Volume 1, Chapter 76 – Her Majesty Must Not Know

“Shiyuan, if you continue to stay with me, will your sect…” the little fox demon said.

But Song Shiyuan directly interrupted her. “No, trust me, leave it to me. I’ll handle everything properly and won’t let you suffer any grievances.”

The little fox demon opened her mouth. Looking at Song Shiyuan’s resolute expression, she ultimately said nothing more.

She simply pressed her lips together slightly and nodded seriously. “Alright, Shiyuan. I believe in you.”

Huang Shangshang on the opposite side felt she couldn’t bear to watch anymore. “Lingxiao Sword Sect has strict rules. I think you know this better than I do. Don’t think that just because your master is Immortal Venerable Qingzhi, those stubborn old fossils will make an exception.”

As Huang Shangshang spoke, her eyes suddenly flickered. She thought of something and asked, “Could it be you’re still planning to return all your cultivation to the sect and request to leave?”

Lu Zhuxin was somewhat surprised.

Huang Shangshang’s meaning was that Lingxiao Sword Sect would never allow disciples within the sect to be involved with fox demons. If Song Shiyuan insisted on marrying a fox demon, then in the end, she might abolish her own cultivation and leave Lingxiao Sword Sect.

Thinking carefully, given Song Shiyuan’s stubborn nature, she might really do this for the little fox demon.

Facing Huang Shangshang’s question, Song Shiyuan opened her mouth and said, “If it’s necessary, why not?”

“No! You can’t…” the silver-haired little fox demon immediately spoke up. “I don’t want you to go to such lengths for me!”

Song Shiyuan was already a Nascent Soul cultivator. If she abolished her cultivation, her natural talent would certainly be greatly damaged, and she wouldn’t be able to embark on the cultivation path again.

After that, she could only spend her brief remaining life as an ordinary mortal.

“It doesn’t matter.” Song Shiyuan reached out and rubbed the little fox demon’s head. “It won’t necessarily come to that. If worse comes to worst, I can send you back to my hometown first.”

Song Shiyuan’s hometown? The Song family of Nanhe.

No, that was Song Shixuan’s lair.

In the later stages of the plot, all his heaven-fated beauties would be arranged there to share his bed together.

Lu Zhuxin didn’t want to get anywhere near that godforsaken place.

“After I handle everything, I’ll come home to find you.” Song Shiyuan said gently to the little fox demon.

Lu Zhuxin clicked her tongue lightly in her mind. She understood this young lady Song Shiyuan very well. By now, how could she not see that this young lady had already made the worst preparations.

Even without thinking deeply, Lu Zhuxin could guess.

This young lady had perhaps already prepared herself to be ordinary wives with the uncultivatable little fox demon for life.

Aiya! This won’t do!

Little Shiyuan, this phoenix-proud-of-heaven, should sever emotions and cut off love, seal her heart with cement, rise above all living beings, and become a cold and emotionless peerless sword immortal.

This was the future Lu Zhuxin had planned for Song Shiyuan this time.

So, she’d have to find a way to kill off little Shiyuan’s romance brain in the future.

Lu Zhuxin calculated in her heart.

Of course, for now she could still be lovey-dovey with little Shiyuan for a while longer.

On the other side, Huang Shangshang looked speechlessly at Song Shiyuan and the little fox demon being so intimate and affectionate.

Although she didn’t show any emotion on her face, internally her heart had already begun violently quaking.

Song Shiyuan… she was actually patting Her Majesty’s head?

Hiss… although she knew Her Majesty was acting, seeing this scene, Huang Shangshang still couldn’t help internally criticizing.

If Song Shiyuan knew she was currently patting the head of an absolute great demon who could slap her to death at any moment, what would she feel?

Huang Shangshang couldn’t predict Song Shiyuan’s thoughts. She only knew that if she were to do such a thing, she’d probably be scared to death.

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“Are you two done being affectionate?” Huang Shangshang coldly broke the sweet atmosphere between Song Shiyuan and the little fox demon.

“Young Sect Master Huang, I believe in her. She won’t betray us.” Song Shiyuan said. “I was able to come here to find you also because of her help.”

Song Shiyuan pointed at the metal ring around her neck.

