Chapter 1577: The Last One

Shang Shuqing laughed through her tears. She was only an ordinary mortal—where would any everlasting youth come from? But having him say those words was enough.

Niu Youdao released her chin and said self-reproachfully, "This is all my fault. We won't discuss this now. Commandery Princess, just wait and see whether I can do what I said."

He gave up pressing her.

Only now did he realize that, without noticing it himself, he had become far too forceful. He had not considered Shang Shuqing's feelings at all, nor the fears weighing on her heart. So he stopped trying to force her into making a choice immediately.

As a result, Shang Chaozong and his wife failed to learn from Shang Shuqing how things had turned out. Shang Shuqing stammered and refused to say, nor did she know how she ought to answer them.

That left Shang Chaozong rather anxious.

Fortunately, when he departed, Niu Youdao still arranged for Zhao Xiongge to remain at his side and continue protecting him. That meant Niu Youdao was still supporting him, which reassured him somewhat.

Before parting, Niu Youdao asked, "What does Your Highness intend to do about Han?"

Shang Chaozong said, "Han's greater momentum is already gone, but the intentions of some forces there are obvious. They're relying on the strength still in their hands to bargain for the best possible terms of surrender. Some want to retain their troops, carve out territory, and continue as regional lords."

"My view is that we cannot indulge them. If we agree to one side's demands, who can guarantee others won't form the same idea? At a time like this, we absolutely cannot compromise. Annihilating them is the best course!"

Niu Youdao said, "Once the fighting starts, who knows how many more people will see their families destroyed."

Shang Chaozong replied, "Master Dao, without destruction, there can be no construction. If we don't smash the cracked jar once and for all now, then once everything has fused together, those forces will become tumors growing on our own flesh. Cutting them out later will hurt even more, and once the interests of every side have become entangled, the resistance to moving against them will be enormous. The future trouble will be endless!"

"If we use force now and press the advantage through in one sustained drive, we can make every petty opportunist afraid to entertain such thoughts again. That can secure decades of peace and give all beneath Heaven enough time to rest and recover!"

Niu Youdao's earlier words had merely been a sigh over the fact that many more people were going to die.

In truth, he knew that unless Shang Chaozong beat every side into submission, unless Shang Chaozong overawed them all, unless Shang Chaozong established the prestige of a man who had swept across all beneath Heaven, the moment Niu Youdao and the others left, the various factions would inevitably begin stirring again.

That was also why he had ordered the cultivation world to withdraw from secular affairs in advance. He was giving Shang Chaozong the opportunity to use force. While Niu Youdao and the others were still present, the situation would at least not spiral completely out of control.

"Do it according to your own judgment," Niu Youdao said with a sigh.

Shang Chaozong cupped his hands and took his leave.

Niu Youdao watched him go.

In truth, even he did not know whether it was better for one house to dominate alone or for several powers to coexist. But he knew there was no perfect system in this world. At least for now, a single dominant power could restore peace the fastest.

Shang Shuqing did not leave.

For the time being, she remained at Maolu Villa, and the flock of Crow Generals stayed with her. As a result, crows could be seen all over the villa.

After seeing the guests off, Niu Youdao went to find Lü Wushuang.

Only after a long discussion with her did he return to his own room and summon Yuan Gang, Guan Fangyi, and Yun Ji.

In front of the three, Niu Youdao took out a secretly stored box.

The moment he opened it, a living red radiance bloomed forth.

Inside lay a Wuliang Fruit.

The three exchanged looks, none understanding why he had called them over just to see this.

Niu Youdao said, "Hongniang, you and Yun Ji will go into seclusion for a period. Take the Commandery Princess with you."

The three became even more puzzled.

Guan Fangyi asked suspiciously, "Take the Commandery Princess into seclusion?"

Niu Youdao said, "The two of you will work together and use the miraculous effects of the Wuliang Fruit to cleanse her marrow and remold her meridians, helping her body undergo a complete transformation."

