Chapter 34: Shen Tian’s Sword Immortal Foster Mother
Chunchao still could not understand.
Hadn’t the Heir been abducted by the people of the Nether Sect? What did that have to do with him being “too clever for his own good”?
“Then… should we just let the Heir live or die on his own?” Chunchao could not help but ask.
Yu Chenyu gave her a glance and immediately realized that this girl truly had no brains—especially when compared to Shen Yanzhou.
“He wasn’t abducted by the Nether Sect. This was merely a play he directed and acted in himself. Otherwise, what do you think the reason was that he kept making you drink?”
“And why did you so easily lower your guard?” she said faintly.
“What?”
“???”
Chunchao was utterly shaken.
She seemed to finally start putting the pieces together—so all of this had been an act staged by the Heir himself?
Who on earth had helped him perform this ridiculous play? Could it be that ugly woman in hemp clothes they’d seen that day, from the Luofu Cloud Cavern?
Then what was his purpose in doing all this? To completely flee and never return to the Imperial Capital?
No wonder the Princess Consort had been so angry.
Looking at the dazed and foolish Chunchao, Yu Chenyu waved her hand impatiently, signaling for her to leave.
For so many years, it was the first time her emotions had fluctuated so wildly—there was even a trace of inexplicable irritation.
It wasn’t that the situation had exceeded her control.
Rather, it felt as if the little bird she had raised for twenty years had, in a moment of carelessness, quietly slipped free from its cage and flown far, far away.
Though this would not affect her in the slightest, she nonetheless felt an unexplainable emptiness.
“Nothing ever happens without a reason. He never had any thought of leaving the capital before.”
“Could it be that after meeting Shen Tian yesterday, this thought suddenly took root? Does he really believe that Shen Tian is my child?”
Yu Chenyu began reviewing everything again.
She was still used to that feeling of having everything under control.
But as she kept replaying it in her mind, she couldn’t help developing a headache. Because even she couldn’t tell whether Shen Yanzhou’s sudden tantrum yesterday had been deliberate—or if he had simply used it as an excuse to voice what was truly in his heart.
“To think that I am now letting my emotions be affected by someone…”
“Forget it. If you believe the world outside the cage is safer, then go.”
“I return your freedom to you.”
Yu Chenyu closed her eyes. If she wished, she had countless means to bring Shen Yanzhou back—no matter if he fled to the ends of the earth, as long as he remained within this land.
However, since Shen Yanzhou had chosen to conceal the truth from her and leave, she would respect that decision.
——
To the north of the Imperial Capital of the Great Qian Dynasty lay Yun Prefecture, a land filled with vast rainforests and miasma.
For nearly three hundred sixty-five days a year, the skies remained draped in mist and drizzle.
Deep within, fog rolled endlessly, and towering trees stretched their branches high into the clouds, making it difficult to ever see a clear sky.
At that moment, a modestly decorated black-lacquered cloud carriage sped through the air, driven by an old woman in colorful robes.
Its speed wasn’t fast, for dense leaves shrouded the way and waves of fog drifted by; even if one looked up, they might not notice it at all.
Shen Yanzhou sat with his legs hanging off the back of the cloud carriage, resting his chin in his hand as he watched the scenery below.
The original Shen Yanzhou had never left the Imperial Capital and had no memories of the outside world.
He had been like a bird caged all its life—though it might sometimes yearn for the vast skies beyond, in the end its wings would only break and fall in sorrow.
Such a boundless, primeval rainforest—he had never seen before.
Negative emotions from Chunchao +6 +6 +6…
Negative emotions from Yu Chenyu +33 +34 +41…
“It seems that my leaving the capital without saying a word to Yu Chenyu has put her in quite a foul mood.”
“She actually provided me with so much negative emotion at once.”
As the notification echoed in his mind, Shen Yanzhou’s thoughts returned to the present.
He knew that with Yu Chenyu’s level of scheming, she would see through what had happened in an instant.
But that was precisely the effect he had wanted.
It also served to confirm something for him—Yu Chenyu had, indeed, grown accustomed to his presence.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have reacted with such anger.
“We still need to move faster—try to arrive within a day.”
Shen Yanzhou pulled his body back into the carriage.
After leaving the Imperial Capital, they had split from the funeral procession, traveling in two groups—one along the official road, the other led by an elder of the Luofu Cloud Cavern, who piloted the cloud carriage through the skies toward Hidden Moon Mountain.
“Why must we go to Hidden Moon Mountain?”
Fu Yuying sat properly within the carriage, sipping tea in small, delicate sips. Inside were multiple formations set up, so no matter how fierce the wind roared outside, it didn’t affect the tranquility within.
She disliked the look of mourning attire. Shortly after leaving the capital, she had driven Shen Yanzhou off the carriage, set up a sound-isolating formation, and changed into a pale gauze dress that flattered her slender waist and figure.
Shen Yanzhou found it hard to understand her obsession with appearance. Were all women, no matter how clever and capable, the same in that regard?