This metal ring was like a dog leash, keeping her from freedom within the Fox Palace.

Without the little fox demon, Song Shiyuan would have had no way to reach Red Spring Pavilion, much less leave the Fox Palace and encounter her sect members in Mingzhao City.

Plus, with everything the little fox demon had done for Song Shiyuan before, Song Shiyuan trusted the little fox demon and believed she wouldn’t betray her.

“Hehe…” Huang Shangshang looked at Song Shiyuan for quite a while before laughing lightly. “Perhaps you’re right.”

“They say fox demons are cunning and most enjoy fooling people’s hearts.”

“But staying in this Fox Palace for so long, I’ve come to feel that those fox demons are actually more trustworthy than certain sanctimonious sect disciples.”

Huang Shangshang self-deprecatingly pulled at her collar. “At least I can clearly know what exactly they want…”

Song Shiyuan was at a loss for words. She could hear that the Lingxu Sword Sect’s Young Sect Master’s words clearly had hidden meaning.

“Young Sect Master Huang, then about what we discussed before, Lingxu Sword Sect and Lingxiao Sword Sect working together…” Song Shiyuan continued.

But Huang Shangshang interrupted her. “Forgive my bluntness, I cannot trust someone from Lingxiao Sword Sect.”

“If I weren’t currently trapped here without any opportunity to contact the outside world,”

“I’d wish I could immediately tell Elder Huang Shi right now to leave Mingzhao City at once and not cooperate with Lingxiao Sword Sect.”

Song Shiyuan was at a loss for words. She still wanted to say something. “But, Young Sect Master Huang…”

“I know what you want to say. When there’s an opportunity to leave this place, one should seize this fleeting chance.”

Huang Shangshang said, “But I really cannot trust a group of people who once betrayed their own kind.”

“I’m sorry, Young Sect Master Huang…” Song Shiyuan said helplessly. “But this really…”

Before Song Shiyuan could finish speaking, Huang Shangshang interrupted.

“However, you are an exception.” Huang Shangshang said. “I was captured and brought here by fox demons, yet you came with a fox demon saying you’d rescue me.”

“It’s almost as if you’re afraid I’d believe you.”

“For me to believe you, either you’re crazy or I’m crazy.”

“Young Sect Master Huang…” Song Shiyuan felt somewhat embarrassed, not knowing what expression to make.

“However, since everyone’s crazy anyway, what harm is there in trusting you once?” Huang Shangshang said. “Of course, there are conditions.”

“I have two.”

“If you can fulfill them and demonstrate your sincerity, only then can I believe you truly have the ability to rescue us.”

“Otherwise, rather than escaping only to be captured again and face punishment.” Huang Shangshang lazily lay back down. “I think this current lifestyle is quite good. The only costs are lack of freedom, not seeing daylight, and my body being somewhat exhausted.”

Song Shiyuan felt there was no way to respond to this.

“What conditions?” she asked.

“First.” Huang Shangshang said. “If you obtain evidence about the person who betrayed me, I’d like you to bring it for me to see, let me know exactly who harmed me so miserably.”

“…” Song Shiyuan was silent for a moment, then said, “I’m sorry… I can’t make that decision on this matter.”

Seeing Huang Shangshang’s expression gradually turn cold, she immediately added, “But if I truly obtain the evidence, I’ll request instructions from the sect immediately. As long as the sect elders agree, then naturally I can promise you.”

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Huang Shangshang furrowed her delicate brows. Her gaze imperceptibly swept over Lu Zhuxin beside Song Shiyuan.

Seeing no expression on Lu Zhuxin’s face, Huang Shangshang knew this was tacit approval.

It seemed Her Majesty was confident in persuading Song Shiyuan to hand over the evidence.

So Huang Shangshang nodded and said, “Alright, that works too.”

“Then what about the second condition?” Song Shiyuan asked.

“Captured along with me this time was also a sect elder, a Deity Transformation stage sword cultivator.” Huang Shangshang said. “I want to know his whereabouts.”

A Deity Transformation stage sword cultivator from Lingxu Sword Sect?

Hearing this, Song Shiyuan felt her brain buzz.

Those memories she had sealed away seemed to make her head ache faintly again.

