Great Demon - Chapter 95 Part 2

On Mount Danxue, there was little to pass the time, making the days feel unbearably long. Some even said that one day on the mountain was a thousand years in the human world.

As for the state of the Mortal Realm, Zhuyou, who was currently in Shangxi City, did not know. But she did feel it was time to visit the human world again. Before that, however, she needed to move Shangxi City to the Demon Realm.

Since Guanshang had invited her into the game, she might as well go along with it and pretend to be his pawn.

At present, Shangxi City was still a thousand miles from the Demon Realm. While she could traverse the distance in an instant, she could not take the entire city with her in the blink of an eye.

The water demon, finding the pond in Jianxiang Pavilion uncomfortable, had returned to the lake by the ravine. She emerged from the water and, seeing Zhuyou seemingly lost in thought, asked in her sharp voice, “Your Grace, are you bored?”

Zhuyou cast her a glance. “You lie motionless in the water all day—don’t you find it dull?”

“When one has someone they long for, boredom ceases to exist,” the water demon said wistfully. A surprising hint of bashfulness surfaced on her pale, decayed face.

Zhuyou found it amusing. “You? Someone you long for?”

“He has already entered the cycle of reincarnation. I don’t even know where he has been reborn,” the water demon murmured, her hair floating in the water like drifting seaweed.

Zhuyou hadn’t expected this water demon to have such a sentimental heart. Seeing that she seemed eager to continue the story, Zhuyou quickly waved her hand. “You’ve told this tale at least ten times already—aren’t you tired of repeating it?”

The water demon chuckled dryly and dove back into the water, lost in her own memories.

The next morning, demons had already gathered outside the tiger demon’s residence, standing watch. Throughout the city, Huoshu’s spies were everywhere. Her network was well-connected—only slightly inferior to Wu Buzhi’s—thanks to the countless rat demons scattered throughout the city.

Inside Jianxiang Pavilion, the brothel that had closed its doors for a day was now open again. However, there were few patrons, and many demons and devils still had not shaken off the lingering fear from that day’s events.

Yet Huoshu was in no hurry. Even if she never reopened, the wealth she had accumulated would last her centuries. She sat inside, counting jade stones, listening to the girls outside calling for customers, and sighed softly.

Her fingers suddenly paused in their counting. She knew that the Dragon Clan of the Nine Heavens enjoyed treasures of great luxury, but she wasn’t sure if phoenixes did.

It was said that the phoenixes of the Nine Heavens perched only on parasol trees and drank only Liqueur Spring water, utterly uninterested in gold, silver, or jade. No matter how extravagant, nothing compared to the radiance of their own feathers. She wondered—was that esteemed person the same way?

But thinking it over carefully, she recalled that over two hundred years ago, after entering the Devil Dao, that person had accepted countless offerings from demons, who presented her with demon-forged weapons and devil-forged artifacts to curry favor.

Huoshu’s eyes gleamed. Without hesitation, she placed the jade stones into a wooden chest large enough to fit a person, then hoisted the heavy box and made for the door.

Even in human form, she had aged somewhat, yet her beauty remained. As she walked, her slender waist swayed—not quite like a snake’s, but captivating all the same.

With both hands occupied, she couldn’t open the door herself. Instead, she exhaled a wisp of spiritual energy to push it open and squeezed through the gap.

Outside the door, the demons and devils waving their silk handkerchiefs suddenly fell silent. Even the patrons looking for entertainment were stunned. It wasn’t that she had changed appearances—rather, the sight of her carrying such a massive chest and walking as if wind carried her was too strange.

Wherever she went, eyes followed. It wasn’t until she had left that the demons and devils finally spoke.

“Where is Lady Huoshu going?”

“And why is she carrying such a huge chest?”

“She’s probably afraid she’s offended Her Grace and is taking her life savings to flee.”

“That’s unlikely. She was still happily chatting with me today. If she had offended Her Grace, she’d be so terrified that even her whiskers would be sticking out, let alone have the presence of mind to put on rouge.”

“So where is she hauling that big chest? Could she be sneaking off to meet someone? Speaking of which, didn’t she bring back a peafowl demon yesterday?”

“That peafowl demon hasn’t been seen since arriving at Jianxiang Pavilion. No one knows her background, but Lady Huoshu is guarding her closely.”

“She probably bought herself a young girl somewhere and is in a rush to send payment now.”

With that thought, the demons and devils finally relaxed.

Huoshu was indeed carrying her entire life’s savings, hurrying excitedly toward the frozen pavilion. Moving swiftly, she had yet to reach the ice-cracked dwelling when she bent down and knocked three times on a mouse hole at the street corner.

After the third knock, a white-browed rat poked its head out and bowed to her.

“Well? Any news?” Huoshu asked.

The white-browed rat spoke with the voice of an old woman. “No sign of the tiger demon returning.”

Huoshu gave a slight nod. “Keep watch for another two days. Don’t get distracted.”

The white-browed rat bowed again before retreating into the hole.

Huoshu hoisted the heavy chest once more and continued toward Zhuyou’s residence. When she looked up and saw the Vermillion Phoenix perched on the ice, she respectfully said, “This little demon has something to offer Your Grace.”

