Transmigrated into the Early-Deceased Alpha Fiancée of the Female Lead - Chapter 23

Han Ying felt slightly awkward inside, but her expression remained cold. She gave an indifferent order.

“Serve that roast chicken to it.”

“Bring it here, hurry!” Hearing the Demon Lord’s sensible words, Sui Sheng tugged at Zhu Changxuan, urging her forward.

Sui Sheng did not dare to boss around its master directly, so it called on the alpha who had clearly fallen for its irresistible charm.

Zhu Changxuan froze for a moment, then quickly responded.

“Alright, thank you, Senior.” She couldn’t help but think privately how shockingly double-faced the Demon Lord was.

Han Ying said, “Start eating. These are rare and precious ingredients. Xuejin, make sure to eat more.”

“Thank you, Mother,” Han Xuejin replied.

While eating, Han Xuejin kept placing food into Zhu Changxuan’s bowl. But each time she did, Zhu Changxuan would receive a quiet, cold look from Han Ying. Was that jealousy?

When Han Xuejin reached out again to serve her more, Zhu Changxuan quickly stopped her.

“No need, Xuejin. I haven’t finished what’s already in my bowl.”

“Alright. You eat first,” Han Xuejin said with a smile.

Han Ying gave a low scoff.

Zhu Changxuan began to sweat nervously.

Hearing that strange and unexpected sound from her mother, Han Xuejin looked puzzled.

Hua Yue, on the other hand, found the whole thing amusing.

The rest of the meal passed mostly in silence, except for the sound of Sui Sheng joyfully stuffing herself.

When they were nearly finished, Han Ying finally spoke.

“You are Zhu Changxuan, correct?”

Zhu Changxuan swallowed nervously. “Yes.”

“What sect are you from? Who are your parents?”

Han Ying didn’t really care if she was from the Demon Realm or the cultivation world. After all, her own wife had come from the Hehuan Sect, and she had never minded that. If the cultivation world dared provoke her, she would only target that person in particular, nothing more.

Zhu Changxuan sat upright and answered carefully.

“I am a disciple of Lingcang Sect. My parents are both elders of the sect.”

Han Ying was surprised.

Elders of Lingcang Sect? And their surname is Zhu?

“Are you the daughter of Zhu Shijing and Chen Tao?”

Zhu Changxuan blinked. How did the Demon Lord know her parents? Was there some kind of grudge?

She forced herself to respond honestly.

“Yes… I am.”

After receiving confirmation, Han Ying’s gaze softened. There was even a hint of nostalgia.

“What a coincidence,” Han Ying said calmly.

Everyone else looked confused, wondering what she meant by that.

Seeing their puzzled expressions, Han Ying slowly explained.

“Twenty years ago, I met your parents once. At that time, I had just bought the last bottle of a rare elixir, ‘Xian Dew,’ at the Wanjin Pavilion. Your parents arrived a moment too late and asked if I would sell it to them. I ended up giving it to them.”

Everyone was stunned. The Demon Lord knew Zhu Changxuan’s parents? More surprisingly, they didn’t even fight?

Zhu Changxuan gave a small nod. She guessed her parents were asking for medicine back then, probably to help her original body.

“I see. Thank you again, Senior.”

Han Ying waved it off. “No need.”

In truth, Han Ying had not given the elixir to them immediately.

She had sensed that the two were powerful cultivators and remained cautious. They had clearly known she was from the Demon Realm but showed no hostility. Instead, they were respectful and polite, simply asking her to name a price. They had no intention of stealing from her.

The Xian Dew was an extremely rare herb capable of repairing damaged spiritual veins. She was willing to part with it, but she challenged them to a friendly duel first. If one of them could defeat her, she would hand over the elixir.

Zhu Shijing had taken up the challenge, and they fought to a draw. Chen Tao never interfered.

Seeing how sincere they were in asking for the medicine, Han Ying had called off the match and asked them what they needed it for.

They told her it was for their two-year-old daughter.

Han Ying was surprised. How could a two-year-old already suffer spiritual damage?

In the end, she had tossed them the Xian Dew without hesitation.

The couple had enthusiastically invited her to drink with them. At first, she had no interest, but they brought out a bottle of Jade Wine.

Han Ying could not resist.

