Translator: Deathblade
Editor: Chesire Phoenix
Leaf Dao-Denierâs servants had arrived, and the news caused a smile to spread out on Yang Qiâs face. He had guessed that something like this would happen. Once Leaf Dao-Denier had come out of seclusion and learned what had occurred with the Dao Defense League, and Yang Qi being taken captive, he wouldnât be able to hold back from trying to make a move.
That was one of the reasons he had chosen to sow dissension between the flower goddesses and Leaf Dao-Denier.
Presumably, Leaf Dao-Denierâs servants had caught wind that Yang Qi was meeting the flower goddesses, and they were operating on the assumption that their masterâs reputation would ensure their safety. Little did they know that Yang Qi had already set the flower goddesses fully against Leaf Dao-Denier by tantalizing them with ânewsâ of the God Legion Seal. Considering that they planned to benefit from Leaf Dao-Denier, there was no way they would let him off the hook now.
Looking as cold as ice, Jade Nightqueen said, âWhat? Leaf Dao-Denierâs servants? And they want to meet with us? Forget it. Send them away!â
âSlow down,â Yang Qi said. âThere wonât be any harm in meeting with them. I knew all along that Leaf Dao-Denier would come after me. You see, he's actually terrified that I might reveal his big secret, and hopes to kill me before I can. Actually, itâs part of my plan to lure him into a vulnerable state.â
âI see,â Jade Nightqueen said. âIn that case, fine. Send the servants in.â
âYes maâam,â the young woman said, hurrying out. A moment later, three individuals entered. They were none other than Grand Emperors Heavenearth Vastocean, Myriadmagic Heavenspan, and Ninelimits Paragon. Eldest Brother Secundus was nowhere to be seen.
Considering how much of a fool Eldest Brother Secundus had been, Yang Qi was fairly certain that Leaf Dao-Denier had assimilated him. After all, how could Leaf Dao-Denier just let an Eternal One walk free?
âSo, youâre here, Yang Qi!â Grand Emperor Myriadmagic Heavenspan said, a vicious grin playing out on his face, as well as the faces of the other Grand Emperors. âAh, Yang Qi. The day you forced us out of the Dao Defense League, did you ever imagine this day would come? We spent years building the foundation of the league, only to have you snatch it away at the last minute. And now it belongs to someone else entirely. Youâve become nothing more than a slave and a consort. Where is your fame and your power now?â
At this point, both of the flower goddesses snorted coldly.
âWhat are you three slaves doing causing a scene here in our palace?â Jade Nightqueen said. âWhy arenât you on your knees? You think you can do whatever you please because you have the backing of Leaf Dao-Denier?â
The three Grand Emperors bowed their heads respectfully, but didnât get on their knees. And their eyes contained deadly venom when they glanced at Yang Qi.
âSalutations, Flower Goddesses. We're here on the orders of Young Master Leaf. He wants to get his hands on this consort named Yang Qi, whoâs an old enemy of his from the Dao Defense League. Young Master Leaf intends to punish him for his crimes, thus laying to rest their grudge.â
âWhat incredible gall!â Jade Nightqueen shouted. âYang Qi is our consort. How dare you make demands of him. Do you actually want to get yourselves killed?â
Sounding somewhat choked, Grand Emperor Ninelimits Paragon said, âFlower Goddesses, it's Young Master Leaf who wants him, not us. Hopefully you can agree to give us some face here.â
âYoung Master Leaf does want him,â Grand Emperor Myriadmagic Heavenspan said. âHe even mentioned it to the empress himself, and said that he intends to punish him severely.â
âYou damned animal!â
SMACK!
Jade Nightqueen viciously slapped Grand Emperor Myriadmagic Heavenspan, sending him flying to the side, where he smashed into the wall and then slid to the ground. Blood gushed out of his mouth and his eyes glazed. Apparently he had been knocked unconscious.
Shocked, the other two Grand Emperors rushed over, pulled him to his feet, and sent some true energy into him to revive him. Then they looked back at Jade Nightqueen with expressions of vicious hatred.
âWhat was that for, Flower Goddess?â Grand Emperor Ninelimits Paragon said. âWe need an explanation so we can report this matter to Young Master Leaf!â
âExplanation?â Jade Nightqueen said, her eyes flashing with killing intent. âWhat do you mean explanation? You barged in here, caused a big scene, then threatened us. Who the hell do you think you are? Youâre not even worth as much as a dog! The only reason I havenât killed you already is because I donât want to stain my hands. Now get the hell back to Leaf Dao-Denier and tell him that he'd do well to remember his place as a mere consort. He might think he has a lot of power and authority, but heâs delusional if he thinks he can compare to the women of the Joyflower Palace.â
âThatâs right,â Snowlotus said with a cold smile. âScrew off, all of you. Remember: Yang Qi is our consort, and he isnât going anywhere. Know your place. If you donât, weâll deal with you using harsher methods.â
âYes, yes of course,â said Grand Emperor Ninelimits Paragon. Casting a venomous glance at Yang Qi, he said, âWeâll report all of this in detail to Young Master Leaf. You just wait, Yang Qi. This isnât over yet. If you think you can avoid punishment by hiding out with the flower goddesses, youâre delusional.â
âScrew off,â Yang Qi said. He waved his hand, sending out a rushing wind that knocked the three Grand Emperors off their feet and sent them tumbling head over heels all the way out of the palace. They were three famous Grand Emperors from the immortal dao civilization, and had founded the Heavenly Court, but now they were little more than servants with no face whatsoever.
