Chapter 1001: The White Cat
Yun Chuxiu glanced at the Heavenly Demon of Dutian, furrowing her brow slightly. "A demon god at the level of the Execution Platform, and so ugly at that. Why does Celestial Venerable Mu treat him so well?"
Qin Mu smiled. "Good aptitude, good comprehension, intelligent and tenacious. He was just held back in his early years. The Heavenly Demon of Dutian is one of the few people I find worthy of notice."
Yun Chuxiu grew curious and asked, "And who else is worthy of Celestial Venerable Mu's attention?"
"That's a long list."
Qin Mu counted them off like treasures. "The Ten Celestial Venerables of the Heavenly Court, along with the Heavenly Duke, the Earth Lord, the Heavenly Emperor, the Empress, Yuanmu, and other ancient gods, the Grand Emperor, the Kai Emperor, the mighty figures of the Greater and Lesser Imperial Thrones, and several dozen talented youths of the younger generation. Altogether, about one or two hundred people."
Yun Chuxiu laughed so hard her whole body trembled like a swaying flower. "One or two hundred, and you call that a lot? Celestial Venerable Mu, are you trying to scare me to death?"
Qin Mu's soul nearly got hooked by this woman, and he thought to himself, "Impressive. No wonder the ancient god Heavenly Emperor fell for her back then!"
Long Qilin raised his head alertly and coughed once.
Qin Mu immediately perked up, shifting his gaze from Yun Chuxiu to Langhuan Divine King. He immediately felt that Yun Chuxiu's seduction was completely useless.
Appreciating Langhuan Divine King's tranquil and elegant beauty could calm his heart. Though their faces were identical, Langhuan Divine King was nothing like Yun Chuxiu. Yun Chuxiu gave off a strong sense of possessiveness, while Langhuan Divine King's aura made you unconsciously sink into it, infatuated with it.
Long Qilin coughed again. Qin Mu couldn't help but wonder, "I'm not looking at the little vixen anymore. Why is Fatty Long still coughing to warn me?"
Long Qilin frowned deeply, feeling uneasy. "Is the Sect Leader still salvageable?"
Yun Chuxiu looked at Langhuan Divine King, frowning slightly. "This little enchantress is even better at seduction than I am. What's her background? Her temperament reminds me of my sister, but my sister is that little enchantress Lian Huahun. She wouldn't send another Jue Wuchen. I've been probing her for so long, but I can't see through her. Which of the Ten Celestial Venerables has transformed into Jue Wuchen? Could it be Celestial Venerable Gong? That doesn't seem right either..."
After exchanging a few flirtatious words with the two women, Qin Mu stood up and left with the Heavenly Demon of Dutian and Long Qilin.
"Brother Dutian, I'm putting the Gourd Heaven Bottle under Fatty Long's charge. You'll follow him from now on."
Once they were away from Yun Chuxiu and Langhuan Divine King, Qin Mu continued, "When you have time, go into the Gourd Heaven Bottle more often to settle your people. The Gourd Heaven World is still a blank slate, enough for your clan to thrive and multiply. But this Gourd Heaven Bottle is just another Carefree Realm. Hiding inside will only lead to stagnation. In the future, you'll still need to migrate out and settle in the outside world."
The Heavenly Demon of Dutian acknowledged this, then said gloomily, "The outside world is filled with countless heavens. I fear there's no place for my clan to settle."
Qin Mu smiled slightly. "It's hard for you to earn merits in the Heavenly Court, but it's not hard for you to earn them under me. Yan Kang has a race called the Celestial Feather Clan. Their Celestial Feather World has been occupied by another demon race. The clan leader, Yu Zhaojing, has repeatedly asked me to attack the Celestial Feather World and reclaim their ancestral lands. I agreed but never had the time. In a few days, I'll be going down to the mortal realm. You'll go see Yu Zhaojing and help her reclaim the Celestial Feather World. It's a major heaven in itself. Carving out a piece for your clan to temporarily settle in should be possible."
The Heavenly Demon of Dutian hesitated. "Temporary settlement... in the long run, it might cause many problems. Gratitude could turn into enmity."
Qin Mu praised his worldly wisdom and laughed. "Who can say what the future holds? Maybe in a hundred years or so, the world will fall into chaos. In times of chaos, heroes rise from all sides. You and your clan might not be without a place to settle."
The Heavenly Demon of Dutian's eyes widened, and he blurted out, "The Heavenly Court currently rules over all the heavens, and the might of the Ten Celestial Venerables suppresses all realms. How could chaos arise?"
His other head suddenly came to its senses and laughed. "Ah, right. With Celestial Venerable Mu entering the Heavenly Court, how could there not be chaos?"
Qin Mu cursed him with a laugh.
Just then, Langhuan Divine King parted the flowers and willows to find them. She glanced at Dutian and transmitted her thoughts with divine consciousness. "Holy Infant, when do we go find the Ancestral Court?"
Qin Mu replied with his own divine consciousness. "A few days ago, I just stole the Heavenly Emperor's eggshell. The Ten Celestial Venerables are suspicious of each other, and some might suspect me. If I leave the Heavenly Court now, some Celestial Venerable might not be able to sit still and will test me along the way."
