After everyone had left, only the Little Demon Empress and Ren Zu remained in the Demon Imperial Hall. Ren Zu rose calmly from where he had been seated. The white hanfu rippled like mist around his legs as he walked toward his future "wife."
The Little Demon Empress stood beside the throne, arms crossed, her red mantle still swaying with the remnant of the abrupt motion from her final order.
She raised an eyebrow as he approached.
"Husband, you really are impressive. I thought there might be some objection to our marriage. But it seems your plans are working out, since all the patriarchs and dukes seem eager to please you and didn't interfere with any of this Empress's decisions…"
Ren Zu stopped one step away from her.
His black eyes met her black eyes.
"As I told you."
Ren Zu's voice was calm but firm, carrying the same kind of confidence that silenced even the proudest patriarchs in his presence.
"They don't oppose it because they understand what it would mean to do so. My power surpassed the Sovereign Profound Realm long ago… I've reached the Divine Profound Realm. None of them would dare stand against someone who could destroy their families in an instant. Even the proudest know the difference between courage and suicide."
He paused briefly, his eyes remaining fixed on hers.
"Besides, you're the only other person on this continent whose strength is recognized as equal to mine." A faint mocking glint crossed his eyes as he continued: "Even though you and I both know that's not true… since I'm far stronger."
The Little Demon Empress narrowed her eyes but didn't interrupt him. He took another step closer, close enough for the faint perfume of her red mantle to mingle with the cold breeze drifting through the hall.
"But knowing we're united as husband and wife only reinforces what everyone understood today. They have nowhere to run, no way to deal with me or you. If they try to cling to your thighs or mine, it'll be useless. We're on the same side now, practically a single entity ruling the Illusory Demon Realm."
He slowly raised his hand, lightly adjusting the collar that fell over her shoulder, as if the gesture were natural.
"They know this. That's why they dare not challenge either the Empress… or the man she chose." Ren Zu continued, his voice calm, almost monotonous, but laden with conviction: "But it's not just strength. Over the past few weeks, I've built something they could never achieve: trust."
"I treated their wounded, cured diseases that even the most renowned physicians considered hopeless, restored hope to the common people, and gave the nobles reasons to respect me. In their eyes, I'm not just one of the strongest profound practitioners on this continent… but someone worthy of ruling by your side. A benevolent, balanced man, and—" He paused briefly, the corner of his lips curling slightly: "—dangerously reliable."
The Little Demon Empress stared at him in silence, and he continued, his tone lowering:
"Moreover, all the patriarchs and dukes owe me something. Whether it's a favor, a pill I refined, or helping open the Profound Entrances of their heirs. Each one has a personal debt to me. And in this world… debt is a chain stronger than loyalty."
He gave a half-smile, meeting her gaze directly again.
Ren Zu let out a light, almost amused sigh as he finished adjusting the sleeve of his white hanfu.
"I believe the biggest reason there were no objections isn't just my strength… but the fact that everyone, without exception, is trapped in this web I've quietly woven, thread by thread."
"If any of them had dared to raise an objection, even though the chance was nearly nonexistent… there could always be an idiot. And if that idiot appeared, it would be the same as throwing himself into a sea of sharks."
He gave a small, restrained smile, full of meaning.
"The other patriarchs and dukes would naturally side with me. Not out of loyalty, but convenience. After all, who would want to oppose someone who can heal, strengthen, or destroy with equal ease? The fool who stood up would be seen in a 'negative light,' isolated, abandoned, and lose any political or social support he had. In the end, I wouldn't need to lift a finger. They would devour him themselves."
The Little Demon Empress snorted and spoke with a sigh: "…Your intellect is truly frightening, husband… You've practically created a near-perfect anti-traitor system. In the future, our descendants won't suffer what this Empress has."
He extended his hand, his long, pale fingers brushing her chin with a gentleness that contrasted with the strength that could crush mountains.
