Chapter 70: She Had Waited a Lifetime for This Day
Mu Tao was momentarily lost in thought.
Such deep helplessness, expressed in a single, soft sigh.
No scolding, just a faint complaint, a hint of dissatisfaction, yet no desire to escape.
Were these words also spoken under the spell’s control?
The mind-control technique didn’t completely erase consciousness, just suppressed it, leaving behind a shell that obeyed basic commands.
Her master suddenly saying something that seemed to defy her orders, perhaps her true self, trapped beneath the spell, truly felt this way?
But even so, wasn’t her master blaming her, even slightly?
Was it the spell, or did her master genuinely not resent her?
Mu Tao’s brow remained furrowed; she didn’t release Li Yu’s hand.
Li Yu’s red sleeve slipped, and Mu Tao stared at the silver bells tied with a red string on her wrist, murmuring softly, “Being my master…is it really that difficult…?”
She didn’t understand what her master meant by “more difficult than cultivating alone.”
Her master had cultivated alone for millennia.
Had her master, deep down, also felt…lonely?
So, had her master been yearning for a partner for dual cultivation?
Mu Tao’s gaze lingered on the red mark on Li Yu’s neck, then shifted to the glimpse of white skin beneath the red silk of her robe, her heart quickening.
No, that was impossible!
Her master was as pure as the moon; she must have misunderstood!
But if not dual cultivation, then what did her master mean?
She never misheard her master’s words.
Mu Tao gripped Li Yu’s hand tighter, her heart pounding, her eyes downcast.
She was becoming increasingly confused.
Her master had been acting strangely lately. Controlled by the spell, her every word and action should have been pleasing, yet she kept saying confusing things.
As Mu Tao struggled to understand, Li Yu closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Li Yu’s breathing evened out, but her brow furrowed slightly. She suddenly turned and swatted Mu Tao’s hand.
The sound startled Mu Tao, who quickly released Li Yu’s hand, carefully placing it on the bed.
Demonic energy and divine power clashed; she couldn’t heal her master or easily examine her injuries.
Her master had been fine, but now she seemed so weak. It must have been Mu Tao’s unintentional release of resentment that hurt her.
Guilt washed over her like a cold wave.
When Li Yu woke up, the green spiritual fire still flickered in the room.
The ice flower by the window, illuminated by the Netherbloom Flower’s faint glow, had a purplish hue.
The wedding attire and a wooden food box were on the table.
Mu Tao lay asleep beside her, her eyes red and puffy.
A soft blanket covered her, and her torn undergarment had been replaced.
A dull ache lingered on her neck and waist, but the familiar flow of spiritual energy had returned.
She instinctively raised her hand, and a faint light, gently healing her minor injuries, flickered at her fingertips.
Mu Tao, sensing something, looked up, her eyes filled with guilt.
“Master!” She grabbed Li Yu’s raised hand.
Then, realizing she had interrupted the healing, she quickly let go.
The gentle blue light reappeared, soft as a distant dream.
Mu Tao stared at it, her eyes dry from crying, until it faded, and she slowly returned to reality.
“How long have I been asleep?” Li Yu asked.
“About four or five hours…” Mu Tao whispered, carefully taking Li Yu’s hand. “I accidentally injured Master. Once your spiritual energy is restored, this won’t happen again.”
Li Yu sat up, changed her clothes with a spell, and said casually, “I doubt that.”
Mu Tao: “Master…”
Li Yu: “Even with my spiritual energy restored, if you lose control, I’m still no match for you.”
Mu Tao: “…”
Li Yu’s unexpected retort made Mu Tao’s eyes widen.
Panic, helplessness, like being caught red-handed, yet also a strange sense of relief.
But as she looked up and met Li Yu’s gaze, a wave of disappointment washed over her.
She had thought her master was truly awake.
Her master’s eyes were still unfocused, vacant, yet why did she feel a glimmer of her true self?
She wasn’t thinking straight; if she really wanted her master to wake up, she could just dispel the spell. What was this lingering hope in her heart?
