Chapter 176: A Helping Hand?
“His Majesty hesitates.”
“I fail to understand why.”
“The human race is riddled with internal strife, their words of unity mere facades, yet still, they stand as the most formidable race of this age.”
“In the days of old, the Primordial Remnants reigned supreme, daring to call themselves the foremost clan under the heavens. At that time, the human race could not even compare.”
“His Majesty must not waver any longer. A thousand years… Such an opportunity has not arisen in a thousand years!”
“What nonsense are you muttering? A minister’s duty is to ease His Majesty’s burdens, not to coerce him.”
At the cusp of midday, snowflakes swirled beyond the Imperial Palace, the frost-laden air dense with an icy mist.
A delegation of humans, having met the Demon Emperor for the first time, now strode slowly out of the grand palace gates, watched keenly by the demon ministers.
To their relief, the Demon Emperor had not displayed overt hostility towards humanity. The human envoys, long plagued by unease, finally felt a measure of reassurance.
Perhaps their mission would conclude swiftly, without conflict. Some of the younger officials from Great Xia even found themselves reluctant to leave, their minds abuzz with all they had witnessed, discussing it in hushed yet animated voices.
For decades, the Great Xia imperial house had been in decline, and human officials had long been forced into servile deference before immortal cultivators. Who would have thought that one day they would stand face-to-face with the Demon Emperor himself?
Only Ji You did not share in their fleeting sense of peace.
“The demons seek alliance with the barbarians, yet they do not declare enmity with humans.”
The words had been spoken in a tone of measured diplomacy, but Ji You saw them for what they were—no true answer at all.
Worse yet, those words had come not from the Demon Emperor himself, but from his High Chancellor. A response left ambiguous, veiled in layers of unspoken intent.
The hesitation of the Demon Emperor ran deeper than they had foreseen. That much was clear. Otherwise, why would he allow his minister to speak in his place, rather than delivering his own decree?
[This matter is far from settled. There will be more waiting, more negotiation, before the Demon Emperor gives his true response.]
Back in his chambers, Ji You sat in his wheelchair and spat out a small jade bead he had been holding in his mouth.
Before embarking on this journey, he had paid an exorbitant sum at Celestial Splendor Pavilion for a transmission jade altar, capable of sending messages back to the Snowy Expanse. This jade bead was the key to activating it.
With his hands crippled, Ji You had kept the bead hidden in his mouth the entire time, in case the need arose. Fortunately, it had not.
Outside, the snowfall thickened, white flakes drifting like plumes of down.
Bundled in layers of thick scholar’s robes, Ji You sat by the fire, his mind churning over the many uncertainties ahead—
The Demon Emperor. His ministers. Their indecisiveness.
Then, after an hour of stillness, the serene Jade Garden was suddenly stirred into motion.
The sound of carriage wheels and hoofbeats filled the air. One after another, demons arrived, bearing invitations of all kinds.
Red lacquered, gold-embellished, tassel-hung—each uniquely crafted, yet all bearing the same intent.
Unlike humans, the demons were not a people of delicate refinement, their aesthetic inclining instead towards bold, unrestrained grandeur. One need only look at the Imperial Palace, built in stark black and white, to see the truth of this.
In truth, the Snowy Expanse was a land poor in resources, ill-suited for the development of intricate craftsmanship. And so, the sincerity behind these invitations lay not in their artistry, but in their urgency.
Each of the prodigies from the Immortal Sect received several such invitations. Holding them in their hands, they could not help but marvel at the demons’ ability to adapt to shifting tides.
“Their instincts are as sharp as ever. If the Demon Emperor truly had war in mind, they wouldn’t be so eager to forge ties.”
“Look at this one—Mu Niao, a merchant dealing in spirit stones. I’ve heard of him before. He’s the one who mines the famed Snowy Expanse demon stones.”
“And this one—Mu Luo Ge, a merchant of iron ore. His trade is vast.”
Gathered in the floral hall of the Jade Garden, Jiang Chen Feng, Huo Hong, and the others examined the invitations with keen eyes.
Following the opening of trade between demons and humans, Snowy Expanse demon stones had grown immensely valuable, sought after for their superior quality. Yet all trade routes were tightly controlled by Great Xia.
