The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 285 - "The Apex of Life and Death" Phoenix's Blazing Heaven Day

With the silver bracelet shattering, a distant phoenix cry echoed. Flames formed a brilliant bird's feather behind Madame Wang, and in an instant, a cascade of red light erupted, sending flames soaring into the sky! The fierce and volatile spiritual current was like flowing lava, engulfing everything in its path.

She stood amidst the flames, lifting her delicate, unadorned hand. Immediately, a vast expanse of flames gathered and swirled in her palm, hissing with intensity.

"What's happening?! Isn't she weak in spiritual energy?"

"Xue Zhengyong clearly married a woman who couldn't learn magic... What on earth is going on with her?!"

Almost terrified, Xue Meng cried out, "Mother?!"

Jiang Xi stepped forward, his voice stern. "Chuqing! Stop this at once! Why must you go to such lengths today?"

It had been a long time since anyone had addressed Madame Wang by her maiden name. A fleeting emotion flickered in her eyes, illuminated by the raging flames, but it quickly vanished. She looked at Jiang Xi and said, "Headmaster Jiang, would you retreat if I didn't push it this far?"

"..."

"Would you let go of the Apex of Life and Death, let go of Xue Meng?"

Jiang Xi gritted his teeth and said, "Stop for now, we can discuss everything else later."

Madame Wang shook her head and said, "My heart has already been dug out by you once. I have already lain dead before the Hall of the Elixir Heart. There will not be a third time."

"Clear Morning!"

"Director Jiang, that's as far as we go."

The phoenix let out a long, piercing cry as Madame Wang's robes billowed wildly, her eyes gradually turning a deep shade of crimson. Keen-eyed onlookers noticed an intense orange-red glow emanating from her waist, piercing through her garments, and couldn't help but exclaim, "What is that?!"

Jiang Xi cursed inwardly and turned to shout at everyone, "Get down the mountain now!"

"But the matter isn't settled yet, and Xue Meng is still…"

"If you want to die, stay then!" Jiang Xi snapped. "This is Solitary Moon Night's Phoenix Heavenly Flame! Do you all want to risk your lives?!!"

Upon hearing the words "Phoenix Heavenly Flame," nearly everyone's faces paled in an instant. It was common knowledge that Solitary Moon Night's senior female disciples had a phoenix tattoo on their waists, which they could ignite into the Phoenix Heavenly Flame in times of peril. However, despite knowing about it, no one had ever actually witnessed this sinister flame.

The cost of wielding such power was exorbitant, ranging from the loss of one's lifetime of cultivation to even endangering one's life.

A flurry of panicked cultivators rushed out of the Heart Pillar Hall like frightened strays, each vying to be the first to fly their swords down the mountain. In an instant, the once-tense hall was nearly deserted.

Jiang Xi remained, his hair ribbon fluttering wildly in the wind as he turned to look at Madame Wang. "…Your spirit nucleus can't withstand it."

There was a hint of confusion in his brown eyes as he narrowed them.

His expression seemed to convey both anger and sorrow.

"You have a violent spirit nucleus, yet you ignite the Heavenly Phoenix Flame? You can protect your son today, but what about tomorrow?"

"If I don't unleash the Heavenly Flame, I won't even be able to protect my son today," Madame Wang said, the flames on her body growing more intense. Once this malevolent fire was ignited, it would inevitably erupt and could not be extinguished.

She stepped onto the jade stairs, standing where Xue Zhengyong had often stood with a cheerful smile. With her scarlet eyes sweeping across all the disciples and elders in the hall, she bowed slightly.

"Dear fellow sect members," she began, "Zhengyong and I both believed in Ran'er's words before he left. Today, with pressure from all sides and the suspicious actions of the Heavenly Sound Pavilion, you have all witnessed the situation. Right and wrong, black and white – I'm sure each of you has already formed your own judgment."

The assembly fell silent, their eyes fixed on the woman who had once been as gentle as a blade of grass.

Streaks of starlight illuminated her robe, casting shimmering, fragmented shadows.

"For over twenty years, the Peak of Life and Death has stood without harming the innocent or acting unjustly. Even in the face of defamation and slander, we hold our heads high with no regrets. Yet, my power alone is insufficient to clarify the truth and restore justice. Today, as I bid farewell, I have three requests. I hope that you, my dear disciples, will remember our past bonds and lend your assistance unhesitantly."

The disciples, with tears in their eyes, replied, "We'll follow your every instruction, Madame Wang."

Xue Meng choked back his sobs and murmured, "Mother..."

"Once the Phoenix Heaven Fire erupts, it will burn for at least three days, making it impossible for others to approach. First, I wish for all of you to preserve your lives by temporarily leaving the Peak of Life and Death and finding ways to survive on your own."

"This..."

