The Perilous Escape Begins

Su Xiaoxiao finally awoke when the sun was high in the sky.

She couldn’t recall when she had fallen asleep the previous night, only that she had been trapped in a strange, profound dream from which she couldn’t awaken.

Soon after she rose, Gu Yan arrived, her tone light and casual.

“Since you’re awake, eat your meal and take your medicine,” Gu Yan instructed. “We’ll be leaving shortly.”

Such a perilous escape, yet Gu Yan spoke of it with such nonchalance, utterly devoid of seriousness.

Her words floated casually, sounding less like an urgent declaration of their impending flight and more like a gentle suggestion for Su Xiaoxiao to enjoy a stroll in the courtyard after her meal.

Perhaps it was Gu Yan’s utterly unconcerned demeanor, but Su Xiaoxiao felt no great stir within her.

Her expression remained listless as Chitang entered with two other minor demons, politely assisting Su Xiaoxiao with her washing and dressing.

Ever since Su Xiaoxiao had arrived at this small courtyard, Chitang had been responsible for her daily care.

Usually quick and efficient, today Chitang moved at a noticeably sluggish pace.

As she exited the sleeping quarters, Chitang bowed deeply and earnestly to Su Xiaoxiao.

“Your Majesty, you must take good care of yourself,” she implored.

Su Xiaoxiao was utterly bewildered, while Gu Yan shot her a look of profound helplessness.

Realizing she couldn’t say another word, Chitang quickly shut her mouth and exited.

Though Su Xiaoxiao had little appetite, she succumbed to Gu Yan’s persistent coaxing and managed to eat a little, though she barely took a few sips of her medicine.

Any more, and she felt she would surely vomit.

Seeing Su Xiaoxiao’s pale face, Gu Yan conceded, “That’s enough. Do you have anything you wish to take with you, anything you need to pack?”

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head.

Her intention was to convey that Gu Yan shouldn’t trouble herself for her sake, as she didn’t wish to implicate her.

However, Gu Yan misinterpreted her gesture as a denial of having anything to pack.

“Then let’s go,” she said simply.

To Su Xiaoxiao’s astonishment, Gu Yan actually pushed open the door, leading her out of the sleeping quarters, through the corridor, and out of the small courtyard they had been staying in.

Their path was completely unobstructed, and they even made a detour to Gu Yan’s own residence.

A carriage awaited in her courtyard, laden with numerous large and small cases of luggage.

Su Xiaoxiao paused, stunned, and turned to ask her, “Are you… serious?”

“Of course I’m serious,” Gu Yan replied, turning to Su Xiaoxiao only after she had settled into the carriage. “Did you think I was deceiving you?”

Su Xiaoxiao remained silent.

She sighed, then addressed Gu Yan.

“I appreciate your kindness, truly. But with the talisman seal on my foot, I won’t get far before I’m caught.”

“For myself, it hardly matters; my life is worthless, and my death would be no loss. But to have you risk so much for me, it’s truly…”

“Stop, stop, wait a moment!” Gu Yan interrupted her. “Do you think I’m incapable of getting you out of here?”

Su Xiaoxiao fell silent, but her meaning was perfectly clear.

Gu Yan considered for a moment, then lied, “I understand. It’s that thing on your foot, you’re worried Xiyue will track you, right? I have a way to make it ineffective.”

Only then did a flicker of hope return to Su Xiaoxiao’s dim eyes.

“R-really?” she stammered, her voice filled with trepidation.

Gu Yan, without a blush or a racing heart, nodded solemnly.

“Really,” she confirmed.

She handed Su Xiaoxiao a small porcelain bottle, instructing her to simply rub the liquid inside onto her ankles.

Su Xiaoxiao did as she was told, finding the liquid unremarkable, just like water.

Then, with a heart pounding with anxious excitement, she clumsily boarded the carriage.

Gu Yan sat in front, steering the unique demonic beast that pulled the carriage, a creature found only in the Demonic Realm.

The carriage began to move, and Su Xiaoxiao’s heart hammered furiously in her chest.

Their journey proceeded without hindrance until they reached the exit of the Demon Palace, where they were stopped by the patrolling Demon Soldiers for a routine inspection.

Su Xiaoxiao’s palms grew sweaty, and her rising anxiety even disturbed the little fish fry, which began to squirm and nudge within her belly.

“Since it’s Lady Gu Yan, there’s no need for a search,” one Demon Soldier declared.

Without even inquiring about the carriage’s contents, they allowed them to pass.

Gu Yan continued to drive the carriage calmly and steadily.

