Bai Li Rong

The cave was dark and damp, the air smelled like centipede secretion, pungent and foul. Near the stone bed where Ye Xilei slept, there were lanterns at both the head and foot of the bed, casting a faint glow that illuminated the cave.

The seductive female demon noticed that Ye Xilei was curiously staring at the blind man, and she smiled charmingly, "If you like him, little beauty, I can offer him to you."

Ye Xilei blinked her silver eyes, then looked at the female demon, "Why do you want to eat him? Humans are nowhere near as delicious as fruit."

The female demon was stunned and looked at Ye Xilei like she was a strange creature. "Little beauty, where are you from?" (The word "圪垯" is a dialect term meaning "where".)

Ye Xilei jumped off the stone bed and answered brightly, "The Illusory Valley of the Demon Realm."

"The Demon Realm?" The female demon was shocked, "So it really exists!"

"Of course, you didn't know?"

"My goodness! I've really seen my real mother today. Sis, take me back to the Demon Realm."

"..." Ye Xilei looked at her blankly.

"How about this? I'll give you this handsome man to eat."

"I don't eat people." Ye Xilei quickly explained.

The female demon giggled and pushed Ye Xilei towards the blind man. "It's that kind of eating. Are you silly?"

"That kind of eating?" Ye Xilei tilted her head in confusion. "What kind of eating is that?"

The female demon was stunned for a moment, then she burst out laughing. "Oh my, little sis, don't tease me. You haven't even touched a man yet, have you?"

"I have! My father. My brother."

The female demon rolled her eyes, grabbed Ye Xilei, and whispered something in her ear. Ye Xilei's eyes widened in shock, and after the female demon finished speaking, Ye Xilei stood frozen, dumbfounded.

"Enjoy it properly." The female demon gave Ye Xilei a push and cheerfully left the cave.

Ye Xilei remained dazed, processing what the demon had said. So that was what she meant? But how could it be? Her mother had said that a girl's first time should be with someone she loved. Also, Ye Xilei's vague memories told her that the first time would be very painful! Who would want to seek out pain?

"Excuse me, demon sister, are you going to eat me?"

Unexpectedly, the man spoke up to remind Ye Xilei.

Ye Xilei snapped out of her daze and crouched down, curiously staring at the blindfold on the man's eyes.

"How much longer are you going to stare?" The man, with orange-red lips, had a calm, unhurried smile.

Ye Xilei reached out and carefully poked at the man's eyes. "Does it still hurt?"

The man froze for a moment, slightly tilting his head as if listening carefully with his ears.

"You seem to be human, so I must have come to the human realm. Don't worry, I won't eat you. Our demons never eat humans, because it makes us smell bad. Also, I'm a vegetarian. By the way, what's your name?"

"Bai Li Rong," the man answered lightly, with a faint smile that made it seem like he wasn't in a demon cave, but instead by a tranquil lakeside.

"Bai Li Rong…" Ye Xilei repeated his name, then glanced at his simple attire, a moon-colored robe, resembling a scholar. His hair was only bound with a yellow jade-colored band.

Ye Xilei leaned closer and sniffed Bai Li Rong. There was a faint, refreshing fragrance on him, like lotus leaves.

"What are you doing?" Bai Li Rong leaned toward Ye Xilei's nose and gently asked with a smile.

"Looking at you." Ye Xilei squinted her eyes in a silly way, "This is the first time I've seen a human. Can I touch you?"

Bai Li Rong's smile widened. "Sure."

Ye Xilei reached out her hand and gently traced his brow, then moved her hand down his face, pausing briefly before pinching his soft, elastic skin. She then touched his red lips, which were full and smooth. After pressing them slightly, she withdrew her hand and smiled, "You're just like me."

"Heh... Demons are said to admire human beauty, which is why we shape ourselves in human form," Bai Li Rong's tone was calm, like a soft breeze.

Ye Xilei immediately responded, "I was originally human, but I was reincarnated into the Demon Realm."

"Oh? How do you know?"