Greedy Wolf shook his head. "We'd rather die defending our sect than scatter like dogs."

Madame Wang heard this and smiled. "This isn't scattering like dogs. I once heard a wise saying from Immortal Scholar Nangong Changying of the Confucian Wind Sect."

She looked at all her disciples and elders, just as she had countless times before. Her crimson gaze suddenly transformed into a gentle stream, shimmering with warmth.

"Nangong Changying once said that regardless of whether the Confucian Wind Sect stands or falls, as long as there are still people in the world abiding by the seven principles of 'greed, resentment, deception, killing, lust, theft, and plunder must not be done by a Confucian gentleman,' the sect will never truly perish." Madame Wang paused before continuing, "I borrow his wisdom, and today, I wish to convey the same sentiment."

"Madame Wang..."

"Gentlemen, when the truth is revealed and all matters are settled, if you still hold affection, you may return to this place."

Silence fell upon the hall, with only the young disciples weeping sorrowfully, their tears dampening their heavy robes.

Madame Wang said, "The second matter is to request that none of you hold ill will towards Ran'er or Elder Yu Heng. I believe that their actions were driven by necessity, and that Ran'er's words hold no deception."

Led by the elder, the disciples bowed their heads, solemnly declaring, "The disciples of Death and Life's Apex will never become adversaries of Young Master Mo or Elder Yu Heng."

"And finally, the third matter," sighed Madame Wang. "I fear that, as Ran'er foretold, the Gate of Time, Space, Life, and Death will soon open. When that time comes..."

She paused, seemingly unsure whether her persistence was right or wrong.

Yet, she continued slowly, "I hope then, that all of you will look out for the common people in the cultivation world."

Furious, Greedy Wolf couldn't help but retort, "What's there to protect about those biting beasts?!"

"Madame Wang wasn't present just now and has no idea how despicable those people truly are!"

"In the Lower Cultivation Realm, with so many individuals, there are yes-men and villains aplenty. Kind intentions might not always be rewarded," Madame Wang spoke softly. "But when Zheng Yong established his sect, it wasn't for praise or gratitude. It was to stay true to his own heart."

Her eyes grew increasingly crimson, and the phoenix tattoo on her waist shimmered with increasing brightness.

Madame Wang stood amidst the blazing flames, "My friends, how vast is this mortal world, and the concept of fairness seems so ephemeral. Nevertheless, upholding righteousness and maintaining an honest heart are still small acts we can perform as individuals."

Closing her eyes, she let out a gentle sigh. "Therefore, if the Peak of Life and Death, due to those traitors and injustice suffered, falls into despair, ignoring the lives of others and becomes a second Confucian Wind Sect... that would be what Zheng Yong mourns the most."

"We cannot alter evil, nor do we possess eyes that see through human hearts. But at the very least, we can ensure that malevolence and hatred do not transform us."

Madame Wang smiled softly in her final words, "May all of you remain steadfast with an unwavering heart throughout your lives."

As her voice faded, flames soared to the heavens.

The seal of the Heavenly Phoenix Fire was finally fully released. A formidable power surged incessantly from Madame Wang's seemingly frail body. In an instant, a scorching wave burst forth from the Heart Pillar Temple like a dam breaking, surging forward mightily—

Azure Heaven Temple, Sword Dancing Plaza, Mother of Forgetfulness Hall, Bridge of Helplessness... two mountain peaks, a river, Shuangtian Temple, Red Lotus Water Pavilion...

In a blink of an eye, they were all engulfed by spiritual flames.

These flames recognized their master's will, sparing every blade of grass and tree on the Peak of Life and Death from their scorching embrace. Just like the elders and disciples still standing within the hall, they remained unharmed amidst the sea of flames.

Madame Wang said, "Let's go."

No one budged.

She sighed and urged them again, "Go, what are you all still standing there for? Hurry up and leave."

After repeating herself several times, people started to leave one by one, heads bowed in silence. The Pill Heart Hall gradually emptied until only Xue Meng and Jiang Xi were left.

Jiang Xi gave her one last glance before turning to leave, but Madame Wang called out to him, "Wait a moment."

"...Do you have something to settle?"

In the flickering firelight, Madame Wang's expression seemed blurred, alternating between brightness and darkness, coldness and warmth. After much hesitation, as if she was struggling with some inner turmoil, she closed her eyes, steeled her heart, and softly said, "Junior Brother, come closer. I have something to tell you."

Both Xue Meng and Jiang Xi were taken aback by her words.

Xue Meng truly couldn't fathom what could be so important that Madame Wang needed to speak to Jiang Xi alone at this very moment. Jiang Xi, too, seemed to share the same thought, narrowing his eyes slightly without moving an inch.

Despite being fellow disciples with Madame Wang, they had parted ways long ago and hadn't had a private meeting in years. Adding to that, Xue Zhengyong's recent passing, and the fact that Jiang Xi was one of those who condemned the Peak of Life and Death – it wasn't as if he didn't have his guard up.

