Chapter 98 - The Harem Rescue Project

Lin Qianshuang was filled with bitterness. Who wanted to become a demon cultivator? If not for the dire circumstances, she would never have swallowed that potentially life-threatening demon core. As the carriage moved through the layers of barriers in the Demon Realm, they unfolded like layers of pale purple cicada wings, clustering and moving, then dissipating into nothingness once the carriage departed. That familiar portal of the Demon Realm appeared before her, still as bright and indestructible as when she had left. With the Azure Dragon Totem mark given by the Lord of Tianxu City, the demon guards respectfully allowed her passage, and no one dared to stop her. After alighting from the carriage, Lin Qianshuang naturally intended to head toward the Nine-layered Demon Palace. She had barely taken a few steps when Su Qing, the guardian of the palace who came to receive them, intercepted her. Seeing her old acquaintance Su Qing, Lin Qianshuang reflexively touched her face and felt reassured by the presence of her mask, allowing her to put her hand down with relief. Su Qing glanced at the three of them, noting Chen Shangqing and Xu Zheng standing beside Lin Qianshuang, and became certain that she was the envoy from Tianxu's rogue cultivator city. He approached her and said politely, "Envoy from Tianxu City, the Domain Lord is currently resting at Frostchill Estate, not within the Nine-layered Demon Palace. Let me take you there. Please follow me." As she followed Su Qing, Lin Qianshuang found herself puzzled. Was there really a place called Frostchill Estate in the Demon Realm? She had once traveled all over the Demon Realm, yet had never visited such a site. Floating high in the air on a soaring demon peak was a faintly visible celestial palace. The endless mountain ranges concealed temples and pavilions built along steep cliffs. Walking along the cold, breezy path, Lin Qianshuang found the scenery increasingly familiar. It wasn't until she saw the unmistakable main plaza of the Penglai Celestial Gate that she realized why. No wonder it looked so familiar; this so-called Frostchill Estate was built using the Penglai Celestial Gate's architecture as a blueprint. After a quick survey, she discovered it was almost a one-to-one replica of the Penglai Celestial Gate. Seeing the crimson characters "Frost" and "Chill" sprinkled with gold dust inscribed on the archway, Lin Qianshuang couldn't help but make a connection. Her master had once joked that if she missed the Penglai Celestial Gate, she'd build her one, so she wouldn't have to return. It wasn't narcissism, but the "Frost" and "Chill" seemed to connect her and her master's names, and the frosted trees in the garden, resembling snow, made her more suspicious. Su Qing walked along the stone path with them, his little maid inadvertently striking up a lively conversation with Xu Zheng. Seeing Chen Shangqing dressed in Penglai Celestial Gate disciple attire among them, she couldn't help but relay the rumors she had heard: "This palace was built for the deceased Demon Queen, who was said to be from the Penglai Celestial Gate. Since the Domain Lord returned from Tianxu City a few months ago, she inexplicably forgot about the late Demon Queen and expressed bewilderment over Frostchill Estate, criticizing the foolishness of its builder for wasting resources. As a result, she occasionally stays here." She paused and continued, "We all find it odd. The Domain Lord was always deeply devoted to the Demon Queen she'd never met, so how could she just forget?" "Red Sleeve, stop babbling." Upon being scolded by Su Qing, the maid immediately fell silent. Xu Zheng still hoped to chat with her more about the Demon Realm, but the maid distanced herself, refusing further conversation. Su Qing led the three into the parlor of Frostchill Estate, then departed without mentioning when the Demon Emperor would arrive. Chen Shangqing and Xu Zheng were deeply interested in the Demon Realm's vistas and soared on their swords to stand on the highest cliff bridge of Frostchill Estate, taking in the scenery below. If the Demon Emperor did arrive, they'd easily spot her from their elevated position. Lin Qianshuang waited in the hall for a long time. Seeing no sign of Han Shengyao, she eventually ventured outside. With the layout of Frostchill Estate mirroring the Penglai Celestial Pavilion, Lin Qianshuang felt as if she was walking within her sect as she strolled alongside a creek. The Cold Cicada Zither in her storage jade pendant became restless, seemingly attracted by the abundant spiritual energy. When she took out the zither, its seven strings vibrated chaotically, absorbing the rich spiritual energy from the intricate lines along its side. A faint, silvery-blue soul cloud began to form beneath her fingers as they touched the strings, the zither gleaming crystal white and autonomously plucking out sounds. Tadpoles in the clear stream gradually gathered into two crooked characters. "Miss you." Only Lin Qianshuang could instantly understand those characters. Had Xuan Luo Wan's soul been restored? Lin Qianshuang felt a joyous anticipation at the thought of reuniting with her old friend. This joy had nothing to do with her feelings about the fourth locked target she was supposed to 'strategize.' She had promised the Demon Emperor to restore Xuan Luo Wan, but she instinctively didn't want to reduce a friend who had extended a helping hand during her hardships to an impersonal objective. Finding a flat rock by the stream, Lin Qianshuang sat down and placed the Cold Cicada Zither on her lap, addressing it, "Little Wan, is that you? Is your soul stable now? What else do I need to do to release you?" Given that it was the Demon