novelraw Chapter 75 : Tantai Yuxian, I Truly Have to Control You Now
Chapter 75 : Tantai Yuxian, I Truly Have to Control You Now
Chapter 75: Tantai Yuxian, I Truly Have to Control You Now
Shen Yanzhou’s voice was not loud, yet it seemed to carry the weight of an incantation, laced with a bewitching undertone that echoed by Tantai Yuxian’s ear.
“Shut your mouth.”
She suddenly barked sharply, her composure rippling with unease.
Indeed, just as Shen Yanzhou had said.
In order to break through to the First Rank, she had already sacrificed much and compromised many of her principles.
In her life, she had never taken on a disciple. The only reason she had chosen to adopt Shen Tian and agreed to Shen Jingxiao’s deal was for the heavenly treasure in his possession—the Pure Nirvana Blue Lotus.
Only with the Blue Lotus protecting her soul could she safely split it into two. This was no simple soul-division technique—it was akin to forcibly forging an entirely new self.
Only she knew how difficult that process had been.
“Shut up? Why should I shut up?” Shen Yanzhou asked.
What’s more, his tone grew increasingly rapid. “For that faint and nearly unreachable chance at the First Rank, you broke your own bottom line, agreed to Shen Jingxiao’s bargain, took Shen Tian as your disciple, and raised him to adulthood—was that not enough?”
“Tantai Yuxian, don’t act so lofty and proud. For the sake of advancing to the First Rank, you were willing to do anything—even to become a sword servant to a nameless junior like me.”
“And now, I merely asked you to perform Fetal Breath Cicada Concealment once, not to truly do anything else.”
“You… shut your mouth!”
The cold gleam in Tantai Yuxian’s eyes faded. Streams of sword light around her shattered one after another, her composure breaking apart under the weight of his words. She staggered back several steps, the sword sheath in her arms trembling as if it might collapse at any moment.
She gently pressed a hand to her forehead, her expression showing faint pain.
Shen Yanzhou no longer spoke. His gaze, however, carried an odd glint as he stood still—he knew that Tantai Yuxian’s heart demon had begun to stir.
Tantai Yuxian herself also understood her current state clearly.
If it were merely Shen Yanzhou’s words, they could not have shaken her so. But his effortless breakthroughs—like drinking water or eating rice, without the slightest bottleneck—combined with her humiliation of becoming his sword attendant, and the fact that her precious Human Dao Soul was grasped in his hand… All these emotions surging together finally drew forth the heart demon she had long and painfully suppressed.
A heart demon differed from a mental demon. The latter attacked during breakthroughs, while the former lingered like a dream—haunting both day and night.
Once a flaw appeared in one’s heart, it invaded relentlessly, clinging like maggots to the bone.
She had once tried to cut it away, but it could not be severed. As long as there was a flaw, it would grow anew.
For cultivators, the higher the realm, the more perfect their state of mind must be. Through the Three Tribulations and Nine Calamities, no one could escape unscathed.
“To admit that you are far less pure and noble than the world believes… to admit your fear of failing to reach the First Rank… to admit your confusion about the path of the sword—is that so hard?”
Shen Yanzhou’s voice sounded again, carrying both persuasion and a coaxing tenderness.
“Shen Yanzhou…”
Tantai Yuxian’s eyes turned fierce. The sword she cradled flared into a beam of light, as if to strike down the source of his endless words.
But the next moment, the Threads of Karma flared to life—filaments wrapping tighter and clearer, binding her ever more firmly. The sword light that had nearly reached Shen Yanzhou shattered instantly into nothingness.
“You can’t even abide by the Heavenly Dao Oath you swore.”
“Tantai Yuxian, it seems I truly have to control you now.”
This was precisely the opportunity Shen Yanzhou had been waiting for.
He watched as the Threads of Karma extended from his palm, and with a casual tug, Tantai Yuxian’s entire being convulsed violently, a muffled groan escaping her lips beyond her control.
She now had to resist both the invading heart demon and the backlash of the karmic threads—her concentration stretched to its breaking point.
If there were a medicine for regret in this world, she would never have agreed to Shen Yanzhou’s terms back at Hidden Moon Mountain.
“Shen Yanzhou…”
“Ugh…”
Just as Tantai Yuxian was about to speak again, a stifled groan escaped her lips. A single Thread of Karma had been plucked and pulled by Shen Yanzhou, winding tightly around her Human Dao Soul.
“Since you refuse to perform Fetal Breath Cicada Concealment to form a body, then obediently endure the… stimulation that comes with these Threads of Karma.” Shen Yanzhou smiled faintly.
The wondrous thing about the Threads of Karma was that even though Tantai Yuxian before him was not in physical form, their connection could still be perceived as if she were tangible—her every reaction clearly reflected through his hand.
Originally, the karmic link between them had not been this clear or numerous, but thanks to Tantai Yuxian’s repeated resistance and even attempts to strike him, it had intensified and multiplied.
