Chapter 28

When Yin Shanze first met Mo Lin, he could never have imagined that this skinny, emaciated demon would one day marry his beloved daughter.

At that time, the young boy, about eleven or twelve years old, was crammed into a specially designed iron cage. The spikes pointed inward, leaving him barely enough room to curl up tightly. Any attempt to straighten up would result in his skin being torn by the spikes.

This was one of the “gifts” brought into Wuse City by the Xiangli clan, used to punish disobedient demons with escape intentions.

Squatting outside the cage, Yin Shanze looked at the lower half of the boy’s face.

An iron mask was fastened over his mouth and nose, wrapping around his neck and the back of his head. The unpolished edges of the mask were sharp, cutting several gashes into his cheeks, with blood redder than azalea flowers trickling down and staining his dirty, tattered clothes.

“City Lord.”

As if anticipating the question, the guard watching over the boy explained awkwardly:

“This mask can’t be removed. Despite his small size, he injured seven or eight guards yesterday and even bit the young master of the Jiufang clan’s deputy city lord. If it weren’t for your no-kill order, this kid wouldn’t even have lived to wear this mask…”

There was a long silence.

The young man in the bamboo green robe slowly formed a smile and said:

“I understand. I won’t make things difficult for you.”

“However—”

He raised his hand and called out, and a servant approached with a basket of red eggs.

“Today is my daughter’s one-month celebration. I have granted red eggs to all the demons in the city to bless my daughter. Missing one would take away a bit of her luck, wouldn’t it?”

The guard seemed hesitant, and Yin Shanze chuckled softly:

“I didn’t realize that in Wuse City, it seems that the words of the Jiufang clan carry more weight than those of the Yin clan.”

Only then did the guard apologize profusely and ordered someone to undo the curse on the mask.

As the iron mask was removed, Yin Shanze observed the boy for a moment, realizing that there was indeed a reason he was kept in that cage.

Those eyes, cold and gloomy, were like a gleaming bronze sword, cutting straight to the throat with just a glance.

Yin Shanze took a bright red celebratory egg and extended his hand to pass it through the prison bars.

The young boy stared at him.

With a swift motion, something seemed to flash by.

The red egg smashed into pieces in the mud.

The servants accompanying Yin Shanze looked angry, and the guards were even more alarmed, angrily scolding the insolence.

Yin Shanze, however, was not angry.

He looked at the smashed red egg and, noticing a patch of yarrow growing in the corner, he subtly moved his fingers within his sleeve to cut fifty stalks, using forty-nine of them to cast a divination.

Seeing the hexagram, Yin Shanze’s eyes gained a different light as he looked back at the young boy.

“…Do you want to know what I divined?”

Seeing the boy also staring at his hexagram, Yin Shanze playfully stroked his chin and said, “You’re doomed. Today you shattered my daughter’s fortune. In the future, you’ll have to repay this debt by working as an ox or a horse.”

These words were meant as a joke.

But no one could have predicted that nineteen years later, this joke would become a solid reality.

Of course, to Yin Shanze, the demon lord standing before him now, with his overwhelming and oppressive presence, hardly seemed like the obedient young man who would be working for his daughter.

Molin didn’t hurry to explain himself to Yin Shanze.

Since the day the two domains of Chaotianque made peace, he had already tried. Yin Shanze’s stance was clear:

He could forgive Molin for pursuing Liuyu, but he refused the marriage proposal.

Molin’s stance was also clear:

Forgiveness was optional, but he was determined to marry Liuyu.

“…Liuyu is doing well in Nine Netherworlds. Please rest assured, Father-in-law.”

“Rest assured?”

Yin Shanze spoke slowly with the rhythmic elegance of reciting poetry, using the refined accent of Yujing.

“You two are inseparable now. When Jiufang Xinglan visited Nine Netherworlds earlier, she publicly embarrassed Jiufang Xinglan to protect your people. Even if part of it was due to her dissatisfaction with the celestial aristocracy’s probing, can you honestly say that if this happens a few more times, people in Dachao won’t start doubting Liuyu’s loyalty?”

