Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao Chapter 1562 - 85: The True Nature of the Mother Empress (Part 2)

"However, without the past, there would be no future."

"The future, ultimately, is unpredictable and elusive; any attempt to subvert it is doomed to fail!"

Mu Qingyan sighed, as if speaking to herself, but also about the future of the Mother Empress.

"I’ve said it, your father’s affairs have nothing to do with me. As for Zhou Wangchen, perhaps what I say won’t matter, but the Thunderflame Monarch of those years surely knows! Zhou Yan, you know, so why don’t you speak? If it weren’t for how you treated me, why would I make things difficult for you at every turn? Our Emperor Ancient Clan may not be incredibly powerful, but providing you with some temporary safety isn’t a challenge for me."

Suddenly, the Mother Empress questioned Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan was taken aback by the question.

Because he couldn’t remember these things, nor did he even know who the Mother Empress was.

Nevertheless, Zhou Yan made no attempt to hide this fact or avoid the Mother Empress’s gaze, but instead calmly said, "Mother Empress, I’ve forgotten many things from the past, whether you choose to believe this or not is up to you; I believe it. Also, having reached this state and position, I have no need to tell such lies or fear facing anything. These things hold little significance for me.

However, Mother Empress, if we’ve let go of the past, then let’s move on, for your present actions will determine our future attitude toward you."

"Of course, as Qingyan said, it’s hard to say whether we even have a future, because it’s already obscured."

Zhou Yan sighed, echoing Mu Qingyan’s words.

Meanwhile, he moved closer to Jiang Yuning, holding her hand, giving the pale Jiang Yuning some comfort.

A deep sense of guilt, infatuation, and compassion arose in Zhou Yan’s heart.

Whether it was Jiang Yuning, Mu Qingyan, or people like Long Xianyin and Qian Luoshui, they were all extraordinary women. Unfortunately, due to his indulgence and carelessness, they suffered countless tribulations.

Thinking of this, Zhou Yan couldn’t help but sigh once more.

"Mu Qingyan already said it, I am not Hou Chen nor anyone extraordinary, so what right do I have?"

The Mother Empress’s emotions twisted inexplicably, but then she quickly reined them in and said, "Zhou Yan, whether you admit it or not, some things happened, and they cannot be changed. Besides, since you say you don’t hold grudges, I hope you really can move on!"

"As for the reason why I’ve come this time, you might be mistaken. I never intended to drive you away. Even if I said it, in mere words, I never meant it, only mentioned it."

"Furthermore, you might think that my decision to have Feng Zishuang and Zhou Lingyi leave the Magic Cube’s innards is madness, but I tell you, only in this way can Zhou Lingyi be saved."

"Because my own roots have already started to decay and mutate. When change occurs, I will grow into a brand new Evil Emperor. By then, it won’t be under my control anymore."

"This time, I just wanted to come and see if the hope you carry indeed holds hope."

"Perhaps, in the eyes of other Holy Spirits and life forms, I am an unabashed psychopath, but my heart knows full well."

"In this world, there are not many living beings and Holy Spirits that I care for. All living and Holy Spirits may slander me, but not you, Mu Qingyan."

"And not you, Zhou Yan, either."

"The reason, I have no desire to explain. If you, Zhou Yan, have memories, there’s no need for me to say anything. If you don’t have memories, saying it is pointless."

"Now, Hou Chen intends to pass on the Evil Dragon Inheritance Tao to you; I am here waiting. If successful, I will choose to fight alongside you for a future.

If it fails, I shall take Qingyan away, preventing her from being controlled or genuinely enslaved."

The Mother Empress spoke solemnly.

By now, her tone had grown sorrowful, and such words were undoubtedly genuine.

Because every word truly came from the heart and soul.

Zhou Yan gave the Mother Empress a deep look; her bare eyes remained bright, though the hues became hard to decipher, yet the familiarity in her gaze reminded Zhou Yan of Feng Zishuang and Zhou Lingyi.

At that moment, Zhou Yan’s heart quivered slightly, and then his gaze softened a bit, as he said, "The lost memories will soon return, whether through my own strength or Gu Xi’s return, and then, I will know everything."

"However, no matter the time, I have never truly looked down on you, for I am not qualified to do so. My own experiences may not compare to others’, but they have imparted much realization and understanding on me.

Furthermore, even the ordinary members of the Human Clan understand the saying, ’seeing isn’t believing, and hearing isn’t always the truth.’ How could I, Zhou Yan, not grasp this? Regarding Qingyan, since you are acquainted with her, you must know that profound affection can breed intense animosity. Her deliberate provocations against you stem from extreme emotional pain; otherwise, why would she behave in such a manner?"

Mu Qingyan offered no rebuttal to Zhou Yan’s assertions, her silence serving as tacit agreement.

The Mother Empress, however, found herself at a loss for words for an extended period.

In the end, all she could manage was a sorrowful exhalation.

This time, she deliberately held her tongue, choosing instead to unleash an immeasurable torrent of Life Soul Energy that saturated the very fabric of Heaven and Earth. Concurrently, she channeled a distinct form of power to envelop herself, meticulously and thoroughly purging any perceived 'surveillance' that might be present.

Indeed, after a rigorous examination, the Mother Empress detected a minuscule, almost imperceptible particle akin to a speck of dust concealed beneath her mask.

This minuscule entity pulsed with ancient runes, rendering it undetectable without repeated, deliberate attempts at sensing and querying.

Under these specific circumstances, a subtle shift in the Mother Empress’s demeanor occurred, becoming somewhat unnatural.

Due to the obstruction of her mask, this shift was not outwardly visible, but the reflection in her eyes betrayed the gravity of the situation.

"It appears you were all privy to this knowledge, while I remained oblivious."

The Mother Empress let out another sigh, then fell silent.

Subsequently, Hou Chen, after casting a profound gaze upon the Mother Empress, redirected his attention to Zhou Yan. He then declared, "Father, I shall now impart unto you the Ancient Evil Dragon, the Evil Dragon Soul-devouring Technique."

"This method is the ultimate path to transformation into an Evil Spirit Dao. Should our endeavors prove successful, there may yet be a glimmer of hope. However, should we falter, our entire family could face eternal damnation together."

Hou Chen conveyed these words with utmost sincerity.

Regardless of the final outcome, their familial bond would endure, united eternally.