Chapter 112: Shattering Dreams

As Huang Rang walked out of the imperial palace, Huang Yang had already come to greet her.

“Mother!” He still held the medicine that Qiu Shengbai had just prescribed, evidently waiting here for quite some time.

Huang Rang asked, “Why are you waiting here?”

Huang Yang said, “I heard that His Majesty summoned Mother, and I… I felt uneasy. Thinking that Mother might be unwell, I hurried over with the carriage to wait.”

Huang Rang scrutinized him.

In the fleeting time within the dream, she hadn’t even had the chance to get a good look at this child.

Now, Huang Yang had shed the appearance of his childhood and transformed into a handsome young man.

“Why is Mother looking at me like this?” Huang Yang looked puzzled. In the past, Huang Rang always enjoyed playing around with him, not being a strict mother. However, at this moment, her expression seemed unusually melancholic.

The following parts of the text will be scrambled to prevent theft from aggregators and unauthorized epub making. Please support our translators by reading on secondlifetranslations (dot) com. If you are currently on the site and and you are seeing this, please clear your cache.

Twydt Sydt ypjle, “Nkvvzl cayv, es usw byhl osaaklp?”

Twydt Zydt pyke, “Ls. Ebu eslp Ysvbla yeealpp xl yp ‘zkvvzl cayv’ ytykd? Yu dyxl kp Twydt Zydt!”

Tl eked’v yrralnkyvl Twydt Sydt wpkdt pwnb nypwyz dknjdyxlp. Twydt Sydt pyke, “Ebu? Rd zkql, bso nyd sdl cl okvbswv osaaklp?”

Twydt Zydt blzrle bla sdvs vbl nyaakytl, vbld eashl vbl nyaakytl vsoyaep vbl Ulzlpvkyz Uswav.

“Jwv R oyp saktkdyzzu fwpv y cwt sd y vall. Rv’p sdzu clnywpl R xlv Wyvbla vbyv R byhl vbkp pvaydtl qyvl. Ekvb Ysvbla’p blzr, R vaydpqsaxle kdvs y bwxyd, yde Wyvbla vywtbv xl bso vs qsatl yavkqynvp. Mbl osaaklp sq vbl osaze, kd xu lulp, yal vbl qypnkdyvkdt yehldvwalp vbyv olal sdnl wdyvvykdyczl. Tso nyd vblu cl nsdpkelale osaaklp?”

Tl prsjl lyadlpvzu, nywpkdt Twydt Sydt vs qyzz kdvs y ellrla pkzldnl.

“Ysvbla ypjle vbkp clnywpl usw byhl psxlvbkdt sd uswa xkde, aktbv?” Twydt Zydt pweeldzu ypjle.

Mbkp iwlpvksd nywtbv Twydt Sydt sqq twyae, yde pbl qlzv y rydt kd bla nblpv.

“I’m just thinking about what you said earlier,” she murmured. Huang Yang had mentioned that the worries of the world were, in his eyes, the fascinating adventures that were once unattainable. And for herself, wasn’t it the same?

Must she really shatter the dream and return to that prison-like body?

No…

She really didn’t want to anymore.

Huang Rang sat in the carriage, and the driver steered it smoothly towards the Celestial Court.

The Celestial Court, where Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen were also present,

Almost simultaneously, Huang Rang lifted the curtain of the carriage and descended.

The chief instinctively took a few steps forward, holding the lady’s hand to assist her in getting off the carriage.

Master Xie frowned slightly but remained silent.

Di Yiqiu helped Huang Rang off the carriage, and when she turned around to see him, she was involuntarily stunned.

Xie Hongchen then gave a slight bow and said, “Miss Ah Rang, it’s been a long time.”

Huang Rang returned the bow and said, “Master Xie, your visit brings radiance to the Celestial Court.”

Xie Hongchen didn’t appreciate Huang Rang’s formality, feeling that it made them seem very distant. Meanwhile, the Chief remarked, “Where did you go? Why are your hands so cold?”

