19 Chapter Nineteen
I will marry the Venerable One and become her Demon Queen, not her child.
Xue Ji's injuries had taken several days to heal before he could barely walk. Today, when he was taking his medicine, Lu Yue did not appear. Normally, Lu Yue would have been watching over him and personally feeding him the medicine. Xue Ji's expression was cold as he slowly drank the medicine.
He had never truly understood Lu Yue; one moment she was personally feeding him medicine, the next she was insisting that he call her "Mother." Her behavior was becoming increasingly unpredictable. His injuries were far too severe, and he didn't know who had set up the formation, which had even added a layer of backlash. Xue Ji knew that his path of cultivation was still very long, and if he could return to Shangqing in the future, he would definitely study it thoroughly.
He can walk on the ground now, and during his time in the Demon Realm, he even enjoys being on this bed. Perhaps it's because Lu Yue hasn't stayed in this palace for a long time, and the sweet fragrance on her body that he found unbearable has completely disappeared.
Xue Ji got up and dressed, intending to soak in the hot spring, but found that there was a rather large bath next to the hot spring that used to be his.
"I wonder if you are feeling any better."
Xue Ji turned around and saw Wen Ruo, still with that frail expression, his pale face accentuated by the thick fox fur he wore. His hair was long, loosely hanging down to his waist, unlike the disciples of Shangqing who all wore silver crowns to bind their hair. This man always appeared emotionless, like a ghost, lurking beside Lu Yue.
He sensed a deep contempt in those seemingly gentle eyes.
Xueji remained silent, but was stopped by Wenruo just as she was about to leave.
"I'm not feeling well, so Her Majesty specially dug a bath for me. I only mentioned it casually, but she took it to heart and immediately ordered her subordinates to dig it for me."
Xue Ji looked at Wen Ruo with a hint of doubt in his eyes. He didn't understand why she was telling him such a thing. It was just a hot spring; she could dig one for whomever she wanted. What did it have to do with him?
Seeing Xue Ji's calm expression, Wen Ruo didn't say much. He just wanted this young Shangqing disciple to understand that he was no exception, and that the hot springs and feeding medicine were just things Lu Yue did when he was bored.
But before leaving, he didn't forget to say, "Your Majesty has a new child, Aman, who is from the same clan as her. You should have met him; he's the snake-clan member who tried to break into the secret realm."
Xue Ji's expression turned slightly cold. It was the snake clan member who had severely injured him. Hmph, how utterly laughable.
Didn't he know that the other party intended to kill her while she was hiding in the secret realm? He still treated her like a child, making his injuries seem utterly ridiculous.
Wen Ruo was satisfied with the subtle changes in Xue Ji's expression. He was the most special person by the Venerable's side, and he would dedicate his loyalty to Lu Yue forever until she died.
There are not many positions left beside the Venerable One. He is Lu Yue's most trusted subordinate, Hu Mei and Wu Yan are her left and right protectors, and the only one left is the child.
However, there's another headache. Perhaps he underestimated the Venerable One's obsession with becoming a mother, actually making Aman her child. He could have easily chosen between Yan Qing and Xue Ji, but both were ungrateful fools. To be the Venerable One's child is such a blessing; countless demons would kill for it. In the end, it was that despicable Aman who got the chance.
He was especially pleased to learn that the Venerable One had taken him on a trip.
Now that she had a new child, Lu Yue felt it was natural to take Aman to the Demon Realm for a stroll. The Demon City was bustling at night. Aman didn't understand why the Venerable One had brought him out, and why she had him tied around the neck with a leather whip like a dog. He remained humble and ingratiating, thinking that he would expose Lu Yue's true colors when he finally met the young master.
The demons naturally showed respect to the Venerable One, and everyone hoped to come to their stalls, which was a great honor for them. The Demon Realm only revered the strong, and Lu Yue was the only king here.
Lu Yue, lacking interest, found the candied hawthorns on the human side interesting and casually bought a few, tossing a piece of her own scale to the stall owner. This was a priceless treasure to them, and they bowed deeply in gratitude.
Aman thought it was for her and was about to take it when Luyue suddenly asked, "Why don't you call me mother?"
Aman's face turned deathly pale. Under everyone's gaze, he couldn't bring himself to call Lu Yue "Mother." Even if he killed her later, he would still become a laughingstock in the Demon Realm if he spoke now. She dared to openly recount such intimate moments in bed; she was utterly licentious. Even Aman, who was accustomed to such things, found it hard to accept.
But to save his life and to please Lu Yue, he gritted his teeth and forced a smile, saying, "Thank you, Mother."
Just as he was about to take the candied hawthorn, Lu Yue suddenly raised her hand and didn't give it to him. Aman could only awkwardly touch her collar.
Disgusting, so disgusting
When Lu Yue heard Aman call her mother, she wanted to kill him immediately, a stark contrast to her expectation when facing Xue Ji. It seemed she still loathed her own kind. Returning to the hall, she saw Xue Ji meditating and couldn't help but ask, "Have you taken your medicine today?"
Don't you know the time I take my medicine every day?
Xue Ji remained silent and continued meditating. His injuries were entirely due to Aman, who had clearly intended to kill him, yet in the end, she had even adopted him as her son, making his desperate attempt to defend the formation seem utterly ridiculous.
