Chapter 232: Behind the Empress's Back, Going to the Brothel

"I was kind enough to look after you, and you deceived me?" Zhao Xianger stared into his eyes, her pretty face taut, her lips tightly pressed. Her delicate collarbones were clearly visible, and her flickering gaze revealed both anger and hatred. Her luxurious "Thousand-Pleat Fragrance" dress seemed to dim, almost withering away.

Any ordinary person, seeing such a complex look in her eyes, would likely be too ashamed to speak, beginning to apologize softly. Yet, Ning Changjiu firmly said, "Stop pretending. Didn't you also trick me into the Imperial City?"

Zhao Xianger bit her lower lip and retorted, "I... I invited you for a meal!"

Ning Changjiu pointed to the dilapidated divine realm and said, "And I'm inviting you for a tour."

"?" Zhao Xianger looked around. She didn't know how to describe this world; it was less a world and more a desolate space. In this space, a sun seemed to have once exploded, and above the ruins of palaces and towers, countless fiery dust fragments floated. Some were as tiny as sparks, others as large as tall buildings, drifting silently, devoid of life.

"What's there to see here?" Zhao Xianger said, displeased.

Ning Changjiu replied, "Your dinner invitation hasn't been served yet, has it?"

Zhao Xianger frowned, annoyed, "Why are you so petty?"

Ning Changjiu smiled, "As the Princess treats me, so shall I treat the Princess."

Zhao Xianger's cheeks puffed slightly in exasperation. She looked around at the fragments floating in the air, flowing like magma, and asked, "Is this... the Golden Crow World?"

Ning Changjiu explained, "According to the Golden Crow's inherited memories, this is the Ten-Eyed Kingdom. Later generations have two theories: one, that ten suns were born, like ten eyes gazing upon the earth; and two, that the ruler of the Golden Crow Divine Realm was named Xiang, who was later killed and dismembered, his body parts becoming 'ten' and 'eye'."

Thousands of years ago, in ancient times, almost all ancient gods holding authority established divine realms of varying sizes, unique to themselves. These realms later split or merged during the 'Primordial War', with hundreds still scattered about. They were the oldest kingdoms, constructed based on authority and mythological logic.

At that time, the scattered authorities throughout the world were still fragmented, and many divine realms possessed overlapping authorities. Consequently, wars erupted between these co-originating authorities, with the victor's authority becoming complete.

That great war was the Primordial War, which nearly shattered the veins of heaven and earth.

Over the following millennia, the world was ravaged by countless catastrophes and wars. The most terrifying was the one three thousand years ago, for which all historical records were erased. Hundreds of independent divine realms perished in that calamity; even ancient divine lords like the Underworld Monarch were not spared. Only a scattered few ancient gods from that era survived to the present day, and most of those who did survive lost their memories.

The Ten-Eyed Kingdom was also one of the divine realms destroyed three thousand years ago, leaving behind only a dilapidated ruin hidden within the Golden Crow.

In the current world, only the divine realms of the Twelve Divine Lords are recognized by the world's laws. Other smaller divine realms hidden among the populace, if discovered by a ruler, would invite disaster and destruction.

Zhao Xianger recalled the history of the Nine Feathers' legacy, looking at the dilapidated kingdom. She shook her head and said, "So what if you tricked me here? You're not the ruler of this realm. At most, you've just created a fair battlefield. Do you really think you can win against me in a direct blade-to-blade confrontation?"

As she spoke, Zhao Xianger raised her soft sleeve, and the silken tassels beneath it fluttered in the wind. A brilliant white light once again gleamed on the slender, clear blade of Cangluan.

Ning Changjiu held Shentu horizontally before his eyes, running a finger along its spine. He said, "Little girl, are you still holding onto illusions? The Golden Crow is my innate spirit. Even if I'm not the ruler of this realm, this world favors me. The power I can exert here far surpasses yours."

While in Linhe City, he had seen this ruined world within the Golden Crow in his dreams, but he had never tried to use it. The emergence of any ancient divine realm always attracted worldly disputes, and his cultivation level was insufficient to avoid them. More importantly, he lacked the ability to drag stronger enemies into this broken realm. Now, with Zhao Xianger, who was of similar cultivation, he had managed a surprise attack.

