Chapter 9 The Ninth Day of the Fourth Month

The Main Hall of the Demon Palace

Yu Xiao idly toyed with the small vial Chu Xuyun had just given him. It was Chu Xuyun’s first gift to him, one he intended to treasure.

In the center of the hall, a sharp-faced man draped in fox fur stood at the seat. His eyes curved in a half-smile as he spoke, “The twelve cities at the border between the Demon Domain and the Demon Realm have never been clearly defined since the reign of the previous Demon Lord. Now, Lord Demon wishes to redraw the boundaries. I ask that Lord Zun join us for a meeting at the Dragon Palace.”

Yu Xiao typically delegated such matters to his subordinates. With two guardians at his side, he rarely needed to concern himself with such affairs. This envoy from the Demon clan had no business meeting him, theoretically.

Yet Yu Xiao was in a good mood today, hence his visit.

“Tell Yīn Xuzhao to come see me on his own.”

He had no intention of allowing Yīn Xuzhao to be lured to the underwater Dragon Palace, nor was he foolish enough to give Yīn Xuzhao a chance to plot against him on his own turf.

“If Venerable Lord has no interest in discussing matters, then I shall report faithfully to Demon Lord.” Before leaving, the Demon envoy cast a meaningful glance towards a side hall of the Demon Palace.

Indeed, there was the scent of a human.

Among humans, demons, and monsters, the Demon clan’s sense of smell was the keenest. If he guessed correctly, the only human who could safely survive in the side hall of the Demon Palace must be that Immortal Lord.

Yu Xiao’s demon attendants gestured expressionlessly to escort the envoy out. Then, from the seated figure came a calm voice, “Tell Yīn Xuzhao that the ninth day of next month is a good day. If he’s free, he can come and celebrate my wedding.”

With those words, the Demon envoy lifted his head in disbelief. Even his voice trembled slightly, “May I ask on behalf of Lord Demon, whom does Venerable Lord intend to marry?”

Yu Xiao squinted his eyes, seeming considerably pleased. His lips curved slightly, “He will see for himself on the wedding invitation.”

The Demon envoy turned pale, then departed without looking back, disappearing like a wisp of smoke.

—

Dragon Palace of the Demon Domain

Under the bright light of morning, a round little creature rolled up to Chu Xuyun’s feet.

The small creature shook itself, revealing four tiny legs and two large orange ears almost bigger than its face.

Chu Xuyun looked at the orange cat-like creature before him, pondering for a moment. He reached out and gently tapped its head.

Where did this little demon come from? Its demon aura was so weak, almost negligible, yet its appearance was strangely cute.

Although its demon disguise was well done, it could only deceive ordinary demon cultivators. If Yu Xiao were to discover it, he would recognize it at a glance. Fortunately, Yu Xiao was currently in the dungeon helping Li Yanhe improve, and wouldn’t return for some time.

The creature affectionately rubbed its finger, then cautiously pulled out a jade pendant from its furry spotted coat. It respectfully presented it to Chu Xuyun.

Chu Xuyun paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on the jade pendant. Something was amiss.

Unlike the weak demon aura of the little creature, the jade pendant emitted a strong, terrifying demon aura, far beyond ordinary.

His eyes narrowed in realization. Just as he was about to pick up the jade pendant for a closer look, it shattered the moment his fingertip touched it, revealing a thin red paper with small words written in vermilion.

The voice of the tanuki echoed timely in his ear, “Xiao Tanuki has seen Taiqing Immortal Monarch. The Lord of the demons sent me to deliver a message. If you wish to leave this place, please follow the terms on the jade pendant. If you agree, I will immediately use my disguise technique to take you away.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Xuyun opened the note, silently staring at the small crimson characters for a moment. Without changing his expression, he tore the note to shreds and then casually crawled back into his soft bed to sleep.

“Xianjun! Xianjun, did you not see clearly?” The tanuki was incredulous for a moment, then urgently approached, “Opportunities are fleeting. Please, Immortal jun, seize this chance. Our Lord of the demons does not show such concern for just anyone!”

Chu Xuyun turned over, covering his ears.

Tanuki: …

“Immortal Monarch, only our Lord of the demons can shelter you now. Don’t you realize? Yu Xiao will force you into marriage on the ninth day of the fourth lunar month!”

Upon hearing this, Chu Xuyun finally reacted. He turned around and looked up at the tanuki.

“Immortal Monarch, you must consider carefully. There won’t be another chance like this. Our Lord of the demons sincerely wants to help you. Did you understand the terms on the note?”

He understood them clearly.

“You will marry our Lord of the demons first, and then bear a child with him. That way, you will be kin to our demon clan. If Yu Xiao dares to insult you again, it would be like insulting our entire demon clan. Just bearing a child with our Lord is quite advantageous!”

Chu Xuyun fell silent for a while, then decisively got up from the bed and grabbed the tanuki’s neck, throwing him out the window.

What nonsense.

He had no idea who this Lord of the demons was, let alone bear a child with him. They must have mistaken him for another Chu Xuyun.

Besides, he had no intention of marrying anyone other than Yu Xiao. One was more than enough.

Chu Xuyun closed the window tightly, calmly raised his eyes, and made a farewell gesture to the tanuki outside the window, who was jumping around and waving frantically at him.

Go away.

Such a foolish cat, dancing here after mistaking someone. Go find the real Chu Xuyun quickly.

The tanuki despaired outside the window for a while, then quietly slipped away, fearing being discovered by the devilish cultivators.

Xianjun was indeed too stubborn. Just having a child!

They could lay dragon eggs, there was no need for the Immortal Monarch to bear one!

*

Today, Yu Xiao was very busy. Since becoming the Demon Lord, this was the first time he had been so busy. He had just dealt with Li Yanhe, and soon Chu Xuyun’s other disciples came one after another.

Although he didn’t have to do it himself, he still had to watch over his disciples. If he accidentally killed one, the relationship between him and Chu Xuyun, which had just eased slightly, would become cold again.

Gradually, more and more disciples came. Yu Xiao finally began to find it strange that these disciples seemed to have a plan. Instead of coming to save people, they seemed more like they were undergoing a trial in the Demon Realm. If they couldn’t win, they quickly regrouped and returned.

The damage was not great, but it was extremely annoying.

If he knew who was organizing these disciples to be so disgusting behind his back, he would have to show the mastermind his skills.

Yu Xiao took a deep breath and adjusted his mood before gently pushing open the side hall door.

Chu Xuyun was looking through ancient books, which Yu Xiao had specially selected for him yesterday. Chu Xuyun seemed deeply engrossed.

He liked reading, writing, and occasionally playing chess with the sect master and the elders. Yu Xiao remembered every one of Chu Xuyun’s preferences.

Only when Chu Xuyun quietly stayed by his side like this did Yu Xiao feel that he was not a Demon Lord with a heinous identity.

He was no one but Yu Xiao.

“What did the Immortal Lord do today?” Yu Xiao hugged Chu Xuyun’s waist gently from behind, but Chu Xuyun moved slightly sideways, avoiding his hands.

Yu Xiao’s movement stiffened, and then unwillingly hugged him forcibly, lowering his voice, “Yesterday the Immortal Monarch gave me sweets to eat, why so distant today?”

Chu Xuyun raised his face seriously and looked at Yu Xiao.

Almost instantly, Yu Xiao understood that he was angry. When Chu Xuyun was angry, his eyebrows would slightly frown, and the curve of his lips would be stiff and cold, as if he would draw his sword in the next moment.

Who had offended Chu Xuyun today?

“What’s wrong?” Yu Xiao asked softly.

Chu Xuyun reached out his hand, pointed at the clear water in the teacup, and slowly fell on the table.

Yu Xiao held his breath, quietly waiting for him to finish writing, and saw a few words on the table.

– Ninth day of April.

That was the day Yu Xiao had originally planned to marry Chu Xuyun, fearing that the night was long and the dream was more, so he set an early date.

“What about the ninth day of April?” He had not mentioned it, and how did Chu Xuyun know about this day? It seemed that the array in the Demon Palace needed to be strengthened, otherwise, there would always be some rats sneaking in from the gutter.

Chu Xuyun tightly pursed his lips, and a circle of red gradually appeared in his eyes.

Yu Xiao stared at him without blinking. Seeing Chu Xuyun’s eyes turn red, he first froze for a moment, and then realized after a long time that Chu Xuyun seemed not to be angry, but…

Sad.

He was a bit at a loss, holding Chu Xuyun’s face, his voice was low and urgent, “What’s wrong with the ninth day of April?”

Chu Xuyun turned his face away, slowly lowering his eyelashes.

Ninth day of April.

That day was his mother’s memorial day.

He hadn’t told his mother about him and Yu Xiao, she would be angry if she knew.

In any case, he couldn’t set it on that day, and he had to take Yu Xiao back to his hometown to meet his parents and villagers.