After Provoking the Mad Beautiful Deity - Chapter 43

Returning to Phoenix Mountain, two figures could be seen acting suspiciously from atop the clouds. Upon drawing closer, it became clear they were two adults standing on the clouds, looking utterly at a loss.

Yanguang felt an inexplicable shortness of breath upon seeing her Master, while Yanheng glanced at Hongchen and silently hid behind her Senior Sister.

Hongchen tilted her head, looking first at her fifth disciple and then her sixth. After a moment of hesitation, Yanlai spoke first: “What guilty deed have you two committed that you don’t even dare to face your Master?”

“I,” one started. “We,” the other began.

Yanguang and Yanheng spoke at the same time, but quickly shut their mouths, looking down in unison after exchanging a glance.

Hongchen felt their guilt but didn’t care to press them. Pulling Yanlai along, she leapt down from the clouds; the two disciples followed behind.

The Truth of the Past

Back at the Wind Sound Pavilion, the two disciples didn’t dare enter. Kylin looked at them and asked, “What mistake did you two make?”

Yanguang hesitated to speak, and Yanheng stammered, refusing to say a word. Kylin shook his head. “Fine, if you won’t say it, I’m going off to play.”

Inside the hall, Yanlai gazed at Yuqi with deep eyes, while Yuqi looked back at Yanlai with a poised, neither humble nor arrogant demeanor. Yanlai asked first: “When did you leave the Red Dust?”

“After Lady Rou died, Princess Qinggu took the Master away. The people of Phoenix Mountain drove me out, and I had nowhere to go. It just so happened that Xuanjing appeared and took me back to the Hundred Flower Mountain. Not long after, I escaped to find the Master. During the Great War of Immortals and Demons, Xuanjing ambushed me and abducted me back to the mountain. Soon after, outsiders said the Demon Lord was dead.”

Yanlai pressed further: “What exactly happened during the Great War of Immortals and Demons?”

“After the incident at Phoenix Mountain, everyone said the Demon Lord did it. The Immortal Tribe set out to crusade against her, but at that time, the Demon Lord didn’t care about such things. The former Demon Lord, Kuijing, had fallen into obsession and vanished. The Master became the new Demon Lord; as soon as she ascended the throne, she was busy researching the Flowing Light. After resurrecting the High God,” Yuqi paused, her eyes turning cold.

“After the High God was resurrected, the Immortal Tribe sent their troops. The Demon Lord sent you back to Phoenix Mountain. I do not know what happened after that.”

Hongchen was sprawled on the lounging couch, gnawing on a chicken leg. She used a spell to fetch a jar of wine and began drinking and eating on her own, completely indifferent to their conversation.

“What exactly happened during the Great War?” Yanlai could only murmur to herself.

Yuqi said, “You can ask High Immortal Sanmeng. She followed the Demon Lord all the way and was extremely loyal.”

The word “loyal” sparked certain thoughts. Hongchen asked Yuqi, “Does Sanmeng like me?” Yuqi nodded.

Yanlai asked, “Did you ever tell anyone about my resurrection?” “No, Yuqi has never spoken of anything regarding the Demon Lord,” Yuqi replied coldly.

Hearing this, Hongchen remarked, “You say you’re a flower spirit, but you look like a block of ice. Is your true form an ice flower?” Yuqi blushed and lowered her head. “After ten thousand years, the Demon Lord has become humorous.”

“Are you saying I used to be rigid?” Hongchen glanced at Yanlai. “I must have been corrupted by you; I became stiff and uninteresting.”

Yuqi continued, “Demon Lord, your personality now is similar to the Empress of Heaven. You have forgotten the past; the Empress of Heaven is your adoptive mother. After Lady Rou was forced into the Demon Realm, it was the Empress who stopped her from taking you away. She used you to threaten the Lady into meeting her. If not for the Empress, you and Lady Rou would not have been separated.”

The Drunken Heart

Hongchen propped her head on her hand. The wine was going to her head, making her face flush pink and her eyes watery like autumn pools. Yanlai watched her, her body tense. Hongchen said to Yuqi: “You certainly know a lot. It’s a surprise you haven’t been silenced yet.”

