The Great King Ordered Me to Marry – Chapter 25

Speaking of the Little Fox Practicing Spells Hard

The demon envoy from Wugou Stream had arrived remarkably early—likely having traveled through the night, braving stars and moon.

But judging by what Chunxi had implied yesterday, the Nightmare King himself was supposed to come. That only a messenger had been dispatched this time—perhaps he had lost his nerve.

            

Zhuoxue was like a bird startled by the twang of a bow. Her whole body went rigid, and even her tailbone stiffened straight as a bamboo shoot.

She whipped her head around, pupils trembling as she glanced at Longming, genuinely afraid that Longming might let something slip without thinking.

Surely not. Longming had been at odds with the Nightmare Tribe for ages—she wouldn’t be careless about something like this.

            

Longming made no reply. She simply released the fox’s tail and leaned back against the headboard, gauze curtains cascading around her, deep in thought.

Zhuoxue stayed equally silent, terrified that the Nightmare Tribe visitor was right outside the door.

The silver-haired, red-eyed tiger demon regarded the fox in silence for a moment, then unhurriedly pressed her index finger to her lips—a signal for the fox to hold her breath and say nothing.

            

Zhuoxue clamped her jaws shut with such force she seemed ready to grind her teeth to powder.

That wasn’t enough. She slowly lowered herself, pretending to be a corner of the bedclothes.

No one was going to see her. Today she wasn’t a fox anymore—a bedcover would do, a fox-fur coat would be fine; wherever she could hide, that was where she’d drape herself.

            

The fox curled into a ball, but after a moment reconsidered—even if she wanted to hide, she might not be able to.

With the restriction on the back of her neck, the moment it loosened even slightly, Emperor Tianji would sense it—and the Nightmare Tribe would naturally be able to locate her as well.

When it held firm, it could deceive the heavens and the earth—even Emperor Tianji, who had placed it, was kept in the dark. But when it loosened, it was no restriction at all. It was a mortal signal flare.

            

Fine. Longming told her to keep quiet, so she’d keep quiet. If the sky fell, the taller tiger could hold it up. She was just a fox whose magic was weaker than a child’s anyway.

“Great King?” The small demon outside, hearing no response, knocked twice more.

Longming said evenly, “Please have the demon envoy wait in the main hall.”

            

The small demon outside replied, “As you command.”

Only when the demonic aura outside had faded did Longming rise unhurriedly. She turned her wrist, and an ink-wash robe materialized from thin air, donned in an instant.

Even her silver hair, interwoven with strands of black, was swept up in a flash—silken smooth, unlike the cool gaze in her eyes.

            

Zhuoxue was still clenching her teeth. Her amber eyes darted around, every word she wanted to say written plain across her face—

What about me?

Longming tucked the White Jade Lily-of-the-Valley she had held all night into her sleeve and said in a low voice, “Stay in the room. Don’t wander about.”

            

Zhuoxue nodded without a word.

“Did you hear me? Do you remember?” Knowing the fox was hard of hearing, Longming leaned closer and tapped the fox’s head with her index finger. “Repeat it back to me.”

Zhuoxue immediately sat up straight, drew a breath, and said, “Stay in the room, and don’t whatever-send?”

            

She paused. “See someone off for ten li.”

It sounded reasonable enough. She probably hadn’t gotten it wrong.

The fox blinked and added in a small voice, “I’m not being polite with you. With Nightmare demons around, I’m not going ten li to see you off. You want to leave, then leave.”

            

Longming was silent for a moment.

The fox added in confusion, “Go early, come back early?”

Longming gave up on explaining. She raised a hand and traced a talisman before the fox’s forehead.

            

The talisman’s light was blinding, each stroke so complex its beginning and end were impossible to trace.

The light made Zhuoxue squint. Forced to keep one eye open and one shut, she mumbled, “What’s this for? Did I mishear again? Are you going to wash my ears?”

At the final stroke, the runes spun rapidly.

            

Zhuoxue had no time to dodge. Her forehead burned hot, and the light vanished.

Her ears were unchanged, but countless spell techniques flooded her mind, filling it to the brim.

Her head swelled, dizzy and dazed. The world spun before her eyes until she couldn’t tell north from south.

            

With so many techniques surging in at once, she was a frail skiff on the open sea—overwhelmed in an instant.

Faintly, Longming’s low voice reached her: “Stay here. Learn every technique I’ve taught you. When I return, I hope to see what you’ve mastered.”

Zhuoxue usually only liked listening to storytelling. She could barely stand looking at a few characters—now her head was full of them, and she nearly fainted.

            

“Too difficult?” Longming rubbed her fingers thoughtfully, deciding it probably wasn’t that hard.

Zhuoxue was dizzy and reeling. She lay on the bedclothes for a long while before coming to and saying, “Learning this much all at once—even a reincarnated prodigy couldn’t manage it. How about we make a deal and cut it in half?”

