The Demon Emperor's Throne (3)

The Demon Emperor glanced at the soup before Bai Wan, gesturing for her not to drink it yet. He asked the maid, “What is this soup made of?”

The maid answered respectfully, “This soup is made from magic fly grass, which induces pregnancy, and the souls of mortals. Please be at ease, Your Majesty.”

Ruan Qianmei took a sip of the soup. She clutched her belly and said, “Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, I personally prepared this nourishing soup. Could it possibly harm others? The demon fetus in Sister Bai’s belly is of great importance. How could I have brewed it myself without concern for the demon fetus?”

The Demon Emperor watched as Ruan Qianmei drank the soup, feeling relieved. Bai Wan was the daughter of the previous Demon Emperor. If something happened to the demon fetus, he would find it difficult to explain to the five Hall Masters of Tuogu.

He said to Ruan Qianmei, “I did not suspect you. It’s just that Xiaowan’s demon fetus is about to take shape. You have no ill intentions, but be careful with your diet lest someone else takes advantage of the situation.”

Upon hearing the Demon Emperor’s words, Ruan Qianmei softened her expression and looked at Bai Wan. Then, she shifted her gaze to Lin Qianshuang, her smile charming but her eyes cold. “Thinking that you can gain the favor of the Demon Emperor by offering a dance, I’ll make you all suffer later.”

“Your Majesty, how could you not accept Sister Ruan’s kind intentions? Thank you very much, Sister Ruan.”

Bai Wan swiftly smoothed things over, smiling sweetly at Ruan Qianmei. She then drank the soup in her bowl in one gulp.

Before she could sit down, the bowl in her hand fell to the ground and shattered in two. Her body shook as she clutched her abdomen tightly with both hands. Cold sweat dripped from her forehead, and blood seeped from her feet, staining the ground a shocking crimson.

“Xiaowan!”

The Demon Emperor’s heart ached. He quickly stepped down and held Bai Wan tightly in his arms. The fabric on her abdomen was now soaked with blood.

Bai Wan bit her lower lip in pain, tears streaming from her gentle eyes. She trembled at the Demon Emperor’s voice and said, “Ah Heng, I heard its voice a few days ago and was still thinking about waiting for it to come out and grow up. It seems fate had other plans… Our child, it has left us.”

“Xiaowan, your injuries are severe. Grieve no longer. I will definitely seek justice for you in this matter.”

The Demon Emperor’s heart ached at Bai Wan’s helpless and heartbroken expression. He commanded the servants to bring forth healing salves, while several hall masters swiftly rose from their seats and gathered around Bai Wan to protect her heart meridian, channeling spiritual energy to mend her wounds.

A flicker of frustration ignited within the Demon Emperor’s heart. This marked the second time he had failed to safeguard the demon fetus in Bai Wan’s womb, and the culprit had acted right under his nose, leaving him powerless.

He summoned his demonic energy to sweep the soup off Ruan Qianmei’s table and accused her in a fit of rage, “You prepared this soup. After Xiaowan consumed it, she lost the demon fetus. Ruan Qianmei! You now bear a demon fetus yourself. Can you not exercise empathy? How could you commit such a malicious act?”

In response, Ruan Qianmei rose from her seat and knelt upon the ground, pleading, “Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, I assure you that there is no irregularity in my concoctions or my own physical condition. I have personally ingested the soup and it has had no adverse effects on my demon fetus.”

Right Protector Su Qing retrieved the shattered bowl and reported to the Demon Emperor, “Your Majesty, this soup was indeed concocted from the magic fly grass used to induce pregnancy. I’m afraid that there is something else that might have harmed the demon fetus of Miss Bai Wan.”

Bai Wan sucked the demonic energy from the five hall masters into the demon’s heart and said to the Demon Emperor with tearful eyes, “If it weren’t for Sister Ruan, who would have harmed my child?”

The Demon Emperor thought of the dance performance between Bai Wan and Lin Qianshuang. The distance between the two seemed unusual, and he looked at Lin Qianshuang with suspicion and speculation.

