Chapter 42

As dawn approached, Clear Essence Jade was discovered missing. When the news reached the lord of the realm’s chambers, Chishui Chong immediately ordered the entire celestial realm to be sealed off to capture the thief who had stolen the Clear Essence Jade.

Before the news could fully spread, Liu shuang knelt down with a thud in front of the main hall.

The immortal servants outside were astonished: “What is the young miss doing?”

“Coming to confess my crime.”

Shortly after, it was said that Chishui Chong allowed her to enter. Once inside, Liu shuang knelt down again without a word.

Chishui Chong rubbed his temples and said, “The Clear Essence Jade is missing. I have no time to deal with whatever mistake you’ve made. Go back and stay put. Once I find the Clear Essence Jade, I’ll settle accounts with you, you little rascal.”

Liu shuang bowed with her hands clasped above her forehead and said, “I came here because of the Clear Essence Jade, Father. You don’t need to look for it anymore. I’ve already destroyed it.”

Chishui Chong was stunned for a long moment: “You’re saying you destroyed the Clear Essence Jade?”

Liu shuang nodded.

Chishui Chong instinctively replied, “Do you have such capability?”

Father and daughter stared at each other for a long time. Eventually, Chishui Chong, looking at his daughter’s innocent expression, realized that the main point wasn’t whether Liu shuang had the ability to destroy the Clear Essence Jade, but that she claimed it was already destroyed!

Chishui Chong’s expression turned cold: “Liu shuang, do you know what you’re saying? The troubles you caused before can be overlooked. But now, you’ve dared to tamper with the Clear Essence Jade, a treasure of the immortal clan. Do you realize that soon, people will come demanding your punishment? Even if they don’t, as the lord of this realm, I cannot possibly let you off lightly!”

His expression was icy and authoritative, but a flash of helplessness crossed his eyes, as if he had aged suddenly.

Chishui Chong was first and foremost the lord of the immortal realm, and only then Liu shuang’s father. With Liu shuang causing such a major problem this time, as a strict ruler, he would be the first to not let her off.

Liu shuang bowed again, feeling guilty.

In the past, without the memories of the original owner, she saw Chishui Chong only as a dignified figure, fearing that he would discover the anomaly in her soul. Now, with memories of their shared moments, the person before her had become her father.

A father who had to punish his daughter, the pain in his heart, only Chishui Chong knew.

“Father, I had to destroy the Clear Essence Jade because it was not a immortal treasure, but a demon bone stone.”

Liu shuang did not hide anything and explained everything she knew.

She came forward to confess her actions to avoid future misunderstandings. Chishui Chong, being reasonable and strict, would surely listen to her.

Chishui Chong listened, his frown deepening.

“If what you say is true, and no one knew before that the Clear Essence Jade was a demon bone stone, how did you find out?”

Liu shuang couldn’t say she was from seven hundred years in the future, so she said, “Our ancestors appeared in a dream and told me that the demon bone stone must be destroyed. Otherwise, while it appears to cleanse the impurities of the immortal clan, it actually strengthens the inner demons of everyone, endangering the entire Kongsang.”

Chishui Chong: “Nonsense!”

Liu shuang glanced at him: “Feng Fuming was born with auspicious signs, Jimo Shaoyou’s birth created a spiritual spring. Why can’t I have a dream from our ancestors? Father, you’re not inferior.”

Chishui Chong was momentarily speechless, wanting to say, how can you compare to those two?

Although he didn’t fully believe this explanation, it did raise some doubts.

Firstly, he knew his daughter well. If she didn’t truly believe there was a problem with the Clear Essence Jade, she wouldn’t have dared to destroy the sacred jade. Secondly, inner demons should be overcome by oneself, not relying on external objects. The path of immortality is solitary, with cause and effect cycling. The function of the Clear Essence Jade, aiming for a shortcut without solidifying one’s cultivation and heart, is indeed a deviant path.

