Queen of Ten Thousand Demons Insists on Marrying Me - Chapter 37

Early in the morning, sunlight streamed through the clouds, bathing the mountain in brightness.

Elder Ban Cheng led the disciples, along with Lu Xiaoxiao and the two others, toward the Yaoxia Palace’s Teleportation Array. As the group drew closer, the structure of the array became increasingly clear. On the ground of the array, a gigantic circular pattern was composed of countless tiny runes and lines, the glowing symbols slowly revolving like a configuration of stars.

A Yaoxia Palace disciple was already waiting for them here. She bowed slightly and said, “Elder Ban, please wait a moment. I will activate the Teleportation Array for you all now.”

Ban Cheng nodded slightly: “Thank you for your effort.”

Everyone stepped into the Teleportation Array together. Lu Xiaoxiao curiously watched the runes on the disc under her feet: This thing can actually transport people thousands of miles away in a single go?

After the array-guarding disciple placed several Spirit Stones into the array’s eye, Lu Xiaoxiao saw countless runes and lines slowly light up from the outside in. Before dizziness completely overtook her, she felt someone steady her with a supporting arm. When she opened her eyes again, the scenery before her had changed. They had clearly arrived at the large Teleportation Array outside Dongchang City.

The disciples who had never used a Teleportation Array before tumbled to the ground in a large heap. Those who had used it before seemed to have anticipated this scene, laughing at those who had fallen while reaching out to pull them up.

Lu Xiaoxiao also felt dizzy for a while. Only after recovering did she realize that Tantai Jing had been supporting her since before the teleportation.

Blushing, she withdrew her hand and thanked her: “Thank you. I’m lucky I had you, or I would definitely have fallen just like them.”

Although Tantai Jing did not lose her temper, her face remained cold, suggesting that the previous slip of the tongue had not yet been forgiven, which Lu Xiaoxiao found even more frightening.

This Teleportation Array was located in the suburbs of Dongchang City and belonged to the City Lord of Dongchang. It was the largest array within a thousand-mile radius and the one closest to the Demonic Beast Mountain Range. Therefore, the security here was extremely tight, and cultivators near Dongchang City all came here to use the array.

A flight ban was enforced within Dongchang City. Ban Cheng walked out of the Teleportation Array, exchanged pleasantries with the array-guarding Elder, and then led the group toward the inner city.

Dongchang City was divided into an Outer City, where ordinary citizens mostly lived, and an Inner City, where cultivators mostly resided.

The array-guarding Elder watched Ban Cheng lead the group away, then immediately sent out a transmission talisman that flew toward the City Lord’s Mansion.

“Xiaoxiao, how did you anger Tantai Jing? I feel like there’s something off between you two,” Lu Wanbai nudged Lu Xiaoxiao’s arm and whispered.

Lu Xiaoxiao scratched her head: “It’s entirely my fault. I’ll figure out a way to fix it. Don’t worry.”

Lu Wanbai gestured with her chin toward Zhang San and Li Si, who were crowding around Tantai Jing: “I’m not worried. You should be the one worrying. These two Senior Brothers have been hovering around Tantai Jing, asking after her, since they stepped out of the array.”

“This won’t do. If they manage to cheer her up, what chance will I have left?”

Thinking this, Lu Xiaoxiao clenched her fist and walked forward. As she got close to Tantai Jing, she pretended to stumble, bumping Zhang San away from Tantai Jing’s side. She nearly lost control of her strength and almost genuinely fell, but fortunately, Tantai Jing raised her arm and steadied her, saving her from embarrassment.

Lu Xiaoxiao took the opportunity to squeeze to Tantai Jing’s right side: “Hehe, thanks again for steadying me. How about I treat you to something delicious once we enter the city? You can pick any restaurant you want.”

Tantai Jing withdrew her arm and said flatly, “It was nothing.”

Zhang San: “Hey, it’s you again. You can’t even walk straight. Be careful not to bump Junior Sister Tantai.”

