Chapter 114: The Villainess Eats Malatang

Tang Nanah’s high expectations were shattered from the very first course.

There’s a particular delicacy derived from duck: the thick deposit of fat found beneath the tail. When carefully trimmed and roasted, it transforms into a rich, decadent morsel with a unique chewy-yet-crispy texture, quite different from grilled large intestines.

Even a large duck yields only a few precious bites of this, so traditionally, it’s served in a golden bowl and presented first to the guest occupying the seat of honor.

However, within the Tang Clan, there existed an undisputed Number One in the hierarchy, a true master of the household whose claim no one dared question.

At least, that had been the case until this very moment.

Just as Tang Nanah eagerly reached out with her chopsticks for the prized delicacy, the lazy susan on the table suddenly spun. Her second brother deftly intercepted the golden bowl, lifted it high, and placed it directly in front of Qing.

“Young Lady,” he said with a charming smile, “would you perhaps care to try this? It’s said that the most delicious part of a properly roasted duck is this very fat found beneath the tail.”

“Really?” Qing’s eyes widened with genuine delight. “Wow, what is this? Holy moly, it looks amazing!”

What is this stuff? And why is it so damn delicious? she wondered as she took a bite. Have these petty Central Plains assholes been hoarding delicacies like this all to themselves?!

Watching this exchange, the First Wife—Tang Nanah’s mother—felt an eyebrow twitch involuntarily.

Mothers have mouths too, you ungrateful brat! she thought irritably, glaring at her second son.

They always say raising sons is futile, and damn if they aren’t right.

Meanwhile, the third son was busy demonstrating his particular specialty.

Wielding twin chopsticks with dazzling dexterity, he skillfully and rapidly stripped every last shred of meat from the duck’s neck bones—this was his acknowledged area of expertise.

The inherent deliciousness of poultry neck meat requires no further explanation.

Tang Nanah, accustomed to his doting attention, eagerly anticipated the plate of meticulously deboned neck meat arriving before her, as it always did…

but no. That plate, too, traveled smoothly and naturally… directly to Qing.

“The tail fat is excellent, of course,” the third brother offered graciously, “but one simply cannot neglect the neck. Would you care to try some of this as well, Young Lady?”

“Oh?” Qing blinked. “I mean, I could just gnaw on the bones myself, you know? But thanks anyway!” She popped a piece into her mouth. “Oh. Wow. Delicious! This is really, really good!”

Her mouth relaxed into a blissful smile.

Qing was someone whose emotions played freely across her face.

Right now, the radiant visage of a happy, beautiful woman practically glowed with its own inner light.

The Second Wife simply sighed, resigned.

The plate originally destined for her precious daughter had once again been diverted to the guest.

Well, maybe this is actually better, she thought with a touch of weary cynicism.

Sister, she mentally addressed the First Wife, it’s not just raising sons that’s futile. Don’t think daughters are any different. They’re all the same, these ungrateful brats.

The two wives exchanged a brief look of perfect understanding across the table.

No wonder they got along like sisters.

“Young Lady Ximen,” the fourth brother smoothly interjected, holding up a jade wine pot, “this is called Jian Nan Chun, Sichuan’s finest spirit. If you happen to enjoy baijiu…”

“Wow! Jian Nan Chun!” Qing exclaimed, eyes sparkling again.

“Young Lady Ximen, by the way…” the fifth brother started.

“Young Lady Ximen…” piped up the sixth.

“Young Lady…” trailed the seventh.

A subtle but intense competition had broken out among the brothers, all vying for the beautiful guest's attention.

However, in the context of the Central Plains, such a scene wasn't considered particularly unseemly or ugly.

The prevailing culture of romance, particularly before marriage, dictated that men should actively fawn over women, constantly watch their moods, and generally allow themselves to be completely wrapped around the woman’s finger.

In matters of courtship, women held essentially all the power and initiative.

Why? Because noblemen could, and often did, take multiple wives and concubines.

