My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1437 Encounter
Ling Xue then transforms into a mysterious fortune teller, using her keen perception of destiny to meticulously plan for Zhou Xing.

One day, Ling Xue sensed an omen of "Greedy Wolf Misfortune" appearing in the sky above the residence of the Minister of Revenue. She immediately informed Zhou Xing of this, and after discussing it, the two decided to use this opportunity to win over the Minister of Revenue.

Zhou Xing deliberately encountered the Minister of Revenue under the guise of disaster relief. During their conversation, Zhou Xing displayed extraordinary insight and demeanor, impressing the Minister of Revenue. Meanwhile, Ling Xue secretly observed the Minister's reaction, seizing the opportune moment to skillfully guide the Minister and Zhou Xing to reach a consensus and jointly promote a policy that would benefit the country and its people.

However, fate is unpredictable. A sudden plague swept through the capital, causing immense suffering to the people. Ling Xue, seeking to absorb the negative energy from the sick, risked her life to venture into the plague-stricken area. But she neglected her own safety; excessive consumption of spiritual energy would cause her to become tainted by the impure energy.

Sure enough, after returning home, Ling Xue felt dizzy and lightheaded. Dark lines began to appear on her body, a sign of impure energy invading her. Zhou Xing was extremely anxious upon discovering this. Ignoring Ling Xue's objections, he stayed by her side day and night, personally preparing medicine and caring for her.

Under Zhou Xing's meticulous care, Ling Xue's condition gradually improved. Looking at Zhou Xing's tired face, a ripple of emotion stirred within her. This was the first time in a hundred years that she had let her guard down with someone.

To further enhance Zhou Xing's power, Ling Xue decided to introduce him to the martial arts force "Xuan Ying Men". However, the leader of Xuan Ying Men was ambitious and set a trap to force Zhou Xing to relinquish his military power.

At a treacherous banquet, the Xuan Ying Sect Master revealed his true, sinister nature. Zhou Xing remained fearless, using his "Emperor's Bloodline" to intimidate everyone present. Meanwhile, Ling Xue secretly cast a spell, severing the Xuan Ying Sect Master's lifeline. The Xuan Ying Sect Master instantly turned pale and collapsed to the ground.

From then on, the Xuan Ying Sect obediently followed Zhou Xing's orders and became an important force under his command.

As Zhou Xing's power grew, he finally reached the moment of ascending the throne. Ling Xue manipulated everything behind the scenes, using forbidden techniques to channel the remnant soul of the former empress into a puppet.

During the coronation ceremony, an unexpected incident occurred. The remnant soul of the former empress went out of control, letting out a piercing scream, and the entire palace was shrouded in an eerie aura. Upon seeing this, Ling Xue didn't hesitate to shout and, at the cost of her own soul, forcibly suppressed the remnant soul.

Zhou Xing ascended the throne smoothly, becoming the emperor revered by all. However, at this moment, a mysterious Taoist priest appeared. Holding a bronze mirror, the priest pointed it directly at Ling Xue and shouted, "Demon! You have dared to use evil magic to wreak havoc on the court!"

It turned out that this bronze mirror could reveal the truth about Ling Xue absorbing fortune. In an instant, all the officials and military officers were shocked and began to cast strange glances at Ling Xue.

Zhou Xing looked at Ling Xue, his eyes filled with trust. He broke the bronze mirror in front of everyone and said sternly, "What does my empire have to do with her!"

To completely eliminate any potential threats, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue decided to raid the imperial tomb at night. Inside, they found the imperial seal of the previous dynasty. Ling Xue used the seal as the core of a powerful array. She absorbed the dragon vein's energy, but also gave half of it back to Zhou Xing.

Within the array's light, Zhou Xing felt a wondrous change occurring in his body. A dragon scale birthmark appeared on his left shoulder, a sign that the "pseudo-dragon" was transforming into a true dragon.

