Xianye

Chapter 467 Only today did you know that I am me

The atmosphere in the hall was eerie, as if gusts of cold wind were blowing through it, chilling one to the bone.

After the old monkey pulled its claws out of Chen Ziding's abdomen, the latter groaned, and flames suddenly roared up all over his body.

He only had time to glance at Chen Yushu one last time before his head turned into a wisp of smoke and vanished, never to return.

"Golden Core... A first-grade Golden Core from the orthodox immortal path!"

The old monkey gently spread its paws, gazing at the perfectly round and flawless golden elixir, which resembled a chaotic chicken egg, with the essence of the two celestial bodies swirling around it, radiating brilliant light.

He pondered for a moment, then couldn't help but sigh softly:

"I never expected that a true first-grade Golden Core cultivator would die at my hands. This is quite interesting!"

Chen Yushu remained silent, seemingly lost in thought, until the old monkey called him twice from the side, at which point Chen Yushu slightly turned his gaze.

He reached out and took the golden pill the old monkey offered, putting it into his sleeve. Then he took out a dark gold magic talisman from his sleeve pouch and slowly crushed it.

Dozens of tiny streaks of light burst forth from between his fingers, like fireflies flitting about, and flew off in different directions.

"What is this?" the old monkey asked curiously.

"Now that I have done this, my father will surely not tolerate me. The best course of action is to escape as soon as possible. If I delay any longer, I will not be able to leave."

Chen Yushu looked at him:

"I still have a few loyal old subordinates whose lives are in my hands. I will need their help in the future."

The old monkey gave Chen Yushu a deep look, as if he had thought of something, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face. He nodded slightly.

"Then it's your turn to clean up the mess," Chen Yushu said calmly.

The old monkey chuckled, tucked a few hairs from behind his neck into his hand, blew them into the air, and they transformed into the likeness of Chen Ziding. In terms of both demeanor and aura, they were exactly the same as the real Chen Ziding.

He strode out of the warm pavilion with an air of nonchalance, accepting the greetings from the female officials along the way with composure. Then, he took the sword he had previously unloaded, and with a slight urge, he transformed into a streak of sword light, cleaving through the clouds and disappearing into the distance.

"My monkey hair might fool a few small fry, but if I were to encounter a powerful cultivator who is truly acquainted with Chen Ziding, I'm afraid I would have nowhere to hide."

The old monkey scratched its head, its voice carrying a hint of urging:
"What are your plans for creating jade in Langhuan?"

"..."

Chen Yushu remained silent for a long time. Suddenly, he took a step back, and as his sleeve fell, it accidentally brushed against the dragon-head incense burner behind him, causing the small golden bell hanging from the burner's handle to jingle.

The commotion was somewhat abrupt in the quiet room, causing the old monkey to raise an eyebrow slightly.

"I will do so as soon as possible."

Chen Yushu broke the silence in a low voice.

Seeing this, the old ape nodded and said nothing more.

The following day, outside the Zhuling Palace.

Chen Heng watched as Chen Yushu was led into the Zhuling Palace by the female officials. The group passed through nine palaces and pavilions, and when they finally arrived at a quiet pavilion surrounded by flowers, trees, peach trees, and willow trees, Chen Yushu suddenly hesitated and waved for the female officials around him to disperse.

He stood silently in the outer room, waiting for a long time, before a middle-aged woman's voice suddenly rang out from deep within the building:
"Yu Shu, is that you?"

"Has Mother woken up?" Chen Yushu asked with a smile.

"Thanks to the jade crafting of that Langhuan, although I am still in a daze, my mind is a little clearer than before. The other day when Xiangxian came to Zhuling Palace, he said that you had not seen him for a long time."

A woman sighed, "Yu Shu, your injuries..."

Chen Yushu did not answer for a long time before finally speaking:
“Mother, I have committed a grave offense.”

"A major fault?"

“I made a deal with the Dharma God.”

Chen Yushu slowly raised his head and sighed softly:
"Mother, I killed Ziding yesterday..."

There was no sound from the depths of Louguan; you could hear a pin drop.

And on the other side.

It was unclear how long they had been waiting, but the old monkey, who was pacing back and forth in the hall, was already getting impatient.

Just as he was about to take the lead himself, a line of snow-white light suddenly appeared on the largest dragon pillar in the hall, so bright that it was impossible to open one's eyes.

Amidst the swirling smoke and clouds, a withered figure slowly emerged.

