Ordered to Marry by the High King - Chapter 19

The hall doors stood half open, and from within, not a sound could be heard. It seemed there was no one else inside.

Liangmeng turned gracefully, her hands folded elegantly before her, and said to Longming, “I’ve memorized the spell. I’ll help you investigate.”

“Much obliged.” Longming nodded.

Zhuoxue perked up her ears, gripping her leaf cards so tightly they nearly bent. She barely caught the word “spell.”

“But where exactly did you see this spell?” Liangmeng’s eyes narrowed.

“I saw it long ago. It suddenly came to mind last night—that’s why I troubled you to come,” Longming replied calmly, not revealing the slightest crack in her composure.

“It was a bother. I was supposed to inspect goods at Mount Buzhou today, but had to delay a day,” Liangmeng said, covering her smile with a hand. “Since I’m already here, I’m not leaving empty-handed.”

“Coincidentally, there’s a banquet at Lingkong Mountain. Why not stay for a meal before leaving?” said Longming.

It sounded exactly like mortal-world politeness, full of mundane social flavor—completely at odds with her ethereal and otherworldly face.

“You wear your cold indifference on your face. Even your invitation to dine lacks sincerity.” Liangmeng shook her head. She looked around, her gaze brushing past the fox before resting lightly on Kunyu. With a snort and a frown, she said, “I won’t dine with demons who wear dead men’s bones on their faces. No matter—it wasn’t a wasted trip just to see you.”

In the distance, Kunyu remained unbothered, tapping on the table, urging Zhuoxue to stop stalling.

Unable to make out what was said, Zhuoxue turned around and quipped, “Even in a game, one must act thoughtfully. If the heart is anxious, the cards will scatter.”

But Kunyu’s hand was so good she had no need for caution. At ease, she replied, “Even if you think it over ten times, you still won’t beat my careless play.”

Liangmeng clearly had no desire to spare another glance at Kunyu. She quickly shifted her gaze back to Longming, using demon power to speak directly into her ear. But Kunlun Yaojing has been acting strangely lately. The Heavenly Gate allows entry but no exit. The Jade-Glazed Wall is swarming with heavenly soldiers. Naturally, few deities or immortals are visiting Huangliang Dream Market now. I may not be able to dig up any information.

Zhuoxue tilted her head slightly, catching sight only of Huangliang Dream Market’s mistress’ lips moving. Her heart lurched, and she nearly misplayed a card.

Before the grand, shadowed gates, Longming and Huangliang Dream Market’s mistress stood face-to-face in solemn silence.

What are they whispering about so secretively? Zhuoxue grumbled to herself.

After a long pause, Longming finally spoke. “It’s fine. If you find something, good. If not, so be it.”

Liangmeng turned away. “Then I won’t intrude on this banquet. Just seeing a certain someone kills my appetite.”

Kunyu threw down her final card. The thud on the table marked a sweeping victory. “I’m in a good mood today—I won’t argue with you.”

Without a word, Liangmeng summoned several auspicious birds. They were palm-sized and shimmered like misty silk under the sunlight, dazzling to behold. Yet despite their delicate appearance, these birds lifted Liangmeng with perfect steadiness—no less dignified than the golden chariots that rested at cliffside pavilions.

As Huangliang Dream Market’s mistress slowly flew away, Kunyu’s expression darkened. Moments ago, she had seemed indifferent, but now it was as if a storm were brewing—black clouds roiled behind her eyes. Her fury turned the air around her icy. Demonic energy poured forth like chaotic rain, striking everything indiscriminately.

The other demons at the table were used to such outbursts. They laughed and chatted among themselves, unfazed.

Zhuoxue, who had been sitting calmly, was suddenly yanked upright by Kunyu, who clutched her arm. Her leaf cards scattered to the ground with a sharp crack, and she winced, crying out, “Ow! That hurts!”

One of the demons chuckled. “Why take your anger out on the little fox?”

Zhuoxue thought to herself, Exactly—why take it out on me?

She hadn’t expected Kunyu, the demon lord of Jueming Ridge, to be so fickle—gentle and easygoing one moment, a raging storm the next.

“I’m leaving too,” Kunyu growled through clenched teeth. “This round was my big win. I won this fox—naturally, she comes with me.”

Zhuoxue had nothing to say. She cursed herself inwardly for her poor judgment. She regretted everything.

Longming walked over at an unhurried pace and spoke in a calm voice. “You’re going with whom?”

Zhuoxue pulled a bitter face and said nothing.

“She made her bet—no regrets. Are you and that Huang Liangmeng both here just to spite me?” Kunyu suddenly stepped in, her face ghostly and menacing, stripped of any trace of gentleness.

Longming smiled faintly. “The little fox didn’t know any better, daring to stake herself as a wager.”

Kunyu was still gripping Zhuoxue’s arm tightly. A little more force, and that slender arm might well have snapped in two.

Tears streamed down Zhuoxue’s face from the pain. She quickly scrambled to explain, “It’s just that I have nothing else of value, so I had no choice but to wager myself.”

“Greedy,” said Longming, clearly not taking it to heart. “I suspect you were looking for a chance to leave Lingkong Mountain.”

