After Provoking the Mad Beautiful Deity - Chapter 58

For the first time in ten thousand years, a dream had come. Was it a gathering of the soul, or was it born from Hongchen’s own deep-seated longings? There was no joy on Hongchen’s face, only a lingering sense of trepidation.

Yanlai held her hand and sighed, “It is likely because you have been nourishing her with your heart’s blood. The two of you share a spiritual connection. This is for the best; otherwise, the Empress might truly descend into madness.”

“No, no, no. I must bring her back,” Hongchen suddenly scrambled up. “The Heavenly Emperor will try to take her to replace Qingfeng’s skeletal roots.”

A person reborn possesses their own spiritual roots. Given the Emperor’s nature, he would surely use any means necessary to seize them. Yanlai turned pale with shock. “Do not move. I will have the Demon Physician send word to the Empress, telling her to be cautious.”

Without waiting for Hongchen to speak, she hurried off to find the physician.

She explained the situation in a few words. The Demon Physician, though half-doubting, sent out a spirit letter. As a subordinate of the Empress, the two shared a spiritual contract, ensuring the Empress would receive the message immediately. Watching the letter fly off, Yanlai still could not find peace. If tragedy struck again, not only the Empress, but Hongchen too would go mad.

She returned to the bedroom full of worry, only to find it empty. She called out several times, “Hongchen? Demon Lord?”

There was no answer. Yanlai panicked and summoned Yan Guang. “Where has the Demon Lord gone?”

“Master was just in the hall! Shiniang, do not worry, I will help you look for her.” Yan Guang was utterly confused, wondering if the two truly could not bear to be apart for even a moment.

Not realizing the gravity of the situation, Yanlang moved slowly toward the exit, only to hear Shiniang roar, “Qilin? Where is Qilin?”

Qilin was gone as well. Only then did Yan Guang realize something was wrong. “Master has left the Demon Palace.”

“Your Master has gone to the Nine Heavens. Yan Guang, tell the Dark Night King to deploy the troops immediately. He must create a disturbance. I am going to the Nine Heavens to find your Master.” Yanlai cursed herself for not calming Hongchen down. Charging into the Nine Heavens with unhealed injuries was no different from leaping into a death trap.

As Yan Guang left to fulfill the order, Yanlai added, “Find High Immortal Sanmeng to bolster our forces.”

Yanlai set off immediately to chase the reckless Demon Lord. Even with her haste, she reached the Southern Heaven Gate without seeing a soul. The gate was still guarded by Siming. Yanlai quietly changed her appearance and approached. “Siming.”

Siming looked up listlessly and saw a stranger. Yanlai pulled Siming aside, away from the other colleagues. Siming resisted slightly, “Speak properly, do not be so touchy.”

“It is I, Yanlai. Did someone just pass through?” Yanlai did not let go of Siming’s hand. “The Demon Lord is missing.”

Siming was startled and froze for a moment. “Someone did pass by just now. Princess Deshun has arrived.”

Yanlai let go of his wrist and turned to pass the gate. When the guards tried to stop her, Siming intervened, “This is the Princess’s maid.”

Yanlai hurried toward the Empress’s palace. Halfway there, she saw the Old Man under the Moon sighing over a pile of red threads. She paid him no mind, but someone was chasing him—the Moon Goddess.

“Old Man, what kind of marriage fate have you tied for me? I do not like him! Remove this thread!”

The Old Man dodged and weaved, “The two of you are a perfect match! Besides, if you never marry, do you want to be an old goddess forever?”

Taking advantage of their bickering, Yanlai slipped away. She reached the Empress’s chambers, but the serving maids blocked her way. “Who goes there?”

“I am a maid of Princess Deshun, here to deliver items on her command.”

Thinking the Princess had just entered, the maids let her through. Yanlai slipped inside and immediately felt a barrier. She forced her way through to the inner hall.

Inside, Hongchen and the Empress were already locked in combat. Neither would yield. Yanlai flew forward and grabbed Hongchen’s wrist. “Do not be so impatient.”

“You’ve come at the right time! Help me seize that herb!” Hongchen’s eyes were sharp, and the demonic energy within her had surged to a level Yanlai had never seen—she looked terrifyingly fierce.

Yanlai turned to the Empress, “To be blunt, it is not safe for her here. You have hidden Chu Rou in this palace for ten thousand years; do you think the Emperor truly does not know? Once she is reborn, she will become the perfect vessel to store spiritual roots for Prince Qingfeng.”

“He will not! I will not let him know anything about her. Things are different now; I am no longer that helpless child. I have the power to protect her,” the Empress snapped. “Neither of you will take her.”

Seeing that the Empress would not listen, Hongchen moved to seize the herb again. Yanlai held her back. “If you injure her, it will only hurt Chu Rou. If the Emperor is watching from the shadows, you are simply doing his work for him.”

