My Husband’s Ascension Ch 7
Chapter 7 Kill If You Must
"When exactly will your Dao Lord deign to arrive?"
In the main hall, Wu-Shaman Xie of Mount Ling*, who had already been waiting for an hour, had a grim cast to her features.
(TLN: Wu-Shaman Xie is one of the Ten Shamans of Mount Ling in ancient Chinese mythology, first recorded in the pre-Qin classic ‘Classic of Mountains and Seas’. The group was known for "ascending and descending Mount Ling to gather medicinal herbs," fulfilling the dual role of shaman-healers, combining primitive religious rites with medical treatment. In ancient China, females shamans were referred as ‘wu 巫’ while the males were ‘xi’.)
Yet Senior Disciple Zong Fei, who was stationed in the main hall, merely repeated the same words, "Dao Lord will be here shortly. Please be patient, Wu-Shaman Xie."
Wu-Shaman Xie gave a cold snort. "Ever since your Dao Lord returned from the mortal realm, his airs have only grown."
Independent of all cultivation sects, their Mount Ling Clan served as divine envoys in the human world. From the seven major sects to the numerous minor ones, any who met a Mount Ling shaman would be both awed and anxious, treating them as highly honored guests.
In the past, even Immortal Realm of Kunwu accorded them due respect—but this generation’s Dao Lord Tianshu…
"Since returning from his tribulation, Dao Lord Tianshu’s cultivation has advanced greatly, and Immortal Realm of Kunwu now stands at its zenith."
The woman who spoke wore her hair in a high bun, a gauzy veil draping down to just cover her delicate, well-shaped nose, leaving only the faint curve of her bottom lip exposed.
"With ascension to immortality within reach, he no longer has need of Mount Ling’s aid. Naturally, he feels no compulsion to curry favor with us."
Her gaze swept across the empty, understated hall through the veil. After scanning the room, it settled on the sole splash of color within the cold expanse—
A sprig of gongfen plum blossoms placed in a white porcelain vase.
That gentle hue, so unlike the cold hall, stirred something within her. She reached out to touch it—
Only for a sudden surge of formidable spiritual power to crash against her, forcing her to withdraw her hand.
"Wu-Shaman Xie… and Miss Wu-Shaman of Mount Ling."
(TLN: The second Wu-Shaman never introduced herself, so we aren’t sure what her title is. To avoid any confusion, she will be known as the ‘veiled Wu-Shaman’.)
The hem of a robe embroidered with silver waves brushed past her as Dao Lord Tianshu took the foremost seat in the hall, a subtle smile remaining on his face. "Thank you for your patience."
The veiled Wu-Shaman could still feel the lingering pain where that spiritual force had struck the back of her hand. She held her tongue, but Wu-Shaman Xie, all cordial smiles, quickly replied, "If anything, it is we who should apologize for not attending the banquet at Ascension Terrace to offer our congratulations. I hope—"
"Pray tell, what business brings Mount Ling here?" A voice as gentle as a spring breeze beneath a bright moon cut cleanly through Wu-Shaman Xie’s unending courtesies.
Wu-Shaman Xie’s expression faltered ever so slightly.
This Dao Lord was still the same as ever—benevolent visage, heart of ice.
The veiled Wu-Shaman spoke instead, "Lord Wu-Shaman Xian conducted a planchette reading and glimpsed a fragment of heavenly insight. It is one that concerns the fate of Immortal Realm of Kunwu. We traveled through the night, hoping to help the Dao Lord avert disaster and gain blessing."
Her voice, like jade beads cascading, was clear and elegant, ringing pure and charming.
Dao Lord Tianshu’s smile did not waver. "There is no need."
A flicker of bafflement passed across both Wu-Shamans’ faces.
Wu-Shaman Xie, thinking the Dao Lord had not grasped the full gravity of the matter, hastened to add, "This is no ordinary oracle. According to the divination, Dao Lord will, in time, meet his end at the hands of a man and a woman. Your dream of ascension will perish and even Immortal Realm of Kunwu will—"
"The Way of Heaven is immutable. If this is my fate, then there is no meaning in avoiding it." His voice was calm, as though he were speaking not of his own life and death, but of some distant, irrelevant affair.
