How to Handle a Sickly Yandere Demon God - Chapter 23

The woman fell silent again, her gaze drifting to the flowers and plants nearby. In her eyes was a loneliness that Xiao Hei had never seen before.

For no reason, an image of a cold moon surfaced in his mind, bright, clear, and utterly solitary. At this moment, the quiet woman reminded him of that moon, something he could admire from afar but never reach.

His hand, resting beside him, unconsciously shifted an inch in her direction. “Why do you ask?”

“Perhaps I’m just being overly sentimental.” Xu Xingxing sighed.

It had been almost half a year since she arrived in this world, yet it still felt unreal. She always felt as though a barrier separated her from this place. Whether it was the great demon extermination war or the rise and fall of nations, none of it truly mattered to her.

But today, she had witnessed undeniable evidence with her own eyes, yet it couldn’t be used as a direct reason for the state authorities to arrest anyone. Instead, they had to rely on the existence of a demonic creature she hadn’t even seen to persuade them. It all felt absurd to her.

Are the lives of slaves so cheap? Or are demonic creatures truly far more terrifying than evil people?

“Did you smell the presence of a demonic creature inside the barrier?” Xu Xingxing asked.

“No.”

???

Xu Xingxing’s face was full of confusion. “Then why did you say there’s a demonic creature inside the barrier?”

“If I hadn’t said that, what reason would you have had to act tomorrow? Although the barrier isolates the aura,” Xiao Hei casually picked up a stone and toyed with it, “there must be a demonic creature inside.”

“How do you know?”

“The female ghost carries a faint trace of demonic aura, likely brought out from there.”

“Rongjun has it? Then why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“You didn’t ask me.”

“…” Xu Xingxing rubbed her temples. “Is there anything else you know but haven’t mentioned because I didn’t ask?”

“Aside from the demonic creature, there’s another aura on that female ghost.”

“What is it?”

“What is your purpose in coming to Qingzhou?”

“Are you talking about a spirit beast?!”

“The stench of a beast, most likely.”

“…”

Well, the spirit beast she had been hoping for had finally left a trace, yet she didn’t feel as happy as she had expected.

“Rongjun was treated so cruelly, and people die tragically because of Zhou Wuxia every day. Yet, none of that compares to a single lie you casually uttered.” Having spent so long in Kunlun, this was the first time Xu Xingxing had confronted the injustices of this world head-on, and she couldn’t help but feel disheartened.

“As long as it works, there’s no need to overthink it.”

“I know.” After all, this wasn’t the modern world, nor was it her peaceful and prosperous homeland. Still, she felt compelled to say more.

“But those in power should prioritize the well-being of the people, treat them as their own children, show compassion to all living beings, and understand the principle of equality for all. They must be honest and impartial in their duties, only then can they be considered good officials.”

After a pause, Xu Xingxing declared angrily, “Even if the state official continues to protect Zhou Wuxia tomorrow, I will kill him.”

Xiao Hei watched her fuming expression, not quite understanding why she was so enraged. Yet, he couldn’t help but be affected by her fervor. “What does it have to do with you? Why are you so angry?”

“With great power comes great responsibility, do you understand?” Xu Xingxing grew more agitated as she spoke. “Even if it has nothing to do with me, even if those people are nothing but ants in your eyes and the eyes of the world, I cannot stand by and let others trample on their lives so casually!”

Seeing that Xiao Hei still wore his usual indifferent expression, a stark contrast to her own righteous indignation, Xu Xingxing tried to explain to him:

“I ask you, if the auntie who sells buns in Xuan City, the uncle at the noodle shop who always gives us extra noodles, and the brother who makes the crispiest flatbreads, if they were unjustly killed, would you also stand by and do nothing?”

Xiao Hei thought for a moment before answering seriously:

“Who?”

Damn it! I apologize to the auntie, uncle, and brother, your buns, noodles, and flatbreads might as well have been fed to a dog!

“You don’t remember? The auntie even praised you for being handsome!”

Xu Xingxing was so angry that she planted one foot forward, completely abandoning any ladylike demeanor, looking more like a scolding market aunty. “Fine! Then what about me? If I were killed, would you avenge me?”

“Aren’t you at the Divine Transformation stage?” Xiao Hei glanced sideways at her, teasing, “How could anyone else harm you?”

