Days passed. Dong Hua and Feng jiu spent almost all of their time together. While Lian Song and Cheng Yu kept Dong Hua updated, Yan Chiwu, Fang lei, and Ji Heng were missing. And certainly, suspicions arose about the mysterious cave. 

Dong Hua had a strong feeling that something was gonna happen. And that's why he had decided that he'd spend a few days in the mortal realm with Feng Jiu. Until she healed completely at least. He would stay as long as he could because after that well according to the feeling he got Tang Yin ought to be planning something diabolical and big. He didn't want Feng Jiu to be hurt in the slightest. And for that matter, he knew that the jade imprinted with the unicorn was unique and would protect her, at least from Tang Yin's dark magic.

He cast all worrying thoughts aside and focused on being with Feng Jiu. He didn't care about his cultivation or backlash. It was nothing much, but it still needed time to heal and as such would reduce his battle prowess.

Feng Jiu and he were sitting at the dining table, eating soupy noodles. Out in the area, it was raining. 

"Where is Fang lei?" she asked casually. "They haven't even come to see me..." she pouted.

Dong Hua paused and then replied softly, " I told them to investigate something for me."

"Oh," Feng Jiu thought for a moment and then grinned.

Dong Hua raised his brows slightly.

"Then will Di Jun stay with me?" she asked in a small voice, however, her eyes were filled with stars and bold.

Dong Hua didn't say anything and just beckoned to her. She was puzzled but she stepped towards him anyway.

He leaned towards her ear and whispered, "As long as I don't drink oblivion water and forget all about you."

Feng Jiu stepped back and sullenly glared at him.

---

Watching movies, during which Feng Jiu would fall asleep and yet again Dong Hua would be carrying her into her room. They would visit places, play together. Feng Jiu was kind of lively which affected Dong Hua too. It was like he had discovered his inner child or something. If Feng Jiu was doing something foolish and mischievous he'd just smile and go along with it. He would never impose any kind of restrictions on Feng Jiu. He would always let her do what she wished and never held her back.

He knew she was small, too young. While he was basically an old man, even if he was painfully handsome. Maturity was something, which couldn't be forced. He couldn't force Feng Jiu to live like him, neither force her to live in any way she didn't want. Instead, unknowingly his old fogey personality was changing into something it never was. Warm and youthful.

He couldn't help but rub her adorable head, kiss her forehead, hug her close. It was like he was getting addicted every day. He felt like he was holding an extremely precious treasure in his palm. Not as fragile as it seemed, but he still wanted to protect her.

Also, he didn't want her to know about Tang Yin. He had to fight Tang Yin. He knew she was up to something and that she would be powerful because of the devil Dao. He could sense it. She was provoking Dong Hua. And her confidence told that she wasn't completely powerless against him.

 On the other hand, Dong Hua was somewhat weaker. He could only use seventy percent of his powers because of the backlash. But if he told her he was going to fight alone, she would follow him. He didn't tell her because he knew her. She wouldn't leave Di Jun, whether fighting a formidable foe or fighting against fate. That was just her. She would join him unhesitatingly. Just like she jumped in the soul locking Jade when he was fighting with countless ghosts. He wasn't even in much danger but got herself injured.

He would smile as he recalled how he got his little foolish fox.

But he knew even if he didn't want to leave her alone for even a single moment, he had to do it alone. It was his matter and he couldn't take Feng Jiu and get her life in danger.

"What do you wanna do recently?" He asked.

"I want some peach wine from Zhe Yan, play more with A-li, pay a visit to father and mother and, aunt, and uncle I wanna tell them a lot. And I want to enjoy the fox festival next month in Qingque after my empress ceremony. And most of all I want to spend a lot of time with you." She said excitedly. She collected their dishes and put them in the sink and threw herself on the sofa.

"So simple." He murmured and then smiled at her.

"In fact, everyone is simple in Qingque. All I want is a peaceful life and my first mission is to be a good queen. Even if I'm not that powerful, I want to be someone the people of Qingque can believe in."

He ran his fingers down her hair and stroked her head. Feng Jiu instinctively leaned her head against his palm. He looked at her and lowered his eyes to say, "I know. Qingque is indeed good. How about we live there after we get married?" 

Feng Jiu's eyes widened and she almost choked. Marriage? 

"I love you." 

He said as he lowered his head and kissed her cheek. The words he thought would sound weird from his mouth were rather delivered naturally and smoothly.

Feng Jiu's heart shook. Her nose was a little sour.

 "Loving you has long since become a part of me, Bai Feng jiu." She said and smiled.

