276 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Ren Qingyue's focus was initially on the jade pendant, contemplating the implications of Nangong Yin's words about "things from the celestial realm." When Yan Zhao spoke, it felt like a child running to complain to elders after being bullied outside. Bai Jin, after finally recovering from the initial shock, was stunned yet again. "The celestial realm?" she exclaimed. Nangong Yin, hearing her surprise, thought of the black-clad individuals and Bai Jin's instinctive reaction when they appeared. She seemed to have an understanding and turned to Bai Jin, asking, "Do you know who these people are?" Suddenly under Nangong Yin's scrutiny, Bai Jin felt a chilling aura from her, despite the absence of obvious intimidation, and shivered involuntarily. Instinctively, she hid behind Ren Qingyue and stammered, "I—I don't know much..." Nangong Yin remained expressionless. "Tell us everything you know." Withdrawing her head slightly, Bai Jin was so frightened by Nangong Yin that she dared not hide anything. Hastily, she recounted the upheaval within the demon clan to Nangong Yin. After hearing Bai Jin, Nangong Yin was lost in thought. Since Ren Qingyue had already acknowledged her identity publicly, it seemed unlikely she would stand by idly in the affairs of the demon clan. As for Yan Zhao, given his feelings towards Ren Qingyue, if she intended to go to the demon realm, he would undoubtedly follow. "Miss Ren," Nangong Yin addressed Ren Qingyue, catching her by surprise. Ren Qingyue hesitated briefly, quickly understanding Nangong Yin's concern: perhaps she was worried about Yan Zhao's safety and did not want him returning to the demon realm. Ren Qingyue herself didn’t wish for Yan Zhao to risk danger with her. Having experienced many happenings, she had let go of her bias against the demon clan. In her heart, Nangong Yin was a respected elder. Thus, she respectfully bowed to Nangong Yin. "What guidance do you have for me, senior?" Nangong Yin replied, "Please delay your departure to the demon realm for two days. I have matters to handle in the demon realm, and I will accompany you to the demon realm thereafter." Ren Qingyue was quite surprised that Nangong Yin would intervene in demon clan matters for Yan Zhao's sake. But she understood Nangong Yin's intentions, while Bai Jin and other demon clan members did not. Upon hearing this, Bai Jin was shocked. "You're going to the demon realm?!" The refugees from the demon realm behind Bai Jin also reacted with alarm, their expressions filled with fear. The strife between the Fox Queen and the crown prince in the demon realm had left the people destitute. The demon clan’s intervention now could be seen as opportunistic usurpation, worsening their plight. The demon clan has always been formidable, and Nangong Yin is the war deity of the demon realm. If they got embroiled in this internal conflict, what hope would the demon clan have for peace? Moreover, with Nangong Yin suggesting Ren Qingyue wait two days before assisting the demon realm, wasn't she deliberately delaying and obstructing them? The demon clan refugees' faces turned from shock to anger. Though they were displaced and destitute, they initially planned to seek refuge in the demon realm. Now hearing Nangong Yin’s words, how could they dare continue? Ren Qingyue noticed the misunderstanding among the demon clan members regarding Nangong Yin and was about to find the words to ease their apprehensions when Nangong Yin spoke. Under everyone's watchful gaze, Nangong Yin met Bai Jin’s terrified eyes and said calmly, "I need time to prepare a worthy gift to formally propose marriage to the demon clan on behalf of my daughter." Silence fell over the scene. Ren Qingyue stood dumbfounded. Bai Jin and the other demon clan members: "!!!" Behind them, Lei Shuang, Jiang Ying, and Feng Jin displayed expressions full of surprise. Only Yan Zhao was oblivious to the situation. He tugged at Ren Qingyue's sleeve and whispered, "Senior sister, what does 'propose marriage' mean?" "……" Ren Qingyue was silent for a moment before her face flushed deep red. ### Chapter 301 For a while, no one seemed to find their voice. Finally, Bai Jin, unable to hold back, blurted, "You