Chapter 757 — Emperor of the Southern Domain

At that moment, light flashed, and Shen Mu, Kai Huang, and Niu Sanduo appeared in a hall of extraordinary grandeur. Shen Mu coughed repeatedly but, afraid of alerting others, hurriedly stifled the coughs until his face was crimson. "Where is this? " The old ox and Kai Huang both adopted defensive stances and looked around cautiously.

The hall was a sea of vermilion—pillars, floor, walls, and ceiling all red, even the curtains and screens being red. On the walls were carved the divine Vermilion Bird; on the floor were all sorts of strange Vermilion Bird patterns; on screens and curtains were embroidered Vermilion Birds in flight.

There were even scenes of the Vermilion Bird devouring demon insects and battling divine dragons. "This is the Vermilion Bird Palace," Shen Mu said, letting out a turbid breath. "It is where Zhu Que'er lives.

We know her, so we can hide here. " The old ox set his heart at ease and laughed. "You mean that Zhu Que'er who shares the same name as the Southern Emperor Zhu Que?

That girl is pretty, but she is bold—she even dares to use the Southern Emperor's name, and does not fear shortening her own life! " Kai Huang's expression was odd. He stared at a mural, silent for a long time, then suddenly said, "The woman in this painting—is she Zhu Que'er? " The old ox stepped forward and, sure enough, saw the woman called Zhu Que'er in the painting.

He laughed, "It is she! What a bold woman. " Kai Huang's expression grew stranger still. "Senior Niu Ben," he reminded, "she attends banquets with the likes of Tubo and Tiangong—her standing is not lower than theirs.

" The old ox looked at the painting.

It was a banquet scene: Tubo and Tiangong were both there, seated in the high places at the front, and that woman Zhu Que'er was actually sitting beside them! "You mean. .

. " the old ox probed.

Kai Huang sighed. "She is the Southern Emperor.

We have broken into the Southern Emperor's palace—walking right into the trap. And here.

.

.

" He glanced at the curtain; behind it was a vermilion jade couch shaped like a bird's nest, blazing with fierce holy fire. A vein bulged on Kai Huang's forehead, and he muttered, "And this is the Southern Emperor's bedchamber.

I think we can start thinking about how we are going to die. . .

" The old ox gave several shudders and looked at Shen Mu with pleading eyes. "You have a way, don't you?

You always have a way. .

. " Shen Mu was just about to speak when, all of a sudden, voices came from outside.

Zhu Que'er's voice reached their ears, laughing, "This Heavenly Court gathering has been one twist after another. In name it was to decide the Heavenly Court's title, but in actual fact it was those old fellows squalling over their own profits. Tubo and Tiangong are full of guts and refuse to split the benefits of Youdu and Xuandu; the leaders of the demigods are howling for more.

As for the Heavenly Court's title, that was the lesser matter.

. .

" "My Lady, you were in Heaven and did not know how the Jade Lake was seething. .

. " "My Lady, the Jade Lake has been stirred up nearly to ruin. First Heavenly Lord Mu and Heavenly Lord Shen fought, and Niu Ben stormed the Jade Lake; then Heavenly Lord Yu was assassinated, died, and came back to life, and he fought the demigods and Heavenly Lord Hao; the Empress's younger sister sent down her projection, and that General of the Golden Guard, Niu Ben, smashed it to pieces.

. .

" "Was it really so tumultuous? I should not have gone to the Heavenly Court gathering—I should have stayed here to watch the turmoil! " "It is even more tumultuous now—the star gods of the entire heavens have all come out. " . . . The women's voices drew gradually closer, talking about the Jade Lake gathering.

Zhu Que'er said, "I am a little weary and wish to rest.

You may withdraw. " "Yes. " The maids went down. Footsteps approached, and a woman in a great crimson rainbow robe entered the hall, laughing, "How bold of you, hiding in this very palace! Do you truly think I have no arts to seize you?

" "Sister! " Shen Mu limped out, his features shifting and returning to his true appearance, and bowed.

"Your younger brother has come for refuge—please, Sister, take me in!

" Zhu Que'er was astonished and cried out, "You are.

. . the newly elevated Heavenly Lord Mu?

No, you are plainly that younger brother I recognized on the Heavenly River.

Why did you just have Heavenly Lord Yu's face?

" Kai Huang looked at Shen Mu, puzzled for a moment. The face Shen Mu now wore was not the face of Mu Qing, but another face, young and somewhat boyish. "His face is a little familiar.

.

. " Kai Huang was confused.

"A little like mine. . .

" Shen Mu revealed his true countenance and said hoarsely, "Heavenly Lord Yu is dead. The murderers are Heavenly Lord Hao and Yin Chaojin.

I took on Heavenly Lord Yu's appearance to avenge him.

And now I have offended Heavenly Lord Hao's mother, so I had no choice but to come to you, Sister, for shelter.

" Zhu Que'er suddenly started laughing, flames streaming around her. "You have angered that little wench—you are done for! You are all done for! But do not be afraid; she would not dare to come here.

Hide with me for a few days, and after a while I will send you down to the lower realm. " She suddenly grew exuberant and said with a grin, "Heavenly Lord Hao's mother is the Empress's younger sister. I suppose you do not know Heavenly Lord Hao's origin? The Empress and her sister were twin blossoms from one stem, the two sisters looking exactly alike. The Heavenly Emperor married the elder sister, and then wanted the younger as well, but the Empress would not agree.

Guess what happened afterward? " Kai Huang's expression was strange, and he thought to himself, "The Southern Emperor is not at all what I expected—why is she so fond of prying into the Heavenly Emperor's private affairs? " Shen Mu, healing himself all the while, asked curiously, "Sister, what happened afterward? " Kai Huang looked even stranger. "This Mu Qing is curious, too!

" Beside him, the old ox's ox-ears stretched out long, clearly just as curious about it. "Later, Heavenly Lord Yu opened up the Primordial Womb's Divine Treasury, letting the people of the world cultivate.

The Heavenly Emperor said, 'The descendants of the ancient gods cannot cultivate, and in the future I fear they will be bullied by humankind.

Let us think of a way—create a being half god and half human, and let him find a road for the demigods.

' That being, half god and half human, was the later Heavenly Lord Hao.

" Zhu Que laughed and said, "And the one who gave birth to this half-god was none other than the Empress's younger sister. Guess who Heavenly Lord Hao's birth father is? " Shen Mu's eyes glinted as he urged, "Sister, say it quickly—you are killing me with suspense! " Zhu Que's voice was bright and airy: "The Heavenly Emperor went through reincarnation, was born as a mortal, and finally had his wish fulfilled—entwined with his beloved, in love's tender embrace. "