The Demon Monarch’s Plaything

Su Xiaoxiao was utterly stunned. As she was seized and dragged in, before she could even react, a sharp pain lanced through her shoulder, forcing her brutally onto the filthy ground.

The training ground was littered with sharp, tiny pebbles. When Su Xiaoxiao was forced to her knees, the pain made her vision swim and her ears ring.

Many of the Demon Soldiers were hideous and grotesque, with large heads and strange, distorted features. Su Xiaoxiao was heavily clothed, and her figure was quite slender. Even with the child within her, the loose robes effectively concealed her swelling abdomen, making it less conspicuous.

The demon’s hand remained clamped on Su Xiaoxiao’s shoulder. Facing the assembled demons, monstrous spirits, and other allied races present, it roared,

“Demon Monarch, I found this person lurking suspiciously outside. They do not appear to be of the demon race and are likely a spy!”

Chitang, who had been accompanying her, was also dragged in by her ears. As a rabbit demon, she was one of the most unassuming and weakest among the demon race, and now, seeing the situation, she trembled with fear.

“Your… Your Majesty…”

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t wait for Xiyue to speak. As the initial wave of pain subsided, she tried to shake her head. Though her vision was still blurred by agony, she clearly saw Xiyue’s face, looking down at her with an aloof, indifferent gaze.

“She is no spy. She is merely a little plaything I keep.” Xiyue’s casual remark instantly drained the color from Su Xiaoxiao’s face, leaving it a sickly pallor.

Only a few nights ago, when Su Xiaoxiao felt unwell and developed a fever, Xiyue had held her close, staying with her through most of the night. Lately, Xiyue had also shown her considerable patience. Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t foolish; how could she not have noticed Xiyue’s change?

She had never harbored grand expectations, yet by her reckoning, she had been in the Demon Realm for two long years. Moreover, within her womb was a little fish-spawn, infused with Xiyue’s own bloodline.

While she knew their relationship couldn’t be described with a word as intimate as ‘partners,’ Su Xiaoxiao never imagined Xiyue would so coldly declare her a mere plaything in front of such a crowd.

The demon who had escorted Su Xiaoxiao in finally released her. Chitang, nearby, scrambled over to help Su Xiaoxiao to her feet.

Su Xiaoxiao’s expression was dazed. Faced with so many gazes—mocking, scrutinizing, ridiculing, and gossiping—she found herself utterly unable to utter a single word.

Xiyue was truly skilled at deception. Despite having been fooled countless times, Su Xiaoxiao still found herself blinded by her actions.

All the apparent concern she had shown these past days was nothing but a lie.

“She’s a Mermaid, isn’t she?” The enchanting demoness standing beside Xiyue spoke. Her smile was captivating, her eyes alluring, and every gesture, every fleeting expression, exuded charm.

“The Mermaid race truly possesses beautiful skin. It’s no wonder the Demon Monarch would be captivated by such an enchanting and alluring person.”

Hearing this, Xiyue turned to the demoness. A faint smile still graced her face, yet her tone was so chilling it seemed to pierce one’s very bones.

“She is my plaything. You would do well to remember that. What belongs to Xiyue, you may not touch.”

The demoness was stunned by Xiyue’s blunt and icy words. Her smile froze, and though she dared not speak, her anger was palpable.

Su Xiaoxiao stared blankly at Xiyue. ‘Doesn’t she never get angry at other demons?’

“Since the Demon Monarch dotes on her so, why not take her as a consort?” The demoness’s smile returned, though it was now tinged with mockery.

Xiyue merely cast a dismissive glance at the demoness, saying nothing further.

Finding herself rebuffed, the demoness reluctantly fell silent.

Su Xiaoxiao’s heart grew even colder. The more Xiyue protected her in this manner, the clearer it became to Su Xiaoxiao her true place in Xiyue’s heart.

This wasn’t affection at all. It was like guarding a rare possession—a possessiveness, not love.

Xiyue turned, her gaze settling on Su Xiaoxiao. The smile on her face grew increasingly gentle, a softness so profound it sent shivers down one’s spine.

Su Xiaoxiao knew Xiyue’s tenderness was merely a disguise, a veil for her cruel methods.

Xiyue knelt, raising a hand to caress Su Xiaoxiao’s face. Her voice was soft as she asked, “Why aren’t you wearing the crimson wedding robe I made for you?”

