Volume One: Hidden in the Azure Abyss Chapter Seven

Within the Demon Refining Tower were imprisoned the most ferocious and evil monsters and demons dating back to ancient times, even as far as eighty thousand years ago. If Geng Yuan were left inside for even half an hour, he would surely be tormented until not even his bones remained.

Jinli transformed into mist and entered the Demon Refining Tower. Inside, it was dim and gloomy, with the occasional roar of wild beasts echoing through the darkness. Suddenly, a savage beast lunged at her. With a swift, graceful step, she raised her hand; a long sword appeared in her grasp. She swung it, a sharp arc of light slashing down on the beast's arm, only to be deflected with a crisp clang.

The beast’s body was impenetrably tough. Jinli began weaving a spell with her fingers, but just as she started, a three-headed, human-faced, lion-bodied monster charged at her from behind, its maw gaping wide.

Golden talismans illuminated the entire tower. Her face was cold as frost as she twisted her wrist, driving her sword forward and plunging it into the beast's scarlet eye.

Because the backlash from her previous injuries had not yet healed, Jinli felt the tower’s formation suppress her spiritual power, draining her immortal energy with alarming speed. She had to find Geng Yuan quickly and could not afford to linger. Clutching her sword in her right hand, she swiftly formed seals with her left. In an instant, her sword swept out, streaks of golden and blue light slicing through the beasts’ limbs and chests. The monsters collapsed, their breaths faint.

She dropped to one knee, bracing herself on her sword, her elegant robes stained with blood. Frowning, she wiped the blood from her lips.

“Geng Yuan? Geng Yuan?” Rising to her feet, she darted towards the top of the tower. In a corner, she found Geng Yuan, battered and barely conscious.

Without a word, she lifted him up and supported him out of the Demon Binding Tower.

As soon as they emerged, Sang Li and the others rushed forward. Sang Li steadied Jinli, who was now exceedingly weak from her wounded spirit.

He said to Yun Xiang, “Take the young lord to Mount Jiuyi.”

“But the High Immortal said strangers are not allowed to enter Jiuyi Mountain.”

“He is no stranger. Master will understand.”

Sang Li then asked with concern, “A Li?”

Jinli glanced at him, then shifted her gaze to Wan Ting, who was kneeling and sobbing. Her brows knitted as she heard Sang Li say, “Today’s incident was my fault. A Li, I am sorry.”

Jinli’s face was pale, exhaustion washing over her, but she forced herself upright. “Lord Sang Li, it is I who have failed you. I will not pursue this matter further.”

Then she approached Wan Ting. “Bai Wan Ting, let me say this again: if you have grievances, direct them at me. They are innocent. If you cannot restrain yourself, today’s consequence will be far more than a mere slap. Do you understand?”

“...I understand.” Wan Ting sobbed, lost and helpless.

Jinli, having said her piece, lowered her hand, bloodied and battered, her robes stained with blood that might have been hers or Geng Yuan’s.

When she reached Jiuyi Mountain, she saw the Fox Immortal approaching. “You silly girl, are you all right?”

Jinli swallowed, her throat parched, and shook her head. “It’s nothing, only some damage to my spirit. Master, how is he?”

“He’s fine. It’s you who are covered in wounds. Sit down, let me examine you.”

As she sat, the Fox Immortal took her pulse, soon frowning deeply. “You were hurt before?”

Jinli nodded. “Girl, I’ve told you before, your spirit is hard enough to mend as it is. Now you’re injured again and again. What is this merman to you that you’d go so far for him?”

While preparing medicine and bandaging her wounds, the Fox Immortal sighed.

“I don’t know, perhaps it’s what they call love at first sight?”

“All right, take your medicine. Stay here with me for a few days. As for that merman, send him back as soon as possible.”

Jinli shook her head. “I may need to descend to the mortal realm for a few years to weather tribulation. With my spirit wounded, I must heal as soon as possible.”

The Fox Immortal did not argue, which meant acquiescence.

As Jinli looked at her freshly bandaged wounds, she asked, “Has my brother gone wandering again?”

While tidying up, the Fox Immortal grumbled, “What else? Neither you nor your brother ever let me rest easy.”

Jinli smiled, chatted with the Fox Immortal for a while, but soon could no longer endure and fell asleep in the bamboo courtyard.

When she woke three days later, she stretched lazily, still drowsy, and called for Yun Xiang. But it was Geng Yuan who opened the door.

“Young Lord?”

Geng Yuan approached, set the medicine on the table, and helped her out of bed. Jinli smiled, “Are you feeling better?”

He nodded gently, his demeanor gentle as he fed her medicine himself, a kindness Jinli found unfamiliar. In a soft voice, Geng Yuan said, “Thank you.”

Jinli teased, “Is a word of thanks all I get?”

In his dark eyes, starlight seemed to glimmer with sincerity. “Why did you save me?”

She looked at him, reached out to touch his face, and this time he did not shrink away. “I already told you, you belong to me now—no one may touch you. If you must have a reason, it’s because we’re friends.”

“Friends?”

Hearing him repeat the word, Jinli smiled and nodded.

