The Demon Lord Relied on His Imagination to Get Together with the Protagonist. - Chapter 30

Chapter 30

On the way to the Scarlet Sky Realm, to ensure a good experience for Tong Siqing, Shi Zhihua asked Qing Lin to find a jiezi (a small dimension/space container) shaped like a boat, which flew through the air and was much more comfortable than other magical artifacts.

When they reached populous areas, they switched to comfortable carriages, riding into the marketplace like ordinary people.

Qing Lin wore a raven-blue tight suit and held a long whip. She sat comfortably with one leg dangling at the front of the carriage, driving the horses forward for everyone.

Su Rong, not wanting to disturb the Demon Lord and her companion, also followed Qing Lin to the front of the carriage.

Unlike Qing Lin’s tight suit, Su Rong wore flowing robes. She sat properly on the other side, her skirt swaying with the movement of the carriage.

“Venerable Lord, should we stop ahead?”

Qing Lin saw the bustling area from afar and loudly asked for the opinion of the person inside.

Shi Zhihua felt bored and casually replied: “No.”

Qing Lin: “But there are good things to eat ahead! Candied haws, nuomici (sticky rice cakes), sugar paintings, sweet fruit soup, fried snacks…”

Shi Zhihua: “…”

“What are those?”

Tong Siqing was indeed attracted by the delicious food and poked her head out, wanting to look outside.

Shi Zhihua answered Qing Lin: “Find an inn and stop. No need to rush the journey.”

Qing Lin got her wish and pulled the reins: “Alright~”

It turned out that Tong Siqing particularly liked sticky, soft, pastry-like sweets. She had never eaten anything truly delicious before and only tasted fine cuisine for the first time after coming to the Demon Realm, and from then on, her appetite grew uncontrollably.

She loved all kinds of sweet delicacies and couldn’t stop eating them.

There were several times when Shi Zhihua worried that the girl didn’t know when to stop and would make herself sick.

But Tong Siqing truly had no restraint when eating the foods she loved.

This was her first time wandering through a bustling marketplace, like a mountain dweller entering the city for the first time, showing expressions of admiration all along the way.

If it weren’t for her exquisite attire, the small vendors by the road would have mistaken her for a country bumpkin.

“May I touch this?” Tong Siqing pointed to a delicate porcelain doll and politely asked, “Excuse me, what is this?”

The vendor was somewhat speechless to see her so naive: “Don’t touch it if you’re not buying.”

Tong Siqing was polite and good-tempered. Since the vendor didn’t allow her to touch it, she obediently didn’t, just staring at the doll with longing eyes.

In the bustling crowd, she had unknowingly become separated from the Demon Lord and the others.

When Shi Zhihua caught up, this was the scene she saw—Tong Siqing was like a curious little animal, meekly half-crouching, her watery eyes fixed unblinkingly on the porcelain doll in front of her.

She had no idea how long she had maintained that posture.

Seeing her in the crowd, Shi Zhihua’s indifferent eyes instantly softened into a gentle smile, as if encountering beauty itself, which made one very happy.

“If you like it, buy it.”

Shi Zhihua’s attire was very eye-catching, and the patterns on her clothes were not concealed at all. Anyone knowledgeable could recognize them as belonging to the Palace of Decadence and Lust at a glance.

Coincidentally, this small vendor had seen people from the Palace of Decadence and Lust and recognized the clothing. The moment he saw Shi Zhihua, although he didn’t know who she was, her demeanor, aura, and the people following her were enough to confirm she was a big shot.

The snobbish vendor instantly put on a flattering smile and bowed to her: “What would you like to look at?”

Shi Zhihua paid him no mind, not even giving him a glance.

She walked slowly closer, leaned over, and was about to pick up the porcelain doll in front of Tong Siqing, as if coaxing a child.

“You can’t touch it!” Tong Siqing anxiously called out to stop her, urgently grabbing her hand, and then slowly shaking her head: “No.”

Shi Zhihua was startled by her urgent expression. She was surprised for a moment and asked: “If you like it, why not pick it up and look?”

The vendor spoke meekly, holding the doll with both hands and offering it to her: “You can look at it, no problem, please.”

