Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Lonely Moon and the Clear Flute

Zisang cast a healing spell on her wound and returned to Wuchen's house. Glancing at the injury on her arm, she couldn't help but sigh deeply.

Recalling the earlier events, she had swiftly dodged when the Demon Lord attacked, but she hadn't expected his power to remain so formidable after a thousand years of being sealed in the Sea of Separation. Even though she moved as fast as she could, she still got injured. The thought weighed heavily on her, making it hard to breathe. If he was so powerful, how much harder would it be to seek revenge?

This time, Zisang truly had no strength left. As soon as she reached the door, she leaned against it and sat down, taking a long time to recover. Weakly, she knocked twice and called out, "Wuchen, open the door. I need to talk to you."

The person inside seemed to sense her distress. Before she could react, the door opened, and she almost fell face-first. After much effort, she finally managed to get him to come out. However, the weather had turned cold in recent days, and Zisang feared the cold the most. Soon, she was shivering uncontrollably. Fortunately, Wuchen, noticing her discomfort, lit a fire and draped his robe over her, warming her up a bit.

"Don't you have anything to say to me?" She had been outside with him for a while, and he hadn't said a word. Did she have to be the one to start the conversation before he would speak?

He looked into her eyes, as if trying to read the secrets in her heart. "What do you want to ask?"

The first time she met him, even his words felt chilling. But now, instead of feeling that coldness, she felt warmth. Had he changed, or had she?

"If I ask, will you answer me?"

She asked again, somewhat uncertain.

"Yes... I'll answer anything you want to know."

"Were you lying to me from the beginning?"

"Yes."

"Because of the Demon Lord?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because he can give me what I want."

"And what is that?"

"Revenge."

...

Was it all for revenge? Had everything he done been for revenge?

"One last question. Was your kindness to me also a lie? Did you do it just to make me trust you?"

His eyes darkened, but he didn't speak. He stared at her face, his hand moving involuntarily towards her. Just as he was about to touch her, a sudden pain shot through his body.

Earlier, in the Sea of Separation, he had shielded Zisang with his own body. He had barely managed to hold on until now, but he couldn't endure it any longer. His body felt like it was being pierced by thousands of arrows, the pain making him roll on the ground, his scales flashing intermittently with white light.

Was his identity about to be exposed? No! Absolutely not! I haven't avenged my mother yet. I need to kill him to avenge her. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, but the pain left him no time to dwell on them. With his injured body, he quickly left, wanting to get away as fast as possible. He couldn't let her see him in this horrifying state.

"Where are you going?"

She followed him, her crying palpable even though he had his back to her. She was crying, heartbroken. Since he had known her, he had never seen her cry. She always pretended to be strong, but in truth, she was more fragile than anyone.

"Even now, you still won't tell me everything?" She wiped her tears and continued.

He took a painful breath, managing only to utter three words in a broken voice, "I'm sorry..."

He was in too much pain to speak, but he couldn't collapse. He had to leave.

"I don't want to hear 'sorry'. You've said it enough. I just want to know why."

"I have to go."

Sweat trickled down his forehead, leaving two streaks on his pale face. Was it tears or sweat? It was hard to tell.

"You're so badly hurt, where can you go?"

"The world is vast. I'll find a place to stay," he replied, a bitter smile on his lips.

"Will you come back?"

"..."

He didn't answer, plunging into the darkness, taking two difficult steps forward.

"Don't ignore me. At least give me a reason to keep waiting," she pleaded, begging him to stay, begging him not to go, but she realized it was a hopeless wish.

He looked back at her from a distance. "…I won't be coming back."

He continued into the darkness until he became one with it, disappearing from her sight... until he was gone.

Life is like a play. No matter how wonderful the process is, it eventually ends, and farewells are inevitable. Every encounter is a kind of fate, but even fate has its end. If you see it as a dream, it's easier to bear. But if you get too caught up, the pain will be your own.

When someone is deeply sad, everything seems melancholic. The full moon, for example, symbolizes family reunion and happiness to others. But to Zisang, it felt like her: seemingly noble and splendid, but the loneliness within was something only she understood.

The sound of a flute suddenly filled the air, surrounding her. Thinking of the lonely moon accompanied only by the flute's melody, she couldn't help but feel a sense of poignant beauty and sadness.

Tears welled up and fell down her cheeks. Who was playing the flute in the middle of the night? Who had nothing better to do but disturb her peace?

Filled with anger, she followed the sound and found Nan Xianyi playing nonchalantly.

"Nan Xianyi, are you crazy? Playing the flute in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?" she yelled.

Nan Xianyi glanced at her and thought, it doesn't seem like I'm the crazy one here. However, it was the first time he saw the proud princess of the demon realm so undignified. She looked a lot like the egg-seller's wife who had chased him and his master before. Are all women this violent?

"Hah, so you can have your romantic moments under the moon, but I can't enjoy a solo performance?" Nan Xianyi said leisurely, playing with his flute, his face saying, "It's none of your business."

Zisang was taken aback, then asked, "Were you following us?"

How else would he know about their affairs?

"Lady, get your facts straight. I happened to be passing by," he said, sounding aggrieved. "Who knew I'd see something I shouldn't have?"

What did he mean by "something he shouldn't have"? It sounded like she and Wuchen were doing something unspeakable. What was wrong with him today, speaking so strangely? Wuchen had changed suddenly, and now Nan Xianyi too. Were all men this fickle?