The Demon Queen Insists on Marrying Me - Chapter 6

Tantai Jing turned her head and said, “Lu Wanbai told me you like me.”

The Jade Glow Palace was predominantly female, and its disciples were all exceptionally beautiful. Lu Xiaoxiao, with her silver tongue, quickly ingratiated herself by calling everyone “Senior Sister” and “Junior Sister,” blending in within days. Besides learning about trivial matters and boudoir gossip, she also gathered information about the Demon-Locking Tower.

Currently, the strongest Great Demon imprisoned within the tower was a Nine-Tailed Demon Fox. Resembling a fox in appearance, its cries sounded like an infant’s. With nine tails and the ability to transform into a breathtakingly beautiful human form, it was a man-eater with exceptionally cruel methods of killing.

Lu Xiaoxiao suspected that Tantai Jing wasn’t trying to rescue this particular demon, as her previous assumption had been that the demon was male.

Moreover, not everyone was qualified to enter the Demon-Locking Tower. Currently, only Palace Master Wan Xuan’er, three elders, the Hall Master and Deputy Hall Master of the Hall of Law Enforcement, and eighteen other disciples who rotated guard duty on a periodic basis were authorized to enter. This was precisely why Tantai Jing was determined to join the Hall of Law Enforcement.

That day, as Lu Xiaoxiao and Lu Wanbai were practicing swordsmanship, three bell chimes suddenly rang out.

Following the sound, they arrived at a spacious clearing. In the center stood a woman in her thirties, dressed in the Hall of Law Enforcement’s uniform: a black, close-fitting outfit with dark cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs. This was Xi Xiaoshuang, the Hall’s newly appointed leader.

Once everyone had gathered, Xi Xiaoshuang formally announced the selection process for the Hall’s deputy leader. Lu Xiaoxiao listened attentively, noting two main rules:

First, candidates would recommend themselves to the Hall Leader and compete in a martial arts tournament. The top three would advance to the next round.

Second, based on the time taken to select the top three, three missions of equal difficulty would be chosen from the Jade Glow Palace’s mission board. Candidates would randomly draw their assigned mission and select three assistants from within the palace to complete it. The final selection would be determined by a vote based on the mission’s completion, and the assistants could join the Hall of Law Enforcement alongside the chosen leader.

As the crowd dispersed, Lu Xiaoxiao spotted Tantai Jing’s retreating figure. Just as she was about to chase after her to ask if she could skip the selection process, an oblivious person blocked her view.

“You’re that Mei… Mei Yuanhua, right?” Lu Xiaoxiao asked.

Mei Yuanhua’s face stiffened. “My name is Mei Yuanhua, Miss Xiaoxiao. I wanted to ask about the last time… Did Junior Sister Jing give me any response?”

Lu Xiaoxiao thought for a moment, then slapped her forehead. “She said the jade hairpin was nice.”

Mei Yuanhua’s lifeless heart suddenly rekindled with hope. So Junior Sister Jing does like gifts after all! While he was still lost in thought, Lu Xiaoxiao quickly grabbed Lu Wanbai and slipped away.

On their way back, Lu Xiaoxiao asked Lu Wanbai, “Senior Sister Wanbai, do you know anything about the Golden Coin Gu? If someone is afflicted by it, is there any cure?”

Lu Wanbai’s expression turned serious. “The Golden Coin Gu is an extremely malevolent thing. I’ve only read about it briefly in books. It’s said that those afflicted by it die in excruciating pain, and only the one who cast the Gu can remove it. Why are you asking about this?”

Lu Xiaoxiao’s last shred of hope shattered. She kicked a pebble hard and replied, “I just read about it in a book and was curious.”

Remembering the earlier incident, Lu Wanbai hesitated for a long time before finally asking, “What was that about Mei Yuanhua? Why was he asking you to deliver a gift to Fellow Daoist Tantai?”

Lu Xiaoxiao waved her hand dismissively. “I was just messing with him. Tantai Jing would never accept a gift from someone else.”

Lu Wanbai wore an “I knew it” expression. Junior Sister Xiaoxiao clearly harbored feelings for Tantai Jing, resorting to lies out of jealousy.

Speaking of which, Lu Xiaoxiao suddenly remembered dragging Lu Wanbai to sell the jade hairpin for two thousand spirit stones. After buying healing pills and talisman manuals, only five hundred remained. Lu Xiaoxiao promptly split two hundred spirit stones of the ill-gotten gains with the now-penniless Lu Wanbai, making her swear to keep the secret.

