However, having perhaps exerted too much energy, Qu Weiyin still felt a bit fatigued. She exhaled softly, swinging her two white legs down from the bed, her bare feet touching the floor.
She gently stroked Luo Jinxiao’s hand before leaning down to collect the stray strands of her hair behind her ear. She grabbed the blanket that had been kicked aside and draped it over Luo Jinxiao’s exposed shoulders.
Only then did she get up, her sheer garment flowing around her, cascading down to wrap around her ankles as she lazily moved about. She poured a cup of tea and set it beside the bed.
As she turned around, a hand unexpectedly seized her wrist, pulling her clothing. Qu Weiyin, caught off guard, tumbled back onto the bed.
The warm, graceful body of Luo Jinxiao landed atop her, wrapping her waist tightly.
Luo Jinxiao was still half-awake, her hair sticking up in a few rebellious tufts. She pressed her rosy lips together and rubbed her chin against Qu Weiyin’s chest.
Qu Weiyin felt a ticklish sensation, softly chuckling as she raised Luo Jinxiao’s chin, pretending to be vexed. “Awake now?â€
Luo Jinxiao nodded, unable to resist glancing downward.
Qu Weiyin couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time, trying to control her movements. “What are you doing?â€
A wave of heat rose to Luo Jinxiao’s cheeks, suddenly reminding her of last night’s Qu Weiyin—so beautifully radiant, a perfect blend of restraint and fervor.
The blush on her face deepened as she recalled the way they led each other to the brink, the tears at the corners of her eyes, and the soft pleas that almost reduced her to despair.
Qu Weiyin noticed the growing redness on her face and knew she was lost in not-so-innocent thoughts. She couldn’t help but feel shy herself, instinctively adjusting her clothing.
“Get up; it’s too messy in here. I’ll tidy up,†Qu Weiyin said softly, avoiding Luo Jinxiao’s gaze.
Luo Jinxiao shook her head, stretching her neck to nuzzle against Qu Weiyin’s cheek, before placing a kiss on the marking on her forehead. Qu Weiyin couldn’t help but let out a gasp, her body trembling lightly.
“Luo Jinxiao, have you had your fun?†Qu Weiyin said, feeling both angry and helpless. She thought to herself that exposing her weaknesses like this was truly not a good idea.
Luo Jinxiao’s lips slowly slid down, kissing Qu Weiyin’s moist ones gently, tenderly silencing the remaining words in her mouth.
Qu Weiyin felt her grip on her hand tighten, her breath growing erratic, and as she closed her eyes, she melted into the embrace, allowing Luo Jinxiao to take the lead.
Suddenly, a flurry of wings beating against the wind swept through the window, followed by a sharp scream that startled Luo Jinxiao, causing her to loosen her grip and nearly fall off the bed.
Qu Weiyin reacted instantly, springing up as a cascade of red light enveloped her from head to toe. In an instant, she was fully dressed, her crimson dress cascading from her waist, with the sleeves cut open to reveal half of her snowy white arms as she fluttered toward the edge of the bed.
She stood there wide-eyed, watching a woman tumble to the ground, coated in sand.
Then, a smaller version of Qiongqi flapped its wings, soaring through the window and transforming back into a girl. The girl shook off the dust clinging to her before bouncing onto the bed, eager to nuzzle against Luo Jinxiao.
Luo Jinxiao, startled, hurried to put on her clothes.
“Back already?†she asked, shaking off the flying yellow sand and coughing a few times.
Qiongqi nodded, habitually trying to sniff Luo Jinxiao’s face, but Qu Weiyin grabbed it by the collar, lifting it up with an annoyed expression.
From a distance, Luo Jinxiao could sense the anger radiating from Qu Weiyin.
Feeling a bit awkward, she scratched her head and pretended to act nonchalant as she got off the bed and approached Tang Lanner, who was still struggling to get up from the ground.
Tang Lanner looked up and, upon seeing Luo Jinxiao’s face, suddenly craned her neck and started to cry, tears as big as peas mixing with the sand to form muddy clumps that fell to the floor.
“Luo Jinxiao, are you here to save me?†she sobbed, her voice shaky.
