Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix - Chapter 474

Chapter 474: The Forgiving Mu Cheng

Asura didn’t plan to chastise Mu Cheng for still believing in his lover because he knew that if it was him in the same position. He would do the same but also make sure she never betrayed him again.

‘Yeah… I am not the same man I was a year ago nor in my last life.’

The Emerald Dream felt the same when he entered through a secret passage that Mu Lan taught him to save the others. It was an old waste disposal tunnel which now lay abandoned because of the failing structure.

He gazed back at Mu Cheng’s vigilant look towards him and the unconscious Féng Mei while thinking about how to deal with the situation. Though they survived, if the royal palace discovers they lived it would become annoying.

‘We should probably try to move the plans ahead… Time isn’t on our side.’

There was one thing he knew from experience: once someone powerful wants you gone… You better run away or have a way of dealing with them or be crushed by the weight of their power. It’s just how life is for those who are weaker.

‘Well, I am not weaker, but the resistance is. Maybe I should just abandon or use these fools?’

Asura could feel the subtle vibrations of the city, causing the tunnel to tremble, gravel and tiny rocks skittering down the walls with clouds of dust and residue. ‘Even this tunnel won’t be safe for long…’

Because Mu Cheng seemed wary of him, Asura needed to end this plot faster. He didn’t want to deal with the bullshit of the man behind him. The leader of the resistance should be Mu Lan or someone with a backbone. Not this idiot!

‘Dealing with traitors is tricky if you have feelings for them… Oh well.’

Sighing inwardly, Asura used a bit of his Animus, spreading the force out and reinforcing the walls as he passed by them. Asura would hate to have an embarrassing death like being crushed.

“Oi, Mu Cheng. When do you plan to strike the palace?” Asura’s deep voice echoed in the tunnels, making it sound darker and more eerie.

“E-Eh?!” The male, shocked by the sunned voice directed at himself, almost dropped Féng Mei and stumbled to the ground. Only saving himself by kicking against a protruding rock.

With a smile that never reached his eyes, Asura repeated himself. “When will you attack the Palace?”

The young male, unsure and lost, gazed ahead before replying.

“…We’ve got men in place, ready to attack, but a timescale… after this, what can we do?” Mu Cheng mumbled while eyeing Féng Mei’s unconscious form. Though they survived, it didn’t mean there wouldn’t be any casualties.

“You should attack before she wakes up. That woman will betray you again.” Asura, who had been wondering if Mu Cheng wanted to re-try having Féng Mei as his partner.

“She is too beautiful for you.”

“What?! How dare you insult us-” Mu Cheng didn’t have time to finish when a burst of power smashed into him and made him collapse on a nearby wall. His head felt like it would shatter under the force.

Asura stared coldly at the now trembling Mu Cheng slumped in front of him. If not, because he was needed, Asura would’ve killed him right then and there.

“If she does wake up. How are you going to stop her from running to another royal dog and spreading her legs?”

His eyes were cold, but there was a trace of compassion in his voice. Although a branch family, this man was related to Mu Xue… If Asura killed him or did something too harsh. He feared she would be hurt.

“B-but how will we take the Palace after losing people today?!” The leader’s face flushed, unable to answer, only asking questions.

Asura remained silent while turning away from Mu Cheng, instead walking towards the exit and stopping just a few metres away from him.

“That’s what you need to find out and plan. Otherwise, I am taking my women and leaving after killing you all.”

Asura’s tone caused Mu Cheng’s eyes to widen, his pupils dilating in terror from the dark and oppressive aura coming from the other man’s back, something that smothered him and made his chest pound against his ribs.

‘This monster will kill me, kill us…. and Féng Mei will die… What should I do?!’

A storm of thoughts ravaged Mu Cheng’s head, but he couldn’t make a choice. Nothing would make sense…

Should he fight Asura?

Could they even win? It didn’t look possible…

Then what about the empire, the emperor? Who was stronger… He wanted to know, but there was only one person who might know, and that person seemed to have trouble with his memories over the past few days.

“Damn it!”

In frustration, he forced himself to his feet, both legs trembling while trying to pull power from his core into them to lift Féng Mei, who had fallen on her face earlier.

“Fucking bastard.”