Molin’s fingers, casually flipping through the pages of a book, paused slightly.

“And if they do?” He calmly replied while peeling an orange, “As long as she is in Nine Netherworlds, no one can harm her.”

Yin Shanze smiled and pointed at himself.

“I said before, all the members of the Yinshan family could enter Nine Netherworlds.”

He laughed, shaking his head.

Even after becoming the demon lord, he still had such a childish temper.

“Do you really think you’re invincible now? Molin, the celestial aristocracy of Dachao might be ignorant, greedy, and scheming, but they’re not as weak as you think. Your current strength is only at the peak of the ninth realm, but Dachao has four grandmasters. These four, though they seldom leave their retreats, if we two join forces and have the power to overthrow the celestial aristocracy, do you think they will continue to focus on the Dao and remain in seclusion, or will the world become a battleground of power struggles?”

“Molin, some matters are the choices of Jing and me. Regardless of the outcome, we will bear the consequences ourselves. But it must not involve the next generation, especially Liuyu, who is the future pillar of the Yinshan family—do you understand?”

Molin understood this too.

But some things, even if understood, couldn’t help but be spoken.

“Ah, such a headache…”

Yin Shanze half-jokingly sighed, “If it weren’t for you repaying kindness with enmity, what would be wrong with Liuyu marrying Zhanghua? At least she would be close to home and wouldn’t be involved in all this trouble…”

“—Who did you say I should marry?”

A clear, bell-like voice, tinged with a subtle hint of dissatisfaction, sounded from the inner room.

Yin Shanze, who had almost closed his eyes, suddenly became alert.

Seeing the blue and gold skirt sweep across the ebony floor, paired with a pine green robe beside it, Yin Shanze’s eyes flickered, finally turning away with some reluctance and slowly answering:

“A talented young man from the celestial capital of Yujing, any one of them would be better than marrying into a place where your father can’t see you.”

Liuyu’s initial displeasure at hearing Jiufang Zhanghua’s name disappeared the moment she saw Yin Shanze.

Unlike the reserved Nangong Jing, Yin Shanze’s doting on his daughter was known throughout the celestial capital of Yujing.

The clumsy painting Liuyu made when she was five hung in the most prominent place in his study, mounted on the most expensive paper, for all guests to see.

When Liuyu first started practicing swordsmanship, he traveled all over Dachao to find the finest Hetian jade, which he personally forged into a sword for her.

And when Liuyu entered the Lingyong Academy at thirteen, while other aristocratic children were escorted by servants, Yin Shanze, a dignified family head, drove the carriage for his daughter himself, despite the criticism from the aristocracy and the curious glances from the commoners, not feeling it undignified at all.

Back then, young Liuyu only felt that her father’s flamboyant appearance, surrounded by admirers, slowed down the journey and thought it would be better to let the servants drive her instead.

But later, on the difficult journey back to the celestial capital of Yujing, there was no one to accompany her.

Seeing Liuyu’s silence, Yin Shanze looked back and was slightly surprised.

“…Last time I told you to remember to distribute the celebratory eggs brought from Yujing on the second day of the wedding, you must have forgotten, didn’t you?”

Liuyu didn’t understand why her father mentioned this but nodded.

Not only in this life, but she also didn’t remember these trivial matters in her previous life.

“This won’t do, old customs must not be violated. I heard from Molin that you are currently in the Ghost Dao Institute. Have Chaoming distribute the eggs to the demons in the Ghost Dao Institute first—then, I’ll trouble the lord to pass on the message.”

Molin recognized Yin Shanze’s intention to send him away and didn’t want to intrude on the rare moment between father and daughter, so he prepared to leave quietly.

“Wait.”

Yin Shanze suddenly called Molin back, smiling as he asked:

“One more thing—before the wedding, I prepared a gift for you and had Chaoming deliver it. Did you receive the small box?”

