Chapter 470: True Heaven Old Mother
The goddess’s appearance was vaguely the same as the one in the mural—the goddess whom Qin Mu had snatched wine from and kicked flying. She ran to a corner, turned past a screen, and from behind the screen emerged a woman whose appearance was vastly different from before.
This woman wore a round, hat-like silver ornament on her head, a black short jacket, a black long skirt on her lower half, and high-bottomed black pointed-toe shoes on her feet. Her attire was just like that of an ordinary Western Earth woman.
“That was close. That outcast nearly kicked me back into my true form! But I still slipped up. All the gods and demons in the painting can only say one or two simple words, at most things like ‘die’ or ‘beast,’ but I spoke a complete sentence.”
This woman swiftly walked out of the main hall of True Heaven Palace. Sunlight shone down, her features delicate and fair. She lowered her head and walked forward, thinking to herself: “Those two didn’t think of this point earlier, but if they think it over carefully, they’re sure to find the flaw! I need to leave quickly, or better yet, get my hands on the Four Spirit Pearls first…”
Her footsteps were light and quick. Up ahead were Qin Mu and Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor. She slowed her pace, composed herself, put on a smile, and acted like an ordinary female disciple from a Western Earth noble family.
“Damn it!”
Suddenly, Qin Mu’s expression changed. He slammed his fist into his palm and blurted out, “I know where True Heaven Old Mother is hiding!”
Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor, also exceptionally sharp-witted, immediately caught the key point and exclaimed, “In that mural with the missing corner! That wine-serving goddess!”
He turned around and rushed toward the main hall, speaking rapidly: “We even killed the Heavenly Emperor in that painting, but even the Heavenly Emperor didn’t utter a single word. Only that wine-serving goddess spoke a complete sentence!”
He charged into the hall. After a moment, he came out and shook his head. “The wine-serving goddess is no longer in the painting.”
Qin Mu mimicked the tone of that goddess from the painting and said, “‘Where did this little brat come from? This is sacred wine for the upper gods—how dare you touch it?’ That sentence is far too complex for someone in a painting. The painter hasn’t reached that level yet. The goddess who could speak is True Heaven Old Mother! True Heaven Old Mother is so treacherous, hiding in the painting. I underestimated her.”
The woman reached the two of them and greeted Qin Mu with a bow. “Lord Qin.”
Qin Mu’s eyes flickered. He smiled and said, “Sister, why don’t you greet the Imperial Preceptor?”
“Imperial Preceptor? I’ve never seen him before. Is he the strong one who killed Ba Gou earlier?”
The woman showed excitement and quickly bowed to Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor, casting a lingering, affectionate glance at him. Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor shook his head. “It’s not her. I’ve rarely shown my face since coming to the Western Earth, so most Western Earth women don’t recognize me. I killed True Heaven Old Mother’s false body—she knows me.”
Qin Mu nodded and asked the woman, “Did you see anyone come out of that hall?”
The woman shook her head. “I followed my clan leader to seize the Vermilion Bird Pearl and passed by here. I didn’t see anyone.”
Qin Mu pondered and waved his hand. The woman glanced at the Imperial Preceptor again, lowered her head, and walked past the two of them. Suddenly, Qin Mu grabbed her sleeve. True Heaven Old Mother’s scalp tingled, and she almost couldn’t resist striking out.
Qin Mu smiled. “Sister, what’s your name? Which noble family are you from? Who is your clan leader?”
True Heaven Old Mother’s face changed drastically. She fell to her knees with a thud, trembling, and kowtowed. “I am a disciple of True Heaven Palace. I beg the Lord not to kill me! If I’m recognized by other noble families, my life will be forfeit! I beg for mercy!”
Qin Mu let out a breath and said to Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor, “I thought she was True Heaven Old Mother. But True Heaven Old Mother is a deity—would she kneel to mortals? She really is a disciple of True Heaven Palace, trying to sneak out and save her life.”
Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor waved his hand. “Handle it as you see fit.”
