Chapter Sixty-Nine: Encountering Pursuers Once Again

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Ye Pei sensed something unusual in Jue’s words and asked, “Senior, do you truly…wish to leave?”

Jue’s smile was tinged with countless emotions. “I don’t know why that person locked me here all those years ago, preserving my consciousness—or perhaps my soul—for two thousand years. Was it all just to wait for you? Heh…”

At this, Ye Pei more or less understood what “rescue” truly meant. He was about to speak when Jue continued, “Do you understand the significance of resisting the Star Clan?”

“I…” Ye Pei hesitated. His aversion to the Star Clan stemmed mainly from a questioning mind since childhood and a distrust of the so-called ‘official history.’ Though now he knew the Star Clan’s intentions were sinister, he had never truly suffered at their hands, so his feelings were not deep.

Before he could collect his thoughts, Jue pressed on.

“I know you don’t understand. You don’t know why, during the Era of Martial Glory, countless people threw themselves into war with the Star Clan, why they fought to extinction without regret. You don’t know why I chose to risk my life training overseas for five years, just to fight my way into the Star Realm. Nor do you understand why strangers would follow me into that realm, willing to shed blood and sacrifice their lives.

“In the Era of Martial Glory, human civilization was built bit by bit by our own hands. From the beginning, humanity had no special advantage—at odds with beasts in the wild, nearly driven from the world. Yet the heroes of our race, the sages, laid the foundations. The Nest-Builder taught us to construct shelters, giving us the means to dominate animals.

“Tong Feng discovered fire by drilling wood—a miracle. He freed light from the confines of day, gave us a weapon to triumph over beasts, brought us cooked food, and made metalworking possible. Many animals build nests, but only humans mastered fire.

“Pao Xi invented animal husbandry, stabilizing our food supply. He created nets for fishing, taught us to sew clothes from hides, solving hunger and cold.

“The Sky-Watcher, having secured material needs, turned his wisdom to the natural world. He observed the heavens above and the earth below, studied the patterns of birds and beasts, and the suitability of the land. Drawing from both near and far, he created the Eight Trigrams—to embody divine virtues and express the nature of all things. He began humanity’s exploration of heaven and earth, paving the way for all forms of divination and prediction.

“Grain-Opener developed agriculture for humanity—perhaps an even greater contribution than Pao Xi, for in later ages, these grains became the staple food of our people.”

At this, Ye Pei could almost feel the flames of anger radiating from Jue’s translucent form.

Yet Jue’s voice rolled on.

“But the Star Clan, coveting this land of hope, sought to destroy the brilliant civilization built by human hands. Using their innate advantages, they slaughtered wantonly, even stealing the fruits of our civilization and claiming them as their own. Barbaric! Shameless!

“I don’t know why they chose to invade, but even if they simply wished to dwell upon the dragon veins, the humans of that era would have gladly welcomed them!

“But no matter how much I say, you’ll never truly feel it. Just know that before you, countless heroes and scoundrels alike sacrificed everything for freedom. They failed, but you must succeed.

“This land, this civilization, belongs to humanity. How we cultivate it, how we build it, is our own affair. We do not need their interference!”

Ye Pei was moved by the surge of emotion, though Jue was right—true understanding comes only through experience. Still, Jue’s words planted the seed of rebellion in Ye Pei’s heart.

Jue sighed. “Ling…I truly wish I knew where she went in the end. I want to know why, at the last moment of the war, she left me. Before I left the dragon veins to train, we promised that when I returned, we would never part again. In those five years, as I broke past death’s door time and again, it was the thought of not leaving her alone that kept me going. Both our families were slaughtered; only the two of us remained, relying on each other… Yet she left me behind, abandoned the spirit boat her master gave her, cast aside her title as the greatest musician under heaven, and gave up her lifelong quest for vengeance…”

Jue’s voice trembled, growing incoherent.

“But…after more than two thousand years, wherever she went, she must long since…”

At this, Jue gave a bitter laugh, then exhaled deeply, as if making a decision. “Release me. I want to see her, to ask her why… Perhaps the answer no longer matters. Maybe I just want to see her one last time…”

Ye Pei listened quietly, then asked, “Senior, how do I free you?”

Jue replied, “If you can sever the black iron, you will set me free.”

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Hearing this, Ye Pei silently drew the Frostfall Dagger once more.

Seeing Ye Pei approach with the blade, Jue smiled faintly. “Frostfall Demon Iron… So you are the one.”

