Chapter 38 : Beauty with Flowers in Her Hair

Two days later, Ji Yu and Jiang Shiqiu set off for the capital.

The carriage was waiting at the main gate of the Ji family residence. The Demon Division memeber in their scarlet clothes and armed with strange blades were already there, mounted on powerful horses with a formidable presence that made people reluctant to approach.

Passersby in Wushan City looked on with curiosity. Could it be that the young master of the Ji family was leaving again?

When they saw Jiang Shiqiu and Ji Yu walking out of the Ji family gate, and the guard dismounting to salute them, they realized what was happening.

Most common folks avoided the Demon division member whenever they traveled, due to the heavy demonic aura they carried from years of dealing with demons and evil creatures. Even though the enforcers never acted aggressively towards ordinary people, few dared to approach them.

However, since Jiang Shiqiu had emerged and become the Ji family’s son-in-law, the people of Wushan City had started to view these scarlet-clad enforcers differently and even began to think of them in a more favorable light.

Old Lady Ji personally sent her granddaughter to the door. Upon seeing the waiting Qin Du and others, her expression was somber.

From the actions of Qin Du and his companions, it was clear that the court’s attitude towards Ji Yu, the demon vessel, was quite ambiguous. They were inviting her to the capital rather than escorting her as a prisoner. Of course, it might also be due to fear of Jiang Shiqiu or as a courtesy to him, with plans to decide her fate once she arrived in the capital.

“Grandmother, we’re leaving,” Ji Yu said. “Please take care of yourself while I’m gone.”

Old Lady Ji maintained a stern demeanor and said, “Go ahead. Don’t worry about me. I’m not so old that I can’t wield a blade.”

As she spoke, her gaze turned sharply towards the enforcers, her aura no longer suppressed.

Qin Du and the others felt an immense pressure.

Old Lady Ji had long been renowned and had profound cultivation. Even though Qin Du had been trained as a talented individual from a young age and was confident in his abilities, he did not dare to act recklessly in her presence.

Thus, even though Qin Du was typically arrogant, he had approached the Ji family with a more respectful attitude this time.

He felt it was extremely difficult.

What was even harder was…

Seeing Lord Jiang’s adoring and almost obsessive behavior towards the young master, as if he wanted to protect her with his life, Qin Du sighed again.

He had a premonition that if anyone dared to harm the young master, Jiang Shiqiu would unleash a deadly fury.

As Ji Yu got into the carriage, she lifted the curtain and waved to Old Lady Ji, who was standing at the door, “Grandmother, take care!”

Old Lady Ji waved back at her granddaughter.

All that needed to be said had been said over the past two days. Despite the reluctance, Old Lady Ji had to suppress her emotions.

Aunt Gui, who had been by Old Lady Ji’s side, was already wiping her tears, while Ji Buhuan, Hongxiao, and other Ji family disciples had reddened eyes and were trying hard to hold back their emotions.

They could not accompany the young master to the capital or protect her as they wished. How could they be at ease?

As the carriage left the alley and the Ji family members at the door faded from view, Ji Yu finally let down the curtain.

She leaned against the carriage wall, gazing at the swaying curtain, and felt a rare sense of confusion.

“Wife.”

Ji Yu turned instinctively and saw a colorful flower basket thrust in front of her. The basket was filled with fragrant flowers that perfumed the entire carriage.

Holding the vibrant bouquet, she looked down at the blooming wildflowers, their names unknown but their vitality and beauty pleasing. She couldn’t help but smile and asked, “When did you pick these?”

“This morning,” Jiang Shiqiu said with a beaming smile, drawing out a single flower from the basket.

Seeing the brilliantly colored flower in his hand, Ji Yu understood.

He really did have a strong preference for such vivid colors. Sometimes she even wondered if his choice to become the commander of the Demon Suppression Division was influenced by their striking red uniforms, which matched his tastes perfectly.

He chose to become the commander of the Demon Division, not because their uniforms are red, perfectly matching his preferences, right?

Jiang Shiqiu picked a flower from the branch and placed it in her hair. He looked around and nodded in satisfaction, saying, “Fresh flowers for a beautiful person, my wife looks truly lovely.”

Ji Yu’s hand, holding the flower basket, moved slightly as she smiled and said, “Why don’t you put a couple of flowers in your own hair?”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shiqiu didn’t refuse and eagerly replied, “Then you help me!”

It was clear he was very eager to do this. Ji Yu hesitated for a moment, then, under his watchful eyes, selected two large red flowers, which made him very happy.

She placed the two vividly colored flowers in his hair.

