Chapter 42 - Arc 4: The Affairs of Chenghuang Kingdom | Chapter 42: Staying

Chapter 42 - Arc 4: The Affairs of Chenghuang Kingdom | Chapter 42: Staying

Translator: Lynn

When Dong Lizhao noticed that Xu Ziqing wasn’t upset, he spoke with a hint of childishness, “Sir, please don’t be mad at me.”

Xu Ziqing chuckled, “Why would I be mad at you?”

Dong Lizhao felt relieved, but as he realized that Xu Ziqing was about to leave, he lowered his gaze and asked, “Can’t you stay a little longer? Are you really going to leave now?”

Xu Ziqing let out a sigh, “I was actually going to discuss this with you.”

Growing up in the palace, Dong Lizhao understood what Xu Ziqing meant.

However, Xu Ziqing said, “Brother Yun has informed me about an important matter that concerns you and your kingdom, Chenghuang. I had intended to leave, but it seems I cannot do so.”

Dong Lizhao was taken aback. “Sir, wait, I’ll go find my elder brother!”

Seeing that Dong Lizhao was about to rush out, Xu Ziqing grabbed his hand and handed him a talisman. “Be careful. This talisman can make you invisible, but remember to remain silent.”

Dong Lizhao replied, “Yes,” and hurriedly left.

Only then did Xu Ziqing immerse his consciousness into his storage ring and inquire, “Brother Yun, would you like to meet Dong Lixi?”

Yun Lie’s voice emanated coldly, “There’s no need.”

Xu Ziqing faintly smiled and refrained from disturbing him.

It turned out that Dong Lixi was under close surveillance. Xu Ziqing waited outside the house with his talisman for some time until he witnessed Dong Lixi dismissing the eunuchs.

After contemplating for a moment, Xu Ziqing said, “Never mind, just come with me.” He then used an illusion to entice Dong Lizhao to accompany him into Dong Lixi’s chamber.

When the two suddenly appeared, Dong Lixi was taken aback, but he swiftly regained his composure and refrained from exclaiming in surprise.

Xu Ziqing promptly cast a silencing spell so that no sound could be heard from inside the room, and he discreetly instructed Chonghua to quietly perch atop a tree in the courtyard, keeping watch for any intruders.

Only then did Xu Ziqing speak, “If we talk now, it won’t attract attention.”

Dong Lixi breathed a sigh of relief, and upon observing Dong Lizhao’s expression, he made a few guesses and smiled, “Is there something you wish to teach me, Mr. Xu?”

Xu Ziqing nodded, “I’m afraid I’ll have to involve myself in the affairs of your kingdom, Seung Juan.”

Dong Lixi was stunned, “Has Mr. Xu changed his mind? Could something be amiss in my country?” Being skilled at reading people, he recognized Xu Ziqing as a perceptive monk with a clear conscience. If it weren’t necessary, he wouldn’t have considered such a matter.

Xu Ziqing smiled appreciatively, “You’re correct.” Then he sighed, “There is a devil cultivator who seeks to overthrow the Chenghuang Kingdom, and as immortal cultivators, we cannot stand idly by when we’re aware of this.”

Dong Lixi’s heart tightened, “Are you suggesting, Mr. Xu...”

Xu Ziqing flicked his sleeve, “You two should go to the window. I will open your eyes, and others’, to witness the fortune of the imperial city.”

Dong Lizhao had already experienced the technique before, so he remained calm, while Dong Lixi, hearing about it for the first time, struggled to contain himself but eventually managed to calm down.

After a few glances, Dong Lixi could discern the entanglement of the golden dragon and the black half-dragon in the imperial city. With his discerning nature, he was well aware of the lasciviousness involved. However, before he could blush, he noticed a sinister red glow in the black half-dragon’s eyes, sending chills down his spine.

Being a few years older than Dong Lizhao and the crown prince, Dong Lixi understood the gravity of the situation better than anyone else. He remarked, “Mr. Xu, that black half-dragon is truly wicked.”

Xu Ziqing responded, “The black half-dragon and the golden dragon are engaged in a process where the golden dragon’s qi is absorbed, transferring the prince’s qi to the black half-dragon. This is done with the intention of transforming the snake into a dragon. Currently, the half-dragon possesses a horn, two claws, and four toes, but the remaining two claws will soon have five toes. The day of its transformation into a dragon is not far off.”

Dong Lixi’s face turned pale, and a hint of resentment flickered in his eyes. He assured Xu Ziqing, “Do not worry, sir. Now that Lixi knows about this, he won’t let him succeed again.”

Xu Ziqing added, “However, the black half-dragon possesses a demonic aura. Since the black half-dragon is a result of Jiao Tu’s qi, if Jiao Tu isn’t an devil practitioner, then there is only one possibility.”

Dong Lizhao urgently inquired, “Sir, what is it?”

Xu Ziqing replied, “Possession.”

Dong Lixi was shocked, “...Possession?”

Possession refers to the act of sacrificing one’s own spirit to another person in order to freely move around when one’s physical body is severely injured and the spirit is trapped. Meanwhile, demonic techniques are utilized to nourish the body and enhance its strength, so that when the spirit is reclaimed, it becomes even stronger than before the injury.

However, this method not only harms the possessed individual but is also inherently evil and repugnant.

Originally unaware of what possession entailed, Xu Ziqing had learned about it from Yun Lie’s voice. Upon discovering its nature, he also felt unsettled.

As he explained this to the two brothers, Dong Lizhao exclaimed, “Sir, you mentioned that people from the Lower Nine Continents cannot practice such techniques, so...?”

Xu Ziqing nodded, “That evil cultivator can only achieve it by possessing Jiao Tu’s body.”

Dong Lizhao’s face turned grim, “If that’s the case, is Jiao Tu dead?”

