Peach Blossom Days are the season when every demon meets their Fated One.
This saying has long circulated among the demon clans, its existence predating the founding of the Hundred Demons Ancient Kingdom, yet it has been believed and passed down unceasingly to this day.
Not only do the demon maidens believe this, but even many aspiring youths who pride themselves on wholeheartedly pursuing the Heavenly Path subconsciously pay attention to their appearance during this season, hoping to encounter the other half who will accompany them for life.
Today, in the Demon Territory, aside from a light drizzle at the western border, the rest of the land is overcast.
Though it is neither clear nor sunny, a gentle breeze brushes the skin, making for an exceedingly pleasant day.
Among demons, except those naturally inclined to water, most dislike rainy days.
Among them, the Fox Demon Clan despises rain the most.
Yet now, at a cliff along the boundary where sunshine meets rain, sat a young girl dressed in a white long gown—Tushan Huaizhi.
She swung her pale jade feet back and forth, her fluffy pink-and-white fox ears twitching in the falling drizzle.
“Huaizhi, you seem quite happy,”
a voice with a slightly androgynous tone spoke from behind.
A woman clad in brocade robes and wearing a fox mask glanced down at the pink-and-white fox tail swaying side to side, her dark eyes flecked with gold were strikingly beautiful.
“You really like that human?”
“Mm-hmm, of course I do. I always feel at ease when I’m with him, plus… he’s my Benefactor. It’s normal for demons to have feelings for their Benefactors, isn’t it?”
Normal?
The woman holding the umbrella tilted her head but didn’t voice her doubts.
Instead, the images of the storybooks the girl often read—tales of demons repaying humans—flashed through her mind, and she shook her head gently.
Storybooks are called storybooks precisely because they contain a certain idealism.
Whether comedy or tragedy, sometimes they don’t stand up to reality’s scrutiny.
Still, she knew that for the readers, these stories served as emotional sustenance and a way to expand their imagination, so she did not shatter the girl’s beautiful illusions born from them.
She lifted the umbrella slightly and looked up at the raindrops swirling down.
Raising her right hand, she caught a few drops and was about to sigh at how fleeting time is when an unusual sensation came from her calf.
Looking down, she saw that Tushan Huaizhi’s previously fluffy tail was now soaked, dripping wet as it thrashed against her leg.
Left, then right, it slapped repeatedly against the small patches of exposed skin, leaving streaks of water.
Taking a small step back, the woman sighed in resignation.
“The logic is sound, and I understand how you feel, but…”
The umbrella swayed left and right in rhythm with the tail’s movements.
“You really need to control your tail better. Although your body isn’t weak—you won’t catch a cold from a little rain—having a wet tail is a headache to manage.”
She clearly remembered the girl’s first attempt at grooming her tail not long ago, which had ended in collapse after almost an hour.
“Uh, I-I just can’t control it…”
Embarrassed, the girl laughed softly twice, slightly reducing the tail’s movements, but her face flushed a deep pink and her Spirit Power trembled subtly.
Among all demons, the Fox Demon Clan is considered superior.
Among them, the Qingqiu Tushan Clan holds the highest honor—as the bloodline of the Sovereign of the Hundred Demons.
A fox demon’s strength is often closely tied to their tail.
Fox tails have many uses: expressing emotion, storing Spirit Power, releasing power, and more.
Most notably, the number of tails usually indicates cultivation level: one tail equals Strength of the Seventh Revolution Peak.
Though this doesn’t apply to the current Demon Empress, Tushan Yunxi, it holds true for most ordinary fox demons.
For a young fox demon like Tushan Huaizhi, who cannot yet fully control her power, the tail is especially important.
Learning to control one’s unruly tail is the most critical and inevitable step for all fox demons as they embark on their cultivation path.
Therefore, the woman holding the umbrella did not interrupt the girl’s attempts to control her unstable Spirit Power.
She quietly stood behind her, diligently holding the umbrella, saying nothing.
Hmm… it seems she’s improved quite a bit compared to a few days ago… looks like this human really is important to the little one.
Feeling the girl’s slight progress, the woman nodded faintly.
But she was clearly pleased too soon.
In an instant, before she could even praise the girl, the tail struck her leg again—this time more forcefully.
Though still not painful, the impact was noticeably stronger.
She was about to check on the girl when Tushan Huaizhi suddenly stood up.
Her dripping tail flicked upward, sending a spray of rainwater straight onto the woman’s face.
Then came the “pat-pat” sound as the whip-like fox tail repeatedly struck the mask the woman wore to conceal her face.
The rain left marks on it as well.
If she hadn’t anticipated this and formed a protective Rain Barrier with her own power, a lot of rainwater would have splashed into her eyes.
“Here it comes!”
The tail still flailed on her mask, but the woman paid it no mind, simply looking in the direction the girl pointed.
In the distance, a middle-aged man was retreating.
His hands were raised high, and atop his head lay a blindfolded boy shielding much of the rain.
“Wait, Uncle Hu didn’t see us? Why is he running away? And why is he using our Benefactor to block the rain?!”
Seeing that he had no intention of stopping, Tushan Huaizhi grew anxious.
She glanced back, about to ask for help, but catching sight of the woman’s water-soaked “face,” she was startled and quickly turned her head again.
“Uncle Hu! We’re here!”
No guilty conscience, no fear of ghosts knocking at the door.
Having witnessed her own great feat, she called out in a soft, clear voice.
