After Yue Jinshu followed Feng Qingyun’s gaze and spotted Mu Hanyang, she froze for a moment, suddenly feeling even more anxious than the people actually involved.
Oh no… the ex-husband has come to the door!
Cold sweat instantly broke out across her back. She instinctively glanced around, searching for Long Yin’s figure, but after scanning the entire Demon Palace, she couldn’t find him anywhere. Yue Jinshu sucked in a sharp breath.
Wait… the ex-husband is literally here to reclaim his wife. Where the hell is His Majesty?!
Compared to her panic, however, Feng Qingyun remained remarkably composed. Still barefoot on the rabbit-fur carpet, he made no move to stand. Instead, he set down the fruit in his hand and greeted the visitor calmly: “Senior Brother. It’s been a long time.”
Hearing that, Mu Hanyang finally snapped out of his disbelief and immediately demanded, “Qingyun! That divorce letter…!” Before he could finish, however, Feng Qingyun seemed to know exactly what he was about to say. Looking thoroughly uninterested, he casually looked away and reached for the teacup beside him.
As he moved, the shackle around his ankle, carved from what looked like a single flawless piece of jade, was revealed. Mu Hanyang’s voice stopped abruptly. He stared at the restraint around Feng Qingyun’s ankle in shock, then suddenly seemed to realize something.
“That demon imprisoned you?!” he exclaimed furiously. “He forced you to write that divorce letter?!”
Feng Qingyun paused for a moment, then found the accusation almost laughable. This man couldn’t even recognize that it wasn’t his own spouse’s handwriting, yet he still had the nerve to make such claims?
“It has nothing to do with Long Yin.” He took an unhurried sip of tea, openly speaking the Demon Emperor’s name inside the Demon Palace itself. “The divorce letter was approved by me. Since Senior Brother never had feelings for me to begin with, why should I continue clinging to you? Better that we part ways cleanly, each finding our own happiness.”
Without waiting to see Mu Hanyang’s bloodless face or whatever emotions he was experiencing, Feng Qingyun simplylooked past him toward the palace entrance, as though waiting for someone.
After regaining his senses, Mu Hanyang looked as though the ground had vanished beneath his feet. Even his voice trembled.
“No… impossible… Qingyun, someone must have deceived you! What happens between us isn’t for outsiders to interfere with! Even if you’re dissatisfied with me…” His voice became increasingly desperate. “Let’s go back to the Xiān Gōng Sect first. Whatever grievances you have, we’ll discuss them slowly. No matter what it is, Senior Brother will listen to you. I’ll change. I promise. All right?”
Hearing that, Feng Qingyun let out a mocking chuckle. He couldn’t even be bothered to respond, continuing to stare toward the palace gates instead.
He had thought he’d already made himself perfectly clear, yet the person he wanted to see still hadn’t appeared.
Mu Hanyang kept talking endlessly beside him, the constant pleading growing increasingly irritating, but there was still no sign of that man. Feng Qingyun narrowed his eyes in displeasure before finally withdrawing his gaze and looking back at Mu Hanyang.
“You still want to save him?”
Everyone knew who “him” referred to, so at first glance, the question seemed meaningless. If Mu Hanyang hadn’t wanted to save the friend on his back, he would never have carried him all the way here. Looking at it now… Being Mu Hanyang’s friend was clearly a far better deal than being his Dao companion.
Mu Hanyang nearly blurted out yes! But just as the word reached his lips, understanding suddenly dawned on him.
Are you choosing to save him… or choosing to save me?
Every word caught in his throat, and the elegant, peerless Lord Mu fell into an unprecedented silence.
But Feng Qingyun had expected exactly this. The corners of his lips curled into a faintly sarcastic smile as he rose from his seat and looked down at the man standing before him. It was as though he were judging his former self…
How could he ever have mistaken someone’s character so completely?
It should have been an intensely confrontational scene, yet the young woman who had accompanied Mu Hanyang found herself staring in a daze instead. As Feng Qingyun stood, his long, flawless calves flashed briefly beneath the overly large, luxurious robes. His skin was dazzlingly pale, the sight unexpectedly alluring. The bond around his jade-like ankle chimed softly with every step, its clear notes ringing like striking fine jade against gold.
Rather than resembling the treasured captive of the Demon Emperor, the beautiful man looked more like someone who had been cherished and carefully doted upon in the palm of another’s hand. The young woman stared blankly for three full seconds before suddenly realizing what she was looking at, and her face immediately flushed crimson as she hurriedly forced herself to look away.
