141 Heavenly Empress (1/2)
”Let him go! That would be your reply when you see this scene right? However, in your heart, you know that even if you say that, I would not comply, which is why you are currently silent. Am I correct?” The Heavenly Empress Ma Zu talked down to Zhi Nu with absolute authority and some defying grace mixed in.
”Zhi Nu now knows she is in the wrong, please pardon that particular mister and Zhi Nu will listen to Heavenly Empress Ma Zu's instructions.” Zhi Nu immediately knelt down with her head against the floor.
”Kill him and your sins will be dissolved completely and everything will merely be water under the bridge.” Ma Zu ordered the guards to throw Niu Lang in front of her. ”Oh, and those mercenary immortals, do not even think or dare to come near. Else I will have you killed instantly too.”
”Darling…” Zhi Nu teared as the guard lobbed a sword to her and Niu Lang was so badly bruised that he could barely talk. However, he used all the strength he had left and said. ”Do it... I'd rather die in your hands than by the hands of these guards.”
Zhi Nu trembled as her hand reluctantly picked the sword up. Her tears were like a waterfall and she was gasping for breath from all the silent crying. ”For the rest of my life, I will never regret liking you. I will never regret loving you. I will never regret having you be a huge part of my life.”
”But I will regret killing you…” Zhi Nu did not even dare to wipe her tears away as she did not want to close her eyes and forget her raison d'etre. Her one and only love. The memories of spending time with him flashed through her mind, only to be cruelly interrupted by the Heavenly Empress Ma Zu's orders. ”Hurry up and finish him, do not waste my time.”
At that moment, Jia Le was too afraid to do anything but Bin Yong, who was still coughing up blood, tried his best to stand up. ”DO NOT KILL HIM!” Bin Yong shouted with a slight hoarseness in his voice.
Zhi Nu turned her head as if suddenly broken out of a trance. ”Do not do it! Who was the one who tried to bring you out of the Heavenly Palace? How did he do it? How many risks did he have to take just to come here and bring you away? Who was the one who begged to try and hire us so you that you could remain safe regardless of his safety?Who did you risk yourself for against the D--cough cough! Against the Door Gods? Was the fight against the door gods just for show? If you already decided to defy the Heavenly Empress and live the life you wanted, why are you stopping right now? Are you that selfish?!”Bin Yong words made both Zhi Nu and Jia Le equally stunned.
”Tsk, Mercenary immortals! I told you not to interrupt!” The Heavenly Empress immediately summoned an energy bolt and wanted to kill Niu Lang. However, the skies turned black all of a sudden and a flock of magpies swooped down from above, causing Niu Lang to disappear right before their eyes.
Bin Yong then realised that Niu Lang had suddenly appeared in front of him. He quickly took out his small, pathetic shield and pushed his body forward to protect Niu Lang. It was then that a beautiful lady with a terrific figure wearing a black feathered dress appeared right in front of Bin Yong to shield Niu Lang too.
”Queen of Magpies, Que Er. Why are you here?” Heavenly Empress Ma Zu was annoyed by the change of events but her guards were quick to restrain Zhi Nu from moving away. ”A compromise. I am here for a compromise. You owe me something but clearly, you do not intend to return it to its rightful owner. Therefore, I will compromise, but you have to compensate me.”
”That silver hairpin? Why should I give you that? It was mine to begin with!”Heavenly Empress Ma Zu took the silver hairpin out and gazed lovingly at it.
”Then you have to compensate me. You are not allowed to kill the mercenary immortals and the mortal boy.”
”Hah! And why should I listen to you? You are just a minor queen of the magpies whereas I am the Empress of the High Heavens. However, I still don't like owing people.” The Heavenly Empress took one last look at the silver hairpin and chanted some words before she threw it towards the Queen of Magpies and the rest of the group.
The silver hairpin suddenly changed shape and a magical river appeared right in front of them, splitting the heavens. The river stream was raging with the Heavenly Empress Ma Zu's anger. It was so fierce that none of them from either side of the river would have any chance to cross the river.
”Then let this river be the means to forget the past.” The Heavenly Empress walked away with her guards, leaving Zhi Nu to suffer right in front of the raging river. Before Ma Zu walked away, she turned around and said, ”If you wish to meet him, it will be at your own peril. I am warning you right now. Forget about him and start afresh.”
Meanwhile, Zhi Nu cried in front of the river even more, which caused the river stream to become even more turbulent. She regretted not being strong enough to stand against Ma Zu and be with Niu Lang. She knew that no matter how high she could jump or how far she was willing to travel to see the end of the river, it would be impossible because it was technically a magic spell by Ma Zu to prevent her and only her from meetingNiu Lang. It was a curse and mercy at the same time. The compromise Ma Zu had given to the Queen of Magpies for borrowing her silver hairpin and not returning it on time.