After Provoking the Mad Beautiful Deity - Chapter 23.1

Kill her while she is unconscious.

Hongchen was slender and tall, standing half a head taller than Si Ming. Standing together, Si Ming felt a sting of self-consciousness regarding her height and decided to remain silent about the earlier topic of discipline. Hongchen cast a peculiar look at her, but though she was curious, she said nothing more.

 

“The Empress’s time is coming in the next few days. You two immortal friends help me keep an eye on things. I see there is only one bed here; can the three of us fit tonight?” Si Ming spoke to herself as she surveyed the simple palace chamber.

 

Hongchen opened her mouth to speak, but Si Ming immediately cut her off. “I am only staying for a few days. I brought my own bed.”

 

“Staying is fine, but it will cost you a century of spiritual power,” Hongchen said, demanding an exorbitant price. She pointed at the frail patient on the couch. “Look at her; she can barely get out of bed. I have already spent a thousand years of my spiritual power to save her.”

 

Si Ming stared back in disbelief. “How old are you that you even have a thousand years of power to spare?”

 

“I have already…”

 

“Yan Chen, go find me some clothes to change into.” Yan Lai interrupted their conversation, covering her mouth with a low cough. Her face was sickly pale. “Si Ming may stay here; she can sleep in the outer chamber.”

 

The palace was divided into inner and outer sections. The bed was in the inner chamber, while the outer area was for receiving guests.

 

Hongchen did not object, but the atmosphere felt strangely strained. She couldn’t quite describe the feeling. Yan Lai was bossing her around, leaving her—the Demon Sovereign—with no dignity at all, yet deep down, she found she had no desire to resist.

 

It was bizarre. The familiar sense of being commanded felt odd, as if her heart instinctively obeyed Yan Lai’s instructions.

 

Unable to figure it out, she went to find the clothes.

 

Si Ming stared at her retreating back and whispered, “She is so fierce; how can she act so obediently in front of you?”

 

“Is she fierce?” Yan Lai said dismissively.

 

Si Ming nodded.

 

Yan Lai asked again, “Is she obedient?” She is clearly just lusting after my beauty.

 

Si Ming nodded once more.

 

Yan Lai turned over. Faced with Si Ming’s words, she didn’t know what to say. She didn’t even know what she herself was doing. Her mind was a mess, like a tangled ball of yarn. Setting aside the mystery of Hongchen’s identity as Hongyan, she didn’t know how to interact with her. To this day, her mind was a blank, yet her heart was like a surging tide that found no rest.

 

At first, she was only curious about Hongchen’s identity. But as she uncovered the mysteries one by one, she had pulled herself into a vortex.

 

Seeing this, Si Ming began to chatter about the disappearance of Prince Qing Feng. She rambled for a long time, but Yan Lai didn’t hear a single word.

 

The silent hall suddenly grew lively. Si Ming was witty and told many amusing stories. Yan Lai listened for a bit before curiously asking about Princess Qing Gu. Si Ming replied simply that she had died young and was a rare talent of the Celestial Tribe.

 

Yan Lai then asked, “Did she have a sister?”

 

“She had many sisters. There are still several unmarried princesses in the Celestial Tribe. Princess De Shun is also her sister.” Si Ming counted on her fingers. Qing Gu had so many sisters that it would take days to name them all.

 

Yan Lai continued, “How many daughters does the Heavenly Empress have?”

 

“One daughter and one son. Daughter Qing Gu and son Prince Qing Feng. Wait, everyone in heaven and earth knows this. How do you not know?” Si Ming asked, puzzled.

 

Yan Lai’s expression turned strange. Qing Gu had said Hongchen was her sister, which meant she must be the daughter of the Heavenly Emperor. That would mean she was not born to the Heavenly Empress. With so many consorts, who was Hongchen’s birth mother? The Emperor was famously passionate and admired by many goddesses; those not recorded in the official lineage were many.

 

It was a massive headache.