Mu Hanyang, however, was too consumed by his own dilemma to notice any of it. Just as he remained frozen in indecision, footsteps echoed from outside the hall.
Everyone looked up.
The Demon Emperor, bathed in the last rays of the setting sun, walked in from outside without a word, advancing against the light. Seeing him at last, Yue Jinshu secretly let out a huge sigh of relief.
“Your Majesty!”
The young woman beside Mu Hanyang stared wide-eyed. She had never expected the infamous, bloodthirsty Demon Emperor of legend to be such a tall, imposing, and extraordinarily handsome man.
Feng Qingyun, meanwhile, remained standing with his arms folded. He neither greeted Long Yin nor spoke, merely narrowing his eyes and looking down at him from where he stood.
Only after several moments did the young woman finally recover. Remembering why she had come, she dropped to her knees with a loud thump.
“Your Majesty! Please, have mercy!” she cried through tears. “Please save my husband!”
She wiped away her tears as she spoke, weeping pitifully, but Long Yin didn’t even spare her a glance. He looked up at Feng Qingyun, saying nothing, but the moment their eyes met, Feng Qingyun instantly understood.
Long Yin’s heart demon had repeatedly insisted that Mu Hanyang be forced to make a choice, wanting Feng Qingyun to abandon all hope in him once and for all. But that had merely been empty bluster masking insecurity, for Long Yin himself…
Never wanted Feng Qingyun to become someone waiting to be chosen by another.
So now, he was once again placing the choice in Feng Qingyun’s hands. Would he stay in the Demon Palace, or return to the Xiān Gōng Sect? Would he choose Long Yin, the man he had spent less than two months with, or Mu Hanyang, whom he had known for over a century?
The mighty Demon Emperor had placed himself and Mu Hanyang on the same scale, allowing Feng Qingyun alone to weigh the worth of each. And for one fleeting moment, Feng Qingyun suddenly realized…
Long Yin had already prepared himself to be abandoned.
And yet, the instant he understood that, an inexplicable surge of anger rose inside him. He had already made himself this obvious… and this idiot still couldn’t understand?!
What kind of captor in the world could possibly be this pathetic?!
He had already tied the person he loved to his side, yet he still lacked the courage to even ask. They had already reached the point where Feng Qingyun wasn’t wearing anything beneath his robe, and the boldest thing Long Yin had dared to do was simply hug him.
The more Feng Qingyun thought about it, the angrier he became, letting out a cold laugh. Standing nearby, Yue Jinshu felt her scalp go numb at the sound and immediately straightened to attention. At that very moment, darkness finally descended outside.
Feng Qingyun glanced at the night sky before saying coolly, “Miss Yue.”
“Y-Yes, Your Highness,” Yue Jinshu immediately answered nervously, “What are your orders?”
“Arrange accommodations for Lord Mu.” Then, turning to Mu Hanyang, Feng Qingyun continued, “You have one night. Think it through carefully.”
“Decide whether you truly intend to save your friend.”
His tone was so calm, so matter-of-fact, that it sounded as though he, not Long Yin, were the true master of the Demon Palace. The kneeling young woman was completely dumbfounded, but the people of the Demon Palace, however, found it perfectly natural.
They could also tell that Feng Qingyun was in a bad mood, so everyone lowered their heads and wisely kept silent.
“Understood!” Yue Jinshu quickly bowed. Then, with impeccable courtesy, she gestured toward Mu Hanyang.
“Lord Mu, this way, please.”
Only the true master of the Demon Palace stood there like an outsider, his fists clenched unconsciously as a bitter taste filled his mouth. He couldn’t help but think, Qingyun is giving Mu Hanyang one last chance. If he truly realizes his mistakes… then tomorrow may be the day they reconcile.
So dawn would always pierce the darkness in the end. Borrowed happiness… Had to be returned eventually.
Then what had all these days together been?
The whispered intimacy, the closeness that had made them seem like a couple… what had any of it meant? Perhaps…
Nothing more than a dream.
“…”
If Feng Qingyun had known what Long Yin was thinking at that moment, he probably would have become even angrier. Angry enough that slapping Long Yin across the face twice wouldn’t have been out of the question.
He had long since given up on Mu Hanyang, so the opportunity he was giving now was clearly meant for Long Yin. Unfortunately, Long Yin was drowning in unspeakable disappointment, completely failing to understand why Feng Qingyun stood there with his arms folded, staring at him without blinking.
