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 “ Listen, people of Tiandu! By the Royal edict, On the 6th lunar of the 8th month, the Demon hunting bureau commander and the Last descendant of Zhuo family- Zhuo Yichen of Bingyi clan is to be wed to the Da Yao Zhu Yan of Dahuang !” announced Chuánlìngguān, his voice straining to carry across the streets.

Instantly, whispers erupted all over Tiandu.

" The marriage is in 6 days?! " 

" What's with the rush, do you think something has happened? " 

" Is Commander Zhuo daren really gonna marry that Demon? "

" What would his father and brother think? " 

" That Demon killed his family " " Shh, lower your voice or else we'd be in trouble"

" A dragon demon marrying a great demon, they are gonna be the most powerful couple ever! " 

" I heard a lot of young ladies from reputable families are saddened with this news as many wanted to strike a connection with the Zhuo family by an alliance " 

All kinds of murmurs can be all over the street since the herald passed the Royal edict.

______________

“ Your majesty, you have commenced for me!” Yichen said while bowing respectively to the king. 

He was in the middle of the imperial court, surrounded by the court officials and ministers. 

" Yes Commander Zhuo, You can stand " the king's voice was neutral, almost soft. 

Yichen stood straight, he was wearing a deep navy blue robe with lighter shade of blue inner robe, the outer robe was decorated with silver threading and beads which shines whenever the sunlight touches it, giving him a glowing appearance enhancing the blue in his eyes, his robe perfectly matched his raven hair which was put up in a high pony tail held with a golden hair clip. His back is straight and shoulders rigid. 

" Commander Zhuo, i called for you to the imperial court to discuss something very important " the king said, his voice slow and calculated. 

" Yes your majesty " yichen composure was poised, waiting for the king to continue.

" May I ask where the Great Demon is now, Commander Zhuo Daren? " 

" Da Yao has gone to the wilderness, your majesty " yichen's voice was even.

" Ah. I understand " 

" As you know the Demon hunting bureau and Da Yao have saved the people of Tiandu from the Chongwu camp and Wen Zongyu, in spite of you even turning into a demon yourself, though it's a noble Dragon demon. People of Tiandu are still worried about having a Da Yao walking around the streets freely as if he's one of them "

The king paused and took a breath, he looked like he was someone who was tasked with breaking hard news to the people.

" The Imperial court has decided on a solution" the king said, his voice straining a little.

" What is that, your majesty? " Yichen asked, he is starting to feel uneasy about the way this issue is being talked about. 

" A marital union Commander Zhuo, what's the best way to ensure a lasting bond other than a marriage " king's voice was cheerful, almost forcefully.

" Your majesty? " Yichen was beyond confused now, he didn't know what to say. 

" A marriage alliance is a wonderful idea, your majesty. May I ask who's gonna be the fortunate person you have in your mind, your majesty? " Asked Minister Jiang, he can sense something big is gonna unfold and wanna know who all are gonna be affected by it. 

" It's our Commander Zhuo daren, who else would be the perfect candidate to be wed to Da Yao if it's not the descendants of the Bingyi clan and now he has turned into a Dragon demon. I think it's a splendid match chosen by Heavens " The King announced.

" That's very true your majesty, especially given the fact that Zhuo family has always been reputable and Commander Zhuo daren also got his Cloud Light Sword which could kill anything, and the only weapon that could hurt Da Yao in case his demon side overtook his senses. It's indeed a perfect match, your majesty!" Said minister Wen. He never liked zhuo yichen, always thought he was too arrogant. 

Yichen could see the smug look on the minister's face, before he could say anything, another voice came.

" Yes, yes! It is a wonderful opportunity for Commander Zhuo daren to show his loyalty to the Tiandu's throne and its people, The Zhuo family has always been loyal to the king and I expect nothing else but the same from Commander Zhuo too " minister Xue spoke, yichen identified him as someone who was on Wen Zongyu's side. 

So it's a coup 

" Your majesty, if I may kindly ask, what would happen if I refuse ? " Yichen questioned, knowing full well where this would go and how it would end. 

" Commandar Zhuo, if you refuse my edict then I can do nothing but have to issue an order to Exile the Great Demon from Tiandu's land and execute the Great Demon if he resists the decree " The king's voice was calm, almost too calm when he said that.

Yichen felt like cold water splashed on him, execution..... 

In translation Yichen has to kill Zhao Yuanzhou by Cloud Light Sword, by his own hands, if he disagrees with the king's order and refuses to leave Tiandu. Yichen can feel his blood going cold, the ice trying to seep out of his body.

" We would also have to abolish the Demon hunting bureau and punish its members for disobedience to the throne " another punishment rang in the air, yichen couldn't stop the vibrations of the king's voice hearing in his ears, he felt the words echoing through the imperial court pillars. 

His refusal would result in the banishing of his family's legacy, his second family that fate finally has been kind enough to give him, would be punished. Put in a cold cell, wen xiao, bai jiu, ying lei, pei seijing, all would suffer ! 

" I kindly accept the decree, your majesty " Yichen yielded, his voice strained with helplessness. 

_________

When Zhuo Yichen finally reached the Demon hunting bureau, his thoughts were spiralling all over the place. What's he gonna tell to his team, his family, what's he gonna say to Zhao Yuanzhou. Would he accept this? ........ Will he accept me? 

" Xiao Zhuo, you are back! " 

That broke Yichen's trance, he looked up to see four people looking at him, each wearing a different expression on their face. 

Wen Xiao, his childhood best friend, his aunt, his anchor during every hardship, She looked at him with curiosity, a gentle concern can be seen in her eyes but her lips held an almost unnoticeable amusing smile. She looked at him expectantly. 

 Oh she's the one who spoke. 

On her right side was Pei Seijing, who's constantly over him like a big sister, standing ever so tall with her back straight and shoulders tight, years of military discipline. She was mostly indifferent but her lips formed a tight line in it, she's worried. 

On Wen Xiao's left side stood Bai jiu, his little brother, almost a …son, their carefree child, but now he looked scared, it's evident that he's trying not to be afraid but to Yichen's trained eyes, it's stark. He looked both worried and concerned and a tiny bit curious. 

Beside Bai jiu stood the young mountain god, the one he grew fond of as his younger brother, he's the only one who didn't try to mask his emotions, his eyes were full of worry , his face full of confusion, traces of anger can be seen in his clenched jaws. It looked like he was controlling his urge to shout. No trace of his mischievous smile.  

My silly boy. 

A small smile took place on Zhuo Yichen's face, his eyes still holding a myriad of thoughts and confusions and questions.

" Xiao Zhou, are you alright? " Wen Xiao asked, his voice was now filled with concern as he just stood there and not talked yet. 

Yichen blinked once. 

" I'm fine wen xiao " yichen replied to ease her worry. 

I'm not fine....

" Xiao Zhuo ge, are you really gonna marry Zhao Yuanzhou ? " Bai jiu intercepted, his voice high pitched , grabbing yichen by his arms. 

" Is there really no other way, Zhuo daren? " Pei seijing finally asked him, she avoided his eyes as she could already figure out what the answer would be. 

Yichen just smiled a sad smile at them, his hand now patting Bai jiu's arms that held on to him. He can see that his family is worried for him, worried about them. 

He just shook his head as an answer to Pei Seijing's question. 

" So who's gonna tell Zhu yan Da Yao about this ? " Ying lai who stood in silence since he entered finally spoke. He looked like he finally spit out something that he had been mellowing over. His head hung slightly low as if he didn't know what to do anymore.

“ Tell me what, young mountain god? " The voice broke the silence.

Everyone turned to look at the source of the voice, there stood the Da Yao, his eyes twinkled with curiosity, his lips held that amusing smile that he always had, his posture relax and his face had a youthful glow which was contraindicated with the three streaks of his White hair, but it only attributed to his presence, his robe was black and heavy, full on adorned with beads and small bells of silver, gold and red embers which honestly looked it could out-cost a house, his hair was let down with a portion of it was tied using a jade. He looked majestic in all accords .

Beside him stood Pei Siheng. He looked curious as well upon seeing everyone was there and talking about something.

Oh so that's why he wasn't here along with the others. 

Yichen has grown to like him too, his fierce protective nature over his sister, and he was genuinely happy for them for leaving their pain in the past and now living together in harmony as they deserved. 

They looked at each other, none of them really knew how to break the news to the Great Demon and how he might take this. 

" The king has issued an edict " the young mountain god finally broke the silence, he looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there. 

" In 6 days, Zhuo Daren is to be wed to the Great Demon Zhu Yan " Pei Seijing repeated the edict, voice steady, before Zhao Yuanzhou could open his mouth to ask anything. 

Zhao Yuanzhou closed his mouth, opened and then closed again, he almost looked like a fish out of water, 

His eyes lost every bit of those sparks, now instead bloomed a bored look, his face was still calm but a small thread of anger could be seen at the corner of his lips, how it was twitching now. 

" Xiao Zhuo?" Zhao Yuanzhou called out, he couldn't understand what was going on. 

Before anyone says anything, Yichen grabbed Zhao Yuanzhou's arm and dragged him towards the east wing, he only stopped when they reached the blossom tree planted just out his chamber. The tree looked tall and sturdy as if it would provide a shield for Yichen from anything 

The smell of the coming winter and the cherry blossoms was pleasant, it provided a space for Yichen to let out a deep exhale, the sweet fragrance flooded into his senses but they weren't sweet nor pleasant enough to calm the inner turmoil of his mind. 

"Xiao Zhuo " Zhao Yuanzhou called out to him gently, he could see Yichen was troubled. 

Yichen looked up at Zhao Yuanzhou and then down to their hands when he held on Da Yao's arm, he quickly pulled his grip off and freed Zhao Yuanzhou's hand. 

 Zhou Yuanzhou looked confused when Yichen left his arm free but didn't say anything.

" Xiao Zhuo, what's going on here ? " The Great Demon gently asked Zhuo Yichen as if he was trying to coax him. 

" The king issued an edict " Yichen stopped speaking, he lifted his head up and looked at Zhao Yuanzhou and then turned to look down again and clenched his jaws once.

The Great Demon patiently waited for the young commander to continue.

" The king and the ministers are all worried, they are worried that having you here in Tiandu , roaming around freely is too much of a risk and the people are whispering, so the imperial court has decided for a marriage alliance " yichen left out a deep breath, it sounded like he was bracing himself, " A marriage between you and me, The Great Demon and the Last heir of Zhuo family " Yichen finished it, he didn't known whether he should be feeling relieved that now he told Zhao Yuanzhou everything or should brace himself for the Great Demon's reaction. 

Yichen looked at Zhao Yuanzhou, his face was unreadable, even with the amount of time they have been spending together, yichen thought he could read everyone and the Great demon was also not an exception to that, but now seeing Zhao Yuanzhou's face and how he couldn't figure out anything that might going on his head, he felt like he's at the lost. His throat felt parched, each second felt like an hour.

" Xiao Zhuo, The imperial court now cares about you and wants you to sacrifice yourself, want you to marry me, want me to be married so that they can rein me ? " Zhao Yuanzhou's voice was calm, too calm, yichen knows this tone, he had heard Zhao Yuanzhou using the same tone before he's gonna let his anger take control. Before chaos was gonna wreck. His eyes flickered between black and crimson. He's trying to control it. 

Yichen immediately held his hand, trying to silently calm him down, but the look on the Great Demon's face didn't change a bit.

" Zhao Yuanzhou, calm down! It's not the time to act rashly " Yichen's voice softened, he's trying his best to calm the great demon down before he might do something that'll become a trouble to all of them. 

" Calm down Xiao Zhuo? They are trying to be puppeteering our life xiao Zhuo, can't you see what they are doing Commander Zhuo Daren? " His voice was devoid of any calm, he was almost shouting, his jaws now clenched. He was gritting his teeth in order to prevent himself from shouting at Zhuo Yichen.

" They really think they can control me? Does the imperial court really have the means for it, to rein over a Great Demon like me ? " His voice now harsh, eyes crimson and no longer black. He looked like he's gonna set the imperial court on fire. 

" They got the means for it " Zhuo Yichen said, his voice small, barely there, " The Cloud Light Sword " yichen looked utterly resigned 

The Great Demon blinked at him, he didn't say anything, just looked at the young commander.

" If you don't abide by the edict and obey the king's order, then you shan't enter Tiandu ever again and if you ever did, you'd be executed! " Yichen repeated the sentence from the morning, his eyes wan on Zhao Yuanzhou the entire time. 

" They threatened to banish me and if I resisted, ordered you to kill me ? " Zhao Yuanzhou's voice strained, barely holding back the fury. 

" Zhao Yuanzhou understands this, we can't do anything now, the people only have started to see us as not a threat, we can not oppose the king, it'll only hurt us. Hurt the bureau and our team. Everyone in here would suffer if we ended up doing something stupid, so listen to me, you can't do anything, anything that'll cause a wreck in the imperial court or would disturb the people of Tiandu! " Yichen's voice was final, a single drop of tear slid down his cheeks, his voice wasn't calm anymore, they were more on the verge of helplessness. 

" Accept this Zhao Yuanzhou, for the team, for this family, can't you see, they won't only come after you but would also come after the Bureau too and its people!" Yichen almost pleaded. He didn't care about anything anymore, all he wanted was to keep his family safe, even at the cost of sacrificing his life, he can't lose them again, he almost lost them in the battle between them and the Chongwu camp once. 

Zhao Yuanzhou looked at Zhuo Yichen, the young commander of Demon hunting bureau who's always upright and prideful, about his family legacy, about how he was always impartial with justice, now looking at him, eyes pricked with tears, voice straining, lips almost trembling, held on to his hand in a strong grip as if he's holding himself by that, almost pleading him to obey to the king's order and marry him, as if he's not sacrificing his entire life! 

Something inside churned in Zhao Yuanzhou, he couldn't see Zhuo Yichen being like this, being on the verge of almost losing his mind and he's weak, he had always been a weak man whenever it comes down to Yichen being like this, being vulnerable. 

" You want me to accept this and obey the king's order, Xiao Zhuo? " The Great Demon asked gently, the crimson in his eyes now gone, replaced by a strange softness. 

" Yes! Zhao Yuanzhou, I want you to accept the king's edict " Yichen said , his voice now full of determination. His back-straight, the eyes were clear. 

" I will do it then Xiao Zhuo " Zhao Yuanzhou breathed. 

“ I will accept to this if you are really okay with it xiao Zhuo” 

“ I am okay with it, Zhao Yuanzhou.” Yichen said, loosening his grip on the Great Demon's arm. 

" Good, it's good " yichen voiced out, it almost sounded like he's trying to console himself. 

The Great Demon could do nothing but look at the Commander with a helpless smile on his lips. 

______________

The next six days passed in a blink, no one in the Bureau knew how it went, if they knew anything, it's the ever growing piles of gifts given by the Great Demon to their Commander. 

The bureau was almost filled with the amount of gifts, every member of the bureau talked about it only for days and nights, which in turn became the talk of the entire Tiandu, how generous the Great Demon was. 

Zhao Yuanzhou took his role as a groom very seriously, almost too seriously for Yichen’s liking, he hadn't spared a single cent with the bridal gifts and dowry. 

Bridal gifts, that's what he said! 

The Great Demon sent him all kinds of jewellery one could find. Silver, gold, jade, emeralds, and rare gems. Each came to the bureau in different trunks, a single trunk could cover the bureau finance for at least 5 years. Then came the clothes, softest silks Yichen has ever touched, robes embroidered in all silvers and golds and pearls. Fancier than the robes worn by some of the royal families yichen knew, A single robe could out-cost some families' entire year's expense. 

To say Yichen was embarrassed would be an understatement, the entire bureau whispered behind his back, his team..... His team teased him in front of his face whenever a new parcel or gift came. 

Yichen had enough when Zhuo Yuanzhou sent him a butterfly silk quilt, which was a vibrant blue color that matches with his eyes and looked like something that could keep him warm even in the dead of a winter. The teasing from Wen Xiao was never ending. 

The next thing they knew was Zhuo Yichen's Cloud Light Sword placed on the neck of the Great Demon. 

“ Zhao Yuanzhou ” roared Yichen, his voice thundering in the bureau’s training ground. 

“ Xiao Zhuo, you can't blame me for sending all those bridal gifts, what would people say if I didn't ? ” Zhao Yuanzhou said shamelessly, a smile was dancing in his lips, his voice held a feigning concern. 

“ W-who decided that I'd be the bride? Why can't you be the bride ?” Yichen stammered a bit, his grip still tight in the sword. 

“ Because Xiao Zhuo, I'm a 34,000 year old Great Demon, of course I can't be the bride ”

“ It's not my fault that you are old ” 

“ Xiao Zhuo, calling your husband old now!” Zhao Yuanzhou gasped dramatically.

“ Who's my husband? We are not married yet ”

“ But that doesn't change the fact you are my wife Xiao Zhuo ” The Great Demon said shamelessly while grinning. 

“ You! Shut up!” Yichen glared and turned to go, it's no use talking with this monkey. 

Stupid shameless monkey!!

___________

It's the day of the wedding, the entire Demon hunting bureau was decorated in bright red. Red paper cuts and Door couplets were seen in everywhere, all the doors and windows were draped with red silks and satins and red lanterns were hanged, double happiness characters calligraphy were plastered in all the walls of the bureau, every where you turn, you can see the red color along with golden character or designs intricated. 

The entire bureau was buzzing, people were carrying one thing or another and walking over on all the directions, gifts were started coming from from all the guests and the Tiandu's people, the king has also sent his gift, a huge box of rare jade ornaments and gem stones along with twelve kind of teas. 

“ Xiao Zhuo, I was worried at first, about how the red would look on you, but I was wrong, you look breathtaking!” Wen Xiao squealed looking at her nephew who was now draped in all red wedding robes. She wore a pale blue Hanfu with dark blue, she looked soft and kind and warm in a way only she can look. Her hair was adorned with jade pins that were dangling from where she had it pinned. 

“ Yes Xiao Zhuo ge, you look really pretty, Da Yao should be forever grateful to the heavens for the blessings of being married to you ” The young physician eagerly added. He couldn't stay still in one place, Yichen felt like he was literally shaking in excitement. Baiju was wearing a golden colored robe, his hair was tied up and was full of big and small bells which dangled and made a sound whenever he moved.

Even though they all were not happy with the king's edict at first and were very much worried and had even been angry, they couldn't deny the fact that it could have gone way worse for either of them. Now they at least knew that the Great Demon would never mistreat the young commander and would also protect him if it was needed. They both care for each other and for now that was enough for everyone. 

“ Xiao Jiu, if you want Zhao Yuanzhou to thank anyone, then that should be His majesty, he was the one who arranged this marriage, remember ” Pei Seijing intercepted, she has worn a dark green dress, her hair was braided and tied in a ponytail, even though her form was rigid, there was a small smile in her eyes. 

“ Zhuo Daren, you know it'll be alright right? We will be fine ” She reassured him 

“ I know, thank you Pei Daren ” Yichen looked at her and smiled a little. 

The tension suddenly turned in the room,before it could get more awkward, Wen Xiao grabbed Yichen's arm, “ Come let's go, it's time for the wedding ” and nudged him to get up from the chair, where he was getting ready. 

Yichen let out a small breath, Okay let's do this.

When they came out of the commander’s chamber, the first thing that greeted them was Zhao Yuanzhou himself, he simply smiled at them and said he's there to pick up the bride. Ying lei and Pei Siheng were with him with smiles on their faces. 

Shameless, shameless monkey, yichen thought but his cheeks were flushed a bit and there was a shy smile on his lips. 

Yichen was very worried last night that he couldn't even sleep a little, he was worried that Zhao Yuanzhou would never like him, though the Great Demon took his role very seriously and did everything accordingly, he was still worried and those flirting, Zhao Yuanzhou has always flirted with yichen, he flirts with everyone, but during these past six days, he somehow managed to become more shameless. Flirting with yichen whenever he gets a chance, calling him Xiao Zhuo, Wife, and other things, he even once called him beautiful……. Beautiful!!!

He just hopes it all would end well, he would try his best to make this work, to make this marriage work. He has to, for the sake of everyone. 

Zhao Yuanzhou and Zhuo Yichen were now standing in front of the altar. 

The altar was in all red, in the middle was a tablet inscribed Heaven and Earth, below it, there were fruits, rice grains, wine, incense burning and candles lit. 

The of voice of the Siyi ( master of ceremonies) came,

First Bow: Bow to Heaven and Earth

Both Zhao Yuanzhou and Zhuo Yichen knelt to kowtow in front of the altar. 

Second Bow: Bow to Parents and Ancestors

They kowtowed to the memorial tablets of the Zhuo family.

Third Bow: Bow to Each Other

Both Zhao Yuanzhou and Zhuo Yichen now faced each other and bowed to each other.

“ The ritual is now completed ” Siyi loudly announced the room, cheers erupted from all the sides, people were clapping and blessing the couple. 

“ Everyone please now go and attend the banquet ” came an announcement, people started to go to the banquet hall to drink and eat.

Wen Xiao came to the couple, “ One minute Xiao Zhuo ” she said gently and brought a silver plate over, in there was a small knife and a red silk cloth which very much resembled a Qiān Hóng but a bit smaller.

She gave the knife to Zhao Yuanzhou, he turned to Yichen who looked a little confused now and smiled at him, “ There's one little more Xiao Zhuo. Us, Demons would draw both our blood together as a marriage ritual ” the Great Demon explained. 

“ Ready ?” Zhao Yuanzhou asked gently.

Yichen looked at him and just nodded

He placed the knife on his palm and made a small cut at the centre, the blood was now coming out. Then he turned to Yichen and grabbed his hand, he held it gently in his hand and made a small cut in his palm too, Zhao Yuanzhou joined both their cutted palms together, their fingers intertwined now, Wen xiao then tied that Qiān Hóng around their joined hands.

Zhuo Yichen can feel the his blood mingling with Zhao Yuanzhou's blood and a small portion of his energy flowing into his body and Yichen's energy into Zhao Yuanzhou's, after a few seconds, Wen Xiao untied them, and Zhao Yuanzhou released his hand, Yichen looked down at his palm, the cut was already sealed and in the skin left a faint shade of silver, a scar, one of the proof of demons bond.

Zhou Yichen looked up to meet Zhao Yuanzhou's eyes, they both smiled. 

It will be alright.

The Banquet had ended and the guests had started to leave, it was now the time for the Bridal chamber. 

_________

This was the most awkward position I have ever been in. 

  Yichen was sitting in his bed chamber, it almost took his 5 minutes and 2 full sweep around to realise that it was indeed his own chamber, everywhere he turned, it was red, of course it was gonna be red, it was his wedding night, he was urged into his room and asked to wait for the groom. 

Ridiculous, impossibly ridiculous! 

A knock disturbed his trail of thoughts, before he could even say ‘come in’, the doors opened and Zhao Yuanzhou welcomed himself in, very leisurely. 

His face was calm, almost serene. He looked like none of that was forced into him and he had been waiting for his whole life to be in that moment. 

He smiled at Zhuo Yichen as he moved forward toward the tea table where Yichen was sitting. 

He held a small box in his hands. 

“ Xiao Zhuo ” Zhao Yuanzhou called out gently. 

“ Hmm ”

Zhao Yuanzhou placed that box in front of Yichen and sat down opposite him. Yichen looked at the Great Demon questioningly. His eyes moved from the box to the Great Demon's face a couple of times. 

Zhao Yuanzhou opened the box and pulled out a small silk pouch, it was also, in red colour. 

