How to Handle a Sickly Yandere Demon God - Chapter 22

Xu Xingxing’s breathing slowed, her neck stiffened. Her hand reached out and grasped Xiao Hei’s arm tightly, and she whispered:

“Am I seeing things…?”

Xiao Hei sensed her fear and shifted slightly closer to her. “No.”

“Then… is she Rongjun’s twin sister?” The last shred of Xu Xingxing’s materialism struggled to offer a rational explanation.

“If she were Rongjun’s sister, why would Rongjun’s soul be wandering out there?” Xiao Hei, for once, did not mock her ignorance. “Moreover, this person’s aura is identical to Rongjun’s soul.”

Xu Xingxing tightened her grip. “So, has Rongjun’s body been taken over?”

Just as Xiao Hei was about to speak, they saw someone emerge from the house.

Zhou Wuxia.

His black hair was disheveled, a clear trail of blood staining his forehead. His clothes were in disarray, and he stood barefoot beside “Rongjun,” lifting a strand of her hair to gently inhale its scent.

The emptiness in “Rongjun’s” eyes instantly transformed into a mix of grief and fury. She slapped Zhou Wuxia across the face with the back of her hand.

Smack!

Zhou Wuxia’s face was turned to the side. When he turned back, a red swelling had already formed on his left cheek, but he seemed oblivious, his eyes filled only with heartache. “Mother, you’ve only just adapted to this body. Please don’t agitate yourself.”

So, it really was Rongjun’s body being used… but what did he call her? Their earlier state hardly seemed like that of a mother and son.

For a moment, Xu Xingxing couldn’t believe her ears.

“Stay away from me. I want to be alone.” “Rongjun” said coldly.

“I’ll do as you say, Mother.” Zhou Wuxia hurriedly moved aside. “Today, I heard you were upset that I didn’t come to see you before your purification. Please don’t misunderstand, it’s not that I didn’t want to see you, but men are not allowed to disturb you during your treatment.”

Seeing that “Rongjun’s” expression remained unchanged, he continued, “Men carry too much yang energy. If I were to recklessly stay here, the soul-transfer ritual would fail completely. Please endure it a little longer, Mother. It will be over soon.”

“Rongjun” looked at him, her gaze sorrowful. “How many people have you harmed because of me? Twelve women every day, their bodies and souls scattered because of me. Do you feel no guilt at all?”

“Guilt? Why?” Zhou Wuxia seemed puzzled. “I would only feel guilty if your health were at risk. What does the lives of those lowly slaves matter? Don’t worry, Mother. No matter what, I will protect you.”

“But I don’t want to live!”

“Rongjun” suddenly broke down, her voice hoarse with despair. “How many days has it been? I’ve lost count. Twelve people every day, so many have died because of me. I’m going to hell!”

Zhou Wuxia pulled her into his embrace. “No, Mother, don’t be afraid. We will never die, let alone go to hell.”

But “Rongjun” seemed not to hear him, alternating between delirious murmurs and frantic outbursts, her hands trembling and her entire body shaking.

Seeing that his attempts to soothe her were futile, Zhou Wuxia directly kissed her. At first, “Rongjun” struggled even more violently, even scratching bloody marks on his face. Zhou Wuxia paid no mind, continuing to kiss her relentlessly.

Noticing the bloody marks, “Rongjun’s” eyes flickered with pity. Gradually, she grew calmer in his arms. He lifted her horizontally, holding her close, his lips never leaving hers. Entwined in this intimate embrace, the two made their way back into the house.

The door slowly closed behind them, leaving the stunned peeping duo rooted in place a hundred meters away.

Xu Xingxing’s earlier fear had been completely swept away by the shocking gossip. Suddenly, she understood why he had inexplicably gotten angry when she asked what was happening in the dark room earlier…

Noticing that she was still holding Xiao Hei’s arm, she felt extremely awkward and wanted to pull her hand back, but it felt too abrupt. Instead, she let out an awkward laugh and withdrew her hand while speaking:

“Well, today wasn’t a waste…”

Xiao Hei glanced at her, his gaze briefly flickering to her retreating hand. He found it somewhat amusing and raised an eyebrow slightly. “What does Xingxing mean?”

