Chapter 9: A Melodramatic Immortal Tale

Chapter 9: A Melodramatic Immortal Tale

The day Nanyan asked him to spend with her coincided with Youdu City's Lantern Festival.

After their last argument, Chu Liyue had sent demonic guards to monitor Ye Qingsang and his movements in the mortal realm, avoiding any rash actions to prevent alarming them.

He kept himself busy intentionally, as it was the only way to prevent He Nanyan’s pale, despairing face from haunting his thoughts, stirring an urge to flee whenever he thought of her.

Reflecting on the words he had said to He Nanyan that day, he felt even more suffocated, as they were exceedingly heartless to a woman who loved him.

Chu Liyue took a deep breath, trying to suppress the unease in his heart.

He clearly loved He Nanwan, and she was the one he wanted, always had been.

No matter how much He Nanyan resembled her, she was just a counterfeit, never equating to the real one. Even if she did everything right, she couldn’t measure up to a single finger of He Nanwan.

She was just a substitute, merely a substitute.

He repeated this to himself, but for some reason, the dull ache in his heart didn’t subside, as if he was losing grasp of something important.

As a result, Chu Liyue's demeanor remained gloomy, which to outsiders, appeared as anger over He Nanwan and Ye Qingsang's marriage.

……

The next day, when He Nanyan stood outside the hall in a striking green dress, Chu Liyue's expression was somewhat odd.

He thought she would hate him, given that he had forced her into a substitute marriage and treated her quite unfairly...

Yet, the woman before him didn't seem to harbor any resentment.

Standing among the flowers, the woman in green was elegant and lively, resembling a lady from a painting. She looked at him, her eyes clear and bright, as if the past incidents had never occurred.

Chu Liyue couldn't quite pinpoint his feelings, especially when meeting her gaze, a nameless emotion stirring within him.

He found himself asking involuntarily, "Why are you wearing this dress?"

He had always thought she preferred red dresses, vibrant and striking like He Nanwan.

In the past, when she came to his palace, she always wore red, reminding him subconsciously of He Nanwan. Now, seeing her in a different attire gave him a sense of disorientation, as if time had shifted.

Nanyan could roughly guess his thoughts from his expression. Crying and seeking sympathy wasn't an effective strategy for winning over this ruthless Demon Lord.

A few tears wouldn’t soften the heart of such a harsh and decisive figure. She needed to leave a deep and unique impression on him.

Therefore, she had to play her cards in an unconventional way, a different kind of strategy.

Nanyan smiled lightly, her lips curving into a bloom-like smile, both tender and dignified, "Do you like it? I used to lose myself in imitating someone else, forcing myself into red dresses I didn’t love. In truth, I prefer this green, full of vitality."

Chu Liyue pursed his lips, aware that her imitation of someone else was for his sake.

But what of it?

No matter how perfect the imitation, she was not her.

Nanyan walked towards him, her willow green dress fluttering with each step, the sash at her waist moving elegantly, making her appear exceptionally graceful and vivid.

Chu Liyue observed her smiling eyes and realized she truly didn’t seem to hold a grudge over their recent altercation.

Avoiding her gaze, Chu Liyue said coldly, “Suit yourself. What you wear is none of my concern. After today, we will have no further interactions.” He would be with He Nanwan, as they were the true couple.

Since he had promised her, he might as well spend the day with her.

After he spoke, he noticed her body stiffen momentarily, her complexion turning slightly pale, but she quickly recovered.

“I understand. Just remember, Demon Lord, you promised to spend the entire day with me, without treating me as a substitute for anyone.”

Looking into her calm eyes, Chu Liyue inexplicably felt a slight discomfort in his heart.

He frowned, unable to help himself, “So, what exactly do you want me to do?”

Finally, they were getting to the main point.

Nanyan gave him a gentle smile, then stated her request, “The Demon Lord doesn’t need to do anything special, just accompany me for a day around Youdu City.”

What an odd request.

Chu Liyue couldn’t understand it, but what puzzled him more was that he had actually agreed to her request.

Only when they stepped outside did he realize that today was the mortal realm's Lantern Festival. Youdu preserved mortal customs, something he wasn't aware of.

As a cultivator, Chu Liyue rarely wasted time on such trivial matters. His most pleasant memories in the mortal realm were the days spent with He Nanwan, exterminating demons in the mountains...

Yet this Lantern Festival took him by surprise.

In the evening, under the hazy moonlight, the streets and markets were adorned with a variety of lanterns.