“ For Jiéfà ” Zhao Yuanzhou said it as a matter of fact, his face still holding that small smile. ( Jiéfà - hair tying tradition ) 

Zhuo Yichen looked at him in a puzzled manner, he knew that the Great Demon wasn't very opposed to the marriage even though he was angry at first, Zhao Yuanzhou came into a realization that it was for the betterment of everyone and even accepted it. But seeing him going through all the rituals so diligently had Zhuo Yichen confused, he really didn't know what to do about it. So he did the thing he knew. He let a small smile grace his lips and nodded. 

They both cut off a small piece of their hair and tied it together, then placed it into that red silk pouch and locked it inside that box. 

Then came the marital wine, Yichen didn't say anything, just took both his and Zhao Yuanzhou's cup on and gave one to the Great Demon and drained his in one sip. 

Finally, all the rituals are over now!.

Yichen didn't know whether it was the wine and having Zhao Yuanzhou in his room this late, but he could feel his cheeks getting warned up, the tension in the room raising, He started twitching a little, looking around all over the room, his eyes scanning everything and absolutely refusing to meet the Great Demon's ones, he could actually feel them looking at him in the back of his mind.

Big mistake 

Because his eyes landed on the bed. There were red dates, peanuts, longans, and Lotus seed scattered all over the quilt. 

Yichen's cheeks flamed up instantly, those were fertility foods, they were meant to mean as a way to bore the blessing of children, Yichen was gritting his teeth now, Zhao Yuanzhou followed the trial of Yichen's eyes and found the reason of why he was red from head to neck, he didn't know whether it was from embarrassment or from anger. He just couldn't let this moment go without having any fun. 

He smirked to himself, “ I know Wen Xiao is thoughtful but I never thought she'd be this thoughtful, Xiao Zhuo your aunt is very caring of you ” Zhao Yuanzhou teased him. 

“ Zhao Yuanzhou ” 

“ Okay okay, I won't talk ” Zhao Yuanzhou stopped chuckling midway when he saw that Yichen was now glaring at him. His lips formed a straight line. 

The room was silent once again, what's now? 

Zhao Yuanzhou could actually sense the inner turmoil of the young commander, he could see how the commander never really met his eyes head on, as he usually would, how he was keeps shifting, not by a lot but one could see, he could see the Young commander was lost inside his head, somewhat worried. Zhao Yuanzhou smiled a little. You look like a lost deer, Xiao Zhuo. 

“ So shall we sleep ?” Zhao Yuanzhou asked, moving an inch closer to the Commander. 

Yichen almost flinched when he saw Zhao Yuanzhou moving toward him. But he managed to keep his composure, his fingers hurled into a fist, holding on the fabric in his thighs. 

“ What ” Yichen's voice was a little higher than he intended. 

“ Let's go to sleep Xiao Zhuo, isn't it late already ”

“ But…… but there's only one bed ”

“ Of course, now, don't tell me that the Commander Zhuo Daren is unaware of how married couples sleep in one bed ”

“ You! ” Yichen's brows frowned as he glared at the Great Demon for his inappropriate jokes. Zhao Yuanzhou's teasing smirk fell, replaced by a small smile. 

“ I was just kidding Xiao Zhuo, you can take the bed, you know I don't really sleep nor my body needs it ” Zhao Yuanzhou said gently, his eyes held a softness in it.

“ I know how this marriage has come into existence and I won't do anything that you don't want to happen, I'm a very self-disciplined Demon, Xiao Zhuo ” Zhao Yuanzhou said while placing his open palmed hand behind his chin as if he was trying to emphasize on the last point.

“ You are not. ” Zhuo Yichen simply replied.

“ Fine, I'm not, but the other things I said, that's true, I won't ever take advantage of you Xiao Zhuo, you can trust this Old Demon ”

Zhuo Yichen looked at him, he knew that was true, he knew he could trust the Great Demon, that was why he even went on with this marriage, He knew Zhao Yuanzhou was a better option than any other demons, and he was a better option for Zhao Yuanzhou than anyone the imperial court could have chosen too. They both cared for each other and could understand each other like no one else could. 

But Yichen wasn't feeling happy, by all means he should be relieved, he should feel at ease now, he was, to an extent , but somewhere in him, he could feel a dull ache, that he was rejected, rejected by Zhao Yuanzhou, he should feel relieved and even rejoiced yet all he could feel was resigned and rejected, did Zhao Yuanzhou never wanted him, would he ever want him, anything more than a friend?   

His mind was spiralling once again, was he setting himself up for a heartbreak, how could he stop this now, his treacherous heart now it has already fallen for him, fallen for the Great Demon that he call as his best friend, as his soulmate, the veins of affection has already uprooted all over his heart, now how could he ever pull each and every one of them out?, would he be able to bear it, when the day comes when Zhao Yuanzhou decides it's enough and would leave him for someone he might take a fancy of ?. The imperial degree wasn't something that could be easily broken, but Zhao Yuanzhou could do it right? If he wanted it enough?. It could never happen right, Them together?.

Zhou Yichen felt like he was getting trapped in his own mind, he forced himself to stop thinking about it, forced himself to bury all those thoughts deep within his heart, he couldn't have those kinds of thoughts, it's inappropriate. Yichen drilled the years of his training and the teachings of Zhuo family in his mind vehemently inorder to not to think of anything other than his duty, why he had done that in the first place, it was for his bureau, for his team, for the Zhuo family’s honor. 

Yichen left to sleep on the bed leaving Zhao Yuanzhou sitting where he was. 

________

The next morning was silent, not in a bad way, more like calm, too calm. 

When Yichen opened his, he was confused for a minute, to see all those decorations, then it clicked and when he looked around the room to see any figure that might resemble the Great Demon, he found nothing.

‘ He's already gone out, it's still early ’ Yichen thought before getting himself up from the bed and went to get ready for the day. He wore a deep blue robe which had silver embroidery with gold beads embedded, his hair was let down with a silver chain attached with small bells on either side incorporated into his tiny braids. 

When he came to the dining hall, he saw Ying Lei bringing out all the dishes and the team was coming towards the table for breakfast. 

The breakfast was just as usual, Wen Xiao and Pei Seijing talking to themselves more like Wen Xiao would do the talking and Pei Seijing would just simply listen, reply when it was needed, Ying Lei and Bai jiu arguing over everything and nothing and Zhao Yuanzhou intercepting them only to stir more arguments and support whoever he felt like to at that moment. Yichen would mostly be quiet unless there was a conversation he wanted to join in, but would still talk now and then whenever Bai jiu said something and Wen Xiao asked him something or when Zhao Yuanzhou teased him. Their usual Chaos. 

“ Wen Xiao, Xiao Zhuo ” Commander Fan Ying’s voice broke the peace.

They all turned around to see him, his steps were hurried, he looked worried and very urged. 

“ Wen Xiao, Zhuo Daren, General Wei from the ministry of justice is here, he says he wants to talk to Commander Zhuo Daren ” Commander Fan Ying breathed out. 

They all now went to the main hall where the General was waiting for them. He was a tall man with a broader frame, and had a small scar on the left side of his neck. Yichen has heard rumours of how General Wei was so ruthless when it comes to interrogation and would beat people up whenever he felt like it, but he knew most of them are not true as he had heard from Commander Fan Ying a few times on how General Wei had been impartial when it concerned with justice. 

“ Commander Zhuo Daren, it's nice to finally meet the man of the hour. ” General Wei said, a small smirk on his lips. 

Then he looked over to Zhuo Yichen’s side and saw Wen Xiao and Zhao Yuanzhou standing beside, “ Baize Goddess, Great Demon Zhu Yan ”. 

Zhuo Yichen saw how there's something flickering in Zhu yan's eyes when the commander addressed him with his Demon name. Wen Xiao’s composure was steady, she had a kind smile but her face was indifferent.

 Zhuo Yichen turned slightly to see Pei Seijing with the boys standing a little far away from them. Then straightened himself.

“ General Wei, let's skip the pleasantries, just state the reason you came all the way here this early ”

“ Straight to the point, I like it, I'm here to inform you of the transfer of a case from the ministry of justice to the Demon hunting bureau overseen by Commander Zhuo Daren ” General Wei stated while giving the case file to Yichen. 

Yichen started skimming over the case file immediately, Zhao Yuanzhou was looking over Yichen's shoulders, his breath fanning Yichen's nape, a shudder went through his spine. Yichen stopped his mind before his thoughts spiralling.

“ This doesn't look like it's been committed by a Demon, General ” Yichen stated.

“ At first people thought the same too, Zhuo Daren, it was at first, just the cases of missing animals, cattle and pets, then before 2 weeks ago it escalated to the murder of a man, he was a herbs collector who was working as an apprentice to a physician, then just 8 days ago a woman was killed and her 3 months old baby went missing, when we investigated we found some demon traces. Foot marks and claw marks that didn't match with both humans and animals.” General Wei stated the observations. 

“ When did the case come to the king's knowledge? Because it looks like, the transferring decision was already made but waited for the right time to come into acknowledgement ”

“ 2 days before, the king thought it'll be the best that we wait till the wedding is over ”

“ Ah I see ”

“ Zhuo Daren, the reason I came here was done now and this case is now yours, I have faith in your capable hands, I'm sure it'll be soon settled ” General Wei said almost sarcastically and left. 

“ Where is this case from, Xiao Zhuo? ” Wen Xiao asked.

“ It happened in the Shangangtang village ” Zhuo Yichen replied. 

“ That's very far. ” Pei Seijing stated.

“ It looks like we may need to stay in that village for a few days, everyone gets ready, we are leaving in 1 shichen.” 

Zhou Yichen stated and everyone spread out to take the essentials they might need.

_______

They traveled to that village using Ying Lei’s Shanhai portal, the village consisted mostly of farming lands and looked like its main trade was agriculture and herbs collection. The village has a huge forest near it, where people usually collected most of their herbs from, small river beds can be seen around every end of the village. 

THUD! 

The sound of doors slammed shut can be heard vividly, the surrounding air rustled with vibration from the force of the slam.

Zhao Yuanzhou stood with his eyes closed, lips forming a thin line, his hair flowing in the air due to the force of that slammed door in front of him. 

‘ Centuries Old Great Demon, and to be treated like what?’ a voice came from the back of his mind, all his response to that was a deep exhale. 

The team tried to investigate the case to the local people and when no one was willing to cooperate, Zhao Yuanzhou presented himself saying he could get the information and that was the 3rd door that slammed on the Great Demon's face! 

When Zhao Yuanzhou turned around to see, he was met with the mocking look from the team members. He could even see how they were trying to hide their smiles and smirks.

“ Thousand years old Great Demon ”

“ Always gloat about his powers ”

“ Yet could get nothing done ”

“ Useless monkey ”

The members said in a disappointing tone, starting with Wen Xiao, to Bai jiu, to Pei Seijing and ending with Zhuo Yichen. 

The young mountain god couldn't control his laugh and started chuckling loudly, “ Da Yao, it's the 3rd house that slammed their doors in your face! ”. Which got stopped amidst when he felt a murderous glare being sent upon his way. 

“ I see how it is, whenever it's to bully me, you all join hands together, Ahh the poor old me ” Said Zhao Yuanzhou in the most fake disheartened voice he could muster. His lips drooped down, showing just how much he was being sad. 

Drama Queen 

“ So what are we gonna do now, none of them would really look like they want to talk to us?” Wen Xiao asked, looking at Yichen. 

“ I can help!” Interjected Ying Lei, he looked way too excited. “ I can tell them I have my little brother and now looking for him, if I didn't find him, my father would tear me a new one, if that didn't work, then I can change the story into little sister instead of brother, everyone would want to help a little girl who got lost”. Ying Lei said it as a matter of fact. 

Yichen looked at the young mountain god, well he's not wrong. 

“ Wow, young mountain god, I never thought you could actually use your brain for things other than cooking.” teased Zhao Yuanzhou. 

“ I think it would work” offered Pei Seijing her opinion. Wen Xiao nodded at that as if she's offering her agreement with Pei Daren.

“ But who would be your little sister? They would ask you for her description in order to tell you anything”. Said Bai jiu. 

“ Of course, you are! Who else would be perfect for this?”. Told Ying Lei with a confident smile, he loved seeing bai jiu flush in anger. 

“ Ying Lei-” 

“ Okay, we'll do this” Zhuo Yichen saved Ying Lei, he knew that the young mountain god touched a nerve when he said to use bai jiu as a little girl, but he can't blame Ying Lei, bai jiu would fit the description, not that he would ever say it out loud, especially after he saw how bai jiu secretly replaced Zhu yan's calabash with the bitterest concoction he could brew instead of wine and even the Great Demon wasn't aware of Bai jiu taken his calabash until he took a sip later, it took the Great Demon three days of washing his calabash before the smell of bitterness evaporated, even his demon power couldn't help much. 

They all were still in doubt with the plan even though it might seem to be flawless when it worked, now they all just hid and watched how Ying Lei actually talked to the people and how they replied to him.

“ It seems like our young mountain god has a lot of talents we don't know of.” Said Zhao Yuanzhou when he saw how perfectly Ying Lei performed the role of a devastated older brother who lost his younger sister. His eyes even had a layer of wetness in them.

Wen Xiao smiled and early nodded her head, agreeing with the Great demon, he was indeed good. 

Ying Lei came back after sometime, he had a half eaten meat bun in his hand.

“ Where did you get the meat bun?” asked bai jiu.

“ Oh the old grandma from the 4th house gave me, she said I look too thin for my own good and should eat something and shouldn't let the fear waste me away.” replied Ying Lei while biting into the meat bun 

“ So, have you got any useful information other than the bun?” Wen Xiao asked him and urged him to chew his bun faster 

“ They said it all started 3 weeks ago, at first a few of their chickens were stolen, then a couple of their goats, and once a whole horse. But they never heard any strange sounds or loud noises, then it all stopped.

And about 2 weeks before, the man was killed, and then later that woman.” finished Ying Lei. 

“ They didn't say anything else?” Pei Seijing asked.

“ No, they only told me that cause I said I was scared that something might happen to my sister and a man told me I better find my sister as there are lot of bad things have been happening lately in the village” 

Yichen's eyebrows were pinched, how they would do every time he thinks about something. 

“ So the people also really don't know what is happening?” Yichen spoke out 

“ Or they are hiding something” interjected Zhao Yuanzhou.

Yichen turned to look at him, his eyes met the Great demon's, he knew the look in Zhao Yuanzhou's eyes because they matched with his, there is something wrong in here.

“ Maybe we should find an inn and stay the night here, it'd be easier to find whatever that's wrong in here.” insisted Wen Xiao, she could also feel that there was something wrong in the village. 

They first agreed to stay at Zhu yan's place but given the situation now, everyone thought it would be better if they just stayed the night in the village, it might help them with their investigation. 

______

“ Who's idea was this?” Asked Yichen while gritting his teeth, his eyes bored a blazing gaze in them, he looked between Zhao Yuanzhou and Wen Xiao. 

“ His”

“Her's”

They both pointed at each other and said it at the same time.

Zhuo Yichen closed his eyes and let out a small breath, as if he was trying to hold on to his restraint.

“ Xiao Zhuo, you gotta understand, the inn only had three rooms, me and pei jiejie would be sharing one and Xiao Jiu and Ying lei would be sharing the other. That leaves one last room remaining and there's two of you, you have to share in Xiao Zhuo.” Wen Xiao spoke gently as if she was trying to coax a child. 

“ Also Xiao Zhuo, we are married, shouldn't we be sharing the room anyways, it's only natural, what would people talk about if we didn't?” Zhao Yuanzhou said with a way too innocent smile adoring his lips that did not match with the teasing glint in his eyes.

“ Zhao Yuanzhou, you are not helping here” Wen Xiao hissed at the Great Demon. 

“ Why can't I share the room with Xiao Zhuo ge–hmmp” Bai jiu got interrupted in the middle of his question as Ying Lei covered his mouth and dragged him away not minding the protests that the young physician was throwing. 

“ We are going to check out our room, bye.” Ying Lei bid his farewell while still dragging bai jiu, his hand still hovered over his face, preventing the young physician from speaking.

Ying Lei was very determined to not let his idiotic bunny walk into a White Ape’s den knowing full well that, the minute the bunny stepped in, he might get impaled by the said white Ape demon. 

“ Fine” was all yichen replied, he looked dejected, almost like he gave in to his fate. 

Wen Xiao smiled brightly, her plan worked. 

_________

Zhuo Yichen was the first to enter the room, his eyes swept over in a quick glance, taking in where the bed was placed, when the windows were. 

  His mind was still filled with various thoughts, from that mission to that morning of how the Great Demon's eyes flickered when General Wei addressed him. Every one of it was giving him an uneasy feeling. This mission should have been given to The Demon hunting bureau sooner yet they all had waited for days, and here, the people have no idea of how all those thefts had happened and no one heard nothing. It wasn't just right. 

Yichen was so lost in his own thoughts that he hadn't noticed the door opened, another presence strided in, the person was getting closer to Yichen, finally stopped just a couple of inch back, the warmth of Yichen's body heat could be felt now along with the coldness of his demonic energy. 

  “ Xiao Zhuo” 

Yichen instantly flinched only to feel himself collided with a warm body, his back hitting something warm and broad, a chest. He felt a set of hands holding him by his waist, gripped strong enough to steady him, not letting him fall into his feet. 

 Yichen tilted his chin to look up, coming into face to face with the Great Demon, only their breathing as the distance between them, eyes locked in, Yichen could see the way their breaths were now mingling, how a flash of worry that was on the Great Demon's eyes, his lips parted slightly as he was stopped right before he could say something. Yichen could see the tip of Zhao Yuanzhou's ears turning red, probably matching with the rising heat in his own cheeks and neck. 

He quickly pulled himself from the trance and pushed his body to stand straight. His eyes swaying everywhere, his one hand gripping on the Cloud Light Sword while the other trying to smooth out the creases in his robes even though there weren't much to start with. 

“ You! What are you doing here?” Yichen asked voice came out a bit strangled, his eyebrows pinched in. 

“ Well Zhuo Daren, it's my room too, remember we have to share this room, where else would I be ?” Zhao Yuanzhou's voice sounded too non-chalant and almost innocent-like. 

“ Not that, you standing too close to me” 

“ Oh, that. Don't mistake me Zhuo Daren, I did call for you a couple of times before entering, you didn't answer, so I thought it was a yes, when I came in, Zhuo Daren was deep in thought, I had to check out” Zhao Yuanzhou replied smiling. 

“ You! Indisciplined monkey” Yichen muttered out glaring at the Great Demon 

Zhao Yuanzhou did not mind Yichen, instead he just moved to take a seat in front of the tea table, bringing his calabash out to take a sip. He looked calm like he hadn't almost given the commander an early heart attack by spooking him. 

Zhuo Yichen turned to look at the Great Demon, he had been meaning to test something and now felt like the perfect timing, they were in their private quarters too. 

“ Zhu Yan” Yichen's voice came like a soft breeze, calm and composed, filling the room with a sweet warmth. 

Zhao Yuanzhou's action was paused midway, his hands froze around his calabash, the sound of how he gulped echoed through the room's thin walls, his gaze suddenly sharpened, jaw tightening. Yichen observed every little moment of the Great Demon, saw how the entire existence of Zhao Yuanzhou almost felt like, stopped.

So he was correct. 

“ Zhu Yan” he called again, this time, the Great Demon looked straight at him, his eyes holding various emotions, layers of his past reflections. 

“ May I know the reason for this sudden change in how Zhuo Daren usually addresses me?” He looked composed yet there was something strange in it. The way his smile didn't reach his eyes. How the corner of his lips twitched now and then. 

Yichen just looked at him for a whole minute, he simply stared and did it openly too. He finally understood what those emotions flashed and flickered in the Great Demon's eyes, those were guilt and shame, the very same ones he felt when he turned into a demon. 

The man who told him, it did not matter whether he was a human or a demon, what mattered was who he chose to be, what kind of person he put himself to be, the man who had been with him when he hated himself and wanted nothing more than to disappear, the man who shouldered his pain along with him, made sure he didn't lose himself in an unburdened guilt and self loathe and shame over actions which he had no control over, yet he was still bearing all the blood that has been spilled in his hands, the sins he had committed, not by his own choice but due to the cruelty of the fate.

He still bore his wounds which never healed, still carried the scars that were now infested without any caring, still held on to the pain of everything he couldn't control, the blame, the curses, the low whispers which carried more than just hateful words. 

Yichen felt his eyes stinging, tears trying to make its way in, blurring his vision. But he stopped it, pulled back any of those hot care from dropping down his cheeks, cascading a path which would only elicit questions he didn't want to answer.

“ Since we are married now,I wanted to call you by your birth name when we are in private, is it so wrong? Or only Li Lun can call you by that name?” Yichen's voice finally came, after what felt like an eternity,his voice was steady, hiding everything he had in his mind, hiding his inner turmoil that was storming within him only a moment ago.

Yichen knew bringing Li Lun up in their conversation wasn't a dignified move but he needed something that would let him have an upper hand over this conversation and where might this interaction lead to. 

“ My, my, Don't tell me now that the esteemed commander Zhuo Daren is jealous of Li Lun? Don't worry, we never had that kind of relationship nor harboured any sorts of thoughts that might indicate anything more than a friendship, a brotherhood.” 

“ Ridiculous” Yichen could feel the heat rising up in his cheeks over the Great Demon's worlds.

“ No need for any of that Xiao Zhuo, this old Demon is very faithful. You are my wife, of course you can call me by any names you like to, it's just, I'm merely wondering what brought this sudden change?” Zhao Yuanzhou continued like Yichen never spoke.

“ Shut up” Yichen muttered, his voice lacking fire in it. 

Yichen let out a small sigh, his husband is already raising his blood pressure and testing his patience. He walked to the table and sat in front of Zhao Yuanzhou. 

“ I want to call you Zhu yan because I don't like how your eyes flickers everytime someone address you with that name, because I saw how bad you want to shed your Demon identity, how you want to leave your birth name behind along with your malicious energy , because of how you still refuse to accept your past and still bearing the sins you had no command over, i want you to accept your past as you are with your present and i want to help you with that by any means I got that I could use.” Yichen poured his heart in one breath, he didn't plan to speak everything in his mind, but once he started, he could curb it in. The words came out of him like a river that has finally broken out its restraint. 

Zhao Yuanzhou's eyes were on Yichen the entire time he talked, his lips held a small melancholic smile, his eyes watered, a small pearl of it escaped despite his efforts to control it, to hold them back. His Xiao Zhuo, his beautiful wife, devastatingly so, even after everything Zhu yan has done to him, how he crumbled his whole world down into ashes and crimson river over the whitest snow Tiandu has ever seen,still sitting in front of him, wanting to help his doomed soul over his predestinated demise, asking him to let him heal, heal Zhao Yuanzhou, knowing full well that he was the very reason Yichen has ever came to know the word pain, now worried about his pain and scars. Zhao Yuanzhou could laugh at his fate. He didn't know whether to cry and beg Yichen for forgiveness or laugh and rejoice over the fact that this man was now married to him, and became his wife. Through all his darkened night sky, Yichen became the brightest star, who could light up the entire world with his shine. A boom to his cursed life. A rain to his Parched soul. A cool breeze to his scorching summer. 

“ Xiao Zhuo-” 

“ I have already made up my mind and whatever you want to say, nothing is going to change my decision” Zhuo Yichen spoke, not letting the Great Demon finish what he was trying to say. He was pouring himself a cup of tea, not even looking up at Zhao Yuanzhou. 

Zhao Yuanzhou just sighed, he had accepted his defeat the minute the young commander called him ‘Zhu yan’ for the first time. 

“ If my wife says he has already decided, then I'm afraid there's nothing I could do but simply oblige ."

