Chapter 397: Mother-in-Law, We Cannot

“Chan’er, this is Seventh Princess…”

Gu Qing, with unshakable composure, introduced the two cousins to each other.

Yang Chan was naturally celestial in beauty, and Seventh Princess was equally rare in the world; as their eyes met, Seventh Princess’s gaze held a domineering possessiveness, while Yang Chan’s remained gentle and yielding.

“Elder sister.”

Yang Chan bowed her head in address.

“Little sister.”

Seventh Princess stepped forward, took Yang Chan’s hand in hers, and said: “Gu Qing is no good man—don’t let him deceive you.”

Seventh Princess spoke with sincere earnestness.

“Elder sister, if that’s true, then why did you let him turn raw rice into cooked rice?”

Yang Chan couldn’t help asking.

First, she declared “raw rice turned to cooked rice,” then followed with “Gu Qing is no good man”—every word was a claim of sovereignty. Frankly, Yang Chan had no desire to compete for his affection; even her feelings for Gu Qing carried some hesitation—but Seventh Princess couldn’t possibly mistake her for a fool.

“Gu Qing has great merit toward my Yang family.”

Yang Chan said: “And these past days, I’ve been with him day and night…”

“Gu Qing has great enmity toward my family!”

Seventh Princess cut her off, eyes red: “He killed my nine brothers, refined their essences, and caused chaos in the Heavenly Court, shaming my parents—but I don’t care anymore!”

Yang Chan met Seventh Princess’s gaze—stubborn, obsessive, yet profoundly sincere—and her heart trembled.

At that moment, the Precious Lotus Lamp emitted light.

One day in Heaven equals one year on Earth.

At this very moment in the Heavenly Court, moments ago, the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother had been laughing heartily over Gu Qing and Yang Chan, plotting how to deal with him—but when they glanced down to the mortal realm, their faces turned ashen.

Their beloved daughter had become the protagonist!

Their earlier laughter had now become a boomerang, striking them squarely in the face.

“Quick! Quick!”

The Jade Emperor waved his hands in fury: “Deal with Gu Qing at once!”

He no longer wished to watch.

If the immortals of the Heavenly Court learned of this mortal drama, who knew what gossip would spread behind their backs.

The Jade Emperor’s face was utterly humiliated.

Queen Mother’s eyes burned with hatred as she gazed down at Gu Qing… You like chasing women, do you? Just wait and see how I’ll deal with you!

Chaoge.

“The phoenix canopy’s splendor is unmatched, all adorned in gold-threaded embroidery. Far hills curl like emerald ribbons, flowing sleeves gleam with sunset hues. Pear blossoms, wet with rain, vie in charm; peonies veiled in mist display enchanting grace. If such beauty can move the heart, bring her back to serve the sovereign in Changle.”

Yang Chan held the Precious Lotus Lamp, standing in the Goddess Nuwa’s temple, gazing at the verse before her, the lamp radiating waves of light.

King Zhou had eaten too many red beans.

“This is a trial bestowed upon me by the Goddess Nuwa.”

Yang Chan turned gracefully, brows slightly furrowed; after arriving in Chaoge, she had seen the face of the mortal dynasty, witnessed King Zhou’s cruelty, and felt pity for the common people.

Originally, her trial had been to return the Weak Water to Heaven, sparing the mortal realm from disaster—but with Gu Qing’s interference, the matter had long been settled, even fulfilling the Weak Water’s ancient wish for emotional companionship. Thus, her trial had changed.

“Inciting rebellion is not easy.”

On this critical matter, Seventh Princess set aside her grudge and mused: “The Four Seasons Lords are all loyal—if we urge them to rebel, their blades will turn on us.”

Gu Qing nodded. Writing historical epics in ancient times was difficult, especially regarding dynastic change: the protagonists could not harbor treasonous intent; they must be loyal ministers of the current emperor, then the emperor must grow corrupt, harming officials and commoners alike—each atrocity piled upon the last—until the heroes, with no other choice, rose in the people’s name.

Under such conditions, the Marquis of Xibei remained utterly loyal to King Zhou, deaf to any talk of rebellion.

“Should we find someone to corrupt King Zhou’s realm, so that his overthrow would seem righteous?”

Seventh Princess suggested.

Originally, Daji was meant to do exactly that—but in the Investiture of the Gods, she carried it too far and was severed by Nuwa.

“Let’s go straight to Xiqi.”

Gu Qing had no interest in such schemes or harming loyal ministers; he spoke directly: “We’ll just have Xiqi mobilize its troops.”

The Investiture War was already on the brink—once war broke out, both sides would fight to the death, vying to send each other to the Investiture List.

Xiqi.

Yang Chan held the Precious Lotus Lamp, channeling her spiritual power; above Xiqi, a phoenix flew across the sky, its cry echoing constantly. The people of Xiqi, upon seeing it, immediately knelt in worship. Soon, the words “Phoenix sings on Mount Qi—true sovereign arises” spread through Xiqi, and with merchants traveling far and wide, the rumor expanded beyond.

