Chapter 63 Those who act rashly shall die.
Chi Li's words about "boundaries" and "Daoist partners" firmly shut out the chaotic curiosity in Tang Lu's heart that arose from the picture book.
She stopped dwelling on the incomprehensible "in-depth exchanges" and instead focused all her attention on what Chili had said about "taking it slow."
For her, "taking it slow" means she can enjoy the existing intimacy more confidently and even more intensely.
Thus, the following scene was frequently witnessed throughout the royal palace:
Whether the majestic Demon King is handling state affairs, reviewing memorials, or simply strolling in the garden, a small golden figure is always by his side.
The little figure was either holding His Majesty's hand or tugging at His Majesty's sleeve. Occasionally, when His Majesty sat down, she would immediately and automatically snuggle into His Majesty's arms, finding a comfortable position, like a dodder vine that had found a support, clinging to it with peace of mind.
Kissing has become a regular occurrence.
A good morning kiss, a good night kiss, a snack kiss, a kiss to share a pretty flower, or even just a glance from Chi Li—she could interpret it as "Li Li wants a kiss," and happily lean in to offer her soft lips.
Chi Li accepted it all without question.
On this day, Chi Li tested the skills of a newly recruited team of secret guards at the training ground.
She sat upright on the high platform, her expression indifferent, sweeping over the figures flying around and the sharp moves in the arena.
The chilling killing intent and the fluctuations from the collision of spiritual energy permeated the area, making it difficult for ordinary minor demons to breathe when they got close.
Tang Lu, however, was completely unaffected.
She sat on the cushioned chair specially prepared for her beside Chi Li, holding a bag of sweet dried spirit fruit in her arms. She took small bites while watching the "fight" below with wide, curious eyes.
When they see something exciting, they'll exclaim softly, "Wow!" and then tug at Chi Li's sleeve, pointing at the scene and asking, "Li Li, that demon in black, his shadow can split! That's amazing!"
Chi Li's originally cold gaze would unconsciously warm up when it fell on her.
She would look in the direction she pointed and casually explain, "That's the Shadow Cloak technique, which requires exceptional talent and diligent practice."
Although her tone was calm, she was incredibly patient.
Although the guards below were engaged in fierce combat, they caught a glimpse of a scene on the high platform that was both incongruous and strangely harmonious.
Beside the murderous demon king sat an innocent tree spirit with bulging cheeks from eating and pointing fingers.
It was as if the oppressive force that could freeze demons automatically turned into a gentle touch when it reached the little tree spirit.
After the inspection, Chi Li gave a few instructions to the commander of the secret guards, and then got up to leave.
Tang Lu immediately jumped off the chair, naturally stretched out her small hand, and put it into Chi Li's slightly cool palm. She even habitually scratched Chi Li's palm with her fingertips.
Chi Li felt a tickle in her palm and looked down at her.
Tang Lu tilted her head back, smiling so wide her eyes disappeared: "Li Li, shall we go back? Tang Lu is sleepy and wants to take a nap next to Li Li."
That look was both self-righteous and incredibly charming.
Chi Li felt a surge of warmth in her heart and tightly grasped the mischievous little hand with her own: "Mmm."
Back in her bedchamber, Tang Lu indeed started rubbing her eyes and yawning. Like a little animal drawn to a heat source, she nestled precisely into the soft couch where Chi Li usually rested, and patted the spot next to her, signaling Chi Li to come over quickly.
Chi Li took off his outer robe and sat down beside her.
Tang Lu immediately clung to her like an octopus, resting her head on her legs and wrapping her arms around her waist, rubbing against her contentedly and finding the most comfortable position.
In no time, her breathing became even and long, and she fell asleep instantly.
That defenseless and completely dependent look made Chi Li's heart melt completely.
She reached out, her fingertips hovering above Tang Lu's cheek, but in the end, she only lightly brushed her loose hair, afraid of disturbing her sweet dreams.
[...my...little tree spirit.]
This thought, filled with endless possessiveness and tenderness, swirled in her mind.
However, the peace of the palace was broken by an uninvited guest.
The visitor was Cang Lin, the young master of the Northern Icefield Wolf Clan.
He was young and ambitious, and his cultivation level was among the best of his generation.
Because his father's family had rendered meritorious service in a recent border conflict, he was granted special permission to come to the capital to pay homage and receive rewards.
Cang Lin was tall and straight, with silver hair and gray eyes, exuding the coldness and wildness unique to the Ice Plains Demon Clan.
When he was being rewarded in the Hundred Flowers Palace, his gaze was involuntarily drawn to the little tree spirit sitting quietly beside the Demon King Chi Li, who exuded a pure vitality and warmth.
He had never seen such a pure Wood Spirit. Unlike the harsh cold and deathly silence of the Ice Plains, she was like a ray of spring sunshine that had strayed into the cold winter, illuminating his usually icy heart.
Especially when she occasionally glanced at the Demon King, her dependent yet innocent smile stirred something within him.
After receiving the reward, Cang Lin did not leave immediately. Instead, he took the opportunity to "accidentally" meet Tang Lu, who was watering the Rainbow Grass, in the palace garden.
"This must be Miss Tang Lu?" Cang Lin tried his best to make his voice sound gentle and harmless.
He stepped forward, holding in his hand a "Millennium Snow Soul Pearl" that exuded a chilling aura yet contained pure ice spiritual power. This was one of the treasures of their Icefield Wolf Clan.
"I am Cang Lin, a member of the Northern Ice Plains Wolf Clan."
Wearing this item can calm the mind and is also beneficial for spiritual practice. I present it to you, young lady, as a token of my affection.
Tanglu was concentrating on watering the plants when she was startled by the sudden appearance of people and voices.
