The Crazy Fox Demon Devours My Heart - Chapter 6

Qingyu lingered on the bustling street for a long while, full of curiosity at everything she saw.

Since childhood she had been locked away in the Cold Palace, rarely exposed to such lively scenes.

Today, there seemed to be far fewer monsters in the town than yesterday. And unlike the terrifying creatures she had seen before, some of them looked not much different from ordinary people.

Humans and demons bustled past each other. Street stalls lined both sides, overflowing with goods. Astonishingly, humans and demons were even trading face-to-face, bargaining right in the open.

Such a sight truly amazed her.

Perhaps noticing her curiosity, Fox Yan spoke up:
“Is the young lady surprised?”

Qingyu asked, “Can humans and demons truly coexist like this?”

“Of course,” he replied.

“Why?”

Before Fox Yan could answer, Cangya puffed out his chest proudly, seizing the chance:
“In the past, humans and demons could never live this way. But because our Young Master defied opposition and set a new rule, things changed. In Floating Light Town, humans and demons are forbidden to fight or kill at will. They must trade according to regulations, each taking what they need. Anyone who disobeys—dies. That’s why there is far less bloodshed now.”

“Young Master?” Qingyu raised her brow.

Cangya’s chin lifted even higher.
“You don’t know? Our Young Master is the most intelligent, the most gifted, the strongest, and most dazzling of all demons. In time, he will be the ruler of the demon realm!”

Just then, at a nearby stall, a human and a demon completed their transaction.

Qingyu shifted her gaze away and said flatly,
“Still nothing more than a demon.”

“In my view, such rules are meaningless. Humans and demons are natural enemies. Why bother pretending at harmony with false appearances?”

Fuyin echoed her:
“Exactly. No matter how powerful this ‘Young Master’ is, in the end he’s only a demon.”

The smile on Fox Yan’s lips faded. His eyes lowered, long dark lashes concealing his emotions.

Cangya clenched his teeth, furious:
“You two—!”

Qingyu turned and fixed him with a steady gaze.
“You seem to know that demon very well?”

Cangya’s hand tightened on his blade as he ground out,
“Try calling him a ‘demon’ one more time!”

But before he could say more, a powerful force slammed into him, sending him flying backward.

He sprawled on the ground, staring up in shock—at Fox Yan.
“Gongzi… why?”

A trace of anger flickered in Fox Yan’s eyes.
“If you dare speak disrespectfully to her again, you need not remain by my side.”

The sudden turn of events startled both Qingyu and Fuyin.

Qingyu hadn’t expected that a mere exchange of words would provoke him to strike at his own guard. Wasn’t Cangya supposed to be his trusted retainer? Why did it feel as if he had stood up for her instead?

Fuyin was just as stunned. She had only quarreled with him in passing—yet he was punished for it.

She quickly pulled the princess to crouch by Cangya.
“Are you all right?”

Qingyu’s eyes also fell on him.

But Cangya, noticing Fox Yan’s expression growing darker behind the princess, instantly scrambled to his feet, retreating three paces away.
“I’m fine! I’ve thick skin, I deserve whatever punishment Gongzi gives.”

Qingyu couldn’t make sense of it.

Fox Yan came to her side once more, his expression returning to gentle warmth as he leaned close and whispered,
“Shall I help you shake off those people following us?”

The change was so swift, it was as though the cold, frightening man just now wasn’t him at all…

Qingyu glanced back. Lin Gugu and the others still trailed far behind, sticking to her like leeches.

If she could get rid of them, it would indeed make things easier.

All along the way, she hadn’t found any chance to pass on a message. She’d wanted to ask someone, but under Lin Gugu’s constant watch, she never had the opportunity.

So when Fox Yan asked, she agreed without hesitation.
“All right.”

The two of them walked side by side into the crowd—and in a blink, their figures vanished.

Fuyin froze on the spot. The princess was gone. She had been standing right there a moment ago!

Lin Gugu and her people rushed over in alarm.
“Where’s the princess?!”

Fuyin shook her head desperately.
“I don’t know!”

Cangya, however, looked utterly unconcerned. He had seen clearly—his Young Master had wrapped an arm around the princess’s waist and spirited her away. Clearly, he didn’t want anyone disturbing them.

“Probably just too many people, they got separated. Anyway, with my Young Master by her side, nothing will happen.”

Lin Gugu stomped her foot in frustration.
“Find them, quickly!”

—

Qingyu was always astonished by this man’s speed.

In just one instant, she had been brought to a place she couldn’t recognize.

But… did he really have to hold her waist? Couldn’t he have just grabbed her arm?

