The Nether Realm was quiet.
Dark clouds moved slowly across the sky.
A cold wind passed through the empty land.
Inside the Demon Palace—
The atmosphere was heavy.
Dim lights flickered along the walls.
In the main hall—
The Demon King sat alone.
Hei Yan.
In front of him—
Several empty wine jars were scattered across the floor.
One more rested in his hand.
Half full.
His eyes were unfocused.
His movements slow.
He lifted the jar and drank again.
The sound echoed in the silent hall.
"…Why…" he murmured.
His voice was low.
Almost lost.
"She still does not wake…"
His grip tightened slightly.
The memory of the Demon Queen remained clear in his mind.
Unchanging.
Unfading.
Footsteps echoed softly.
Someone entered the hall.
Hualing Xi.
She walked slowly.
Her expression calm.
But her eyes—
Careful.
She stopped a few steps away from him.
"My King," she said gently.
Hei Yan did not look at her.
"Leave," he said.
His voice was cold.
But weak.
Hualing Xi did not move.
"You have been drinking for too long," she said softly.
Hei Yan laughed slightly.
A bitter sound.
"What does it matter?"
He raised the wine jar again.
But before he could drink—
Hualing Xi stepped forward and held his hand.
"Enough," she said.
Hei Yan froze.
For a moment—
Silence.
Then—
He slowly turned his head.
His eyes met hers.
Dark.
Dangerous.
"Do not touch me," he said.
His voice was low.
Hualing Xi did not let go immediately.
"My King—"
Before she could finish—
Hei Yan pulled his hand away.
The wine jar slipped from his grip.
Falling to the ground.
Breaking.
The sound echoed loudly.
"I said—do not touch me."
His voice rose slightly.
Hualing Xi stepped back.
But she did not leave.
"You are not alone," she said quietly.
Hei Yan stood up slowly.
His presence filled the hall.
"I am alone."
His words were clear.
Sharp.
Hualing Xi looked at him.
"You still have your people," she said.
"You still have this realm."
Hei Yan shook his head.
"That is not what I need."
His voice softened slightly.
But the pain remained.
Silence filled the space between them.
Then—
Hualing Xi spoke again.
"Then let me stay," she said.
Hei Yan's expression changed.
His gaze turned colder.
"No."
The answer was immediate.
Firm.
Hualing Xi's eyes flickered.
"Why?" she asked quietly.
Hei Yan looked at her directly.
And said—
"I belong only to her."
The words were simple.
But absolute.
The hall fell silent.
Hualing Xi lowered her gaze.
She understood.
There was nothing more to say.
After a moment—
She stepped back.
"…I understand, My King."
Her voice was calm.
But quiet.
She turned.
And walked away.
Her footsteps slowly faded into the distance.
Hei Yan stood alone again.
The broken wine jar at his feet.
The silence returned.
Deeper than before.
Far away—
In a different part of the realm—
The atmosphere was completely different.
Soft light filled the surroundings.
A gentle breeze moved through the air.
Demon Princess Xuemei Ling stood near a quiet place.
Her expression relaxed.
Unlike the heavy mood of the palace.
Footsteps approached.
She turned slightly.
A familiar figure appeared.
Yu Hai Xinyue.
The Princess of Coral.
Xuemei Ling smiled faintly.
"You came."
Yu Hai Xinyue smiled back.
"Of course."
They walked closer to each other.
It had been some time since they last met.
"You look the same," Xuemei Ling said.
"And you look tired," Yu Hai Xinyue replied gently.
Xuemei Ling laughed softly.
"Nothing changes here."
Yu Hai Xinyue nodded slightly.
"I can see that."
They stood side by side.
The atmosphere between them was calm.
Comfortable.
"How have you been?" Xuemei Ling asked.
Yu Hai Xinyue paused for a moment.
Then answered—
"As always."
Xuemei Ling glanced at her.
"You are still meeting him?" she asked quietly.
Yu Hai Xinyue did not deny it.
"Yes."
Her voice was soft.
Xuemei Ling sighed slightly.
"You know it is dangerous."
"I know."
"But you still go."
Yu Hai Xinyue looked ahead.
"I cannot stop."
Silence followed.
Xuemei Ling crossed her arms lightly.
"You have not changed at all," she said.
Yu Hai Xinyue smiled faintly.
"Neither have you."
A small pause.
Then Xuemei Ling spoke again—
"And what about him?"
Yu Hai Xinyue lowered her gaze slightly.
"He is still the same."
Xuemei Ling nodded slowly.
"I see."
They stood quietly for a moment.
Then Xuemei Ling changed the topic.
"The palace is restless these days," she said.
Yu Hai Xinyue looked at her.
"I heard."
"There is too much happening," Xuemei Ling continued.
Yu Hai Xinyue nodded.
"Yes."
Silence returned.
But it was not heavy.
Just quiet.
"You should be careful," Xuemei Ling said after a while.
"I will."
Xuemei Ling looked at her friend.
Then smiled faintly.
"If anything happens—"
"I know," Yu Hai Xinyue said.
"I will come to you."
Xuemei Ling nodded.
"Good."
The two of them stood together a little longer.
In quiet understanding.
Then—
The wind moved gently again.
And the moment slowly passed.
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