In short, by using the concealment of Zhao Xianger's world, he finally had the chance to reveal the true form of this shattered, masterless realm.

Zhao Xianger's eyes flickered as she weighed the truth of his words. Her splendid dress was illuminated by the blade's light as she slowly pointed her sword at Ning Changjiu.

"I will not be defeated," Zhao Xianger stated calmly, as if delivering a simple fact.

Ning Changjiu walked through the ruins, his blade in hand. The golden pulse in his grip throbbed like a cicada's abdomen. He raised his hand, looking into Zhao Xianger's eyes, and said, "Princess, please enlighten me."

As his thoughts stirred, an unseen, residual wind in this world seemed to rush onto the crimson blade. The blade's light ignited on its own, enveloping Ning Changjiu's figure, and with each raise of his sword, his bones crackled like sharp thunder.

Zhao Xianger also raised the blade in her hand.

In this divine realm, silent for three millennia, a spectacular decisive battle was about to begin.

The fiery debris in the air tore apart the moment Ning Changjiu raised his blade. The vibrating blade, exhaling crimson light like furious thunder and lightning, ripped through this dim world, striking hundreds of feet in an instant.

Previously, he had infused his blade with Taoist magic, but now he no longer needed to. This world coated his blood-red blade with a layer of light—countless particulate sparks that merged with the blade's color. This replica of a famous sword, after being adorned with countless specks of light, astonishingly emitted a brilliance no less formidable than the true blood-blade, Shentu.

The blade techniques showed little variation. In an instant, they clashed.

Between them, the exploding blade intent formed a rapidly expanding domain. Sharp red and white lines emanated from their center, forming a vast circle that swept outwards, striking the surviving ruins of the divine realm. The seemingly indestructible stone pillars, silent for millennia, were now caught in the blade's light, their weathered surfaces shaved off and blown away like scraps of paper.

The clashes sparked bursts of blade-fire, exploding brilliantly.

Ning Changjiu, in his white robes, moved invisibly like a phantom, yet his blade strikes descended with lightning speed.

Zhao Xianger, adorned in her precious and intricate dress, stood her ground, her body occasionally twisting, her dancing blade seemingly slicing through threads of rain.

Amidst the dazzling blade light, the pure white blade wind was quickly engulfed by crimson. Zhao Xianger's blade was suppressed. Standing her ground, every move she made was precisely countered, making it difficult for her to even maintain a defensive stance.

Ning Changjiu's movements grew increasingly swift. His silently descending crimson blade was like a torrential downpour vanishing into darkness, forcing Zhao Xianger to retreat step by step.

With a clear clang, their blade tips collided, and their figures finally sprang apart.

Ning Changjiu touched his toes to the ground, sweeping his blade to dispel the lingering crimson light in the air, his expression serene. Zhao Xianger, however, swayed uncontrollably, her grip on her blade unsteady, her delicate body rising and falling with each gasp for breath.

"You've lost," Ning Changjiu declared.

He was less than ten strikes away from completely defeating her.

Zhao Xianger held her blade, yet showed no hint of dejection. Instead, she smiled faintly, "Is that so?"

"What? Do you have another trick up your sleeve?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Zhao Xianger pointed upwards.

He looked up at the sky, his expression subtly changing.

He then noticed that the sky was trembling incessantly, as if it could crack open at any moment.

"Do you remember the maid who led you here?" Zhao Xianger asked.

Ning Changjiu recalled the palace-dressed woman descending the stairs, remembering her action of closing the door, and realized something was amiss.

Ning Changjiu understood, "She carried a wisp of your consciousness?"

Zhao Xianger didn't hide it, nodding directly. "Though you dragged me here, the Golden Crow is still in my world. While you were attacking, those attendant women have already begun. You're showing off your power here, but your Golden Crow is suffering for you. Soon, it won't be able to hold out, and then this Ten-Eyed Kingdom will collapse."

Ning Changjiu looked at the sky and said, "Before the Golden Crow collapses, you're bound to lose."

