A Demon King’s Tender Thoughts and Fierce Warnings

A peculiar sensation, one she found herself not disliking.

Xiyue’s gaze was lowered, studying Su Xiaoxiao’s sleeping face with an intensity she rarely showed. For the first time, she truly pondered.

‘The child she shares with Su Xiaoxiao will soon be born. Will this child have beautiful eyes, just like Su Xiaoxiao?’

‘Will they inherit the gentle and docile nature of the Mermaid clan, like Su Xiaoxiao, or will they become a bloodthirsty, volatile demon like me?’

Xiyue’s thoughts drifted. Once the little fish-cub was born, they would need a name. What name should she choose?

She had intended to stay by Su Xiaoxiao’s side until dawn, but the uninvited guests in the courtyard compelled Xiyue to rise and leave her presence.

Her face was grim, her brows furrowed in a clear display of displeasure at having her rare, precious moments with Su Xiaoxiao so abruptly interrupted.

In the courtyard stood not only Yunxiao, but also Yunli, Gu Yan, and Xilin, who was still rubbing her eyes, clearly not having had enough sleep.

Other than the rustling wind and the crashing waves, neither side spoke a word.

It was not until Xilin let out a tired yawn that Yunli slapped her on the back.

“If you’ve taken this task upon yourself, then take it seriously! What kind of careless slovenliness is that?!”

Xilin was thoroughly jolted awake by the stinging blow, her voice sharp with annoyance. “How am I not taking this seriously?!”

The scene was rather comical. Gu Yan, standing nearby, couldn’t help but chuckle.

She then turned to Yunxiao. “I told you, she wouldn’t do anything to Su Xiaoxiao. Why won’t any of you believe me? Why bother coming all this way in the dead of night?”

Xiyue let out a cold snort, glancing back at the house. Su Xiaoxiao was still asleep, seemingly undisturbed by the commotion.

There would be no fight, of course. It was simply that Xiyue had stayed too long within the clan today, leaving Yunxiao uneasy and concerned that Xiyue might be plotting mischief behind their backs. This was the reason for the current situation.

Xiyue turned to leave, and Gu Yan followed her, deliberately saying, “Your Excellency, I have something to tell you.”

These words were less for Xiyue herself and more for the others standing behind them.

Hearing no objections, Gu Yan accompanied Xiyue to a deserted stretch of beach.

Gu Yan wasted no words, coming straight to the point. “When will the war begin?”

Xiyue did not answer directly, instead asking, “The Little Golden Dragon is with the Mermaid clan, so I presume Empress Yunji is here as well?”

Gu Yan had never mentioned this before. Every time Xiyue visited, Yunji had always hidden, never appearing. How did Xiyue know?

“News reached the Upper Heavens that Empress Yunji was ill, and Weili had made no significant moves recently, only continuously pressuring other clans, as if concerned about insufficient forces.”

Xiyue gazed out at the dark blue sea, her voice cold. “I heard that the Little Golden Dragon and Yunji haven’t returned to the Mermaid clan since the dragon’s birth. Last time, in the Ghost Clan, Yunji rushed over in such a panic; she would never allow Weili to have her way and turn her daughter into an example.”

Xiyue was intelligent; Gu Yan had always known this. She sighed. “These are all your guesses. You mustn’t let them misunderstand that I was the one who told you.”

As Xiyue prepared to leave, Gu Yan spoke again. “Tell Yunxiao that he need not be so wary of me. I don’t care whether Yunji is here or not. As long as the Mermaid clan stays peacefully within this barrier, I will not harm them, out of consideration for Su Xiaoxiao.”

“But let me make one thing clear beforehand: if there are any heedless or heartless Mermaids who insist on aligning themselves with Weili—”

Xiyue let out a cold snort, her eyes suddenly freezing, filled with a chilling, ruthless killing intent.

“They should be familiar with my methods. Should they receive severed tails and mangled limbs, they best not accuse me of heartlessness, nor should they ever suggest to Su Xiaoxiao that I would seek opportunities… to act cruelly or sow discord.”

