I became the demon of the female devil

Chapter 201 Nighttime Infiltration of Zhaohua Palace!
?

Yu Youhan was slightly stunned, then reacted, a cold glint flashing in her blue eyes.

Although she couldn't understand what Chen Mo was saying, she could guess the gist of it... Given Ji Hongxiu's crazy personality, who knows what absurd things she might do!
"Tell me everything that has happened these past two days, from beginning to end," Yu Youhan said in a deep voice.

"Yes."

While massaging her bound feet, Chen Mo reported the incident to the Empress.

"The Daoist Master has dark red markings on his body that can flare up unpredictably..."

"And the dragon energy within my body seems to alleviate this pain, which should be the reason why the Daoist Master deliberately approached me..."

Yu Youhan was not surprised at all, as if he had already guessed it. He said with a disdainful tone, "Trying to use dragon energy to cover up your own aura, so that the malice of heaven and earth will lose its target... Heh, just like when you cut off the three corpses, your strength is average, but you have a lot of tricks up your sleeve."

Chen Mo asked with some curiosity, "Your Majesty, what exactly does 'severing the three corpses' mean?"

Yu Youhan shook his head and said, "At Ji Hongxiu's level, what she cultivates is no longer 'technique,' but 'heart'... Only with a firm enough Dao heart can one see through the 'Four Illusions' and touch the origin of the Great Dao, and the Three Corpses are the final barrier of the Four Illusions."

"The Four Delusions?" Chen Mo asked blankly, "What are those?"

"You can understand it as the four stages of inner demons: demonic appearance, calamity fire, karmic debt, and path nightmare, which correspond to internal origin, external manifestation, cause and effect, and karmic obstacles, respectively."

"Ji Hongxiu has broken through the three delusions and reached the final step, but this is also the most difficult hurdle."

"I can slay all things but not myself; when the Dao is achieved, the demon is also achieved."

"The so-called 'Dao Nightmare' is a collection of inner obsessions and desires, possessing all of the host's cultivation and memories, which is equivalent to being an enemy of oneself."

Yu Youhan said calmly, "Ji Hongxiu destroyed the nine insects, but she could not sever the three corpses and could not maintain the clarity of her Dao heart. Her cultivation naturally plummeted... In order to protect herself, she separated a wisp of Yin spirit as a container to hold the three poisons of infatuation, greed, and lust, which resulted in her current appearance of having two souls in one body."

Chen Mo suddenly realized, "So that's how it is. No wonder she changed so much, it's like she's a completely different person..."

Yu Youhan snorted, "It's nothing but self-deception. The so-called 'soul split' is no different from the original body; it's just an amplification of the desires deep in one's heart."

"They do despicable things while trying to absolve themselves of all responsibility."

"She wants to be both a sycophant and a virtuous woman; that perfectly describes Ji Hongxiu."

"..."

Chen Mo's expression turned somewhat strange upon hearing this.

Judging from what the Empress said, it seems that the Daoist Master also secretly wanted to sleep with him, but he was unwilling to admit it.

Then, as if remembering something, he asked, "So, what stage is Your Majesty at now?"

Yu Youhan remained expressionless and said calmly, "My Dao heart is as firm as iron, and I have long since seen through the Four Delusions."

"is it?"

Chen Mo blinked and said, "If I remember correctly, when I first entered the palace, Her Majesty called me 'Inner Demon' and even tried to kill me..."

Yu Youhan: "..."

Chen Mo continued, "Moreover, according to Daoist Master, Heaven cannot tolerate two laws. As long as I possess Your Majesty's Dao power within me, Your Majesty will be unable to break through that barrier... Is this true or false?"

Yu Youhan's expression was somewhat unnatural. She glanced at Zhen Shou and muttered to herself, "Why does she tell you everything? She's so talkative..."

Chen Mo's heart sank slightly upon seeing this.

"It seems the Daoist Master was right; I am the price the Empress pays?"

Seeing his solemn expression, Yu Youhan hesitated for a moment before saying, "At first, that was what I thought too, which is why I tried to break free from the red ribbon's restraints... But over time, I discovered that it didn't affect my cultivation at all; on the contrary, it was beneficial..."

Chen Mo was taken aback. "Benefits?"

Yu Youhan explained, "My constitution is special; it is a body without cause, so I will not suffer from the malice of heaven and earth. However, I am also unable to be tainted by luck... Therefore, I am always one step behind and repeatedly suffer setbacks in the court..."

"You, on the other hand, possess great power and extremely strong fortune, which is the complete opposite of mine. To some extent, you will even have a positive effect on me."

Throughout the struggle between the two parties, the Consort's Party has always been at a disadvantage.

