**Demon God Palace, Study**
Ning Yechen sat at his desk, examining the intelligence Shadow and Puppet had recently gathered in the Demon Realm, along with the current state of affairs.
The Demon Realm was outwardly peaceful and stable, but hidden beneath the surface, ambitious individuals still harbored ulterior motives.
*As soon as I turn my back, someone always stirs...*
*I wonder where they get such confidence and audacity...*
Puppet stood quietly in a corner of the study in her capacity as a guard, while Shadow, as usual, clung to Ning Yechen like a pet reunited with its master after a long absence.
The shadow wrapped itself around him in several loops, like a slender black silk ribbon.
Countless shadowy tendrils extended from the darkness, massaging his back while lifting a teacup and offering it to him.
Ning Yechen barely needed to lift a finger; a single word was enough for Shadow to arrange everything.
As Ning Yechen reviewed the intelligence, Shadow poked its head close to his face and extended a shadowy tendril to form words on the desk:
Master, should we eliminate them all?
Ning Yechen pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
"No, not necessary for now."
"You and Puppet should continue monitoring them for the time being."
"The rest... well, I'll leave it to you, Darkblood Xueye."
Ning Yechen set down the files in his hands and looked up at Darkblood Xueye, who was kneeling before him on one knee.
When Ning Yechen woke up that morning, he saw Darkblood Xueye kneeling at the entrance to his chambers.
After regaining consciousness the previous night, Darkblood Xueye had realized the gravity of the mistake he nearly made at the banquet.
Offending the Demon Lord and attempting to harm the Lady of the Demon Realm—such crimes were worthy of death!
So, the first thing he did after waking was to kneel at the entrance to Ning Yechen's chambers and remain there all night, voluntarily requesting punishment.
Afterward, he followed Ning Yechen to the study.
When Ning Yechen said he would leave the matter to him, Darkblood Xueye was surprised.
"My Lord, you're entrusting this to me...?"
"Yes, didn't you want this Lord to punish you?"
"Consider this a way to atone for your sins."
"Go tell those unruly fellows that the Demon Lord has returned!"
"If they behave themselves, this Lord will let bygones be bygones."
"If they refuse... handle it as you see fit."
Ning Yechen leaned his cheek on his hand, speaking with a languid, indifferent tone.
Though his voice was casual and lazy, it carried an undeniable aura of authority and deadly intent.
With a single sentence, he had already determined the fate of some in the Demon Realm.
"Yes! Demon Lord!"
"I will never disappoint you~!"
Darkblood Xueye gently placed his hand over his chest, gazing at Ning Yechen with a solemn expression.
His heart was ablaze with emotion.
The Demon Lord had not only refrained from punishing him for last night's transgression but had also entrusted him with this matter, showing continued faith!
What an extraordinary honor!
Moreover, the Demon Lord had said he could handle it as he saw fit...
Perhaps he could finally enjoy himself after a long time...
"Demon Lord, why not eliminate them all directly?" the Puppet asked, stepping forward from a corner.
"Just give the order, and I'll take care of it immediately."
She had expected the Demon Lord, with his former personality, to order their immediate eradication.
"Hmm... Since they are subjects of the Demon Realm, if they are willing to obey, there's no harm in giving them another chance," Ning Yechen replied after a moment's thought.
Truthfully, the man he had been over a century ago, before retreating into seclusion, would have ordered their annihilation without a second thought...
Perhaps seclusion, along with becoming a husband and father, had softened his heart somewhat...
Eliminating those unruly individuals would be as easy as flicking a finger for him.
Giving them another chance to reflect would have no impact whatsoever.
Puppet, Darkblood Xueye, and the others were surprised by Ning Yechen's decision, but they would unconditionally obey any command of the Demon Lord.
*Knock, knock, knock.*
Just then, there was a gentle knock at the door, and Yue Qingyou's voice came from outside:
"Demon Lord, I've brought the Lady and the child."
"Come in," Ning Yechen replied.
The moment the door slowly opened, Ning Yechen couldn't help but stare with his bright, deep eyes.
Luo Ruying appeared at the threshold, her face lightly adorned with makeup, wearing a noble, form-fitting purple immortal gown and holding their daughter, Luo Hongye.
