279 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

As the voice dropped, the ground trembled, and the demon palace was engulfed in a thunderous roar. A golden light, like an overturned bowl, descended to tightly seal all the exits of the demon palace. Nameless watched the scene unfold, raising her eyebrows in surprise. She realized that Tushan Yu knew how to activate the protective array of the demon palace. Though the spirit of the array hadn't been awakened, it was still enough to rouse the spirits of those present. The protective array provided each member of the demon tribe with a protective shield. Within the array's boundaries, the power of the earth and sky enhanced their spells by ten percent. Conversely, those lacking demon blood would be suppressed to some extent. After their brief shock, the numerous demon experts who accompanied Tushan Yu steeled themselves, showing no fear towards Nameless. Nameless had been gravely wounded by the Exorcism Sword in the Xuanhuang secret realm. She narrowly escaped death during the crisis at Fuyun Sect last time; had it not been for sheer luck, she might not have survived. This proved that Nameless was not invincible. How long had it been since the Fuyun Sect incident? Barely over a month. Three hundred years ago, Nameless led a group into Fuyun Sect, and after a fierce battle and injuries, she had to recover for three centuries before returning to the human world. They need not consider Nameless as terrifying as before. Quickly building up their psychological defenses, they surged forward without Tushan Yu needing to speak. A single pair of fists cannot overcome so many hands. With their numbers, what did Nameless have to fear? As the killing intent surged, Nameless swiftly grasped her Blood Shadow Spear, engaging in close combat with the demon experts. Dozens of blades clashed against the spear's shaft simultaneously. Her arm trembled, and she switched to a two-handed grip, forcefully lifting the spear. The counterforce drove the demon experts back, yet Nameless remained unscathed. Even so, the demon experts felt emboldened. They had not died or been mortally wounded at first encounter, which increased their confidence. The rumors about Nameless were exaggerated, and today, they intended to bury Nameless here! Meanwhile, within Qingyao Palace, a flash of golden light appeared, and Yan Zhao and Ren Qingyue emerged on the grounds outside the main hall. The demon guards protecting Qingyao Palace froze in surprise. As they gathered their wits, they shouted, "Intruders!" Before the warning finished, the demon soldiers charged with their weapons drawn, and Ren Qingyue's voice rang out: "I am the imperial princess, Tushan Yu! Do you dare to block my path?!" The imperial princess, Tushan Yu?! The demon soldiers halted abruptly, looking towards Ren Qingyue with confusion and uncertainty. One soldier recovered first, loudly questioning, "The imperial princess has been missing for over a thousand years—who can verify your claim?!" This statement was a wake-up call, and the remaining guards agreed: "We are under the crown prince's orders to guard the Fox Queen. No one may trespass. Even if you hold a noble identity, our orders stand. Any harm caused cannot be blamed on us!" With those words, the lead soldier hesitated no longer, commanding sharply, "Why are you standing around? Seize them!" The demon soldiers, fearsome and vicious, rushed to capture Ren Qingyue. Ren Qingyue's expression darkened. These demon soldiers were her clansmen, and she was reluctant to fight them. Diplomacy first, force later—if reasoning failed, then force must prevail. Ren Qingyue drew a treasured sword and mentally communicated with Yan Zhao: "Ah Zhao, these people follow Tushan Yu's orders. They don't deserve death. If possible, spare their lives." Yan Zhao, understanding, had an idea. "I have a plan." A way to spare these soldiers' lives and quickly bypass the blockades to find the Fox Queen. Ren Qingyue knocked two advancing soldiers unconscious, looking surprised at Yan Zhao's words. "What's your plan?" Yan Zhao reached into her Qiankun pouch, retrieving an object larger