"I told you to trust things to me… I can be many… things." His voice came low, almost a whisper that seemed to vibrate in the air between them: "I can be manipulative, calculating… even despicable in the eyes of others."
His deep, unwavering black eyes held hers with silent sincerity.
"But I will never let you down."
The statement was made with absolute calm, without oaths or theatrical promises. It was simply a fact.
"As long as you're my woman, there's nothing I can't do to make you happy. Whether it's a mortal, a goddess, or a demon—each must be responsible for their own choices. And from the moment we were together in the Golden Crow Ancestral Land, I decided you would be my wife. Nothing will change that. If I like something, I cherish it. A thousand times, a million times, no matter how many years pass… that will never change."
The Little Demon Empress held his gaze for a long second, her black eyes sparkling with that indomitable pride. A low snort escaped her lips, not of disdain but of stubborn resistance she knew was futile against him. With a swift motion, she raised her delicate hand and grasped his that was touching her perfect little face, pulling it toward her, pressing his pale palm against her doll-like perfect face, where the fair skin contrasted with the vivid red of her mantle. Her fingers intertwined with his, gripping with an intensity that betrayed the emotion she tried, futilely, to suppress.
"You… arrogant idiot…" She murmured, laden with a tremor that didn't suit the empress who had just dismissed patriarchs like insects. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she turned her face slightly against his hand, as if seeking more of that touch, but then lifted her chin, eyes narrowed in a slit of pride. "Do you think you can melt me with sweet words and empty promises? I am the Little Demon Empress, not some weak maiden who bows to any man's vows. You… you dare speak of happiness as if I need it from you?"
Despite the cutting words, she didn't release his hand. On the contrary, she pressed it firmer against her cheek, her lips lightly brushing the base of his fingers in a gesture that was both possessive and vulnerable. A single, unwanted, traitorous tear escaped the corner of her eye, tracing a crystalline path down her immaculate skin before falling to the marble floor of the hall.
Ren Zu sighed softly, a deep, almost indulgent sound, as if her pride was something he expected and, deep down, appreciated.
With a slow motion, he pulled her closer, his arms enveloping the small, slender body of the Little Demon Empress with a naturalness that felt ancient, as if the gesture were an extension of his will. The scent of jasmine and demonic flames from her mingled with the cold air of the hall, and the silence that followed seemed to freeze time.
"Stop being so proud with me… I know that's how you are, my dear empress. And it's not so easy to change." His voice was husky, low, close to her ear, each word sliding with the smoothness of a touch: "But I am your most faithful confidant, someone who will be by your side for the rest of your life…"
The Little Demon Empress remained still for a moment, her body rigid in his embrace. But the steady, firm warmth from Ren Zu's chest began to dissolve the tension. She let out a breath, almost imperceptibly, and responded only with a soft sound:
"Mn."
The delicate sound was lost against his white hanfu, but Ren Zu heard it, and a faint smile crossed his lips.
He lowered his face slightly, his chin resting on her head, and spoke in a calm tone, yet full of that natural authority no one dared challenge:
"Now that we're going to be officially husband and wife… you'll have to learn to be docile and obedient."
Those words, if spoken by any other man, would be an affront worthy of execution. But coming from him, laden with a dangerous mix of tenderness and dominance, they sounded more like a promise than an order. For a moment, silence stretched again, and then, almost reluctantly, the Little Demon Empress responded in a low voice, muffled against his chest:
"Mn."
Ren Zu let out a light laugh, the deep, pleasant sound echoing through the empty hall, as if satisfied with that simple surrender. His fingers slid through the long black strands of her hair, and he added, in an almost playful tone but full of restrained affection:
"Good girl."
She pushed him lightly on the chest, her face flushed, but didn't meet his eyes, and Ren Zu just smiled, keeping her in his arms, as if the entire world could crumble and he still wouldn't let her escape.
