After Provoking the Mad Beautiful Deity - Chapter 29

“How Could You Take the Medicine?”

The two wandered through the Heavenly Realm before arriving at the Hall of Profound Heaven. The hall was filled with immortals engaged in a noisy dispute. The Heavenly Emperor sat upon his throne with a dark expression, while the Empress yawned listlessly, looking as though she hadn’t slept well.

 

Hong Chen whispered a small comment, “Too many colorful dreams, perhaps.”

 

“Be quiet,” Yan Lai whispered back sharply. One more word and they risked exposing their identities.

 

The crowd’s attention was entirely on the Medical Immortal; no one had the spare energy to check if everyone in the hall was who they claimed to be. San Meng usually avoided the politics of the Immortal Realm anyway, often hiding in corners to eavesdrop. Today, Yan Lai also stood in a corner to avoid the Heavenly Emperor’s gaze, though their disguises were little more than petty tricks in front of the ruler of Heaven and Earth.

 

After a long period of clamor, the Emperor and Empress remained speechless. The Heavenly Emperor’s face turned livid as he struck the table, shouting, “Silence! Do you have any evidence to prove Qing Feng stole and swapped the root bone?”

 

“If Prince Qing Feng did not swap the root bone, why would High God Yan Lai kill the Medical Immortal when there was no grievance between them?” Old Man Yuan Ji stroked his beard. “High God Yan Lai has remained distant from worldly affairs for years. Given her temperament, she would never target another without reason. There is no effect without a cause.”

 

“Yuan Ji is absolutely right. I also remember Prince Qing Feng being ill for a long time. Suddenly his health recovered, and his cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds.”

 

Yuan Ji nodded. “I remember as well. Your Majesty, why not summon the Prince and investigate? Although this is a family matter, you cannot be biased. The Princess is also your daughter, and possessing a spirit root is a blessing.”

 

“Absurd! How could I commit such an atrocity? You come here to pressure me without a shred of evidence. What logic is this?” the Heavenly Emperor thundered.

 

Hong Chen listened for a while but couldn’t quite follow. She quietly tugged at Yan Lai’s sleeve. Yan Lai looked at her, and Hong Chen gestured toward the exit.

 

It was time to go. Listening to these hypocritical Immortals talk was enough to shorten one’s lifespan.

 

Yan Lai agreed; she had no patience for this cycle of shifting blame. She and Hong Chen quietly slipped out of the Hall of Profound Heaven.

 

Once outside, Hong Chen pulled Yan Lai toward the Empress’s private chambers.

 

Yan Lai was confused, but Hong Chen simply knocked out the guards. Upon entering the palace, they discovered a barrier had been set up inside. Yan Lai found it suspicious: why would there be a barrier in addition to the Heavenly Soldiers? There had to be a treasure inside.

 

The two shared a silent understanding. Yan Lai’s long fingers glowed as she channeled spiritual power. In an instant, boiling flames erupted and surged toward the barrier.

 

Simultaneously, Hong Chen attacked the other side. With their combined power, the barrier broke in less than fifteen minutes.

 

The Empress would surely sense the breach, so they had to find the treasure before she returned.

 

While Hong Chen looked around the hall, Yan Lai headed straight for the inner bedchamber. With a wave of her sleeve, a pot of green immortal grass appeared beside the bed. A soul resided within the grass, glowing softly.

 

The immortal grass was extremely weak. Its soul was incomplete, and it lacked even the strength to take human form. Hong Chen let out a sound of surprise. Yan Lai wrapped the immortal grass in a protective layer and handed it to Hong Chen. “Back to Phoenix Mountain.”

 

“Wait, is this the Imperial Consort’s soul?” Hong Chen realized belatedly. She had intended to steal treasures for the Demon Realm, not someone’s soul.

 

She thought about it and tried to put it back. “The consciousness is so faint; it might perish on the way. Why harm them?”

 

Yan Lai was surprised. People said the Demon Lord killed without blinking, yet she couldn’t bear to harm a single blade of grass.

 

As the two reached a standstill, a hurricane-like wind swept in. Yan Lai lunged forward to shield the immortal grass, casting a spell to block the gale.

 

The wind died down, and the Empress arrived gracefully. Seeing that the intruders were just two juniors, she relaxed. She landed and looked at Hong Chen with a slight smile. “Give the immortal grass to me, and I will give you something good.”

 

The two had shed their disguises upon breaking the barrier, and the Empress recognized Hong Chen.

