Villainous Emperor (9)
Over the next two days, Jiang Ruoyu behaved extremely well-behaved and composed. She was careful in her words and actions, no longer speaking recklessly, and no longer staring blankly at Song Xu Yi. It seemed that their relationship had returned to its initial state when they first met.
This change in Jiang Ruoyu’s demeanor finally allowed Song Xu Yi to relax.
As they were about to go to Guozhou, Song Xu Yi’s divine consciousness originally intended to enter the realm of Guozhou to investigate. However, to her surprise, Song Xu Yi found that her divine consciousness couldn’t penetrate the barrier above Guozhou. It seemed to be blocking any attempt at prying from anyone else.
Song Xu Yi, unwilling to believe it, attempted teleportation but still couldn’t enter the realm of Guozhou.
Initially, Song Xu Yi didn’t pay much attention to this trip to Guozhou. However, upon witnessing this situation, doubts inevitably arose in her mind…
In general, such exclusion of foreign deities only occurs when the followers have an extreme and exclusive trust in a particular belief.
However, the people of Guozhou are of diverse origins, including the original residents of Jiang Kingdom, the later immigrants from Dong Kingdom, and others who relocated from various tribes…
Could it be that the devotion to the summoning of deities in Guozhou has reached such an obsessive level that the entire land of Guozhou has become the realm of the Hidden Moon Sect?
Song Xu Yi’s heart was on high alert, contemplating the situation carefully. She hastened her journey to Guozhou, intending to infiltrate the midst of the common people and observe for a while before taking further action.
Originally, Song Xu Yi planned to let Jiang Ruoyu enjoy the scenery along the way and learn to empathize with the lives of the people, so there was no rush. But now, with things taking a different turn, Song Xu Yi had to make alternative plans.
In the night, when Jiang Ruoyu intended to enter the city to rest, Song Xu Yi stopped her.
“You go rest inside the carriage, I’ll take over the reins.”
Closing her eyes, Song Xu Yi began chanting a spell. The horses were pulled by an invisible rein, slowly guiding the carriage into the depths of a dense forest. Then, with a swift gesture, Song Xu Yi, facing Jiang Ruoyu’s bewildered gaze, commanded the carriage to ascend into the skies.
Through the darkness, the carriage soared with both of them inside, swiftly navigating through the air. The wind rustled the curtains of the carriage, and a gentle breeze brushed against their cheeks. Song Xu Yi tilted her head back, relishing the liberating and exhilarating sensation.
Unbeknownst to her, Jiang Ruoyu had approached the side of the carriage at some point. As Song Xu Yi turned her head, she was met with Jiang Ruoyu’s stunned gaze.
Jiang Ruoyu’s gaze appeared incredibly peculiar, as if she were watching the rapidly passing scenery beneath the night sky. However, upon closer inspection, her eyes held something darker and more profound than the night itself.
However, ever since Song Xu Yi made the decision to maintain a safe distance from Jiang Ruoyu, she rarely took the opportunity to study Jiang Ruoyu’s increasingly delicate features. She hadn’t noticed the peculiarity hidden within Jiang Ruoyu’s eyes. Song Xu Yi simply believed that Jiang Ruoyu’s stunned expression at that moment was a result of being amazed by the spell Song Xu Yi had just performed.
This was the first time Song Xu Yi had revealed her powers in front of Jiang Ruoyu. In the past, she had worried that exposing her powers would make Jiang Ruoyu excessively yearn for such abilities, so she subconsciously kept her distance.
Song Xu Yi pressed her lips tightly together, pretending not to notice Jiang Ruoyu’s bewilderment. She didn’t explain her intention of allowing Jiang Ruoyu to drive during the day. Instead, she closed her eyes and lay down on the carriage mast.
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She could feel Jiang Ruoyu’s gaze resting upon her, but it wasn’t intrusive. It was filled with cautious curiosity. And before long, Song Xu Yi once again heard the voice of Jiang Ruoyu’s thoughts—
“Is this the power of the gods? Sister Goddess, you’re truly amazing! Can humans learn these spells too…?”
“No, they cannot,” Song Xu Yi replied without the slightest surprise at Jiang Ruoyu’s marveling and pursuit of power. She immediately gave a negative response.
It wasn’t that Song Xu Yi was singling out Jiang Ruoyu; it was simply how this world worked. Since the dawn of time, there has been a natural divide between humans and gods. The divine beings stood high above, inherently possessing spiritual bodies. While humans could practice and cultivate, no matter how hard they tried, they could never attain godhood.
