The Crazy Fox Demon Devours My Heart - Chapter 14

Fuyin walked with an awkward gait. After hours of jolting on the road, the skin on the insides of her thighs had been rubbed raw, making it difficult for her to move.

Seeing Fuyin limping, Qingyu could only support her, letting the girl lean against her shoulder.

Huyan glanced at Qingyu’s darkened expression, at a loss for how to explain.

He had instructed Cangya to bring this maid along, but he had forgotten to tell him that humans were fragile and must be treated with care. That blockhead likely hadn’t considered it either, which had resulted in this mess.

Knowing he was at fault, Cangya stepped forward of his own accord.

“Since this is my mistake, I’ll make it up to her.”

Without further ado, and ignoring Fuyin’s struggle, he scooped her up into his arms and strode off on his own.

Qingyu frowned, worried he might hurt her.

“Don’t worry, he’ll know his limits this time.” Huyan added lightly, then in a low, almost careless tone:

“When we return, receive twenty strokes of the military staff yourself.”

Cangya’s hunched shoulders froze. Again?! He still hadn’t healed from the punishment last time! His backside was still swollen!

After Cangya carried Fuyin inside, Qingyu noticed that a barrier had been set before the oasis.

She reached out and touched it lightly. It was as if an invisible net blocked her hand.

“This is a special demon-realm barrier called ‘Heart-Eater.’ Demons can pass freely, but outsiders cannot. However, those not of the demon clan may enter with a token.”

“What kind of token?”

Huyan’s gaze burned as he looked at her. “Something that carries the aura of the demon clan.”

“You have one.”

Could it be… that little thing?

Only then did Qingyu recall the little furball he had given her earlier. She had assumed it was useless and had tossed it aside.

“I threw it away.”

Huyan’s eyes flickered, but soon calmed. “Thrown away… it doesn’t matter. If I take you, you can still enter.”

That trinket had been crafted by his own hand. He had thought she might like it. Since she had discarded it, perhaps it simply wasn’t to her taste. He would just have to prepare something else for her. As long as she wore what he gave, carrying his aura, all demons would know she was his and would not dare harbor improper thoughts.

He reached out, slender fingertips resting lightly on her wrist through the fabric. Even through the sleeve, the faint pressure against her skin made his heart itch unbearably. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed down his rising desire.

But Qingyu’s eyes were fixed on the barrier. If the human realm had such protection, would they not be spared invasion by foreign enemies, and live in peace forever?

Passing through the barrier, an endless oasis unfolded before them.

The air was thick with spiritual energy. Verdant grass, towering trees, and countless living creatures darted about.

With such a spirit-rich sanctuary and an impregnable barrier, no wonder the demon clan was so powerful.

By contrast, though the human realm had once possessed such lands, their rulers were corrupt, the aura waned year by year, foreign enemies invaded, and internal strife never ceased—thus their decline.

Ahead lay the territory of the fox clan.

Fox Cry Mountain—

Qingyu looked up. Ancient trees soared into the sky, and around the central giant tree, enormous mountain peaks floated in midair.

“Hold on to me.”

Huyan took her hand, tapped his foot lightly, and leapt upward, soaring toward the ancient tree’s crown.

Fox clan warriors were already assembled to greet them. When they landed, a thunderous roar shook the skies.

“Welcome, Young Lord!”

“Welcome, Young Lord!”

“Welcome, Young Lord!”

Their gazes toward Huyan were fervent, worshipful, as if paying homage to their very faith.

Qingyu’s brows knit slightly, her eyes filled with surprise.

So this was the demon realm’s young lord—the one to whom she was betrothed?

Because she had rejected this marriage so fiercely, she had never even thought to inquire about the young lord’s identity. That was why she had not guessed it sooner.

She should have realized—his inexplicable approach, the times he had saved her, his escort all the way here.

Remembering his previous attacks of pain, she narrowed her eyes. Did he want to marry her to ease his suffering?

Or… to use her as a living medicine?

Coldness flashed in her gaze. The demon clan surely had no good intentions in this alliance with humans.

But she had already sent word to her senior brother. All she had to do was wait for him to rescue her nursemaid and send word back. Then she would have to find a way to withdraw intact.

She cast a seemingly casual glance behind her. The fox clan’s territory was suspended in midair. For her, it might as well have been the edge of a cliff.

When the time came, how would she escape?

Inside the grand hall, the Fox Matriarch and the elders were already waiting.

All eyes fell upon them. The air itself seemed frozen.

Cangya set Fuyin down, bowed deeply, and retreated to the side.

Fuyin, fearful, clung to Qingyu’s sleeve. Qingyu gently patted the back of her hand in reassurance.

When the Matriarch saw Huyan return safe, her brows eased, her relief plain.

This time, Huyan had run off for this girl. Her heart had been in her throat. Though with his demonic power he needn’t fear much alone, memories of the tragedy ten years ago still haunted them. The scene of Yan’er’s agony back then was etched forever in their minds!

From her throne, the Matriarch reclined with a superior air, long nails tapping the armrest as she narrowed her eyes, sizing Qingyu up.

The girl’s features were exquisite, her figure slender and fragile, her expression calm. But especially her eyes—too calm, utterly devoid of fear.

So this was the woman in Yan’er’s heart, the one for whom he defied his elders and risked punishment just to greet personally.

Yet beneath that serenity, the Matriarch spotted the hint of hostility in Qingyu’s gaze, and displeasure stirred within her. Such a woman might not be one Yan’er could control.

The elder Tiangong’s face was already clouded with storm. Rage brewed beneath the surface.

Yan’er had been raised under his strict guidance. Always disciplined, always measured—yet this time he had defied him outright, sneaking away.

This was the first time.

“Why do you not bow when you see the Matriarch?”

“What insolence! How rude!”

Tiangong’s voice boomed like thunder, his fury plain for all to see.

Cangya stiffened in alarm, glancing nervously at the young lord. The elder was clearly venting his displeasure on the princess. But since the young lord valued her so highly, if he clashed with the elder now, the scene could spiral out of control.

Qingyu arched a brow, realization dawning. So this was aimed deliberately at her?

Her senior brother still needed time. Now was not the moment to cause conflict. With Fuyin behind her, their lives came first.

So she moved unhurriedly, calmly offering a polite bow. “I greet the Matriarch.”

But it was an ordinary bow, not the grand courtesy required for such an occasion.

The Matriarch’s face darkened. The girl was clever. She had paid respect, but not with the proper ritual.

If she had refused outright, the Matriarch could have punished her on the spot. But now, since she had observed courtesy, and it was her first day here, the Matriarch could not easily fault her. To insist on punishment would only anger Yan’er.

The air grew tense.

Huyan stepped forward. Casually, he adjusted the jeweled chain fallen loose at Qingyu’s temple, tucking stray hair behind her ear. His tall frame shielded her from every gaze.

Then, with composure, he bowed deeply to the Matriarch. “Grandmother, A’Yu has traveled far and is surely exhausted. Allow me to take her to rest.”

“Later, I will accept my punishment.”

Though his tone was light, it held an unyielding firmness. Without waiting for reply, he led Qingyu away from the hall, out of reach of danger.

The Matriarch and the elder both frowned deeply. This was only their first meeting, and already Yan’er shielded her so fiercely.

When the time came… would he truly be able to raise his hand against her?

Cangya hurriedly supported Fuyin and followed, cold sweat soaking his back. Please don’t look at him, please don’t punish him more—his poor backside couldn’t take any more beatings.