"I know this will be difficult. Normally, only the person taking it can keenly sense every subtle change throughout the body and control the process accordingly. But the Commandery Princess isn't a cultivator. She has no such ability at all, and her body couldn't withstand the medicinal force by itself. If she simply swallowed it, it would be no different from taking a deadly poison."

"I consulted Lü Wushuang. With her former cultivation, she could have accomplished this alone, but her cultivation has already been destroyed."

"According to Lü Wushuang, any one of you by herself might struggle. The two of you together should be enough. If one person's cultivation begins to fail, you can take turns resting and replacing each other. So I'll have to trouble the two of you."

Helping with that was no great matter.

What shocked them was the Wuliang Fruit.

Niu Youdao had previously told them he was about to enter seclusion and make his breakthrough.

Yun Ji said heavily, "There's only this one Wuliang Fruit left. You're not going to use it yourself? You're giving it to the Commandery Princess?"

Niu Youdao said, "There were twelve Wuliang Fruits. The Demon Fox clan still has one. They'll send it over later."

Guan Fangyi said, "Wasn't the Demon Fox clan's fruit already used by Yin Ji?"

"That was only the story told to outsiders. It wasn't actually used."

Niu Youdao closed the box and handed it to the two women.

Guan Fangyi stepped forward and took it into her arms, then curled her lip. "You really do treat your sweetheart differently. I have a sweetheart too. Aren't you afraid I'll run away with this Wuliang Fruit?"

Niu Youdao said, "If you think you can take Nantian Wufang and escape from this place, go ahead and try."

Guan Fangyi raised an eyebrow. "I'm missing an arm. At worst, I'll run alone and use the Wuliang Fruit to restore myself."

Niu Youdao said, "If even you betray me, then it only means I was wrong. What else would I have to say?"

Then he frowned slightly. "Speaking of your arm, the Ghost Doctor is under our control. He should have a way to graft another arm onto you. What do you think?"

Guan Fangyi fell silent for a moment, then shook her head faintly. "An arm that hasn't been tempered by a Wuliang Fruit would be far inferior. I've thought about the Ghost Doctor's method too, but attaching someone else's arm to my body just feels strange. I haven't decided whether I can accept it yet."

"The Ghost Doctor is going to the Fifth Domain too?"

Niu Youdao nodded. "He is."

Guan Fangyi sighed. "Then let me think about it some more. Once I can accept having someone else's arm attached, it won't be too late to do it after we reach the Fifth Domain."

They acted immediately.

Niu Youdao had Yuan Gang summon Shang Shuqing, then Guan Fangyi and Yun Ji brought her straight into the secluded chamber Niu Youdao normally used for cultivation.

Once the stone door closed, Shang Shuqing still had no idea what they intended.

Guan Fangyi had already spoken. "Commandery Princess, take off your clothes. Everything. We don't want anything getting in the way."

Take everything off?

Shang Shuqing instantly grew awkward. She asked in confusion, "Sister Hong, Sister Yun, why?"

A red glow spread through the chamber.

Guan Fangyi opened the box and took out the fruit.

"Commandery Princess, you truly are blessed. This is the legendary Wuliang Fruit. Master Dao is willing to use a treasure like this and have us cleanse your marrow and remold your meridians."

"Afterward, your body will undergo a complete transformation. Whether you'll truly gain immortality is impossible to know, because most of those who took Wuliang Fruits in earlier generations died violent deaths before anyone could verify it."

"But eternal youth is real. Just look at Lü Wushuang. She's several hundred years old, yet she still looks that young."

"Ah!"

Shang Shuqing stared blankly at the glowing fruit in Guan Fangyi's hand.

Yun Ji said, "Commandery Princess, take everything off. Our cultivation is limited, and we're afraid we may not be able to control the process perfectly. The fewer outside obstructions, the better."

"We're all women. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. This is for your own good."

