The Ministry of Personnel was responsible for the appointment and evaluation of officials. Chu Jiubian, being both the Deputy Minister of Personnel and the first-rank Grand Tutor of the Imperial Court, held positions of considerable prestige, so it would be perfectly understandable for him to be in charge of the Imperial Examinations.

In his previous world, the Imperial Examination system had afforded an opportunity to all scholars.

However, if Chu Jiubian were to hold the Imperial Examinations, he would not focus solely on literary skills, nor would he recruit only literary scholars.

He was determined to add several more subjects, including engineering, agriculture, mathematics, medicine, and subjects that women in particular were skilled at, such as embroidery and handicrafts.

The assessment criteria should also not be limited to educational background. Professional skills, comprehension ability, and natural talent were even more important.

The System Mall offered many career books for purchase. He would first cultivate a few experts in the relevant fields, and then have them train the students who passed the Imperial Examinations.

He rapidly organized these plans in his mind. A clear outline was already beginning to form.

These individuals who were trained in advance would have to be relatively loyal to Chu Jiubian, and it would be even better if they were his followers.

This way, when those students passed the exams later, they would be influenced by these teachers and lean toward Chu Jiubian’s viewpoint. 

It would be a shame if all of his hard work and effort in training these people ended up benefitting someone else.

Chu Jiubian unconsciously fiddled with his pen.

If things really did develop according to plan, he would be able to recruit talents from various fields to work for him.

Replacing officials in the capital may be difficult, but it would be much easier in the counties and prefectures.

Local officials, who typically rose to power through bribing merchants or leveraging their relationships with certain forces, had little to no involvement with the influential figures at the center of power. 

They were like insignificant screws in a massive, complex engineering project, going unnoticed under normal circumstances.

Therefore, Chu Jiubian intended to gradually replace them with his own people, and there was ample room to maneuver.

In this era where the common people had absolutely no understanding of politics, they didn’t recognize the emperor, nor did they recognize the ministers of the Six Ministries. The only people they could rely on were their direct superiors – the prefects, magistrates, and other local officials.

If all of these local officials were loyal to Chu Jiubian, more than half the entire population of the Great Ning Dynasty would fall under his control.

The common people were particularly easy to incite. At that time, whether they lived peacefully and cultivated their land in a prosperous and stable country, or rose up in rebellion, leading to widespread suffering and disaster, it would all depend on Chu Jiubian’s decision.

The emotions in Chu Jiubian’s eyes gradually grew more complex.

The fragile nerves in his brain seemed to tremble, and he experienced an intermittent ringing in his ears.

Suddenly, with a soft sound, Chu Jiubian leaned back in his chair as his chin was lifted by a warm hand.

Looking down at him, Qin Xiao watched as the wild expression slowly faded from his eyes.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked.

Chu Jiubian stared up at him fixedly.

After a few moments, he smiled brightly: “Did I scare you?”

When he saw that Qin Xiao was still examining him with a scrutinizing gaze, Chu Jiubian’s smile deepened.

He grasped Qin Xiao’s warm palm in his cold hand and said meaningfully: “We’re the same. You should understand.”

In that moment, Qin Xiao felt as if he had returned to the ninth day of the lunar month.

This person had appeared out of nowhere, and if he had used just a little more force when his hand was around the other’s throat, he could have killed him.

Back then, Chu Jiubian had held his wrist in a similar manner, without a trace of fear. He had even smiled as he spoke his mysterious words.

And now, what did he mean by “the same?”

What was he meant to understand?

Qin Xiao released the other’s chin, then grasped his wrist with the other hand: “Qin Lie, bring me medicine.”

Qin Chaoyang immediately stepped forward and procured a bottle of medicine from his pocket, then handed it to Qin Xiao. He also conveniently gave him a brand new strip of clean white cloth, which he likely kept on hand for emergencies. Frequent injuries were probably commonplace in his line of work. 

After delivering these items, he faded back into the shadows.

Chu Jiubian lowered his eyes, and only then did he notice that there was a cut that went from his right thumb to his palm. His skin was torn open and half of his palm was soaked with blood. Even the back of Qin Xiao’s hand was marred by a large swathe of crimson.

He glanced sideways at the desk and, sure enough, the shaft of his brush was broken into two pieces.

Qin Xiao sprinkled some medicinal powder on the wound, and a burning sensation immediately spread throughout his entire arm, causing Chu Jiubian’s hand to tremble in reaction.