She didn’t dare let her master wake up, not yet.
Until everything was settled, it was best for her master to remain obedient and predictable.
If her master woke up now, there would be anger, pain, resentment, and an attempt to escape.
But she couldn’t help but yearn for the day her master would wake up without scolding her, without trying to leave, when her master would be…herself again.
As if that could erase everything.
But how could such a thing be possible?
Mu Tao held Li Yu’s cold hand, a dull ache in her heart.
She was reaping what she had sown.
Because of her greed, she had lost even more.
Perhaps because of this single selfish act, nothing would ever be the same again.
But what could she do? She didn’t have the courage to stop.
She lowered her gaze, her voice barely a whisper, “I was wrong… I didn’t mean to…”
Li Yu: “I’m hungry.”
Mu Tao: “…”
Li Yu tilted her head and flicked Mu Tao’s forehead.
The flick, infused with spiritual energy, was strong enough to leave a red mark.
Mu Tao stared at Li Yu, her eyes wide with surprise. “M, Master…”
Li Yu repeated, “I’m hungry.”
A flicker of displeasure in her vacant eyes.
Mu Tao blinked, and as Li Yu raised her hand again, she quickly grabbed it.
“Yes!” she said hastily. “I’ve already prepared the meal, I thought Master might be hungry when you woke up—it’s freshly made, shouldn’t be cold yet!”
She quickly went to the table, moved the wedding clothes to a nearby stool, and laid out the dishes.
When she turned around, Li Yu was already sitting at the table.
Her master’s expression was still the same, neither happy nor angry.
Even her smile was faint, artificial.
Mu Tao brought the bowl and chopsticks, wanting to feed her, but Li Yu snatched them away.
“I’ll eat myself,” Li Yu said, pointedly not looking at Mu Tao.
Mu Tao opened her mouth but didn’t speak.
She sat beside Li Yu, watching her, confused, unable to understand what was wrong.
Her master seemed different.
Not just the difference of being controlled by a spell, but beneath that control, another version of her master, one she had never seen before, seemed to be struggling to emerge—as if trying to break free from her grasp.
She had noticed this before, but it was stronger now.
Trapped beneath the spell, a muddled consciousness, a true self.
Had her master never truly faced her before?
Mu Tao was lost in thought, barely touching her food, even after Li Yu finished.
Li Yu stood up, went to the other side of the table, and examined the wedding attire.
“Hmm…” A conflicted sound escaped her lips.
She conjured a water mirror with a spell.
Ignoring Mu Tao’s gaze, she tried on the other outfits, using spiritual power to change her appearance.
Mu Tao stared, her mind blank.
After trying them all on, Li Yu chose one and took it to the dressing table.
“This one,” she whispered, glancing at the Netherbloom Flower by the window.
Its dark purple petals indicated it was almost midnight.
Li Yu turned to Mu Tao and asked casually, “Aren’t you leaving?”
Mu Tao: “Is Master going to bed?”
Li Yu: “I just woke up; I can’t sleep yet.”
Mu Tao: “I want to stay with Master.”
Li Yu: “Mm.”
The conversation stalled again. Mu Tao frowned, walked behind Li Yu, and hugged her, resting her head against her back.
“Master,” Mu Tao whispered, her voice muffled, “Are you…angry with me…?”
“Why would I be angry?” Li Yu’s voice was still emotionless.
“You seem angry.”
“I won’t be angry with you.”
Mu Tao was silent for a moment, then gently blew on the wound on Li Yu’s neck.
The cool air made Li Yu instinctively flinch.
Mu Tao infused her breath with demonic energy, a subtle command: “I hurt Master. If you’re angry, you can tell me.”
A dark red light flickered on Li Yu’s forehead.
Li Yu frowned slightly. “I’m angry that you did that to me.”
Although she knew her master must be resentful, hearing those words still stung.
She wasn’t sure what Li Yu meant by “did that to me.”
Was it today’s misbehavior, or the mind-control spell?
Li Yu removed Mu Tao’s hands from her waist.
