Queen of Ten Thousand Demons Insists on Marrying Me - Chapter 32

The next day.

Lu Xiaoxiao pushed aside the messy, silvery hair in front of her eyes and realized she was hugging a warm mass in her arms. She instinctively held it tighter, only to hear a soft “Mmm” sound. After a moment of confusion, she instantly awoke.

What is going on? How did I end up sleeping a whole night hugging Dantai Jing?

She felt a shallow, warm breath on her neck, instantly raising a layer of goosebumps.

But… it feels so comfortable.

Lu Xiaoxiao looked down. Dantai Jing was lying in her arms, her mouth slightly ajar, like a lazy kitten. One arm was pressed across Lu Xiaoxiao’s chest, and one of Lu Xiaoxiao’s arms was wrapped under Dantai Jing, resting on her shoulder.

Adding up her past and present lives, Lu Xiaoxiao had never had such an intimate interaction with anyone. Realizing the situation, she immediately tensed her body, not daring to make any extra movement, as it was clearly Dantai Jing’s bed.

After a long while, her mind finally cleared up. Most likely, because it had snowed last night and it was too cold while sleeping, she instinctively burrowed into Dantai Jing’s quilt in a daze, seeking warmth.

Besides, isn’t a White Tiger just a big cat?

This is normal.

It’s normal!

But then she remembered how Dantai Jing used to slap her just for a slight touch, and she became a little deflated. If Dantai Jing were awake, even if Lu Xiaoxiao had the guts of a bear, she wouldn’t dare to do such a thing!

With this thought, she carefully lifted Dantai Jing’s arm and put it back, then slowly tried to retreat backward in an extremely awkward posture.

However, as soon as she moved, she felt the warm, soft jade in her arms hold her even tighter.

A soft, muffled voice whined: “Mmm~ Don’t move. So sleepy.”

Hearing that “don’t move,” Lu Xiaoxiao’s heart melted: How can she be so cute! She’s even more like a big cat!

But, it was hot!

It was too hot!

It might have been fine while sleeping, but now, awake and hugging this big cat, she felt like she was about to be scalded.

Lu Xiaoxiao wanted to go back to sleep, so that when Dantai Jing woke up and realized she was lying in her arms, they could both pretend it hadn’t happened.

But she couldn’t fall asleep at all. Her limbs were stiff, and she didn’t dare to move for fear of waking the person in her arms. She could only remain rigid and observe the beauty in her embrace.

From the eyebrows to the eyes, and from the eyes to the nose, and those naturally pale pink lips, everything was perfectly formed.

After an unknown amount of time, Dantai Jing’s eyelashes fluttered. Lu Xiaoxiao hurriedly withdrew her admiring gaze from the beauty in her arms and pretended to be asleep.

She became nervous. Will Dantai Jing slap me awake again, or viciously pinch my waist like before? She remembered the last time Dantai Jing pinched her, it left a bruise for several days.

But after a long time, she didn’t feel the expected slap. The big cat in her arms seemed to hug her a little tighter. Is she asleep again?

Lu Xiaoxiao didn’t dare to move. After a while, the person in her arms gently got up and left.

???

With a mind full of questions, Lu Xiaoxiao got up to wash herself. Hearing Dantai Jing’s returning footsteps, she quickly tidied her clothes and sat properly by the bed, afraid the other person would pick a fight with her.

“Xiaoxiao, you’re awake? Elder Baili Huang has returned today. After I talk to him about Godmother, we’ll head back to Yaoxia Palace tomorrow. Lu Wanbai should be back by the time we reach Qingzhou City.”

Lu Xiaoxiao placed her hands on her knees: “Y-yes. I’ll listen to you.”

After having breakfast and getting ready, Dantai Jing took Lu Xiaoxiao to an elegant courtyard.

Before seeing the person, they heard a loud, robust voice shout: “Little Jing’er, you’re finally here! I’ve been waiting for you for most of the day.”

Baili Huang was a heroic-looking middle-aged man. Seeing Dantai Jing, he warmly invited the two into the room and proceeded to lavish Dantai Jing with greetings and care.

“This young friend must be Little Jing’er’s friend, Lu Xiaoxiao.”

Lu Xiaoxiao bowed to Baili Huang and replied: “I am Lu Xiaoxiao. Greetings, Elder Baili Huang.”

Baili Huang responded: “No need to be so polite. Come and sit down with Little Jing’er.”

After coming to Gouwu Mountain, she finally met someone who was relatively friendly to her. Lu Xiaoxiao quickly adopted the demeanor of a junior, sat down, and served Baili Huang a cup of tea.

Dantai Jing respectfully said to Baili Huang: “I haven’t seen Elder Baili in a long time. You are still as energetic and vibrant as ever.”

Baili Huang laughed heartily: “Little Jing’er still knows how to tease an old man like me. Luo Mu told me you came back to see me about something. What is it?”

