"I told you I don't need your help! Are your ears deaf!"
Lu Ji roared, his eye sockets seeming to crack, bloodshot filling his eyeballs.
Lu Meng was stunned into place, no longer moving. If one looked closely, her shoulders were trembling uncontrollably.
Lu Ji's body swayed a few times, and finally, unable to sustain himself, he knelt down on one knee.
"Vice General Lu!"
She quickly helped Lu Ji up and took out a hemostatic pill from her storage ring, offering it to him.
Xiao Zi's expression was cold, and his tone was exceedingly flat, "We're even?"
"You killed so many of the Jing and Fang families' demons, and you tell me we're even?"
He snorted coldly, turned, and walked towards Hua Yun, "If you wanted to soften this seat's heart, your acting is indeed too clumsy."
His words made Lu Ji's face stiffen, and his hands clenched tighter.
Xiao Zi strode forward. After Bai Ran finished treating the wound, he picked up Hua Yun, who was lying on the ground.
"Your Majesty, the Demon Emperor! You can't!"
"Shut up and behave."
Hua Yun's face, which had been bloodless moments ago, was now flushed red to the roots of her ears.
Her head was bowed low, her heart felt as if it were about to leap out of her chest, and her hands had nowhere to rest, so she could only nervously pick at her fingers.
Bai Ran glanced at Lu Meng, her thin lips parted, but no sound came out.
Lu Meng watched her lips move and her eyes turned intensely scarlet, "Bitch! What nonsense are you spewing!"
Bai Ran's lips curved upwards, and she waved at Lu Meng, "If you don't want to be exposed, then behave yourself."
The three of them left, but the killing intent in Lu Meng's heart grew heavier.
Lu Ji stood up and stared directly at her, "What did that human say?"
Lu Meng gritted her teeth and lied, "That bitch insulted me."
Lu Ji asked no more questions. At this moment, he was driven mad by Lu Meng's actions.
"Go back to your courtyard. If I see you again, I'll kill you every time!"
"Useless thing, you can't accomplish anything but ruin everything!"
Lu Meng's eyes were filled with darkness, and the blood from her tightly clenched hands dripped, "Yes..." kuAiδugg
...
Hua Yun didn't dare to move in Xiao Zi's embrace, her eyes on her nose, her nose on her heart, as if she were reciting scriptures.
Bai Ran found her appearance extremely amusing, "Shall we walk slower?"
Xiao Zi looked confused, while Hua Yun in his arms stammered.
"No! No, no! There's no need!"
Looking down, Xiao Zi met her golden eyes. She saw those golden eyes constantly darting away, her entire face blushing intensely.
"You like this seat?"
His tone, devoid of any emotion, utterly revealed Hua Yun's hidden feelings of many years.
But before she could speak, Xiao Zi spoke again.
"This seat has no interest in romantic entanglements, nor will it ever like you."
Instantly, Hua Yun felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave, her blood chilling a few degrees.
Yes... Hua Yun, what were you thinking...
You, a mere tribute woman, dared to have foolish dreams about the Demon Emperor...
You're utterly stupid...
Hua Yun forced a bitter smile, but a wave of grievance washed over her, and her eyes welled up with tears.
"I... I understand."
Bai Ran frowned. Could this guy really have problems in that area?
Holding such a beautiful woman who clearly harbored feelings for him, yet he was as unyielding as a stone?
Sensing the gaze, Xiao Zi turned his head and saw Bai Ran staring at a certain part of his lower body, seemingly examining it.
"Little brat! You're a woman! You, you!"
His ears perked up, and his tail trembled a few times.
Bai Ran calmly retracted her gaze, "Why are you so nervous? I was just concerned about your health."
Health... where?
Xiao Zi's lips twitched uncontrollably, "Keep your thoughts to yourself."
"This seat is very healthy."
"In every way."
Feeling a tug on his clothes, Xiao Zi looked down. Hua Yun, holding back her tears, slowly said.
"Let's go to Lian Shui Yue's courtyard. I want to see her."
"Mm." Xiao Zi nodded and changed direction.
...
A servant reported, and Lian Shui Yue rushed out of her room with hurried steps.
"Greetings to Your Majesty, the Demon Emperor."
Her dazzling snow-white hair and a vermillion dot between her brows accentuated her noble and pure aura.
Bai Ran raised an eyebrow. She noticed the faint white ear feathers hidden in Lian Shui Yue's hair. Such a crane demon, Bai Ran found herself unable to look away.
Turning her head, Xiao Zi indeed ignored Lian Shui Yue and walked straight into the room.
"No need for pleasantries. This seat is merely here to drop someone off."
Lian Shui Yue was startled. She looked up and saw Hua Yun in the Demon Emperor's embrace, her brows furrowed with worry, "Hua Yun? What's wrong with her?"
Xiao Zi gently placed Hua Yun on the bed and forced a bitter smile, "I..."
"She was heartbroken by Lu Meng and wishes to see you," Xiao Zi said, turning to leave the room.
Hua Yun's lips trembled, her emotions extremely low, "That's right."
Hearing this, Lian Shui Yue's expression became noticeably anxious, "How are you? Does anything hurt?"
Hua Yun shook her head, reassuring her, "It's nothing. That human has already healed my wounds."
Human? Lian Shui Yue looked at Bai Ran, her eyes filled with curiosity. It was the same person she had seen in the palace.
Her fiery red dress was dazzling, and her jet-black hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders.
Her eyes were wild and unrestrained, unafraid, and even more beautiful up close, causing her heart to beat uncontrollably faster.
"Such a beautiful human..."
Bai Ran blinked. She thought the crane demon was beautiful, but the crane demon thought she herself was beautiful?
Sensing her impropriety, Lian Shui Yue quickly averted her gaze.
How could she stare so brazenly at another woman's face? Lian Shui Yue, pull yourself together.
Thinking this, she even patted her own cheek, looking a little silly.
"This seat will take its leave now."
Xiao Zi turned to leave, but the crane demon behind him called out, "Excuse me! Your Majesty, the Demon Emperor!"
"I heard you have a competition set with Vice General Lu..."
Xiao Zi frowned and turned back, "How did you know?"
Lian Shui Yue pursed her lips, "This news spreads extremely quickly among women."
Even she, who remained aloof from worldly affairs, had heard whispers about it, indicating how widely it had spread.
"Yes, a competition has been set. What about it?"
Lian Shui Yue glanced at Hua Yun in the room, her expression hesitant, "Perhaps... I can help you."
Bai Ran raised an eyebrow, instantly understanding her hesitation. With a raise of her hand, she cast a soundproof barrier.
Xiao Zi gave her a look of admiration, then turned back to Lian Shui Yue and said coldly, "Now you don't have to worry."
Looking at the soundproof barrier, Lian Shui Yue sighed softly.
"You can use me."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zi's expression darkened, "Use you? Do you take this seat for Lu Ji?"
"No..." Lian Shui Yue shook her head, her eyes filled with sorrow, "I haven't even told Hua Yun about this."
Bai Ran and Xiao Zi stood there, staring at her, listening to her continue.