As they spoke, he half-encircled Huang Rang and led her inside.

Xie Hongchen followed closely, and Huang Yang muttered, “If this son weren’t born to him, it would be strange. Can’t even see me easily, huh?”

Di Yiqiu then gave him a stern look and said, “Shut up.”

Born mischievous, Huang Yang only felt satisfied after being scolded by his father. He handed the carriage over to the attendants, took out the medicine Qiu Shengbai had prescribed for Huang Rang, and went to brew it for her.

Di Yiqiu held his wife and, accompanied by Xie Hongchen, headed to the study.

Xie Hongchen stared at Di Yiqiu’s hand, which was around Huang Rang’s waist, finding it particularly annoying. He said, “Could the Chief please move his hand away first, and let’s discuss official matters?”

Di Yiqiu snorted and let Huang Rang sit behind the desk. Huang Rang ignored the bickering between the two—some people just didn’t seem to get along naturally.

She asked, “Master Xie, why are you with my husband?”

The term “my husband” was still appropriate. Di Yiqiu then said, “Recently, I reviewed the case files and found many strange cases in recent years. It seems someone is deliberately causing mundane grievances. I suspect Xie Lingbi has escaped, so I went to the Yuhu Immortal Sect to investigate. Ah Rang, I suspect… besides Xie Lingbi, there may be others practicing evil arts in the world.”

Huang Rang’s heart skipped a beat, and Xie Hongchen said, “My master has already been punished; absolutely true; no falsehood. If someone else is practicing evil arts, who could it be?”

He looked at Huang Rang and said, “Miss Ah Rang has mentioned strange dreams to me more than once. I wonder if you know the reason behind them?”

The gazes of the two men converged, making Huang Rang want to avoid them.

The feeling of sinking into a dream is truly wonderful. Why shatter the dream?

Her gaze dropped, and after a long pause, she said, “Once, I gave my husband a tea needle. Does my husband still remember?”

Di Yiqiu suddenly remembered. He took out the transparent tea needle from his sleeve and said, “You instructed me not to lose it, and I’ve kept it with me all along.”

Xie Hongchen focused his gaze and saw that the tea needle was as clear as ice, flawless.

He took it in his hand, observed it for a while, and asked, “What is this?”

Di Yiqiu said, “It’s a very peculiar artifact. The inscriptions on it share similarities with the Soul-Binding Bone-Fixing Needles”

Xie Hongchen examined it repeatedly but couldn’t discern its mysteries at the moment.

Huang Rang dropped a bombshell, saying, “Now, we are all in the midst of a dream. If this object melts, we will awaken from these strange dreams.”

As soon as she spoke, the entire world seemed to pause for a moment. The servants entered with tea, but before the cups were placed on the table, they froze in a bizarre posture.

Both Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen noticed the strangeness and stood up abruptly. However, the servants continued to serve tea, and in the world, time continued to flow.

Huang Rang waited until the servants left, then continued, “And this needle was given to me by a gray-robed Daoist when I entered the dream.”

She turned to Di Yiqiu and said, “Not long ago, I saw this Daoist with my own eyes. He is none other than… the current emperor, Shi Wenyu.”

Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen remained silent for a long time.

After a while, Xie Hongchen said, “But Shi Wenyu, as a mortal, doesn’t seem to possess much cultivation.”

Huang Rang then added, “Today, I discovered a very coincidental event. And just as I found out about it, His Majesty summoned me.”

Di Yiqiu’s heart skipped a beat, and he asked, “What did he say? Did he make things difficult for you?”

Huang Rang shook her head and said, “He strongly advised me not to shatter the dream.”

Xie Hongchen was puzzled: “Do not shatter the dream? Is there something unpleasant outside the dream?” Huang Rang looked at him, and Xie Hongchen met her gaze, saying, “Otherwise, why would Miss Ah Rang hesitate?”

This person was truly perceptive.

