Chapter 884: Mutual Confessions

Venerable Thousand Corpses was beyond furious! If he couldn't bring back Consort Yunxia, that fifth-grade spirit pill would be nothing but a mirage.

"Get out of my way!" he roared, immediately engaging in a fierce battle with the Sky Demon Emperor.

Equally enraged was Venerable Evil Eye, who had quietly followed them. He was so enraged he cursed: "You bastard! You tricked the Demon Emperor's woman, but you used *my* identity! I'm not finished with you!"

He had witnessed everything Jiang Fan did. His heart was filled with resentment! Jiang Fan had impersonated him to attack Venerable Thousand Corpses; once they returned to Taicang Prefecture, Venerable Thousand Corpses would surely come after him for revenge. What infuriated him even more was that Jiang Fan had also used his identity to trick Consort Yunxia away. If Jiang Fan did anything to Consort Yunxia, wouldn't he be left holding the bag? Suddenly, Jiang Fan had provoked two major enemies for him.

"I swear I'll destroy you!" Venerable Evil Eye chased after him, seething with anger.

***

In the distance, inside the spacious bronze carriage, thick animal fur lined the floor, and the most luxurious decorations from the Northern Sea were displayed. The carriage was filled with a rich, fragrant aroma, but it couldn't compare to the alluring, fresh scent emanating from Consort Yunxia.

"Jiang Fan?" Once she confirmed they were far away, Consort Yunxia quickly turned around. Looking at the figure who still appeared to be Venerable Evil Eye behind her, her eyes showed a hint of uncertainty. Aside from his appearance, which made her uncertain, Jiang Fan's actions earlier had also been hard for her to believe. He had actually used techniques capable of attacking Nascent Soul cultivators. First, there was the powerful crossbow arrow, and now this mysterious and noble Nine-Dragon Bronze Carriage before her. Nine dragons clearing the way signified an emperor's journey; this was definitely a divine artifact used for travel by a very important figure. Why was Jiang Fan in control of it?

However, as Jiang Fan stopped the Thousand Illusions Hairpin from operating, his familiar face and figure clearly appeared before Consort Yunxia's eyes. Her crystalline eyes trembled, and she could no longer hold back. Her soft, delicate figure immediately threw itself into Jiang Fan's embrace, and she cried out sweetly: "My Jiang Lang! It's really you!"

She wrapped her arms tightly around Jiang Fan's waist, burying her head in his chest, and gently rubbed against him: "I must not be dreaming, right? To think I'd meet you here, Jiang Lang."

Jiang Fan gently embraced her slender, soft waist, kissed her forehead, and whispered: "I didn't expect to meet you either, right after returning from the Canghai Sea."

Consort Yunxia looked up. The moment their eyes met, the sparks of longing ignited into a burning flame within them both. They kissed, a silent understanding passing between them, unable to part for a long time.

***

After a long while, Jiang Fan suppressed the passion in his eyes and gently pulled away. Consort Yunxia paused, the haze in her eyes receding, replaced by a hint of fear: "Are you... disgusted with me?" They were about to go further, yet Jiang Fan had withdrawn.

Jiang Fan shook his head, cupping her exquisite face, and said: "No. I just don't want you to feel guilty." Unlike last time, when both were in a state of arousal, now they were both sober. Someone as conservative as Consort Yunxia would never allow herself to be intimate with another man while still married. Even if she gave in to Jiang Fan, she would be forcing herself.

"So, Jiang Fan was thinking of me," Consort Yunxia realized, her eyes becoming slightly moist. She hadn't entrusted herself to the wrong person. She threw herself back into Jiang Fan's embrace, her heart filled with emotion: "Jiang Lang is so good to me. He thinks of everything for me."

She truly harbored a deep sense of guilt. To engage in intimacy with another man while sober and behind the Demon Emperor's back went against her principles. However, if Jiang Fan wanted it, she would still yield to him. As long as he was happy, her own feelings didn't matter. Unexpectedly, Jiang Fan was so understanding and considerate of her feelings. This showed that Jiang Fan truly cared for her.