Ye Pei paused. “You recognize it, Senior?”

Jue smiled. “It’s a legendary spirit weapon—my master mentioned it often.”

Though the black iron was incredibly tough, with some effort Ye Pei was able to cut through it bit by bit.

As each chain was severed, Jue’s figure grew steadily fainter.

“Civil virtue observes martial glory; murderous intent rises to the azure sky. The red dust of divided lands; Frostfall ushers a new dawn.”

Jue softly recited a verse. “These were the final words of the most renowned geomancer of the age. Now, I think I understand them.”

With gentle laughter, two tears fell to the ground. As the last chain dropped, Jue’s form vanished completely.

In that final instant, Ye Pei saw longing and reluctance in his eyes, saw release and fondness, saw anger and the will to kill.

The shattering and disappearance of those two tears marked the last trace of the second generation Flameblade Sovereign upon the mortal world.

Ye Pei stood before the throne, bowed solemnly. Though he did not fully comprehend Jue’s emotions, he could sense his resolve and persistence.

His words bore none of an old man’s tone—for as he said, he died in his twenties and slumbered here ever since. Perhaps his heart remained that of a spirited youth.

This experience left Ye Pei with a deeper reverence for the world. A man long dead, yet his consciousness endured for two thousand years by other means. Had he not released him, who knows how much longer he would have lingered.

As Ye Pei turned to leave for the corridor, he noticed an inscription above the entrance.

“There is a mechanism in the corridor wall that leads out.”

Ye Pei soon found the device embedded in the wall. Upon pressing it, he heard a sound from the burial chamber where the spirit boat was kept, followed by the delighted voices of his companions.

When he returned to the chamber, he saw a staircase descending from the ceiling to the circular platform.

“Ye, what did you encounter in there?” Chen Mo asked.

Ye Pei had already prepared his answer. He shook his head. “Nothing much—there were many Moonlight Jades, but they can’t be taken. I found this mechanism and came out.”

Even if he told the truth, they might not believe it; after all, an ancient from the Era of Azure Skies still alive—it sounded like a legend.

“Perhaps I should go to the Star Realm and gather more evidence before telling them.”

Soon, everyone followed the corridor back to the surface.

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“Pei, we’re leaving now,” Jiang Zhongqing announced as soon as they emerged.

“Huh?” Ye Pei was surprised. “Where are you going?”

Jiang Zhongqing replied, “I only came to find you and ensure your safety. Now that I know you’re safe, I’m taking Tian Lan to journey across the land.”

Ye Pei smiled. “In that case…go on, then.”

Jiang Zhongqing clasped his hands. “Take care, Pei. Until we meet again on the road.”

Ye Pei returned the gesture with a smile. “Yes, until we meet again.”

Watching Jiang Zhongqing and Zhuang Tianlan leave side by side, Ye Pei shook his head with a smile and prepared to depart as well.

“Ye, what’s your next move?” Chen Mo asked.

“I…am going to Deathfire Volcano.”

Huang Jifeng exclaimed, “What? Why?”

Ye Pei replied, “I have something to do, of course…” As he spoke, he took out the spirit boat and said, “Leave this zither with you—find a way to get it to Qingrong.”

Chen Mo took the spirit boat, puzzled. “Let me be frank—why does this feel like you’re saying your farewells?”

Ye Pei laughed. “Not at all—I just might not be back for a while.”

“Hey, you there!” A shout came from nearby. “Have you seen a young man with a group of a dozen people?”

Ye Pei and the others turned to see a cavalry troop of thirty or forty approaching.

“I’ve got a bad feeling,” Chen Mo whispered.

Ye Pei said quietly, “Brother Huang, get ready for a slaughter. Let none escape. I suspect these are Feng family men.”

The three of them were without mounts—even if Ye Pei and Huang Jifeng could outrun the horses, Chen Mo certainly could not.

As the riders approached, their leader suddenly froze, then pulled out a scroll, glanced at it, and shouted, “That’s Ye Pei! Proceed as planned!”

Most of the riders immediately drew their weapons and charged, but seven or eight split off and fled in all directions.

“Not good!” Ye Pei hadn’t expected such preparation. “Brother Huang, leave this to you!”

Huang Jifeng answered and drew his blade, diving into the fray. Ye Pei gathered his inner force, drew both the Demon Pattern and Flame Pattern swords from his back, and soared into the air to pursue the fleeing messengers.