Chapter 285: Playing the Rogue (First Update)

The Red Demon turned its head to the side, making it clear it had no intention of paying attention to Mu Qinghe.

Mu Qinghe stared at it

"Your temper is getting more and more unruly."

The Red Demon glared at him, and to his surprise, there were actually tears in its eyes.

When she was here before, he never dared to treat it like this!

How long had it been since then, and its life had only gone from bad to worse!

It had suffered enough grievances over the past year!

This stupid master, Mu Qinghe...

The more the Red Demon thought about it, the angrier it became, wishing it could immediately go back and find Chu Liuyue.

But it knew Mu Qinghe certainly wouldn't agree.

Besides, that guy was still here—

Its fur had been plucked!

*Bang!*

In a fit of rage, the Red Demon simply flopped straight onto the ground.

It wasn't moving!

Life was unlivable!

Mu Qinghe's eyelid twitched.

"Throwing a tantrum is useless."

The Red Demon remained motionless, determined not to follow him.

It might as well just die!

Thinking about how it had gone out yesterday and was actually injured by that beast that had been imprisoned for years, losing all its dignity!

And today, it was being treated like this by Mu Qinghe.

Life was unlivable!

Mu Qinghe closed his eyes tightly, trying his best to restrain his emotions to avoid accidentally killing his magical beast.

"Who injured you? If you are willing to speak, I can help you seek revenge."

The Red Demon's eyes flickered, but its body remained tense. It thought and thought, caught in a deep struggle.

"To get injured in a place like this, it seems you haven't been diligent in your cultivation lately."

Mu Qinghe's follow-up sentence successfully caused the Red Demon to abandon the thought of asking for his help.

A cluster of cyan flames ignited on its body, burning away the remaining traces of blood.

Mu Qinghe raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

The Red Demon always liked to cause trouble outside and then leave him to clean up the mess.

It didn't expect it to show such backbone today.

"Since you refuse to speak, then I will change the question."

Mu Qinghe's gaze was as heavy as a physical weight, scrutinizing the Red Demon as if trying to see through it.

"Just now in the Great Hall, you were toward ex—"

"Vice General Mu."

Before Mu Qinghe could finish his sentence, he was suddenly interrupted by a clear female voice.

He turned around and saw that the newcomer was actually Chu Liuyue.

What a coincidence.

Mu Qinghe's expression became somewhat subtle as he glanced at the Red Demon.

The Red Demon, lying on the ground, instantly stiffened.

It's over!

It was seen!

This was too embarrassing!

Without thinking, it flew up from the ground and rushed upward, then circled around Mu Qinghe once, not forgetting to dive toward the ground in between, pretending it had been frolicking around Mu Qinghe all along.

From a distance, it looked like a joyful butterfly.

Mu Qinghe: "..."

Chu Liuyue approached a bit closer and asked with a hint of surprise

"Vice General Mu, your magical beast certainly looks lively."

*Hmm, old but gold. Its skill at playing dead and acting like a rogue is just as good as before.*

Mu Qinghe: "..."

The Red Demon, which had been flying vigorously, was suddenly overcome with embarrassment. For a moment, it didn't even know if it should continue flying, stumbling so badly it nearly fell from mid-air.

In the end, it could only bow its head in resignation, feeling immensely frustrated.

"What is it?"

Mu Qinghe cleared his throat, his face still devoid of much expression.

Chu Liuyue gave a shallow smile

"There is one matter I would like to ask for your help with, if you are willing to agree."

"Speak."

Given Mu Qinghe's personality, he had never had much interest in such matters.

If it were before today, and Chu Liuyue had spoken to him this way, he certainly wouldn't have said a single extra word.

But thinking about the Red Demon's reaction to her, Mu Qinghe felt that perhaps he should find an opportunity to learn more about Chu Liuyue.

Chu Liuyue bowed

"A friend's mother is unwell and has been suffering for many years. Recently, her condition has worsened. I wonder... I wonder if Vice General Mu could lend a hand? Liuyue would be eternally grateful."

Mu Qinghe frowned

"Your friend?"

Chu Liuyue nodded

"Mu Hongyu. Also known as Princess Yong'an of the Yaochen Kingdom."

Mu Qinghe didn't care at all whether this Mu Hongyu was a princess or not.

Even if it were Emperor Jiawen, he might not be willing to help.

However—

"The Red Demon is very fond of you. For its sake, it is not impossible for me to help you with this favor."

A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Chu Liuyue's face as she looked toward the Red Demon

"Then I really must thank the Red Demon."

Her red lips moved slightly as she softly called its name.

The name "Red Demon" had actually been given by her.

Back then, when Mu Qinghe was hunting magical beasts, he had obtained the Red Demon by chance, but he didn't know what to call it.

Chu Liuyue had thought that since it was a Green Sparrow and Mu Qinghe's name also contained the character "Qing" (Green), they were destined to be together, so she intentionally chose the contrasting name "Red Demon."

Now, calling this name again, things were no longer as they once were.

The Red Demon froze, instinctively about to fly toward Chu Liuyue.

Chu Liuyue glanced at it.

The eyes of the human and the beast met, an undercurrent surging between them.

The Red Demon suddenly stopped.

It seemed like she didn't want to... right now.

It gazed longingly at Chu Liuyue, wishing it could immediately run to Mu Qinghe and tattle on her.

The little fluffball crouched on Chu Liuyue's shoulder, glaring at it warily.

The Red Demon felt a faint ache where its feathers had been plucked from its wings.

After struggling for a long time, it ultimately did not go to her, and could only bury its head beneath its wings.

No one saw its tears rolling down, all falling into its feathers.

Before long, its wings were soaked.

Seeing it like this, Chu Liuyue felt an immense pang of heartache.

The Red Demon was usually arrogant and often caused chaos.

But when it was truly heartbroken, it would only bury its head in its wings and cry, just like now.

How could she not want to hold the Red Demon?

Since her rebirth, everything she remembered from her past life felt like a dream or a shadow.

All true feelings had been false, and all loyalty had turned into betrayal.

In the end, only the Red Demon had cared for her.

Seeing the Red Demon like this, she felt that the pain deep in her bones received a small measure of comfort.

But now was not a good time.

Mu Qinghe said

"This General will be staying here for a while. Let her come; I will naturally dispatch a Heavenly Physician to treat her."

As a Vice General of the Black Cavalry, his authority was immense; mobilizing a few Heavenly Physicians was no problem at all.

Chu Liuyue withdrew her gaze, her face wearing a polite and earnest smile.

"Then many thanks to Vice General Mu."

After saying this, she asked somewhat hesitantly

"However, does Vice General Mu mean that you will not be leaving immediately?"

Wasn't he here to find those who possessed the Original Veins of the Earth? Besides that, were there other matters?

Mu Qinghe gave a faint "Mhm," but said nothing more.

Knowing she had no right to ask so much right now, Chu Liuyue did not press further, only bowing at the knees

"In that case, Liuyue will not take up any more of your time and will take her leave."

Having said that, she took a step back and turned to leave.

"Stop."

Mu Qinghe suddenly spoke.

Chu Liuyue paused her footsteps, turned back, and asked with a smile

"Does Vice General Mu have something else?"