Chapter 428, The Old Actor
In the room of Buzhi Mountain.
It was already late at night, and Long Huan had peacefully fallen asleep in bed.
Young Master Sang sat by the bed, quietly observing the Little Princess’s sleeping face.
“…I finally figured it out.”
Young Master Sang muttered, “From the very beginning, the Little Princess wasn’t lacking a child.”
“What trapped her all along is so simple it’s hard to believe.”
It was loneliness.
The things that are unattainable in youth will eventually trap one for a lifetime. Long Huan, an innocent young girl who has never experienced the world, shouldn’t be this sensitive about the concept of “child.”
She doesn’t really want a child.
She’s just trying to compensate for the confused and lonely little girl she was.
Compensating for the constant companionship and meticulous concern of a mother she wished to have.
Compensating for the right to grow freely, to play with friends as she pleased.
Compensating for a childhood that wasn’t so hollow and lonely.
“I almost thought I was going to mess this up. I really don’t get what these little kids are thinking.”
Nian Nian pushed up her glasses and huffed, “Seriously, comforting kids is so troublesome.”
“So, Host, have you thought of how to resolve this?”
“I have.”
Young Master Sang sighed, “After a long day of hustle, the key to solving it still relies on playing her child.”
“But… time is running out.”
He glanced out the window.
According to the route, by dawn, the demon army led by Long Xiao would arrive at Buzhi Mountain.
Although currently, Buzhi Mountain was on high alert, with the forces of the Demon Cultivators, Holy Kingdom, and Sword Flower Palace all prepared.
The oppressive feeling of imminent war lay heavily on everyone’s hearts.
“Now, we can only hope that tomorrow, Sister Gu and the others’ acting can buy us a little more time.”
He wasn’t at ease with what was happening at Buzhi Mountain, so after questioning the Dragon Mother, he quickly sent a clone to the mountain.
His own body needed to stay here to perform in tomorrow’s play.
Young Master Sang wiped his face, a glint of determination flashing across it.
“Tomorrow… let’s determine a winner!”
——
——
The next day.
At dawn.
“Master, we can already see Buzhi Mountain.”
The vast demon army moved forward, with Long Xiao standing in a carriage pulled by eight majestic horses treading through mist. Next to him, the fox demon clan leader, Hu You, calmly said, “In two hours, the army will arrive at Buzhi Mountain.”
“Have we received any news from the advance team we sent out earlier?”
“Reporting to the master, Chaya and her subordinates still haven’t returned with any news.”
Hu You lowered his voice, “According to the information from the shadow demons on the front line, the forces of the Demon Cultivators, Holy Kingdom, and Sword Flower Palace have already occupied the mountain’s summit, and several great beings of the Ascended Realm have personally arrived.”
“Our people… are likely doomed.”
Long Xiao took a deep breath.
“…Good. Very good.”
A fierce glint flashed in his eyes: “Young Master Sang. You’re quite capable.”
“I will collect these debts from you soon.”
“However, Master, there is good news as well,” Hu You suddenly said, “The earlier communication with the Immortal Pills has come back with a response.”
“Oh?” Long Xiao’s eyes brightened.
“The Immortal Pills conveyed that under her instigation a few days ago, the Sword Flower Palace Master and the Holy Kingdom Empress have developed some hidden grudge.”
“Today, she pretended to send a letter in the name of Young Master Sang to provoke the two’s conflict. Master only needs to sit back and enjoy the show.”
Long Xiao’s expression shifted to one of delight.
“Good! It’s all worth the resources our demon clan invested in this recruitment.”
“The Immortal Pills truly deserves to be the top of the earth’s treasures, with unmatched intelligence.”
“Someone! Have the shadow demons transmit the images from the front, I want to personally enjoy the show that the Immortal Pills have prepared for us!”
Soon, a shadow demon arrived beside Long Xiao, its form turning into blurry black mist.
From the black mist, a scene gradually emerged—
On top of Buzhi Mountain.
On the lofty, desolate mountain peak, a carriage, adorned with petals and flanked by two elegant sword attendants, stopped at the mountaintop.
From within, a melodious female voice could be heard:
“Given that the demon army is full of unparalleled great demons in the Ascended Realm, why does Your Majesty the Empress personally come to such a perilous battlefield?”
On the other side, seated upon a grand and lavish palanquin, a woman in a black dragon robe emanated a chilling authority. QIn Xiuyuan stood solemnly nearby, while the Tianlang Wei members surrounding them radiated intimidation.
“Ha, Palace Master Gu is joking.”
The woman in the dragon robe replied with a hint of sarcasm, “I am the Holy Kingdom’s sovereign, bestowed by heaven.”
“The former demon clan was so frightened by the might of the First Holy Emperor that they didn’t dare set foot half a step east of Buzhi Mountain. As a royal descendant, how can I hide behind others?”
“Heh, Your Majesty is the one joking.”
Gu Yingmian’s voice floated back again, “The Ascended Realm is a realm of seizing the heavens and earth’s fortunes. Each gesture possesses the power to destroy the universe.”
“With Your Majesty’s cultivation, if you were to be affected, the consequences could be dire.”
“Thank you for your concern, Palace Master Gu. My Tianlang Wei warriors won’t let me get into danger.”
Huo Ningxue huffed, her voice suddenly playful, “I will take care of my dragon body.”
“After all, my beloved Sang sent a message yesterday, saying she was feeling quite restless at night, waiting for me to return and spoil her.”
Gu Yingmian’s carriage suddenly fell silent.
On the other side, Hua Jianglian was accompanied by Xu Yourong and a group of demon cult employees, along with the secretly observing Young Master Sang.
“Wow, Sister Gu and the Empress are really quick to get into character.”
Young Master Sang couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement, “I was worried that that fool Huo Ningxue would fumble in her acting.”
“Looking at it now, once both entered the state, they’re seasoned actors without revealing any cracks.”
Hua Jianglian silently watched the two, while Xu Yourong seriously rubbed his chin.
“This is the first time I’ve seen the Empress act so girlish. Turns out her acting skills are this good?”
Soon, as Huo Ningxue noticed Gu Yingmian ignoring her, she impulsively struck back.
“Oh dear, my Sang is really a clingy little demon.”
Huo Ningxue exaggeratedly sighed, “Ever since we met, she has been clinging to me day and night, demanding with no bounds, to the point where I’ve had to call for a royal doctor to adjust her health.”
“This man, who leaves no drop behind… must have been too busy to visit Palace Master Gu for quite a while, huh?”
The carriage fell into a long silence before a calm voice finally emerged, “Not everyone is like Your Majesty, indulging in pleasures, neglecting progress.”
“Hehe, is Palace Master Gu just bitter about not getting any love?”
Huo Ningxue coldly laughed, “Age creeps up, and one becomes less favored—it’s only natural. Palace Master Gu, don’t be too heartbroken~”
A sudden wave of pressure emanated from within the carriage.
Qin Xiuyuan stepped forward, dissipating the pressure near Huo Ningxue.
“Your Majesty the Empress.”
Gu Yingmian gracefully stepped out of the carriage, dressed in a snow-white robe, pure and otherworldly: “I’m not at an age where I’m wrinkled and forgotten.”
“Heh, abandoned women always find excuses for themselves.”
Huo Ningxue replied with a provocative look, smirking: “Did I say something wrong?”
The two locked eyes, sparks flying.
Young Master Sang and Xu Yourong watched with keen interest, occasionally critiquing their performances.
Only Hua Jianglian gazed at the two with a complicated expression, hesitating to say anything.
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