After Provoking the Mad Beautiful Deity - Chapter 42

Yanlai slept in her clothes, wearing a smoke-blue dress. The garment was from Phoenix Mountain, adorned with tiny golden phoenixes at the waist and cuffs. Her belt was a band of white silk, fastened with a jade piece likewise carved in the shape of a phoenix.

As she lay there, her robes spread across the couch, light and thin as clouds. Her long hair fell across the pillow, forming a sharp contrast with her alabaster skin. Her face remained unchanged from their first meeting, cool and dusted with a hint of frost.

Hong Chen stared at her so intently she nearly bored a hole through her, until Yanlai opened her eyes. Meeting those amber pupils, Hong Chen hurriedly looked away.

Yanlai glanced at her and turned over to go back to sleep. Hong Chen sat up in a huff. “I am going back to the Demon Realm.”

“Go then. Investigate the demon soldier raid on Phoenix Mountain while you are at it,” Yanlai replied, offering no resistance.

Hong Chen gnashed her teeth. “If I leave, I am not coming back.”

Yanlai gave a muffled hum in response, seemingly indifferent.

Hong Chen refused to admit defeat. “I am going to find San Meng.”

“That is fine too. Help San Meng recover.”

Hong Chen practically jumped. “San Meng is much gentler than me!”

“Hmm?” Yanlai finally woke up fully. She looked at her with displeasure, her eyes radiating a heavy pressure. Hong Chen instinctively took a step back, missed her footing, and tumbled off the raised platform.

Yanlai let out a sneer. “Go find her then. She likes you anyway. Take her back to the Demon Realm. You are both demons now; it is a perfect match.”

Despite the bickering, Hong Chen retained some logic. She did not actually leave. She used a spell to untie the red silks, and once free, she glared at Yanlai. “No wonder you have no friends.”

“I have friends. Si Meng and San Meng are both friends.”

“Are they normal people? One is unreliable, the other is half-mad.”

“You have a point. But do I not have you as well?”

“I am NOT your friend!” Hong Chen roared.

She was finally truly angry. Yanlai found it amusing, pursing her lips as she pressed, “If not a friend, then you are a disciple.”

Hong Chen turned and stormed out of the sleeping quarters. Once outside, she crooked her finger, and the Qilin immediately flew over. “Demon Venerable! Demon Venerable!”

“Back to the Demon Realm.” Hong Chen could not stay a moment longer; the air felt suffocating.

The Qilin was baffled. “Why are you angry?”

Angry about what? Hong Chen could not say it. She could hardly complain that Yanlai would not let her touch her. She glared at the meddling Qilin. “None of your business! Back to the Demon Realm!”

The Qilin was bewildered by the scolding. The Demon Venerable had actually learned how to snap at people. She rubbed her head and shifted into her original form. Hong Chen prepared to fly up.

In the distance, a figure approached. She looked up; it was Yan Guang.

There was a barrier on the mountain that Yan Guang could not bypass. She stood on a cloud, anxiously sending messages to her master.

Hong Chen flew up and brought her down. As Hong Chen sat on the steps by the entrance, Yan Guang knelt and reported, “Disciple has investigated thoroughly. Someone impersonated the Dark Night King to issue orders. The Dark Night King has already executed the subordinate who faked the command.”

Hong Chen was still angry, but she calmed down upon hearing the news. “Who is the mastermind?”

“Not found. They are hidden very deeply. The person blew themselves up after revealing the secret; they likely took a death oath,” Yan Guang replied.

As master and disciple discussed the matter seriously, the Qilin crouched to the side and peeked toward the palace doors. She suddenly noticed the High Goddess standing there, eavesdropping.

The Demon Venerable said, “Forget it. We will talk more after we return.”

The Young Lord was puzzled. “You are returning to the Demon Realm?”

The Demon Venerable was very displeased. “Returning.”

The Young Lord asked, “You are not living off a woman anymore?”

The Demon Venerable’s face soured. “No more. I am going back to eat the hard way.”

The Young Lord asked again, “Did you see a fairy more beautiful than Teacher’s Wife?”

The Demon Venerable remained silent. The Young Lord added, “The fairy you abducted last time was not bad either.”

The Demon Venerable asked, “Which fairy?”

The Young Lord said, “You abducted two! Aside from Teacher’s Wife, there is the one you said took away Little Ten.”

“That Dream Fairy,” the Demon Venerable realized.

