Volume One, Chapter 18: A Marriage Proposal?
Li Yan's expression was a complex tapestry of emotions, difficult to decipher. Doubt lingered in his heart, yet he found himself involuntarily convinced that this woman’s appearance in his world was merely a coincidence, devoid of ulterior motives. Should his suspicion prove even slightly mistaken, an endless abyss of ruin awaited him.
Yet fate seemed to show him a rare kindness. The icy sharpness in Li Yan’s gaze gradually melted away, replaced by gentle ripples of warmth. Entrusting his very safety entirely to another was an unprecedented experience, stirring within him emotions beyond words.
He quietly watched Qingyi, peacefully asleep, and murmured in a low voice, “If you truly can save me from fire and water, I, Li Yan, will hold this debt of gratitude in my heart forever.”
***
The next morning, a sudden commotion shattered the surrounding tranquility.
“Knock, knock, knock! Open the door quickly!”
Li Yan, who had not slept all night, instinctively shut his eyes and pretended to be asleep the moment Qingyi gently opened hers. He wondered silently why he behaved so, as if harboring some unspeakable secret he feared would be uncovered.
“Open up!”
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Qingyi glanced at Li Yan still feigning slumber, then quietly rose, curious about the early disturbance.
Outside the small courtyard:
“Are you sure the woman named Qingyi lives here?”
“Absolutely! I saw her enter myself. No mistake!”
Tang Lou, satisfied, pulled a silver ingot from his sleeve—two kinds in one—and tossed it to Li Wu, who caught it respectfully.
“Well done. This is your reward.”
Li Wu beamed, carefully tucking the silver away, his face full of obsequiousness.
“Thank you, Young Master Tang!”
Tang Lou patted his round belly, eyes squinting.
“But if you dare deceive me, you know the consequences.”
Li Wu paled, quickly shaking his head.
“Young Master Tang, you can trust me—I’m no coward, nor would I deceive you!”
Tang Lou nodded approvingly.
“You’re sensible.”
“Master, someone’s coming out!”
Tang Lou immediately craned his neck to peer inside the courtyard.
There she was.
When he caught sight of her, his small eyes gleamed with delight.
A few days ago, he had caught a glimpse of Qingyi in the street and was captivated by her beauty. Unfortunately, the crowd was too thick, and he lost her quickly.
Since that day, he had sent his servants scrabbling everywhere to find her residence.
Just as he finally obtained a lead, the demon clan invaded Peach Blossom Town, plunging the whole settlement into panic and forcing him indoors for several days, hence the delay.
“Where’s the matchmaker?”
“Oh, Young Master Tang, I’m right here!”
The matchmaker Zhang squeezed her way forward. They had come to propose marriage—and she had already learned that Qingyi’s parents had long since disappeared, never returning. It was possible they were gone forever.
Everyone in Peach Blossom Town knew that Young Master Tang was the wealthiest man in town. Girls hoping to marry him lined up beyond the city gates.
It was a stroke of unimaginable luck that Qingyi caught his eye—truly a blessing born of eight lifetimes of good fortune!
Tang Lou patted his belly, nostrils flaring arrogantly.
“Do you know what to say later?”
Waving a handkerchief, Zhang smiled confidently.
“Oh, Young Master Tang, don’t worry! There’s no match in Peach Blossom Town I can’t arrange!”
Qingyi opened the gate and saw a crowd gathered outside.
“Who are you looking for?”
“Oh, Miss Qingyi, I have wonderful news for you!” Zhang pushed into the courtyard and winked at Tang Lou.
Tang Lou’s gaze fixed on Qingyi, unable to look away.
Beautiful!
Absolutely stunning!
More so than any of the women he had previously married, even the town’s famed courtesans paled in comparison.
“I don’t know you. What do you want?”
Qingyi’s anger flared. She disliked these intruders barging into her home without permission.
“Miss Qingyi,” Zhang said, pulling her aside, “this is Tang Lou, the eldest son of the Tang family here in Peach Blossom Town.”
Qingyi blurted out, “The prodigal who bullies women?”
Zhang’s smile froze, quickly defending Tang Lou.
“That’s just gossip, not to be believed!”
Qingyi thought, Yeah, right!
Everyone in Peach Blossom Town knew the notorious Tang brothers. Tang Lou wielded his family’s influence to lord it over the town, acting recklessly.
He even harassed married women brazenly in broad daylight.
Such a man was a curse—anyone who crossed his path was doomed.
“We don’t want you here. Leave!” Qingyi demanded.
“Ah, Miss Qingyi, please hear me out!” Zhang smiled ingratiatingly.
She had brokered so many marriages she’d lost count.
No matter how stubborn Qingyi was today, Zhang was determined to make this match happen.
Inside the wooden house, Li Yan stood by the window, listening intently to the conversation outside.
A marriage proposal?
For some reason, a strange displeasure stirred within him.
Even he found this feeling puzzling.
Since becoming the demon lord, nothing had disturbed his calm.
So why now...?
***
In the courtyard, Zhang was now parched, speaking until her tongue was dry. Qingyi remained unmoved, her eyes frequently darting toward a broom in the corner.
This girl was truly ungrateful.
After all that, not even a reaction?
“Miss Qingyi, are you listening?”
Qingyi nodded.
“Are you done?”
“Yes, yes, I’m done!” Zhang wiped her brow with her handkerchief.
“Then leave!” Qingyi began ushering them out.
Zhang tried to continue persuading, but when she saw Qingyi pick up the broom, she shrank back in fear.
“Miss Qingyi, please—don’t!”
“Out!” Qingyi waved the broom fiercely.
“Take your things with you! Don’t dirty my courtyard!”
She would never marry into the Tang family, not for anything.
Tang Lou stepped on the broom, eyes gleaming greedily.
“I want you. You’ll marry me today, whether you want to or not!”
“Dream on!” Qingyi tried to pull back the broom, but failed repeatedly.
Taking advantage of this, Tang Lou studied her carefully.
Not only was she beautiful, but her figure was also excellent.
He liked a fiery temperament!
Women who threw themselves at him or lay lifeless in bed bored him.
Seeing his master bullied, Hong Luan’s eyes ignited with flames.
The surrounding temperature began to rise.
“Hong Luan, calm down! Master is still here!” Xuan Ling emerged from the pond, spreading a wave of coolness around.
Hong Luan was a true phoenix; even a trace of her aura was unbearable to mortals.
She glared at the humans before her, wishing to burn them all to ashes.
Tang Lou wiped sweat from his brow.
“Why’s it suddenly so hot?”
The servants trailing behind him were drenched in sweat.
It felt like being trapped inside an airtight oven—a torment.
“This cursed weather!”
“Eh? Now it’s suddenly cold again! Achoo!”
Li Yan also sensed two opposing forces clashing within the courtyard.
Their origins...
His pupils contracted sharply.
How could one be a hen?
When he located the other source, his eyes widened in shock.
It was the snapping turtle in the pond!
How was this possible?