Chapter 9 The Tyrant
Chi Li discovered that sleeping while hugging the little tree spirit might be more effective than any magic pill.
When I woke up, not only had the cold and sluggish feeling from the old injury disappeared without a trace, but my mood was also as warm and languid as if I had been basked in the spring sunshine.
She looked down at Tang Lu, who was still fast asleep in her arms.
The little one must have exhausted his spiritual energy last night, because he slept very soundly. His face was rosy, and his breathing was light and soft, like a satisfied little animal curled up on her chest.
Chi Li did not move.
She even subtly adjusted her posture to make the little tree spirit in her arms more comfortable, and then... she decided with a clear conscience to postpone today's morning court session for a little while longer.
Anyway, those old guys keep arguing about the same things.
There's no one as important as the little heater she's holding... uh, the little tree spirit.
It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that Tang Lu finally woke up, groaning softly.
The moment she opened her eyes, she saw Lili's chin so close to hers, and those crimson-gold eyes looking at her with a slightly lazy smile.
"Awake?" Chi Li's voice was hoarse from just waking up, but it was exceptionally magnetic.
Tang Lu blinked, her memories returning.
She remembered that Lili was very cold last night, and she felt like she had used a lot of effort to warm her up.
She immediately grabbed Chi Li's collar anxiously: "Li Li! Are you still cold?"
Seeing her anxious little face, Chi Li felt a warmth almost overflowing in her heart.
She gently ruffled Tang Lu's messy blonde hair, her tone unusually tender: "I'm not cold anymore. Thanks to you."
Tang Lu immediately breathed a sigh of relief, a big smile blooming on her little face, as if she had accomplished something remarkable, and proudly puffed out her little chest.
In the following days, Chi Li clearly felt that Tang Lu was becoming more clingy to her.
It used to look like a little tail, but now it's practically a human-shaped pendant.
As she reviewed the jade slips, Tang Lu sat next to her on the throne, her little head resting on her lap, playing with her own vines and leaves.
While she was cultivating and regulating her breathing, Tang Lu would sit in meditation not far away (although she would often fall asleep while sitting), euphemistically calling it "protecting Li Li".
She even... wanted to go to the bathhouse with Tang Lu!
"Lili, let's go together! Tanglu can water your plants!" The little one clung to the door frame, her eyes sparkling as she suggested.
Chi Li expressionlessly dragged her out and decisively set up a barrier around the bathtub that read "No tree spirits or dogs allowed."
Tang Lu pouted and drew circles outside the barrier for a long time, looking aggrieved.
Chi Li felt that things couldn't continue like this.
It wasn't that she disliked Tang Lu's clinginess (in fact, she somewhat enjoyed it), but mainly... she found herself becoming more and more accustomed to, and even dependent on, this constant companionship.
This is a bit dangerous.
She's a majestic demon queen! How could she be so easily manipulated by a little tree spirit?
Just as Akagi was contemplating whether to try to regain her former glory, a "perfect" opportunity presented itself.
On this day, Chi Li was listening to a bird clan general report on the affairs of the winged tribes on the border.
The general's prototype was an extremely beautiful seven-colored spirit bird. After transforming, he was a handsome young man with a gentle temperament, named Yu Ming.
Yu Ming is meticulous and his reports are clear and logical, which earns him Chi Li's appreciation.
After finishing his report, he did not immediately leave, but instead took out a small, exquisite jade box from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.
"Your Majesty, during a recent inspection of the border, I came across a 'Sound-Condensing Grass,' whose dewdrops falling to the ground produce a sound like celestial music, and has the effect of calming the mind and soothing the spirit."
"I thought it might be able to adorn Your Majesty's palace, as a small token of my appreciation." Yu Ming's voice was gentle and pleasant, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.
Chi Li wasn't particularly interested in these kinds of trinkets, but when she heard "calming and soothing," and thinking that Tang Lu seemed to like these flowers and plants, she casually took them and nodded lightly: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."
She opened the jade box, and inside was indeed a small, vibrant plant with leaves as if carved from jade, and a few glistening dewdrops rolling on its leaves—truly unique.
However, this scene took on a completely different meaning in the eyes of Tang Lu, who had just woken up and was rubbing her eyes as she walked out of the inner hall.
She saw a very handsome male monster with a pleasant voice giving something to Lili!
