“Rescue?” A woman’s voice echoed through the hall, laced with coldness. “How did I ever mistreat him? He thrived in Heishi City, acting as if he wished he were part of the demon race, and then turned around to beg someone to rescue him, claiming he was imprisoned by me?” Bu Jiang seethed with anger. “That bastard!”
Gu Caiyu had lived quite well in Heishi City.
Bu Jiang, of the celestial demon bloodline, held a prestigious position in the city. Even though Gu Caiyu was a human, no one in the demon race dared disrespect him. He enjoyed good food, comfortable sleep, and even frequented the night markets. He spent leisurely days playing chess with Bu Jiang, conversing with her, engaging in a tug-of-war of emotions. His life, both materially and emotionally, was rich and fulfilling. He never once complained to Bu Jiang, and his words often conveyed an affection for Heishi City. That’s why Bu Jiang was so shocked when that beautiful female cultivator came looking for him.
This female cultivator had significant skill. She managed to find Heishi City on her own and somehow crossed the underworld river. With one strike of her sword, she split Bu Jiang’s demon lair in two and coldly demanded, “Release him.”
At that moment, Bu Jiang was utterly confused, having no idea what this woman wanted. It wasn’t until Gu Caiyu stepped out from behind her, his gaze filled with an eagerness she’d never seen before. He exclaimed excitedly, “Fairy Qinghua, I knew you’d come to save me!”
“Save?” Bu Jiang was perplexed. The way he said it, anyone would think she’d done something terrible to him. It was well known that she never forced men into anything. Even if she was interested in someone, she would always find a way for the man to fall for her first.
“What did she do to you?” Fairy Qinghua asked.
Gu Caiyu hesitated for a moment. “Not much. She didn’t do anything to me. I’ve lived quite well here…”
His words weren’t false, but his repressed expression made it impossible for anyone to believe that Bu Jiang hadn’t wronged him.
Bu Jiang had encountered countless men across the Douzhou continent in her time, but she had never seen anyone change their demeanor so drastically.
Fairy Qinghua’s eyes flared with anger, and she thrust her sword towards Bu Jiang. “Shameless demon!”
In the hall, Bu Jiang closed her eyes for a moment. Many years had passed, but as she recalled those memories, her fury was as fresh as ever.
Bu Jiang and Fairy Qinghua clashed.
Bu Jiang wasn’t fighting over Gu Caiyu out of jealousy. After all, he was just a man. She, Bu Jiang, was not someone who couldn’t let go. However, both Fairy Qinghua and Gu Caiyu had insulted her dignity. If word got out, what would the people of Heishi City think of her? To be accused of abducting a man and imprisoning him in a cave to forcibly take him? She, the most beautiful woman in the demon realm, would never stoop to such a level!
Bu Jiang possessed the bloodline of a celestial demon, and although Fairy Qinghua was also formidable, their battle was evenly matched. Meanwhile, Gu Caiyu stood on the sidelines, putting on a pitifully weak and fearful expression, all while trying to stop the fight. “Please, enough! There’s no need for you two to fall out over me. It’s all just a misunderstanding, let it go!”
But how could they simply “let it go” at this point? The more Bu Jiang thought about it, the angrier she became. There were countless demons in Heishi City who admired her. Once word spread that a female sect cultivator had come to demand a man from Bu Jiang, it wasn’t long before several demon heroes appeared, eager to defend her.
Despite her exceptional abilities, Fairy Qinghua was still outnumbered. She had to protect Gu Caiyu while fending off attacks from Bu Jiang and the demons, and it was clearly taking a toll on her.
Bu Jiang showed no mercy. Although demons and humans typically coexisted without conflict, since the other side had come seeking trouble, any harm or death that followed would be their own responsibility. As a sect cultivator, Fairy Qinghua should have known this better than anyone.
Bu Jiang’s vajra bracelet flew towards Fairy Qinghua’s back, but it was blocked by the sound of a flute.
The seemingly powerless rogue cultivator, Gu Caiyu, had effortlessly blocked the vajra bracelet with a beautiful flute in his hands.
Not only was Bu Jiang shocked, but so was the cold and indifferent female cultivator in front of Gu Caiyu. He smiled with a hint of awkwardness, “Ladies, I’m just a humble wandering cultivator. How could I possibly be worthy of the two of you fighting over me?”
Only then did Bu Jiang realize that this so-called “wandering cultivator” had already reached an extraordinary level of cultivation, surpassing everyone present. The flute that never left his side wasn’t just for show but was, in fact, his life-bound weapon. The seemingly weak appearance he had shown when fighting the giant serpent, his powerlessness when brought to Heishi City, and even his daily carefree wandering—all of it had been an act!
He was nothing but a deceitful, scheming man pretending to be vulnerable!
“That scoundrel, hypocrite, shameless bastard!” Bu Jiang couldn’t help but curse loudly as she recalled the past. “He clearly had feelings for that female cultivator and used me as part of some elaborate ploy. He made her believe he was being imprisoned and tortured, so she would come to his rescue. How could there be a man so good at acting in this world!”
“If he wanted to chase after a woman, fine, but to use me as a stepping stone! That scum! He’s lucky he died early. Otherwise, I would’ve killed him myself!”
Xiao Shuang stood quietly to the side, not daring to utter a word.
Later, Gu Caiyu left with Fairy Qinghua, and since Gui Diaotang wasn’t around, no one in Heishi City could stop him. As he left, he even ‘accidentally’ cut off a lock of Bu Jiang’s hair, perhaps as a form of revenge for the female cultivator.
Bu Jiang picked up the wine cup on the table and downed it in one gulp. She slammed the cup down on the table, her mood calming slightly. “When that boy first arrived in Heishi City, I recognized him at first glance. His expressions and mannerisms are just like his mother’s, but those eyes… they’re exactly like that bastard’s! Just looking at him irritates me!”
That was why she felt so upset. The grudge of having her hair burned and being used as a stepping stone by Gu Caiyu had never been settled before he died. Now, his son had come knocking on her door, and to make matters worse, had hurt her daughter. The anger from both old and new grievances surged at once. After all, she was a demon, not a saint. How could she be content without causing Gu Baiying some misery in return?
“Let the son pay for the father’s sins,” Bu Jiang declared coldly. “Gu Caiyu’s transgressions should be borne by his own son. I’m curious to see how Gu Baiying looks when he’s completely toyed with by Zanxing.”
Xiao Shuang, trying to stifle his laughter, said, “But Your Majesty, from what I’ve seen, the young princess seems to be genuinely fond of Gu Baiying. I doubt she would play with his feelings.”
Bu Jiang shot him a glare. “Of course, I know that! I just can’t understand why she takes after anyone else but me. Not a trace of my free spirit! Who would’ve thought a sentimental fool like her could come from the demons of Heishi City? It’s driving me mad!”
Xiaos Shuang smiled. “The young princess grew up among mortals, living like a common person. It’s only natural for her to long for a lifelong bond with someone she cares for. Having someone close by that she loves—isn’t that a good thing? After all, Your Majesty originally wanted her to be happy.”
The wine cup on the table was spotless and gleaming.
After a moment of silence, Bu Jiang lowered her eyes and sighed in reluctant resignation. “Of course.”