As Yue Yao was about to open the lid of the boiling medicine, a hand reached out and lifted it for her. She looked up in confusion to see Tian Long.
"Great Protector, why are you here?" Yue Yao asked, puzzled.
Tian Long smiled slightly as he replied, pouring the medicine.
"I had some matters to discuss with the Demon King. As I arrived here, I saw you all and decided to lend a hand."
"What matters?" Yue Yao asked, leaning closer curiously.
Tian Long tilted his head and smiled leisurely, but did not tell her. "It's a secret, I can't tell you."
Yue Yao pouted, pushed him aside, and said irritably, "If you're not going to tell me, then go away. I don't need your help."
Tian Long laughed heartily at her proud little temper, then picked up the medicine bowl and walked towards the room. "Then I'll deliver the medicine."
He Lian saw this and quickly said, "I'll deliver it."
"Let me deliver it today."
Saying this, he entered the room without looking back.
"Demon King, you're awake." He greeted me as he saw me leaning on the bed.
I looked at the medicine bowl in his hand, very curious. "Why are you personally delivering medicine to me?"
"It's a small matter, nothing to worry about. I do have something to tell the Demon King."
"What is it?"
He handed me the medicine bowl and said, "Demon King, please drink the medicine first. I'll tell you after you're done."
I nodded, took the bowl, blew on it, and drank it down in large gulps. In no time, I had finished the herbal medicine.
Seeing me drink the medicine as if it were wine, he couldn't help but chuckle and tease.
"It seems the Demon King is becoming quite the drinker. You drink your medicine like it's wine."
"Alright, stop teasing me. Tell me what it is."
He then became serious and slowly took out a letter from his embrace, handing it to me.
"This is a letter sent by the clan leader. It explains everything. The Demon King will know once you read it."
"Alright."
"Then I shall take my leave."
"Go ahead."
After he left, I opened the letter and read its contents.
To the Demon King:
I know the Demon King has conquered the Western Purple Kingdom. When the Demon King sent an envoy to my Penglai Island, I was promised that the Western Purple Kingdom would be ceded to us. Does the Demon King stand by his word?
I did not wish to withdraw from the Three Great Alliances prematurely, but a deep-sea leviathan named Tian Wu has been residing near Penglai Island.
Legend has it that Tian Wu was originally a water god in charge of a region. For unknown reasons, he ended up in my vast ocean, preying on my merfolk. We have attacked him multiple times without success, and have lost many of our kin.
If the Demon King can eliminate this menace for our clan, we will continue to follow the Demon King until all cities are conquered.
Sincerely,
The Merfolk Clan Leader.
After reading the letter, I felt a sudden unease. If the merfolk clan withdrew from this battle, we would lose a powerful ally.
"He Lian! He Lian!" I called out for He Lian.
He Lian hurried in upon hearing my call. "Demon King, what is it? What's wrong?"
"Go and call the elders and the senior elders here. I have something to tell them."
"Yes."
After responding, she quickly walked out. I waited in the room for a while and then saw He Lian arrive with the elders and four senior elders.
"Demon King, the elders and senior elders are here."
"Good, thank you. You may leave now."
"Yes."
After He Lian left, Lin'er asked, "Demon King, what happened?"
"The Merfolk Clan Leader sent me a letter. You all should read it too." I handed the letter over.
Lin'er took the letter and read it carefully, then passed it to the other senior elders. After they had read it, they pointed out the merfolk clan leader's intentions.
Elder Hei Yi arrived.
"From this letter, we can see the Merfolk Clan Leader's thoughts. He first emphasized the matter of the Western Purple Kingdom, and then brought up the issue of withdrawal, discussing the problems they are currently facing.
In my opinion, this move can be called 'playing hard to get'."
Elder Wan Gu agreed.
"Elder Hei Yi is right. The Merfolk Clan Leader wants us to go and solve his problem."
"If it's just to eliminate a threat for them, then it's nothing. I can go." I said.
Elder Zhu Liu Yun, however, shook his head and analyzed.
"There are many experts among the merfolk, but none can solve this problem.
This can only mean that the monster is extremely powerful and difficult to subdue. Such a powerful great demon can only be an ancient being."
Lin'er also chimed in. "The Demon King is severely injured. It's not convenient for you to travel. Perhaps we should send someone else."
Elder Mo Xue Fu said worriedly.
"That leviathan is likely difficult for even us to deal with. If we rashly send someone, not only will we fail to defeat the demon, but we will also lose our already scarce good soldiers and generals."
Everyone's points were valid, and for a moment, no one knew whose advice to follow.
