The Four Evils traveled day and night, finally returning to the Western Purple Kingdom.
Before they even entered the palace, a guard rushed to deliver a message, "Demon King, Demon King, the four lords have returned."
"Excellent, quickly invite them in."
As the guard was about to leave, he bumped into the Four Evils entering. Seeing everyone present, and also noticing Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang standing to the side.
"Demon King, we are back," Ye Changfeng shouted with a face full of smiles.
"It's so good that you're finally back."
"Did you miss us during our absence?" he suddenly asked playfully.
"Naturally, without you, the entire Western Purple Kingdom became much quieter. Now that you're back, it's lively again."
"This is the Earth Fire Bead, we brought it back."
As he spoke, he stepped forward, clenched his fist, and slowly opened it. A blood-red bead appeared in his hand.
I stepped closer to examine it, feeling curious. "Such a small bead is the renowned Earth Fire? It's truly miraculous."
Lin'er also came forward to look closely and smiled faintly. "In the world, small things can be exquisite. Thus, they can also be called concentrated essence."
This phrase sounded so familiar.
I nodded in agreement with his statement and slowly took Ye Changfeng's hand back. He looked at me with confusion. I said, "This item is fated to be with you, so I shall entrust it to your safekeeping."
"I, I can't," Ye Changfeng said with some worry.
"You can."
At this moment, Zhu Yan walked over to Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang and asked, "Young Master Xue and Miss Yan, when did you return?"
Yan Wushuang replied, "Two days ago."
"Then you must have obtained the Boundless Bag as well. May I see it?"
Hearing this, Gui Ye and Fu Zimo also curiously gathered around, wanting to see what this Boundless Bag was.
Yan Wushuang immediately took out a small, brown bag that looked like a money pouch from his embrace. The three of them widened their eyes, disbelieving.
"This, this is the Boundless Bag?"
Yan Wushuang smiled and replied, "Could it be fake? Is it not what you imagined?"
Gui Ye poked it with his finger, feeling it was quite ordinary.
"I never imagined the legendary Boundless Bag would be so small. It's so cute. I wonder how it is for storing things?"
Gui Ye's playful question drew laughter from Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang. Xue Gucheng explained.
"This bag is used for storing water. I haven't heard of it being used for other things, but after the great battle, we can try to see if it can hold other items."
Fu Zimo also playfully added, "Then I must try to see if it can hold my Other Shore Flower then."
"Yes, yes."
I turned my head to look, seeing them chatting and laughing, and unconsciously walked over to ask, "What are you guys talking about?"
Xue Gucheng replied, "Nothing much, just some jokes."
At this moment, Ye Changfeng and Lin'er also walked over. Ye Changfeng then remembered something.
"Demon King, when we were at Blazing Mountain, we met two strange people. They asked me to deliver a message to you."
"What message?"
"Those two are named Shui Yu and Huo Lian. They want to ask if you still remember them?"
"Shui Yu, Huo Lian?" When did I make such friends?
Zhu Yan saw my confused expression and recounted the experience of those two people to me.
"Those two were originally from the Divine Race ten thousand years ago. They listened to others and went to Blazing Mountain to seek Earth Fire. However, due to their impure intentions, they were burned by the Earth Fire, and their souls were trapped in stone statues, unable to reincarnate until they met us."
Fu Zimo also said,
"Those two seniors said that ten thousand years ago, they knew a friend also named Liu Muye. Because they didn't heed Muye's advice, they made mistakes. So, upon hearing the Demon King's name, they asked us to inquire if you remembered them."
At this moment, I suddenly remembered that in the Black Whirlwind region, a voice also said it had waited for me for ten thousand years. And on the way back, a strange person also asked if I knew him. Now there are two more. Could it be that I really came from ten thousand years ago? If so, why don't I remember anything?
Lin'er also looked puzzled. "Could it be that the Demon King's name just happens to be the same as the person they met?"
"It should be. If I had truly been to ten thousand years ago, I wouldn't have forgotten."
At this moment, Gui Ye said, "Demon King, someone else entrusted us to bring a message to you."
"Who?"
"That person is the Earth King. He said that although he had no chance to meet you, he wishes you well."
"Earth King?" I became confused again.
Lin'er explained, "The Earth King was originally the guardian of the Earth Fire. Because he fought with the Heavenly Punishment ten thousand years ago, he was backlashed by the Earth Fire and fell onto the mountaintop, becoming the later Blazing Mountain."
