Chapter 1 Speechless

In the Demon Palace, after the rain in the valley, the rare sun came out.

Through the layers of miasma and demonic fog, a ray of sunlight shone into the Weiyang Palace. Outside the window, gardenia petals floated in with the spring breeze, spinning softly in midair before landing on the crimson silk bedspread, resting on an exposed, snow-white ankle, which bore a few delicate kiss marks.

As if sensing the touch of the petals, the exquisite, jade-like ankle twitched slightly, quickly withdrawing into the warmth of the silk quilt like a startled rabbit.

The spring breeze of the morning was not particularly warm.

Chu Xuyun, half-squinting, pulled the quilt tighter around himself. The usually cold and indifferent phoenix eyes seemed to melt, now looking lazy and relaxed.

Three days without having to cultivate, how wonderful.

He couldn’t remember the last time he had slept in so late.

Normally, even before dawn, the elder in charge would come to urge him to teach his disciples in the school.

But now, he could openly sleep in for so long and wake up in a bed much more comfortable than his own palace. Chu Xuyun had never felt life this enjoyable.

So happy, so delightful…

“The Immortal Monarch of Taiqing can really hold his composure; it’s already the third day since he was brought to the Demon Palace, and yet there’s no reaction.”

Two demon guards serving outside the palace glanced inside, withdrawing their gaze anxiously.

“Indeed, usually the captured cultivators would have cried their hearts out by now, some even trying to perish together with us…” One guard paused, then suddenly widened his eyes as if struck by a thought. “Do you think he’s waiting for an opportunity to restore his cultivation, then kill our Monarch and slaughter everyone in the Demon Domain?”

At these words, both guards couldn’t help but shiver.

They had heard the legends of Chu Xuyun slaughtering the Demon Domain alone many years ago. Though it had been seven years since then and the Demon Domain had changed rulers three times, Chu Xuyun was no longer the same as he was back then.

Yet, the name of the Immortal Monarch of Taiqing still struck fear into anyone who heard it. Just guarding him made their legs tremble, wishing they could switch shifts with someone else as soon as possible.

A starved camel is still bigger than a horse.

Who didn’t know that even when Chu Xuyun was still a mortal, he could kill demons with just his martial skills? If he truly got serious, these two would certainly be doomed.

As they were pondering, a slight noise came from the inner Palace, startling the two guards like frightened birds, nearly scaring them out of their wits.

“What is he doing?”

“How should I know? You go in and check…”

“Why should I go? You go.”

“Forget it, let’s not go. The Monarch only told us to stand guard.”

“…Yes, anyway, the lord will be back soon!”

Chu Xuyun turned over, his ears twitching slightly, picking up every word from the two outside.

The lord was coming back?

Should he get up, then? After all, this was someone else’s home; would it be considered impolite to stay in bed?

“Out in the world, you represent the Taiqing Sect; don’t disgrace us.” The sect leader’s voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

Reluctantly, Chu Xuyun climbed out of the soft quilt. His smooth, snow-white back was covered with starry kiss marks. Just as he was about to get dressed, he heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

“How is he?”

A low voice came from outside.

Chu Xuyun paused his movements, his expression remaining calm, but his hands visibly sped up, showing a hint of urgency.

“Replying to the lord, the Immortal Lord is still sleeping.”

“Still sleeping?”

Hearing the slightly puzzled voice, Chu Xuyun’s ears turned slightly red.

If only he hadn’t slept in.

He remained silent, but his movements became even faster as he haphazardly tried to put on his inner clothes. However, the intricate garments were his ceremonial robes, making them difficult to wear properly in a short time.

Before Chu Xuyun could fully dress, the door was suddenly pushed open.

He froze in place, the air thick with a heavy and awkward atmosphere—Chu Xuyun was still mostly naked.

Chu Xuyun didn’t turn to see the other’s expression, instead hurriedly picking up his outer robe to cover himself. A shadow fell over him as his busy wrist was grabbed by a cold hand.

The outer robe quickly slid down his fair shoulder, revealing a prominent bite mark.

“Since you’re not dressed, there’s no need to put it on.”

At these words, Chu Xuyun lowered his head, blinking slightly before looking up at the owner of the hand, tracing the faint blue veins up to the face.

It was an exceedingly handsome face; in all his life, Chu Xuyun had never seen such a beautiful appearance.

Beautiful, extremely beautiful.

That was the only way he could describe Yu Xiao, even though he knew Yu Xiao was the Demon Domain’s lord. Yet, this face stirred emotions in anyone who saw it.

The slightly lowered eyebrows and eyes seemed to hold a deep pool of desire, the gaze scorching like fire, fixed intently on Chu Xuyun’s lips.

Being stared at like this made Chu Xuyun’s heart inexplicably pound. He lowered his eyelashes, instinctively trying to pull his hand away.

Before he could move, the grip tightened, preventing any escape.

“Hiding?”

Yu Xiao sneered lightly, unsure if he was mocking Chu Xuyun or himself, “The Immortal Lord still detests me so.”

Chu Xuyun paused for a moment, his lips slightly parted before he slowly pressed them together.

He practiced the Silent Way, where words were like gold, and ordinarily, he wasn’t allowed to speak frivolously, not even half a word.

Chu Xuyun shook his head, looking away in embarrassment.

Seeing him avert his face, Yu Xiao’s expression turned slightly colder.

After a while, the tall figure suddenly pressed down, and a large, strong hand instantly pinned Chu Xuyun onto the soft bed.

