Volume 11, Chapter 772 – Is She Holding a Funeral or a Celebration? (Part 3)

After Qi Huang stepped out of the door, she transformed into a carriage driver, picking up passengers as she traveled. Her first destination was the Pingshan Mass Burial Ground, where many of her evil spirit kin and friends resided.

She first arrived at the sanctuary of the Nine Nether Demon Cats. After nearly ten years of development, nearly a thousand of them had been taken in here, most of whom she had casually rescued while traveling far and wide.

“This lady would love to join in the fun too, but if I leave, what will happen to these tribespeople?”

Yaoyao spread her hands helplessly.

“Sister, if you want to go, just go. I’ll take care of our kin,”

Mimi said considerately.

“No need. I’ve already arranged guards to protect the whole Huangtian County. Anyone who wants to go can go.”

Qi Huang soothed them.

“Really? That’s great! I’ve been dying to see the Immortal Alliance’s downfall with my own eyes.”

Yaoyao perked up instantly.

“Then let’s go. I promise it’ll be a spectacular show.”

Qi Huang hurriedly beckoned her.

“W-Wait… don’t rush. I… I have a small favor to ask of you.”

Yaoyao stammered.

“Speak freely, whatever it is!”

Qi Huang said generously.

“Well, recently our sanctuary held a clan leader election, and I somehow ended up being overwhelmingly elected…”

Yaoyao explained gently.

“Congratulations, congratulations! That wasn’t just an accident, it was the will of the people.”

Qi Huang clasped her fists in sincere congratulation.

“Perhaps, but with the position comes the duty. Now that I’m the leader of the Nine Nether Demon Cats, may I beg a favor of you? After destroying the Immortal Alliance, can you rescue those of our kin still imprisoned by the sects?”

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Yaoyao pleaded.

“Uh…”

Qi Huang’s expression showed hesitation before she patiently explained, “I’d be more than willing to help, but your people may not all be suffering. Some cultivators are kind too, like that fat cat from Shuiyu Valley. It’s treated like an emperor and probably wouldn’t want to come back to eat bran and swallow chaff with you. I can’t force them in situations like that, right?”

“I understand. Just save those who wish to return. I won’t force the unwilling.”

Yaoyao said with reason.

“No problem. Leave it to me.”

Qi Huang agreed readily. She knew that she wouldn’t have made it this far without the help of the Nine Nether Demon Cats. Now that she was stronger, it was time to repay that debt.

She then put Yaoyao and Mimi into her storage ring and headed to the Crown Prince’s Mausoleum to pick up Jiang Feng and General Li.

“Ah, day and night I’ve waited for this moment. The Immortal Alliance caused the downfall of the Jiang clan and our nation. Every time I think of it, I lose my appetite and sleep. Finally, deliverance is at hand!”

Jiang Feng sighed toward the sky with emotion.

“Lose your appetite and sleep? I don’t see them. You seem to have put on quite a bit of weight lately, Your Highness.”

Qi Huang teased.

“Impossible! This is… this is… forget it… I’ll just scold you outright… You unfilial girl! How dare you mock your own ancestor!”

Jiang Feng snapped in shame and anger.

“What’s so bad about that? Some ancestors even tried to marry off their own granddaughters to become Crown Princess.”

Cheng Hongling retorted from the side.

“You—!”

Jiang Feng nearly spat blood from rage.

“Your Highness may not know, but ever since the Great Qi Kingdom gave birth to such an outstanding Princess, His Highness’s appetite has improved. He was quite thin before.”

General Li added flatteringly.

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“Exactly! General Li understands me.”

Jiang Feng quickly agreed.

“Alright, enough chatter. If we don’t go now, people will think I’ve backed down from battle. If my reputation as an Immortal suffers, I’ll make my main body do a blood-relative DNA test with you when I return.”

Qi Huang threatened.

“Why? What does that have to do with anything?”

Jiang Feng was baffled.

“Of course it does. My main body is concise, aloof, and elegant. But you? A Crown Prince who rambles like a fool and acts ridiculous. You’re nothing like family. I have every reason to doubt our blood relation.”

Qi Huang reasoned logically.

“Mm, I agree.”

Cheng Hongling nodded with conviction.

“Go, go, go! Let’s go right now!”

Jiang Feng panicked and quickly urged them onward, he couldn’t afford to take that risk.

Qi Huang, satisfied, stored Jiang Feng and his retinue in her ring, then went to find Zhen Feiyan.

“This Bai Yun is yours again.”

Qi Huang returned the female Four-Eared Wolf, Bai Yun, the moment they met.