Qin Xiao glanced at his face, but didn’t find a trace of pain there.

“The writing utensils in the mortal world aren’t as good as in our immortal realm,” said Chu Jiubian.

Qin Xiao released a light scoff as he bandaged the wound.

“Thank you,” said Chu Jiubian.

Qin Xiao gave a hum of acknowledgement and called for someone to bring another brush. Then he said: “Can you write with your left hand?”

Many of the official documents were simply marked with a circle to signify that they had been read. Chu Jiubian nodded: “I can.”

He glanced at his bandaged hand, then looked up again toward the opposite side of the aisle.

Qin Xiao had already sat back down. Without even wiping the bloodstain from the back of his left hand, he resumed his work.

He was truly a go-getter.

Chu Jiubian also picked up a new memorial.

The Imperial Examination system touched upon the interests of the noble families, and any hasty proposal to make changes would certainly be met with widespread opposition. A long-term plan was necessary, and he would need Qin Xiao’s assistance.

Chu Jiubian currently had only one Believer, Jiang Shuoye, and he hadn’t officially met the twins yet. He had no suitable candidates to be trained as “teachers,” and Qin Xiao likely didn’t have any under his command either.

Therefore, he would need to take advantage of this period of time to make his selection carefully.

The reason he needed Qin Xiao’s help was because his influence had not yet extended to the local level, and he wasn’t known to the common people. Therefore, it was necessary to hold the Imperial Examinations in the name of the Imperial Court to ensure a wider impact.

He also lacked subordinates, so even if there were talented individuals with clean backgrounds who wanted to participate in the Imperial Examinations, he would be unable to guarantee their safety. If they were to be attacked by other forces, the consequences would be disastrous.

However, Qin Xiao had many secret guards under his command who could be utilized to protect the students.

The problem with this kind of collaboration was that the students might be more inclined to favor Qin Xiao rather than a “nobody” like Chu Jiubian.

Thus, the most important thing for Chu Jiubian at the moment was to quickly expand his influence so that “Jiu-gongzi” was not solely active within the circles of the scholarly and the elite.

He intended to make those ignorant, rustic people believe in him. 

The common people were numerous, and their lives were difficult.

They didn’t trust the Imperial Court, and would seek out other sources of solace – such as gods and spirituality.

What Chu Jiubian needed to do was to become the “god” in these people’s hearts, the one who could truly help them. 

This was the turning point.

He just needed the right opportunity.

And that opportunity might just arrive in the near future, during the severe drought in the south.

Naturally, the drought would not only help him spread his name, but would also become a bargaining chip in his negotiations with Qin Xiao.

He intended to use “solving the drought” to persuade Qin Xiao to establish the Imperial Examinations with him, as well as to allow Chu Jiubian complete control over the endeavor. 

Suppressing his restless thoughts, Chu Jiubian continued to review memorials.

Many of these memorials were trivial matters, and quite a few simply flattered the emperor and Qin Xiao. He marked each with a circle to indicate that he’d read them.

He opened another, and his hand paused in the middle of drawing a circle.

This one had actually been sent by Nanjiang-wang Bai Lihao. Wasn’t he the father of the Situ siblings?

Chu Jiubian was frozen in surprise.

Wait a minute, he had been overlooking something this whole time – Nanjiang-wang, the sixth uncle of the young emperor, was surnamed Bai, but the young prince and princess were surnamed Situ.

“Qin Xiao.” He looked up at the person opposite him.

Qin Xiao was taken aback, and looked over with some surprise.

Qin Chaoyang, who was sharpening his dagger in the shadows, also glanced toward Chu Jiubian in bewilderment.

Ever since he had become “Ning-wang,” no one ever called Qin Xiao by his given name, so Qin Chaoyang was somewhat unaccustomed to hearing it. 

Previously, Chu Jiubian had only addressed him as “My Lord” or “Lord Ning-wang,” but it was in a slightly teasing way, much like how Qin Xiao always addressed him as “Jiu-gongzi.”

But behind his back, Chu Jiubian always referred to him by his given name.

When he said it out loud just now, the words just slipped out of his mouth, and he only realized what he had said after the fact.

But since the words were already out, he wouldn’t overthink it. He asked directly: “Doesn’t Nanjiang-wang have children?”

“He has a pair of dragon and phoenix twins,” Qin Xiao said.

“Then why didn’t they take his surname?”

Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow: “How do you know about that?”

“I’m a god,” Chu Jiubian said matter-of-factly.

