The next morning, I opened my eyes slightly and found that the sun had already risen.
Suddenly, I remembered that Liu Shinian was still unconscious, and no one had come to tell me. He probably hadn't woken up yet.
Worried, I used the excuse of going out for a walk to visit Liu Shinian's residence.
As expected, there was a crowd there. He was still so popular. I secretly climbed onto the old tree leaning against the wall to see how Liu Shinian was doing.
Then I felt ridiculous, as I could have walked into the house boldly.
At this moment, a few young maids came out of the house. One carried a basin, another held a blood-stained washcloth, and two others were accompanying them.
I heard the girl named Shui Xiao say, "The Princess has been looking forward to this for so long; she'll definitely be able to keep Young Master Liu this time."
Miao Yun next to her said enviously, expressing her thoughts.
"The Princess hasn't slept since yesterday. She stayed up all night by Young Master Liu's bedside, crying and laughing, which is truly heartbreaking.
If Young Master Liu could see this, he would be very touched."
"Don't say anymore; you're making me want to cry."
As they spoke, they walked towards the door. After they left, I saw the Four Great Protectors come out of the house.
Qing Yu also sighed,
"I think the Princess can finally see the light of day this time."
Wang Yuan also said.
"If Liu Shinian becomes our Merman tribe's son-in-law, I'll have to find him for drinks every day."
Mu Han laughed at him, "Do you think the Princess will allow you to take him away? I think those two will be inseparable."
Saying this, they all burst into laughter, only Tian Long remained silent, as if he had other thoughts.
After they left the courtyard and were far away, I jumped down from the tree and strolled to the outside of the house. Looking through the window, I could clearly see everything inside.
Liu Shinian was lying on the bed, still unconscious. Yue Yao sat by the bedside, holding his exposed right hand and pressing it to her face, murmuring.
"Brother Liu, you must wake up quickly."
Looking at the scene inside, my heart suddenly warmed, and I couldn't help but think.
"Liu Shinian, that scoundrel, loves to throw tantrums and act tough. He loves drinking whether there's a reason or not, and he always loves to show off.
But he is also kind-hearted, sincere, and always stands up for injustice. Although he often throws little tantrums, there are enough reasons to love him.
And now, after enduring hardships, he first lost his master, and then Xue Ji, becoming increasingly lonely.
Now that he has such a good girl like Yue Yao who loves him, it's better than letting him continue to fight and kill.
I know you'll follow me back when you wake up, but I wish you could stay here, live happily, and be joyful.
Forgive my selfishness. If fate allows, we will meet again."
My heart's unspoken words were now poured out through the wooden door, even though I hadn't said them to him directly.
I treated it as if I had told him. If he understood, he would stay wholeheartedly and wouldn't have to think about anything else.
I looked into the house one more time, took one last look at him, and then turned to leave with satisfaction.
Wan Gui Wang saw my reluctance and sadness and quickly advised, "Can't you wait for him to wake up before leaving?"
"No," I replied indifferently.
"If you leave without saying goodbye like this, he will be even more heartbroken when he wakes up."
"That would be best," I remained indifferent.
Seeing that I was determined to leave, he sighed and decided to help everyone.
Thus, he flew out of my body, transformed into Liu Shinian's appearance, grabbed me, and shouted affectionately.
"Mu Ye..."
My heart skipped a beat. I felt strange and turned to look, and indeed, I saw Liu Shinian.
"You, you're awake?" I asked, confused and unsure.
"Why are you leaving without waiting for me?" he said, looking wronged.
I was speechless and guiltily replied, "I, I, I just want to return to Xizi Kingdom quickly."
He laughed heartily and said helplessly.
"You're so cute when you lie. I know you're worried that I won't stay, so you're trying to leave in a hurry, aren't you?"
I looked at him, my eyes slightly reddening, and turned away, saying, "Yes."
He suddenly hugged me and said gently.
"Don't you know my feelings? I've always liked you. It was you at the beginning, and it's still you."
Faced with his sudden confession, my heart fluttered.
I had confessed to others before, but no one had ever confessed to me. I was momentarily lost and didn't know how to respond.
He slowly walked in front of me and held my hands, saying.
"Since we're already on Penglai Island, let's leave in two days. I still have some things to clarify with Bi Yao. I don't want her to misunderstand that love is unrequited."
I shyly pulled my hands away from his, my mind in a mess, but I still pretended to be cool and said.
"I think it's better for you to stay. Fighting and killing aren't suitable for you."
He suddenly took my hand again and said affectionately.
"I told you I would protect you. Wherever you are, I will be there. I won't let you face war alone. I want to fight alongside you."
