He Li and Huai Xi.
Strolling through the mangrove forest, He Li, who had been tipsy and unsteady moments ago, now had clear eyes and a steady gait. For some reason, though the banquet in the distance was still lively, the forest was silent. A gentle breeze swept through, rustling the fiery leaves, making them sway gracefully. The sound of the leaves brushing against each other was like the plucking of harp strings.
The stars in the sky emitted halos, illuminating each other.
"Did someone from the Two Realms come to see you?" Huai Xi asked softly, linking her arm with He Li's.
He Li's heart skipped a beat. He wondered who the informant was, then softly hummed and nodded. "They did. He wants me to help him kill the Lord of Time. I don't know what the Lord of Time is, but judging by the strength of the Time Envoy and Cheng Xilin, the Lord of Time isn't someone easily slain."
"Setting aside other matters, if Cheng Xilin's strength wasn't enough to kill the Lord of Time, how could I? This matter isn't that simple. Cheng Xilin's help is only because he fancies my immunity to time's erosion. If I can control the laws of time, I can help him kill the Lord of Time, but I believe the price will be immense. I don't want to take that risk."
He Li did not hide anything from Huai Xi. He revealed everything Cheng Xilin had done for him, choosing not to bear the burden alone and make decisions he thought were right. He chose to discuss it with Huai Xi. Since he had decided on Huai Xi, he wanted to treat her equally. She had the right to know his troubles and the wisdom to offer advice.
Huai Xi was not a foolish woman; she possessed wisdom and the ability to make judgments independent of He Li's thoughts, unaffected by him.
Huai Xi pondered for a moment and asked, "Is that truly what you think?"
He Li shrugged, offering no definitive answer.
Huai Xi smiled and, after walking with He Li for a while, suddenly said, "Since you already have your answer, why would you drown your sorrows in wine?"
He Li stopped and turned to look at Huai Xi, asking, "What do you mean?"
Huai Xi pulled He Li along, leading him through the red forest, across the lake, and up the white jade steps towards the Holy City.
"You refused Cheng..."
"Cheng Xilin," He Li interjected.
Huai Xi pursed her lips and smiled, "The reason you refused Cheng Xilin is undoubtedly because of those you care about. You worry that after you leave, we will encounter insurmountable dangers."
He Li hesitated, then sighed and smiled helplessly, not denying it.
Huai Xi seemed to see through He Li and continued, "However, in the River of Time, there is still Xia Kuduo. He was swallowed and exiled by the River of Time. You should go find him.
Cheng Xilin saved your life, and you are not a heartless person who repays kindness with indifference. You must repay this debt.
Moreover, you have already begun to control the laws of time, though not completely. The fact that the Time Envoy has appeared twice, each time carrying a Time Edict, is enough to show that the Lord of Time has set his sights on you.
You cannot escape; you can only face it."
"King Kuduo, Cheng Xilin's kindness, and the Lord of Time's scrutiny – for these three reasons alone, you must face it."
He Li gave a wry smile, holding Huai Xi's hand, still silent, offering no reply.
Returning to the palace in the Holy City, He Li sat on the reclining chair that overlooked the Divine Realm. Huai Xi brought a cup of hot tea and placed it on the table before him. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, sat down, and rested her elbow on the railing, her posture languid.
After a long silence.
Huai Xi turned to look at He Li, her eyes clear, and asked with a smile, "When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow, perhaps," He Li replied. He continued, "The sooner the better. Lingering won't solve anything. The sooner it's resolved, the sooner I can have peace of mind."
After speaking, He Li mused, "I'm not at ease about Si An, nor am I at ease about Yu Qiang. I will arrange for Divine Lord Hu Chu to watch over Yu Qiang, and Yan Ping will watch over Si An. If they make any moves, they are to be dealt with directly, without mercy."
Huai Xi nodded.
He Li picked up his teacup, took a sip, and set it down. "I entrust the Divine Realm to you. With the Clan Leader to keep the gods in check, I am also at ease. As for Seth and the others, I am not worried. Yu Li Che... you must keep a close eye on him..."
"Is this what it means to be a 'King'?" Huai Xi suddenly asked with a smile.
"What?" He Li blinked, looking at Huai Xi in confusion.
Huai Xi pursed her lips and smiled, "Suspicious and solitary."
He Li suddenly understood and gave a wry smile. "I don't want to be like this, but being in a certain position requires considering what that position demands."
"I understand," Huai Xi said comfortingly.
He Li shook his head, as if to say, 'You don't understand.' A king was destined to be lonely. That sense of solitude could not be understood or comforted, like standing alone on a windswept mountain peak. The space to stand was so small that there was no room for even one person to share a cloak against the cold.
He Li did not elaborate further. He continued, "Let the demon race find a new home if they wish, but they cannot all leave. At least some must remain in the Divine Realm."
Huai Xi hummed. She understood He Li's intention. Leaving hostages was beneficial for both the Divine Realm and the demon race, directly eliminating the aftermath of mutual suspicion and vigilance.
He Li's expression grew somber, and he sighed softly, "I don't know why I've become like this. I just want everyone to live well. Leaving behind measures to prevent future troubles, to avoid unnecessary disputes."
Huai Xi stood up and moved to He Li's side, wrapping her arms around him and gently stroking his hair. "I understand it all."
He Li leaned against Huai Xi and murmured softly, "After I repay Cheng Xilin's life-saving grace and find Kuduo, we will leave the Divine Realm. I'll take you home, to our real home.
I'll take you shopping, buy you beautiful clothes, eat delicious ice cream, and introduce you to my brothers. They are all good people. There's a sister-in-law I haven't met, but Xiao Yue said she's a virtuous woman. We'll live well in our own home."
Huai Xi nodded gently. "Okay."
The next day.
He Li pushed open the room door and glanced back at Huai Xi, who was sleeping soundly under the canopy. He stepped out of the room, closing the door softly. He looked up at the sky and then soared upwards. Upon reaching the star river outside the Divine Realm, he walked step by step towards the higher void.
"Since you're waiting for me, stop playing games. Come out."
As He Li's voice fell, Cheng Xilin's figure appeared beside him, chuckling, "I thought I'd have to wait for you a while longer."
He Li rolled his eyes at Cheng Xilin and said irritably, "I owe him, and not repaying it feels wrong. Besides, my brother is still exiled in the River of Time. I must find him."
Cheng Xilin grinned, "Then let's go."
...