Blood-Sucking Empress - Chapter 44

“Master, do you think Feng Xue has gotten better or not?” The smile on Feng Xue’s face became more obvious, and there was even a little hint of expectation, an expression that was clearly asking for some praise.

Qianhe Liyou found this rather amusing, she had only said one phrase, something that could not even be considered a compliment and the little fox’s tail was already wagging a bit higher.

“What do you think?” Qianhe Liyou answered the question with another question, and one could not make out the meaning behind her mysterious expression.

“Master, Feng Xue made great efforts to complete the task you instructed and has brought Young Master Yun back safely. It can’t be that you feel that Feng Xue is now useless?” The joyful smile on Feng Xue’s face was replaced with a miserable, fawning expression, his face etched with grievance, implying that he felt wronged.

“Feng Xue, you did very well.” Qianhe Liyou was not one to be stingy with her compliments and she had merely wanted to tease the little fox just now. Seeing him so desperately and urgently desiring for some praise, it made her feel that this situation was quite amusing.

“Thank you Master for the compliment.” Feng Xue beamed brightly, the pure cold aura seemed to have disappeared, the bewitching alluring look was also gone, much like the early melting of ice and snow in a warm winter, not so blazing, but rather warm and meaningful.

Qianhe Liyou felt that she should reevaluate this little fox again and at the same time, she should reassess the power of the battlefield. In just a short time, the battlefield could make a person change so drastically, it was truly amazing.

“Tell me about your experiences during this time, zhen would like to hear.” She started becoming curious about what he had experienced while he was away.

“Master, what do you want to know? After Feng Xue departed, I have been obediently protecting Young Master Yun and moreover, once war erupted between the two countries, I have also gone to the front lines to help out with a few things. There was no breach in responsibility.” Feng Xue described this all very seriously, thinking that his Master wanted to check whether he had properly fulfilled his assigned duties.

“Talk about something else, such as something you witnessed. Was there anything that was the most memorable for you?”

“Unforgettable…” Feng Xue seemed to have submerged into a certain memory, “The most memorable event was the garrison siege battle. The Sang’s empire army forcibly attacked the garrison with various siege and fortress breaking equipment. Many of our soldiers were injured, but the remaining soldiers did not have the time to bring the wounded down from the garrison walls for treatment. The wounded soldiers who were carried down were shuttled into makeshift tents, keeping the military doctors so busy that they could not take a break. At that time, Young Master Yun was also there. He was also very preoccupied and didn’t even have the time to wipe the blood off from his face, one person taking care of more than ten soldiers with severe and critical injuries. One of the most serious cases was a soldier who had both hands chopped off, the entire body was drenched in blood. The wails and shrieks coming from the tents made me feel like I was in hell, it was the first time I had ever seen such a horrible scene since I was a child. It was even worse then when I was in that place…during those days in the brothel, I was very miserable. I had always felt that I was the most miserable and pitiful person in the world. But, when I saw the soldiers and heard their agonizing wails, I suddenly felt that my past experiences were long in the past, and that I really ought to just let them pass. The world is vast and there are many things that I do not understand, just like war. It is cruel and tens of thousands of living beings disappear in the blink of an eye.”

Sometimes people were very ignorant, seeing nothing but themselves. Every action they did and every thought they thought was related to themselves. That was just how he was like in the past. Although his past experiences were indeed a bit miserable, many people encountered more miserable and horrifying situations than him.

“I used to think that humans were very fragile. As a demon, naturally my constitution and physical resistance is much better than regular humans. But when I saw those soldiers, even if they became physically disabled, they still insisted on brandishing the sword in their hands. Even if they were covered from head to toe in blood, they still refused to fall. Their strength leaves me with admiration and I was extremely moved. I also hope that I can do what they do. No matter what happens, I will staunchly and persistently survive, I will not give up or compromise. I…will become a new Feng Xue!”

Lost, hesitant, suffering, astonishment, realization, determination. These various emotions flickered back and forth on Feng Xue’s face, as if he was completing a certain transformation.

Qianhe Liyou had been silently observing Feng Xue’s transformation, light admiration burning within her eyes. The people around her, including herself, were all unknowingly changing. But this was a very natural part of life. It would be more strange if a person remained unchanging, unless they were completely isolated from the outside world like she was used to…

Whether they are human beings or other races with their own unique personalities, the saying that all beings are equal sometimes makes a lot of sense.” Qianhe Liyou suddenly said something very meaningful. Under the vast sky, there were many races in this world: humans, fairies, spirits, ghosts, gods and demons. She knew a lot of these races, but maybe there were more she was not aware of, but they all have their own characteristics and their existences all had meaning. 

“Do you think all beings are equal?” Feng Xue looked surprised at the woman who he called Master in front of him. His Master was a supreme and lofty Empress,  unfathomable and unpredictable. He didn’t even know if she was a person or something else. How could it not be strange to hear the words “ all beings are equal” come out from such a character’s mouth?

“Equality does not mean that everyone possesses the same rights, rather it refers to the cycle of karma, each being possessing a certain destiny in this mysterious and unfathomable unseen world of cause and effect.” 

“Do you mean that good people are rewarded and the evil are punished?” The causal cycle, he was unsure if he was understanding it correctly?

“No.” Qianhe Liyou replied without hesitation and directly denied it.

Feng Xue was dumbfounded, ‘Then what is the meaning?”

“It means…you still need more wisdom and insights in your life experience. Even if you have cultivated into a fox spirit, you are still but a little fox.” Was the evil punished? She had never felt that she was a good person,  but did this mean she thought she was evil and would get her retribution one day? Her described so-called causal karmic cycle was not so simple. This kind of sentiment and thinking required a lot of emotional accumulation, achieving supreme enlightenment similar to nirvana. She thought that although this little fox had indeed matured a bit, there was still unlimited room for growth.

“Feng Xue is not young anymore, Feng Xue is more than 300 years old…” No one here was older than him, so why did she call him a little fox? Feng Xue felt dissatisfied in his heart, but he didn’t know why,  but his face was flushed and his little protesting whines had semblances of sweetness. 

Liyou did not hear Feng Xue’s halfhearted protests, her gaze roamed into the distance and her eyes rested on a tree not far away.  With a slightly profound tone she said, “Make sure your friend is careful with his poisons, I do not want any accidents occurring…” The golden snake was not an ordinary species. Of course, she did not mean that just on the fact that the snake had become a spirit. Rather, she was referring to the original body of that snake spirit as the Golden Spirit Snake Monarch!

Golden Spirit Snake Monarch, its venom was extremely vicious and excessively licentious. As long as it contaminated just a little bit, the consequences were unimaginable. There was no other antidote besides doing that kind of thing. She did not want any unpleasant accidents in the Imperial palace.

“Yes, Xiao Jin understands, he has always been very cautious. Master, can Feng Xue continue to serve you by your side? Or do you have other tasks for Feng Xue to do?” Both he and Xiao Jin understood the true power of the venom and had always paid close attention to the matter. What he was more worried about currently was his own matters. He had completed his duties and returned. He did not know what the Master would arrange for him next? At least, she should no longer want to drive him away anymore…

“I will arrange for Fengying to prepare a place for you two to live in. You can reside within the Imperial palace, but do not bother me casually.” Since he did not want to leave, she would not force it. But, she did not need any more people serving by her side.

“…Yes.” Although there was a gap from what he had expected, Feng Xue had learned what contentment meant and he was already overjoyed to be able to stay.