Zanxing (Retranslated)

Chapter 305 - The Favoured Concubine (2)

In the Yao Ming Palace, Bu Jiang sat on the high seat, observing the people below.

“The Young Princess’s demonic energy has been damaged, but she isn’t physically injured. The illness was examined earlier and is not serious. She is currently soaking in the Demon Energy Pool for nurturing. By tomorrow, she should be fine,” Xiao Shuang reported.

Upon hearing this, Bu Jiang let out a slight sigh of relief.

Since the Demon Energy Pool could only accommodate one person at a time, with Zanxing inside, they had no choice but to wait outside for her to awaken.

“I’m still worried about the Xiao Yuan Pearl,” Bu Jiang continued, her concern evident. “The pearl was split into two halves, and though we recovered one half, the other is still with Gui Yansheng. I don’t know if the remaining half of the pearl is still useful. Moreover, Gui Yansheng managed to escape the mountain. Such a good opportunity wasted, letting the tiger return to the mountain—who knows if that lunatic will come back, crazier than before.”

“Your Highness,” Xiao Shuang hesitated before speaking, “The people outside… Would you like to see them?”

“I almost forgot about that,” Bu Jiang sneered: “Just because my daughter has a broad heart and chooses not to hold a grudge against the Demon Extermination Army doesn’t mean I, as her mother, can ignore it.” Before they had even returned to Heishi City, Madam Zhao Ling and Skeleton Woman had already informed Bu Jiang of everything that happened on Yue Mountain through communication talismans. The reports, of course, were embellished, including the unclear relationship between Gu Baiying and a female disciple from the Xiang Ling Sect named Pu Tao.

“Your Highness,” Xiao Shuang hesitated, “In my opinion, Gu Baiying doesn’t seem to be entirely heartless towards the Young Princess, and the Young Princess still has some lingering feelings for him. If we directly separate them…”

Although Zanxing appeared gentle and easy to talk to, everyone knew that once she was set on something, even nine oxen couldn’t pull her back.

“Who said I want to separate them?” Bu Jiang glared at him: “You’ve caught some of those sect members’ foolishness after your trip to Yue Mountain. The more I try to separate them, the closer they’ll become. It would only make me look like a meddlesome old woman trying to break up a couple.”

“So, Your Highness, what are your intentions?”

“Zanxing has been in closed-door meditation at Heishi City for two years. As soon as she heard that he had become the leader of the Demon Extermination Army, she immediately agreed to go to Yue Mountain. Over the past two years, she has been asking me about the news from Gufeng Mountain. My daughter has been sincere towards him, but he has made her sad. Regardless of whether his memory loss has reasons behind it, it is still his fault. How could I let my daughter suffer without making him pay?” The Demon Queen smiled brightly, and her smile made her eyes and eyebrows appear stunningly beautiful. She said, “If he has feelings for Zanxing, that is even better. After all, how to make a pure-hearted youth sad, this palace understands very well.”

Master Mingjing and the others waited outside for a long time before Skeleton Woman finally arrived. She smiled lightly and said, “The Demon Queen is in the Yao Ming Palace. Please, all of you, follow me.”

Yao Ming Palace, located next to the Chaos Palace, had a completely different atmosphere.

Here, the decorations were red drapes and smoky gauze, with jade couches and golden embroidery, resembling a royal palace in the mortal realm. On the high seat lay a woman in a red robe, which was typically a men’s style. Her long black hair was tied up high, cascading down to her waist, and her appearance was both stunningly beautiful and memorable, with a combination of allure and heroic spirit.

Master Mingjing glanced at her briefly, seemingly captivated by her extraordinary beauty, before turning his gaze away from the woman on the high seat.

Bu Jiang played with the silver lock in her hand and smiled graciously at him: “It’s been years since we last met. How has Master Mingjing been?”

Mingjing lowered his eyes and responded gently, “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am well.”

“I’ve heard that during your time on Yue Mountain, you provided much protection for Zanxing,” Bu Jiang smiled and sincerely thanked him. “Thank you.”

“You are an old friend, and the daughter of an old friend should naturally be protected.”

“Just an old friend?” Bu Jiang’s gaze lingered on him, her tone ambiguous. “I thought you returned to Heishi City because you still had lingering feelings for this palace.”

Mingjing remained silent, neither confirming nor denying, and the room fell into a quiet stillness. After a long pause, no one responded.

Bu Jiang seemed amused by the monk’s discomfort and didn’t get angry. Men Dong, blushing, spoke up, “Uh, Demon Queen, we are friends of Yang Zanxing. Is she okay?”

Bu Jiang raised an eyebrow and finally turned her attention to Men Dong and the others.

She straightened her posture slightly, her gaze sweeping across the group before settling on the white-robed youth in front. Her expression shifted slightly.

After a moment, Bu Jiang spoke languidly, “Rest assured, she is well. She is currently in the Demon Energy Pool, replenishing her lost energy. As for you…” She smiled. “Are you her friends from Gufeng Mountain?”

Given Mingjing’s earlier use of ‘old friend’, the term ‘friends’ now carried a more profound implication.

“Yes, yes,” Tian Fangfang replied cheerfully, “Earlier, when my junior sister fought with Gui Yansheng in the Five-Wheel Pagoda and got injured, we were worried and came after her. How long will it take for her to fully recover? Your Highness, could we possibly meet her?”

“To meet her?” Bu Jiang’s expression showed a hint of hesitation as she sighed. “I appreciate your concern for Zanxing. However, you are sect cultivators, and if you get entangled with demons, the cultivation world will likely not forgive you. I think it’s best if you do not meet her. It would be better for you to leave soon and avoid any association with our demonic ways that could tarnish your reputation.”

Bu Jiang’s words were indeed dripping with sarcasm.

Gu Baiying raised his eyes. His beautiful, clear eyes shone brightly like stars in the shadowy Demon Queen’s Hall, and his tone was resolute, “Zanxing is a disciple of the Taiyan Sect. It is our responsibility to ensure her safety.”

“Oh, is that so?” Bu Jiang looked down at him, each word sharp and confrontational. “If I recall correctly, it was your Taiyan Sect that used the Ten Thousand Killing Formation.”

“But—but my master didn’t harm Zanxing!” Men Dong couldn’t help but defend Gu Baiying. “During the Ten Thousand Killing Formation, my master used a fragment of his own soul to block the killing blow. From start to finish, my master has been on Zanxing’s side!”

Bu Jiang chuckled lightly, though her eyes were devoid of amusement. “Then I shall thank him on her behalf.”

“I want to see her,” Gu Baiying insisted.

“On what grounds?”

“I am her master.”

“Master?” Bu Jiang’s red lips curled slightly, her tone dismissive and mocking. “She is now the future ruler of Heishi City, the next Demon King. She is no longer just a small sect disciple from Gufeng Mountain. You and she have no further ties. You can no longer use that as an excuse to get close or show concern. Besides,” she said indifferently, “she is the daughter of the Demon King, and you are the son of Qinghua. There’s even the matter of Zanxing’s father’s death at Qinghua’s hands. Do you not mind that?”

“The Demon King is the Demon King, and she is she,” Gu Baiying replied, unmoved. “I make a clear distinction.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Bu Jiang’s eyes.

“Then how can I see her?” the youth asked coldly.

After a moment of silence, Bu Jiang looked at him with a half-smile, “Do you not wish to sever all ties with her?”

“Could it be?” she propped her chin with interest and said provocatively, “Do you intend to become her eighth favored concubine?”