After speaking, he took out a handkerchief to wipe the porcelain doll, smiling ingratiatingly.

Tong Siqing didn’t dare to take it. She said: “Just now he said not to touch it if I wasn’t buying.”

Qing Lin immediately flew into a rage and rushed forward, saying: “Outrageous!”

Shi Zhihua’s smile faded. She finally understood why Tong Siqing had been staring with such longing eyes earlier. It turned out the vendor had mistaken her for an ignorant country person and wouldn’t let her pick it up and look.

The person I cherish so much was actually subjected to such an indignity?

Shi Zhihua looked at the vendor with a forced smile: “Why wouldn’t you let her touch it? Were you afraid of dirtying your goods?”

The vendor quickly denied it: “You misunderstand, how could I say such a thing? I, I… was just worried she might accidentally break it.”

Tong Siqing politely reasoned with him: “I will be very careful.”

Vendor: “Yes, yes, you are right.”

Afraid he wouldn’t believe her, Tong Siqing sincerely explained: “I won’t break it, you have to believe me.”

Tong Siqing was accompanied by Shi Zhihua and the others. The vendor had never seen such a display. Cold sweat was about to pour down. He wiped a bead of sweat and quickly nodded: “I believe you.”

Only after the vendor agreed did Tong Siqing carefully pick up the porcelain doll.

This kind of porcelain doll was the crudest kind. Even in the Mortal Realm, few girls would stop for such a small thing, which was why the vendor thought Tong Siqing was ignorant.

Tong Siqing looked at it seriously, but in the end, she shook her head, indicating she didn’t like it.

She didn’t like it, but she still carefully put the item down, just as politely as when she picked it up.

Her attention was quickly drawn to something else, and she turned to go somewhere else.

This time, Shi Zhihua followed her closely.

Qing Lin glared at the vendor and gave a loud “Hmph”: “What a poor way to do business.”

The vendor forced a smile and silently wiped his sweat.

He was terrified. Judging by the posture of these few people just now, he thought his stall would be smashed. He didn’t expect the noble person to be merciful and let him off.

Sure enough, because Shi Zhihua was by her side, Tong Siqing was no longer treated with cold looks. The aura of the people around her was too strong; almost everyone was instantly intimidated and treated them with utmost respect.

Tong Siqing was completely unaware of the shift in attitude. She was still as happy as ever, cheerfully looking at stall after stall.

She was interested in everything but only looked quickly at most items and bought practically nothing except for certain foods.

She didn’t buy, but she loved to look, and would politely ask before picking anything up.

Along the way, Shi Zhihua almost thought she wasn’t the Demon Realm Venerable Lord but one of those hypocrites from Xianning who knew the law and observed propriety.

To think that in all her years, the word “thank you” had never come out of her mouth, and she rarely heard it either.

Now, accompanying Tong Siqing, she heard it countless times a day, to the point where her ears might get calluses.

But she didn’t find it annoying. Instead, she watched her intently every time, seeing her lips slightly curled, her white teeth parted softly, and her eyes shining as she spoke those two words to others.

She didn’t know when, but after hearing it for the nth time, a strange feeling suddenly arose in Shi Zhihua. Tong Siqing’s expression was too beautiful, like a shining star, landing on her heart, making her feel a tingly numbness deep inside.

“May I look at this? Thank you.”

Tong Siqing smiled and chatted with a kindly old woman, picking up a small ornament to look at it from all angles.

The small ornament was tied with a red string. Although the material was not excellent, the craftsmanship was delicate. The old woman was somewhat blind and couldn’t see the person clearly. Her gaze was empty, but a smile lingered on her lips.

The old woman listened to Tong Siqing’s words and said with a smile: “The girl must be a very sweet person.”

Tong Siqing looked at the small ornament while obediently replying: “Grandma, I don’t taste sweet.”

There was something slightly amiss with this statement, something strange that she couldn’t quite pinpoint. A hint of suspicion vaguely passed through Shi Zhihua’s mind, but she didn’t dwell on it.

“No, wait, it seems… someone else has said that too.” Tong Siqing thought for a moment and smiled as she told the old woman: “Our Venerable Lord seems to have said that about me too.”