“Is the Deity Transformation stage sword cultivator from Lingxu Sword Sect about thirty or forty years old in appearance, unkempt, and wielding an ancient-style gilded giant sword?” Song Shiyuan asked through gritted teeth.

Huang Shangshang noticed Song Shiyuan’s emotional change.

Wondering inwardly, was this also the effect Her Majesty wanted?

Of course, thinking was one thing, but Huang Shangshang continued speaking. “It’s him! You’ve seen him? And seen the sword in his hands too?”

“Are you and he on good terms?” Song Shiyuan’s voice seemed somewhat hoarse. She said coldly, “As far as I know, he wasn’t the only one from Lingxu Sword Sect captured with you. Why do you care so much about him?”

Being stared at by Song Shiyuan with those dark eyes, Huang Shangshang somehow instinctively felt a sense of danger.

Clearly this young woman before her wasn’t much older than herself, and her cultivation wasn’t higher either, yet Huang Shangshang inexplicably felt her spine go cold.

Is this the prodigy of Lingxiao Sword Sect?

Huang Shangshang sighed inwardly.

But Song Shiyuan said quietly at this moment, “He’s dead. Died at the Fox Monarch’s hands.”

“Killed with one palm strike, form and spirit completely destroyed.”

This was the result Song Shiyuan had personally verified with her spiritual consciousness.

That middle-aged male sword cultivator from Lingxu Sword Sect had his divine soul completely annihilated. He died very thoroughly; even soul searching couldn’t be done.

The World-Ending Fox Monarch, cruel and violent, lived up to her reputation.

“Now you know his whereabouts. Anything else you want to ask?” Song Shiyuan said.

Huang Shangshang tugged at the corner of her mouth. “No, actually what I need to know is the whereabouts of the sword in his hands.”

“That sword?” Song Shiyuan remembered.

It was that ancient-style gilded giant sword.

That sword, simple yet magnificent, very eye-catching. Once seen, one wouldn’t forget it.

“That’s my sword.” Huang Shangshang said. “It’s a sect inheritance treasure of Lingxu Sword Sect. It’s very important to me. If I’m to leave here, I need to retrieve it.”

“The night we were attacked by the demon race, I lent the inheritance sword to that elder, having the strongest in cultivation use it to deal with the demon race’s powerhouse. But the result was still…”

Song Shiyuan understood. The sword in that male sword cultivator’s hands wasn’t actually his, but belonged to Young Sect Master Huang before her.

No wonder that night when Song Shiyuan fought with that middle-aged male sword cultivator, she always felt something was off.

“That sword was taken by the Fox Monarch.” Song Shiyuan smiled helplessly. “No matter how much I want to demonstrate my sincerity, I have no way to help you seize the sword back from the Fox Monarch’s hands.”

Just then, the little fox demon behind Song Shiyuan suddenly spoke up. “An ancient-style gilded giant sword? I think I’ve seen it.”

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Song Shiyuan was startled. She turned around, looking deeply at the little fox demon with an inscrutable gaze.

She discovered the little fox demon’s expression was normal. When mentioning that middle-aged sword cultivator, there was no change in her facial expression either.

Song Shiyuan sighed lightly.

The little fox demon had truly completely and thoroughly forgotten the events of that night.

However, this was also good.

Completely forgetting was also good.

Ming Zhaoxi didn’t need those painful memories.

But Huang Shangshang’s gaze turned over. “Little fox demon, you’ve really seen it? Where is that sword?”

Huang Shangshang knew what Lu Zhuxin was doing now.

That gilded giant sword of Lingxu Sword Sect was truly eye-catching. Lu Zhuxin was patching up the events of that night.

This was also to prevent Song Shiyuan from becoming suspicious in the future if she saw that sword in someone else’s hands.

So there was this commission to find the sword.

Having Song Shiyuan personally return the sword to Huang Shangshang’s hands would prevent her from harboring doubts about Huang Shangshang.

“That sword… is in Steward Xian’er’s hands.” The little fox demon answered. “It’s displayed in her study as decoration.”

“Heh…” Huang Shangshang laughed lightly. “Miss Song of Lingxiao Sword Sect, now we’ll see your sincerity.”

