Celebration And Revelations
Zhuo Yixuan rested in the arms of his soulmate, Li Lun, their lips just moments away from meeting again, when an unfamiliar sensation stirred deep within him. It wasn't unpleasant—more like a subtle tug at the bond he shared with his brother, one that Nuwa had highlighted for him to be fully aware of it.
"Xuan... what is it?" Li Lun's voice was soft, his stunning face shadowed with a hint of concern as he gazed down at him. But Yixuan only gave his hand a gentle squeeze, reassuring him, before shutting his eyes to respond to Nuwa's call on their connection.
A hazy vision formed in his mind. He could just make out his brother and Zhu Yan, both kneeling before an older version of Zhu Yan—there was no mistaking it, this was Ying Long. The scene was breathtaking: a field of colorful wildflowers, a stunning view of the cosmos, a beautiful house, and Ying Long blessing the couple kneeling at his feet, which was unmistakably the feeling of a wedding. To Yixuan's surprise, his little brother was actually getting married within Zhu Yan's protective barrier.
"You can send them your blessings, Zhuo Yixuan..." Nuwa whispered into his mind, and he extended his hand toward the mirror-like bubble that hid them, and a golden sphere of energy hovered for a moment over his palm before Yixuan released it, and a golden dragon manifested in its full glory and flew toward the barrier, crossing it.
Around them, others watched in awe as a radiant golden dragon suddenly manifested, its appearance commanding attention. Even Li Lun looked stunned. Yet Yixuan remained calm, quietly conveying through their shared mental link that Yichen had decided to marry Zhu Yan inside their enchanted bubble, and he was only sending his heartfelt blessing to his brother.
"So, he actually went for it. I can't believe he caved in so quickly. Xiao Yi, you're such a thoughtful big brother for sending him your blessings when he didn't even bother inviting you to his wedding," Wen Xiao teased in their mental link, making Yichen flash a grin.
"My brother's just like me. Apparently, we've got not only the same blood but also the same way of handling things. I don't mind Yichen marrying in secret on an impulse. I did the same thing, after all..." Yixuan's words hung in the air, crackling with implications like a brewing storm. Then, chaos erupted in their mental link, everyone chiming in at once.
"Wait, what?!" Bai Jiu shrieked.
"You got married too?" Ying Lei asked, a hint of shock in his tone.
"When did that even happen?" Pei Sijing's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Ah, so that's why your relationship with Li Lun took such a sweet turn..." Wen Xiao grinned, clearly enjoying the drama.
"Li Lun, you've outpaced Zhu Yan; I'm genuinely impressed. I never imagined it from you," Yun Guang chuckled, amusement lacing his words.
"Does Yichen know?" Pei Siheng asked, casually leaning into the chaos.
"No, he's unaware of it—not by choice, but because too many things were unfolding all at once, leaving me without a suitable moment to break the news. I haven't yet told him that his brother got married in a deeply emotional bonding moment. And honestly, I could never fault my Didi for having his special moment, especially since I did the same thing first." Yixuan explained.
"Congratulations, Zhuo Yixuan, and to you as well, Li Lun! It seems you've managed to bring your husband to your own place before even asking for his hand from his family. No wonder you carried him into the lair in such a dramatic, bridal style." Yun Guang was clearly enjoying himself immensely.
"Enough of your nonsense, you meddling spirit. This is none of your concern," Li Lun retorted sharply, though Yun Guang only laughed harder. Yixuan let out a soft sigh, throwing an apologetic look at his husband for the unexpected chaos he unlashed.
"Sijing, what do you think? Should we jump on the wedding wagon ride too? The vibes are definitely right," Wen Xiao teased, flashing a playful grin.
"Bia Jiu..." Ying Lei started, clearly ready to echo the idea, but his boyfriend's face turned a vivid crimson as he interrupted with a dramatic protest.