In the end, Feng Qingyun could only conclude that the hopeless fool was truly beyond saving. With another cold laugh, he flicked his sleeve and returned to the sleeping chamber. By the time Long Yin realized something was wrong, it was already too late. He hurried after Feng Qingyun, only for the doors to slam shut in his face.
He was left standing outside.
The demon attendants all lowered their heads, though they couldn’t help stealing glances in their direction, thinking, His Highness had been famously good-tempered these past several weeks… so what happened?!
Could it be that his ex-husband’s arrival had rekindled old feelings, and now he was displeased with their Emperor?
…That didn’t seem right.
That surnamed Mu looked so indecisive. With his partner standing right in front of him, he still couldn’t decide whom to choose. How could His Highness possibly lose his senses and pick him over His Majesty?!
In truth, anyone could see whom Feng Qingyun ought to choose.
Everyone except Long Yin himself.
………………….
Feng Qingyun was so infuriated by him that the moment he returned to the bedchamber, he didn’t even want to wear Long Yin’s robe anymore. Therefore, he pulled off the outer garment and tossed it beside the bathing pool before stepping into the spring. Leaning against the edge, he closed his eyes with a frown.
He hadn’t soaked for long before rustling sounds came from behind him. Only after the man stopped behind him and knelt on one knee did Feng Qingyun open his eyes and cast him a cold glance over his shoulder. The man seemed about to touch his shoulder, but before his fingers could reach him, Feng Qingyun seized his wrist and flung it aside. Rising from the pool, he cast a cleansing spell to dry the water from his body, then climbed onto the bed without another look and immediately began cultivating.
The bedchamber was dark and silent.
With his eyes closed, Feng Qingyun behaved as though he were the only person in the room. Before long, however, another faint sound came from behind him, followed by the slight sinking of the mattress. The man had sat down behind him, and a hand reached for his waist.
Without even turning around, Feng Qingyun slapped it away. The man froze before speaking hoarsely, “…You’re unhappy.”
It wasn’t a question.
So this bastard could tell when he was upset.
Come to think of it, this was only the second sentence they’d exchanged in nearly two months. Still facing away from him, Feng Qingyun sneered: “So His Majesty can speak? I thought you turned mute after nightfall.”
He had long since grown accustomed to being naked in front of him. So in the darkness, he simply sat there with his back to Long Yin, openly allowing the other’s gaze to rest upon his bare back. He knew that even if he were to climb directly into Long Yin’s lap himself, the hopeless coward would still lack the courage to make a move.
There was nothing to fear. Yet that very restraint, which should have reassured him, only made him angrier the more he thought about it. He wanted nothing more than to kick Long Yin straight out of the room, the pathetic fool who only dared look but never dared touch.
After a long silence, Long Yin stepped directly into the line of fire, asking, “…Why is the Little Palace Master unhappy?”
“You’re asking me?!” Feng Qingyun almost laughed in exasperation. His voice, however, turned even colder. “I don’t know either.”
Long Yin found himself completely speechless. Perhaps this was the most absurd scene imaginable. The captive was throwing a tantrum at the man imprisoning him…
…because that man wanted to set him free.
Long Yin had no idea what Feng Qingyun was truly angry about, so they remained in silence for over an hour. Only when he judged that Feng Qingyun’s temper had mostly cooled did Long Yin cautiously pull him into his arms. His cool, smooth skin felt as soft as jade beneath his hands.
This time, although Feng Qingyun still refused to look at him, he didn’t push his hands away.
His anger was finally beginning to fade.
Relieved, Long Yin hurriedly said, “No matter what decision that surnamed Mu makes tomorrow, I will cripple his cultivation.”
Feng Qingyun paused. For a fleeting moment, he thought Long Yin had finally grown a backbone… Unable to help himself, he turned around in the man’s embrace and looked up at him.
“And then?”
The person he loved lay naked in his arms, and Long Yin stared at him without blinking. After a long while, he finally answered, “…Then the Little Palace Master can leave this place.”
“From then on, no one in heaven or earth will ever be able to hurt you again.”
That includes me.
“…”
The bedchamber fell into complete silence. Long Yin seemed convinced those words were the deepest confession imaginable. Making that decision had torn his heart apart until it had gone numb, though none of it showed on his face.
Love was not possession. Love meant letting go.