 

Hong Chen hadn’t wanted to take the grass to Phoenix Mountain anyway. Hearing the Empress’s offer, she paused. The Empress’s fingers were porcelain white, and two jade bottles appeared in her palm.

 

The bottles were a translucent green and glowed with a fine quality. The containers alone were treasures, let alone the medicine inside.

 

Hong Chen stared intently. Yan Lai frowned, a sudden sense of unease rising in her heart.

 

Sure enough, the Empress picked up one of the bottles and smiled. “You want to engage in Dual Cultivation, don’t you?”

 

Hong Chen said nothing. Yan Lai pressed a hand to her forehead. The Empress was improper, and Hong Chen was improper; the two of them were cut from the same cloth. While Yan Lai was distracted by her own exasperation, Hong Chen was buzzing with excitement. The Empress made a move to hand her the bottle. “This medicine will make her very obedient. She will let you do whatever you want, in any position you desire.”

 

“Your Majesty, she is a junior,” Yan Lai finally interrupted. She had helped raise Hong Chen for a time; how could the Empress corrupt her like this?

 

The Empress curled her lips, ignoring Yan Lai’s protest. She continued to Hong Chen, “This bottle is unique in all of Heaven and Earth. The other bottle adds strength, lest you faint halfway through.”

 

Hong Chen’s eyes sparkled like stars. She was beyond excited and looked ready to snatch the medicine. She thought seriously for a moment and then asked, “It sounds like good medicine, but I don’t know the techniques for cultivation.”

 

The Empress: “…”

 

The Empress was not a rigid or pedantic person. Hearing this, she burst into laughter, her frame trembling with mirth. Hong Chen just watched her laugh.

 

“Hong Chen, you really are adorable,” the Empress praised, perhaps a bit insincerely. “How can you not know?”

 

She used to know!

 

“Give me the immortal grass, and I will handle everything for you. I’ll give you the medicine and the techniques. What do you say?”

 

Hong Chen was tempted. Yan Lai tried to stop her. “Do not listen to her.”

 

“Her conditions are very enticing,” Hong Chen said without hesitation.

 

Yan Lai said urgently, “I know how to do it too. Don’t believe her.”

 

“You have the medicine?” Hong Chen’s eyes widened.

 

Yan Lai gave a soft “Mm.”

 

Hong Chen became even more excited. “And you know the techniques?”

 

Yan Lai nodded slightly.

 

“I believe you!” Hong Chen sold herself out instantly. She looked at the Empress happily. “See? You don’t have a monopoly on this.”

 

Despite their opposing sides, the Empress laughed so hard she could barely stand straight, though she maintained her elegant posture.

 

Yan Lai had inadvertently trapped herself. The Empress mocked her, “The Immortal and Demon Realms claim High God Yan Lai is the most observant of etiquette and restraint. Seeing you today, it seems the rumors are unreliable. Yan Lai, do you actually have this medicine?”

 

Yan Lai, who was already speaking through a thick layer of shame, felt like sinking into the ground. The Empress added gently, “High God Yan Lai, it isn’t nice to bully your own disciple.”

 

Yan Lai knit her brows, wondering how to break this deadlock. The Empress beckoned Hong Chen closer. Hong Chen figured her spiritual power was enough to protect her, so she walked over calmly.

 

The Empress whispered to the “silly” Demon Lord, “That grass is useless to you. Give it to me, and I will teach you everything. High God Yan Lai is the paragon of the Immortals; how could she understand matters of passion? When you kiss her, isn’t she stiff and inexperienced?”

 

Recalling their first kiss, where Yan Lai’s body had indeed been rigid, Hong Chen nodded. The Empress patted her shoulder. “Exactly. She is lying to you. Yan Lai cultivates the Way of Emotionlessness; she understands nothing of love.”

 

Hong Chen’s heart began to waver again.

 

It was true; Yan Lai was like a block of wood. Swayed by the argument, Hong Chen stared longingly at the jade bottles. The Empress acted the part of a caring elder. “She understands nothing and is specifically trying to deceive you. Think of her status, and think of what has happened between you. Her Heart-Cleansing Curse is the best proof of that.”

 

At the mention of the Heart-Cleansing Curse, Hong Chen was completely convinced. “Right! She also placed a Heart-Cleansing Curse on me. Now, whenever I look at her, my eyes feel hooded.”

 

The Empress smiled, finally breathing a sigh of relief. “Go, bring the immortal grass to me. In the future, I can teach you everything about love and desire.”

