A chill ran through Dangjiang's heart upon hearing this. He asked, "Then you mean..."
Chi Buzi fixed his pale green eyes intently on him and said in a low voice, "This step cannot be avoided. Once Lushui sees me and grows suspicious of my cultivation, do you think he will speak to me gently and ask where I obtained the 'Chougui Cang' Violet Palace cultivation method? Whether I have an answer or not, he won't say a single word. He'll just reach out his hand and instantly search my memories!
"Once that happens, it won't merely be a question of a cultivation method!
"Whether he manages to find anything or not, I will surely die... Though you will remain safe and sound in Heaven, you will suffer heavy losses as well, and from then on, you need not even think about meeting anyone..."
Dangjiang grew increasingly anxious and answered, "What do you mean by that? Aren't you the candidate chosen by the Mansion Lord? That Lushui True Monarch is only a Golden Core—how could he kill you?"
Chi Buzi cast him a somewhat somber glance and replied, "Chosen or not, when karma arrives, the Mansion Lord bestows a path. If one can walk it, one walks it. If one cannot and perishes, who would care? Does the Mansion Lord lack a single Violet Palace cultivator, that he would return all the way from beyond the heavens just to save me? Borrowing a tiger's skin to scare others in ordinary times is one thing, but don't go taking it for real yourself."
At Chi Buzi's words, Dangjiang knitted his brows, his distress mounting as he pondered, "That is true... Who in Heaven isn't touched by divine abilities..."
Seeing that he could offer nothing useful, Chi Buzi's initial glimmer of hope faded, leaving a faint sense of disappointment in his heart. He said, "My cultivation is meager and not worth mentioning. If something happens to me, I only fear it might disrupt the Immortal Mansion's affairs..."
Dangjiang glanced at him, and Chi Buzi continued, "I am counting on you to make a plea and seek a way out for me... If you could meet that Lord Zhengao from before, surely we would have more certainty."
Dangjiang hesitated. He had to rely on Shaohui just to see Zhengao, so he naturally had little confidence. Yet this concerned Chi Buzi's lineage and life; there was no avoiding the inquiry. He had no choice but to rise and reply, "You know how that lord is—it's not as though one can see him just by asking. I only know where Lady Shaohui's immortal pavilion is, so I can ask on your behalf."
Chi Buzi still harbored doubts.
As a direct descendant of the Qingsong Radiant Yang lineage, endowed with a clever mind, he had learned quite a lot over the years. Grasping Dangjiang, he said, "The Mansion Lord... holds sway over Yin and Yang, and might well have an incarnation in the mortal realm. Back in the day, there was an immortal titled Yingze who also governed Yin and Yang. I wonder if they might be the same person..."
This made Dangjiang's scalp tingle with dread. How could he dare utter another word about such things? He answered, "You want me to ask about the Mansion Lord's mortal incarnation? First, I have nowhere to ask, and second, I don't have the life to spare to ask! I couldn't even find out Immortal Official Li's mortal title. Clearly this matter... touches upon profound secrets. Where would I get the capability to inquire?"
"I'm not asking you to make inquiries about that..."
Chi Buzi looked at him with a slight headache. In truth, he knew certain secrets: many in the world were searching for Yingze, yet that figure never revealed himself. How could that lead to anything good? He replied, "This Lushui is known as one of the Six Scions of Chongming, and his master is that very immortal who holds sway over Yin and Yang... He belongs to the genuine Qingxuan lineage... The immortals above him are too many to count on one hand... I am not afraid of him fighting Heaven; I fear that whatever information he learns might trigger unforeseen changes..."
As Chi Buzi spoke, Dangjiang felt a chill running down his spine. In his past-life memories, he was merely a minor water official of the subterranean realm; he possessed scarcely any memories of figures of such magnitude. With considerable fright, he stammered, "I understand..."
"Inquire discreetly... Probe carefully..."
With Chi Buzi's urging, Dangjiang raised his head again, masking his unease as he strode outward, cursing, "When it comes to having a glib tongue, you might not be as nimble as yours truly! What's with all your nagging!"
He stepped out through the courtyard gate. Only then did Chi Buzi calmly sit back down in his seat. After all, this was someone else's grotto-heaven; even though he was alone, he revealed not the slightest emotion, his eyes half-closed as he entered meditative seclusion right there.
Beside him, white snow drifted, slowly piling up flakes within the courtyard. A fragrant scent of sweet osmanthus diffused through the air. It ought to have been a scene that brought calm to the mind, yet as he sat silently, his heart was far from peaceful.
Chi Buzi's words earlier had not only been a plea for help, but also a test. In this brief exchange, he had discerned Dangjiang's attitude and keenly captured the crucial point:
He, Chi Buzi, was of no importance to Heaven. The Mansion Lord had acted on a whim, and Zhengao had not given Dangjiang any special orders.
