Overdraw the future and become a peerless martial god

Chapter 215 Homecoming Reflected in the Shadow
Chu Ning stood before the Martial Arts Hall's Soul Monument, his figure elongated in the twilight.

He didn't turn around, but slowly reached into his sleeve and took out something.

It was the afterimage of a soul lamp about half an inch in size, its walls mottled and marked with the traces of time.

At the wick, a wisp of crimson soul flame burned quietly. Though weak, it exuded an indomitable vitality. It was the token that Chu Ning had secretly kept on his body when the Crimson Flame Soul Fire first awakened and its consciousness was obscured. He used his own soul power as a guide to protect its original soul fire.

Now that the Crimson Flame has completed its ten transformations and the Demon King's true form is solidified, this soul lamp, which carries promises and protection, has finally reached its rightful place.

He gently placed the warm, lingering image of the soul lamp on the top of the cold soul monument, as if placing a heavy piece of the past.

He bowed slightly before the spirit tablet, his deep and clear voice echoing in the silent courtyard:
"Chu Ning, a disciple of Benlei, whose soul fire has not been extinguished, returns today."

"The Azure Flame Soul, Crimson Blaze, completes its tenfold transformation, and is eternally enshrined on the Soul Stele."

As soon as he finished speaking, the lingering shadow of the soul lamp spontaneously combusted without any flame.

Instead of raging flames, a soft, azure halo carrying the aura of crimson flames slowly rose and merged into the ancient soul monument.

"Om-!"

The Soul Monument seemed to be awakened from a long slumber, emitting a deep hum. The dim names and deeds on the monument also shone with a warm luster, as if they had been injected with new vitality and radiated immortal brilliance.

Throughout the entire martial arts school, an invisible spiritual aura flowed gently, as if brushed by a breeze.

The golden light of dusk fell heavily, covering the bluestone streets and adding a warm edge to this solemn scene.

Inside the courtyard, the boys walked with firm steps, beginning their pre-night recitations. Their clear voices gathered into a tide, echoing over the small town as dusk settled in.
"To be a martial artist is more than just about strength."

"Those who follow the Way must also uphold their original aspirations!"

Chi Yan's imposing figure appeared silently behind Chu Ning. His molten gold eyes swept over the aura on the Soul Stele that shared the same origin as his own, finally settling on Chu Ning's calm profile. He asked in a low voice:

"Sect Master, now that the matter in Qingyang is settled, may we set off?"

Chu Ning did not answer immediately.

The ship sailed amidst the light and shadows of the sky and clouds, while Chu Ning stood at the bow, his eyes lowered, gazing at the imperial capital beneath the distant cloud curtain.

The Soul Authority Talisman in his sleeve trembled slightly, the fifth rune had stabilized, and the soul energy within it was as deep and still as an abyss.

Chu Ning felt no relief whatsoever.

"It's time to go back," he said softly, his tone calm, yet seemingly a question to himself.

It wasn't just because Xie Mingli was about to give birth—she was alone in the capital, heavily pregnant, yet she still had to wield the power of the Soul Law, uphold imperial authority, and control the court with a single word or a single thought. She had persevered for too long; he couldn't let her down any longer.

More importantly, at this moment, he finally possessed the power to withstand the storm.

His gaze slowly swept over this familiar land once more—the training ground where he had poured out his sweat and blood, the roof where he had entrusted his beliefs and joys, the spirit monument engraved with the spirit of the martial arts school, and the threshold that he had crossed countless times, now carrying new hopes—all of which had settled into the foundation for others to move forward.

He nodded slightly, his voice gentle, yet carrying an unwavering resolve that no distance could shake.

"I have come here to fulfill a promise I made long ago."

"Leaving here is to go to an unfinished battle."

As soon as he finished speaking, he took one last look at the Soul Stele, which grew even more solemn in the twilight, and the martial arts school from which the sound of students reciting their lessons came from. Then, with his robes fluttering, he rose into the air and disappeared into the deepening night.

Beneath the dark sky, a streamlined dimensional vessel, shrouded in a faint soul glow, pierced through the clouds and sped silently.

Chu Ning stood at the narrow bow of the boat, the strong wind whipping his dark robes.

Behind him, Crimson Flame sat cross-legged like an iron tower, its molten gold pupils reflecting the vast landscape and scattered lights rushing past below like a chessboard.

"Sect Master," Chi Yan's deep voice cut through the wind, "you said you're going to the capital for Miss Xie Mingli?"

Although he was a demon king, he was already well-versed in human relationships and knew the importance of this woman in his lord's heart.

Chu Ning's gaze fell upon the northern sky, which appeared exceptionally brilliant and heavy in the night. His voice was soft, yet carried immense weight:
“I promised her that I would go back when she needed me most.”

He paused, seemingly sensing the inquiry in Chi Yan's gaze, and added, "At this moment, she carries the hopes of the Ningming Era alone, and is also carrying my flesh and blood in her womb."