Huang Rang explained, “Outside the dream, Master Xie has been possessed by Xie Lingbi. With Xie Lingbi practicing evil arts, his power has greatly increased after seizing Master Xie’s body. We are no match for him. To protect me, my husband has already been severely injured and is in critical condition.”

She described the dire situation outside the dream in a meticulous manner.

But, conspicuously, she did not mention herself.

Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen frowned. In the past, they would have likely dismissed such a tale.

However, at this moment, their convictions wavered, and they began to contemplate this bizarre occurrence.

Di Yiqiu asked, “Earlier, Madam mentioned that you discovered a very coincidental event. What is it?”

Huang Rang had nothing left to hide. She said, “I found in the ancient records of Yi Nian Shenbu that he entered the tower three times to suppress the devil. When I entered the dream, His Majesty was standing on the top of the nine-tier tower, giving me the dream needle. In the palace,Yuanrong Tower has no known builder. Isn’t this suspicious?”

“Yuanrong Tower…” Xie Hongchen suddenly stood up and said, “We must go to the palace immediately to see what has happened!”

Di Yiqiu frowned, pondering for a while. He asked Huang Rang, “How many times has Madam entered the dream? How do we shatter the dream? What impact does the outside world have after waking from the dream?”

Huang Rang answered, “This is the third dream. After waking, people who have already died begin to reappear in the world. I always feel that the outside world of the dream has been damaged.”

She answered two out of the three questions from Di Yiqiu.

Xie Hongchen said, “Di Yiqiu, time is of the essence; we must immediately investigate the Yuanrong Tower.”

Di Yiqiu replied, “After all, he is the current emperor. Even if we are to investigate, I should be the one to go.”

Xie Hongchen naturally opposed, saying, “How do you know the true strength of Shi Wenyu now?”

Before Di Yiqiu could retort, Xie Hongchen added, “What if he is truly practicing evil arts and you are possessed by him? How will Miss Ah Rang handle it?”

Di Yiqiu fell silent.

Xie Hongchen stood up and said, “The situation is urgent; don’t insist on being strong. You can rest assured that if we find out that Shi Wenyu has nothing to do with the demonic book, I will handle it properly and not affect the court’s reputation.”

Di Yiqiu turned to Huang Rang.

Worries filled Huang Rang’s heart. Even if Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen joined forces, she was not optimistic.

At this moment, Huang Yang entered with a bowl of medicine.

“Mother, the medicine is ready,” he casually mentioned.

Di Yiqiu asked with concern, “What happened? Why are you taking medicine?”

Huang Rang touched Huang Yang’s head and said, “Just a slight cold, nothing serious. Let’s go; I’ll accompany you to Yuanrong Tower.”

The three of them walked out of the room when, suddenly, Huang Rang turned back. She walked to Huang Yang, lifted the bowl of medicine he had brewed, and drank it sip by sip.

The medicine was bitter, but her face wore a gentle smile.

Little Rascal, meeting you has indeed been a delightful adventure.

Huang Rang placed the bowl back on the table and looked at Huang Yang, instructing, “Go do what you most want to do. When I return, tell me about it, alright?”

Huang Yang scratched his head and smiled. “This child will go find Zhu’er. She’s Zhu Xiang’s apprentice and very good-looking. Tomorrow, I’ll bring her back for Mother to see, alright?”

Huang Rang smiled and said, “Alright.”

After Huang Rang finished speaking, she turned and followed Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen, heading towards the palace.

Suddenly, Di Yiqiu asked, “Madam, outside the dream, are we also husband and wife?”

Huang Rang remained silent, and Xie Hongchen quickly noticed the silence. A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, making him seem particularly relaxed. He said, “It seems that Chief is just experiencing a beautiful dream.”

The chief sneered, “Better than some people who grow old alone even in their dreams.”

Master Xie responded with a cold snort.

Although the two were bickering, they continued their way to the palace. Huang Rang never mentioned her pregnancy from start to finish. She had experienced too many farewells and sorrows. Why make the dream characters suffer along with her?