Ren Zu slowly tilted his face, his gaze fixed on her as if nothing else existed in the world. His fingers rose to the Little Demon Empress's chin, lifting it gently. For a moment, she stared at him in silence, her black eyes sparkling, pride and vulnerability dancing within them like fire and ice refusing to blend.
And then he kissed her.
The first touch was light, almost chaste: lips brushing lips, a whisper of warmth. But he leaned in further, deepening the kiss, his tongue brushing her lower lip, seeking entry. The Little Demon Empress yielded obediently. Her lips parted in a trembling sigh, and his tongue slid inside, hot, firm, exploring with deliberate slowness that made every nerve in her body vibrate…
She responded with a muffled moan, her tongue meeting his in a duel that started hesitant and soon became fierce, tongues intertwining, brushing, savoring. Her teeth lightly grazed his tongue, a touch of possessiveness, and Ren Zu responded with a low growl, his hand pulling her closer until their bodies pressed together, white hanfu against red mantle.
His tongue traced hers in slow circles, then fast, then slow again, as if teaching her to dance to his rhythm. The Little Demon Empress dug her nails into his sleeve, her fingers trembling, and matched his intensity, her tongue pushing against his, claiming space, savoring him like a poison she chose to drink.
When they finally separated, it was with a wet, reluctant sound. A silver thread of saliva still connected them for a second, breaking when Ren Zu pulled his face back just enough to breathe against her lips.
"See?" He murmured teasingly: "Being docile isn't so hard."
The Little Demon Empress opened her eyes slowly, her lips swollen and red, her chest rising and falling in short breaths. A fierce blush colored her cheeks, but she didn't look away.
"Mn…" was all she said, a low, surrendered sound, almost a purr, while her fingers still clung to his white hanfu as if fearing he might vanish.
Ren Zu smiled. A calm, dangerous smile, like that of someone who had just conquered an entire empire with a single kiss.
Then, without ceremony, he sat on the imperial throne.
The same throne where emperors had ruled for millennia.
Where she had been alone for a hundred years…
And pulled her onto his lap…
With a fluid motion, she was settled on his thighs, facing him, her legs on either side of his waist, the red mantle cascading like a waterfall of blood around them.
She gave him a cold look.
Or tried to.
Because the blush on her cheeks betrayed everything…
"You're on my throne…" she said, trying to sound authoritative. "And you put me on your lap. Like a child…"
Ren Zu tilted his head, his black hair falling like a curtain over her shoulder.
"You're my wife," he replied simply. "And I'm your husband. The throne is ours."
She opened her mouth to protest.
But he kissed her again.
Her small hands rose to his chest, gripping the white fabric tightly, as if fearing he might disappear.
When they pulled apart, she was breathless…
"You… will kill me with embarrassment one day…" she murmured against his lips.
"Then die happy…" He replied…
And hugged her…
Tight.
As if the entire world could wait…
An hour later, the vast Demon Imperial Hall rested in absolute silence, the kind that only exists after a storm.
Ren Zu walked slowly down the main corridor of the palace toward the exit, his steps echoing rhythmically on the marble. The white hanfu, now slightly wrinkled, swayed around his legs with the natural elegance of someone who never lost composure. After bidding farewell to his future "wife," he immediately headed to his home, telling her to come there later…
The Demon Imperial City seemed far more agitated than usual. Crowds of people filled the streets, and shadows of figures crossed the sky, flying in haste.
The news of the grand wedding seven days later between the Little Demon Empress and the Young Patriarch of the Yun Family had once again set the recently calmed Demon Imperial City ablaze.
The Yun Family was the busiest, because it was the Young Patriarch's wedding… and with the Little Demon Empress! Everyone in the Yun Family was shocked by this surprising news… and everyone became frantically busy. From the Grand Elders of the Yun Family to the lowest servants, they dropped everything they were doing. Everyone devoted all their time to preparing the Young Patriarch's wedding, and they were so madly busy they seemed like gyroscopes being whipped and spun.
