(T/N: That is all of my stocked-up chapters; now it's going to be 1 chapter a day.)
Taoran's life flashed before his eyes as it approached its end.
The final moments froze on images: Baiheng's fall, the High Elder's betrayal, Yingxing's transformation into a blade, the birth of the draconic abomination, and the Swordmaster's descent into mara.
That day, he knew better than anyone: if Dan Feng took that irreversible step, he, Taoran, would replace him as the most revered figure among the Vidyadhara.
Would he then truly gain everything? Completely wrong. Since ancient times, the Xianzhou has never judged heroes solely by success or failure.
Vidyadhara, Xianzhou natives, and Foxians—all sang the praises of the High-cloud Quintet's past.
But he, though a Vidyadhara Dragonfang, was cursed and blamed by future generations, his name eternally tarnished.
Jing Yuan, Feixiao, and Huaiyan arrived together.
The moment Taoran saw Jing Yuan, he clung to him like a final lifeline.
"General Jing Yuan! Save this old man! This old man knows his wrongs! Give me one more chance!"
Jing Yuan's gaze, deep as an abyss, finally rested on Taoran for a moment. Then he turned and walked away.
Baiheng. Master. Dan Feng. Yingxing. Dragonfang Taoran—finally brought to justice. And the one behind Taoran... I will find him in my remaining years.
Taoran stood frozen, then looked desperately at the other two.
"General Huaiyan! Merlin's Claw General!!"
"Save this old man! Though I have a hundred faults, I have one merit! I did it all for the Vidyadhara!!"
Feixiao summoned her foxian bow. An arrow shot forth. Taoran dodged, but his horn was snapped. He glared at them all, roaring.
"This old man demands a trial by the Six Commissions!! This old man demands—"
Bailu leaped up. Her tail swept across Taoran's face.
Taoran stared at her, dumbfounded.
Though the attack did little damage, it utterly destroyed what remained of the Dragonfang's dignity.
"You!! Bailu! You deserve to die! I'll—"
Bam.
Feixiao fired another arrow. She expected him to dodge again. Instead, he collapsed and did not rise.
Bailu stepped forward to check. She blinked. Completely beyond saving?! Wasn't I supposed to land the final blow?!
Seeing Bailu stomp her foot in frustration, Huaiyan closed his eyes and smiled faintly.
"Vidyadhara Dragon Lady. Taoran's crimes are confirmed. By the decree of the Ten-Lords Commission and the Six Commissions' Six Edicts, he is executed first and judged afterward. His soul shall be imprisoned forever in the Luofu's Ancient Sea, punished for eternity, never to reincarnate."
As Huaiyan finished speaking, Xueyi, a judge of the Ten-Lords Commission, appeared. She bound Taoran's soul and sealed it within the Ancient Sea.
Feixiao leaped down and spoke first.
"Madam Herta. Madam Ruan Mei. Thank you for your aid to the Xianzhou. We are deeply grateful."
Herta crossed her arms casually.
"Skip the pleasantries. What's the thank-you gift?"
Huaiyan and Feixiao presented Herta with one vermilion and one white alliance jade token.
"And?"
They exchanged glances. Herta produced five more Alliance Jade tokens of different colors.
"Here. See for yourselves."
Huaiyan remained calm, but even Feixiao's face showed a flicker of surprise.
"This one is from the term of the previous Tengxiao... This is Yueyu's... This is Yaoqing's... And this one is from the Cangcheng era."
Feixiao stared at the token once belonging to the Yaoqing.
It was the only surviving relic of her master, Yueyu—the only one never sealed.
Memories flooded back.
Her master had saved her from despair. Her master had taught her to fight. Her master had introduced her to Yukong and had brought them together.
Feixiao fought back tears.
"May I... look at this one more closely?"
"By all means."
Seeing Feixiao's reluctance to part with Yueyu's token, Ruan Mei understood.
Feixiao's wish is far from simple. Sigh. Not everyone is like Firefly.
"Herta. I'd like to talk to you alone."
Herta blinked. A rare expression of shock crossed her face. Could it be?! Perhaps?! Maybe?!
"You... what do you want to talk about? Alone? Fine. I agree."
Herta agreed before Ruan Mei could even answer her own questions.
When they were away from the others,
"Ruan Mei. If you have something to say, just say it."
Ruan Mei turned to face her. Herta's eyes held anticipation, hope, and light.
"Is my sleeve pendant finished?"
Ruan Mei shook her head slightly.
"Ah?! Then... did you accidentally discover a potential key to the Unknowable Domain?"
"It has nothing to do with the Simulated Universe or the Unknowable Domain."
Herta took a deep breath, calming herself.
"Do you have some important promise to make? Some particularly solemn declaration to impart?!"
Ruan Mei cast a cool glance at Herta, then looked around. Nothing but the roaring waves of the Ancient Sea. Noisy. Chaotic.
In an environment like this, even a confession would be rejected. Or dismissed as a "social experiment."
She might even claim the waves were too loud and she didn't hear me.
[How do you know if you don't try?] ♪
The ethereal, heavenly voice echoed in her mind.
"It would be rejected."
[Then just confess again tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is yesterday's future. Tomorrow is a brand new day—a brand new confession.] ♪
"You mean I should confess multiple times? Until this genius among geniuses, Herta, finally accepts?!"
[Hmm? Is that not allowed?] ♪
Silence. Deathly silence. At this moment, Ruan Mei craved stillness more than Fuli.
Seeing Ruan Mei's expression darken, Herta stepped forward and spoke softly.
"What's wrong, Ruan Mei?"
Ruan Mei gazed into Herta's amethyst eyes, clear as mirrors. For once, she looked away.
"This isn't like you."
Herta gritted her teeth and crossed her arms. In an instant, she resumed her usual proud, confident demeanor.
"If you have something to say, say it! I don't want to waste time."
"Return Yueyu's alliance jade token to Feixiao."
Herta opened her mouth to refuse. Ruan Mei offered her a plum blossom cake.
Herta turned away with proud aloofness—then took the cake.
"Fine. I have no use for that thing anyway. Feixiao can keep it as a souvenir."
When they returned, Herta feigned composure with a cough.
"White fox. Take this token."
Feixiao blinked. Just as she was about to thank her, Herta pulled her aside.
"Don't grovel in gratitude. Just remember: don't go looking for Ruan Mei. Stay away from her. Got it?!"
Feixiao's foxian ears drooped slightly. She was still processing.
"Madam Herta. You and Madam Ruan Mei are both my benefactors. From now on, your enemies are my enemies."
Herta rolled her eyes. The "Great Victory" General, indeed.
"Fine. But this one's trouble."
"Who?"
"Better you don't know."
Feixiao fell silent.