Blood Moon
In the North, the wind and snow continued. The elegant pavilion hidden deep beneath the ice seemed more solemn than usual today. Hundreds of imps moved silently, securing the Immortal-Binding Rope around the Snow Demon's neck to the octagonal stone pillar in the courtyard. The two ferocious beasts were already exhausted, yet they still let out resentful growls, causing the dragon bone lamps on the eaves to flicker and the ghost herbs in the herb garden to shrink back into the ground.
The Mountain Lord didn't pay much attention to Snow Demon. He solemnly accepted the jade box, which was as tall as a person, closed his eyes, and sensed the warm yet eerie aura of the Soul-Binding Coral. After a moment, he let out a long breath and gratefully cupped his hands in thanks: "There are even branches from the mother plant... Thank you both."
"It's all for saving lives, no need to be so formal," Yun He said coldly. Seeing that Shan Jun had turned his attention back to Xue Sha, he asked again, "When can we retrieve this Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Soul?"
The jade box was carefully carried deep into the pavilion for safekeeping by the little imp. The Mountain Lord lightly touched the beast's chest and abdomen with his fingertips, his brows furrowing slightly: "The Ice Soul was frightened and devoured by the Snow Fiend. At this moment, its core is extremely unstable... If it is forcibly extracted, its medicinal efficacy may be greatly reduced. I need to slowly temper it with the Earth's core fire and soothe it with the extreme cold of the Northern Territory in order to subdue its ferocity and obtain its essence, which can then be used as an antidote. This process is complicated and requires a gradual approach over seven days. It cannot be rushed... Moreover, on the seventh day, I need the combined power of your immortal and demonic abilities."
Yunhe nodded, having no objection. She placed the Bifang Feather Robe that Wuying had folded on the table, saying only, "Thank you for your trouble."
"It's my duty." Shan Jun chuckled, but his gaze fell on Wu Ying, who was secretly playing with the cat behind Yun He. "Miss, you've had a hard time on this trip. I still have some medicines for nourishing your meridians in my building. If you don't mind, you can ask the little devil to fetch them for you."
Such a substance, capable of nourishing the meridians, would be priceless in the eyes of ordinary mortals. Even for Wu Ying, it was extremely precious. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she quickly looked at Yun He. Seeing the Immortal Venerable nod, she whispered in response, "Thank you, Lord Mountain Lord."
After Wu Ying left with the little devil, carrying the cat, Shan Jun looked at his old friend again, his tone more inquisitive and teasing: "Allowing others to lend a hand is not like your usual style."
Is that so? Yunhe lowered his eyes, his fingertips lightly touching the wound on his cheek that was no longer there, and replied calmly, "It was just a desperate act, what's there to delve into? As for you, you're distracted by gossiping with me instead of focusing on refining the Ice Soul... If I can't get the medicinal ingredient in seven days, be careful that I don't skin your Immortal Tiger Bones and soak them in wine."
Knowing that she was often joking, Shan Jun wasn't particularly annoyed. He simply chuckled softly, his long, black and yellow spotted tail swaying beneath his robes. He glanced at Yun He, then stopped pressing the matter and sat cross-legged before Xue Sha: "Yes, yes, if you delay any longer, I'll become a jar of fine wine in your hands... You must remember to share a sip of this tiger bone wine that's tens of thousands of years old. Alright, tempering requires a calm mind. From today onwards, my humble abode will be under your care. At least I can have a few days of peace and quiet."
Walking slowly back to the pavilion, Yunhe stood alone on the veranda. Gazing at the imprisoned Xue Sha in the courtyard, she couldn't help but recall Wu Ying's helplessness after throwing out the ice crystals at the bottom of the Frost Sea. A faint light flickered at her fingertips, and the red silk that had bound their wrists quietly reappeared, still bearing a trace of extremely faint demonic energy. She stared at it for a moment, then carefully folded the red silk and tucked it into her sleeve, no longer thinking about it.
The blue lamp in her arms flickered with a white flame, seemingly becoming more solid. Yunhe gazed tenderly at the leaping flame, then bent her fingers and slipped them into the soul lamp, gently stroking the warm, soft soul fire, like fox fur. The soul fire seemed to sense her touch, affectionately nuzzling against her palm, and soon curled up into a cute little fox ball.
All romantic love can be set aside for now; only the little fox-ball junior brother left behind by Master Yunhua is of utmost importance. Let's think of other things after Yunshu recovers.
On Yunhua Mountain, there was also someone who missed Yunhe.
Still within the forbidden spiritual spring, Yun Shu had just finished closing her eyes to regulate her breathing when she hurriedly took out the small white jade lamp and followed the source of the immortal energy to sense whether her senior sister Yun He was safe and sound in the distant northern border.
The flames roared, as if they would burn through the lamp wall at any moment and scorch Yun Shu's long hair.
