Chapter 4

While Yun Heng’s youngest martial brother was still pouring out his heart outside the front door, I slipped out the back and headed down the mountain.

The path wound between the trees. Beyond them, cooking smoke rose faintly from the mortal world below.

I hummed as I walked, in an excellent mood.

When I came across a few lechers trying to abduct a woman, I stepped in. A few quick moves put an end to that. I left them hanging from a tree on the cliffside; if they survived, they’d be nursing serious injuries.

The woman thanked me over and over. Then I set off again—and turned straight into Demon Lord Qi Shuo.

He and Yun Heng were mortal enemies. They’d fought several times without either gaining the upper hand.

After we’d become cultivation partners, he’d mocked Yun Heng over it.

“A disciple of the Path of Detachment, practicing dual cultivation with someone from Hehuan? You’ve betrayed your own path! I thought you people were above desire. Turns out you’re no different from ordinary mortals—fill your bellies, and lust comes next.”

Oh, no. Unable to beat Yun Heng, he’d come to take his revenge on me.

I was no match for him.

And I didn’t have a voice talisman. I couldn’t call Yun Heng for help.

Even if I could, he might not come anymore.

I was done for.

Clinging to one last scrap of hope, I clasped my hands in front of me and begged.

“Your quarrel is with Yun Heng, not me. Please let me go. Don’t kill me. Spare my life today, and the Hehuan Sect will remember your kindness—”

“You think I want to kill you?”

I blinked.

His fingers brushed my cheek. A trace of tenderness softened his severe face.

“How could I bear to kill the man I love?”

I pointed cautiously at myself. “Do you mean me?”

He smiled. “Who else? Yun Heng?”

I considered that.

“Well, in the storybooks, bitter enemies like you two make the best couples. You know, the kind who keep fighting until one man’s collar slips open and the other takes one look and starts blushing.”

Qi Shuo pinched my cheek, smiling.

“Mu Chen, how are you this adorable? Won’t you be my husband? You have to practice with Yun Heng to get anything out of him. I’ll give you half my demonic power outright.”

“I think I’d better not.”

I regretted saying it immediately. This was a vicious, ruthless demon lord. Who knew how many creatures had died at his hands?

He leaned closer, something fierce flashing in his eyes.

“You really won’t be with me?”

I swallowed. “If I say no… will you kill me?”

Qi Shuo laughed.

“You think that little of my love? I said I care for you. Why would I lash out just because you turned me down?”

“Or has Yun Heng been treating you badly? Come with me. I’ll show you what it means to be loved.”

He went on, “In the Xuming Demon Realm, you’ll have the highest authority. Treasures, jewels, fine silks—take your pick. Every soldier will be yours to command. Me included.”

The distance in his expression was gone. He looked entirely sincere.

I couldn’t deny that his offer was tempting.

But I shook my head.

“You can find someone better than me. I’m the one who doesn’t know a good thing when he sees it.”

He studied me for a long time. Finally, a bitter smile tugged at his mouth.

“You still can’t forget Yun Heng, can you?”

The man before the amnesia and the man after it felt like two different people.

Overnight, the Yun Heng who’d treasured me had died.

“We’re already separated. My turning you down has nothing to do with him. Can I leave?”

His eyes darkened. Several expressions crossed his face before he answered.

“Of course.”

He stepped aside.

I gave him one wary look and hurried off before he could change his mind.

Behind me, his voice rang out with absolute certainty.

“Sooner or later, you’ll be mine.”