Zhao Xianger retorted, "Unless you kill me, the world can still be maintained. As long as I stubbornly refuse to beg for mercy, what can you do to me?"

Ning Changjiu rubbed his temples, a headache throbbing. He thought, 'This isn't a decisive battle; it's clearly just a girl being unreasonable.'

Ning Changjiu said, "Didn't you want to return completely unharmed? Is it not okay even if you're not?"

Zhao Xianger replied, "Then I'll hate you for life."

Ning Changjiu was somewhat bewildered. "How can you be so shameless?"

Zhao Xianger said calmly, "Didn't you also use my concern for you to drag me in here? Let's call it even."

Ning Changjiu took a deep breath and said, "Do you really think I wouldn't dare touch you?"

Zhao Xianger felt a little flustered inside. She was gambling that he wouldn't find a way to break free from this world before the Golden Crow shattered.

Her expression unchanged, she warned, "If you waste any more time with me, your Golden Crow won't be able to endure it."

"Princess, there's no need to worry." Ning Changjiu gripped his long blade. At this moment, he wished he could grab Zhao Xianger and give her a good spanking, but he knew that breaking her world was the immediate priority; otherwise, everything he did would just be an outburst of frustration.

Ning Changjiu moved abruptly, charging forward and swinging his blade, striking with its back. Zhao Xianger raised Cangluan to block.

The back of the blade struck with Ning Changjiu's full force. As the blades vibrated, Zhao Xianger was violently knocked back, recoiling from the impact. Ning Changjiu's crimson blade light pressed in, enveloping the girl in her splendid attire.

Zhao Xianger felt some regret. Why had she insisted on changing into this outfit earlier? It offered no advantage whatsoever in a fight.

She was forced to retreat incessantly, her steps growing more chaotic. The muffled thuds in the sky above continued to resonate, leaving it uncertain whether the world would shatter first or Zhao Xianger would be defeated.

Amidst the disordered blade lights, Ning Changjiu slammed his hilt, striking Zhao Xianger's wrist. At the same time, he extended his hand, precisely grasping the hilt of the blade she held. He turned his body, elbowing into her embrace, seizing the opportunity to snatch the slender blade.

Deprived of her blade, Zhao Xianger retreated step by step. Ning Changjiu's figure pressed in, taking her hand and pulling her into his embrace.

Zhao Xianger let out a muffled grunt, trying to struggle. Ning Changjiu extended his fingers, pointing them at the seventy-two vital points all over her body.

He used the Taoist Spring Mountain Finger technique. His touches were like an artist dabbing moss on a spring mountain—seemingly light and casual, yet each touch broke the wind, swift as lightning.

Before Zhao Xianger could even let out a painful groan, the thirty-six vital points on the front of her body were all struck by the Spring Mountain Finger, completely sealed.

Ning Changjiu held her, turning her body over and pressing her onto the ground. Zhao Xianger was now nineteen years old, her figure exquisitely graceful. Every curve, whether the high swell of her bust or the shapely lift of her buttocks, was taut into breathtaking lines. Beneath the elaborate "Thousand-Pleat Fragrance" dress, she was so enchanting she seemed capable of captivating this ruined divine realm.

Ning Changjiu paused for a moment, unable to help but recall the scene on their last day in Linhe City, when they had grappled after defeating Madam Bai. The sensations of softness and fragrance still lingered in his nostrils.

He forcibly suppressed his emotions, and the Spring Mountain Finger accurately descended, sealing off all of her remaining thirty-six vital points as well.

"It's useless," Zhao Xianger said calmly. She didn't even struggle, fearing that her resistance might provoke some strange desire in him.

All seventy-two of Zhao Xianger's vital points were completely sealed, her spiritual energy stagnant and unable to circulate.

However, the activation of her authority seemed unrelated to spiritual energy. The pounding outside grew more frantic, and Ning Changjiu could picture the Golden Crow darting about in the hall, being battered by the attendants.

He tried his best to remain calm, pondering the cultivation methods related to all this.

Besides the seventy-two vital points, cultivators also circulate spiritual energy through...

