7 Chapter 7
Hearing her last words, Tan Lan De burst out laughing.
– Do you think, you can threaten me? – he said softly, watching the flames devour the remains of dry bushes and trees. – You don't know me, Zhi Yan.
I will find Aoi, with or without your help, but apart from me, the demonic fire can only be extinguished by one single person, who, by an unfortunate coincidence, is now in the mortal world, not here. So if you want to ask me about a favor, you'll have to do it properly, – he pointedly stretched out his left hand in front of him. – I'm not asking you to kneel, – after all, you are the queen of snakes, but you must show due respect, being in front of one of the higher demons.
– Zhi Yan apologizes to the Demon of fire for it's rudeness. It's not every day that I get to see immortals of this level, – the queen dutifully kissed the outstretched hand. – Perhaps my offer was too bold and presumptuous, but I can really help you.
– How exactly?
– Recently I was in the mortal world, sir. As you know, the strongest clan of casters in the east has always been the Clan of the Snow Wind, but not so long ago, the Clan of the Blood Moon began to spread its influence throughout the middle world, and attacks by cultivators in crimson robes, whose faces are hidden by masks, became more frequent in the forests. They claim that they worship the scarlet immortal, and the dead are a kind of offering in order for him to hear their prayers.
It is known that the scarlet immortal has a gentle and good-natured disposition. When I was driving along the eastern highway, I happened to see with my own eyes how he revived the deceased caster, whose body had already begun to decompose. It is obvious that he wanted to stop his worshippers from further sacrifices in this way.
I managed to capture a cultivator who was brought back to life by the scarlet immortal, –Zhi Yan added. – He is connected to his savior by a thread of fate. Wherever Aoi is, Ji Luo can find him, Sir.
– Ji Luo?
– That's the name of this young man, sir. If you wish, I can bring him to your palace at once.
Tan Lan De curled his lips into a grin.
– Is that how they offer help? – he said softly. – Come closer, snake maiden, I don't like when someone is standing at a distance, – throwing aside all ceremony, Tan Lan De grabbed the queen by the wrist, pulling her to him.
Expecting to see embarrassment or fright on her face, he was unpleasantly surprised by the cold gaze directed at him. Zhi Yan's emerald eyes were the same as those of other snake spirits, but the girl looked at him so indifferently, as if he was worse than the dirt under her feet, and this raised another wave of irritation in the Demon of fire.
– Sir, – called Zhi Yan, – let me go. A person of your status shouldn't touch me. What happens if you accidentally get dirty?
– Dirt can always be washed away with someone else's blood, – Tan Lan De smiled broadly. Extinguishing the flame with one wave of his hand, he roughly grabbed the snake maiden by the waist, pressing his lips to her. – Now, you have a piece of my fire in you, white snake, – he said smugly, pulling away after a moment. – And if you lied to me, I'll burn your body from the inside.
When the Demon of fire melted into the air, turning into smoke, the snake queen's face turned purple with anger. Tearing off a thin silver chain from her neck, at the end of which was attached a tiny bell, she turned into a statuesque dark-haired caster.
– Tan Lan De, Tan Lan De, – he hissed, rubbing his lips with disgust, still burning from the kiss, – one day I will repay you a hundredfold for all the humiliations.
