Queen of Ten Thousand Demons Insists on Marrying Me - Chapter 86

“That’s the whole story. I’m truly sorry for letting down everyone’s trust, but occupying Lu Xiaoxiao’s body was never my intention, nor was I deliberately trying to conceal it. I simply didn’t know how to explain.” Lu Xiaoxiao explained the whole sequence of events to the crowd.

Lu Wanbai initially couldn’t believe it. She didn’t understand why Lu Xiaoxiao would play such a massive joke on her on a day when everyone was meant to be celebrating.

She managed to pull up the corners of her mouth and looked doubtfully at Tantai Jing, seemingly wanting to hear from her that what Lu Xiaoxiao had just said was merely a joke, as usual. Instead, she saw Tantai Jing gently nod, confirming the truth of Lu Xiaoxiao’s words.

Lu Wanbai instantly felt a tightness in her chest. An indescribable feeling involuntarily added a layer of disgust to her stunned expression.

Lu Xiaoxiao felt the complicated gaze of Lu Wanbai fixed on her, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to do. After all, for the original Lu Xiaoxiao, Lu Wanbai was the person she was closest to, and she was also the one Lu Xiaoxiao had kept the secret from for the longest time.

“I’m sorry, Senior Sister…” Lu Xiaoxiao said nervously and guiltily. “Although I’m not the original Lu Xiaoxiao, I truly regard you as my only family in this world.”

Lu Xiaoxiao’s trembling voice entered her ears. Lu Wanbai looked around. The glaring sunlight made her feel dizzy, as if she had been struck by lightning.

Did the Xuántiān Sword Sect truly only have me left? Did my Junior Sister cease to exist long ago?

Unable to accept the reality, she suddenly backed up two steps, turned sharply, pushed people aside, and ran off into the distance.

“Senior Sister!” Lu Xiaoxiao, fearing she couldn’t cope with the shock, lifted her foot to chase after her. At that moment, Wan Qingyi suddenly jumped out and blocked her way, saying, “She probably doesn’t want to see you right now. Let her process it first.” Having said that in a rush, she pushed through the crowd and ran after Lu Wanbai.

Standing rooted to the spot, Lu Xiaoxiao suddenly felt a warmth in her palm. She turned her head and saw Tantai Jing looking at her with concern, shaking her head: “Qingyi is right. Maybe it’s better to let Qingyi comfort her right now. Even if you aren’t the original Lu Xiaoxiao, the affection developed over the past two years isn’t fake. I believe Senior Sister will figure it out.”

Hearing Tantai Jing’s words, Lu Xiaoxiao’s anxious heart calmed considerably. She nodded and gently squeezed Tantai Jing’s hand back.

Fú Zhāo was also severely shocked by Lu Xiaoxiao’s revelation. After a moment, she finally said, “I wondered how the Young Sect Master of the self-proclaimed righteous Xuántiān Sword Sect could be so persistent in chasing my Little Jing. So the core was swapped. I always thought she had some ulterior motive.”

Seeing the atmosphere drop to an ice-cold silence, Wan Xuānr stepped in to smooth things over: “Since everything is fine, everyone should go back to what you were doing. Don’t crowd around here. Little Jing’er, both of you have had a difficult time recently. Go back to your room and rest.”

Tantai Jing nodded. She had countless things she wanted to say to Lu Xiaoxiao and didn’t want to delay here. Amidst the whispered gossip of the Yáoxiá Palace disciples, she pulled the oddly dressed Lu Xiaoxiao back to her room.

Lu Xiaoxiao let her lead the way, watching Tantai Jing’s silver hair tied in a ponytail bounce before her eyes. The sunlight felt warm on her skin. At that moment, she felt a happiness that was almost unreal. Deep in her joy, a wave of sadness suddenly welled up in her heart. After so many twists and turns, they were reunited again. She absolutely never wanted to be separated from Tantai Jing again.

Lu Xiaoxiao stepped into the room. Just as she closed the door and before she could turn around, she was enveloped by a familiar aura. Before she could react, Tantai Jing had taken a step forward, gently pushing her against the door. She wrapped her arms around Lu Xiaoxiao’s waist, pulling her into a tight embrace.

Lu Xiaoxiao allowed herself to sink into the warm hug. Tantai Jing’s breathing was slightly ragged, her chest gently rising and falling. Her face was buried in Lu Xiaoxiao’s shoulder, her voice muffled and trembling: “Xiaoxiao, I was so scared… so scared you would never come back.”