"Hell noooo!" His outburst only served to send everyone into fits of laughter, including Ying Lei himself, who found his flustered boyfriend's embarrassment adorable.
"Well, if nothing else, you two blood brothers sure are flash husbands," Siheng declared, a smirk dancing on his lips.
"Ying Lei, how about we make some banquet preparations for our Zhuo brothers? We're practically family, after all," Wen Xiao suggested, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Xuan... this is exactly why outsiders shouldn't learn about private affairs." Li Lun rubbed his forehead, feeling a coming headache.
"My apologies... I just couldn't help it." Of course, there was no way Yixuan would let Wen Xiao or anyone else throw shade at Yichen for being an ungrateful brother, Li Lun mused, bracing himself for more human chaos.
As the humans returned to the house, with the help of Li Lun's demonic power, they went into a frenzy of preparations, the feast, the decorations, and the atmosphere changing into something worthy of a festival's excitement.
Li Lun watched all unfold, heard their laughing, saw their smiles, and felt their joy. Yixuan was having such a good time helping the others, even when Wen Xiao or Bai Jiu occasionally made him sit by his side, because he was as much of a groom as Yichen was. And although parties were not his thing, he was glad to accept it for him, because it was something Yixuan deserved and needed.
Meanwhile, as chaos unfolded inside the house, still in one corner that the others ignored, immersed in their own festivities, Yu She and Du Wu delved deep into their cultivation, fully absorbed in the powerful energy enveloping them.
For Yu She, cultivating under Zhu Yan's protection was beyond anything he could have ever imagined, but the sheer amount of energy concentrated within that house was overwhelming. Everyone was aware that Zhu Yan was on the brink of becoming a demon god, just a step away from crossing that final threshold. However, Yu She couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, he had already crossed that threshold without even noticing.
He had spent countless centuries honing his craft, yet even during his time in the human world before the war, he had never encountered a source of energy as pure and inexhaustible as the one he had now. It was unprecedented, and its influence was transforming his demonic energy, making it significantly more potent.
Controlling demonic energy was never easy—its corrupting nature could overwhelm the mind and twist one's will, as many demons had fatally learned the hard way. But the energy he and Du Wu were cultivating stood apart. It lacked the oppressive malice typical of what they got before. Instead, it purified their meridians, freeing them of the taint while simultaneously expanding their capacity. This rapid growth not only amplified their strength in a remarkably short span but also granted them sharper, more stable control over their powers.
He felt a rush of realization wash over him, as if he had wasted so much time before. A twinge of shame crept in for not understanding that this was Ying Long's vision for them when he crafted the demon world. If Cheng Huang hadn't launched that attack on Nuwa, disrupting her efforts to seal the demons away from the corrupting influence of the human world, all demons would have thrived on Ying Long's purer energy—energy that would have far surpassed what they had before the war.
His cultivation surged so dramatically that he might not even need to keep it up until morning as he had planned. He realized he didn't have to hit peak level anymore; his meridians had already adjusted to fully harness the fruits of his hard work in evolving his core. He was on the brink of manifesting all nine heads of his true form, and he sensed the same excitement in Du Wu.
They definitely owed Zhu Yan and his crew whatever they asked for now. He had always planned to take his revenge on Huan Jing, and nothing would stop him from taking down that wicked fox demon. Meeting a more tamed Zhu Yan felt like fate, and gaining access to his creation powers was just an added bonus.
He struggled to grasp Zhu Yan's real motives for crossing the gate. Yet, with Zhu Yan stepping in to help him and Du Wu, freeing them and boosting their skills, he felt there was no reason to hold back his support. He knew all too well that if Zhu Yan wanted them gone, it would be a breeze, since the same power that creates can just as easily destroy. That was exactly why the majority of the demons held such a deep fear of Zhu Yan.
