Chapter 22 Duet
The once-in-a-century "Celebration of All Spirits" in the demon realm is approaching, and the entire palace is filled with a festive and busy atmosphere.
According to tradition, on the night of the celebration, the Demon King must perform an opening divine ritual dance in front of everyone to pray for favorable weather and prosperity for the demon race in the next hundred years.
This was something that Chi Li was very good at.
As a phoenix, dancing is almost an instinct etched into her blood.
In previous years, she danced alone, her crimson-gold figure like a burning flame, noble, majestic, and inviolable, enough to awe all the spectators.
But this year, the situation is a bit different.
When the eunuch came tremblingly to ask for instructions on the dance arrangements, Chi Li was reviewing memorials, while Tang Lu, as usual, was working in the flowerpot next to her... uh, doing her work.
"Your Majesty, regarding the opening divine dance of the celebration, would you like to proceed as usual..." The eunuch hadn't finished asking.
Tanglu, who was originally weaving her ninety-ninth little bracelet with vines in the flowerpot, suddenly perked up her ears.
Although she didn't quite understand what a ritual dance was, she caught the key word—"dance"—and the implied meaning in the eunuch's words that "His Majesty is alone."
Almost at the same moment that Chi Li was thinking, a strong sense of unease and grievance, like a surging small wave, crashed against Chi Li's heart through that invisible bond.
Chi Li paused, her hand holding the pen pausing, and turned her head to look at the flowerpot with a hint of helplessness.
Sure enough, the little guy had already put down the little bracelet in his hand and was clinging to the edge of the basin, looking at her expectantly. His big amber eyes were full of accusations: "You can't go alone!" "Tang Lu wants to dance too!" even though she didn't say a word.
Chi Li could even "hear" the screen flashing wildly in her mind:
"You rascal! You want to sneak off to play by yourself again without Tang Lu!"
I definitely have to dance with Tang Lu!
Otherwise... otherwise Tang Lu will... will cry in front of you!
Chili: "..."
She felt a dull ache in her temples again.
Are you leading the little tree spirit in a ritual dance?
Imagine her displaying the majesty and splendor of the phoenix on a solemn and majestic altar.
A small tree spirit nearby might suddenly take root in place due to nervousness, or start blooming wildly due to excitement, or even trip over its chaotic dance steps and tumble straight off the altar...
The scene was too beautiful for her to bear thinking about.
"The divine ritual dance is no child's play; it requires complete focus and the ability to draw upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth..." Chi Li tried to reason with this illiterate boy.
An even stronger wave of grievances crashed over her, mixed with all sorts of random thoughts such as "Lili dislikes Tanglu for being stupid," "Tanglu is indeed a useless tree spirit," and "Are the stories in the novels true?"
Chi Li felt like there was a little person screaming inside her head.
She took a deep breath, looked down at the eunuchs who dared not breathe, and announced expressionlessly, "This year's opening dance will be a duet."
Palace Attendant: "...Huh?"
Was he hallucinating?
Tang Lu: "!!!"
The "sapling" in the small flowerpot instantly perked up, its eyes gleaming with a light brighter than the sun.
“I dance with Tang Lu.” Chi Li added, her tone carrying a calm that said, “My mind is made up. If you dare to ask any more questions, I will burn you.”
The eunuch practically scrambled back; he needed to immediately inform the master of ceremonies to revise all the procedures!
A two-person divine ritual dance?!
This is absolutely unprecedented in the history of the demon realm!
Tanglu excitedly crawled out of the flowerpot (yes, crawled), and like a little cannonball, rushed into Chili's arms, hugging her neck and laughing and jumping:
"Lili is the best! Tanglu wants to dance with Lili! To dance the most beautiful dance!"
Chi Li caught the cheerful little girl and felt her almost tangible joy. Her worries about "damaging her dignity" inexplicably dissipated by more than half.
Fine, if you're going to jump, then jump.
However, the traditional Phoenix God Festival dance is definitely not an option.
The dance was powerful and the steps were complex, far beyond what Tang Lu's small frame and confused mind could handle.
So, in the days that followed, His Majesty the Demon King took on a new job that was extremely demanding on his patience—choreographer and dance instructor.
