Become the Demon Emperor

Lin Qianshuang was pressed to the ground by Han Shengyao, the oppressive aura emanating from above making her uneasy. The Demon Emperor’s gaze lingered on her like a chilling blade, ready to tear her apart. Lin Qianshuang sensed a looming danger, a premonition that her life could swiftly end. She feared that going to the Demon Emperor’s side would almost certainly result in her death.

Han Shengyao’s eyes lingered on the Demon Emperor for a few seconds before slowly lowering her hand from Lin Qianshuang’s head.

“Go to him,” an undeniably cold command echoed in her ears.

Lin Qianshuang, caught between the increasing tension of Han Shengyao and the Demon Emperor (who exuded barely-concealed hostility), realized with a jolt that the two were engaged in a silent power struggle. Commanded by Han Shengyao, she had no choice but to obey, despite the imminent danger.

Even facing possible death, Lin Qianshuang nervously approached the Demon Emperor’s throne. She braced herself for his terrifying, murderous gaze and stiffly ascended the steps, crouching before him.

The Demon Emperor’s hand shot out, forcefully gripping her neck and lifting her into the air. Just when Lin Qianshuang felt the crushing grip of suffocation, he released her.

His eyes contained a trace of disbelief as he scrutinized her. “You’re a female beast.”

Almost suffocated, Lin Qianshuang gasped frantically while noting a shift in the Demon Emperor’s expression. His dangerous aura had dissipated, his gaze now fixated on Han Shengyao who knelt below, a subtle smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

“Han Shengyao is the Holy Maiden of the Demon Realm; she belongs to the Realm, body and soul. This Emperor¹ shall not defile that possession, nor shall any other man.”

The Demon Emperor’s voice echoed in Lin Qianshuang’s mind as he withdrew his overwhelming aura. His hand, initially poised to deliver a fatal blow, lowered. His eyes swept over her, a hint of warning in his tone, “Consider yourself fortunate that you are a female beast. Otherwise, even if you were more beautiful, I would have struck you down.”

Lin Qianshuang was flung roughly to the ground, landing at Han Shengyao’s feet. Her body ached from the fall, but her mind raced. The Demon Emperor clearly possessed a strong jealousy toward Han Shengyao, scrutinizing her with unconcealed desire.

Lin Qianshuang saw this all with startling clarity. Perhaps the Demon Emperor himself remained unaware, but as a bystander, Lin Qianshuang’s heart sounded an alarm bell. She realized that the Demon Emperor harbored feelings for Han Shengyao, feelings obscured by a web of other interests that blinded him to his own heart.

Lin Qianshuang pieced together the full narrative of their interactions. What she saw wasn’t a one-sided infatuation but a complex, two-way entanglement of dark, abusive love. This realization weighed heavily on her, a profound sense of unease washing over her.

When Han Shengyao summoned her before the Demon Emperor, perhaps she hadn’t truly considered Lin Qianshuang’s life or death. Instead, Han Shengyao likely used her disciple as a pawn to provoke the Demon Emperor, emphasizing her own position in his heart–all in the presence of Bai Wan. This was their twisted daily dynamic, and Lin Qianshuang was nothing more than insignificant collateral damage.

Lin Qianshuang’s heart sank with a bitter taste. Her eyes shifted to Han Shengyao, carefully observing her actions. From the moment the Demon Emperor gripped her throat, seemingly indifferent to her fate, Han Shengyao’s focus hadn’t been on her at all. Her gaze was fixed on Bai Wan, the Demon Emperor’s favored consort. Seeing Bai Wan’s displeasure, Han Shengyao smiled with cool indifference.

A chilling certainty formed in Lin Qianshuang’s mind: she was merely a pawn in Han Shengyao’s eyes. For the first time since receiving the system’s mission, Lin Qianshuang grasped the sheer difficulty of her task. She had underestimated Han Shengyao’s feelings towards the Demon Emperor and had wrongly believed Han Shengyao held some small degree of affection for her. It seemed she had been mistaken.

Lin Qianshuang’s head ached as she rubbed her temples. Without value in helping her eradicate Bai Wan, Han Shengyao likely wouldn’t have bothered keeping her alive.

The Demon Emperor, seemingly bored by Lin Qianshuang’s continued existence, hadn’t issued further punishment. Bai Wan, sensing this, grew anxious. She clung to the Demon Emperor in a display of spoiled affection, subtly urging him to act.

