Chapter 36: The Frosted Moon Conceals the Fading Sun

When he awoke again, dawn had already arrived. Perhaps it was because they were near the Panmi Marshlands that even the sunlight seemed unable to penetrate into the City of Death Ridge; only a dim, reddish disc hung in the southeastern sky, and the entire city exuded a bizarre and chilling atmosphere in the morning.

“What’s happened to you, Master Ji?”

After Sumu awoke and washed, he saw Master Ji being helped into the room by several people, his entire face flushed a deep red.

“Bah, that Zhou Chan, up to no good as always! He relied on his cultivated vital essence to dissipate the effects of the wine, thinking I wouldn’t notice? That’s cheating! In all my years, I’ve never lost to anyone in drinking. Tell that knave Zhou to bring out his finest wine again!”

Sumu had never seen the usually composed Master Ji in such a state, and felt somewhat awkward and at a loss.

Heiya pressed both hands against Master Ji’s back, channeling his energy. A pure current of vital force surged through Heiya’s palms into Master Ji’s meridians and blood vessels. Moments later, an invisible vapor began to seep from Master Ji’s pores, filling the room with the fragrance of wine.

After a while, Master Ji settled himself on a chair. The flush on his face gradually faded, and he downed two cups of hot tea before letting out a long sigh.

“Ah, I lost my composure. That Zhou Chan was bent on making a fool of me.”

Sumu hurried forward and asked, “Master, were you forced to drink? Your tolerance seems rather poor.”

Heiya and the others dropped their heads, not daring to show the slightest smile in front of Master Ji, though they secretly admired Sumu’s boldness—daring to tease Master Ji himself. Yet they didn’t know that Sumu meant no mischief; he was simply a youth who spoke his mind without a filter.

“Nonsense! When I traveled the world, drinking the finest wines, you were still in your mother’s womb! You’ve never seen my prowess—never drunk after a thousand cups!”

It was as if Sumu had touched a raw nerve. The man who never quibbled about anything slammed his teacup down and stood up to protest, startling Sumu into clicking his tongue in awe.

“Enough idle talk, come here. I must give you a few instructions.”

Master Ji’s old face reddened, and he hurriedly changed the subject. Sumu obediently stepped forward to listen.

“In this City of Death Ridge, with so many people, there are also countless troubles. You need only remember to abide by two and a half rules—never break them!”

“Two and a half?” Sumu scratched his head in confusion at this odd phrase, but Master Ji nodded in confirmation. “Two and a half!”

“I know what you’re thinking. Listen well. The first rule: never defy Lord Zhou. He is the law in this city. His words are as commands from heaven. You may contradict me here, but you must never ignore Lord Zhou. Do you understand?”

Sumu nodded, understanding that for Lord Zhou to maintain order in such a perilous place, he must be an extraordinary man.

“The second rule: never provoke Lady Yue.”

As he uttered Lady Yue’s name, Master Ji grew solemn, his brows furrowed and his right hand unconsciously stroking his beard, as if even mentioning her was taboo.

“Master, is Lady Yue someone like Lord Zhou? Where can I find her?”

Sumu nodded solemnly, repeating Lady Yue’s name to himself several times, determined to remember it so as not to offend her inadvertently in the future.

Heiya chuckled and chimed in, “Lady Yue goes wherever she pleases. If you try to ask about her or follow her, you must have a death wish.”

“Is she really so formidable? She sounds rather ill-tempered. Does she enjoy killing as well?”

Heiya smiled and continued, “If Lady Yue takes a liking to something, she takes it. If she fancies a treasure, she seizes it. If she takes a dislike to someone and wants to beat them, that person must obediently offer their face and even ask if her hand hurts and offer to strike themselves instead.”

“How can anyone be so overbearing? Is she so unreasonable just because of her power? Does Lord Zhou not intervene?”

Sumu was indignant, for his own conduct was always upright and he despised arrogance and wantonness. Lady Yue’s ways greatly displeased him.

Master Ji and Heiya exchanged glances and burst into laughter. Sumu was baffled, wondering what he had said wrong.

“Strictly speaking, Lady Yue is just an ordinary person. But she comes from the Underworld, and her body is so strange that no one knows if she’s even human.”

Master Ji’s tone shifted, his words bringing a chill to the hall.

“Lady Yue calls herself Yue and never speaks of her origins. No one dares to threaten her—or rather, no one can.”

