After the incident, Chu Xiyue lay quietly on the bed at Qinghuan Inn. Her face was pale, lips colorless, and brows occasionally furrowed in sleep as if haunted by nightmares. Ye Mingzhi sat beside her the entire time, his gaze never leaving her fragile form.
His heart was heavy.
The moment her bloodline awakened, he had sensed it—an ancient, royal demonic force, unrestrained and wild. Familiar… too familiar. The last time such power surfaced, it had led to disaster. A past he had sworn never to repeat.
He gently reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. Her skin was cold to the touch. A part of him feared that if he blinked, she would vanish again—like before.
I must get stronger, he thought. Strong enough to protect her this time… even if it means facing those old monsters again.
He glanced at the small talisman he had placed beside her pillow. It pulsed with soft golden light, a protective seal drawn to calm the unstable magic inside her.
Suddenly, her fingers twitched.
Then, her eyes slowly fluttered open.
"Where… am I?" she murmured, her voice weak. "My head… it hurts."
Ye Mingzhi immediately leaned in, his palm gently rubbing her temple. "You're safe now, little sweetheart. Does it still hurt?"
She turned to look at him—those familiar eyes now laced with uncertainty. Her cheeks flushed faintly as she whispered, "Master… no, I mean… darling? I think I still need more treatment…"
Ye Mingzhi raised an eyebrow. "What kind of treatment? Like this?"
He leaned a little closer, lips teasingly near hers.
Her ears turned pink. "Darling, not now! I'm weak, don't bully me…"
He chuckled softly. "Alright, alright. But… I do have one small request."
"What is it?" she asked, eyes wide.
He looked into her eyes, his voice low. "I want a kiss."
"You're such a brat," she muttered, but leaned in anyway, pressing her cold lips to his cheek. "Now are you satisfied, you mischievous demon?"
Ye Mingzhi smiled, the weight in his chest easing. He hugged her gently, as if reassuring himself she was truly there. "You should rest more. I'll check on you in the morning."
He kissed her forehead softly and left the room.
Chu Xiyue lay there for a long moment, staring at the ceiling. Though her body ached, her heart beat uncontrollably fast. Her memories were jumbled—flashes of temples burning, of betrayal, of someone's hands letting go. But now, Ye Mingzhi was here. Holding her. Not letting go.
The next morning, Ye Mingzhi brought her warm porridge and soy milk. She sat up with effort and smiled as she tasted it.
"It's good," she said. "You've improved."
He leaned on the table, chin resting on his hand. "You look like a kitten guarding a bowl of fish."
"Darling!" she protested, flustered. "You're teasing me again!"
Before he could respond, she dipped her finger in soy sauce and dabbed his cheek. "There! Now we match."
Ye Mingzhi blinked in surprise before grinning. "You dare declare war?"
She squealed and ran from the room, with him chasing after her down the hallway. Their laughter echoed through the inn, like the early sunlight spilling in—soft and golden.
Later, they walked to the quiet grove near the back garden, where spirit energy was rich and undisturbed.
"I've been thinking," Chu Xiyue said, "my power still feels... unstable. What if I lose control again?"
"You won't," Ye Mingzhi replied firmly. "Because I'll be here to guide you. Let's begin training now, so you can grow used to your awakened strength."
"But be gentle," she pouted.
He smiled. "Of course. Let's start by focusing your energy. Close your eyes. Feel it gather in your dantian. Breathe with it."
She followed his instructions carefully, but the moment she tapped into her bloodline again, a burst of dark energy surged outward, scattering nearby leaves.
Ye Mingzhi moved instantly, placing a calming seal on her back. "It's alright. Try again."
"I—I don't know if I can," she said, trembling.
"You can. You're not alone."
It took five attempts. Each time, Ye Mingzhi encouraged her with steady words and gentle guidance. Finally, a small orb of violet energy pulsed steadily in her palm.
"You did it," he said.
She looked up at him, breathless. "Darling… what exactly is this power?"
"It's the demon blood," he replied. "And not just any. Yours is stronger than most—likely of royal descent."
"I'm… royalty?"
"Maybe," he said softly. "Only you can discover the truth. But no matter what your blood says, to me… you're just Chu Xiyue. My little sweetheart."
She smiled, heart swelling.
They moved into a sparring stance. "Let's see how well I can fight now."
Their exchange of techniques lit up the grove. Fast, fluid, fierce—yet beneath each blow was tenderness, each movement attuned to the other. When Ye Mingzhi vanished, she blinked—
Only to feel his arms slip around her from behind.
"I'm here," he whispered against her ear. "Looks like you still need more training…"
"Darling," she whined, blushing furiously. "You can't just sneak up on me like that! Do you tease every girl like this?"
"Only you."
He spun her gently to face him. "Because you're the only one I want to tease… and protect."
Her hands rose to pinch his cheek lightly. "You're lucky I like you."
"I'm counting on it."
They eventually collapsed onto the grass, side by side, watching the clouds drift by.
"Do you think we'll always be like this?" she asked quietly.
Ye Mingzhi turned his head toward her, eyes serious. "As long as I'm breathing, I'll never leave your side again."
She reached over, lacing her fingers with his. "Good. Then I'll never stop holding on."
As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting the courtyard in warm hues of gold and violet, the two of them strolled back to Qinghuan Inn side by side. The laughter from earlier still lingered in the air like a fading echo, and for a fleeting moment, everything felt simple, safe—and almost like home.