The Young Lord clapped. “That is the one! Oh, why am I on fire?”

Yan Guang suddenly burst into flames, jumping in place and swatting at the fire. The flames were immense, surrounding her in a red glow. Hong Chen watched her burn with a calm expression, resting her chin on her hand. Yan Guang screamed for her master to save her.

Hong Chen stood up and brushed the dust off her clothes. “Your Teacher’s Wife wants to burn you. I am powerless to help.”

Yan Guang’s arms were ablaze. She tried desperately to extinguish them, nearly in tears. “It was you who said you wanted to go back! I was just preparing for you! If I offended Teacher’s Wife, it was for your sake, Master! How can you just watch me die?”

Hong Chen shook her head helplessly and glanced back. Sure enough, Yanlai was standing at the door. Hong Chen let out a small huff and ignored her.

Yan Guang felt she was about to be burned to a crisp. “Master, stop huffing and put out the fire!”

Just then, the Qilin brought over a freshly plucked wild chicken and whispered, “Young Lord, roast a chicken for me.”

Yan Guang: “…”

Hong Chen froze for a second before laughing hysterically. The Qilin looked dead serious, trying to hold the chicken against the flames on Yan Guang’s body, attempting to cook it before the fire went out. Yan Guang looked at the raw chicken on her person with total despair, stomped her foot, and flew away.

The Qilin was deeply disappointed, calling out to the sky, “Do not go yet! At least wait for the chicken to be done!”

Yan Guang was gone. The Qilin looked toward the High Goddess with a sigh. Yanlai waved a hand, and the chicken was instantly cooked. The Qilin happily carried the bird away to eat.

Yanlai walked toward Hong Chen. Hong Chen held her head high, refusing to look at her. Yanlai said, “Since it was not the Dark Night King, we must find the real culprit.”

“What does it have to do with me?” Hong Chen started her lazy act again.

Yanlai looked at her with exasperation. “You are the Demon Venerable. Should you not clear your name? Everyone knows about the poisoning and the attacks on cultivators. Are you still thinking only of playing?”

“The Young Lords can investigate. I am going to find San Meng.” Hong Chen defied Yanlai, pointing a finger at Yanlai’s heart. “This Seat is not going to keep you warm anymore.”

Yanlai uncharacteristically spoke a soft word. “It is already warm here without you. Fine, I was wrong.”

“You say you are wrong and I am just supposed to forgive you?” Hong Chen put her hands on her hips, pushing her luck as she stared at Yanlai, her head tilted almost to the heavens.

Yanlai hesitated, fearing she might say something even more outrageous. “I will not hold the stolen medicine against you.”

“Stolen medicine?” Hong Chen felt an instinctive pang of guilt. “I only steal night-luminescent pearls and artifacts. Why would I steal medicine? I cannot even eat it myself.”

Yanlai looked at her and smiled gently. “Is that so? Was it not intended for me?”

“No! No! Do not make false accusations!” Hong Chen refused to admit it to the death. The act of hiding the medicine that day had been very discreet; Yanlai had to be bluffing. She shook her head. “I did not steal any medicine.”

Yanlai approached with her hands behind her back, her expression stern, staring straight at Hong Chen.

Hong Chen was already feeling guilty. Under that piercing gaze, sweat began to bead on her forehead. She snapped irritably, “Fine! So I hid some medicine. I am the Demon Venerable, what is wrong with hiding some medicine?”

Yanlai pursed her lips to suppress the urge to laugh. “You usually have a good temper. Why do you get so volatile over this?”

“Because you pushed me! I am going back to the Demon Realm.” Hong Chen was nearly losing her temper again.

Yanlai chuckled. “What are you angry for? Look at you, you do not look like a Demon Venerable at all. Why do we not go kill a few people to vent your frustration?”

Hong Chen was stunned. Was killing people something the righteous and perfect High Goddess Yanlai would actually say?

“Follow the cultivators. When the demon soldiers attack, you go and kill the soldiers. How about that?” Yanlai said smoothly.

Hong Chen bristled. “You want me to kill my own soldiers? Are you sick in the head? Why do you not kill your own soldiers?”

Yanlai said helplessly, “I am a solitary person with no soldiers or subordinates. The only person I am connected to is you, my former disciple.”

Hong Chen was miserable. After all that talk, it circled back to her. She could only blame the fact that Yanlai’s clan was wiped out. She felt drained of energy. Yanlai took the chance to say, “I will not hold the medicine against you, and you will not be angry anymore. Deal?”

