Chapter 73: The Engagement Is Finally Broken

When Xuan Yu fell ill, the palace was thrown into chaos. Previously, to cure Old Xuan’s sickness, a host of physicians and divine healers had been summoned. Now, those renowned doctors from the common folk didn’t need to return home—their services were required for Xuan Yu himself.

After examining him, the divine healers and physicians discovered that Xuan Yu had contracted a strange illness. His bodily functions were steadily failing; no matter what remedies the divine healers devised, or what medicines the physicians prescribed, his mysterious ailment showed no improvement.

Xuan Yu was well aware of his condition. Lately, he had been plagued by unrelenting fatigue, sometimes unable to muster any strength at all. It was only after Old Xuan’s fit of anger that his illness grew even more severe.

Confined to bed and reliant on others, Xuan Yu’s temperament soured, and anyone who drew near was met with his wrath. Especially since his illness refused to improve, as the ruler of a nation, he could not forever lie abed to conduct affairs of state or meet with his ministers.

After over ten days of struggle with no sign of recovery, Xuan Yu grew anxious.

Because his strange illness persisted, the elders of the Xuan family began to voice concerns. Among their offspring, Xuan Yu was outstanding, but he was certainly not the only capable one. If he lost his abilities, how could those ambitious elders ever allow him to remain emperor of the Black Tortoise Kingdom?

This was precisely why Xuan Yu so desperately hoped for Xuan Ye to grow strong, and to marry Ou Xinlai, the eldest daughter of the Ou family—the true reason behind his ambitions. Xuan Yu was not powerful enough yet; he needed ample support. Only if both he and Xuan Ye thrived could he secure his throne.

“Brother Emperor, what should we do?” Xuan Ye was both anxious and pained as he watched his once spirited brother now frail, every breath seemingly draining his life.

“Don’t worry, Brother, I will be fine,” Xuan Yu reassured him, though a heavy shadow lingered in his eyes. There were countless contenders for the throne of the Black Tortoise Kingdom—anyone with the surname Xuan and sufficient ability could be elevated to the crown. If his illness continued to worsen, it seemed certain the throne would change hands.

Xuan Yu couldn’t understand how, after years of diligent rule and working for his people’s welfare, he had fallen prey to such an inexplicable disease. Even if it were retribution, it shouldn’t befall him.

Now, only one solution remained.

“Hey, half a month has passed—aren’t you worried?” After Ou Jin Jue consumed the Golden Spirit Seed, his powers soared.

Since leaving the Ancient Cave of Chi You, Ou Jin Ren and his two companions had become outstanding among their peers for their abilities, but even without powers, Ou Jin Jue could best all three of them in one-on-one combat.

Because of this, Ou Jin Jue’s status in the Ou family rose sharply. He became a formidable figure among those without supernatural abilities, and even among the gifted, few could match him.

His confidence soared, and he complied with every request Ou Xinlai made, no matter how foolish it seemed, persisting through all challenges.

Ou Jin Ren and the other two had already experienced the Ancient Cave of Chi You with Ou Xinlai and guessed his rapid progress was thanks to her. Thus, a tacit understanding formed between them, and all four shamelessly followed Ou Xinlai, cultivating together.

Their physical strength was honed and enhanced to the utmost, and their martial prowess and ability values climbed rapidly.

Soon, whatever training Ou Xinlai devised for the four would sweep through the Ou family, and eventually, even outsiders adopted her methods. Though none experienced Ou Jin Jue’s miraculous results, everyone found their health improved and illnesses diminished under her regimen.

This alone was remarkable.

Not long after, news spread that Ou Xinlai had cured Old Xuan.

In just half a month, Ou Xinlai transformed from her former languid, unremarkable self into the most sought-after figure in Dragon City, the subject of endless praise.

Ou Jin Jue knew better than anyone how unwilling Ou Xinlai was to marry Xuan Ye, so as the wedding date approached, he grew anxious.