I could only say, "I will personally resolve this matter."
"Demon King, absolutely not!" Elder Wan Gu hurriedly advised.
"There's no need to worry. This injury will heal in a few days, and I have also learned the Dragon's Roar Sword Technique and the Crimson Blood Sword Technique. Dealing with that great demon will be more than enough."
After a moment of consideration, the others could not find anyone more suitable than the Demon King, so they could only agree to this plan.
"Alright, then the Demon King must rest well these few days and not rush things," Elder Hei Yi instructed.
"Alright, I will."
Elder Mo Xue Fu voluntarily went to the bedside to feel my pulse. The pulse was steady and strong, and my internal body was full, indicating a good recovery.
"The Demon King's injury is no longer a major concern, but you still need a few more days of recuperation."
"Alright."
"Then we shall not disturb the Demon King's rest."
"Alright, you may go."
After the elders left, Lin'er remained.
"Elder, is there anything else?" I asked him.
"Has the Demon King truly decided to go himself?" He was still worried.
"My injury is no longer a problem, and I can go. I also want to meet the Merfolk Clan Leader to ensure he doesn't distrust us."
Lin'er found some logic in my words and nodded slightly, saying nothing more.
"Since the Demon King has decided, I will say no more. I shall take my leave then."
"Go ahead."
After Lin'er left, Qiu Yu brought in the food.
"Demon King, please eat something. You haven't eaten all morning."
"Alright, thank you."
She picked up the bowl and sat by the bed, about to feed me. I felt a little embarrassed. "I'll do it myself."
Saying this, I took the bowl and chopsticks from her and started eating, praising her as I did.
"This is delicious. Did you make it yourself?"
"Yes, I was afraid the Demon King wouldn't be used to it, so I made your favorite dishes from when you were in Western Purple City."
"You understand me so well. Whoever marries you will be truly blessed."
This was just an ordinary remark, but when it reached her ears, she only heard three words: "Marry you, marry you."
She suddenly became flustered and shy, then dashed out with a swift movement.
"What's wrong with her?" I murmured, watching her retreating figure.
Meanwhile, by the perimeter wall outside the sleeping quarters, Tian Long was waiting. He was waiting for someone.
After a long wait, he finally saw someone approaching from a distance. That person was Liu Shi Nian. He slowly walked forward and stopped him.
"What is it?" Liu Shi Nian could tell he was acting unusually today.
"I have something I want to discuss with you privately."
"Alright, follow me."
Liu Shi Nian turned and led him towards the garden. Once in the garden, he stopped and asked, "What do you want to say?"
"The clan leader has sent people to bring you and Bi Yao back."
He was suddenly startled and frowned.
Tian Long continued, "Have you forgotten? You promised the clan leader when you were on Penglai Island that you would return to marry the princess."
Liu Shi Nian then recalled the entire matter. When he was on Penglai Island, he had only agreed to this so that the merfolk could ally with the Black Mountain Alliance.
He had originally hoped to let time fade the memory, but he hadn't expected to have to face it after all.
Tian Long looked at his dazed expression and melancholic demeanor, guessing in his heart that the words he had spoken then were all lies.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but Yue Yao truly likes you.
Yue Yao is innocent and has never interacted with men from outside the clan. You are the first. You decide what to do."
After saying this, he patted his shoulder and walked away without looking back.
Liu Shi Nian stood frozen for a moment, then slowly looked up at the sky, murmuring.
"Muye... Muye..."
At this time, Yue Yao, who was still boiling medicine with her two sisters, was completely unaware of this. When she went to rest under a tree, someone quietly sat beside her.
She turned her head and saw that it was Qing Yu.
"Has Big Brother spoken to the princess?" he suddenly asked.
"About what?" Yue Yao looked confused.
"About bringing the princess and Liu Shi Nian back to Penglai Island."
"What?" Yue Yao looked shocked, then her face lit up with joy.
"Are you saying they're bringing me back to get married?" She suddenly remembered her engagement with Liu Shi Nian.
"Presumably." His uncertain words caused Bi Yao to feel a bit more worried.
"What is this? You got my hopes up for nothing. Haven't you been given a definitive answer either?"
"Whether it's true or not, the princess must go back."
"I know, I know."
Yue Yao got up somewhat resentfully. She knew that once she returned, she would never be able to leave again. Penglai Island was small and stifling, and not as fun as staying in Black Mountain.
Qing Yu looked at the princess, who was sometimes mature and sometimes childish, finding her quite troublesome. Fortunately, he had said what he needed to say and given her some preparation.
