Yuemi's screams spread far and wide, shaking the Evernight Palace. But as madness took over, a voice, Xinzi's voice, echoed in her mind.
'So often, it is not about the truth, but what the world wants to believe to be true. Yuemi, you have ran amok for 10,000 years, disrespecting even the seniors that supported you in the first place. All they want is a strong excuse, a case so incriminating that no level of status can save you from their pent-up stress and rage. I just helped them build one, but you…put in the final touch. Go ahead, do your worst, I'm waiting for you, eager to show you that—beautiful—I am not only crazier than you are, but once provoked, my cruelty knows absolutely no limit.'
Derisive laughter pealed throughout Yuemi's mind, and rising to her toes, she stepped towards the exit, ignoring the mangled third elder, who still lay in a corner.
…
"In my tens of thousands of years of existence, I have seen rubbish, but this…would make even devils of the Decadent Affiliation ashamed of their inferiority. Hengye Yuemi, today, we won't spare you." Unbeknown to Yuemi, while the Zhen-body wasted time, the great elder, maids and Xinzi read "her decree," all marveling at the content.
"The decoy shell's progression speed shames the glory of the Hengye clan. Even in this branch, its cultivation speed wouldn't meet Evernight Palace standards, making me sigh at its incompetence. Granted that it cultivates in a barren land, as a container for our Greatest One, we can't allow it to stay on this humiliating course." This was a lie.
Before Xiao Hu awoke as Heaven's Chosen, Xinzi did laze around in the cultivation department, banking his hopes for rapid growth on dual cultivation with Chun Xu. But after outwitting Xiao Hu and snatching opportunities upon opportunities, his growth speed increased exponentially—enabling him to butcher Golden Core level experts at 18, all with an-early stage Foundation Building cultivation.
This Hengye branch would be hard-pressed to produce a junior with such an overbearing foundation, and the great elder knew that as well.
"More importantly, the decoy shell lacks the tools to efficiently manipulate the Yanzhou sphere and recover the records in an acceptable time-frame. Thus, in my authority as Lord-Regent and Emissary of our Divine Ancestor, I've decided to help our lord speed up his cultivation process. He has received two cultivation methods prepared by me, and will use them…to dual cultivate with and harvest all members of the Night Slave Hall.
To make sure that it all works as intended, he will start with my maids, from third-class to first class, then indulge in every hussy of the Night Slave Hall. Once the decoy-shell is full to brim with Yin Qi, the Zhen-body can practice the methods as well and…grow alongside me—or inside—doesn't matter.
As for the injuries dealt by the Face-Erasing Whip, I forbid him to heal them. It is what he deserves for failing to meet the Divine Ancestor's expectations. May the pain serve as a lasting reminder, and help him stay on the correct course.
With love, your mesmerizing Lord-Regent, Hengye Yuemi." Each word breathed Yuemi madness, incorporating the spirit that made all Evernight Palace residents seethe. Add to that the Face-Erasing Whip, Lord-Regent seal, and the memories spread by the third elder, and the great elder didn't doubt that Yuemi had gone so mad that no one could save her from self-destruction.
Fleshly dual cultivation with hundreds of women? What was this? Yanglong's orgy feast? The Solar Dragon God himself would bow to Yuemi's lustful fantasies!
"Aaah, indeed, it is what I deserve." Letting out a long sigh, Xinzi stood out of the Dao Cleansing Pool, clearly unwilling to accept treatment and challenge "the Lord-Regent's will." This display of humility worsened the great elder's mood, his face twisting in shame for having tolerated the Yuemi problem for so long.
Eyes ablaze with determination, the great elder made a grasping motion, forcing the Face-Erasing Whip and Lord-Regent token to fly into his hands. At the same time, he tapped Xinzi's forehead, suppressing his sense of pain while putting him in a lethargic state. Brought down by the great elder's move, our monk rested in a maid's cushy bosom.
"Greatest One, I apologize for the offense, but your humble servant can't allow you to suffer—especially not because of that demented woman. The Face-Erasing Whip will not hold us back. You will heal here and watch as we solve this problem once and for all.
With my token, I will unseal the catacombs and help the supreme elder put an end to this farce.
My good-for-nothing bastard of a son has caused enough damage already. Neither the supreme elder nor I will allow his crazed wife to damage this branch any further. Greatest One, rest well and have no fear, we will stand by you!" Hands cupped and head bowed low, the great elder said, and kowtowed at Xinzi.
As if the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders, our monk relaxed, and his eyes turned moist. "Great elder, thank you for this show of loyalty! I…I am not…worthy!" Xinzi lowered his head, hiding the lone tear that slid down his cheek. The great elder noticed that his lord restrained his mortal grief, and as he pictured all the resentment that he kept bottled up, his hatred of Yuemi and the "good-for-nothing son," Qingxin, rose to stratospheric heights.
Without further ado, the great elder tapped his storage ring, summoning red curtains that spread to shelter Xinzi's healing process. "This artifact should be enough to restrain the mad regent until the retired elders rise up. Greatest One, wait for us!" Laced with solemn zeal, the great elder's words boomed out, delighting Xinzi, who had to put forth his best poker face to not burst into frenzied laughter.
After one final bow, the great elder vanished, racing towards the Ancestral Hall where the hidden entrance to this branch clan's catacombs lay. In most clans of the Great Desolation world, great elders served two key functions:
One, veto the clan master once his leadership threatened to derail the sect.
Two, serve as a bridge between the active and retired elders, if the clan had any.
As Hengye Wuxin's father, the great elder failed to prevent his own son from derailing the branch's glorious path. Then he let the new regent abuse her authority and grow into the menace that she was today. Time and time again, he failed in his duty, making him question his worth as leader of the active elders. Needless to say, Xinzi understood these insecurities, and didn't mind using them to secure a home-run victory.
With the great elder gone, and a mighty immortal artifact to protect him, Xinzi heaved his first genuine sigh of relief, and his back pressed harder on the maid's bouncy breasts. "Anh…Greatest One." The maid purred the words, a clear attempt to kindle Xinzi's desires. She wasn't the only one. All of the maids' brains had been fried by the decree—the hope of warming the Greatest One's bed too strong for them to restrain themselves.
"Oh? I'd almost forgotten, once backed by the Face-Erasing Whip, the Lord-Regent's will becomes inviolable. Let's all do our best." Xinzi arched his head back, his tone grave and stern while his hands reached for the maids surrounding him.
Meanwhile, Yuemi approached with great strides, eyes burning with murderous hatred.