Chapter 138

Luo Han stood at the edge of the sea. The horizon stretched endlessly before her, and the tide roared as it surged toward the shore. Beneath the sound of waves, there seemed to be something else, faint cries, if one listened closely.
Just standing there, she could feel the crushing sorrow radiating from the Boundless Sea. She sighed. “It’s already so oppressive just being near it. If someone tried to train inside...forget going mad, they’d be lucky to survive at all. Has anyone ever endured this?”
Ling Qingxiao was unbothered. “Cultivation is about defying the heavens. To seize fate, one must endure what others cannot. This is only an attack on the mind, not the body. It’s nothing.”
Nothing? Luo Han was just about to retort when a massive wave suddenly rose along the shore, crashing down with a roar and with it came the bone-deep wails of the dead. She moved to act, but before she could lift a hand, the wave froze midair.
An icy shell formed instantly at the shoreline, spreading inward with terrifying speed. The black sea stiffened into stillness, frozen solid. From deep within, a serpentine beast burst out in fury.
A massive Soaring Serpent, ancient and volatile, twisted above the blackened sea, hissing angrily at Ling Qingxiao.
The Soaring Serpent was a primordial divine beast, placed in the Boundless Sea not only to guard it but, perhaps, also as a form of imprisonment. Upon sensing intruders, especially from the Celestial Clan it despised, it had rushed forward to teach them a lesson.
But it hadn’t expected this. The sea, crushing and cruel, had been frozen solid in an instant. And that was only from the power of the other one. Terrified, the serpent hissed wildly and fled into deeper waters, still growling, but no longer daring to come close.
Luo Han silently lowered her hand and looked around at the wall of ice stretching more than ten zhang in either direction. After a long moment, she sighed from the heart. “No wonder this whole journey has felt so relaxing. I get it now, is there even a place in the Six Realms you actually fear?”
The Underworld should have been one of the most dangerous realms. And yet, for Ling Qingxiao, it was just another place to dominate. All along the way, she’d had no chance to lift a finger. Every potential threat had been obliterated the moment it appeared. No wonder he didn’t bring guards. With his power, guards would only slow him down.
Ling Qingxiao didn’t give a definitive answer. “It’s manageable.”
Luo Han felt a little bitter. Manageable? That basically meant “no danger at all.”
She looked toward the deep sea, where even the fiercest water beasts now gave Ling Qingxiao a wide berth. “You should melt the ice. Those poor creatures are just trying to survive too.”
Ling Qingxiao nodded. The ice, harder than steel, vanished in a blink, melting into a rushing wave that surged back into the sea. Frozen sea monsters crashed into the water, flailing as they scrambled to escape.
Luo Han collected a vial of water and stored it in her dimensional ring. She noticed Ling Qingxiao glancing at her hand and followed his gaze, realizing she was wearing two identical rings.
“Oh, these?” she said. “One’s from the Celestial Palace. The other was a gift.”
“I know.” Ling Qingxiao exhaled. “It’s the most basic model. The Celestial Palace mass-produces thousands every year. I’ll have two better ones made for you.”
“No need,” Luo Han replied, covering her hand protectively. “It’s a gift. You don’t just replace a gift.”
Ling Qingxiao’s expression darkened. “What kind of gift?”
Luo Han almost blurted out a token of affection, but seeing his face, she caught herself and corrected: “Just a gift. From a friend.”
Friend? Ling Qingxiao’s face went cold. He refused to even think about which friend it was.
Luo Han strolled along the shore, gathering more samples of sea water. Ling Qingxiao finally asked, “Why are you collecting water?”
“This place is too heavy with grief. It’s not a good place to train after all. Let’s find somewhere else.”
Ling Qingxiao could tell—Luo Han was beginning to feel reluctant. His expression turned colder than the sea itself.
“If one fears pain and hardship,” he said icily, “then why walk this path at all? A fickle heart, no true discipline, sweet words to charm women—such a person will never achieve greatness.”
Luo Han turned to stare at him, surprised. Where was this sudden anger coming from? Did he...not realize he was talking about himself?
She couldn’t help but speak up in defense of someone else. “Everyone cultivates in their own way. It’s not always about forcing yourself to the brink. Besides...the friend I know, he already suffered plenty as a child. He doesn’t need to put himself through someone else’s grief all over again.”