"The seven orifices?" Ning Changjiu murmured. He unfastened Zhao Xianger's jade sash, used it to blindfold her, and then blocked her ears with spiritual energy.

Zhao Xianger guessed what he was about to do. "Are you just wildly guessing now? The power of authority has nothing to do with the seven orifices. If you do this... mmmph..."

Ning Changjiu tore off a section of his sleeve, balled it up, and, pinching Zhao Xianger's soft, sweet-scented mouth, stuffed it in, blocking another orifice.

Even after Ning Changjiu sealed her seven orifices with spiritual energy, the pounding from outside the divine realm didn't cease.

His gaze swept past Zhao Xianger's elegant spine and moved downwards. Her taut legs were pinned by him, making struggle difficult. She could only twist and writhe her waist in resistance, though such resistance was likely counterproductive.

"It seems there are two more orifices here..." Ning Changjiu raised his hand and tentatively applied the Spring Mountain Finger.

Although Zhao Xianger couldn't hear or see clearly, she vaguely guessed what Ning Changjiu was doing and struggled even more fiercely.

Two "Spirit Horn" fingers: one entered the Hidden Court, the other pressed the Mountain Pass.

Zhao Xianger's body trembled continuously, muffled sounds escaping her mouth. With her spiritual energy sealed, she was merely an ordinary girl, utterly unable to retaliate against Ning Changjiu's actions.

Unfortunately, it was still useless.

Ning Changjiu withdrew his fingers.

His lips pressed tighter and tighter. Disregarding the girl's figure, he immediately unfurled his spiritual consciousness like a scroll, calmly exploring from top to bottom, searching for a method to break the world's authority.

The Golden Crow's cries were already ringing in his ears.

Soon, this Ten-Eyed Kingdom would collapse, and he would likely face Zhao Xianger's tenfold retribution of humiliation.

"Just hold on a little longer..." Ning Changjiu took a deep breath, striving to steady his Dao heart.

Golden light was already falling from the sky, and the entire Ten-Eyed Kingdom began to shake.

The Ten-Eyed Kingdom itself wouldn't be destroyed, but since it was hidden within the Golden Crow, if the Golden Crow was forced back to the Purple Mansion, the Ten-Eyed Kingdom would inevitably be forced to close.

"The Golden Crow..."

Ning Changjiu's eyes suddenly lit up.

He immediately thought of something: why hadn't Nine Feathers appeared during their entire battle?

Just yesterday, it seemed, Zhao Xianger in her Long-Life realm, wielding Nine Feathers, had slain three great bone demons. That beautiful, formidable bird, capable of transforming into both a bird and a sword, was a terrifying weapon. Why hadn't she used it until now?

Ning Changjiu's mind sharpened, and he suddenly understood.

The Ten-Eyed Kingdom was hidden within the Golden Crow, meaning the structure of this small world was likely intimately connected to Nine Feathers!

All cultivation techniques that created small worlds resembling divine realms were forbidden arts under the laws of heaven and earth and could not openly appear. That's why the Ten-Eyed Kingdom had survived until now, concealed within the Golden Crow. And the foundation of this Vermilion Bird small world must also be hidden by Nine Feathers!

Realizing this, Ning Changjiu immediately turned Zhao Xianger over.

"Mmm... mm-mm..." Zhao Xianger's sweet-scented mouth was stuffed with cloth, unable to utter a word. She could only shake her cheeks in angry protest.

Ning Changjiu ignored her fierce expression.

He extended a finger and pressed it onto the girl's smooth, jade-like brow.

His spiritual consciousness flowed in.

At this moment, Zhao Xianger was like a lamb to the slaughter, utterly powerless to resist, completely at his mercy.

"This stubborn girl hid it well..." Ning Changjiu breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

His spiritual consciousness, like a thread, swiftly delved deep into Zhao Xianger's mind, where he found the dark silhouette of Nine Feathers.

Nine Feathers hovered within her sea of consciousness, seemingly half-asleep, its curled body resembling a black sun.

Ning Changjiu extended a net of spiritual consciousness and seized this black sun.