In that regard, forcing himself to release Feng Qingyun was indeed a thousand times nobler than anything Mu Hanyang had ever done. Unfortunately, after silently moving himself to tears with his own self-sacrifice, he had neglected one rather important question:
Whether Feng Qingyun wanted that at all.
And as it turned out… He absolutely did not.
Still nestled in Long Yin’s arms, Feng Qingyun stared at him in the darkness for three full seconds. Then, without the slightest warning…
Smack!
His palm landed squarely across Long Yin’s face. The sharp crack echoed through the entire chamber, and Long Yin went completely still. Whether he had been stunned senseless or simply hadn’t processed what had happened was impossible to tell.
Only when the lingering fragrance of flowers mingled with the stinging heat spreading across his cheek did he slowly realize…
He had said the wrong thing. He had made the person in his arms angry.
Then he heard the beauty in his embrace grit out two words through clenched teeth: “…Damned coward.”
Those two simple words struck his heart with the force of thunder. Hidden behind them was a possibility he had never dared imagine, not even in his dreams. His hollow shell seemed to crack ever so slightly.
The overwhelming emotions he had buried deep inside, the ones forced into the form of heart demons and sealed away, suddenly surged upward, threatening to burst free.
Long Yin couldn’t help tightening his grip around Feng Qingyun’s waist until his fingers nearly sank into his skin. He desperately tried to suppress the excitement and violent possessiveness swelling inside him, but unfortunately…
Someone had no intention of letting him continue suppressing himself.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Feng Qingyun patted his cheek lightly. “Do you disagree with my assessment? You kidnapped me, yet you don’t even dare admit you love me. The only time you dare to go mad is by borrowing your heart demon’s name.”
“If that doesn’t make you a damned coward, what does?”
Every accusation landed beside his ear, one word at a time. Holding the slender waist in his arms, Long Yin found his throat so dry he couldn’t utter a single word. The beauty who seemed as though he had stepped straight out of a dream slid a hand around his neck and whispered beside his ear, “I’m giving you one last chance.”
“Mu Hanyang is right next door.”
“…Do you dare touch me?”
“If you don’t…”
“You and he can both go die tomorrow.”
“I don’t want either of you.”
At last, day and night merged into one. The feelings they had silently understood yet kept hidden from the light were dragged into the open, laid bare beneath the sun with nowhere left to hide.
Long Yin’s restraint finally shattered.
Grabbing Feng Qingyun’s wrists, he pinned him down against the bed. The chain around Feng Qingyun’s ankle was lifted, its links chiming together like striking jade. By the time Long Yin finally released him from a dizzying kiss, Feng Qingyun had only just managed to regain a sliver of composure.
But the moment he looked up, he met the dragon eyes he had deliberately provoked into appearing, making his scalp tingle. The instinctive fear all demons held toward dragons made him want to shrink back. Even his eyelashes trembled ever so slightly beyond his control.
Yet beneath that instinctive fear…
There was also a secret anticipation.
A quiet thrill.
Unable to help himself, he lightly licked the corner of his lips, for that was simply the nature of demons. Even after spending a century living among humans, when they encountered the prey they truly desired, they would still stop at nothing. They would abandon every shred of morality and every last boundary…
…and never rest until they had claimed what they wanted.
………………………
After returning to his quarters, Mu Hanyang laid the friend he had carried on his back onto the bed. The young woman who had accompanied them was already exhausted and fell asleep first. In the pitch-black night, only Mu Hanyang remained awake, sitting by the bedside, staring at the man lying there.
His thoughts were in complete disarray. The entire situation felt absurd beyond belief.
…He was the foremost leader of the Righteous Path, yet after arriving at the Demon Palace, he had actually been allowed to stay without resistance. And those demon attendants had shown Feng Qingyun such respect.
Could there be some hidden truth behind all of this?
But what exactly did Feng Qingyun mean? If he chose to save Brother Liu, did that mean he truly had no intention of returning to the Xiān Gōng Sect?
…Impossible. Absolutely impossible. Feng Qingyun loved him far too much.
This had to be because he’d hurt him too deeply. Those harsh words were surely spoken out of spite. Tomorrow, he would tell Feng Qingyun that he chose him over Brother Liu, and his Junior Brother would certainly be moved and reconcile with him.
After all, Feng Qingyun had always been soft-hearted. By then, if he spoke a few more gentle words, he would probably even persuade the Demon Emperor to save Brother Liu for him…
Just as Mu Hanyang felt as though a glimmer of hope had appeared and his mood gradually brightened, a rich floral fragrance suddenly drifted through the crack beneath the door from outside, freezing him in place.
