A Demon’s Gentle Captivity

After the Bird Tribe suffered such a devastating blow, it seemed to serve as a stark warning to other races. Those who had previously clamored to eradicate the demon race and slay the demon lord Xiyue were now struck silent with fear.

Days suddenly stretched on, slow and languid. Xiyue spent every day within the Demon Palace, and apart from her daily cultivation, she demanded Su Xiaoxiao’s constant companionship. It was likely an act of sudden benevolence, a realization that if she continued to torment the little fish, it might genuinely perish.

Since being forcibly made to drink the medicine that day, Su Xiaoxiao had grown even more terrified of Xiyue, unwilling to even meet her gaze.

Xiyue, being a demon, harbored no convoluted thoughts or intricate schemes. It was much like how, after the wolf demon’s betrayal, she had been consumed by wrath and, heedless of all consequences, ventured alone to the Bird Tribe. Apart from the elderly, women, and children, anyone who dared to obstruct her met their end beneath Xiyue’s sharp claws.

She never considered whether she might be walking into a trap or if she could retreat unscathed. Her mind was clouded by fury, leaving no room for other considerations. Such was the nature of demons: they acted solely on impulse.

Her interactions with Su Xiaoxiao were no different. The more the little fish tried to avoid her, the more Xiyue insisted on seizing her and holding her captive in her embrace. The greater the fear, the more one must confront it and overcome it.

Xiyue’s current cultivation was a testament to her belief in herself, never in fate. If fear arose, one simply had to face it until it vanished. The little fish, too, should learn this.

She held Su Xiaoxiao tightly, refusing to release her. Su Xiaoxiao whimpered, her slender arms still pushing against Xiyue. Her eyes quickly reddened, and as if beyond her control, she began to cough softly again.

Xiyue stubbornly settled her on her lap, her hand resting on Su Xiaoxiao’s waist. It was so delicate and thin that Xiyue could encircle it entirely with one hand.

Su Xiaoxiao coughed once more. Xiyue turned her palm upwards and stroked her back. “Why are you still coughing? Did you secretly pour out the medicine again behind my back?”

Su Xiaoxiao had no time to answer, merely casting a profound glance at her.

Xiyue muttered to herself, “That’s impossible, though.”

The last time she had tried to force the medicine down, it had scalded a small patch on Su Xiaoxiao’s chest, leaving her crying and coughing, almost breathless and faint. After that incident, Xiyue had actually heeded Gu Yan’s words. She no longer forced the medicine, but simply brought it and remained in the same room as Su Xiaoxiao.

The inherent oppressive aura and presence of the Demon Venerable made Su Xiaoxiao thoroughly uncomfortable. She stared at the murky, bitter-smelling concoction with a mournful expression, eventually having no choice but to drink it.

The medicine, formulated by Gu Yan, had significantly improved Su Xiaoxiao’s spirits through these daily, semi-forced doses. However, it was incredibly bitter, and Su Xiaoxiao always felt unwell for a while after drinking it, her mouth filled with a taste that no amount of water seemed to dilute.

Gu Yan had previously taken Su Xiaoxiao’s merfolk blood, but the wound on her wrist had lingered, refusing to heal. Seeing Xiyue tormenting the little fish in such a manner, a flicker of pity arose in her heart.

One day, after delivering the medicine, she handed Su Xiaoxiao a beautifully small jar. “This is flower nectar brewed by the Flower Tribe. You can have a little after drinking your medicine.”

Gu Yan added, “I was truly foolish. I forgot your wounds hadn’t healed, that even a small cut couldn’t mend on its own.”

The flower nectar was sealed within the jar. Su Xiaoxiao had barely torn open a small slit when the sweet, rich aroma wafted out, fragrant and not cloying. Su Xiaoxiao, after all, was merely a three-hundred-year-old little fish, prone to cravings.

Gu Yan’s apologetic demeanor seemed genuine, and she had been diligently tending to Su Xiaoxiao’s health these past few days. Thus, Su Xiaoxiao accepted the offering and forgave Gu Yan.

With the flower nectar, Su Xiaoxiao no longer resisted the medicine as much. However, Xiyue, observing Su Xiaoxiao’s improved disposition towards Gu Yan after receiving the jar of nectar, felt a profound displeasure, as if a bone were lodged in her throat. Xiyue’s desire for Su Xiaoxiao intensified because of this.

