The Simp’s Heart is Sealed in Cement; The Demon Lord Falls Hard! - Chapter 1
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- The Simp’s Heart is Sealed in Cement; The Demon Lord Falls Hard!
- Chapter 1 - The Male Empress of the Cold Palace
In the cultivation world, it was common knowledge that there were no emperors only sects.
However, a century ago, Wen Muli, a man who had suffered the tragedy of his clan’s extermination, defied his fate. By his own strength alone, he unified the entire cultivation world and proclaimed himself King. His power compelled the submission and admiration of all, earning him the undisputed title: The Human Emperor.
The Human Emperor, Wen Muli, was deeply beloved by his subjects. He was not a cruel or tyrannical ruler; instead, he was diligent in his administration, loved his people, and maintained strict self-discipline and etiquette. Under his leadership, human cultivators rose from being the weakest of the three races to the strongest. Though the Demon and Demon-Beast races frequently encroached upon their borders, the humans remained undefeated under Wen Muli’s command.
Of course, the Wen Muli celebrated by the world was not without his flaws.
The greatest stain on his life was his total disregard for traditional rites and ethics: he had married a man and installed him as the Empress!
The act of naming an Empress should have been enough to prove his deep love and high regard for this person. Yet, a century had passed, and the world had never seen the “Male Empress” at a single major ceremony. Who this person was, what his name was, and what he looked like remained a total mystery.
Rumors only whispered that the Emperor doted on him excessively. Known for his personal frugality, the Emperor had nonetheless built a lavish palace specifically for his Male Empress, naming it. The Palace of the Sealed Heart.
Everyone was green with envy.
Little did they know that the so-called Palace of the Sealed Heart was nothing more than a luxurious cage used to imprison and destroy Su Mo’s life. In the hundred years since becoming the Human Emperor, the number of times Wen Muli had visited the Palace of the Sealed Heart could be counted on one hand.
Establishing him as the Empress… was Wen Muli’s most cruel revenge against Su Mo.
Phoenix Capital.
The horn signaling the Sovereign’s return to the capital sounded. All the citizens immediately ceased their tasks and knelt toward the east.
Before long, a grand and majestic army appeared in the sky.
At the head of the procession was a man clad in white armor, riding a magnificent and imposing One-Horned Darksmoke Beast. Unprecedentedly, he held a youth in his arms—a fragile, delicate boy dressed in white with an exceptionally pretty face.
“Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live!”
Amidst the sounds of worship, the procession gradually moved away. It was only when the Emperor’s entourage was no longer in sight that the crowd erupted into exclamations.
“Did you see the person in the Emperor’s arms?”
“He was right there, how could I not? What a handsome young master.”
“I have a feeling that news of a joyous occasion will soon come from the Palace…”
“Tsk tsk, first he marries a Male Empress, and now another man. Male beauty is a ruinous thing, a ruinous thing indeed…”
“One only hears the laughter of the new favorite, never the tears of the old. The Emperor has no other concubines besides the Male Empress. Now that a newcomer has entered the palace, there’s going to be quite a stir in the inner courts…”
“They say three women make a play; I wonder how much of a storm these two men can kick up!”
In the blink of an eye, a month had passed since Wen Muli’s triumphant return.
During this month, speculations regarding the identity of the new favorite in the Emperor’s arms spread like wildfire. Following the great victory, the palace and the city alike were decorated with lanterns and streamers in celebration.
There was only one place that remained as quiet and desolate as ever: The Palace of the Sealed Heart.
The Palace of the Sealed Heart was situated at the highest point of the imperial complex, surrounded by perennial snow. The palace itself was constructed from a special “Ice-Heart Stone.” Merely approaching it caused a bone-chilling cold; without sufficient cultivation, one’s body simply could not endure it.
This massive palace lacked even a single guard, let alone servants to clean or attend to needs. It was, in every sense of the word, a “Cold Palace.”
Amidst the vast expanse of white snow, a tall and robust man wearing a short-sleeved shirt sat in a gazebo, staring blankly at the frozen lake beneath him. His fingers were idly rubbing a small scale.
