Chapter Four: Feng Xiu, the Demon God Emperor

As she stepped into the black rift in space, Bai Nianxuan's heart was in utter turmoil. She didn't want to listen to the words of these detestable demons, yet she lacked the strength to resist.

Passing through the spatial fissure, the two of them arrived at a grand yet unfamiliar structure. The palace was heavily guarded, and on the black plaque above the entrance glimmered three golden words: Demon Emperor's Palace.

Bai Nianxuan's expression changed instantly, shock written across her delicate, sculpted face.

The Demon Emperor's Palace?!

This was the stronghold of the demon race!

She had never truly imagined she would one day set foot in the Demon Emperor’s Palace. Plans could not keep up with the changes of fate.

Indeed, she hated the demons, but she could never have foreseen that she would come to their stronghold at a time when she was so weak.

They entered the solemn, imposing palace—a vast hall shrouded in darkness. Atop the steps sat a golden throne, its armrests carved with dragon motifs.

“Raise your heads.”

A gentle, melodious voice sounded beside them.

Bai Nianxuan and Bai Yue turned in unison toward the figure.

He stood around one meter ninety, his waterfall of black hair cascading to his waist, a black wheel hovering behind him. His black, ornate robe swept the floor, faint purple patterns glimmering across the fabric. His black eyes gazed straight at them.

For some reason, staring into those eyes, Bai Nianxuan sensed an indescribable loneliness.

It was the solitude of the truly powerful.

Neither Bai Nianxuan nor Bai Yue knelt; instead, they stood tall, meeting the Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu’s gaze directly.

Seeing these two faces, so strikingly similar despite their difference in years, a flicker of confusion passed through Feng Xiu’s eyes.

He could sense the faint trace of his own bloodline within Bai Yue.

And gazing at Bai Nianxuan, whose features were seventy percent reminiscent of Bai Lingxuan, Feng Xiu grew momentarily lost in thought.

Bai Nianxuan was like a miniature version of Bai Lingxuan, stirring subtle ripples in his heart.

The greatest death for a person is to be forgotten.

All these years, the Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu had never ceased thinking of Bai Lingxuan.

Her death was the greatest regret of his life.

Now, seeing a face so like hers, his eyes turned blue.

“What is your name?”

This question was directed at Bai Nianxuan.

As for Bai Yue, Feng Xiu already knew everything about her. Sensing his own bloodline at the Exorcist Pass, he had begun to investigate all those connected to Bai Lingxuan.

In the end, he discovered Bai Yue’s existence.

But Bai Nianxuan was beyond all of Feng Xiu’s expectations.

He studied Bai Nianxuan’s expression intently.

Her delicate, childlike face was so much like Bai Lingxuan’s, and her braids, just reaching her ears, brought another ripple to his gaze.

Both Bai Nianxuan and Bai Yue resembled Bai Lingxuan, and all three wore dark braids, making Feng Xiu feel momentarily dazed.

When he saw the fear on the little girl’s face, he was reminded of his first encounter with Bai Lingxuan.

“Bai Nianxuan.”

Though she felt the suffocating pressure, Bai Nianxuan mustered her courage to answer, her young face displaying a composure beyond her years.

“Bai Nianxuan?”

Feng Xiu paused, his black eyes shifting to blue.

Bai Nianxuan… The name itself was an echo of longing for Bai Lingxuan.

Nianxuan—yearning for Lingxuan.

“Yes, my name is Bai Nianxuan.”

She gripped Bai Yue’s hand tightly, sweat beading on her forehead.

Confronted with the oppressive might of the demon sovereign, both Bai Nianxuan and Bai Yue felt overwhelmed.

Despite their discomfort, Bai Yue immediately stood in front of Bai Nianxuan, fulfilling her duty as an elder sister.

“Very good.”

Feng Xiu’s refined voice rang clearly in their ears, his gaze settling on Bai Yue. “Yue’er, I am your father, Feng Xiu.”

Bai Yue’s face drained of all color at those words, her eyes toward Feng Xiu filled with hatred.

Her resentment was so obvious that Bai Nianxuan cast her a panicked glance.

My dear cousin!

This is so reckless.

We can’t possibly defeat this man!

If we could, we’d have already taken up arms against him.

Bai Nianxuan’s fighting spirit was stirring. She was never one to be obedient, and naturally, thoughts of defiance arose in her mind.

“So, does His Majesty the Demon God Emperor wish to lament his hardships, or is he here to make up for the fatherly love I’ve lacked all these years?”

Her tone toward Feng Xiu was icy.

Her dark eyes fixed on him, her hatred nearly tangible. “If that’s the case, then there’s no need for further discussion.”

“I have lived very well in the Holy Temple Alliance. I am long accustomed to life without parents. I have never known a father’s love, and I never will. Please, Your Majesty, return us to where we belong!”

Her voice trembled with passion, flames burning in her eyes.

She was a gentle soul—she would never have spoken so harshly if she didn’t truly hate him.

She did not resent the uncle who grieved endlessly for her mother, only the father who had caused all this tragedy.

Without him, she would never have been born, and her mother would not have lost her life.

From start to finish, Bai Yue’s hatred was reserved solely for her biological father.

No matter what Feng Xiu said about making amends, Bai Yue could never forgive him.

Affection that arrives too late is worth less than grass!

Compensation? With what can he compensate? Can any reparation bring her mother, Bai Lingxuan, back to life? The answer is impossible.

There was simply nothing left to discuss between them.

Was it his compensation she lacked? No, what she was missing was her mother’s life.

Between them lay the insurmountable chasm that was Bai Lingxuan’s death.

“Yue’er…”

Feng Xiu’s voice began to tremble, guilt etched into his unbelievably handsome features. “I know you cannot let go of Lingxuan’s death, but all these years I have never stopped searching for you.”

“Please, give me a chance to make it up to you.”

He was haunted by the death of his beloved Bai Lingxuan.

His heart had grown as cold and silent as her tomb.

Looking at the faces—one grown, one young—that so resembled Bai Lingxuan, his tone softened against his will.

“Impossible!”

“Unless I die, I will never forgive you!”

Bai Yue’s eyes grew red, her fragile voice quivering with rage.

Feng Xiu stared in shock at the crystal tears glistening in Bai Yue’s eyes, a sorrow beyond words welling in his heart.

Bai Nianxuan gripped the hem of Bai Yue’s clothes tightly, keenly aware that the emotions in the air were running dangerously high.

She tried her best to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.

“I cannot forgive you on behalf of my mother, Bai Lingxuan!”

“If not for you, she would not have died. She would have become the strongest ninth-rank priest of the Holy Temple, saving countless lives, rather than perishing in an attempt to give me new blood.”

“I hate you!”

Bai Yue’s body shook violently, her face ghostly pale.

She was afraid, terrified.

Bai Nianxuan could feel the heavy silence that had fallen over the hall.

Feng Xiu closed his eyes and turned his back on Bai Yue and Bai Nianxuan.

“I believe we all need to calm down, Yue’er.”