 

Having been ignorant for so long, Hong Chen thought back to the Empress’s “colorful dreams.” She clicked her tongue and turned to grab the immortal grass.

 

Yan Lai immediately moved to protect the grass, blocking Hong Chen with open arms. “How can you delay great matters for such trivialities?”

 

“Dual cultivating with you is the great matter. Everything else is trivial,” Hong Chen replied, her words enough to make anyone fume. Yan Lai, in her anger, cast a hand seal. Hong Chen’s eyes were immediately covered. She blinked. “I can’t see anything…”

 

Yan Lai looked at the Empress and let out a cold laugh. “Your Majesty, how did A-Rou die?”

 

“A-Rou?” The Empress’s smile froze.

 

Yan Lai grabbed Hong Chen and launched a strike at the Empress. While the Empress was busy blocking, Yan Lai snatched the immortal grass and fled.

 

Hong Chen cried out in protest, unwilling to give up. She pushed past Yan Lai to snatch the jade bottles from the Empress’s hand.

 

Hong Chen’s explosive power was formidable; she erupted in flames. In the Empress’s moment of distraction, Hong Chen grabbed the bottles and ran.

 

The two fled at lightning speed. The Empress stamped her foot in frustration and gave chase.

 

The three flew through the air, one after another, leaving the Nine Heavens behind. Yan Lai flew toward Phoenix Mountain, but Hong Chen headed back toward the Demon Realm, temporarily parting ways with Yan Lai.

 

The medicine was a priority!

 

The Empress didn’t care about the medicine and went straight after Yan Lai.

 

They finally landed on Qing Yan Peak at Phoenix Mountain.

 

Yan Lai placed the immortal grass on the ruined steps and turned to face the angry Empress. “Now we can speak properly.”

 

“What do you want to ask?” the Empress suppressed her rage.

 

Yan Lai stood amidst the ruins, unfazed. She raised her hand to restore the scene to its former glory: pavilions, red lanterns, and red silk. As the Empress’s anger dissipated, Yan Lai asked with a smile, “Who killed A-Rou?”

 

“She took her own life.” The Empress took a deep breath, her heart aching with a piercing pain.

 

Yan Lai was startled. “But she was Hong Yan’s mother.”

 

The Empress remained silent.

 

Yan Lai knew she had asked the right question. She pushed further, “Why did Hong Yan fall into the demonic path? She was a Princess of the Heavenly Realm and a disciple of Phoenix Mountain with a limitless future. How did she end up as a Demon?”

 

The Empress didn’t know how to answer. She bit her lip and thought deeply. “I cannot answer that. Some things must remain secret. Yan Lai, you speak of nothing but Hong Yan, but have you thought of your own kin? You are the last Phoenix. Have you never thought of reviving your clan?”

 

“Empress, Yan Lai is without emotion or love. Even if the Phoenix clan vanishes from the world, I will not do as you suggest—marry, have children, and live a peaceful life.” Yan Lai spoke candidly. “I truly feel no affection for the Prince. As for Hong Chen, I am merely curious and wish to investigate her past.”

 

“Yan Lai, there is a magical artifact on Phoenix Mountain that can return you to the past. Beyond that, I cannot help you.” The Empress’s expression turned sorrowful. “Go back ten thousand years and see if you can save the Phoenix clan.”

 

Yan Lai had a sudden realization. “The artifact is not from Phoenix Mountain, and I am not its master.”

 

“The artifact is called Flowing Light. It was a gift from a Protector of the Demon Realm to Hong Yan. It requires blood to be summoned. Hong Yan once used it to return to the past, though I do not know the details. I only know that she went back to save your life.” The Empress sighed. “I thought you cared for your clan as I do. I didn’t expect you to become so cold and indifferent.”

 

Yan Lai remained unmoved. She was indeed indifferent. For some reason, hearing about her clan stirred no emotion in her heart, as if she were hearing the names of total strangers.

 

The Empress laughed softly. “If you had been this decisive ten thousand years ago, none of these disasters would have happened. Yan Lai, the one who injured you was Hong Yan. Eight or nine tenths of your memory were taken by her.”

 

“Then where is her soul?” Yan Lai was not surprised.

 

The Empress looked toward the immortal grass on the ground. “I don’t know. After A-Rou died, I went into seclusion to save her. Over ten thousand years, I have only managed to nurture a fragment of her soul. I did not experience the Great War of Immortals and Demons, so I cannot answer your questions. Either find the secrets yourself or convince the Demon Lord to activate the Flowing Light Formation. Actually, your current life isn’t bad; there is no need to obsess over the past.”

