Months had passed since Ruo Yin returned to the Demon Clan after the annual reunion, and in all that time, You Xie hadn't summoned her once. It was as though she had faded back into obscurity, her presence forgotten.
Her days returned to their familiar rhythm: morning training sessions to hone her swordsmanship and fighting skills, afternoons spent discussing battle tactics with the retired generals in the Outer Court, and quiet evenings immersed in books.
Yet, amidst this routine, her thoughts often drifted. She had heard nothing from You Xie. More surprisingly, there had been no word from Zhan Luo either.
Was he regretting his deal with me?
The idea gnawed at her. If You Xie wasn't pushing for the wedding, maybe it didn't matter to him whether she married the War Deity or not. But the more she dwelled on it, the angrier she became—not at You Xie, but at Zhan Luo.
"That stupid, stupid, stupid Zhan Luo!" she muttered furiously, pacing in her chambers before collapsing onto her daybed. "He made such a spectacle in front of the Sky Clan and everyone else, and now? Nothing! Not even a word to see if I'm alive!"
Her frustration spiraled. "I hope you end up alone for the rest of your life, you liar! Do you think playing with me is some kind of joke?"
But as the heat of her anger subsided, doubt crept in. Why was she so upset over a stranger? Was she... falling for him?
Ruo Yin shook her head. He was just doing me a favor. He doesn't owe me anything. He has every right to call it off if he wants to. Remember, Ruo Yin, this marriage is just a formality. Don't be foolish enough to think it could ever mean more.
Still, a small, stubborn part of her longed to understand him better. He wasn't just any immortal—he was the War Deity, a figure revered even by those who feared him. Maybe it was his promise of freedom, or maybe it was the way others spoke of him, but deep inside, she realized she truly did want to marry him.
Feeling overwhelmed by her thoughts, she called for a maid to prepare a bath. Don't be silly, Ruo Yin. It's just a name on a piece of paper.
As she soaked, she reminded herself that there would never be love between them. She could wear the finest clothes You Xie chose for her and play the role of a Sky Clan bride, but she could never truly belong. The red tattooed mark on her neck was proof of her Demon Clan heritage—a reminder of where she truly came from.
Just as she was stepping out of the bath, a maid entered the room.
"Miss, the Demon Lord has requested your presence."
Ruo Yin sighed. "All right. Let me get dressed."
Great. Just what I needed—more problems to think about.
Ruo Yin quickly dressed and made her way to the main palace. Though You Xie had allowed her to live in her parents' home in the Outer Court, the journey to the main palace was tedious. She couldn't imagine how mortals, without cultivation or spells, relied solely on walking or carriages. As an immortal, she teleported most of the way, stopping just outside the entrance.
Unlike other members of the Demon Clan, Ruo Yin disliked appearing suddenly inside a room—it unnerved her when others did it, and she refused to do the same. Instead, she arrived in the front yard and knocked on the door.
As she approached the Demon Lord's study, she paused. Voices drifted through the door.
"I don't care!" You Xie's voice thundered.
There was a crash—something breaking against the floor.
"Tell those old, retired generals that if a word about Zhan Luo's involvement in her parents' murder gets out, they'll be dealt with. I need this marriage to happen!"
Ruo Yin's blood ran cold. She ducked behind a bush, heart pounding.
Zhan Luo... involved in my parents' murder?
The story of their deaths had been simple—or so she had thought. They were killed in an attack by rogue immortals from other clans, all of whom had been punished. But now, she wasn't so sure. The details suddenly felt murky, riddled with holes she hadn't noticed before.
Is You Xie hiding something from me?
She stayed hidden until the servant left the study. Once the coast was clear, she stepped out, brushed leaves off her dress, and walked toward the chambers, masking her inner turmoil.
"You wanted to see me, Your Majesty?" she asked, bowing politely as she entered.
"Xiao Yin, come and sit," You Xie said, his tone unusually gentle.
Ruo Yin's suspicion deepened. He never called her "Xiao Yin." He rarely showed any warmth toward her at all.
She clenched her fists, resisting the urge to confront him outright. But the words spilled out before she could stop herself. "Was Zhan Luo really involved in my parents' deaths?"
You Xie's pen froze mid-stroke. "Where did you hear that?"
"Just now…" she said, her voice trembling with suppressed anger. "I heard you talking to that servant. What did Zhan Luo do? I can't marry my parents' killer!"
You Xie leaned back in his chair, his expression hardening. "Calm yourself, Xiao Yin," he said, though his tone betrayed a flicker of unease. "I didn't want you to know... but since you do, I'll tell you the truth. It's a long story. Follow me."
Ruo Yin stared at him, her heart pounding with fear and anticipation. Whatever he was about to reveal, she knew it would change everything.