They both were now sitting in silence, but that didn't last for long when Bai jiu surfed into the room, calling for them to have dinner. By the time they got to the table, all the others were already seated. 

“ Xiao Zhuo ge, do you think we can find out what's happening in this village tonight?Of why none of the villagers know anything about the stealing and the murders ?” Bai jiu asked, still chewing his food. 

“ Little bunny, chew first before speaking, you'll choke otherwise” Zhao Yuanzhou said while pushing a water cup near the young physician. 

“ We have too Xiao Jiu, if we are able to find out what's happening here tonight, we won't have to stay another night in the village. I don't like how this place is giving me creeps.” Wen Xiao spoke. 

“ Zhao Yuanzhou and I would handle the investigation and see what happens, you all just stay in your rooms, if you see something suspicious, don't act alone” Zhuo Yichen just commanded the team in order for them not to get themselves into danger. 

His eyes were fully focused on Pei Seijing as if he's asking her to protect the others when he was not there. The archer understood his look, only added at him, answering she would. 

“ Well if my Xiao Zhuo daren wants to spend more time with this Old Demon, I'm delighted to help” Zhao Yuanzhou teased which lighten up the mood immediately as everyone started chuckling. Except for Zhuo Yichen, of course he was glaring at the Great Demon with his famous glare. 

_______

It was already late and everyone was settled in their respective rooms, the Great Demon was also gone. Zhuo Yichen was wandering the hallways alone before he finally had enough and decided to return to his room,.......... Their room.

When he reached the room, it was devoid of any light, he thought Zhao Yuanzhou was retired to their room, but by the look of it, it wasn't the case. Zhou Yichen lit up the candles and sat at the tea table. 

Footsteps came first followed by its owner, Zhao Yuanzhou stepped into the room closing the wooden door behind him, the clicking sound of the clock being placed was heard. 

“ I found nothing wrong in the surrounding Xiao Zhuo, everything was normal” said Zhao Yuanzhou, walking towards the window, standing near it. His eyes were looking outside.

“ I walked around the hallways, found nothing too” 

The room once again fell into a hush, the chirping of the crickets outside can be heard loudly now, the smell of the coming winter was strong in the night's cold air. 

Before either of them said anything, a strange smell started to fill the room, hints of chamomile, lavender and some poppy seed, it was a floral scent mixed with the tangent fragrance of herbs. 

Zhuo Yichen could feel the lack of sleep catching up to him, his body started to feel light and sag, his eyelids grew heavier, he pushed himself up and walked towards the bed and let his body fall to a deep slumber. He could hear faint noises, but he was not in the mood to entertain Zhao Yuanzhou's teasing. 

_________

Something bright was flashing in his face, Zhuo Yichen was turning his head to avoid the light, he slowly opened his eyes, the morning glory which asked him up, was now staring at him, the sunshine was filtered through the windows, glowing up the entire room, Zhuo Yichen whirled around in the bed only to face a deep red coloured heavy robes which was splayed over allowing him the view of a broad chest, he could see the rise and fall of it with each breath, he looked up to see the Great Demon sleeping peacefully, or so he thought, he could only see the Great Demon's eyes were closed, he leaned himself over a bit using his elbow to check whether Zhao Yuanzhou was indeed sleeping. 

When he moved over near, his face and Zhao Yuanzhou's was only parted by an inch gap, he could feel the hot air every time the Great Demon exhale, he slowly raised his hands to touch, but suddenly his hands were grabbed into a strong grip, a force yanked him into Zhao Yuanzhou's chest, faces closer than before, his nose brushing slightly into Zhao Yuanzhou's with each movement. The Great Demon finally opened his eyes to look at the young commander. 

Suddenly, all the air in Yichen's lungs were knocked out as he felt his back now pinned to the bed with the Great demon towering him, his hand still in his grasp. Zhao Yuanzhou's eyes were dark with something unknown.

“ Xiao Zhuo, if you wanted to touch me, you could have just asked, I'm always ready to perform any of wife's kind wishes, even the unkind ones” Zhao Yuanzhou whispered, his voice was low and almost melodic, his grip tightened a bit then loosened again. 

Zhuo Yichen's free hand came into the Great Demon chest. He was now touching the bare skin of Zhao Yuanzhou's. He tried to push the Demon away, tried to create a semblance of space between them, but Zhao Yuanzhou was a wall made of muscles, whatever Yichen did, he didn't look affected.

“ Z-Zhu Yan” Yichen wanted to hit himself for stuttering. 

“ Xiao Zhuo” 

“ Let go or I'll stab you with Cloud light sword” This time Yichen's voice was steady, his jaws were clenching hard contrary to his rosened neck and ears. 

Zhao Yuanzhou looked at him for a minute before speaking, “ Okay, I'll stop my teasing, don't be mad Zhuo Daren” and let go of Yichen's hands. Which instantly came to push him away. He let that happen. 

“ You! You shameless monkey, why were you sleeping in the bed? I thought you said creatures of your cultivation don't need any sleep.” asked Yichen while sitting up in bed. 

“ Zhuo Daren, don't you remember how you fell into your slumber?” 

That made Yichen rethink of yesternight, The Great Demon was true, he was just sitting for one instance and in the next, his body's need for sleep overtook his senses. 

Zhao Yuanzhou saw the way the young commander was now trying to figure out what might have happened. 

“ There was a strange smell, something was in the air after we finished patrol, everyone in the village was drugged, that's why no one could remember anything suspicious or strange noises” Yichen spoke first.

“ Very correct. It is called ‘Soporific vapour’ also popularly known as ‘Herbal Slumber’. It consists of various herbs crushed together and prepared into a gas form so it's easier to release in the air. It makes everyone fall into a deep sleep” Zhao Yuanzhou stated. 

“ But I am a Demon, how could I fall asleep too with a concoction made using a few herbs?” Yichen questioned.

“ Well, because Zhuo Daren it was also made by a Demon” Zhao Yuanzhou said propped against the bedpost , adjusting his robes and smoothing his White streak of hair. 

“ What are you saying?” 

“ Yes Xiao Zhuo Daren, it was done by a flower demon, I smelled the fragrance of various flowers last night” 

‘So that's why he fell asleep even though he's a demon, at least they solved one mystery now. But could that herbal gas even affect a Great Demon like Zhu yan?.’

“ It could even affect a Demon of your cultivation?” 

“ Of course not, I laid in the bed because I wanted to sleep beside my wife. Well actually it's Zhuo Daren who was talking in his sleep, calling for my name” Zhao Yuanzhou was looking straight at him.

“ Ridiculous, I don't talk in my sleep” Yichen immediately stood up, his hands searching for his sword. 

“ I'm going to check on others” Zhao Yuanzhou sprinted out of the room before

Yichen actually stabbed him due to his teasing. 

____________

By the time everyone was gathered and Zhao Yuanzhou shared his findings, Yichen's anger was subsidized. 

“ I can create an antidote to that, I have read about the Herbal slumber, I know how to make the antidote, I just need a few materials for it Xiao Zhuo ge” Bai jiu pitched in eagerly, he has always been eager whenever it is to help his Xiao Zhuo ge. 

“ We need to check out the place where that apprentice got killed, we may find some clues there” Pei Seijing said, her voice steady. “ If Zhuo Daren wants, I can handle that” 

“ His name is Mu Xin Pei jiejie” Wen Xiao has a small smile in her face like she always do, she linked her hand around the archer, “ I can go with Pei Jiejie to the forest Xiao Zhuo, my Baize power would help us find any Demon traces”.

Pei Seijing looked at Wen Xiao, she could protect the Baize Goddess if it was needed, so she simply nodded her head in agreement. 

“ We need to investigate the Apothecary too. Ying Lei you go with Bai jiu and help with the antidote, Wen Xiao you can go with Pei Daren, but you have to be careful. Zhao Yuanzhou and I would go and speak to the village Physician” Yichen instructed the team. 

•••

  Yanxi Clinic 

That was the sight that welcomed the Great Demon and the Young commander. They both were now standing in front of the clinic. They can feel the presence of a demon in there, low in cultivation, still young. 

“ Let's go in, Xiao Zhuo” Zhao Yuanzhou said, his voice was smooth. Taking steps towards the entrance. 

They were greeted by a gentle voice, “ Hello”, the clinic was filled with the scent of various mixed herbs and tinctures, with a floral fragrance. 

There stood a young lady, her face was beautiful and delicate, he had a chrysanthemum flower on her hair along with other tiny flowers arranged carefully, it made her appearance almost glowing. 

The flower Demon. 

“ What can this humble assistant do for the guests, for a Da Yao?” The young lady spoke first. 

‘She knows Zhao Yuanzhou. Could she also see that I'm a demon too? Well my demon marks weren't exactly hidden’

“ Well since the humble assistant already knows who we are, why don't you start by telling us your name?” Zhao Yuanzhou questioned, his face was serene, he leaned in a bit, a flawless smile adoring his lips. He looked like he was trying to flirt. 

The flower Demon let off a soft chuckle, “ How could I not recognise a Da Yao when I see one? And Zhuo Daren’s reputation has spread far and wide, especially more since he turned into something he used to hunt down” Her voice was steady, but not hiding the slightest distaste in it, her gaze were sharp now. 

“ Thank you for your service in shutting down the Chongwu camp Zhuo Daren”, she bowed respectfully to him to show her gratitude, it was sincere. 

“ My name is Lu Yin, this is my grandfather's clinic, his health isn't what it used to be, so I'm taking care of this clinic now. I'm a half flower demon and half human.” Lu Yin finished with what they were meant to ask her. Her demonic origin. 

“ Miss Lu Yin, is your grandfather aware of how you are abusing your power as the clinic head and forcing the entire village to fall into a deep slumber using the herbal gas” Yichen's voice was harsh. He didn't like how someone is playing with the entire village just because they can.

Lu Yin just smiled, it was a polite smile not a genuine one, “ I'm afraid my grandfather is very much aware, Zhuo Daren. The herbal gas was originally asked by the Village head. He was worried for the people but also didn't want to cause a panic, so he asked grandfather for that gas, hoping he could at least save the people from any attacks during the nighttime. He was also the one who informed the officials about this and requested for the Demon Hunting bureau.” 

“ And why would the village chief ask for such a measure? Is he perhaps aware of any demons in the surroundings ?” Zhao Yuanzhou asked. 

“ Yes, well there was no demons wandered here originally, but after the Chongwu camp started to hunt demons for their core and other things, one or two would wander here, the forest was very wide and dense, it provided them a semblance of protection, but that didn't last for long, a few months ago, the pack of Chongwu camp members came here and raided the entire forest. Forcing the one or two demons in there to flee or to die. There were no demons since then” 

“ Why didn't the chief filed a complaint if there was demons near the village” 

“ It's because the chief had once loved a demon, they later got killed by some hunters, so he always pitied them and as long as the demons residing in the forest did not come into the village and cause trouble, he let them be. It was also the reason why he let me stay when my grandfather brought me here.” 

“ Are you saying there's no demon in the forest? Lady Lu yin?” Zhao Yuanzhou asked while leisuring around the clinic. Looking at the supplies and the contents in the tables.

“ No, what I'm saying is no one is really allowed to go to that part of the forest, it's an unspoken rule here, it is forbidden.” 

“ Then how come Mu Xin went there? Wasn't he aware of that rule too?” Zhao Yuanzhou asked. 

“ You are a flower demon, why didn't you go to collect the herbs? Why sent him?” Yichen questioned her.

“ Mu Xin was well aware of that rule too, he had never been to that part of the forest before, it was his first and last time, I don't know what made him go there.” She answered looking at the Great Demon, then she turned to look at the Young commander, “ As for your question Zhuo Daren, since grandfather had fallen ill, I am the one who's managing everything in here,even though I still go to collect the herbs, I couldn't spend much time in that. We hired Mu Xin especially for him to collect herbs, it was him who wanted to be an apprentice in exchange for that.” 

Yichen was looking at her to find anything amiss, a flicker in her eyes, any sign of lying, a tremble in her hands, but there was nothing, her smile stayed the same polite one which didn't reach her gaze, her eyebrows relaxed, she looked confident as in someone who got nothing to hide. 

“ But after the two murders, everyone in the village is completely prohibited to go anywhere near the forest.” Lu Yin added. 

Wen Xiao! Pei Seijing! 

Yichen immediately thought of the Baize Goddess and the Archer, who had gone to the forest. His eyes instantly widened with worry, Zhao Yuanzhou looked at him and understood what the young commander was thinking. His team was now in danger. They both immediately left the clinic in a hurry. 

________________

Pei Seijing and Wen Xiao were looking around the place where they found Mu Xin’s body, there was nothing amiss in there, there was no blood nor any signs of struggle. 

Suddenly, they heard a noise, Pei Seijing hands were already holding her bow with three arrows in place . She stood in front of the Baize Goddess like a shield, Her stance protective, ready to attack. 

Something sharp came at them out of nowhere, before it could hit the Archer, she whirled around and blocked that with her bow. She instantly released her arrows towards the direction where that. 

A few of them flew towards them spontaneously, Pei Seijing immediately pushed the Baize Goddess behind a tree to keep her out of the target range, and started warding them off, when the final one came straight for her face, it was kicked out last minute by a force. 

She turned and saw her didi, now standing in front of her to protect both of them. The Mù Jiàn ( looks like blades but is double edged and made of wood) were kept on coming, the Pei siblings tried to fight back, which led to Pei Siheng running into the forest to find the source, when a silver chain came swinging towards Pei Seijing, Wen Xiao interfered and deterred it with her dagger, The archer immediately shot the chain cause it to snap into two before the swinger could pull it back.

“ Wen Xiao, Pei Daren” Yichen's voice broke through the vibrations in the air caused by the fighting. 

They turned to look at both the young commander and the Great Demon running towards them. 

“ Wen Xiao, Pei Daren, Are you alright? What happened here?” Zhuo Yichen enquired, His voice contained a string of worry in it.

Before they could answer, the sound of crushed leaves could be heard, Yichen immediately pulled his Cloud Light Sword and pointed its tip at the intruder's neck. Ready to strike, Yichen pulled his sword back the minute he realised it was no one but Pei Siheng. 

“ Jie, I saw someone, but when I followed there was no one.” Siheng breathed out. 

“ Who was it, Siheng ?” Zhao Yuanzhou asked. 

“ It was a man, Da Yao, I couldn't see him clearly” 

Yichen turned to look at the girls, “ Pei Daren, what happened?” 

“ We were ambushed while checking out the place for any clues, we were attacked with Mu Jian, it was coming from all directions starting with the south.” Pei Seijing showed him the red wood mu jian he managed to retrieve. Zhao Yuanzhou took that from her hand and examined it. Yichen placed his Cloud Light Sword near it to sense for any demonic energy, but the sword never glowed.

“ It has no traces of demonic energy." Yichen stated 

“ That's because it was set up as the same way as to hunt small animals, it's an hunters technique” Wen Xiao spoke, “ I have read about it, some demon hunters also use this method to capture lesser demons” 

“ You are indeed correct, Baize Goddess” Zhao Yuanzhou flashed a smile at her. “ Maybe all your reading hasn't gone to waste, I take back what I said before, Wen in your name isn't for illiterate” 

“ Zhao Yuanzhou” Wen Xiao smiled at him while showing her dragger, “ want to get stabbed again?” 

“ No” 

Zhuo Yichen's eyes were going back and forth between Wen Xiao and Zhu yan, his eyes flickered with unsaid emotions and questions, his brows pinched in hurt but he slipped the mask of indifference once again.

“ Zhuo Daren, I don't think the murder happened here, there was no struggle of sign or any fight happened, nor was there any blood.” 

“ The file just stated Mu Xin's body was found here, even they hadn't mentioned anything that indicates he might have died here, it doesn't look like he can find any herbs in here too, if he took this path, I don't think that was for to collect any herbs” 

“ Except for a bunch of jimson weeds.” Zhao Yuanzhou pointed to the bunch of plants with bright flowers. 

“ Aren't those used to induce unconsciousness?” Wen Xiao asked. 

“ Chongwe camp uses them, even made a few concoctions that could affect lesser demons and knock them out.” Pei Seijing answered Wen Xiao.

“ Why does everything point back to the Chongwu camp? Aren't they all already arrested?” Pei Siheng sneered in anger. He couldn't believe how even after everything they have been through and done, some of the camp members got away. Now stirring troubles with no fear. 

Zhuo Yichen thought the same. He also thought everyone in the Chongwu camp got sentenced for what they have done but it looked like not everyone. 

_______________

Everyone was back to the inn, Bai jiu gave them the antidote for the herbal slumber. When the young commander finished his debrief, all the team members were having different expressions on their faces. Most were angry, with two faces also carrying a sting of shame. Pei Seijing and Bai jiu have worked for Chongwu camp, even though they are now not part of it, but they had stood and watched the camp’s cruelty first hand and hadn't said anything. 

Both Wen Xiao and Zhu Yan looked calm, they still got the intrigued look about their case but not any outright anger, Zhuo Yichen's face was in confusion, traces of anger were etched in his furrowed brows. 

As the moonlight took over the vast night sky, they all returned to their respective rooms. 

When Zhuo Yichen entered the room, he saw the Great Demon sitting near the window and looking out at the dark sky filled with twinkling stars. His calabash was in his hands, taking sips ever so often, The Great Demon looked serene, almost peaceful…… if it wasn't for the small melancholic smile at the corner of his mouth, Yichen would have believed the Demon’s act.

“ Zhu Yan” his voice was soft and gentle, almost a whisper. The room held a strange calmness in it and Yichen didn't want to break it. 

The Great Demon turned to look at him, his eyes were tender, carrying a compassionate look in it. 

“ Xiao Zhuo”, Zhu Yan looked at him like he was waiting for Yichen to continue speaking. 

“ Are you alright?” A hint of worry and concern was laced in that question, Yichen didn't want to let the Great Demon know, but those words with those emotions were out even before he could bite them back. 

“ Is my wife worried about his old husband?” Zhao Yuanzhou teased him. 

‘Not an answer to his question, He's deflecting.’

Zhao Yuanzhou was now smiling at Yichen teasingly, but that smile never reached the Great demon's eyes. 

Yichen just sighed at the Great Demon's antics and came closer to him, he placed his hand on Zhu Yan's forearm,he felt Zhu Yan stiffening beneath his hand, “ Zhu Yan, are you not gonna answer my question?”

“ I'm fine, Xiao Zhuo, need not to worry” Zhao Yuanzhou's voice was restrained, hiding something. 

Yichen didn't push him, he knew the Demon was lying but he didn't want to force any answers out of him, so he just nodded at Zhu Yan and went to bed, leaving the Great Demon with his wine in hand. 

Zhu Yan's eyes never wavered from the retreating figure of the Young commander, he understood that Yichen didn't believe him but he was still grateful to his wife for not prying the answers out of him. 

‘Xiao Zhuo, Xiao Zhuo! What can I say to you, that I'm not alright? I'm not fine? Or the fact that I love my wife so much although he doesn't know that nor would ever reciprocate it? By the laws, you are mine and I am yours, are we truly though? Ours? Is there any possibility for that ? For my wish to become true? I know you tolerate me and my teasing, you even accepted those bridal gifts I sent you, did it mean anything more than a custom to you Xiao Zhuo? Or just a simple courtesy? My beautiful wife, so stunning that it hurts, hurts this ancient Demon's heart, how I could have to do close to me yet couldn't hold you, like how I want to, wish to. Would you ever give me a chance Xiao Zhuo, a chance to this Old Yao to show how much this soul yearns for you? Would you ever let me cherish you? Could it have any chance of happening? Or would you come to resent me if I expressed my affection?.’

A single tear left Zhu Yan's eyes, he immediately wiped it with the back of his hand and went to lie down against the wall and closed his eyes. He wanted to shut down everything from his mind.

________________

“ Are you saying there's no demon in this town Xiao Zhuo daren?” Ying Lei asked loudly, before minding himself. 

It was the next morning, the team had come to a Tea house for breakfast. 

“ Keep your voice lower, Ying Lei” Wen Xiao gently reprimanded him. 

“ Yes, young mountain God, there's no demon in here, there was a mistake, we need to go back to the forest to get the mu jian and the trap setups, it looks like some of the chongwu camp hunters are still roaming free” Zhao Yuanzhou answered. 

“ Pei Daren and I are leaving in the afternoon to the forest. Wen Xiao and Zhao Yuanzhou, you both handle any residing demonic energy.” Yichen's voice was steady. He saw a small figure retrieving from the Shadows.

_________

“ Da Yao, what can I do for you?” Lu Yin asked when she saw the Great Demon entering the clinic once again. She looked like she was about to go out. 

“ Are you going out, lady Lu?”  

“ Oh no. I'm not, I'm just returning from visiting my grandfather” 

“ May I ask what brings you here, Da Yao?” 

“ Right, I came to ask if you got any sleeping draught for demons? Zhuo Daren is having trouble sleeping” Zhu Yan answered with a polite smile. 

“ I think I might have something for that.” she said as she was strolling behind the counter to check her various cabinets. “ Is Zhuo Daren having nightmares?” She asked, her voice was straining. 

“ You know lady Lu, the smell of flowers and herbs could easily mask the scent of other things, no one would notice anything amiss, for example the smell of wild animals or……….. perhaps even blood” 

Before he could continue, suddenly got hit with a plethora of white colored powder on his face. 

Zhu Yan's view instantly got blurred, his eyes shut tight due to the sting from the powder, he coughed a couple of times. Lu Yin took the opening and tried to escape but before she could make it out, she was stopped by the view of Zhuo Yichen, hands already holding the Cloud Light Sword. Her exit was blocked even before she could think about it. 

“ Lady Lu, I think you got something to say to us” Yichen insinuated, hand's still gripping the Cloud Light Sword, ready to swing if anything went south. 

“ Zhu Yan, are you okay?” A tinge of concern was woven in that question.

“ Don't worry Xiao Zhuo, of course I'm fine, a little herbal powder couldn't affect a Da Yao like me” Zhu yan was forcing his voice to be steady, it was a little rough due to his earlier coughing. 

“Kneel” 

The command echoed in the clinic forcing the Young flower demon on her knees abruptly. 

Before the flower demon could plead for her innocence, a clashing sound was heard from the upper floor of the clinic, everyone turned to see, Pei Seijing and Siheng holding an injured man, behind them the rest of the team joined. 

“ Now everyone is here, shall we start?” The Great Demon bored a mocking tone.

That man was made to join lady Lu in her kneeling. 

“ What did you throw at Da Yao?” Bai Jiu asked at the first voice straining, carrying a hint of fear in it.

“ Da Yao knows what that powder contains!” Lu Yin sneered at the young physician. 

“ Truth” another command echoed.

“ It was a mixture of Yúnshí(Cat's Claw), Panax ginseng, Stinking Henbane, Shānglù, Jimsonweed and Atropa belladonna.” 

“ Are you insane?! Those would make people go rouge!” Bai jiu screeched, voice high. 

“ Don't worry Little bunny, it won't do anything to me, I am a Da Yao” Zhao Yuanzhou's voice came calm, but something was amiss. 

“ You are a Da Yao yet helping the humans hunting your own mind?” the man finally spoke, his tone and face showed how enraged he was. He struggled in his hold.

“ Who are you? Why did you two kill Mu Xin?” Zhuo Yichen enquired.

“ My name is An Juan, I'm a wolf demon.” 

“ Huh? If you are a demon, then how come we couldn't find your demonic traces in the forest” Ying Lei interjected.

“ That's because Ying Lei, he almost exhausted his demonic core, I guess it was during your fight against Mu Xin?” Zhao Yuanzhou spoke instead of An Juan. 