Lu Xiaoxiao’s heart softened. She raised her hand and gently stroked Tantai Jing’s back, her fingertips running through her hair, comforting her tenderly: “I told you, the place where you are is my home. How could I bear to leave you?”

Then, her fingers moved down slowly to cup Tantai Jing’s small face. Seeing the ripples of emotion in her beloved’s eyes, Lu Xiaoxiao could no longer hold back the yearning of the past few days. She wrapped one arm around Tantai Jing’s waist, pulling her flush against her, and gently leaned in to kiss her.

Their lips met, and they embraced in a kiss. Lu Xiaoxiao started gently, but it quickly felt insufficient. She lifted Tantai Jing’s body and pressed her against the door. After the two switched positions, Lu Xiaoxiao’s kiss deepened…

A fervent kiss swept over Tantai Jing. The back of her head was gently supported by Lu Xiaoxiao, yet the lips and tongue fiercely dominated her every breath, as if trying to knead her entire being into her own body, merging them into one. However, no matter how hard or deep Lu Xiaoxiao kissed, the lingering anxiety and yearning in her heart still couldn’t be completely quelled.

A drop of coolness landed on Tantai Jing’s face. She understood Lu Xiaoxiao’s vulnerability and fear and responded with equal passion, allowing herself to succumb to her dominant possession. Her body gradually softened, as if all her strength had been drained. She could only loop her hands around Lu Xiaoxiao’s neck, clinging tightly to her to support her swaying body.

Their breaths mingled, rushed and hot. It wasn’t until a long time had passed that Tantai Jing gently pushed Lu Xiaoxiao away, burying her face into her neck, lightly gasping for air.

Lu Xiaoxiao likewise buried her face in Tantai Jing’s hair, taking deep breaths of Tantai Jing’s unique scent. In just a few breaths, Lu Xiaoxiao scooped up Tantai Jing by the back of her knees and carried her to the bed.

Looking at Tantai Jing, who was lying in her arms, still lightly panting, her face tinted pink from the earlier kiss, Lu Xiaoxiao finally felt a sense of truly possessing her.

Soft kisses rained down on Tantai Jing’s lips and cheeks, finally stopping at her ear. With rising heat, Lu Xiaoxiao whispered, “Jing’er, I really missed you… Shall we get married tomorrow, and then never be apart again?”

“Okay… Let’s get married tomorrow.” Tantai Jing buried her face in Lu Xiaoxiao’s shoulder, her hands tightly wrapped around her waist, and whispered back with her eyes closed.

The next day.

Wedding preparations were in full swing at the Yáoxiá Palace and on Mount Gouwu. Although the timing was rushed, the number of invited guests wasn’t huge. However, the wedding of Demon Sovereign Tantai and the Sect Master of the Xuántiān Sword Sect was the grandest and most lively celebration in a hundred years. Thus, the demons and humans who flocked to watch the excitement nearly trampled a small mountain outside Mount Gouwu, simply because that mountain offered the best view of the ceremony.

“Look! The Queen of Ten Thousand Demons’ bride is here!”

Someone shouted the news first. Everyone looked up and saw a red sedan chair fly over their heads, landing steadily in front of the gate of Mount Gouwu.

Tantai Jing, dressed in wedding attire and adorned with pearls and jade, watched the red sedan chair land not far away. Her heart pounded rapidly, as if it would leap out of her chest. Even her steps became involuntarily stiff.

Luo Mu watched Lu Xiaoxiao jump steadily out of the sedan chair, not wearing a veil, even her coiled hair was curly. She felt this was strangely unconventional.

She sighed, crossed her arms, and said to Tantai Jing beside her, “Little Jing’er, are you really not going to reconsider me? Lu Xiaoxiao has lost all her cultivation after returning. You two are far too mismatched, not a good match at all.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Luo Mu was suddenly shoved away. It was Wan Qingyi, who, holding Lu Wanbai’s hand, squeezed through. With a wave of her hand, she tossed a book into Tantai Jing’s arms and said, “Where did that toad come from? An eyesore. This is the wedding gift from Lu Wanbai and me. We wish you and Xiaoxiao a harmonious life together and success on the Great Dao.”