Since Zhou Xing ascended the throne, there had been three consecutive years of severe drought. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau reported that "the Purple Star is dim," and a children's rhyme about a "wicked woman bringing disaster to the country" circulated among the people. For a time, people were filled with fear and unease, and the court was filled with doubts about Ling Xue.

Knowing she had become the target of everyone's hatred, Ling Xue decided to voluntarily imprison herself in the Demon-Locking Tower so as not to implicate Zhou Xing. Zhou Xing tried desperately to dissuade her, but Ling Xue's mind was made up.

On the very night Ling Xue was imprisoned, the enemy nation learned of this and seized the opportunity to send assassins to attack. The assassins stormed the palace, sweeping through with unstoppable force. Zhou Xing, wielding a longsword, fought back desperately. Just as he was beginning to tire, Ling Xue sensed danger within the Demon-Sealing Tower. She fought valiantly, cleaving through the lightning and fire, and broke free of the Demon-Sealing Tower.

Ling Xue had exhausted her spiritual power, but she still stood in front of Zhou Xing without hesitation, shielding him from the fatal arrow. Looking at the injured Ling Xue, Zhou Xing was filled with guilt and anger.

To save Ling Xue and the nation, Zhou Xingqiang activated his "True Dragon Eyes." Using the imperial destiny as a guide, he summoned the spirits of heroes from past dynasties. With their help, they reversed the tide of battle, routing the enemy army.

However, Zhou Xing paid a heavy price for forcibly using the "True Dragon Eye." He lost his sight, but he smiled and said to Ling Xue, "Look, I have finally become your 'mountain'."

In an attempt to prolong her life, Ling Xue secretly activated the "Mountain and River Cauldron" sealed by Zhou Xing. This act triggered a celestial phenomenon, with lightning descending from the heavens. A colossal lightning dragon roared and fiercely attacked Ling Xue and Zhou Xing.

Ling Xue knew her actions had brought disaster to Zhou Xing, so she resolutely stood in front of him, enduring the lightning tribulation head-on. Her white hair was singed by the lightning, and her body suffered immense pain. But she gritted her teeth and persevered, protecting Zhou Xing.

Zhou Xing felt Ling Xue's sacrifice, and he was filled with grief and indignation. Despite his blindness, he activated the "Emperor's Sword" in his final struggle. He poured all his imperial fortune into Ling Xue's body, hoping to help her overcome this crisis.

Before his soul dissipated, Zhou Xing chuckled softly: "Ling Xue, this time it's my turn to be your mountain."

Ling Xue sensed Zhou Xing's determination and love, and she was heartbroken. Just then, the Heavenly Dao seemed moved by their love, reshaping Zhou Xing's soul. Ling Xue also made a momentous decision: she relinquished her millennia of cultivation, transforming herself into a mortal.

From then on, historical records could only record that "the emperor and empress were of one mind and created a prosperous era," but no one remembered the monster that devoured fortune.

After the new emperor ascended the throne, the court was peaceful and harmonious. In the inner palace, a blindfolded man would wait in the garden every day. In his palm, he would always hold a peach blossom pastry, the favorite dessert of his beloved.

One day, a homeless couple arrived outside the palace gates. The wife's eyes were clear and bright, and although the husband was blind, his face radiated a happy smile. The couple performed a puppet show in the palace, attracting a large crowd of onlookers.

The blindfolded man heard the familiar melody and his heart stirred. He slowly walked to the couple and took the puppet the man offered. In that instant, countless images flashed through his mind: battles, tribulations, vows…

At the same time, Ling Xue recognized the blindfolded man in front of her as Zhou Xing. Tears welled up in her eyes, and all the sealed memories surged back like a tide. Zhou Xing cut the peach blossom pastry in half, handing one half to Ling Xue and putting the other half in his own mouth. He smiled and said, "The taste of the marketplace is indeed the sweetest."

