Marrying the Soft-hearted Villain

Seeing the smile in Grandma Ruyi's eyes, and guessing that she had probably discovered some treasure in the back mountains of the Winter Bear Tribe, Ruan Qiuqiu tentatively asked, "Could it be… a spirit vein?"

Qing Ruyi couldn't help but chuckle. "My dear child, you have quite the imagination."

Ruan Qiuqiu: "…"

Qing Ruyi didn't keep her in suspense. "It's not a spirit vein, but the spiritual energy within the barrier is many times richer than outside, which is almost as good as having a spirit vein. Have you noticed how much younger Grandpa Mo looks? That barrier has played a part."

As Grandma Ruyi finished speaking, Ruan Qiuqiu followed her gaze to Mo Bugui, who was standing in front of the giant eagle.

The wrinkles on his face had indeed lessened, and his eyes looked brighter than before, faintly revealing the handsome features of his youth.

"Although the spiritual energy within the barrier will eventually be depleted, moving there sooner will allow you to grow stronger sooner." Qing Ruyi looked at Ruan Qiuqiu, a subtle gleam in her eyes.

Even if she hadn't explicitly stated it, Ruan Qiuqiu could guess her meaning. The Winter Bear Tribe was not only closer to the demon market but also had richer spiritual energy than their current location. Presumably, the bears of the tribe wouldn't be as indifferent as the Flame Wolf Tribe.

Although she felt some reluctance to leave this "home" where they had finally managed to improve their living conditions, Ruan Qiuqiu knew that moving there would be beneficial for both her and Mr. Big Gray Wolf.

Thinking this, Ruan Qiuqiu nodded. "I'll discuss it with Yuan Jue tonight."

Qing Ruyi tapped her brow with a fingertip. "…I've found a cave for you in the back mountains within the barrier. It's much larger than the one you live in now."

Grandma Ruyi paused, then looked at her with unusual seriousness. "Qiuqiu, I've given more thought to the gamble you mentioned last time."

Hearing Qing Ruyi bring this up, Ruan Qiuqiu's expression also turned serious. "Are we going to make a pact?"

Although Qing Ruyi currently held no ill will towards her and Mr. Big Gray Wolf and seemed unlikely to harm them, Ruan Qiuqiu hadn't forgotten her identity and initial purpose. Qing Ruyi was a demon on the verge of becoming a Demon King, sent to monitor them.

She was acting friendly now, but if she changed her mind, the situation would become extremely dangerous for her and Mr. Big Gray Wolf, who were still not powerful enough.

Therefore, a pact was necessary. Without a pact, neither side could fully trust the other.

"To be honest, I was still hesitant," Qing Ruyi admitted frankly. "I thought, since you're so stubborn, I could just knock you unconscious and send Yuan Jue to my master. By the time you woke up, everything would be settled."

Ruan Qiuqiu: "…"

Grandma Ruyi said this with a smile, but she sighed inwardly. "Don't worry, I'm joking."

She had truly thought that way before, but now she had no choice but to change her mind. On the night she escorted Ruan Qiuqiu back, she had briefly clashed with the unconscious wolf cub. At the time, she hadn't wanted to cause trouble and hadn't used her full strength, but even then, Yuan Jue's combat prowess was considerable.

Moreover, after just one night, by the time she had warned the Flame Wolf Tribe's shaman and rushed back to find Ruan Qiuqiu the next morning, the wolf cub had already stabilized after the mid-stage of demonification.

She had told Little Mint that he "bared his fangs at her the moment she approached, very ferocious." In reality, she had only appeared five meters from the cave entrance when Yuan Jue's tangible demonic flames had suddenly surged towards her.

The wolf cub was still not fully conscious. Qing Ruyi even noticed with a sliver of her demonic consciousness that he was tightly holding Ruan Qiuqiu, likely having a sad dream.

Yet, even in this state, Yuan Jue's combat power was far beyond that of a fourth-rank.

Given time and ample spiritual energy, she might not be able to defeat him at all.

Since she was already close to being unable to defeat him, how could she even consider capturing him and sending him back to the abyss?

Qing Ruyi even suspected that with such strong bloodline power, Yuan Jue might have been the child of a previous Demon King, lost in the outside world.

But regardless, she knew she couldn't capture Yuan Jue and return him to the abyss on her own.

