Chapter 162: The Phoenix City Divine King
Chapter 162: The Phoenix City Divine King
“You… what kind of person are you?”
The five auras from inside the city could be withdrawn, but the Chief Warden and Secretary in front of the city felt their hearts pounding wildly.
They had spoken harshly upon witnessing the strange vision, but now, seeing the mysterious figure, they were immediately struck with terror.
Just the moment she appeared, they felt an overwhelming, mountain-like pressure. What terrified them most was this: though they could clearly see the woman before them, they could not sense her presence with their spiritual awareness. In other words, the Qi Refiners’ extended consciousness touched nothing—it was as if she didn’t exist within this world… How high must her cultivation be?
Moreover, how could such a supremely powerful existence appear above Great Qingjiang City?
Whoosh…
As the woman descended gracefully, her bare feet treading upon fiery clouds, the vast cloud of flames that had covered half the sky rapidly withdrew. In the end, it condensed into a phoenix, wholly formed of blazing fire. It had long feathers, divine eyes, and crimson plumage that danced like flames. It hovered silently in mid-air, while the woman, dressed in red garments, her feet bare, leaned lightly against the phoenix’s back. Her captivating slanted eyes gave her the appearance of a mythical enchantress.
Specks of fire scattered beside the flaming phoenix began to rapidly dissolve. Where they vanished, numerous women in courtly attire materialized in succession. They wore red robes and had their hair tied in double buns. Each one had a composed, cold expression as they stood silently in the sky, attending to the phoenix from both sides.
“A woman draped in fire-red clothing, wearing a phoenix crown… and this…”
The Chief Warden and Secretary took in her appearance, particularly the mighty phoenix woven from endless divine flames and the Palace Maidens serving beside her — as cold and detached as heavenly immortals. Then a memory struck them: the identity of this figure. Their hearts nearly leapt from their chests in shock. They hurriedly lowered their heads, afraid to gaze directly upon her. Trembling, they clasped their hands in salute, about to perform a formal greeting.
“Why stand so close?”
The woman seated on the phoenix swept her gaze over them, frowning slightly.
At her words, the surrounding Palace Maidens immediately frowned as well. One lightly waved her sleeve outward.
As her seemingly gentle gesture passed by, it made no distinction between the Chief Warden and Secretary on one hand, and the Divine Generals and guards who were rushing close; all found it impossible to maintain their positions. They were thrown back, stumbling violently. Those with lower cultivation even fell headlong from the sky. Crash! Bang! They plummeted down, crashing into buildings and residences below, shattering tiles and walls as they landed—instantly causing the citizens below to panic wildly, scrambling back into their homes for shelter.
“W-w-we… offer respects… Divine Queen!”
The Secretary and Chief Warden, along with a few Divine Generals who weren’t swept from the sky, weren’t in better shape than their fallen comrades; in fact, they felt the crisis even more acutely. Exchanging glances — it was as if each could hear the frantic beating of the other’s heart — they hastily straightened their attire, assumed a deep bow, and saluted with the utmost reverence.
In the Great Xia Dynasty, prostration-kneeling was not required except when honoring Heaven, Earth, the Emperor, one’s Parents, and one’s Masters. The kowtow bow was, after all, a slave’s salute to their master. Among Qi Refiners, the customary greeting was the clasped-hand salute. Generally speaking, the higher the status, prestige, or cultivation of the person being greeted, the deeper the bow. At this moment, the Chief Warden and Secretary practically wished they could dip their bodies directly to the ground.
Even so, hearts filled with dread, still they feared incurring her wrath…
The reason was simple: they had recognized the phoenix patterns on the woman’s robe and immediately deduced her identity.
……
“I… I know who she is…”
On the Dharma Ship behind them, Young Sect Master Xu also, without any hesitation, figured out the woman’s identity upon seeing her. Even while standing on the ship’s deck, he immediately bowed deeply, simultaneously tugging at the robes of the figure beside him as if urging him to follow suit. He transmitted a private message: “Second Young Master Fang, utmost caution! This woman is… she is the ruler of the Southern Phoenix God Kingdom, Great Xia’s sole Divine Queen!”