“Right… I am pretty powerful.” But was that the point?

Xu Xingxing wanted to curse. “Suppose there was someone stronger than me who hurt me, then what? Would you be sad? Would you avenge me?”

“Stronger than me?” Xiao Hei retorted.

“Way stronger than you, stronger than the two of us combined,” Xu Xingxing exaggerated.

Xiao Hei frowned in thought before saying, “That won’t happen.”

“Huh?” Xu Xingxing’s heart sank instantly, feeling a chill.

“No one is stronger than me,” Xiao Hei looked at her, a slight smirk tugging at his lips, carrying a hint of smugness.

Oh, for heaven’s sake! You damn clueless straight guy!

Don’t you understand that there’s always someone better out there?

“Then how did you get injured when I first met you?” Xu Xingxing ruthlessly exposed him.

Xiao Hei froze, having not considered that point.

When he woke up, he was in that forest, his body wracked with pain. Even though he knew it wasn’t his original body, he couldn’t break free.

Who in this world possessed such power to imprison his soul in this canine form and render him unable to escape? He didn’t know, but he was certain this person’s abilities surpassed his own.

Seeing Xiao Hei fall silent, Xu Xingxing thought she had hit a sore spot. Reflecting that there was no point in taking it out on a dog, she calmed down a bit and leaned in to console him, “Hey, don’t be discouraged. There’s always a higher mountain, that’s just how the world works.”

“Even though I’m at the Divine Transformation stage, above that there’s Refining Void, Unity, and Great Ascension. You think Great Ascension is impressive? A Demon God could wipe them out effortlessly.”

She patted Xiao Hei’s shoulder encouragingly, “Losing isn’t shameful. Aren’t we doing fine now? Next time you meet someone stronger, just remember to run.”

Demon God? Xiao Hei’s dormant consciousness trembled inexplicably.

“What did the god who placed the Hundred Beasts Tome in your consciousness look like?” Xiao Hei suddenly asked.

Uh, just a pleasant male voice, how could she explain what a system was?

“He’s a god; how could I possibly see him so easily?” Xu Xingxing chose to dodge the question.

Xiao Hei, as expected, didn’t press further.

Sigh, she had to admit, sometimes lying was indeed easier than explaining.

But she still hadn’t gotten an answer to her question. Feeling a bit disheartened as his owner, she tried to steer the conversation back: “Anyway, if you got hurt, I’d be really sad.”

Some philosopher once said that to gain sincerity, you must first offer sincerity.

And some relationship expert said that you have to express your needs directly to a clueless straight guy.

After a moment’s thought, Xu Xingxing rephrased her question as a statement: “So if I were injured, I’d still hope you’d feel sad and avenge me.”

Xiao Hei froze, gazing into the woman’s glistening eyes. The stone in his palm prickled with a faint itch.

Would he feel sorrow? He didn’t know. He didn’t even have a clear concept of what sorrow truly meant. That’s why he had deliberately avoided answering earlier. But now, under her direct gaze, he found it impossible to brush her off. He finally spoke, yet his words formed another question:

“Why?”

“Huh?”

“Why would you feel sad if I were hurt?”

He let out a cold laugh, trying to appear indifferent. “Because we formed a beast contract? Because my injuries would drain your cultivation? Or because my death would cost you half a lifetime of cultivation?”

He didn’t finish, for the woman suddenly pinched his cheek and pulled it outward. Her delicate brows furrowed as she gritted her teeth. “What nonsense are you spouting? I’d be sad because I care about you! It has nothing to do with any beast contract. Forget half a lifetime of cultivation, your life is more precious to me than all of my cultivation combined, understand?”

His eyes widened, his thoughts scattering. All he felt was the warmth spreading across his pinched cheek. The woman continued her tirade, her grip tightening. “Heart for heart, you brat! If you dare not value my life, I’ll… I’ll… I’ll…”

“What will you do?” His tone was unexpectedly clear.

This stumped Xu Xingxing. What could she actually do? Staring into his eyes so close to hers, where she saw her own reflection for the first time, her heart fluttered. Feigning toughness, she declared:

“I won’t play with you anymore!”

With that, she released his cheek.

She immediately sat upright, her face tinged with a faint blush. The candlelight flickering in the corridor cast dancing golden hues on her eyelashes. Xiao Hei’s chest felt hollow, and as if compelled by some unseen force, he replied:

“Alright.”