Seeing his silence, Lu Yue said with regret, "I was thinking that your medicine was too bitter, and eating it with these candied hawthorns would reduce the bitterness."
Xueji then raised his head and saw the bright red hawthorns coated in syrup, his throat bobbing slightly. As a disciple of Shangqing, his daily cultivation time was strictly regulated, and he could only go down the mountain a handful of times. He used to go down the mountain with his senior brothers and sisters and wanted to eat the food, but he was too reserved to ask. When he grew up, he thought only children ate such things.
“I’m not a child, why would I need such a thing? As a disciple of Shangqing, I shouldn’t have any desire for food.”
Looking at his old-fashioned and conservative attitude at such a young age, Lu Yue chuckled and said, "Aren't you just a little kid?"
She's lived for a thousand years, not to mention Xueji used to hold him when he was little. She's just gotten more and more boring as she's grown up, like Yan Qing. He used to cling to her obediently when they were little, but now he's become this cold and aloof, boring person.
Lu Yue then threw down one string of pearls and picked up another string of pearls to find Wen Ruo.
"Your Majesty, you've returned."
“Hmm,” Lu Yue originally wanted to give the string of pearls in her hand to Yan Qing, but thinking that the child was ignorant, she simply stuffed it into Wen Ruo’s mouth. “Eat it.”
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
Wen Ruo smiled faintly, took a small bite, and then glanced at Hu Mei. The other woman immediately saw through the old man's smugness; it was just a string of common mortal goods, nothing she cared about. But considering the Venerable One's attitude towards Wen Ruo, she knew she would have a chance to compete in the future.
"You're so thoughtful to bring this for me."
"It wasn't intentional. Xueji also had some, but he didn't like it."
Wen Ruo paused, the bright red syrup staining his usually pale lips a light crimson. But the darkness in his eyes made him seem more ready to lash out.
I thought I was the only one who had it, and that Xueji was not worthy of it.
Hu Mei grinned from ear to ear upon hearing this, giving Wen Ruo a smug smile as her fluffy tail wagged back and forth.
Wen Ruo had often flaunted her favor with Wu Yan and her, but today she finally suffered the consequences.
"How have you been these past few days, Yan Qing?"
"Still the same as always."
Wen Ruo ate the candied hawthorn and found it tasteless. The hawthorn at the bottom was hard to bite, so she stuck out her tongue and lightly licked a round, plump hawthorn. The color on her lips appeared even redder, making Hu Mei want to taste what it was like.
It was rare for the usually indifferent and despicable old man to show such a seductive expression.
Seeing that Wen Ruo wasn't biting, Lu Yue asked suspiciously, "If you don't like it, you can throw it away."
Wen Ruo's bright red lips curved into a smile as she softly said, "No, Your Majesty specially brought this for me, so naturally I should savor it patiently."
Hu Mei truly admired Wen Ruo's eloquence. No wonder all the previous Demon Lords had been driven away, yet he remained in the Demon Realm. That mouth of hers was truly silver-tongued; no matter how well she did, she couldn't match Wen Ruo's persuasive tongue. She should learn a few more phrases in the future; it's just a matter of opening her mouth.
"Oh."
Lu Yue was amused by Wen Ruo's answer. Even though she knew he didn't mean it, she still felt pleased. She was usually serious and emotionless, but this laugh made Wen Ruo lose his composure. However, he didn't forget to look at the black figure in the shadows.
Yan Qing must have seen everything. He probably wanted to sneak out to see the Venerable One, but seeing this scene, he'll likely hide in the secret realm and cry again. Useless children don't need to live. Once he inflicts enough pain, Yan Qing might completely break down.
Yan Qing secretly came out of the secret realm, covering his face with a hood. He was overjoyed to see the Venerable One, but instead saw his father eating the candied hawthorn that the Venerable One had specially brought. He had never eaten it before. And who was this Yan Qing? Was he the Venerable One's new favorite? Why couldn't it be him?
Everyone in Chunhu praised his outstanding appearance and liked him, so why didn't the Venerable One like him? Yan Qing had been taught a lot by his grandmother in Chunhu and understood many things about men and women. He was stopped when he staggered back to the secret realm.
Aman could smell a familiar scent from afar. The snake clan was still in the secret realm, so this must be the young master. He was overjoyed and said, "You must be the young master."
Yan Qing was usually afraid of seeing other living beings, but at this moment she was so confused that she forgot to react.
Aman quickly said, "You must not be deceived by Lu Yue. Your father was killed by her own hands."
"I know."
Yan Qing was certainly aware of this, because she had told him this the first time he met the Venerable One.
“I killed your father, and from now on you are my child.”
Yan Qing was only a few years old then, and it was the first time he had seen the Venerable One. His beautiful yet aloof face was framed by vertical pupils characteristic of the snake clan, cold and dangerous. He had seen Chong Li before, but Chong Li had not paid him any attention. Only Wen Ruo had ever spoken to him, so Yan Qing had always regarded him as his father. Later, when the Venerable One became his puppet, it somewhat alleviated his loneliness.
Aman said urgently, "Even if she is your mother, she can never compare to your father's power and prestige."
Yan Qing murmured softly, "She is not my mother."
Aman thought the young master had been persuaded by her and was about to tell him her next plan when the young master suddenly raised his head and said lightly.
“I will marry the Lord and become her Demon Queen, not her child.”
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