Chapter 24 Emotion and Will, Wind and Fire, Faith and Poetry

As Cen Yu stepped out of the teleportation array, the wind of Chu Prefecture City, laden with grit, lashed against her shark-silk veil.

She frowned as she looked toward the National Temple at the end of the road, the gilded plaque blinding in the midday sun—as expected, that shade of snow-blue could not be found in such a grand place.

"Your Highness rarely sleeps in; she left the residence for quiet cultivation before sunrise today." The attendant official clasped her hands before her apricot-yellow Daoist robe, her green jade bracelet chiming softly as she shook her head. "Why don't you check under the old locust tree in the west of the city? Your Highness is often there..."

Before she could finish, Cen Yu had already formed a hand Seal for the Earth-Shrinking Technique.

The bluestone streets flowed backward beneath her feet like water. Amidst the cries of sesame pancake vendors and the clanging of the blacksmith's shop, she vaguely saw an eleven-year-old Palace Master Yun Luwan curled up by the window of the Scripture Pavilion, her fingertips alight with Zhurong Fire to keep her tea warm: "If a cultivator does not understand the common world, how can they protect the people within it?"

Turning past the seventh alleyway, an old locust tree concealed half an unfinished game of chess. On a stone bench, the young girl in a coarse linen shirt pushed a black "Chariot" piece. The wooden hairpin in her hair was tilted by the wind, revealing a pale red birthmark behind her ear—shaped like a raging flame, colored like the evening glow.

"Checkmate." The crisp sound of the piece striking the bluestone chessboard startled the birds into flight, and the elderly onlookers burst into cheers.

The old man in hemp clothing scratched his white hair and smiled wryly: "Lass, this killing intent of yours is like someone who's been on the battlefield!"

"It's just a game of chess." Palace Master Yun Luwan looked up and saw Cen Yu. The sharpness in her eyes had not yet faded, but the corners of her eyes curved into crescents. "A-Yu, would you like to play a game?"

"You already knew I was coming?" Seeing Palace Master Yun Luwan look up and smile at her, Cen Yu couldn't help but smile back. Facing such a smile, she didn't believe anyone could keep a straight face.

"I only noticed when you got close." Palace Master Yun Luwan said, "A-Yu, what brings you here?"

"I came specifically to deliver a letter. A letter from Senior Brother, here." Cen Yu handed a letter to Palace Master Yun Luwan.

"The scent is lovely." Palace Master Yun Luwan caught the fragrant breeze and took the envelope with a smile. It was clear that she was in a good mood today. Even Cen Yu rarely saw her smile so often.

Cen Yu said, "If you like it, I'll bring you some next time."

Palace Master Yun Luwan opened the letter. For ordinary matters, Senior Brother could simply send a message. Since A-Yu had come specifically to deliver it, it must be a serious matter.

The parchment envelope landed on the chessboard. Cen Yu caught a glimpse of the Big Dipper pattern on the Seal, and her heart skipped a beat—that person in the Ziwei Hall really couldn't hide his feelings anymore, could he?

Palace Master Yun Luwan traced the charred mark with her fingers, and flames climbed along her fingertips, forming a Vermilion Bird pattern. As she unfolded the letter, the gilded small regular script seemed to flow through the willow shade along with her recitation:

"Clouds cut the crane cloak, the moon cuts the brows, / Burning incense in the sea of stars, I bow before the jade steps. / I wish to borrow the Samadhi Fire of Zhurong, / To illuminate your brows and eyes, and illuminate my infatuation."

The old woman selling sugar figures stopped and exclaimed, "What beautiful calligraphy! Could it be that you have a top scholar for a husband, young lady?"

The onlookers burst into good-natured laughter. Cen Yu saw Palace Master Yun Luwan's eyelashes tremble slightly, and the swaying tree shadows cast a dark shade across the bridge of her nose. Cen Yu also noticed her let out an almost imperceptible sigh. If she weren't so familiar with her, she surely wouldn't have noticed.

She couldn't help but speak up: "Senior Brother is a very good person."