Jiang Xi said, "If there's something to say, let's talk here."

"..."

"There's nothing between us that can't be shared with others."

Seeing that she couldn't persuade Jiang Xi, Madame Wang turned to Xue Meng and said, "Meng'er, go down the mountain first. There are a few words your mother can only share with Sect Leader Jiang alone."

"Mother...?"

"Go now. This matter has nothing to do with you."

Xue Meng's face was muddied with blood, and his tears carved tracks through the stains. He wiped his cheeks in distress, his voice choked, "I don't want to leave... We're all here... I don't want to go anywhere! I just want to stay with all of you..."

"If you don't wish to leave, then wait for me at the Shuangtian Temple," Madame Wang sighed. "After Mother finishes speaking with Sect Leader Jiang, I'll bring your father over."

"..."

Madame Wang's expression had turned extremely grim, with blood seeping from the corners of her mouth. She frowned and softly coughed, saying, "Meng-er, be obedient..."

Xue Meng shook his head persistently, wiping away tears with his hands. He knew that with his mother having unleashed the Phoenix Heavenly Flame, her days were numbered. He shouldn't defy her wishes or waste her remaining time.

In the end, he left, leaving only Solitary Moon Night, his fellow disciple and senior sister, in the grand Danxin Hall.

After Xue Meng left, the last breath supporting Madame Wang dissipated. She slumped back into her ornate seat, no longer able to maintain her earlier composure.

Staring at the table before her, she was lost in thought for a long while. Tears trickled down her delicate, jade-like cheeks, followed by violent coughing fits and vomiting blood.

Jiang Xi stood still, watching as Madame Wang spit up blood. He seemed to consider approaching her but ultimately didn't move. After a moment, he said, "There's no one else here. If you have something to say, now is the time."

Madame Wang's coughing was so severe that she couldn't answer right away. Seeing this, Jiang Xi's brows knitted together, his face darkening as he said, "Back then, your cultivation caused your spirit nucleus to become increasingly violent. It became difficult for you to continue practicing magic, let alone ignite the Phoenix Heavenly Flame. It'll cost you your life."

Regaining her breath, Madame Wang's damp eyelashes fluttered as she gazed at the table, her gaze somewhat unfocused. "Yes, I know."

The sea of flames engulfed them without burning them. Between her and Jiang Xi, it was as if there was a crimson ocean separating them.

"And what else do you wish to say?"

"..."

"If you have no further remarks, I'll be on my way."

Jiang Xi waited for a moment, but as she remained silent with her eyes lowered, his patience waned.

He turned to leave when he heard a soft voice.

"Junior Apprentice Brother."

Flames danced wildly, resembling the tumultuous mortal world.

"Do you hold Meng'er in very low regard?"

Her abrupt question stirred an inexplicable unease within Jiang Xi. "What do you mean?"

"On your first encounter at the Confucian Wind Sect, you had an argument with him. Had I not intervened, you might have even come to blows," Madame Wang sighed softly. "Junior Apprentice Brother, his temperament may not be the best, but please bear with him... considering how much he resembles you in your youth."

Jiang Xi didn't react at first. He turned his face and asked, "What do you mean?"

Madame Wang didn't answer immediately. The silence between them was like a mass of thunderclouds pressing down on them, ready to unleash a torrential downpour at any moment, changing the color of the heavens and earth.

In this stillness, Jiang Xi suddenly recalled an incident from his youth. His heart pounded fiercely, but the expression on his face grew colder. He remained silent, clenching his fingers into a fist, waiting for Madame Wang to speak.

"Xue Meng..."

Madame Wang sighed softly, yet her words were like a bolt of purple lightning splitting the sky and a thunderclap shattering the air—

"Xue Meng, he is actually very similar to you. Do you understand, junior brother?"

Even with some anticipation in his heart, when those words were truly spoken, Jiang Xi's mind buzzed, blanking out in an instant.

Who could be similar to him?

Xue Meng?

That young man who was always rude and disrespectful to him, someone he despised to his core?

Absurd...

The grand hall was deathly silent. Jiang Xi pondered her words, as the long-buried truths were like cracking black ice, breaking layer by layer. Though his expression remained unchanged, his blood had turned cold.

He felt a shiver run down his spine, and the situation seemed utterly preposterous.

He suddenly turned around, staring intently at Madame Wang's face, thinking he must have misheard. But he knew it was impossible. Those words, though soft, were enunciated clearly, like droplets of water piercing through the raging flames to reach him.

Before his eyes, they became a tumultuous storm.

"Jiang Yechen," Madame Wang lifted her damp eyelashes slowly, her dark eyes fixed on him, "Xue Meng, he is your child."