Qin Mu helped True Heaven Old Mother to her feet and said kindly, “Sister, don’t be afraid. Don’t listen to what others say. They call me the Demon Lord of the Heavenly Demon Sect, but that’s just me being nervous—I came to the Western Earth alone and called myself that to scare people. Actually, I am the Lord of the Heavenly Saint Sect. Our Heavenly Saint Sect is the kindest, never harming anyone. I’m a really good person. See, the Imperial Preceptor is even one of my Four Heavenly Kings. By the way, what’s your name?”
True Heaven Old Mother was a bit skeptical and tested him. “My name is Tian Siyu. You really won’t hand me over?”
Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor urged, “I need to go read the imperial edict. I don’t have time to stay here.”
Qin Mu took True Heaven Old Mother’s hand and followed the Imperial Preceptor. “I need to find someone—a young man named Ban Gongcuo, also called the Great Venerable Master. He’s the leader of the Loulan Golden Palace and has been to your True Heaven Palace before. Sister Siyu, have you seen him?”
True Heaven Old Mother, held by his hand, glanced at the Imperial Preceptor ahead and didn’t dare pull away. “I’ve seen this person. I only know he’s called the Great Venerable Master and is close with Elder Yu Qingchan. But he’s not in the palace now. When he saw Lord Qin attacking True Heaven Palace, he ran away.”
“As expected of the Great Venerable Master.”
Qin Mu sighed and smiled. “Sister Siyu, stay by my side so no one else kills you. By the way, your Western Earth tracking techniques are unmatched in the world. Sister Siyu’s divine cultivation should be impressive—I assume you have a way to track Ban Gongcuo, right? I’ll protect you from harm, and you help me track Ban Gongcuo. Deal?”
True Heaven Old Mother was delighted. “Deal! Is it settled?”
Qin Mu laughed heartily. “Would I lie to you? It’s settled! Imperial Preceptor, after you read the edict, come with me to hunt down Ban Gongcuo.”
Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor said calmly, “Fine. I’m also very curious about who the god or demon behind the Great Venerable Master is and where they’re hiding.”
True Heaven Old Mother’s expression changed slightly. She had thought Qin Mu would go after Ban Gongcuo alone with her—a man and a woman alone, perfect for killing this noble among the outcasts—but she hadn’t expected this brat to invite Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor along!
With the Imperial Preceptor nearby, she was in danger. The slightest slip would get her killed by this cold-hearted man!
At such close range, if the Imperial Preceptor struck, she definitely couldn’t block it!
“Having the Imperial Preceptor along is fine too—it gives me more chances to eliminate him! I still need the Four Spirit Pearls. Once I get them, killing the Imperial Preceptor will be much easier…”
Finally, the various Western Earth noble families pacified True Heaven Palace. The experts of the Yu family were killed or captured. The tribes pushed Xiong Xiyu to once again become the Palace Master of Western Heaven Palace and Nai Kui. Xiong Xiyu held Xiong Qi’er’s hand and accepted the worship of the noble families.
Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor read out Yan Feng Emperor’s imperial edict. Xiong Xiyu quickly received it, while Qin Mu pulled Xiong Qi’er aside to chat, then asked for the Azure Dragon Pearl and the Black Tortoise Pearl to play with.
True Heaven Old Mother stared at the two spiritual treasures in his hands, barely restraining her urge to snatch them.
Qin Mu gave the Black Tortoise Pearl to Xiong Qi’er. The two of them ignored the imperial edict and played a game of knocking pearls, flicking the two spiritual treasures back and forth. Xiong Qi’er giggled nonstop.
True Heaven Old Mother seethed with anger and deliberately turned her head away—out of sight, out of mind.
Suddenly, Qin Mu shoved the Azure Dragon Pearl into her hand and smiled. “Sister Siyu, play with Qi’er for a while.”
True Heaven Old Mother gripped the Azure Dragon Pearl, her mind blank, staring dazedly at the smiling Qin Mu.
She really had no idea what this boy was thinking!
“With the Azure Dragon Pearl in my hand, I can unleash its maximum power. If I act now, everyone in True Heaven Palace will be frozen and turned to wood by me!”
Her eyes flickered. Just as she was about to strike, she noticed Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor’s robes rustling without wind as he read the edict. A chill ran down her spine.