However, as he finished his cultivation and stepped beyond the barrier, what he found was a lively scene unfolded before him. The crowd of humans moved around, with Li Lun stood out in an eye-catching red outfit, though a flicker of annoyance danced across his face. The atmosphere felt festive, with a long table overflowing with an array of delicious dishes, bright red decorations the humans were placing all around, and glowing lanterns casting a warm light over the cheerful conversations. Yet, amidst the celebration, Zhu Yan and his lover seemed to be missing.
"Isn't it a bit early for you humans to be throwing a victory party? Trust me, you haven't faced the rest of the Huan Jing demons yet, and they're way stronger than Zhi Ren or Luse Zhimei. Li Lun, you usually don't show off like this," Yu She grumbled, his gaze fixed on the humans.
"Believe me, it's not what you think," Li Lun muttered, sulking, while Yixuan smiled beside him, both of them clad out in red.
"Oh really? Then why the sudden celebration?" Yu She's curiosity was piqued.
"I'm so glad you asked! We're actually celebrating two weddings tonight. One is that of Li Lun and Zhuo Yixuan—whom, although they wed according to an ancient demon way while in the human realm, we never had the chance to properly congratulate—and, of course, the union that has just taken place between Zhu Yan and Zhuo Yichen," She explained.
"So, this celebration isn't about winning or losing, Naga demon Yu She—it's all about honoring their love bonds with friends. Would you like to join us? You and Du Wu have been together for a long time, right? Thus, it might be the perfect opportunity to celebrate your union alongside ours." Wen Xiao's voice was brimming with joy as he spoke.
"This is how humans are, especially women," Li Lun said, glancing at Wen Xiao who grinned back at him.
"Just sit back and enjoy the wine," Li Lun suggested. Yu She, not knowing what else to do, followed the advice and took a drink, just as Zhu Yan and his young husband arrived, returning from their barrier in the lake to join the gathering.
"Ah, Xiao Zhuo! Huge congratulations on your wedding!" Wen Xiao called out the moment she spotted them, while Yichen stared at his husband, a mix of confusion and surprise on his face.
"Wen Xiao, how did you find out? We kind of decided on a whim, and I never..." Yichen's words faded as the realization hit him.
Of course, she knew. How could he have forgotten about his brother's blessing? For a brief moment, it had slipped his mind. Yichen's eyes shifted to his brother, seated beside Li Lun, dressed in a striking red outfit—an unusual choice since his brother had never worn red before. But that detail seemed insignificant now. The real problem was Yichen's own lack of consideration toward his brother.
"Ge, I'm really sorry. I know you found out in the middle of our ceremony... I didn't mean to keep it from you, I just..." Yixuan stood up and walked over to his brother, wrapping him in a warm hug.
"Didi, you really don't need to say sorry to me. I should be the one apologizing. Honestly, I have to admit that I took that step before you did. I didn't mean to keep it from you, but, as you know, getting involved with a demon can catch you off guard. Li Lun and I connected so deeply that it just happened between us. There was no ceremony." Yixuan whispered to his brother, still holding him close.
"Ah, I see... You two got so close all of a sudden. I get it now. I'm really happy for you, Ge. I know you've felt lonely for a while. You deserve all the happiness of the world, even more than me. I just hope he knows how to appreciate you... because everyone who dares break my beloved brother's heart will answer to me." Yichen's sharp gaze landed on Li Lun, who seemed to challenge him with a look, as if daring him to doubt it. Yixuan smiled, feeling a warmth in the moment.
"He knows, so no need to be as dramatic as your husband or worry. I'm genuinely happy for you, Yichen. Now that we're both married, let's have a proper celebration. Come on..." Yixuan released his brother but grabbed his hand, leading him to the table loaded with all the delicious dishes Ying Lei and Wen Xiao prepared for the special occasion.
"Hey, brother-in-law, don't just snatch my groom away from me..." Zhu Yan pouted as Bai Jiu nudged him aside, causing him to fall down in the seat next to Li Lun, who was tempted to laugh at the sight.