The demon lord with a cold demeanor appeared slightly stiff.

He understood what Yin Shan Ze was referring to. The box contained some pills, which, according to Chao Ming, were for contraception. These pills were not commonly found on the market; Yin Shan Ze had specifically ordered them for Mo Li.

—Liuyu is still young; we mustn’t act recklessly.

Yin Shan Ze had Chao Ming relay this message to him as well.

Mo Li turned his eyes away and said, “Mm.”

Unlike the slightly embarrassed young man, Yin Shan Ze smiled calmly:

“Remember to use them as needed. If they’re not enough, just let me know anytime, and I’ll have more sent to Jiuyou.”

Of course, he didn’t expect Mo Li to ask for more anytime soon because that box should last at least three to four years under normal circumstances.

After Mo Li left, the smile on Yin Shan Ze’s face immediately faded like the receding tide. He stared at Liuyu’s eyes, glistening with tears, and said:

“Were you bullied in Jiuyou?”

Liuyu swallowed her slight choke and changed the subject without batting an eye:

“What bullying could I possibly endure… But you, why are you dressed so plainly today?”

This set of white clothes bore no patterns, as plain as mourning attire. Liuyu knew her father loved to dress up; he spent an hour each day just picking out clothes and applying powder, much more meticulously than her mother.

Yin Shan Ze saw she was unwilling to speak and did not press further. He simply held his wine cup, with a subtle smile, and said:

“Our family is in deep mourning, naturally, we dress plainly.”

Deep mourning—

Liuyu belatedly realized that if her father could still smile so happily despite the mourning, the deceased could only be her third uncle.

“What was the reaction in Yu Jing?”

Liuyu asked with great interest.

“Initially, there was a lot of skepticism, but when the coffin returned to Yu Jing, and our family held a proper funeral, even adding your third uncle’s death year to the family register, the outside world’s doubts gradually ceased.”

Yin Shan Ze brushed some fallen flowers off his clothes. His half-lowered lashes caught a few strands of passing hair. He smiled and said:

“Those people, putting on a show of mourning, were actually contemplating how to seize control of the unoccupied Taiping City.”

Now that the Zhao dynasty was declining, the emperor, besides holding the Jade Seal of the Divine Province and granting a few powerless official titles, had no real control over his territory.

The land was in the hands of local powerful families and clans. Taxes did not reach the capital, and the emperor couldn’t afford to maintain his own army.

As an emperor, he even had to rely on selling official positions to maintain a delicate balance among the covetous clans.

In such chaotic times, a city full of wealthy merchants and yielding considerable taxes like Taiping City naturally became a target for all parties.

But for the Yin Shan clan, the richest family under heaven, losing a small Taiping City was like a wealthy person losing a piece of gold.

Regrettable, but not crippling.

To invest many of the clan’s masters for such a city would truly be crippling.

Furthermore—

“A Jing has already told me your thoughts. Using a fake family name to escape is very risky, but given the current situation, this riskiest method is actually the gentlest way to extricate ourselves.”

The Yin Shan clan’s status was already as high as it could be. One more step, and they would be targeting the central provinces.

Therefore, Liuyu initially proposed an alliance with Jiuyou through marriage, hoping to withdraw from the political scene of Xian Du Yu Jing, showing the other clans their intention to not take another step forward.

However, the recent assassination attempt on Yin Shan Qi proved that even if Liuyu married into Jiuyou, they would not give up their pursuit of the Yin Shan clan.

Either the Yin Shan clan perishes under the combined assault of the clans, or it rises even higher, intimidating all.

It’s a fight to the death, with no retreat.

Yin Shan Ze sighed lightly.

“As for the matter of Taiping City, go ahead and do it. If it succeeds, that’s great; if not, it’s our family’s fate to endure this calamity—”

“I don’t believe in fate.”

