Reborn as a succubus - Chapter 25

Xi Che knew that with his current strength, he could not withstand Zhu Wu’s attacks head-on — if he tried, he would only die again.

But he didn’t want to die!

Seeing Zhu Wu’s staff about to come crashing down, he rolled aside just in time. The elegant table spread before them shattered into splinters, dishes and food scattering across the floor.

Kneeling on one knee, Xi Che looked up sharply — Zhu Wu’s face was twisted with fury. He glared at Xi Che, summoned his staff back to his hand, and prepared to strike again.

At that very moment, a shadow darted out, a white blur streaking across the air and leaping straight at Zhu Wu.

It was the White Tiger. Swift as lightning, silent as wind, it lunged at Zhu Wu and tore the divine essence from his spiritual core.

Zhu Wu’s essence took the form of a white crane. Even though Xi Che was weak now, the White Tiger was still a match for that crane.

Since ancient times, it had always been cats hunting birds,  never the other way around. And as one of the Four Sacred Beasts, the White Tiger far outclassed a mere celestial crane.

The Vermilion Bird had been the only exception, which was exactly why the White Tiger disliked it — and by extension, disliked Chu Yan. To be restrained by his natural opposite was, to him, an insult to his very pride.

Zhu Wu clearly hadn’t expected this. The crane spirit shrieked sharply, and Zhu Wu himself coughed up blood as his consciousness trembled from the impact.

The crane fought back, flapping its wings and striking with its long legs. But the White Tiger was cunning, it knew it could only surprise the opponent once. It had attacked when Zhu Wu’s attention was fixed on Xi Che, intending only to hit and retreat, to buy Xi Che time to escape.

In a blur, the tiger pounced, ripped away a handful of the crane’s feathers, then leapt back to Xi Che’s side.

Xi Che caught it instinctively, turned, and ran for the gates of the Jade Capital Palace.

The Dream Master stood frozen, stunned by the chaos. He had only wanted Zhu Wu to persuade their god to turn back, not to actually kill this stranger. Though, if he did, that might not have been bad either.

But then, what had Zhu Wu just called him? Asas?

That name! Wasn’t that the same name the God of light constantly murmured?
If Zhu Wu truly killed him, the Dream Master’s own life would be forfeit!

Seeing Zhu Wu about to give chase, the Dream Master grabbed his arm in panic. “Divine Enforcer, wait—”

“Out of my way!”

Zhu Wu flung him off and raced outside with his staff, his crane following close behind. The Dream Master had no choice but to run after them.

Xi Che ran with all his might. He knew the only reason the White Tiger had wounded Zhu Wu was through surprise — that trick would not work twice. Zhu Wu’s hatred for him ran deep, and he would not stop until he caught him.

He risked a glance back and his blood ran cold. Zhu Wu’s furious face was already close behind.

Xi Che clutched the White Tiger tightly and ducked his head.
No way out, he thought bitterly. Is this really the end?

But the pain he expected never came. Instead, a sharp metallic clang! split the air beside him. A powerful surge of spiritual energy burst outward, sending shockwaves that tore through the air.

Breathing quick and shallow, Xi Che hesitated, then turned his head and saw Chu Yan standing behind him, back straight, holding the Taiyi Sword, blocking Zhu Wu’s attack.

In his other hand, he still carried a wine jar.

Zhu Wu’s fury blazed. “Get out of my way!” he roared.

Chu Yan didn’t answer. Xi Che couldn’t see his face, but he could feel the chill radiating from him, cold, calm, unyielding.

Realizing Chu Yan wouldn’t move, Zhu Wu attacked again. The two clashed fiercely, sword against staff, sparks and echoes filling the air. After several fierce exchanges, neither could gain the upper hand.

Finally, Chu Yan struck with his sword, forcing Zhu Wu back several steps. The blade hung angled toward the ground as he spoke evenly:

“He has already paid the price.”

Zhu Wu’s eyes widened slightly. He gripped his staff and drove it into the earth.

Chu Yan’s words reopened the deepest wound in Xi Che’s heart, a memory he could never erase.

Years ago, when he led the demon army into the Celestial Realm, the first place he destroyed was Langfeng Pavilion, the home of the Three Thousand Divine Laws.

He hated that place.

But not because those laws forbade him from loving Chu Yan.

When the war between gods and demons broke out, Xi Che had no intention of fighting. Though he held the title of “Prince of the Demons,” he mostly spent his days idly wandering the Demon Realm, detached from its schemes.

