Chapter 23: Demigod Part 3

Shen Sheng blinked. “Maybe there’s a loophole.”

“It’s also possible that after the South River water dried up, the Lovesickness Gu developed a loophole,” Bu Jiuyue thought deeper and deeper, a chill running down her spine, and she subconsciously found an excuse for herself.

Shen Sheng suddenly laughed. “You’re really quite interesting. I thought you were some great evil demon, but here you are, debating with me over details.”

“I was just curious about your identity. Forget it. Let me give you a greeting gift.” Bu Jiuyue was utterly exasperated. She tossed Shen Sheng a small umbrella. “This is conjured from my own Spiritual Power. It can block one fatal blow for you at a crucial moment. Only one strike, though. More than that won’t work.”

Shen Sheng accepted the umbrella. “Jiang Wan is the Clan Leader of the South River. Exactly how was the South River destroyed?”

“Beneath the South River, there was an Evil Devil. The Gods joined forces to annihilate it. Later, for some reason, the South River water dried up. The Gods lost their Origin Power, and that was the end of them. It wasn’t just the Immortals. We Great Demons also relied on the South River for healing when we were injured. Any demon who did so also died.”

“Over tens of thousands of years, demons would inevitably get injured. After being injured, they would use the South River water to heal. You can imagine how many Great Demons had their souls scattered and destroyed in that single moment. I was lucky to survive. But all these years, with my soul damaged and without that sacred healing item, I’ve just been barely clinging to life.”

Shen Sheng furrowed her brow. “What is this Evil Devil?”

“I didn’t experience the great battle. I don’t know,” Bu Jiuyue shook her head. “The State Preceptor should know, but she probably won’t say. Back then, there were rumors she colluded with the Evil Devil.”

“You mean all the Gods… abandoned her?” Shen Sheng’s eyelid twitched. She understood very well how severe the word “abandoned” was.

“Ask her yourself. I’m leaving now. Coming here today, I guess, also serves as a reconciliation with you.” Bu Jiuyue said.

Shen Sheng had no objections. She nodded, accepting the gift. “Alright.”

Bu Jiuyue left. The Imperial Aura within the capital was still strong. Demons like her couldn’t linger for long.

After she left, Shen Sheng looked at the little umbrella in her hand and fell into deep thought. She understood what Bu Jiuyue had said.

She knew who the Evil Devil was. Its secret name was Wen Tian.

It was just mutual destruction. The Gods died, the Evil Devil died. But why did the South River water dry up?

Shen Sheng couldn’t figure it out.

Perhaps only by returning to a thousand years ago would she understand.

On the day of the Lantern Festival, the Imperial Capital was especially lively. Buyan and Buyu were endlessly noisy. Zhou Ying, having no alternative, led the six children out onto the streets.

Shen Sheng had obtained two Teleportation Talismans and practiced intensely at home, pestering the State Preceptor for all kinds of talisman papers.

The palace had captured many demons. The air was thick with Demonic Qi. The Emperor was immensely pleased; the elixir of immortality was just a matter of time.

In a few days, it would be the Crown Prince’s wedding, taking Secondary Consort Su Lian into his household. Shen Manor sent a congratulatory gift, so Shen Sheng didn’t send one separately. When Madam Su came, she and Su Lian could no longer return to their past.

After a few days of intense practice, the wedding day arrived. The State Preceptor went to the palace to attend the ceremony.

Shen Sheng, representing the Shen family, also had to go. On the way, the two met. She leaped down from her horse and slipped into the State Preceptor Manor’s carriage.

Unexpectedly, there was another person inside.

No, wait. A demon.

In the freezing winter day, Bu Jiuyue wore a robe with a slanted collar that exposed her chest. Her purple hair and red lips were exceptionally alluring.

“I thought you couldn’t enter the city?” Shen Sheng was surprised. But she quickly understood. His Majesty’s health was poor. The Fox Demon had found an opportunity.

The Fox Demon threw her a flirtatious wink. “I missed my lover.”

The Fox Demon was very clever, known as the most cunning among all monsters and demons. Shen Sheng ignored her and asked Anu: “How is your cauldron?”

“Still not repaired,” Anu admitted frankly.

Shen Sheng stopped asking. Bu Jiuyue spoke up, offering as if presenting a treasure: “I helped the State Preceptor capture many Great Demons and tossed them into the cauldron. It was quite hard work. Young General, how about you take me somewhere to have some fun?”

“Where to have fun?” Shen Sheng blurted out. The moment she said it, she regretted it. Where else would one go to have fun? Naturally, that kind of place.

Bu Jiuyue tilted her head and smiled coquettishly. Her smile was charming and full of allure, the epitome of every kind of amorous grace. On her body, one could see the most seductive qualities a woman could possess.

Yet, Shen Sheng was utterly unmoved. She turned her head to look at Anu and asked seriously: “Why would you go to the Crown Prince’s banquet?”

“There’s a Great Demon there,” Bu Jiuyue, ever the chatterbox, interjected.

Shen Sheng was taken aback. “There were never demons before. Why are there so many recently?”