“ Why did you two kill Mu Xin? He was just an apprentice.” Zhuo Yichen asked again. 

“ How did you find us?” Lu Yin asked, countering Yichen's question. 

“ You are in no position to question us Lady Lu” Zhao Yuanzhou's voice was calm, it carried an authoritative tone underneath. 

“ You thought we'll never find your puppet, a talisman flower bud?” Yichen added.

“ Speak” another one word spell hit. 

“ I killed Mu Xin, you people talk about him as if he's a good man, as if he's just an apprentice, but none of you know the full truth of his vile nature” An Juan voice roared inside the walls of the clinic. 

“ I am a Demon, so what? I have never killed anyone before yet the Chongwu camp was hunting demons everywhere, it doesn't matter whether we were innocent or not, they killed every one of us, sold us to the Black markets, peeled the skin out of our flesh, drained the blood from our veins, for what? To use in their little experiments, they call us, the demons heartless, yet it is the human, who does the most vile things possible!” An Juan was trembling with rage, words thundering out of his mouth. 

“ You don't know who Mu Xin really is, do you ?” Lu Yin asked the members. 

“ He was an apprentice, was he not?” Wen Xiao finally spoke. 

“ Apprentice? Huh!” Lu Yin spit out, “ He never wanted to be an apprentice until he learned that the Chongwu camp was destroyed and all its members were arrested”

“ Are you saying he's one of the Chongwu camp people?” Pei Seijing questioned. 

“ What do you think? He wanted to hide somewhere respectful, he used the secret of me being a half demon and forced my grandfather to take him under the pretense of that.” Lu Yin eyes teared up with the pent up anger, “ he never did anything in here, other than constantly threatening me and grandfather about telling the truth to the entire village, he only went to collect herbs because he noticed there was something strange with me, it was my mistake to slip up, i should have been more careful” her voice dropped low. 

“ What do you mean lady Lu?” Zhao Yuanzhou asked.

“ I found An Juan at the forest one day, he was at the verge of death, I saved him, later he told me he was hunted by the Chongwu camp and all his other pack members were killed and he only managed to survive by luck, you should have seen what they have done to him” Lu Yin shouted, “ I used to go and see him daily, I had to take care of him and check his injures, but I couldn't bring him to the clinic when Mu Xin was lounging in there like he owned it, his hatred for demons was obvious, he hated everything that associated with demons, he voluntarily worked for the Chongwu camp, when he figured i have been going to the forest regularly he decided to follow me one day, he saw I was helping another demon and he lost his mind” her voice breaking a little, the tears were now streamed more uniformly. 

“ He wanted to kill both Lu Yin and me, saying no demon deserve to live in this world, he attacked Lu Yin first, cursing at her, he almost succeeded in killing her, if only I wasn't there, so I did what I had to, to ensure the survival of someone who has showed my kindness when the world forgone its own. I killed Mu Xin, Lu Yin didn't do anything, she only helped me to hide and healed my injuries.” An Juan’s head was hung low, he looked like someone who lost every will to fight. 

“ So you killed Mu Xin because he attacked lady Lu, but why did you kill Xi Yao and her 3 months old baby?” Zhuo Yichen asked.

“ I didn't, we didn't, We never even crossed paths with lady Xi, we only killed Mu Xin because he deserved it, we never harmed anyone else” An Juan answered, his voice was low, filled with pain. 

“ Now how could we trust you? What says you are not lying?” Zhao Yuanzhou questioned leisurely.

“ If you think we are lying then use One word spell on us Da Yao, then we know the truth for sure” An Juan was stubborn in his resolve.

“ I have known lady Xi. She was a regular at the clinic. I helped her during her pregnancy and after the child's birth whenever her child got sick. Many of the villagers took pity on her when she first came to the village pregnant, saying her husband died. I personally went to see her health because some of the aunties came to me worried, she was originally from Tiandu. When I asked her why she came here, she just said there is no life for her in Tiandu and would refuse to answer anything more.” Lu Yin spoke quickly, as if to prove her innocence. 

“ She's from Tiandu?” Pei Seijing parroted. 

“ How do you know that? No one in the village knew where she was from?” Yichen asked

“ I know because I found a tablet token in her Hanfu during one of my visits, it had inscribed on it and had small red flower with golden bud seal, it was only made in Tiandu capital, I recognised it because my grandmother was also from Tiandu, my grandfather had shown me the same token many times.” Lu Yin spoke hurriedly.

“ We would never kill anyone, especially a child! Xi Yao was already planning to leave the village, she came 3 days before her death to buy medicines from me, when I asked her why she suddenly needs them in large portions, she told me, she's going to her sister's village, that's all I know, we didn't kill her.” Lu Yin was pleading now, insinuating her innocence. Tears streamed down, beside her, An Juan still had his head down, nodding along to her, hoping to be believed in their truth. 

“ You still have committed crimes, and as a Baize Goddess, according to the laws of the Wilderness , have to bring An Juan to justice.” Wen Xiao.

“ Baize Goddess, you speak about Laws and justice, but as a human, you still side with them, where was the justice to the innocent demons who were wrongly killed by the Chongwu camp? What about their justice? Are demons not worth it?” An Juan sneered at Wen Xiao, trying to stand up from kneeling.

“ If you stand up, I will put this arrow through you” Pei Seijing spoke, her voice was steady matching her hold on the bow and arrow, posture ready to release it if moved. 

An Juan spit, “ And you Da Yao, you married the commander, you gave him your blood” he motioned to Yichen with his chin, “ clouded him with your scent, in order to let the whole wilderness to know whose he is, whose person he is, to protect him, made sure no demon left alone without knowing what might happen to them if they hurt the young commander, the one who still hunts demon even after he turned into one, what justice is in there, turning against one's own kind?” An Juan's voice was straining with unspoken fury and betrayal, of days of running and hiding, barely surviving. 

“ You are right An Juan, I still hunt demons, but those demons have committed crimes, you have killed a man, whatever you may feel as right or justice, isn't what complies with the laws, you said you killed him to save lady Lu, then tell it before the court, stand in the trail before the jury and take your punishment, the bureau would make sure you are not to receive injustice, but a crime is a crime and you should be punished for it.” Yichen's head was slightly hung, eyes cast down, everything An Juan said was true, but bringing Demons to justice was his duty, his responsibility, a legacy left by his bloodline, to ensure the peace among the people and he can't be strayed away from it. 

_________

Yesternight members in the inn. ( Flash back) 

“ Are you sure about that Pei Daren?” Yichen's voice came in a question 

“ I'm sure, I hit whoever was in the forest, he must be injured now” 

“ But Siheng said that the man ran away.” Wen Xiao added.

“ He must have missed to notice the blood.” Zhu Yan interjected. 

“ Where might he be now?” Ying Lei wondered 

“ Oh at the Yunxi clinic!” 

Everyone turned to look at the Great Demon, he was looking down, smoothing his long white streak of hair and adjusting his thick robes like he didn't just said something that stopped everyone on their track. He looked at the team lazily. 

“ Zhao Yuanzhou, is there anything you wanna say to the team?” Yichen spoke, gritting his teeth at the centuries old Demon's childish antics. 

“ Well, Xiao Zhuo, do you remember our trip to the clinic, I sensed a faint trace of another demon there, then I sensed the same energy again in the forest, lady Lu is helping that demon, simple” Zhao Yuanzhou spoke with a smile on his face. “ Maybe that's also why she uses Herbal Slumber, to ensure no one would find out.” 

“ But Xiao Zhou ge said the village chief told him he asked lady Lu to do that” Bai jiu voiced his confusion. 

“ The best way to tell a lie, little bunny, is to make it half true!” Zhao Yuanzhou answered while flicking his head with his index finger. “ If my guess is correct, then she must be the one who gave this idea to the village chief, unknowing to him, made him an accomplice to her plans, Smart” His voice laced with a small pride and curious hint to it. 

“ Zhao Yuanzhou, are there two demons involved now? Does she also take part in the murder?” Wen Xiao asked.

“ There's a possibility.” Yichen answered, defeating Zhao Yuanzhou. 

“ So what do we do now?” Pei Seijing spoke.

“ We lie too, let's see whose lie unfolds first” Yichen proceeded to explain his plans to the team.

______________

“ What do we do now Xiao Zhuo, the token she said is the courtesan seal, right?” Wen Xiao asked.

“ It all points back to Tiandu, to the Tianxiang pavilion” Zhao Yuanzhou muttered.

“ Let's go back to the Bureau, then we will decide what to do next” Yichen breathed out.

The moment they all stepped into the bureau, using Ying Lei's Shanhai portal. The silence got interrupted. 

“ I have something to do in the Peach Blossom Manor, I'll join you all in the bureau later” Zhao Yuanzhou told no one in particular before taking his leave, he looked restrained, almost like he was hurt. 

All eyes shifted to the place where the Great Demon stood, now empty, something was not right. 

“ I'll…. I'll go with him” before anyone could agree or refuse, Yichen excused himself. 

“ But Xiao Zhuo ge-” Bai jiu got cut off when Ying Lei placed an arm around his shoulders, “ Xiao Jiu, Xiao Zhuo daren would handle Da Yao, you don't have to worry.” 

_________

Zhao Yuanzhou reached the Peach Blossom Manor in a record speed that could defy the concepts of time and space. 

  He started feeling the effects of the herbal powder that was thrown at him just after a small while, even though he managed to control the impact of his emotions chased by the herbs, he could still feel them clawing its way into his mind. He came to the manor to hide, to minimize the aftermath as much as he could but what he didn't expect was for Zhuo Yichen to actually follow him to the Manor. 

‘It’s just my outstanding luck’

It was the third time Zhuo Yichen has entered the Peach Blossom Manor, the first time on Zhao Yuanzhou's request on having a small party over completing their first mission, second, was him to try to kill Zhu Yan under the lies of Li Lun who had Bai jiu's body under his possession. And third, now.

Yichen let out a small sigh, ‘What’s wrong now Zhu Yan, what does it would take for you to share your thoughts and woes’

When Yichen finally saw Zhao Yuanzhou in the inner hallways of the Manor, the sight made him question his own eyes, the person before him did not look like a 34,000years old Ancient Creature, who could level the Tiandu into the grounds if he wanted to, he didn't look like the Great Demon whose name itself ran shivers down on both demon kind and mankind alike, he didn't look like someone whose name was muttered even in the echos of world’s chaos due to the bone deep fear, he looked vulnerable, no! Worse than vulnerable, he looked almost……. Human, a weak sickly human. And that sight tightened something in Yichen's chest. 

Something is definitely not right!

Yichen moved closer, to take a better look at the Great Demon, his shoulders were sagged, his head hung low, eyes closed, his breathing haggard, cheeks were flushed like he's got fever, his jaws clenched tight in, sweat dripping down from his forehead down to his neck, sliding under into his robes which was disarrayed now, his belt was unfastened which loosened up his robes, hands gripping on the edges of the armrest of the Arhat bed he's sitting on. 

“Zhu Yan” 

Sound of his name being called out in a melodic whisper broken Zhao Yuanzhou out his trance, he looked up to see Yichen standing halfway through the hall, close enough for Zhao Yuanzhou to smell his blood, to feel the light thump of his demonic core and the buzzing of his energy through his meridians, but far enough to feel the heat of his blood flowing in his veins, the coldness seeps out through his skin. Far enough to touch. 

“ Zhu Yan” Yichen called out again. 

Zhao Yuanzhou tilted his head a little, eyes Focusing, his voice came out rough, strangled, “ Xiao Zhuo, what are you doing here?” 

“ You weren't your usual self back there, that's why I followed you here” Yichen started taking slow steps towards Zhao Yuanzhou, his posture was let down, as if he's trying to approach a wild animal and he's making sure they don't see him as a threat. 

“ Zhu Yan, What's wrong? Is it because of that powder lady Lu threw at you?” Yichen lowered his voice to be gentle and calm. “ Are you feeling angry? Feel the ire in your mind? Trying to control you?” Yichen asked tentatively .

A loud laughter with no mirth in it from the Great Demon was the response he got. 

“ Xiao Zhuo, Xiao Zhuo, I'm not going mad if that's what you are worried about, I wish I were but this is something worse……. Far worse” Zhu Yan let out a sigh as he answered the commander. 

“ You should leave, Xiao Zhuo, when there's still time.” Zhao Yuanzhou spoke again. 

“ If you are not going mad, what is it then Zhu Yan? What are you hiding?” Yichen's voice was now sharp. He's done with these vague answers. 

Zhao Yuanzhou let out a loud exhale, he looked like someone who's about to explain the truth behind the world and its reality, “ To any normal demons or demons with low cultivation, the herbal powder acts as a poison, which drives them mad and go rouge, Xiao Zhuo.”

 Silence 

 Yichen saw how Zhao Yuanzhou shut his eyes tight, he looked almost scared, then he opened his eyes to look at Yichen, that look!, that look almost seemed like he was checking that whatever he was gonna say next, it's gonna be something they both can't take back. 

“ To Great Demon's, it acts differently, it acts as an..…………. aphrodisiac.” Zhu Yan breathed out the words. 

Zhuo Yichen stopped on his track, his eyes widened in the shock of what he just heard, an aphrodisiac?, Yichen looked at Zhu yan, the Great Demon was now once again looking down, a pained look was marred in his face, has he been hurting all this time?, why he hadn't said anything all this time? Oh. That's right. He was thinking of Yichen, or did he not want me? Even in this situation?.

It ached Yichen to see Da Yao like this, he had seen Zhu yan in pain before, even crying because of tremendous guilt he harboured, but now it hit him different, because now he was holding his pain in not wanting to ask or make Yichen do anything he didn't want to. Even in the name of help.  

‘ What is love, what is devotion 

What is duty, what is responsibility 

Could one exist without the other? 

Or would either of them be perished 

If they were to co-exist ? ’

Yichen's eyes pricked with tears, he let out a small exhale, and started walking again, only stopped in front of the Great Demon, he huddled down, lowering himself to Zhu Yan, placed a tentative hand on the Great demon's hand which was planted in his knee, balancing his weight. 

“ I can help you Zhu Yan” Yichen said, voice soft, barely above a whisper. 

Zhao Yuanzhou looked at Yichen instantly, the movement happened in a jerk motion that Yichen almost thought even the Great Demon could get his twisted with that action, Zhu Yan's eyes focused on Yichen, trying to find something, something to make sure that what he heard was actually true and those words indeed came out of the young commander's mouth. 

Something in Zhu Yan's gaze shifted, eyes sharper now, hardened in a way that indicates he's done playing the game and had enough with everything. 

“ I don't want you, get out Zhuo Yichen” Zhao Yuanzhou's voice thudded. 

Zhuo Yichen almost lost his balance, almost, he looked at Zhu yan as if he had personally offended him, he did in a way, Yichen didn't know what to actually focus on, Zhu Yan's answer or the way his full was uttered by the Great Demon. Yichen could have sworn he couldn't remember the last time Zhao Yuanzhou ever called him by his full name. 

It's not gonna be easy, is it? 

“ No! ” Yichen said, voice even. 

“ W-what?” Zhao Yuanzhou was staggered a bit.

“ No! You married me, I'm your wife, you said so yourself, thus I have every right to be in this Manor and in here” Yichen said, voice determined. 

“ We are married, Zhu Yan, why can't you still let me in? To help you ? We took the vow to be in each other's weal and woe before the heaven's witness, we have gone through life and death together, then why do you still not trust me?” Yichen continued. 

“ But you don't want this, you don't want me like that, Xiao Zhuo” Zhao Yuanzhou sounded dejected. 

You stupid monkey!

“ That's not true, who told you that?” Yichen asked. 

Zhu Yan looked at him confused, he looked almost child-like with that look in his face, his eyes searching Yichen's for a trace of any lie, waiting till the second shoe to drop, to tell him, he misspoke. 

“ I'm not doing this because of responsibility or as of nobility, Zhu Yan. We are married, husband and wife, what's wrong in it?” Yichen asked again. 

“ You don't love me”

“ That's also not true” Yichen said, there's no use in hiding this fact any longer, not acknowledging this fact. 

“ What?” 

“ That's not true Zhu Yan, you say, do you love me?” 

Yichen could feel his heart hammered inside his chest, his mind getting dizzy with anticipation and something that almost felt like a relief, of finally speaking the truth of what he has been hiding, lumping in his throat for a long time. 

“ Since the day I saw you Xiao Zhuo” Zhu Yan whispered, his head hung low, letting out a small sigh. 

The truth was out now. Heavying the silence in that room, both were statued, stood in the weight of words that have now spoken. 

“ I loved you since the day I saw you Xiao Zhuo, I know I don't deserve you nor the blood on my hands could ever be washed away, I'll forever bear the burden of the sins I have committed. But none of it could stop my heart from hammering inside my chest when I first saw you, all angry, eyes full of revenge, wanting to seek justice, so young too Xiao Zhuo. The day we had our first duel, I lost my heart in the way you moved, in the waves of that raven hair flayed, in those blue eyes Xiao Zhuo, I finally felt someone stirring up my heart that had been long stoned.” 

Zhao Yuanzhou let the words flow like the river water, how much the young commander meant to him and how he was the one holding on to the heart of the Great Demon. 

“ You idiot monkey” 

“ Xiao Zhuo?” The Great Demon couldn't believe what he was hearing, why the young commander was calling him monkey. 

“ Have I ever said I didn't love you?” Yichen asked, his voice sounded on the verge of trembling. 

“ You were always there Zhu yan. Always there, annoying everyone, poking others till they started to turn red with anger, stumbling the cases and making everything difficult on purpose just to have an amusement out of it, but you were always there, always been there, to help me heal my cut on my palm, protected wen xiao, helped recreating the Baize token, gave Pei Seijing her brother back, always provided Ying Lei with any aid needed, always played with Bai jiu yet protected him when he was possessed by Li Lun. You were insufferable…….

 You are but you have always have our back and never once left us stranded for ourselves and that did something to me, when I turned into a demon, something I was so scared of my entire childhood, you were to tell me it'll all be fine and you are with me, you taught me how to control it and how it's not a curse and i can choose whatever I want to be and it doesn't matter of which designation name i bear I'll always be the same Xiao Zhuo, i understood, my hatred for you has long faded turning into a comradeship into something I was scared to name but I'm not anymore and i wanna tell you this Zhu Yan, I love you too, i don't know when it started but I know this for a fact that you are the one I wanna share my life with.” 

“ I love you Zhu yan” yichen breathed out those ways once more. 

Before Yichen say anything more or to gauge at what the look Da Yao might bore, he felt a strong hand reaching his out and himself being pulled into something, the next thing he know , he was sitting in the Great Demon's lap, arm around his waist, holding him in place, in order to not slip out! 

“Zhu-” 

Yichen didn't even fully let out the Great demon's name when a pair of lips enclosed his, in a kiss. 

Zhao Yuanzhou kissed him tenderly, as if he had been waiting for this exact moment, maybe he was. The kiss was something Yichen couldn't put a name on, he thought the Great Demon would kiss him fervently, a kind that would consume him whole and leave nothing un-apart. He was so wrong, this kiss was everything but that, it was soft and tender, almost sweet as if he was testing the water, wanna savour this moment and never let it end, it wasn't demanding yet the kiss flooded all of Yichen's senses. 

Zhu Yan was controlling himself since the effect of that aphrodisiac powder started to take over his mind, he was keep telling himself he can't lose his restraint, but hearing all that from his Xiao Zhuo was like an elixir given to a man who was Parched, the words Zhu Yan has dreamt on countless occasions of hearing from the one doe eyed young demon hunter. Finally hearing those words, made him feel like someone has released him from the chains of restrictions he had on himself at last. He felt like an almost withered flower that has in the end found the perfect spring to bloom once again. Like his never ending winter has ultimately ended and a new summer has greeted him, welcomed him with open arms. 

The loss of the sensation almost made Yichen teared up, when he opened his eyes, he saw an overly affectionate look Zhu Yan's face held. It was painfully overwhelming, the amount of softness Yichen could see, knowing very well that it was all directed at him. The very thought made something churn in his chest, not the bad kind, a kind where one forgot the world for their love, forsaken everything as long as their loved ones were with them. 

“ Xiao Zhuo” Zhu yan called out softly, placing his forehead on the young commander's, “ last chance to back out” Great Demon offered one last time, even though knowing what choice Yichen would make. 

All Yichen did to answer that quarry was to smash his lips in a demanding kiss against Zhu Yan's, this kiss was everything that previous one wasn't, it was full of need and profound desire, a kiss that could render anyone feel like the ground below them shaking. 

Zhu yan who at the last got his chance to know and learn about the taste of those cherry lips, he has spent countless times on thinking about, imagining how would they feel, would they be still as soft to touch as they look, how would they taste like, would they be complimenting the sweetness of cherries as their look like. What sounds would Yichen make when Zhu yan would indefinitely worry them with his teeth and tongue, would they become even redder once after he finished with his ministrations. He has always wished and prayed to see, his Xiao Zhuo’s eyes well up with tears as Zhu Yan marked his pristine skin with his marks, he wouldn't say it out loud but his wife has always been a pretty crier. And now, he was going to find his answers to all the aforementioned questions eventually in the end. 

Zhu Yan's hand found its place on Yichen's nape, grabbing a fistful of hair, tugging it slightly to turn his head to an angle which would allow their kiss to deepen. Yichen let out a small gasp whenever Zhu yan nipped at his lips, a sound that was swallowed by the Great Demon. When they finally break their kiss, both were heaving, lips bitten red and raw, Yichen could feel his lips sting as the cold air brushed passed. 

The distance didn't last as both found each again, and again. Yichen only realised the he had been lifted by the Great Demon when he felt the hard surface of the Arhat against his back, before he could even voice out discomfort, a wet tongue on his neck made every thought process in the back of mind vanishes like a darkness in the room as soon as a candle was lit. He can feel the teeth of Zhu yan grazing over his demon marks, making him losing his mind. Those were sensitive, even a small touch at his mark has made him body shiver like a wet cat in rain. And now it seems like Zhu yan has realised that too as he keeps assaulting his marks over and over again making him completely lose himself in the ongoing bliss.

Yichen's mind was concluded with the weight of Zhu yan pressing against him, and the ministrations of his tongue and lips altering with kisses, nips and licks were all becoming staggered as he felt the Great Demon has succumbed his mind to the stifling effects of the aphrodisiac. Hands gripping his waist strongly as if he would run if not, continuing to grope him, pulling him flush against the Great Demon's body. He can feel the fresh bruises forming, handprints he was very sure now that would bloom all over his body, all over the places Zhu Yan staking a claim on. Every sense of his were overloaded upon the constant assault and the world tuned out leaving the two demons alone in their own bubble. 

________

The morning came lazily, Yichen grunted a little as he opened his eyes to the sunlight warming itself into the Manor. His body was sore and aching in places he couldn't even define. They were laying in Zhu Yan's bed, theirs, Yichen didn't even remember how they made it to the bed or when they made it. A heaviness was cradled in his waist, hoisting him in a tight embrace, the scent of fresh rain and Earth with dark spices gently nudged him to wakefullness. The heat radiating from the warm skin, where he was laying on was the sight that greeted him morning as the first thing. Memories from last time came crashing down like a landslide after a storm. His eyes snapped open.

 It was not a dream. Everything had indeed happened. 

“ Xiao Zhuo” the hoarse raspy voice called out to him. Yichen felt a shudder on his spine with how gravelly deep Zhu Yan's morning voice sounds, Zhu Yan has always had a deep voice, something akin to a velvety texture, but this, this was entirely something else. His movements must have woken up the Great Demon. 