want an alliance through marriage between the demon and celestial realms? You want to marry your daughter to my cousin?!" In disbelief, she raised her voice, "But my cousin despises the demon clan! He wouldn't agree! Even though I want to save my aunt, you're pushing Yan Zhao into the fire!" Earlier, seeing Nangong Yin save Yan Zhao, Bai Jin had thought the rumors of her being cold and emotionless were exaggerated. But now, seeing her ready to make Yan Zhao a political pawn, she couldn't help but despise such a person. Nangong Yin's brow furrowed ever so slightly. "?" Yan Zhao’s confusion showed in his eyes as he looked at Ren Qingyue again and asked, "Is A-Yin going to marry me to Bai Jin's cousin?" "....." Ren Qingyue sighed and explained, "No, that's not the case." She promptly pulled Bai Jin aside, gesturing for her to be quiet. Startled, Bai Jin asked, "Cousin, aren't you going to stop this?" Isn't Ren Qingyue the one who cares most about Yan Zhao? Why wasn't she reacting at all when Nangong Yin mentioned marrying Yan Zhao to unite two clans? Bai Jin was suddenly baffled by the complexities of people. After her mind wandered, Nangong Yin said, "Does that sham of a crown prince from the Fox clan think he is worthy of marrying my precious gem?" "?" Now Bai Jin was completely puzzled. Nangong Yin mentioned a demon alliance but immediately belittled Tu Shan Yu. How was any alliance to happen with him? The demon clan refugees behind Bai Jin were also baffled. Nangong Yin couldn’t be bothered to elaborate and simply asked Ren Qingyue, "I believe the conflicts stirred up between the demon and celestial realms should end, do you agree with my proposal, Miss Ren?" Ren Qingyue, avoiding Nangong Yin's gaze, meekly answered, "I have no objections, but the Fox Queen…" "Do not worry," Nangong Yin reassured her. "Tu Shan Yu's foundation is shaky. Without internal support, he can only maintain a temporary bravado. Truly winning over the people requires the Fox Queen’s influence; he won’t move against her lightly." Moreover, the Fox Queen has deep roots, and the warriors who once served the late Fox Emperor also take their orders from the Fox Queen. Tu Shan Yu’s ability to command them is nearly impossible. Tu Shan Yu fears the Fox Queen and wouldn’t dare claim her life so easily. He will only act against the Fox Queen when he's fully secured his power base and controls the demon realm. Ren Qingyue, after hearing Nangong Yin, realized her concern clouded her judgment. Had this matter not involved the Fox Queen, she might have been more rational. Bai Jin, still confused but about to speak, found her mouth suddenly covered by Ren Qingyue. "You are not to say another word." "......mmmmm," Bai Jin mumbled, feeling wronged. Yan Zhao was still pondering the earlier remarks. Piecing together the context, she caught the meaning of the proposal, but Bai Jin's speculation left her anxious. She walked up to Nangong Yin and asked directly, "To whom are you proposing on my behalf?" Nangong Yin lowered her gaze and asked back, "To whom would you want to propose?" Without hesitation, Yan Zhao replied, "My senior sister!" "Good," Nangong Yin nodded decisively, "then in two days, I will prepare gifts and join you in Qingqiu to propose... to the Emperor's daughter of the Fox clan." Bai Jin stood dumbstruck. Who? Yet, the demon clan refugees following Bai Jin quickly caught on. Ren Qingyue is the Fox clan's Emperor's daughter, and Yan Zhao is the child of Nangong Yin and Yan Yuanqing. If two women were to have a child together, what’s unusual about the child favoring women too? Nothing was amiss; all seemed perfectly natural. The demon clan has never shied away from same-sex marriages, but Bai Jin had assumed, given the chaos in the demon realm and the crown prince Tu Shan Yu’s seizure of power, that Nangong Yin's mention of proposing referred to Tu Shan Yu. Who would have thought that the intended bride was the Emperor's daughter of the Fox clan! Ren Qingyue's mind was a flurry of confusion, her emotions turbulent and hard to calm. With the Fox Queen in peril and the Fox Emperor assassinated, her reasoning told her that this wasn't the time to discuss such matters; she hadn't even accepted Yan Zhao’s