The Mirror Legacy

Chapter 1137: Duties (II)

It’s the Spring’s Echo!

The spirit sparrow froze for an instant, realizing that her opponent had unleashed his Life Divine Ability in full, striking her while she was vulnerable. It was already too late. The bluish-gray Pristine Water cascaded down upon her.

Chi Buzi remained cautious. Though the spirit sparrow was trapped and unlikely to escape, she could still fight to the death. If she died now, all the years of his preparation would be wasted.

So while maintaining his suppression with the Pristine Water, he revealed himself, a confident smile spreading across his face as he said, “Fellow Daoist, there’s no need to panic. I did not go to all this trouble just to take your life.”

The demonic creature did not believe him and only replied coldly, “Enough talk. My divine ability may be weak, but if I fight with my life on the line, wounding you will not be difficult!”

Chi Buzi blinked and steadied his gaze. His features were handsome, and his azure robes lent him a refined air. With a solemn expression on his face, he spoke with apparent sincerity, “I truly have no intention of harming you. You and I belong to different Dao lineages and share no enmity. You possess neither spirit artifact nor treasure; why would I wish you harm? My goal was merely to open a Lesser Yin Dao lineage of my own, and I feared you might compete for it, hence this display.”

The demonic creature still did not believe him. The Pristine Water divine ability in Chi Buzi’s hands never ceased as he continued speaking, “At worst, it becomes a fight to the death. You may try if you wish.”

As he spoke, a silver-white cord within his sleeve began to glow faintly. His expression did not change; he watched her earnestly while silently increasing the pressure of the Pristine Water, growing heavier with every breath.

————

Within the mirror’s world.

Mist coiled through the air, drifting over gleaming white tiles. Several stone lanterns stood in the courtyard, their pale yellow glow spilling softly onto the ground. Complex runes were etched across their surfaces. A youth with light jade-colored eyes lay sprawled over a stone table, looking listless and bored.

“Refined Fire of the Profound Drum… a True Fire control art, hmm? It follows the twelve Chonglou[1] pathway for ignition… What an ancient technique this is… needs revision…”

Dangjiang lay there for a while before lazily picking up his brush to make corrections. The pavilion was quiet and empty, save for two dull-eyed yellow-armored warriors hauling jade slips up the stairs.

Even after being officially stationed in the heavens, Dangjiang’s workload hadn’t lessened in the slightest, though the number of people he met had. Before, when he had been serving in the Lord’s Manor beneath the Son of Heaven, there had been at least a few to talk to. Now, confined to this tower and forbidden to move about freely, his days were all the more miserable.

After receiving a commendation a year ago, Dangjiang had begged endlessly not to be transferred back to the manor, but simply to be assigned a colleague. At last, the Immortal Official Liu had granted him two subordinates. Overjoyed, he returned to the tower only to discover that his assistants were two brainless puppets, utterly devoid of thought.

Dangjiang was disappointed, but even dull company was better than none. At least he had someone to talk to, easing his boredom a little. Truthfully, there was little actual work here, no tasks that required heavy lifting or carrying, and he sometimes felt guilty about saying anything at all.

Yet every time he lifted his head, he was met with a pair of thick eyebrows and a blank face, which spoiled the mood entirely. The youth paused, sighing inwardly, The next time I get a chance, I’m changing their dharma bodies. I’ll turn them both into graceful and beautiful maids. One shall hold a pale-blue pipa in flowing white robes, and the other a jade pot in pink silk, with warm milk simmering inside… now that would be true beauty…

He paused for a few breaths when suddenly he heard knocking from the door. Overjoyed, Dangjiang jumped to his feet and called out loudly, “My lord, please come in!”

Sure enough, a white-robed Immortal Official stepped into the courtyard. His appearance was plain, but the moment Dangjiang saw him, his face lit up with joy, tears welling up in his eyes as he cried, “Lord Liu, it has been far too long!”

