AUOF - 117

It was the plum rain season.

The mountain road was winding and muddy, not easy to traverse. Thin mist enveloped the mountains on both sides, and the greenery spread like ink washed across a landscape painting, the colors transitioning from deep to light, extending downward until they merged with the horizon.

Sang Sang, carrying an empty bamboo basket, trudged along with uneven steps, finally reaching Bamboo Creek Village before sunset.

Bamboo Creek Village belonged to Xining Town but was rather remote. It took two hours on foot just to reach the town from the village, and making the round trip consumed an entire day.

Finally, she saw the village entrance.

It was dinnertime, and wisps of cooking smoke rose from every household, infusing the desolate sea of clouds with a strong sense of life. From afar, she spotted her small courtyard; the white mist rising higher than that of the neighboring houses, presumably because he had prepared dinner early and was waiting for her.

Thinking about this, Sang Sang quickened her pace, walking halfway before losing patience and running home with all her might.

“Husband, I’m back!”

Her voice reached the courtyard before she did.

Their little yard was full of fruits, vegetables, and housed two chickens and three big geese. As one of the geese strutted past her feet, Sang Sang couldn’t resist giving it a little kick. Once the goose flapped its wings and ran off, she hopped into the kitchen.

“Husband?”

A figure was busy in front of the stove.

Broad shoulders, narrow waist, tall stature—his cold, noble air wasn’t concealed even by the coarse blue shirt he wore.

She blinked, quickly dropped the bamboo basket, and ran up to jump securely onto his back.

The sudden tightening around his neck nearly made the man gasp for air. He barely steadied himself, took two steps back to distance from the stove, then grabbed her arms and turned her around, firmly embracing her.

Sang Sang clung tightly to his waist, giggling.

She had a delicate yet bright face, her eyes often shimmering like two pools of water, sparkling when she smiled, incredibly beautiful.

“I sold all the herbs, and also your books. We earned ten extra copper coins today.”

Neither of the young couple were particularly ambitious, and their lives were quite frugal.

Ji Hengyu had studied for a few years, but due to poor health, he could only earn money by copying books at home. Sang Sang, on the other hand, was healthy but not very educated, recognizing only a few characters. However, having lived in the wilderness, she knew many medicinal herbs and wild delicacies. Fortunately, Bamboo Creek Village nestled against the mountains and waters, rich in herbs. So, she gathered herbs at night and sold them in town during the day.

Ji Hengyu’s features softened, “Mm.” He didn’t hold back his praise, “All thanks to Sang Sang.”

Sang Sang chuckled twice, seeking a kiss.

The newlywed couple had been married for only half a year. Unlike most women who were reserved, she was affectionate with him even in public. Ji Hengyu was different—he was taciturn and reserved. Even when alone, he mostly adhered to propriety.

Seeing the eager look on the girl’s face, Ji Hengyu couldn’t bear to refuse. His ears reddened as he gently touched her lips, quickly pulling away before she could savor it. He let go and put her down, turning back to tend to the fire.

“I cooked the rabbit you hunted yesterday. It should be ready soon. Go wash your hands and get ready to eat.”

“Oh, okay.”

Sang Sang obediently agreed and bounced off to wash her hands in the yard.

Her vibrant green back stood out brightly. Ji Hengyu watched her through the open window, thinking about the fleeting kiss earlier, stirred by emotions, and couldn’t help but smile slightly.

After washing her hands, Sang Sang returned to the house to change out of her dirty clothes.

Just as she was about to leave, a black shadow loomed over her, instantly triggering a sense of crisis. Her black pupils narrowed into thin lines, fingers arched like claws, sharp enough to easily slit someone’s throat. However, upon recognizing the person, the alertness in her eyes turned into a mix of guilt and anxiety.

“Big... Brother?”

The young man sat silently at the wooden table.

In stark contrast to the humble surroundings, he wore a cicada silk robe, adorned with a feathered crown, exuding nobility that seemed to elevate the humble wooden shack.

His long index finger, wearing a jade ring, tapped rhythmically on the table, growing faster as if his patience was waning.

