Hong Yanzhi walked to the cave entrance, ignoring the four Leopard Demons who saluted her, turned a corner, and headed down another passageway.
Lin Xue followed her into the chamber at the end of the passage, only to realize this was a lady’s boudoir—it must be Hong Yanzhi’s own room.
This room was similar in structure to Hong Laosan’s quarters.
Night-Luminescent Pearls and Fluorite shimmered on the domed ceiling, illuminating every corner of the room.
The floor was covered with a pink carpet, its long, soft fibers pleasantly cushioning every step.
In the center of the room stood a Yellow Nanmu Wood Canopy Bed, carved from a single piece of wood, the bedposts entwined with intricate Lily-of-the-Valley Patterns.
On the bed lay a delicate white blanket. Around the bed hung a circle of pink gauze curtains.
At the dressing table beside the bed, a Crystal Dressing Mirror was placed next to a finely wrought Jade Cosmetic Box, inside which a few luxurious Jade Hairpins and Pearl Hairpins were carelessly laid.
The air was faintly scented with an elusive hint of herbs and grass.
At one end of the room stood an exquisite screen, partitioning off a small private space.
Hong Yanzhi strode straight toward the area behind the screen in a hurry.
Lin Xue, together with Yuan Ding and Yuan Bao—the two little demons—stood at the doorway of the chamber, not daring to enter.
Seeing Hong Yanzhi’s hasty demeanor, Lin Xue guessed she must be going to relieve herself.
Sure enough, after the faint rustle of clothes, Lin Xue heard the sound of splashing water.
A moment later, Hong Yanzhi emerged, having tidied her dress, her steps forceful and furious. She shouted, “Yuan Bao!”
One of the Cat Demons jumped in alarm and called out, “I’m here!”
Hong Yanzhi’s face was clouded with anger as she commanded, “Go and fetch that dead rat Shu Da for me!”
The Cat Demon responded at once, “Yes, ma’am!”
He turned and scurried off.
Lin Xue watched Hong Yanzhi’s bristling, wildcat-like demeanor with curiosity.
The tigress was in a foul mood and needed someone to vent her anger on.
She wondered what the Rat Demon named Shu Da had done to provoke this tigress.
Not long after, Yuan Bao returned, bringing with him a burly, towering Rat Demon.
Lin Xue looked the Rat Demon over, surprised.
She hadn’t expected the Rat Demon to be so tall and robust, almost as large as Xiong Ba.
Compared to the smaller Rat Demons she’d seen sweeping the halls and corridors earlier, this one seemed like an entirely different species.
If not for his mouse head, Lin Xue would have mistaken him for Xiong Ba.
The towering Rat Demon knelt at the doorway and said, “Shu Da pays respects to the Demon Princess. May I ask why you’ve summoned me?”
Hong Yanzhi sneered coldly, stomped behind the screen, and came out holding a dainty little bucket.
Without a word, she doused Shu Da from head to toe with the liquid inside.
A strong stench of urine filled the air.
Lin Xue was shocked on the spot.
This tigress was really fierce—she’d actually dumped her own fresh urine over her subordinate’s head.
Impressive, impressive. Better not mess with her!
Shu Da knelt there, urine dripping from his head, his mouse eyes wide and full of anger.
But he quickly bowed his head, hiding his fury. Droplets fell from his face, but he made no move to wipe them away.
Hong Yanzhi said icily, “Tell me, didn’t I say my Cleansing Bucket must be washed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, and that after each washing, Rosewater must be added to prevent odors?”
Shu Da replied with his head bowed, “Yes, Demon Princess, you gave such instructions.”
Hong Yanzhi sneered, “Did your people clean my Cleansing Bucket this afternoon? Why wasn’t Rosewater added? Now stick out your tongue, lick the water on your face, and tell me if you taste any hint of rose!”
Expressionless, Shu Da stuck out his tongue, licked the droplets on his face, lowered his eyes, and replied, “Reporting to Demon Princess, there’s no scent of Rosewater.”
Hong Yanzhi sneered again, “Do you have anything else to explain?”
