They Are Archenemies, But They Have A Child - Chapter 105

Chapter 105: Return to the Former Land

After the Heavenly Emperor left, the Heavenly Empress also rose and departed. The tense crowd below fully erupted into discussion. Yun Qingwu remained indifferent to the noise. He rose and descended the high platform. Jù Qīng followed, speaking sincerely, “Lord Prime, I think you spoke correctly. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Yun Qingwu nodded his thanks.

He looked at Leng Licí, who was also walking toward him. The tension in his mind suddenly eased. He desperately needed Leng Licí’s shoulder to lean on for support.

However, surrounding him faster than Leng Licí were his brothers, friends, and teacher.

Yáng Duàn: “Qingwu, what you did today was perhaps inappropriate. Look how angry your Grandfather God is.”

Xǔ Lín stepped forward, his robust physique completely blocking Yáng Duàn. He looked at Yun Qingwu: “Qingwu, you did the right thing today. Great matters are done with attention to detail. Your teacher is very proud that you had such courage today.”

Yun Qingwu curved his lips, but there was little amusement in his eyes.

If his teacher knew who he was targeting, would he still think so?

“Little brother, you acted too rashly. Even if you want to give the Nánzé Kingdom an explanation, wouldn’t it be easier to investigate after your succession? If you investigate now, your Grandfather God is still above you. What are you seeking?” Yún Fēiyǔ was very confused.

The Bed God: “That’s right, that’s right. Qingwu, why have I found you increasingly hard to fathom lately?”

One question after another was thrown out, each seeming to echo. The smile on Yun Qingwu’s face gradually became difficult to maintain.

Facing these questions, he had much to say, but at this moment, he didn’t want to offer a single defense.

“Get out of the way!”

A cold shout suddenly rang out amidst the chaotic questioning. The speaker grabbed Yun Qingwu’s wrist and forcefully dragged him out of the crowd.

The slightly hazy vision cleared again. Yun Qingwu looked at Leng Licí’s familiar cold face. The ringing in his head and the emotional turmoil were instantly muted, settling down briefly.

Yún Fēiyǔ reached out with an “Aī” but was sharply glared at by Leng Licí. He sheepishly withdrew his hand, muttering, “What’s wrong with this little Hóng Yuān lately? So fierce!”

Lǐ Qīngyáng stood not far away, not approaching. His gaze fell on the two tightly clasped hands, and then at his junior brother who had caused this scene today. He already had a guess.

He was tempted to dissuade him, but the image of the Nánzé Kingdom’s devastation was still vivid in his mind. He suddenly found himself unable to speak.

If this matter truly originated from the Divine Clan, then what difference was there between gods and demons?

…

Leng Licí led Yun Qingwu out of the Ling Xiao Grand Court, heading toward the Clear Cloud Palace. But before they arrived, Yun Qingwu took a step forward, leaning his entire body against Leng Licí.

Yun Qingwu’s voice was tired: “A-Cí, there’s no one here. Let me lean on you for a while.”

Leng Licí stopped, his body rigid so Yun Qingwu could lean more comfortably, though he said, “Must you be so troublesome? Now you know you’re tired?”

Yun Qingwu “Mm-ed” and added, “My teacher used to tell me that since we receive mortal incense, we must take them to heart. But today, I found that this is not a principle held by everyone.”

Leng Licí turned his head to look at Yun Qingwu, his eyes somewhat serious. “Not just in the Heavenly Realm. You won’t find many fools like you in all three realms.”

Yun Qingwu smiled. “I can’t help it. Who told me I’m the White Marsh born of them.”

A slight breeze blew through. Peach blossoms fell, scattering onto their intertwined hair, bringing a rare sense of peaceful tranquility.

Yun Qingwu lifted his head. The petals fluttered down again.

“Let’s go. Let’s go home.”

He looked at Leng Licí, all traces of fatigue gone.

Leng Licí nodded, taking Yun Qingwu’s hand again, and headed toward the Clear Cloud Palace.

The battle was only truly beginning.

…

In the Mortal Realm.

A storyteller banged his wooden gavel: “Yesterday, the weather was sunny one moment and dark with strong winds the next. It is said to be caused by the White Marsh Lord Prime of the Heavenly Realm publicly refusing marriage, causing the Heavenly Emperor’s fury.”