Then, with utter disbelief, he realized a truth so devastating it nearly shattered him.
Feng Qingyun… was blooming.
Right next door.
Beneath another man’s body.
In that instant, every confident resolution he’d just made became the greatest joke imaginable. All the possibilities he’d deliberately suppressed, refused to acknowledge, were now laid before him in bloody clarity.
That was the Demon Emperor. Once he’d finally won Feng Qingyun’s heart, how could he possibly leave him untouched?
How could I have been so stupid…?!
He had known from the Dao ceremony that the demon had coveted his Junior Brother. He had known the obsession had lasted until now. So why had he still allowed Feng Qingyun to come here alone?!
For the sake of his own reputation? For the glorious name he had built?
How could he allow the world to believe that he had abandoned his sworn brother for the sake of his Dao companion? Such a disgraceful reputation, valuing love over loyalty, was something Lord Mu could never permit.
And so, just like in the illusion, for the sake of those insignificant people of the world… He had personally offered up his own “bride” to the dragon God.
Mu Hanyang broke.
That was his Junior Brother…
The rose he had nurtured with his own hands.
He had never even seen the flower fully bloom; how could someone else have taken it before him?!
Rage consumed him. He drew his sword and charged outside, ignoring the demon attendants’ attempts to stop him as he slashed directly at the doors of their bedchamber. As the acknowledged leader of the Righteous Path, Mu Hanyang’s furious strike crashed into the protective barrier with overwhelming force, producing a deafening explosion.
Even those inside the chamber heard it clearly.
If this had been the Feng Qingyun of a month ago, he would have been overwhelmed with shame at the sound. But over the course of that month, his boundaries had already been completely dismantled in the darkness.
The furious shouting outside rang on without end, yet he acted as though he heard nothing at all. Clinging to the man’s shoulders, eyes half-lidded, he breathed softly, “…When did you start liking me…?”
Long Yin could no longer endure his teasing. Bewitched beyond reason, he lowered his head to kiss him again and again before finally answering hoarsely, “…You already know.”
“I don’t…” Feng Qingyun trembled lightly beneath him, the shackle around his ankle quivering uncontrollably with every movement. One hand slid up to Long Yin’s neck, as though grasping an invisible chain only he could see. “Speak.” He tugged gently downward. “Stop pretending you’re mute.”
Long Yin’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He looked down at him for a long while before finally saying, “From the very first moment I saw you in the illusion.”
Feng Qingyun slowly opened his eyes. A tear, as though perfectly timed, slipped from the corner of his eye, a tear shed for a reunion delayed by a hundred years.
“The seven sacrificial nails…” Closing his eyes again through trembling lashes, he whispered shakily, “If I hadn’t pulled them out… a god… wouldn’t have died so quickly…” As he spoke, he gently patted Long Yin’s cheek, but his strength was so slight that the motion resembled a caress far more than a slap. “My good Majesty,” he murmured, voice trembling despite the teasing words, “why do you always fall for the person who brings you the most pain? Don’t tell me… you have a thing for suffering?”
Though the words sounded playful, his voice shook along with Long Yin’s heart. For the first time, he recovered a fragment of confidence from the dust and finally understood what Feng Qingyun truly meant.
Feng Qingyun was gentle on the outside but unyielding within. Proud to his very bones, neither frost nor blades could bend him. So if he truly hadn’t loved him…
How could he have endured imprisonment without ever trying to drag them both into mutual destruction?
He should have realized it long ago. At that moment, every heart demon vanished, and all the emotions that had been forcibly torn away and separated from him flooded back at once. Long Yin immediately reached up and caught the wrist resting against his cheek.
“Little Palace Master Feng seems awfully fond of slapping people in bed.” His familiar tone returned as he smiled faintly. “Could it be… that you have a peculiar hobby as well?”
The instant he heard that familiar voice, Feng Qingyun trembled as he closed his eyes, unconsciously tightening his grip around Long Yin’s fingers.
“You even managed to fall in love with the man who imprisoned you…” Long Yin murmured against his lips, one hand wrapped around his trembling waist as he slowly kissed him. “What should I call that, Little Palace Master Feng? A remarkable talent?”
“Who said I fell in love…” Feng Qingyun opened his eyes halfway, panting softly. “Don’t flatter yourself. I still hate you.”
