Chapter 3 Hunger Strike

Celery.

Chu Xuyun’s aversion to celery can be traced back to his childhood.

At that time, he had not yet joined the Taiqing Sect and was just an ordinary child from an ordinary family.

His mother, unaware of his talent for cultivation, wanted him to study and pass the imperial examinations, hoping he would “diligently strive for success.” Therefore, every meal included celery.

Eventually, Chu Xuyun ate so much celery that he would vomit. He never passed the exams, but instead went up the mountain to cultivate, spending over ten years there, becoming the youngest Immortal Monarch of Taiqing Sect.

In fact, one of the reasons he chose to cultivate was that he heard cultivators could live without food, which meant no more celery.

He succeeded in building his foundation in just three days, allowing him to abstain from eating indefinitely. However, he continued to eat three meals a day mainly because he was greedy.

“Eat.”

A cold voice interrupted Chu Xuyun’s thoughts, forcing him to look up at the man sitting across from him. He swallowed quietly and looked away.

Yu Xiao gazed at him, his voice calm and slow, “Does the Immortal Monarch want me to feed you personally?”

Chu Xuyun reluctantly glanced at the food box on the table, hesitated for a moment, and then turned his head away.

No.

Anything but eating this. He would rather die.

Seeing the stubborn determination in Chu Xuyun’s eyes, Yu Xiao squinted slightly and slowly put away the food box.

Moments later, in the side hall of the demon palace.

A wisp of smoke wafted from the stove.

Two thumb-sized little demons clung to the edge of the stove, cautiously watching the figure before them.

The man had a somber expression, his waist wrapped in a black apron, accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His hands, covered with thin calluses from wielding a sword, now gripped a copper spatula.

“What’s wrong with the Monarch?” the red-headed little demon whispered, “Didn’t he just finish cooking half an hour ago? Why is he here again?”

And with such a cold demeanor, his back even inexplicably carried a hint of grievance.

The green-headed little demon beside him glared, “Isn’t it obvious? That Chu Xuyun didn’t appreciate the Monarch’s meal and refused to eat!”

“Oh, I see.” The red-headed little demon was indignant, “What a nerve he has! He should be starved and see if he doesn’t eat when he’s hungry!”

“I can hear you, Red Flame  .”

Upon hearing this, Chi Yan shuddered and quickly put on a fawning smile, “The Monarch has excellent hearing. I just think that person is ungrateful and should be punished for wasting your kind intentions by going on a hunger strike.”

Yu Xiao glanced at it, then expressionlessly raised the spatula and struck Chi Yan’s head. Chi Yan was instantly reduced to a wisp of smoke, its pained scream echoing in the side hall.

“Ouch, Monarch, have mercy. I won’t speak out of turn again—”

Yu Xiao withdrew the spatula, lowered his eyes, and spoke softly, “Get out.”

Their chattering was annoying.

On the chopping board lay a bundle of fresh celery, bought from a nearby town early that morning after leaving the demon realm.

But Chu Xuyun refused to eat—it seemed he was determined to starve himself.

Yu Xiao had anticipated this. Chu Xuyun was proud and aloof, accustomed to sitting above the clouds. Being dragged down by Yu Xiao, how could he swallow this humiliation?

If Yu Xiao hadn’t sealed Chu Xuyun’s cultivation, the first thing Chu Xuyun would want to do would probably be to chop off his head and trample on it.

Forget it, he needed to find another way. Without his cultivation, Chu Xuyun was no different from a mortal and couldn’t go without food.

Yu Xiao pinched his brow and looked at the celery on the table.

He remembered the early years when Chu Xuyun took him back to the sect. During meals, he and Chu Xuyun’s disciples would sit at the table, waiting for Chu Xuyun to arrive.

At the table, Chu Xuyun’s eyes would always glance over the celery, but he never once picked it up for himself. Instead, he would always put it in Yu Xiao’s bowl first.

He knew that Chu Xuyun must have liked eating it. As a senior, Chu Xuyun would choose to give his favorite dish to his juniors first.

This person was always like this. Though silent, stern, and proud, he was meticulous and considerate.

Yu Xiao originally wanted Chu Xuyun to taste his cooking, thinking that if he made Chu Xuyun’s favorite dish, it might improve his mood.