“Naturally, because the terrain there is treacherous—perfect for an ambush. For your Luofu Cloud Cavern to capture Shen Tian, you can prepare in advance.”
He replied casually, then unceremoniously took another cup of tea from before her, blew on it, and began to drink.
“You’re definitely hiding something from me. Yun Prefecture has many perilous lands—the Forest of No Return, Thunderfall Pool, Hidden Flood Cave… all of which are much closer to the capital. Yet you chose the distant Hidden Moon Mountain.”
Fu Yuying’s bright eyes fixed on him.
Naturally, Shen Yanzhou couldn’t tell her the real reason—that he was after the cultivation technique which, in the original plot, even the aged Martial God had exhausted his entire life trying and still failed to comprehend.
A technique that utterly defied this world’s established logic and limits.
“Truly, nothing can be hidden from you. I do have a little selfish motive.”
“I’ve heard that Hidden Moon Mountain is the tallest peak in Yun Prefecture. When the moon hides in the vast sky, the sun rises from the east. I spent the first half of my life trapped in the Imperial Capital. My greatest wish has always been to see the Eastern Sea, or at least to watch with my own eyes how the sun rises and sets in this world…”
Shen Yanzhou spoke with a free and unrestrained smile.
In truth, he wasn’t lying.
The original Shen Yanzhou had appeared to be a frivolous wastrel, but his heart had always been delicate.
He simply never dared to express it.
Watching the sea, the sunrise, and sunset had been one of the deepest, most hidden wishes within his heart.
Hearing this, not only Fu Yuying but even Chu Xiuer, who had been yawning at the side, were both stunned.
The two women looked at Shen Yanzhou’s bright, carefree smile, and a strange feeling quietly welled up within them.
He probably had never left that grand and bustling city his whole life—no wonder he looked so curious and fascinated by everything along the way…
“I’m sorry…”
Fu Yuying murmured, a tinge of guilt rising within her heart.
At that moment, Shen Yanzhou seemed… more human.
He appeared calm and confident, as if everything were within his grasp, as though nothing in the world could ever disturb his emotions.
But in truth, he too must have had his own joys and sorrows.
“Saintess, there’s no need to apologize. After all, we’re merely partners in cooperation. Isn’t it only natural that you’d be suspicious of me?”
Shen Yanzhou shrugged his shoulders, still wearing that easy, carefree smile, as if he truly did not care.
Fu Yuying nodded slightly and did not press further on the subject.
She lifted the curtain beside her and looked outside.
The sky in the distance was heavy and dark; low-hanging clouds seemed ready to spill over at any moment.
“Once we pass through the Clouded Path ahead and travel another thirty li, we’ll be even closer to Hidden Moon Mountain.”
“It’s not ideal to travel at night. These areas are teeming with mounted bandits who love nothing more than to spot the glow of campfires after dark and ambush caravans.”
“However, this cloud carriage is shielded by a Concealment Formation. Unless those bandits have a cultivator of the Daoist path among them, they won’t notice us.” She spoke softly.
“What kind of bandits would dare to rob us?”
Chu Xiuer snorted lightly, clearly unconcerned.
Shen Yanzhou glanced at her and said with a smile, “It’s not a matter of daring or not. The kind of bandits who can take root in Yun Prefecture—so close to the Imperial Capital—are always backed by powers you can’t imagine. The caravans that pass through these parts understand this well, so they often wisely pay a bit of toll money.”
“By now, the news of my so-called abduction by the Nether Sect must have spread like wildfire throughout the capital. Before the truth about the real Heir is exposed, the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion, along with the Chilin Guards and the Bureau of Immortal Inspection, will undoubtedly spare no effort to investigate.”
“Hidden Moon Mountain lies within Yun Prefecture. Do you think the bandit gangs entrenched in this area haven’t already caught wind of it?”
Chu Xiuer froze.
With her intellect, she naturally could not keep up with such reasoning.
“So troublesome…” she muttered softly, lowering her head.
“All the official roads leading to Hidden Moon Mountain are surely already under surveillance. Once anyone resembling Young Master Shen is spotted, word will immediately be passed along.”
“If there are any casualties along the way, it’ll only draw even more attention. That’s why I’ve already arranged for someone in the other convoy to impersonate you, Young Master Shen—to mislead and confuse the pursuit.”
“This time, by using you as bait, we’ll draw not only the Demon Suppression Prince’s enemies, but also those with other ulterior motives—those who wish to see the world descend further into chaos,” Fu Yuying said softly.
Shen Yanzhou hadn’t expected Fu Yuying to make such arrangements.
He had considered it before, but found it unnecessary—after all, he intended to eventually expose his own whereabouts anyway.
However, Fu Yuying’s line of thought clearly came from another perspective.
“How much strength has your Luofu Cloud Cavern prepared for this ambush against Shen Tian?”
