Chapter 2  

◎Fated Rivals◎  

02.  

In her past life, Zhuoying had never been to the immortal realm, but there were many tales about it circulating in the mortal world.  

It was said that the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace demanded its immortals sever all emotions and attachments, forbidding any personal affections.  

It was also said that the Celestial Emperor and Empress were cold and severe, with every word and action of the immortals governed by strict laws. The slightest misstep would incur heavy punishment—demotion at best, or at worst, the stripping of one’s Immortal Root, banishing them from immortality forever.  

In the mortal world’s storybooks, the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace was an unshakable villain.  

Either they were always scheming to tear lovers apart or portrayed as hypocritical frauds, their malice so profound that even demons couldn’t compare.  

These tales spread far and wide, their truth hard to discern.  

But for ordinary mortals who rarely had the chance to meet an immortal from the Supreme Purity, the image of them as villains had long been deeply ingrained.  

Zhuoying wasn’t sure how exaggerated these stories were, but Zhaocui, the only one who had been to the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace, kept lamenting how it was “worse than death,” so they probably weren’t far off.  

At the edge of the heavens, immortals rode clouds and mist, descending with a mighty host of Celestial Soldiers.  

The human race had declared war on the immortal realm, destroying countless palaces, temples, and shrines—many of which were Martial God Temples that had once protected the mortal world from demons. Naturally, these Celestial Soldiers bore no goodwill toward humans.  

Seated within her palanquin, Zhuoying lowered her gaze.  

Even the most ordinary among them could crush her as easily as an ant.  

But as long as they couldn’t kill her outright…  

Given time, she would eventually find an opportunity to turn the tides.  

At the sight of the Celestial Soldiers from the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace, Zhaocui was instantly reminded of the shadows from her past life. She shrank back against the carriage, her spine pressed tightly against it.  

She reassured herself—it didn’t matter. In this life, she wouldn’t be going to the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace.  

These Celestial Soldiers would never again come to hunt her down for fleeing the heavenly palace. She and these people would never have any connection again…  

Just as she was thinking this, a figure clad in golden armor and crimson robes galloped forth from the ranks of the Celestial Soldiers.  

Beneath the hooves of the nimble Celestial Steed, Galloping Cloud, a surge of spiritual energy swept forward, whipping the banners along the Xuanwu Road into a frenzy and sending horses neighing in panic.  

Apart from Emperor Que, who was shielded by the Aura of the Human Emperor, the crowd descended into chaos.  

The most precarious of all was Zhaocui’s carriage. The ornate but cumbersome vehicle was overturned by the panicked horses, toppling onto its side.  

The Emperor roared, “What are you all standing around for? Help the princess at once!”  

Only then did the palace attendants scramble forward in disarray.  

Zhaocui, helped out of the wreckage, appeared unharmed, though the elaborate hairstyle she had spent an hour perfecting was now undone. Her face was pale with shock, leaving her looking rather disheveled.  

The Emperor withdrew his gaze, his expression dark as he glared at the young Divine Lord astride his steed.  

“After days of peace talks between the human race and the immortal realm, who dares to act with such disrespect?”  

The youth’s jet-black hair was tied high, a dark headband adorned with a Thunderous Cicada Pattern binding his forehead. The stark contrast of crimson and black framed a face both handsome and youthful, his sharp brows exuding an intimidating aura that made it hard to meet his gaze.  

“Xie Cexuan, Thunderclap Directorate Junior War God of the Hall of Heavenly Kings.”  

The young man’s voice was clear and bright, his tone laced with laughter, brimming with the carefree arrogance of youth.  

The reins coiled around his broad, powerful palm, sunlight glinting off his golden armor and crimson robes, dazzling like a wildfire—so radiant it seemed to dim the heavens themselves.  

As he answered, he didn’t even glance at the Emperor. His gaze was fixed solely on the tearful young girl behind him.

The gaze was hard to define—whether it was haughty or mocking. After sizing her up for a long moment, he spoke indifferently:

“I thought you were someone remarkable, Zhuoying of Chishui. Is this all you’ve got?”

Zhaocui had been scared out of her wits the moment she saw Xie Cexuan.

In her past life, it was the Star Lord of Wenchang who had come to escort the hostages to the mortal realm. How had it ended up being this formidable Young God of War instead?

Suddenly remembering something, Zhaocui pointed tearfully at the palanquin by the side gate.

“I’m Zhaocui of Chishui! She’s Zhuoying of Chishui—you’ve got the wrong person!”

The scene fell into silence for a moment.

The Star Lord of Wenchang behind them couldn’t help but curl his lips, though he quickly suppressed it.

Xie Cexuan frowned slightly and followed Zhaocui’s pointing finger. After a long while, he finally spotted an inconspicuous small palanquin hidden among the crowd.

Behind the gauzy curtains, there indeed seemed to be a glimpse of a slender figure.