Palace Master Yun Luwan said, "Senior Brother is the most exceptional person I have ever met."

This was not something an ordinary woman would say. This was the person from the highest peak in the deepest mountains of the State Religion's holy city. The person admired by all the heroes of the world. The most exceptional man acknowledged by her own golden words.

The world knew they had been classmates since childhood, and had often imagined them as childhood sweethearts, naturally feeling they were a perfect match. A golden boy and a jade girl. This was the world's natural assumption. What satisfied the world most was that the State Preceptor and the Saintess had been betrothed since childhood. But if she didn't like him, she simply didn't like him.

Cen Yu was a bit anxious: "Are you not planning to consider this aspect at all?"

Palace Master Yun Luwan said, "No, I am quite envious. Seeing others in love, I have also had expectations."

Cen Yu said, "Then what do you think it should be like?" Cen Yu had never harbored any fantasies about Senior Brother, precisely because he was too perfect. Only such a good person was worthy of the person before her.

Palace Master Yun Luwan said, "Whether a 'Great Man' or a 'Gentleman,' perhaps neither is the right partner."

The "Great Man" refers to the "Great Man" in "Nine in the second place: The dragon appears in the field. It is advantageous to see a Great Man"; the "Gentleman" refers to the "Gentleman" in "Nine in the third place: The gentleman is active and vigilant all day long; in the evening he is still cautious as if in danger, no blame."

Cen Yu fell silent; she was deep in thought. "Could you please get me a brush?" Palace Master Yun Luwan was very calm. She spread a piece of rice paper on the chessboard and, with a wolf-hair brush dipped in cinnabar, wrote:

"Moon-tempered swords on the Cang Plains are like frost, / The desert wind grinds bones into beams. / A hundred thousand iron river armors are buried, / Never seeing red candles illuminate mandarin ducks."

While the onlookers were still savoring the poetic meaning, Cen Yu already smelled something burning. Tongues of fire darted from Palace Master Yun Luwan's sleeve, licking the letter. The ashes fell into the chess bowl, mixing with the black jade pieces like a galaxy.

The wind beyond the frontier never ceased blowing. Soon, the ashes dissipated into Heaven and Earth.

"Must you be so resolute?" Cen Yu gripped the hand that was tidying the chess pieces; the touch was like holding warm jade. "Senior Brother, he..."

"Half of the communication arrays in the sixteen Northwest provinces suddenly malfunctioned last night. The Demon Race..." Palace Master Yun Luwan suddenly turned her palm over, and red flames condensed into a sand table. A miniature image of Chu Prefecture City appeared in the firelight. "A-Yu, look—"

Cen Yu gasped. Where the Cang Plains should have been, hideous beast shadows were now coiled. On the Northwest border of the Human Race, purple Demon patterns were faintly visible. Cen Yu knew that the Demon Race was assembling their troops.

Neither of them worried that such a secret would be seen by passersby. In fact, the moment the envelope's ashes were carried away by the wind, an isolation barrier had already risen.

Palace Master Yun Luwan blew away the sand table, and the fire sparks drifted toward the northern sky. "Just like this letter, it should have been eroded by Devilish Qi back at the post station."

Cen Yu began to understand the earlier words about "Great Man" and "Gentleman." Willow leaves fell like rain, and Cen Yu suddenly noticed ripples appearing on her dear friend's hem—the edges of this Incarnation were becoming transparent.

"Please, convey this to Senior Brother." The voice from the fading image was faint. "If he truly understands Zhurong Fire, what he should burn is the miasma of the Demon Realm, not..."

Palace Master Yun Luwan's body disappeared completely, like paper in a fire. The last few words scattered in the wind, and only half an unfinished game of chess remained on the stone bench.

The onlookers could not see through the illusion Palace Master Yun Luwan had set; they only felt a momentary lapse in focus. The old man selling tea came over with a clay bowl and stared blankly at the empty seat: "Where did that lass go? We agreed she would teach me how to break the Chain Horse Formation..."

