Dangjiang felt a chill grip his heart and asked, "Then what do you mean...?"
Chi Buzi fixed his pale green eyes intently upon him, speaking in a low voice: "This step cannot possibly be avoided. Once Lushui lays eyes on me and grows suspicious of my cultivation, do you think he will speak to me politely and ask where my Chougui Cang Purple Mansion cultivation method came from? Whether I have one or not, he won't waste a single word. He will reach out his hand and look straight into my memories!"
"Once that happens, it won't just be an issue of a cultivation method!"
"Regardless of whether he finds anything, I am dead without a doubt... Though you might remain safe and sound in Heaven, your loss will be catastrophic, and from then on, you need not even dream of meeting anyone..."
Hearing this, anxiety surged in Dangjiang's chest. He answered, "What do you mean by that? Aren't you the candidate chosen by the Lord of the Mansion? That True Monarch Lushui is merely a Golden Core—how could he possibly kill you?"
Chi Buzi cast a somber glance at him and replied, "Chosen or not, when karmic affinity arrives, the Lord grants a path. If one can walk it, one walks it; if one cannot and ends up dead, who would care? Could the Lord be so short of a single Purple Mansion cultivator that he would return from beyond Heaven just to save me? It's fine to borrow his prestige to bluster on ordinary days, but do not go taking it seriously yourself."
Hearing Chi Buzi say this, Dangjiang furrowed his brow, growing increasingly anxious as he pondered, "True enough... In Heaven, who isn't endowed with divine abilities..."
Seeing that Dangjiang had nothing useful to offer, the glimmer of hope within Chi Buzi faded, replaced by mild disappointment. He replied, "My cultivation is meager and not worth mentioning. If something happens to me, I only fear it might ruin the Immortal Mansion's affairs..."
Dangjiang glanced at him, only to hear Chi Buzi continue: "I am relying on you to plead for me and seek a way out... If you can see that Lord Zhengao from before, we should be able to gain some certainty."
Dangjiang hesitated. He had to rely on Shaohui to even see Zhengao, so naturally he lacked confidence. Yet since the matter concerned Chi Buzi's lineage and life, he had no choice but to ask. Standing up, he replied, "You know that lord's standing as well—one cannot simply see him at will. I only know where Lady Shaohui's immortal pavilion is located, so I can go inquire on your behalf."
Chi Buzi still had doubts.
He was a direct descendant of the Qingsong Sun orthodox lineage and possessed a sharp mind; over the years, he had learned quite a lot. Grasping Dangjiang, he said, "The Lord of the Mansion... wields Yin and Yang, and may very well possess an incarnation in the mortal world. Back then, there was an immortal named Yingze who also held sway over Yin and Yang. I wonder if they might be the same person..."
Hearing this made Dangjiang's scalp tingle with dread. How could he dare entertain such talk? He replied, "You want me to ask about the Lord of the Mansion's mortal incarnation? First, I have nowhere to ask, and second, I wouldn't have the life to survive asking! I couldn't even find out the mortal name Immortal Official Li took when descending to the mortal realm. Clearly, this matter... touches upon profound secrets. What capability do I have to pry into that?"
"I'm not telling you to ask directly..."
Chi Buzi looked at him with a slight headache. In truth, he knew some secrets: many across the realm were searching for Yingze, yet that entity never showed himself, which could hardly bode well. Thus, he replied, "This Lushui is known as one of the Six Sons of Chongming, and his master was that very immortal who governed Yin and Yang... He belongs to the genuine, bona fide Qingxuan orthodox lineage... The immortals preceding him cannot be counted on one hand. I do not fear him fighting with Heaven; what I fear is that the information he possesses might trigger unforeseen upheavals..."
Hearing Chi Buzi say this, Dangjiang felt a chill down his spine as well. In the memories of his past life, he had merely been a petty water official of the Netherworld; he possessed virtually no memories concerning such formidable figures. Thoroughly terrified, he said, "I understand..."
