After Provoking the Mad Beautiful Deity - Chapter 49

The Empress’s guess was quickly proven correct. With a single move, Hong Chen repelled the Heavenly Emperor, and with a flick of her sleeve, she forced back several immortals. Grabbing Yanlai, she flew out of Xuantian Hall.

The Heavenly Emperor ordered his men to pursue them while he remained to check on his son’s injuries. With his bone-root extracted, Qin Feng had essentially become a useless person. The Emperor hurriedly sent for the Medical Immortal, while the Empress gave a cold laugh, stood up, and left.

The Immortal Clan dispatched heavenly soldiers and generals to track the Demon Venerable, but when they reached the Southern Heaven Gate, there was no sign of them. Not a soul could be seen in the sky.

In an instant, they had lost their trail.

Meanwhile, having just arrived at the Qingxu Hall, Hong Chen coughed up a mouthful of blood before she could even steady herself. Yanlai reached out to catch her, her brows tightly furrowed. Seeing this, Sanmeng immediately sealed the palace gates. “Let’s go inside first.”

Yanlai carried Hong Chen and hurried into the hall. The Moon Goddess waited at the palace gate for a moment; seeing that no one was pursuing them, she followed them inside.

After spitting out blood, Hong Chen managed a rare laugh. Lying on the couch, she looked at Yanlai and said, “During my battle with the Heavenly Emperor, he… he held back his strength. Perhaps some spells were not easy to use, or perhaps he is practicing the demonic arts of my Demon Clan.”

If it were immortal arts, why would he not reveal them before others? There was definitely something suspicious.

“It is fortunate he did not dare to reveal them, otherwise you and I would have lost our lives today.” Hong Chen’s tone was humorous, but she felt somewhat cold. Soon, frost began to form on her brows and eyes. She had been wounded by the Heavenly Emperor, and it felt as if ice was forming everywhere inside her body.

The hall fell silent.

Yanlai stepped forward to check her pulse. The Moon Goddess took out a bottle of wound medicine, but Sanmeng shook her head and said, “She is a Medicine Person; medicine is useless to her.”

“Useless?” The Moon Goddess stared blankly at the fine medicine in her palm. How could someone be beyond the help of medicine? She did not believe it and insisted, “Let us try.”

Sanmeng rubbed her forehead and had no choice but to explain again, “The purpose of a Medicine Person is to save others. She herself is the best medicine; what kind of drug could possibly surpass her?”

“Then is there no hope?” The Moon Goddess’s mind was in a whirl as she looked at Hong Chen’s increasingly pale face. “Then… then what do we do?”

Yanlai ignored their conversation and instead slowly funneled spiritual power into Hong Chen’s body. Both of them practiced fire-based arts, and her spiritual power was more effective than any fine medicine.

Seeing this, Sanmeng went out of the hall to investigate.

The heavenly soldiers had chased toward the Demon Realm. The heads of various clans were leaving one after another. The Heavenly Emperor had no time to explain to them; this time, the clan heads had watched the Prince’s spiritual root be stripped without offering any assistance. The Master of the Flower Clan arrived a moment too late; by the time he came, the Demon Venerable was already gone.

Enraged, the Heavenly Emperor could not blame the clan heads and could only enter seclusion to save his son. The Empress, refusing to involve herself, returned to her own sleeping quarters.

A’nan remained in the Heavenly Palace, refusing to leave the Prince’s side even in death.

Sanmeng returned after scouting the area. Hong Chen sat smiling on the couch; though her complexion was poor, her spirits were much better. Sanmeng explained the situation outside; the heavenly soldiers were still searching everywhere, so it was not a good time to leave.

Hong Chen leaned against a soft pillow, her lips pale, and said, “I thought of the mysterious person who attacked High Goddess Yanlai. At first, I wondered what kind of person it could be. When Xuanjing tried to kill me, she showed her true face, which took a certain amount of courage. But the mysterious person is not of the Demon Clan; if the Demon Clan had that kind of ability, they wouldn’t have let me take the position of Demon Venerable. At the time, I thought it was someone from the Immortal Clan.”

“You mean the Heavenly Emperor?” Yanlai asked. “I watched you duel with him today. He did not use his full strength. If he had gone all out, the Demon Venerable would have found it difficult to leave the Nine Heavens today.”

A self-mocking smile appeared on Hong Chen’s lips. “This Seat thought that since I could kill Jiuhan, I would not be inferior to the Heavenly Emperor. Today, it seems that was a delusion. Fine, I will wait until I return and train hard before we speak again.”

