Soon after, Ruo Yin quietly made her way back to the reunion hall. The War Deity, Zhan Luo, was already seated. An immortal was ranting on about medicinal plants—or something equally uninspiring—as she slid back into her place beside You Xie.
The seven days of the reunion passed without major incident. You Xie seemed especially pleased with Ruo Yin's performance, often bragging to other clan officials about how the War Deity himself had proposed marriage to her.
This revelation sent ripples of shock through the gathering. Zhan Luo was legendary—not only for his unparalleled skills in war but also for his unapproachable demeanor. Many goddesses had tried to win his favor, only to fail spectacularly. Yet here he was, proposing to a Demon Clan princess—a move that no one had anticipated.
Ruo Yin, however, found her thoughts elsewhere. She had initially assumed the Sky Empress would remain by the Sky Emperor's side throughout the reunion, but after their tense first encounter, the empress spent the entire gathering seated with her son, whispering in low tones. The Sky Emperor himself was preoccupied with managing inter-clan matters, often in deep discussions with You Xie and other high-ranking officials.
Zhan Luo, true to his word, stayed beside Ruo Yin whenever other clans were present. They never exchanged words, only sharing silent meals and watching the elaborate presentations prepared by the Sky Emperor.
On the final day, just before the guests began to depart, Zhan Luo sought her out again. He led her back to the pavilion where they had spoken previously. The serene setting, with its tranquil lotus pond and distant mountains, did little to calm the storm of emotions within her.
"Do you know," Zhan Luo began, his voice steady yet sharp, "that war begins long before blood is shed?"
Ruo Yin blinked, caught off guard. Was this another test? She straightened, summoning the sharp tactical mind she'd honed over years of training. "Obviously," she replied, her tone measured. "War begins when one party feels the need to destroy the other. It's not fought on the battlefield alone—it starts with information, spies, and the shifting tides of loyalty."
She paused, watching his expression for a reaction.
Zhan Luo met her gaze, his eyes cold and unyielding. "Then, I need you to make a deal with me," he said. "As planned, I will marry you and grant you the freedom you deserve. But in return, you must promise me your loyalty—not to the Sky Clan, but to me."
His words hung in the air like the sharp edge of a blade.
Ruo Yin's heart raced. Has he gone mad? She couldn't fathom why the War Deity would want her loyalty, but the implications were troubling. She thought of You Xie—his ambitions, his ruthlessness, and his tendency to use people as pawns. There was little doubt that he would expect her to act as his informant, to report on any unusual movements within the Sky Clan. If not, why would he have given her away so easily?
Yet, Ruo Yin couldn't bring herself to support You Xie's growing thirst for power. She had witnessed firsthand how the disciplined soldiers of the Demon Clan had degenerated into bloodthirsty marauders. When she'd once voiced concerns about their lack of order, You Xie had dismissed her outright.
"You just need men who will fight for you, not philosophers," he had said, his tone dripping with disdain.
And now, here she was, caught between two master tacticians. Promising loyalty to Zhan Luo felt like a betrayal of her clan, but deep down, she doubted You Xie's motives were as pure as he had spoken in the reunion hall. He never did anything without calculating its long-term benefit to himself, and her sudden elevation to a political pawn in this union reeked of ulterior motives.
If he's truly plotting something... do I even want to be part of it?
For a brief moment, she considered the potential consequences of defying You Xie. The Demon Clan was already weakened, their powers sealed by the cursed red tattoos around their necks. Starting a war against the Sky Clan would be suicide. Millions of lives would be lost—all for a leader who saw his people as expendable pawns.
Zhan Luo's voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. "I need your answer, Princess."
Ruo Yin took a steadying breath. She looked into his eyes—cold but strangely sincere—and made her choice.
"I, Ruo Yin, Princess of the Demon Clan, promise that from today onwards, my loyalty lies with the High God of War, Zhan Luo," she declared, her voice firm despite the uncertainty gnawing at her heart.
Zhan Luo nodded, satisfied. Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the pavilion once more.
As the wind rippled across the pond, Ruo Yin stared at her reflection in the water. Her chest felt heavy with doubt and fear.
"What have I done?" she whispered to herself.
Her promise now bound her to the War Deity, but the path ahead remained shrouded in uncertainty. All she could do was hope that her decision would lead her toward a destiny of her own making—and not another trap.