Chapter 424: Ning Family Courtyard

"Jiajia, why are you here?"

Ning Changjiu looked at Lu Jiajia, a little surprised.

Lu Jiajia's long hair flowed over her shoulders, and her smile was refined and elegant. As she was one of the eighty-one swords from that era, and her sword spirit was fused with her body, her cultivation level naturally rose with the reforging of the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom. Now, she looked even more like a transcendent fairy.

"What? Am I not welcome?"

As she spoke, Lu Jiajia's gaze subtly shifted to Ning Xiaoling.

Ning Xiaoling was tugging at the corner of her clothes, her body fidgeting slightly as she stammered, "N-no, not at all, Master, you came at just the right time..."

Lu Jiajia leaned closer and asked, "What were you and your senior brother just talking about, Xiaoling?"

Faced with such a formidable presence, Xiaoling felt overwhelmed, as if gazing up at a towering mountain.

"N-nothing, just talking about recent events," Ning Xiaoling said, taking a small step back.

Lu Jiajia's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She reached out and pinched Ning Xiaoling's ear, scoffing, "You naughty disciple, do you really think I didn't hear you?"

"If Master heard, why are you still asking?" Ning Xiaoling replied innocently.

Lu Jiajia took a deep breath and said, "When you first joined the sect, Xiaoling, you were such a well-behaved child. How is it that you're getting bolder now?"

Seeing her master's fierce expression, Ning Xiaoling became a little bolder herself, saying, "This is the Ancient Netherworld Kingdom, and Xiaoling is now the Underworld Lord! Master... Master might not be a match for Xiaoling here!"

Hearing this, Lu Jiajia was surprised that the usually docile Xiaoling would suddenly get defiant. "Oh, so you and your senior brother aren't learning anything good, just how to disrespect your master and betray your ancestors?"

"Disrespect your master and betray your ancestors..." Ning Xiaoling's confidence grew. "Master, how exactly does Senior Brother disrespect you and betray our ancestors, usually?"

Ning Changjiu, who was watching the commotion, felt a jolt in his heart. He instinctively glanced at Ye Changong, who was still lying in bed, and felt quite innocent himself.

"Xiaoling, you!" Lu Jiajia's cherry lips parted in exasperation as she looked at the girl who dared to talk back to her. Annoyed, she said, "Xiaoling, what do you know? You're just spouting nonsense..."

"Xiaoling is not spouting nonsense," Ning Xiaoling countered, listing things off as if counting treasures: "Forging swords, body tempering, fox tails... Xiaoling knows all about them."

Lu Jiajia narrowed her eyes. "Is that so? Xiaoling certainly knows a lot."

"Yes! Xiaoling learns diligently by observing everything around her."

"Ah, it seems I've spoiled you too much. I'll have to forge swords for Xiaoling right in front of your senior brother."

"Xiaoling... thinks Senior Brother would prefer to see Xiaoling forging swords for Master!"

"Hm? What did Xiaoling just say?"

"Master..." Ning Xiaoling's heart pounded, but in her determination to win over her senior brother, she refused to back down this time.

Ning Changjiu sighed, seeing the master-disciple pair of sword immortals on the verge of a conflict. With the intention of mediating, he summoned Liu Xiwang.

Liu Xiwang had been sitting on the pure white mind lake, watching the commotion through his eyes.

"Hmph, that girl Xiaoling is the Ruler of the Underworld Kingdom. What's there to be afraid of when you're in the Underworld Kingdom? If I were Xiaoling, I'd push you down right in front of Jiajia and see what she'd do!"

"Aren't you Jiajia's supporter?" Ning Changjiu questioned her mentally.

"I... but their arguments are quite entertaining," Liu Xiwang replied with righteous indignation.

No sooner had she spoken than she felt the summons. Her spirit body involuntarily left the Qi Sea, and she unexpectedly found herself immersed in the tense atmosphere.

Lu Jiajia and Ning Xiaoling, who had been locked in a verbal tug-of-war, both turned their heads simultaneously to look at the short-haired girl who had suddenly appeared beside them.

The girl had already dispelled her spiritual form.

Having been so mockingly opinionated and authoritative in the mind lake, she suddenly became reserved in reality. Liu Xiwang bit her lip, her large eyes wide, looking like a well-behaved girl. She tidied her dark and slightly dishevelled hair, unsure what to say, then gently waved her hand and greeted them.

"Miss Xiaoling, Miss Jiajia, g-good morning."

The atmosphere instantly became a little tense.

