Substitute Bride Phoenix, The Tyrant's Pampered Demon Empress

Translator: Paperplane, _Lunaelle, Zenobys

Kaboom!

The skies thundered deafeningly and relentlessly, just as a golden, shining dragon endlessly weaved in and out of the clouds, its roars ringing over the horizon.

On the ground, the peasants could not help looking skyward as they vaguely heard something.

They could more or less see a golden object dancing and twirling amongst the clouds.

Suddenly, the Demon Master arrived before Liu Rushuang.

The Demon Master’s waist-length white hair swayed against the wind, his handsome, sharp face remains cold as ever. Even so, the corner of his lips curled up a little in a smile when he saw Liu Rushuang, and he said, “Congratulations on strengthening your cultivation so much, Fire Phoenix!”

His voice was rich and deep like the ancient sounds of nature. Liu Rushuang turned towards the voice, flapped her tender yet razor-sharp wings twice before turning back to human form.

Her hair was red and reached her waist, her soft and silky red gown was decorated with red flowers that were about to blossom. Her skin was snowy white and her facial features attractive as ever, and her crimson lips arced perfectly in a smile as she said, “Long time no see, Demon Master.”

There was a troubled look in the Demon Master’s eyes, as he felt irrepressibly restless the instant he saw Fire Phoenix. It was as if there was a little person inside him, yelling at him to claim her at all costs, but he took a deep breath just then—his gaze turning much clearer than before, he replied neutrally, “Yes, long time now see. Perhaps you would care to visit my palace as a guest?”

Nonetheless, Fire Phoenix had long since entrusted her body and soul to that damned Golden Scales, for only he could give her happiness. The man himself had even been put on trial for exactly that, and it was something that could not be changed.

Moreover, the confined space of the Demon Palace was definitely inhospitable for Fire Phoenix, as it only suited Demons which symbolized corruption and destruction.

Likewise, the desolate aura of despair that seems to extend from the Demon Master’s body left Liu Rushuang feeling sympathy and depression at the same time.

She stared directly into his purple-red pupils, finding it as deep as a ten-thousand feet abyss, as if all emotions were engulfed within that chaotic darkness.

“Demon Master, I am certainly willing to visit you since you had extended such a sincere invitation… but I’m afraid I could not make it today. However, after Golden Scales and my child is born, I would definitely bring them to visit you.”

It was clear that she was telling the Demon Master that things were impossible between them and that he should give up entirely. In response, the Demon Master smiled bitterly and nodded. “Very well. I wouldn’t hang around if that’s what you want. Farewell.”

A dark flash streaked through the horizon as the Demon Master disappeared from sight.

Chong’er did not leave with him, however, and looked up Liu Rushuang with envy, gratitude, and other emotions, which was ultimately summed up in a single line, “Thank you, Fire Phoenix.”

Liu Rushuang knew that Chong’er was no more than a trinket whose existence was inconsequential to the Demon Master. Her long black hair touched ground, and she wore a black collar with her body-hugging gown, which could stir any man’s heart when coupled with her devilishly charming face—but she still fails to capture the Demon Master’s heart.

It was quite tragic.

At that though, Liu Rushuang asked her caringly, “Has the Demon Master been treating you differently recently, Chong’er?”

Chong’er’s smiled unhappily with her delicate, red lips. “What else could change? He still treats me the same, because I’m a disposable existence… he holds no affection towards me, even if he does not hate me.”

Regardless, there was calmness in her purple-red eyes, as if she was accustomed to the Demon Master’s indifference.

“Believe in yourself, Chong’er. I’ll always support you.”

Liu Rushuang told her with a sincere expression, her eyes overflowing with encouragement for her.

Chong’er smiled in return, before disappearing in a flash as well.