Chapter Twenty-Seven: Provocation

Black mist swirled beneath the sea, resembling a coiling dragon. A bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, striking the mist heavily, followed by an enraged roar.

"What are you hesitating for? Throw her down!"

He could wait no longer. A thousand years, it had been a thousand years, and finally, he could escape from here. Celestial Emperor, it's time to settle our score. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been trapped here for a millennium.

Wuchen took one last look at the person in his arms.

"I'm sorry!!!"

The blue figure gently descended, like a falling leaf, drifting slowly into the sea. As soon as she touched the water, the black mist converged, enveloping her, consuming her...

The cold sea water touching her skin brought Zisang back to consciousness. It felt like thousands of maggots were gnawing at her body, causing excruciating pain. Opening her eyes, she found herself surrounded by the black mist, which seemed to be absorbing her essence, devouring her bit by bit. Her consciousness began to fade, making her want to just fall asleep...

When she opened her eyes again, she saw, through the gaps, something flying towards her that looked like both a snake and a dragon, using its body to block the black mist from her. She couldn't see what was happening outside clearly. Then, a burst of firelight shone through the gaps, blinding her.

The third time she opened her eyes, she saw a cold, stern face, with eyebrows like ink furrowed tightly, and sharp eyes mixed with a trace of tenderness.

Zisang raised her hand to her brow, feeling an intense headache, as if it were about to explode. Seeing her move, Wuchen instinctively reached out to help her up, but she coldly pushed him away.

"Didn't you want to kill me just now? What do you want now?"

She didn't even bother to open her eyes while speaking. Did she hate him so much that she couldn't even look at him?

"Why aren't you speaking?"

Not hearing Wuchen's response, Zisang pressed further.

Why didn't he speak? She just wanted an answer. Had he been deceiving her from the start? But why? For five years, he had silently accompanied her, like family. Why did things suddenly change? Was everything a lie?

As the wind calmed, silence fell around them.

"I'm sorry!"

The words were clear, his voice small yet echoing.

A drop of water fell into her palm—it was warm! Was it raining? Or was it his... tear?

Her half-closed eyes slowly opened, but all she saw was the white moon in the sky, with no one beneath its light. Had he left? Was it so hard to give a reason?

...

Zisang knocked on the door for a long time without any response.

"Wuchen, open the door," she called, knowing he was inside. "If you don't open it, I'll kick it down."

"Wuchen, I know you're in there. Open the door, let's talk."

When threats didn't work, she tried persuasion, but it seemed useless. The door remained firmly shut.

He was determined to avoid her. Seeing this, Zisang had no choice but to give up.

Xuanyuan Sea

In the darkest part of the sea, a blue light suddenly appeared, revealing a small blue figure. Zisang looked into the distance, a sarcastic smile on her lips.

"Even after a thousand years, you haven't changed."

"Hmph, the human saying is true: 'A dog can't change its habit of eating shit.'"

As soon as she finished speaking, the previously calm sea became turbulent again, and a booming voice echoed.

"I spared your life earlier, and now you've come to court death."

His voice was furious, understandably so, as he hadn't calmed down from the earlier incident. Now Zisang had come to provoke him again. It was unlikely he would speak kindly to her.

"Don't misunderstand, I'm here to reason with you."

"Hmph, there's nothing to discuss."

"Don't be hasty, I haven't even spoken yet!" Zisang said leisurely.

Usually, there would be nothing to discuss. For over a thousand years, the demon and celestial realms had kept to themselves. If not for their overstepping, who would bother with them?

"Reason? Are you here to avenge that traitor?"

Zisang knew who he meant. Her mother had defied her father to protect their clan, ultimately dying at the hands of the Demon Lord. Her mother's last words were to avoid seeking revenge.

Her father agreed reluctantly and established a rule to avoid contact with the demon realm. Since then, any matters related to the demon realm were ignored.

Though her mother intended to protect them, fearing they would fall into danger, Zisang couldn't let go of her hatred. She despised the Demon Lord and wished to see him suffer a thousand cuts.

"You exterminated the Mei tribe and killed my mother. Then you were sealed in the Sea of Separation by the celestial realm."

"Indeed, what goes around comes around. You've received your comeuppance."

"But if not for the celestial realm, you wouldn't be alive now. I should have killed you myself long ago, so you wouldn't be causing trouble now."

Outrageous... The Demon Lord cursed inwardly.

"You insolent girl! Who allows you to be so presumptuous here?"

His inherent pride had not been diminished by a thousand years of confinement. His imperial aura remained unbowed. Perhaps that was his true imperial might. But Zisang wasn't easily cowed. She had endured many hardships, and none had dulled her sharpness.

She knew that whatever she wanted to do, she would do it. Being hesitant and indecisive was worse than doing nothing. Her lips curled into a slight smile, her eyes showing a sharp glint. "I will avenge my mother eventually."

"But today, I'm here for something else. We'll settle our other matters later."

She crossed her arms, fearless, with no trace of fear in her eyes. The Demon Lord couldn't help but admire her courage.

"Then tell me, what brings you to me?"

His tone became somewhat deeper, less angry.

"It's simple. I came to say... if you ever harm Wuchen again, I'll make sure you regret it," she said with a wicked smile.

The Demon Lord exploded in fury, "How dare you speak to me like that! Do you want to die?"

A bolt of fire shot towards Zisang.

For thousands of years, he had been revered and respected. Never had anyone dared to threaten him to his face. He regretted not killing her earlier, allowing her to roam free and cause trouble.