Several servants emerged from the darkness, grabbing Zhang Tianshi without a word and dragging him towards the Tai Shen Palace.
Zhang Tianshi struggled slightly, "Hey! What are you doing? Is there any wine there? If there's no wine, I'm not going."
At this moment, the gong beaters released me and escorted me back to the Tai Shen Palace. Upon returning, Zhang Tianshi and I were led into a side room. I looked up curiously. The room was empty.
Zhang Tianshi watched me with great amusement. Seeing his ill-intentioned gaze, I nervously backed away.
Just as I was contemplating how to escape, I suddenly heard a woman's unrestrained laughter from outside, "Hahaha," followed by elegant chanting from above, like a tide: "To save the world and nurture all life, my existence is as fleeting as falling water."
Curiosity piqued, I stretched my neck to look outside. Purple petals rained down from the sky, and then a woman descended, adorned in a golden robe with wide sleeves embroidered with a python, a phoenix coronet on her head, a delicate face, and an elegant demeanor.
Those nearby immediately bowed and exclaimed, "Madam."
The woman glanced at me briefly and ordered, "Lock that woman in the woodshed."
"Yes."
Bewildered, I was escorted away and locked in the woodshed.
Subsequently, the woman bypassed Zhang Tianshi and proceeded directly to the main seat, where she sat down.
She raised her eyes slightly and said to someone nearby, "Grant him a seat."
"Yes." Servants promptly brought a chair for Zhang Tianshi.
Zhang Tianshi, without any pretense, plopped down, crossed his legs, looking every bit the rogue.
The beautiful madam opened her mouth and asked, "Tianshi, do you still recognize me?"
Zhang Tianshi chuckled and replied playfully, "The renowned Palace Mistress of Tai Shen Palace, Zi Yu, who doesn't know you? May I ask why the Palace Mistress has gone to such lengths to capture me? If you are lonely, I could perhaps keep you company."
As he spoke, he winked at Zi Yu and licked his lips.
Zi Yu, seeing his deliberate antics, did not get angry but instead smiled, having seemingly seen through him. "Your mouth can never change its habit of taking advantage. I invited you here to ask you one thing. You have already met that woman just now. Is she human?"
Zhang Tianshi's eyes darted around, feigning ignorance. "Human? Aren't they mythical beings? How would I know?"
Zi Yu explained, "I am not entirely sure myself. I only heard that a thousand years ago, in your prime, you traveled the world and chanced upon an enlightened master. The master, feeling a connection with you, imparted great techniques. However, not long after, you were afflicted by a curse spanning lifetimes. It is said that to break the curse, the master spared no effort, even cutting off a piece of his own flesh for you to consume. Legend has it that the master was also human."
Zhang Tianshi was slightly taken aback. Hearing her recount his glorious past, he couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion, yet he maintained a casual demeanor, laughing, "I never imagined my story was so widely known, that even the Palace Mistress of Tai Shen Palace knows this rumor. Rumors are just rumors, after all. The truth and falsehood are mixed with embellishments and fabrications by others. I never ate human flesh."
"As long as you tell me if this young woman is human, I will tell you Qin'er's whereabouts."
"Qin'er!" He seemed intrigued. "You know where Qin'er is?"
"Of course, I do. If you tell me the woman's identity, I will tell you where Qin'er is. I'll give you three hours to think it over carefully."
"Wait a moment, let me see that young lady first."
"Fu Gui, escort him."
"Yes." The steward standing by, having received the order, led him out of the room and to where I was being held. Upon seeing me, Zhang Tianshi asked those nearby to withdraw. He then carefully examined my appearance and asked, "What is your name?"
"My name is Liu Muye."
"Where are you from?"
"I used to live in Nanshan. I was kidnapped."
"Do you know why they kidnapped you?"
"Probably to sell me."
"Oh?"
After he had a general understanding of the situation, he sat down with his eyes closed before the door. As I was wondering what was happening, I suddenly heard a voice say, "You don't need to be afraid. I am speaking to you telepathically now. You can close your eyes and tell me the answers to my questions in your mind."
The voice sounded like the person in front of me. I looked at him curiously.
He said telepathically, "Stop looking and ask quickly."
"Why should I believe you?" I was somewhat wary of him.
"You can choose not to believe me, but do you believe you are about to die?"
I looked at him with confusion, wanting to retort, but seeing his calm demeanor, I thought, why not see what he intends to do? So, I sat down in a similar posture.
"Do you know why you are here?" he asked.
"No."
"It seems you were truly kidnapped without understanding why." He then proceeded to explain the situation in detail. "The owner of this Tai Shen Palace is named Zi Yu. She is a purple snake that has lived for thousands of years. Every thousand years, she undergoes a process of shedding her skin and rebirth, from death to life, and from life to death. Somehow, she heard that by consuming human flesh, she could directly pass through this transformation and live for another thousand years."