The old woman smiled and replied: “Grandma is very good at judging people. The moment you came, Grandma’s eyes seemed to see flowers bloom, and in the darkness before my eyes, I suddenly saw light pink buds, blossoming one by one… The girl must be a good person, with a very sweet disposition, and very well-behaved.”

“Can disposition also be described as ‘sweet’?” Tong Siqing was still curiously looking at the small ornament in her hand. She asked the old woman: “But the Venerable Lord said—I taste sweet.”

Shi Zhihua: “…”

She knew where the strange feeling had come from now!!!

How could Tong Siqing openly say such bedroom talk?!

Qing Lin and Su Rong both turned away, playing dead, pretending not to have heard.

The old woman also laughed. Her blind hands fumbled on the table for a moment and picked up a red small ornament identical to the one in Tong Siqing’s hand: “Girl, what you are holding is a Lover’s Knot. The Lover’s Knot can tightly bind lovers together and ward off one romantic tribulation for the two of them.”

“A magical artifact,” Tong Siqing said. “Just like that kind of magical artifact that can block one lightning tribulation!”

Old woman: “Yes, it is.”

Shi Zhihua silently stayed by her side, not speaking.

The old woman was blind. Whether her heart was blind, Shi Zhihua didn’t know. She worried that if she spoke, the old woman would be overly complimentary and ruin the beautiful atmosphere of her conversation with Tong Siqing.

Although she hadn’t spoken, the old woman still sensed something and said: “Your ‘Venerable Lord’ must love you very much.”

Tong Siqing tilted her head: “Love?”

Old woman: “She loves you, a love at first sight, unchanged for ten thousand years, a love so deep it can reverse the natural order and break the way of heaven.”

Shi Zhihua frowned, staring at the old woman. Nonsense, she thought. When did my love reach this extent?

Perhaps this old woman is deliberately saying this to please Tong Siqing.

The old woman continued: “But, she is so good to you, yet Grandma does not see that you love her.”

Shi Zhihua: “???”

Rubbish!

Tong Siqing clearly loved her deeply and uncontrollably. This old woman must have it backward.

Shi Zhihua was a little indignant and couldn’t stand the slight. Just as she was about to pull Tong Siqing away, she heard Tong Siqing ask: “Grandma, what is love?”

Shi Zhihua: “???”

Qing Lin and Su Rong were stunned, as if they had heard some explosive news. But this time, they didn’t play dead. One of them stepped forward to shield Tong Siqing, and the other stood near Shi Zhihua, worried that their Demon Lord might explode in rage and lash out at Tong Siqing.

Tong Siqing was too bold!

She directly humiliated the Demon Lord in front of her!

She doesn’t like her! Even if she doesn’t like her, don’t tell the brutal truth!

Su Rong awkwardly tried to cover Tong Siqing’s mouth: “You must have said it by accident. Quickly correct yourself and say you love her.”

Qing Lin threatened the old woman: “Don’t talk nonsense. I’ll give you a chance to make amends. Choose your words carefully before speaking.”

Shi Zhihua gritted her teeth, fuming with anger.

The old woman ignored them, focusing on explaining to Tong Siqing: “It’s probably seeing her happy, wanting to do many beautiful things with her, wanting to unconsciously get close to her and be affectionate.”

Tong Siqing shook her head: “Then that is not love, is it?”

Shi Zhihua was incredulous and utterly confused. She grabbed her arm and asked word by word: “Say that again?”

Su Rong frantically blocked the two of them to prevent a conflict: “Venerable Lord, she hasn’t grasped the concept yet! If she truly didn’t like you, she wouldn’t accept you!”

Shi Zhihua was also dizzy with anger. She thought carefully and calmed down a bit—true, this girl is truly innocent. She probably thought of something else and misunderstood the concept, after all, she has made many blunders before.

How could Tong Siqing not like me?

Shi Zhihua internally replayed the question and found it too absurd. There were so many insincere, faithless people in the world, but Tong Siqing was the only one who wouldn’t betray her.

She has the purest and most genuine nature in the world. How could she lie?

Shi Zhihua laughed inwardly. If Tong Siqing had decided to betray her, she wouldn’t have publicly declared her intention to marry her on the first day in front of the entire world, nor would she have risked coming to the Demon Realm to find her, even humbling herself to be her servant to please her.

