Chapter 3  

◎Treatment◎  

Their gazes locked.  

Zhuoying studied the young man who had abruptly entered her line of sight.  

He was far younger than she had imagined, likely around eighteen or nineteen.  

His jet-black hair was tied high, the ends sharp as blades, cascading down the sharply defined angles of his profile.  

Amidst the swirling winds and shifting clouds, his indifferent glance held a detached coolness in his dark pupils, as though nothing in the world could stir his interest.  

This much aligned with Zhuoying’s expectations of him.  

Yet soon, that aloof expression faltered slightly, as if he had encountered something entirely unforeseen.  

His sword-like brows furrowed faintly, disbelief flickering in his eyes.  

“…Chi Shui Zhuoying?”  

Zhuoying gave a faint hum, offering a polite but distant smile.  

“Your reputation precedes you, Young God of War.”  

It was merely a courteous gesture, yet the young man’s expression shifted again. His sharp, hawk-like eyes lingered on her face, his gaze inscrutably peculiar.  

“…Cut the formalities.” The youth steadied himself, his tone icy. “What’s with the smile? Be serious.”  

Though she found him rather baffling, Zhuoying, aware of her current vulnerable position, obediently schooled her expression.  

“Where are we headed next?”  

“Naturally, the routine inspection at the South Heaven Gate. Since it’s your first time in the Heavenly Palace, we need to check your belongings to ensure you haven’t brought anything prohibited.”  

While her attention was elsewhere, he stole a few more fleeting glances, his frown deepening.  

Was this really Chi Shui Zhuoying?  

If so, then she was… quite…  

Xie Cexuan pinched the tip of his ear expressionlessly, his face darkening further.  

Zhuoying, however, paid no heed to his odd demeanor. Just then, a group of Celestial Soldiers stationed near the South Heaven Gate approached, their eyes darting between the scowling Xie Cexuan and the composed Zhuoying.  

Annoyed by their hesitation, Xie Cexuan snapped,  

“What are you standing around for? Don’t you know your duties?”  

Though these soldiers weren’t directly under Xie Cexuan’s command, they all belonged to the Hall of Heavenly Kings. The reputation of this arrogant Young God of War was well-known among them.  

To have provoked the notoriously temperamental Xie Cexuan to such visible frustration—Princess Zhuoying truly lived up to her infamous audacity.  

Even on the territory of the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace, she remained unyielding.  

They ought to teach her a lesson!  

The leading soldier, Chang Meng, felt an inexplicable surge of duty, his expression hardening as he demanded sternly,  

“Your belongings.”  

Zhuoying handed over her Mustard Seed Pouch.  

Intent on making an example of her, Chang Meng showed no mercy. With a derisive snort, he roughly rifled through its contents.  

A broken-toothed comb, slightly worn dresses, a few scrolls, and several small porcelain vials of unknown contents—all mundane, well-used items, hardly befitting a royal princess.  

Chang Meng pondered for a moment before it dawned on him.  

These must be priceless mementos!  

Why else would a pampered princess forsake gold and silver finery for such humble possessions?  

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became.  

If he confiscated these items…  

Wouldn’t that strike at her very heart, instilling in her a healthy fear of the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace?  

Chang Meng was thoroughly pleased with his own cunning. With a wave, he signaled his subordinates forward.

“Upon entering our Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace, you must sever all mortal ties. These shabby belongings are hereby confiscated! Attendants, bring forth the Dark Jade Brocade Cape, White Feather Ascending Immortal Dress, and Bright Spirit Lotus Crown.”

A flock of celestial maidens swarmed forward.

They carried trays bearing garments and hair ornaments that shimmered with unearthly radiance, far surpassing anything of mortal craftsmanship.

It was said that all Supreme Purity Dharma Garments were woven by the Weaving Maidens, impervious to water and fire, resistant to blades, and even capable of shielding against extreme temperatures.

During her time as Young Master of Fate in the Barren Sea, Zhuoying had once considered trading the exquisite Wild Sea Mermaid Silk crafted by the mermaids for these Supreme Purity garments to equip her warriors.

Alas, while the Barren Sea silk was precious and beautiful, it lacked practical value and held no worth in the eyes of the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace.

Zhuoying raised her head and asked:

“Are all these prepared for me?”

“Besides this set, several others have already been delivered to your Immortal Residence—forget about those rags you brought. From now on, you may only use what our Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace provides. Any objections?”

Chang Meng feigned sternness as he spoke, eagerly awaiting Zhuoying’s protest.

She would surely object.

