After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 1

“Your Eminence, I have obtained the Soul-Seeking Grass!”

Accompanied by the shout of the guard, Huo Chengfeng, the doors to the Hall of Clear Tranquility were pushed open. The faint morning sunlight poured in, softening the heavy atmosphere inside the hall.

Upon hearing his voice, Ji Xun Yue did not turn around. She remained seated by the bedside, watching the pale young girl lying there; her solemn expression relaxed slightly.

Following closely behind Huo Chengfeng were three other guards who had been stationed at the door. Their faces showed a mix of joy and anxiety, yet they dared not make a sound to disturb her. They watched silently as Huo Chengfeng handed a parcel of ice-silk to the Demon Lord.

Ji Xun Yue opened the silk, and her newly relaxed brow furrowed again. “Only one stalk?”

“Reporting to Your Eminence, Immortal Lord Xuan Huai had already wrapped it when he handed the Soul-Seeking Grass to me,” Huo Chengfeng hesitated. “Is it… not enough?”

Ji Xun Yue stared at the spiritual herb, which shimmered with flowing light, and said resentfully, “It is barely enough.”

With no time to argue, she began the treatment for the unconscious girl. The four guards did not leave; they stood behind her, watching anxiously as the room grew tense once more.

As Ji Xun Yue formed hand seals, she spoke to one of them. “Qing Yan, do not worry. Qing Li will be fine.”

The man gave a low, muffled response. The girl fighting for her life on the bed was Xia Qing Li, the younger sister of one of the four guards, Xia Qing Yan.

Yesterday evening, while practicing in the forest, Xia Qing Li had accidentally entered a toxic miasma and fallen into a coma. Upon arriving, Ji Xun Yue recognized that the poison required Soul-Seeking Grass from the God Realm to be cured. However, she was tied down suppressing the miasma poison herself and had to dispatch Huo Chengfeng to fetch it.

Huo Chengfeng sent word back that the God Realm was temporarily out of the herb, so he went to the Immortal Realm to wait for Immortal Lord Xuan Huai to refine a new batch.

That wait lasted an entire night.

Ji Xun Yue condensed spiritual energy at her fingertips and slashed through the air. The Soul-Seeking Grass instantly ignited, turning into drops of blood-red liquid that dripped into Xia Qing Li’s mouth.

As the miasma poison was driven out, it surged violently within Xia Qing Li’s body, causing her to let out painful moans and tremble uncontrollably.

It was precisely because Xuan Huai had delayed giving the herb that Qing Li had been tortured by the poison all night, her life hanging by a thread. Adding this to the pile of old and new grudges, Ji Xun Yue resolved that she would not let Xuan Huai off the hook this time.

Half an hour later.

Seeing the girl’s tightly knitted brows gradually relax and her pale face regain a rosy tint, Ji Xun Yue slowly withdrew her technique. She touched Xia Qing Li’s forehead and finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Qing Li is out of danger.”

The four men behind her, who had been holding their breath, broke into cheers. Ji Xun Yue stood up, allowing Xia Qing Yan to take her place by the bedside.

A moment later, Xia Qing Li slowly woke up. Though still somewhat dazed, her first gaze landed on Xia Qing Yan. She called out in a low, raspy voice, “Brother…”

Xia Qing Yan’s joy was beyond words; he was moved to tears. “Brother is right here. It is good that you are okay.”

Xia Qing Li reached out to wipe his tears but lacked the strength. Xia Qing Yan quickly held her hand and shook his head.

As her consciousness cleared, Xia Qing Li’s eyes shifted toward Ji Xun Yue. “Your Eminence…”

Ji Xun Yue gave her a gentle smile.

“Zhu Shao, Qi Jian—”

Ji Xun Yue interrupted quickly. “Qing Li, your body hasn’t recovered yet. Rest first and do not speak.”

The other three guards nodded in unison. Xia Qing Li curved her lips into a weak smile. “I have made everyone worry for me.”

That pure, flawless smile caused Ji Xun Yue to daze for a moment, reminding her of her sister, Ji Linyin. If only she had been able to save A-Yin during the war between Gods and Demons…

The joy of the present intertwined with the regrets of the past, giving rise to a sudden melancholy. After giving instructions regarding her recuperation, Ji Xun Yue stepped out of the Hall of Clear Tranquility, followed by the three guards.

