Betrayal and Retribution

Su Xiaoxiao lay unconscious, and Xiyue’s anger had barely subsided. Although the desire to kill the mermaid was gone, Xiyue was determined not to let her off so easily. Betrayal was Xiyue’s greatest taboo, and Su Xiaoxiao’s survival was a mere mercy from the heavens, her soft, supple body providing Xiyue with a perverse sense of satisfaction.

Xiyue was far from done with her. Despite Su Xiaoxiao’s exhaustion, Xiyue infused her with some spiritual energy and forced a pill from a porcelain vial, given by Gu Yan, down her throat. The pill, combined with Xiyue’s rich magical energy, slightly revitalized Su Xiaoxiao.

She curled up, tears falling like pearls, mingling with the blood on her face. Xiyue, still seething with rage, grabbed Su Xiaoxiao’s arm and dragged her off the bed.

“W-where are you taking me?” Su Xiaoxiao asked, her voice trembling as she fought back tears.

Xiyue didn’t respond, instead bringing Su Xiaoxiao to the main hall of the magic palace. On the floor was a bloody, fleshless mass, the skin and meat torn away. Despite the grotesque state, Su Xiaoxiao recognized it as the wolf demon’s corpse.

Su Xiaoxiao, having lived for over three hundred years, had witnessed many gruesome scenes, but none compared to what she saw in the magical realm. The wolf demon’s body was a mess of blood and flesh, the head severed, eyes bulging out, and mouth agape, as if in a final, agonizing scream.

Other demons, all with twisted, menacing appearances, were present. Xiyue, with her stunning beauty and elegant figure, stood out like a gem among beasts. Yet, in that grand hall, Su Xiaoxiao found Xiyue to be the most terrifying presence.

Su Xiaoxiao had just endured a brutal ordeal, her mind on the verge of collapse, when Xiyue forcibly brought her here. Barefoot and in tattered clothes, her body bore the marks of their encounter. Dehydration left her unable to shed tears, and the sight of the bloody mess caused her to retch.

Xiyue watched Su Xiaoxiao’s suffering with a cold gaze, seemingly unsatisfied. She grabbed Su Xiaoxiao by the nape, dragging her towards the wolf demon’s corpse.

“No!!” Su Xiaoxiao screamed, her struggles only tightening Xiyue’s grip. “Now you’re afraid?” Xiyue sneered, her voice harsh.

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head vigorously, “Please, let me go—”

Xiyue was determined to teach her a lesson. With Su Xiaoxiao’s weak resistance, she was pinned beside the corpse, the demon’s blood seeping into her clothes and staining her feet. Su Xiaoxiao tried to rise, but Xiyue held her down.

Fear gripped her like never before. She no longer wanted to return to the South Sea, wishing for death rather than enduring this torment. With her last bit of spiritual energy, Su Xiaoxiao attempted to end her life, but Xiyue sensed her intention and seized her, injecting a dark energy that bound her spiritual veins and energy.

Xiyue’s deep, cold eyes bore into Su Xiaoxiao, who felt like a small fish trapped by a venomous snake. “If you dare die, your entire mermaid clan will face my wrath,” Xiyue threatened.

Su Xiaoxiao, her face smeared with gore, coughed and retched, barely standing without Xiyue’s support. “I… I hate you,” Su Xiaoxiao spat out, recalling the peaceful days in the South Sea, where the worst punishment was a few harsh words from the elders.

Xiyue found Su Xiaoxiao’s hatred amusing and taunting. “So you hate me? What can you do about it?”

Su Xiaoxiao’s rage boiled over, and she coughed up blood, collapsing. The grand hall fell silent, everyone witnessing Xiyue’s ruthless methods. Gu Yan, standing nearby, observed the intense confrontation, seeing Su Xiaoxiao pushed to her limits.

Thankfully, Xiyue didn’t intend to kill Su Xiaoxiao. Seeing her pass out, Xiyue ordered Gu Yan to tend to her wounds. “What are you waiting for? Attend to her!”

Gu Yan, knowing her place, complied. Su Xiaoxiao was placed on Xiyue’s usual seat, a position of immense power and respect. The black-golden, intricate couch was wide enough for Su Xiaoxiao to lie down comfortably.

As Gu Yan treated Su Xiaoxiao’s wounds, Xiyue spoke coldly, “Her wrist injury was your doing.” Gu Yan, caught off guard, realized that Su Xiaoxiao’s depleted energy prevented her from healing the wound. “Empress…”

“I’ve said it before, her blood cannot be used for healing,” Xiyue continued, her expression unyielding. “There will be no next time.” Gu Yan, relieved, thanked Xiyue.

…

Seven days passed before Su Xiaoxiao finally awoke, her ordeal leaving her emaciated and frail. Her arms were thin, lips cracked and bleeding from dehydration. Even in her sleep, fear and danger haunted her dreams, causing her to curl up defensively.

Xiyue, still recovering from her own wounds and betrayal, was on edge. Gu Yan, ever vigilant, suggested taking Su Xiaoxiao to a hot spring for recovery. Xiyue, her mood unstable, agreed, bringing Su Xiaoxiao to the cold spring.

With Xiyue’s energy and Gu Yan’s medicine, Su Xiaoxiao’s injuries healed, leaving only faint scars. Xiyue held her close, entering the spring. The only sounds were the gentle drip of water and Su Xiaoxiao’s soft breathing. She slept peacefully, looking more vulnerable than ever, her body curled up as if seeking comfort.

Xiyue, disliking her posture, uncurled her limbs, pulling her close. After three days in the spring, Su Xiaoxiao finally stirred, her eyes falling on Xiyue’s face, causing her to nearly faint from shock. Her emotions surged, triggering a fit of coughing.

Xiyue, frowning, placed a hand on her shoulder, her voice harsh. “What’s with the face when you wake up?” Yet, Su Xiaoxiao’s reaction wasn’t feigned. She tried to move away, nearly falling off the bed. Xiyue, quick to react, caught her, but Su Xiaoxiao pushed back, coughing and crying out, “Ca-cough—”

“Stay still!!!” Xiyue commanded, holding Su Xiaoxiao’s wrists. White palms rose, and Su Xiaoxiao closed her eyes, expecting pain, but instead felt a soothing energy fill her chest. Gradually, she calmed, though fear still lingered in her eyes.