After My Death, the Female Lead Breaks the Heartless Path - Chapter 39

“Is Yin Ruolan still in a meeting? Has it not been resolved yet?” Xu Jingqiu didn’t see Yin Ruolan upon returning and turned to look at the empty space beside her.

Liu Ruichu emerged from the shadows, first bowing to Xu Jingqiu before saying, “Her Excellency is still in the main hall and hasn’t returned. She asked you to wait here and not come over. But, the demon elders have been giving Her Excellency a hard time.” Liu Ruichu had gone against Yin Ruolan’s instructions and told Xu Jingqiu about the situation.

If they truly loved each other, then these matters shouldn’t be borne by Her Excellency alone, right? If she stood aside, even if Her Excellency didn’t mind, she herself would feel compelled to intervene.

Xu Jingqiu raised an eyebrow and let out a cold laugh. “Oh! So, the subordinates of the demon realm can openly challenge the Demon Sovereign? I’m curious to know what kind of power they possess to be so arrogant.”

Liu Ruichu looked up at Xu Jingqiu, a faint ripple of emotion and light appearing in her otherwise placid eyes.

Xu Jingqiu noticed this and quickly understood Liu Ruichu’s earlier intentions. She chuckled softly. “Take me there. Let me see just how impressive they are.”

Yin Ruolan had found a good and sincere follower. Xu Jingqiu couldn’t help but smile again, feeling somewhat reassured. At least if she were to leave later, Yin Ruolan would have someone to rely on.

Liu Ruichu breathed a sigh of relief, completely unaware that her thoughts had been discerned by Xu Jingqiu. “I will lead the way for the Consort.”

Before even reaching the door, Xu Jingqiu could already hear the sharp arguments inside, tinged with arrogance, sarcasm, and smugness. She raised an eyebrow and, without waiting for Liu Ruichu to say anything, strode forward and kicked the door open.

Inside, Yin Ruolan was coldly watching the elders’ pathetic performance. The delay in resolving the demon issue was entirely due to their obstruction, as solving the problem would cut off their profits.

Xu Jingqiu didn’t believe that the demons could act so brazenly without backing, and she had already found evidence. However, with Penglai watching closely, now was not the time to expose them.

Seeing Yin Ruolan remain silent, the elders grew even more arrogant, their words becoming increasingly offensive. After all, Yin Ruolan was an outsider, while they were noble demons who had fought alongside several Demon Sovereigns.

“Of course, you think this must be done. Even if you are the Demon Sovereign, you are still human, not one of us. You aren’t, but those demons are! Are you trying to make us fight among ourselves so you can profit from it? You…”

Before the leading elder could finish his sentence, a loud “bang” interrupted his train of thought, followed by a clear, cold voice dripping with sarcasm:

“Wow, the Demon Sovereign harming the demon race for personal gain? What a brilliant line of logic.”

Xu Jingqiu slowly walked down the central aisle, her oppressive aura forcing those with ulterior motives to lower their heads involuntarily, as if their hidden thoughts had been exposed.

Then, Xu Jingqiu walked over to the elder, placed a hand on his shoulder, and pressed down firmly, forcing him to kneel on both knees.

“As a subordinate, how should one be punished for disrespectful and even provocative words towards a superior?” Xu Jingqiu said with a smile, her confident tone making it clear she wasn’t joking.

Yin Ruolan knew Xu Jingqiu was defending her, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously lifted. After a moment of closed-eyed contemplation, she made a decision that did not disappoint: “Brazenly arrogant and sowing discord. I have reason to believe you are connected to Penglai, you deserve death!”

The elder was startled and was about to stubbornly retort when Xu Jingqiu pulled the trigger. Blood splattered, flying onto the faces of those behind, making their already pale faces even more ashen.

Xu Jingqiu withdrew the Heavenly Ruler and coldly addressed the elders: “Know your place. If not for her, the Demon Realm would still be engulfed in war. Aside from your insignificant titles, what qualifications do you have to challenge us? If we permit it, you remain elders. But if we do not…” Xu Jingqiu let out a cold laugh, “It would be entirely justified to execute you right now. Understand?”

“Don’t think we’re unaware, you’ve never participated in battles, yet you’ve reaped plenty of benefits from the demons. I’m different from her. She may show you mercy, but I prefer to eradicate the root of the problem, especially when it comes to locusts. Saves time and effort, doesn’t it?”

Yin Ruolan glanced at the silent demons, rose from her throne, and walked down to take Xu Jingqiu’s hand, leading her to the throne and seating her beside her. “Alright, calm down. What did you need me for?”

“Don’t waste time arguing with those fools. I have something to discuss,” Xu Jingqiu said. “That’s the original message from. Fate Scribe.”

Hearing that Ling had summoned Yin Ruolan and described them in such terms, the dissenting elders fell completely silent. The reason they had never been able to overthrow Yin Ruolan was that Ling stood firmly on her side and held them in contempt. In the Demon Realm, the Fate Scribe’s word held more authority than the Demon Sovereign’s, let alone that of the elders.

Yin Ruolan paid no mind to their thoughts. “What does the Fate Scribe need from me?”