Shen Yanzhou lightly tapped the window frame with his slender fingers, his gaze turning to the scenery outside as his thoughts churned.
He knew full well what kind of trump cards Shen Tian possessed—it would not be easy to take him down completely.
His true purpose had only been to use Fu Yuying and her people as a means to escape the capital smoothly.
As for what kind of revenge the Luofu Cloud Cavern would face afterward once the truth came to light, he truly did not care.
Yet now, after hearing Fu Yuying’s words, he began to think a little more deeply. This woman, hailed as the unrivaled beauty of Southern Frontier—clever, calculating, and able to plan three steps ahead—might seem trusting, but she certainly had contingencies of her own.
Perhaps… he could test it.
To see if it was possible to kill Shen Tian.
Fu Yuying thought for a moment after hearing his question, but did not conceal anything, despite it being sect intelligence. She answered frankly, “All the experts near the Imperial Capital have already been mobilized. From neighboring Lei Prefecture, elders and disciples are also en route. To ensure nothing goes wrong, our sect’s upper ranks have secretly contacted the other sects in the Southern Frontier—such as the Five Poisons Cult, the Ancient Nanzhao Sect, and the Yunshen Sect—but it’s difficult to gather too many people in a short time…”
The Demon Suppression King’s dominance in the Southern Frontier was too great.
Many hidden sects had no choice but to contract their territories and restrain their disciples. But if this continued indefinitely, their lands would eventually be devoured, and they would all become slaves under his rule.
Thus, none of them would easily pass up this rare opportunity to fight back.
“These forces…” Shen Yanzhou frowned.
“The majority of the disciples are in the Seventh Rank, Bone-forging Realm, or Sixth Rank, Shamanic Priest Realm. In secret, several elders of the Fifth Rank, Ghost King Realm, will guard the formation. With the array we’ve set up in advance, it should be enough to take down Shen Tian.”
“Of course, that’s on the condition that he actually comes,” Fu Yuying continued.
The hidden sects of the Southern Frontier mostly cultivated in the Shamanic system, rarely practicing Daoist techniques.
Martial, Daoist, Confucian, Buddhist, and Shamanic paths—all shared the same nine-grade structure, divided into lower, middle, upper, and pinnacle stages.
“Shen Tian will definitely come. There’s no doubt about that. But with only this much power… it’s still not enough.” Shen Yanzhou rubbed his brow.
Fu Yuying looked at him in surprise.
Shen Tian was but a single person.
Even if he carried the protective talismans gifted by the Demon Suppression King, or other hidden trump cards, this force was strong enough to deal with a Fourth Rank expert.
“I’ve long had a suspicion, though I lacked evidence. But now, it seems I must take this possibility into account.”
“Before his training in the Southern Frontier, Shen Tian cultivated in the Pure Pavilion of the Ten-Thousand-Mile Sword Court—a fact known to very few.”
“His foster mother in name, and also his master, should be none other than the Sword Immortal who once repelled a hundred thousand troops of Beiyu with nine strikes of her sword.” Shen Yanzhou spoke solemnly as he looked at Fu Yuying.
“What…”
At his words, Fu Yuying’s ever-serene and cool expression was, for the first time, replaced by shock and disbelief.
“The one presiding over the Pure Pavilion of the Ten-Thousand-Mile Sword Court—Tantai Yuxian?”
Even Chu Xiuer could not help but cry out.
That Sword Immortal, whose sword light once chilled the entire Northern Desert Prefecture and whose name shook the world—was actually Shen Tian’s master, even his foster mother?
Wasn’t it said that the Sword Immortal never accepted disciples, devoted solely to the pursuit of the supreme sword path? That she had spent twenty years in seclusion at the Pure Pavilion, meditating on the sword in order to break through the First Rank, never once descending the mountain?
“Is this information true or false?”
Fu Yuying’s heart trembled violently.
“Most likely true,” Shen Yanzhou replied.
As someone who knew the original plot, he naturally knew this to be fact. Yet since he could not explain it otherwise, he could only make it sound like speculation.
Within the sword case Shen Tian carried on his back were, aside from the jade sword gifted by Tantai Yuxian when he left the mountain, three strands of natal sword qi.
One was hidden within his brow’s spiritual sea, fused with his martial soul.
The other two were sealed within the swords Xiuyun and Huixue.
Once unleashed, each could slay a typical Third Rank cultivator.
In other words, though Shen Tian was only at the Sixth Rank, wielding those two swords alone would allow him to slay two Third Rank opponents.
Such a trump card made Shen Yanzhou’s teeth ache with envy. That was why, back in the capital, he had never once considered how he might kill Shen Tian.
“……”
The cloud carriage continued flying above the dense forest.
Fine rain began to drift from the sky, and the heavens grew darker still.
Fu Yuying fell into a long, heavy silence.
Had it not been for this revelation, the plans she had so carefully laid out might truly have been enough to capture Shen Tian.
Yet now, with this new knowledge suddenly revealed by Shen Yanzhou—