“Oh, I’m truly sorry, Senior Brother. I’m so thankful you steadied me just now, or I really would have fallen. I hope you, as the elder, can forgive this junior sister and not be angry,” Lu Xiaoxiao quickly cut him off with an apology when she saw Zhang San about to give her a hard time.

Zhang San glanced at her and waved his hand: “Forget it, forget it. Just be careful when you walk in the future.” He then put on a smiling face toward Tantai Jing: “I hope Junior Sister Tantai can keep the appointment when the time comes. I won’t bother you any longer.” With that, he pulled Li Si away with him.

Lu Xiaoxiao’s heart was gripped by curiosity. What appointment? What kind of appointment could those two have with Tantai Jing?

“What did they need you for? Do you need my help?”

“Nothing.”

The silent treatment! This is absolutely the silent treatment!

After a moment, she cautiously asked, “What happened last time was all my fault. I’ll let you punish or discipline me however you see fit.”

Tantai Jing didn’t answer her, her eyes fixed on the group behind the crowd. Lu Xiaoxiao followed her gaze.

She saw a team of people riding adult Purple Cloud Wolves galloping from the direction of the gate in the distance.

These Purple Cloud Wolves stood taller than a person, their fur shimmering with a faint purple sheen in the sun. Leading them was a woman dressed in gorgeous purple clothes. Her robes seemed to be made of top-grade silk, glowing with color and fluttering lightly in the wind, adding a touch of elegance. Her features were refined, her face exquisite as a painting, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, carrying an air of inviolable arrogance.

The people queuing at the city gate quickly moved to both sides to make way. Tantai Jing frowned. This person must be Princess Youlan Dong Qinglan of Dongchang City, but she didn’t expect her conduct to be so overbearing.

Before the group reached the city gate, a guard shouted, “Princess Youlan arrives! Get out of the way, you common folk!” Yet the speed of the Purple Cloud Wolves beneath them did not decrease at all, charging toward the city gate as if anyone who didn’t move would deserve to be trampled to death.

Lu Xiaoxiao saw Ban Cheng’s face turn extremely ugly. When had a Great Protector Elder of Yaoxia Palace ever suffered such humiliation? Ban Cheng stood still, still in front of the Yaoxia Palace group. The guard, accustomed to his bully-pulpit behavior, boldly decided to trample forward, confident that no one in Dongchang City would dare to offend Princess Youlan.

Right up to the city gate, seeing Ban Cheng blocking the front of the crowd, the guard fiercely prepared to ride over him. The spectators, unaware of the situation, thought that this ignorant middle-aged man, Ban Cheng, was about to lose his life under the Purple Cloud Wolf’s hooves.

Unexpectedly, at this critical juncture, Ban Cheng simply lifted his right foot and stamped it onto the ground. This stamp looked ordinary, but it contained immense power. In an instant, a burst of energy, too fast for the eye to catch, erupted from the sole of his foot.

The guard, who had been charging so menacingly on the back of the Purple Cloud Wolf, suddenly felt as if he had been struck by an invisible giant hammer. He and his beast were violently thrown backward. Then, with a loud “bang,” the guard and the Purple Cloud Wolf crashed heavily to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The group of guards immediately following them was caught off guard and hit by the sudden shockwave. They stumbled backward, some even being knocked directly to the ground. In the ensuing chaos, people were sprawled over their mounts, weapons scattered everywhere, and the scene descended into complete disorder.

After the dust settled, Ban Cheng still stood in place, his clothes unruffled, his eyes cold and sharp.

Amidst the terrified howls of the startled Purple Cloud Wolves, Princess Youlan, riding a larger, more imposing Purple Cloud Wolf, slowly emerged.

She first scanned the people at the city gate, and seeing their Yaoxia Palace robes, she dismounted and walked up to Ban Cheng.

Princess Youlan curtsied slightly, performing a ceremonial greeting unique to Dongchang City toward Ban Cheng: “I have long heard of Elder Ban Cheng of Yaoxia Palace. Your reputation precedes you. To meet you today is a rare honor, and sure enough, Elder Ban’s impressive demeanor is truly admirable.”

