After Provoking the Mad Beautiful Deity - Chapter 23.2

Hongchen nodded. “You are the gentlest woman I have ever met.”

“What use is gentleness? Gentleness is just a form of cowardice. In the eyes of a lover, it is a virtue, but in times of trouble, it’s better to be fierce,” the Empress joked. She looked at Hongchen. “When I first met you, I felt a sense of kinship. That was the truth.”

“I feel a bit of kinship with you as well,” Hongchen said sincerely.

They smiled at each other. The Empress suddenly rose and knelt on the ground. Hongchen didn’t move as the Empress performed a grand kowtow.

Hongchen said, “I accept your bow and will give you a dream in return. We are even. Your Majesty, I hope you live for yourself this once. Not for your family, not for the world, but for yourself.”

To hell with family honor.

Returning to her quarters, she found Si Ming already lying in the outer room while Yan Lai was on the bed. The hall was pitch black, and the cold wind rattled the windows with a wailing sound. Hongchen walked to the edge of the bed and set up a barrier. Yan Lai woke up immediately.

The lights flickered on, illuminating Hongchen’s flushed face. Yan Lai looked at her but didn’t move. Hongchen asked first, “Are your injuries any better?”

“What do you want to do?” Yan Lai was truly afraid now. Hongchen was like a newborn calf that feared no tiger; her bold words were enough to unsettle anyone’s mind.

Hongchen sighed. “I want to pair with you. You say we are Master and Disciple; did we ever do it before?”

“No, absolutely not,” Yan Lai denied flatly.

Hongchen huffed. “We definitely did. I admit you are my Master, so… just stop hating me.”

“I never hated you.” Yan Lai’s heart skipped a beat. She didn’t dare look at Hongchen. She hadn’t expected Hongchen to speak so frankly about it.

Hate? No, she didn’t hate her. She didn’t even know what she was feeling. It was a cocktail of complex emotions.

Hongchen tilted her head and looked into Yan Lai’s clear eyes. “Since you don’t hate me, stop throwing a fit.”

“A fit? When did I ever throw a fit with you?” Yan Lai looked up, staring at her in disbelief.

Hongchen smiled. “If this isn’t a fit, what is?”

“Do not use that word.” Yan Lai’s voice grew strangely stern. She was a High Goddess who had lived for nearly fifty thousand years; how could she throw a “fit” with a child?

She was both ashamed and annoyed. Hongchen rolled her eyes and poked Yan Lai’s chest. Yan Lai immediately slapped her hand away. “No impoliteness!”

“Not allowed to do this, not allowed to do that… what use do I have for you?” Hongchen stood with hands on her hips in protest.

Yan Lai ignored her, quietly moving to the inner side of the bed and lying down under the blanket.

The night was deep, and inside the barrier, it was as warm as spring.

Hongchen naturally lay down on the other side of the bed. After settling in, she reached for Yan Lai’s wrist and spoke as if they were just chatting. “Tell me, what kind of wedding hall looks the best?”

“A wedding hall?” Yan Lai’s curiosity was piqued.

“I promised the Empress an illusion where she and the Noble Consort get married. Give me some ideas.”

“A union of joy, parents in the hall, and a house full of distinguished guests,” Yan Lai murmured softly. Such a formal ceremony was the only way to receive the world’s congratulations. She continued, “In mortal marriages, there is the ‘ten-mile red dowry,’ but they have none of that. To have parents in the hall is impossible. And guests? Where would they find friends? A marriage between women is already considered against the natural order of this world. I suppose the High God who placed her soul in the mortal realm did so out of helplessness.”

Hongchen replied, “It matters not. As I said, it is an illusion, no different from a dream. I will have High Immortal San Meng come and weave a beautiful dream.”

“San Meng’s essence is dreams, but she cannot grant a ‘beautiful’ one. It would be better if you did it yourself,” Yan Lai declined calmly.

Hongchen faced another dilemma. “Then forget the illusion. I will bring Yan Guang here to arrange it. Demon disciples aren’t so particular; they will come to observe the ceremony with joy. As for their parents, we can simply kidnap them.”

“The Empress might not be happy with that,” Yan Lai mused, turning over. “If they cause a scene, it will ruin everything.”