Lu Jiajia said, "Xiwang... why are you here?"

Ning Xiaoling looked at her, curiously asking, "Is this Miss Liu Xiwang?"

Liu Xiwang nodded, glanced at Ning Changjiu, then said, "I'm here to mediate."

Lu Jiajia was determined to teach her young disciple a lesson, so she said indifferently, "Although Miss Liu is also from the Sword Sect, this is, after all, a private dispute between master and disciple..."

Lu Jiajia hesitated, then looked at Liu Xiwang, seemingly trying to deter her with her gaze.

"Master and disciple should always be harmonious," Liu Xiwang composed herself and brought out her trump card against Lu Jiajia: "Besides, I think Xiaoling and Jiajia were quite similar when they were young. Jiajia also loved wearing white dresses like this when she was little, but the sect's robes didn't fit very well back then. Jiajia's first proper dress was actually custom-made down the mountain with money she saved herself. Hmm... Xiaoling is much better; any dress suits her."

Ning Xiaoling quietly lowered her head and looked at her lotus-like toes beneath her skirt.

She exchanged a glance with Lu Jiajia.

Both remained silent.

Liu Xiwang had successfully caused offense to both of them with a single remark.

Liu Xiwang was quite proud. Having successfully mediated, she turned and smiled at Ning Changjiu, as if expecting praise.

Ning Changjiu looked at her, pursing his lips, unsure whether he should warn her that, behind her, Lu Jiajia and Ning Xiaoling had already formed a united front, glaring at her as they approached with dark expressions.

Liu Xiwang felt a chill down her spine.

Soon, someone came to her rescue.

The large door opened again, and this time, it was Lady Siming who entered.

Siming was still clad in the immaculate black robes unique to divine officials. Her long hair showed faint streaks of color, like a stream chasing shimmering ripples of light. Her snow-jade feet were bare, with tender blue veins faintly visible, resembling exquisite porcelain. When Siming arrived, she carried Lu Jiajia's sword in her hand and had a black sword on her back. As she entered the inner hall, it was as if a cool breeze swept through the doorway, bringing with it a refreshing sword intent.

Ning Changjiu's heart trembled. He slowly turned his head and met Siming's deep, icy gaze.

They hadn't seen each other for many months.

Siming's red lips parted slightly as she smiled, "Why is it so lively here? And who might this be...?"

She had barely spoken, but the intense emotions stirred by their long-awaited reunion spurred Ning Changjiu to action. He swiftly stepped forward and embraced her.

Their bodies pressed together.

Siming froze. Although delighted, from her current perspective, Lu Jiajia, Ning Xiaoling, and Liu Xiwang were all staring intently at her, and the Golden Crow, resembling a brooding hen, was also watching. Ye Changong, however, remained quietly lying there, showing no signs of waking.

Her hands suddenly had nowhere to go.

"Xue'er, it's been a long time."

Ning Changjiu held her, speaking softly.

The usually poised Siming became even more reserved. Her eyelashes fluttered as she whispered, "I, I know... Alright, there are so many people watching..."

"Xue'er can get shy too?" Ning Changjiu chuckled.

"I... I'm not! I'm embarrassed for you!" Siming retorted with a soft huff.

Although she said this, her divine face was faintly flushed. After a moment of hesitation, her hand gently rested on Ning Changjiu's back, and her originally light-colored hair blazed with fiery red, a vivid shade like the blossoming peach mountains in spring, vibrant and intense even without a hint of anger.

In short, her emotions were laid bare for all to see.

Siming felt a blush of shyness, her gaze darting away. There was no longer any trace of the formidable aura she had used to pursue Lu Jiajia.

Under everyone's gaze, they embraced for a moment, and an awkward silence fell upon the group.

"This... is Miss Liu Xiwang?" Siming recognized her, having sensed her sword intent.

Liu Xiwang nodded, looking at the goddess-like woman before her. If Lu Jiajia's beauty was an ethereal, floating fairy charm, then Siming's beauty was the majestic posture of a supreme deity.

She waved at Siming.

"Yes, I am Liu Xiwang... I've long admired your reputation, Sister Si, and seeing you today, your aura is truly exceptional."

Siming nodded gently, quite impressed with this sword spirit.

She looked at Lu Jiajia, smiled slightly, and raised the sword in her hand, saying, "Jiajia, you left in such a hurry, you even forgot your sword."

Lu Jiajia felt a little guilty and said weakly, "Thank you, Sister Xueci, for specially delivering my sword."

