Chapter 24 : Alone Together
Su Xiao spoke softly, as if asking a question, yet also as if confirming something.
Luo Yi hadn’t expected the Demon Envoy to ask about the half-demon, but it didn’t dare show any negligence.
“Reporting to the Demon Envoy, I don’t know much about the half-demon either. I only know that over the past few months, this half-demon, at the peak of the Refined Spirit realm, has been wandering around several nearby mountain ranges, seemingly searching for spirit herbs to break through. But because Lord Zhu Lie resides in Mount Qi, the half-demon normally doesn’t dare enter this territory. This time, however, it took a spirit herb from within Lord Zhu Lie’s domain, so it will certainly be hunted by most of the demon race.”
Luo Yi chose its words carefully. Because language couldn’t be used to communicate with the half-demon, the nearby Refined Spirits only knew that it had tiger-demon blood and possessed peak Refined Spirit strength. As for anything else, Luo Yi knew nothing.
Su Xiao raised an eyebrow. There wasn’t much information in Luo Yi’s explanation. Clearly, this Refined Spirit–level snake demon didn’t know much about Bai Yiyi either.
But the less it knew, the easier Su Xiao felt her plan would be to carry out.
“The half-demon Bai Yiyi is an important witness in this matter. Her safety must be guaranteed.” Su Xiao stared at Luo Yi. Her voice rang clearly like a bell, every word distinct.
Yet those simple words caused Luo Yi’s body to tremble violently.
From that single sentence, Luo Yi sensed an enormous amount of hidden meaning.
It had never imagined that the half-demon could be connected to Zhu Lie’s disappearance rather than merely being an opportunistic intruder.
Thinking quickly, Luo Yi recalled that two months ago the half-demon had appeared near Mount Qi. After that, for some mysterious reason, Mountain Lord Zhu Lie had gone to the human world. Half a month ago he returned, but his temperament had changed drastically.
Originally, Luo Yi hadn’t connected these events at all. But after hearing the Demon Envoy’s words, it felt as though a layer of fog covering its blind spot had suddenly been wiped away.
That’s right!
It was only after the half-demon appeared that the Mountain Lord decided to travel to the human world. And after the Mountain Lord disappeared, she was the first to enter his territory!
“Could it be—?” Luo Yi flicked its snake tongue.
“Just as you suspect,” Su Xiao said before Luo Yi could finish. “But the half-demon Bai Yiyi is not the real culprit behind Zhu Lie’s disappearance.”
As expected, Luo Yi thought.
With the half-demon’s strength, it couldn’t possibly cause the Mountain Lord’s disappearance. But it must have been involved in the incident somehow.
Another thought flashed through Luo Yi’s mind.
The Demon Envoy didn’t suddenly appear here simply because she saw our conflict and wanted to stop it. There must be deeper meaning behind it!
“Demon Envoy, what orders do you have for me?” Luo Yi quickly asked.
Just like the Dread Wolf earlier, Luo Yi immediately realized something. Perhaps the real target of the Demon Envoy… was actually it.
Luo Yi felt both terrified and anxious. After all, it was only a late-stage Refined Spirit snake demon. If it became involved in matters concerning Zhu Lie, a being in the Fairy realm, the risks would be enormous.
But it also knew it couldn’t refuse, just like the Dread Wolf couldn’t refuse earlier. Because the consequences of refusal would be just as terrifying.
Since childhood, Luo Yi had heard stories: if the Phantom Moon Heart Fox royal clan wanted to destroy a demon, they had a hundred ways to make that demon suffer a fate worse than death.
Seeing the constantly shifting expression on Luo Yi’s snake face, Su Xiao reassured it, “Don’t worry. I won’t ask you to do anything beyond your ability.”
She had to walk a tightrope, guiding events toward her desired outcome while also preventing the other party from becoming desperate and reckless. Fortunately, the green snake Luo Yi was very clever. It had already grasped part of her intentions. Su Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Sometimes smart people were easier to deal with. If she had encountered some foolish brute who panicked and exploded in anger, the entire situation would have collapsed.
“I need you to secretly protect Bai Yiyi and prevent those Refined Spirit-level demonic beasts from killing her. By doing so, we can lure out the true mastermind behind the scenes.”
Su Xiao finally revealed her purpose. She had considered this explanation many times. Among those participating in the hunt for Bai Yiyi, Luo Yi was the only Refined Spirit she could realistically influence.
For Su Xiao, Bai Yiyi was the first friend she had made since her reincarnation. Moreover, if Bai Yiyi hadn’t appeared that day, Su Xiao might have already been ambushed by the lurking Ancient Vine Wraith and died miserably.
So if she could help Bai Yiyi even a little, Su Xiao wouldn’t hesitate.
I wonder if Luo Yi will agree, she thought. If he shows resistance, how should I guide his emotions? At the very least, he must disrupt the situation within the mountain lord’s territory.
The area was filled with danger, but it wasn’t a dead end. As long as the situation became chaotic, there would be opportunity. And in the chaos, she could fish in troubled waters.
Su Xiao had already prepared a backup plan. If necessary, she would threaten him. As long as her words were carefully chosen, she could force compliance, even if Luo Yi became resentful afterward. That was a price she could accept.
“As long as I only need to protect her secretly, I’m willing to accept.”
Luo Yi let out a silent sigh of relief. He had thought the Demon Envoy might ask him to directly intervene in conflicts at the Fairy level. That would have been impossible for him. But secretly dealing with Refined Spirit beasts chasing the half-demon was still within his abilities.
Su Xiao froze for a moment. Wait… you agreed just like that? And you even look relieved?! I’m asking you to fight Refined Spirit beasts, and not just one!
She had already prepared a series of threatening words for afterward, but Luo Yi’s reaction completely exceeded her expectations. He had agreed far too easily.
Fortunately, Su Xiao’s self-control was decent. And under the cover of night, the small unnatural details of her illusion body were perfectly hidden.
She steadied herself and suddenly let out a light laugh. “Luo Yi of the Qingluo Snake clan… I will remember you. When this matter is over, you may come to me to receive your reward.”
Hearing the Demon Envoy’s soft laughter, Luo Yi suddenly felt as if its soul were floating. Even its spirit felt faintly numb and tingly. It made him feel both alarmed and excited.
Why had it agreed so quickly? Besides ensuring its safety, wasn’t it precisely for this?
After all, when the Demon Envoy asked the Dread Wolf to help find her junior, she had casually given away Purple Heart Grass, a precious treasure even in Mount Qi.
That was exactly what had tipped the balance in Luo Yi’s heart.
“Serving the Demon Envoy is my duty.” Luo Yi lowered its head respectfully.
Su Xiao nodded. The most difficult piece, Luo Yi, had now been incorporated into her plan.
Next would be the Dread Wolf.
“Alright. You should go as well. Remember, no matter who you encounter, do not mention me. We must avoid alerting the enemy.” Su Xiao spoke calmly.
Luo Yi nodded in acknowledgment and slithered away.
Before, it had only wanted to escape as quickly as possible. Now, however, it was already thinking about how to perfectly complete the Demon Envoy’s task and obtain the greatest possible reward.
As for whether the Demon Envoy might go back on her promise?
What a joke.
The Phantom Moon Heart Fox, a royal clan of the demon race—just a little scrap of what slipped through their fingers would be enough to benefit him endlessly.
(T/N: Let’s just say the pronouns of the demon beasts in this novel is interchanging between their gender and their beast status, so either he/him, she/her, or they/them if their gender is unknown, combined with it/it)