“Do you know of Puppet Mastery?” Hongchen asked excitedly, turning on her side as well. Her gaze landed on Yan Lai’s face, which was as calm as still water.

The embroidered curtains swayed and the lamps burned bright as the two spoke peacefully. Lying on a mortal bed with soft blankets, Hongchen’s brow furrowed with lively expressions while Yan Lai kept her lips pressed thin.

“You want to control them with puppets?” Yan Lai didn’t want to agree, yet there seemed to be no other way. She nodded helplessly. “Fine. Go and seize the people.”

“Tsk, tsk. A dignified High Goddess actually commanding her disciple to kidnap people. Like Master, like disciple; I like it,” Hongchen burst out laughing. She reached out to poke Yan Lai’s thinned cheek and added instinctively, “When I return to the Demon Realm tomorrow, I’ll fetch some nourishing pills to build up your strength.”

Yan Lai: “…”

Hongchen’s temperament was truly bizarre. She clearly knew the past was not simple, yet she insisted on clinging to Yan Lai. Yan Lai, feeling helpless, turned back to face the ceiling to sleep.

“Are you sleeping already?”

“I haven’t finished speaking. Your injuries are healing too slowly. Let us pair; perhaps the wounds will mend then.”

“Yan Lai…”

“High Goddess…”

The night passed. Most of the white snow melted, and the remaining patches on the roof turned to water under the morning sun.

Hongchen rose early and rummaged through her medicine bag for nourishing herbs. As she searched, Si Ming wandered over. “The Great Wilderness produces the best medicines. If you seek herbs there, the High Goddess’s injuries will surely heal faster.”

“I don’t believe a word you say,” Hongchen ignored her. The tribes of the Great Wilderness were unreasonable. A fight was a small matter, but being entangled by them was a headache.

Si Ming pressed on, “A round trip is only about ten hours, just a day and a night in the mortal world. The Empress still has three to five days left. I will stay here and guard the High Goddess.”

Hongchen was swayed. She looked at her medicine bag, full of herbs others would beg for, and suddenly they didn’t seem good enough. She took her bag to find Yan Lai.

“I want to go to the Great Wilderness.”

Yan Lai opened her eyes, her lips pale and her weakness visible. “What are you going there for?”

“Si Ming said there is good medicine there. I want to borrow some from the Great Wilderness Clan Leader.” Hongchen opened the bag, gripping the edges. “The medicine here isn’t doing much for your injuries.”

Yan Lai braced herself to sit up. Her gaze landed on Si Ming, who stood five paces behind Hongchen. Si Ming nodded, signaling her to agree.

The Great Wilderness was home to many ancient beasts. If Hongchen got lost or encountered a beast, she might not return unscathed. Yan Lai shook her head. “Do not go.”

“Ah, do you care about me? Now I definitely have to go. Wait for me for one day and night; I will return alive.” Hongchen beamed, forgetting how Yan Lai had treated her the day before. She patted her chest. “Don’t worry, I will win them over with my virtue.”

Yan Lai glanced at her. “You said it wrong. You win people over with your martial might.”

Hongchen didn’t deny it. “Close enough.”

“Don’t go. Si Ming wants to send you to your death,” Yan Lai said directly, showing no regard for her friend’s safety. Hongchen was foolishly straightforward, and Yan Lai did not like others exploiting Hongchen’s kindness toward her.

Hongchen said with a smile, “I know she has ill intentions, but she is right. There truly is medicine in the Great Wilderness that can save you. I can go try.”

Knowing there was danger yet charging forward anyway; it truly fit the personality of the Demon Sovereign.

Yan Lai didn’t know what to say. After a moment of hesitation, she still couldn’t bear the thought of Hongchen going to such a dangerous place. Hongchen chattered on, taking off all her magical artifacts and piling them onto the bed, explaining the use of each one.

Most were Celestial treasures. Even the “Heavenly Mysterious Wheel,” Jiu Han’s lethal artifact, was tossed onto the bed. Si Ming’s eyes widened, and Yan Lai pressed a hand to her forehead. Strangely, the sense of unease in her heart dissipated slightly.