Xing… Xing???

Xu Xingxing’s breath hitched, and her ears instantly burned.

What kind of outrageous talk was this?! He had never called her by her name before, what was he trying to do in this situation?!

Reason chimed in from the sidelines: He’s just calling your name, why are you overreacting?

Right, she reasoned with herself. It must be because of that live kissing show earlier, it had left her on edge.

“I meant that I’ve gained a lot today!” Xu Xingxing cleared her throat. “Shall we go check out some other places?”

“Not going to listen anymore?” Xiao Hei’s eyes held a hint of laughter.

Xiao Hei had always looked at her with mockery and sarcasm before; even his smiles were mostly used to taunt her. But now, his stunning face was so close, softened by a gentleness she had never seen before. The sensations she had just suppressed flared up again instantly. Though her resolve wavered, she refused to show weakness. Her face flushed red as she stubbornly retorted:

“I’ll go if you come with me!”

Seeing her clearly flustered yet putting up a tough front, Xiao Hei felt an inexplicable tenderness surge in his heart. For some reason, the earlier scene flashed through his mind, and his gaze unconsciously drifted to the woman’s lips. Her red lips looked like cherries, would they taste just as sweet and refreshing?

He didn’t care for fruit, but this woman often treated him like a pet, occasionally feeding him. Since it didn’t happen often, he hadn’t paid it much mind.

A few days ago, she had been delighted to see the cherries at the Qi residence. After eating a few herself, she picked one up and stuffed it into his mouth. He suddenly recalled the crimson juice staining her fingers as she ate the cherries and felt an inexplicable thirst…

He jolted, as if waking from a dream. Realizing what he had just been thinking, a wave of inexplicable anger surged within him.

He immediately stopped himself from dwelling on it further, abruptly standing up and leaving Xu Xingxing with only his back. “Don’t waste time. Let’s go.”

Xu Xingxing: ???

Who’s wasting time here, you or me?

Just as she was about to argue, she saw him already walking ahead. Muttering under her breath, she hurried after him.

The rest of the Zhou residence showed no unusual activity. After searching around, the two returned to the Qi residence.

Back at the Qi residence, Xu Xingxing recounted what she had seen to everyone, omitting certain details, of course. After she finished, everyone’s expressions were equally indescribable.

Qin Feng broke the silence first, hesitantly asking the question Xu Xingxing most wanted to ask: “Was that… her birth mother?”

Though the wording was vague, everyone understood instantly.

Qi Rongli coughed lightly, easing some of the awkwardness. “No.”

A visible wave of relief washed over the group.

Qin Feng pressed further: “Then who was it?”

Xu Xingxing shot him an appreciative look: Good kid, you’ve got potential!

“Stepmother.”

Qi Rongli sighed. “His mother died in childbirth, and two years later, his father married Luo Menglian, the legitimate daughter of a Ministry of Revenue official. Shortly after the remarriage, his father passed away. Although his aunt provided some support, preventing the Zhou family from declining completely, those years were truly difficult for them. Everything, inside and out, was managed by his stepmother.”

I see, a stepmother story.

“Luo Menglian was delicate and frail, and not long ago, she passed away due to illness. He gave her a grand burial with the rites befitting a legitimate mother.”

Qi Rongli paused and said gravely, “Regardless of his motives, the fact remains that he harmed others for his mother’s sake. I must report this to the Prefect, but…”

“What?” Qin Feng asked. “Is there something troubling you, Senior Qi?”

“Although the Prefect places great importance on the welfare of the people, I’ve heard that he once received a favor from the Minister of Personnel.” Qi Rongli didn’t elaborate, but everyone understood what he meant.

The heavy snow in Qingzhou had persisted for over a month, yet the people could still live in relative stability, a testament to the Prefect’s efforts. However, no one could be certain whether he valued the people’s welfare more than his own official position.