After marriage, the dynamic flipped completely. Wives and concubines then had to compete fiercely for their husband's favor and affection, fawning over him and supporting him unconditionally.

Therefore: before marriage, the woman was the absolute top dog.

After marriage, the relationship reversed, leaving the husband in an awkward position somewhere between dominant and subordinate.

It might seem unfair, but since when was anything in the world truly fair?

Within this framework of Central Plains courtship, actions like eagerly snatching the most delicious morsels to offer to the lady, or painstakingly deboning meat for her, were considered utterly basic, standard procedure.

They didn't even qualify as particularly sweet or romantic gestures—just baseline attentiveness expected of any ordinary Central Plains man trying to woo someone.

They were just being normal Central Plains guys.

However, for Qing, being the sudden recipient of such blatant, focused attention felt incredibly burdensome—a hundred times, no, a thousand, ten thousand times more awkward than she could comfortably handle.

What the hell is going on? she thought, increasingly uncomfortable. Why is everyone staring at me while I’m just trying to eat?! I have perfectly good hands, so why is everyone suddenly peeling fruit, scooping sauces, blowing on food to cool it for me, and generally making this huge fuss?!

They looked so eager, she suspected they’d literally spoon-feed her if she asked. (They absolutely would.)

Ah! So this is why Gramps was so insistent about me wearing that damn veil! Qing finally understood.

I really should have listened to my elders; there’s truly nothing to be lost by doing so!

The regret was belated, however. It was far too late now.

Covering her face again after everyone had already seen it would be pointless.

Of course, did this overwhelming attention mean Qing actually ate less?

Please. Of course not.

Perhaps because the continent was so vast, the ducks here were enormous, practically the size of piglets. Prepared using a special Sichuan technique—something involving intense heat, maybe spicy steaming that mimicked deep-frying?—the meat was incredibly tender and richly flavorful, meltingly greasy in the best possible way.

And so, Qing happily inhaled the seemingly endless supply of duck meat appearing on her magical, self-refilling plate, and enthusiastically gulped down the famous liquor from her equally magical, constantly replenished cup.

People are fickle creatures; watching someone else eat crudely, barely chewing before swallowing, might normally be off-putting. But when a peerless beauty did it? Somehow, it just looked… blessed. Appetizing, even.

Only Tang Nanah, sitting nearby, stared with wide, horrified eyes.

Is that a person or a goddamn pig?! she raged internally.

Why doesn’t she just pick up the bowl and drink directly from it?! Look at her, stuffing her cheeks like a damn toad!

And then, venomously: All my bastard brothers are dead to me after this! Every single one! I’m telling Mom and the elders EVERYTHING!

As the Poisonous Speaking Flower sat there, grinding her teeth in silent fury…

A Tang Clan warrior suddenly appeared, opening the door to the banquet hall.

He approached the Clan Lord, Tang Touzhong, respectfully whispered something in his ear, then turned to the table, clasped his hands formally, and announced clearly:

“A black flag has been raised over the Grand Prince Dexian’s prefecture.”

“What?!” Tang Touzhong exclaimed, startled. “Who… who has passed away?”

Jayu, however, asked sharply, his voice suddenly urgent,

“Who is it?”

“Well…” the warrior replied, feigning deep sorrow, “it is said that Grand Prince Dexian himself has… passed away…”

The Tang warrior delivered the news with a carefully crafted expression of solemn grief.

It was a line that absolutely had to be delivered with utmost solemnity.

Sounding even remotely cheerful would be tantamount to treason.

“…?”

Meanwhile, sitting right there at the table was Jayu, having just received the official news… of his own death.

His mouth gaped open in utter disbelief.

At that exact time, back in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s temporary, makeshift dungeon…

To cut straight to the chase: Seol Ganom and Ximen Hee had failed in their escape attempt.

It was already over.

Pointing fingers or assigning blame now would only damage the camaraderie between them.

