No Need to File Your Nails
"Mystic Shadow Guard..."
A hoarse, grating growl came from the black mist.
"Mind your own business!"
Roar!
An angry roar rang through the mountain forest.
All the villagers of Nine Geese Village shuddered.
"They're going to hurt Lord Mountain God! Kill them all!"
"We have to protect Lord Mountain God! Kill them all!"
The villagers gradually lost their senses, charging at the group with no regard for their lives.
The scene instantly descended into chaos.
Lu Ling cried out, "Brother Gu, this is the work of an evil presence! These people are all being controlled."
"Hehehe."
A chilling, crazed laugh came from the black mist. "Take your time dealing with them. I won't play with you anymore."
As soon as the words fell, the black mist rapidly retreated.
Gu Yuan sneered. "Is that all you've got?"
Shing!
The Orthodox Yang Sword flashed from its sheath, cutting an evil villager charging at him in two.
"Get back here!"
True essence surged, and Scorching Yang Flame erupted from the Orthodox Yang Sword, spreading rapidly in every direction with Gu Yuan at its center.
In just a single breath, everything within ten zhang had become a sea of fire!
"The Orthodox Yang Sword!!!"
"How dare you?!"
The entire mass of black mist sped away from the Scorching Yang Flame, letting out a startled growl at the same time.
Gu Yuan said coldly:
"Mystic Shadow Guard, hear my order! Kill anyone corrupted by the evil presence without mercy!"
"Yes!"
The Mystic Shadow Guard drew their blades and slaughtered every last one of the maddened villagers.
The disturbance was quelled in an instant.
Only a few elderly and weak villagers, women, and children remained, huddled together and trembling.
"After killing so many people, aren't you afraid the empress will hold you accountable?"
Gu Yuan laughed.
"I came only to slay you. Anyone who dares stand in my way, I'll kill!"
"The empress holding me accountable?"
"I don't care in the slightest!"
The black mist trembled faintly.
"Even with the Mystic Shadow Guard and the Orthodox Yang Sword to help you, killing you would still be as easy as turning over my hand.
"But you and I have no quarrel. You're young and already command the Mystic Shadow Guard. There's no need to throw your life away over this."
"Why don't we both take a step back?"
"Put out this fire, and I'll leave you something to report back with."
"Kill me?" Gu Yuan gathered his true essence, and the Yang Flame flared up.
"You, a sinister rat who doesn't even dare show your true face?"
"You're worthy?"
"Mystic Shadow Guard, hear my order! Coat your blades in fire and cut him down!"
"Yes!"
The Mystic Shadow Guard drew their blades, coated them in Scorching Yang Flame, and raised them high.
At that moment, the whole of Nine Geese Village was as bright as day.
"You refused a toast only to drink a forfeit...!"
The voice in the black mist was brimming with anger.
"In that case, all of you can die!"
The next moment.
The black mist abruptly spread at an unbelievable speed.
Lu Ling's expression changed, and she cried out:
"Everyone, be careful! Guard your minds and don't let the evil presence corrupt them!"
Gu Yuan felt a pang in his heart, and everything suddenly went black.
When he opened his eyes again.
He was lying on a lavishly appointed brocade bed.
"Where is this...?"
"I remember now. I just put down the rebellion in Qingzhou and rendered great service. The empress summoned me to the palace and named me imperial consort."
"The imperial consort is the head of the empress's harem..."
"Today is my third day as imperial consort."
Gu Yuan sat up, feeling a little dizzy.
"Lord Imperial Consort, for today's victory banquet, Her Majesty specifically instructed that you must wear the Brocade Heaven and Earth Robe."
"Understood."
"Lord Imperial Consort, Her Highness Consort An asked this servant to pass along a message. She said she's wearing lace underwear tonight and asks you to visit when you have time."
Gu Yuan: ???
Consort An?
He remembered now. That was Huai'an...
