Chapter Eighty-Three: Reunion

The journey pressed on.

Having lost his carriage, Shi Yan could only spend his days deep in thought atop his horse, relentlessly searching for a way to merge the Seal of Life and the Seal of Death. Each night, whenever there was a spare moment, he would find an excuse to slip away and put the insights he’d gained during the day into practice.

Yet every attempt to fuse the two seals ended in failure. The merging of Life and Death Seals was evidently a task of great difficulty; no matter how he tried, he could not release both at the same instant. It was always either the Seal of Life surging forth first, or the Seal of Death erupting ahead of its counterpart. To combine the two, he knew, the first step was to let them burst simultaneously from his palm—only then could true fusion be possible.

This required a level of control so exquisite that the rhythm of refining energy and negative power had to be utterly synchronized, without the slightest error. Shi Yan understood this in theory, but when it came to execution, he found it nearly impossible to achieve, failing each time.

As they drew ever closer to the entrance of the Desolate Marsh, Shi Yan ceased his nightly attempts, realizing that using the Seals consumed both his vital and negative energies. Each practice left his body weak for some time, especially the cultivation of the Seal of Death, which required an outburst—one that always exacted a backlash.

To ensure he would be in peak condition upon entering the Desolate Marsh, he grudgingly suspended further practice. Having decided not to immerse himself so fully in his efforts, Shi Yan allowed his taut nerves to relax. Throughout the remainder of the journey, he stopped brooding and found time to converse with Wu Yunlian and Zuo Shi.

Through these days of traveling together, Shi Yan came to know both Wu Yunlian and Zuo Shi better. Though their relationship was not especially warm, there had been no conflicts. Yet Shi Yan’s astonishing remarks often piqued their curiosity. Coming from a highly developed society, Shi Yan held the prevalent monarchical system of Grace Continent in disdain, and would frequently make statements that were nothing short of heretical. On reflection, however, his words possessed a certain undeniable logic.

Shi Yan advocated equality for all, was deeply averse to the idea of a single individual ruling a nation’s fate, and held the direct influence of the so-called noble families over the state in contempt. These ideas were profoundly shocking to both Zuo Shi and Wu Yunlian, often leaving them speechless, unable to find a counterargument. Even Han Feng, Ku Long, and Chu Ping occasionally found themselves compelled to ask questions, curious about the ideal governmental system Shi Yan described.

As a traveler from another world, Shi Yan had an absolute advantage in such discussions; his soul-stirring words could instantly shatter their understanding of the world. His views on gender equality, in particular, fascinated Wu Yunlian and Zuo Shi. On the Grace Continent, women’s status was abysmally low—prominent men having multiple wives and concubines was taken for granted, and powerless women being traded as commodities was the norm.

Zuo Shi, born into a great family with outstanding martial talent, and Wu Yunlian, having honed her skills through arduous self-cultivation, both stood outside the fate of most women, and were far luckier. Yet, as natives of the Grace Continent, they had witnessed the wretched destinies of countless women firsthand, and so found themselves longing for Shi Yan’s vision of gender equality and monogamy.

Although Shi Yan retained some traces of chauvinism, he bore no prejudice toward women. When conversing with Zuo Shi and Wu Yunlian, he treated them as equals, discussing any topic without reservation or condescension, unlike most men, who spoke only to please and stuck to trivialities.

Gradually, both Wu Yunlian and Zuo Shi’s attitudes toward Shi Yan changed greatly. Though they still found him odd, they began to appreciate his candor and uniqueness.

That day, Shi Yan rode beside the Zuo family carriage, discussing the division of roles between men and women. From time to time, Zuo Shi and Wu Yunlian would lift the curtains to look at him in amazement, eager for his next bold assertion.

“Men working outside and women raising children at home—such a system has always existed. Yet with the march of civilization, it’s bound to change. In many fields, women possess unique advantages; there are things men do poorly that women can handle with ease,” Shi Yan said calmly, pontificating from horseback. “Take education, floristry, accounting—and, well, even as brothel madams—men can hardly replace women in these roles.”

“Bah!” Zuo Shi scoffed from within the carriage, her face reddening as she glared at Shi Yan. “You always turn serious talk into nonsense! Scoundrel!”

Shi Yan merely smiled, unfazed by her rebuke. “I genuinely believe women excel in certain respects, more so than men. Of course, most men on the Grace Continent would never agree—unless a woman is a powerful martial artist, the average woman is seen as little more than a pampered pet.”

Wu Yunlian sighed and nodded. “That’s why I’ve fought so hard to be a warrior. Only by attaining true power can a woman escape a miserable fate, instead of marrying and toiling away for a man all her life, forbidden from any real social interaction. It’s truly pitiful.”

“Young master, we’ve arrived,” Han Feng interrupted, pointing ahead. “People from the Misty Pavilion are waiting.”

Shi Yan’s attention sharpened. In the distance, three black dots appeared on the horizon.

Wu Yunlian’s expression grew solemn. “Everyone, be careful. The Misty Pavilion are outsiders to us. That woman has reached the Heaven realm; we must stay alert.”

All nodded in agreement. Shi Yan frowned slightly, uncertain how Xia Xinyan would react to seeing him again. The last time, before she fainted, she had clearly noticed him; she must have deduced why she found herself at the Misty Rain Tower. He wondered if she would confront him now.