‘Ah… shit, he’s coming this way; go away, you monster! Wha…don’t touch her!’

“W-What are you doing with Mei?!”

Asura turned back and lifted the unconscious woman, throwing her over his shoulder without slowing down his pace.

“This isn’t going anywhere…” A bitter smile curled on his lips. ‘Maybe it’s better to let you think of a plan. I’ll carry this useless slut.’

Thus, the two men began their silent walk through the passage, the smell of garbage, the sour smell of rotting food and the slimy sound of their feet crushing wet mud with each step. However, Mu Cheng’s heart ached, conflicted upon seeing Asura man handle Féng Mei, who clung to him like an octopus.

‘He’s not going to….’

“Don’t worry, I don’t like this woman nor see her as one. She’s filthy.” Asura didn’t say this to be mean, but he sensed it on skin contact. This woman had various venereal diseases, and parasites fed off her blood. Her very being reeked of uncleanliness.

“I will ask once more, and I want an answer. Do you have a plan for when you strike, and how soon can we?”

“Well… there are plans, or were, but the enemy probably knows them now…. we should ask Mu Lan for help.”

“I see… well. I’ll give you some time then. You cannot let this woman find out, or we will all die.”

‘Well, only the resistance members.’

The two continued onwards until they saw a large hole surrounded by metal bars with water leaking and flooding the floor. The third bar was loose, so Asura twisted it and pulled it, allowing them to push through.

Then, the bar was replaced to hide this entrance from prying eyes. ‘Let’s add some of Lucia’s shadow and void magic to make people less likely to notice and mask the presence of the weaker pole…’

“Good, let’s head back, leader.” Asura pretended he had forgotten what had happened.

All because he wanted to avoid Mu Xue and the other girls worrying too much. Though Lucia already understood as her shadow was following him.

‘Well, she insists on it, and I don’t mind because she comes to see me when alone, such a cute woman.’

[Ah… My dear husband… It’s Celine~ I wonder if you have time to speak? Hehe~]

The sudden cheerful voice in the middle of the dirty slums caused Asura to stop moving for a moment, but he wouldn’t turn her away. This girl was the one hardest to meet right now because of the circumstances.

‘I always have time for you. My cute little elf, Celine.’

The feeling of speaking with his wife, the girl who could calm him, helped Asura’s irritation fade. The woman on his shoulder no longer annoyed him, and he gave a small sigh and used his magic to heal her diseases and parasites.

‘Mu Cheng won’t function if she gets sick. He also might be infected. Let’s heal him on the way.’

[Nn~ I am happy. Today, there is big news—my brother and mother told me about a peace conference between the orcs and elves, which will be held in a few months. Will you be able to attend?]

‘Attend as your husband?’

[Yes!]

[Will you? I’ll make sure you enjoy your stay~ ehehe. A lovely elf wife who can produce milk, are you not interested?]

Asura’s face twitched. This woman used to be so innocent and cute. Now she knew his preferences and even learned to seduce him to get her way.

However, he took a moment to respond, just to tease her.

What amused Asura was that he could hear her breathing through their connection—ever since the world tree evolved with his body. It became easier to speak with her, and sometimes, even her mother’s thoughts leaked into his mind.

Though Celine would mostly mention Asura, whisper words of love or be thinking about food and nausea.

‘Nausea…’ It dawned on Asura.

‘Of course, I will come with you, but make sure to let me know if I should bring anything or prepare to wipe out some orcs.’

[Hehe~ then I will ask mother and brother, maybe Spica will know… recently Spica has been a little strange and mentions your name in her sleep. Asura, you have to be kind to my knight, okay?]
A slight pout followed this sentence, but soon, a bright smile appeared on Celine’s face. Asura could only smirk as they returned to the hideout because he could hear her pout and smile from the way she breathed and spoke—it made him feel like Celine was really beside him.

‘Can I really solve everything in a few months…’

He worried while Mu Xue and Mu Yue turned, and the moment they saw him rushed over to greet him, a doubtful gaze cast to the woman on his shoulder.

“See… I told you he would.” Mu Xue snorted, but her lips formed a wide, radiant smile.

“That’s Féng Mei… she’s just unconscious,. Don’t be silly, sister!” Mu Yue protested as they approached Asura.