They were even. Hong Chen had to agree. “You are so contradictory. Truly contradictory. You act all reserved and stiff, but inside, tsk tsk. Your possessiveness makes you lose your mind.”

“Is that so?” Yanlai gave a refined smile and walked ahead.

Hong Chen had no choice but to follow.

Among the human realm’s thousands of cultivators, the desire to ascend was desperate. Many pinned their hopes on medicinal pills; one pill could be worth a hundred years of cultivation. Thus, pills became a sought-after prize. The Celestial Tribe’s gifts were not for everyone; they were distributed based on spiritual roots and progress. Those in the later stages of cultivation were no ordinary people.

The Celestial Tribe specifically targeted those nearing ascension for these gifts.

Yanlai and Hong Chen concealed their celestial and demonic auras, found a sacred mountain, and transformed into ordinary female cultivators to blend in.

There were other women among the cultivators. The two sat quietly beside one, pretending to cultivate. Hong Chen had no patience, looking here and there, unable to settle her mind. Yanlai could not help but glance at her, sending a silent message, “Be quiet.”

Hong Chen replied helplessly, “This is so boring. I want to find something to do.”

Yanlai frowned, “Like what?”

Hong Chen said, “Tell them that since they have darkness in their hearts, I can help them go to the Demon Realm immediately and gain many years of lifespan.”

It was not easy for a Demon Venerable to personally poach talent. Yanlai pressed her hand to her forehead, suppressing her anger. She messaged back, “Do not move.”

Hong Chen was arrogant, “No.”

Yanlai, “Give the medicine back.”

Hong Chen immediately deflated. She turned her back to Yanlai in a huff, muttering her discontent under her breath, but she stopped looking around and closed her eyes to regulate her breath.

They sat for an unknown amount of time. Leaves turned yellow and fell; winter snow covered the ground. In a flash, spring flowers bloomed. Yanlai suddenly opened her eyes, forming a seal to release her spiritual energy. In an instant, several people were pulled into a barrier.

Hong Chen slowly opened her eyes. “Waste of time. If I knew it would take this long, I would have gone to learn the Forgotten Dust technique from the Qilin.”

Many demon soldiers surged forward. Hong Chen stood up leisurely, finding the barrier an eyesore. Beside her, the female cultivator turned pale with fright, unable to move. Hong Chen patted her shoulder affectionately. “Do not be scared. The Demon Realm is actually quite nice. Why do you not go check it out?”

The female cultivator looked at Hong Chen in terror, rolled her eyes, and fainted dead away.

Hong Chen’s hands were left hanging. She looked at Yanlai helplessly. “Is the Demon Realm really that scary?”

Yanlai nodded.

Hong Chen was annoyed. “Is the Demon Venerable not cute?”

Yanlai nodded. “The Demon Venerable being cute does not mean the Demon Realm is not scary.”

Hong Chen was speechless, glaring at her indignantly. Yanlai reached out and patted her forehead. “The Demon Venerable being cute is enough. Go deal with them. I need the leader alive.”

Only by keeping him alive could they check his past memories.

Hong Chen immediately reverted to her Demon Venerable appearance, hovering in the air. Her feet were bare, her skin snowy white, surrounded by blooming flowers. Yanlai reminded her, “Careful not to catch a cold.”

“You are the one catching a cold! Your whole family, wait, you do not have a family.” Hong Chen’s anger evaporated instantly. She turned to the leader of the demon soldiers. “Who are you?”

“And who are you?” the leader asked, immediately drawing his weapon, a brush.

Hong Chen was surprised. “The Demon Realm has such scholarly weapons?”

The leader was wary of Hong Chen. Yanlai took the chance to evacuate the cultivators. Seeing this, the leader ordered, “Kill them! Quickly!”

The demon soldiers charged. They reached Yanlai only to be violently repelled, coughing up blood.

Hong Chen looked at the leader with cold eyes. “It is a pity you do not even know who This Seat is.”

With a gentle wave of her hand, a rope bound the leader. Then, she looked at the demon soldiers and smiled. A wave of fire incinerated them completely.

Yanlai stepped forward, took out her artifact, and commanded, “Appear!”

The mountain air was chilly as flower petals drifted. An image appeared before the three of them.

Hong Chen tilted her head, watching the image of a person wrapped in black, showing only their eyes. The dark figure spoke, “Lead the demon soldiers to kill the cultivators. Once successful, this is your reward.”