Xia Qing Li loved peach blossoms and had planted several trees in the courtyard. It was now the third month of late spring, the season when peach blossoms were in full bloom. The branches swayed with the wind, and petals drifted down to cover the ground.

Ji Xun Yue reached out to catch a dancing petal. As the morning sun hit her, the fatigue accumulated from the night began to dissipate. Fortunately, Qing Li was safe. If they had been any later…

Xuan Huai!

At the thought of that name, her good mood vanished instantly.

Throughout the night, Huo Chengfeng had sent multiple messages saying he was still waiting. She had even sent Zhu Shao and Qi Jian over, but both returned saying Xuan Huai was in seclusion refining medicine and had set up a barrier to keep outsiders out.

Refining Soul-Seeking Grass takes an entire night? He clearly wanted to stall until Qing Li could barely hold on, then pretend to do her a favor by acting refined—and he even intentionally gave only one stalk.

Seeing her dark expression, Huo Chengfeng said cautiously, “Your Eminence, when the Immortal Lord handed the herb to me, he also asked me to pass a message to you.”

Ji Xun Yue rubbed the petal between her fingers for a moment before saying, “Speak.”

“He said if the Demon Lord wants more herbs, she must come and get them herself.”

She hadn’t even settled the score for his delay in saving a life, and yet he was the one being mocking?

Ji Xun Yue did not get angry but laughed instead, a laugh brimming with killing intent. She flicked her finger, and the soft petal shot out, embedding itself straight into the ground. The three guards were startled.

Despite the beautiful scenery, Ji Xun Yue’s eyes grew colder as she recalled her grievances with Xuan Huai.

The first grudge started a thousand years ago. She had wanted to see the Mirage Abyss Flowers bloom in the Demon Realm, but what awaited her was a field of ruined blossoms. The little demon guarding the abyss told her that Xuan Huai had forcibly forced the flowers to bloom prematurely. Although the next blooming wouldn’t happen for another thousand years, she assumed it was a misunderstanding and didn’t take it to heart.

However, since then, Xuan Huai never stopped provoking her.

When she wanted to learn medicine, he sent her a discarded cauldron, mocking that her learning was a waste of time. When she wanted to train a spirit beast for fun, the beasts of the Frost Forest were beaten by him until they acted like puppies, wagging their tails at her in fear, ruining her interest entirely.

She didn’t even know him, yet he had been haunting her and making her life difficult for a millennium. Every time Ji Xun Yue was angry enough to demand an explanation, she held back out of consideration for the relations between Gods and Demons.

In ancient times, a portion of the God Race broke away and declared themselves Demons, leading to constant war. Since the last war ended, the two sides had lived in peace for four thousand years, yet many in the God and Immortal Realms still hated the Demon Realm’s past actions and viewed them as a threat. Perhaps Xuan Huai simply wanted to humiliate her.

She had tolerated it because his provocations were ultimately trivial matters not worth escalating. But this time, he had involved an innocent person and even dared to challenge her!

Ji Xun Yue looked at Qi Jian and said in a heavy voice, “Qi Jian, I cannot let Xuan Huai go this time.”

Among the four guards, Qi Jian was the most stable and sensible. In the past, whenever she was too angry to think straight, he was the one to talk her down.

Qi Jian said, “Your Eminence, I understand. Previous matters are one thing, but Xuan Huai stood by while Qing Li was in mortal danger. If we continue to endure, who knows what he will do next.”

Zhu Shao had long disliked Xuan Huai. Now that they could finally deal with him, he said eagerly, “Your Eminence, I will go to the Immortal Realm right now and bring him back for you to handle!”

Qi Jian countered, “What kind of plan is that? If Your Eminence questions him directly, Xuan Huai can find countless excuses. Not to mention, those who hostilize us in the Immortal and God Realms will surely protect him. They would claim the Immortal Realm sent medicine to save a life, only for the Demon Realm to return kindness with enmity!”

Zhu Shao was speechless, then asked in confusion, “Then what should we do?”

Qi Jian’s words were indeed logical. Ji Xun Yue had thought about settling scores before, but she never found a suitable method and had to let it go. She needed a secure way that wouldn’t implicate the Demon Realm.

Just then, a female voice drifted from afar.