Bai Wan had obviously also thought of it. She looked at Lin Qianshuang sitting on the seat, pointed at the tip of Lin Qianshuang’s nose, gritted her teeth and said: “If it’s not Ruan Qianmei, then it must be this bitch. She must have done something during that dance performance just now! She really didn’t have good intentions when she asked me to join her in the dance.”

The petals were blown by the wind on the ground and stopped at Su Qing’s feet.

Su Qing twisted a petal of flower and leaf, and a strange fragrance wafted over. He smelled it, then squatted down to carefully examine the ground. There was a layer of imperceptible fragrant powder lying flat on top.

The aroma that does not belong to the peach petals comes from the fragrant powder on the ground.

He walked up to the Demon Emperor, handed the peach petal to the Demon Emperor and said, “Your Majesty, I have found a Heavenly Fragrance Powder on the ground that will stimulate the demon fetus. If this peach petal is mixed with the heavenly fragrance powder, it will produce a demonic fragrance that promotes the overflow of demonic qi and blood. Once inhaled, the condensed demonic energy of the demon fetus will dissipate and turn into blood, but it is harmless to the body.”

After listening to Su Qing’s words, the Demon Emperor looked at Lin Qianshuang with unpredictable eyes and said, “Left Protector, when you offered your dance, you led the flowers into the palace. Did you arrange for the Heavenly Fragrance Powder today?”

Ruan Qianmei lowered her head, listening to the Demon Emperor’s interrogation of Lin Qianshuang. She smiled inwardly. Initially, she had planned to kill Lin Qianshuang and shift the blame onto her. With no witness to contradict her, it would have been perfect. However, this person stubbornly remained alive, though it seemed she wouldn’t last much longer. Committing suicide by poisoning to evade punishment seemed a more legitimate outcome.

Lin Qianshuang rose from her seat, her demeanor composed. She ignored Ruan Qianmei’s gloating expression and knelt beside her.

With a glance at Bai Wan and the Demon Emperor’s expression, she realized that he too doubted her involvement.

In a clear voice, Lin Qianshuang declared, “Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, I am innocent of this incident. The innocent will be vindicated. This was merely a customary dance performance, and certain individuals seek to stir up trouble and implicate their subordinates. I have never even heard of Heavenly Fragrance Powder, and as a resident of Tianyi Hall, I have no reason to disrupt this peach forest. Such accusations are unfounded.”

Bai Wan, seemingly having calmed down a bit, weakly propped herself up and softly interjected, “On this point, I believe the Left Protector is right. Heavenly Fragrance Powder is originally a blood-activating substance used in the human cultivation world for pleasure. The Left Protector is merely a young demon with limited knowledge, so how could she recognize it? Moreover, Heavenly Fragrance Powder is originally an extra source of pleasure for female demon cultivators when they absorb human Cauldrons. The Left Protector doesn’t keep a Cauldron, so it is indeed strange.”

The Demon Emperor’s gaze shifted from Lin Qianshuang to Ruan Qianmei, his mind already forming a judgment.

Tears glistened in Lin Qianshuang’s eyes, her face etched with sorrow. She clutched the corner of her robe tightly, raised her head, and addressed the Demon Emperor, “After my master’s departure, I have been left alone and helpless, plagued by rumors. I’m not upset. It’s a fact that my master betrayed the Demon Realm. However, a few days ago, my fellow disciples and brothers were used as Cauldrons by Ruan Qianmei. Now, the very person who killed them seeks to frame me.”

She turned her face, her eyes filled with hatred as she glared at Ruan Qianmei. “Ruan Qianmei, you killed my senior brother. Do you deny it?”

Ruan Qianmei replied nonchalantly, “I borrowed several Cauldrons from the saint, with her consent. It is unfortunate that I was mistaken and used your senior brothers as ordinary Cauldrons. If the Left Protector still harbors resentment, I am willing to compensate you with additional Cauldrons at a later date.”

