"Your Highness has misunderstood, this humble official merely stumbled into a peach blossom forest while investigating the whereabouts of Chu Heng. It was initially very narrow, barely allowing a person to pass..." Chen Mo said casually, his thoughts wandering.
"Is that so?"
Chu Yanli looked suspicious.
Although something felt off, there was nothing to be done if he refused to admit it.
You can’t exactly strip him and check right here, can you?
Chen Mo timely changed the subject: "Speaking of which, I did encounter the Demon Clan... To be precise, that demon had been hiding inside Chu Heng’s body, which is how he managed to escape from the Imperial Prison."
"But ultimately, he became a sacrifice for that demon’s descent."
"Descent?"
Thinking of Chu Heng’s tragic death, Chu Yanli realized something, her expression turning serious as she said solemnly, "It’s not convenient to talk here, come back with me first."
She grabbed Chen Mo’s shoulder, preparing to fly away with him.
But her arm extended straight without him moving an inch, as if he were a stone.
"Hmm?"
Chu Yanli frowned slightly, looking closely, she realized that Chen Mo’s aura was so restrained that even she found it hard to discern.
"You broke through?" she asked in surprise.
Chen Mo nodded: "By chance, I was lucky enough to enter the Heavenly Human Realm."
"..."
Chu Yanli fell silent for a moment.
A twenty-year-old Grandmaster?
Even if there are successors in the future, he must be unprecedented.
Though she considered her own talents not inferior to others, and even with the advantage of the Heavenly Decree Seal, she couldn’t achieve anything like this... What kind of monster is this guy?
"What kind of peach blossom forest is so bizarre it could help you gain insight? Can you take me there sometime?" Chu Yanli asked curiously.
"Ahem!"
Chen Mo almost choked on his own saliva, awkwardly saying: "I’ve forgotten the exact location, but if there’s a chance in the future, I’ll definitely take Your Highness..."
Seeing that he didn’t want to elaborate, Chu Yanli didn’t press further. Fiery golden light flared around her, looking challengingly at Chen Mo.
Chen Mo immediately understood, faint traces of lightning appeared on his body.
BOOM—
With a roar of airwaves, the two figures suddenly vanished.
...
...
Zhao Hua Palace.
The Empress, dressed in bright yellow Zhai Clothing, sat at the Imperial Desk, her elbow on the armrest, her jade-like fingers massaging her forehead.
Those ministers had been arguing all morning, making her head spin. Each demanded a thorough investigation but failed to present any effective solution.
With Chen Mo’s whereabouts still unknown, could it be that he has met with misfortune?
Sun Senior Palace Lady noticed the Empress’s worried expression and quickly reassured, "Your Highness need not worry, Mr. Chen is fortunate and has the protection of the heavens, nothing will happen to him... The Sky Scale Guard, combined with the Demon Suppression Department, is conducting a full search, and any findings will be immediately reported."
The Empress took a deep breath, calming her nerves.
For now, no news was the best news.
With the current turmoil, she must hold strong, lest a greater disaster occur.
"Deploy more forces, even if it means digging three feet underground, find him!"
"Yes!"
"Is there a tally of the damage in the Capital City?"
Sun Senior Palace Lady took a stack of documents from her sleeve, presenting them to the Empress, saying:
"According to reports from all sides, in this upheaval, the Imperial Army sacrificed two hundred thirty-five men, fifteen court ministers perished, including Assistant Minister of Personnel Li Yu and Clearing Official Department Chief Yang Yi..."
"In Tiandu City, over five thousand civilians have been confirmed dead, and the number is still rising."
"As per Your Highness’s order, a temporary relief station has been set up near Anyang Gate, and medical personnel from surrounding counties have been enlisted to provide free treatment to the wounded..."
"Relief efforts are also underway..."
Looking at the staggering numbers on the page, the Empress’s expression grew more solemn.
Though she had envisioned the worst, the extent of the tragedy far exceeded her expectations.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon