Where Immortals Once Walked

So Bilu built its fortune on Dragon Punishment Pillars.

In other words, it’s only risen over the past hundred-plus years, and after advancing, it changed its name. No wonder Mitian had said she did not recognize it.

Hearing this, He Lingchuan understood that Mitian had achieved her purpose in creating the Dragon Punishment Pillars. They truly had stirred up chaos and war in the divine realm.

Shinan added, “Do you know what the word ‘Naluo’ means in the divine language?”

He Lingchuan shook his head. Where was I supposed to have learned that?

“It means fate.” Shinan gave a heh. “Bilu renamed itself Naluo, proclaiming itself the God of Fate. Hah, how arrogant!”

“Fate?” He Lingchuan murmured. “What right does it have to dare call itself fate?”

“I’ve heard a legend—note that this is only a legend—that Bilu was fortunate enough to pick up a part of an ancient god’s divine persona. It carefully hid it away and slowly refined it, keeping it from the knowledge of all other gods. Only after its strength increased greatly and it became a true god did it fully refine that fragment of an ancient god’s divine persona and grasp a trace of the power of fate!”

He Lingchuan heard another new term. “What’s an ancient god?”

“Your five questions have been answered. Until next time.” It had already whet its appetite, and now, it was time for it to take its leave. The old temple attendant began spewing smoke from his mouth and nose.

“I heard that a few months ago, a major change took place in Lingxu City. How has the divine realm reacted to that?” He Lingchuan seized the final chance and said quickly, “That shouldn’t count as a secret, right? I could ask any other god and get the same answer!”

“Turmoil!” Shinan pulled out a twisted, malicious smile. “A bloody storm of turmoil. The good show has already begun! You humans really are interesting.”

Then smoke poured out entirely, vanishing into the air in an instant.

The old temple attendant sank back to his knees, his expression weary. Two streams of blood were still running from beneath his nose.

Although what had just happened did not count as divine descent, and the god had merely borrowed him to converse with He Lingchuan, he was ultimately too old. His aged body could not quite bear it.

He Lingchuan took out an ingot of silver and thanked him again.

Dong Rui led him out of the Thunder God Temple. As they passed through the market, he bought some duku fruit[1]. Before being peeled, this fruit looked like longan; after peeling, it resembled lychee. Its flesh was clear and crystalline, sweet and bursting with juice.

The two of them sat by the river, peeling and eating the fruit. For a long while, neither spoke.

He Lingchuan stared at the distant riverbank, lost in thought for a long time without realizing it.

The weather was truly cold. Even with his cultivation, Dong Rui felt the chill seep straight through his rear. He gave a “hey,” then looked for something to say. “So you’ve got a divine seal mark. You’re dead for sure!” Well, he doesn’t look all that gloomy, though. If he were truly despondent, he wouldn’t have polished off two kilos of dugu fruit in less than half an hour.

In the face of Dong Rui’s schadenfreude, He Lingchuan did not even shift his eyes.

“That Shinan guy said it himself just now. There’s no precedent of a failed divine descent.”

He Lingchuan lowered his head and peeled another fruit. “Thank you for reminding me.”

“Then why did you run off to storm the Heavenly Palace and make all that useless effort?” Dong Rui did not understand. “If I were you, I’d eat well, drink well, and enjoy myself properly for a few years before divine descent comes.” When ordinary people learn of their tragic fate, don’t they usually fall into utter despair?

“Human effort can still change things,” He Lingchuan said calmly. “You’ve followed me through how many brushes with death now?”

That’s true. This kid is damn skilled at finding life amid death. Sitting around waiting to die definitely isn’t his style. “Have you thought of a way to deal with it?”

“Not yet.” But he was not accustomed to waiting helplessly for death.

“You haven’t thought of one yet, or you haven’t figured it out?”

“I only have a few clues.” How could it possibly be that easy to figure out? Cracking a deific technique is no joke.

“Hey.” He already has a few clues? Tsk, as expected of him. “You’ve only spent two days here in Xunyang Sandbar. What do you plan to do next?”

“You go back and keep Lady One and Lady Two company. Do you think you’ll be able to sit still?” A homebody like him should have no problem sitting still.