"I have given you all of the life-giving hairs of the Void Ancestor, yet you have not succeeded? Is it because you cannot find the right opportunity?" The old monkey frowned when he saw that Chen Yushu's sleeves were clean and there was not a trace of blood on his body.

Chen Yushu did not answer, but instead put two fingers together and made a cut between his eyebrows.

As his finger fell, a bright light suddenly shot out from between his brows, accompanied by the clear sound of bells and chimes rising from the void, ethereal and hazy, unlike any earthly music.

The old monkey stared intently and saw two objects floating in the light: a baby-shaped star jade and a phantom of a golden-red banner.

"Langhuan Jade Making, and... the Sanskrit phrase 'All Gods Respect the Banner'?"

The old monkey swallowed hard, and a sharp glint appeared in its eyes.

Seeing this, Old Monkey knew perfectly well that Chen Yushu had succeeded on this trip, and what he gained would far exceed his expectations!
The infant-shaped star jade of the former was their only hope for survival.

The latter has many incredible uses and is a treasure that all the gods of the Void Emperor desire but cannot obtain. It is extremely precious!
At this moment, as the jade made by Langhuan appeared, the head of Chen Ziding, which had been kept by the old monkey, also sensed something. Chen Yushu suddenly groaned, and muddy mud rushed out from his eyes, ears, nose and mouth, as if it had a mind of its own, howling and cursing, accompanied by a torrent of blood.

Even Chen Yushu could not bear such excruciating pain; his body arched like a pine tree falling from a cliff, his ten fingers piercing deep into his palms, the wounds revealing the bone.

His veins bulged all over his body, and one after another they burst open!

Before long, Chen Yushu suddenly stopped moving, as if frozen in place.

The black mud gushing from his body had already completely enveloped him, mixing with the blood, making him look like a hideous blood mud puppet, exuding a chilling aura.

Chen Heng saw the old monkey circling around Chen Yushu with great interest, making clicking noises.

The old monkey seemed to want to say something, but its movements suddenly froze.

It took him a long while to gradually come to his senses, and for some reason, a deep joy appeared on his face.

As the pus-filled, bloody filth peeled away piece by piece, Chen Yushu's figure was revealed in a short while.

Before the old monkey stood a handsome man with porcelain-white skin and bright red lips.

Although his eyebrows and clothes were covered in blood, his demeanor was all the clearer, like a bright moon shining over a magnificent house, or a painted bridge in the green shade. Suddenly, the wind stirred, and his black hair flew wildly, just like a painted figure.

"..."

Chen Yushu slowly looked into the mirror, paused for a moment, and then shifted his gaze to the Langhuan Jade, remaining silent for a long time.

The old monkey hopped twice on the spot, in high spirits. Seeing Chen Yushu lost in thought, he hesitated for a moment before speaking up to comfort him:

"You were able to obtain the Langhuan Jade and the Brahma Ten Thousand Gods Banner, which must have been with your mother's tacit approval. A mother's love for her son is as virtuous as a mother's love for her child!"
"It's alright. Although you took the Jade, this action may not have completely ended your mother's life. With that god-king's immense power, he should be able to preserve a sliver of your mother's spirit. There should still be a chance for things to turn around in the future."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yushu looked intently at the old monkey, who scratched his head in confusion, unsure of what he had said wrong.

Just as he was puzzled, Chen Yushu suddenly wiped the blood off his face and burst into laughter, looking triumphant.

"That's how I comforted myself. I thought I would be reluctant and hesitant, and that I might even turn back halfway and honestly confess my sins. In front of my mother, I seemed to really think that way. But after I actually obtained the Langhuan Jade and the curse was lifted..."

Chen Yushu paused, then murmured:
"I feel only joy and relief."

He sneered:

"I am not as virtuous and upright as I think. The reason I have been practicing cultivation without stopping is simply because of my fear of death!"
Faced with matters of life and death, all kinship, ethics, right and wrong, good and evil are nothing but dung to me, and I have long decided that I can discard them at any time.

All that has happened in the past—the constraints of social norms and the shackles of power—has made me ashamed to reveal my true feelings. I've donned a worldly shell, earnestly playing the role of a good heir and a good crown prince! How laughable that only now have I truly seen things clearly…”

Chen Yushu walked slowly to the outside of the hall, leaned on the railing and looked into the distance, his black hair dancing wildly in the wind.