As the sun set, the two walked hand in hand into the marketplace. Willow catkins drifted down from the palace walls, as if singing a lament of fate and enduring love. From then on, they bid farewell to the court's intrigues and spent a simple yet happy life amidst the everyday hustle and bustle of life.

Ling Xue sat in the bridal sedan chair, listening to the festive suona music outside, but her heart was filled with mixed emotions. Today was supposed to be her joyous wedding day with the young master of the Chen family, but she had only met him a few times and felt no affection for him whatsoever. The sedan chair moved slowly forward, when suddenly, the resounding sound of horses' hooves shattered the celebratory atmosphere, and the crowd outside began to stir.

"The general is back! General Zhou has returned in triumph!" Cheers erupted from the crowd. Ling Xue's heart tightened. Zhou Xing, the man she had been betrothed to, had returned in triumph as a general.

At this moment, a fair hand lifted the sedan curtain, and a woman dressed as a man peeked out. It was Liu Ruyan, a woman disguised as a man in the army who had traveled through time, and also Zhou Xing's deputy general. Liu Ruyan looked at Ling Xue, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes, and deliberately raised her voice, saying, "General Zhou, do you still recognize the person in this wedding sedan?"

Zhou Xing rode a tall horse, his posture upright and his face stern. Upon hearing Liu Ruyan's words, his gaze involuntarily fell upon the bridal sedan chair. Ling Xue, through the gold thread embroidery on her veil, felt that burning gaze, and her heart skipped a beat. The apple-shaped embroidered handkerchief in her hand was unconsciously crumpled into wrinkles.

Just then, a warhorse suddenly went out of control, charging wildly towards the bridal sedan chair. Panic erupted in the crowd, screams filling the air. Zhou Xing reacted swiftly, immediately spurring his horse to block the mad horse. His reins danced like a nimble snake, skillfully subduing the mad horse.

As Zhou Xing pulled on the reins, the tassel of his sword became entangled in the red ribbon of Ling Xue's sedan chair, and the two were momentarily locked in a stalemate. Seeing this, Liu Ruyan sneered, swung her whip, and cut the tangled threads, saying, "Missing the auspicious time is bad luck." With that, she spurred her horse and rode away.

Ling Xue returned to the west wing of the Chen residence, her heart still filled with turmoil. Sitting at the table, gazing at the nuptial wine before her, her thoughts drifted back ten years. Back then, she and Zhou Xing were still young, pledging their marriage in the peach grove. Zhou Xing had taken half a tiger tally from his robes and handed it to Ling Xue, saying, "This tally is my pledge; I, Zhou Xing, will marry you, Ling Xue, in this lifetime." Ling Xue accepted the tally, her heart overflowing with sweetness.

But now, everything has changed. Ling Xue looked at the wine glass in her hand, and tears unknowingly dripped into it, creating ripples in the nuptial wine.

Late at night, Zhou Xing was alone in the military camp, drowning his sorrows in alcohol. Liu Ruyan walked in, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes as she looked at Zhou Xing. She took out a match from her bosom, lit the amulet that Ling Xue had given her years ago, and said, "Now that Your Highness has chosen military power, why bother with old feelings?"

Zhou Xing looked at the burning amulet and felt a pang of pain in his heart. He didn't say anything, but just silently drank his wine.

Three days later, Liu Ruyan arrived at the Chen residence with a group of soldiers and forcibly requisitioned Ling Xue's dowry estate. Ling Xue was furious upon learning this. In her study, she accidentally discovered secret letters between her father and Zhou Xing. The letters revealed the truth behind the annulment of the engagement three years prior: it was all Zhou Xing's conspiracy. To gain the support of the Minister of War, he had gone so far as to frame Ling Xue's father.

Ling Xue looked at the secret letter, tears welling up in her eyes. She never imagined that the person she loved so deeply could be so cruel.

On their wedding night, Young Master Chen drank himself into a stupor and fell asleep immediately. Ling Xue sat alone by the bed, her heart filled with sorrow. Suddenly, a dark figure flashed past the window, and Ling Xue became alert. The figure broke through the window and entered; upon closer inspection, Ling Xue recognized it as Zhou Xing.