Dantai Jing hesitated for a moment and asked: “Actually, not long ago, I entered the Demon Locking Tower. Although I didn’t see Godmother, I met an old acquaintance, Yan Sihong. She told me that five hundred years ago, Godmother and the current Palace Mistress of Yaoxia Palace, Wan Xuan’er, had an old relationship, which is something I never heard about while at Gouwu Mountain.”

Baili Huang stroked his chin and glanced at Lu Xiaoxiao.

Dantai Jing understood his meaning and replied: “Xiaoxiao is my friend, Elder Baili can speak freely. When I entered the Demon Locking Tower, it was thanks to Xiaoxiao’s help that I was able to escape.”

Lu Xiaoxiao felt a bit awkward. As an outsider, coming to listen to the old stories of the Demon Queen, especially those involving romance, was a bit inappropriate. Baili Huang’s expression clearly suggested he wanted to dismiss her.

Baili Huang withdrew his gaze and said: “It is true. Five hundred years ago, when Fu Zhao descended the mountain, she did spend a few years cultivating with Wan Xuan’er of Yaoxia Palace. The two became instant friends and were very congenial. There were indeed rumors… that Fu Zhao intended to pledge herself to Wan Xuan’er. But this was baseless nonsense. Fu Zhao was merely acting on a whim. After all, Fu Zhao’s parents and Wan Xuan’er’s parents were mortal enemies. However, shortly after the rumors spread, the elders on both sides started a major battle, and ultimately all four perished in the Abyss of the Dead Souls.”

After saying this, he looked at Lu Xiaoxiao again: “After all, humans and demons are fundamentally different. How can a relationship between them have a good outcome? Fu Zhao understood this principle too.”

Lu Xiaoxiao felt incredibly frustrated. So, this old man was just putting on airs; deep down, he still looked down on her.

She couldn’t help but retort: “If two people genuinely like each other, why can’t they be together? Those are all just grand principles imposed by the mundane world. If they truly love each other, what can’t they overcome? To put it bluntly, it’s just not enough love. If they truly cared, couldn’t they just find a place to hide and live their own small lives? Ignore the outside world, eat and drink as they please, and stop worrying so much.”

Baili Huang reprimanded: “Naïve! The ones who would block you are both the human and demon races. Humans and demons have been enemies for thousands of years. How could they allow you to become traitors to your own race! Take Little Jing’er’s parents, and Wan Xuan’er and Fu Zhao, weren’t their parents all killed because of this?!”

Hearing this, Dantai Jing’s eyes dimmed somewhat. Baili Huang also realized he had said too much and fell silent.

Lu Xiaoxiao: “That’s just an isolated incident. Maybe there are couples—human and demon—who are living in seclusion somewhere. If you ask me, the people from all races just interfere too much, insisting on getting involved, which leads to unhappy endings.”

Baili Huang: “Talking to a deaf ear. Little Jing’er, you must learn from your parents’ lesson and never follow in their footsteps.”

Unsurprisingly, Lu Xiaoxiao was kicked out. She was bored outside Baili Huang’s courtyard, kicking stones and silently cursing the stubborn old man. After a long while, Dantai Jing finally emerged, looking downcast.

Lu Xiaoxiao kicked a stone and rushed up to her: “Dantai Jing, are you alright? Did that grumpy old man say anything to you?”

As soon as she finished speaking, she heard an angry snort from inside.

“Do not be rude to Elder Baili!”

Lu Xiaoxiao stuck out her tongue and said: “Fine, I know. He didn’t say anything to you, did he?”

The two walked side by side toward Dantai Jing’s courtyard.

After walking for a long time, Dantai Jing finally spoke: “Elder Baili didn’t say anything to me, but Godmother and Wan Xuan’er really did have something going on. They eloped, but Godmother’s parents discovered them and arranged to meet Wan Xuan’er’s parents for a decisive battle at the Abyss of the Dead Souls. Later, something happened in the Abyss of the Dead Souls, and all four of them failed to return. Wan Xuan’er also broke ties with Godmother. Godmother, unable to defeat Wan Xuan’er and the Demon Locking Tower, fled back to Gouwu Mountain, but ultimately, she was still defeated by Wan Xuan’er and imprisoned in the Demon Locking Tower.”

Lu Xiaoxiao sighed with emotion. She never expected the relationship between these two to be so dramatic and full of setbacks.

“Then Aunt Wan didn’t kill your Godmother, so maybe there’s still affection there. But if there is affection, how did Wan Qingyi come about?”

“It’s not that she didn’t want to kill her, but Godmother was on the verge of breaking through to the Great Vehicle stage at the time. Wan Xuan’er, without the Demon Locking Tower, might not have been able to defeat Godmother. Also, didn’t you know that Wan Qingyi was adopted by Wan Xuan’er?”

