Chapter Nineteen: The True Purpose of the Fate-Altering Brush!

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Murong Yunji, in her entire life since attaining the Dao, had never felt controlled by anyone. The world was vast, and she could go anywhere, yet in her whole life, there had been only two occasions when she felt an inescapable sense of bondage. The first time was when the Heavenly Tribulation was about to descend. Although it hadn’t fully arrived, she felt an unavoidable fate, the first time in her life she had no certainty, as if held in the palm of heaven’s hand.

The second time was this man!

Whenever she glanced slightly to his right front, she felt as if this person could do anything to her if he wished...

This feeling made her almost want to attack him outright, but since they were bound by contract, she had to forcibly suppress the impulse.

At this moment, Zhang Rui was completely unaware that he had nearly been taken down by one of his own nearby. He himself was entangled in incredibly complex emotions.

If not absolutely necessary, he truly didn’t want to use this thing. But now that matters had come to this, if he didn’t use it, he might not survive. Yet if he managed to pass this crisis with the help of this pen, would there be even more terrifying side effects to come?

There was no time to ponder. Seeing the growing suspicion in those around him, he knew that to maintain his persona, he had no choice but to use the pen.

The moment he picked up the pen, time in heaven and earth froze instantly. Whether it was Murong Yunji or the Third Prince Li Yu and his group, all stood frozen like sculptures. No matter how powerful a person or status was, at this moment, to Zhang Rui, they were all the same.

Holding the pen, everything in heaven and earth was under his control; even time stood still. At this moment, he had ample time to think, but he knew one rule: once the pen was lifted, if he did not alter anything, the time freeze would not end. Like a sword drawn from its sheath must draw blood, this pen, once held, must be used to change something.

He once tried the simplest alteration—changing the weeds beside his childhood farmland into wildflowers. Yet even that minor change led to the farm ox being irritated by pollen, causing it to go mad and kill his uncle...

The terrifying nature of this pen had made him swear never to use it again. If not for his failure in studies nearly tearing his family apart, he would never have used it that one time.

That time, he also swore it would be the last. But once used, how could there ever be a last time?

With a sigh, Zhang Rui’s mind began recalling the original settings of the Painted Market. It seemed only the content written in discarded drafts counted; the designs he had in his mind back then didn’t matter. He didn’t understand the principle. Now, the only way to ensure minimal changes while resolving the current situation was to add the missing content.

As the fountain pen danced, the settings he had once imagined flowed out like a stream. Zhang Rui initially thought recalling these would be difficult, but for some reason, the familiar feeling of writing returned at the moment he picked up the pen.

What surprised him even more was that this time, there was no chill of dread coursing through his body.

Every previous change had brought a clear malevolence, some hidden fate mocking him. No matter how he altered things, the consequences always worsened. But this time, none of that was felt.

On the contrary... he even felt that this completion of the original settings was what the pen truly desired to see.

Could it be...?

A sudden thought arose in his mind. Perhaps the true purpose of this pen was to complete what was unfinished?

As this idea surfaced, Zhang Rui distinctly felt the pen resonate. At that moment, his eyes brightened, as if a new world had opened before him!

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“Impossible!”

Someone had escaped from the Painted World, and the first to sense it was naturally its current master.

Before, when someone mentioned an early escape from the Painted Market, he paid no attention. The painting spirits in this world were all under his control. One escape might be forgiven, but not a second. Yet, he didn’t expect to be proven wrong so swiftly.

“Master?” A painting spirit beside him looked cautiously at his master. Since the plan began, he had never seen his master lose composure like this.

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“It shouldn’t be...” The young prince furrowed his brows, utterly perplexed.

The passage inside the painting came from the outside Heavenly Tribulation. Every time heavenly fire appeared, the commotion was great. Surrounding painting spirits would rush to block the exit immediately. To escape silently, one possibility remained: knowing beforehand where the heavenly fire would strike, and at the moment the passage opened, fleeing within the brief interval before the painting spirits arrived, breaking through the blockade.

But, could heavenly fire be predicted?

Counting upward, there had been seven painting masters before, none had ever been able to predict the fire’s location. Why could an outsider?

“Immediately contact Yu’er, and also... that disciple of the Heavenly Secret Master. Tell them, Third Prince Li Yu has escaped!”

Behind the prince, Cui Yan wore a look of deep regret. He had been too arrogant, thinking victory was assured, and had revealed all his cards to the Third Prince, never anticipating that fellow could actually run off!

“Find out as soon as possible who helped him escape!” The mysterious prince gritted his teeth. Knowing his elder brother well, he was sure neither he nor Eunuch Qin Fang had such ability.

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“Lord Zhang is truly extraordinary!”

After leaving the Painted Market, several people felt as if waking from a dream. They had wondered why the bonfire hadn’t ignited, yet this Zhang fellow had only spoken at length briefly before thunder and fire descended, instantly opening a passage.

What was the background of this young county magistrate?

