novelraw Chapter 1238: The Seat of the Sun
Chapter 1238: The Seat of the Sun
Half a month ago.
Over the East China Sea, about three hundred nautical miles from the coast, a white yacht cut through the waves beneath a faint moon and sparse stars. À
Inside the cabin, Su Zijun, dressed in a black gown, lifted a half-filled glass of deer blood, her gaze distant as she looked out at the dark, endless sea. Beside her, Jessica sat somewhat uneasily.
In front of the sofa, Gui Ying, once again in his usual Mohican-style outfit, stood silently like a butler, holding a bottle of deer blood respectfully in both hands.
On the deck, an owl landed on Kui Qianyi’s arm. The old turtle—whose exact age no one really knew—gazed into the owl’s eyes for a brief moment before turning and walking inside.
“Princess, the Xuanyuan Gate is about to open. Please prepare yourself.”
Hearing Kui Qianyi’s words, Jessica felt a flicker of nervousness. She knew the place she was about to step into was an ancient tribe’s land—a divine territory that had existed alongside the history of the Divine Land itself.
For thousands of years, dynasties had risen and fallen across the land, but this tribe had remained unchanged. Compared to it, the organization she once belonged to—the Micheal’s Society—was but a fledgling child.
And the black-gowned girl before her, the one who had granted her immortality, was none other than this tribe’s princess.
At Kui Qianyi’s reminder, Su Zijun set her glass down, took the handkerchief Gui Ying handed over, and casually wiped her lips. “This Changbai Mountain snow deer blood tastes worse each year.”Gui Ying said nothing, only quietly collecting the items. It was already the best quality one could find outside.
Kui Qianyi chuckled. “Two white peacocks in the Luo River Glen reached maturity last year. I’ve already arranged to have them brought to Your Highness.”
Su Zijun glanced at him coolly. “Get some for her too. She’s still not used to drinking human blood. The blood of rare beasts will do—better than staying weak and embarrassing me.”
Jessica’s expression stiffened slightly.
Since becoming this strange creature called a jiangshi, she had learned from Su Zijun the differences between her kind and vampires. Both required blood as the source of strength, but the nature of that need was different.
A vampire’s heart was like an engine that needed the fuel of blood to run. A jiangshi, however, drew from the essence, energy, and spirit within blood. Unlike vampires, weak jiangshi did not fear sunlight as intensely and were not as dependent on blood.
But their growth was also much slower.
Hearing that Su Zijun had ordered Kui Qianyi to prepare peacock blood for her, Jessica felt faint relief. Since returning from abroad—through the Penglai Treasure Vault and the battle at Mount Tai—she hadn’t fed once. Though she could suppress hunger longer than a vampire, she was nearing her limit. Still, she feared Su Zijun might deliberately starve her, waiting for the moment she lost control and was forced to drink human blood.
Lost in thought, Jessica followed Su Zijun out onto the deck.
Cold winds swept over the sea, stirring waves into bursts of white foam. Suddenly, the yacht began to tremble. Ahead, the ocean twisted violently, forming a massive whirlpool.
From within it, two enormous golden pillars carved with coiling dragons slowly rose from the depths. On each stood a warrior clad in golden armor, wielding a broad blade.
Their faces were hidden behind golden masks, but the sharp, deadly gaze from beneath was enough to make Jessica feel as if death itself were staring at her.
“They are the Gatekeepers of the Xuanyuan Gate,” Kui Qianyi explained softly. “The sixth generation, to be exact. I heard your former group—the Micheal’s Society, wasn’t it?—these two are no weaker than your so-called Divine Generals.”
The Twelve Divine Generals. Jessica knew well what that meant. Below the Council Seats, the Divine Generals were the Society’s strongest force. It had taken centuries across Europe to gather such power—and yet, this ancient tribe’s gatekeepers alone were of comparable strength.
“Greetings to Her Highness, the Princess,” the two golden warriors intoned, kneeling on one knee atop the pillars.
Su Zijun only nodded slightly, then cast a look toward Kui Qianyi. Now that she was returning to the Xuanyuan Palace, a royal princess had to carry herself with proper grace.
“Thank you both,” Kui Qianyi said with a polite smile. “Please, open the Xuanyuan Gate for Her Highness.”
“Yes, sir!”
The left and right gatekeepers drew their golden sabers. In an instant, the twin dragon pillars radiated brilliant light.
The golden flash was blinding—Jessica’s sight vanished. When her vision cleared again, she found herself beneath a clear blue sky. The yacht was no longer at sea but floating upon a serene lake.
“This must be your first time entering the Xuanyuan Secret Realm, Miss Jessica,” Kui Qianyi said with a kind smile, stroking his beard. “This is Red Maple Lake—the entrance to the realm.”
Jessica looked around. The waters shimmered jade-green; the mountainsides were covered in scarlet maples, like a painting of paradise.
White cranes flew gracefully overhead.
Then the lake began to ripple. From below emerged a colossal creature—serpentine yet not quite a snake, draconic yet not a true dragon. Its scales glistened dark green, its head horned, its body winged and clawed, its face fierce.