Already possessing peerless beauty, her refined appearance now radiated an even more stunning allure, with a faint blush of rouge on her cheeks.
Seeing Ning Yechen's unwavering gaze, Luo Ruying lowered her head shyly, yet her heart swelled with inexplicable joy.
Puppet and Darkblood Xueye bowed respectfully to Luo Ruying. "Lady," they greeted.
"You are Puppet and Xueye, aren't you?" Luo Ruying smiled and nodded kindly at them.
"We are honored that Lady remembers us," they replied.
Darkblood Xueye knelt on one knee before her. "We beg Lady's forgiveness for last night's events."
"It's alright," Luo Ruying said. "I know Xueye didn't mean any harm."
Luo Ruying smiled and waved her hand, saying nonchalantly, "It's really nothing."
Darkblood Xueye was stunned into silence.
*How could there be such a beautiful and gentle woman in the entire Demon Realm?*
*She truly lives up to her title as the Demon Lord's chosen lady!*
*And yet, I dared to offend her!*
Luo Ruying's words only deepened Darkblood Xueye's remorse and self-recrimination.
"To atone for my transgression against you, Lady, allow me to twist off my head as a sacrifice!"
With that, Darkblood Xueye gripped his skull with both hands, preparing to snap it off on the spot.
Luo Ruying hastily waved her hands in alarm. "No, no, no! I'm perfectly fine, really, there's no need for that...!"
Ning Yechen also intervened. "Xueye, let it go."
Though he knew Darkblood Xueye wouldn't die even if he twisted off his head, the child was still present.
It wouldn't do to frighten the child...
Hearing both Ning Yechen and Luo Ruying's pleas, Darkblood Xueye reluctantly abandoned his plan to offer his head as penance.
"Then we shall take our leave..."
To avoid disturbing the Demon Lord and his lady, Darkblood Xueye and Puppet bowed slightly and withdrew with tactful discretion.
Yue Qingyou also exited the room, closing the door behind her.
***
After leaving the room, Yue Qingyou called out to Darkblood Xueye, who was about to depart.
"Xueye."
"Left Protector..."
Darkblood Xueye turned to face Yue Qingyou's icy gaze and felt a chill run down his spine.
Only two beings in the entire Demon Realm could make him feel this way...
One was the Demon Lord himself, and the other was the Left Protector standing before him...
At that moment, he felt the same bone-chilling dread he'd experienced the first time he'd met this woman...
"You've disappointed me greatly!"
"Speak. What happened last night?"
Yue Qingyou stood on the steps, looking down at Darkblood Xueye with a cold glare as she demanded an explanation.
The oppressive aura she exuded made him feel as though he were suffocating...
Ning Yechen and Luo Ruying had forgiven him out of the Demon Lord's and Lady of the Demon Realm's inherent kindness and compassion.
But that didn't mean she would do the same!
"Left Protector, please forgive me..."
"I caught a peculiar scent on the Lady of the Demon Realm, and I couldn't help but feel the urge to drain her blood..."
Darkblood Xueye bowed and explained.
He didn't know why, but he'd always been able to suppress his bloodlust before...
Last night, after seeing Luo Ruying's fair, jade-like neck and smelling its peculiar, fragrant scent, he inexplicably felt it would be delicious, and an irresistible impulse arose.
Now, he had successfully suppressed that impulse.
After some thought, Yue Qingyou ultimately decided not to punish Darkblood Xueye.
Since the Demon Lord had already forgiven him, intervening would be overstepping her authority.
"Remember this: there won't be a next time!"
"Otherwise, the eleventh seat in the Demon Realm might have to change hands."
"Yes!!"
Darkblood Xueye solemnly pledged.
"Since the Demon Lord is still willing to assign you tasks, don't disappoint him or betray his expectations."
"The Demon Lord has always been lenient toward the people of the Demon Realm, but his mercy only extends once!"
"If they refuse to accept, you know what to do."
Yue Qingyou turned and slowly departed, adding in a faint voice before leaving:
Darkblood Xueye remained bowed, a glint of crimson light flashing in his eyes as his lips curled into a faint smile.
"Xueye understands!"
-----------------------
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