“Shut up,†Qu Weiyin snapped, and at the sound of her voice, Tang Lanner immediately stifled her tears, covering her mouth with a pitiful expression.
Luo Jinxiao rubbed her chin as she observed the situation.
The scene felt inexplicably awkward, leaving Luo Jinxiao momentarily speechless.
Tang Lanner’s tear-filled eyes darted around the room until they landed on Qu Weiyin, causing her legs to tremble in fear. She shifted backwards towards Luo Jinxiao, her voice barely above a whisper as she asked, “She’s not going to force you to marry her, is she?â€
“This room is decorated like this, could it be that Qu Weiyin is pressuring you into marriage?â€
As Tang Lanner spoke, her thoughts grew colder, and she began to cry again, her voice breaking, “She wouldn’t really force you…â€
Luo Jinxiao saw Qu Weiyin’s face darken and quickly covered Tang Lanner’s mouth, desperate to prevent Qu Weiyin from becoming enraged and tearing her apart.
“Shh, get up, I’ll explain,†Luo Jinxiao whispered, then stood up and gently placed a hand on Tang Lanner’s elbow, trying to help her rise.
However, she suddenly felt a chill run down her back and turned to see Qu Weiyin’s pale red eyes locked onto her, staring expressionlessly.
Luo Jinxiao instinctively released her grip, and before Tang Lanner could even scream, she fell heavily to the ground again.
Half an hour later, the Cold Moon Palace finally returned to its original state, except for the double happiness character on the wall that hadn’t been removed. A faint floral fragrance lingered in the air.
Having talked until her throat was dry, Luo Jinxiao accepted the teacup Qu Weiyin handed her and took a sip of the fragrant tea.
“So you’re saying she hasn’t really demonized?†Tang Lanner sat up obediently, casting a sideways glance at Qu Weiyin before averting her gaze again.
“Then why did she lock me up for so long? It nearly scared me to death. She’s so petty,†she murmured quietly.
“Are you two considered married now?†she asked cautiously, her eyes glinting with a hint of disappointment.
“Yes,†Qu Weiyin replied coldly, her previously silent demeanor breaking.
At that moment, Qiongqi, who was sitting cross-legged nearby, let out an extremely long belch, causing a cloud of red sand to burst forth and messily scatter throughout the neat room once more.
The group fell into silence for a moment, and Qu Weiyin furrowed her brows as she pulled Qiongqi closer, peering into its mouth as she inquired, “What did she eat?â€
“I encountered a beast that spits sand, but thankfully Qiongqi arrived just in time,†Tang Lanner gasped, the terrifying scene still vivid in her memory.
Qu Weiyin glanced at her, scoffing lightly. “That’s a Dust Devil; according to legend, it forms in the sand and is nurtured by demonic energy.â€
“Of all things to eat, why that?†Qu Weiyin shook her head slightly, placing her soft white hand on the girl’s abdomen. A red light emanated from her palm as she gently rubbed.
Qiongqi, feeling comfortable, smacked its lips and finally deigned to lick Qu Weiyin’s face.
Luo Jinxiao watched this scene with immense satisfaction.
“However, that fierce wind from last night was rather odd. I’ve been in the demon realm for so long, and while the climate is unpredictable and complex, such a tumultuous wind is truly abnormal,†Qu Weiyin remarked suddenly.
Luo Jinxiao’s heart skipped a beat as she recalled what Luo Ning had mentioned about the calamity that had fallen upon the heavens.
She hoped she was just overthinking it.
Just then, a knock came from the outside—a polite series of three raps. Qu Weiyin ceased her actions and stood up to open the door.
It was the handsome man with half of his face obscured. He didn’t look inside but spoke softly to Qu Weiyin, leaning closer.
After a moment, Qu Weiyin closed the door and returned, striding quickly to Luo Jinxiao’s side. A fragrant breeze followed her as she leaned in and whispered softly in Luo Jinxiao’s ear, “Jinxiao, I need your help with something.â€
“What is it?†Luo Jinxiao asked, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
She had been feeling restless with all her strength bottled up, afraid to act impulsively and cause a commotion in the demon realm. Being able to assist Qu Weiyin felt like a tremendous honor.
If there was even a reward involved, that would be even better.