“That’s a qiu, named Ao Hei—a distant descendant of the ancient Eastern Sea dragon clan. The bloodline is very diluted now,” Kui Qianyi explained.
Jessica simply listened; though Ye Yan had taught her much about Chinese culture, she knew little of such ancient myths.
The beast named Ao Hei coiled around the yacht, lowering its massive head toward Su Zijun like a docile pet.
Su Zijun smiled faintly, reached out, and stroked its horn. “Not bad. Haven’t seen you in over eighty years—you’ve gotten fatter.”
At her touch, Ao Hei trembled visibly, its enormous eyes flashing with fear.
“Princess, it’s getting late. We should return to the palace,” Kui Qianyi reminded gently.
Sensing the cue, Ao Hei immediately dove beneath the surface and began pushing the yacht swiftly toward the shore.
From afar, the lakeshore was already filled with crowds—rows upon rows of golden- and silver-armored warriors. Behind them stood elders, women, and children in ancient robes. Some bore beast-like features; others were purely human. Beyond them rose layers of ancient architecture, streets laid out in perfect order, and high on the mountain stood a grand, radiant palace.
Jessica felt as though she’d stepped into an ancient imperial city come to life.
As the yacht came to a stop, the people on shore all knelt as one.
“Welcome home, Your Highness!”
“Rise,” Su Zijun said coldly from the bow, her expression serene and regal.
It was the first time Jessica had seen her like this—the once youthful-looking girl now radiating the majesty of a true princess.
The rest of the day passed in a blur for Jessica. As someone raised overseas, she’d only ever seen such elaborate ceremonial rituals in films. By the time she fully regained her senses, she found herself in one corner of the towering palace atop the mountain, attended by two young maids in palace dress.
Thankfully, Su Zijun had considered her unfamiliarity with the customs and sent Gui Ying to accompany her.
When she next saw Gui Ying, he too had changed—now wearing a long robe, his hair dyed black again, calm and composed like the scholarly man she’d first met at Mount Tai.
He brought a set of palace robes for her and had the maids help her dress.
“Miss Jessica,” Gui Ying said, “you’ll be staying here for the next few days. You’re the princess’s direct servant—your status is high. If you need anything, just tell them.”
“Is… the mistress not coming?” Jessica asked instinctively.
Gui Ying replied evenly, “Her Highness will be meeting with the heads of the various clans and handling state affairs. Things will be busy for a while—so you’re to remain here and wait.”
Vaguely, Jessica seemed to recall something... a few days ago on Mount Tai, there had been an internal rebellion within Xuanyuan Palace.
---
Inside the main hall of Xuanyuan Palace.
Su Zijun sat upright on the throne, wearing a phoenix crown and a purple dragon robe. Her hands rested on her lap, eyes steady and calm.
Below her, the leaders of the various Xuanyuan Palace divisions stood in rows. Kui Qianyi, dressed in formal court attire, stood to the right among them. To the left stood a man in his forties, with a stern face, lean but not frail, streaks of gray at his temples, and a commanding presence.
At this moment, a man in his thirties knelt solemnly before them all.
Kui Qianyi’s voice echoed through the hall:
“Gongsun Qian, you allowed your son, Gongsun Shiyu, to take part in the Heavenly Heart faction’s rebellion. You even mobilized thirty-six Heavenly Spirit war generals without authorization! For your selfish gain, you threw the divine land into turmoil. Do you admit your guilt?”
“I… acknowledge my guilt.” The kneeling man’s voice trembled with grief.
Kui Qianyi glanced at the man to the left—seeing that his expression remained calm, he continued:
“Gongsun Qian, for your crimes, you are hereby stripped of your post as Deputy Chief of the Qian Department and Commander of the Heavenly Spirit Division. You are sentenced to two hundred lashes and fifty years of reflection in the Cold Pool.”
“I… accept my punishment.”
The kneeling man’s voice carried quiet bitterness.
The hall fell into complete silence. The gathered chiefs seemed unsurprised—clearly, the verdict had been expected. Kui Qianyi looked around and said sternly,
“Let this serve as a warning to all.”
The chiefs nodded in agreement.
Through it all, Su Zijun had not spoken a word. Only now did she lift her left hand slightly. A palace maid stepped forward to help her rise, while another lifted the long hem of her robe. Without a word, Su Zijun turned and slowly departed.
After her departure, the solemn air lifted. The division chiefs began to approach Kui Qianyi.
Within Xuanyuan Palace, there were two main divisions: the Qian Department and the Kun Division. The Qian Department was led by the Gongsun clan and included numerous human tribes such as the You Xiong, Shao Dian, and Weishui lineages. The Kun Division, in contrast, consisted of ancient mountain and sea creatures and other nonhuman races gathered over countless years.
After exchanging brief courtesies with several Kun Division beast chiefs, Kui Qianyi approached the man on the left. With a bow and a polite smile, he said,
“Greetings, Lord Yellow Springs.”
