“You lot, in front of the Mountain Lord, why aren’t you kneeling already!”
Zong Biao Yao Jiang glared with his bulging piggy eyes at Lin Xue, Hong Yanzhi, and the six female demonesses, roaring at them.
Lin Xue immediately complied, kneeling without hesitation, smooth and swift.
Just before entering, she had quietly used the Lianxi Spell she had comprehended after upgrading the Heavenly Demon Transformation Art, disguising her cultivation to be the same as the other demonesses—Body Tempering Middle Stage—so as not to attract the attention of Hei Pi Yao Wang.
Hong Yanzhi and the other six demonesses obediently knelt on the ground as well.
In front of the Demon King, small demons like them had no power to resist.
“Great King, may your esteemed self be in good health!”
Zong Biao Yao Jiang bent over with an ingratiating grin, his piggy eyes squinting into mere slits, pointing at Lin Xue, Hong Yanzhi, and the six demonesses as he reported:
“Nephew has selected these eight concubines from Xixia Mountain for you. Please have a look and see if you are satisfied.”
Hei Pi Yao Wang, whose face had been ashen gray, now had some color, looking a bit more alive.
His hair and beard were all white, his body bare and covered in rolls of fat, eyes askew, and that dirty thing between his legs hung limp as he squinted at the demonesses below.
The six demonesses all lowered their heads, not daring to look at him, trembling all over, faces drained of color.
Hong Yanzhi had her head down as well, and Lin Xue could feel her body trembling slightly.
Lin Xue also kept her head down, trying to remain inconspicuous.
But she could still sense Hei Pi Yao Wang’s gaze lingering on her.
Lin Xue’s heart pounded like a drum.
This face of hers was just too conspicuous.
It was a pity that the Heavenly Demon Transformation Art couldn’t alter her appearance again—otherwise, she could make herself more ordinary and avoid all this trouble.
“Raise your heads. Let this King take a look.”
That aged voice sounded from above, severe and leaving no room for refusal.
Zong Biao Yao Jiang shouted at the side, “All of you, raise your heads! Lift up your faces. Quickly! Let the Mountain Lord see your faces!”
Lin Xue had no choice but to lift her head.
As soon as she did, she saw Hei Pi Yao Wang staring straight at her.
Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly averted her gaze, doing her best to avoid eye contact.
Hei Pi Yao Wang’s gaze lingered on her for quite a while.
A chill ran down Lin Xue’s back, her body growing rigid.
Was this dead pig planning to use them to extend his life right now?
If he really tried, what could she do?
Resistance would be futile. A peak Jindan demon could kill her with a wave of his hand, not to mention a Danjie Stage Demon King.
Although Hei Pi Yao Wang was spent and barely hanging on, he was still a Demon King. Killing her would be no different from squashing a bug.
Was she really going to just accept her fate and let him take her essence?
Thinking of that demoness’s anguished screams just now, Lin Xue clenched her fists.
No!
I’d rather die than be humiliated by this dead pig!
If this pig really tries to do that to me, I’ll fight him with all I’ve got, and make him a eunuch pig!
As she tensed to the extreme, she suddenly felt Hei Pi Yao Wang’s gaze shift away from her.
Lin Xue quietly let out a breath, only then realizing her back was drenched in sweat.
From the bed above, Hei Pi Yao Wang’s aged voice rang out.
“Very good, very good. These are all quite nice. Biao’er, you have done well.”
From his tone, it was clear Hei Pi Yao Wang was quite pleased with the demonesses before him.
Zong Biao Yao Jiang, delighted by the praise, grinned so wide his pig snout nearly reached the back of his head.
He bowed deeply, responding joyfully, “Serving the Mountain Lord, how could your nephew dare to slack off!”
By the bed, Zong Lie, who had been silent until now, spoke up, “Biao’er, the Mountain Lord has just finished dual cultivation and needs to rest. Take them away and let Du Niangzi train them well. Perhaps in a few days, the Mountain Lord will need them.”
Zong Biao Yao Jiang answered, “Understood. I’ll take them to Du Niangzi at once and make sure they are properly prepared to serve the Mountain Lord.”
He bowed again to Hei Pi Yao Wang, saying, “Mountain Lord, your nephew won’t disturb your rest any longer. I’ll take my leave for now.”
