My Husband’s Ascension Ch 11
Chapter 11 None Would Cross Mount Ling for Her
The bright moon hung high as the visitors from Kunwu and Mount Ling prepared to depart at midnight.
Before leaving, Dao Lord Tianshu’s female senior disciple, Mu Ling, handed a token to Zhao Zhao.
“Once the Blessed Land of Langhuan opens in the coming days, all cultivators of Small Sword Pass may enter by Dao Lord’s decree; nevertheless, Cloudculm Abode, as the official host, has been called to join Kunwu therein, so we may offer mutual protection.”
Zhao Zhao gazed at the finely crafted token, her thoughts momentarily adrift.
This senior sister spoke with courtesy, yet Zhao Zhao knew full well that her sect was in no position to look after Kunwu. It was only because Cloudculm Abode was weak, and perhaps out of responsibility as the foremost sect in the cultivation world—or perhaps out of simple pity—that they had extended such an invitation.
She understood their good intentions. Yet the moment she recalled that the one behind this decision was the lofty Dao Lord Tianshu, who had once sworn to abolish her cultivation, she could hardly suppress the urge to fling the token at his head and declare she had no need of his charity.
But when her eyes fell upon her own impoverished sect, and she weighed her meager pouch of resources—barely sufficient to sustain herself, and certainly inadequate to raise two future heaven-favored prodigies—her bitterness turned to silence.
“Truly?” Zhao Zhao swallowed down her grievances, forcing a delighted expression as she accepted the token. “Thank you, Dao Lord! Thank you, Senior Sister! Rest assured, we will not be a burden upon Kunwu!”
Recalling Dao Lord’s command, Mu Ling studied Zhao Zhao’s demeanor without betraying her thoughts.
Unlike the mortal woman she had once glimpsed in Separation’s Regret Heaven, this girl possessed phoenix eyes with slightly raised brows, a less prominent nose bridge, and a broader jaw. Not unattractive, yet when compared with that mortal woman, she lacked a measure of delicate charm and luminous grace.
More importantly, she was no mere mortal without cultivation. Though her skills were modest and she had only just embarked upon her Dao, it would take an ordinary person, even with exceptional talent, a year or more to reach such a level.
…but that mortal woman had been married to her master for two years, which was equivalent to two years of dual cultivation. Her cultivation advancing faster than others was not impossible…
“Senior Sister!”
Zhao Zhao suddenly grabbed Mu Ling’s wrist, plastering on an overly enthusiastic smile. “Senior Sister, you have a beautiful countenance! May I ask how long have you been cultivating for? Are you married? I have a distant cousin back home, a most handsome gentleman. Since Kunwu will be stationed here for some time, why don’t I write a letter and have my cousin come… Eh? Senior Sister, why are you leaving? Don’t rush off, just one meeting! Who knows, you might just hit it off!”
Mu Ling dared not speculate any further. She turned on her heel and bolted.
How frightening!
She was definitely not the wife of her master!
Watching Mu Ling flee in panic, Zhao Zhao felt a little embarrassed, and could only apologize silently in her heart.
Then she turned back, her gaze landing on the shadow beneath the locust tree in the courtyard.
“Sect Master, have you laughed enough?”
From behind the tree, Daoist Ming Jue stepped out, amusement still glinting in his eyes.
“How could this be called laughing? These brittle bones are clearly in awe of your brilliant acting. From attacking Mount Ling’s Wu-Shaman with a rooster, to arranging a match for Kunwu’s senior disciple—your performance as a rustic village woman was so vivid it could have been real.”
Zhao Zhao: “…A rustic village woman has no money to buy the latest model of alchemy furnace.”
Ming Jue instantly withdrew the mischievous smile from his face and said solemnly, “What rustic village woman? Miss Xie, this was you enduring humiliation for the sake of Cloudculm Abode’s future. These brittle bones are full of admiration.”
“Heh.”
…
After untold years, Daoist Ming Jue finally had the chance to replace his charred, pitch-black alchemy furnace. Overjoyed, he prepared that very night to fire it up and refine pills.
The searing tongues of flames licked along the inner walls of the bronze cauldron. Unable to fall asleep, Zhao Zhao sat in the alchemy room, keeping Ming Jue company as he worked.
“…Doesn’t Sect Master wish to ask me anything about today’s events?”
Busy arranging the materials, Daoist Ming Jue did not lift his head.
“What events?”
Zhao Zhao lowered her gaze, absentmindedly tugging at a loose thread on the cushion. It was neither too long nor too short, yet no matter how she pulled, it would not snap; she could only wind it round and round her finger, toying with it idly.
