A Little First Love Shock for the Demon Lord - Chapter 2

Ying Ning frowned at the torn corner of her red cloak and shouted in frustration.

“Xiao Bao! You bit my cloak again!”

In the yard, Xiao Bao—who was contentedly munching hay inside the donkey shed—huffed through his nostrils, completely unbothered.

Ying Ning could only sigh helplessly. There was no reasoning with the little rascal.

Her red cloak was precious: it masked the scent that attracted demons, repelled water and fire, and was practically her lifeline. Without it, her tiny house would’ve been overrun by demons long ago. While they couldn’t harm her, without the cloak, her scent would have them swarming in an instant.

But Xiao Bao had a nasty habit of chewing holes in it. And mending the cloak? That could only be done when her brother returned on her birthday.

Today’s damage was particularly bad—it made her wince just looking at it. Thankfully, demons were scarce during daylight. She decided she could endure it for now and carefully folded the cloak away.

Slipping a bamboo basket onto her back, she stepped out of the house. Xiao Bao, noticing she was leaving, spat out his half-eaten hay, pushed open the shed door with his head, and trotted after her, hoping to join.

Ying Ning laughed and said, “I’m just helping Auntie Li pick flowers. It’s not far—you don’t have to come.”

Xiao Bao swished his tail in protest.

She walked over, patting his head to soothe him. “Be good. I’ll bring you a carrot when I get back.”

With that, she turned and left, smiling.

________________________________________

“Lord Minglou, I’ve checked—she should be arriving any moment now,” Luo Su reported.

Minglou stood in silence, arms crossed over his chest, eyes coldly watching the vast flower field before him.

The sky was clear today—endless blue, no clouds. A gentle breeze swept across the blossoms, sending waves rippling through the petals.

Minglou raised an eyebrow slightly.

Weather like this… perfect for kidnapping a girl.

He spoke, voice low and commanding: “Clear the area. I don’t want anyone interfering when I make my move.”

“Yes, sir!” Luo Su grinned and darted away.

Left alone, Minglou stepped slowly into the sea of flowers.

Unlike the vibrant blossoms all around, his jet-black robes reeked of death and decay. He looked like a shadow bleeding into a canvas of color, wholly out of place.

He stopped in the center of the field, crushing a pink bloom beneath his foot. Glancing down at it, his expression remained icy as he ground the petals into the dirt.

He thought darkly: Once he regained his powers, he’d pay Shen Xuanyi a visit—and settle their old scores.

Just thinking of Shen Xuanyi ignited a fire in him. His foot pressed harder into the crushed flower.

At that moment, a flash of green flickered past him.

He scowled and turned.

The figure stopped, turned as well, and met his gaze.

Ying Ning blinked at him, eyes curious and just slightly puzzled. Her gaze drifted downward… landing on the flower beneath his boot.

“Did that flower offend you somehow?” she asked, genuinely curious.

His frown deepened.

Before he could speak, she added, “I don’t know what it did to upset you, but Auntie Li worked hard to grow these. Please don’t step on them—she’s got quite the temper.”

He stared at her coldly but said nothing.

Ying Ning mistook his silence for remorse and gave him a reassuring smile.

“Don’t worry. I’ll tell Auntie Li I stepped on it by accident. But next time, you really shouldn’t trample them.”

She turned to leave.

“Wait,” Minglou called out.

She paused, turning her head.

The wind rustled her green dress; strands of hair clung to her cheek. As she moved, the jade bead dangling from her earlobe caught the light.

The glint struck Minglou’s eyes, making him instinctively close them.

When he opened them again, she was looking at him with open sincerity.

Her eyes were light amber—clear as spring water.

“You…” he managed, voice hoarse.

But that was all. One word—and nothing more.

She looked at him curiously, then seemed to understand something. A soft smile curved her lips.

“Don’t worry,” she said, placing a finger over her lips. “Your secret is safe with me.”

With the grace of a butterfly, she turned and left.

For a moment, Minglou felt as though he were under a spell.

He lifted his foot and silently followed her.

She walked gently through the flowers, her skirt brushing against the stems. Occasionally, she’d bend down to touch a petal or clip a particularly pretty blossom, placing it carefully in her basket.

A dragonfly landed in her hair. Oblivious, she kept walking, and the dragonfly, seemingly enamored, clung to her locks.

At the edge of the field, she stopped, looked up at the cloudless sky, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes sparkled as she smiled.

A single drop of sweat slid from her soft cheek down her pale neck…

Suddenly, a deafening boom rang in Minglou’s ears. It echoed like thunder in his soul—but he alone could hear it.

“Lord Minglou?” Luo Su had returned at some point and was now staring at him strangely. “Why haven’t you made a move yet?”

Minglou snapped out of his trance. “What did you say?”

“You okay?” Luo Su asked, baffled.

That thunderous roar still pounded in Minglou’s head. He couldn’t hear a thing Luo Su was saying now, only see his mouth moving.

