Construction in the Demon Palace was progressing rapidly. The once desolate palace now had so many demons seeking refuge that the buildings could no longer accommodate them all. They had to continue expanding toward the original demon territory.

Each demon possessed unique talents, allowing the palace to be built quickly. Though the mortal realm had just entered winter, the foundations of what would become the demon territory of the previous life were already taking shape.

The great war between immortals and demons hadn’t resumed. Only Chang Liu’s immortal soldiers were stationed outside as guards.

At first, the demons feared the coming of a second war, but surprisingly, Chang Liu’s immortal soldiers pretended not to see them, merely maintaining a posture of containment.

Feng Fuming should have dispatched troops after failing to secure victory last time, but he remained silent.

The eerie calm of the Demon Mountain made people uneasy. The strategists remaining in the Demon Palace speculated that perhaps Feng Fuming, having just ascended to his position, had many problems left by the previous Heavenly Lord to deal with. Additionally, with Kun Lun facing troubles, he likely had more important matters to attend to, temporarily setting aside demon affairs.

Su Lun heard this and smiled without speaking.

Yan Chaosheng also remained silent for quite some time, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. But even if Feng Fuming did nothing, they couldn’t disrupt their formation.

Yan Chaosheng was busy as well. As the master of the Demon Palace, he had to consider many issues, such as the scarcity of spiritual herbs and the varying quality of demon soldiers. The Demon Mountain, still developing, would struggle against any of the immortal realms, let alone all four attacking together.

Possessing the bloodline of the Xiang You royal clan, he knew what difficulties lay ahead, facing even greater pressure than Feng Fuming.

He sent many vigilant demons to gather intelligence from the various immortal realms, sowing discord when necessary to prevent them from forming alliances.

Yan Chaosheng contemplated how Chang Liu’s immortal soldiers remained in position without attacking, proving that their realm master had different ideas regarding the immortal-demon situation, not simply following Feng Fuming’s orders as they appeared to.

Feng Fuming might have realized this as well, thus no longer forcefully commanding other immortal realms to act, fearing he might provoke resistance.

Having witnessed the ferocity of demons, all immortal realms were reluctant to sacrifice their soldiers needlessly. Kun Lun being preoccupied with its own troubles was fortunate. As for Liu Shuang’s father, Chi Shui Chong, possessing a new spirit vein would inevitably nurture corresponding ambitions.

Before the demons’ position was secure, strategy far outweighed confrontation.

Yan Chaosheng thought that if necessary, inciting Chi Shui Chong to become the Heavenly Lord might not be a bad option.

However, he didn’t discuss these complicated matters with Liu Shuang, since she belonged to Kung Sang after all. He had promised her that if they faced each other in battle someday, he would show restraint toward Kung Sang.

After the silkworm maidens completed the wedding garment, one of them was supposed to take Liu Shuang to see the Demon Palace treasury.

Su Lun appeared from nowhere, smiling as he said, “I’ll take the immortal lady.”

Volunteering proactively, Liu Shuang glanced at him. Su Lun smiled and said, “This way, Immortal Lady.”

“Aren’t you building palaces anymore?” she asked.

Su Lun’s expression froze. He sighed and said glumly, “I was beaten by the little demons there. The Mountain Lord, fearing I might be beaten to death, reassigned me to move things instead.”

Liu Shuang couldn’t help laughing softly.

Lord Su Lun’s situation was truly miserable.

“Please, Immortal Lady Liu Shuang, let me show you the Demon Palace’s current treasury. Many items inside were confiscated from me.”

This was Liu Shuang’s first visit here. The previous Mountain Lord’s accumulated treasures had mostly been tainted with cruelty and bloodshed. The treasures now stored in the treasury were all gifts from those who had pledged allegiance since Yan Chaosheng became Mountain Lord.

All of Yan Chaosheng’s wealth was now packed in purple boxes, ready to be placed in a dimensional pouch.

According to custom, these were all betrothal gifts for her. Little demons busily moved about, cataloging everything.

“So many?” Liu Shuang was somewhat surprised.

Given the Demon Palace’s current situation, it was surprising to see a room so fully stacked. Su Lun smiled silently, magically opening one box, and asked, “Would the Immortal Lady like to see? They’re beautiful. Does the Immortal Lady still appreciate them?”

Liu Shuang turned to see a box full of mermaid pearls.

The mermaid pearls radiated light, and when exposed to sunlight, they emitted an enchanting fragrance.

“Does the Immortal Lady know what mermaid pearls are?” Su Lun asked.

“I remember, mermaid pearls are mermaid tears.”