Lu Jiajia reached out to take it, but Siming retracted the sword and said lightly, "Come find me alone later, and I'll return this sword to you."

Lu Jiajia wasn't foolish. She still remembered the time at the Ancient Spirit Sect when she and Ning Xiaoling, who was still a nine-tailed fox, were bullied by a "bad woman." The outcome of meeting Siming alone was predictable.

"Since Xueci likes this sword so much, please have it," Lu Jiajia said, abandoning her sword.

Ning Xiaoling secretly smiled, seeing her master in a difficult spot.

Lu Jiajia caught her smile. She glared at Xiaoling, gently tapped her head, and said, "Xiaoling, you've learned to disrespect your master from your senior brother. Do you also want to learn how to be a bad woman from your Sister Xueci?"

"Bad woman?" Siming had heard that. "My dear Jiajia, what are you saying now?"

"N-nothing at all," Lu Jiajia stammered. Faced with the true "bad woman," her imposing presence still fell short.

Liu Xiwang stretched her slightly stiff body and smiled at Ning Changjiu, "Your big family is truly chaotic."

Ning Changjiu sighed helplessly, "Indeed. Xiaoli hasn't arrived yet; otherwise, it would be even more chaotic."

"Xiaoli..." Liu Xiwang clenched her fists, becoming nervous.

Although Xiaoli knew of her existence, she didn't know she had become a little girl... How was she going to face her?

It's all Second Senior Sister's fault.

Siming and Shao Xiaoli had known each other for a long time but had been separated for just as long. At their reunion in the Ancient Spirit Sect, she and Xiaoli had a long, heartfelt conversation, recalling many amusing incidents from the past, which brought a wave of nostalgia. The events on the Golden Cross Torture Rack, in particular, were still vivid in her memory. However, when they spoke of it again, they were no longer life-and-death enemies but had found many interesting elements in their shared history. They even agreed that after Ning Changjiu woke up, they could try to re-enact the scene from that year.

Of course, this was a very private secret.

"Xiaoli is in seclusion for cultivation right now," Siming said. "But it's not a death seclusion. If you want to see her, I'll go call her."

Ning Changjiu asked, "What kind of seclusion? Didn't Xiaoli just break through the Five Dao?"

Siming replied, "Master brought back a small red building. Xiaoli lingered in it for two days, feeling quite restless, so she chose to enter seclusion to calm her mind."

"A small red building?" Ning Changjiu was stunned. "What red building?"

This time, Ning Changjiu felt the icy stares from everyone around him, except for Liu Xiwang. He instantly became the target of their collective displeasure.

"Oh, great, not only did Senior Brother not show up for the appointment, but he completely forgot about it! What a heartless man."

Ning Xiaoling was the first to criticize Ning Changjiu.

Lu Jiajia also nodded, "Yes, I read the Luo Shen's diary too. Every word dripped with blood, full of despair."

Siming added, "It's a good thing Xiaoli isn't here, or she'd be so heartbroken. I've already seen her crying secretly a few times."

Ning Changjiu thought, *What trouble has Yi gotten himself into this time...?*

"Although Yi's actions are largely unrelated to me, I have always been a responsible person. I will go and comfort Xiaoli properly later," Ning Changjiu said, carefully choosing his words, both disassociating himself from his past life and making a solemn vow.

"Yi is unrelated to you?" Siming looked at Ye Changong on the bed and said, "Do you truly believe that?"

Ning Changjiu solemnly stated, "Regarding my past, I will inherit it critically."

Ning Xiaoling suddenly understood. "As expected of Senior Brother!"

As they were talking, the door opened a crack again.

Everyone thought Shao Xiaoli had arrived, but as their gazes lowered, they saw a cat's head peeking in.

Ning Changjiu looked over, seeing that the white cat had distinct markings, slightly rounded ears, and a prominent "king" character on its forehead.

"Meow!"

The white cat let out a meow, its slightly red eyes half-closed with sleepiness, as if complaining that their talking was too loud and disturbing its nap.

"This is..." Ning Changjiu hissed softly, "Could this be the former master of the Silver Snow Palace, the supremely esteemed Lady Baizang?"

Baizang felt that his way of addressing her was a deliberate insult.

However, Baizang had grown accustomed to insults these days. Almost everyone she met would say things like, "Oh, isn't this Lady Baizang? The Year of Baizang is over, why haven't you gone back? Did you lose your home?"

