The Crazy Fox Demon Devours My Heart - Chapter 17

To leave the demon realm safely, she first had to understand its geography.

She and Fuyin were complete strangers here; they would need a guide—someone who could travel freely through the demon lands.

And the only person they knew who fit that description was sitting right before them.

Qingyu spoke casually, as though in passing. “I’d like to take a walk, clear my head a little. I wonder if the Young Master has time?”

Hu Yan half-knelt before her, gazing up at the face he longed for day and night. “Wherever Ah Yu wishes to go, I’ll go with you.”

“There’s that oasis—the scenery there is said to be beautiful. I’d like to see it.”

“Very well. I’ll accompany you.”

Only Fuyin and Cangya followed them.

With Hu Yan by their side, the group moved freely without hindrance. When descending from that enormous ancient tree, Fuyin turned pale with fright; even when her feet touched the ground, her legs were still trembling.

Cangya let go of her hand and scoffed, “Was it really that scary?”

“Humans are just timid.”

Fuyin, recovering her wits, shot back, “Of course you’re not scared—you can fly! We’re human! We can fall and die! Why don’t I tie up your arms and legs and toss you down, then see if you’re scared or not?”

Cangya: “…”

Qingyu stroked the trunk of the ancient tree and looked up. At such a height, they could never descend on their own. If the day came when they had to flee, who would take them down?

“Ah Yu, what are you looking at?”

She withdrew her gaze. “Nothing. It’s just that every time we come down, we need someone’s help—it’s a bit inconvenient.”

Hu Yan glanced up as well; indeed, it wasn’t convenient.

He took out something and placed it in her palm.

It was a wooden whistle—small, delicate, carved in the shape of a bird.

Qingyu looked down at it. “Why are you giving this to me?”

“Try blowing it,” said Hu Yan.

Although puzzled, Qingyu lifted the whistle to her lips and blew.

The sound it produced wasn’t sharp like an ordinary whistle—it was deep and resonant, echoing through the air.

A piercing eagle’s cry answered from the sky. Enormous wings circled overhead, casting a vast shadow across the ground. After a few loops, the bird dove, landing with a gust that sent dust swirling in all directions.

Everyone raised their sleeves to block the flying grit. When the dust settled, a giant eagle stood before them, tilting its head and cooing toward the whistle in Qingyu’s hand.

“If I’m not here,” Hu Yan said softly, “Ah Yu can use this to summon it. It’ll take you wherever you wish to go.”

Fuyin gasped in delight and pointed. “Princess! That’s the same big bird from the wedding!”

The giant eagle ruffled its feathers and puffed out its chest in protest.

Big bird? How insulting! It was an eagle—a proud and mighty eagle!

Fuyin laughed in amusement. “Look, Princess! The big bird’s having a tantrum!”

Qingyu stepped closer, watching with a mixture of awe and excitement. She had been worrying about how to descend the great tree when the time came to escape—now, this eagle might be the answer.

Her pale hand reached out; though the eagle hesitated for a moment, it eventually lowered its head.

Qingyu ran her fingers along its sleek feathers, and for once, a gentle smile graced her usually cold face. She carefully tucked the whistle away, hanging it around her neck. “Then I must thank the Young Master.”

Hu Yan’s hand pressed over his heart—the simple curve of her lips made it race uncontrollably.

Ah Yu,

my Ah Yu,

smile for me,

just a little more… a little longer.

Qingyu paid no attention to the infatuated gaze fixed upon her. Her mind was occupied with the giant eagle, rapidly forming plans.

Among the demon clans, the foxes ruled supreme. The center of the oasis was their domain, while the other tribes—tigers, leopards, wolves—occupied the outskirts. Of these, the three beasts ranked just below the foxes in power.

The remaining tribes were of lesser strength.

Under Hu Yan’s leadership, the fox clan’s territory was orderly and well-managed. The tigers and leopards, however, were fierce and warlike; their lands were dangerous, so Hu Yan did not take Qingyu there.

She had little interest in the rest. By now, she had quietly memorized most of the fox clan’s routes, committing every turn and landmark to mind during their daily outings.

Once back in her room, she locked the doors and windows and began sketching from memory—line by line, detail by detail—until a complete map took shape.

The candlelight flickered as she stared at the precious map, imprinting every path in her memory. Then, she held the paper close to the flame.

The dry parchment caught fire quickly, curling and blackening before disintegrating into ash.

Something like this, if discovered, would be damning evidence. She couldn’t afford that risk.

Now, all she could do was wait patiently for her senior brother’s message—and hope nothing went wrong before it arrived.

Outside, Fuyin stood watch. She didn’t know what the princess was doing inside, but whatever it was, she trusted her completely. Her only task was to follow orders.

Night Butterfly and Water Lotus had been assigned to the outer courtyard and hadn’t had the chance to approach Qingyu’s chambers.

Each day, the princess went out with the Young Master, and Night Butterfly’s jealousy grew.

The Young Master was so handsome, so tender—why shouldn’t she be the one by his side?

Water Lotus noticed her companion’s resentful expression and sighed. “Die’er, Grandmother sent us to watch the princess, not to covet what doesn’t belong to us.”

“You don’t understand!”

What doesn’t belong to me? Why should that human girl be the one he loves?

What’s so special about her—frail, thin, sickly-looking? She’d probably break with a little effort! Pretty to look at, but useless otherwise!

The Young Master was merely young and inexperienced. Once he’d tasted true pleasure, he would forget that delicate little thing soon enough!

Night Butterfly’s eyes gleamed as a new thought struck her. Her expression shifted from anger to cunning delight.

Grandmother had sent them to spy—meaning she didn’t trust the human princess. If she could catch the princess doing something wrong and report it, Grandmother would surely punish her. If the mistake were serious enough, perhaps she’d be banished from the demon realm altogether!

And once the princess was gone, Night Butterfly could simply show a bit of tenderness, offer comfort—and before long, there would be space in the Young Master’s heart for her.

Lost in her fantasy, she saw his gentle gaze fixed not on the princess, but on her own face, and a foolish smile spread across her lips.

Water Lotus watched her and silently shook her head. Hopeless.

After all, everyone knew—the Young Master had insisted on marrying the princess, even sneaking away from the Grand Elder and the elders just to bring her here himself. He had redecorated his own lakeside courtyard so she would feel at home.

And these past days, his care for her had been obvious to anyone with eyes. He watched over her constantly, tended to her every need, and still found time to accompany her for walks despite his many duties.

Such devotion, such deep affection—how could there be room in his eyes for anyone else?

Butterfly, she thought grimly, was only setting herself up for heartbreak.