“Xuanjing’s cultivation is shallow, but his mind is deep. He hoped for a marriage alliance between Yuling and Prince Qingfengtai, but he didn’t expect the Emperor of Heaven to designate the High God Yanlai as the future Crown Princess. Yuling was unwilling and incited the Prince to break the engagement. But how could the Prince listen to her? He has dragged it out until now. The Flower Tribe today lacks any exceptional talent and cannot even produce a single High Immortal. With their talents withered, Xuanjing can only place his hopes on his own daughter.”

Yuqi spoke with disdain, glancing at Yanlai with a sneer. “The High God has likely forgotten how my Demon Lord risked her life to save you.”

Yanlai did not argue. She was carefully sorting through the events of those years. The only mystery left was the Great War. Yuqi didn’t know, and the Empress refused to speak; the root of the answer lay with Sanmeng.

Suddenly, Hongchen asked Yuqi, “Do you know the Dust-Forgetting Technique?” “I do,” Yuqi nodded. “You taught it to me, Demon Lord.”

Hongchen looked embarrassed. “My apologies, I’ve forgotten. Yanlai has been hit by the Dust-Forgetting spell; please help her break it.” Yuqi finally looked at Yanlai and pondered for a moment. “I won’t.”

She remembered how High God Yanlai had abandoned the Demon Lord to get engaged to someone else; feeling indignant, she naturally refused to help.

Hongchen didn’t force her. Clutching the wine jar, she stumbled toward Yanlai, her steps unsteady. Yanlai immediately stepped forward to support her. Seeing this, the disgust in Yuqi’s eyes faded slightly.

Yanlai helped Hongchen sit down and took the wine jar from her hand without any impatience. She used her powers to make the jar hover in the air. When Hongchen reached out to grab it, Yanlai caught her hand. “Don’t drink anymore; it’s bad for you. Your soul is already incomplete. If you keep drinking, your soul will vanish.”

Hongchen glared at her. “You, you are so annoying.” Yanlai laughed softly and looked at Yuqi. “You may leave.”

Yuqi clenched her fists, feeling defiant, but since her cultivation wasn’t enough to face Yanlai, she could only withdraw silently.

Entangled Shadows

Once Yuqi vanished, Hongchen collapsed against Yanlai, rubbing her head against Yanlai’s chest. Yanlai hissed, “Don’t move around.”

Hongchen stopped moving, her fingers pinching the corner of Yanlai’s sleeve as her hazy eyes stared at her. Her eyes reflected Yanlai’s face, and Yanlai looked back. Time seemed to stand still in the silent hall. Hongchen laughed.

Yanlai felt an inexplicable fear. “What are you laughing at?”

“I’m laughing at the foolishness of the world,” Hongchen said, puzzled. “Scheming to maintain so-called reputations, fighting to the death for power and influence; is it really that interesting?” She couldn’t understand. If everyone lived their own lives, humans as humans, demons as demons, and immortals as immortals, why must some be so restless?

She closed her eyes, unwilling to think of the miserable past. Yet Yanlai was investigating, digging and searching, hoping to uncover the source of the tragedy.

How ridiculous. She was drunk, yet in this moment, she felt clear-headed and rational. Yanlai was stuck in the mire; the more she struggled, the deeper she sank.

Yanlai remained silent. She simply wanted to know her own past. Looking at Hongchen’s flushed cheeks, she couldn’t help but lean down and gently kiss Hongchen’s brow. “Hongchen.” A low call was made, but no other words followed.

Hongchen kept her eyes closed, but Yanlai’s voice kept echoing in her ears. Yanlai was saying, “Hongyan, Hongyan, Hongyan.”

Feeling irritated, Hongchen raised her hand to cover her ears, and the sound vanished. When she let go, the voice returned. She opened her eyes, her gaze fierce. Yanlai was baffled. “You’re drunk; don’t be so aggressive.”

The voice disappeared again. Hongchen closed her eyes once more, wanting to sleep comfortably. Pressed against Yanlai’s heart, she felt the heartbeat; it felt as though she were wrapped in a cloud, being gently soothed.