Yet despite the closeness of his actions, Fox Yan never felt frivolous. He was indeed helping her, so she couldn’t bring herself to object.

Looking around, she realized they had entered a shop.

Inside were displayed exquisite jewelry and garments—all for women.

The shopkeeper hurried forward with a broad smile.
“Honored guests, we have everything you could want. What would you like to see?”

Qingyu turned in puzzlement to Fox Yan. Why had he brought her here?

Fox Yan’s eyes shone with expectation.
“Take a look.”

Qingyu wasn’t much interested in jewelry or clothes. She glanced around casually, until her eyes landed on a sheer gauze robe.

The robe was thinner than a cicada’s wings, soft as silk. It looked as though it would be wonderfully comfortable to wear.

But… could something so thin even count as clothing?

The shopkeeper followed her gaze, then at Fox Yan, and chuckled knowingly.
“Young lady, you have fine taste. This gauze robe is woven from cloud-silk, a rare material—just a single strand is worth a thousand gold. This entire garment is woven from countless strands, so it is priceless, and one of a kind.

Even better, it has an… intimate effect. Worn to bed, it will make a woman’s figure appear all the more alluring, soft as if boneless to the touch. Your husband will be most delighted, without doubt.”

As he spoke, he gestured suggestively, his gaze flicking back and forth between the two of them with a lewd smile.

Qingyu instantly realized what he had assumed—that they were lovers.

Ridiculous!

Having never experienced such matters, she couldn’t stand hearing more. She flung her sleeve and turned to leave.

Fox Yan, however, had paused on the robe as well, eyes briefly dazed. His gaze deepened, and in that moment his pupils glinted faintly golden.

Qingyu, with her head down, didn’t notice.

The shopkeeper, realizing he had misspoken, quickly waved his hand.

From above, a wooden ladder appeared as if from nowhere. Looking up, Qingyu saw there was an entire second floor beyond.

“Don’t go, young lady! If these common items displease you, please take a look upstairs. I guarantee something there will suit you.”

Qingyu looked up, surprised at the hidden space.

Fox Yan cleared his throat softly, his eyes returning to their normal shade.
“Why not have a look?”

—

The second floor brimmed with even more dazzling objects.

One particularly fine birdcage caught Qingyu’s eye. Inside was a plump little yellow bird, fluttering its wings adorably.

“This little one is used for sending messages,” the shopkeeper explained.

The words made Qingyu’s eyes light up. She no longer looked bored at all.

Seeing her interest, the shopkeeper drew the bird out, perching it on his arm. He spoke a few words—and the bird repeated them back perfectly.

“This creature is called a ‘Message Crow,’” he continued.
“The young lady need only speak her message to it, then let it sniff an item belonging to the recipient. It will fly straight to the person you name. Its small size makes it hard to notice, which makes it ideal for secret correspondence.”

A bird that could speak human words—how marvelous!

All the way here, Lin Gugu had kept her under tight watch, leaving her no chance to send news.

She had been fretting over how to deliver a message. And now, here was the perfect solution.

Fox Yan noticed her interest and prepared to buy it for her.

But Qingyu quickly refused.
“No need for Gongzi to spend money. I can buy it myself.”

Fox Yan smiled faintly.
“Ordinary silver won’t buy anything here.”

Qingyu faltered. She couldn’t just take it without paying. Yet she wanted the bird desperately.

Fox Yan saw her dilemma.
“Then think of it as my gift to you. Or… you could trade something with me instead.”

“Trade?”

That could work. But she hadn’t brought anything valuable.

All she had with her was a jade pendant at her neck.

It had been bestowed on her before she left the palace. She hadn’t wanted to wear it, but Fuyin had insisted, saying her clothes were too plain.

Now, it seemed, it might serve a purpose.

Qingyu removed the jade pendant and handed it to him.
“This is the only thing I have that might be worth something. If Gongzi doesn’t mind, please accept it.”

Fox Yan’s eyes lit as he took the pendant, rolling it in his palm.

The jade was smooth and warm, still carrying the body heat of its wearer.

In his grasp, it felt searingly hot—straight to the heart.

“Could I trouble you to tie it on for me?” he asked softly.

Qingyu blinked.
“I… tie it for you?”

Fox Yan blinked back, looking pitiful.
“I can’t put it on myself.”

She considered. He had helped her a great deal. Surely she couldn’t refuse such a small request.

He bent down on one knee before her, sweeping his hair aside to bare his neck.

Qingyu looped the red cord around, tying it tightly to keep it secure. Her fingertips brushed his skin by accident.

Fox Yan’s body stiffened instantly, his pupils darkening into molten gold, trembling with intensity.

From this moment, they had exchanged tokens.