“Sister Ruan, your palace has seen a surge in the number of Cauldrons recently. Given that you are carrying a demon fetus, why do you require so many Cauldrons?”

Bai Wan rose with Su Qing’s support and approached the individual in green standing beside Ruan Qianmei’s seat. She addressed Ruan Qianmei with a saccharine voice, “I’ve often heard whispers within your palace that you share a close bond with a cultivator of the Cauldron tripod. Despite utilizing their essence multiple times, you have spared their life. You even permitted them to cultivate your Cauldron tripod, and that person is this young master in green.”

Ruan Qianmei’s expression hardened as she stood up abruptly, her tone laced with hostility. “Bai Wan, cease your fabrications. This is merely my servant. How could you equate me with such a lowly individual?”

Bai Wan gazed at Ruan Qianmei, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she lifted the chin of the man in green. “Sister Ruan, I merely uttered a casual remark. Why are you so agitated? Moreover, this individual has been cultivated to perfection, making them an ideal supplement. As fate would have it, I have recently lost my demon fetus, and my body requires replenishment. This face is pleasing to the eye, and I cannot bring myself to end its existence. Of course, I intend to savor it slowly.”

Ruan Qianmei’s face darkened, her hand trembling as it caressed her abdomen.

Bai Wan ascended the steps and seductively wrapped her arms around the Demon Emperor’s neck. She gestured towards the man in green, a hint of ruthlessness in her eyes. “Ah Heng, I desire that Cauldron. Our child may be gone, but we must find a worthy substitute. One who has consumed countless Cauldrons must possess potent restorative properties. I demand him as my own.”

Ruan Qianmei’s face grew ashen as she turned towards the man in green. He met her gaze with unwavering determination and affection, shaking his head in silent protest.

The Demon Emperor witnessed the exchange between the two, and comprehension dawned upon him. His expression darkened.

If he still failed to grasp the situation, then the Demon Emperor would be an utter imbecile.

Lin Qianshuang surreptitiously observed Ruan Qianmei and the man in green. It was evident that the Demon Emperor had been cuckolded, and it was likely that the demon fetus within Ruan Qianmei’s womb was not his own.

She clutched the fragment of the Demon Suppressing Bell concealed beneath her sleeve. The magic-suppressing array she had encountered earlier that day was also likely connected to the man in green.

If Ruan Qianmei was indeed engaged in an affair with this green-robed cultivator, then the Heavenly Fragrance Powder that had framed Bai Wan for “aborting her demon fetus” originated from the human cultivation world, which provided an explanation for its existence.

This time, Ruan Qianmei had devised this scheme to target her and Bai Wan, intending to eliminate two obstacles with a single stroke.

By framing her for Bai Wan’s abortion, she would inevitably lose her position as Left Protector. She might not be able to survive long due to the poisoning, but she had sealed off the clues. Bai Wan lost her demon fetus, and her position in the Demon Emperor’s heart would fall, while Ruan Qianmei took the opportunity to rise to prominence.

Unfortunately for them, Bai Wan did not die, and she already knew the truth.

Lin Qianshuang looked at Bai Wan with mixed emotions. The woman in white leaned against the Demon Emperor’s arms, appearing obedient and gentle, but Lin Qianshuang knew that this was all an illusion created by Bai Wan.

Bai Wan seemed to know everything well, even more than the Demon Emperor about the situation in the Demon Realm.

According to the conventions of the novel, such a person could never be a mere passerby or cannon fodder. It was highly likely that she would play a significant supporting role.

Lin Qianshuang carefully recalled the plot of “The Conquest of the Four Realms.” The original Bai Wan had very few appearances, and it was never explained that she was sent by the beast cultivation world. Even her original name was not mentioned.

However, she did not know “Bai Wan’s” real name.

Her eyes flickered. She would ask later, perhaps finding some hidden plotlines from the original work.

Lin Qianshuang thought to herself that when the time came, the fragment of the Demon Suppressing Bell in her hand accidentally pricked her palm. She suddenly realized that it was time for her to add fuel to the fire, completely driving Ruan Qianmei to her death.