 Yichen looked up from the Zhu Yan's chest, still caged in his embrace, an intense dark brown eyes were looking at his. For a minute, Yichen let himself forget everything, as he was gazing into those sharp, expressive eyes that were softened by the morning haze, shone bright in the sunlight. Without thinking he felt himself leaning in, pecking soft on Zhu Yan's lips. 

“ Morning” Yichen whispered softly, slowly coming into his senses that he was really in the embrace of his husband, ………………..his husband.

Zhu Yan saw a faint blush taking over his wife's adorably fluffy cheeks, not that he would ever say it out loud, his eyes casting down, flickering those lashes against top of his cheek. Ah, is my Xiao Zhuo shy? 

Zhu Yan has always known that despite the young commander's cold shoulder to everyone and his absolute lack of knowledge on how to coax anyone, he knew his Xiao Zhuo was a shy person naturally, even with all his pride, he has always been kind and just to the ones who's deserving of it. Always cared about the people around him and would turn into a delicious shade of pink whenever a compliment was directed at him. 

Zhu Yan would burn down the entire Da Yin if his sweet wife asked him to, too bad his Xiao Zhuo was someone too prideful and overly kind even for his own sake. A small smile took over his lips, seeing how cute and pretty his furen was. 

“ Is my pretty wife feeling shy?” Zhu Yan teased a bit, placing his index finger on Yichen's chin, lifting it slightly so that Yichen could meet his eyes. 

“ You stupid, annoying monkey-” 

Before Yichen could finish or start his scolding for teasing him, Zhu yan captured his lips with his in a deep kiss. The Great Demon's heart couldn't take it anymore on how radiatingly adorable his Xiao Zhuo was. 

Yichen's palms came into contact with the Great Demon’s bare chest, pushing him away a little, Zhu Yan released the kiss. 

“ Behave, I'm going to get ready” was all Yichen said before getting out of bed and almost sprinted away from a very handsy demon. 

“ Also we still have a case to close”. 

The Great Demon just let out a hearty chuckle and got up from the bed to get ready, he knew his wife was just shy more than he had cared about the case but he knew better than to say that.

___________

The entire team was standing in the meeting hall, Yichen Swiftly avoided Wen Xiao's prying eyes with a teasing smile in her lips, Pei Seijing's known smirk and Ying Lei's amused glint in his eyes, Even you too Ying Lei? 

The only person that was acting normal was Bai jiu, clinging to his robes, maybe it was because he was oblivious to what has happened and everyone has kept it that way. Aww his sweet and innocent baby!

Yichen coo-ed in his mind looking at Bai jiu. 

“ Xiao Zhuo ge what do we do now?” The young physician asked. 

Yichen lifted his eyes, making contact with a smug looking Great Demon who quite frankly looked way too content with his own skin. Yichen shut down his thoughts before the spreading warmth in his neck reached his face. 

“ We need to go to Tianxiang pavillion, only in there we could find any information about Xi Yao” 

“ You think she was kicked out of the pavilion Xiao Zhuo?” 

“ Maybe”

“ Or maybe she ran away from there fearing for her life or for her child's” Pei Seijing spoke. 

“ Choosing a remote village as one's escapade sounds about right” Ying Lei added.

“ But how did she get found? Do you think the child is still alive?” Bai jiu asked hesitantly.

“ One thing is confirmed, something has happened and it has happened in the pavilion” Zhu Yan ended the query with his final statement. 

_____

Yichen has stepped in the Tianxiang pavilion a couple of times, each one varying greatly from the others. And this time, he felt more pleasant than his last experience. 

“ Zhuo Daren, welcome, welcome! Everyone, xiao guniang! Zhuo Daren is here, come fast, come fast!” And in a minute he was surrounded, well no one really touched him, some fearing his Demon nature but most fearing the Great Demon standing beside him. And he was also holding his Cloud Light Sword tightly in front of his chest, trying to make sure the distance stays, like the sword was no longer a sword but rather a shield. 

“ I'm sorry young ladies, but we are here on official duties, so if you all may, can I have my wife back!” An unimpressed, lazy voice came which made all the surrounded young ladies take a step back due to the sheer power emitting from those words. Yichen felt his arm being pulled by the Great Demon, bringing him closer to himself, away from the excited ladies.

Yichen sighed and turned to look at the head mistress, “ Laobaoniang, may we talk to you in private?” Yichen asked the lady boss. 

“ Of course Zhuo Daren” 

The lady boss took them to a private chamber.

Yichen and Laobaoniang sat on the opposite sides of the tea table while Zhu Yan stood near the pillar, leaning against it, his face held a lazy smile. 

“ What do you want to talk about Zhuo Daren?” 

“ Laobaoniang, was there any courtesan who recently left the pavilion? And by recently means around 7 months ago? Was there any courtesan named Xi Yao who worked here ?” 

“ Well few of the courtesans have left the pavilion in the past year Zhuo Daren, I'm afraid I don't know whom you are specifically asking for. And there was never a girl named Xi Yao but there was a girl named Li Yao though”

“ Is she still here, Laobaoniang?” Zhu yan interjected.

“ I'm afraid the answer is no Da Yao. She left the pavilion quite a while ago. If you want, there are a couple of girls she was close with, are still here. I can send them here to talk, you can ask them” Laobaoniang answered, her tone was steady the entire time.

“ They would be very helpful if you may.” Yichen smiled. 

“ Of course I'll send them in right away.” said Laobaoniang before she left. 

“ Xiao Zhuo, what do you think the reason would be for the sudden departure of many courtesans in the past year?” Zhu Yan's face looked calculating. A small questioning smile tugged at his lips.

“ You think something is happening here? You suspect the visitors, Zhu Yan?” Yichen's eyebrows were pinched slightly.

“ Or perhaps something has happened, and c’mon Xiao Zhuo, do you really think all the guests coming in here are decent?” 

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at their chamber door. “ Come in!” Yichen permitted. 

Two girls walked into the room, the girls were shy and were slightly trembling upon the presence of two demons, as one of them was a Great Demon. Yichen smiled at them which eased the girl's nervousness a bit. He gestured to them to sit down. Which earned a low snicker from the Great Demon standing a little far from him.

Someone's jealous 

“ May I know your names?” Yichen asked politely. Which once again earned a tsk sound from the Great Demon. 

“ My name is Bian Yu” the girl with white glow drawn on her forehead said. 

“ And mine is Guo heng” the girl with a pink flower on her forehead answered. 

“ Do you know any one named Xi Yao?” Yichen asked tenantively.

The girls looked at each other. The girl with white flower answered first. 

“ We never heard any girl in here named Xi Yao”

“ But there was a girl named Li Yao but she left long ago” Gou heng interposed.

“ When does she leave the pavilion?” Yichen enquired 

“ Around 6 or 7 months ago, she always wanted to move far from here and start a family one day.” Bian Yu replied.

Their interrogation stopped abruptly when they all heard a loud cheer coming from outside. They all were on their heels instantly and opened the room's door to check outside on what caused the commotion only to see a man who looked almost drunk, throwing riches of gold and silver coins as the courtesans were surrounding him and laughing and thanking him for the presents, behind him was standing a man who looked rigid,dressed in all black with a pendent hanging down from his waist belt, his personal guard?. 

“ Isn't that the son of one of the ministers, Xiao Zhuo?” Da Yao asked the young commander as now he stood shoulder to shoulder with his wife. 

“ Yes he's the son of the ministry of works, minister Xue” Yichen answered his husband, his focus was entirely on the minister's son. 

“ Ah that old man, never liked him, always scowled like everyone owed him a personal apology just because they entered his vicinity, his narcissism has appalled me when I had the displeasure of meeting him for two times.” 

“ That is one of the perfect analogy I heard about him.” 

“ Um- Zhuo Daren” the girl Bian Yu spoke, “ That's all we know about Li Yao Daren, we excuse ourselves” the both girls bowed and left them to join with other girls. 

“ Come! We'll leave too” Yichen said, tapping Da Yao with his Cloud Light Sword, motioning him to move. 

“ But Xiao Zhuo, it looks fun” Zhu Yan sounded like a child who was told no to sweets.

“ Despicable, Old monkey!” Yichen hissed at the Great Demon and started walking towards the exist 

“ It's Ape, White Ape!” Zhu Yan asserted whilst following after Yichen. 

__________

“ Xiao Zhuo, did you find anything about Xi Yao in the Tianxiang pavilion?” Wen Xiao asked as all the members were now assembled in the Bureau hall.

“ We didn't Wen Xiao, they said there was never a girl named Xi Yao worked there” 

“ But there was a Li Yao who also left the pavilion around the same time our victim did” Zhu yan interjected. 

“ Pei Daren, did you find anything about the infant child of Xi Yao?” 

“ We also didn't get anything Zhuo Daren” Pei Seijing answered, her face pinched in dissatisfaction. 

“ What are we gonna do now Xiao Zhuo ge?” The young physician asked as everyone was saying they found nothing.

“ Why is this case getting so twisted?” The mountain god said to no one in particular. 

“ It could get un-twisted easily if a certain ancient monkey decides to open up more to the team” Yichen's voice was flat, his gaze boring a look into the innocent looking Great Demon which honestly never looked like an innocent one. 

“ Me? What are you accusing of this poor husband of yours for now, Xiao Zhuo?” Zhu Yan asked in a fake offended voice while pointing a finger at his own face. 

“ Stop with your dramatics, Zhao Yuanzhou. I saw the letter courtesan girl Gou heng slip in to you” Yichen sighed. 

“ Of course, nothing could be escaped from the view of my beautiful wife” Zhu Yan flashed a proud smile, pulling out the small envelope from his robe’s sleeve. 

 The public flirting of the Great Demon to a glaring demon hunter made Bai jiu motioned a projectile vomiting at the Great Demon's blatant flirting, while Wen Xiao his her smile behind her sleeve, Pei Seijing and Ying Lei didn't even bother and smirked at the antics of the being of thousands of years old. 

“ What's in this envelope Da Yao?” Wen Xiao was the first to break the amusement. 

“ We don't know yet, maybe something regarding Xi Yao” 

“ We enquired two girls who were close with the girl named Li Yao, the girl who matched with the description of our victim, one of the girls was very anxious when we were questioning them, she almost looked scared. I figured they both, or at least she was hiding something and my suspicion came true when I saw her slipping this envelope into Zhao Yuanzhou” Yichen explained to the group. 

Yichen opened that envelope and read out the contents, “ In mid autumn,

flowers bloom,

would you search for me?

near the osmanthus tree

under the brightened moon?” 

“ Huh? It's a poem?" Ying Lei squealed in confusion. 

“ It's a clue Ying Lei.” Wen Xiao smiled at the mountain god. 

“ What clue Wen xiao jiejie?” 

“ She wants us to wait for her near the osmanthus tree at the midnight, when the moon shine at its brightest in the darkened night sky” Zhu yan answered gently, which earned a fascinated look from the youngest of the group, who then instantly masked his expression and turned to look at his favourite gege once again. 

“ Do you want me to accompany you Zhuo Daren?” Pei Seijing asked. 

“ No need Pei Daren, also you are needed here for when Siheng returns from his quest” Yichen replied to which Pei Seijing simply nodded as a reply. 

“ Ah Don't worry Pei Daren, I'm going with Xiao Zhuo” Zhu Yan announced.

“ I don't need you to follow me everywhere Zhao Yuanzhou” 

“ Too bad, I'm coming” Zhu yan held a triumphant look, saying those words boldly because he knows that even if Yichen refuse, he will follow through his words and it seemed like Yichen was aware of this too as all he did to Zhu Yan's words was to let of a sigh of tiredness. 

They have been only married for less than a week yet it feels like decades already.

______ 

As the night went on and the ink blue sky spread over everywhere, both Yichen and Zhu Yan were waiting for Gou heng. 

The Great Demon was leaning against the Osmanthus tree and drinking from his calabash while the demon hunter was standing a small distance away from him, arms crossed while holding the Cloud Light Sword within his arms. The Great Demon immediately put his calabash away when they saw a figure approaching them. 

When Gou heng saw the Demon hunting Commander, her steps fastened, she removed her face cloth and offered a small bow as respect, “ I was afraid that whether you read my message or not Zhuo Daren” The girl breathed out. 

“ We are here now Miss Gou, would you tell us what's the reason for this rendezvous?” Zhu Yan asked, beating Yichen before he could. 

“ I'm sorry for asking you to meet me at this time, but I was afraid that if I said anything to you at the pavilion I would get punished and I also couldn't speak with you about this matter where anyone might see or hear us.” The girl's voice was trembling slightly with fear.

“ What are you saying Miss Gou, who would punish you? What do you want to tell us?” Yichen asked gently, trying not to scare her even more. 

“ Are you finally here to tell us the truth about Xi Yao, or should I say Li Yao?” Zhu Yan's voice lacked any semblance of kindness contrasting Yichen's. 

“ Yes, I'm indeed here to tell you the truth about Xi Yao” The girl looked down at the ground feeling ashamed of her helplessness and in fear of facing the Great Demon. 

“ Go on, tell us the truth Miss Gou” Yichen spoke tenantively. 

“ I don't really know what happened with Xi Yao, at least not fully. Only a couple of us know that name as she never told anyone her real name. I once over-heard Laobaoniang scolding Xi Yao over something and she looked like she wanted to cry, so when she came back, I asked her what happened and she told me that someone's gonna kill her, she sounded terrified and started crying, it took me a while to calm her down. I-I- I told her I'll help her and no one would hurt her, but she didn't believe it and only repeated that she's gonna get  killed, when I asked her who is gonna kill her, she didn't reply, rather asked me, begged me for help, begged me to help her run away, she sounded so terrified that I had no choice but to help her run away.” Tears were streaming down the girl as she cried silently. 

“ She's dead, isn't she?” The girl asked, but the look on her face told them she already knew the answer herself. 

“ She is, Miss Gou, I'm sorry” Yichen offered his condolences.

“ Miss Gou, may I ask how do you know Xi Yao’s name when she never told anyone?” Yichen asked.

“ I heard Laobaoniang calling her by that name” 

“ And I suppose by a couple of us, you meant Miss Bian also knows about Li Yao’s original name is Xi Yao” It was Zhu Yan, who asked the question now.

“ Y-y-yes, Bian jie knows, I was the one who told her” 

“ I see, but why did you help Xi Yao to run away Miss Gou, what benefits do you get from that?” Zhu Yan asked again, beating Yichen before he could voice out another question. 

“ Because she helped me, when I first joined pavilion, no one has shown me any kindness apart from her, she was the reason why I get to sleep without a hungry stomach on many nights, she helped me whenever I needed, made sure I had medicines to treat any of the injuries I get, that's why when I see her hurting and crying to me, asking for my help, i couldn't refuse, I had no ulterior motive or personal gain other than to repaying the kindness she showed me when the world felt cruel” the girl was crying once again. Zhu Yan looked at her with a calculating gaze searching for any act or ploy. 

“ Did she say anything about who tried to kill her or something happened that has led her to act differently before she eloped?” Yichen asked her. 

“ No, she didn't tell me anything no matter how many times I asked her, she only said that as long as I don't know about this, they won't hurt me” She was trembling slightly in fear. 

“ Who won't hurt you Miss Gou?” 

“ I don't know about them, Yao jie said they are everywhere and would know if I said anything, Laobaoniang also asked me not to speak of anything if someone ever comes and ask about Xi Yao” 

“ But why are you telling us the truth now if you were warned against it?” Zhu Yan chimes in.

“ Because if I didn't, I don't think I'll meet with good death” Gou heng breathed out 

“ Ah for Good karma” the Great Demon said leisurely. ”Is that why you asked us to meet here in secret, so that Miss Bian wouldn't know?” 

“ Yes, Bian jie would definitely tell this to Laobaoniang”

“ Miss Gou, was there anyone who came to the pavilion particularly for Xi Yao or was there anyone Xi Yao had liked?” Yichen asked.

“ Many people liked Yao jie, she knew how to dance and use music instruments, many people would shower Yao jie with gifts and ornaments.” 

“ And I presume this many people include the son of minister Xue also ?” Zhu Yan raised the question 

“ Yes, not only minister Xue’s son but other ministers sons’ and officials would also come to watch Xi Yao dance, but to answer your question Da Yao, minister Xue's son would shower Xi Yao with richest, more than he does with others, he particularly liked her a lot, would spend so much gold to have private shows, even General Wei had come to the pavilion to see Xi Yao's dance” 

Zhu Yan and Yichen looked at each other upon hearing what Guo heng said. 

“ For your sake I hope you have spoken the truth Miss Gou, I don't like to be lied to nor attempted to be tricked, you can go” Zhu Yan warned the girl.

“ Believe me Da Yao, everything I said was true” The girl said with a steady voice and bowed before leaving.

“ You have to scare the poor girl Zhu Yan” it wasn't a question, more like an exasperated statement, “ who do you think that did it?” Yichen was looking at Zhu Yan, who looked entirely too serene to be true.

“ Well, we'll know it tomorrow, won't we?” Zhu Yan just gave him a teasing smile, tilting his head slightly, finishing with a wink. 

Shameless monkey! 

_______

By the time the both demons returned to the Bureau, it was past 1. Yichen wanted to do nothing more than to lay in his bed and let the slumber take over him. But luck wasn't on his side. When Yichen entered his room, he saw a shameless thousand year old Demon laying on his bed with closed eyes, childish.

“ Zhu yan if you don't get up, I will stab you with the Cloud Light Sword.” Yichen threatened with no actual heat behind it while removing his outer robe in order to get ready to sleep. 

The Great Demon hadn't got up from the bed, rather he was now laying on his side, one leg bent at his knees, his hand angled as a stand for his head, smiling innocently at the demon hunter. 

“ But Xiao Zhuo, as your husband, my wife's room in my room, you said so!” Zhu Yan looked anything but innocent, mismatching with his voice. 

Yichen just sighed, he's too tired to deal with an overly annoying Old jinx of a Demon that happened to be his husband. He said nothing, just slipped into the free side of the bed and closed his eyes to sleep. 

The peace only remained for 2 minutes before he felt himself pulling into a strong muscular chest, a heavy arm placed over his waist,and another one over his shoulders, effectively locking the young commander in a tight embrace. He heard a small breath of exhale as if the other person was finally allowed to breathe, to let all weight down. 

“ I thought Great Demons don't have to sleep ?” Yichen asked sleepily.

“ Don't have to sleep but definitely has to hug their wife to sleep” Zhu Yan replied shipishly.

“ Annoying monkey.” Yichen mumbled.

“ Ape, I'm a majestic Ape!” Zhu Yan grunted.

Two fingers found the edge of Yichen's chin and tilted his head slightly, a soft, deep kiss enclosed his lips, the lips were soft, the kiss felt like a boom given after years of yearning. The lips were tenantively tracing his, coaxing him to give in, a small gasp that left Yichen's which got swallowed by the Great Demon. The kiss was gentle and tender, time seemed to stop, Yichen felt his lungs burning as the oxygen started to slowly dissipate, he tapped on his husband's chest lightly to tell him to release him. 

“ Okay okay, let's sleep” Zhu Yan released the kiss, and muttered to sleepy wife, before placing a sweet kiss on his forehead and closing his eyes, letting himself be lulled by his wife's constant heartbeat and steady breathing.

__________

The next morning Yichen was going to his study, he saw Wen Xiao standing in the main hall holding something in her hand. 

“ Xiao Zhuo, I was going to come see you.” Wen Xiao said when she spotted her nephew.

“ What is it in your hands, Wen Xiao?” Yichen asked, eyeing her hands. 

“ It's the Mid-Autumn moon festival Banquet invitation that's held in a couple of days. Xiao Zhuo, General Wei came to deliver it this morning, said the king has sent him to personally invite the Demon hunting bureau and its members.” Wen Xiao answered. Showing him the invitation which was decorated in golden foils. 

Right! The Banquet that's been hosted by the king every year 2 days before the Mid-Autumn moon festival, that means it's taking place in 3 days? 

Yichen took that invitation and read the contents in it and then gave it back to Wen Xiao.

“ Did you tell everyone already, Wen Xiao?” 

“ Mm, not yet, you were the second one I saw after Pei Jiejie.” 

“ Okay, you can inform others too. And where is Pei Daren now?” 

“ She's in your study Xiao Zhuo” Wen Xiao smiled at him, he nodded at her before resuming his path towards his study. 

_______

“ You were correct Zhuo Daren, they were hiding something.” Pei Siheng said. 

Yichen along with the Pei siblings were talking in his study.

“ When I was hiding on the roof, I heard Laobaoniang speaking to someone. I couldn't see his face but he has a Green jade pendant hanging in his waist belt. He was listening silently for the most part as Laobaoniang was telling him everything about you and Da Yao came to enquire about Xi Yao and how she sent Bian Yu with Gou heng so that she won't say anything to you both. When she asked him what's going to happen now, he finally spoke and told her, ‘he got it all covered’.” Pei Siheng was now looking at Zhuo Daren for his reaction. 

“ I saw a man standing a bit far behind minister Xue's son, not too far that he'd lost sight of him and not too near to bring any attention to him, he also had a jade pendant hanging in his waist belt” Yichen told them remembering the detail.

“ Most of the higher official sons and sons of people who are close to the throne would always have a personal guard” Pei Seijing interjected.

“ What do you know about Minister Xue and his son, Pei Daren?” 

“ To speak the truth, Minister Xue is a person of questionable character, and I'm pretty sure he stole from the treasury too. His son, to simply put it, is a coward. Not fit to be an official but he got the position due to his alliance with Grand Tutor Ye’s second daughter.” She told honestly, her face has this scowl look in it, eyebrows pinched in slightly showing her distrust over the officials. 

“ It seems like he goes to the pavilion a lot and I think I even heard a rumor in the Chongwu camp when I was still in there, that the Minister Xue's son got reprimanded by his father for doing something stupid in the pavilion but then the news never reached out of the camp.” Pei Seijing added again. 

“ Do you think that rumor got something to do with Xi Yao, Pei Daren?” Yichen gave a calculating look, his brows arched a little in a questioning manner.

“ I wouldn't be surprised if it did” Pei Seijing almost scoffed at the answer. She really doesn't like the ministers.

“ Zhuo Daren, do you think minister Xue ordered his son's personal guard to kill Xi Yao ?” Pei Siheng questioned after witnessing his sister and Zhuo Daren's conversation. 

“ There's a high chance for that. Minister Xue is someone who would do something like that, especially when 7 months ago he arranged a marriage for his son, which was an ultimate powerplay he did for his son” Pei Seijing spoke. Her sharp eyes landed on Yichen.

“ I think we have to pay another visit to the Ministry of rites.” Yichen told the Pei siblings. As if Pei Seijing understood what Yichen didn't say out loud, she nodded at him, Pei Siheng looked in between to his sister and the young commander, not yet getting what they were thinking. 

________

When Yichen came out of his study after speaking with the Pei siblings, the first sight that greeted him was his husband laughing………………with Wen Xiao. 

The smile that took over in Yichen's face upon seeing Zhu Yan laughing vanished without a trace, now in its place, was a thin line, his eyebrows pinched in. An old ugly feeling he tried to bury deep in, clawing its way to the surface. Yichen felt ashamed at himself, for letting himself to feel such inferior thoughts regarding his husband and his aunt. Jealousy was something people like him shouldn't feel, shouldn't let it fester. Yet it has anchored its way deep in his mind, he couldn't shake them off like cats do when they get wet. 

Yichen knows in his heart that Zhu Yan loves him and neither Zhu Yan nor Wen Xiao would ever do something that will hurt him, yet he couldn't fully believe his rational mind whenever the old flame of jealousy flared up. Yichen wants none of these kind thoughts to be entertained but the heaviness that settles over his heart makes it impossible for him to just ignore. 