Compared to planting a demonic gu within her and slaughtering many to deceive her master who had deceived her for many years, she was willing to gamble on Ruan Qiuqiu and Yuan Jue.

Qing Ruyi glanced at Mo Bugui from afar and smiled wistfully at Ruan Qiuqiu. "Unfortunately, Brother Mo said that if I did that, even if he survived, he would never forgive me."

As she spoke, Qing Ruyi lightly slit her wrist. Blood, not fresh in color, swirled in the air, condensing into an unfamiliar mark.

Mystical sounds emanated from her mouth. Ruan Qiuqiu saw strange characters flash before her eyes. When she came to her senses, a faint light flickered on her wrist. Qing Ruyi's one-sided oath had been formed.

The content of Grandma Ruyi's oath also appeared in her mind: From now on, Grandma Ruyi would not harm them and would even help them deceive her master.

However, in return, Ruan Qiuqiu must do her utmost to remove the demonic gu from Grandma Ruyi before the demon on the verge of becoming a Demon King discovered everything.

The price for both sides was also specified. The price of Grandma Ruyi's betrayal was her life.

The promise Ruan Qiuqiu had to make was that if the gu removal failed, she and Yuan Jue would immediately flee with Little Cat, Little Fish, and Little Mint.

After reading the entire oath, Ruan Qiuqiu was stunned. She had prepared herself to pay a heavy price, but she hadn't expected Grandma Ruyi to make such an oath. All she had to offer was a simple promise.

"Quickly, confirm with your blood." Meeting Ruan Qiuqiu's surprised gaze, Qing Ruyi changed the subject. "I'm not sure how long I can help you conceal things, but at most, no more than three months."

Warm sunlight filtered through the clouds and fell into Qing Ruyi's light brown eyes. She smiled and turned to look at Ruan Qiuqiu. "If you think I'm good, then focus on cultivating and becoming stronger. Didn't you say you wanted me to gamble on your and Yuan Jue's future?"

Looking into her eyes, Ruan Qiuqiu's heart gradually settled on a decision. She wasn't one to be overly sentimental. Seeing that Grandma Ruyi had made up her mind, she simply etched her kindness in her heart, took a deep breath, and resolutely cut her palm.

Blood dripped onto the pact, and the oath was established.

…

Seeing that the last of Grandpa Mo's belongings had been moved out of the cave, the giant eagle Tian Xiu, who had finally finished his work, caught sight of Ruan Qiuqiu, who had just finished talking with Grandma Ruyi, standing not far behind him. He suddenly slapped his head. He finally remembered—wasn't this little human the wife of that big gray wolf?

The last time he delivered things to Yuan Jue, under the pressure of the wolf's aura, he hadn't even gotten a clear look at Ruan Qiuqiu's face.

Now that he had encountered her, the question was, should he inquire about his "friend's" injuries?

While the eagle hesitated, Ruan Qiuqiu noticed him looking at her and greeted him with a smile, "Tian Xiu."

Tian Xiu: "…"

Little Mint, who was helping to move things, chimed in, "Sister Qiuqiu, you know Big Brother Sand Eagle?"

Ruan Qiuqiu: "…" Big Brother Sand Eagle? Hold back, hold back. This is one of Mr. Big Gray Wolf's few friends. Can't laugh, can't laugh.

"He's a friend of my husband," Ruan Qiuqiu explained to Little Mint, suppressing her laughter. Then, looking at Tian Xiu, she asked with slight confusion, "Why hasn't Brother Eagle returned to your tribe?"

Tian Xiu: "I encountered two bear dummies in the forest earlier, and I wanted to help them…"

He trailed off, unable to continue, and sighed.

Grandpa Mo, who was usually quiet, unexpectedly spoke up, explaining the situation of the Winter Bear Tribe.

After listening, Ruan Qiuqiu pondered for a moment and said, "I still have some extra medicinal herbs at home. Why don't one of you come back with me to get some later?"

Now that Mr. Big Gray Wolf was out of danger, and based on Ruan Qiuqiu's observations, the ordinary, low-spiritual-energy herbs at home weren't helping his injuries anymore. She still had five or six herbs left, which she could let Grandma Ruyi and the others take back with them.

The giant eagle was taken aback. "…Is that alright?"

In the past, anyone who dared to touch anything belonging to Yuan Jue, the leader of the Flame Wolf Tribe, would be courting death.

"It's fine, he won't mind," Ruan Qiuqiu said with a smile, as if she was certain, and so the giant eagle believed her.