Yanlai had a massive headache. “If you can’t drink, don’t. Last time you managed two jars.” Hongchen suddenly sat up and glared at her. “I’m not drunk. I know Sanmeng likes me.” Yanlai said nothing.

“Why are you remembering that?” Yanlai asked, slightly annoyed. Hongchen chuckled, her bright eyes shining. “Someone likes me. You say I’m a Demon Lord, yet someone likes me so much they’re willing to turn into a demon for me.” The feeling of being liked and treated with loyalty felt good.

Yanlai reached out and unceremoniously pinched Hongchen’s cheek. “Mention her again, and don’t expect to kiss me next time.” “I’ll mention her. You have your Dog Prince, and I have my Sanmeng. You green me, I green you; it’s only fair.” Hongchen laughed foolishly.

“Unreasonable.” Yanlai pinched harder, letting go only after the porcelain-white skin turned red. Feeling she was truly exasperating, Yanlai decided to just ignore her.

Hongchen grabbed her sleeve. Yanlai brushed her off. “Drunkard.” Yet her anger had already dissipated. Hongchen habitually reached out to hug her waist, a sense of familiarity swirling in her heart.

Yanlai also trembled; a surge of warmth flowed into her chest and spread to her limbs. She felt an impulse to embrace Hongchen back. With the last shred of her reason, she calmed herself. She gently pried Hongchen’s hands away and looked down at the sleeping woman. “Hongchen, I want you to become the Master of Heaven and Earth.”

“What did you say?” Hongchen’s ears were buzzing. She rubbed her ear and looked up. “What did you say?” Yanlai laughed softly and didn’t answer. Instead, she leaned down and planted a kiss on the corner of Hongchen’s upturned lips.

The kiss was intoxicating, like a breeze sweeping through the heart or a fine rain nourishing a parched field.

Hongchen slept for several days. Sanmeng woke up a few times but was trapped in the barrier set by Yanlai. The Moon God did not leave, simply watching her from outside the barrier.

After Yanlai returned, taking advantage of Hongchen’s drunken stupor, she dragged the two young disciples over and asked: “She has entered the demon path, and though the demonic energy has been removed, she still hasn’t woken up.”

“The Dream God?” Yanguang, being the eldest, recognized Sanmeng’s identity at a glance. “Demonic history records Sanmeng. She is neither immortal nor demon; her true form is born from dreams. If she turns into a demon, it means there is more malice than kindness in the mortal realm.”

Yanlai nodded. “I understand what you mean. You’re saying it’s not about demonic energy. If the beautiful dreams in the mortal realm outweigh the nightmares, she will wake up.”

“Master’s wife, why don’t you try collecting beautiful dreams?” Yanguang looked at the elegant woman inside the barrier, remembering that she was the fairy her Master had abducted. She stole a glance at Yanlai but didn’t dare say a word.

Yanlai’s focus was now entirely on Sanmeng and didn’t notice Yanguang’s flickering gaze. Collecting beautiful dreams was no easy task. They were not Dream Gods; dreams would not fly to them of their own accord. They would have to collect them one by one.

The Moon God added: “The demon soldiers are attacking cultivators, and the commoners are terrified. Naturally, there are more nightmares now.”

The source still lay with the demon soldiers. Yanlai explained, “It has nothing to do with the Demon Realm. I have investigated thoroughly; someone is plotting behind the scenes, and it is unrelated to your realm. The Emperor of Heaven has ordered men to handle it. For now, we must collect dreams. Moon God, you stay and guard Sanmeng.”

Yanguang raised her hand. “I’ll help Master’s wife.”

 

Yanheng, hiding behind her, also quietly reached out her hand. “I can help too.”

 

Yanlai glanced at the two of them. They were acting strangely, especially Yanheng, who remained tucked behind Yanguang as if they were hiding something.

 

Inside the barrier, Sanmeng watched the four of them expressionlessly. Finally, she looked toward the outside of the hall, appearing as if she were waiting for someone.

 

Yanlai led the two young disciples away. The Moon God sat cross-legged outside the barrier, gazing at Sanmeng. Once the others had left and only the Moon God remained, Sanmeng finally fixed her gaze upon her.

 

Across the barrier, the two locked eyes. The Moon God let out a light laugh, but she could not restrain herself; a single tear quietly slid down the corner of her eye.