Zhu Yan and Wen Xiao have known each for a longer period than him and Zhu Yan, they could understand each other so well on many levels, it was almost like they have their kind of partnership they share. They even shared the Baize token. 

Yichen could taste the self pity he's harboring for himself over an unasked feeling. The humiliation of what he has now reduced himself to, couldn't even see his husband enjoying some time with his aunt without feeling this bitterness in his tongue. It nearly feels ironic thinking how it might be him who stepped in between but feeling like others might steal his person. 

These thoughts were like blood dropped in clean water, no matter how much Yichen tried to remove it, they cling to his skin like poison, toxins taking its roots in every cell of his body. 

Whenever Yichen sees Zhu Yan and Wen Xiao being together, even when they were just talking, he couldn't help himself but think, would they have been better together? Would they have ended up together if not for this entire charade of this alliance? Would Zhu Yan still have chosen him if that choice had not been taken from him? Does Wen Xiao have feelings for Da Yao too? But Zhu Yan told him, he only loved him, loves him? 

Yichen could feel the start of an impending headache. 

He put a hold on his thought process when Bai jiu came to Zhu Yan asking for a help over his new medicine, the one who created over the herbal slumber and want Da Yao to help him test it, and pulled the sleeves of Zhu Yan's robe and almost dragged him towards the apothecary, making Zhu Yan teasing him over how the little rabbit has grown brave nowadays. 

Yichen masked his sadness with a smile and went to speak with Wen Xiao. He couldn't let his own inability to deal with his emotions affect his relationship with the team, his aunt, his family. There's something he has to ask her for sometime now and it seemed he finally got the right opportunity to do so. 

“ Wen Xiao!” Yichen called out which earned him a compassionate smile from the Baize Goddess. 

“ Xiao Zhuo” His aunt beamed. 

She looks beautiful when she's smiling like this.

___________

“ Xiao Zhuo ge, are we all going to the Banquet?” Bai jiu asked.

“ Xiao Jiu, don't speak with a full mouth” Wen Xiao gently scolded him. To which he only grinned at her.

“ Do we really have to attend?” Ying Lei asked this time.

“ C’mon young mountain God, don't you wanna go? There'll be a lot of foods to try and also you can be sure to get entertaining dramas to watch" Zhu Yan replied, his eyes shining with mirth, lips smiling. 

“ Zhao Yuanzhou! Don't even think about creating any chaos in the Banquet” 

“ Xiao Zhuo, how could you say that, this poor Da yao's heart has been hurt by his beautiful wife” Zhu Yan threw a dramatic hand at his forehead, exaggerating each and every word. Which in turn made Yichen glare at his husband. 

Everyone laughed discreetly ( tired to) at the Great Demon's antics and the faint blush that had bloomed over their commander's cheeks contrasting the sharp look he held. 

______________

It was the day before the Banquet, and everyone was now assembled at the main hall of the bureau.

“ It was the son Zhuo Daren” Pei Siheng announced, he has been watching the minister's house, trying to find anything he could.

“ I have been watching over them, Zhuo Daren. Yesterday I saw the minister's son yelling at his personal guard, the one with the jade pendant we saw. He was shouting at him how he couldn't even do an adequate job at getting rid of them, he was going hysterical over that”. 

“ Xiao Zhuo, what's going on?” Wen Xiao looked confused.

“ After Zhu Yan and I met up with that courtesan, we got our suspicions on the minister Xue's son, so I sent Siheng to enquire about the situation, he found the minister's son's personal guard talking with Laobaoniang, we figured that Xue lian had a relationship with Xi Yao, which also correlated with what Gou heng confessed.” 

“ So my brother and I went to investigate more about the minister Xue, thinking he might be the one who architected the entire cascade of events involving Xi Yao, I asked A’heng to look for more information tactfully, where came to tell me that it was actually Xue lian who ordered his personal guard to kill Xi Yao, but she escaped before that, which led to him hiring bandits to search for her and then to kill her and the baby. Practically setting a bounty on her.” Pei Seijing continued after Yichen.

“ He looked like a fool when we met him at the pavilion.” Zhu Yan scoffed, “ A wolf in sheep's clothing!” 

“ Yes! He must have found out that Xi Yao was pregnant but at that time, his father had already arranged for him to marry the 2nd daughter of Grand Tutor Ye. He had realised that if he went on with the marriage that he could secure the position of an official successfully” the Archer said.

“ But that is so vile” Bai jiu screeched. And Ying Lei nodded in agreement 

“ Unfortunately, that's how the world is Xiao Zhuo” Wen Xiao sounded despondent.

“ Can we arrest him Xiao Zhuo ge? He deserves to be punished” Bai jiu was now clinging on to the robes of Yichen.

“ Little rabbit, arresting an official who's also the son of the current minister isn't an easy thing, we need undeniable proof for that” The Great Demon replied, running his palm over the young physician’s head like he's coaxing a child. 

“ That's why we have to use tomorrow's banquet to find a solid proof.” Yichen told, looking over the members of his team. 

“ But where is the child Xiao Zhuo? The child's death wasn't mentioned in the case file, Mu Xin also said that he didn't kill the child, so where's the child?” Wen Xiao asked, concern was visible with confusion in her voice. 

“ Only the personal guard of Xue lian can answer that question. We need to find a way to talk to him privately” Yichen sighed. He really hoped that the child hasn't died yet, no child deserves to bore the sin of their parents and has to pay for it even before they could see the world and what life means.

___________

It was the day of the Banquet. All the streets of Tiandu were already decorated to celebrate the Mid-Autumn moon festival, red lanterns, and lamps with various animals and intricate designs drawn were hanged by the people, out the houses and shops alike, the entire Tiandu looked were glowing with all those lit lamps shine, smell of various food from scallion pancakes to red bean moon cakes, dumplings and other food that being prepared and sold constantly overtook roadways, it was impossible not to feel hungry or not to want to try those,the sound of children playing and the vendors calling out people to try their food, and stalls selling what they have prepared, has intertwined with each other, overlapping one other, creating a perfect harmony of celebration. 

Inside the banquet hall, it looked like no amount was spared in order to make it look like the most lavish place Tiandu has ever witnessed, various princes and princesses were invited to celebrate the festival, all the imperial officials and ministers and generals were there, various dancer groups and musicians were appointed to elevate the mood in the Banquet. Various kinds of foods were adoring the table, dozens of types of moon cakes were placed, various kinds of high quality fruit, barley and rice wine were given to everyone who's attending the banquet, flowers and calligraphy of greetings were placed all over the pillars to welcome and celebrate another year of blessings in yielding. 

When the members entered the Banquet hall, the first person that came to greet them was Minister Jiang.

“ Zhuo Daren, Da Yao, Baize Goddess! Welcome!” Minister Jiang welcomed them, he looked like he was delighted that they came to attend the banquet.

“ Oh Pei Daren, and……. The miracle doctor and the young mountain God! Welcome! I didn't see you all there for a minute” he extended his greetings to the rest of the team. 

He knows everyone is the team? How is that? Is he keeping tabs on the Demon hunting bureau?

 Pei Seijing was confused but her face showed none of it. She looked steadfast as she always does, her eyes finding their young commander's. It seemed like he shared the same questions as her but he also didn't show it in his face. In places like this, showing anything that's out of our ordinary seams would invite danger. Being steadfast with indifference to everything that was happening was the only way to survive in here, a field surrounded by snakes and vultures that are ready to feast on you the minute they get a chance. 

“ Thank you for your welcome, Minister Jiang, we are honoured to be here.” Yichen spoke for the team, he hasn't figured out on which side Minister Jiang actually was, during the King's Edict, in the imperial court, Minister Jiang has shown both support and oppose to him and the Demon hunting bureau. And now he was standing in front, welcoming them with open arms. 

“ Zhuo Daren, you are being too formal, after everything the Demon hunting bureau has done for Tiandu, It would be such a dishonourable thing not to invite you and your team. Especially when Da Yao Zhu Yan is also attending the event.” Minister Jiang's voice was a little too cheerful that it needed to be, it was almost like he couldn't control his excitement or he was purposely doing this. 

The team exchanged a look between themselves, something did not feel right. 

“ Well I take my leave and hope Zhuo Daren and his team would enjoy this banquet” Minister Jiang said before letting anyone be interest him with a reply and went to speak to some other influential people. 

“ Why is Minister Jiang welcoming us?” Ying Lei asked, he looked confused. 

“ Because the King has given the responsibility of handling this banquet to Minister Jiang.” Pei Seijing answered calmly. 

“ Ying Lei, Bai jiu, try to mingle and stay away from trouble. I will give you a signal when it's time to leave” The young commander instructed the younger members of the team. 

“ But Xiao Zhuo ge, why can't I come with you? I'm not a child” 

“ Because we are going to look for Xue lian and if any trouble arises, I don't want you two to be there” Yichen's voice was sharp and final. 

The older members of the team were mingling into the buzzing crowd and looking for anything that could let them get close with Xue lian and help with the investigation. 

“ Ah Zhuo Daren ~” a rough, deep voice came, making the said man turn to search for the source of the sound. The sight that greeted him was General Wei smirking at Yichen, his eyes gleaming like a predator finding its favourite play thing. 

General Wei came closer only to grab on Yichen's hand that wasn't resting on the Cloud Light Sword and dragged him into the party, to his table, sporting a wine cup to the commander. 

“ Zhuo Daren, may I raise a toast to you?” General Wei drank the cup in one go without waiting for Yichen's answer,as if it didn't matter to him. 

“ General Wei, may I know the reason for the toast?” Yichen was trying his best to be civil and not snap at the general.

“ Oh Zhuo Daren, you solved half of the investigation already and that too in less than a week, that itself deserves a toast in my books” 

Unknown to the General, there was a Da Yao who wanted to commit a murder if not an actual massacre, eyes flickering from Black to red to black again, trying to contain his jealousy within, seeing his wife being flirted with by the scarred man. Small glimmers of his demonic energy, crackling around his fingertips, trying to reach and strangle the man that dared to look at what's his. 

A small, pale hand was placed in his own, breaking him into the reality from his trance, he blinked a couple of times and looked up at the hand's owner.

“ Da Yao, don't!” Pei Seijing spoke, her voice steady as a stone wall in the turbulent ocean with clashing waves. 

“ Why is he here?” Zhao Yuanzhou gritted those words out.

“ He serves directly under Minister Jiang, and I have also heard that Minister Jiang favours him heavily as the reason General Wei got that scar on his neck was due to him risking his own life to save Minister jiang's.” Pei Seijing answered. 

“ Zhao Yuanzhou, don't do anything stupid, Xiao Zhuo won't like that” Wen Xiao warned him, her voice ever so gentle. 

“ Are they that close, Pei Jiejie?” 

“ It is rumoured that General Wei’s loyalty does not lie with the Throne but rather with Minister Jiang, Minister Jiang saved the General Wei’s sister when she fell sick and was about to die, since then General Wei pledged his loyalty to Minister Jiang” 

“ He has a sister?” This time Zhu Yan raised the question.

“ Yes, a younger sister, she's married to a merchant in the north” 

___________

“ Zhuo Daren, if you ever need any help with the investigation you can ask me anytime-” 

“ Xiao Zhuo, you are here, I was looking for you, how could you leave your poor husband all alone” Zhu Yan made sure he was loud enough to be heard by half of the population that had attended the banquet, how could General Wei not hear him. 

 Yichen closed his eyes for exactly two seconds, it's not going to end well. Yichen can almost feel the jealousy radiating from his husband's body, he was mentally preparing himself to be embarrassed, a small sacrifice he has to make when he’s married to the love of his life. 

“ Oh Da Yao! You are here too?” General Wei's voice lacked any bit of warmness in it, his eyes gleamed even brighter. 

“ How could I not attend the banquet, when my dear husband attends it, I can't let him go alone, also this is our first time attending an event after our marriage. What kind of husband would I be if I let Zhuo Daren visit by himself? Even when I'm a Great Demon, I still have my responsibilities” Zhu Yan said leisurely, his eyes half amused and half irritated, a smile purely for the purpose of fake politeness. 

“ You are right Da Yao, if I have married to Zhuo Daren, i would have ensured to be with him every day and every where so that no one would steal him” General Wei spoke, his eyes shifted from Zhu yan to Yichen back to zhu yan, holding eye contact in a challenging manner.

“ It seems General Wei-” 

“ It's a farce!”

The sound cut Zhu Yan in mid-sentence and caught the attention of the nearby guests.

“ Exactly, he's even dared to show his face here, along with that wretched demon beast” another voice chimed in. 

Zhu Yan and Yichen turned around to see Minister Xue and Minister Wen already drunk, talking bad about the Young commander of the Demon hunting bureau. 

“ His father and brother must be rolling in their graves knowing the last heir of the Zhuo family is laying with the very monster that has killed them in cold” Minister Wen said, the wine jug in his hand dangling in the air as he staggered, trying to stand steady while talking. 

“ Heavens! Not only he himself became a demon but also lowered himself so much to became a bed warmer to a Great Demon, the one he told everyone he'd kill oneday” Minister Xue continued the rant with Minister Wen.

“ That Zhuo Yichen is a disgrace and a humiliation to the Zhuo family!” Said Minister Wen as Minister Xue laughed with him. 

But the laughter died as fire as a candle would in the autumn wind, when everyone felt the temperature in the banquet dropped ten degrees, stood in the middle a General and two Demons, one of them was a Great Demon while the other was the descendant of the Dragon God Bingyi. The floor was covered with a thin sheer layer of ice, Yichen's hands gripping his Cloud Light Sword so hard, his knuckles turned white, the Bingyi ice power was talking over him, letting small stencils of sharp, ice has started to cover-up his fingertips, his palms and everywhere. Beside him, his husband, the Great Demon Zhu Yan, whose eyes were now entirely red, the dark malicious energy, crackling around him, snapping out and pulling in back, swirling around him in threads of red and black, looking hungry and ready to beast out. General Wei looked a step behind the Demon Husbands, looking rightly as angry as the two standing in front of him, his eyes sharp, cold and precise, just the eyes of the true Scarred bloodlusted General Wei of the South, owning every bit of it. 

“ Those are such ignominious words to utter!” A calm and steady voice echoed through the banquet, cutting the cold tension like a sharp knife. 

 “ To claim the men who saved the entire Tiandu and its people as such as humiliation and disgrace to his family, mind I tell you, the very family who lived and died for generations for the people of Tiandu, whom founded a separate investigation faction, to protect and save people of Tiandu from any harmful demons, though they might have died by the hands of one of them, neither of you moved a single finger to help, which I have known about if you guys have ever did, neither of you even spoken stead of its re-development, rather I vividly remember it still as you both did the opposite of it.” 

Minister Jiang stopped his tirade in favour of looking at both the ministers in pure disgust in his eyes. His eyes ran over them like he was examining a pest nest and found it looking utterly an eye-sore. 

“ Also, do I have to remind you both under whose honourable decision that the marriage has fixed on and took place of? Because, I for one, simply don't think that His Majesty would take those words kindly” Minister Jiang finished. His gaze never left the two drunken Ministers in front of him, whom all of a sudden looked very much so sober in their stance. 

“ You are indeed very true Minister Jiang, I do not take those words kindly” 

Everyone on the banquet stopped doing whatever they were doing, a loud gasp could he heard from somewhere as the King spoke in such finality. He entered the Banquet when he heard the ruckus that was happening on there, so he decided to stay quiet and watch who's fumbling themselves. 

“ Long Live Your Majesty!” The entire banquet hall bowed in respect. 

“ Tell me Minister Xue, Minister Wen, do either of you think about questioning my decision regarding Zhuo Daren and Da Yao's marriage?” 

Both Minister Wen and Xue immediately got on their knees, kowtowing repeatedly, saying, “ We would never dare to, your Majesty. Your Majesty oversees everything and possesses immense knowledge that we would never dare to ever oppose. We were just merely talking about the Old Commander Zhuo and his elder son!” The Ministers wept, heads hanging low. 

“ Well, weren't you both talking so much nonsense about my husband with so much confidence earlier, what happened now? Saw his Majesty and all of a sudden, you couldn't talk anymore” an unrushed voice spoke, Zhu Yan looked so calm, his lips held that lazy smirk in it, but his red eyes shattered any actual effect of polite demeanor that was falsely felt like.

“ Your Majesty, Da Yao and Zhuo Daren, I apologise for this situation and would instantly handle it in accordance, General Wei would you mind?” Minister Jiang asked, point his fingers at the kneeling ministers. 

“ Honestly, it would be my pleasure” General Wei said, before stepping forward. 

" Oh please, Gerenals Wei, I don't pass my unfinished business to other's hands" Zhu Yan said, a predatory smile taking over, eyes relaxed as he dusted off an invisible dirt from his sleeves. 

“ Your Majesty, heed to us, we were only saying those things because we are worried about Tiandu and its people, the Demon hunting bureau has protected Tiandu before but after the marriage, it seems like the Young commander's loyalty lies somewhere else, they haven't even made any efforts to find the recent case and even believed that demon's words on not killing a citizen of Tiandu and her infant child!” Minister Wen’s voice screeched through the hall, as he tried to plead, to make the king consider his point. 

Zhuo Yichen who has been silent all this time, since this entire uproar has started, actually it's almost since he entered the Banquet, finally looked like he had enough, he took a step forward and bowed slightly to the king once again, showing his respect, his eyes glowing azure, a fire burning in them hearing those words and how these corrupt sycophant ministers has dared to bring up his family in order to humiliate him without any ounce of shame to reflect upon themselves and their behaviours. He was trying to keep quite at first, but when they crossed the line, we was ready to let them know exactly what kind of people they are, talking about Tiandu as if they weren't personally hand in hand with Wen Zongyu and his inhumane experiments. But Minister Jiang has beaten him to it, shaming the ministers for their words. 

“ Your Majesty! Since they are asking about this case, the Demon Hunting bureau has nothing to hide and we are ready to tell everyone in here about what have we found out” Yichen spoke, his voice loud and clear, echoing across the hall in a steady rhythm. 

Right on que, Pei Siheng came through the doors of the banquet hall, holding an injured someone in his hands, pushing that man to walk forward. In a minute, Pei Seijing found her way beside her brother. Everyone present in the Banquet hall was looking at the commotion unraveling in front of them, some were holding their breath in. The man the younger man was holding was none other than Cui Jun, the personal guard of Xue lian. 

“ Zhuo Daren.” the young man called out.

“ What's going on?” Minister Jiang spoke about the question of many minds in there. 

“ Your Majesty, may I now present to you the murderer of Xi Yao, the citizen of Tiandu, whom the ministers Xue and Wen were so concerned about.” Yichen answered the question bestowed on.

“ What absurdity are you sprouting on?” Minister Xue grunted as he saw his son's personal guard being accused of murder.

“ Your Majesty, I assure you, I'm not accusing anyone without an undeniable proof” Yichen said, his eyes wandering over to minister Xue in a challenging manner.

“ Continue Commander Zhuo” The king voiced.

“ Your Majesty we have found out that Minister Xue's son Xue lian had a relationship with the courtesan Xi Yao, who lived with a name Li Yao during her time in the pavilion, when we found out from An Juan that he didn't kill her, we went to the Tangxiang pavilion to investigate and came into the knowledge that it was actually Xue lian who compelled his personal guard Cui Jun into killing her, because she was pregnant with the Xue family's heir at that time but somehow she managed to make an escape from Cui Jun, so he then hired bandits to find her, and they did, after 7 months they have finally founded her in the remote village of Shangangtang. And they used the opportunity of Mu Xin's murder to create a case of demonic killing which has made the case end up in our bureau’s hands.” Yichen laid out his findings.

“ Commander Zhuo Daren, are you sure about the authenticity of your findings?” An old man with a long white beard asked the question, it was the grand tutor Ye, trying to ease the situation for his son-in-law’s stead.

“ Grand tutor Ye, I have shared no lie nor any misinterpreted findings” 

“ Commander Zhuo Daren, may I inquire about how you came to this knowledge regarding the case of Xi Yao?” Minister Jiang asked.

“ Your Majesty, I'm Wen Xiao, the descendant of Zhao Wan’er and the current Baize Goddess. May I answer Minister Jiang's question?” Wen Xiao requested, which earned a gesture to go on from the King. 

“ When General Wei first presented us with this case, he stated that this a case involving demons, they have categorised that on the basis of the wounds founded in Mu Xin's body, I was also able to notice the traces of demonic energy in the cadaver but I couldn't find any Demonic traces in Xi Yao's cadaver, even when investigated the village people, they couldn't tell us anything about the demon attacks, the only demons we found there were An Juan and Lu Yin. An Juan confessed the killing of Mu Xin to save Lu Yin which also corresponded with what the village people told regarding My Xin nature and his temper. The bandits who killed Xi Yao made it look like it was done by the demon as by that time Mu Xin's case had become the talk of the village and the bandits had used this to their advantage. Da Yao has also used his one word spell on An Juan and Lu Yin, there's no way they could have lied about not killing Xi Yao” Wen Xiao finished with her proposition.

“ Hmn! Are we sure we could trust a demon not misusing his powers to help another demon to evade justice?” Minister Wen asked.

“ Kneel”

As the command roared through the pillars of the banquet hall, Minister Wen immediately fell into his knees, complying to the command with obedience.

“ Your Majesty!” Minister Wen cried out in shame. 

“ Never question about my powers” Zhao Yuanzhou spoke, his voice steady and calm, his eyes still carrying the crimson in them. 

“ Da Yao” the King called out, it's a warning but phrased otherwise in a calm tone. 

“ That doesn't prove anything about how Xue lian is involved in this and the whereabouts of that infant child” Minister Song, Ministry of Revenue finally asked as this commotion was getting prolonged without any proper windows on all the truth. 

“ The child is well, the bandits didn't kill the child, they have sent the child to the herbal tribe people on the northern mountain.” Pei Seijing spoke.

“ We captured Cui Jun when he was on his way to meet with an assassin to kill the child, he has confessed that when Xue lian found out that the child is still alive, he got enraged and forced Cui Jun to take of this issue, because he was afraid that the marriage with Grand Tutor Ye's second daughter would crumbled if it comes out to light and Minister Xue might have his son flayed after specifically warned him to not to stir trouble and also the lie he has vowed to his father about Xi Yao and the child would also be exposed.” Yichen continued.

“ Xue lian had planned this well and executed his plan almost perfectly, but unfortunately this case has fallen into the hands of the demon hunting bureau which unraveled all his plans to ruins.” Zhu Yan spoke, his voice laced with mockery. 

“ Where the hell is Xue Lian when all these commotions are happening here?” Minister Song asked again.

A male servant stepped forward, his head hanging low, and spoke in a low voice, “ Your Majesty, Minister Song, imperial officer Xue got drunk, so his third concubine has taken him to one of the inner chambers so that he could relax. They went away before his Majesty has even arrived” 

“ Are you saying that he is not aware of anything happening here?” Minister Jiang enquired.

“ I'm afraid Yes, Minister Jiang” 

Siheng pushed Cui Jun down to his knees in front of the king and the Ministers present, “ Tell everyone the full truth” Yichen advised him.

“ Truth!” 

Another command thundered, ensuring the truth to be spoken. 

“ I am the personal guard of Xue lian daren, he liked Xi Yao but due to the alliance his father arranged with the Grand Tutor Ye’s second daughter , Xue Lian broke off his pursuit of Xi Yao, but by that time she was already carrying the Xue heir. Minister Xue has reprimanded Xue Lian regarding his fleeting fancy over Xi Yao, and Xue Lian knew that if the Grand Tutor Ye or worse his own father came to know about this, would end up with him being either killed or disowned by his family. So he asked me to kill her but before that, she escaped Tiandu. I later hired a group of bandits to find her, they found her after 7 months and killed her. They made it look like a demon attack. But I later found out they haven't killed the child yet as one of them saw the Xue family's birthmark in the child's forearm and decided to send the child to the northern mountain, so that they use the child in the future as a blackmail material to get more money from the Xue family in order to keep the silence about their illegitimate heir. I was ordered to take care of this situation by Xue Lian” Cui Jun finished the story of what has transpired.