She looked up and saw the silver-haired man with a somewhat cold aura, and the bright, sparkling bead in his hand that emitted a faint chill.
She blinked her amber eyes, somewhat confused.
She doesn't recognize this demon.
Why should I give her something?
"Thank you... but I can't accept Tang Lu's things." She remembered Li Li saying that she shouldn't accept things from strange demons.
Moreover, the bead felt cool to the touch, unlike the fruit pit bracelet that Lili gave me, which was warm.
Cang Lin was not discouraged when she refused; instead, he found her innocent and adorable.
He put away the Snow Soul Pearl and said, "The young lady's aura is so pure that it is captivating."
I wonder... I wonder if the young lady has ever thought of leaving the palace to experience the magnificent scenery of the vast ice plains of the North?
"Our Icefield Wolf Clan wishes to honor you as a distinguished guest."
The implication in his words was quite clear.
Just then, a suffocating pressure descended like an invisible giant mountain!
Chi Li had already appeared not far away, her crimson-gold eyes churning with a terrifying storm, and the chilling killing intent emanating from her body almost caused the spiritual plants in the garden to wither instantly.
She simply stood there, and the light in the entire space seemed to dim, with only the two cold glints in her eyes, sharp as knives, piercing straight into the cold sky!
“Cang Lin,” Chi Li’s voice was icy cold, each word as if carved from millennia of ice, “who gave you the audacity to covet my person?”
The words “covet” carried immense demonic power, crashing heavily into Cang Lin’s mind.
His face turned pale, a metallic taste rose in his throat, and he almost collapsed to his knees.
Only then did he realize how ridiculous and fatal his previous thoughts were in the face of absolute power!
Tang Lu was also frightened by the sudden terrifying pressure, and her face turned pale. She subconsciously wanted to run towards Chi Li, but was stopped in place by a look from Chi Li.
"Your Majesty, Demon King, please calm your anger!" Cang Lin suppressed his fear, kneeling on one knee, his back instantly soaked with cold sweat. "I...I had no intention of offending you! I only...I only admired Miss Tang Lu's purity, and had no other thoughts! Please, Your Majesty, see the truth!"
"Admiration?" Chi Li slowly stepped forward, each step feeling like it was treading on Cang Lin's heart. "When did it become your place to admire my Dao Companion, you ant?"
Daoist partners?!
Cang Lin suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with disbelief and shock!
He...he always thought that this little tree spirit was just a plaything or a junior favored by the Demon King!
She...she's actually the Demon King's Daoist partner?!
The legendary, ruthless, and decisive demon king, Chi Li, actually has a Daoist partner?!
And it's such a... seemingly incredibly young little tree spirit?
The overwhelming information overload and the fear of death left Cang Lin's mind blank.
Tang Lu's heart pounded when she heard the words "Daoist partner" spoken so clearly and possessively by Chi Li.
Although she didn't quite understand what "admiration" meant, she could sense that the silver-haired demon wanted her to leave Lili.
Lili was extremely angry, even angrier than when she burned the picture book!
Through soul resonance, she could clearly "hear" the raging anger, the chilling killing intent, and the extreme disgust and violence in Chi Li's heart when the treasure was touched by something dirty.
"I think your Northern Wolf Clan has been living a peaceful life for too long." Chi Li stopped in front of Cang Lin, looking down at him.
Her voice was like a chilling wind from the depths of hell, "Go back to your icy plains. If I ever sense even a trace of delusion in you again, or if any demon in your clan dares to set its gaze upon her once more..."
Her unfinished words were more chilling than any explicit threat.
Cang Lin had no doubt that if he dared to overstep his bounds in the slightest, the entire Icefield Wolf Clan would face annihilation.
"Yes! Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life! I will leave immediately! I will leave immediately!" Cang Lin practically scrambled away from the garden, his back view disheveled and completely devoid of the cold and aloof demeanor he had when he arrived.
Only Chili and Tanglu remained in the garden.
The terrifying pressure slowly subsided, but the icy aura surrounding Chi Li still lingered.
She turned around and looked at Tang Lu, who was still standing there in a daze.
Tang Lu was somewhat frightened by the lingering hostility in her eyes and whispered, "Li Li..."
Chi Li walked up to her, squatted down, and stared intently at her. Her tone was more serious and fearful than ever before: "Remember what happened today?"
Tang Lu nodded vigorously.
"Any demon that tries to approach you, flatter you, or attempt to take you away from me, regardless of gender or pretext," Chi Li said, her voice firm and unwavering, "can be considered hostile. Ignore them and inform me immediately, understand?"
Her tree spirit was too pure, unaware of the dangers and scheming of the world.
She must erect the strongest barrier for her and eliminate all potential threats.
Tang Lu stretched out her vines and wrapped them around Chi Li's wrist, soothing her lingering anger in her gentle way, just as she always did.
"Tang Lu will remember." She leaned forward and gently kissed Chi Li's tight lips, softly promising, "Tang Lu only wants Li Li, and won't go anywhere else. No matter who tries to please Tang Lu, Tang Lu will ignore them! She'll only pay attention to Li Li!"
Chi Li felt the soft touch on her lips and the familiar wrapping around her wrist.
The violent storm that had been stirred up in his heart by the covetousness of outsiders was finally slowly calmed down.
She held Tang Lu tightly in her arms, as if she wanted to meld her into her very bones.
"good."
It seems that simply waiting for her to grow up is not enough.
She needs to make it clear to the entire Three Realms—
Tang Lu is the Daoist partner of the Demon King Chi Li, and is the insurmountable obstacle that is ingrained in her bones and blood and engraved in her soul.
Those who act rashly will die.
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