Before Bai Li, was a mirror. On the mirror, was a thin layer of water. He sat there motionlessly, and the mirror was empty.
He sat there, fossilized as though he’d never move again. Even though he was the only one in his room, nay, the entirety of the massive courtyard, he was still in the habit of sitting straightly and lifelessly as a wooden column.
Aside from the things he raised in his shadow, there wasn’t anyone so brave as to approach his residence. The expansive Demon Lord’s mansion was like a haunted house. The further in, the heavier the gloom. There wasn’t a single breath of life, for even the summer cicadas and sparrows kept their distance. Time itself seemed to stagnate in that place.
He was the only living thing in the entire mansion, aside from the cloth person guarding the gates.
Bai Li lightly tapped the mirror with his finger, but though its surface rippled, nothing appeared.
The Water Mirror Technique was a secret art of the fox race, it could show its user anything their heart desired. But ever since he’d excised his fox bloodline, he hadn’t been able to use it.
But he still wanted to catch a glimpse, through that thin glass, of Shi Wuduan.
His longbow hung on the wall, glowing faintly in the night. An audacious shadow oozed up the wall towards it; immediately, it wailed in pain as it was pierced through by a blaze of cold light. Bai Li sat, passively as ever, as though he hadn’t heard a thing.
All he thought about, day in and day out, was how to deal with Shi Wuduan. If he lived, he was miserable, if he died, he’d still be miserable. No matter what the outcome was, he’d end up miserable.
So really, what was he trying to accomplish?
Sometimes, Bai Li would spend a few moments of his overly long and dreary life trying to answer that question. But that line of thought never got him anywhere.
Whenever he met him, he wanted to kill him, whenever he couldn’t meet him, he wanted to see him. When he did meet him, he’d been flayed bloody within the span of a few remarks. Sometimes, Bai Li thought he’d never be at peace so long as Shi Wuduan lived, yet the moment he unleashed an arrow through his heart and realized that he would forever cease to exist in this world, he became unsettled and at a loss.
Meeting with what one hates; unable to obtain what one desires.
Suddenly, a bell rang crisply outside the door. Bai Li looked up dispassionately; the cloth person fluttered through the door, gurgling feebly like the one kettle that wasn’t boiling.
Bai Li frigidly replied, “No.”
The cloth person said, “Gurgle gurgle.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Bai Li listened, his lips convulsed into a mockery of a smile, but even that hint of vaguely malicious emotion was gone from his face in an instant. His expression became wooden once more. He abruptly stood and threw open the doors; the sudden gust blew the cloth person into the rafters, clanging into the golden bell hanging there. Then, as if stunned by the impact, it dumbly drifted down.
Djl Ol rlvf-fsfv la jcv rjlv, “Po atja’r atf mjrf, atfc ub lcnlaf Vlg Tjc lcrlvf ab ajix.”
The cloth person shook its paper-flat head a few times then lurched back into the air and flew away. Bai Li remained leaning against the doorframe, looking up at the sky. As he watched the stars glide along their paths, he was reminded of all those complicated equations he didn’t understand, and couldn’t help wondering: is my fate within those stars as well?
Ujijmf ijcafgcr rtbcf ogbw jojg; mifjgis, la kjr Xgjcv Zfcabg Tjc’r fcabegjuf. Djl Ol uijcmfv ja atfw yfobgf tf ecfzqfmafvis rkfqa tlr jgw bea. C mtlii ujif tbkifv atgbeut atf mbegasjgv, jr kfii jr rtbear bo qjclm jcv jijgw. Zbgf atjc tjio atf ijcafgcr tjv yffc qea bea. Gjgx mibevr gblifv jmgbrr atf rxs, byrmeglcu atf iewlcber rajgr.
Anyone who thinks they can foretell my fate, I’d like to see them try — Bai Li turned and headed back inside. A clear, composed voice rang out, “The rest of you can attend outside the door. Remember your manners in the Demon Lord’s presence. I’ll enter and pay my respects alone.”
Yan Zhen was perceptive at least. He picked up a lantern, descended from his palanquin, and deigned to walk with his own two feet to the door, where he saluted, “The lowly official, Yan Zhen, greets the Demon Lord.”
