After Provoking the Mad Beautiful Deity - Chapter 60

The Dark Night King came to see the Demon Queen and waited at the entrance for a long time. He sought the Demon Queen specifically, not the Demon Lord. Fortunately, Hongchen was generous and did not take offense; she waved at Yanlai and promptly fell back asleep.

Hongchen was still prone to lethargy. Yanlai was worried; her heart tightened as she watched the Demon Lord fall asleep while clutching her pillow.

Once the Dark Night King met with the Demon Queen, he closed the hall doors and set up a barrier. Yanlai stood ready, her expression solemn.

“Demon Queen, I have observed the lineup of the Heavenly Soldiers. There are no High Immortals among them; only a few Immortal Lords are leading the vanguard,” the Dark Night King said, trailing off.

Yanlai replied, “You should know that the Heavenly Emperor’s cultivation far exceeds that of the Demon Lord. If war breaks out, the Demon Lord will gain no advantage. To tell you the truth, the Heavenly Emperor has mastered Demon Realm techniques and understands us well, yet we know nothing of his true state.”

“That is simple. We can set up the God-Slaying Array to test him,” the Dark Night King sneered. Seeing Yanlai’s stern expression, he added quickly, “The God-Slaying Array targets the techniques of the Immortal Realm. If it proves useless against the Heavenly Emperor, it can only mean he possesses demonic energy. Once that is proven, what right will he have to remain the Heavenly Emperor? We would not even need to act; he would bring about his own ruin.”

“Go and make the arrangements. I will find a way to lure him here.” Yanlai let out a sigh of relief and reminded the Dark Night King, “This matter must not be leaked. The Heavenly Emperor is ruthless. Remember, protecting yourself is the most important thing.”

“The Demon Queen’s concern for her subordinates makes us feel truly at ease.” The Dark Night King bowed. Neither the Demon Lord nor the Demon Queen was a person who loved unnecessary slaughter.

Yanlai nodded, and the Dark Night King departed immediately.

Since they were setting up the God-Slaying Array, they needed witnesses. After all, who would believe such a claim without proof?

Yanlai returned to the bedroom with a heavy heart. Hongchen had not yet awakened, and the celestial herb on the table had grown slightly larger. She glanced at it but paid it little mind until she walked to the bedside and saw how pale Hongchen’s face was.

In that instant, she stopped. Instinctively, she looked back at the celestial herb.

Hongchen had been nourishing the herb with her heart’s blood.

It was not that she was failing to recover; it was that she was constantly harming herself.

Yanlai suddenly felt a wave of powerlessness. What use was high cultivation if she had to watch her beloved trap herself in a cycle of pain without any way to stop it?

The fastest way to revive the herb was indeed with heart’s blood.

She looked at Hongchen, grasped her wrist, and sighed, “I thought you never cared about Chu Rou.”

Hongchen had a straightforward, carefree personality and rarely kept things in her heart. Such people lived happily. Because of this, she never mentioned the past, and by not mentioning it, she did not seem to remember it.

However, the truth was not what Yanlai had seen. Hongchen did care, even at the cost of her own life.

Yanlai thought about it for a while, her mood growing heavier, and decided to go outside for a walk.

Outside the hall, she found the Young Lords sitting together and talking. Since the arrival of the Demon Queen, the Young Lords had become much more relaxed. With the Dark Night King at the border and Yanlai in the palace, they had plenty of free time. They spent their days together, gossiping like ordinary women.

Standing behind them, Yanlai heard them discussing a story about one of their subordinates.

“That man wanted to marry two women. His wife at home refused, and the woman outside didn’t want him anymore. After all that fuss, he ended up all alone.”

“That is natural. The girls in our Demon Realm are much smarter than those in the mortal realm. If a man turns rotten, just find a new one. Why be obsessed with just one? Replace him.”

“That is the right way to think. Those who can’t let go and fight to the death… tsk, tsk, their brains must be broken.”

Hearing their tone, which was exactly like Hongchen’s, Yanlai let out a quiet scoff and continued to listen in silence.

“Do you remember that pair of lovers—one immortal, one demon—that Master had me look after? They found a demon cave to make a home in and even picked up a child. It is a little girl, and she is incredibly cute.”

“You should tell Master to go pick one up too. Then we would have another junior sister, a Little Eleven.”

“Exactly! You should go and push her for it.”

