The rabbit instantly fell silent, tears in its eyes, instinctively wanting to shrink its legs. Fan Yue closed his eyes, seemingly sighing, then lifted the rabbit with one hand.
A large hand held Bai Xuci by the scruff of his neck; he didn’t dare move, his paws scratching the air.
“Venerable—” he whispered.
A surge of magical power interrupted him.
“Why can’t you control it?” Fan Yue asked, annoyed, removing his hand.
Bai Xuci shook his head, sitting properly on Fan Yue’s lap, trying to turn his head away. It felt like being interrogated by the principal.
“I’ve always been like this,” he mumbled, his legs neatly together like a well-behaved student. He didn’t dare look up, fearing Fan Yue might actually bleed him. This terrible constitution was useless, only serving others. Why was he so unlucky?
Fan Yue forcibly turned the rabbit’s head. “How can’t you control it?”
Bai Xuci, unexpectedly pulled over, stumbled, then mumbled, “I just can’t. Usually, when I’m scared, I… transform…” His ears drooped; he felt uncomfortable. It felt like training. He wanted to solve this but couldn’t. He hadn’t been able to transform until recently, triggered by external events. After saving Lin Da Niang’s family, he’d stayed on the mountain, wanting to return to his rabbit form, but he remained in human form. As the sun set, a warm current flowed through him, opening his “meridians,” allowing him to transform.
“Venerable Lord, you won’t really—” He looked up anxiously, his red eyes emphasizing his worry.
Fan Yue: “Stop.”
“…” He fidgeted, adjusting his posture. “Okay,” he said with a hint of resentment.
Fan Yue looked at the rabbit, showing a rare hint of helplessness. He’d thought the rabbit had learned to control its transformations, but three years had passed with no progress.
Sensing its temporary safety, one ear lifted; its front legs stretched out, ready to lie down and rest.
Fan Yue raised an eyebrow, unexpectedly asking, “What are you doing here today?”
The rabbit froze, unable to lie down. “To… to serve the Venerable Lord.”
“You remember.” His tone was flat; his fingers tapped the armrest. His gaze shifted… The legs quickly retracted; it sat upright.
“Go down.” Cold and merciless.
Bai Xuci nimbly jumped down, cautiously leaning against the pillar, standing straight, eyes fixed ahead.
Fan Yue looked down at the creased clothes, smoothing them out. He paused at a spot—a clear rabbit paw print. He looked at the little demon.
“You look energetic.”
Bai Xuci didn’t dare move, diligently “serving.” Since the demon lord wasn’t using him, he needed to be observant. He needed to serve well! His posture became even straighter.
Fan Yue waited, finding the rabbit obedient, not even glancing his way. He rubbed his knuckles, feeling inexplicably irritated.
“Venerable Lord?” A soft question; something needed to be said. Bai Xuci, still in rabbit form, looked up with pleading eyes.
“What is it?” Fan Yue didn’t feel irritated; he gave him a look.
Seeing his chance, Bai Xuci stepped forward and began his prepared speech.
“Ahem… Venerable Lord,” he attempted to imitate a minister’s report.
Fan Yue suppressed a smile.
“People are excessively cutting trees at the foot of Lin Mountain, causing unrest among the spirits… perhaps—” He paused. What should he call himself? After a moment, he continued, “Perhaps this little demon could check for you,” finishing his report, not finding it strange.
Fan Yue: “…” “Little demon,” indeed, quite capable.
“Venerable Lord?” He waited obediently, planning to visit Lin Da Niang’s family. Hopefully, everything would be alright. As he pondered, he was lifted up.
“This one doesn’t need a ‘little demon’ to help ‘check’,” emphasizing the words.
Bai Xuci’s head slipped into Fan Yue’s sleeve; he struggled to breathe.
“But Venerable Lord, it’s a big problem! Shouldn’t you check?”
“This one will go personally.” With a wave of his hand, he disappeared.
The funnel remained suspended; a few wisps of black mist, exhausted, were struggling to enter and exit the funnel. As they were about to continue, they noticed the empty hall.
“Clang!” The funnel fell; the mist scattered, flying out to find its master.
Lin Mountain was beautiful; the paths were lush, unlike the “ghost mountain” in the rumors. Bai Xuci, peeking from Fan Yue’s arms, was engrossed, forgetting to ask to be put down.
But—he touched Fan Yue’s sleeve and looked down, realizing something was wrong. This was the path he often took down the mountain. Why were they here? He felt uneasy, lifting his head.
Their eyes met.
“Familiar?” Fan Yue looked down, casually.
Bai Xuci’s heart sank. He’d been discovered!
“Uh, no… familiar with what?” His unconvincing reply; he turned his head, thinking about escaping. He tried to pull out his leg… it was trapped.
“…”
A moment later—
A sound in the woods.
“Is this it?” Fan Yue asked calmly.
Bai Xuci was now human, standing behind Fan Yue, nervously tugging at his hair, unsure whether to be relieved or unlucky. Lin’s hut was intact, but he’d been discovered… He looked at the demon lord’s back, ashamed, remembering the recent spiritual oath. If Fan Yue knew he’d come down to see Nannan… he’d be doomed!
But… something was wrong. The spiritual oath didn’t seem…
“Speak.” His thoughts were interrupted.
“Mm, yes, here.” He examined the hut; nothing seemed special. He’d secretly come down for three years. What was there to see?
Fan Yue looked back; the white hair cascaded over the shoulders, shining in the sunlight; the eyelashes cast shadows on the face. He looked unexpectedly obedient. His gaze softened slightly.
The rabbit looked up, blinking. He looked a bit silly.
Fan Yue: “…” He turned away. But Bai Xuci, feeling observed, unconsciously walked forward, standing beside Fan Yue, looking up.
“Venerable Lord, is there something you need?”
Fan Yue didn’t want to speak, but—
“Nothing.”
Unexpectedly—
“Then why are you looking at me?” He thought his boss was looking at him because he’d done something wrong.
Fan Yue, initially annoyed, looked down. The clear eyes seemed to reflect things…
“You look good.” His tone was flat; he walked away, expressionless.
Bai Xuci was stunned, trying to understand, thinking it was merely a compliment. No, he was probably being dismissed and might become a dish. He shivered, remembering the hall’s conversation. He looked back; the demon lord was at the door.
“Venerable Lord!”
He rushed over; a few leaves fluttered in the wind, creating a tranquil scene.
… He grabbed Fan Yue’s sleeve, defying consequences. A cold gaze… He nervously let go.
“That… that’s not good; it’ll scare people.”
Fan Yue’s face darkened.
“Am I scary?”
“No… it’s just…” He struggled to explain, then had an idea, transforming into a handsome young man with neatly tied hair.
“Like this,” he whispered.
Fan Yue remembered the previous vision—similar black hair, shorter.
“Venerable Lord?” His thoughts returned. “You… should transform too.” A humble request. Fan Yue complied. The golden eyes were gone, less otherworldly. But—he frowned, looking at his simple, pale clothes, then at Fan Yue’s ornate robe. Why was his so luxurious?
A sound came from the hut. The door opened.
“It’s my Little Thirteen! I knew it was you!” A warm voice.