“My loyalty is beyond question,” Zhuoxue said guiltily. “Besides, my fox life is in your hands, my lord. Whether I could actually place that bet or not would depend on your word. I figured you’d never agree, so I got bold and spouted nonsense.”

“Bold indeed—you even dared to rummage through my things.” Longming lightly brushed away Kunyu’s bony hand.

Zhuoxue didn’t dare make a sound, her eyes round like copper bells.

Kunyu’s fury had no outlet against Longming, so she turned her back in silence.

Zhuoxue was stunned. This tiger demon is so formidable—Kunyu could only sulk silently in front of her.

She had bet on the wrong person. Completely wrong.

Just then, with a heavy thud, an object landed on the table. Its weight commanded silence from all the gathered demons. Even the well-seasoned great demons seated nearby blinked in astonishment, furrowing their brows as they tried to confirm whether the artifact was real.

Longming said calmly, “The fox wagered herself foolishly. I’ll compensate you with the Xiangyun Soulflower Vase.”

Still turned away, Kunyu whipped her head around in surprise, scrutinizing Longming closely. Her expression softened from stormy to sunny. She clicked her tongue and said, “Quite a gesture. Is that how unwilling you are to part with this little fox?”

“This coat of fur is indeed hard to let go of,” said Longming, her tone detached, revealing no true affection. Clearly, she was echoing the fox’s self-praise from the night before.

Zhuoxue had never heard of any Xiangyun Soulflower Vase, and at first glance, it looked like nothing more than a simple jade vase. But with a second look, she saw it shimmer like clear green water. A human face seemed to press outward from within—its features faintly visible. When its lips parted and blew out a breath, a rich fragrance instantly flooded the air, sweet and intoxicating. As she looked closer, a mist rose from the vase like lake smoke—soft and glistening. The face vanished into it. The lingering scent seeped silently into the demons’ bodies, flowing through their veins and rushing toward their crowns.

Zhuoxue suddenly understood—this wasn’t ordinary fragrance. It was pure spiritual essence.

“If you truly want to trade it, don’t go back on your word,” said Kunyu, afraid Longming might reconsider. She quickly flicked her sleeve, sweeping the Xiangyun Soulflower Vase into it.

Longming turned her gaze back to the fox, eyes glinting. “Even if you wanted to seek a new master, you could’ve at least said something first, Zhuoxue.”

All because Zhuoxue had foolishly revealed her name the night before—spoken now by Longming, it carried unmistakable weight.

I wasn’t trying to seek a new master, Zhuoxue thought. I was courting disaster by dealing with a tiger.

“What new master? Nonsense. I just wanted to make the demon lords jealous—a fox as fine as me isn’t easily won.”

“Then what were you looking for while you were rummaging through my things?” Longming asked.

Eyes squeezed shut, Zhuoxue trembled and said, “I was trying to clean your sleeping chambers.”

“Truly?” Longming smiled.

With no better excuse, Zhuoxue gave in. “I was wrong, my lord—punish me.” Her face gleamed like polished jade, and her eyes shimmered like rouge. When her lashes fluttered, they looked like butterflies resting on flower petals. She was indeed beautiful. If their hand of cards hadn’t been poor, some other demon lord might’ve tried to win her away too.

“Heh.” Longming leaned in close to the fox’s ear and said flatly, “I’ll punish you later. Aren’t you afraid I’ll be too harsh?”

“No,” Zhuoxue replied, not daring to show fear, worried she might displease Longming even more.

Longming turned and walked back into the hall. “Carry on with your leaf cards, but no more wagers. Don’t turn Lingkong Mountain into a den of chaos.”

As the hall doors closed, Zhuoxue’s ears perked sharply. She thought she heard Longming speaking to someone.

“Well? Have you decided? If you ask me, not a word from your mouth is honest. Think carefully before you speak—I won’t tolerate a single lie.”

Someone else was in the hall?

Zhuoxue couldn’t focus on the card table anymore. From Longming’s tone, it clearly wasn’t a conversation with a servant.

Half an hour later, someone else had taken over as the winner at the table.

Without the fox’s subtle tricks, Kunyu kept losing, her expression growing grim. Luckily, no stakes had been placed this round, so her losses cost her nothing.

In the next round, just as Zhuoxue was about to deal the cards, the hall doors creaked open a sliver—pitch black inside. No lamps were lit within, the darkness deeper than a bottomless pond.

Longming didn’t appear, but her low, steady voice echoed from the gloom. None of the other demons noticed—but the fox heard it clearly.

“Fox, come.”

Heart thudding, Zhuoxue rose and forced a smile as she put down her cards. “My master is calling. Lords and ladies, please play on without me.”

Kunyu waved her off. “Ruined my hand. Longming will have to play a round with me later to make up for it.”

The moment Zhuoxue turned away, her smile vanished. After only a few steps, she was drenched in cold sweat, wiping her brow with her sleeve, terrified of finding Lanhui dismembered.

The narrow crack of the doorway was quiet and chilling. Zhuoxue hesitated to shut it completely—leaving it ajar meant she could still glimpse a trace of light.

But she had no choice.

With a thunderous boom, the door slammed shut—heavier than a mountain collapsing.

Before she had time to panic, an unseen force lifted her into the air. Her feet lost all contact with the ground, and she flailed in terror.

So this is what you were waiting for, you ruthless Longming…