Upon hearing this, Ban Cheng’s eyes flickered slightly, seemingly surprised by Princess Youlan’s words.

“This Ban has also heard that Princess Youlan of Dongchang City is both talented and virtuous, a woman of noble character, and a rare wise daughter in the world. Yet, seeing you today, I feel you are far removed from the rumors.”

Lu Xiaoxiao had expected Princess Youlan, with her previous arrogant temper, to curse Ban Cheng roundly.

To her surprise, Princess Youlan’s expression did not change. She gently raised her hand and brushed a strand of hair that had fallen near her ear, saying, “The stories you have heard are merely rumors circulated by the world. This Qinglan is but an ordinary woman; how dare I accept such high praise? I am truly humbled and undeserving.”

With that, she looked at the crowd and scanned them: “Elder Ban has traveled a long way. May I ask what brings you to Dongchang City this time? If it is convenient, perhaps you could share a few words. To have the opportunity to meet all of you here today is truly my good fortune. There’s no time like the present. I take the liberty of inviting all you esteemed Elders and disciples to visit my City Lord’s Mansion as guests today. It would allow this humble woman to fulfill the duties of a host and express my sincerity.”

“This trip to Dongchang City is only to handle some minor palace affairs. Once our business is concluded, we will certainly pay you a visit. Secondly, we heard that Princess Youlan is getting married around the middle of next month. Although Yaoxia Palace did not receive an invitation, we came uninvited to offer our congratulations, wishing you a perfect match and a harmonious future,” Ban Cheng said. Seeing her change in attitude, he found it difficult to press the matter further, lest it make the people of Yaoxia Palace appear petty.

Dong Qinglan, who had been smiling continuously, instantly froze when she heard Ban Cheng congratulate her on “a harmonious future.” She forced a few polite words to Ban Cheng and then turned to walk back toward her Purple Cloud Wolf.

However, as she passed Lu Xiaoxiao, her steps slowed, and her gaze lingered on her for a few moments.

Tantai Jing noticed her gaze and subtly moved half a step, blocking Dong Qinglan’s line of sight.

After the group checked into an inn, they discovered that Wan Qingyi had also snuck out with the disciples. Unsurprisingly, after receiving a scolding from Ban Cheng, she was allowed to stay.

This time, Lu Xiaoxiao learned her lesson and coaxed Tantai Jing into touring all of Dongchang City. Although she was still pressing a hot face against a cold behind, at least she was allowed to press it, right?

“Tantai Jing, try this candied hawthorn. This one is perfectly balanced in terms of sweet and sour,” Lu Xiaoxiao said solicitously, offering another candied hawthorn to Tantai Jing. Tantai Jing took it, tasted a bite without expression, and offered no comment.

Wan Qingyi: “You’re exaggerating, Lu Xiaoxiao. Candied hawthorn is either sour or sweet. What do you mean by ‘perfectly balanced in terms of sweet and sour’?”

Lu Xiaoxiao’s expression stiffened: “Just eat yours. What do you know? Say one more word, and I’ll tell Aunt Wan to keep a tighter watch on you in the future.”

Wan Qingyi was annoyed: “Lu Wanbai, look at her. Can you control your Junior Sister? Why does she always pick fights with me? It’s so hard for me to get out. Last time, all I did was travel or stay by my mother’s side; I didn’t get to enjoy anything.”

Lu Wanbai was caught between them: “Actually, if you don’t like Xiaoxiao, you don’t have to come out with us. Besides, didn’t you and Xiaoxiao tour Qingzhou City for a whole night?”

Unexpectedly, Wan Qingyi’s eyes turned red, and she stomped her foot before running away, leaving the three standing there staring at each other.

Lu Xiaoxiao pushed Lu Wanbai: “What a spoiled brat. She can’t handle that? Hurry up and go after her. If anything happens to her, Elder Ban will be looking for you to ‘exchange pointers.'”

