My Husband’s Ascension C81
Chapter 81 Extra 9
Gossip about prominent figures always spread with a fierce and rapid intensity, and yet Zhao Zhao, the very person involved, was often the last to hear of it.
“I see…” In her mind, Zhao Zhao could not help but picture Xie Lanshu’s expression when he had spoken those words, the faint curve of her lips rising ever so slightly. “As long as he does not feel troubled, I care not.”
Yao Ling, sharpening her sword nearby, caught wind of the matter and could not suppress a quiet murmur of thought.
Of course, she believed anyone could be worthy of their master, but… for Dao Lord Tianshu, with his standing in the Cultivation Realm, to adopt her master’s surname so readily—it was undeniably flattering.
After all, in a world where male and female cultivators were judged solely by their strength, children could take any surname and still face disputes.
Yet here, the Dao Lord had bypassed all convention, taking his wife’s surname in one decisive move.
Who could see this and not murmur of a love-struck mind, no, rather, of her master’s formidable charm.
Beyond the window, the mountains stretched in endless waves. A snow-white dove, no larger than a palm, flapped across the skies for countless kilometers, carrying a letter tied to its leg directly before Zhao Zhao.
Her pen paused mid-annotation over the sect’s documents.
“A letter from Kunwu?”
Yao Ling stepped forward, intending to retrieve the letter for Zhao Zhao, but before she could touch the snow-white dove, it pecked her hand.
“Master! This blasted pigeon just pecked me!” Yao Ling shouted.
“Kunwu doves possess their own intelligence,” Zhao Zhao replied. “No one may interfere with the message except its intended recipient.”
Zhao Zhao beckoned, and as if understanding, the dove obediently alighted in her palm.
“This is so unnecessary… a jade slip would have sufficed. All this pomp…how pretentious,” Yao Ling muttered in a teasing, exaggerated tone, though curiosity got the better of her, and she stealthily peeked at what had been written.
Zhao Zhao quickly scanned the letter. Good, nothing inappropriate.
It was merely a poem:
Zhao Zhao, bright as sun and moon,
Radiant as the march of countless stars shine.
To be apart from you, my shadow wanes in gloom;
Does your heart share such a reflection of mine?
Yao Ling did not understand, yet she tried, asking hesitantly, “…Who is ‘Li Li (离离; radiant)’?”
Zhao Zhao: “Go find the elder who teaches your literacy lessons. I shall have words with him.”
“….”
Yao Ling fumbled for an excuse and slipped from Zhao Zhao’s room as if fleeing.
At that moment, Rong Yu brushed past her on the threshold, entering with a curious frown. “What happened to Yao Ling?”
Zhao Zhao waved the letter slightly. “A word of warning: no need to write love letters. At her level, she wouldn’t grasp it anyway.”
Rong Yu’s cheeks tinted with a faint flush of embarrassment.
“I understand… but… why another letter? Wasn’t one delivered this morning already?”
And now, having just finished lunch, only a few hours had passed.
“His true intentions are not what they seem,” Zhao Zhao remarked. She placed this letter alongside the others in the box. “He only wishes to track my movements. These snow doves follow the trace of my aura; by calculating the hours of their round trips, he knows where I am at all times.”
Rong Yu had never considered this, and a chill ran down his spine.
Master was, truly, entangled with someone fearsome.
“And regarding today’s trip to the Demon Realm…”
“No matter,” Zhao Zhao said after a moment’s thought. “I am merely escorting you there. I shall return before nightfall. He has sent two letters today already, he likely will not send another.”
After Mount Ling’s fall, both the Demon Realm and the Ghost Realm had descended into chaos.
The Ghost Realm’s turmoil followed the loss of its king, while the Demon Realm, upon learning of Xie Lanshu’s death, deemed the young successor Rong Yu no threat. Many attempted to emulate Xie Lanshu, hoping to seize the young successor and become the de facto ruler of the Demon Realm.
Fortunately, having trained under Xie Lanshu for decades, Rong Yu had not gone unlearned.
With Cloudculm Abode advising as well, it was made clear: should Rong Yu ascend smoothly as Demon Lord, it would mark the most peaceful period the Demon Realm and the Cultivation Realm had ever seen.
Kunwu led the way in support, and with many followers echoing the call, the Demon Realm’s internal unrest was swiftly quelled on Rong Yu’s behalf.
