Capturing My Demon King Costar

MY COSTAR AND I WERE TRICKED

Yao Shen can't be sure that Qing Yu is going to talk about him, but he'd bet that anything related to one of the ghost kings, and a demon king is bound to have left an impression.

Qing Yu sets down his teacup and smooths the fabric of his robe over his legs. "There are many tales I could tell, but I think a new arrival like young master would never have heard about something like this. It happened centuries ago."

Yao Shen still doesn't know how much he's risking by being here, if he'll be recognized, and if news of his visit will ever make it to the ghost kings. Si Wang thinks they're on the same side now, but who knows how long that will last for.

It's best not too draw too much attention to himself, so Yao Shen simply nods, indicating that Qing Yu should go on.

"Not long after I joined the brothel, we received an illustrious guest. It was expected that I would wait on him, as I was a renowned courtesan in life, and was proving equally successful in the Fragrant Peony."

It's not hard for Yao Shen to imagine that, and Qing Yu doesn't say it as if he's bragging, merely stating a fact. He's objectively beautiful, and while his robes are fine, and his gestures and mannerisms refined, he doesn't wear any makeup, or try to accentuate his features in any unnatural way. His only accessory is that pink line around his neck.

He's clearly aware of his own attractiveness, and very sure of himself. Even so, his tone grows bitter as he continues his tale. "Madam expected it to be me, but instead, someone neither of us had ever seen before was already in the room, entertaining the guest who, by then, didn't want anyone else."

Yao Shen's teacup is almost empty, but he still pretends to take another sip. He knows it's unbecoming, and that he should know better than that, but Yao Shen can't help but preen a little. Qing Yu is probably the most beautiful person he has ever seen, and Xin Hulei stil preferred him.

Qing Yu doesn't notice his odd behaviour, too involved now in his recollection. "We had no way of knowing at that point, but that mysterious courtesan was the tenth king."

At this point Yao Shen thinks it's safe for him to show some interest. "Really? Why would he do something like that?"

"Young master, when I was alive I didn't concern myself with what went on the Emperor's mind, likewise, after I died, I behaved in the same way when it came to the ghost kings. If the Emperor had the mandate of Heaven to rule the mortal realm, so too have they to rule the Underworld." He shrugs. "As a humble subject, all I can do is bow my head and obey."

Well, Yao Shen will die before he recognizes the divine right of kings. Alive, ghost, demon or otherwise. He is amenable to call Xin Hulei 'king' but only in the context of extremely kinky sex, which he has already outlined in his spreadsheet.

Besides, Qing Yu's extreme show of modesty doesn't convince him. If he was so respectful and uninterested he wouldn't be here telling Yao Shen all this.

"Perhaps the ghost king had already met this illustrious guest?"

"That is a common theory. Some say Shi Wang fell madly in love with this guest after seeing him only once, and did everything in his power to arrange a meeting. He saw the opportunity when this guest came to our establishment, and disguised himself as a courtesan."

"Very dramatic," Yao Shen says with a nod. "This tale wouldn't be out of place in an epic romance novel."

One corner of Qing Yu's lips curls up. "Young master would think so, if it wasn't for the betrayal."

"Ah, yes, I did ask for that too."

"After several days of passion, the illustrious guest who was actually a demon king, laid a trap for Shi Wang."