"Did that little brat really just toss me aside like I'm no longer the most powerful demon the humans have ever faced?" Zhu Yan sat there, speechless, looking at the humans congratulate his husband, while Li Lun burst into laughter this time.
"It looks like you've lost your edge, and that kid is getting braver. But honestly, you brought this on yourself. You steal away his big brother so suddenly, and you know how much that kid looks up to your Baobei," Li Lun remarked.
"I didn't steal him; I married him. There's a difference," Zhu Yan sighed, a hint of frustration in his voice.
"Good luck explaining that distinction to the kid. Anyway, speaking of changes, you seem genuinely happy. Congratulations. After watching over humanity for so long, you've finally gotten your reward for real. Still, we can't let our guard down just yet. I have a bad feeling about all this peace and celebration vibe. Huan Jing and his demons don't concern me that much, but something about the atmosphere outside your barrier feels ominous, as though it's waiting for blood to be spilled," Li Lun said, his voice tinged with unease. Zhu Yan nodded solemnly. He had felt it too—not that he failed to notice—but the threat wasn't immediate. And for now, that was enough.
"Seriously, you have no clue who's behind Huan Jing? I get that you usually stay out of other demons' business, but you must have caught wind of something strange," Zhu Yan pressed, while Li Lun turned his gaze toward the window, focusing on the lake.
"I've seen plenty of changes, and I warned you about them, remember? But I can't pinpoint just one great demon. If it were that clear, we wouldn't be stuck guessing," Li Lun said, and Zhu Yan turned his attention toward the shimmering lake as his mind wandered in thoughts, which were soon obscured by Yun Guang stepping into view.
"The two of you, come with me... Zhu Yan, keep the others focused only on the celebration. The demon can join us too." Yun Guang's voice was low, barely audible to anyone but Zhu Yan, Li Lun, and Yu She.
Trusting that Yun Guang wouldn't make such a request without a good reason, Zhu Yan quietly muttered a harmless one-word spell, causing the humans to temporarily forget about their absence as they laughed, feasted, drank, and enjoyed the wedding festivities, blissfully unaware that two of the grooms were missing. Not that anyone had been focused on them to begin with.
As Zhu Yan's spell wrapped around the humans, the three of them trailed behind Yun Guang, making their way outside the house to the top of the long staircase. After the fight, Zhu Yan's barrier flickered with a red glow now and then, resembling a delicate thin dome of crimson water, while the stars above the lake sparkled even brighter.
"Yun Guang, it's pretty rude to snatch a groom away from his own wedding party. I cherish seeing my Baobei so jubilant, so what's going on?" Zhu Yan remarked, breaking the sudden silence. Yun Guang offered a subtle smile while glancing back into the house.
"I brought you here precisely to preserve the magical atmosphere inside. While you two were lost in your wedding bliss, I took a moment to step away from the human chaos preparing for the celebration. That's when I noticed something unusual happening outside the barrier, both on the ground and in the sky." Yun Guang gestured towards the stars, prompting Li Lun and Yu She to look up, but Zhu Yan's gaze delved deeper into the lake instead.
"Malicious energy is coming from somewhere in the distance," Li Lun, still keeping his gaze fixed beyond the barrier, spoke up. "I've sensed it too. After all, this is my domain. But how is that connected to the sky as well?"
"Indeed how?" Yu She nods in agreement, though he is unsure what response is expected of him.
"You're looking in the wrong direction," Zhu Yan intervenes, correcting their line of sight as he points towards the lake, where he has spotted the same phenomenon that has caught Yun Guang's attention.
The group's collective gaze follows his direction, and they behold the serene water's surface, which reflects not the twinkling stars above, but the undulating figure of a beast shining with an ethereal glow, like a white ghost hovering over the dark water.
As they stand there, transfixed by the spectacle, Yu She poses a question, his voice filled with awe: "Is that a Qilin? Are the stars revealing to us that a heavenly beast is trapped in the demon world?" His eyes remain glued to the majestic creature, that looked like a tiger with wings, its beauty and majesty leaving him breathless.
