Queen of Ten Thousand Demons Insists on Marrying Me - Chapter 39

“Haven’t you seen enough? If not, why don’t you go down and take a closer look.”

Hearing this, Lu Xiaoxiao quickly took three steps and entered the room, swiftly kicking the door shut. She walked over to Tantai Jing and gently massaged her shoulders with clenched fists.

“No, no. I was just thinking that Elder Ban absolutely must not agree to Princess Youlan. This is definitely a Hongmen Banquet. That woman is cunning and absolutely harbors malicious intent.”

Tantai Jing chuckled, “What are you even talking about?” Her tone shifted, and she raised an eyebrow to ask, “She just said that what happened between the two of you in bed is something we don’t know about. What exactly happened between you two in bed?”

“Nothing happened. She only started acting when she heard you all arriving.”

Tantai Jing pondered for a long time, still unable to figure out why Princess Youlan insisted on inviting everyone to the banquet.

However, things did not go as they wished, because that evening they suddenly received a notice from Ban Cheng: everyone was to attend the banquet at the Dongchang City Lord’s Mansion at Youshi (5-7 PM) the next day.

Upon hearing the news, Wan Qingyi rushed into Ban Cheng’s room and questioned him loudly, “Elder Ban! After what happened with Lu Xiaoxiao, how could you agree to attend the banquet at the City Lord’s Mansion with that Princess Youlan?”

Ban Cheng scratched his ringing ears: “Your mother said that the main reason for coming to Dongchang City this time is to attend Princess Youlan’s wedding. Right now, we don’t even know who the other person in the wedding is. There’s definitely something suspicious about this. Besides, I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you all.”

“Then you should just go by yourself! Why are you dragging us along?”

Ban Cheng grabbed Wan Qingyi’s arms and pressed her into a seat: “If we are going, it’s safer for everyone to go together. If I attend the banquet alone and you all stay at the inn, what if someone sneaks in and attacks our base?”

Wan Qingyi argued with him for a few more sentences but, realizing she couldn’t convince him, she hurriedly slammed the door and left to notify the others.

Lu Xiaoxiao adopted a devil-may-care attitude: “Then that’s how it has to be. When soldiers come, we’ll block them; when water comes, we’ll cover it. There will always be a way.”

“I think Elder Ban is just old, senile even. Given the situation, we should report the news to my mother.”

Lu Xiaoxiao: “Elder Ban is one of the four guardians of the great Yaoxia Palace. If word gets out that he brought a group of us and was afraid to attend a banquet at the Dongchang City Lord’s Mansion, wouldn’t that make us a laughingstock?”

Lu Wanbai nodded: “Since it’s settled, let’s just go and eat a feast tomorrow.”

The three chattered non-stop, but Tantai Jing frowned.

She was well aware of Dong Shuo, the City Lord of Dongchang City’s, greedy ambition. Dongchang City appeared prosperous, but in reality, being close to the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, it was constantly harassed by the beasts within. Coupled with a beast tide that erupted every few years, Dong Shuo had long been overwhelmed.

Dong Shuo’s ancestors had been men of integrity, guarding Dongchang City for over a hundred years without ever bowing their heads to the demonic beasts. She hadn’t expected Dong Shuo to be ready to hand over the city now. After all, cooperating with Yan Gengshen was akin to seeking a deal with a tiger. Tomorrow’s banquet was definitely problematic. However, there was still half a month until the wedding, and Yan Gengshen’s arrival in Dongchang City was still some time away. Even if Dong Shuo tried to stir up trouble, Ban Cheng would be there to suppress him.

Thinking of this, she relaxed her brows slightly, sat next to Lu Xiaoxiao, and watched her play chess with Wan Qingyi.

Meanwhile, deep within the magnificent and heavily guarded City Lord’s Mansion, Dong Qinglan wore an ornate, dark purple court dress, its hem gently swaying with the breeze. Her hands were stained with fresh blood, which slowly dripped from her fingertips, painting shocking blood blossoms on the blue flagstones.

Dong Qinglan’s voice was faintly trembling: “Preserve his body well. There must be no damage. I will have a great use for it tomorrow.”

Several personal female cultivators immediately lowered their heads respectfully and answered, “As you command, City Lord.”

The next day, time flew by, and soon it was four quarters past Shenshi (6 PM). The people of Yaoxia Palace gathered at the entrance of the inn.

Ban Cheng solemnly instructed the crowd: “No one is to cause trouble today. Just finish eating and come back honestly. If anyone deliberately looks for trouble, don’t blame me for being unkind when we return.”

The disciples dared not disobey. More than a dozen people answered in unison and followed Ban Cheng toward the City Lord’s Mansion.

However, the weather was uncooperative. Just halfway there, a strong wind blew through, carrying dried branches and leaves. The sky became overcast, and a heavy rain began to fall instantly.

Lu Xiaoxiao quickly opened the umbrella in her hand, covering both her and Tantai Jing. She said with a beaming smile, “See, I told you it would rain today. Thankfully, I prepared an umbrella in advance.”

