I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon

Chapter 1231 - 466: The Empress’s Earth-Shattering Plan! The Empress’s Dilemma! (Part 2)

Before entering the Secret Realm, she had anticipated a tough battle, but she hadn’t expected the situation to be so dire.

First, she had a fight with the No Desire Buddha, which was already exhausting, and then two remnants of the Ancient Emperor’s bodies entangled her. Even though her body had reached its limit, she forcibly activated her Dragon Qi, and ultimately paid a heavy price for it.

As one of the most elemental forces in the world, Dragon Qi is too pure and primordial to be controlled by the human body.

Although Chu Yanli could wield various magical powers with the Heavenly Decree Seal, during the process, the Dragon Qi would continuously transform her body, adapting it to a suitable environment for itself, an occurrence known as "mutation."

Originally, only half of her body was mutated, and she could barely maintain it.

But now, her meridians and flesh have been completely eroded, and even the Medical Saint would be powerless to fix it!

Chu Yanli had anticipated this outcome long ago.

From the day she used the Heavenly Decree Seal to drive away the Southern Barbarians, she knew she would eventually face such a fate.

But the problem is, there are still many things she hasn’t done.

The Southern Barbarians have not been completely eradicated, the noble families have not been purged, and the grudges of the past have not been settled... there is no fear in her heart, only strong unwillingness.

"Didn’t expect to fall here?"

"So disappointing, Chu Yanli..."

Chu Yanli laughed bitterly at herself, which triggered a violent cough, and blood gushed from the corner of her mouth.

Shaa—

Footsteps approached from afar, and a shadow covered her body.

She struggled to look up, and through the gaps in the leaves, sunlight spilled down, outlining a face of striking handsomeness, with deep and serene eyes gazing at her.

"Chen Mo?"

Instinctively, Chu Yanli turned her head, as if not wanting him to see her in this state, biting her lip, she said, "You’re here to laugh at me? I look very miserable, don’t I? No need to hold back, just laugh if you want..."

Chen Mo remained silent, took a robe out of his Storage Ring, and covered her with it, hiding the mutated scales.

He then picked her up and walked in large strides towards the flying boat.

Chu Yanli’s throat moved slightly, "What are you doing?"

Chen Mo calmly said, "Taking you back to the Capital City."

"But in this ghastly state, if others see me..."

Chu Yanli’s words were interrupted by Chen Mo, "You are the Great Yuan’s hero, these Dragon scales are the medal of your sacrifice for the court, there’s nothing to be ashamed of... Besides, don’t worry, as long as I’m here, you won’t die."

Chu Yanli was stunned by his words.

Facing his serious expression, her restless heart strangely calmed down, as if a warm spring flowed through it.

"Hmm, understood." She responded, unconsciously leaning her head against Chen Mo’s shoulder.

...

...

Ling Ningzhi activated the flying boat, suspended in the air, as Yu Hongyin and Qiao Tong successively boarded.

After Chen Mo placed Chu Yanli on board, he was pulled into some small talk by Huo Wuya, who, in essence, was expressing gratitude, for this time, with Zi Lianji and Jiang Zhiyun coming out alive, Chen Mo’s contribution was significant.

Following this event, people from Martial Saint Mountain looked at Chen Mo differently.

Especially Zi Lianji, who witnessed Chen Mo’s terrifying methods of dispelling the corpse tide with laughter, and any lingering resentment dissolved, leaving only admiration as he gazed at him eagerly.

When the gap in strength reaches a certain point, even envy disappears, leaving only awe and respect.

Chen Mo promised Huo Wuya that he would visit the mountain gate often when he had time, which made Huo Wuya satisfied to let him go, then watched as the flying boat left, only pulling his gaze back when it completely vanished from sight.

"Sect Master, clearly the Secret Realm had been tampered with; should we investigate?" Jiang Zhiyun asked from the side.

Huo Wuya folded his hands behind his back, coolly said, "Such a grand scheme, involving even Wei Xuan and the Heavenly Shadow Guards, the adversary’s identity is already evident, is there any need to investigate?"

Jiang Zhiyun’s heart skipped a beat, "Do you mean..."

Huo Wuya gestured for her silence, shaking his head, "This matter is beyond our involvement, rushing in might just backfire, let’s wait and see Tianshu Pavilion’s stance."

Jiang Zhiyun’s expression turned serious, lowering her head and saying no more.

"But our sect disciples didn’t die in vain, although the mastermind can’t be moved for now, no accomplice will escape!" Huo Wuya’s eyes flashed with cold light, "Seems I’ve been inactive too long, becoming soft in others’ eyes."

"Send word to Zi Wenzhong and Tan Han to proceed to the Western Regions immediately, I must personally visit Wuwan Temple!"

"Yes!"