The Demon Emperor swept a gloomy gaze between Ruan Qianmei and the man in green, finally settling on Ruan Qianmei. “Beloved, it’s just a Cauldron. Since Xiaowan likes it, why don’t you give it to her?”

Ruan Qianmei stood there silently, her entire body stiff as stone, her expression uncontrollably anxious.

“Qianmei, protect our child.”

The man in green witnessed the Demon Emperor’s growing suspicion and realized that Ruan Qianmei would be implicated if he remained idle.

He secretly conveyed this message to Ruan Qianmei and, feigning a deathly illness, approached Bai Wan and the Demon Emperor. He knelt before them, unsheathed the dagger at his waist, and made a deep cut on his arm. He then extended his arm toward Bai Wan, offering his blood and life essence for her consumption.

“It’s too much of a hassle to suck it this way.”

Bai Wan let out a sigh, rose from the Demon Emperor’s side, and approached the man in green. Her eyes fell upon Ruan Qianmei’s contorted and ashen face, and with a vicious twist, her hand pierced through the man’s chest, extracting his beating heart.

She kicked the man in green down the steps, his head rolling separately. She took his head and placed it on the ground.

The blood-red eyes of the man’s severed head stared directly at Ruan Qianmei at the bottom of the steps, their gaze filled with such intensity that her body trembled with fury, her expression twisted with hatred.

Bai Wan held the human heart before the Demon Emperor with a satisfied expression. She smiled gently and handed it to his mouth, saying, “Ah Heng, this human heart is a delicacy. I cannot savor it alone. Why don’t we share it?”

“Xiaowan, you’re truly mischievous.”

The Demon Emperor gazed at Bai Wan with affection in his eyes. He took a bite of the bloody morsel in his mouth, and a faint smile appeared on his stern face.

Ruan Qianmei witnessed the Demon Emperor and Bai Wan slowly consuming the man in green’s heart, one bite at a time. Her emotions shattered in an instant, and she became frenzied as she ascended the stairs to retrieve the man’s head.

Lin Qianshuang observed the bloody spectacle, recalling how Ruan Qianmei had ruthlessly murdered several senior brothers. A sense of relief washed over her, and Xia beside her couldn’t help but curl his lips in a faint smile.

Upon finishing Ren Xiu’s heart, Bai Wan felt invigorated. Her contented expression turned to horror as she noticed Ruan Qianmei’s actions. She glanced at Ruan Qianmei, feigning fear, and said, “Sister Ruan, what are you doing? It’s merely a Cauldron. Could it be true that, as the rumors suggest, you had something to do with this man in green?”

She glanced at Ruan Qianmei’s belly and said, “Is it possible that the demon fetus in your belly is also that person’s bastard?”

Ruan Qianmei hugged the head of the man in green with great pain, her eyes fiercely looking at Bai Wan, and said, “Bai Wan, you don’t have to pretend anymore. You already know about me and Qingyu. Even if you killed my Qingyu, you won’t have a demon fetus. Let’s let go of each other.”

Bai Wan looked innocently at Ruan Qianmei, but the smile on her lips couldn’t be denied.

She transmitted her voice to Ruan Qianmei, “You’re also right. I indeed no longer have a demon fetus, but this was originally a burden to me.

Because I have never carried a demon fetus.”

Ruan Qianmei was so dismayed that she stared at Bai Wan with those eyes, and following her affectionate line of sight, she saw Lin Qianshuang who was silent at the side. Suddenly, she figured out something, and could not utter a single word. Her entire being was so disheveled that she was dragged down by the two demonic cultivators.

“Right Protector, you are responsible for leading people to bring Ruan Qianmei into the dungeon. As for the wild seed in her belly, I will deal with it later.”

The Demon Emperor was issuing orders to Su Qing, but found that Su Qing was holding the unconscious Lin Qianshuang with an anxious expression.The Demon Emperor was giving orders to Su Qing, but found that Su Qing was holding the unconscious Lin Qianshuang with an anxious expression.

“Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, it seems that the Left Protector has been severely poisoned. Just now, my subordinates sent someone to investigate and found that her sleeping quarters have been attacked by beast cultivators’ spells, and she was also injured by the magic of Penglai Immortal Sect. In her hands, I also found this.”

Su Qing signaled to Xia, who was standing by the side, to hold Lin Qianshang in his arms and handed the fragment of the Demon Suppressing Bell to the Demon Emperor.

The Demon Emperor looked at the fragments of the Demon Suppressing Bell in his hand repeatedly for a while, and then glanced at Lin Qianshuang, whose clothes were stained with blood. A trace of killing intent flashed in his eyes, and he said: “Ruan Qianmei colluded with the people of the Penglai Immortal Sect and also had an unclear relationship with the beast cultivators. This deity originally wanted to spare her life for the sake of the Blood Demon Sect, but now it seems that there is no need, and will send her directly into the river of blood!”

Bai Wan sat next to the Demon Emperor, holding his hand. Her face was relaxed and at ease, while her tone was so sad and resentful that she drew circles on his chest and pampered him, “Ah Heng, how can we let her off so easily after she killed our child, letting her enter the river of blood is a cheap shot for her, why don’t you just let me dispose of her.”

The Demon Emperor recalled that Bai Wan’s miscarriage was due to his inadequate protection, and he felt a pang of guilt. He gently comforted her, “Xiao Wan, do as you wish. Don’t be too sad. In a few days, the Beiyou Sect will present the snow wolf. You love snow wolf fur, so I will have some cold cloaks made for you and send you some snow wolf meat.”

Bai Wan nestled in the Demon Emperor’s arms and kissed him hard on the cheek. “Ah Heng, you’re so kind.”

However, her eyes held no joy, and her gaze had long since shifted to Lin Qianshuang, her heart heavy with concern.

The leader of the Blood Demon Sect at the table saw that Ruan Qianmei had come to a tragic end and intended to help, but she colluded with people to do something that would humiliate the sect, so she immediately changed her mind about saving the person. This was her own fault, and she could not blame others.

Within the Yanbo Hall, Lin Qianshuang sat on her bed, her eyes closed in meditation. She diligently expelled the toxins from her body, one by one. Suddenly, she felt two gentle hands on her back. A surge of pure energy flowed from the palms of the unknown individual, warming her chilled body.

Lin Qianshuang opened her eyes and turned her head. Bai Wan sat behind her, channeling her demonic energy. When she saw that Lin Qianshuang had awakened, she withdrew her hands.

“I heard from Xia that you were bitten by a poisonous snake and you went blind.”

Bai Wan’s hand hovered in front of Lin Qianshuang. Seeing no reaction, she grabbed her hand anxiously and said, “Shuangshuang, where did you get bitten? Let me see.”

“I was bitten on my right arm. I meditated for a while, so I should be fine now.”

Lin Qianshuang reckoned that meditating for another half an hour would eliminate the toxins. Before she could say this, the other party abruptly removed her coat.

Bai Wan anxiously pulled up her sleeve. Upon seeing the wound on her right arm, she promptly lowered her head and gently grazed her lips across the wound, sucking out the toxin along with the blood.

Lin Qianshuang found the ticklish sensation on her arm amusing and wanted to laugh. She gently pushed Bai Wan away, saying, “No need for this. I’ll meditate for a while longer and all the toxins will be gone.”

Bai Wan was pushed away several times, but she still leaned her head against Lin Qianshuang’s arm, her lips pressed against her skin, and she remained motionless for a long time.

Her face, hidden in the shadows, and her dark stone-like eyes turned dangerously red in a moment.

The blood that touched her tongue was so nourishing that she nearly lost control of her desire to drain the person before her like a drug.

How could she not have anticipated that Lin Qianshuang possessed Phoenix Yang Blood, the most potent and deadliest ecstasy tonic for a beast cultivator?

