110

"Very well, Little Fox understands. Many thanks for your help, Young Master Li."

Hu Yuji, now clear on the situation, accepted the items from Li Xintian, her decision made.

"Then I shall await your arrival. Until we meet again." Li Xintian cupped his hands in a salute, waved, and departed.

"Xiaocui, if it weren't for Wang Hongzhi saving your mother back then, perhaps none of this would be happening today. In a way, it is Mother who has brought this upon you," Hu Yuji said, watching Li Xintian's retreating figure.

"Mother, what are you saying? I see this as a stroke of destiny awaiting us. We cannot foresee what the future holds; perhaps this is all orchestrated by the Heavens."

"But enough, Mother. You should go find a place to rest. I am returning to the residence of Grand Historian Zhong."

Hu Xiaocui gave it little thought; all she cared about now was waiting for Wang Yuanfeng to come and marry her.

"Very well. Take care in all things."

With those words, Hu Yuji transformed into a streak of rainbow light, deposited Hu Xiaocui at the residence of Grand Historian Zhong, and departed.

***

Skull Mountain.

"Come forth, all of you," the Black Emperor declared as he appeared.

"Black Emperor, why have you summoned us?" all the spirits, ghosts, and strange creatures asked in unison.

"Lanruo Temple is home to a thousand-year-old tree demon. Who shall go to subdue it?" the Black Emperor asked, his face obscured by a mask.

"Black Emperor, I know of this. Lanruo Temple sits at the intersection near the Underworld. You could send the Black Mountain Old Demon to subdue that tree demon," spoke a bipedal werewolf with fur the color of a modern-day husky.

"Werewolf, you actually know this secret? Very well, you shall serve as the primary general under the Black Mountain Old Demon." The Black Emperor was slightly surprised; he had not expected a wolf demon to be privy to the secrets of Lanruo Temple.

"Many thanks, Black Emperor." The werewolf was ecstatic; he concealed his form and set off for the Underworld.

"As for the other beasts, go to the mountains that suit you and become mountain gods!" the Black Emperor commanded.

"Many thanks for the favor, Black Emperor." The beasts, numerous in count, dispersed one by one, setting off to find their respective peaks.

"The oceans... hmm, there seems to already be a Sea God, so forget that. As for the river gods, those familiar with the waters, go search for your domains. If you cannot find any, you may assist the Sea God." The Black Emperor rubbed his chin and pondered.

Upon his command, many fish-kind creatures scrambled to depart.

"As for the souls, you may seek your own paths," the Black Emperor said with a wave of his hand. He sent them off to be scattered randomly to various locations, feeling somewhat dissatisfied by the chaotic scrambling of the fish.

"The rest of you are free to do as you please. You are no longer bound to follow me—the more chaos you create, the better." With his true purpose known to no one, the Black Emperor vanished.

"I want to feast to my heart's content!" Taotie opened his maw wide.

"You only think of food. You fail to grasp the Black Emperor's intent. We are free to move as we please, but do not forget: there is still the aura of upright nobility in this world. If we scatter, it will be easy for it to destroy us one by one. If we four evils stay together, it will not dare to act rashly." This was Hundun, whose form resembled a dog, like a bear but without claws; it had eyes but could not see, ears but could not hear, and a belly but no internal organs. It walked without lifting its feet.

"You want us four evils to stay together? To get things done? Or are you just trying to lead us?" Qiongqi was a beast from the northwest, shaped like a tiger with wings that allowed it to fly. It lived by eating humans, understood human speech, and would devour the righteous when it heard them arguing, eat the noses of the loyal, and kill beasts to present to the wicked. It was known for suppressing the good and promoting evil.

"I am not suggesting we cluster together permanently. Rather, let us find our own territories, but keep them close. If any emergencies arise, we can lend each other a hand. What do you think?" said Taowu, whose body resembled a tiger with canine fur. Its hair was long, its face somewhat human, its legs like a tiger's, and its mouth possessed boar-like tusks. With a tail eighteen feet long, it was a tyrant of sorts, known for never retreating from a fight.

"Very well, I agree with Taowu," Taotie was the first to consent.

"I agree as well," Qiongqi added.

"Good. Once you find your places, send word," Hundun said, flying off into the sky. Qiongqi flapped his wings and followed suit.

***

Lanruo Temple.

"Who goes there? How dare you enter this old woman's territory!" The 'Grandmother' was no mere thousand-year-old tree demon; she was a crone dressed in dark red robes, her hair adorned with silver comb-shaped ornaments. hunched and decrepit in appearance, she was in fact a thousand-year-old male-female yaksha who specialized in consuming the vitality of men. The Black Emperor had not been mistaken; she was currently in the process of consuming the thousand-year-old tree demon. Once she fully assimilated its cultivation, she would gain an external avatar, effectively granting her two lives.

"The ruler of the Underworld, the Black Mountain Old Demon, has come to pay a visit." The Black Mountain Old Demon led the werewolf into the temple, which was long dilapidated and draped in spiderwebs.

"So it is the Black Mountain Old Demon, currently the most talked-about figure. To what do I owe this visit?" Grandmother had naturally heard that the Underworld had undergone a massive purge.

