Marrying the Soft-hearted Villain

Ruan Qiuqiu felt her consciousness completely sealed off. She thought the severed hand and death in her memory were just that—memories. She believed she simply couldn't return to reality for the time being.

However, in the eyes of Tian Ye and the others, Ruan Qiuqiu's condition was a completely different story.

Ever since their trade with Yue Chen, Ruan Qiuqiu had fallen into a coma with a persistent high fever.

At that time, Tian Ye and Tian Xiu discussed the situation. Tian Ye would stay and care for Ruan Qiuqiu, observing whether her fever would subside overnight.

Meanwhile, Tian Xiu would rush back to the Winter Bear Tribe to check on the situation.

If Yuan Jue truly was the previous Demon King, and the forbidden treasure mountain within the back mountain's barrier was his doing, then he should have awakened his memories earlier than Ruan Qiuqiu.

Tian Ye felt a sense of guilt. After learning about Yuan Jue and Ruan Qiuqiu's tragic past, her first reaction was relief.

She was relieved that Ruan Qiuqiu and Yuan Jue had already overcome such a past, and even more relieved that Mo Xi, who had seemed like an insurmountable mountain, now had the possibility of being defeated.

Even without his memories awakened, Yuan Jue was already so powerful. If he regained his memories and his original form, perhaps all their problems would be easily solved, and their Sand Tribe could finally take revenge.

Once the dust settled and Qiuqiu woke up safely, their lives could return to peace and stability.

This time, she would focus on cultivating the little eagles' ability to protect their home, and wouldn't be as passive and helpless as before.

Tian Ye had high hopes, but reality was far from ideal.

Not long after Tian Xiu left, the weather worsened, as if some terrifying creature was about to be born. At the same time, Ruan Qiuqiu's condition deteriorated.

By nightfall, Ruan Qiuqiu's fever intensified, forcing Tian Ye to continuously apply cold water to lower her temperature.

Later that night, Ruan Qiuqiu's body became burning hot, causing Tian Ye to panic.

Even for demonkind, a body temperature this high was abnormal, let alone for a human like Ruan Qiuqiu.

Even Yue Chen, who was usually calm and collected, believing that awakening memories was as simple as the records in the scrolls, became restless.

When even cold water could no longer control Ruan Qiuqiu's temperature, Yue Chen used the black ram horns on his forehead to channel a soft light, barely managing to stabilize her temperature.

Xiong Duoduo and Xiong Yuan, unable to help directly, braved the wind and rain to trade for food, striving to exchange all their supplies before dawn.

However, the weather was too severe, and the sky showed no signs of improvement the next morning.

Tian Xiu hadn't returned, and there was no news from the tribe. Ruan Qiuqiu's condition remained critical.

Yue Chen was struggling to maintain her temperature and was on the verge of giving up.

"Hold on for another hour. If your partner doesn't return, I'll give up," Yue Chen said helplessly.

Although he was interested in Ruan Qiuqiu's situation, it didn't mean he was willing to pay the price of losing his cultivation for her.

Tian Ye tried calling Ruan Qiuqiu's name, but the latter frowned, seemingly unaware.

Anxious, Tian Ye could only negotiate with Yue Chen to wait for another hour and a half. If Tian Xiu still hadn't returned by then, they would head back to the Winter Bear Tribe immediately.

Yue Chen reluctantly agreed.

Tian Ye had never felt an hour and a half stretch on for so long yet pass so quickly. Ruan Qiuqiu's condition worsened; not only was her body burning hot, but her breathing also grew faint.

Ruan Qiuqiu lay quietly on the stone bed, as if she had suffered a fatal blow. Her body became increasingly transparent, appearing extremely fragile.

"I'm about to collapse," Yue Chen said an hour later, his face pale, reluctant to continue maintaining Ruan Qiuqiu's temperature.

Tian Ye's expression was grim, while Xiong Duoduo and Xiong Yuan stamped their feet anxiously.

Fortunately, Yue Chen seemed to be merely complaining and didn't abandon them. Tian Ye breathed a sigh of relief. After another fifteen minutes, they finally saw a large eagle arrive, drenched in rain and bearing injuries.

Ignoring the water on its wings, the eagle rushed in, transformed into a human, and said hurriedly, "Yuan Jue hasn't come out, but the forbidden area in the back mountain has disappeared."

Upon hearing Tian Xiu's words, Tian Ye frowned. Before she could speak, Yue Chen exploded, "What do you mean? The forbidden treasure mountain disappeared?!"

Didn't that mean the information he had just paid a hefty price for was useless? This trip was practically for nothing.

Logically, Yue Chen knew that accidentally learning about Ruan Qiuqiu's relationship with the previous Demon King wasn't a complete loss, but emotionally, he still felt distressed about his precious items.

