For a moment, no one spoke. The rain kept falling outside, tapping against the wooden window. Xu Yang stood still and looked at Hei Long. He had seen Hei Long angry before.But he had never seen him like this. Hei Long was looking straight at him, but there was nothing familiar in his eyes. Xu Yang slowly swallowed.This is bad...His fingers tightened inside his sleeves.Why me? What did I do?...He looked at Hei Long again. I didn't even touch him..."Hei Long!" Xu Yang called softly.
There was no response. His voice became quieter. "You know who I am, don't you?" Hei Long's eyes did not move. Xu Yang took one careful step forward. "We've travelled together for a long time." He watched Hei Long's face,waiting for even the smallest reaction."You don't have to remember everything. Just remember me." Lin Chen's expression tightened. "Xu Yang, don't get too close." Xu Yang stopped. He looked back at him. "If he wanted to hurt anyone else, he would have already done it." Qing Li's eyes narrowed. "That doesn't mean you're safe." Xu Yang looked at Hei Long again. "But if I keep standing here doing nothing, I don't think he'll suddenly become normal."
"Then step back." Yan Luo said sharply. "At least until we understand what is happening." Xu Yang shook his head. "I don't think he will listen to any of us." "Xu Yang—" Before Yan Luo could finish, Hei Long suddenly moved. He rushed forward. Xu Yang quickly stepped aside from the first strike, but Hei Long turned and attacked again. Xu Yang raised his arm to block, but the force knocked him back. He lost his balance and fell hard onto the floor."Xu Yang!" Lin Chen's face went pale.He moved toward him,but Chen Yu quickly stopped him.
Blood ran from the corner of Xu Yang's mouth. Xu Yang touched it with his fingers and looked at the blood. Then he looked at Hei Long. "Hei Long..." Hei Long stood still, staring at him with empty eyes. There was nothing familiar in his face.Lin Chen looked at Xu Yang, worry clear on his face. "You're hurt." Xu Yang wiped the blood from his mouth. "I'm fine."Lin Chen's voice shook slightly. "You're bleeding." Xu Yang looked at him and gave a small smile. "It's not that bad." Lin Chen's eyes stayed on him. "It is to me." Xu Yang said nothing. Then he looked back at Hei Long. "He's not someone who would hurt us." His voice was quiet. "He has protected all of us more times than I can remember." Xu Yang took a slow breath. "So I can't believe this is really him."
Lin Chen said nothing.Behind them, Hei Long slowly clenched his hand.His breathing was heavy, and for a moment, his fingers trembled. Xu Yang noticed and looked at him again. "If there's still a part of him in there..." He raised his eyes toward Hei Long. "I know he'll be fighting to come back." Hei Long suddenly stepped forward. Chen Yu saw him and quickly moved between him and Xu Yang. Green energy gathered in his hand as he tried to stop him. Hei Long struck hard, forcing Chen Yu back. Chen Yu stumbled but stayed on his feet. Hei Long looked past him at Xu Yang, his eyes still empty and suddenly moved again.He rushed toward Xu Yang with the same empty look in his eyes.
Xu Yang quickly moved to the side, but Hei Long turned and attacked him again. Xu Yang raised his arm to block the attack, but the force pushed him back. Lin Chen saw this and ran forward without thinking. He grabbed Xu Yang and pulled him away, but Hei Long's hand hit Lin Chen's shoulder instead. Lin Chen cried out and fell to the floor. "Lin Chen!"
Xu Yang immediately turned toward him. Lin Chen was still on the floor, holding his shoulder tightly. His face was pale, and his breathing was heavy. He tried to get up, but his injured arm could not support him. He fell back to one knee and closed his eyes for a moment as the pain hit again. "Lin Chen..." Xu Yang quickly moved toward him. "Don't come here." Lin Chen pushed himself up. His legs shook as he stood,and he had to hold the table for a moment.
Hei Long moved again.Lin Chen saw him coming toward Xu Yang and quickly stepped in front of him.He raised his arm to protect Xu Yang, but the movement made him wince. "Stay behind me." Xu Yang looked at his shoulder. "You're hurt." Lin Chen smiled. "So?" Xu Yang stared at him.Lin Chen tightened his grip on his shoulder and stood properly."I don't care if I'm hurt. I just don't want to see you get hurt again."
