Such a Beauty, What a Waste If She Won't Warm the Bed — The Terrifying Killing Intent at the Banquet of Prodigies
Such a Beauty, What a Waste If She Won’t Warm the Bed — The Terrifying Killing Intent at the Banquet of Prodigies
What Jun Fan had said was simply too shocking. Qing Zhu’s fingers trembled, her face turned pale, and her head roared with a buzzing sound.
Although she had already prepared herself to betray Her Majesty the Empress, she had never imagined it would go as far as poisoning her to death.
No matter what, Her Majesty the Empress had, after all, cultivated her for all these years.
She owed her a debt of gratitude.
If not for Her Majesty’s cultivation back then, how could she have her current status? She could betray the Empress, but poisoning her to death — that was something she absolutely could not do.
“Qing Zhu, rest assured, this matter will not implicate you in any way. This bottle of elixir powder contains no poisonous components whatsoever, so it won’t be detected by anyone.”
“I know you’re kind-hearted and can’t bring yourself to do such a thing, but you must understand — Xi Yao is ruthless and cold-blooded.”
“If she learns of your connection to me, do you think she’ll spare you out of old sentiment...?”
“At that point, who could save you?”
Seeing Qing Zhu’s reluctant expression, Jun Fan sighed as if he had long anticipated this, and continued persuading her.
“You... you’re right.”
“Once Her Majesty finds out, there’s no way she’ll let me go.”
Qing Zhu’s face was pale, her eyes wide.
Hearing these words, her heart began to waver. She knew she no longer had any choice.
Back when she agreed to be Jun Fan’s inside agent at the Empress’s side, she should have foreseen this day would come.
She was unwilling to remain a mere lady official, to one day be casually gifted away by the Empress to some great figure — just like that night.
In the Empress’s eyes, they were nothing but tools, the kind that could be discarded at any moment...
“How confident are you?”
Soon, Qing Zhu calmed down, her eyes fixed intently on Jun Fan as she asked.
An ungrateful wretch? No — if she couldn’t even preserve her own life, what use was so-called loyalty? At the same time, she took the white porcelain bottle from Jun Fan’s hand.
“If you succeed in this, the odds are over ninety percent.”
Seeing this, Jun Fan’s face lit up with joy as he assured her, “I’ve already gained control over the others. Everything is ready — all we need is the east wind. And the elixir powder in your hand merely serves a harmonizing role. If the other steps fail, nothing on your end will be affected.”
The implication was... everything Qing Zhu did would go completely unnoticed by anyone.
Qing Zhu nodded, understanding what Jun Fan meant.
This kind of compound poison, when its components were separated, would not constitute any toxicity at all — on the contrary, each had nourishing and regulating effects.
As such, even if Empress Yao Xi grew suspicious of her daily meals, she would absolutely never detect the slightest trace of poison.
She would be much safer too, with no risk of exposure.
“Then I’ll trust you.”
Qing Zhu’s expression became resolute, a trace of madness in her eyes.
If they succeeded, she too would become a bold, colorful stroke in the history books — the one who helped overthrow the Empress’s reign, her name echoing through the ages!
Afterward, the two discussed matters a while longer before Qing Zhu finally rose to take her leave, looking weighed down with worries, her steps heavy.
Jun Fan watched her depart, and only then let out a faint sigh, saying, “Qing Zhu, forgive me. If we succeed in the end, I will give you the antidote.”
With that, he looked at the teacup on the stone table. The tea within still steamed, carrying a faint, elegant fragrance.
Jun Fan’s gaze was deeply conflicted.
This couldn’t be blamed on him.
After all, his identity doomed him to remain hidden from the light of day. If this assassination succeeded, that would be another matter entirely.
But if the assassination failed, what risks would follow? Qing Zhu knew his identity — once Empress Yao Xi caught wind of it, he would inevitably be exposed.
At that point, what would happen to his mother, his father, and his older brother and sister in this life? And all sorts of other terrible consequences.
Jun Fan simply didn’t dare imagine it.
So, just in case, he had poisoned the tea and, without batting an eye, let Qing Zhu drink it.
Qing Zhu hadn’t suspected him either.
If the assassination failed, Qing Zhu, without the antidote, naturally wouldn’t survive.
Everyone would assume she had committed suicide out of fear of punishment — no one would suspect him.
And if the assassination succeeded, he would give Qing Zhu the antidote and beg her forgiveness.