"Countless young men and women walked in pairs, heading to the moat in Youdu to set afloat a bright lantern, adding a touch of human warmth to this place inhabited by both humans and demons."

"'Lord Demon, look, those lanterns over there are so beautiful.'"

"'There are too many people, don’t push… What’s so special about a lantern?' Chu Liyue frowned, clearly averse to the crowded streets."

"Nanyan glanced at him and saw his body tensed, emanating a 'don’t mess with me' aura. She couldn’t help but laugh out loud, her smile so radiant that it momentarily distracted Chu Liyue."

"'If that’s the case, then you stay here, Lord Demon. I’ll go see them by myself.' Nanyan winked, not intending to comply this time."

"She turned and squeezed into the more crowded area. Unfortunately, she was accidentally stepped on and nearly pushed over, but Chu Liyue quickly grabbed her, preventing her from falling."

"'I’ve been tolerating you for a long time.'"

"Chu Liyue gripped her tightly, his heartbeat accelerating. He was inexplicably tense when he saw her being pushed, 'I’ve told you it’s crowded here. If you get trampled, I won’t save you.'"

"'Stubborn to the end,' thought Nanyan, catching his momentary look of concern. Perhaps this was a sign of unconscious affection."

"She smiled silently at him and extended a hand, tilting her head and asking, 'Then, can Lord Demon hold my hand? That way, I won’t get pushed away.'"

"This made Chu Liyue realize he was still holding her other wrist and he abruptly let go."

"'Don’t push your luck.'"

"Don't think I don't know what you're up to."

"Nanyan didn’t show any annoyance, quietly observing him, as if she had anticipated this outcome, her expression unchanged."

"Chu Liyue, feeling scrutinized, grew irritated and turned away."

"As the crowd around them thickened, he reluctantly handed over a sleeve, 'Hold on to this. If you get lost, I'll have to waste energy looking for you.' His subtext was that he was doing this only to avoid hassle."

"Nanyan's lips curved slightly, finally revealing a content smile. She carefully reached out and gently grasped the offered edge of his garment."

"Chu Liyue pursed his lips tighter, his face unapproachable. Unbeknownst to him, as he turned away, the tips of his ears hidden beneath his dark hair reddened."

"He inwardly scorned He Nanyan’s actions, thinking it beneath him, a Demon Lord, to accompany a woman to a night market. Yet seeing her cheeks flushed, holding the corner of his robe, her eyes and heart full of only him, it didn't seem so intolerable."

"A faint, unfamiliar sweetness began to stir in his heart."

"At that moment, his thoughts unexpectedly shifted to He Nanwan."

When he's with He Nanwan, he follows her unconditionally, not worrying about her disappearing into the crowd because he knows she can protect herself. But with this woman, he can't relax, always feeling she's constantly in danger, as if countless unforeseen accidents would occur if he doesn't keep a close eye on her.

Chu Liyue ultimately attributed this thought to her weakness; this woman had no spiritual root talent and was even inferior to the lowest-ranked sweepers in the sect, let alone He Nanwan.

They walked up along the street market, admiring many exquisite and beautiful decorations, spices, rouge, and the like, finally stopping in front of a hairpin shop.

The chubby shopkeeper, with keen insight, offered them a peach blossom green jade hairpin, enthusiastically saying, "You two are the most matching couple I've seen tonight."

"Sir, why not take a look? This green jade hairpin is finely crafted, matching perfectly with your lady's dress. Why not buy it for her?"

Nan Yan smiled and explained to the shopkeeper, shaking her head, "You misunderstand; we are not a couple."

Chu Liyue's hand, which was about to reach out, paused, especially after hearing her words, he unconsciously frowned.

However, his expression was always grim, so others couldn't tell the difference, just noticing him taking the hairpin.

The shopkeeper didn't mind, assuming they were engaged if not married. After all, what else could the relationship be between a man and a woman out together during the Lantern Festival, likely lovers.

Seeing Chu Liyue reach for the hairpin, Nan Yan guessed something and tentatively asked, "Is the Demon Lord thinking of buying this for my sister?" A flicker of hope passed in her eyes, hoping his answer would be no.

Yet, for some reason, Chu Liyue's originally friendly expression darkened instantly. Holding the hairpin, his first thought was actually this woman before him, simply feeling it matched her dress, and thus, would suit her.

But she thought he was buying it for He Nanwan.

He felt an indescribable frustration and annoyance, not even clear to himself about the cause of his anger.

He replied impatiently, "What if it is? What does it have to do with you?"

After saying this, he left the hairpin and walked away, his departure tinged with an irritated and embarrassed petulance.