My heart suddenly warmed, and my shyness was evident on my face. He took the opportunity to hug me and whispered in my ear.
"Promise me, okay? Stay for two more days."
I had no resistance to his gentle attack. I didn't expect Liu Shinian to be so charming when he was serious. How could I bear it?
So, I reluctantly agreed, "Then let's stay for two more days."
"Okay, I'll go talk to Yue Yao."
"Mm."
Saying this, he turned and left. I leaned against the wall, my heart filled with emotion. After Wan Gui Wang walked away, he hid behind the big tree and secretly watched me, boasting.
"Little brat, you're still completely in my grasp. Liu Shinian, I can only help you this much."
Saying this, he transformed back into his original form, a ball of black mist, and stealthily floated behind the wall, jumping into my body.
I knew he had run away, but I didn't think much of it, only thinking that he must have gone to wake up Liu Shinian.
The admiration that had been hidden in my heart and could not be expressed had been so easily spoken. I didn't expect love to be so simple.
I took a deep breath, covering my wildly beating heart, and returned to my room. Since I had promised him to stay for two more days, I would stay for two more days.
At night, a gentle breeze blew.
Yue Yao had been guarding Liu Shinian by his bedside for a long, long time, until a gentle breeze blew and brushed against Liu Shinian's face, and he slowly woke up.
He looked up and saw Bi Yao holding his hand by the bedside, sleeping soundly.
He didn't want to disturb her, so he just lay there quietly. At this moment, Cai Yun, who was bringing water, suddenly saw Liu Shinian wake up, excitedly dropped the water basin, and shouted.
"Young Master Liu, you're awake! Young Master Liu is awake! That's great, that's great!"
Bi Yao was also startled by the commotion. She lowered her head and saw Liu Shinian wake up. She was so excited that she became incoherent, and finally could only collapse onto him and cry.
Liu Shinian was struggling to breathe, but the news of his awakening spread like wildfire throughout Penglai Island.
Everyone rushed to the small courtyard, and even the noble clan leader condescended to visit him.
In the small room, the clan leader, Yue Yao, the Four Great Protectors, and several highly respected ministers of the Merman tribe who remained on Penglai Island were already crowded.
The clan leader kindly asked him, "Young Hero Liu, you're awake. How do you feel?"
Liu Shinian moved his hand bones; it didn't hurt much anymore, so he replied, "There are no major problems. Hey, did you use some secret medicine of the Merman tribe on me?"
Tian Long replied, "It's nothing, just some herbs from Penglai Island that are effective for wounds."
"I must say, your wound is really effective. When we go back, send some to me. I'll bring it back for them to use."
When the clan leader heard him mention returning, his face immediately fell, and he asked, "You still want to go back?"
"I came with the Demon King, so I naturally have to go back with him."
Yue Yao's heart ached, but she didn't show it. Wang Yuan said.
"Shinian, you've already promised the clan leader that you'll stay and marry the Princess. You can't go back on your word."
Liu Shinian could only throw caution to the wind and tell them his true thoughts.
"The war is urgent and at a critical juncture. As the main general under the Demon King, how can I leave just like that? If we are to get married, we should at least take down Beishen first."
The clan leader felt that what he said made some sense, and then looked back at Bi Yao. Bi Yao's heart was filled with complex emotions, and she didn't know what to say.
At this moment, Shui Xiao, a young girl who had heard everything from outside the door, walked in without a word and, in front of everyone, accused Liu Shinian.
"Go back? Do you know how much our Princess has sacrificed for you? Not to mention accompanying you to Black Mountain and enduring so much hardship.
Just in the day and night you were unconscious, the Princess stayed by your bedside without leaving. How dare you talk about going back?"
What Shui Xiao said was also the clan leader's dissatisfaction. He just advised, "Alright, alright, you can go down now."
Shui Xiao then left indignantly. It was understandable that others were angry.
Everyone had seen Yue Yao's devotion to him, yet he showed no regard for her feelings and only spoke of returning.
When I heard the news of Liu Shinian waking up, I felt strange and hurried to see him.
As soon as I reached the courtyard, I heard the commotion inside. When I arrived at the door, I happened to hear what Shui Xiao was saying.
My heart tightened, and I hurried into the room. At this moment, everyone saw me and shouted.
"Demon King!"
"Demon King, you're here!"
I had heard everything that had just happened and only said.
"I know Liu Shinian wants to go back, and Yue Yao wants him to stay. This is not a big deal.
I think this matter should be left to them to handle. As outsiders, it's not appropriate for us to say anything."
Kurdur, the leader of the Kukulur tribe, also said.
"The Demon King's suggestion is good. This is not a big deal. Since it's a matter between the young couple, let them decide for themselves.
