Before Ruo Yin could even step inside her parents' home, the soldiers had already notified You Xie of her arrival. As she approached the gates, two guards stood at attention, waiting for her. "Even fate won't let a girl cry alone," she thought, her eyes narrowing as she saw them.
"Lady Ruo Yin, His Majesty has summoned you. Please proceed to the throne hall immediately," barked one of the guards. He looked barbaric, and as he spoke, a spit flew from his mouth, landing on her cheek. "Barbaric and stupid," Ruo Yin thought, wiping the spit off her face with an annoyed frown.
"Okay, thanks," she muttered, trying to keep her composure.
Her decision to return to the Demon Clan had been impulsive, driven by the stark realization that she was truly orphaned in every sense of the word. She didn't want to return to Kunlun Mountain and face Zhan Luo, but she knew You Xie would be far from pleased with her sudden return. No matter her reasoning, he wouldn't be satisfied. So, she left it to the gods and made her way to the throne hall.
"Your Majesty, the soldiers informed me you called for me," Ruo Yin announced as she bowed before You Xie.
"Ruo Yin, may I ask why you've returned? Has your mission already concluded?" You Xie inquired, his voice even but probing.
"No, Your Majesty," she replied, bowing once more. "Zhan Luo grew suspicious of me, thinking I had become too friendly with him. So, I found a reason to have a disagreement with him, which is why I've come back."
"You realize that could make him believe you've returned to report what you've learned, don't you?" You Xie said, raising an eyebrow.
"No, Your Majesty," Ruo Yin replied quickly. "I don't think he believes I'm anything more than a small immortal with a harmless crush. He likely thinks my return is just a tantrum—nothing more."
"Hm... Fine," You Xie said, after a pause. "We'll see how it plays out. If things don't go as planned, I will send you back to him myself."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your understanding," Ruo Yin said, relieved.
"Then you may retire," You Xie said dismissively, a hint of boredom in his tone. "I doubt you've gathered anything of value."
"No, Your Majesty," she responded. "As you predicted, the War Deity is very cautious."
"Very well, go now. Just remember, Ruo Yin, where your loyalty lies."
She bowed again, her thoughts clouded by You Xie's words: Where your loyalty lies.
She had once sworn her loyalty to Zhan Luo, but the seeds of doubt had been sown after her conversation about Xia Mei. How well did she truly know the War Deity? You Xie's possible lies about her parents' deaths lingered in her mind, but Zhan Luo had looked so sincere when he called her "my dear wife." Yet, seeing him with Xia Mei had shaken her.
What if he was like You Xie, using me to learn the secrets of the Demon Clan? The thought struck her like lightning. Yes, that must be it!
When she returned to her parents' house, the guards were gone. She knew that You Xie had sent all the maids away. As she walked through the door, the smell of mold and dust hit her. The house, once full of warmth and life, now stood in disrepair.
Ruo Yin cast a cleaning spell—grateful that the binding spell didn't interfere with it—and quickly restored the house to some semblance of order.
She headed to her room, hoping to rest, but sleep brought her back to the past.
In the dream, she was a child, no older than two thousand years. She remembered a conversation she had with her mother.
"Mother, mother!" the young Ruo Yin cried.
"What is it, my dear child?" her mother appeared, her voice soft and comforting.
"I asked Father today if you both would stay with me forever. He said one day I would have to leave you. But I never want to leave you and Father!" little Ruo Yin sobbed.
Her mother chuckled softly, wiping the tears from her child's face. "My sweet child, your father told the truth. I, too, left my parents when I met your father."
"Why? Why would you leave Grandfather and Grandmother?" The young Ruo Yin couldn't understand, having never met her mother's parents.
Her mother smiled wistfully. "You will understand one day, my dear. Just remember, Father and I will always be proud of you."
The dream blurred, and Ruo Yin could hear her mother's voice echoing in her mind, "Follow your heart, my child. It never fails."
Tears welled up in Ruo Yin's eyes as she woke, her heart aching with confusion. She wiped her cheeks, her emotions a swirling mess.