Feng Liuli noticed the subtle shift in the air and hid a soft chuckle behind her hand.
She had wondered just how long Liu Yun could endure this. As it turned out, the General’s possessiveness was far stronger than she had anticipated.
While Feng Liuli basked in her private amusement, Liu Yun remained shielded by a massive pillar, cautiously observing the Nether Lord’s every move.
Seeing the lingering trace of a smile between the Nether Lord’s brows only deepened the bitter ache in Liu Yun’s chest. However, as soon as she remembered her own station, her expression crumpled once more.
She was merely a minor Protector. In terms of status, rank, and power, she was worlds apart from the Nether Lord.
In the span of the Nether Lord’s eternal life, perhaps she was nothing more than a fleeting diversion—a passerby meant to alleviate a moment of boredom.
The thought drained the last of Liu Yun’s courage. She didn’t even have the heart to demand an explanation. Like a ghost, she prepared to slip away as quietly as she had arrived.
If she didn’t ask, and if she didn’t tear down the veil between them, perhaps everything could stay the same. She could continue to stand at a distance—not too close, not too far—and guard the Nether Lord in silence.
She would be content to nurture this joy in secret, continuing to love her from the shadows.
That’s the plan… so why does it hurt so much?
Liu Yun bit her lip until it bled, struggling to rein in her spiraling emotions. With a heavy heart, she forced herself to turn away.
On the throne, Feng Liuli sensed the sudden turbulence in the other woman’s spirit. Her eyes narrowed, and she projected a majestic, commanding voice:
“Who is lurking so suspiciously behind the pillar?”
Feng Liuli’s intent was to startle her into the open, allowing her to seize the initiative. Today, she was determined to make this blockhead speak her mind.
The plan was solid, but she hadn’t accounted for Liu Yun’s state of mind. Drowning in a sea of sorrow and despair, Liu Yun didn’t even register the voice.
Wrapped in her Invisibility Spell, her face a mask of grief, the General continued her silent trek toward the exit of the hall.
She comforted herself with the thought that it was only natural the Nether Lord didn’t love her. After all, she was just a lowly Protector.
She should be grateful for that one month they had shared. She would cherish it as a gift from fate. As long as she wasn’t banished from the Nether Lord’s side, she could endure anything.
Let it be bitter, she thought. Bitterness is better than being loathed and never seeing her again.
Seeing Liu Yun continue her steady retreat, Feng Liuli’s eyes widened in disbelief. When did this “Innocent Square”(Little Traditionalist) grow such a backbone? How dare she ignore a direct order?
But the irritation quickly vanished as she noticed something was wrong. Liu Yun’s steps were faltering, her shoulders trembling slightly. Is she… crying?
No way. Surely not?
Aside from that incident three hundred years ago, she had never seen this stoic General shed a tear.
To be honest, the memory of it was a bit nostalgic.
A mischievous, slightly wicked glint danced in Feng Liuli’s eyes. With a casual flick of her wrist, she conjured a projection. Suddenly, Liu Yun’s tear-stained face appeared vividly before her.
Seeing the raw despair in Liu Yun’s eyes, the smile on Feng Liuli’s face froze. Her brow furrowed.
What on earth happened? Is there any reason to cry this pathetically?
The Nether Lord sat up straight on her throne. Her fingers moved in a blur, weaving a complex incantation.
She began to calculate the General’s fortune, trying to discern what catastrophe had befallen her.
After a thorough investigation, she found that Liu Yun’s destiny for the next few millennia—even tens of thousands of years—was exceptionally smooth. Her fortune was peak, and even her Red Marriage Star had recently begun to stir. There shouldn’t be anything worth such sorrow. So why is she crying like the world is ending?
Confused and seeing the woman about to vanish through the doors, Feng Liuli raised her voice, calling out more sharply:
“Liu Yun!”
The heartbroken General froze. She thought she heard the Nether Lord’s voice.
