The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror-Chapter 699 - 309: Entering the Xuantian Treasure Vault Again

Chapter 699: Chapter 309: Entering the Xuantian Treasure Vault Again

"Xu Qing, I also want to say that without you, it would be difficult for me to reach my final years. In the current situation, there is no need for suspicion between us. If we get past the Black Mountain Demon, I am willing to share peace with you. If we can’t, your chances of survival are higher than mine. If the royal grandson has talent, remember my sentiment, assist if you can, if not, you can choose your own path. But I hope you will ultimately defeat the Black Mountain Demon."

The old Emperor spoke with a somber expression, a script of Chenqing Form with the White Emperor City entrustment pressed upon him.

Xu Qing listened quietly, not feeling that the old Emperor was being overly dramatic. Because he understood in his heart that, no matter what, only by working together with one heart and mind can the monarch and minister seize that sliver of opportunity in the upcoming battle against the Black Mountain Demon.

Having an open and honest discussion is always better than doing nothing.

"I am grateful for Your Majesty’s favor and dare not repay with anything less than utter sincerity," Xu Qing knelt on one knee, stating solemnly.

The old Emperor smiled slightly, with a bit of reassurance in that smile: "Whether you comprehend these words or not, I speak from the heart. What comes next is business. Xu Qing..."

"I am here." Xu Qing immediately stood up, responding respectfully.

The old Emperor’s expression turned serious, and he said with steadfast eyes, "The New Year will soon be here again. Before the seventh month next year, we must return to the Capital. On that day, it will be our time to make the decisive battle against the Black Mountain Demon. This time, we cannot repeat the mistakes of the Former Song, leaving the remnants weeping in foreign soil, looking southward for the royal troops for another year."

Xu Qing straightened his back and said firmly, "As long as Your Majesty does not recall me with the gold medallion, I will surely, within months, escort Your Majesty back to the Capital."

"I am not Zhao Gou, nor are you the Young Protector Yue. I trust you, go and prepare for what comes next." The old Emperor gave Xu Qing a sidelong glance. This brat really takes liberties when given a little color.

But Xu Qing dared to joke casually with him, which indicated that Xu Qing had no ulterior motives on this matter.

Even the old Emperor had always put the overall situation first in this matter.

"As Your Majesty commands." Xu Qing respectfully saluted, then took his leave and turned to exit Yannian Palace.

At this moment, the sunlight was just right, and the warm rays spilled over the palace steps, illuminating the path ahead for Xu Qing. The sky was high and wide, and clear.

He knew in his heart that the curtain of the great battle was about to open. The military issues were not difficult for him to solve, the truly critical test lies in the seventh lunar month.

The key is, the last battle at Changbai Mountain was on the seventh day of the seventh month, with Heavenly Demon Rushing Seven Lethal Points. This time, it’s the seventh month, obviously the Black Mountain Demon has another plan.

In Xu Qing’s bronze mirror, the lifespan entry had disappeared, so he could not sense the exact day of the battle with the Black Mountain Demon, but why was the old Emperor so sure that it would be the seventh month?

From the date, the seventh month is the Confucian "Autumn Taste" festival, a day of ancestor worship, and also the Taoist Zhongyuan Festival and the Buddhist Ullambana Festival. It is a special day where the three teachings are united, indeed special in timing, yet Xu Qing still couldn’t penetrate the fundamental reason.

Xu Qing returned home, where the scent of tea lingered in the study, and he discussed and deliberated on the matter with Feng Wu. Feng Wu, intelligent and thoughtful, often provided Xu Qing with good insights.

Feng Wu sat beside him, supporting her chin with her hand, and after pondering, she slowly said, "Husband, do not forget one thing, your birthday is the Shangyuan Festival, and Your Majesty’s birthday is the Xiayuan Festival."

In the early stages of Taoism, within the Five Pecks of Rice religion, the fifteenth day of the first month is the Shangyuan Festival, the fifteenth of the seventh month is the Zhongyuan Festival, and the fifteenth of the tenth month is the Xiayuan Festival, corresponding to the Heavenly Official, Earth Official, and Water Official, respectively. As the saying goes, the Heavenly Official bestows blessings, the Earth Official pardons sins, and the Water Official alleviates disasters.

Upon hearing Feng Wu’s words, Xu Qing suddenly realized that this might be a collision of the three kinds of life destinies.

Could the Black Mountain Demon have the destiny of the Earth Official? The duty of the Earth Official is, accurately speaking, to assess the goodness and evil of all beings, pardon sins, and can judge good and evil, hence able to forgive sins. This is naturally in line with the Black Mountain Demon acting as punishment on behalf of Heaven.