I shivered in fear. "This, how much flesh would that require?"
Sensing my panic, he quickly reassured me, "Don't be afraid. Legend has it that consuming even a piece of human flesh can grant immortality and cure all ailments."
Regarding his legend, I felt compelled to clarify, "Brother, what you're saying about immortality is just made up in books. In reality, human flesh has no special properties; it's the same as yours."
He then inquired again, "Do you also have to undergo rebirth or possess boundless spiritual power?"
"Uh, actually, we are very fragile beings."
"I see." He seemed to understand something and presented me with two options. "You have only two paths now. One is to cooperate with me and pretend to cut flesh, and the other is to cut your own flesh."
"What? Brother, is there even a choice? I want to live." I said, somewhat indignantly.
"Then choose the first option. I will tell you what to do, and you will do as I say."
"Alright."
"First, you do this, then that, and finally this. Do you understand?"
"Understood." Although I didn't fully grasp what he was saying, it sounded plausible. In this situation, I could only trust this stranger, even though he also had his own agenda.
Meanwhile, upon entering the city, flying freely in the sky was not permitted, so A'li had to travel on foot. After entering Nanhai City, he couldn't find any vehicles heading to Beishen Capital and had to shamelessly ask for a ride.
A'li stood on the streets of Nanhai City, reluctantly writing on a piece of cardboard, "I need to go to Beishen Capital. Can anyone give me a ride?"
He then waited by the roadside like a pitiable child begging for money to bury his father. Passersby looked at him, shook their heads, and moved on.
Suddenly, a carriage stopped in front of A'li, and a familiar head peeked out of the window. It was Qinglu, whom he had met before.
Qinglu smiled and said to him, "Can't find a carriage to Beishen Capital?"
A'li, startled, used the cardboard to shield his face. Qinglu then dismounted and walked up to him, removing the cardboard. A'li looked at her, his face immediately showing embarrassment, and he turned his head away sheepishly.
Qinglu, without hesitation, cupped his chin and pulled his face towards her. She said, "I know that friend is very important to you. If you don't hurry to save her, she might be sold to someone as a wife or concubine, or even sold into a wealthy family as a maid."
Hearing Qinglu's words, A'li's face immediately showed concern. Seeing his worry, Qinglu continued, "How about this? I'll take you to Beishen Capital, but you can't run away like last time, okay?"
A'li thought about it. Currently, she was the only one who could take him to Beishen Capital. To save Muye, he didn't care about anything else. Was it just a matter of sacrificing his appearance? He could do it.
He nodded in agreement. The driver, A'er, standing nearby, gritted his teeth and thought, "Here I am, such a handsome guy, and Miss Qinglu not only doesn't value me but keeps chasing after some pretty boy she met halfway. What makes him better than me? What makes him better?"
The more he thought about it, the more resentful he became, and the more agitated he grew. Jealousy was almost distorting his features, and hatred was gradually eroding his soul. His once pure eyes were filled with rage.
Qinglu pulled A'li into the carriage and then patted A'er's shoulder, speaking softly, "A'er, please take us to Beishen Capital. Thank you for your hard work."
Hearing Qinglu's words of appreciation and her sweet, gentle thanks, a surge of passion ignited within him. He readily agreed with a smile, "Okay, Miss Qinglu, don't worry. I will definitely take you to Beishen Capital."
With that, he shouted, "Giddy up!" and drove the carriage towards the north gate of Nanhai City.
As soon as A'li got into the carriage, he sat properly opposite Qinglu. To avoid seeing anything he shouldn't, he turned his gaze elsewhere.
Qinglu, as usual, smiled flirtatiously and reached out her hand to A'li's. Startled, A'li quickly withdrew his hand. Seeing this, Qinglu covered her mouth and laughed, finding him quite amusing.
She boldly got up and sat beside A'li. A'li deliberately got up and sat back opposite her.
She didn't get angry. She reached out and grabbed A'li's hand. A'li hastily pulled it away and nervously shifted further inside.
Qinglu asked him, "You have such fine features, and you're so innocent and cute. I'm sure many nice girls like you. What kind of woman do you plan to marry in the future?"
A'li replied casually, "I haven't thought about those things yet."
Seeing his reply, Qinglu got up again and sat beside him. A'li, feeling apprehensive, quickly got up and moved to the side.
Qinglu then asked him, "What do you think of me?"
A'li paused slightly, looked at her cautiously, and slowly said, "You, you're quite good."
Qinglu burst into laughter. She reached out to caress A'li's face, but A'li immediately covered his face. Qinglu, feeling helpless, asked him, "Are you that afraid of me?"
A'li explained, "No, it's just that I don't know what to do."
"You can hold my hand, or wipe my sweat."
A'li shook his head vehemently, refusing to do anything.
Qinglu sighed in exasperation. "Then lift your head and look at me carefully."
