Bai Ye's eyes sparkled with mischief as he comforted Lian until the younger man released his grip on his waist. As soon as Lian let go, Bai Ye reached out and gently ruffled Lian's hair, his touch sending shivers down Lian's spine.
Lian's eyes fluttered closed, his face tilting upwards as if seeking more of Bai Ye's touch. But as the moment stretched out, Lian's expression changed, a hint of disappointment flickering across his face.
Bai Ye's gaze narrowed, his eyes searching for answers. What was wrong? Had he misread the situation?
The tension between them was still palpable, but now it was tinged with uncertainty. Lian's eyes opened, his gaze meeting Bai Ye's, but he looked away, his cheeks flushing.
Bai Ye's hand dropped to his side, his eyes never leaving Lian's face. What was going on in that head of his? Why did he look so... disappointed?
The silence between them stretched out, heavy with unspoken questions. Bai Ye's eyes seemed to bore into Lian's soul, as if seeking answers to the questions he dared not ask.
Lian's gaze drifted back to Bai Ye's, their eyes locking in a silent standoff. The air was thick with tension, but neither of them seemed willing to break the silence.
For now, they just stared at each other, the only sound the soft rustling of the wind outside.
Bai Ye broke the silence, his voice low and gentle. "Tianlian..."
Lian's eyes snapped towards him, surprise flickering across his face. It was the first time Bai Ye had ever called him by his full name.
Bai Ye's gaze held Lian's, his eyes searching. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd like you to stay here for some time. I have to go settle some matters in the Underworld."
Lian's face fell, his voice tinged with disappointment. "So, you're saying I can't come with you?"
Bai Ye's expression turned serious. "It's not safe for you, Lian. The Underworld is no place for a mortal."
Lian's jaw set in determination. "Come on, I can defend myself."
Bai Ye's lips curved into a wry smile. "I'm sure you can, but it's better if you stay here with Mochen. At least then, I'll know you're safe."
Lian's eyes narrowed, his voice laced with concern. "What if those dark cultivators come for me again? Or the Deadly Ghosts? What if something happens to me while you're away? Who will save me if you're not here?"
Bai Ye's gaze faltered, Lian's words striking a chord. The young mortal was a target for every dark magic cultivator and creature of the Underworld, all because of a secret Lian possessed – a secret he was unaware of.
Bai Ye's thoughts swirled, his mind weighing the risks. He looked at Lian, his eyes searching. "But coming with me to the Underworld isn't..."
Lian's face lit up with excitement. "I'll just stick with you! If it's a quick errand you need to run, I'll stick to you. You're the Demon Prince; everyone is scared of you. I'm sure they won't hurt your guest."
Bai Ye's resolve wavered, Lian's words chipping away at his defenses. He had never wanted to take Lian to the Underworld, not when the young mortal was so unprepared for its dangers. But Lian had been changing him, slowly but surely, making him question his life goals and rules.
Lian's words echoed in his mind, giving him pause. Maybe, just maybe, it was time to take a chance.
Bai Ye thought for a moment and said, "Okay, you can come with me, but you have to listen to me."
Lian nodded and said, "Yes."
Bai Ye continued, "You really have to listen to me, because you know how you were going on, 'Don't eat me, don't eat me' earlier? Well, there are creatures who would actually eat you or serve your flesh as a delicacy. So, you really have to listen to me."
Lian nodded, smiling, and then asked, "Ah, old monster, how is your relationship with your father? If you are the Demon Prince, then definitely you are under the Demon King, meaning your father is of higher status than you. So, are you and your dad on good terms? Otherwise, your father might have to kill me."
Hearing Lian's words, Bai Ye wanted to laugh, but he just settled for a light chuckle. He looked at Lian and said, "Your head works seriously differently."
With that, Bai Ye exited the room, leaving Lian to his thoughts. Lian had opted to stay in the room since he still felt weak and couldn't stand up due to his injuries. As he lay there, Lian had a lot of time to think.
"Why did Bai Ye suddenly change and become nice to me?" Lian wondered. "It had been only a few hours since he threw me back to my master, and then he came to save me from the Deadly Ghosts. Something isn't right."
Lian's mind whirled with suspicions. He had noticed that Bai Ye's behavior had changed, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.
"I'll use my goofy and childish behavior to hide it," Lian thought, "but I need to figure out what's going on. A lot of people around me, including my master, must be hiding something. I want to know what it is."
Determined to uncover the truth, Lian decided to play along, observing and gathering information while pretending to be oblivious.
As he drifted back to sleep, Lian's thoughts continued to churn, his mind working overtime to unravel the mysteries surrounding him.
----
Lian's eyes fluttered open, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. His sheets were drenched in sweat, and his heart still racing from the vivid nightmare.
In his dream, he found himself standing in the midst of a desolate, burning village. Flames engulfed the thatched roofs of the houses, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke and ash.
A blood-curdling scream pierced the air, and Lian's gaze snapped towards the sound. A demon with glowing red eyes and chains wrapped around its body was attacking a couple. The chains seemed to be meant to bind the demon, but they were no match for its brute strength.
The demon's claws tore through the couple's defenses, and they fell to the ground, their bodies lifeless. Lian tried to rush towards them, to help, but his legs felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot.
He cried out in frustration, feeling helpless as the demon continued its rampage. The village was consumed by flames, and the screams of the terrified villagers filled the air.
Just as Lian thought he couldn't bear it anymore, he turned to call for help, hoping someone would answer. But as he looked behind him, he saw the retreating back of a figure in an elegant black robe, their long white hair flowing like a river of moonlight.
The figure didn't seem to notice Lian, and they disappeared into the smoke-filled distance. Lian's cry for help died on his lips as he stared after the mysterious figure, a sense of longing and desperation washing over him.
As he lay in bed, Lian couldn't shake off the feeling of unease left by the nightmare. The image of the demon, the burning village, and the mysterious figure in black lingered in his mind, leaving him with more questions than answers.