“She’s always in white, her beauty unrivaled, but her eyes are blue—the mark of those from the Underworld. Everyone recognized her upon her arrival.”

“At first, many sought to take advantage of her. She bore no star essence and seemed harmless, so countless people tried to kidnap her to pry out the Underworld’s secrets. Yet none survived. Some died instantly, others were left in pieces.”

Master Ji’s tale grew quicker and stranger, silencing the hall. Sumu listened intently, hearing only the sound of people swallowing nervously—clearly, they had witnessed Lady Yue’s power.

“I saw it with my own eyes. Lady Yue sat quietly to the side as several masters at the Celestial Son level attacked together, their might altering heaven and earth. Some soul cultivators unleashed hurricanes and flames, while others wielded flying blades. Several essence cultivators, armed with divine weapons, charged at her. Yet even in such peril, Lady Yue never stood up.”

Master Ji’s trembling hands betrayed his unease, and if such a cultivator was shaken, the others were surely terrified.

“First, those flying blades turned and flew back, faster than before, cutting down their wielders. Then, the hurricanes and flames vanished as if they’d never existed. The soul cultivators’ divine links were severed, their power rebounding and driving them mad.”

“The essence cultivators fared even worse. As soon as they approached Lady Yue, their bodies were torn apart, though they were as tough as iron. It was as if some invisible spirit protected her, making her untouchable.”

The hall was silent for a long time before Sumu stammered, “But if Lady Yue is so powerful, why does she stay in the City of Death Ridge and not leave?”

Master Ji replied with a bitter smile, “According to her, this is her first time outside, and she likes it here…”

“Fortunately, Lady Yue hasn’t gone to our heartland, or the cultivation world would know no peace! So let Zhou Chan bear the brunt of her mischief here. Luckily, she’s just mischievous and doesn’t kill without cause. So as long as you don’t provoke her, you’ll be fine.”

Master Ji forced a few laughs and beckoned everyone. “Let’s go, we’ve rested enough. There’s still business to attend to at the Battle Wastes.”

Everyone hurried to follow Master Ji out the door.

“Master, you haven’t told me about the half rule yet!” Sumu suddenly remembered.

Master Ji laughed. “Silly boy, the half rule is that you mustn’t fight in the city—but if no one finds out, it doesn’t count. So it’s only half a rule, isn’t it?”

Sumu smacked his forehead, chiding himself for his foolishness.

The city looked much the same as yesterday, but in Sumu’s eyes the hurrying figures seemed more suspicious, any one of them possibly a villain.

The Battle Wastes stood at the city’s center, occupying a vast area. It was open only two days a week for duels; at all other times, not even the gravest grudges could be settled there.

But the Battle Wastes was more than a dueling ground. It contained dozens of arenas, each designated by cultivation level. Only life-and-death duels between specified opponents were unrestricted; all other matches, whether for training or betting, were segregated by realm.

Sumu and his companions arrived on an open day, when half the city seemed to be present—some to observe and learn, others to cheer, others to place wagers.

At the edge of each arena stood a high platform where several thought cultivators sat cross-legged, their mental power constantly sweeping over the crowd. When Sumu was scanned by one, his hair stood on end, as if exposed and defenseless.

Heiya said loudly, “Don’t worry here. No matter how many people there are, with Lord Zhou’s thought cultivators watching, no one dares resort to underhanded means.”

Sumu understood why everyone was so relaxed.

With spirits high, Sumu gazed about, delighted by the duels in every arena, the cheers and curses filling the air with excitement.

Yet Master Ji did not linger. He led the group to a particular arena, where they saw a row of soft canopies draped in gauze. Inside were several tables carved from rare woods, their scent refreshing, and the tea upon them fragrant.

Around each table sat several cultivators, discussing the matches while dozens of solemn guards stood watch nearby.

Master Ji waved for his group to halt and stepped forward alone. The guards bowed with respect, clearly recognizing his distinguished status.

Those seated at the tables were of no ordinary rank, yet none rose to greet Master Ji. He was unbothered, choosing a nearby seat with ease.

“So, Master Ji, you’ve come early this year. Lost too many men and eager to replenish your ranks? I have a few promising candidates, but whether they follow you depends on their own fortune.”

As Master Ji sat down, a man in white at his side spoke indifferently, not even glancing at him. Just as Master Ji was about to reply, the man raised his hand.

“No rush—watch this match first.”