Taohua landed on all fours, his feet scraping harshly against the floor. Pain shot up his legs, and he bit down on his lips.
He straightened and turned his cold gaze to the white-coated fox standing before him.
" You're not a Huli Jing…"
The fox glowed and turned into a beautiful woman in white , Her jet-black hair cascaded down her back, and her green-hued eyes gleamed as she flicked open her fan with a graceful wave.
"I am a turned fox not a born fox"
" Why are you guys chasing me ? I thought I only had business with the mortals"
"Someone important asked you to bring him " She threw the fan at him.
Taohua grabbed it before it could strike, but the impact sent a shockwave through his body, making him feel as if a boulder had crashed into him. A gust of wind surged from behind, forcing him to leap away.
The woman followed, and they clashed midair, exchanging ten swift blows before separating.
They jumped down and separated. Her face was pale with exhaustion.
Taohua on the other hand felt his ear twitched and he threw the fan back at her before running.
She jumped after him and grabbed his wrist, Taohua smacked her so hard she crashed into a nearby tree.She lost consciousness immediately.
Bei Shang looked at his almighty hand. This hand really was too dangerous.
"I have seen him , he's over there , get him!!"
Taohua looked at the crowd and continued running, but everywhere he ran to , he will either get caught up rank 1 demon generals , humans or warriors. They were like insects, they couldn't just be sent away.
He didn't know how long he ran, he went into his cave and hid there.
The mortals didn't seem to notice that there was a cave beside them. They all passed the cave one by one , their voices mumbling.
When he didn't hear any silence again, he sat down on the ground and breathe out. His head was hurting.
He felt a movement beside him.
He raised his hands to smack but the person grabbed him by the wrist , he tried using his other hand but it got grabbed. Taohua wrapped his legs around the other waist and pushed him down in an attempt to retaliate.
The person seemed to have expected it so he turned them in the opposite direction, soon the position was switched, he was on the floor the person was on top of him , their eyes glowing purple.
Taohua tried to move but the strength on his waist and hands was overwhelming. He have only felt this way once towards someone in the mortal realm and that's Xue Xin.
He let out a groan and glared at the intruder.
"Xue Xin, let me go !"
A hand touched his neck and stroke in small vertical lines , the fingers moves to the pulse at the base of his neck before wrapping around it like a choke hold.
"Xue Xin!"
The hold became tighter , Taohua was caught off guard and he struggled. When his eyes started to water , the hand let go.
The hand pulled him up , before holding him into a warm chest. The hand stroke his back in rhythmic motions before burying it's owner head into his shoulder.
The hug was all he needed to recognize the person.
The hug was so soft and warm , it was like being given an oasis after being thirsty for so long, it was dream like yet so real.
His dao started to tremble.
Taohua let out a shaky breath, he raised his hands to push Hong Jin but he didn't bulge a inch. Instead the warmth was starting to circulate over his body making him feel dizzy.
He felt a gentle comb through his hair and the familiar voice whispered in his ear.
"Go to sleep"
Taohua closed his eyes and blacked out.
💕💕💕
Taohua opened his eyes slowly. The environment was dark but there were floating foxes on the ceiling, the bed was fluffy making him feel like he was sleeping on the cloud and there was a small weight on his side.
He looked at the side . Hong Jin was lying down beside him , his blue eyes were opened and his white hair scattered all over the pillow making him look enchanting.
Taohua didn't say a word. He rolled his eyes and look to the other side.
Bei Shang nod his head in approval, it turns out Taohua could hold grudges for years.
'That was right, don't forgive that bastard easily! He will use your sympathy for his gain! '
Taohua felt a soft touch on his face and the hand pulled him to face Nick. The fingers touched his face slowly and warmth gradually entered into his skin.
It seemed like Nick eyes have gotten more bluer over the years, his face didn't change much. His eyes had more lines and there was a little hair on his chin.
Taohua subconsciously touched his hair and Nick rubbed his face in his hands. It felt rough and they stabbed him a little but he likes it.
'Likes it…like you …'
It was like his brain was stuffed into a bowl of cold water and he frowned. He pushed Nick away and stood up to leave.
The moment he moved, his ankle jerked back.
His gaze dropped.
A chain wrapped around his leg, linking him to the bedpost.
Bei Shang felt his ankle hurting and he had the urge to smack Nick to death.
Nick and his stupid fixation with legs.
Taohua voice was hoarse " Hong Jin, What is the meaning of this ?"
Nick sat up , his white hair fell gracefully around his shoulders and his blue eyes trained on him.
"Who is Xue Xin ?"
"Dont poke your nose into my business " He walked closer to Nick and raised his hands, seeing Nick didn't flinch , he lowered it back and grabbed his robe instead.
"Don't let me take the route of smacking you into unconsciousness"
"Can you even dare to do that? " Nick smirked, catching Taohua's wrist. He pulled him close, his voice dangerously soft.