Gu Yan was speechless, her heart a tangled mess. She wondered if Xiyue would ever truly face her own feelings. This Demon King, who supposedly cared only for results and profit, was now tirelessly visiting the Mermaid clan every other day.

And to hear her speak such words, ‘Tell Su Xiaoxiao I am cruel, that I sow discord,’ was utterly bewildering. Had Xiyue truly not considered that she cared for Su Xiaoxiao, that she liked this little fish, which was why she repeatedly conceded for Su Xiaoxiao’s sake?

Gu Yan glanced at the distant reef, unable to resist interjecting on Xiyue’s behalf. “You don’t have to speak so harshly. Given your relationship with Su Xiaoxiao, you’re practically her spouse, in a manner of speaking. Talk of killing and fighting is quite unrefined…”

The word ‘spouse’ clearly made Xiyue pause. She mused, ‘Does this mean I’m married?’ Yet, upon closer reflection, she found the term quite fitting.

Her facial expression remained unchanged, but inside, her heart felt as if fireworks were exploding in a dazzling display.

****

Only after Xiyue had departed did Xilin emerge from behind her magical artifact, muttering curses.

Gu Yan, annoyed by her incessant chatter, dragged Xilin along to inform the Clan Leader of the recent events, leaving them to deliberate.

Meanwhile, Su Xiaoxiao was oblivious to the night’s occurrences. Upon waking, her eyes were a little swollen and sore.

She only remembered having another nightmare last night, one that seemed to feature Xiyue, scaring her so much that she couldn’t stop crying.

She had expected Xiyue to harm her in the dream, as before, but Xiyue had not come closer, simply standing quietly for a while before Su Xiaoxiao’s memory faded.

She sighed a little. For some reason, lately, she was either unable to sleep or unable to wake up, alternating between insomnia and excessive sleepiness.

Breakfast was still delivered by Jingling, and Xilin, who was helping her carry things, kept nagging her. “Did you seriously listen to what I just told you?”

“Lis—listened.”

“Then tell me again.”

“Can’t leave the territorial waters, and go into the sea less, to avoid being swept away by the currents…”

Jingling, not particularly quick-witted, responded with a characteristic slowness.

Xilin then loudly instructed her, “To prevent damage to the barrier, and to stop the currents from sweeping you out!”

“I… Don’t be so fierce! I remember.”

Jingling no longer looked at her, her voice thick with grievance.

“What happened?” Su Xiaoxiao asked, approaching the two who seemed to be arguing.

Jingling, of course, knew nothing, and Xilin would certainly not tell Su Xiaoxiao about the Demon King’s visit to the Mermaid clan. She merely played dumb.

“The Clan Leader issued an order that none of us Mermaids are allowed to leave the South Sea for now.”

“Checking the barrier? The barrier needs checking?”

Su Xiaoxiao had lived in the Mermaid clan her entire life and had never heard of the barrier needing inspection.

“Ah, yes.”

Xilin calmly lied. “Young Miss Xiaoxiao, you shouldn’t go near the sea these days either. It wouldn’t be good to encounter dirty things.”

“Dirty things?” Su Xiaoxiao asked, confused. The child spoke so erratically; she couldn’t understand.

“Yes, dirty things.”

Xilin thought of Xiyue’s face with distaste and admonished Su Xiaoxiao again. “Young Miss Xiaoxiao, you must close your doors and windows at night when you sleep.”

“Why?” Su Xiaoxiao still didn’t understand, but Xilin’s serious expression didn’t seem like a joke.

“Because the wind is strong at night, and Elder Yunxian said you mustn’t catch a cold.”

Her righteous stance was far too solemn.

Su Xiaoxiao could only reply, “Alright, I understand.”

When Xiyue returned, she found the doors and windows locked from the inside. Unable to enter, she stood in the courtyard for a moment before reluctantly departing.