Rong Yu’s position had now grown secure. He could occasionally spend short stays at Cloudculm Abode, and afterward, Zhao Zhao would personally escort him back to the Demon Realm, gathering firsthand knowledge of the realm to answer inquiries from the various sects.
Yet on this visit, within the Palace of Eternal Night, Zhao Zhao noticed many little girls, no more than six years old, dressed in neat, uniform attire and accompanied by a cohort of senior matrons, apparently in training.
“Those are…”
The matrons, recognizing Zhao Zhao as the master of the Demon Lord, replied respectfully, “These are the Holy Maidens being raised for the Demon Lord…”
“Shhh! Shhh! Shhh!” Rong Yu, upon seeing the girls, clutched Zhao Zhao’s sleeve as though facing a dire threat, eyes wide with earnest pleading. “Master! You must, absolutely must, not tell Yao Ling about this. Not a word!”
It was Demon tradition: when a Demon Successor ascended as Demon Lord, young girls would be selected to serve as Holy Maidens, raised from childhood so that when they reached maturity, the Demon Lord could choose one to become the Demon Queen.
Zhao Zhao looked at the little girls, barely more than children.
Though demons, they appeared indistinguishable from humans—innocent, naïve, utterly unaware of the fate that awaited them.
“Could they not be sent back?”
Rong Yu sank back, disheartened. “We cannot.”
The demons have their own customs. Even as Demon Lord, he could not flout them at will. For these girls to be chosen was a matter of pride for their entire clan. Were he to return them, it would be seen as an insult, inviting resentment instead of respect.
“But I am not actually going to choose any of them as Demon Queen!” He hurried to defend himself. “They are still very young. There is time for me to find a solution, which is why I never mentioned it… it is absolutely not that I was deliberately keeping it from you! If Yao Ling ever finds out, Master, you will have to explain on my behalf!”
Though he ruled the Demon Realm, when faced with a dilemma, his first instinct was to cling to Zhao Zhao, eyes brimming as though tears might spill at any moment.
Zhao Zhao smiled. “I understand.”
Rong Yu exhaled, relief washing over him.
“Since you do not wish them to become Demon Queen, yet cannot send them back, the solution is quite simple.” Zhao Zhao reached out, touching one of the little girls, and smiled. “Considering how many demon officials and generals perished in all the conflicts your realm endured, why not raise them as court attendants instead? In that way, they honor their entire clan while keeping them safe. Would that not suffice?”
Rong Yu’s eyes brightened.
Indeed, this was a feasible solution.
Without delay, Zhao Zhao removed the weights the little girls had been balancing atop their heads for posture training. Ignoring the matrons’ shocked and disapproving stares, she pushed open the door.
“The spring outside is just splendid,” she said. “How dull it must be to remain cooped up all day in this dark palace. Would you like to come with me for a stroll in the greenery?”
A dozen or so little girls stared at her timidly.
Zhao Zhao considered for a moment. “Not in the mood for a stroll? Then shall we go fishing? Your Demon Lord liked to catch fish when he was little, though he never caught a single one.”
Rong Yu groaned. “Master, could you leave me a little dignity… just a little, please…”
All those dark, wide eyes fixed on Zhao Zhao. One particularly brave little girl could not hold back, asking, “A stroll in the greenery and catching fish… what are those?”
…
“Where have your Demon Lord and Miss Immortal Tanzhao gone?”
Inside the Palace of Eternal Night, the assembled attendants, having not expected to see the former great Demon Official return even after a century, fell to their knees in a panicked throng.
The flow of news between the Demon Realm and the Cultivation Realm was poor. The guards, suddenly confronted with the living dead, froze for a long moment before answering with trembling voices, “Demon Lord and Miss Immortal Tanzhao…have taken the Holy Maidens… out for a spring outing…”
Xie Lanshu lifted his foot and followed the direction they indicated.
Since regaining his memories, he had not taken the time to study the current state of the Demon Realm.
But he had expected some upheaval. Rong Yu, though the successor, was still far too young and weak; the Demon Realm could easily slip beyond his control.
When Xie Lanshu had last seen him at Cloudculm Abode, he had assumed Rong Yu had abandoned the Demon Realm entirely, focusing himself entirely on being a disciple there.
Thus, upon learning that Zhao Zhao and Rong Yu had gone to the Demon Realm, his first instinct was to drop everything and rush over.
Yet what he saw along the way exceeded his expectations.
Even alone, Zhao Zhao managed all matters with remarkable ease.
