Chapter 104: The Protector Emerges from Seclusion

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“Palace Lord Hua, why has this incense broken?” the Old Mountain God asked with a frown. Before Hua Yuyan could reply, the Lily of the Valley Protector swiftly swooped in with a sharp hiss, pressing her sword against my throat.

“This man must be impure, bringing misfortune to our Lingying Palace and damaging the dragon vein energy of Changbai Mountain! Palace Lord, he cannot be allowed to stay!” The protector’s expression was fierce, as if she wished to sever my throat on the spot.

The suddenness of this scene left me momentarily stunned.

Seeing this, Hua Yuyan immediately rushed forward, pushing me aside and standing between me and the sword. The protector, upon recognizing Hua Yuyan, dared not attack.

“Palace Lord, what is your meaning?” the protector asked.

“This matter has not yet been clarified. The Lily of the Valley Protector must not act rashly. Before descending the mountain, you divined with me that the first person to know my name after I come down would be my destined one, and that we would share a bond of marriage. The person I have found is him—Lin Yi,” Hua Yuyan said promptly.

Her words left me somewhat bewildered. When Hua Yuyan saved me, I wanted at least to know my savior’s name so I could repay the kindness someday. I never expected that before leaving the mountain, Hua Yuyan had such a prophecy. This misunderstanding between us might be deeper than I thought.

I wanted to speak, but seeing how Hua Yuyan had just defended me, I felt reluctant and that it was not the right moment. Then, the Lily of the Valley Protector asked again, “Does he carry your jade flute token?”

“Yes!” Hua Yuyan replied.

Indeed, I was carrying that jade flute, though I didn’t realize it was the token.

Hua Yuyan looked back, and I had no choice but to take out the jade flute.

The protector glanced at it, then sheathed her sword and said, “If that is so, then your relationship is fate. Naturally, it will not ruin the dragon vein of Changbai Mountain. If there is a problem with the dragon vein, it must be caused by other reasons. Lingxiao Protector, Jin Zhan Protector, I entrust you both to investigate this matter immediately.”

“Yes, Great Protector.”

Among the nine great protectors, the Lily of the Valley Protector was the chief. The others followed her orders.

Lingxiao Protector and Jin Zhan Protector immediately set to work investigating the issue. A problem with the dragon vein of Changbai Mountain was a grave matter, potentially threatening the very existence of Lingying Palace.

Generally, the great dragon vein’s energy only fluctuates between rise and decline; after flourishing for a long time, it naturally declines, and after a long decline, it revives. Such changes are reflected only in the quality of the incense used for divination. A broken incense stick like this is unprecedented, usually caused by two reasons: either the dragon vein was severed, or it suddenly withered.

The former might be achievable by Feng Shui masters; the latter is less likely. After all, the foundation of a great dragon vein is very stable and should not suddenly fail.

At this point, Hua Yuyan and I went outside. I wanted to explain to her, as misunderstandings only grow deeper with time. Although Wei Yang and I were a Yin-Yang marriage, the wedding had been completed, and she was my only wife. I had reasons for not speaking up earlier, partly for my own considerations and partly to protect Hua Yuyan.

“Lin Yi, you don’t need to explain. What I believe will never change,” Hua Yuyan said, looking at me with burning eyes.

“But, Miss Yuyan, this is all a misunderstanding,” I said.

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“You think it’s a misunderstanding, but I see it as fate. Lin Yi, no matter what you say, I will never abandon this bond. Everyone in Lingying Palace knows about us now. You stayed overnight in my chamber; the news has spread everywhere. Lingying Palace has no marriage restrictions. Since we shared a room, in their eyes, we are spiritual partners, no different from worldly spouses,” Hua Yuyan said, gazing at me.

“Miss Yuyan, I am already married, and I have a wife,” I replied. I hadn’t expected things to escalate to this point. Had I known, I wouldn’t have come to Lingying Palace.

Her eyes glazed over momentarily at my words, but she still said, “I don’t care.”

“I do. I cannot betray my wife,” I said. This development was unexpected. Suddenly, I remembered my grandfather’s parting instructions. He seemed to have foreseen this. I never understood why he forbade Wei Yang from coming. Now, I almost understand, but I cannot grasp why he would do such a thing.

“Just because you cannot betray your wife, doesn’t mean you can betray me, right?” Hua Yuyan asked.

“I’m sorry, Miss Yuyan,” I said. I honestly didn’t know what else to say. I took out the jade flute and handed it to her.

She glanced at it and gave a bitter smile. “This jade flute represents the life-saving grace you owe me. You said you would repay it. If you return this jade flute, I will let you repay your debt with yourself. Would you be willing?”