The veiled Wu-Shaman’s gaze fixed upon him, her gaze growing darker.
The Mount Ling Clan had long excelled in divination. She had met countless cultivators who, despite their outward brilliance and elegance, would bend the knee to Mount Ling for a glimpse into their destiny.
Those people clung so tightly to their unremarkable lives—yet this foremost figure of the cultivation world, a man but a single step away from ascension, showed not the slightest ripple when told he would die an unforeseen death.
It inevitably… set her heart a-quiver.
Recalling the instructions given to her before departure, she lowered her gaze, her voice softening like mist over still water. "Even if Dao Lord himself can face it with such clarity, your life does not belong to you alone. Your life and death are inextricably linked to the rise and fall of the entire Immortal Realm of Kunwu—and upon the countless disciples, ignorant of the calamity awaiting them. Several Kunwu elders have already consented to our assistance. Will you truly refuse the aid that Mount Ling offers?"
Silence filled the hall.
The present internal disciples stood with lowered heads, not daring to glance upward.
After a long pause, the Dao Lord asked with a faint smile, "And what purpose does Mount Ling have in aiding me?"
Wu-Shaman Xie clicked her tongue inwardly. This Dao Lord’s manner was far too forthright.
The veiled Wu-Shaman’s lips curved slightly as she lifted her gaze, looking up through the gauze that veiled her face. Though her true features remained obscured, the outline alone hinted at peerless beauty.
"It is said that during Dao Lord’s trial in the mortal world, he had a union with a mortal woman."
Wu-Shaman Xie’s gaze unconsciously shifted to the Dao Lord’s expression.
The once-smiling, white-clad immortal now revealed only the faintest curve of the lips. His eyes beneath the snowy lashes, though still tinged with humor, were as cold and sharp as frost.
Perhaps veiled vision dulled her perception, for the Wu-Shaman went on, unperturbed, "Since there was a previous union, the old injunction to guard the Primordial Yang and abstain from women no longer stands, correct? Mount Ling thus boldly seeks to form a marital pact with Immortal Realm of Kunwu—"
"I will personally investigate the planchette matter. In the meantime, both Wu-Shamans may stay temporarily in Kunwu." Dao Lord Tianshu’s tone was mild as he rose from his seat. "As for the marital pact—"
The veiled Wu-Shaman lifted her eyes and smiled faintly, a hint of confidence stirring in her heart.
"Apologies, regarding the marriage with the Kunwu elders, Wu-Shaman will have to seek their opinion herself."
The veiled Wu-Shaman’s complexion drained immediately.
Who would ever wish to form a marriage contract with those decrepit old men of Kunwu!
He actually… actually dared to insult her like that…
Wu-Shaman Xie had no chance to console the woman behind her. Seeing Dao Lord Tianshu preparing to depart, she hastily spoke up, "Dao Lord! Though the divine oracle did not reveal the identities of the two, the divinatory diagram indicates they are likely at Small Sword Pass in Xizhou. The Elders of Kunwu believe that if those two truly harbor malice toward Immortal Realm of Kunwu, then—for Kunwu’s sake, and for Dao Lord’s own sake—when the time comes, you must not hesitate and kill without mercy."
Dao Lord Tianshu halted mid-step.
For Immortal Realm of Kunwu’s sake and for himself.
Yet as a mere receptacle, bearing the expectations and ceaseless burdens of others, what self did he truly possess?
The hem of his robe, embroidered with flowing water patterns, swayed gently with his movements.
A long while later, a sound drifted forth from the emptiness within him, like snow scattering in the wind.
"—Then, kill if you must."
…
Zhao Zhao spent three whole days in a deep, unbroken sleep at Cloudculm Abode.
But in truth, those three days had been anything but peaceful. Having recklessly consumed a pile of pills, she had built her foundation at incredible speed, yet her body could not adapt to the sudden influx of spiritual energy.
Without a skilled practitioner of the Divine Farmer Dao nearby to safeguard and regulate her, her meridians might have been damaged, impairing her cultivation for life.
"Woken up?" As she slowly opened her eyes, Daoist Ming Jue raised his hand and withdrew the silver needle from her acupuncture point.