“Hah, I’ve got plenty to keep me busy.” Dong Rui counted on his fingers. “The snail toad was a piece I finished in a rush many years ago. I want to modify it again and make it more stable, so it no longer depends on self-heal herbs. The life-extension method Zhu Erniang taught me has to be tested on the ghost ape. And the things you brought out of the Fu Realm are also very much worth studying.”

If he wanted to keep busy, there would never be an end to his experiments.

“They can be used?” He Lingchuan glanced at him. “Used on your monster puppets?”

Dong Rui rubbed his hands together. “Hard to say. That’s exactly why it’s worth experimenting on.” The aberrant creatures of the Fu Realm were generally powerful. If they could be fused with his monster puppets—ah, just thinking about it was enough to make him look forward to it.

He rattled off a string of technical terms. He Lingchuan did not understand them, but he did not interrupt either. He simply let his thoughts drift beyond the clouds.

By the time Dong Rui realized he had talked himself dry, he hurriedly ate two fruits to quench his thirst, then asked He Lingchuan, “What about you?”

“I still have a long journey to make. Two months and a bit is just enough time for a round trip.”

Dong Rui asked curiously, “Where are you going?”

He Lingchuan smiled. “Back to my hometown. I need to verify something.”

To trace everything back to its source, he had to return to the place where it all began.

If he wanted to resist Naluotian’s divine descent, that might be his only chance.

“Oh, right. Lend me your bat monster puppet for the journey.” Taking the aerial route would save more time.

“Fine.” It was not as if Dong Rui had anywhere else to go. “Remember, it only eats fruit. If there really isn’t any fruit, it can force down a little meat, but it doesn’t suck blood!”

At that moment, the clouds finally parted and sunlight broke through. Several slanting rays fell from the gaps in the clouds, shining right down by the river.

“The sun’s finally out!” He Lingchuan had been enduring the cold outdoors precisely for this moment. “Stand in the sunlight.”

“What for?” Dong Rui had not yet reacted, but his body had already stepped into the sunlight on instinct.

Sunbathing in the depths of winter was rather pleasant.

“Just as expected.” He Lingchuan suddenly drew his blade and swept it around the back of Dong Rui’s neck.

The bright blade finished circling behind his neck before Dong Rui reacted and nearly jumped out of his skin. “What are you doing?!”

“That god, Shinan, did something to you just now.”

Once Dong Rui stepped into the sunlight, the pale gray thread behind his neck had nowhere to hide. Of course, only He Lingchuan could see it. This was another of the heavenly gods’ usual “karmic threads.” Baizhantian had secretly placed one on Zhu Daniang before as well. “It wanted to track us. No wonder it was so easy to talk to just now and even let me ask five questions on credit. I imagine it takes quite a bit of time to wrap this karmic thread around someone.”

Dong Rui also remembered what had happened to Zhu Daniang. He knew He Lingchuan could see and sever this kind of thread. However, one point left him unconvinced. “Why can’t this thing wind itself around you?” That god probably only attached one on me because it couldn’t do so on He Lingchuan, right?

He Lingchuan smiled faintly and said, “Who told you I’m the chosen one?”

* * *

By day, He Lingchuan rode the bat monster puppet. By night, when he entered Yuheng City, he was not idle either.

A newly appointed official always had three fires to light[2]. He convened several military councils, dragging the officers over so everyone could familiarize themselves with his face. He also assigned them several targets. After that, he went to inspect the first line of the border.

He had once spoken with the Red General on the banks of the Yin River, so he was deeply impressed by this place.

During the flood season, the river surface was over 130 meters wide. In the dry season, like now, it was less than fifty meters across, and the cobblestones on the riverbed lay exposed.

This river was the boundary between Panlong City and the State of Jintao’s spheres of influence.

1. This is also known as langsat, lanzones, or longkong. They’re mostly found in Southeast Asia. ☜

2. This is a common saying, though I’m not actually sure about the reason for the three fires part, as it’s widely debated. Regardless, this entire line is a Chinese proverb meaning that someone newly appointed to a position of authority typically begins with several bold or highly visible actions to establish their authority. ☜