Chapter 748: South Emperor

Although Kaihuang was an ancient ancestor, Qin Mu had only truly come to know him in the past few days. Yet, in this short time, he could already discern Kaihuang's true character.

If he was willing to risk his life for someone he had known for just over a month, someone who had even consistently opposed him, how much more would he do for subordinates who had followed him for two millennia? And what about the common folk?

Such a man would never hide away in Wuyou Township, lost in selfish pleasure.

This was simply his nature.

It wasn't about rationality, political maneuvering, or personal gain; it was simply a matter of his character.

Kaihuang earned the people's devotion precisely because of his character.

This charisma was why he became Kaihuang.

“If you haven't hidden in Wuyou Township, then you…”

Qin Mu fell silent, using his Creation Skill to heal himself. The pressure from the female ancient god's projection had still injured him. Although the divine arts and spells of this era were incredibly rudimentary, the sheer disparity in power was something even powerful abilities couldn't overcome.

In Yaochi, demigods surged towards them in vast numbers. Kaihuang frowned; there were simply too many.

He held the injured Qin Mu, who was barely clinging to life. This left Kaihuang unable to free his hands to fight the demigods.

“Just carry me on your back,” Qin Mu said, his voice weak.

Kaihuang hoisted him onto his back. Qin Mu's hands had now recovered, allowing him to clasp Kaihuang's shoulders. With his hands free, Kaihuang's divine arts were unleashed with incredible speed; countless miniature spells erupted from his layered hand gestures.

To him, these demigods were riddled with weaknesses. Wherever there was an opening, they could be struck down.

However, more and more demigods surged forward, appearing from the sky, beneath the sea, on its surface, and all around them.

Kaihuang had not cultivated the 'Three Heads and Six Arms' technique, and even he found himself overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the assault.

“Your sword, let me borrow it!” Kaihuang’s brow furrowed with cold sweat, as their advance grew increasingly difficult. He suddenly spoke.

Qin Mu, who had replaced most of his shattered bones and was in the process of growing new ones, immediately responded, “How many swords do you need?”

“One is enough!”

Qin Mu's thoughts stirred. The Wuyou Sword flew out from his Taotie Bag, landing in Kaihuang's hand.

Holding the sword, Kaihuang paused, then praised, “This sword of yours is incredible! When I hold it, it feels like an extension of my own body, giving me a sense of wielding it with perfect ease. What a magnificent sword! I must forge one like it someday!”

He advanced, the Wuyou Sword in his hand emitting a crisp hum. The sword seemed to be excited, trembling, and even crying.

Even Qin Mu had never unleashed the full might of the Wuyou Sword. Yet now, in Kaihuang’s grasp, it erupted with ever-increasing power!

Kaihuang’s swordsmanship was incredibly profound; he was indeed a master who had attained the Dao through the sword. The Wuyou Sword's power surged wildly. Beams of sword light crisscrossed the sky like lightning, transforming the area above Yaochi into an instantaneous night. The sweeping sword light, however, tore through this darkness like pure white streaks.

In the sky, within the sea, and upon its surface, blood bloomed like vibrant red flowers.

With a single sword in hand, Kaihuang proved unstoppable!

Qin Mu watched the scene, utterly captivated.

The Wuyou Sword had originally been Kaihuang's. In Qin Mu's hands, it was merely a sharp weapon for striking down foes. Yet, in Kaihuang's grip, it seemed to awaken, transforming Kaihuang into a figure of unparalleled grace and power!

Suddenly, an earth-shattering roar sounded. Qin Mu turned to see Niu Sanduo utterly shatter the female ancient god's projection!

The old bull leaped, landing before Kaihuang the next instant. He let out a mighty roar, like a resonating bell, causing the sea to churn. The hurricane unleashed by his bellow swept away the ancient gods, making them lose their footing and tumble in every direction.

The old bull shrunk his body, his face anxious. He spoke in a deep voice, “We’ve stirred up a huge mess. The ancient gods are already flying in. I can’t hold them off, definitely not!”

Qin Mu exhaled slowly, then said, “There's still a way out. Don't move; I’ll cast a spell!”

The two remained still. Qin Mu's upper body had fully recovered, and he immediately channeled his vital qi. Countless runes swirled around the three of them, intertwining and accelerating their rotation.

In the distance, within the various Heavenly Palaces, ancient deities were rushing towards them.

The Great Sun Star Lord, flapping his wings with unmatched speed, shouted from afar, “It's you again, Jinwu General Niu Ben! You previously caused trouble and wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Court, and even after His Majesty granted you an official post, you weren't satisfied! Let's see how you escape this time. The God-Slaying Platform has yet to taste blood; perhaps you'd like to be its first offering!”