As evening approached, Grandma Ruyi took Little Mint and Grandpa Mo back to the Winter Bear Tribe with the herbs and some of the healing water droplets Ruan Qiuqiu had consciously saved over the past few days. Tian Xiu stayed behind to accompany Ruan Qiuqiu back to the cave to retrieve the remaining herbs.

Ruan Qiuqiu pushed the simple "wheelchair" made of willow branches by Grandma Ruyi. Behind her followed a red eagle who, for some reason, insisted on staying in his original form. They slowly made their way home.

Remembering the little eagle from the memory world who had caused Mr. Little Gray Wolf to be chased by the Red Eagle Tribe, Ruan Qiuqiu smiled "kindly" and said to him, "I wonder if your wife knows about your childhood dream, Brother Tian Xiu?"

The giant eagle: "…"

The giant eagle: "…Goo! (Probably not.)"

"Then if I have the chance to meet her next time, I must tell her all about it," Ruan Qiuqiu replied, only then realizing that she could understand the demon language.

"Goo! Goo-wah—! … Wah… (No! Don't tell her! When I was little, I only wanted to swim better than her because I couldn't fly as well as her… Wait, how can you understand me?)"

Tian Xiu was so shocked that he spread his wings wide, creating a slightly terrifying aura of impending attack from afar.

He had taken his demon form precisely because he didn't want to talk too much with Ruan Qiuqiu, fearing that the possessive wolf would pluck his feathers if he saw them talking.

Ruan Qiuqiu touched the round bead on her neck, guessing that it was probably due to the memory world. Without revealing anything on her face, she simply smiled. "Maybe I suddenly understand."

They soon arrived near the cave. Before Tian Xiu could recover from his shock, he was nearly frightened to death by the red figure that had been waiting at the entrance for who knows how long. Mr. Big Gray Wolf was waiting by the entrance, his wide, pale right hand gripping a wooden stick Ruan Qiuqiu had left for him to support himself. Half of his body was hidden in the shadows, but his slender and tall figure was faintly discernible.

He had once again donned the bright red wedding robe. His black hair hung loose, a red string with a red bead tied around his neck. His face was pale and handsome, his scarlet eyes faintly sweeping towards them. Combined with the ferocious-looking scar on his face, he looked like a demon in Ruan Qiuqiu's human eyes.

But in the giant eagle's eyes, he was more terrifying than any demon.

"Goo!" Tian Xiu couldn't help but let out a pathetic cry, covering his head with his wings in fear.

Even though he had grown into a large eagle, the memories of being beaten as a little eagle were still vivid.

Ruan Qiuqiu didn't expect the eagle to be so afraid. She didn't intend to make things difficult for him and planned to let Tian Xiu wait at the entrance.

But as she took two steps forward, Tian Xiu timidly followed. In the eagle's judgment, the wolf only acted differently around Ruan Qiuqiu. Staying by her side might be the safest option.

Ruan Qiuqiu: "…" She didn't quite understand the sand eagle's thoughts and simply ignored him.

She pushed the "wheelchair" forward a few steps, surprised that Mr. Big Gray Wolf was waiting outside. If he was awake, why hadn't he used the spirit communication pearl to contact her?

Ruan Qiuqiu wasn't sure if Yuan Jue in his current state was fully conscious or still somewhat confused.

She pushed the "wheelchair" forward a few more steps. Before she reached the cave entrance, the wolf moved.

His movements were as swift as the night before. Despite his left leg being missing below the knee, he quickly reached her side.

"Why are you waiting outside?" Ruan Qiuqiu couldn't help but ask.

The wolf's eyes darkened. He lifted a hand and brushed it across her eyelashes, narrowing his eyes, his voice deep, "Ao wu… (Wife…)"

Thinking that his little wife wouldn't understand his wolf language after leaving the memory world, a certain wolf took advantage of her late return and shamelessly pretended to be completely unconscious, acting spoiled.

Ruan Qiuqiu: "…" She never imagined she would hear the word "wife" from Mr. Big Gray Wolf's mouth in this way.

Yuan Jue's voice was hoarse, as if he had suffered a great injustice, but his tone carried a subtle gritting of teeth. "Ao… Ao wu… (You came back so late, just to be with this eagle?)"

Ruan Qiuqiu: "…………"

Tian Xiu: "……………"

ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ

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