No matter how magnificent these dharma garments were, how could they compare to personal items of sentimental value?

Were it him, he’d rather fight them than use these cold, brand-new, utterly impersonal things!

“I defer completely to the arrangements of the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace.”

Zhuoying showed none of the resistance he anticipated, instead pointing to another row behind them.

“But what are those?”

Following her gesture, the trays held a jade token and stacks of books.

“The jade token grants access to the Heavenly Palace’s Scripture Depository. With this token, you may study all Immortal Arts texts collected by the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace. Every palace resident receives one—nothing particularly rare.”

Chang Meng was somewhat disappointed by her reaction.

Studying her suspiciously, he continued:

“As for those books, they’re the required texts for study at Fusang Academy. The academy’s immortal instructors are all Upper Third Rank Divine Lords from our Heavenly Palace. The examinations are rigorous—though you’re merely mortal, Princess, we won’t go easy on you. Don’t think you can afford laziness.”

Fusang Academy was notoriously strict. Not only would this pampered human princess struggle, even many immortals found it grueling.

Surely now she’d show some fear?

Under Chang Meng’s intense gaze, Zhuoying fell silent.

Access to all Immortal Arts texts.

Instruction from Upper Third Rank Divine Lords.

No special treatment, even for a hostage like her.

Zhuoying lifted her eyes to the towering South Heaven Gate boundary marker in the distance.

In the mortal realm, how many people exhausted their entire lives just to glimpse a fragment of immortal destiny? How many, lacking proper guidance, wasted their efforts only to realize too late they’d pursued dead ends?

The human path is obscure; the immortal way vast. Countless lives are spent striving just to cross this South Heaven Gate.

And now, this path to heaven lay open before her.

Everything immortal cultivators sought was hers for the taking.

Zhuoying couldn’t comprehend why Zhaocui viewed such a Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace as some terrifying monster.

Threats about rigorous examinations didn’t even register.

Given such an opportunity, how could she—how dared she—be anything but diligent!

The sudden surge of emotion triggered a sharp pain in her chest, like silver needles piercing her organs.

Even though Zhuoying was skilled at enduring pain, this sudden agony exceeded her tolerance, causing her brows to furrow involuntarily.  

Chang Meng finally relaxed when he saw her expression.  

So, Princess Zhuoying had indeed been intimidated by him.  

Good!  

She needed to know that their Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace was not to be trifled with!  

Feeling as though he had won a battle, Chang Meng shot Xie Cexuan a triumphant glance.  

However, the Young God of War showed little satisfaction. His gaze fixed on the beads of sweat suddenly forming on the girl’s forehead, his brows tightly knit as he snapped impatiently at Chang Meng:  

“Are you done? Why so much nonsense?”  

“…Almost, almost.”  

Just as he was about to deliver a few more admonishing words to wrap things up, the black-haired, snow-robed girl suddenly paled.  

Before anyone could react, she covered her mouth and erupted into a fit of violent coughing.  

Chang Meng was startled.  

Her chest heaved with each cough, as if even breathing deeply was an unbearable torment.  

Between her jade-white fingers, thin streaks of blood dripped down her delicate wrists.  

“She’s… coughing up blood?”  

Zhuoying herself was also surprised by the crimson staining her palm.  

It was likely due to kneeling outside the palace for two hours this morning, combined with the exhausting journey—her body simply couldn’t hold up any longer.  

And just now, her usually calm emotions had been unusually agitated, stirring up her qi and blood and triggering her old illness.  

“What are you all standing around for?!”  

Xie Cexuan stepped forward, his sharp eyes catching the glaring blood in her palm. His sword-like brows furrowed deeper.  

Turning, he barked at the panicked onlookers:  

“Go summon an Immortal Physician from the Celestial Medicine Bureau! Or are you waiting for her to die so you can take the blame?!”  

“Right, right—I’ll fetch the physician… Wait, did I really make her cough up blood? Was it me?”  

Xie Cexuan ignored him, his expression grim.  

He had assumed Chi Shui Zhuoying merely looked frail—he hadn’t expected her to be genuinely ill. Standing there perfectly fine one moment, then suddenly coughing up blood the next.  

Was she made of paper?  

Wen Chang Xing Jun snapped out of his daze.  

“We can’t just stand here—Princess Zhuoying must be taken to her quarters to rest—”  

Before he could finish, Xie Cexuan swiftly scooped her up into his arms.  

Zhuoying, her face as pale as paper, parted her lips slightly.  

“Don’t bother with fake gratitude. I just don’t want you dying on my watch. You can drop dead after I deliver you.”  