Xu Yang's eyes softened for a moment. He wanted to say something,but Hei Long suddenly took another step forward. Xu Yang turned toward him."Hei Long..." His voice was quiet. Hei Long did not stop. He only stared at Xu Yang and moved toward him again.Yan Luo drew his flame sword and stepped in front of Xu Yang. The sword blocked Hei Long's attack with a loud crack. Yan Luo pushed him back with the sword. Flames burned along the blade, but Hei Long did not stop. He attacked again. Yan Luo blocked him again, his grip tightening around the sword. "Hei Long, wake up," he said, his voice low and serious. "Otherwise you and I are going to regret this for the rest of our lives."
Hei Long pushed against the sword without answering. Yan Luo's eyes hardened. "You remember when we were young? You used to complain whenever we had to train together." Hei Long's eyes remained blank. "You hated losing." Yan Luo blocked another strike. "And every time you lost, you would say you would beat me the next day."Qing Li looked at Hei Long for a moment, then at Yan Luo. "Maybe he can't remember us right now... but that doesn't mean he has forgotten everything." Yan Luo's eyes shifted toward him. Qing Li's voice softened. "Some things stay even when the mind can't reach them."
Yan Luo kept his eyes on Hei Long. "I know." His grip tightened around his sword. "But he has to hear something. We can't just keep fighting him." Chen Yu moved closer to Xu Yang and Lin Chen. His eyes stayed on Hei Long, and his voice was low. "Look at him... he's really lost." Lin Chen held his injured shoulder and nodded slowly. "He doesn't even know we're here."Su Yuan watched Hei Long for a moment, then said quietly, "That's not him."Xu Yang looked at him. Su Yuan's fingers tightened inside his sleeves. "He always stays beside us when something happens. Even when he's scared, he never leaves anyone behind." Xu Yang looked back at Hei Long. His eyes softened. "He wouldn't want this either." Lin Chen took a painful breath and held his shoulder tighter. "Then we can't give up on him."
Lin Chen took a painful breath. "He'll come back." His voice shook, but he did not look away. "He has to." Qing Li swallowed and looked down for a moment. "He still owes us a lot of arguments."He smiled. "He can't leave before we finish them." Yan Luo glanced at him, then looked at Hei Long. "You hear that, Hei Long? You still have things to settle with us." His voice became softer. "So come back." Qing Li wiped his eyes quickly and stepped forward. "Let's bring our Hei Long back." He raised his hand. Wind rushed around Hei Long and held him in place. "Yan Luo, now."
Yan Luo stepped forward, his sword already burning with blue flames.He swung it across the ground, sending a wave of fire toward Hei Long.The flames hit the edge of Qing Li's wind formation and spread around it instead of passing through, forming a burning ring around Hei Long.The wind and fire worked together, slowing his movements.Hei Long suddenly pulled his arm back and struck the wind barrier. The whole formation shook. Qing Li's feet slid backward, and he quickly caught himself. His eyes widened. "He's fighting it."
Yan Luo glanced at him then raised his sword and sent another burst of flame into the formation. Fire wrapped around Hei Long's arms and legs like chains without burning him. Hei Long growled and pushed forward. The wind tightened around him, but he kept forcing his way through it. Qing Li's breathing grew faster. His hands began to shake as he tried to keep the formation together. "I don't think this will hold him." Yan Luo stepped closer. "Then we'll keep trying." He drove the tip of his sword into the ground. Flames spread from the blade and joined the wind formation, adding another layer around Hei Long. For a few seconds, Hei Long could not move. His head lowered, and his shoulders shook as he fought against the pressure.Yan Luo watched him closely. "Hei Long..." He paused,"Please don't make this harder."
Hei Long suddenly slammed his fist into the ground, and a powerful force burst outward. The wind formation shattered at once. Qing Li was thrown backward. He hit the ground hard and rolled several steps before stopping. "Qing Li!" Yan Luo turned immediately and caught him before he could fall again.Yan Luo stared at him for a moment, then quickly looked him over. His eyes moved from Qing Li's face to his shoulders and arms, checking for any serious injury. He noticed the torn sleeve and the blood running from a cut across his arm. Yan Luo's expression changed.He caught Qing Li's injured arm and turned it slightly to see how deep the cut was.
