Lace Glory Universe King GL - Chapter 24

Past midnight, the Empress was already sound asleep across the campfire. Nuwa opened her eyes and sat up from the dry pile of grass.

This stretch of Jianmu forest held no dangers. With still several hours until dawn, she decided to teleport out for some fresh air.

Moving lightly, Nuwa rose to her feet and lifted a finger toward the night sky. In the starless void appeared an oval band of light—a rift for spatial transmission, its edges stretching and pulsating, waiting for its master to step inside.

The next moment, Nuwa fell like a speck of dust onto the top of the tall tower of the Bureau of Armaments, a thousand li away.

During that brief teleportation, she changed into her “Radiance of the Moon Phases” attire—lighter, less conspicuous at night, its energy crystals blending with the silver-blue moonlight, hardly noticeable to the naked eye.

The night sky over Chang’an was beautiful, with thin clouds drifting across. Below her lay the Bureau’s fortress of high walls within walls, surrounded by the dim inner city where the streets spread in neat grids. Only a few spots glowed with firelight: while the city’s people slept, the six Treasure Flower Towers remained under construction all through the night.

Nuwa had glimpsed the Bureau with her cosmic perception before, but standing atop the tower, her vision was far clearer. The buildings exuded an austere, eerie aura, like layered peony petals enclosing the central courtyard. Each wall was towering high, so that those in the passageways could only glimpse a sliver of sky above. More walls and gates divided the inner grounds into a labyrinth of paths. Only the central yard had an open space, where a tall tower rose; from its highest lookout, one could see even the Ziwei Palace several li away.

After surveying, Nuwa leapt down from the pinnacle and slipped inside the tower, glancing through the chambers on each level. No trace of the demonic gemstone.

Her flowing hair streamed behind her as she left the tower and in a blink entered the eastern hall.

At the doorway, two guards sensed something. They exchanged glances.

“What was that?”

“Didn’t see clearly, but there was a bit of light.”

“Maybe a firefly?”

“Perhaps.”

The east wing yielded nothing. She searched through account rooms, archives, arsenals, collections of curiosities, silver and copper coins, military equipment… the sights left her momentarily dazzled.

Surely Sikong Zhen had hidden the gemstone in a secret chamber. Yet the skill of teleportation only worked to places the user already knew. She could not simply command the rift to “lead to the gemstone.”

Disheartened, Nuwa thought back to Wu Zetian’s lighthearted suggestion to simply take the gem. She had laughed at the time, but now realized she lacked the power to end the game so easily.

Just then, the doors burst open with a thunderous slam against the wall. Sikong Zhen appeared, with guards behind holding torches. Blue lightning crackled around his muscular arms like coiling vines, ready to strike at any moment.

“Whoever you are, stop hiding. There’s no other way out.”

Nuwa crouched behind a pillar. This room had no windows—only the single doorway.

Sikong Zhen advanced, step by step, toward her hiding spot. This was where supplies for the shadow guards were stored, offering no other place to conceal oneself.

No time left. Nuwa flicked her hand; a rift shimmered into being near the ceiling.

Sikong Zhen spotted the glow and instantly unleashed a bolt of thunder at it.

If the rift were damaged, the teleportation would fail—too dangerous. Nuwa had no choice but to retaliate, unleashing a cluster of golden crystalline orbs that shot straight toward him.

The thunderbolt veered slightly off course, crashing into the roof beams and tiles with an explosive crack.

Nuwa sprang upward, vanishing into the rift alongside the oval light.

The radiant crystals expanded into a rectangular space, illuminating the entire room. In the next instant they burst apart before Sikong Zhen’s eyes, like countless crystal goblets shattering from on high, the echoes reverberating through the chamber.

Sikong Zhen froze in shock, momentarily forgetting the burns from the blast.

“Divine Radiance Fusion?!”

He had only ever read of such a skill in ancient military texts. Could the figure just now truly have been… Nuwa?

Meanwhile, Li Yuanfang’s large, flaring ears drew little attention inside a tavern on the city’s west side. The place bustled with patrons: some swung bestial tails, some spread wings at their sides, others clutched jugs in claw-like hands and drank deeply.

All were human-demon hybrids—by comparison, Yuanfang looked rather ordinary. Shangguan Wan’er thought so too, until the noisy bustle of the tavern staff pulled her back to the moment.