Luo Mu glared resentfully at Wan Qingyi, then walked aside, lightly chuckling and muttering, “It’s true they’re not a good match. Shouldn’t she cultivate again before getting married?” In truth, she had long known that she and Tantai Jing were impossible, but as a family member, she felt obliged to speak up for Little Jing’er.

Tantai Jing gave Lu Wanbai and Wan Qingyi a grateful look. She knew it must have been incredibly difficult for Lu Wanbai to process the previous day’s events and still attend her and Lu Xiaoxiao’s wedding.

“They’re coming, they’re coming! The bride is here!”

Following the cheers of the guests, everyone turned their attention to Lu Xiaoxiao, who was dressed in red wedding robes and walking quickly toward Tantai Jing. Seeing this, Tantai Jing disregarded all formality. The joy of happiness pushed her to rush forward to meet her.

Seeing Lu Xiaoxiao’s eyes curved into a blissful crescent moon smile, Lu Wanbai shouted loudly from behind Tantai Jing: “Congratulations!”

Immediately, the cheers of the crowd grew louder. Colorful flower petals and ribbons blossomed around the two newcomers. Amidst the flowers and the joyful atmosphere, the center of happiness was Tantai Jing and Lu Xiaoxiao.

“Why didn’t you wait for me to help you down?” Tantai Jing walked to Lu Xiaoxiao’s side, taking her hand and teasing playfully.

“I wanted to see you sooner.” Lu Xiaoxiao saw the book in Tantai Jing’s hand and, recalling that Tantai Jing had only left the Yáoxiá Palace an hour ago, couldn’t help but joke, “What’s wrong? On your wedding day, the Queen of Ten Thousand Demons hasn’t forgotten about cultivation?”

“It’s a wedding gift from Senior Sister and Wan Qingyi.” Tantai Jing’s face flushed. She handed the book to Lu Xiaoxiao. Ever since breaking through to the Integration Stage, the news had somehow spread, and the demons outside unanimously revered her as the Queen of Ten Thousand Demons. Now even Lu Xiaoxiao was teasing her.

Lu Xiaoxiao took the book and glanced at it, thinking Wan Qingyi was quite stingy to give a book as a wedding gift. Then, she saw six prominent, glaring characters on the cover: The Great Dual Cultivation Art of Profound Yin, with a smaller line at the bottom: “Originating from the Joyful Union Sect.”

Her face immediately flushed crimson. Afraid others would see the title, she fumbled and stuffed it into her clothing: “You, you… you didn’t even look at the book and just carried it over to greet me.”

Tantai Jing, who had clearly seen the title, had ears that were now red as blood: “I didn’t think Senior Sister would mess around with her. I thought it was some secret manual for you to cultivate since you’ve lost all your spiritual power.” After saying this, she looked up, but the two mischief-makers were already gone.

“I’ll settle the score with Qingyi later,” Lu Xiaoxiao muttered, then pulled the equally flushed Tantai Jing toward the palace entrance. However, feeling guilty, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the people from the Yáoxiá Palace and Mount Gouwu were looking at her strangely along the way.

Hidden in a corner, Wan Qingyi was laughing heartily to Lu Wanbai: “It serves them right for keeping secrets from us for so long. Now everyone will know that on their wedding day, these two were carrying a dual cultivation manual to greet the bride. Let’s see how embarrassed they are.”

Lu Wanbai was slightly worried, mumbling, “Isn’t that a little inappropriate?”

“What’s inappropriate about it? Their keeping secrets from you for so long was much worse than this.”

Lu Wanbai looked down: “But Xiaoxiao had her reasons.”

Wan Qingyi pouted: “Well, the gift has been given anyway. You soft-hearted person will never learn. It’s nothing big. Tantai Jing is the Queen of Ten Thousand Demons now; who would dare to gossip behind her back?” After saying this, she still seemed sullen. She paused and added, “However, after this matter, my mother will probably marry Fú Zhāo. Then I’ll go down the mountain for worldly experience, and you’ll go back to lead the Xuántiān Sword Sect. It’s likely we won’t see each other again.”

“I’ll go with you,” Lu Wanbai said immediately without hesitation.

“What?”

“I’ll go with you. The people of the Xuántiān Sword Sect can merge into the Yáoxiá Palace.”