He frowned. "The Ten Celestial Venerables already had rifts and mutual suspicions. I brought news that the Grand Emperor is hiding among them, but they still managed to hold back and didn't start infighting. Even after I stole the Heavenly Emperor's eggshell, they remained still, very composed, still appearing harmonious and united on the surface. I'm feeling a bit powerless now."
He shook his head and sighed. "I even revealed the whereabouts of the Tai Xu and the Carefree Realm, and they still weren't moved. I have no more confidence that I can provoke infighting among them. Do I have to expose the fact that the Heavenly Emperor, the Empress, and Yuanmu are hiding among the Ten Celestial Venerables before they'll start a civil war?"
"Holy Infant, you're being too impatient."
Langhuan Divine King advised gently. "Haste makes waste. You should leave the Heavenly Court now and watch from the sidelines. Conflicts accumulate over time, and hatred deepens and grows. Trying to provoke a civil war among the Ten Celestial Venerables in a short time will only leave traces and give them leverage against you. I didn't agree with you using the Heavenly Emperor's true body to steal... the Heavenly Emperor's eggshell. It was too dangerous."
She said softly, "The Grand Emperor is hidden among them, and the Heavenly Emperor is also hidden among them. With so many capable people and extraordinary talents among the Ten Celestial Venerables, it's hard to guarantee they won't find your traces. If you had wanted to leave the Heavenly Court before, they would have at most sent people to secretly monitor you. But after stealing the Heavenly Emperor's eggshell, leaving the Heavenly Court will be fraught with danger. I don't know the Heavenly Emperor's methods, but the Grand Emperor's divine powers are vast. He will most likely suspect you."
Qin Mu nodded. "I was a bit reckless. Divine King Sister, do you know if the Heavenly Emperor was born from an egg?"
Langhuan Divine King shook her head.
"Langhuan Divine King is still a young creator god. It seems I'll have to ask Divine King Shujun."
Thinking this, Qin Mu was about to send someone to fetch Shujun when suddenly he heard Yan'er's startled cries. "Where did this stray cat come from? Fatty Long, come quick! A stray cat got into the mansion!"
Long Qilin pricked up his ears and rushed over, shouting, "Brother Dutian, come help!"
The Heavenly Demon of Dutian hurried over, laughing. "Sister Yan'er is a profound and unfathomable expert. Can't she even catch a stray cat in the Heavenly Court?"
Qin Mu's heart stirred. "Yan'er is at the Lingxiao realm and has been taught by the Moon Celestial Venerable since childhood. How could she not catch a stray cat? There are countless gods and demons in the Heavenly Court. How could a stray cat appear here? This cat is suspicious!"
As he thought this, the mansion erupted in a commotion. Yan'er had transformed into a green sparrow and was flying around frantically, while Long Qilin, the Heavenly Demon of Dutian, and a group of palace maids were chasing and blocking from all sides. Yet they still couldn't catch the stray cat.
Qin Mu focused his gaze. It was a white cat, its movements ghostly and elusive, always narrowly dodging everyone. Even with the combined efforts of Yan'er and Dutian, two great experts, they couldn't catch it.
Yan'er shouted loudly, "This cat has great skills! Its muscles and sinews are full of strength! It must taste good!"
"It looks like Celestial Venerable Yan's cat!"
Qin Mu was startled and looked at Langhuan Divine King.
Langhuan Divine King lowered her voice. "Dead or alive?"
Just as Qin Mu was about to speak, Langhuan Divine King's expression suddenly changed, and she whispered, "A Celestial Venerable is coming!"
As soon as she finished speaking, a palace maid hurried into the garden and said, "Master, Celestial Venerable Yan is visiting!"
Qin Mu was about to go welcome her when suddenly Yan Tianfei's laughter rang out. "Celestial Venerable Mu, no need to come greet me. Your Celestial Venerable mansion is quite splendid. His Majesty has given you a fine place."
Qin Mu stepped forward to greet her, laughing. "How did Imperial Consort Yan come to visit?"
Yan Tianfei said with a smile, "I was passing by your mansion when my cat ran off. I thought it might have run into the Celestial Venerable's home, so I came to check. Before I could even announce myself, I heard the sounds of someone beating a cat inside. This cat is my little heart and soul, so in my panic, I barged in without permission. Please forgive me, Celestial Venerable Mu."
As she spoke, a flash of white light shot by, and the white cat leaped into her arms, shrinking into her embrace. It bared its teeth at the approaching green sparrow and Long Qilin, its tail fur standing on end.
Yan Tianfei rubbed its head, and the white cat calmed down, squinting its eyes as it occasionally sized up the green sparrow, the Heavenly Demon of Dutian, and the others, letting out threatening growls.
Qin Mu said warmly, "Imperial Consort Yan's cat is quite agile. Even a great expert at the Lingxiao realm couldn't catch it."
"A Celestial Venerable's cat naturally has some skills."
Yan Tianfei looked at Langhuan Divine King and Yun Chuxiu, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion. A look of surprise crossed her face, and she laughed. "And these two sisters are?"
