Chapter Three: The Celestial Lord of Eight Trigrams

Heavenly Palace

Jiang Li stifled a yawn as she gazed down at the old ministers before her, listening to their “familiar platitudes.” Her mind began to wander once more. She’d heard yesterday that Xu Ri’s newly acquired concubine had been beaten up by Feng You, and even Xu Ri himself hadn’t been spared. Sure enough, after searching the court for half the day, there was no sign of Xu Ri.

Suppressing laughter, Jiang Li maintained a mask of stern seriousness as she listened to the ministers’ reports below.

Every day, it was nothing but trivial matters—not worth mentioning! How dull!

Her thoughts drifting, Jiang Li let her mind roam freely, her posture upright on the surface while her spirit soared far beyond the clouds. Xu Ri was, after all, a descendant of the divine golden crow, and as for Feng You—she was none other than Jiang Li’s former fiancée. Due to some rather unfriendly incidents, that was all long in the past now.

Looking back, Jiang Li felt fortunate that things hadn’t worked out. Otherwise, the morning court in the heavens would be more off than on—three days of fishing, two days of drying the nets.

“Heavenly Sovereign, Heavenly Sovereign…”

“Yes, yes, I’m listening. Does the Star Lord have anything further to add?”

The new Lord of the Constellation originally governed the mortal world’s wind and rain, but a sea-dwelling demon dragon had forcibly intervened, stealing his role. Now the mortals’ offerings to him grew ever fewer.

How was he to support his household now?

“I leave the final decision to the Heavenly Sovereign.”

With a flourish of his robe, the Star Lord dropped to his knees, earnestly beseeching.

The other immortals glanced from the Star Lord to the sovereign seated above in the great hall, sighing with helpless resignation.

Jiang Li lowered her head, feigning deep thought. “The Star Lord’s words are not without reason, but this is a grave matter. I must deliberate further.”

“Heavenly Sovereign…”

Jiang Li turned her head, pretending not to see. “Is there any other minister with a memorial to present?”

No sooner had the words left her lips than the heavens and earth began to shake. Sight wavered; chaos erupted among the immortals in the palace. When all had steadied themselves, they discovered their sovereign had taken shelter beneath the jade desk.

The ministers flushed with shame and humiliation.

“Heavenly Sovereign!”

“No need to worry, beloved ministers, I am well. Quite well.”

The ministers turned away, thinking, Heavenly Sovereign, you misunderstand. We are merely embarrassed by your undignified behavior.

Supported by a nearby guard, Jiang Li emerged, adjusting the crown atop her head. A string of pearls swayed violently, striking her forehead and leaving a crimson mark on her snow-white skin. Jiang Li calmly steadied the crown, paying no heed to the ministers’ sighs of exasperation.

At that moment, an armored celestial soldier burst in from outside, his steps frantic, his expression panicked. “Reporting—Heavenly Sovereign! The fiend of the demon clan, Qingtian, has escaped!”

“What!”

Instantly, the hall exploded with noise and debate.

“Wasn’t Qingtian imprisoned beneath the Purgatory of Hundred Demons by the previous Lord of the Demon Realm, Ji Wen? How could he have escaped?”

“Indeed! Qingtian was a stone demon born of the immortal divine stone, who by chance awakened an ancient bloodline and the boundless power within. That great war back then owed much to her efforts—she was finally suppressed by the previous demon lord. Who knows why she’s managed to escape now, growing ever more brazen?”

Hearing this, the Star Lord’s face turned ashen. “Stop, stop, don’t speak of it. Such things should not be uttered lightly.”

“What’s there to fear? That one has long since perished, not even a corpse remains. Even the ancient bloodline left behind by that war has been devoured by all manner of demons and fiends. What’s to fear of her now?”

Unwilling to be near him, the Star Lord shifted away.

As the debate raged, a massive boulder crashed down from the sky, smashing a hole through the great hall.

“The five realms are without virtue, conspiring to murder my lord. Today is the day of your reckoning!”

With those words, another giant stone plummeted.

All the immortals scattered in panic. Qingtian might be all brute strength and little wit, but her favored tactic—hurling stones—was truly terrifying. Those stones could absorb all manner of magical power; whether immortal or demon, any who touched them found their powers drained. The thought sent shivers down every spine.

“Hurry! Summon the Supreme Lord at once!”

While heaven was thrown into chaos, Yin Xun leisurely slept until she woke naturally. Had it not been for the unbearable hunger of her mortal body, not even the collapse of the sky would have roused her.

Yin Xun donned the pale blue robe hanging by the screen—only a thin inner garment beneath—and stretched recklessly toward the reddening sky.

“Wonderful!”

Suddenly, a daytime meteor streaked across the distant sky.

“Huh? The sky really is falling…”

“Whatever,” she said with a wave, following her nose to the kitchen, tucked into the southeast corner of the courtyard.

“Li Er’s wife, there’s no firewood for the stove. Go fetch some.” The kitchen was spacious but occupied only by a single maidservant, clad in a deep gray dress with a red vest, bustling about.

Yin Xun paused. Was she Li Er’s wife?

Not only was the name exasperating, but the looks were mediocre as well—did her name have to be so ridiculous?

“Hey, why are you just standing there?” The maid turned and, startled, landed in the ashes beside the stove. Luckily, it wasn’t hot, or there would have been real trouble.

She hurriedly knelt, prostrating herself in terror. “Young master, why have you left your bed?”

Yin Xun’s smile faltered. Young master?

“This place is filthy, and your illness is not yet healed, young master. Best not to come here. The medicine is ready—I’ll have Li Er’s wife bring it to you shortly.”

Still reeling from being addressed as “young master,” Yin Xun could not quite recover her composure.

“Bring the evening meal as well.”

Bracing herself on the doorframe, Yin Xun took her leave.

Once the footsteps faded, the maid stood, dusted the ashes from her trousers, and her tone became utterly calm, as placid as a lifeless pool. “How did she wake up?”

Returning to the bedroom, Yin Xun hastily shut the door, peeled open her clothes, and looked in the bronze mirror. Though the body was small, it was unmistakably female.

Could it be that the world had changed so much since she last descended from the mountain?

What kind of place was this?

She opened the wardrobe; as expected, it was filled with men’s clothing.

What secrets was the owner of this body hiding?

A knock sounded at the door. Yin Xun quickly fastened her clothes and draped the outer robe over her shoulders.

“Come in.”

The door swung open to admit a slender, frail-looking maid—surely Li Er’s wife.

Yin Xun watched her closely. The little maid kept her head lowered as she set the meal, not even daring a glance.

Quite an obedient one.

Yin Xun sat at the table. The maid prepared to withdraw.

“Wait. Attend me here.”

Startled, the maid hesitated, then quietly stood to one side, head bowed, silent as a cloud. If not for the faint sound of her breathing, Yin Xun would have thought a wisp of mist stood beside her.

“Li Er’s wife?”

Judging by the maid’s demeanor, it seemed the original inhabitant of this body was indifferent, even evasive, toward those around her. Yin Xun tried calling out—and hit the mark.

“Does young master have any orders?”

The little maid knelt on the ground, looking about fifteen or sixteen.

“Do you have any other name?”

The maid nodded. “My crude name is not fit for your ears, young master.”

Yin Xun shook her head, chopsticks in hand. “Very well. From now on, you will be called West Pool.”

The maid looked puzzled, as if she wanted to ask the origin but did not dare. She kept her decorum.

“I saw you live in the room beside the western pond, so I chose the name ‘West Pool.’ This should be easy to remember.”

In fact, Yin Xun had never seen it. On her way back from the kitchen, she’d heard breathing in the rooms by the pond and guessed someone was changing clothes there.

“West Pool thanks young master for the name.”

Yin Xun nodded. “Good—come serve me.”

West Pool first washed her hands thoroughly before reentering to arrange the dishes. Yin Xun grew ever more satisfied.

After the evening meal, Yin Xun felt utterly refreshed—barring that bowl of medicine, so bitter it made her heart twist.

“West Pool, grind ink for me.”

“Yes, young master.”

Yin Xun took up the brush and wrote a character, then pointed at West Pool, who kept her head bowed. “Do you recognize this?”

West Pool glanced up briefly, then lowered her eyes again. “Yes. It is my name.”

“You can read?” Yin Xun was genuinely surprised.