“It’s because someone spread the word that the Emperor possesses a precious cauldron, an exceedingly rare Divine Artifact. This attracted quite a few Great Demons. I’m one of them. It was Zhou Yi who spread the news. How can demons compare to Gods, right, Clan Leader Jiang?” Bu Jiuyue raised an eyebrow and looked at the cold-faced State Preceptor.

Anu remained silent as ever.

Shen Sheng had many things she wanted to say to Anu in private. At home, Buyan and Buyu were in the way. Here, Bu Jiuyue was in the way.

So annoying.

She asked Anu directly: “I want to say a few private words to you.”

A crack finally appeared in Anu’s cold expression. She looked blandly at the Fox Demon.

Under that one look, the Fox Demon immediately jumped out the window, but not before leaving a parting remark: “You two are too annoying. Flaunting your love like this.”

Only the two of them remained in the carriage.

Shen Sheng proactively shifted to sit beside Anu. Anu didn’t refuse, shifting to make some room. Shen Sheng took the initiative to hold her hand and said: “I’ve been practicing the talismans diligently. I can protect myself.”

Every talisman carried Anu’s Divine Power, possessing immense might.

Anu lowered her gaze to the hands holding her wrist. She remained silent.

Shen Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, leaned against her shoulder, and said: “Rest assured, even if I die, I won’t betray you.”

“Your feelings come so easily,” Anu responded with a cold, mocking tone.

Shen Sheng was slightly stunned, then said: “To like is to like. Does it need to be concealed?”

Anu withdrew her hand. “You are still too naive. I liked the smart you.”

Shen Sheng: “…” She made it sound as if there were countless versions of herself. A smart one, and a stupid one.

Shen Sheng took hold of her hand again, gazing at her small, jade-like earlobe. The silk ribbon in her hair was gray.

In a bad mood again.

She asked curiously: “Why are you in a bad mood?”

“Caught many demons. The cauldron is about to be fully repaired.” Anu furrowed her brow with displeasure.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped. Abruptly, Anu reached out, pulled Shen Sheng, and burst through the carriage roof. As they soared into the air, the carriage exploded directly behind them.

It was a Heavenly Thunder Talisman.

The two landed on the ground. They were already within the palace grounds.

Anu casually set up a Formation, isolating the mortals outside. Fixing her gaze, she saw the Fox Demon standing before them, speaking with someone…

There were seven or eight of them opposite her, dressed variedly. Black Qi swirled around them. They were Demon Hunters.

Shen Sheng was shocked. Anu explained: “They’re puppets, controlled by the demons.”

She patted Shen Sheng’s shoulder. “Take your talismans and go test them. They can’t harm you.”

Shen Sheng was a seasoned warrior. Hearing this, an excited gleam appeared in her eyes. She immediately wanted to go forward and try.

Bu Jiuyue was astonished. “Such a big demon, and you’re using it for her to practice?”

Forget it, forget it. Not getting involved. She withdrew her hand and stood aside. Shen Sheng stepped forward, first using a Heavenly Thunder Talisman.

With a Boom!, a direct explosion, sending dust flying.

Two figures were blasted to death. Shen Sheng used another talisman. The paper transformed into a sharp sword which pierced through an opponent’s skull. The puppet lost its reason. Stabbing its heart had been useless.

The sword’s power was immense. After piercing the skull, the opponent dissolved into a puddle of black blood.

Bu Jiuyue’s eyes widened. She exclaimed in shock: “Having a Master is truly wonderful. With just a single move, mountains crumble and the earth cracks.”

After dealing with the puppets, Anu stepped forward, took out a small jade bottle, pulled out the stopper, and poured the contents onto the ground. In an instant, even the black blood vanished.

Everything returned to calm.

Bu Jiuyue didn’t dare get any closer and wisely stopped, saying helpfully: “Seems like tonight won’t be peaceful. I won’t go over there then.”

“They’re all just puppets,” Anu sneered. They were nothing.

As expected, as they moved forward, many more puppets were still visible.

Shen Sheng’s interest surged. The more she fought, the more exhilarated she became. She pushed forward all the way until her talisman papers were completely used up.

But the puppets were still plentiful. Anu stepped forward and with a sweep of her sleeve, repelled the puppets.

Silence returned to the palace grounds. Shen Sheng asked curiously: “What kind of background does the opponent have?”

“What background could they possibly have? Even the Fox Demon dares to come inside, but the opponent doesn’t. What do you think?” A hint of a smile played on Anu’s lips.

Shen Sheng suddenly understood and said: “I see. So many demons… will it threaten the common people?”

“I don’t know,” Anu shook her head. She couldn’t concern herself with so much.

Exterminating demons and suppressing evil were originally the duties of Immortals and cultivators of the Dao. But now, with the Divine Race withered, they could only place their hopes on those cultivators.

Shen Sheng felt a sense of loss. Her beautiful eyes were filled with a clean, pure light.

When the Imperial Aura was at its peak, demons wouldn’t dare act recklessly. But now, even the Emperor’s Imperial Aura was waning. She understood what that meant.

Arriving before the East Palace, the bridal sedan chair had already arrived. The banquet had begun.

The two entered the hall. Shen Sheng lifted a cup of wine and drank. The Crown Prince was socializing, holding eloquent discussions. Upon seeing the State Preceptor, he immediately stepped forward.