Liuyu leaned forward, her eyebrows and eyes unusually solemn. She stared into Yin Shan Ze’s slightly widened eyes and said:

“As long as I have breath, I will not allow history to repeat itself.”

It took a while for Yin Shan Ze to understand her meaning of “history repeating itself.”

Nan Gong Jing had mentioned that Liuyu said she had a dream where Jiu Fang Zhanghua betrayed the Yin Shan family. After he and Nan Gong Jing died, the Yin Shan family was quickly destroyed, almost wiping out the entire clan.

“Our Liuyu is still a child,” Yin Shan Ze gently reassured her, “It was just a dream, not reality. Our family is large and powerful; it won’t fall so easily.”

Hearing Yin Shan Ze say this, Liuyu’s face immediately darkened:

“You trust Jiu Fang Zhanghua more than me?”

Yin Shan Ze took a sip of his wine and smiled: “Instead of persuading me, you should talk to your sister. She follows Zhanghua everywhere; whatever he says, she believes.”

Liuyu sat back in her seat. Glancing at an orange someone had peeled beside her, she took a few segments and leaned against the table, eating slowly:

“I’m the worst at persuading her.”

Yin Shan Ze found it odd:

“Recently, I heard your attitude towards Liu Niang has improved a lot. Why are you still…”

“Father, is this your first day knowing her?”

Liuyu said irritably:

“She loves to go against me. The more I persuade her, the more she’ll treasure Jiu Fang Zhanghua. She has to fall herself to realize how bad her judgment is.”

“Her judgment is poor?” Yin Shan Ze couldn’t help but tease, “I remember, weren’t you also…”

“We haven’t finished talking about Uncle.”

Liuyu stiffly changed the subject.

“Letting him be free in Taiping City, colluding with the Jiu Fang and Zhongli families, forging household registers, and selling places in the Immortal Academy. The account books are in my hands, with solid evidence. This time, we must punish him severely. Our family cannot rot from within.”

“I understand.”

Yin Shan Ze replied leisurely:

“Your mother and I are aware of selling the slots.”

Liuyu’s eyes widened: “Then why did you—”

“Our Immortal Dao Institute only accepts tenant farmers and servants. You know how much money the family has to pour into this non-profit institute every year?”

The ethereal youth closed his eyes, pretending to nap, lightly shaking the feather fan in his hand.

“Taking from the excess to supplement the deficit is the way of heaven. The Buddha fed the eagle with his own flesh, which is the way of the saints. For us ordinary people, it’s good enough to follow the natural order; not everyone can be a saint. Those who get into our institute through connections have their own slots, and the tuition they pay just fills the deficit caused by tenant farmers and servants attending. Don’t worry about it.”

“However,” Yin Shan Ze continued, “Ah Qi was indeed foolish to be used by the Jiufang and Zhongli families this time. Let’s cut off his monthly salary for now. He’ll need to find a way to support himself and his spirit beasts. At his age, it’s time for him to become independent.”

This was exactly what Liuyu wanted to hear, so she didn’t argue.

However, Yin Shan Ze’s talk of the way of heaven and the way of the saints left Liuyu a bit lost in thought.

As her thoughts drifted, she couldn’t help but smile.

Yin Shan Ze found it a bit strange and asked what she was smiling about.

Liuyu propped her chin up, her eyes bright:

“I was thinking… you were just talking about the way of heaven and the way of the saints. I wonder if Mo Li would understand it.”

Yin Shan Ze’s face fell immediately.

“Great, I finally have some time to chat with my daughter, and you’re off in your own world thinking about your husband. I worry about you suffering all the way from Yujing, and you don’t even ask how I’m doing?”

Liuyu felt a bit of a headache.

She suddenly remembered why she didn’t often contact her family in the past.

—It was because her beautiful and strong father was privately a clingy person who would act cute with his wife and daughter eight hundred times a day.

By the time the communication array was closed, it was noon.