He turned back to look at the extravagant carriage at the center of the Xuanwu Avenue.

Could you blame him?

The difference was so stark that mistaking them was only natural.

Meanwhile, upon hearing the name of Xie Cexuan, the Young God of War, Zhuoying’s heart sank.

It was actually him.

In her past life, though the Barren Sea and the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace were both part of the immortal clans, the rise of the Barren Sea had led to frequent friction with the Heavenly Palace.

As the Young Master of Fate of the Barren Sea, Zhuoying had clashed with this Young God of War both publicly and privately, their rivalry evenly matched—truly each other’s nemesis.

However, in this life so far, they should have only crossed paths once.

Years ago, when the Nine Marshes and the Barren Sea went to war, Chen Ye’s forces were caught in a bitter battle. To rescue him, Zhuoying had set a trap to deceive Xie Cexuan, the Young God of War who happened to be passing through the Nine Marshes, into aiding them.

In the end, Chen Ye returned triumphant, but Xie Cexuan missed the crucial moment to capture the Flood Dragon, Chi Sui.

Not only was he punished by the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace, but he was also ridiculed to this day—mocked for the shame of being tricked by a mere fifteen-year-old human girl despite his lofty status as the Young God of War.

Given that outcome, it was no surprise he held a grudge against her in this life.

Recalling the spiritual energy he had just unleashed, Zhuoying couldn’t deny her fear.

But what use was fear?

Zhuoying raised her head, looking past the layers of gauze at that crimson figure.

To survive in the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace, she had to overcome Xie Cexuan as her first hurdle.

Cultivators were acutely sensitive to auras. Xie Cexuan could sense that although the figure in the palanquin had no cultivation base, her presence was as steady as deep, still waters—showing not a trace of panic upon hearing his name.

Indeed, this was Zhuoying of Chishui.

The Star Lord of Wenchang stepped forward leisurely, stroking his white beard with a smile.

“The Young God of War has some past grievances with Princess Zhuoying. Who would have thought he’d mistakenly frightened Princess Zhaocui instead? Allow me to apologize on his behalf.”

The Human Emperor’s expression darkened as he cast a cold glance at Xie Cexuan.

“Enough. He’s merely a mid-ranking Young God of War. I won’t stoop to his level.”

Xie Cexuan wasn’t angered by this. Instead, he replied with a carefree smile:

“Thank you for your magnanimity, Human Emperor. But even if you won’t take offense, I must take issue with you.”

The Human Emperor frowned, incredulous.

“Today, both the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace and the immortal clan of the Barren Sea have come to escort the hostages. Yet, you’ve prepared such a grand welcome for the Barren Sea while treating the Heavenly Palace with mere perfunctory gestures.”

The young man’s well-defined fingers rested on the hilt of his sword, tapping lightly.

“Could it be that you still hold grievances against the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace and intended to humble us?”

The snowstorm on Xuanwu Road raged on, and Emperor Que’s expression grew graver upon hearing these words.  

This snowfall could not continue. The state granaries were already running low, and if this persisted, famine would spread among the people, inciting rebellion. The threat of the kingdom’s collapse loomed dangerously close.  

The emperor’s gaze fell upon the empress beside him.  

Having been his wife for many years, she understood his thoughts at once and knelt in fearful apology:  

“All arrangements for the farewell were my responsibility. It was my oversight, and I meant no disrespect to the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace—Where is the ceremonial officer? Bring the ceremonial robes for Princess Zhuoying at once, and ensure everything is done with the utmost solemnity.”  

At her command, the palace servants sprang into action.  

They escorted Zhuoying to the nearest palace chamber, where the ceremonial officer and attendants hurriedly delivered lavish garments and golden hairpins, meticulously redoing her attire and makeup.  

This entire ordeal took a full hour.  

The envoys from the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace waited patiently, but the Great Yong imperial family was drenched in cold sweat, each moment stretching like an eternity.  

Only when Zhuoying was respectfully escorted in a four-horse carriage before the Young God of War clad in golden armor and crimson robes—and he raised no further objections—did the crowd finally exhale in relief.  

Wen Chang Xing Jun smiled gently at them and said,  

“May this journey bring peace between our two peoples and restore our former goodwill.”  

The Great Yong imperial family bowed in solemn agreement, their faces etched with unease, silently praying for Xie Cexuan, this formidable presence, to leave as soon as possible.  

Under countless hopeful gazes, the Celestial Soldiers cleared the path, and Zhuoying’s sedan chair, lifted by magic, ascended higher and higher into the distance.  

Zhuoying lifted the carriage curtain and looked down.  

Her eyes swept past the empress who had tormented her since childhood, past the siblings who had bullied her, and finally settled on the root of all her suffering—Emperor Que, her father.  

These people, who had once crushed her spirit like boulders, leaving her no path to survival, now stood trembling in fear, unaware of their own terror.  