A bottle of unknown pills.

Then, the figure in black vanished. The leader was not actually from the Demon Realm; he was just a rogue cultivator searching for others to pose as demon soldiers and commit murder.

Then came the scene they had just witnessed.

Seeing this, Yanlai showed no mercy. She flicked her sleeve and killed the man, using Phoenix Fire to burn his soul so no chance of reincarnation remained.

Hong Chen said curiously, “Is impersonating demon soldiers to kill cultivators meant to incite a Great War? There is a treaty between us. The Demon Realm would not break the peace.”

“If demon soldiers slaughter cultivators, it forces the Celestial Tribe to tear up the treaty and go to war with you. That way, the Celestial Tribe is eradicating evil for the Heavens, remaining the righteous ones,” Yanlai analyzed.

The forest was muggy, the foliage blocking the sun, and the scent of blood lingered. Yanlai took out a bottle of fragrance and unsealed it. The scent drifted through the air, quickly replacing the bloody smell with an elegant, light aroma.

Hong Chen stopped joking, standing there in thought. If what Yanlai said was true, the Demon Realm was not only carrying a false accusation but was also headed for war. She did not want the world to suffer. She had spent years restraining the demon soldiers, but if the other side kept provoking her, she would not be able to endure it.

She was not a scapegoat; why should she carry so many burdens?

She looked at Yanlai indignantly. “How do we draw out the person behind this?”

“It is hard. He is just casting a wide net, using pills to lure cultivators into killing for him. He does not have to show his face at all. The priority now is to clear your name. With this memory, we can go to the Nine Heavens to explain,” Yanlai said with unusual calmness, discarding her previous detached attitude.

Hong Chen narrowed her eyes slightly. “Since when are you so kind-hearted?”

“Do you not understand the saying: Teacher for a day, mother for life?” Yanlai approached with her hands behind her back, the breeze blowing her hair, adding to her immortal grace.

Hong Chen spat. “You, be my mother? Do you want to go to heaven? You think you can get there without wings?”

“I misspoke. How about I treat you to a meal in the human realm?” Yanlai, realizing her slip, awkwardly changed the subject.

Hong Chen squinted her eyes and did not move, while Yanlai struck out toward the void.

Green leaves showered the ground. A person hidden in the branches was pulled down to the earth. Enveloped in fire, the person looked charred as they scrambled up.

“A little lady with quite some cultivation, I see.”

Hong Chen was surprised. She touched her own face and looked at Yanlai. That little lady did not sound like a proper compliment. She told Yanlai, “This cultivator is flirting with you.”

“Is that so? Do you not flirt with me every day?” Yanlai lowered her gaze, a flame igniting in her hand. Hong Chen said in surprise, “You immortals cannot kill mortals. There will be a backlash.”

“He attacked first. I am acting in self-defense.” Yanlai showed no more pity. The opponent released an Immortal-Binding Rope to trap her, but Yanlai was faster. A single move struck him, and the fire consumed him.

The cultivator was turned to ash before he could speak. Hong Chen gave Yanlai a thumb-up. “Brave to love, brave to hate, and brave to act. I admire you.”

Yanlai did not speak, waiting for her next words.

Hong Chen said, “You have made great progress. Let us dual, I mean, let us spiritual cultivate.”

As expected, it was not anything good.

Yanlai turned and walked away, and Hong Chen followed closely. In the human realm, it was spring; birds sang, flowers bloomed, and the scent of fresh grass filled the air.

As they walked, Yanlai seemed to be clearing her mind. Hong Chen went along with it, picking some flowers and grass to weave into a crown, which she promptly placed on her own head.

Yanlai’s lips twitched. Hong Chen asked expectantly, “Do I look good?”

Yanlai said nothing. Hong Chen muttered to herself, “In storybooks, when a man makes a flower crown for a woman, he has ill intentions. I believe that if one has hands, one should do it oneself.”

After speaking, she blinked at Yanlai. “You should make one yourself, too.”

 

Yanlai let out a frustrated laugh. “Are you trying to apply one rule to everything?”

 

“I am telling you the truth. Men cannot be trusted.” Hong Chen had no shortage of grand principles.

 

Yanlai shot her a look and refused to speak with someone whose mind was so stubborn.

