snow

**“The Crown Prince of the Great Tang, paying homage to the Dragon Emperor.“**

In the colossal Forbidden Heaven Sanctuary, the Crown Prince stood respectfully at the entrance with Li Xuan. Heavy curtains draped low, obscuring everything within the deep palace. Shi Xingyu, clad in blue, stood calmly before the curtains.

As the curtains parted slightly, Shi Xingyu remained motionless. His deep blue gaze fell upon the two of them.

“We meet again, Dingyuan.”

Li Xuan made a face and smiled helplessly.

He would rather face anyone else than the Dragon Emperor, Shi Xingyu.

Everyone has weaknesses, except Shi Xingyu. He is like the heavens—unfathomable, invincible. He envelops everything, his majesty unmatched.

His power makes mountains and rivers tremble.

Though he keeps this power dormant within him, he has declared to the world that he is not a demon, that his power is only unleashed for the sake of love. Yet, it is a power capable of destroying heaven and earth. As long as this power exists, it instills fear in everyone.

He is gentle, elegant, appearing as a benevolent and magnanimous ruler. But no one doubts that with a mere gesture, he could turn the world into a living hell.

His gentleness is but the calm before the storm. No matter how many times he claims he is not a demon, no one believes him.

Or perhaps, no one dares to believe. The existence of such overwhelming power is itself a taboo.

He is the demon king crowned with peace.

Yet, this demon king is Li Xuan’s mortal enemy, for in his past life, Li Xuan had sealed this demon king for a hundred years. To this day, a crucial part of the demon king remains sealed within Li Xuan.

Li Xuan, however, is just an ordinary man with no strength to speak of. He only wishes to live a peaceful life, love someone, enjoy a simple existence, tell a few jokes, and keep a pet.

Why can’t the heavens grant him this small wish?

Now, he stands in the palace of this demon king, who smiles at him warmly, like a gracious host.

Between them, it seems as if no enmity exists.

This makes Li Xuan uneasy, filled with fear and uncertainty.

He hesitates, unsure how to respond.

Shi Xingyu seems to see through his heart: “You need not fear... I have no intention of harming you. You have borne my malice, and for that, I should be grateful...”

He extends his hand toward Li Xuan.

“I only wish to borrow two things from you.”

A faint dragon aura emanates from his hand, drifting toward Li Xuan. Li Xuan feels a sudden tightness, as if his soul is being drained. The dragon aura moves within him, touching the cool key buried in his stomach.

The aura entwines and spreads, enveloping the cool key, attempting to pull it out.

Li Xuan lets out a scream!

The Nine Heavens Cassia has taken root within him, transforming into a small cassia tree, complete with roots, branches, and vines, deeply embedded in his meridians and flesh. The trunk of the tree tightly clings to the cool key, making it inseparable. As the key moves, it tugs at Li Xuan’s meridians, causing excruciating pain that nearly makes him faint.

Shi Xingyu frowns slightly, and the dragon aura surges.

The aura swirls, forming a sharp edge that slashes at the cassia tree.

However, the tree is not only deeply rooted in his meridians but has also become one with them. As the tree is damaged, Li Xuan feels an unbearable pain. A loud explosion echoes, and the Dingyuan Blade unsheathes itself, facing the Dragon Emperor with a cold, imposing presence.

The indomitable will of Dingyuan Hou crosses the boundaries of reincarnation, manifesting as a faint red shadow hovering outside Li Xuan’s body. The dragon aura is instantly incinerated by the blazing flames. The red shadow radiates a chilling authority, warning everyone.

Anyone who dares harm Li Xuan will face the full force of the Dingyuan Blade’s wrath!

No one wishes to provoke Dingyuan Hou lightly, not even Shi Xingyu.

This is why Li Xuan has survived numerous dangers.

Shi Xingyu turns his gaze to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince sighs helplessly and says, “This is why I brought him before the Dragon Emperor. He has swallowed the Cool Key and the Nine Heavens Cassia, and the two have become inseparable within him. Any force that tries to harm him will trigger the protection of the Dingyuan Blade. Before coming to the Demon Kingdom, I tried over ten methods.”