Unexpectedly, Chu Xuyun would rather starve to death than take a bite.

Indeed, a person like Chu Xuyun would never forsake his dignity for a meal. Yu Xiao’s hope was indeed naive.

*

In the demon palace’s sleeping quarters.

Chu Xuyun looked at the open door, recalling Yu Xiao’s displeased expression as he left with the food box, his eyes moistening.

He was so hungry. Since he started cultivating, he hadn’t felt hunger for a long time, making him realize that when starved, even celery seemed appetizing.

He remembered back in the Taiqing Sect, every time they ate, he and his disciples would sit at the table. To avoid being seen as picky, he would immediately move the celery to someone else’s bowl.

But now, he couldn’t just give the celery to someone else. If Yu Xiao had said he would take the food away if he didn’t eat, he wouldn’t have been picky earlier.

Curling up on the bed, Chu Xuyun hugged himself.

Maybe he should sneak out, find an inn near the demon realm, eat his fill, and then come back.

He wanted grilled fish, roasted rabbit, and braised beef, and if he could have a fragrant steamed bun, that would be even better.

Just thinking about it made Chu Xuyun drool, feeling even hungrier than before.

He couldn’t wait any longer.

Putting on his clothes, Chu Xuyun quietly slipped on his boots and tiptoed to the door.

Outside, two demonic guards stood. Hearing movement, they turned suddenly.

Chu Xuyun quickly hid behind the door. Though he had no spiritual power, he still had some martial arts skills. Escaping wouldn’t be difficult.

However, going through the main door would be too obvious, likely attracting Yu Xiao. Chu Xuyun thought for a moment and turned to the only window in the room.

Escaping through the window seemed like a good idea.

Making up his mind, Chu Xuyun sneaked to the window. Just as he placed one foot on the windowsill, a somewhat puzzled voice came from behind.

“What are you doing?”

Chu Xuyun froze, stuck in an awkward position on the windowsill—his foot still not fully extended.

The silence in the room carried a faint sense of embarrassment.

Yu Xiao took a deep breath and spoke with difficulty, “You…”

Even if you want to escape, you should be more cautious. Didn’t you hear my footsteps?

Without his spiritual power, Chu Xuyun indeed had no other way to escape. Otherwise, he would never do something like this.

Chu Xuyun’s ears burned. He slowly put his foot down, not daring to raise his head.

How embarrassing.

Yu Xiao must think he’s stupid. Though the sect leader often said so, he didn’t want Yu Xiao to notice. He wanted Yu Xiao to think he was intelligent and respectful…

“Come back,” Yu Xiao said, his eyes fixed on Chu Xuyun’s movements. “You can’t escape. There’s a formation outside.”

Hearing this, Chu Xuyun pursed his lips, feeling annoyed.

Not giving food and not allowing him to leave—was he trying to starve him to death?

It seemed the rumors about Yu Xiao were true.

Previously, Chu Xuyun, who was deceived by Yu Xiao’s beauty and doubted the rumors about him being a demonic overlord, finally confirmed that Yu Xiao was guilty of not feeding him.

“Come back,” Yu Xiao urged softly.

Chu Xuyun turned his head to look out the window, pretending to watch the clouds.

He wouldn’t go back.

He was determined to fight against evil.

Seeing his resolute stance, Yu Xiao frowned, knowing that Chu Xuyun wouldn’t easily listen. After a while, he took the food box from the demon guard behind him and spoke calmly,

“It seems the Xianjun is determined.”

Hearing this, Chu Xuyun turned his head and saw Yu Xiao placing the food box on the table, then closing the door tightly.

With a bang, the door was shut firmly, not letting in even a breeze.

Chu Xuyun had no time to care why Yu Xiao closed the door. His mind was filled with the food box Yu Xiao had just placed on the table.

It smelled so good!

So fragrant, so delicious!

What did Yu Xiao bring this time?

Taking a deep breath, Chu Xuyun smelled the scent of grilled meat.

But in Yu Xiao’s eyes, his fixed, vigilant gaze seemed like he was ready to fight back at any moment.

Chu Xuyun was still wary of him. He probably wouldn’t eat this meal either.

Yu Xiao’s expression darkened.