Qing Li flinched. Yan Luo immediately loosened his grip. "Does it hurt?" Qing Li shook his head. "I'm fine." Yan Luo looked at him for another second.He checked his other arm and shoulder before finally letting go. "Are you hurt?" Qing Li tried to straighten himself. "It's nothing." "Don't lie." Yan Luo's voice was quiet, but his eyes stayed on the wound. He briefly pressed his fingers against the torn edge of Qing Li's sleeve, making sure the bleeding had slowed. Only after he was satisfied did he release him. He then slowly turned back toward Hei Long. His grip tightened around his sword.
Hei Long was already moving again. Yan Luo stepped in front of Qing Li and raised his blade and flames around the sword suddenly grew stronger, blue fire rushed along the blade, then spread over his hand and up his arm.The ground began to glow from the heat.Qing Li stared at him. "Yan Luo..." Yan Luo did not answer. His eyes stayed on Hei Long.Hei Long charged at him. Yan Luo swung his sword and thick wave of fire burst from the blade and rushed forward. It struck Hei Long in the chest and sent him flying across the ground.
Hei Long crashed onto his back, and the impact cracked the stone beneath him. Smoke rose around his body. He pushed one hand against the ground and tried to stand. Yan Luo was already walking toward him. The flames around his sword grew brighter, moving like a living fire along the blade. Each step left a faint burn mark on the ground. Hei Long slowly raised his head. Yan Luo stopped in front of him and lifted his sword. The fire gathered at the tip, growing into a bright ball of flame.Xu Yang's eyes widened. He pushed himself up despite the pain in his side. "Yan Luo, stop!" Yan Luo did not answer. Xu Yang stepped in front of him. "Don't hurt him." Yan Luo stared at him, his sword still burning. "Xu Yang, move." "No." Xu Yang stood his ground. "He's not himself."
Yan Luo's jaw tightened. "And what happens when he kills someone?" His voice shook with anger. "Am I supposed to wait until someone is dead before we do something?" Xu Yang looked at Hei Long on the ground. "We're not going to give up on him just because he's dangerous." Yan Luo's eyes darkened. "I can't wait until he kills someone." He lifted his sword again. Before he could take another step, Qing Li reached out and grabbed his wrist. Yan Luo looked down at his hand. Qing Li was still breathing heavily, and blood continued to run down his arm, but he did not let go. He shook his head once. "Don't." Yan Luo stared at him. "Qing Li..." Qing Li tightened his grip. He did not need to say anything else.
Yan Luo's fingers slowly tightened around the sword. His flames flickered violently. "If I can't stop him, he'll blame himself for this for the rest of his life." He looked at Hei Long, his voice rough. "And I don't want him to do something that makes him hate himself." He swallowed and looked at Xu Yang. "Do you think I'm happy to hurt him?" His voice broke slightly. "Do you think I don't care about him?"He lowered the sword a little."I'm not trying to hurt him. I'm trying to stop him." He looked back at Hei Long. "He's our friend. That's exactly why I can't let him hurt anyone."
Yan Luo turned his hand, and the flames around his sword disappeared. Instead, a smaller stream of fire spread across the ground and formed a circle around Hei Long. Qing Li understood immediately. He released Yan Luo's wrist and raised his hand.Wind gathered around Hei Long again, this time moving together with the flames. The two powers formed a new restraint around him. Wind pressed down from above while the fire created a glowing boundary around his body.Hei Long struggled and tried to rise, but the formation pushed him back to the ground without cutting or burning him.
Yan Luo stepped forward and placed his sword into the ground."Hei Long." His voice was quiet now. "We're not your enemies." Qing Li stood beside him despite his injury and used his strength to tighten the wind around Hei Long's arms."We just need you to calm down," he said softly. "We'll figure this out." Hei Long struggled against the wind again. Qing Li's breath caught, and he quickly pushed more power into the formation. Yan Luo glanced at his injured arm. "Qing Li, you should stop." Qing Li shook his head. "I can handle it."
