“Oh? Are you sure? I’d rather not be associated with you, but I *am* of the Zhao Clan. Harm me now, and I guarantee this little demon vanishes from the world by tomorrow.”
Class Rep Hanhan meant those words to provoke Xiao Qing—but they sent a chill straight down my spine. She’s heir to the most ruthless demon-hunting lineage… and I’d just drained the very spiritual energy that made her a demon hunter. If her family found out? I was doomed.
“Who are you trying to scare? Just saying it doesn’t make it true.”
Xiao Qing clearly didn’t believe her. Different surnames—why trust a stranger’s word?
“The fire in the mountain’s veins, the light of the water’s sigil. Purge demons across generations, break plagues to usher in tomorrow’s dawn. You *can’t* not know these words.”
Her cryptic chant left me baffled—but Xiao Qing’s face paled. Eyes wide with disbelief, she stumbled back two steps, as if haunted by a buried terror.
“Fox Demon, what did she mean?” I whispered inwardly. If mere words could shake Xiao Qing this hard, I had to know.
*“Prefer a modern explanation, or shall this queen recite it in ancient tongue?”*
“Uh… modern. My classical Chinese is kinda weak.”
*“Literal meaning: ‘Mountain-vein fire’ is volcanic magma. ‘Water-sigil light’? Moon and stars reflected on night water. The rest? Their clan vows to cleanse demons through ages, banish plagues, and let humanity see tomorrow’s sun. Basically their family motto.”*
*“But don’t mistake it for poetry. That ‘earth fire’? Second only to heavenly fire—meteorite flames, scientifically speaking. Countless times fiercer than your Foxfire. And ‘water-sigil light’? Starlight harnessed through reflection. Including these in their motto means her family *wields* both powers.”*
A rare reverence tinged the Fox Demon’s voice—utterly unlike her usual arrogance. No wonder the Zhao Clan’s name rattled even an ancient Nine Tails.
Honestly? I should be grateful Class Rep Hanhan couldn’t use those powers. Or I wouldn’t just be *held* in her arms right now…
“Th-these lines? Anyone can parrot them! You’ve got zero spiritual energy—I’ll beat you first!”
Xiao Qing’s tone tried defiance, but her voice trembled. She was scared.
Yep. Still an era where bloodline decides everything—human world, demon world, same rules. (Though Class Rep Hanhan clearly loathes her own dad.)
“Pity. When I ran away last time, I only grabbed worthless trinkets from the outer hall. Otherwise… you wouldn’t *dare* speak to me.”
She couldn’t win a real fight—Class Rep Hanhan, a mortal, would’ve been ash in three moves. So she weaponized words. And wow, the Zhao Clan name *did* sting demons.
“You can’t just do whatever because you’ve got backing!”
“Sorry. *Having* backing *does* let you do whatever.”
First time I saw Class Rep Hanhan’s mischievous side. So cheeky… Was her gentle act all a mask?
“Hey—you two! We’re classmates. Can’t we step back, sit down, and talk calmly?”
This standoff couldn’t last. I wouldn’t watch them clash. Had to intervene.
“Sit with a demon hunter? Never!”
“Hmph. Animals know their place—enslaved or eaten. *Except* you, Su Su~”
She ruffled my head again. No idea why she loved that spot… but traitorously, my eyes slitted shut with a soft, purring hum.
“You two… *ahem*. Follow my lead, and your affection points with me rise~ Max them out? You can do *anything* to me. Promise.”
Panic-blurted dating-sim logic. (Spoiler: *I* was the romance target. The fox.)
…Wait. This was stupid. Who believes in “affection points”?
“Xiao Qing, tea? I’ll pour.”
“Hahaha~ So kind, Class Rep! No trouble at all~”
Less than half a second after I spoke, both girls sat side-by-side on the sofa—smiling warmly, exchanging pleasantries like lifelong besties.
…