Ling Qingxiao knew his words were unbecoming. But he couldn’t help it.
He looked at her steadily. “You’re challenging me for someone else’s sake?”
“No,” Luo Han said, caught between explanations. “I just think your cultivation philosophy is...too extreme. There’s no need to push yourself to perfection all the time.”
Ling Qingxiao gave a faint, humorless laugh. He didn’t agree. She could see it in his eyes. And this wasn’t the first time they clashed like this, on cultivation, on values, even on marriage.
Luo Han couldn't help but say, “With this kind of mindset, what would you do if you had a child? Raise them like a soldier?”
That stunned him. A child? It was something he'd never considered. But growing up in the Dragon Clan, he had long accepted survival-of-the-fittest, natural selection, the value of excellence.
“Indulgence breeds weakness,” Ling Qingxiao said plainly. “In this world, there is only first place...or failure. If a child is born with the best resources, they are expected to produce the best results.”
Luo Han’s eyes darkened. “That mindset is dangerous.”
She crossed her arms. “Providing support is a parent’s duty. But where a child ends up...that’s their own path. You can’t control that.”
Ling Qingxiao looked at her, then sighed softly. “You were fortunate to grow up in such an environment. I’m truly glad and grateful to the one who raised you. But the immortal world isn’t so kind.”
That struck a nerve.
Luo Han clenched her jaw. “If you don’t believe it, then how about we test it? Let’s see whose belief is better.”
He stared at her in surprise. “You want to challenge me?”
He seemed half amused, half regretful. Reaching out, he gently brushed her hair. “You’ll lose.”
Die with dignity, as they say. Luo Han's expression shifted, and spiritual energy flared at her fingertips. She slapped away his hand and launched an attack straight at him.
Ling Qingxiao dodged effortlessly, letting out a faint, helpless sigh. Youth really does take everything to heart...fine. I’ll entertain her a bit.
—
On the cliffs above, Underworld guards and Heavenly Realm soldiers had been keeping their distance—until they saw the two figures suddenly exchange blows.
A ghost officer panicked. “His Majesty is under attack! We must assist”
“Assist what?” The heavenly guard captain didn’t even look up. Arms folded, sword resting at his side, he smirked. “If His Majesty were truly in danger, would he be fighting this gently? Lovers’ quarrel. Stay out of it.”
If they really interfered now, that’s when they’d be in danger.
—
Luo Han gathered energy for another strike, but midway, changed direction and aimed for Ling Qingxiao’s shoulder. He dodged easily and caught her wrist. She tried to pull free, only to launch a feint with her other hand, but Ling Qingxiao blocked that too.
One hand pinned, her mobility dropped sharply. Luo Han wasn’t a close-combat fighter. Now restricted, she couldn’t even back away. The sea was just behind her. Thinking fast, she summoned a flurry of ice spears from the water. As they flew forward, a dense mist clouded the space between them, obscuring sight.
She seized the moment to twist out of his grip and dash away. But before she could even breathe, behind her, the mist condensed into tiny shards of ice. She didn’t see it coming.
Ling Qingxiao appeared behind her like a shadow, his long fingers brushing lightly against the back of her neck.
“Quick elemental manipulation, smooth energy transitions,” he commented. “Not bad.”
Her neck, her vital point, was lightly touched, not pressed. He hadn’t used force. But by this point, the spar was clearly over. His fingers were cool against her skin. It was hard to tell if the touch was a warning, or something more intimate.
Luo Han knew he wouldn’t actually hurt her, so she acted bold. With her free hand, she lashed back toward him. He caught it, but not before her elbow grazed his waist.
She’d expected him to dodge. If he moved, she could break free. But he didn’t.
Caught off-guard, Luo Han pulled back at the last second to avoid hurting him, only to lose the advantage. Her hesitation was all he needed. In a flash, her other hand was pinned.
His fingers looked slender, but with just one hand, he restrained both of hers. She struggled, but couldn’t move.
Ling Qingxiao sighed again. Then, releasing her neck, he looped an arm around her shoulders and drew her straight into his arms.
“If you hadn’t pulled back,” he said calmly, “you could’ve condensed a golden blade and driven it straight into my abdomen. From this angle, I wouldn’t have been able to dodge in time.”
Luo Han’s eyes narrowed. “It’s not that you couldn’t dodge. You didn’t.”