...

In the villa courtyard, Niu Youdao looked back and discovered Yuan Gang had been following him with his head lowered.

He asked, "Why are you hanging your head?"

Yuan Gang slowly raised it and looked at him. "That really was the last one, wasn't it?"

He knew this man too well.

Niu Youdao was not greedy by nature. Yuan Gang did not believe he would have kept two Wuliang Fruits in reserve for himself.

Niu Youdao did not answer the question.

"Go find Lü Wushuang. Send word to the Sacred Realm and notify the people from the great Sacred Lands who are still hiding there. Tell them to leave the Sacred Realm and prepare for the migration."

"Tell every side to gather their own people properly and bring them out together. If anyone conceals people, hold the whole faction jointly responsible."

"Anyone who remains after the deadline—kill without mercy!"

"And tell the Demon Fox clan to have Hei Yun come see me. Have them bring Fire Phoenix and the others along as well."

"Mm."

Yuan Gang quietly turned and left...

The pressure on Han increased sharply.

After returning to Nanzhou, Shang Chaozong immediately mobilized Yan's forces and simultaneously issued orders to the former Song armies. The two forces advanced toward Han by separate routes.

A great battle could break out at any moment.

Meanwhile, every faction in the cultivation world was preparing for the migration according to plan.

They had to account not only for their own sects, but also gather every independent cultivator within the territories under their jurisdiction, along with the connected families and dependents.

Which people of the secular world would be taken? Which people were willing to leave with them?

The matter involved all beneath Heaven.

Its scale was enormous.

...

At the Beizhou Governor's Residence, everyone was busy.

Shao Dengyun was preparing to leave for the front and make arrangements for the campaign against Han.

At the same time, an honored guest arrived.

Shao Dengyun made time amid his pressing affairs to receive him.

Peng Youzai had come.

It was also the last time he would meet Shao Dengyun.

The two had dealt with each other for many years. Now Peng Youzai was leaving, so he had come to bid farewell.

After today, he would lead the entire Tianyu Sect westward in a great procession.

They recalled the past and spoke of the future, filled with emotion at their parting.

Before leaving, Peng Youzai asked kindly, "Does the Governor have anyone here who wishes to go to the Fifth Domain? If so, my people can look after them along the way and take them with us."

Shao Dengyun sighed. "Those ordinary people who want to go have probably already contacted your sect. The rest who haven't said anything likely don't wish to leave."

"Sect Leader Peng, take care on the road ahead."

Peng Youzai nodded.

He said nothing more, cupped his hands, and departed.

Not long after his group left, Yang Shuang came striding over excitedly and called, "Master, quickly look who's here!"

Shao Dengyun, who had been giving military instructions to his subordinates, turned.

His eyes instantly reddened.

Shao Liuer had come.

After Jin decided to surrender, it ultimately had not dared kill Shao Liuer and the others, for fear of offending Shao Dengyun, one of Shang Chaozong's generals.

They had all been released.

Once Shang Chaozong's side received them, he immediately sent people to escort Shao Liuer and the others here.

The Shao Liuer of today was no longer the green young girl of years ago.

She wore the dress of a married woman now.

The hardships of life had left their traces across her face, and among her full head of black hair were even several conspicuous strands of white.

She had gone from the young lady of the Beizhou Governor's household to a princess of Qi, then to Qi's empress, then the empress of a fallen state.

After enjoying a period of glory, she had spent another period living in constant fear, walking on thin ice. Just when life had finally settled somewhat, she had become a prisoner again.

No outsider could imagine what such rises and falls had done to her heart.

At the sight of her father, his hair white and his face far more aged than she remembered, Shao Liuer could no longer control herself.

She ran toward him, dropped to her knees with a thud, and knocked her head to the ground.

"Father, your daughter has been unfilial!"

Tears poured down her face.

She sobbed so hard she could barely speak.

[End of Chapter 1577]