After Provoking the Mad Beautiful Deity - Chapter 15

Kiss me, right here.

All that occupied Hongchen’s mind was the idea of dual cultivation. After Yanlai coughed up two mouthfuls of blood, the discomfort in her chest eased somewhat, and she allowed Hongchen to help her onto the bed. Yanlai closed her eyes briefly, a wave of weakness washing over her, but soon, a gentle spiritual energy enveloped her.

It was the Bodhi bracelet.

Hongchen blinked, somewhat puzzled. She stared at the bracelet for a long moment, eventually growing jealous. “When I was injured, why didn’t you generously share your spiritual energy like this? Where did you even get this energy?”

The Bodhi bracelet was an immortal artifact, not a person, and thus could not answer Hongchen’s question. Frustrated, Hongchen rolled her eyes, wishing she could toss the annoying object out the window.

She grumbled, “You’re utterly useless and only cause trouble. The chance for dual cultivation is gone just like that. Her getting injured is a once-in-a-century opportunity wait, no, how did you even get hurt?” Hongchen finally realized something was amiss. Yanlai’s cultivation level was among the highest in the three realms. Who could possibly injure her?

Yanlai was busy regulating her breathing and couldn’t answer. Hongchen had no choice but to wait, standing guard in case the attacker pursued them. If they showed up, she was ready for a fight.

She waited and waited. The sky darkened, then brightened again. Five days passed in this manner. When Yanlai finally awoke, there was still no sign of any pursuers. Hongchen was deeply disappointed.

Yanlai struggled to sit up, her body aching as if it had been shattered. The woman before her sat with her chin propped in her hands, watching her intently, yet never overstepping any boundaries. Despite having the perfect opportunity, she had willingly refrained truly the conduct of an upright and honorable person.

Yanlai’s mind was still somewhat hazy. Glancing down, she saw the Bodhi bracelet lying obediently beside her pillow, adding to her confusion. Suddenly, Hongchen reached out, her slender, pale hand waving in front of Yanlai’s eyes. Her brows and eyes carried a gentle, captivating beauty. Covering her mouth, Yanlai coughed softly, and the pain in her organs flared up again. She gasped, the agony intense.

Hongchen sat quietly by the bedside, silent and composed, exuding an aura of serene tranquility. She seemed nothing like the Demon Realm’s sovereign, more like a well-behaved little sister.

Suppressing the pain, Yanlai studied Hongchen’s face and spoke truthfully, “On my way back from the Ninth Heaven, I was ambushed. The attacker wielded water-based spiritual energy. That’s all I know nothing beyond that.”

“So formidable? You don’t even know who it was? It must be because you’ve been holed up for so long that you’re unaware of how powerful these rising talents have become. But wait, if they were that strong, how could Jiuhan have earned the title of War God? Something’s not right here. Who could it be?” Hongchen was no fool and immediately saw through the underlying implications.

The number of truly powerful figures among the immortals was limited, one could count them on one hand. Even if Yanlai had been outmatched, she shouldn’t have been injured this severely.

For a moment, Hongchen felt a pang of guilt and couldn’t help asking, “Was it someone from my Demon Realm?”

“No, there was no demonic aura about them,” Yanlai quickly denied. Even Hongchen would inadvertently reveal traces of demonic energy during a confrontation. The attacker either possessed cultivation surpassing Hongchen’s or was not of the demon race. The latter seemed far more likely.

Hearing this, Hongchen’s face brightened with a smile. She casually tossed a bundle to Yanlai. “Take some tonics to recover.”

They were pills from the demon physicians. Yanlai didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted them, carefully sorting through the contents. Pills were a shortcut to enhancing one’s cultivation. She selected a few for healing and swallowed them, then began slowly regulating her energy.

As the pills took effect, the pain throughout her body lessened, and her meridians felt soothed. Yanlai’s complexion improved noticeably.

Hongchen gazed at Yanlai with a meaningful look in her eyes. Yanlai met her mischievous stare coldly. “I haven’t fallen so low as to resort to dual cultivation for healing.”

“Hmph, it’s all your fault for meddling,” Hongchen retorted, displeased at being seen through. She then picked up the bodhi bracelet and squeezed it hard. “I’m going to grind it into powder for medicine.”

Yanlai paid her no mind, her thoughts consumed by the identity of her attacker. The assailant was highly skilled and clearly intended to kill her.

Could it be that finding the family registry had provoked this murderous intent?

Reflecting on the years of peace and seclusion at Phoenix Mountain, she had never set foot in the Nine Heavens nor sought power or influence. How could such a low-profile existence attract such lethal hostility?

Yanlai let out an inexplicable laugh, the corners of her lips curling with a mix of indifference and mockery. Hongchen narrowed her eyes. “You look so beautiful when you smile, aloof and heartless. I like women like you.”

Yanlai: “…” You little pervert.

Regardless of their respective statuses, Yanlai had no time to teach her restraint. Seizing the opportunity, she asked, “There’s a guard in the Flower Clan whose formations are similar to the ones you use. Did you steal the Flower Clan’s formation techniques?”

“I stole them? No way. These are recorded in the demon clan’s manuals, I didn’t steal anything,” Hongchen replied, baffled. “Why would I use immortal clan formations?”

Yanlai stared intently at her. “Where are the manuals?”

“You think I’ll just hand them over if you ask?” Hongchen straightened up, her eyes blazing as she instinctively leaned forward, looking down at the woman before her. “What are you to me that I should give you anything?”

Suddenly, the Demon Lord grew rebellious, her fair face showing a hint of arrogance and unreasonableness.