“You’ve made my life a misery!”

Ji Chang sat trembling in his chair: “The phoenix sings on Mount Qi—the King will surely summon me! Alas, I’m doomed to prison!”

Ji Chang had memorized the script.

“Father, let me go in your place!”

Bo Yikao, hearing of his father’s peril, stepped forward at once: “I’ll take your place.”

At this moment, Gu Qing looked at the legendary general Bo Yikao—this man had been chopped into mincemeat by King Zhou, dying a gruesome death, yet in the Investiture, he was enshrined as the Purple Micro Emperor, rising from ashes to divinity.

Speaking of the Purple Micro Emperor…

Gu Qing thought of the child from the White Snake world, smiled, then looked at Bo Yikao and said: “Bo Yikao, you are destined to become emperor.”

Bo Yikao’s legs buckled; he collapsed to the ground, shaking like Ji Chang: “I have no such intentions!”

Ji Chang watched his son’s frantic reaction, shook his head slightly—he knew his son’s lifespan was short; this “destiny to be emperor” was likely just idle flattery…

“Father, let’s do it.”

Bo Yikao urged Ji Chang.

Ji Chang’s trembling ceased; now, above all, he must remain calm.

“Immortal.”

Ji Chang looked to Gu Qing: “Will you help us?”

“Of course!”

Gu Qing affirmed: “My second brother-in-law will come to aid you.”

In the Precious Lotus Lamp tale, Yang Jian contributed greatly during the Investiture War; moreover, he was of the Chan Sect—this was their affair… so Yang Jian would have to suffer a little.

“Then that’s settled!”

Ji Chang nodded; with this assurance, he dared to act boldly.

The Investiture War began prematurely.

Yang Chan gazed at the Precious Lotus Lamp in her hand; at that moment, it radiated radiant light, and she felt her bond with it deepen further.

“Has it really been accomplished so easily?”

Yang Chan looked at Gu Qing and Seventh Princess, smiling. Xiqi under the Marquis of Xibei was truly admirable—vastly superior to King Zhou’s Chaoge. If it could replace him, it would be a blessing for the people.

Aolai Kingdom, Huaguo Mountain.

Sun Wukong gnawed on his peach, finding it tasteless—nowhere near the flavor of a single heavenly Pantao . As he reminisced, a figure suddenly appeared in the cave; Sun Wukong instantly tensed, scratched his head, and eyed the regal woman before him.

“Sun Wukong.”

Queen Mother smiled sweetly: “You love claiming mothers everywhere, don’t you?”

Sun Wukong studied her: “What should I call you?”

Queen Mother shook her head gently: “I cannot tell you my name—you’d go crying to your mother. But I can tell you this.” Sun Wukong listened intently.

“Among the Ten Continents and Three Isles, many immortals dwell hidden in deep mountains—some are female immortals, not only breathtakingly beautiful, but possessing boundless cultivation methods.”

In casual conversation, Queen Mother deliberately revealed the identities of many female immortals of the Jie Sect to Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong scratched his head, memorizing every detail. Once Queen Mother departed, he leapt into a somersault cloud and headed straight for the Jie Sect’s female immortals—he wanted to see what trick this sudden woman was playing.

After Sun Wukong left, Queen Mother’s figure reappeared. She chuckled, then flew toward Gu Qing’s location—she intended to add more small troubles for him.

Xiqi.

Yang Jiao and Yang Jian finally found this place; upon seeing Gu Qing, calm and composed, they struck without warning.

“Crash!”

“Crash!”

Both had trained under Zhen Ding Zhenren, their skills nearly identical; they had once caused chaos in Heaven together, knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and now, in their fury, they unleashed their full strength—but to their shock, Gu Qing’s expression didn’t change at all.

“You’re Yang Jiao and Yang Jian.”

Gu Qing spoke calmly: “Are you two unharmed?”

Yang Jiao and Yang Jian exchanged glances, helplessly: “Where is our sister?”

They had traveled great distances searching for her.

“Your sister is here.”

Before Gu Qing could answer, a woman clad entirely in phoenix robes appeared in the courtyard—regal, noble, unmistakable. Before her, Yang Chan and Seventh Princess stood frozen, unable to move.

“Queen Mother!”

Yang Jiao and Yang Jian cried out, staring at the captive San Shengmu and the immobilized Seventh Princess.

“My Lady, the matter of my Yang family has already been settled in Heaven!”

Yang Jian spoke at once: during their last rebellion in Heaven, Queen Mother had once led Yang Jian and Yang Jiao into the Four Realms of Desire, where she had earnestly instructed him—Yang Jian had felt she treated him differently.

“Bring out Gu Qing.”

Queen Mother sneered.

At these words, Yang Jian exhaled in relief—he sensed this was aimed solely at Gu Qing. Though he had intended to aid Gu Qing, his sister and cousin came first.

Yang Jian turned to see Gu Qing standing in the courtyard.

“Gu Qing.”

The Queen Mother of the West looked at Gu Qing and sneered twice. “You truly have a masterful touch—making every female immortal in my heavenly court lose their composure. But today, I will expose your hypocritical face!”

