Volume 1, Chapter 156 – Violence at the Slightest Disagreement

Inside the main hall, the doors closed soundlessly, completely shutting out the commotion and prying eyes outside.

The spirit-jade floor reflected the soft starlight simulated by the dome overhead, while an oppressive atmosphere hung in the air.

Gu Han walked to the cloud couch and turned around, calmly looking at the two Empresses who had followed her inside.

“Fellow Daoists, please take a seat.”

She gestured toward the jade seats on either side of the cloud couch.

Empress Qingxuan’s eyes shifted. Instead of heading for the guest seat, she moved gracefully to the edge of the cloud couch beside Gu Han.

A familiar, lazy smile curved her lips, as though she had done nothing more unusual than sit down in an ordinary chair.

“Little Sister Gu’s cloud couch looks awfully comfortable. I’ll sit here. You don’t mind, do you?”

Before she had even finished speaking, she had already settled herself down.

Her purple skirt spread across the couch like flowing water, almost brushing against the moon-white sleeves of Gu Han’s robes.

They sat so close that each could clearly catch the other’s cool, distinctive scent.

Gu Han’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

She had not expected Empress Qingxuan to be so direct.

Seeing this, Empress Lingshuang, seated to the right, gave a cold snort and likewise moved to sit on the other side of the cloud couch.

The ice-blue palace robes, moon-white dress, and purple gown now stood side by side. The three of them sat together on the cloud couch, which was not particularly spacious to begin with.

The atmosphere instantly became delicate.

Empress Qingxuan acted as though she had not noticed Empress Lingshuang’s actions. If anything, her smile deepened.

She turned slightly and casually rested one hand on the edge of the cloud couch. Her fingertips were less than an inch from Gu Han’s hand, which rested at her side.

“Earlier, when we were outside, there were some things Big Sister couldn’t say.”

Empress Qingxuan lowered her voice, her words carrying a hint of intimacy that only the two of them could understand. Yet her gaze seemed to sweep over Gu Han’s lips.

“Have you been well lately, Little Sister?”

As she spoke, the fingertips of the hand resting on the edge of the couch moved forward ever so slightly.

Rеαⅾ оո ΚаtRеаⅾiոɡСafе

By sheer coincidence, the side of her fingertip lightly brushed the back of Gu Han’s hand.

The touch was faintly cool, carrying an unabashed hint of testing and flirtation.

A subtle shiver instantly passed over the skin on the back of Gu Han’s hand.

She immediately withdrew it and placed it on her lap, her fingers curling slightly.

The movement did not escape Empress Qingxuan’s notice. The smile at the corners of her lips grew increasingly suggestive.

Gu Han forcibly suppressed the strange feeling in her heart, keeping her expression as calm as ever.

“Thank you for your concern, Fellow Daoist Qingxuan. I’ve been well.”

Her voice was clear and bright, without the slightest ripple.

Yet her gaze involuntarily flicked toward Empress Qingxuan’s flawless profile.

Could it be… that she still remembered the slap from back then and had come this time to get even?

The thought made the alarm bells ring faintly in Gu Han’s heart.

【Ding! Detected that Empress Qingxuan has activated the ‘Fingertip Tease’ skill on the Host!】

【Host, Host! Your hand was touched! Your ears are a little red, too! Is your heart beating faster?】

【This System told you long ago that this woman has feelings for you! Look, she even dared to make a move right in front of Empress Lingshuang!】

【But Host, you pulled your hand back awfully fast just now. Could it be that you were resisting only to invite her closer? Tsk tsk, you’re making progress!】

【Current scene rating: Shura Field: Beginner Level. The System recommends that the Host speak cautiously and maintain her elegance.】

The System’s cheerful electronic voice, brimming with teasing, exploded in Gu Han’s mind like a burst of fireworks.

A faint vein throbbed at Gu Han’s temple.

This System really did not care if things got any worse!

“Resisting only to invite her closer”? “Shura Field”?

What did any of that even mean?

Rеαⅾ on КаtReаdіոɡСаfе

“System! Shut up! How dare you tease me?”

Gu Han was utterly speechless.

【Oh my, the Host is shy! The System struck a nerve!】

【But don’t worry, Host. The System’s ‘Shura Field Survival Guide’ is standing by at all times!】

【Would you like the System to provide a paid plan on ‘How to Maintain Your Composure and Escape Successfully When Besieged by Two Empresses’? First-time users get fifty percent off!】

Gu Han: “…”

She decided to ignore this thoroughly unreliable System for the moment.

