The Five Immortals Mountain had come on strong.
But with the deaths of its two disciples, the conflict had temporarily come to an end.
The Ministry of Works sent men through the night to repair the breach in the palace wall and wash the blood from the plaza. The huge pit where the paving stones had collapsed, however, would take a while to restore.
Zhao Zhongliu's injuries, for their part, weren't too serious.
But the old man was already advanced in years. After this ordeal, he likely had even less time left.
Of course, there was good news, too.
The Cold Jade Udumbara had been delivered to the inner palace that very day.
According to Gu Wanlan, less than half an hour after Bai Yulou took the medicine, the Heart Lamp that had gone out seemed to show signs of rekindling.
The light was faint, but at least there was hope.
Such scraps of good news could not dispel the dark clouds hanging over Chang'an.
They had killed an Immortal's disciple and beaten a True Person's Dharma Body. It had certainly felt good.
But once everyone had calmed down, a new question loomed before them.
Could this earth-shaking calamity truly be settled peacefully?
Gold Jade Palace.
Jiang Yuechu dismissed everyone around her.
Her long hair spilled down like a waterfall, veiling her smooth, jade-white back.
With a splash, the warm water instantly enveloped her.
Even though she had reached the Lamp-Lighting Realm and her body was free of impurities, she had fought all the way from Jiannan to the Western Regions, then fought her way back to Chang'an. Her nerves had been taut the entire time.
Only now did Jiang Yuechu let out a long breath.
She leaned against the tub, arms draped over the rim, head tilted slightly