Young Patriarch… Little Demon Empress… Just thinking about it… was madly exciting!! The day everyone had been waiting for had finally arrived!
When Ren Zu returned home, as soon as he entered, he saw Yun Qinghong standing with his back to him.
"Zu'er, you're back," Yun Qinghong said as he turned. His expression was especially calm as he stood there, seemingly waiting specifically for him.
"…My mother, she… What was her reaction?" Ren Zu asked, pondering. He could imagine his mother was excited about all this, since she always discussed when the two of them would marry.
"Hehe," Yun Qinghong smiled lightly and said: "Your mother just went to Duke Qing's Palace to personally prepare the clothes and adornments you'll wear seven days from now."
"Typical of her. To be honest, when I learned Caiyi would be my wife, I thought Mother might be a bit angry…"
"Angry?" Yun Qinghong's face showed puzzlement. "Why would she be furious? The woman you're marrying has an extraordinary identity, spectacular appearance, and exceptional profound strength in this Illusory Demon Realm. As a mother, she didn't even have time to be happy—how could she be furious? If you think we'd care about the age difference, you're overthinking it. In the Sovereign Profound Realm, a difference of a hundred or two hundred years is no different from one or two years. Besides, based on appearance alone, the Little Demon Empress looks much younger than you…"
"…True." Ren Zu gave a wry smile, recalling that his future "wife" looked like a very young girl, despite her stunning beauty.
"Zu'er." Yun Qinghong showed no emotion; he was incredibly calm: "Tell your father, how much time does the Little Demon Empress have left?"
Ren Zu's eyes remained calm. He had already resolved this "problem," but besides the Little Demon Empress and himself, no one knew about it. The Little Demon Empress had basically asked him to keep it secret at the time when she didn't trust he would cure her, and afterward, they hadn't discussed it. Should he tell…?
"If you promised the Little Demon Empress to keep it secret, then say nothing." Yun Qinghong smiled lightly but sighed heavily in his heart.
"Father, why would you… ask that?" Ren Zu asked curiously.
Yun Qinghong said in frustration, "Because the Little Demon Empress's strength has increased tremendously in these past few months. It increased so much that it was absolutely abnormal—I believe there was some side effect to it, right?"
"…"
"A while ago, I suddenly remembered something your grandfather told me over a hundred years ago. At that time, your mother and I weren't married yet. While giving me advice on cultivating the Purple Cloud Art, he said the Illusory Demon Realm was too calm, and being calm and stable for too long meant it was slowly tearing apart the loyalty and unity of the Twelve Families. Once they played their trump cards, they could still rule the world with one hand… it was just that the price they'd have to pay would be excruciatingly painful."
"I tried to ask more about it back then, but your grandfather didn't tell me in detail. Because that was a secret he kept with the previous Demon Emperor for the Emperor Demon Clan." Yun Qinghong looked deeply at Ren Zu: "…I believe this secret has to do with her sudden increase in strength…"
Ren Zu fell silent for a few seconds. His always tranquil eyes gained a more serious glint. Then, he let out a light sigh and walked to one of the hall's windows, gazing at the reddish horizon of the Demon Imperial City before responding.
"You're right, Father."
His voice was calm.
"She paid a price for that abnormal advancement. Caiyi's strength… increased beyond her body's natural limit. To reach the Half-Step Divine Profound Realm in such a short time, she burned part of her own life essence."
Yun Qinghong frowned slightly, his serene tone gaining a shadow of concern.
"So it's true… she sacrificed part of her life."
Ren Zu nodded.
"Originally, she would have had only three years left. The power of her Golden Crow Flames, being a woman, began consuming her own vital energy."
Yun Qinghong narrowed his eyes, his face assuming silent gravity.
"And you… are telling me this now because—"
Ren Zu interrupted him with a small, confident, almost smug smile.