Dong Lixi’s gaze grew heavy as he spoke, “Just because of this, you think you can destroy my dignity and confine me to my bedchamber? You are shameless to display such affection!”

The pain in Jiao Tu’s eyes became too much to bear, causing him to close his eyes and twitch his face. When he opened his eyes again, a ruthless expression appeared on his face. “You’re the king, yet you act like a defeated loser! Either submit to me and open your legs or... I’ll break your bones!”

Dong Lixi’s heart trembled. Just a moment ago, through his careful observation, he had already sensed a dark aura in Jiao Tu’s eyes. And now, with his threatening posture, the distinction became clearer.

If this were truly Jiao Tu, he would not have insulted Dong Lixi in such a manner or resorted to threats, aside from their usual banter.

Recalling all the moments they had spent together, Dong Lixi gained some clarity.

It was indeed a possession.

Meanwhile, Xu Ziqing, concealed amidst the grass and trees, harbored the same thought. Unlike Dong Lixi, he could only discern it due to his sharp intellect and deep understanding of Jiao Tu. However, Xu Ziqing immediately noticed the shift in Jiao Tu’s aura—right after Dong Lixi’s outburst—it suddenly became mysterious and malevolent.

Dong Lixi had been particularly uncooperative tonight, and when Jiao Tu refrained from using force, the devil cultivator took control, forcing Jiao Tu to take matters into his own hands. Xu Ziqing also had a vague suspicion that Jiao Tu might have some form of communication with the devil cultivator and was not entirely oblivious to the current situation.

This raised doubts in Xu Ziqing’s mind. If the devil cultivator intended to harm Dong Lixi, he didn’t know how severe the consequences would be. He wanted to ascertain the truth first, but involving Dong Lixi wouldn’t be worth the risk.

At that moment, the devil cultivator, attached to Jiao Tu’s body, grabbed Dong Lixi with a large hand, attempting to pull him onto the bed.

Xu Ziqing’s heart constricted, but he steeled himself to make a move.

However, in the next instant, Dong Lixi sneered and plunged a dagger into his own heart!

The devil cultivator immediately exclaimed, “What are you doing?”

Dong Lixi’s face turned pale, blood gushed from the wound inflicted by the dagger, and he was gravely injured in an instant.

The devil cultivator grew furious, shouting, “Someone, fetch the imperial doctor!”

Dong Lixi slumped to the ground, a cold aura emanating from his eyes.

Xu Ziqing sucked in a breath of cold air. This prince was resolute, daring to go to such extremes! If he wasn’t cautious, his life would be in grave danger!

Swiftly changing his expression, Xu Ziqing covered his forehead with his hand, brushed his sleeves, and hurriedly left the room.

Shortly after, several eunuchs entered the room, accompanied by an elderly man with white hair who carried a medicine chest. He quickly assisted Dong Lixi to bed. Xu Ziqing sighed inwardly, while refrained Dong Lizhao from rushing to his side.

Once the imperial doctor finished his treatment, he made a diagnosis, stating that Dong Lixi needed a period of rest and should avoid excessive movement. The eunuch went to convey this information to the devil cultivator, and they could hear his angry voice before he left.

Dong Lixi’s face turned pale, and though he remained conscious, he perspired profusely.

The imperial physician didn’t dare to make any hasty judgments but advised him to consume a ginseng tablet regularly and proceeded to remove the dagger. Busy with his medical duties, he couldn’t wait for Dong Lixi to lie down before preparing the necessary medications.

Once the imperial doctor had left, Dong Lixi called out, “Leave me.”

The eunuch in charge hesitated but Dong Lixi deliberately gasped for breath repeatedly, feigning anger until the eunuch had no choice but to follow him out.

After the room finally fell quiet, Xu Ziqing placed a barrier spell to ensure privacy before appearing in front of the bed with Dong Lizhao.

Dong Lizhao’s eyes were red, and his voice trembled as he spoke, “Brother, how could you inflict such cruelty upon yourself? If Mother were still alive, she would be furious with you!”

Dong Lixi weakly smiled, his eyes filled with apologies but no remorse. He said, “Zhao’er, if I had let him have his way today, allowing the Black Half-dragon to transform into a dragon and my kingdom to change hands, I would be an eternal sinner. What is a mere wound compared to that?”

Being a mere mortal, he couldn’t fathom the depths of the devil cultivator’s methods. It was only by injuring himself that he could temporarily escape.

Dong Lizhao understood the gravity of the situation, but as the older brother who relied on him, even with understanding, could he truly convince himself?

Observing his brother’s lingering guilt, Dong Lixi glanced at the young monk and said, “I believe Mr. Xu agrees with Lixi.” However, when he looked at Xu Ziqing, he noticed the bewildered expression on his face, so he softly called out, “Sir, sir?”

Xu Ziqing lost in conversation with Yun Lie in his storage ring, snapped back to reality and approached, holding Dong Lixi’s wrist. “Let’s not dwell on other matters. I will infuse you with a piece of spiritual qi to revive your body, which will sustain your life. After I prepare another dose of medicine, you will be fine once you consume it.”

Dong Lizhao understood Xu Ziqing’s extraordinary abilities and had witnessed divine medicine. He immediately expressed his joy, saying, “Thank you, sir!”

Dong Lixi, who had also taken this daring step due to having a cultivator by his side, felt partially relieved and smiled, “Thank you, sir.”

At that moment, Xu Ziqing recalled his conversation with Yun Yun and called out to the ring, “Brother Yun, Brother Yun, you’ve also seen this devil cultivator. Have you discovered anything? What are his true intentions?”

Translator notesI swear this arc is so sad T^T

Also, currently, I’m having exam week, so if there is a day where I didn’t post, I’ll post it in bulk at the end of the week^^



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