Chapter 927: The Plague God Arrives

In the Jade Pool, new palace maids replaced the old ones. These new maids were even more diligent and attentive, surpassing Yan'er in their service. They always had smiling faces, delicate figures, and were remarkably industrious, ready to fulfill any request.

Qin Mu understood that their meticulousness stemmed from witnessing the deaths of the previous maids and fearing for their own lives. However, he was currently powerless to change the Celestial Heavens.

Despite the shocking events of the previous night, the Celestial Heavens remained outwardly calm and serene. Although the incident had caused a massive disturbance, no one within the Celestial Heavens discussed it, as if nothing had happened.

The Jade Pool incident had created too much commotion to be completely concealed; people remained silent simply because they dared not speak.

Nevertheless, perceptive individuals within the Celestial Heavens could discern the true state of affairs.

The Celestial Heavens appeared impregnable, yet the Jade Pool incident of the previous night revealed that this massive entity was already riddled with weaknesses, constantly on the verge of fracturing.

Mu Tianzun's arrival merely accelerated this fragmentation, transforming previously hidden conflicts into sharp, irreconcilable antagonisms.

Most attention remained fixed on the Jade Pool incident, which was the first major event triggered by Mu Tianzun's arrival in the Celestial Heavens. Yet, his very first action had fractured the Celestial Heavens!

The Jade Pool incident of the previous night marked the first eruption of the Celestial Heavens' hidden undercurrents.

Where there was a first, there would be a second, and a third. The internal conflicts within the Celestial Heavens would intensify, eventually spiraling out of control.

The Jade Pool remained quiet until two days later, when the Yun family's Great Ancestress led the Yun family widows to the Jade Pool, stating they had come to visit Yun Jianli.

This Great Ancestress was Yun Tianzun's beloved wife and the Empress of the Xiaohan Celestial Heavens during the Dragon Han era. After the Xiaohan Celestial Heavens were defeated, with some dying, some surrendering, and some fleeing, only this Great Ancestress from Yun Tianzun's lineage managed to escape, pregnant with a son at the time.

Due to Yun Tianzun's esteemed status, the Dragon Han Celestial Heavens did not harass her. The Heavenly Emperor brought the mother and son to the Celestial Heavens, established the Yun Residence for them, and bestowed upon the Great Ancestress the title of Madam Yunxiao.

However, the Yun family's bloodline curse emerged, causing generations of eldest Yun sons to die suddenly upon reaching adulthood, leaving behind a household full of widows.

Although many widows remarried, a significant number remained, resulting in the Yun Residence being primarily inhabited by strong-willed women who were fiercely protective of their own. Consequently, no one dared to easily provoke the men of the Yun family.

Accompanying Madam Yunxiao and her entourage was the Celestial Heavens' historian, who recorded the meeting. Mu Tianzun personally received Madam Yunxiao, and they held cordial talks in the Winding Corridor Pavilion, engaging in friendly exchanges and sharing their views on the current flourishing and prosperous era of the Celestial Heavens.

In reality, however, Madam Yunxiao arrived in a formidable manner, leading her group to demand accountability. She immediately intended to seize Yun Jianli and take him back for confinement, and also reprimanded Mu Tianzun for putting Yun Jianli in danger. Yun Jianli's wife even made a move against Qin Mu, intending to give this Mu Tianzun a thorough beating as a warning.

This was what the historian referred to as a "cordial talk" and "friendly exchange."

The historian, plagued by a headache from the women's clamor, was then invited by Qi Jiuyi for drinks, so he actually didn't record much of what transpired.

Upon learning that Qin Mu had completely lifted the Yun family's ancestral bloodline curse, these formidable women instantly turned from anger to joy, repeatedly apologizing to him.

As for the exchange of views on the Celestial Heavens' prosperous era, it involved Qin Mu inquiring about the major powers within the Celestial Heavens from Madam Yunxiao. The Yun family's elderly and young widows chattered animatedly, spilling all sorts of details, big and small, about the various palaces and halls of the Celestial Heavens, even recounting old, trivial matters.

The Celestial Heavens' historian, thoroughly inebriated by Qi Jiuyi and Dragon Qilin, could only record the events using euphemistic language.

Madam Yunxiao then led the Yun family's grandmothers and great-grandmothers back to the Yun Residence en masse, bringing Yun Jianli's son with them. Qin Mu removed the bloodline curse from the little boy, filling the entire Yun family with joy.

However, this time, the Creator hidden within the Celestial Heavens did not appear.

"Mu Tianzun," Madam Yunxiao said, "my husband had always wished to see you again."

Madam Yunxiao appeared quite young, though she deliberately dressed to look older, wearing a phoenix-tail golden crown, leaning on a dragon-head walking stick, and with her temple hair dyed white to appear as elderly as possible. She cast a glance at the other women, and the Yun family widows, understanding her unspoken cue, immediately surrounded the historian, preventing him from moving.

