After The Simp Sealed His Heart With Cement, The Demon Lord Immediately Fell In Love! - Chapter 12

Before Ye Lin could react, Su Mo continued, “You know that the entire cultivation world is currently under Wen Muli’s control. It will not be easy for us to find a place to hide. Therefore, I need you to leave in advance to scout locations. Remember, the further away from the capital of Fengdu and the more remote, the better. Do not choose towns that are too small; seek out places that are sufficiently prosperous with a large transient population. This will make it easier for us to conceal our tracks.”

Ye Lin listened attentively, nodding in firm agreement. “Your Highness, rest assured. This servant will not fail your expectations. I will certainly find a place suitable for us to live in seclusion!” She knelt on one knee and spoke with utmost sincerity.

“Go now. This is for your travel expenses. Once you have settled everything, contact me using the sound transmission stone.” Su Mo smiled and nodded, placing a storage ring into her palm as he gave his final instructions.

Ye Lin did not delay for a moment; she immediately rose to pack her bags. Su Mo watched her retreating figure, his eyes filled with reluctance. He silently bid her farewell in his heart. I am sorry, Linlin. I have lied to you. In the future, you must live well. Find a lover, build your own home, and live your own life instead of living for me as you do now.

His tone was brimming with regret as he slowly stroked the scales on his chest. I have already arranged everything for Linlin, but unfortunately, I will not be able to say goodbye to you, Xiao Xiao.

In his mind, he recalled the first time he met Xiao Xiao. After Hao Yeshu died, he had been confined to the bamboo forest behind the mountains by an enraged Wen Muli. It was there that he encountered a little snake, scorched black by heavenly lightning and on the verge of death. This little snake was different from any snake he had seen in the modern world. It had two small bumps on its head and four limbs beneath its abdomen. It was a snake, yet it also resembled a gecko.

Knowing that the cultivation world was full of wonders, Su Mo naturally assumed it was a mutated snake. The system prompt had informed him that he must save the creature. Driven by compassion, he did so, caring for it meticulously every day and naming it Xiao Xiao.

When Xiao Xiao first woke up, it was full of hostility and even bit him. Su Mo had tough skin, so the little snake could not hurt him; instead, he was more worried that the little one might break its teeth against his rugged hide. Xiao Xiao was the most cold-hearted animal he had ever encountered, far more so than any cat. While cats had moments of affection, that little snake had never looked at him with kindness. It took a massive amount of effort for Su Mo to finally make Xiao Xiao accept him as its master.

Thinking back, the time he spent with Xiao Xiao was the happiest period of his life. Unfortunately, he would never see Xiao Xiao take its true form. He only realized later where that look of disdain in Xiao Xiao’s eyes had come from when it first opened them. It was a member of the Dragon Clan, yet it had been mistaken for a lowly snake by an ignorant human. If it did not despise him, who would it despise?

As Su Mo recalled the past, he smiled foolishly, though his eyes grew increasingly lonely and sorrowful. Xiao Xiao was destined to become his deepest regret and longing. Tonight was destined to be a sleepless one.

The next morning, the Emperor held a grand wedding ceremony, and the entire nation celebrated. In the sky above Fengdu, colorful Li birds cleared the path. The Li bird, a tenth-rank spirit beast and an extremely rare pet, resembled a phoenix but was much smaller. As an auspicious creature capable of finding treasures, such a bird was hard to come by. Yet, hundreds of them now appeared above Fengdu, a clear testament to the Emperor’s regard for his new male consort.

Following the fiery red Li birds, Wen Muli, dressed in crimson wedding robes, rode a unicorn beast through the auspicious clouds. Not long ago, the dainty man the people had seen was also dressed in crimson robes, wearing an opulent phoenix crown, seated in a red sedan chair carried by four jade white horses, receiving the obeisance and blessings of the people. On the ground, a vast sea of people knelt, kowtowing and shouting, “Congratulations to the Emperor on his grand wedding! Long live Your Majesty, and may the consort live for a thousand years!”