As Xiyue touched her face, Su Xiaoxiao’s heart trembled. She tried to speak, but her voice was too hoarse to utter a sound.

Xiyue knew Su Xiaoxiao was afraid, and that she liked her, which was why she deliberately treated her this way. Xiyue was precisely this kind of demon—wicked and cruel. Su Xiaoxiao had believed she loved her, never realizing she was merely a plaything for her amusement.

Su Xiaoxiao gazed at the gentle smile on Xiyue’s face. Her heart filled with a bitter irony, this very tenderness chilling her to the bone.

The smile in Xiyue’s eyes slowly faded. Her voice turned icy as she said, “You seem to… dislike me quite a lot.”

She uttered the word “dislike” so softly, as if merely stating an inconsequential fact. Yet, from her casual tone, Su Xiaoxiao detected an intense, palpable killing intent.

Xiyue raised a hand, pinching Su Xiaoxiao’s chin to lift her face, forcing her to meet her gaze directly. The malevolence in Xiyue’s eyes slowly began to surface.

“You’re very afraid of me, aren’t you?”

With her chin gripped, Su Xiaoxiao’s mouth parted, her teeth grinding audibly. She looked into Xiyue’s eyes, which were filled with terror.

Xiyue observed her terrified expression, and the smile on her face grew even wider. She looked at Su Xiaoxiao, feeling nothing but pleasure.

Xiyue abruptly released her. Su Xiaoxiao stumbled backward from the sudden momentum, but Xiyue snatched her hair, pulling her back into her embrace.

Xiyue lowered her head, her lips brushing against Su Xiaoxiao’s ear, and whispered softly, “If I… were to kill you… would you then… never run away again?”

Held in her embrace, Su Xiaoxiao felt utterly cold. She struggled desperately to break free, but Xiyue only held her tighter.

She was like a cold, coiling viper, wrapping around her in her embrace. Its icy tongue flickered against her face, a viscous touch that sent shivers down her entire body.

“I’ll lock you away, confine you in my demon palace. That way, you’ll never… ever escape, will you?”

Xiyue raised a hand, gently stroking Su Xiaoxiao’s hair. Her tone was low and tender, like a lover’s soft murmur.

“I’ll kill you, refine you into my elixir. That way, you’ll belong to me… forever, won’t you?”

Clutched in Xiyue’s arms, Su Xiaoxiao felt a chill penetrate her bones. She struggled frantically, but Xiyue’s grip only tightened.

Xiyue whispered into her ear, uttering words that made her tremble, that filled her with dread.

Su Xiaoxiao shivered in her embrace. She knew that if Xiyue said it, she would certainly do it.

She knew Xiyue was precisely this kind of demon: cruel, domineering, and utterly unpredictable.

Su Xiaoxiao knew Xiyue would not let her go, would not allow her to leave.

She knew Xiyue only wanted to torment her, to play with her, to make her wish for death.

She knew Xiyue was like this: a cruel, domineering, and unpredictable demon.

She knew Xiyue would not let her go, would not allow her to leave.

She knew Xiyue only wanted to torment her, to play with her, to make her wish for death.

She knew Xiyue was like this: a cruel, domineering, and unpredictable demon.

She knew Xiyue would not let her go, would not allow her to leave.

She knew Xiyue only wanted to torment her, to play with her, to make her wish for death.

****

The little beauty was moved, and kept by her side.

Someone nearby quickly echoed, “I’ve only ever heard of the Mermaid race. But today, seeing this pitiful, delicate little face, it truly inspires pity.”

“Once the immortal race is conquered, the Mermaids of the South Sea will be without support. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to capture a few mermaids to enjoy? Hahahaha…”

“Why wait until the Mermaid race is conquered? If war breaks out this time and the Mermaid race still allies with the immortal race, there will be no shortage of mermaids on the battlefield. Won’t it be simple to capture a few captives then?”

“You’re right, absolutely right.”

“I heard that the Mermaid race receives special favor from the Heavenly Dao, and their children do not need to undergo heavenly tribulations. I wonder if it’s true or false.”

“No wonder Weili went to such lengths to marry a Mermaid to be his empress, instead of finding a male to marry. I just wonder what kind of children our demonic bloodline could produce.”