The flames weren't as terrifying as they appeared. On the contrary, when Yun Shu reached out to touch them, they even tried to straighten up, as if to show that they were in good condition and wouldn't worry his junior brother.
The flame temperature is stable, so it seems that Senior Sister has left the battle and gone to a quiet and peaceful place to rest.
He breathed a slight sigh of relief, but then heard hurried footsteps, so he put away the lamp and sat quietly to wait.
Today, Jinzhu arrived much earlier than usual, and even the sound of her quick footsteps made Yunshu feel a bit excited.
"Fox Fairy!" She practically rushed into the forbidden area, diving headfirst into Yun Shu's tail. Her voice was soft and quick, as if afraid of being overheard. "Second Elder and the others... they finished refining the pills early this morning! They're so beautiful, golden and smell wonderful! It's just that there are only three..."
Yun Shu's calm and composed mind was suddenly stirred. She groped her way to her feet and asked, "He's finished... Did he say anything else?"
Three pills... that's already a very good result. He originally thought that with the success rate of that formula, he could only get two at most... it seems that his second nephew's alchemy skills have improved a lot.
“Yes, yes! The elder said that although the pill was successful, its medicinal properties were too strong, and he didn’t know how effective it would be… He also advised you to be cautious and not to go to the southeast unless absolutely necessary. Hmm…” Jinzhu tried hard to recall, “Oh, they told me to wait outside while they were refining the pill. I heard several loud noises from inside the pill room, like the pill furnace was shaking violently… Luckily, it was successful!”
Upon first hearing the unusual activity in the alchemy room, Yun Shu was on edge, but hearing her words that there was nothing seriously wrong, he breathed a sigh of relief. Success was good; although the specific effects were unknown, at least they had this item, which gave them more hope. Jin Zhu gently handed him a warm, smooth jade bottle. As he took it, he could indeed feel the immense, strange power contained within the pill. However, this power did not cause anxiety; instead, it carried a calming gentleness, and an undeniable domineering force.
I only hope that this medicine will be effective for my master.
He gripped the jade bottle tightly, his expression softening slightly: "Thank you. Please also convey my thanks to the elders for their hard work."
"You're welcome!" Jinzhu tilted her head and asked curiously, "If I eat this, will your eyes... heal, Fox Fairy?"
Yun Shu chuckled upon hearing this, shook her head slightly, and stared blankly into the southeast. She sighed and said, "This thing is not meant for me. I asked the Second Elder to refine it, perhaps... just hoping that it can soothe the furious soul of an old friend."
He was well aware of the unpredictable changes in the Demon Realm. These few pills were perhaps the only thing he could offer at this moment, the only thing he could do to contribute his meager strength. His master was about to awaken, his senior sister was not here, and Yunhua Mountain was now left to him, a mere cripple, to protect.
Just as he was about to call a bird to bring him the medicine, he was startled and coughed up blood for no reason, which terrified Jinzhu.
"Fox Spirit!" Jinzhu held out a handkerchief, her voice trembling with tears, to wipe his lips. "You...you're coughing up blood again? I...I'll go find the elders right away!"
He held his hands, covered in blood, and stood there stunned for a moment. Suddenly, he sensed something amiss in the southeastern atmosphere. He quickly grabbed Jinzhu and asked urgently, "Is there anything unusual about the celestial phenomena today?"
"Heavens?" Jinzhu was a little confused by the question, but she still went out to look. She ran back a moment later, "Today, the sun just set today. That moon... the moon is red!"
A blood moon is an ominous sign.
Without time to think further, Yun Shu helped Jin Zhu to her feet and said only, "Take me... to find the elders."
The crimson moonlight also enveloped the entire Demon Realm, casting an ominous shadow over everything that was already gloomy.
Inside the Demon Lord's bedchamber, candlelight flickered. Mo Yiheng listlessly went through the motions of official business, his gaze occasionally drifting to the window, anticipating what kind of drama would unfold under the blood moon.
"Knock knock".
A gentle knock sounded on the heavy palace door. Mo Yiheng casually ordered someone to enter, but upon looking up, he almost impulsively wanted to gouge his own eyes out.
Tonight, Night Asura's appearance was quite different from his usual stern scribe demeanor. He was dressed in a rather thin garment made entirely of black gauze, and was walking barefoot with his robes open toward the throne—his steps were so affected and pretentious that he almost dropped the "fine wine" on the tray.
Mo Yiheng couldn't bear to look, but he instantly understood that this was part of that group's plan. At this moment, inside and outside the hall, countless eyes were watching this scene with bated breath. Therefore, he raised his sleeve to cover his face, putting on a lazy appearance, but in reality, he was avoiding the possibility of meeting Ye Xiuluo's gaze.
However, Ye Xiuluo was quite dedicated. He placed the pink, obviously frivolous-looking wine jug beside him, then stiffly pressed himself against the Demon Lord's robe, ripping off the sleeve with such force that Mo Yiheng's arm ached. And that wasn't all. Ye Xiuluo, expressionless, moved closer again, stopping only when their cheeks were less than three inches apart.