Ling Qingxiao smiled slightly. “True. Anticipating your opponent’s hesitation is part of the battle.”
He’d gambled she wouldn’t strike and he was right. She’d fallen for it, and she couldn’t even argue. Her wrists remained trapped in his grip. She tried to squirm out, but he only tightened his hold. Her shoulder was pinned too. No matter how she shifted, she couldn’t escape.
Luo Han gave up with a sigh. “Fine. I concede. Now let go.”
She didn’t seem to realize how close they stood now. With every twist and wriggle, she only pressed herself closer against him. Ling Qingxiao could feel the curve of her waist, the delicate bones of her back, brushing constantly against his chest.
A long silence.
Then Ling Qingxiao said lazily, “Do you know? In the Dragon Clan...the victor owns the spoils of war. Defeat means surrender. Even prisoners become the property of the winner.”
Luo Han, finally tired of struggling, relaxed her spine and leaned into Ling Qingxiao’s embrace. “So,” she asked calmly, “what does the victor plan to do with me?”
The man behind her fell silent. A cool, deep voice with a faint rasp brushed past her ear.
“Getting bold, are we?”
She smiled faintly. “Aren’t you the bold one here?”
While they bantered, a faint sound rustled from behind the nearby rocks. Ling Qingxiao’s expression instantly darkened.
Luo Han tugged at his grip and glared. “Aren’t you going to let go?”
With visible reluctance, Ling Qingxiao released her. Her slender wrists and soft figure slipped from his hold. Luo Han took a few steps back, smoothing her robes and slipping seamlessly into her untouchable Heavenly Dao demeanor.
Ling Qingxiao’s mood had soured completely. He looked toward the rocks and said coldly,
“Come out.”
There was no rage in his voice—just quiet indifference. Yet the guards hiding behind the stones shivered in unison.
Everyone in the Heavenly Court knew—the angrier His Majesty was, the calmer he became. When his voice turned cold and emotionless, that was far more terrifying than any shouted reprimand.
The celestial guards gritted their teeth and stepped out, bowing deeply. “Your Majesty, we’ve received an urgent report from Feng Kui. You previously instructed us to bring it to you immediately if any message came from him…”
In other words, it couldn’t wait.
Luo Han asked, “Feng Kui is…?”
“One of mine,” Ling Qingxiao replied simply. “I had him tail Ye Zhongyu.”
He didn’t explain further. Instead, he stretched out a hand toward the guard. The guard quickly offered the sealed report. Ling Qingxiao opened it and skimmed it at lightning speed, ten lines at a glance, then closed it with a snap.
“So,” he said coolly, “they finally retrieved the artifact.” His gaze flicked coldly over the scroll. “Useless fools.”
Based on that, Luo Han easily guessed who he meant, Ye Zhongyu’s people, who had infiltrated the Underworld to retrieve the Calamity Purging Vessel. His final remark made her want to laugh.
You’re stealing their prize and still calling them slow? Since when did the righteous path become so shameless?
Luo Han’s stay in the Underworld had served two purposes: one, to gather insight to help her confront her inner demon; two, to wait for Ye Zhongyu’s operatives to locate the vessel. Only then would she and Ling Qingxiao make their move.
Now that the Boundless Sea had been explored and the artifact recovered, their task was complete. Time to leave. The Underworld Emperor practically wept with joy as he saw them off. When Ling Qingxiao finally left, he let out a long, shaky breath and wiped at his imaginary sweat.
Thank the heavens that great deity is gone. During Ling Qingxiao’s stay, the Underworld Emperor hadn’t dared to eat, sleep, or breathe too loudly. Because His Majesty had come in secret, even appearances were off-limits. If he stayed much longer, the Emperor swore his spirit would collapse.
—
As soon as Ling Qingxiao and Luo Han crossed the Forgetting River, a flood of transmission talismans arrived.
Luo Han glanced at them and offered, “These are state affairs. Should I give you some space?”
“No need.” Ling Qingxiao caught her hand, opening a talisman with his other.
He made no effort to hide anything from her. Inevitably, Luo Han caught a few lines with a glance. At the top, a name stood out: Tianyu.
Ling Qingxiao read through the reports, then gave his orders without hesitation:
“Tell Tianyu to continue feigning retreat. Have Jing Huai and Bi Rong take their men and flank the wings. Wait for my return then strike. Be ready for immediate deployment.”