He streaked through the air, swiftly closing in, his three sharp claws reaching downwards. Fire flared across the sky. But at that very moment, with a flash of light, a teleportation spell activated, and Qin Mu, Kaihuang, and Niu Sanduo vanished without a trace.

The Great Sun Star Lord's three claws clutched at empty air. He swiftly flapped his wings and rose from the sea, his vast span covering a hundred li of sky above the ocean. Two beams of white light shot from his eyes, illuminating every direction as he searched for Qin Mu and the others.

More ancient gods arrived, shouting, “Star Lord, where have those rebellious traitors gone?”

“Those three possess a secret art; they somehow escaped!”

The Great Sun Star Lord ordered, “Have the Star Gods and Star Lords of the All-Heavens Constellation Division cast a celestial net to envelop Yaochi, leaving them nowhere to escape!”

The stars, previously invisible, now suddenly blazed forth. Countless constellations grew larger and larger, forming a celestial river. Within this river, stars glittered as the Star Gods and Star Lords each deployed their techniques. Light rained from the sky, interlacing and crisscrossing, effectively sealing off Yaochi.

From these constellations, the heads of colossal ancient gods stretched forth, their faces ancient and imposing. Beams of light descended from the heavens, scouring the surroundings.

After a prolonged and fruitless search, the Great Sun Star Lord, at a loss, asked, “Where are Heavenly Hearing and Earthly Sight? Those three are incredibly audacious and reckless; wherever they've escaped, it surely won't elude their senses!”

A moment later, an ancient god reported, “Generals Heavenly Hearing and Earthly Sight, under His Majesty's orders, are tracking the whereabouts of those who murdered Imperial Heavenly Venerable. They have already descended to the lower realm.”

The Great Sun Star Lord's eyes widened in disbelief: “They've gone to the lower realm to search? Why are those two not searching for the culprits here in Yaochi, but instead running off to the lower realm? What experts capable of assassinating Imperial Heavenly Venerable could possibly be found there? Besides demigods, who else would have such ability? Could it be demigods…?”

He suddenly stopped talking, coughed twice, and said, “Jinwu General Niu Ben has twice caused a major disturbance in Yaochi, and even attempted to assassinate Heavenly Venerable Hao. I will report this to the Heavenly Emperor! I'll go to the Lingxiao Palace first. You all wait here and continue searching. Make sure you dig that fellow out.”

He departed in haste.

Meanwhile, with a flash of light, Qin Mu, Kaihuang, and Niu Sanduo materialized within an exceptionally grand hall. Qin Mu began to cough repeatedly, but fearing he might alarm anyone, he quickly suppressed it, his face turning crimson from the effort.

“Where are we?” the old bull and Kaihuang asked, each adopting a defensive posture as they cautiously surveyed their surroundings.

They observed that the grand hall was entirely vermilion. Its pillars, floor, walls, and ceiling were all red, as were the curtains and screens.

The walls were carved with divine Vermilion Birds, and the floor bore various unique Vermilion Bird patterns. Flying Vermilion Birds were also embroidered on the screens and curtains.

Scenes depicted Vermilion Birds devouring demonic insects and battling divine dragons.

“This is the Vermilion Bird Palace,”

Qin Mu exhaled slowly, then said, “This is Zhu Queer’s residence. We know her, so we can take refuge here for a few days.”

The old bull visibly relaxed, then chuckled, “Is this the Zhu Queer who shares a name with the Southern Emperor Vermilion Bird? That lady is pretty, but quite audacious, daring to use the Southern Emperor's name without fear of shortening her lifespan.”

Kaihuang’s expression grew strange. He stared at a mural on the wall for a long moment, then suddenly asked, “Is the woman in this painting Zhu Queer?”

The old bull stepped closer and, seeing the woman named Zhu Queer depicted in the mural, chuckled, “Yes, that’s her. What an incredibly daring woman.”

Kaihuang’s expression became even more peculiar. He reminded him, “Senior Niu Ben, she attended banquets with Earth Count and Heaven Duke, and her status isn't inferior to theirs.”

The old bull looked at the mural. It depicted a banquet scene where Earth Count and Heaven Duke were present, seated prominently on high thrones. And the woman, Zhu Queer, was also seated right beside them!

“You mean…?” the old bull probed tentatively.

Kaihuang sighed. “She *is* the Southern Emperor. We’ve trespassed into the Southern Emperor’s palace; we’ve walked straight into a trap. And this place…”

He glanced at the curtain, behind which lay a vermilion jade couch. Shaped like a bird’s nest, it blazed with sacred flames.