He lies without batting an eye. It’s true that Li Xuan is covered in wounds, all inflicted by him. He did try over a dozen methods to separate the Nine Heavens Cassia from the Cool Key—only to confirm that it was impossible.

Unless he, as the master of the Moon Palace, intervenes.

He smiles and says, “But the Cool Key is still the Cool Key, whether it’s inside him or not. Moreover, he possesses the Xuanbi Heavenly Book, which should be of use to the Dragon Emperor.”

“Dragon Emperor, why not keep him here? If you’re worried he might cause trouble, you could always shackle him.”

Shi Xingyu ponders for a moment.

“No need.”

He says indifferently, “At the foot of the Forbidden Heaven Peak, there is someone I believe you would very much like to meet.”

This statement is directed at Li Xuan.

It is a small house, built of solid ice. The ice is thick, forming a low dome covered with intricate patterns, making it impossible to see what lies inside. The ice house is nestled against the Forbidden Heaven Peak, small and solitary, quietly resting on the Arctic wilderness.

Li Xuan has never seen this ice house before. There is nothing in the Demon Kingdom that he cares about, but as he approaches, his heart begins to pound uncontrollably.

He feels an inexplicable sense of panic, though he doesn’t understand where it comes from:

Who is inside the ice house?

His hand trembles slightly as he gently touches the door. The door, carved from a single block of ice, is plain and unadorned. Though the ice is thick, the door opens with a light push. It is not locked, for in the Demon Kingdom, locks are unnecessary.

But Li Xuan does not push the door open.

Because a sudden fear grips him.

What if the person inside is someone he doesn’t want to see? Could it be a corpse? Or a harbinger of disaster?

He shakes his head, chuckling at his own wild thoughts. This isn’t like Li Xuan. He isn’t one to hesitate. With a slight effort, he pushes the door open.

The room is empty, devoid of any furniture, save for a pale figure.

Su Youlian.

Li Xuan is overjoyed.

He has finally found Su Youlian.

After being captured and brought to the Arctic, enduring endless torment and fear, seeing Su Youlian makes it all worth it.

He rushes forward, wanting to embrace her and never let go. He has searched for her desperately, and now that he’s found her, he won’t release her.

But as soon as he takes a step, he stops.

Su Youlian stands quietly in the center of the ice room, so lonely, so helpless. Her long, delicate brows are deeply furrowed, her gaze distant. She watches Li Xuan enter but seems not to see him at all.

At this moment, she feels so far away, so cold.

This distance makes it impossible for Li Xuan to step forward and embrace her. She is like a frozen statue; anyone who tries to hold her will be frozen alongside her.

He doesn’t know the pain that Su Youlian is enduring in her heart. Her thoughts are consumed by the azure demon king.

She cannot help but recall the pale blue moonlight, the demon king shedding his own blood so that the desolate souls of demons could re-enter the cycle of reincarnation. In that moment, he was so compassionate, so sincere, nothing like a demon.

He used destruction to protect his love, yet in the quiet of the night, he used his own blood to silently redeem the sinful souls.

He is not a demon; he shouldn’t be a demon.

His love shouldn’t be shattered by his own hands.

Su Youlian bites her lip tightly.

“Thank you,” she whispers, her voice filled with endless sincerity.

But at this very moment, she is plotting to kill him.

It shouldn’t be like this.

Su Youlian is immersed in the azure pain, feeling her entire body grow cold. She doesn’t notice Li Xuan.

“Dragon Emperor...” Her confusion makes her sigh softly, and she can’t help but let the name slip from her lips. Her thoughts suddenly jolt, and she regains her clarity.

She sees Li Xuan.

Surprise, astonishment, confusion, and joy intertwine in her heart. She pauses for a moment, then suddenly bursts out with a cry: “Li Xuan!” Like a sudden bloom of snow, she rushes toward him.

Li Xuan embraces her.

The Arctic cold is so intense, making their embrace stiff and icy.

It completely overshadows the joy of their reunion.

Dragon Emperor—why did those words come to her?

Li Xuan strokes Su Youlian’s hair, a sudden thought flashing through his mind. He doesn’t know why he thinks this, but the thought is so abrupt, so persistent.