 

The mountains were high and the clouds were low. The foliage was lush, and a cool breeze blew at the foot of the hill. A faint fragrance of flowers drifted through the air, and floral shadows flickered colorfully. After walking for a moment, the two encountered a group of cultivators rushing out from the mountains. Yanlai did not wish to speak with them, so she cast a spell to conceal their forms, walking freely alongside Hong Chen.

 

Hong Chen walked ostentatiously with her flower crown, her lips curled into a smile that revealed shallow dimples, her eyes full of mirth. Yanlai glanced at her; she looked less like a Demon Venerable and more like a lovable little sprite.

 

As they paraded along, Hong Chen’s face proved appealing to both the old and the young. Children would call out “Big Sister” when they saw her, and elders would praise her, saying, “This young lady is truly beautiful.”

 

Hong Chen bragged to Yanlai with a smile, “Look, they all like me.”

 

“If you told them you were the Demon Venerable, they would be too terrified to even cry,” Yanlai said, walking slowly with a leisurely and graceful posture.

 

Hong Chen circled around her and said, “In the human realm, I am not the Demon Venerable. I am just a young girl who has just come of age.”

 

Yanlai scoffed, “The Demon Venerable is truly shameless.”

 

Hong Chen gave a stubborn hum and pulled the person who called her shameless along at a faster pace. “I am taking you to a ‘shameless’ place.”

 

It was a place of romance in the human world, a brothel district filled with bright lights, wine, and distracting luxuries.

 

As soon as they stepped inside, the two turned invisible. Hong Chen stole a portion of meat to bring back, but Yanlai immediately cast the Heart-Cleansing Incantation. A thick white mist clouded Hong Chen’s vision.

 

Yanlai promptly pulled her out of the brothel. Night had fallen over the human world, and festive lanterns floated like clouds.

 

Yanlai led the troublesome girl by the hand. The troublesome one laughed at her, “Why are you so cowardly? That place was very interesting.”

 

“Have you been inside before?”

 

“Yes, a few times. I went to eat meat and listen to music. the melodies were wonderful.”

 

Yanlai suddenly clenched her fist. “What kind of music?”

 

“The zither! It was very elegant.”

 

“I can play too.” Yanlai took a deep breath. A cool breeze brushed over all things in the human world, and the lanterns illuminated their feet as light and shadow alternated.

 

Hong Chen held her hand and said, “Then play for me! I think people who can play the zither are amazing. There are so many notes Gong, Shang, Jiao, Yu I don’t understand any of it. I want to learn, but I can’t. Think about it, how difficult must something be if even I can’t learn it?”

 

Yanlai lowered her eyes slightly as she listened to Hong Chen’s incessant chatter. Once Hong Chen started talking, she couldn’t stop.

 

After walking through a street, stopping and starting along the way, they arrived at a restaurant. Hong Chen happily pulled Yanlai inside. “There is so much food here, and it’s delicious.”

 

The waiter welcomed them to their seats. Hong Chen liked a lively atmosphere, so she chose a seat in the main hall by the window, where they could see the bustling night view outside.

 

After sitting down, Hong Chen ordered several domestic dishes, including chicken, duck, fish, and meat. The waiter kindly reminded them, “The two of you won’t be able to finish all this.”

 

“We will take the leftovers with us.” Hong Chen spoke like a regular; it was clearly not her first time.

 

As they sat, there were many people in the hall discussing the demon soldiers’ killings. Being mere mortals with no weapons, they were filled with panic and discussed the matter in low voices.

 

“I heard the Demon Realm wants to rule the human world and is slaughtering cultivators on a massive scale. If the cultivators are all killed, will it be our turn next?”

 

“I heard the Demon Realm signed a treaty with the Immortal Clan to not fight for a hundred years. It has only been a few years, and the demons have already shown their true colors.”

 

“I heard someone has chosen a sacred land and invited cultivators to take refuge there. Once they gather together, it won’t be easy for the demon soldiers to kill them again.”

 

“If that happens, the Demon Realm’s plan will surely fail.”

 

Hong Chen arched an eyebrow and looked at Yanlai. “This Seat bets that ‘sacred land’ is your Phoenix Mountain.”

 

“It may not be Phoenix Mountain. It could also be the East Sea,” Yanlai said calmly.

 

The two exchanged a look and stopped eating. Hong Chen packed all the food to go, and they quickly returned to Phoenix Mountain.

 

Upon landing, they found many cultivators gathered at the foot of the mountain. They were neither immortals nor demons, so they were not restricted by the barrier and could move freely.

