Chapter Thirteen: The Arrival of Abao and Mendi

In the garden of the Demon Emperor’s Palace, where flowers bloomed in riotous color, Bai Yue and Bai Nianxuan admired the vibrant blossoms together.

Once they entered the garden, Bai Nianxuan seated herself on a stone bench by the flowerbed, quietly gazing at the flowers within. Bai Yue sat beside her, neither speaking a word, the tranquil air between them evoking a sense of peaceful days undisturbed by time.

There was no sunlight in Heart City; even this garden was lit only by a faint violet glow. This light was conjured from the moon of the Moon Demon God Agares, and served as the only illumination within the great halls of Heart City.

Bai Nianxuan swung her small feet, her cherubic face serene. As she watched that violet glow, she lay against Bai Yue’s embrace, her eyes lifting to the sky above. Gazing at the round purple moon, she felt an endless stream of spiritual power emanate from it.

“This moonlight must shine upon every palace in Heart City,” Bai Nianxuan murmured, her childish face shadowed with sorrow. “Sister, I miss home.”

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her voice tinged with longing. At heart, she was still just a child. Though her behavior far surpassed her years, she was only seven, innocent to much of the world. But she disliked being at a disadvantage and could always persuade Bai Yue with her own reasoning.

At her words, Bai Yue gently stroked her head. “I miss home too. I wish we could return soon.”

To Bai Yue, the demon clan was no home—only a shackle upon her heart. If she remained ignorant, she could have reveled in her days without care. But now that the truth was known, all she wanted was to escape.

Bai Nianxuan clutched her hand, whispering, “I don’t want to think about it anymore. I just want to look at the flowers.”

Sensing the sorrow in Bai Yue’s tone, she wished not to continue, lest she cause her sister deeper hurt.

“Then let’s look as long as you wish. If there’s any flower you like, I’ll pick it for you and decorate your room with it,” Bai Yue said softly, her beautiful and tranquil face drained of color.

“All right!” Bai Nianxuan answered sweetly, then stood from Bai Yue’s embrace, her small feet pressing on the bench. She scanned her surroundings, her gaze finally settling on a crown-shaped cluster of violet flowers, their petal edges glowing with blue light.

Bathed in the purple moonlight, the blue and violet gleams upon those flowers collided, like a scattering of tiny stars casting their brilliance.

“So pretty,” Bai Nianxuan exclaimed with delight, her dark eyes alight with fascination. Even among demons, there were flowers of rare beauty. Though Heart City was shrouded in darkness, some special blossoms could not survive sunlight; thus they flourished here.

“They are indeed beautiful.”

Following her gaze, Bai Yue nodded. “Nianxuan, you have an eye for beauty. You always manage to find the prettiest things at first glance.”

“Yes!” Bai Nianxuan immediately picked the flower, then plucked a black blossom from a nearby bed—a black rose. Paired with the violet flower that glittered like stars, Bai Nianxuan found them enchanting.

“Sister, this is for you!” she declared, clutching the bouquet tightly, her dark eyes gleaming with anticipation. She had combined the two flowers into one arrangement, hoping Bai Yue would like this carefully chosen gift.

“Thank you, I’ll treasure it,” Bai Yue replied with a faint smile, moved by the depth of Bai Nianxuan’s affection. “This is the best present I’ve ever received.”

“Hehe!” Bai Nianxuan’s silvery laughter rang out in the quiet air, pure joy shining in her eyes.

Bai Yue’s expression softened, her gaze full of happiness and contentment. Warmth filled her heart, as if basked in sunlight—a warmth that spread through her limbs and bones.

Suddenly, two light footsteps broke the gentle moment.

“How dare you pick flowers in the garden!” a childish yet cold voice rang out beside them.

Bai Yue and Bai Nianxuan looked up to see two young boys. The speaker was a black-haired, black-eyed boy clad in dark robes, his youthful face set in a frosty scowl. Golden thread embroidered a dragon motif upon his robes, subtle waves of spiritual energy pulsing from the design.

Beside him stood a silver-haired boy with short hair and gentle features, his azure eyes calm. A few locks of fringe fell across his forehead. Though his features were soft and almost feminine, there was a hint of boyish strength. He still bore a trace of baby fat, and his white robe was trimmed with gold thread.

“Why can’t we pick flowers?” Bai Nianxuan challenged, her voice indignant. “Does this garden belong to you? Who says we can’t pick them?”

“It is my family’s garden!” the black-haired boy declared coldly. “By picking them, you insult the Heaven-defying Dragon Clan!”

“And who are you?” Bai Nianxuan asked, momentarily stunned. She did not know this boy.

“I am the crown prince of the Heaven-defying Dragon Clan—Abao!”

Bai Yue’s lips twitched as she looked from the two boys to Bai Nianxuan. The black-haired boy bore a striking resemblance to her—he was, without doubt, her half-brother. Ha. He claimed never to forget her mother, yet had taken another wife and had children. Believing a man’s promises was the height of foolishness. The light in Bai Yue’s eyes dimmed further.

“And who are you?” Abao demanded coldly. “I’ve told you my name. Shouldn’t you introduce yourselves?”

“This is the garden of my Demon Emperor’s Palace. Which clan of demoness are you from?” He studied the pair, his eyes clouded with unspoken emotion. For some reason, when he saw the young woman with black hair and eyes, he felt an inexplicable sense of kinship, an urge to be close to her—though, in truth, he did not know them. And they looked so alike—clearly sisters.

“My name is Bai Yue, and this is my younger sister, Bai Nianxuan,” Bai Yue replied coolly, her black eyes fixed on Abao. “We didn’t know we weren’t allowed to pick the flowers. We meant no offense and will leave now.”

Seeing Abao’s features, Bai Yue felt as if she were looking at a miniature version of the Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu. Her heart was a tangle of conflicting emotions, as if something lodged in her chest, leaving her oddly unsettled.

“What clan uses the surname Bai?” Abao muttered. “Mendi, have you heard of it?”

“Your Highness, there’s none among the demon clans. Judging from their aura, they’re human,” Mendi answered, his face scrunched in a frown. As a member of the Star Demon Clan—the most gifted magicians among demons—he could sense that neither girl bore the fluctuations of dark spiritual power. In other words, they were not demons, but humans.

But how could humans appear within the Demon Emperor’s Palace? That, Mendi could not fathom.

“In that case, seize them,” Abao said coldly, fixing them with an icy stare.