But everything changed the day two people he cherished most were executed — their heads hung above the gates of his own palace.

When Xi Che first came to the Demon Realm, he had nothing left. He wandered the streets aimlessly, empty and numb. The demons instinctively stayed away, they could sense danger in him, and the invisible White Tiger at his side radiated killing intent.

He felt life had no meaning anymore.

Until the day he saved a brother and sister from being attacked.

The sister’s name was Xue Yan, and her younger brother was Long Wa.

At first, Xi Che only acted on impulse — he couldn’t stand to watch the cruelty. The Demon Realm was ruled by one law: the strong devour the weak. Compassion was weakness.

But afterward, the siblings began following him. Silently at first, wherever he went, they went. When he hunted for food, they helped gather it. When he sat in silence, they stayed nearby. Gradually, a quiet understanding formed between them.

Eventually, they lived together, an odd, makeshift little family.

Later, when Xi Che rose to power as the “Prince of the Demons,” they remained with him, loyal and kind.

But when the war began, tragedy struck.

The Celestial Realm despised demons. To them, simply being a demon was a crime worthy of death. Teachers across the heavens warned their disciples: Never associate with demons.

During the early chaos of the war, Xi Che was overwhelmed with duties and could no longer protect Xue Yan and Long Wa. He only told them to stay home and keep safe.

That day was his birthday. Xue Yan, wanting to prepare a meal for him, took Long Wa to the market and never returned.

When Xi Che came home, he found their heads hanging over his gate.

He didn’t ask who was responsible. He didn’t care. All he could see were those faces — still, lifeless, and wronged.

They had been killed by celestial soldiers not because of who they were, but simply because they were demons.

In that moment, something in him broke.

Blood-red rage filled his vision, and all he could think was one word: Kill.

He would burn the heavens.

Once the strongest of all divine beings, Xi Che — now Asas, the Demon King — led his armies to storm the Celestial Realm. No one could stand before him. Langfeng Pavilion was reduced to ashes, its sacred laws obliterated.

But when he finally looked upon the destruction he had caused, his fury ebbed — and horror took its place.

He saw young, unarmed celestials lying among the fallen faces that reminded him of Xue Yan and Long Wa.

In that instant, he realized what he had become.

He had done to others what the gods had done to him.

He called his army to stop but it was too late.

The war between gods and demons could no longer be controlled.

Then, through the chaos, he heard a faint, trembling voice:

“Asas… brother…”

He turned, disbelieving — and saw a young woman lying in a pool of blood. Her dress was once pink as Cherry blossoms, her gentle face now pale and stained.

“Tao Hua…” he whispered.

He stepped forward.

And before he could reach her, a spear struck through her chest with a sharp, piercing sound.

“Get away!”

He shouted, the cry tearing from his throat.

Xi Che struck the demon away with a wave of his hand, his fingers trembling as he lifted the fallen girl from the ground.

What a terrible mistake he had made…

Tao Hua was the sister of Zhu Wu.

Among the gods, siblings were never meant to exist. Yet, for some reason, Zhu Wu and Tao Hua’s divine souls were born from the same sacred fungus—two lives sharing one origin. They came into the world together but became two different beings. Whenever Zhu Wu mentioned it to Xi Che and Chu Yan, he always did so with pride—for in all the Nine Nether Realms, only he had a sister.

And only when he spoke of Tao Hua did that usually cold and severe god of judgment show a gentle expression.

Tao Hua was obedient and kind. Everyone liked her, and Xi Che did too—like a younger sister.

“Don’t be afraid, Tao Hua. I’ll save you.”

He pressed his glowing palm to her chest to stop the bleeding, but she, pale and faint, smiled weakly up at him.
“Brother Asa, I finally get to see you again.”

“You’ll see me every day from now on!” he promised desperately.

But she held his hand and shook her head. “No… don’t save me. I know I can’t be saved. Just let me talk to you a little.”

Pain tore through Xi Che’s chest. “What are you saying?”

“This is my punishment,” she whispered. “Let me atone with my death.”

Her breathing grew fainter, but her words came faster, almost panicked:
“That day by the Heart cleansing Spring, I heard you talking with Ying Lei. You asked her to cover for you… you told her you’d fallen in love with someone. And that person… wasn’t me.”