than herself. Recognizing it, Ren Qingyue exclaimed, "Mist Shadow Divine Lamp!" It was a treasure Yan Zhao had confiscated from a skilled illusionist during the Immortal Sect Disciples' Conference. The demon soldiers watched Yan Zhao produce a bronze lamp. Though unfamiliar with it, they sensed something peculiar. Someone in the crowd shouted, "Stop her!" Yet, they were too slow. Before they could reach her, Yan Zhao performed a lighting incantation. The bronze lamp illuminated, and instantly, the demon soldiers paused mid-action. Yan Zhao held the lamp, carefully observing her surroundings. She noticed that once the Mist Shadow Divine Lamp was lit, everyone's facial expressions differed. The lamp affected a person's consciousness. Without specific intervention, a noble heart beheld beauty, while a wicked heart faced torment. Only Ren Qingyue, connected to Yan Zhao's thoughts and bound by contract, was unaffected by the lamp. Yan Zhao quickly subdued the soldiers, then, dragging the lamp with one hand and pulling Ren Qingyue with the other, urged, "Senior sister, hurry!" Ren Qingyue, awoken from her reverie, followed Yan Zhao through the soldiers. What she expected to be a tough battle turned out surprisingly effortless. Ren Qingyue thought: Ah Zhao is a blessing in her life. They dashed up the long steps before the hall, heading inside. Along the way, the lamp's light caused maids to faint. Yan Zhao and Ren Qingyue moved unhindered, easily locating the Fox Queen's quarters. The guards outside, affected by the lamp, fell into illusions, either collapsing or going mad. Ren Qingyue knocked out an approaching guard and followed Yan Zhao into the grand hall. Walking as if unopposed. "The Fox Queen should be in her bedroom," Ren Qingyue guessed, signaling to Yan Zhao. "Ah Zhao, this way." Yan Zhao complied, swiftly following. Ren Qingyue led, with Yan Zhao close behind. In about the time it takes to brew a pot of tea, they reached the Fox Queen's quarters. Those outside had all fallen to the ground. Ren Qingyue pushed open the door, circled past the screen, and finally saw the Fox Queen. The Fox Queen lay unconscious on the bed, unmoving, poisoned and comatose. Ren Qingyue's eyes welled up as she rushed to the bedside, calling softly, "Mother!" Yet there was no response from the unconscious woman. The Fox Queen's face was sunken, her expression weary, her complexion sallow, and her lips an ashen gray—evidence of severe poisoning. She had no idea what poison it was or how it could be cured. Ren Qingyue, anxious, grasped the Fox Queen's arm, attempting to take her pulse. The Fox Queen's pulse was weak and erratic. Ren Qingyue concluded her life was not in danger but learned nothing more. Yan Zhao left the lamp at the bedroom door, then followed Ren Qingyue inside. Reaching the bedside, she saw Ren Qingyue's sorrowful expression and paused. She glanced at the unconscious Fox Queen. A little more than a year had passed since she last visited Qingqiu with her master. Back then, the Fox Queen had been gentle and dignified. How could she have imagined meeting her again in such a state? Ren Qingyue remained at the bedside for a long time, overwhelmed with grief. Suddenly, the ground shook. Yan Zhao turned to the window, seeing the demon palace enveloped by a massive golden array. The divine essence within her was suppressed by the sudden energy field, its power diminished somewhat. Yan Zhao couldn't help but remind, "Senior sister." They couldn't linger here too long—they needed to move the Fox Queen. Who knew if the demon palace housed experts at breaking illusions? If stronger forces arrived, escaping might be impossible. Ren Qingyue, clutching the Fox Queen's hand, looked sorrowful. Witnessing the drastic change in the Fox Queen pained her immensely, like an invisible hand squeezing her heart, causing her to feel intense and uncontrollable pain with every breath. So, this was heart-rending pain. The Fox Queen was her biological mother; no matter how ruthless she tried to be, she could not abandon her. The more Ren Qingyue lamented the Fox Queen's fate, the angrier she became at Tushan Yu's actions. Despite