Nan Yan naturally followed him, though at some point, she had let go of his sleeve.

She walked slowly behind, her gaze lowered, concealing her expression. "The Demon Lord has good taste. My sister will surely like that hairpin."

Why does he always say things like this?

"Enough, stop talking..." Chu Liyue harshly interrupted her, finding her remarks inappropriate. "I don’t need your guidance in my affairs. Just remember your place."

Nan Yan seemed startled by his annoyance, instinctively looking up to meet his irritable gaze, but quickly looked away, seemingly accustomed to his unpredictable moods.

After speaking, Chu Liyue felt his tone might have been too harsh, but being used to a position of superiority, especially in front of the habitually submissive He Nanwan, he couldn’t bring himself to apologize.

The atmosphere remained awkward.

The day was already turning to evening.

Nan Yan took the initiative, her voice tinged with a hint of regret. "If that's the case, could the Demon Lord accompany me to release a river lantern? After that, we can return..."

Chu Liyue pursed his lips, the request wasn't difficult, but somehow... he felt reluctant, perhaps because of her last words about returning after releasing the lantern.

A sudden thought arose in him that this might not be so hard to accept.

He pondered this,

But it was quickly suppressed by a sense of dissatisfaction.

His obsession with He Nanwan had clouded his judgment of other emotions.

The two walked along the street to the upstream, enjoying the scenery and watching the flower boats. Finally, Nan Yan, holding the flower lantern the Demon Lord had bought for her, arrived at the riverbank contentedly.

She gently placed the delicately crafted lotus river lantern into the water.

Chu Liyue noticed she had put a note inside the lantern and couldn't help but ask, "What did you put in the lantern?"

"Doesn't the Demon Lord know? It's a worldly custom. People release their wishes with the river lanterns, hoping they'll come true."

"A wish? What did you wish for?" In his view, relying on others to fulfill one's wishes was inferior to self-reliance. But seeing her pitiful look, he thought he might help her if the wish wasn't too much.

Hearing this, the woman by the lake turned to him with a smile, her fair face even more translucent and beautiful under the moonlight, her eyes filled with his reflection.

She then shook her head and refused, "I can't tell you. If I do, the wish might not come true."

Chu Liyue didn't press further, but still squinted his eyes in dissatisfaction. Did he really seem that eager to know? It was just a casual question.

So, when Nan Yan turned to return the pen and paper to the rental stall, Chu Liyue waved his hand, casting a spell, and retrieved the floating lantern.

He then unhesitatingly unfolded the note inside the wick, revealing a blessing written on it:

"May the Demon Lord's wishes come true, and all go smoothly."

The word "husband" was half-written then crossed out, replaced with "demon," and the last line included his and He Nanwan's names.

Seeing the handwriting, Chu Liyue couldn't describe his feelings, feeling as if his chest was tightening bit by bit, as if grasped by a forceful hand, his breath slightly trembling.

How could someone be so... foolish.

Why does she always think of him, depend on him, does she... really like him that much?

As Nan Yan approached from behind, Chu Liyue was still lost in thought, "What's wrong, Demon Lord? Why are you so still?"

Hearing her, Chu Liyue suddenly snapped back to reality, awkwardly stuffing the note and lantern into his storage bag, and dryly replied, "It's nothing."

He didn't understand why he reacted that way, but the discomfort in his heart grew deeper.

Nan Yan came beside him, observing the expression on his face, guessing that he had seen the contents of the river lantern.

The wish on the lantern was deliberately written by her, knowing Chu Liyue's contrary nature; the more she seemed to hide something, the more he wanted to know.

She had anticipated that he would peek.

It was the perfect time to initiate the next step of her plan.

Nan Yan lifted her head, her smiling eyes warmly gazing at him, "Could the Demon Lord close his eyes? I have a surprise for you."

Chu Liyue, puzzled, frowned and looked down at her, "What are you planning to do?"

Nan Yan blinked, pursed her lips, and shook her head, "As a weak woman, do you still fear I might harm you? Could the Demon Lord trust me just this once?"

Heh, did she think him a fool?

The last time she said something like this, she played a trick on him.

Chu Liyue looked deep into her eyes, hesitated for a moment, but eventually relented, "You better not play any tricks, or else I... I won’t let you off."

After issuing a half-hearted threat, the Demon Lord obediently closed his eyes.

Nan Yan couldn't help but laugh.

The verbally reluctant Demon Lord had honestly closed his eyes, exhibiting his straightforward nature in full.

