Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 550 - 468: Backlash

Chapter 550: Chapter 468: Backlash

Everyone widened their eyes in disbelief.

The Green Simurgh Sword, which even the Phoenix Girl could not draw, was unexpectedly pulled out by an obscure junior sister.

Before today, they had never even heard of her so-called name.

Even her entry into the palace today was by riding on the coattails of Elder Yan.

Did Gongsun Yanming know about this?

He sent Elder Yan into the palace to clean up Gongsun Liuying’s mess, only to strip his own daughter of all her dignity and credibility.

Now, there was truly no room for argument.

He couldn’t possibly once again blame his failure on an injured finger.

How bad could the injury have been?

It had healed long ago, to the point where even a pinprick scar was undetectable.

What’s more, her right hand was injured, not her left — hadn’t she just tried with both hands?

She had even used her inner strength.

"There’s something wrong with the sword!"

Consort Hu snapped out of her daze and declared decisively.

For once, Consort Jiang didn’t oppose Consort Hu.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to; she was merely weighing her words carefully.

To be honest, she didn’t believe in the Phoenix Girl and Qilin destiny nonsense. Her first reaction was the same as Consort Hu’s — the sword had been tampered with.

But she couldn’t figure out why Witch Mountain would do such a thing.

No matter, what was Witch Mountain’s objective to her anyway?

The Thousand Mechanism Pavilion and Consort Hu had colluded to harm her; stopping their schemes was all that mattered.

Consort Jiang chuckled coldly, "Is there something wrong with the sword? Do you really think you’re qualified to judge? Just now, the princes and imperial grandsons all attempted to draw the sword. Even your own grandson tried it. If something were truly wrong, wouldn’t they have noticed? Are His Majesty’s bloodline descendants really so dumb and pig-headed?"

Emperor Liang could no longer endure it and closed his eyes briefly, "Consort Hui."

Consort Jiang perfunctorily bowed slightly, "Forgive my lapse, Your Majesty."

Though Consort Jiang’s words were blunt, they were not without merit. Gongsun Liuying had drawn the sword first; afterward, the princes and imperial grandsons had taken their turns. If anything had been amiss, it would’ve already been discovered.

Lu Yuan exclaimed loudly, "Ah! I get it! Could it be that there’s some kind of mechanism inside the sword?"

Lu Zhaoyan glared at his son, "Do you even know what the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion does? Their mechanical techniques far surpass anything even Witch Mountain’s Divine Hall could imagine. There isn’t a single mechanism in this world that could escape the sight of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. Isn’t that right, Miss Gongsun?"

Gongsun Liuying’s nails dug into her palms.

Lu Yuan raised a brow, "Miss Gongsun isn’t saying anything—does that mean she agrees there’s a mechanism, or that there is one she simply hasn’t discovered? Bad at medicine, unworthy of the Phoenix Girl identity, and now even mechanical techniques may be fake? Tell me, Miss Gongsun, is there anything about your Thousand Mechanism Pavilion that’s real?"

Gongsun Liuying, her face pale, stared fixedly at him, "Young Master Linyuan, you can insult me, but please do not insult the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion."

Having said this, she turned around, her gaze chilling as it landed on Za Muduo and the accompanying witch, "Honored Witches, in what way has the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion offended Witch Mountain that the Goddess would resort to such measures to force me to relinquish the Phoenix Girl’s role?"

Za Muduo calmly met her stare, "Miss Gongsun, even if the former Pavilion Master were alive, they would not dare question the Divine Woman Hall in such a manner. If the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion has any objections, let your Pavilion Master themselves ascend Witch Mountain to consult with the Goddess!"

Gongsun Liuying choked on her words.

Za Muduo turned to Emperor Liang with a serious expression, "The Green Simurgh Sword has chosen its master. Congratulations, Your Majesty, on finding Liang Country’s Phoenix Girl."

Emperor Liang’s expression grew complex, "You mentioned earlier that the Goddess observed the stars last night. The Heavenly Mansion Star moved, the Gouchen Calamity arose, and only the Green Simurgh could break the predicament. What does this mean?"