When Zhou Xing saw Ling Xue, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but it quickly returned to its coldness. He reached out and grabbed Ling Xue's neck, saying, "Why did you break off the engagement back then?" Ling Xue was struggling to breathe under his chokehold, but she still stubbornly said, "You betrayed me first."

Just then, Liu Ruyan burst in with a group of people. Seeing Zhou Xing and Ling Xue's scene, she was consumed by jealousy. She took out a tinderbox and lit the bed curtains; instantly, the room was ablaze with flames.

Young Master Chen was awakened by the thick smoke. He was terrified by the scene before him and didn't know what to do. Just then, a sharp blade shot in through the window and pierced Young Master Chen's chest, killing him instantly.

In the chaos, Ling Xue seized the opportunity to escape the room. She went to her father's study and found a bloodstained tiger tally in a secret room. At that moment, Zhou Xing also caught up. Ling Xue held the tiger tally, looked at Zhou Xing, and said, "You replaced the real tiger tally with a fake one back then, did you think I didn't know?"

Just then, Liu Ruyan led her troops to surround the secret chamber. Ling Xue knew she had nowhere to escape, so she handed the tiger tally to a servant hiding in the shadows and said, "Send your young lady out of the city." The servant took the tiger tally and escaped from the Chen residence in the chaos.

Ling Xue jumped into the moat, the icy water temporarily bringing her to her senses. She swam downstream to a cold pool and climbed ashore. By then, she was exhausted, and her wounds were bleeding profusely.

Just when she was almost in despair, a herb-gathering woman appeared before her. The herb-gathering woman's eyes flashed with surprise when she saw Ling Xue, but she still took Ling Xue back to her dwelling and healed her wounds.

During their time together, Ling Xue noticed a tattoo on the herb-gathering woman's wrist—the very symbol of a modern hospital. She was startled, realizing that this herb-gathering woman was also from another time.

The herb-gathering woman looked at Ling Xue and said frankly, "I originally wanted to kill you with the plague so that you would make way for Liu Ruyan. But you are a good girl, and I couldn't bring myself to do it." Ling Xue felt a mix of emotions upon hearing this.

A few days later, Ling Xue learned from the herb-gathering woman that Zhou Xing had been imprisoned on death row for the crime of "murdering his wife." A pang of pain shot through her heart, and she decided to go to the death row to see Zhou Xing one last time.

In the death row, Ling Xue met Zhou Xing. Zhou Xing looked at Ling Xue, his eyes filled with guilt. He roared, "The peach grove that year didn't contain a token of love; it contained a map of military rations and defenses." Ling Xue was shocked. She hadn't realized that Zhou Xing had been protecting her all along.

Driven by her ambition, Liu Ruyan activated the city gate's mechanism, intending to unleash a hail of arrows to kill Ling Xue. Just as the arrows were about to be fired, Zhou Xing rushed forward without hesitation, shielding Ling Xue with his own body. Three iron arrows pierced his back, staining his uniform crimson with blood.

As Zhou Xing lay dying, he pulled a blood-stained cloth bag from his bosom and handed it to Ling Xue, saying, "This is the real Tiger Tally. Take it and mobilize the troops." Ling Xue took the Tiger Tally, tears welling up in her eyes.

At this moment, the enemy had already breached the city gates, and the situation was extremely critical. Ling Xue, carrying the tiger tally, went to the city wall. She cut off her long hair, tied it with Liu Ruyan's command flag, and used the tally to summon Zhou Xing's personal guard. Standing on the city wall, she shouted loudly, "Whoever opens the city gates to welcome the enemy will be rewarded with ten thousand gold pieces and ennobled!" Hearing this, the soldiers' morale soared, and they all followed Ling Xue as she rushed out of the city gates. On the battlefield, Ling Xue fought bravely against the enemy.