“For offending my beloved consort, you deserve three hundred lashes. However, remembering your status as the Holy Maiden’s disciple, your punishment shall be reduced to one hundred.” The Demon Emperor wrapped his arms around Bai Wan and ordered Han Shengyao, “Holy Maiden, as this is your disciple, it falls to you to discipline her!”

Han Shengyao stood expressionless as she accepted the thick whip from an attendant. With each vicious lash, a dull ache resonated in her heart, echoing the sound of breaking flesh and pained cries. She knew that any display of concern would make her disciple an even greater target for both the Demon Emperor and Bai Wan, putting her plans – and Lin Qianshuang’s development – at risk.

Han Shengyao’s eyes darkened as she gripped the whip, blood seeping from the thorns digging into her skin. Each merciless lash fell upon Lin Qianshuang.

Overwhelming pain caused Lin Qianshuang to grit her teeth, her face a mask of agony. As the brutal punishment dragged on, she grew numb to the ceaseless torment. A creeping dread settled over her; she knew she wouldn’t survive sixty more lashes.

Just as the fiftieth lash fell, the person beside her suddenly knelt. Through tear-filled eyes, Lin Qianshuang saw Han Shengyao kneeling, blood staining the whip in her hands. Her body trembled violently as hot pain radiated from every wound, preventing her from so much as standing.

Han Shengyao looked coldly at the pitiful beast before her, kneeling on both knees as she offered the bloody whip to the Demon Emperor. Her voice was steady, her eyelashes lowered to conceal her emotions, “Shuang’er is, after all, my disciple. There is shared responsibility in her offense. If she is beaten to death within the Demon Palace, it won’t reflect favorably. If Your Majesty remains displeased, you may punish her yourself.”

The Demon Emperor gazed at the once-beautiful silver-white beast now covered in shocking streaks of blood. The magnificent ice-blue eyes that had once captivated him shimmered with unshed tears, creating a poignant scene of frail beauty. His throat worked as he swallowed, an unbidden sense of fascination stirring within him. He had always been drawn to captivating women, and even in this beast form, there was a strange, alluring vulnerability about her. If transformed into a human, she was bound to be stunning.

The Demon Emperor’s heart itched with a strange curiosity, a fleeting glimpse of Han Shengyao’s grown disciple in human form flashing through his mind. He caught the flicker of sarcasm in Han Shengyao’s lowered gaze.

The Demon Emperor had lost his initial desire to kill the beast. Nonetheless, he maintained a stern facade, addressing Han Shengyao in a regal tone, “Holy Maiden, this father remembers that she is your disciple. Her death would reflect poorly upon you. Your disciple has been sufficiently punished; take her away.”

Bai Wan had relished watching Han Shengyao inflict such brutal punishment upon the beast. She never truly intended to kill her; after all, she was still the Holy Maiden’s disciple. The Demon Emperor had to offer some degree of leniency.

“Many thanks to Your Majesty, the Demon Emperor.” Han Shengyao knelt in gratitude, scooping Lin Qianshuang from the ground. As she exited the hall, her gaze swept towards the Demon Emperor, filled with such complex emotions that it vanished before it could be deciphered.

In a shadowed corner of the corridor, the master-disciple duo met Bai Wan, who stood in stark contrast to her delicate persona before the Demon Emperor. Han Shengyao frowned, tightening her arms around Lin Qianshuang, and said, “Why are you here and not with your Demon Emperor? If you block my way, should I assume you’re not afraid of being thrown into the river again?”

“You’re truly fortunate that nothing happened yesterday; those I had sent were the ones who suffered,” Bai Wan said, her eyes fixed on the barely conscious Lin Qianshuang in Han Shengyao’s arms. Just as her hand reached out to touch the beast’s fur, she was slapped forcefully by Han Shengyao.

“Don’t touch my disciple with your dirty hands.” Han Shengyao’s icy glare pierced Bai Wan, vanishing in a swirl of demonic energy the next instant.

Bai Wan froze, her hand still extended mid-air. Lowering it slowly, a flash of bone-deep hatred crossed her eyes. “Han Shengyao, one day, I will break you into pieces.”