Still, he managed to pull himself together and reply, “It’s nothing.”

Luo Su brightened. “Then let’s get moving!”

But Minglou turned away abruptly, covering half his face with a hand.

“This girl… is no ordinary mortal. Come. We’ll return for now and reconsider our plan.”

Without another word, he strode off.

“Huh?” Luo Su stared after him in confusion, then glanced at Ying Ning.

Just a regular human girl, wasn’t she? He’d been watching her for days and never noticed anything strange.

Still puzzled, he chased after Minglou—and noticed the man’s ears were flushed red.

“Lord Minglou, your ears are… really red.”

“You’re imagining things.”

“I swear I’m not. They’re bright red! Are you sick? Should I take a look?”

“Shut up…”

Only after the two vanished into the distance did Ying Ning breathe a sigh of relief.

That man… wasn’t he the one from last night with the umbrella?

She recalled how demons had scattered like startled mice as she got close to him, and his aura of death—it was all too similar.

He definitely looked like trouble.

Ying Ning exhaled deeply, patting her chest.

Still, he hadn’t done anything bad to her. Maybe she was just overthinking.

Actually, his presence had cleared out the surrounding demons better than her cloak ever could. Not a bad trade-off.

Stretching her arms, she smiled.

“Finally, a bit of peace and quiet!”

She looked around. “Strange… where is Auntie Li?”

After searching the field and finding no one, Ying Ning went to Auntie Li’s house—only to find that Auntie Li, her sixth brother, and Hua’er were all fast asleep in the yard…

________________________________________

Demon Realm, Hidden Palace

Minglou sat on his black-gold throne, eyes closed. One hand propped his head on the armrest, while the other idly played with the bl00d jade ring on his finger.

Luo Su stood nearby, trying to guess his master’s mood.

They were supposed to capture the girl today. What had changed?

Finally, Minglou opened his eyes and asked, “Does Yu Qianxun know I’ve awakened?”

“No. I haven’t told anyone. They all believe you’re still in secluded sleep,” Luo Su quickly replied.

“Good. Yu Qianxun has long harbored ambitions. He’ll never be content just holding my place. If he learns I’ve lost my powers, he’ll definitely try something. Until my strength is restored, no one must know I’m awake.”

Luo Su nodded fiercely. Then, trying to sound casual, he asked, “But my lord, if your power is so important… why didn’t you act today?”

Minglou cleared his throat and replied coldly, “Too many people out during the day. I didn’t want complications. I’ll make my move tonight.”

“Smart thinking!” Luo Su beamed with admiration.

But Minglou shot him a withering look before turning his gaze back into the shadows.

That girl… she was strange.

Why did it feel like someone had punched him in the chest just from looking at her?

Was it the wound on his heart acting up?

Unable to find the answer, he shook his head darkly.

While Luo Su fantasized about being rewarded after Minglou’s recovery, the demon lord suddenly grimaced.

A sharp pain radiated from his chest, flooding every limb. He clutched at his heart, a low groan escaping, and fell from the throne.

Luo Su rushed to his side, alarmed. Minglou’s forehead and neck were covered in bulging veins, his body twisted in agony.

That’s when it hit Luo Su—tonight was the full moon.

“My lord, it’s the full moon! The peak of Yin energy—your wound is reacting!”

Minglou seized Luo Su’s collar, eyes burning red with fury. “Why didn’t you tell me?!”

“I thought you’d bring the girl back today!” Luo Su wailed. “With her, you could’ve drawn power to suppress the Yin energy. I… I forgot!”

“You’re dead meat… ugh…” Minglou groaned again, releasing Luo Su and pressing a hand to his wound.

The pain clawed at his lungs and ribs. He could barely breathe.

For two full hours, it didn’t let up. By the time it passed, his face was ghostly pale, soaked in cold sweat.

He sat upright and glared at Luo Su.

Luo Su trembled under his stare, hiding behind his sleeves.

Minglou finally straightened his robes and returned to his throne. Luo Su obediently took his place beside him, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Seeing that Minglou remained silent for a long time, Luo Su had no choice but to speak up.

“Your Majesty, once you recover all of your magic power, the pain from your injury will disappear—I swear it.”

“Understood,” Minglou replied flatly.

Still uneasy, Luo Su pressed on cautiously, “Your Majesty… when you regain your power, you won’t kill me first, will you?”

At that, a cold smirk tugged at Minglou’s lips.

“Don’t worry. The first person I plan to kill is Shen Xuanyi.”

Luo Su let out a breath of relief and patted his chest.

Minglou gave him a sidelong glance, silently noting that Luo Su would be second on the list.

But for now, the kill list didn’t matter. What mattered most was bringing the woman named Ying Ning back to the demon realm for cultivation. He had no desire to experience that soul-tearing pain ever again.

Lowering his gaze to the bl00d jade ring on his finger, Minglou’s thin lips parted, and a chilling vow escaped in a low, menacing tone:

“Tomorrow night, I will bring that woman back—no matter what.”