Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, falling upon Chu Feng. Sensing a familiar presence, he lifted his eyes slightly and saw a fox demon in a black dress slowly walking toward him.
Su Tiantian sat across from Chu Feng, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes. “Eighth rank? Your breakthrough speed is too fast. This will lead to an unstable foundation. It would be better to temper yourself properly before breaking through again.”
Chu Feng let out a sigh and said helplessly, “I understand that, but unfortunately, my mortal enemy is advancing even faster than I am. If I stop, I’m afraid the gap between us will only grow wider.”
“Oh?” Su Tiantian said with interest. “An enemy? Who is it? Do you need this Empress to eliminate them for you?”
“No need. This matter is part of my own karma. Dragging you into it for no reason would only bring you harm,” Chu Feng said with a bitter smile.
“Very well. If you need help, you can tell this Empress,” Su Tiantian replied.
Chu Feng smiled but did not answer.
***
The once-prosperous demon capital had now fallen into ruin. Standing in the air, Chu Feng looked at the desolate scene before him, his heart skipping a beat. The Demon Empress!
Arriving at the core of the demon capital, the grand hall was reduced to nothing but broken walls and rubble. Of the many demon kings who had once been there, only a few remained.
Su Tiantian’s face was filled with exhaustion. Seeing Chu Feng, she pressed her lips together. “I originally didn’t want to ask for your help, but the situation… has gotten a bit out of control.”
Chu Feng’s expression turned serious as he said in a low voice, “What happened?”
“The demon tribes I previously suppressed have colluded with the human race and started a rebellion. Ninth-rank opponents I can still handle, but there are far too many at the eighth rank.” Su Tiantian clenched the fists hidden within her sleeves and gave a bleak smile. “If you find this troublesome and don’t wish to get involved, this Empress won’t blame you.”
“What do you mean troublesome or not!” Chu Feng said in a tone that allowed no rebuttal. “Isn’t the meaning of friendship to help each other in times of danger? I, Chu Feng, am not some opportunist who bends with the wind nor a fence-sitter swaying either way. This is one favor I will definitely help with!”
He spoke each word with firm conviction.
Su Tiantian paused and her heart started trembling slightly.
***
“Chu Feng, I never expected that you would truly side with the demon clan. Have you forgotten your identity as a human!?”
The white-bearded old man shouted.
Looking at the old man who clearly believed himself to stand on moral high ground, Chu Feng let out a disdainful laugh. “Isn’t that statement just as fitting for you? Colluding with the demon clan to incite a rebellion against the Demon Empress. Truly unexpected….what calls itself the number one righteous sect is actually doing such shameful deeds. If you ask me, ‘number one demonic sect’ would suit you far better.”
“You sharp-tongued brat. Once you’re dead, who would ever know that our sect was involved in the demon clan’s rebellion?”
The white-bearded old man spoke as if it were only natural, as though he had done such things many times before.
“Heh, human. If you join my side now, once this is over, you can take whatever you want from the demon clan’s treasury. I can even grant you a share of the demon clan’s dominion.”
The Wolf Demon King stared at Chu Feng as he spoke.
“Save it. I’ve heard enough empty promises like that.” Chu Feng waved his hand and said calmly, “Let’s settle this… with real strength.”
Boom!
At that moment, the sky above the demon clan changed.
Half of it turned blood-red, while the other half was filled with raging flames. The battle for the Demon Emperor had begun.
***
“Puh—! You… you actually… stepped into that realm… how is that possible…”
The white-bearded old man stared at the sword piercing through his chest, disbelief written all over his face.
Pshh—
Blood gushed out.
Su Tiantian glanced indifferently at the thoroughly dead white-bearded old man, then shifted her gaze to Chu Feng. “A ninth-rank ancestor, killed just like that by you. You’re becoming more and more unfathomable to this Empress.”
“Basic stuff, basic stuff. No need to make a fuss.” Chu Feng withdrew his sword and looked at Su Tiantian. “How about your side?”