Qin Xiao: “Then why don’t you already know the answer?”

“My divine power is limited, and I don’t want to waste it on such a thing.” Chu Jiubian spoke without hesitation. He had now completely integrated into the experience of “descending to the mortal world to undergo tribulation.”

That sounded completely reasonable, and Qin Xiao had no way to refute it. He chuckled softly and said: “The Nanjiang region was under foreign control for nearly one hundred years. Even after Emperor Wuzong reclaimed it, the local people remained fiercely independent, showing little allegiance to the Imperial Court even as they recognized their local village chieftains.”

“Is Situ the name of a village chieftain?” Chu Jiu immediately had a guess in mind. “Could it be that this Nanjiang-wang married one?”

“You’re not far off. He married the current Saintess, next in line to be the Stronghold Chieftain.”

The Old Stronghold Chieftain still lived, but after her death, Situ Anli would be the next to fill the position.

“I see.”

This sort of relationship was equivalent to a man marrying into a woman’s family, where the children would take the woman’s surname.

Woman could become powerful leaders in Nanjiang, which showed that they were not bound by so-called societal norms.

Since that was the case, Situ Zhaoling would be able to accomplish even more.

Chu Jiubian felt incredibly lucky that he was able to draw her as a Believer.

“What does Nanjiang-wang have to say?” Qin Xiao asked.

“There is a severe drought in Nanjiang. He requests that the Imperial Court allocate funds toward it and send grain,” said Chu Jiubian.

He actually hadn’t expected Nanjiang-wang to send a memorial to the emperor.

The vassal kings governed their own territories, acting as local rulers with their own government offices and troops. Each year, they would first collect a portion of the grain and tax revenue from the common people in their fiefdoms, and the remaining portion would be handed over to the Imperial Court.

In other words, the vast majority of matters within their territory were the responsibility of the vassal kings themselves.

Given the current drought, they should, by all rights, be more concerned about the livelihoods of the common people. The Imperial Court wouldn’t have to concern themselves – after all, any unrest or suffering among the common people in the fiefdoms would affect the vassal kings themselves first and foremost. 

But now, the situation had reversed: the Imperial Court was the entity worrying about the common people in these fiefdoms, while these local rulers were only concerned about demanding things from the court.

The Believers selected by the System were all people of competence and good character, so he had instinctively assumed that the father of the Situ siblings wouldn’t be a greedy or unscrupulous person.

Naturally, Pixi-wang Bai Lizheng, who controlled the region of Sichuan, shouldn’t be acting like a hands-off manager either.

Chu Jiubian pondered for a moment, then came to realization and looked toward Qin Xiao.

Bai Lihong had just recently ascended the throne, and his claim to power was not entirely orthodox. Therefore, all of the powerful factions in the capital, as well as those vassal kings, were watching intently, waiting for an opportunity to criticize the emperor and Qin Xiao.

If the current drought truly led to widespread unrest, these powerful figures would undoubtedly join forces with the vassal kings and place all of the blame on their common enemies – the young emperor and Qin Xiao.

Perhaps they would say that the young emperor was immoral and unworthy, having seized the throne illegitimately, and would be punished by the heavens.

Or perhaps Qin Xiao had seized and mismanaged power as an Imperial relative, and the heavens would send down some sort of divine revelation.

The common people were easily incited; they would readily believe these claims, and at that point, the emperor might have to issue a decree of self-reproach. Qin Xiao would almost certainly be forced to atone for his sins with death, or abdicate and hand over power to someone else. 

If Qin Xiao didn’t sacrifice himself, he would have truly become a treacherous official who brought disaster upon the country and its people. 

He was walking on thin ice while surrounded by a pack of wolves.

Chu Jiubian was very much aware of the situation Qin Xiao was facing.

And Qin Xiao himself also had a clear understanding of it. 

His eyes darkened.

The drought in Sichuan and Huguang prefectures was already giving him a huge headache, and now Nanjiang was also demanding supplies. Where was he supposed to find so much money and grain?

He couldn’t help but glance at Chu Jiubian.

During the morning court session, he had considered striking up a partnership with him. 

Their eyes met, and Chu Jiubian smiled: “Do you want my help?”

“Do you have a solution?”

“I do.”

A weight was lifted from Qin Xiao’s shoulders: “What do you want in return?”

This was another transaction. Both parties were familiar with the process, so much so that no extraneous words were necessary. 