 

Sanmeng also sat down cross-legged, meeting her gaze. Soon, the Moon God’s tears fell like a torrential rain, even as she gave a radiant smile through the weeping.

 

Sanmeng watched her blankly, her expression filled with confusion.

 

At the same time, Yanlai woke the sleeping woman. Hongchen rolled over and hugged her. “Don’t bother me; I’m so sleepy.”

 

Yanlai was pulled forward by the force, falling into Hongchen’s full embrace. Hongchen let out a low chuckle. Yanlai used a spell to wake her properly. “I’m taking you to see some beautiful dreams.”

 

“Beautiful dreams? Gorgeous ones?” Hongchen snapped awake instantly, but she didn’t let the excitement cloud her judgment. She asked the prim High God rationally, “Are you lying to me?”

 

“I’m not lying. Truly,” Yanlai said, beckoning her with a remarkably soft tone.

 

Hongchen believed her and stood up as soon as she was dressed. To ensure Yanlai wasn’t lying, she immediately made a hand gesture to cast a spell. “Swear it. Otherwise, Phoenix Mountain will be leveled to the ground.”

 

Yanlai looked at her deeply. “You don’t trust me?”

 

“I trust you with big things, but not with this,” Hongchen replied with a face full of righteousness.

 

Driven to a corner, Yanlai had no choice but to follow behind Hongchen and solemnly swear the oath.

 

Only then did Hongchen drop the matter. She looked around and saw her two young disciples standing outside the door. She let out a surprised sound, but just as Yanguang was about to speak, Yanlai silenced her with a sharp look.

 

Yanguang, fearing her Master’s wife, shut her mouth trembling.

 

Hongchen didn’t care about her disciple’s predicament and pulled Yanlai toward the exit. Yanlai held her back. “There is no need to leave the mountain. We can do it right here.”

 

Hongchen was suspicious. She watched as Yanlai cast a spell; in an instant, a golden brilliance enveloped them. Amidst the hazy mist, Hongchen suddenly stopped her.

 

“Collecting other people’s dreams is a forbidden art. This will drain your spiritual power.”

 

Yanlai’s spell was interrupted, forcing her to take a step back. Her face turned pale abruptly. Hongchen grew even more suspicious. “Your spiritual power seems depleted. What trouble have you been getting into?”

 

“Master’s wife hasn’t done anything bad; she used a magical artifact to look into someone’s past,” Yanguang blurted out. Since the artifact had followed her for many years, she knew exactly what Yanlai had done at a glance.

 

Hongchen gave a soft “oh” and didn’t pay it much mind, only holding onto Yanlai’s wrist and refusing to let go. “I’ll do it then. But why do you want these dreams?”

 

“To save Sanmeng. She is currently the manifestation of evil thoughts. We must find beautiful dreams to wake her.” Yanlai, unwilling to show weakness, pulled her wrist from Hongchen’s grasp and took a deep breath to stabilize her spiritual power.

 

She answered as calmly as water, but Hongchen snorted with contempt. “Deceiving me just for the sake of an outsider? Bah, you bird-spirit is rotten to the core.”

 

Yanlai laughed softly without getting angry. “You’re quite cute when you’re angry,” she said, reaching out to pat Hongchen’s head.

 

Hongchen refused to let her. Since the disciples were present, she reminded Yanlai, “I am the Demon Lord.”

 

“Yes, the Demon Lord is very cute,” Yanlai nodded seriously.

 

Hongchen’s fur stood on end. Yanlai withdrew her hand. “Demon Lord, why don’t you try?”

 

Hongchen hesitated. “Peeking at other people’s dreams isn’t good. The disciples are still here; they are so innocent. If I corrupt them, who will manage the Demon Realm for me?”

 

Yanlai paused. “They are smarter than you.”

 

There was a hidden meaning in those words, but Hongchen didn’t catch it. Yanlai patted her shoulder. “Just try. Saving a life earns merit. Besides, don’t you want to see those gorgeous dreams?”

 

Hongchen was tempted. Saving a life was a small matter, but seeing “gorgeous dreams” was a big deal. She pretended to hesitate while Yanlai waited.

