The Demon Venerable’s Restless Fish

Halfway through the banquet, Xiyue found an excuse to leave. The reason was none other than the restless fish she had raised.

“Didn’t eat?” Xiyue’s brow furrowed slightly. She wondered if the little fish was so incensed by the public humiliation at the banquet that she was now staging a hunger strike.

Xiyue asked earnestly, “I did say she was to kneel in punishment, but she didn’t actually kneel, did she?”

Though Xiyue held the esteemed title of Demon Venerable, the Demonic Realm had always operated on the principle of the strong preying on the weak. Innumerable demons coveted her position.

With so many malicious individuals lurking, Su Xiaoxiao, a fragile and naive little fish, would surely become an easy target for others if Xiyue didn’t put on a show and utter those harsh words.

With the impending war between immortals and demons and the approaching Heavenly Tribulation, Xiyue couldn’t possibly protect her every moment.

Calling her a mere plaything and treating her with a touch of indifference was, in fact, a form of disguised protection.

Protection…

The thought of ‘protection’ had indeed spurred Xiyue into action. ‘Why was she so deeply concerned about Su Xiaoxiao?’

For any other race, any other person, one might offer the excuse, “For the sake of offspring.”

Yet, from the very beginning, Xiyue had never desired children, making that excuse impossible for her.

To claim that after sleeping with Su Xiaoxiao for so long, a sense of reluctance had developed, would be nothing more than a self-deceiving lie.

She was just a lowly creature. If Xiyue wished, forcibly imprisoning ten or even eight more would pose no issue.

Finding an obedient soul to sever ties with would be trivial for the formidable Demon Venerable.

And yet, Xiyue simply couldn’t bring herself to let go of Su Xiaoxiao. Instead, as the days passed, Xiyue grew increasingly lenient with the little fish, managing her with a softer hand.

Su Xiaoxiao, oblivious to propriety, even dared to shout at Xiyue, completely lacking discernment, understanding neither flattery nor tender affection.

However, ever since she had parted ways with Su Xiaoxiao, Xiyue’s mind had been preoccupied, constantly wondering how the left-behind Su Xiaoxiao was faring.

“Her Highness did not kneel,” the Demon Soldier reported, bracing himself for Xiyue’s anger.

Instead, Xiyue merely nodded, a clear look of relief washing over her face.

‘She might be a foolish fish, but at least not irredeemably so.’

Xiyue then asked him, “What’s this about her not eating?”

The attendant reported, “Ever since Her Highness returned to her bedchamber, she dismissed everyone and forbade them from entering, so…”

Xiyue listened, a flicker of displeasure crossing her features. Even back at the banquet, she had felt restless, her mind ill at ease.

Finally, feigning a desire for a stroll and some fresh air, she made a beeline for Su Xiaoxiao’s small courtyard.

‘She hadn’t realized before that when she first brought Su Xiaoxiao to the Demonic Realm, she had assigned her such a secluded courtyard.’

‘It’s fine, though,’ Xiyue mused. ‘Once everything settles down, I’ll give Su Xiaoxiao a new courtyard, renovated and ready for her to move into.’

‘Or perhaps, she wouldn’t even need to move. Living in the main palace with me wouldn’t be out of the question.’

****

Upon entering Su Xiaoxiao’s residence, Shayue discovered her lying on the corridor floor, weeping to the point of near unconsciousness. Her legs could no longer support her, and her mermaid tail had even emerged.

Shayue knelt beside her, pulling Su Xiaoxiao into a sitting position. Her voice was stern as she asked, “Why aren’t you eating or taking your medicine?”

“Get lost! I’ll kill you…”

Her words, punctuated by sobs, held no real threat. Instead of anger, Shayue found her rather endearing in this state.

Shayue paused for a moment, then chuckled. “Who taught you to speak like that?”

As she spoke, Shayue reached out to pick her up. The moment her hand brushed Su Xiaoxiao’s tail, it provoked such a furious reaction that the tip lashed out, slapping Shayue’s face.

If anyone else dared to act so brazenly, Shayue would surely sever their tail and torment them until death. Yet, when it came to Su Xiaoxiao, she found herself utterly incapable of such actions.

Naturally, she was annoyed, but she merely grasped Su Xiaoxiao’s slick tail, careful not to use too much force, fearing the little fish couldn’t withstand it.

“Let go of me…”

With her most vulnerable and sensitive tail clutched in Shayue’s hand, Su Xiaoxiao imagined those hands transforming into sharp claws, capable of tearing her tail to bloody shreds.

Having struck Shayue, she now felt a pang of fear. Unable to escape, she nevertheless met Shayue’s gaze with a mix of regret and defiant resolve.

