After Provoking the Mad Beautiful Deity - Chapter 32.1

“The medicine, it seems, is gone.”

The Heart-Cleansing Incantation moves according to the heart. If the heart harbors desire, the incantation is triggered. If there is no desire and the heart remains as still as water, the incantation loses its effect.

Sanmeng suddenly realized this and looked at the Demon Lord, Hongchen, with a peculiar expression. “You actually have no desire for me.”

I am this beautiful; how could you not be moved?

Hongchen said with a smirk, “If you were to take off all your clothes.”

Once again, Yanlai covered Hongchen’s mouth to stop her “wolfish” words. She sighed toward the heavens, wondering what on earth had happened over the last ten thousand years to make this girl so foul-mouthed.

Having been teased without cause, Sanmeng’s face flushed slightly with displeasure. “I didn’t realize the Demon Lord was so lecherous.”

Lecherous? Yanlai agreed, yet this “lecherous” Demon Lord understood nothing to this day. She knew how to kiss, but was utterly ignorant of anything else.

To call her lecherous felt a bit excessive. Yet, to say she wasn’t lecherous wasn’t quite right either; she certainly wasn’t innocent. Yanlai truly didn’t know how to describe this rebellious Demon Lord.

Hongchen brushed Yanlai’s hand aside and insisted, “Actually, I only wanted to enter the dreamscape. I have zero interest in you.”

“You are insulting me!” Sanmeng flared up in rage.

Hongchen teased, “Insulting you? If I say I’m not interested, it’s an insult. If I say I am interested, it’s harassment. So what exactly am I supposed to say?”

Yanlai couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Sanmeng glared at her. “Don’t laugh! You two are in league with each other!”

Yanlai composed herself and stood to the side. Hongchen looked perfectly innocent, counting on her fingers as she continued to bicker with Sanmeng, who covered her ears, refusing to listen.

Growing annoyed, Hongchen cast a spell to freeze Sanmeng in place. She sat down and said earnestly, “I truly have no interest in you. You are so old, hundreds of thousands of years old. Being old is one thing, but your memory is terrible. And even with a bad memory, look at you: after hundreds of thousands of years, you’ve only managed to become a High Immortal. Aside from that face of yours, do you have any other attractive qualities?”

“Oh, right, one more thing: you are immortal and indestructible. You’re an old iron tree that hasn’t bloomed in eons; what kind of interest do you expect me to have?”

“Think about it. No one has liked you for hundreds of thousands of years. Shouldn’t you look for the reason within yourself?”

Hongchen’s tone was full of mock pity, making it impossible for Yanlai to keep a straight face; she hid her smile behind her sleeve. Sanmeng couldn’t move, only her eyes darting back and forth. The gap in their power was too wide; she couldn’t break through Hongchen’s restriction at all.

After prattling on for a while, Hongchen waved her sleeve to release the seal. Sanmeng swung a fist to strike her, but Hongchen stood her ground. “You? Trying to hit someone? High Immortal Sanmeng, you are a High Immortal, not a High Goddess.”

“I was once a High Goddess!” Sanmeng hissed through gritted teeth.

Hongchen looked at Yanlai. Yanlai nodded. “During the Great War between Immortals and Demons, she broke through and ascended to High Goddess after falling into a demonic state.”

“Falling into a demonic state gives you power. Since you can’t break through your cultivation in the Immortal Clan, why not come to the Demon Realm?” Hongchen offered an invitation. The Demon Race had shortcuts for cultivation; some loved to drain human essence or kill to seize artifacts, which was exactly why the Immortals looked down upon them.

Sanmeng collapsed backward, covering her ears to block out the “demonic chanting.”

After their play-fighting, Yanlai led Hongchen away to let Sanmeng rest.

Siming had just left in a state of confusion. Yanlai was worried, so she placed a protective spell on her; if anything happened, Yanlai would know immediately.

Back at the sleeping quarters, Hongchen sat familiarly on Yanlai’s bed. Exhausted, Yanlai didn’t even bother to argue with her.

However, there was one thing she had to mention.

“What ‘generous gift’ did the Night King give you?”

“I gave it to you.”

“Is a single dangling hairpin worth the two of you whispering suspiciously behind my back?”

Hongchen looked at the sky and then at the floor tiles, keeping her mouth shut. Yanlai walked up to her, held out her hand, and said firmly, “Give it to me.”

“I don’t have anything,” Hongchen refused to admit it.

Yanlai was now visibly angry. “Truly nothing?”

“Nothing,” Hongchen nodded eagerly.

Yanlai said, “Take off your clothes.”

“Oh? Are we doing Dual Cultivation?” Hongchen was suddenly excited. Before Yanlai could say another word, she started stripping.

As the outer robe was cast aside, Yanlai walked over, picked it up, and searched through it. She immediately found two bottles, one red and one white.

Hongchen was stunned. “You played me!”