Meanwhile, Jade Nightqueen and Snowlotus were shocked at how Yang Qi had just driven them out using a power filled with softness. That level of skill required immense levels of enlightenment and was completely beyond the ordinary.
âHis cultivation base is unfathomable,â Jade Nightqueen thought. âHe really is the best option for dealing with Leaf Dao-Denier.â
Snowlotus was thinking similar thoughts.
Outside, the three Grand Emperors struggled to their feet. Their loss of face was immense, as hosts of palace maids were present and openly laughing at their predicament.
Ever since they had begun following Leaf Dao-Denier, they had enjoyed quite a measure of prestige, just like the fox exploiting the tigerâs might. But now they were like clowns or stray dogs.
Gnashing their teeth, they hurried off.
âDamn that Yang Qi. Weâll see you dead for this!â
âIt was Yang Qi who actually drove us out,â Grand Emperor Myriadmagic Heavenspan said. âSince when did that dirty little swine get so strong? We can't afford to underestimate him, and we need to inform Leaf Dao-Denier about all of this.â
âThat pig actually beat six of us in a fight before,â Grand Emperor Heavenearth Vastocean said, âback when he took the beast king clones from us. Even then, he was as strong as a third-rate expert from the Ancient Road to the Gods. Heâs getting stronger incredibly quickly, and now he's a consort to the flower goddesses. Thereâs no doubt that heâll hold nothing back in his efforts to continue his rise.â
âCome on, letâs check in with Young Master Leaf.â
It didnât take long for them to reach Leaf Dao-Denierâs palace. Leaf Dao-Denier was currently in a session of cultivation, surrounded by swarms of taiji symbols.
When he sensed their arrival, he opened his eyes. Face flashing with anger, he retracted all the taiji symbols and said, âWhat?! Why donât you have Yang Qi with you? You scum. How useless could you be!?â
Upon seeing Leaf Dao-Denierâs killing intent, Grand Emperor Myriadmagic Heavenspan grew cold at heart and said, âYoung Master Leaf, the thing is that our status is just too low. Weâre not as important as you. There are two powerful flower goddesses who seem to be acting in opposition to you. Furthermore, that swine Yang Qi is much, much stronger than before.â
With that, he went on to recount what had occurred, making sure to embellish a few of the details. As Leaf Dao-Denier listened, his expression grew increasingly vicious, until he looked like a fiend-ghost risen from hell.
Snorting coldly, he said, âI canât believe they refused to give me any face. It seems I need to take action personally. I absolutely must get my hands on Yang Qi! If he wants to hide behind the skirts of those women, well, Iâll just drag him out myself. Considering how strong I am now, not even the flower goddesses are a match for me. Getting my hands on a consort will be an easy task.â Leaf Dao-Denierâs heart pounded as he thought of everything Yang Qi possessed: King Immortal-Slayer's legacy medallions, the God Legion Seal, the Aeonic God Psalter, King Heaven-Devourerâs talismans, and the Cruiser of Civilization. The more Leaf Dao-Denierâs cultivation base increased, the more his desire for such objects grew. If he could get them without anyone realizing it, he would become so strong that he could directly assimilate Empress Joyflower herself.
Therefore, not only would he not give up in his efforts to kill Yang Qi, but he would also never tell anyone the truth about what treasures he possessed.
He wanted them all for himself.
Leaf Dao-Denier was one of the most arrogant people imaginable, and the truth was that being a consort filled him with extraordinary shame and humiliation. Only the blood of the Joyflower Palace as a whole would cleanse that humiliation. He didnât feel an ounce of gratitude toward Empress Joyflower for his recent advances, only hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he hated Yang Qi. Once he was strong enough, killing her would be the first thing he would do.
Unfortunately, he wasnât quite ready to do that yet.
For now, he would focus on killing Yang Qi and taking his treasures, then using them to rise to further levels of power.
âLetâs go. I'm going to confront Jade Nightqueen and Snowlotus. Letâs see whether or not they refuse to give me face in person. After all, I'm an important person in the Joyflower Palace.â Expression turning sinister and icy, he continued, âI refuse to believe that they arenât scared of me. Iâm definitely more powerful than them now.â
Flicking his sleeve, he headed directly toward the flower goddessesâ palace. If everything went well, he would increase his reputation and prove that they still needed to take him seriously, even though he was merely a consort.