The Han Dynasty Empress is a Ghost | Chapter 133 | Drained of Power | Novela.app

“I only just realized it after recalling His Majesty’s decree.” As she prepared the Exorcism Incantation, A Jiao’s expression turned solemn. Purging this malevolent energy from Wei Qing would be difficult for her. “Aren’t you afraid I might take this chance to kill you?” A faint smile appeared on Wei Qing’s face. “I am already a man at death’s door. Besides, if you wanted to kill me, you had plenty of opportunities before. There would be no need to save me now; letting me fall into the path of evil would have been far more convenient.” “...” A Jiao’s hand paused for a moment before her gaze sharpened. “Fine. I’m going to begin. I cannot guarantee success on the first try, but do not worry—I will find a way to cleanse this evil energy from you completely.” “Very well.” Wei Qing’s consciousness drifted back into a deep slumber. A Jiao directly summoned her Official Tablet. Under its radiant glow, the power of the Exorcism Incantation strengthened by several degrees. As the golden sigils were slowly driven into his body, Wei Qing’s unconscious face contorted in agony. A Jiao did not dare relax, channeling every drop of her divine power toward him. “Cough!” A trickle of black blood seeped from the corner of Wei Qing’s mouth. For a moment, the palace physicians and attendants in the hall fell into a panicked frenzy. A Jiao shook her head, her vision growing increasingly dark until she finally lost consciousness. *** When she woke up again, she found herself trapped inside a small box. A talisman was sealed upon it. “???” A Jiao flew out of the box, only to find her surroundings strangely familiar. The Immortal-Seeking Pavilion—surely that fellow Huan Jiujun wasn't playing a prank on her? “Impudent ghost! How dare you try to escape!” a sharp shout rang out from the doorway. A Jiao turned to see a youth of sixteen or seventeen, pointing a peach wood sword at her. A Jiao: “...” “You petty female ghost, how dare you harm people in the palace? Speak! How did you escape?” A Jiao twitched her fingers. Her internal divine power was depleted, likely exhausted from purging Wei Qing’s evil energy. At this moment, she couldn't even perform a simple Instant-Travel Spell. Seeing the situation, A Jiao struck a cold, aloof pose. “I am no ghost. I am a celestial lady...” “Bah! Do you think I’ve studied the mystic arts all these years for nothing? Your body is light and airy, lacking any substance. You are clearly a ghost!” “Little brother, listen to me. I am already cultivating toward immortality; I simply haven't achieved a celestial body yet.” “Bold ghost, cease your attempts to bewitch me!” The youth’s expression grew fiercer as he lunged at A Jiao with his peach wood sword. A Jiao caught the blade with one hand, but before she could speak, the sword wrenched itself free. She waved her hands frantically. “See? If I were a mere ghost, how could I touch a peach wood sword without being harmed? If you don't believe me, take me to Master Huan. He knows me.” “Master Huan has achieved great success in the Dao; how could he possibly know a female ghost like you? Do not slander him!” “...” *Why is this brat so stubborn!* A Jiao was fuming. “But since you’ve harmed someone, I must hand you over to Master Huan for judgment.” With that, the youth pinched a hand seal, grabbed A Jiao, and vanished in a flash of teleportation. A Jiao figured that at least she was being sent to the right place. If she weren't so drained of power that she couldn't use her spells, she would have definitely given this brat a good thrashing. *** The Emperor had reached Danshui County and was currently resting when a commotion broke out outside. Before long, Huang Yu entered to report, “Your Majesty, Master Huan requests an audience.” Liu Che rubbed his aching head and narrowed his eyes. “Send him in.” He then watched as Huan Jiujun entered, accompanied by a youth—Fu Qingye. He remembered the boy; he had joined the Immortal-Seeking Pavilion alongside Master Huan years ago. He had been quite arrogant at first, but after being disciplined by Master Huan several times, he now held the man in the highest regard and desperately wished to be his formal disciple. “What brings Master Huan here?” The Emperor sat up slightly, though he maintained a languid posture. Huan Jiujun’s lip twitched. He felt that ever since he had acted as a messenger for this couple a few times, the old Emperor had stopped treating him like an outsider. “Qingye captured a ghost in the palace. I cannot make the decision on how to handle it, so I have come specifically to consult Your Majesty.” Upon hearing the word ‘ghost,’ Liu Che sat bolt upright, his expression turning serious. “What ghost? Release it so I may see.” He glanced at the sword resting on the weapon rack nearby, then at Huan Jiujun’s relaxed demeanor, and decided he probably didn't need to stand up. Huan Jiujun smiled and tossed a ball of light, which landed directly on the low table before the Emperor’s couch. A Jiao: “...” Liu Che: “...” “Liu Che, I knew this was your doing.” A Jiao reached out and smacked the Emperor. Fu Qingye moved to step forward, but Huan Jiujun blocked him. “All of you, withdraw,” Liu Che said with a wave of his hand, picking A Jiao up from the table. Huan Jiujun bowed with a smile. “This female ghost has currently lost all her magic power. For the next sixteen hours, Your Majesty may rest easy.” With that, he pulled Fu Qingye out of the room. Fu Qingye looked at the Emperor holding the female ghost in his arms, then at the smiling Master Huan, feeling as though his entire worldview had been shattered. “Master... Master Huan, that female ghost...” Huan Jiujun laughed. “It is fine. She is indeed no ordinary ghost, but a Ghost Immortal in cultivation. You did well. I shall accompany you back to Chang'an.” From what he gathered from Chen A Jiao, there had been a surge of evil energy within Grand Marshal Wei Qing. She had exhausted herself to purge it and fainted; he didn't know if the evil had been fully eradicated, so he would have to make the trip himself to check. Hearing praise from the person he admired most, the youth’s face instantly flushed red. He stammered in response, “I—I—I will continue to work hard!” “Mhm, I know.” With that, Huan Jiujun drifted away. *** “My, A Jiao, how is it that after being gone for a moment, you’ve lost all your magic?” The Emperor laughed, poking the woman’s cheek before taking a lock of her hair to his nose. Still no scent. A Jiao struggled for a long time but couldn't break free. *Curse that Huan Jiujun!