Chapter 261: Descent
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Amidst the thousand-mile snowy plains, Ye Qinghan stood atop a cliff. Blinding wind and snow obscured her vision, yet her gaze pierced through the storm, surveying the Northern Realm's lands below.
Over these days, she seemed to gradually grasp what it truly meant to be the ruler of the Northern Domain.
Dongfang Jue's personal guards seemed even more adept at putting on a show than she was. Watching his soldiers and officers treat the people kindly, she felt as if she could glimpse the world her mother had always desired.
Ye Qinghan felt joyful, for she believed her mother would have been equally delighted had she witnessed that day!
Confusion never lasts forever, and innocence eventually fades.
Ye Qinghan always felt fortunate to have encountered her master—it was the greatest blessing of her life.
"Mother, how has Qinghan done?"
She drew a jade vial from her bosom, cradling it in her palms as if it were a priceless treasure, as if touching it allowed her to reach the one she longed for.
"Master said Qinghan must not lose her true self. I don't think Master fears Qinghan will become arrogant, extravagant, or indulgent, but I still don't understand what Master meant."
"Master told Qinghan not to try to become like the Demon Emperor. Qinghan only needs to be herself. Master seems to have great faith in Qinghan."
"Qinghan doesn't wish to disappoint Master. Though I have no interest in becoming Demon Emperor, I will try."
The bottle was smooth and delicate, revealing shimmering light that swam within like tiny fish—the remnant soul of my mother.
"He was right."
"Ah!"
Ye Qinghan jumped in fright! His grip slipped, nearly sending the bottle crashing to the floor!
She caught it hastily, her voice trembling as she tentatively spoke…
"Mother… Mother?"
"Hm? Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"
Her mother's voice resounded once more, leaving Ye Qinghan momentarily dazed!
"Mother, can you hear me?"
"What else would you expect?"
"Huh?"
"Don't look so shocked. I only… woke up recently?"
Her mother's gentle tone carried a hint of playfulness, like a big sister next door who cared for him while teasing him, never creating any sense of distance.
"Stop it! Mother must have heard everything I just said!"
It was like talking at a grave only to find the person climbing out of it!
And then saying, "I heard everything!"
Ye Qinghan felt a bit awkward, but thankfully it didn't last long. Being able to talk with Mother wasn't so bad after all.
"Mother, do you think Qinghan will make a competent Demon Emperor?"
Ye's mother burst into laughter, her chuckles tinged with mockery, as if ridiculing the little fox's naivety.
"Does a Demon Emperor need to ask his mother's opinion on matters? Heh~"
Ye Qinghan pouted. Her mother was always so irresponsible with her!
"Mother, please stop teasing Qinghan. I'm being serious!"
The gentle demeanor vanished instantly. The Demon Emperor's voice carried an oppressive weight as he spoke.
"This Emperor is also serious."
Ye Qinghan snorted with laughter. Hmph, this routine had been used on her since childhood.
Her mother in her memories was just like this—seemingly possessing many faces, adopting different attitudes toward different people.
Come to think of it, Master seemed the same way.
Could it be that this is how one becomes as an adult?
"Mother, will Qinghan be able to talk to you anytime from now on?"
"Not exactly. It takes quite an effort to converse with my precious daughter, but Mother will try her best."
Both Mother and Master seemed to want her to follow her own path. Ye Qinghan couldn't understand why. Clearly, both Master and Mother knew what she should do, yet neither was willing to tell her.
She understood this was a learning opportunity akin to a test, but she didn't know what answer would satisfy both Mother and Master.
Even so, Ye Qinghan knew that even if she messed up, her Master would help her fix it, and Mother wouldn't blame her.
"Mother, the next time we meet, Qinghan will surely surprise you!"
"Mother looks forward to it~"
After exchanging only a few words, Ye's mother said she was tired and fell silent.
Yet even Ye Qinghan's mother didn't know that this conversation itself relied on the divine artifact.
Without a physical medium, it existed solely as Ye Qinghan's memory.
Once the conversation ended, Ye's mother would forget everything discussed that day.
Yet for a mother, simply being able to stay by Ye Qinghan's side and watch her daughter grow up was already a luxury beyond hope.
Even so, even if they couldn't converse, it was already a dream come true!
To be able to watch her daughter like this, even if only through a bottle, was a beautiful dream she dared not imagine.
Inside Lingxian Hall, the detoxification process had only just passed the halfway mark.
At this moment, thoughts of death kept surfacing in Cang Jue's mind.
Yet this body craved battle!
She was a physical cultivator, born to be a warrior!
This humiliation left her utterly ashamed, yet her body betrayed her more than she ever could!
The most shameful part was that this honest body had long since slipped beyond her control.
She craved that man, knowing it was wrong, utterly wrong!
She knew she was no match for that man.
Yet her body seemed unwilling to concede defeat!
Wrong, yet she had already fallen. This body craved to repeat the mistake.
"Su Cheng, even as a ghost, I won't let you off the hook!"
"Yeah, I know. You've said it several times already."
"Let go of me!"
Su Cheng was speechless. If this woman weren't pinned on top of him, clinging to him like a leech, he might have believed her.
"Fine, fine, whatever you say."
Truth be told, Su Cheng had genuinely underestimated Li Shiyao's potion. Without an exceptional childbearing physique, most people simply couldn't endure it!
Take Cangjue, for instance—she was on the verge of collapse…
"I'm dying…"
"Then get off me. How about that?"
"Just kill me… I don't want to live anymore…"
A pair of jade-like hands clamped around Su Cheng's neck like a lock, and she began unleashing all manner of supernatural abilities.
Cangjue couldn't believe it—she wasn't that kind of woman!
She disdained associating with Ye Qinghan, Yu Lan, and the rest!
Yet, as if her fighting blood had been ignited, fueled by the drug's effects, this sensation intoxicated her completely. She was utterly lost in it, unable to pull herself free!
As the saying goes, only oxen die from overwork, never fields from being plowed too hard!
Yet at this moment, Cang Jue truly felt she was about to be worn out!
If an egg had been placed on the bedside, it would have been shaken to a pulp by now!
Didn't Su Cheng ever get tired?
Three full days and nights—this was the first time Su Cheng had lasted this long. One had to admit, physical cultivators were extraordinary!
While he was going full throttle, Cangjue wasn't about to be outdone, pressing forward relentlessly!
Could anyone blame him? If blame was to be assigned, it could only be directed at Cangjue for pushing too hard, for recklessly drinking tea!
Cang Jue was utterly relentless. She seemed so innocent at first glance, but these three days and nights had completely changed Su Cheng's perception of her!
Now, staring at the man sleeping beside her, Cang Jue felt no trace of drowsiness. Recalling these three days and nights, she wished she were dead!
Evidence?
Who cares about evidence? She'd already lost her body!
That Su Cheng is nothing but a scoundrel! A beast! May he rot in hell!
She flipped over and straddled Su Cheng, her small hands gently clasping his neck as tears streamed down her cheeks!
She thought of squeezing the life out of this beast, but her hands simply couldn't muster the strength.
She knew it was over for her.
Even killing this man was beyond her. Though she refused to admit it, she recognized that this body still craved the next time…
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