156 The Azure Phoenix (3)

eiled by heavy curtains, resembled ghostly flames that beckoned wandering spirits and passersby.Where is this like a hospitalI couldn't help but cross my arms and rub them together, looking towards th...The surrounding air was heavy with gloom, and ghostly presences lingered. Even though the mountaintop offered breathtaking views, they couldn't compare to this chilling atmosphere that permeated everything. Walking on the stone steps, one couldn't help but feel a sense of solemnity.

Bai Wu Chang, this unconventional yet perpetually grinning figure, has a smile that is both enigmatic and unsettling. It can be mocking and sarcastic, or hold hidden meanings, or even radiate mischievous joy. Whatever the case, it leaves me feeling uneasy.

"Don't be afraid, my lady. The Underworld hasn't had a red carpet laid out for two thousand years, so many ghost officials are excited and came to watch you. Don't be nervous, they look scary but they're nothing." He comforted me with a smile.

So what The Ox-Head General was hacking up the ghosts at the entrance to the Demon Path, limbs flying everywhere. Even without the blood splatter, it was enough to frighten me.

And you make me even more nervous just being here next to me.

I never imagined that as I stepped onto the red silk path leading to the Palace of Yinjing, it would be Bai Wuchang, the grim reaper, who stood beside me, guiding my way.

But he also had his uses. Those ghost messengers who were staring at me, with their sinister glares, would quickly lower their heads when met with his eerie tri-eyed gaze, too afraid to look anymore.

"Bai Wu Chang... Qi Ye..." I whispered, "Are you very dignified in the underworld"

“Hmm” Bai Wu commonly used his snowy white sleeves to cover his blood-red lips and sneered: “Even ghosts fear the wicked. These little things don’t work hard, of course they’re afraid of me, a wicked person… Besides, many ghost messengers were captured by me. Tell me, are they not afraid of me Hehe…”

I see, that makes sense.

This is a test.

I feel like this road has no end, I'm about to cry!

Bai Wuchang narrowed his eyes and said to me in a low voice, "There's actually a shortcut, why didn't Your Majesty tell you Why do you have to climb step by step"

No way Did Jiang Qiyun purposely want to torment me

When I was in despair, Bai Wu Chang suddenly laughed and said, “Your Majesty isn't waiting for you to worship him at the Yinjingtian Palace, he came to pick you up personally... Then I’ll send you here…”

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Qiyun's clothes fluttered and he appeared before me. He frowned and said, "…Why are you crying even though you're climbing a mountain"

I'm not crying! This is despair!

The clothes on Jiang Qiyun's body made me blush, the same fiery red as mine.

"I've never climbed a mountain this high before." I lowered my head, trying to hide the blush on my face.

"At your pace, you won't even make it there in three days." He snorted coldly.

This guy…can't he offer some comfort

Jiang Qiyun reached out and lifted me up. "Come on, I'll take you upstairs."

The lone peak pierces the clouds, and the mountain gate is magnificent.

Two headless ghosts guarded the mountain gate. Their faces were growing on their stomachs, and I covered my face, too scared to look.

"Once you get used to it, you won't be afraid." Jiang Qiyun comforted me.

"How can I get used to seeing 'I don't want to see this anymore'... Am I supposed to live in the Netherworld Palace"

Jiang Qiyun didn't stop his steps, he directly brought me to a pavilion on the edge of a cliff. He put me down and said: "Alright, you can open your eyes now."

I opened my eyes and saw a sea of ghostly figures crawling beneath Mount Luofeng. This scene, combined with the height of the pavilion, made me dizzy. Jiang Qiyun supported my lower back and said coldly: "Mu Xiaoqiao, act like a mistress! My term is still hundreds of years away, don't shame me."

"Thousands, thousands of years!"

He nodded: "The Emperor of Fengdu, the Great Deity of Taibai, are in charge of the Underworld, changing every three thousand years... I'm somewhat numb to it all, but—"

"But what's the matter"

He glanced at me with a smile in his eyes: “...Maybe things would be better with you here.”

This smile was so faint it couldn't be any fainter, yet I felt like the ice was melting away and sunshine as bright as March was shining.

It was hard to hear him say that, and I couldn't help but bite my lip and smile secretly.

A maidservant knelt at the back and said, “Your Majesty, the Great Emperor Qinghua and the Great Emperor Changsheng have sent their congratulations.”

The so-called gift was two teacups, with fragrant mist swirling and a translucent green color. Inside, a single dark red date floated on the surface.

Jiang Qiyun said faintly, "The two honored deities are too kind... I don't often drink alcohol, and you can't drink it now either. Let's just have tea instead."

While others drink toasts, I share tea with them.

Hearing faint, ethereal music from outside my ear, I… was being fed tea by him with his mouth…

After swallowing half the tea, the rest lingered on my tongue and lips before spilling from the corner of my mouth, sliding down my chin, across my neck, and disappearing into my collar.

His cool tongue trailed down the water trail, carrying a tiny electric current. Compared to the beginning, he had been much more patient. Though... I still couldn't keep up with his pace.

Outside the window, there is a fiery red cluster of chrysanthemums, bathed in a layer of cold moonlight, blooming majestically.

I leaned on the window, wanting to reach out and hook that flower.

But the clouds behind me, Jiang Qiyun, did not want me to move around. His complicated garments entangled with mine, my collar had opened all the way to my lower back, and the cumbersome cloak he had long thrown aside.

He bent down and left a mark on my shoulder, his voice low. "You still have the strength to admire flowers, hm"

"Hmm..." I reached out to touch the flower, but a bump from behind sent shivers down my spine. The rattan bed creaked softly, a particularly jarring sound in the stillness of the night.

He saw how desperately I wanted to touch that flower, so he turned me around and held me in his arms. His long fingers snipped the stem, taking the blossom inside.

"Do you like it"

“Hmm!”

When the curtain fell, I finally let out a slight sigh of relief: "Qiyun..."

"Huh"

"I forbid taking concubines, I don't like it."

He was taken aback for a moment, then let out a scoff and said: "Is this gossip from your pillow talk, Mu Xia Qiao How much do you really care about this"

"...I guess so, I still care a little." I was flustered by his teasing gaze, my cheeks burning red and ears hot. I mumbled, "If I hadn't fallen for you, I wouldn't care..."

"Well, let me say it again," he said, pushing himself up to his full height, towering over them like a king surveying his subjects.

"If I hadn't fallen in love with you—"

"Again." His voice was as icy clear as his actions were fierce, a chilling frost that burned with an infernal fire! It made me shiver with fear and yearn for oblivion all at once.

"If…ah!" It hurt so much, the flickering fire in his eyes revealed a clear warning.

"Say it again."

"......I love you." I bit my lip, admitting my own humility.

The coldness in his eyes was gone, and the world within the curtain swayed gently with the shadows of the red candles.

Soul to soul.

"What is this" he saw a small embroidered pouch lying beside him.

> to! Open the door or I'm leaving!""Wait, wait... I'll open the door for you..."Chains rattled behind the door, and Archie carefully opened the security window to peek out. He immediately let us in."W...