“Correct, mermaid tears.” Su Lun curved his lips, speaking earnestly, “Though the Immortal Lady knows what they are, you may not know their origin. Demons rarely cry. Collecting one mermaid pearl requires an extremely painful experience. This box of mermaid pearls represents countless tragic pasts of merpeople. Perhaps some were collected by killing their parents or children before their eyes.”

Liu Shuang looked at Su Lun: “Why are you telling me this?”

“Originally, the Mountain Lord forbade these things from appearing in the Eight Wildernesses again,” Su Lun smiled. “Some are demon cores, some even their eyes or skin. Treasures made from these things are a great humiliation for every demon. Especially for the Mountain Lord.”

Liu Shuang listened quietly: “You mean to say, for me.”

“Indeed, for you.” Su Lun tapped his folding fan against his palm, sighing, “You know how poor the Demon Palace is now. He doesn’t have many treasures to give you. These are the best things demons possess. You are Kung Sang’s noble immortal lady, and this is all we have. With his passionate heart, he wants to please his beloved by giving everything. If he had nothing else precious, our Mountain Lord might even dig out his eyes as a betrothal gift.”

The last sentence carried a mocking tone.

Liu Shuang remained silent. Su Lun’s words weren’t entirely wrong. Yan Chaosheng had indeed given her something more precious than his eyes—around her neck hung a pearl made from Yan Chaosheng’s heart scale.

Seeing her silence, Su Lun tapped his lips with his fan, his eyes smiling: “Oh, look at my mouth, why am I telling the Immortal Lady these things? Please check if anything is missing. I’ll have everything prepared and sent to the Kung Sang Immortal Realm. Immortal Lady, though I’ve done many bad things since coming to the Demon Palace, I’m probably not as bad as you…”

Just as he finished speaking, a long halberd flew through the air, piercing Su Lun’s robe and dragging him back several feet before pinning him to a pillar.

Su Lun’s mouth twitched, his face showing rare terror as it darkened.

Looking down, he saw the halberd had missed his precious part by a hair’s breadth, nearly cutting off his lineage. Even demons feared this! Su Lun gritted his teeth: “Mountain Lord, I haven’t done anything to your beloved yet. Must you be so ruthless?”

Yan Chaosheng entered wearing a dark blue cape, giving him a cold glance without responding. He went straight to hold Liu Shuang’s hand.

He found her hand somewhat cold, almost matching his temperature. When they had walked quite far, Yan Chaosheng frowned and said, “Whatever Su Lun told you, don’t believe it. Tomorrow I’ll send him back to build palaces.”

Liu Shuang made a firm decision in her heart, shaking her head and embracing his waist.

Yan Chaosheng stiffened, awkwardly lowering his voice: “What’s wrong? Did Su Lun bully you?”

“Yan Chaosheng,” she said softly, “I just want to tell you that these things aren’t urgent. I won’t return to the Kung Sang Immortal Realm yet. I need to visit Kun Lun first.”

He looked down at her small face: “I’ll go with you.”

This time, Liu Shuang refused: “I know the Demon Palace has many matters to attend to, and you can’t be in two places at once. When Kun Lun faced troubles before, I couldn’t go there in time. Now, I must visit to put my mind at ease. Shao You is my old friend after all. With Kun Lun in difficulty, I can’t stand by and do nothing. I’ll help if I can.”

He frowned, his hands around her waist tightening. Ji Mo Shao You remained a thorn in his heart. The only thing that momentarily reassured him was that during his demonic mating season, she had chosen him.

Liu Shuang understood his unease and said, “You don’t need to come. When spring arrives, you can come to the Kung Sang Immortal Realm to receive me. According to custom, that’s how it should be.”

The young demon lord’s expression finally relaxed. His eyes showed a faint smile as he said softly, “Alright.”

This little sweetness enabled him to agree to anything she asked.

Seeing this, her heart inexplicably ached a little. She truly wasn’t suited for this.

“Don’t worry, I’ll convince my father to reduce his hostility toward you by then.”

He smiled: “It doesn’t matter.”

The young woman’s eyes reflected his image as she held his face, solemnly saying: “Yan Chaosheng, take good care of yourself while I’m away from the Demon Palace.” And don’t somehow become a ghost cultivator, which might truly cause turmoil across the Eight Wildernesses, difficult to avoid.

Her soft tone made her appear extremely adorable in Yan Chaosheng’s eyes.

He didn’t ask further about what Su Lun had told her, only feeling his heart melting completely. Busy demons came and went around them.

