Chapter 49: Chapter 49: A Promise Kept

Far away, Han Shaolei watched as the Moonlight Pearl shook. Worry creased his eyebrows.

"Goddess, please be alright."

But then, it exploded.

His jaw dropped, and he fell to his knees kowtowing.

"Goddess!"

∇

Back at Moonlight Pagoda, Li Yingshan shrieked in pain.

She knew in an instant.

The pearl has shattered.

As the Cosmos Raining Hailfire continued to bombard the camp, troops, and princes, she fell to the ground. Xu Haoran broke from Chen Chengxian's grip and ran forward. He caught her before she hit the ground.

"Xu Yingshan," he murmured. "You fool. What have you done?"

But her eyes were already closed. She had already sunken into the deep depths of oblivion. Chen Chengxian approached them.

"How do you know Ms. Li?" he asked.

Xu Haoran stared at him coolly before replying, "I'm her husband."

Shock filled the Ninth Prince's expression. He took in the man before him.

"You? What does she see in you?"

Offended, Xu Haoran bragged, "We've been engaged since children."

"Oh, so your just marriage because your families decided it. I heard Ms. Li's family were cruel to her. Why would she bother with marrying the man chosen for her?"

"You-!"

Chen Chengxian sighed. "Her time's running out. Give her to me."

"Why would I?"

"Do you want her to die?"

"I can save my wife myself. Your Highness, please don't interfere."

"Oh? Are you worried I'd do something to her?" the Ninth Prince scoffed. "Please, I'm not that type of person. Also, she's quite loyal to you. I don't know why."

"Maybe because she's my wife!"

Xu Haoran stood with Li Yingshan in his arms. He glared at Chen Chengxian before shouldering past him.

As he walked away, the Ninth Prince called out, "Do you even know where you're going?"

But Xu Haoran ignored him. Miao Chuntao ran up and bowed.

"Hero Xu, I can show you to a place where Goddess will be safe."

"Very well. Lead the way."

She led them towards the pagoda before flying up to the top. He followed her and gazed into the room, surprised.

"Is this her room?"

"Yes. It normally sits empty since Goddess hasn't been to headquarters often."

Xu Haoran laid Li Yingshan down on the bed. "Go get some medicine."

"Okay."

Miao Chuntao walked outside and leapt down from the balcony. He brushed some hair out of Li Yingshan's face and sighed.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried to hold you back. From now on, whatever you wish to do, I won't stop you. As long as it's not divorce. I couldn't bear to part with you."

But of course, she didn't reply.

A few minutes later, Miao Chuntao returned with some medicine... and Li Feifei. The little girl ran up to the bedside with tears streaking down her face.

"Jiejie."

Miao Chuntao explained, "When Li Feifei was kidnapped, Goddess had fought to save her. But there were too many men. As Li Feifei was being dragged away, Goddess promised her that she'd save her one day. Now, she has."

Xu Haoran looked at the little girl. Although I don't understand why Yingshan has done certain things, I realize now that it's all been to improve people's livelihoods, strangers or not. But this nominal daughter of hers seems familiar. Who is she?

"Leave us."

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Miao Chuntao saluted respectfully before retreating. Once she was gone, he glanced once more at the crying girl.

"Li Feifei, where did your Jiejie find you?"

Between sniffles, she replied, "I- I was an orphan wandering the streets of Jinan. I was four when Jiejie found me. She fed me a meat bun and took me home with her. Since then, Jiejie and Aunt Chuntao have cared for me."

He caught her words. "You called Miao Chuntao "aunt". Why? Why don't you call Yingshan "mother"?"

"Uncle, I know Jiejie isn't my mother. But I haven't ever been able to call her that. I know I should, but I still have a few memories of my real mother."

Xu Haoran nodded slowly. "I see. Very well. But since I'm Yingshan's husband, you shouldn't call me "uncle." Call me "father" or "Gege" instead. Okay?"

Li Feifei nodded. "Okay."

He pulled her into his arms. "Don't worry, she'll be alright."

