New characters in this chapter:
Prince Zi Long
The newborn second son of the Sky Emperor and Empress. Little brother of Quan Liang.
Xia Mei
Daughter of the most respected general of the Sky Clan. A
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As they were about to depart, Zhan Luo explained to Ruo Yin that the celebrations, which were exclusive to the members of the Sky Clan, would last for only a single day.
"So, why did you tell me to pack, then?" Ruo Yin said, her voice tinged with irritation.
Zhan Luo simply shrugged. With a flick of his hand, he used his powers to send Ruo Yin's suitcase back to her room.
"That..." Ruo Yin gestured toward the direction where her suitcase had disappeared, "doesn't exactly solve the problem."
"Alright then," Zhan Luo said with a smirk. "What should I do to make you happy?"
"Here," Ruo Yin said, making her pastries appear. "I know you're sharing them with Si Ming so you don't get fat!"
Zhan Luo regretted ever making that joke.
Ruo Yin grabbed a red bean pastry, but before she could hand it to him, Zhan Luo leaned down and, without hesitation, took the pastry right out of her hand.
"Much better," Zhan Luo said, brushing the crumbs from his lips.
"Let's go," Ruo Yin muttered, her face reddened as she putting the pastries away. "We're going to be late."
Meanwhile, Si Ming sat in his study, finishing the last of his writing about a man doomed to drown in an icy lake during the dead of winter.
"Last one for today. Finished!" Si Ming stretched his arms, his fingers cracking from the strain.
He stood and headed toward the main plaza, where the Sky Clan had gathered to celebrate the birth of the newborn prince. It was a vast space—essentially a larger version of the reunion hall, but without the chairs—designed to accommodate the hundreds of clan members.
The Sky Clan's territory stretched far and wide, with most of the land dedicated to training centers or mock battlefields for the warriors of the clan. Servants filled the remainder of the space, attending to the royal family's every need.
The clans held different duties, all in balance to maintain the Immortal Realm's harmony. The Bird Clan cared for all flying creatures. The Flower Clan ensured a steady food supply. The Water Clan controlled tides, rain, and all underwater life. The Shape-shifting Clan was responsible for the animals of the earth, and immortals like Zhan Luo and Si Ming had their own special duties. They were all considered part of the Sky Clan, the ruling clan in the realm.
The crowd had already gathered, eagerly waiting to see the Sky Emperor and Empress with their newborn son. As a member of the royal family, Si Ming didn't need to worry about fighting for a good spot. He had a reserved space near the stage. Just as he was about to take his place, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Hi again, annoying friend!" Ruo Yin greeted him cheerfully.
"I've told you, my name is Si Ming! Zhan Luo, do something about this," Si Ming grumbled.
Zhan Luo shrugged, amused. "Ruo Yin, Si Ming may be annoying, but you can't call him that in front of him." With a flick of his wrist, he conjured Ruo Yin's pastries. "Here, we brought you some gifts."
"Zhan Luo said we should share them with you since you liked them," Ruo Yin added, her tone sweet but mischievous.
Si Ming couldn't help but internally groan. He knew Zhan Luo had brought him those pastries as a form of revenge. They were an inside joke—something to torment him.
"Thank you, both of you," Si Ming said, trying to hide the grimace on his face.
"Si Ming, could you take care of Ruo Yin for a moment?" Zhan Luo asked, his tone suddenly serious.
"Uh... sure. But where are you going? The Sky Emperor should be presenting his newborn son any minute now," Si Ming asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing important. Just something I need to discuss with someone," Zhan Luo replied, his voice flat.
"Just stay close to Si Ming, and don't cause trouble," Zhan Luo said to Ruo Yin, before walking off toward the crowd.
"I'll stay so quiet that no one will notice me!" Ruo Yin called after him, though her tone lacked conviction.
"So, how are things going between you two?" Si Ming asked playfully, eager to break the tension.
"Shh... don't talk about this in public!" Ruo Yin hissed, her face flushing.
"Fine..." Si Ming smirked.
A moment later, Prince Quan Liang, the eldest son, stepped forward to announce the arrival of the royal family.
"And now, I present to you, my little brother, Zi Long!" he proclaimed with pride.
The crowd erupted in applause, cheering, "Long live the little prince!"
The Sky Emperor and Empress gave a few words of gratitude, before swiftly retreating from the stage, and the crowd gradually dispersed to return to their daily activities.
"So, that was it?" Ruo Yin said, bewildered.
"Yes. It's more about decorum than anything else," Si Ming explained.
"So where's Zhan Luo? He still hasn't come back," Ruo Yin said, her eyes scanning the crowd, searching for him.
"Oh no..." Si Ming muttered under his breath.
"What?" Ruo Yin turned to him.
"Nothing, my dear princess," Si Ming said quickly. "Would you like to see my study, where I write about the fate of mortals?"
Ruo Yin didn't respond immediately, too preoccupied with looking for Zhan Luo. But then, just as she turned, she spotted him. He was walking toward her with a beautiful goddess by his side.
The goddess looked regal—almost as beautiful as the Sky Empress herself. Zhan Luo didn't appear uncomfortable in her presence; in fact, they were conversing, and the goddess laughed lightly. Even in her laughter, she exuded an air of dignity, and together they looked like a match made in heaven.
"You know her, don't you?" Ruo Yin asked Si Ming, her voice strained.
Si Ming was silent for a long moment.
"Answer me!" Ruo Yin demanded, her frustration bubbling over.
"Yes," Si Ming said quietly. "Her name is Xia Mei. She's the daughter of one of the most respected generals in the Sky Clan. You could say she's your Sky Clan counterpart—minus the adoption and dead parents part." Si Ming's voice was almost detached as he continued, "She's already passed her heavenly trial and is a High Deity. Though not yet a High Goddess, she's well-respected, and the Sky Emperor and Empress dote on her. Rumors even say she's engaged to someone from the Shape-shifting Clan."
"So, she's the one you love, huh?" Ruo Yin's voice was barely above a whisper.
Si Ming didn't answer right away. Ruo Yin's thoughts swirled, knowing that Zhan Luo kept her at a distance because of his suspicions about her loyalty. But Ruo Yin never intended to betray him. She had simply wanted to be close to him, to see if he had anything to do with her parents' deaths.
But now, seeing him with Xia Mei… Ruo Yin couldn't help the heavy sadness in her chest.
"Hey, little princess," Si Ming said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Don't cry. Xia Mei has known Zhan Luo for a long time. If they were in love with each other, they could've just told the Sky Emperor. And... rumors say she's engaged to someone else."
Ruo Yin struggled to keep her composure.
"Thanks," she replied quietly. "You're not so annoying after all."
She turned and walked away, leaving for the Demon Clan, feeling a heaviness in her heart.
Si Ming watched her go, his face a mask of concern. He knew Zhan Luo's feelings, and he knew Ruo Yin's pain. All he could do now was wait and hope that the truth would eventually come to light.