"Oh, isn't this Lady Baizang?" Liu Xiwang, seeing her for the first time, quickly stepped forward, squatted down, and rubbed her ears, saying, "The Year of Baizang is over, why haven't you gone back? Can't you go home anymore?"

"Meow..."

Baizang let out a low growl, protesting weakly, thinking how impolite this young girl was. Truly, like draws to like.

Ning Changjiu also found fate incredible. A formidable enemy who was unattainable just a few months ago had now turned into a small cat, looking... even somewhat cute.

Of course, Ning Changjiu knew that these former divine lords were ruthless by nature, so he would not truly let down his guard.

Ning Changjiu chuckled, "Now we have two cats in our home! By the way, where's the Fish King?"

Ning Xiaoling sighed, "Di Ting is so embarrassing. It was chased out a few days ago and is still wandering around the Underworld Kingdom. It tried to come back but was shooed away again. Now its divine seat has been taken over by this fierce cat."

Ning Changjiu said indignantly, "The Fish King has risked life and limb for us! How can we let this Baizang bully it like this?"

"Perhaps it's just a bloodline suppression," Ning Xiaoling said helplessly, hands on her hips. "There's nothing I can do. That silly girl Jiuyou really likes this cat. If I try to chase it away, Jiuyou will write a scathing denunciation against me, and I really don't want to hear her recite poetry. So, Di Ting will just have to suffer a bit."

Baizang tilted her head up and let out a cold meow, looking very arrogant.

Ning Changjiu was about to protest against the "evil cat" when he saw a pair of snow-white hands reach through the door crack, grab Baizang's front paws, and pick her up.

Baizang meowed, seemingly struggling. Then, a beautiful, blank-faced head peeked in. Jiuyou, dressed in a complex black dress, looked at the people inside and found the atmosphere very strange.

"I... I just came for the cat," Jiuyou explained, then immediately retreated with Baizang.

Silence fell in the room for a moment again.

Ning Changjiu looked at the women surrounding him, feeling both warmth and a headache.

"If Xiang'er were here, the scene would be even more interesting," Ning Xiaoling said first, deep in thought.

Ning Changjiu looked at her and sighed, "Xiaoling is truly considerate of her senior brother."

Siming, on the other hand, was somewhat looking forward to reuniting with Zhao Xiang'er. At this moment, she had already turned the tables on Lu Jiajia. Back in Guyun City, she had merely been tricked by Zhao Xiang'er's little scheme. If Zhao Xiang'er dared to leave the Western Kingdom, Siming would surely make her pay!

Lu Jiajia asked, "Shall I call Xiaoli over? Although she's in seclusion, I've clearly seen her sneak in to watch you every night."

Ning Changjiu said in surprise, "Jiajia doesn't have the Lunar Eyes, so how can you see everything?"

"Perhaps Master's true authority is actually catching cheaters..." Ning Xiaoling mumbled weakly.

Lu Jiajia glared at her and whispered, "I'll teach you the sect rules later."

Ning Xiaoling admitted that she had gotten a little carried away since her senior brother woke up. Now, facing her fierce master, she certainly didn't dare to truly challenge her, so she moved closer to her senior brother for protection.

Ning Changjiu was considering whether to disturb Xiaoli when Siming suggested, "How about this: you go to the red building first and look at the past events from back then. Xiaoli will come find you herself when her seclusion ends."

Ning Changjiu nodded gently. "That works too."

Everyone looked a little odd but said nothing.

So, after checking on his master's condition, Ning Changjiu left the Golden Crow in the hall to continue dissolving the cold energy from the Moon Branch.

The Golden Crow shivered as it looked at him, indicating it wanted to return to the Purple Mansion. Ning Changjiu flatly refused.

On an autumn day, white clouds hung low over the Ancient Spirit Sect, and the sky was clear and serene.

The newly constructed Jiuyou Hall was already taking shape. Outside Jiuyou Hall, iron chains hung high, and beneath the suspension bridge, the tranquil Moon Lake resembled supple jade, gently washing the rock walls in the tall valley. It flowed unhurriedly, with sunlight sparkling on its surface like scattered flowers on azure silk. Shades of blue and green blended together, flowing softly. Within the lake, the figures of fish king spreading their fins and stirring the water were clearly visible.

The small red building that was once beneath the Luo River now rested like a small pavilion in a secluded corner of the Tranquil Moon Lake.

Ning Changjiu, like a white cloud drifting across the lake, slowly stopped in front of the red building.

He gazed at the two faded lanterns hanging in front of the building for a long time. Finally, to the soft sound of water, he stepped inside the quiet building.

