He arrived.
The man who once stood beside me in silk robes and false promises—the man who killed me on our wedding night—was now walking toward me again with that same smile.
But this time, I wasn't the same naive girl.
The moment I laid eyes on him, the world around me seemed to slow. Memories surged like a tide.
Blood. Betrayal. Fire devouring the Lin Clan. My heart pierced by the hands I once held dear.
And now… here he was, alive again, standing tall and proud.
Wu Tangge.
I could sense it—something about him had changed. The way he carried himself wasn't quite right. His gaze was sharp, but different… like someone else was looking out of those same eyes.
I didn't know how or why I had returned to this moment in time. The heavens themselves must have given me another chance.
And I swore on everything I had lost—I would not waste it.
"You're late," I said, cold and distant.
He bowed slightly. "Greetings, Lady Yun Ling'er."
Hmph. He still had the gall to speak politely.
But I had seen the truth behind his mask in my past life. I wouldn't fall for it again.
The elders, blissfully unaware of the past life we shared, chuckled and tried to smooth the awkwardness. But I barely heard them. My attention was on him—on the monster behind the mask.
As he approached, I stepped forward and whispered just loud enough for him to hear:
"You look the same… but you feel weaker."
His eyes twitched.
Good. He wasn't expecting that.
I leaned in slightly, letting my voice turn to venom. "Even an Evil God can wear a sheep's skin."
He froze. No denial. Just a carefully composed expression.
So he knows I know.
That alone made this dangerous. But I didn't care. I welcomed danger. I was forged in it.
I turned and began walking toward the Hall of Unity, where our engagement ceremony would take place. "Come. Let's get this farce over with."
I could feel his eyes on my back as he followed.
Let the world think we are to be wed.
Let the heavens bless this cursed union.
Because this time, on our wedding night…
I would be the one holding the blade.
Wu Tangge's Perspective
The Hall of Unity was vast—its walls carved from divine jade, its ceiling enchanted with stars that shifted slowly as if capturing the eternal heavens. Rows of ancient cultivators' portraits lined the hall, each watching us with unreadable expressions.
Guards, elders, and noble guests stood in attendance. The air was thick with incense and expectation.
At the center, two thrones stood side by side—one for me, and one for Yun Ling'er.
I walked beside her, every step echoing against the marble. I could feel her aura like a blade at my side. Silent. Pressing. Threatening.
And yet, I couldn't stop looking at her.
Yun Ling'er… in this life, you shine even more fiercely.
The elder officiant raised his hand.
"Today, under the witness of the heavens and the Immortal Realm, we mark the engagement of Wu Tangge of the Wu Clan and Yun Ling'er of the Lin Clan!"
Applause followed.
Servants brought forth two golden scrolls sealed with divine spirit ink. These were the Engagement Seals—spiritual contracts that bound the clans and the individuals.
"Present your blood marks," the elder said.
Yun Ling'er took the knife first. Without a word, she sliced her finger and let a drop fall onto the scroll. It glowed crimson for a moment, then stabilized.
I followed suit. My drop fell.
Ding!
System Notification: Mission "Survive Your First Meeting with Your Fiancée" Completed.
Reward Unlocked: Evil God Power (5%) is now under Host's Control.
Ding!
Total Control Over Evil God's Power (15%)
Evil God Power Cultivation Level (Immortal - 2nd Layer)
I felt a rush of energy—wild and chaotic, yet it bent to my will. It pulsed through my veins like dark lightning.
But the system wasn't done.
New Mission Unlocked:
"Change Fate: Prevent Yun Ling'er's Vengeance"
Reward: Authority Over Evil God's Eyes
Failure: Instant Death
Prevent her vengeance?! That means… she's planning to kill me for sure.
I turned slightly to glance at her. Her expression was calm, perfect. But her eyes… they told another story.
Cold. Calculating. And full of fire.
Yun Ling'er's Perspective
The moment our blood sealed the scroll, I felt a chain tighten around my soul. My fate bound to his once more.
But this time, I wasn't walking toward death.
This time, I was setting the trap.
I had spent months quietly growing my strength, hiding my awakening. When the heavens gave me a second chance, they also gave me something more—the Forbidden Sutra of Time's Reversal. It had cost me a portion of my soul to use it.
But I had no regrets.
The engagement ceremony continued with formalities, music, and polite exchanges between clans. I barely heard them.
My focus was on him.
Wu Tangge.
His smile was the same. His manner calm. But his aura… different.
He's not the same as before. He's cleverer this time. Controlled. As if something's watching from behind those eyes.
Good.
That made it more exciting.
Because now I didn't just want justice.
I wanted revenge that he'd feel even with that false soul wearing his skin.
---
As the ceremony neared its end, I stepped closer to him and whispered beneath the noise of celebration:
"Just remember, Wu Tangge—no matter how many times the world resets… I will kill you again."
He looked at me, startled—mask cracking for a moment.
I smiled.
Let the game begin.