She looked up at him, catching only the deep furrow of his brows and the tense line of his jaw.  

What was he so inexplicably angry about?  

“I was going to say…”  

Her voice was faint, her breath as thin as a thread on the verge of snapping.  

“You’re walking too fast. Your armor is digging into me.”  

“…”  

Now she’s being picky?  

Not in the mood to argue, Xie Cexuan willed his armor to dissolve into golden motes of light.  

Without the cold, rigid plating, his frame seemed more like that of a lean youth. The setting sun bathed his crimson robes, making him look like an undying flame.  

Exhausted, Zhuoying averted her gaze.  

Her old illness had flared up, her organs feeling as though pierced by steel needles. Holding on this long had already taken everything she had.  

When the girl in his arms slumped against his chest, Xie Cexuan’s hands twitched—he nearly dropped her outright.

Lowering his head to scold her, he suddenly fell silent upon feeling her drenched back.

Was it that painful?

He glanced down carefully a few times.

For a girl to endure pain so well—who could have taught her that?

…No wonder she could accomplish so many ruthless feats!

—

Lesser Light Heaven, Azure Wave Hall.

“…Your meridians are riddled with holes, and your internal organs show signs of long-term poisoning. If compared to a tree, you are like a withered one hollowed out by insects.”

Yan Jun, who had rushed over from the Celestial Medicine Bureau, looked at the pale, sickly face on the bed and smiled.

“The Heart Devouring Gu only damages your meridians, but this poison—does the princess have any idea about it?”

The bitter scent of medicine drifted in from outside the window.

Chang Meng, looking guilty and uneasy, was helping to brew the medicine, though half his body leaned toward the hall, eavesdropping on the conversation inside.

The red-clad Young God of War leaned against the wall, idly tossing a bag of dark plum preserves in his hand. He picked one up, tossing and catching it without any intention of eating it, his expression indifferent.

After a long pause, a clear, cold voice came from the inner chamber:

“I know. When my mother was pregnant with me, she was poisoned due to harem conflicts. This Frost Poison was passed down in the womb. From birth, physicians declared that unless a miracle occurred, I wouldn’t live past ten.”

As she spoke, her expression remained unperturbed. Those pitch-black eyes gazed at the Immortal Physician before her, capable of reviving the dead and regrowing flesh, and the corners of her lips curled into the faintest smile.

“Yet not only have I lived to eighteen, but I’ve also waited for you.”

Xie Cexuan, standing beneath the corridor, paused at her words.

It was strange.

He had only crossed paths with Chi Shui Zhuoying once and met her this one time.

Yet now, hearing her voice, he could almost picture the calm, composed expression on her bloodless face.

Yan Jun’s gaze toward Zhuoying also shifted slightly.

Though her body was as frail as withered wood, those ink-black eyes burned with an intense desire.

A desire that seemed ready to burst forth from her broken body, taking root in any soil that could nourish her.

Yan Jun chuckled. “I do have a way to cure your illness.”

Her jade-dark eyes suddenly gleamed with hope.

“However, the price—I’m afraid you cannot afford it.”

The flicker of hope was abruptly doused like cold water. Zhuoying, who rarely showed emotion, froze.

Price?

What price?

Yan Jun seemed uninterested in explaining. Instead, he called out to the window:

“Young God of War, bring the medicine in for her to take while it’s hot—but not too hot. Take the pill I left two hours later. Be mindful of her diet; she needs more meat.”

Xie Cexuan was taken aback, then his voice rang out, laced with irritation.

“—What are you calling me for? Am I her maid?”

Yan Jun replied leisurely, “Your people from the Hall of Heavenly Kings made Princess Zhuoying vomit blood. It’s only fair for you, the Young God of War, to take some responsibility.”

With that, Yan Jun packed his medicine chest and stood to leave.

“Yan Jun—!”

On the bed, Zhuoying snapped out of her daze and called after his retreating figure.

“What price are you talking about?”

Yan Jun didn’t stop, already at the door in a blink.

“Yan Jun! Though I have nothing to offer now, whatever the price, if you name it, I’ll find a way to fulfill it—Yan Jun!”

Zhuoying was determined to catch up to that retreating figure, but in her haste, she forgot about the injury on her knee. Stumbling, she tumbled off the bed.

Outside the door, Yan Jun paused at the sound.

He glanced back at the girl sprawled on the floor and sighed regretfully.

“If this old man says so, it must be beyond your capabilities, Princess. There’s no need to worry. As a human hostage bearing the responsibility of fostering goodwill between two realms, even if you cannot cultivate, the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace will not deprive you of food, clothing, or shelter.”

