Chapter 184 : Red Robe
Chapter 184: Red Robe
Bliss Island?
When Chen Ming heard Du Caiyue mention this place, he was somewhat surprised.
She was a Fifth Grade Constable of the Six Doors Authority, so it wasn't strange for her to know the base of the Red Sea Lord. But why did she come specifically to ask him?
Could it be a test?
He cautiously said, “I've heard a little about it. May I ask why Lord Du brought it up?”
Du Caiyue said solemnly, “There is something I’d like to ask.”
“Lord Du flatters me. I wouldn’t dare claim to be worthy of such words.”
“If a complete stranger gave you a body movement manual that’s rare in the entire world, would that be considered a favor?”
Chen Ming's expression became serious, and he nodded. “Naturally, a favor as weighty as a mountain.”
Du Caiyue asked again, “If that person, worried about your safety, secretly protected you during a long journey, would that be a favor?”
“Naturally.”
“What if that person even gave you the cultivation manual you needed most?”
Chen Ming sighed. “That would be a favor of passing down the Way!”
Du Caiyue looked him straight in the eye. “Now, that benefactor is trapped in danger. What do you intend to do?”
“Even if it’s a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, I, Chen, will go all out to rescue her.”
“Remember your words.” Du Caiyue continued transmitting her voice, “If you can reach Third Grade within half a year, come find me. I’ll tell you how to go to Bliss Island.”
With that, she rose to leave.
“Lord Du.”
Chen Ming called out, “What if I can’t do it?”
Du Caiyue’s voice came from outside the door, “Then it is her fate...”
Chen Ming scratched his head. Du Caiyue’s words made him understand many things.
So Du Caiyue, the Fifth Grade Constable of the Six Doors Authority, was in league with that mysterious woman in red.
Thinking back, it was indeed after exchanging cultivation methods with Du Caiyue that the woman in red appeared shortly after.
At the same time, many new doubts arose in his heart.
Since the woman in red knew it was dangerous, why did she return to Bliss Island?
Why didn’t she ask him for help herself, and instead had Du Caiyue deliver the message, risking exposure?
“I’ve heard a bit about Bliss Island.”
At this moment, Yu Haitang suddenly spoke. “That’s a famous immortal mountain overseas.”
Chen Ming asked, “Immortal mountain?”
But Yu Haitang fell silent again.
“Qiuxiang.”
He called Qiuxiang in and asked, “Do you know of Bliss Island?”
Qiuxiang replied, “During the previous dynasty, it was said that there were three immortal mountains overseas, and Bliss Island was one of them. Back then, the Tyrant Emperor of the previous dynasty sought immortality and sent three experts at the Celestial Being level far overseas to search for the three immortal mountains. In the end, Penglai and Yingzhou were destroyed, but Bliss Island remained elusive.”
Chen Ming recalled that when he read history books, there was indeed a section where the Tyrant Emperor sent three thousand ships overseas in search of the elixir of immortality.
This part of the record felt too familiar, so he hadn’t paid much attention to it.
He asked, “And then?”
Qiuxiang said, “Later, that fleet wandered to the extreme north and got lost for a time. Twenty years later, when they returned, the dynasty had already changed. In the end, the fleet split into three groups—one submitted to the new dynasty, one returned to the ocean, and one settled on an island and built a city.”
Chen Ming asked curiously, “Why haven’t I read about this in the books?”
Qiuxiang explained, “Because it involves the Southern Dynasty. Naturally, it wouldn’t be in the official histories.”
Chen Ming naturally knew that there was a Southern Dynasty in the south.
In this world, the landscape was actually divided into three powers. Besides the Southern Dynasty, there was also a Western Dynasty. The Great Jin held the largest territory, occupying the most prime regions and considered itself the legitimate regime.
Thus, not only did the official histories not acknowledge the other two minor courts, the authorities also strictly controlled public discussion. Anyone who defied the rule would be executed.
Of course, after several hundred years, this prohibition was rarely enforced anymore.
Moreover, due to the severing of transport, the Great Jin, the Southern Dynasty, and the Western Dynasty had had almost no contact for centuries. And because of the geographical distance, no one talked about those two places anymore.
Chen Ming only knew that the two splintered regimes had small territories, merely the size of two provinces, and were located in remote areas.
In his mind, they were akin to some Southeast Asian countries from his previous life.
He then asked another topic of interest, “So what kind of realm is the Celestial Being Realm? Is it above the Divine Repository Realm?”
Qiuxiang answered, “As for the exact realm, this maid is unclear. But above the Divine Repository Realm should be the Origin Embryo Realm. Beyond that, this maid cannot say.”
“Oh.”
“It’s said that the previous dynasty was overthrown precisely because those three Celestial Being-level experts were not in court.”
Got it—that meant they were nation-stabilizing experts.
Chen Ming nodded and asked, “That group that settled on an island and built a city—is it still around?”
“Naturally, they are. That’s the World’s Number One City.”
He said in surprise, “You mean the World’s Number One City where the Number One Under Heaven in Swordsmanship resides?”
“Exactly.”
At that moment, he gained a new understanding of the weight of a Celestial Being-level expert.
Among the various rankings at the World’s Number One Tower, the Heaven Ranking and the so-called Sword Saint Ranking were both topped by the same person—the City Lord of the World’s Number One City.