" Do you even have the power?"
Taohua tried to pull himself from Nick's arms but it didn't work, he frowned and tried again but it didn't work. He then turned around and smacked a nearby table.
The table broke into pieces in his palm.
"Hong Jin…why can't I hurt you?"
"It's because I have awoken my Huli Jing lineage" He grabbed Taohua other hand and put it on his face; his eyes were glittering.
" That night you left , a group of demons came over. They told me that they will conquer the heavens and earth of me as long as I agree to be their King. "
He placed his forehead against Taohua own, his voice was soft " So I did , I set myself on fire for 3 months continuously, I killed the mortal blood in me and awaken the Huli Jing blood in me. I became so powerful I felt the whole world could squeeze into my hands"
"After that I killed the wolf king and took over his place. The demons were so happy, they danced for me all day and called me their hero."
"The earth belongs to me but I can't find you in the mortal realm… so I thought that if there's too much chaos the heavens will send you to be my opponent, the one who will stop me. I took the throne from the new emperor with war then I merged the demon and mortals realm together "
What Nick did might look like a good plan but it was unstable. There was a reason why despite the demons do intermarry with mortals , they didn't try merging their realms.
Demons although they look and even act ruthless at times prefers to stay closer with other demons. They are like those community aunties that even if they're noisy and nosy, they liked to interact with their neighbors and talk about stuffs. When scattered, they turn depressed and aggressive which may harm the community they're staying with.
It was why in folklores and legends, there could be three or more demons living in close proximity to one another.
The mortals however have low tolerance for anything different and feel threatened when they're "more than the required quota". They have been oppressed by the demons for over a century now and you suddenly want them to peacefully co exist with them.
Are you playing a joke on them?
The two sides were probably "accidentally" killing themselves right now and are on fragile ground.
Taohua clenched his fists " You are crazy"
Nick lowered his eyes, tears begin to run down his face, his voice was aggrieved" I told you not to leave that day , I told you if you leave I will bring chaos into the mortal realm.."
"Hong Jin!"
"You left me alone!"
Taohua let out a frustrated laugh " you said I should die so many times and when I left , you threw a tantrum?! Does this make any sense?!"
Bei Shang rolled his eyes, like Nick ever did anything using common sense.
Don't talk to him ? He will hurt you till you bite him to death , Leave when he ask you not to , restrains your ankle, physical barriers doesn't work? , emotional barriers would.
He will do anything to get what he wants.
Sure enough Nick seem unbothered.
" You should know that I was just throwing a tantrum at that time" Nick sniffed
"Do I look like I read minds ? Hmm?"
"Maybe you should learn to."
Taohua lips twitched and he snatched his hands away, this time he was successful. He grabbed the chains and broke it with his bare hands then dumped it on the bed.
"I am leaving"
"The names of the girls who met you in the forest are Yili Shaba , Yishabeia , Ruqui , Mei Bei ,Sala ,Yi Shubai ,De li la "
Taohua froze ,a sinking feeling in his stomach.
Nick stood up and went up behind Taohua, he locked his arms around his waist " The girls went straight to the magistrate to report that they have seen the missing emperor lover. They took action at once . Luckily I came to the village on official business so hearing the news about you I came to find you at once. However the magistrate doesn't know I have found you so he thinks the girls are lying , so he locked them up. Poor girls, if you leave again…who knows what I'll do to them?"
" This is between me and you , don't bring outsiders into this " Taohua whispered.
The lock got tighter " I will let them go under three requirements"
"What are they?"
" The first one is that you don't leave or even think of leaving, we will stay in this house and be together no matter what happens hmm?"
"…"
"Hmm?" he looked outside " Are those girls still there? Call …"
Taohua grabbed his hand , his voice was soft " okay okay"
Nick smiled and rest his chin on Taohua left shoulder, he took a deep breath.
"The second one is that you tell me the reason why you left the first time."
"That was because of your harsh mouth "
Nick rubbed circles around Taohua waist " Liar , I know my words are harsh but you never take seriously…it was much more than that you know?"
Taohua ignored him and looked at the painting of a flower vase at the right end corner of the room.
Nick tightened his hold on Taohua waist almost snapping his waist into two. "Attendants !!! Send a message to the magistrate to execute those girls for laying a eye on my man "
Taohua turned his head " Hong Jin!"
"I changed my mind " He smiled, his eyes were purple with cruelty" How am I sure you are not going to lie ? Better I kill them at once …"
"If you lay a hand on those girls, I promise I will kill you with my hands "
Nick placed a hand on Taohua own , his voice was soft " Remember I am stronger than you now …"
The attendant voice was firm " Should I go ahead with it ?"
Taohua lips trembled " Why must yo
u know the reason?"
"Hurry up Taohua, tell me "
"Hong Jin ! "
"Attendant , tell the magistrate to bring them here , we will behead them in front of the mortal citizens…"
"I went because I loved you okay?!"