Great Demon - Chapter 94

Itchy.

Zhuyou’s breath hitched.

That word wasn’t written on her body, yet hearing Changying’s voice, slightly distant, felt like a hook lifting her heart, suspending it in the clouds. Wrapped in the soft mist, she lost her composure.

Lanterns hung high in every direction, casting a glow on faces as delicate as flowers. Yet Changying seemed detached from the world, her face remaining starkly pale, untouched by the light.

“You summoned me, yet you ignore me,” Changying said softly. Her voice was level, her expression cold and serene, yet she somehow seemed deeply aggrieved.

“If I wanted to ignore you, why would I summon you?” Zhuyou’s voice lightened. She had done it on purpose. She knew Changying had left her consciousness here to perceive all that happened in this place. So she deliberately wrote and drew above, knowing Changying would notice.

Now, Changying was holding one of her fingers, her palm cool—not freezing to the bone, but cold enough to send a shiver through her, stirring memories of the past.

Zhuyou pursed her lips and stared at her in silence, even the tips of her fingers tinged pink.

Changying didn’t let go. She gazed at the phoenix markings blooming crimson at the corners of Zhuyou’s eyes and said, “I was at Mount Danxue just now.”

Her words, like a stream of clear water, doused Zhuyou’s mind, snapping her back to reality.

Zhuyou froze. “What were you doing at Mount Danxue?”

“The names of those twelve people—I heard them from Yunshuo,” Changying said calmly. “It’s only natural that I sought him out.”

“What could he possibly know?” Zhuyou scoffed. Hearing Yunshuo’s name still startled her for a moment. Even though she knew Yunshuo had been deceived by a devil back then, the name still stirred stormy waves in her heart.

Noticing the dimming light in her eyes, Changying gently squeezed her pale finger twice, as if in reassurance, before continuing, “He told me everything he saw and learned back then in the Turbid Mirror.”

“What did he say?” Zhuyou frowned.

“At that time, the Turbid Mirror was summoned by Kunyi, but among the twelve immortals who entered, she was not one of them. Once inside, each of them was trapped by the illusions of the chaotic realm.”

“They weren’t as clear-minded as you,” Zhuyou said, shaking her head.

Changying neither confirmed nor denied it and went on, “Yunshuo was filled with countless distractions back then. He thought he would be the last one to wake, but surprisingly, he wasn’t the last to emerge from the chaotic realm.”

“Then who was?” Zhuyou carefully considered the names of those immortals. None of them seemed like they would be trapped in the chaotic realm for long.

Changying parted her lips. “Xuanqing.”

Zhuyou’s gaze lifted in shock, a realization dawning on her. If that were true, then wouldn’t the other eleven immortals have known exactly what desire had ensnared him—just as Changying had once taken the form of a newly hatched creature and secured a place within her illusions?

Changying continued, “Yunshuo didn’t know who first entered Xuanqing’s illusion, but he suspects it was Hua Lingjun. When they entered, Hua Lingjun’s expression was strange, as if he had something to say to them. But then Xuanqing suddenly emerged from the chaotic realm, and they were all expelled.”

“What did Hua Lingjun see?” Zhuyou leaned slightly, as if about to fall into Changying’s arms.

Changying raised her arm to support the back of her head, making Zhuyou tilt forward slightly, their foreheads touching.

Between them, the golden bead she had once curled her tongue around pressed uncomfortably against her skin.

Changying’s cold, exquisite face crashed into her vision, sinking straight into her heart.

Zhuyou lifted a hand to Changying’s shoulder, her slender fingers applying no real force. It was unclear whether she intended to push her away or to keep the dragon before her, giving an air of hesitant desire.

Changying said in a quiet voice, “Shackles.”

“Shackles?” Zhuyou hadn’t expected that. “What does that mean?”

Changying shook her head slightly before continuing, “After emerging from the Turbid Mirror, Hua Lingjun told Yunshuo about it. Not long after, Hua Lingjun was exiled. At that time, he had already become a demigod, and it was Xuanqing himself who presided over his trial. If not for that, his punishment would have been far worse—his hun soul would have been scattered, his po soul completely destroyed.”

“What kind of shackles? And why couldn’t they be revealed?” Zhuyou pressed on.

Changying fell silent for a moment, then said, “If another ancient devil had already infiltrated the Heavenly Palace, I doubt it would be Xuanqing. If it were him, there would have been no need to expose Hua Lingjun’s exile and then set fire to the Observatory Pavilion afterward. That would be too obvious a cover-up.” She paused, then added, “Besides, he told me himself that he did something in the Turbid Mirror that he shouldn’t have. But as the Emperor of the Nine Heavens, what could be ‘should’ or ‘should not’ for him?”