“Really?” Long Yin deliberately leaned closer until their breaths mingled. “You truly don’t like me? Then why are you holding on so tightly… hm?”
Feng Qingyun’s eyes flickered, and a trace of guilt crossed his face as he looked away. Long Yin immediately seized the opportunity and kissed him deeply.
The already disheveled bedding was kicked into a tangled heap by a pair of tense, snow-white feet, sending the blankets rippling across the bed.
A moment later, however, those beautiful feet suddenly froze in midair.
Then all their strength gave out, falling limply back onto the mattress.
Feng Qingyun looked up at the man above him with unfocused eyes, wearing an innocent, dazed expression that made him seem utterly defenseless.
Long Yin loved the sight so much he gathered him into his arms, lowering his head to kiss him over and over. At that very moment, however, no matter how sturdy the barrier around the bedchamber had been, it could no longer withstand the relentless assault of a Golden Core sword cultivator.
It shattered completely.
Strictly speaking, although Feng Qingyun was somewhat weaker than Mu Hanyang, the gap between them wasn’t insurmountable. So if Mu Hanyang could break through the barrier, then Feng Qingyun could have done the same.
He simply hadn’t wanted to.
From the very beginning, he had stayed of his own free will. Long Yin’s heart suddenly burned with overwhelming warmth. Taking a deep breath, he kissed Feng Qingyun once more before quickly retrieving one of his own robes and carefully dressing him. Only then did he throw on an outer robe himself.
By the time he finished, Mu Hanyang stormed into the chamber, sword in hand, consumed by fury. Though the two of them were fully dressed again, the rich floral scent filling the room and the utter disarray surrounding the bed left no room for doubt.
Mu Hanyang stared at everything before him in utter disbelief.
An overwhelming rage drowned every last shred of reason. He had always insisted that becoming Dao companions had merely been a reluctant response to his Junior Brother’s relentless pursuit, that he had never truly desired a relationship with another man.
Yet now, stripped of that title by a single letter of divorce, he still looked upon the two figures on the bed with all the righteous fury of a lawful husband catching his spouse in an affair.
The hatred in his eyes burned so fiercely it seemed he wanted nothing more than to grind Long Yin’s bones to dust.
Feng Qingyun finally recovered a little from the dazed, soul-leaving-his-body state he had been in. Supporting his aching waist, he slowly sat up on the bed, casually pulled the blanket over himself, then looked at Mu Hanyang and asked unhurriedly, “So, Senior Brother, have you made your choice?”
The redness at the corners of his eyes had yet to fade, and even his voice was still hoarse, clearly showing that he had only just stopped crying. The sight instantly shattered what little reason Mu Hanyang had left.
Forgetting all about his friend, he demanded almost madly, “Qingyun, he forced you, didn’t he!? He must have forced you!”
“Senior Brother.” Feng Qingyun looked at him with faint pity. “If I were unwilling, no one could force me.”
It was as though someone had seized Mu Hanyang by the throat. In an instant, every word deserted him.
“I forgot that Senior Brother isn’t into men. Seeing something like this must disgust you.” Too lazy to continue speaking with him, Feng Qingyun lowered his eyes and calmly dismissed him. “Since you haven’t decided yet, go back and think about it. Tell me your answer tomorrow morning.”
At that, Mu Hanyang’s heart skipped violently, and he blurted out, “…I choose you!”
Feng Qingyun paused before lifting his eyes with a half-smile. The undisguised mockery in that gaze made Mu Hanyang feel as though he had fallen into an icy abyss.
“Senior Brother, I think you’ve misunderstood. I already sent you the divorce letter. From the day you received it, we ceased to be Dao companions.”
“If you had any objections, you should have raised them then. Over a month has passed. Coming here now to put on this sentimental act only makes you a laughingstock.”
Every word Feng Qingyun spoke was perfectly reasonable. If Mu Hanyang truly loved him as deeply as he claimed, why had it taken him nearly two months to come to the Demon World?
But Mu Hanyang refused to see it that way.
At the height of his rage, his mind instinctively sought self-protection. So instead of collapsing, he became eerily calm.
“That divorce letter was obviously written under the demon’s control!” he declared without hesitation. “Qingyun, haven’t you realized it yet!? He’s already manipulated your mind! I told you long ago that demonic methods are despicable. Why won’t you ever believe your Senior Brother?”
Feng Qingyun paused, then couldn’t help laughing. “So your Demonic Path has techniques like that?” He turned to Long Yin. “Why haven’t I ever seen them?”
