them known to the Fairy Kingdom soon.
Xiao Nai flew into the soul battle arena, protecting his master, Xiao Yi. Wuyou pointed her spiritual fingers at the bloodsucking little demons. They made up a dark patch and she could not seem to eliminate them all.
It seemed that the cold beauty was the host. Wuyou flew onto the tall arena. Xiao Linggong turned into a white tiger and prowled around the cold beauty. She pointed her finger toward Xiao Yan, and the white tiger jumped up and knocked at the woman's abdomen. The beauty saw that things were going wrong, and she flew into mid-air. Xiao Yan tried to attack several times but they were all blocked by the cold beauty.
Wuyou looked at the beauty who was spinning. She thought that such a beauty, if she were not a devil, she would be able to captivate any man in the world.
The cold beauty used even more spiritual power. Such soul-summoning skills had captivated Xiao Yan and Xiao Linggong temporarily. She made a sign with her hands and conjured a metal hook that headed for Xiao Yan who was on the arena.
When Xiao Yi saw that the beauty's target was Xiao Yan, he felt secretly pleased. Just as he was thinking, the metal hook attacked him. And when the hook was near him, Xiao Nai jumped up and blocked Xiao Yi, deflecting the hook. This was the first time Xiao Nai had made a move.
Xiao Nai protected Xiao Yi, not letting the hook come close to him and even weaved a spell around him. As long as the little demons did anything to Xiao Yi, their souls would perish should they encounter the spiritual barrier.
However, it did not work against the cold beauty. The hook was extremely sharp and the numbers grew incessantly. Numerous metal hooks approached Wuyou, turning into innumerable spikes. These fine spikes would numb one's awareness should then enter one's body. Limbs would feel weak, and in the end, the person would become a fish on a chopping board, up for anyone to flay.
The Ancient Spirit wrapped around Wuyou tightly and the burning Spiritual Power charged around her entire body. Wuyou stood on the arena protecting Xiao Yan. Even though Xiao Yan was her opponent, but she could not watch and do nothing. Xiao Linggong, Xiao Nai, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Yi were all lying on the ground, having been attacked by the soul-summoning.
The cold beauty's soul-summoning spared no one. The entire soul battle arena was in chaos. The little demons sucked fresh blood with no care. Wuyou had only seen such a terrible scene when the Teal Hill had been attacked and destroyed.
The Ancient Spirit surged out from Wuyou's body. It roared, and its limbs were filled with power. It was like the heat of magma being spread in all directions. The spiritual power spread in the air and rushed towards the heavens. Even the snow plain became stunning. The Ancient Spirit rushed toward the cold beauty and wrapped around her tightly. On the ground, Xiao Yan, Xiao Yi, Xiao Nai and Xiao Linggong all stared at the sky in surprise. This was the strongest Spiritual Power they have ever seen. This Spiritual Power co-existed with heaven and earth and the universe. The girl standing on the clouds was like a goddess, watching all living things while standing on the colorful clouds. Her white robe fluttered in the breeze.
STaring at Jiang Wuyou who was in the sky, the cold beauty cared naught. Nobody could hide from her soul-summoning spikes. The cold beauty jumped up and charged at Wuyou.
The soul-summoning spikes filled the air and charged at Jiang Wuyou. The Ancient Spirit quickly formed a soul web, protecting Wuyou. The cold beauty did not give up and increased her attack. The little demons saw that their mistress did not succeed in her attack and all jumped into the clouds.
Wuyou's spiritual finger waved and a silver fairy-entrapping rope wrapped around the little demons' body tightly. The little demons were all gathered up. And when the rope shrunk into the shape of a web, the little demons revealed their sharp teeth and bit at the rope.
Wuyou called the Flame Spirit. The little demons were immediately covered in fire. The cold beauty was furious while looking the little demons being consumed by the crackling flame. She made a sign with her hand and her face slowly changed.
The cold beauty dug out her blood red eyeballs and an evil spirit flowed out from the eye. The cold beauty chanted an incantation and her eyes became like a black hole as it sput incessantly. A hurricane appeared in a split second.
Wuyou stared at Xiao Yi who had been tossed up into the air by the wind. She made a spiritual web to protect him. The wind tore through the soul battle arena. The pitiful spiritual cultivators, like kites that had broken strings, were all sucked into the black hole. The cold beauty used all her powers to open the doors to hell.
The Ancient Spirit sealed the black hole tightly. Dark clouds filled the sky. Xiao Yan, who was on the soul battle arena was stunned by the massive change. The woman had opened the doors to hell!
Pitiful cries of ghosts could be heard from hell. Wuyou called the Ancient Spirit and an endless stream of Spirit Power condensed. The cold beauty looked at Wuyou with a pleased expression. Just as the cold beauty was above herself, the spinning Spiritual Power ball flew into the black hole, and then there was a loud explosion.
The little demons who had lost their host turned into dust. Wuyou stood on the clouds and looked at the ruined soul battle arena. Then, she brought Xiao Yi with her as she flew onto the arena.
Xiao Linggong sat on the floor dazedly. He could not believe that the girl was the one who had fought against the crazy winds. The entire soul battle arena was deadly silent. The spiritual cultivators who had been killed by the little demons all looked grim. Xiao Yi stood on the arena and looked at Wuyou with eyes filled with gratitude. Perhaps he had received enlightenment after a close brush with death.
The chief judge crawled up from the ground and looked around him. When he saw the bodies of the spiritual cultivators, he pressed his heart tightly. Then, he heaved a sigh of relief. Lucky it was still there.
"The soul battle ends here."
Xiao Yi's statement had just ended when there was a loud ruckus at the soul battle arena. Even Xiao Yan was slightly surprised at who would end up taking the military talisman.
When Xiao Yi gave the military talisman to Jiang Wuyou, Wuyou dared not believe that it was true. When the military talisman that they had fought over landed in her hands, it felt unreal.
Xiao Nai nodded in congratulations. Xiao Linggong fell onto the ground once more. He would, not even in his dreams, think that the girl would end up taking the military talisman.
The death of the cold beauty was worth it. It was just that she had not received the military talisman easily and the little demons had used much strength. Xiao Qi looked at the Fairy King and the coldness around him grew. Indeed! It was time for them to pay.
| ← Ch. 021 | Ch. 023 → |