Xu Xiao stood there—unharmed.
But he shouldn't have been.
He should've been a mess.
He looked across the field and saw Lingxue smiling to herself. Maybe even gloating.
That look on her face said it all: I warned you, dumbass. Don't underestimate Shen. It'll be your downfall.
Xu Xiao thought about it.
It was a good thing Shen was on his side. A powerful ally.
But then the thought crept in—What if he betrays me?
I couldn't stop him. Not really.
Then another thought followed.
If it came to that… he'd hire the Serpentine Master.
She never failed to kill anyone—or so the legends claimed.
The Slythrian Serpent.
He clenched his fist.
He felt like a weakling.
He hadn't felt this way in years—not since losing the title of next Patriarch of the Xu family to his younger brother, Xu Yansheng.
After that, Yansheng became their father's favourite. The golden son.
It was infuriating. Unfair.
That's why Xu Xiao took his half-brother's first wife.
Had her carry his child—instead of Yansheng's.
He looked at Lingling—his brother's first wife.
She seemed genuinely worried about him.
Part of him felt… happy.
But another part sank into despair.
To be beaten so easily by Shen—to look so weak in front of everyone.
That's how he felt.
But the others saw it differently.
They thought he'd done well—holding on as long as he did.
People started clapping.
He looked around.
Even his father was clapping.
He looked back at Shen.
Shen was walking away from the fighting ground, sheathing his sword.
Not once did he look back.
As I walked away from Xu Xiao, I saw them waiting—Lingxue, Liraine, Shuyin, and Sura.
Lingxue stepped forward, her voice light but knowing.
Lingxue: "Well done, Shen. Since that's over… why don't you go back and speak with Xu Yunfei? She seems to want to talk to you again. Joyful, even."
I walked toward Xu Yunfei.
She approached with a joyful, genuine smile.
Xu Yunfei: "My father wishes to speak with you about something. Follow me to the Patriarch's study."
Her voice was light, but there was a flicker of anticipation behind it—like she already knew what was coming.
As I approached the Patriarch's study with Xu Yunfei, I noticed she seemed nervous—about something unspoken.
Inside, her father sat waiting. Her mother was beside him, composed and silent.
They both looked me over, eyes sharp with seriousness.
Xu Tianren: "Sit down."
We sat.
He didn't waste words.
Xu Tianren: "Tell me, Shen—do you find my daughter attractive?"
Shen Wuyin: "Yes."
The Patriarch nodded.
Xu Tianren: "Blunt and direct. I see. Then I will offer you her hand. Will you accept it?"
Shen Wuyin: "Yes."
Before he could turn to his daughter, she spoke—quickly, without hesitation.
Xu Yunfei: "Yes."
As we left the study, she glanced at me, her voice soft but sure.
Xu Yunfei: "You won't regret marrying me… will you?"
Shen Wuyin: "No."
She chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Xu Yunfei: "Always so direct, aren't you?"
She leaned in to kiss my cheek.
I moved—just slightly.
Her lips met mine instead.
For a moment, the world stilled.
I reached for the necklace ring around her neck, unfastened it, and slipped it over my own.
Then I offered her mine.
We kissed again—quiet, deliberate.
When we pulled apart, I spoke softly.
Shen Wuyin: "You wear mine. I'll wear yours."
I smiled.
She was still distracted—still caught in the moment.
She only nodded.
I chuckled.
After that, I found myself elsewhere—inside Lingxue's room.
She sat upon her Ice Phoenix throne, regal and composed, the air around her faintly shimmering with frost.
Lingxue: "So… you're going to marry Xu Yunfei now, are you? Looks like everything's working out for you."
She paused, her gaze sharpening.
Lingxue: "Shen—her brother—isn't going to be happy about this. But since we're letting him go, it doesn't matter."
Her voice dropped slightly.
Lingxue: "Just don't expect him to let this go lightly."
Shen Wuyin: "I've already shown him a glimpse of what I can do. He's no threat to me."
He looked toward the frost-veiled window, voice steady.
Shen Wuyin: "I just need to reveal Xu Yunfei's brother's true face. Everything else will flow from there.
I was back in my room with Liraine, Shuyin, and Sura.
Liraine sat quietly, her gaze distant.
Shen Wuyin: "Don't worry, Liraine. I'll kill Xu Xiao soon. After that, you'll have peace—knowing he's no longer alive. He won't come back. I promise."
She looked at me, eyes soft with trust.