One by one, the guards acknowledged the command and withdrew.
When the last was gone, Ling Qingxiao flicked his fingers, and all the documents burned to ash. The red scrolls, used only for the highest level of secrecy, crumbled in icy-blue flame. His gaze chilled, and he scoffed faintly:
“A diversion...and they actually thought I fell for it?”
Luo Han sat quietly for a moment before saying, “Honestly? I did think so.”
He had acted so thoroughly the part of a love-struck emperor on leave that she’d truly believed he had abandoned the front lines. Was she simply too naive?
Ling Qingxiao turned to her and said gently, “To you, yes. It was real.”
He brushed a hand along her temple, adjusting the hairpin that had come loose.
“But to them? No.”
Taking her on this journey, sightseeing, fighting demons, wandering the Underworld, it was all genuine. So was his war strategy. He simply did both at the same time.
Luo Han looked at him sideways. “You really are untrustworthy. Everything with you has a second layer.”
She hadn’t even realized when he cast a tracking seal on her. She hadn’t realized he was baiting Ye Zhongyu the entire time. He had shown her softness, warmth, vulnerability and used all of it as cover.
Political schemers. Not a single one is decent. And I, like an idiot, worried about him being lonely all those years.
Ugh.
Ling Qingxiao gave a quiet laugh and held her hand, the other slipping gently around her shoulders.
“I swear to you, I would never do anything to harm you. You can rest easy. Don’t be angry, anger is bad for your health.”
Luo Han let out a cold huff. “And would you dare swear that you’ll never scheme against me?”
Ling Qingxiao fell silent. Luo Han gritted her teeth. “I knew it.”
But she didn’t pull away. Ling Qingxiao took her silence as permission, drawing her closer.
“The war between immortals and demons is duty. It has nothing to do with personal feelings. In my position, I must do what I must. But if I’ve ever truly plotted against someone...it’s only ever been you.”
“Plotted what?”
Ling Qingxiao smiled faintly. “So many things. How to sway the Heavenly Dao toward the Celestial Realm. How to make sure the Heavenly Dao takes up residence in the Heavenly Palace. Would you like to hear the full list?”
Luo Han should have been angry. But somehow, the brazenness of it, the way he admitted to it so plainly caught her off guard. Her heart softened before she realized what had happened. Damn it, she thought. He changed the topic again, didn’t he?
—
Meanwhile, in the Demon Realm, Ye Zhongyu sat in his tent, restless and anxious. Every few moments, he’d glance at the entrance again.
He was on edge. Lightning Squad was supposed to have returned today with the artifact in hand.
So where were they? Why hadn’t they come back yet?
The Lei-named warriors were Ye Zhongyu’s deathsworn from Lei Lie City, his most loyal, and perhaps only, true confidants. Originally pledged to King Lei Lie, those willing to submit after his death were accepted by Ye Zhongyu; those who refused were slaughtered, and their numbers reassigned to newcomers. After a brutal purge, Ye Zhongyu forged a personal force of absolute loyalty.
Gathering such power had not come easily. Each deathsworn represented years of careful cultivation. Normally, Ye Zhongyu cherished them, every loss stung deeply. But this time, in order to secure the divine artifact, he had gone all in, ruthlessly dispatching every last one.
He had pushed all his chips onto the table. There could be no defeat, only victory.
Just as his anxiety reached its peak, footsteps echoed outside. Ye Zhongyu’s eyes lit up. He rose to his feet in a flash.
“You’re back!”
But it was Yun Menghan who lifted the tent flap.
Startled by his intensity, she instinctively stepped back. “My Lord?”
Ye Zhongyu froze, expression falling as reality caught up to him. It wasn’t the deathsworn, just her. He had been so desperate, he hadn’t even sensed her familiar aura. His face cooled instantly, becoming unreadable.
“Why is it you?”
Yun Menghan quietly stepped inside. In front of Ye Zhongyu, she always maintained a meek and submissive posture. Head lowered, she took a long breath before softly asking,
“My Lord...are the ones retrieving the artifact almost back?”
She shouldn't have asked. At the mention of the artifact, Ye Zhongyu’s expression turned dark.
“That’s none of your concern. Return to your quarters.”
Normally, Yun Menghan would have obeyed instantly. But today, she stood her ground. Lips quivering, she bit down and raised her head, gathering every ounce of her courage.
