197. Taigong City

Zhen Li Si gazed down at the city below, its streets littered with fallen leaves, the bare trees swaying gently in the autumn breeze.

From atop Bai, the spirit crane raised by the Goddess, she could see her home in the distance.

Yet the Goddess had not brought her directly to the temple.

Instead, they had teleported to a nearby lake, where Bai had been waiting.

Now, the white-plumed crane soared above the White Rose Garden, carrying her toward an island in the center of the lake—a place where the temple of the Goddess stood in quiet isolation.

Upon arrival, Bai gently descended near the back entrance, allowing Zhen Li Si to step off before flying toward the water's edge, eager to play.

She cast a glance at the rippling lake, then turned toward the temple, slipping inside through the back door.

As she walked through the halls, she nodded briefly to the servants and priests she passed, their murmurs filling the sacred space.

Her footsteps echoed down a long corridor until she reached a staircase.

Descending its worn stone steps, she arrived at a vast underground chamber—where, in its center, stood a golden portal shimmering with divine light.

This was the gateway to the Goddess's main temple in the Divine Realm.

And she needed to go through.

Her mind was still in turmoil from the last encounter at the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon's palace.

She had witnessed something impossible—her brother-in-law, Li Wen, speaking with the Goddess as if they were equals.

She needed answers.

Zhen Li Si stepped forward, reaching for the portal—

But the moment she tried to cross, a sudden force blocked her path.

A barrier.

"What…?" She pressed her palm against it, feeling the solid resistance beneath her touch.

This shouldn't be happening.

She had always been able to enter before.

Her heart pounded.

Why was she being denied now?

She pressed harder against the barrier, willing it to break—

Then, a voice echoed from behind her.

"The Goddess does not wish to speak with you now."

Zhen Li Si turned sharply, her gaze locking onto Ayin, the High Priestess, who stood poised at the staircase, her robes flowing like liquid gold in the dim light.

"Why?" Li Si demanded.

Ayin's expression remained unreadable. "The Goddess already knows what you seek to ask. But her conversation with Demon Lord Li Wen is a secret."

Li Si's fists clenched. "Does that mean the Goddess has been lying to me?" Her voice rose with the storm inside her. "Has she deceived me all this time—telling me that divine beings and demons are eternal enemies, that they fight because of us humans?"

Ayin's face remained calm, but her next words carried a sharp edge.

"Only demons bring unnecessary chaos to the human realm."

Li Si's eyes narrowed.

"Unnecessary chaos?"

She seized onto those words like a blade.

"Then tell me, High Priestess—who decides what chaos is necessary and what is unnecessary?"

For the first time, Ayin's serene mask cracked.

"Li Si, be careful how you speak to me."

Power rippled from her, an invisible force pressing down on the chamber, making Li Si stumble a step back.

The air grew thick with unspoken warnings.

Then Ayin's voice turned cold. "You may be the Goddess's beloved disciple now, but never forget—across her long existence, there have been many like you."

A challenge. A reminder of her place.

But Zhen Li Si refused to bow.

Without another word, she turned on her heel and strode past the High Priestess, ignoring the burning stare on her back.

She ascended the stairs, walking through the temple halls, passing worshippers lost in their prayers.

She did not stop.

She did not look back.

All she wanted now—

Was to leave.

Unlike the worshippers who waited in silent devotion, hoping for a single glance of divine favor, Zhen Li Si did not wait.

She stepped onto a small boat, where a young priest held the oars, his shaved head gleaming in the soft light.

"Sister Li Si," the boy chirped as he began rowing, "why is your mood so bad? I heard you and Demon Hunter Commander Wan Cai chased away the Demon Lord!"

Li Si's expression darkened.

A lie.

The truth had twisted somewhere between the temple and the city, turning helpless retreat into glorious victory.

She, Wan Cai, and the others had been powerless against Li Wen. Yet, in the mouths of others, they had become heroes.

The thought unsettled her.

But what good would the truth do for a child?

So she simply said, "It was nothing."

The little priest continued chattering, blissfully unaware, while she remained silent, offering only the occasional nod.

When the boat finally reached the shore, she stepped out swiftly, her boots hitting solid ground with a quiet thud.

She thanked the priest politely, offered a brief farewell, and turned away—

Walking into the city.

She felt the weight of eyes on her as she moved through the streets.

Praise whispered past her ears like a summer breeze.

"Look, it's Lady Zhen Li Si—the hero who drove away the Demon Lord!"

"How noble! Even though her sister married a demon, she still fights for humanity!"

Yet, entwined with admiration was scorn, sharp as broken glass.

"Tch. The great Zhen family, tainted by demons."

"Her little sister betrayed humanity for a monster. Shameful."

Li Si ignored them.

She had heard it all before.

But when she reached the gate of her home, someone was waiting for her.