And Lili... actually accepted it, and even nodded to him!
It felt like something was gripping my heart, and a wave of bitterness washed over me.
Tang Lu didn't know what this feeling was like; all she knew was that she felt very uncomfortable! Extremely uncomfortable!
She didn't like the way the male demon looked at Lili, and she didn't like the things he gave Lili!
I especially dislike it when Lili accepts gifts from others!
Yu Ming also saw Tang Lu. He had long heard that His Majesty had a new, much-loved little tree spirit by his side. He smiled and politely nodded to Tang Lu.
To Tang Lu, that smile was nothing short of a provocation.
The little guy immediately bristled.
Like a small cannonball that had been lit, she rushed to Chi Li's side in a flash. Without saying a word, she stretched out her little arms and hugged Chi Li's arm tightly. Then, she puffed out her cheeks and glared at Yu Ming with what she thought was a very fierce look (actually, she was cute and fierce).
It was as if she were declaring: This is my Lili! Mine!
Chi Li was taken aback by her sudden attack, looking down at the "koala" that had instantly clung to her arm, somewhat bewildered.
Yu Ming was startled, and sweat beaded on his forehead as he looked at the little tree spirit's hostile gaze.
He doesn't seem to have offended this little devil, does he?
Chi Li glanced at Tang Lu, who was fuming like a little pufferfish in her arms, then at Yu Ming, who looked innocent and nervous, and then recalled the little guy's glaring eyes from earlier...
An incredible thought struck her mind like lightning.
This little guy...could it be...jealous?!
This realization felt like a feather gently tickling Chi Li's heart, instantly overwhelming her with a mixture of surprise, amusement, and... immense satisfaction.
Instead of pushing Tang Lu away, she took the opportunity to put her free hand around the little girl's shoulder and pull her closer to her.
She raised her eyes and looked down at the bewildered Yu Ming, her languid and casual demeanor replaced by the coldness of a demon king.
"I have accepted the gifts. You may leave." The voice was calm, issuing an order to dismiss the guest.
Yu Ming felt as if he had been granted a pardon, so he quickly bowed and took his leave, disappearing faster than the wind.
Once the bystanders had disappeared, Chi Li lowered her head and looked at Tang Lu, who was still sulking and clinging to her arm with her lips pouting so much they could hang an oil bottle on them. She deliberately poked Tang Lu's soft cheek with her fingertip.
"What's wrong? Who upset Tang Lu?" Her tone was clearly amused.
Tang Lu raised her head, her large amber eyes veiled with a layer of aggrieved tears, and her voice was muffled: "I don't like him! He gave Lili things!"
"Oh?" Chi Li raised an eyebrow, secretly delighted, but feigning ignorance. "Why don't you like it? Isn't that Healing Grass quite pretty?"
"It's not pretty!" Tang Lu immediately retorted loudly, burying her face in Chi Li's arms and rubbing against him, saying in a muffled voice, "Tang Lu... Tang Lu will also make a crown for Li Li! It's prettier than his grass!"
Chili: "..."
Thinking of that colorful "crown," the corner of her mouth twitched involuntarily again.
But looking at the little jealous girl in her arms, she felt that the "crown of dark history" suddenly seemed incredibly pleasing to the eye.
“Yes,” Chi Li nodded seriously, suppressing a laugh, “The crown made by Tang Lu is unique and the most beautiful.”
Hearing Lili's affirmation, Tang Lu's bitterness subsided somewhat.
But she still clung tightly to Chi Li's arm, tilted her little face up, and announced very seriously:
"Lili can only accept gifts from Tanglu!"
Looking at her domineering yet childish little face, Chi Li finally couldn't help but chuckle.
She found that watching the little tree spirit get jealous for her was... damnably sweet.
She felt even more accomplished than when she unified the demon realm.
Today, instead of regaining his former glory, His Majesty the Demon King is rushing headlong down the path of becoming a "tyrant," and he is even enjoying it.
She lowered her head and gently kissed Tang Lu's smooth forehead.
“Okay,” she heard herself promise in a voice filled with unprecedented doting and indulgence, “From now on, I will only accept gifts from Tang Lu.”
As for the jade box that she casually tossed aside...
The Demon King thought: What is that? Is it more important than this sweet and sour little jealous person in her arms?
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