He reached out and shook hands in a loose grasping motion, then burst into laughter: "Ha! Only today do I realize who I truly am!"

The old monkey was captivated by the sudden surge of violent and unrestrained demonic energy emanating from him. His pupils involuntarily contracted, and after a moment, he clapped his hands in praise, nodding repeatedly in agreement.

"So what are your plans after this?" the old monkey asked.

"Given your appearance, you've probably already planned out a way out for me, so why ask any more questions?" Chen Yushu said calmly.

"It's really hard to hide it from you."

The old monkey smiled and pointed east:

"Let's go to Xudu Heaven and join the Doushu Sect."

"Xu Dutian, eight sects and six factions?" Chen Yushu was slightly surprised.

"Just now, Ancestor Kongkong sent a divine message. He is very satisfied with you and wants to lend you a hand."

The founding immortal of the Dou Shu Sect had a half-master relationship with the legendary Tribulation Immortal Ancestor, and was also considered to be a fellow disciple of Ancestor Kong Kong. In addition, when the Dao Court collapsed, the Dou Shu Sect owed Ancestor Kong Kong a favor, especially since that favor fell on the current ruler of the world, Shenwu Shuhua Daojun.

With these, it shouldn't be difficult for you to enter the Dipper and study the Dao.

As for the possible rumors, the creation of the jade in Langhuan is easy to explain, considering your mother's approval. As for Chen Ziding's head, it can be barely glossed over as a power struggle.

But once you join the Dou Shu Sect, you'll likely face some cold treatment. You should temper your ambition; how far you climb in that immortal sect will depend entirely on your own cleverness and fortune.

The old monkey talked on and on for a while, then reminded him:
If you wish to enter the Immortal Sect, you must sever this divine cultivation, thus creating a congenital deficiency.

However, it doesn't matter. Ancestor Kongkong has also made arrangements for this. Although that Tribulation Immortal Ancestor is currently in seclusion, there is a ten-thousand-foot-long screen wall in his Daoist temple. At midnight, the Tribulation Immortal Ancestor's various insights into the Primordial Dao will appear on the screen.

The great powers of the universe also called this screen wall 'Mysterious Pivot of Wonderful Use', all wishing to witness its profound mysteries.

That Daoist Shenwu Shuhua is quite skilled in the Dao of Creation. At that time, Ancestor Kongkong will lead this Daoist to the 'Wonderful Use Mysterious Pivot' so that she can observe and comprehend it. In return, the Daoist will need to create a Qi cultivation technique for you that is sufficient to build a solid foundation for your innate nature.

What do you think of this arrangement?

Chen Yushu pondered the old monkey's words several times, and then said:

"The Dou Shu Sect, Daoist Shenwu Shuhua, and the fundamental Qi Refining Technique..."

He turned to the old monkey:

"Senior Kongkong has gone to so much trouble for me, how should I repay him? Does he want me to inherit his legacy, or does he want me to become his calamity seed?"

"Now I can finally address you as 'senior'?"

The old monkey joked:
"No, no, no need for repayment. As for the *Human Taming Sutra* and the 'Killing Seed'—"

The old monkey pointed to his heart, his expression meaningful:

"Yu Shu, as long as you have desires in your heart, you will understand sooner or later."

Chen Yushu did not answer, but after a moment he only said:
"It's time to set off. I'm only able to conceal the abnormality on my mother's body by borrowing the power of the Sanskrit mantra 'All Gods Respect the Banner,' but I ultimately cannot refine that thing, and its effects may not last long... I don't know if the spirit of the artifact will be willing to work even harder on our escape journey later; that remains a question."

The old monkey smiled and said nothing more.

After that, Chen Heng watched as Chen Yushu rallied his old subordinates and escaped from Xuhuangtian amidst the chaos.

Upon leaving the world, Chen Yushu met with the two retainers left behind by Fa Chishen. Together, they staged a play to trick the unsuspecting Bai Sanren in exchange for the two retainers' cooperation.

Although Bai Sanren eventually realized his mistake, he did not beg for mercy. He only asked Chen Yushu to spare the magic artifacts such as the Escape Shuttle before being executed.

Just when Chen Yushu thought he had enough to rely on and was about to escape, the arrival of the Great Crimson Heavenly Guards and the remnants of Gao Heng's troops who followed the sound made Chen Yushu's heart sink to the bottom.

The Great Red Heavenly Guards were Chen Yu's personal troops and were loyal only to Chen Yu.