Hei Pi Yao Wang gave a light “Mm.”
Zong Biao Yao Jiang stepped back a few paces, then turned and commanded Lin Xue and the others, “All of you, follow me!”
Lin Xue saw that Hei Pi Yao Wang didn’t intend to take their essence right now and breathed a huge sigh of relief.
She stood up, only to see the demonesses beside her shaking uncontrollably, legs weak, unable to stand.
Even Hong Yanzhi had to try several times before she could stand up straight.
Lin Xue supported Hong Yanzhi.
The other demonesses also helped each other up, all of them following Zong Biao Yao Jiang out of the grand hall, trembling in fear.
Lin Xue could still feel Hei Pi Yao Wang’s gaze boring into her back.
Once outside, Zong Biao Yao Jiang led them through several twists and turns in the palace, finally stopping before a courtyard.
Above the main gate hung a plaque with the words “Qian Si Yuan.”
The courtyard was small, about the size of a basketball court, with a main house and several side rooms.
In the yard stood a dead tree covered in spider webs, crawling with spiders large and small.
The rooms outside were also festooned with webs.
Spiders scuttled across the ground everywhere.
Lin Xue looked at the surroundings, feeling thoroughly uncomfortable.
Zong Biao Yao Jiang seemed somewhat wary of the courtyard’s owner, becoming noticeably more reserved once inside.
He stopped in the yard and called out, “Du Niangzi!”
The main house door creaked open. Out stepped a plump female demoness, thickly made up, swaying her hips.
Though she had tried her best with powder and paint, her pockmarked face couldn’t be concealed; no amount of makeup could hide it, looking like frost on a donkey’s dropping.
At the sight of her, Lin Xue suddenly recalled a film she’d seen in her previous life— <Nine Ranks Official>.
This Du Niangzi looked exactly like Liefu Nainai in that movie.
It was the first time Lin Xue had seen a female demon in human form whose looks didn’t even pass the minimum.
This was unexpected.
So not all demonesses were beauties after all.
She noted that Du Niangzi’s cultivation was about the same as Zong Biao Yao Jiang’s, Jindan Middle Stage.
Judging from the web-filled courtyard and all the spiders, Lin Xue guessed Du Niangzi was likely a spider demon.
Du Niangzi struck what she probably thought was a seductive pose, threw Zong Biao Yao Jiang a flirtatious glance, and said in a syrupy, squeaky voice, “I wonder what brings the mighty demon general to my Qian Si Yuan today? What can Du Niangzi do for you?”
At her wink and that grating voice, Zong Biao Yao Jiang shivered from head to toe.
He gave a start and, pointing at Lin Xue and the others, said, “This is a new batch of demon concubines. The Mountain Lord sent me to order you to get them ready as soon as possible. The Mountain Lord will need them in the next few days.”
Du Niangzi glanced at Lin Xue and her companions, her eyes pausing on Lin Xue. She seemed stunned by Lin Xue’s beauty.
Then her eyes flashed with envy, and a trace of hatred appeared on her face.
She snorted, her eyes lingering on Lin Xue as she sneered, “Rest assured, demon general, I’ll train them well. When they are sent to the Mountain Lord, they’ll be as docile as little lambs.”
Lin Xue felt helpless.
It seemed her looks had already earned her someone’s resentment.
A woman’s jealousy could be strong indeed.
She’d have to be on her guard against Du Niangzi these next few days.
Zong Biao Yao Jiang urged, “You’d best hurry. There aren’t many left in the Mountain Lord’s harem. If you delay his affairs, you know what the consequences will be.”
Du Niangzi laughed, “Please don’t worry, demon general. When have I ever delayed the Mountain Lord’s business?”
She giggled, eyeing Zong Biao Yao Jiang’s stout, plump body, her voice syrupy-sweet, “It’s been a while since you visited my little courtyard, demon general. Why not come inside for some tea and a rest before you go?”
Lin Xue saw Zong Biao Yao Jiang’s bristles stand straight up on his head.
Sweating, his face full of panic, he stammered, “No need, no need. The Mountain Lord has assigned me some other tasks to finish quickly. I must be going.”
With that, Zong Biao Yao Jiang gathered his subordinates and fled the courtyard as if escaping a plague, vanishing in a puff of dust.