Even though she couldn’t absorb blood, a faint urge stirred within her She desired to intertwine her divine sense with Lin Qianshuang’s within their respective seas of consciousness. The alluring fragrance bestowed by Phoenix Yang Blood, which accelerated cultivation progress, made Lin Qianshuang a rare and top-tier Cauldron in this world. If they were to merge as one in an ethereal, spiritual union, the experience would undoubtedly be exquisite and immensely beneficial to her cultivation.

When the redness in her eyes faded, Bai Wan cursed her bestial nature in her heart and quickly suppressed the tumultuous thoughts in her mind. However, a layer of scarlet still lingered on her face after the demon blood had surged through her veins.

“Why is your face so flushed?”

Lin Qianshuang’s expression was inscrutable as she gazed upon Bai Wan’s rosy cheeks. Her eyes shimmered with a hint of spring water, and her demeanor exuded a bashful charm that would undoubtedly captivate any man.

Bai Wan remained silent, her gaze fixed intently on Lin Qianshuang’s eyes. “Shuangshuang, can you see?” she exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise.

Lin Qianshuang nodded, perplexed by Bai Wan’s sudden excitement. A gust of warm air caressed her ear as a pair of long legs coiled around her waist. Her neck was encircled, and her back was pressed against a scorching body.

She found herself completely enveloped in Bai Wan’s embrace.

“Why are you so warm?”

Lin Qianshuang touched the hand around her neck, startled by the body temperature. Concerned, she turned her head to look at Bai Wan, whose face was abnormally flushed. “Xiaowan, are you feeling unwell?”

As soon as she asked, Lin Qianshuang felt a bit foolish. How could a cultivator fall ill? She had asked a silly question. Bai Wan would definitely mock her.

Sure enough, Bai Wan rubbed her face against Lin Qianshuang’s profile and sneered, “I’m a beast cultivator. Beast cultivators are not as weak as ordinary people. You’re really cute and silly.”

Lin Qianshuang rolled her eyes and pulled Bai Wan’s hand away from her neck, saying, “Okay, I’m really cute and silly, but Miss, can you please let go of me? It’s quite embarrassing.”

“I’m hot, I’m very hot, but you’re cool.”

Bai Wan exhaled hot air and pulled Lin Qianshuang’s hand down to rest on her chest, her eyes hazy as she said, “Maybe I accidentally swallowed the snake venom, which made my beast blood boil. It was you who made me like this, you can’t just ignore me.”

Her fiery tongue licked Lin Qianshuang’s neck, grabbing her hand and sliding it down her waistline. Bai Wan’s face relaxed, her eyes half-closed. Her voice was tinged with grievance as she said, “It’s all your fault for being such a tempting woman. Bad girl, did you already know that if I helped you take drugs, you would look like this, and you deliberately induced me to do this?”

Bai Wan cupped Lin Qianshuang’s cheeks, gazing into her eyes. “Look at the way you treat me. Do you like me? You didn’t reject my advances earlier either. If you want to bend me to your will, just say so. We’re friends, there’s no need to hide it.”

Lin Qianshuang stared at Bai Wan, bewildered. She felt an overwhelming urge to search Baidu¹ for answers.

Please reply ASAP, what should I do if my friend misunderstands me as a lesbian?

Addendum: My friend had a little too much to drink and got a little carried away. She thought I had drugged her drink and was going to take advantage of her. What should I do?

As Lin Qianshuang pondered whether to fetch a basin of cold water, the door opened abruptly. Xia entered, carrying a bowl of soup and medicine. Behind him was a plump man in handcuffs, clad in the disciple uniform of the Penglai Immortal Sect.

The chubby man’s eyes widened with excitement upon seeing Lin Qianshuang. “Senior Sister Lin, have you forgotten me? I’m your cousin, Zheng Mingxia. Uncle Lin never gave up hope that you were alive and has been searching for you relentlessly. Imagine our surprise to find you in the Demon Realm.”

The chubby man glanced at the beauty entwined around Lin Qianshuang, swallowed his saliva, and said, “Senior Sister Lin, are you… engaging in forbidden love in the Demon Realm?”