When the Heavenly Guard leader Fu Que attacked, he showed no mercy. Although the old monkey tried his best to stop him, the two fought each other from a distance.

However, the aftershocks still shattered half of Chen Yushu's torso, nearly killing him on the spot.

Chen Heng sensed that Chen Yushu's emotions were a mixture of cold anger and a hint of silence.

If it weren't for Chen Yu's orders, even if Fu Que had a thousand times the courage, he wouldn't dare to attack Chen Yushu like this.

The original Great Crimson Heavenly Guards were engaged in fierce fighting in Great Renzhou, so their appearance here clearly indicates that Chen Yu was truly enraged.

As for Gao Heng and his remaining troops...

"If Rong Ziding had quelled Gao Heng's rebellion back then, perhaps we wouldn't be in this mess today?"

Chen Heng heard Chen Yushu sigh softly, then calmly met the astonished gaze of Chen Xiangxian and the incredulous look of his own Daoist partner in the other Dharma carriage.

Chen Yushu suddenly unleashed his secret sword and talisman, slaying most of the nine-headed dragon horse pulling the cart!

As the cries of agony echoed, the Dharma chariot where Chen Xiangxian and his Daoist partner Chen Yushu resided immediately slowed down.

Gao Heng had a past grudge against Chen Yushu for killing his own relatives. Although he knew it was Chen Yushu's treacherous scheme, he still sent some troops to surround and kill the descending chariot.

Chen Yushu watched coldly as Chen Xiangxian shielded his mother behind him, his expression unmoved. He simply took the opportunity to urge the carriage forward and sped away.

Along the way, they chased and fled, passing through several boundary gates.

Just when Chen Yushu was almost out of breath, a huge, all-encompassing hand suddenly descended, smashing the crazed Gao Heng and several of his confidants into a bloody pulp.

Then, with a tremor in the void, the old monkey, who was vomiting blood, also revealed himself, looking disheveled.

"Although I have some skill in concealing my identity, I am not very good at direct combat..."

The old monkey gave a wry smile first, then said seriously:
"I'll sever your divine cultivation!"

"Now?" Chen Yushu frowned.

“While you were chasing after those minor gods, I clearly led the group of Great Crimson Heavenly Guards to another place, but the leader seemed to know your location and kept coming back.”

The old monkey sighed:

“Since you are now practicing the path of incense and deities, I suspect that someone might have a way to trace back to your true form through the prayers and wishes of your followers!”

Chen Yushu remained silent for a moment, then sneered: "Fu Que has no such ability. I've only ever seen this method used on my father!"

He struggled to his feet, said nothing, and after a few moments of internal energy, immediately struck his own head with a palm.

The chakra at the back of his head suddenly dimmed, shattered into pieces and fell to the ground, and golden liquid gradually flowed out from his seven orifices, then turned into deep black energy.

Just as Chen Yushu's vital energy suddenly declined, a crimson light shot up into the sky from afar, making the old monkey's eyes twitch.

"Alas, alas, we have no choice but to fight with all our might..." the old monkey sighed.

This time, however, the crimson light did not continue forward.

The old monkey was suspicious. Ignoring the formidable enemy at hand, he quickly turned around to look behind him.

An endless cloud of demonic energy rose in the west, coalescing into a massive vortex that spun endlessly, like a millstone of chaos, never ceasing.

Above the demonic cloud stood a kind old man with long eyebrows and drooping cheeks.

He held an iron chain with a thin, yellow talisman attached to it, and looked in this direction with great interest.

"A Dao Lord of the Demonic Path?" The old monkey was horrified upon seeing this.

Chen Yushu sensed a gaze descending upon him from afar. Although he was puzzled, his divine wheel at the back of his head had completely collapsed and he had lost all his cultivation. He could not even see clearly the area a hundred feet in front of him, let alone anything further.

As Chen Yushu severed his divine cultivation, Chen Heng also felt a burst of white light before his eyes, and the "clanging" of the bell rang out behind his head once again.

In just a few breaths, that divine intent was taken away from Nianyu and returned to her physical body in the mortal world.

He meditated on the jade couch for a few rounds, sorting out everything he had seen and heard in the jade. After a while, he opened his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

Recalling the last memory of Chen Yushu, of the long-browed old man standing deep in the demonic clouds, Chen Heng thought to himself.

"The Primordial Demonic Sect, the Five Manifestations Dao Lord of the Mysterious Netherworld?"

(End of this chapter)