A beautiful person adorned with flowers indeed looked very charming.

The couple inside the carriage happily played with the flowers, making a mess of the flowers in the basket.

The fat-headed fish in the glass bottle observed this with anxiety. Why weren’t any flowers being fed to it? Watching them carelessly toss the flowers around made it feel heartbroken.

Such a waste.

Seeing the fish’s agitation as it swam around, Ji Yu found it amusing and tossed a few flowers into the glass bottle.

The fat-headed fish happily wiggled its little tail and began eating contentedly.

Many petals flew out through the carriage window, white, pink, yellow, red dancing in the early summer sky, slowly drifting down onto the grass that the horses had trodden.

The Demon Division members accompanying them were reminded of the events that took place on the old master Chen’s birthday.

Although they hadn’t been present, they had heard numerous stories related to the petals.

Petals used as vessels, repelling floods, a petal bridge soaring through the sky…

Just imagining it, they felt the scene was both beautiful and incredible.

The one who acted was their commander who preferred to be a hands-off manager.

No wonder even the emperor had instructed them to invite the young master to the capital first, rather than capturing her directly.

Qin Du rubbed his aching forehead.

This mission was proving to be exceptionally difficult. Since the young master was chosen as a demon vessel, she was surely no ordinary person. No matter how they treated her, it felt wrong.

Not to mention Jiang Shiqiu…

Qin Du had anticipated this mission wouldn’t be easy, but he hadn’t expected it to be this tough.

In the past, when the Demon Division had to escort someone to the capital, they would follow the arrangements and travel swiftly to avoid delays.

However, this time, due to the need to care for the young master’s health, they could only travel four hours a day, two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon, with mandatory rest periods.

What was even worse was that every morning, Jiang Shiqiu had to go into the mountains to pick flowers and into the river to catch fish to please his wife.

When the delicate, colorful petals flew out of the carriage window, Qin Du did not find them beautiful. Instead, he saw them as a warning from Jiang Shiqiu, reminding them not to talk too much otherwise, those seemingly fragile petals could strangle them.

A few days later, after traveling for most of the day, Ji Yu leaned against Jiang Shiqiu’s chest and gradually fell asleep.

In her drowsy state, she suddenly heard the sound of weapons clashing outside and awoke, asking, “What happened?”

Jiang Shiqiu, with one long leg bent and an arm around her, casually said, “It’s nothing. They can handle it.”

Indeed, the commotion outside ended quickly.

Ji Yu didn’t probe further.

By evening, during their rest period, Ji Yu asked Qin Du about the incident.

“Just some blind assassins,” he replied with a dismissive look.

“They should have known their own capabilities better.”

“Do you think we Demon Division members just sit around doing nothing?”

Ji Yu suddenly realized.

Since the truth had been revealed, although everyone feared Jiang Shiqiu and dared not speak out, many still wanted to kill her to eliminate potential future threats.

In the past month, because she had been in Wushan City, which was the Ji family’s territory, assassins couldn’t infiltrate. Thus, things had been relatively peaceful. Now that it was known she was leaving the city for Yun Jing, it was the perfect time for an attack.

“My wife, don’t worry about these trivial matters.” Jiang Shiqiu led her into a room to rest, casting a concerned glance at her, fearing she might be distressed.

Even though she had done nothing wrong, she was being persecuted simply for being chosen as a vessel by demons.

Ji Yu smiled and said, “I understand.”

It wasn’t to the point of being distressed. From the moment she learned the truth, she had known what lay ahead and was mentally prepared.

—

That day, they missed their scheduled stop and had to stay in a dilapidated temple in the wilderness.

Jiang Shiqiu was very particular and directed the Demon Division members to clean the entire decrepit temple thoroughly before he deigned to let Ji Yu rest there.

Next, he instructed the Demon Division members to start a fire and cook a meal, demanding four dishes and a soup, and not to be careless about it.

Everyone: “…”

Members of the Demon Division were all skilled demon hunter, known for living in rough conditions. When camping outdoors, they could sleep directly on the ground.

Now, being asked to prepare a full meal in the wilderness, and to make it properly without cutting corners, was a huge challenge.

But what could they do? They couldn’t fight back, so they had to endure and get busy with it.

Ji Yu sat in the cleared area, holding the flower basket in her arms, with a glass bottle tied to her waist, and watched the Demon Division members working hard.

The fat-headed fish was excitedly wiggling its large head, enjoying watching the Demon Division members being directed around. It felt quite content.

It was just a pet for the demon hunter, while these people were pitifully forced to serve the master as subordinates.

