SFS #466 - Demon King Xiangliu (2 in 1 order required)
#466 - Demon King Xiangliu (2 in 1 order required)
Before her was a resplendent palace, fronted by an elegant garden teeming with lush greenery, the songs of birds, and the fragrance of flowers. The garden was carpeted with verdant grass and blooming flowers, presenting a vibrant and thriving scene from afar.
Deep within the garden lay a crystal-clear lake, its surface shimmering with light, where a few koi fish occasionally darted. At the heart of the lake stood a pavilion crafted from white jade, accessible via winding paths, with upturned eaves and surrounded by a pond, evoking a picturesque 'Shangri-La' ambiance.
Beneath the lakeside pavilion, a cluster of girls, around five or six years old, gathered. Each had skin as white as snow, resembling porcelain dolls, inheriting the handsome features unique to the Jiuli tribe.
However, they hardly resembled celestial maidens at this moment, appearing more like a group of little rascals. The leading girls were noticeably more charming and adorable but carried a hint of slyness. One of them held a bouquet of flowers, pressing forward and waving it at another girl, playfully scolding and teasing.
The pitiful girl was cornered by the lake, head bowed and silent, only softly pleading. Her ornate dress was somewhat torn, her beautiful hair disheveled, indicating she had been bullied quite severely by the little tyrants.
Just then, a figure darted out from the pavilion, interposing herself between the little bullies and the bullied girl. It was a Jiuli fairy, surrounded by a faint golden light, tall and graceful, with skin like sculpted white jade, and dark hair dancing in the wind. Her eyes shone like stars, her gaze firm yet filled with tenderness.
"Enough!" the little fairy shouted, hands clasped behind her back, her expression stern: "What do you think you're doing, bullying your own kind like this?"
"Hmph, she's just a vagrant picked up and sheltered in the palace," one of the charming girls scoffed, disdainfully. "We're just giving her a lesson today, lest she climb too high!"
"Yes, how can we noble princesses associate with such a lowly person?" another little princess chimed in, waving the flowers in her hand and throwing them at the pitiful girl.
With a 'plop,' the bouquet of flowers was blocked by the little fairy, scattering across the ground. Her uncanny source of power caused the little princesses to suddenly fall silent, trembling with fear.
"Cowardly as mice, this is all you're capable of," the little fairy coldly glared at them, then turned around, looking down to check on the injured girl.
The girl's eyes were slightly closed, her dense eyelashes gently fluttering, as if she was terrified. On her delicate little face were several clear handprints, clearly indicating she had been violated. Seeing this, a hint of pity flickered in the little fairy's eyes.
"It's okay, I'm here," she gently patted the girl's cheek, sincerely comforting her. Only then did the girl open her eyes, tears welling up, her eyes as moist and bright as autumn water, her delicate body trembling.
"Thank you, Sister Furong," the girl whimpered, throwing herself into the little fairy's arms, trembling softly.
"If anything happens in the future, come find me," the little fairy gently embraced her, bending down to comfort her: "I will definitely protect you."
Furong looked down at her, and a sense of pity welled up in her heart. Although both were princesses, this little girl named Wuya suffered cold treatment and bullying due to her lineage. But Furong knew that she possessed extremely keen insight and would surely become a remarkable witch in the future. She just hadn't expected her to endure such torment.
So Furong resolved to use her abilities to protect this gifted but unfortunate friend. Even if she would become the most remarkable witch in the Jiuli tribe one day, she was just a helpless child now.
…
It turned out that the bullied little girl was Wuya, a sacrifice prepared by the tribe for the ritual of offering to the evil god Xiangliu. The reason she appeared in the village was that she had an unfulfilled wish.
Her wish was that she had always been alone and wanted a friend of her age to play with, so she found Furong.
Furong and Wuya's relationship grew deeper day by day. Wuya recognized her as her sister, as close as blood sisters. However, as the date of the sacrifice approached, the atmosphere between them became increasingly oppressive.