Ou Jin Ren and the others didn’t share Ou Jin Jue’s closeness to Ou Xinlai, so they didn’t understand why she insisted on breaking off the marriage with Xuan Ye. Xuan Ye was the Kingdom's foremost young lord, and his impending marriage to Ou Xinlai had left countless Ou family girls heartbroken. They couldn’t fathom her dissatisfaction, especially since Xuan Ye’s abilities had recently surpassed the seventh level during their time in the Ancient Cave of Chi You.

Confounded, the three kept silent, trusting Ou Xinlai had her reasons. As bystanders, they merely needed to stand by her side.

“What’s to fear? This marriage won’t happen,” Ou Xinlai declared with certainty.

She might have worried before, but upon learning of Xuan Yu’s grave illness, her anxiety dissipated entirely.

Now, it was not she who needed something, but Xuan Yu.

Wasn’t Xuan Yu always so arrogant?

Unless he were made of iron and never sickened, once afflicted—especially with such a strange illness—he was like dough in her hands, for her to mold as she pleased.

With Old Xuan’s case as precedent, Ou Xinlai was sure Xuan Yu would come seeking her.

It was a test of patience—whoever made the first move would lose. Xuan Yu wanted to pressure her into seeking him? Dream on. She wasn’t anxious; even if she married Xuan Ye, she could sever ties. But Xuan Yu’s illness couldn’t wait that long. He might endure, but those ambitious elders of the Xuan family certainly couldn’t.

Ou Xinlai, unconcerned as the emperor himself, left Ou Jin Jue, who played the “eunuch,” to fret in vain. The four continued their peaceful days, following Ou Xinlai and thriving as they pleased.

As Ou Xinlai predicted, three days later, Xuan Yu finally could not endure and came to find her.

“I hear you still wish to break off the marriage with my brother?” Xuan Yu looked at her weakly, simmering with frustration. He had expected Ou Xinlai to be pressured by the looming marriage and come to the palace to negotiate, where he could leverage the situation: have her heal him and still marry his brother.

Yet, the woman who once refused to marry his brother now faced the imminent wedding with uncanny composure.

He had to admit, Ou Xinlai was a formidable character, skilled at restraint and patience. Such maturity at her age was rare—even his brother could not match her composure. With the wedding near, his brother worried for his illness, but the joy on his face was unmistakable.

Seeing Ou Xinlai, Xuan Yu finally understood why his brother had changed.

She still bore the disfiguring birthmark on her left brow, but beneath her lively eyes, it became almost unnoticeable. The confidence and self-assurance on her face were qualities Xuan Yu had never seen in another woman.

Beauty was not enough—a woman must possess lasting charm. Ou Xinlai had it; Xuan Yu stared at her for a while without tiring, finding her intriguing.

“But Your Majesty does not agree, does he?” Ou Xinlai replied.

“Do you want me to agree?” Xuan Yu gasped after every sentence.

“Will Your Majesty agree?” Both sides played coy.

Xuan Yu was infuriated—Ou Xinlai wouldn’t fall for his tricks at all. “If you cure my illness, I might consider it,” he said, but only consider.

Ou Xinlai smiled. “I am but a humble healer; even the divine physicians cannot cure Your Majesty, how could I possibly do so? I cannot.” Consider? He could only consider if she was willing.

Her warning made Xuan Yu tense. Indeed, if even the divine physicians were helpless, and Ou Xinlai refused, who else could cure him? Even if someone could, would his throne wait for him?

“If you cure me, I will issue an edict to annul your wedding with my brother,” Xuan Yu compromised, for he could not afford to gamble.

“Do it now!” Ou Xinlai lazily demanded, pushing the boundaries.

“Impossible!” The matter was not settled, and she wanted him to act immediately—unthinkable.

“Your Majesty, you have been out of the palace for some time, you’d best return and rest, lest your health suffer.” Ou Xinlai promptly dismissed him—if he wouldn’t comply, she wanted him gone.