“The matter of my disguise, of concealing my identity… and those things related to Dao Lord Tianshu…”
Daoist Ming Jue let out a soft chuckle. “These brittle bones are already one foot in the grave. Of what use is it to know so much?”
“Cultivators die as well?”
“So long as one has not attained immortality, death is inevitable. It is only a matter of sooner or later.” Daoist Ming Jue’s gaze flickered, and all of a sudden, he cast her a glance. “Your Dao Lord Tianshu is no exception.”
Zhao Zhao fell into a daze.
Indeed, death awaited him. Yet his death would not come from the erosion of time, but from the hands of the two children now fast asleep in her chamber.
Still, something felt amiss.
According to Daoist Ming Jue, had Dao Lord Tianshu not arrived in time, he would have perished without question this very night. That meant, at least for now, Dao Lord Tianshu bore no enmity toward Cloudculm Abode.
Then why, in the future, when Yao Ling confronted Dao Lord Tianshu, did she claim he “slaughtered her entire family”?
Moreover, if only Daoist Ming Jue were to die, whence came the talk of an “entire family”?
…She could not make sense of it.
Her mind felt overburdened, and Zhao Zhao very nearly wished to rouse the little girl sleeping in the next chamber, to have her resolve this riddle herself.
“What do you intend to do when the Blessed Land of Langhuan opens?”
Daoist Ming Jue’s question cut through Zhao Zhao’s wandering thoughts.
“What do you mean?” Zhao Zhao yawned. “You, Sect Master, may go as you please. Li Feng and I will safeguard the sect.”
Daoist Ming Jue tossed another handful of firewood into the furnace.
The crackling blaze lit his aged, serene countenance. Turning his head, his gaze rested steadily upon Zhao Zhao.
“Miss Xie, the one I hope will go… is you.”
Zhao Zhao’s drowsiness evaporated in an instant.
“Me? Sect Master, you mean you want me to go?” She stared in disbelief. “But I’ve only just built my foundation! Other than cultivating spiritual energy to stabilize my core as you instructed, I know practically nothing else!”
“It is indeed a form of undue haste, but to safeguard Yao Ling and Rong Yu, you must advance as swiftly as possible.” Ming Jue said, his smile fading as his tone turned earnest. He enunciated each word with solemn weight, “The Blessed Land of Langhuan is the finest crucible for tempering a cultivator. Miss Xie, this chance must not be missed.”
Dumbstruck, Zhao Zhao stayed frozen in place for a long while.
“…Of course, if you have no intention of taking those two children as your disciples, then there would be no need for you to take such a great risk.”
From Ming Jue’s words, Zhao Zhao caught an undercurrent of meaning and immediately pressed, “Why? Are they exposed to some threat?”
A thought suddenly struck her.
“Kunwu and Mount Ling…did they come here precisely for them?”
Her sharpness left Ming Jue slightly surprised.
Yet he did not reveal the matter of the Four Pillars of Destiny, and only said, “The Mount Ling lineage is not skilled in combat. That they have endured in the cultivation world for ten thousand years relies upon their art of divination through planchettes and forming alliances with powerful sects. Their joining hands with Kunwu must mean some bargain has been struck—one that would clear possible hindrances from Kunwu’s path forward.”
“Though I know not the details, it seems indeed that Yao Ling and Rong Yu are regarded as hindrances in their eyes.”
A chill spread through Zhao Zhao’s heart.
Could this be the true cause of Ming Jue’s future death? The very reason Yao Ling would one day forge an irreconcilable blood feud with Dao Lord Tianshu?
For the sake of his own ascension, for the sake of Kunwu’s future—
would he truly strike so ruthlessly?
If it were Xie Lanshu, Zhao Zhao would never have believed him capable of such cruelty. But Dao Lord Tianshu as he was now…
“Alright, I’ll enter the Blessed Land of Langhuan.”
…
Grotto-heavens and blessed lands held immense significance in the cultivation world. Every sect placed layer upon layer of intricate seals upon the grotto-heavens within their jurisdiction, and unraveling these seals required no small measure of time.
Kunwu had stationed themselves at Small Sword Pass for nearly half a month. At last, the seals had been undone, and the day of opening arrived.
“...How is it that Dao Lord’s eye ailment has not healed even after so long?”
Inside the guest quarters, Zong Fei and Mu Ling were reporting on their progress to Dao Lord Tianshu when they turned to see Mount Ling’s veiled Wu-Shaman standing at the door, smiling.