This man was the true head of the Qian Department and one of the real powers within Xuanyuan Palace. The punished Gongsun Qian was merely his third son.
A faint smile appeared on Gongsun Yellow Springs’ severe face.
“Lord Kui, your service in recovering the Princess was invaluable. On behalf of the Qian Department, I offer my gratitude.”
“Not at all,” Kui Qianyi replied with a nod.
Gongsun Yellow Springs continued mildly,
“However, I must ask—why has the Princess still not shed her drought-jiangshi form and restored the pure Xuanyuan royal bloodline?”
Kui Qianyi answered evenly,
“The Princess’s will is her own. As her subjects, we dare not speculate on her intentions.”
“Quite so.” Gongsun Yellow Springs nodded with a faint smile, stroking his beard.
“Now that Gongsun Shiyu is dead, the position of royal consort is vacant…”
Before he could finish, Kui Qianyi interrupted,
“Lord Yellow Springs, Gongsun Shiyu has only just died. It would be improper for Her Highness to choose another husband so soon. Such matters should be postponed. Besides, among the royal bloodline, the Gongsun family already holds the purest heritage. There’s no need to rush.”
“Indeed.” Gongsun Yellow Springs chuckled softly, eyes narrowing.
“That was my thought as well, Lord Kui. No need for such caution.”
Kui Qianyi laughed lightly. “Ah, I’ve overstepped—please forgive my intrusion.”
Gongsun Yellow Springs’ smile faded.
“This internal turmoil in the Qian Department leaves much to repair. I must take my leave to restore order.”
“Safe travels, Lord Yellow Springs,” Kui Qianyi called after him.
He watched as Gongsun Yellow Springs departed, surrounded by his retainers. Only when they had vanished did Kui Qianyi sigh quietly.
“That old ghost… truly patient.”
Then, gathering the other division chiefs, he commanded,
“Though Gongsun Shiyu is dead, his ally Gongsun Zhishui remains at large. Issue orders to capture Gongsun Zhishui and bring him back for trial!”
---
Far from the East China Sea, deep within the South China Sea, a helicopter descended slowly onto a small island.
As it landed, a group of men in white uniforms and modern weaponry approached. From the aircraft stepped a man with a severed wrist.
Escorted by the armed men, the one-handed man passed through the jungle and entered a facility built into the mountain.
He moved through long metallic corridors, then into an elevator that ascended. Before long, he emerged into a courtyard beneath a glass dome.
In the center sat a black-haired man in a white training robe, eyes closed in meditation.
The man with the missing hand approached quietly. “Shiyu,” he said.
“You’ve returned.” The black-haired man—Gongsun Shiyu—opened his eyes slowly. “Well done, Zhishui.”
The one-handed man, Gongsun Zhishui, hesitated before speaking.
“Word from Xuanyuan Palace: the Princess has returned. Lord Qian was punished immediately and sentenced to a century of reflection in the Cold Pool.”
Gongsun Shiyu’s tone was calm.
“Gongsun Qian is obsessed with power and has stagnated for years. A century of reflection may not be a curse—it might help him refine his spirit and perhaps achieve a breakthrough.”
Zhishui said nothing, only took a deep breath and retrieved a blood-red jade pendant, pushing it toward Shiyu.
The pendant landed softly in Shiyu’s palm. He closed his eyes, feeling it carefully, then smiled faintly.
“I thought Subject 19 was just an arrogant fool. I didn’t expect his bloodline to evolve. Not bad at all.”
Then, with a light squeeze, the blood jade shattered. A crimson light flowed into his body.
Instantly, an immense aura surged from Gongsun Shiyu, shaking Zhishui to the core. After a long moment, the energy settled.
“I can now summon fifty percent of the Xuanyuan Godslayer’s full power…” Shiyu exhaled slowly. “Didn’t expect Subject 19’s evolution to raise my summoning capacity by another twenty-five percent. Impressive.”
“Congratulations,” Zhishui said with a faint smile.
“Go have your wrist restored later,” Shiyu told him. “Subject 20’s cultivation is nearly complete. Since the Xuanyuan Palace believes I’m dead, there’s no need to use the name Gongsun Shiyu anymore.”
“Where are you going?” Zhishui asked, frowning.
“I have my own plans,” Shiyu replied quietly. “Go tend your wounds.”
“Understood.” Zhishui nodded and left.
When he was gone, Gongsun Shiyu stood and walked to the far end of the courtyard, beneath a great Bodhi tree.
The trunk split open silently, revealing a hidden black screen. Gongsun Shiyu pressed a button, and an electronic voice spoke:
“Greetings, ‘Sun.’ You have three messages—from ‘The Fool,’ ‘The Chariot,’ and ‘The High Priestess.’”
(End of Chapter)
You Xiong (有熊氏) is an assumed name of 黄帝 (Huangdi), also known as the Yellow Emperor.
渭水 (Weishui) refers to the Wei River (渭河).
少典 (Shao Dian) was the father of 黄帝 (Huangdi), the Yellow Emperor.