The Crazy Fox Demon Devours My Heart - Chapter 38

A sleepless night.

At dawn, Qingyu stood in the courtyard, gazing into the distance, as if waiting for something.

Fuyin carried a bundle, her eyes slightly red, stifling yawns.

The sun pierced through the clouds.

A deep, thunderous drumbeat rang out in unison. The rhythm was dense, majestic, accompanied by waves of shouting.

The sound seemed to strike directly at the heart, making one’s chest tremble.

Fuyin woke instantly from her drowsiness. “Princess, the coronation ceremony has begun!”

Qingyu’s eyes brightened. The moment had arrived!

Just as she was about to step out the door, Shuihe suddenly appeared, blocking their path.

After Yedie’s death, everyone had assumed that Shuihe had been summoned back by Grandmother, but in fact, she had been secretly observing Qingyu under Grandmother’s orders.

Previously, nothing seemed unusual, but the day before, she noticed something off. Although messenger crows were rare, Shuihe immediately recognized the signs:

This woman was communicating with the outside world!

Shuihe focused all her attention on Qingyu, not daring to leave her for a moment. Sure enough, today she discovered that they were attempting to escape!

Sizing up the two of them, Shuihe asked, “Your Highness, where are you going?”

Fuyin nervously clutched her bundle, glancing anxiously at Qingyu.

Qingyu’s expression remained calm. She said faintly, “To watch the coronation.”

Shuihe saw through the truth but didn’t expose it. “I shall guide Your Highness.” She walked ahead, though her attention remained fixed on the two behind her.

Qingyu’s eyes turned cold. Silently channeling her energy, she struck at Shuihe.

Shuihe barely dodged Qingyu’s attack. She could not believe that this once weak, powerless woman had become so formidable!

Grandmother had instructed her: if this woman made a move, she could be disabled, leaving only her life. Now that she was trying to escape, there was no need for mercy.

And it was the perfect chance to avenge Yedie!

Shuihe’s expression hardened. Her hands formed lotus petals, which transformed into flying blades that darted swiftly toward Qingyu’s limbs.

Qingyu immediately formed hand seals and cast spells, sending several ice needles to strike down the lotus blades, and in the same instant, conjured ice knives that shot forward.

She stopped, silently observing the scene before her.

Shuihe lowered her head, staring in disbelief at her abdomen. The ice knife had struck, instantly turning to frost that spread from the inside out, gradually enveloping her entire body.

Moments later, only an ice sculpture remained.

Fuyin gazed at the frozen figure with admiration. “Princess, you’re amazing!”

Qingyu glanced indifferently at the sculpture, then turned to leave. The ice shattered into pieces behind her.

Fuyin ran after the princess and followed her to the cliff edge.

Qingyu scanned the surroundings. Sure enough, the guards were far fewer!

She took a wooden whistle from her neck and blew it. A piercing eagle cry sounded from the distant sky, and a massive shadow flickered within the clouds.

The giant eagle flew toward Qingyu, landing steadily on the cliff, lowering its body and spreading its wings on the ground.

Qingyu helped Fuyin climb onto the wings.

Fuyin’s legs trembled, her body shook uncontrollably. Sitting in front, Qingyu held her from behind, speaking gently, “Don’t be afraid.”

The eagle received the command and shot into the sky like an arrow, spinning upward into the clouds.

“Ah!” Fuyin screamed, tightly closing her eyes, too afraid to look.

Qingyu felt the rushing air and looked below. Her face betrayed her excitement.

They were getting farther and farther from the palace.

Once above the clouds, the eagle flew steadily toward the oasis. Soon, they reached the boundary of the protective barrier.

Looking at the yellow sands beyond the oasis, Qingyu knew they had reached the edge — the barrier was here!

She held the token tightly and reached forward. The eagle accelerated, flying straight through the barrier.

The token made contact with the barrier, yet the eagle passed through unhindered.

Qingyu didn’t look back. Her heart was full of joy — they had finally escaped!

Outside the oasis lay an endless expanse of yellow sand.

After passing the barrier, the scorching sun blazed above, the heat oppressive, rolling waves of searing air assaulting them as if to bake them alive.

Beyond the sands lay Fuglow Town. Qingyu licked her cracked lips and covered their heads with a large piece of cloth from her bundle.

Fuyin, prepared in advance, handed a water bag to Qingyu. “Princess, drink some water.”

Qingyu sipped lightly to moisten her throat, then passed the bag back to Fuyin.

Compared to the thrill of escape, the discomfort they felt was negligible.

The eagle soared through the yellow sands, heading continuously toward Fuglow Town.

Fox Clan Palace

A massive horn sounded. Fox Yan, dressed in coronation robes, stood atop the high platform, the wind whipping his garments.

His narrow eyes scanned the crowd below, but he could not find the one he longed to see.

Perhaps she had been delayed on the way. Qingyu had promised to witness his coronation — she would come.

Time passed. The coronation was nearing its end.

Grandmother, holding the ceremonial crown, slowly approached.

Fox Yan knelt, his gaze anxiously scanning below. A sharp pang struck his heart, as if he were about to lose something precious.

“Yan’er!”

Grandmother, displeased that he seemed distracted on such an important occasion, called out to remind him.

Fox Yan snapped back to attention and performed a deep bow to Grandmother, lowering his head slightly.

Satisfied, Grandmother placed the crown on him and began reciting the ceremonial prayers.

Fox Yan’s eyes dimmed, his heart sinking. After so long, Qingyu likely would not come.

She had promised him.

The coronation concluded, and Fox Yan, ignoring the gazes of those below, hurriedly departed.

The gates of the lakeside pavilion burst open. The courtyard was empty — not a single figure remained.

Fox Yan softly called, “Qingyu?”

No answer.

Lotus leaves swayed in the wind, lonely and desolate.

Fox Yan entered Qingyu’s room, scanning the surroundings. His eyes fell upon the dressing table.

Besides the usual cosmetics, a small, lustrous object sat there: the Shattered Heart.

Since he had gifted it to Qingyu, she had never let it out of her hands.

A growing sense of unease gnawed at him.

Just then, Cangya rushed in from outside. “Young Master, bad news! The princess took Fuyin and escaped!”

Fox Yan’s pupils constricted sharply. He froze in place. After a long pause, a chilling smile slowly curved his lips, as if he had heard the most amusing news.

“You say… she escaped?”

A messenger crow chirped nearby, mimicking, “Escaped… escaped.”

Fox Yan tilted his head toward the birdcage.

His cold gaze locked on the crow inside. The crow immediately fell silent, huddling in a corner, trembling.

Outside, a messenger arrived, and Cangya hurriedly took the item they brought in.

“Young Master, someone has delivered something.”