Chu Jiubian felt that this sort of cooperative relationship was fantastic. It involved an exchange of benefits, so that each party could obtain what they wanted.

“Let’s put that on hold for now,” he said. “I’ll tell you what I want when I need it.”

This wasn’t a good time to discuss the matter of the Imperial Examinations, as Qin Xiao would definitely not agree.

But Chu Jiubian’s reputation would spread after this disaster was resolved. He would accumulate more points, which would perhaps allow him to find suitable Believers to participate in the Imperial Examinations.

At that time, using the fact that Qin Xiao owed him, he would propose helping Qin Xiao recruit candidates for the Imperial Examinations, on the condition that he would be given complete authority over the entire process. 

Qin Xiao would definitely agree.

In this way, it would be easy for him to cultivate a group of loyal scholars and place his own people in official positions through the Imperial Examinations system.

Before, Chu Jiubian would always state his conditions directly, and the fact that he was being evasive this time suggested that it was likely a difficult matter. 

It would be strange if Qin Xiao couldn’t see through such obvious ulterior motives.

But he still agreed without much hesitation, saying: “Would you like me to draw up a written agreement for you? If I go back on my word later, you can use it to threaten me.”

Chu Jiubian said speechlessly: “Wouldn’t it be better to just not go back on your word?”

Qin Xiao smiled, took a new piece of paper, and neatly wrote out a written agreement.

The highly observant Qin Chaoyang walked over and handed the written agreement to Chu Jiubian.

In strong, powerful writing, the document consisted of only a few lines: 

As of today, Qin Xiao owes Chu Jiubian a favor. May he be struck by lightning if he fails to fulfill it. 

The sixteenth day of the sixth month, in the first year of Jingrui.

It was indeed a solemn oath.

Chu Jiubian accepted it with a smile.

He placed the document into his sleeve pocket, then transferred it into System Storage.

“You swore an oath in the presence of a god.” Chu Jiubian said, looking at Qin Xiao with interest. “It will be truly binding.”

If Qin Xiao goes back on his word, I’ll use a stun gun to shock him a few times, Chu Jiubian thought maliciously.

Qin Xiao nodded, but it was unclear if he had taken his words to heart.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.” One after another, respectful greetings sounded from outside the hall.

Chu Jiubian glanced outside, and soon after, he spotted a small form walking toward them from afar.

The child stopped upon reaching the doorway, then grasped the hem of his robes and carefully lifted his short legs, struggling somewhat to step over the threshold that came up to his knees.

Chu Jiubian kind of wanted to laugh.

Qin Xiao remained seated, and Chu Jiubian didn’t move either, but both of their gazes were fixed on that small figure.

Hong Fu silently held his arms out behind Bai Lihong, ready to support him out of fear that the young emperor would fall and hurt himself.

He smiled and said: “Your Majesty is truly impressive.”

Bai Lihong giggled, then called out in his childish voice as he entered the hall: “Jiujiu, I can cross the threshold by myself now!”

He then noticed that there was someone other than Qin Xiao in the room.

When he recognized Chu Jiubian, his eyes lit up.

This was the immortal Chu Jiubian!

However, his Jiujiu had told him that morning that he shouldn’t call Chu Jiubian by his given name anymore, but should address him as “Xiansheng.”

Jiujiu said that a teacher was an elder, someone he should respect just like he respected his uncle.

The child quickly composed his expression. He bowed toward Chu Jiubian and said in a clear voice: “Hello, Xiansheng.”

Chu Jiubian was somewhat taken aback.

He stood up and bowed back to the child: “Hello, Your Majesty.”

Bai Lihong then turned and bowed again to his uncle: “Hello, Jiujiu.”

Qin Xiao: “……”

He reluctantly stood up and returned the bow.

Bai Lihong was happy.

However, he soon noticed the bandage wrapped around Chu Jiubian’s hand and hurried over, asking in concern: “Did Xiansheng injure his hand?”

Chu Jiubian crouched down to meet his gaze and said: “I accidentally cut myself.”

“Does it hurt a lot?” The child’s face was all scrunched up. “Have Jiujiu blow on it for you.”

Chu Jiubian: “ ? ”

Bai Lihong said seriously: “When I burned my hand eating porridge once, Jiujiu blew on it for a long time and it felt better.”

“Your Majesty,” Qin Xiao said, “Have you finished writing your characters for today?”

“I’ll write them now.” Bai Lihong cleverly winked at Chu Jiubian, then immediately went to the table and extended his short arms up toward Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao lifted him up and placed him on a chair, making sure he was seated properly.

