Queen of Ten Thousand Demons Insists on Marrying Me - Chapter 30

In the slightly antiquated inn, the two sat quietly facing each other, separated by a scarred wooden table. Upon it, a faint candlelight flickered precariously in the night.

Though the candlelight was weak, it was enough to project the silhouettes of the two women onto the mottled clay wall. The shadows stretched, shortened, and twisted with the dancing flame.

Lu Xiaoxiao asked suspiciously: “Why do you suddenly need to go back to Gouwu Mountain? Aren’t you going to find a way to save your godmother anymore?”

“It is precisely because I need to save my godmother that I must return to Gouwu Mountain. Before Yan Sihong died, she said that my godmother had an extraordinary relationship with Wan Xuan’er in the past. But I personally saw Wan Xuan’er capture my godmother. I have a feeling there are things I don’t know. Regardless of whether Yan Sihong was telling the truth or not, I have to go back to Gouwu Mountain to verify it.” There was a hint of anticipation in Dantai Jing’s eyes that she hadn’t even noticed herself.

“But I still have to stay here with Senior Sister to look for my mother.”

Dantai Jing slowly said: “Actually, you must be aware of it too, right? If Lu Mingyu wanted to see you, why did she lead us to Yangling East Mountain that night? Once we entered Yangling East Mountain, both of us—Lu Wanbai aside—faced significant dangers. Although I subsequently gained a separate opportunity, this whole incident, however you look at it, was disadvantageous to you and Lu Wanbai, wasn’t it? So, do you really believe that was Lu Mingyu?”

Lu Xiaoxiao was hesitant. How could she not know that this “Lu Mingyu” was extremely likely trying to harm Lu Wanbai and her? She hadn’t expected Dantai Jing to pursue them to Yangling East Mountain and save her. Yet, if that was the case, how could Lu Wanbai, who stayed outside, have been safe while waiting for them to emerge?

The thought gave her another headache, so she decided to stop thinking about it. They would deal with problems as they arose.

“Then if I go to Gouwu Mountain with you, will you protect me? Wouldn’t a human entering Gouwu Mountain be like a lamb entering a tiger’s den?”

The corner of Dantai Jing’s mouth subconsciously curved up: “Of course. Once we enter Gouwu Mountain, that’s my territory. Protecting you is a small matter. When the time comes, I’ll take you to the peak of Gouwu Mountain, and you’ll see if the scenery there is more beautiful than the minor world in the Demon Locking Tower.” She added: “And it won’t be nearly as dangerous.”

Lu Xiaoxiao finally broke into a smile: “Great! Then I’ll go with you. To be honest, I’m a little curious about the place where you grew up.”

Two days later, the two found an excuse to split up with Lu Wanbai to investigate Lu Mingyu, and they embarked on the journey toward Gouwu Mountain.

Deep within the Hundred Thousand Mountains, along a winding mountain path, two women were walking side by side.

One woman had hair like a cascading silver river, shimmering with a faint luster, and a flame-like red mark adorned her brow. The other woman was tall and well-proportioned, her steps revealing an undeniable heroic spirit, a subtle boldness in her expression. A small, exquisite tiger fang dangled from the end of her hair, swaying gently with her gait.

Occasionally, a few minor demons, yet to take human form, would dart out from the roadside grass or behind rocks. Upon seeing the two, they would stop by the road, their bodies trembling slightly, as if intimidated by some unseen power. It wasn’t until the two figures slowly moved away and completely disappeared at the end of the path that they dared to carefully get up.

Lu Xiaoxiao was energetic and walked backward in front of Dantai Jing, playing with the tiger fang in her hair. She excitedly said: “Dantai Jing, I really love this gift. Wearing it into the Demon Beast Mountain Range is totally cool! Hey, if I run into that Flame Dragon Tiger I saw the first time, do you think it’ll be scared and turn tail and run?”

Dantai Jing said without hesitation: “Naturally. A mere Flame Dragon Tiger has a low bloodline. The next time it sees you, it might even have to tuck its tail and rub its head against you to curry favor.”

“That powerful? Then I must take good care of it.”

As the two were chatting happily, Lu Xiaoxiao suddenly felt a gust of palm wind from behind her. The palm wind was fierce, carrying a formidable force. Before she could react, Dantai Jing pulled her behind her and, at the same time, subtly turned her body, skillfully meeting the palm strike head-on.

Dantai Jing’s body swayed but quickly stabilized, while the other person was pushed back seven or eight steps.

Finally, after another clash of strength, both retracted their palms simultaneously, retreating a few steps before standing firmly.

Dantai Jing spoke first, her voice carrying an undisguised joy: “Luo Mu, how is it you? I haven’t seen you in years, and your cultivation has advanced significantly!”

Luo Mu stepped forward, circling Dantai Jing to examine her, and simultaneously pushed away Lu Xiaoxiao, who was clinging to Dantai Jing.

“I didn’t expect you to have time to cultivate after being an undercover agent at Yaoxia Palace for so many years. I still can’t catch up to you now.”

Dantai Jing smiled without speaking. She pulled back Lu Xiaoxiao, who had just been pushed away: “Xiaoxiao, this is my good friend Luo Mu. We grew up together.”

Lu Xiaoxiao scrutinized the woman named Luo Mu. The woman wore a sheer white dress. She appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six, and except for her black hair, she was all white.

“Miss Luo Mu, I am Lu Xiaoxiao, Dantai Jing’s friend.”

Luo Mu merely glanced at her, then turned her attention back to Dantai Jing: “Little Jing’er, why did you bring a human back? And your friend? I thought you brought me lunch.”

Dantai Jing had finally brought Lu Xiaoxiao back to Gouwu Mountain and was afraid Lu Xiaoxiao would misunderstand. She told Luo Mu: “Don’t talk nonsense and scare my friend. When have you ever eaten a human?”