After closing his eyes, Chu Liyue's senses became exceptionally sharp. He heard Nan Yan's laughter and subconsciously pictured her smiling face in his mind.

Lord Demon suppressed his lips, banishing that image from his thoughts.

His face was expressionless, but his heart was anything but calm.

Mainly, this act of closing his eyes reminded him of what she did when he was concentrating with closed eyes that day. Although she didn't really kiss him, the tension from that moment still made him uncomfortable...

He even thought that this woman asked him to close his eyes, perhaps to steal a kiss in public. If that was true, she was really... quite impolite.

But for some reason, he felt a vague nervousness deep inside, especially at the thought of such a scene, which oddly made the Demon Lord's ears turn red.

However, after waiting for a long time, the woman made no move, making Chu Liyue grow impatient, "What exactly are you doing?"

……

"He Nan Yan, you better not mess around, or I will truly punish you... Did you hear me?"

"Why don't you answer me, what are you..."

He suddenly opened his eyes, but she was already gone, and He Nan Yan's figure was nowhere to be seen.

In that instant, Chu Liyue immediately understood. Her request for him to close his eyes was just a ploy for her to escape.

...This trickster.

"Very well! Very well indeed!" Deceived by her again, Chu Liyue clenched his fists, feeling angry, but also a sense of panic and tension.

He thought she genuinely wanted to spend time with him, but this trickster had been deceiving him all along, just to escape.

……

Meanwhile, Nan Yan was swiftly weaving through the crowded festival streets, thankful for the numerous pedestrians during the Lantern Festival, as she neared a successful escape.

Just then, a young man called out from behind, "Hey, miss, you dropped something."

It wasn't just a shout; he started chasing after her.

Instantly, curious onlookers turned their attention towards her, and amidst the chaos, Nan Yan was pushed and soon caught by the pursuing man, who reached her side.

"Miss, don't run, you've dropped your purse..." The kind stranger panted as he handed her the purse.

"Thank you," Nan Yan quickly took the purse and continued on her way.

At the same time, Chu Liyue, alerted by the commotion, looked in her direction, his eyes narrowing dangerously upon seeing her entangled with another man, and he promptly headed towards them.

Nan Yan hurried into an alley, but how could a mortal outrun a cultivator? In just a moment, she was caught again, as Chu Liyue firmly grabbed her shoulder, pulling her back into his chest uncontrollably.

She was caught.

Nan Yan wasn't surprised; she never expected to outrun Lord Demon with her abilities. Her escape was merely to expedite her plan.

"Still thinking of running? Was everything you did tonight just to escape? You're quite bold, deceiving me over and over, aren't you?"

Nan Yan bumped into his chest, emitting a pained moan, "Let go of me..."

Let go, huh.

Seeing her struggle, Chu Liyue grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. As his gaze lowered, he saw her tearful eyes, and his action hesitated for a moment.

"Chu Liyue, I beg you... let me go, please... I don't want to marry someone else, please, I'll leave far away and never appear before you again..."

"Impossible." Hearing her pitiful plea, Chu Liyue's instinctive response was rejection, though his reason for refusing was blurred, "I won't let you go."

Tears had already welled up in Nan Yan's eyes, her teeth biting her lip, as she tightly clutched his clothes.

"Do you hate me that much? You know my true feelings, yet this is worse than letting me die..."

Chu Liyue's grip unconsciously loosened, but he quickly regained his resolve.

"Still trying to deceive me? From the beginning, you've been lying, saying those words, doing those things, all to escape, right?"

Nan Yan stiffened, and Chu Liyue noticed her reaction, anger welling up inside him, nearly driving him to a rage.

"So, was everything tonight premeditated?" Chu Liyue stared at her, his eyes dark and oppressive, "Have you been deceiving me all along?"

Nan Yan shook her head in denial, "No, I was sincere..."

Chu Liyue's grip on her shoulder intensified, "Still lying." He saw her as a trickster, deceiving him once again just as he was about to soften.

He no longer believed her.

"He Nan Yan, I've warned you before, if you dare play tricks, I won't let you off."

Tears finally fell from Nan Yan's eyes, splashing onto his hand, as she pleaded softly, "Please, don't do this... I beg you..."

Feeling the warmth of her tears on his skin, Chu Liyue made his decision, suppressing the discomfort in his heart, "Begging is useless, I won't be fooled by you again."

With that, he struck the back of Nan Yan's neck, a wave of numb pain followed, and she lost consciousness, collapsing onto him. Before blacking out, she saw a cold, mocking sneer on his lips.