activa-t Chapter 330 Storm and Cloud
Chapter 330 Storm and Cloud
The jubilation from the good news had barely subsided when undercurrents stirred within the Xianyang Palace. Xiao Qicheng finished reviewing the last memorial, rubbed his sore eyes, and noticed the bronze hourglass on his desk had quietly pointed to midnight. Shen Mingyue tiptoed into the study, carrying a bowl of steaming lotus seed soup: "Your Majesty, it's time to rest."
Before the words were finished, the Nine-Tails suddenly leaped in through the window, its nine tails taut: "Your Majesty! An urgent report has come from the secret guards: the remnants of the Netherworld Pavilion are making unusual moves in the Western Regions!" It spat out a scroll of secret letter, the handwriting messy yet exuding a chilling aura: "Goods with ghost face totems have been discovered in the Western Regions caravan, and the accompanying sorcerer can control puppets in battle."
Xiao Qicheng unfolded the secret letter, his eyes gleaming: "As expected, the Northern Barbarian invasion was merely a diversionary tactic." He turned to Shen Mingyue, "Yue'er, this time is likely no ordinary event. The Western Regions have always maintained good relations with Nanzhao. If the Netherworld Pavilion gains a foothold there..."
"Your Majesty, I am willing to go with you." Shen Mingyue said firmly, "I have thoroughly studied the 'Witchcraft Breaking Record' left by my great-grandmother, and it may come in handy." Her fingertips traced the mechanism box on the table, inside which lay a replica of a Soul Cleansing Stone—though it lacked the power of the real thing, it could serve as a warning artifact.
Three days later, Xiao Qicheng and Shen Mingyue, disguised as caravan leaders, embarked on their westward journey with Jiu Li Mao and a hundred guards. The scorching desert sun baked the yellow sand. As the caravan reached the outskirts of Yumen Pass, they spotted a strange skull pattern on the banners of the caravans ahead. Jiu Li Mao's tail suddenly bristled: "Watch out! That's the Netherworld Pavilion's 'Soul-Devouring Banner,' capable of stealing the souls of the living!"
Before the words were finished, a sinister chant echoed through the sandstorm. Dozens of puppets crawled out from behind the dunes, their skin tinged with a bluish-gray, their eyes flickering with eerie green flames. Xiao Qicheng raised his hand to signal, and the guards quickly set up a trap array, the sounds of crossbows being cocked and gears turning mingling. Shen Mingyue took out a silver needle, its tip dipped in specially prepared cinnabar: "These puppets are drawn by vengeful spirits; we must break their vital points!"
In the heat of battle, Shen Mingyue suddenly noticed something unusual about the group of puppets—the clothing of one of the puppets was exactly the same as that of the Netherworld Pavilion assassin who had tried to assassinate the Crown Prince years ago. Her heart skipped a beat, and she precisely pierced the incantation on the back of the puppet's neck with a silver needle. The puppet collapsed to the ground with a thud, revealing half of a tattered scroll of the "Tai Su Gui Lu" inside.
"Your Majesty!" Shen Mingyue held up the scroll. "The Netherworld Pavilion is searching for fragments of the 'Tai Su Gui Lu' (Records of the Great Primordial Mystery). They want to resurrect the Demon Star that was sealed away back then!"
Xiao Qicheng swung his sword, cleaving through the incoming chains, his eyes blazing with murderous intent: "We cannot let them succeed! Nine Fox Cat, you take the Empress and go first, I'll cover the rear!"
"What nonsense are you spouting!" Shen Mingyue threw out a silver needle, which accurately pinned down the sorcerer controlling the puppet. "We are husband and wife, one in life and death!" She flipped her wrist and flung out a golden silk whip from her sleeve. The tip of the whip was wrapped with a replica of the Soul Purifying Stone. Wherever it went, the puppets collapsed.
Just as the battle reached a stalemate, the melodious sound of camel bells drifted from afar. A caravan dressed in exotic attire galloped towards them, led by a woman wielding a scimitar inlaid with rubies. She shouted, "Your Majesty of Nanzhao, do not panic! I am Princess Ayina of the Kingdom of Kucha, and I have come to offer my assistance!"