She had tasted Jade Wine only once in her life. It was the finest wine she had ever experienced. It was crafted by the now-deceased Wine Immortal of Yanxi Valley, and no one since had ever been able to replicate it. The ingredients used were still unknown.

There were very few bottles of Jade Wine left in the world, nearly extinct.

Tempted beyond reason, Han Ying nodded.

The three of them ended up becoming friends after that. Surprisingly, Han Ying found that she connected with them deeply. Their views on the cultivation world and on life aligned almost perfectly with her own.

Kindred spirits were hard to find. They talked for two full days and nights, drank every drop of the Jade Wine, and finally parted ways with a trace of reluctance.

Only a small trace, of course.

Afterward, they never met again. Even during the fierce battle seventeen years ago, when Han Ying clashed with several of the major sect elders, she never saw them.

Perhaps they had been elsewhere, searching for a cure for their daughter.

It had been twenty years since she last saw them. From what she knew, their daughter had always been in poor health.

Looking at Zhu Changxuan now, she seemed to be in decent condition.

Han Ying asked gently, “How is your health? And how are your parents doing?”

Zhu Changxuan nodded. “They’re both doing very well.”

Han Ying gave a small nod in return, then tossed a token to the beta standing next to Chuanping.

“Bi Ci, go to the Treasure Vault and fetch Mo Ting.”

“Yes,” Bi Ci answered immediately.

She clenched her teeth and hid the jealousy in her heart. Mo Ting was the second most powerful demonic sword in the Demon Realm, and now it was going to this girl, just because she happened to be the daughter of the Demon Lord.

One day, everything that belongs to you will belong to me.

Han Xuejin’s thoughts flickered.

Mo Ting? In her past life, her mother had intended to give it to her. But since she already had Qian Po, she didn’t want to use another weapon.

Zhu Changxuan looked down, trying to remain composed, but inside, a storm raged through her heart.

Just now, the Demon Lord called that woman Bi Ci.

Bi Ci.

Zhu Changxuan nearly choked. That woman was a dangerous schemer with wild ambitions. For the sake of power and treasure, she had once plotted against Xuejin in every possible way, even secretly colluding with greedy elders from the cultivation world.

Zhu Changxuan clenched her thigh slightly. Her hand itched to slap that woman, but she held herself back. She had to stay calm and protect Xuejin from people like her.

Before long, Bi Ci returned, leading a group of attendants who were carrying a long black-iron box.

Han Ying spoke. “Set it down.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Han Ying stepped forward, activated her spiritual energy, and opened the heavy box. Inside was a long sword, still sheathed.

She reached in and pulled it out.

“Zhu Changxuan, I grant you this sword, Mo Ting. From now on, I will personally oversee your cultivation.”

Zhu Changxuan stood in stunned silence for a moment before quickly rising to accept the sword. It was surprisingly heavy.

Hua Yue raised her brows with amusement. “Oh my.”

Han Ying turned her head away and ignored Hua Yue’s teasing look, as though she had said nothing.

“Zhu Changxuan,” Han Ying said stiffly, “this is not because I want to help you. It is simply because you are my daughter’s alpha. I have a duty to train you. Nothing more. Do not misunderstand.”

Zhu Changxuan quietly replied, “Thank you, Senior.” She didn’t know what to think. Who would have guessed the Demon Lord could be so… tsundere?

Han Xuejin’s eyes shifted ever so slightly. Her mother was still the same. Cold on the outside, soft on the inside.

“Mother,” Han Xuejin offered, “I can train Changxuan myself.”

Han Ying frowned. “No. I must be the one to do it.”

Han Xuejin paused. “Alright.”

She hadn’t expected her mother to care so much about helping Changxuan. She didn’t want to disregard her mother’s good intentions.

Zhu Changxuan sat quietly, unsure of what to say.

Then Han Ying made an announcement that left both Zhu Changxuan and Han Xuejin surprised and overjoyed.

She planned to arrange their wedding.

They had been engaged for years, and according to Hua Yue, the two had already crossed certain lines. If that was the case, how could they remain unmarried? What would people think?

Coincidentally, Han Xuejin’s eighteenth birthday was just over a month away. Han Ying had checked the calendar and decided it was the perfect day for the ceremony.

Both girls were stunned and delighted.

“Thank you, Mother,” Han Xuejin said with a smile.

“Thank you, Senior,” Zhu Changxuan added sincerely.

