“You are who? Why seek Sister Yue?”
Niu Erhua’s voice was icy, her expression feigning sternness. Truly, this stern-faced Niu Erhua felt unfamiliar to Ye Yu.
So he unveiled his trump card: the whole roasted pig! He had prepared it on the road. For a foodie like Niu Erhua, fine cuisine was always a killer move.
“I am Yue Wanqiu’s demon friend. I wish to ask her some things in person—might I have that courtesy?” Ye Yu said, offering the roasted pig.
As Niu Erhua reached out, the lead guard Niu Li blocked her. “Chieftain, this demon’s identity is unknown. He offers food—beware of treachery!”
Her warning made sense, yet the aroma was irresistible. Niu Erhua ignored Niu Li and took the pig. “I am the Seven-Colored Divine Ox, immune to poison and fearless of all arts—what have I to fear?” She declared, then bit off a large chunk.
Niu Li began to object, but Niu Erhua shuddered, bowed her head, and fell silent. Alarmed, Niu Li’s face went pale. “Quick, hand over the antidote—or the Bull Demon Tribe will tear you limb from limb!”
Ye Yu froze. Antidote? Where would an antidote come from? Yet Niu Erhua’s condition seemed off—was there something wrong with the pig? As Ye Yu moved forward to inspect it, Niu Erhua pressed down on Niu Li’s arm.
“I’m fine; it’s simply too delicious. How could the Demon Realm have such a dish?” she declared.
All around stood dumbfounded. But Niu Erhua paid no heed; she devoured the pig with relish. Soon, only a translucent skeleton remained—she had scraped it clean. Reluctantly discarding the bones, she said softly, “A demon who crafts such delicacies must be worthy. Yue Aunt lives here with the Bull Demons. I’ll take you to her—but in exchange, two more pigs. Agreed?”
What logic was that? Niu Li sighed but tried to dissuade her. “Chieftain, please reconsider!”
“I trust my instincts—no worries!” Niu Erhua was conquered by the feast, ignoring all counsel. Ye Yu did not hesitate. “Upon seeing Yue Wanqiu, I’ll deliver them—two whole roasted pigs, I promise.”
Agreement made, Niu Erhua led Ye Yu into Bull Demon territory. In the foothills they found Yue Wanqiu. Before Niu Erhua could introduce him, Yue Wanqiu rushed forward, exclaiming, “You truly are alive!”
Ye Yu’s expression shifted. How could Yue Wanqiu remember him? In his dream-journeys, only two women ever retained memory: a Dao partner, or one secretly in love. Others, like City Lord Ye Jizui, recalled nothing.
Softly Ye Yu asked, “Do you... love me?”
The question made Niu Erhua and Niu Li exchange astonished looks. Now conversations had to be this bold? One exclaimed, “You’re alive,” while the other asked, “You love me?” Was this suitable for polite company?
Yue Wanqiu blushed, stammering, torn between admitting affection or preserving decorum. Her expression answered him.
Ye Yu murmured, “Could you grant us privacy? We have much to discuss.”
“All right—but what of those two pigs...” Niu Erhua attempted to negotiate, until Yue Wanqiu interjected, “Erhua, go play outside!”
Niu Erhua pouted—this was the first time Yue Aunt spoke so earnestly to her. Reluctantly she and the guards departed, constantly glancing back at the promise of more pork. Once Ye Yu reassured her the pigs were guaranteed, she hurried off.
Left alone, Ye Yu set up a soundproof formation and asked directly, “Were you the one in Luan Yao City who struck the Futian Rebirth Drum to resurrect Nangong Jingtang?”
Yue Wanqiu nodded. “Yes—I don’t know what memories I held before awakening. After I woke, I searched everywhere for you, but found no trace. Then I recalled Nangong Jingtang, went to Luan Yao City, and revived her!”
“Tell me,” Ye Yu pressed, “what happened back then? Did time loop, or were we reborn?”
He offered his usual parallel-world explanation—sometimes a lie, when repeated, becomes indistinguishable from truth.
Yue Wanqiu found it wondrous, yet in a world of infinite marvels, as long as Ye Yu lived, nothing else seemed so vital. And how had he guessed her feelings? She bit her lip, nervous.
Ye Yu asked, “Since you revived Nangong Jingtang, where is she now? Why aren’t you two together?”
Yue Wanqiu explained: after leaving Luan Yao City, she and Nangong Jingtang scoured the realm for Ye Yu, convinced their shared dream could not be mere illusion. At last they found clues. Demons near Jiany Yao City spoke of a female demon named Luo Ning who desperately sought Ye Yu—then fell silent. Soon Jiany Yao City changed hands, and the previous lord, Jiang Jinhe, had contact with a man named Ye Yu.
Armed with these leads, Nangong ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Jingtang and Yue Wanqiu set out at once for Jiany Yao City.