After her lecture, Hongchen flew away, leaving a bed full of artifacts and a frowning Yan Lai. Si Ming stepped forward to inspect the treasures. Yan Lai looked at her coldly. “What does this have to do with you?”

“Shared sightings deserve shared spoils!” Si Ming studied the Wheel. The artifact killed without a trace, and Jiu Han had cherished it. She hadn’t expected Hongchen to discard it so casually after his death. As she reached to touch it, Yan Lai brushed her hand away and performed a seal, tucking the artifacts away.

With the bed empty, Si Ming stared blankly. “You are too stingy. High Goddess, she seems to listen to you quite well?”

Yan Lai did not answer. Si Ming asked again, “Do you have some leverage over her?”

“No,” Yan Lai denied.

The Great Wilderness lay to the far north, a vast territory filled with ancient beasts. Hongchen had little memory of the place, so she captured a local tribesman to lead the way. She arrived at the Clan Leader’s palace without incident.

Unlike the towering majesty of the Nine Heavens or the aggressive architecture of the Demon Court, the Great Wilderness palace looked somewhat dilapidated. To be precise, it was a series of caverns. As she approached, someone emerged.

She blinked and gave a dazzling smile. “Yan Chen, disciple of High Goddess Yan Lai, has come to ask for medicine.”

Hearing the name of High Goddess Yan Lai, the guard’s expression changed visibly to one of extreme warmth. “So it is the immortal Lady Yan Chen. I shall report to the Clan Leader immediately.”

Hongchen followed him inside. The caverns were clustered like stars, giving a sense of community. After half an hour, a young man appeared from a cave.

“Immortal Lady Yan Chen!” The youth was excited, bowing with his sleeves crossed.

Hongchen tilted her head, then raised her chin slightly. “I remember you. Xuan Ze of the Great Wilderness.”

“Yes, yes!” Xuan Ze nodded vigorously. Seeing the “innocence” on Yan Chen’s face, he asked worriedly, “What brings you here?”

“My Master is severely injured and sent me to ask for medicine.” Hongchen started lying through her teeth. Since Yan Lai hadn’t left her mountain in ten thousand years, getting a meeting with her was harder than reaching the heavens.

Xuan Ze gave a warm smile. “I will take you there.”

Hongchen didn’t refuse. “I am troubled by your kindness, Immortal Lord.”

As they walked, Xuan Ze spoke of the ancient beasts. Hongchen’s gaze turned deep before she looked away. She asked, “Are those beasts over ten thousand years old?”

“Some are hundreds of thousands of years old,” Xuan Ze said.

Hongchen nodded, her youthful face like a painting. “Do their monster cores have miraculous healing effects?”

“Indeed. But they are extremely difficult to capture.” Xuan Ze looked at her. Her eyes were curved with a sweet smile, and the stars within them seemed to shine with pure beauty.

Soon he looked down, but Hongchen said, “Where are they? I’ll go catch one.”

“Do not force yourself. They are too fierce; even if we joined forces, we might not be their match.” Xuan Ze stopped, looking terrified. “You don’t know their power. The Great Wilderness is feared because even immortals and demons dare not approach when they are out.”

Hongchen nodded. Xuan Ze breathed a sigh of relief, but a second later, she said softly, “It’s fine. I’ll go try. I run quite fast. Just lead the way.”

Her persistence won out. They reached the main hall. Hongchen, rarely meeting such a naive immortal, looked at him again. “Are you married?”

“No, no. I am barely ten thousand years old.” Xuan Ze’s face flushed red.

Hongchen thought Xuan Ze and her disciple Yan Guang might be a good match. She was about to propose a marriage when someone stepped out of the hall and bowed to Xuan Ze. “Young Master.”

Hongchen was surprised. This boy was the Young Clan Leader. A pity; his father might not agree to the marriage.

Xuan Ze led Hongchen into the hall. The Clan Leader, who had taken over ten thousand years ago, showed great admiration upon hearing Yan Lai’s name. When he heard the request for medicine, he sent someone to fetch it.

Hongchen, however, insisted on hunting a beast for its core. The Clan Leader was shocked. “Lady, do not be reckless. The medicine I have here is enough to treat the High Goddess.”

