Chapter 59: Hostage

The Star Lord stared at her for a moment, then laughed, a mocking light flickering in his pale eyes. “You mortals are truly foolish. Even Mo Tu, once a noble three-tailed Xie cat, has sunk into the mundane world, becoming increasingly tainted by the so-called ‘sentiment’ and ‘loyalty’ you humans cherish. Do you not know that these very words have become your greatest weakness? I captured Jiu Yu and wounded him gravely to trigger the blood feather on your wrist, sending a signal and luring you here. Mo Tu did not disappoint me—he broke through the illusion barrier, which in turn revealed this hidden lair to me.”

Qing Yin gritted her teeth. “Despicable… Are you even worthy of being a celestial?”

The Star Lord replied, “The celestial realm is a place of detachment—no ties, no attachments. That is the true state of a deity. What would a mere mortal know? You are making the same mistake as Mo Tu now—sacrificing yourself for others, trading lives as if your existence held some great value. But now, your life and death are no longer in your control.”

As he spoke, he flicked his fingers lightly, and a slender, swirling haze extended from his fingertips. One end wrapped around his own finger, while the other coiled around Qing Yin, winding several times in a blink. She instantly lost her balance and crashed heavily onto the boat’s deck.

With but a flick, he subdued her, then paid her no further attention. In his eyes, she was not a living person at all, but merely an ingredient.

The small boat drifted across the Sea of Parting Sorrows for about a day before finally coming ashore. The land was solid, with earth and mountains; exotic trees soared skyward, strange flowers bloomed in profusion. Qing Yin could not fathom what the celestial realm truly was to the mortal world—perhaps it was like a continent floating far away in the heavens.

After the boat docked, the Star Lord stepped off, and a cloud of auspicious light formed beneath his feet, lifting him effortlessly into the air. The haze tightened at his finger, and Qing Yin, bound at the other end, was hoisted up, suspended in midair. The cloud sped faster and faster, roaring like the wind. Qing Yin felt the gale rush into her mouth, making it almost impossible to breathe; her eyes could not open, her ears filled only with the fierce wind. Like a kite, she floated behind the Star Lord, drifting further and further…

She had no idea how much time had passed or how far they had flown when the Star Lord’s pace suddenly slowed. The haze around her vanished, and she fell helplessly to the ground, slamming into the cold, polished surface. Dizzy, she could not move for a long while.

Eventually, she recovered enough to sit up. The Star Lord was nowhere to be seen. Two young maidens stood nearby, both about thirteen or fourteen, dressed in pale green garments, their features refined and graceful. Their attire was familiar—she pondered, then remembered: in the mountains, when confronting the Star Lord, several youths dressed like this had stood behind him. They must be celestial attendants.

Looking around, she found herself in a grand palace of jade and crystal. Walls, pillars, stairs—all fashioned from nearly translucent, gleaming white jade: pure, beautiful, and chilling to the bone. Iridescent clouds drifted around, dreamlike and ethereal. High above, celestial birds soared beneath the domed ceiling, singing melodiously.

This, she thought, was true paradise.

One of the attendants spoke: “Please follow us, miss.” Though polite, their tone was cold and detached. Qing Yin rubbed her aching knees, stood, and followed the pair down endless corridors, arriving at a steamy indoor hot spring. One attendant presented a set of pure white robes. “Please bathe and change, miss.”

Then they withdrew.

Were they afraid that her mortal dust would taint the sanctity of the heavenly palace? Or had the Star Lord found another male celestial mushroom, and was preparing her for the furnace?

Qing Yin shook her head, deciding not to dwell on it. She would enjoy the bath first. She plunged into the water, letting its warmth envelop her.

Where was Mo Tu now? Was he injured? She tried not to imagine the worst, but deep inside, fear gnawed at her, tears welling up. She dove beneath the surface, letting her tears mingle with the water, unseen. She realized how laughable the notion of trading life for life was in the presence of the Star Lord. He toyed with her fate without a care, and there was nothing to bargain for—no hope at all.