But, no matter how reluctant, Chu Xuyun had to eat today.

Chu Xuyun swallowed, staring intently at the food box.

Yu Xiao, hurry up and ask me to eat.

If you give me a small concession, I’ll rush over and eat right away, and I promise I won’t run away again. Just hurry up and ask me.

Without looking at Chu Xuyun, Yu Xiao slowly opened the food box and said indifferently, “Since the Xianjun is determined to escape and leave me, you must not want to eat this meal. So I’ll enjoy it for you.”

Chu Xuyun: …Huh?

Yu Xiao took out a plate of grilled fish, a plate of braised beef, and a bowl of fragrant sticky red bean porridge from the food box, then opened the steamer at the bottom to reveal several steaming, sweet-smelling white buns.

Chu Xuyun’s eyes widened, staring at Yu Xiao picking up a piece of braised beef with chopsticks and putting it in his mouth.

“No wonder the braised beef at Songling Inn is their signature dish. It’s indeed well-made.” Yu Xiao looked at Chu Xuyun, smiling slightly for once. “Xianjun, do you remember these delicacies from Songling Inn?”

Remember, remember, remember!

Chu Xuyun swallowed his saliva and never once took his eyes off the plate of sauced beef.

Back when he cultivated on the mountain, whenever he grew tired from training, he would invite friends and disciples to the Pine Tomb Inn for a few drinks.

Although he didn’t drink, the sauced beef on the table was always devoured the fastest by him.

“It’s a pity Xianjun won’t enjoy it today. Since you’re unwilling to eat, I’ll just have to eat for you.” Yu Xiao smiled and picked up a piece of roasted fish, crispy on the outside and tender inside, with his chopsticks and put it into his mouth.

This was his last resort.

However, Yu Xiao also knew that with Chu Xuyun’s stubborn temperament, he would never compromise because of his crude temptations.

Now he could only reluctantly give it a try.

Just as he was about to pick up another piece of beef, his wrist was suddenly gripped tightly.

Yu Xiao stiffened slightly and looked up at Chu Xuyun standing coldly in front of him, his breath stopping short.

Why did it feel like… he was angry?

Chu Xuyun’s face darkened, and during his time in Taiqing Sect, whenever Chu Xuyun frowned, the disciples in the hall dared not even breathe loudly, bowing their heads to avoid his gaze.

Yu Xiao was no exception.

The two stared at each other, the atmosphere freezing for a moment, until Yu Xiao’s hands and feet turned cold, Chu Xuyun suddenly snatched the chopsticks from his hand, sat opposite him, and ate heartily without any politeness.

Bad guy, trying to eat alone, Yu Xiao was indeed bad, he wanted to finish all the food and not leave any for Yu Xiao!

Yu Xiao finally came back to his senses, staring dumbfoundedly as Chu Xuyun cleared the plate of sauced beef and six white steamed buns in an instant. For a moment, he even doubted his own eyes.

Could this trick actually work?

No.

Chu Xuyun couldn’t possibly fall for such a crude trick; he wasn’t someone who was gluttonous.

Could it be that Chu Xuyun thought he had poisoned the food and didn’t want to live anymore, so he reluctantly ate the food Yu Xiao gave him?

That must be it.

Otherwise, why would Chu Xuyun angrily stare at him as if he was determined to die?

Suddenly, the food in Yu Xiao’s mouth lost its taste.

After a long while, he lowered his eyes and smiled faintly,

“Sorry to disappoint you again.”

Yu Xiao stood up, turned around,

“I didn’t poison it. You won’t die. Xianjun, enjoy your meal slowly.”

He closed the door, stood under the eaves, and gradually tightened his fingers, almost squeezing his palms.

Suddenly, a dark ink-colored demon mist appeared before him, a scout he had sent out.

“Report to Lord, Ji Lianzhou has arrived in Ning’an City.”

At these words, Yu Xiao’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he said softly, “Understood.”

Long-lost friends reunited; now that Ji Lianzhou had arrived in the Demon Realm, he should extend hospitality as a good host.

Seeing Yu Xiao leave, Chu Xuyun chewed on the steamed buns, tilting his head in confusion.

What did Yu Xiao just say?

Oh well, forget it, I’ll eat first.