Yanlai gave a thin smile. “A small trick. Don’t let it amuse the Demon Lord too much.”

Hongchen’s expression darkened as if dipped in ink. She instinctively tried to snatch them back, but Yanlai dodged. Hongchen snapped, “Go ahead and take them. I’ll just go get more. The Night King has plenty!”

Yanlai remained calm. “No matter. You take them, I destroy them.”

“How can you be so petty? I took them to eat like candy; they’re quite sweet. Be more open-minded,” Hongchen urged earnestly.

Yanlai sneered. “Open-minded? You tried to give me an aphrodisiac, and I’m supposed to be open-minded?”

Hongchen paused, a realization dawning on her. “Wait, it was for you to eat? Not for me? I thought it was for me. Since it was useless when I ate it, why don’t you try some? It’s really sweet.”

Yanlai was speechless. It was like talking to a toddler. How do you reason with the logic of a three-year-old?

You can’t.

Giving up, Yanlai summoned a fire and burned the bottles to ashes. Hongchen watched, fuming. Yanlai brushed her hands and said grandly, “I’ll take you out to buy some real candy.”

“I don’t want it! My medicine!” Hongchen wanted to cry but had no tears. She threw a tantrum on Yanlai’s bed, looking as if she wanted to kick holes in it.

Yanlai felt helpless. “Candy is very sweet. I’ve heard the candied haws at the foot of the mountain are quite good.”

“I won’t eat them. Unless you wrap yourself in sugar silk and stuff yourself into my mouth; only then will I be happy.” Hongchen crossed her arms, tilting her head and glaring, looking as if she wanted to swallow Yanlai whole.

Yanlai thought for a moment. She hadn’t been to the mortal world in ten thousand years and didn’t know what else was good to eat.

“How about we go buy some clothes?” “I’ve heard there are puppet shows down there.” “You’ve worn that red dress for a long time; let’s make some new ones.”

Hongchen’s heart ached with frustration. Looking at Yanlai’s upright, almost stiffly formal posture and her cold, elegant features, Hongchen let out a huff. Yanlai stepped forward and tapped her on the forehead. “Are you going or not?”

Hongchen considered it. Her red robes were vivid, and the slight curve of her eyes gave her a look that was both flirtatious and pure. The peach-wood hairpin in her hair added a touch of rustic grace. Even though peach wood was meant to suppress demons, she wore it with total ease.

The pouting Hongchen looked like a pure, beautiful flower; stripped of her usual intensity, she invited pity.

Yanlai hesitated for a long time. “If you don’t go, I’m leaving.”

“Is that an apology?” Hongchen’s suppressed anger flared up again. “I must have been blind to like you!”

Yanlai sighed. “I’ll let you take a bite?”

The anger vanished instantly. Hongchen asked gleefully, “Where should I bite?”

Yanlai held out her wrist. The smile on Hongchen’s face froze. “Who wants to bite your arm? What’s so good about an arm?”

Restless as ever, Hongchen began to scan her body, from her brows to her nose, her lips, her neck, her chest, and finally, her waist.

Yanlai: “…”

Too far. Just as she was about to say something, the white silk veil appeared over Hongchen’s eyes. In an instant, Yanlai smiled.

Retribution had come quickly.

Hongchen lost her temper instantly. She brushed the veil away, feeling nothing but loathing for it. It was utterly shameful that a Great Demon Lord was repeatedly shaken by a piece of white silk.

She took a deep breath. “Lift the Heart-Cleansing Incantation for me, and I’ll stop being angry.”

Yanlai thought for a second. “Then you should just stay angry.”

Hongchen: “…”

“You are so stiff. I’m going back to the Demon Realm.” “Fine. Go back.” “I’m going to the Night King for more medicine.” “Go ahead.”

Hongchen was ready for a fight, while Yanlai remained indifferent. Their moods were total opposites. The Night Pearls illuminated the hall with such clarity that every detail of Hongchen’s flushed face was visible. Her displeasure was magnified.

Yanlai turned the tables, taking the initiative. She pressed forward until Hongchen had nowhere to retreat. Hongchen’s hands were clenched tight within her wide sleeves as she stared back stubbornly.

“You can go to the Night King for as much medicine as you want, eat it yourself or give it to others, I don’t mind,” Yanlai said with a thin smile.

“Then why did you burn it just now?”

“You had it because you wanted to give it to me. It’s useless to you but effective on me. How could I leave it for you to torment me with?”

“I didn’t know it was for you! If I’d known, I would have, I would have,” Hongchen’s confidence wavered.

Yanlai pressed closer. “Demon Lord, you would have what?”

“Asked for more bottles.”

Yanlai looked displeased. “More bottles? You planned to keep me on it for tens of thousands of years?”

“It’s a very good plan,” Hongchen squinted.

Yanlai studied the girl for a moment, a cold smile appearing on her face. She called out frostily, “Chu Hongchen.”

