Suddenly, the Lord of Hao Yue Hall realized that ever since he had awakened, the heavy gloom on his chest had somehow dissipated more than half. This half-immortal—calling her clever and charming was an understatement. How could such a bright and endearing creature exist in the world? A pity she wasn’t truly his.
Bai Shuo tried to prop herself up with her little paws. If not for her desire to save face, her tail might have wagged. Yet, the Lord of Hao Yue Hall simply looked at her with amusement, showing no reaction. Not enough? Well then, she would go all out. Dignity was something she barely had, anyway. Gritting her teeth, Bai Shuo was just about to raise her tail. Suddenly, the world spun, and amidst gasps from the crowd, she was scooped up by a pair of slender hands and held in a cool embrace.
“She’s mine now. Tonight, Bu Ji Tower will host a feast for the entire city; enjoy yourselves.” The lazy voice echoed from the jade steps, and before the demons could process it, both the man and the fox had vanished from the red jade throne.
On the glazed mirror, the demons, who had just been battling to the death, now looked at each other in bewilderment. Before they could curse, the seductive maidens surrounded them with laughter, filling the room with alluring music. With beauties in their arms, in the unparalleled pleasure of Bu Ji Tower, the chaotic struggle from moments before quickly turned into a laughing matter among the demons.
With a soft thud, the little white fox landed on a plush patch of grass. The purple moon rippled across the lake, as if the lavish, heated spectacle from before had never happened. “You stingy miser! Black-hear—” the little white fox began to rant indignantly, but her voice echoed clearly by the quiet lakeside, and, realizing how conspicuous she sounded, she quickly clapped a paw over her mouth, eyes wide. Good heavens! When did she turn back into a human?!
“Why did you stop scolding?” Fan Yue was leaning against a tree, his red robes fluttering in the wind. His lazy gaze was as indifferent as ever, yet his look was irresistibly enchanting. Judging by his demeanor, he even seemed to be in a decent mood. Bai Shuo stared, briefly stunned, then snapped back to her senses, lowering her gaze politely. “My Lord.” The man under the tree looked at her, raised a brow, then turned to leave. What was going on? “My-my Lord!” Bai Shuo quickly bounced forward, grabbing his sleeve in confusion. “Where are you going?” Fan Yue looked back at her, his reply matter-of-fact. “Naturally, back to Phoenix Island in Wu Tong.” She stared at his easy, carefree manner, pointing at herself in astonishment. “Then… what about me?” Fan Yue narrowed his eyes, and the jade flute appeared in his palm. “Becoming one of Hao Yue Hall’s people was your own choice.” Was the demon intending to leave her stranded in the demon realm? “No!” Bai Shuo blurted out, “I need to go back.” “Go back?” Fan Yue’s voice grew cold. “Miao has already expelled you; as a half-immortal, what’s the difference between South Sea City and Hao Yue Hall to you?” “I… I…” Bai Shuo stammered, and for some reason, looking at Fan Yue’s face, she couldn’t bring herself to say it was for A-Zhao.
“Oh, I remember now…” Fan Yue’s voice turned frosty as he leaned down, smirking at her with a mocking glint in his eyes. “You have a pact with Chong Zhao.” “I…” Bai Shuo, sweating with anxiety, bit her lip and grasped Fan Yue’s wrist. “My Lord, I’m willing to return with you to Hao Yue Hall, but I must see A-Zhao before the grand banquet between our two clans. I have something important—” Before she could finish, her chin was gripped tightly, and the previously gentle Lord of Hao Yue Hall now looked at her with sheer disdain. “You’re willing?” Fan Yue sneered, “Bai Shuo, do you think I kept you by my side out of some favor to you?”
Bai Shuo froze. “After all the humiliation and mockery, killing you would be too easy. Do you think Hao Yue Hall is some place where you can come and go as you please?” Fan Yue’s eyes were icy, as if the person who had held her in his arms in Bu Ji Tower moments before was someone else entirely. “No, I want to go back because…” Bai Shuo stammered, but Fan Yue had already lost interest in her explanations. With a wave of his hand, a barrier materialized in front of her.
“Demon! What are you doing?” Bai Shuo rushed forward but was stopped by the barrier, stumbling back onto the ground. Fan Yue frowned slightly, no longer looking at her as he spoke coolly, “Stay here obediently. I will return in a day.” “No! Demon, I promised…” Bai Shuo’s words were cut short as Fan Yue shot into the sky, disappearing as a streak of light.
“Demon! Fan Yue!” Bai Shuo scrambled up, charging at the barrier, only to be bounced back to the lake’s edge. Her face was filled with worry as, under the moonlight, the figure by Purple Moon Lake gradually faded into a single distant point.
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