Fierce winds and waves lashed outside, thunder and lightning intertwined, and torrential rain poured against the window lattices. It was undoubtedly a grim and terrifying night.
Wuya curled up in her blanket, her small body trembling slightly. She was afraid of being awakened by the thunder outside because being awake meant the arrival of nightmares. Yes, for her, nightmares had always enveloped her life.
A clap of thunder struck, and the window lattices rattled violently from the wind and rain! Wuya opened her eyes in fear, and in the dim candlelight, she saw a familiar figure standing at the doorway. It was Sister Furong, as warm and bright as a bright moon in the night.
"Are you alright, Wuya?" Furong approached softly, her face full of concern. She bent down and embraced Wuya, and the warm breath dispelled the fear and coldness in the girl's heart.
Wuya nodded, but her arms tightened around Furong. Since being discovered to have a rare talent for divination, she had been taken from her home and confined to the palace, where she was treated coldly. If it weren't for Furong, her friend who was a princess, often visiting and comforting her, she would have withered away in this cold and solemn palace.
"Don't worry, I will protect you," Furong said softly, patting her thin back: "Talk to me now, it will make you feel better."
Wuya nodded, holding onto Furong. She buried her head in her sister's warm shoulder, softly recounting her inner fears and sorrows.
Since she had memories, she had been surrounded by palace eunuchs and teachers who taught her various spells. Although she was familiar with them, she had never understood the mysteries of yin and yang. Until one day, an elderly witch accidentally discovered her extraordinary ability to perceive the secrets of heaven, only then did they know that she was the reincarnation of a long-lost divine witch.
Since then, she had been strictly disciplined and not allowed to walk outside at will. Their clan had always been used to serve the evil god Xiangliu. And she, from a young age, was destined to be the final bearer of that heavy mission.
"That witch teacher said that when the time comes, I will be sacrificed to the evil god Xiangliu in the sacrificial ritual," Wuya clutched Furong tightly, sobbing softly: "I'm so scared... I'm so young, how can I bear such a heavy burden? I don't want to be a sacrifice at all!"
Furong's heart ached, and she hugged the girl's thin body even tighter. She felt the warm breath of this small life in her arms and couldn't imagine that she, who had always been innocent and lively, would have such a tragic fate!
She had long seen Wuya's outstanding divine power from her performance. Perhaps, it was because she was too intelligent that she was so valued by those stubborn old-fashioned clansmen. But Furong understood that their clansmen had long since degenerated into servants of the evil god, no longer human or ghost.
"It's okay, everything will be alright," Furong comforted softly, but she was pondering in her heart. Yes, she must not sit idly by and watch her friend be sacrificed by her relatives!
The sudden rain stopped outside the window, and everything was silent. Furong suddenly straightened up, her expression firm: "Wuya, listen carefully to what I'm about to say. Tomorrow, we will leave here!"
Wuya opened her eyes wide in surprise: "But... but the outside world..." she asked cautiously, obviously knowing nothing about the outside world.
"So what?" Furong said decisively: "I have a way to take you out. As long as we leave this hell on earth, you will no longer have to endure torment and will have the opportunity to spread your wings and soar freely!"
"Really?" Wuya was overjoyed but also seemed a little hesitant. She thought of Furong's current status as a princess, and even she, this little sister, had such a significant sacrifice to make. Was this a bit too much...
Furong seemed to see through her thoughts and smiled slightly: "Silly sister, I'm doing this for your own good. Are you willing to be sacrificed by your clansmen? You should have a wider world to display your divine power."
"I will always protect you and keep you safe," Furong said, holding Wuya's small hand tightly in both of hers: "Let's escape like this, and the two sisters will be free and at ease from now on!"
Wuya listened, her eyes full of longing and yearning. What Furong said made sense, how could she be willing to be sacrificed like this? She also had talents that others couldn't hope for and deserved to pursue a free and ideal life!