 

While Yan Lai sighed over the Emperor’s philandering ways, Hongchen returned with a pile of clothes. She walked to the bed and leaned over. “Do you wish to bathe?”

 

Yan Lai glanced at her, then turned away to ignore her. Hongchen wasn’t angered. She piled the clothes on the bed and reached out to pull Yan Lai toward her. “What kind of temper are you throwing now? Tsk, tsk. You look just like a dramatic little wife from the mortal world.”

 

Hongchen stared at her intently. Yan Lai was in no mood for this. Hongchen produced a pill from somewhere and held it to Yan Lai’s lips. Yan Lai stared at the bed curtains, her chest heaving, her nose filled with a faint, clean scent.

 

Her heart grew even more wavering and unsettled.

 

The silent rejection added a layer of ambiguity. Before long, the white veil appeared over Hongchen’s eyes again. She grew impatient. “Release the Heart-Cleansing Curse.”

 

She was displeased. She forced the pill into Yan Lai’s mouth, her eyebrows arched in a glare.

 

Yan Lai was forced to swallow the pill. She met Hongchen’s gaze. “What exactly do you want?”

 

“Dual Pairing,” Hongchen said righteously.

 

Yan Lai hissed, “Shameless.”

 

“High Goddess, you are severely injured right now. If I kidnap you back to the Demon Realm, what do you think would happen if we paired there?” Hongchen smiled, a hint of ruthlessness appearing on her beautiful face. She waved a hand in front of Yan Lai. “Will you be obedient?”

 

Yan Lai was choked for words. Hongchen’s smiling eyes bore a slight resemblance to Princess Qing Gu. She, too, laughed.

 

Hongchen was baffled by the laugh. “What are you laughing at?”

 

“Hongchen, I am laughing because you do not know your own identity or your past. You are a coward.” Yan Lai deliberately used words to provoke her.

 

Hongchen glanced at Si Ming, who was eavesdropping in the corner, and reached out to snatch her over.

 

Si Ming tried to run but couldn’t. She gave a small laugh. “I heard everything you said… No, wait, I heard it but I didn’t understand. Little disciple, are you truly the Demon Sovereign Hongchen?”

 

“Si Ming, you seem to know a bit too much.” Hongchen narrowed her eyes and grabbed Si Ming by the throat. “I didn’t intend to hide it from you. Since you know, you don’t need to return to the Nine Heavens.”

 

“Don’t, don’t! I didn’t hear anything! I won’t tell anyone that Yan Lai is colluding with a demon!” Si Ming swallowed hard, trembling as she looked at Hongchen. She looked like a young girl, yet she possessed terrifying spiritual power. Her eyes were like ancient wells, concealing a storm.

 

“So what if she colludes with a demon?” Hongchen said nonchalantly.

 

Si Ming looked horrified. “Colluding with demons is a capital crime. In the past, an immortal lord colluded with the demons; after he was caught, his soul was scattered, and he lost even the chance at reincarnation.”

 

Yan Lai’s eyes narrowed. Her expression shifted at those words, but she remained silent. She had many puzzles that remained unsolved.

 

She reached out and grasped Hongchen’s wrist. “It doesn’t matter if she tells. Yan Lai is all alone. Joining the Demon Clan would be no matter.”

 

She had long ago put aside concerns of life and death. Being alone, there was no difference between being an immortal or a demon.

 

Seeing that Yan Lai was unbothered, Hongchen let go. “Since your master doesn’t care, I won’t bother being the villain.”

 

Si Ming, having escaped with her life, shrank back. She looked at Hongchen, then at Yan Lai. “Are you two trying to become Dao companions?”

 

What a disaster. What about the Prince?

 

Yan Lai was the model of propriety for the High Goddesses of Heaven. How could she be with a demon? Si Ming whispered to Yan Lai, “Are you being forced?”

 

A High Goddess forced into Dual Pairing by a demon… if word got out, the Celestial Tribe would lose all face.

