Liu Shinian drifted to the doors of the palace chambers again, hesitating before the entrance.
Xue Gucheng, watching him from behind, couldn't fathom his thoughts and called out, "Are you troubled?"
Liu Shinian looked up and offered a blank smile. Xue Gucheng, sensing his melancholy, walked closer, grabbed his hand, and said,
"Follow me."
With a leap, he carried Liu Shinian to the rooftop, then lightly flew forward, landing them on a secluded treasure pavilion.
From here, they could see the entire royal palace built into the mountainside, with the royal city of Xizi Kingdom below.
He casually tossed Liu Shinian onto the roof tiles and pulled out a bottle of wine, handing it to him. "Do you remember Black Mountain?
We always drank like this. It's been so long since we've been on a rooftop. This feeling is like a reunion.
I can tell you have something on your mind. Why not have a drink? If one bottle doesn't solve it, then two."
As he spoke, he pulled out another bottle, uncapped it, and took a large swig. Liu Shinian, surprised, asked,
"When did you hide the wine?"
"On the way here."
Saying this, he pulled out another bottle, uncapped it, and drank heartily. Liu Shinian, seeing his uninhibited demeanor, smiled knowingly and drank just as heartily.
"So, what exactly is worrying you?" Xue Gucheng asked.
Liu Shinian smiled helplessly, not hiding anything from him. "When I went to Penglai Island, I promised the Mermaid Tribe leader that I would marry Yueyao. Now they want to take me and Yueyao back for the wedding."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"But, what about Muye if I leave?" He suddenly felt a pang of sadness.
Xue Gucheng comforted him, "Go without worry. We'll be here."
"Ah, you, you really should be sent for a political marriage," Liu Shinian said indignantly.
Xue Gucheng laughed heartily and teased himself, "You know Shuang'er's temper. If she doesn't mind, then I might be able to get married for you."
Upon hearing this, Liu Shinian's eyes lit up, and he leaned closer. "How about I go talk to them? I can arrange a good marriage for you."
Xue Gucheng tilted his head and shook it. "I'm just worried you'll get beaten up badly."
Liu Shinian then shared some gossip he'd heard in the army.
"There's gossip saying you and Muye are involved. Is that true?"
Liu Shinian suddenly became suspicious.
Xue Gucheng smiled faintly, not taking it seriously.
"If there were such good fortune, I would already be Muye's husband."
Hearing his words, Liu Shinian's face suddenly contorted, and he crushed the wine bottle in his hand, saying resentfully,
"You actually have that idea."
Xue Gucheng turned to look, seeing his twisted face and terrifying expression, like a man-eating demon. He laughed and pulled Liu Shinian into an embrace, explaining,
"I already have Shuang'er, so I won't be thinking of anyone else. I won't fall in love with Muye either, so don't worry."
Only then did Liu Shinian relax, his face breaking into a smile.
"I knew you only liked Wushuang. You're a devoted good man, but..."
He stopped speaking, suddenly looking dejected, and lay on the tiles, lost in his own sorrow.
Xue Gucheng suggested,
"Yueyao is also deeply in love with you, yet you have expectations for Muye. Why don't you marry Muye as your main wife and Yueyao as your concubine? That way, no one is abandoned, and no one is sad."
Liu Shinian looked at him helplessly, surprised he would joke about him. Their relationship was too good. He recalled that the days when Xue Gucheng was serious seemed like a hundred thousand years ago.
"But I don't want to deceive anyone. I actually only have sisterly feelings for Yueyao, but for Muye, it's always hard to say."
"I know. You've been through so much with Muye. It's natural for you to care about her more. If you really don't want to marry her, then you can only be clear with Yueyao.
I see that Yueyao is no longer the shy little girl she was when she first arrived. If you speak to her, she will understand."
"Can it really work?"
"There's no other way. If there are three people in love, someone will always get hurt."
"Alright, I'll listen to you."
After Xue Gucheng's guidance, Liu Shinian's heart gradually cleared. There might be right and wrong in actions, but in matters of the heart, there is no right or wrong.
If you truly don't like someone, you should be clear with them and not let them wait a lifetime.
After that day, everything was peaceful. Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and the third day arrived quickly.
Early on the third day, I woke up early, stretched, and felt refreshed. The medicine I had been taking for the past few days had taken effect. Touching my wound, it no longer hurt.
Suddenly remembering that I was going to Penglai Island today, I skipped breakfast and headed towards the main hall.