Moreover, Chishui Chong looked at his daughter kneeling obediently. In the past, when she made mistakes, she would either try to escape or blame others. This was the first time she came forward to confess without implicating anyone.

After her soul returned, she had gained a sense of responsibility.

Chishui Chong was silent for a long time: “Even if I believe you, others won’t.”

Liu shuang nodded: “I understand.”

That’s why she didn’t tell Chishui Chong about the problem with the Clear Essence Jade but chose to destroy it directly. Because no one in the immortal clan would believe her, and as the lord of the realm, Chishui Chong would protect the Clear Essence Jade out of duty. Kongsang would guard the Clear Essence Jade even more strictly, and she would have no chance to destroy it again.

Now that the jade was gone, as long as Kongsang eliminated the hidden danger, she would accept any punishment.

Chishui Chong closed his eyes and said to Liu shuang: “Go kneel over there.”

Not long after, the ministers of Kongsang arrived one after another. On their way, they had all heard about the young miss destroying the “sacred jade” and were filled with indignation.

“Lord, you cannot let the young miss act recklessly.”

“Indeed, today she dares to destroy the sacred jade, tomorrow she might harm Kongsang. The lord must not show favoritism.”

…

Chishui Chong sat on the immortal throne and calmly said: “By my order, Chishui Liushuang, for tampering with the Clear Essence Jade leading to its destruction, is hereby stripped of her status as the young miss of the realm and sentenced to guard the Demon Suppression Tower for fifty years, without stepping out even once.”

As soon as the words fell, the ministers fell silent, looking at each other.

In the past, when the four seas were peaceful and the eight wilderness were tranquil, the demons all submitted. Only the Demon Suppression Tower was a place of extreme evil in the world, where the combined forces of the four immortal realms imprisoned all the rampaging great demons.

Now, the Demon Suppression Tower was like hell. Being sent there, let alone fifty years, with the young miss’s cultivation, it was uncertain if she could survive even a few days.

After all, she was the only heir of the Chishui lineage in Kongsang.

“This punishment is too severe, lord, please reconsider.”

“Indeed, let the young miss reflect at the Nine Thoughts Pond for a few days.”

“The young miss must have realized her mistake, lord, there’s no need for this.”

The lord looked at Liu shuang, who bowed her head and said softly: “I accept the punishment.”

“My decision is final. All of you, leave. Do not plead for her.” Chishui Chong said, “Liu shuang, stay.”

After the ministers left, Chishui Chong walked down and touched Liu shuang’s head: “Do you blame your father?”

Liu shuang shook her head. Although she was also afraid of the Demon Suppression Tower, she believed Chishui Chong would not harm her.

Chishui Chong sighed, for the first time seeing her as someone who could shoulder the future of Kongsang: “I believe what you said is true, Liu shuang. You did not do wrong. As a ruler, as long as you can protect the land, you can bear countless accusations and even sacrifice for it. The path of righteousness is lonely. Sometimes, a right deed will never be understood or forgiven. Only by punishing you severely will others not hold grudges and even sigh in pity for you. Sending you to the Demon Suppression Tower is not to harm you. You will understand in time. As for when you can come out, whether it’s fifty years or five months, it all depends on your fate.”

Liu shuang nodded, somewhat understanding.

“Go after the grand competition. You just returned from Kunlun, spend some time with your mother.”

This was the only thing he could do for his wife and daughter as a father and husband.

The news of the young miss being sentenced to the Demon Suppression Tower spread throughout Kongsang in a few days.

Yan Chaosheng was the last to know. At that time, his condition was not good. His demon form had been awakened by the Clear Essence Jade Liu shuang sent.

As a snake demon who had been orphaned since childhood, he had no original form, no clan, did not grow up like ordinary snakes, nor would he reproduce like them.

But the most basic knowledge of the clan, he knew.

Snake demons could mate for several hours to several days at a time.