But then Han Ying delivered another piece of news, this time far less welcome.

“Until the ceremony, you are not to see each other. Zhu Changxuan, you will stay and train with me. I will inform your parents. Xuejin, focus on your recovery.”

She then instructed Chuanping and the others to begin preparations for the wedding.

Zhu Changxuan and Han Xuejin had no choice but to agree.

One month later, outside the Demon Palace, a plain brown chicken and a lazy orange cat were chatting casually. Demon soldiers who passed by didn’t even blink anymore. They respectfully greeted the animals as “my lords” and continued on their way.

Bi Ci passed through the courtyard and frowned. Ever since she had learned, through subtle probing, that Sui Sheng’s thousand-year inner core had recently been used, she looked down on the chicken with increasing disdain. Soon after, she quietly left the Demon Realm.

In a bamboo grove within the Demon Realm, Han Ying—surprisingly patient—was teaching Zhu Changxuan sword techniques.

Zhu Changxuan, a pure water spiritual root, showed remarkable talent and trained with full dedication. In just one month, she had already mastered sword flight.

Her original body had been frail, not due to a lack of spiritual power, but because damaged meridians prevented her from using it. If she had forced it back then, her body could have exploded from the strain.

Now that her body had been healed, she could feel a powerful force inside her—primal and overwhelming.

Han Ying watched her progress with silent astonishment. In just one month, she had advanced from the Qi Refining stage to Foundation Building. Though that was not high cultivation, it was incredibly fast. The early stages were easier, but this kind of pace was still almost unheard of.

In all her years, Han Ying had never seen anyone improve so quickly. Even she, the most gifted talent in the Demon Realm, had taken a full year to reach that point.

Zhu Changxuan kept repeating the sword forms Han Ying taught her, completely focused and without complaint. Han Ying barely needed to correct her. This girl had great potential. She could almost be worthy of her daughter.

Almost.

“Stop. That’s enough for today,” Han Ying said.

Though her techniques were well executed, something felt off.

Han Ying walked over and began inspecting Zhu Changxuan’s form—by touching her.

She ran her hands along Zhu Changxuan’s waist and back, frowning with concern.

“You’ve been training for a while, but your body still feels too soft. This waist is so slim. And your hips… barely any flesh. How are you supposed to satisfy Xuejin?”

Her last words were spoken in a quiet mutter.

Zhu Changxuan stood there, expression dark. She had no words. It was one thing to examine her waist, but to grab her butt? That was crossing a line. Was the Demon Lord really saying such things with a straight face?

Had she just been harassed? Or groped?

She had never expected Han Ying to be like this.

“Senior, could you… not touch me there?”

Han Ying looked serious. “Hmm? What’s wrong with touching you a little?”

Zhu Changxuan stared at her, speechless. Why did that line sound so familiar? And why did her solemn face not match the actions of her hands?

Just then, Han Xuejin arrived, hoping to secretly catch a glimpse of Zhu Changxuan.

Over the past month, she had trained hard herself. The incident with the corpse cultivator had taught her to always be prepared. If a Nascent Soul-level zombie king ever appeared again, her current power would not be enough.

But today, she couldn’t hold back any longer. She came to check on Zhu Changxuan’s progress and to see if she was adapting well under her strict mother’s training.

When she saw her mother’s hand on Zhu Changxuan’s waist—and her other hand clearly lower—she nearly fainted.

In a flash, she appeared beside them, face cold and voice filled with displeasure.

“Mother, what are you doing?”

Han Ying froze. Realizing the awkward position she had been caught in, she quickly stepped back, face stiff, and turned away with forced calm.

“I was just checking on her body. She was a bit tense, so I gave her a light massage. That’s all.”

Zhu Changxuan gave her a look full of grievance.

“You said I was too soft.”

Han Xuejin said nothing.

Han Ying’s expression cracked. She hadn’t expected Zhu Changxuan to expose her so directly. Why was she looking at her with those eyes?

Han Xuejin said coldly, “Training is over for today. Changxuan, let’s go. Also, Mother, if she ever needs a massage, I’ll take care of it. You don’t have to trouble yourself.”

She grabbed Zhu Changxuan’s hand and walked off without looking back.

Han Ying remained standing.

Wait. Hadn’t she said they weren’t allowed to meet before the wedding?

She recalled the icy look her daughter had just given her. Maybe she would let it slide this time.

