In just a few hours, virtually the entire Illusory Demon Realm had already heard about what happened in the Illusory Demon Imperial City.
The news spread like wildfire: the city had been attacked by an unknown enemy who used vile methods to poison its inhabitants, all with the aim of targeting the Young Patriarch of the Yun Family.
Many already knew his name. Yun Che was recognized as an outstanding genius, though completely overshadowed by the current Demon Lord. Within the Yun Family, his reputation was solid, and since it was one of the Guardian Families that had produced the sovereign himself, the attention it received naturally extended to the other great families. Thus, his fame had already circulated through various regions of the realm.
But after that incident, his notoriety surpassed everything that had come before.
In a short time, Yun Che began to be called the "tragic genius," the one who was crippled and turned into a woman because of past grudges. It was said that he had exterminated an entire sect for personal reasons but left a single survivor. Consumed by hatred, that survivor supposedly returned seeking revenge. As a consequence, the entire Illusory Demon Imperial City nearly paid the price, poisoned by sinister methods that could have left millions in an eternal slumber.
It was said that if the Demon Lord had not emerged from seclusion to resolve the crisis, that "trash" would have ruined countless lives.
Those who were directly affected harbored deep resentment toward the so-called "tragic genius." If not for his status, someone would have eliminated him long ago. However, no one dared act rashly. He was the Demon Lord's brother, and his parents were Monarchs standing at the peak of the continent. Offending him meant provoking forces no one had the courage to face.
Thus, amid hatred, disgust, and contempt, Yun Che's name echoed even more intensely throughout the entire Illusory Demon Realm.
Meanwhile, the Demon Lord became even more magnificent in the eyes of the people—almost a living deity, the one who had appeared at the critical moment to save millions…
Virtually every inhabitant of the Illusory Demon Realm grew anxious upon learning that he had fallen unconscious after confronting the enemy. However, the Little Demon Empress acted swiftly to contain the panic, publicly declaring that he had merely completely exhausted his profound energy and suffered no serious injuries. Her words were enough to calm the public and dispel most of the tension spreading across the realm.
Even so, while the concern was intense among the general population, it was incomparably greater within the Yun Family and the Mu Family. Yun Qinghong and Mu Yurou were deeply distressed by their adopted son's situation. At the same time, their hearts were shattered by the current state of their "daughter," who remained unconscious, teetering on the edge of a vegetative state. If not for Zu'er's timely arrival, they might have lost her forever…
While worry consumed their thoughts, a burning hatred also grew within them, directed at the one who had dared to cause such suffering to their family.
What a pity—they wouldn't even get the chance to meet the two new daughters-in-law their son had brought back, who were said to be as beautiful as the Little Demon Empress herself…
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A few hours later, the inner doors of the palace opened silently.
Ren Zu walked calmly through the wide corridors of the Illusory Demon Imperial Palace. He wore a set of flowing white robes with long, wide sleeves adorned with golden embroidery depicting a Golden Crow. Several tassels were tied near his waist, while a jade crown rested upon his head. An aura of refined extraordinariness—imperial and graceful—surrounded him as though it were perfectly natural, as if he were an Immortal Monarch banished to the mortal world…
He looked quite pleased, as though he had spent hours doing something he greatly enjoyed.
Beside him, the Little Demon Empress advanced calmly. The cold, murderous expression from before had completely vanished; in its place was a calm, almost lazy satisfaction that softened the delicate features of her flawless face. Her lips were slightly curved in the faintest smile, and her dark eyes shone with a contented light…
The last few hours had been intense…
However, they had not spent all that time merely satiating the desires accumulated after months apart. Once the longing had finally been appeased and their emotions settled, they lay side by side for nearly an hour, still enveloped in each other's warmth. It was in that moment of tranquility that he began to recount, much more calmly, everything that had happened during his journey—the dangers he faced, the discoveries he made, and the experiences he lived through—while she listened in silence, satisfied not only by the physical closeness but by having him back at her side.