“I understand. I’ll try.” Song Shiyuan nodded.

…

Song Shiyuan and the little fox demon left Red Spring Pavilion together.

Coming here had been smooth, and leaving was also smooth.

They didn’t encounter a single fox demon along the way. Their luck was very good.

“Axi, I need to report this matter to the sect first.” Song Shiyuan said.

Lu Zhuxin wasn’t surprised by this. She nodded. “You decide.”

Song Shiyuan took a deep breath. “Thank you, Axi.”

“No need. We’re lovers.”

“Yes… you’re my beloved.” Song Shiyuan murmured to herself.

“Axi, do you think I can really rescue everyone?”

The little fox demon was silent for a while. “If we want to rescue everyone, we need to open the restrictions on the Fox Palace dungeon.”

“Shiyuan, I’m just a maidservant in the Fox Palace. I don’t have that authority.”

Song Shiyuan fell silent. She knew things wouldn’t go so smoothly.

“It’s alright, Axi. We can think of other methods.”

“Mm.” The little fox demon nodded.

…

In Red Spring Pavilion, Huang Shangshang sat up. She raised her hand and gently applied medicine to the mottled marks on her body.

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Hiss… these fox demons, they were clearly just acting, so why did they bite so hard?

Her delicate skin couldn’t take this.

“Young Sect Master Huang.” A graceful white fox demon walked in.

“Steward Xian’er.” Huang Shangshang cupped her fists.

“Thank you for your hard work tonight.” Hu Xian’er said. “You’ve met her now. What do you think of her?”

Huang Shangshang was surprised. She knew Hu Xian’er was asking about Song Shiyuan.

After thinking, Huang Shangshang answered, “Her talent is very strong, not even inferior to mine. Her mind is pure, her nature resolute. Given time, she’ll certainly become a powerful figure.”

For some reason, Huang Shangshang felt Hu Xian’er’s expression before her suddenly turned unpleasant.

“That’s not what I’m asking.” Hu Xian’er said.

Huang Shangshang fell silent. After thinking again, she said, “I think she’s trustworthy. Song Shiyuan is the most characteristic of sword cultivators, loyal and upright.”

“She’s also very beautiful.”

“And gentle and considerate toward Her Majesty.”

“It’s not strange that Her Majesty would like her.”

Huang Shangshang noticed Hu Xian’er’s expression before her had turned even colder.

What was going on? Had she said something wrong again?

She shouldn’t have, right?

“Forget it…” Hu Xian’er stiffly changed the subject. “Her Majesty has an important matter she wants us to handle.”

“Us?” Huang Shangshang was puzzled.

“Yes. This matter cannot let others know, especially Her Majesty.” Hu Xian’er said with a strange expression.

“Can’t let Her Majesty know?” Huang Shangshang was astonished. “What does that mean?”

“I don’t know what Her Majesty means either, but these were Her Majesty’s exact words.”

The questions in Huang Shangshang’s mind were nearly bursting from her eyes.

“Her Majesty’s actions must have her profound meaning.”

“What does Her Majesty want us to do?” Huang Shangshang asked.

“In Lingxu Sword Sect, are there any formation masters unknown to outsiders?” Hu Xian’er asked, then emphasized again. “Especially the kind Her Majesty doesn’t know about.”

“These are also Her Majesty’s exact words?” The corner of Huang Shangshang’s mouth twitched.

“Yes.” Hu Xian’er said expressionlessly.

Huang Shangshang thought for a moment and said, “My mother studied formations in her youth. Only she and I know about this matter. Her Majesty also doesn’t know.”

“The Lingxu Sword Sect Master, Huang Xifeng.” Hu Xian’er smiled lightly. “Perfect. I originally had business with her anyway. Now I don’t even need to find a new excuse.”

Huang Shangshang didn’t understand.

A formation master unknown to others, whose formation style was unknown to anyone, naturally couldn’t have their formation paths predicted.

“Her Majesty wants us, in a situation where she’s completely unaware, to rebuild a layer of formations outside the Fox Palace’s original formations.”

“In the next three days, Her Majesty will completely seal her spiritual consciousness and stay with Song Shiyuan. So we only have three days.”