The cushion on the chair was quite thick, allowing Bai Lihong to sit comfortably as he wrote at the desk.

Bai Lihong touched Qin Xiao’s hand, which was covered in dried blood. Surmising that it must be Chu Jiubian’s blood, he directed another concerned glance toward the man.

Qin Chaoyang approached and unfolded some paper for him, then ground the ink, conveniently blocking his view.

The child looked up at Qin Chaoyang, and when the other looked back at him, Bai Lihong smiled with his little white teeth.

Even the most stoic man wouldn’t have been able to keep a straight face. A smile appeared in Qin Chaoyang’s eyes.

Chu Jiubian sat back down in his seat and watched as the boy composed himself and began to write very seriously, stroke by stroke, exhibiting no impatience at all. 

As expected of the male protagonist – he was diligent even in childhood.

He directed his attention toward Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao had already resumed reviewing memorials, and only looked up when he noticed his gaze.

Chu Jiubian lifted his injured left hand to brush aside a lock of hair, then gently blew on his palm with his eyes remaining fixed on Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao gave him a silent smile, then lowered his eyes and continued to work.

Chu Jiubian was in a good mood after teasing him, and began drawing circles again.

Throughout the afternoon, the three of them each attended to their own business.

It wasn’t until dinnertime, when the sky gradually became overcast and the light began to fade, that they finished their work.

Bai Lihong invited Chu Jiubian to have dinner with them in the main hall, and since Qin Xiao didn’t object, Chu Jiubian didn’t refuse.

On the dining table were the usual stewed dishes.

The young emperor probably didn’t have a particular liking for these foods. He was only reluctantly drinking the porridge, but there was a hint of joy to his expression.

It was unknown what the child was smiling so foolishly about.

Chu Jiubian glanced at Qin Xiao again and found that he was eating the braised cabbage dish while barely touching anything else.

It seemed that both uncle and nephew were somewhat picky eaters.

Of course, Chu Jiubian himself didn’t like to eat these things either. He couldn’t help but think of iron woks and stir-fried dishes again.

Previously, due to the preciousness of iron and the poor smelting technology, he hadn’t proceeded with his plan for iron cookware.

But there were actually iron woks in the System Mall, and because they counted as daily necessities, they were cheap – only two points.

He couldn’t neglect his stomach any longer. Plus, the young emperor was such a picky eater; what if he became malnourished and never grew tall?

Perhaps he should buy two iron woks, one for himself and one for use in Yangxin Hall.

He would do it tomorrow, and let these ancient people experience what “real food” was like.

From tonight to tomorrow night, there would be a continuous light drizzle. The sky was already looking rather gloomy, and a damp wind was blowing into the room, making Bai Lihong shiver.

Qin Xiao noticed this, but before he could issue a command, Hong Fu had already hurried over to shut the window.

The group rinsed their mouths after quickly finishing their meal.

Chu Jiubian stood and walked to the door, then looked outside.

The System indicated that it would rain in twenty minutes.

“It’s going to rain,” said Qin Xiao, coming up to his side. “I’ll send you home.’

Why would he send him home?

He was a grown man and had so many bodyguards protecting him. Why did he need to be accompanied?

Chu Jiubian felt that something was off about this.

But he declined without giving it much more thought, saying: “I can get back on my own.”

Qin Xiao didn’t insist, and Chu Jiubian left after saying farewell to the young emperor.

Qin Xiao followed him to the entrance of Yangxin Hall’s courtyard.

The sky was dark and gloomy. Rumbling thunder and brief flashes of lightning emitted from the thick clouds, and the damp, cool breeze made their robes flap in the wind.

Qin Xiao watched the young man’s slender figure walk down the long palace corridor. The deep red walls on either side made his form seem even thinner.

The cool breeze ruffled his hair, and as his long silver-white locks were blown over his shoulders, Chu Jiubian held them in place with his bandage-wrapped hand.

He carried with him a profound sense of solitude.

Qin Xiao suddenly understood the meaning of Chu Jiubian’s words during lunch.

We are the same.

*
*

The rain came abruptly, and the weather became much cooler at night. Qin Xiao even switched to a thicker blanket when he went to sleep.

The pattering of rain masked the sound of footsteps.

But Qin Xiao, who should have been fast asleep, suddenly opened his eyes and drew the longsword from beneath his pillow. His sharp gaze pierced through the darkness outside the bedchamber.