“Is there really no way at all?” Jiang Ruoyu, however, stubbornly approached this matter. She looked at Song Xu Yi earnestly and once again voiced her question, “Sister, you know, I’m not afraid of hardship.”
Meeting Song Xu Yi’s gaze, Jiang Ruoyu instinctively straightened her posture. But despite the hopeful look in her eyes, Song Xu Yi shook her head. “Throughout history, no one has been able to achieve godhood through cultivation. Moreover, the gods are not as mighty as you imagine. Instead of aspiring to be a god, it would be better for you to become an extraordinary individual among humans. That will bring you a greater sense of accomplishment…”
“Do gods have weaknesses too?” Jiang Ruoyu, seemingly fascinated by all topics related to gods, once again voiced her question, “In my heart, gods are powerful and mysterious, just like you, Sister, seemingly capable of anything.”
“Whether human or god, no one is perfect. Even the strongest individuals have weaknesses,” Song Xu Yi glanced at Jiang Ruoyu, thinking about the upcoming events in Guozhou and recalling the plot summary where Jiang Ruoyu had an obsession with power. With a desire to give Jiang Ruoyu a precautionary reminder and a teaching mindset, Song Xu Yi couldn’t help but speak up, “I can’t speak for other gods, but for me, the devotion and faith of the people are the source of my power.”
“The majority of the people in Guozhou offer their worship to me. I can draw upon their belief and faith to strengthen myself. Even the mightiest gods in the heavens, if they were to come to Guozhou, I could stand against them. However, once I am separated from the people’s devotion, if I enter a place where I am not worshipped, I may be defeated in just a few moves by formidable opponents. And after being disconnected from the belief, sometimes, when faced with a powerful adversary, I may revert to my true form or even be killed…”
These were things that Song Xu Yi had assumed Jiang Ruoyu already knew. After all, the original host’s father had transformed into his true form and suffered injuries because his opponent absorbed the power of belief. After the ancestral guardian of the Jiang family saved the original host’s father, he explained to the Jiang family’s ancestor the reason for his injuries. This bond between the guardian god and belief had been passed down through generations within the imperial family.
However, Song Xu Yi forgot that Jiang Ruoyu was a disregarded princess of the imperial family, unaware of the past events that other princesses considered bedtime stories. After hearing Song Xu Yi’s words, Jiang Ruoyu’s eyes widened, and an unconscious hint of worry appeared in her gaze as she looked at Song Xu Yi.
Jiang Ruoyu, in this state, appeared somewhat reminiscent of the shy and adorable little girl she used to be.
“Worried about me?” Song Xu Yi couldn’t help but laugh, and she playfully patted Jiang Ruoyu’s shoulder. “Well, who knows, one day I might suddenly disappear too. But in this lifetime, as we live, things are unpredictable. Instead of pursuing eternal life, it’s better to fulfill everything we want to do in this finite existence, with a clear conscience…”
“What do you think, Ruoyu?”
Song Xu Yi initially intended to encourage Jiang Ruoyu towards goodness, but she didn’t expect Jiang Ruoyu to nod and then shake her head after listening to her words.
“I’m worried about you,” facing Song Xu Yi’s puzzled gaze, Jiang Ruoyu earnestly looked at her. “I know that in this life, unexpected things can happen, and one day a person may no longer be here—”
“But as long as I live, sister, you will never lose the devotion and worship of humankind.”
At this moment, the carriage was traversing through the dense forest, with the moon, the size of a silver plate, seemingly within reach. Bathed in the bright moonlight, Jiang Ruoyu’s delicate and slightly sharp jawline became unbelievably beautiful. And in that instant, her eyes sparkled even more than the stars behind her, filled with conviction. “Because in this lifetime, sister, you will always be my sole devotion!”
*
“It’s not to that extent.”
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Song Xu Yi’s gaze lingered for a moment on Jiang Ruoyu’s astonishingly beautiful face, but after a brief moment of bewilderment, she averted her eyes from Jiang Ruoyu, pretending composure. She closed her eyes and spoke to dismiss her, “It’s late into the night, go rest for now. We’ll need you to handle the horses tomorrow.”
The young girl was always obedient. Listening to the rustling of nearby fabric, she finally entered the carriage. Only then did Song Xu Yi let out a slow breath of relief.
