Chapter Five: The Stratagem—Backlash of the Sky-Shattering Thunder

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“A-Lan, the backlash from the heavenly thunder you suffered today was because someone’s fate has been altered.”

“My mother goddess already told me about this,” Qinglan said with some guilt. “But I still don’t know what to do. I’m sorry for dragging you into this and making you take the blow for me.”

“I’ve devised a plan. The most urgent thing now is to kill the one you saved, and then the one whose fate has changed. Once his original destiny is restored, everything will be set right. So A-Lan, I need you to go and examine the Destiny Lord’s fate chart.”

“Alright.”

“Hurry back, A-Lan. Otherwise, someone else’s fate might be altered. I’ll go deal with the first one in the meantime.”

“Okay, I’ll go now.” With that, she vanished from sight. Afterward, Xiao Cangyi also departed, and the two set out separately.

The summit of the Four Kingdoms was still ongoing, stretching over several days without end. It was the perfect opportunity to eliminate him now, using the crown prince’s own poison, “Nether Chill,” to make it appear as if he died from his own affliction. That way, the human world would remain undisturbed.

Once news of the death spread, Qinglan checked the fate chart and returned to the Xiao residence. Xiao Cangyi had been waiting for her, but they had barely exchanged a few words when suddenly, thunderbolts rained from the sky. To avoid unnecessary harm, Xiao Cangyi withdrew to a desolate place; Qinglan, uneasy, followed him.

But this time, the heavenly thunder was even fiercer than before—seventeen bolts in total, each more powerful than the last. Forced to summon the artifact “Illusion,” he barely managed to withstand the onslaught. When he landed, his face was ashen, and his cheek bore a bloody mark where the aftershock had struck.

“I completely forgot—the more powerful one’s cultivation, the more fearsome the heavenly thunder. Xiao Cangyi, are you alright?” Qinglan ran to his side, her voice tight with worry.

“No need to worry, A-Lan. With some rest, I’ll be fine.” No sooner had he said this than he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

“Xiao Cangyi, let me take you back,” Qinglan said anxiously.

In a blink, they were back at the Xiao residence. It was the middle of the night, and nearly everyone was asleep—even the night guards were dozing.

“Xiao Cangyi, how can I help you?” Qinglan gently brushed his wounded cheek, her voice full of concern.

“It’s nothing. I can regulate my energy myself. Tell me more about the one whose fate was altered.”

“Alright.”

It turned out this person was an advisor to the sixth prince—a man both clever and meticulous. He had helped the sixth prince become crown prince and ascend the throne. Unfortunately, due to the advisor’s untimely death, the sixth prince’s fate was changed, and he never took the throne. Their task was to restore the proper destiny by helping the advisor fulfill his fate.

After explaining, Xiao Cangyi already seemed to have a strategy in mind.

“Don’t worry, A-Lan. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Enough talking. Look at you—you’re coughing up blood. Focus on your recovery.”

“Alright, as you wish.”

While Xiao Cangyi meditated, Qinglan stayed by his side, wiping the sweat from his brow with her sleeve. Her brow stayed furrowed with worry and guilt, feeling responsible for his suffering.

“Xiao Cangyi, I promise, I’ll never let you be hurt again because of me,” Qinglan said solemnly, her tone uncharacteristically serious.

At dawn, with the sun rising, Xiao Cangyi opened his eyes and looked at Qinglan.

“Another day in the mortal world has passed. Autumn is nearly over, and in a few days it will be the start of winter here. Perhaps we can celebrate New Year’s Eve together in the human world,” he said, sensing her tension and trying to distract her with a smile.

“New Year’s Eve? What’s that?” Qinglan, who had always lived in the divine realm, asked with curiosity, her mind momentarily leaving thoughts of his injury.

“It’s a day to bid farewell to the old, welcome the new, reunite with family, and honor one’s ancestors. It’s a lively time. Over the years, I’ve sometimes had to return to the demon realm for affairs, but I’ve always made sure to spend New Year’s Eve here. This year, I didn’t expect to have you with me,” Xiao Cangyi explained, his eyes fixed on her.

“Then, I’ll spend every New Year’s Eve with you—from now on, as long as you don’t mind my mischief,” Qinglan replied, her initial excitement fading into a bashful tone as she scratched her head.

“Perhaps it’s you who’ll grow tired of me… Let’s go,” Xiao Cangyi said, rising. There was a touch of resignation in his words, and a trace of loneliness as he turned toward the door.

