Chapter 33 Kiss Me Again

Chapter 33: Kiss Me Again

About an incense stick later.

The Archdemon licked the wetness from his lips, then leaned down to gently rub his fox ears.

"I still feel awful," Xie Huanxiang said, his long hair stuck damply to the nape of his neck. He rubbed his ear against the man's palm without thinking, his pale cheeks flushed bright red. His normally clear eyes were hazy, half-closed as he lazily looked at the man. "Kiss me again."

Having lived among the demon clan for nearly a century, the little fox spirit didn't know what it meant to ask a male for a kiss, nor why he felt so uncomfortable. He only knew that when the Archdemon had kissed him earlier, it made him feel better. So he acted spoiled without shame, just like when he asked the big fox from Cangshan to groom his fur.

"Like before?" the Archdemon asked, voice hoarse.

Xie Huanxiang kicked him, annoyed. "You know the answer, so why're you asking? Just kiss me."

The male demon leaned down again.

Xie Huanxiang snorted, propping his leg up on the Archdemon. The dark cloak fabric made the flesh of his thigh pressing against it look even more delicate and fair.

*At least he's smart, or I'd be meaner.*

Xie Huanxiang bit the tip of his own tail, slowly calming the restlessness inside him.

He curled up on the ridiculously soft bed, not falling into a contented sleep until the sky was just starting to get light.

The Archdemon sat by the bed, pulling off his hood to show a cold, handsome face.

A face exactly like Wu Liu's.

He grabbed the little fox's fluffy tail tip, squeezing it gently but firmly.

But it was almost dawn.

Soon, Wu Liu scooped up Xie Huanxiang.

Even in his dreams, the little fox spirit refused to let go of his tail, his head tucked against the man's chest, his knees hooked over the man's arm. His slim, graceful calves hung totally relaxed, swinging a little with each step. Their long shadows cast on the wall made them look like a close, inseparable couple.

Wu Liu stared at the shadow for a while, then his tail silently ripped open a rift. He stepped through, still holding the boy.

...

When Xie Huanxiang woke, it was already bright daylight.

"Xiangbao, you up?" Xie Jiuyan sat by the bed, smiling at him.

"Brother, where did you go last night?" Xie Huanxiang, still groggy, slowly crawled out of his neatly made nest into Xie Jiuyan's arms on all fours. Once comfy, he hugged his tail and continued sleeping.

"I had to step out for something urgent," Xie Jiuyan said, carrying him as he walked out. He looked down, studying him thoughtfully. "You slept so long, why're you still so tired?"

Xie Huanxiang just grunted vaguely in response.

Xie Jiuyan grabbed his back leg, his thumb running over a bite mark hidden in the red fur. He paused.

"Xiangbao." He narrowed his eyes, about to push further.

Xie Huanxiang's ears drooped down, and he rolled over in Xie Jiuyan's arms. "Brother, you're so loud."

After a long silence, Xie Jiuyan didn't ask anymore. He patted his back gently. "Go back to sleep."

When Xie Huanxiang woke up again, it seemed they'd traveled a long way.

He lifted his head and looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings, his ears flicking. He asked, curious, "Brother, where is this?"

"The Demon Realm, Moon-Eclipse City," Xie Jiuyan replied.

"The Demon Realm?" Xie Huanxiang looked up and saw the blood-red moon hanging in the sky.

The blood-red moon was wrapped in thick, layered clouds, like an eye with a crimson pupil.

"Why are we here?" Xie Huanxiang asked.

"Is Xiangbao scared?" Xie Jiuyan countered.

Xie Huanxiang wagged his tail, jumped onto Xie Jiuyan's shoulder, and lifted his chin with an air of authority. "With you here, brother, I'm not afraid."

Xie Jiuyan chuckled softly, one hand steadying his back as he continued forward. "Right, with your brother here, you have nothing to fear."

"But why did you come here, brother?" Xie Huanxiang couldn't help looking around. Though Moon-Eclipse City was gloomy and nowhere near as nice as Cangshan, it was novel enough to pique the little fox's curiosity.

When he noticed some demons on the street sneaking glances at him, Xie Huanxiang glared back, putting on a brave front. "What are you looking at! Be careful, or my brother will teach you a lesson!"

He hadn't felt this impressive since his brother disappeared.

Xie Jiuyan turned his head with him, his gaze icy cold. The Celestial Demon's power surged like a tidal wave, crushing down on the demons who had been thinking of making a move on the fox. Their faces turned pale, their legs nearly gave out, and they scrambled away in terror.

The demon palace sat at the very center of Moon-Eclipse City, surrounded by a moat of magma. Ordinary demons could not enter without a decree. Anyone who tried to force their way in would be melted into a puddle by the warping heat of the magma before even touching the palace gates.

Xie Jiuyan grabbed the little fox who had climbed from his shoulder to his head, excitedly looking around, and pulled him back into his arms. With a wave of his hand, he summoned a gust of demonic wind, sending a torrent of magma splashing out to melt the obsidian palace gates.

"Who dares trespass in the demon palace?!"

Xie Huanxiang glanced at the line of demons filing out and whispered, "Brother, didn't you say we were visiting the demon palace as guests?"

"They don't know the rules of hospitality, so brother has to teach them," Xie Jiuyan said flatly.

The leading Archdemon, with a pair of large, pitch-black, smooth wings, descended from the sky. "So it's Master Xie who honors us with his presence. Our lord has been expecting you. Please, come in."

Xie Huanxiang stole a glance at the Archdemon.

*So ugly.*

He looked away in disgust, not wanting to see more, and stayed quietly in his brother's arms.

An incense stick later, in the main hall of the demon palace.

As Xie Huanxiang was carried into the hall, he caught sight of a cluster of plump, glistening grapes on the table. Forgetting himself, he jumped out of Xie Jiuyan's arms, transformed into human form, and rushed over to sniff the grapes.

The sweet and sour fragrance of the grapes instantly filled his nostrils. Xie Huanxiang felt like his nose was going to fall off from the delicious scent.

"And this is...?" The Demon Lord descended from his throne, his gaze fixed intently on him.

Such a pure and beautiful little fox spirit—the demons of the realm had never seen anything like it.

If he had fallen from the sky alone into a crowd of demons, he would have been devoured in an instant, every last bone licked clean.

For some reason, Xie Huanxiang strongly resisted this gaze that clung to him. Even though the Demon Lord looked more handsome and imposing than the other demons, he still found it annoying. Even the grapes in front of him lost their appeal. He pursed his lips and hid behind Xie Jiuyan.

Then he cautiously peeked out half his head, only to find the Demon Lord still staring at him.

*How annoying.*

"Brother, he keeps looking at me," Xie Huanxiang tugged at Xie Jiuyan's sleeve.

Xie Jiuyan glanced sideways, soothingly patting his head. Then he turned, picked a grape from the table, and before anyone—including the Demon Lord—could react, he suddenly flicked his wrist and sent it flying, striking the Demon Lord square in the right eye.

Blood burst forth. The Demon Lord trembled, covering his injured eye, gritting his teeth to stifle a scream. Bent over in pain, he still raised a hand to stop his subordinates, who were about to attack in fury.

Xie Jiuyan covered Xie Huanxiang's eyes with his palm and smiled. "If you dare look at my little brother with such eyes again, I'll take more than just your eyes."

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