Chapter 98: Stay with Me
The sound of footsteps outside faded away. Qu Weiyin chuckled softly. “I suppose it won’t be long before the news of me keeping someone in my bedchamber spreads throughout the Demon Realm.”
Luo Jinxiao snuggled closer, refusing to budge. “Good. It’ll stop that useless disciple of yours from harboring foolish hopes.”
Qu Weiyin looked down at her, flicking her forehead lightly. “She’s Yu Gui’s spy, placed here to watch me.”
“But I’m sure she has other intentions as well,” Luo Jinxiao muttered, sitting up.
Qu Weiyin’s lips curved upwards, amused by her undisguised jealousy.
“Let’s leave. I can truly protect you now,” Luo Jinxiao suddenly said, taking Qu Weiyin’s hand with a pleading look.
“But what if they try to punish me once we’re outside the Demon Realm?” Qu Weiyin asked with a smile.
“No one will dare bully you,” Luo Jinxiao declared firmly. “I don’t care what their reasons are. If they want to touch you, they’ll have to go through me first.”
Qu Weiyin’s eyes sparkled in the candlelight. She laughed softly, calling her childish.
“Once the Netherworld Diagram is destroyed, I’ll leave with you,” Qu Weiyin promised.
Seeing Luo Jinxiao’s wide grin, Qu Weiyin shook her head and pinched her nose playfully. “But you can’t mess this up. Don’t let anyone discover you, or my three years of effort will be wasted.”
Luo Jinxiao nodded eagerly.
They chatted and laughed for a long time until a messenger arrived, reporting a situation at the entrance to the Demon Realm that required the Demon Lord’s attention.
Qu Weiyin’s smile faded as she exchanged a glance with Luo Jinxiao. She rose and strode out, with Luo Jinxiao following close behind.
They arrived at the great hall with the stone table, where Yu Gui was already waiting. His eyes lit up at the sight of Qu Weiyin, but then darkened as he noticed Luo Jinxiao.
Sensing his gaze, Luo Jinxiao rolled her eyes and stepped forward, taking Qu Weiyin’s hand in hers.
Qu Weiyin returned the gesture, her expression calm and composed. She approached the stone table, tossing her outer robe aside, and sat down slowly.
Her phoenix eyes swept over Yu Gui’s clenched fists as she spoke coldly, “Why this urgent summons?”
Standing beside Qu Weiyin, Luo Jinxiao felt a surge of satisfaction, especially at the sight of Yu Gui’s pale, sickly complexion.
She bent down, picked a plump grape from the table, and peeled it for Qu Weiyin.
“Demon Lord, we urgently requested your presence because there has been an increase in the number of cultivators from the Immortal Sects gathering near the entrance to the Demon Realm. They seem to be plotting something, and we must be prepared.”
Qu Weiyin opened her mouth, accepting the grape from Luo Jinxiao and swallowing it before replying, “Then reinforce the defenses at the entrance.”
“My subordinates believe that now that the Immortal Realm is weakened, we should seize this opportunity to eliminate them completely. Wouldn’t that be ideal?” Yu Gui said through gritted teeth, his eyes filled with malice.
Qu Weiyin paused, swallowing the grape. Her slender neck bobbed slightly as she narrowed her eyes, concealing her thoughts.
“What are your plans?” she asked.
A guard in earthen-colored armor stepped forward cautiously. “We suggest launching a surprise attack on the Immortal Sects while they are unprepared.”
“Very well. Proceed as you see fit,” Qu Weiyin said calmly, gesturing for Luo Jinxiao to peel another grape for her.
Yu Gui’s face lit up with delight, having received the answer he desired.
“Since I have the Demon Lord’s permission, I will immediately give the order. After all these years, we can finally make the Demon Realm proud!” Yu Gui grinned, his bloodless skin appearing even more eerie.
“As for the matter you mentioned, I have already taken care of it. If you are worried, you can come with me to check.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Qu Weiyin replied lazily, shaking her head slightly. “I trust your competence. If there’s nothing else, you may leave.”
She then looked up at Luo Jinxiao and offered her hand.
Luo Jinxiao, who had been listening intently, was caught off guard as Qu Weiyin pulled her onto the seat. The chair was wide enough for both of them to sit comfortably.
Yu Gui’s face alternated between shades of green and white.
Delighted by his anger, Luo Jinxiao deliberately picked up a teacup and brought it to Qu Weiyin’s lips, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer.
Qu Weiyin, well aware of her intentions, leaned against her shoulder and took a sip of tea.
“Left King, should we… perhaps… take our leave?” the guard in earthen-colored armor stammered.
Yu Gui’s fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white. He snarled, “Let’s go.”
He stormed out, his originally light eyes growing darker with each step. Once out of Qu Weiyin’s sight, he lowered his voice, “Where did you find that person beside the Demon Lord?”
“As per your instructions, since they never last long, we just grabbed a newly transformed lesser demon…”
“A newly transformed lesser demon? And she’s bewitched the Demon Lord to such an extent?” Yu Gui flung his robes in anger. “I’ve never seen the Demon Lord treat any of her previous attendants like a pet. How is this one so capable?”
“Just like the others, find an opportunity to eliminate her, to avoid further complications,” he ordered menacingly.
Meanwhile, Luo Jinxiao placed the teacup back on the table, her gaze fixed on Yu Gui’s retreating figure. A murderous aura emanated from her.