“You promise?”

Xu Xingxing perked up instantly. “And also Auntie Bun, Uncle Noodles, Brother Flatbread, if they-”

“Do I have to care for all of them?”

For some reason, Xiao Hei couldn’t meet her gaze. He looked ahead, his face shadowed, making it hard for her to read his expression. His tone remained as provoking as ever. “I’m not as idle as you are.”

You’re the idle one! Your whole family is idle!

“No, no, just care about me! Just me is enough.” Xu Xingxing shrunk her neck slightly. No rush, she told herself. Take it step by step.

Remembering she needed to wake up early the next day, she prepared to return to her room to sleep. After what happened days ago, she felt too awkward to suggest sharing a room again. Thus, they had been sleeping separately ever since, like a quarreling married couple. The thought startled her, but she still asked with concern, “Have you been sleeping well these past few days?”

Xiao Hei paused slightly. Sleeping well? How could he answer that when he hadn’t slept at all?

“Very well,” he said.

“Good, then rest soon. Goodnight.” With that, Xu Xingxing returned to her room.

Yawning, she rolled into bed and quickly fell asleep.

Before dawn, her door was knocked. Knowing it was serious business, Xu Xingxing didn’t dawdle. She got up and opened the door to find an unfamiliar woman standing outside. The woman had freckles but gentle eyes. Timidly, she said, “Senior Sister, sorry to disturb you.”

It was Lin Yue.

Or more accurately, Lin Yue in disguise.

Their recent days at the porridge stall had drawn too much attention. To infiltrate the Zhou residence unnoticed, they needed to alter their appearances.

Lin Yue took out tools from her Qiankun pouch and began to apply makeup on Xu Xingxing’s face. Soon, the mirror reflected a rather ordinary-looking girl, save for a hint of heroic spirit between her brows.

Once they had finished their disguises, the two hurried to the slave market in Qingzhou City before the townsfolk had awakened.

By the time the sky brightened, the pair, having dispelled their magical energy, were shivering and red-faced from the cold. Their tattered clothes offered no protection against the chill, and they huddled close, a blade of grass tucked in their hair, seeking whatever warmth they could.

Fortunately, they had arrived early. The market was already teeming with people, some hawking their seven- or eight-year-old children, others standing dazed with a blade of grass in their hair, and still others, gaunt and emaciated, prostrating themselves on the ground, kowtowing to merchants who showed interest in buying.

During the day, Qingzhou’s streets had seemed sparsely populated. When the porridge kitchens distributed food, she had seen the common folk mostly grateful and content, leading her to believe the heavy snowfall hadn’t caused much harm. But now, faced with such widespread misery, she realized how sheltered she had been under the protection of socialism, naively imagining the world to be far kinder than it was.

From time to time, people approached Xu Xingxing to inquire about their price. When she casually named a figure, they would shake their heads and walk away, some even mocking the two as they left.

Xu Xingxing paid them no mind, quietly waiting with Lin Yue for the big fish to appear.

“Make way! Make way!” a harsh voice suddenly shouted, followed by the sound of hooves and carriage wheels.

The crowd around them began to stir. “The Zhou Manor is here! It’s the Zhou Manor!”

An elderly mother nearby whispered to her daughter, “Er Ya, hurry and step forward to show your face. If the Zhou Manor takes you, you won’t have to suffer like this anymore.”

The girl, no more than fourteen or fifteen, nodded blankly.

Xu Xingxing’s heart ached at the sight. She wondered if the other girls before them had also believed a better life awaited them, only to find themselves stepping into the tiger’s den.

The carriage finally came to a halt. A pair of slender hands lifted the curtain, and a strikingly handsome man scanned the surroundings. A girl of about seventeen or eighteen, mustering her courage, rushed forward and prostrated herself beside the carriage. A mocking smile curled the man’s lips as he stepped down, using her back as a footstool.

A servant hastily raised an umbrella to shield the man from the falling snow. Once standing, the man glanced down at the girl who had willingly served as his stepping stool and commanded, “Look up.”

The girl hurriedly lifted her head, but before she could utter a word of flattery, the man’s comment brought tears to her eyes.

“Ugly,” he said dismissively. “Not taking her.”