 

Hong Chen’s guess had come true. Countless cultivators had indeed flooded into Phoenix Mountain. It was clear the barrier provided them protection that neither immortals nor demons could breach.

 

Hong Chen laughed so hard she fell to the ground. Yanlai looked worried; now that the cultivators were here, she couldn’t exactly drive them away. She looked at Hong Chen helplessly. “I think the two of us are indeed not very smart.”

 

“Is that so? I think you are very smart. It’s just that the villains are too wicked. Never mind that, let’s eat first.”

 

“You eat. I am going to the Nine Heavens to handle the matter of the demon soldiers’ attack.” Yanlai truly had no interest in the food. It was better to go to the Nine Heavens and resolve the issue while Hong Chen was eating, so it wouldn’t weigh on her heart.

 

Hong Chen was uneasy. Playfulness aside, the situation was different now, and trouble could easily occur on the way. After some thought, she said, “I will go with you. I am worried something might happen.”

 

Yanlai nodded slightly. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

 

“I’ll eat when I get back. It won’t go bad in the time it takes to go and return.” Hong Chen sent the packed food into the sleeping quarters and set up a barrier to guard it, lest someone come and put something filthy inside.

 

Hong Chen quickly prepared herself and reminded Yanlai to bring several magical artifacts for combat, given that the Immortal Clan had many treasures.

 

Yanlai agreed and also released Yu Qi.

 

Hong Chen didn’t understand her reasoning. Yanlai told her, “To watch a good show.”

 

Hong Chen’s mind wasn’t sharp enough to realize that Yanlai could also look for entertainment. Yu Qi’s injuries were healed. Holding her sword, she had an overbearing aura. The Qilin was indignant. “Why are you acting so fierce? You’re acting like you’re the Demon Venerable.”

 

Yu Qi remained cold and did not answer. The Qilin stomped her feet in anger. “In a moment, you are not allowed to sit on my back!”

 

Yu Qi immediately rose into the air, her feet surrounded by a cluster of flowers, using the exact same flight technique as Hong Chen.

 

Yanlai finally understood. No wonder she had felt a strong aura of vegetation on the Demon Venerable when they first met; it was because of Yu Qi.

 

The three people and the Qilin flew toward the Nine Heavens. Yu Qi was an ascended fairy and could pass through the Southern Heavenly Gate openly, but her appearance would immediately let the Flower Clan know her whereabouts.

 

The group were regular visitors to the Nine Heavens and made their way to the Xuantian Hall. Hong Chen and Yu Qi were not qualified to enter the hall and had to wait outside. Yanlai entered alone. Other immortals were already inside, and they all turned to bow when she entered.

 

As Yanlai approached, the immortals looked somewhat uncomfortable, unsure of her intentions. Before her arrival, they had been discussing an important matter.

 

Crown Prince Qingfeng had settled in the East Sea with a shark-man, living a life like an ordinary mortal. When the heavenly soldiers caught up to him, he was so affectionate with the shark-man that he didn’t want to return.

 

The immortals were discussing how to handle this, but before they could reach a conclusion, Yanlai arrived.

 

The Heavenly Emperor felt a bit guilty and gave a couple of dry laughs. “Why has the High Goddess come to the Nine Heavens today?”

 

“Your Majesty, I was traveling with my disciple and encountered demon soldiers attacking immortals. My disciple fended them off. I have checked a person’s past memories and thought they might be of use to the Immortal Clan.” Yanlai opened her artifact, which immediately displayed an image.

 

Outside the hall, Hong Chen and Princess Yuling had begun to argue.

 

Hong Chen didn’t care for formalities, but Princess Yuling loved putting on airs. Their words clashed, and they fell into a direct quarrel.

 

Yuling wanted Yu Qi back, but how could Hong Chen hand her over? She immediately stated that Yu Qi was now a maidservant of Phoenix Mountain and her master was High Goddess Yanlai.

 

Yuling argued that since Yanlai had taken Yu Qi away that day, she should release her today.

 

Hong Chen put her hands on her hips, acting spoiled and willful like a brawling woman on the street, yet her youthful face made her look somewhat cute.

 

“You say give her back and I just give her back? Do you think you’re the Empress? I’m not giving her back today. If you have the ability, come and take her. If you manage to snatch her away, I won’t say a word about taking her back.”

 

Yuling was infuriated by her shameless nature. “How can there be someone as unscrupulous as you, taking someone else’s things and refusing to return them?”

