Chapter 123 - Love Makes People Stupid (1/2)

Shun Tao sat down at his desk as soon as they reached his study and opened the scroll of fate again. He frowned at the characters slowly forming. Zhong Jing Yi had already left the capital. It was mandatory to do something as soon as possible.

He looked up at Leng Jin Yu and motioned at the chair opposite him. ”Please, sit. Tell me, what are your thoughts on this matter?”

Leng Jin Yu looked at the scroll of fate. He didn't know the exact state of things but what Shun Tao had told Qiang Yan was enough to give him a general impression. ”The overall goal, for now, is preventing His Highness from becoming a cultivator. Considering he should already be far behind on the trials he has to pass it would be good if these two things could be combined.”

”So you're saying?”

”I trust the fate's scribe with finding the best way to dictate his fate. It's just … You've seen what Hong Bao —”

Shun Tao tensed. ”What does Hong Bao have to do with this?”

Leng Jin Yu slightly lifted his brows. ”This might not be appropriate for me to say but in a sense, she's surprisingly similar to Longjun. He also did some stupid things because of his love for the crown prince. Now, look at Hong Bao: I advised her to give up and let you report to the heavenly emperor but she still persisted.

Likewise, I'm afraid Longjun won't stop trying to 'help' his beloved. Merely adjusting a scroll of fate might not be enough. Thus, I'd suggest you try writing his fate but to be on the safe side we'll send someone down. That person can keep an eye on His Highness and especially on Longjun and make sure the dragon king won't interfere. Meanwhile, we might be able to use that person to have His Highness pass a trial or two.”

Shun Tao narrowed his eyes. ”What are you thinking of?”

”I'm not really knowledgeable about the trials but I think I have heard that two of the major trials a true born god might want to pass are the trial of love and the trial of betrayal. Is that true?”

Shun Tao nodded. ”So you're thinking of that.”

”With a normal mortal, this might be difficult to pull off. But if we send a god or a deity down there they shouldn't have a problem assisting His Highness in his trial.”

Shun Tao nodded again. ”Indeed. Though, we'll need an ascended deity for that. Gods' are limited in the things they can do to interfere with another's trial even if they take on a mortal identity. Ascended deities are different in this. I'm not that familiar with the ascended deities. There might be some in my palace but considering that His Highness wants to enter a deity sect it might be better to send someone with martial abilities.”

”I do know of someone who would be fit to take that role. It's just …” He smiled wryly. ”This matter is probably not something that can be told to just anyone. After what happened with Hong Bao … I do trust that person but I'm not sure if you would be alright with it.”

”Hm …” Shun Tao, too, didn't know how to decide for a moment. ”Well … The god of war assigned you to me because he felt you were suited. If I don't make use of that I could just try to settle everything myself. In fact, I feel like it would be a good idea if you yourself descended.”

”I?” This time, Leng Jin Yu was really stunned.

Shun Tao smiled. ”First of all, you already know about the whole situation so we wouldn't have to involve anyone else. Second, you have been a cultivator before you ascended, haven't you? That would make this task easier.”

Leng Jin Yu looked down at the ring on his hand. It was a memento from his life as a mortal, something he still hadn't taken off even after all this time. Descending to the mortal world, seeing the places again he had once known … The notion was tempting.

”He went to the Yun Zou sect, you said?”

Shun Tao nodded.

Leng Jin Yu took a deep breath. He hadn't been part of the Yun Zou sect and hadn't really known anyone from there so most likely nobody would recognize him. There was nothing in its disfavor but two advantages. And this was the task the god of war had given him. It stood to reason that he should solve it himself.

”I will.”

Shun Tao nodded and turned back to the scroll of fate. After a moment, Leng Jin Yu hadn't left, though. Shun Tao looked up. ”What is it?”

Leng Jin Yu sighed. ”I know, it isn't my place to say anything but I had the chance to get to know Hong Bao this last week.”

”There is no reason to say anything.”

”I think otherwise. Yes, you don't reciprocate her feelings and you certainly don't have to. She did a lot of wrong things, too, and you were right to say that she should be punished for that. But … her punishment was already meted out. She'll be leaving the nine heavens tomorrow and after that, she won't remember a thing. Do you really have to make her this miserable for her last day here?”

Shun Tao rubbed his forehead. No, he hadn't wanted to do that. But she just didn't understand! What else was he supposed to do?

”After everything I saw this week, I believe even if you said some nice words to her, it would be enough to let her walk on clouds. In the end, she did try to help you and she was one of the reasons your punishment wasn't as heavy. Even if you don't love her, don't you feel at least a little grateful to her? Being loved so much and having someone who is willing to sacrifice everything for you … Doesn't that move you even a bit?”