“Let me think…”
“This posture—Sword Immortal, you probably haven’t seen this before.”
After a brief pause, Shen Yanzhou manipulated the karmic threads, tracing along Tantai Yuxian’s snow-robed, graceful figure.
He recalled a certain method of binding from his past life. Fortunately, he had always been well-read; though he had only practiced it a few times, he remembered precisely how to bind so that the body’s contours and curves were most vividly accentuated.
“Mm, it should start from here…”
He began his work, guiding the thickest thread to wrap around Tantai Yuxian’s wrists, binding them behind her back.
“You…”
“Courting death.”
Tantai Yuxian’s gaze turned ice-cold. She instantly grasped Shen Yanzhou’s intent.
As one standing at the peak of the world, she had never seen such a style of restraint before—but with only a glance, she understood its purpose.
It was a method of binding so obscene it was unworthy of even the most indecent manuals, and he dared to use it on her?
For the first time in her life, she felt such intolerable humiliation—her killing intent soared to the heavens.
If looks could kill, Shen Yanzhou would already have died countless times over.
“The more you wish to kill me, the stronger the binding power of the karmic threads becomes.”
“This bitterness—taste it well.”
“When the day comes that you come to terms with yourself, these Threads of Karma will naturally begin to fade.”
Shen Yanzhou smiled as he spoke, entirely unfazed by the expression of murderous hatred on Tantai Yuxian’s face.
He admired his handiwork—truly worthy of one standing at the pinnacle of the world. Every inch, every curve was perfect, like the most exquisite work of art ever favored by heaven.
The next moment, he lifted his hand, and Tantai Yuxian’s Human Dao Soul, bound in this manner, was drawn back into his palm.
From Tantai Yuxian, negative emotions +21 +24 +25…
……
Today, the imperial capital was even livelier than usual.
Shen Yanzhou left the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard, calling for Elder Mo and Chunchao to accompany him as he walked out of the Prince’s Mansion and strolled along the streets.
The two followed closely behind him.
Chunchao carried a sword in her arms, while Elder Mo held a birdcage containing the lark that the original Shen Yanzhou had favored most in the past.
Along the way, passersby occasionally stopped to look at them. Most of their gazes lingered on Shen Yanzhou, filled with surprise.
They clearly hadn’t expected that despite the countless rumors swirling through the capital—scandalous tales spreading like wildfire—this fake heir of the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion would still wander the streets leisurely with a bird in hand, instead of staying quietly within the residence.
Did he truly think he was still the former Heir of the Demon Suppression King?
However, no fool dared to step forward and provoke him with mockery. After all, Shen Yanzhou was not alone—two people followed closely behind him.
As for those rumors that claimed Shen Yanzhou was a deeply hidden master, who had even injured the Demon Suppression King, Shen Jingxiao, during a spar… no one took them seriously.
Everyone dismissed it as a joke made up by someone in the Prince’s Mansion and spread around by the servants.
“Your Excellency, are we going to Yuxian Pavilion to listen to music again today? I heard that after your accident, the owner behind Yuxian Pavilion changed,” Chunchao asked softly.
After that incident, Yuxian Pavilion had been thoroughly investigated by the Chilin Guards and the Bureau of Immortal Inspection. It was said that even the color of the owner’s undergarments had been exposed.
Several nearby entertainment houses had closed overnight to avoid scrutiny, and their businesses hadn’t recovered for quite some time.
“No, today I’m going to harvest some leeks,” Shen Yanzhou said casually.
Within half a year, reaching the First Rank—that was the small goal he had set for himself.
At present, he had already achieved Sixth Rank in both martial and Dao cultivation. The First Rank was not so far away.
He turned his focus to the panel before him:
【Techniques: The True Explanation of Primordial Unity (Incomplete, First Realm 15/16)】
【Name: Shen Yanzhou】
【Secret Arts: Selfless Sword Heart (Fragmented, Minor Accomplishment 1/4), Grand Ascension of Five Emperors, Immovable as the Mountain Art, Dragon-Seizing Force…】
【Realm: Sixth Rank in Martial Path; Sixth Rank in Daoist Path】
【Available Basic Points: 0 (121.33/100)】
“Leeks?”
Both Chunchao and Elder Mo were taken aback. Collecting leeks—could he mean the fields outside the city? There were indeed quite a few planted there.
Shen Yanzhou smiled faintly, offering no explanation.
Yet that very smile carried a different meaning in the eyes of his two companions.
To Chunchao, it seemed profound and unfathomable—she felt Shen Yanzhou must be preparing something great.
“When did Young Master become so impossible to read…”
Elder Mo, however, couldn’t help recalling the mysterious figure who had plucked a leaf to save him on Hidden Moon Mountain.
Others might not believe in Shen Yanzhou’s strength, but the destruction in the mansion had been clear to every servant and attendant who had witnessed it.
“The last time I went to the Dragon-Tiger Institute, I harvested several hundred points of negative emotion.”
“This time shouldn’t be any less.”
