Yue Chan
Xu Shulou and her companion followed the demon attendant through the so-called "Gate of Hell."
Bai Roushuang nervously tugged at her senior sister's sleeve, gritting her teeth to summon her courage. Today, she was ready to risk her life to accompany her sister—even if it meant stepping into the real Gate of Hell, she would follow!
Filled with a surge of bold determination, she crossed the threshold, only to find that this "Gate of Hell" was far from what its name suggested. The interior was surprisingly cozy, furnished with a soft couch, a small table, and a pearwood desk adorned with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. The bamboo-framed window was draped with pale yellow curtains, and on the wall hung a New Year's painting—the kind commonly seen in the mortal world, depicting a chubby child holding a banner that read "Fortune and Prosperity."
Seeing such an adorable painting inside the "Gate of Hell" was far more startling to Bai Roushuang than encountering a malevolent ghost.
The demon attendant noticed her staring at the painting and asked, "What's the matter?"
"Why is there a New Year's painting here? Do you have some misunderstanding—ahem, I mean, a special interpretation of it?"
The attendant shook his head. "We just think it's cute. The Demon Lord has always had a fondness for adorable things."
"..."
"This way, please." The attendant continued leading them forward.
The two followed, passing through a corridor into a courtyard where they saw dozens of large red insects, each the size of a mortal dog, hopping and scurrying freely about.
"What are those?" Bai Roushuang exclaimed.
"Carmine bugs. They're used to make rouge," the attendant explained. "If you like them, you can take a few. I have the authority to grant that."
Bai Roushuang's eyes lit up. "Senior Sister, should I bring some back to make lipstick for you?"
Xu Shulou shook her head vehemently.
"..." Bai Roushuang could only sigh regretfully and ask the attendant, "Why does the Demon Palace keep a bunch of carmine bugs?"
"To earn money," the attendant replied candidly. "These days, even the Demon Lord struggles to make ends meet. He still has to pay our monthly wages."
"..."
As they spoke, the three stopped before a well.
The attendant gestured toward it. "Ladies, please."
A heavy silence fell as the three stared at each other.
Bai Roushuang's voice trembled slightly. "Are you... inviting us to jump into the well and drown ourselves?"
The attendant blinked. "I'm escorting you to meet the Demon Lord."
Bai Roushuang pointed a shaky finger at the well. "The Demon Lord... is down there?"
The attendant nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
In that instant, Bai Roushuang's mind conjured a vivid tale of the attendant staging a coup, overthrowing the Demon Lord, and dumping his corpse into the well.
But her fearless senior sister merely shrugged and said, "Alright then. Since we're already here," before leaping straight in.
With a loud splash, Bai Roushuang froze in place, her outstretched hand still hovering midair in a futile attempt to stop her.
The attendant followed suit, diving in after Xu Shulou. Bai Roushuang wiped the water droplets from her face, sighed in resignation, and jumped in as well.
She was a decent swimmer and soon reached the bottom, trailing behind the attendant as they groped their way forward. His voice echoed in her mind through a telepathic message: "The Demon Palace lies just ahead."
"So the real Demon Palace is built inside a well?" Bai Roushuang mused silently. The Demon Lord's residence lacked even a shred of grandeur.
"It was constructed centuries ago," the attendant explained. "Back then, tensions with the cultivation world were high, nearly escalating into war. The Demon Lord built his dwelling with layers of deception—just a precaution."
Xu Shulou nodded in understanding. She blew a bubble and brushed away the waterweed clinging to her face, along with a strange fish attempting to wriggle into her arms. "I have just one question: Why a water-filled well instead of a dry one?"
"...Good point."
After fumbling through the darkness for a while, their surroundings suddenly brightened. The trio seemed to pass through an invisible barrier, leaving the water behind as they stepped into a dry chamber.
A middle-aged man in a light purple robe stood waiting for them. He looked entirely human—two eyes, one nose, and even rather handsome—smiling warmly at the newcomers. "Welcome, honored guests. Allow me to fulfill my duties as host."
This was the Demon Lord?
In this sunless underground realm, his smile radiated warmth, defying every expectation Bai Roushuang had held. He was neither three-headed nor six-armed, nor was his face twisted in menace.
He was even cradling a stuffed rabbit toy, stroking it gently. Bai Roushuang stared, trying to discern some hidden darkness in the act—but it wasn’t even made of real rabbit fur, just ordinary plush fabric.
Noticing her gaze, the Demon Lord chuckled. "I hear this is quite the beloved plaything in the mortal world as well."
"Well, that’s true," Bai Roushuang admitted, though she refrained from pointing out that its primary admirers were usually children.
"Please, have a seat." The Demon Lord poured wine for them himself. "I imagine our cuisine may not suit your tastes, but the wine is rather decent."
Bai Roushuang’s sharp eyes caught an inscription on the wine vessel—a correctly written line of poetry: "Golden cups of fine wine, ten thousand coins a jug; Jade plates of delicacies, worth fortunes untold." For some reason, it moved her.
After sipping the sweet, fragrant fruit wine, she hesitated before asking, "You seem... not entirely unfamiliar with the mortal world."
"If you’re referring to culinary preferences, then yes, I do have some understanding."
"Then are you aware of how the mortal realm is portrayed in the demonic underworld?"
"How could I not know?" A trace of helplessness colored the Demon Lord’s eyes. "But there’s little I can do to change it."
"Why is that?"
"The demon realm has no sunlight. Vegetables and grains cannot grow here. Even if we knew the recipes for those delicacies, we couldn’t recreate them," the Demon Lord sighed. "Spelling it out clearly would only stir envy—and that’s no blessing. It might fuel their ambitions, destabilizing the three realms, or simply breed longing, making them yearn to visit the world above. But where in the sunlight would demons like us find refuge?"
