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Yama's Wedding
Today was different from usual. After finishing her teachings with Yao Guang, the Phoenix Empress did not leave as she typically would; instead, she stayed.
“Phoenix Empress, what’s going on with you today?” Xue asked curiously. Normally, the Phoenix Empress would leave immediately, so it was surprising to see her still here.
The Phoenix Empress shot a glare at Xue. Did she really need this person's permission for anything?
With a sigh, she turned to the confused Yao Guang and said, “You have learned everything you need. There is nothing more I can teach you. Today, you can leave with Xue.”
What? Yao Guang listened to the Phoenix Empress's words in disbelief. “I can leave?” In truth, Yao Guang had been longing to go home for quite some time. She and Xue had been here too long. Although she had sent the Azure Bird back to report her safety, she still missed her family. However, seeing how hard the Phoenix Empress worked for her sake made Yao Guang hesitate to express her desire to return home.
She never expected that today the Phoenix Empress would tell her she could leave.
Seeing Yao Guang's excited expression made the Phoenix Empress smile involuntarily, a smile so radiant that it seemed to dim the world around them. “Yes, you can go back. I truly have nothing left to teach you.” Looking at Yao Guang before her, the Phoenix Empress realized just how intelligent Yao Guang was. Perhaps even Yao Guang herself did not know that the Phoenix Fire was fundamentally different from other inner elixirs. In just over half a month, Yao Guang had already learned to skillfully control the Phoenix Fire based on the techniques she had taught her. Even members of the Phoenix clan took a long time to accept inner elixirs from other phoenixes, but Yao Guang was the most talented student the Phoenix Empress had ever encountered. Unlike herself in her youth, who struggled to learn spells and often felt foolish as someone constantly scolded for being slow-witted. Yet now, she had become a teacher herself, though the one who taught her was no longer present.
However, Yao Guang was truly remarkable. The Phoenix Empress looked deeper into Yao Guang's eyes and realized that she had encountered a true gem in her. Perhaps Yao Guang could fully harness her powers, making all of the effort worthwhile.
“Phoenix Empress, can Yao Guang control the Phoenix Fire within her now?” Hearing that they could leave filled Xue with excitement as well; they had been here far too long and still had many things left unfinished. However, he had stayed patiently with Yao Guang to help her better absorb the power of the Phoenix Fire.
“Yes, basically Yao Guang can control it now. With more practice, she will be able to manipulate the Phoenix Fire freely without suffering any backlash,” said the Phoenix Empress.
“Really? That’s wonderful!” After this period of training, Yao Guang had noticed changes within herself; previously chaotic and wild, the Phoenix Fire now seemed to settle peacefully within her dantian and occasionally sent power flowing into her, filling her with energy. When she tried it out, joy bubbled up inside her—this Phoenix Fire actually had such effects and enhanced her abilities! What Yao Guang did not realize was that not all Phoenix Fires possessed such extraordinary capabilities; what she absorbed was an inner elixir belonging to the Phoenix Empress herself. The Phoenix Empress was an ancient divine beast who had undergone countless rebirths through fire. Each rebirth refined her inner elixir in true flames, purifying its power further than any other phoenix's elixir could achieve. Thus, hers was a unique treasure in this world. Of course, at this moment, Yao Guang remained unaware of how precious this gift from the Phoenix Empress truly was; in later years, whenever she thought back on it, she would be immensely grateful for that inner elixir.
“Hmm.” The Phoenix Empress nodded softly.
Before she could finish speaking, a familiar cold sensation began coursing through her body again. Despite it being midday with the sun shining brightly overhead, she felt as if all feeling had drained from her limbs. This couldn’t continue; if it did, she would surely reveal herself in front of Xue and Yao Guang.
With that thought in mind, the Phoenix Empress turned to them again and said, “The war between our clan and the Dragon tribe is about to begin soon; you should hurry back.”
“Phoenix Empress, are you really that eager for us to leave?” Yao Guang asked in confusion. She couldn’t understand why the Phoenix Empress kept urging them to depart today; it was unusual behavior for someone who usually didn’t seem bothered by their presence.
Xue shared similar concerns; he had never seen the Phoenix Empress so insistent about their departure before today.
Feeling worried, Xue asked cautiously, “Phoenix Empress, is something wrong?”
Seeing the two of them looking at her with concern, a warm current surged within the Phoenix Empress, as if even her stiff limbs were beginning to feel warmth. But this wouldn’t do; how could she reveal everything to them?
“It’s nothing. I’m just worried about Shu and the others waiting for us in the courtyard,” the Phoenix Empress forced a smile, but it was no good. The scene before her began to blur, and if she continued entangled with Yao Guang and the others like this, she feared she might truly collapse. Fortunately, it was midday, and the sun's warmth had allowed her to hold on for this long. Even so, she couldn’t last much longer.
Upon hearing Shu's name, a flicker of uncertainty crossed Yao Guang's eyes. Indeed, she needed to return to the courtyard to reassure Shu and the others. Yao Guang looked at Xue, seeking his opinion.
Xue pondered for a moment. During that brief time of contemplation, the Phoenix Empress felt as though she had endured another ten thousand years. She anxiously watched Xue, fearing what he might say.
