A Day with the Demon Lord

Then Jiang Ningshu naturally lay down beside Su Luo.

“So, what’s the plan for tomorrow?”

“You seem to have a hunch—did you know I’d arrange something for you?”

“No, I’m just the Demon Lord. I’m not skilled in divination or fortune-telling. But just now, I vaguely sensed something off about you.” Jiang Ningshu began applying pressure.

Faced with Jiang Ningshu’s confident demeanor, Su Luo couldn’t help but wonder if he’d slipped up somehow.

In that case, there was no point in pretending.

Su Luo replied earnestly, “You saw right through me. There is something I’ll need your help with tomorrow.”

If the Demon Lord followed the script as usual, it wouldn’t be necessary—but if anything unexpected happened, having insurance wouldn’t hurt.

“So, what is it?”

“Let’s talk about it tomorrow.”

Su Luo didn’t want to appear too conspicuous, lest people think he could foresee the future.

“How dull.”

The two chatted idly, showing no concern for what tomorrow might bring.

As night fell, Su Luo prepared to return to his room.

The Demon Lord asked, “Where do I sleep?”

“Sleep where? Aren’t you going back?”

“No.”

“There used to be others here, but now it’s just the two of us. Isn’t that inappropriate?” Su Luo began applying pressure of his own.

“Would you do anything to me?”

“No.”

Well, Su Luo figured sticking to the plot was more important than stirring up unnecessary complications.

“Then it’s settled.”

“But you never know, right?”

“Do I?”

Jiang Ningshu closed the distance between them, nearly bumping into Su Luo, showing no signs of stopping.

Su Luo’s pride flared up—he refused to back down, determined to see who would crack first.

Their heartbeats inexplicably quickened. Su Luo couldn’t fathom what Jiang Ningshu was playing at—had he done anything to raise her favorability?

All he’d given her was a heavily nerfed method to restore her strength. He knew the Demon Lord wouldn’t act like this over something so trivial.

The distance between them was so close that Su Luo could feel Jiang Ningshu’s breath.

Su Luo spaced out for a moment. If he didn’t step back now, they’d collide. Should he retreat?

Before he could decide, Jiang Ningshu halted. Though she was grateful to Su Luo—for helping her regain her strength and uncovering truths she’d been kept in the dark about—she wasn’t the type to act recklessly.

The two stood mere inches apart.

Su Luo smirked. I knew your pride wouldn’t let you go through with it. Trying to intimidate me? You’re 10,000 years too early.

“For some reason, you look awfully pleased with yourself,” Jiang Ningshu remarked, irked by his expression.

“Not at all.” Su Luo immediately schooled his face into seriousness.

“So, where do I sleep?”

“Do you even need to sleep?”

Both of them were cultivators of considerable skill—sleep was more of an occasional indulgence than a necessity.

“You’re about to retire to your room, and you’d just leave me here alone?”

“Fine, fine. I’ll keep you company, then.” Su Luo hadn’t expected the Demon Lord to be this clingy.

This wasn’t like the Jiang Ningshu he knew.

They ended up stargazing.

It was actually quite boring—they’d long since grown tired of staring at the stars.

By midnight, Jiang Ningshu spoke up. “Today’s the second day.”

“And?”

“Starting today, I’ll follow your lead. Don’t you have anything to say?”

“Nope.”

“That hurts my feelings. Is there really nothing about me that moves you?”

“Don’t suddenly develop weird competitive urges.”

“Make a request, and maybe this competitive streak will vanish.”

“There’ll be one. I’ll definitely need you for something today.”

Though she didn’t know what Su Luo had in mind, Jiang Ningshu felt she could already guess—it was hardly original.

“What about tonight?”

“I feel like you’re trying to tempt me.”

“Not at all. I’m just disappointed you’d waste such a perfect opportunity.”

“Disappointed or not, let’s sleep.”

……

“Since it’s a rare chance… how about a dance?”

Jiang Ningshu froze, not expecting that request.

Well, it wasn’t impossible—just embarrassingly awkward.

“If you’re not comfortable, forget it.” Su Luo had no intention of forcing her.

“Alright.”

Jiang Ningshu stepped before Su Luo, assuming a poised stance.

Even the opening pose alone was breathtaking before the dance had even begun.

Then, with effortless grace, she began to dance. The initial embarrassment faded quickly—she wasn’t the type to fuss over such things.

Her movements were elegant and fluid, her figure light and agile, exuding an enchanting charm.

Su Luo found himself entranced. Appreciating beauty was sometimes an involuntary reflex—and it was only proper respect for the Demon Lord’s dedication to the performance.

As the dance concluded, Jiang Ningshu glided gracefully to Su Luo’s side. “Well? How was it?”

“I can only say… I’m thrice blessed.”

“That’s an exaggeration. It’s been ages since I last danced.”

Naturally—what kind of Demon Lord danced in public?

“The fact that you’d dance for me at all is an honor.”

“Want to see more?”

“This was more than enough.”

They chatted a while longer before Su Luo deliberately fell asleep, afraid he might actually develop feelings for the Demon Lord.

The night passed quickly. Su Luo didn’t wake until the allied sects arrived.

His first act upon rising was to stretch.

“Slept like a log. Demon Lord, how about you? Everything alright?”

“I didn’t sleep. I was watching you the whole time.”

“Now I’m feeling a bit self-conscious.”

“But I doubt mere words could easily sway you.” Jiang Ningshu saw no trace of embarrassment on Su Luo’s face—he’d slept soundly through the night.

“Demon Lord, are you underestimating your own charm?”

“Heh. And would you say you’ve underestimated yours?” she countered.

“I’m just a regular guy—what charm do I have?” In the past, Su Luo might’ve been vain or tried to act cool, but now he was in full slacker mode, often too lazy to even groom himself properly. Where was the charm in that?

“You’re the one underestimating yourself.”

“Someone’s attacking outside. What a hassle.” Su Luo deliberately changed the subject.

“What a disaster.”

“You don’t seem worried.”

“I’m the Demon Lord. I’ve seen plenty of grand scenes.”

Su Luo realized he was still stuck in his old mindset—assuming Jiang Ningshu would panic without her cultivation. But now that she had her strength back, her confidence was unshakable.

“Then stay here for now. I’ll be back soon.”

Su Luo still had to play his part as a minor character.

“Mm.” Jiang Ningshu nodded obediently.

She’s really going along with this? Su Luo found her behavior baffling. Was becoming his friend really worth it?