Still, Shi Yan was not overly worried. His only transgression against Xia Xinyan at the Misty Rain Tower had occurred while she was unconscious; she should have no knowledge of it.

Throughout their journey, Xia Xinyan had kept a watchful distance from Shi Yan’s group. Although she had tossed out half of the treasure map with little hesitation, she remained wary that the Zuo and Shi families might try to act behind her back. As a result, she overheard much of Shi Yan’s conversations with Wu Yunlian and Zuo Shi.

Though she hadn’t yet met Shi Yan face to face, she found herself increasingly intrigued by him and his strange ideas. As a woman, she too had witnessed the subordination of her gender, and inwardly applauded some of Shi Yan’s views, finding him quite unlike the average man.

However, when Shi Yan’s figure finally appeared before her, she recognized him instantly and couldn’t suppress a surge of annoyance. The events of that night were seared into her memory. More than once, after waking in the night, she had felt as though she were back at the Misty Rain Tower—remembering herself unconscious on the floor of a private room, while a certain someone brazenly indulged himself with two courtesans right before her eyes.

The memory alone was enough to rile her.

At last, Shi Yan stood before her. Xia Xinyan gave him only a passing glance before pointing at him and saying, “Come with me. I have some questions for you.”

Wu Yunlian, Zuo Shi, Han Feng, and the others all looked at her in bewilderment, not understanding why she would single out Shi Yan rather than inquire about Chi Xiao’s whereabouts.

Shi Yan had expected as much. He nodded calmly. “All right.”

His composure only deepened their confusion.

Han Feng hesitated, a little worried. “Young master…”

“It’s nothing,” Shi Yan waved him off, following Xia Xinyan with a casual air.

They soon stopped beneath an ancient tree.

“Where do your peculiar ideas come from?” To Shi Yan’s surprise, Xia Xinyan didn’t immediately question him about the Misty Rain Tower, but instead asked this.

Shi Yan blinked. “What ideas?”

“Your thoughts on monarchy, gender equality, and the like,” she said, gazing at him curiously.

A flash of insight crossed Shi Yan’s eyes—her words confirmed she had been listening in this whole time. Thoughts raced through his mind before he replied lightly, “I like studying ancient history. These are my own conjectures. Who knows, perhaps in the not-too-distant future, they might become reality.”

“You thought of them yourself?” Xia Xinyan’s beautiful eyes shone as she stared at him, stunned for a long moment before replying, “As a woman, I hope your predictions come true one day. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that you’re a lecher!”

Shi Yan couldn’t help but laugh. He nodded, unabashed. “That’s true—I admit it. It’s a man’s nature, nothing to hide. But I don’t think I’ve done anything to you. In fact, I saved you. If you hadn’t been at the brothel that night, the Beiming family might have found you. From that perspective, you should thank me.”

Xia Xinyan looked surprised; she clearly hadn’t expected such frankness. She hesitated, her expression conflicted between anger and the urge to scold him, but at a loss for words. He had already admitted to being a lecher, so what was the point of calling him one now?

Frustrated, she finally shook her head. “You did save my life, but I don’t feel grateful. I don’t want anyone to know what happened that night. Do you understand?”

Her eyes grew cold, the threat in her tone unmistakable.

“Don’t worry, I’m not that bored,” Shi Yan replied indifferently.

“Then—did you do anything else to me that night?” Suddenly, Xia Xinyan looked flustered.

“Anything else?” Shi Yan feigned confusion. “What do you mean?”

A wave of anger welled up in Xia Xinyan’s heart. She gritted her teeth, repeating the word “calm” to herself several times, and finally snapped, “I’m asking if you took advantage of me!”

Of course I did! Shi Yan thought, but kept a straight face. “No, I’m not that kind of person.”

“You’re not that kind of person?!” Xia Xinyan’s eyes widened. She realized she was easily provoked by him. Biting her lip, she sneered, “At a time when your family was at war, you still had the mind to seek pleasure in a brothel, yet you claim not to be that kind of person? What a joke!”

“It’s just a normal physical need,” Shi Yan replied coolly.

Xia Xinyan stared at him, her eyes flickering with disdain, disgust, and anger. At last, she waved him off. “I want you to forget everything about that night! You saved my life, I’ll remember that. On this expedition to the Heavenly Gate, I’ll do my best to keep you safe, and after that, we’ll owe each other nothing!”

With that, unable to linger any longer, Xia Xinyan turned and strode away, still fuming with nowhere to vent her anger.

“Then allow me to thank you in advance!” Shi Yan called after her, a faint smile on his lips, as if completely unaware of her displeasure.

High above, a dense cloud drifted across the sky.

Upon it perched a ten-meter-long, fifth-rank demon beast—the Gale Hawk. Sitting astride its back were Beiming Shang, Beiming Ce, Yin Kui, Jiu Shan, Mu Yudie, and Di Yalan.

At the hawk’s head, Beiming Shang peered down at the distant, ant-like figures below and said in a low voice, “They’re heading for the Desolate Marsh.”

“Grandfather, when do we show ourselves?”

“Once they reach their destination,” Beiming Shang replied, frowning. “Chi Xiao shouldn’t be long. He’s the real Heaven-realm expert—he might notice us. Let’s leave ahead of them.”

Mu Yudie flexed her fingers eagerly, her bright eyes full of anticipation.

With a sudden beat of its wings, the Gale Hawk soared away, shrinking to a black speck as it sped toward the Desolate Marsh, soon vanishing from sight.