Chapter 1005: Fish and Dragons Ever-Changing Without a Trace

Empress Dowager Qiang's gaze shifted as she softly asked, "Does Your Majesty wish to come and sit with me for a while?"

Qin Mu's eyes flickered. He walked forward, shaking his head. "I am tired," he said. "I need to return to the Hall of Nurturing Vitality for some rest and rejuvenation. I will visit you another day, my dear concubine."

Empress Dowager Qiang flew up and landed in his palm. Looking up at the Heavenly Emperor's face, she giggled charmingly. "Since the Heavenly Emperor's ancient deity body fell," she began, "the rift between us Ten Celestials seems to be growing wider. This is not good. Do you really believe what that boy, Celestial Venerable Mu, said?"

"She thinks I'm one of the Ten Celestials," Qin Mu thought to himself, "and doesn't know I'm Celestial Venerable Mu!"

Qin Mu's heart stirred slightly as he continued walking. He said calmly, "There's no smoke without fire. Celestial Venerable Mu is but a child, and I know he's full of tricks; his words cannot be fully trusted. However, he has no reason to deceive us. Celestial Venerable Huo and Celestial Venerable Xu are about to return, and what he said can be verified by simply asking them."

Empress Dowager Qiang frowned and whispered, "So, whom do you suspect is the Grand Emperor?"

Qin Mu smiled, yet not quite a smile. "Celestial Venerable Qiang," he said, "are you trying to test me?"

Empress Dowager Qiang lay down on her side in his palm, supporting her head with her arm, her figure elegantly curved. She said softly, "There is widespread unease within the Heavenly Alliance, and the Ten Celestials are suspicious of one another. The ancient gods remain a threat, the Grand Emperor adds to the chaos, and the rebel Qin Ye is secretly influencing the situation from Wuyou Township. This is a critical moment for the Heavenly Court's survival. Though it appears stable, it is riddled with holes, which causes me great concern. I wish to find a like-minded ally to face these challenges together."

"That ally is not me."

Qin Mu sneered, "Celestial Venerable Qiang, you've come to the wrong person. I don't trust you at all; your origins are suspicious. I suspect you are the Grand Emperor!"

Empress Dowager Qiang snorted. She stood up, and the immense pressure immediately made the Heavenly Emperor's physical body halt.

Qin Mu raised an eyebrow. He said calmly, "Celestial Venerable Qiang, are you looking for a friend or an enemy? Do you truly wish for me to be your enemy?"

Empress Dowager Qiang giggled. She flew up from his palm and drifted away. "I am also a Celestial Venerable, no weaker than you," she said. "If you wish to form an alliance, I will give you the chance."

Qin Mu breathed a sigh of relief and continued walking towards the Hall of Nurturing Vitality. He thought to himself, "Oh no, I forgot something. The Ten Celestials are suspicious and wary of each other, but they also try to win each other over. Empress Dowager Qiang came to find me, and I'm afraid other Celestial Venerables will also come to find me. I haven't been exposed yet, but there's no guarantee I won't be later! I must return this body as soon as possible!"

The Hall of Perfumed Veil and Zao Fu Palace were out of the question. Now, he only hoped to return the Heavenly Emperor's body before other Celestial Venerables came looking for him, to avoid revealing his true identity.

After all, he was not one of the Ten Celestials.

He quickened his steps, getting closer to the Hall of Nurturing Vitality. Just then, a voice laughed, "Where has Your Majesty come from?"

Qin Mu stopped, his heart pounding, but he calmly said, "Ah, it's my dear concubine Yan. I have just come from my dear concubine Qiang's residence."

The one who spoke was Celestial Venerable Yan, one of the Ten Celestials and a concubine in the imperial harem. She was graceful, elegant, and composed, holding a white cat in her arms and attended by more than ten maids.

The white cat had not a single blemish on its fur. Pure white, it lay lazily in her arms, dozing with half-closed eyes, occasionally stretching with its sharp claws, then half-closing its eyes again to look at Qin Mu.

Celestial Venerable Yan looked pitiable and said, "Your Majesty dotes on Sister Qiang, yet you neglect me, which fills my heart with sorrow."

Qin Mu felt a headache coming on.

Celestial Venerable Yan looked expectant and said softly, "Your Majesty, my Everlasting Joy Palace is not far. Would you like to come and sit with me for a while?"

The white cat in her arms extended its tiny crimson tongue, licking the fur on its paws. It lazily glanced at Qin Mu, meowed, and nudged Celestial Venerable Yan's chest.

Qin Mu hesitated. "I still need to return to the Hall of Nurturing Vitality for rejuvenation," he said. "So I will not go to Everlasting Joy Palace."

Celestial Venerable Yan giggled. "Your Majesty," she said, "haven't I just attended to your rejuvenation?"