Over the next few days, Lu Xiaoxiao devoured the Elementary Guide to Talismans, immersing herself in talisman crafting. To her surprise, she managed to produce a few passable talismans by copying the book’s diagrams. Instead of practicing other talismans, she stubbornly focused on the Five Thunder Talisman, the most difficult and destructive one. Out of a hundred attempts, only one would materialize properly; the rest would fizzle into black smoke upon infusion of spiritual energy. Watching the crimson characters on the successful talisman glow like molten gold, she felt an indescribable sense of accomplishment. By the time she had crafted five Low-Grade Five Thunder Talismans, her remaining three hundred spirit stones had been completely spent.

“Genius! I’m a true genius! Low-Grade Five Thunder Talismans sell for fifty spirit stones each, while Mid-Grade ones fetch two thousand! And talisman paper costs just one spirit stone per sheet! I’m going to be rich! Rich! Hahahahaha!”

Lu Xiaoxiao stood in the courtyard, clutching a Low-Grade Five Thunder Talisman. She channeled spiritual energy into the talisman and hurled it at the willow tree. Muttering, “Mother of Lightning and Lord of Thunder, descend your divine power and shatter this!” A thunderous roar split the sky, and a bolt of lightning streaked toward the tree. With a deafening boom, the willow tree remained unscathed. Lu Xiaoxiao’s heart sank like a stone. Fifty spirit stones for this useless thing? What a scam! Two breaths later, a branch as thick as a finger fell to the ground. A gust of wind rolled it twice toward Lu Xiaoxiao.

“……”

Lu Wanbai and Tantai Jing stood at the gate, originally intending to inform Lu Xiaoxiao that Tantai Jing had won the arena competition and invite her on a three-day mountain training expedition. Now, they were at a loss for words. Lu Wanbai felt awkward; Junior Sister Xiaoxiao had embarrassed herself in front of Fellow Daoist Tantai again. It’s all my fault for insisting on bringing Fellow Daoist Tantai along.

Tantai Jing’s thoughts mirrored Lu Wanbai’s. Is it too late to switch mission partners? But then she remembered Lu Wanbai’s strength—equivalent to three ordinary cultivators—and her own popularity within the Jade Glow Palace. She silently clamped down on her urge to mock.

Clap! Clap! Clap! Lu Wanbai walked up to Lu Xiaoxiao, applauding. “That’s already quite impressive! You’ve only been studying for a few days and you can already draw the Five Thunder Talisman. This talisman is inherently difficult. By the time you can draw intermediate-level talismans, I might not even be able to beat you!”

A spark of hope rekindled in Lu Xiaoxiao’s heart. “Really, Senior Sister?”

Tantai Jing still couldn’t restrain her tongue in front of Lu Wanbai. “Really. Someone with talent might learn intermediate-level talismans in five or six years. Someone without talent might take fifty or sixty years. Considering the one-in-a-hundred success rate, you’ll master them in no time! Of course, even if you do, you’d still need to throw one unexpectedly to scratch Lu Wanbai. In a direct fight, you’d probably need to throw five or six simultaneously. Keep trying, genius!”

Lu Xiaoxiao knew better than to expect anything but venom from Tantai Jing’s viperous tongue. Gritting her teeth, she retorted, “Maybe I’m just exceptionally talented, you know?”

Sensing the tension, Lu Wanbai quickly stepped between them, forcing a laugh. “Exactly! Centuries ago, there was a talisman master so gifted he mastered intermediate-level talismans in just one month!”

Tantai Jing stood aside, casually scanning Lu Xiaoxiao from head to toe, her gaze conveying: You? Not even in your next life.

Lu Xiaoxiao, feeling uneasy under her gaze, crossed her arms and hid behind Lu Wanbai, asking, “Senior Sister, what brings you here?”

Lu Wanbai explained that Tantai Jing had invited them to join her on a mountain training expedition three days after winning the championship. Lu Xiaoxiao dared not refuse, especially since it was only half a month until she needed to take her next antidote. She immediately put on an act of selfless devotion to her sisters, vowing to brave any danger for their sake.

