“La la la… Big Demon got tricked…” Bai Shuo hummed a little tune, a piece of dry grass between her teeth as she skipped along, feeling triumphant.
That’s what you get for taking my Mumu! she thought, grinning mischievously. This’ll really annoy him!
A loud crash sounded nearby, and a cloud of dust shot up as something heavy hit the ground. Bai Shuo skidded to a halt and ducked behind a tree. Before she could even catch sight of who it was, a familiar voice rang out.
“If you follow me one more step, I’ll chop you up for firewood!”
The blacksmith? Bai Shuo peeked out just in time to see a figure whiz by. It was Hua Hong, looking as icy as ever.
Who’s got the guts to pester this troublemaker? Bai Shuo was about to call out to her when she noticed a fiery red figure on the ground spring back up and chase after Hua Hong.
“Oh dear, Little Tian Huo, won’t you help me fix my Nirvana Wheel? Your mighty Burning Heaven Staff can’t just play favorites, can it?”
A young fox demon danced around Hua Hong, hopping up and down. If he’d been in his true form, his fox tail would surely be wagging to the heavens.
“Not my problem! Go back to your fox den and fix it yourself!”
Mu Jiu? Bai Shuo’s eyes misted up. They’re both here! She was about to greet them when her eyes went wide.
She watched as Mu Jiu grabbed Hua Hong’s hand, pouting dramatically.
“Of course it’s your problem! My precious wheel was shattered because of you! It broke, and my heart shattered along with it. Little Flower, you can’t just let me suffer!”
The fox boy’s eyes were rimmed with red, looking as if he might burst into tears. Bai Shuo shuddered, nearly gagging. Good heavens, she thought, glancing away to Hua Hong with pity.
As expected, Tian Huo Demon Lord’s face had gone pale as he looked at Mu Jiu as if he’d seen a ghost.
“Let… go,” Hua Hong managed to grit out, voice low and cold.
“No way, not unless you promise to treat my precious wheel with the same care. To cherish it and grant it new life…” The fox demon’s eyes sparkled as he continued his performance.
“Cherish it like your grandmother’s—!” the blacksmith snapped, unable to take another word. The Burning Heaven Staff came whistling through the air, aimed right at Mu Jiu’s head.
“Hey, hey! Little Flower, you’re trying to kill me!”
The staff was speeding down, about to land on Mu Jiu’s head, when he jumped. But then, oddly, the staff softened, forming a ring around both him and Hua Hong, bringing their faces and bodies close together, limbs tangled.
Mu Jiu froze in shock, face turning red as he found himself face-to-face with Hua Hong.
“Little Flower, so it turns out you really do feel…”
“Mu Jiu! I’m going to kill you!”
Without another word, Hua Hong yanked the staff off, stomped on the fox, and raised it again to strike.
Mu Jiu wailed, “Fine, kill me then! Just moments ago, you were so affectionate, and now you’re acting like this? Might as well finish me off! Go on, hit me!”
Though Hua Hong was furious, the little fox was so indignant he simply lay down, as if inviting the blow. But after a long wait, the staff still hadn’t struck him.
Hmm? Could she be all talk? Mu Jiu sneaked a peek and saw Hua Hong staring blankly at the staff.
What’s going on? Mu Jiu quickly wriggled out from under Hua Hong’s foot, sprang to his feet, and looked at the staff in shock.
On the once indestructible Burning Heaven Staff, two little paper men were working tirelessly, sweating as they tried to mold the staff back into a loop.
“Bai! Shuo!” Hua Hong’s voice of rage echoed in the distance, but Bai Shuo simply grinned, flicked her finger to clear her ear, and slinked after someone she’d been following.
It was sheer luck that she’d planned to catch up with her old friends only to stumble upon an even older acquaintance.
Ahead of her, Er Yun was carrying a bowl of medicinal soup as he entered a quiet little courtyard.
Bai Shuo looked up at the words “Pine Crane Pavilion” and slipped inside.
* * *
“She asked where?” Qing Yi was questioning Wu Shuang in Jiu Hua Pavilion after searching everywhere for Bai Shuo.
“She asked about Miao Miao Island… and Hao Yue Hall,” Wu Shuang answered honestly. “Is something wrong, Upper Lord?”
“No.” Qing Yi waved him off, his face calm. “You may go.”
“Yes, sir.”
0 Comments