 

Hong Chen was fearless. She stood before her and huffed, “I learned my unscrupulousness from you. Are you her master? Yu Qi, who is your master?”

 

“To the young lady, Yu Qi’s master is the former Demon Venerable, Hong Yan,” Yu Qi said bluntly.

 

Yuling was frantic. “Hong Yan is dead! Right now, I am her master!”

 

“Her master is dead, so she is a masterless flower and is free. Go wherever it’s cool and stay there.” Hong Chen was dismissive, stretching out her slender arm. “How about we have a fight? Whoever wins decides where she goes.”

 

At the mention of fighting, Yuling grew fearful. She couldn’t beat Yanlai’s disciple; she only dared to do as she pleased because of Yu Qi’s protection.

 

Yuling refused to agree and insisted on taking Hong Chen to the Empress for a judgment. Hong Chen refused to go, sitting directly on the steps and staring straight at Yuling. “I’m not going. If you have the ability, take Yu Qi away yourself. I’m not stopping you.”

 

“Yan Chen, do you realize the consequences of opposing my Flower Clan?”

 

“Oh, you’re getting anxious. Why don’t you talk about your cousin’s infidelity?”

 

“How can that be infidelity? My cousin is the Crown Prince of the Immortal Clan. What’s wrong with having a few more women? If you’re so upset for your master, tell her to break the engagement.” Yuling deliberately provoked her. “The Crown Prince is destined to have many women. How could he stay with that Crown Princess master of yours for a lifetime? If it breaks your heart, advise Yanlai to cancel the wedding. There are many fairies who admire my cousin.”

 

Hong Chen was stunned. “How can your skin be so thick? The man you like is being affectionate with another woman, and you’re actually speaking for him? Is your brain broken or have you succumbed to a heart-demon?”

 

Yuling gave a light laugh. “It’s your master who is consumed by jealousy and cannot stand other women liking my cousin. She is simply jealous, and jealousy is a sin.”

 

Hong Chen had been arrogant for over ten thousand years and regarded all things as nothing. She had experienced all sorts of storms, yet facing such a love-struck princess, she actually admitted defeat.

 

She really wanted to ask, “Were you raised poorly?”

 

Her desire to fight was suppressed; she felt a bit sorry for Princess Yuling. She helplessly patted Yu Qi. “Was it always like this?”

 

“In the past, she only wanted to possess Crown Prince Qingfeng alone. Today, there has been some change.” Yu Qi was also a bit dazed; how could a person’s change be so drastic?

 

Hong Chen decided to ignore the noisy person and simply froze her in place, sitting down with Yu Qi to wait.

 

Inside the hall, Yanlai withdrew her artifact and said to the immortals, “Someone is impersonating the Demon Clan and harming cultivators everywhere. You know the reason better than I do. If war breaks out between immortals and demons again, the world will suffer, and the Four Realms will surely face another catastrophe. I ask the Heavenly Emperor to investigate this matter thoroughly and restore peace to both realms.”

 

The immortals agreed, standing behind Yanlai in support of an investigation into the harm done to the cultivators.

 

The Heavenly Emperor didn’t think much of it and agreed, immediately appointing several people to investigate.

 

Yanlai was relieved. The Emperor then asked, “The Crown Prince has been found. Since the High Goddess is free, why don’t we discuss the wedding?”

 

At these words, the immortals in the hall looked delighted and immediately congratulated Yanlai. Yanlai’s expression remained the same. She did not refuse, only saying, “I leave it to Your Majesty to decide.”

 

The Emperor also smiled, looking full of fatherly love. The immortals began to chatter about auspicious dates. Yanlai acted as if she hadn’t heard, showing neither joy nor anger, looking like a stranger.

 

After a bout of chatter, a woman’s cry was heard outside the hall, her voice sharp and high-pitched.

 

“Cousin! Cousin! You must help me! This wench snatched my maidservant!”

 

Before she could finish, Yanlai flashed out of the hall. A gust of wind brushed past, and a crisp slap echoed outside the Xuantian Hall.

 

Yuling looked at Yanlai in disbelief as she withdrew her hand. “You… you hit me!”

 

The immortals inside the hall crowded out to watch the excitement. The Flower Clan and the Phoenix Clan were clashing. Yanlai was the future Crown Princess, while the Flower Clan was the tribe of the Crown Prince’s maternal uncle. A fight between the two clans was quite a sight.

