Chapter 786 - Reality Beyond the Illusion
He came. Both cocks. Simultaneously. The divine seed, the thick, pressurized, molten cum, erupted. Into both wombs. The filling, the simultaneous, dual filling, was there. The divine qi, flowing through his cum, through both women’s walls, through their meridians, through their dantians, was absorbed.
The two women, their bodies limp, their minds blank, their pussies leaking cum, lay on the bed. Their moans, the fading, aftershock moans, were there.
Tianlong, his gold-crimson eyes, on the ceiling, held the satisfaction. And the plan.
’Tomorrow. The banquet. The sword sovereign’s little trap. Let us see who traps whom.’
~~ The Banquet — Celebration and Scheme
The banquet hall was magnificent.
The high, vaulted ceiling, the crystal chandeliers, the formation-lanterns casting warm golden light, was there. The floor, the polished jade, reflected the light. The columns, the carved jade pillars, were draped in silk. The air, the ambient spiritual energy, was rich with the qi of a hundred cultivators.
The seating was arranged. At the head, the two emperors. Emperor Yun, the host, in his dark blue and silver robes. Emperor Tianlong, the guest, in his dark crimson and gold. Side by side, on the raised dais, they sat. The food, the rare spirit-beast meat, the spirit-fruit, the aged spiritual wine, was before them.
On the right side, Tianlong’s women. Madam Fengwan, in her dark red robes, her sharp eyes scanning the room. Liu Mei, in her dark purple robes, her amethyst eyes composed. Their introductions, given to the court, were simple. Concubines. Not wives. Concubines.
The whispering, the immediate, scandalized whispering, was there.
"Concubines? Not even wives?"
"Two of them? Only two? I heard he had dozens..."
"He must have sent the others ahead. To the capital."
"Concubines. How... common."
On the left side, the imperial family. Empress Lihwa, her mature face composed, her emerald robes formal. Princess Yuexin, her dark eyes watchful, her violet and white robes elegant. The princes, the younger children, the attendants.
The introductions, the formal, diplomatic introductions, were made.
"Empress Lihwa," the empress said. Her melodic voice was controlled. "Wife of Emperor Yun. Mother of the Azure Cloud Province."
"Princess Yuexin," the princess said. Her cool voice was polite. Nothing more. "Daughter of Emperor Yun. Heir to the Azure Cloud Province."
"Madam Fengwan," Fengwan said. Her sharp voice was smooth. "Concubine of Emperor Tianlong."
"Liu Mei," the purple-haired woman said. Her amethyst eyes were steady. "Concubine of Emperor Tianlong."
The titles, the formal, diplomatic, status-defining titles, were exchanged. The whispering, the political, gossipy, judgmental whispering, continued.
Princess Yuexin, her dark eyes, on the scene, was there. But her mind, her internal thoughts, were elsewhere.
’Brother Mu. He told me. He told me to do it. The vial. The reality inducer. I have it. In my sleeve.’
Her hand, beneath the table, her fingers on the small glass vial, was there. The plan, the sword sovereign’s plan, was ready.
The food was served. The courses, the rare delicacies, the spirit-enhanced dishes, were brought. The wine, the aged spiritual wine, was poured. The dancers, the young women in flowing silk, their bodies graceful, their movements practiced, performed. The music, the spiritual instruments, the zither and the flute, played.
The banquet, the formal, diplomatic, celebration banquet, was in full swing.
Princess Yuexin, her composure, her mask, was there. She stood. Her movement, the graceful, princess-like movement, was there. She held a cup. Not wine. Tea. A special blend, the spirit-tea, the princess’s personal offering.
She walked. Toward the dais. Toward Tianlong. Her steps, measured, were there. Her expression, the polite, diplomatic, princess-like expression, was there.
"Your Majesty," she said. Her cool voice was steady. "I have prepared a tea. A special blend. My personal recipe. I would be honored if you would try it."
The offering, the formal, diplomatic offering of a princess to a guest emperor, was there. The cup, the delicate porcelain, the steam rising from the golden liquid, was there.
Emperor Yun, his kind face, the widening eyes, was there. The observation, the father’s observation of his daughter approaching the guest emperor, was there. The thought, the political, opportunistic thought, was there.
’She has interest in him. My daughter. She is approaching him. If this leads to... the link between the branch family and the main family... the political advantage... the protection...’
The smug, the forming, the self-satisfied smug on Emperor Yun’s face, was there.
Tianlong, his gold-crimson eyes, on the princess, on the cup, was there. The assessment, the divine, transcendent, knowing assessment, was there. The tea, the liquid, the aphrodisiac — he could sense it. The spiritual perception, the divine awareness, detected the foreign substance. The reality inducer, as Shen Mu called it. The aphrodisiac, as it actually was.
He knew. He knew everything. The pool had shown him.
"I cannot drink it," he said. His voice was calm. Polite. The refusal, the polite, diplomatic refusal, was there.
The princess, her dark eyes, the shock, the despair, was there. The color, the draining color from her face, was there. The plan, the failing, crumbling plan, was there.
"Why?" she asked. Her voice, the controlled, desperate voice of a woman whose plan was falling apart, was there. "Emperor, it is a very tasty blend. I personally... I have prepared it with care. Please, you must try it."
The lie, the transparent, desperate lie of a woman trying to save her mission, was there.
Tianlong, his gold-crimson eyes, on her, held the amusement. The slight, barely visible amusement.
"However," he said. His voice was soft. "If you want, we can drink there."
He gestured. Toward the balcony. The open, private, moonlit balcony that overlooked the valley.
The princess, her dark eyes, the brief, confused hope, was there. She nodded. The plan, the modified, improvised plan, was there. If he drinks it on the balcony, the effect would be the same. Perhaps even better — more private, more vulnerable.
He stood. Looking at Emperor Yun, he said, "Please, excuse us."
Emperor Yun, his kind face, the smile, was there. "No, no, you can talk. Please."
His eyes, on his daughter and the Emperor Tianlong walking toward the balcony, were there. The sly, the self-satisfied, the politically calculating sly, was in his expression.
~~ The Balcony — The Trap Reversed
The balcony was beautiful. The moonlight, the silver, ethereal moonlight of the upper realm, was there. The valley, the distant mountains, the spirit-clouds, were visible. The railing, the carved jade, was cool to the touch. The air, the night air, was cool. Private.
Tianlong and the princess stood. The cup, in her hand, was there. The tea, the golden liquid, the aphrodisiac-laced tea, steamed.
He took the cup. One hand, large and pale, held the porcelain. His gold-crimson eyes, on the princess, were there. The assessment, the amused, knowing, predatory assessment, was there.
He drank. One gulp. The entire cup. The tea, the golden liquid, the aphrodisiac-laced spirit-tea, went down. He placed the cup on the railing. The porcelain, on the jade, clicked.
The princess, her dark eyes, the mesmerized, hopeful, watching eyes, were there.
"Yes," she said. Her voice was soft. "Indeed."
The thought, the internal, triumphant thought of a woman whose plan had succeeded, was there. ’He drank it. He took it. The aphrodisiac is in him. Soon, he will lose control. In front of everyone. He will—’
He pulled her.
The movement, the sudden, swift, divine-speed movement, was there. One moment, she was standing. The next, she was in his arms. His hand, on her back, pulled her against his body. His other hand, on her chin, tilted her face up.
He kissed her.