Her words left me speechless.

Seeing my silence, Hua Yuyan continued, “Enough, Lin Yi. No matter how long it takes, my heart will always belong only to you.”

I was about to speak, but Hua Yuyan turned away, covering her face. “Lin Yi, please, don’t say anything more.”

Seeing her like this made me deeply uncomfortable. She saved me and is my benefactor, but I cannot betray Wei Yang because of it.

At that moment, a disciple of the Earth Path hurried over and said, “Greetings, Palace Lord. Greetings, Young Master Lin! Lingxiao Protector and Jin Zhan Protector have returned from their investigation into the dragon vein energy of Changbai Mountain and seem to have results. All protectors are waiting for you both to discuss the matter.”

“Good!” Hua Yuyan replied curtly.

After a moment, she turned back, her eyes red. I dared not say more, knowing that any further words would only hurt her.

Back in the great hall of Lingying Palace, Hua Yuyan immediately asked, “Lingxiao Protector, Jin Zhan Protector, what exactly is wrong with the dragon vein of Changbai Mountain? Why did the incense break? Has anyone sabotaged the dragon vein?” If so, since the foundation is stable, there might still be a way to repair it.

However, Lingxiao Protector and Jin Zhan Protector both frowned. Lingxiao Protector said, “Palace Lord, to be honest, the dragon vein of Changbai Mountain is nearly exhausted. Countless living beings have died. Even the water of the Heavenly Pool is almost dried up.”

“What? How could this be?”

Hua Yuyan’s face paled.

“I and Jin Zhan Protector have explored the source of the dragon vein. It’s not just the dragon vein itself; even the source is nearly depleted. This might…”

“Might what?” Hua Yuyan asked.

“Might be that Heaven intends to destroy the Changbai dragon vein,” Lingxiao Protector said with a frown.

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These words caused an uproar outside the hall. The “Heaven” referred to the Heavenly Dao, the celestial law governing the rise and fall of all things. If Heaven intends to destroy the Changbai dragon vein, then its demise is inevitable.

“That’s impossible! The great Changbai dragon vein has lasted thousands of years and cannot perish overnight. We will immediately burn the Celestial Incense to pray and see what Heaven’s will truly is!” the Lily of the Valley Protector shouted angrily.

The Earth Path disciples quickly set up the altar by the Heavenly Pool.

Hua Yuyan, as Palace Lord, presided over the ritual. The eight great protectors took their positions guarding the eight directions. Then Hua Yuyan lit the Celestial Incense and awaited Heaven’s guidance.

However, halfway through burning, the incense suddenly broke without warning, just like the dragon vein incense.

Heaven rejects the incense—there is definitely a hidden conspiracy.

At that moment, another Earth Path disciple hurried up the mountain and knelt down, saying, “Greetings, Palace Lord, greetings, esteemed Great Protectors! The other four chief protectors from the Taiyin Shrine have all emerged from seclusion. They have gathered an army of thirty thousand wild immortals and are marching toward our Changbai Mountain!”

“They have been burning, killing, and pillaging along the way, leaving nothing but scorched earth and suffering. They vow to march straight to Lingying Palace to avenge Third Young Master Hu!”

The Lily of the Valley Protector stepped forward and asked, “Wild immortal forces number at most ten thousand. How could there be thirty thousand?”

“That was their original strength, but the four chief protectors of the Taiyin Shrine have returned from seclusion, seemingly reaching a new level of cultivation. They have brought an additional twenty thousand wild immortals with them,” the disciple explained.

The Lily of the Valley Protector turned to Hua Yuyan, awaiting her decision.

Hua Yuyan said, “Immediately send a message to the Luoshen Protector at the Shanhaiguan Pass. Strictly defend against any wild immortal invasion!”

“Yes!”

“Other great protectors, take your positions and hold the Changbai Mountain guardian formation. Lin Yi, Old Mountain God, accompany me down the mountain to confront and repel the wild immortals and protect the people outside the pass!”

“Yes!”

The protectors immediately mobilized. However, the Lily of the Valley Protector remained still, saying, “Palace Lord, leave the defense against the wild immortals to me. Now that the energy of Changbai Mountain is declining, you must not risk descending the mountain and endangering yourself!”

“This is an order!” Hua Yuyan said firmly. Her words brooked no refusal.

“Yes!”

The Palace Lord’s order was absolute. Although worried, the Lily of the Valley Protector had no choice but to comply.

Afterward, Hua Yuyan returned to her chamber. A short while later, she emerged dressed in white armor and a long robe of war. Standing outside the hall, sword in hand, she marshaled her troops with imposing authority.