“The ruler of a God Kingdom?”
Fang Cun stiffened for a moment, then instantly understood who this woman was.
The ruler of the Southern Phoenix God Kingdom was also the master of Phoenix City!
Even though he had grown up in Willow Lake, he had still heard the legends surrounding these mighty Divine Kings.
Outside the Immortal Palace, over a hundred Divine Kings held sway, large and small. Seven of them held the largest territories and were considered chief among them:
Phoenix, Qilin, Turtle, Dragon, Sparrow, Kui, and Candle — each commanding numerous vassal kingdoms and Divine Generals. Among them: the Qilin God King was known for his lust for power; the Dragon God King was driven by his love of sensual pleasures; the Turtle God King was famed for his avoidance of conflict (earning him the mocking nickname “Shrinking Tortoise”); and this Phoenix God King? She was legendary for her fondness and absolute willingness to spill blood!
Her notoriety was such that many privately prefixed her honored Divine King title with the name “Demon”!
But the most critical problem… As Master Qin had told him before: the person in this world who most bitterly hated his brother Fang Chi was none other than her!
Moreover — right back in Willow Lake City — she had ordered a General Lord under her command beheaded just for failure.
Why would she — a Divine Queen of her stature — appear in the Turtle God King’s vassal kingdom?
Could it be…
……
While these thoughts raced through Fang Cun’s mind, the Divine Queen reclined lazily upon the phoenix’ back, supporting her cheek with one hand. For most people, striking such a pose would either seem unnatural for display or cause their cheeks to be pressed out of shape, looking quite unsightly. But when she did it, there was only an air of limitless charm and grace, as if the entire heavens and earth had become adornments solely designed to set off her presence.
And those kneeling figures blanketing the scene below her seemed completely unworthy of her gaze.
She neither commanded them to rise nor dismissed them.
“Who at that moment,” interjected her Palace Maiden beside her, her expression icy, sweeping her cold gaze across the stooped figures of Chief Wardens and Divine Generals, “dared to speak disrespectfully toward the Divine Phoenix?”
“This…”
Chief Warden Peng, the other officials below, and the Divine Generals all broke out in a cold sweat instantly; every muscle in their bodies tensed.
They were behind the shout… Yet… But who knew it was you at the time?
Despite this, none dared voice such an argument against the Divine Queen’s implicit interrogation. So deep was their dread that they even lacked the presence of mind to offer explanations or excuses under her overwhelming aura — emanating pure dominance not even consciously directed.
“It… was I who spoke…”
After a chilling silence, that Chief Warden finally spoke up, his voice trembling. He immediately knelt, pressing his forehead into the stone: “Peng Xiang did not know it was Your Highness arriving! It was rash and offensive to speak out — a crime worthy of death! I beg Divine Queen’s mercy for this ignorance. I… I willingly cut off my tongue and remain silent forever as self-punishment!” Without a moment’s hesitation, he lifted his hand — white light flashed at his fingertip — and swept it viciously toward his own mouth! A chunk of flesh flew out — his tongue — splattering bloodfully onto the ground.
Witnessing this, the onlookers felt the hair stand all over their bodies. A deep shudder of terror surged through their hearts.
However, Chief Peng — body trembling violently — seemed horribly afraid self-mutilation alone might not appease…
The Divine Queen, still reclining on the fiery cloud, did not even spare him a glance. She seemed not to have heard a single word; too lazy to notice utterly. Her Palace Maiden beside her swept a cold glare over the others. “Must we personally point each name out of this crowd?”
Silence reigned anew for a moment. Chief Wardens and Minor Officials filling the sky exchanged terrified glances.
That Secretary had hesitated infinitely, but turning his head and catching sight of Peng Xiang — kneeling nearby in a bloodied heap — caused sudden understanding to strike him cold. Without thought! He gritted his teeth — tightly closed his eyes — and swiftly duplicated the act! Slice! His own tongue burst forth from bleeding lips! Seeing Pen Warden and Secretary’s display, the surrounding Divine Generals all paled drastically, horrified but unclear why such immediacy was required. Some reacted quickly; biting their own lips hard, forcing themselves to mimic the deed!
