Chapter 281 - 235: Conversation

"Chang’an?" Lin Fang followed closely behind Feng Jiu, unaware of the woman’s reason for going to Chang’an.

The two moved through the crowd, but no one noticed their passing; they seemed like a gentle breeze slowly sweeping by.

Someone looked around in astonishment, as if they sensed someone had passed by, but found nothing and thought it was just an illusion.

In this manner, the two comfortably entered Chang’an.

As the capital of the Great Tang Dynasty and the residence of the Heavenly Khan, the prosperity here was enough to make every newcomer’s mouth drop open.

People of various races flowed ceaselessly on the streets, speaking different languages, living on this land, a vibrant dynasty thus lay fully before the eyes of Lin Fang and Feng Jiu.

Even Feng Jiu, the Demon Emperor who commanded respect in the Three Realms, sighed inwardly at this scene.

The Human Clan always managed to surprise in some areas; that thriving vitality contained the unyielding spirit of the Human Clan, which even she found startling.

She realized that the Human Clan might not be as frail as she had imagined; this race seemed to be subtly changing Heaven and Earth, molding the Three Realms.

"Perhaps the Jade Emperor was also mistaken," Feng Jiu suddenly murmured to herself.

Intense curiosity rose in her heart; she was eager to know what expression the Jade Emperor would have when he learned that the Human Clan, which he thought of only as his backyard, had other intentions.

That must be an amusing picture.

Before long, they looked up to see the majestic Imperial Palace, the residence of the Son of Heaven, where nations come to pay homage, naturally magnificent and awe-inspiring.

Even Feng Jiu, the supreme Demon Emperor, was amazed.

The brilliance of human civilization was very dazzling; Lin Fang scrutinized the Imperial Palace, which could be regarded as the pinnacle of mortal achievement, with red walls, glass tiles, pristine white marble, and sturdy golden Phoebe wood, a testament to the effort of countless craftsmen.

Feng Jiu frowned, looking at the space above the Imperial Palace, where an invisible force was gathering, exerting a tremendous pressure.

Lin Fang thought this power resembled the dragon’s spirit from future novels, gathering the hope of the common people, a force condensed by the belief of all living beings.

It naturally possessed the characteristic of rejecting outsiders, even Lin Fang and Feng Jiu could feel this force constantly oppressing them.

However, as it currently wasn’t too strong, for cultivators like Lin Fang and Feng Jiu, it was only slightly uncomfortable.

The two slowly walked into the Imperial Palace, quietly waiting for the arrival of Tang Monk and his disciples.

After a while, Lin Fang spotted familiar figures; Tang Monk, accompanied by Monkey and his brothers, slowly entered the Imperial Palace.

Compared to the handsome and dignified Tang Monk, the fierce appearances of Monkey and Eight Precepts quickly attracted the attention of the palace folks, and soon countless palace maids and eunuchs stealthily sized them up.

"These are the disciples the Holy Monk gathered from the West? I heard they are very powerful, capable of subduing demons and spirits," a palace maid said curiously.

"They really are ugly!"

"How else to scare away those demons and ghosts? I’ve heard those monsters are fierce and love to eat tender little girls like you."

The little palace maid trembled with fear, while some older palace maids chuckled mischievously.

But one person stood out starkly from the rest. The woman was exceptionally beautiful, especially her eyes, which always seemed to hold an indescribable charm, appearing very enchanting.

She stood alone in the distance, looking at the civil and military officials afar with a very bright gaze, seemingly full of longing.

"Wu Cairen, what are you looking at?" a female official asked with a smile.

The woman slowly turned her head, glanced at the people around her, and with an envious look said, "Look at those civil and military officials, being able to enter the Golden Palace is such an honor. When can we women ever enter it?"

The crowd seemed bewildered by her words and only burst into laughter after a moment.

"Wu Cairen, what are you thinking? Women are not allowed into the Golden Palace; that place is for the officials to discuss affairs."

Wu Cairen looked at them, shook her head slightly, feeling like she was playing the lute to a cow in this moment.

Thus, she walked alone and desolately through the Imperial Palace, and unknowingly reached a secluded corner of the Imperial Garden.

She couldn’t understand why women had to be considered inferior and why they couldn’t enter the Golden Palace.

Feeling gloomy, she kept plucking petals, watching the brightly colored petals slowly fall in her hands, inexplicably feeling a bit of pleasure.

"What is your name?" Suddenly a voice came from beside her.

She hurriedly raised her head, and a very beautiful face came into view. She thought her own beauty was unmatched across the world, but seeing the woman before her, she felt ashamed of herself.

Most strikingly, the woman possessed a demeanor that looked down upon the world, which immediately made one feel awe-stricken.

"Wu Meiniang!" She instinctively gave her own name.

However, she quickly realized something was off. She had no impression of this woman, and knowing that she had a photographic memory, she remembered everyone in the palace, but not this extraordinary woman before her.

"Who are you, daring to trespass in the Imperial Palace?" Wu Meiniang did her best to reprimand with authority.

Hearing her question, Feng Jiu placed her hands behind her back and arrogantly said, "In all of Heaven and Earth, where can I not go?"

The pride and self-esteem in her words were evident, and this temperament instantly attracted Wu Meiniang who also desired to become such a powerful person.

"Hmph, ’Under the heavens, all land belongs to the king. On the shores of the land, all are subjects of the king.’ Aren’t you afraid to twist your tongue with such grand words?" Wu Meiniang said, somewhat unwilling to show weakness.

"Why should I deceive you, a young girl?" Feng Jiu softly said, and with just a gentle forward gesture, the petals that Wu Meiniang had plucked and thrown to the ground slowly flew up and reattached to the plant as if they had never been plucked.

Wu Meiniang watched this scene, her mouth agape, showing an incredulous look, well aware that this was not a trick.

"Are you an Immortal?" This was the only explanation she could think of.

"I am not an Immortal. On the contrary, I am known as a Monster to the Immortals," Feng Jiu said with a laugh.

Far from showing any fear, Wu Meiniang looked at Feng Jiu with keen interest and murmured, "So this is what a Monster looks like. I thought all Monsters were supposed to be very scary."

"There are many kinds of Monsters, and some are indeed ugly."