“It’s already been resolved.” Su Tiantian looked at Chu Feng and voiced the question in her heart. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why did you, Chu Feng, choose to stand on this Empress’s side and face the Wolf Demon King’s offer when the situation was unfavorable to you?”
“What are you saying? You’re my friend. In this life, it’s all about loyalty and righteousness. Between friends, one should be willing to take a blade for the other.”
After saying this, Chu Feng felt pretty cool about himself. Yeah….this time, showing off in front of a beautiful older sister was a complete success. You could tell just by the way Su Tiantian’s eyes sparkled as she looked at him.
***
In the days that followed, Chu Feng and Su Tiantian got along extremely well. To him, it no longer felt like a dream. It felt like his actual life.
Facing the increasingly affectionate gaze in Su Tiantian’s eyes, he began to falter.
When a man pursues a woman, it’s like crossing mountains; when a woman pursues a man, it’s like a thin veil. The Demon Empress’s advances were simply too fierce. His heart was already starting to waver.
Being pursued by such a fair-skinned, beautiful fox demon older sister….no matter how stoic a man was, he would still be melted.
Gradually, within this dreamlike yet not-quite-dream state, Chu Feng’s resolve began to crumble.
Until—
“Little rascal, if this Empress… wanted to invite you to rule the demon clan together, would you be willing?”
Su Tiantian’s beautiful eyes were filled with hope.
“……”
Chu Feng remained silent. Looking into Su Tiantian’s eyes, he saw shyness, hesitation…but even more so, he saw deep affection.
“Sister Tiantian… does this count as a confession?”
“What? Don’t tell me you don’t like this Empress?”
Su Tiantian lightly bit her red lips.
Chu Feng froze. After what felt like a long time, he slowly said, “Sorry……”
Su Tiantian’s expression stiffened. Seeing tears well up in her golden eyes, Chu Feng felt his heart tighten. He didn’t dare meet her gaze, afraid that if his resolve wavered, he would agree on the spot.
After all, his greatest threat Lin Ruo had yet to be killed by his own hand.
***
Chu Feng had thought that after his rejection last time, the Demon Empress would avoid him for a while. Unexpectedly, the very next day, she acted as if nothing had happened and came to chat with him again.
And so, one human and one demon continued as usual. It seemed like something had changed, yet also like nothing had. But overall, something had indeed changed.
That night, the stars shone brilliantly.
“What is it? Why have you come to see this Empress?”
Su Tiantian asked with a puzzled expression.
Suddenly, Chu Feng opened his arms and wrapped them around the slender waist of the fox girl before him before whispering softly by her ear, “Su Tiantian… actually, I’ve always liked you.”
In that instant, he could feel the delicate body in his arms stiffen.
Su Tiantian gazed at Chu Feng with gentle eyes, raising her fair wrist as her fingertips lightly traced his cheek. “Do you know? This Empress has been waiting for you, you little rascal, to say those words… for so long…”
As she spoke, her voice carried a hint of tears.
She had truly been waiting for him for a long time.
“I’m sor—”
Before Chu Feng could finish, a pair of soft hands covered his mouth.
“Those two words… this Empress never wants to hear them again!”
Su Tiantian’s tone carried an unmistakable dominance.
Then, she forcefully leaned in and kissed him, and he felt a sweetness on his lips.
The two held each other tightly, locked in a long lingering kiss.
It felt as though a long time had passed before their lips finally parted.
Chu Feng gazed into the golden eyes of the fox girl in his arms. His expression grew serious as he said, “Tomorrow, I’m going to face my mortal enemy in a decisive battle. If I come back alive, I’ll marry you.”
Su Tiantian’s eyes trembled, a captivating blush spreading across her cheeks. She lifted her gaze and smiled, “Mm! I will keep waiting for you!”
Not “this Empress,” but “I”.
On her enchanting face, an incomparably beautiful smile bloomed, and at the same time, a single tear slid down from the corner of her eye.
It was a tear of joy.
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