Yanlai could no longer smile. She gave a light cough, and the Young Lords scrambled to their feet, their faces full of forced smiles.

Yanlai scolded them, “Since you are so idle, why aren’t you practicing? When will you ever be able to take charge of your own territory? Your current cultivation is barely on par with Prince Qingfeng’s.”

Yan Guang was indignant. “He is older than Master! How old are we?”

“Is that so? If you continue to be this decadent, how will you be any different from him in a few years? From today onward, put aside your distractions and go into secluded cultivation. Do not come to see me until you have broken through to the rank of High Immortal.” Yanlai reprimanded them casually. “I have never seen such negligent disciples.”

The Young Lords hung their heads. Xiao Shi scratched her head and whispered, “That is such an old-fashioned lecture. Shiniang should try a new one.”

Yanlai looked at Xiao Shi and said calmly, “Your Master is in need of a celestial herb to use as fertilizer. Do you wish to volunteer?”

“Fertilizer? No, no, no! Shiniang, I am going to practice. See you another day!” Xiao Shi fled in a panic, fearing for her life.

Seeing this, the other five let out awkward laughs and followed quickly after her.

Only Qilin remained in the corner, still gnawing on a chicken leg. Yanlai glanced at her and asked, “Where is Yu Qi?”

“She is in secluded cultivation.” Qilin finally looked up.

Yanlai was full of worry. She said, “Have someone keep an eye on her.” After all, Yu Qi still held a heart full of resentment.

At that moment, a message arrived from the Moon Goddess: “The Clan Leader’s wife has seen the Empress. She is indeed afflicted with Forgetting Dust.”

Yanlai took a sharp breath. It was as she feared. She looked at Qilin and asked, “How is your Demon Lord’s mastery of the Forgetting Dust technique?”

“I do not know. Did the Demon Lord even practice that?” Qilin looked blank.

Yanlai stopped asking. It was a waste of time; the girl only cared about eating chicken and knew nothing. Squatting there on the ground, she looked exactly like a mini version of Hongchen.

Whatever. The lover was a fool, the disciples were not bright, and even her own mount was a ditz.

Yanlai went back inside to find Hongchen. As soon as she entered the hall, she heard the sound of footsteps, which then vanished.

She walked into the inner chamber. The air around the celestial herb was thick with the scent of blood, while the person on the bed appeared to be in a deep slumber. Yanlai felt utterly helpless and said, “If you aren’t actually asleep, then do not pretend to be.”

The person on the bed huddled into a ball and did not respond. Yanlai stepped forward and pulled back the quilt, revealing Hongchen in a state of disarray.

“Put your clothes on properly.”

Hongchen gave a playful laugh and scrambled up. “You’re back!”

“What were you doing so sneakily?” Yanlai asked, displeased.

Hongchen wrapped herself in the quilt and flashed a pleasing smile. “I wanted to go find something, but I wasn’t dressed, and then you just happened to return.”

“The Demon Lord needs to use her hands to fetch things? Where is your magic?” Yanlai mocked.

Hongchen chuckled. “Where did you go?”

Yanlai did not hide the truth. “I wanted to clear my head, but I ran into those negligent disciples on the way. I gave them a scolding and came back. Your disciples are just like you—fond of eating and lazy. It is fine for you since you have your cultivation, but what about them?”

“Then keep scolding them. Give them a good lecture, and if that doesn’t work, use a cane or a paddle. Anything is fine.” Hongchen nodded sensibly, though her tone was a bit sarcastic—she knew Yanlai was indirectly talking about her.

Yanlai glared at her. “You certainly have a way with words. Since you don’t cherish your own body, perhaps you are the one who needs a good thrashing with a cane.”

Hongchen immediately shut her mouth and fell silent.

Yanlai sat on the edge of the bed, intentionally looking displeased. “Will there be a next time?”

Hongchen nodded. “There will.”

Yanlai was furious. “I really should give you a beating until you can’t get out of bed. Since medicine is useless on you, I should let you feel some pain for once.”

“If you use a cane on the Demon Lord, ten thousand demons will mock me.” Hongchen imagined the scene—a majestic Demon Lord being whipped with a cane. Would that be dignified? She shook her head immediately. “You cannot.”

Yanlai immediately grasped her wrist. “I can.”

“There won’t be a next time! I was wrong!” Hongchen apologized instantly. “Does the Demon Lord not deserve some dignity?”

Yanlai chuckled. “I thought the Demon Lord didn’t care for dignity.”

