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--- Chapter 263 ---
Annoyed.
Bitter.
That's what Huan Caiyi feels right now.
After offering to escort Yu Long to the Demon Imperial City, Huan Caiyi thought she would be alone with him on their 'romantic' journey.
But who would think her 'fiance' would bring a woman along?
Huan Caiyi couldn't even criticize Yu Long because she was the one who said she didn't mind him having multiple women or a harem. She fell into the hole that she dug herself.
She has never felt so dumb before.
'What am I even thinking?' Huan Caiyi thought, taking a peek at the calm Yu Long. The wind blew his hair gently and made him look particularly handsome.
Yet from the corner of Huan Caiyi's eyes, she could see a snowy white-haired woman in a blue-white robe.
Even though Little Demon Empress was an unrivaled beauty, especially in the Illusory Demon Realm, she had to admit that this woman possessed a rare charm of pure snowy days.
Of course, beauty is subjective.
And Huan Caiyi would never admit that other women were more charming than her verbally. It is her pride as an empress.
'I think her name is Chu Yuechan... Was it? Her appearance aside, she has strength that exceeds mine, which is more important in this world.' Huan Caiyi fell into deep thought.
Yes, beauty is secondary.
Power comes first.
That's a 'basic' mindset that Huan Caiyi has after living in this world for so long. However, she took it even further after the death of the Little Demon Emperor and Demon Emperor.
She knew when she must retreat or take a step forward.
"Is there something in my face?" Chu Yuechan opened her calm blue eyes slightly and glanced at Huan Caiyi.
Huan Caiyi smiled, "Hmm, nothing. I'm just wondering how long you have been on Yu Long's side."
Chu Yuechan was stunned by her question. She has been on Yu Long's side for less than six months. Regarding closeness, she couldn't stay a candle to Xia Qingyue or Cang Yue.
However, those six months are precious to Chu Yuechan.
Those experiences are worth more than nearly her whole life.
Chu Yuechan even thought she had suffered more in her past life to be this lucky.
So, when Huan Caiyi asked, Chu Yuechan daydreamed briefly before answering, "I've been on Master's side long enough to know him."
"It just kind of happened..."
"Like fate is connecting us."
"Fate, huh?" Huan Caiyi didn't expect Chu Yuechan to believe in such a thing. Still, she found it appropriate because being close to a man like Yu Long is fated indeed.
"We are about to reach Demon Imperial City's territory." A yawn greeted them from below.
Huan Caiyi gazed down at the green feather creature she sat on and finally remembered that Yu Long had brought one more person on this journey.
It was the Heavenly King of Tempest.
Well, calling her a person isn't accurate.
After all, this green bird is just a mere ride for Yu Long.
Yes, that's right. Huan Caiyi nodded to herself, thinking her vision was correct.
'There is no way a carrier bird could compete with me.' Huan Caiyi thought to herself. Funnily enough, Huan Caiyi failed to realize that she was part bird due to the Golden Crow's bloodline in her body.
"Say... Little Demon Empress, if I'm not wrong, there would be a ceremony soon, no?" Yu Long suddenly asked.
"Hmm? There is one." Huan Caiyi replied with a complex tone. Her face is stone-cold, though. "It's called the Hundred Year Reign Ceremony, where all the major factions in the Illusory Demon Realm gather in the Demon Imperial City and celebrate one hundred years of rule by the Demon Emperor."
"In this case, they will celebrate my reign as Little Demon Empress."
She stared ahead at the familiar landscape, "Yes, the incoming ceremony will be an event of grinding stones between my factions and Duke Huai."
"I'm sure you know already, but the Duke Huai Faction is relentless against me. They wanted to replace me with Duke Ming, Duke Huai's father."
"They are ambitious." Chu Yuechan couldn't help but comment.
Huan Caiyi chuckled coldly, "Oh, you have no idea. They are like a bunch of hyenas, waiting for me to fall and tear me apart."
"But you wouldn't let that happen, right? Yu Long?" She cast a coy smile at Yu Long.
Yu Long raised his hand and replied, "I will do my best."
"Still, you must be careful of Duke Ming."
"He's a scheming old fox."
"I know." Huan Caiyi nodded in understanding.
She and Yun Canghai have prepared traps for Duke Huai Faction and will use them in the upcoming ceremony. The Duke Huai Faction would try to criticize her for not having the Demon Emperor's seal.
Unfortunately for them, Yun Canghai is still alive and kicking well.
That's why Yun Canghai and Yun Che didn't go along with them on this trip. They used another route to reach Demon Imperial City.
Tempest flapped her wings and rose above the mountain range, allowing sunlight to glimmer near the wind barrier she put.
Yu Long looked ahead and mumbled, "Beautiful city."
Not far away, a massive city stood and was 'thoroughly' surrounded by purplish-dark walls.
One might think such walls will make the city gloomy, but the architecture and buildings inside create a beautiful contrast, like a city in a dark crescent moon.
On top of that, Yu Long also sensed ancient arrays protecting the city from external influences.
His sense expanded, watching the people in the Demon Imperial City live along quite well. There is a sense of tension, but all races seem to live adeptly with each other.
Chu Yuechan also gazed forward and opened her mouth in awe. Such a sight would never happen in the Profound Sky City.
After all, this peace among races could only happen after thousands of years.
'There is still infighting among humans, so I can't imagine them living along with other races this peacefully.' Chu Yuechan thought.
'Maybe in the future...'
'When Hubby unified all lands and became the Emperor...'
Chu Yuechan believed Yu Long could do it.
As they approached the city, Huan Caiyi jumped from Tempest's back and said, "Follow me."
"From now on, we will enter the Demon Imperial City from a secret passage."
Yu Long and others nodded, and even Tempest transformed into her humanoid form.
They followed Huan Caiyi to the nearby lake, watching her part of the lake and revealing an underwater cave.
"Come in, the water won't make you wet." She said while diving into the underwater cave.
"But the water is wet?" Tempest tilted her head in confusion.
"Right?"
"RIGHT?" She watched Yu Long and Chu Yuechan enter the underwater cave as well.
"Ugh, forget it."
Tempest dislikes swimming because, well, she's a bird.
There is nothing she could do in this situation, though.
She dived into the underwater cave and found the water inside allowed her to breathe instead of filling her lungs.
She swam freely with a smile, chasing after Yu Long.
At the end of the cave, they come to the surface and are 'suddenly' greeted by a well-lit cave with an ancient stone door.
Yu Long observed the cave, "We swam around fifteen to twenty meters."
"We couldn't possibly reach the city with such distance."
Huan Caiyi walked to the ancient stone door, "You're right."
"The water we dived earlier is actually enchanted."
"Enchanted?" They stared at her.
Huan Caiyi knocked on the door, "Yes, enchanted with space attributes."
"Simply put, by swimming, we shorten the distance by several miles."
"Oh, we are also untraceable. So Duke Huai can't detect our arrival."
"Your family possess such a secret?" Yu Long was surprised this time.
"Enchanting water with space attributes..."
Huan Caiyi's eyes lit up as this might be her chance. "Do you want to learn?"
"Yes." Yu Long was curious.
"But you should call me Caiyi from now on." Huan Caiyi put on a faint smirk. "Yi'er, also fine."
"..." Chu Yuechan.
"..." Tempest.
As expected of Little Demon Empress, she's sly.
Yu Long chuckled helplessly, "You got me good. Good game, Little Demon Empress. Good game."
"Very well, I will call you Caiyi from now on."
Huan Caiyi's smirk widened into a smile, "Yes, Yu Long."
"We are one step closer now."