Drawing on the Spirit Power flowing from her fox tail, her words pierced through the rain and clouds.
Within seconds, Hu Delu, who was about to disappear beyond their sight, abruptly stopped midair.
He came to his senses and looked down toward the voice, spotting the bouncing girl.
His face brightened.
“Well, well, I didn’t expect you’d be waiting early,”
the voice arrived before the man, who lowered the boy resting on his head and tucked him into his arms as he flew downward.
“Huaizhi girl, this little one is more exhausting than a Candy Skewer Rack—you better get your mother to give me some reward!”
He abruptly landed in front of the girl, scattering rainwater around.
Just as he was about to continue with his nonsense about “rewards,”
the Peach Blossom Oil-Paper Umbrella suddenly blocked the space between him and Tushan Huaizhi.
Hmm?
That umbrella looks familiar.
Isn’t that—
Before he could think further, the umbrella suddenly retracted, transforming into a long strip and slapping him squarely in the face.
“Damn, who dares hit me!”
Hu Delu raised his hand to brush the umbrella away and, holding Yunmu in his arms, prepared to vent his anger.
But he immediately got struck again.
“Hu Delu, don’t lose your mind, or I’ll lock you up in the Demon Forest.”
A somewhat androgynous voice sounded beside him, and with that, the tanuki demon utterly dared not move.
“You—you’re Eleven?”
“Yes, indeed. What, don’t recognize me?”
“Not recognize? No, no, no. How could I forget you? Haha… I might forget others, but not you…”
Eight years ago, this mysterious woman suddenly appeared beside the Empress, effortlessly beating him to a standstill.
An expert at the Strength of the Seventh Revolution Peak, rivaling Li Changyi himself—how could he forget?
Hu Delu smiled wryly, lowered Yunmu, and cheerfully spoke without daring to meet her eyes.
After all, Eleven was no Tushan Yunxi—she really dared to hit him.
The umbrella-wielding woman stared at him intently, then gently pushed the flustered Tushan Huaizhi forward and pointed with her umbrella at Yunmu in his arms.
“Give that human to Huaizhi. As for the rewards you mentioned, whatever you deserve will be given,”
she paused slightly, opening the umbrella to shelter the girl who had caught the boy, and continued,
“Anything you don’t deserve, just sleep on it.”
“Hm? You mean I’m allowed to take a break?”
“No, I’m telling you, dreams hold everything.”
“Uh… so heartless.”
Eleven didn’t answer.
She placed her hand on Yunmu’s head, covering him with her power.
Finding he was unharmed, she withdrew her divine sense.
She looked down at the rain-soaked, unfamiliar face and noticed the white silk ribbon hanging wet.
Instinctively, she twirled it in her palm.
A faint layer of dust-colored ink-gray ripples enveloped it and, after a moment, it was dry again.
Then she flicked his forehead lightly, and the visible mark instantly vanished into his body.
She gazed at his damaged form and sensed several residual powers within him.
A peculiar feeling flickered in her dark gold eyes but vanished as quickly as it came, leaving her momentarily stunned.
“Hu Delu, by the way…”
“Uncle Hu! Why did you use the Benefactor as an umbrella to block the rain?”
She was about to ask when Tushan Huaizhi beat her to it.
By the time she snapped back, she realized her left hand had risen without her noticing, and she was cradling Yunmu.
As for the umbrella, the girl had taken it and was poking Hu Delu’s face with it.
“Uncle Hu! Don’t just smile foolishly. Why did you use him to shield the rain? The Benefactor’s body is so fragile, what if he falls ill?”
Still silent, Hu Delu caught the umbrella with his face and cast a pleading glance at Eleven.
He clasped his hands in a hidden spot, repeatedly “begging for mercy.”
But Eleven ignored him, content to watch the scene unfold until the little fox demon finally calmed down.
She then stepped forward and patted the girl on the shoulder.
“Let’s go. This little one will wake up soon.”
“Eh!? O-okay, let’s hurry then.”
Upon hearing this, Tushan Huaizhi quickly opened the umbrella and, on tiptoe, tried to shield Eleven from the rain as well.
After holding it above her head for a while, she barely managed to cover her hair.
The height difference between the woman and the girl was quite significant.
But Eleven didn’t mind.
She just glanced at the relieved Hu Delu and whispered “Instant,” vanishing with the girl and the boy.
Once the three had left, Hu Delu finally exhaled deeply, his entire tanuki body relaxing.
Standing atop the cliff, he listened to the roaring river below.
Taking a few steps, he scratched his head a few times and then returned.
His gaze lowered to the restless forest beneath, his expression serious.
“Don’t covet him. Although his body is a great tonic for demons, as you saw today, his identity is not simple.”
“First, we demons always believe that kindness must be repaid, and vengeance must be exacted. He blocked the rain for me today—he is my Benefactor. A drop of water shall be returned with a spring of gratitude. If anything happens to him, I will make you wish you could neither live nor die.”
At these words, nearly two-thirds of the noise ceased.
“Second, he is a honored guest of the Empress and the little princess. He must be important to Eleven as well. I hope you weigh your strength carefully. I shouldn’t have to say more.”
As soon as this was said, the forest fell completely silent.
“That’s sensible.
As for the third thing, I’ll give it to you as advice—don’t always dream of ascending to the top in a single leap.
Since ancient times, those with shaky foundations who rise high suffer the most miserable ends.”
With that, his figure vanished without a trace.
Only the light drizzle remained, pattering softly, bending the leaves downward.