Zhuyou, waiting for the tiger demon’s return, thought Huoshu had brought news. When she realized that wasn’t the case, she couldn’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment. She frowned and glanced down at the large wooden chest, uncertain of its contents.

She remained silent for a long moment. If there had been any trace of life inside the chest, she might have suspected Huoshu of knocking the tiger demon unconscious and stuffing him inside.

Huoshu smiled, and seeing that no one was around, quickly set the chest down and said, “Your Grace, please take a look!”

Zhuyou, indifferent to the display, could easily tell the demon was trying to curry favor with her.

When the chest was opened, a dazzling array of gold, silver, and jade filled the entire space, reflecting the glow of lanterns in an ostentatious display.

Zhuyou was momentarily taken aback. Ever since she joined the devils two hundred years ago, many had offered her gifts, but they were always demon weapons and devil artifacts—never had anyone given her gold and jewels so plainly.

The chest was packed to the brim. For a long moment, she said nothing, having little interest in such things.

“Your Grace, look at these jade pieces! They’re of the finest quality!” Huoshu’s eyes shone brightly.

Zhuyou spotted a golden pearl inside, which looked strikingly like Changying’s eyes. Her heart stirred, and she finally said, “Very well, I’ll accept it.”

“Oh!” Huoshu quickly shut the chest and grinned. “Shall I bring it up to Your Grace?”

Zhuyou nodded. “Bring it here.”

Huoshu hoisted the chest and leaped up, setting it down before Zhuyou. “As long as Your Grace is pleased.”

Zhuyou wasn’t particularly pleased, but she thought Changying might be. That dragon always looked cold and aloof, seemingly indifferent to everything, but a dragon was still a dragon. Their nature and preferences wouldn’t change.

With a flick of her hand, the chest resting on the ice vanished into her spatial storage. Once it was safely tucked away, she asked, “Any word on the tiger demon?”

“Not yet,” Huoshu quickly replied.

“If he truly returns once every half month, he should have shown up by now.” Zhuyou frowned.

“Your Grace, don’t worry. The day is still long.” Huoshu’s eyes curved into a smile, clearly in a good mood.

Zhuyou gave a slight nod before asking, “The peafowl demon I had you take—has she woken yet?”

Huoshu thought for a moment. “Two hours ago, she moved a finger, but she hasn’t opened her eyes yet. Her breathing has stabilized, so she should be fine.”

“When she wakes, give her this.” With a turn of her wrist, a letter appeared in Zhuyou’s hand.

Huoshu reached out to take it, but to her surprise, Zhuyou’s hand remained still, leaving her grasping at empty air.

Zhuyou’s voice was slow and deliberate. “This letter is sealed with a restriction. Do not attempt to open it. If your hands aren’t clean, phoenix fire will ignite and reduce you to ashes.”

Huoshu’s hands stiffened, and she shuddered slightly. The delight on her face vanished instantly. She grimaced and said, “What if—what if the wind blows it open?”

“Don’t worry.” Zhuyou lightly tapped the letter against Huoshu’s palms.

Huoshu trembled, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest.

“The wind won’t open it.” Zhuyou let go, and the letter landed in Huoshu’s hands.

Huoshu cradled it as if she were holding something utterly terrifying, not daring to move an inch.

Zhuyou continued, “I may not be able to wait until she wakes. If she cries until she’s gasping for breath, just let her cry. This letter—she can read it if she wants, tear it up if she wants. You don’t need to make any decisions for her.”

Huoshu nodded, but she couldn’t help finding these words strange. Let that peafowl demon tear up the letter? She hesitated for a moment, but when she saw the sharp glint in Zhuyou’s eyes, she quickly nodded again. “As long as this letter is in my hands, I will deliver it to your maidservant without fail.”

“Good. Remember that.” Zhuyou waved her hand dismissively.

Huoshu almost wanted to swear on her rat head to guarantee it, but on second thought, she decided against it—she wasn’t willing to take that risk. Carefully tucking the letter away, she asked, “Your Grace, are you leaving the city?”

Zhuyou nodded. “This city will soon be relocated to the Demon Realm. When that happens, I’ll have to meet the demon king. After that, I have something else to take care of.”

Huoshu panicked. “But Your Grace, i-if that person suddenly appears while you’re gone…”

“That person?” Zhuyou shot her a sidelong glance.

Huoshu hesitated. “Naturally, the one we’ve been searching for these past few days.”

Zhuyou chuckled at her and spoke unhurriedly. “Are you afraid of him? All demons and devils will follow him. Don’t tell me you’re thinking of betraying him?”

“I-I…” For a moment, Huoshu was completely lost. She had assumed that Zhuyou and the Devil Lord were on opposing sides, but now it seemed… not quite.

“If you want to stay alive, be smart. Just remember what I tell you, and don’t meddle in things beyond your place.” Zhuyou’s voice dropped lower, turning as thin as a blade hovering at Huoshu’s throat.

Huoshu immediately lowered her head, her gaze trembling with sudden fear.