Volume Two: The Ephemeral Life of Kunlun Chapter Sixty-Nine

Tian Yu gazed at the décor of the Qing Hall: crystal lamps glittered overhead, spirit fish swam gracefully in the clear pool, their transparent bodies revealing every bone within. Amidst several pear trees, pure white magnolia blossoms bloomed, releasing a subtle fragrance that drifted through the air.

No wonder it was named Qing Hall.

The young girl had risen early, and as soon as she opened the doors of Qing Hall, Liu Ya was already waiting.

"Miss, the Lord invites you to join him for breakfast."

Tian Yu looked at the boy; his youthful face carried a maturity and steadiness far beyond his years.

She nodded and followed Liu Ya to another, even grander palace.

Black crystal, purple petals, gold-bricked edges—countless demon generals and maids stood respectfully on either side.

"We've arrived. Please, miss," Liu Ya said.

Tian Yu advanced through the doors as directed.

Inside, a young man in dark robes held a scroll, his brow shadowed, unfathomable. Before him, two elders knelt, trembling, wiping sweat from their foreheads.

The young man’s expression darkened, his voice cold: "So, you’re saying there is no solution at all, is that it?" His once gentle voice now sounded hoarse, laced with a sinister charm.

"No... no, my lord. It's just... just that the demon beasts have grown scarce lately, we simply can't find any."

"Oh? Is that so?"

The next moment, he turned and saw the girl standing at the doorway, her bright eyes fixed unwaveringly upon him.

For a brief instant, he felt flustered.

"Leave."

The two elders breathed a sigh of relief, the terror of escaping death sending chills down their spines. They bowed and hurried out.

The young man’s gloom vanished in an instant, and he smiled, "You’re here. Come, let me show you our specialties."

He reached out to take Tian Yu’s hand, but whether out of fear or unfamiliarity, she avoided him.

He felt the emptiness in his heart, glanced at her, and then smiled in resignation.

How much had she seen and heard?

Fortunately, he had not devoured the elders—if he had...

No, she wouldn’t witness that.

They came to a pavilion, where Tian Yu watched maids bring dish after dish. So this was the fare of the Demon Lord.

The young man spoke jovially, but it was mostly Shi Xin who conversed. Tian Yu, for her part, answered only when asked.

As breakfast was nearly finished, Shi Xin set down his chopsticks and asked, "Are you afraid of me?"

Tian Yu froze, lifting her eyes to him.

In his gaze was a hint of disappointment. "Why did you come here in the first place? Why did you want to learn immortal arts?"

Tian Yu was at a loss. To her, Shi Xin was only a friend; Demon Lord and Divine Lord were mortal enemies. Now, she had come to learn immortal arts from the Demon Lord for the Divine Lord’s sake. Thinking back, she realized her actions were impulsive. She didn’t know how Shi Xin would react if he knew her intentions—would he kill her?

"Demon Lord, you’re overthinking. I... I’m not afraid of you."

Shi Xin clearly did not believe her; his gaze was tinged with contempt.

"You think I’m easy to fool, don’t you?"

"No, you’re overthinking. I didn’t mean it that way."

Watching the girl bite her lip, he recalled the gentle kiss from the day before. He said, "Kiss me."

What?

Tian Yu looked up at him in disbelief. The young man’s handsome face wore a slight smile, and with that smile and his devilish looks, he resembled a glass of sweet wine laced with deadly poison.

Shi Xin parted his lips, propping his head with one hand. "If you kiss me, I’ll believe whatever you say—any word, I’ll believe."

Under her lotus-colored robes, her hand clenched tightly. She abruptly stood, closed her eyes, gripped his collar, and leaned in for a kiss.

Their lips were cool, mirroring his nature.

It was only a brief touch, yet Shi Xin felt his entire body ignite, awkward and flustered—surprised, nervous, completely at a loss.

The girl’s faint fragrance, like lotus blossoms in the clear pond, grew stronger in an instant.

The sensation was exquisite.

Her soft lips left his, but the rich lotus scent lingered around him.

Tian Yu sat upright, her face burning red with embarrassment.

Shi Xin rose and took a deep breath. "You should go back now."

Tian Yu said nothing. She stood and left.

The Demon Lord watched her departing figure. His once clear eyes grew deep and gloomy.

She could go this far for that man.

With a sweep of his hand, the stone table shattered into pieces; the shy young man vanished, replaced by the fierce, ruthless Demon Lord.

Tian Yu returned to Qing Hall and gazed at the distant aurora, wondering if her decision was truly the right one.

"Liu Ya."

He turned.

She asked, "Where is your library?"

Liu Ya led her to the library and withdrew.

Towering shelves of scrolls rose before her; she intended to learn more. The Demon Lord’s moods were inscrutable—though she followed his instructions, if she ever angered him, no one would teach her.

"She went to the library?"

Liu Ya nodded. The Demon Lord, scroll in hand, smiled. "Let her be."

This mortal woman was flexible—if she truly wished only to cultivate immortality, she could have gone to Jing Ye, not sought out a hated demon like himself.

Perhaps she came to help Jing Ye.

He looked at the lingering image: two people, smiling, embracing.

Shi Xin’s knuckles cracked. The memorial from his minister turned to ashes in his hand.

So, Tian Yu had come this time for Jing Ye to seize control of the Six Realms.

The majestic Divine Lord was willing to send his beloved mortal woman into the demon’s lair for the sake of power.

How ridiculous.

In the days that followed, Tian Yu tended flowers and plants in Qing Hall, went to the library after lunch, staying there all day. The maids gossiped that their mortal mistress was no longer favored, abandoned by their Lord.

Just days ago, the Lord took her out daily, dined with her, but lately, he hadn’t visited Qing Hall at all.

Within the vast hall, only she and two maids remained, and now even the maids had left.

She had no one to speak to.

So she talked each day to the flowers, plants, and trees in the garden.

"I want to cultivate immortality, to become someone who can stand by his side."

"But Shi Xin doesn’t seem willing to teach me. Isn’t the demon path the same as orthodox cultivation?"

"If I can become an immortal, I’ll tell him my feelings myself—I don’t want any regrets."

She spoke to herself as she watered the plants.

Outside the red walls, the Demon Lord stood in dark robes, his expression grim, silently listening to her words before leaving.

That day, returning from the library, a maid reluctantly served her meal—a bowl of thin porridge and a plate of unappetizing greens.

The girl was unfazed, calmly finishing her meal.

The maid watched this quiet, unhurried girl. Usually, women brought back by the Lord were either spoiled and arrogant, or after losing favor, made a scene. This one, however, was unusually serene.