"I don't know if it completely disappeared…" Tian Xiu said, "When I returned, I saw the forbidden treasure mountain becoming transparent, and the surrounding space was distorted. It's likely it was transported somewhere else."

"I'm guessing, did he go directly to seek revenge?" Tian Xiu wiped the water from his face.

Tian Ye paused, finding this plausible.

If Yuan Jue truly was the previous Demon King and had awakened his memories in the forbidden treasure mountain, then to avoid causing casualties by fighting in the back mountain, it was indeed possible that he would directly lead the demon army to attack.

"Should we go back now, or wait here?" Xiong Duoduo, who hadn't had a chance to speak, asked anxiously.

Tian Ye hesitated, glancing at Yue Chen. The latter, with a wooden expression, said, "Fine, I'll go back with you."

Since the forbidden treasure mountain had disappeared, returning to the Winter Bear Tribe with Tian Ye and the others might reveal some information he wanted to know.

Not surprised, Tian Ye fed Ruan Qiuqiu some of the healing water beads she had left behind and quickly urged Xiong Duoduo and the others to pack their belongings for the return journey.

Because they had too much food and animal hides, they decided to carry them back in several trips.

Yue Chen, finding this inefficient, offered to carry everything for them, as long as they didn't worry about him hiding anything.

Xiong Duoduo and the others agreed without hesitation.

This, in turn, surprised Yue Chen. He had only made a casual offer.

Demons valued food greatly. No matter how powerful, they possessed a terrifying possessiveness over food. Unless they were exceptionally close, demons wouldn't entrust their food to each other. He had assumed the demon race was the same.

A strange feeling arose in Yue Chen's heart. Scratching his head, he resigned himself to helping them pack all the food into his storage pouch.

Tian Ye watched, slightly envious.

She specialized in spatial abilities, primarily focused on attack. However, if she reached the sixth rank, she could also utilize spatial principles to create storage space.

The group of demons and the demonkin wasted no time, hurrying back with Ruan Qiuqiu.

The weather on the road was terrible, and Ruan Qiuqiu's condition remained precarious. By the time they returned to the Winter Bear Tribe, it was already dusk the following day.

There was still no news of Yuan Jue. However, Qing Ruyi and Mo Bugui had already packed their bags, seemingly ready to leave at any moment.

Tian Ye quickly stopped them and explained the situation and the news to Qing Ruyi.

Grandma Ruyi looked at Yue Chen, who was hiding behind Tian Ye with a slightly apprehensive expression, and said in a peculiar tone, "Why did you bring Yue Chen's younger brother—the legendary great tonic of the Demon Realm—back with you?"

Hearing the term "great tonic," Yue Chen's three mouths almost popped out in excitement. He fiercely questioned Tian Ye, "Why didn't you tell me your tribe also had a high-ranking demon?"

He bared his teeth at Qing Ruyi. "I'm warning you, don't even think about eating me to supplement your half-demon body. I have a protective treasure my brother gave me. Even that evil demon Mo Xi can't do anything to me!"

Qing Ruyi's expression grew even more peculiar. She shook her head and chuckled, "Even if I wanted to fight you now, I wouldn't be able to defeat you."

Yue Chen smelled the faint demonic aura on her, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

He had a special constitution, unafraid of demonic energy, but inherently fearful of demonic qi. Fifth-rank demons posed a greater threat to him than sixth-rank demonkin. Moreover, his flesh and blood were a great supplement for demons, which was one reason why his brother didn't want him in the Demon Realm with the impending war.

Yue Chen blinked, looking at Qing Ruyi, gradually letting go of his wariness.

This demon in front of him was very old.

Not in terms of appearance, but in terms of her life force.

Like the unintelligent, aged demons in the Lower Demon Abyss, who lay listlessly on the ground, their spiked tails drooping lifelessly. Even though those demons were filled with the aura of decay, they always seemed content under the not-so-warm purple moon.

Their scent was just like Qing Ruyi's.

Ancient, wise, benevolent, and devoid of any threat.

Yue Chen closed his mouth, choosing silence.

After learning the full story, Qing Ruyi abandoned the idea of leaving with Mo Bugui. She sat by Ruan Qiuqiu's bedside, looking at her fever-flushed face, and refused the life-sustaining treasure Tian Ye offered.

Qing Ruyi gave a gentle smile. "Grandma doesn't need it. Give this good thing to Qiuqiu; she needs it more than I do."

She had no regrets. No matter what, she had formed a pact with Mo Ge and spent a happy time with him.

Moreover, her body could hold on for another ten days or so, while Ruan Qiuqiu's condition was far worse.

Seeing Qing Ruyi's insistence, Tian Ye didn't persuade her further. She put away the treasure containing powerful life force and stayed by Ruan Qiuqiu's side.

Time slowly passed, and the weather worsened. Heavy rain and blizzards continued relentlessly. Multicolored lightning flickered across the horizon, like a series of snakes, seemingly clamoring to devour everything.

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