“You! Guards!” Xuan Yu fumed. He had always been heir to the throne—when had he ever been treated thus? He refused to believe Ou Xinlai was truly unconcerned about the marriage. Fine, she wanted a contest of patience; he would oblige.

Once Ou Xinlai and his brother were wed, and she learned the meaning of shared glory and loss, she'd surely hurry to cure him. “Return to the palace.”

As Xuan Yu declared his departure, Ou Xinlai smiled knowingly—this marriage would not be easily annulled. Xuan Yu still hoped his brother would bring him glory and secure his throne. If Xuan Ye was unwilling, how could he ruin his brother’s prospects?

Ou Xinlai opened her palm, revealing something to Xuan Yu. “Will you really watch Xuan Ye grow strong while you stagnate? Depending on others is never as reliable as depending on oneself.” Even brothers have their own interests.

Xuan Ye knew that if he withdrew from the marriage, she would help Xuan Yu, but he did not. If she could see this, Xuan Yu surely could as well.

The same principle applied. When sufficient benefit was placed before Xuan Yu, he would choose himself over his brother.

“What is this?” Xuan Yu eyed the glittering object in her hand.

“The Golden Spirit Seed.” Xuan Yu was also a practitioner of supernatural abilities, though not as gifted as Xuan Ye. But with this opportunity, who said Xuan Yu couldn’t surpass his brother? Every man harbors a beast eager for supremacy—Xuan Yu would not willingly yield to Xuan Ye.

“You?” Xuan Yu stared at Ou Xinlai in surprise, a forbidden desire flickering in his eyes.

That Ou Xinlai could obtain such a treasure as the Golden Spirit Seed—if she truly joined the Xuan family, she would bring untold fortune! If his brother failed to marry her, then he...

But Xuan Yu shook his head. Even if he offered her the title of empress, Ou Xinlai might not agree. Those who once underestimated her now could not win her favor. If Xuan Ye, the kingdom’s foremost young lord, was excluded, how much less could he, who had repeatedly pressured her?

“Consider carefully—your future, or my marriage to Xuan Ye,” Ou Xinlai stared straight at Xuan Yu.

Meeting her gaze, Xuan Yu felt a moment of embarrassment. Ou Xinlai was certain he would sacrifice his brother for himself. He wished he could assert his integrity, but he knew he had no power to refuse her terms.

Her willingness to offer the Golden Spirit Seed showed her resolve to break off the marriage with Xuan Ye—she would offer any treasure for her goal.

With such determination, even if he forced the wedding to proceed in ten days, Ou Xinlai would eventually find a way to leave Xuan Ye.

Since his brother was destined never to be with Ou Xinlai, he might as well let himself benefit.

Xuan Ye knew Xuan Yu had sought Ou Xinlai for a cure. He believed his brother was capable enough to persuade her. If not, Xuan Yu could endure for ten days; after marrying Ou Xinlai, once they were physically intimate, she would accept the union and heal him.

When Ou Xinlai strode into the Prince’s mansion, radiant and spirited, she called, “Prince Xuan, receive the imperial decree.”

“I receive the decree.” Seeing her joy, Xuan Ye was stunned. Since the day he accidentally hurt her, he hadn’t seen such genuine happiness from Ou Xinlai. Before that incident, she always greeted him with a shy smile.

Thinking of this, Xuan Ye’s heart ached.

Ou Xinlai tossed the decree to him. “I’m too lazy to read it, you check it yourself.”

Xuan Ye read the decree, dumbfounded. “No, impossible! Brother Emperor wouldn’t issue such an edict—I won’t break off the marriage!” He had just prepared to be a groom, to marry the woman he loved, and in the blink of an eye, the marriage was gone.

“The decree is before you—there’s no choice,” Ou Xinlai said regretfully.

Stunned by the double blow, Xuan Ye glared at her furiously. “Alive, you are mine; dead, you are my ghost!” Why—why had his brother done this?

