Chapter 43: Queen Mother of the West

Queen Mother of the West was unsure whether Nüwa could be trusted, but this was the only solution she could think of at the moment.

As for coming to the Wu clan, she simply felt that the route to Nüwa's Daoist field naturally coincided with a detour to the Wu clan. Besides, the Wu clan was the only faction in the primordial world that held no fear for the Demon clan, so paying a visit certainly could do no harm.

However, before setting out, Queen Mother of the West had already prepared herself to be turned away at the door.

According to her knowledge, the Wu clan was notoriously indifferent to all other living beings in the primordial world, caring only for their own kin.

Coupled with the fact that the Wu clan possessed no primordial spirits, had violent temperaments, and were notoriously difficult to get along with, she had never even imagined she would be able to step foot into the Wu clan territory and catch a glimpse of Di Jiang.

To her utter surprise, however, Zhurong—who had initially been cold and dismissive toward her—immediately turned much warmer in attitude after going inside to announce her arrival. He even led her straight to the Pangu Hall at the very center of the Wu clan's ancestral land. Was this really a place someone like her was permitted to enter?

Meanwhile, inside the outer hall, Bai Jing was also pondering why Queen Mother of the West had come to the Wu clan.

Now that the Demon clan had just annihilated the Immortal Court and forced Eastern Wang Gong to detonate his primordial spirit, why wasn't she safely hiding at home instead of daring to travel all the way from West Kunlun to Mount Buzhou? Wasn't she afraid that Di Jun would waylay and kill her?

Yet, it didn't take long for Bai Jing to realize that Nüwa's Daoist field was also located on Mount Buzhou. If Queen Mother of the West could persuade Nüwa to put in a good word for her with the Demon clan, perhaps the demons would spare her life.

Bai Jing shared his speculation with Di Jiang, whose brows furrowed upon hearing it.

Naturally, Di Jiang was well aware of Nüwa's destined status as a saint, as well as the fact that she had aligned herself with the Demon clan. He held a certain aversion toward her.

Now, learning from Bai Jing that Queen Mother of the West had most likely come to seek Nüwa's intercession, Di Jiang instantly resolved to win Queen Mother of the West over to their side.

A moment later, guided by Zhurong, Queen Mother of the West entered the outer hall.

Counting it up, this was the second time Bai Jing had seen her. The first time had been during the second discourse at the Zuo-xiao Palace; during the third discourse, Bai Jing truly hadn't paid her any attention. This showed just how low-key she had remained ever since Hongjun appointed her as the head of all female immortals.

Bai Jing looked up and down at Queen Mother of the West. The primordial divine bodies of innate sacred beings were the most flawless creations, and her appearance was naturally breathtakingly beautiful.

Yet her overall demeanor carried an air of regal grace and elegance. A genuine nobility radiated from her at all times, making one's eyes involuntarily light up.

Fairly speaking, no matter from which angle one looked at her, Queen Mother of the West was undoubtedly a top-tier existence among the female cultivators of the primordial world. You could count the number of those comparable to her on one hand.

Di Jiang, however, paid no attention to her stunning face. Seeing her arrive, he looked her up and down and praised, "The mid-stage of Quasi-Sage, and not far from the late stage either. Your cultivation base is quite impressive."

Startled for a second, Queen Mother of the West collected herself and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Dao Brother Di Jiang, and Fellow Daoist Bai Jing."

Bai Jing returned the greeting: "Greetings, Fellow Daoist."

Di Jiang waved his hand and said, "There's no need for such formalities. Sit!"

Once Di Jiang spoke, the three of them took their respective seats in order of host and guest. Guessing that the Wu clan probably wasn't well-versed in hospitality—after all, in all his numerous visits to the clan, Bai Jing had never once been served a cup of tea—he took the liberty of brewing a cup of Enlightenment Tea, placed it beside Queen Mother of the West, and made a polite gesture inviting her to partake.

Seeing Bai Jing serve her tea on behalf of the Wu clan while Di Jiang offered no objection, Queen Mother of the West felt quite astonished.

Naturally, she knew that Bai Jing enjoyed a good relationship with the Wu clan. Leaving aside other things, when Bai Jing had clashed with the two Western sages in the past, Houtu had stood by him unwaveringly.