Zhuyou pressed her lips together.

“Perhaps,” Changying continued slowly, “his greatest mistake was letting his mind be tainted by impure thoughts, falling into the chaotic realm, and being seen by Hua Lingjun with those shackles. That was his error.”

Zhuyou’s eyes widened in realization. “Someone is deliberately trying to make us suspect Xuanqing?”

Changying nodded slightly.

Zhuyou pushed her shoulder and, remembering Hanzhu’s return, said, “Speaking of which, Hanzhu is back.”

Changying had never liked that little peafowl much, though she had never made things difficult for her since the demon had always been loyal to Zhuyou. Still, when she heard the name, her face darkened noticeably, her lips tightly pressed together as if she had just swallowed a mouthful of vinegar.

“When Hanzhu returned, I saw an ancient devil’s mark on her,” Zhuyou said, grabbing Changying’s hand from the back of her head. She straightened up, extended a finger, and gently smoothed the slight crease between Changying’s brows.

Changying’s expression finally softened as she frowned. “An ancient devil’s mark?”

Zhuyou nodded. “I entered her sea of consciousness and saw the devil that had bewitched her. It was one of Guanshang’s devil soldiers. But that happened in the Mortal Realm, and I’ve been in Shangxi City all this time without sensing any devils appearing. Considering everything we’ve discovered in the past few days, I suspect that they…” She paused, her voice turning icy. “They’ve built a devil gate in the Mortal Realm.”

Changying’s breath caught.

“If the other end of the devil gate leads into the Endless Abyss, what do you think will happen?” Zhuyou’s pupils contracted sharply.

Changying’s voice turned cold. “Wouldn’t that mean they can travel freely between the Three Realms?”

A group of devils with ulterior motives roaming the Three Realms at will—how terrifying.

Changying suddenly fell silent, gazing at Zhuyou without speaking for a long time.

Zhuyou, as if trying to mask her inner anxiety, reached out and flicked at Changying’s forehead ornament.

Changying said, “I’m afraid there’s also a devil gate in the Nine Heavens. Otherwise, many things wouldn’t make sense. But I still can’t figure out where exactly it’s hidden.”

“You return to the Nine Heavens. I’ll find an opportunity to track down Hua Lingjun’s reincarnation. I need to understand what exactly that shackle was.” Zhuyou contemplated aloud.

“Alright.” Changying agreed.

“In the future, if there’s nothing urgent, don’t just appear suddenly. You’ll only risk being seen by Guanshang.” Zhuyou found her own words somewhat odd.

Before she even finished speaking, the dragon before her vanished without a trace, and the cold presence lingering behind her sank back into the ice.

She had still been holding onto that golden bead, but now that it was gone, her palm felt empty. A moment later, she muttered, “You come fast and leave just as quickly. The only time you hesitate to go is when you’re learning all sorts of nonsense.”

That was simply the nature of dragons. She knew it well.

***

Up in the Nine Heavens, Changying had no idea she had just been spoken of in such a way.

Yunshuo, seeing her open her eyes, asked, “Your Divinity, are you weary?”

Changying’s tone remained indifferent. “Hua Lingjun only said he saw a shackle?”

Yunshuo nodded. “I have never mentioned this to anyone else, nor did I dare to suspect the Heavenly Emperor. At one point, I wondered if Hua Lingjun might have misseen things. But if that were the case, he wouldn’t have been demoted to the Mortal Realm.”

“You also believe he was innocent?” Changying’s golden eyes lifted slightly.

“I do,” Yunshuo replied, clasping his hands in respect.

Changying stood and took in the view from the mountain peak. The blazing sun shone above, casting a halo of light around the lush green pines and cypresses. Among them stood a parasol tree, its bark still bearing the scars of heavenly thunder from a past tribulation.

Dressed in a black robe, she appeared distant and indifferent. Standing amidst the forest, she seemed utterly alone, her mind elsewhere.

Yunshuo knew that even if he told the Divine Venerable everything now, it would not undo the mistakes he had made. If Mount Danxue were to change hands in the future, he might not even have a place here anymore. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, “Would Your Divinity like to take a walk around the mountain?”

“Lead the way,” Changying said.

Yunshuo was always introspective, and even more so in front of the Nine Heavens’ Divine Venerable. He was about to move when he saw Lingyan approaching with a tray of celestial wine.