The Immortal Sect had largely remained indifferent to this, but the noble clans had long grumbled over the monopoly. If they could bypass the bureaucracy and procure goods directly from the demons, they could cut their costs significantly.
And more than mere spirit stones, it was the cores of the spirit veins themselves that truly captivated cultivators—Snowy Expanse spirit vein cores, potent beyond compare.
To them, these invitations were worth serious consideration.
“Young Master Huo, which gathering do you intend to attend?”
Huo Hong examined his invitation slips, then smirked. “None of them. I have arranged a private meeting with Princess Feng Yang tonight.”
At his words, Jiang Yan, Yan Qiu Bai, Jiang Chen Feng, Jiang Yue Rou, Shi Jun Hao, and Xiao Han Yan exchanged knowing glances, amusement dancing in their eyes.
Just the night before, Ye Han had hosted a banquet at the Jade Garden. Princess Feng Yang had been in attendance, and Huo Hong had shown a keen interest in her, his charm and wit on full display.
They had all seen it coming.
Huo Hong was the illegitimate son of the Mountain and Sea Pavilion’s grandmaster, the half-brother of Huo Xing Zhong. Yet despite his bloodline, he had never been officially acknowledged by the clan.
His mother had been nothing more than a servant girl—an unfortunate soul caught in a moment of the grandmaster’s wavering Dao heart, his lust manifesting as weakness.
Born of such an encounter, Huo Hong’s very existence was a contradiction. And yet, his ambitions knew no bounds.
Forging ties with the demon race was not merely about prestige—it was his bid for power, his means of securing a foothold in the struggle for supremacy within his own sect.
Elsewhere, Gong Shu Chou was also sifting through his invitations when he noticed several meant for Ji You. He gathered them up and brought them to his friend.
“These are for you, Young Master Ji. Various demon clans have extended their invitations. Will you be attending?”
Ji You took the invitations and studied them for a long while before his brows furrowed in contemplation.
“Gong Shu Xiong, would you summon Divine Hand within a Hundred Li for me?”
“Are you unwell?”
“No, I simply have some matters I wish to consult him on.”
“Very well, I’ll go at once.”
Ji You inclined his head in gratitude, watching as Gong Shu Chou departed. Then he turned his gaze to the furnace, the embers within burning a fierce crimson.
Beyond the window, the snowfall thickened once more, and from the distant city walls, a rising chill crept through the air.
Before long, the wooden door creaked open.
Divine Healer Bai Li entered, following closely behind Gong Shu Chou. Behind them, Princess Feng Yang stepped inside with grace, brushing the snowflakes off her robe with measured elegance before lifting her gaze to meet Ji You’s. Their eyes met for only a fleeting moment before hers drifted away, evasive as the winter wind.
Divine Healer Bai Li seated himself before Ji You. “Young Master Ji, what ails you?”
Ji You inclined his head slightly. “Divine Healer Bai Li, I have some matters I wish to inquire about.”
“I am but a mere physician,” Bai Li replied, stroking his beard. “Though I have served the Demon Emperor for many years, my craft lies in healing flesh and mending bones. As for the shifting winds of the world, I know little and care even less. You will find no wisdom here on such matters.”
Ji You shook his head. “I am not here to ask about the Demon Emperor. I seek only the truth of my own condition.”
Bai Li nodded. “That, I can speak to. Ask away.”
“How long until my hands are fully restored?”
Bai Li extended his own, taking Ji You’s wrist in a practiced grip, his fingers pressing lightly as he examined the pulse. Moments passed before he spoke. “Your recovery has been swifter than I anticipated. However, full restoration will take at least a month.”
Ji You blinked. “A full recovery?”
Bai Li shook his head. “After a month, you may perform simple tasks. But if you wish to regain your former strength, that will take much longer.”
Ji You’s brows furrowed. “Is there a method, some secret art, that could allow me to use my hands immediately?”
Bai Li’s gaze sharpened. “Use them? In what manner?”
“As I did before.”
The old healer exhaled, shaking his head. “I cannot grant you such a miracle.”