"Drop hints discreetly... Ask carefully..."
With Chi Buzi's reminder, Dangjiang raised his head again to mask his unease. Striding outward, he cursed, "When it comes to glib tongue-work, you aren't necessarily as nimble as your grandfather! What's with all your nagging!"
Once he walked out through the courtyard gate, Chi Buzi finally settled back into his seat. Being inside someone else's grotto-heaven after all, even when alone, he did not betray the slightest trace of emotion. With his eyes half-closed, he entered meditation right where he sat.
Beside him, white snow drifted down, gradually piling up flakes across the courtyard. A fragrant scent of osmanthus blossoms diffused through the air. It ought to have been a scene that brought serenity to the mind, yet as he sat quietly, his heart was far from calm.
Chi Buzi's words had not merely been a plea for help, but also a probing test. In that brief conversation, he had discerned Dangjiang's underlying attitude and keenly seized upon the crux of the matter:
He, Chi Buzi, was not important to Heaven. The Lord of the Mansion had merely acted on a whim, and that Zhengao had given Dangjiang no special orders whatsoever.
This man possessed a somber temperament and a cold nature. From this single piece of information, a profound suspicion arose within him:
'Nine times out of ten, this Lord of the Mansion is Yingze. Yet having vanished without a trace for so many years, he must not want the world to know of his existence, pushing forward some hidden scheme in the shadows... His relationship with Lushui cannot possibly be amicable. Since he is a figure on the level of an immortal, the opportunity he bestowed upon me could never be allowed to expose himself, nor could it be allowed to raise any doubt in Lushui.'
'Once Lushui searches my memories, he will surely find nothing. As for me... having failed to complete all my plans before Lushui returned, losing my life or being subjected to whatever torment Lushui devises, my end will inevitably be a silent demise... Then what role does Zhengao play? A method to attain the Golden Core is so precious; how could I possibly exchange for it in just a few short years...'
He smelled something amiss, and an overcast gloom instantly shrouded his heart:
'Could it be that he is using this to exploit me... having me capture demons and offer tributes to him all these years? Since it would never be enough anyway, when Lushui arrives, my death will be my own affair, while he has already profited to the brim... Nor would he ever need to find any Golden Core method for me...'
Although Chi Buzi did not know much about the power backing the Immortal Mansion, this was simply the kind of man he was. Relying purely on a few strands of conflicting interests, he arrived at a conclusion almost in an instant: if the opportunity he obtained was not part of an immortal's scheme against Lushui, Heaven would never disrupt their established plans for his sake, and he would most likely die at Lushui's hands.
...
Meanwhile, after Dangjiang left the courtyard, he strolled along with his neck tucked in. After walking for quite a while, he soon located a grand pavilion within the mansion. He presented the command token in his hand, and a heavenly soldier went inside to ask for instructions.
Before long, this heavenly soldier—clad in brilliant scaled armor and bearing upright features—stepped out of the pavilion and announced clearly, "Collator of the Xuanqi Pavilion... The fairy maiden invites you inside."
Dangjiang had been worried she might refuse to see him. Feeling as though he had received an imperial pardon, he hurried forward. Passing through the magnificent corridor, he saw stacks of silver-white jade slips, and seated upright beside the desk was a woman clad in tea-white robes.
Shaohui looked slightly fatigued. The speck of ghastly white luster between her brows flickered faintly; evidently, her days lately had not been easy either. She did not even find the sight of Dangjiang as irritatingly noisy as before, and asked, "So it's you... Has something happened?"
Although Shaohui had been reassigned, Dangjiang was still her subordinate in name, which was how he had gained audience with her. Bowing to the floor, he wailed, "Back then... the duty Immortal Officer Liu entrusted to this humble one was to look after the talent chosen by the Lord of the Mansion... But recently he ran into colossal trouble, and his life is on the line, so I have come to consult Your Ladyship!"
