After Provoking the Mad Beautiful Deity - Chapter 26.1

You have practiced Dual Pairing before.

Very few knew the truth of what happened all those years ago. The Heavenly Empress, who had been in seclusion for millennia, had suddenly emerged to grant an audience; the clouds of mystery were so thick that one had to be on guard.

Hongchen was straightforward; if there was a direct path, she took it. Her blunt nature, which had led the Demon Realm for years, made the Celestial people seem all the more devious. In this moment, Yan Lai’s heart unconsciously leaned toward the demons.

The breeze at the palace gate was cool and the air was clear. Hongchen looked at Yan Lai, her expression as nonchalant as ever. “So what if they are devious? I am the Demon Sovereign. What is there to fear?”

Yan Lai’s eyes held a trace of pity, as if she were mourning for Hongchen. Hongchen smiled, her eyes curving like crescents. “Fine. Go inside. I will wait for you. If you aren’t out in half an hour, I’m storming in.”

Hongchen meant what she said; she never broke her word.

“I know,” Yan Lai replied. After ten thousand years of solitude, the feeling of having someone standing behind her was… different. It was subtle; the knowledge that if she fell, someone would be there to carry the weight.

Yan Lai followed the maid inside. The palace had remained unchanged during the Empress’s long seclusion. The Empress sat by the window, watching the scenery. Yan Lai stepped forward and performed the proper Celestial salutation. “Yan Lai pays respects to Your Majesty, the Heavenly Empress.”

The Empress slowly turned her gaze and smiled. “It must have been ten thousand years since we last met.”

The words hinted at a shared history. Yan Lai, remembering nothing, chose to remain silent.

“A Gu liked you,” the Empress continued. “I also thought you were quite fine. It is a pity you chose Hongyan in the end; fate is a cruel jester. A Gu made some mistakes, which caused you and Hongyan to be separated.”

Yan Lai narrowed her eyes. “Is Hongyan a ‘Medicine Human’?”

The Empress looked up sharply. “I liked you because you were smart and beautiful.” The remark was uncomfortably flirtatious, but Yan Lai ignored it, pressing for an answer.

“Hongyan’s true form is a life-saving herb; no medicine has any effect on her. Such a plant cannot be found elsewhere in the three realms. Your Majesty, I hope you can explain this.”

The greatest mystery was why Hongyan, a Celestial, had become a demon. The Empress gestured, and a pot of tea appeared. She elegantly poured a cup for Yan Lai.

“Her mother was of the Flower Clan, a Lingzhi immortal herb from the Hundred Flower Mountain with innate healing powers. When the Heavenly Emperor fell onto that mountain long ago, he brought her back to the Celestial Tribe. Later, Hongyan was born.” The Empress pushed the cup toward Yan Lai. “Hongyan and Qing Feng are siblings—same father, different mothers. So, she is technically your sister-in-law.”

“I cannot claim such a relation,” Yan Lai said coldly.

“The immortal herb helped the Emperor break through to the High Immortal stage. He finally gained a foothold in the tribe… and later, he plotted to have Hongyan born.” The Empress sipped her tea, her expression mild. She looked up at Yan Lai. “You practiced Dual Pairing with Hongyan. You should know her constitution is different from ordinary immortals.”

Dual Pairing… Yan Lai’s face flushed, a crimson hue creeping onto her ears.

The Empress acted as if she hadn’t noticed. “The Emperor plotted for years, but you were the one who got to her first. His original intent was to throw Hongyan into a medicinal array to help him break through to the High God stage. After Hongyan was born, Qing Feng fell ill, and she served as his ‘Medicine Human’ for a hundred years.”

“Shameless!” Yan Lai could not suppress her rage. “How is the Emperor’s behavior any different from a beast?”

“Of course it’s different,” the Empress mocked. “A beast protects its young. He does not. You know he had many brothers; they were all killed by demons. With his mediocre talent, he climbed to the rank of High God and eventually ruled the three realms.”

Yan Lai was speechless. The Empress continued, “At a hundred years old, Hongyan was sent to Phoenix Mountain. Not as a Princess, but as a child of the Flower Clan to study under you. You were a High Immortal then. I heard that when you ascended to a High Goddess, it was Hongyan who endured the lightning tribulation for you. Of course, that is just hearsay. She is a natural cure; her blood, even a strand of her hair, is the finest medicine. But there is one drawback: if she is sick or injured, there is no cure for her.”

Yan Lai’s face was like frost. “A ‘Medicine Human’ for a hundred years… how did he do it?”

“I don’t know,” the Empress said dismissively. “Qing Feng and I are not close. Perhaps you should ask him. I heard he is missing; I suppose it is poetic justice.”

“Your Majesty, I have one more question. The mortal souls in the illusion…”

“I know,” the Empress smiled. “My private affairs are not for you to know.”

“Do you know,” Yan Lai pressed, “that the current Demon Sovereign, Hongchen, is the Hongyan of old? She has lost a portion of her soul, yet her power is still immense.”

“Is that so? I didn’t know,” the Empress lied smoothly. “I have told you all I can.”

“Princess Qing Gu is with her, as an artifact spirit,” Yan Lai added, trying to find a crack in the Empress’s composure.

The Empress laughed. “If she made a mistake, she must accept her punishment. Did you expect me to favor her?”

