Firmament Sword

Phoenix smiled wryly. ”Young Master Xu, you come from a great house. Surely you understand these matters? Whoever holds power calls the shots. Right and wrong... is that really so important?”

Xu Luo fell silent. That was just the way things were. He felt helpless, but he had to admit she was right.

Phoenix continued, ”I was trying to figure out how I could see you without anyone noticing, but I never imagined you’d come here yourself.”

”You were looking for me?” Xu Luo glanced at Phoenix and spoke softly. ”Are you seeking an ally? If so, you’ve come to the wrong person. The Xu Family may appear to be at the height of its glory, but in reality, we’re walking on thin ice, in danger of collapsing at any moment. I won’t lie to you—the Royal Family isn’t very fond of us right now.”

Phoenix nodded. ”I know. I’ve known all of this for a long time. But I wasn’t looking for you for that reason. Forget your family’s current predicament; even if the Xu Family held absolute power in the Cangqiong Kingdom, it would be useless to me. The power of a great sect and the power of the secular world... they’re not even in the same league!”

”If that’s the case, couldn’t a great sect topple a dynasty whenever it wanted?” Xu Luo scoffed, clearly unconvinced. ”Why bother developing Fengyue Building? You could just overthrow a kingdom’s government...”

”Overthrow imperial power? Heh. I can only say that you’re being too naive. You’ve grossly underestimated... imperial power.”

After saying this, Phoenix sighed softly. ”Truly, ignorance of these matters is a blessing. I was looking for you because I have a gift for you. You could consider it... a small counterattack against the Grand Elder and his faction. But it’s very important for you. At the very least, it can clear a stain on your father’s honor.”

”What?” Xu Luo shot to his feet, stunned. ”What did you just say?”

Phoenix wasn’t surprised by his reaction. ”So you *are* investigating it,” she said calmly. ”Go tell that Princess of Vulture to be careful. Someone is about to notice her. Tell her to stop digging.”

Xu Luo stared at Phoenix, his face a mask of shock. He couldn’t believe something so secret had been discovered.

”Don’t be so surprised. You may not like hearing it, but it’s the truth. The secular world and the world of sects are two completely different realms! If it were possible, I’d hope you could go your whole life without ever coming into contact with them!”

she said with genuine sadness in her eyes.

”Hmph, sects...” Xu Luo snorted but said nothing more. ’Never have any contact?’ he thought. ’That’s impossible. I have to bring my mother back, no matter what!’

Phoenix retrieved an iron box from her Storage Ring and handed it to Xu Luo. ”There are some things in here. You must not let anyone know about them. The contents should have been destroyed ten years ago, but for various reasons, they were saved and ended up in my possession.”

”As of now, not another soul knows about this. How you deal with these items is your decision. But I advise you not to reveal them until you have absolute power. And whatever you do, do not hand this box directly to His Majesty.”

”Do you understand me?”

Xu Luo’s heart pounded as he accepted the iron box, casually stowing it in his own Storage Ring. He failed to notice the peculiar light that flashed in Phoenix’s eyes when she saw the ring on his hand.

”Phoenix, words can’t express my gratitude. I know I’m too weak to help you much right now, but... I, Xu Luo, owe you a great debt! One day, I will repay you!”

”Now you’re being too formal. I had my own selfish reasons for giving this to you.”

Phoenix said softly, ”Although I’m being forced to leave, I don’t intend to let Crystal have an easy time of it. By the way, the people Crystal sent were the ones who attacked you last time. And the ones who ambushed your father’s Divine Soldier Messenger ten years ago... they were also from Fengyue Building...”

HISS!

Xu Luo couldn’t help but draw a sharp, cold breath. Although he had already guessed what the iron box contained, he never imagined this was the hidden story behind it all.

’The ones who tried to kill me... were also from Fengyue Building!’

’I have no history with them, no grudge. Why would they want to kill me?’

As if sensing his confusion, Phoenix explained, ”Crystal sent people to kill you simply to muddy the waters in the Imperial Capital. That way, Fengyue Building could profit from the chaos. It wasn’t anything personal against you. However, Crystal’s master and your father... they apparently didn’t get along. I heard that years ago, Crystal’s master and your mother, Miss Luo, were both rivals for your father’s affection. In the end, your mother won...”

Xu Luo stared at Phoenix, completely dumbfounded. He never would have imagined such a story. Thinking of his loving and doting parents, he scratched his head. He never knew his father had such a dramatic history.

”Everything I’ve told you is the absolute truth. Crystal’s master’s love turned to hate, and that’s likely the real reason she schemed so relentlessly against your father later on. As for Crystal... she naturally takes her master’s side.”

