Chapter Twenty-Five: Ning San Faces the Tribulation

Without any warning, a clap of thunder exploded above the Ning estate, vast and awe-inspiring, carrying an unusual aura. Dark clouds swiftly claimed the sky over Jiangning Prefecture, lightning flickering within their depths as thunder rolled ever closer from afar.

Inside the bridal chamber, Yu Youwei pushed Ning Mofei aside and sat up, leaning out to peer beyond the bed curtains. She’d left the window open before sleep, and now, through the gap, she caught sight of a dazzling violet flash. “Who’s attempting tribulation?” she asked with curiosity.

“It’s probably Third Brother,” Ning Mofei replied, stifling a yawn as he drew Yu Youwei back into his arms.

Yu Youwei gently blew aside a lock of hair that had fallen across his brow and laughed softly. “Isn’t facing tribulation such an exciting event? Shouldn’t we go see what’s happening?”

“Is it really fun?” Ning Mofei frowned in confusion. “Why does Third Brother always say it’s dangerous and never let me join?”

“Tribulation is a solitary affair,” she replied. “Come on, we have to get up soon to pay our respects to the elders this morning.”

“I don’t want to. I want to sleep.”

With a swift motion, he rolled over, pinning her beneath him, his breath tickling her neck, leaving her a little flustered. “It’s time to get up,” she urged.

“Sleep,” he mumbled drowsily, nestling his head beside her neck, his lips brushing her earlobe and, quite instinctively, beginning to suckle gently.

Sensing Ning Mofei’s body stir with a familiar response, Yu Youwei dared not struggle for fear of encouraging him further. Softly, she pleaded, “Mofei, please don’t. If a new bride is late to serve tea, it would be terribly disrespectful, and I’d surely be scolded. I’m so afraid.”

Her tender, plaintive voice reached his ears, and even the usually oblivious Ning Mofei felt a surge of tenderness. Reluctantly, he let her go. As she slipped out from under him like a fish, he pouted, “I hate serving tea. I’ll tell the ancestors to forbid it in our family.”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Yu Youwei pinched the chin of this mischievous man, planting a feathery kiss on his lips before patting his cheek. “All right, be good and get up. We might still catch Third Brother’s tribulation.”

Buoyed by her fragrant kiss, Ning Mofei finally abandoned his sulk and obediently got out of bed.

The maids outside, hearing movement, filed in to assist the couple with their morning ablutions and dressing. Ning Mofei’s wet nurse, Mama Qi, entered to collect the bloodstained handkerchief, gave him a knowing smile, and hurried away, brimming with excitement.

Yu Youwei rarely used cosmetics, and her preparations took little time. Hand in hand with Ning Mofei, she stepped outside to find the sky as black as ink. “Oh no, we’re on the edge of the tribulation zone. Everyone, run to the front courtyard!” she exclaimed. Instantly, the people in the courtyard scattered in panic. She too wrapped an arm around Ning Mofei’s waist and leapt toward the front courtyard.

The Ning estate was home to the entire clan, its architecture arranged according to the five elements and nine palaces, forming a labyrinth of hundreds of alleys. The high, enclosed mansion walls and the wide, shadowy lanes gave the place an air of secrecy. As the thunder roared, people poured out of their houses in chaos.

Ning Baixia’s uncle, Zhou Yusong, a guest acting as host, quickly commanded the disciples of the Immortal Chen Sect among the guests to form the first defensive line around the tribulation zone, expelling everyone within to prevent interference.

The elders of the Ning family had also rushed over, directing the clan’s younger members to form an outer defense and evacuate the household.

Yu Youwei, leading Ning Mofei, dashed out of Qixia Residence, leaping up to the top floor corridor of a six-story stone tower, landing just within the first defensive ring. As Ning Mofei himself belonged to the Immortal Chen Sect, the sect disciples ignored them, leaving the entire tower to the two of them.

“It’s just the two of us here!”

“Are you afraid?”

“With you here, I’m not afraid.” Ning Mofei answered without a trace of embarrassment, his honesty warming Yu Youwei’s teasing gaze into gentle affection.

The thunder crashed like a grand symphony, each peal growing more urgent than the last. Above the thick clouds, serpents of lightning writhed, clustering and surging in tumultuous waves. The tribulation thunder was taking shape, exuding a heart-stopping sense of oppression.

Yu Youwei’s Frostblade Sword, with its instinct to protect its master, sensed the overwhelming pressure and immediately glowed red, forming a faint rosy barrier that enveloped both her and Ning Mofei. Sheltered thus, he remained oblivious to the might of the tribulation, pointing excitedly at a bolt of lightning that shot down from the heavens: “Look at that huge ball!”

Only this simpleton could call tribulation thunder a ball. She wondered what Third Brother must feel, being struck by such a “ball.” Yu Youwei couldn’t help but laugh.

The courtyards of the four Ning brothers were adjacent, and the violet tribulation thunder shot straight down toward Qingfeng Residence, where Ning Baixia lived, catching the neighboring Qixia and Yuhu Pavilions in its arc.

The thunderbolt locked onto Ning Baixia and crashed down. Although Qingfeng Residence was protected by an array, its defenses were no match for the force of the heavens. The defensive shield shattered like a bubble, and the tribulation thunder struck his body, scorching him outside and in, so that in an instant, sharp pain coursed through every limb and bone.

“This madman is actually taking the tribulation head-on with his body!” Yu Youwei murmured, a touch of admiration in her voice.

“Isn’t Third Brother in a lot of pain?” Ning Mofei’s features twisted with deep concern.

“He’s using the tribulation thunder to temper his body. If it didn’t hurt, it would defy all logic,” she replied. Seeing Ning Mofei’s mouth turn down as if to cry, Yu Youwei felt a headache coming on. She added, “How about we make a bet? Let’s guess how many strikes of tribulation thunder our ice-faced Third Brother can withstand. Whoever wins can ask the other to do anything.”

Ning Mofei blinked his thick, feathery lashes and shook his head honestly. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s just guessing how many ‘balls’ Third Brother can take—”

“Why would he take more than one?”

“Oh, heavens!” Yu Youwei slapped her forehead, realizing that talking to this simple soul required ten explanations for every sentence. She gave up and said, “Never mind the details. Third Brother is facing the Ninefold Tribulation—twenty-seven thunderbolts in all. Just pick a number. If you guess right, you can ask me anything. If I win, you have to promise not to cry over every little thing.”

After a moment’s thought, Ning Mofei confidently raised his thumb. “Third Brother’s the best. He can handle all twenty-seven!”

“You really have faith in our ice-faced Third Brother!” Yu Youwei shook her head, watching as Ning Baixia endured another strike and smiled faintly. “I think he’ll only make it through half.”

“You’ll lose,” Ning Mofei replied, biting his lip shyly. “If you lose, you have to play ‘fairy wrestling’ with me.”

Yu Youwei nearly toppled off the rooftop. Her cheeks turned crimson, her throat suddenly dry. “Sixth Brother’s been a bad influence on you,” she managed, pinching his cheek before laughing softly. “Too bad your amazing Third Brother is about to reach his limit, so don’t even think about ‘fairy wrestling.’”

“Will Third Brother die?” Now, worry for his brother completely overshadowed any mischievous thoughts, and Ning Mofei’s attention shifted at once.

“He won’t.” With that terse reply, Yu Youwei’s focus returned to the heart of the tribulation.