THE EMPEROR SAT within the golden throne room, his chin propped in one hand as he toyed with a string of jade beads in the other, listening to Yue Juntian's sniveling sobs.
"Your Imperial Majesty! Your Imperial Majesty! This old subject has but one true-born son. He is of half-royal blood—Your Imperial Majesty can't ignore this! If something happens to my son, then this old subject… this old subject will…" Upon saying these sorrowful words, he wailed bitterly and pounded his fist against the golden brick floor, snot and tears leaking down.
The emperor found this sight rather distasteful. He wrinkled his nose and narrowed his eyes. "All right, all right, what use is crying?" he counseled. "We didn't say we'd ignore it."
Yue Juntian kowtowed repeatedly, his head thumping against the floor. "Many thanks to Your Imperial Majesty! Many thanks to Your Imperial Majesty!" he cried tearfully. "I ask that Your Imperial Majesty send for the invincible Northern Frontier Army to flatten the Dream Butterfly Islands and bring back my son!"
"Send for whom…? You think that the Northern Frontier Army can be dispatched at will?" The emperor was dumbfounded. "People ridicule the idea of a mounted soldier sent across the world to secure a concubine's smile—surely you can't expect us to send a hundred thousand troops after a single man, can you?"
Hearing this, Yue Juntian began to beat his chest and stamp his feet once more. "Your Imperial Majesty! This old subject has led a lonely and painful life!" he howled. "My first wife passed away early, and now my son —"
"Stop bawling! We've heard your spiel hundreds of times since you entered the hall!" The emperor pressed a palm to his forehead. "Listen, we will definitely rescue him. But forget about summoning the Northern Frontier Army. That's a truly preposterous thought…"
Yue Juntian, snot dripping, was about to break into more wailing. On the verge of losing his mind with disgust, the emperor hastily sat up straight and held up a hand. "Enough, enough! We're sufficiently alarmed, okay? We will appoint Xihe-jun to this matter. Surely that'll appease you?"
Yue Juntian stiffened for a moment, his nose running in silence. He sniffled loudly, forcing those clear droplets back into his nostrils. "But Xihe-jun is just one man," he mumbled. "What if he doesn't succeed…"
After enduring Yue Juntian's pestering for an entire day, the emperor had reached the limits of his patience. He couldn't believe Yue Juntian was still nitpicking his offer. "Can you handle it then? Why don't you go ahead and fetch him yourself?"
Yue Juntian was a grandmaster artificer, but he had been afflicted with a mysterious illness several years ago. Although he had survived, his mind and body were no longer strong. And now that he was getting on in years, he couldn't walk even a mile without needing to take a long break. The idea of him reaching the Dream Butterfly Islands was pure fantasy—he was more likely to get killed on the way. Moreover, the man was selfish and had no regard for others. Years ago, when Jiang Yexue had defied his will and made him lose face, Yue Juntian had kicked his son out and made trouble for him in a hundred and one ways. Yue Chenqing was much more pampered than Jiang Yexue, but how could he be more precious to Yue Juntian than his own life? He immediately shook his head, weeping. "It's not that this old subject isn't willing. If I were still hale, I'd go at once to rescue my son from those accursed islands myself! But, but…"
"But what? If you keep dawdling, your son's insignificant little life might just end!"
"Right, right! Just Xihe-jun then! I'll be troubling Xihe-jun then!" Yue Juntian could do nothing but agree.
Thus did the emperor summon Xihe-jun to the palace. Because Mo Xi had already heard Li Wei's report on this matter, he quickly grasped the situation as he listened to the emperor's cursory summary. Although Mo Xi's opinion of this unfaithful old radish Yue Juntian was poor in every regard, Jiang Yexue was one of his oldest comrades-in-arms and their brotherhood ran deep. Not to mention that Yue Chenqing had served as his deputy general for two years—of course Mo Xi wouldn't shirk this duty.
"It's just that the Dream Butterfly Islands are an archipelago. Do we have any definite news of Yue Chenqing's whereabouts?"
"We do—ah, fortunately, we do," said the emperor. "Otherwise, this problem would be even more thorny than it already is."
As he spoke, he summoned the last spiritual messenger bird that Yue Chenqing had sent. This was a fleeting creature of coalesced spiritual energy. The emperor had cast protective spells upon it to preserve the details of Yue Chenqing's call for help, so even now, the bird had yet to dissipate. As the emperor mouthed the words of the incantation, the messenger bird's beak opened and closed. Yue Chenqing's voice came through, weak and shaking. "F-fourth Uncle… Papa…"
At the sound of his son's voice, Yue Juntian burst anew into sobs, thumping his chest and stamping his feet.
"I-I'm stranded on the Dream Butterfly Islands! It's…it's dark everywhere… It's dark wherever I look… I…I'm starting to have dreams…" Yue Chenqing sounded tearful and terrified. "I don't know how long I can stay awake… I don't—I don't know what they want with me… Please save me… Fourth Uncle…Papa…save me…" He whimpered. "It hurts… My blood… They want…"
Mo Xi never heard what it was that they wanted. Yue Chenqing had exhausted his spiritual energy and couldn't record anything more.