Why didn’t she call him “my love,” but instead called him “Li Xuan”?

Why is Su Youlian, whom he searched for tirelessly in the Moyun Academy, now in Shi Xingyu’s palace?

Why does his heart feel a pang of bitterness?

Why?

There’s a sense of restlessness, annoyance, and frustration with no outlet. In the dream demon’s illusion, when she saw his soul, they should have understood each other completely. Their hearts should have merged, leaving no room for doubt.

He would die for her, and he knows she would die for him. When he looks into her eyes, he is certain of this.

Though he didn’t see the deal between Su Youlian and Xue Yin, he is sure of it.

He loves her, and she loves him, like the sky embracing the earth, the earth yearning for the sky. Why does such a heavy sense of separation exist? When he holds her, why does it feel like his arms are empty?

Is he still trapped in the nightmare of the dream demon?

Li Xuan chuckles self-deprecatingly. Perhaps the days of torment have made him a bit neurotic.

After so much hardship, he has found Su Youlian again. They should have a heartfelt talk.

He wants to tell her that he has known everything for a long time, but he doesn’t care that she wanted to kill him. He is also certain that she no longer wants to kill him.

The sky is so bright; why can’t they simply love each other?

With this thought, his heart fills with tenderness. He gently strokes Su Youlian’s hair, noticing a faint, icy sweetness in its scent.

Su Youlian suddenly pushes him away.

“No, you shouldn’t be here. How did you get here?”

Li Xuan smiles bitterly. “Of course, the Dragon Emperor brought me here.”

Su Youlian’s eyes flash with anxiety. “You can’t stay here! I’ll beg the Dragon Emperor to let you go!”

She grabs Li Xuan’s hand and pulls him toward the exit. She can’t let him suffer any harm. She can endure anything, but she can’t let him be hurt. The Demon Kingdom is too dangerous; he can’t stay here for even a moment.

Li Xuan doesn’t move.

They stand hand in hand in the cold ice house, but the distance between them seems to grow. Li Xuan’s expression changes slowly, making him seem almost unfamiliar.

“You’ll beg the Dragon Emperor?” Li Xuan asks softly, almost word by word.

The great Dragon Emperor and the insignificant snow demon—they should have no connection at all.

“I’ll beg the Dragon Emperor to let you go.”

The words are so resolute, so confident. Li Xuan doesn’t know why he asks this, but he can’t help it.

He loves her; he should be most tolerant of her. Yet, he can’t help but question every word she says, especially when it involves the Dragon Emperor.

Su Youlian doesn’t notice Li Xuan’s expression. She is only anxious. “Yes, you can’t stay in the Demon Kingdom, not even for a moment!”

She pulls Li Xuan harder, trying to drag him up the Forbidden Heaven Peak. Only then does she realize Li Xuan’s resistance. She looks up at him in surprise.

The look in Li Xuan’s eyes pierces her like a needle.

“Why?” Li Xuan’s voice is hoarse, strained. “Why can’t I stay here?”

His gaze is a barren wasteland, with no place for Su Youlian. That look makes Su Youlian feel a sharp pain, suddenly weak and pale. She can’t even hold Li Xuan’s hand.

But she can’t tell Li Xuan the truth. She must not reveal a single word of that secret.

“No! I can’t tell you!”

She pleads, her eyes fixed on Li Xuan.

“Go, okay? Escape the Demon Kingdom, and never come back!”

Li Xuan’s lips tremble. “Okay, but we’ll leave together!”

“No!” Su Youlian almost screams.

She can’t leave. She can’t watch the trap she’s carefully set fall apart. If she leaves the Demon Kingdom now, she can only watch the prophecy come true, watch the person she loves become a demon, stepping over countless corpses.

She can’t accept that outcome.

She can’t let the love she’s worked so hard for turn to ashes.

But she can’t say it. Her secret must remain hidden, even from Li Xuan.

She can only look at Li Xuan with desperate pleading, hoping he will listen and leave the Demon Kingdom quietly. She will do everything in her power to beg the Dragon Emperor to let him go. As long as the Nine Spirits haven’t been found, the Dragon Emperor still needs her and won’t deny her this small request.