"How do you feel now?"
…How did she feel?
Zhao Zhao blinked blankly.
Through the window, she caught sight of a strange scene in the courtyard—a yao, bound tightly by the Immortal-Sealing Rope, hanging from a tree. His injuries had forced his true form to show, revealing dog ears and a tail.
Two children squatted beneath the dangling figure, curiously tugging at his tail.
"Where does this tail grow from…?" The little girl circled the dog yao in fascination. "Should we take off his pants and see?"
The little boy’s cheeks flushed crimson as he stammered, "N–No, I don’t think that’s a good idea…"
"What’s not good about it? Are you going to strip him or not? If you don’t, I’ll strip your pants instead!"
"!!!"
Li Feng, hanging from the tree, thrashed violently. "Damned brats, get away from me! Jue Ming, get out here! A yao can be slain but must not be humiliated!"
Hearing the ruckus, Daoist Ming Jue glanced outside, then turned back to Zhao Zhao with a chuckle.
"The yao race truly can be foolish. This dog yao came to my sect seeking medicine, but—thinking that cultivators would never grant aid to yaos—he kidnapped those two children, intending to use them to threaten me into handing it over. Who would have thought you’d ruin his plan and land him in such a state?"
A thought seemed to strike him, and he looked at Zhao Zhao once more. "It’s rare to catch a yao of decent cultivation. Would you like to go along with the tide and form a yao familiar contract with him? He sought me out because a family member is gravely ill—perhaps he’d agree."
Zhao Zhao tilted her head. "What’s a yao familiar contract?"
"In the cultivation world, the strong command respect. Just as yaos may devour humans, so too can humans make yaos their servants. Powerful cultivators often take defeated yaos as their own, binding them with words and spells to serve and obey."
Zhao Zhao nodded in muddled comprehension.
"…Let’s discuss it later. My mind’s still a bit muddled, I’ll need some time to think it over."
She glanced out the window at the two children still chasing after the dog yao’s pants, eager to glimpse his tail, and let out a long sigh.
No matter how she looked at them, they were merely two innocent, cherubic children.
The female cultivator in her dream—one who could match Dao Lord Tianshu with a single sword strike—and the prince of the Demon Realm who could mobilize thousands with a single command, seemed to bear no connection to these two whatsoever.
What’s more—
In the dream, Miss Immortal Yao Ling had said that Dao Lord Tianshu once slaughtered her entire family.
What exactly did that mean?
Daoist Ming Jue put away his silver acupuncture needle and looked up, only to find the beautiful girl regarding him with a peculiar gaze.
That look… it gave off a strange, icy chill.
Daoist Ming Jue: "Child, is there something you wish to ask?"
Zhao Zhao fixed him with a solemn stare. "Is there some unknown identity you’re hiding?"
"…Cough—cough, cough, cough!"
Daoist Ming Jue choked on his own saliva, coughing several times before he managed to speak. "Child, has that beast’s drivel swayed you? What ‘Jue Ming’? While these brittle bones practice Divine Farmer Dao, it would be absurd to be named after a herb. You’d best rest. I’ll go check on those two children…"
Zhao Zhao wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but as he left, Daoist Ming Jue seemed… a touch embarrassed.
As he stepped out the door, Daoist Ming Jue turned back toward Zhao Zhao. "You should also send word to your relatives and friends back home. You’ve been asleep for several days—they must be worried."
Zhao Zhao was momentarily taken aback.
Indeed.
It had been over half a month since she’d left Yunmeng Pier. Back at the inn, she had sent a letter saying she would soon find Xie Lanshu. Her family was surely awaiting news from her.
With that thought, Zhao Zhao reached into her spatial pouch and rummaged around until she found the mirror she had specially asked Shi Lanyan to procure for her.
It was called the Yearning Mirror.
When injected with spiritual energy, it could link to another cultivator’s mirror, allowing the two to communicate.
Fortunately, the mantra was inscribed on the back. Drawing upon what little spiritual power she still possessed, Zhao Zhao clumsily infused it into the mirror, closed her eyes, and silently recited the incantation.
A moment later, the image of a Xie Residence’s maid appeared within the glass.