Yan Lai felt as though she were punching a bale of cotton; there was no resistance, and the Empress’s mask was impenetrable. “Yan Lai,” the Empress asked, “have you fallen in love with her again?”

“No. I only want to find the memories that were stolen from me.”

“I know nothing of your memories,” the Empress said. “I only know that on Phoenix Mountain, you and Hongyan bowed to Heaven and Earth. When you did, lightning shook the Nine Heavens. You two are naturally incompatible. If you don’t believe me, try bowing to Heaven and Earth with her again.”

Yan Lai’s mind was in a whirl. “Why do you talk of Hongyan and not the war?”

“I have no interest in the war. I am much more interested in the affairs of you two,” the Empress stated. “Go find the Elder of the Moon and get a red string to see if your hearts are truly in sync.”

Yan Lai: “…”

“Your Majesty is quite the humorist,” Yan Lai said dryly.

“Don’t fall for me; I already have a lover,” the Empress quipped, then turned serious. “You may go now. If you see Qing Feng, feel free to hit him. I won’t lend him my dignity.”

Yan Lai exited the palace to find Hongchen talking to an old man. The man was tying a red string around Hongchen’s ankle. “If you tie the other end to someone else, they will fall for you,” he explained.

“Is it that magical?” Hongchen asked happily. “And who are you, immortal friend?”

“The Elder of the Moon (Yue Lao).” He sighed, looking at her. “Phoenix Mountain really is a blessed place to raise such a beautiful girl. Yan Chen, where is your Master?”

“Yue Lao, were you looking for me?” Yan Lai walked over.

“High Goddess! You are as beautiful as ever,” Yue Lao cheered. “I have a disciple; would you like to arrange a marriage between him and your girl?”

“A marriage?” Yan Lai frowned. “No. My disciple is still young.”

Just as she spoke, Yue Lao jumped in shock. Hongchen had knelt down and tied the other end of the red string to Yan Lai’s ankle.

“Oh no! That’s your Master! You can’t tie it to her! This is against the heavens!”

Suddenly, thunder rolled across the sky. A bolt of lightning struck exactly where Hongchen was standing, but Yan Lai pulled her away just in time. The lightning seemed obsessed with Hongchen’s rebellion and struck again. Yan Lai used her magic to hold back the bolts, her slender form standing against the heavens.

“It’s a disaster!” Yue Lao cried, hiding behind Yan Lai. “I didn’t explain! You can’t tie it to your Master! Little Yan Chen, don’t be afraid, just learn from your mistake!”

The Empress emerged from her palace, watching the spectacle with a smile. “Not bad. Let the lightning see what it’s dealing with. Look at Yan Lai—her cultivation has improved. To marry someone like her to Qing Feng would be a waste.”

Yue Lao finally braved the lightning to rush forward and cut the string. The thunder stopped. Hongchen looked at her bare ankle and frowned. “Give me another one.”

“No! My life is almost over because of you!” Yue Lao hid his sleeves and ran to the Empress. The Empress reached into his pocket, pulled out another string, and tossed it to Hongchen.

As they left the Nine Heavens, Yue Lao chased after them, babbling about the string meant for the Prince. Hongchen stopped him. Suddenly, Yue Lao’s robes caught fire, and the strings were incinerated.

He screamed for help. Yan Lai didn’t move, and Hongchen seemed to realize something. The Water God happened to pass by and doused the old man with a wave of water, leaving him shivering. The Water God shared a knowing smile with Yan Lai and walked on.

Hongchen, reminded of the “god-awful” San Meng, said, “Let’s go save Little Ten.”

They found San Meng’s palace easily. Inside, they were enveloped by a thick mist. Images began to appear within the fog. Hongchen stopped at one particular mist cloud. In the vision, two figures were entwined on a bed behind red silk curtains, illuminated by candlelight.

Hongchen couldn’t move her feet. One figure held the other’s waist, pressing her into an embrace before they kissed—a deep, lingering kiss as they leaned back, robes half-open.

Suddenly, a white veil appeared, obscuring the view. Hongchen hurriedly tried to brush it away, but Yan Lai was standing in front of her. “You’re blocking me!” Hongchen snapped.

“Blocking you from what?” Yan Lai asked, displeased.

“I want to see what happens next!” Hongchen blurted out.

“I don’t want to see what happens next,” Yan Lai replied quickly.

“You’re just prudish. Don’t drag me down with you!”

Yan Lai wouldn’t budge. “Correct your attitude.”

“You want a Demon Sovereign to correct her attitude? Are you mad?”

“Right now, you are Yan Chen of Phoenix Mountain, my disciple. You do as I say.”

“You…” Hongchen huffed and tried to find another mist cloud. Every time she moved, Yan Lai blocked her. “You have no sense of romance!” Hongchen grumbled.

“I am a person of few desires,” Yan Lai said, resigned.

Hongchen stood there, staring at her. Finally, she took a step forward, imitated the vision she had just seen, grabbed Yan Lai’s waist, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed the “desireless” lips of the High Goddess.

Yan Lai stood paralyzed, unable to retreat. Her lips were pressed against a pair of tender ones, and her heart beat like a war drum. A delicate, intoxicating fragrance wafted over her, smelling exceptionally sweet. She forgot to resist; the scent was heady, and a tide rose within her heart. She fought to suppress an unknown impulse, yet Hongchen’s tongue pushed forward, prying open her teeth.