CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 45 - LIU WEI’S REASONS

Her gaze flicked to Mei Ling and Lin Yue, a flicker of something unreadable in those pale blue eyes—disdain, perhaps, or calculation. Liu Wei tried to slink away in the exodus, but Feng’s voice cracked like a whip: "You as well, ’disciple.’ We have matters to discuss."

The former guard froze, sweat beading on his forehead, but he had no choice.

We followed her through a side door into a private chamber adjoining the pavilion—a sealed room warded with shimmering arrays that hummed with suppressive qi, ensuring no sound or scrying could penetrate.

The space was austere: a low table, cushions on the floor, and walls etched with ancient runes glowing faintly.

Only four of us entered: me, Mei Ling, Lin Yue, and Feng. Liu Wei was dragged in last, the door sealing behind him with a resonant thud, making it five—but not for long.

Feng seated herself at the head of the table, her posture regal and unyielding, the sheet from our earlier encounter long replaced by her form-fitting robes that accentuated every curve. Mei Ling and Lin Yue took positions beside me, their presences a quiet anchor—Mei’s hand brushing mine under the table, sending a subtle spark through our bond, while Lin’s sharp eyes scanned the room like she was ready for ambush.

"Sit," Feng commanded, her voice like winter wind. We complied, Liu Wei collapsing onto a cushion opposite me, his face ashen. He avoided my gaze, but I could see the panic in his eyes—the man knew his secrets were unraveling.

Feng wasted no time. "Speak, Tianlong. Your accusations against this man carry weight. Explain."

I leaned forward, my reformed body casting a shadow over the table, the Horny God’s Legacy humming subtly in my veins, keeping my aura steady and commanding. "Liu Wei was my palace guard captain. Loyal, or so I thought—until the coup. He sold me out to my son, Zhao Wuji, feeding him information on my routines, my weaknesses. The poison that wasted me for years? He helped slip it into my tea. And when Wuji seized the throne, Liu vanished—straight into your sect’s arms, I assume. Care to fill in the blanks, Captain?"

Liu Wei trembled, his cultivator facade cracking like thin ice. "I... I had no choice! The Immortal Sect—they approached me first. Promised power, a new life if I helped destabilize the dynasty. Your rule was crumbling anyway, Emperor! Wuji was just the tool—they wanted the empire weakened, ripe for influence. Resources, spirit veins, ancient legacies hidden in the palace... they coveted it all."

Betrayal hit like a qi backlash, raw and burning. My son—my own blood—hadn’t just turned on me for ambition. He’d been a puppet, dancing to the Sect’s strings. The purges, the poison, the years rotting in that cell... all orchestrated by these arrogant bastards in white robes. I felt it then, a deep, gnawing ache—not just anger, but the soul-crushing weight of a father’s failure, realizing his child had been corrupted, used as a weapon against him. The Immortal Sect hadn’t just targeted my throne; they’d poisoned my legacy, turning family against family for their greedy expansion. My fists clenched under the table, vitality surging to steady me, but the pain lingered like a fresh wound.

"And the Sect’s involvement?" I pressed, voice steady despite the storm inside. "How deep did it go?"

Liu swallowed hard, glancing at Feng as if seeking mercy. None came. "Deep. Elder Feng... she wasn’t directly involved, but the higher-ups—they funded Wuji, supplied the poisons, even sent shadow operatives to ensure the coup succeeded. They wanted the Yan Dynasty as a vassal state, feeding them resources while appearing independent. When you survived the initial poisoning, they pushed Wuji to finish you off... but you escaped."

Feng remained silent throughout, her expression a mask of glacial calm, pale eyes fixed on some distant point. No denial, no outburst—just waiting, like a predator biding its time. The room felt heavier with every word, the truth settling like lead in my gut. My empire hadn’t fallen to internal rot alone; it had been systematically dismantled by these sect vultures, my son’s betrayal just the knife they wielded.

I turned to Feng finally, my smirk returning despite the ache. She sat there, poised and silent, but I knew that look—the subtle tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers drummed faintly on her knee. She wasn’t here just for interrogation; she wanted something from me. Something intimate, as we’d danced around in our earlier negotiations. The favor she’d been too proud to voice outright, but her body remembered—the squirting release, the heat I’d awakened in her virgin core. She was waiting to ask, and I could already taste the frustration building in her.

"Quite the tale," I said, leaning back. "Your sect’s hands are dirtier than I thought, Elder. But you seem... preoccupied. Something on your mind? Or should I say... something you need?"

Her eyes snapped to mine, a flicker of irritation breaking through the ice. "The guard’s words change nothing. But yes... there is a matter we discussed. Privately."

Liu Wei shifted uncomfortably, realizing he’d overheard too much, but I waved it off for now. "Ah, yes. The favor. Go on—ask. I’m in a generous mood."

She glared, her pale cheeks tinting faintly, the memory of our chamber encounter clearly burning. "You know what I require. Fulfill it, as agreed."

I shrugged, grinning wider. "Come on, say it from your mouth. For old times’ sake."

Frustration flashed in her eyes, her jaw clenching. "I want you to fuck me."

The words hung in the air, crude and electric. Mei Ling gasped softly, Lin Yue’s eyes widened in shock, but Liu Wei—he just sat there, frozen, his face a mask of disbelief. "D-Did the elder just... say that?" he stammered, panic rising as the gravity sank in.

I turned to him with a casual wave. "Bye, Captain. Consider yourself forgiven—for now."

He stood shakily, relief flickering, but the fool didn’t run. "I-I’m alive? But... Elder, you said—"

Feng’s hand stretched out, her aura flaring like arctic wind. "You have listened too much. Be gone."

He trembled, begging, "Don’t kill me—please!" But it was too late. His body shimmered, then vanished in a swirl of disintegrating qi, erased without a trace.

The room fell silent again, the four of us now alone—me, Mei Ling, Lin Yue, and Feng. I smirked at her, unfazed. "Satisfied? Now, about that favor—it’s not free. I need something from you first."

Her frustration boiled over, aura surging to overwhelm me, the air growing heavy and cold. "Just do what I say if you don’t want to die."

I laughed, unshaken. "You can bring water to the horse but cannot open its mouth. So you can bring yourself here, but I’m not going to open mine."

She seethed, the pressure intensifying, but finally relented, accepting with gritted teeth. "Fine. What do you want?"

I leaned in, voice low. "The Abyssal Demon Realm—that legacy dimension with the demonic power fragments. I need a weapon from there, a shard of pure demonic essence. It’s dangerous as hell—void beasts, collapsing spaces, traps that could shred someone of Early Nascent Soul. I need someone strong to accompany me. You."

Her eyes widened in anger, frustration twisting her features. The realm was notorious—even sects avoided it, its entrances unstable and guarded by ancient seals.

Entering meant risking everything, but she knew I wouldn’t budge on the favor without it. Hesitation warred on her face—she was powerful, but the place terrified even elders like her.

Finally, she nodded, voice tight. "Agreed. But if we survive, you fulfill your end—thoroughly."

I grinned, shrugging. "As you say, my lady. I will do it."

The deal was struck, the air charged with tension. Mei Ling and Lin Yue exchanged glances, sensing the shift, but I felt the system’s quiet approval:

[System Alert: High-Risk Alliance Formed - Elder Feng Lianhua]

[Corruption Progress: 45% - Proceed with Caution]

[New Mission: Enter Abyssal Demon Realm - Acquire Demonic Fragment]

[Rewards: Massive Vitality Boost, Potential SSS-Rank Bond Upgrade]