Chapter 137: 113, Plum Blossoms Bloom Thrice for Emperor Song Taizu, The Tragedy of the Fallen Princess (7K Large Chapter, Requesting Monthly Tickets)_4
"Brother Deng, you don’t know..." Xu Xing began after dismissing Little Dezi. "Protecting Song Miyao has an immeasurable impact on the state of the National Dynasty. If it weren’t for my gratitude towards True Lord Song for his gift of the Thousand-Year Stone Dew, I wouldn’t have..."
The Thousand-Year Stone Dew, ostensibly a congratulatory gift from Song Knife, was actually compensation for delaying his unification of the entire country by Three Years. Now he claims to be grateful for Song Knife’s kindness in gifting the Thousand-Year Stone Dew. Song Knife is a reasonable person. If he truly insisted on acknowledging this, it would be shameless. If others were to publicize it in the Immortal Sect, his reputation would surely suffer in the future. He hasn’t mentioned the gift explicitly, but could Song Knife really not send one?
"Junior Brother Xu is pure-hearted and kind; it was I, your elder brother, who misunderstood him," Deng An said, nodding slightly, quite appreciative of Xu Xing’s action.
By sparing the Deceased Country Princess instead of killing her, Xu Xing not only avoided completely ruining relations with Song Knife but also gave Deng An something acceptable to report upon his return. As for Xu Xing having previously killed Emperor Chongming and his imperial sons... at that time, Song Knife and Xu Xing had not yet made contact; ignorance absolves blame.
In other words, Song Knife didn’t truly care whether the Deceased Country Princess lived or died. However, if Xu Xing had known Song Miyao was a relatively prominent blood relative of Song Knife in the Mortal World and still proceeded with the execution, it would have meant completely severing ties with Song Knife, a direct slap to his face.
Of course, if Xu Xing had dealt with Song Miyao before Deng An’s arrival, even though it would have been a slap to Song Knife’s face, the matter would have been treated lightly without Deng An’s subsequent disclosure. Inevitably, however, some estrangement would have arisen between them due to this, and the ’play’ would have been difficult to continue. This was an outcome neither Xu Xing nor Song Knife wished to see.
The moment Xu Xing saw Deng An’s Escaping Light, he suddenly realized this point and hurriedly changed the decree, not sentencing Song Miyao to death but still honoring her as a Princess.
"True Lord Song is a benevolent gentleman," Xu Xing said with a smile, praising Song Knife once more. "I hold him in high admiration in my heart."
After discussing official matters with Xu Xing and exchanging a few more pleasantries, Deng An didn’t spare even a glance for Song Miyao, who stood in the hall, nor did he approach her for questioning.
A mere Princess, in his eyes, was truly insignificant. There is a clear distinction between immortal and mortal beings. It’s like how humans don’t care about the hatred livestock might feel when being slaughtered.
Although Princess Anren harbored hatred towards Xu Xing, Deng An’s thoughts mirrored Xu Xing’s: Princess Anren was merely a pawn in their hands. No one cared what this Deceased Country Princess truly thought or felt.
With a flash of his Escaping Light, he vanished from Yangxin Hall.
「Half an hour later.」
「Flying Feather Immortal Palace, Imperial City Peak.」
Deng An requested an audience with Song Knife and reported the matter.
"Junior Brother Xu... did consider my dignity," Song Knife remarked, inviting Deng An into his Cave Mansion. Maids served Spirit Tea to each of them.
He took a sip of Spirit Tea and nodded. "Junior Brother Xu is indeed considerate. For a descendant of my Song Family, he endured the censure of the court officials. As his Senior Brother and an elder, I cannot show no appreciation. Some days ago, the Qilin Horn Fruits in the spiritual plant garden under my name matured. I shall have someone pick some and send them to him."
Just as Xu Xing had guessed, Song Knife was a man who valued his reputation and wouldn’t accept benefits without offering Remuneration.
"As for that descendant..." Song Knife hesitated for a moment. "Ah well, just send her to the Immortal Sect, to me. If she has aptitude, let her become an Outer Sect Disciple. If not, let her live out her days carefree in the Immortal Sect for over a hundred years."
In the Mortal World, if a Mortal possessed immortal potential, they would have long been discovered by an ascension emissary and guided to the Immortal Sect for Cultivation. This Song Family descendant named Song Miyao, by his estimation, even if she possessed immortal potential, could at best reach the level of an Outer Sect Disciple. She would live a few decades longer than she might have in the Mortal World. People are not like grass or trees; how can they be devoid of emotion? Although he didn’t greatly value the Song Family bloodline, Song Miyao was, after all, a direct descendant. Guiding Song Miyao into the Sect was a trivial matter, beneficial and not costly.