“You have the cultivation realm but don’t even know any spells. How will you protect yourself later?” Longming scoffed softly.

            

The fox muttered, “Didn’t you say I shouldn’t leave your side? Why would I need to protect myself when I’m with you?”

Longming scoffed again. “Whether I save you or not depends entirely on my whim.”

“This is a serious matter. Think it over carefully,” the fox urged.

            

With that, Zhuoxue shifted into human form and lay limply at the edge of the bed, her posture still like that of her fox form—her long, slender fingers scratching lightly at the bedclothes.

Black hair spread across her entire back, among it a few barely noticeable silver strands.

Longming noticed. She parted the hair on Zhuoxue’s back, picked up a silver strand, and said, “Besides—don’t you want to see your true form? The restriction binds you. Your current body isn’t your real one. This restriction is hard to break from outside, but it can be broken from within.”

            

Zhuoxue did want to, but how strange could her true form possibly be? Would she sprout three heads and six arms?

“Once the restriction is lifted, your Demonic Core will no longer be clouded, and you’ll see your true self.” Longming withdrew her hand and turned to cast a spell on the door.

The talisman complete, Longming pushed the door open and said, “There’s a seal on the door. No one but I can open it. This way, we needn’t fear anyone barging in.”

            

Zhuoxue thought blankly—didn’t that mean she couldn’t get out either?

About half a shichen¹ later, the spinning world before her eyes finally settled, unlike moments before.

What had been poured into Zhuoxue’s mind had to be over a hundred spells—some simple enough to grasp at a glance, others so difficult they made her scratch her head in frustration.

            

Back at Qiufeng Ridge, Lan Hui had also taught small demons spells personally. She taught carefully and slowly—perhaps four or five days to finish a single technique.

Longming was different. Longming was treating her like a taotie², expecting her to gorge herself silly.

How was she supposed to learn like this?

            

She gestured through the spells crammed in her head, having no idea if her gestures were right. If she made a mistake, she just hoped she wouldn’t blow up Longming’s bedchamber.

Zhuoxue rolled over and lay on her back, motionless. After a while, she grabbed a lock of hair to play with.

Light poured through the window. Before her eyes, a faint glint of silver.

            

Zhuoxue wanted to shove that silver hair right into her eyes. A chill ran through her hands and feet—how… how was she growing white hair?

Of course!

Great Demons’ appearances usually froze at the peak of their power. Lesser demons, whose magic was insufficient, would turn white-haired and hoary like mortals when their lifespan ran out—fading like a lamp going dark.

            

But she had just broken through her cultivation realm. She had only lived eighteen years. Why was the lamp already going dark?

Don’t go out! If it had to go out, at least wait until she’d enjoyed her years and eaten her fill of fragrant chicken first.

Zhuoxue didn’t dare delay. She sat up, crossed her legs, and frantically began practicing from the first technique, forming hand seals and casting spells nonstop.

            

Perhaps Longming had anticipated this. Every furnishing in the room was protected by spells and couldn’t be easily damaged.

One moment the room blazed with raging fire, the next surged with towering waves—yet the wooden bed and soft gauze remained perfectly intact, neither soaked nor scorched.

In the main hall, the Nightmare Tribe demon envoy presented a modest gift and looked at Longming with neither humility nor arrogance. “Please accept this, Demon Lord. My master has carefully selected the Moon Melting Record. Sleep with this record beneath your head, and through the night you will bathe in the spiritual qi of heaven and earth. It can even advance your cultivation.”

            

The silver-haired Great Demon did not instruct Qiu Ruo to accept it. Her eyes held no emotion.

The Nightmare Tribe envoy’s arms hung suspended in midair, somewhat caught between advancing and retreating. They asked, “The Demon Lord doesn’t like it?”

Qiu Ruo also showed a hint of confusion.

            

Longming rested her chin on her hand. Her not entirely pure silver hair hung before her. Unlike Zhuoxue, her hair was two-toned because her beast form was itself two-colored.

She cast a casual glance at the scroll in the envoy’s hands—no surprise, no delight in her eyes. Perhaps even if the Nightmare King had come in person, she would have worn the same demeanor.

“The Moon Melting Record is good, but a moment of carelessness, and you could lose your life in the Nine Heavens.” Longming’s gaze was placid. “Since your master possesses this item and offers it as a gift, surely he knows this?”

            

The implication was unmistakable.

It was hardly a flawless gift to begin with. The Nightmare King had gone out of his way to send a subordinate with this item—what flawless intentions could he possibly harbor?

Qiu Ruo stood to the side and asked softly, “What do you mean, Demon Lord? The Moon Melting Record shouldn’t be accepted?”

            

The Moon Melting Record’s benefits were well known. Its dangers, however, were perhaps known best only to Kunlun Jade Capital.