“ By handling the issue, you mean killing that child, Xue Lian has ordered you to kill his own blood and flesh” General Wei spoke after maintaining his silence through all the pandemonium. 

“ Yes.” Cui Jun answered in a mutter, his head lowered in shame. 

“ What is going on here? Why are you dragging me! Do you have any idea who I am ?!” 

A coarse, gravelly inebriated voice came through the hall making everyone's head turn to look at the source of it, only to greet with the sight of a heavily drunken Xue Lian being hoisted by two imperial guards as they dragged him towards the centre of the Banquet hall in front of everyone present. 

It seems either his Majesty or Minister Jiang has sent the imperial guards to bring Xue Lian to the banquet hall before the king.

“ I'm telling you, you are gonna be severely punished for this ignorance” Xue Lian’s voice slurred as he tried to get free and stumbled on his own feet. 

CRACK

A sudden sound came in vibrations echoing across the hall cutting through the drunken rant of Xue lian. Minister Xue has slapped his son into sobriety. 

Xue lian looked astonishingly perplexed upon getting slapped, his eyes were draining that intoxicated trance and bled into the reality of the ruckus that had been going on in the banquet hall.

“ Father?" Xue Lian's voice came out in a low murmur of pure disbelief.

“ Shut up, don't call me that!” Minister Xue roared at his son.

“ You ordered Cui Jun to kill that courtesan and her child?” Minister Xue spatted out the accusation.

“ Fa- Father, what are you saying?” 

“ What am I saying, you good for nothing idiot, look at there!” Minister Xue said while putting a hand on his son's nape to forcibly make him look at the kneeling Cui Jun in front of the king.

“ You are an absolute disgrace to the Xue family name!” Minister Xue shouted at his son, the son who was now trembling in the hold of his father.

Xue lian immediately got onto his knees, his face clearly portrayed the range of emotions and the knowledge of his sparse plan dawning onto him. His eyes were frantic, his hands were shaking vehemently, his mouth kept on opening only to close them after a moment, he was now looking at his father desperately, but only the truth of he's on his own was what he got in return as his father turned his face away from his pitiful son, clenching his jaw tightening, his face harbouring a ugly scowl. 

••••••••

“ Father I love her” 

“ Nonsense, you don't love her and even if you love her, so what? Could she ever make you an imperial officer? Don't be acting like a fool now and marry the Grand Tutor Ye's second daughter without any farce!” 

“ But father she is carrying the heir of Xue family” 

“ The Heavens, are you serious? I never thought my son would turn out to be this stupid, what were you thinking?! You were to sever all your ties with that fairy instantly!” 

“ Look here son, you are my only male heir, you have the responsibility to carry on the family line of Xue, Marry Grand Tutor Ye's second daughter and most importantly silence that woman and the child too, a rumor about an illegitimate child is the last thing this family needs right now.” 

“ Father-” 

“ My decision is final! Cui Jun, take your young master to his room, he needs a good tea as he got some thinking to do” 

•••••••••

‘ Never let the family down son! I have always known you'd choose the family reputation father but never have i ever thought you'd even sacrifice your only son for that, I should have known’ 

Xue lian looked down at the ground, wrecked, his shoulders slouched down, completely dejected. 

“ Your Majesty!” 

“ I think I have heard and seen enough now, killing one's own blood and flesh is a crime even the hell condones, much less the heaven's forgiveness. The sin you have committed is one of the most heinous crimes and with the Heavens as my witness, I condemn you to a lifetime into the deep abyss of the imperial prison” The king announced his verdict.

“ Your Majesty, I kindly plead for your mercy on my son-in-law, a lifetime in prison? Please your Majesty, my daughter's life would be ruined” Grand Tutor Ye went on to his knees, begging the king on his verdict.

“ Grand Tutor Ye, may I remind you that your son-in-law cost the infant child their mother and a mother from watching her child growing up” Zhu Yan chimed in, his lips stretched in his signature smirk. 

“ And I order the imperial guards to retrieve that infant child from the northern mountain and bring the child back to the capital, the imperial palace would take care of the child” The king spoke again in finality.

“ Yes, your Majesty!” Minister Jiang and General Wei said simultaneously. 

The tension in the banquet hall started to slowly dissipate as the criminals were dragged out by the imperial guards, well apart from one person. Minister Xue was fuming, he had to sacrifice his only son in order to save his position as the minister and for the Xue family name. His eyes were shining with a burning fire of a raging anger and hate for the demon hunting bureau and the Minister Jiang along with his guard dog. 

“ I will never forget this till the last breath I may take on this earth, I will make sure every one of you will pay for this!”  

Minister Xue thought when he saw how minister Jiang and General Wei were looking at him with an identical mocking smirk on their faces. 

____________

Today is the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. It's been a couple of days since the last case of the Demon hunting bureau resulted in the minister's son Xue lian and his personal guard Cui Jun getting arrested on the Banquet hall amidst the celebration feast of Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.

The entire team was out to explore the streets of Tiandu, trying various kinds of foods that were sold by the vendors, watching the beautifully engraved lanterns, and buying lots of sweet treats. The entire Tiandu was buzzing and the younger members couldn't miss the fun and excitement and would never let the other members of the team miss it too. 

“ Xiao Zhuo ge, try this, try this, it's really sweet~” Bai jiu was practically jumping on his feet in excitement while pushing a sweet treat into Yichen's hands so that he could taste them too. 

“ Bai jiu, Xiao Zhuo daren would only be able to eat when you stop jumping, you are gonna let it slip into the ground before you could let him have a taste.” Ying Lei spoke, eating his own sweet treat. Well, it was first Bai jiu's which he gave to Ying Lei so that he can try another sweet. 

“ Wen Xiao jiejie, Pei jie jie, you guys try it too” Bai Jiu not minding whatever Ying Lei was saying. 

“ Hey little bunny, what about mine? You only give sweets to your xiao Zhuo ge and your jiejie ?” Zhu Yan asked in a fake sad tone, hoisting a deeply hurted look.

“ Well, didn't you say that demons don't need to eat?” 

“ Yet as a younger person, it is respectful to offer things to your elders! You need to re-learn your manners on how to respect your elders” 

“ Respect elders, but you are ancient!” Bai jiu retorted. 

Which earned a scoff and laughs from the team members. 

“ You have grown braver little bunny” Zhu Yan spoke in a deep voice, leaning in a bit towards Bai jiu's personal space while startled the Young physician, made him jump in freight and latch onto his Xiao Zhuo ge, holding onto his hands. 

“ Zhao Yuanzhou, stop being a menace” Zhuo Yichen spoke, having enough with his husband's shenanigans.

“ Oh my poor ancient heart, how could it survive after being accused of being a menace by the very person it beats for, my Heavens” Zhu yan is nothing if not dramatic.

All the reply he got from yichen was his infamous glare with a rosy dusted glow in the hunter's cheeks. 

‘ crazy monkey’ 

“ Pei Jiejie, I can't tell which one is more childish, a 34,000 years old Da Yao or our 13 years old Bai Jiu” Wen Xiao said in a husked murmur like she's speaking of some secret, but the volume hasn't even been attempted to be lowered, she ended her rhetorical question with an exasperated sigh.

“ Of course, it's not our Bai Jiu” Pei Seijing joined in 

the teasing.

“ So true jiejie, no one would believe this is the same person whose name was spoken in whispers due to the fear of angering the leader of the wilderness, Zhu Yan Da Yao ” Ying Lei as he voiced those words out. 

“ Everytime, every single time, joining hands whenever it is to mock me” Zhu Yan said in a mock dejected voice. 

His lips were still holding a smile, his face calm and composed, giving him a look of serene and peace, but his eyes, they didn't held their usual gleam of amusement, a curious hint for teasing, rather they were clouded with flickers like a turbulent ocean with surging waves. His jaw tightened a bit, replaced with momentary loosening. His shoulders tensed up in an upright position, masked by the layers of his thick robes and the heavy fur sitting right on his nape, illuminating him a majestic stance. 

Yichen noticed everything, but he figured silence was the best option then, so he reminded himself to question about it later, in the privacy of their own chamber. 

Their stroll around the streets were going really well, the younger members of the team being overly enthusiastic about everything, especially their youngest Physician as the older members played along with the fun, along with Characteristic teasing and making jokes. 

Their own bubble of peace and happiness was interrupted when they heard an unexpected but familiar voice calling out the name of the Young commander of the Demon Hunting bureau. 

“ Commander Zhuo Daren!” The voice called out.

Everyone turned to look for the source of the sound, and met with a lavish looking Minister Jiang, with a young girl holding onto his arm. 

“ Minister Jiang” Yichen extended his greeting. 

“ Oh Zhuo Daren, I saw you and your team enjoying the festival and thought it would be so informal if I didn't even greet you.” Minister Jiang smiled at the team, surprisingly with a genuine smile.

“ Greetings Minister Jiang, we didn't expect to cross paths with you today, especially not here” Zhu Yan said, voice velvety smooth. His eyes sharp but his face held a small smile, just enough to appear polite.

“ Da Yao, well I am not the one to have a fun stroll on the streets, I'm here today because my niece here,wanted to see the festival celebration and I simply couldn't bring myself to say no” Minister Jiang spoke, placing his hand over his niece’s hands that has been held on to him. Making the girl greet the team with a shy smile. 

“ I see.” Zhu Yan muttered.

“ Hello Xiao meimei, my name is Wen Xiao. Do you wanna come with Jiejie to go see the beautiful hairpins displayed in the next stall?I will help you pick a nice one for yourself.” Wen Xiao gently asked the young girl, giving her a sweet smile to make her feel welcome.

The girl looked at her uncle, silently asking for his permission, which he just nodded at her, motioning her to go on. 

“ Congratulations Zhuo Daren, on finishing the last case this quickly."

“ We are sorry that it had to happen at the celebration banquet hosted by minister Jiang.” Zhuo Yichen said smoothly. 

“ Tell me commander Zhuo, do you trust people easily?” Minister Jiang asked looking over both Zhu Yan and Yichen.

“ We know you are behind this, making sure this case falls into the hands of the prestigious Zhuo heir of the demon hunting bureau, just haven't figured out what's your motive or benefit from it” Zhu Yan said leisurely, looking at the minister right in his eyes, to which the minister just smiled in return.

“ Da Yao figured it out.” Jiang said while chuckling.

“ It's not about any benefits Da Yao, it's about revenge”

“ Revenge?” Yichen's confusion was evident in his voice.

“ I'm sure you all have heard about General Wei's sister” 

“ That she got sick and you saved her?” Zhu Yan continued after minister Jiang.

“ That's the story others know, the truth was, she was never sick, rather she was poisoned.” 

“ Are you saying minister Xue poisoned General Wei's sister?” Yichen chimed in with his question.

“ Yes, at that time, General Wei was still at the border, he still got a few days before entering the capital, minister Xue hated General Wei because he cleared the bandits, who were under Minister Xue, whom he used to snuggle things and steal the rations. We had no proof to arrest him but it did end his reign over the border and he got infuriated, so he planned to take something important from General Wei to make him feel the loss like he felt. He poisoned General Wei's sister. She has been bedridden for weeks until we found a special physician who is an expert in poisons from the eastern village. They said it was a deadly poison which would kill the person from inside out.” Minister Jiang paused to take a breath and exhaled it looking so hurt. 

“ General Wei was heartbroken to see his little sister, his only family, to be bed ridden and in pain. He wanted to kill Minister Xue by then but I held him off and told him we get our time to get our revenge” Jiang ended the story with a small sigh and offered a smile to the two people in front of him. 

“ You already knew it was Xue Lian who killed Xi Yao and made sure this case was handled by us? How did you find out it was Xue lian? ” Yichen asked, looking at the man in front of him with a slight disbelief.

“ Well I didn't Zhuo Daren, everyone in the capital knows about minister Xue's son's rendezvous with that courtesan, when I got this case profile, I took a wild guess and bet on it.” 

“ You made sure that Minister Xue lose the thing he held so precious, his son, as your revenge for what he did to General Wei's sister?” Zhu Yan added his share. 

“ I know the Demon hunting bureau would bring truth to the light and provide justice and it did” Minister Jiang just smiled as if he didn't just tell them that he played them like they were his chess pieces. 

“ Is that also the reason why you hosted this year's mid autumn moon festival celebration banquet, I'm pretty sure Minister Jiang must have personally requested the King to allow you, didn't you?” 

“ Clever, yes! I requested the King. You know Da Yao, People are so predictable. Since Zhuo Daren became a demon and the occurrence of this marriage has left many people feeling sour and bitter, I know some would cause chaos, so I decided to use them in my favour.” Minister Jiang just shrugged. 

“ Shushu, see this lotus hairpin I brought is so pretty right?” 

Before either Yichen or Zhu Yan ask him anything or quarry over any of their thoughts, minister Jiang's niece came back and took her place beside him. 

“ It is indeed beautiful A’yun!” Jiang said, while patting her softly with a gentle smile. “ I guess it's time we go back home, goodbye Zhuo Daren, Da Yao.” Jiang bid his farewell and left. 

“ Xiao Zhuo, what were you two talking with Minister Jiang, you all looked a bit tense?” Wen Xiao asked after she made sure Minister Jiang had passed afar. 

Both Zhu Yan and Yichen told the team everything about what Minister Jiang had told them. 

“ The entire Xue family is a disgrace and full of dirtbags!” Pei Seijing was the first to speak about her disgust about the Xue family, to which everyone nodded in agreement.

“ No wonder he immediately throwed his son to take up for the crime, I'm telling you it must be him who told Xue Lian to kill Xi Yao” Ying Lei chimed in with his conspired thoughts.

“ Yes yes, so true Ying Lei, people like this should be punished” Bai jiu added in assent. 

“ Don't worry Xiao Jiu, he already lost his son, soon his crimes will be brought to justice too” Wen Xiao coaxed the grunting youngest member of the team. 

“ But Xiao Zhuo, I never thought minister Jiang to be this cunning” Wen Xiao said, her face married with a shocked disbelief and realization.

“ No one ever does, that man knows his board and his dice.” Zhu Yan replied.

“ Can we really trust him anymore?” Bai Jiu asked, the power play always left him feeling uneasy. 

“ No, we can't.” Yichen breathed those words conclusively.

________

As the sun fell and the dark blue color overtook the night sky, everyone was so tired and went to their chambers early bidding their goodnights. 

Yichen was the last to go to his chamber, he fully expected to find his annoying but exceptionally handsome husband like the usual but he found the room to be empty except for himself. Which, as much as he liked, he lately grew used to how his husband strutted into his room with various sayings like, “ Xiao Zhuo, we are married, of course I should follow the traditions as one may. I'm here because my wife is here. How could I sleep without hugging my wife?.” And so on. 

For a minute, Yichen was wondering where the Great Demon could have been, only to remember that it has been a while since he saw his husband, he was here when they all returned home, Yichen recollected that he saw Zhu Yan standing below the full moon, bathing in that luminous moonlight. But after that, he could recall where Zhu Yan went. 

Yichen thought he might still be somewhere in the bureau drinking from his calabash, enjoying the scenery he had picked and would join him later. 

Yichen took off his outer robe and got settled on his bed to rest as he felt the exhaustion of the day catching up to him, a deep slumber seeping into his bones achingly. He closed his eyes letting the clouding sense of sleep take over his body as these thoughts became a lingering scent. 

The morning shine came with the sounds of birds chirping gently waking Yichen up from his well deserved sleep but what Yichen noticed before his mind could catch up with anything was the lack of warmth as the coldness was the only thing he could feel, from the Blood of Bingyi's coursing through his veins and the absence of the body heat of his husband. 

He couldn't remember whether Zhu Yan came back to their chamber later that night or not. He called out the name of the Great Demon to see whether he was nearby but the lack of any replies told him what he wondered. 

“ Where is he?” Yichen asked himself. 

When Yichen got ready for the day and came out of his chamber, he was dragged into his office regarding various works by commander Fan.

The afternoon sun was glowing brilliantly as the sun stood in the centre of the clouded sky by the time Yichen finally finished with the piles of cases and reports. He can feel the trace of heat shimmering provided the much needed warmth for him after being clumped in his study for all morning. 

He saw Bai Jiu in the hallways and went to him instantly. 

“ Xiao Jiu, have you seen Zhao Yuanzhou?” 

“ Da Yao? No, I haven't seen him since the morning Xiao Zhuo ge, why?” Bai Jiu replied to him.

“ Oh it's nothing. I have to go” Yichen said and started walking towards the library before Bai Jiu could ask him more questions. 

Yichen found Wen Xiao sitting with Pei Seijing when he reached the library, Wen Xiao had a book in her hand and was saying something to Pei Seijing while motioning her book, to which the Archer listened in silence with momentary head nods, gesturing that she's heeding attention. Yichen strode towards them. 

“ Wen Xiao, Pei Daren, have you both seen Zhao Yuanzhou?” Yichen inquired.

“ Ah Xiao Zhuo! Zhao Yuanzhou? We have seen him since this morning” Wen Xiao replied with a gentle smile aimed towards Yichen. 

“ Something happened, Zhuo Daren?” The Archer asked, immediately straightening her posture. 

“ Nothing happened, just I couldn't find Zhao Yuanzhou, so I thought to ask you both whether you have seen.” 

“ We haven't, Xiao Zhuo”. 

“ Okay, I'll look for him myself, bye.” Yichen left the library, nodding a bye to them. 

Yichen went to the kitchen to find the only member of the team he hadn't questioned yet, about the whereabouts of the Great Demon. He found Ying Lei crouched over inspecting the vegetables. Yichen walked to stand just right behind the young mountain God who was engrossed with his inspection. 

“ Ying Lei!” Yichen called out.

“ Ahh-!” The Young mountain God yelped. 

“ Zhuo Daren, it's you! You scared me!” Ying Lei complained.

“ I'm sorry. But I have a question to ask you, do you know where Zhao Yuanzhou is?” Yichen asked, his lips held an apologetic smile for what he did. 

“ Da Yao, No. The last time I saw him was last night at dinner, Zhuo Daren” Ying Lei answered.

“ Do you know where he might be?” 

“ I don't know, but since tonight is the night of the Red moon, he might have gone to his Manor?” Ying Lei wondered about his opinion. 

“ What? The blood moon is happening tonight?!” Yichen parrotted Ying Lei. 

“ Hmm Yes?” Ying Lei was a bit confused on how Yichen was asking that. “ Da Yao didn't tell you?”

“ No.” Yichen thought a moment before speaking, “ Ying Lei, if anyone asks, just tell them I went out for a small work.” Yichen told him and started going out of the kitchen.

“ But Zhuo Daren-” Ying Lei stopped mid-sentence as he saw the silhouette of his Commander fade out from his view.

___________

By the time Zhuo Yichen reached the Peach Blossom Manor, the evening sun was setting in, as the orange hue took over the vast sky illuminating a serene look. 

Yichen was standing in the hillpath of the Manor, he could feel the strong aura and the shimmering of the malicious energy, something he could never forget after witnessing how suffocatingly dark it could be by firsthand as he came here to kill Zhu Yan. But this time he could feel his own demonic energy thumping inside his meridians, the coldness trickling out of him in a steady rhythm. 

He took a deep breath before finally entering the Manor, he was walking through the hallways looking for the family energy crackling of his husband and met with none. As he was walking more into the Manor, he could feel them, in a lingering trace from where he was standing yet undeniable. 

He walked further and found the person he was looking for, near the water spring’s porch. His eyes closed, his demon marks visible to the world along with his other Demon features. The malicious energy was leaking out of his in a constant manner like water from mountain falls. Shrills of energy trying to grab into him as they ooze out. He was wearing a dark black robe with crushed rubies embedded in intricate details. Those robes were disarrayed a bit, not fully but merely enough to look like he's unpresentable in public. He looked like he was holding a wild beast in, whose character was unpredictable and he actually might be, given how ruthless and bloodlusty his inner demon was. He sat with his knees folded under and his arms resting on his kneecap, his head hung low and the silence engulfed him entirely. 

Yichen started to take a few steps towards the ancient being cautiously. Trying his best not to spook him nor approach him in a hurried manner. 

The more he got close to the Great Demon, the more he could feel this unsettling fear gobbling him. His instincts telling him to run and hide from the obvious danger while his heart refusing to heed to that pray, he could sense a profound feeling of wanting to be here, right where he was although this anxiety of what might come was throttling him like he was being dunked. These emotions felt like a battle yet it was so intoxicating. 

Yichen was now only a few steps away from his husband, he could feel the malicious energy of Zhu Yan trying to reach him, clung to him as he knows for sure that Zhu Yan could also feel the iciness exuding out from him. 

It happened in a flash, akin to how a lightening struck the earth, Yichen found himself pinned against the huge blossom tree, he could intuit the hard surface of the tree trunk against his back as it scratched his back and flakes poked into his robes. He felt a strong hand coming in contact with his skin, choking him slightly, making it hard for him to breathe without depriving him of complete lack of oxygen. A torture. 

“ Zhao Yuanzhou?” Yichen gasped, his eyebrows pinched in pain as he was struggling to break free. His lips quavering. 

“ Zhao Yuanzhou!” Yichen struggled again.

“ No! Try again” the deep, velvety voice whispered in his ears. 

“ Zhu Yan!” Yichen choked out. 

“ That's the name, baby dragon” the voice purred in his ears again. 

“ Zhao Yuanzhou” called out Yichen in a rough aching voice hoping to bring him out, just enough to let his grip drop. 

“ No use. He ain't coming out. You know this idiot thought that if we could distance ourselves from you, then I won't be able to harm you. He was scared that I might hurt you” the voice spoke leisurely, in a calm manner, taking his sweet time. 

“ Well he's not wrong exactly, hurting you looks really tempting right now, baby dragon” the voice continued to taunt him, the Demon pulled himself back to look at Yichen right in his eyes, as his free hand tracing over his cheeks to his jaw, sliding up to his lips. He flashed a senile smile at the Young commander. 

“ Let me go” Yichen pleaded, as he started to gasp for air, his eyes pricked with unshed tears, glinting in pain. 

“ Well well well, how could I now, aren't you my mate?” Zhu Yan asked, still he loosened his grip on Yichen's neck. Making it feasible for him to breathe. 

“ You know, my blood is flowing inside you, my energy is rooted around your core like a tree vein, my scent is embedded into your skin, you are mine baby dragon” 

“ You!” Yichen tried to push the ancient Demon away from him, putting all his strength in but the Demon hasn't even budged. 

“ Cease this child play, you'll never win over me. I have waited for long. I have given this idiot myriads of chances yet he didn't utilise it, not even once!” the voice grudged, Zhu Yan's face shifted in a scowl. 

“ What are you saying?” 

“ You know baby dragon, I have sensed the blood of ancient dragon Demon traces inside you, even though you were a human at that time. That's why I didn't kill you in the Kunlun temple, merely casted a sleeping spell hoping he would take what's rightfully ours after I dealt with the others, but this idiot has granted you the power to be immune to the one word spells instead and spoiled my plan.” 

 "Those sapphire eyes have always belonged to me, ever before either of us, were to exist. It's in our stars, you saw our ancestors, you should have known by now. You were always meant to be mine. But he, this fool, always clinging to those useless human emotions, their morals and beliefs, refusing to take what's rightfully ours, what he should have taken and linked in, our souls, the two pieces of same cloth, woven in a way to always find each other through all the life times.” 