“So generous? Aren’t you afraid I’ll act without restraint and hurt the people of Huangtian County now that I’ve no leash?”

Zhen Feiyan asked curiously.

“Would you?”

Cheng Hongling narrowed her beautiful eyes.

“To be frank, if I dared to return it, I’m not afraid of you misbehaving. If you don’t believe me, go ahead and try.”

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Qi Huang warned calmly.

“Don’t misunderstand, I’m just curious.”

Zhen Feiyan held out for a moment, but ultimately softened. The fact that Qi Huang dared to openly declare war on the Immortal Alliance alone was enough to earn her respect… and fear.

“Don’t misunderstand me either. I’m just offering sincere advice. If you weren’t a friend, I wouldn’t even bother talking.”

Qi Huang said lightly.

“Yes, I hope we’ll always be friends.”

Zhen Feiyan responded earnestly.

After picking up Zhen Feiyan and the others, Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling headed to the South Continent, where the members of Huarong Sect were waiting to board.

Qi Huang hadn’t asked her friends and relatives to gather in Wuye City beforehand because the Immortal Alliance was always watching in the shadows. She didn’t want to waste manpower acting as bodyguards again.

And so, Qi Huang continued collecting people while keeping a close watch on the Immortal Alliance.

At the same time, the Immortal Alliance had already finished its preparations. Lu Lin had recalled all high-level combatants and formed strict battle formations, securing the main stronghold like an iron fortress. And that was just the surface. He had secretly deployed many experts to surround the entire Wuye City, vowing to ensure Qi Huang and her allies never returned.

“Alliance Leader, scouts report that Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling have departed with their forces.”

In the council hall, Elder Xiao reported.

“Excellent. Order everyone to remain in strict formation. No one is allowed to leave their post. Not one traitor must escape. Fail, and bring me their heads.”

Lu Lin commanded.

“Yes, sir.”

Elder Xiao accepted the order.

“Alright, everyone. Since the rebels have set out, it’s time we go out to welcome our honored guests. Any Elder who hasn’t yet had their name engraved on the Immortal Stele, this is your chance to earn glory.”

Lu Lin called out, then led the group out of the council hall.

Outside the Immortal Alliance’s main hall, the sky had darkened… not due to weather, but because of the dense mass of cultivators suspended in the air, blocking the sun. Their numbers were so vast that counting was impossible. By conservative estimates, there were over ten million, forming massive black clouds that blanketed the heavens.

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The gates of the main hall were also surrounded by countless spectators. Every street and alley was jam-packed. People crowded so tightly that even breathing was difficult.

With so many on site, it was incredibly noisy. Everyone was speculating on the outcome of the conflict, and 99% of them favored the Immortal Alliance.

“The Immortal Alliance isn’t just powerful, they have Elders from immortal clans. Once their names are engraved on the Immortal Stele, I don’t see how the rebels can win.”

“Doesn’t Huarong Sect have an Immortal Stele too?”

“Ha! Their stele ranks last among the Nine Great Immortal Forces. That’s like an egg smashing against a rock.”

“Then why are Cheng Hongling and Qi Huang walking into death?”

“You really believe everything you hear? I bet she’s just bluffing. Do you really think she dares come? Look at the time, it’s obvious she’s chickened out.”

This was the general sentiment among onlookers.

As the Immortal Alliance higher-ups stepped out, the noisy crowd fell into an eerie silence, except for a man and woman still bickering loudly.

People turned to look. Among tables and chairs, over a dozen flamboyantly dressed women were arguing with an elderly man who looked like an “immortal master”. Elder Kang was trying to mediate.

“You’re full of crap! This is clearly a celebration. The host invited us to sing and dance, who hires entertainers at a funeral?”

The madam of the Hundred Blossoms Brothel was sharp-tongued and aggressive.

“You’re the one full of crap! This is clearly a funeral. The host personally hired me to perform rituals and deliver souls. Who hires a spiritual master for a celebration?”

The “immortal-looking” master retorted without mercy.

Lu Lin couldn’t take it anymore. He led a few leaders over and asked, “Elder Kang, what’s going on here? Didn’t I ask you to maintain order?”

“Reporting, Alliance Leader. The madam from the Baihua Brothel and the master from the West Street Funeral Supply Shop both claim to have been invited by someone named Huang. One says it’s a celebration, the other says it’s a funeral, and they won’t stop arguing.”

Elder Kang replied respectfully.

“He really invited both dancers and a ritual master? Then is he holding a celebration or a funeral?”

Even Lu Lin, who had seen much in his life, was momentarily dumbfounded.