Unknowingly, the sun began to set. He Lian looked at the two of them who had been busy all day and was very grateful. "Thank you both so much today."
"It's nothing, it's what we should do."
"You two can go back now."
"Then we're leaving."
"Alright."
After everyone had left, she tidied up the courtyard. It wasn't until dark that she finished her work.
After that, she sat alone on the steps of the sleeping quarters, recalling her conversation with Mu Ye. However, only those two words remained in her mind.
"Marry you... marry you..."
Thinking of this, she became incredibly shy, covering her face with her hands and wriggling her body with a muffled sound. After a long period of happiness, she went to sleep.
The next morning, she got up early again to boil medicine. Yue Yao and Liu Mei still came to help, until the morning of the third day.
As I pushed open the door early that morning, I saw a familiar figure.
"Demon King, you're out!" she exclaimed in surprise, quickly running to my side to examine me closely.
I grinned and thanked her. kuAiδugg
"Thanks to you these past few days, without your boiled medicine, I wouldn't have recovered so quickly."
"Seeing you well makes me happy," she said, then tearfully grabbed my arm and hugged me tightly.
I patted her gently to comfort her. "I'm much better now, don't be sad."
"Really?" she looked up at me with teary eyes.
"Yes," I replied with a smile.
Just then, Liu Mei and Yue Yao, who had come to boil medicine as usual, saw this scene as soon as they entered the courtyard and exclaimed in surprise.
"Mu Ye, Demon King, are you better?"
I turned my head and thanked them. "Yes, thanks to you, I've recovered so quickly."
The two exchanged smiles and also rushed forward to hug me.
"That's wonderful, truly wonderful." The three of them sighed.
I hadn't expected that I, being busy with affairs all day and having no time to spend with them, would still be treated so well by them. Suddenly, I felt so fortunate to have met so many wonderful people.
"Demon King, are you feeling much better?"
At this moment, a voice was heard from the doorway. We all looked up simultaneously and saw that the elders and several senior elders had arrived in the courtyard.
Seeing this, the three immediately let go and greeted them. "Elders, Senior Elders, you've arrived."
"It seems the young people have a very good relationship," Elder Wan Gu teased.
"We're just so happy," Bi Yao explained.
"It's a joy to see the Demon King recover. Let me feel the Demon King's pulse."
Elder Hei Yi stepped forward and took my wrist to feel my pulse. He nodded with certainty.
"It seems the Demon King has recovered quite well."
At this point, Lin'er suddenly said, "Demon King, we have something we'd like to discuss with you."
"Then please come inside."
So I led Lin'er and the elders into the sleeping quarters. I didn't know who had lived in this temporary residence before.
"Demon King, when do you plan to go to Penglai Island?" Lin'er asked.
I thought about it, my body not yet fully recovered, and said, "The day after tomorrow. By then, there shouldn't be too much trouble."
"The day after tomorrow..."
Elder Hei Yi closed his eyes slightly and began to calculate. After a moment, he said, "The day after tomorrow will be clear and sunny, with auspicious winds, suitable for travel."
Elder Zhu Liu Yun said.
"This time, let's bring Liu Shi Nian. He has a marriage engagement with Bi Yao, and the merfolk will surely take him back. It's fitting for him to accompany the Demon King."
Elder Mo Xue Fu analyzed.
"Liu Shi Nian has experienced many unspeakable sufferings that ordinary people cannot comprehend. His heart is more resolute than that of ordinary people. With him there, he might be able to help the Demon King."
"Then this time, Liu Shi Nian and I will go, and the others will remain in the Western Purple Kingdom to await my return," I said.
"Demon King, please rest assured, we will guard the Western Purple Kingdom."
"Alright, then after I leave, I'll entrust the matter to the elders and the senior elders."
"Demon King, please be at ease."
"I've also brought some things with me today," Elder Wan Gu suddenly said, taking out a small box from his embrace and opening it. Inside was a black pill.
"This is called a Blood-Invigorating Pill. If the Demon King takes it, it will help invigorate blood and remove stasis more quickly."
"Thank you, Senior Elder." I took the pill and swallowed it in one gulp. Lin'er then handed me water.
I drank it down.
"Then, Demon King, we elders shall take our leave."
"Go ahead."
After the elders and Lin'er left, He Lian brought the medicine.
"Demon King, it's time to drink your medicine."
"Alright," I took the bowl and drank it in one gulp. He Lian covered her face and giggled.
"What's wrong?" I asked her curiously.
She smiled shyly and replied, "I'm happy to see the Demon King looking more and more energetic."
"I'm also happy to see you."
Amidst the laughter, she took the bowl and walked out.