Yan Luo looked at him for a moment but didn't argue. He turned back to Hei Long and tightened his grip on the sword. "Come on, Hei Long..." he said quietly. "It's us." Hei Long suddenly stopped moving. The wind around his arms became still. His empty eyes slowly shifted toward Qing Li. Qing Li froze when he noticed. His hand remained raised, but he did not move. "Hei Long?" he said quietly.Chen Yu and Lin Chen looked at each other, both noticing the change.Wei Han watched Hei Long carefully, his expression turning serious. "It's not as easy as it seems..." he murmured. Before anyone could say Hei Long suddenly turned his head toward Xu Yang again. Xu Yang swallowed and looked at Hei Long. Xu Yang's heart tightened. I thought it was over... But Everyone knows my life isn't easy... so why did I expect this to end peacefully?
Outside,Demons suddenly began attacking people.Everyone inside turned toward the entrance.A tall bull demon had grabbed a wooden cart with both hands and thrown it across the street. His horns were lowered, and his eyes were completely blank. He charged at a group of demons who were trying to escape, his heavy steps shaking the wet ground. "Run!" someone screamed. Before the others could move, a thin, snake-like demon suddenly twisted around and struck with his long tail. His body was covered in dark green scales, and his claws scraped across the stone as he attacked anyone who came near him. "Another one..." Lin Chen whispered.
The snake demon opened his mouth, showing sharp teeth, but no words came out. He suddenly lunged toward an injured demon. Chen Yu rushed outside at once. "Get back!" he shouted. He threw both hands forward, and green energy burst from his palms. It formed thick vines of light around the snake demon's body and yanked him away from the injured demon. The snake demon hissed and fought against the energy, his tail whipping wildly across the ground. One strike smashed a wooden bench into pieces. Chen Yu stepped back but held his ground. "Move! Get everyone away from here!" he shouted.
A frightened group of demons quickly dragged the injured away. The bull demon suddenly turned toward them. His muscles tightened, and dark energy gathered around his horns. He lowered his head and charged. Chen Yu's eyes widened. "Not again!" He pulled one hand back and sent a wave of green energy across the ground. It struck the bull demon's legs just before he reached the crowd. The demon stumbled, crashed onto one knee, then immediately tried to stand again. His blank face never changed.
Wei Han followed Chen Yu outside. He looked at the bull demon for only a moment before raising his hand. His ring flashed and several thin golden threads shot through the rain and wrapped around the demon's horns, arms, and legs. The threads pulled tight. The bull demon roared and tried to break free, but the golden lines only dug deeper into his dark energy. "Don't let them get near each other," Wei Han said calmly. Another shadow suddenly moved behind him.
Wei Han turned just in time to see a crow demon drop from a roof, black wings spreading wide as sharp feathers shot toward him. He moved aside, and the feathers struck the wooden wall behind him. "There are more..." Chen Yu said, breathing hard. The crow demon's eyes were empty too. It spread its wings again and released another wave of black feathers. Wei Han raised his hand, and silver threads formed a shield in front of him. The feathers struck the threads and fell into the mud. Su Yuan hurried between the injured, helping them move farther away from the fighting. He stopped when he saw another demon step into the rain and slowly change.
The demon's shoulders dropped. His eyes lost their focus. His fingers curled into claws. Su Yuan's face went pale. He looked around in fear as more demons began moving strangely. "It's happening to everyone." Lin Chen looked toward the rain. His expression suddenly changed. "Not everyone." Su Yuan followed his gaze. A demon stood under the roof of a nearby shop, completely dry. He was frightened, but his eyes were clear. Another demon was hiding beneath an awning, shaking but still aware of what was happening. Only the demons caught in the rain were changing. Su Yuan stared at the falling rain, his breathing becoming faster. A drop landed on the back of his hand. He immediately pulled it away. "So it's the rain..." he whispered.