 

Crown Prince Qingfeng still maintained his elegant and gentle posture. He frowned and comforted his cousin before looking at Yanlai. “My little sister is immature. Please do not blame her, High Goddess.”

 

Yanlai’s aura was cold, and she did not accept the Prince’s apology. Hong Chen sensibly hid behind her.

 

Qingfeng continued, “It is reasonable for the High Goddess to be angry. For my sake, please calm down. Yan Chen, I apologize to you on Yuling’s behalf.”

 

“Cousin, she trapped me first! They are the ones being too overbearing!” Yuling clutched her swollen cheek, her resentment hard to settle. If the Prince hadn’t been holding her back, she would have rushed forward to deal with Yan Chen long ago.

 

Hong Chen poked her tongue out from behind Yanlai, looking like she was asking for a scolding. Yuling was so angry she was about to attack, but the Prince held her shoulder and gave a low shout, “Yuling, apologize!”

 

“I am a princess of the Flower Clan! If I apologize to a nameless junior like her, where will the face of my clan be?” Yuling was defiant. her father had suffered a loss before Yan Chen, and she wanted to take it back.

 

Qingfeng gently coaxed Yuling, his profile looking refined. He was truly like a flawless piece of jade. His appearance took after the Empress by eighty or ninety percent, with sharp brows and starry eyes.

 

After a few words of coaxing, Yuling reluctantly apologized to Hong Chen, her eyes red and looking quite pitiful.

 

Hong Chen whispered into Yanlai’s ear, “That dog prince has truly inherited the genes of the Emperor and Empress.”

 

Their behavior was too intimate. Hong Chen was leaning too close, and her soft words were like a gentle breeze blowing into Yanlai’s ear. They lightly brushed against the stray hairs by her ear, making it feel slightly warm. Yanlai’s face flushed and her heart accelerated; for a moment, she couldn’t even tell what Hong Chen was saying.

 

She immediately took a half-step away and looked directly at Qingfeng. “The Prince is dignified and polite, yet those around him speak such foul words. From now on, if I hear Princess Yuling speak improperly again, I shall educate the Flower Clan Leader’s daughter on his behalf.”

 

The Prince apologized again, his smile warm and without a hint of displeasure. Yanlai was about to leave with her little disciple when Yu Qi followed. The Prince suddenly reached out to stop her. Hong Chen would not stand for it, but Yanlai moved a step ahead of her to attack the Prince.

 

The disparity in strength was too great. The Prince was sent flying. Yuling cried out, “He is your husband!”

 

Yanlai frowned. “I apologize. I only thought someone was ambushing me.”

 

Yuling’s eyes filled with tears of anger as she resentfully helped the Prince up. The Prince pursed his lips to hold back the blood in his throat, pretending nothing was wrong as he smiled at Yanlai. “High Goddess, you cannot take this person away. She is a guard of the Flower Clan and belongs to Princess Yuling.”

 

Yanlai glanced at Yu Qi and used magic to take an object from her person. It was a Phoenix bell.

 

Placing the bell before Crown Prince Qingfeng, Yanlai said, “Whoever attains human form on my Phoenix Mountain is a person of Phoenix Mountain. This bell is the proof.”

 

“You wench! You actually still kept the bell!” Yuling was enraged. As soon as she spoke, Yanlai met her with a cold glare and a sharp shout, “Impudent!”

 

The Prince knew things were going badly and quickly pulled Yuling behind him. “Please calm your anger, High Goddess. Yuling is outspoken. I shall go back and discipline her strictly.”

 

Yanlai did not strike again. She led Hong Chen away, leaving Yuling to cry in anger. “My guard! Now anyone can bully me!”

 

Yu Qi acted as if she hadn’t heard and followed Yanlai directly.

 

Outside the Southern Heavenly Gate, the Qilin came to meet them, and the three of them boarded the Qilin’s back.

 

Hong Chen was amazed by Yanlai’s protectiveness. “I like you again.”

 

“Hmm?” Yanlai was puzzled by her words.

 

“I didn’t like you before, but seeing how you were just now, I like you so much. I have fallen for you again.” Hong Chen stepped forward to hug Yanlai and kissed her cheek without a word. The kiss was so quick that by the time Yanlai struggled, Hong Chen had already let her go.

 

Hong Chen was triumphant, her smile radiant. She looked like an innocent girl from the human world, full of endless purity.