2: Underneath A Thousand Skies

298 This Psychopathic Demon Is Psychic (50)

Song Jia hurriedly came down and stopped him, placing her hand on his arm.

"Zhao Cheng!"

At her touch, Zhao Cheng loosened his hold and the male lust demon fell on the ground in a coughing fit. Zhao Cheng blinked.

"Jia'er?"

Song Jia signalled for a few nearby gui chai to carry the three demons out of the conference hall. When only the two of them were left, she faced Zhao Cheng with a questioning look.

"What happened?"

Song Jia handed over the punishment of the three demons to Zhao Cheng because she was curious on what he would do. After all, he had been a ruler once, and the story of the three demons were surprisingly familiar.

But she didn't expect him to be so cruel, immediately handing out a death sentence to all except for the female greed demon.

"Zhao Cheng." Song Jia pursed her lips. "I admit that both of them are at fault, but to sentence them both to death...isn't that a bit harsh?"

"Jia'er, due to their actions, a life was compromised." Zhao Cheng hesitated, then reached out to hold her hand. "Isn't it a bit unjust when a criminal inflicts greater losses on others than what he or she has to bear? If laws dictate that the punishment for criminals would be less than that of their victims, society would be favoring criminals, allowing them to get away with their crimes."

He continued persuasively, "By inflicting death on those who deliberately inflict death on others, the death penalty ensures justice for all."

Song Jia became speechless. You're the last person I want to hear those words from, okay?

"We have no right to be the judges of a person's life or death, and if the law allows the same behavior that it tries to restrict—killing—then isn't it morally counterproductive?" Song Jia raised an eyebrow. "You would be surprised at how many murderers would prefer a quick death rather than a long time of suffering in prison."

Zhao Cheng looked at her. After a long time of being stared at by him, Song Jia had to open her mouth and ask, "What is it?"

He smiled. "Nothing. Just that my hunch was indeed right, Jia'er would make a very good ruler."

Zhao Cheng touched her cheek. "If that's what you want, then I'll obey. I'll listen to whatever Jia'er says."

Song Jia frowned. "That's not good. You don't have to..."

Zhao Cheng shook his head and smiled. "Don't feel burdened about any of my decisions. It's just my own selfishness. Jia'er can treat this as if I'm being willful."

Song Jia wanted to argue, but when she opened her mouth to retort, a yawn came out instead.

She had been thinking about a lot of things lately, which kept her awake late at night.

Zhao Cheng instantly became worried. He placed a palm over her forehead.

"Jia'er, do you feel tired? Maybe you're having a fever."

"No, it's nothing."

He frowned. "These little conflicts, you shouldn't be the one handling them. If those demon lords are giving you trouble, it's best to tighten your control over them, and not let them bully you like this. You're going to tire yourself out."

Whatever protests Song Jia wanted to say died in her lips. That was because Zhao Cheng reached out and kneaded her back between her shoulder blades, using his thumb to press and rub the sore muscles.

Song Jia couldn't help but close her eyes. She didn't know where he learned his techniques, but the stiffness in her muscles were slowly leaving her body. She suppressed another yawn.

Zhao Cheng's voice was heavy with disapproval. "This won't do."

"What are you...ah!"

Song Jia yelped a little as her feet left the ground, and she felt herself being lifted up in his arms. Her eyes widened in confusion. He was holding her in a bridal carry.

"What are you doing?"

Zhao Cheng looked down at her and smiled.

"Jia'er, you've been busy for too long. Today, you are going to take a rest."

...

Zhao Cheng was true to his word.

He released an announcement that instructed any demons wanting to meet with the Great Demon Queen would need to submit a memorandum first. After the memorandum was reviewed and granted permission, it would then be tallied on which court the conflict arose from. Once it exceeded a certain quota, the court would then be judged as not having been properly ruled by its appointed demon lord.

As a consequence, a portion of that demon lord's territory would be subtracted, which would greatly diminish their reputation and sovereignty.

Almost overnight, Song Jia's workload went from being overwhelming to having almost none.

Song Jia couldn't help but sigh to him, "You're amazing."

She wasn't stingy with her praises. After being massaged by Zhao Cheng for nearly over three hours, her whole body felt boneless. She felt as if she going to sink into the bed and never get up again.

"When did you learn to massage like this?"

He smiled. "A long time ago, someone massaged my worries away. I had long since wanted to return the favor."

Zhao Cheng sat on the edge of the bed and slowly unfolded the thick blanket, wrapping it around her. He tucked the corner of the blanket under her chin.

"Get some sleep. I'll guard over you. If anything happens, I'll handle it."

Song Jia tried to open her heavy eyelids.

"That's not fair to you..."

There was an amused chuckle above her. Zhao Cheng leaned over and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"There, I got my reward. Sleep, Jia'er."

Song Jia couldn't protest any longer. Zhao Cheng had also pressed several of her pressure points, and her eyes slowly closed shut.

The last thing she remembered was his hand gently brushing away her hair from her forehead.

"Goodnight."

His voice was extremely tender, as soothing as the sound of flowing water.

Song Jia quickly fell asleep.