Chapter 0197

Chapter 197: Wife and Mother, the Great Demoness: what Heavenly Emperor? Only a little thief!

Zhou Tong fell into deep doubt. [Why did I come back? Why do I need to become strong?] Did becoming strong even need a reason?

The world of cultivation was cruel. In an age of great struggle, if you did not advance, you fell behind. Improving your cultivation was the most basic desire of every cultivator. Without strength, you were an ant. You could not protect yourself, could not protect those you loved, and could not strike down your enemies.

A thousand images flashed through his mind. He saw his Master, his Senior Sister, and the scene of the Demoness in his past life drenched in blood. He also saw the young geniuses who died under the Heavenly Dao baptism at the hands of Tang Qi.

Zhou Tong’s breathing turned rough. This was a past he could not catch up to, a hole that always remained in his heart.

Clear chimes rose from his chest: ring… ring-ring!

Sea and sky carried longing, the Thousand-Mile Heart-Link Gu. Zhou Tong took out the little bell, the gift he and the Demoness traded when they parted. No matter the distance, if one side shook the bell, the other would receive the message.

As he stared at the bell, his palm grew warm. The Joyous Union Lock floated out on its own. Even across ten thousand miles, it could link the two of them and make their hearts feel as one.

Crack… crack.

Reality before him began to split. Zhou Tong drifted into a state like sudden enlightenment and fell into a new world. He was like a wandering soul, watching this time and space from a third-person view.

Above the clouds of the Nine Heavens stood the Imperial Palace. It was deep night, yet when he looked down, a sea of lights stretched to the horizon.

Zhou Tong whispered to himself in awe: “How beautiful.”

Even when he pushed his sight all the way to the edge of the sky, the grand view did not end. His heart surged with excitement. [When was the human race ever this prosperous?]

A gentle voice rose from the palace roof and said: “Truly the greatest land under the heavens.”

Zhou Tong turned. At the very top of the Imperial Palace stood a tall, straight figure looking down on a land of brocade rivers and mountains. The man was extraordinary. With sword-straight brows and bright eyes, he outshone the stars of the All Heavens just by standing there.

He was the Heavenly Emperor.

Zhou Tong’s heart shook. The most shocking thing was that the man looked almost exactly like him, nine parts out of ten. It was like looking at a future version of himself.

Soft footsteps sounded, and the air grew warm. The Heavenly Emperor smiled with gentle eyes. Zhou Tong also smiled, because he knew that sound too well. In his mind he saw a pair of perfect bare feet touch the ground, dustless and graceful.

The figure stopped beside the Emperor, and a sweet voice asked with playful concern: “Husband, it is late. Are you cold?”

Zhou Tong’s heart trembled at the unfamiliar yet dear word. He followed the Heavenly Emperor’s gaze and saw a peerless beauty with a bright smile and eyes full of love.

It was the Demoness. No, now she was the Great Demoness. She looked the same as in his past life, but her fate was different.

The Heavenly Emperor chuckled and answered with quiet pride: “I am the Heavenly Emperor. How could I be cold?”

The Great Demoness rolled her eyes, the expression so charming it could stir the dust of the mortal world, and she said in a teasing tone: “What Heavenly Emperor? You are just a shameless little thief.”

The Heavenly Emperor coughed softly and waved a hand, and the sounds of the world around them faded away.

Drawing closer to her, he asked in a warm voice: “Are the children already asleep?”

Hearing that, the Great Demoness’s face flushed red. She glanced aside and replied: “The children are long asleep. Master and Senior Sister also went down to the world to travel together.”

She turned back and glared at him with endless playful blame as she scolded: “You are the Heavenly Emperor, yet you are so caught up in love.”

Before the words finished, the Heavenly Emperor wrapped an arm around her waist. With his other hand he held her cheek, and his heated gaze dropped as he locked eyes with her.

He spoke with soft strength: “People are not plants. Who can be without feelings?”

She huffed and said with a small pout: “Easy for you to say. You used to be so cold, like a piece of wood. I do not know how many times you made me cry.”

The Heavenly Emperor smiled with doting helplessness as he replied: “When you are happy, you love to drag out old stories to jab at me.”

The Great Demoness tipped up her chin to look at him like she was gazing at her sky, her eyes full of worship and love, and she said: “So what if a true man gets teased by his wife for old mistakes?”

The Heavenly Emperor laughed, looked into the distance, and held her even tighter. Then he declared his heart: “Let my command ride the clouds with dignity, and let my blade sweep away all evil. Above, I will keep the common people safe and sound. Below, I will bring honor and shelter to my wife and children. That is my wish for this life, and it is enough.”

The Great Demoness melted at once and leaned into his chest. In a soft, sweet voice she said: “I have always loved your talent. I wish my husband to endure with heaven and earth. Our children and I will be proud beyond measure, ah!”

Before she finished, the Heavenly Emperor lifted her into his arms. Her slim arms wrapped around his neck on their own. He leaned in and murmured by her ear with a wicked smile: “Since that is so, let us give the little ones another brother or sister.”

A breathy sound escaped her throat, and she went softer still, with no strength left in her. She covered her blushing face with both hands. Her jade-like legs kicked lightly in the air, and the bells on her ankles rang with clear chimes that drew the eye.

The Heavenly Emperor pressed his advantage with a grin and asked in a low voice: “Mother of my children, do you agree or not?”

The Great Demoness whispered like she was receiving a command: “I will listen to my husband.”

The Heavenly Emperor laughed softly, took a single step, and vanished with her in his arms. At the same time, the scene before Zhou Tong faded. He knew he was about to return to reality.

Now his spirit was firm like iron. He was no longer lost. He had found his reason to become strong.

Zhou Tong stood tall and spoke his vow in a steady voice: “Let my command ride the clouds with dignity, and let my blade sweep away all evil. Above, I will protect the people. Below, I will bring honor to my wife and shelter to my children. That is enough for a true man’s life.”

The Heart-Link Gu chimed again: ring-ring-ring. Zhou Tong’s gaze crossed ten thousand mountains to the Central Continent, to the Celestial Masters Clan. He saw the young, brilliant Demoness.

He said with feeling: “I miss you. I will head to the Central Continent soon and bring you back to my side.”

…

In the Molting Pool of the Celestial Masters Clan, the young Demoness sat up, her perfect figure outlined by the water. She looked at the trembling bell and said with a huff that could not hide her tender joy: “Heartless one, you finally remembered me.”

Her eyes turned sharp in the next breath. She flicked her fingers and called out in a clear voice: “Charm Eighty-Three: Cloud-Chasing Sweep!”

A talisman formed at her fingertip and flew forward in a streak of light.