Chapter 72: Who’s Holding a Blade…

And so, a mountain of poppy pods flew into the carriage, tumbling over the soft bedding.

Qing was actually a little surprised.

That ridiculous act worked?

I was practically reading straight from a textbook, for fuck's sake.

What the hell? Do they fall for this kind of crap in the Central Plains?

Of course, they didn't.

However, there were those who would be fooled by such an obvious display of pain.

It's like, they know it's fake, but... what if, just in case, by some tiny chance... it's real?

Parental love could do that. A child's filial piety could do that. Even dear lovers and best friends could be that gullible.

But that demonic bastard outside? No way.

Unless... he's planning to get me addicted and control me.

Ah, that's gotta be it.

Fat chance, asshole.

Qing didn't indiscriminately gobble down the poppy pods.

Even if she knew they weren't addictive or harmful, they were still basically drugs.

There was a psychological resistance.

And then, the desert appeared.

Witnessing the majestic desert with her own eyes for the first time, Qing's magnificent bosom swelled with emotion.

And then, less than an hour later, she realized just how fucking awful the desert was during the day.

But the desert at night was so mystical and beautiful that Qing's heart swelled with emotion once again.

Qing had a strong resistance to cold.

But the heat...

Stuck in this stuffy carriage, buried in blankets...

It's like I'm in a goddamn steamer. Might as well cook me up and serve me as "Steamed Ximen Qing."

As she was panting like a dog in midday, Qing noticed some bundles in her line of sight.

Tianshan Mountains.

The name alone evoked the image of a majestic mountain range, the end and the ceiling of the Central Plains.

The highest peak was Victory Peak, about three times the height of Mount Baekdu.

There were countless peaks twice the height of Mount Baekdu, so the perpetual snow in the middle of the mountain range created a spectacular scene.

Apart from that, it was also a land unsuitable for human habitation.

Barren land, rough terrain, cold nights all year round.

There weren't many animals either, so farming and hunting were out of the question. It was a truly harsh and dangerous place.

This remote area was where the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was located.

This was the reason why the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had invaded the Central Plains four times.

Being in such a desolate and dreary land would naturally stir up hatred for the Central Plains.

On the other hand, it was also the reason why the Demonic Cult remained.

It was located deep within a remote mountain range at the edge of the world, a three-month journey past the border, over the plateau, across the grasslands, and through the desert.

No matter how hateful and detestable the Demonic Cult members were, no one was willing to undertake such a long expedition.

After being exhausted by the desolation of the grasslands and enduring the alternating heat and cold of the desert day and night, the distant snow-capped barrier finally came into view.

But why the hell isn't it getting any closer?

The height of the Tianshan Mountain Range defied even perspective.

Seeing that sight, even the flames of revenge would dwindle, thinking, "Nah, this is a bit much..."

Revenge is futile. It's better to forget it all and enjoy delicious food by a warm fire at home.

The journey took three months, covering a distance of about nine thousand li.

In modern terms, it was three thousand six hundred kilometers[^London, UK to Moscow, Russia. Or Seoul, South Korea to Hanoi, Vietnam], which explained why no one pursued the Demonic Cult even though its location was publicly known.

Escorting prisoners was not an easy task in itself.

The criminals of the Divine Cult were usually those who had fled from the Cult.

However, the members of the Divine Cult included those who had committed crimes in the Central Plains and fled.

In other words, the prisoners of the Divine Cult were those who had fled and committed crimes again, then fled again.

They were twice as formidable as ordinary fugitives.

However, there had never been a prisoner escort of this scale and with such significant damage.

Therefore, the Divine Cult warriors who participated in the escort boasted of their heroic achievements.

As always with boasting, there was a bit of exaggeration mixed in.

This prisoner was completely insane, enjoying crushing people's heads at the slightest eye contact.

Hundreds of external assassins were killed, and in the end, all the Peak Realm experts had to be summoned.

It was already a difficult journey, and they had to bring a prisoner along, so how difficult must it have been?

The listener, who was about to offer words of praise, instead replied,

"...So, that's...?"

The girl, held in the arms of the grief-stricken Purple Lightning Demonic Warlord, was smiling brightly and waving her hand.

At first glance, her movements seemed erratic, but they were not. Rather, they exuded elegance.

For erratic movements to not be erratic, one's upbringing had to be ingrained in their habits through long training.

She must be the daughter of a prestigious family.

"...She's the one who was crushing heads?"

"Don't be fooled. It's all an act."

"I'd like to say you've worked hard, but... Come on, there's a limit to bullshitting. Every time you open your mouth, it's a lie."

The same thing happened here and there.

Thus, Qing continued to mess with them until the very, very end.

Some guessed from Purple Lightning Demonic Warlord's sad expression, with his flickering Purple Lightning Qi,

It seems that prisoner is a bit of a nutcase.

Purple Lightning Demonic Warlord's daughter was famous for her foul mouth.

