The two male concubines discreetly observed her from their shadows, their broad shoulders trembling as if they struggled to contain something within, perhaps a fear of retribution from Shen Xian, or something deeper that surpassed mere apprehension.
Without warning, Shen Xian swept his sleeve in a grand gesture, clearing the room of its occupants. His anger simmered beneath the surface, yet his expression held an impenetrable mask. His winter-grey eyes reflected a darkness, and his smile bore the weight of unspoken pressure.
Most would have missed it, but those keen enough to sense the shifting atmosphere would know that even the stoic emperor, known for his unyielding demeanor, could be rattled, all for the sake of a woman whose origins remained a mystery.
As the chamber emptied, a tall figure glided in, his presence commanding yet silent as he moved with an ethereal grace, as if he were gliding above the ground. His robe draped elegantly, accentuating the result of countless hours of rigorous training, molding him into a vision of strength and poise.
Though his features were unremarkable, there existed a unique beauty in his seriousness. The air around him felt charged; his expression, as sharp as the talons of an eagle, indicated that he was not one to entertain trifles. His lips were set in a firm line, betraying no hint of emotion.
"Did you torture someone again because they failed the mission? Is the life of others so worthless in your eyes?" the man asked expressionlessly, with a slight note of disgust in his tone.
If anyone were to speak to Shen Xian like this, their souls would have been lost long ago. Yet, when the question came from this man, not only did it not anger the Demon Emperor, it, on the contrary, shifted his unreadable expression to one of helplessness and sadness.
"A’Lei, how come you speak to me like this? I didn’t do anything to them. Can you treat me like a good person for once? It really hurts my heart. Don’t be angry with me, okay?" The once merciless and brutal Demon Emperor stood up from his throne and walked toward the man, his tone sad, as if the whole world had abandoned him.
Fortunately, no one was here to witness this scene; otherwise, even in death, they would never have anticipated their emperor’s behavior. Everyone was aware of how deeply he loved and cherished the tall figure before him, but they would have never imagined that he would resort to such lengths to appease him and avoid his ire.
The moment the man named A’Lei appeared, Shenlian Yingyue’s impassive facade cracked. She blinked in disbelief, unable to reconcile the sight before her with her previous understanding of the situation.
What was he doing here? Hadn’t he been sent to train in the dimensional realm prepared by Shen Xian? And why did he radiate the same heavy aura as the demon race?
Enough with your hypocrisy! I can’t stand it. At first, I agreed to come with you to become strong enough to protect the person I cherish. But ever since, you have isolated me from the world. You allow me to go wherever I want, but you never let me go and find her. I’ve been practicing in that dimensional space for over three hundred years; when will I be able to go to her?," Tai Hua Lei finally frowned, unable to contain himself.
This person was indeed Tai Hua Lei, who had left everyone to be by Shen Xian’s side for his training. His last departure with Shenlian Yingyue and the others had been at Golden Candle City in the Inner Domain.
At that moment, before Shen Xian could respond, Xiao Meng entered and knelt, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty. This is the item you asked me to retrieve."
In her hand, she respectfully presented Shen Xian with a jade box containing something precious.


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