Ayina's caravan was well-trained; their arrows were coated with paralyzing herbs unique to the Western Regions, instantly slowing the puppet horde's movements. Xiao Qicheng seized the opportunity, his Xuan Tie sword aimed straight for the Netherworld Pavilion sorcerer's throat. With a scream, the sorcerer vanished into black smoke, and the puppets collapsed to the ground.
After the war, Ayina welcomed Xiao Qicheng to the Kingdom of Kucha. Under the dome of the royal palace, she displayed an ancient star chart: "Does Your Majesty know that there is a forbidden place in the Western Regions called 'Netherworld Abyss'? Legend has it that an ancient evil god is sealed there, and the ultimate secret of the 'Tai Su Gui Lu' is related to this place."
Shen Mingyue carefully examined the star chart and suddenly discovered that the marked locations on the chart coincided with a mysterious place in the Nine-Tails' memories. The Nine-Tails leaped onto the table, its nine tails drawing ancient runes in the air: "That's right! A thousand years ago, my ancestor participated in the war to seal the evil god. If the Netherworld Pavilion opens the Netherworld Abyss, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Xiao Qicheng clenched his fist: "In that case, we will take the initiative. Princess Ayina, we hope that the Kingdom of Kucha can lend us a hand."
Ayina laughed heartily, "That's exactly what I was thinking! The Netherworld Pavilion has committed numerous atrocities in the Western Regions, and we've long wanted to eliminate them!" A sly glint flashed in her eyes, "However, I've heard that the mechanical arts of Nanzhao are exquisite. Could Your Majesty send some craftsmen to help us improve our weapons?"
Thus, Nanzhao and Kucha formed an alliance. Xiao Qicheng personally guided the craftsmen, combining mechanical arts with the forging techniques of the Western Regions to create crossbows that could shoot flames and mechanical kites for aerial reconnaissance. Shen Mingyue, on the other hand, communicated with the shamans of Kucha to develop an antidote to counter the evil magic of the Netherworld Pavilion.
On the eve of the great battle, Shen Mingyue was adjusting Xiao Qicheng's armor in the military tent. The candlelight flickered, illuminating her gentle yet resolute face: "Your Majesty, if Great-Grandfather and Great-Grandmother could seal the evil god, so can we." She took out a jade pendant, engraved with the totem of the Nanzhao royal family, "This is a peace charm that I prayed for Your Majesty. When we return victorious, we will go see the misty rain of Jiangnan together."
Xiao Qicheng pulled her into his arms, inhaling the jasmine scent in her hair: "Alright, once we've pacified the Netherworld Pavilion, we'll take Nine Foxes to see the 'Mechanical City' that Qi'er built for us."
Meanwhile, outside the Netherworld Abyss, the remnants of the Netherworld Pavilion were holding an evil ritual. On the massive altar, fragments of the *Tai Su Gui Lu* moved without wind, and the bronze coffin in the center slowly opened, revealing a dark power awakening...
When Xiao Qicheng's army arrived at the Netherworld Abyss, the sky was filled with dark clouds, and lightning flashed and thunder roared. The Nine-Tails' body began to glow, its nine tails pointing to nine directions on the altar: "Your Majesty, that is the key to the seal! Only by destroying the array's core can we prevent the evil god's resurrection!"
A massive, earth-shattering battle ensued. Xiao Qicheng wielded his Xuan Tie sword, Shen Mingyue danced with her golden silk whip, and Ayina's scimitar whirled through the air. Mechanical kites dropped bombs from the sky, and the flames spewed from ballistae illuminated the entire battlefield. The remnants of the Netherworld Pavilion fought back fiercely, summoning more puppets and even commanding mutated magical beasts.
At the critical moment, Shen Mingyue discovered the weakness in the center of the altar. Ignoring the danger, she leaped towards the bronze coffin. Xiao Qicheng followed closely behind, shielding her from countless attacks. The instant Shen Mingyue embedded the replica of the Soul-Purifying Stone into the coffin, a dazzling light shot into the sky, accompanied by the deafening roar of the evil god.