To say this isn’t love? Who would believe it.

Truly.

How could I doubt her?

To speak harshly to her because of a stranger’s instigation? This must be my fault.

“I apologize, my tone was a little harsh just now,” Shi Zhihua restrained herself and apologized again. “It’s my problem. It won’t happen next time.”

Tong Siqing didn’t know that her single sentence had already stirred up a thousand waves in the other person’s heart. She was still in a daze, having not fully recovered.

“I like this Lover’s Knot.” Tong Siqing was still looking at the small item she liked. “Let’s buy a pair. It can ward off a tribulation, wow!”

Shi Zhihua smiled. See? The girl was willing to buy this useless, broken string just because it “could ward off a romantic tribulation.” How could she not love her?

Besides, Tong Siqing cultivated the Dao of Ruthlessness. It was already remarkable that she had this level of understanding. Although she kept saying she didn’t love, her every action spoke of affection.

That’s right, the Dao of Ruthlessness!

Shi Zhihua seemed to have found the reason why the girl said that. Yes! She cultivated the Dao of Ruthlessness, so she didn’t have much understanding of words like “love,” “romance,” or “affection,” which was why she was misled by the old woman.

She definitely loves me.

Shi Zhihua didn’t believe in flowery words but in a person’s actions.

Relying on her century of experience, she thought with absolute certainty that Tong Siqing didn’t know the concept of “love.” She must cultivate this awareness in her in the future.

Finally, Qing Lin generously paid the old woman a silver ingot and bought the pair of Lover’s Knots.

The old woman squinted her eyes, belatedly realizing that the “other person” she had spoken of was also here.

That person was the “Venerable Lord” the girl mentioned.

Not until they were far away did the old woman murmur softly: “She clearly doesn’t love her…”

Before going blind, she was also one of the top diviners. Because she saw too clearly and revealed heavenly secrets, she was punished by heaven, stripped of her sight, and could only rely on small crafts to make a living.

She couldn’t be wrong.

That girl carried a very great and righteous light, but she wasn’t very good at loving. She seemed not to have awakened in this aspect. Perhaps her actions already proved something, but she was not consciously aware of it.

Fortunately, someone loved her, a love so deep that it was enough to wait until the day she awakened.

Shi Zhihua knew her words had been a little harsh just now, so she spent the rest of the time desperately buying things for Tong Siqing. Even though she usually restrained the girl’s desire for sweets, she didn’t stop her today. As long as Tong Siqing showed the slightest hint of wanting something, she would ask Qing Lin to buy it. It didn’t matter if she couldn’t finish it; keeping it to look at was fine too.

It was all to make her happy.

…Although the girl hadn’t actually been angry.

This whole episode seemed to be an emotional roller coaster of her own making. Tong Siqing was completely unaware, seemingly experiencing nothing, still looking around and observing things as she did in the beginning.

“Venerable Lord, look…”

Whenever Tong Siqing saw something new and exciting, she would pull Shi Zhihua over to look at it together.

Shi Zhihua had lived for over a hundred years and had long seen the world’s extravagance. Such low-grade items naturally held no interest for her, but since Tong Siqing was interested, she could only force herself to appreciate them with her.

She treated it as coaxing a child.

“If you like it, it’s fine to touch it. We can just buy it, and no one would dare to look down on you,” Shi Zhihua said, her heart aching at the cautious way the girl looked at everything. She instructed her: “These commodities are made to be chosen. There’s no need to be so careful.”

Tong Siqing was very polite, polite to the point of being overly careful: “But the previous person didn’t allow me to touch it…”

Shi Zhihua felt a pang in her heart. Tong Siqing is so innocent that she’s easily hurt by cruel words. Just one sentence, and she took it to heart… She is the most noble person in the Xianning Sect, the daughter of the Saint-Scribe, the head of the Nine Sages. How can she be so humble?

I haven’t protected her well enough.

Shi Zhihua was extremely remorseful. For the first time, she felt she owed the Saint-Scribe. He had trusted her enough to send his daughter to the Demon Realm, and yet she hadn’t nurtured Tong Siqing well. Instead, the girl was so careful when touching a small vendor’s item, humbling herself to the dust.

