Chapter 0: Tales of the Ji Shen (1)
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In the vast, echoey Grand Hall, torches flickered with fierce flames, leaving no corner unlit—a literal beacon for lost souls.
Prince Bel sat regally on his throne, with a red carpet stretching down the steps to the entrance like a runway for royal drama.
On regular days, the ministers involved with state matters would line up along the carpet. Only during formal proceedings would they strut up the carpet to kneel before the emperor, in what they claimed was a gesture of respect.
But today, Lady Rong Ji leaned casually against a pillar beside the carpet, pulling out another shade of lipstick and applying it with a nonchalance that would put any makeup tutorial to shame.
Since her return from the Sky Tower to the Imperial Capital, she had been acting like the emperor was just another passerby—totally beneath her notice.
But at this crucial moment, Bel, having lost Fu Yetian, found himself relying on her. After all, as the emperor of an empire, he had many inconveniences and required a faithful and powerful executor. Unfortunately, his clergy had proven to be utterly useless. Only Rong Ji, with her newly gained power post-rebirth, could hold her own against any opponent.
Just then, the woman who had been so absorbed in her reflection suddenly squatted down and burst into tears.
Bel froze, utterly baffled. What in the Emperor’s name was this woman doing?!
In his memory, Rong Ji had always obediently followed the protocols of the organization. Sure, she had her own plans sometimes, but she usually executed any tasks given to her flawlessly.
However, since the ancient texts regarding the Sky Tower had surfaced, he learned of the shocking secrets hidden within Black Stone City.
The source of power for the empire’s nobles stemmed from the bloodline of the Four Warriors, a gift bestowed by the Goddess of Destiny.
Naturally, he was intrigued.
On the surface, he dispatched diplomats and a grand army led by Prince Eric, but secretly, as the head of Ji Shen and the Pope of the Church of Light, he sent in a team led by Rong Ji to explore the Sky Tower’s mysteries.
With both sides operating simultaneously, he believed he’d gather the most comprehensive and accurate information.
But alas, Rong Ji was known for her crafty tendencies, and to thwart any potential tricks, he ordered Fu Yetian to accompany her—after all, the two had never exactly been best buddies. With this setup, he thought for sure he’d be safe.
What he didn’t expect was that this trip to the Sky Tower would end with him losing both a valuable subordinate and an entire army’s worth of effort.
His most loyal subordinate, Fu Yetian, was stuck in a parallel universe—alive or dead, who knew? And Rong Ji, after her rebirth, seemed to have completely changed her temperament and lost all respect for him.
To top it all off, the root cause of these calamities had just returned to the Imperial Capital with the diplomats.
Bel had planned to make an example of the diplomatic delegation to assert dominance over Rong Ji, but instead, she pulled off a stunt at the Temple of Destiny that forced the Church of Light to retreat with its tail between its legs, just like a kicked puppy!
Using voyeuristic magic, Bel finally confirmed that this woman was none other than the renowned Cold Moon Witch, a figure of epic proportions across the continent.
Some even called her the Monster Queen, claiming she was the wife of Frost North Snow, the Monster King who ruled four hundred years ago.
Bel remained skeptical. I mean, if she were that powerful, then how on earth did her husband end up in a cage?
Regardless, Fu Yetian had almost rescued all the exiles from Thousand Bird City, only for the Cold Moon Witch to ruin everything—this was a score he wanted to settle.
And not to forget, both Fu Yetian’s disappearance and the collapse of the Sky Tower plan were all thanks to her meddling!
Thinking of this made Bel precisely 1000% furious!
He felt like grabbing her by the neck, forcing her to kneel, confess all her sins, and then… well, you get the idea—lots of dramatic revenge fantasies.
Sadly, his skills were just a hair short of perfection; if he lashed out carelessly, he might end up losing control completely.
So, facing Rong Ji’s sudden emotional breakdown, even with his three-fold identity as emperor, Ji Shen supreme, and Church of Light Pope, he had to grit his teeth and ask, “Rong Ji, what is the matter?”
Rong Ji wailed loudly, seemingly oblivious to the fact that they were in the emperor’s council hall.
Even with nobody inside, many soldiers and courtiers awaited the emperor’s orders outside.
Her piercing cries echoed in the silence of the night, making it sound like half the palace could hear her dramatic display.
Some of the more cowardly souls huddled under their blankets, convinced a spirit was causing a ruckus, too scared to poke their heads out.
“Enough!”
Bel slammed his hand on the table, his voice filled with authority.
Rong Ji glanced at him, but her wailing only grew louder.
At this point, Bel was out of options and had to endure.
He kept reminding himself: patience. He had to be patient; if he acted now, all his previous efforts would be wasted.
Finally, fifteen minutes later, Rong Ji stopped blubbering and, in an instant, transformed back to her nonchalant self, starting to fix her ruined makeup.
Bel was left speechless.
He felt utterly played.
Women! Why were they all so troublesome? Whether enemies or allies, none were ever straightforward!
Just then, as she dabbed at her foundation, she said, “I think I’ll call you ‘Supreme Lord’ from now on—it feels more familiar.”
Bel replied, “Do as you wish.”
He knew Rong Ji had something to say.
“Years ago, the Supreme Lord sent me to the Heavenly Sword Sect as a spy and ordered me to seduce an Inner Door Disciple familiar with the human race’s Seven Great Sects. At that time, I chose Fu Yetian.”
“What I want to know is, was Fu Yetian already on your radar?”
Bel nodded. “Fu Yetian is the chief disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Such an excellent candidate for the successor of the sect leader, how could I possibly overlook him?”
“Ha! So my judgment wasn’t half bad!”
Rong Ji slipped into nostalgic reverie, her tear-streaked face now replaced with a light blush.
“Those were the happiest days of my life. I loved him, he loved me. I genuinely thought Fu Yetian and I would never be apart, even if it meant betraying the organization right then and there—I wouldn’t hesitate.”
Suddenly, Rong Ji’s expression sharpened, her gaze towards Bel filled with venom.
“It was you, my darling Supreme Lord, who took me away that night, leaving a letter for Fu Yetian, wasn’t it?
I know the letter’s contents — if he wanted to save me, he had to betray the Heavenly Sword Sect and join Ji Shen.
At the same time, you left a threat for me: if he wanted to keep his life, he had to confess everything was a ruse, that our love was just a show.
Heh, you truly have schemed extensively to manipulate both disciples while keeping them at odds. Impressive.”
As she spoke, Rong Ji drew a slender sword from its sheath at her waist, pointing it menacingly at the emperor.