“Didn’t you see what’s written on the decree?” Ou Xinlai blinked. “I saved His Majesty’s life, a favor of rebirth, so he formally recognizes me as his aunt. In terms of seniority, you and he are now of equal rank. Come, call me Imperial Aunt. Don’t forget the proper etiquette for elders.”

Now, Xuan Ye and she were separated by a generation.

If Xuan Ye continued to harbor desire for her, it was truly courting forbidden love!

He understood well—Ou Xinlai, at her young age, insisted on using her life-saving favor to become the emperor’s aunt, specifically to sever ties and extinguish his hopes.

“Xinlai, do you truly detest me so much?” Not even giving him a chance? “If I hadn’t pushed you that day, would none of this have happened?”

“Yes.” Ou Xinlai was always honest, so she gave him an answer more cruel than denial.

If that push had never happened, she might not have come. Even if she did, it wouldn’t have been because of Xuan Ye’s callous actions.

She wasn’t particularly picky about men, but after Xuan Ye’s behavior, he was relatively decent in her eyes. Unfortunately, all was merely hypothetical.

In fact, Xuan Ye did push her. When the original was on the verge of death, Xuan Ye was off somewhere, basking in women’s admiration. When she awoke, he looked at her only with disdain.

Because of these things, Ou Xinlai completely lost any possibility with Xuan Ye. Once she severed her feelings, it was nearly impossible for them to rekindle.

“Well, even if we can’t be spouses, at least I’m your Imperial Aunt now—that’s some connection. Don’t lose heart. Don’t forsake the forest for a single tree; plenty of good girls await you.” Ou Xinlai did not dislike Xuan Ye, but love was now impossible.

She left the Prince’s mansion full of spirit, while Xuan Yu bounded back to the palace, restored to health.

“Brother Emperor, why?” Xuan Ye asked, disappointed, seeing Xuan Yu recovered.

Xuan Yu said nothing else, only, “Happiness that is forced is not happiness. Ou Xinlai is not a woman to be controlled.”

“Hahaha…” Xuan Ye could only laugh bitterly and turn away.

There was nothing more to ask—he and Ou Xinlai were truly impossible in this life.

“Ugh…” Leaving the Ou family, Li Chengfeng was heading back to the Demon Sect to report the Golden Spirit Seed to the Demon Lord. Even if Ou Xinlai had consumed them all, he couldn’t let her go unpunished—the Ou family must pay.

But on the road, Li Chengfeng was intercepted.

The youth who stopped him was about Ou Xinlai’s age, but his aura was so imposing that Li Chengfeng was utterly subdued.

“Who are you?” Li Chengfeng demanded.

“The dead need not know too much.” Ye Zifei lifted his eyes, glanced coldly at Li Chengfeng, and with a burning ironwood blade, swiftly slashed his throat.

Li Chengfeng’s carotid artery was severed, and blood sprayed from the wound, soaking his clothes.

Even at the moment of death, Li Chengfeng could not understand why this youth had killed him. “You… you are…” Suddenly, he recognized Ye Zifei, his eyes widening further.

“Knowing who I am is all the more reason to die,” Ye Zifei said coldly. He would not let Ou Xinlai be troubled by such a threat. The Demon Sect was relentless; if they targeted her, not only Ou Xinlai but the entire Ou family would be imperiled.

Thus, only by killing Li Chengfeng could he ensure cleanliness and closure.

Clearly, Ye Zifei already knew what had happened in the Ancient Cave of Chi You and was now tying up loose ends for Ou Xinlai.

Li Chengfeng was not the only one tracking Ou Xinlai in the cave—Ye Zifei’s people were there as well.

But Ye Zifei’s men would not reveal themselves unless absolutely necessary, lest his identity be exposed.

Fortunately, Ou Xinlai always escaped danger.