Zhao Zhao’s eyes lit up. She was just about to greet her when she saw the maid suddenly bolt, shrieking as though she had seen a ghost.
…Unexpected, yet not entirely surprising.
Truthfully, before Zhao Zhao left, she had already told her family about the existence of cultivators and immortals. But seeing her image—thousands of miles away—suddenly appear in the mirror still left them bewildered, and for a moment they nearly thought the house was haunted.
"…Zhao Zhao? Is that really you?" Her uncle and aunt, clutching a peach wood sword* and cinnabar-ink talismans, peeked out from behind a cluster of servants, their voices tinged with suspicion.
(TLN: Peach wood sword (桃木劍) is the definitive weapon used for demon exorcism during Taoist exorcism. It’s a symbol of justice and truth and is believed to ward off or subdue evil spirits.)
At the sight of them like this, Zhao Zhao almost laughed, but her eyes brimmed with tears.
"It’s me," she said softly. "Uncle, Auntie, don’t be afraid—it’s truly me, Zhao Zhao."
It took them quite a while to recover from the shock of witnessing such sorcery, but at last they dared to step closer to the dressing table. "Zhao Zhao, where are you? We haven’t received a single letter from you these days—we’ve been worried sick. It’s your first time traveling alone, and you didn’t even take anyone with you…"
"It’s the height of the busy spring season. If I brought someone along, there’d be fewer hands to work at home." Zhao Zhao smiled sweetly.
"Don’t worry, I’m perfectly safe here. Everyone here cultivates and seeks immortality—many can soar through the skies, and some have lived for hundreds of years…"
Uncle and Aunt Xie listened with rapt attention, and even the male-servants and maids began whispering among themselves, saying that the Second Young Lady was going to become an Immortal.
Uncle Xie’s face lit up with pride as he said, "That’s wonderful! Then you stay there and cultivate diligently. If our Xie Residence of Yunmeng Pier can produce an Immortal, it will be the glory of our ancestors!"
Aunt Xie, however, hesitated before speaking. "Then… Have you found Lanshu yet?"
For a moment, everything fell silent.
"…Of course I’ve found him!" Zhao Zhao suddenly broke into a broad smile, her tone entirely free of any gloom.
"Auntie, Lanshu was actually a very powerful cultivator. He has a magnificent immortal palace and commands thousands of disciples. They all speak to him with the utmost respect. He’s even more majestic than the mortal Emperor."
Aunt Xie accepted this without doubt, her voice brimming with joy. "I knew it! From the first time I met him, I said that child was no ordinary person. Sure enough… so, where is Lanshu now? Is he with you? That child left so suddenly—we thought he must have regained his memory and looked down on us, seeing as Yunmeng Pier is such a small place."
A lump rose in Zhao Zhao’s throat, and she nearly let her tears fall.
But in the next instant, she blinked, and a gentle radiance shone in her eyes. She murmured, "How could he ever think such a thing? He’s simply a little busy, that’s all, so he hasn’t been able to come see you."
Uncle Xie chuckled and waved his hand. "That’s fine, that’s fine. There’s nothing much to see here anyway. As long as he’s with you, you don’t have to worry about things at home. Your cousin is here helping us."
Aunt Xie gave him a light pat, speaking in mild reproach. "You can’t disappear completely. It’s fine to be busy most of the time, but at least come back for a visit during the holidays."
After a brief pause, her eyes grew misty. "Zhao Zhao, you must live well with Lanshu. If he ever bullies you, come home, Aunt Xie will set things right for you."
For a fleeting moment, Zhao Zhao wanted nothing more than to weep and pour out all her sorrows and grievances to her family.
However—
She couldn’t.
The way ahead stretched harsh and endless—she couldn’t return home now; she couldn’t let them worry.
So she only laughed and replied, "Don’t worry, Auntie. You know Lanshu—aside from Uncle and Auntie, he’s the one who treats me best in the whole world."
Zhao Zhao thought to herself, she hadn’t actually lied.
Xie Lanshu was indeed the one who treated her best, second only to her uncle and auntie.
As for the one who dwelled high above in the Thirty-Third Palace of Separation’s Regret Heaven—he had never been Xie Lanshu.