Scattered silver was pressed onto the chessboard; this was payment for the tea. Palace Master Yun Luwan's reply letter was burning hot in Cen Yu's sleeve.

Meanwhile, far away on the Cang Plains, Palace Master Yun Luwan's main body suddenly opened her eyes, a flash of gravity crossing her gaze.

She had just received a secret report—a secret base of the Demon Race had been discovered beneath Niwa Village. The news came suddenly, but it did not surprise her. The Demon Race had been restless in recent years, laying plans in the shadows for a long time, and the construction of the spirit connection platform was the key they coveted.

However, Palace Master Yun Luwan did not immediately rush to Niwa Village. Her intuition told her that the Demon Race's actions would not be so simple. The spirit connection platform was the hub connecting Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi; once destroyed or controlled, the consequences would be unimaginable. She had to personally confirm the safety of the spirit connection platform.

The matter was urgent; she had to prepare with all her might. Therefore, she could not maintain the Incarnation in Chu Prefecture City and had to rudely end that game of chess with the old man.

The wind of the Cang Plains, laden with grit, blew against her snow-blue robes. The silhouette of the spirit connection platform loomed in the twilight; the tower, rising high into the clouds, was like a sharp sword pointing straight at the firmament.

The construction site was brightly lit, and the craftsmen were still busy; the sounds of hammers, chisels, and shouting were woven together.

When Palace Master Yun Luwan stepped into the construction site, layers of guards stood with fierce expressions, their swords crossed. "Construction restricted area, no entry!" the soldier shouted coldly.

Palace Master Yun Luwan was taken aback, only then remembering that when she left the holy city, she had specifically asked someone from Xinyue Hall to disguise her. Because she found veils or hats inconvenient. Moreover, the other party shouldn't recognize her appearance.

So, she took out a token. "Xinyue Hall?" The soldier had a sharp eye and immediately let her pass.

The foreman hurried over, bowing in some trepidation: "Palace, Palace Master? Why have you come in person?"

"Routine inspection." Her tone was calm, but her gaze had already swept across the surroundings. "How is the progress?"

"Everything is going smoothly; according to plan, it will be completed in less than 80 hours." The foreman replied, his tone filled with pride.

Palace Master Yun Luwan nodded, her footsteps not stopping. She first inspected the building materials, her fingertips lightly touching each Spirit Stone to feel the Spiritual Qi contained within. The Spirit Stones were of pure quality and abundant in Spiritual Qi, clearly top-tier goods. She then walked toward the core of the Formation, carefully examining every rune. The runes were carved precisely, the spiritual power flowed smoothly, and there was not the slightest deviation.

"What about the foundation?" She turned to the foreman, her tone still indifferent.

"Rest assured, Your Highness, the foundation is a hundred zhang deep and uses blue gold stone from the Southwest; it is incredibly sturdy." The foreman hurried to lead the way, bringing her to the edge of the foundation.

Palace Master Yun Luwan leaned down to inspect it; the blue gold stone shimmered with a cold luster in the moonlight. She placed her palm on the foundation and closed her eyes to sense it. The power of the earth veins was stable and thick, perfectly matching the Formation of the spirit connection platform, with not the slightest abnormality.

After the inspection, Palace Master Yun Luwan stood at the top of the spirit connection platform, overlooking the entire construction site. The figures of the craftsmen appeared small in the lamplight, while the silhouette of the spirit connection platform became increasingly imposing. Everything seemed perfect, but her heart was vaguely uneasy.

"It's too smooth." She whispered to herself, her brows slightly furrowed. The Demon Race's actions were always treacherous and would not be exposed so easily.

The construction of the spirit connection platform, on the surface, had no flaws, yet it made her feel a hint of dissonance.

She looked up at the night sky, where the stars twinkled as if telling some secret message. Suddenly, her gaze fixed on the Tianshu Star—the light of that star seemed dimmer than usual.

She looked up at the Tianshu Star, the faint light of the stars reflected in her eyes: "Demon Race, what exactly are you plotting?"

The wind rose, her robes fluttering, as if she were a blue phoenix about to spread its wings and fly.