After circling the sky above Fengdu, the wedding procession slowly advanced toward the palace. Below, the discussions among the crowd were endless.

“As expected, one only hears the laughter of the new, never the tears of the old. When the Emperor was married years ago, no such grand wedding was held. Yet this Consort Xian receives the treatment of an Empress. I fear it won’t be long before the position of Empress changes hands!”

“Nonsense. Only those truly favored are kept hidden. The reason the Emperor hides the Empress so deeply is surely to protect him. He is subtly shifting the resentment onto Consort Xian. To put it bluntly, Consort Xian is likely just a decoy to confuse the enemy.”

“That sounds somewhat reasonable. I must say, although Consort Xian is a man, his beauty is no less than a woman’s. If I were the Emperor, I would gladly fall for him.”

“If even the public facing Consort Xian has such beauty, then the Empress must be a fairy descended to earth!”

“A bunch of ignorant fools. I heard from a relative of mine who serves in the palace that the male Empress has nothing to do with being a great beauty. It is rumored that he is as ugly as the demon Zhong Kui, absolutely terrifying.”

“Fart! If he were truly hideous, how could he gain the Emperor’s favor?”

“Naturally, it is because of the deep bond between the Emperor and him!”

“I heard from someone familiar in the palace that the Empress was not born ugly, but was disfigured!”

“Disfigured? That reminds me of someone!”

“You wouldn’t be implying the General Su Mo, would you? He is the only one close to the Emperor who has been disfigured.”

“My god, could the Empress be the General?”

“Impossible. The General perished in the final battle while saving the Emperor. Do not spout such nonsense; it is disrespectful to the General.”

The wedding was so grand that it sparked endless speculation. They were curious about the Emperor’s relationship with his two consorts and even more curious about the true identity of the legendary Empress. Opinions varied, yet no one truly believed that the Empress was General Su Mo, as they felt it was an insult to the General’s memory. Perhaps the younger generation was not familiar with Su Mo, but to the older generation, his prestige was even higher than that of Emperor Wen Muli. He was a god of war, a great hero; such a resolute man could never submit himself beneath any other man.

On the square where the ceremony was held, the leaders of major sects had all arrived, and the civil and military officials stood ready. The powerful sound of horns erupted, followed by the long, ringing announcement: “His Majesty has arrived. The new consort has arrived.”

As the words faded, Wen Muli, holding Yan Yichen’s hand, stepped onto the red carpet and walked toward the high platform. On the platform, Su Mo stood dressed in full regalia, clutching the phoenix seal, quietly watching the two approach. The distance between them closed, closer and closer. Finally, the couple stood before him. Yan Yichen’s eyes were filled with unease and guilt, mixed with the joy and anticipation of the wedding. Wen Muli’s expression was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Su Mo curled his lips, took the document handed to him by a eunuch, and began to recite in a clear voice. His deep, resonant voice reached everyone present:

“Three lifetimes of fate bound east of the sea, two childhood friends with matching hearts. The grand foundation of our cause is now established; may prosperity shine like the midday sun. Two sincere hearts woven together like brocade, nurtured by the favor of the heavens for eternal bliss. Perform the wedding rites, the red silk and flowers entwine. First, bow to Heaven and Earth.”

Wen Muli took Yan Yichen’s hand, and they turned to bow toward the sky.

“Second, bow to the gods.”

Wen Muli and Yan Yichen bowed toward the sky again.

“Bow to each other.”

The two turned to face each other and bowed. One was filled with deep affection, and the other was overcome with shyness.

“The rites are complete. Congratulations to Your Majesty on taking your new consort. This is the phoenix seal; I now entrust it to Consort Xian. From now on, I leave the Emperor in your care!”

Su Mo smiled brilliantly, as if placing a dying wish, and firmly pressed the seal into Yan Yichen’s palm.