She walked to the window, gently touched the ice flower, and stared outside, saying nothing.
Mu Tao quickly followed and hugged her from behind again.
“Master, don’t leave me,” she pleaded softly.
“Mm,” Li Yu replied softly.
“I’ll treat you well, Master, I’ll protect you always,” she said, her voice filled with guilt.
“Okay.”
Mu Tao: “Master…”
Li Yu: “Hmm?”
Mu Tao: “After we’re married, can this disciple…dual cultivate with Master…?”
Li Yu: “…”
“Master mentioned that cultivating alone is difficult. Although this disciple’s demonic energy clashes with Master’s divine power, I’ve also learned immortal techniques from you.” Mu Tao said softly. “I can suppress my demonic energy and use immortal techniques for dual cultivation.”
She nuzzled Li Yu’s ear. “What do you think, Master?”
Li Yu’s lips trembled slightly, and she managed a soft, “Okay.”
Mu Tao’s expression dimmed, but she still smiled and gently nibbled Li Yu’s ear.
The Demon Bone was within her; although she had better control now, she was still prone to losing it.
She didn’t dare be too reckless, afraid of hurting Li Yu again, just savoring the brief contact.
She released Li Yu and walked to her side, gazing at her face.
“Master, wait for me, just a little longer,” Mu Tao whispered, her light brown eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
It wouldn’t be long; on their wedding day, after their union was consummated, she would undo the spell.
She was preparing for the wedding as quickly as possible.
But no matter how quickly, she didn’t want to mistreat Li Yu.
This was the person she cherished most; she wanted to give her the best wedding she could.
Even without the human realm’s light, without the blessings of those they once knew, their wedding should still be grand, a joyous occasion…
But perhaps…there wouldn’t be many to celebrate with them.
The Demon Lord marrying the only god in the human realm would surely invite criticism.
And the world’s disapproval wasn’t just because of the difference between a god and a demon.
She and her master, one with the Heavenly Demon’s Demon Bone, the other guarding the Heavenly Demon’s soul fragment, both women, and master and disciple.
They were never meant to be together…
But she didn’t care.
All she wanted was to be with her master, forever.
And for that, she would do anything, pay any price.
What others thought…didn’t matter.
As long as her master was willing.
If her master was willing, she would defy the world.
And if her master wasn’t willing, she would find a way to make her willing.
Preparing a grand wedding in just half a month was a rushed affair.
The secluded palace where Li Yu was kept was unusually quiet, as Mu Tao, preoccupied with preparations, rarely visited, except for mealtimes.
As the Demon Lord, Mu Tao could no longer dress casually.
Li Yu, sitting by the window, would occasionally see a distant figure in unfamiliar attire.
The girl always came in a hurry, sometimes forgetting to change.
But before approaching the barrier, she would always change back into her Mount Chao Yao clothes, a stubborn adherence to the past—before her master, she would always be the same little disciple.
But today was different.
Today was their wedding day. Mu Tao would be wearing the wedding attire Li Yu had chosen.
And the barrier around the palace was gone.
Li Yu saw Xiang Hanyu and Yan Buqiu for the first time since returning to the Demon Realm.
They were here to help her dress and prepare for the ceremony.
They were worried and apprehensive.
They hadn’t been allowed inside since Li Yu woke up.
Mu Tao had confined her; if Li Yu didn’t want to escape, why was she imprisoned?
This wedding, like the one on Mount Chao Yao, probably wasn’t what Li Yu wanted, just something Mu Tao forced.
Perhaps even persuading her to wear the wedding attire would be a challenge.
“If Li Yu isn’t willing, whose wishes should we follow?” Xiang Hanyu asked worriedly.
“…Let’s ask her first,” Yan Buqiu sighed.
But when they entered, they saw Li Yu sitting before the dressing table, already wearing the wedding attire Mu Tao had chosen, trying on jewelry.
Hearing them enter, she glanced at them and said casually, “Oh, it’s you.”
Then she turned back to the mirror, comparing two phoenix hairpins.