The historian wanted to step forward and listen to what Madam Yunxiao and Qin Mu were saying, but he was trapped by the Yun Residence widows, unable to extricate himself, and secretly felt anxious.

As Madam Yunxiao and Qin Mu walked and talked, she said, "My husband spent his entire life waiting for Mu Tianzun to reappear. He often spoke of establishing guidelines for the Heavenly Alliance: 'Do not be too kind to the wicked, and do not be too harsh to the righteous.' He believed one should be kinder to the good and harsher to the bad. However, he admitted he failed to achieve this. Before his death, he realized that the Heavenly Alliance had become 'too kind to the wicked and too harsh to the righteous.'"

Qin Mu looked down at the path, then raised his head again, saying, "Though this statement is simple, it is incredibly difficult to live by. People are always too harsh on the good and too tolerant of the wicked."

"He actually left something for me to deliver to you," Madam Yunxiao continued.

Madam Yunxiao explained, "However, at the time, I was pregnant and escaped the Xiaohan Celestial Heavens with great difficulty, barely able to ensure my own survival. Even if I had lived, I wouldn't have been able to keep that item safe. So, I entrusted it to Dao Ancestor; he was my husband's closest friend, and it would be safest in his keeping."

"Dao Ancestor?" Qin Mu paused, confused.

"Sister-in-law, you gave that item to Dao Ancestor?" he asked, puzzled. "Then, what exactly did Yun Tianzun leave behind?"

"It was a box," Madam Yunxiao replied. "I don't know what was specifically inside; I never opened it."

Qin Mu nodded gently. "Yun Tianzun was profoundly wise and resourceful; I am far inferior to him. Whatever he left behind must hold deep significance. It's a pity that when I visited the Dragon Han Celestial Heavens back then, I was rushed and couldn't speak with him in detail. Who would have thought that departure would be a permanent farewell?"

Madam Yunxiao then said, "Jianli just told me he intends to go down to the lower realm, and I don't agree. It's far too dangerous; it's utter nonsense! He's only just been freed from the bloodline curse, and now he wants to go to the lower realm to seek death? Wouldn't that sever the bloodline of my Yun family? Mu Tianzun, you have a good relationship with him; please help me persuade him."

Qin Mu smiled. "Sister-in-law, which do you believe is safer: the Celestial Heavens or the lower realm?"

"Naturally, the Celes—"

Madam Yunxiao paused, then her eyes widened in understanding, and she chuckled. "Accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger, and with ten Heavenly Venerates in the Celestial Heavens, the danger is tenfold. However, the lower realm is also fraught with peril and holds no future. If the Celestial Heavens decides to send down another calamity, he would merely be caught in the crossfire."

Qin Mu cast a glance at her. "Wouldn't overthrowing this Celestial Heavens make it safe? Fledglings must eventually fly from the nest. Moreover, in my opinion, Yun Jianli is no fledgling; his ambitions are considerable. He demonstrated remarkable composure and high-level strategy when interacting with the Empress. In my view, sister-in-law, you no longer need to restrain him."

"You know that Yun Chuxiu is the Empress?"

Madam Yunxiao's scalp tingled. She suddenly bowed gracefully, sighing, "I truly do not want Yun Jianli to tread the same path as his ancestors. The Yun family has finally been blessed with a child who can live a long life. However, Heavenly Venerate is the benefactor of the Yun family, so I entrust Jianli's life to you, our great benefactor!"

Qin Mu hastily returned the bow. "Sister-in-law, please don't; you humble me too much!"

Both rose to their feet. Qin Mu smiled and said, "Yun Jianli is a truly exceptional talent of this era. After descending to the lower realm, he is bound to soar, achieving far more than you can imagine. Sister-in-law, you needn't worry about him."

Madam Yunxiao replied, "I hope he can revitalize the Yun family and restore our ancestors' great legacy, but I also do not wish for him to lose his life. Mu Tianzun, you men always have all sorts of ideals and ambitions. I truly don't understand these things, but I can only support you silently from behind. Farewell for now."

Qin Mu saw them off.

The women of the Yun family departed, while Yun Jianli and Yun Chuxiu remained in the Jade Pool.

Qin Mu fell into deep thought: "Yun Tianzun left me a box? And it's with Dao Ancestor? Is Dao Ancestor still the unkempt Taoist from the previous Jade Pool Grand Assembly? Is he still Yun Tianzun's Taoist friend? Has he become lost in the power and luxury of the Celestial Heavens?"

After long deliberation, he finally made up his mind.

He had to go and see this unkempt old Taoist, no matter what!