Inside the inn, Hei Long continued attacking Xu Yang. Yan Luo blocked another strike, his boots sliding across the wooden floor. Qing Li grabbed Hei Long from behind and tried to pull him back, but Hei Long fought with frightening strength. Wei Han rushed inside and used his ring power at once. Five rings appeared around Hei Long's arms and quickly tightened. "Hold him!" he said. Yan Luo tightened his grip and pushed Hei Long down while Qing Li held his other side. The rings pulled tighter, but Hei Long still struggled, his muscles shaking as dark energy moved around his body.
Xu Yang stayed a few steps away, his eyes fixed on him. "Hei Long." Hei Long's body suddenly stopped. His breathing became heavy, and his movements slowed for a moment. Yan Luo looked at Xu Yang but did not lower his sword. "Xu Yang..." he warned quietly. Xu Yang ignored him. He took another breath and called his name again. "Hei Long." Hei Long suddenly stopped. His eyes moved slightly. For one brief moment, his expression changed. Xu Yang saw recognition. He stepped forward to him. "Yes, Hei Long. Look at me." Xu Yang slowly stepped closer. He kept his eyes on Hei Long, hoping he could reach him somehow.
But the moment Xu Yang came close, Hei Long suddenly moved and grabbed Xu Yang's neck. Xu Yang's eyes went wide. "Hei—" His words stopped as Hei Long's fingers tightened around his neck. Xu Yang grabbed Hei Long's wrist with both hands and tried to pull it away. His feet barely touched the floor. Fear rushed through him. He's not himself... Hei Long's lips moved. "Xu..." Xu Yang froze for a moment. He heard his name. "Yes. Hei Long, you remember me..."
Before he could finish,Hei Long's face became blank again. His grip tightened. Xu Yang struggled to breathe. "Hei Long..." His voice came out weak. Yan Luo rushed forward. "Hei Long!" He struck Hei Long's arm with the side of his sword.Hei Long finally loosened his grip, and Xu Yang dropped back onto the floor. He quickly touched his neck and took a deep breath. His eyes stayed on Hei Long. "What happened to you...?" Hei Long suddenly lunged at him again.
Xu Yang barely moved aside. Hei Long's claws passed close to his face and hit the wooden pillar behind him. The pillar cracked from the force. "Xu Yang!" Yan Luo shouted. Hei Long turned and attacked again. Xu Yang stepped back, but Hei Long was already close. His hand came toward Xu Yang's chest. Xu Yang raised both hands at once. Golden energy burst from his palms and wrapped around Hei Long's body. It stopped him before he could strike. The golden energy held his arms and legs tightly, but it did not hurt him. "Hei Long, I'm sorry!" Xu Yang said, his voice shaking.
Hei Long pulled against the golden energy. Dark energy moved around his body, and the floor shook under his feet. His breathing became rough and fast. Xu Yang stared at him. Then he saw something move under the skin of Hei Long's arm. His eyes widened. It looked like a thin shadow moving slowly beneath his skin. What is that...? Xu Yang took a small step closer. He wanted to see it clearly.But before Xu Yang could look again, Hei Long suddenly roared and broke free and golden energy broke apart around him.
Xu Yang stepped back in shock. What was that?...Hei Long rushed at him again. Yan Luo moved first. He struck the ground with his sword, and a wave of fire energy pushed Hei Long back. Qing Li moved from the other side and used his power to hold Hei Long's legs. "Hold him!" Yan Luo shouted. Hei Long broke the binding and swung at Qing Li. Qing Li blocked the attack with both hands, but the force pushed him back several steps. Yan Luo quickly moved behind Hei Long and held his arms. Hei Long struggled hard, trying to break free.
Chen Yu rushed back inside after helping the other affected demons outside.When he saw Hei Long, he raised his hands at once. Green energy spread across the floor and wrapped around Hei Long's legs. Yan Luo held him tighter while Qing Li added more energy to hold him down. Wei Han's rings appeared around Hei Long's arms again and pulled them back. For a few moments, Hei Long fought against all of them. Then his strength slowly faded, and his knees hit the floor. His breathing became weak. Xu Yang slowly moved toward him, worry clear in his eyes. "Hei Long..." Hei Long lifted his head. His face was pale, but his eyes were no longer empty. He looked at Xu Yang."Xu Yang..." Then he collapsed.