He made sure to report every necessary detail to support the lies he had told earlier, carefully filling any gaps that might raise suspicion. He chose his words with precision, adjusting small points here and there, ensuring his narrative remained consistent from beginning to end. He could not afford to leave inconsistencies that might awaken distrust.
During this time, he also took the opportunity to implicitly answer Jasmine's numerous questions. Earlier, he had provoked her—especially after she called him a pervert for so naturally taking advantage of the intimate reunion with his own wife. He did not hold back. He immediately retorted that the true pervert was her, since there was no need to "watch" everything so attentively. The provocation was direct and precise. Even without being able to see her, he could imagine the result: as red as her own hair, furious… After that, she no longer paid such close attention to what was happening, though she still peeked several times…
Well, his charm was incredible, after all…
Though he did not feel comfortable being watched by someone—even if that someone was a woman—he decided to end the intimate moment with his wife early and simply talk with her.
After hearing everything, Jasmine could better understand the situation, including how Xia Qingyue and Feng Xue'er ended up in the Illusory Demon Realm. Still, what weighed most heavily on her heart was the cruel fate of her disciple: betrayed, humiliated, forced to wear a "green hat," transformed into a woman, and stripped of all the power he had accumulated over the years. Yet at that moment, she could do little beyond waiting for her own recovery. Once she was strong enough, she swore she would seek vengeance for him…
Well, he could easily deduce the Divine Master's feelings. Though she cared about Yun Che, that did not mean she was so deeply in love that she would lose herself over him. She had her own life, her own goals, and her own responsibilities. There was a revenge she carried in her heart and someone important she needed to protect. She was not the type of person to abandon everything for the sake of a single man.
Despite her youth, her determination was impressive. Cold when necessary, rational most of the time, and driven by firm convictions, she was not someone who would let herself be consumed purely by emotions…
But setting that aside…
He noticed that his wife wanted to say something.
The Little Demon Empress cast a discreet sideways glance at him.
"That physique of yours… is truly absurd…" she said calmly, her voice low but carrying an unmistakable trace of admiration.
Ren Zu smiled from the corner of his mouth.
"Well, it really is incredible—thanks to our joint efforts over the past few hours. You broke through into the Divine Origin Realm because of it and reached the second level. One could say you're currently invincible in this world…"
While recounting the details of his journey, he had also mentioned the awakening of his unique physique, perfectly suited for dual cultivation.
In truth, she had already experienced the results firsthand long before he explained anything.
Originally, she had been on the verge of breaking through to the Divine Origin Realm.
However, after they dual-cultivated together, the barrier preventing her advancement finally shattered. It was not merely a level breakthrough; her talent underwent comprehensive enhancement, and new insights emerged in her mind regarding the [Golden Crow's Record of the Burning World]. With this surge in talent and comprehension, reaching the highest level of that art no longer seemed a distant dream—she only needed time to consolidate her cultivation and deepen the newly acquired understanding…
The Little Demon Empress huffed softly upon hearing that.
"Invincible?" She raised a slender eyebrow, her sideways glance carrying faint disdain. "This Empress was already invincible before."
Ren Zu made a strange sound in his throat—something between a choke and a poorly disguised cough.
"Ah, of course… naturally…" he replied, his smile betraying the teasing.
Her dark eyes narrowed dangerously.
"…Except for a certain aberration that appeared out of nowhere…" she added with studied coldness. "But that doesn't count. You are not a valid benchmark."
Ren Zu placed a hand over his chest, feigning deep offense.
"An aberration? I spend months risking my life, return stronger, help my wife reach the second level of the Divine Origin Realm… and this is the cruel treatment I receive?"
She turned her face slightly, her lips curving into the faintest smile.
"Cruel?" she repeated, her voice soft as cold silk. "This Empress is being extremely generous by allowing you to keep breathing after returning with two additional wives."
Ren Zu let out a low laugh.
"See? That's cruelty."