Before her death, she was even more famous for being an incorrigible drug addict.

It was Choi Leeong who had truly failed as a parent.

After that,

Qing was handed over to the women.

They couldn't leave her filthy when she was going to see the Supreme Leader.

The women rinsed, wiped, polished, and dried Qing.

Actually, this process was a great humiliation for Qing.

A grown adult having to helplessly submit to being played with like a doll by countless women.

But fortunately, she was still high on the drugs, so she was able to get through it without much resistance.

Far from being humiliated, she actually enjoyed it a little.

If the drug hadn't worn off at the end, she might have continued to enjoy it.

Ximen Qing, one big dark history added to the list.

That night,

Ximen Qing met the Alleged Supreme again.

A throne placed on a high platform like an altar, with red and blue silk curtains hanging down.

It looked more like an altar than a main hall.

Because it was an altar.

The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult were descendants of a cult.

Although they had since transformed into hell-bent avengers, they still maintained some of their traditions.

To the right of the Alleged Supreme, who was arrogantly crossing his legs and looking down at Qing, sat Ji Seungju on a more humble chair.

What the hell, that bastard. He's totally the second-in-command?

Qing felt both regret for not killing him and relief that she hadn't acted rashly and killed him, or she wouldn't be safe now.

As a result, the conclusion was clear.

I have to kill him and run.

And dozens of experts stood in two rows in the hall.

The Alleged Supreme, looking down at Qing standing on her own two feet, said,

"I heard you killed several followers on your way here?"

Not wanting to be beaten again, Qing put on a servile smile.

"Well, about that..."

"No, forget it. It's not really something to blame you for. They were too weak to die anyway, it's their own fault."

"Hehe."

She could endure any amount of humiliation as long as she could just smile.

Alright, I'll let the drizzle pass.

But the storm is mine.

Qing recalled a famous line from a creator revered as a god.

If the speaker hadn't been overwhelmed by the drizzle, they would have left a significant mark on modern cultural history.

Such a shame.

"But you know, hmm."

The Supreme Leader Wannabe smirked.

"I thought you were completely broken after being beaten. But that wasn't the case, was it? You wagged your tail like a dog, but inside, you were cursing like one, right?"

"Hehe, I don't know what you're talking about."

"Really? That's strange. Hmm, Yeonhwa."

The Alleged Supreme snapped his fingers.

Then, a woman appeared from between the silk curtains with graceful movements.

Even to Qing's discerning eyes, trained with the Jade Qilin, she was a top-class beauty.

"Supreme Leader, did you call for me?"

"Take it off."

"Yes."

The woman immediately took off her palace robe.

The Supreme Leader Wannabe pointed at the woman.

"Hey, do you see this?"

Qing frowned.

What the hell? Showing off?

"There are so many men here, and yet she strips. The shameless bitch just takes it off when told. You stupid bitch."

The woman's face turned pale, and her hands trembled.

Qing felt sorry for the woman.

He's the one who told her to take it off, and now he's acting like this?

Then she checked the woman's evil deeds.

Hmm nevermind, she deserves a bit more scolding.

"This is why women are no fun. They only know how to act cute."

The woman trembled even more.

"But I really hate it when someone defies me. You've experienced it, so you should know, right?"

Qing's smile deepened.

This motherfucker, I'm gonna burn him alive.

If you build a bonfire for someone, they can stay warm for a while.

But if you set them on fire directly?

They can stay warm for the rest of their lives.

She was planning to give him the gift of a lifetime of warmth.

Only by embracing him with warmth could she fix his cute, rebellious attitude.

"Yes! That's it! Obedient on the outside, but seething with murderous intent on the inside. I thought you were just a typical bitch. Ha, I'm getting excited. However."

Goosebumps erupted all over Qing's arms, reaching her neck in an instant.

What the fuck did this crazy bastard just say?

"Take her to Bliss Palace and make her learn every Celestial Arts there is. If that doesn't work, feed her elixirs and make her reach Transcendent realm or something. Overhaul Rebirth is a surefire way to enhance beauty."

New martial arts! Elixirs!

Qing's eyes sparkled.

Now, demonic arts or whatever, I have to fuck this guy up.

He was a creature that shouldn't exist in this world.

It could be called revolutionary thinking against a cruel oppressor.

This pretender Natrual Realm, Alleged Supreme, who’s barely even at Unrestrained Realm, is doing something so outrageous that he deserves to die?

Qing (Peak Late Stage) thought.

Just wait until I reach Transcendent Realm.

I'll give you five thousand Buddha Palm strikes, you little shit.

Qing suppressed her anger.

Then, Ji Seungju tried to dissuade the Alleged Supreme Leader.

"Supreme Leader, she is a cunning woman. She will surely bring great harm to the Divine Cult. Please reconsider."

"Enough, I have made my decision."

"...I will obey the Supreme Leader's orders."

Ji Seungju bowed his head.