"Don't talk nonsense. You are my woman," Jiang Fan said. "If I don't think of you, who will? Once you break through to the Demon Emperor realm and formally sever ties with the Sky Demon Emperor, then you can be with me with a clear conscience. For now, I won't pressure you." Jiang Fan gently caressed her smooth, flawless cheek.

Consort Yunxia was even more moved. She also felt a sense of regret. Jiang Fan clearly desired her, yet she wouldn't give herself to him. Thinking of how good Jiang Fan was to her, she couldn't bear it. And then she thought of her impending tribulation, a life-or-death situation, realizing this might be their last meeting in this life. She bit her red lip slightly, making up her mind. She took Jiang Fan's hand, her eyes filled with tenderness. "Then let me be a bad woman," she murmured. "As long as Jiang Lang is happy, nothing else matters."

***

Not long after, the Nine-Dragon Bronze Carriage gently swayed in the clouds. Several birds flew alongside, curious, chirping as they went. Clouds and wind, heaven and earth, at this moment, were in tranquil harmony.

An hour later, Consort Yunxia lay exhaustedly in Jiang Fan's embrace. Seeing Jiang Fan's satisfied expression, she, too, was happy. Like a kitten, she snuggled against his chest: "Jiang Lang, how did you end up here?"

Jiang Fan caressed her cheek and said, "It's a long story." He recounted his experiences since returning to the human realm, one by one, and didn't hide anything about Demon Emperor Yizhu or Demon Emperor Jiumeng. Consort Yunxia was sometimes nervous, sometimes laughing, and sometimes felt a touch of sadness.

"While I was away, Jiang Lang, you went through so many dangers," she mused. "And met so many different kinds of people?"

Jiang Fan asked, "Aren't you jealous about Demon Emperor Jiumeng?"

Consort Yunxia gently nipped at Jiang Fan's shoulder, but fearing she might hurt him, changed it to a soft kiss. A hint of sympathy appeared on her face. "I understand her. She carried too many burdens, heavy shackles that prevented her from pursuing her heart's desires. Life can be helpless, leaving only a trace of regret. Compared to her, I'm much luckier. What is there to be jealous about then?" Thinking of this, she held Jiang Fan tighter, afraid he might disappear before her eyes.

Jiang Fan was relieved; Consort Yunxia was incredibly understanding.

"By the way, how did you end up here?" Jiang Fan asked. "Didn't Haimi say you were in seclusion?"

A faint trace of worry appeared on Consort Yunxia's brow. "The Northern Sea Crown Prince's attempt to break through to the Demon Emperor realm provoked him, so he insists on taking me everywhere. He's afraid I'll also break through to the Demon Emperor realm and completely escape him."

Jiang Fan frowned deeply. "If that's the case, Consort Yunxia won't have a chance to break through to the Demon Emperor realm!" He wanted to take Consort Yunxia back to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion right then, but if she left, the fate of the Silver Fox Tribe would be self-evident.

"Jiang Lang, don't worry," Consort Yunxia reassured him. "Haimi and I have a plan: we'll both attempt to break through simultaneously. The Demon Emperor can only focus on one of us. He'll either guard me and let Haimi attempt to break through to the Demon Emperor realm, or he'll try to stop Haimi, which will give me a chance to break through to the Demon Emperor realm. As long as one of us succeeds, we can help you save little sister Lingshu and prevent her from marrying the Sky Demon Emperor."

Jiang Fan's brows furrowed deeply. This was truly tricky. The Sky Demon Emperor would absolutely not allow anyone to challenge his position as Demon Emperor. He would do everything in his power to obstruct and sabotage them.

After a moment of thought, a sharp glint appeared in his eyes as he made a firm decision: "I won't let him be an obstacle!"