She stopped walking for a moment and looked directly at him before saying slowly, "Cruelty would be expelling you from the palace."
Ren Zu leaned slightly toward her.
"You wouldn't do that."
"No?" The Little Demon Empress crossed her arms, her gaze challenging.
"No…" Ren Zu replied calmly. "Because you love me too much for that…"
The silence that followed lasted two seconds.
Then she abruptly turned her face away, trying to hide the faint blush that threatened to appear.
"Hmph."
Ren Zu laughed again.
"Besides…" he continued, moving a little closer as they resumed walking, "if you were already invincible before, then what are you now? Invincible squared?"
The Little Demon Empress cast him a cold look and said proudly, "I am the strongest in this world."
He tilted his head.
"Then I am the husband of the strongest in this world. That sounds like a respectable title."
"You already have too many titles…" she shot back immediately.
"I can abdicate all of them…" he replied with mock solemnity, "except for the one of being the husband of the Little Demon Empress."
The Little Demon Empress stopped again, her eyes fixed on him for a long moment.
"…Flattery will not work on me…" she said, though her tone was less rigid than she intended.
"It's not flattery…" he replied naturally. "It's fact."
She huffed once more, but this time there was a clear trace of suppressed amusement.
"You talk too much."
"Only when I'm happy."
"And why are you happy?"
Ren Zu looked at her from the side, his smile calm and sincere.
"Because my wife is by my side. Because she is stronger than ever. And because, despite everything, you still chose to allow me to have other wives… instead of trying to kill me."
She stared at him for several seconds.
Then she turned her face away with elegance.
"…This Empress is still considering that option."
He leaned in slightly to whisper near her ear:
"If it's after another dual cultivation session, I'll take the risk."
She immediately gave him a light pinch on the waist.
"Shameless."
Ren Zu laughed, finally letting out a low, genuine chuckle.
The atmosphere between them had become light once again—not burdened by tension or jealousy, but filled with the quiet intimacy that exists only between husband and wife after weathering conflicts and still choosing to stand side by side.
The Little Demon Empress resumed her impeccable posture, but now she walked half a step closer to him than before.
"In any case, regarding the women you brought back—they are already being treated as imperial consorts," she replied coolly. "As long as they do not cross the line… this Empress will not act irrationally."
Ren Zu observed her for a brief moment after hearing those words.
Then, without saying anything, he extended his hand. His fingers gently wrapped around her small, soft hand. The Little Demon Empress immediately stiffened, and her gaze dropped to their intertwined hands.
"…What do you think you're doing?" she asked, the cold tone returning reflexively.
Ren Zu simply gave a light squeeze, as though holding something far too precious to harm.
"Holding my wife's hand… thank you…"
She raised her eyes, confused for a fraction of a second.
"Thank you?"
"Yes…" he replied calmly. "You could have made things difficult. But you didn't… I'm glad you're so understanding…"
Silence hung between them.
Her expression became slightly rigid.
"Do not misunderstand," she said quickly. "This Empress does nothing 'for your sake.' I do it because it is the proper behavior for someone in my position. In any case, you are the Demon Emperor; there is no issue with having a few concubines…"
"I would expect nothing less from my Caiyi—so kind…"
She huffed.
"And you still dare to tease."
Ren Zu leaned slightly toward her as they walked.
"I'm not teasing. I'm sincerely grateful."
Her steps slowed almost imperceptibly.
The faint blush returned to the tips of her ears—something only someone who knew her deeply would notice.
"…Tch. You really talk too much when you're satisfied…"
"And you're still holding my hand."
She froze for half a second.
Her gaze dropped once again to their intertwined hands. Then she lifted her chin with impeccable pride.
"This Empress is merely ensuring you do not run away again."
"Ah, so I'm the one who needs to be watched?"
"Evidently."
Ren Zu chuckled softly.
"Then I'll remain under your watchful eye for the rest of my life."
She did not reply.
But her fingers adjusted slightly around his—a nearly imperceptible yet intentional gesture…
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