It was said that this Number One Under Heaven had held that position for over a hundred years, widely acknowledged as the top expert in the world.
The World’s Number One City, strictly speaking, did not belong to the Great Jin, nor the other two dynasties. It was an independent, neutral city beyond the three nations.
Being able to remain independent for five hundred years without being annexed by any of the three nations showed just how powerful that Celestial Being-level expert was.
Over the centuries, the city had naturally become the gateway for interaction among the three nations, and through this development, it had become the World’s Number One City of today.
…
Several days passed, and Yu Haitang’s complexion improved day by day.
Su Zhi Ning’s aura, on the other hand, grew weaker and weaker, to the point of nearly vanishing. Her life force seemed on the verge of disappearing completely.
Chen Ming guessed she was using some kind of secret art to heal, but he couldn’t help feeling worried.
“That’s the Awakening Spring Art.” Yu Haitang saw the concern on his face and snorted lightly. “An ultimate secret art passed down from ancient times by the Heaven's Path Alliance. At the brink of death, it gathers all the body's Qi to conceal from Heaven and Earth, not only preserving life, but even triggering a transformation. Once she wakes, she’ll be reborn, her strength greatly enhanced.”
The unspoken meaning was: You don’t need to worry about her.
Chen Ming praised, “Miss, you are truly knowledgeable and well-read.”
Yu Haitang was about to speak, when suddenly Qiuxiang knocked and entered. She swallowed her words.
Qiuxiang handed over a brocade pouch. “This was quietly sent over by someone.”
Chen Ming opened it, took out a slip of paper and glanced at it. His expression instantly turned solemn. He then exhaled a burst of Gang Qi, reducing the note to powder.
Yu Haitang asked, “What happened?”
He said in a deep voice, “A Red Robe has arrived at the Six Doors Authority.”
A glint of excitement flashed in her eyes. “So they’ve come…”
Red Robe, in the Six Doors Authority, represented above First Grade—noble beyond words, with strength that was unfathomably powerful, a peak expert.
The news of the Eternal Life False Tomb had so quickly alarmed such a peak expert.
As long as a Red Robe from the Six Doors Authority made a move, the peak experts within Jiangzhou would likely not remain idle—especially those old monsters whose lifespans were nearing the end.
Since their days were numbered anyway, they might as well make one desperate gamble—for a chance at immortality.
Chen Ming, on the other hand, was thinking. This note was likely sent by someone on Du Caiyue’s orders.
The Red Robe from the Six Doors Authority would certainly know that Shang Jianfei had always been in the Sea-Calming King’s Mansion. A little deduction would make it clear that it was the key to the Eternal Life False Tomb.
“It’s finally happening?”
Chen Ming thought inwardly. He looked at Yu Haitang and asked, “How’s your injury?”
She replied, “Still not there yet.”
He reminded her, “I don’t have much time left.”
Yu Haitang sneered, “You can try letting go. If I die, you won’t live either.”
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a pleasant voice, “Enough with the dying talk. You both must live well.”
Lady Yu, dressed in green palace robes, pushed the door open and entered. Seeing her niece’s pale face with a hint of red, she smiled. “Once you’re fully recovered, I’ll host the wedding and marry you off in grand style.”
Chen Ming was stunned. Why was she still bringing that up?
Was she serious?
Yu Haitang asked curiously, “Why are you here?”
Lady Yu walked over, checked her pulse, and whispered, “Your uncle came too.”
Hearing this, Chen Ming couldn’t help but think: Don’t tell me the Cangyue Sect has sent all their top experts?
Even the Sect Master came.
Yu Haitang reminded her, “That’s a path to death. With the Cangyue Sect’s strength, even if they obtain the Method of Immortality, can they keep it?”
Among the four major sects, the Cangyue Sect ranked last. Though their overall strength rivaled the other three, their top-tier power was too weak.
In this world, high-end strength determined a power’s standing.
Lady Yu held her hand and said, “You don’t need to worry about that. Just focus on healing. Recovering as soon as possible is the proper course.”
“Hmph.”
Yu Haitang suddenly said, “You just said you’re arranging a wedding for us. Did you ask her?”
She was referring to Su Zhi Ning lying on the bed.
Lady Yu nonchalantly said, “Let Young Master Chen marry her too.”
What?
Chen Ming looked at her in shock. Was she really that open-minded?
Yu Haitang sneered, “Do you know who she is?”
Lady Yu said unconcernedly, “The Heaven's Path Alliance doesn’t forbid marriage. If she wants to marry, her elders won’t stop her. However, she is a true disciple of the Heaven's Path Alliance. I doubt she’d be willing to serve one husband alongside another woman. Young Master Chen, I’m afraid you won’t have that fortune.”
Only now did Chen Ming understand. Good heavens—she was using this tactic to get Su Zhi Ning to withdraw voluntarily. And throwing barbs, clearly assuming disciples of the Heaven's Path Alliance were uncompetitive types.
Truly outrageous…
Eh?
Oh right, he and Su Zhi Ning weren’t in that kind of relationship to begin with.
With his mind in a jumble, Chen Ming saw Yu Haitang fall silent and quickly said, “Madam flatters me. I dare not claim to be worthy of Miss Yu…”
Lady Yu smiled at him. “Young Master Chen is too modest. If E’niang marries you, that would be her blessing. I do have an eye for people.”