 

However, Yanlai didn’t try to persuade her further during that brief pause. Hongchen’s acting failed. She gave Yanlai a harsh glare. “Why aren’t you trying to convince me anymore?”

 

At least let me feel ‘forced’ into it, so that if it’s brought up later, it can be your fault.

 

Yanlai pretended not to understand. “If you don’t want to see them, what can I do?”

 

Hongchen was choked with rage, gritting her teeth. “You are truly a wily old fox.”

 

“To receive praise from the Demon Lord is my good fortune,” Yanlai said.

 

Hongchen clenched her fists, her patience at its end. “Let’s have a fight. I’m going to make you submit.”

 

Yanlai squinted at her. “Not fighting. I want to see the dreams.”

 

“No! Fight first. Otherwise, I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself and I’ll bite you.” Hongchen struggled to contain the fire within her. “How can you not even try to coax me?”

 

Watching the scene, Yanguang felt utterly weary as she watched her Master, the great Demon Lord, acting like a spoiled child before the High God. She covered her eyes, pretending she had seen nothing.

 

Yanlai was surprised. “You can’t control yourself either?”

 

“In the early years, I couldn’t control my spiritual power. Now I can.” Hongchen didn’t know why she asked, so she answered without hesitation.

 

Yanlai knew why she had struggled with control. Hongchen’s spiritual power came from Chu Rou; it wasn’t something she had cultivated herself, so she was naturally unfamiliar with it.

 

“Forget it. You try collecting the dreams first. The four of us will try together; it will be faster that way.” Yanlai took Hongchen’s hand and gave her waist a gentle pinch. “Stop messing around.”

 

Hongchen clutched her waist, about to scream “harassment,” but Yanlai seemed to anticipate her exaggerated reaction and covered her mouth first. She completely blocked whatever wild words were coming.

 

Hongchen’s frivolous personality left Yanlai helpless. She turned to ask Yanguang, “Has your Master always been like this?”

 

Yanguang nodded, but then quickly shook her head. “Master used to play around occasionally.”

 

It was occasional before; now it’s constant.

 

Yanlai couldn’t understand it, but remembering the person from Sanmeng’s past, she stopped worrying. The current Hongchen lived a good life, full of bickering and playfulness.

 

She smiled again, a hint of satisfaction in her expression. She glanced at the young disciples and said to Hongchen, “I have something that will make you happy.”

 

“What is it?” Hongchen’s attention was successfully caught.

 

Yanlai held her breath and cast her spell again, attempting to collect dreams. Using her spiritual power as a storage vessel, she attracted the dreams of countless people. Hongchen didn’t want her to bear the burden alone and prepared to join in.

 

Yanlai said, “You destroy the nightmares.”

 

Dreams were divided into good and evil. By destroying the malicious thoughts, Sanmeng would wake faster.

 

Hongchen did as she was told. The other two disciples tried to follow Yanlai’s lead, but their cultivation was too shallow; they couldn’t stir the dreams at all.

 

Helpless, they exchanged a glance and stopped. Just then, a cloud appeared before the four of them. Upon looking closely, the two people in the dream were Yanguang and Yanheng.

 

Hongchen’s eyes widened because the two in the dream were acting very strangely. Yanguang was pinning Yanheng down.

 

She blinked and looked at her equally shocked young disciples. “Whose dream is this? Come and claim it.”

 

Yanlai pursed her lips and smiled.

 

Yanguang hesitated for a moment, then fell to her knees before Hongchen with a thud. “Master, it’s all my fault. It has nothing to do with Junior Sister.”

 

Yanheng also knelt down, so frightened that she began to cry. “It’s not Senior Sister’s fault. It was the Dark Night King. The Dark Night King drugged me!”

 

Hongchen’s face changed instantly. She waved her hand and crushed the dream. Yanlai frowned. “That was a beautiful dream. Why did you crush it?”

 

“If I don’t crush it, should I let you keep watching?” Hongchen sneered, all traces of her previous playfulness gone.

 

Yanlai tactfully remained silent, curious as to how Hongchen would handle these disciples; whether she would offer congratulations or act as if nothing had happened.