A red-faced, broad-waisted server tossed a menu onto their table with a curt, “Order from here!” before vanishing into the crowd.

“Just like you,” Wan’er teased, passing the menu to Yuanfang.

He studied it carefully, his two ears angled in different directions. With his “Detective’s Listening” gift, not a whisper in the tavern escaped him.

That was why, though Yuanfang rarely lingered at the Ministry like Judge Dee, he knew all the gossip of Chang’an by heart. With his mixed heritage, he was perfectly at home in these nameless taverns. Wan’er herself had once relied on his connections to find the right dancers for the Chang’an Grand Performance.

This meal was her treat in thanks, though Yuanfang had chosen the place. She’d struggled to find it: no signboard outside, the façade resembling a failing grain shop. Only when she pushed open the door did the noisy din spill out.

Yuanfang quickly picked dishes and wine, tossing the menu back like a boomerang into the server’s hands. “Double portions!”

The fat server clamped it under his arm, three hands stacked with trays and cups as he pushed back into the kitchen. Wan’er finally noticed—yes, he had three arms.

“This place is something,” Wan’er said, a note of admiration in her voice. “Do you come often?”

“Mm. Plenty of hybrid shops around here. All thanks to Her Majesty’s decree of equality between humans and demons.”

“No wonder you’re so well-informed. I spent too long in the palace—I’ve been ignorant.”

The drinks arrived, chilled but sloppily poured, a few drops spilling onto the wooden table.

Yuanfang sipped. “The taste hasn’t changed.”

Wan’er tried and grimaced. “So bitter!”

He chuckled. “Heh, all brewed to demon tastes. You’re not used to it.”

Stubborn, she took another sip.

“Wait for the meat—it’ll pair well.”

When the roast came, dripping with fat, the flavor proved unexpectedly delicious despite its rough presentation. After three rounds of wine, their conversation deepened.

“They call you Chang’an’s walking news scroll—I see why. Though I suppose there’s one exception…”

“Oh?” Yuanfang set down his chopsticks. “Where?”

“The Bureau of Armaments.” Her voice dropped low, barely moving her lips.

Yuanfang scoffed. “Hmph, not much of an exception. I don’t know their inner workings, but everything they do outside—I hear it all.”

“Everyone knows they’re rushing to finish the Treasure Flower Towers,” Wan’er said, pleased.

He snorted. “And I know exactly what their shadow guards are up to.”

“Truly? If it concerns Her Majesty, you must report to Judge Dee at once.”

“That workaholic!…” Yuanfang grumbled, resentment in his tone. “Unlike you, Wan’er, he has no sense of grace.”

“He’s tied up with affairs of state. Better let me handle the report. And in return, I’ll reserve you prime seats at the upcoming Grand Assembly.”

“Deal!” Yuanfang clinked his cup against hers.

Wan’er leaned closer, listening to his whispers. The Bureau’s shadow guards were secretly hunting a tall woman with grievous wounds. They had already tracked her trail beyond the city, toward the northern Jianmu forest.

Back in that forest, Nuwa reappeared by the campfire at dawn’s edge. Wu Zetian was already awake, as if just about to look for her.

“Where have you been?”

“Out for some air. What, worried about me?” Nuwa teased.

Wu Zetian glanced at her “Radiance of the Moon Phases” garb.

Nuwa offered no explanation. Close call—the thunderbolt had nearly disrupted her rift. She had revealed herself, yet still failed to seize the gemstone.

“Since we’re both awake, let’s set off early. I wish to return soon.” Wu Zetian doused the fire as she spoke.

“No trouble at all. It’s rare for me to travel on foot across the land I created—I find it delightful.”

Wu Zetian said nothing, striding through the forest.

“You must be wondering why I don’t just teleport us back to Chang’an.” Nuwa’s tone grew playful. “Because I’d rather spend more time with you. These days and nights on the road, they’re all part of the scenery. You have grave matters to tend, but shouldn’t lose the joy of seeing the world’s beauty.”

The way she says “with me”… Wu Zetian pursed her lips, saying nothing.

Nuwa rambled on: “Every blade of grass, every tree on this continent, I crafted with care. If you truly observe, you’ll find great meaning in it all. Think back to when you followed Jiang Ziya…”

But Wu Zetian had already tuned her out, striding a dozen paces ahead through the frost-dusted grass and whispering trees, the sea air sharp and biting.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Support Lace Glory Universe King GL