So, instead of scolding Ximen Hee for whatever role she played in the failure, Seol Ganom—true to his reputation as the neighborhood’s sharpest intellect—was coolly analyzing the situation and already formulating new escape plans.

Ximen Hee’s beauty, significantly enhanced by her practice of the Maiden's Blissful Art, had certainly blossomed recently. They were, in fact, in the middle of brainstorming a potential honey trap strategy based on her improved looks when they were interrupted.

Fortunately, Ximen Hee harbored absolutely no moral objections to using her appearance as a weapon.

That was, after all, the fundamental methodology of the Bliss Palace.

However, their nascent plan to seduce a jailer never even got off the ground. It ended abruptly, before Ximen Hee could even attempt a single flirtatious gesture or deploy her aegyo [^(Korean term for acting cute, charming, or coquettish, often in a calculated way)].

Not that Seol Ganom had held high expectations for Ximen Hee’s aegyo skills anyway.

“Um… excuse me. Would you please come out now?” a voice called from outside their cell.

“What trick is this?” Seol Ganom asked warily.

“A high-ranking person has ordered us to escort you politely,” the jailer replied respectfully. “Regarding meals, what we provided in prison was all we could offer, but surely you cannot say we treated you poorly otherwise, can you?”

“…?”

It turned out to be incredibly fortunate for the jailer as well.

Overworked day and night, they genuinely hadn’t had the spare time or energy to torment their prisoners, simply tossing them basic dry rations instead.

If they had unnecessarily bullied these two, they might have found themselves in serious trouble now.

Seol Ganom and Ximen Hee exited the cell.

Immediately, a group of Shrine Maidens [^likely priestesses or attendants associated with a specific hall within the cult)] rushed over. They were thoroughly washed, scrubbed clean, given potent elixirs to restore their bodies, and finally dressed in fine, clean clothes.

Seol Ganom surveyed the sudden, drastic improvement in their treatment and lamented,

“I honestly don’t know whether I should be happy or sad about this.”

“Huh? Why?” Ximen Hee asked, confused.

“This level of polite treatment… it’s exactly how one would receive highly honored guests. And the only conceivable reason we would warrant such treatment is our connection to Young Lady Ximen. Which likely means… the Heavenly Demon has fully awakened and somehow bonded with her.”

“Ah!” Ximen Hee gasped, her eyes widening with excitement. “Then does that mean my sworn sister is now the official mistress of the Divine Cult?! Hmm, isn’t that actually a good thing?”

“That entirely depends on her perspective,” Seol Ganom replied gravely. “No matter how prestigious a position might be, it means nothing if the person holding it doesn’t actually want it.”

As they were contemplating this,

The door to the room opened, and Ji Seungju appeared.

Seol Ganom recognized him instantly.

I’d heard the Demonic Brain was just a young boy, but…

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Great Expert Seol [^(대협; Daehyeop - A respectful title for a highly skilled martial artist)]. And Great Expert Ximen,” Ji Seungju greeted them formally. “This is our first time meeting like this. I am Ji Seungju. Though inadequate, I am the one currently in charge of the Secret Pavilion.”

“‘Great Expert’?” Seol Ganom eyed him suspiciously. “What are you playing at? What’s your angle?”

“What?” Ximen Hee piped up. “Am I a Great Expert too?”

“There is no particular angle,” Ji Seungju replied smoothly. “It is simply that you two are now in positions that inherently deserve the utmost hospitality of the Divine Cult.”

“What the… I’m getting treated well? Oooh!” Ximen Hee looked pleased.

“…What has become of Young Lady Ximen?” Seol Ganom pressed, ignoring Hee.

“There is no need for concern,” Ji Seungju reassured him. “She is currently… advancing into the Central Plains.”

“As far as I understand her,” Seol Ganom countered dryly, “if she were truly loose in the Central Plains, the Demon Cult wouldn’t be enjoying such peace and quiet right now.”

“What?” Ximen Hee interjected again. “My sworn sister already went to the Central Plains?”