In the Cloud-Come Inn, a listener cracked melon seeds and asked, “Do gods also get married? Then why did the Lord Prime refuse the marriage?”

The storyteller: “Because he seeks justice for an old matter. Legend says six hundred years ago, in the southwest, there was a paradise called the Nánzé Kingdom. Its people were immortal and were under the governance of the Lord Prime, but they mysteriously vanished six hundred years ago…”

“I heard that the Nánzé Kingdom betrayed the White Marsh Lord Prime entirely because of a demon’s instigation…”

In the Moon Tower Pavilion in Yuè Lín City, among the wine tables, almost everyone held a novella, talking spiritedly about this legend.

“But could that Chicken Demon have such great power? Aren’t the rising and setting of the sun and the wind and rain managed by the God Lords of the Divine Realm?”

In Yún Yáng City, on the opera stage, an actor wearing a hat made of chicken feathers knelt, looking reverently at another mysterious figure completely clad in black with an indistinguishable face: “Heaven allows me to ascend to the celestial palace—I will surely not fail the heavy trust you place in me!”

“Oh no, what’s wrong? My chicken is missing!” In Yù Lì City, Jade Sea Village, Li Sǎozi exclaimed, walking out of her courtyard. She met other villagers who were also looking for their chickens.

“My chicken is missing too!”

“What kind of thief steals so many chickens? That’s terribly immoral!”

…

In the Demon Realm.

“Did you hear? The Chicken Demon clan’s ancestor is said to have resurrected with memories! They say they are summoning all their clan members and un-spiritualized siblings to go to the Nánzé Kingdom ruins for repentance and prayers!”

“I heard something too. They also said that the resurrected ancestor will point out the mastermind behind the events that year right there! Seriously, I’m quite curious. To have such power to summon wind and rain, the identity must be high, right? There will be a spectacle to watch.”

“What spectacle could there be? When have their Divine Clan members ever punished their own for the sake of outsiders?”

…

In the Heavenly Realm, the Heavenly Emperor held a memorial. It was filled with the current public opinion trends in the mortal and demon realms. He closed the memorial and placed it aside, scoffing:

“Resurrecting a demon whose soul and spirit were utterly destroyed? How can that be resurrected?”

As soon as he spoke, the Purple Flame Staff materialized on its own. The spiritual runes on the staff faintly glowed.

The Heavenly Emperor frowned, the composure in his eyes fading slightly, replaced by gloom.

…

“Are you sure that old coot of the Heavenly Emperor will walk right into the trap because of this?”

In the Clear Cloud Palace, Leng Licí leaned against the wall, sounding doubtful.

“He will,” Yún Chuān nodded. “The reason Father God has reached this point is entirely because he cannot tolerate anything escaping his control. Therefore, when this matter appears, he will personally destroy it no matter what.”

Yún Yǎ lowered her eyes. “If Father God’s guilt is confirmed, what will happen to him?”

This was the lingering doubt in her heart these days. While she believed Father God shouldn’t continue to make mistakes, it didn’t mean she could calmly accept personally sending him to his death.

At this question, the main hall fell into silence.

Yun Qingwu tightly grasped the edge of the tea table. After a while, he closed his eyes and said with some difficulty, “Morally and logically, he should pay with his life.”

Yún Yǎ turned her face away, her eyes uncontrollably welling up with sorrow. “Auntie understands.”

Yún Chuān walked over and gently embraced his sister. Everything was contained in that hug.

…

After Yún Chuān and Yún Yǎ left, Yun Qingwu and Leng Licí returned to the underground bedroom. They lay flat on the bed, their hands clasped.

Leng Licí turned his head to look at Yun Qingwu. “Do you really not want the Heavenly Emperor’s position? If you sat in that position, everything you want to change would be twice as effective.”

Yun Qingwu stroked Leng Licí’s fingers, countering, “Why don’t you want that position? Isn’t that the position of the strongest in the three realms that you desire?”

Leng Licí scoffed. “The strongest in the three realms? I see it only as a slave to the clan.”

Yun Qingwu: “Yes. I have no intention of repeating history.”