"I come under the orders of the Black Emperor to subdue you. If you are willing to join his forces, you may continue to rule Lanruo Temple." The Black Mountain Old Demon only wanted to finish building the City of Wronged Souls quickly so that the black dog could return to the Black Emperor's side. He had grown tired of serving that dog; it was particularly troublesome.

"He wants me to join this 'Black Emperor's' forces? And he sent the Black Mountain Old Demon to deliver the message... this means the Black Emperor holds me in high regard." Grandmother mused, wondering who this Black Emperor was. She had never heard the name, but to command a ruler of the Underworld, his cultivation must be immense.

"Of course, you could also form an alliance with my forces. Besides, the Underworld and Lanruo Temple are connected. If you ever run into trouble, I, the Black Mountain Old Demon, can certainly come to your aid." The Black Mountain Old Demon recalled his own lack of resources and realized he needed allies.

"By doing this, are you not afraid of the Black Emperor?" Grandmother asked, hoping to glean more information.

"Haha! The Black Emperor has already declared that the affairs of the Underworld are for me to decide. Even though this visit was his idea, he will not blame me. If you join me, you are effectively one of his people. There is no difference." The Black Mountain Old Demon laughed; in the Underworld, the Black Emperor had made his intentions quite clear.

"Very well. I, too, require the help of ghost spirits. If you are willing to assist, I shall form an alliance with you." Grandmother had gained no further intelligence, but seeing the Black Mountain Old Demon's attitude, she doubted he was lying. Moreover, with the werewolf present, she knew she could not win a fight.

"Excellent. You are truly straightforward, Grandmother. However, for this alliance, I need you to help me find a girl born in the year, month, day, and hour of pure Yin. What do you think?" The Black Mountain Old Demon was already inwardly overjoyed.

"I agree." Grandmother laughed heartily.

"Haha!" The Black Mountain Old Demon joined in the laughter.

***

The Capital.

Lu Pan had already been reincarnated into the household of Zhu Erdan. Bai Yang and Zhang Xiaoman had been reincarnated elsewhere, waiting for their time to come.

In the Imperial Palace:

"I hereby name Zhao Wanquan as the Crown Prince! And I shall have my concubines buried with me!" Zhao Qixin had grown incredibly aged, his voice filled with immense resentment as he looked upon his ministers and his own sons.

"Wanquan, the throne will be yours. Remember, there are demons in this world. After I am gone, you must appoint a National Preceptor." Zhao Qixin continued, then broke into a violent coughing fit.

"Father! Quickly, summon the imperial physicians!" Zhao Wanquan grasped his father's hand and cried out.

"I can still hold on. As for my other sons, you shall be named princes. Leave the capital on an auspicious day and head to the border regions to stand guard." Zhao Qixin squeezed Wanquan's hand. "Wanquan, you have yet to answer me!" he shouted with his final reserves of strength.

"Father, I promise," Wanquan said, tears streaming down his face.

"Good." Zhao Qixin's hand went limp, and he breathed his last.

"Father!" Zhao Wanquan backed away, knelt on the ground, and wept.

"Your Majesty!" the ministers all knelt as one.

*Clang...*

The tolling of the great bell in the capital alerted all its citizens: the Emperor had passed away.

"As expected, Zhao Qixin could not hold on for many more days. He left in such a hurry," Li Xintian thought. He had expected the man to live at most another week. "Is a hell on earth about to begin?" Li Xintian felt a sense of powerlessness against the Black Emperor. He alone could hardly hold back the tide; it was a trial of epic proportions.

Meanwhile, at Qingqiu Fox:

"Third Elder, has the matter been resolved?" Hu Ziyan, dressed in beautiful purple robes that accentuated her perfect form, was the matriarch of the Qingqiu Foxes. With over ten thousand years of cultivation, she was the most powerful among them.

"Greetings, Matriarch. We have a major problem. Our kin have offended someone named Li Xintian, who possesses the 'Aura of Upright Nobility' that fills the heavens and earth. His identity alone explains everything." Hu Qingzheng bowed, lowering his head, not daring to look her in the eye.

"Oh? Is that so? Still, it is time the Qingqiu Foxes were brought into order. Third Elder, you may go. Do not let the other clansmen know of this. Do you understand?" Though Hu Ziyan did not release any pressure, her presence weighed heavily on Hu Qingzheng's heart.

"Yes, Matriarch. I understand what must be done." Hu Qingzheng's forehead was beaded with cold sweat. Only after moving away from her did he feel some relief.

"The tribulation has finally begun, hasn't it?" Hu Ziyan looked up at the sky, whispered the words after a long silence, and broke into a faint smile.

***

Mount Kunlun, Qingdao Temple.

An elderly man with silver hair, white eyebrows, and a long white beard sat on a meditation cushion. Suddenly, a flash of insight struck him, and he opened his eyes.

"So, my opportunity has finally arrived. Ah, it seems I must descend the mountain to experience the world before I can encounter it." He was Lu Benshan, the last Taoist of Qingdao Temple. The temple had dwindled to its final generation, and he had not taken a disciple in many years.