Though Emperor Liang greatly respected the Goddess, he wouldn’t blindly accept her words if she were the sole source of prophecy. However, not long ago, both Gongsun Yanming and Mr. Zimu had predicted Liang Country’s national fate to be in turmoil, and Mr. Zimu had further deduced that the calamity was tied to the misalignment of the Qilin constellation.

Gouchen refers to the Qilin star.

The calamity of Gouchen mentioned by the Goddess matched Mr. Zimu’s prediction perfectly.

Za Muduo sighed and shook her head, "The Goddess spoke only as I relayed. As for its meaning, we dare not speculate."

It wasn’t that they didn’t dare to speculate; rather, everything needless to say had already been implied.

Emperor Liang understood this and nodded, "You’ve worked hard, honored messengers. Please remain in the Imperial City for a few days so that I may properly host you."

Za Muduo cupped her hands, "The tasks entrusted to us by the Goddess have been fulfilled. We must return to Witch Mountain to report. We appreciate your kindness, Your Majesty, but must take our leave."

Meng Qianqian stepped forward, holding the Green Simurgh Sword with both hands, "Honored Witches, your sword."

Za Muduo replied, "The Green Simurgh Sword is a gift from the Goddess to the Phoenix Girl. Please keep it."

Meng Qianqian opened her mouth, "Honored Witches..."

Za Muduo’s gaze softened, "Phoenix Girl, trust the Goddess."

To the others present, Za Muduo’s words were comforting Meng Qianqian, reassuring her to accept Witch Mountain’s gift without fear of contention from the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.

But only Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan understood.

The Goddess and Miss Changle are well. So is Wuyou. Do not worry—go ahead and pursue what you wish wholeheartedly.

Meng Qianqian gripped the Green Simurgh Sword tightly.

Thank you, Grandmother.

-

Over the endless skies of Witch Mountain, mountain ranges extended endlessly.

Liu Muye stood atop the altar of the temple, silently gazing into the distance.

A witch attendant, arriving for the seventh time, tried to persuade her, "Goddess, you’ve been standing here the entire day. Please go back and rest."

Liu Muye shook her head, "I’m not tired. I don’t need rest."

The witch followed her gaze toward the endless expanse of skies, "Goddess, are you looking at the sky? What do you see?"

The corners of Liu Muye’s lips lifted faintly, exuding an innate divinity, "I’m waiting for the night."

"Huh?"

The witch was surprised. "Then... then let’s wait indoors. I’ll call you when night falls."

Liu Muye smiled slightly, "It’s here."

"What?"

The witch looked completely baffled.

As the sun sank, the brilliance of the clouds faded, and night descended in layers of inky darkness, stars slowly rising to stud the velvet sky.

Gazing at the splendid galaxy, Liu Muye observed the sky where the twin stars of the Heavenly Mansion shone. One was dimming, gradually being engulfed by the other.

"The Heavenly Mansion Star has returned to its rightful place."

"But hasn’t the Heavenly Mansion Star always been there?"

The witch pointed at the stars and asked.

Liu Muye told her, "You’re still young. When you grow up, you’ll understand. But I hope you’ll never have to see it."

The movement of the Heavenly Mansion heralded great chaos.

If one could not see it, it meant an era of peace.

Liu Muye looked toward the dimming Heavenly Mansion star, "Taking what doesn’t belong to you always comes at a cost."

The Imperial Palace.

Everyone remained engulfed in overwhelming shock, and no one noticed the abnormal state of Gongsun Liuying.

To her, it felt as if the Green Simurgh Sword hadn’t been drawn from its sheath, but had instead been violently torn from her chest, ripping flesh and blood apart.

An indescribable agony coursed through her body. She used immense willpower just to keep herself upright.

But now, she could no longer hold on.

She dropped to one knee, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

The crowd’s faces changed drastically.

Lu Qi hurriedly moved forward to support her, "Miss Gongsun!"

But before he could get close, Gongsun Liuying lost consciousness and collapsed straight to the ground.

Seeing that she was about to fall on him, Lu Yuan instinctively stepped back and even grabbed his father, pulling him aside, "It’s not my fault! I didn’t touch her!"