Wei Yu set down his teacup, his sharp gaze fixed on Hua Rong. The girl had claimed she wasn't originally from this world, having transmigrated during the chaos of the demonic attack. Since then, she had been keeping her distance from Yu Chen.
"I don't believe you," Wei Yu said, his voice edged with suspicion.
Hua Rong smirked. "And I don't care," she replied, her tone nonchalant.
Wei Yu frowned, his skepticism evident. "How is it even possible to travel between realms?"
Hua Rong studied his expression for a moment before chuckling. "If I knew that, do you really think I'd choose to end up here?"
"Maybe you need something from this world," Wei countered, his tone accusatory.
"Sorry to disappoint, but no," Hua Rong said with a shrug. "At least, not yet."
She calmly poured herself another cup of tea and drank, her movements unhurried. After drinking she got up, rising to her feet, she waved at Wei Yu. " I wont be seeing you out." Wei Yu said.
Hua Rong paused just before reaching the door, her back to Wei Yu. "You know," she said, her voice carrying an edge of mischief, "it's funny how much leverage a little knowledge can give someone. Like... your secret, for instance."
Wei Yu's jaw tightened, but he remained seated, his expression carefully controlled. "What are you trying to say?"
Turning slowly, Hua Rong met his eyes, her smile sharp. "I'm saying it would be... unfortunate if certain parties were to find out about your little affliction. The demonic energy you've been suppressing—it's a tricky thing, isn't it?"
Wei Yu's fingers curled around the armrest of his chair. "You wouldn't dare."
"Wouldn't I?" Hua Rong's smile widened. "But I don't have to. I'm offering you a deal instead. Form an alliance with me, and I'll make sure your secret stays... well, secret."
"How can you even prove that I have demonic Qi, when I haven't even cultivated that path?"
"I have my ways, and trust me you do not wanna know." Hua Rong sneered.
"What do you want?" Wei Yu asked, his voice low and dangerous.
"For now, I just need your cooperation," Hua Rong said, stepping closer. "You help me navigate this world, lend me your influence when needed, and in return, I'll keep my knowledge to myself. Think of it as... mutual protection."
Wei Yu's gaze darkened. "You're playing a dangerous game, Hua Rong."
"So are you," she countered, leaning slightly toward him. "But at least I'm honest about it. Now, do we have a deal, or should I start chatting with the people who'd love to know your dirty little secret?"
After a long silence, Wei Yu stood, his towering presence casting a shadow over her. "Fine. But if you betray me, I won't need demonic energy to deal with you."
"Good," Hua Rong said, her grin unshaken. "I knew you'd see reason."
She extended a hand, and Wei Yu shook it reluctantly, sealing their uneasy pact.
*****
The next day, Wei Yu went to look for Yu Chen. Yu Chen had told him to come to his residence, so Wei Yu hurried. After reaching his place, Wei Yu saw Yu Chen deep in thought.
"Shizun." Wei Yu's sweet voice spoke. "I'm here."
"Wei Yu come here! I finally found a suitable cultivation method for you!" Yu Chen exclaimed. Finally, now he can help him advance!
Wei Yu came forward and took the book from Yu Chen's hand. "Isn't it great? Hua Rong helped me to find it. She's so amazing." Yu Chen continued.
Wei Yu froze. She, why did she did this? What's her purpose in the end. "That's great Shizun, I will definitely thank her later" Wei Yu forced a smile.
"That's good." Yu Chen moved his gaze from Wei Yu and looked at the sword near his table. "I also think you need a suitable sword, so I bought this for you."
Wei Yu looked at the sword and a smile broke out, "Thank You, shizun."
****
Hua Rong sat in the dimly lit library, frustration evident on her face as she slammed another book shut. "Not a single thing," she muttered under her breath. The day had been a total waste, and she still had no clue why she had been dragged into this world.
She leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. "There must be a reason for this," she said softly. "I read the novel. I know the characters, the events, every possibility that could unfold. So why would I end up here? What purpose could there be for pulling me into a story that barely made sense to begin with?"
The plot of the novel flashed through her mind, messy and incomplete. In the original, Wei Yu and Yu Chen were star-crossed enemies, their paths intertwined but never truly crossing. They had fallen for each other in a strange, indirect way, never even seeing each other's faces.
The turning point had come when Yu Chen married the original Hua Rong, who had laid a devious trap for Wei Yu—the Demonic Emperor. The plan was simple: lure Wei Yu in and have him killed. But things had spiraled out of control.
Wei Yu, realizing Yu Chen's true identity at the last moment, had held back his attack. Yu Chen, however, had struck out in desperation, landing the fatal blow. Only after Wei Yu's death did Yu Chen realize the truth—and the novel had ended there. Abruptly. Pointlessly.
Hua Rong let out a sigh, resting her forehead against the desk. She had been one of the many readers who hated the ending. It had felt incomplete, as if the author had run out of steam and abandoned the story midway. No resolution, no greater meaning—just tragedy for the sake of it.
"Well, now I'm here," she muttered. "Maybe this is the universe's way of fixing the plot."
Her thoughts drifted to Chen Yuxuan, the Yu Chen of this world. What was he thinking now? He was already a key player in the events to come. And Wei Yu… his secret was already in her hands.
If this world followed the novel, it would only lead to more heartbreak and chaos. But Hua Rong was here now, and she wasn't about to let history repeat itself.
"First things first," she said to herself, her resolve hardening. "If the author couldn't give this story purpose, I will. I just have to figure out how."