Xue did indeed feel a desire to stay. The Phoenix Empress looked unwell; it was clear she was hiding something from both him and Yao Guang. But what could be so serious that it compelled the Phoenix Empress to drive them away? A sense of unease settled in Xue's heart. He couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever the Phoenix Empress was concealing was extremely important, and if they left now, he might regret it later. However, matters in the courtyard were pressing; Yao Guang had already delayed too long here. He wondered what was happening back there and realized that he and Yao Guang should indeed return.
The Phoenix Empress remained motionless, her heart racing with anxiety. Her limbs had completely stiffened; she could no longer feel even the sun's rays on her skin. This situation was dire.
Time passed without her knowing how long it had been; the Phoenix Empress felt as though she had lived through another ten thousand years before finally seeing Xue gently nodding at Yao Guang.
“Then we can set off now,” Xue said to Yao Guang.
Upon hearing Xue's words, the Phoenix Empress felt a wave of relief wash over her. The scattered essence of true fire within her vanished in an instant. She looked at Xue with tears in her eyes; she had wanted to urge Xue and Yao Guang to leave quickly so she could protect the last remnants of her true fire. Instead, this misunderstanding caused her final flicker of true fire to extinguish completely. Now, all she felt was an overwhelming cold enveloping her body, making her shiver uncontrollably.
Yao Guang noticed this movement immediately and looked up at the sun above her. The golden sunlight pierced into her eyes painfully; how could the Phoenix Empress appear so cold under such warm rays? It must have been an illusion from staring too long at the sun. When Yao Guang looked back at the Phoenix Empress, she still stood there majestically as ever. It truly had been a trick of perception; even in the depths of winter, the Phoenix Empress likely wouldn’t feel cold at all—perhaps she had never known what cold was since she belonged to the fire element and possessed true fire within her body to ward off chill.
Unfortunately, at that moment, Yao Guang did not realize that the Phoenix Empress had already given away her inner core along with her innate ability to resist cold.
Now, the Phoenix Empress was being consumed by cold so intensely that even her teeth began to chatter involuntarily. She clenched them tightly while maintaining a smile, determined not to let Yao Guang or Xue see any signs of distress.
In truth, she was suffering immensely; as a creature of fire, how could she endure such frigid temperatures? This cold emanated from within herself—external cold was torturous enough for beings like them who were born of flames.
The Phoenix Empress kept smiling at Yao Guang and Xue. “Since you are setting off now, I won’t see you off any further.” At this moment, even taking a single step forward seemed impossible for her; all her strength was focused on maintaining that smile.
“Alright then,” Xue replied lightly. He understood that there was no need for a formal farewell from the Phoenix Empress. Over these many years, he knew well that unless there was something urgent, she would never step out of Phoenix Mountain. With this thought in mind, he suddenly felt he might have overthought things; given how detached the Phoenix Empress was from worldly affairs, no one would dare trouble her. Moreover, due to past events, those currently in power treated her with great leniency—even if they had relegated her to the mortal realm, it served as a form of protection against divine beings who might bully her. Given her nature, it seemed unlikely anyone would dare bully her anyway; rather, it would be more likely for her to be on the other side of such encounters. At least in this lower realm without courtly intrigues surrounding her life would be relatively carefree.
Just as Xue began to feel reassured about this situation, Yao Guang expressed reluctance. “Phoenix Empress,” she called out softly each time they parted ways—she always felt a deep sense of loss during farewells.
“Alright now, hurry along! It’s not anything particularly urgent; if you have time later on, do come visit me,” the Phoenix Empress comforted Yao Guang. Even so, she struggled slightly closer to Yao Guang’s side; just that simple movement brought immense pain upon her body and caused beads of sweat to form on her brow.
“Yes! I will definitely come back with Xue to see you again,” Yao Guang said playfully as she nestled into the embrace of the Phoenix Empress.
It was the action of Yao Guang that caused the Phoenix Empress immense pain. Now, even the slightest movement from her felt as if she were cutting into herself.
Yao Guang sensed the slight tremor in the Phoenix Empress's body. It turned out that she was deeply affected by their separation, and Yao Guang couldn't help but feel nostalgic. She nestled closer into the warm embrace of the Phoenix Empress, which felt particularly comforting.
"Alright, alright, let's hurry and go," Xue said with a stern expression, pulling Yao Guang away from the Phoenix Empress. How could Yao Guang be so intimate with the Phoenix Empress right in front of him? Even if the Phoenix Empress was a woman, it was unacceptable.
When Xue pulled Yao Guang from his embrace, the Phoenix Empress had never expressed gratitude towards him like this before. Yao Guang's departure finally freed her from her pain.
"Xue, how could you do this?" Yao Guang complained as she was dragged away by Xue.
Xue remained silent, simply watching Yao Guang in front of him. Even if she was angry now, he had to take her away from the Phoenix Empress. He was well aware of the allure that the Phoenix Empress possessed.
"Alright, alright, let's go," the Phoenix Empress said, looking at the two affectionate individuals before her. Even their quarrel brought her immense sweetness.
"Phoenix Empress, we're leaving now. Remember us! I will miss you so much," Yao Guang said reluctantly as Xue pulled her away.
Watching them leave like a pair of clouds soaring through the sky, the Phoenix Empress finally felt a sense of relief wash over her. Suddenly, everything around her went dark, and then she lost consciousness.
If Yao Guang and Xue were still there at that moment, they would have been astonished to see that the once vibrant Phoenix Mountain began to wither slowly. (To be continued.)
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