The emperor wound his string of agate beads around his wrist. "Does Xihe-jun have any thoughts?"
After a moment of consideration, Mo Xi spoke. "The Dream Butterfly Islands are demonic islands uninhabited by humans. The monsters that live there are temperamental, and it's difficult to judge their powers. Under normal circumstances, cultivators wouldn't go there unless they had no other alternative.
"However." He paused. "According to folk tales, the Dream Butterfly Islands are composed of around twenty islands. Different types of demons live on each one, with a wide range of disposition and character between them. Yue Chenqing mentioned three pieces of information: first, it's dark everywhere; second, he's having dreams and might not be able to maintain consciousness; third, the demons seem to be interested in his blood."
The emperor was quite intrigued. Smiling, he stroked his chin. "So if Xihe-jun were to guess, which clan of demons has taken our Yue Chenqing hostage?"
"The bats," said Mo Xi.
Yue Juntian made a soft sound, his lips white as he trembled. "Bats… Bats… Yes…yes… There are records of a vampire bat island among the Dream Butterfly Islands…" He burst into tears. "Oh god! My son, my beloved son!"
"But this is just a guess. Our most pressing task should be to scout the Dream Butterfly Islands as soon as possible."
Taking this to mean that Mo Xi planned to depart soon, Yue Juntian hastily wiped his face and spluttered weepily, "Many thanks to Xihe-jun, many thanks to Xihe-jun!"
"I'm not doing this for you, but for your esteemed son," Mo Xi replied coolly. "There's no need to thank me."
Yue Juntian's lips moved without sound. He knew of Mo Xi's friendship with Jiang Yexue and understood his implication. Referring to Yue Chenqing as his "esteemed son" was a pointed reminder that he wasn't Yue Juntian's only son. There was also the son he had abandoned like an old shoe and harassed in every way: Jiang Yexue.
Seeing that the atmosphere between Mo Xi and Yue Juntian had become awkward, the emperor coughed. "This matter is an urgent one. Xihe-jun, return to your manor to make preparations and set out at once."
"Of course," said Mo Xi.
"One more thing. Keep this life crystal on you."
The emperor waved his hand, and a blue-and-white spirit stone appeared at Mo Xi's side. These life crystals were created from a drop of umbilical blood taken at the birth of some of Chonghua's prominent nobles. The stones would glow day and night with a unique light until their owners died. In Chonghua's oldest stories, it was said that such a crystal brought good fortune to the newborn infant, and so many nobles had their own.
"This is Yue Chenqing's. Right now, the light still looks all right, so there's no need to fear for his life," the emperor continued. "Keep it on hand; although it can't point the way for you, it can help all of you keep track of Yue Chenqing's status."
Mo Xi knitted his brows. "All of us?"
"Oh, we forgot to mention," said the emperor. "Two others requested to join this mission; they would not hear of staying behind. One is Murong Chuyi, and the other is Jiang Yexue."
Mo Xi's eyes widened abruptly. "They're coming too?"
At Mo Xi's expression, the emperor replied, "No need to worry about Qingxu Elder. He might not have use of his legs, but he's still a grandmaster artificer. His wooden wheelchair has many mechanisms for mobility; he won't slow you down."
"That's not what I meant. It's that…besides Gu Mang, who must remain under my supervision, I had no plans to take anyone else with me. The temperaments of these demons are strange and volatile. Many types of demons dislike any contact with humans; I'm afraid that the more people in the party, the harder they'll lash out in retaliation."
"It's just two more people," the emperor said. "You're making it sound like there's a whole army accompanying you. If we tell you to take them, you will. There's strength in numbers."
Mo Xi couldn't persuade the emperor otherwise. All he could do was return to his manor and prepare for the journey. He hadn't much to pack; other than some basic talismans and spirit stones, his most important baggage was Gu Mang. There was no way Mo Xi could leave this troublemaker behind. Gu Mang's memories were all jumbled lately; he might remember something he shouldn't at any time. If Mo Xi wasn't at his side when it happened, the consequences would be hard to predict.
He had to admit there was a second reason. Gu Mang's fall from grace and subsequent act of treason had both taken place when Mo Xi was absent. After all that had happened, deep down, Mo Xi very much feared the thought of a long separation from Gu Mang.
"Where are we going?" Gu Mang asked as Mo Xi packed his qiankun pouch.
"To rescue someone," Mo Xi responded.
"To rescue Little White Bird?"
"Yes."
"Just us?"
Mo Xi's hands stilled as he turned to look at Gu Mang. "No. Murong Chuyi and Jiang Yexue are coming as well." He could hear the apprehension in Gu Mang's voice; Mo Xi knew he didn't like interacting with strangers. "Are you afraid of them?"