But the Nether Lord is busy using the Reincarnation Mirror to look at the one she truly loves. How could she possibly have time for me? I must be hearing things.
With that thought, Liu Yun didn’t even pause. She walked straight out of the hall.
Feng Liuli, left staring at the empty doorway: “…”
She really isn’t listening to me?
Liu Yun shouldn’t have the guts for that. Did she really not hear me?
Feng Liuli hesitated for a moment before relying on her long-standing authority in the Nether Realm to try once more.
“Liu Yun, enter the hall!”
Outside, Liu Yun had just stepped heavily onto the Left Protector’s foot again as she moved to the other side of the gate. When she heard the voice a second time, her eyes went wide.
Just now… was that really the Nether Lord calling her?
Realizing what she had just done, Liu Yun instinctively buried her face in her hands.
Not only had she snuck into the palace, but she had also ignored the Nether Lord’s command. She was finished. Completely and utterly doomed.
Feng Liuli, watching through the eyes of her clone, found the display hilarious and felt a wave of relief wash over her.
Ah, she really just didn’t hear me.
But what was she thinking about that made her so distracted—and so miserable?
Lost in thought, Feng Liuli forgot to hide her gaze. Liu Yun, currently wishing for the ground to swallow her whole, felt the Left Protector’s eyes boring into her. She moved toward the clone with silent intent.
She delivered one final, vengeful stomp to the Left Protector’s foot before psyching herself up. Like a martyr marching to her doom, she finally entered the Hall of the Nether Lord.
Feng Liuli, snapped back to reality by the phantom pain in her clone’s foot: “…”
This girl was getting bolder by the second.
By the hierarchy of the Nether Realm, the Left Protector actually outranked a General. Was Liu Yun so confident in her “backing” now that she didn’t even fear her superiors?
How… adorable.
Feng Liuli’s idle thoughts lasted until Liu Yun reached the center of the hall and knelt with rigid formality.
“This subordinate greets the Nether Lord!”
Everything was by the book. Not a single breach of etiquette. She acted as if absolutely nothing had ever happened between them.
Feng Liuli blinked, a spark of temper flaring up instantly.
Her wings have barely sprouted, and she’s already trying the ‘use me and forget me’ routine?
Fine. If that’s how you want it, I’ll play along.
Though she wanted to snap at her, the memory of Liu Yun’s tear-streaked face softened her resolve. When she spoke, the words were awkward and tinged with lingering irritation.
“Who upset you so much that you felt the need to sneak into my hall and cry like a child?”
Because she was still annoyed, her attempt at comfort sounded more like an interrogation.
Realizing her secret entry had been compromised, Liu Yun felt a flash of guilt, but she puffed out her chest and stubbornly lied:
“This subordinate… the wind blew sand into my eyes. I was not crying!”
Feng Liuli let out a cold, mocking laugh. “Then the winds of the Nether Realm are truly impressive today, to be blowing sand all the way into my inner sanctum!”
Liu Yun bit her lip, knowing her excuse was pathetic.
However, she couldn’t possibly voice the rebellious, scandalous thoughts swirling in her head. She could only lower her head and maintain a stoic silence.
Seeing her refuse to communicate, Feng Liuli’s brow darkened. Her voice turned icy.
“Tell me. What happened?”
Chilled to the bone by the change in tone, Liu Yun remained silent, her head bowed.
She looked every bit the part of a stubborn mule—the kind that wouldn’t speak even if you froze her into an ice sculpture.
Feng Liuli had always known the General was inflexible, but she hadn’t expected that stubbornness to be turned against her.
You won’t talk? Fine. She had her own ways of prying open the mouth of a “stubborn mule.”
Recalling how Liu Yun had been during that month together—relentless and unyielding—Feng Liuli’s fox-like eyes shimmered. A plan began to form.
Since you like to cry and play the silent type, I’ll give you something to really cry about.
Ignoring me now?
In a moment, I’ll have you crying and begging for the chance to speak…