“…”

“We thank all our guests…” Wan Xuānr’s voice from inside the hall interrupted Wan Qingyi’s thoughts. She jogged toward the door. Just before entering, she glanced back at Lu Wanbai: “Let’s watch the ceremony first, or we’ll be late. If you want to go, you can go, but you must listen to everything I say…”

With that, she turned around, her flushed face revealing an irrepressible smile.

The hall was packed with guests, their eyes filled with well wishes.

The two newlyweds held a segment of red silk, standing side by side, reverently positioned before the Stone of Destiny.

Fú Zhāo stood beside the Stone of Destiny, holding a marriage certificate made of gold paper. Her crimson lips parted as she began to read: “A marriage contract, reporting to the Nine Heavens above, echoing to the Nine Hells below, witnessing before the heavens. Should the groom fail the maiden, let his body and path perish. Should the maiden fail the groom, let her be eternally without reincarnation.”

As Fú Zhāo read, the marriage contract seemed to gain life, slowly rising from her hands, lightly floating toward Lu Xiaoxiao and Tantai Jing. The characters on the page shimmered like flowing water, emitting a faint light.

Tantai Jing received the dagger Fú Zhāo offered. She gazed deeply at Lu Xiaoxiao and, without hesitation, drew the dagger across her palm. Blood instantly stained her snow-white skin, dripping onto the marriage contract.

“Should I fail the maiden, let my body and path perish!”

The covenant required the life essence blood of both people as proof. Lu Xiaoxiao then took the dagger from Tantai Jing’s hand and similarly cut her palm, letting her blood drip onto the marriage contract. She looked back into Tantai Jing’s eyes, her own filled with boundless tenderness and profound affection.

“Should I fail the groom, let me be eternally without reincarnation!”

The moment she spoke, the page instantly erupted with dazzling light, transforming into a stream of light that flew toward the Stone of Destiny. The stone glowed intensely with white light, and two phoenixes suddenly shot out from within, intertwining as they soared into the sky. The phoenixes circled in the air for a moment, gradually disappearing from everyone’s sight, leaving only their echoing cries in the air.

“The ceremony is complete!”

With Wan Xuānr’s announcement, the guests erupted in applause and cheers. Blessings poured in like a tide. Lu Xiaoxiao and Tantai Jing sat down hand in hand, their eyes never leaving each other, as if the surrounding commotion had nothing to do with them.

Lu Xiaoxiao gazed at Tantai Jing, a surge of infinite tenderness in her heart.

Tantai Jing, dressed in magnificent wedding robes, her sleeves fluttering, looked like a celestial fairy descending to the mortal world. Her features were exquisite, her skin as white as snow. A faint smile graced her lips. Her entire being seemed enveloped in a soft halo, bright and beautiful, captivating all eyes.

Lu Xiaoxiao was utterly mesmerized. She couldn’t help but praise in a soft voice, “Jing’er, you are so beautiful today.” Her voice was gentle as water, filled with admiration and infatuation. She paused, then added with a smile, “No, wait… you are beautiful every day, but you are exceptionally beautiful today.” Her gaze was full of appreciation and love, as if wanting to engrave her beloved’s every expression deeply into her heart.

Tantai Jing’s cheeks flushed upon hearing this, a trace of shyness and sweetness flashing in her eyes. She gently picked up a slice of lotus root and placed it in Lu Xiaoxiao’s bowl, whispering, “Xiaoxiao, you look exceptionally handsome today too.”

The surrounding guests smiled knowingly at the sight.

Fú Zhāo raised her wine cup high. The spiritual wine inside emitted a rich aroma, tinging the air with a hint of intoxication. She looked around with a hint of pride and boasting: “Everyone enjoy yourselves today! These are delicious dishes personally prepared by the imperial chef I specifically captured… oh no, invited from the human imperial palace! And the wine, well, it’s spiritual wine I’ve cherished for several hundred years! Today is my Little Jing’er’s wedding. Everyone must drink until they’re drunk!”

The laughter and cheers in the hall grew louder. Guests raised their cups in response. Amidst the clinking of glasses, the atmosphere became even more lively. The dishes on the tables were exquisite in color, aroma, and taste, each one breathtakingly refined. The mellow fragrance of the spiritual wine made one feel tipsy even before drinking.

After several rounds of toasts, the stream of people coming to offer congratulations was endless. Just having sent off Bai Shitao and Lu Wanbai after their toast, Lu Xiaoxiao felt her vision blurring. She pulled Tantai Jing’s arm and leaned on her shoulder: “Jing’er, I feel a little dizzy. Can you take me back to the room, please?”