“My Lord!” Qin Chaoyang’s voice sounded from outside with an unusual tint of anxiousness.

Qin Xiao’s heart sank, and he immediately made his way over.

The two met at the entrance to the Emperor’s bedchambers, and Qin Chaoyang said urgently: “His Majesty has a high fever!”

*

*

Thunder crashed, and Chu Jiubian glanced outside.

He felt dizzy, and there was a throbbing pain in his temples and the back of his head.

On his way back, he had impulsively decided to walk in the rain for a while on the palace grounds, and took a bath when he returned.

As a result, he was a bit dizzy and lightheaded now, and he likely had a fever.

Rubbing his temples, he lay down in bed.

Xiao Xiangzi was standing vigil outside tonight. With thick blankets and a cup of ginger tea, he shouldn’t be cold. 

Chu Jiubian closed his eyes and composed himself before opening the System interface and entering the Divine Realm.

Perhaps because only his consciousness entered this place, he felt none of the previous discomfort. 

Sitting atop the elevated platform, he cast his gaze down toward the long table, where there was still just a single chair. He didn’t intend to summon two Believers at the same time in the first place, so there was no need for another. 

“Summon Situ Zhaoling,” he said.

[Believer Situ Zhaoling has been detected to be in a sleeping state. Summoning in progress.]

[Summoning successful.]

As the mechanical voice faded, Chu Jiubian caught sight of a figure clad in a dark purple dress falling out of the clouds in the distance.

At the same time, a cry of astonishment echoed throughout the entire realm.

Situ Zhaoling had been dragged by her younger brother to his courtyard that afternoon. He had said he wanted to build some sort of “waterwheel” for irrigation.

He had also drawn some messy, incomprehensible diagrams, which she didn’t really understand – but she had long become accustomed to this sort of thing.

Her younger brother was always creating strange and wonderful things, like a flying bamboo propeller, a rotating fan that could blow air by itself, a wooden chair that could be adjusted up and down…..

In hindsight, it was due to the severe drought in Nanjiang that her younger brother thought of building a waterwheel.

But at present, the rivers were practically dry. What they lacked was not tools, but water.

Their mother, who was the Saintess of Nanjiang, had been praying every day recently, but it hadn’t done much good.

Her father, the vassal king of Nanjiang, was so worried each day that his hair was turning white.

Situ Zhaoling was worried as well, which had caused her to have nightmares for many days. She dreamed of parched fields, failed harvests, and widespread suffering and misery among the common people.

The common people led the Saintess to the altar with the intention of sacrificing her.

They also stormed the royal palace, burning, killing, and looting.

She would often wake up in tears.

Tonight, she had closed her eyes wearily, afraid of having more nightmares. And sure enough, it happened again.

She dreamed that she was standing beside a dried-up river, and as far as the eye could see, there were only yellow, withered crops.

Her head spun and her vision blurred as she suddenly felt the ground give way beneath her feet, sending her plummeting downward.

She couldn’t help but let out a scream of terror.

It stemmed from fear, but was also a form of catharsis.

Tears rolled down her cheeks, and her vision became a blurred field of mist.

Suddenly, an ethereal cry reached her ears, and in the next moment, a brilliant golden bird swooped down from the clouds, its long tail feathers trailing a shower of golden light.

Situ Zhaoling blinked.

Was that a phoenix?

She watched in disbelief as the golden phoenix swooped down in front of her, and the dazzling light made her eyes water even more.

It winged past her side, and then she felt herself enveloped in a mass of soft feathers. 

The feeling of weightlessness vanished, and she was carried upward with the ethereal cry of a phoenix.

Situ Zhaoling felt as if she was in an illusion. When she straightened up, she found herself sitting on the back of the phoenix, soaring through clouds and mist.

She was confused, yet pleasantly surprised.

Finally, something other than a nightmare.

She reached out and touched the phoenix’s feathers; they were soft and warm to the touch, like they belonged to a living creature.

Before long, she suddenly noticed that the mist ahead of her was thinning. Dimly, she seemed to spy the hazy, upturned eaves of a building in the sky, as well as a colossal figure seated amidst the obscuring clouds, like a magnificent statue in a temple. 

When she finally passed through the clouds and mist, the view suddenly opened up before her.

Situ Zhaoling finally caught a clear glimpse of the statue. It looked like a man sitting on a white jade chair!

---

Consider donating via Kofi here.

Chapter 23 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 25