“Because just moments prior… I didn’t… shout at all…” thought some young Divine Generals despairingly. They were paralyzed — transfixed by horror at those surrounding them who were cutting themselves. Instantly, veteran Generals nearby seized those younger ones who hesitated. With merciless blade flashes foretelling agony — they FORCIBLY severed their comrades’ tongues!
Suddenly. Slash. Thud. Thud thud. Tongues splattered bloodily across ground like fallen fruits.
Such a dreadful scene unfolding was unbearable to watch — especially for the citizens below who witnessed it — instilling soul-deep dread and revulsion.
……
“The Qi Refiners of Qingjiang Prefecture are quick to respond, indeed…”
The Divine Queen seated upon the cloud frowned languidly. “Cease littering the ground like this. Let them go.”
The officials below — Secretary, lower Magistrate Peng, and the Divine Generals alike — practically wished to weep. Why have mercy only after demanding bloodshed…?
As for the Palace Maidens on one side — gazed coldly at the mass now desperately clamping bleeding mouths shut — let out nothing but a sneer: cold disdain the only testament to their thoughts.
“You need not fear!”
Just as everyone around had sunk into abject horror, the Divine Queen lazily waved her hand. Her leisurely gaze drifted over the figures gathered below. She spoke softly, almost helplessly tired. “I seek someone named Fang Cun. Where is he?”
Whoosh! — Instantly, yet silently — countless gazes below ruthlessly swept toward the Dharma Ship behind the gathered officials.
“Oh no…”
Still bent deeply in a salute upon the Dharma Ship’s deck, young Sect Master Xu — who’d feared to lift his head all this while — immediately broke into a cold sweat, face shadowed by terror. He turned fearful eyes toward Fang Cun standing there and subtly pulled Fang Cun’s robe sleeve again while whispering emergency urging: “Salute immediately!”
Fang Cun appeared calm, however. Unable to be pulled down. Still he stood stock-straight upon the bow deck. His eyes quietly appraised the woman sitting astride the fiery phoenix.
At precisely that moment, the Divine Queen tilted her chin slightly upward once more. Her eyes turned — indifferent — toward the Dharma Ship.
Total silence blanketed the scene. All attention locked intensely onto both Fang Cun and that divine figure upon the fiery beast.
Was this bloodthirsty Divine Queen here for Fang Cun alone?
Instantly, everyone recalled those ominous rumors from some time past: How, during his lifetime, Immortal Master Fang Chi and this Divine Queen were sworn enemies! How — not long ago — a General Lord of Phoenix City had flown covertly into Willow Lake City with malicious intent against the Fang Family’s Second Son! News eventually leaked… Confirmations solidified suspicion. Hasn’t she now appeared at Great Qingjiang City in person? Was it merely to…?
Just as these fearful thoughts gripped every spectator tightly… the Divine Queen abruptly sat upright upon the phoenix’s back!
Every witness’s heart plummeted downward! Had she made decision?
Then she slowly stretched out one leg… Step. Bare foot descended into emptiness.
Each time her unshod toe lightly touched the air… a vivid scarlet flower of flame bloomed instantly… cushioning precisely beneath her sole. As if walking on nothing but petals, her grand crimson robe adorned with phoenix patterns billowed lightly in the wind as she took one step… then another… heading toward the Dharma Ship.
Her gaze? Locked entirely upon the standing young man aboard the Dharma Ship’s deck. An icy glimmer flickered deep within her distant pupils.
“Are you Fang Cun?”
At this moment, hearts throughout the entire scene seemed suspended — frozen midway like falling tears before gravity reclaims them.
Beside Fang Cun, young Sect Master Xu’s eyes almost pled: For Heaven’s sake, answer properly. Should I kneel and answer for you?
Fang Cun finally lifted his head and softly sighed. Barely audible — but cutting relentlessly through the deadly tension thickening the air. What came forth was not a salute… but a softly breathed appraisal… almost reverence:
“Such… exquisite beauty.”