If they really want to leave, keeping the person won't keep their heart. If Young Hero Liu is willing to stay for the Princess, it would also be a beautiful thing."
With Kurdur's mediation, the clan leader also agreed.
"Since the Demon King has spoken, this matter will be decided by Bi Yue Yao and Young Hero Liu."
After saying this, everyone got up and left, and I also sighed helplessly and walked out.
Returning to my room, I thought that the Liu Shinian from yesterday must have been Wan Gui Wang tricking me, so I called him out.
"Wan Gui Wang, were you deliberately playing tricks on me yesterday?"
Wan Gui Wang slowly floated out, looking guilty, and whispered, "No, I wasn't."
I knew he did it to give me and Liu Shinian a chance, but as the leader of the Three Alliances, how could I concern myself with romantic affairs?
"I know you meant well, but battle is always cruel. Rather than letting Liu Shinian go back to face endless battles, it's better to let him stay here."
Wan Gui Wang didn't think so.
"I know that kid Liu Shinian will definitely not stay. Even if you leave first, he will find a way to return to Xizi Kingdom.
It's better for you to have a frank conversation and clarify things, so that one person doesn't shed tears and two people make mistakes."
What he said was not unreasonable. After his enlightenment, I felt much better. Whether to go or stay depended on Yue Yao and Liu Shinian.
"Sigh, were you deliberately playing tricks on me yesterday because you wanted to see me make a fool of myself?" I suddenly remembered this matter.
He disdainfully said, "Never."
"Quibbling! I'll beat you to death!"
Saying this, I took off my shoe and threw it at him. He ran away quickly and flew back into my body.
He shouted, "You want to hit me? No way!"
Although I was now playfully bickering with Wan Gui Wang, I was still wondering what was happening with Liu Shinian.
After everyone left, only Liu Shinian and Yue Yao remained in the room.
Liu Shinian looked at Yue Yao with some guilt. Yue Yao slowly walked to the bedside and leaned into his embrace, saying.
"I know you want to leave, so go. I won't stop you."
Liu Shinian was very surprised. He didn't expect Yue Yao to be so open-minded.
"I'm sorry, Yue Yao." He still offered her words of apology.
Yue Yao wiped away her tears and made a request of him.
"Brother Liu, you've never spent much time with me. I don't know when you'll be back after you leave this time. Can you spend some good time with me?"
Liu Shinian knew he owed Bi Yao too much. If he were to repay it one by one, he feared he wouldn't be able to even with his old life.
"Okay, I promise you."
"Then let's start now. You'll stay with me until the day you leave, okay?"
"Okay."
They embraced each other like this all night, until the next morning.
Xiang Cao pushed open the door and saw Yue Yao lying in Liu Shinian's embrace, while Liu Shinian slept leaning against the headboard.
She didn't disturb them but called a few young sisters to secretly peek.
Although Shui Xiao held a grudge against him, she was also very happy to see the Princess's efforts finally receive a response.
Liu Shinian slowly woke up and found that it was already early the next morning. Yue Yao was still sleeping in his arms, so he didn't disturb her.
He looked up and saw a few young maids chattering by the door, including Shui Xiao from last night.
He knew he owed Yue Yao too much, and it was only right for others to say a few words to him.
He just wanted to find an opportunity to talk to Shui Xiao and resolve her knot, so that others wouldn't misunderstand him.
A gentle breeze blew, and Yue Yao yawned and slowly woke up. She got up and saw that Liu Shinian was still by her side, and she felt happy.
Hearing the noise outside, she called out, "Why hasn't anyone come in yet?"
The girls then came in, busy with serving tea and water.
Yue Yao then called Shui Xiao over, "Shui Xiao, come here."
Shui Xiao walked over sheepishly.
Yue Yao then said to her.
"I know you care about me, but Brother Liu is not that kind of person. He was scolded by you for no reason, and he feels quite wronged. Apologize to Brother Liu."
Shui Xiao hesitated, unable to speak, but Liu Shinian took the initiative to apologize.
"It was my fault. Even if Miss Shui Xiao didn't say it, others would have. However, Miss Shui Xiao is right.
I really didn't consider Yue Yao's feelings, and I'm quite sorry about that."
Yue Yao explained.
"Brother Liu, as the former great general of the Ghostly Race, he naturally has to advance and retreat with the Ghostly Race. I know his difficulties, so I don't blame him.
Since the misunderstanding has been resolved, you should shake hands and reconcile."
After hearing Yue Yao's explanation and seeing Liu Shinian's sincere attitude in admitting his mistake, Shui Xiao took the initiative to extend her hand and reconciled with Liu Shinian.