Chapter 150: Island of Forgotten Sorrows

Liu Yun’s face flushed a deep, thorough crimson. Meeting the Nether Lord’s teasing gaze—which carried more than a hint of expectation—she could only piteously beg for mercy.

“Nether Lord, please, spare your subordinate!”

Fearing the Nether Lord would say something even more scandalous if she kept quiet, Liu Yun hurried to change the subject. “I… I have other questions I wish to ask.”

Seeing that she had teased the girl nearly to her limit, Feng Liuli gave a cooperative nod, signaling for her to go ahead. As for whether she would provide an honest answer, that would depend entirely on her mood.

Liu Yun took several deep breaths to steady her racing heart before voicing the confusion that had been weighing on her.

“Why did you make Lady Shangguan cross the River of Forgetfulness to find the Colorful Leaf Grass? That grass possesses no properties that can restore a soul.”

Feng Liuli idly turned the jade thumb ring on her hand, answering at a leisurely pace. “Whether the Colorful Leaf Grass can restore a soul is irrelevant. What matters is that I needed her to take my sister’s place in…”

As Feng Liuli’s voice trailed off, Liu Yun’s heroic brows knit together tightly.

The power of the vengeful spirits in the River of Forgetfulness was something the Nether Lord could have dispelled with a mere flick of her finger. Why subject that woman to such agony? If Lady Shangguan were a villain, it would be one thing, but Liu Yun had observed her soul—it was clear, bright, and pure. She was clearly a person of kind heart and integrity.

Sensing the Little Traditionalist’s confusion, Feng Liuli arched an eyebrow. A faint, playful smile played on her lips as she glanced over. “Are you wondering why I’m being so wicked?”

Liu Yun nodded, then immediately shook her head. She wanted to know the reason, but she couldn’t bring herself to agree with the Nether Lord’s self-assessment.

The Nether Lord is only wicked sometimes, not all the time…

Fortunately, Feng Liuli wasn’t privy to those thoughts, or she might have been laughed into a fit of pique. Watching Liu Yun’s obedient expression, Feng Liuli let a soft smile curl her lips and offered a hint.

“Think about the purpose behind my last two mortal trials.”

Liu Yun’s furrowed brows slowly smoothed out as realization dawned on her. “To quell the disaster of the Island of Forgotten Sorrows!”

The ancestors of those dwelling on the Island of Forgotten Sorrows were originally people the Nether Lord had saved three thousand years ago during a previous descent into the mortal realm. She had given them a sanctuary and taught them the means to make a living.

Graced by the Nether Lord’s benevolence, those people had remained law-abiding for a long time, strictly adhering to the rules she had set: they were not to enter the mortal world as they pleased, nor were they to bring calamity upon mankind.

However, starting a millennium ago, the descendants of the island grew increasingly ambitious. In their quest to expand their influence, they gradually abandoned their original purpose. After several centuries of evolution, they had festered into a malignancy that had to be excised.

Her master’s two trials in the mortal realm were intended to pull this deepening evil out by its roots.

But as she recalled what the Nether Lord had actually done during those trials, Liu Yun’s gaze turned resentful once more. Even though she knew the Nether Lord had placed a Love Transfer Curse on herself, she still felt a sense of indignation.

Back in the mortal world, the Nether Lord had chased after that Fourth Princess of Qi with such jubilant enthusiasm…

Caught by the Little Traditionalist’s mournful eyes, Feng Liuli felt a rare pang of guilt. She reached out and playfully tugged at a stray lock of Liu Yun’s hair. “What are you thinking about?”

Liu Yun looked at her, her voice a mix of sorrow and accusation. “I was thinking that after your reincarnation, you were so busy chasing the Princess of Qi that you didn’t do any actual work.”

Hearing the accusation, Feng Liuli chuckled. “Your courage is certainly growing by the day!”

Liu Yun gave an embarrassed smile, but her curiosity remained. “Does the Nether Lord intend for Lady Shangguan to go to the Island of Forgotten Sorrows to eliminate the evil?”

Feng Liuli shook her head, her voice taking on a profound depth. “She cannot do it alone. But isn’t there still Luo Wushuang?”

As the ruler of a nation, if Luo Wushuang were to become physically disabled, it would easily trigger instability and fuel the ambitions of those with ulterior motives. She wouldn’t be able to properly clean up the mess Feng Liuli had left behind.

But what if the one who became disabled was Shangguan Liqian?

Knowing Luo Wushuang’s temperament, if there were even a sliver of hope for a cure, she would mobilize the entire strength of her kingdom to seize it. When that happened, the threat of the Island of Forgotten Sorrows would be nothing to fear.

As for how to lure them to the island, Feng Liuli wasn’t worried at all. There was still that meddlesome fellow who wandered the mortal realm year-round. If there was something she couldn’t finish herself, there would always be someone else to see it through.

As for her, she would stay here in the Nether Realm, teasing her Little Traditionalist and keeping an eye on the state of the mortal world to pass the time.

[Xiaobai: Their sub-plot is just about finished. We’ll start pushing the main storyline in the next chapter…]