Sure enough, the next moment, Sang Ning began criticizing everything around him—

“The wood of these four walls wouldn’t even burn well as firewood. Is this what you call a house?”

“...” Sang Sang weakly replied, “At least it has a roof.”

“And that kettle, even beggars would find it unlucky to use for begging.”

Sang Sang couldn’t help but correct him, “Beggars use bowls for begging.”

Sang Ning persisted, pointing outside, “And that wild man out there. I’ve observed him all day—a useless pretty boy, unable to carry or lift anything. What’s good about him?”

Mentioning Ji Hengyu obviously agitated Sang Ning more.

Sang Sang thought carefully before answering earnestly, “He has a handsome face.”

Sang Ning’s frustration almost caused him to faint.

He clutched his aching chest, his vision darkening momentarily.

Faint sounds came from outside, indicating that dinner was almost ready.

Not wanting her brother to stay in the house and risk being discovered by her husband, Sang Sang pulled him up, gently persuading, “Brother, don’t worry. After we live our lives peacefully, I’ll send him away when he’s old, and then I’ll return to Tianze River, alright?”

Hearing this, Sang Ning’s expression visibly improved.

He pondered for a moment: “You just need to send him away?”

Sang Sang knew what he was contemplating: “I mean when he grows old.”

Sang Ning’s gaze dimmed, forcing himself to abandon any murderous thoughts.

Footsteps approached, and Ji Hengyu knocked on the door from outside: “Sang Sang, it’s time to eat.”

At the sound of his voice, Sang Ning’s eyes brimmed with red, and he impulsively wanted to rush forward.

Sang Sang pressed her wrist firmly on her brother, shaking her head repeatedly to prevent him from acting rashly.

He barely contained his anger, warning Sang Sang in a low voice, “Sang Sang, you are the chosen Demon Lord of Tianze River. I can allow you to play this house game in the mortal world, but don’t forget your responsibilities.”

Seeing Sang Sang’s expression turn somber, he softened his tone reluctantly, “The remaining rebels haven’t been eliminated. I just hope you remain vigilant and don’t let a mere mortal restrain you.”

With that, Sang Ning transformed into a mass of black fog and rushed out the window.

His words dimmed the light in Sang Sang’s eyes.

The world was now divided into three parts: the Upper Heaven governed by the divine realm’s Tiange, the demon race lurking in the demonic realm’s Tianze River, and the mortal world caught in between, neither high nor low, yet relatively stable.

Since ancient times, gods and demons have never coexisted peacefully, fighting for tens of thousands of years without a decisive victory.

It wasn’t until the Demon Lord perished that the demon race gradually declined.

According to the rules of the demon race,

Only those recognized by Tianze River’s Spirit Inquiry Cauldron could become the Demon Lord and rule Tianze River.

However, more than five hundred years had passed since the Demon Lord’s demise, and Tianze River remained leaderless. Over the years, it suffered under the oppression of the divine realm. When Sang Ning and Sang Sang were born simultaneously and placed in the Spirit Inquiry Cauldron, Sang Sang inherited all the abilities of the previous demon gods, becoming the youngest new king in Tianze River’s history.

As a child, Sang Sang couldn’t control the demonic energy within her body. Many leaders were also unwilling to bow to a child who couldn’t even speak clearly. Soon after, they rebelled, stormed into the demon palace, and attempted to kill Sang Sang to establish a new ruler.

Only with the death of the old master would Tianze River choose a new king.

At that time, chaos engulfed the demon realm. Under their mother’s protection, the siblings fled the demon world. Along the way, Sang Ning mostly protected his sister. They wandered and grew up amid hardships in the mortal world. At the age of three hundred, Sang Sang awakened in all four directions, returned to Tianze River, and reclaimed everything that belonged to her.

Meeting Ji Hengyu was an accident.

Six years ago, she mysteriously sustained severe injuries and fell unconscious. When she woke up, it was in a burning village. She had no memory, her dantian was sealed, and she couldn’t move at all. On the verge of despair, she saw someone rush into the flames and pick her up without hesitation.