Half an hour later, she emerged from the bath, clad in robes as pale as snow, refreshed and clean. She found the Star Lord waiting outside. He scrutinized her, seemingly satisfied with her cleanliness. “Follow me,” he commanded, turning away.

Qing Yin did not bother to ask where he was taking her, silently trailing behind. As they walked, her stomach rumbled—she had not eaten in ages.

The Star Lord led her through the temple into the rear garden. Night had fallen; the stars hung low, large and brilliant, almost close enough to pluck from the sky. In the celestial garden, myriad flowers unfurled their petals, filling the air with fragrance. Countless fireflies darted among the blooms, beautiful as a dream.

Passing a celestial fruit tree, Qing Yin reached out and plucked a green fruit. It was jade-like and tempting, though unfamiliar; she could not resist its allure.

The Star Lord, hearing the fruit stem snap, stiffened, turned, and stared at her incredulously. “You—”

Before he could finish, Qing Yin bit off a piece of the fruit, chewing with innocent wide eyes. “Hm?”

His handsome face twisted in anger. “Who gave you permission? These are celestial fruits—how dare a mere mortal touch them!”

Qing Yin took another bite, mumbling through her mouthful, “I’m starving. If I die, won’t you lose your celestial mushroom? ...Mmm, it’s sweet. Tastes quite good.” With a pop, she spat the pit onto the ground.

The fruit was beyond saving now. The Star Lord glared at the pit, stunned with fury. His lips twitched twice before he relented, coldly warning, “The punishment for celestial attendants who steal fruit is whipping. If you do it again, you’ll be punished the same.”

Qing Yin was startled into silence, lips pressed tight. Satisfied, he turned and resumed walking. Behind him, a soft mutter drifted up:

“So stingy.”

His knuckles cracked audibly. If he did not still need both celestial mushrooms, he would have cast her into the alchemy furnace right then.

The two walked, one after the other, to a lotus pond. Qing Yin had expected the Star Lord to lock her away, but under the starlight, white lotuses stood graceful and tall. She wondered: did the Star Lord truly have the leisure to bring her here for lotus viewing?

He halted at the pond’s edge and called, “Come here.”

She hesitated, then stepped forward. Suddenly, he reached out, grabbed her by the collar, and hurled her into the pond.

Her scream was cut short as she plunged into the water. The pond was chillingly cold, freezing to the bone. Water flooded her mouth and nose as she flailed desperately, unable to surface—she could not swim! Holding her breath, she sank deeper into the pond, which was far deeper than it appeared. Panic and despair overwhelmed her.

A figure appeared before her. Though the water was deep, faint blue lights illuminated it, so it was not pitch-dark. She focused, recognizing the Star Lord descending beside her, white robes and silver hair floating, breathtakingly beautiful—so flawless as to conceal the venom in his heart.

He seemed able to breathe underwater, and instead of helping, he offered her a mocking smile.

At that moment, Qing Yin was both anxious and furious, nearly suffocating. Survival instinct made her clutch at his collar, frantically scratching. The Star Lord’s clothes were soon in disarray, his image ruined. He gripped her shoulders, snarling, “Fool, breathe! You can breathe underwater!”

But she was fading, unable to hear him. Unable to hold her breath any longer, she opened her mouth, bubbles escaping, water rushing into her lungs.

There was no stabbing pain or suffocation as she expected. Instead, the icy water inside her chest brought a sudden relief. She breathed again and again, gradually regaining composure, realizing she had not drowned. Holding her chest, she marveled at the sensation of breathing underwater, so astonished she could barely comprehend it.

Author’s Note: Jiu Zi’s new novel—pain and excitement entwined, highly recommended! [Synopsis] Q: When the world deceives, slanders, betrays, and harms you, how should you respond? A: Treat them lightly, scorn them, humiliate them, despise them, and when the time is right—destroy them! [Rumor has it there are double updates daily; someone shamefully burrows away...]