The palace was quiet.

Di Yiqiu led Xie Hongchen inside, facing only a simple inquiry—he already had the qualifications to enter the palace.

The three of them proceeded unimpeded until they reached the front of the Yuanrong Tower.

The nine-tier tower resembled a giant beast, silently overlooking them.

Xie Hongchen said, “Ah Rang, stay outside the tower. We’ll go in and take a look.”

Huang Rang disagreed, saying, “We three enter or withdraw together.”

At the base of the tower, the guards had become alert and asked, “Did the chief receive a summons from His Majesty?”

Di Yiqiu looked at Xie Hongchen, and Xie Hongchen nodded slowly. The two simultaneously took action, and before the guard could react, he was trapped within a web of swordlight.

Xie Hongchen left behind a sword array that effortlessly trapped the guards in the palace.

Subsequently, the two entered the tower.

Huang Rang found it strange; everything was going too smoothly.

Xie Hongchen and Di Yiqiu were not careless. They cleared a path, walked along the tower, and ascended directly to the ninth floor. Huang Rang followed behind them, observing that everything inside the tower appeared normal, with paintings on the walls depicting menacing figures seemingly ready to come back to life.

On top of the nine-story tower, Emperor Shi Wenyu sat behind a half-transparent curtain.

Incense smoke wafted from the censer in front of him.

“You didn’t listen to my advice,” he sighed softly.

“What a silly child you are.”

Huang Rang stayed silent for a moment before saying, “Yes.”

Emperor Shi Wenyu casually added incense to the censer and said, “Little girl, there is no other solution for the Soul-binding Bone-Fixing Needle.”

Huang Rang froze, and Emperor Shi Wenyu turned around, locking eyes with her through the semi-transparent curtain.

He slowly asked, “So, even if this needle remains an eternal restraint, are you willing to be my enemy?”

His voice carried a smile, but within the smile lurked a chilling intent. “Ten years of imprisonment are not enough for you to taste the bitterness of this punishment. Are you willing to endure eternal suffering, neither living nor dying?”

Separated by the curtain, Huang Rang, in front of this person, felt her own insignificance.

This person resembled a deity, overseeing the mortal realm. Joy and sorrow, love and hatred—everything in the mundane world was within his control.

Facing his inquiry, Huang Rang took a long time to respond, “It depends on what Your Majesty intends to do.”

Emperor Shi Wenyu was slightly puzzled, and Huang Rang continued, “After experiencing three dreams, I’ve come to understand a principle. All beings in this world, the living creatures in the mortal realm, should be respected and not toyed with.”

“Toyed with?” Emperor Shi Wenyu lightly chuckled. “That expression is quite interesting; I like it.”

Taking advantage of his speaking, Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen flanked in from both sides. The two almost simultaneously rushed toward Shi Wenyu, intending to capture him first.

Their coordination was impeccable, and success seemed almost certain.

However… they passed through Shi Wenyu!

Shi Wenyu was clearly seated behind the curtain, burning incense calmly.

Yet Xie Hongchen and Di Yiqiu couldn’t make any contact with him.

He seemed like a mere shadow.

Huang Rang was momentarily stunned, but she quickly realized!

“You… you are not within this dream!” Huang Rang stared at the incense Shi Wenyu used and exclaimed sharply, “This fragrance… is Spirit Herb! And in this dream, I never cultivated any good strains of Spirit Herb! You are outside the dream!”

Shi Wenyu chuckled, “Three foolish children, you know nothing about the Spirit and Devil Book, or Yuanrong Tower. Yet, you dared to attempt to capture me.” He looked at Di Yiqiu and said, “Especially you, my child, you truly disappoint me!”

With that, he raised his hand, and the four eunuchs, Fu, Lu, Shou, and Xi, ascended from below the tower.

The four surrounded Xie Hongchen, Di Yiqiu, and Huang Rang within the tower.

The three were in shock!