Helian woke up to find the room empty and panicked for a moment, but then calmly thought that I must have gone to the front courtyard.
Soon, a guard rushed out of the main hall to spread the word.
Before long, Lin'er, the four elders, the four protectors, Liu Shinian, and Yueyao were summoned to the main hall.
As everyone entered, I addressed them,
"I have already discussed with the elders and senior elders, and we will depart for Penglai Island today."
Tianlong stepped forward and said, "Demon King, the tribe leader has ordered us to bring Liu Shinian and the princess back with us to Penglai Island."
"Then let's go together."
"Are we leaving now, Demon King?" Lin'er suddenly asked.
I nodded, making a decision. "Let's leave now. The sooner we go, the sooner we return, and the fewer complications there will be."
"Alright, we'll escort you out of the city."
"Good."
So, everyone left the main hall and walked all the way to the palace gates. Stepping out, we saw a large crowd gathered in front of the gates. They were my twelve star generals and twenty-four mountain lords.
"Why are you all here?"
I was somewhat confused. I didn't recall informing them.
Lin'er said, "I asked them to come. This is not a small matter; everyone should know."
I nodded, agreeing with his words.
At this moment, a guard led several horses forward to serve as our transportation. Suddenly, we heard shouts from behind, "Liu Mei, Demon King."
Everyone turned to see Liu Mei and Qiuyu coming to see us off. The three embraced tightly upon meeting.
Yueyao said to them with great sadness, "I'm afraid I won't have time to visit you again. Please take good care of yourselves."
Liu Mei's eyes were slightly teary, but she still comforted her.
"A farewell after a long journey. Take care of yourself when you return. Come visit us if you have the chance."
Helian, unable to hide her sorrow, gently covered her mouth with her hand and sobbed, "No matter where you are, we are good sisters."
"Good, good sisters."
Everyone was moved by the three cherishing each other so deeply.
Ye Changfeng sighed softly and asked me, "Demon King, how long will it take for you to return?"
"Not long."
"Demon King, if anything happens, send us a letter, and we'll come to your aid," Yan Wushuang said.
"Alright, don't worry, everyone."
Saying this, I walked to the horses first and mounted one. Liu Shinian, Yueyao, and the four great protectors followed suit.
I looked at everyone and said, "Alright, everyone, you can go back now."
"Demon King, be safe."
"You all take care too."
"Alright everyone, we're leaving." Wang Yuan cupped his hands towards everyone.
Then, with a cry of "Giddy up!",
The horses galloped away like the wind, heading down the mountain. Their dark figures swayed, appearing exceptionally beautiful under the rising sun.
We traveled south and arrived at the Muyang River by the official road before nightfall. Seeing the sun setting and the sky darkening, I decided to let the group camp by the river for the night.
Liu Shinian started a fire by the river and distributed some dry rations to everyone. Yueyao, feeling dizzy from riding all day, asked,
"Do you have any apples? I want to eat an apple."
"Yes."
Liu Shinian pulled out a large red apple from his embrace and handed it to her.
Tianlong walked over to me and started a casual conversation.
"Demon King, the journey to Penglai Island is long. It will probably take five or six days to arrive."
I waved my hand.
"It won't take that long. We're traveling light and fast. We should arrive in three or four days."
I suddenly remembered something and asked him, "During the war with Xizi Kingdom, is your mermaid army still stationed in Nanhai City?"
"Yes, they are."
This put my mind at ease. It wasn't that I was worried they would capture Nanhai City, but rather that they might suddenly withdraw their troops, giving Beishen an opportunity.
If anything, the four cities truly feared the mermaid tribe. The mermaid tribe was powerful in the vast ocean area and had a large population. If the four cities were to fight the mermaid tribe alone, they wouldn't gain much advantage.
"However," he hesitated suddenly.
"What is it?" I asked.
"This time, Liu Shinian may not be able to continue following the Demon King."
I smiled slightly and said, "I know. It's his good fortune to stay with the mermaid tribe."
Tianlong was somewhat relieved by my answer. He thought I would at least say something about Liu Shinian, but I said nothing. It seemed I truly viewed emotions as something very trivial.
Before long, a cold wind picked up, accompanied by a light drizzle.
"It's raining," Yueyao exclaimed happily.
Mu Han walked to the riverbank, raised his hand, and drew forth a stream of water. Then, with a circular motion of his hands, the water formed a semicircular water shield that covered everyone.
