Chapter 1438: Disappearing Memories

Yan Xuehen practiced the art of Supreme Emotionlessness, making her largely indifferent to worldly affairs, even life and death.

She had always believed she wasn't afraid of death, and indeed, she felt no fear now. However, she no longer possessed her usual composure. This was because she felt an overwhelming sense of regret. If she had known this would happen, she would have long since said all the things she had kept hidden in her heart to him.

At this moment, Yun Jianyue was also filled with emotion. As the leader of the Demonic Cult, she had countless lives on her hands, yet she never expected being killed would feel like this. With the Ice Stone Woman and Little Anzi by her side, the journey to the underworld wouldn't be lonely. Still, dying alongside her disciple's man felt a bit strange. She just hoped Honglei wouldn't blame her for it later...

Yu Yanluo, on the other hand, was quite serene. Dying with her beloved was far luckier than what her other sisters might face. Yet, there was still some reluctance, especially when she imagined growing old with Ah Zu, enjoying moonlit nights, and being surrounded by children and grandchildren.

Regardless, the three women were ready to face death. To their surprise, however, the terrifying woman's raised hand did not come down. Instead, a strange, conflicted expression appeared on her face.

Xi He was equally bewildered. Originally, seeing her ten sons causing mischief together had filled her with anger and anxiety, naturally directing her wrath toward these humans. But just now, in a sudden daze, she had found herself thinking that this man, facing death with such composure and magnanimity, truly possessed the bearing of an ancient hero. Although his strength was weak, he exuded a unique charisma that many powerful individuals lacked. And, she had to admit, the young man was quite handsome...

How many years had it been since she last saw Di Jun? So long, in fact, that she could barely recall. Had he perhaps forgotten he even had a wife? For a moment, a wave of resentment surged within her. *Aren't you afraid I'll find another man outside?* she wondered. But she quickly chuckled to herself. Who would dare touch Di Jun's woman?

As various thoughts swirled, her murderous intent faded. She lowered her hand, deciding instead to question the man thoroughly first. However, when her gaze fell upon the other three women, she couldn't help but marvel at their beauty. Each of them was no less stunning than herself! Among all the peerless beauties she knew, none could definitively surpass them. Seeing the three women look at Zu An with what seemed to be affectionate gazes, a wave of irritation surged within her. *So, he's a philanderer too, just like Di Jun!* At this thought, murderous intent instantly arose within her—not towards Zu An, but towards the women surrounding him, as if blaming these alluring hussies for seducing her man.

Seeing her reaction, Zu An knew trouble was brewing. He hastily cried out, "If you kill them, I will hate you for the rest of my life!"

Yu Yanluo and Yun Jianyue looked bewildered. *Who are you to her? Why would she care what you think?* they wondered. But what nearly made their eyes pop out was that the mature woman indeed did not strike again. Instead, she glared fiercely at Zu An. "Would you actually kill me for them?" she demanded. Yu Yanluo and Yun Jianyue exchanged glances, thinking, *That tone sounds a bit off.*

Zu An didn't dare provoke her further; if her anger completely consumed her and she truly killed the three women, it would be disastrous. "Of course, I wouldn't kill you," he replied, "but it would leave an eternal knot in my heart. We have no existing grievances, so why must we create an irreconcilable enmity?"

Xi He frowned, hesitated, but ultimately refrained from striking. "So, the little Golden Crows going out together, that really wasn't your doing?" she asked.

"It has nothing to do with us," Zu An explained. "Given our cultivation levels, we could hardly threaten them, so how could they possibly listen to us?"

"That's true," Xi He nodded. With a wave of her hand, she pulled them onto her carriage. "I'll confirm it with them. If it truly has nothing to do with you, I'll release you."

Yun Jianyue and Yu Yanluo were dumbfounded. They couldn't understand why this terrifyingly powerful woman had suddenly become so amenable. Had Zu An cast some sort of enchantment on her? However, mindful of her cultivation level, they dared not question her at such close proximity and could only temporarily suppress their doubts.

Only Yan Xuehen roughly guessed the reason, and she felt both embarrassed and angry. She was embarrassed because she too had been affected by this 'Love Stronger Than Gold' skill. She was angry that the skill's effect was so potent; even a woman as powerful as this one, who seemed to be on par with Zhao Hao and the Demon Emperor, couldn't resist its might. *So, how much of my recent change in feelings towards him is genuine, and how much is due to this skill's influence?* And the most infuriating thing was that he had actually used such a skill on other women!

Rage points from Yan Xuehen +300+300+300...

Seeing the continuous surge of rage points in the backend, Zu An roughly guessed what she was thinking. Unfortunately, he truly couldn't explain it at that moment.

With that, Xi He drove her carriage directly out of Tang Valley, heading towards where the ten suns were gathered. Along the way, she seemed very interested in Zu An, continuously asking about his origins and other questions.

Yun Jianyue's expression was exceedingly strange. *Why does it feel like this woman has taken a liking to Zu An?* she wondered. But then she thought, *How could that be? Zu An is handsome, but surely not handsome enough to make such a powerful being, the mother of ten Golden Crows, fall in love at first sight?*

While carefully responding to Xi He, Zu An seized an opportunity to ask, "Madam, how do the Golden Crows usually fulfill their duties?"

Speaking of her sons, a softer expression appeared on Xi He's face. "You've seen the Jade Rooster atop the Fusang Tree, haven't you? Whenever night is about to fade and dawn is nigh, the Jade Rooster spreads its wings and crows. When the Jade Rooster crows, the Golden Rooster on the great peach tree of Taodu Mountain follows suit..."

"Taodu Mountain?" Zu An paused, never having heard of it before.

Addressing his question, Xi He showed no impatience. She gently explained, "At Taodu Mountain lies the Gate of Ghosts, where all spirits enter and exit. Normally, Yu and Lei guard it, overseeing all spirits. Any malevolent spirits are bound with reeds and fed to the great tigers on the mountain. That's why many common people worship them as 'Door Gods,' painting their likenesses to ward off evil..."

A thought sparked in Zu An's mind. The Door Gods commonly seen in later generations were Qin Shubao and Yuchi Gong, who were depicted by Emperor Taizong Li Shimin out of fear of ghosts to ward off evil. Before them, the Door Gods were more often Yu and Lei. No wonder ghosts in various myths were so afraid of rooster crows. It turned out that when the Golden Rooster of Taodu Mountain crowed, the Gate of Ghosts would close, and it would also peck at various evil spirits.

*Wait,* Zu An thought. Xi He just used the term "mortal realm." Could she already be an immortal?

Just then, Xi He continued, "When the Golden Rooster of Taodu Mountain crows, the stone roosters on famous mountains and great rivers across the world follow suit. When the stone roosters crow, all the chickens in the world crow together. The surging ocean tides echo the rooster's calls with a thunderous roar, and a fresh, crimson sun emerges amidst the mighty tides and the sky full of crimson light."

"Then I drive my carriage, carrying that Golden Crow, across the entire sky, bringing light to the world. One Golden Crow sets out each day in order, never a mistake. Who knew that today... today something like this would happen? This could lead to a great disaster."

Zu An's heart stirred. "Madam, could the Golden Crows have simply snuck out, perhaps out of mischief?"

"Impossible! There was a great disaster once before; they wouldn't dare repeat it..." At this point, her expression suddenly stiffened. She clutched her head, speaking with some pain, "Something big must have happened before, but why can't I remember it?"

Zu An and the others exchanged glances. They all recalled the legend of Hou Yi shooting down the suns. They had assumed these events had already occurred in this world, so why were there still ten suns? If it hadn't happened, why did Xi He seem to remember something?