Chapter 11 Dragon Palace

Yu Xiao bent down and indeed sensed a hint of Chu Xuyun’s aura from the snow-white kitten. If they hadn’t been so close, he might have had difficulty recognizing that this little cat was Chu Xuyun.

Tabby demons like this one were weak in strength but excelled in disguise, perhaps the best among the demon clan. Fortunately, Yu Xiao had strengthened his array beforehand, sensing something intruding into the hall immediately; otherwise, he wouldn’t have known if Chu Xuyun had left.

“You look much more approachable like this, Immortal Lord,” Yu Xiao couldn’t help but reach out and gently stroke Chu Xuyun’s head. The fluffy sensation was like touching soft cotton, hard to imagine this was the Immortal Lord who struck fear into demons and monsters.

Yu Xiao couldn’t help but think if Chu Xuyun’s personality was as cute as this little cat, he wouldn’t have to worry about Chu Xuyun despising him.

But Yu Xiao knew it was just wishful thinking. He understood that Chu Xuyun could never be like a tanuki.

Feeling the gentle touch on his head, Chu Xuyun lifted his head and instinctively nuzzled against Yu Xiao’s palm.

It felt so comfortable. Yu Xiao, please, stroke him again.

In the next moment, Yu Xiao scooped him up into his arms and chuckled softly, “Xianjun, have you developed the habits of tanuki since becoming a tabby? Enjoying snuggling into my palm?”

Chu Xuyun felt a bit shy from his teasing, dignifiedly using his paw to gently push Yu Xiao’s hand away.

The little paw had hardly any strength, making the gesture even more intimate.

Yu Xiao resisted the urge to stroke the kitten in his arms again and glanced at the trembling tabby demon beside him, his voice turning cold, “Are you not going to release the spell on the Immortal Lord?”

Although it was adorable that Chu Xuyun had been transformed into a cat, they were to be married in three days. He couldn’t have a cat at the ceremony.

Earlier, he had sent his men to find some fine fabric, preparing to make Chu Xuyun’s wedding robe. He needed to measure the size himself.

Hearing Yu Xiao’s words, the tabby demon muttered stubbornly and quietly, “I can’t release it. Even if you kill me, I can’t do it.”

With a sudden chill in his eyes, Yu Xiao’s voice lowered, “Do you think I don’t want to kill you?”

A lackey of Yin Xuzhao’s, his death would be no loss.

The tanuki knew well enough that his life meant nothing. Trembling violently, it continued defiantly, “I’m not afraid of you. Go ahead and kill me. If you kill me, Chu Xuyun will forever remain a little tabby cat.”

At these words, Yu Xiao sneered lightly. He stared straight at the tabby demon, his voice low, “Dying might not be as easy as you think. But making you speak is simple. I happen to be skilled in soul-searching techniques. After the process, your soul will gradually shatter from the pain, more agonizing than death.”

Hearing this, the tanuki trembled even more violently, unable to stand and slumping on the ground. It wanted to crawl away but its legs were as weak as noodles, unable to move.

It knew all too well about soul-searching techniques. It had heard that those who underwent such a process either went mad or died. Dying might be a relief, but those who survived had to endure the excruciating pain of a shattered soul for the rest of their lives.

The Demon Venerable was terrifying. Who could save it now?

“Now,” Yu Xiao spoke slowly, “I’ll give you one last chance. Release the spell on the Immortal Lord, and I’ll spare your life.”

Considering how cute Chu Xuyun looked as a cat, Yu Xiao could overlook the demon’s crimes.

But the tabby demon was still tearful, “But I… I really can’t release it. Only the Lord of the Demons can speak the incantation to remove it…”

Anticipating that Chu Xuyun might not agree to return with it to the Dragon Palace, the Demon Lord had prepared a contingency. If Chu Xuyun refused to leave, the tabby demon could simply transform Chu Xuyun into a cat. Without the Demon Lord’s spell, Chu Xuyun would have no choice but to leave.

After hearing the explanation, Yu Xiao’s brows furrowed deeper. Whenever he thought of Yin Xuzhao’s extremely punchable face, he became upset and disturbed.

He didn’t want Chu Xuyun to see Yin Xuzhao. But now, he had no choice but to take Chu Xuyun to see that bastard.

After a while, Yu Xiao took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes, “Very well. I’m currently lacking a dragon tendon for the wedding robe’s belt.”

He might as well take it from Yin Xuzhao.

*

The magic chariot sped through the air, with miles of floating clouds visible outside the window.

Chu Xuyun lay in Yu Xiao’s hands, shifted his body, and found the most comfortable angle, peacefully falling asleep.

Being a little cat was quite nice. No worries, no sorrows, and sleeping anywhere and anytime without anyone complaining.

Especially sleeping in Yu Xiao’s arms was even better. Yu Xiao would gently stroke his back as if giving him a massage, making his whole body feel half numb with comfort, quickly becoming drowsy.

He didn’t know how long he had slept, but Yu Xiao finally woke Chu Xuyun up.

“Immortal Lord, the sun is about to set.”

His voice carried a teasing tone.

Chu Xuyun suddenly felt much more awake. Had he slept in Yu Xiao’s arms all day long?

Without eating for a day, he hadn’t even noticed he was hungry. Now without mana, if he went hungry for too long, he might die.

“Yu Xiao, I’m starving. Please give me something to eat!”

Food!

Opening his eyes, however, he saw a transparent film covering everything. He was still cradled warmly in Yu Xiao’s arms.

Chu Xuyun blinked, extending his hand to touch the film when Yu Xiao gently stopped him.