Emperor's task, even without system prompts, Lin Qianshuang knew Xuan Luo Wan's revival was unlikely to be simple. The tadpoles in the stream dispersed and clustered together again, forming a single character. "Wait." Then, three more characters appeared on the water's surface. "Tianxu Mirror." The words "Tianxu Mirror" appeared for only a few seconds before the tadpoles scattered, darting around the crystal-clear water as if startled. Lin Qianshuang noticed a red shadow in the water's reflection, alongside her own. Startled, she attempted to rise but was held down by that red shadow. She turned to see Han Shengyao leaning over her, inspecting the Cold Cicada Zither, her slender fingers resting on Lin Qianshuang's shoulder as she lazily smiled and asked, "Where did you get this zither?" Lin Qianshuang stared at Han Shengyao in disbelief, hastily trying to put the zither away. She was a bit panicked, having no idea when this master of the Demon Realm had appeared at her side. Seeing Lin Qianshuang about to rise, Han Shengyao pressed her shoulder down again, her dark purple eyes lazily gazing at her as she spoke, "Why flee in such a rush? With so many guards here, you won't escape my notice. For a minor demon cultivator to intrude on Frostchill Estate's Listening Wind Pavilion, you sure have some nerve." Lin Qianshuang clutched the Cold Cicada Zither, moving far aside to avoid offending Han Shengyao. She bowed her head respectfully and said, "Domain Lord, I am the envoy sent by Tianxu City and did not intend to intrude upon Listening Wind Pavilion. Please forgive me." Han Shengyao released her shoulder, eyeing Lin Qianshuang lazily and said, "Tianxu's City Lord always sends Du Shuang to meet me. Your attire and demeanor resemble someone I once painted; evidently, this is a deliberate act with ulterior motives. Do you think such a clumsy lie would fool me?" Her master had truly forgotten her. She must have her reasons for doing so. At this moment, it was best for them to pretend not to know each other. Especially beside her, there are also companion from Tianshu City Lord Lin Qianshuang remained wary of the City Lord, aware that her ambitions extended beyond the rogue cultivator city. If she discovered her link to her master, it would surely burden her master with trouble, jeopardizing her plans. Seeing Lin Qianshuang remain silent, Han Shengyao lazily took a seat on a vine chair beneath a frost tree and leisurely stated, "I see you've put some thought into mimicking the demeanor well, my little demon cultivator. My mood is good today. How about playing a tune for me? Perhaps, in a good mood, I might spare your life." Lin Qianshuang stood her ground, neither humble nor arrogant. As the envoy of Tianxu City, if she truly played the zither, it would disgrace Tianxu City. Offending her target was something she wouldn't dare to do. She was somewhat exasperated as she glanced toward the cliff bridge, expecting Chen Shangqing and Xu Zheng, positioned so high and with such a wide search range, to have already sensed something amiss, given her proximity to Han Shengyao. Han Shengyao lazily reclined on the vine chair and gazed at Lin Qianshuang with a hint of malice, stating in a cold and authoritative tone, "Do you intend to die here, or will you play the zither for me? Remove the mask. I don't want to kill an unfortunate soul whose face I haven't seen." Lin Qianshuang returned the Cold Cicada Zither to her storage jade pendant, and Chen Shangqing and Xu Zheng arrived just in time to identify themselves. As she listened to Chen Shangqing's words and noticed the Tianxu City badge hanging at Lin Qianshuang's waist that she had overlooked, Han Shengyao laughed meaningfully, addressing Lin Qianshuang with dark purple eyes, "It seems I was mistaken. This young lady is indeed the envoy from Tianxu City." "Su Qing." At Han Shengyao's command, Su Qing instantly appeared beside her. "At your service." Han Shengyao gestured for Su Qing to collect the confidential scrolls Chen Shangqing and Xu Zheng carried and left instructions, "Settle our esteemed guests here. As for this young lady..." She turned, her purple eyes settling on Lin Qianshuang among the three, and asked, "What is your name?" Lin Qianshuang, somewhat surprised by her being singled out, looked at Han Shengyao and said, "Domain Lord, I am known as Jieyu." Han Shengyao lowered her purple gaze to look at Lin Qianshuang and said, "Jieyu, since you are the City Lord's envoy, you must be knowledgeable in divination. Come tonight and help me decipher the ancient texts in the demon seal." Lin Qianshuang felt a bit bewildered. She couldn't even decipher a syllable of that divination text nor comprehend star readings, especially now with the system mostly incapacitated—an entirely useless companion. She had thought that the envoy from Tianxu City was merely a figurehead, a symbolic envoy without real responsibility. Who knew they also had the duty to observe celestial signs on behalf of Tianxu City? Lin Qianshuang didn't dwell on her lack of skills in astrology. At worst, she'd just bluff her way through it. She quickly responded, "Domain Lord, though my magical skills are limited, I am willing to give it a try." Chen Shangqing and Xu Zheng exchanged glances, seemingly surprised by Lin Qianshuang's response. After speaking, Han Shengyao departed, leaving Lin Qianshuang talking to thin air. When she lifted her head, she felt a bit awkward seeing an empty space. Xu Zheng glanced at Lin Qianshuang's dazed expression and chuckled quietly. Chen Shangqing gave Lin Qianshuang a look, appearing lost in thought. Su Qing smiled at them and said, "The Domain Lord has already prepared a banquet in the Nine-layered Demon Palace. Red Sleeve will lead you there."