The Righteous Brother Su & The Little Demon!

"Where's your friend?"

Back at the worn, moss-covered cottage, Grandpa Zhong snorted, his wizened face twisting with disdain as he glanced at Wei Jun, who crouched over the fire pit, coaxing the flames to life.

"It's been hours since he disappeared."

Wei Jun shrugged, his sleeves rolled up as he fanned the fire, beads of sweat rolling down his brow. His irritation barely concealed itself beneath his calm tone. "Shouldn't you be more worried about unsealing my cultivation instead of him?"

Grandpa Zhong sneered, waving a hand lazily. "Figure it out yourself. Learn to master the 'Ancient Sealing Gate' and undo it, or stay weak. Makes no difference to me."

Wei Jun's face darkened, the firelight glinting off his narrowing eyes. "…Old man."

The [Ancient Sealing Gate]—a bloodline technique unique to their clan—was a terrifying ability capable of sealing even the strongest cultivator's strength.

But unsealing it was another matter entirely, requiring mastery far beyond Wei Jun's current abilities. Grandpa Zhong, of course, delighted in his grandson's helplessness.

Grinding his teeth, Wei Jun stood, brushing dirt from his robes. "Fine. I'll go find him. At least he doesn't spend all day taunting me."

Anything was better than enduring Grandpa Zhong's barbs.

As Wei Jun turned to leave, the old man watched him go, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "That boy never brings anyone here," he murmured, almost to himself.

For Wei Jun to have brought Su Xiaobai to their secluded home, there had to be a reason. Grandpa Zhong didn't know the specifics, but he had learned long ago not to underestimate his grandson.

Beneath Wei Jun's lazy, carefree facade lay a sharp, calculating mind—a serpent lying in wait, its fangs hidden until the perfect moment to strike.

"Not showing your fangs until the moment to bite," Grandpa Zhong murmured approvingly. "The first rule of survival."

His expression soured as his thoughts wandered to the past.

"If only that cursed girl wasn't in the picture…" he muttered, his voice laced with bitterness.

The Xiantian Sect woman had plagued their family for generations. Even his son had failed to escape her grasp. A sigh escaped him, heavy and resigned.

"That wretched woman…"

____

"Whistle~~"

By the lake, Wei Jun strolled toward the water's edge, whistling a light tune. As his gaze settled on the scene before him, he froze mid-step, his sharp eyes locking onto the figure sitting by the lake.

At first, he thought it was the doll-like girl from earlier—a fragile, tiny thing. But now...

'What the hell...?' His brows furrowed. The girl was taller now, her porcelain skin glowing faintly in the twilight, her long black hair swaying with the breeze.

Wei Jun quickly hid his surprise behind a casual smirk.

"Brother Su," he called out, his tone playful, "congratulations! Your little daughter has grown up. Should I call her Lady Su now?"

Leaning against a tree, Su Xiaobai snorted, not even sparing Wei Jun a glance. "Call her what you want, Brother Jun. Just don't call her 'Mother' when she decides to devour your soul."

Wei Jun's steps faltered, a chill creeping up his spine, but he recovered quickly, laughing. "So elegant, Brother Su. Truly, a man of words."

Su Xiaobai tilted his head lazily. "Words or not, she nearly ended my bloodline earlier. If you think she's harmless, go ahead—offer her your heavenly treasures. Let's see if you fare better."

Wei Jun blinked. Then, realization struck. He instinctively stepped back, his voice trembling with mock fear. "That's priceless, Brother Su. Did she really think you were hiding treasures there?"

Su Xiaobai rolled his eyes. "Treasure? Sure. But if she clings any harder, my clan's lineage ends here. Do you have a spare jade root of vitality? Because I'll need one soon."

Wei Jun burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. "Su Xiaobai, you might be the first man to nearly lose his legacy to a demon toddler. No wonder you looked half-dead earlier!"

The demon girl tilted her head, her crimson eyes narrowing slightly at their exchange, though her expression remained calm.

"Enough jokes," Su Xiaobai cut in, sensing her growing irritation. He didn't trust her not to lash out, and sparing Wei Jun's life felt like a courtesy. "Why are you here anyway? Can't I have a moment of peace?"

Wei Jun smiled wryly, stepping closer but keeping his distance from the girl. "I got bored babysitting Grandpa. Then I find your 'baby' babysitting you? How could I miss this?"

Su Xiaobai sighed, rubbing his temple. "She's not my baby. She's…" He glanced at the demon girl, his expression softening briefly before hardening again. "Something I don't understand yet."

Wei Jun studied her, his usual grin fading. Despite her calm demeanor, there was something wrong—an unnatural aura that felt out of place.

She was no mere girl.

She felt like a celestial, her presence overwhelming the mortal soil beneath her feet.