Watching Lu Wanbai chase after Wan Qingyi, Lu Xiaoxiao finally felt relieved and turned to ask, “Should we go browse the markets now? Maybe check out the acrobatics or the plays?”

“No need. I’m a bit tired. Let’s go back,” Tantai Jing said. In truth, after all these days, Tantai Jing’s anger had already subsided by half.

Lu Xiaoxiao groveled: “Okay! Then let’s head straight back to the inn.”

On the way back, Tantai Jing softly said, “There won’t be a next time.”

Lu Xiaoxiao raised her hand and swore: “I swear by the Chaoyuan Sword, there will absolutely not be a next time.”

“It’s your own business; why are you swearing by the Chaoyuan Sword?”

“If there’s ever a next time, let the Chaoyuan Sword pierce my heart with ten thousand blades!”

“Alright, stop talking nonsense.”

Lu Xiaoxiao peeked at her: “Then you’re really not angry anymore?”

“Really…”

Night fell, and all sounds of the world were hushed, with only the occasional cry of a night bird from afar breaking the quiet darkness.

A shadow quietly appeared in the room’s darkness, silently approaching Lu Xiaoxiao’s room. He slowly raised a stored cylinder and aimed it at the crack in the door. As the smoke spread, Lu Xiaoxiao in the room collapsed onto the table. The masked figure pushed the door open, picked up Lu Xiaoxiao, and quietly left the inn, flying toward the center of the city.

“Xiaoxiao, we’re back! We brought you a roasted duck. Want a bite before you sleep?” Wan Qingyi and Lu Wanbai approached Lu Xiaoxiao’s door. The door swung open when they gently knocked.

“Why didn’t she lock the door?” Lu Wanbai walked over to the bed and found the room empty.

Wan Qingyi pouted: “She’s probably still clinging to Tantai Jing.”

The two then carried the roasted duck to Tantai Jing’s room, but only Tantai Jing was in the room reading a book. Wan Qingyi looked around the room but couldn’t find the person they were looking for.

“Did she go out for a walk by herself?” Wan Qingyi wondered.

Tantai Jing did not stop flipping the pages: “No. She loves excitement. If she wanted to go out, she would have come looking for you two long ago.” Then, as if she had a premonition, she suddenly looked up, got up, and walked toward Lu Xiaoxiao’s room.

She first circled the room, then sniffed the air. Her expression instantly turned cold: “Quick, go get Elder Ban. The smell of knockout smoke in Lu Xiaoxiao’s room hasn’t completely dissipated, and someone else’s scent, not one of our Yaoxia Palace people, has been here.”

Hearing this, Lu Wanbai immediately rushed out the door to find Ban Cheng.

Wan Qingyi fanned her hand in front of her nose: “I did smell a medicinal fragrance when I came in, so it was a knockout drug. But I didn’t smell anyone else. Tantai Jing, your nose is too sensitive.”

Tantai Jing was in no mood to chat with her. The thought of Princess Youlan’s ambiguous smile when she passed Lu Xiaoxiao earlier flashed through her mind.

Just then, Ban Cheng entered the room. The scent of the knockout drug was naturally not unfamiliar to a seasoned veteran like him.

He and Tantai Jing exchanged a look and spoke at the same time.

“Princess Youlan!”

“The City Lord’s Mansion?”

Ban Cheng asked, “Why do you think it’s Princess Youlan?”

Tantai Jing replied: “We have just arrived. Lu Xiaoxiao hasn’t made any enemies recently, and she only met Princess Youlan today. Secondly, who else in Dongchang City would dare to openly attack someone from Yaoxia Palace besides the City Lord’s Mansion?”

“Indeed. I am somewhat familiar with the scent of this drug. It’s the same scent I smelled and was affected by during my early years of training in Dongchang City. This incense makes people weak and prevents them from exerting even a trace of spiritual power for two hours,” Ban Cheng said, looking at Tantai Jing.

Wan Qingyi stamped her foot anxiously: “Oh, Elder Ban, stop analyzing! Let’s hurry up and leave! If anything happens, we’ll be too late by the time we arrive.”

