But now, Lin Xiao could no longer hear anything. All he felt was that he and Ling Xi were truly finished—perhaps they would never meet again.
To him, the world had lost all its light. His spirit visibly withered, while a violent aura fermented within his body—clear signs of falling into demonization.
Zhang Nu noticed instantly. His heart clenched. This was bad. He had to act immediately. He couldn’t let Lin Xiao fall further, and he couldn’t let those YaoGuai hide Ling Xi away.
“Lin Xiao! Listen to me! Calm down! That aura around you—it’s already the sign of demonization!”
He quickly chanted an incantation, conjuring a talisman from thin air and slapping it onto Lin Xiao’s chest. The paper seal temporarily suppressed the violent qi pouring out of him.
Lin Xiao quieted somewhat, but his mind remained clouded. Zhang Nu could see it clearly: Lin Xiao’s heart was entirely consumed by Ling Xi. Without her, he truly could not go on living. To untie the bell, one must know who tied it.
Zhang Nu’s thoughts raced—and suddenly, a plan came to him.
“Lin Xiao, listen. I have a way. A way for you to see Ling Xi—and to make sure you’ll never be separated again.”
The words struck Lin Xiao like a divine elixir, snatching his attention in an instant.
He shot upright, seizing Zhang Nu’s shoulder with burning eyes, as if to pierce him through, desperate for a path to be with Ling Xi forever. “Really? Zhang Nu, you mean it? You truly have a way? A way for me to see Ling Xi and stay with her, forever, never apart?”
His excitement was feverish. But Zhang Nu could sense his violent aura subsiding. It wasn’t only the talisman’s power—it was that promise which calmed him—exactly what Zhang Nu wanted.
“Yes. I really have a way.” Zhang Nu’s voice was steady. “But first, you must do exactly as I say. From now on, no acting on your own.”
He didn’t reveal the plan immediately. Instead, he set down this condition first.
“Zhang Nu! At a time like this—you still hold back? If you have a way, tell me now! Don’t mock me! I’m desperate! Please, I’m begging you!”
Lin Xiao was frantic, nearly furious, torn between doubt and hope. But in his heart, he believed Zhang Nu must truly have a solution.
Zhang Nu remained calm, even firmer. “Lin Xiao, my words are clear. Obey, or not—that’s your choice. After all, I’m not the one who longs to see Ling Xi most. For all you know, she might live well with her kin, with the YaoGuai, cared for and safe.”
It was a goading tactic. And even now, it worked. Lin Xiao had no way to refuse. On his own, he had no means to find Ling Xi, much less take her away.
“Fine! I’ll listen! Zhang Nu, I’ll do whatever you say—just please, help me bring Ling Xi back!”
His voice was pitifully humble. But when it came to Ling Xi, Lin Xiao could never hold pride.
“Good. Then follow my lead.” Zhang Nu nodded.
He led Lin Xiao into a small wooden hut and began laying out the plan.
“Look, Ling Xi is YaoGuai by blood. If her people take her home, that’s only natural—it’s her clan. More importantly, they can heal her wounds. We cannot.”
He explained the situation first.
Lin Xiao, who had resisted so strongly, found himself wavering. “That… does make some sense. But… but if we just let them take her, how do we know they’ll treat her well?”
“Then we’ll follow and see for ourselves.” Zhang Nu’s eyes gleamed with mystery.
He raised both hands, tracing a sigil in the air. A purple-black light slowly spread from his body, then flowed outward to envelop Lin Xiao.
Lin Xiao stared blankly, not understanding.
Zhang Nu explained: “This is the power of the Demon King—the faith of the YaoGuai. Whoever wields it will be revered by them without question. With this, we can walk the demon realm unhindered.”
Lin Xiao still looked bewildered, half-comprehending.
But with the Demon King’s power cloaking them, Zhang Nu strode boldly into the demon realm, dragging Lin Xiao along. Just as he said, no one barred their way. On the contrary, countless lesser YaoGuais scrambled to act as their guides.
At last, they arrived in the Demon King’s grand hall.
The YaoGuai King, shaken and awed by the sight of that dreaded aura, hurried forward, bowing deeply. “Great Demon King, forgive my poor welcome! I beg your pardon!”
Zhang Nu ascended to the throne without hesitation, introducing Lin Xiao as his disciple. Then, with the authority of the Demon King, he began negotiations—over Ling Xi’s marriage.
Ling Xi was the YaoGuai King’s adopted daughter. To be wed to the disciple of the Demon King himself was a blessing beyond measure.
And so, without lifting a finger in battle, Zhang Nu arranged for Lin Xiao and Ling Xi’s lifelong bond.
Seated upon the throne, Zhang Nu could only sigh inwardly.
This Demon King… truly is busy beyond belief.