”You’ve told me so much. Aren’t you afraid that when I eventually make a move against Fengyue Building, you’ll be dragged into it?”

Xu Luo watched her, his gaze intense. Even though he knew she had no reason to deceive him, he still couldn’t understand what she gained by telling him so much.

”Afraid? Heh...” Phoenix smiled sadly. ”Do you really think my life will be peaceful once I return to my sect? They’ve certainly already arranged a marriage for me. I’m sure the moment I set foot back in the sect, suitors will be at the door. Then, after a ’discussion,’ the Elder Council will unanimously agree... to marry me off!”

”What? That’s unacceptable!” Xu Luo shot to his feet in a fury. ”How can they be so shameless?”

Phoenix looked at him with an unreadable smile, making him feel a little self-conscious. Still, he pressed on, ”If you refuse, can they actually force you?”

”They won’t force me directly, no. But if I refuse, my master... and those who are close to her will suffer for it.” Phoenix sighed. ”When you’re in the Jianghu, your fate is often not your own.”

”’Fate is not your own,’ my ass!” Xu Luo raged. ”Just wait until I’m strong enough. I’ll beat down their doors one by one and let them have a taste of what it’s like to have no control over their own fate!”

”Hee hee, I do hope that day comes. It would be quite a spectacle.” Phoenix’s voice turned wistful. ”But it’s a pity I won’t be here to see it.” Today, she had intended to give herself to this young man whom she found herself subconsciously drawn to, but he had unexpectedly broken her Charm Skill.

For a girl as inexperienced as she was, it had taken all her courage to even try once. How could she possibly find the nerve to try a second time?

Though her heart was filled with regret, Phoenix didn’t want to appear too vulnerable in front of him.

”Is there... really no other way?” Xu Luo asked, his brow furrowed.

”My leaving Fengyue Building is a foregone conclusion. That can’t be changed. But... if my master can recover within six months, then I probably won’t be married off by the Elders.”

Xu Luo asked, ”Your master... what’s wrong with her?”

”It’s not an illness... She had a mishap during her cultivation. A cultivation deviation. Her body was invaded by corrupting energy, and the consequences are dire,” Phoenix said sorrowfully. ”Even for a great sect, this kind of problem is incredibly difficult to handle... it’s considered almost incurable!”

”Cultivation deviation... corrupting energy...” Xu Luo repeated, only half-understanding. He knew very little about the great sects. To the secular world, they had always been mysterious, high-and-mighty entities. One almost never saw them openly, yet they were constantly influencing the course of worldly affairs.

”Yes. If someone could actually recover from a cultivation deviation, it would be a world-shaking event. According to all known records, no one has ever recovered after suffering one,” Phoenix said, her face clouded with grief.

Then, forcing a light smile, she said, ”But forget all that. It really has nothing to do with you, so don’t dwell on it. Just focus on your cultivation. Strive to become a great man who can stand tall in this secular world. That would be more than enough. Just like your father!”

Xu Luo nodded. ”Don’t worry. I will.”

”Good. Then I won’t see you out. I’ll leave quietly when the time comes. Don’t come to see me off... it would make me too sad.” Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke.

”Your sect... where is it?” Xu Luo asked suddenly, looking right at her. ”I mean... what if I wanted to come visit you in six months?”

”Absolutely not!” Phoenix’s face filled with panic, her voice laced with self-reproach. ”I shouldn’t have told you so much. You must not get involved in this. Maybe... maybe I’ll think of another way to handle it by then. But if you get involved, you will be utterly crushed!”

Xu Luo was silent for a moment. Then he looked up at her and said with utter seriousness, ”I told you, I owe you a debt. I may not be capable enough right now, but one day, I *will* help you!”

”Mm. Hearing you say that makes me happy.” Phoenix lowered her gaze, her face blushing as she leaned in and gently kissed his cheek. ”Thank you!”

Long after he had left Fengyue Building, the memory of that gentle kiss from Phoenix’s soft, cool lips still lingered on his cheek.

’Phoenix... you may not have faith in me, but I will never let you marry a man you don’t love! Never!’

Xu Luo made a silent vow. Clutching the iron box, he didn’t head back to True Martial Academy, but went straight home instead.

Phoenix’s warning had made him worry about Lianyi.

...

Inside the box were several old letters. In addition to those, there was a military order. On it, six large words were written in a bold, flowing script: ”The plan has changed. Hold positions.”

The order was stamped with the Great Seal of the National Guardian General.

Both Xu Luo’s and Lianyi’s eyes were fixed on the military order, their hearts in turmoil.