The lustful snake in the mountains, during its mating season, would mingle with several female demons at once, sometimes lasting up to three days.

That day, after consuming the Clear Essence Jade, Yan Chaosheng felt something was wrong and did not dare to return to the bamboo house. He went directly to the stream at the back of the mountain and submerged himself in the water.

However, it was of no use. The awakening of his demon form meant that all the latent traits within him were also awakened.

Bloodlust, cruelty, and the inherent lust of the snake demon.

As he sank to the bottom of the stream, the only thought that kept repeating in his mind was her saying that he could come to her anytime.

Yan Chaosheng swallowed hard and buried himself in the mud.

No, no one would like a snake demon. Among demons, wolves are loyal, foxes are clever, tigers are brave and skilled in battle, only snake demons are different. They are cold and treacherous by nature, their bodies perpetually cold, yet more lustful and dissolute than any other demon.

Great snake demons would mate with multiple female demons at once, sometimes not out of wantonness.

But… few demons could endure being demanded for several days and nights.

Moreover, under his clothes, he no longer had that beautiful scale protecting his heart, only black scales remained. Now, with the awakening of his demon form, these scales looked even more unsightly.

Yan Chaosheng despised this part of himself and would never let her see it.

Burying himself in the mud didn’t help much, but fortunately, his cultivation had returned. Yan Chaosheng simply froze himself, forcibly awakening another instinct, changing the climate, and entering hibernation.

For seven days, the torment was something he didn’t want to recall. On the seventh day, he finally crawled out of the stream and returned to the bamboo house.

Someone saw him and complained angrily: “Where have you been? Disappearing without asking for leave, don’t you want to stay in Kongsang anymore?”

Yan Chaosheng paused and calmly said: “I apologize.”

“Forget it, forget it. Something major has happened in Kongsang, no one has time to deal with you.”

“What major event?”

Yan Chaosheng finally learned that Liu shuang had been exiled to the Demon Suppression Tower for fifty years for tampering with Kongsang’s treasure, the Clear Essence Jade. She would depart after some time, and until the grand competition, she was kneeling in repentance at the Nine Thoughts Pond.

Before the disciple could finish gossiping, the young man with damp hair had disappeared.

Yan Chaosheng went to the Nine Thoughts Pond for the second time.

He remembered the first time he was thrown here, filled with resentment and despair, wishing he could devour Chishui Liushuang’s flesh and blood. Now, just a few months later, he voluntarily stepped into this place.

The surrounding pond was quiet and clear, on the lotus platform, the girl was curled up, her ink-black hair spread over half the platform.

Her pink cheeks were somewhat pale, her eyes tightly closed, her lips slightly pursed, looking both wronged and pitiful.

The three-hundred-year-old immortal girl, now extremely frail, resembled a begonia flower that had just bloomed but was already wilting.

The lotus platform moved slightly with her breathing, she was sleeping soundly, her shoulders trembling lightly in her sleep.

Yan Chaosheng stood still, the place where his heart-protecting scale had been felt as if a hand was gripping it tightly, making it hard to breathe. The last time he felt this way was when he was still weak and young, surrounded by a group of Taoist priests, and shortly after, a heavenly tribulation arrived.

That was the closest he had been to death.

But even that day was not as painful as this moment.

When Liu shuang sensed something was wrong, she immediately woke up, meeting the young man’s pitch-black eyes.

The look in his eyes was indescribable, it sent chills down her spine, goosebumps rising. The lotus platform, which had only her moments ago, now had Yan Chaosheng sitting in front of her.

His face was dark and grim, as if… well, someone had dug up his ancestral grave.

Yan Chaosheng’s entire being was gloomy, giving her the illusion that the person before her was the demon lord from seven hundred years in the future.

But soon she realized it wasn’t, this was still that young man with the snake demon illness.

