Chapter 133: Greed Leads to Ruin

Chapter 133: Men Die for Wealth

The dog wiggled its little rear end, following Tu Zhe in a rhythmic twerk, squealing as it danced: "Oh, I’m so smug! I have a nephew who carries the Heavenly Sovereign’s statue like a wooden carving! Oh, oh, yeah, yeah! I love you deep in my heart but am too lazy to say it!"

This performance infected the three enchantresses. Trishna hugged the Red Doll, Roti hugged the Orange Doll, and the Enchantress of Greed, Roja, having nothing to hold, simply raised her arms in a hugging gesture. They all began spinning on the ground, twerking along to the rhythm with "Oh, oh, yeah, yeah!"

Meanwhile, inside the palace of Little Su, she and the fairy were engaged in an intimate heart-to-heart.

Upon learning that her mother, Cassiopeia, had also arrived at Beta Pegasi, a flicker of melancholy and resentment crossed Andromeda’s eyes. She said indifferently, "Let her come. What does that have to do with me?"

Little Su, knowing she had stirred up painful memories for Andromeda, patted her hand apologetically to offer comfort.

The two transitioned from literature to life and love. Andromeda asked, "Little Su, when will you find me a brother-in-law?"

Little Su, still a maiden, felt a touch of shyness at this. "Sister, you’re teasing me. How many heroes in these three realms and various heavens are like Brother-in-law Perseus? Looking across the Northern Heavens, there is truly no one who catches my eye."

Andromeda laughed, "Don't be so picky, or you'll end up a spinster."

Little Su giggled, "I’ve been a spinster for tens of thousands of years; what’s a few more?" She sighed, "Actually, my requirements aren't that high. I just want him to be well-versed in poetry and song. We could recite poems and compose verses when we’re free—that is an elegant life, isn’t it?"

Andromeda asked curiously, "Aren't there many talented scholars in your Northern Heavens? I recall you hold a grand competition every few years, don't you? Did you not find anyone among the stars of literature worth your gaze?"

Little Su snorted, "A bunch of sycophants who only know how to sing praises and whitewash the peace? Can they really be called scholars? They would only sully the reputation of the word."

They chatted over tea until evening. In truth, Little Su’s primary reason for speaking with Andromeda was to convey the demand from the Great Emperor Zhenwu to enter the Andromeda Galaxy to suppress "bandits." However, facing this fairy, who was as pure as a clear spring, Little Su felt her request was too shameless, too—well, despicable.

But with darkness falling, if she didn't speak now, what would she do if the Great Emperor’s envoy arrived, or if the Emperor himself came in person?

Andromeda might be pure, but she was no fool. Seeing Little Su’s worried, hesitant expression, she knew something was amiss.

Andromeda said, "Little Sister, if you have something to say, just say it. Is there anything we sisters cannot discuss?"

Little Su gritted her teeth and revealed the Great Emperor Zhenwu's plan to send troops into the Andromeda Galaxy, asking if it would be acceptable.

Andromeda looked at the pitiful Little Su and smiled. "Little Sister, you haven't made yourself clear. Are you truly going there to suppress bandits?"

Little Su’s heart skipped a beat. She had no choice but to feign surprise and ask, "If not to suppress bandits, what else would it be for?"

She hadn't realized that someone unaccustomed to lying becomes more transparent the more they pretend. Little Su’s innocent act was far too fake.

Andromeda tapped Little Su’s forehead with a slender finger and laughed, "Is it because of the Heavenly Spring?"

Little Su’s expression froze. After a long silence, she deflated and said, "You’ve defeated me..."

Andromeda had hit the mark, guessing the true intent behind the "bandit suppression."

Andromeda sighed, picked up the famous Longan tea that Little Su had specially brewed for her, and spoke with a haunting voice that left Little Su shocked.

It turned out that it wasn't just the Northern Heavens; many neighboring regions like Telescopium, Hercules, Equuleus, and Chamaeleon were all applying to enter the Andromeda Galaxy under various pretexts. Even those further away, like Corvus, Canis Minor, Indus, and Circinus, had sent envoys to make contact.

In other words, while Little Su and her peers were secretly fighting, snatching, hiding, and covering up the matter of the Heavenly Spring, it was no longer a secret among the major worlds and constellations.

One of the main reasons Andromeda had accepted the invitation to Beta Pegasi was that she was truly exhausted by these matters and had come here to find peace. She had not told her husband, Perseus, the Lord of the Perseus Constellation, about this.

She knew her husband’s temper was like a blazing fire; once he learned the truth, he would surely clash with the surrounding constellations, and even the Northern Heavens. She feared for his safety. Even if it were only Heracles, the Lord of Hercules, he alone would be enough to rival Perseus, let alone the Northern Heavens, whose strength was far greater.

Therefore, Andromeda’s strategy was to say, "I am currently visiting elsewhere; please leave all diplomatic documents for when I return." In short, she was stalling, because the poor girl had run out of ideas and could only choose to escape.

Andromeda smiled bitterly, "Actually, I also know why my mother came here. Her goal is the same as everyone else’s: the Heavenly Spring."

As she mentioned her mother, Andromeda’s eyes turned red. This deeply wounded woman longed for the warmth and nourishment of familial affection. She desperately wanted her parents to visit her without any ulterior motives, simply because she was their daughter. But every hope was just the beginning of a disappointment, and every disappointment was a deeper wound.

Little Su couldn't help but pull out a silk handkerchief to wipe Andromeda’s tears. Just as they were commiserating, they heard Cassiopeia’s voice: "My daughter! Your mother has missed you so much! Come here, let me see if you’ve lost weight!"

Andromeda and Little Su exchanged bitter looks, speechless.

Cassiopeia sashayed into Little Su’s palace, saw Andromeda, and walked toward her with arms spread wide in a hug. Andromeda dodged lightly, avoiding her, and said coldly, "If you have something to say, say it. I have a headache."

Seeing her daughter’s coldness—not even calling her mother—Cassiopeia dropped the act. To be honest, the moment she forced her husband to sacrifice their daughter to avoid being humiliated by the sea monster, she knew the bond between them was over. She hadn't expected Andromeda to forgive her, and she usually wouldn't come to seek such a cold reception.

But this time was different. It was because of the news that the Heavenly Spring was about to appear. Furthermore, she was on an important mission.

So, Cassiopeia dropped the pretense and said, "Well, as an envoy for Zeus, I have come to inform you that all constellations or star domains wishing to enter the Andromeda Galaxy, including the Northern Heavens, are to be granted passage."

"Huh?"

Andromeda was stunned. How could such a decree be issued? Did this not mean that anyone could wreak havoc in her home as they pleased? What about her sovereignty? Her dignity? Her interstellar reputation?

Cassiopeia pulled a long face and said, "The Great One said, you are to execute this order regardless of whether you understand it or not."