Returning to Dragon City, Ye Zifei learned Ou Xinlai had finally annulled her engagement with Xuan Ye, and he was greatly pleased. He disliked seeing the woman he cared for branded by another man.

“Hey, you’re back?” Ou Xinlai was surprised to see Ye Zifei; it felt like ages since she’d seen a man.

“Had a matter to resolve.” Ye Zifei nodded; his family had issues to fix. “Congratulations to you.” And to himself, as well.

“Thank you, thank you.” Ou Xinlai had a favorable impression of Ye Zifei. He was the first genuinely friendly person she’d met in this world, never judging her for the ugly birthmark on her face.

“You seem different now—did you find something good in the Ancient Cave of Chi You?” Ye Zifei clearly noticed her changed aura.

“Sharp eyes, indeed.” Ou Xinlai looked at him in surprise. She had learned the Yin-Yang Transformation, and the voice had told her she’d changed, but few around her could see it. Whether her father noticed, she didn’t know, but no one else did.

Ye Zifei’s ability to perceive this—did it mean he was more powerful than anyone in her family?

“Ye Zifei, be honest, what level are your abilities now?” Ou Xinlai recalled he practiced both fire and wood abilities, and both seemed to be at level four, but he didn’t seem so limited.

“Xinlai, you refuse to marry me because of him!” Xuan Ye still went to Fengyun Academy daily, only because it gave him a chance to see Ou Xinlai. He did not expect to also see Ye Zifei and Ou Xinlai together.

Watching them laugh and converse, Xuan Ye’s heart ached so much he nearly wept.

The first time Ou Xinlai wanted to break off their engagement, Ye Zifei was by her side. Why hadn’t he realized it? Why was it that every time, Ye Zifei was there!

“Whether or not it’s because of him, it’s no longer your concern, Prince Xuan,” Ye Zifei said cheerfully. Xuan Ye had mistaken a pearl for a pebble—otherwise, Ye Zifei wouldn’t have had this chance.

Ou Xinlai was fiercely steadfast—this had two sides. If Xuan Ye had behaved well, no matter how excellent he was, Ou Xinlai would not have abandoned him for Ye Zifei. Conversely, once she gave up on Xuan Ye, no matter how well he did in the future, she would never return.

Ou Xinlai was too lazy, and because of that, she disliked change.

But Ye Zifei liked her laziness.

“Xuan Ye, even if it isn’t because of him, it would be because of some other man in the future—why are you so hung up?” Ou Xinlai’s stubbornness meant she was single-minded about things.

She bore Xuan Ye no grudge, but the engagement was a burden. Now that it was broken, they were nothing to each other—just like strangers. She felt no awkwardness around a former “lover.”

Her meaning was clear—she was a woman; unless she never married, some man would eventually wed her. Xuan Ye needn’t fixate on Ye Zifei being close to her now.

“Xinlai, just tell me—do you like him?” Xuan Ye asked, unable to let go, staring at Ye Zifei. He was neither open-minded nor wanted to be. After so much adversity, he needed an outlet, and Ye Zifei was it.

“I do like him.” Well, since Xuan Ye insisted, Ou Xinlai admitted it.

Her words sent one man’s heart plummeting and another’s soaring.

As for what Ou Xinlai meant by “like,” neither man cared.

Faced with their seemingly complex, yet simple triangle, Ou Jin Jue and his companions were dumbstruck. Ou Xinlai shot them a glance, reminding them that laziness was her prerogative—if they didn’t want to train, they should leave.

The four shivered, their vision blinded and hearing sharpened, and hurried off to their own tasks.

Ou Xinlai, watching Ye Zifei and Xuan Ye lock eyes, felt her presence unnecessary and went off to attend to her own business.

She went to the back mountain of Fengyun Academy to cultivate the Yin-Yang Transformation by the Yin-Yang Lake.

As for whether Xuan Ye and Ye Zifei would fight or reconcile, live or die—Ou Xinlai genuinely didn’t care.