 

“Your Majesty, is the current situation truly ‘not bad’? The Heavenly Emperor’s actions are an affront to both gods and men. How can you expect me to trust him?” Yan Lai said with disdain. Furthermore, the person who injured her had yet to show their face; such a powerful cultivation was a hidden threat to the Demon Realm as well.

 

At the mention of the Heavenly Emperor, the Empress looked ashamed. “It is getting late. I have answered what I can. Give A-Rou back to me. Yan Lai, do not go head-to-head with him, and do not defy him.”

 

Yan Lai stepped aside. The Empress rushed forward to gather the immortal grass into her arms, her face lighting up with joy. When she looked back at Yan Lai, her gaze had turned cold. “Yan Lai, you are still as conceited as ever.”

 

With that, she flew away with the immortal grass.

 

Yan Lai stood alone among the ruins, looking in the direction the Empress had gone.

 

Summoned by blood… does that mean trading one’s life? The Empress’s tone had been casual, but the meaning behind it was chilling.

 

She turned to look at the ruins, where a dark aura of resentment was rising. She waved her sleeve to suppress it. Leaving Qing Yan Peak, she remembered the Demon Lord who hadn’t followed her.

 

Did she take the medicine and go back to the Demon Realm to enjoy herself?

 

What a little troublemaker, using any means necessary.

 

Yan Lai gathered her thoughts and immediately summoned the Qilin to pursue her to the Demon Realm.

 

The Qilin had not seen Yan Lai for days. Hearing the summons, it flew over and circled her happily. “High God, High God! I missed you! When did you get back? How should we handle that guard?”

 

“To the Demon Realm first. We’ll settle things when we return,” Yan Lai said succinctly.

 

The Qilin, unaware of the details, transformed into its true form and carried Yan Lai to the Demon Realm. Without a guide, it was difficult for Immortals to enter. Last time, Yan Lai had been brought in by Hong Chen.

 

Upon entering the Demon Realm, the Qilin flew quickly to the Demon Lord’s palace.

 

At that moment, the Demon Lord was discussing the properties of the medicine with the Demon Physician. Hong Chen didn’t trust the Empress and wanted the physician to check the ingredients.

 

The Demon Physician opened the jade bottle and took a sniff. His eyes glazed over, and he instinctively capped the bottle. “Just a sniff makes the blood boil. Your Majesty should use this sparingly; the effect is too potent.”

 

“Is it harmful to the body?” Hong Chen asked, concerned for her health.

 

The physician replied honestly, “It is good medicine made from immortal herbs. It won’t harm the body. However, taking too much is still not advisable.”

 

Hong Chen looked thoughtful. She opened the bottle and took a sniff. The physician panicked. “Your Majesty! Please, don’t sniff it!”

 

“Will it work on me?” Hong Chen was confused. Her constitution was unique; usually, no medicine had any effect on her. To test it, she poured out a pill and swallowed it.

 

The physician nearly fainted.

 

Hong Chen waited quietly for the effect. The physician was incredibly worried. “How could you test the medicine on yourself? If it works… if it… should I find a girl for you?”

 

“Physician, how long does it take to kick in? I don’t feel anything. Why don’t you try one?” Hong Chen waited for a long time, but she didn’t feel any heat or discomfort. She didn’t even feel warm.

 

The physician paused and felt her pulse. After a long time, he found nothing wrong. He was also puzzled. “Could it be that this medicine takes a long time to act?”

 

The master and servant stared at each other. Hong Chen’s excitement turned into a dark scowl. She opened the second bottle, poured out a pill, and swallowed that too.

 

The Empress said the two medicines complemented each other. Perhaps both were necessary.

 

The physician watched with bated breath as Hong Chen waited, touching her chest and then her cheeks, which usually flushed easily.

 

She was starting to feel disappointed. The physician remained anxious, not daring to blink.

 

After waiting a while, instead of the medicine taking effect, the Qilin arrived. It flew into the Demon Palace, and the guards did not dare stop it. Yan Lai followed inside.

 

The jade bottles were already open. Yan Lai hadn’t even found her footing when her body suddenly swayed. The Qilin quickly reached out to support her arm. “High God, what is wrong?”

 

Yan Lai had no time to deal with the junior. She rushed forward and snatched the jade bottles. Just smelling the scent made her throat burn and her heart boil. She immediately capped the bottles and scolded Hong Chen, “How could you take the medicine?”