Lace Glory Universe King GL - Chapter 21

The Inverted Sky lay at the far edge of the Land of Kings. Traveling there from Heluo required crossing a stretch of sea. On land, Wu Zetian’s pace was swift; but on a ship, she could only grow impatient and helpless—just the crossing alone took three full days.

This Inverted Wonderland was vast yet sparsely populated, home only to a few divine beings: Pangu, God of Dawn; Nezha, the Proud Flame Spear; Master of Alchemy Taiyi Zhenren; Yang Jian, the Eye of Origin. Wu Zetian had never dealt with these figures, but one of them—Nüwa—she remembered clearly.

Ten years ago, when Wu Zetian ascended the throne, this so-called “Supreme Creator” had intruded uninvited into her Ziwei Palace.

After the enthronement ceremony ended, the Empress returned to her chambers to change. She removed the heavy ceremonial robes, took off the phoenix crown and jeweled ornaments, and finally breathed out in relief.

“I shall rest for a short while. Return when i

Her maids withdrew.

Pushing past the beaded curtain, she found someone standing within.

“You?” Wu Zetian was surprised, yet it was obvious this was no ordinary mortal—the figure hovered in the air, radiating light, with a body seemingly unbreakable like diamond.

The woman chuckled lightly, her voice lingering and airy: “Your Creator is here.”

“Nüwa?”

Wu Zetian had heard the stories since childhood—that Nüwa created the Land of Kings. And this line was her iconic introduction.

Descending slowly from the air, Nüwa removed the golden mask that veiled her divine features. Her long, upward-slanting eyes glowed with deep feeling, her sharp yet refined face carrying a certain cold majesty—unlike any mortal beauty. Truly, humans were shaped in the likeness of the gods. Yet even the rarest beauties of the mortal world could not compare to such otherworldly grace.

She leaned closer, gazing intently at the young Empress, her eyes reflecting both admiration and hostility.

“Since creation itself, I have never seen a human so extraordinary.”

Wu Zetian cared little for flattery. Instead, she found Nüwa’s closeness an intrusion and turned away, circling back to sit on the bed.

“Creator, you barged into the palace. Surely you didn’t come merely to praise me?”

Nüwa frowned. “Barged? Across the entire Land of Kings, there exists no forbidden place for me.”

Wu Zetian closed her eyes briefly. She was genuinely tired. Gods and mortals had little to say to one another.

“So be it. The Creator may wander my palace at will. I shall not keep you company.”

“Come now.” Nüwa darted through the air, twirling like a golden serpent, and in an instant was beside the bed. “I came here for you. The Inverted Sky is beautiful, yes—but not very entertaining. Watching you plot, scheme, seal Jiang Ziya, unify Heluo, and ascend the throne—”

Wu Zetian shot her a sharp glare.

“—I mean, watching you strategize, cut through thorns, conquer Jiang Ziya, and reign supreme!” Nüwa looked delighted, as though she had just finished a splendid play. “It eased the tedium of my years in the Inverted Sky. How exhilarating!”

Hearing her recount events so vividly, Wu Zetian almost laughed. So this distant god had been an audience to her struggles all along.

“To think the Creator delights in such amusements. You observed Heluo’s endless wars, yet spoke not a word. Truly the silent spectator of the chessboard.” Wu Zetian thought—now that the victors and losers were decided, this divine onlooker appeared merely to applaud.

Nüwa caught the edge of sarcasm in her tone.

“Of course. Unless the balance of the entire Land of Kings is threatened, the Supreme Creator does not meddle in mortal squabbles. Still—there were several moments I considered saving you.” She spread her hands with a careless air. It was hard to believe this languid, nonchalant woman was the Creator herself—more like some idle noble with no inheritance.

“But if you could pull yourself out of the mire… ah, that made the story truly worth watching.” Nüwa leaned close to Wu Zetian’s lovely face, a sight she found irresistible.

Wu Zetian tilted away, just to keep some distance from her.

“So. What is it you actually want to say?”

“Well…” Nüwa pursed her lips, as though disappointed her leading actress was so dull. “I suppose emperors have little patience for sweet words. Then I shall be blunt—would you care to share in the joys of love with me?”