Tantai Jing smiled but did not speak, moving her body closer to huddle beneath the umbrella.

The raindrops suddenly became dense and powerful, heavily striking the umbrella’s surface, making a crisp, continuous pa-pa sound.

The breathing of the two people beneath the umbrella mingled, and their clothes brushed against each other, the bottom of their white skirts gradually becoming speckled with mud.

When they arrived at the City Lord’s Mansion, the entrance was already filled with many nobles from the city. After handing over their invitation cards, they walked inside. It seemed that Yaoxia Palace was not the only party invited to the banquet, which reassured the group somewhat.

After everyone was seated, the rain outside intensified. Occasional flashes of lightning pierced into the hall, illuminating the faces of those opposite in a deathly pale, terrifying light.

As a series of melodious ancient music began to play, servants lit all the candles in the hall. The candlelight flickered, illuminating every inch of the space in golden splendor. The air was filled with a faint fragrance of flowers and the aroma of food.

Dong Qinglan sat in the main seat: “My brother was supposed to host you all personally today, but he is unwell and slightly indisposed, so I must take over the duty of entertaining everyone. If there are any shortcomings, please be understanding.”

Following her words, a procession of maids in luxurious attire, holding trays, moved lightly and orderly among the guests. They wore gentle smiles and carried themselves with elegance. On the trays, one exquisite dish after another was arranged like works of art, alluring in color and tantalizingly fragrant.

Lu Xiaoxiao initially kept an eye on Dong Qinglan from time to time, just in case she suddenly attacked her again. Later, she realized that there were simply too many guests today, and Dong Qinglan was constantly busy dealing with them. After glancing at Lu Xiaoxiao upon her entry, Dong Qinglan had ignored her completely.

After all the dishes were served, Lu Xiaoxiao looked at Tantai Jing inquiringly. Only after Tantai Jing nodded did she relax and begin to eat heartily. Since Tantai Jing had nodded, the food should not be poisoned.

After three rounds of drinks, Lu Xiaoxiao was chatting happily with Lu Wanbai. She turned to look beside her and found that Tantai Jing had disappeared sometime earlier.

With a previous bad experience, she immediately stood up and looked around. Failing to find the person, she asked the disciples of Yaoxia Palace nearby: “Where did Tantai Jing go? Did any of you see her?”

Several disciples were slightly tipsy, their tongues somewhat numb, and their words were nonsensical. Lu Xiaoxiao had no choice but to stop a serving maid pouring wine and ask, “Did you see a very beautiful disciple wearing white clothes? One who is wearing the same clothes as me?”

The maid was confused when Lu Xiaoxiao stopped her, but upon hearing about a very beautiful woman wearing the same clothes as her, she immediately pointed north and said, “I think I saw a woman like that leave and head north.”

Lu Xiaoxiao listened, hesitated for a moment, then exchanged a brief word with Lu Wanbai and grabbed her umbrella to chase after her.

Dong Qinglan, seated in the main position, saw Lu Xiaoxiao stand up and leave. She frowned, summoned a personal guard, whispered a few instructions into his ear, and the guard also disappeared from the hall.

Outside, a strong wind suddenly rose, and the heavy rain slammed against the wooden railings of the covered corridor, making a hurried and messy sound. The wind whipped the rain inside, and icy droplets splashed onto Lu Xiaoxiao’s face, making her wet hair stick to her forehead.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning ripped across the sky, illuminating the corridor in front of her with a ghastly white light.

In that instant, she seemed to see a familiar figure crossing the opposite corridor.

Huang Xiuzhu?

Hadn’t this person died long ago in Fuxian Town?

Lu Xiaoxiao wiped the rain from her forehead. Her blurred vision became clear. When she looked up again, there was no Huang Xiuzhu.

Reaching the intersection of the corridors, she pondered for a moment but still chased in the direction where Huang Xiuzhu had disappeared.

She suddenly recalled that ever since Tantai Jing came out of that courtyard, she had never been back in, so she had no idea whether Huang Xiuzhu was actually dead.

Did Tantai Jing not kill Huang Xiuzhu? But why not? She clearly promised me she would kill Huang Xiuzhu after the interrogation.

Lu Xiaoxiao lowered her head, staring at the footprints on the ground. Dark brown mud was especially obvious on the blue flagstones washed by the rain. The footprints led straight to the end of the corridor.

Her heart tightened. She gripped the handle of the umbrella and quickened her pace, reaching the room at the end of the corridor.

It seemed someone was talking inside. The voices were intermittent, low, and indistinct. Occasionally, a few words floated out, only to be quickly swallowed by the wind and rain outside.

To verify whether the person she saw was indeed Huang Xiuzhu, Lu Xiaoxiao hesitated and placed her hand on the door panel, gently pushing inward.

The moment the door opened to a crack, Lu Xiaoxiao heard a window being opened and someone swiftly rushing out. Startled by the sound, Lu Xiaoxiao stopped opening the door and turned to look. But the sky was too dark; she only saw a black shadow dash out and instantly vanish.

She frowned, ready to close the door and return to ask Tantai Jing for an explanation, but the door in her hand was suddenly pushed open with tremendous force from the inside!