A chill ran through Qin Mu. "So, it was Celestial Venerable Yan who summoned me in the Hall of Nurturing Vitality!" he realized. "This Celestial Venerable summoned me before the others, asking about the Great Void and Wuyou Township. She is very well-informed; she gets news faster than the other Celestial Venerables!"

Celestial Venerable Yan looked at his feet, which were stained with blood. She pursed her lips and smiled. "Your Majesty went to Sister Qiang's place and came back covered in blood," she remarked. "You certainly do need some rejuvenation. I didn't realize Sister Qiang was so fierce. I won't disturb Your Majesty any longer."

Qin Mu chuckled. "Don't worry, my dear concubine," he said, "I will summon you again in a few days." With that, he continued towards the Hall of Nurturing Vitality.

Celestial Venerable Yan watched him walk away, then suddenly smiled. "He dares to tease me? He's quite bold," she murmured. "Xiao Qi, who was the Celestial Venerable hiding in this body just now? I'm curious to know what he intended to do by entering the Heavenly Emperor's ancestral land."

The white cat in her arms leaped down and took two steps. Though it was a cat, its gait was like that of a dragon or tiger, its posture remarkably agile and extraordinary.

A man's voice, deep and resonant, came from the white cat. It spoke with a tone of puzzlement, "He is not any of the Celestial Venerables."

Celestial Venerable Yan was stunned. She gasped, "Xiao Qi, are you saying that the one in the Heavenly Emperor's body just now was not one of the Ten Celestials?"

The white cat named "Xiao Qi" said, "He is indeed not one of the Ten Celestials. I have never seen him before, and I can't identify him. However, if I see him again, I will recognize him."

Celestial Venerable Yan blinked, puzzled. "Could it be that boy, Celestial Venerable Mu?" she wondered. "But he shouldn't be able to control the Heavenly Emperor's physical body. If not Celestial Venerable Mu, then who could he be?"

The white cat's body slowly grew larger, then it suddenly stood upright, transforming into a general in silver armor and white robes. He was dashing, exceptionally valiant, and very handsome. "I can follow him and investigate his origins," he said.

Celestial Venerable Yan extended her hand and smiled. "This person is no ordinary individual," she said. "Anyone capable of controlling the Heavenly Emperor's physical body is not weak. If you pursue him, you might be in danger. Quickly, come back to my arms."

The handsome general in silver armor and white robes leaped into her arms, transforming back into a white cat as he landed in her embrace. He snuggled into her and lazily went back to sleep.

The palace maids accompanying Celestial Venerable Yan seemed accustomed to such sights. They followed Celestial Venerable Yan back to Everlasting Joy Palace.

Qin Mu returned to the Hall of Nurturing Vitality. Just as he entered the hall, he saw Celestial Venerable Hao, hands clasped behind his back, waiting inside.

Qin Mu's heart leaped. Ignoring his presence, he walked straight past him. Though he appeared calm, his heart was practically in his throat.

Qin Mu, steady as a rock, sat down gently and said, "Celestial Venerable Hao, what brings you here?"

Celestial Venerable Hao raised his head and said calmly, "Mingya went to see you. You took him to the ancestral land, and it took you so long to come out. What exactly did you intend to do?"

"Mingya?"

Qin Mu was slightly startled. He then smiled, thinking, "Mingya must be the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace's name. Now I finally know."

He sat still and leisurely said, "Crown Prince Mingya is also a descendant of the Heavenly Emperor; there's no harm in him visiting the ancestral land. Celestial Venerable Hao, you and I are both Celestial Venerables. I don't need to report my actions to you, do I?"

Celestial Venerable Hao snorted. "Don't forget," he said, "if it weren't for me, would you have your current positions? Which of you could contend with Celestial Venerable Yun, Celestial Venerable Ling, and Celestial Venerable Yue? It is precisely because of me that you were able to climb to the Celestial Venerable's throne and wield your current power!"

Qin Mu burst out laughing. "And it is precisely because of you," he retorted, "that the Grand Emperor infiltrated the Ten Celestials, becoming a massive hidden danger. Celestial Venerable Hao, your influence is indeed great, but mine is not small either. Don't always speak to me in such a condescending tone!"

Celestial Venerable Hao clenched his fists and looked at him. Qin Mu struggled to overcome his fear, meeting his gaze.

Celestial Venerable Hao unclenched his fists and said indifferently, "That boy Qin Mu said the Grand Emperor is among us, and you believed him? He merely wants to divide us, to make us Ten Celestials fight among ourselves. His survival from the Great Void was indeed beyond my expectations, but what he says is a mix of truth and falsehood; he's hiding a lot."

Qin Mu leaned back in the Heavenly Emperor's throne and said languidly, "What he says is a mix of truth and falsehood, but Celestial Venerable Huo and Celestial Venerable Xu should be returning soon, shouldn't they? Once they return, it will be clear whether that boy Qin Mu was telling the truth or lying."