The cold fingers, pale to the point of showing a faint blue, slid under his thin inner clothes, exploring along his waist.

Chu Xuyun shivered at the cold touch, instinctively shrinking back, hurriedly pushing Yu Xiao away.

The action seemed like extreme impatience and refusal. Yu Xiao’s fingers stiffened slightly, hidden under the thin clothes, unnoticed by anyone.

“Immortal Lord, get used to it.”

Yu Xiao’s expression remained calm, his curled fingers soon relaxing, casually caressing Chu Xuyun.

“Without your powers, you can’t escape anyway, so you might as well stay here with me.”

At these words, Chu Xuyun suddenly looked up, staring at him in disbelief.

Meeting his gaze, Yu Xiao paused briefly before quickly looking away, speaking in a detached tone, “Hating me is useless; you can’t kill me now.”

Chu Xuyun blinked again.

What was there to hate?

He could actually stay in the Demon Palace and live here—he had worried last night that he would be killed by morning.

This place was wonderful.

No need to teach disciples, no nagging from the sect leader and elders, no early mornings, no worries about the troubles of the cultivation world, nothing to do at all.

And he had someone as beautiful as Yu Xiao to sleep with.

He really liked it.

Yu Xiao silently lowered his eyes, not looking at Chu Xuyun, and began to undress Chu Xuyun’s half-worn clothes.

Chu Xuyun curiously looked up at him.

Were they going to do what they did yesterday again?

Yesterday…

Yu Xiao had held him all night, doing something very comfortable.

He had read about it in the library before; it seemed to be called dual cultivation, something done with someone you liked, to enhance both feelings and cultivation.

Unfortunately, he was caught by his elder halfway through reading, who took the book from him, blushing, and scolded him never to read such things again.

Yu Xiao’s movements were gentle and slow.

Chu Xuyun sat quietly before him, only coming back from last night’s wonderful memories when Yu Xiao began to untie his belt.

Instinctively, he reached out to press Yu Xiao’s hand.

This ceremonial robe was difficult to wear and just as difficult to remove, especially the inner belt buckled at the back. He could do it faster himself.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he pressed Yu Xiao’s hand, Yu Xiao suddenly looked up at him, breathing slightly faster.

“Immortal Lord, it’s best to resist less, at least for the sake of the Taiqing Sect people.”

Without Chu Xuyun’s protection, the Taiqing Sect cultivators would have long been devoured by various demons and enemies.

Their lives were now in Yu Xiao’s hands.

Yu Xiao didn’t care about the lives of Taiqing Sect cultivators. If not for Chu Xuyun, he wouldn’t even remember this sect.

But, if he didn’t say this, Chu Xuyun would never spare him a glance.

Sure enough, Chu Xuyun slowly lowered his hand, allowing Yu Yu to untie his belt.

He didn’t quite understand.

Why did Yu Xiao insist on untying this belt himself?

Did he find it amusing?

If it was for amusement, there was no need to threaten him for it…

Fine, let him undress me then.

Chu Xuyun withdrew his hand, and with a soft sound, the buckle was undone, and his inner garment slipped off.

Yu Xiao’s breathing momentarily paused, his gaze falling on Chu Xuyun’s body for just a moment before quickly looking away.

Chu Xuyun obediently sat in front of him, waiting for Yu Xiao’s next move. The weather was cold in the early morning, so he pulled his inner garment over his shoulders to cover himself.

One of his movements must have triggered something in Yu Xiao, who suddenly leaned down, staring intently at Chu Xuyun’s slightly flushed lips.

His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and he licked his lips, his voice very low, “Do you know what you should do now?”

Chu Xuyun was taken aback.

Was Yu Xiao testing if he had properly learned the dual cultivation technique from last night?

Thinking of this, his mind raced, replaying the scenes from the night before.

Oh no, he couldn’t remember clearly. What should he do…

Feeling guilty, he lowered his head, avoiding Yu Xiao’s gaze.

Yu Xiao naturally noticed his actions.

A pang of pain pricked his heart, and after a long while, he suddenly smiled, “Immortal Lord, do you truly not care about the lives of the Taiqing Sect members?”

As these words fell, Chu Xuyun looked at him with a slightly troubled expression.

Why did it seem like Yu Xiao was angry?

Was it because he hadn’t properly learned the dual cultivation technique?

But why would Yu Xiao be angry and then bring up the lives of the Taiqing Sect members? Could it be that Yu Xiao used “Taiqing Sect members” as a nickname for him?

He was indeed a Taiqing Sect member, so that reasoning made sense.

“Immortal Lord,” Yu Xiao called out softly, with a hint of urgency.

Chu Xuyun swallowed.

He had drifted off again.

But no matter how much he urged, it was useless; he really had forgotten…

Forgotten completely and thoroughly; he only remembered Yu Xiao first undressing him, and then what came after…

Wait?

He could first undress Yu Xiao as a way to stall. At least, Yu Xiao wouldn’t be as angry as he was now.

Just this step should be fine, right?

Gathering his courage, Chu Xuyun looked up at Yu Xiao, clenching his fists inside his sleeves.

Seeing his gaze, a dark color flashed in Yu Xiao’s eyes.

“Since the Immortal Lord is unwilling, then I—”

Before he could finish his sentence, his collar was suddenly grabbed tightly. Yu Xiao was stunned in place, feeling a chill—

He had been stripped naked by Chu Xuyun.