“Do not force what cannot be. Abandon your thoughts of cultivation—sooner rather than later.”

Zhuoying watched as Yan Jun’s figure vanished beyond her sight.

Abandon it?

In her past life, no one had given her the chance to cultivate. She had no choice but to pin her hopes on a ruler she deemed wise, exhausting herself to pave his path to glory. Yet even then, a single command from another had forced her to her death.

Now, in this life, the gates of the immortal realm had swung open for her, and the vast ocean of Celestial Arts Scriptures lay within her reach.

And she was expected to turn a blind eye to all of it, to remain a helpless pawn on another’s chessboard?

Absolutely not.

Xie Cexuan, drawn by the noise, stepped inside and found the girl sitting disheveled on the floor.

He took in her sorry state with meticulous scrutiny, intending to mock her, but the words stuck in his throat.

Because she didn’t actually look all that pitiful.

Her pristine white skirts fanned out like layers of petals across the wooden floor, and her unbound black hair cascaded like a waterfall amidst snow and ice.

The stark contrast of black and white made her skin glow even more luminously, her dark jade-like eyes shining with startling intensity.

Those eyes flickered like candle flames in the wind, teetering on the brink of extinguishment.

Yet they refused to be snuffed out, burning all the fiercer instead.

“…What’s got you so worked up?”

The young man’s voice was light, laced with an indiscernible hint of amusement.

Zhuoying was in no mood to feign obedience, so she ignored Xie Cexuan’s outstretched hand and avoided his attempt to help her up.

Unfazed, he simply crouched beside her on one knee, lips quirking in a faint smile.

“Of the twenty-seven Upper Third Rank Divine Lords in the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace, Yan Jun is the most approachable. For him to refuse to heal you is… unexpected. Chi Shui Zhuoying, why don’t you try begging me? Maybe I can help—”

“I beg you.”

Zhuoying’s reply was startlingly straightforward.

“Will you help me, then?”

“…”

“Convincing Yan Jun might be too much to ask, but at least help me find out why he said the price is beyond me. Can you do that?”

“……”

For some reason, though she had technically conceded, he didn’t feel the slightest bit of satisfaction.

Zhuoying immediately regretted her words.

Her tone had been laced with barbs—if Xie Cexuan had a shorter temper, he might have lashed out right then.

Normally, she would never make such a mistake. But the sudden rise and fall of her hopes for recovery had left her unusually impatient.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to retract the sharp edges she’d let show.

Before she could speak, however, he let out a derisive chuckle.

“Who do you take me for? I’ll give you an answer within three days. Your plea won’t be in vain.”

The sound of Chang Meng’s footsteps approached from outside.

He entered carrying a bowl of freshly brewed medicine, only to find one person sprawled on the floor and the other crouched before her—a scene that looked like a young ruffian bullying a delicate beauty.

Chang Meng couldn’t help but frown.

“Master, you’re the esteemed Young God of War. Isn’t it beneath you to bully a defenseless girl?”

It seemed he had forgotten that not long ago, he had intended to teach a weak woman a lesson.

Xie Cexuan couldn’t be bothered to engage.

He stood up, tossing a bag of candied fruits he had been holding onto the tray with the medicine bowl. As he passed by Chang Meng, he patted his shoulder with a mischievous grin.

“Advising me is pointless. If you’re truly so kind-hearted, you should go back and advise your own Divine Lord of War instead.”

Leaping over the railing, his crimson robe fluttered lightly in the wind before he vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.

Chang Meng stepped forward to help Zhuoying back to her bed. Her gaze fell upon the bag of candied fruits on the tray as she asked:

“What did he mean by that?”

Chang Meng scratched his cheek, both embarrassed and curious.

“Princess Zhuoying, have you heard of Feng Li Shen Jun, one of the Five Battalions Divine Generals from the Hall of Heavenly Kings?”

Those four words seemed to unlock a long-buried memory.

Zhuoying’s long lashes fluttered slightly.

“That would be the same Feng Li Shen Jun who, because of a single remark from you, ended up being worshipped in the mortal realm as a Goddess of War—when in reality, he’s a burly warrior.”

“Actually, he’s not just my superior. Tomorrow, when you visit Fusang Academy, you’ll find out… Feng Li Shen Jun is also one of the immortal masters overseeing the students’ examinations there.”

Author’s Note:

What goes around comes around.

Forgot to mention—the female lead’s moral compass isn’t particularly strong. She has her limits, but above those boundaries, she’s a ruthless individualist.