WangXian Forever Book 8

Chapter 64 Subterfuge

Hui Gai, Li XiWang, Rumi and Zago went inside the Hanshi, following XiChen while Jiang Cheng looked on in bewilderment.

Once they had all settled down around a tiny table, designed for four people so it was a bit of a squeeze, XiChen poured tea out of habit. Jiang Cheng grabbed his cup and tossed it back, probably wishing it was stronger.

XiChen smiled to himself because his husband could be so cute...and then he looked around at his guests.

Hui Gai was watching him with a shrewd look in those bright red eyes, holding Rumi close, while Li XiWang stared back at him with a grim determination. Zago didn't seem to care, helping herself to another lollipop and far too concerned with what it tasted like rather than this meeting.

On another day, in a different time, this scene would have made no sense to him at all. In fact, if anyone had described it, telling him he was going to be perfectly fine sharing tea with not one, but two demons, he would have laughed at the idea.

He did not know the reason they were here, but he sincerely hoped it was to help, not hinder their situation.

Wei Ying and WangJi were no longer in Cloud Recesses and it was going to be up to himself and Jiang Cheng on how to proceed forward.

Being a Sect Leader was a lonely job, but so far he hadn't noticed that part much, because his family had rallied around to help, and most decisions were joint ones having been discussed with others. But right now, two of his most valued opinions were no longer available and he was going to have to make some tough choices.

"So...you were saying?" XiChen asked Hui Gai.

He had a deep respect towards this capable demon, a King in his own right, even if he didn't behave like one most of the time. And he was definitely a force to be reckoned with, from the amount of times he had "taught" Jiang WanYin a lesson. XiChen desperately hoped today's meeting would go smoothly and nothing untoward happened to anybody.

"Firstly, let's clear something up." Hui Gai began. "Nobody is going to raise their voices or say anything unkind because, there are children present. I believe self control is imperative to your cultivation, is it not?"

He was looking at XiChen but every single person knew he was referring to Jiang Cheng.

"It is, indeed." XiChen confirmed, with a smile.

The Demon King was not wrong in his assumption that tempers could flare.

Jiang Cheng scowled and drained his cup again.

XiChen poured some more, noting the four other cups which had not been touched. He did not actually know if tea was something they drank, but Rumi was twitching every time his gaze fell on the cup in front of him, until Li XiWang moved it away. He gave her a small smile and she returned it with a breathtaking one of reassurance of her own.

XiChen marvelled at how the love between siblings crossed barriers without parallel. He enjoyed watching their interactions proudly, happy the brother and sister got along so well. Their relationship reminded him of his own with WangJi, how he himself was constantly aware of whether his baby brother was happy or not. It was nice to see that same type of love grow in the next generation too.

"Secondly, the only reason I'm proposing a truce is because I don't want to have to explain anything to PengYou...and I'll do my best not to do anything, either. Just don't push me." That he did look at Jiang Cheng for.

Jiang Cheng drank some more, silently smouldering like a dormant volcano.

XiChen gave his cup a disapproving look, and did not pour any more tea.