Even so, she had not expected Bai Jing's ties with the Wu clan to be this deep; he looked almost like half a member of the clan.

After organizing his thoughts, Di Jiang said, "Queen Mother of the West, you have never had any friendship or relations with my Wu clan. What brings you here today?"

Silenced for a moment, Queen Mother of the West decided to state her purpose clearly: "Dao Brother Di Jiang must already know that the Immortal Court was destroyed by the Demon Heavenly Court, and that Dao Brother Eastern Wang Gong was driven by Di Jun and Taiyi to detonate his own primordial spirit. I wonder what your thoughts are on this matter, Dao Brother?"

"Those two feathered beasts of the Demon clan are growing increasingly arrogant. I've loathed them for a long time." Di Jiang made no attempt to conceal his inner thoughts, directly hurling curses at them.

Bai Jing, however, smiled and said, "No matter what, Eastern Wang Gong was personally appointed by the Dao Ancestor as the head of male immortals, placing him on equal footing with fellow daoists. Di Jun's action was naturally improper, but since the Dao Ancestor did not intervene, perhaps Eastern Wang Gong truly committed acts that incurred the wrath of both gods and men, displeasing the Dao Ancestor. Who can say?

"However, regardless of the reasons, this matter should have nothing to do with the Wu clan. If fellow daoist wishes to seek revenge, you are free to find Di Jun yourself."

Hearing this, a wave of discomfort washed over Queen Mother of the West. Bai Jing's detached, aloof attitude left her momentarily at a loss for words.

After a brief, silent standoff, Queen Mother of the West gritted her teeth and said, "Fellow Daoist Bai Jing jests. With the Heavenly Court so immensely powerful, and myself being weak and lacking a cultivation level as high as Di Jun's, how could I possibly be his match?

"Besides, I had no friendship with Eastern Wang Gong; why would I stick my neck out for him? Like the Wu clan, I harbor no ambitions of contending for hegemony over the primordial world. I only wish to find a quiet corner to dwell in and concentrate on pursuing the Great Dao."

Hearing this, Di Jiang finally spoke: "Then what on earth is your purpose in coming to the Wu clan?"

Queen Mother of the West fell silent once more.

To be honest, her original plan had been to seek help from Nüwa and ask her to mediate between herself and the Heavenly Court.

Yet now, unexpectedly, she had actually met Di Jiang. Although Di Jiang's attitude toward her could hardly be called warm, he hadn't kept her at arm's length either. Perhaps she should try to see if she could secure the protection of the Wu clan.

With this thought, Queen Mother of the West finally spoke up: "To be frank with you, I have actually come to take refuge with the Wu clan."

Hearing this, Di Jiang looked at her in genuine surprise. He truly hadn't expected her to state her intention of seeking asylum so directly, rendering all the mental preparation he had just done on how to recruit her completely useless.

Still, Di Jiang did not give an immediate consent; instead, he turned his gaze toward Bai Jing.

Understanding the unspoken cue, Bai Jing asked, "Why does Fellow Daoist Queen Mother of the West wish to seek refuge with the Wu clan?"

Since she had already spoken her mind, Queen Mother of the West cast aside her hesitation and poured out everything.

Ever since learning that Eastern Wang Gong had been exterminated by Di Jun on Penglai Immortal Island, she had been plagued with insomnia night after night. On one hand, she told herself that Di Jun probably wouldn't bother coming after her; on the other hand, she terrified herself with the thought of what she would do if Di Jun suddenly showed up to annihilate her.

After prolonged contemplation, she concluded that her only options were either to find a mighty figure to intercede with the Demon clan on her behalf, or to find a faction fearless of the demons to offer her protection.

Since the Wu clan unquestionably feared no demons, she had traveled here to seek their shelter.

Her explanation was at least eighty to ninety percent credible, and it aligned perfectly with Bai Jing's own earlier speculations.

Yet Bai Jing still had one lingering question. He looked at her and asked, "Fellow Daoist Queen Mother of the West, your Daoist field is also located in Kunlun, making you neighbors with the Three Pure Ones. Why did you not go to seek refuge with those three fellow daoists instead?"

At the mention of the Three Pure Ones, Queen Mother of the West offered a bitter smile. "How could you possibly know that I haven't been to see them?"