 

“Si Ming, who has lived the longest in the Heavenly Realm?” Hongchen asked suddenly. She never went to the Nine Heavens and knew little of its affairs.

 

Si Ming counted on her fingers. “The four Great Emperors under the Heavenly Emperor were all killed by Hongyan. Below them are the various gods. The Fire God is dead, the Snow God is dead…” After counting, she concluded, “The Heavenly Emperor and the Heavenly Empress.”

 

Hongchen fell into thought. She was surprised. Were the people of the Nine Heavens so weak? Why were so many dead? She was confused, but since she was caught in this storm, she had to ask.

 

Si Ming suddenly added, “High Immortal San Meng has also lived a long time, but her mind is often unstable.”

 

That was as good as saying nothing. Hongchen felt Si Ming was a bit dim. She asked directly, “Why did Hongyan kill so many Celestial High Gods?”

 

“Supposedly because of the conflict between the two races,” Si Ming said hesitantly. “I don’t know the specific reason. Basically, the demons were being unreasonable. Does one need a reason to kill?”

 

“Si Ming, what about the Celestial History?” Hongchen asked. “Why did only the High Gods of each race die, yet the Phoenix Clan was wiped out until only one remained?”

 

“Check the Celestial History,” Yan Lai said, casting an approving look at Hongchen. Hongchen seemed innocent and naive, but she was sharp when it mattered. Yan Lai also voiced her doubt. “The four Great Emperors died in battle, yet the Heavenly Emperor escaped unscathed. Don’t you find that strange?”

 

Why was she, the only remaining Phoenix, the one who lost her memory? She had no recollection of the war. Others said she was in seclusion, but by the time she woke, the world had changed. Who had stolen her memory?

 

Hongchen nodded with a smile. She didn’t care about the lives of others, but being blamed for so many deaths was unpleasant. She leaned in close to Yan Lai’s eyes. “I don’t think it’s that simple. You know my nature; I am a very lazy person. I’m too lazy to kill. Look at me; I’m even too lazy to argue with your orders. Would such a lazy person kill so many people?”

 

She was too close. Yan Lai frowned and tried to move toward the inner side of the bed. Hongchen anticipated her move and reached out to encircle her slender waist. “Why are you hiding? Master.”

 

That word, “Master,” stripped away Yan Lai’s facade of propriety and magnified every slight, inappropriate movement. Yan Lai tried her best to suppress her emotions. Her gaze was calm, but as she met Hongchen’s eyes, that tranquility turned into a weapon of war.

 

Hongchen’s eyes were full of mirth. She didn’t understand anger or shame; there was only mockery, bordering on madness.

 

The hall fell silent. A sudden murderous intent flashed in Yan Lai’s eyes, yet Hongchen shamelessly kissed her cheek, her tongue lightly brushing the skin. Her clear voice turned low and husky. “Master.”

 

She was doing it on purpose.

 

Yan Lai was incensed. Hongchen’s hand moved from her lower back to her abdomen, a wave of heat flowing from her stomach to her heart.

 

“Why do I enjoy seeing you angry so much?” Hongchen chuckled. She turned to Si Ming. “Go check the Celestial History. Or go pay your respects to the Heavenly Empress.”

 

Hongchen’s eyes were full of disdain and contempt for the Celestial Tribe, making Si Ming’s skin crawl. In this moment, she didn’t dare object. Facing a Demon Sovereign who was so naturally manic, she didn’t dare say no.

 

Si Ming hesitated, but fortunately, the voice of a maid came from outside the hall. “Lady Chu, the Empress asks for you.”

 

The moonlight was lonely, and the wind was bone-chilling.

 

Si Ming breathed a sigh of relief. Hongchen answered the call and withdrew her hand from Yan Lai’s waist. Yan Lai closed her eyes, her body trembling slightly. Hongchen tilted her head to look at her. “I only touched your stomach; is there a need to feel so aggrieved?”

