The Empress Returns

Zhou Hao had been cultivating these past two days. If he could reach the Spiritual Consciousness Realm, he would be able to leave.

At this moment, he was so immersed in cultivation that he could not pull himself free. Suddenly sensing something, he opened his eyes and immediately saw the aloof, stunning Murong studying him with a frown.

"Ah..."

Zhou Hao covered his sensitive parts in horror and fled away from Murong as though escaping for his life.

"You old hag, you..."

Smack!

Murong slapped him through the air and said coldly, "Insolent. Address me as Your Majesty."

"You damned old hag, you dare hit..."

Zhou Hao was beside himself with rage, but the next instant came another smack, and his left cheek was slapped, making both sides perfectly symmetrical.

"Do you know what you should call me now?" Murong looked down at him and asked slowly.

Zhou Hao gritted his teeth and thought, Just let me catch an opportunity. Then I'll show you what's what.

That was what he thought, but his strength was still insufficient. For now, he could only swallow humiliation and bear heavy burdens, lying on brushwood and tasting gall.

After thinking it through, Zhou Hao obediently called out, "Your Majesty."

"Mm." Murong nodded in satisfaction. Then she covered her nose in distaste and asked, "Why do you stink so badly? Go take a bath first."

Zhou Hao's mouth twitched. Pouting, he said, "Where am I supposed to find water here?"

Did she think he enjoyed being like this?

Murong lightly pointed with her slender finger, and a stream of water descended over Zhou Hao's head.

Zhou Hao immediately shivered, his teeth chattering as he said, "Th-this is... way too... too cold, isn't it?"

The moment his body touched the icy water, he was frozen stiff, unable to run even if he wanted to.

A trace of embarrassment finally appeared on Murong's expressionless face, though it vanished in an instant. She said nothing, but quietly changed the temperature of the ice water.

Sensing the change in temperature, Zhou Hao's trembling body finally eased, and he let out a sigh of relief.

He had thought he was going to freeze to death!

Murong swept her delicate hand, and an imposing Ice Chair appeared. She sat upon the icy seat, her eyes fixed directly on Zhou Hao.

Honestly, Zhou Hao felt uncomfortable all over under her gaze. Having a woman watch him bathe was a feeling beyond description. Most embarrassing of all, he actually had a reaction.

He hurriedly turned around and pointed his backside toward Murong. This was too damn embarrassing.

Murong did not react much and merely urged, "Hurry up. I do not have much time."

Zhou Hao secretly curled his lip, then turned back with a smile. "If you're in such a hurry, we can wash together! We can settle everything that needs settling while we're at it, so we won't waste time."

Murong raised an eyebrow slightly, the corners of her lips lifting into a faint smile. "I do not mind. However, I am used to bathing in ice water at the temperature from earlier. If you can endure it, I would be happy to accompany you."

"Uh..." The smile on Zhou Hao's face immediately froze. He opened his mouth, then forced out a cowardly reply.

"I-I was just joking. I'll be done right away. I won't keep you waiting long, Your Majesty."

Damn, why did that sound like he was a gigolo? Zhou Hao despised himself even as he said it.

Murong nodded faintly and said, "Your talent is not bad. In just three days, you have already stepped into the path of cultivation."

She did not know what realm Zhou Hao was in now, because she had never paid much attention to the lower cultivation realms. To her, anyone below the Divine Realm was little different from an ordinary person.

Zhou Hao gave an awkward laugh and thought, Should I give this old hag the ring the old man left behind?

No. He would not give it to her. He had decided that he would keep the Ring of Holding for himself. In any case, this old hag did not know about it.

Unaware of his thoughts, Murong looked around at their surroundings, glanced at the coffin in the middle, raised an eyebrow, and then turned to Zhou Hao.

"No wonder you entered the ranks of cultivators so quickly. So you obtained an inheritance."

Zhou Hao's heart jumped, but his expression remained calm as he said, "It was only a small inheritance. It is not worth mentioning."

He did not know how Murong had seen through it, but lying was definitely not the best response. He only needed to mention it lightly while avoiding the important details.

Given this old hag's lofty, disdainful manner, she should not think much of such an inheritance anyway.

Sure enough, Murong showed no reaction upon hearing Zhou Hao's answer. In an even tone, she said, "An inheritance that gives you a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon and a Fire-Phoenix Egg is fairly decent."

As she spoke, she gently beckoned, and the two eggs in the corner flew before her.

Who exactly is this old hag? She could tell what kind of eggs they were with just one glance, Zhou Hao thought in shock.

The information Du Tianhong had left behind had praised these two eggs to the heavens, calling them supreme divine beasts. Yet in this old hag's eyes, they seemed not to be worth caring about at all.

This made him both curious and worried about Murong's identity. He truly was curious, but he was worried that her identity might be so powerful that he would never have a day to turn things around.

Murong continued, "The next time I come, I will bring you two Fire Crystals. They can help you hatch these two eggs sooner."

Zhou Hao was slightly stunned when he heard this, and the words slipped out of his mouth. "You'd be this kind-hearted?"

Murong's gaze immediately cut toward him like blades. "What did you say?"

"N-no, nothing. I wanted to thank you. Thank you for your generosity," Zhou Hao said with an embarrassed smile, repeatedly waving his hands.

Murong glanced at him and said softly, "You are, after all, the father of my child. It is only proper that I give you some care."

Those words left Zhou Hao rooted to the spot. His mouth fell open as he asked in astonishment, "Y-you're pregnant?"

How could it have happened so fast? It had only been three days since their first time.

"No." Murong shook her head and said confidently, "But... we definitely will have one."

"That's good." Zhou Hao let out a breath of relief. He had thought he was that fierce!

Seeing how relieved he was, Murong frowned unhappily and asked, "You do not want me to become pregnant?"

"No, no." Zhou Hao repeatedly waved his hands. "I do. To be honest, I like children too. But these things depend on luck. If it does not happen, there is nothing we can do."

Though he said that, inwardly he was cursing, To hell with that. I'd have a child with anyone but you!

Murong examined Zhou Hao with her icy gaze until he began to feel somewhat uncomfortable, then she slowly asked, "You are done bathing, right?"

Zhou Hao nodded. "I'm done."

Did he dare say he was not? Murong's eyes looked as though she might beat him up at any moment.

Murong flicked her sleeve, and the stream of water vanished. Then she stood, and the Throne of Ice disappeared with her. Next, her clothing turned into motes of light and fell away, revealing her exquisite body before Zhou Hao once more.

Zhou Hao could not help swallowing. Although he had already seen her last time, seeing her again now made him even more excited than before, his heart pounding wildly.

He stared stupidly at Murong and asked, "Can I move on my own this time?"

"Yes." Murong's cool voice came, and in the next instant, she had already pounced onto Zhou Hao.

What followed was an enchanting affair too indescribable to put into words...