Chapter 46: The Nine Barbarian Tribes in Turmoil, The Empress Emerges

In recent months, Shangqiu had been peaceful. King Wu, Cheng Tang, quietly annexed the vassal state of Wei within a single moon, and the Grand General Guan Longfeng led his troops to a resounding victory. Under the strategic guidance of Left Chancellor Yi Yin, Shangqiu had been secretly strengthening its military might. Meanwhile, in Yu Capital of Great Xia, public resentment soared to new heights. Upon his return to court, State Guardian Grand Tutor Ran Long purged the corrupt ministers with a heavy hand. Yet, because of the influence behind Zhao Liang, King Jie ultimately spared Zhao’s life. The Grand Tutor dared not offend the Seven Stars Tower’s National Preceptor Yuan Ji; never would he have guessed that Zhao Liang had Yuan Ji as his patron. Since both the king and the preceptor shielded him, the Grand Tutor could only swallow his indignation, biding his time to seize an opportunity to rid the kingdom of this villain in the future.

Time flew as swiftly as a day in the heavens passing for a year on earth. Haodan, at this moment, waged war against the celestial host on the Ninth Heaven, exhausting an entire heavenly day. By now, the mortal realm had already undergone earth-shattering changes.

Since that day, resentment in Yu Capital of Great Xia would not subside. In pursuit of a beauty’s smile, King Jie tore asunder countless bolts of precious silk and satin. Whenever Lady Mi Xi, known as Seventh Maiden, heard the sound of those costly fabrics being rent, she would shyly cover her face and laugh, her laughter as melodious as that of a fairy from the ninth heaven, making King Jie beam with delight. Yet, to most, the tearing of silk was a wrenching, grating sound, made all the more absurd by King Jie’s rapt enjoyment in the company of zithers and lutes. How could Lady Mi Xi not secretly laugh at such a sight?

The loyal ministers in court could hardly bear this wantonness. Their repeated remonstrations were ignored, and for half a year King Jie continued to indulge in extravagant pleasures within his opulent palaces. Grand Tutor Ran Long repeatedly created uproar in the Dragon Virtue Hall, striving to pull the king back to reason, but to no avail. The people and officials of Great Xia wondered what sort of bewitchment Lady Mi Xi had used upon King Jie, so that he became utterly infatuated, neglecting court for months and drowning himself in debauchery atop his ivory dais. During this time, King Jie and Lady Mi Xi would together savor the ”Song of Silk and Satin,” and their licentiousness only fueled public outrage.

The kingdom was in chaos; loyal ministers stamped in fury. The Grand Tutor, publicly rebuked by King Jie, flew into a rage and chased Minister Zhao Liang with a blade through the Dragon Virtue Hall. In the end, the furious king decreed that the Grand Tutor must drill forty-five thousand troops at the Three Passes within a year, and in two years’ time, must conquer Shangqiu. Thus ended the farce, for now.

Meanwhile, within the Jiuyi tribes, internecine war erupted. Lion King Heqilie led a faction of the tribes—Huangyi, Fengyi, and Baiyi—against Yangyi and several other major clans.

As for the Ninth Heaven, Haodan, after great trials, finally succeeded in rescuing little Bailing. Outside the palace of the Third Heaven, strange and wondrous young creatures scampered about, but Bailing’s spirit remained gravely damaged. Even though the Celestial Maiden Yan Ruo had saved her, she would need long convalescence to recover. In their sorrow, Yan Ruo sensed the arrival of a formidable presence—a clone of the Master of Tongtian seemed to have descended to the Ninth Heaven. Discreetly, Yan Ruo cast her spells and personally escorted the pair back to the mortal realm.

To ascend is swift; to descend is slow. Haodan’s journey to the Ninth Heaven had cost him over a year in the world below. As he carried the unconscious Bailing toward Shangqiu, the Jiuyi Empress had already arrived as a guest at the Duke’s Mansion of King Wu.

After regaining her imperial form, Empress Su Su donned the attire of a wealthy noblewoman to conceal her regal bearing. Accompanied by her brother Su Moran, she entered Shangqiu to express her gratitude for Haodan’s devoted protection in the banyan grove. Thus, she made her way to the Duke’s Mansion of King Wu.

That day, the Duke’s Mansion of Shangqiu welcomed two guests beneath wide-brimmed hats, a man and a woman whose splendid attire set them apart from the common folk. The tall woman wore a blue-green robe of flowing silk; her peerless beauty and commanding presence could not be hidden. Beneath her hat, a pair of luminous eyes seemed to pierce the soul. Her exquisite male companion, though his face was veiled by his hat, radiated an aura of aloofness that kept others at bay. Chancellor Yi Yin, personally receiving them, at once recognized their extraordinary status and ushered them in as honored guests.

King Cheng Tang entered the main hall with several others, bowed respectfully, and said, “Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner. May I ask your names and the purpose of your visit to Shangqiu?”

“The lady beside me is none other than Empress Su Thirteen of the Jiuyi, and I am Su Moran, the Fox of Qingqiu,” Su Su replied with elegant composure, returning the greeting, and her brother stepped forward to introduce them both.

“Empress of the Jiuyi, your presence honors us!” All those present straightened and saluted.

King Wu invited the two to be seated, and everyone else followed suit. Once seated, King Wu studied them with curiosity. “I presume, Empress, that your companion is none other than ‘the Twin Pillars beneath the Nine Heavens, the Fox of Qingqiu, Su Moran!’ What brings such distinguished guests of the Jiuyi tribes to our humble Shangqiu?”