Ji You leaned forward. “I do not ask for healing—only for temporary function. Even if it costs me later, even if my condition worsens afterward, I will accept the consequences.”
Bai Li studied him, a strange expression flickering across his face. “And why, young master, do you have such an urgent need?”
Ji You hesitated before answering. “I simply wish to relieve myself.”
The room fell into stunned silence.
Princess Feng Yang held her breath. The words stirred something in her, memories of the previous night when she had overheard the same phrase. Though she had not witnessed the event firsthand, her handmaiden’s flustered recounting had been vivid enough. Now, hearing it again, an unbidden image formed in her mind, one she could not dispel.
Even Gong Shu Chou was momentarily taken aback. [So… he just needs to go?] He recalled the concerned whispers of Junior Sister Qiu Bai and Jiang Yan the day before. They had even asked him why Ji You had been awake for so long yet never once requested a chamber pot. At the time, their concern had seemed excessive—perhaps even greater than Ji You’s own. They had also instructed Gong Shu Chou to assist Ji You should the need arise. And yet, it seemed Ji You had been holding it in all this time.
Bai Li, too, was momentarily speechless before recovering. “The body has three great urgencies—this is understandable. But such matters can be assisted by another. There is no need for you to handle it yourself.”
Ji You’s tone remained impassive. “I did not ask for alternatives. I ask only whether a method exists.”
Bai Li sighed. “It does.”
He smoothed his sleeves and spoke with gravity. “I possess a needle technique that can temporarily numb your pain and force your meridians open. It would allow your hands to function as though uninjured for several hours. However, I will not use it on you.”
Ji You leaned forward again, his voice steady. “If it is a matter of payment, you need not worry. Gong Shu Chou will compensate you with whatever sum you name.”
Gong Shu Chou: “?”
Bai Li chuckled, shaking his head. “You humans love to speak of the Dao. There is a way for flowers to bloom, a way for grass to grow, and likewise, a way for healing to take its course. I will not act against the natural order.”
Ji You did not waver. “Gong Shu Chou can increase the payment.”
“It is not a matter of silver.” Bai Li’s expression turned solemn. “Once the needlework fades, your injuries will worsen. As a healer, I cannot knowingly cause harm. That is my Dao.”
His words left no room for negotiation. With a final bow, Bai Li turned and took his leave.
Ji You’s gaze then shifted to Princess Feng Yang. “Help me.”
The princess, who had just begun to follow Bai Li out, froze mid-step. She had always accompanied Bai Li on his visits without attendants, and so there was no one else present to bear this request. At his words, her composure wavered. [This human is truly shameless.]
Help him?
How could he say such a thing so openly?
She was the daughter of the Demon Emperor, the princess of all demonkind. How could she be expected to perform such a task?
And yet, as she met Ji You’s gaze—steadfast, sincere—her hands tingled with warmth, as though she had already touched something forbidden.
Finally, as if making an immense decision, she took slow, deliberate steps forward. Raising trembling fingers as pale as jade, she reached for his belt.
Gong Shu Chou furrowed his brows. [Should I… leave?]
[Wait…]
[Why does it feel like someone else is about to witness this before the Mirror Master of Spirit Sword Mountain?]
Ji You watched those slender fingers with a calm gaze. “Princess, I meant for you to administer the needles.”
Princess Feng Yang: “…?”
“Divine Healer Bai Li spoke of a technique to restore temporary function to my hands. Please, administer it.”
For a long moment, she remained frozen. Then, her eyes widened before she swiftly turned away, her cloak swirling behind her. She knelt beside her traveling medicine chest and unlatched it with shaking hands.
The needlework of Bai Li was indeed profound, and Princess Feng Yang, being his disciple, had inherited much of his craft. Moreover, her mastery was effortless, unburdened by the strain her teacher might have felt. The Demon Emperor’s bloodline granted her a formidable inner cultivation, making even the delicate act of needle placement an extension of her natural strength.
Without a word, she began inserting the needles—one, two, three…
Ji You’s hands were soon bristling like a hedgehog, yet the agony in his limbs ebbed, numbed by the needles’ power. Still, he could not move them.
“Why am I still unable to move?”