No matter how meticulously planned and executed, all efforts will ultimately fail due to various reasons... The Ministry of Revenue case is a case in point. If Chen Mo hadn't happened to solve the barbarian slave case and dragged the Zhou family into it, the Consort's faction would probably have suffered another heavy blow.

Ultimately, it's just bad luck.

"So that's it..."

Chen Mo frowned, deep in thought.

In the original storyline, Consort Yu was incredibly powerful, but she suffered repeated setbacks, eventually losing all her power and ending her life in a tragic way, which had a bit of a "plot-driven" feel to it.

It's not that the stats are so overpowered that it's impossible to defeat without cheating.

After he arrived in this world, he changed the course of the story. The Imperial Concubine's faction advanced triumphantly, while Imperial Concubine Yu was bound by the red ribbon and restricted in every way...

It seems that everything was predetermined.

"Why does it feel like a closed loop?"

"Is it only by completing that hidden event that the Red Ribbon can be completely removed? Damn it, the system hasn't given me any hints, I have no idea where to start!"

Just as he was pondering to himself, he heard Yu Youhan say, "If we're really talking about the 'price,' it's that being bound by that red ribbon was a bit uncomfortable, but I'm used to it now..."

Chen Mo chuckled and said, "Really? Your Majesty didn't say that last time."

Yu Youhan's cheeks flushed slightly, and she glared at him reproachfully: "Isn't it because you always deliberately cause trouble, as if you want to torment me to death before you're satisfied..."

Chen Mo held the fair, jade-like feet in his hands, gently pressing them with his fingertips, and said solemnly, "This humble servant only feels sorry for Your Highness, how could I bear to torment Your Highness?"

"..."

Yu Youhan muttered a curse under his breath.

This lackey has an incredibly thick skin; he'll say anything.

"By the way, you haven't told me yet what Ji Hongxiu did to you later?" Yu Youhan asked.

Chen Mo cleared his throat and whispered, "Daoist Master, she... she assaulted this humble servant..."

Yu Youhan: ?

"The difference in strength is too great. I cannot defeat him even with all my strength. I can only let him trample on me..." Chen Mo looked humiliated, like a young wife who had been defiled by a lecherous thief.

"..."

Yu Youhan's chest heaved, her silver teeth clenched, and her blue-green eyes were cold and frosty.

"Ji! Hong! Xiu!"

"Once I'm free from Hong Ling's control, the first thing I'll do is settle accounts with you! You just wait!"

Yu Youhan grew angrier the more she thought about it. She pulled her jade-like foot away from Chen Mo's hand, stood up, and walked towards the inner hall. "Stop pressing! Come inside with me!"

Chen Mo asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, what is this...?"

Without turning her head, Yu Youhan said, "I need to check carefully to see if she has secretly done anything to you!"

a long distance away.

Ji Hongxiu suddenly shivered, and her brows furrowed.

"Who is talking about me?"

She did some quick calculations with her fingers but found nothing unusual, so she didn't think much of it. She looked up at Ling Ningzhi and asked:
Where were we?

"Oh, by the way, since you and Shen Zhixia are best friends, why are you still entangled with her fiancé? Is it a distortion of human nature or a decline in morality?"

Ling Ningzhi: [_?]
……

……

Zhaohua Palace.

Behind the glass screen, a figure in bright yellow could be vaguely seen, exuding a dignified and imposing aura.

A middle-aged man with a handsome face, dressed in a Qilin official robe, stood below with his hands at his sides. He was Luo Huaijin, the deputy commander of the Tianlin Guard.

"Lord Luo, is there any progress on the matter I asked you to investigate?" the Empress asked.

Luo Huaijin bowed and replied, "Your Highness, according to my investigation, what those sect disciples said is true... The people of Linglan County suddenly fell seriously ill and were on the verge of death. It was Lord Chen who came to their rescue and saved dozens of lives."

"At the same time, traces of battle and extremely dense demonic energy were also discovered in the desolate mountains of Yunfu Prefecture!"

"Your Majesty, I have already increased manpower and sealed off all entrances to the Northern Region. At the same time, the Demon Suppression Division has also deployed defenses within Yunfu Prefecture to ensure that no more demons will enter the Northern Region!"

Luo Huaijin looked solemn, and a chill ran down his spine.

Since the imperial court and the Three Saints Sect joined forces to exterminate the demons, the demon race has been severely weakened and can only hide in the desolate northern frontier to eke out a living. Occasionally, a few demons will sneak into the Central Plains, but they are nothing more than small fry and can't cause any trouble.

However, in recent months, the frequency of monsters appearing in Zhongzhou has increased significantly!
This time, a Grandmaster-level demon has actually appeared and even entered Tiandu City! If the other party hadn't had ulterior motives that Chen Mo hadn't discovered, the consequences would have been unimaginable!
The Empress inquired, "Where is Chen Mo? Is there any news of him?"

