“Be good, eat your meal,” Qu Weiyin said with a smile, gently waving a bun in front of the Qiongqi’s mouth with her delicate fingers.
Ignoring her, the Qiongqi continued grooming itself. Qu Weiyin’s expression shifted suddenly, and she barked, “Eat it now!”
Startled, the Qiongqi yelped and tried to scramble onto the bed, nearly pushing Luo Jinxiao into the wall with its massive head.
Luo Jinxiao nearly coughed up blood from the impact, stumbling off the bed in a daze. Clutching her chest dramatically, she said, “Demon… I mean, Senior Aunt, it’s a Qiongqi, not a dog. It needs raw meat.”
Qu Weiyin glanced at the bun in her hand, then at the Qiongqi, which still had its back turned to her. With a simple “Oh,” she turned and left the room, tossing the basket of buns to Luo Jinxiao. “Then you eat them.”
With that, the door slammed shut, leaving Luo Jinxiao holding a basket of meat buns, feeling somewhat helpless.
She patted the Qiongqi’s fur, trying to clear the disheveled hair from her forehead. The forbidden technique had taken its toll, nearly costing her life.
Moreover, it was astonishing that someone of her talent could summon an ancient ferocious beast. Reflecting on it felt surreal. Luo Jinxiao poked the Qiongqi again and then slumped into a chair to rest.
It was said that ancient ferocious beasts were rare, not appearing for thousands of years. The one from Qu Weiyin’s past was reportedly taken from distant Donghu, and judging by the fur and drooping red eyes, this seemed to be the same one.
Could it be such a coincidence? Luo Jinxiao frowned.
After several days without a bath, she felt sticky and uncomfortable. She picked up a basin and towels, intending to leave, but remembered she was in Qu Weiyin’s room and couldn’t fly down with her current state.
Just as this thought occurred, she noticed a large wooden tub filled with hot water in the outer room, with clean clothes beside it, likely prepared by Qu Weiyin.
Petals floated in the water, releasing a fragrance identical to Qu Weiyin’s scent. Luo Jinxiao felt a warmth in her cheeks, unsure if it was from the steam or her unwell state.
The demoness had thoughtfully prepared everything.
She slipped out of her outer garments and eased into the hot water. The petals parted and gathered with the ripples, enveloping her in warmth, making even her joints relax. Luo Jinxiao sighed contentedly, leaning against the tub’s edge.
The hot water was so soothing that she lingered longer than intended, finally wrapping herself in a towel and standing up lazily.
Just then, the door swung open. Qu Weiyin entered, carrying her sword with a large piece of fresh beef skewered on its tip.
Their eyes met across the room, both frozen in place. Luo Jinxiao suddenly felt a chill and pulled the towel tighter, preparing to smile when Qu Weiyin pursed her lips and retreated, shutting the door with a decisive bang.
Luo Jinxiao blinked, unsure what to make of Qu Weiyin’s reaction, and decided to ignore it, reaching for her clothes to dress.
Outside, Qu Weiyin composed herself, the recent scene replaying in her mind. She scoffed at her own embarrassment over seeing a young girl bathing.
The girl’s body was different from her own, with long, pale limbs, slender shoulders, and a face made dewy by the steam. Her eyes were moist, lips bright red, with a deeply charming smile.
Closing her eyes tightly, Qu Weiyin reopened them with her usual calm, re-entering the room. Luo Jinxiao was fully dressed, though the skirt was slightly short, revealing her white ankles.
Qu Weiyin’s gaze lingered briefly before she turned and quickened her pace into the inner room.
“Senior Aunt, how do I clean this up?” Luo Jinxiao asked cheerfully, following barefoot. Without a word, Qu Weiyin waved her hand, and the previously chaotic room was instantly pristine, as if nothing had happened.
The Qiongqi, smelling the meat, eagerly bounded out to grab it, dragging it to a corner to eat joyfully.
“Come here,” Qu Weiyin said curtly, not looking at Luo Jinxiao as she sat on the bed with authority.
Startled, Luo Jinxiao stood straight and obediently approached her.
“Using forbidden techniques recklessly, do you know how dangerous that is? If not for me and the elders present, with your level of cultivation, you would have met the King of Hell by now.”
Qu Weiyin’s expression remained steady, but her lowered tone and sharp gaze were enough to send chills down one’s spine.
“If you truly wish for death, you needn’t go to such trouble. Just say the word, and I’ll grant your wish immediately,” Qu Weiyin continued, flicking a finger. The Remnant Moon and Star Sword rose, darting toward Luo Jinxiao, its tip aimed at her throat.
Luo Jinxiao’s pupils contracted, yet she didn’t dodge, inexplicably confident that Qu Weiyin wouldn’t harm her.
Indeed, the sword stopped mere inches from her skin.
Qu Weiyin’s eyes showed surprise, not expecting Luo Jinxiao’s lack of fear.
“But if I hadn’t used it, you would have been injured,” Luo Jinxiao mumbled defiantly.
Qu Weiyin found herself at a loss for words, staring at Luo Jinxiao for a moment before releasing the sword, which slowly floated back to its place.
The room fell silent, with Luo Jinxiao looking down, head bowed, while Qu Weiyin glanced at her still-damp hair, feeling a slight twinge of something softening inside her.
It felt like something was melting.
Clearing her throat, she averted her gaze and asked, “Where did you learn that forbidden technique?”
“Elder Xie’s book,” Luo Jinxiao replied honestly.
“Bring it to me,” Qu Weiyin said, but then shook her head. “Forget it.”
She pushed herself off the bed and walked to the Remnant Moon and Star Sword, tapping it lightly. A red light flared, and a small, red-haired child appeared on the sword.
“What do you want, Qu Weiyin? I’m a dignified sword spirit, and the Remnant Moon and Star Sword is a divine weapon, yet you use me to skewer beef?” the child said, hands on hips, angrily.
“Go to her room and fetch that book,” Qu Weiyin instructed.
“Am I a mere errand runner now?” the sword spirit huffed, jumping in anger.
The Qiongqi, finished with its meal, caught a scent and pounced, mouth open towards the sword spirit, who squealed in fright, leaping onto Luo Jinxiao’s head and kicking its little legs.
“Scared me to death! How is this old thing here? Wasn’t it dead?” the sword spirit exclaimed, mouth agape in disbelief.
Qu Weiyin frowned, coughing pointedly. The sword spirit realized it had nearly let something slip and clamped its mouth shut.
“Hurry up, or I’ll use you to chop beef from now on,” Qu Weiyin threatened coldly.
The sword spirit vanished without another word.
Luo Jinxiao listened, her mind stirring, stealing a glance at Qu Weiyin, who avoided her gaze as if she could sense it.
How could the sword spirit know that two thousand years later, the Demon Sovereign would have a Qiongqi?
“Your celestial veins are damaged, you need to recuperate. Avoid using forbidden techniques and spiritual power for the time being, or not even the gods can save you,” Qu Weiyin advised, her eyes on the Qiongqi, a hint of longing in her gaze.
“But without spiritual power, what if someone bullies me?” Luo Jinxiao asked, seeing Qu Weiyin’s longing look, she felt a playful urge.
“I’ll protect you,” Qu Weiyin replied without thinking, then paused, warmth spreading to her cheeks.
She quickly turned away, her tone turning harsh: “Truly useless, can’t even retaliate, letting others push you around, hopeless.”
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