“ I belong to only me, no one could own me” Yichen spat after hearing how the Demon kept on leaping about owning him. 

“ Oh but you do baby dragon. Fate has made sure of it. You were born at the right time, right when I needed a tether to bind me and this idiot to this world, and you are here, aren't you? More importantly you are here as my mate, encased with me scent, bound to me” The Demon was still smiling at him, a smile that ran shivers down Yichen's spine. His hand now wandered over Yichen's shoulders, his clavicle, his waist then hosted up to his chest. 

“ I smell like you. Mu Xin said the same thing, that you have scented me so that no demon would harm me” Yichen voiced his thoughts.

“ Oh that wolf Demon, yeah he was correct, the ritual he did, mixed both of our blood on the wedding day, giving you an ounce of our power so that the whole wilderness would know, he even got the perfect opportunity to act on our bond and bind you to our soul forever yet he refused, even at the expense of harming himself. Holding back all the way till the pain dulled.” 

“ If you hurt me, Zhao Yuanzhou would never forgive you, he would try everything he could to sever his conscious from you” Yichen tried to warn.

“ Hurt you? Oh no, I'm not gonna hurt you baby dragon, I'm gonna make sure we'll be together forever.” Zhu Yan replied, his voice sweet like a melody of summer birds. 

“ You mean by marking me, right?” Yichen asked even though it was more like a rhetorical question. 

“ You knew?!” Zhu Yan asked in disbelief and shock. His wandering hand stopped as the other he used to choke, loosened even more. Letting Yichen out of strangling to only feel the warmth of the skin against his skin. 

••••••••

                FLASHBACK 

‘ She looks beautiful when she's smiling like this.’

“ Xiao Zhuo” she called him again. 

“ Ah Wen Xiao, there's something I need your help with” 

“ Help? With what Xiao Zhuo?” 

Yichen turned around left and right, then grabbed Wen Xiao's sleeve, and took her to the Bureau library.

“ Xiao Zhuo, where are you taking me?” 

“ I need to speak something to you in private Wen Xiao” 

“ Okay now, tell me what it is?” 

“ Wen Xiao you know a lot about demons, right?” 

“ Yes” 

“ Do you remember the wolf demon, Mu Xin said that I carry the scent of Zhu Yan?, I want to know everything about it” 

“ Xiao Zhuo, are you sure?” Wen Xiao asked, her voice marred with gentle worry and uncertainty.

“ Yes, I'm sure, I want to know all about that” 

“ I don't exactly know everything by heart Xiao Zhuo, but I have this book about demon's mates. It has all the information we need.” Wen Xiao told Yichen as he walked deep into the library, towards the dark corner section and pulled of the book from what apparently seems like hidden shadow space. 

“ This is the book” 

Both Wen Xiao and Yichen took their place as the table nearer to that corner, away from any sudden intruder's sight. 

“ The Demons' mating rituals consist of three steps : Blood binding, Core linking and Soul intertwining.” Wen Xiao read out. 

“ Blood binding - in this one, both the demons or any demons with humans would make a small on the palm or in their wrist, enclosing the open cut on one person with another's. Letting each other's blood mix with a small portion of their demonic energy pouring into one another. It would result in the couple sharing a few of each other's qualities, for example sharing each other's scent in case of both being Great Demons or the share of the prominent scent in case of only one of them being a Great Demon and faster healing.” Wen Xiao continued. 

“ We did this during the wedding, didn't we?” Yichen asked with a skeptic smile. Wen Xiao just gave him a tight smile in response and continued reading.

“ Core Linking - it is dual cultivation. When the demons are involved in dual cultivation where they are already blood bonded, their demonic core would recognise each other and act accordingly. Their demonic energy would form a chord that connects both their cores in a linkage forming an undeniable covenant between them. It would provide attributes like lesser inhibition towards one's prowess, and would be able to sense their demonic energy even from afar.” 

“ Xiao Zhuo, does this mean Zhao Yuanzhou can't use his powers against you now?” Wen Xiao asked him, pausing the reading. 

“ You!” Yichen tried to scold her for teasing him but he halted himself knowing it's futile against his aunt, so he answered her question.

“ I think so, I mean I could indeed feel his energy depending on how far or how close he is” Yichen muttered, trying to reply in a steady voice. 

“ Great, so far everything is going as it is in this text” Wen Xiao let a satisfied smile grace her lips. 

“ Lastly, The Soul Intertwining - it is also known as the Branding of the bond or Bite Marking. In this the Great Demon or demon with higher cultivation would mark the Demon with lesser cultivation via biting into the juncture of shoulder and neck. Upon biting, the demon would let its own venom flow into the other's body along with their demonic energy, and would also take in the venom of the demon that has been bitten. It is the ultimate sealing of one's Bond. Once this step is completed, both heaven and hell would now consider both those demons as one, in the eyes of the gods and goddesses of the heavens and the jade emperor, they would be considered and viewed as one soul and one body embodiment. Their fate would be woven into the same thread and would find each other through all the life times they may be born in. This ritual would allow both the demons to use either other's powers at their will and would be now forever linked together. The mates will be able to sense each other regardless of the distance, even when they are separated by the mountains and oceans, their energy would always be capable of reaching for one another, one's mate would be able to calm and provide stability and sense of peace and protection towards other's. Though In case of one killing their mate or sever the sacred bond or betray the purity of mating, their thread of fate would eternally be cleaved and would never ever be together in any of their reincarnations unless the betrayed mate wished for and the other demon has suffered enough pain that their tears would slough off the ever burning fire of Zhulong in repentance and atonement” Wen Xiao concluded her reading. 

“ Wow” Wen Xiao couldn't help her amazement with the instructions, benefits and the punishments behind the demon's mating ritual. 

“ That's a lot!” Sitting beside her, Yichen shared the same sentiment. 

“ I have heard my master saying many Demons would not complete the third ritual fearing the afterlife” Wen Xiao told Yichen.

“ Fearing a lifetime of pain?” 

“ I suppose so, but I think it's really incredible how Demons got this entire ritual regarding mating” 

“ It is indeed fascinating” Yichen nodded in agreement. 

‘ Why did Zhu Yan never talk about this to him? About these rituals?’ 

Yichen wondered, before he could dwell more into that thought, Ying Lei found them only to nearly drag them both out of the library for dinner. 

••••••••

                      The Present 

“ You knew?!” Zhu Yan asked him.

“ I learned from one of Wen Xiao's books.” Yichen answered.

“ Ah the Baize Goddess!” Zhu Yan let out a laugh. 

“ So why don't you mark me and complete the ritual?” Yichen challenged him but those words sounded keener to sincere than anything.

“ You have no idea what you are asking for, baby dragon, similar to how you didn't know what you are doing when you suddenly started to call him Zhu Yan, his birth name” Zhu Yan retorted with a huff.

“ But I do know, you and him, Zhu Yan and Zhao Yuanzhou, they might be two different names, yet in the end you both are the same person, one person with different conscious conditioned under various prerequisites of energy expansion. One wouldn't simply exist without the other. Like the day existing alongside night, sun with moon, light with darkness, you are one in ways yet differ in some. You both on same person, merely acting on diverse desires, Zhu Yan” 

“ Great analogy, still so much alike those humans you surround yourself with” Zhu Yan snorted, but the deep dislike he held on his face has vanished. 

“ In case you forgot, I was also a human.” Yichen said. 

“ Well not anymore, you are not.” Zhu Yan replied in an annoyed tone, his grip getting stronger once again.

“ No, I'm not anymore, but a man told me once that I am what I choose to be, the things I choose to do not how the world sees me to be” 

“ He has always been sappy, trying to be one of those lowlife mortals” Zhu Yan spat out regarding his counterself.

“ And what about you?” 

“ Me? Oh baby dragon, I'm the Majestic White Ape Great Demon, the most powerful demon and the ruler of Wilderness, I have everything” Zhu Yan boasted as he leaned closer to Yichen's face, forcing him to look at his crimson eyes.

“ You don't have everything, you don't have me.” Yichen poked the Demon in front of him who’s holding in a death grip. The arms against his body, caging him in like bands of iron. 

“ Ha ha ha!” Zhu Yan let out a vicious laugh. “ Oh baby dragon, but you are also mine, and I am going to make sure both the world and you know that.” 

That's all Zhu Yan said before Yichen's vision got obsolete by a sudden onslaught of a flash of lightning. His mind ceased all the mentation. The entire world felt like it had halted in its tracks. 

Yichen could feel the sting of his skin being torn open as the long fangs of Zhu Yan entered into his neck where they connected to his shoulders. A white pain clouded his senses as he tried to let out a silent scream. The sensation of Zhu Yan's venom flowing deep into his veins burned him from inside out as they were taking root within him. He could feel the saliva of the Great Demon mixing with his own blood, forming a sticky viscous residue on his skin. 

Both their Demonic energy circling around each other as if they were dancing before mingling into one another. It looked like those energies couldn't figure out where one started and the other ended. Their energy cocooning them in a safe bubble, letting their bond forge without any hindrance. 

Yichen didn't know whether it's been minutes or hours as he could swore that it felt like an eternity when he at last felt those fangs pulling back from his body as the blood gushing out to the surface, trying to bleed out from the open wound but before he could seal his injured skin to prevent spurting, he felt a hot, wet Tongue licking his wound, that tongue kept on with its succor till he starts to notice the torn skin closing on its own. 

The weight of Zhu Yan's head still stayed on Yichen's shoulder, remaining motion-less. Yichen slightly tilted his head, letting the gentle autumn breeze brushing against his laceration which seemed to nudge the resting Demon as he removed himself from Yichen slowly. Before a single sound was allowed to be made, Yichen felt the clasp of the hand in full force, choking him. 

“ Zhao Yuanzhou?” Yichen gasped, his body pliant under the hold of Great Demon as it suffered through the pain of being marked. 

The pair of scarlet eyes looking straight at him, they looked bloodied matching with the red moon adoring the night sky above their heads. 

Yichen saw veins of dark blue lines creeping its way on his neck, like veins around the trees’ branches, his own demon marks. The veins of an ancient dragon demon. The newly embedded marks on Zhu Yan's neck shimmered with blue luminesces like a crackling of fire sparks. Then only he realised that he could feel the demonic marks of the Majestic White Ape crawling over his cheeks. Matching with the ones on his husband's cheeks, his marks. The blood red sway marks claiming its territory over him just like his venom did. They both now carry the Demon marks of each other, telling the world that they are now taken, both have now become one entity. It felt different than the one Yichen felt when Li Lun gave them both his powers which rendered them having his marks on. This….. this feels more intimate, intuned like this was what they have always meant to be, aligning them in a complex woven of something primordial. 

They slowly began to flicker, shades of dark brown emerging from within, trying to fight their way out, battling against the red like cackles of fire before completely submerging the crimson out. 

A set of lips crashed into Yichen's sooner than he could process, pulling him into a deep kiss which felt like he's being sucked into a bottomless abyss. The kiss was demanding, soul crushing in its own rights. The hand on his neck tilted his head back, creating a perfect angle as his tongue forcing its way into Yichen's mouth, sucking and licking alternatively, teeth clashing against one another, he sensed a tingling sensation on his bottom lip as Zhu Yan bit him hard, drawing it into his mouth, soothing the sting with kitten licks, wiping the blood using his tongue before releasing him free from the kiss.

“ Xiao Zhuo?!” A confused soft voice echoed,marring perfectly with the expression on his husband's face. 

“ Xiao Zhuo, what did I do?” Zhu Yan asked, his voice came out in a low whisper, yichen could feel the trembles in it as his shaky eyes ran over his face, taking in the details of his swollen lips with a small drop of blood clinging on it. His gaze wandered over him, taking in every change, how his robes were disarrayed, then it landed on the bite mark on his neck. ‘ Is that a bite mark? God what did I do ?’ 

Yichen saw the pained expression on his husband's face, saw the way his centuries old guilt creeped over him, clawing its paws into his mind, culling his soul and Yichen couldn't let it win, not again, he couldn't let Zhu Yan retreat himself over something he had no control of. 

“ Di- did I bite you?” Zhu Yan stuttered. 

The Great Demon of Wilderness, the one who's been feared by all, the indestructible wall that Yichen has ever met with, was now stuttering. Yichen took a deep breath before speaking.

“ Yes” the truth spilled out, heavying the silence between them as the tension rose, temperature dropping a few degrees, sweeping cool breeze grazing them over as they passed through. Even the sounds of crickets became louder.

“ Look here Zhao Yuanzhou, no, Zhu Yan, you did nothing wrong, yes you bite me, but it was not you, you were controlled. Your demonic self was scared, that's the only way to explain, he was scared and afraid and angry… at you for not completing the mating ritual fully, so he took it upon himself to rectify that.” Yichen gently tried to coax Zhu Yan. He didn't want him wallowing in guilt and anger. Zhu Yan still didn't see him in the eyes. He held his low in shame.

“ Zhu Yan look at me” this earned him the desired outcome as Zhu Yan met his sapphire orbs. “ Why have you never told me about the Demons’ mating rituals? Don't you want to do those with me ?” Yichen asked, his voice a gentle whisper.

“ No!” The response came instantly, instinctively. “ I wanted no one more than you Xiao Zhuo, this ancient Demon never has desired anyone like I do you” Zhu Yan continued, melancholy strumming through every word of his.

“ Then why?” Yichen insisted.

“ Because I thought you wouldn't want this, I didn't know how to tell you, about these rituals, your biggest fear was turning into a demon Xiao Zhuo, even though you have told me you don't hate me anymore, that you love me too, I can't change the fact of how I am reason of your nightmares. You trust me, have trusted me for quite a while now, but these mating rituals are something far beyond what I have dared to hope Xiao Zhuo” Zhu Yan expressed with a range of emotions of guilt, shame, dejection and trembles of lost hope. 

“ What makes you think I won't want this? I married you, didn't I? Yes it is true, you had been the devil in my story for years, but those times are behind us now Zhu Yan, you are my husband now, my future lies with yours, alongside you. That's what I want too, sharing my life with you till its end. I want us to have everything done properly, mating rituals included. I learnt about them. The meaning and symbolisation behind it are fascinating and truly beautiful. I want this too Zhu Yan.” Yichen spoke in a soft melody like a gentle caress as he opened about his wishes.

Zhuo Yichen cupped his husband's face and held them within his hold, “ I want everything with you Zhu Yan, everything with my husband, as mates” he said before leaning in, giving Zhu Yan a tender kiss on his lips, letting him feel the gentle warmth of their lips pressing against one another. He pulled back after a few seconds only to lean in again in a quick peck. 

Zhu Yan was barely retaining his desire to have his wife then and there as the beautiful young demon was standing in front of him, talking about being with him, building a life together, it's becoming too much. But when his wife initiated and kissed him first, hell broke loose, all the restraints he had caged himself with, had broken into pieces like glasses. 

Zhu Yan surged forward, one of his hands circling around Yichen's head, to provide him with something akin to cushion, in order to prevent his head from being hit, as the other hand whirled around his waist, locking him in his hold in an iron grip. His lips crashing against his wife's, worrying that plump soft tissues, caressing them with kitten licks. He continued nipping and biting his wife's lips before soothing them over with his tongue, the wetness lessening the sting from being bitten. The hot tongue pried his mouth open,coaxing Yichen to give in to the kiss as the intruding tongue swirls around his tongue, sliding against it, altering with sucking in. Zhu Yan tilted Yichen's head, angling him just right where he could deeper the kiss and learn more about his wife as he continued to clouding his senses, a moan escaped from Yichen which was muffled by Zhu Yan as he squeezed his hips, pulling them against his, flushing him in. 

When Zhu Yan finally broke the kiss, letting Yichen breathe, he could feel his lungs burning due to lack of oxygen. His mind hazy ‘cause of that soul deep, dominating kiss. He was still gasping for air when he felt open mouthed kisses on his cheeks, right where Zhu Yan's demon marks were supposed to be, “ They look even better on you than me” Zhu Yan mumbled, his voice rough, and drunk in lust.

Yichen could feel his own primal desires taking over his senses, making him submit to those whispers in his head, giving in, letting Zhu Yan take him entirely, break him and mold him a new one as the tomorrow's sun rises. 

Those open mouthed kisses were trailed down to his jaws, his neck, nipping at his skin, sucking them in, worrying them till the marks of dark bluish purple bruises showing up, leaving a cascade of hickeys. His demon marks were the next target as Zhu Yan knew how sensitive they were. Licking them over and over again, grazing his teeth over the flash making Yichen completely loosing his mind, no mind any of the sounds of gasps and moans he made, succumbing entirely to this overwhelming sensation. He pulled his husband back to kiss him again. 

“ Xiao Zhuo!” Zhu Yan breathed out heavily. His forehead resting against his wife's as they were trying to catch their breath. 

“ Zhu Yan” Yichen almost whined due to the loss of sensation.

“ My beautiful wife, my mate!” Zhu Yan purred.

“ Zhu Yan, kiss me” Yichen's voice dropped seductively.

That's it, that did it, all hell breaking loose, Zhu Yan immediately lifted his wife in his arms walking towards his chamber where there's a very soft and sturdy bed was waiting for them, so that his wife would be comfortable enough as their love making continued throughout the entire night, each learning more and more about each other's body, which touch would elicit a moan, which would elicit the gasps, what makes his beloved whine and which places would make his mate utterly and entirely lose his mind over. The sounds of their love drowned any other noises around the manor which only dimmed as the night sky slowly bled out.

The morning light woke Zhu Yan first, allowing him the most stunning view of his long lived life, his devastatingly beautiful wife sleeping with his head over Zhu Yan's chest. He could swore that his heart skipped its beats as he saw the slow trembles of those lashes fluttering against his pale cheeks, his demon marks had subsided now. Zhu Yan couldn't help it but leaned in to leave a soft kiss on his forever’s forehead, burning this memory in his soul. 

Zhu Yan found himself looking out the sky as the morning sun shining bright through the waves of clouds, reminiscing about how his life has been, they day his met his wife, the first time his eyes fell on those burning blue orbs, resonating with the blue shimmers of Cloud Light Sword he held in his hand, how their journey has depicted and everything has come into what it is today. Him going from wanting to die, being granted of that only wish to now, having his own little family, a mate he could spend his eternity with. Someone who'd protect the wilderness alongside.

•

•

•

The memories wandered into a particular setting, where everything had started. Something he will always remind closer to his heart. Something that would make the depiction of him be questioned. Everyone thinks that Zhu Yan, his demon part, was the only dark thing about him, while as his beloved tells him, in the end, both Zhu Yan and Zhao Yuanzhou were just two different names of the same person. Both were equally capable of doing things. 

Zhu Yan………. Zhao Yuanzhou, he always knew he wasn't a saint, but now he has done something that would prove that point, something he had to do at all cost. To make sure he gets what he has yearned for, for most of his long lived life, something he had eventually lost hope in. Those sparks had been re-ignited when he met his wife. So he made sure that the young commander would always be his. Made sure that he's his forever's only one. That as much as unethical it might sound to anyone, he made sure that the entire world knows that azure eyed hunter, the wilder of Cloud Light Sword was his and his alone.

~~~~~~~~

            FLASHBACK 

A week before the marriage. 

The room was large and generous, it had an ample amount of space, Each window was covered with vibration silk drapes and a heavy, sweet cedarwood incense was fragrant in the air leaving a crispness behind it.

    A glorious redwood bed was placed in the middle of the room, Adorned with gold, silver and jade accessories, the sheets were high end silk which looked heavy and warm enough to last the harshest winter china could offer and in there, a person was laying in looking like he's sleeping but his breathe hadn't even out yet.

" Tsk tsk.... Sovereign of the country yet got no good taste in tea " a voice came like a sweet melody breaking the silence in the room. 

The person on the bed woke up in a moment as if someone poured Cold water over his face. His face was shocked which he managed to hide quickly but not quick enough.

" Guards--"

" No use, they are all sleeping, I'm here just to talk with you, your majesty, no need to panic " 

Only then the king saw the face of the intruder, his shoulders broad and strong, back straight with heavy black and red robes decorated with silver and gold beads, his hair fallen to the ground while a portion of it was tied using a jade pin, the white streaks in the sides are now visible, giving him a looming presence. 

Da Yao 

" Da Yao? " The king asked if it was to just confirm the answer he already knows 

" Yes your majesty! " Zhu yan said in a voice that's full of indifference.

" Da Yao w-what are you doing in my chamber? May I know what's the purpose of this impromptu visit? " King's voice was uneasy, as if he's calculating everything around him

" I have a proposal for you"

" Proposal? What kind of proposal? " 

" Arrange a marriage between Commander Zhuo daren and I " Zhu yan said it with ease like it's just asking for the servant to fetch him a tea.

The king was silent for a minute, then another passed, Zhu yan turned his head to look at the king, he's thinking 

" Tell me Da Yao, what do I have to do with this ? Aren't you already living in the Demon hunting bureau, you are already accepted as their family and aren't you and zhuo daren already familiar with each other, from what I heard. " The king's voice pressed on the word familiar.

Zhu Yan casually took another sip of his tea, then looked at the king again. His face still looked soft and calm but the atmosphere in that was anything but calm.

" You are indeed correct your majesty, about everything, but you see Zhuo Daren is a very prideful man, he won't let anything occur that'll make the reputation of the Zhuo family or the Demon hunting bureau be questioned, him marrying me out of his own willingness would be talked, by both common people and the court officials "

" So you decided to come to the king's personal chamber and do what Da Yao, threaten me? Is commander zhuo aware of this? " 

" Of course not! Zhuo Daren has no idea of what's going on in here, I'm here on my own accord "

" Why do I have to help you Da Yao? "

" Because if you help me with this, I'll never touch your kingdom and would even offer protection to the throne when it's needed " 

" And if I refuse your kind offer? " The king asked, voice half mocking, already knowing what the answer might be.

" Then Tiandu will have a new King on her throne " Zhu yan replied as if it was the most natural thing to say. 

His eyes flashed crimson, dark smoke of red and black started to form around him, the malicious energy was buzzing and flowing, one wrong breath and it would lunge on him.

The king looked at him stuck, the panic is now evident in his face despite how much he tried to hide it, a realisation drawn onto him that the person before wasn't even a real person, he's the one that could erase the trace of the entire Tiandu if he feels like it and won't even break a sweat while doing it. He's the Great Demon who has seen Dynasties rise and fall. 

In front the king is really a nobody but a mere mortal, whose bones can be shattered with a single snap, whose blood could be frozen within the vein with one look. The weight of his position as a king , was really insignificant in the ordeal the Great Demon has planned.

Zhu Yan smiled as if he could hear the thoughts going on in his majesty's head, he knew he had made his point and by extension, he won.

Zhu Yan stood up from the tea table and started to walk towards the door, the king startled for a second but composed his body. When the Great Demon's figure was out of the door, the king exhaled a deep breath that he held. 

" Oh and the marriage should happen in 7 days " the voice almost made the king jump off from his bed. He turned only to look at the Great Demon's head peaking from the door with only his upper body visible. 

" In 7 days?! " The king asked, his voice still trembling slightly with the shock, " May I know the reason Da Yao? " 

" It's the most auspicious day of the month " Zhu yan replied as if it was the most obvious thing one could ever say.

The king blinked, once........ Twice, his mouth was agaped in the sheer shock of what he just heard. Auspicious? Really? 

Zhu yan doesn't care for the shocked look on the king's face, he did what he came here to do, it's time to return home. 

His home, the Demon haunting bureau.

His Xiao Zhuo will always be his home, his only home.