Shen Yanzhou’s tone carried a hint of anticipation.
……
“Your Highness, the Heir has gone out to walk his bird.”
In the Prince’s Mansion’s study, several guards who had been monitoring Shen Yanzhou’s movements came forward to report to Shen Jingxiao.
Shen Jingxiao frowned slightly.
He had not restricted Shen Yanzhou’s freedom—especially now, when he could no longer fully grasp what trump cards Shen Yanzhou held. He preferred to let him act freely.
“Investigate everyone he’s interacted with recently—leave nothing unchecked.”
“Ran Yi, go and watch Shen Yanzhou. Find out exactly what he intends to do.”
Within the shadowed corners of the study stood three figures.
Aside from Ran Yi, the other two were Kui and Zhen, members of the Four Fiends.
Kui wore a deep black mask, nearly two meters tall, his build massive and muscular. Beneath his black inner armor hung thick chains around his waist, and his bare arms—like coiled dragons—radiated sheer intimidation.
Zhen, on the other hand, wore a fierce bronze mask. He was short and lean, dressed in a tiger-skin robe, with a belt strung from the fangs of unknown beasts, his entire presence emanating brutal hostility.
“Your Highness, why me? Can’t Zhen go instead?” Ran Yi protested.
“Only you can talk to him properly now. If we show ourselves and he notices, what if he kills us?”
Zhen’s voice, though not loud, carried a slick, lazy tone, almost worldly in its cynicism.
Ran Yi pouted slightly—why did all the dirty, tiring work always fall to her?
Didn’t they see that Shen Yanzhou’s strength had become terrifying, his depths unfathomable? They didn’t dare approach, yet expected her to?
“Shen Yanzhou seems to have always been rather fond of you, hasn’t he?”
At that remark, Shen Jingxiao’s eyes narrowed slightly as he turned toward Ran Yi.
Ran Yi froze. As one of Shen Jingxiao’s confidantes, she knew his temperament well.
A pang of unease struck her heart, but she forced it down, showing her usual charming smile, her voice laced with a tempting lilt. “Your Highness, you know Shen Yanzhou likes to conceal his true self. Over the years, no one has truly seen his real face. What he shows might not be who he really is. He may seem lustful, but he might not truly be so.”
“All people have weaknesses. Even I am no exception—let alone him.” Shen Jingxiao’s gaze deepened slightly, before he waved his hand dismissively.
……
“Hahaha, you’re killing me, Brother Haoran.”
“Has the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion gone mad, or has this whole world lost its senses? They’re saying that Shen Yanzhou, that wastrel, is a master who can spar with the Demon Suppression King and even injure him!”
“They claim the great commotion at the Prince’s Mansion was caused by their duel.”
“Hahaha! It’s more believable that this fake heir, Shen Yanzhou, is actually His Majesty’s illegitimate son lost to the world!”
Within a lakeside pavilion of the Dragon-Tiger Institute, beside a clear jade-green lake, Qi Haoran—the hostage prince of the Qi Kingdom—was sitting before a desk, grinding ink in preparation for painting. He was preparing for the upcoming poetry gathering at the Pear Garden in half a month.
His friend Liu Zi’an rushed down from the spiral staircase, laughter written all over his face.
“How could someone as brilliant as the Demon Suppression King ever say something so absurd?”
“Surely this is just a rumor spread by careless servants—any wise man would dismiss it.”
Qi Haoran shook his head. His face was handsome and refined, clad in spotless white robes that gave him a scholarly air. As he raised his brush to compose, an elegant aura of literary charm flowed across the paper.
“Hehe, I suppose it’s just entertainment for now.”
“Anyway, since Shen Yanzhou’s fake heir status is now public, you no longer need to worry about the proposed marriage between the Prince’s Mansion and the Marquis of Divine Might’s Residence.”
“By the way, Senior Sister Zhao met Shen Yanzhou once, but afterward, she refused to speak much about it.”
“I suppose she doesn’t wish to accept that kind of political marriage—one that leaves her no choice.”
“You’ve been quite close to Senior Sister Zhao lately; she seems to admire you greatly.”
Liu Zi’an sighed beside him. As the young master of a duke’s household, he understood the feeling well—perhaps he too would one day have to marry a woman he did not love.
“Who knows.”
Qi Haoran’s tone was calm, seemingly indifferent to the matter.
Even the humiliation he had suffered at Shen Yanzhou’s hands last time seemed forgotten, buried beneath his dedication to the cultivation of the Literary Path.
Indeed, just as Liu Zi’an had said, he and Zhao Qingchan had grown close recently, often discussing insights about poetry gatherings.
Gifted with a Literary Heart by nature, Qi Haoran’s talent and accomplishments were exceptional. Favored by a great scholar of the court, he had written several splendid essays that resonated with literary energy.
For the upcoming Pear Garden Poetry Gathering, the outstanding talents of every great family would attend—and even representatives from the Temple of the Sage and Jixia Academy would come to observe.
He was confident of taking the crown.