* He had actually placed a manifestation spell on her. Otherwise, even without her magic, she could have quietly drifted back to Nagamen Palace. “Liu Che, let go! Believe it or not, I’ll beat you to death once my power returns!” A Jiao brandished her small fists in a show of force, but her weightless form lacked any real intimidation. Liu Che pulled her onto the couch, unable to resist saying, “Jiaojiao, you are much lighter. Have you grown thin?” “...I am a ghost. Ghosts are weightless. Liu Che, do you understand? I knew you wouldn't understand.” Liu Che lay down with her and smiled. “I don't understand. I only know you.” A Jiao looked at the face so close to hers and tried to shrink back. How could the Emperor allow that? He wrapped an arm firmly around her waist, not letting her retreat an inch. “Jiaojiao, don't hide. Let me hold you properly. This is truly you!” He rested his head against A Jiao’s soft body, closed his eyes, and slowly drifted off to sleep. A Jiao: “...” She pushed him, but he didn't budge. She was about to exert more force when she heard a faint snoring. Patting his face, A Jiao could only resign herself to lying down. *Honestly, how can he be this exhausted? Has he not slept at all these past few days?* When Liu Che opened his eyes again, the room was shrouded in darkness. “Liu Che, you’re awake. You’ve slept for four hours; it’s already dark outside.” The Emperor propped himself up, then ducked back under the covers, burying his face against A Jiao’s chest. He murmured groppily, “Then have them serve the meal.” “You’re going to be the death of me with your laziness.” A Jiao gently placed the Emperor’s venerable head back on the pillow, then got out of bed and knocked on the door. “His Majesty orders the meal to be served.” Huang Yu: “Understood... ???!!!” The door was suddenly pushed open. A Jiao looked at the rushing Huang Yu with confusion. “Who are you?” Huang Yu’s voice was shrill, even trembling slightly. *What is going on? How did a woman suddenly appear in His Majesty’s chambers!* Liu Che was startled by Huang Yu’s voice and his mind cleared instantly. He spoke up, “Serve the meal.” Realizing his lapse in decorum, Huang Yu hurriedly retreated. The palace attendants entered with basins of water and grooming supplies. They were all shocked to see A Jiao, but in an instant, they regained their composure, lowering their eyes and bowing their heads. Liu Che leaned nearly half his weight against A Jiao as he allowed the attendants to dress him. He studied A Jiao’s attire and suddenly remarked, “Your clothes...” No wonder the attendants were so shocked. A Jiao looked down and realized she was wearing the garment Lord Yunhe had fashioned for her from her Empress’s formal robes back when her mother and Father Shen were married. The embroidery and patterns were incredibly lavish—and more importantly, one could still tell it was an Empress’s robe if they looked closely. “Er...” A Jiao coughed twice, suddenly putting on a bashful act as she leaned into Liu Che’s arms. “Was this not a gift from Your Majesty? Does it not look good on me?” Liu Che: “...” Attendants: “!!!” Once Liu Che was dressed, he pulled A Jiao into his arms and laughed. “It looks good. It looks exquisite.” Then, the two of them sat down together at the dining table. “I’m not eating.” A Jiao moved aside. “Your Majesty should eat. I’m going to sit inside for a while.” Ignoring Liu Che’s attempt to grab her hand, she walked toward the sleeping couch. The attendants had already tidied the bed. A Jiao kicked off her shoes, lowered the curtains, and sat cross-legged. With no magic power in her body, she could only faintly sense the trace of Houtu’s divine power in her dantian. It seemed that performing the Exorcism Incantation had truly squeezed her dry, leaving her with that same feeling of total exhaustion she’d felt after being hunted previously. Since Huan Jiujun said it would take sixteen hours to start recovering her power, she would have to wait another twelve! A Jiao closed her eyes and sat still. Even though she couldn't circulate her qi right now, she couldn't afford to be lax. In the past, she had always been easygoing, devoid of desire or ambition—doing hard labor was fine; going to the Reincarnation Platform was fine; reincarnating was fine... she felt it didn't matter, and she never thought about what she actually wanted to do. So, whatever others arranged, she simply accepted. But now, she felt she could no longer remain so idle. She had a goal now; she wanted to be a true Ghost Envoy. Therefore, her cultivation could no longer be an intermittent affair. Before long, A Jiao felt a damp sensation against her neck. “Liu Che, are you sick?” She shoved away the man who was nuzzling her neck. Liu Che wasn't angry. Instead, he sat down beside her with a smile. “A Jiao, I simply missed you too much. I’ve been unable to sleep or find flavor in my food.” “You should save those words for a young girl like A-Su.” ***