“Then what should we do?” Hongchen’s shoulders slumped. “Must she be reborn in such a dangerous place?”

Yanlai gripped her hand tightly and turned to the Empress. “The Demon Realm is safest. No one there covets Chu Rou, whereas here, danger is everywhere. Your Majesty, you should understand the Emperor’s intentions by now. If you persist, you will only ruin Chu Rou and yourself. Give her to me. I swear on my life—as long as I live, she lives.”

The Empress stared at her, finally withdrawing her spiritual power. Her expression was torn.

“She is not just your beloved; she is also the Demon Lord’s mother,” Yanlai continued. “The Demon Lord’s worry is even greater than yours.”

Hongchen nodded and was about to speak when Yanlai pinched her waist hard. The pain made her wince. How ruthless!

Hongchen shut her mouth obediently. The Empress fell silent. “Your Majesty, if she is reborn, you may see each other or not, but staying here is too dangerous. Moreover, with Hongchen’s heart’s blood, she will return much sooner. Hongchen has recovered a lot; her heart’s blood is the best medicine.”

By hinting that the heart’s blood could be used again, Yanlai offered the ultimate temptation. The Empress finally relented and handed over the celestial herb.

Yanlai caught it quickly. Suddenly, a violent gale erupted. Hongchen reacted instantly, swinging her palm to block the wind. “Yanlai, protect her!”

The herb was secure in Yanlai’s arms. The Empress did not retreat either, using her magic to resist the burgeoning spiritual pressure. She shouted into the gale, “Chongfang, there is no need to hide. I know it is you.”

The wind died down. A figure emerged from the silver light—it was the Heavenly Emperor, Chongfang.

Hongchen was furious. “You really are a lingering ghost! Your son is a piece of trash; just replace him. You have so many concubines; just have another child. You’re the Emperor—work harder and you can have ten if you want. Why are you acting like a lovestruck girl, obsessed with a single tree?”

Yanlai hid behind Hongchen. The Empress stepped forward to face the Emperor. “Chongfang, you have been spying on me.”

“Huanian, is there anything about me that is not good?” the Emperor asked coldly. “Give me that herb, and we shall remain the most loving couple.”

Hongchen laughed again, not hiding her mockery. “You’re great, except for the fact that you’re a man. The Empress likes women—do you still not understand?”

Yanlai bit her lip and tugged at Hongchen’s sleeve. Once stopped, Hongchen said no more.

The Emperor looked at the Empress with feigned affection. “Huanian, he is your son too.”

Suddenly, Yanlai injected spiritual power into Hongchen’s bracelet. A figure flew out. “Hongchen, are you bored again?”

Qinggu was annoyed at being summoned, but then she saw her father standing before her. She froze in shock. The Emperor was also surprised. “Gu’er? You are alive?”

Qinggu knelt before the Emperor, tears streaming down her face. “Father, have you been well all these years?”

“I am well, but your brother is not. His spiritual roots were destroyed by Yanlai; he is now a broken man.” The Emperor flicked his sleeve in rage and pointed at Yanlai. “Gu’er, seize that herb from her hand and save your brother!”

Qinggu looked at her father in disbelief, then at Yanlai, slowly processing the news.

Yanlai spoke softly, “That herb is Chu Rou’s physical form. Princess Qinggu, do you still wish to seize it?”

“Her physical form? Father, why are you still so obsessed? To use forbidden arts and destroy human relationships… wake up!” Qinggu cried out, covering her face. “You were wrong once; must you be wrong a second time? Has my brother made any progress in ten thousand years? Even with a miraculous root, he never reached the rank of High Immortal. Do you still not understand?”

Yanlai smiled and pulled Hongchen back a step. Hongchen looked at her helplessly. Bringing Qinggu out now only added more pain to the situation.

The Emperor was livid. He brushed his daughter aside with a wave of his sleeve. “Turning against your own kin? I wasted ten thousand years worrying about you. I shall consider you dead ten thousand years ago!”

Hongchen barked back, “A useless son is worth all this? Look at how excellent your daughter is. Tsk, tsk—you favor boys over girls. I forgot, I am your daughter too. Father, why don’t you step down? I’ll sit on that throne for you.”

“Presumptuous!” the Emperor roared. His handsome face twisted with malice as he summoned several ice swords and launched them at the group.

The Empress stood at the front, melting the ice with her flames. “Go! Now!”

Yanlai was worried. “Your Majesty, come with us!”

The mask had been torn off; staying would only lead to death.

The Empress sneered, “I cannot leave. You go first. When Chu Rou is reborn, there is no need to mention me. Do not waste time—Qinggu, lead them out!”

“Mother! Mother!” Qinggu cried. Hongchen grabbed her. “Let’s go!”

If the Emperor truly loved the Empress, he would not harm her. If his love was a lie, then the Empress had already walked into her own trap.

