Chapter Thirty-Five: Shangguan Wan'er at the Gate of Immortality

In the mortal realm, within the gates of Xuanwu, the Six Sons of the Cave Heaven were locked in fierce combat with the Witch of Eight Generations, Zhu, and Lord Wu Seven. Deprived of the summoning abilities of the sorceress Dunna, Zhu was unable to use her puppet arts or arrange any battle formations; she cautiously stayed close to Lord Wu, doing her utmost to remain behind him, avoiding the attacks of the Hexagram Starlight Sword and its radiant blade.

"Moonlight Sword Intent, Moonlight Sword!" cried Fang Zhongjun, the eldest disciple of Cave Heaven, his hands weaving ever-changing seals.

The Moonlight Sword grew ever larger, its blade shining like a full moon in the night sky, pressing upon the two trapped within the formation. Fang Zhongjun, swift and light, approached them in a flash; with a leap, he soared toward the pair, his index finger flicking rapidly as sword shadows stabbed at them again and again.

"My lord, be careful! Please follow my steps closely—do not let your guard down for even a moment!" Lord Wu Seven cautioned Zhu, his battlefield experience vast and hard-won. Yet now, against the Daoist arts, caution was their only refuge.

"Thank you, General Wu!" Zhu pressed herself tightly against his back as the blade of the moon approached.

The Hexagram Starlight Sword Formation was immense in power; any who entered and failed to evade would be struck down by any of its six blades, annihilated in an instant. Yet every formation has its flaws—were all six swords to attack at once, even ten Lord Wu Sevens could not escape; the six blades would slay them in a heartbeat. For now, Lord Wu had no choice but to dodge carefully, waiting for the right moment to counterattack.

But the Six Sons of Cave Heaven would not give them the chance. As the moon blade was evaded, two of the Cave Heaven disciples launched a new assault—hands forming seals, they shouted boldly, "Starlight Sword Intent, Starlight Sword!"

Suddenly, a massive star appeared in the night sky, illuminating the entire range of the Hexagram formation. All eight combatants were bathed in its brilliance, and Zhu's fair, alluring legs shimmered with the light.

After several exchanges—four or five rounds of attacks—Lord Wu Seven wielded his Seven-Headed Mirror Serpent pincers, deftly blocking four assaults. The Six Sons unleashed Darklight Sword Intent, Fiery Sword Intent, Wrath Sword Intent, and Devouring Sword Intent, each narrowly dodged by the pair.

At last, General Wu Seven seemed to spot a flaw in the Hexagram Sword Formation. His cold face twisted into a sinister smile; Zhu, seeing this, wore a look of triumph. The Six Sons, seeing their formation's killing blows exhausted and unable to defeat the pair, prepared to retreat. If now they were counterattacked, the Hexagram formation might turn against them, making escape nearly impossible.

...

Meanwhile, the men of Cheng Tang had long ago broken through Xuanwu Gate, urging their steeds onward. Now, approaching the final gate—the Gate of Undying—they could not delay, for the time bought by the Six Sons behind must not be wasted. No matter how formidable the Gate of Undying, they would stake everything on this charge, refusing to let their fallen brothers die in vain. Cheng Tang, with a spirit of mutual destruction, galloped toward the Gate of Undying. Outside, sand flew and smoke rose, staining the sky. The men of Cheng Tang rode with blood crusted upon them, the air thick with the lingering scent of battle; they soon arrived before the Gate of Undying.

The Gate of Undying was closest to Xuanwu Gate, less than half the distance from Tiger Gate. Both gates guarded the vital city of Du Yang in Great Xia; should either fall, swift mutual support was possible. Unlike the distance between Xuanwu and Tiger Gates—those separated by mountains and gorges, forcing travelers to take winding paths—here, no shortcuts could be found. Had the generals of Xuanwu prepared ambushes in the valleys, Cheng Tang’s men could never have broken through, nor reached the Gate of Undying. All this was the result of Lord Wu Seven’s arrogance and underestimation.

Outside the Gate of Undying, all was calm. King Cheng Tang and his men halted beneath the city walls, with Cheng Tang himself raising his hand to signal a stop.

Without warning, an event occurred a few yards from the gate: a circular diagram of yin and yang, seven or eight feet across, erupted in a blaze of white light upon the earth before the main entrance.

Seeing this, the ancient Zuo Ju, with a fearful glance at Cheng Tang, muttered, "Had we carelessly entered this yin-yang formation, we might have perished in an instant!"

"Not necessarily," replied Minister Yi Yin. He understood a little of yin-yang arts; upon secret observation, he found no hidden malice in the formation. The diagram was rhythmic and mysterious, resembling a painting with subtle wonders concealed within; it seemed to hide something marvelous, but offered no threat.

"I am Cheng Tang of Shangqiu. May the eldest daughter of Lord Xi Bo reveal herself!" Cheng Tang called. He had deep ties with Lord Xi Bo—though those were affairs of years past, and old bonds might not avail today.

King Wu had never met Lord Xi Bo’s daughter, nor even heard of her, save for Zuo Ju’s mention. Without that, he might have remained in ignorance.

Just as King Cheng Tang finished speaking, a woman of dreamlike beauty, whose loveliness surpassed even the famed Xi Shi, descended onto the city wall above the Gate of Undying. No generals stood beside her; only this pure, crystalline woman revealed her elegant form, standing proudly atop the wall, surveying the crowd below.