Dong Hua smiled too although deep inside his heart he sighed.

---

A girl in a white robe was walking down a mountain path. Anyone who saw her would think that she was extremely beautiful. But the aura she gave off was cold even terrifying. Her eyes weren't raised. If they were, it would probably be a shocking sight because they were bright red. A complex expression appeared on her face.

The area she walked into was filled with corpses and ruins. Even as she entered, the place seemed to come alive. Although the people didn't resurrect neither did the fallen buildings reformed. But the place's energy entered her body, filling her body and mind. Even as a painful expression appeared on her face, she laughed.

"I didn't make the wrong choice..." she murmured as if she could convince herself. He sighed and let the energy flow into her.

"Now the Dao of Devil will be complete," she said her hair flew because of the cold wind surrounding her. Her aura became more terrifying and strange.

"Sever past Doas. Tread the path of the Devil. Master, Disciple pays respect."

Shocking changes appeared in her body. Her robe no longer was white but rather blood-colored. And suddenly a statue formed in front of her. It was golden. In between the ruins, it was the only thing intact. Although it too seemed on the verge of breaking apart. Tang Yin kowtowed to it. It seemed to gaze at her intensely. Although there were no changes in the statue.

Tang Yin gave it a last look before leaving. After she left the statue's eyes narrowed.

"My clown passed on my Dao to you. Although it was a path I founded. I later discovered that I was losing myself and thus severed it. My devilishness that I severed found you and managed to pass on its Dao. Interesting. 

Back then it was powerful too, but I chose to sever it because it wasn't me. It was the reason so many people died. I killed my own people to gain some more power but...all I can do is regret it. I don't know kid if you'll regret your decision or not." The statue's face changed. From an angle, it looked like it was crying. From another, it looked like it was laughing.

---

Back in their place, Feng Jiu was running into her room, and Dong Hua was just behind her. Then she stood at the entrance and looked back at Dong Hua biting her lip.

"I told you, you can't move into my room."

"Why. I told you I'm gonna make you my empress sooner or later," he said leaning into her,

Shameless she thought as she closed her eyes tightly.

"Okay Di Jun but you're still not allowed in," she said and closed the door behind her. She breathed a sigh of relief and jumped in her bed but then Dong Hua appeared next to her.

"You're not fair Di Jun." she shrieked as he pulled her in his lap, and wrapped his hand around her waist.

"It's your punishment for pranking me earlier."

"But you didn't get fooled," she whined.

"That's because I'm not stupid. Moreover, you did try to fool me."

"Di Jun..."

"Don't call me Di Jun. It seems too formal," he said. Feng Jiu flushed even more.

"But I'm used to it. And I think I should keep calling you that." She looked back at Di Jun who seemed amused and her shyness faded and she narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. 

"And second, I can protect myself if you're afraid of that strange woman from your past attacking me again." Feng Jiu said. He had already told her about everything that happened in the past with Tang Yin.

Dong Hua's smile faded a little. He said nothing for a moment then continued. "In a few days, the magical item Lian Song and I are creating, will open the blocked path to the heavenly realm. I promise you, when we go back, I'll go with you to Qingque and ask the fox king for your hand in marriage. So will you call me husband now?" he smiled. She bit her inner cheek as his nose was buried in her hair. She looked down at her hands and a small smile appeared on her face.

"As for moving into your room. I'll only sleep on the Sofa Xiao Bai. You are the one having bad thoughts." he said.

She snorted and turned to face him. "What? I am having bad thoughts?" she huffed and released herself from his grip. He smirked and caused her to fall back into his lap magically. She gasped.

"Di Jun!" she whispered. His eyes darkened. His arms that were around her waist tightened. He turned her around and pulled her into a kiss.

Her bare waist came into his hands. It made Feng Jiu feel a little itchy. Feng Jiu's heartbeat was even audible to her. Her cheeks and ears were red. But she pulled his head close to her and kisses him back more fiercely.

Dong Hua had a slight smile on his lips. Her wet eyes and pink lips almost made him lose his rationality. Feeling as if falling down this pit of obsession deeper and deeper wouldn't be bad at all, his hands slightly moved up from her waist. 

Her breathing stopped. As his hands reached up and cupped her soft breasts. He caressed and rubbed. Feng Jiu's head was buried in his neck. Her body was soft. She couldn't help but want to bite him. 

Dong Hua let out a small chuckle. 

They were close enough to feel each other's hearts racing. Feng Jiu closed her eyes.

___________________________________________________