Lingyan was not the gentle and virtuous type. If she hadn’t voluntarily stepped away from the Phoenix Lord position, she would be the ruler of Mount Danxue today. Setting the wine down, she asked, “Your Divinity, are you leaving?”

“Come walk with me,” Changying said indifferently.

Lingyan nodded in agreement. Her attire was simple, devoid of any accessories—just like her personality, straightforward and decisive.

As they walked along the winding paths of the mountain like ordinary mortals, Changying said, “Is there anything you wish to ask?”

Yunshuo remained silent, only glancing slightly at his wife.

Lingyan asked, “When will the qingluan transform into a phoenix?”

“If nothing unexpected happens, in about half a year,” Changying replied. She stepped on a fallen parasol tree leaf. The leaf was not soft, and as it was crushed beneath her shoe, it made a crisp sound. She lifted her head and looked at the parasol tree. “Whose tree is this?”

“Replying to Your Divinity, it is mine,” Lingyan said.

Changying was instantly reminded of what she had seen in the Turbid Mirror. Back then, Zhuyou had still been in Mount Danxue, barefoot as she sat on a parasol tree branch. Her black hair draped over her shoulders, her gaze clear and lively—nothing in the Nine Heavens could compare.

After a moment of silence, Changying finally asked, “Do phoenixes truly only perch on parasol trees?”

Speaking of which, ever since remolding her physical body, she had yet to see Zhuyou perching on a parasol tree. Instead, Zhuyou was always either reclining on a soft couch, lying beneath layers of bedding, or sitting atop flying eaves and roof tiles.

Lingyan lowered her gaze and said, “A phoenix must perch on a parasol tree to calm its spirit. If it rests elsewhere, it will likely be unable to sleep soundly.”

Hearing this, Changying frowned. She had been back in the Nine Heavens for quite some time, yet Zhuyou had never once asked her for a parasol tree. Her voice was cold, but her expression was even icier. “Unable to sleep soundly?”

“Yes,” Lingyan replied.

“If a phoenix can perch on a parasol tree, then what about a dragon?” Changying raised a hand, catching a falling parasol leaf in her palm.

Lingyan did not understand her meaning. The Divine Venerable did not seem like someone who would joke about such things, so she wasn’t sure how to respond.

Yunshuo, as if realizing something, suddenly spoke up. “If Your Divinity wishes to test this, then the Phoenix Clan shall offer the finest parasol tree within Mount Danxue.”

“Very well,” Changying accepted without hesitation.

Lingyan shot a glance at her husband, only to find him speaking with utter seriousness, his expression solemn. She furrowed her brows, not believing that the Divine Venerable would say such words in jest, and thus, she remained silent for a long while.

Meeting her gaze, Yunshuo said, “This parasol tree has yet to be claimed by a master.”

Lingyan’s brows knit even tighter, but suppressing the doubts in her heart, she said, “Once uprooted, a parasol tree must be sustained with spiritual energy, or else it will immediately wither. Please follow me, Your Divinity.”

Changying lifted a hand, signaling her to lead the way.

Lingyan rose into the air and flew toward the sound of trickling water.

Moments later, a towering parasol tree, a hundred feet high, came into view near the Celestial Spring. The tree’s trunk was gnarled and powerful, its entire form a lush green. Each leaf was broad as a palm, and its veins pulsed with pure spiritual energy.

“Your Divinity, this is the one,” Lingyan said, raising her hand.

Changying gave a slight nod. Such a tree was indeed worthy of the Vermillion Phoenix.

Yunshuo, who had remained silent for a long time, lifted his hand. “Then, I shall dig it up.”

“Alright.” Changying stood beside the spring, watching quietly.

Yunshuo slowly raised his right arm, palm facing upward as though holding an invisible weight. His fingers tensed, and with a forceful motion, the parasol tree’s roots tore free from the earth, exposing a large portion of its root system. The gnarled roots were a deep crimson, as vivid as phoenix fire.

Sweat beaded on Yunshuo’s forehead, and his fingers trembled as though seized by a spasm.

Seeing this, Lingyan swiftly raised her arm, pressing a hand against his back to channel her spiritual energy into him.

With a sudden burst of strength, Yunshuo lifted his arm higher. The soil around the tree crumbled and fell away. Then, he suddenly asked, “Your Divinity, may I ask… is that one intending to align her hun soul and po soul with the Devil Lord?”

“She?” Changying gazed at the parasol tree and replied indifferently, “She has already reached the pinnacle. Why would she need to align herself with the Devil Lord?”

But I only wish for her hun soul and po soul to align with mine.