“Zhou Wuxia has harmed countless people. How could the Prefect possibly shield him?” Qin Feng said.

“With the city cut off by the heavy snow, information is already scarce. The Prefect now holds absolute power in Qingzhou. If he suppresses the news to protect his position,” Fang Zhiming frowned, “then with just the few of us, it will be difficult to seek justice for Rongjun and the other wrongfully killed women.”

Xu Xingxing protested, “Even if they suppress the news, we have evidence. Surely there’s something we can do?”

“He’s just an ordinary man, are we afraid of him?” Qin Feng slammed the table abruptly. “If all else fails, we’ll escort Zhou Wuxia to the capital and throw him before the emperor. Let’s see if he’ll take action!”

“Senior Sister, what evidence do we have? A ghost who cannot speak and has no memory?” Fang Zhiming said. “You don’t understand the affairs of the mortal world. The previous emperor died when the current emperor was still young, and now the court is controlled by the Empress Dowager. Even if you throw him before the emperor, it might not achieve anything.”

“What about appearance? Rongjun’s spirit looks exactly like her physical body. Isn’t that evidence?”

Xu Xingxing couldn’t comprehend it. “Even if the emperor’s power is limited, is the Empress Dowager someone who can’t distinguish right from wrong? How many lives have been lost? How could she ignore it?”

“The Minister of Personnel is now her trusted confidant. It’s unlikely she would side with us,” Qi Rongli said. “Moreover, Zhou Qing probably has countless ways to convince the Prefect that the body does not belong to Rongjun.”

“Then why are we here? To admire the snow?” Xu Xingxing grew agitated.

“Of course, it’s to eradicate demons,” Fang Zhiming quickly reassured her. “But Zhou Wuxia is human, and Kunlun no longer has the capacity to interfere extensively in mortal affairs…”

“What if there are demons?” Xiao Hei suddenly spoke up.

“Demons? You’ve sensed demons?” Qin Feng asked.

“There’s a demonic aura within the barrier.”

Xu Xingxing was puzzled. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Telling you would be useless.”

Right, since we can’t get in anyway.

“After the Great Demon Extermination War, people have grown fearful at the mere mention of demons. If Zhou Wuxia is secretly harboring demons, not even his aunt can protect him. Moreover,” Qi Rongli looked at everyone, “the Prefect’s father died at the hands of demons. The thing he hates most in his life is demons.”

Qin Feng immediately perked up. “Then when do we go to exterminate the demons?”

Fang Zhiming turned to Qi Rongli. “Senior Qi, what should we do now?”

Qi Rongli lightly tapped his fingers on the table. “Tomorrow evening, the prefect is hosting a banquet for the merchants. I will take the opportunity to expose Zhou Wuxia.”

Xu Xingxing frowned slightly. “We need to find a way to get through the barrier.”

“Senior sister, I have an idea,” Lin Yue said softly.

After roughly discussing the plan for the next day, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.

The night was deep and silent, without even the sound of wind.

It was already the end of the hour of the rat, and Xu Xingxing was still sitting dazedly by the corridor near the entrance.

Xiao Hei rarely saw her so quiet. Remembering how terrified she had been when she saw Shen Rongjun’s body earlier, he sat down beside her. “Still scared?”

“Scared of what?” Xu Xingxing snapped out of her thoughts.

“Shen Rongjun.”

Xu Xingxing waved her hand dismissively. “Not really.”

The gossip had been too intriguing, and the fear had long since been overshadowed.

Then why was she unhappy? Xiao Hei wanted to ask but swallowed the words.

Somehow, he couldn’t bring himself to voice the question.

He fell silent, lost in his own thoughts, unsure of what she was thinking as well.

After a long while, she spoke, her tone distant. “Xiao Hei, do you think human lives can be ranked as noble or lowly?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“All human lives are mere ants. Can ants be ranked as noble or lowly?”

“…”

She should have known that humans and dogs could never engage in deep philosophical discussions!