Somber by nature and inherently detached, Chi Buzi harbored deep suspicions from this single piece of information alone:
'Nine times out of ten, this Mansion Lord is Yingze. Yet having remained without a trace for all these years, he surely doesn't want the world to know of his existence, and must be pushing some scheme behind the scenes... His relationship with Lushui cannot be that great. Being a figure on the level of an immortal, the opportunity he granted me would never expose himself, nor could it leave Lushui with any doubts.
'Once Lushui inspects my memory, he is bound to find nothing. As for me... failing to complete all the plans before Lushui's return, losing my life, and being toyed with however Lushui pleases—in the end, my fate is doomed to 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 a mere few years...'
He smelled something amiss, and gloom immediately shrouded his heart:
'Could it be that they are merely using me... having me hunt demons and offer them up all these years? In any case, it would never be enough. When Lushui arrives, my death will just be my death, while he will have already profited handsomely... Nor would he ever need to find any method to attain the Golden Core for me...'
Though Chi Buzi knew little about the true power behind the Immortal Mansion, such was his character: solely from a few ties of interest, he arrived at a conclusion almost instantaneously—if his opportunity was not part of the immortal's plot against Lushui, Heaven would never disrupt their established plans for his sake, meaning he would most likely die at Lushui's hands.
* * *
On his side, Dangjiang left the courtyard, walking with his head ducked. After wandering for quite a while, he soon located a grand pavilion within the mansion. Presenting the token in his hand, a heavenly soldier went inside to report.
Soon, the soldier, clad in radiant scale armor and with upright features, emerged from the pavilion and announced loudly, "Collator of the Xuanqi Pavilion... The immortal maiden invites you in."
Dangjiang had worried she would refuse to see him. Now feeling as though granted an amnesty, he stepped forward briskly, traversing the opulent corridor. Before him lay a stacked array of silvery-white jade slips, and seated properly beside a table was a woman in tea-white robes.
Shaohui looked somewhat weary, the stark white speck of radiance between her brows flickering faintly. Evidently, her days lately had not been easy either, to the extent that seeing Dangjiang no longer felt as noisy and grating as before. She asked, "So it's you... Has something happened?"
Though Shaohui had been reassigned, Dangjiang was still her nominal subordinate, which was why he had been granted an audience. He prostrated himself upon the ground and cried, "Years ago... Immortal Officer Liu entrusted this humble one with a duty: to look after the talent handpicked by the Mansion Lord... But recently, a catastrophe has befallen him, threatening his very life! Thus, I have come to consult Your Ladyship!"
Hearing this, Shaohui frowned. Knowing he referred to Chi Buzi, she naturally had no leisurely interest in meddling in outside affairs, yet she was equally unwilling to shoulder blame. She asked, "What kind of trouble?"
Dangjiang bowed and said, "It is still that matter from before. True Monarch Lushui, whose status fruit sits directly above him... is about to return from beyond the heavens. Yet Chi Buzi broke through his divine ability by relying on my karmic opportunity, which connects back to Heaven. The True Monarch will likely seek him out, and we fear it will invite 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 only that Heaven has yet to manifest in the world; a sudden exposure might draw censure from above."
Shaohui's words resonated with Dangjiang. He did not find any Lushui terrifying, nor was he as cautious as Chi Buzi. What he feared far more was delaying the affairs of those above. He bowed in courtesy, and Shaohui replied, "Wait here. I shall go see the Lord."
Dangjiang was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly. He waited anxiously in the pavilion for the better part of an hour. To his surprise, movement came soon enough. The woman in the tea-white immortal dress re-entered from outside the pavilion, looking deep in thought.
Seeing Shaohui step back into the pavilion, Dangjiang hurried forward and asked respectfully, "Your Ladyship..."
Shaohui shook her head slightly and answered, "I inquired with the Lord and obtained several pieces of information. Let me share them with you."
With a solemn and prudent expression, she said, "First, there are no decrees from the Lord on that matter. The Mansion Lord bestowed the spell upon him merely as a reward for watching over you; he holds no relationship with Heaven. It is not yet time for Heaven to manifest in the world. Even if he is captured by that Lushui, the immortal's traces will naturally fade into obscurity, posing no risk of exposing Heaven's presence."
Hearing this left a bitter taste in Dangjiang's mouth. Realization dawned upon him, and he finally understood what Chi Buzi had meant. Shaohui continued, "Second, Lord Zhengao, considering that he is wholly devoted to seeking immortality, has left him a thread of opportunity. If he truly believes Lushui will harm him, he may request an immortal official from Heaven to examine him and see if there is any room for maneuvering."
Dangjiang's heart sank into gloom. He forced himself to ask, "May I ask which official is to be requested?"
Shaohui gave a slightly helpless smile and replied, "Me."
She rose from the pavilion and said, "Go on... Bring him here."
