Chapter Sixteen: A Labor Contract?
Bai Xuci struggled, unable to turn his head. Hearing silence, he guessed Fu Lin had left. He slowly lifted his rabbit eyes.
“Um, Venerable Lord…” He’d fallen asleep on the tray and had only just woken up, missing most of the conversation.
“Mm,” came the low reply. A finger moved, lightly pressing the bump on his head.
Bai Xuci: “!!” He frantically tried to jump away, but his head was trapped; only his legs struggled, slipping because his nails had been trimmed. It was pathetic and comical.
“I hear you bite,” the voice was flat, the finger finally moving away.
Bai Xuci froze. What? His legs slipped completely, his body unsteady. Only his head remained in Fan Yue’s grasp.
“…” He tried to struggle, but—
“Clang!” The tray fell to the ground.
Bai Xuci: “…” His only support was Fan Yue’s hand; his legs couldn’t reach anything else. He felt awkward.
He reached out a paw, trying to… grab… the robe with golden patterns… then stopped, because Fan Yue was looking at him impassively.
He silently withdrew his paw.
“Why don’t you answer?” Fan Yue seemed relaxed, ready for a chat.
“…” Bai Xuci found the question absurd. Even if he weren’t a rabbit, he should still be able to bite. Was it a skill?
After a second’s thought—
“I can,” he said timidly, subtly raising his eyes. He intended to observe the situation, but it looked like he was batting his eyelashes.
The demon lord smirked, giving him a cold look.
Bai Xuci: “…” Being a demon shouldn’t be so affected.
This position was uncomfortable. Half his body dangled before the demon lord; only his head was held. Anyone would find it unbearable!
He kicked, landing on the demon lord’s knee, finally sitting comfortably.
“Whew…” His head was no longer hanging. He comfortably shook his ears.
“Comfortable?”
“Yeah, alright,” he replied reflexively, turning to groom his fur. He was caught, his four legs lifted.
“Venerable… Lord, I—” He tried to explain, but his mouth was covered by a finger. A calm command followed.
“Don’t you bite?”
“Bite.”
Bai Xuci: “…” This kind of request was unusual. He felt embarrassed. His legs intertwined; he was nervous.
“Can I really?”
Fan Yue’s expression became more intriguing. “You can.”
Bai Xuci felt strangely excited; his ears perked up.
Fan Yue: “…”
The rabbit’s mouth slowly opened, revealing small white teeth, moving closer…
“Woof—”
“Eh!” A surprised cry. Bai Xuci was flipped onto the demon lord’s lap, his mouth pried open by a finger, held open by the demon’s magic.
Fan Yue impassively examined the rabbit’s teeth, touching the sharp incisors, finding the hardness satisfactory. He checked the other teeth, very relaxed.
Bai Xuci was shocked. How could he be so deceived? He struggled, protesting. His red eyes showed defiance.
Inner thoughts: Let me go! You fiend! This is outrageous!
Fan Yue glanced at the rabbit… its ears, previously standing up in anger, slowly drooped. Its eyes shifted away, slightly guilty.
Inner thoughts: It’s just checking teeth. Why be so fierce!
Fan Yue found the demon interesting: hypocritical and clumsy.
A moment later—
“Venerable… Lord… are… you… done?” Bai Xuci mumbled. He felt like a fish on a cutting board, helpless and awkwardly posed. His legs were held, unable to escape. He felt like he could be seasoned and grilled.
“Mm, nice teeth,” came the low comment. The hand released him, looking at the sprawled rabbit with interest.
Fu Lin was thorough, reporting on the rare “empty spirit body” constitution and detailing the rabbit’s muscular legs and nail growth. A full checkup, except for the teeth.
Bai Xuci lay on his back, his ears drooping, a picture of exhaustion. His legs twitched.
“Fu Lin likely hasn’t told you.” Fan Yue wiped his fingers, ignoring the rabbit pancake on his lap.
The drooping ears twitched, sensing important information. Bai Xuci perked up, turning himself over. His head was swollen, and his back legs were numb from Fan Yue’s grip. He leaned on Fan Yue’s lap, catching his breath. How tiring!
He lifted his legs, stood unsteadily, and prepared to shake himself off. But a subtle chuckle…
Bai Xuci thought he’d misheard, but turning around, he was speechless. What strange quirks did this demon lord have?
“Your life is short,” Fan Yue said, seeing the rabbit looking over. His golden eyes were expectant.
Bai Xuci: “!!” What? His magical power running out aside, he’d hit his head, and now this?!
He took a deep breath and looked up.
“Venerable Lord,” he said crisply, his legs stepping forward, his ruby eyes sincere. The demon lord seemed amused, his voice low.
“Mm?”
“Maybe you should just kill me.”
“…”
“I’m serious.”
“…”
Bai Xuci felt frustrated, scratching his head, hitting a sore spot. He winced, his ears flattening.
Years ago, he couldn’t transform, couldn’t find food, and his mood was always negative. He wandered the mountain, watching sunsets and fish. It was monotonous; only when he was extremely hungry would he eat grass. He considered starving to death. But then the demon lord awoke, the mountain thrived, and he, a small demon, was inexplicably blessed. He learned to transform after the Lin Da Niang incident. That was his progress. But that was all.
He sighed, reviewing his life, feeling increasingly sad.
What was the point of living? Emo. He looked up at the demon lord again.
“You seek death?” Fan Yue spoke first, surprised.
Bai Xuci hesitated. Fu Lin had spoken to him like that, with a look of “affection.” His magical power was clearly a problem! He’d probably die soon anyway. Sad.
But… he thought, then asked tentatively,
“Did Fu Lin say… how long I have?” A week?
Fan Yue studied him, smirking slightly.
“About two hundred years.”
The rabbit’s ears sprang up.
Bai Xuci: “!!” Two hundred years! So long!
“Venerable—” His legs moved forward; he looked up excitedly.
“But since you have no purpose, I’ll grant you—” A dark mist appeared in the palm, seemingly kind… A white paw interrupted.
Fan Yue looked over impassively.
“I… I can’t,” Bai Xuci stammered, offering a sincere look.
“Oh?” Fan Yue feigned surprise. “Why not?”
Bai Xuci thought it was obvious! Two hundred years wasn’t two days! He’d changed his mind!
“Because… because…” He looked away, seeing the lively dark mist in Fan Yue’s palm, ready for action. “Because I still have things to do, things I need to accomplish in the remaining time.”
He swallowed, not realizing he was repeating himself.
Fan Yue wasn’t listening closely, his gaze on the swollen head. A wisp of black mist escaped, searching for a target.
“Some things?” His tone was calm, yet suggestive.
Bai Xuci suddenly had an epiphany.
“To serve the Venerable Lord!” “I haven’t properly served the Venerable Lord yet. I will contribute to Lin Mountain!” He felt like he’d been given a red scarf.
“Mm, good.” The mist retreated; Fan Yue’s gaze returned. “You’ll work in the side hall, fulfilling your duty to serve.” He watched the rabbit’s reaction with interest.
Bai Xuci was stunned. He’d… signed a labor contract?