With a dull bang, the door panel hit the wall, almost jarring her hand.

Before she could react, a blurry figure flew toward her. Lu Xiaoxiao cried out in alarm, instinctively raising the Chaoyuan Sword at her waist.

The cold blade flashed with a metallic gleam in the rain. She took a step back, pointing the sword at the figure to protect herself.

Unexpectedly, the figure did not slow down but rushed straight toward the Chaoyuan Sword.

She heard a puchi sound, the noise of a sharp weapon piercing flesh entering Lu Xiaoxiao’s ears.

“Are you crazy!” she cursed under her breath.

Was this person insane, or simply unafraid of death?

Just then, a deafening clap of thunder erupted in the sky. Blinding lightning, like a long snake, sliced across the night, illuminating the entire world. The electric light shone through the open door, revealing the scene before her.

Lu Xiaoxiao’s pupils contracted instantly. Wasn’t this the City Lord of Dongchang City, Dong Shuo?

“How could this be…” Lu Xiaoxiao’s mind went blank. She instinctively pulled back her Chaoyuan Sword. As soon as the sword was withdrawn, Dong Shuo slumped down like a heap of mud.

Lu Xiaoxiao was aghast.

Did I just kill Dong Shuo? Impossible. Setting aside whether her cultivation was enough to kill Dong Shuo, the whole situation was extremely strange.

She quickly stepped forward, closed the door, and turned to look at the fallen Dong Shuo.

The pool of blood was gradually spreading, the crimson color stinging her eyes. She crouched down, her fingers trembling as she probed Dong Shuo’s philtrum. Her fingertip touched his icy skin, and her heart sank abruptly. No breath.

Dong Shuo was truly dead.

“How could this be…” She bit her lip, unwilling to believe the reality before her. She reached out and touched Dong Shuo’s chest. The skin under her palm was still warm, indicating he had not been dead for long.

“This… this looks exactly like I killed him!”

She cursed in a low voice, suppressing her indignation, wondering who was trying to frame her.

The previous scene flashed rapidly through her mind. Dong Shuo had shown no resistance, as if he were a corpse that had already lost consciousness, charging directly onto her sword.

“Someone pushed him.”

She clenched her jaw, an idea forming in her mind, then suddenly looked up, her gaze sweeping the room.

The room appeared to be a study, simply yet fully furnished. A large writing desk was in the center, a wardrobe stood in the corner, and beams crisscrossed overhead. It seemed there was nowhere to hide, but Lu Xiaoxiao’s intuition told her that there must be other people in the room.

She stood up, gripped the Chaoyuan Sword alertly, and swiftly scanned every corner of the surroundings.

When her eyes landed on the ceiling beams, she immediately took a breath and leaped, grabbing onto a beam with one hand and using the leverage to pull herself onto the beams, looking above.

But the area above the beams was empty, with only a few wisps of spider silk. Other than that, there was no sign of anything unusual.

She frowned slightly and agilely jumped down from the beams. Her gaze turned to the wardrobe on one side of the room. Gripping the Chaoyuan Sword, she slightly raised the blade, pointing it at the crack of the wardrobe door, and approached slowly and steadily.

“Playing tricks!” she sneered softly. As soon as she spoke, she used her wrist to yank open the wardrobe door.

Indeed, someone was hiding inside. It was a young maid, with delicate features, looking no older than seventeen or eighteen, her face showing signs of panic. Lu Xiaoxiao would not believe her act and dragged her out.

“Speak, did you kill Dong Shuo?” Lu Xiaoxiao pointed the tip of the Chaoyuan Sword directly at the maid’s throat and asked coldly.

Before the woman could speak, the room door was violently pushed open from the outside, with such force that it nearly flew off its hinges.

It was Dong Qinglan.

Dong Qinglan was followed closely by a squad of people, every face showing shock and anger, their weapons tightly gripped, ready to take Lu Xiaoxiao down at any moment.

“Lu Xiaoxiao!” Dong Qinglan roared, her eyes landing on Dong Shuo’s body in the pool of blood. Her pupils instantly contracted, and her voice carried an uncontrollable tremor, filled with disbelief: “You… how could you kill my brother?”

Lu Xiaoxiao’s heart sank. She opened her mouth, wanting to defend herself, but found she couldn’t utter a single word—Dong Shuo’s body was on the ground, the sword wound on his chest was clearly the mark left by the Chaoyuan Sword, and the sword in her hand was still dripping blood…

No matter how one looked at it, she appeared to be the murderer!

The people from Yaoxia Palace immediately filed in. Their uniform moonlight-white robes glowed softly in the candlelight, forming a stark contrast with the dark robes of the Dongchang City nobles. The room instantly became narrow and crowded. The air was thick with the smell of blood and the cold, damp scent of rain. Everyone’s face bore an expression of gravity and vigilance.

Both the people from Yaoxia Palace and the City Lord’s Mansion looked at her in disbelief.

Lu Xiaoxiao scanned the crowd, her gaze finally resting on Tantai Jing.

“It wasn’t me!”