The Immortal Official Liu gave a small nod and replied calmly, “Greetings, fellow Daoist. It has been some time, how goes your progress?”

Dangjiang was long accustomed to his indifferent tone and paid it no mind. Maintaining his enthusiastic smile, he immediately began talking about the technique spread across the table, “I’m currently working on the Refined Fire of the Profound Drum. The profound in its name refers to the spreading of profound grace across the vast wilderness, signifying a reach that extends everywhere. This fire-refining method draws from ancient precedents, beginning with the twelve Chonglou ignition pathway…”

Once he started, he could not stop. His words jumped from east to west, from one topic to another, flowing endlessly. Lu Jiangxian, disguised as Liu, clenched and unclenched his fists again and again as he listened.

I truly brought this upon myself. Why did I have to ask?

Lu Jiangxian had come in disguise to handle the matter concerning Chi Buzi. The latter was about to capture and offer up a Purple Mansion Realm demonic creature, yet Lu Jiangxian had little of value to reward him with. He was unwilling to part with a Green Talisman, so he would likely have to make do with offering a Talisman Pill and a White Talisman instead.

But such a reward was hardly impressive, and Chi Buzi was not one to act without gain in sight. He would be difficult to appease. On one hand, Lu Jiangxian needed to coax him into continuing his service faithfully; on the other, this would serve as a rehearsal for approaching the Li Family later.

Not wanting to handle the matter personally, lest he be forced to keep up appearances in the future, Lu Jiangxian decided to use the simple-minded Dangjiang instead. After all, Chi Buzi was formidable, and no amount of acting could match the genuine conviction of this honest fool. Yet Dangjiang kept rambling on and on. By the time Chi Buzi, in the world below, had already beaten the demonic creature to her last breath and was about to capture her with a spirit artifact, the chatter still hadn’t stopped.

Realizing the timing no longer matched, Lu Jiangxian could no longer hold his composure and said softly, “Your insights are truly profound… so many fascinating speculations, truly captivating. But today… I have come to bid farewell!”

“Ah?” Dangjiang had been speaking with great enthusiasm. Upon hearing that thunderous declaration, he froze, stunned for a moment before blurting out, “Th-this can’t be! Is this by the order of Lord Zhen’gao?”

Immortal Official Liu nodded gravely. Dangjiang felt a wave of despair, nearly bursting into tears as he said, “You’re the only confidant I have in all the heavens… No one else even bothers to speak to me. You’re the only one I can deal with in anything. Now that you’re leaving, what am I supposed to do?”

Liu replied evenly, “I’m not being sent to reincarnate in the mortal world, merely reassigned. I won’t be able to meet you as often, but someone else will come to take over my duties. Do not worry, I’ll come visit you again when I have the time.”

Dangjiang let out a long breath of relief. At least Liu wasn’t like that Immortal Official Li who disappeared forever after leaving; there was still hope of seeing him again someday. Yet Liu sighed and added, “However, there’s something that’s been weighing on my mind, there’s one matter in which I must trouble you. After much thought, I’ve decided I should speak of it.”

“My lord, please speak! I will certainly do my utmost!”

Eager to curry favor, Dangjiang thumped his chest in earnest promise. Liu hesitated briefly before replying, “With my transfer, the post I held in the manor will now be left vacant. Manpower in the heavens is already scarce as several of our colleagues have descended to the mortal realm. Since I’ll be serving in another celestial region, it will be difficult for me to travel back and forth. So I sought the lord’s permission… to have you fill in for me for a time.”

Dangjiang’s smile froze in place. His expression turned from disbelief to quiet misery. Trembling, he pointed a finger at himself and muttered, “My lord, you mean… your work… your duties… You want me to do them too?!”

1. In Daoism, this term refers to the trachea, which is considered a conduit for vital energy (Qi) within the body. The trachea, or windpipe, is a tube that connects the larynx to the bronchi of the lungs, allowing the passage of air. ☜