"Mmm-mm..." Zhao Xianger's head shook slightly, and her slender, soft waist arched convulsively. The tension in the lines of her already perfect figure was breathtaking.

The Ten-Eyed Kingdom was teetering on the brink.

The attendants were almost frantic. Their actions weren't like swinging blades; they were more like using the backs of their swords as hammers, relentlessly pounding this world.

Golden light fell like streaming fire.

Although Zhao Xianger was currently restrained, once she returned to her own world, the situation would instantly reverse, and she would once again become an invincible deity.

Ning Changjiu's threads of spiritual consciousness also surged towards Nine Feathers.

They were in a race against time.

Victory and defeat hung in the balance of a single moment.

In the divine hall, the Golden Crow was brutally struck by the back of a sword and slammed to the ground. Ning Changjiu suffered a backlash from his innate spirit, feeling a piercing pain in his chest.

Fire flared in the sky.

It was the Vermilion Bird's fire from the divine hall.

The flames blazed inward, descending like a consuming sky, eroding the Ten-Eyed Kingdom within the Golden Crow.

Ning Changjiu's finger, pressed to her brow, trembled uncontrollably.

The falling flames engulfed him.

The world collapsed.

A long, long time passed.

Specks of starlight appeared in the night sky. Like fine sand leaking from an hourglass, they condensed into slender threads, falling into Ning Changjiu's body.

The surroundings were pitch black.

There were no floating fragments of starlight, nor raging fires filling the sky.

The blue bricks felt cool to the touch.

The tranquil night of Zhao Kingdom covered them like a vast blanket.

Ning Changjiu and Zhao Xianger lay exhausted on the ground, seemingly having fainted.

Zhao Xianger lay slumped on his arm, her breathing shallow.

The night wind brushed against his temples.

Ning Changjiu's fingers twitched slightly.

He was the first to awaken, his head splitting with pain, unable to muster any strength in his body.

Fortunately, his cultivation had returned to the Purple Court Realm. After a few gusts of wind, spiritual energy flowed back into his Sea of Qi, allowing him to slowly recover.

Zhao Xianger was still sleeping soundly beside him, her eyes blindfolded and her sweet-scented mouth still gagged with cloth. Lying there, she looked as if she had been kidnapped.

Ning Changjiu recalled the recent scene.

At the last moment, just as the flames descended, he had managed to sever Nine Feathers' connection to that world. The Golden Crow's Ten-Eyed Kingdom and Nine Feathers' small divine realm had collapsed almost simultaneously.

They both fell, returning to reality.

By rights, that round should have still been a draw.

Except...

Ning Changjiu looked at the girl beside him and smiled, marveling at his own foresight.

Zhao Xianger's seventy-two vital points were still sealed. At this moment, she shouldn't be able to mount any counterattack.

Ning Changjiu carried this beautifully dressed "little lamb" on his back.

Standing at the city gate, he looked left and right, feeling lightheaded and disoriented, unable to tell which way was the palace and which was the market.

"Never mind..." Ning Changjiu closed his eyes. Everything seemed complex and confusing. After three years, he couldn't remember the location of the Imperial Palace at all.

"I can't just sleep on the street..." Ning Changjiu thought, deciding it would be better to find an inn for the night.

Carrying Zhao Xianger on his back, he began searching for one outside.

Soon, he realized he couldn't even find an inn.

"No matter. If I can't find one, there's a building in the middle—tall and brightly lit, standing out like a crane among chickens. It must be a place to stay."

Ning Changjiu carried Zhao Xianger and swept towards it.

A woman holding a large floral handkerchief leaned against the door and stopped Ning Changjiu. "Young master, what are you...?"

Ning Changjiu asked, "Are there any vacant rooms?"

As he spoke, he reached for Zhao Xianger's purse, glanced inside to confirm it contained nothing else, then tossed it to the plump woman. "I want to stay for one night."

The plump woman took the purse, frowned, and said, "This... where did you steal this from? We don't dare take in people with no clear background."