...

...

Tiandu City.

Yangxin Palace.

The Empress leaned back against the Phoenix Throne, clutching the gold hairpin in her hand, her brows full of worry.

A mountain of memorials piled up on the Imperial Desk in front of her, but she didn’t even have the mood to glance at them.

"Back then, I should have brought the little thief back with me, but he insisted on staying behind to handle the aftermath. First, he ran to the Southern Wilderness to destroy the Barbarian Tribe, and now he’s entered that wretched Secret Realm..."

"How many days has it been already? Not a single movement, truly not letting a person rest at ease..."

Knock, knock, knock—

At this time, the hall door was knocked, and Sun Senior Palace Lady hastened in, bowing and saying: "Your Majesty, it has been verified. The one leading the team to Qing Province this time is indeed the Heavenly Qilin Guard Commander Wei Xuan, along with the Xuan Armor Guard, and ten Heavenly Shadow Guards accompanying."

"What?!" The Empress’s face suddenly changed.

In the whole court, the only one who could command Wei Xuan and the Heavenly Shadow Guards was none other than Holy Emperor Wu Lie!

If it were just an ordinary Secret Realm, it wouldn’t warrant such a big commotion. The current situation indicates that he must have ulterior motives!

Thinking back to the recent court where Wu Lie’s attitude towards Chen Mo, and the originally long-overdue return of Chu Yanli, who still had no news, the Empress’s heart grew more uneasy.

"No, I can’t wait any longer!"

She stood up abruptly, her figure trembling slightly, and said solemnly, "Prepare the palanquin, I’m going to Qing Province!"

Sun Senior Palace Lady shivered at the words, hurriedly advising, "Your Majesty, please don’t be impulsive. You just returned from the Southern Border, which has already caused quite a stir. To leave the palace hastily again might lead to greater trouble!"

"If you are really worried, let this servant or Eunuch Jin go first to check the situation..."

The Empress shook her head: "Wei Xuan wouldn’t respect you, and the Heavenly Shadow Guards only answer to the Imperial Family. If I am present, at least they wouldn’t dare directly harm Chen Mo."

Sun Senior Palace Lady pondered for a moment and said, "If Consort Yu is aware of this matter, she surely won’t sit by idly. Perhaps we should discuss with her first?"

The Empress felt this reasoning was sound and nodded, "That works, let’s head to Frozen Sky Palace."

"Yes." Sun Senior Palace Lady responded and left.

Half a Stick of Incense later.

The Royal Palanquin arrived at Frozen Sky Palace.

It seemed like Xu Qingyi knew the Empress was coming and had been waiting outside early.

Sun Senior Palace Lady opened the sedan door, and the Empress, dressed in a bright yellow phoenix robe, stepped down.

Xu Qingyi bowed to the ground, "This servant greets Her Majesty the Empress."

"Rise." The Empress nodded slightly, asking, "Is Consort Yu in the palace? I have urgent matters to discuss with her."

Xu Qingyi rose from the ground, stepping aside, "Your Majesty, please follow me."

The Empress gestured for Sun Senior Palace Lady to wait outside and followed Xu Qingyi into the sleeping chamber, through the corridor, arriving at the inner hall.

Yu Youhan, dressed in a thin long dress, reclined lazily on the Consort’s Seat with crossed legs.

In her hand, she was flipping through a magazine, its leather cover gilded with the four large characters "Playboy," the craftsmanship appeared very exquisite.

"Your Grace, Her Majesty the Empress has arrived," Xu Qingyi mentioned with a bow.

Yu Youhan didn’t even lift her eyelids, merely said lightly, "Offer a seat."

The Empress sat quietly beside her, and after Xu Qingyi exited, she got straight to the point: "Wei Xuan took the Heavenly Shadow Guards to the Qingzhou Secret Realm, likely with ill intent towards Chen Mo..."

Yu Youhan turned a page, "I know."

The Empress furrowed her brows, "Since you know, why are you still so unhurried? Why not quickly save him?"

Yu Youhan glanced at her, sneered: "Because I’ve already rescued him and returned. If it were up to you, I’d be afraid even the daylilies would wilt by the time you arranged it."

"..."

The Empress showed a trace of embarrassment.

Little did she expect Yu Youhan to act so swiftly, with information even more well-informed than hers...

However, learning that Chen Mo was safe, the heart that had been hanging finally relaxed.

"Since you’re here today, I have a question to ask you," Yu Youhan closed the book, her Qing Bi eyes gazing at the Empress, "This matter is of great importance, you must answer truthfully."

The Empress involuntarily sat up straight, "Go ahead."

Yu Youhan’s lips moved slightly, her tone airy, yet it exploded like thunder in the Empress’s ears:

"If I were to commit regicide, whose side would you stand on?"