Veins pulsed on Kaihuang’s forehead as he muttered, “And this is the Southern Emperor’s private chambers. I think we should start considering how we're going to die…”

The old bull shivered several times, then looked hopefully at Qin Mu. “You have a way, don’t you? You always do…”

Qin Mu was about to speak when he suddenly heard voices from outside. Zhu Queer’s voice reached their ears, and she laughed, “This Heavenly Court grand assembly was truly full of twists and turns. It was nominally held to establish the Heavenly Court's name, but in reality, it was just those old fogies squabbling over their respective interests. Earth Count and Heaven Duke were brave enough not to divide the interests of Youdu and Xuandu, while the demigod leaders were also clamoring for more benefits. As for the Heavenly Court's name, that became a minor concern…”

“Your Ladyship, you were in the Heavenly Court, unaware of how lively things were in Yaochi.”

“Your Ladyship, Yaochi was nearly destroyed by the chaos. First, Heavenly Venerable Mu and Heavenly Venerable Qin fought, then Niu Ben caused a massive disturbance. After that, Imperial Heavenly Venerable was assassinated, then revived and fought against the demigods and Heavenly Venerable Hao. Even the Empress’s sister projected herself down, only to be shattered by Jinwu General Niu Ben…”

“It was *that* eventful? I shouldn't have attended the Heavenly Court assembly; I should have stayed here to watch the spectacle!”

“It’s even livelier now; all the All-Heavens Constellation Gods have come out.”

The women’s voices drew closer as they recounted the events of the Yaochi assembly. Zhu Queer then said, “I’m a bit tired and need to rest. You may all leave.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship.”

The many maidservants departed.

Footsteps echoed, and a woman in a magnificent red robe entered the hall, chuckling, “How audacious of you to dare hide in my palace. Do you truly believe I lack the means to apprehend you…?”

“Sister!”

Qin Mu limped out, his appearance shifting back to his original face. He bowed and said, “Your younger brother has come seeking refuge. I beg you, Sister, to shelter me!”

Zhu Queer gasped in surprise. “You are… the newly appointed Heavenly Venerable Mu? No, you're clearly the younger brother I recognized on the Heavenly River. Why did you have Imperial Heavenly Venerable's face just now?”

Kaihuang glanced at Qin Mu, slightly stunned. Qin Mu's current face was not Mu Qing’s, but a different, younger, somewhat boyish one.

“His face… it looks familiar…”

Kaihuang looked puzzled. “He… resembles me a little.”

Revealing his true face, Qin Mu said with a strained voice, “Imperial Heavenly Venerable is dead. Heavenly Venerable Hao and Yin Chaojin are the culprits. I assumed Imperial Heavenly Venerable’s likeness to avenge him. Now, I’ve offended Heavenly Venerable Hao’s mother and have no choice but to seek refuge with you, Sister.”

Zhu Queer suddenly burst into laughter, flames flickering around her. “You offended that little hussy? You're doomed! All of you are doomed! But don't worry, she wouldn't dare come here. You can hide with me for a few days, and then I’ll send you back to the lower realm.”

She suddenly grew excited, a mischievous grin on her face. “Heavenly Venerable Hao’s mother is the Empress’s sister. You probably don’t know Heavenly Venerable Hao’s true origins, do you? The Empress and her sister were conjoined twins, identical in appearance. The Heavenly Emperor married the older sister and wanted to marry the younger one too, but the Empress refused. Guess what happened next?”

Kaihuang’s expression was peculiar. He thought to himself, “The Southern Emperor isn't quite what I imagined. Why is she so interested in the Heavenly Emperor's private affairs?”

Qin Mu, while healing, asked curiously, “Sister, what happened next?”

Kaihuang’s expression grew even stranger. “This Mu Qing is quite curious too!”

Next to them, the old bull’s ears stretched out, clearly just as curious.

“Later,” Zhu Queer continued, “Imperial Heavenly Venerable opened the Spirit Embryo Divine Treasure, allowing mortals to cultivate. The Heavenly Emperor then declared that since ancient god descendants couldn’t cultivate, they might be oppressed by humans in the future. So, he proposed, ‘Let’s find a solution: create a half-god, half-human being to forge a path for the demigods.’ This half-god, half-human was later known as Heavenly Venerable Hao.”

Zhu Queer smiled. “And the one who bore this demigod was none other than the Empress’s sister. Now, guess who Heavenly Venerable Hao’s biological father is?”

Qin Mu’s eyes gleamed. He urged, “Sister, hurry and tell me! I’m bursting with anticipation!”

Zhu Queer’s voice was light and cheerful as she laughed, “The Heavenly Emperor reincarnated, choosing to be reborn as a human. And at last, his wish came true: he was able to passionately love and be intimate with the beautiful woman.”