“This plan is absolutely foolproof. As long as Xi Yao shows herself at the Banquet of Prodigies, nothing can go wrong.”
Thinking this, Jun Fan’s expression turned cold and hard as iron...
“Gongzi, that purple-dressed woman you ordered me to watch — after leaving the imperial palace, the direction she headed seems to be where the Black and White Academy is located.”
“However, she didn’t stay there long before leaving again.”
Meanwhile, in a magnificent palace, Gu Changge was leisurely playing a game of chess. Hearing this report, he grew somewhat interested.
Beside him, a fierce-looking man exuding a murderous aura was reporting respectfully.
The man was named Tian Ze, a subordinate he had selected from the Chaotic Star Territory, with cultivation at the Sacred Lord Realm and extensive battle experience.
“The Black and White Academy... if I remember correctly, that’s an institution Empress Yao Xi founded single-handedly six thousand years ago, to select talented prodigies.”
Gu Changge casually placed a piece. “Then it seems she went to the Black and White Academy looking for someone. She didn’t stay long — it looks more like she was passing along information.”
Thinking of this, he smiled.
If he hadn’t paid attention at the time, he probably wouldn’t have noticed any of this.
Come to think of it, Empress Yao Xi herself probably never imagined that the confidante she had painstakingly cultivated would become someone else’s eyes and ears planted at her side.
In that case, hadn’t her every movement and whereabouts been exposed to the other party’s view all along?
Jiang Luoshen’s brows knitted into a deep frown. She stared at the deadlocked position on the chessboard, then at the inexplicable smile on Gu Changge’s face, feeling thoroughly vexed.
Her chess skills weren’t bad.
So why did she lose to him again and again, without the slightest chance of winning?
“Moreover, if Jun Bufan were a bit more ruthless, he could absolutely find a way to poison Empress Yao Xi’s daily cultivation resources or even her meals... though that’s unlikely. With Empress Yao Xi’s vigilance, it would be very difficult...”
“Hmm... no, wait...”
Gu Changge ignored her, his fingers tapping on the chessboard.
Suddenly, he thought of a possibility — a way to pull it all off while deceiving the heavens and crossing the sea.
The premise being... that Empress Yao Xi’s lady official was bold enough.
“Three days from now is the Demon World’s Banquet of Prodigies. The great families of the various domains will all head to the Black and White Academy to attend, and Empress Yao Xi will appear at that time.”
“With the place crawling with all sorts of people, it’ll be the perfect opportunity to strike.”
“If I were the son of the Demon Overlord, I would absolutely choose that moment to act... And if my prediction is correct, Jun Bufan is currently hiding within the Black and White Academy.”
Gu Changge narrowed his eyes, quickly piecing the whole matter together.
The Black and White Academy alone had hundreds of thousands of disciples.
Searching for him one by one would be quite troublesome.
So he was in no hurry. Now that the scope had narrowed, the moment the Demon Overlord’s son showed himself before him, he would inevitably be detected.
“Heh, speaking of which, Empress Yao Xi is rather pitiful — kept in the dark without even knowing it. If things followed their normal course, she might actually fall to Jun Bufan at this Banquet of Prodigies.”
Of course, Gu Changge didn’t believe Empress Yao Xi was without tricks of her own.
Though he had seen through everything, he had no intention of informing her.
Gu Changge intended to control Empress Yao Xi, and the most crucial point was... he had to make her depend on him first.
As for how to make her depend on him — that would depend on whether Jun Bufan created the opportunity for him.
That lady official named Qing Zhu might also become a key figure influencing the Banquet of Prodigies three days from now.
“Continue watching her every move. If you notice anything unusual, report to me at once.”
After some thought, Gu Changge gave the order.
“Yes, Gongzi.”
Having received his instructions, Tian Ze’s figure flickered and swiftly vanished.
Gu Changge’s fingers resumed their unhurried tapping on the chessboard.
“For now, Bai Kun’s daughter Bai Lian’er and her disciple have arrived in the Demon World, but they still haven’t found Jun Bufan. I wonder if any unexpected developments will arise...”
He pondered this matter.
As the master behind the Nephrite Breeze Pavilion, her cultivation was at least at the Sacred King Realm level.
That kind of power, no matter where...
could not be underestimated.
“Gu Changge...”
Jiang Luoshen’s displeased voice came, interrupting Gu Changge’s thoughts.
“You lost again.”
Gu Changge casually glanced at her. “A bet’s a bet, no?”
Jiang Luoshen gritted her teeth, then silently walked over and began massaging his shoulders.
