The Demon Lord Is Carrying My Child - Chapter 12

Chen Li sat atop an unknown rooftop. Tonight, there was no moon, and the world below was devoid of human activity. Only a few scattered lanterns hung before doorways, casting a desolate and lonely glow.

Setting his sword aside, Chen Li simply lay down. He had traversed several streets but had not encountered the white mist the shopkeeper spoke of, and there was still no word regarding his Junior Sister.

Judging by the rooms of Ji Shutao and Zhuang Yi, it was clear that Zhuang Yi cared deeply for Ji Shutao. This realization allowed Chen Li to breathe a sigh of relief, knowing his Junior Sister wouldn’t be in danger while by Zhuang Yi’s side. However, other dangers were slowly creeping closer.

Suddenly, Chen Li’s instincts flared. Sensing something was wrong, he sat up, his gaze sweeping down the eaves toward the alley below. Under the hazy lamplight, he saw nothing; the alley appeared perfectly normal.

Despite this, his suspicions remained. He leaped down, and it wasn’t until his feet touched the ground that he realized a Labyrinth Formation had been set here. Within the bounds of this formation lay an entirely different world.

By day, it was a deserted street with a chilling atmosphere, and before him stood… a menacing, clawing Human-Faced Mountain.

Chen Li was momentarily stunned. He had only ever read records of Human-Faced Mountains in books; he never expected to actually see one.

Could this be the monster that devours women?

The records stated that Human-Faced Stones were merely good at bewitching people; they never mentioned them feeding on humans.

Chen Li dared not lower his guard, keeping his sword pointed at the mountain. The Human-Faced Mountain showed no sign of attacking; its eyes were all tightly shut as if it were waiting for something.

What is it waiting for?

Why would such a rare Human-Faced Mountain be lurking in a remote border town? And who had set the Labyrinth Formation?

Countless riddles swirled around Chen Li, none of which he could solve. His intuition told him these things were connected to his Junior Sister, yet he couldn’t fathom what that connection could be.

He stopped overthinking and focused on dealing with the mountain before him. Human-Faced Stones were incredibly rare there were hardly any in the world, let alone an entire mountain of them. It would be a pity to destroy it all rashly.

After some thought, Chen Li decided to have his Seventh Junior Brother, Wu Huo who was an expert in Qimen Dunjia (Mystical Gates and Escaping Techniques) come and transport the entire mountain back to Mount Beichen.

The Ye Estate.

Zhuang Yi was locked in a woodshed, guarded by several attendants outside. She found a pile of withered grass and sat down, resting her hand on her belly. Though she knew the child inside would be safe as long as she remained alive, she still felt a flicker of panic whenever a dull ache throbbed in her abdomen.

This trace of panic was hers alone to know; she allowed none of it to show on her face. Even if Ji Shutao were by her side, she likely wouldn’t have noticed.

If Ji Shutao were here, Zhuang Yi thought, I would be willing to tell her exactly how much it hurts.

But Ji Shutao wasn’t there. She felt a twinge of grievance; she had clearly intended to be obedient and tell Ji Shutao everything she felt, just as she had been told.

Yet, at this moment, Ji Shutao was absent.

She missed her dearly. The days they had left together were likely dwindling. Ji Shutao probably hadn’t noticed her anxieties. They were currently on opposing sides; if Ji Shutao didn’t recover her memories, then by the time her master found her, the Demon Lord Zhuang Yi would naturally pale in comparison to Yu Chu, who had raised her.

The fear of losing Ji Shutao haunted her day and night. When they had promised to grow old together, she never imagined a day would come when Ji Shutao would forget her.

Her fingertips turned white from the force of her grip, her heart still aching sharply. The Demon Race was powerful, yet not one of them could restore Ji Shutao’s memory. She hoped the Left Elder would take his time finding them at least until Ji Shutao remembered.

Zhuang Yi rarely cried. It had to be because the child was being restless and Ji Shutao wasn’t there.

Will she be gone forever?

Zhuang Yi couldn’t bear that thought. Ji Shutao had dragged her out of the darkness, only to push her back in.

She was so tired too tired. She wanted nothing more than to rest in Ji Shutao’s arms for a while.

Outside, a guard’s voice called out: “Quick, go find the Senior Brother! She’s fainted!”

Ji Shutao sat by the window, a cloak draped over her shoulders. Ye Xiaoge had been asleep for a while but woke up to get some water, only to find Ji Shutao still awake.

To avoid being found by the guards and because Ye Xiaoge had no martial arts to protect herself, the two were sharing a room for the night. They would likely have to leave this inn tomorrow.

To maintain propriety, Ji Shutao slept on the floor while Ye Xiaoge took the bed. Although Ye Xiaoge didn’t understand why two women needed to maintain such distance, she followed Ji Shutao’s arrangements.

“Miss Ji, why aren’t you sleeping?”

Ji Shutao clutched her chest, her expression somewhat forlorn. “Zhuang Yi is thinking of me.”

Zhuang Yi had to be thinking of her, just as she was thinking of Zhuang Yi at this very moment.

Though Ye Xiaoge didn’t understand the bond between them, seeing Ji Shutao’s worry, she guessed they were very close friends. She patted Ji Shutao on the shoulder. “Miss Zhuang will be alright.”

Zhuang Yi was no ordinary woman, and she was pregnant. Sacrificing the soul of a Demon Lord to the heavens would be far more “effective” than sacrificing Ye Yiran this was what Ji Shutao truly feared.

Ji Shutao had no other choice but to send letters to Chen Li and Cun Ming, asking them to come and rescue Zhuang Yi. Of course, she didn’t mention that part in the letters; she simply stated that someone was posing as members of Mount Beichen. She believed her Eldest and Second Senior Brothers would rush over quickly.

The worst-case scenario was that she would have to return to Mount Beichen with them. Given how much her brothers doted on her, she believed that if she threw a tantrum or pleaded desperately, they would surely save Zhuang Yi.

She wanted Zhuang Yi to be safe, just as Zhuang Yi had made such great concessions for her.

Her heart was stirred violently. Ji Shutao realized there was no need to go to the West Mountain anymore; she had fallen in love with Zhuang Yi for a second time.

It didn’t matter that she didn’t remember the first time. This second time, her heart had been moved all the same.

She believed Zhuang Yi’s words. She believed they had a promise to grow old together.

If I told Zhuang Yi all this, Ji Shutao thought, she would probably feel a bit more at ease. At the very least, she wouldn’t have to try so hard to prove that we once loved each other.

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