Li Xuan smiles bitterly. “You want me to leave? You came to the Demon Kingdom, but you want me to leave?”

Su Youlian’s fervent eyes suddenly turn cold.

She finally understands what Li Xuan suspects.

She is stunned, furious. She can’t believe that after all she’s done for their love, after risking everything, Li Xuan would think this way!

—I crossed thousands of miles of snow to come here, to assassinate the Dragon Emperor who makes all living beings tremble, all to save our love.

—I stayed by the demon king’s side, endured endless torment, all to save you.

And you think I’ve betrayed you, that I’ve come to seek the Dragon Emperor’s favor?

Is this how you see me in your heart?

Su Youlian feels her heart bleeding.

A cold smile forms on her face.

—Is this what I’ve risked my life for?

She suddenly pushes Li Xuan out of the ice house.

“Go, I never want to see you again!”

A blizzard erupts, sweeping Li Xuan away. The door of the ice house slams shut, and snow falls, sealing the house like a white tomb.

A small tomb, like the death of love.

Li Xuan lies on the ground, wanting the icy cold to seep into his bones.

He is filled with regret, deeply regretting what he just said.

That shouldn’t have been Li Xuan’s words. Li Xuan is carefree, without worries, without suspicion or jealousy.

These days of longing have made him understand his heart—he loves Su Youlian, and Su Youlian loves him. His love is like a piece of glass, transparent, beautiful, and clear at a glance, never changing. He has always believed this. But the appearance of Long Mu has changed him.

When Su Youlian stepped onto the path of white lotuses, heading toward the flower banquet, Li Xuan felt a deep, painful realization—he couldn’t hold onto their love. He could only watch as she walked step by step toward the prince in the night, while he stood in the light, feeling utterly insignificant.

At that moment, he was deeply wounded. From then on, he was no longer carefree. His love was no longer like glass, no longer clear at a glance.

He has tasted the pain of love, like every child who first experiences it. Worse, he has tasted its two companions.

Jealousy and suspicion.

They are the spices of love, making it sweeter. But if you taste only these spices, they leave a bitter aftertaste.

Li Xuan is experiencing this now.

Because he can’t understand why Su Youlian came to the Demon Kingdom. And why she is so close to Shi Xingyu.

Close? Yes. Li Xuan thinks bitterly.

She calls him by name and believes that with a single word, the Dragon Emperor will let Li Xuan go.

Since when has she held such sway over the Dragon Emperor?

Jealousy and suspicion make the taste of love unbearably bitter.

Li Xuan sits in front of the ice house all night, but Su Youlian never acknowledges him.

He feels like a discarded toy, thrown aside and forgotten. Though once deeply loved, he is no longer held close.

This night is not for conflict. The night is quiet, the blue light of the heavens floating in the distant sky, illuminating everyone in the Demon Kingdom.

This is not a night for sorrow.

As the dawn light enters Li Xuan’s eyes, the ice house remains closed. Li Xuan doesn’t receive Su Youlian’s explanation. His pain reaches its peak.

He looks at the towering Forbidden Heaven Peak, almost wanting to scream:

—Shi Xingyu, what have you done to her?

Inside the ice house, Su Youlian’s eyes are pale, fixed on the snow-sealed door.

She desperately hopes that Li Xuan will push the door open, as he always does, his face full of sunshine, lighting up her heart. She needs that warmth, something that can pierce through her body and dispel all the gloom.

That Li Xuan is the one she would sacrifice everything for, just to preserve their love.

That way, she would have the courage to destroy the Dragon Emperor’s love and seal him away forever. Yes, she would not fear falling into hell after death, enduring eternal scorn.

She clings to her love, sitting on the icy ground, waiting for the door to open, for her beloved to walk in with a sunny face, telling her that no matter what, he loves her.

It’s a fairy tale, one she has dreamed of for a thousand years, standing on the desolate ice plains.

This night is not for conflict. The night is quiet, the blue light of the heavens floating in the distant sky, illuminating everyone in the Demon Kingdom.

This is not a night for sorrow.

A giant claw rests on Li Xuan’s shoulder.

“Friend from afar, have you come to visit me?”

Yu Dingchi’s eyes are filled with the warmth of friendship. Since their battle a few days