It had to be said — practice makes perfect.
After some time, her technique had become quite skilled, no longer hit-or-miss like at the beginning.
Her flawless, snow-white little hands rested on his shoulders, full of aesthetic grace. Her golden hair cascaded down, brilliant as the sun, carrying a pleasant, faintly elegant fragrance.
“Mm, seems you’re... not so stupid after all. You’ve finally learned.”
Gu Changge smiled.
Jiang Luoshen looked at him coldly, then rolled her eyes.
She never imagined that someone of her status would one day actually learn to serve another person.
In the past, this would have been... simply unthinkable.
“So when will you learn to warm the bed?”
Gu Changge asked with great interest.
Hearing this, Jiang Luoshen’s snow-white, delicate neck flushed slightly red.
Like the finest mutton-fat jade, one could even see the faint golden veins beneath.
The blood of the Godly Illusion Clan was golden, containing unparalleled divinity.
However, her expression remained cold, without much change, as she sneered, “Gu Changge, I told you — don’t even think about forcing me to do such a thing, or I’ll take you down with me.”
Hearing this, Gu Changge’s tone carried a hint of helplessness and regret, though he didn’t force her. “Is that so? Such a beauty — what a real waste if you won’t warm the bed.”
Hearing Gu Changge call her beautiful, Jiang Luoshen actually felt quite pleased inside, but something about his words felt off.
Why did being beautiful mean she had to... warm his bed? What kind of bizarre logic was that?
“Gu Changge, no matter how many different ways you compliment me, I will never agree to it.”
Jiang Luoshen sneered.
“Is that so?”
Gu Changge smiled casually, his tone relaxed and natural. “I’m... not in any hurry anyway. Besides, I remember you said something like that before, too.”
“But aren’t you quite skilled at it now?”
“You...”
Jiang Luoshen’s expression froze, a sudden panic rising in her heart, before she said coldly, “How can such things be lumped together?”
Gu Changge smiled and didn’t continue teasing her.
And soon, three days quickly passed.
The prominent figures of the great families from all Nine Realms of the Demon World came to attend this Banquet of Prodigies.
After all, this was a grand event held only once every twenty years.
Nearly all the great figures of the Demon World would descend upon it, and Empress Yao Xi herself would attend in person, bestowing imperial wine upon the prodigies who earned rankings.
For the young prodigies, this was an unimaginable honor.
Not only could they shine brilliantly at this banquet and make their names known across the world, but if they caught Empress Yao Xi’s favor, they would henceforth be granted titles and promotions, bringing glory to their families.
Moreover, it was rumored that Gu Changge himself would descend upon this Banquet of Prodigies to observe the ceremony, and would even present prizes to the prodigies who earned rankings.
Amid the many rumors, countless beings of the Demon World were drawn to come.
Many came merely to catch a glimpse of Gu Changge’s true face, wanting to see just what kind of figure this man renowned throughout the Beyond really was.
The Black and White Academy’s territory was vast, spanning hundreds of thousands of li.
Within it, mountain ranges overlapped, divine peaks towered, immortal birds spread their wings, and auspicious beasts roared — a scene of immortal paradise.
Among them, the most towering and majestic mountain was none other than the Black and White Academy’s Sacred Mountain.
It was said to be the mountain formation suppressing the Fortuity Dragon Vein within a million li, wreathed in immortal mist, with multicolored rays of light cascading down — dazzling and astounding.
By now, many figures had already appeared near the mountain range.
Men and women, old and young, regardless of cultivation level, all swarmed in, vying to occupy the most advantageous positions.
Beyond them were the prodigies of the various clans and forces, gathering from all directions — not only disciples of the Black and White Academy, but also disciples cultivated by other powers.
The Banquet of Prodigies, as the name implied, was meant to provide all the prodigies of the Demon World with just such an opportunity — a carp leaping over the dragon gate.
All of the younger generation were qualified to participate in this banquet.
At this moment, on a small path through the mountains, a man and a woman were hurrying along. The man wore plain hemp clothes and carried a basket on his back, looking just like an herb farmer.
The woman beside him also wore hemp clothes, her face sallow and even somewhat ugly.
But her figure was incredibly stunning — every curve radiating astonishing allure, causing many passing young men to sneak glances at her, only for their expressions to change drastically as they hurried away, feeling rather queasy.
“Lian’er-jie, do you think we’ll be able to find the person Shifu mentioned here this time?”