“Your Highness flatters me.” Zhang Rui breathed a sigh of relief. This time, it seemed... there really were no side effects!

If that was true, then perhaps...

“Lord Zhang...” Li Yu looked at Zhang Rui deeply, then solemnly saluted. “This matter is of great importance. Would you accompany me back to the capital to report to the Emperor?”

Zhang Rui was taken aback—this was a blatant attempt to win him over.

“Your Highness!” Chen Xiao’s face darkened as he stepped forward. “Lord Zhang has already accepted the Crown Prince’s invitation to go to Beihai. I ask Your Highness not to trouble him!”

As if joking! Now that the situation had turned around and they found such a figure, possibly the only person who could save the Crown Prince, there was no way Zhang Rui would be swayed by Li Yu.

Li Yu didn’t even glance at Chen Xiao, who to him was just a mere advisor unworthy of speaking to him. Instead, he looked directly at Zhang Rui. “Lord Zhang, what do you say?”

“Apologies, Your Highness...” Zhang Rui quickly returned the salute. “As Mr. Chen said, I have been invited by the Crown Prince and must hurry to Beihai.”

“Have you thought it through, Lord Zhang?” Li Yu’s gaze was deep. “You’ve seen the situation. The situation in Beihai may be even more dangerous than the Painted Market. I believe in your skill and courage, but a gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall. Whatever promises the Crown Prince makes, I can promise too!”

At these words, Chen Xiao and the Crown Prince’s party grew extremely displeased. Li Yu had clearly guessed the Crown Prince was in trouble but still wanted to lure Zhang Rui away. As expected... like attracts like. This fellow, like Qin Fang, was a schemer with ambitions.

Of course, I have thought it all through...

Zhang Rui sneered inwardly. How could he follow Li Yu to the capital and explain that he knew so much about the Painted Market’s affairs? If the Crown Prince fell, and the old Emperor, in fury, turned on him as a suspicious person, even if he saved the Crown Prince, the old Emperor might still turn hostile quickly.

“Your Highness is too kind. The Crown Prince is the heir apparent. If he is in trouble, it is my duty not to shirk, just as I never avoided danger when Your Highness was in peril.”

“Lord Zhang is quite the smooth talker.” Li Yu laughed.

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Zhang Rui gave an awkward smile and said no more. Li Yu did not press further and waved his hand. “Since Lord Zhang has made up his mind, I’ll say no more. I wish you smooth sailing. If you encounter difficulties, come to the capital. I will not stand idly by.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. Should I face hardships, I shall not hesitate to trouble you.”

“Haha... very well, I’ll be waiting.”

After Li Yu and Qin Fang left, Chen Xiao and the others finally relaxed, fearing that Zhang Rui might really be recruited by the other side. If he returned empty-handed, the Crown Prince’s situation would be even bleaker.

“Let’s go...” Zhang Rui looked around the desolate wilderness and sighed. “The Painted Market’s exit is not fixed. I don’t know how far Beihai is. We must hurry.”

“Lord Zhang is right!” Chen Xiao and the others perked up and said quickly, “No time to lose, let’s leave at once!”

Just then, a hoarse voice rang out from a distance: “Wait... young man, wait!”

Everyone was stunned, including Murong Yunji beside Zhang Rui, who was surprised. That voice had suddenly appeared about ten meters behind them.

There was someone in this world who could approach within ten meters without them noticing?

Curious, Murong Yunji turned to look; Chen Xiao and the others frowned and looked too.

It was a strange face, that of an old man about sixty years old, who didn’t look like a master at all. His entire body was weak and pale, clearly near the end of his life.

Zhang Rui was stunned—it was that old man who sold fish and shrimp to him, wasn’t it?

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“Your Highness, where are we headed now?” Qin Fang asked, watching Li Yu stride quickly away, curious.

“First find a place to force out the ghostly blood, then return to Youzhou!”

“Just return like that?” Qin Fang was surprised; in his understanding, his master was not so compliant.

“Heh... it’s best to return quickly!” Li Yu sneered. “Didn’t you see those Crown Prince’s men coming to find outside reinforcements? I suspected something big had happened in Beihai, and now it seems so.”

“The blockade of Beihai City, even the docks are closed. The Crown Prince’s men seek outside help but do not ask the Emperor for aid. What does that mean?”

“It means the Crown Prince does not want His Majesty to know the current situation in Beihai!” Qin Fang suddenly understood.

“Exactly!” Li Yu’s eyes narrowed into slits as he smiled. “My good Crown Prince brother has probably taken a big fall this time. Since he doesn’t want the Emperor to know, I will make sure the Emperor knows. We will report the danger we encountered and request the Emperor send troops. When the imperial army arrives at the city gates, no matter how bold the Yuchi family is, they won’t dare to reject the imperial troops.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Fang bitterly laughed and covered his head. He already knew his master was restless.

Let’s hope this doesn’t bring trouble to the Noble Consort...