"Okay, Sister Furong," Wuya nodded forcefully, her eyes gradually firming up: "Let's escape like this! You're right, we are not destined to be trapped here. The outside world must be wonderful and worth pursuing!"
Furong smiled and reached out to clasp her fingers tightly. When their palms were together, their hearts were filled with longing and anticipation for the future.
"Then it's settled," Furong said solemnly: "Tomorrow night will be the beginning of our freedom. No matter what happens, I will protect you and be your strongest support!"
Wuya nodded forcefully, her eyes regaining their brilliance. She was no longer the pitiful and weak little girl she had been before. Furong had given her courage and strength. From now on, she would start a new life and break free from the shackles of fate!
The two hugged each other tightly, as if they wanted to melt each other into the depths of their souls. This sisterly friendship would become their strongest pillar on the difficult road of life.
So, as night fell, in the pouring rain, she decided to take all her belongings and quietly escape from the tribe.
…
As the sun set in the west, dusk enveloped the earth, and a gloomy and eerie atmosphere spread in the mountains and fields outside the Jiuli tribe. Wuya stood there alone, gradually swallowed by darkness.
This was a secluded and remote mountain, with withered branches and fallen leaves strewn about, and overgrown with weeds and wild trees. Wuya looked down at the devastated land beneath her feet, her heart filled with anxiety and unease. She had come here full of ambition, originally to embark on the road of escape with Sister Furong, but Furong was nowhere to be seen.
Could it be... could it be that she changed her mind? Wuya couldn't help but wonder. Thinking of her sister's firm expression and sonorous words last night, she was even more puzzled. How could Furong say nothing and abandon her promise like this?
"Sister Furong..." Wuya murmured, her voice full of sorrow. She looked around, but only the rustling of branches blown by the wind could be heard in the silent night. Furong's figure was nowhere to be found.
She was determined to wait, even until dawn if necessary. After all, she didn't know when there would be another opportunity to escape the Jiuli tribe. If she gave up like this, wouldn't everything she had endured before be in vain?
But as time passed, wisps of mist began to rise from the ground, quickly enveloping the entire mountain. Wuya shivered and couldn't help but huddle up. She sat down wearily on the grass, clutching a tattered rag doll tightly in her hand. This was her playmate since childhood, and now it was her only comfort.
She had imagined what life would be like after the escape. Perhaps they would find a place to settle down outside, no longer be enslaved and persecuted by the tribesmen. Even if they lived the most ordinary and impoverished life, for them, it would be the supreme freedom and happiness of being liberated from hell on earth.
However, at this moment, a strange and terrifying footstep came from behind. Wuya trembled and turned her head nervously. By the moonlight, she saw a tall and frightening figure walking out of the darkness, as if surrounded by endless dark clouds.
The newest novels are first published on Liu 9 Shu Ba!
It was Chiyou, the patriarch of the Jiuli tribe.
This man was tall and burly, with thick fur covering his broad shoulders and back, carrying a bit of beastly ferocity. His face had the traditional features of the Jiuli people, with sharp and deep features, but his eyebrows revealed a bit of cunning and perversity. What made people even more frightened was the pair of eyes that shone brightly under the moonlight, like two pools of blood.
As soon as Wuya saw this person, she seemed to be cast with a body-fixing spell and couldn't move. In an instant, the last trace of hope in her heart disappeared without a trace. She realized that she had been completely discovered, and the other party was undoubtedly here to drag her back for sacrifice!
"Wh-what are you doing here..." Wuya shivered, her voice trembling. She knew that Chiyou's ruthlessness was not a false claim, and she was no match for him at all.
Chiyou did not answer immediately, but chuckled coldly and approached slowly. Only when he was a few steps away from Wuya did he speak, his hoarse voice like a beast roaring: "Silly girl, where do you think you can escape to? Even Furong will be caught by us!"