Liraine: "I believe you. Thank you."
Shuyin said nothing, but her hand rested gently on Liraine's shoulder.
Sura gave a small nod, her expression calm, resolute.
Their silence wasn't empty—it was steadying.
I was outside at night, as always, looking at the moon.
Before I knew it, I was somewhere else.
I looked up and saw Lady Xuanhe.
Lady Xuanhe: "It's been a while, Ren. I thought after you achieved the Divine Realm, you'd come to see me—to become my disciple. I've been watching and waiting very patiently for you to ascend to Heaven. Yet you're still messing about down below."
Shen Wuyin: "It's been a while, Xuanhe Yulian. I will come to Heaven—I promise. How are my wives and lovers up there? They're okay… It's been a little while since I spoke with them."
Lady Xuanhe: "Changing the subject—fine. You're lucky I put up with you. Then again, I couldn't beat you or punish you even if I wanted to. They're fine, as always—up there, building their cities in Heaven, in their own Divine Realms."
Lady Xuanhe: "I'll wait a little longer. Eventually, I'm going to come and get you myself. I'm growing impatient, after all. Goodbye for now… Ren Blackdragon."
I was back where I'd been, looking at the moon.
I just thought of what I'd seen.
She sat in her god form, poised upon her throne in her Divine Realm.
Her clothes were very revealing.
I just smiled to myself.
Then Xu Yunfei came. She smiled at me.
Xu Yunfei: "So this is where you've been."
She ran over and sat beside me.
Xu Yunfei: "I've noticed—you like looking at the moon a lot."
Shen Wuyin: "I do. It's beautiful, isn't it? Just nice to look at. Makes my mind feel empty… as I stare at it."
Xu Yunfei leaned gently against me, her voice soft.
Xu Yunfei: "It does that, doesn't it? The moon. Makes everything quiet inside."
She didn't say more—just sat there, watching the sky with me.
Her presence was warm, steady.
No need for words.
I felt Xu Xiao's presence watching us.
His killing intent was sharp—I could feel it from where I sat.
I looked down, saw where he was, and showed him my own.
Mine overpowered his in an instant.
He backed off into the shadows, his eyes locked on me with a stern look.
As we walked together on the lake, I summoned the water and splashed it on her.
She gave me a very stern look—then smiled.
She did the same to me, splashing back.
The moonlight shimmered across the lake as we sat soaked and smiling.
Xu Yunfei brushed her wet hair back, laughing softly.
Shen Wuyin: "Xu Yunfei… if your brother wasn't what he seemed—what would you do?"
She blinked, caught off guard.
Xu Yunfei: "That's a strange question to ask. I don't know… I suppose if he ever did something I saw as despicable or immoral, I'd never see him the same way again."
She looked away, voice quieter.
Xu Yunfei: "I've seen some of his bad side. He's… temperamental. There's a cruel side too. Overprotective of me."
A pause.
Xu Yunfei: "But I love my brother, all the same. He's been punished for the things he's done—well, the things my father knows about, anyhow."
Shen Wuyin: "I see… then I understand a little more now."
She leaned her head on my shoulder.
Xu Yunfei: "Let's forget about this subject, okay?"
Shen Wuyin: "Your father didn't say when our wedding would happen."
She smiled.
Xu Yunfei: "He said, since my marriage with Zhang Lin was cancelled, we'll use the one they were preparing before. Just change a few things, that's all."
I summoned my Blackdragon Sword.
Shen Wuyin: "Should we have a little spar? You like practising, after all."
She teased, eyes gleaming.
Xu Yunfei: "I don't know if I can handle what you did to my brother… but that won't stop me, nonetheless."
We sparred under the moonlight, the lake moving with us—each step mirrored in the water's surface.
A falling star crossed the sky as our blades met, silent and bright.
In the morning, I woke up. Xu Yunfei was sleeping beside me, covered by my robes.
Shen Wuyin: "You can come out, Xu Xiao. No need to hide—she's deeply asleep."
He stepped out from the forest, eyes sharp.
Xu Xiao: "I warned you. Don't go near my sister—remember."
Shen Wuyin: "You forget—I won. That means I can be near your sister. Even if I'd lost—which never would've happened—I still would've. Xu Xiao, I've shown you a glimpse of what I'm capable of. You can't beat me."
Xu Xiao narrowed his eyes.
Xu Xiao: "You're right. I forgot about that. But remember this—don't you dare betray me. I'll make you regret it if you do, Shen Wuyin."