“It’s too slow.” Hongchen waved her hand. “I ask the Leader to show the way.”

“I cannot. If something happens to you here, how can I face High Goddess Yan Lai?” the Leader said, though he felt a sense of pride for her bravery and filial piety. He began to think about a marriage alliance with Phoenix Mountain.

Hongchen refused to listen. Xuan Ze immediately volunteered to go with her. The Clan Leader was frantic, but the two youths were already discussing the route. Ultimately, he had to follow with several thousand soldiers.

Hongchen and Xuan Ze set out, bidding the Leader farewell. Xuan Ze summoned his mount, a flying crane. Hongchen’s eyes widened. “You are quite impressive!”

“My father gave this to me. Lady, come up.” Xuan Ze pulled Hongchen onto the crane.

They flew north until the land became misty and desolate. After half a day, the crane cried out and stopped mid-air. Xuan Ze’s face paled. “There is demonic energy.”

Hongchen blinked, flew into the air, and swept her sleeves to push the boy and his crane away, setting up a barrier to protect them. She landed on the ground alone.

Inside the barrier, Xuan Ze could see nothing. He hammered on the void in a panic. “Yan Chen! Let me help you!”

Outside, Hongchen was surrounded by a grotesque beast. It was savage, its claws cracking the earth with a single strike. The beast grew black wings and took to the sky.

Hongchen frowned. “Yan Lai looks so beautiful when she spreads her wings. Why are you so ugly? No wonder you are called a monster.”

Her mockery enraged the beast. It conjured a giant sword and slashed at her. Hongchen evaded, a sword appearing in her own hand, glowing red like fire. She gathered fire at her fingertips and sent the flaming blade toward the beast.

The fog cleared, the earth cracked, and darkness swallowed the light. Hongchen could see nothing, so she threw a Night-Luminescent Pearl she had stolen from Phoenix Mountain into the air. The light caught the beast’s shadow.

The earth shook as the beast pounced. Hongchen evaded and stabbed through its skin, but her sword snapped. She was thrown back, coughing blood.

“Your hide is thick, thicker than the Heavenly Emperor’s skin.” She scrambled up and charged again.

Inside the barrier, Xuan Ze gathered his energy and shattered the seal, only to find himself in pitch blackness. He wandered, calling her name, until light finally returned to the horizon.

The beast was gone. Hongchen lay on her back, covered in blood, clutching an object in her hand. Xuan Ze rushed over, but she scrambled up with murderous intent until she recognized him.

“It’s me, Xuan Ze! Yan Chen, where is the beast?”

“Dead. Its soul is scattered; it won’t even have a chance to reincarnate.” Hongchen was exhausted. She waved him away, her hair wet with sweat, but her eyes were bright and content. Xuan Ze blushed and reached out to help her, but she moved away. “I need to rest. You go back.”

Xuan Ze refused to leave her, so Hongchen climbed onto the crane and fell asleep.

When they returned to the hall, the Clan Leader hurriedly offered more medicine, but Hongchen refused. “Medicine is useless for me now. I must go back to see my Master.” She knew her own body; she simply needed time to recover.

The Leader wanted Xuan Ze to escort her back to the mortal palace, but Hongchen refused. “My Master’s dwelling is very secluded. I can go back alone.” If more enemies come, I’d have to protect him as well. Too much trouble.

Returning to the palace, she found two days had passed in the mortal realm. Guard presence around the Empress’s hall had increased.

Hongchen went to her quarters and found Si Ming playing chess with Yan Lai. Yan Lai wore a simple sea-green jacket, looking ethereal and pure. Hongchen walked over to look at the board.

Si Ming gulped. “You… you actually came back.”

“I am the Demon Sovereign. How could I be killed by a mere beast?” Hongchen waved her off, hiding her discomfort as she handed the medicines and the monster core to Yan Lai. “I am tired and want to sleep. Do as you please.”

She walked to the inner chamber and collapsed onto the bed. Si Ming followed her and called her name twice, but there was no answer.

A murderous intent rose in Si Ming. She whispered to Yan Lai, “She is unconscious now. Why don’t we kill her? It would rid the Celestial Tribe of a great evil.”