As soon as she heard Furong's name, Wuya's heart sank heavily. She subconsciously covered her mouth, not letting her cries leak out. Originally, she still had a glimmer of hope in her heart, hoping that Furong would come to rescue her. But now it seemed that Furong had already suffered an accident.
Chiyou seemed to see through her thoughts and showed a strange smile at the corner of his mouth. He moved to Wuya and looked down at the small figure condescendingly.
"Don't wait, silly girl," Chiyou said triumphantly: "Your princess sister has already been dealt with by us!"
Wuya opened her eyes wide, her face full of horror. She trembled her lips and looked at Chiyou in disbelief. What happened to Furong... Sister Furong? She didn't dare to think deeply, her heart was cold.
"What... what did you do to her!"
"Hahaha!" Chiyou laughed loudly, obviously gaining great pleasure. He leaned down, and his slender hand pinched Wuya's chin fiercely, forcing her to look at him. The pair of blood-red fangs were in front of Wuya's eyes, making her feel terrified.
"Your silly sister ultimately failed to escape from the palm of Jiuli," Chiyou said gritting his teeth: "She originally planned to escape with you, but... but she forgot that no one in our Jiuli tribe can escape the control of the great god Xiangliu!"
Saying that, he pinched Wuya's chin even harder, causing the little girl to groan in pain.
"She didn't even last through the first night before our people captured her, haha!" Chiyou laughed triumphantly, his expression twisted and terrifying. "I personally interrogated her and learned all about your escape plan. To be honest, I really didn't expect such a noble princess to do something so rebellious!"
Wu Ya's face turned deathly pale. Her eyes widened as she stared at Chiyou in utter horror. She felt as if her entire being had been hollowed out, and a bone-chilling cold made her tremble uncontrollably. Sister Furong... No, that gentle and considerate sister! How could she suffer such a fate?
"You can't fool me," Wu Ya stammered, bursting into tears. "How could Sister Furong... how could she..."
"Oh? You still don't believe me?" Chiyou revealed a cruel smile, abruptly hoisting Wu Ya into the air, causing her to scream in terror.
"That girl, just as the sacrificial offering to the great god Xiangliu was being prepared last night, suddenly had a crazy idea!" Chiyou licked his fangs, recalling the event with near fondness. "She said she was willing to take your place and bear it all! As a noble princess of the Nine Li tribe, her flesh and blood would undoubtedly be the finest offering to Xiangliu."
"No... impossible," Wu Ya sobbed, inconsolable. Tears streamed uncontrollably from her reddened eyes. She shook her head, refusing to believe it.
"But she underestimated the resolve of us, the Nine Li people." Chiyou sneered, showing no pity. Instead, he lifted Wu Ya even higher. "Did you think we would let her off so easily? Haha, of course not! I personally participated in her disposal. Her pained and helpless appearance was truly hilarious."
Chiyou narrowed his eyes, his bizarre and twisted expression fully displayed on his face. "That delicate body was torn open, covered in blood, yet she still gritted her teeth, refusing to utter a single cry of anguish... Only at the very end, when her eyes were lifeless and empty, did I tell her that she herself had paved the road to your death!"
Wu Ya could no longer endure it. She collapsed to the ground, clutching her ears tightly, and howled hoarsely. She couldn't believe that her most cherished sister had suffered such torture, nor could she imagine the cruelty of the scene. How could that warm and considerate Furong suffer such a terrible fate?
"Hahahaha, I personally devoured her tender flesh, the blood sweet, the muscles succulent!" Chiyou roared with laughter, arrogant and unrestrained, like a devil in the very depths of hell.
"Now, it's your turn, the even more precious sacrifice! I will offer you completely to the great god Xiangliu, so that your body may be praised by Him for all eternity! Then you will join your sister, never to see each other again!"
With that, Chiyou extended his large hands, covered in sharp claws, and lunged towards the terrified Wu Ya!