Hearing this, Shaohui frowned, knowing he referred to Chi Buzi. Naturally, she had no idle leisure to meddle in other people's affairs, yet neither did she want to shoulder blame. She asked, "What kind of trouble?"
Dangjiang bowed and said, "It is still about what happened earlier. The True Monarch holding the Lushui Fruit Status above him... is about to return from beyond Heaven. But his divine ability was broken through by borrowing my karmic affinity, tying him to Heaven. The True Monarch will likely seek him out, and I fear this may bring trouble."
Shaohui shook her head and said, "Who would dare seek trouble with Heaven? Let him be. Once that True Monarch hears of Heaven, he won't dare kill him. It is just that Heaven has not yet manifested in the mortal realm, and a sudden exposure might draw the ire of our superiors."
Shaohui's words resonated deeply with Dangjiang. He did not think that Lushui was particularly terrifying, nor was he as cautious as Chi Buzi; what he feared far more was disrupting the superiors' affairs. Dangjiang offered a salute, and Shaohui said, "Wait here for a moment. I will go see the lord."
Dangjiang was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly, waiting inside the pavilion. After an anxious wait of more than half a double-hour, movement finally stirred outside. The woman in the tea-white immortal skirt entered from outside the pavilion, looking deep in thought.
Seeing Shaohui step into the pavilion, Dangjiang quickly rushed forward and asked respectfully, "My Lady..."
Shaohui shook her head slightly and answered, "I went to inquire with the lord and obtained a few pieces of information. I will share them with you."
Her expression grew grave as she said prudently, "First, there is no decree from the lord. The Lord of the Mansion imparting a spell to him was merely a reward for keeping an eye on you; he has no relationship with Heaven. The time for Heaven to manifest in the mortal realm has not yet arrived. If he is captured by that Lushui or whoever, the immortal's traces will conceal themselves naturally, without any risk of exposing Heaven's presence."
Dangjiang's mouth tasted bitter upon hearing this, and enlightenment dawned on him. He had finally digested the weight of Chi Buzi's earlier words. Then he heard Shaohui continue:
"Second, considering his single-minded pursuit of immortality, Lord Zhengao has left a sliver of opportunity. If he feels that Lushui will harm him, he may invite an immortal official from Heaven to examine his situation and see if there is any room for maneuver."
Dangjiang felt darkness enveloping his heart and asked with difficulty, "May I know which one to invite?"
Shaohui gave a slightly helpless smile and replied, "Me."
Rising from the pavilion, she said, "Go on... Bring him here."
Dangjiang had no choice but to hastily withdraw and return to the courtyard. Chi Buzi had not moved an inch, remaining seated by the desk. With a face full of bitterness, Dangjiang relayed the two pieces of information in a low voice. Surprisingly, Chi Buzi let out a breath of relief, lowering his gaze: "Good. Take me to see Her Ladyship."
Chi Buzi was not surprised by the news Dangjiang brought. That Zhengao was willing to leave him a sliver of life was likewise within Chi Buzi's expectations. Yet this alone was enough for him; in fact, he had foreseen his current perilous predicament long ago.
'From the moment I went to the island to meet Li Qinghong, I had to be prepared to be crushed to death by Lushui at any time. Now that it comes, it is neither a surprise nor too early.'
Back then, when he spoke words of betraying Lushui to Li Qinghong, Chi Buzi had held only a single thought:
'If I die, so be it—I must try!'
What he thought now was no different.
Content and harboring fierce ambition, he kept his head bowed as he slipped past the corridors lined with immortal generals and fairy maidens. Ascending the pavilion steps, he slowly arrived before Shaohui's desk. With a thud, he dropped to his knees and said respectfully, "Thank you, My Lady, for your life-saving grace!"
Shaohui originally disliked him, but seeing a Grand Master prostrating himself before her with all five limbs cast to the floor, she reined in her mood and said softly, "Do you have an idea?"
