Chapter 93: Power and Authority

"Master, a black fox demon has recently appeared in the Northlands. She's proficient in the art of transformation and showed four tails..."

Lin Haoqing quietly put down the pen in his hand and asked Siyu, "Is it Ji Yunhe?"

"The attitude and personality seems to be her."

"Did the jiaoren recognize her?"

"Doesn't seem like it."

Lin Haoqing was silent for a moment then laughed and shook his head.

"When fate comes, you can't stop it. Just let her be. It's her own life."

"But master, you worked so hard to give her a new start…"

"When I led the demon masters to the north, I had intended on giving them to Ji Yunhe as a gift. I knew she'd be able to convince them into joining the Northlands, but I never thought she would die right afterwards."

"When I saw her lifeless body, I knew she did not enjoy being there, so I kept the method of reviving her from the jiaoren and brought her back south to give her a fresh new start. But humans cannot change what's predestined." Lin Haoqing lifted his pen and jotted down a few more notes in the book.

"Let her be." He brought out a jar and looked at the bit of remaining medicinal powders inside.

"I analyzed the herbs inside this frost poison from Shunde, but there are two ingredients that I haven't been able to figure out. Siyu, make some preparations. We will need to take another trip to the capital."

"Master, the princess will vent her anger on you for your army defecting to the north, I don't think you will be able to get more frost poison from her."

"That's why..." Lin Haoqing looked at the jar in his hand, "we wait for an opportunity."

...

Outside the Northlands city, the lava that had flowed along the icy barrier cooled and solidified, forming a bizarre ring of rocky walls. The area had always been easy to defend and difficult to attack because of the mountainous terrain. If they set up fortresses and weaponry along this newly formed wall, it would become impossible to invade. The sudden natural disaster did not kill anyone, but created an indestructible city.

When the news came, Kongming did not look too overjoyed. He just nodded and waved off the messenger. This chaotic event did not cause harm to the north, but for someone...

He was not so sure. Ji Yunhe laid on a bed in the side hall. Her breathing was labored and her forehead was covered in sweat. A blue light appeared and passed from Changyi's hand to her chest, and her expression calmed.

But soon after, his lips turned blue and his hand was slapped away. Kongming stood next to Changyi and scolded, "I told you to rest. You still dare to use your powers recklessly?"

Changyi's gaze remained on Ji Yunhe. "I want to take her to the Frozen Sea." Kongming was silent for a moment.

Changyi continued, "This lava is the same as the ones on the overseas island, Thunderfire. It damaged her heart and I cannot wake her with my power. Only the deep sea lingzhi can dissolve the poisonous fire inside her."

"What about the Northlands?"

"With you presiding over the city, I have no worries." Kongming took a deep breath. After surviving yesterday's calamity together, the conflicts and prejudice among their people faded significantly, and there was now an unprecedented trust and respect for Changyi.