“Are you angry?” Qu Weiyin whispered in her ear.
“I can’t stand how people always want to have you,” Luo Jinxiao frowned. “I want to kill him with my own hands.”
“What does it matter if they want me? They can’t have me anyway,” Qu Weiyin said, resting her head on Luo Jinxiao’s shoulder and wrapping her arms around her waist.
The warmth and softness of the mature woman’s body against hers calmed Luo Jinxiao’s anger, replacing it with a fluttering in her chest.
She looked down at Qu Weiyin’s lips, where a tiny drop of tea still lingered.
Suddenly, she felt an urge to kiss it away. But just as she leaned in, footsteps approached. Luo Jinxiao jerked her head up, nearly straining her neck.
It was the guard who had been overseeing the prison cells. He looked flustered as he stopped and reported quickly, “Demon Lord, the girl imprisoned in the dungeon has escaped!”
“What?” Qu Weiyin frowned, rising slowly. “When did she escape?”
“Just a while ago. I took my eyes off her for a moment, and she vanished. The guards at the gate said she disguised herself and managed to fight her way out.”
Luo Jinxiao stood up as well, a wave of worry washing over her. The Demon Realm was treacherous, and a lone, low-cultivation individual like the girl was vulnerable to danger.
“Understood. Send people to find her, but don’t harm her,” Qu Weiyin ordered.
“Demon Lord, perhaps… I should go look for her,” Luo Jinxiao stepped forward, lowering her voice. “She thinks you’re going to kill her. She’ll run from any demon. If I go, it might be easier.”
Qu Weiyin looked up, her phoenix eyes blinking slowly. “I didn’t realize you cared so much for her.”
Though her tone was calm, there was an unmistakable hint of jealousy in her words.
Luo Jinxiao was momentarily stunned, unsure how to react.
“Go then, and bring her back,” Qu Weiyin said, turning away. Her skirt swirled gracefully as she moved.
Realizing Qu Weiyin was upset, Luo Jinxiao hurriedly followed, explaining, “I’m just concerned as a friend, that’s all.”
“I know. Go on,” Qu Weiyin said coldly, striding into the bedchamber. Luo Jinxiao tried to follow, but the door slammed shut, nearly catching her nose.
She stumbled back, rubbing her nose.
Why is Qu Weiyin so angry? Luo Jinxiao wondered, confused by Qu Weiyin’s intense reaction. If she went to find Tang Lan’er, Qu Weiyin would remain upset. But if she didn’t, a life might be at stake.
Struck by an idea, she summoned Qiongqi after ensuring no one was around.
“Little sweetie, help me find someone – the girl who often feeds you meat,” Luo Jinxiao whispered. “It’s dangerous for her alone in the demon realm. Bring her back when you find her.”
Qiongqi nodded and vanished instantly.
Relieved, Luo Jinxiao straightened up and knocked on the door. Silence greeted her.
“Qu Weiyin?” she called out, but there was no response.
Strange, she muttered, then shifted her form, appearing inside the room.
Qu Weiyin lay on the bed, her back to Luo Jinxiao, exposing a smooth shoulder.
“Don’t come any closer,” Qu Weiyin said, raising a hand. A wave of dark energy pushed Luo Jinxiao back out the door.
Luo Jinxiao stumbled, watching helplessly as the door slammed shut again. She sighed, feeling completely defeated.
Time passed, and the corridor grew darker. Bored, Luo Jinxiao leaned against the wall, idly braiding her hair.
She smiled wryly. Since regaining her memories, her ability to endure boredom had certainly improved.
Finally, after a long wait, there was movement from inside the room.
The door opened, revealing Qu Weiyin standing in the dim light, her expression hidden in the shadows.
Luo Jinxiao stood up, about to speak, when Qu Weiyin suddenly threw her arms around her.
Luo Jinxiao’s arms froze mid-air before she lowered them, embracing Qu Weiyin in return.
“What’s wrong?” she asked softly.
“Come in,” Qu Weiyin said, her voice cold and muffled. She pulled Luo Jinxiao inside and shut the door.
Luo Jinxiao remained silent, feeling Qu Weiyin tremble as if frightened. She could only pat her back gently, waiting for her to calm down.
“I just fell asleep and had a nightmare that you never came looking for me.”
“I was so scared, Jinxiao,” Qu Weiyin said, wiping away tears. She felt both ashamed and angry – ashamed of her sudden vulnerability and angry at herself for arguing with Luo Jinxiao.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Luo Jinxiao hadn’t been truly upset, but Qu Weiyin’s apology melted her heart. She bit her lip, forcing a smile, and tilted her head.
“It’s alright. I’m glad Junior Shishu is jealous,” she teased.
“Who’s jealous? I just don’t like Tang Lan’er,” Qu Weiyin retorted.
“Is that so?” Luo Jinxiao’s smile widened. She suddenly bent down and lifted Qu Weiyin into her arms.
The thin robe accentuated Qu Weiyin’s graceful figure. Luo Jinxiao’s heart fluttered as she carried her to the bed, the light fabric spreading out around them.
“If you’re still angry, I can wait outside,” Luo Jinxiao teased, feigning a cough.
“Get back here,” Qu Weiyin exclaimed, sitting up abruptly.
Her cheeks flushed, matching the red silk of her robes. She scooted further into the bed and said stiffly, “I keep having nightmares. Stay with me.”
theyre adorable