Langhuan Divine King remained silent. Yun Chuxiu greeted Yan Tianfei, smiling. "I am Yun Chuxiu of the Yun Mansion. Greetings, Imperial Consort Yan. The Imperial Consort is not in the rear palace but has come to Celestial Venerable Mu's mansion. Isn't that a bit improper for the imperial family's decorum?"
Yan Tianfei's gaze flickered, and she said softly, "Sister Yun may not know this, but although I am an imperial consort, I am also a Celestial Venerable. Celestial Venerable Mu is one of the Five Elders of the Heavenly Alliance and is my senior. It is not improper for a junior to visit a senior. If I were to secretly meet with Celestial Venerable Mu every day and neglect my home, that would be improper for the imperial family's decorum."
Yun Chuxiu thought suspiciously, "Yan Celestial Venerable's tone is so sharp. Could this little bitch be my sister?"
Ever since she discovered that Lian Huahun was the Empress, she had been somewhat paranoid.
Yan Tianfei took her leave, laughing. "Now that I've found my cat, I can rest easy. I won't disturb Celestial Venerable Mu's cultivation. After all, I am an imperial consort. Staying here too long would easily invite gossip. Another day, I will send a visiting card first before coming to call."
Qin Mu saw her out and said, "Imperial Consort Yan, in a few days, I plan to leave the Heavenly Court. You might not be able to find me then."
Yan Tianfei looked surprised. "Celestial Venerable Mu just returned from the Tai Xu a few days ago and hasn't rested for a few days before leaving again? Where does the Celestial Venerable plan to go? When will you return?"
Qin Mu sighed emotionally. "Since coming to the Heavenly Court, I have realized how vast heaven and earth are. I wish to travel around and see the world. I plan to wander the four poles, visit the Four Emperors, climb the highest places to visit the Heavenly Duke, and descend to the deepest places to visit the Earth Lord. As for when I will return, I do not know."
Yan Tianfei showed a look of envy and let out a sorrowful sigh. "I too would like to be as carefree as Celestial Venerable Mu, but since marrying into the imperial family, I can only move within these deep palaces. The farthest place I've ever been is Yujing City. It's quite pitiful, really. I truly envy the Celestial Venerable, able to roam the heavens and earth. Farewell. Celestial Venerable, please stay."
Qin Mu saw her out the door. Outside, there was an imperial carriage with many palace maids waiting beside it. Two girls parted the beaded curtains of the carriage. Yan Tianfei boarded with the white cat in her arms, sat down, and nodded slightly to Qin Mu.
Qin Mu bowed in return.
The two girls lowered the beaded curtains. The carriage set off and drove away from the Celestial Venerable's mansion.
Qin Mu turned and went back inside, immediately writing a memorial to be sent to the court, informing the Heavenly Emperor of his intention to leave and travel.
"I want to go too!" Yun Chuxiu cheered and jumped for joy.
Qin Mu frowned deeply. "Last time, I could only kill her in the Tai Xu without alerting Yuanmu's true body. Of course, that was thanks to Luo Shen Dao, that ruthless hand, making the move. Now she wants to follow again. How do I kill her? Maybe I should go to Yan Kang first, find Luo Shen Dao, and have her chop this little vixen to death..."
On the carriage, Yan Tianfei gently stroked the cat's head. The white cat licked its paw and said slowly, "The Imperial Consort guessed correctly. The one who controlled the Heavenly Emperor's true body and stole his eggshell that day was Celestial Venerable Mu. He can fool others, but not me."
Yan Tianfei stroked the cat's tail. The white cat raised its tail, looking very pleased.
"This is interesting."
Yan Tianfei chuckled lightly. "Celestial Venerable Mu's cultivation is not high, yet he could control the Heavenly Emperor's true body. Even if he had the Lingxiao realm's cultivation, he might not be able to do it. So how did he manage it? The Grand Emperor should have this ability. The Grand Emperor's divine consciousness is incredibly powerful; he can use divine consciousness to replace vital energy and cultivation. It seems that Celestial Venerable Mu encountered the creator gods in the Tai Xu and had a great adventure, causing his divine consciousness attainments to soar."
The white cat said, "Then the Heavenly Emperor's eggshell..."
Yan Tianfei smiled, looking out the window at the bustling Yujing City. "The Grand Emperor will make a move against him. I can guess that Celestial Venerable Mu obtained a great opportunity from the creator god race, and the Grand Emperor can guess it too. After all, he is the foremost in divine consciousness. I also want to know who the Grand Emperor really is."
She rubbed the cat's cheeks, a cunning look in her eyes. "The Grand Emperor is dead but not gone, which makes one uneasy. The scene of him controlling the Heavenly Emperor's true body to assassinate Ling Celestial Venerable back then still sends chills down my spine."
— Yan Celestial Venerable held Zhai Zhu in her arms, smoothed his fur, and murmured: Don't throw away a scrapped Zhai Zhu. Wrap it in monthly votes, sprinkle it with recommendations, deep-fry it in subscriptions, and even the neighbor's kid will be crying for more...