"Since you're younger than the rest of us, I can't blame you for mistaking that for a Qilin. To someone who have never had the privilege of laying eyes on a real Qilin and only knows it takes the shape of more than one beast, the resemblance can be misleading. But that's not a heavenly beast." Zhu Yan corrected the younger demon, who turned to him with a look of surprise etched on his face.
Zhu Yan's words trailed off, leaving him wondering, and Yu She urged him to continue, "Then, what is it?" his voice laced with annoyance at the dramatic pause.
Li Lun took over, his voice weaving a tale of mystery and intrigue, "It is, in fact, the true form of one of the great demons, a fiend of unrelenting terror in human legends, known in the demon world as Qiongqi, a name that you should be familiar with." As Li Lun finished his explanation, Yu She's eyes widened in astonishment, his gaze frozen in a mixture of fear and awe.
As Yu She struggled to comprehend the revelation, he demanded to know how such a thing could be possible, his shock and incredulity palpable as he asked, "How can that be?! Didn't the gods vanquish him in the war, striking down the other three alongside him?" The weight of his words hung in the air, and Zhu Yan, Li Lun, and Yun Guang exchanged a knowing glance, their faces reflecting the profound implications of this discovery.
"We assumed that the gods had killed them, for they were never seen again after the war. Witnesses had indeed testified to the killing of Taotie and Taowu, but Hundun, better known as Chaos, had not been fully annihilated, and the existence of demons like the Black Calamity served as a testament to this fact. For he was born from the remnants of Chaos. It was likely that a similar fate had befallen Qiongqi." Zhu Yan paused in thought for a moment before resuming.
"He may have been mortally wounded, mistaken for dead, when in reality he had survived by consuming the malicious energy saturating the world. And when my father created the demon world, Qiongqi seized the opportunity to recover, exploiting the same dark arts that Huan Jing had employed, and nursing his strength back over the centuries. This is my father's warning, another wedding gift, so we can prepare for what we are trully up against." Zhu Yan warned them, yet regardless of who their adversary might be, retreat was not an option for any of them. Not that they need it to do so.
"Given that the three of you are strong enough to confront Qiongqi even at his peak, allow me to propose a deal. Du Wu and I will handle Huan Jing ourselves when he shows up. After all, it's our grudge to settle, and thanks to the cultivation energy you've shared, we're now strong enough to ensure it happens. As for the other demons still in the mix, we have some useful information about them that could prove useful. What do you think?" Yu She smirked inwardly, enjoying the thought of betraying Huan Jing's trusted allies—after all, they too deserved what was coming their way. Zhu Yan laughed with satisfaction, his hand playfully resting on Yu She's shoulder.
"I always knew you two would prove useful. Since you're so eager to betray your former comrades, how about we grab some wine and share those intriguing tales? You see, I can't stay away from my Baobei for too long. He looks absolutely dashing when he smiles, and right now, he is practically glowing in happiness. I hope you're ready for a human feast. Honestly, it's quite delightful, and the wine is divine—don't even get me started on the fruits, they're irresistible... So come on, we have a party to crash into and get drunk until morning!" Zhu Yan declared, practically dragging the demon along, while Li Lun and Yun Guang exchanged amused glances.
They recognized this as his unmistakable unique approach to easing the tension of an unexpected ssituation while still addressing the problem wrapped in humor.
AN: Since the poll from the last chapter shifted so much over the days, I decided it would be best to write all the options at once. This way, those interested in the plot can skip the "honey" chapter without missing any critical details from the main storyline, while those seeking a bit more heat can enjoy both chapters at their own pace. I truly appreciate everyone who voted in the poll. Your wishes are valued, and I hope I deliver what you were looking for. With battles ahead, this story is moving toward its final arc and a happy ending. See you next time, until then, take care.