Ah, indeed, contrast makes one feel blessed!

By the time night fell, the Demon Division members had finally managed to prepare four dishes and a soup.

Though the presentation was not great, the aroma was decent and it should be edible.

Jiang Shiqiu, however, was dissatisfied and complained, “When we get to Yunjing, make sure to find a chef to practice your cooking skills. With this level of cooking, how are you ever going to get a wife?”

Everyone: “…”

Even the most patient person might have thought of rebelling at this point.

They grumbled inwardly, thinking, who says you need to be good at cooking to get a wife? They didn’t have to cook for their wives themselves…

Wait, they were exorcists, with endless official duties every day. Where would they find the time to cook for their wives?

Jiang Shiqiu, displeased with their cooking, didn’t let Ji Yu eat their subpar food. Instead, he personally made a bowl of simple noodles for her.

“My wife, bear with it for now. Once we’re in the city tomorrow, I’ll make sure you get something delicious.”

Ji Yu smiled and nodded, glancing at the Demon Division members, noticing their eyes were about to pop out. She couldn’t help but smile.

Jiang Shiqiu actually knew how to cook!

Looking at the appearance of this bowl of noodles, it was absolutely perfect! And just smelling it, she could tell it would taste great.

No wonder he was so picky.

At that moment, Qin Du and the others couldn’t help but reflect. Could it be that they didn’t have wives because they couldn’t cook?

After dinner, the sky was completely dark.

Although it was early summer, the temperature in the mountains was relatively low. The wind had picked up during the night, causing the mountain breeze to howl and the air to grow heavy with a chilling mist.

Ji Yu was nestled in the soft bedding, her eyes closed. The delicate blue veins beneath her thin eyelids added a touch of stunning color to her fair face, creating a breathtakingly beautiful appearance.

Her eyelids fluttered slightly, as though she wasn’t sleeping peacefully.

Ji Yu was dreaming again.

In her dream, there was dense fog that obscured the sky. Strange noises echoed through the fog, and a sense of danger loomed.

Hiss—!

Ji Yu suddenly jolted awake, seeing a massive demonic python coiled above her. The flat snake head loomed over her, its cold, beastly eyes dark and chilling.

In the next moment, the snake head opened its gaping maw and lunged towards her.

Ji Yu was about to draw her golden bead to defend herself when, unexpectedly, the snake head stopped mid-air, as if something had seized its neck. It let out a roar, and the dream began to unravel.

With a loud crash, Ji Yu woke up from her nightmare.

Opening her eyes, she found herself in someone’s embrace. Before her was the half-collapsed decrepit temple, and in front of it lay a wounded demonic python, its breath faint and clearly gravely injured.

This massive python was a direct match to the one in her dream.

The python lifted its head slightly and locked eyes with Ji Yu.

It hissed, its voice raspy like that of an old man: “Hiss—kill her— for the master…”

In the next moment, countless black threads pierced through its body. The demonic python’s form shattered into a puddle of flesh, its voice growing weaker until it finally disappeared.

Qin Du and the others gathered behind Jiang Shiqiu, holding their demon-slaying knives, alertly scanning their surroundings.

Seeing the demonic python die in such a manner, they were both shocked and thrilled, gazing at Jiang Shiqiu with admiration, eager to follow him into battle.

The Demon Division had strict internal discipline and revered strength. Only the strongest could command the other members, making each commander the strongest among them.

With the python dead, Jiang Shiqiu carried Ji Yu into the half-collapsed temple.

Though partially destroyed, the remaining structure still provided shelter from the wind and rain. It appeared that during the fight, they had deliberately avoided damaging this side of the temple.

When Jiang Shiqiu set Ji Yu down, she realized she was still wrapped in the blanket. It seemed she had been carried out of the bedding while asleep.

Uh…

As she settled back into the soft bedding, Ji Yu reflected on what had happened and asked, “The master that the demonic python mentioned… it shouldn’t be you, right?”

Jiang Shiqiu’s expression changed dramatically in response.

He gritted his teeth and said with restrained anger, “My wife, do I look that insignificant to you?”

Ji Yu blinked and quickly understood his logic.

The demonic python, which had nearly a thousand years of cultivation, was not considered a threat to him, it was merely a lower-class reptile. He had no such weak subordinates, so this was an insult to him.

Ji Yu sincerely apologized and then asked, “Was it trying to kill me?”

She was quite surprised.

It seemed that not only were there people wanting to kill her after her status as a vessel for demons was revealed, but even the demons themselves wanted her dead. It was rather unusual.