As she contemplated this, she unwittingly voiced her thoughts.
Qu Weiyin paused, a grin forming on her lips as she quietly asked, “What do you want?â€
“I want you to leave the demon realm with me. How about I take you back to the heavenly realm?†Luo Jinxiao asked carefully.
Although that place had become a ruin, the thought of being in a peaceful, undisturbed place began to excite Luo Jinxiao.
“Okay,†Qu Weiyin replied, trying to stifle her laughter but not dismissing it. She nodded earnestly.
“As long as I’m not apart from you, anywhere is fine.â€
The two shared a gaze, each seeing the profound love reflected in the other’s eyes.
Tang Lanner, with her cheeks flushed, quickly turned her head away, covering her eyes with her hands. Qiongqi opened its mouth, letting out a loud belch that echoed throughout the room, sending a cloud of dust rolling everywhere.
Qu Weiyin straightened her back abruptly, feeling awkward as she adjusted her throat. She grabbed Luo Jinxiao, turning back to instruct Qiongqi to keep an eye on Tang Lanner and not let her run off.
Qiongqi covered its mouth to suppress the imminent dust eruption, nodding fervently.
Luo Jinxiao followed Qu Weiyin out, striding confidently through the winding hallways. As they left, Qu Weiyin retrieved the dusty Remnant Moon Star Sword, holding it in her hand.
After awakening and realizing she had killed so many at the Gate of Life and Death, she had been reluctant to face the bloodstained sword and had placed it back in its sheath.
Now, it was finally time to use it again.
“In the past three years, I have built some connections in the demon realm, quietly keeping tabs on Yougui and their movements. Yougui believes I have truly become a demon and will join him in battling the celestial realm; he has obeyed my commands and retrieved the scattered pieces of the formation diagram,†Qu Weiyin explained.
“I’ve endured for three years. He thinks he can control me, Qu Weiyin? He must be dreaming.â€
“Now that the time has come, those who harm the world shall be destroyed.â€
Qu Weiyin spoke with a detached calmness, her killing intent swirling around her. Holding the Remnant Moon Star Sword, her red robe moved as if blown by the wind, and even in the dark corridor, she appeared as a fierce celestial figure.
Luo Jinxiao’s gaze remained fixated on her, reluctant to look away.
Luo Jinxiao loved to see this side of Qu Weiyin, wildly and proudly exuding her strength between heaven and earth.
The demon palace was sparsely populated, and Qu Weiyin concealed herself gracefully, avoiding attracting any attention as she ascended the stairs, gradually making her way to the top.
The view outside expanded into a vast expanse; although it was a wasteland, with red sand covering the ground, there was an overwhelming beauty to it.
“Is the formation diagram here?†Luo Jinxiao asked.
“Yes.â€
“Without the formation diagram, Yougui wouldn’t possess the power he has now. The demon realm under his control wouldn’t rise above the five realms, causing havoc.â€
“Everything should be here,†Qu Weiyin replied, gently grasping Luo Jinxiao’s hand. “You stay outside and guard while I go in.â€
Luo Jinxiao instinctively wanted to refuse, but Qu Weiyin interrupted, “You don’t know where it is. Stay at the door to prevent being ambushed from behind.â€
At the end of the hallway was a dark, imposing hall, its arched doorway painted with terrifying and grotesque creatures. As several guards stationed at the entrance moved to stop them, Qu Weiyin swung her sleeve, sending them flying without a sound.
At that moment, the quiet surroundings were suddenly filled with thick black smoke that transformed into a multitude of demonic creatures rushing toward them, their ghostly wails echoing in Luo Jinxiao’s ears, sending chills down her spine.
Qu Weiyin’s fiery figure floated into the depths of the darkness, and as Luo Jinxiao turned around, a surge of icy frost fell from above, freezing all the attacking demons into solid blocks of ice, which quickly turned to wisps of white vapor.
Luo Jinxiao felt an exhilarating rush; with a simple gesture, she eliminated every last demon that dared to attack her.
Meanwhile, inside the hall, a deafening explosion resonated, followed by a spray of flames as if something had detonated. Torrents of scorching wind mixed with debris and flesh burst forth from the archway, filling the space with chaos.
Comment