Because with that terrifying look, he took her hand and placed it on his abdomen: “Young Miss, the Clear Essence Jade is gone, but I have my core.”

“Oh.”

Liu shuang responded blankly, everyone has a core, so what?

“I’ll dig out my core and give it to you.”

His voice was hoarse.

“…” See, it’s still that snake demon illness. If someone wanted to dig out her spiritual marrow, she would definitely beat that person’s head in.

Was he not awake, thinking life was too long?

“I don’t want it.”

What would she do with his core? She tried to pull her hand back, but the young man’s face was dark and unpleasant, his grip on her hand like an iron clamp, making it impossible for her to move.

“You stole the Clear Essence Jade for me, I refined the Clear Essence Jade, I can’t return it to you, so I can only give you my core.”

Liu shuang’s spirit jolted, she said: “That… I didn’t do it for you, it was for my own reasons.”

His eyes grew even gloomier, mixed with heaviness: “Now I believe you’re serious.”

Liu shuang also nodded, yes, she had always been serious, serious in her cultivation, serious in wanting to destroy the Clear Essence Jade, serious in wanting to drive him away.

“First, let go…” Let go of me.

The young man’s body was cold, the Nine Thoughts Pond was already colder than other places. She had just managed to temporarily assimilate the divine artifact her father sent over, and was already cold enough, with him clinging to her, she felt even worse, shivering slightly.

The young man’s figure was gradually developing, showing the makings of a man. His abdominal muscles were firm, but she wasn’t interested in that, she didn’t want to touch him, she felt disdain.

However, before she could finish her sentence, Yan Chaosheng suddenly threw her hand away.

That small, white hand was thrown back onto the lotus platform, Liu shuang was stunned for a long time, what the hell, was this looking for trouble?

In the past few days, she had understood her father’s painful effort, knowing that going to the Demon Suppression Tower would only turn misfortune into fortune. So she quietly assimilated the power of the divine artifact her father secretly sent on the lotus platform. Her mother occasionally came to see her, and the mother and daughter had pleasant conversations. Originally, Liu shuang was in a very good mood, having just fallen asleep from exhaustion.

Now, her good mood was completely ruined. After temporarily assimilating the power of the divine artifact, her body became fragile.

This rub made her palm red.

Even allies shouldn’t bully people like this, was she, the young miss of Kongsang, just for show?

“Yan Chaosheng!”

The young man’s expression was strange, the corners of his eyes red and charming, his tone stern: “Chishui Liushuang, you better not come over! Otherwise, you’ll regret it.”

Liu shuang angrily climbed up from the lotus platform, did he want to fight? Let’s see who regrets and begs for mercy! Before she could speak, Yan Chaosheng plunged into the pond.

Furious, Liu shuang threw several thunder spells into the water, but the young man at the bottom showed no reaction.

After a long time, she suspiciously leaned over the lotus platform to look: “Yan Chaosheng.”

Yan Chaosheng said through gritted teeth: “Don’t talk anymore, I… will go to the lord to confess my crime, admitting that I stole the Clear Essence Jade, it has nothing to do with you.”

Liu shuang said: “You will die if you do that.”

“Yes.”

Liu shuang felt very tired: “You need to live.”

At least for now, he couldn’t die. In the past, she couldn’t kill him every day, now she had to stop the young demon lord from seeking death every day.

She found it quite vexing, why was this ally always dragging her down: “If you die, many people won’t survive. I was the one who took the Clear Essence Jade, you admitting to it would ruin my plans.”

“…”

After a long time, the young man flew out of the pond, somewhat awkwardly heading out.

His ink-black hair was wet, his eyelashes dripping with water, but he did not use a cleansing spell. His entire being was gloomy and silent, suddenly stopping and turning back.

“Young Miss, I will come to the Demon Suppression Tower to fetch you.”

It was eerie; perhaps the rippling water created an illusion, but she actually sensed a hint of tenderness in Yan Chaosheng’s words.