“Who knows?” Xu Jingqiu shrugged, leaning lazily against her. “Aside from Senior Ye, no one can figure out what Senior Ling is thinking, but it must be urgent. You’d better go see her now, no need to waste time on these useless people.”

A few elders looked up indignantly, only to be silenced by Xu Jingqiu’s sharp gaze as she said with a smile, “As for these people, I’ll have a little chat with them on your behalf.”

With that, Yin Ruolan was sent away through a portal conjured by Xu Jingqiu. She could only shake her head with a wry smile before turning to head toward Ling’s location.

Seeing her arrive, Ling raised a cup and said with a smile, “Care for a drink?”

Yin Ruolan hesitated for a moment before sitting opposite her and picking up a cup as well. Relieved to find it wasn’t alcohol, she took a small sip and asked, “What did you need me for, Fate Scribe?”

Ling waved her hand dismissively. “No need for such formality now. Since you and Xiao Qiu are partners, you can address me as she does. As for why I called you here. What if I said it was just to talk? Would you believe me?”

Yin Ruolan fell silent, offering no reply.

Zero coughed lightly before continuing, “How did you first come up with the idea of becoming the Demon Sovereign? In terms of achievements, establishing your own sect might have been more promising than your current path. The demon realm has always been at a disadvantage for a reason, it’s like a scattered mess, with everyone harboring their own ulterior motives. On top of that, you’re human, so you’re bound to face exclusion and added difficulties here.”

“Because the mortal realm is too deeply constrained by Penglai and its rules. I wanted her to break free from fate completely, and the demon realm was the best choice,” Yin Ruolan replied.

Zero nodded. “Indeed, a good choice. But do you think she has truly escaped fate now?”

Yin Ruolan almost shook her head but ended up nodding in admission. “No, I can still feel the threads of fate clinging to her.”

“What do you plan to do about it?”

Yin Ruolan looked at Zero earnestly. “Slay the Heavenly Dao!”

Zero chuckled lightly, crossing her arms and leaning back with a cheerful tone. “An interesting idea, and you’ve grasped a key point, but it’s not enough. The Heavenly Dao is merely the end of one phase, not the ultimate goal. Only when everything is truly over will she be completely safe.”

“However, before that, you need to resolve one issue,” Zero shifted the topic. “As I’ve said before, the demon realm’s problem has always been its lack of unity, especially now when many are likely plotting against you. Do you think such a demon realm can protect her?”

“Hesitation and indecision will only harm you and those around you. To secure the outside, you must first pacify the inside.”

Yin Ruolan felt a sudden clarity, as if a thin mist shrouding her thoughts had lifted. “I understand. Before confronting Penglai, I will make the necessary preparations. Thank you for your guidance, Senior.”

Zero waved her hand dismissively and brought out a chessboard. “Ah, I didn’t say much you figured it out yourself. Come, come, play a game with me. Neither Ye nor Xiaoqiu are willing to play with me. Sigh, the youth these days.”

Confused by the sudden change, Yin Ruolan took the chess pieces hesitantly. “Huh?”

Fifteen minutes later, Yin Ruolan emerged with a pale complexion, just as Ye returned from outside. Taking one look at Yin Ruolan’s face, Ye immediately understood what had happened and patted her shoulder sympathetically. “You’ve had a tough time.” After all, she couldn’t play chess at all, terrible but addicted, and she’d resort to cheating if she couldn’t win.

Yin Ruolan now understood this all too well.

Ye glanced at Yin Ruolan once more, noticing the last thread of fate had snapped, and smiled silently before patting her shoulder again and walking away, leaving only her retreating figure. “Go back and rest well. There’s a long battle ahead.”

Yin Ruolan sighed, thinking that as long as she didn’t have to play chess with Zero again, she could handle anything else. It was truly exhausting. Just then, a familiar voice sounded beside her. “Oh, were you dragged into a chess game? You’ve had it rough.”

Yin Ruolan looked at Xu Jingqiu somewhat speechlessly. “You all seem to know this well.”

“Of course, we were the unlucky ones before. Heading back? There’s something that requires your involvement, it’s related to the demon realm’s fate,” Xu Jingqiu said.

Yin Ruolan thought for a moment before asking, “Is it about the ‘Mad Calamity’?”

“Indeed, [Mad Calamity] has become inextricably intertwined with the fate of the demon realm, so it must be eradicated by you unless something goes awry, such as its fusion with the [Heavenly Dao].” Xu Jingqiu rested her chin on her hand, pondering as she spoke. “As for dealing with the [Heavenly Dao] that requires careful planning. You should go rest for now; we’ll discuss this further tomorrow. I need some time to think it through, and besides.”

Xu Jingqiu paused briefly before continuing, “Some issues have also arisen on Ye Shuran’s side. The resistance activities of the Celestial Order have repeatedly been overshadowed by a group called the Rebellion Army, which is gradually shifting fortune in favor of this suddenly emerged faction. On top of that, many subordinate sects under the Celestial Order have been acting disloyal, so it will take her some time to handle the situation.”

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