“Xun Yue, how is Qing Li?”

The voice was crisp and pleasant, easing the frustration in their hearts. Looking toward the sound, an elegant and beautiful woman approached. Her hair was swept up in a high bun, and she wore embroidered robes that complemented her snow-white skin and graceful aura.

Ji Xun Yue went to meet her, surprised and happy. “Qing Li is out of danger. A-Chan, why are you here?”

The newcomer was Princess Yu Qian Chan of the God Realm, the fourth daughter of the God Sovereign and Ji Xun Yue’s longtime close friend.

Yu Qian Chan breathed a sigh of relief and gave a regretful smile. “My apologies. I have been busy with the ‘Point to Immortality’ Ceremony. I only just learned you sent someone looking for me, so I rushed over.”

“I see. I don’t blame you,” Ji Xun Yue comforted her. She had sent Huo Chengfeng to her friend for help, but they hadn’t crossed paths.

Yu Qian Chan asked curiously, “Since Qing Li is fine, why do you look so angry?”

At the mention of Xuan Huai, the suppressed anger rose again. “Huo Chengfeng, repeat what Xuan Huai said once more.”

Ji Xun Yue sneered, her eyes falling on her friend’s attire. Today was the first day of the third month, and Yu Qian Chan was dressed exquisitely for the ceremony in the Immortal Realm. This ceremony occurred every three hundred years; the Immortal Realm would lower the “Stairway to Heaven” to the mortal realm. Mortals guided by immortal fate could ascend and apprentice under immortals to eventually reach godhood.

After hearing the message, Yu Qian Chan was quite surprised. “Did Xuan Huai really say that? Huo Chengfeng, are you sure you remembered correctly?”

Huo Chengfeng looked troubled and hesitated, unable to say much.

However, Ji Xun Yue’s heart stirred as she thought of a perfect plan for revenge. She could use a mortal identity to apprentice under Xuan Huai and wait for her chance.

She asked, “A-Chan, is Xuan Huai taking disciples this time?”

Acting as the Demon Lord had many restrictions, but if she were a common person, it would be much simpler. Once she caught Xuan Huai in a crime and made it public, she could at least ruin his reputation.

But as a member of the God Race, would her friend agree to this plan?

Her friend looked thoughtful. “You want to join Xuan Huai’s sect to seek revenge?”

Ji Xun Yue said seriously, “Yes. This way, it won’t involve too many people.”

Yu Qian Chan smiled. “That sounds interesting.”

Zhu Shao was shocked and immediately protested, “Your Eminence, how can you apprentice under him! This would disgrace your status!”

“It is just a fake identity; I don’t care at all.” Ji Xun Yue’s lips curled into a smirk. “Didn’t he want me to go there? Then I will personally meet this haunting rival of mine and let him know the consequences of offending me.”

Seeing Zhu Shao still wanting to argue, Qi Jian quickly spoke up. “Your Eminence, rest assured. I will make sure the Demon Realm is managed perfectly while you are away!”

As he spoke, he gave Zhu Shao a meaningful look. Zhu Shao slumped his shoulders, forced to accept the plan.

Yu Qian Chan reminded her, “Xun Yue, the ceremony is about to begin. We must hurry.”

Ji Xun Yue nodded, gave some brief instructions, and left with her.

Meanwhile, since Yu Qian Chan’s question, Huo Chengfeng had been frowning in silence, trying to recall something. Only after their figures disappeared in the distance did he slap his forehead.

“I remember now! The Immortal Lord’s original words were: ‘The Yunxing Sect has a wide variety of herbs. If the Demon Lord has other needs, she is welcome to come and take them.’ My memory is terrible!”

Zhu Shao and Qi Jian looked at each other after hearing this.

Qi Jian was surprised and suspicious. “This… could it be a misunderstanding?”

Zhu Shao looked confused. “Why does it sound like the same thing to me?”

Qi Jian: “…”

Huo Chengfeng scratched his head. It sounded like the same thing, yet something felt off. He remembered that when Immortal Lord Xuan Huai handed him the herb with such care, his face was pale and weary, yet he had asked him to deliver the message with total sincerity. It didn’t seem like he was targeting the Demon Lord at all.

But it didn’t matter now. Hadn’t Her Eminence gone to see him anyway?