The half-closed door creaked open. Bai Li was sitting with his side facing Yan Zhen. A speck of ghostly fire hovered above the table, casting an uncanny light on the Demon Lord’s writing shadows and his icy mien.
However, Yan Zhen’s capabilities were nothing to be overlooked. There was but a faint stutter in his steps as he saluted again, “Many thanks, Demon Lord.”
Then he brazenly stepped inside and sat unbidden across from Bai Li.
Heavy rain began to pour from skies that had been cloudless not long ago. The cold bored its way in through the windows. Yan Zhen glanced through the window and smiled, “Circumspect as ever, Demon Lord; I admire that.”
Bai Li looked at him, a faint smile on his face, “Oh?”
Yan Zhen pointed at the rain outside and said, “Naturally, the rains summoned by the Demon Lord is no ordinary rain. I trust that if anyone dares to eavesdrop outside, they’ll meet with terrible misfortune.”
The words had only just left his mouth when they heard a stifled scream of agony from outside. At first, the person tried to resist, but the longer it went on, the higher their shrieks became until, by the end, it sounded like they were being skinned alive.
Bai Li held his teacup, pointing outside with the teacup’s cap, “So, despite Grand Mentor Yan’s overwhelming influence in the court, there are still people so bold as to surveil you?”
Yan Zhen smiled helplessly, “It’s the emperor’s people.”
Bai Li was surprised, then realized something, lifted his brow, and didn’t say any more.
Yan Zhen caught sight of the water mirror on the table, scanned Bai Li’s face, then politely said, “Back when I had been cultivating in the Mi Sect, I’d learned of the fox race’s secret technique. Out of curiosity, I studied it for many years, and am somewhat able to use it.”
Moved, Bai Li looked up at him.
Yan Zhen reached over for the mirror and placed it in front of himself, “I’d heard that you once lived amongst the fox race, Demon Lord. I possess but meager skill, and welcome your critique, Demon Lord.”
He then dipped his finger in the water and began scribing densely packed incantations on the table. Of course, Yan Zhen was a human; there wasn’t a single drop of fox blood in him. When Bai Li didn’t recognize the incantations, he knew they must be particular to the Mi Sect. After a moment, he managed to grasp a thing or two from it.
The water on the mirror rippled slightly. Bai Li startled, a vague figure appeared on its surface, and at a mere glance, his heart trembled, and his already ruler-straight back straightened even more. As the Mi Sect incantations on the table increased, so did the clarity of the figure – it was Shi Wuduan.
He was… he was still….
It was only normal that Shi Wuduan was resting at that hour. He laid on his side, curled up into a ball, as usual, hugging a rabbit to his chest. His cheeks and lips were nearly bloodless, haggard in a way that hinted at recent recovery. His sleep seemed fitful; his brows were furrowed, and he’d cough every so often.
Bai Li stared blankly for a long time; a thought suddenly emerged in his heart: he’s gotten thinner.
At that moment, the rabbit raised its head, seeming to meet his eyes through the mirror. Bai Li had the odd sense that those black, bean-like eyes were a reflection of his own. His heart palpitated.
Thus, he furiously swept his hand out. The mirror clanged on the floor; the image of Shi Wuduan and the rabbit was gone.
“Why look at him?” Bai Li scowled, and said coldly, “The sight of him irritates me.”
Yan Zhen’s sleeve had been splattered by water, yet he wasn’t flustered in the least, “I heard that you, wielding the divine bow, had shot an arrow through his chest. Who would’ve thought he’d actually managed to escape with his life. So, I have a plan that can rid you of this eyesore, Demon Lord, if you’re willing to hear it?”
Bai Li made no other reply than to peer at him inscrutably.
Yan Zhen wasn’t bothered by the eye contact, “Gu Huaiyang is a considerable threat to our country. As of now, all the rebels have been executed, save him. He is cunning, deceitful, ambitious, and has been shoring up his not inconsiderable strength for many years. If that were all, he wouldn’t be so troublesome. After all, mundane sabers and swords are no match for mighty cultivators. It’s just that somehow, Shi Wuduan has beguiled a multitude of scattered sects and ignorant Daoists into throwing away their lives for him. What to do, when the great Dao clashes with itself, and fellow Daoists spill each other’s blood?”