After a brief staredown, the furrow in Shayue’s brow finally relaxed. A swirl of black energy condensed in her palm, and Su Xiaoxiao’s tail transformed back into legs.

Shayue noticed Su Xiaoxiao’s scraped knees, dotted with specks of blood. Such a minor injury would be inconsequential for anyone else, but Shayue knew well that for the delicate Su Xiaoxiao, it must be excruciatingly painful.

It was no wonder she had uttered such extreme words as, “I’ll kill you.”

Shayue paid it no mind. Though the disparity in their physiques wasn’t vast, the meager strength Su Xiaoxiao used to push and struggle was never something Shayue considered significant.

Effortlessly, she lifted Su Xiaoxiao into her arms and carried her back towards the bed.

Su Xiaoxiao thrashed and wailed ceaselessly. Her body trembled violently, whether from the cold wind on the corridor or from overwhelming indignation, Shayue couldn’t tell.

Once forcibly returned to the bed, Shayue intended to remove Su Xiaoxiao’s clothes to inspect her scraped knees. But Su Xiaoxiao refused to let her touch her obediently.

Despite her lack of strength, she still flailed, landing a slap across Shayue’s face.

It didn’t hurt; Su Xiaoxiao’s meager strength was utterly incapable of inflicting pain on Shayue’s face. However, as the saying went, one shouldn’t strike another’s face, especially not the Demon Venerable of myriad demons.

Yet, Shayue’s inner demon grew increasingly potent. Previously, it had only flared up during cultivation, attempting to seize her consciousness when she was unprepared.

Now, it became brazenly unrestrained. Whenever turmoil and fury surged within Shayue’s heart, the inner demon would manifest, consuming her rationality.

Before she even realized it, Shayue’s hand had already closed around Su Xiaoxiao’s delicate throat.

Fortunately, the inner demon’s appearance was fleeting, and not much force had been exerted. Shayue released her grip, the action more bluster than bite, as if merely trying to intimidate the little fish.

To her surprise, Su Xiaoxiao showed no fear whatsoever. Her expression shattered, she still managed to cry out defiantly to Shayue, “Don’t you dare provoke me… I’ve long had enough of these days…”

Shayue’s eyes darkened, and she gritted her teeth as she asked, “You don’t want the little bastard in your belly anymore? Do you intend for it to die with you?”

Su Xiaoxiao fell silent, but large tears began to stream from her eyes.

Shayue, who truly hadn’t intended to harm her, withdrew her hand. Lying amidst the soft bedding, Su Xiaoxiao suddenly lost control, her sobs growing louder and louder.

Shayue remained silent, her mood exceedingly grim. Su Xiaoxiao’s lower abdomen ached. She remembered her people in the South Sea, and the bloody custom of the Demonic Realm devouring infants.

“You never wanted her in the first place…”

“What?”

Su Xiaoxiao, still sobbing, blurted out such an incoherent remark that Shayue didn’t quite catch it.

Su Xiaoxiao wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, her swollen gaze fixed on Shayue. “You always call her a little bastard,” she accused. “You treat her with such contempt. You never… you never wanted her…”

Emotional fluctuations during pregnancy were intense, and even the usually docile and gentle Su Xiaoxiao was no exception. She couldn’t bear the slightest grievance, crying endlessly, her face streaked with tears and sorrow.

‘Upon reflection, it wasn’t the first time Shayue had used the term “little bastard” in front of her.’ ‘However, it was the first time Su Xiaoxiao had been so enraged by the appellation.’

Shayue sat on the edge of the bed, remaining silent. ‘She had intended to let Su Xiaoxiao calm down on her own, hoping the crying would stop soon.’

Yet, the tears seemed endless, even threatening to intensify. Shayue wasn’t adept at comforting others. It was as if she had forgotten her deliberate public snub of Su Xiaoxiao and her threat of punishment by kneeling.

She watched Su Xiaoxiao cry, feeling as though the little fish was about to suffocate. Finally, after Su Xiaoxiao let out a soft cough, Shayue spoke, “That’s enough.”

Her tone was awkward as she reached out to touch Su Xiaoxiao’s belly, but Su Xiaoxiao pushed her hand away. “Get lost! Don’t touch me!!!”

In a short span, Shayue had been told to ‘get lost’ twice.

Shayue ‘tsk’ed, clearly displeased. Nevertheless, she forcefully placed her hand on Su Xiaoxiao’s belly, transferring spiritual energy, and mumbled, “You’re a Mermaid, I’m a Flood Dragon. We’re not of the same race, so wouldn’t what’s born be a little bastard…”

She hadn’t spoken loudly, but Su Xiaoxiao heard every word distinctly, freezing in stunned silence.