“They say the ways of the world are unknowable, do they not?” Ji Seungju replied evasively.

“Enough with the ambiguity. Get to the point,” Seol Ganom demanded.

“…?” Ximen Hee frowned. Is no one listening to me? This is weird.

The two intellectuals continued to completely ignore her.

“She,” Ji Seungju stated plainly, dropping the pretense, “has successfully inherited all the Heavenly Divine Arts and has descended as the Heavenly Demon Supreme. Before departing, she issued a command: open the gates of the Divine Cult, and learn to live more like human beings now. The foolish, long-cherished dream of liberating the Central Plains has finally come to an end.”

“…?”

Seol Ganom’s expression went completely blank, dumbfounded.

“Could you… perhaps repeat that? My friend did… what?”

“I did not anticipate things turning out this way either,” Ji Seungju admitted. “But Young Lady Ximen is now, officially, the Heavenly Demon Supreme of the Divine Cult.”

“What?! My sworn sister is the Heavenly Demon Supreme?!” Ximen Hee shrieked.

“No, wait,” Seol Ganom stammered, trying to process it. “I don’t understand. What in the…”

“What, what?!” Ximen Hee bounced excitedly. “Then what does that make me? Am I the Heavenly Demon’s older sister now?”

“Could you please be quiet for a moment?” Ji Seungju sighed, looking exasperated. “It’s rather distracting.”

Ximen Hee instantly shut her mouth, looking dejected.

Seol Ganom thought back to Qing. His friend.

The one whose plan was to give the Demon Cult bastards a taste of their own medicine, smash the Heavenly Demon Soul, and then make a run for it.

How on earth did that person suddenly become the Heavenly Demon herself?

However… if asked whether the role suited her or not…

Actually… Seol Ganom admitted internally with a grimace, it’s a disturbingly perfect fit.

She seems truly born to be the Heavenly Demon.

“Of course,” Ji Seungju continued, “she currently professes no interest whatsoever in the Divine Cult itself. But… do you truly believe the people of the Central Plains will see it that way?”

“That’s true,” Seol Ganom conceded heavily.

“Therefore,” Ji Seungju concluded, “we would be deeply grateful if you two would consent to assist the esteemed Heavenly Demon Supreme.”

“You mean,” Seol Ganom clarified, “you want us to persuade Young Lady Ximen to return and lead the Demon Cult?”

At this, Ji Seungju allowed himself a faint, genuine smile.

With the previous tyrannical Supreme gone, there was no longer any need to constantly hide his true expressions or intentions.

“Is there truly a need for persuasion? From what I observed, the Heavenly Demon Supreme is someone who will, inevitably, return to the Divine Cult sooner or later anyway.”

“…I suppose I can’t deny that,”

Seol Ganom agreed gloomily.

A Heavenly Slaughtering Star who seemed drawn to bloodshed like a moth to flame… how long could she possibly endure living peacefully in the Central Plains?

“And Great Expert Seol,” Ji Seungju added pointedly, “you cannot remain in hiding forever either, can you? Besides, the Heavenly Demon Supreme seems to be a person… overflowing with affection, after all.”

“And what happens if I refuse?” Seol Ganom asked directly.

Ji Seungju simply shrugged.

“Nothing changes significantly. You are free to leave if you wish. However, if you are planning to head to the Central Plains anyway… simply give us your promise that you will serve the Heavenly Demon Supreme. If you make that vow, we will gladly provide you with the cult’s most precious elixirs. After all,” he added with another subtle smile, “possessing somewhat higher martial prowess would undoubtedly be beneficial when serving someone like her.”

Seol Ganom quickly reached a conclusion.

There was absolutely no reason for these Demon Cult bastards to concoct such an elaborate lie regarding their own Heavenly Demon. This had to be the truth.

And if that was the case… there was certainly no reason to refuse free, top-tier elixirs.

So this is what having a good friend gets you, huh? he thought wryly.

Is this finally payback for all those times she randomly splashed water on my face?