How can this be.

My affection and trust for her are not enough.

“It’s fine, truly. Look into my eyes…”

When they reached a secluded spot, the great Demon Lord actually half-crouched down, looking up at someone for the first time in her life. She spoke in the gentlest tone she had ever used, comforting her: “If you like it, take it. If anyone dares to speak ill of you, I will break their bones.”

Tong Siqing’s eyes widened for a moment: “Wouldn’t that be bad?”

“We haven’t left the Demon Realm yet, and even if we do, no one dares to disobey me,” Shi Zhihua patiently reasoned with her. “You are my person. Even if you cause a massive disaster, I will back you up. There’s no need to be so careful. When you are by my side, I will shield you from all harsh words.”

Tong Siqing had never heard such overbearing words of protection. In her memory, even her father wouldn’t illogically say he would protect her like this. Her father would only admonish her when she didn’t handle things well. He would never be so utterly biased.

It seemed… the people of the Demon Realm had very strange temperaments. In many situations, they were concerned with the person, not the matter, regardless of right or wrong. The law was, in most cases, just a facade.

Tong Siqing couldn’t articulate whether this was good or bad.

She didn’t understand.

All her years of growing up in Xianning had long ingrained propriety into her bones. Regardless of the status of the person she was speaking to—high or low, noble or humble—she would treat them as an equal, being polite when necessary, and never acting arrogantly.

When Tong Siqing saw Zhihua half-crouch in front of her, showing that soft gaze, her heart was instantly touched. The feeling was strange, a warmth in her chest, and some emotion was about to burst forth…

She didn’t know that the Demon Realm Venerable Lord was looking up at someone for the first time. She only knew that she should also crouch down and not look down on others. That was impolite.

So, in Shi Zhihua’s eyes, Tong Siqing very obediently crouched down, instantly becoming shorter than her. The girl changed to a gaze of looking up, which conversely forced her to look down at her.

The two of them crouched in an empty alley.

Qing Lin was too embarrassed to look back and could only stand majestically guarding the alley entrance, preventing others from entering.

It was too terrifying. The Venerable Lord actually crouched down to look at someone!!!

Su Rong also didn’t dare to look back, silently closing her eyes and facing the wall.

Shi Zhihua: “…”

She snapped back to her senses, suddenly realizing what a childish thing she had just done!

Good heavens.

Shi Zhihua immediately felt humiliated. She quietly stood up, simultaneously helping Tong Siqing up: “Let’s go. When you see something you like later, just reach out and touch it.”

Tong Siqing smiled sweetly: “Absolutely!”

Ten minutes later, the group stood at the entrance of a pastry shop, embarrassed beyond measure.

Shi Zhihua: “…”

She wished she could take back her words from earlier to prevent Tong Siqing from taking them to heart and doing “bad things.”

Just now, when Tong Siqing picked up a pastry from the steaming basket, none of them had realized the gravity of the situation, not until Tong Siqing picked up a soft bean paste bun did Shi Zhihua snap back to reality.

“Be careful, it’s hot,” her first instinct was to worry about her hands. “Blow on it…”

The bean paste bun in Tong Siqing’s hand was hot. Having no common sense, Tong Siqing didn’t know this. She saw the white steam rising from the steamer and thought the vapor was cold, like the steam above a hot spring, so she carelessly picked up the bean paste bun.

She never expected the bean paste bun in her hand to be super-duper hot!

But she had always known how to endure hardship. She had endured greater pain during cultivation, so this small amount of pain didn’t register at all.

So—everyone was frantically reaching out under her arm to catch the bean paste bun. Shi Zhihua also anxiously held her hand, but the girl herself watched everyone’s strange movements with a calm and curious expression.

Everyone: “…”

Tong Siqing: “What’s wrong, everyone?”

The pastry vendor was too stunned for words.

Ah, this… isn’t it hot?

He couldn’t understand and thought there was something wrong with the steamer, so he raised his hand and tentatively hovered it over the steam. When the intensely hot steam rose, it nearly scalded his hand.