Luo Huaijin shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, I have sent people to thoroughly search the area within a radius of several thousand miles, but we have not found any trace of Lord Chen."

A silence fell over the room.

After a long while, the Empress's voice rang out again: "Continue the investigation. If you find any news about Chen Mo, report to me immediately."

"Yes," Luo Huaijin replied, bowing his head.

"Go down." The Empress's voice was tinged with weariness.

Lady Sun approached and extended her hand, saying, "Lord Luo, please."

"Wei Chen retire."

Luo Huaijin bowed and withdrew, following Lady Sun out of the main hall.

The two left the inner court and, seeing that no one was around, Luo Huaijin asked in a low voice, "Lady Sun, according to those sect disciples, this time it not only involves the demon race, but also the Imperial Concubine and the Daoist Venerable of Tian Shu Pavilion... I can't understand what could possibly be the reason that would attract the attention of three supreme beings?"

Lady Sun said calmly, "Lord Luo, it's best not to ask about things you shouldn't. Knowing too much isn't a good thing... The most important thing is to do a good job of handling the matters His Highness has entrusted to you."

"Of course." Seeing that the other party had cut off the other party's words, Luo Huaijin did not press the matter further.

Upon arriving at Qianqing Gate, Lady Sun stopped and said, "Please take care, my lord. I won't see you off."

"Please wait, Your Excellency." Luo Huaijin nodded and bowed.

Watching Sun Shanggong's departing figure, his brows gradually furrowed.

It's understandable that the demon race's plan was aimed at Chen Mo this time, since Chen Mo had solved a series of major cases and thwarted the demon race's conspiracy. Perhaps it was out of a desire for revenge... but it shouldn't have required the demon lord to take action personally, right?

And when did Chen Mo get involved with the Tian Shu Pavilion?

"It seems my subordinate is no ordinary person after all!"

"Besides, the person has already been taken away by the Daoist Master. Where am I supposed to find them? I can't exactly go to Fuyun Mountain to demand their return, can I?"

Luo Huaijin shook his head with a wry smile.

However, since His Highness had given the order personally, he dared not object. If anything happened to Chen Mo, he feared he would also be held liable...

Sure enough, being Chen Mo's boss meant there wasn't a single day of peace...

Meanwhile, Lady Sun returned to Zhaohua Palace.

Walking around behind the screen, one could see the Empress leaning back in her chair, her slender fingers massaging her brow.

"It's been three days, and there's still no news. Where did that little thief go?"

"Your Highness need not worry. Lord Chen is a lucky man and will surely turn danger into safety," said Lady Sun in a low voice.

The Empress shook her head. "It's not that I'm worried about his safety..."

Chen Mo has a special identity and possesses dragon energy, so Ji Hongxiu won't harm him, but other things are uncertain... After all, this Daoist has a criminal record!
So much time has passed, they might have already been completely taken advantage of!
Thinking of this, the Empress felt even more distressed.

"It should have belonged to me..."

……

……

Hanxiao Palace, inner hall.

The bedroom was filled with a rich and fragrant aroma.

On the elegant couch, Yu Youhan leaned against the headboard, her clothes disheveled, her hair loose, and her phoenix eyes brimming with tears.

"You dog of a lackey, how dare you!"

She only wanted to check to see if Ji Hongxiu had done anything underhanded, but this guy started touching her inappropriately... and even insisted on making her like Ji Hongxiu...

As expected, the red ribbon appeared and nearly tortured her to death...

Chen Mo forced a smile and said, "Didn't Your Highness say you were used to it? Then who was it that was shouting 'No!' just now... um!"

Before he could finish speaking, his mouth was sealed by her jade feet.

Yu Youhan glared at him, embarrassed and annoyed. "How dare you make fun of me? It seems you're tired of living!"

Chen Mo gave her a top-notch lung massage, then skillfully held the foot in his hands and massaged it upwards along the ankle. "Actually, Your Majesty's stubbornness is quite cute."

"..."

Yu Youhan looked helpless.

This guy is shameless and won't listen to reason, there's nothing she can do about him.

"If Your Majesty hadn't intervened in time, I'm afraid I would have been taken to the desolate region and become a merry-go-round for the female demons." Chen Mo asked with some concern, "How strong was that demon lord? Your Majesty, were you injured?"

Yu Youhan said dismissively, "He does have some skills, but that's all. He's just a coward who doesn't dare to show his true face... With just an avatar, he poses no threat to me."

Hearing this, Chen Mo breathed a sigh of relief.

The Demon Lord's strength has always been an unknown quantity; it seems that he hasn't reached the level of an overpowered character yet.

At least for the Empress, she's not quite a supermodel...