“Ah! System, she’s really gorgeous!”
While maintaining a calm expression, Song Xu Yi couldn’t help but scream inwardly, her mind filled with the image of Jiang Ruoyu under the moonlight, replaying it over and over again.
The fourteen-year-old girl had picturesque features, dressed in a solemn black attire. Sitting by the carriage shaft, her robes fluttered in the wind. With just a single glance, her exquisite appearance stirred hearts, even more resembling a divine figure than Song Xu Yi herself.
“At such a young age, she already attracts so much attention. Even someone like me, who has watched her grow up, can barely control myself. I wonder what she will become when she grows older,” Song Xu Yi covered her rapidly beating chest, feeling a mix of emotions. She involuntarily worried, “I don’t even know what kind of person would be worthy of her in the future…”
“But someone suitable will surely come along,” the system, still embodying the tone it had for decades, seemed as if it had seen through the world.
Song Xu Yi had no idea why the system had taken on this persona. She even felt like the system was self-studying to become a guru, but upon careful consideration, it seemed unlikely. After all, the system had been dedicated to establishing a connection with the Lord God over the years, and it appeared to trust Song Xu Yi greatly in this world. It rarely initiated conversations with her.
“If all else fails, you can always ask Jiang Ruoyu’s mother,” the system, in its usual languid tone, spoke calmly, “Her future is naturally her mother’s concern.”
“But in my opinion, as long as she genuinely loves someone, it doesn’t matter about their identity or social biases,” the system remarked meaningfully, casting a glance at Song Xu Yi. “Ultimately, fate determines destiny. Some things are futile to force, while certain karmic ties are unbreakable.”
“I certainly won’t be a hindrance to their happiness!” Song Xu Yi declared earnestly, finding the system’s words logical. She playfully teased the system, “I just didn’t expect you to be so concerned about Jiang Ruoyu, considering she’s portrayed as the villain in the plot.”
However, Song Xu Yi received only a chuckle from the system in response.
The system seemed to be reminiscing about something, emitting a resentful laugh. It uttered, “Nothing special, just got used to it!” Then, it resumed contacting the Lord God, no longer paying attention to Song Xu Yi.
Song Xu Yi couldn’t fathom what had triggered the system. She privately speculated that perhaps the system recalled a past heartbreak. Sensing this, Song Xu Yi tactfully avoided provoking it further, but she also didn’t want to open her eyes and gaze at Jiang Ruoyu’s mesmerizingly beautiful face. Taking a deep breath, Song Xu Yi contemplated for a moment before continuing to investigate the situation in Guozhou.
But Guozhou was not easy to infiltrate.
At first, Song Xu Yi’s divine consciousness couldn’t penetrate Guozhou. However, Song Xu Yi was always patient, and after pondering for two days, on the third day, the impenetrable barrier began to loosen. A strand of Song Xu Yi’s divine consciousness seeped into Guozhou.
The nights in Guozhou were even livelier than the days.
Even in the late hours of the night, the city of Guozhou was adorned with lights and decorations. The streets were bustling with people, as if there was a parade of flower-decorated carriages.
From the discussions among the people, Song Xu Yi learned that within the heavily veiled carriages, there stood the current Saintess. The five-year term of the Saintess meant that she would wither like a flower in the midnight hour, fading away before the arrival of the new Saintess.
As Song Xu Yi listened to the discussions, her heart tightened—how could an innocent person turn into a flower? What did they intend to do to this young girl?
Song Xu Yi’s divine consciousness slipped behind the veils, revealing a maiden in her prime.
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Something about the maiden’s features seemed oddly familiar.
Time was of the essence, and Song Xu Yi didn’t have the luxury to determine who the girl resembled. Subconsciously, she attempted to reveal her true self and persuade the girl to escape. However, before she could even reveal her true form, the girl’s gaze, heavy with intensity, turned towards Song Xu Yi.
“So, a true deity has come,” the girl suddenly parted her lips, her smile twisted with a hint of mischief.
Song Xu Yi sensed the imminent danger and hastily attempted to escape. However, in that moment, a dark and oppressive pressure descended like a mountain.
This is…
As the excruciating pain surged, Song Xu Yi widened her eyes in disbelief. She never expected this mortal woman to possess the same overwhelming aura that only divine beings possessed!
The author has something to say:
System: I’ve had an epiphany~