Zagonnas spent a month deliberating over the matter of changing positions, employing both gentle persuasion and firm insistence, even utilizing that bottle of sexual drug. Yet, Cendrarsa resolutely refused to concede.
In the end, Zagonnas relented, but with one condition: they must occasionally switch their positions. Fearing that he might harbour some dissatisfaction, Cendrarsa eventually agreed.
However, upon making the change, she discovered that Zagonnas, when viewed from above, looked even more enchanting than when he was below. Especially when his long hair fell in disarray and he furrowed his brow; in those moments, his expression mirrored that of a beguiling fox spirit from a classic tale.
This was no mere demon lord of the martial world; this was a captivating little devil who had ensnared her heart.
"My lord, let us never be apart," she murmured, resting her head against Zagonnas' chest, listening to his heart still racing from passion.
Zagonnas tightened his grip around her waist, maintaining an impassive exterior while his heart skipped a beat. In their previous life, their battle at the Demon-Slaying Conference had stemmed not only from the rivalry over the title of the world's greatest demon but also from personal vendettas.
Cendrarsa's former master, the previous leader of the Divine Poison Sect, had perished at the hands of Zagonnas' master, Randolph. Their sects were sworn enemies. Yet, unbeknownst to others, Zagonnas had only recently learned that Cendrarsa had poisoned Randolph. Zagonnas had vowed to personally avenge his master, and upon discovering that his adversary had not been slain by his own hand, he had lost all reason and fought Cendrarsa in a frenzy.
Reflecting on it now, he felt foolish; an enemy had perished, regardless of who dealt the final blow. Why had he let himself be consumed by madness over such a thing? Fortunately, fate had granted him a second chance at life.
Yet one undeniable truth remained unchanged: he was still a disciple of the Sword Sect, a student of Randolph. This identity would surely weigh on his wife's heart.
Noticing Zagonnas' prolonged silence, Cendrarsa began to feel uneasy. "My lord? Why do you not respond?"
"Huh? Silly girl, of course, we won't be apart. I want to spend my life with you," he replied, and as his words settled in the air, he used his strength to pull Cendrarsa beneath him.
Half the night had passed, and exhaustion was beginning to take its toll on Cendrarsa. With a mischievous grin, Zagonnas grasped her hand and pressed it against the pillow.
Cendrarsa had underestimated her husband's intentions. She anticipated waking the next morning to the village roosters crowing, but instead, a sudden cacophony of a gong erupted outside.
As seasoned practitioners of martial arts, both Zagonnas and Cendrarsa awakened instantly at the sound.
"What is happening? Is there trouble?" Cendrarsa inquired as she donned her clothes.
"I don't know; let me check," Zagonnas replied, and with that, he rolled out of bed and slipped on an outer robe before stepping outside.
To his astonishment, snow had begun to fall. As he stepped into the courtyard, he pushed open the gate to find villagers emerging from their homes. A man rode in on horseback, donned in a leather cap that gave him a distinctly bandit-like appearance, banging a gong and shouting.
"It's snowing! Time for offerings! If we want the mountain god to bless us, those with money should pay up, while those without should bring grain! Gather in front of the village chief's house, move quickly, the mountain god approaches!"
At that moment, Cendrarsa also stepped outside and stood beside Zagonnas, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"What is going on?"
"It seems there are bandits," he informed her.
"Bandits?" Cendrarsa echoed the word, her heart racing. The two most notorious villains in the martial world were, at that very moment, lurking right outside her door.
However, Cendrarsa had to maintain her composure. She quickly grasped Zagonnas' arm, concern etched upon her face. "Something terrible won't happen, will it?"
"Don't worry; I'm here," Zagonnas reassured her, patting her hand. Even though he could not reveal his true identity, he was still a man and her husband, and he felt a duty to protect her.
As time passed, more bandits entered the village. Zagonnas, Cendrarsa, and the other villagers were herded into an open space in front of the village chief's house. The villagers' faces were pale with fear as they faced the flamboyantly dressed bandits wielding large knives, each too intimidated to speak.
Once everyone—young and old—was gathered, a man with a thick beard stepped forward from among the bandits.
"Fellow villagers, it's snowing and winter has arrived. If you wish to celebrate the New Year peacefully, you'd best make offerings quickly. Our mountain god is very busy and has to visit another village soon."
"Mountain god, as you know, this year has been hard on us, and our grain harvest is poor. Would you show us some mercy and spare us this year?" the village chief trembled as he spoke, unable to meet the bandit's gaze.
Before he could finish, a bandit stepped forward and slapped the village chief across the face. The elderly chief, over seventy years old, teetered dangerously close to collapsing from the blow.
The men of the village, seeing their chief assaulted, felt a surge of anger and wanted to retaliate, but the glint of knives pressed against their throats rendered them silent.
Cendrarsa, her teeth clenched in fury, felt tears welling in her eyes. What nonsense was this mountain god? He was no more than a brash bandit who had yet to grow into his manhood.
With just a flick of her fingers, she could dispatch these ruffians. Yet as her bloodlust intensified, Zagonnas tightened his arm around her shoulders.
"Don't be afraid; it will be fine," he whispered in her ear, snapping her back to reality.
She was no longer merely Cendrarsa; she was a physician dedicated to healing. Even if it meant dealing with these scoundrels, she would have to do so quietly.
As she resolved to take action, a bandit carrying a burlap sack approached Zagonnas and Cendrarsa.
"Hey there, a new face in the village, wearing a long robe?"
"This good sir, please show some mercy. This is our village's teacher; he doesn't farm nor does he charge for lessons, so he has neither money nor grain. Please let him go," pleaded the village chief's wife, summoning her courage to speak on Zagonnas' behalf.
"A teacher? And what about this lovely lady?" the bandit leered, his greedy gaze fixated on Cendrarsa's exquisite features.
Cendrarsa, with her striking beauty and fair skin, stood out among the villagers, leaving the bandit utterly mesmerized.
"Wow! This young lady is truly a gem. Since the teacher has no money, we shall take her as an offering to our mountain god! She can serve as our bandit queen!"