The empress answered, “I have come to thank King Wu’s adopted son, Haodan, for saving my life. Over a year ago, in the banyan groves of Southern Marsh, your son risked everything to rescue me. At that time, I had been harmed by villains, lost my memory, and become a child again. It was thanks to Haodan’s selfless bravery that I escaped peril.”

She spoke with quiet dignity, her face still half concealed beneath her hat.

All present were moved by the tale, marveling at Haodan’s fortune. After a moment’s thought, King Wu replied, “At that time I was imprisoned in the Summer Tower, and knew nothing of these events. I beg the Empress’s understanding.”

Before Su Su could answer, Chancellor Yi Yin interjected, “If the Empress fell victim to villains, were they not perhaps the witches of the Seven Stars Tower in Yu Capital? What is your view of Great Xia’s current predicament?”

Indeed, with the world’s situation so precarious, there was little point in dwelling on Haodan’s exploits. Shangqiu was plotting to campaign against Xia and required powerful allies. Yi Yin would not let slip this golden opportunity, with the Empress of the Jiuyi herself present.

“So that is the case. I imagine you too have suffered much oppression at the hands of Great Xia. Since I am here to repay a debt of gratitude, let me speak plainly. Our interests are aligned. When the time is ripe, I shall do all in my power to help King Wu overthrow Xia. I assure you, King Wu will not be disappointed,” replied Su Su, her years as empress making her quick to see that King Wu’s own troubles mirrored her own.

Before King Wu or Yi Yin could respond, Su Su continued gravely, “Perhaps you do not know the state of the Jiuyi tribes. Lion King Heqilie of the Yangyi clan has joined forces with the Seven Stars witches to plot against me. At present, I do not have full control of the tribes. I must ask for time. When my brother helps me reclaim the throne, I will give my utmost to aid King Wu in rallying the world against King Jie.”

“So the Jiuyi too have fallen prey to the witches’ schemes. Why do I feel,” mused King Wu, “that all this is no mere coincidence? It seems as if we are all pieces on a chessboard, unable to escape, even now that I have returned to Shangqiu.”

Hearing this, Su Su frowned, and Su Moran fell silent in thought. All present were at a loss for words. With the witches manipulating Great Xia and now extending their hand toward Jiuyi and Shangqiu, it was clear that a grand conspiracy was afoot.

“King Wu is right. I too suspect as much, but have no proof. The turmoil within Jiuyi is our most pressing matter. I must return without delay to support our tribes against the invasion of the Yangyi. A year has already passed; I came here today, believing my benefactor would be present, to express my gratitude. Hearing your words, I am reminded of the urgency of my people’s plight. I must not linger. If your son returns, I beg you to convey my thanks. For now, I take my leave.”

“We bid you farewell, Empress,” said King Wu and Chancellor Yi Yin as all stood to see them out.

“When I have restored peace to Jiuyi, I will return in person to thank my benefactor for saving my life,” Su Su replied with grace, departing with Su Moran.

Just then, a figure dropped from the sky and shot into the Duke’s Mansion—it was Haodan, newly returned to the mortal realm, carrying the still-unconscious Bailing in his arms.

The Empress and Su Moran were stunned, unable to recover their composure for a long while. Haodan’s sudden descent, without warning, was the work of a celestial immortal.

“Godfather! Your unfilial son has returned!” Haodan entered the main hall with Bailing in his arms, dropped to his knees, not noticing Su Su and Su Moran at the threshold.

“Young master, at last you have returned!” Chancellor Yi Yin was first to react, hurrying forward to help Haodan to his feet.

King Wu strode up, his expression cold as he looked from Haodan to the fairy maid in his arms. “And who is this celestial maiden, and why does she not wake?” he demanded harshly.

“Godfather, I cannot explain everything just now. This is Bailing, the fairy who once saved you in the Nine Heavens. Her life hangs by a thread. I beg you to prepare a quiet room for her; she needs peace and rest more than anything,” Haodan answered, still oblivious to the presence of Su Su and Su Moran.

“Very well, we shall prepare a room at once!” Yi Yin responded promptly, turning to order the attendants to show Haodan to a chamber.

Su Su and Su Moran returned to the main hall. King Wu, not daring to be remiss, was about to explain, but Su Su gently raised a hand, indicating she understood.

Su Moran, having studied the healing arts since childhood with an elder overseas, had just examined Bailing and realized her spirit was gravely damaged. She required both rest and immediate treatment, or she might lose one of her three souls forever.

He spoke solemnly, “In our haste, we did not interfere. Please allow us to assist in saving this celestial maiden; I have a method that may help.”

“If so, all the better. Please, follow me,” King Wu replied, his heart still uneasy. None knew the bitterness he felt: after Bailing had saved him, she vanished with Haodan, and he had not seen his adopted son for over ten years. His anger remained unresolved, but with the crisis at hand, there was no time for resentment.

After Haodan placed Bailing on the bed, he stayed by her side, heart aching as he watched her wan and weary face—so different from her former lively beauty. He had never learned the celestial healing arts, and now, faced with his beloved’s plight, he was powerless to save her.

At that moment, the sound of the door opening reached his ears.

He turned to see the green-robed, commanding beauty remove her hat as she entered. Though much altered in appearance, those deep, luminous crimson eyes were unforgettable to him. In awe and hesitation, Haodan asked, “Are you Su Su?”

It was not her appearance that revealed the truth to him, but the presence of Su Moran at her side.

“My benefactor!” Empress Su Su’s cheeks flushed with bashful joy, her proud and lovely features tinged with a delicate charm.

What will become of them? Find out in the next chapter!