“Xiao Cangyi, you never wait for me,” Qinglan called, hurrying after him as he was about to leave.

Hearing this, Xiao Cangyi smiled and slowed his steps, almost stopping to wait for her.

With their plan set, Xiao Cangyi went to serve as the sixth prince’s advisor, while Qinglan played the role of his beloved, accompanying him when she had nothing else to do.

Two busy months passed, and finally New Year’s Eve arrived. The night was filled with the sound of firecrackers.

“Are we under attack?” Qinglan immediately took up a defensive stance, ever alert.

“A-Lan, this is the mortal world. There are no enemies here.”

“Oh, right.”

“But I must say, your vigilance is impressive.”

“Naturally! I am the daughter of the God of War. If I weren’t alert, my father would give me a beating.”

“So you’re often punished?”

“Of course not! I’m highly gifted—my father never stops praising me.”

“I can attest to that. A-Lan, you are as bright as snow and quick to learn. You’ve already mastered all the healing arts of the mortal world.”

“That means I can join you in your medical practice now.” Although she was talented, the medical canon was vast and profound—not something one could master overnight. Only by working tirelessly day and night had she succeeded.

Her purpose was to lessen Xiao Cangyi’s burden, accumulate virtue, and protect their family’s peace.

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“What matters most now is breaking the backlash of your heavenly thunder. Medical practice can wait.”

“Alright,” Qinglan answered, somewhat downcast at not being able to practice medicine with him.

“If you wish, you can practice on me,” Xiao Cangyi said, unwilling to see her unhappy.

“Would that work?” Qinglan perked up, then remembered he was a demon, not a mortal.

“It should… but perhaps I’ll try it on Jinhan another day, just to be sure.”

“Best not,” Qinglan said, suddenly hesitant. “I’m afraid.”

“Don’t worry, A-Lan. If you’re really scared, I’ll try it on Jinhan first—does that sound alright?”

“Alright.”

Poor Jinhan sneezed in the demon realm, unaware of the misfortune awaiting him.

The two laughed and chatted, until a guard arrived at the gate.

“Master Xiao, the sixth prince summons you,” announced the guard.

“I understand. You may go now.” Xiao Cangyi’s tone turned cool, so unlike the warmth he showed Qinglan.

“I’ll be back soon,” he said to Qinglan, his expression gentle, his eyes full of affection.

“Alright.” Qinglan watched him leave, waiting patiently as a devoted wife waits for her husband’s return.

Meanwhile, Xiao Cangyi attended to matters of state.

“Sir, I have a plan and wish to consult you on its feasibility,” the sixth prince began.

“Please, Your Highness.”

“The second prince has allied with forces from the martial world, no doubt offering them certain benefits, as well as some merchants. But merchants care only for profit, and those people are a disparate lot, bound to harbor mistrust among themselves. If we sow discord, what do you think?”

“If you divide them, their alliance will crumble. It’s a good plan, but the crucial point is how to stir up discord. We’ll have to consider it carefully.”

“Please, sir, advise me.”

…

Xiao Cangyi busied himself with these affairs. Five years passed, and the sixth prince became crown prince.

Soon after, he eliminated the second and third princes. When the emperor died, he ascended the throne as expected.

The advisor’s fate, according to the fate chart, was to die three years after the emperor’s accession—the emperor, being suspicious and intolerant of those with great merit, would inevitably have him killed.

Another New Year’s Eve arrived in the mortal world. The streets were adorned with red lanterns, and vendors sold cakes, paper cuttings, and various festive goods.

In the Xiao residence courtyard stood two figures: one dressed in black, blending into the night, his hair tied back, with a few locks framing his face; the other in a sky-blue gown, half her hair gathered and adorned with a peach-blossom jade hairpin and pearl flowers.

“Xiao Cangyi, your attire today is reminiscent of before, only now it’s black instead of moon-white,” Qinglan remarked, studying his clothes with a sense of familiarity.

“Do you like it?”

“Not really. I can sense your mood—though the clothes are handsome, your heart is as heavy as that color.”

“You’re mistaken. Every moment with you is a moment of joy,” Xiao Cangyi replied, turning to face her.

“I know you, and I know your moods. After all this time together, how could I be wrong?” Qinglan insisted.

“Then do you know why I’m like this?” Xiao Cangyi asked, taking her hand.

“I do,” Qinglan replied. Having read many romance tales under Xiao Qingyue’s guidance, she understood the ways of love.

“Then, will you marry me?”

“Not yet! I haven’t brought you to meet my parents.”