Wan Cai.

Dressed in battle robes, his arms wrapped in fresh bandages, he stood before her house—

His expression is unreadable.

Wan Cai noticed her immediately.

Li Si sighed. "What are you doing here? Your wounds haven't healed yet."

Wan Cai's expression was troubled. "I'm worried about Yuan'er."

She helplessly looked at him.

Wan Cai had always loved Yuan'er—but Yuan'er had already given her heart to Li Wen.

Li Si's voice softened. "Wan Cai, I don't think Yuan'er will want to see you."

Before he could respond, the door creaked open, revealing a servant.

Li Si stepped inside, Wan Cai following close behind.

"How is Yuan'er?" she asked.

The servant shut the door behind them and hesitated for a moment before answering. "Lady Yuan has locked herself in her room since yesterday. Ever since the news spread that you and Commander Wan Cai wounded the Demon Lord, forcing him to flee into the Ancient Mountains."

Admiration flickered in the servant's eyes.

Li Si and Wan Cai exchanged looks, both uneasy.

The lies were spreading like wildfire.

"Where is Father?" Li Si asked.

"Lord Zhen is trying to get Lady Yuan to open the door. She hasn't eaten since yesterday."

At this, Wan Cai moved without hesitation, striding down the hall.

Li Si shook her head and followed.

Before they even reached Yuan'er's door, they heard their mother's worried voice and their father's firm, frustrated tone as he pounded on the door.

"Yuan'er, stop this nonsense! Open the door!"

Li Si's father turned, noticing her and Wan Cai approaching.

"Li Si, you're back."

Her mother's face lit up with relief. "Li Si, please, talk to your sister. She hasn't eaten anything since yesterday!"

Li Si nodded.

She stepped forward and knocked gently on the door.

"Yuan'er, open the door. I have something important to tell you."

She needed to tell her sister the truth. Yuan'er deserved to know what had truly happened.

Their father sighed and turned to Wan Cai. "Cai, you were injured while chasing away the demon. You should be resting, not worrying about Yuan'er."

At those words, Li Si's hands clenched into fists.

Even her parents believed the fabricated story.

They deserved the truth as well.

Because one day—if Li Wen came to take Yuan'er away—

She did not want their parents to stand in his way out of blind hatred.

Just as she was about to speak—

The door suddenly creaked open.

Yuan'er stood in the doorway, her face pale and tear-streaked—

Her eyes filled with silent turmoil.

"Is Li Wen okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Her father's expression darkened. "Even now, you're worried about that demon?"

Li Si stepped forward before an argument could begin. "Father, let's talk inside."

She gently took Yuan'er's hand and led her back into the room.

Sitting beside her on the bed, Li Si motioned for Yuan'er's maid to come forward. She took the tray from her hands before turning back to her sister.

Yuan'er repeated, "How is Li Wen?"

Li Si glanced at the servants. "Miao, leave the room. The rest of you as well. Close the door behind you."

Once they were alone, she turned back to her sister. "Eat something first, and then I'll tell you."

Yuan'er hesitated—but at Li Si's urging, she took a small bite.

Only then did Li Si speak. "Li Wen is fine."

Their father scoffed. "You're still worried about that demon? Look at Wan Cai—his arm is injured because of him!"

Yuan'er glanced briefly at Wan Cai. Her face remained expressionless.

"That wouldn't have happened if he hadn't chased after Li Wen."

Her father's temper flared. "He's a demon hunter! If he doesn't chase demons, what should he chase?"

Her mother interjected, "Yuan'er, you don't understand. Demons eat humans! You should be thanking Wan Cai for stopping that demon from taking you away!"

"Li Wen is not like that," Yuan'er said firmly.

Her father slammed his fist on the table. "He is a demon. What else would he be?"

Her mother turned to Wan Cai. "Cai, can you speak to your father about pressuring the Marriage Temple to cancel Yuan'er's marriage license? Your Uncle Zhen already tried, but they refused. They said both parties must agree."

Wan Cai nodded. "I'll try."

Yuan'er shot up from her seat, her eyes blazing. "I will never agree to this!"

Her father stood as well, his fury mounting. "Then I should disown you!"

Yuan'er turned on Wan Cai, her voice shaking with rage. "I should never have considered you a friend. An enemy is better than a friend like you!"

Her mother gasped. "Yuan'er, what are you saying?!"

Father, mother, and daughter descended into shouting.

Li Si had enough. "Yuan'er, they cannot cancel your marriage license. Without your and Li Wen's consent, the God of Marriage will never allow it."

Yuan'er's eyes widened, hope replacing despair. "Sister?"

Li Si nodded. Yuan'er let out a shaky breath and sank back onto the bed.

Their father's face twisted in disbelief. "Li Si, what nonsense are you speaking? Why would the God of Marriage refuse to cancel a marriage to a demon?"