Dangjiang had no choice but to retreat hastily and return to the courtyard. Chi Buzi had not moved an inch, sitting beside the table. Dangjiang, his face full of bitterness, quietly relayed the two pieces of news. To his surprise, Chi Buzi breathed a sigh of relief and lowered 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 also within his expectations. For him, merely having this was enough; in fact, he had long anticipated his present peril.
'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 moment. Today comes as no surprise, nor is it too soon.'
Back when he spoke those words of betrayal against Lushui to Li Qinghong, Chi Buzi had possessed only one thought:
'If I die, then I die. I must try!'
His thoughts now were no different.
Contented and ambitious, he lowered his head, slipping through the corridors flanked by immortal generals and maidens. Ascending the steps of the pavilion, he slowly made his way before Shaohui's desk. With a thud, he knelt down and spoke respectfully, "This subordinate thanks Your Ladyship for your life-saving grace!"
Shaohui had originally disliked him, but seeing a Grand True Person prostrating himself before her so reverently, she composed her thoughts and said softly, "Do you have any ideas?"
Chi Buzi raised his head. Those pale green eyes were bright with spirit, devoid of the slightest despair or dejection. He said in a low voice, "This subordinate does not wish to abandon the chance to enter the grotto-heaven and pay homage to the immortals of Heaven, nor do I wish to abandon my Dao path. Under current circumstances, the only way is to deceive Lushui.
"To deceive Lushui, I must not remember it myself. As long as I know I am deceiving him, the True Monarch will know I am deceiving him."
Watching his expression, even Shaohui, who had always found it hard to warm up to him, could not help being moved. She said, "Continue."
Chi Buzi lowered his voice: "This subordinate thinks that for me not to know, the only way is to purge the memories and store them somewhere. Once Lushui inspects me and departs, I can retrieve these memories to evade detection. So long as he returns to Luyu Heaven to heal his wounds, it will be difficult for him to keep an eye on me."
Shaohui frowned slightly. Chi Buzi continued softly, "I require a method to alter my memory before a True Monarch without being detected."
Yet the immortal maiden before him shook her head, replying, "It is more than that. No jade slip can record memories pertaining to Heaven. You can only store such memories by severing a portion of your soul. Yet splitting the soul is far beyond the capability of you or me.
"What is more, the agony of splitting the soul surpasses having one's sinews pulled and skin flayed."
Chi Buzi had not considered the pain at all.
He had climbed up step by step from Qingchi to his current stature precisely because he would seize every opportunity that flashed before his eyes by any means necessary. Even if an opportunity was as minuscule as a hairline crack, he would shave his bones and peel his skin, squeezing out from the crevice like a weed.
Be it Chi Wei or Zhengao, evil spirits or celestial deities, Chi Buzi could be whatever his superiors needed him to be. With the Golden Core before him, there was nothing that could not be cast aside, nothing that could not be endured.
'By my strength alone, being flayed and having my tendons drawn a hundred or a thousand times would still never let me escape Lushui's grasp. I would surely be crushed like an ant... But I do not need much. As long as there is a sliver of power of an equal status to aid me, I will have the qualification to deceive him.'
Yet hearing this news, Chi Buzi did not nod. His heart grew cold, and he replied, "Once the soul is severed, how could Lushui fail to notice?
"He will never ponder how many tricks lie behind me, nor does he need to. He won't bother trying to counter them. As long as it involves me, it is bound to concern breaking through to the Golden Core and shaking his status fruit. And with such a miraculous method as splitting the soul, he will not permit anyone to make a move. He would simply endure the pressure from the Nether Bureau and kill me with a single glance."
Shaohui pondered for a while and said softly, "As for severing memories, I can inquire on your behalf. Perhaps some spirit tool can accomplish it. However, how can you guarantee that Lushui will leave? Since he is as cunning as you say, leaving no trace upon his return and revealing no track upon his departure, how can you calculate when your amnesiac self should restore those memories? This is virtually impossible!
"Furthermore, if you truly wait until he departs to restore your memories, how will you know when he might suddenly appear? A Golden Core descending upon the mortal realm happens in an instant! Any day an impulse strikes him, so long as he steps half a foot out of Luyu Heaven, he will instantly learn everything about you!"
Seeing Shaohui shake her head repeatedly, Chi Buzi remained unhurried. He said in a low voice, "This matter seems difficult, but in truth, that memory is only needed when making an offering.
"So long as Your Ladyship has a method that allows me to fool his eyes, I can manage to hunt demons, recall the matter in a secret place, offer them to Heaven, and then forget it once more before departing."
Shaohui's expression grew solemn. Staring intently into his eyes, a deep sense of wonder emerged in hers as she asked, "Could there really be a secret place that even a True Monarch cannot see?"
Chi Buzi narrowed his eyes slightly. In his lowered expression, a cold and calm scrutiny surfaced: "This subordinate indeed knows of a place... that even a True Monarch cannot see."
Chapter 871