"I just know," Ye Xilei puffed up her cheeks, her bright eyes landing on Bai Li Rong's face again. "By the way, are you unable to move?"

"Yes."

"You must have been affected by the Charming Fragrance. Open your mouth."

Bai Li Rong complied and opened his mouth. Ye Xilei leaned in and blew a breath into his mouth. Bai Li Rong frowned slightly, a hint of surprise appearing on his face. The cool breath was like mint, spreading through his body and making him feel completely refreshed.

"Try moving now." Ye Xilei returned to her original position and hugged her knees, happily watching Bai Li Rong.

Bai Li Rong tried to move and found that the demon poison restricting his movements had dissipated.

He reached out his hands toward Ye Xilei and touched her face. She asked, "What are you doing?"

"Just curious. Are you really a demon who doesn't eat humans?" Bai Li Rong smiled gently, his warm voice reminding Ye Xilei of the quiet night, making her feel more affectionate toward him.

Ye Xilei, wanting Bai Li Rong to believe she was truly a demon, revealed her true form.

Unlike other demons who turn into animals, Ye Xilei's true form was still humanoid—fox ears and a large tail.

Ye Xilei stuck her tail into Bai Li Rong's hand proudly. "See, I wasn't lying. We demons are actually very kind."

"I can see that." Bai Li Rong gently stroked the soft, warm tail with a slight smile on his lips. "And very innocent."

"Of course!" Ye Xilei felt it was a compliment and smiled happily. "I'll take you out. That sister doesn't seem like a good demon."

Bai Li Rong lay down lazily, using her tail as a pillow. "We can't escape. That demoness has eaten ninety-nine human hearts, gaining five hundred years of magical power. Not even a regular mage or a thousand-year-old demon can control her."

"My goodness!" Ye Xilei was shocked. "So eating human hearts increases magical power. No wonder demons do it."

"Are you interested in eating them too?" Bai Li Rong reached out and brushed against Ye Xilei's clothes, but immediately withdrew his hand, frowning. "Aren't you a fox?"

"I am, but my true form is human-shaped," Ye Xilei propped her chin up with both hands, her silver eyes twinkling. "I used up my magic earlier, so I can't deal with her right now. Once I recover, I'll be able to handle her. I definitely can't bring her back to the Demon Realm. She's violated the biggest rule—eating humans. It's terrifying. No wonder it smells so bad here..." Ye Xilei looked around, pouting and furrowing her brows.

"Then it seems we can't escape," Bai Li Rong sighed faintly.

"Not necessarily," Ye Xilei glanced at Bai Li Rong, grinning mischievously. Bai Li Rong tilted his head as if sensing her intentions. "What are you planning?"

"Bai Li Rong, how about you use your good looks to charm her? You seduce her, and I'll handle her."

Bai Li Rong immediately stood up, his smile widening. "It's a good idea."

"Hehe, of course. I can tell that sister really likes you. Get ready, I'll go call her. By the way, do you want to take your clothes off?"

"..." Bai Li Rong's face darkened slightly.

"Well... you decide. Meow, let's go, Maomao."

"Meow!" Maomao leapt off the bed again, landing headfirst. Fortunately, she was carrying the little brocade box on her back, which helped her balance a bit.

Bai Li Rong smiled faintly at Ye Xilei's back as she left. He stood up and touched the stone wall, found the stone bed, and sat down. After adjusting his worn but neat robe, he sat quietly, his long, pale fingers tapping lightly on the bed's edge, waiting for the fox demon to come for her meal.

Ye Xilei and Maomao stepped out of the stone cave, and the dazzling sunlight and fresh air made Ye Xilei even more fond of it. She hadn't reached the cave's entrance when the female demon entered, "So soon?"

Ye Xilei pretended to be shy, twisting her clothes and biting her lip. "I... I don't know how."

"Poof! Hahaha, what a pity, such a stunning beauty."

Ye Xilei immediately jumped forward, clasping her hands behind her back, "Why don't you teach me, sis?"

"Little devil." The female demon poked Ye Xilei's forehead and swayed her waist.