A'li still shook his head, covering his face tightly. Qinglu had to reach out and pull him. A'li, terrified, got up and moved around. Qinglu grabbed him, and A'li quickly transformed into a tanuki, slipped from her embrace, and jumped aside.
A'er, driving the carriage outside, heard the commotion inside and couldn't help but imagine them embracing and kissing. The thought of these scenes made him furious, his heart filled with anger, and he was beside himself with rage.
A'li, back in human form, refused her, "Miss Qinglu, I am not that kind of person. You don't need to try to do anything to me. I am very grateful that you are taking me, and I will repay you."
Qinglu looked at him playfully. "Oh, repay me? How do you plan to repay me?"
A'li thought for a moment. "When we arrive at Beishen Capital, I can give you money."
Qinglu shook her head. "I have money; I don't want it. Think of something else."
A'li thought again. "I have a lot of fruit at home. I can give you some fruit."
Qinglu still shook her head, unsatisfied.
A'li then said, "Then I'll help you feed the horses and wash the carriage."
Seeing his adorable foolishness, Qinglu couldn't help but burst into laughter. She said, "I need an attendant. Are you willing to follow me?"
Upon hearing this, A'li frantically shook his head and refused, "I don't really like following people, and besides, I have a friend."
"Is that friend of yours that important?"
"She recognizes me as her older brother, so I have to take care of her."
"It seems you are quite decent."
After A'li said this, Qinglu wanted to tease him again, but thinking he might resist, she said, "Sit properly. I won't touch you anymore."
A'li was overjoyed and asked, "Really?"
"Yes, you don't need to keep dodging."
A'li smiled foolishly, happily saying, "That's good, that's good."
Qinglu also kept her promise and did not touch him further, quietly escorting him to Beishen Capital.
Meanwhile, back in Beishen Capital, in the Tai Shen Palace, after Zhang Tianshi left, I sat alone on the floor of the woodshed, my stomach rumbling with hunger. I got up and looked through the window in the door, seeing someone guarding it. I shouted, "I'm hungry! I want to eat! I want to eat!"
The guard walked over, clearly displeased. "What are you shouting about?"
"I'm hungry," I said, looking at him pitifully.
The guard waved his hand. "Your meal is not my responsibility." He then turned to leave.
I quickly shouted, "Hey, hey, hey, come back here! I am a distinguished guest of your Madam. If I starve to death, your Madam will make you accompany me to the grave. Go get me a bowl of rice quickly."
He sneered and walked back, questioning me, "On what grounds are you ordering me around?"
I was speechless but still had to say, "Are you going to lock me up here and not feed me? If you don't feed me, I'll keep shouting. I'm hungry! I'm hungry! I'm hungry!!!"
He smugly said, "Shout all you want. Even if you shout yourself hoarse, I won't feed you."
I didn't expect him to be so unreasonable, refusing even a simple courtesy. It seemed I had to resort to my ultimate move. I slowly took a breath, exhaled slowly, and then sang in the style of a Yunnan folk song: "Brother and sister, come quickly and see, there are inhumane people here. They captured someone and that's that, but the key is they don't provide food.
Uncles and aunties, come quickly and see, there are inhumane people here. They captured someone but don't provide food. If someone starves to death, they don't care. How inhumane! How can such people exist?
Fearless of heaven or earth, the most feared are the inhumane. They are truly detestable. How will I live on? My father, my mother, I'm about to starve to death. Come quickly and save your daughter, take me away from here!"
Listening to my peculiar song, he felt as if his ears had been struck ten thousand times, almost spewing foam and collapsing to the ground.
Finally, unable to bear my terrifying voice any longer, he conceded, "Alright, alright, my dear young lady, I surrender. I'll go get you a bowl of rice. Wait for me."
Seeing that he had given in, I stopped singing and urged him, "Good, hurry, hurry."
I thought that this family seemed to be wealthy, so their meals should be better than elsewhere. The thought of having meat and fish later made my mouth water. I had been eating sweet potatoes and fruits every day in Nanshan, which had made me terribly hungry.
So, I rubbed my hands together and waited anxiously.
A moment later, the man returned with a large bowl of rice, topped with a thick layer of green vegetables.
Looking closely, I was very disappointed not to see any meat. He handed the bowl to me through the window. "Eat."
I took the bowl and asked, "Why is there no meat? Where's the meat?" I suspected he had eaten it and glared at him resentfully.
He quickly waved his hands. "Don't look at me, there's really no meat. If you want meat, you can eat me."
I sighed in resignation, thinking that having rice and vegetables was good enough, as long as I could eat my fill. So, I squatted down and began to eat the rice heartily. Oh, it was so delicious.
Zi Yu:
"To save the world and nurture all life, my existence is as fleeting as falling water." Her true identity is that of Nuwa from the ancient divine race. Her true form is a large purple python, who followed the Great Roc from the human realm to this other world ten thousand years ago.