Her golden gauze robe wrapped tightly around her graceful figure; her face was as delicate as a peach blossom, with phoenix eyes, willow brows, vermilion lips, and pearly teeth—a rare beauty in all the world. Her bright, expressive gaze held deep meaning, and her body radiated a captivating aura, both pure and enchanting. With hands folded behind her, she stood in heroic poise; one could just glimpse the legendary Pen of Divine Execution twirling in her nimble fingers.

"A beauty so fair that fish sink and geese fall, standing at the city gate; serene as a flower reflected in water."

"Her movements gentle as willow in the wind, her grace dazzling the four corners of the world."

"Greetings, King Cheng Tang of Shangqiu, honored uncle! This young lady offers her respects!" Shangguan Wan’er’s clear voice rang out like a celestial maiden, echoing before the Gate of Undying.

For the first time, King Wu and his men heard such a melodious voice, and gazed upon the famed guardian of the Gate of Undying. Those who had followed Wang Weizhi for years could scarcely have imagined that its general would be such a rare woman, akin to a goddess descended to guard this gate.

Shangguan Wan’er ignored the stir among the crowd, nodding with a clever smile. "Though I am not bound by the orders of King Xia, I must fulfill my duty as gatekeeper. I will not make things difficult for you, honored uncle; if you can solve the riddle hidden in this formation, you may pass freely, and I shall not interfere!"

With a wave of her Pen of Divine Execution, the circular yin-yang diagram beneath the wall began to merge and spin; a dark shadow flew out, shooting straight into the clouds and vanishing before the men could react.

"May I ask, niece Shangguan Wan’er, what does this mean?" King Cheng Tang inquired.

"I simply love poetry and riddles," she replied with a bright, playful smile. "It’s a simple puzzle—please, take your time. If any among you gives the right answer, I will open the gate for you all to leave!"

Her lively demeanor stunned the crowd—she was not merely an ethereal beauty, but a charming, spirited young lady.

"What are we to do?" Guan Longfeng and Wang Weizhi were men of martial loyalty; Wang Weizhi, taught by the wise Zuo Ju, understood a little of official ways, but Guan Longfeng knew nothing of calm literary arts.

"No need to panic," Minister Yi Yin, sharp-eyed and ever wise, had sensed a hint of mystery.

"Oh? Minister, do you have any insight?" King Wu and Zuo Ju looked to him.

"Perhaps you were misled by the mention of ‘words’—the lady clearly said to solve a poetic riddle, not a prophecy. The formation displays neither words nor prophecy; instead, I focused on the yin-yang diagram, where a faintly visible great bird appeared, followed by a flash of dark light shooting skyward," Yi Yin pondered, stroking his beard.

"Very well! Time is short, so I’ll give you a hint—a poetic allusion! If you can recite the verse, the mystery of my formation will be solved!" Shangguan Wan’er repeated the earlier gesture, her fair, delicate finger tapping the diagram with the Pen of Divine Execution. Again, a lifelike giant roc soared from the formation, flying straight into the clouds.

The crowd fell silent.

"A great roc rises with the wind, soaring ninety thousand li!" Yi Yin recited without hesitation.

"You truly are a master, sir. How did you guess?" Shangguan Wan’er asked, her lovely face curious yet unsurprised.

"From ancient times, whenever a great roc rises to the clouds, it soars above the nine heavens. Thus, I deduced the verse!" Yi Yin’s heart stirred—should he answer correctly, they could escape the Gate of Undying without further anxiety.

"But another question: do you know why I set this formation and the poetic riddle?" Shangguan Wan’er asked, her playful smile pure and endearing, clearly teasing them.

"I do not. Please explain, niece Wan’er!" Cheng Tang replied promptly, sensing she meant to let them pass, perhaps conveying a secret message.

"Hehe! You’re all stumped!" Shangguan Wan’er blushed like a shy maiden.

"My father has long known of your plight, uncle. Yesterday he sent me a letter, instructing me that if you reached the Gate of Undying, I must abide by eight words!"

"What eight words?" Yi Yin asked, intrigued.

‘Do not make things difficult; do not fail in duty!’ Shangguan Wan’er smiled, her clever face shining with intelligence.

"So as long as we solved the riddle, we could pass; and the young lady would not neglect her duty?" Yi Yin smiled knowingly, amused by her playfulness.

"My father’s instructions must be obeyed. As for King Xia, I have no wish to concern myself with him!" Shangguan Wan’er looked toward Yudu, her expression full of disdain.

"We are deeply grateful! The kindness of Lord Xi Bo and his daughter will never be forgotten—we will remember it all our lives!" King Wu stepped forward and bowed deeply.

All present followed his lead, bowing to Shangguan Wan’er. Who would have thought King Wu shared such profound ties with Lord Xi Bo? Clearly, Lord Xi Bo was no ordinary man, able to command the realm from afar, grasping the fate of Great Xia, perhaps guided by wise counsel.

"Uncle, there’s no need for such ceremony. The pursuers are almost upon you—please, hurry and depart!" Shangguan Wan’er gazed into the distance, sensing something amiss as smoke and drums rose far off.

"Great kindness needs no thanks! Farewell!" Yi Yin bowed once more, then mounted his horse and rode with King Cheng Tang through the Gate of Undying, disappearing from sight.

Shangguan Wan’er did not look back, but lifted her head with elegance; her gentle demeanor suddenly shifted, a cold aura of killing intent radiating from her. Perhaps she concealed something from Cheng Tang, or perhaps Lord Xi Bo had already turned traitor.

What will come next? Await the following chapter!