After speaking, she beckoned to Yanlai. When Yanlai stepped forward, she said, “This Seat consulted the King of Dark Night about the ‘Forgotten Dust’ spell and learned it in a few days. I shall now dispel your Forgotten Dust.”

“No need. I already know what I need to know. Do not waste your spiritual power.” Yanlai shook her head and refused.

Hong Chen smiled again. “Suit yourself. In any case, it has nothing to do with This Seat. I need to return to the Demon Realm. High Immortal Sanmeng, can you escort This Seat out of the Nine Heavens?”

The Moon Goddess did not want Sanmeng and Yanlai to be too close, so she spoke before Sanmeng could: “Can you even fly? You don’t even have the strength to fly; any random immortal could kill you.”

“Go to the Empress’s quarters,” Yanlai said. In the main hall, Sanmeng and the Moon Goddess had helped her, which already made them highly suspicious. If they stayed here any longer and the heavenly soldiers searched the area, they would be like turtles caught in a jar.

Sanmeng looked at the weakened Hong Chen and dazed for a moment. The Moon Goddess squeezed in front of her, blocking her view, and took the initiative to say, “I will take you to the Empress. Sanmeng, you be responsible for drawing away the heavenly soldiers on the way.”

Her view blocked, Sanmeng did not speak. She turned away and let her gaze fall elsewhere.

Yanlai reached out to support Hong Chen, but Hong Chen avoided her. Yanlai froze, then suddenly smiled. “You aren’t dead yet. Wait until you’re dead to cut ties with me.”

“Are you cursing This Seat to die?” Hong Chen was angry. Yanlai suddenly reached out and pinched her cheek. Her fingers were slightly cool, making Hong Chen shiver. She looked up in surprise, meeting Yanlai’s eyes, which were filled with tenderness.

Yanlai’s hand paused on her cheek before slowly descending to the corner of her lips. Her thumb rubbed back and forth across the bloodless lips.

Hong Chen felt her heart jump into her throat. She impatiently grabbed Yanlai’s meddling hand and said, “Are you flirting with me?”

As the words left her mouth, the eyelids of the other three people jumped simultaneously. Yanlai’s cheeks flushed, and she gave her a look. “Be serious.”

“You’re touching my mouth, how am I supposed to be serious?” Hong Chen felt Yanlai was becoming unreasonable. She glared at her, but Yanlai only smiled back.

Hong Chen instantly found it impossible to stay angry. Yanlai’s smile was so intoxicating, like a draught of crisp wine poured down the throat, intoxicating her mind.

Hong Chen could only sulk privately. Yanlai stared straight at her, her gaze carrying the coldness of a mountain peak, yet also containing several indefinable emotions.

The Moon Goddess gave a light cough. “It’s time to go. While it is chaotic outside, we can go find the Empress. What I don’t understand is why we are looking for the Empress. Even that old fellow Yuanji is more reliable than her.”

Yanlai said, “The Empress is the Demon Venerable’s foster mother.” If she had not guessed incorrectly, the physical body of Hong Chen’s birth mother, Chu Rou, was still within the Empress’s sleeping quarters.

For Chu Rou’s sake, the Empress would not stand by and watch her die.

Hong Chen placed her hand in Yanlai’s palm. She had intended to refuse, but since she had already touched her, she simply threw away her messy thoughts and asked bluntly, “Should we dual cultivate?”

Yanlai’s feet stumbled. “You were just keeping me a thousand miles away a moment ago.”

Hong Chen explained, “A moment ago I wanted to cut ties with you, but then you provoked me again. I feel I should seek some benefits for myself.”

Yanlai glanced at her. “The Demon Venerable’s mind certainly changes quickly.”

Hong Chen nodded. “This Seat believes that one should get up from wherever they fall. Since I fell because of you, you have the responsibility to help me up.”

“Since the Demon Venerable has so much energy, you don’t need me to help you up anymore.” Yanlai retracted both hands that were supporting Hong Chen.

Hong Chen hummed twice. “You are truly unkind. Without me, how could you have escaped unscathed today?”

“I never expected to escape unscathed today. The Heavenly Emperor would not dare kill me,” Yanlai said confidently.

Hong Chen steadied herself against the edge of the bed, her resentful gaze drifting toward Sanmeng. Sanmeng was suddenly startled, but the Moon Goddess reacted faster than her, stepping forward with a smile to support Hong Chen.

“Demon Venerable, I will help you.” The Moon Goddess’s smile was somewhat guilty.

Hong Chen curled her lip and gave a low huff. Fearing that she was thinking of some other bad trick, the Moon Goddess hurried to coax her: “Today, when you traded palms with the Heavenly Emperor, it was very impressive.”