“The first sixteen needles only numb the pain,” Feng Yang murmured, her voice as soft as the whisper of silk. “Your meridians must still be unblocked. Be patient.”
Still shaken from her earlier misinterpretation, the usually cold and dignified princess now spoke in hushed tones, barely audible.
She reached for another needle, pausing just before insertion. Her fingers tightened around it, her gaze lifting once more to meet Ji You’s. For all her poise, she hesitated.
Like her master, she knew well that this technique was no cure—it was a wound in disguise. Though she had not refused at first, caught off guard by her own flustered state, now she could not ignore the weight of what she was about to do.
“Continue the acupuncture, but know this—it will forcibly expand your meridians. The effect will fade in a few hours, and your injuries may worsen. Have you thought this through?”
Ji You pressed his lips together. “Will it cripple me?”
Feng Yang pondered for a long moment. “If we merely stabilize them… then no.”
“And if we push further?”
“What?”
Feng Yang’s eyes widened, stunned into silence before she finally asked, “What exactly do you intend to do?”
Ji You: “?”
Gong Shu Chou had already reached his limit. He thought to himself, [I should not be here. In fact, I should be beneath the floor.] Silently, he exited the room and took up a position outside the door.
Ji You then turned his gaze to Princess Feng Yang. “Does Your Highness wish for war between the humans and the demon clan?”
Feng Yang’s fingers tightened around the needle. “Though the Snowy Expanse is harsh and survival difficult, making it impossible for our clan to grow, my royal father has always said that leading our people back to the Nine Provinces is the duty of the Demon Emperor’s bloodline. Yet even so, I do not wish for war, for war brings death to many…”
“Then why did you study medicine?”
Feng Yang exhaled softly. “To save lives.”
Ji You looked out the window, his voice carrying a solemn weight. “Medicine can save many, but it cannot save all under heaven.”
“What do you mean?”
“Begin.”
Feng Yang did not understand his words, nor what the fate of the world had to do with these hands of his. Yet the patient had spoken, and so she placed the needle.
Although Ji You’s arm had long lost its sense of pain, as the blocked meridians were forced open, an indescribable ache spread through his bones, swelling and stretching with each breath. Low murmurs of discomfort wove through the air, sometimes rising, sometimes falling, lingering and unbroken.
Listening to the sound, the princess found her mind suddenly conjuring an image of burning heat, of an unbearable intensity. Her fair cheeks flushed scarlet, her head lowering further and further.
Out in the covered corridor, the gathered prodigies of the Immortal Sect had already stepped outside, preparing to depart for the banquet. As they passed Ji You’s door, their steps faltered, expressions turning strange.
Huo Hong folded his arms, his lips curving into an amused smirk. “A mere Mystic Enlightenment cultivator, and already playing such games?”
Jiang Yan and Yan Qiu Bai, unable to help themselves, gasped, their soft lips parting. “How… how can he be so shameless?”
Gong Shu Chou sighed, shaking his head. “You misunderstand.”
Huo Hong chuckled, his gaze sly. “With sounds like those, there is no misunderstanding. Though I must say, I wasn’t aware the demon clan had flower houses. Which city’s courtesan is this?”
Before Gong Shu Chou could reply, the sounds from within the room abruptly ceased.
All eyes turned toward the door just as a pair of slender, delicate hands pushed it open. From within, Princess Feng Yang emerged, her cheeks still tinged with a soft pink.
A stunned silence overtook the crowd. Huo Hong’s amusement vanished in an instant, his gaze darkening as his jaw tightened.
Under the weight of so many stares, Feng Yang remained impassive. Without a word, she stepped past them and strode away from the Jade Garden, the color in her face lingering faintly.
Only after she left did the door open again, and Ji You stepped out.
The gathered disciples, barely having recovered from one shock, now found themselves facing another. Their eyes landed on his arm, which not long ago had been rendered useless—and yet now moved with perfect ease.
Ji You did not bother with explanations. “Brother Gong Shu, inform Elder Yan to gather everyone at the Western Wing. Tonight, something will happen. No one is to leave.”
His tone was calm, but his eyes were sharp.
“Someone seeks to tip the scales before the Demon Emperor has even decided.”
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)