"I see."
Just then, a commotion was heard from outside the door, followed by bird calls. Then, someone ran in to report.
"Reporting to the Demon King, Lord Hei Feng has returned."
"Excellent, this makes everything complete."
Ye Changfeng also smiled, "It seems Hei Feng is not bad, solving the problem by himself."
At this moment, three people walked in from the palace entrance. Since everyone had not met Hei Yun and Gui Mu before, they did not know who they were.
Looking at the newcomers, I had guessed about seventy to eighty percent. I immediately stepped forward and spoke first, "Presumably, this is Hei Feng's uncle, Senior Hei Yun? And this must be Madam Hei."
Hei Yun respectfully said, "The Demon King is correct. I am indeed Hei Yun, and this is my wife, formerly Gui Mu of Hanshan, whose original name was Yan Niang."
"Yan Niang greets the Demon King." Yan Niang bowed slightly.
"You are excused, you are excused. You don't need so many formalities here. Since you are Hei Feng's relatives, you are also our relatives."
Seeing that we had spoken enough, Hei Feng said, "Demon King, look at this."
As he spoke, he took out a small wooden box from his embrace. Upon opening it, a plump, chubby silkworm was inside. I was puzzled.
"This, this is?"
Yan Niang explained, "This is an Ice Silkworm. Ice silkworm silk is what it spits out."
I looked at it, feeling troubled. "However, my army has over a hundred thousand soldiers. Will it be too late to rush to make Ice Silkworm clothes in a short time?"
"Demon King, you don't need to worry. Although this Ice Silkworm is not large, as long as it is well-fed, it can spit silk freely. It has not spit silk for a thousand years. If it spits silk this time, it will do so to its heart's content. By then, even if everyone in the Western Purple Kingdom gets an Ice Silkworm garment, it will be enough."
"This is truly wonderful."
"I know how to make these Ice Silkworm clothes, I can help."
"Thank you so much, Madam."
"Demon King, you are too kind. However, to make these Ice Silkworm clothes, a few more items are needed: the Penglai immortal branch from the Mermaid tribe, mulberry leaves from outside Hanshan, and a cold and quiet ice cave."
Hearing her requests, which were not difficult, I said.
"I went to Penglai Island some time ago and was fortunate enough to obtain the Penglai immortal branch. However, the mulberry leaves might be difficult to find for now."
Hei Feng smiled slightly. "Demon King, you don't need to worry. We have already collected enough mulberry leaves in advance."
"That's truly wonderful."
Lin'er said, "Madam, the Western Purple Kingdom is always hot and humid. Only the ice cellar beneath the royal palace has been built. I wonder if it can be used."
Yan Niang asked, "Are there large quantities of ice stored inside?"
"Yes."
"Then it will suffice. Since there is no time to delay, please have the Demon King send someone to take me to see it, so I can make the Ice Silkworm clothes as soon as possible to assist the Demon King."
Lin'er volunteered, "Demon King, please let me take Madam Hei to see it."
"Alright, then you shall go."
Lin'er nodded and then said to Yan Niang, "Madam, please follow me."
Yan Niang said, "I'll bring the Ice Silkworm with me, let it adapt as well."
"Alright."
So she brought the Ice Silkworm and left the palace with Lin'er to go see the ice cellar.
At this time, I said to Hei Yun, "Senior, you must be exhausted from traveling day and night. I see there are still a few good rooms in Hei Feng's courtyard. Please go and stay there first."
"Then thank you, Demon King."
"No need for politeness. Hei Feng, take your uncle down to rest."
"Okay, Uncle, let's go."
"Mm."
So Hei Feng took Hei Yun out of the palace and walked towards their lodging.
I turned back to look at the others and said to them, "You have all been tired for many days, go back and rest."
"Then we'll take our leave."
"Go."
Thus, everyone left the palace one after another. At this moment, Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang stayed behind.
Yan Wushuang stepped forward and said to me, "Muye, I heard that you are a human from the mortal realm."
I did not hide it from them. "Yes, why do you suddenly ask about this?"
"When Xue Ge and I were in Boundless Mountain, we were brought to Chang'an by the Boundless Bag."
"You went to Chang'an?"
Xue Gucheng smiled, "It was a test of the Boundless Bag, but we also witnessed the prosperity and beauty of the mortal realm within it."
"I think you must have gone to ancient times."
"Ancient times?" The two of them also looked confused.
