Demon Emperor

Chapter 24 The mural arrived at the Heavenly Maiden Palace

Shangsi Festival.

Palace banquet.

Many people came today, including civil and military officials and their families.

Ruan Hu, as the emperor, hosted a banquet and bestowed fragrant herbs and yellow wine upon the officials, creating a lively and harmonious scene.

At the banquet.

A man suddenly came to pay his respects to Ruan Hu. Ruan Hu did not know who this man was, so he sat there without saying a word.

However, as soon as this person opened his mouth, he shouted.

"Brother Emperor!"

This is actually the brother of this body, and it sounds like he's a blood relative.

Ruan Hu didn't say much. After he paid his respects, he went through the formalities and gave some rewards. Then he ordered people to play music and dance.

Although I'm not afraid of being exposed or suspected, it's always best to avoid as much trouble as possible.

Then, everyone became immersed in the music and dance.

at night.

The man left the imperial city in a carriage and headed towards his residence along the main street.

Besides a coachman, there were two servants on either side of the carriage, which followed the carriage toward the end of the long street.

The carriage moved very slowly, almost as slowly as walking, but nobles and royalty naturally could not walk; they had to sit in the carriage no matter how slow it was.

Suddenly, a faint sound came from the night wind.

The others didn't hear it, but the man inside the carriage, separated by a layer, did and lifted the curtain.

"Did you hear that? Someone is talking."

The coachman and his servant looked around, but there wasn't a soul in sight on the main road. Who was this person speaking to? They couldn't help but exchange bewildered glances.

The carriage continued onward, and at this moment, the sounds carried on the night wind became increasingly clear.

The man not only heard someone speaking, but he could also clearly hear that the person was calling his name.

The man sensed something was wrong and lifted the curtain again.

"There was clearly someone talking and calling me, didn't any of you hear it?"

The people around continued talking, but no sound was heard.

The man felt a chill, which was quite unusual.

He looked around, but saw no one. Then a voice kept calling to him, and it seemed to be getting closer and closer.

"It sounds a bit like... the Imperial Uncle's voice?"

The "royal uncle" the man mentioned was none other than Prime Minister Ruan Heng, who had died in the fire earlier.

As the sound grew closer, the man finally couldn't help but respond.

"Uncle Emperor?"

"But what do you want to say to your nephew?"

"Is there some injustice you wish to tell your nephew?"

This response was as if it had broken down a barrier.

A figure that they hadn't seen before suddenly appeared in front of the carriage, blocking their way.

The man was startled and pointed ahead, exclaiming in surprise.

"What's that up ahead?"

The coachman jumped down, and the servants rushed forward, looking around.

Then she turned around and said to the man.

"Nothing?"

At that moment, the figure had already passed by the servants and was heading towards the man and the carriage.

The moonlight shone on that thing.

The man then realized that it was not a human at all, but a monster with a tiger's head, but a human body, dressed in purple official robes.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the person's body appeared to be completely black, a color unlike that of a normal person.

This bizarre sight completely terrified the man.

He quickly pulled the curtain shut and hid inside the carriage, trembling with fear.

The thing went straight into the car, and then a scream was heard, followed by a terrifying chewing sound.

The coachman and servants rushed back upon hearing the commotion and lifted the curtain to take a look.

"what?"

The room was covered in bloodstains, but the man was nowhere to be seen.

Bones stained with blood and flesh were scattered everywhere, but the flesh and internal organs were nowhere to be found.

A rumor began to circulate in the capital.

Every night, a red tiger appears in the streets. It can speak human language, and if it calls your name and you respond, it will devour you. No one who encounters it has a complete corpse; they are all eaten until only bones remain.

This is absolutely terrifying.

There are even rumors that the red tiger was the prime minister in disguise.

The prime minister was filled with resentment after his death, so he returned to seek revenge.

The sun was blazing.

At this moment, Ruan Hu stood in front of the carriage, looking at the terrifying, scattered skeleton inside.

Those who survived that day included two servants and a groom.

Ruan Hu: "Tell me, what happened back then?"

Coachman: "Back then..."

This thing, whose origin is unknown, devoured several people in a row.

More importantly, this thing was fed entirely by members of the royal family, who were close relatives of Ruan Hu's body.

At this rate, it probably won't be long before they've completely wiped out the Nguyen family.