Lu Xiaoxiao awkwardly touched her nose: “So that’s what happened. I really didn’t know that.”

The two walked in silence for a long distance before Dantai Jing spoke slowly again: “Do you really think that a relationship between a human and a demon doesn’t go against the laws of nature?”

Unlike her debate with Baili Huang earlier, Lu Xiaoxiao suddenly felt a little panicked, as if answering this question incorrectly would mean losing something, though she wasn’t quite sure what it was.

“Of course. Everything in existence has a reason for its growth and development. Since it exists, there must be a rationale for it. Moreover, a relationship between two people is just between those two people. They aren’t stealing, robbing, or committing murder and arson, so why should so many unrelated people interfere? Even parents and elders should respect their children’s wishes. Anyway, I think that as long as two people feel happy when they are together and sad when they are apart, they shouldn’t overthink things. Don’t seek forever, just cherish the present moment.”

Dantai Jing turned to look at Lu Xiaoxiao again, biting her lip: “Then would you?”

“What? What about me?”

Dantai Jing quickly walked forward: “Nothing.”

“Hey, don’t walk so fast! Since we’re leaving tomorrow, what delicious food are you going to make for me tonight?”

“You’re making it tonight. I’m tired.”

Thinking that Dantai Jing might still feel wronged after the meeting with Baili Huang, Lu Xiaoxiao hurried to catch up and hooked her arm around Dantai Jing’s: “Alright, then tell me what you want to eat. Since leaving the Demon Locking Tower, this great chef hasn’t had a chance to show off her skills. You’re lucky tonight.”

Seeing the frown that had creased Dantai Jing’s brow for the entire walk finally soften, Lu Xiaoxiao felt the unhappiness in her own heart instantly vanish.

The next day, the two faced the morning sun and were surrounded by many demons of Gouwu Mountain as they descended.

Luo Mu clung to Dantai Jing’s arm, reluctantly saying: “Little Jing’er, just let me go with you. One more demon means more help. After all, I’m stronger than the person next to you, right?”

“No, you don’t have an Evasion Pearl, and you’re not a half-demon. You can’t conceal your demonic aura at all.”

Luo Mu whined playfully: “I have an Evasion Pearl now. I’ve been looking for one ever since you left last time, and I finally found one.”

“That still won’t do. Don’t you know what Yaoxia Palace is like? It’s too dangerous.”

“Exactly! Stop causing trouble. Stay here and focus on your cultivation in Gouwu Mountain.”

“That’s right, that’s right. With your temper, you’ll only cause trouble for Little Jing’er if you go.”

“Little Jing’er, you must take care of yourself out there. Even if you can’t rescue Fu Zhao, don’t put yourself in danger.”

“If you encounter danger, hurry back to Gouwu Mountain, or find a demon to notify us to rescue you. Don’t shoulder it all alone.”

Lu Xiaoxiao stood nearby, watching the large and small demons surround Dantai Jing with concern. Suddenly, a child with rabbit ears walked over and tugged on her dress.

“Sister, you’re Sister Jing’s human friend, right?”

Lu Xiaoxiao crouched down and affectionately stroked the little rabbit demon’s ears: “That’s right. I’m one of her best friends. What can I do for you, little rabbit?”

“Sister, my name is Gan Lian, not ‘little rabbit.’ Can you promise to take good care of Sister Jing for me? Mother says she’s very dangerous when she’s alone outside.”

“Then can you tell me how old you are, and how old your Sister Jing is now?” Lu Xiaoxiao asked, pinching Gan Lian’s cheek.

Gan Lian replied in a soft, sweet voice: “I’m sixty-eight years old this year, and Sister Jing is two hundred and thirty years old.”

Lu Xiaoxiao hadn’t expected this little dumpling to be sixty-eight years old, and she certainly hadn’t expected Dantai Jing to be two hundred and thirty. The leftover change of Dantai Jing’s age was bigger than hers. No wonder she was always reluctant to state her age.

Lu Xiaoxiao looked Gan Lian in the eyes and promised: “Alright, I promise you. I will protect your Sister Jing very, very carefully.”

No sooner had she spoken than Dantai Jing asked: “What are you and Gan Lian talking about? We need to set off.”

“Nothing. She told you to be nicer to me in the future, saying you love to bully people the most.”

Dantai Jing rubbed Gan Lian’s long ears and replied: “Nonsense. Gan Lian wouldn’t say that about me.”

Finally, before noon, they bid farewell to the demons and flew away on their swords, following the path they had taken to arrive.

“I should have eaten lunch before setting off, knowing you’d chat for so long.”

“Lu Wanbai is waiting for you in Qingzhou City, you ungrateful thing.”

After nearly half a month, the three finally reunited. As Lu Xiaoxiao expected, Lu Wanbai had not found any clues. After a brief rest, they all embarked on the journey back to Yaoxia Palace together.