She needs to create a brand new dance that can both reflect the majesty of the Demon King (or at least not be too undignified) and allow a clumsy little tree spirit who might fall asleep or daydream to barely keep up with the rhythm.
The teaching process was nothing short of a disaster.
"Tang Lu, raise your hand, yes, not with the vines, but with your hand..."
"Steps, keep up... to the left! It's to the left!"
"Spin around, slowly... Don't shake your head! Feeling dizzy? Okay, okay, I won't spin anymore..."
"Concentrate! Don't get distracted by the butterflies flying by!"
Chi Li felt that all her patience of tens of thousands of years had been exhausted here.
She had never given so many repetitive instructions in her entire life!
Tang Lu studied very hard, but her body clearly had its own ideas.
She was either moving in unison, spinning around until she got tangled in her own vines, or jumping around and suddenly tripping over her own skirt, falling headfirst into Chi Li's arms.
Whenever this happens, Chi Li has no choice but to pick her up, brush the dust off her, and patiently teach her again.
However, seeing the little one immediately get up even after falling down, her eyes sparkling as she shouts, "Let's do it again! Tang Lu can definitely learn it!", Chi Li's annoyance would involuntarily dissipate.
Oh well, let her be a little clumsy. Anyway, with her watching over her, she won't actually fall on the altar.
The night of celebration has finally arrived.
All the demons gathered, and the lights shone brightly.
When Chi Li, holding Tang Lu's hand, appeared on the high altar, the entire venue instantly fell silent.
All the demons stared wide-eyed at their majestic emperor…
And beside His Majesty was the little tree spirit wearing a specially made gold-green dress, who seemed a little nervous and whose little hands were tightly gripping His Majesty's fingers.
The music began, but it was not the solemn and grand movement of the past; instead, it had a touch of etherealness and gentleness.
Chi Li lowered her head and smiled slightly at Tang Lu, conveying reassurance with her eyes: "Don't be afraid, follow me."
Perhaps it was that smile that gave Tang Lu courage, or perhaps it was the resonance of souls that allowed her to perceive Chi Li's guidance. When Chi Li began to move, Tang Lu miraculously followed!
Chi Li's dance steps have been simplified a lot, but they are still beautiful and full of power, like a monarch leading the wind and fire.
Tanglu, on the other hand, is like a golden vine that twines around her, lively and full of life.
Although her movements were still immature, and she was even a beat slow at times, her focused expression, with only Chi Li in her eyes, had an indescribable sincerity and cuteness.
When Chi Li spreads her arms like a phoenix spreading its wings, Tang Lu will also open her little hands, her body emitting soft green light spots, like stars surrounding the phoenix.
As Chi Li spins, bringing with it a stream of crimson-gold light, Tang Lu tries her best to spin around as well, her long golden hair and skirt fluttering in the wind.
Although it still wobbles occasionally, Akari always catches it in time and naturally.
They didn't say a word, but their coordination was exceptionally smooth.
One is majestic and powerful, the other is pure and agile; these two completely different qualities are strangely blended in the dance, creating a stunning yet heartwarming scene.
The demons, who had initially harbored some doubts, were now completely mesmerized.
They had never seen His Majesty like this before, so...gentle, so "human".
I have never seen such a beautiful and unique dance before, which symbolizes the thriving future of the demon realm under the guidance of the king and with the help of new forces.
At the end of the dance, Chi Li gently lifted Tang Lu up.
Tang Lu opened her arms trustingly, her body radiating a soft golden-green light that mingled with the intense crimson-gold divine light emanating from Chi Li.
At that moment, pure spiritual energy from heaven and earth actually gathered above the altar, falling like sweet rain.
The demons were in an uproar!
This is an auspicious sign!
Chi Li put Tang Lu down. The little guy's face was flushed from excitement and a little bit of fear. He hugged her waist tightly and buried his face in her chest.
Chi Li could clearly feel the immense joy, pride, and relief she felt for "finally not letting Li Li down."
She embraced Tang Lu, facing the myriad demons, accepting their cheers.
The unease I felt about breaking with tradition had long been replaced by the surprise and...sense of fulfillment brought by the little one in my arms.
It seems that breaking the rules occasionally feels... pretty good.
Today, His Majesty the Demon King not only danced a duet, but also brought forth auspicious omens.
She felt that this was probably the best dance she had ever performed.
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