Sanmeng spoke up at this time: “If you recover your soul, would you be a match for the Heavenly Emperor?”

“It cannot be recovered.” Hong Chen leaned her weight on the Moon Goddess, her head resting on the other’s head; in the next breath, they were practically stuck together.

Sanmeng remained unmoved, but Yanlai stepped forward and straightened Hong Chen’s body. Her hand passed around Hong Chen’s waist to rest on her lower abdomen, restraining her and locking her in her own embrace.

Hong Chen looked down at that slender arm and sighed, “Your arms are so long.”

Yanlai ignored her and ordered the Moon Goddess to lead the way, while she herself half-carried Hong Chen out of the Qingxu Hall.

No heavenly soldiers were seen along the way, only a few immortal maids occasionally. The immortals who were usually there had also vanished. The path was exceptionally silent, and the further they walked, the more chilling it felt.

Fortunately, they reached the Empress’s sleeping quarters without any trouble. The Moon Goddess stepped forward to speak with an immortal maid, directly knocking her unconscious, and then restrained several guards. Yanlai took the opportunity to help her inside.

Once inside the palace, they were safe. After they were in, the Moon Goddess would wake the others and pretend nothing had happened.

As soon as the two stepped in, the Empress had already sensed them.

The Empress walked out from the inner chambers. Seeing the person who could barely stand, she couldn’t help but be surprised. “You are actually wounded this severely.”

“Your Majesty the Empress, were you waiting for This Seat and the Heavenly Emperor to fight to the death so you could reap the rewards?” Hong Chen managed to stand up by leaning on Yanlai’s wrist. Yanlai understood and quietly withdrew the hand resting on her waist.

The Empress did not make things difficult for them. She signaled for them to sit and speak while she leaned against her couch, propping up her chin as she observed them.

“I thought with your current strength you would be equal to the Heavenly Emperor. After all, you killed so many gods ten thousand years ago.”

“Over the last ten thousand years, she has been gluttonous and lazy, while the Emperor has practiced diligently. Naturally, they cannot be compared.” Yanlai mocked Hong Chen. “All she knows is playing; even her disciples have learned bad habits.”

Hong Chen tried her best to pretend she hadn’t heard, leaning back against the seat and lightly closing her eyes. She was exhausted and her spirits were flagging; she could no longer hold on.

Seeing this, the Empress stepped forward to examine her injuries. She was shocked to find that her meridians had been damaged.

With a single palm strike, the Heavenly Emperor’s strength had exceeded her understanding. The Empress became preoccupied and said, “You two should dual cultivate. There is no medicine that can save her.”

Yanlai’s face flushed. The Empress, unsurprised, said, “If you dual cultivate, you can use spiritual power to repair her meridians. If you are unwilling, you can only let her slowly waste away.”

After the Empress finished speaking, she said no more and instead returned to her position, tilting her head to watch the sleeping Hong Chen.

At first glance, Hong Chen bore some resemblance to Chu Ran, but a closer look revealed the differences between them. Chu Rou was more gentle, her features like a painting, carrying a soft beauty like a gentle breeze and fine rain. Hong Chen was different. Though she seemed thin and weak, her features leaned toward the heroic; she was lively and bright, lacking the gentleness of Chu Rou.

Each had her own merits.

Yanlai did not respond, instead considering the feasibility of these words. The Empress’s actions were mysterious, making it hard to see her clearly for a time. Furthermore, the Prince had his spiritual root stripped by her today, yet the Empress did not blame her at all, which was quite strange.

Seeing that she did not speak, the Empress pinched her fingers and funneled a wisp of spiritual power into the prayer beads.

Qinggu appeared. She looked at her mother, showing no surprise, and then walked over to check Hong Chen’s injuries. “Was she wounded by Father Emperor?”

The Empress watched her daughter with a smile, showing none of the usual worry, and asked conversationally, “How have you been lately?”

“Has Mother Empress come out of seclusion?” Qinggu only then turned her gaze to her mother. “Have you achieved what you desired?”

“No, just a wisp of a soul. Having nothing to do, I tend to the flowers and plants; it is quite interesting.” The Empress’s tone was humorous. She jerked her chin toward Yanlai. “Do you have a way to save Hong Yan? If not, I shall let Yanlai dual cultivate with her.”

Qinggu’s body shivered. “Mother Empress, why are you telling me this on purpose?”

A playful smile appeared on the Empress’s lips. “I think you have a way to save her. After all, the spiritual power she possesses was given by you; you are effectively half a mother to her. Furthermore, if you want Yanlai to lose her virginity, you are welcome not to save her.”