Outside the Palace of Eternal Night, the sunset bathed the ridges in soft light, the mountains adorned with blooming cherry trees. The little girls, granted the freedom of their first excursion, trailed behind the female cultivator, peering about in curious wonder.
From somewhere, Zhao Zhao produced a few candies and handed them out, giving even Rong Yu one.
Now grown into a young man, Rong Yu felt slightly embarrassed, yet, just as he had in childhood, he placed the candy in his mouth, his cheeks puffing slightly in the effort.
She still had that uncanny way of drawing children to her.
Xie Lanshu stared, momentarily lost in thought.
“…How is it that you are here?” As they reached a cherry tree in bloom, Zhao Zhao caught a familiar voice, eyes wide with surprise.
She had only just left Cloudculm Abode; how could he possibly know she was here?
Xie Lanshu approached slowly, brushing away the fallen petals from her hair. “Why did you not tell me you were going to the Demon Realm?”
Zhao Zhao, still taken aback, murmured, “Th–There was nothing to say. I was only escorting Rong Yu back.”
“And these children behind you, what of them?”
Zhao Zhao shifted her gaze guiltily.
Had Xie Lanshu not appeared so suddenly, she had no intention of returning tonight. She had planned to stay, continuing to work with Rong Yu on the children’s curriculum.
“It was merely a convenience. Since you’ve come to fetch me, leave them to A’Yu…”
She reached for Xie Lanshu’s hand to lead him away but he remained rooted to the spot.
“You can stay and continue.” He turned to meet Zhao Zhao’s slightly surprised gaze. “I did not come to fetch you. I was merely concerned for your safety. Since my worry was unfounded, you may continue as you wish; there is no need to change your plans on my account.”
“…Hearing you say that, I scarcely recognize you.” Zhao Zhao blinked and leaned closer to study him. “Are you truly Xie Lanshu? Surely this isn’t someone in disguise?”
Such considerate understanding was almost disarming.
Xie Lanshu, undisturbed by her doubt, smiled lightly. “Go wherever you please; I will not hinder you. That said… I never said I would return either.”
“…?”
She was certain now—he truly was Xie Lanshu, genuine and unmistakable.
That night, both of them stayed within the Palace of Eternal Night.
Because Zhao Zhao was present, Rong Yu did not have them occupy Xie Lanshu’s former cramped study. Instead, he arranged a spacious bedchamber for them—a place they could use whenever they came to the Demon Realm in the future.
Zhao Zhao appreciated the thoughtfulness.
But what Rong Yu did not realize was that in the old study, Xie Lanshu might have restrained himself somewhat. In this empty, secluded chamber, he would feel freer, far freer, to act as he wished.
“…You really do seem to like children.” Between ragged breaths, Zhao Zhao caught Xie Lanshu’s gentle voice behind her. “Yet for cultivators, bearing a child is exceedingly difficult. Would you feel regret?”
Her body burned with an alarming heat, and her thoughts slowed. She did not understand why, after asking such a question, he pressed a kiss to her. The reflexive answer she might have spoken was swallowed by his long, lingering, moist kiss. Only after a pause could she finally find her voice.
“It’s alright. I do adore children, but that affection isn’t restricted to my own.”
Gazing into her eyes, where a dark, smoldering fire burned, he spoke softly, “That is good.”
“And you?” Zhao Zhao asked, as if she had never posed the question before. “Would you feel…”
“Not at all,” he answered, without a trace of hesitation. “Your disciples already take more than enough of your time. Why would I bother with such a self-imposed burden?”
His tone betrayed not the slightest warmth toward children.
Zhao Zhao considered this. He likely was not lying. After all, after her rebirth, Yao Ling had once exaggerated how Xie Lanshu had mistaken her for his own child, nearly going so far as to offer her as a living sacrifice.
…Perhaps it was better that he had no children.
“I only feared you might regret it.”
Zhao Zhao giggled. “Regret what?”
Xie Lanshu said nothing.
There were far too many things she could regret: regretting forgiving his past self that had made her suffer so much, and regretting not simply choosing a mortal she liked and bearing a child of her own.
He would likely carry that concern for a lifetime, which explained his urgent desire to see her need him. Whether in fleeting pleasure or in sincere, abiding love. To rely on him, forever and always.
In the darkness, he concealed the fathomless longing in his eyes, letting slip words barely audible, “Since there will be no children, then… this is acceptable…right?”
Author’s Note: Whether or not there are children is left to the reader’s imagination, but no pregnancy will occur in the story.
One last chapter remaining before concluding this story.