“This brat and the Imperial Preceptor are both old foxes—still testing me!”
True Heaven Old Mother shuddered, obediently crouched down, and played the pearl-knocking game with Xiong Qi’er using the Azure Dragon Pearl.
Over there, Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor finished reading Yan Feng Emperor’s decree. Qin Mu took back the Azure Dragon Pearl and stuffed it into Xiong Qi’er’s hand. Xiong Xiyu led the crowd in receiving the edict, called Xiong Qi’er over, and, holding the two spiritual pearls, knelt and said, “I willingly offer these two spiritual treasures to His Majesty, never to betray him.”
He Yiyi, Mu Yingxue, and others’ expressions shifted slightly. Xiong Xiyu knew it was hard to rule the Western Earth alone, and with the other two pearls taken, she decided to offer these two to Yan Feng Emperor as a way to check the Western Earth noble families!
Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor accepted the Black Tortoise Pearl and said, “The Palace Master also needs treasures to guard the Western Earth. Keep the Azure Dragon Pearl for yourself.”
Xiong Xiyu thanked him, took Xiong Qi’er, and stood up.
After the ceremony, Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor urged Qin Mu to hurry. “You’ve left a trail of romantic entanglements behind—can’t sweep them up, can’t pack them away. Be careful you don’t end up like Yu Mian Du Wang, ruined in reputation and forced to cut off your face and flee. Wrap things up quickly, and let’s go find the Great Venerable Master.”
“I’m not romantic…”
Qin Mu braced himself and said goodbye to the women. He Yiyi gazed at him with deep affection and whispered, “Lord, won’t you stay a few more days? There are still some things unfinished.”
Mu Yingxue, however, was very cheerful and laughed. “Little man, go ahead. When I come to the Central Earth, I’ll climb through your window!”
Xiong Xiyu held Xiong Qi’er’s hand, reluctant to part. “If I hadn’t met the Lord, my daughter and I would have died long ago, our bones buried who knows where. The Lord has shown my Xiong family immense kindness. From now on, whatever you command, True Heaven Palace will obey without question.”
Qin Mu smiled. “Don’t dwell on it. I only act according to what I know, without betraying my heart. Nai Kui, Qi’er, farewell.” With that, he turned and left.
Xiong Xiyu was overwhelmed with emotion. She watched him walk out of True Heaven Palace and suddenly called out, “Righteous one!”
Qin Mu paused, turned back with a smile, and waved.
The term “righteous one” wasn’t why he had saved this mother and daughter—he simply couldn’t bear to see Xiong Qi’er die at True Heaven Palace’s hands. But now, he deserved the title.
Qin Mu leaped onto the back of the Dragon Qilin, pulled True Heaven Old Mother up, and said to Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor, “Imperial Preceptor, the Western Earth is a captivating world. How will the Emperor treat it?”
Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor walked leisurely through the air, his expression calm. “The Emperor will treat the Western Earth the same way he treats you. He has that breadth of vision. When I petitioned the Emperor to conquer the Western Earth, I didn’t bring the Yan Kang army because I feared they would disturb the peace here. The women here are too beautiful—I didn’t want rape and plunder amid the chaos. So I told the Emperor: I won’t bring a million troops. I recommend one man who can match a million soldiers. That man…”
He turned to look at Qin Mu and smiled. “Is you. In all the world, only Lord Qin can sweep the Western Earth alone.”
Qin Mu was momentarily stunned, then laughed heartily. “The Imperial Preceptor is flattering me! Sister Siyu, don’t you think so?”
True Heaven Old Mother smiled but said nothing.
Qin Mu shoved the Black Tortoise Pearl into her hand and smiled. “Sister Siyu, cast the spell. Let’s find that brat Ban Gongcuo as quickly as possible.”
True Heaven Old Mother gripped the Black Tortoise Pearl, glanced at Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor, and saw the middle-aged man with one hand behind his back, fingers forming a sword seal.
—Everyone watched the Yuewen party, right? Isn’t Zhai Zhu not fat at all? Handsome, isn’t he?