The vendor gasped and blew on his hand, a stark contrast to the placid-looking Tong Siqing beside him.

Even though Tong Siqing herself showed no reaction, Shi Zhihua was heartbroken.

She held and stroked the girl’s hand for a long time before her internal panic subsided.

Tong Siqing picked up the bean paste bun again, her eyes shining: “Venerable Lord, this looks like you…”

“This is a bean paste filled longevity peach bun,” the vendor explained while clutching his hand. “All the pastries in this shop are personally pinched by an experienced grandma. That grandma used to be an imperial chef. Her skills are unique.”

This longevity peach was mostly white, with only a faint pink coloring on the tip of the peach for better aesthetics. The peach tip was cute and soft, and when pressed with a finger, it would slightly spring back.

Tong Siqing fiddled with it for a moment, smelling the faint aroma of bean paste.

Shi Zhihua continued her half-finished sentence: “Looks like what? This bean paste bun is made in the shape of a common peach.”

Did Xianning not have peaches? How could Tong Siqing not have even seen these things?

Shi Zhihua wanted to curse the Saint-Scribe again. He actually made Tong Siqing abstain from food at such an early age. She hadn’t even tasted much of the world’s delicacies. What a pity.

She doesn’t know anything. How much fun is she missing out on?

Shi Zhihua’s heart ached.

Tong Siqing didn’t feel pitiful at all. She squeezed the bean paste bun in her hand and said to Shi Zhihua: “It looks like you.”

Shi Zhihua: “???”

Say that again. Looks like what?

Before she could react to this ridiculous comparison, she saw Tong Siqing’s gaze drift down, landing on her chest.

Shi Zhihua: “…”

Help, help, help me…

This girl, really.

Shi Zhihua wore an ineffable expression. She covered her forehead, waved her hand, told Qing Lin to pay, and decisively grabbed the girl and fled in a panic.

Qing Lin and Su Rong also had expressions of utter dread. They felt that the Demon Lord might kill them to silence them. What should they do?

It’s urgent.

Tong Siqing hadn’t finished looking at the entire steamer of pastries! She was dragged away just like that. She was a little… no, she was extremely disappointed!

“Wait, wait…” Tong Siqing was pulled away, whimpering, almost becoming an afterimage. She explained: “I haven’t finished looking. Inside there…”

There were still things she hadn’t finished looking at, many things she didn’t recognize, and she was very interested in them.

A blush spread across Shi Zhihua’s face. It was the first time she had ever felt such embarrassment. In all her centuries, no one had ever made her feel this helpless.

It could only be Tong Siqing.

Sigh.

Demon Realm, Palace of Decadence and Lust.

The Saint-Scribe finally realized something was wrong.

He discovered that the Demon Lord Shi Zhihua did not seem to be here.

Not only was Su Rong missing outside, but Shi Zhihua was also gone, and… most importantly, he couldn’t sense Tong Siqing’s location.

If she were nearby, as her father, he would definitely be able to sense her presence.

But at this moment.

The Saint-Scribe sighed. His aura was vast, but his worries could not be resolved, causing him great distress.

“Enough,” the Saint-Scribe said, his hands clasped behind his back. His waterfall of black hair draped down, concealing his myriad worries. His expression was crestfallen, and the previous indifference in his eyes seemed to have vanished. “Let’s go back.”

Qi Magu: “???”

Just… just going back like this?

Celestial Venerable, have you forgotten something?

Like rescuing someone.

His eldest disciple is still locked up in the Palace of Decadence and Lust!

The Saint-Scribe Celestial Venerable had truly forgotten completely and was about to turn around and leave the Palace of Decadence and Lust.

“Celestial Venerable!” In his urgency, the Ninth Immortal Sage Qi Magu had no choice but to quickly call out to the Saint-Scribe Celestial Venerable. He carefully said: “Celestial Venerable, Ji Siyang is still locked up in the Palace of Decadence and Lust. We forgot to rescue him.”

Qi Magu carefully observed the Saint-Scribe Celestial Venerable’s mood and found that the eyes behind his mask looked confused for a moment, as if he had only just remembered this matter after being prompted.

Saint-Scribe: “Acceptable.”

Qi Magu: “…”

Celestial Venerable, you really did forget, sob sob sob.