After a fierce battle, the Netherworld Pavilion's conspiracy was finally thwarted. The evil god was resealed, and the remaining pages of the *Tai Su Gui Lu* were completely destroyed. Looking at the devastated battlefield, Xiao Qicheng was filled with mixed emotions. He knew that this victory was only temporary; as long as evil existed, Nanzhao could never let its guard down.
On the day of their triumphant return, the people lined the streets in front of Xianyang Palace to welcome them. Xiao Qicheng and Shen Mingyue rode side by side, receiving the cheers of the masses. The Nine-Tails perched on Shen Mingyue's shoulder, its tail wagging proudly. In the distance, Qi'er led a group of princes and princesses running over, carrying flowers and small gifts with hidden mechanisms.
"Father, Mother!" Qi'er threw herself into Xiao Qicheng's arms. "Look, I've improved the flying boat again!"
Xiao Qicheng picked up his son, his heart filled with joy: "Okay, tomorrow we'll go test fly your new invention." He turned to look at Shen Mingyue, his eyes brimming with love, "Yue'er, it's all thanks to you by my side."
Shen Mingyue's cheeks flushed slightly as she softly said, "Your Majesty, this is my duty. As long as I can protect Nanzhao and our home, no matter how hard or tiring it is, it's all worth it."
The Xianyang Palace was brightly decorated after the triumphant return, and the Imperial Kitchen's specially prepared "Auspicious Beasts Feast" filled thirty-six long tables. Xiao Qicheng sat in the main seat, holding his young son, watching Shen Mingyue carefully remove the bones from the fish. Outside the hall, music and celebrations resounded, but they could not conceal the lingering worry between his brows—just now, the Nine-Tails had transmitted a message that while cleaning up the battlefield, they had discovered a bronze fragment engraved with the characters "Xuanming," the title of the first master of the Netherworld Pavilion.
As night deepened, Xiao Qicheng went alone to the library. In the flickering candlelight, he opened the notes left by his great-grandfather, Xiao Jingchuan, and half a star map suddenly slipped from the yellowed pages. The location of the "Netherworld Abyss" marked on the map did not match reality, and a line of small writing appeared in the corner: "If you see the Xuanming appear in the world, seek the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Heart."
"Your Majesty is looking for this?" Shen Mingyue's voice came from behind. She held a glass lamp, the fireflies floating inside illuminating the jade box in her hand. Inside the box lay a crystal, its surface translucent, with nine fish faintly visible swimming within. "Princess Ayina gave this to me before she left, saying it could resonate with the Nine-Tails."
Nine-tailed cats leaped onto the bookshelf in front of them, their nine tails curling up crystals, instantly illuminating the entire library with a ghostly blue light. Ancient murals appeared on the walls: in ancient times, nine warriors used their own essence as a guide to seal an evil god in the Netherworld Abyss; at the end of the scene, a man in black robes laughed wildly, holding a bronze token engraved with "Xuanming" in his hand.
"This is... the first Pavilion Master!" Nine-Tails' voice trembled. "Back then, he attempted to seize the power of the Evil God, but was sealed away and suffered a backlash. Could it be that he didn't die?" It suddenly turned to look at Shen Mingyue, "The spiritual energy fluctuations within the Empress's body... are extremely similar to the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Heart in the mural!"
Xiao Qicheng suddenly grasped his wife's hand: "Yue'er, do you know about your background?" Shen Mingyue shook her head. Her memories were only of her master raising her, but there was nothing about her biological parents. Suddenly, the crystal emitted a sharp sound, and the fireflies inside the glass lamp turned into points of light, piecing together a map in the air—pointing to the misty forest deep in the Hundred Thousand Mountains of Southern Xinjiang.