“I do! Leave me some face.” Hongchen withdrew her hand and lay back down quietly.

Yanlai lay down beside her, shoulder to shoulder. The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became much warmer. Yanlai closed her eyes, and Hongchen rolled over, wrapping an arm around her waist and nuzzling her neck.

Hongchen said, “Your waist is so soft.”

Yanlai remained silent.

Hongchen continued, “Your legs are soft too.”

Yanlai opened her eyes.

Hongchen added, “And that place of yours is also very…”

Yanlai, unable to take it anymore, covered her mouth. “Shut up.”

Hongchen looked perfectly innocent. She pulled Yanlai’s hand away and said, “I thought you would like hearing that.”

“If I said those things to you, would you like hearing them?” Yanlai asked crossly.

Hongchen nodded. “I like hearing anything you say.”

Yanlai turned away and ignored her. Hongchen huddled closer, her palm resting on Yanlai’s lower abdomen. “Let’s talk.”

“Talk about what? More of your bold nonsense?” Yanlai held the mischievous hand on her stomach.

Hongchen gazed at the fair skin of Yanlai’s neck. “What is wrong with bold nonsense?”

“Shameless,” Yanlai said.

Hongchen laughed. “It is just human desire. It is fine to talk about the desire for power, so why is sexual desire a matter of shame?”

Yanlai sighed. “Demon Lord, please stop talking.”

Hongchen refused and was about to speak again when Yanlai turned and covered her mouth. “Stop it.”

“I like talking! I want to talk! Don’t cover my mouth!”

“Let me tell you: the Empress has been hit with Forgetting Dust. She has forgotten your mother.”

Hongchen froze. Yanlai breathed heavily as their gazes met Hongchen’s eyes were blank with shock, while Yanlai’s were full of pity.

With their minds in different places, Hongchen withdrew her hand and lay flat, staring into the void. “Perhaps… forgetting is quite a good thing.”

Yanlai did not know how to comfort her. Her heart was filled with guilt, so she simply held Hongchen’s hand tightly in silent support.

“If she forgot, she forgot. It isn’t a life-or-death crisis. If everyone is well, then the world is fine. Like you and me—we forgot for ten thousand years, but even without those past memories, we still felt joy. If you have loved, you will still feel something even if you forget. If the love is truly gone, it is just reality getting in the way; I don’t blame them.”

Hongchen’s words reflected a resigned acceptance of reality. She held no grudge or hatred, using the simplest logic to comfort herself.

“Hongchen, the Empress has a personality that loves and hates fiercely. Even if she does not remember Chu Rou, she might not necessarily like the Heavenly Emperor. Or perhaps, she might take an interest in some other goddess,” Yanlai said, feigning a lighthearted tone.

Hongchen blinked. “Then I shall find another woman for my mother as well.”

Yanlai laughed. In the heavy, sorrowful atmosphere, a sliver of humor finally broke through. She buried her face in Hongchen’s shoulder, laughing.

After a good laugh, Yanlai wrapped her arms around Hongchen’s waist. She liked holding Hongchen; it gave her a sense of security. Even if the sky fell, there was someone to help her hold it up. The feeling of mutual support was truly wonderful.

The two leaned against each other and shared a few more words before Hongchen closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Yanlai had no desire to sleep. She remained still, keeping her arms around Hongchen. She leaned against her, listening to the steady beat of her heart.

Hongchen was prone to sleep, spending half the day in slumber. Fortunately, she would eventually wake up—unlike the last time, when she slept for three years. When she was awake, they could talk.

Hongchen slept for an entire day. When she finally woke, Yanlai was standing by the window, looking at something. Hongchen rolled over and went back to sleep.

After drifting in and out of sleep for three or four days, the Dark Night King came to report: the Heavenly Emperor had arrived to personally oversee the army.

Hongchen was half-awake. Hearing this, she didn’t care and simply rolled over to hug Yanlai. Yanlai patted her back and said to the messenger, “Tell the Dark Night King to wait a moment. The Demon Lord and I will be there shortly.”

She nudged Hongchen awake. “The Heavenly Emperor is here.”

“So he’s here. I’m not exactly going to set off firecrackers to welcome him.” Hongchen was forced into a sitting position. She opened her eyes and saw the celestial herb on the table. She reached for her heart, but her hand was immediately caught by Yanlai. “You are not allowed to use your heart’s blood again. You promised me.”