The Celestial Venerable didn’t speak. The Celestial Venerable indicated that he certainly hadn’t forgotten, but if you insist on thinking that way, there’s nothing I can do.

“Siyang was right,” the Saint-Scribe finally connected the person’s face and name to the person. He murmured to himself: “I shouldn’t have sent Siqing to the Palace of Decadence and Lust in the first place.”

Qi Magu didn’t dare to respond, thinking, See? I knew you would regret it, Celestial Venerable. You clearly can’t bear it, yet you let her pursue these frivolous things, and now Siqing won’t come home, and you have to personally come to the Palace of Decadence and Lust to pick her up.

And you arrived to an empty palace.

It seems even the Celestial Venerable is not immune to worldly feelings. This intense parental heart…

Just as Qi Magu was about to follow the Celestial Venerable to rescue his eldest disciple, he suddenly sensed a slight movement.

“Celestial Venerable, someone has arrived at the Palace of Decadence and Lust.”

Qi Magu sensed a faint noise from the barrier at the entrance. It seemed a large number of demonic creatures had surged into the Palace of Decadence and Lust, exuding overwhelming hostility and killing intent.

He looked over anxiously: “Are they here to suppress us?!”

They were not.

The arrival was Wu Wanyi, the elder sister of Wu Ziyu, leading the Succubus clan of the Joyful Union Sect to demand an explanation for Wu Ziyu. Because Wu Ziyu was mysteriously killed, Wu Wanyi couldn’t swallow her anger and deliberately brought many subordinates to interrogate the Demon Lord.

Why choose this time? Because she heard that the Demon Lord had obtained an immortal artifact the Di Hen Jie.

The Di Hen Jie was the immortal artifact of the North Sea. It could make white bones grow flesh, bring withered trees to life, and resurrect scattered souls.

Wu Wanyi knew that when Wu Ziyu died, even a wisp of her soul was ruthlessly dispersed by the Demon Lord. Wu Wanyi knew she was provoking the Demon Lord and couldn’t stop her, so she could only wait for her soul to return. She never expected to hear about the Demon Lord’s cruel actions instead of waiting for the soul’s return.

Wu Wanyi was deeply heartbroken and utterly self-reproachful.

Fortunately, the Di Hen Jie later appeared in the Palace of Decadence and Lust.

With the Di Hen Jie, she only needed to put a little pressure on the Demon Lord. Perhaps the Demon Lord would be kind enough to resurrect Wu Ziyu for her sake.

Wu Wanyi didn’t genuinely want to fight. On the one hand, she couldn’t defeat the Demon Lord. On the other hand, she had instigated the Joyful Union Sect to defect from Xianning in the first place. If she betrayed the Demon Realm again, how could she survive in the three realms later on!

So, when she heard the Demon Lord was out,

Wu Wanyi’s purple eyes were deep. She looked helplessly at the enormous Palace of Decadence and Lust: “Everyone, follow me—”

At her command, the Succubus clan of the Joyful Union Sect obediently entered in a mighty procession, with an air as if they were going to raze the Palace of Decadence and Lust to the ground.

Inside the Palace of Decadence and Lust, the Saint-Scribe watched coldly: “The Succubus clan of the Joyful Union Sect, after defecting from me, actually dares to provoke the Demon Lord. They have some nerve.”

Qi Magu asked: “Celestial Venerable, should we intervene?”

“The common people are innocent. If they start a massacre…”

The Saint-Scribe’s pale gray eyes radiated a humane brilliance, as if he cared about all the people of the world, regardless of their allegiance, and was willing to reverse the tide of events.

Qi Magu: “They probably won’t. If the Succubus clan of the Joyful Union Sect becomes an enemy of the Demon Lord, it will be difficult for them to find a place in the three realms afterward… The Mortal Realm has never welcomed the Joyful Union Sect. Besides, the guards of the Palace of Decadence and Lust are not just for show. If an external enemy invades, they will definitely send troops to resist. Both sides are evenly matched, so there won’t be a one-sided, large-scale massacre.”

The Saint-Scribe stood silently with his hands behind his back, not knowing if he had listened.