“Your claws are too sharp, Immortal Lord. They might pierce through the water-repelling film. It’s better not to touch it.” Yu Xiao smiled and held Chu Xuyun’s paw, feeling the soft, bouncy pads, which made him quite content.

Water-repelling film?

Chu Xuyun turned his head and realized they were currently underwater, surrounded not by the sky but by the clear blue sea floor.

“The ancient array outside the Dragon Palace of the Demon Clan is impenetrable!” The tanuki demon, bound like a rice dumpling, refused to accept it, “Once you enter the Demon Clan’s territory, do you think you’re still as powerful as on land?”

Yu Xiao ignored its provocation and leisurely enjoyed the underwater scenery while holding Chu Xuyun.

With the wedding just three days away and the bride price not yet prepared generously, finding some treasures or oddities in the Dragon Palace would be the best choice for hairpins.

Thinking of this, Yu Xiao looked up at the underwater Dragon Palace, which was already close at hand, slowly drawing the magic sword from his waist.

Underwater was indeed different from the surface. Yu Xiao hadn’t fought Yin Xuzhao underwater, but he had heard that the Dragon Clan was unmatched underwater. He wasn’t arrogant enough to think he could easily kill Yin Xuzhao.

But he would never hand Chu Xuyun over to anyone. If the marriage didn’t happen in three days, not just Yin Xuzhao, but the entire Dragon Palace would be razed to the ground.

As the water-repelling film approached the Dragon Palace, suddenly, a huge whirlpool surged beneath them.

The array had been activated.

Yu Xiao immediately placed Chu Xuyun into his bosom, close to his heart, and aimed the magic sword at the center of the whirlpool.

But in the blink of an eye, the whirlpool swept towards them at terrifying speed.

A cold laugh sounded beside him, and Yu Xiao swung his sword to attack, but he missed.

“Yu Xiao, I underestimated you. You dare to come to my territory seeking death.”

As expected, it was the familiar and nauseating voice of Yin Xuzhao.

A whirlpool enveloped Yu Xiao, rendering him blind to his surroundings. Darkness surrounded him, as if he had entered an illusion.

Yu Xiao spoke coldly, “I’ll count to three. Undo the spell on the Immortal Lord.”

As his words fell, Yin Xuzhao’s mocking laughter echoed in his ears again.

“I didn’t kill you back then, and after so many years, you’ve become quite the threat. Now you even dare to threaten me.”

Hearing him mention the past, Yu Xiao’s face darkened.

Chu Xuyun tried to peek out from Yu Xiao’s collar to see what Yin Xuzhao looked like, but as soon as he lifted his head, Yu Xiao pressed him back down.

Of course, Yu Xiao did it on purpose.

Chu Xuyun must not see Yin Xuzhao.

When he got no response from Yu Xiao, Yin Xuzhao seemed to realize something, his voice suddenly softening a bit, “Is Chu Xuyun also here?”

“Demon Lord, Chu Xuyun has turned into a raccoon. Please, do not cast any spells!” The raccoon, tied up tightly, finally got a chance to speak.

In almost an instant, Yin Xuzhao understood the whole situation.

So, that’s how it was.

No wonder Yu Xiao would take such a big risk to come underwater to find him. It turned out that Chu Xuyun had turned into a raccoon and couldn’t undo the spell.

In the deep sea, silver-white scales shimmered brightly in the dark water, a massive dragon tail stirring the water excitedly.

“Yu Xiao, quickly return Chu Xuyun to me.”

“What did you say?” Yu Xiao gripped his sword even tighter.

Yin Xuzhao sneered, the sarcasm in his voice clear even through the whirlpool, “Chu Xuyun turned into a raccoon just to escape from you. He came to find me, and I should thank you for bringing him to me personally.”

Hearing this, the raccoon opened its mouth, then slowly closed it again.

It seemed the Demon Lord misunderstood. Chu Xuyun didn’t voluntarily turn into a raccoon, but now was not the time to correct him.

“To find you? Don’t be so self-absorbed. The Immortal Lord himself said he would marry me in three days.” Yu Xiao slashed through the whirlpool in front of him, his gaze like a blade, staring at the silver-white dragon deep in the sea. The next moment, the whirlpool reformed, trapping Yu Xiao firmly in its center.

Seeing that he couldn’t escape the whirlpool, Yin Xuzhao smiled confidently, “You believe such words? Marrying you in three days? What good deed have you done to make Chu Xuyun look at you differently, eager to marry you early?

Reflect on yourself. How many good deeds can you name?”

As his words fell, Yu Xiao stood frozen, speechless.

He indeed had never done any good for Chu Xuyun.

He had tricked him into the Demon Palace, forced him into dual cultivation, and coerced him into marriage. Each act was heinous. What good deeds could he talk about?

“Since you’ve come seeking death today, I’ll make sure you understand. He agreed to marry you only because he received my letter earlier, stalling for time to find a chance to leave. I promised him that if he came to find me, I would protect him.”

The white dragon’s golden eyes glowed with icy light, and Yin Xuzhao’s voice grew colder, filled with killing intent.

“Yu Xiao, today we’ll settle both old and new scores.”

In the warm and dry embrace, Chu Xuyun clung tightly to Yu Xiao’s chest, awakened by the unmistakable killing intent.

Yu Xiao’s body was so warm. He had accidentally fallen asleep just now, or maybe he had fainted from hunger.

Where were they in the conversation? Yu Xiao, can we eat now?

Chu Xuyun pushed open Yu Xiao’s collar, trying to climb out, and heard a slightly trembling voice from above,

“Immortal Lord, is what Yin Xuzhao said true?”

Chu Xuyun: …Hmm?