"How did Your Highness know that I would be in danger?" Chen Mo asked.

The timing of the Empress's appearance was perfect, clearly indicating that she had known his whereabouts for a long time.

Yu Youhan gently stroked her hair with her fingers and said, "I attached a wisp of divine sense to that black cat. When I saw that Kui Xing Sect disciple, I had already seen through her identity. I didn't make a move until the big fish behind her took the bait."

"Ji Hongxiu must have deduced your location in the same way..."

Chen Mo frowned slightly.

No wonder Ji Hongxiu gave him that cat back then; she wanted to use it to monitor his movements.
Fortunately, he didn't carry the silly cat with him all the time...

"Wait a minute..."

Chen Mo suddenly realized, "That stupid cat is carrying the Empress's divine sense, doesn't that mean the Empress knows everything that happened in the Si Yamen?"

Didn't the Empress see him and Li Yuan fooling around in court before?

Thinking about this, my throat felt a little dry.

However, seeing that the Empress's expression was not unusual, he silently lowered his head and did not dare to say anything more.

At this moment, Yu Youhan said, "Speaking of which, after you were taken away by Ji Hongxiu, Madam Chen stayed in the palace for one night, and I chatted with her quite a bit."

Chen Mo asked in confusion, "What could Your Majesty and my mother possibly have to talk about?"

Yu Youhan wrinkled her delicate nose, looking slightly smug, and said, "I'm a woman too, so naturally I have a lot to talk about... Besides clothes, we also talked about your embarrassing childhood stories and your future criteria for choosing a partner..."

She paused, cleared her throat, and said, "Ahem, anyway, it was quite harmonious."

Harmony?

Chen Mo could imagine the scene at that time.

He Yuzhi was probably trembling with fear, feeling extremely uneasy, as if she was afraid that the Empress's words would fall to the ground...

"Criteria for choosing a spouse? What did my mother say?"

Yu Youhan said, "Madam Chen said she wouldn't interfere in this matter; it's entirely up to you."

Chen Mo smiled and nodded, "That's true. My mother is open-minded and rarely interferes in my private affairs."

Yu Youhan glanced at Chen Mo and asked casually, "So... what kind of person do you like?"

How could Lord Chen possibly answer such an easy question wrong?

Without hesitation, he replied, "Of course, it has to be someone like Your Majesty! She's rich, beautiful, powerful, and genuinely devoted to me. It's hard not to like her!"

Faced with such explicit remarks that bordered on a confession, Yu Youhan's face flushed slightly, and her tone carried a hint of panic:

"Who's been truly sincere to you? Don't talk nonsense! What kind of image would it project if others heard this?"

"This humble servant spoke without thinking, and hopes Your Majesty will not take offense... However, this humble servant is not speaking nonsense; everything I have said comes from the bottom of my heart..."

"Shut up!"

"..."

Chen Mo stopped there, saying nothing more, and silently massaged his calf.

Yu Youhan bit her lip lightly, her fair cheeks flushed with a faint blush, her blue eyes darting around, her heart filled with complex emotions.

Somewhat embarrassed, somewhat annoyed, and a little shyly pleased...

A strange atmosphere filled the air.

Yu Youhan steadied herself and changed the subject, saying, "Madam Chen saw the stockings you sent me. She was quite surprised to hear that you designed the clothes for Jinxiufang."

?

Chen Mo's expression froze, and he said with difficulty, "My mother...she knows everything?"

Yu Youhan nodded. "Is there anything I can't say?"

"No, nothing..."

Chen Mo's lips twitched slightly.

Despite all my precautions, I never expected to fail with the Empress. It seems my identity as a friend of women has been completely exposed...

……

Chen Mo did not leave Hanxiao Palace until dusk.

He wanted to go straight home, but the thought of facing his mother's severe torture made him hesitate.

"After becoming a palace guard commander, I haven't even worked a single shift yet."

"Even if it's just a nominal title, we still have to put on a show..."

With this thought in mind, Chen Mo turned and walked towards the inner court.

"Master Chen."

"Greetings, Lord Chen."

The palace servants and guards who passed by all bowed their heads in respect.

As a newly appointed Imperial Guard Commander, his portrait had already been circulating in the palace as soon as the imperial edict was issued.

No token is needed; this face is the pass.

Chen Mo walked slowly along the palace path, passing through the long red walls, and arrived at the deep courtyard.

There was no one around, and it was quiet and peaceful. Not far away, Zhaohua Palace was brightly lit. With his amazing eyesight, he could vaguely see a beautiful figure through the window lattice, who seemed to be busy at her desk.

"It's so late, Your Majesty, haven't you rested yet?"

"Isn't that a bit too diligent?"

Chen Mo stepped forward and silently entered the main hall...

(End of this chapter)