After calculating with his fingers, he realized the time to leave had come. He stood up, packed his belongings, and began his descent.

In a mountain cave:

A man with a thick beard sat on a meditation cushion, absorbing the spiritual energy of the world. He suddenly ceased his practice; this was Yan Chixia. He had once been a renowned judge in Guandong, hating corrupt officials above all else, but had retired from the imperial court due to the prevalence of treacherous ministers.

"For these past few days, my cultivation has not increased. What is the meaning of this? The energy feels murky and foul." Yan Chixia had been practicing for twenty years, but his growth had stalled.

"It seems I must come out of seclusion and travel the world." Yan Chixia stood, shouldered his sword box, and struck the stone door with a palm. It shattered into fragments. Sunlight flooded onto his face, and he raised a hand to shield his eyes; after twenty years, he was unaccustomed to the light. Once acclimated, he began his descent.

Beyond these events, forces were stirring everywhere.

Li Xintian returned to the Chen residence and summoned everyone for a family meeting.

"Grandfather, Grandmother, have you decided?" Li Xintian asked.

"Xintian, for your sake, we have agreed," Chen Linqing said, glancing at Huo Wanping before speaking.

"Very well. I will make all the arrangements for your departure from the capital. The journey will not be too rough," Li Xintian nodded.

"Since that is the case, everyone, go pack your things. We leave tomorrow," he added.

"Xintian, didn't you say you wanted to stay a few more days? Is everything settled?" Huo Wanping asked, not in a hurry.

"It is. I thought it would take a few days, but it is done." Li Xintian scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Very well, everyone, go and pack," Chen Linqing ordered.

"We have been in the capital for so long, and other than the Lantern Festival, we haven't properly toured the place. And now we are leaving," Hu Qiuyan said as she packed.

"I didn't expect so many things to happen in the capital. It is no longer a place to stay. I wonder if the neighboring kingdoms are already in the midst of turmoil," Li Xintian sighed, knowing he was already behind.

"What are you worried about? Why not tell me? I am sure I can help," Hu Qiuyan said, noticing his distress.

"Sigh, even if I told you, you wouldn't understand the pressure I'm under."

"What is it? Has something truly terrible happened? When I first met you, you weren't like this. You've become despondent before the struggle has even begun. This isn't the man I met," Hu Qiuyan said, stopping her packing.

"My enemy is a hundred times stronger than I am. The Celestial Realm and the Underworld have been destroyed by someone calling himself the Black Emperor." Li Xintian paused, then forced a smile. "But you are right. You have reminded me. I must sweep away these dark clouds. I cannot be defeated like this. Let's go, let's go, let's go!"

"That's more like you. Go, go, go!" Hu Qiuyan did not press him further about the destruction of the Celestial Realm and the Underworld.

"Thank you." Li Xintian stepped forward and hugged her before pulling away.

"It... it's nothing," Hu Qiuyan said, blushing as she resumed packing.

***

The next day.

Li Xintian personally inspected the Chen residence and placed a seal on the front door—a seal inscribed with his own "Aura of Upright Nobility."

"Set off!"

With everything prepared, they exited the city. There were three carriages, with Li Xintian riding a horse alongside them. The group consisted of twenty people, well-stocked with dry rations. Many people in the capital pointed and whispered, wondering why the Chen family was moving in such a hurry.

Once outside the city, they encountered the Imperial Guard.

"Don't stop the carriages!" Li Xintian shouted, riding ahead to meet them.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," Li Xintian said upon seeing Zhao Wanquan, who was already wearing the imperial dragon robes. He saluted but did not kneel.

"Insolence! How dare you not kneel before the Emperor!" Mei Zhonglin shouted from the side, faster than Zhao Wanquan could speak.

"Step back," Zhao Wanquan commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Mei Zhonglin retreated obediently.

"Li Xintian, why are you leaving without telling me?" Zhao Wanquan had hoped to keep Li Xintian to assist him.

"Your Majesty, I came to the capital to move my family. Please, allow your guards to make way," Li Xintian said, cupping his hands.

"Very well, I can let you go. But give me a reason why I should."

"If Your Majesty grants me immunity, I shall speak."

"I grant you immunity. Speak."

"Because I have seen that the fortune of the capital is in decline. Does Your Majesty believe this reason?"

"Very well. I might not believe anyone else, but I believe you. Guards, stand down!" Zhao Wanquan agreed readily, no longer making things difficult.

"Set off!"

"Take care, Your Majesty," Li Xintian said once his carriages had cleared the guards.

"Li Xintian, you will return in the future, won't you?" Zhao Wanquan shouted after him.

"I will! When the time comes, I shall return to assist you. I hope you live a long life!" Li Xintian waved his hand and shouted back.

"Good! I shall wait for you. Do not forget!"

"Return to the palace," Zhao Wanquan commanded.

"Prepare to depart!" Mei Zhonglin echoed.

"Zhao Wanquan, you must survive. As for me, I am powerless for now," Li Xintian whispered to himself as they traveled on.