Wu Zetian, who had spent most of her life on the battlefield of power struggles, almost couldn’t believe her ears. She stared at the Creator in disbelief before finally speaking:

“…You… desire me?”

“Surely you know even the Creator has passions and desires, Mèi Niáng.” Nüwa’s gaze lingered on her, sweeping up and down as though already having taken liberties.

“I detest that name most of all.”

“Then… Little Zhao Zhao?”

“…”

Wu Zetian shook her head, trying to banish the memory.

And afterward?

When faced with the Creator’s sudden confession, she grew impatient, mustered her “Imperial Might” sphere of power—but before she could strike, Nüwa had already vanished.

After her departure, she left behind a petty prank—the commemorative coins minted by the Ministry of Works for the enthronement, all bearing the Empress’s image, had overnight changed to the face of her rival Jiang Ziya.

Back then, Sikong Zhen had prostrated himself in terror before her. “Your Majesty, what shall we do with these coins?”

“Send them back to the furnace. Forget the commemoration.”

Now, Sikong Zhen acted brazenly, nothing like the timid minister he once was. If he were granted the power of the Demon Gem, the entire continent would know no peace—her throne least of all.

Thus, despite her vexation with the Creator, Wu Zetian had no choice but to seek her aid. And perhaps, if Nüwa still held any fondness, she could be used for greater schemes.

But ten years had passed. Did Nüwa even remember? Back then, newly enthroned and filled with ambition, Wu Zetian had scorned the aid of the Inverted Sky. After all, the divine always abided by neutrality, never interfering in mortal affairs. As for Nüwa’s “affections,” Wu Zetian had felt only surprise and confusion.

Yet a decade later, at the summit of power, she understood. For those who rule, affairs of passion are but refined diversions of body and spirit. She herself had indulged in many—but in the end, she always found her partners’ inner worlds pitifully barren. Hers remained vast as the seas, her explorations solitary.

Nüwa’s intrusion back then was merely another game of the powerful. When her advances were rejected, the game only grew more interesting.

It was the classic: “Woman, you have successfully caught my attention.”

But after that, Nüwa never returned. Surely, she had found other games to play.

Wu Zetian pondered whether her rejection then might now serve to her advantage.

When she finally arrived at the Inverted Wonderland, she slowed her steps.

This place was even more magnificent than her imperial gardens. The horizon stretched unbroken, the blue sky arching like the dome of a great hall, clouds hanging low enough to touch, like lace trimming the edge of the realm.

Palaces and pavilions hung upside down from the heavens, their eaves twisting into strange and wondrous shapes.

Behind these inverted structures shone a blazing column of light—the power of the Tower of the Sun.

Wu Zetian marveled in her heart. She had long heard of these wonders, but to see them was awe beyond words.

Yet among all these suspended palaces, which one belonged to the Creator?

At that moment, Nüwa was in Chang’e’s Palace of Azure Sea and Sky. The moment the Empress set foot in the Inverted Sky, Nüwa sensed it.

Chang’e leaned against her laurel tree, silver hair spilling among the branches, robes billowing with the blue currents of energy. It was the time of the full moon, when her power surged richly.

Nüwa reclined beneath, on a lounge chair, a snow-white jade rabbit nestled comfortably in her arms.

“She is here.” Nüwa half-opened her eyes. The rabbit’s ears pricked immediately.

“Who? The Empress?” Chang’e knew well of her affairs.

Silence lingered.

Chang’e shifted slightly, gauging the thoughts of the one beneath the tree. “To come here seeking aid—what a shameless monarch.”

“For her throne, she would do anything.” Whether in admiration or mockery, it was unclear.

“And you, sister? Will you reject her?”

“No. Lend me your rabbit. I’ll send her to lead the Empress to my palace.” Nüwa set the creature down, patting it gently.

Chang’e laughed softly. “It seems my sister still cannot forget.”

Nüwa’s expression remained serene. “Forget? Ten years is far too long for that. It’s simply… some desserts taste better when left untasted.”

Chang’e said nothing, but inwardly thought—her sister was being stubborn. For the gods of the Inverted Sky, nothing was unattainable. If something was—then it carried weight indeed. Even if the Empress was, to Nüwa, a mere mortal plaything, she was still a rare treasure.

Support Lace Glory Universe King GL