"Whatever she is," Wei Jun said quietly, "she's not ordinary. That's obvious."

Su Xiaobai gave a half-shrug. "Ordinary things don't stay around me. I've come to terms with it." His tone sharpened as he turned back to Wei Jun. "But if you're done laughing, keep your distance. She bites, and she doesn't aim for places you'd survive losing."

Wei Jun chuckled nervously, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Understood. No sudden moves around Lady Su."

The demon girl's eyes flickered briefly, unreadable, before settling again.

Wei Jun frowned slightly, his instincts uneasy. "Brother, have you thought about how to explain her existence to others? She doesn't seem… alive."

Su Xiaobai frowned, but Wei Jun pressed on. "Call her a puppet. It's believable, and no one would question you too much."

Su Xiaobai studied Xiao Hei thoughtfully. It was plausible. Puppet refiners were rare, but he had enough knowledge to feign expertise if needed.

For the first time, Su Xiaobai grinned. "You're not completely useless, Brother Jun."

Later, he tested the story with Grandpa Zhong, asking if he could distinguish Xiao Hei from a puppet. The old man nearly gouged out his eyes in frustration when he failed.

Not satisfied, Grandpa Zhong summoned 'four' massive ancient sealing gates to test her, only to be met with failure again.

Red-faced and defeated, Grandpa Zhong muttered something about feeling unwell and retreated to his chambers.

Wei Jun had never seen the old man so frustrated.

Watching Grandpa Zhong retreat with stiff shoulders and muttered curses, Wei Jun leaned closer to Su Xiaobai and whispered with a smile, "I think he just realized there's a bigger monster than him out there. Brother Su, you might want to sleep with one eye open tonight…"

Su Xiaobai sighed, leading Xiao Hei into the woods to sleep far from the cottage.

"What if the old man tries to sneak attack her?" Su Xiaobai muttered. "Safer this way."

_____

That night, Su Xiaobai rested high in a towering tree, Xiao Hei nestled in his arms. The forest below lay silent, broken only by the rustle of leaves and the soft call of crickets.

Her warmth pressed against him, carrying the faint scent of dried roses—a fragrance both soothing and haunting, like a memory just out of reach.

Rustle~~

A breeze brushed past, her black hair grazing his face. He frowned but let it be, his gaze falling on her doll-like face.

Peaceful. Innocent.

Why did it feel like they'd always slept this way, as though bound by threads beyond time?

"Acting harmless," Su Xiaobai muttered, brushing a strand from her cheek. He couldn't help but chuckle. "Cute face, deadly grip. If the world knew a one-day-old was Core Formation, shrines or chaos—it's a coin toss."

His fingers brushed her small hand, smooth and cool like jade. "But if I left you, you'd sell yourself for a shiny bauble." His smile turned bitter. "Guess that makes me your babysitter."

Leaning back, he sighed. "The righteous Brother Su and the little demon… What a pair."

"..."

Her lashes flickered; the corners of her lips twitched.

Su Xiaobai smirked. "Awake, huh? Playing innocent suits you."

He closed his eyes, his head resting against the trunk. Above, stars gleamed faintly, scattered like shards of a shattered mirror. For years, his thoughts had been consumed by the path home.

Tonight, for the first time, he wondered if this was where he was meant to be.

But Xiao Hei wasn't so idle.

Nine times — that night, she tried to kill him.

Each time, her claws extended, gleaming faintly under the moonlight. Each time, they hovered, trembling above his neck. Her crimson eyes glowed with intent, her hand poised for the strike—yet the killing blow refused to land.

Su Xiaobai snored softly, oblivious. His arm cradled her loosely, his breath warm against her hair.

Her claws hovered closer, so near she could feel the faint pulse beneath his skin. One swipe, and it would end.

Why do I hesitate?

The starlight fell on his face, serene and unguarded. He looked nothing like the fierce fighter who had outwitted beasts and men alike. His sleeping face, softened by dreams, unsettled her more than any blade could.

Her chest burned with an unfamiliar heat.

Kill him! Now!

Her claws trembled. Instead of striking, they brushed his robe.

Shnick!

The faintest graze of her claws drew a thin red line across his neck. A bead of blood welled up, shimmering like ruby dew.

Her breath hitched.

She froze, staring at the blood. Her claws retracted, trembling.

Ugh, stop this!

Her chest heaved as if she'd been struck, the pain inexplicable.

"Tch… mosquitos," Su Xiaobai muttered, scratching at his neck in his sleep.

Her eye twitched.

Without a sound, she slipped from his embrace. The branch shuddered beneath her light step as she fell silently into the void below.

Whoosh!

A crimson mist caught her, cradling her small jade feet like silk. She glided into the darkness, leaving only the faint scent of roses behind.

Below, tiny droplets fell softly to the ground. Not dew.

Tears.