Having dealt with accumulated matters today, he hadn’t had time to properly accompany her.

The recently satisfied demon had his mind and heart filled with her. He wrapped his cape around them, lowering his head to cover both her delicate figure and himself.

Liu Shuang was startled, pushing against his waist with her hands, but couldn’t move him.

Behind them, Su Lun remained pinned to the pillar by Zang Tian. He sighed, using his finger as a blade to cut through his clothes, carefully avoiding Zang Tian as he freed himself. He tried to pull out Zang Tian, but impressive as the Mountain Lord was, it wouldn’t budge.

Su Lun gave up and walked away. Not long after, he witnessed this scene.

This tender, affectionate Mountain Lord seemed almost a different person from the one who had ruthlessly thrown Zang Tian to kill moments ago.

Su Lun laughed ambiguously, shaking his head as he walked away with his folding fan.

Once again, Yan Chaosheng gave little Qing Luan to Liu Shuang.

He wanted it to accompany Liu Shuang. Though somewhat foolish, its size wasn’t for nothing. Raised on heavenly and earthly treasures, it possessed considerable strength and barely qualified as a great demon.

Liu Shuang mounted Qing Luan, waving to Yan Chaosheng.

“See you when spring comes to the mortal realm,” she said.

Yan Chaosheng suddenly felt inexplicable anxiety. Watching her and little Qing Luan’s departing figures, it seemed as if they would vanish from his world. Without a word, he flew through the air onto Qing Luan’s back, stopping her.

Qing Luan, connected to his intentions, immediately halted.

Liu Shuang tilted her head to look at him, puzzled: “What’s wrong?”

He paused, removing his cape and giving it to her: “Keep the heart scale with you. If anything happens, send Qing Luan back to find me.”

She looked up at him, softly replying: “Alright.”

He touched her cheek. Behind him, people were urging him back—urgent matters awaited at the Demon Palace.

He looked down at her, his gaze suddenly intense: “Promise me you’ll return.”

She originally had many things to say, but facing his eyes, she suddenly couldn’t speak.

What should she say? That she cared for him and would return? These constructed words—if not sincere, Yan Chaosheng wouldn’t believe them; if too sincere, she would inevitably feel sad.

Seeing her silence, Yan Chaosheng gripped her arm, reluctant to use force yet unable to resist tightening his hold: “Don’t deceive me, Liu Shuang. I’ll wait for you right here. When spring comes, I’ll go to Kung Sang to receive you. Whatever difficulties arise, then, I’m not afraid. I don’t fear the Realm Lord’s dislike, nor paying for Bai Zhuixu’s death. Even being sliced into a thousand pieces wouldn’t matter, as long as you’re willing to return with me.”

The emotions in his eyes were too intense to ignore. She stared in amazement, her eyes involuntarily softening: “Alright.”

“I know most immortal ladies look down on demons like me,” his tone lowered, half threatening, half cold. “If you don’t return, I’ll come find you! I’ll take you back even by force. Since you’ve promised me, don’t leave me in this lifetime. Otherwise, I’ll hate Kung Sang, and I’ll hate you too.”

Though his words sounded threatening, she saw through to his insecurity.

Liu Shuang knew he had left one sentence unsaid—if she didn’t return, he would be devastated.

She nodded, originally intending to push Yan Chaosheng away. Somehow, she remembered that box of mermaid pearls, an entire room of treasures. Things that the young demon lord, as a leader, found shameful, yet chose to carefully use to please her, an immortal.

Because she was an immortal, and in his eyes, immortals liked these treasures. Despite these being the flesh, blood, and skin of his demon kind, he still chose to give them to Kung Sang. Liu Shuang couldn’t tell whether it was the soul of Bai Zhuixu nurtured within the Emblem Heart that burned, or her own heart.

Liu Shuang’s hand, about to push him away, hesitated, then chose to reach out and embrace him: “Alright, I’ll remember everything.”

She would remember everything—his goodness, his wickedness.

Yan Chaosheng’s fingers trembled slightly as he tightened his arms. Several times, he wanted to change his mind and leave with her, but behind him was the unstable Demon Palace and countless lives following him.

He could only embrace her fiercely, almost crushing her into his chest.

But ultimately, they had to part. Yan Chaosheng watched as she and little Qing Luan disappeared on the horizon.

Stop thinking about it, Yan Chaosheng lowered his brows. The years between demons and immortals often passed in the blink of an eye. The mortal realm had entered winter, and spring was just over two months away.

By spring, he would be prepared to deal with Feng Fuming, then he could bring her back to be together forever.