“My Lord...I haven’t been able to rest for days. Even in sleep, I see nothing but nightmares. I’m tired. I want to confess the truth to the High Priest of the Wu Clan.”
Ye Zhongyu’s eyes narrowed. Of all times for her to grow a spine…
He sat back down, his gaze shadowed and unreadable. “Do you realize what you’re saying? War is upon us. The people need stability. We've already lost Feng Yuchen, if we lose the High Priest now, it will shatter morale.”
But Yun Menghan was never one for the grand scheme. Back at Zhongshan, she had abandoned her sect for love. Now, at the cusp of war, she was about to jeopardize everything again for guilt.
Ye Zhongyu burned with frustration. But now was not the time for confrontation. She could be willful, he could not afford it.
The artifact was nearly in hand. And without the Wu High Priest, the last descendant of Nuwa, he wouldn’t know how to use it or survive its backlash.
He had to keep Yun Menghan quiet. Adopting a gentler tone, Ye Zhongyu said,
“I understand you have a kind heart. You’ve seen too much suffering lately. But the destruction of the Wu village was an accident. Neither of us was responsible. You can’t disturb the High Priest’s mind right now. Just hold on a little longer. Once this war ends, I’ll take you away to rest.”
Yun Menghan was silent for a long while. At last, she murmured,
“I know I’m not clever...but I’m not entirely stupid either. I’ve figured things out.”
Ye Zhongyu fell quiet.
Her meaning was clear. She had guessed it. And it wasn’t hard—after all, she had only ever shared that information with him. Not long after, the Wu clan was wiped out.
Who else could it have been? He didn’t argue. His silence spoke volumes.
Yun Menghan’s heart went cold. He didn’t deny it. He really had ordered the massacre. He couldn’t feign innocence now. So instead, he turned manipulative.
“This has nothing to do with you. Why would you take responsibility? The High Priest trusts you, do you really want him to turn his back on you? Some things are better left unsaid. If neither of us speaks, it’s best for everyone.”
For a moment, her resolve wavered. But then she thought of Xiaoli’s innocent smile...the warm hospitality of the villagers...and those long rows of graves outside the altar.
She couldn’t. She wouldn’t.
“No. The High Priest was good to me. Xiaoli and Granny treated me like family. I can’t betray them. I’ll tell the truth. Whatever punishment comes, I’ll accept it.”
Ye Zhongyu stared at her, his expression unreadable. In that instant, murder flashed in his heart. But this was his wife. His official consort. His rational mind overruled the impulse. He sighed, rose slowly, and walked to her side.
“My Lord?”
Yun Menghan flinched as he drew close and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. It had been a long time since he touched her like this. His voice lowered to a husky murmur beside her ear:
“We are husband and wife. If this is truly what you want, how could I let you face it alone? Don’t worry, whatever lies ahead, we’ll face it together. It’s late now. Get some rest. Tomorrow, I’ll go with you to the High Priest. Whatever anger or blame he has, I’ll shield you from it.”
Yun Menghan blinked in disbelief. Did she hear that right? Her lips parted, eyes lighting up like a girl seeing spring for the first time. And in that moment, Ye Zhongyu was caught off guard.
This, this was the same gaze that once made his heart flutter. Pure. Innocent. Hopeful. It had been buried for so long under fear and desperation, he’d forgotten it existed. Now, inside this dim war tent, he saw again the girl who once stirred his soul.
Too bad it was already too late. Ye Zhongyu faltered.
In that moment, a crack opened in his heart. Yun Menghan saw not the Demon King, but the young lord of Zhongshan—the man she had loved all along, unchanged despite time and title. She stepped forward and hugged him, as if all the pain between them had never happened.
“Alright,” she said softly, “I’ll wait for you tomorrow.”
She was shy as always. After a brief embrace, sensing no response, she quickly pulled away, embarrassed. She bowed politely and murmured:
“My lord must have pressing affairs, I won’t disturb you. I’ll take my leave now.”
Ye Zhongyu didn’t reply. He only watched her retreating figure with unreadable eyes, so long and so deeply that it made Yun Menghan think perhaps something had changed between them tonight.
After she left, Ye Zhongyu began pacing within the tent. Minutes passed. Then, as though he’d made up his mind, he ordered:
“Summon the second consort, Su Yinyue.”