He then smiled happily and clapped his hands. "There, now we don't have to worry about getting wet."
I poked it with my hand and found I could pass through it. It was quite novel, and I praised him.
"Your mermaid tribe's water manipulation techniques are truly amazing. I wish I could learn a few moves."
Mu Han smiled leisurely. "Demon King, there will be plenty of opportunities to learn. If we weren't on the road right now, I could teach you a few moves."
"It's alright. I'll learn when I have time."
Wang Yuan looked up at the sky. It was completely dark, and nothing could be seen. He confidently declared, "It's getting late. Let's go to sleep."
I also said, "We have to travel tomorrow. Everyone, get some sleep quickly."
Everyone then found comfortable spots and lay down to sleep. Yueyao secretly smiled and rested her head on Liu Shinian's lap.
Liu Shinian could only helplessly let her lie there, but his restless eyes still secretly glanced in my direction.
Seeing that I was sleeping peacefully, he felt somewhat relieved and lay down on the grass, falling into a peaceful sleep.
The next morning, we woke up early, mounted our horses, and set off for Penglai Island again. The howling cold wind always whispered annoyingly in our ears.
We traveled continuously for several days and finally arrived at the shore of the vast ocean on the afternoon of the third day.
Gazing at the boundless sea, I couldn't help but recall my escape to this place and the fierce battle that took place here.
Suddenly, I remembered that an old friend was buried by the sea, so I went ahead alone to find him.
"Demon King, where are you going?" Tianlong asked, confused.
"I have a friend here. I'm going to see him."
"A friend?"
Everyone exchanged glances, perplexed. They had followed Muye for so long and had never heard of her having a friend living by the sea.
Although everyone was puzzled, they followed me forward. After walking for a long time, we saw a sand dune, about half a person's height, on the seashore.
I had left in a hurry then and didn't have time to erect a tombstone for him, but the familiar feeling from within told me he was here.
I squatted down, scooped up a handful of sand, and smiled knowingly, calling out, "Old friend, I've come to see you."
At that moment, a sea breeze suddenly blew from the sea, carrying a mournful sound, as if in response.
"Who is in there?" Liu Shinian asked, confused.
I then recounted that experience.
"I was wanted by the four cities and fled to the shore of this vast ocean. I encountered the Great Crab, the guardian of the sea. My pursuers caught up with me and engaged me in battle.
The Great Crab charged forward and fought with the pursuers, allowing me to escape. Although it wasn't killed by me, it did save my life.
After the pursuers left, I buried it here."
Listening to my account, Liu Shinian's heart ached. He realized that during his absence, Muye had endured so much alone.
If he had been there then, he would never have let anyone bully her.
Qingyu suddenly understood.
"Oh, so that's how it is. This Great Crab was originally the Sea Lord protecting our mermaid tribe, but one day it suddenly disappeared.
Everyone thought it had been eaten by Tianwu, but it turns out it went to save the Demon King."
I sighed with emotion.
"After that parting, I hadn't visited him for a long time. Today, I've finally fulfilled a wish."
Yueyao, listening nearby, was deeply moved and stepped forward to comfort me.
"I believe the Great Crab has heard the Demon King's heart and has ascended to the Pure Land."
I turned and patted her hand. I believe it might be happier in that world than it was here.
At this moment, a boat was swaying towards us from the sea. The person on the boat wore a straw cloak and a bamboo hat, rowing the boat and shouting to us on the shore.
"Hey, need a ride?"
Tianlong replied, "Old Straw Hat, it's us."
The old man recognized his acquaintances and rowed the boat closer.
After we boarded the boat, he asked, "Great Protector, where are you going?"
"Back to Penglai Island."
"Alright!"
Then, he raised the pole and pushed the boat away from the shore, sailing towards the distance. As he rowed, he sang,
"Reeds deep, night rain falling, startled birds fly suddenly, the moon is unseen."
I asked curiously, "Old man, what song is this?"
"Oh, this song is called 'The Flying Bird Song.' I composed it myself."
"Composed it yourself."
"Yes. One night, I was rowing my boat past the reed marsh. It was drizzling, and suddenly a strong wind blew.
I heard the reeds rustling as if they were bird calls, so I wrote this 'Flying Bird Song.'"
"It's beautiful."
"If you'd like to listen, I'll sing another."
Saying this, he sang,
"Reeds deep, night rain falling, startled birds fly suddenly, the moon is unseen."
Listening to his "Flying Bird Song," we unknowingly arrived somewhere else.