The ancient voice vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.
The golden eyes beyond the clouds slowly closed once more, as though they had never opened.
No one within the Imperial Palace noticed.
No one…
Except the heavens themselves.
The Hall of Heavenly Decree remained deathly silent.
After several moments, the Heavenly Envoy stepped forward, his face still pale.
“The Oracle has been damaged.”
“Until its divine will is restored, today’s ceremony…
is suspended.”
His announcement sent another wave of whispers through the hall.
“A suspended ceremony?”
“Has anything like this ever happened before?”
“It has never happened in the empire’s history.”
Even the oldest sect masters exchanged uneasy glances.
Without the Oracle’s decree, no one dared force Lin Xue into accepting Ji Chen as his dao partner.
For the first time…
Destiny had been delayed.
The Emperor’s expression remained unreadable.
“Everyone is dismissed.”
His voice was calm, but the pressure behind it allowed no room for argument.
“We shall investigate this matter personally.”
The ministers bowed.
“This subject obeys.”
One by one, the nobles and cultivators began leaving the hall.
Yet countless curious glances continued to follow Lin Xue.
Some were sympathetic.
Others resentful.
Many were simply confused.
The Heaven’s Chosen…
Had rejected Heaven itself.
That single act would undoubtedly spread throughout the empire before sunset.
Lin Xue walked alone through the palace gardens.
Spring had only just arrived.
Peach blossoms fluttered gently through the air, covering the stone paths in soft pink petals.
The fragrance was light.
Peaceful.
So different from the blood-soaked memories lingering in his mind.
He slowed beneath an ancient plum tree.
Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply.
“I almost forgot…”
“…what spring smelled like.”
In his previous life…
After entering the palace, he had devoted every waking moment to Ji Chen.
Politics.
Cultivation.
Military strategies.
State affairs.
There had never been time to admire flowers.
Nor to simply breathe.
“What a waste.”
A faint smile touched his lips.
This second life…
Would belong to him.
Not to Heaven.
Not to Ji Chen.
Not to anyone else.
“Young Master Lin.”
A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
Lin Xue turned.
Ji Chen stood a few steps away, dressed in robes of pale gold.
His smile was as gentle as the spring breeze.
Two attendants remained respectfully behind him.
“May I have a moment?”
Lin Xue’s expression returned to its usual calm.
“Your Highness.”
Ji Chen dismissed his attendants with a wave.
Only after they had disappeared beyond the garden gate did he slowly approach.
“You’ve changed.”
His voice was quiet.
“So suddenly…”
Lin Xue remained silent.
Ji Chen studied him carefully.
His beautiful face.
His composed expression.
Even the way he stood seemed somehow more distant than before.
“What happened?”
“If I’ve done something to offend you…”
“Please tell me.”
Lin Xue almost admired the performance.
Anyone else would have believed every word.
“I simply no longer believe.”
Ji Chen frowned.
“Believe…
what?”
“That Heaven knows my heart.”
For a brief instant…
Ji Chen’s smile faltered.
“You’ve always trusted the Oracle.”
“I did.”
Lin Xue met his gaze without hesitation.
“But people change.”
A strange unease settled within Ji Chen’s chest.
It felt as though he were watching sand slip through his fingers.
Something precious…
Something that had always belonged to him…
Was slowly drifting away.
He couldn’t explain why.
Nor could he accept it.
Before he could speak again—
Footsteps echoed from the opposite path.
A tall figure dressed entirely in black appeared between the blossoming trees.
Prince Mo Yuan.
He carried no attendants.
No guards.
Only a sheathed black sword rested at his waist.
His silver mask reflected the afternoon sunlight.
Ji Chen’s smile disappeared completely.
“Elder Brother.”
Mo Yuan stopped a respectful distance away.
His gaze swept past Ji Chen before settling on Lin Xue.
“Young Master Lin.”
Lin Xue returned the greeting.
“Your Highness.”
For several long moments…
No one spoke.
The spring breeze rustled through the peach blossoms, carrying petals between them.
Ji Chen broke the silence first.
“Elder Brother.”
“Is there something you need?”
Mo Yuan answered calmly.
“Yes.”
His next words stunned both of them.
“I’m here to invite Young Master Lin.”
Ji Chen narrowed his eyes.
“…Invite him?”
Mo Yuan nodded.
“The Ghost Manor lacks a skilled tea companion.”
“I wonder…”
He looked directly at Lin Xue.
“…whether Young Master Lin would honor this prince with a visit.”
Silence.
The Ghost Manor.
The residence everyone feared.
Rumors claimed ghosts wandered its halls at night.
Some said no servant who entered ever returned.
Others whispered that Mo Yuan conducted forbidden cultivation beneath the manor.
Every noble in the capital avoided it.
Yet now…
Its owner was personally extending an invitation.
Lin Xue looked into Mo Yuan’s eyes.
There was no mockery.
No hidden agenda he could discern.
Only quiet sincerity.
Ji Chen laughed softly.
“Elder Brother enjoys jokes.”
“Surely Young Master Lin wouldn’t—”
“I accept.”
The words left Lin Xue’s lips without hesitation.
Ji Chen froze.
Even Mo Yuan’s eyes widened slightly beneath his silver mask.
Lin Xue bowed politely.
“If Your Highness does not mind…”
“I would be honored.”
A faint breeze lifted Mo Yuan’s dark hair.
For the first time since anyone could remember…
The feared Ghost King smiled.
It was only the slightest curve of his lips.
Gone almost as quickly as it appeared.
Yet it transformed his cold features completely.
Lin Xue blinked.
So…
He can smile.
Neither of them noticed—
Standing in the distance, hidden behind flowering branches…
Ji Chen watched the exchange with dark, unreadable eyes.
His hands slowly clenched behind his back.
For the first time in his life…
Jealousy took root in his heart.
End of Chapter 5