Ning Changjiu replied, "I brought my sister down the mountain. On the way, we were attacked by bandits, and she fainted. I need to find a place for her to heal, and seeing this place was the brightest, I came here."

"Bandits?" The plump woman's face was skeptical. "His Majesty is wise and mighty now; the four seas are peaceful. Where would you find bandits? Are you insulting His Majesty?"

"His Majesty..." Ning Changjiu, supporting Zhao Xianger's thigh, hesitated, then composed himself. "We are mountain folk."

"Mountain folk?" The plump woman frowned, then suddenly burst into laughter. "Mountain folk don't come into the city, let alone a place like this. Didn't your master teach you the rules?"

"A place like this?" Ning Changjiu felt slightly puzzled and looked around.

Before him, lights glowed and wine flowed freely, and the sounds of music wafted to his ears. Ning Changjiu quickly realized where he was.

Ning Changjiu sighed, too lazy to search further. He simply asked, "Are there no vacant rooms?"

"We don't take in people with unknown backgrounds here," the plump woman said, trying to usher them out.

Ning Changjiu, however, raised his head, opened his sword-like eyes, and scanned the premises. "Hmm, there are two rooms on the third floor..."

The moment his eyes lit up, the plump woman shuddered in fright, trembling as she stumbled backward, crashing into a chair. "You... you..."

The others hadn't yet reacted. Hearing the commotion, they all looked over, confused about what was happening.

Then everyone froze.

It wasn't because the young man had displayed some technique, but because the girl on his back had slowly woken up. Ning Changjiu had already removed the blindfold and the gag from her mouth. She slightly lifted her head, her sleepy eyes squinting, and stared blankly around. "This... where is this?"

She asked, half-asleep, then her head dropped, and she leaned back onto Ning Changjiu's back, falling asleep again.

That fleeting glimpse silenced the entire establishment.

This was the most renowned and finest brothel in the city, but the moment the girl opened her eyes, all the singing and dancing courtesans paled in comparison. Those who considered themselves well-versed in worldly pleasures had never imagined such breathtaking beauty existed in the world...

Ning Changjiu looked at the plump woman and asked, "Is the money enough?"

"Ah..." The plump woman was startled, then quickly nodded. "Enough, enough! Esteemed guest, no, immortal, immortal..."

Ning Changjiu had already started up the stairs.

It wasn't until he disappeared at the end of the corridor that everyone finally recovered their wits.

"This..."

The establishment immediately erupted in chatter and discussion.

Those who hadn't seen the girl's face found the discussions even stranger, muttering to themselves, "I've heard of people bringing their own liquor to inns, but I've never heard of anyone bringing their own courtesan to a place like this! What kind of person is this? How scandalous..."

Ning Changjiu easily opened the room door with Zhao Xianger.

The girl was placed on the bed. She naturally hugged the quilt, curled up, and fell into a peaceful sleep.

The night passed without incident.

Zhao Xianger's eyelids fluttered. When she slowly woke, it was already daylight.

She tried to get out of bed but found she couldn't move her body at all.

Her mind suddenly cleared, and she discovered she was bound with red ropes. The ropes were tied with exquisite and delicate craftsmanship, winding around her body and accentuating her already curvaceous figure.

Zhao Xianger frantically struggled to break free, but with her vital points sealed, she couldn't exert any spiritual energy.

She, the noble and divine empress of Zhao and daughter of the Vermilion Bird, was disgracefully tied to a bed with ropes like this!

The girl felt a bit dizzy. She quickly grasped her initial predicament, composed herself, then raised her head and looked piteously at the culprit seated in a chair by the bed.

Ning Changjiu sat in the chair like a victor, holding the marriage contract between his fingers and swaying it slightly. He smiled, "Did you sleep well, Miss Xianger?"

Zhao Xianger was about to speak, but found her mouth still gagged with a cloth.

She hesitated for a moment, then made two muffled sounds and blinked, seeming to plead for mercy and signal compromise.

Ning Changjiu ignored her and stated directly, "Soon, I will ask you a few questions, Miss Xianger. You only need to nod or shake your head. Of course, you should think carefully before making your decision, otherwise, you might have to endure some physical suffering."