pursuit. Yet, she couldn’t help but feel secretly delighted and hopeful about Nangong Yin’s intentions. Ren Qingyue felt self-reproach, thinking, "Am I truly this hopeless?" "The Emperor's daughter of the Fox clan." Yan Zhao repeated, relating Ren Qingyue to the Fox Queen, her eyes brightening instantly, "Senior sister!" If Nangong Yin went to propose to her senior sister on her behalf, did that mean she and her senior sister would become Dao companions? Yan Zhao's heart overflowed with joy. After speaking, Nangong Yin addressed Yan Zhao again: "Zhao, may I borrow your Soul Condensing Bead?" Yan Zhao was overjoyed at the prospect of Nangong Yin visiting the Fox clan to propose. Without the slightest hint of shyness, he handed over the Soul Condensing Bead to Nangong Yin. Nangong Yin accepted the bead with care, then instructed Lei Shuang and the others, "Stay here to protect the young master." Lei Shuang immediately pledged, "Rest assured, Lord of Demons, we will not let anyone harm Yan... ahem, the young master!" Nangong Yin did not mind Lei Shuang's slip of the tongue. Before leaving, she gently patted Yan Zhao's head, her voice naturally turning softer, "Zhao'er, wait for me here for the next two days." Yan Zhao nodded resolutely. "Okay." — Nangong Yin traversed the void vortex, returning to the demon realm. It had been a long time since she last visited, and she was curious about the talent present in the demon realm, as someone had managed to orchestrate an ambush against Yan Zhao in Jiuyou without detection. They even had a jade pendant engraved with the Pure Seal, showing they were well-prepared and intentionally drove these refugees towards the demon realm. They probably assumed the demon realm was filled with bloodthirsty monsters, and that the demon clan's refugees would be unwelcomed, further exacerbating the tension between the demon and celestial clans. Unfortunately for them, their plan failed. Nangong Yin took one step beyond Cold Glare Peak, standing outside Han Li's territory. She deliberately did not conceal her presence, and shortly after, a wisp of black smoke emerged from a tower, coalescing before her and respectfully bowing. "Lord of Demons." Nangong Yin glanced around briefly. "You've met Zhao'er, so there's no need for further explanations. I have two tasks for you." Han Li raised her head, facing Nangong Yin. "Please give your instructions, Lord of Demons." Nangong Yin spoke directly, "First, prepare an adequate betrothal gift for me to propose marriage to the demon clan." Han Li was taken aback. "The Lord of Demons intends to propose to someone from the demon clan? Who among them is worthy of you?" The Lord of Demons never returned without a task for her. Nangong Yin: "..." Finding it unexpectedly difficult to explain, she opted to say nothing more and presented the second task succinctly, "Within two days, thoroughly investigate the demon realm and clear out all traitors." Han Li felt a tremor in her heart, understanding quickly in light of the current state of the demon clan. Perhaps Nangong Yin feared that the demon clan might become the next demon realm, necessitating proactive measures. With orders received, Han Li withdrew, and Nangong Yin's presence faded away like snow under the sun, leaving no trace. — In the secluded depths of Grand Demon Lian Xiang's territory, inside a dark, quiet room. "What to do? What should I do?" Lian Xiang paced back and forth in the darkness, sweat beading on his forehead. "What am I supposed to do now?" Suddenly, a dense black mist filled the room. The mist swirled and shifted endlessly. A silhouette seemed to flicker within it, accompanied by a voice, "Stop pacing." Lian Xiang halted, his expression twisted with anxiety and anger finding a long-sought vent. He shouted, "It's all your fault! If you hadn't urged me to provide intel, things wouldn't be like this!" The plan to ambush Yan Zhao, the daughter of the Lord of Demons, in Jiuyou was a near-certainty based on the information he provided, yet the entire team had been wiped out. As far as he knew, Yan Zhao returned to the demon realm to lift Nangong Yin's seal, but now that those sent by the celestial realm were dead, there could only be one conclusion: Nangong Yin had awakened.