Chapter 159: The Little Maidservant

Qiya was actually in a state of utter shock at this moment.

Earlier, she had spotted Xinjing from afar. The mere sight of the Demon Monarch had filled Qiya with overwhelming excitement. Just as she was hurrying to close the distance, she witnessed a scene that stopped her dead in her tracks: someone was actually reaching out to pinch her beloved Demon Monarch's cheek.

Stunned into disbelief, she froze on the spot, too terrified to step forward immediately.

What on earth was going on here?
That was the Demon Monarch!
How could anyone dare to touch the Demon Monarch's face?
No, it wasn't even a gentle touch—it was a direct pinch!

Unable to contain her temper a moment longer, Qiya burst out in a fierce reprimand,
"Who on earth are you? A mere nobody, yet so utterly audacious!"

A moment ago, she had scanned Zhu Xiaoyuan and found not a shred of spiritual energy within him; he appeared to be entirely ordinary. As for the young men beside him, though they possessed the cultivation of immortals, they were nothing more than ants in the eyes of Qiya—not even worth a second glance.

To show such disrespect to the Demon Monarch was a crime deserving of severe punishment, and Qiya was furious. Instantly, she unleashed her formidable power, sending a terrifying wave of pressure surging directly toward the group.

Beside Zhu Xiaoyuan, Changsun Puyu and Lu Ran both felt the overwhelming pressure. Their eyes dilated in sudden panic, and a look of absolute horror crossed their faces. It was clear to them that this stunningly beautiful woman was also a terrifyingly powerful cultivator!

They braced themselves for whatever was to come.

Just then, Xinjing suddenly spoke up, calling out to the woman before her, "Qiya, stop this nonsense at once!"

Rebuked, Qiya immediately looked toward Xinjing.
"Mon—"
Before she could even finish the single syllable, Xinjing snapped at her sharply, "Shut your mouth!"

Qiya, who had been brimming with fierce momentum just a second ago, froze completely. She couldn't fathom why the Demon Monarch was scolding her. Yet, she obeyed instantly, clamping her mouth shut without uttering another word.

Why?
Why had the Demon Monarch just stopped her from speaking?
Could it be... exactly as Ming Yexin had said?
Was there truly some legendary senior dwelling here—an unfathomable, terrifying powerhouse?!

Changsun Puyu and Lu Ran were equally astonished. After all, the presence the woman had just displayed was unimaginably terrifying. Yet, after Xinjing, a mere young girl, barked a few reprimands at her, the woman actually obeyed. Just like that, she ceased all hostility and completely withdrew the oppressive aura radiating from her body.

What was the meaning of this?
"Xinjing, do you know this person?" Zhu Xiaoyuan asked.

Xinjing opened her wide eyes, looking at Zhu Xiaoyuan with a shimmering, tearful expression. Right now, she was terrified—terrified that Qiya might have offended Zhu Xiaoyuan, and even more terrified of what might happen if Zhu Xiaoyuan flew into a rage...

"Big Brother... she... she used to be my little maid..."
Still, Xinjing chose to tell the truth honestly.

It was true; Qiya was indeed one of the Demon Monarch's personal maids, but she also possessed immense strength and served as one of the nine great Demon Commanders under the Monarch's command!

Hearing this, Zhu Xiaoyuan couldn't help but frown.
Her former maid?

However, his puzzlement vanished almost immediately. Remembering how Xinjing had been hunted down earlier, wearing simple robes yet possessing delicate, flawless skin, he had already suspected that she was no ordinary child. Qiya's appearance now served as definitive proof!

That being the case, Xinjing was most likely the pampered daughter of some wealthy family!
It had to be!
This little maid had undoubtedly come here to find her.

"Is this your little maid?" Zhu Xiaoyuan asked, smiling as he looked at Qiya. "Your young mistress is completely safe here with me, so you can rest easy."

His little courtyard was the most reassuring place in the world. After all, it was so remote that virtually no one could ever find it, and there were so many robust young men in the yard, all of whom knew how to throw a punch!

Hearing these words, Qiya felt a fresh wave of shock wash over her.
Could the person standing before her really be the senior whom even Ming Yexin feared just by name?
No way, that seemed almost impossible!
And yet, the Demon Monarch treated this person with absolute reverence!
Throughout the vast Immortal Realm and Demon Realm, there were barely a handful of figures capable of earning such deep respect from the Demon Monarch!

At that moment, Zhu Xiaoyuan continued, "Puyu, Lu Ran, the two of you can take the peaches and distribute them to the villagers on my behalf. Guests have arrived, so I'll take Xinjing and this young lady back inside first."

Since Xinjing's little maid had managed to track her all the way to this remote mountain village, she was probably here to take Xinjing away. This matter required a proper conversation—he had to take responsibility for Xinjing's safety!

Upon hearing this, Changsun Puyu and Lu Ran answered in unison, "Understood!"

With that, they stood up, hoisted the two large baskets of peaches onto their shoulders, and set off to distribute the fruit to the villagers. As they passed by Qiya and walked out of earshot, Qiya's attention was instantly hooked.

If her eyes weren't playing tricks on her, what were those two carrying on their backs?
Were those... flat peaches?
Two massive baskets full of immortal flat peaches?!

As one of the nine great Demon Commanders under the Demon Monarch, possessed of profound cultivation, Qiya reflexively raised a hand to rub her eyes in sheer disbelief. She simply refused to believe they were flat peaches!

How could such a thing be possible?
This was the Tianwu Realm, a mere minor lower realm! Furthermore, immortal flat peaches required a full nine thousand years just to blossom, bear fruit, and ripen! Even in the Immortal Realm, they were regarded as priceless treasures.
Even she, an exalted Demon Commander, had only ever heard of them without ever tasting one...
And yet, right here before her, someone was carrying two entire baskets of them just to give away as casual gifts!

Qiya began to wonder if she was losing her mind.
However, those flat peaches radiated dense immortal qi and carried the faint aura of the Great Dao; ordinary peaches could never possess such divine properties!
There was no mistake—those were truly immortal flat peaches!

She snapped her head around to stare at Zhu Xiaoyuan. The anger in her eyes had completely vanished, replaced entirely by profound dread!
Recalling the terrifying, perilous trials she had navigated along the road here, a sudden realization dawned on her.

The young man standing before her, who appeared utterly devoid of cultivation, wasn't actually ordinary at all. Rather, his realm was so unfathomably high that even she was utterly incapable of perceiving it...

At last, Qiya fully understood why the Demon Monarch addressed this man as "Senior" with such utter reverence!

"Understood!"
Qiya took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

Without delay, Zhu Xiaoyuan led Xinjing and Qiya back toward his residence. Before long, they arrived at the small courtyard.

"It's just a humble dwelling, please excuse the plainness!" Zhu Xiaoyuan said modestly, guiding Qiya into the yard.

As Qiya looked at the small courtyard, her gaze fell upon the four bold characters inscribed above the entrance:

"The Sole Unique Leisure Courtyard!"

At that sight, Qiya froze completely, her mind blanking out in absolute awe.