Tantai Jing saw her red cheeks and the obviously drunk look on her face. She suddenly remembered that this spiritual wine had a potent fragrance, and since Lu Xiaoxiao had lost her spiritual power, she shouldn’t drink much. Taking advantage of the guests’ revelry, she helped Lu Xiaoxiao back to the room.

“Xiaoxiao, are you alright? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?” Seeing Lu Xiaoxiao lying on the bed with her eyes tightly closed and her brows furrowed, Tantai Jing couldn’t help but worry. She tightly held Lu Xiaoxiao’s hands, channeling her spiritual power into her body to help dissipate the wine’s effects.

Lu Xiaoxiao was indeed drunk, and heavily so. She could hear Tantai Jing talking to her, but she was too intoxicated to lift a single finger to respond.

Feeling waves of warm spiritual power flowing into her body, her consciousness cleared slightly. She slowly opened her eyes. Through her blurry vision, she saw Tantai Jing’s glistening eyes, and she felt her heart melt.

“Fairy.”

Tantai Jing flicked Lu Xiaoxiao’s nose with her finger: “You used to call me a demoness.”

Lu Xiaoxiao seized the opportunity to pull Tantai Jing’s wrist, gently bringing her into her arms. She lightly kissed her forehead, stroking the lovely hair near Tantai Jing’s forehead, a smile she couldn’t hide on her lips: “It was my fault for being blind back then.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Xiaoxiao immediately turned over, resting on her elbows, gently hovering over Tantai Jing. She tenderly kissed her lips: “It’s a good thing the covenant used the left hand.”

Tantai Jing tried to pretend she didn’t understand what Lu Xiaoxiao was saying. She slowly turned away her already crimson face and whispered faintly, “Let’s bathe first, Xiaoxiao.”

In the side room’s bathing pool, steam billowed, blurring the lines between the two figures.

Looking at Tantai Jing so close, Lu Xiaoxiao reached out, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her into her embrace. The contact of their smooth, delicate skin stirred faint ripples in their hearts. Lu Xiaoxiao wrapped her arms around Tantai Jing’s slender waist, pushing forward until she pressed her against the edge of the pool. But even at the edge, the distance in their hearts still felt insufficient.

Can we… get a little closer…?

Instinctively, she used her legs to push Tantai Jing’s knees apart, rubbing them gently. A trace of slipperiness emerged on their knees.

“Mm…”

Tantai Jing let out an involuntary moan. But the sound was immediately blocked by Lu Xiaoxiao’s lips. The broken sound was crushed between their lips and teeth. The instant their lips intertwined, Lu Xiaoxiao felt her body and soul ignite with Tantai Jing’s sound.

“You’re drunk, Xiaoxiao…”

Lu Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but increase the intensity. Tantai Jing was kissed so domineeringly that she couldn’t breathe. Finally breaking free to catch a momentary breath, she suddenly felt a wave of numbness surge from below, spreading through her limbs. Her entire body instantly melted like water, collapsing into Lu Xiaoxiao’s embrace.

The vast pool water shimmered in Tantai Jing’s misty eyes. Traces of redness emerged at the corners of her wet eyes. She gently lifted her thick eyelashes, looking at Lu Xiaoxiao through the curling steam. Fine beads of sweat beaded around her nose.

Lu Xiaoxiao watched her reflection in those captivating eyes. Her throat tightened. She lowered her head, kissing the beauty’s neck and collarbone.

The momentary satisfaction only triggered a greater desire.

Still not enough…

Until she felt Tantai Jing’s waist begin to sway uncontrollably, and her moans were tinged with a faint crying sound, Lu Xiaoxiao used two fingers to explore…

A cool night breeze quietly slipped in, stirring the hanging gauze curtains. The silk cords tying the curtains gently trembled and suddenly came undone. The gauze curtains cascaded down like flowing water, completely obscuring the view of the inner chamber.

The candlelight passed through the light gauze, casting a hazy glow. Shadows flickered within the curtains, faintly discernible.

The sound of water rippled, like pearls dropping onto a plate, sometimes fragmented, sometimes prolonged, interspersed with low moans. The sounds were intermittent, like weeping and pleading, mingling with the soft sigh of the breeze outside the curtains…

The Main Text Ends.