"True Lord," Deng An began, his brow furrowing slightly as he heard the arrangement. "I have something to say, though I’m unsure if I should..."
"Speak your mind," Song Knife said gently, setting down his Tea Cup.
"Song Miyao harbors a blood feud against Junior Brother Xu. In the Mortal World, it would be one thing for her to die of old age, letting her carry her regrets to the grave. But once she enters the Immortal Sect, even if the chances of her obtaining an immortal destiny are extremely low... if she luckily manages to achieve some level of Cultivation, and with this blood feud, it’s hard to guarantee she won’t entertain other ideas," Deng An stated bluntly.
Not killing Song Miyao hinged on one premise: Song Miyao could not become a significant threat. She was merely a woman. Even if an ordinary person were enraged, their fury might not even cause blood to flow five steps. However, if she entered the Immortal Sect... that would be unpredictable. It could easily create trouble for Xu Xing.
"Chongming’s people lost faith in their emperor, so he was executed by the Common People. What has that to do with Junior Brother Xu?" Song Knife said dismissively. "As for his brothers... that enmity lies entirely with Liu Yan and Zhouqing, the two ministers entrusted with his care. At that time, they were enemies, not friends. It’s understandable that Junior Brother Xu showed no mercy. Besides, in the Imperial Palace, it’s not like a commoner’s family; there isn’t that much affection to be spoken of among siblings."
He casually explained further, then took out a Jade Blood Charm. "This is a Blood Oath Talisman. When you go to Fengxi Country, give it to Song Miyao. Have her swear a venomous oath to never seek revenge against Junior Brother Xu. If she violates this oath, this Blood Oath Talisman will make her understand the consequences."
Even though he harbored the intent to kill Xu Xing, it didn’t mean he sympathized with Emperor Chongming. If Emperor Chongming hadn’t already gone to the Yellow Spring, he would have, at the very least, subjected him to death by a thousand cuts to vent the hatred in his heart. The revenge, he would exact himself. Song Miyao was merely an expression of a sliver of compassion from him, the Grand Ancestor.
"Yes, True Lord Song." Deng An sighed in relief upon hearing Song Knife’s arrangement.
He was caught between a rock and a hard place, afraid of offending Song Knife, the current Dao Pill Daoist, and equally afraid of offending Xu Xing, the Sect’s future True Lineage. Now that there was a resolution that offended neither party, he was extremely satisfied.
At this moment, a Maid approached, holding a Jade Box. Inside were four Qilin Horn Fruits.
"Junior Nephew Deng, you may take two of them," Song Knife offered. "You’ve worked hard on this journey."
Song Knife was very adept at handling people. Half of the four Qilin Horn Fruits were his way of showing appreciation to Deng An. The gifts of gratitude for Xu Xing and Deng An were identical. This was a different kind of regard for Deng An. Such a small gift, yet it contained profound wisdom.
"Deng An thanks True Lord." Deng An’s mouth watered slightly at the sight of the four freshly picked Qilin Horn Fruits. However, being a man who had seen much of the world, he quickly composed himself and thanked True Lord Song with a bow.
Although the Qilin Horn Fruit was not as precious as the Purple Blooded Spirit Fruits he had previously given Xu Xing, its value was still considerable. Consuming a Qilin Horn Fruit can cleanse a person’s bloodline. One fruit could increase the strength of an Innate Realm Warrior by an additional three hundred pounds. For Cultivators in the Immortal Foundation Realm, it could also advance their Cultivation somewhat. Furthermore, the Qilin Horn Fruit was delicious, a rare delicacy. A single fruit sold in the outside world would fetch at least three to four hundred Spirit Shells.
"It’s merely some fruit, just for a taste," Song Knife said, shaking his head, unconcerned. The Qilin Horn Fruit offered no enhancement to his Cultivation; it merely satisfied a bit of his appetite. Thus, when Xu Xing had implicitly asked for a gift of gratitude, he had been generous.
"Dao Lord," Deng An said, "this Junior Nephew shall now depart for Fengxi Country." After stowing the Jade Box in the storage space of his Jade Belt, he stood up and took his leave of Song Knife.
Song Knife naturally didn’t try to keep him, merely instructing a Maid to see him off. Due to the difference in their statuses, giving him the spirit fruit as Remuneration was already sufficient. Any more would not only seem insincere but also make both parties uncomfortable.
Soon, a streak of Escaping Light departed from Imperial City Peak, heading directly north towards Fengxi Country.
「...」