Chapter 047: The Fate-Defying Black Dragon

Within the territories of the human race, there were not only human Dao Lords, but also some Dao Lords of other races. Even at the height of the Dao Court’s power, several allied Dao Lords from foreign races, as well as some fiercely independent and formidable non-human Dao Lords, established their own sanctuaries within human lands. For example, the water palaces hidden within great rivers and lakes, or sanctuaries built in mysterious and perilous places—areas where human Dao Lords could hardly survive, yet certain non-human beings were born to thrive there, founding their own sects and schools.

The proliferation of heretical cults among humans was, after all, a legacy of history! Of course, the abundance of strange spirits, wild deities, and monstrous beings among the people also played its part. Ultimately, the core reason was the human race’s longstanding weakness—every sort of oddity found its way into human lands, for survival was easier here, and it was simpler to blend in unnoticed.

These non-human Dao Lords, after founding their sects among humans, would often recruit prodigious boys and girls from human families. They especially favored youths from humble backgrounds with no connection to the Dao Court—precisely the kind of situation the Qingjin siblings found themselves in.

Hmph! Refusing to become loyal hounds of the Dao Court, they chose instead to serve as lackeys for outsiders—let’s see what fortune awaits them.

The Lord of Meishan, fuming, led his people back to Meishan, and immediately reported the arrival of a foreign Dao Lord at Panshe Territory, along with Qingjin being taken as a personal disciple, to the Postman.

The Postman heaved a sigh and handed the Lord of Meishan a secret urgent letter.

"This letter has come a step too late," he lamented.

"This… is it really from Qi… himself?" the Lord of Meishan exclaimed in surprise, quickly opening the letter. After reading it, he gripped his arm with regret, muttering, "Had I known, I’d have had Qingjin killed outright. To think he is the great fiend from that infamous Dream of Awakening… if only I had acted a moment sooner…”

“At that rate, you and all your Dao troops would have been wasted for nothing," the Postman retorted drolly. “What were you thinking? Do you know what kind of being that foreign Dao Lord is? Do you think you can slap it in the face without retaliation? The whole of Meishan County and the neighboring human lands might have vanished in its wrath. That’s three hundred thousand human lives! Surely you understand what is at stake?”

The Lord of Meishan fell silent, unable to argue.

“Besides,” the Postman continued, “Qi himself mobilized the secret army several times to hunt him down, but failed to capture or kill him—and now he’s become the disciple of an even stronger foreign Dao Lord. That should tell you how immense this man’s fortune is. When I first met him, I never imagined a man more beautiful than a woman could possess a Fate of the Black Dragon of Defiance—doomed to be a great fiend from birth.”

The Lord of Meishan sighed in exasperation, “Lately, there have been so many strange Fates emerging. I heard that in Dongshan County, a boy was found with the Fate of the Northern Underworld Phantom Phoenix—another demonic destiny. Our Dao army tried several times to force his family to hand him over, but they seemed willing to send the boy away even if it meant the death of their clan.”

“I heard he was eventually spirited away by cultists to the Donghuang clan. The eldest princess of the Donghuang insists on marrying a human prodigy as her prince consort. The boy is only thirteen now, but in a couple years he’ll be old enough. It all depends on whether he can win the princess’s favor.”

At this, the Lord of Meishan’s expression turned odd. “To be honest, I have never met the Donghuang princess, nor the boy with the Phantom Phoenix Fate, but I have seen Qingjin. With his looks and bearing, he might just become a prince consort to the Donghuang princess.”

Cough, cough, cough…

The Postman was so startled by these words he nearly leapt from his chair. “Shen Qingjin isn’t a fool. He knows well enough that being a prince consort to the demon princess is scarcely better than being a kept man. The Donghuang princesses change their consorts every few decades!”

“Who knows?” the Lord of Meishan replied sourly. “People will do anything for power and immortality. What’s so strange about sharing a woman with other men?”

“It’s sharing a demoness—ahem, a female bird!” the Postman muttered, growing increasingly uneasy at the thought.

“Shen Qingjin comes from a humble clan, never groomed by the Dao Court since childhood. His prospects are limited. No matter his talent, the Dao Court would never devote resources or Dao arts to him,” the Postman said pragmatically.

The Lord of Meishan nodded.

“I only ever meant to use him—give him a taste of benefit, dangle some grand, empty promise, make him serve me, and if he grew too powerful or unruly, dispose of him. Now that he’s joined that one’s household, his future is truly unpredictable,” the Postman admitted.

The Lord of Meishan sneered in disbelief. “Would a foreigner ever treat a human kindly? Dongting, just you wait—misfortune will find that boy soon enough.”

“Ah, that reminds me—I’ll have to approach that Dao Lord myself. What a troublesome affair,” the Postman said with a scowl. “A great demon who commands water mists and demon winds—must be from Panshe Lake. Is its sanctuary beneath the water?”

…

In the main hall of the residence at Panshe Territory, everyone sat in silence, no one speaking a word. Qingjin was baffled as to when he had become the personal disciple of a Dao Lord. Qingting sat dazed, at a loss for words. Qinghu drifted off in thought, while Winfish kept whispering in her ear, urging her to build a Dao sanctuary—insisting the Dao Court was sure to come and challenge them, so they needed a grand, awe-inspiring, luxurious sanctuary to intimidate their rivals.

Luxurious indeed!

Wasn’t this just forcing her to work?

Old Zhao’s face was stiff, uncertain what to do. The great demon had come and gone, leaving chaos in its wake, and he was utterly at a loss.

Zhou Ji was still reeling from the transformation in Qingjin’s status.

Ning Qi’s gaze was deep, lost in unknown contemplation.

Each of the principal figures sat more wooden than the last.

After a long, heavy silence, Qingjin finally spoke. “I don’t even know how I became the personal disciple of a Dao Lord. I’ve never even met that elder…” His words were awkward, unsure how to describe such an existence.

“Could it be that my looks are so extraordinary that even such a venerable master was taken by me?”

“Bah!” Zhou Ji interrupted, exasperated. “Who ever picks disciples based on looks? Isn’t it all about talent?”

“I think it’s definitely about looks! What Dao Lord doesn’t care about face? If you have a disciple as beautiful as a flower, just standing at the door brings instant prestige!” piped up Qing Xiaohu.

At this, Old Zhao, Zhou Ji, and Ning Qi all burst into laughter.

As for Qingjin and his brother Qingting, their eyes flickered with unspoken agreement.