Crimson Flame Melting Gold's pupils contracted slightly, and he nodded silently. He could feel the heavy concern beneath his master's calm words.

Chu Ning took out a secret letter from his bosom.

The letter paper is specially made with soul-patterned talisman paper, on which the Xie family's unique protective runes flow continuously and have never dissipated.

Familiar handwriting came into view, the content concise, all concerning important military and national affairs. Only at the end, in a slightly hurried ink stroke, different from official document handwriting, was a line of smaller characters:
"The capital is shrouded in turmoil, and I can still manage the safety of the world. But there is one thing I cannot do without you—waiting for your return."

As Chu Ning's fingertips traced the words, he slowly put the letter away. He raised his eyes, his gaze seemingly piercing through a vast distance, landing on the imperial capital city, where jade palaces hung high, symbolizing power and the center of a vortex.

An unprecedented sense of heaviness, transcending battlefield slaughter and the authority of boundaries, quietly permeated his heart—this journey was not for war, nor for power, but for one person.

Meanwhile, in the Kunyi Hall next to the main hall of the capital.

The lights were still on, and beneath the heavy curtains, a slender figure sat leaning against a table.

Xie Mingli, dressed in a plain brocade robe, held a page of a memorial in her hand, her hand trembling slightly. She had lost count of how many volumes she had reviewed.

A gust of wind rose outside the palace, causing the stone lions on Jinluan Street to creak and groan.

Those lurking gazes in the shadows are far colder than the night wind—

She was pregnant with the child of the Primordial Soul Master, yet she still stubbornly suppressed the Six Ministries and mobilized troops from three directions.

The old aristocrats in the court saw her as a threat, while the new nobles treated her as a puppet; even several tutors from the Soul Map Pavilion secretly said that if there were any changes in the dynasty, she and her son would be the first to be deposed.

She knew all this, but never said a word, and simply continued to govern as usual.

She knew that if she showed the slightest sign of fatigue, those restless forces would pounce on her like jackals and devour her unborn child.

Loneliness is the sharpest shadow of power.

At that moment, she put down the Chinese paper in her hand, raised her hand to her slightly protruding belly, and murmured softly:

“Your father said that if the world were at peace one day, he would return and take you and me away from this imperial city.”

She lowered her eyes, her gaze filled with tranquility and a glimmer of light.

"But I cannot fall before he comes. And you cannot be afraid."

She smiled slightly, but her smile carried an unyielding resilience.

If you ask me what the world is, I will say—it is you.

The flickering lamplight in the hall illuminated her slender yet resolute profile.

That was not just a woman seven months pregnant, but a regent who ruled the world and single-handedly supported all officials. Xie Mingli sat upright behind a large rosewood desk, her belly high and protruding, indicating that she was more than nine months pregnant.

This should have been a time for her to rest and recuperate, but her back remained as straight as a pine tree, her brows showed a lingering weariness, yet her eyes remained as sharp as ever.

Her slender, no longer delicate fingers, bearing the calluses from handling official business, were quickly and steadily annotating a file marked "Urgent Military Report from the Northern Border," the instructions outlined in vermilion ink clear and forceful.

On the corner of the table, there was also a draft on the rotation and scheduling of border troops in the five cities.

An elderly eunuch with white hair and beard stood by, his face full of worry, and couldn't help but whisper again, offering his advice:

"Your Highness, it is late. Your health is paramount. Can these military matters be dealt with tomorrow?"

Xie Mingli continued writing, her voice clear and calm, yet carrying an undeniable authority:
"The world has just been settled, but undercurrents are surging and the righteous path is not yet stable. If I were to rest now, this capital and this land would not yet have true peace."

She is like a lotus in the snow, seemingly cold and fragile, but in reality, she is resilient, fierce yet not sharp, cold yet not lonely.

Just then, a soul screen behind her, used for emergency communications, rippled slightly.

A eunuch dressed in the uniform of the Xie family's secret guards solidified quickly, kneeling on one knee, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement and respect:

"Reporting to Miss! The highest-level message from the First-Class Pavilion! Pavilion Master Chu's Soul Ship has broken through the restrictions of the Imperial Palace Heavenly Domain—it will arrive in the capital region within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn!"

"Clap."

The jade brush in Xie Mingli's hand, dipped in cinnabar, released a drop of bright red ink from its tip, which silently fell onto the snow-white Xuan paper, spreading out a small, glaring red stain.

The room was completely silent; you could hear a pin drop.

After a long while, she gave a barely audible "hmm," as if she were just confirming a routine message.

However, she slowly lowered her head, her gaze falling on her swollen belly. The hand that had been tightly gripping the vermilion pen, its knuckles turning slightly white from the force, finally loosened, and with a barely perceptible tremor, gently covered the spot in her womb where the baby was moving.

The sharpness and weariness that had been etched between his brows for years melted away in this moment, transforming into a soft halo that could eclipse the stars, whispering like a spring breeze across the heart:
"Child, do you hear me?"