They shrank into insignificance at the edge of her vision, eventually swallowed by the sea of clouds like grains of sand.  

Through layers of gauze curtains, Zhuoying lifted her gaze to the golden-armored, crimson-robed figure ahead.  

Sensing her stare, Xie Cexuan glanced back, his tone lazy yet laced with warning.  

“Don’t think I’m doing you any favors. Your days in the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace are long, and you must have heard the rumors—our laws are strict, our methods merciless. If you show even a hint of defiance, endless torment awaits you.”  

Zhuoying had long steeled herself and replied calmly,  

“I understand.”  

This was the first time Xie Cexuan had heard her speak.  

Her voice was clear as a mountain spring, her enunciation crisp, yet her tone softer than he had imagined.  

Xie Cexuan was taken aback.  

But unsatisfied with her reaction, he clicked his tongue and added,  

“And once you arrive at the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace, you’ll no longer be a princess. That shixiong of yours, the young lord of the Barren Sea, won’t be around to shield you either. You’ll obey every command from our Heavenly Palace—even if we hand you a cup of poison, you’ll drink it without hesitation. Can you do that?”  

Wen Chang Xing Jun, riding atop a crane, cast him a helpless look.  

The Young God of War wasn’t usually one to hold grudges—why was he so fixated on intimidating this young princess?  

“I can.”  

A single word left both Xie Cexuan and Wen Chang Xing Jun momentarily stunned.  

Wen Chang Xing Jun quickly reassured her, “Princess, pay him no mind. The Young God of War is only teasing—”  

“I did not take it as a joke.”

From behind the gauzy curtains came a woman’s voice, devoid of emotion.

“Entering the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace as a hostage represents humanity’s sincerity in seeking peace. Every move of the hostage is tied to the fate of our people. Whatever orders the Heavenly Palace gives me, I shall obey.”

Her attitude was genuinely surprising.

Especially to Xie Cexuan, who had once suffered a major setback because of her.

He couldn’t reconcile this utterly submissive woman with the audacious Chi Shui Zhuo Ying who had dared to deceive him.

Xie Cexuan frowned:

“Isn’t this act of yours a bit overdone?”

Zhuoying replied: “The Young God of War could give me poisoned wine right now.”

“…”

“Don’t worry,” Zhuoying chuckled lightly, “my father implanted a Gu Worm called Heart Devour in me since childhood. Though it slowly consumes my meridians, it also makes me immune to all poisons.”

Xie Cexuan, who usually left others speechless with his sharp tongue, found himself at a rare loss for words today.

What did she mean by this?

Mocking him? Or playing the victim?

The crimson-robed youth in golden armor tightened his brow. A barrage of sarcastic remarks swirled on his tongue, only to be swallowed back.

“Killing you wouldn’t require poison. You won’t die immediately. However, the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace doesn’t tolerate idlers. Even as a hostage, you must attend Fusang Academy for cultivation—seven hours daily. Let’s hope your body is as tough as your tongue.”

“I’m afraid not.”

Zhuoying lowered her eyes:

“Heart Devour has eroded my meridians. My body cannot cultivate.”

“Trying to slack off?”

Xie Cexuan scoffed, convinced he’d seen through her scheme, and said dismissively:

“Tomorrow I’ll have you registered in the Immortal Register immediately, summon Divine Lords from the Celestial Medicine Bureau to treat you, then request permission to descend and supervise your father in building your temple for worship.”

Her thick lashes trembled slightly in surprise at his words.

Being registered in the Immortal Register could birth an Immortal Root.

Treatment from the Celestial Medicine Bureau might remove the Gu Worm from her body.

A temple and worship.

This meant she could stand firm as an officially registered immortal through her own power, unlike her previous life where she could only secure her position by supporting Chen Ye.

This sudden windfall left Zhuoying momentarily dazed.

Xie Cexuan didn’t realize the significance of his words to her.

As they reached the South Heaven Gate, his mission for the day was complete. About to leave, he suddenly remembered he hadn’t yet seen Chi Shui Zhuo Ying’s true appearance.

A black spear, radiating killing intent, parted the layers of gauze.

“Anyway, Chi Shui Zhuo Ying, as long as I’m here—”

Xie Cexuan cast a careless glance into the carriage, intending to finish his threat about her suffering continuing, when—

The sheer curtains lifted, releasing the woman’s faint, lingering scent of medicinal herbs.

All his sharp words caught in his throat.

Xie Cexuan had privately speculated about her appearance.

Given her notorious deeds, he expected either a scheming, sinister face or a relentlessly sharp-tongued one.

Yet—

Her face resembled white peonies under moonlight—pale, cool, fragile as glass that might shatter at a touch. When she raised her eyes, they shimmered like cold stars trembling in the night.

He’d imagined a thousand possibilities.

But who would have thought…

This was what Chi Shui Zhuo Ying looked like.

Author’s note:

The romance plot is all about instant surrender 🙂