Seeking Forgiveness

“Mom, don’t set the electric blanket temperature too high. It’s so hot, it might catch fire.”

The half-asleep creature mumbled as it shifted, snuggling up against the cool wall. Han Shengyao couldn’t understand Lin Qianshuang’s words, but her innocent actions brought a smile to her face.

Shuang’er, she’s just a newborn little demon. How could she have so many worries?

Han Shengyao smiled silently, feeling that her suspicion was a bit abnormal. After adjusting the corner of the blanket that Lin Qianshuang had unintentionally moved, Han Shengyao listened to the peaceful rhythm of her breathing and gradually drifted off to sleep herself.

“Junior sister, wake up. It’s time for breakfast.”

In her dream, Lin Qianshuang was basking in praise from her team leader for her brilliant plan. She was busy sending a WeChat message to her friends, planning a big celebratory dinner. Suddenly, she felt her body dangling in the air and her blood rushing to her head, jolting her awake.

In front of her, an exquisitely beautiful young man’s face loomed upside down.

“Senior Brother Xia?”

As Lin Qianshuang gradually woke up, she recognized the face in front of her and fully regained her senses. She realized that she was still in the world of “The Conquest of the Four Realms” and hadn’t returned to reality.

The favorability interface of the system paused for ten seconds before Lin Qianshuang’s eyes. Underneath the Saint of the Demon Palace’s icon, the pink favorability increased by two notches, reaching 12 percent.

Awakening from her sleepiness, Lin Qianshuang glanced around and saw that Han Shengyao had already left, and she was being held in the air by Xia.

“Junior sister, you can really sleep huh. I called you several times, but you didn’t wake up.”

As Xia set Lin Qianshuang down, she couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly. Her sleep quality had always been good, likely due to her high-pressure job, which caused her to fall into a deep sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Dipping a comb into some water, Xia gently combed through Lin Qianshuang’s soft hair. She then fastened a silver necklace around Lin Qianshuang’s front leg, all the while speaking with great seriousness, “Junior sister, remember to keep your identity jade slip safe. From now on, it symbolizes your status within the Demon Realm. This time, when you go to the main hall of the Demon Palace with your master, don’t wander around or communicate with others indiscriminately. Remember to follow Master’s instructions.”

Curious, Lin Qianshuang examined the silver necklace on her wrist. The pendant depicted a Chongming Bird¹ with elongated wings, and the feathers were delicately painted. Under the soft sunlight, the necklace emitted a shimmering rainbow light.

Xia, too, wore a necklace on his wrist, but unlike Lin Qianshuang’s, his was an inferior iron one, dim and slightly rusty from long-term wear.

Both the demons and devils worshipped the ten ancient divine beasts. For thousands of years, they had been searching for people with the bloodlines of these divine beasts, hoping to obtain the true blood of Phoenix that could help them achieve rapid progress in cultivation. Their ultimate goal was to cultivate the demonic path, overcome tribulations, and ascend to greater heights.

The previous day, Lin Qianshuang had learned about the Phoenix Yang Blood from Han Shengyao, and she had specially asked the system about it. This hidden setting, which had not been described in detail in the text, was now known to her.

Her identity jade slip was engraved with the ancient divine beast Chongming Bird, while Xia’s identity jade slip was made of iron. This indicated that the necklaces worn by demon cultivators in the Demon Realm were connected to their status and position, as Xia had previously mentioned.

After freshening up, Xia led Lin Qianshuang to a side hall in the cave.

Han Shengyao, dressed in a bright red robe, sat at the table, her posture dignified and her movements elegant. She sipped a cup of floral tea in front of her. Her soft eyelashes fluttered slightly as her gaze fixed on the lush peach blossoms outside the carved window. Her delicate profile looked ethereal in the soft light.

As if hearing footsteps, Han Shengyao turned her head and saw the beautiful silver-white creature approaching. There was a slight smile on her lips. “Shuang’er, you’re here.”

Lost in admiration of the scenery and the people in it, Lin Qianshuang felt as though she were immersed in a fairyland. It wasn’t until Han Shengyao spoke that she snapped back to reality and greeted her with a smile. “Good morning, Master.”

Han Shengyao watched, motionless, as the beautiful little silver-white beast hopped onto the stool and took the spoon in a serious manner. The beast’s expression fell upon seeing that it was green vegetable porridge, but after taking a spoonful, its beautiful ice-blue eyes lit up. It picked up the bowl and started drinking in big gulps.

Lin Qianshuang initially found the unappetizing vegetable porridge off-putting, but after tasting it, she became instantly hooked. This was the first time she discovered that vegetable porridge could be so delicious. The vegetables in the porridge were different from what she ate in the real world, possessing a hint of demonic aura that brought her both physical and mental pleasure. The porridge left a lingering savory taste in her mouth.

Han Shengyao’s unwavering gaze made Lin Qianshuang feel a bit uneasy, as if she were being observed closely by a supervisor during a routine inspection at work. She couldn’t escape the feeling of being scrutinized.

Aware of Han Shengyao’s disapproval of her eating habits, Lin Qianshuang unconsciously switched from taking big spoonfuls to taking dainty sips, trying to adapt to her master’s preferences.