Three days later, Xiao Qicheng and Shen Mingyue, along with Nine-Tails and elite guards, embarked on a new journey. The rainforest of Southern Xinjiang was hot and humid, filled with poisonous miasma. Following the crystal's guidance, they discovered an ancient stone gate covered in vines before a precipice. Strange runes were carved on the stone gate. As soon as Nine-Tails touched it, the entire mountain suddenly trembled violently, and countless mechanical arrows shot through the air.
"Watch out!" Shen Mingyue tackled Xiao Qicheng to the ground, but her own arm was grazed by an arrow. The moment blood dripped to the ground, the stone door swung open, revealing a deep, dark passage. A faint chanting echoed from within the passage, and the Nine-Tails' tail bristled: "It's a Soul-Capturing Spell! Everyone cover your ears!"
The group continued deeper into the area and finally arrived at a massive altar. The stone coffin at the center of the altar was covered in demonic face totems. Suddenly, the crystal in Shen Mingyue's hand flew from her palm and hovered above the coffin. The coffin slowly opened, revealing a mummified corpse dressed in black robes. The bronze token on its chest glowed eerily—it was the Xuanming Token!
"Hahaha, after waiting a thousand years, I've finally found the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Heart!" The mummified corpse suddenly let out a piercing laugh, transforming into a cloud of black mist that enveloped Shen Mingyue. Xiao Qicheng swung his sword, but only struck emptiness. The Nine-Tails was frantic, jumping up and down: "Your Majesty, Xuanming has merged with the power of the Evil God; ordinary attacks can't harm him! We must find the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Heart's natal artifact!"
Shen Mingyue struggled against the black mist, and in a daze, she remembered what her master often said when she was a child: "You were born with a mission. When the evil god awakens, only your heart can seal it again." She gritted her teeth, mobilized the spiritual power in her body, and suddenly a golden light shone at her heart, and the black mist began to dissipate.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Xiao Qicheng fired three arrows that pierced the clouds, each wrapped with a soul-suppressing talisman brought from Nanzhao. Xuanming roared, and the mummified corpse began to disintegrate, but the power of the evil god transformed into a giant black dragon that soared into the sky. The Nine-Tails howled, its nine tails transforming into chains that bound the dragon's body: "Your Majesty, quickly use the Soul-Purifying Stone!"
Xiao Qicheng took out his treasured Soul Purification Stone, only to find that its spiritual power was almost depleted. Shen Mingyue suddenly rushed towards the dragon, golden light enveloping her: "Qicheng, do you still remember our vow? To live and die together!" She opened her arms, spiritual power transforming into a net of light that enveloped the dragon. Xiao Qicheng understood her intention, and with a shout, he plunged the Soul Purification Stone into the center of the net of light.
A deafening explosion resounded through the heavens and earth. As the light faded, Xuanming and the Evil God were finally sealed away. Shen Mingyue collapsed weakly into Xiao Qicheng's arms, the crystal on her chest shattered, turning into starlight that merged into her body. The Nine-Tails' nine tails dimmed considerably, yet it still managed to say, "Luckily... I made it in time..."
After returning to Xianyang Palace, Shen Mingyue remained unconscious for seven days. Xiao Qicheng stayed by her bedside day and night, holding her hand and unwilling to leave. When she finally awoke, the magnolias outside the window were in full bloom. "Qicheng, I dreamt of Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma," she said weakly. "They said that the mission of the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Heart has been completed, and from now on, it's time to spend more time with family."
Xiao Qicheng held her tightly in his arms, tears soaking her hair. Afterwards, he ordered a temple to be built in the southern border region to enshrine the nine warriors who had sealed the evil god. The broken crystal was then crafted by skilled artisans into a pair of jade pendants, one for him and one for Shen Mingyue.
As time passed, the Nanzhao Kingdom flourished under the rule of Xiao Qicheng and Shen Mingyue. They traveled far and wide with their children, teaching them mechanical arts and medicine; they established an academy in Xianyang Palace, cultivating countless talents skilled in both literature and martial arts. Every night, Xiao Qicheng and Shen Mingyue would ascend the city wall, gazing at the myriad lights of the city, and reminiscing about the past.