“Huh?” Qi Magu looked confusedly as the Celestial Venerable walked towards the intruders without saying a word, as if he hadn’t heard the analysis at all. He rushed to catch up: “Is the Celestial Venerable going to check it out?”

The Ninth Immortal Sage was a little flustered because he had a  Celestial Venerable would help the Palace of Decadence and Lust defend against the intruders.

How could that be?

The Immortal and Demon Realms were ancient enemies. How could the Celestial Venerable help them?

But… if he genuinely didn’t want to help, the Celestial Venerable wouldn’t have said those words just now.

About not wanting to see common people bleed, about not wanting to see the slaughter of the populace… The target of the Joyful Union Sect was the people of the Palace of Decadence and Lust. Being in the Palace of Decadence and Lust, where were the common people? Weren’t they mostly the top subordinates of the Demon Realm?

What common folk wanders around the Demon Lord’s palace?

This isn’t a holy site for tourism where ordinary people can come and look around.

Although Qi Magu was internally confused, he didn’t dare to speak because he suddenly realized a fact although the Demon Lord was the Venerable Lord of the Demon Realm, she… almost became the Dao Companion of the Immortal Sage Siqing.

And the Immortal Sage Siqing’s whereabouts were unknown. Perhaps, perhaps, a relationship had already developed with the Demon Lord. If the two truly became bonded Dao Companions, wouldn’t the Celestial Venerable and the Demon Lord become family?

Once they become family, he would naturally have to step in and manage things!

This idea was absurd, terrifying, but somehow made a strange kind of sense.

Qi Magu froze for a few seconds, blinked, and noticed an anomaly.

“Hey! Celestial Venerable, wait for me…”

The usually tranquil Celestial Venerable was walking so fast for some unknown reason. Qi Magu nearly couldn’t keep up and almost had to jog to chase after him.

The Saint-Scribe Celestial Venerable seems to be in a great hurry!

Chaos erupted inside the Palace of Decadence and Lust. At the same time, Tong Siqing and her companions were resting at an inn.

A light knock sounded outside the room. The Demon Lord blew out the lamp, then reluctantly relit it.

She got up to look and saw Qing Lin’s face was etched with worry.

Qing Lin spoke in a low, urgent voice: “Venerable Lord, Wu Wanyi led the Succubus clan to break into the Palace of Decadence and Lust. Do I need to…”

Shi Zhihua’s tone was indifferent, as if she had just heard a farce: “Go back for what?”

“Reinforcements…” Qing Lin was about to say more, but she looked up and saw her Venerable Lord’s nonchalant gaze. Her heart instantly calmed down considerably.

“I’ve long wanted to discipline the guards of the Palace of Decadence and Lust. What do I feed them for, if they can’t defend against anyone? Letting villains come and go all day. Where is the dignity of the Demon Realm?” Shi Zhihua spoke with sarcasm, not considering this a big deal at all. She said: “If those useless guards in the Palace of Decadence and Lust can’t protect it, let them all die inside. Although it’s a bit unlucky, it saves me the trouble of personally dealing with them.”

Qing Lin lowered her head: “Yes.”

Shi Zhihua added: “There is nothing in the Palace of Decadence and Lust that must be protected. Those I trust and value are all by my side. If someone is greedy for the external possessions inside, let them fight and scramble for them. In any case, those people cannot escape the Palace of Decadence and Lust. It will be convenient to go back and catch them all at once.”

Qing Lin’s eyes flickered. She suddenly realized that the “trust” and “value” the Venerable Lord spoke of might include her, even if only a fraction.

That mere fraction was enough for her, Qing Lin, to spill her guts for the Venerable Lord.

The Venerable Lord is usually suspicious, yet she values me so much!

I must repay the Venerable Lord’s trust and clear all thorns for her.

Shi Zhihua was completely unaware of the turmoil in her subordinate’s heart. She continued to speak indifferently: “It’s best if several groups of people come. I will return a little later. We can wait for them to fight amongst themselves, and we can be the fishermen who profit. We’ll also capture and eliminate that Gu King. It will save us a lot of trouble later and prevent us from having to quell rebellions every few days.”

Qing Lin bowed in admiration: “Venerable Lord is brilliant!”