Finally, they ended up getting their hands on Ruan Hu.
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Heavenly Maiden Palace.

The Heavenly Maiden Palace is not yet completed, but the murals have already been moved and placed in the main hall.

However, things were not so simple when the temple was built. Next, a palace master and a priest would be selected, and a sacrificial ceremony would be held. Only then would the deities and spiritual realms in the murals be considered integrated into the Heavenly Maiden Palace of Xijing City.

At the same time, he was also tied to Ruan Hu and Da Sheng.

Ruan Hu stood beneath the mural, holding a candlestick, just like that night.

As the figures in the painting came to life, the leading celestial maiden reached out her hand to Ruan Hu, who then grabbed it and fell into the painting.

At this moment, Ruan Hu, holding Miao Xiang Tian Nu's hand, was lifted into the air by her.

Soaring in the sky, fluttering in the wind.

Feeling dazed and lightheaded.

Finally, the celestial maiden led him to a seat in a magnificent palace, where he sat regally behind a high platform and jade table.

Ruan Hu: "Your Majesty is kind, but I have come here today for an important matter."

The Heavenly Maiden already knew Ruan Hu's purpose: "Is it because of recent events in the capital?"

Ruan Hu: "Indeed, I want to know what that thing is."

This thing is invisible to ordinary people; you can only see it when it calls your name and you respond.

If you respond to it, you'll fall into its trap, and death will be your only fate.

Therefore, there is no way to capture them.

Moreover, Ruan Hu felt that it would become stronger with each person it ate, and if it continued like this, he feared that when he encountered it again, he would not be able to get away with it.

Therefore, the most urgent task is to figure out exactly what this thing is.

Myo-hyang Celestial Maiden: "Your Majesty, have you ever heard of the White People Kingdom and the Huandou Kingdom?"

Ruan Hu thought for a moment, then couldn't quite remember: "I think I've heard of it before."

The goddess Miaoxiang then asked, "What about the Kingdom of Pierced Chests?"

Ruan Hu remembered: "But what about the strange people in the Classic of Mountains and Seas who have a large hole in their chests and can be carried by bamboo poles piercing their chests?"

Legend has it that these people were the Fangfeng clan in ancient times. Because Yu the Great killed the Fangfeng clan, their tribe was so ashamed that they pierced their own chests and thus formed this country.

Miao Xiang Tian Nu nodded: "Your Majesty is indeed very knowledgeable. In ancient times, there were many legends about strange people and foreign countries in the Nine Provinces. Does Your Majesty know why we can't see them now?"

Ruan Hu looked at this wondrous place: "Could it be that the various kingdoms recorded in the ancient Classic of Mountains and Seas are like this secret realm of the Heavenly Maiden?"

"It does not exist in the human world, but in another realm."

Miaoxiang Tiannu smiled and said, "Your Majesty is indeed quick to understand. It is true that there was no Buddhism or Taoism in ancient times, nor was there the underworld or reincarnation."

"But the ancient ancestors worshipped the gods of heaven and earth, and with the power of the wishes of all living beings and barbaric witchcraft, they built one after another strange realm of mountains and seas, and after death they became beings in the strange realms."

"Different tribes and different ancient peoples created different landscapes in the mountains and seas."

"But with the passage of time, the ancient tribes and the kingdoms of our ancestors have all disappeared, and these strange landscapes in the mountains and seas have also vanished along with them."

Ruan Hu understood what the Fairy of Fragrance was saying, but he still didn't understand its meaning.

Ruan Hu: "Could that thing be related to these ancient tribes and ancestors?"

Miaoxiang Tiannu: "It's not just that thing, but His Majesty and Dasheng are both related to these ancient tribes and ancestors."

"The ghosts and gods in the underworld only recreated this ancient thing by taking advantage of Ruan Heng's destiny and his unique bloodline."

Ruan Hu remained silent, listening quietly to Miaoxiang Tiannu's story.

Miaoxiang Tiannu looked at Ruan Hu and said softly.

“In ancient times there was a country called the Churen, who were said to be descendants of Gao Yao. The people of that country could transform into tigers, liked to wear purple linen clothes, and had no heels.”

"It is said that the churen can see the good and evil in people and enjoy eating the flesh and blood of the wicked."

"Put your hand on the shoulder and call their name. If the person responds, then eat them."

(End of this chapter)