With that settled, Lu Xiaoxiao sold her remaining four Five Thunder Talismans at the Multibao Pavilion in Jade Glow Palace for 480 spirit stones. True to its name, the Multibao Pavilion was a shady general store that bought and sold everything. They purchased Five Thunder Talismans for 50 spirit stones each but only paid 30 spirit stones when buying them back—a steep 60% discount. Combining this with her existing funds, she now had 980 spirit stones. She then bought 480 Characterless Talismans and spent the next three days and nights tirelessly practicing the Five Thunder Talisman technique.

The good news was that her success rate for producing finished Five Thunder Talismans improved to one in ten. On the final day, she sold all her newly crafted talismans at the Multibao Pavilion early in the morning and used the additional spirit stones to purchase a Mid-Grade Five Thunder Talisman.

As she approached Tantai Jing’s courtyard gate, she noticed Mei Yuan standing there with Lu Wanbai.

“Long time no see, Brother Mei,” Lu Xiaoxiao greeted him. “Are you here to give Senior Sister Jing another gift? I can take it for you.” She was eagerly anticipating something valuable this time, but the man stiffened his neck and completely ignored her.

Lu Wanbai tugged at Lu Xiaoxiao’s sleeve, giving her a meaningful look. Lu Xiaoxiao blinked back twice, thinking, They found out so quickly? How did Tantai Jing get this guy to join her on a mission?

Just as Lu Xiaoxiao was about to argue with Mei Yuanhua, Lu Wanbai tugged at her sleeve again. Tantai Jing had emerged from the courtyard.

“Since everyone’s here, let’s set off,” Tantai Jing said calmly.

Suddenly, Lu Wanbai interjected, “I practiced my cultivation late last night, and Junior Sister Xiaoxiao’s sword control is still a bit weak. Fellow Daoist Tantai, would you mind carrying her on your sword?”

Mei Yuanhua’s expression darkened, and he opened his mouth to protest, but before he could speak, Tantai Jing responded with a gentle smile, “Of course.” Lu Xiaoxiao noticed that Tantai Jing seemed to put on quite a performance whenever Senior Sister Wanbai was around.

Lu Xiaoxiao stepped onto Tantai Jing’s flying sword. Aside from a brief wobble during takeoff, the ride was surprisingly smooth.

Having never flown on a sword before, Lu Xiaoxiao was both excited and terrified. As the landscape blurred beneath them, she instinctively grabbed Tantai Jing’s arm.

Tantai Jing coldly ordered, “Let go!”

Lu Xiaoxiao tightened her grip. “I’m scared. I have a fear of heights.”

Seeing her genuine fear, Tantai Jing didn’t press the matter further.

As Lu Wanbai and Mei Yuanhua sped past them on their swords, Tantai Jing recalled their conversation two days earlier. He had noticed Mei Yuanhua standing guard outside Lu Xiaoxiao’s door. Mei Yuanhua had stammered about wanting to join the mission and become a member of the Hall of Law Enforcement. Since Tantai Jing was struggling to find a final team member, he had agreed.

Then, Mei Yuanhua had suddenly brought up something about a jade hairpin, only to be interrupted by Lu Wanbai, who apologized to Mei Yuanhua on Lu Xiaoxiao’s behalf and made some cryptic remarks.

With this in mind, Tantai Jing glanced back and said, “Lu Wanbai mentioned you have feelings for me.”

Lu Xiaoxiao stumbled, nearly falling off the sword. She quickly regained her balance, ready to retort, “What kind of daydream is that?” But then she hesitated, wondering if Tantai Jing might treat her better if he thought she liked him.

Tantai Jing, who had initially dismissed the notion as absurd and intended to mock her, was surprised when a voice came from behind after a long pause: “There might be a little truth to that.”

Now it was Tantai Jing’s turn to feel uneasy. The entire sword trembled before stabilizing. “You? You… what do you like about me? Do you like that I poisoned you?”

Lu Xiaoxiao, unsure of Tantai Jing’s true feelings, decided to reveal a sliver of truth. “You saved my life, and you’re quite beautiful.” Yes, you demonic woman. If you hadn’t tried to kill me and poison me, I might actually have liked you a little.

Tantai Jing fell silent, subtly stepping forward and touching her face. This face… is it truly so captivating?

Seeing Tantai Jing at a loss for words, Lu Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but smile. She then adopted a sincere tone. “I know humans and demons walk different paths. You could never truly love me. But my feelings for you are my own. Please don’t take away my right to cherish you.”

The sword trembled violently again. Once stabilized, it shot forward with three times the speed, hurtling away like a meteor.