“After you’ve finished eating, have a cup of concentrated tea to help you focus your energy. Otherwise, accumulating too much demonic energy will hinder your absorption.”

Han Shengyao poured Lin Qianshuang a cup of fragrant tea and placed it in front of her.

Lin Qianshuang wiped her mouth with a nearby cloth, accepted the porcelain cup handed to her, and raised her head. “Master, you were planning to take me to the Demon Palace this morning. Is it because Bai Wan caused trouble for you last night?”

“There’s no point in staying here. Even if we don’t go, Bai Wan will come looking for trouble. So we might as well go to the Demon Palace first to meet the Demon Emperor.”

Han Shengyao took a sip from her porcelain cup, her gaze shifting lazily from Lin Qianshuang back to her own thoughts. “I’m taking you to the Demon Palace this time to apologize. You hurt Bai Wan, and you’re also my personal disciple. It’s not good for either of us if she finds a way to hold it against us. Bai Wan is narrow-minded, and once she finds your trace, she won’t let you off lightly. It’s better to strike first and seek forgiveness from the Demon Emperor. That way, she’ll have less leverage against us.”

Lin Qianshuang felt a warm surge in her heart at Han Shengyao’s thoughtfulness. She had almost forgotten about the incident with Bai Wan, but Han Shengyao hadn’t, and she personally took Lin Qianshuang to the Demon Palace to make amends, fearing that Bai Wan would hold a grudge against her.

The original text depicted Han Shengyao as a terrible master. However, as Lin Qianshuang had just discovered, when she put her mind to it, she was caring and meticulous.

In the Wuji Hall located in the ninth level of the Demon Palace, Bai Wan sat opposite the Demon Emperor as they were served meals. They had indulged in an impromptu romp the night before, their bodies still feeling satisfied and their moods upbeat.

“Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, the Holy Maiden has requested an audience. She said she has something important to report to you.”

A servant entered the hall and knelt down on one knee to deliver the message.

Upon hearing the title “Holy Maiden,” the Demon Emperor felt a twinge of annoyance. He knew that this would entail a bout of busy affairs. “Tell her to wait in the front hall. I will come over shortly.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The servant turned around and left after receiving the Demon Emperor’s response.

As Bai Wan enjoyed her nourishing chicken soup, she was puzzled by the news of Han Shengyao’s request for an audience. She had been confident in her plan to drug Han Shengyao during her promotion the previous night. Even if Han Shengyao was extremely capable and managed to kill all of Bai Wan’s men while uncovering her scheme, it would still create chaos within the Demon Palace. The Demon Emperor would surely place the blame on Bai Wan, and it would be much easier to expel her from the palace.

However, upon hearing the servant’s report, Bai Wan couldn’t help but feel confused for the first time. She began doubting her previous certainty. Han Shengyao came to the Demon Palace so early in the morning, which indicated that the plan had not succeeded. As Bai Wan and the Demon Emperor entered the main hall arm in arm, Han Shengyao knelt on the ground, holding a beautiful silver-white cub. There was a purer demonic energy enveloping her, and her cultivation level had also greatly improved.

Impossible. Han Shengyao’s cultivation level not only didn’t drop, but had actually reached the level of Demon Lord.

The other party’s aura completely suppressed Bai Wan, who felt a discrepancy in their respective cultivation levels. A tinge of jealousy flickered in her eyes.

Bai Wan looked at Han Shengyao in disbelief. The beautiful young cub in her arms also caught her attention. It was the same one that had scratched her cheek before. Although the scar had faded, the burning pain remained.

As Bai Wan’s eyes bore into Lin Qianshuang in Han Shengyao’s arms, her emotions were well-hidden behind her shimmering gaze. She shrank into the Demon Emperor’s embrace as if she were frightened, trembling as she nuzzled his solid chest. Her voice trembled as she pretended to be afraid, “Isn’t this the young beast that clawed me last time, Sister Shengyao? Ah Heng, I’m so scared. This beast is fierce. If it attacks me again while I’m unprepared, what will happen to the child in my belly?”

Bai Wan’s words caused tears to well up, and she wiped them away as she protected her abdomen weakly with her hand. She gave Han Shengyao a resentful glance and said sorrowfully, “I don’t want to experience the pain of losing a child of mine again.”

The Demon Emperor consoled Bai Wan and his gaze shifted from Han Shengyao’s cold and charming face to the beautiful silver-white cub in her arms. His voice turned indifferent and cold as he said, “Holy Maiden, you’ve come in haste. What brings you here? If you’ve brought this cub to apologize to my beloved concubine, you may leave it behind.”

“I’ve come to apologize on behalf of my rebellious disciple. Shuang’er is my personal disciple and she made a mistake by offending Your Majesty’s beloved concubine. I ask for Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

Han Shengyao put Lin Qianshuang down and pressed her head to the ground, gazing at the Demon Emperor from that angle. He turned calm and composed, clearly in a better mood than before.

“Have you accepted a “disciple”, or a direct disciple? Holy Maiden, this is not your usual style.”

The Demon Emperor’s hand lightly brushed against the carvings on the throne as his eyes darkened. His gaze swept over Lin Qianshuang’s body, then lifted his chin and said, “Bring your disciple forward. I want to have a good look at the kind of creature that has caught your eye.”