Zhu Changxuan and Han Xuejin walked side by side through the quiet bamboo grove.

It had been so long since they last saw each other. Zhu Changxuan felt happy, though a bit shy.

“Xuejin, weren’t we told not to meet before the wedding?”

Han Xuejin smiled faintly.

“It doesn’t matter. I missed you.”

When Zhu Changxuan heard that, her breath caught for a moment. Inside, her heart burst with joy.

She reached out and tightly held Han Xuejin’s slightly cool hand.

“I missed you too. I’ll work hard to grow stronger. Even though you may not need my protection, if something urgent ever happens, at least I won’t be a burden.”

Han Xuejin was briefly stunned. She could feel the warmth in Zhu Changxuan’s palm, along with the sincerity behind her words. She’s doing all this for me.

She gently squeezed Zhu Changxuan’s hand in return. “Alright. Let me help teach you how to cultivate.”

Zhu Changxuan hesitated. “Would that delay your own training? Besides, your mother is already teaching me.”

That comment triggered a memory Han Xuejin had tried to suppress. She remembered the awkward and uncomfortable moment from earlier and forced a small smile.

“It’s alright. Training together will help both of us improve.”

Seeing Zhu Changxuan still unsure, Han Xuejin added a quick excuse.

“My mother is going to be busy with official matters. She won’t have time to keep training you. I’ll take over instead.”

“I see. Thank you, Xuejin!” Zhu Changxuan was so moved, she felt like throwing her arms around her. Xuejin was such a wonderful person.

“There’s a lake just ahead. The view is nice over there. Want to walk around for a bit?”

Han Xuejin’s eyes filled with affection. “Alright.”

Zhu Changxuan didn’t let go of her hand, and Han Xuejin didn’t mind.

The two of them walked together to the lake. The path was lined with stone, and a wooden fence about a meter high ran along the edge. Willow trees surrounded the area, their branches swaying gently in the breeze.

They walked side by side along the lake, enjoying the calm and peaceful atmosphere.

Right now, Zhu Changxuan only dared to hold hands. The most she had done before was ask for a kiss during her confession. That had already taken all her courage. Anything more than that felt too overwhelming.

She was especially nervous now, after not seeing Han Xuejin for a month.

Even though they had once taken that final step, it happened when they were both unclear-headed. She hadn’t been the one in control. Despite being the alpha, Zhu Changxuan usually avoided thinking about that side of herself. That night, it was Xuejin who had taken the lead, and she had simply followed along.

Sometimes she wished she and Xuejin could switch roles. If Xuejin were the alpha and she were the omega, everything would make more sense. She felt more like someone who should be held and protected. Someone who belonged on the gentler side.

Then again, with how strong Xuejin was, even if she were the omega, she would still probably be on top.

Stop. Stop right there. What am I even thinking?

Realizing the direction of her thoughts, Zhu Changxuan felt her whole face heat up. She quickly raised her free hand to cover her blush.

Stay calm. Do not panic. Do not sweat through the hand you’re holding. Just relax. Let her think you’re composed.

Han Xuejin noticed something strange. “Changxuan, what’s wrong?”

Zhu Changxuan quickly shook her head. “Nothing. Really.”

Her eyes darted to the side, avoiding Han Xuejin’s gaze completely.

Han Xuejin narrowed her eyes slightly and watched her for a moment. Seeing her cheeks turn red, she smiled and let it go. They were getting married in just a few days. And yet, Zhu Changxuan was still this shy. It was absolutely adorable.

She would need to start planning how to properly claim her wife.

They continued walking quietly for a while. Then, just a few meters ahead, a small koi fish, no bigger than a palm, suddenly leapt from the water and landed on the stone path by the lakeside.

“Oh no, I’ll save it.”

Zhu Changxuan let go of Han Xuejin’s hand and rushed over. She scooped up the little koi and gently returned it to the lake.

Just as she did, a large black-scaled fish, several times bigger rose from beneath the surface and swallowed the small koi whole.

Zhu Changxuan froze in place.

Han Xuejin stared silently.

The black-scaled fish didn’t swim away. Instead, it poked its head above the water and stared directly at Zhu Changxuan. Its eyes were big and round, blinking slowly.

A moment passed.

Then its mouth opened and closed, and an oddly human voice came out.

“Hey, pretty lady. Are you going to keep me?”