Seeing Feng Qingyun treat him as though he didn’t exist while showing nothing but warmth toward that demon completely enraged Mu Hanyang. His conviction that Feng Qingyun had been brainwashed solidified instantly.
“Qingyun,” he said darkly, “I will bring you back no matter what!” With that, he drew his sword and lunged forward, reaching for Feng Qingyun’s wrist.
Feng Qingyun frowned slightly, just about to draw his own sword, but the next moment, Long Yin moved.
The blood-red light of the demonic Qi erupted inside the chamber, instantly overwhelming the brilliance of the Hanyang Sword. This was the Demon Palace, Long Yin’s territory. Fighting the Demon Emperor on his own ground, someone whose strength far surpassed his, was never a choice the usual Mu Hanyang would have made.
But what he had just witnessed had completely driven him mad.
Clutching the Hanyang Sword, he charged forward without hesitation, as sword light exploded through the hall. Metal clashed against metal, each collision ringing with enough force to make one’s heart tremble. Yet after fewer than ten exchanges, Mu Hanyang abruptly regained his senses, as cold sweat drenched his back.
Only then did he realize how disastrously wrong the situation had become.
Too late.
It wasn’t a fight. It was a one-sided beating.
Even Feng Qingyun, who had been sitting on the bed watching the spectacle, gradually showed a trace of astonishment.
…Compared to the murderous ferocity Long Yin displayed toward Mu Hanyang, as though he wanted to tear him apart alive, the restraint he had shown toward Feng Qingyun before was almost unbelievable.
A tiger smelling a rose.
The thought made Feng Qingyun’s face flush faintly. However, before Long Yin could truly beat Mu Hanyang to death, he still spoke: “…Leave him alive. Ruolin is still young. After I leave, someone has to take care of the Xiān Gōng Sect left behind by our Master.”
By now, Mu Hanyang was already barely conscious. Half of his Dantian had been shattered, yet hearing those words, he still struggled to lift his head in disbelief, staring at Feng Qingyun.
…Why?
Qingyun!
That was your home for hundreds of years!
But now he lay pinned beneath Long Yin’s foot like a stray dog. The demonic Qi blade pierced through his shoulder, nailing him firmly to the palace floor, and he couldn’t utter another word.
Still, Feng Qingyun’s words carried weight with Long Yin. In the end, Long Yin spared Mu Hanyang’s life. The price, however, was the loss of two entire cultivation realms, along with one final condition.
“Swear upon your Dao Heart that after returning, you will announce to the world that you and Qingyun have no relationship whatsoever. And from this day forward, you will never trouble him again.”
Upon hearing Long Yin call him Qingyun, Feng Qingyun’s brows twitched, and he couldn’t help looking at him.
As for Mu Hanyang, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. The humiliation was obvious. He desperately refused to swear, instead staring fixedly at Feng Qingyun.
Unfortunately, Feng Qingyun never once looked back, and Mu Hanyang had no choice. Compared to his own life, neither his pride nor the love he had only realized too late was worth clinging to.
“…I swear.”
The instant those two words left his lips, Long Yin pulled the demonic Qi blade free. Without sparing Mu Hanyang another glance, he tossed him a bottle of pills, saying, “This medicine will keep that surnamed Liu alive. The price is that his Dantian will be destroyed.”
“And… his dog tongue.”
“Since he never learned how to speak properly, then from now on, he doesn’t need to speak at all. Of course, you can also choose not to give him the medicine. He can simply continue lying there until the Mistress of the Underworld comes to claim him.”
“The choice is yours. I’ve said all I need to say.”
“Now get out.”
With that, Long Yin kicked Mu Hanyang straight out of the hall. Still wearing blood-soaked robes, he returned to the bedside and sat beside Feng Qingyun once more. At the doorway, Mu Hanyang struggled to his feet while leaning on the Hanyang Sword.
He wanted to flee.
But before leaving, he couldn’t stop himself from looking back at Feng Qingyun one last time.
However, Feng Qingyun never even glanced at him. Instead, every trace of warmth and gentle amusement in his eyes was directed entirely toward the man beside him.
Long Yin had finally managed to act like a proper Demon Emperor for once. He carefully wiped the blood from his hands, still awkwardly wondering how he should face Feng Qingyun. But when he turned around, the beauty draped in his robe was already resting his chin on one hand, smiling faintly as he watched him.
For one brief moment, Long Yin couldn’t help wondering if he was dreaming.
