Chapter 365: For Whom

Just like that pedantic scholar, the old man was flipping through the pages hastily.

No, wait—this old man, who somehow knew her true name, was reading slightly slower than that scholar.

Madam Xu was so overwhelmed by confusion that she found herself comparing their reading speeds instead of making sense of the situation.

As the Void Emperor flipped through the technique, the atmosphere in the room grew unbearably tense. No one knew what was happening. Who was this black-haired old man? And why had just one word—”Liuying”—left Madam Xu looking as if her very soul had been ripped away?

A moment later, the black-haired old man snapped the book shut with a heavy thud. He glared at Madam Xu and barked, “This technique defies morality and disrupts the natural order. You actually created this? Are you not afraid of divine retribution?”

“The immense karmic debt it carries—have you even considered whether you can bear it?”

Seeing this black-haired old man finish reading the technique and openly scold his own sister, Magistrate Wei erupted in fury. He raised his hand to cast a technique—

But before he could even complete the incantation, his technique shattered into nothing!

Pfft—

A mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips. His body slumped into his chair, his face ashen, his aura instantly withering.

Yet despite having no idea how he had been crushed so effortlessly—despite never even seeing the old man make a move—Magistrate Wei refused to concede. Clenching his teeth, he roared, “Demon soldiers! What are you all standing around for?! Are you dead?!”

“Kill him! Now!”

“Little Ling, be quiet.”

Madam Xu’s voice was calm as she continued, “None of them can move. Neither can I.”

Hearing this, Magistrate Wei felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

He refused to believe that within Eternal Slumber City, there existed someone who could suppress not only his sister but also every demon soldier present—instantly and effortlessly!

“Void Emperor…” Madam Xu suddenly let out a soft laugh and said, “Husband, it has been a long time.”

Void Emperor.

Husband.

The weight of those four words sent shockwaves through the room.

Even with their movements restrained, no one had dared to believe it before—but now, there was no doubt.

This black-haired old man was none other than the Emperor of Eternal Slumber City.

The Void Emperor narrowed his eyes. “Liuying, you are intelligent. But you’ve misdirected that intelligence…” He tossed the book onto the table and asked coldly, “Tell me—why did you create this?”

“As the Void Emperor’s wife, you lack for nothing within Northern Huangtian.”

At this, Madam Xu’s gaze flickered. She met his eyes and asked in return, “Void Emperor, how long has it been since we last met?”

The Void Emperor frowned. “Hmm?”

“One hundred and thirty years, nine months, and eighteen days.”

She answered her own question with a bitter smile. “For over a century, I have waited for you. I have come to the temple seeking you, but I was never granted even a single conversation.”

“The only time I heard from you was sixty-three years ago, when you sent a mere divine transmission: ‘I am well. Do not worry.’”

“How laughable… The Void Emperor’s own consort has to rely on the temple’s monthly opening, hoping for a mere chance to see her own husband!”

At this, the Void Emperor’s frown deepened. He raised a hand to stop her. “Liuying, have you forgotten something?”

“From the very beginning, I told you we were Dao companions because I needed the Heavenly Source Obscuring Qi in your body
. It was never about love.”

“I gave you status, authority over the demon army, and allowed you and your brother to rule Eternal Slumber City as you pleased.”

“It was a transaction from the start. Have you forgotten that?”

“A transaction… A transaction…”

Madam Xu lowered her gaze and murmured to herself. A single tear rolled down her cheek.

She let out a long sigh and smiled. “I have never forgotten. But to you, it was a transaction. To me, it was not.”

“Enough!” The Void Emperor cut her off sharply. His voice was cold and firm. “Do not speak of love any further. I am asking you—why did you create this wicked technique?”

Madam Xu smiled again.

“For you.”

The Void Emperor’s expression darkened. “For me? What do you mean?”

“To stop you from hiding in that temple, asleep.”

“I don’t know what you’re avoiding, with your cultivation and power…”

Madam Xu glanced at Gu Ning’an before continuing, “Just now, I thought the person you were hiding from was Mr. Gu. But on second thought, that shouldn’t be the case…”

“I can’t figure out what you’re avoiding, nor can I guess what you fear… but one thing I do know—you walk the path of faith and incense.”

“If there were a nation of half-demons supplying you with incense power… I imagine that by then, you wouldn’t have to keep hiding anymore, would you?”

At this moment, Madam Xu finally understood many things.

It turned out that she, too, had been blinded by a single leaf before.

The white-robed man sitting there, watching the arena battle with interest and occasionally teasing the Blaze Bug on his shoulder, was at the very least someone on the same level as the Void Emperor…

No wonder the half-demon technique had provoked divine punishment. If someone on the Void Emperor’s level wished to call down heavenly retribution, it would be as easy as turning a hand. To speak and have the law follow—how enviable that was…

Thinking of this, Madam Xu looked at the deeply frowning Void Emperor and smiled. “Husband, could you change back to how you looked when we first met?”

“The way you are now, I find it quite unfamiliar…”

After a long silence, the reflection in Madam Xu’s eyes transformed into a valiant young general, no older than twenty, clad in battle armor.

“Husband, this is much more pleasing to look at.”

Madam Xu pursed her lips before continuing, “Why not undo the binding technique on me? Right under your nose, I wouldn’t be able to escape anyway.”

The Void Emperor gave a soft “hmm” and casually lifted the immobilization technique—only on her.

The moment she regained her freedom, a burst of spiritual light erupted in her hands!

In an instant, clovers fell upon the secondary seats on both sides, as well as onto the heads of Minister Ma and General Zhong.

The emerald-green four-leaf clovers melded into them, and they all dissolved into puddles of clear water!

Just like that, in the blink of an eye, the very people who had just learned so many secrets now simultaneously departed for the underworld.

Noting the complex look in the Void Emperor’s eyes, Madam Xu blinked and said with a smile, “They were all meant to die anyway.”

With that, she walked over to Wei Ling’s side, gently stroking his back as she softly said, “Little Ling, get some rest.”

Wei Ling seemed to understand the unspoken meaning behind his sister’s words. He responded firmly, “Sister, I’ll sleep on my own… Brother-in-law, undo my bindings, please…”

Void Emperor nodded, and Wei Ling instantly felt the restraint lift from his body.

He turned to glance at his sister, smiling. “Sister, all my life, I’ve only ever caused you trouble…”

Madam Xu smiled, her hand continuing to stroke his back. “It’s no trouble. What kind of sister wouldn’t clean up after her little brother…”

Plop… plop… plop…

Tears, clear and shimmering, fell one after another, landing on the seat where Wei Ling had just been sitting, forming a small puddle of water.

In that moment, it was impossible to tell—was it Wei Ling dissolving into water upon taking his own life, or were those droplets merely his sister’s tears, pooling together…