Fire and water clashed. The Empress held back the Emperor while Qinggu led the two out of the palace. Outside, a swarm of Heavenly Soldiers waited. Qinggu, having once commanded troops, roared, “Stand down!”

The soldiers faltered. Though Qinggu had no physical body and was only a soul, her phantom form was unmistakable. Many immortals gathered, gasping at the sight.

“Princess Qinggu! She is still alive!” “But she has no physical body…”

The soldiers realized her identity and retreated. Using her status, Qinggu cleared a path through the Southern Heaven Gate. Once outside, Qilin rushed to meet them, carrying all three away from the Nine Heavens.

They raced back to the Demon Realm. A skirmish was breaking out at the border, but they paid it no mind. Back at the Demon Palace, Yanlai found Yan Guang. “The Demon Lord is back. Tell the Dark Night King to handle things as he sees fit.”

Whether to fight or retreat was up to him. If he couldn’t handle that, he shouldn’t come back.

Yanlai hurried back to her chambers. Hongchen was staring at the celestial herb on the table. Qinggu sat to the side, looking lost.

Hongchen beckoned Yanlai over. “Let us engage in dual cultivation tonight.”

The grieving Princess Qinggu was speechless. She slammed the table. “Do you have no shame?”

“There is no one here but me and my Queen. What is it to you?” Hongchen blinked. “Go back into the bracelet. Don’t interfere with our business.”

Qinggu’s chest heaved with anger. “You are shameless! I am not going back!”

Hongchen chuckled. “Are you going to watch us, then?”

Qinggu was thin-skinned. She looked at Yanlai in a huff. “Aren’t you going to control her? Your disciple is too shameless!”

“She is the Demon Lord now, not my disciple. I cannot control her. The Princess must be tired; why not go rest?” Yanlai was also dismissing the guest.

Qinggu glared at Yanlai and immediately dove into the bracelet. “Do not call for me again!”

Yanlai smiled. Hongchen stroked the leaves of the herb, then pulled Yanlai toward the bed. Yanlai’s heart pounded. Hongchen moved quickly—getting onto the bed and pulling the curtains shut. “Hurry up.”

Yanlai looked at the herb on the table. “You are in a hurry to nourish it with heart’s blood, aren’t you?”

Hongchen had been resistant yesterday but was begging for it today. Yanlai sat down, feeling a bit melancholy. “It cannot be rushed.”

“It is urgent! Very urgent!” Hongchen hooked her arms around Yanlai’s neck and pulled her down.

Yanlai panicked, “Slow down… slow down…”

Hongchen replied, “The storybooks say seven times a night!”

“It is still daytime!” Yanlai protested.

“Then seven times a day!”

“Can you even handle that?” Yanlai asked helplessly.

Hongchen bristled, “I am the Demon Lord. That question is an insult!”

Yanlai laughed. “Is that so? You’ll be crying when you can’t take anymore.”

“I have never cried in my life!” Hongchen declared proudly.

“Shall we test that?”

Hongchen shrunk back slightly. “Wait… I’m not in a hurry anymore.”

Yanlai teased, “But we must hurry—we have to save the Empress.”

Hongchen turned serious again. “Right, right. We must hurry. Come on then!”

She spread her arms and closed her eyes. “Hurry up!”

The Demon Palace now had a distinguished guest and several times more guards than usual. The Young Lords took turns on watch. The soldiers of the two realms fought several battles, but they were evenly matched. The Dark Night King was occupied at the front, and the Demon Realm was peaceful. The Young Lords had little to do, so they hung around Yanlai.

Their Master slept during the day and spent the night with the Queen. She was never to be seen. The Demon Physician came daily but received no reply to his letters to the Empress. Yanlai was also worried and sent scouts to the Nine Heavens.

The Heavenly Palace was quiet. Everyone was back at their posts. Even Siming had returned to his duties. The quieter it became, the more uneasy Yanlai felt. The Emperor was not one to suffer in silence.

After five or six days, Xuan Ze of the Wilderness came to see her. He had waited a day at Phoenix Mountain before being directed to the Demon border.

Yanlai met the new Clan Leader. The young man looked pale. He bowed deeply. “We have investigated. We suspect a few people.”

“Who?”

Xuan Ze hesitated. “The Heavenly Emperor… the East Sea Clan Leader… and High Immortal Qingyun, who currently commands the troops.”

When mentioning the Emperor, terror flickered in his eyes.

Yanlai nodded. “Do not rush for revenge. Protect yourselves first. Keep the results of the investigation to yourself. Discuss your next steps together; do not become a scattered mess. Xuan Ze, you are still young.”

Xuan Ze bowed again, not daring to look at her.

“Is there something else?”

“There is, one thing.” Xuan Ze stammered, his hands clenched tight. Gathering his courage, he looked at Yanlai. “I… I wish to ask for the hand of your head disciple, Fairy Yan Chen, in the name of the Clan Leader of the Wilderness.”