A few individuals burst into laughter, savoring their words. “We’ll find out when we try it, won’t we?”

“Demon King.”

The Ghost King, who had been sitting at the back drinking, rose and stepped forward, speaking just in time. His smile didn’t reach his eyes, and with just two words, he effectively overturned the previous statement about the Mermaids of the South Sea being ‘without support,’ clearly stating his position.

The Demon King looked slightly awkward, forcing a dry laugh.

The Ghost King looked at Su Xiaoxiao, who appeared quite disheveled and wore an anxious, distressed expression, and interjected to help. “There are still important matters to discuss. Perhaps the Demon Monarch should have her subordinates send her back.”

Xiyue glanced at her confidant beside her, who then stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, please.”

Su Xiaoxiao’s face was pale, but she had heard all the vulgar remarks clearly. Suddenly, she found a burst of courage, not feeling afraid at all. Instead, she asked Xiyue angrily, “Could what they said be true? What exactly… do you want to do?”

Xiyue frowned, seeing her so serious. “Go back. This is not a place for you.”

Su Xiaoxiao naturally refused to leave, stubbornly insisting on an answer.

Xiyue grew increasingly irritated, the red mark on her forehead flickering. Her voice became sharp. “You refuse to leave?”

Su Xiaoxiao remained silent, her eyes red as she met Xiyue’s gaze. Perhaps she was too angry to feel any fear.

The enchanting demoness nearby chuckled softly. “What a fierce plaything. Is the Demon Monarch not going to punish her?”

“If you won’t go back, then you can reflect on your actions here.”

Xiyue tossed out this remark, then pulled the female demon beside her and departed.

Seeing Xiyue leave, and knowing that the crowd lingering was not of good character, the Ghost King spoke up, “Hasn’t the Demon Monarch prepared a banquet? Everyone…”

Su Xiaoxiao naturally wanted to follow, but Xiyue’s arranged Demon Soldiers blocked her way, saying, “Your Majesty, please don’t make things difficult for us.”

Su Xiaoxiao ignored their meaningless words. Her knee, having just been scraped, was throbbing intensely. Her back ached from anger. Supporting her waist, she paced back and forth, fuming, until finally, at Chitang’s urging, she returned to her small courtyard.

On the way, Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t hold back her tears.

The little fish-spawn in her womb shared a bloodline with her. Now, whenever Su Xiaoxiao’s emotions fluctuated greatly, the fish-spawn would also sense it, moving restlessly within her belly, as if sharing her unease and fear.

As soon as she stepped into the small courtyard, Su Xiaoxiao waved away Chitang and the other attending demons.

“Your Majesty…” Chitang was worried and reluctant to leave, fearing something might happen to Su Xiaoxiao, but she couldn’t withstand Su Xiaoxiao’s firm stance.

The snow had mostly melted, and the weather was gradually warming. However, as night fell, the evening breeze still carried a biting chill.

The little fish-spawn was stirring in her belly, and Su Xiaoxiao, already heartbroken, found herself without the strength to even respond.

Barefoot, she sat on the veranda, her legs so weak they could no longer support her. She hadn’t even noticed when they had transformed into a fishtail.

Blood seeped from the scraped skin on her knee, and the scales there had been rubbed off. Her clothes hung loosely to the ground, making her swollen abdomen appear conspicuously prominent.

Having inexplicably transformed into a fishtail and sitting on the veranda, Su Xiaoxiao wiped away her tears, wanting to go back inside the house.

The weather was too cold. Freezing herself was one thing, but what about the little fish-spawn?

Su Xiaoxiao tried to move towards the house, but with just a slight movement, a sharp cramp seized her abdomen. Cold sweat instantly broke out, mixing with her tears and drenching her entire face.

Her thoughts were a confused jumble. One moment she worried about what to do after the little fish-spawn was born, the next she pondered the current plight of the Mermaid race. She recalled the mocking laughter of the demons and monstrous spirits earlier, their talk of capturing mermaids from the South Sea. And then… Su Xiaoxiao thought of Xiyue, of the voluptuous female demon standing beside her, and of Xiyue’s cold demeanor, publicly ordering her to kneel and reflect.

She felt both wronged and profoundly sad. Tears flowed uncontrollably, her mind a complete blank, even momentarily forgetting that she was still sitting on the veranda, exposed to the cold wind.