“That was thoughtless of me,” Xiao Cangyi said, releasing her hand. He was afraid—afraid that history would repeat itself, that he would bring her harm as their parents once did.

“Why won’t you look at me?” Qinglan turned his face toward hers, seeing the fear in his eyes. “Tell me, please don’t hide anything from me.”

“Even if you don’t mind my background, it doesn’t mean your parents won’t.”

“So that’s what’s bothering you,” Qinglan mused. “How about we get married first and tell them after?”

“What? Say that again?” Xiao Cangyi asked, grasping her hand.

“I said, I want to marry you. Will you marry me?”

“Of course I will.”

“Then arrange for your parents to be present. When my cultivation is stronger, no one will be able to stop us. We can hold another wedding then, alright?”

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“Good. A-Lan, your plan is flawless.”

“You’d better treat me well. Otherwise, I won’t protect you anymore and will let others bully you,” Qinglan teased him deliberately.

“That could never happen.”

The next day, Xiao Cangyi brought Qinglan to his parents to discuss their marriage.

“Father, Mother, I love A-Lan, and she loves me too. Please choose an auspicious day for our wedding,” he said.

“Wonderful! This is a joyous matter,” Shen Xianyi replied, delighted that her son had found his beloved.

“I’ll have to consider this,” Xiao Qiyan said, retiring to his study.

Seeing his father’s hesitation, Xiao Cangyi followed him.

“Father, this is my choice. I truly love her.”

“Are you sure you want to follow in my and your mother’s footsteps?”

“I’m afraid, too, but she means everything to me. I can’t let her go.”

“No regrets?”

“None. Even if I only have a mortal wedding with her, I am content.”

“So be it. Go on then. I’ll make the arrangements.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Watching his son leave, Xiao Qiyan felt a sense of helplessness. He hadn’t expected his child to choose the same path he once did. But he knew there was no use trying to dissuade him—he himself had once been the same, and did not regret it.

Half a month later, in another room of the Xiao residence, Qinglan was dressed in a phoenix coronet and scarlet gown, her hair fully pinned up. Beneath willow-leaf brows, her bright eyes gazed into the mirror, her heart full of happiness.

The matchmaker covered her face with a red veil, and with the support of her maids, she left for the Xiao residence. The spectacle was grand enough to astonish the entire city.

After a long procession, they arrived. Xiao Cangyi watched her approach in red, a smile never leaving his face.

In that moment, she was his wife. Together, they performed the ceremonies before heaven and earth and bowed to each other as husband and wife.

Night fell. Xiao Cangyi excused himself from the banquet and went to Qinglan’s side, lifting her veil to reveal a face of breathtaking beauty.

Her makeup was more exquisite than ever before.

“A-Lan, you are so beautiful,” he whispered, never having seen her like this.

“And you are so handsome, especially in red—it suits you perfectly.”

“You don’t like wine, so let us toast with tea instead.”

“Alright.”

They drank their nuptial tea, and Cangyi kissed her lips. With a wave of magic, their wedding garments vanished onto the clothes rack, and they met as equals, entwined through the night.

At dawn, Qinglan opened her eyes and said, “Cangyi, the thunder backlash has been broken. I must report to Mother Goddess and the others. I’ll come find you in a few days. As for my parents, you’ll have to deal with them.”

“Alright,” Xiao Cangyi agreed, handing her a blue gown he had prepared.

Divine Realm, Azure Immortal Palace

“Master, your disciple has returned!” Qinglan called as she entered the palace, seeking out the Azure Sovereign.

Finding no one in the outer hall, she hurried to the inner chamber, where her master was cultivating. Not wishing to disturb him, she left a message to signal her safety, then flew to the northern boundary between gods and demons.

Upon arrival, she immediately ran into the Flame Sovereign. Since he was a god, she greeted him politely, but after confirming his identity, proceeded into the “Qianfeng” Hall, with the Flame Sovereign following behind.

The God of Spirit Stream and the God of War were in discussion, but stopped upon seeing the two enter.

“Father, Mother, the thunder backlash has been broken. You needn’t worry anymore,” Qinglan said cheerfully, Flame Sovereign standing respectfully by her side.

“That’s good. You must properly thank Yan’er; he helped you break the backlash,” Spirit Stream Goddess said, looking more and more favorably upon the Flame Sovereign.

“What does this have to do with him? I solved it myself,” Qinglan replied, glancing at the Flame Sovereign.

“Is there anything else?” Spirit Stream Goddess asked.

“No, Mother. You really don’t have to worry anymore.”