It looked like a snake scale, yet also like a fish scale whitish and translucent, with a smooth, rounded surface that felt pleasant to the touch.
Tap, tap, tap.
Hustled footsteps sounded as a girl dressed in a light green misty-silk skirt and a pure white fox-fur cloak came running over, panting for breath.
“Your Highness… Your Highness…”
Su Mo snapped out of his reverie and turned his head. Seeing the girl, a faint smile involuntary played on his lips.
“Slow down, be careful not to slip.”
He quickly tucked the scale away against his chest and strode out of the gazebo to meet the young girl.
“Your Highness, why are you dressed like this again? Anyone who didn’t know better would think you were a short-term laborer working in the fields!” Ye Lin saw his unkempt appearance, her brows furrowing as she immediately began to complain.
“I have a ‘hot’ constitution; I can’t stand wearing long robes. Besides, no one comes here anyway, so it doesn’t matter,” Su Mo chuckled, his tone casual. He truly didn’t feel there was anything wrong with his look.
“It’s fine if you dress like this normally, but not today! Quick, follow me back to the bedchamber to change…” Ye Lin’s eyes showed her anxiety, and without another word, she grabbed his hand to pull him back.
“The Emperor Arrives”
Right at that moment, a sharp announcement rang out.
Both of their expressions changed. Before they could react, Wen Muli walked over, leading a petite man by the hand.
The last time Su Mo had seen Wen Muli was ten years ago. Now, ten years later, Wen Muli’s aura had become even more distinguished exalted and naturally commanding. He bore no resemblance whatsoever to the bright, gentle youth in Su Mo’s memory.
Throughout the encounter, Wen Muli did not lift his eyes to look at him. Instead, he focused all his attention on the youth beside him. Su Mo looked at their tightly interlocked hands, his expression remaining perfectly calm.
“Your Highness, it is so cold here…” the youth’s voice rang out dainty, laced with a bit of dependence and a bit of complaint. His slightly pouted red lips were quite alluring.
“Be good, Chen’er, endure it for a moment. If you really can’t stand it, shall I send you back first?” Wen Muli’s voice was overflowing with apology.
“No. I’ve been back at the palace with you for a month already; I should have come to visit Big Brother long ago.” The youth smiled softly, his expression tender and sweet.
From beginning to end, they did not deign to give Su Mo a single glance.
It was only when they were close that Wen Muli finally retracted his gaze from the youth and looked indifferently toward Su Mo.
“Greetings, Your Majesty…” A single glance was enough to make Ye Lin tremble and fall to her knees in panic.
“Chen’er is frail and cannot handle the cold. We will speak inside,” Wen Muli said to Su Mo in an icy voice. Then, he picked the youth up in a princess-carry, turned, and walked away.
The youth looked timidly at Su Mo, gave a shy smile, and in the next second, quickly buried his face into Wen Muli’s chest.
“That little hussy! She couldn’t wait to come here and flaunt her power!” Ye Lin gnashed her teeth, muttering indignantly under her breath.
“Linlin!” Su Mo turned back, his face solemn as he shook his head at her, signaling her to be quiet lest her words bring disaster.
The latter felt wronged; her eyes reddened as she stomped her foot, clenching her teeth and falling silent with her head bowed.
“Go prepare some tea and snacks, then go fetch my brocade fur-lined cloak. I noticed that youth is physically weak; I fear he won’t be able to withstand this freezing weather.” Su Mo sighed and gave his orders.
Though she was unwilling, Ye Lin knew her master had a kind heart. Ultimately, she could only give him a look of frustrated disappointment before heading off to prepare.
With everyone gone, Su Mo slowly took a deep breath, his hand instinctively moving to his chest. The scale against his heart seemed to sense his touch, turning slightly warm in response.
“This day has finally come… Before long, I should be able to leave this world completely.” Su Mo’s lips curved into a smile of relief as he murmured to himself.
If these words were heard by anyone else, they would be shocked beyond measure.
The world did not know that this Su Mo was not the original owner of the body, but rather… a wandering soul who had transmigrated from another world!