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墨書 Inktalez
The central palace is not particularly luxurious, but it exudes a sense of grandeur. The difficulty of constructing wooden buildings is significantly lower, and building a palace requires much less manpower and resources compared to stone structures. However, in terms of longevity, wooden buildings do not last as long, which is why many ancient Chinese palatial complexes and structures have gradually crumbled over time.
Upon arriving here, the woman dismounted from her carriage and walked inside. Bai Yujing initially did not intend to enter but was pulled along by her. The two ascended the stairs together and entered the palace. The exterior of the palace and the stairs were filled with guards, yet they showed no intention of stopping Bai Yujing and allowed them to proceed inside.
Lanterns hung from the pillars and beams, illuminating the interior of the palace brightly. The attendants all wore loose ancient robes, regardless of gender, but each one appeared almost paper-like, with expressions that seemed false and affected.
Outside, the crowd was dense, but upon entering the main hall, it became eerily empty. There was nothing inside, cold and desolate. Bai Yujing looked up and saw a massive elk lying on the ground, while on the other side stood a large red bird. Bai Yujing was startled; that Firebird was the same one encountered before, its fierce presence still vivid in his memory, making him feel as if he could sense the heat of its flames again.
However, upon closer inspection, something felt off. At this moment, both creatures seemed to have transformed into stone statues, standing guard beside the throne like two guardian beasts. Sitting in the ornate seat above was a middle-aged man dressed in a luxurious outfit with a red base and black border patterns.
Bai Yujing glanced at the woman beside him; it seemed that these figures were associated with red. Perhaps this was a tradition left by the Kuaiwei Clan. The expression of the woman beside Bai Yujing subtly changed upon seeing the middle-aged man seated above.
"You're still alive?" she asked immediately, as if she were very familiar with him.
The man smiled: "I'm just an ordinary person; how could I still be alive? I died four thousand years ago; don't you remember me, Red Consort?"
Bai Yujing learned from this man that the woman beside him was named Red Consort, which suited her well. However, from their conversation, it seemed that this woman had existed four thousand years ago? This man could truly be considered Bai Yujing's ancestor.
Red Consort frowned: "Xi! You seem somewhat off; this place feels strange too. What exactly is going on?"
The man named Xi laughed: "Didn't you already know? I'm just a guardian of the tomb, responsible for overseeing the sacrifices made by the descendants of the divine clan. However, ever since the Kuaiwei Clan perished, no one has come to offer sacrifices anymore. This isn't a true celestial palace; it's merely the tomb of Yan Emperor. Did you really think that those who enter here can achieve immortality?"
"As years go by, when I brought people from Ancient Mi Kingdom here to guard the tomb—thousands of soldiers and tens of thousands of citizens—only I remain with some semblance of consciousness now; everyone else has lost their memories and awareness, turning into beasts and malevolent spirits. However, my condition fluctuates; today you are quite lucky that I am not insane; otherwise, you would have to fend for yourselves!"
Bai Yujing recalled that when he first arrived, he had mentioned that he was here to find the Imperial Tomb of the Kuaiwei Clan, also known as the Yandi Mausoleum. When he passed through the Azure Stone Corridor, it felt like walking inside a tomb. Indeed, this was the passage built by the Kuaiwei Clan leading to their Imperial Tomb, but the core Imperial Tomb was different from an ordinary tomb; it existed in another space.
Red Consort said, "I want to go up the mountain, and I hope you won't stop me!"
Xi shook his head. "Have you forgotten? Non-divine beings are not allowed to ascend the mountain for worship. You don't think that just because you have a ceremonial lamp, you can go up to honor your ancestors, do you? Besides, you are a Mountain Spirit of the Kuaiwei Clan. Are you trying to betray your master?"
Red Consort immediately replied, "What master? It's been so many years; both the Kuaiwei Clan and the divine clan have vanished. Times have changed. After serving the Kuaiwei Clan for so many years, I should have the right to inherit the Kuaiwei Clan!"
Xi still did not agree. "A master is a master, and a servant is a servant. You cannot change that boundary. And do you think I can't feel it? Without divine blood, you cannot open the entrance to this Imperial Tomb. There must be descendants of the Kuaiwei Clan who have entered the mountain. I cannot let you go up!"
The expression on Red Consort's face grew serious, and the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became heavy, as if both sides could start fighting at any moment. Bai Yujing even felt that within the tall palace, the deer and Firebird on either side seemed to slowly awaken, gradually transforming from stone back into ancient beings, their eyes revealing fierce power once again.
Bai Yujing immediately sensed danger; if these two old monsters fought, it would truly be a battle of deities, and he would be caught in the crossfire with no place to seek justice. He prepared to slip away, but at that moment, Red Consort grabbed hold of Bai Yujing.
"Look who this is," Red Consort said as she pulled Bai Yujing closer.
Now Bai Yujing was confused; how did he get involved in this? The ancient ruler of the Ancient Mi Kingdom, Xi, glanced at Bai Yujing: "A young deity, I don't know which clan he belongs to, but he definitely isn't from the Kuaiwei Clan. What do you want to say?"
Red Consort immediately said, "He also has the right to ascend the mountain; you have no reason to stop him!"
Xi's eyes narrowed instantly, a glimmer of light shining in his narrow gaze. At that moment, Bai Yujing saw dark energy enveloping Xi's body; he seemed to expand as his face continuously changed, gradually transforming into a mocking mask similar to those outside the city, with red light glowing in his eyes.
At this moment, Red Consort shouted loudly, "Wake up!"
Immediately, Xi seemed to be constantly shifting between two people, but eventually, his mental state gradually stabilized. Leaning against the throne, Xi said, "It's time. My moments of clarity are becoming shorter. You take him up the mountain; I won't stop you. However, I want to tell you that the Divine Mountain is much more complicated than here. Although the Divine Clan and those old fellows have vanished, they are not something you can resist!"
Red Consort coldly replied, "All you need to do is agree to let us pass!"
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