After Provoking the Mad Beautiful Deity - Chapter 20

I had a dream.

Yanlai had no impression of what Hongyan was like, but the Hongchen before her was so vivid and spirited. As the Demon Lord, she had never done anything to betray the world, nor had she disrupted the affairs of the Immortal Clan. Instead, she lived mostly in her own world, protecting her disciples and even the demon realm she inhabited.

Yanlai felt a bit dazed. She desperately wanted to know what kind of person Hongyan truly was. She stared obsessively at Hongchen, her heart pure, the white veil over her eyes never appearing.

She was aloof and indifferent, when had she ever felt moved? Even now, all she wanted was to recover the memories she had lost.

Hongchen was arrogant, a faint smile playing on her lips. Yanlai’s brows were like distant mountains, her lips thin and carrying a cold, stern curve such a woman was most unfeeling. Her gaze drifted downward, finally settling on those slender hands that held a cup of tea but never drank from it.

She said, “I only remember the events of the past ten thousand years. Ever since I can recall, I’ve possessed profound spiritual power. When facing enemies, I’ve always known exactly which techniques to use. As for how I obtained this power, I have no memory. But I don’t care. I live well now, ruling the demon realm. I can rival the Immortal Clan. The lost fragments of my soul no longer matter.”

“Hongchen.”

Yanlai called her name softly, her cold voice tinged with depth. “What if you are Hongyan?”

“What if I am Hongyan? How would that affect me?” Hongchen’s smile widened as she looked calmly at Yanlai. “I am not of the Immortal Clan, bound by no rules. The Immortal Clan’s doctrine dictates that achieving immortality requires severing love and abandoning all emotions and desires. But I don’t need that. You cultivate the Path of Emotionlessness, while I cultivate my own path with my own emotions.”

“Cultivators practice the Path of Emotionlessness, yet your Heavenly Emperor and the human emperors have countless wives and concubines. Is that fair?” Hongchen mocked freely, the chill of the cold night seeping into the bones. Her clear eyes gradually took on the profound coldness of a deep abyss.

Yanlai watched her. Even the red silk brocade could not conceal her indescribable allure. The coldness and depth inexplicably added a touch of majesty to her. In that moment, Yanlai had never felt that Hongchen possessed such a captivating authority.

Yanlai remained silent, lost in thought. What was Hongyan like in the past? And why had she lost her memories?

She couldn’t figure it out. Hongchen continued, “I don’t believe that masters and disciples cannot become cultivation partners. Similarly, I don’t believe that emotionlessness accelerates cultivation.”

“I woke up beside a grave, surrounded by bones. Do you understand?” The curve of Hongchen’s lips slowly deepened. “But all these years, I’ve never sought revenge. What use is revenge? However, if anyone stands in my way, even if it means being crushed to dust, I will destroy them.”

Hongchen’s words were strange. Why wouldn’t she seek revenge? Yanlai could see the venom in her eyes. Hongchen smiled brightly at her. “You should go take a bath.”

Yanlai didn’t move, her face deathly pale. Hongchen’s mind was blank; she had no memories, yet she said, “When I kissed you, I felt an inexplicable familiarity. Perhaps I was once your disciple. But now I am the Demon Lord of the demon realm, equal in status to the Heavenly Emperor. Rules and heavenly principles hold no power here. Yanlai, even if you are the future Crown Princess, or even the Heavenly Empress, if I want you, I will storm the Nine Heavens to take you back.”

She smiled leisurely, yet with a childlike innocence. Yanlai was left speechless. She said, “I am ninety percent certain that you are Hongyan.”

“You and I are also master and disciple.”

Hongchen scoffed, “If we follow your logic, if I die and you forget me, it would surely be a sorrowful memory. Better to forget and be done with it.”

With that, she rose and walked toward the bed, refusing to continue the topic.

There was no trace of sorrow in her emotions!

Dawn broke after a night passed. The emperor left the Changchun Palace, and the empress rose early, excusing the consorts from their morning greetings. She sat beneath a tree, watching the sunrise.

The noble consort arrived in the morning, dressed in palace attire, her steps light and graceful. She paused slowly as she gazed at the dignified woman. The empress smiled faintly, “You’ve come.”

“Your Majesty.” The noble consort’s lips parted slightly.

The empress smiled gently, her expression serene and composed, a touch of tender warmth in her dignified demeanor. “Nothing happened last night. I had a dream, and when I woke, it was already dawn.”

“Your Majesty.” The noble consort called softly once more.

Beneath the tree, the grass grew lush and verdant, the scent of greenery thick in the air. The empress’s warm smile was captivating. She beckoned to the noble consort, who stepped forward. The empress took her hand her own was icy cold. The noble consort lowered her gaze and said, “I worry for you.”

“What is there to worry about? He cannot kill me, and he dares not touch you. That is enough. Just be careful in your actions from now on.” The empress continued to smile, her slender fingers stroking the back of the noble consort’s hand. “He relies on our families, so we will be safe.”

Though trapped deep within the palace, devoid of freedom, they found contentment in being together. The world before them brimmed with vitality and lush greenery.

The noble consort knelt down, looking up at her. The empress gazed back quietly, their eyes holding only each other, as if the world around them had vanished.

Yanlai approached unnoticed, standing behind Hongchen. The two of them concealed themselves in the air. Hongchen said, “I want to help them.”

“You cannot,” Yanlai replied coldly. “Unless you take them to your demon realm.”