Shu Da lowered his head.
“Demon Princess, I was just about to report this matter. The Rat Demon assigned to clean your Cleansing Bucket accidentally got in Young Master Huzi’s way this afternoon, and Young Master Huzi broke his leg and threw him down the mountain.”
“He was half dead when other little demons found and carried him back. I only just learned of this and haven’t had time to assign a replacement. This delay is my fault. I beg the Demon Princess’s pardon and will immediately assign someone to clean your Cleansing Bucket.”
Lin Xue, listening nearby, thought to herself, There’s that Young Master Huzi again.
Young Master Huzi really is a menace, bullying everyone he meets.
Anyone who encounters him must suffer.
Thankfully, I’ll be leaving soon and won’t have to cross paths with that tyrant.
She couldn’t help feeling glad she wasn’t one of the mountain’s demons, and sympathized with the little demons of Luoyun Cave for having such a scourge over them.
When Hong Yanzhi heard her brother was involved, she grew more irritated.
She gave a cold snort, glanced at the reeking Shu Da with disgust, and said, “Enough, there’s a reason this time, but you can’t escape the blame for negligence. I’ll let you off for now. Next time, I won’t be so lenient! If it happens again, you’ll drink what I pee and eat what I defecate! Understand?”
Shu Da kept his head down. “Understood, Demon Princess.”
With a look of disdain, Hong Yanzhi waved her hand as if shooing a fly. “You may go.”
Shu Da bowed, stood, and left.
Though his face showed little emotion, his clenched fists betrayed his fury.
Hong Yanzhi sat on the bed, still looking displeased, as if she were suffering from cramps.
Lin Xue waited for quite a while, but seeing that Hong Yanzhi made no mention of letting her go, she finally slithered forward, bowed, and said, “Demon Princess, I have cured the Master of the Cave’s poison as agreed. Please return my Flying Magical Artifact and allow my brother and me to leave.”
The sooner I leave, the sooner I’ll be at peace.
Zhang Zongnian must be getting anxious by now.
He must be tormented with worry, fearing the worst.
If I leave earlier, I can set his mind at ease.
But Hong Yanzhi glanced at her sideways and replied coldly, “No, you can’t leave yet.”
Lin Xue’s eyes widened and her fists clenched at once.
Blood rushed to her head.
She said, “Demon Princess, you promised in front of Xiong Ba, Lang Buping, and all your followers that if I cured the Master of the Cave’s poison, you would let my brother and me go. Are you now going back on your word despite your noble status?”
Hong Yanzhi gave a cold laugh. “Yes, I did say that if you cured my father, I would let you go. But I cannot yet confirm that my father’s poison has truly been cured.”
“After all, my father’s poison flares up once a month. You may have stopped this attack, but perhaps you haven’t truly removed the poison from his body.”
“So you must stay on Xixia Mountain for one month! If, after one month, my father’s poison does not return, that will prove you have cured him. Then, I’ll let you go.”
Lin Xue hadn’t expected Hong Yanzhi to play this kind of trick.
She’d hoped to leave quickly and avoid that tyrant Young Master Huzi, but now she’d have to stay another month.
With a month’s time, I could use my ring to teleport away—why would I need this wildcat’s permission to go?
Lin Xue was furious, but powerless.
The other was a Condensed Core Realm great demon—she could wipe Lin Xue out with a snap of her fingers.
Her own strength was no match; she had no choice but to obey.
Lin Xue bit her lip, swallowing her anger. “Fine, I’ll wait. I hope the Demon Princess will keep her word a month from now, return my flying mount, and let my brother and me leave.”
Hong Yanzhi smiled faintly, crossed her arms beneath her ample **, propped up her long legs, placed one dainty embroidered shoe on her toe, revealing her round ankle and graceful arch, and said, “No problem, I always keep my word. Next month, if my father is well, I’ll let you go.”
“As for this month, Xixia Mountain does not feed idle people. You can’t be idle either. Right now, I happen to be short a personal maid. You little Snake Spirit, from now on, you’ll serve as my personal attendant.”