Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao Chapter 1561 - 85: Mother Empress’s True Nature

Mu Qingyan regarded the Mother Empress with naught but a cold gaze.

Her innate disposition was one of profound ice; it was only in the presence of Zhou Yan and her kin that a flicker of warmth would surface. When she unleashed that chilling aura, an emotionless expanse would descend, rendering even the Emperor Ancient Clan's environment frigid.

A Holy Spirit by nature, she was indifferent, but when a sharp, frostbitten attitude was displayed, the inherent cruelty became indescribable.

Mu Qingyan's demeanor left the Mother Empress feeling considerably unsettled.

Yet, their profound connection precluded offense. Instead, a sigh escaped the Mother Empress. "If a choice were available, would I have chosen this path? Mu Qingyan, you can absolve Hou Chen, you can forgive Zhou Yan, and even Yanyan—so why can you not spare a single thought for me?"

An inexplicable undercurrent of resentment laced the Mother Empress's words.

This particular resentment was potent enough to elicit a frown from Zhou Yan upon hearing it.

Let alone Hou Chen and the others.

The Mother Empress seemingly paid no mind to the reactions of Hou Chen and Zhou Yan. It was as if their responses held no bearing on her, and she was utterly indifferent to such a situation manifesting.

The Mother Empress then quietly directed her gaze toward Jiang Yuning. Her eyes betrayed no discernible emotion, revealing only a hint of mockery, irony, and disdain—a look that seemed to regard all matters from a superior vantage.

Though this glance was exceedingly subtle, Jiang Yuning's sharp perception registered it.

Jiang Yuning's countenance paled slightly, yet she remained silent, her gaze fixed solely upon the Mother Empress.

At that juncture, the Mother Empress's eyes returned to Mu Qingyan, as if anticipating her response.

However, mirroring the Mother Empress's own gaze, Mu Qingyan regarded her with an added layer of ridicule, contempt, and scorn.

With such an expression, Mu Qingyan emitted a cold laugh, her voice sharp. "Hou Chen, despite everything, remains my son. Even if he was not born of my flesh, what do you possess that can compare to him?"

"Even if his path was misguided, his inherent nature allows him to overturn Heaven and Earth, to reshape his very core. And you? What have you managed to achieve?"

Mu Qingyan's pronouncements struck the Mother Empress's heart like a piercing sword.

A subtle shift rippled across the golden mask adorning the Mother Empress's face; it was evident she had been wounded—wounded by Mu Qingyan's words.

Zhou Yan remained oblivious to this exchange. Despite his station as King, absolute knowledge eluded him.

Furthermore, his consorts had weathered numerous trials. Incapable of being by their side at every moment, much remained unknown to him.

Ignorant of the full picture, he could only observe silently now, patiently awaiting Mu Qingyan to resolve the matter personally.

Mu Qingyan was an archetypically kind woman, a trait evident from her early days. Even now, as a King, her heart retained its sincerity. In many circumstances, she would grant her adversaries a sliver of hope, refraining from absolute ruthlessness.

Yet, her current words seemed imbued with a terrifying Power of Destruction, incrementally piercing the Mother Empress's heart.

It felt as though the deeper the wound inflicted upon the Mother Empress, the more balanced her own heart became.

Zhou Yan perceived this shift, and naturally, Hou Chen and Jiang Yuning were equally aware of it.

Hou Chen observed the unfolding scene in quiet contemplation.

His lips moved slightly, betraying a desire to speak, but after prolonged deliberation, words failed him.

As for Zhou Yan, he lacked the standing to interject, given his lack of understanding.

"Yes, what have I accomplished? In your estimation, I merely cling precariously to existence, do I not? To you, I am utterly devoid of worth, am I not?"

"Hou Chen, I ponder, back then when you endured such treatment from them, did you ever face a state of All Hope Lost? Within your heart, did you ever experience a form of hysterical despair?"

The Mother Empress abruptly redirected her inquiry towards Hou Chen.

Hou Chen appeared momentarily taken aback. After a brief pause, he met the Mother Empress's gaze with a complex expression before shaking his head. "You orchestrated this yourself; your survival is unwarranted."

"Indeed, I did descend to such depths. But tell me, now that you have arrived, are you not here to witness our humiliation? Within your heart, did you ever anticipate our success this time? You likely remain unaware that a unique informational mark aura has been imprinted upon you, granting the Evil Emperor complete knowledge of your being."

Hou Chen challenged her in a voice as cold as ice.

The Mother Empress froze, exclaiming, "Impossible! With my capabilities, who could possibly establish surveillance and monitor me?"

"If I lack this power, then no Holy Spirit across Heaven and Earth would possess it!"

At this instant, the Mother Empress exuded an aura of absolute confidence, as if she truly embodied a supreme, unparalleled, and invincible presence.

However, Hou Chen merely responded with a string of cold laughter, offering no explanation.

Mu Qingyan, on the other hand, let out a soft sigh and stated, "Hou Chen speaks the truth. Have you genuinely remained ignorant? It wasn't that you were unaware; you simply refused to acknowledge it."

"Whether it was my father or Zhou Wangchen and the others, achieving this wouldn't have been a significant challenge for them. However, my father’s fate, encompassing Life and Death and Creation, rested entirely in your hands. Without your involvement, how could those events from the past have unfolded?"

"This time, I have no desire to dwell on the past any further, for the past is irrevocably gone, and a future may not even exist. This is the shared sentiment between my husband and myself."

"Therefore, I do not wish for the image I have always held in my husband’s heart to be altered at this final juncture. I am merely a woman—a woman who is cherished and gentle in my husband’s eyes. Consequently, I will no longer dispute the events that have transpired."