 

Si Ming: “…” How incredibly arrogant.

 

Hongchen rose to leave. Seeing Si Ming was still there, she reached out to grab her neck. The dark, quiet hall made one’s heart turn cold. Yan Lai couldn’t stop her murderous intent, so she could only threaten: “If you cause more trouble, I am going back to Phoenix Mountain.”

 

Hongchen obediently let go. She said to her, “I like the way you look when you’re bossing me around. Shaking like that doesn’t suit you.”

 

Si Ming, watching the scene, couldn’t help but burst out laughing and nodded vigorously. On Phoenix Mountain, High Goddess Yan Lai was always proper, possessive of a celestial air and natural pride. Cowering indeed did not suit her.

 

Yan Lai couldn’t help but blush, her jade-like neck turning a shade of pink.

 

Hongchen didn’t care about her reaction. She asked Si Ming, “Is there trouble in the mortal court?”

 

“Yes. The Empress’s family is accused of treason. She is about to be sentenced to death,” Si Ming said.

 

“Why so fast?” Hongchen didn’t understand.

 

Si Ming explained, “The Emperor was already dissatisfied. The Empress and the Noble Consort have an ambiguous relationship. After the tiger incident, the Empress was disrespectful, so he took the opportunity to act. Treason, jealousy… Emperors have been heartless since ancient times. It’s a perfect excuse.”

 

Hongchen was displeased but said nothing more. She headed to the main hall to see the Empress.

 

Left alone in the room, Si Ming patted her chest. “How did you end up provoking her?”

 

Yan Lai naturally remained silent, lying on her side. Si Ming looked at the ceiling and then at the floor, finally letting her gaze linger on Yan Lai’s bloodless face. “High Goddess… has your heart been moved?”

 

“No,” Yan Lai denied.

 

Si Ming raised her hand, revealing a red string in her palm. “This is the Elder of the Moon’s red string. If it is tied between you two and there is true love, the string will disappear, merging into your blood and bone. If there is no love, the string will naturally unravel.”

 

Love between an immortal and a demon was destined to be forbidden by the Celestial Tribe. She hoped Yan Lai understood the danger and wouldn’t bring harm to herself or Phoenix Mountain.

 

Yan Lai took the red string. She was also curious; what kind of feelings did she have for Hongchen before she lost her memory?

 

Si Ming vanished, hiding herself outside the main hall.

 

The Noble Consort had just left. The Empress sat alone in the hall, dressed in plain robes, elegant and dignified. Hongchen stepped closer.

 

The Empress looked up and smiled gently. “Lady Chu, I know you possess great abilities.”

 

“What do you want me to do, Your Majesty?” Hongchen asked directly. She disliked beating around the bush.

 

The Empress smiled. “An illusion. Just now, they said the Emperor arrived, yet the Noble Consort and I did not see him. It must have been your doing. I want an illusion.”

 

“What kind of illusion?” Hongchen asked.

 

The Empress sat up straight, her waist slender, her wide sleeves hiding her form. She looked straight ahead. “I want… an illusion of my wedding day.”

 

“I thought you called me here to save your family,” Hongchen said coolly.

 

The Empress laughed. “I married the Emperor when I was fourteen. We have been a couple for eighteen years, yet it has been a hollow union. My father and brother helped him take the throne. As time passed, the power they held became his stumbling block. I warned them, but they wouldn’t listen. As for the rest, I can’t be bothered to care.”

 

The Emperor was heartless, and her family was power-hungry. All she could do was protect her position.

 

Hongchen frowned. She couldn’t feel the Empress’s sorrow, nor could she understand her selfless motives. Is it not better just to stay alive? Why care about the life and death of others?

 

Hongchen touched her own heart. It was beating, yet she did not feel the Empress’s pain. She nodded. “When do you want to enter the illusion?”

 

“Lady Yan’s injuries haven’t healed. When she is better. I don’t want you to be distracted.” The Empress’s smile was tender.