"Okay then! Listen closely," Ling Xiao said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Once, there was a horrifying demon king. He was the strongest in the whole world, ruling over the demon realm with unmatched power. People feared him, despised him, and some even plotted to kill him. Do you know why?"
Wei Yu furrowed his brow, trying to understand. "Because he was a demon?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion.
Ling Xiao burst into laughter, the sound carefree and light. "Ah, Shidi, you're so innocent! But it's not that simple. It was hatred and the thirst for power that brought the righteous sects together. They united and planned to ambush him."
Wei Yu leaned forward, intrigued. "What happened during the ambush?"
Ling Xiao's expression shifted to something more serious. "Well, they caught the demon king off guard. In the chaos, he was injured, but that wasn't the end of his story. During that time, he met a human woman named Xiao Ning. She was brave and kind, and despite their worlds being so different, they fell in love."
Wei Yu's eyes widened. "Did they get married?"
"Yes!" Ling Xiao exclaimed, a hint of warmth in his tone. "They married and had a son. For five years, they lived in peace, a rare thing for a demon king and a human. But then, the righteous sects attacked again, led by Chen Jiu. They ambushed him once more, and this time, it was catastrophic. The demon lord fought fiercely, but the numbers were against him."
Wei Yu's expression darkened. "What happened to Xiao Ning?"
Ling Xiao's voice softened, filled with sorrow. "She died in the attack, trying to protect their son. Their son escaped, but it's unclear whether he survived or if he is still out there."
Wei Yu stared at Ling Xiao, his mind racing. "That's… terrible. It's like a tragedy from a storybook."
Ling Xiao nodded, his carefree demeanor slightly dimmed. "Exactly. But there's something else, Shidi. The demon king's blood mixed with that of his human wife. Their child had the potential to be something unique—a mix of both worlds."
Wei Yu felt a stir of unease. He thought of his own heritage, the questions swirling in his mind. Could he be the son of the demon lord? But the fear of voicing that thought held him back. Instead, he simply said, "So, mixed blood can give someone extraordinary power?"
"Yes!" Ling Xiao replied, his eyes brightening again. "It's a fascinating concept! But it's also a heavy burden. Those with mixed blood often struggle to find their place in the world."
Wei Yu nodded, absorbing the weight of Ling Xiao's words. He felt a flicker of hope and uncertainty, wondering about his own identity and the legacy he might carry. But for now, he kept his thoughts to himself, not daring to voice the possibility that lingered in his heart.
Wei Yu glanced around at the dimly lit forest, shadows flickering as the night breeze rustled through the trees. "But why are the demons trying to find him?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as though fearing the trees themselves might hear.
Ling Xiao halted, his gaze hardening. "There is a legend in the ancient demonic texts," he replied, eyes narrowing as if searching for the right words. "A prophecy that speaks of a supreme lord—a half-blood more powerful than any pure-blooded demon. They call him the Demonic Supreme Lord."
Wei Yu's eyebrows knitted together. "A supreme lord? What makes him different from a regular demon lord?"
Ling Xiao's lips tightened as he began to explain, his tone grave. "The blood of a half-blood carries a unique power. Anyone who drinks it can surpass their current level of cultivation—leap through the barriers that might take decades, even centuries, to overcome. Imagine achieving power that most could only dream of." He paused, his voice barely more than a murmur. "It is said that whoever possesses this blood could rule the realms."
Wei Yu's eyes widened. "So... if the demons want him for his blood, then doesn't that mean the righteous sects do too?"
A flicker of something dark passed through Ling Xiao's eyes, and his gaze shifted away. "Indeed. But unlike the demons, if we were ever to find him… we would kill him on sight."
Wei Yu's heart thudded, confusion and shock mingling within him. "Kill him? Why? If he's powerful, wouldn't he be an asset? And what if he's not evil?"
Ling Xiao's face grew somber, as if haunted by something unseen. "Because his existence defies the heavenly dao," he said quietly. "And defiance of the dao… brings calamity."
"The heavenly dao…" Wei Yu echoed, feeling a chill creep up his spine. "You speak of it as if it's a force that must be feared."
"It must be respected," Ling Xiao replied sharply, his expression like stone. "When mortals tamper with forces beyond their understanding, they risk unbalancing the world. A half-blood of such power… would be a ticking storm. You might call it destiny, but the heavens would see it as an abomination."
Wei Yu frowned, an ache of empathy stirring in his chest. "But if he didn't choose to be born that way… how can it be his fault?"
Ling Xiao fell silent, his gaze distant. For a moment, he seemed lost in his own memories, shadows clouding his features. Finally, he spoke, his tone gentler but firm. "Sometimes the world demands sacrifices to maintain balance, whether we understand them or not. It is simply… the way of things."
Wei Yu swallowed, feeling a strange sense of unease settle over him. "But what if…" he hesitated, gathering his courage, "what if we could change the way of things?"
Ling Xiao looked at him, a faint spark of something—hope, or perhaps sorrow—in his eyes. "Then you'd have to defy heaven itself, Wei Yu. And that, I fear, is a path few can walk without losing everything."
Wei Yu looked at Ling Xiao, and got a feeling he couldn't describe. If he really was the demon lord's son. If he was a mixed blood. Would they treat him like this? Would anyone care for him, would his grandpa look him in the eye? Thoughts ran through Wei Yu's mind.
Ling Xiao yawned. "Well future shidi, i'm signing off for the night. I hope you sleep well. Also please don't wet the bed."
"I wont." Wei Yu replied.
Ling Xiao looked at the youth with confusion and could feel the tension. But, he just shrugged it off as this was nothing and went to bed.
After Ling Xiao went away, Wei Yu stayed at his original position, staring at the stars. Lost in thoughts.
"What, can't sleep?" said a gentle voice. Which made Wei Yu flinch and he hastily turned around.
"Immortal Gege?"
Yu Chen made a sign of acknowledgment.