Luo Mu had intended to tease Lu Xiaoxiao. Seeing Dantai Jing protect the person so fiercely, she sounded a bit annoyed: “Don’t forget why you insisted on going to Yaoxia Palace in the first place. Why are you bringing a human back now? Aren’t you afraid of exposing the route into Gouwu Mountain and inviting that old hag Wan from Yaoxia Palace to attack?”

Hearing her words, Dantai Jing’s mood soured. She said: “Xiaoxiao won’t do that.”

Lu Xiaoxiao already felt indifferent toward demons other than Dantai Jing. Finding Luo Mu’s words utterly unpleasant, she frowned and retorted: “Can you even talk properly, demon? You have no emotional intelligence. I wouldn’t do such a thing.”

Luo Mu scoffed: “No human is good. They are all cunning and vicious. Little Jing, don’t let this person deceive you.”

“Both of you stop arguing! Let’s get back to Gouwu Mountain first.” Afraid the two would escalate the argument, Dantai Jing quickly reprimanded Luo Mu.

Lu Xiaoxiao followed behind, feeling wronged. She hadn’t done anything, yet Dantai Jing had shouted at her. She couldn’t help but wonder if Dantai Jing trusted her only because of the Love Gu placed on her, or if she truly trusted her.

Feeling irritated, she picked up a foxtail grass and whipped the roadside grass as she followed. Watching the two ahead chatting enthusiastically, and Luo Mu occasionally turning back to give her a provocative look, her irritation only grew.

Dantai Jing was truly awful. She had been so nice to her before, but as soon as they entered Gouwu Mountain, she ignored her, only caring about her friend. I’m clearly the guest here! She finally concluded that Lu Wanbai was better. I will never abandon Lu Wanbai again.

Just as she was thinking, I’ll never cook for Dantai Jing again, nor buy her candied hawthorns, the foxtail grass vanished from her hand, falling into a warm palm.

She looked up. The two were still chatting casually, but her hand was now tightly grasped by Dantai Jing, who also gave it a little squeeze.

The heaviness in her heart instantly dissipated. All the negative thoughts she just had vanished into the clouds.

It must be that this Luo Mu is shamelessly clinging to Dantai Jing, and Dantai Jing, being a refined person, has no choice but to humor her. After all, Dantai Jing used to say that the demons in Gouwu Mountain were mean to her, and perhaps she was bullied by this person when she was little.

Luo Mu looked at Dantai Jing and Lu Xiaoxiao’s clasped hands, her eyes dimming slightly.

The three continued the journey, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, and finally arrived at the Moon-Shading Hall of Gouwu Mountain.

As soon as they entered the hall, a crowd surged around Dantai Jing, showering her with greetings and concerns, as if a princess who had been abducted by an evil dragon had finally returned home.

Lu Xiaoxiao, squeezed next to a pillar, now felt like she was the evil dragon who had abducted the princess.

“Little Jing’er, you’ve finally come home. Did you eat and sleep well outside?”

“Sister Jing’er, can you please not leave this time? Chen’er missed you so much.”

“Little Jing’er has her own matters to attend to, don’t bother her. Little Jing’er, please stay longer this time. We all missed you very much.”

Lu Xiaoxiao thought: This is what she meant by having no one to play with? This is being the center of attention!

She didn’t know how long passed, and Lu Xiaoxiao felt like she was about to fall asleep before the crowd gradually dispersed. Dantai Jing pulled her into a place that looked like her sleeping quarters.

The room was clean and tidy, suggesting it was often swept by someone.

Lu Xiaoxiao sat mournfully at the table: “Didn’t you tell me that the demons in Gouwu Mountain were all mean to you and that no one played with you?”

The smile had not yet faded from Dantai Jing’s face as she poured Lu Xiaoxiao a cup of tea: “Let’s not bring up the past anymore. Didn’t I apologize to you? We weren’t familiar with each other then, and I didn’t want to talk too much about my own affairs.”

A sip of hot tea warmed her, dispelling much of her gloom. Lu Xiaoxiao felt very pathetic, wondering why she was so easily placated.

“You gave me a gift, but I don’t recall an apology.”

Dantai Jing’s eyes brightened: “Then, should I apologize to you now?”

“How about this? Give me the antidote. You should know I won’t betray you. Every time I think about having that Gu on me, I feel uncomfortable all over.”

Dantai Jing’s eyes dimmed, and she poured Lu Xiaoxiao another cup of tea: “I’m sorry…”

“When I rescue my godmother, I will give you the antidote immediately. At that time, whatever you want, I will try my best to compensate you. I’ve been in Yaoxia Palace for ten years; I cannot fail now.” She added: “I’m not saying I don’t trust you, it’s just… there’s always the possibility of accidents.”

“Because humans and demons are fundamentally different, right?”

Lu Xiaoxiao stared at the swirling tea leaves in the cup, avoiding Dantai Jing’s eyes.

“Regarding the Mei Yuanhua incident last time, I suspect someone knows my identity. If, one day, someone threatens Lu Wanbai’s life to force you to reveal my identity, would you… would you tell them?”

Lu Xiaoxiao felt the air solidify.

She considered it. Based on her guess, the people who sought to harm Dantai Jing last time were from the Demon Race and the Demon Clan that was opposed to Gouwu Mountain. In this situation, if she didn’t betray Dantai Jing, Lu Wanbai would certainly die. However, if she did betray Dantai Jing, given Dantai Jing’s cultivation level, she could definitely escape, but she would never be able to get close to the Demon Locking Tower again.

Both of them seemed to know the answer. In that instant, Lu Xiaoxiao deeply regretted asking Dantai Jing for the antidote just moments ago.

Deeply regretted it…