Celestial Venerable Hao's gaze fell upon the wounds on his legs. His pupils contracted slightly. "You took Crown Prince Mingya into the ancestral land, intending to use his bloodline to retrieve treasures from there?" he challenged. "Those treasures belong to my family; you cannot take them!"

Qin Mu revealed a playful smile and said, "Celestial Venerable Hao seems very concerned about Crown Prince Mingya, more than mere brotherly affection."

Celestial Venerable Hao flicked his sleeve and departed. His voice drifted back, "You'd better restore this body to its original state. And remember, Crown Prince Mingya is my brother after all. If you dare to harbor ill intentions towards him, no matter which Celestial Venerable you are, I will ensure you die without a burial place!"

Qin Mu let out an angry snort, watched him leave, and only then breathed a sigh of relief, almost collapsing onto the imperial throne.

"Celestial Venerable Hao's relationship with Crown Prince Mingya seems unusual," he mused. "Crown Prince Mingya doesn't seem like his brother, but rather like his son..."

The Heavenly Emperor's glabella split open, and Qin Mu flew out of it, his expression strange. He thought to himself, "Royal relations are truly chaotic. I can't stay in this Heavenly Emperor's body any longer; it's too thrilling, and I'll be exposed sooner or later if I do! I must leave this Hall of Nurturing Vitality immediately!"

He shimmered, transforming into a palace maid and walking out of the hall.

Just as he stepped out of the Hall of Nurturing Vitality, he saw Celestial Venerable Hong, in loose robes and wide sleeves, approaching him.

Celestial Venerable Hong wore white robes, and his eyebrows and beard were snow-white. His robes were very loose. He resembled a kind and benevolent elder and always had a gentle and benevolent expression towards everyone.

"Girl, is His Majesty in the hall?" Celestial Venerable Hong asked with a smile.

"Reporting to Celestial Venerable, His Majesty is still in rejuvenation," Qin Mu replied with a graceful bow.

Celestial Venerable Hong waved his sleeve and walked into the hall.

Qin Mu quickly started to leave. At the corner of the long corridor, his body shimmered, transforming into a snake that slithered into the grass. When he reached the pond ahead, the snake entered the water and transformed into a large koi fish, swimming along the imperial harem's waterway.

He swam to the imperial garden, transformed into a frog, and leaped ashore. After a few steps, he reached behind a tree. From behind the tree, a civet cat emerged. It quickly walked a few steps along the palace wall, then leaped onto the wall, moving swiftly between the palace halls along the wall.

Soon after, the civet cat leaped down from the wall, jumping into the shadows at the base of the palace wall.

A dark shadow moved continuously along the ground and walls in the darkness. Upon reaching the outer city of Jade Capital, Qin Mu emerged from the shadows and walked towards Celestial Venerable Mu's manor.

Inside the Hall of Nurturing Vitality, Celestial Venerable Hong frowned as he looked at the Heavenly Emperor's physical body, whose legs were covered in wounds. He couldn't help but shake his head. "These fellows have no regard for anything," he muttered. "After all, this body is the Heavenly Court's dignity... Who on earth piloted this body to the ancestral land... Wait! That palace maid just now seemed off! It's impossible for only one palace maid to be attending to the Heavenly Emperor's body!"

His divine consciousness erupted, enveloping the surroundings of the Hall of Nurturing Vitality, meticulously searching for the palace maid's whereabouts.

His divine consciousness was extremely powerful, creating a vast disturbance. Instantly, streams of divine consciousness erupted, coming from afar and colliding with his.

Lightning flashed and thunder roared around the Hall of Nurturing Vitality. The thunder rumbled, shaking the air—clearly an anomaly caused by the collision of several Celestial Venerables' divine consciousnesses!

Celestial Venerable Hong abruptly retracted his divine consciousness and laughed heartily. "Fellow Daoists," he called out, "do you take me for the Grand Emperor? To actually come and test me! The Ten Celestials have always been united. When did we start being so wary and suspicious of our own kind?"

The divine consciousnesses in the air dispersed, and calm returned to the surroundings.

Celestial Venerable Hong frowned slightly. He thought to himself, "Delayed by them like this, that strange palace maid has probably gone far away by now. That palace maid was the one who piloted this body to the ancestral land. So secretive... I'm afraid the ancestral land..."

He hurriedly left the Hall of Nurturing Vitality, rushing to the Heavenly Emperor's birthplace.

When Celestial Venerable Hong arrived there, he saw Celestial Venerable Hao, Celestial Venerable Gong, Celestial Venerable Qiang, Celestial Venerable Yan, and others already there.

Everyone's expression was grave. They looked from afar at the ball of light in the ancestral land, formed by the Grand Dao's purple radiance. A piece of the eggshell was missing.

"Who took it?"

Celestial Venerable Hao said coldly, "Hand it over now, and I will let bygones be bygones!"