Hongchen hesitated.

The icy tone dissipated with the wind, turning into a wisp of melancholy.

What use was spiritual power when bound by the laws of the world? They appeared free but were trapped in an invisible cage. Hongchen asked, “Will they have a good outcome?”

“No. Siming has already revealed the empress’s fate.” Yanlai’s expression was sorrowful. “Perhaps the owner of that wandering soul will take action.”

Hongchen chuckled lightly, “Aren’t you going to focus on recovering from your injuries?”

“If you leave, how can I meditate?” Yanlai retorted.

Yanlai turned slowly, standing before her, her slender figure as upright as a bamboo stalk. “I need you to guard me.”

The sky was exceptionally clear that day, a vast expanse of blue with drifting clouds. In the distance, the empress embraced the noble consort, comforting her gently. Hongchen watched, entranced, her brow furrowed. “I am the Demon Lord, not some defenseless woman.”

“Everyone starts from a place of weakness,” Yanlai remarked.

Hongchen shot her a fierce glare, reverting to her usual lively and unreliable self. “If you say another word, I won’t guard you anymore.”

Yanlai wisely fell silent, lowering her eyes. But a hand reached out, hooking her right pinky finger, inexplicably adding a touch of warmth.

“Let’s go. I’ll guard you and keep an eye on them. If, as you suspect, it is my soul, then I am, in a way, helping myself.”

Yanlai smiled faintly, squinting slightly as she turned to face the bright sun and headed back.

Yanlai went into seclusion to heal her injuries, and Hongchen set up a barrier around them. They did not venture out, and no one disturbed them. Time in the mortal world passed swiftly mornings turned to dusk, and three to five months slipped by in the blink of an eye.

The human emperor no longer set foot in the Eternal Spring Palace. The Noble Consort visited occasionally, and other consorts from the palace would also stop by for a brief stay. Only the Empress remained alone, guarding the desolate central palace.

When boredom struck, the Empress would come to the side hall and sit for a while. Hongchen would entertain her, and the two would sit under the eaves, gazing into the void. The Empress would confide in her, speaking of her innermost thoughts. She and the emperor had grown up together, childhood sweethearts who married young. But she did not love the emperor, nor did she enjoy being confined until the Noble Consort entered the palace.

The daughter of a military general, lively by nature, yet disliked by the emperor. The Noble Consort clung to her, and gradually, the two developed mutual affection, finding solace in each other.

Hongchen said, “I can take you away. Would you like to try?”

“No, I have my family. My existence is their hope.” The Empress gently declined with a smile, as kind as ever. She smiled continuously, yet Hongchen could see the sorrow and weariness beneath her dignified facade.

Hongchen fell silent, continuing to gaze at the sky. But the Empress spoke again, “Heaven and earth are inherently heartless. For humans to possess emotion is rare. I am content.”

The words “I am content” nearly shattered Hongchen. Content with what? Content with witnessing the emperor’s dalliances? Content with being trapped here, never seeing the light of day?

In an instant, she found it absurd and pitied them. For a long while, she said nothing. Despite their fragile bodies, an indescribable resilience shone through.

After waiting three months, Siming arrived in the middle of the night. Yanlai was in seclusion within the barrier, so Siming came quietly. Hongchen stared at her. “Did you find anything?”

“Nothing at all.” Siming sighed helplessly, rubbing her cheek unhappily before coughing lightly. “I’ve decided to alter the Empress’s fate. Perhaps the mastermind behind all this will reveal themselves.”

“How can you change it?” Hongchen stood up, unable to sit still. Why could Siming alter fate? According to the rules, once a person’s destiny was written, it could not be changed. That was Siming’s law.

Siming awkwardly replied, “We must find some solution.”

“How do you plan to change it?” Hongchen suppressed her displeasure.

Siming said, “The Empress dies, and the Noble Consort goes mad.”

Hongchen could no longer contain the fury surging from her heart. “Do you believe I can make you go mad instead?”

“Spare me, fellow immortal! Don’t you want to uncover the mastermind?” Siming covered her head in fear, ready to flee. “You must give me a chance to make amends. Don’t worry the Empress’s soul will enter the cycle of reincarnation. I’ll arrange the best fate for them, where they can love each other and live a life of beautiful dreams.”

Hongchen hesitated. Siming’s offer was tempting. Seeing her slight hesitation, Siming seized the opportunity and patted her shoulder. “No matter how good their lives are now, they won’t last long. The Empress is already thirty, with only a few years left. In their next life, they’ll have decades to love each other. Don’t sacrifice the greater good for a minor gain.”

“Fine, I’ll trust you this once.” The corner of Hongchen’s mouth twitched slightly as she finally agreed. “I’ll be watching you. If their next life doesn’t turn out well, I’ll make sure you’re torn to pieces. Remember preserve their memories from this life.”

“That won’t work. They must drink Meng Po’s soup. How about I arrange for them to meet when they’re older and gradually recall their past lives?” Siming felt exasperated. Why had she encountered such a romance-obsessed being?

After thinking it over repeatedly, Hongchen agreed readily. Siming breathed a sigh of relief and immediately set off to make arrangements.

Yanlai remained in seclusion, unaware. Hongchen sat alone on the steps outside the hall, feeling a vague sense of sorrow. She didn’t know why she felt this way just an inexplicable discomfort.

Could it be that the fragment of soul truly belonged to her?

Hongchen sat for a moment but couldn’t stay still, so she got up to find the Empress.