Chapter 60.1: Zhu Yan, the Timely Help (1/2)

In a massive hall of the Great Qing Palace.

She Miejue and She Tianba were standing there. He woke up after taking some medicine; his injuries had recovered significantly.

She Miejue was pacing back and forth with a frown in the main hall.

She Tianba was not worried about his ancestral aunt being demonized. On the contrary, he was excited.

“Ancestral aunt, you became a demon? Does that mean that you’ll be part of the demonic sect from now on? The Fifth Parlor Lord? Isn’t that a high position in the demonic sect?” She Tianba said expectantly.

She Miejue ignored his questions. She asked instead, “She Tianba. All that you said just now, is it all true?”

“Yes, it is. I would never dare deceive you, ancestral aunt. I would not hide anything about the things that happened at the She Clan estate a short while ago!” She Tianba replied solemnly.

“Wang Ke is really quick on his toes. No wonder the Sect Lord took him as his disciple! However… Zhu Yan? That rascal became a demon? He’s really sick of living!” said She Miejue with a displeased face.

She Tianba was taken aback by this. What does she mean?She’s praising Wang Ke?Why!That bastard! Why does my ancestral aunt like him?

“Ancestral aunt, can I be part of the Nether Demon Assembly tonight?” She Tianba looked at his ancestral aunt, looking forward to her reply.

He also wanted to have a share of the Netherborn.

Alas, it was a pity that She Miejue didn’t seem to understand his intention. “Tonight’s Nether Demon Assembly will be unusual. You shouldn’t go there; hide instead!” she warned, then continued by saying, “You are the descendant of the She Clan. I will give you a big gift!”

“Ahh?” She Tianba was at a loss.

He wanted to have a share of Princess Youyue’s blood and essence energy, but his ancestral aunt would not let him attend. Why!But, didn’t she say she was going to give me a big gift?Fine. I shall wait for now!

————-

In another hall of the royal palace.

Zhu Hongyi was drinking out of frustration, frowning while he was in deep thought.

“Ancestral uncle, Immortal Qing doesn’t wish to see you? You lost control during your demonic awakening back then, when you killed her family! It should be understandable! You were not yourself at that time, and you didn’t want to kill them, either; why is she still holding on to that grudge after more than a hundred years have passed?” Zhu Yan said as he poured more wine into his ancestral uncle’s cup.

“Sigh! That’s not my main concern; it’s more about something that happened recently. It’s all my fault. Some time ago, the Demon Sovereign sought my aid to demonize Qing’er, but she…!” Zhu Hongyi sighed and drank in frustration.

Zhu Yan was curious; he asked as he poured another cup of wine, “The Demon Sovereign asked you to deal with Immortal Qing?”

“Qing’er is staunch in her position; she swore to kill all demons! Heh, there’s no way she would readily become a demon. A person unwilling to be demonized would never transform if they resisted in their hearts! In principle, Qing’er can’t be demonized! Still, she was captured by the Demon Sovereign. Her only choices were death or being demonized!” Zhu Hongyi explained bitterly.

“But this is not your fault!” Zhu Yan continued urging Zhu Hongyi to drink.

“In order to convince Qing’er to join the demonic side,” Zhu Hongyi shook his head and explained further, “the Demon Sovereign cast a dream spell, and then asked me to persuade Qing’er inside the dream. Using the dream spell illusions, Qing’er saw that I was going to die. She was only willing to be demonized in order to save me!”

“A dream spell?”

“Dreams are not part of reality. Still, even though one could neglect many things in a dream, what remains is the heart. Qing’er forgot everything else in the dream, but not her love for me! Heh, when she woke up and realized it was all a lie… Those eyes of hers when she looked at me…!” Zhu Hongyi drank away; he seemed to be deeply regretting his actions.

Zhu Yan consoled him by saying, “Immortal Qing loves you dearly; she will eventually forgive you. You helped her so much this time around, I’m sure she remembers. With time she will understand your hard work!”

“I hope so! Sigh!” Zhu Hongyi felt awfully frustrated.

She was his former lover, who later became an enemy because he fell into the demonic ways. She Qingqing changed her name to She Miejue and killed demons like crazy. That was all because of the great hatred born out of her deep love; one of them joined the righteous faction while the other joined the demonic faction. His heart was filled with turmoil all those years! And then, he deceived Qing’er and crushed her faith! Zhu Hongyi felt helpless, not knowing how to redeem the situation, and Qing’er was still treating him with a sub zero attitude. He could not feel more bitter!

His only confidant was Zhu Yan; there was no way an outsider could know about his plight.

Zhu Yan listened to his ancestral uncle airing his grievances. His eyes also glistened while he was offering consolation as he followed the conversation topic—

It was all because Zhu Yan wanted to continue being the Great Qing’s Emperor; he didn’t want to lose his empire. Few cultivators would be attracted to the mortal world, while it was rather tempting to become an emperor. I had unmatched authority and inexhaustible wealth.How could I simply give those up just because I’ve been demonized?

I can easily rule the empire while cultivating!I can use the empire’s resources to boost my progress.Why would I give it up?

The most important objective was to retrieve the bead bracelet from Princess Youyue so he could conceal his demonic Qi; no one would know he was a demon if he were successful. And of course, even if Wang Ke knew about it, it wouldn’t be a problem because Zhu Yan could merely contradict him.

The reason why he had persuaded his ancestral uncle to imprison Princess Youyue in the Empress’ Residence was because of the underground dungeon. The vast dungeon actually stretched all the way to a place underneath the study room. He had already assigned someone to dig downwards in order to connect to the dungeon. Zhu Yan would then have access to Princess Youyue, quietly through the tunnel.

All he wanted was just the bracelet, nothing else!

“Ancestral uncle, the chain you used to restrain the princess should be an enchanted artifact, right? I see that a part of the chain is outside the gate… hanging in midair?” Zhu Yan said expectantly.

“You’re right! It is called Hongyi Chain. I forged it! Many people from the Great Yin Demon Sect know about it; they can know what is happening to the princess by using a segment left outside the gate. The section left outside will sound off an alarm!” Zhu Hongyi explained after he drank another cup of wine.

The people outside would be alerted if someone touched the chain inside?

Zhu Yan was not happy about it. Even if I manage to sneak up to Princess Youyue, I might easily trigger the alarm. What should I do?

“Ancestral uncle, do you have a way to untie the Hongyi Chain inside without setting off the alarm? I’m worried that some demonic disciples might try sneaking in! What if they eat Princess Youyue before the Nether Demon Assembly and disrupt the whole thing?” Zhu Yan said, expecting his ancestral uncle to offer a favorable reply.