I explained, "Just like ten thousand years ago and ten thousand years later. The current Chang'an is no longer called Chang'an, it has been renamed Xi'an."
Xue Gucheng said, "Although it was just a test, witnessing the prosperity of Chang'an and the beauty of the mortal realm is enough for us to reminisce about."
"If there is an opportunity, I would also like to take you to see my era. I believe you will like it too."
Yan Wushuang said with envy, "I can't imagine what it would be like, but it must be beautiful. If there is a chance, we must go and see."
"Then we shall take our leave," Xue Gucheng said.
"Go."
Only then did the two of them reluctantly leave.
I returned to my sleeping quarters alone. However, before I even reached the entrance of the sleeping quarters, I heard a commotion inside. I heard He Lian angrily roar.
"Get out!"
Then I heard the sound of things being smashed. Liu Shinian leaned against the outer wall of the courtyard, laughing uncontrollably.
He turned his head and saw me walking over, then stepped forward and said with a smile, "Muye, you're back."
"What's going on inside?"
"I asked Xiao Yuan to make some things for He Lian. He Lian knew that he was the one coming for the marriage, and she was furious, so she didn't give him a good look."
"He Lian is too unreasonable. I'll go in and talk to her."
So I walked into the courtyard of the sleeping quarters. As soon as I entered, I saw He Lian chasing Wu Dao out with a broom. On the ground, there were broken bowls thrown out and porridge spilled everywhere.
Seeing me, she was surprised, then dropped the broom and ran back into the house.
"Xiao Yuan, why didn't you hide from her?"
Wu Dao smiled foolishly, "She's a girl, it's right for me to let her have her way."
Liu Shinian laughed heartily, "Not bad, such magnanimity."
"He Lian is too unreasonable. You go back first, I'll talk to her."
"Then I'll clean up the courtyard before I leave."
Liu Shinian stepped forward and patted his shoulder. "Trust me, girls always fall for this trick."
Wu Dao said with some doubt, "Really?"
"Trust me, you won't be wrong."
"Then I must learn more from Brother Liu."
"No problem, I will definitely teach you."
Although I was speechless, I didn't say much and just walked inside. I saw He Lian sitting on the bed, secretly wiping away tears. The words of admonishment I had prepared for her didn't seem to come out.
I could only comfort her, "Alright, alright, it's fine now. I've already asked him to leave."
She slightly lifted her eyes and asked me, "Do I have to marry him?"
"Uh, it's not necessary. If you don't like it, there's no compulsion. However, you can go and see the beautiful scenery of Heishan then. I stayed there for a long time, and I think you'll like it there too."
Hearing my words, she turned her head and started crying again. "In the end, you still want me to leave."
I reached out and turned her face towards me, gently wiping away her tears and comforting her.
"I cannot protect everyone. My heart carries the entire Ghost Clan and the entire Alliance army. I cannot possibly place only one person in my heart. Since that's the case, you might as well go and pursue your own world and live your own life."
"Can I not even stay by your side?"
"Only weapons and death can stay by my side, so it's better for you to leave."
Her heart suddenly turned cold. After repeated inquiries, the same answer came again and again. She thought she would eventually hear a different response. And there would always be an opportunity. However, it was still the same, always the same.
Still unwilling, she asked again, "Is leaving truly the only outcome?" She was hopeful, perhaps there would be another answer.
"Only leaving," I replied the same way.
She was stunned and finally did not get the answer she wanted. With a heart turning cold, she asked, "If I marry that Bi Shouyuan, will you be happy?"
"Yes, I will be happy to see you happy."
Even though she knew this would be the answer, she couldn't help but feel sad. A tear rolled down from the corner of her eye. Finally, she no longer expected anything and stopped asking repeatedly.
She changed her demeanor, smiling happily. "Since that's the case, then arrange the wedding as soon as possible. Let the brothers have a farewell toast before the expedition."
I asked her, "If you are unwilling, you don't have to get married."
She forced a smile and shook her head. "Yes, yes. If I don't have a good home, you will worry."
"You don't have to force yourself."
"No, I'm not forcing myself. The person you introduced is quite good, and I like him very much. If I can be his partner, I will surely be happy. Alright, alright, go and tell the elders quickly. I also want to see myself in a wedding dress."
As she spoke, she got up and pushed me towards the door, then ran back into the room and buried her head in the quilt, weeping bitterly. After crying this time, she would shed no more tears.