Bai Li couldn’t help scoffing at his pompous speech.
Yan Zhen wasn’t intimidated at all. Even though the thickness of his face wasn’t quite on the level of Gu Huaiyang and his compatriots, its cultivation was still impressive. Yan Zhen continued shamelessly, “However, these people would be merely an unorganized mob if it weren’t for Shi Wuduan acting as their center. Ai, to tell you the truth, Demon Lord, ten years ago when I met him for the first time in the Xuan Sect, I knew he was no mediocre man. He caused quite a ruckus when he’d escaped from Jiulu Mountain; it’s too bad that at the time, I wanted to avoid extra complications and missed such an excellent opportunity — there’s a saying ‘when capturing bandits, capture their leader first.’ If we capture him, we’ll deal a heavy blow to Gu Huaiyang’s morale.”
Bai Li asked, “What do you have in mind, Grand Mentor Yan?”
Yan Zhen answered, “Haining’s merchant networks are very extensive; I imagine they’re already aware that we’re drafting troops in the northwest. With his intelligence, Gu Huaiyang must know that he cannot stay long in Dongyue. I expect that he’ll be retreating from Dongyue very shortly, so I’ve already sent people to prepare an ambush. That way, Gu Huaiyang will be cut off from his forces and Shi Wuduan is sure to come to his rescue. As for what happens after that, well, it depends on you, Demon Lord.”
He retrieved a slip of paper and presented it to Bai Li with both hands, “Please, take a look, Demon Lord.”
Bai Li took it and skimmed it rapidly. He suddenly laughed, “You really are the backbone of this country, Sir Yan. The words ‘sinister and ruthless’ describe you perfectly. No wonder the emperor’s so on guard against you.”
Yan Zhen hurriedly looked down and demurred, “I am merely a useless idler. It is my sin that my conduct causes concern to the emperor.”
Bai Li looked him up and down disdainfully, thinking: there’s no one else even here, who’s this old bastard putting on the show for? So he very rudely said, “A while ago, I heard from Sir Zou that someone had impeached you in front of the emperor, on account of disrespecting imperial authority and slandering the court, is that true?”
Yan Zhen said, “I’m ashamed.”
Bai Li chuckled and said ponderously, “You might as well give truth to those heavy accusations weighing on your back. After all, don’t they say that ‘merit follows fame?’”
Yan Zhen bowed his head even lower. A moment later, he said solemnly, “The Yan family has been loyal for generations, living and dying for the sake of this land. I harbor no intentions of treachery, and implore you to speak cautiously, Demon Lord.”
Bai Li laughed quietly.
The rain had already stopped. Yan Zhen glanced out the window and knew the two had nothing more to say. Those who walked different paths were bound to go their separate ways, neither of them wanted to spend more time than necessary in the other’s presence, so he stood and saluted in farewell.
He took his lantern and left.
Suddenly, Bai Li remembered something and called, “Halt…. just then you said that he…. Shi Wuduan escaped from Jiulu Mountain. What was that about?”
Yan Zhen stilled for a second, turned halfway, and said, “That was due to Xuan Sect’s internal affairs. The previous sect leader was in disagreement with his two shidi and met with misfortune. The truth of the matter was coincidentally discovered by his favored disciple. Master Bitan, out of consideration for same-sect camaraderie, put him on house arrest on Jiulu Mountain. At that time, I’d had the honor of attending the Xuan Sect’s martial conference and the chance to see Shi Wuduan, who’d been imprisoned for some years, carry out his masterful escape.”
Upon hearing the story, Bai Li’s only reaction was to lower his head. Concealed by shadow, no one could see his expression. He waved him away and said quietly, “Alright. Gurgle, see Sir Yan out.”
The cloth person popped out and, burbling like boiling water, escorted Yan Zhen away.
Half a month later, after Gu Huaiyang and Lu Yunzhou departed from Dongyue, they were attacked in Huaizhou. The two sides were locked in fierce combat for more than twenty days. Corpses littered the land; vultures and crows filled the sky, circling endlessly, squawking ceaselessly.
Thus the first major battle, wherein there were “rivers of blood and mountains of corpses,” was fought.
This Yan character!! 😳
💙💙💙
I really don’t like Yan Zhen