Ban Cheng gave an awkward smile: “Qingyi is right. Let’s go to the City Lord’s Mansion right now.”

The group set off imposingly toward the City Lord’s Mansion.

At this moment, it was nearly midnight. Amidst the silence of the night, the back courtyard of the City Lord’s Mansion was as bright as day, illuminated by brilliant lights.

The towering vermilion city walls looked even more solemn in the night. In the center of the courtyard, a magnificent pavilion soared up, with upturned eaves and carved beams and painted pillars. Auspicious patterns like ‘Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Prosperity’ and ‘Kylin Presenting Auspiciousness’ were carved onto every pillar, their colors vibrant and lifelike.

In the center of the room, a large carved wooden bed was placed. The bed frame was exquisitely crafted from top-grade rosewood, with delicate dragon and phoenix totems carved around the frame, each stroke vibrant and realistic. On the bed, soft silk brocade quilts were laid, embroidered with complex cloud and water patterns, smooth as satin to the touch.

Lu Xiaoxiao slowly woke up on the chaise lounge in the corner of the room. She propped up her heavy body and rubbed her throbbing head.

She looked around. The furnishings and decorations in this room were definitely not what ordinary people could use. From the carved dome on the ceiling to the exquisite carpet on the floor, the delicate embroidery on the curtains, and even the incense burner, which was burning high-quality ambergris.

Dong Qinglan was sitting gracefully by the Huanghuali wood tea table, sipping tea. Watching Lu Xiaoxiao wake up, she said languidly, “You’re finally awake.”

Lu Xiaoxiao looked at the person in front of her, confused: “Princess Youlan?”

Dong Qinglan came over gracefully and offered Lu Xiaoxiao a cup of tea: “I wonder if Young Sect Master Lu slept well?”

Lu Xiaoxiao shook her head, trying to recall how she had arrived at the City Lord’s Mansion, and finally asked, “Did you send people to kidnap me?”

“It was an ‘invitation’!”

Lu Xiaoxiao pushed away Dong Qinglan’s hand and walked toward the door, pushing it hard, but it didn’t budge. She immediately turned back, grabbed Dong Qinglan’s teacup, and drank it: “Then why didn’t I receive the Princess’s invitation?”

The two sat on the lounge chair, and Dong Qinglan was not annoyed. She leaned in toward Lu Xiaoxiao: “I assumed that even without an invitation, Young Sect Master Lu wouldn’t refuse me.”

Lu Xiaoxiao was startled by this action. She scrambled off the chair and backed away from Dong Qinglan, then asked, “Princess Youlan, why don’t we just be frank? Tell me clearly what you need me to do, and I will try my best to satisfy you.”

The woman chuckled, stood up, and took two steps toward Lu Xiaoxiao. Seeing her approach, Lu Xiaoxiao retreated two steps further.

“This Princess has long admired the demeanor of the Xuantian Sword Sect’s Young Sect Master. Seeing you today, you are indeed a beauty. So, I invited the Young Sect Master here to discuss matters of romance. How can you speak of schemes?” Dong Qinglan gently waved an exquisite ivory fan in her hand, speaking with a look of feigned pity.

Lu Xiaoxiao hid behind a pillar: “The Xuantian Sword Sect has been annihilated. What kind of Young Sect Master am I? Besides, the Princess surely knows my cultivation is just so-so. You say you don’t have ulterior motives, but who would believe it?”

Dong Qinglan’s smile widened, and she pursued Lu Xiaoxiao further.

Lu Xiaoxiao shouted, “Don’t come any closer! What exactly do you want? You are about to get married! How can you be so unchaste! Kidnapping me in the middle of the night to talk about romance? Don’t you dare think I won’t print small newspapers all over the city and tell everyone what you’ve done!”

“Then I would be truly honored! To chat with the Young Sect Master for a night, I would accept even being rejected for marriage.”

Lu Xiaoxiao would be an idiot not to understand now. Good Heavens! This woman doesn’t want to get married, so she grabbed a shield, and it happened to be me!