"However, going directly to the Celestial Heavens' Dao Sect to meet Dao Ancestor would leave too obvious a trail and could easily bring trouble to Dao Ancestor," Qin Mu mused. After a moment's consideration, his plan was set.

"After the Jade Pool incident, you still dare to go out? Aren't you afraid of being beaten to death?" Qi Jiuyi asked, clearly displeased.

Qi Jiuyi was very unhappy and angrily rebuked Qin Mu, shouting, "If you want to go out, go by yourself! I, Second Brother, and Sister Yan'er are all staying here. We'll watch you go to your death alone!"

Dragon Qilin walked up behind Qin Mu, and Yan'er, transformed into a plump little bird, perched on Dragon Qilin's forehead, looking back at Qi Jiuyi.

Qi Jiuyi became furious, stomping over with a grim expression, not saying a word.

Yun Jianli watched him curiously, thinking, "Is Qi Jiuyi not the Heavenly Venerate's attendant? How dare he speak to the Heavenly Venerate in such a manner?"

He, however, was unaware that Qi Jiuyi and Qin Mu had always had a strained relationship, and the fact that they weren't physically fighting was already showing great deference to Dragon Qilin as the "Second Brother."

Yun Chuxiu said softly, "Brother Jiu, it's good to go out for a stroll. Although the Jade Pool's scenery is beautiful, one can tire of it after seeing it too much. Brother Jiu, please accompany me to explore around."

At her soft call of "Brother Jiu," Qi Jiuyi felt his bones melt and his spirit soar, a sweet feeling blooming in his heart. "This demoness is truly formidable," he thought. "My Dao heart... who cares about my Dao heart!"

Yun Jianli followed them, asking, "Heavenly Venerate, where do you plan to go?"

Qin Mu's eyes gleamed, and he chuckled. "After the Jade Pool incident, so many powerful figures came to 'visit' me. If I don't return their visits, wouldn't people say I lack proper etiquette?"

Yun Jianli was startled, and even Qi Jiuyi and Yan'er couldn't help but shiver. Qin Mu actually intended to visit those who had tried to assassinate him—what incredible audacity!

"Among the powerful individuals who attacked the Jade Pool that night, who was geographically closest to it?" Qin Mu asked.

Yun Jianli and Qi Jiuyi exchanged glances but remained silent. Yun Chuxiu quickly interjected, "I know, I know! The closest one to the Jade Pool is the Langxuan Divine Palace of Heavenly Venerate Lang, Divine Emperor Langxuan! Divine Emperor Langxuan has disciples everywhere, and his Langxuan Divine Palace is also a major stronghold in the Celestial Heavens, truly magnificent!"

Qi Jiuyi's expression drastically changed, and he quickly said, "We cannot go to Langxuan Divine Palace..."

"Brother Jiu..." Yun Chuxiu looked at him, blinking her dark, sparkling eyes, which appeared on the verge of tears.

Qi Jiuyi's mind went blank, and he unconsciously mumbled, "Then let's go to Langxuan Divine Palace."

Shortly after leaving the Jade Pool, they arrived at Sky Street. The Celestial Heavens' market was extremely bustling, forming a part of the Heavenly Market. Although the Celestial Heavens stood high above, even divine beings could not be entirely self-sufficient and needed to support their families, making the market exceptionally important.

Many of those passing through Sky Street were demigods of various races, with a smaller number of humans also present.

The street was very spacious, bustling with traffic, and business was thriving. However, the moment Qin Mu and his companions arrived, the throng of people seemed to freeze in time, stopping dead in their tracks and turning to stare.

The next instant, a cacophony of sounds erupted—wheels rolled, horses neighed, and streaks of divine light shot off in all directions. Sky Street was instantly deserted, not a single soul remaining on the entire thoroughfare!

Qin Mu scanned both sides of Sky Street in surprise, noting that all the celestial shops had also closed their doors and tightly sealed their entrances.

One short, stout divine being, who had moved too slowly, was trapped outside a shop. He was desperately pounding on the shop door, crying out lamentably.

Qin Mu walked closer, asking with concern, "Brother..."

"Save me!"

Upon seeing him approach, the short divine being burst into wailing tears, frantically kicking against the shop door, desperate to get inside and hide. "I don't want to die here!" he cried.

Qin Mu was even more surprised when a small section of the door suddenly opened. The short divine being stumbled inside, and the entrance immediately shut again, with all doors and windows securely locked.

"Thank you for saving me!"

The short divine being's voice came from within the shop: "This life-saving grace is like being reborn by new parents; I will never forget it!"

Someone inside scolded, "You divine being, how audacious! You saw the Plague God coming and didn't run, just stood outside crying, nearly getting us all implicated!"

The short divine being responded, "I was scared senseless, my legs turned to jelly, I couldn't run..."

"Shh, be quiet! If someone tries to assassinate this Plague God, everyone on this street will be silenced!"