“Come here,” Feng Qingyun said softly, curling a finger at him.
Once Long Yin cleaned all the blood away and wrapped an arm around his waist again, pressing him gently back onto the bed, Feng Qingyun slowly untied Long Yin’s belt. Then, with deliberate slowness, he looped it around Long Yin’s neck and gave it a gentle tug downward.
“What exactly did that Liu fellow say about me before?”
His smile was radiant, every glance overflowing with irresistible charm. Something was clearly different about Feng Qingyun. Combined with the suddenly thickening rose fragrance filling the room, Long Yin’s throat went dry. He wanted to remind him… Yet selfishly, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.
Seeing his silence, Feng Qingyun frowned in dissatisfaction and tightened the belt another notch.
“I asked you a question.”
“Speak.”
“He said…” Long Yin paused before finally answering, “…that Mu Hanyang valued his brothers more than his Dao companion, so even if he were to bed his Dao companion right in front of him, he probably wouldn’t care.”
Unexpectedly, Feng Qingyun wasn’t angry. Instead, still tugging lightly on the belt, he asked, “He was insulting me. Why were you so angry?”
“You even beat him into that state.”
Long Yin drew him into an embrace and kissed him.
“…Because I’m in love with you.”
“I wanted nothing more than to tear him to pieces.”
“But I was afraid of putting you in a difficult position. While I hesitated… my heart demon seized the opportunity.”
Feng Qingyun closed his eyes halfway without speaking, and for a moment, even the fragrance of roses throughout the room seemed to fade. Long Yin’s heart tightened.
But just as he was about to say something, a rich, intoxicating scent of roses suddenly burst through the entire chamber. Countless brilliant roses bloomed in the darkness all at once. The dazzling sea of flowers swallowed every trace of the earlier chaos, turning the room into a breathtaking sight.
Long Yin froze. He lowered his eyes, looking at the person in his arms in astonishment.
Feng Qingyun’s cheeks flushed crimson under his gaze. Biting lightly on the back of his hand, he awkwardly looked away.
…Blooming into flowers just because of a single sentence.
It was far too embarrassing.
But once Long Yin understood what had happened, he found the sight unbearably adorable, making even his heart burn. So he gently pulled Feng Qingyun’s hand away from his mouth and kissed him deeply.
Feng Qingyun was kissed until his thoughts scattered. Fumbling blindly, he finally found the belt still hanging around Long Yin’s neck. Gripping it, he breathed softly, “Just how deeply are you in love with me…?”
“Show me your sincerity.”
Following the pull of the belt, Long Yin lowered his head and slowly captured his lips. Between lingering kisses, he whispered, “As you command.”
The bedchamber, which had remained shrouded in darkness for two whole months, finally welcomed candlelight that night. Only when dawn finally broke the next morning did the springtime passion within the chamber come to a temporary end.
From the perspective of the righteous cultivation world, however, the story unfolded very differently.
The Second Palace Master of the Xiān Gōng Sect, Feng Qingyun, entered the Demon Palace alone and did not return for months. The entire world feared he had been killed.
His dao companion, Sword Master Mu Hanyang, ventured alone into the Demon Palace, only to return in defeat, his cultivation dropping three realms. One month later, he publicly announced that his Dao companion bond with the Second Palace Master, Feng Qingyun, had been dissolved.
The world was shaken.
Three months later, the Demon Emperor proclaimed to all under heaven that a grand Dao companion ceremony would be held in the Demon Palace. He and… the same Second Palace Master would become Dao companions and pursue the Great Dao together.
The Four Seas were stunned, and the world was thrown into upheaval.
A hundred years later, the two accidentally entered an ancient ruin within the Demon Realm, where they encountered the remnant soul of Sword Master Zhong Yulan.
There, they learned the truth of this world.
Though deeply shocked, they ultimately chose to join forces and save it together. One year later, Mu Hanyang died during the Heavenly Gate Ceremony, and the Heavenly Dao returned to its rightful place.
Two years after that, the newly appointed Sect Leader Feng traveled the mountains and rivers with his young child, searching from the highest heavens to the deepest Yellow Springs.
At last, within the Underworld, they recovered the memories of the love they had once shared as husband and husband.
Moved by their devotion, the Heavenly Dao took physical form once more. From that day on, there were no more regrets carried across lifetimes, no more sorrow over their separation.
There was no need to wait for another reincarnation to meet again.
In this life alone, they could hold each other’s hands…
…and walk the immortal path together.
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