The Demon Lord Is Carrying My Child - Chapter 25

“What’s wrong?” Zhuang Yi handed the chopsticks directly to Ji Shutao, but she still gave no reaction.

Ever since Ji Shutao received a letter this morning, she had been like this brooding without explaining the reason.

Ji Shutao let out a sigh, her brow still pinched with worry. “My second senior brother sent a letter. He said they still haven’t found Seventh Senior Brother. Master plans to come here personally and told me to keep a low profile to avoid running into him.”

To reach that nameless mountain, one would inevitably have to stop in this town. The possibility of Ji Shutao accidentally bumping into Yu Chu was indeed quite high.

But that wasn’t the worst of it; what truly worried her was how to break the news to Zhuang Yi.

“You want to see your Master?” Zhuang Yi immediately grasped the point of her words, finally understanding what Ji Shutao had been hesitating about.

Now that her thoughts had been discovered, Ji Shutao could only nod awkwardly. “I plan to stay by your side for the next few months and won’t be able to return to Beichen Mountain. I must inform Master so he doesn’t worry for no reason.”

Zhuang Yi’s expression remained calm, but she kept stirring her porridge with her spoon. In truth, she didn’t want Ji Shutao to see Yu Chu. Once they met, it wouldn’t be easy for her to leave again. Furthermore, Zhuang Yi no longer had the strength to launch a third assault on Beichen Mountain.

To Zhuang Yi, Ji Shutao going to see Yu Chu felt like another impending separation.

Separations were always indefinite; she couldn’t afford to wait, nor did she want to.

However, Yu Chu had raised Ji Shutao; “a teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime.” If she prevented Ji Shutao from seeing him, it would seem too cold-hearted. Caught in this dilemma, Zhuang Yi also began to hesitate.

Qian Feng, who was watching from the side, gave a mysterious cough and said pointedly, “Your Honor, you mustn’t forget what you promised the two of us yesterday.”

Ji Shutao snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Zhuang Yi. “Are you hiding something from me?”

“H-how could I?” Zhuang Yi forced herself to stay composed and took a few sips of porridge. Under Qian Feng’s frantic hinting, she finally spoke with a slight stammer: “I… I’m just afraid you won’t come back.”

“I promise you, I will definitely return.”

“You said that before, too.” Zhuang Yi felt a hint of grievance. In the past, Ji Shutao had been just like this making every oath imaginable, saying she would definitely return.

But the final outcome…

Ji Shutao knew what she was worried about. She hooked her finger around Zhuang Yi’s. “Today is different from the past. I remember you. Let’s pinky-swear; if I say it, I will definitely do it.”

Ji Shutao didn’t realize that the biggest problem wasn’t herself, but her Master.

Nevertheless, Zhuang Yi still linked pinkies with her. “Keep your word.”

Ji Shutao squeezed Zhuang Yi’s palm and said softly, “Then you guys head out first, and I will catch up with you later.”

They both knew that Yu Chu must not see Zhuang Yi.

“Alright.”

After breakfast, Zhuang Yi and Qian Feng went upstairs to pack their luggage. Qian Feng stood by the hired carriage, watching Zhuang Yi and Ji Shutao bid their lingering farewells, thinking it was far too sappy.

Once Qian Feng drove the carriage around the corner and Ji Shutao was no longer in sight, she predictably heard Zhuang Yi say, “Find another place to stay.”

Knowing Zhuang Yi, there was no way she would feel at ease leaving Ji Shutao here alone.

Zhuang Yi feared parting but didn’t dare tell Ji Shutao everything, so she chose to keep a secret watch instead.

They found another inn two streets away from Ji Shutao’s, and only one street away from the town entrance.

“Your Honor, tell me are you worried about the Madam, or are you worried about her Master?” Qian Feng asked, knowing the answer perfectly well.

“I’m worried about both.” The two of them stood by the railing looking into the distance. The houses were packed tightly together, making it impossible to see Ji Shutao, yet Zhuang Yi just wanted to look in that direction.

After a while, she turned and asked, “You’ve had a lot of contact with Yu Chu. What kind of person do you think he is?”

Qian Feng chuckled. “Isn’t he the ‘model of righteousness,’ the ‘good man’ who cares for the world?”

“The day I went up Beichen Mountain, I first encountered a few of his disciples. They were taught to be quite honorable. Then Yu Chu arrived. In the darkness of night, his moves were incredibly ruthless very different from what people say of him.”

It wasn’t that those on the righteous path couldn’t have sharp techniques; his disciples’ moves were sharp, but they were honorably so, befitting their status. Moreover, they were only trying to capture Zhuang Yi alive. Yu Chu was different; his moves were venomous, almost every strike aimed at taking Zhuang Yi’s life.

At that time, a sense of unease had taken root in Zhuang Yi’s heart.

“It seems you’ve noticed too these ‘righteous’ types aren’t as polished as they appear on the surface.” Qian Feng’s gaze darkened.

Zhuang Yi looked at her curiously. “Is there something else?”

“Since the Demon Realm was founded, we have been marginalized because we aren’t considered ‘orthodox.’ We stayed in our corner, wanting nothing more than to mind our own business and live in peace. But they always find a ‘just cause’ to attack us.” Qian Feng shook her head sarcastically. “Now, it’s even worse.”

Whether it was Beichen Mountain, Cangyou Pavilion, or other various sects, the leaders would brainwash their disciples with ideas that demons were born evil and that their blood was filthy. Their ranks were massive, and rumors spread like wildfire, impossible to control.

Over time, everyone grew to hate the Demon Race to the bone, believing that for the world to have peace, the entire Demon Race must be eradicated.

“We used to stand on equal footing with them, but now we’ve become like rats crossing the street.”

Qian Feng, having weathered many storms, let out a sigh. “Fortunately, we have natural barriers; it’s difficult for them to break in.”

In a flash, she thought of Xi Xiao. Xi Xiao had once sighed just like her, wondering where the future of the Demon Realm lay.

How did Xi Xiao end up like this? Qian Feng felt a sharp pang of pain. As the two elders who had walked this path together, they had long been confidants. When did Xi Xiao start changing?

Could the flying rumors have disturbed his heart as well?

“Qian Feng, Qian Feng.” Zhuang Yi patted Qian Feng’s shoulder to snap her out of it.

“I’m fine. In short, Yu Chu is definitely not a simple man. But since the Madam is his disciple, no matter how much he hates our Demon Realm, he wouldn’t go so far as to harm his own student. You can rest easy.”

Zhuang Yi’s heart could not settle. Ever since leaving Ji Shutao, her heart had been pounding unevenly, a sense of unease lingering.

That was why she had stayed behind.

“Qian Feng, have you ever sparred with him?”

“I have. In the past, he was no match for me. But many years have passed in the blink of an eye; who knows what he’s like now?” Qian Feng added meaningfully, “And I suspect his greatest strength isn’t actually his swordsmanship.”

It was always the schemes and intrigues that proved more formidable.

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