Chi Buzi lifted his head. Those pale green eyes of his shone with vigor, without the slightest hint of dejection or despair. He said in a low voice, "This subordinate does not wish to forfeit the opportunity to enter the grotto-heaven and pay homage to the immortals of Heaven, nor do I wish to abandon my Dao path. Under the current circumstances, the only plan is to deceive Lushui."
"To deceive Lushui, I must not remember it myself. For as long as I know I am lying to him, the True Monarch will know I am lying to him."
Gazing at his expression, even though she had always found it hard to like this man, Shaohui could not help but be moved. She said, "Continue."
Chi Buzi whispered, "This subordinate thinks that for me not to know either, the only way is to strip away my memories and store them somewhere. Once Lushui searches me and departs, I will retrieve these memories. Only then can I evade his scrutiny. As long as he returns to Lüyu Heaven to heal his wounds, it will be very difficult for him to keep an eye on me."
Shaohui frowned slightly as she listened to Chi Buzi say in a low voice, "I need a method to alter memories before a True Monarch's eyes without being detected."
Yet the fairy maiden shook her head and replied, "It is more than that. No jade slip can record memories concerning Heaven. You must sever a portion of your soul to store this memory, but splitting the soul is far beyond what you or I can achieve."
"Moreover, the pain of splitting one's soul is far worse than being flayed alive and having one's tendons pulled."
Chi Buzi did not even consider the pain.
He, Chi Buzi, had grown up step by step from Qingchi to reach his current standing precisely because he could seize every opportunity that flashed before his eyes by any means necessary. Even if the opportunity was as narrow as a crack, he would scrape his bones and strip his flesh, squeezing his way through the crevices like a weed.
Whether Chi Wei or Zhengao, fiend or deity, whatever those of higher standing required him to be, Chi Buzi could be. With the Golden Core before him, there was nothing that could not be cast aside, nor anything that could not be accepted.
'By my strength alone, even if my tendons were pulled and my skin flayed a hundred or a thousand times, I could never escape Lushui's grasp—I would inevitably be crushed to death by him like an ant... But not much is needed. As long as I have the aid of a sliver of power from an equal status, I will have the qualification to deceive him.'
Yet upon hearing this news, Chi Buzi did not nod. His heart turned cold as he replied, "Once my soul is severed, how could Lushui fail to notice?"
"He would never bother pondering how many tricks I have up my sleeve, nor would he need to think, let alone contemplate countermoves. Since it concerns me, it must be about breaking through to the Golden Core and shaking his Fruit Status. Coupled with an uncanny method like severing the soul, he would never allow anyone to make a move. He would simply bear the pressure from the Nether Bureau and kill me with a single glance."
Shaohui fell into contemplation for a moment, then murmured, "As for the method of severing memories, I can inquire on your behalf. Perhaps there is some spiritual implement that can accomplish it. However, how can you guarantee Lushui's departure? Since he is as cunning as you describe—leaving no trace when returning and showing no sign when departing—how can you calculate when your memory-less self should recover those memories? That is virtually impossible!"
"Furthermore, even if you truly wait until he departs and recover your memories, how can you know when he might suddenly appear? A Golden Core descending into the mortal world takes but a split second! Should a whim strike him one day and he takes half a step out of Lüyu Heaven, everything about you will be known to him in an instant!"
Seeing Shaohui shake her head repeatedly, Chi Buzi remained unhurried and murmured, "This matter seems difficult, but in truth, I only need this memory when offering tribute."
"As long as Your Ladyship has a way to let me fool his eyes, I can naturally manage to capture demons, recall this matter in a certain secret place, offer tribute to Heaven, and then forget it once more before departing."
Shaohui's expression gradually grew solemn. Staring fixedly into his eyes, a deep sense of suspicion and bewilderment surfaced in her gaze as she asked, "Could there really be some secret place that even a True Monarch cannot perceive?"
Chi Buzi narrowed his eyes slightly. In his bowed stance, a cold and calm attitude of scrutiny emerged:
"This subordinate truly happens to know one... a realm that even a True Monarch cannot see."
Chapter 842