If it weren’t for Feng Wu always remembering Xu Qing’s birthday, Xu Qing himself might have overlooked this seemingly insignificant detail.

"Moreover, I came from beyond the heavens, corresponding to the Heavenly Official without a hitch. Since Black Mountain is a mountain, it corresponds to the Earth Official, no problem there. The old Emperor claims to be akin to the highest goodness like water, so it’s also not wrong to say he’s the Water Official."

Xu Qing pondered while pacing back and forth.

He forcibly found some connections, but felt that something was still missing.

However, this battle, at present, increasingly bore the flavor of an inevitable historical destiny intersection.

Which among Xu Qing, the old Emperor, and the Black Mountain Demon was truly that person creating the epic of destiny?

The stage set by the world, heroes perform.

Who are the heroes truly?

Xu Qing’s thoughts wandered in the vast heaven and earth, with the sense of someone holding sway over the matters of the world.

After a long while, he slowly spoke, "Ah Wu, let’s set off."

"Okay."

...

...

Feng Wu certainly understood what Xu Qing was talking about.

Husband and wife set out to sea, with the Ziwei Star in the night sky, like a beacon, illuminating their silhouettes. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Because of the connection with the Ziwei Star, even when Xu Qing was far out at sea, he would not lose his way.

And their destination was precisely the Xuantian Treasure Vault.

To be accurate, it was the giant tortoise carrying the Xuantian Treasure Vault, wandering everywhere.

"Husband, I feel that we are now like the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl who haven’t been separated by the Queen Mother."

"I am a gentleman; I wouldn’t steal your clothes."

Xu Qing chuckled to himself, thankful it was an ancient myth, because in a previous life, the Cowherd would definitely be trolled online.

Feng Wu blushed, softly huffed, "You have already seen what’s inside the clothes."

Xu Qing smiled, "It’s never enough to see it so often."

Feng Wu said, "Ah, eventually you’ll get tired, but I know, no matter what, my husband will never leave me."

Xu Qing held her hand and whispered, "Indeed."

No oaths sworn as deep as the mountains and seas, no promises burning with passion.

Xu Qing’s simple words made Feng Wu feel immeasurably secure.

In truth, between them, there was not the kind of myth-like love, not a grand affair burying the star river. Even in daily life, there were moments of plainness and tedium.

But Feng Wu knew, Xu Qing was a very responsible person.

Her husband was responsible towards family and friends and naturally would also be responsible for her and their child.

Perhaps what women seek all their lives is not love, but a sense of safety.

Because love is more like the Immortal Binding Rope, capable of tying a man indefinitely, which naturally then feels safe.

Feng Wu rarely thought whether this kind of relationship lacked romance.

"Contentment avoids disgrace; knowing when to stop is not dangerous. She has a father, a husband, and Xuanhu, enough happiness for a lifetime. The Heavenly Dao avoids fullness, being too greedy will only lead to losing more."

Moreover, she was well aware that as life reached a certain stage, it was not about gaining more, but constantly losing.

To this, her greatest helplessness was "father’s" attitude towards life.

Feng Wu undoubtedly wished for her father to pursue cultivation.

Yet Feng Xifeng refused.

"Qing’er, if there is a soul after death, I would rather not live begrudgingly in this world. Because dying would be such a joyous event, then I could go find your mother. If your mother and I re-enter reincarnation, you and Xu Qing must work hard in your cultivation to reunite us. This is the only wish your father has for you."

Qing’er was Feng Wu’s childhood name.

After Feng Xifeng accepted the concept of spirits and deities, he felt no fear, but excitement.

This was also Feng Wu’s greatest motivation for her current cultivation.

She must ensure her father and mother return from the mortal world and reunite.

In the sea breeze, under the bright moon, amidst the starlight.

A sea fog, like a massive sea beast, engulfed Xu Qing and his wife.

Xu Qing waved his sleeve.

In the Sleeve Universe, the sea fog was entirely absorbed.

And now, it was dawn, with the waves roaring.

A sea guest speaks of Ying Province, the mist and waves become vast, with faith hard to find;

The Yue people speak of the Heaven Maiden, the clouds and mist flicker, at times visible.

Xu Qing held his wife’s hand tightly, softly landing on the Immortal Mountain before them.

The dawn light, like a thin veil, surrounded them like an immortal couple.

"Ziwei Star, you have finally returned."

The voice was deep, echoing and lingering.