"Your father is back."

Ignoring the strict no-fly zone order of the capital, the Boundary Ship, like a sword from beyond the heavens, broke through the clouds and pierced through layers of imperial light curtains.

Its bow was adorned with the exclusive dark gold emblem of the Soul Mirror Pavilion, and the five-patterned soul pressure surged like a thunderous tide, causing the energy of heaven and earth to vibrate and the palace barrier to hum and become unbalanced.

At that moment, the entire capital city seemed to be struck by lightning.

"That's... the Boundary Ship of the First-Class Pavilion?!"

"My God... he's really back?!"

"Chu Ning—the master of the five-pattern Soul Lock...that's the master of the First-Class Pavilion?!"

"His return coincided with the Regent's impending childbirth."

"He once destroyed the royal family and established the boundary seal. Now that he has returned, does he intend to completely regain control of the government?"

The news spread like wildfire from the palace outwards, shocking officials, stirring up unrest in the cities, and as if the entire capital had been pulled from its slumber.

Outside the main gate of the imperial palace—Chengtian Gate—the lights shone brightly, and guards stood in solemn rows.

The civil and military officials had already gathered and were waiting. Beneath their court robes, their hearts were churning, but no one dared to speak. They were only quietly watching the slowly descending soul boat and the familiar yet unfamiliar figure on it.

He was once a young Soul Master who defied the odds and slew a king; now he wields the power of the Soul Mirror, his Soul Lock bearing five patterns, and returns as the Soul Master.

But the expressions on everyone's faces were not uniform.

A high-ranking official in the central government said through gritted teeth in a low voice: "If he establishes another cabinet to oversee the government, our old order... will probably collapse completely!"

Some of the former members of the Changlin Army had tears in their eyes: "Prince Xie has held on alone for so long... Finally, he's back."

A member of the Soul Map Pavilion whispered, "With the Five-Patterned Soul Master back in place, the Soul Mirror will no longer be in the wrong hands."

The hearts of both civil and military officials are multifaceted.

Just as the voices quietly parted, the giant gate on Chengtian Gate slowly opened with a loud "boom" as the mechanism vibrated.

The deep palace path stretched out before the boundary ship, like a spiritual path connecting the past and the future, waiting for him to enter.

The boundary boat did not land, but hovered about ten feet above the ground, and the cabin door slid open silently.

A figure stepped out from within, dressed in black with white hair; it was Chu Ning.

He was not dressed in fine clothes, and his entire being was completely concealed, as if he had returned to his original, simple self.

However, when his footsteps landed on the mirror-like imperial road inside Chengtian Gate, an invisible, solemn majesty that seemed to resonate with the entire world naturally spread out, causing all those who were watching him to pause and involuntarily hold their breath.

The air seemed to freeze.

The core members of the Xie family were already waiting inside the door. Qin Henian quickly stepped forward, bowed deeply, and spoke with a mixture of excitement and relief:
"Lord! At least Miss is still reviewing memorials in the Soul Strategy Pavilion, determined not to rest. We are truly..."

Chu Ning's gaze swept past the crowd, landing on a familiar light deep within the palace walls. He said in a deep voice:
"understood."

Before he finished speaking, he had already started walking, ignoring the kneeling officials and the clamor behind him. His steps seemed steady, but his speed was astonishing. His dark figure left a swift afterimage on the brightly lit palace road, heading straight for the Soul Strategy Pavilion.

The urgency hidden beneath the calm was clearly felt by everyone present.

Inside the Soul Strategy Pavilion, the lights still burned.

Xie Mingli had already stood up from behind the desk and was standing by the window.

She stood with her back to the door, gazing at the deep night outside the window, her hand still gently resting on her abdomen.

Hearing steady, familiar footsteps approaching from behind and finally stopping at the door, she did not turn around immediately.

As Chu Ning stepped into the library, her gaze immediately locked onto the slender yet upright figure by the window, and the undeniable curve of his back that seemed to hold the promise of life.

He saw the mountain of files on the desk, the glaring cinnabar drop on the memorial, and the undisguised weariness on her profile.

"Mingli, you should rest." Chu Ning's deep voice broke the silence of the library, carrying an undeniable concern.

Xie Mingli slowly turned around. The lamplight illuminated her face; pregnancy had not diminished her beauty, but rather added a soft glow. Only the faint blue shadows in her eyes spoke of unseen weariness.

She calmly met Chu Ning's gaze, casually closing a troop deployment report on the table that she had just finished reviewing, the ink still wet. Her voice betrayed little emotion:

"You've come at just the right time."

Chu Ning approached her, with a desk between them.

His gaze fell on her hands resting on the desk—those slender hands that once held the pen with the power to wield a powerful pen and flick the fingers with the force of thunder, now bore thin calluses on her knuckles, and even faint red marks on her fingertips. A sharp, piercing pain suddenly struck Chu Ning's heart.

(End of this chapter)