The two disciples wished to withdraw, yet one glance at Dao Lord’s faint, sardonic curve of the lips made them realize his impatience toward the Wu-Shaman. Thus, they could only grit their teeth, pretend not to see, and continue their report.
The veiled Wu-Shaman, however, behaved as though wholly unrestrained, inserting herself into the conversation. “Perhaps that Daoist Ming Jue’s medical skills were insufficient. Better to let one of Mount Ling witch-doctors treat you, Dao Lord—”
“No need.” Dao Lord Tianshu’s voice was as gentle as ever, yet his interruption was merciless. “Daoist Ming Jue’s medical skill surpasses most. This ailment has long since healed. The bandage remains only as a means of misleading others.”
All present knew well who this so-called “others” referred to.
The opening of the Blessed Land of Langhuan was not Dao Lord Tianshu’s decision, but one jointly made by Kunwu’s six elders.
If Mount Ling’s divinations were accurate, and there truly existed within Small Sword Pass one who could slay Dao Lord Tianshu, then without question, they would not allow the opportunity within the Blessed Land of Langhuan to slip away.
A less-travelled region abounded not only with fortuitous encounters, but with perils as well. If one wished to strike at Dao Lord Tianshu, this would be the finest chance for an assassination.
So, the Kunwu Elders decided to lay this snare, to lure out the hidden enemy.
When Dao Lord Tianshu first heard their scheme, he merely smiled and uttered a single word: “Foolish.”
Yet, he did not oppose their decision.
Fools remain blind to their errors until they behold the folly of their own choices.
The years of cultivation were long. Dao Lord Tianshu did not mind adding a trace of amusement in this way, even if that trace of amusement might very well wager his own life.
Having spent these days in his company, the veiled Wu-Shaman had not, for the first time, been rebuffed by his soft yet unyielding words.
As for marriage ties with Kunwu, she had already set such thoughts aside. But maintaining a bond with Kunwu was an order given to her by Mount Ling—one she could not disobey.
Thus, even knowing Dao Lord Tianshu found her tiresome, she was compelled to summon a smile.
“Very well. This journey to the Blessed Land of Langhuan is fraught with danger. I only hope Dao Lord will take care of himself, for Mount Ling must still rely upon Dao Lord’s protection.”
The Dao Lord, his eyes veiled in white silk, replied with a gentle tone, “Of course. Mu Ling, see the Wu-Shaman out.”
“……”
She had scarcely set foot in the chamber for even half a stick of incense before being dismissed. The veiled Wu-Shaman’s smile faltered; without waiting for Mu Ling to escort her, she turned and swept out, sleeves billowing behind her.
Such arrogance from Kunwu!
Do they truly believe that aside from their Dao Lord Tianshu, there is no one else in the cultivation realm with the potential to ascend?
The might of Mount Ling’s lineage…one day, that conceited Dao Lord shall surely come to witness it!
Standing upon the second-floor gallery, the veiled Wu-Shaman’s lustrous, slender fingers sank deep into the wooden railing.
“Your Highness Wu-Shaman.”
The shaman waiting outside lowered his head and said in a low voice,
“The female cultivator from Cloudculm Abode, whom Your Highness mentioned before, has arrived.”
With displeasure shadowing her features, the veiled Wu-Shaman followed his gaze. Indeed, in the first-floor hall of the guesthouse stood a young girl in a jade-green gown. Amidst the Kunwu disciples clad in their black and white robes, she was like a tender bamboo shoot breaking through the soil—her slender back held straight, her waterfall of black hair gleaming, and her eyes dazzlingly bright.
The veiled Wu-Shaman’s thoughts stirred.
She had heard that Mu Ling had granted this coarse woman a Kunwu token, allowing her to enter the Blessed Land of Langhuan alongside Kunwu disciples.
Having such talented disciples stand guard over her…
Was this purely a reward for Cloudculm Abode’s assistance to Kunwu or did Dao Lord Tianshu hold some other intent toward that woman?
Recalling Dao Lord Tianshu’s attitude toward her just now, and the affront she had suffered yesterday from that insolent girl, the veiled Wu-Shaman let out a cold laugh.
“Once we enter the Blessed Land of Langhuan, teach her a lesson.”
The shaman beside her hesitated, wary.
“But judging by Dao Lord’s manner, he seems to hold Cloudculm Abode in high regard. Should he discover that Mount Ling made a move—”
“Even at the height of her sect master’s power, Mount Ling never once cowered, let alone before her.”
The veiled Wu-Shaman lifted her chin, her attractive visage suffused with haughty disdain.
“As for Dao Lord Tianshu… over a mere coarse female cultivator, who would ever turn against Mount Ling?”