The young man was covered in blood, injured worse than her, yet he still insisted on carrying her out of the village until they reached safety, whereupon he collapsed.

He was unconscious for a month, and Sang Sang diligently cared for him during that time.

They lived like this in the deep mountains for a year. By the time he recovered, feelings had developed between them.

Sang Sang didn’t want to leave Ji Hengyu.

Although he couldn’t carry or lift things, got out of breath after walking a short distance, and even dogs could run faster than him, Sang Sang liked him nonetheless.

An eighty-year human lifespan was fleeting, while she, as a demon, lived long enough to accompany him until old age.

“Sang Sang?”

When she didn’t respond for a long time, Ji Hengyu became anxious and wanted to break down the door.

Sang Sang snapped back to reality, rubbed her face to adjust her expression, and opened the door.

“I delayed changing my clothes. Let’s go eat.”

Seeing her safe, Ji Hengyu sighed in relief.

However...

He always felt an unusual presence inside.

Ji Hengyu glanced sideways, his eyes flashing coldly.

**

After dinner, Sang Sang began counting the copper coins she earned today. The harvest was abundant, enough to sustain them for a month.

She secretly kept two copper coins as pocket money and handed the rest over to Ji Hengyu for safekeeping.

Seeing this, Ji Hengyu found it amusing, shook his head helplessly, and set aside some coins: “It will get cold soon. Buy some fabric to make a couple of new outfits.”

Sang Sang thought about it. Her husband had developed a weakness from saving her and needed several thick outfits before the plum rain season ended, so she accepted them.

Ji Hengyu fetched hot water and knelt halfway to wash her feet.

This had become Ji Hengyu’s recent habit. She walked long distances to and from the town daily, which wasn’t good for her legs and feet. So, he soaked her feet in hot water every night to relieve fatigue.

The candlelight flickered, casting a warm glow that outlined soft shadows on his profile.

Ji Hengyu’s palms were large and broad, easily enveloping her delicate little feet. Sang Sang wiggled her toes, deliberately rubbing and teasing his palm.

His palms had calluses, their roughness tickling her toes, making her itch yet feel comfortable. She couldn’t help but rub again and again, but found it strange, “Where did the calluses on your palms come from?” In theory, he shouldn’t have such thick calluses if he did nothing.

Ji Hengyu’s fingertips paused, his eyelashes fluttered as he said, “I sweep the yard every day.”

Oh, that made sense.

Managing the household chores was hard work for him.

Sang Sang felt pity, leaned forward, and hugged him, laughing, “You focus on copying books. I’ll handle these chores when I return.”

Ji Hengyu’s hands were wet and couldn’t touch her, but his lips carried a smile too, “I’m not that weak yet.”

Sang Sang teased him deliberately, “Really?”

“Mm.” Ji Hengyu tilted his face slightly, deliberately kissing her ear, “Really.”

He hastily dried her feet. Before Sang Sang could say anything, Ji Hengyu eagerly pressed down on her.

The old bed creaked under the weight, trembling slightly as their two bodies overlapped.

In the enveloping light, Ji Hengyu accurately captured her lips. Unlike his restraint during the day, he kissed deeply and intensely, tongues entwined inseparably, nearly leaving Sang Sang breathless.

Kissing hurt, and she couldn’t bear it, punching him in a fit of emotion without controlling her strength, eliciting a muffled groan from him.

Before Sang Sang could feel sorry, her waistband was untied, followed by a cool sensation on her waist. The rough texture of the calluses sent shivers through her uncontrollably.

Ji Hengyu kissed her soft hair, her ears, and even her eyelashes.

The kisses trailed downward, and Sang Sang’s breathing quickened. She hummed softly, gripping his falling hair tightly.

Ji Hengyu’s jet-black hair was well-maintained by her.

Soft, glossy, and lustrous, it cascaded down in arcs resembling fine silk.

Her legs were lifted, and his scorching lips pressed onto her ankle, kissing with care and cherishment.

Sang Sang sniffed slightly. Once his lips buried in, the faint sound of water splashing was distinctly audible in the silence.