∇

Two days later, Han Shaolei and the disciples with him returned to Moonlight Pagoda. He rushed inside and found Miao Chuntao standing in front of the Crescent Throne.

"What happened here?" he asked.

She replied, "Goddess took care of the Crown Prince, Third Prince, and over three-fourths of the Imperial soldiers. The Bloodmoon Guardians and Black Phoenixes took care of the rest. There wasn't a single survivor. Not after Goddess collapsed the second time."

"Chuntao, we have a problem."

"What?"

"The Moonlight Pearl shook terribly once. Perhaps that was when Goddess collapsed the first time. But the second time..."

"What? What happened?!"

He sighed and murmured, "The pearl shattered two days ago."

Miao Chuntao's face fell. She knew the importance of the Moonlight Pearl. Worry creased her eyebrows, and she sighed.

"Now what?"

"I don't know. With the destructions of the Moonlight Pearl, Goddess can never practice martial arts again."

Miao Chuntao slowly sunk to her knees. "Goddess has sacrificed so much for Moonlight Pagoda. How could we ever repay her for it all?"

Han Shaolei shook his head. "I don't know. Without Goddess to lead us... what will Moonlight Pagoda become? Successor Disciple is still too young to take over."

"Goddess once entrusted you with Moonlight Pagoda. Surely, she'd do it again," Bai Henbie cut in as she entered.

The other three Pagoda Elders were right by her side and agreed.

"You've shown the same strength and courage that Goddess has. There's no doubt you'd be trusted to raise and train Successor Disciple," Hong Mengxin said.

"Exactly," Si Nian began. "Miao Chuntao, you helped Goddess build Moonlight Pagoda from the ground up. She has never forgotten."

"I owe my life to Goddess. Of course I'd help her no matter what."

Guan Hu sighed deeply. "Now, Goddess is still in a coma. Hero Xu refuses to sleep or leave her side. And the Ninth Prince is preparing to march on towards the capital. He's already said he doesn't expect us to fight again so soon, but without his men, we would've suffered many more casualties. We should send some people with him."

"But who?" Han Shaolei asked.

Miao Chuntao thought carefully. "What about the Black Phoenixes? They're just as powerful as the Bloodmoon Guardians, but the Guardians are needed here to protect Moonlight Pagoda and Goddess."

The four Pagoda Elders looked to one another. "With the Black Phoenixes, His Highness will almost be unstoppable. Are we sure its wise to hand them over?"

"Then who else? Just common Inner Disciples?"

Everyone sighed, all thinking the same thing: If only Goddess were awake. She'd be able to make a wise decision.

But then, Hong Mengxin thought of something, "What if we sent half of the Black Phoenixes? Give His Highness ten and ten carefully selected Inner Disciples? That way, we curb his strength while also appearing to help him?"

The others nodded in agreement. "That's a good idea."

With the approval of acting Goddess, Miao Chuntao, and the Elder Hall, it was decided. They quickly chose ten Black Phoenixes since the Ninth Prince was set to leave Moonlight Pagoda three days later. So the ten Inner Disciples would be chosen the next day.

Han Shaolei sent out an announcement, and all of the Inner Disciples clamored to spar, read, or cultivate. This was an amazing opportunity for them to showcase their progress. Of course they'd be excited to perform in front of the acting Goddess and Pagoda Elders.

Before anyone knew it, the next day had come. In the Galaxy Courtyard behind the pagoda, all of the Inner Disciples gathered. Miao Chuntao, Hong Mengxin, Si Nian, Bai Henbie, Guan Hu, and Han Shaolei were already there. Outer Disciples came to watch.

Miao Chuntao stepped forward. "Today, ten Inner Disciples will be chosen to go with ten of Moonlight Pagoda's Black Phoenixes to accompany His Highness, the Ninth Prince, to Luoyang. Everyone, please get ready."

Last minute jitters and excitement electrified the crowd.

Hong Mengxin announced, "Let the first two Inner Disciples come forward!"

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