After finishing the medicine, Geng Yuan helped her into the courtyard to bask in the sun. Jinli gazed at the lush greenery. “This place is nothing like Lotus River. The Fox Immortal loves bamboo—claims it stands for lofty virtue.”

Geng Yuan listened attentively, his eyes fixed on her, the young woman’s delicate features alight with a smile, her clear gaze suffused with kindness.

Unconsciously, a smile crept into his eyes.

Over these months together, Jinli felt that the little merman by her side, aside from needing a bit more help, was essentially flawless.

Obedient, attentive, a wonderful cook, quick to learn, devoted—his heart would likely never hold any woman but the one he loved. Other than a subtle discomfort, she felt no other inconvenience. If their paths parted one day, there would probably be little lingering entanglement.

After lunch, while Geng Yuan was decocting medicine, the Fox Immortal strolled over, smiling. “Making medicine, are you?”

Geng Yuan stood up immediately upon seeing him and bowed. “Senior.”

The Fox Immortal forced a smile, a bit ill at ease. He watched as Geng Yuan poured out the medicine and carried it off to Jinli, pondering for a long time as he watched him go.

A few days’ rest saw Jinli mostly recovered, though her spirit was still not mended. Her current immortal power was far from that of a true High Immortal.

Thus, after bidding farewell to the Fox Immortal, they returned to Lotus River.

On the way, Geng Yuan was attentive to her every need; water was handed to her before she even asked, food appeared at her lips before hunger struck. Jinli couldn’t help but feel her injuries had been worth it.

Just as she was basking in this contentment, the sound of arrows ripped through the sky, hurtling straight for their cloud carriage.

The young woman thrust Geng Yuan aside, both narrowly dodging the deadly bolt.

But within the clouds, countless figures materialized, attacking without a word.

The youth’s face darkened, a chill in his eyes. These assassins were from the Southern Sea, and all of them targeted him.

Ruan Tu, in the end, could not restrain himself any longer.

“Geng Yuan! Be careful!”

At her warning, the youth glanced up to see Jinli, clad in her azure robe, shielding him. The attackers closed in, but she summoned a longsword, and with a swift step and a wave, blue flames engulfed the enemies, making them vanish until only two remained.

“Who are you? Leave at once!”

Her powers depleted, she could not afford a drawn-out fight.

The two exchanged glances and melted away into mist.

Though she had repelled their foes, Jinli did not escape unscathed. Her legs weak, she sank to her knees, bracing herself with her sword. Blood dripped from her lips, staining her azure robes a deeper blue where her sleeves had been torn.

Had she known, she would have focused on cultivation long ago; now, a mere trip to the Demon Refining Tower had left her so gravely injured.

Behind her, the youth watched, his eyes veiled in haze. Geng Yuan stepped forward just as Jinli collapsed, unable to stand.

He caught her in his arms. The wounds inflicted by their enemies were not enough to bring her so low; this was the Demon Refining Tower’s doing. Glancing at his own arm, he saw that he too was injured.

Carrying her, he rode the wind back to Lotus River.

Yun Xiang changed Jinli’s clothes, but Geng Yuan said nothing about their encounter with the assassins.

“Young Lord, do you think those men were sent by the Second Prince?” Yun Xiang asked.

Geng Yuan nodded. In all the Southern Sea, the one who wanted him dead most was Ruan Tu.

“Jiang Ji.”

“Here, my lord.”

“Fetch some mortal goods for me, and prepare a few things.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The youth’s expression was somber as he looked at the pear tree in the courtyard, his wounded arm hanging at his side.

With the Beauty Gu, their fates were entwined—sharing life and death. If Jinli, in despair, chose to end her life, he would perish with her.

A few days later, Jinli accompanied Jiang Ji out. As the world grew darker around them, she asked, “Jiang Ji, what are you up to?”

Jiang Ji grinned, “We’re almost there.”

When they reached an open space, Jiang Ji quietly withdrew.

Puzzled, Jinli looked around, about to cast a spell for light, when suddenly the area was illuminated. Lanterns hung from the trees like a sea of stars, lighting the path ahead. Joy blossomed on her face.

At that moment, Geng Yuan appeared, carrying lanterns. His handsome face was gentle in the warm candlelight, his dark eyes sparkling like starlight. The sight took Jinli’s breath away; her heart thundered in her chest with every step he took toward her.

When he finally stood before her, she shyly looked away, her gaze falling on the two lanterns in his hands—a charming phoenix and a golden carp.

She accepted them, delighted. “Where did you get these?”

Geng Yuan explained, “That day, you meant to bring them to me. Today, I give them to you instead.”

Surrounded by lantern light, Jinli was charmed by his sincerity. She opened her arms, and Geng Yuan understood, stepping forward to gently embrace her.

As she held his hand, Jinli noticed the scars on his fingers and felt a pang of distress. “How could you be so foolish? You could’ve sent Yun Xiang to the mortal realm to buy them; why make them yourself and get hurt?”

Though she scolded him, she treated his wounds with gentle care. Geng Yuan watched her delicate lashes flutter as she worked, her obedient demeanor so different from her usual languid dignity.

Perhaps, if things had been different, such quiet moments would have been enough.