"..." Bai Roushuang had never considered this before. His words left her momentarily speechless, a pang of melancholy rising in her chest. She glanced at her senior sister, but Xu Shulou showed no reaction, quietly sipping her wine.
Footsteps echoed from the corridor outside, accompanied by the delicate chime of jade pendants. The Demon Lord’s ears twitched, and he called out cheerfully, "Perfect timing. Yue Chan, we have two honored guests here—Xu Shulou and Bai Roushuang. Come and greet them."
The unseen woman let out a startled shriek and promptly fled.
Bai Roushuang instinctively turned to her senior sister, her eyes full of silent accusation. She wasn’t actually puzzled about what Xu Shulou might have done to the girl—by her second year of knowing her, she’d learned better than to ask such questions. The options were always the same: beaten, thrashed, or trounced.
No, she just wanted to gauge the severity of the offense—whether it was something they could talk through or if they should bolt immediately.
Xu Shulou met her gaze calmly and shrugged, signaling that she had no answer.
The Demon Lord offered an apologetic smile. "Forgive her. She’s a bit... capricious."
Bai Roushuang shivered slightly. If the Demon Lord found out that her senior sister had likely beaten up this young lady, they would probably be the next ones forced to apologize.
The Demon Lord poured Xu Shulou another cup of wine. "Ladies, forgive my bluntness, but may I ask what brings you to the demon realm?"
Xu Shulou answered straightforwardly, "I heard the demons were planning a large-scale invasion of the cultivation world, so I came to investigate."
"Oh?" The Demon Lord raised an eyebrow. "And what conclusions have you drawn?"
Xu Shulou shook her head. "I think the demons are peaceful and hospitable. Though there are many misunderstandings about the cultivation world, you don’t seem like you’re preparing for an invasion."
So, when necessary, her senior sister could be quite diplomatic, Bai Roushuang mused. At least she didn’t outright say—given the demons’ intelligence, even if they did attack, they probably wouldn’t succeed. Besides, with the Demon Lord struggling to pay his own monthly stipend, where would he even find an army willing to fight for him?
The Demon Lord nodded in satisfaction. "I naturally have no such intentions. Looking back at the previous conflicts between our realms, even when the cultivators suffered heavy losses, did the demons ever truly gain anything? Wouldn’t it be better for us all to live in peace? As you’ve seen, demons are quite content with their lives—we harbor no grand ambitions."
Xu Shulou smiled. Whatever the reason, she never wished to see war.
Relieved to learn their visit held no ill intent, the Demon Lord warmly invited them to stay at the demon palace for a while.
The two agreed. Moments later, they stood in silence, watching the demon servant cleaning their guest room.
"It seems the Demon Lord really is short on manpower."
The servant wiped his sweat and grinned. "I earn the highest monthly stipend—more capable, more responsibilities, right?"
"…"
Once he finished tidying up, he quickly left. Shortly after, light footsteps echoed outside the door.
A young girl hesitated at the threshold before peeking inside, revealing a familiar face that brightened with a radiant smile.
"Yue’er? What are you doing here?" Bai Roushuang exclaimed in surprise. The girl in the pale dress was the same demon they had met years ago on a pleasure boat. She had even traveled with them for a time, visiting the City of Nevernight and the Valley of Burning Incense.
"I’m a maid in the demon palace."
"Really? What a coincidence," Xu Shulou said with a faint smile. "I heard the Demon Saintess also has 'Yue' in her name."
Yue’er nervously bit her lip. "Maybe it’s just a coincidence."
Xu Shulou sighed. "Yue’er, I know you’re Ling Yuechan."
Ling Yuechan—a name that had left a deep mark in her dreams.
The Demon Saintess, unwelcome in the cultivation world, yet hopelessly in love with one of its most brilliant young cultivators. Like a moth to flame, she had given everything for him.
Xu Shulou had never seen her face in her dreams, but she was certain Yue’er was Ling Yuechan.
Back in the City of Nevernight, during their brief encounter at the Storybrew Tavern, she had noticed how naive this girl was—how she yearned for love, even idolizing the kind of devotion that demanded sacrifice.
Yue’er had even admitted she sneaked into the cultivation world in hopes of meeting a man who would sweep her off her feet.
But on that boat, it was Xu Shulou who had appeared before her, who had helped her out of trouble.
Had it been Lu Beichen instead, would they have become a celebrated pair?
Add to that Yue’er’s casual possession of the Thorn Phoenix Flower back then, and her presence here now—her identity was unmistakable.
Yue’er’s eyes flickered uneasily. "Yes… I am Ling Yuechan."
Bai Roushuang blinked in surprise. "You’re the Demon Saintess?"
"I’m sorry. I didn’t want to lie, but I was afraid…" Yue’er gave a bitter smile. "The Demon Lord is my father. You understand, right?"
"I think I get it," Bai Roushuang said, recalling the demon servant’s mention of a newborn great-great-grandmother and their flexible family tree. "So, on the surface, the Demon Lord is your father, but by cultivation world standards, you’re actually his… mother?"
"…I meant that I know the cultivation world has many misconceptions about my father. I worried if you knew who I was, you wouldn’t want anything to do with me." Yue’er stared at Bai Roushuang in confusion. "What are you even saying? Did you eat poisoned mushrooms from the Boar Forest or something?"
"What poisoned mushrooms?"
"The kind that make you delirious."
"…" Delirious? Thanks for being so polite and not outright calling me an idiot, Bai Roushuang thought, weeping internally.