Heaven knew, with a pristine, fragrant piece of fish meat laid before one, who wouldn’t be tempted? Especially Xiyue, who had cultivated from a snake into a flood dragon.

That very night, she seized Su Xiaoxiao and refused to let go.

The little fish trembled again, on the verge of tears, struggling fiercely, all her strength directed at Xiyue. Yet, Xiyue’s flood dragon skin was incredibly thick; she felt little pain, while Su Xiaoxiao’s hands turned red from striking her.

Her hands, as white as snow, seemed to have been showered by a rain of crimson plum blossoms. Xiyue, lacking such patience, was about to pin her down when she heard Su Xiaoxiao, shedding small pearls of tears, cry out in a trembling voice that it hurt.

‘Why did it hurt?’ Xiyue didn’t understand; she hadn’t done anything yet. This little fish was truly difficult to care for, and utterly delicate—she couldn’t be touched or struck.

Moonlight spilled, illuminating Su Xiaoxiao on the bed. Her blue and white hair, unbound, lay scattered, entwining around Xiyue’s hand. This scene made Xiyue perceive Su Xiaoxiao as even more exquisitely beautiful and moving. Xiyue held her encircled, propping herself up, lightly pressing down on Su Xiaoxiao.

The little fish shook her head incessantly. “No… it hurts, it hurts so much… let me go…”

She seemed to be in a trance, repeating the same words. Xiyue frowned, gripping Su Xiaoxiao’s hand and telling her to stop moving. Her passion had completely vanished.

Xiyue seized her hand, forcibly drawing Su Xiaoxiao into her embrace. “Cry again, and you won’t sleep.”

She held Su Xiaoxiao’s wrist, its delicate smoothness something she genuinely didn’t want to release. The allure of a merfolk was truly this powerful; she wished she had known earlier and captured a few from the South Sea.

The 176cm tall Xiyue exuded an aggressively cold fragrance. Su Xiaoxiao, at only 161cm, was significantly shorter and slender, so being held in Xiyue’s embrace felt like a big sister holding her younger sibling.

She didn’t believe Xiyue’s words and remained highly wary. She was likely exhausted from crying, her eyelids too heavy to open. In her hazy state, she no longer felt cold; instead, she sensed a warm current slowly enveloping her body.

It wasn’t the scalding heat that merfolk found uncomfortable, but a gentle, flowing warmth, perfectly capable of soothing Su Xiaoxiao’s panic and unease. Su Xiaoxiao eventually curled up in Xiyue’s arms and fell asleep, her lips slightly parted, her breathing shallow.

Just moments ago, she had seemed on the verge of death, yet in the blink of an eye, she was defenselessly asleep in her arms.

By the moonlight, Xiyue gazed at her sleeping face, her long lashes still slightly damp. Xiyue expressionlessly wiped them away, and the spiritual energy from the hand resting on Su Xiaoxiao’s back also receded.

‘This fish is too difficult to raise,’ was the only thought in Xiyue’s mind. ‘She won’t sleep properly, and every few days, I have to use my cultivation to regulate her spiritual meridians. Tsk, what a hassle.’

****

Su Xiaoxiao slept for a long time, only waking the following evening. Her head felt heavy, and even after sitting up, she remained in a daze.

‘Last night, I think Xiyue was holding me…’

Su Xiaoxiao rose barefoot, but found the ground beneath her feet was no longer cold and rough as before. Looking down, she saw that, at some unknown point, the floor of the bedchamber had been covered with a layer of white, plush carpet.

Having slept too long, Su Xiaoxiao was somewhat thirsty. She went to pour herself some water, still puzzled. The water usually had an indescribable, strange taste, but today it was exceptionally clear and sweet. Su Xiaoxiao drank an entire pot in one go.

It was rare to see such a beautiful sunset in the Demon Realm. Su Xiaoxiao pushed open the door and stepped outside, only to freeze in place. The once barren courtyard had, overnight, transformed. A remarkably large pond now graced the space, surrounded by burgeoning flowers and plants, and several saplings had sprouted around its edges.