“My surname isn’t Chu! Don’t call me that!” Hongchen felt incredibly guilty. It seemed Yanlai was truly angry. She looked up and smiled, but the coldness was bone-deep. Suddenly, the person in front of her leaned in, her breath brushing against Hongchen’s face.

In an instant, Hongchen grew even weaker. She said flustered, “If you say my name is Chu, then it’s Chu. I’ll listen to whatever you say.”

“Is that so? Then are you still going to give me aphrodisiacs?” Yanlai’s aura became dominant. Under the soft light of the Night Pearls, Hongchen’s face looked like flawless white jade.

Panicked, Hongchen licked her lips. Her red lips became moist, looking like a ripe fruit waiting to be picked.

“Actually, we could eat it together.”

“You mean you eat candy and I eat medicine?” Yanlai asked.

Hongchen waved her hands, her eyes wide. “I’ll eat the medicine, you eat the candy.”

“Is that so?” Yanlai’s tone was haunting, as if she didn’t believe her. She quickly changed the subject. “Where is the medicine the Empress gave you?”

Hongchen had hidden it on her person. Bewitched by Yanlai, she obediently took it out. Yanlai immediately took it and burned it to ash. Hongchen’s eyes went even wider.

Something felt wrong. Why was the Empress’s medicine gone too?

Just as she was about to get angry, Yanlai straightened up. Realizing what was happening, Hongchen acted decisively, wrapping her arms around Yanlai’s waist and pulling her down onto the bed.

With a whirl of movement, Yanlai cried out in surprise. Her hands were pinned to the pillow by Hongchen. She shouted, “What are you doing?”

Hongchen pouted. “You tricked me out of my medicine.”

Yanlai’s trick had been seen through, but alas, the medicine was already gone. Yanlai smiled with satisfaction, while Hongchen wore a mournful expression. “Is this how you trick your disciple?”

“Is this how a disciple treats her master, by planning to give her aphrodisiacs? You started it; I simply finished it. We’re even.” Yanlai spoke with gentle reason. “Let us get along. You can cultivate here on my Phoenix Mountain, and I won’t drive you away. What do you think?”

It was a tempting offer. Hongchen’s heart was moved, and her voice rose in excitement. “Then, do we sleep in the same place?”

Caught in her own trap, Yanlai nodded. “We can.”

“Then, can we do Dual Cultivation?” Hongchen seized the chance for a benefit.

Yanlai frowned. A moment later, she answered with the calmest tone possible: “Think about it carefully. Regarding Dual Cultivation, it’s not that I’m unwilling. It’s that you don’t know how.”

Hongchen hesitated. Yanlai’s composure was perfect; she was being gentle and wasn’t saying no. Hongchen was completely fooled. She obediently let go and sat on the bed in a daze.

It wasn’t that Yanlai was unwilling; it was just that she herself didn’t know how to do it.

Since their first meeting, Hongchen had harbored stray thoughts of impropriety, yet Yanlai had never sought to kill her. Over time, the two had helped each other, and though the divide between Immortals and Demons was vast, they had found a way to get along quite harmoniously. As for the matter of Dual Cultivation, the techniques were profound; clearly, the problem lay with her own lack of knowledge.

This wouldn’t do. She had to go study and familiarize herself with the mysteries of the craft.

Hongchen nodded. “You’re right. We do get along very well. Wait for me; I’ll go find a way.”

“There are many books on Phoenix Mountain. You can go look through them; it will also help your cultivation.” Yanlai breathed a secret sigh of relief, maintaining a calm and detached facade without showing a hint of her true reluctance.

Tempted by her words, Hongchen was immediately filled with fighting spirit. “I’m going to read!”

“I’ll have a celestial attendant guide you so you don’t get lost.” Yanlai looked at her candidly, her eyes as gentle as a slow stream. Her aura signaled a peaceful state of mind, no longer as rigid as before.

Hongchen hurried away in a flash.

Yanlai let out a long breath and lay down the moment the other disappeared. She is far too difficult to fool.

Fortunately, the trick had worked.

Yanlai lay comfortably on the bed with a slight curl to her lips. Though the situation was somewhat startling, she found it increasingly humorous. The lonely life of ten thousand years was gone, never to return. She found herself actually enjoying Hongchen’s company.

It was truly amusing.

With the Demon Lord gone, she took the opportunity to get some much-needed rest. In her familiar surroundings, Yanlai quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Meanwhile, Hongchen found the Library Pavilion. Upon entering, she was met with rows upon rows of bookshelves—a vast sea of literature. To find a specific technique manually would take a decade, if not a century.

Her head throbbed at the sight. She decided to use her magic, releasing her divine sense. While ordinary people might read ten lines at a glance, she scanned ten books at a time, easily finishing hundreds in a short span.

After half a day, Hongchen sat down and sighed. She had never worked this hard on her own cultivation. Who would have thought she would be studying this diligently for the sake of Dual Cultivation?

She didn’t know how, but did Yanlai not know either?