Their mother looked just as confused. "Yes, Li Si, what do you mean?"

Li Si opened her mouth to explain—but then she saw Wan Cai's pleading look.

She hesitated.

For a moment, she considered sparing him the truth.

But then, she remembered the way her goddess had spoken so harmoniously with Li Wen.

She knew now—their family could never break this marriage.

Her decision was made.

Li Si turned to face them all, her voice steady.

"Wan Cai, the God of Marriage will never cancel the license. Even if Yuan'er agrees."

Wan Cai's face paled. "Why?"

Li Si met Wan Cai's gaze and spoke the words that would change everything.

"Because Li Wen is a Demon Lord."

A stunned silence filled the room.

Her father and mother exchanged bewildered looks.

"Demon Lord?" her father repeated, his brows furrowed. "What is that?"

Li Si's voice remained calm. "A realm above a Great Demon and below a Demon King."

Her father, a retired demon hunter, shook his head. "Why have I never heard of them?"

Wan Cai answered, his voice heavy. "Because their existence is kept secret to prevent mass panic. The number of Demon Lords is as rare as the number of God Lords."

Li Si continued, "And we did not chase Li Wen into the ancient mountain range—he entered voluntarily."

She then explained everything—how Li Wen had attacked them at Moon River, how they had been powerless against him, and how he had chosen to leave on his own.

Her father clenched his fists. "Even if that is true, he must have eaten humans before reaching the realm of a Demon Lord!"

Li Si hesitated for only a second. "According to the Goddess, Li Wen was born as a Demon Lord."

Wan Cai exhaled sharply. "Which means… he never needed to eat humans."

A heavy silence fell over them.

Her mother, desperate, reached for Li Si's hands. "Li Si, can't you ask the Goddess to persuade the God of Marriage to annul this?"

Her father added, "Yes, Li Si. Please, do this for our family. I have never asked you for anything before… You know this is an ill-fated marriage."

Yuan'er suddenly grasped Li Si's arm, her eyes brimming with tears. "No, Sister. Please don't."

Li Si looked at them—her father's pleading eyes, her mother's desperate face, Wan Cai's silent hope.

She took a deep breath. "Wan Cai, do you know what I experienced after I received the Goddess's letter, just hours before leaving Moon City?"

And then—she told them everything.

How she had been keeping watch on an estate in the dead of night.

How she had seen Wu Ziki and Ming Hao secretly enter the estate through the back door.

How she had followed them—only to be caught.

How she had seen the Nine-Tailed Fox. Li Wen. And the Goddess.

And worst of all—how she had witnessed the secret communication between the Goddess and Li Wen.

When she finished, the room was deathly quiet.

Her father's voice was hoarse. "What… do we do now?"

Li Si's answer was simple.

"Nothing. Take care of Yuan'er. And wait for Li Wen to come and take her away."

Her words shattered something in them.

As they left the room in silence, the faith they had placed in the Goddess of the Lake was now irreparably broken.

After Li Si ensured Yuan'er ate, her sister looked up at her and whispered, "Sister… Can you tell Mother and Father that I'm leaving here?"

Li Si stilled. "Where will you go?"

"To the estate, Li Wen bought in my name outside the city."

Li Si hesitated, then nodded.

She took the empty tray and stepped outside, handing it to Yuan'er's maid.

That was when she saw Wan Cai leaning against the wall—his expression blank, his mind lost in thought.

She stopped beside him. "Wan Cai, go home. Rest. And try to forget about my sister."

She didn't wait for a response and walked away, retreating to her room.

Sitting cross-legged on her bed, she closed her eyes and began to practice.

But she wasn't alone for long.

A soft ripple of water broke the silence.

She opened her eyes to see Aso, the water spirit who served Yuan'er, hovering before her—a small, palm-sized creature with three pairs of shimmering wings.

Li Si's gaze sharpened. "Aso. Do you have something to tell me?"

Aso fluttered closer, his tiny voice carrying a weight far beyond his size.

"Li Si, your little sister is pregnant."

Li Si's breath caught. "What?"

Her mind spun. "Does Yuan'er know?"

"Yes," Aso said. "I told her last night."

Li Si frowned. "Then why didn't she leave her room or eat?"

Aso tilted his head. "Because I brought her food."

Li Si exhaled, closing her eyes briefly. So that's why…

She had been ready to persuade Yuan'er to stay. But now?

Now, she had to persuade their parents to let her leave.

If anyone found out that Yuan'er was carrying a half-demon child, the consequences would be dire.

She would be hunted. The child, if born, would be hated. Feared. Targeted.

If anything happened to them—Li Wen would not sit still.

Her jaw tightened.

She needed to send a letter.

A letter to Li Wen.

Because from this moment on, Yuan'er and her unborn child would need his protection.