“I promised you?” Hongchen was confused. She thought to herself that she had only promised there wouldn’t be a next time, but she hadn’t specified what “next time” meant.

Hongchen didn’t want to deal with trivial matters and tried to fall back, but Yanlai caught her and held her tight. “Get up. We are going to see the Dark Night King.”

“You go. You’re the Demon Queen.”

“We are going together.”

“No.”

“Fine. Let’s engage in dual cultivation instead.”

Hongchen’s eyes snapped open. She saw Yanlai’s beaming smile and shut her mouth in frustration.

Immortals truly are detestable.

Yanlai pulled her up and changed her into a black dress, pinning her hair up in a dignified and proper style. Hongchen dawdled behind Yanlai, complaining under her breath, “When my injuries are healed, I will definitely make you pay for this.”

“You can do that now if you like,” Yanlai said nonchalantly.

Hongchen gave a low snort. “Right now you’re wasting my sleeping time. I am so tired.”

Yanlai glanced at her. “Use less of your heart’s blood, and you won’t be so tired.”

Hongchen said nothing. It was the truth, but she didn’t want to hear it.

Entering the main hall, they found the Dark Night King talking to a maid. This time, the Young Lords were absent; upon asking, he learned they had been sent into secluded cultivation by the Demon Queen.

Since the arrival of the Demon Queen, the Demon Palace had completely changed.

The Demon Lord and Queen sat down together, and the Dark Night King reported on the recent battles. The two armies were evenly matched, and neither had suffered much. However, since the arrival of the Heavenly Emperor, the demon soldiers had lost several battles in a row. In the Dark Night King’s view, the Emperor’s presence had greatly boosted the morale of the Heavenly Soldiers.

Yanlai laughed. She had intended to use the celestial herb to lure the Emperor here, but he had come on his own. It was clear he still wanted the herb to reconstruct Prince Qingfeng’s spiritual roots.

Yanlai did not mention this in front of the Dark Night King. She only asked, “How are the preparations for the great array?”

“Ready and waiting,” the Dark Night King said with confidence.

In war, what the Heavenly Soldiers feared most was the God-Slaying Array. However, because Yan Guang was kind-hearted, she never used such a sinister array, leading the soldiers to forget it even existed.

Forgotten, but not gone.

Hongchen let out a yawn, listening lazily to the two of them. It went in one ear and out the other; she didn’t take it to heart. This wasn’t her first war in ten thousand years; after so many battles, it was all just routine.

Yanlai and the Dark Night King discussed the details. Once they set a time, the Dark Night King left to make the arrangements. Before leaving, he noticed the Demon Lord yawning repeatedly and thought to himself that the Demon Queen was truly formidable.

The Dark Night King came and went in a hurry. Hongchen was so tired she fell asleep leaning against Yanlai.

Yanlai wouldn’t let her sleep. “Go and check on your disciples’ cultivation. If they have any doubts, address them early.”

“You go.” Hongchen tried to push it onto Yanlai again. “All my strength was left on the bed.”

Yanlai gave a light cough. “Watch your words. All your strength was given to the celestial herb.”

Hongchen didn’t hear her and repeated, “I gave all my strength to you.”

Yanlai: “…”

Yanlai stopped talking. No matter what she said, it came out sounding different in Hongchen’s mouth.

Hongchen didn’t want to talk further. she stood up and prepared to leave. Yanlai assumed she was finally going to see her disciples and didn’t stop her, only adding, “Come back early.”

Hongchen waved her hand and left cheerfully. Yanlai then summoned her subordinates to discuss the upcoming battle.

Hongchen did not go to see her disciples. Instead, she went straight back to her chambers. With no one around, she stared at the celestial herb in a daze. This time, she wasn’t sleepy.

Heart’s blood was very painful, and it was only after the pain passed that the lethargy set in. She rested her chin on her hand and muttered to the herb, “I nourish you once every three days. Why is there still no reaction? Your old lover has forgotten you, aren’t you sad?”

“If you have forgotten too, then it is as if nothing happened. I hope you wake up having forgotten everything. Mother, just forget.”

After her musings, Hongchen immediately performed her magic. Fresh blood gushed from her heart, sprinkling onto the roots of the plant like spring rain.

Pain and exhaustion hit her simultaneously. The pain kept her awake, while the exhaustion made her listless. Quickly, she tidied herself up and went to the bed to continue sleeping.