“Exalted Immortal Li Yu…” Xiang Hanyu approached the dressing table, looking at Li Yu’s reflection, and asked tentatively, “Are you…happy today?”
“Of course, very happy.”
“That’s good, but…” Xiang Hanyu paused, then smiled. “These were prepared hastily, I hope they are to your liking.”
Li Yu smiled faintly. “These are all chosen by Mu Tao; how could they not be to my liking?”
She looked at them, a smile in her eyes.
“I’ve never worn red before. It’s so vibrant; I almost feel unworthy.” She looked at her reflection and asked softly, “I don’t even remember how to apply makeup anymore, can you help me?”
She was right; the red accentuated her pallor.
But her smile was genuine, not a hint of reluctance in her eyes.
Xiang Hanyu relaxed and exchanged glances with Yan Buqiu. “Of course.”
“We’re here to help.” Yan Buqiu picked up the wooden comb. “Not just makeup, but we also need to style your hair.”
Li Yu nodded, put down the hairpins, and looked at her reflection.
The Netherbloom Flowers outside began to glow. Her usually pale face now carried a healthy flush, so bright she looked like a different person.
She applied rouge, concealing the last vestiges of paleness.
Pearl and jade ornaments adorned her hair, now styled in an elaborate updo.
Unlike human weddings, there was no need for a veil in the Demon Realm. Li Yu’s lips curved into a smile, her beauty on full display in the mirror.
Xiang Hanyu: “No wonder Mu Tao cherishes you so much. Your beauty today…is truly breathtaking.”
Li Yu didn’t respond, just smiled faintly, lowering her gaze.
After some time, Xiang Hanyu glanced at the flowers outside and helped Li Yu up, leading her out of the room.
The ornaments in her hair chimed softly.
Her magnificent wedding attire, embroidered with intricate gold thread and adorned with pearls from the human realm, shimmered with every movement.
The jade belt, with its white glass beads, chimed melodiously as she walked.
The long train, a fishtail design embroidered with spiritually infused silk on layers of thin gauze, trailed behind her, flowing like water with every step.
She stepped onto the wedding palanquin, decorated with flowers from the human realm.
Red candles, their flames protected by spiritual energy, lined the path, illuminating the dark Demon Realm.
It looked like a human celebration, yet the trees were those of the Demon Realm.
In the distance, the black stone Demon Lord’s palace, its entrance like the gaping maw of a dragon or a serpent, glowed with a faint, dark purple light.
Black mist swirled around the palace, and the demons, their expressions varied, watched as the palanquin, carrying the god from the human realm, approached.
In ancient times, after losing the war against the gods, the demons were forced to retreat to the cold, lightless Demon Realm.
Every attempt to return to the human realm was blocked by the gods and immortals of the Heavenly Realm.
And by the time the Heavenly Realm closed its gates, abandoning the human realm, most demons could no longer tolerate the changing seasons.
Legend said that only the Heavenly Demon’s return could lead them back to the light and protect them from its scorching heat.
The current Demon Lord, although young, possessed the Heavenly Demon’s Demon Bone and unparalleled demonic power, commanding the loyalty of all demons.
Yet, she insisted on marrying a god.
And this god had participated in the battle against the Heavenly Demon four thousand years ago.
Not only that, but this god was also the guardian of the Upper Spirit Lamp, containing the Heavenly Demon’s soul fragment.
This god couldn’t possibly be loyal to the Demon Realm.
They couldn’t understand why the Demon Lord insisted on marrying her.
But despite their objections, the grand wedding proceeded.
The woman in the palanquin, her features as delicate as a painting, a smile on her lips, illuminated by the red candles, her beauty surpassing even the vibrant flowers.
Mu Tao looked at her, a longing in her eyes, as if looking at that distant, unattainable purity she had yearned for during the past two hundred years.
It felt like a dream.
Her master, also dressed in red, the most beautiful bride, walking towards her under everyone’s gaze.
She had waited a lifetime for this day.
Even if it was forced,
Even if there were few to offer their blessings…
This was the happiest day of her life.
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