If not for Longming’s friendship with Liangmeng, master of the Huangliang Dream Market, she probably would have had no way of knowing either.

Longming fingered the White Jade Lily-of-the-Valley half-tucked in her sleeve and said slowly, “With the Moon Melting Record, one can project one’s soul without expending spell power, evade the invasion of divine light, and ascend directly to the Nine Heavens to bathe in the purest spiritual qi. But if Kunlun Jade Capital discovers and captures you, your soul may never return.”

            

Qiu Ruo listened, stunned. “I’ve heard the Moon Melting Record contains fragments of the sky-mending stone³ from ancient times. That’s why sleeping on it lets you dream of the Nine Heavens’ splendor and advances your cultivation. How did it suddenly… become soul projection?”

“Those who use it can’t tell whether what they see is real or illusion. Passed down by word of mouth, everyone came to believe it was merely a dream.” Longming narrowed her eyes slightly. “There are rumors that this object was deliberately cast down into the demon and mortal realms by Kunlun Jade Capital.”

“Could it be to lure demons into walking right into a trap?” Qiu Ruo speculated.

            

“The truth of it would have to be asked of the Moon Melting Record’s original owner.” Longming gave a faint smile. “Unfortunately, no one knows whose hand the Moon Melting Record came from.”

The Nightmare Tribe envoy’s gaze shifted, surprise undisguised on their face—they clearly hadn’t known of this. After a moment, their expression unchanged, they said, “The Demon Lord overstates it. This item does have its pros and cons. My master knows the Demon Lord has always been sharp. That is precisely why he sent this little one to deliver it.”

The demon paused, then slowed their tone. “The Demon Lord’s old wounds remain unhealed. My master has been concerned for a long time. From what the Demon Lord says, using the Moon Melting Record does carry some danger—but it is also a rare method of treatment.”

            

Mentioning her old wounds in front of Longming was undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire.

Especially when the one mentioning it was merely a Nightmare Tribe underling.

The envoy finished speaking and openly scrutinized Longming’s expression, not the least bit afraid that Longming might suddenly unleash her oppressive aura.

            

Longming scoffed, her eyes utterly placid, and asked with pointed meaning, “The Nightmare King is thoughtful. A century of silence, and now he sends the Moon Melting Record?”

She didn’t wait for the envoy to answer. “A mere Moon Melting Record isn’t enough to heal my wounds. The Nightmare King surely knows best how badly I was injured back then.”

The envoy’s raised arms stiffened in midair. “My master says the Moon Melting Record is rare. If the Demon Lord doesn’t care for it, she can always bestow it upon a lesser demon for amusement.”

            

Longming no longer refused. She glanced at Qiu Ruo. “It seems I have no choice but to accept this. Then my thanks to the Nightmare King.”

Qiu Ruo stepped forward and took the Moon Melting Record scroll from the envoy’s hands. She then produced a wooden box from thin air and placed it inside.

The box landed in Longming’s hands. She weighed it but did not open it to inspect.

            

The Nightmare Tribe envoy breathed a sigh of relief, cupped their hands, and said, “Wugou Stream has dispatched multiple demon envoys to travel between the mountain realms, but none have been able to find that pig demon with the severed toe. Does the Demon Lord have any other leads?”

Longming lowered her eyes, toying with the wooden box. “No.”

“Have any demons in the mountain, large or small, been attacked?” the envoy asked again.

            

“No.” Longming’s answer was a single word.

The envoy showed a troubled look. “Leads are scarce. I’m afraid it will take considerable effort to find them. Please be patient, Demon Lord.”

“No matter.” Longming put away the wooden box.

            

The Nightmare Tribe envoy glanced around discreetly, a flicker of disappointment showing between their brows. They bowed and said, “The gift has been delivered. If there is nothing else, this little one will take their leave.”

Longming invited them to stay with little sincerity. “Lingkong Mountain is hosting a banquet. Why not eat before you go?”

“Thank you, Demon Lord.” The Nightmare Tribe envoy shook their head hastily. “This little one must hurry back to Wugou Stream.”

            

Longming instructed Qiu Ruo to escort them out. She remained in the hall and quietly released a thread of divine consciousness.

Only after watching with her own eyes as the envoy left the Cangqiong Mountain Realm did she pick up the wooden box and return to her bedchamber.

By now, the fox was sprawled on the bed, the brocade quilt heaped messily at her feet, trampled who knows how many times.

            

The gauze bed curtains were in similar disarray—half tangled around the fox, half trailing to the floor.

Hearing the door open, the limp fox performed a carp’s leap—springing upright, she grabbed a lock of hair and thrust it before Longming.

The silver strands hidden in that lock of black hair were far more numerous than before.

            

Zhuoxue’s tightly pressed lips moved slightly. Clutching that lock of hair, she said with utmost tension, “Other people break through their cultivation realm and gain another century of life. Why do I look like I’m about to die?”

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