However, the System’s nonsensical banter strangely helped calm her previously restless thoughts.

At least she wasn’t fighting alone…

Although this “comrade” was somewhat unreliable and far too fond of watching the drama unfold.

Just as Gu Han was “sparring” with the System in her mind, Empress Lingshuang, seated on the other side, took in both Empress Qingxuan’s subtle movement and Gu Han’s immediate withdrawal.

“Qingxuan.”

Empress Lingshuang suddenly spoke, her voice like ice beads striking a jade plate, shattering the delicate atmosphere in the hall.

“This is not your Eastern Region Imperial Palace. Show some restraint.”

Her gaze swept over Empress Qingxuan’s “restless” hand before finally settling on Gu Han’s seemingly calm profile.

“Fellow Daoist Gu is cold by nature and dislikes such frivolous behavior.”

Her words were blunt, carrying an unmistakable note of reproach.

Upon hearing this, Empress Qingxuan was not angered in the slightest. Instead, she let out a soft laugh.

She withdrew her hand, her eyes shifting as she looked at Empress Lingshuang, her tone filled with undisguised mockery.

“Frivolous? Lingshuang, when did you become so old-fashioned?”

“Little Sister Gu and I simply hit it off. What’s wrong with being a little close? Could it be…”

She drew out the final syllable, a flash of sly provocation appearing in her eyes.

Rеаd οո КatRеаdіոɡСаfе

“Are you envious? Or… jealous?”

“You…”

Empress Lingshuang’s aura faltered, and a terrifying chill erupted from her body!

The temperature inside the main hall plummeted. The floor, the jade seats, and even the air began to crystallize with fine ice.

“Would I envy you? What a joke!”

She abruptly rose to her feet. Her ice-blue palace robes stirred without any wind, while the illusory image of the Frostheaven Sword faintly emerged behind her, its ringing keen and clear.

“Qingxuan, do you dare to go outside and fight me?!”

Faced with Empress Lingshuang’s sudden burst of battle intent and pressure, Empress Qingxuan remained lazily seated where she was. She even raised a hand to casually smooth the hair beside her ear.

The smile at her lips did not change, but her eyes suddenly turned cold. Behind her, the illusory image of a great sun appeared once more.

“Then let’s fight. Do you think I’m afraid of you?”

The auras of the two Empresses collided fiercely once again inside the main hall!

Though they had yet to truly exchange blows, their terrifying pressures intertwined, already making the space within the hall creak.

Caught between them, Gu Han felt a headache coming on.

These two really were ready to start fighting at the slightest disagreement.

This was her territory. How could she let them run wild?

“Both of you!”

Gu Han’s cool voice rang out abruptly, carrying an undeniable authority.

The moment her voice fell, an invisible, intangible force of harmony, one that seemed capable of encompassing all things, quietly spread outward from her.

Like a warm, gentle current, it slowly seeped into the violent auras interwoven with ice and fire.

The great-sun apparition behind Empress Qingxuan wavered slightly.

The chill surrounding Empress Lingshuang also stalled.

Reаⅾ οn ΚatRеαdiոgСаfе

Both women turned to look at Gu Han, a trace of astonishment flashing through their eyes.

They could feel their own momentum being skillfully harmonized by a force far more immense.

It was the overwhelming disparity in cultivation, as well as a difference in the level of their cultivation techniques!

Gu Han slowly raised her eyes and calmly swept her gaze over the two of them.

“If the two of you wish to spar, you may go beyond the heavens.”

Her tone was even, yet carried a decisiveness that allowed no argument.

“To fight here and injure the palace’s disciples, or damage the furnishings in the hall… would hardly befit your status.”

Empress Qingxuan was the first to rein in her aura. The great-sun apparition behind her faded away, and she returned to her former lazy manner.

“Little Sister is right. Big Sister lost her composure.”

She looked toward Empress Lingshuang, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

“Lingshuang, look what you’ve done. You’ve upset Little Sister Gu.”

Empress Lingshuang gave a cold snort and slowly sat back down as well, the chill surrounding her gradually dispersing.

But the look she gave Empress Qingxuan remained as cold as a blade.

The tense atmosphere in the hall temporarily eased.

However, the subtle sense of confrontation, with its surging undercurrents, had not disappeared.

Gu Han felt helpless. She knew that this could not continue.

With a thought, she sent a voice transmission to Liu Ruyan, who was standing outside the hall.

“Ruyan, go and bring the Enlightenment Tea.”

Hearing her Master’s message, Liu Ruyan turned and left.