Ye Xiuluo remained in that position, seemingly forgetting what to do next. They remained locked in this stalemate for half an incense stick's time, and Mo Yiheng was still awkwardly considering whether to cooperate, when the other party moved again.
"Snap!" Ye Xiuluo grabbed Mo Yiheng's wrist, his expressionless face revealing a hint of resignation to his fate.
Adhering to the principle of playing the part completely, he forcibly swallowed his nausea, symbolically pulled Ye Xiuluo closer to his chest, and raised his face with a flirtatious look in his eyes: "My dear minister, today... would you like to try something new?"
"Perfect"—that's something only a lustful glutton would utter.
Before Mo Yiheng could even finish congratulating himself on his acting skills, the other party seemed to have already prepared himself. Ye Xiuluo closed his eyes, steeled his resolve, and grabbed his master's dog paw to tear at his veil. Having no experience playing the role of a demon concubine for the first time, he didn't control his strength well and tore a large piece of the black veil to shreds—but fortunately, in the eyes of others, this was all the result of the "shameless brat" Mo Yiheng's carelessness.
He took a deep breath, a smirk playing on his lips and a flirtatious glance, his smile like that of a vengeful ghost. He then placed Mo Yiheng's bruised wrist against his chest, delivering his lines stiffly as if he hadn't spoken in centuries: "Your Majesty... am I beautiful today?"
Whether Ye Xiuluo was beautiful today, Mo Yiheng didn't know. The only thing he knew at this moment was: Master, my eyes are no longer pure.
...Who exactly orchestrated this "honey trap"?! If he ever finds out, he'll definitely exile them to the Sea of Demon Flames!
But with everyone watching, he had to finish the act first. His face turned green, and he returned the favor by pinching her hand, forcing a smile: "My dear minister... you are quite alluring. Did you miss me too much to come here tonight?"
Night Demon punched him in the chest.
Mo Yiheng felt that he might be about to die, and suddenly a ghostly messenger appeared before him to take his soul.
"Your Majesty is busy with many affairs of state and must be somewhat tired." Night Asura picked up the wine pot and leaned closer, saying, "Therefore, I have specially brought this 'Romantic Intoxication' to... to add to the merriment."
A twitch at the corner of her mouth intensified the feeling of nausea.
He knew that wine of this color couldn't be anything good.
But outwardly, he still wore a cheerful expression. He twirled a strand of Ye Xiuluo's dark hair with his fingertip, pulling the other closer. Mo Yiheng's tone was languid and low, but his voice was loud enough for only the two of them to hear: "Is the formation set up?"
Ye Xiuluo also ambiguously hooked his belt and whispered in his ear, "You can make your move at any time, Your Excellency."
"Very good." Mo Yiheng chuckled softly, drinking the entire pot of "Romantic Intoxication" from Ye Xiuluo's hand. Then, as if unable to hold his liquor, he wrapped his arm around Ye Xiuluo's waist and leaned back onto the throne. Before long, he could no longer open his eyes, his breathing becoming even and completely unguarded.
Night Demon seized the opportunity, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, and a specially made blood-drawing needle silently slid into his fingertip. He bent down, adopting a posture of closely undressing the Demon Lord, and placed his palm on Mo Yiheng's chest.
The next moment, the blood-drawing needle pierced the skin precisely and swiftly!
Mo Yiheng, who was unconscious, frowned slightly, but then relaxed under the influence of the medicine.
In Ye Xiuluo's hand, a blood sac, which had been prepared beforehand and contained a trace of Mo Yiheng's original demonic energy as well as a large amount of illusion materials, quietly shattered. The "Demon Lord's Heart Blood," crimson like a gemstone, dripped silently into the smooth jade cup, and a powerful wave of demonic energy spread out, clearly discernible both inside and outside the hall.
Mission accomplished.
Night Demon straightened up, expressionlessly putting the jade cup into his robes. Looking at the sleeping Demon Lord on the throne, a hint of disgust flashed in his eyes. He casually extinguished most of the candles in the hall and turned to leave.
He merged into the darkness, like the purest ghost under the blood moon, carrying that drop of "Demon Lord's Blood," and slowly made his way towards the Demon Abyss Secret Realm.
The eyes that had been peering out from outside the palace also departed, in preparation for welcoming the demon god.
After the last gaze disappeared, inside the Demon Palace, Mo Yiheng, who should have been "lost in a daze" and "unconscious," slowly opened his eyes, his gaze clear. His fingertips lightly touched his chest, and under the nourishment of demonic energy, the barely perceptible pinhole instantly vanished.
After straightening his disheveled clothes, he looked up at the blood moon outside the window, a cold smile playing on his lips.
The blood moon has arrived; this farce should come to an end.
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