“Miss, it’s just meeting someone. Do you really need to go all out?”
“You don’t understand,” Lan Ke’er mumbled as she tried on clothes.
“Oh, I understand. Miss must be meeting someone she likes,” Little Yun teased with a laugh. “I’d like to see what kind of man could win Miss’s heart.”
“Don’t say nonsense, you silly girl,” Lan Ke’er smiled, her face slightly flushed.
………
The spring sunlight gently shone down. The sky was clear and bright, calm and pleasant.
In the front courtyard, the guests were still chatting happily, drinking and making toasts.
In the small courtyard, the sound of flowing water was soft and steady. Trees on both sides swayed quietly in the breeze.
A girl in a blue dress walked quietly with the wind, step by step.
Xu Zimo stood silently, watching her. Her long black hair was tied with a purple ribbon.
Her snow-white, delicate face wore a light, breezy smile. Her lips were rosy, her teeth bright. She was clearly well-dressed.
She wore a moon-white long dress, with a matching sheer white top.
The sleeves flowed like clouds, and a matching sash wrapped around her waist. Faint flower patterns were embroidered near her chest, elegant and graceful.
The breeze blew, and her dress fluttered with it. At this moment, it felt like everything dimmed in comparison to Lan Ke’er’s presence.
She slowly stopped in front of Xu Zimo and slightly lifted her head to look at him.
A faint fragrance lingered around her.
“You came,” she said calmly.
If you listened carefully, you could hear the excitement and joy behind her calm tone.
Xu Zimo pulled her into a hug, breathing in her scent.
He gently stroked her long hair and smiled. “For you.”
“Did you come here just to see me?” Lan Ke’er asked with some hope in her voice.
“Yes,” Xu Zimo nodded, giving a firm answer.
“Then why didn’t you come sooner?” she asked as she gently wrapped her arms around him.
“You know how far it is from the Eastern Continent to the Middle Continent, and how dangerous the journey is,” Xu Zimo replied with a smile. “I had to train and get stronger first.”
“I missed you,” Lan Ke’er said, holding him tighter. Resting her face on his chest, she murmured, “I missed you so much.”
Xu Zimo held her hand and sat with her on a stone bench beneath a Demon-Slaying Tree.
They talked quietly. Lan Ke’er shared everything she’d experienced recently.
Xu Zimo listened with a smile. The girl from his memories made him feel a little lost in thought.
Maybe, in this world, past and present lives really did come full circle.
“Have you met my father?” Lan Ke’er asked.
“Not yet. I plan to, but it probably won’t be pleasant,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.
“Why not?” she asked, puzzled.
“I heard you’re holding a Demon-Slaying Banquet,” he replied.
“Yes, Father invited many powerful forces,” she nodded, still confused.
“Can you talk to your father about letting that demon go?” Xu Zimo asked.
“That’s not possible. Our Lan Clan is a demon-hunting clan. Everyone in the family hates demons deeply,” Lan Ke’er shook her head. “Besides, the demon we caught this time is a terrifying one. My father will definitely kill him.”
“If I were also a demon, would you kill me too?” Xu Zimo gently stroked her hair and asked with a smile.
“What are you saying?” Lan Ke’er froze, looking at him with confusion.
“You heard me. I’m also a demon,” Xu Zimo said calmly.
Lan Ke’er stood stunned.
Then she forced a smile. “You’re joking, right? You’re the Holy Son of the True Martial Sacred Ground. How could you be a demon?”
“Would you kill me?” Xu Zimo asked again.
“I… I wouldn’t,” Lan Ke’er shook her head, still unable to believe it.
“Can you pass a message to your father for me?” Xu Zimo asked gently.
“Go ahead,” she said.
“For your sake, I’m giving him two options. Either he lets the demon go, or I’ll personally come to save him. Whoever stands in my way, dies.”
Xu Zimo spoke each word slowly and seriously.
“Why does it have to be like this?” Lan Ke’er looked at him in pain.
“Be good. I’ll wait for his answer,” Xu Zimo smiled.
“If a battle really breaks out, will you stand with me or your family?”
“I don’t know… I really don’t know,” Lan Ke’er shook her head. Her eyes were already misty with tears. “You didn’t come here just to see me. You came to save that demon too, didn’t you?”
“I came for both,” Xu Zimo said.
“Tomorrow, at this time, I’ll be here waiting. Give me your answer then.”
“Why do I have to choose? Can’t we just be happy together?” Lan Ke’er asked painfully.
“This is my path. I’m a demon. But for you, I’m willing to spare a demon-hunting family. What about your family?” Xu Zimo asked.
“I understand,” Lan Ke’er took a deep breath and nodded.
Xu Zimo watched her leave, eyes narrowed, silent for a long time.
………
“You’re really coldhearted, putting your woman in such a tough spot,” the God Emperor said.
“On one side is someone she loves, and on the other is her family. Instead of choosing, you threw the decision at her.”
“You’re wrong. I already made my choice,” Xu Zimo said, shaking his head.
“I could’ve just stormed into Bluesky City and wiped out the Lan Clan. But for her, I backed off and gave them a choice. If they let Paimon go, not only will they avoid destruction, they’ll also gain the friendship of me and the True Martial Sacred Ground behind me. Tell me, where else in the world could they find such a good deal?”
“You think the Lan Clan will accept it?” the God Emperor asked.
“Whether they do or not doesn’t matter to me,” Xu Zimo replied. “I just want to make my position clear to Ke’er, I gave them a chance.”
“You really plan to destroy the Lan Clan?” the God Emperor asked, curious.
“That depends on whether they know their place,” Xu Zimo said.
“I’ve already backed down. If they still don’t know what’s good for them… Then so what if I destroy them?”
“What if she stands in your way?” the God Emperor asked.
Xu Zimo was silent for a moment, then looked out at the distant horizon.
He said calmly, “I won’t let any woman block my path. If I must betray the world, so be it, I won’t let the world betray me.”