Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess

The wheels rolled over the wide avenue, the four steeds galloping like lightning.

Inside the carriage, however, it was as stable as a still room.

Jiang Shouzhong was squeezed into the corner of the soft couch, surrounded by a lingering fragrance.

Luo Wanqing leaned diagonally against a gold-threaded soft pillow, her large golden skirt spread like flowing clouds over half the couch.

Jiang Yi was next to his knee, her black silk stockings brushing against the man's ankle intentionally or unintentionally.

Dugu Luoxue sat alone by the carriage window, her green cloth skirt wrapped tight, resembling a snow lotus, cold and pure.

"Young Hero Jiang sure is fortunate."

Luo Wanqing twirled a strand of hair with her fingertips, her phoenix eyes glancing sideways at Jiang Yi's toe movement under the skirt, "I suspect that if this carriage were a bit wider, someone would have already snuggled into your arms."

Jiang Yi's foot arched, her embroidered shoe silently falling to the ground, her toes wrapped in black silk reached up Jiang Shouzhong's calf to his knee, yet her face retained a dignified smile:

"Empress, you jest. I merely have numb legs and was stretching them a bit."

Jiang Shouzhong's Adam's apple moved as he held down her mischievous foot.

The palm felt warm and soft like warm jade.

Jiang Shouzhong was about to speak when Li Guanshi placed a tea cup on the table, speaking softly:

"I've been thinking that while all our attention is on the Asura Queen, we seem to have overlooked the Red Demon. Should the Red Demon emerge in the future, it could be an even bigger problem."

"If the Red Demon truly emerges, it's not us but those immortals above who should be worried."

Luo Wanqing yawned.

At this moment, the wheels rolled over gravel, causing the carriage to gently sway.

Luo Wanqing leaned towards Jiang Shouzhong, one hand "accidentally" pressing on his knee, sliding slowly up along the edge of his robe, then lightly scratching his inner thigh through the fabric.

Though unintended, the woman's gaze held a hint of provocation as she glanced over at Jiang Yi.

Jiang Yi's phoenix eyes flashed with coldness, but the force of her toes increased by threefold.

Jiang Shouzhong's back straightened, and he inwardly smiled wryly.

Both of you, could you please restrain yourselves with so many people present? I am a gentleman, after all.

How about we find a quiet place to have a private conversation?

"From some perspectives, the Red Demon might not even be an enemy."

Jiang Wan suddenly spoke.

Luo Wanqing collected her flirtatious expression, speaking seriously:

"What Junior Sister says is true. Back then, if it weren't for the Asura Queen's defiance, those immortals might have turned to dust long ago, and ascension would truly become a thing of the past."

Li Guanshi said, "I'm just afraid it won't just be the Demon Clan and immortals that perish."

Everyone remained silent.

Indeed, the fear is that the Red Demon might annihilate indiscriminately, which would be most terrifying.

Jiang Shouzhong recalled the Red Demon statue he once saw, feeling a heavy heart.

He had a hypothesis or an answer in mind, but he dared not confirm it. One Ran Qingchen was enough to give him a headache; he truly didn't want to go through it again.

"So, what's the purpose of the Red Demon's appearance?"

Jiang Yi asked curiously.

It was a difficult question for everyone to answer.

After all, the Red Demon appeared too abruptly and disappeared just as suddenly. What they knew was it was terrifying, yet it brought numerous magic treasures and opportunities.

Jiang Wan looked towards Luo Wanqing and asked, "Senior Sister, the royal family has surely researched the Red Demon deeply, knowing many secrets unbeknownst to others, so as the Empress, you must know some things?"

"I've never cared much for palace affairs, nor am I interested in getting involved. You might as well ask the old chief of the Astronomical Observatory directly."

Luo Wanqing said indifferently.

However, after a moment's hesitation, she added:

"I remember the old chief once saying that the Red Demon poses less harm to people, merely weakening cultivation, but it would utterly annihilate immortals and demons. This was why the last Human Emperor of the previous dynasty attempted to utilize the Red Demon.

From her perspective, the world should prioritize humanity, placing humans above all; immortals and demons shouldn't exist in this world, at least not above humans."

Jiang Yi smiled and said, "I can understand. If I were the Human Emperor, I would also dislike the rampant demons and immortals, considering I'm the Human Emperor; how can anything else stand above me?"

Jiang Wan said, "That's one reason. Another reason is that those Taoyuan Immortals back then sought immortality by seizing the fortune of the world, essentially using mortal lives to sustain themselves.

As the Human Emperor, she had the duty to protect these mortals. The only solution was to summon the Red Rain and eliminate the immortals, which was the only way to solve the problem at its root."

Dugu Luoxue sighed softly, "It's easy to invite a god, but hard to send one away. I fear the Red Demon might finally annihilate mortals as well."

Li Guanshi gazed silently at the tea leaves sinking and floating in her cup.

She recalled that day when her disciple looked at the sky with hatred and indifference, and her heart felt a bit heavy.

No one could truly understand Ye Zhuchan's thoughts.

Perhaps she merely wished for the world to be quieter, fairer, even at the cost of her own life.

...

By evening, the group arrived at the Imperial Palace of Nanjin Country.

However, strangely, the palace was deathly silent as a grave.

The vermilion palace gates were half open, and the ground was strewn with broken weapons mixed with dark red bloodstains, suggesting a great battle had taken place here, yet there were no bodies to be seen.

"What's going on? Was there a mutiny here?"

Luo Wanqing was a bit surprised.

Li Guanshi lightly tapped the palace gate with her jade finger, a ripple spreading slowly, lingering with a hint of dark fog.

"There existed a formation related to blood sacrifices here."

Li Guanshi said, "It seems that not long ago, someone activated this formation, sacrificing the people within the palace."

Wanyan Wulie!

The thought of this person instantly flashed in Jiang Shouzhong's mind.

Previously severely injured by Ran Qingchen, his plan was disrupted, and he could only restore his strength through rather sinister means.