After speaking, he turned his head to meet Leng Licí’s gaze. They saw themselves reflected in each other’s eyes.

…

The next day, all the gods and immortals in the Heavenly Realm, including Jiāng Héyè, received an invitation to a ceremony of repentance and atonement.

The invitation came from Lǎo Tóng, the current patriarch of the Chicken Demon clan. The letter claimed that to know the truth of the events from that year, one must attend the ceremony.

In the Prayer Moon Palace, Jiāng Héyè held the invitation and looked at the Heavenly Empress. “What is your opinion, Mother Empress?”

The Heavenly Empress: “This matter appearing at this time is certainly no coincidence. We just don’t know what the mastermind is seeking. You have made no progress in your investigation these days. Perhaps you should go and take a look.”

Jiāng Héyè nodded. “I agree. Normally, everything leaves a trace. But if a matter leaves no trace, there must be a secret behind it. Since someone wants to draw us into their game, we shall enter and see.”

…

“This is the actual Nánzé Kingdom.”

Yun Qingwu looked at the place, which was both familiar and somewhat strange, and whispered.

Leng Licí looked around. The view was a field of waist-high wild grass. Amidst the lush green, faint traces of ruined walls remained. Six hundred years later, the snow that once covered this place had completely melted away over the days and nights, and new life had grown back.

He formed a hand seal. A red light shot toward the wild grass, instantly clearing the abandoned city from the weeds.

Leng Licí looked at the area that still retained the palace structure in the east and west. “That’s the Green Wood Hall.”

Yun Qingwu looked at Leng Licí, his tone slightly teasing. “I didn’t expect you to remember it so clearly.”

Leng Licí turned his face away. “It’s because Mèng Huǎng’s restoration was accurate.”

Yún Chuān also felt a little distracted looking at the scene. He still remembered the sight of the Nánzé Kingdom when he first stumbled upon it by chance. The clan people here were kind and hospitable, almost unreservedly welcoming to an outsider who suddenly intruded.

But this beauty was ultimately destroyed by his own hand.

“Honored One.”

A group walked toward the former sacrificial platform. The Chicken Demon Patriarch, who had arrived earlier, immediately came to greet them.

He pointed behind him. “Our entire clan is here. Look, I even brought the siblings who haven’t gained spirituality yet.”

Leng Licí nodded, raising his chin, pointing to Yun Qingwu. “You follow his instructions.”

The Chicken Demon Patriarch: “We will follow the Honored One’s command.”

Yun Qingwu: “Thank you all for being willing to help today. Don’t worry, we only need to stage a scene today. I will certainly ensure your safety.”

The Chicken Demon Patriarch waved his hand. “Six hundred years ago, my father, out of his inner resentment, was exploited by that mysterious person and subsequently died here. We are not just helping today. We want to atone for our father and seek revenge for him. Therefore, we will cooperate fully.”

Yun Qingwu nodded. “Then I trouble you all.”

Under Yun Qingwu’s arrangement, all the Chicken Demons sat down in circles around the sacrificial platform.

Yun Qingwu transformed into the patriarch’s likeness and sat at the center of the sacrificial platform. Simultaneously, a burning fire basin was placed in front of each person.

As midnight approached, the various tribes of demons who wanted to investigate the matter began to show up one after another.

Yun Qingwu glanced at Leng Licí, who was hidden in the demon crowd, and nodded. Leng Licí completely concealed his figure and hid inside a ruin.

A Horse Demon familiar with the Chicken Demon Patriarch asked, “Lǎo Tóng, can you truly reveal the so-called mastermind today?”

“Lǎo Tóng” half-closed his eyes and only said, “Since my father entrusted me in a dream, I naturally believe him. We only need to wait until midnight. When Father descends, the truth will be known.”

With half an hour left until midnight, “Lǎo Tóng” completely closed his eyes and began chanting an unfamiliar tune. As if contagious, the Chicken Demons sitting below the platform all followed the chant.

The Horse Demon felt a chill at the sight. “I’ve never heard this song before. Is Lǎo Tóng serious?”

“Look, what is that?”

Another watching Flower Demon pointed to a ruin. A dark area suddenly lit up with small, glowing lights like fireflies. The lights slowly moved toward the sacrificial platform, following the chanted tune.