the Fox Queen's inability to resist, Tushan Yu had posted so many guards at her residence—a testament to his fear of the Fox Queen. The last time Ren Qingyue had lost control in anger was when she learned of the demonic tribe's attack on Fuyun Sect, which claimed her master's life. The second time was now. Tushan Yu, a man so disloyal, unrighteous, and unfilial, was unworthy of being the crown prince of the demon tribe. Ren Qingyue lifted the Fox Queen and said to Yan Zhao, "Elder Dongfang is skilled in curing bizarre poisons. We should take the Fox Queen away from here first." Yan Zhao nodded, summoning the Mist Shadow Divine Lamp back into her Qiankun pouch. With the lamp gone, the illusion array dismantled itself, and the palace attendants lying around began to stir. Yan Zhao unfurled the Heavenly Scroll, and with a flash of golden light, she and Ren Qingyue returned to the Pavilion of the Moon with the Fox Queen before anyone from the demon palace could arrive. Ren Qingyue placed the Fox Queen in the Pavilion of the Moon’s sleeping quarters, waiting for Nameless and the others to extricate themselves and regroup. But as time passed, Yan Zhao and Ren Qingyue saw no sign of their companions returning. The golden array shielding the demon palace remained intact. The turmoil within the palace gradually subsided, and Yan Zhao frowned, while Ren Qingyue grew anxious. "Why hasn't Ah Yin returned yet?" Yan Zhao questioned in frustration. "Where have the others gone?" It had been nearly half an hour since they rescued the Fox Queen, far exceeding the allotted time. Thinking of Nameless's injuries, Yan Zhao couldn't help but worry. After considering their options, Ren Qingyue resolved decisively, "Ah Zhao, we can't wait any longer. We should get the Fox Queen out of the palace first." Chapter 305 With the demon palace sealed by the protective array, the chaos must still be unresolved. Leaving the Fox Queen in the palace risked her being discovered by demon guards, and Ren Qingyue couldn't take that chance. Yan Zhao, possessing the Heavenly Scroll, could teleport anywhere except through dimensional walls. They could first hide the Fox Queen outside the palace, then return to aid Nameless. Having made her decision, Ren Qingyue explained her plan to Yan Zhao. Yan Zhao, always trusting her senior sister, didn't hesitate and immediately brought out the Heavenly Scroll. "Where should we go?" she asked. Ren Qingyue thought of a few places, eventually settling on one. "Qingming Mountain, in the peach blossom forest." Qingming Mountain was far from the main city of Qingqiu, near the Mist Demon Abyss. Yan Zhao and the Medicine God had passed by it on their way to the demon realm. Upon arrival, Yan Zhao stood on a ridge and looked down, seeing only an empty city. Since the crown prince seized power and aggressively purged the Fox Queen's loyalists, those loyal to the Fox Queen had fled, especially those in towns near the Mist Demon Abyss. Few people remained there now. Qingming Mountain was tranquil and sparsely populated. Ren Qingyue found a cave to settle the Fox Queen. Before leaving, she set up multiple illusion arrays outside the cave. Having made these preparations, Ren Qingyue rejoined Yan Zhao. "Ah Zhao, let's go. Back to the demon palace." Now, there were no concerns holding them back. With the Heavenly Scroll, it was only a matter of minutes. Upon returning to the Pavilion of the Moon, the inverted array was still active, its golden glow enveloping the landscape. "It's not over yet," Ren Qingyue observed from the rooftop, looking into the distance. In the direction of Qingyao Palace, spiritual energy surged violently, waves radiating outward, hinting at an intense battle. Only an extremely rare assembly of demon experts could obstruct Nameless and prevent her escape. Did Tushan Yu possess the influence to mobilize such masters? Ren Qingyue, having spent much time wandering the human realm, was unfamiliar with current demon tribe affairs and could only speculate. "Should we go and see?" Yan Zhao asked Ren Qingyue. Ren Qingyue pondered for a moment, then turned to Yan Zhao, asking, "What do you think?"