“Princess, the people from Yaoxia Palace are here, and the City Lord is with them,” a maid anxiously called out to the room.

Dong Qinglan’s expression instantly turned serious, and she stopped playing hide-and-seek with Lu Xiaoxiao. She waved the ivory fan in her hand at Lu Xiaoxiao, remotely throwing her onto the large carved bed in the center of the room.

For Lu Xiaoxiao, whose spiritual power had not yet recovered, she was like pork on a chopping block, utterly pinned to the bed.

Hearing the approaching footsteps outside, Dong Qinglan quickly climbed onto the bed, straddling Lu Xiaoxiao. In a few rapid movements, she tore off Lu Xiaoxiao’s outer jacket and belt, tossing them outside the vermilion bed curtain.

Lu Xiaoxiao’s usually aloof face was now fraught with tension and anxiety. If this continued, she would soon be stripped naked. To prevent Dong Qinglan from succeeding, she desperately clung to the ties of her inner shirt, her hands trembling slightly from the strain.

“Young Sect Master, why must you do this?” Princess Youlan’s voice was still gentle.

Just at this moment of almost suffocating tension, the door of the bedchamber was suddenly kicked open. Lu Xiaoxiao suddenly felt the restraint on her body loosen. She used all her strength to shove Dong Qinglan off onto the bed, then without looking back, she pushed aside the red bed curtain and scrambled out.

As soon as she got off the bed, she was shocked by the people in front of her. Why was a whole line of Yaoxia Palace people standing at the door? And an unfamiliar, middle-aged man was glaring furiously at both of them. This must be Dong Shuo, the City Lord of Dongchang City.

The moment Lu Wanbai and Wan Qingyi stepped into the room, time seemed to freeze, causing their mouths to unconsciously drop open; they completely forgot to close them. The rest of the male disciples, witnessing this scene, respectfully turned their backs, daring not to look directly at the sudden awkward situation.

Tantai Jing, who had kicked open the door, had an incredibly dark expression. Various items were scattered on the floor of the room, clearly indicating a fierce struggle had taken place.

Tantai Jing gritted her teeth and yelled, “Lu Xiaoxiao! What exactly are you doing?!”

Lu Xiaoxiao hastily picked up her belt and outer clothes, ran to Tantai Jing’s side, put them on haphazardly, and, while tying her belt, quickly said, “I didn’t do anything! I just fell asleep in the room and woke up here!”

A woman standing next to Dong Shuo suddenly gave a cold “Hmph” and walked away with a flick of her sleeve. With this woman gone, Dong Shuo’s expression grew even darker. Looking at the scene in his sister’s boudoir, he roared, “Nonsense! Dong Qinglan, what on earth are you doing?!”

Ban Cheng interjected self-righteously, “I told you your City Lord’s Mansion people kidnapped our Yaoxia Palace disciple! See? You wouldn’t believe me.”

Dong Shuo glared at him and then shouted louder, “Dong Qinglan, get out here! You’re getting married next month! What kind of trouble are you causing now?!”

A fair hand extended from the carved bed and pushed aside the curtain. Dong Qinglan, in disheveled clothes with torn fabric fluttering, slowly sauntered out.

Lu Xiaoxiao looked up, her eyes filled with disbelief and astonishment. This woman not only stripped my clothes, but in her madness, she stripped her own too!

She gently nudged Tantai Jing’s arm and whispered, “I didn’t tear her clothes, honestly. She’s the one who tore mine.” Her lips were still trembling slightly, her face filled with innocence and grievance.

Tantai Jing looked over. Dong Qinglan, with her clothes in disarray, looked delicate and pitiful, and she said, “Brother, don’t blame her. Xiaoxiao and I are mutually in love. I don’t blame her. Xiaoxiao will definitely take responsibility for me.” With that, she turned her tear-filled eyes to Lu Xiaoxiao and asked, “Is that right, Xiaoxiao? You did say on the bed earlier that you would take responsibility, didn’t you?”