My Evil Wife Is a Nine-Tailed Fox

When Shen Minyao and Mu Qing stepped out with the sleeping Zhao Yichen carried by the grim reaper, Baiyu had already returned to his human-like form. He looked the same, but Shen Minyao could sense the difference in his demonic powers that were still unstable after devouring Yan Lin's core. 

The fox woman looked around and couldn't find the blood-sucking woman and her minions. Only the tattered pieces of clothes remained on the scene, leaving no traces as to where those people had gone. 

"Let's go. We are done here. Turn yourself into a small snake, and I will take you home with me," she told the young demon, who was struggling to keep his consciousness. She didn't miss the fact that he kept himself from entering the mandatory hibernation he needed to fully absorb the demon core he'd recently eaten. 

"En." Baiyu dared not to dilly-dally and did what he was told. He wrapped himself along Shen Minyao's arm before giving in to the hibernation he needed. 

Once he was settled, Shen Minyao and Mu Qing vanished into thin air. They then reappeared inside Zhao Yichen's room, where the two cat guardians were waiting for their return. The barrier that they purposely lowered to lure the demons in was now back in its place. Even the scent of the demons was already cleared from Zhao Yichen's home. 

Mu Qing placed the human on his bed, while Shen Minyao tucked her human contractor properly. 

Xiao Bai and Yu Yan could sense that something had changed between their mistress and the grim reaper, but they had no idea what it was. Even now that Zhao Yichen was returned that dawn, Mu Qing stayed with them. However, he didn't utter a single word as he sat silently on the couch, with his eyes closed. 

'Yu Yan, do you think they had a fight?' Xiao Bai asked his partner using telepathy. 

'Who knows?' The black cat replied. 'It doesn't seem like the mistress is bothered by it, anyway.' 

Xiao Bai could agree to that. He couldn't sense any confusion nor rage coming from the fox woman, but the grim reaper had a strong scent of indecisiveness and confusion on his part. Whatever it was, it must be somehow related to Shen Minyao. 

When Zhao Yichen woke up from his deep slumber, he oddly felt refreshed… as if he just had a perfect good night's sleep. However, he was shocked to find Shen Minyao curled next to him, with her eyes shut and her body lying next to him on his bed. Moreover, Mu Qing was seated on the corner as if he was also asleep.

'Did something happen while I'm asleep?' He pondered. His eyes sought the cat guardians of the nine-tailed fox, only to find them dozing off on the couch. 

Something must have happened. After all, Shen Minyao wouldn't come unannounced like this, bringing Mu Qing with her, if nothing happened last night. 

"Sleep a little more. It's still early." He heard Shen Minyao say, but her eyes were still closed. "Let everyone sleep more. We all had a long night. I know you have questions, but those can wait." 

So, he was right. Zhao Yichen frowned. Then again, why didn't they wake him up if that was the case? 

Since the sky outside was still dark just as Shen Minyao said, he lay down on the bed, making sure there's a distance between him and Shen Minyao. Although they were pretending that they were dating, it was just a facade to hide their true relationship with each other. 

He shut his eyes, and it didn't take long before he returned to a peaceful slumber, but not without making a mental note to ask Shen Minyao later about what happened last night. If she was here, it only meant that he was somewhat involved in it. Surely, he didn't want to be left in the dark.

The next time he woke up, he only found the cat guardians and Baiyu sleeping on the couch, but he could sense Shen Minyao's presence nearby. Ever since he received her fox orb, he could sense when she was near. He also grew sensitive towards the entities that weren't human. 

Baiyu was indeed asleep, but Xiao Bai and Yu Yan immediately cracked their eyes open. They then followed him outside when he stepped out of the room to find Shen Minyao. He found her sparring with the grim reaper on the rooftop of his home, where his guards rarely came and checked. 

"The space between your feet is too large. Balance your weight on both feet. Try not to stand still. Move around to avoid being hit and spot possible openings for attacks." Mu Qing corrected Shen Minyao's fighting stance for her to utilize her Hellreaver better. 

Shen Minyao did as she was told, without questioning Mu Qing. In terms of sword fighting, she had no doubt that Mu Qing had more experience in it than her, despite her being chronologically older than him. 

"What are you two doing?" Zhao Yichen asked, making sure he was keeping a safe distance, so he wouldn't get accidentally hurt by Shen Minyao's sharp sword. He could sense a sinister aura coming from the blade and wondered just what kind of sword it was. 

"Preparing for our departure to the North," the fox woman said nonchalantly, reminding Zhao Yichen of her plan to leave for the North, along with Mu Qing. 

"Right…" Zhao Yichen was still a little uncertain about Shen Minyao's plan to go there. He felt like it was too dangerous for her to go, as a trap might be waiting for her to spring it.

"Open your body at a 45-degree angle, your left foot ahead of your right." Mu Qing continued his lessons, showing Shen Minyao the right stance for her to imitate. "This position gives you a firm base of support to attack from. It will also provide you a stable stance against your opponent's moves. Makes it more difficult for them to knock you over as well." 

"I'm going to strike now. Show me how you would block my attack," he said. In the blink of an eye, Zhao Yichen saw Mu Qing come after Shen Minyao. 

Shen Minyao raised her sword, and a loud clang could be heard on the rooftop as she tried not to be overpowered by Mu Qing's strike. 

"When defending yourself, you shouldn't stand still. Step away from your opponent's attack. The easiest defensive move in sword fighting is the simple step away. When your opponent brings their sword towards you, take a large step back to avoid their attack."

Mu Qing struck her again. This time, Shen Minyao staggered back. However, she didn't anticipate that he would jab his sword and strike her on her side, a move she barely avoided in time. 

"That move will work best when your opponent is trying to cut across your body. Be aware, though, that there are drawbacks to the step away. If your opponent is fast or skilled, they might take the chance to jab you with their sword after you step back like this…" 

"I see. That's my mistake. I should have paid more attention." Shen Minyao conceded. 

Their lesson continued as Mu Qing taught her how to use parry to deflect her opponent's attack. She also learned how to use counter cut; doing it would significantly weaken her opponent if she managed to injure their fighting arm.

Zhao Yichen was impressed by what he was seeing. He'd never thought that a grim reaper like Mu Qing was a master swordsman. As to how Mu Qing ended up becoming a grim reaper, he still had no idea to this day. Even Shen Minyao and the cat guardians barely knew anything personal about Mu Qing. 

"I think that's enough for now," Mu Qing said as he placed his sword back in its scabbard. "We'll tackle the different techniques on how to initiate an attack on the following days before our departure." 

"Sounds good to me." Shen Minyao nodded and allowed her Hellreaver to return to her wrist as a bracelet. She then turned her attention to her human contractor and raised a slender brow at him. "You want to ask something?" 

"En." Zhao Yichen remembered the reason why he sought her in the first place. "I want to know what happened last night and why you and Lord Hell came here." 

"Ah, so you noticed…" The fox woman chuckled amusedly. 

"I'm not that dumb, Shen Minyao." Zhao Yichen frowned. Did she really think so lowly of him? "I know you came here for a reason." 

"Indeed, something had happened last night. You were enchanted in your sleep by the blood-sucking demoness, and she kidnapped you. This is why I told you not to allow anyone to touch you, regardless of who they are. You've fallen into a spell, Zhao Yichen." 

Zhao Yichen flinched on that. He supposed she was right.. He should be warier of people around him.