Xi Che froze in shock. Tao Hua gripped his hand tightly.
“I liked you. And when I realized you loved someone else, I grew jealous. It was I who told the High Keeper. I was the one who exposed your secret—that you and Ying Lei had made a pact to hide the truth…”

Her voice broke, but Xi Che understood. He had long known he loved Chu Yan. Yet the gods were required to undergo the Heart cleansing Ritual, which revealed all hidden emotions. Xi Che didn’t want that secret exposed, so he refused to stand before the spring’s platform.

Ying Lei had noticed and asked gently, “What troubles you?”

Xi Che, helpless, confessed the truth.

After a long silence, Ying Lei smiled faintly. “All right. I can help you hide it. If you stay silent, and I stay silent, no one will ever know.”

“You…”

“What is it?”

He joked weakly, “Wouldn’t that be breaking the rules?”

Ying Lei laughed softly, her eyes glimmering. “Not breaking them—just bending them.”

Her lashes lowered as she gazed at the spring. “If the heavens allowed a little more leniency, many tragedies could be avoided.”

From that day, Xi Che learned she was far gentler than her reputation suggested. Though she guarded the spring of truth, she still had compassion.

It had become their secret—until now.

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” Xi Che said quickly, forcing a smile. “I don’t blame you, Tao Hua. Let me heal you first.”

But Tao Hua’s hand slipped from his grasp. “It matters to me… Brother Asa, I never thought you would be banished from the Nine Nether Realms because of it. If I had known… I’d rather have died than said a word.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I couldn’t ascend to full divinity, I couldn’t see you again—all my fault. Today’s suffering is what I deserve…”

Xi Che held her tightly. “Don’t say that! You don’t know what ‘retribution’ means!”

Everything that had happened today—that was his retribution.

He didn’t care about her mistake; he only wanted her to live. But her injuries were too deep. Even with his power sealing the wounds, her life still slipped away.

Tao Hua died in his arms. Her final words were soft, peaceful: “I’m glad… I could see you one last time.”

Xi Che felt her body grow cold, and with it, his own heart froze. Even when the demon army had retreated, he still knelt before the ruins of Langfeng Pavilion, unable to move.

Later, Zhu Wu arrived. Xi Che didn’t resist as Zhu Wu’s fist struck his face again and again—he couldn’t even feel the pain.

That was Zhu Wu’s only sister—the only one in all creation. How could a single beating ever be enough?

Xi Che saw him raise his divine staff, trembling with rage, ready to strike him down. He didn’t move to dodge—but the White Tiger leapt between them, blocking the blow.

“White Tiger… don’t hurt him,” Xi Che murmured.

“Then leave now! Don’t throw your life away! I won’t lose another master!” the beast roared.

Xi Che was finally dragged away by Jin Lingzi. His whole body felt numb. Why did they all insist on saving him? Living only meant more torment.

He no longer cared where they took him.

He now understood why Tao Hua had chosen death—for her, too, there had been no other path.

“In this life,” said a calm, low voice, pulling Xi Che from the memory, “no one will lay a hand on him.”

Chu Yan’s words echoed through the hall.

Xi Che looked up at him, then at Zhu Wu across the way. He understood Zhu Wu’s fury—if their positions were reversed, he would have felt the same.

He wanted to atone, but… he didn’t want to die again. He had only just found Chu Yan.

Before he could speak, Chu Yan pulled him close and leapt skyward, landing before the gates of the Jade Palace. His sword, Taiyi, flared with a blinding light as he struck the ground before Zhu Wu.

The earth split open with a deafening roar, forming a vast chasm between the two palaces. The Jade Palace slowly tore away from the land of the Nine Nether Realms itself. Chu Yan wasn’t simply cutting the palace away—he was dividing the realms in two.

Xi Che stared in shock. Chu Yan looked coldly across the rift at Zhu Wu.

“If you dare set one foot inside the Jade Palace,” he said, “I will kill you.”

For gods, crossing such a divide wasn’t difficult—but it was a declaration of war.

The Dream Master standing nearby paled, realizing how close he was to being caught on the wrong side. He glanced resentfully at Xi Che’s back. That man really is a bewitching demon—completely captivating his lord!

But he dared not say a word. If Chu Yan could turn on the god of law himself, what mercy would he show to others?

Xi Che, still holding the White Tiger, looked at Zhu Wu fading in the distance. Then he felt Chu Yan’s gaze on him—soft and steady.

“I’ve found the Dragon-Slaying Elixir,” Chu Yan said quietly. “Let’s go back and drink.”

Xi Che looked one last time toward Zhu Wu’s side of the divide, too far now to see his expression.

Then he nodded faintly and followed Chu Yan toward the Jade Palace.

“…All right,” he said.