The realm had only just been pacified, and the empress was busy with affairs of state. Afraid he would be lonely, she had even taken her younger sister into the harem... uh, that didn't sound quite right.
In any case, he had both sisters...
As for the lace underwear, he had only mentioned it once. How had she already put it on?
In that case, he could only reluctantly go and take a look...
"Mm, understood."
"There's one more thing. The Gu residence sent word that the King of Shuzhou intends to send the Lu sisters into the palace as consorts to attend to Lord Imperial Consort."
???
"Ahem, does Her Majesty know about this?"
"She probably doesn't yet."
Gu Yuan felt refreshed in body and mind.
"Don't tell her for now."
"Yes, Lord Imperial Consort."
"Don't tell me what?" A lovely voice rang out from outside the hall.
Dressed in a phoenix gown, Qi Yueli slowly entered the hall, her figure breathtakingly beautiful.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Mm. You may leave. I have something to discuss with the imperial consort in private."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The palace maids withdrew, leaving only Gu Yuan and Qi Yueli in the hall.
Gu Yuan's breath caught.
A beauty who could topple nations, unmatched in the world...
Qi Yueli was truly too beautiful.
"What was the imperial consort just saying?" Qi Yueli raised her jade hand and gently stroked Gu Yuan's chest.
Her legs shifted slightly, and her exquisite feet, wrapped in black stockings, made his heart burn.
"Your Majesty, word came from home that the King of Shuzhou wants to send the Lu brother and sister into the palace..."
Qi Yueli froze.
"Hmph!"
Gu Yuan felt an immense force of true essence sweep over him. Unable even to stand, he was pressed straight onto the bed by Qi Yueli.
"Are Huai'an and I not enough for you? Must you set your sights on other women too?"
"How hateful!"
Gu Yuan swallowed. "Your Majesty, if you're unwilling, we can still discuss it."
"Discuss it?"
Qi Yueli leaned close, the tip of her nose brushing his cheek, her eyes full of allure.
"What terms do you intend to offer me?"
As she spoke, Gu Yuan felt his hand being lifted and gently placed on her black stockings...
"Do you like my black stockings?"
"Now, you may do whatever you want."
"There's no need to file your nails."
"Satisfy me... and I'll allow you to take them in..."
Gu Yuan's heart raced, and his mouth went dry.
"I've already decided. Today I'll announce to the world that I'm passing the throne to you. From now on, I'll tend your harem in peace and bear your children."
"What do you think?"
Become emperor.
Have a harem.
Gather countless beauties and become lord of the realm.
What a tempting offer!
Every man's ultimate dream amounted to no more than this!
Gu Yuan took a deep breath.
The woman's intoxicating fragrance gradually invaded his mind.
"Li'er, that sounds wonderful."
"Let's rest."
An alluring smile curved Qi Yueli's lips.
"Your Majesty, let me undress you."
That single sentence threw Gu Yuan's mind into turmoil.
Wasn't this what he had been pursuing?
Power!
Beautiful women!
The pinnacle of mortal life amounted to no more than this!
And yet.
A trace of confusion still lingered in Gu Yuan's heart.
Was this really what he wanted?
No.
As emperor, he could have everything he wanted. What else could he pursue?!
Probably nothing...
Qi Yueli slowly loosened her clothes.
Thud.
A black book fell out for no apparent reason.
"What is this?"
"Imperial consort, don't mind it..." Qi Yueli pressed down Gu Yuan's hand, stopping him from touching the book.
Gu Yuan's heart suddenly gave a jolt.
He could feel it.
This thing was very important to him!
Ignoring Qi Yueli's attempts to stop him, Gu Yuan opened the book and examined it.
There was nothing special about it. It was filled with crooked writing he couldn't understand.
Gu Yuan couldn't put it down no matter what. He turned it over and over, studying it for a long time before he finally discerned the words between the lines. The whole book was filled with two characters:
"Immortality"!