Even when Gu Yan finally announced, “We’ve left the Demonic Realm,” Su Xiaoxiao still felt as though she were dreaming.

She lifted the carriage’s curtain.

Gradually, verdant foliage and lush, leafy trees came into view, while tiny fish darted in the stream.

Whistling branches swayed, birds sang, and a small deer drank from the water’s edge.

All these vibrant signs of life silently affirmed to Su Xiaoxiao that she had truly left the Demonic Realm.

Her breath hitched.

She pinched her palm, and the sharp pain confirmed that this was all real, not a dream.

“Gu Yan…” Su Xiaoxiao’s voice trembled as she called out.

Gu Yan detected the tremor in her voice.

She had little experience driving, knowing only that Xiyue had provided the finest demonic beast and carriage.

She believed she was driving slowly enough; surely, Su Xiaoxiao shouldn’t be uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Gu Yan asked, pulling the carriage to a halt.

She had even specifically asked Su Xiaoxiao for permission before entering the carriage earlier.

Su Xiaoxiao gazed outside, her expression somewhat dazed.

“We really… got out?”

“Of course it’s real.”

Unable to articulate the swirl of emotions, Su Xiaoxiao felt her eyes grow warm, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

This sight thoroughly startled Gu Yan, who hastily inquired, “What’s the matter?”

Gu Yan, adept at healing but utterly clueless at comforting, found herself at a loss.

Yet, Su Xiaoxiao suddenly smiled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

“It’s nothing,” she explained. “I’m just too happy.”

“Truly, I’m so incredibly happy.”

No sooner had she uttered these words than Su Xiaoxiao abruptly remembered their predicament, urging Gu Yan frantically.

“It’s not far enough yet! We need to leave this place quickly. If Xiyue catches up, all our efforts will be in vain!”

Gu Yan dared not reveal the full truth, so she merely pretended to agree.

“Alright, we’ll continue on our way.”

However, Gu Yan worried that Su Xiaoxiao’s constant tension wasn’t good for her.

She feigned a relaxed demeanor and offered reassurance.

“But you needn’t worry; Xiyue won’t find you.”

“Traveling too quickly isn’t good for you or the baby. Don’t fret; it’s best if you lie down and rest for a bit.”

Su Xiaoxiao acknowledged her words, but how could she possibly find the presence of mind to sleep?

The Demonic Realm was a vast distance from the South Sea.

Su Xiaoxiao was currently a mere shell, her meridians damaged and her spiritual power completely gone.

Moreover, with the little fish fry’s presence, neither strenuous nor aggressive methods of travel were suitable for her.

The pace of their journey was not swift.

At this rate, it would take at least seven days to return to the South Sea.

Gu Yan reassured her not to be anxious, explaining that a slower pace was better.

Su Xiaoxiao remained on edge for a long time, only gradually regaining her composure as the sun began to set and its lingering rays faded.

Traveling at night wasn’t impossible, but Su Xiaoxiao needed to eat, take her medicine, and rest.

Gu Yan had no choice but to stop.

She had prepared food, though she herself had no need for it.

She felt rather vexed.

When Xiyue had instructed her to escort Su Xiaoxiao back to the South Sea, she had only told her to look after her, not that she’d also have to be a cook!

Gu Yan showed no trace of displeasure to Su Xiaoxiao, but in her mind, she cursed Xiyue several more times.

Seeing Gu Yan bustling about for her, Su Xiaoxiao felt truly overwhelmed with gratitude and guilt.

She repeatedly offered her thanks, saying over and over, “I truly don’t know how I can ever repay you.”

Gu Yan told her not to be so formal, reminding her that they were, after all, friends.

She urged Su Xiaoxiao to relax and not overthink things.

Having left the Demonic Realm, Su Xiaoxiao’s mood significantly improved.

Her appetite was better than it had been in the Demon Palace, and she felt less averse to the medicine, dutifully drinking it all.

Gu Yan felt a profound sense of satisfaction, as if witnessing her own little cabbage finally growing into something substantial.

As night fell, Gu Yan’s original plan was to stop and rest, resuming their journey only at dawn.

However, Su Xiaoxiao looked at her, hesitating, seemingly struggling to voice something.

Gu Yan then asked, “Do you want to keep going?”

Su Xiaoxiao nodded swiftly, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Gu Yan.

Gu Yan had initially intended to persuade her to rest.

But after meeting Su Xiaoxiao’s gaze, she found herself unable to refuse, and could only sigh.

“Alright, we’ll do as you wish.”

“You’ve worked hard,” Su Xiaoxiao said with genuine sincerity.

‘Not hard work, just a hard life,’ Gu Yan thought to herself.