"If it's those two…" After giving it some thought, Gu Mang said, "Then it's okay."
When Mo Xi and Gu Mang arrived at the roadside departure pavilion outside the city, they discovered Murong Chuyi and Jiang Yexue waiting for them. It was a truly bizarre situation—Jiang Yexue and Murong Chuyi were enemies who wanted less than nothing to do with each other. Murong Chuyi in particular refused to spare Jiang Yexue one glance more than necessary.
But right now they shared a goal: to carry out this rescue with Xihejun. One of them sat under the departure pavilion while the other stood under the pear-blossom tree beside it. Across this intimidating distance, they were talking. Mo Xi was too far away to overhear what they said, but the hostility emanating from the exchange could be felt ten leagues away. Especially Murong Chuyi—he was attired in his customary silver-trimmed white robes, standing with his hands behind his back. As his ethereal silk ribbons fluttered in the wind, his handsome and elegant features were cold as if covered in a layer of bitter frost.
As Mo Xi and Gu Mang drew near, the other two fell silent.
"Qingxu Elder, Murong-xiansheng."
Gu Mang copied Mo Xi's greeting: "Qingxu Elder, Murongxiansheng."
In the few days since they had last met, Jiang Yexue's face had thinned considerably, and faint shadows were visible under his eyes. Ever since Yue Chenqing's disappearance, he had been so distraught he could neither eat nor sleep. "Xihe-jun," he said. He turned to give Gu Mang a small nod, which could be considered a greeting.
As for Murong Chuyi, he had never been bound by the conventions of etiquette. When his mood was poor, he ignored everyone without exception.
In this delicate atmosphere, the four set off on their journey.
The Dream Butterfly Islands weren't far from Chonghua. With two artificers in their party, there was no need to travel by sword. Jiang Yexue retrieved a tiny walnut from his qiankun pouch. When he tossed it onto the ground and cast a spell, it transformed into a swift boat that could sail among the clouds and traverse ten thousand miles in a day. Jiang Yexue invited Mo Xi and Gu Mang onto the boat, and then turned to Murong Chuyi, who still stood beneath the flowering tree. "Chuyi, you taught me to build this boat a long time ago; I've altered the design a little. Now, this ship can carry a hundred or more people. Come take a look."
But Murong Chuyi said stiffly, "I'll not take a single step onto your boat. No need to trouble yourself, Nephew."
Gu Mang, leaning over the ship's railing, pondered Murong Chuyi's words. A thought belatedly occurred to him. He pointed at Murong Chuyi, then at Jiang Yexue. "He calls him 'Nephew'?" He then pointed at Jiang Yexue, then at Murong Chuyi. "And he's his uncle?" Gu Mang turned to look at Mo Xi. "Right, I remember now—that's indeed their relationship. But I couldn't tell at all. This uncle looks to be about the same age as his nephew."
"Don't talk so much," Mo Xi admonished. "Let's go into the ship's cabin."
But it was evident that Muong Chuyi had already heard what Gu Mang said. For some reason, his face became even frostier than usual.
"Chuyi, you…" Jiang Yexue began.
"To whom are you speaking?" Murong Chuyi cut Jiang Yexue off, his sharp brows drawn severely together. "Jiang Yexue, you are born of Yue Juntian's concubine," he stated, tone chilly. "In terms of seniority, you should address me as Uncle. You and Yue Chenqing are both of the younger generation; when addressing me in this manner, don't you feel you've forgotten yourself?"
Jiang Yexue paused. "Yes. Xiaojiu (Youngest maternal uncle) is right to teach me."
Murong Chuyi let out a snort and raised a hand to twirl a flower between his fingers. The pear blossom that had landed on his shoulder transformed into a beautifully decorated Jiangnan pleasure boat. This spiritual ship could also fly, just like Jiang Yexue's walnut ship. Murong Chuyi stepped onto the pleasure boat, his tall, upright figure disappearing behind a flaxen curtain.
Jiang Yexue was silent a moment. He turned back to speak to Mo Xi. "My apologies. I've embarrassed myself in front of Xihe-jun."
Mo Xi shook his head and murmured a few words of consolation.
As the two ships entered the sea of clouds, Mo Xi sat in the cabin, listening to the wind outside. Even now, he couldn't help but feel that something was amiss. The way Jiang Yexue spoke to Murong Chuyi was too odd, as if he were hiding some secret that onlookers wouldn't know. And whatever this secret was, it seemed to cause Murong Chuyi a great deal of consternation, to the point that he deliberately pressed the point of seniority despite usually paying no mind to such worldly conventions. As a result, Murong Chuyi not only refused to enter Jiang Yexue's boat; his phoenix eyes had also flashed with some kind of unspoken warning—I am the superior; you are the inferior. I am the respected elder; you are of the younger generation. I will not tolerate your trespass.
Mo Xi furrowed his brow. Why would Murong Chuyi want to emphasize this boundary so pointedly?