Yanlai frowned. “What do you want in exchange?”

Hongchen was instantly satisfied. She sat back down, smiling playfully at Yanlai, her expression shifting subtly. Yanlai was utterly exasperated. “Dual cultivation is out of the question, and forming a Dao partnership is also impossible.”

Hongchen’s mood soured again. She stared straight at Yanlai, exuding a chilling aura, her gaze piercing. “Then I’m not giving it to you.”

Yanlai choked back her anger, feeling a pang in her chest. Calmly, she tried to reason with the unreasonable. “Aside from those two things, I can give you anything else.”

“Anything?” Hongchen’s eyes shimmered like spring water as her gaze wandered over Yanlai’s face lingering on her brows, her nose, and finally settling on her lips. A smug smile spread across her face.

“What are you laughing at?” Yanlai felt uneasy under her gaze, straightening her back slightly and instinctively leaning away a few inches. Judging by the girl’s expression, it seemed lustful intentions were brewing.

Yanlai took a deep breath and turned sideways, leaving Hongchen with only her profile. Hongchen eagerly scooted onto the bed, staring at Yanlai’s flushed ears.

Oh ho, she’s blushing.

Yanlai grew impatient. “What do you want?”

“Kiss me, right here.” Hongchen pointed to the corner of her lips. “I want to know what it feels like to be kissed.”

“What? You’re shameless!” Yanlai flared up, anger blazing in her eyes. Her soft fingertips pressed hard against the bedframe as if she were caught in the heat of battle. She immediately refused. “No.”

Hongchen let out an “oh.” “I knew you immortals couldn’t be trusted. Your words are full of empty promises, deceitful and hypocritical.”

Yanlai was so ashamed she wished she could vanish. She hadn’t expected Hongchen to be such a pervert. Though displeased, she had already made her promise. Going back on her word would truly make her a liar.

The Demon Lord was no longer innocent.

“Do you even know what a kiss is?” Yanlai attempted to sidestep the issue, hoping to avoid the predicament.

“Of course I do. It’s not like I’ve never seen it before,” Hongchen retorted dismissively.

Yanlai frowned. “Who have you seen?”

“Palace consorts, the empress and the noble consort. When I went to fetch clothes last time, they kissed. Do you want to see? I can take you to watch?” Hongchen widened her eyes, looking utterly innocent. Under the fine drizzle, her eyes were as clear as water.

Yanlai massaged her forehead, saying nothing. There was no fooling her way out of this.

The mortal realm truly was an interesting place. Yanlai took a deep breath and told Hongchen, “They kiss because they love each other. I don’t love you, so why would I kiss you?”

“This venerable one doesn’t love you either, but I still want you to kiss me. Got a problem with that?” Hongchen sneered, her slender fingers tracing Yanlai’s plain features. Her index finger lifted Yanlai’s chin, forcing her to meet her gaze. “If you’re unhappy about it, then don’t look at this venerable one’s books.”

Yanlai’s face turned pale, a sharp pain piercing her heart. But before she could react, the bodhi bracelet began vibrating violently. Hongchen, annoyed, flicked her sleeve and stomped on it with her foot.

Yanlai was taken aback. Hongchen said, “Asking for help yet acting so arrogant. Did your mother never teach you to lower your head when seeking favors?”

Her words carried a tone of lecturing. Having lived a life of privilege for years, Yanlai had never been scolded like this before, especially by someone who might very well be her former disciple.

She simply retorted, “When I returned to Phoenix Mountain, I checked the clan records.” I once had a disciple named Hongyan.”

“What does that have to do with me? I’m not Hongyan. Are you trying to bring up some master-disciple divine principles with me? I ask for a kiss, and you start making things up?” Hongchen retorted unhappily, her thumb lightly brushing Yanlai’s slightly pursed lower lip. Her fingertip pried open the corner of Yanlai’s mouth, inadvertently leaving it damp.

Yanlai’s mind buzzed. She raised her hand to strike, but her movement froze mid-air as Hongchen caught it in time. The two stood opposed. Hongchen leaned forward slightly, fearless, tilting her head. Her eyes brimmed with autumn waters. “You there, girl, your temper is quite fiery. I like that.”

“Where did you learn such nonsense?” Yanlai was shocked. What kind of rubbish was this?

Hongchen said bluntly, “That’s what the villains in storybooks say when they harass young maidens.”

Yanlai: “…”

Yanlai had never read storybooks and didn’t want to delve into unconfirmed master-disciple secrets with her. Injured and unable to defeat her, after some thought, she feigned ignorance. “I don’t know how to kiss.”

“You don’t know, but I do. Whether you kiss me or I kiss you, it’s the same.” Hongchen said as if making a concession, then scrutinized Yanlai’s aloof face. Her peach-blossom eyes held a hint of chill, the coldness in them piercing, her entire being like snow devoid of any warmth.

She reached out and pinched Yanlai’s chin, her cool movements full of ambiguity. She whispered, “Don’t move, or you might get bitten.”

“You!” Yanlai felt blood rush to her head. Her lips parted slightly only to be sealed, the words she meant to say forced back down her throat. Stunned, unable to speak, she could only let out muffled whimpers. Yet, the moment their lips touched, there was an inexplicable sense of familiarity, as if she had experienced it before.

For a moment, she forgot to resist. Her teeth were pried apart, and Hongchen’s taste flooded in.

Hongchen wrapped an arm around her waist, locking her in place. Despite it being their first time, her limbs moved faster than her mind. Her hand pressed firmly against the small of Yanlai’s back, leaving no room for escape.