In a hidden corner of the Spirit Pool, mist curled around two figures intimately close. Han Shengyao stood behind Lin Qianshuang, drawing spiritual energy from the pool into a flowing orb of water. Gently placing her hands on Lin Qianshuang’s back, she guided the healing energy over the numerous gashes, leaving smooth, unscarred skin.

Lin Qianshuang touched the now-smooth skin on her arm where scratches had been, secretly marveling at the Spirit Pool’s effectiveness. Suddenly, a pair of hands encircled her waist, pinning her firmly against the pool’s wall.

She was turned around as Han Shengyao languidly raised her eyes, their pupils reflecting a blank expression.

“Shuang’er, are you blaming me for being too harsh with you?”

Displeased with Lin Qianshuang’s subdued demeanor, Han Shengyao tightened her grip on Lin Qianshuang’s shoulder, forcing her to meet her gaze. “If I hadn’t punished you severely then, they wouldn’t have forgiven you so easily. Do you understand?”

“Master was only thinking of this disciple. If not for Master’s rescue, I would have died long ago,” Lin Qianshuang replied respectfully, subtly distancing herself from Han Shengyao.

Han Shengyao frowned slightly, puzzled by Lin Qianshuang’s detachment. Weren’t young magical beasts supposed to be clingy, loyal, and enthusiastic towards their masters? Why did her disciple seem displeased with her closeness?

Lin Qianshuang’s face remained expressionless, but she was plotting ways to end Han Shengyao’s affections toward the Demon Emperor and push her towards the throne. The challenge was that Han Shengyao’s love for the Demon Emperor was stronger than she imagined, and she seemed unwavering in her support for his position.

“Host, it’s simple. If you take the Demon Emperor’s place, everything will be resolved.”, the system suddenly chimed.

The system’s suggestion sparked an idea in Lin Qianshuang. That’s right! If she became the Demon Emperor, she wouldn’t need to worry so much. If Han Shengyao loved the Demon Emperor, she would destroy the Demon Emperor and give him to her. He could end up as her devoted disciple or a male favorite. It was perfect!

As for Han Shengyao, their master-disciple relationship would certainly deepen. When her favorability reached the life-death threshhold, she would give Han Shengyao the position of Demon Emperor, thus completing the first step of the strategy.

The system was bewildered by Lin Qianshuang’s train of thought, “Host, wait, you’re misunderstanding… I meant replacing the Demon Emperor in Han Shengyao’s heart!” What kind of crazy plan was this?

Lin Qianshuang’s eyes lit up, energized by her new goal. Han Shengyao might want to train her as the Demon Empress, but she had other plans!

Her goal was to become the Demon Emperor!

Han Shengyao observed Lin Qianshuang’s sparkling eyes as if she were plotting something mischievous. Her lovely face wore a bright smile, dimples adding to her charm.

She impulsively reached out and pinched Lin Qianshuang’s cheek.

Han Shengyao was a little confused by her own actions, but she pushed that aside. She lazily flipped her wet hair back and addressed her disciple. “Go ashore and change your clothes.”

Lin Qianshuang snapped back to reality, startled by the subtle pain on her face. Han Shengyao had already walked ashore to dry her long hair with magic. She’d abandoned her usual preference for red, opting for a plain, elegant outfit.

From Lin Qianshuang’s perspective, a jade green brocade coat outlined Han Shengyao’s slender back. Her black hair was loosely tied with a light red ribbon, a purple pendant resting near her temple. Each swaying tassel touched the brocade beads, creating a sense of ethereal beauty.

The title of the most beautiful woman in the Demon Realm was well-deserved; even simple clothes couldn’t hide her allure.

Lin Qianshuang sighed with admiration.

Han Shengyao turned her head slightly to look at Lin Qianshuang. Despite her light makeup, her stunning face still radiated a captivating charm – a testament to her demonic nature.

“Shuang’er, I’ll wait for you outside.”

Lost in her appreciation of Han Shengyao’s effortless beauty reminiscent of a beloved historical drama star, Lin Qianshuang lamented that a beauty like this was born in such a setting. In her original world, Han Shengyao would undoubtedly have become a star!

Remembering her afternoon visit to the Fallen Demon Du Shuang at Yixiang Tower, Lin Qianshuang’s excitement returned. With Du Shuang’s help to establish her foundation, she’d be one step closer to her goal. She scrambled out of the spirit pool, quickly dried herself, changed into the clothes left nearby, and hurried to catch up with Han Shengyao.