“Why must she lose her virginity?” Qinggu could not help but talk back to her mother.

The Empress chuckled. “Could it be that you will dual cultivate with her?”

“We are sisters!” Qinggu grew angry.

The Empress smiled. “Me? No, I cultivated with her mother; I cannot subvert human relations. Among the three of us, only Yanlai is suitable. Or perhaps you can find a fourth person? Shall we bring Sanmeng here?”

Yanlai’s mouth twitched. The Empress’s way of raising daughters was truly unique. Qinggu was so angry she rolled her eyes and looked resentfully at Yanlai. “I will save her.”

The Empress said with satisfaction, “Go ahead and save her then.”

With the turn of events, Yanlai breathed a sigh of relief, though she was curious how Princess Qinggu would save Hong Chen.

Although Princess Qinggu was an artifact spirit, she was also a Bodhi. The Bodhi is an object before the Buddha, highly spiritual, and said to be able to save all living things.

She transformed into her original form. Bodhi flower vines wrapped around Hong Chen, and in an instant, the vines were covered in ice.

Seeing Yanlai watching intently, the Empress could not help but say, “The Heavenly Emperor practices water-based arts. Ice is water. The Demon Venerable’s meridians are injured throughout her body; the Bodhi can suck out the ‘Ice Lead.’ A moment ago, when I thought she was beyond saving and suggested you dual cultivate, I intended for you to use fire-based arts to repair her meridians. Look, now someone else is doing the work.”

The Empress poked fun at her own daughter. Yanlai could not bring herself to smile; she still had not figured out what the Empress’s true intentions were.

The ice wrapped around the Bodhi vines, attempting to crush them. After a moment, the vines leapt up, shattering the ice.

Qinggu restored her human form and gave the Empress a resentful look. “Sooner or later, I will destroy your flowers and plants.”

The Empress smiled leisurely. “Recover your immortal body first. When you see the two of them being intimate, will you be sad?”

The figure of Qinggu suspended in the air shivered. In the next instant, she dove back into the prayer beads, clearly enraged by her mother.

The Empress, not yet satisfied, said, “Still as unable to keep her composure as ever.”

A voice came from the beads: “When you watched Chu Rou and Father Emperor together, were you able to keep your composure?”

Yanlai pursed her lips, pretending she hadn’t heard anything. She stepped forward to help Hong Chen up, intending to take her away. The Empress spoke up: “Qinggu can only repair her meridians. As for her other injuries, you must solve them yourselves.”

Yanlai: “…”

As if she hadn’t seen the look of discomfort on Yanlai’s face, the Empress continued, “You can stay here in peace. As for whether the Emperor will send troops to attack Phoenix Mountain, I cannot control that. But from the moment you stepped into this place, the Emperor has been unable to touch you. Once you leave this place, whether you live or die is also beyond my control.”

Yanlai understood the Empress’s meaning. By standing here, she was her guest, and no one was allowed to touch her guests.

“Very well. I must trouble the Empress to arrange a sleeping chamber for us.” Yanlai held the unconscious Hong Chen tightly and gave the Empress a grateful smile.

The Empress looked confused upon hearing this and shook a finger. “One sleeping chamber… how many beds?”

Yanlai felt she was being teased by the Empress. The Empress smiled gently, her features warm. The way she looked at people was comfortable, without coldness or pressure.

The Empress said, “Fine then. One sleeping chamber, one bed.”

Yanlai found it hard to argue. She picked up Hong Chen, and the Empress personally led the way.

“Hong Yan lived here for a period of time. I will take you to her former palace.” The Empress’s movements were composed, similar to her temperament when she was the Empress in the human world.

Yanlai watched her back and recalled the past memories in Sanmeng’s mind. The Empress in those memories was bloodthirsty and cruel, having killed countless people.

If she had not known the past, she would have only seen the Empress as a gentle and kind elder.

Yanlai suppressed her thoughts and followed the Empress without straying a step.

Outside the sleeping chamber, the Empress used a cleansing spell to sweep the palace clean until the windows were bright and the tables clear. Yanlai stepped quickly into the hall and placed the person on the bed. The Empress said, “Stay here in peace. You can also return to Phoenix Mountain; Hong Yan will not be in danger here.”

“Your Majesty the Empress, there is one thing I do not understand.” Yanlai kept her back to the Empress, gazing intently at the person on the bed.

The Empress stopped her steps. “Ask.”

“I know you have the intention of protecting the Demon Venerable. Why then did you allow the Heavenly Emperor to take her bone-root all those years ago?”