The courtyard returned to its quiet state. Yin Shan Ze watched the mountain cherry blossoms swaying in the wind above, falling like rain onto the shoulders of the jade-like young man walking into the courtyard.

“Master.”

Jiufang Zhanghua greeted respectfully:

“More guests have arrived to pay their respects. The steward asked me to invite you to the front hall.”

In the sunlight, the transparent pupils like glass slightly turned, and Yin Shan Ze silently gazed at the disciple he had watched grow up.

His relationship with Zhanghua predated that with the demon ghost lord of Jiuyou.

The first time he saw Jiufang Zhanghua was at a symposium at the Jiufang family estate.

During the plum rain season, the sound of rain was constant.

In the warm and fragrant inner room, with steaming hot tea, several young sons and daughters of the Jiufang family sat obediently behind the family head, listening to the contemporary literati’s discussions and debates.

During the break, the head of the Jiufang family would have the children demonstrate the spells and techniques they had recently learned for the literati to critique.

Everyone praised the Jiufang children for their exceptional talent, predicting great futures for them.

At that time, Yin Shan Ze wandered into the courtyard and saw, beside a honeysuckle-covered rockery, the eldest son of the Jiufang family, who was said to be unable to practice the Jiufang family’s martial arts.

He was kneeling in the rain being punished.

It was said that he couldn’t even learn the first move of the Jiufang martial arts, so he was punished to carve words into bamboo slips with a knife.

He had to carve a cart full before he could get up.

His hands were covered in blood, his wet clothes clinging to his frail body, shivering constantly.

The rain bells on the eaves shook in the wind and rain.

The frail youth in the rain and the jade-like young man amidst the falling flowers overlapped.

“—Understood.”

Yin Shan Ze got up, took a while to find his wooden clogs, and shuffled towards the front hall.

“Master,” Jiufang Zhanghua’s voice came from behind, “Ningning said you were communicating with Jiuyou this morning?”

Yin Shan Ze, hands tucked into his loose sleeves, paused and lazily glanced back:

“You know that Liuyu and her third uncle aren’t particularly close. She won’t be overly saddened, so don’t worry…”

Knees fell onto the fallen flowers.

The youth in moon-white robes placed his hands on the ground and bowed deeply.

“It’s my fault that I am not trusted enough by my father. It wasn’t until my third brother acted that I learned of it, delaying the rescue of my third uncle. If I were more trusted by my father, perhaps I would have been given the task, and my third uncle wouldn’t have…”

A broad, warm hand fell on Jiufang Zhanghua’s shoulder.

Yin Shan Ze said, “Ningning was very close to her third uncle and is deeply saddened these days. If you have time, comfort her more.”

“Yes.”

Jiufang Zhanghua slowly raised his head.

Yin Shan Ze treated him as usual.

But for some reason, he always felt that there was a deeper, more inscrutable emotion in his master’s eyes.

“And another thing.”

Yin Shan Ze’s voice was as gentle as spring water, but his words were as sharp as thin ice, cutting off the unspoken words lodged in Jiufang Zhanghua’s throat.

“Unless something unforeseen happens, Liuyu and the demon ghost Mo Li’s marriage should last a long time. Even if she were to divorce him in the future, there would likely be no place for you in her heart. Zhanghua, forget the past promises and find a new wife.”

On the long steps of the Ghost Path Court.

When Mo Li came out, he saw Fang Fuzang guiding a girl named Yue Niang in her training.

Although she had a talent for refining, she had never undergone proper training. Fang Fuzang did a rough assessment of her abilities and planned to correct her Qi Sea operation from the basics.

“Does the lord want a smoke? There’s a new one.”

Fang Fuzang, quite familiar, offered him a pipe.

Mo Li glanced at it.

“No need.”

After a pause, he reminded:

“Your superior likely won’t appreciate the smell. Quit if you can; if not, don’t smoke in front of her.”

Fang Fuzang was stunned, somewhat surprised that someone of Mo Li’s status would notice such a small detail.