The man carrying the basket spoke up, his voice filled with curiosity.
Hearing this, the woman swept a faint glance at him and said, “If we can’t find him here, then in the entire vast Demon World, we’d have no hope of finding him either. And by my intuition, he will definitely be here, doing something earth-shatteringly bold.”
“Then after we hand the item over to him, can we go back and save Shifu...?”
Hope welled up in the man’s eyes.
The woman shook her head slightly and said no more.
The two were none other than Bai Lian’er — the master behind the Nephrite Breeze Pavilion — and Bai Hua, who had concealed their tracks all the way from the Beyond to the Demon World to complete Bai Kun’s mission.
Afterward, the two headed toward the Sacred Mountain region ahead, joining the crowds in claiming favorable positions.
Numerous prodigies, their auras powerful and shrouded in precious radiance, were already waiting at the foot of the mountain, looking quite expectant.
A full million beings of the Demon World had come to observe this Banquet of Prodigies — truly an event drawing the attention of the entire world.
Weng!!
Just then, brilliant streaks of light suddenly appeared in the sky above, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.
A grand pathway stretched out, connecting directly to the Sacred Mountain.
Upon it came four stunningly beautiful women, bearing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, walking with graceful lotus steps like celestial maidens of the nine heavens.
“It’s the four great lady officials at Empress Yao Xi’s side.”
“They’re here — Her Majesty the Empress should be arriving soon.”
Many beings watched this scene, growing even more excited as they recognized the identities of the four approaching women.
Around the Sacred Mountain, the figures of numerous high ministers began to appear, all bringing their families and large retinues, taking their seats in the banquet’s guest area.
Moreover, many noticed that the Demon World armies patrolling around the Sacred Mountain this time were several times larger than in previous years.
Powerful knights with surging vitality patrolled everywhere, immediately moving to suppress and kill any beings acting suspiciously.
At a time like this, Her Majesty the Empress’s safety had to be guaranteed.
Though her cultivation was formidable, it had not yet reached the level of being invincible under heaven — a bit of caution was only proper.
Soon, one Demon World prodigy after another appeared, all being those of profound cultivation among the current generation, instantly drawing the attention of many and garnering great acclaim.
A breathtakingly beautiful woman in a pale yellow dress also appeared at the foot of the Sacred Mountain, poised and graceful, exuding the scholarly elegance of a noble lady.
Song Youwei, the only daughter of the current Grand Tutor.
Her appearance immediately drew the attention of many prodigies, all turning their gazes toward her — amazement, admiration, adoration, wariness... a whole range of reactions.
“Grand Tutor, your daughter possesses such remarkable grace at such a young age — truly enviable.”
The Quelling Chaos King spoke with a hearty laugh, joking with the Grand Tutor beside him, though his words carried considerable respect.
The Grand Tutor chuckled softly and said, “The Heavenly King flatters me. Though I hear that third son of yours is also no ordinary figure — in a short time he’s risen to instant fame. Truly a case of a gem hidden away for over a decade, only to astonish the world the moment it emerges. Youwei has mentioned him before me many times.”
Hearing this, the joy on the Quelling Chaos King’s face deepened.
He had never imagined that his third son — the unfavored one with mediocre cultivation — would see such a day.
Whether it was hiding his talents and biding his time, or some other fortuitous encounter, it didn’t matter to him — as long as the boy brought honor to his face, that was all that counted.
At this moment, an idea stirred in the Quelling Chaos King’s heart. Song Youwei was bound by no marriage agreement, and she seemed to get along quite well with his third son.
If he could match the two together, it would be a good thing for him as well.
As the two conversed, a figure descended upon the area in the distance, dressed in blue, handsome of face, tall and straight of stature, carrying an air of confidence and composure — it was none other than Jun Fan.
He surveyed his surroundings, a faint smile on his face, while sneering coldly in his heart, “Xi Yao, this day has come. Are you prepared?”
And just then, from high above came bursts of roars that shook the eight directions. Immediately after, nine auspicious beasts resembling qilin swept across the sky, their hooves treading upon the void, producing sounds of wind and thunder.
Behind them, they pulled a Black Jade Carriage, rumbling as it crushed across the heavens, its momentum overwhelming, vast and astounding.
Behind the carriage followed a mighty army of knights, some driving war chariots, others riding ferocious beasts, trailing along the entire way.
“Her Majesty the Empress has arrived.”
Someone cried out, and then nearly everyone’s gaze turned toward it, filled with reverence.