"Because I've already solved the problem, Father."
For a moment, Yun Qinghong blinked, surprised.
"Solved…?"
Ren Zu turned to him, crossing his arms, and said calmly:
"Father, sometimes you forget who the son you raised is. I'm not just the Young Patriarch of the Yun Family… I'm the best physician in the Illusory Demon Realm. In fact, I'm the best physician under the heavens. Solving such a problem was easy."
Yun Qinghong let out a muffled laugh, half incredulous, half proud.
"You really have no shame boasting in front of your father, do you, Zu'er?"
"It's not boasting; it's the truth." Ren Zu replied naturally, approaching again. "What was killing Caiyi wasn't something that could be cured by ordinary medicines or conventional medical arts. In fact, I had to refine a pill called the 'Sun and Moon Pill' that extended her life by several thousand years. The downside is that I used several rare herbs I was very lucky to find in the Illusory Demon Realm—I doubt there's another set to make a pill like that…"
Yun Qinghong looked at him in silence for a few moments, his gaze oscillating between incredulity and pride.
"Sun and Moon Pill? I've never heard of it… You didn't use your own life essence or anything like that to make it, did you?"
"No… I could have done that, and it was my second option—I would have done it without hesitation…" Ren Zu shrugged, as if it were a minor detail: "She's my wife. And I promised I wouldn't let anyone take that from me, not fate, not time, not the laws of the world. Besides… I don't intend to leave you without a grandchild or two to spoil. Fortunately, I didn't need to resort to that…"
For a moment, Yun Qinghong was speechless. Then, he let out a low, sincere laugh, full of satisfaction.
"Hahaha… truly, Zu'er, you are your father's pride. Your mother would be proud to know you're so determined when it comes to your wife…"
Ren Zu tilted his head with a light smile.
"Father, I just did what I thought was right. If she's going to be my wife, it's natural that I ensure she lives long enough to put up with me for a few millennia. Your daughter-in-law will live a long time, and soon you and Mother will have grandchildren running around the courtyard. Maybe one with her eyes and another with my temperament. Adorable chaos."
Yun Qinghong let out a deep, satisfied laugh before approaching and slapping Ren Zu's shoulder hard.
"I'm proud, Zu'er… You've changed a lot in the past year since meeting your master, studying by my side, and surpassing me in politics and administration… Though you don't have my blood, to me, that means nothing. You are my son…" He spoke smiling, his gaze laden with pride. "Hah… your grandfather would be thrilled if he could see how far the Yun Clan has come… marrying the Little Demon Empress? He would have fainted from shock…"
For a moment, the silence that followed was comfortable.
"Well, I won't take up more of your time. I imagine you have your own plans before the big day." Yun Qinghong straightened his sleeves and looked toward the door. "I'll help with the preparations with the other Elders. Your mother will go mad if I don't oversee the tailoring of the attire and the palace arrangements. I can already hear her saying that 'men know nothing about ceremonies.'"
Ren Zu let out a brief, sincere laugh. "She's probably right."
"Probably," Yun Qinghong agreed good-humoredly. He paused at the door for a moment, turning to cast one last glance at his son. "Zu'er, just remember one thing: power and wisdom sustain a ruler… but genuine affection is what makes a man whole. You already have the first two in excess—don't lose the third."
Ren Zu looked at him in silence for a moment. His calm gaze softened slightly, and he responded in a low voice:
"Understood, Father."
Yun Qinghong smiled, satisfied. "Good."
With a final nod, the patriarch turned and left the cabin, the light sound of his footsteps fading into the distance.
When the door closed, silence dominated the space once more.
Ren Zu remained still for a moment, his gaze lost in some distant point. Even after healing thousands of people and receiving countless demonstrations of gratitude, his heart remained unmoved.
Unfortunately, he no longer had the disposition to nurture genuine affection for anything that didn't spark his interest, nor for people he didn't consider truly precious….
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