The Queen Mother of the West governed the Four Heavens of Desire and was most attuned to the stirrings of lust and desire among immortals; Gu Qing was the one with the strongest reaction.

“Let them go. Let’s talk this out.”

Gu Qing said, his face stern.

The Queen Mother had suddenly struck, kidnapping Yang Chan and the Seventh Princess. Gu Qing could only notify Yao Ji on one hand, while negotiating with the Queen Mother on the other. The Seventh Princess was the Queen Mother’s own daughter; Yang Chan had just received the approval of the Precious Lotus Lamp. Their lives were safe. Gu Qing suspected the Queen Mother intended to use these two immortal maidens to control him.

So now, Gu Qing would play the role of the lovesick fool, the soft target.

“Talk this out?”

The Queen Mother’s face turned icy. “What is there left to say between us?”

Gu Qing had infiltrated the Heavenly Court, slain nine Golden Crows, and shamed the Jade Emperor—he was already marked for death by the Heavenly Court.

Gu Qing glanced at Yang Chan and the Seventh Princess, sensing their worry. He gave them both a faint, reassuring smile, then turned to the Queen Mother. “Very well. Let’s talk. What must I do for you to let them go?”

The Queen Mother raised her hand, and a pill appeared in her palm. “Gu Qing, if you swallow this Soul-Severing Pill, I will spare them both.”

In the prequel to the Precious Lotus Lamp, the Soul-Severing Pill had once killed Yang Jian.

Now, the Queen Mother wielded it against Gu Qing.

“Agreed.”

Gu Qing answered without hesitation.

“...”

His swift agreement left the Queen Mother stunned. She felt he had accepted too easily. She fixed him with a serious gaze. “No matter how high your cultivation, once you swallow this Soul-Severing Pill, you will die without fail.”

She had only wanted to expose his true nature—not expected to kill him so easily.

“Will you let them go then?”

Gu Qing looked at the Queen Mother.

The Queen Mother raised her hand and swore an oath to the heavens.

“Good!”

Gu Qing opened his palm, signaling the Queen Mother to toss him the pill. He looked at Yang Chan and the Seventh Princess, his breath catching slightly. “I know you think I’m fickle. But I am sincere with each of you. You don’t need to bind them—bind any one of them, and I would give my life.” Gu Qing had walked through low-cultivation worlds, closely observing the old man’s methods. In the Heaven and Earth of the Nine Dragons, had Murong Fu not killed anyone in that battle, the old man would have surely fulfilled his dream of sharing one bed with all three.

Now, holding the Soul-Severing Pill, after speaking his final words, Gu Qing looked at Yang Chan and the Seventh Princess, then calmly swallowed the pill.

“That’s it?”

The Queen Mother hesitated. Had the Heavenly Court’s greatest enemy really been so easily subdued?

The Queen Mother loosened her spell. Yang Chan and the Seventh Princess cried out and rushed forward to Gu Qing’s side.

“You—you actually swallowed it...”

Yang Chan used the Precious Lotus Lamp to heal Gu Qing, tears welling in her eyes.

“Gu Qing, I’ve given up everything—I have only you now...”

The Seventh Princess knew the poison of the Soul-Severing Pill. She sank helplessly to the ground.

The River of Heaven roared. In the Moon Palace, the Cold Immortal wept silently. The watching immortals, seeing Gu Qing willingly swallow the Soul-Severing Pill, were stirred deep within—touched by the sincerity of mortal love.

The Queen Mother stood silently to the side, doing nothing. After all, once the Soul-Severing Pill took effect, Gu Qing had no chance of survival.

But she felt that killing Gu Qing had ignited a strange flame within the Realm of Desire.

“Quick—give him to me!”

At that moment, Yao Ji lunged forward, snatched Gu Qing, slung him onto her back, and shot toward the Thirty-Third Heaven.

Yang Jiao and Yang Jian hurried after her, but Yao Ji’s cloud-speed was too swift—they were left far behind.

“Mother-in-law...”

Gu Qing, burdened with good deeds, was in no mortal danger. He let the poison spread, feigning weakness, pressing his entire body against Yao Ji, his face pale. “You’re a bit late...”

“Gu Qing, you must hold on!”

Yao Ji ascended through the clouds, speaking urgently. “I’m taking you to the Thirty-Third Heaven—to Laozi’s place—for medicine. If you live, I’ll prepare two dowries for you!”

Though Gu Qing was fickle, he was undeniably a true lover, willing to die for Yang Chan and the Seventh Princess. To Yao Ji, this sincerity mirrored that of Yang Tianyou. Thus, she resolved to entrust Yang Chan and the Seventh Princess to him.

After all, she was the Seventh Princess’s aunt. The girl’s love had been denied by her parents—someone among the elders must step forward.

“Mother-in-law, you can’t.”

Gu Qing felt ashamed. “Brother Yang has only been dead three years. We can’t betray him.”

“...”

Yao Ji reached for her blade.

(End of Chapter)