Many "囍" (double happiness) characters were pasted throughout the building. These characters enveloped a layer of illusion; if he opened his Lunar Eyes, he would see the dilapidated scene beneath the illusion. But he did not break this illusion.

Ning Changjiu had never been here before, yet he felt an inexplicable sense of warmth. He looked around; his gaze fell on a table where a long-burning candle had completely melted, leaving only a pile of wax. Looking down, he saw some fur caught in the floorboards' cracks, seemingly shed by Baizang when she rolled around. Ning Changjiu picked up a strand and blew it away like a dandelion seed.

The clutter on the staircase leading to the second floor had been cleared. The stairs wound upwards, and Ning Changjiu couldn't see what was at the top, but the "囍" characters adorning the entire building already gave him a premonition.

He sat there quietly for a long time.

When he lowered his head, Ning Changjiu saw a book propped up by the table leg—this must be Luo Shen's diary.

Just how outrageous was his past life that Xiaoli would use it to prop up a table leg after reading it...?

Ning Changjiu felt a little nervous. He took out the book, dusted it off, and opened it.

"Take a suitable amount of rice, wash it clean, put it in a pot, add a small amount of beans and dates, stir well, then pour in a little water..."

Ning Changjiu read on, his brow furrowing as he felt something was off. He flipped to the title page and finally saw the book's title clearly.

He was silent for a moment, then casually flipped through the rest of the content, thinking to himself, *One dared to write it, and another dared to buy it.*

He tucked it back under the table leg.

Ning Changjiu activated his Lunar Eyes to search and finally found the real diary.

He opened the diary, read it, and understood the full story of what had happened back then.

Yi and Luo Shen had set a date to meet, and he had promised to marry her. But when the appointed day arrived, Yi did not come. She waited foolishly every day, neither eating nor drinking, and could only pour her pent-up emotions onto paper.

Ultimately, Luo Shen never waited for him. All she witnessed was the strange phenomenon of nine suns being born, and then she watched as the nine suns shattered one after another.

She thought, if these nine suns were mirrors, perhaps through them she could see the figure drawing a bow and arrow from thousands of miles away. But they were not; they were merely gilded crows, black fireworks after shattering.

Amidst the black fireworks, the beast tide led by the demon god surged forward. Luo Shen fought to the death against them, until she was the only one left. She never waited for Yi to arrive, not even until her last breath.

Ning Changjiu no longer remembered these past events. He knew that Yi had his reasons back then; when he shot down the nine suns, his heart was also tormented, wishing he could draw his sword, ascend to the sky, and die alongside Xihe.

"Although Yi was a heroic figure, it's also true that he was unfaithful and heartless, Ning Changjiu. You must not follow his example."

Ning Changjiu looked at the messy handwriting in the diary and expressed his attitude of learning from history.

Finally, he reached the end of the diary. Luo Shen's final words were scribbled so illegibly that he couldn't decipher them, but he could feel the despair that permeated every stroke.

He put the book back and went upstairs.

The dominant color on the second floor was a more striking red, a fervent shade that conveyed Luo Shen's somewhat obsessive state of mind when decorating the room. He saw the decals on the walls, the scattered ribbons on the floor, red knots tied on the bed frame, and a red quilt on the bed, sprinkled with auspicious nuts that remained perfectly preserved over time.

Everything on the dressing table was neatly arranged, but the rouge and similar items had long lost their fragrance. Only the mirror was completely free of scratches, still clearly reflecting images.

Ning Changjiu tried to find traces of past reflections in the mirror, but alas, too much time had passed, and nothing was visible now.

Ning Changjiu sat there, looking at his reflection in the mirror, and softly said, "Luo Shen died without ever waiting for Yi; all that's left is the foolish Xiaoli... Fortunately, life isn't limited to one existence. Let us fulfill your regrets."

Ning Changjiu waved at the mirror and softly bid farewell to the long-departed person.

No one answered, but the wardrobe door creaked open.

Ning Changjiu looked in the direction of the sound, and then heard soft sobs near his ear.

The wardrobe door opened, and Ning Changjiu saw Xiaoli, dressed in a white dress, hiding inside, looking at him with tear-streaked eyes.

"Xiaoli..." Ning Changjiu felt a bit lost for words. He looked at the old red wardrobe and asked, "What are you doing in here?"

Shao Xiaoli sniffled and whispered, "Xiaoli... Xiaoli is in seclusion."

Chapter List for 'Above the Divine Kingdom'