This book should be read with parental supervision if you are under sixteen.
“Didn’t I tell you already? I can’t stay with you for long.”
“I’m just a human, with a lifespan of merely over a hundred years.”
“It’s alright, you’ll forget me soon.”
Xia Lun Morian smiled as he spoke to the girl by his bedside.
He could feel his life force draining, his vitality constantly dissipating from his body.
After all, he was already one hundred and thirteen years old this year, which was a rather astonishing age for a human.
But in the end, he still couldn't escape the fate of death.
“No… don’t… Xia Lun, don’t leave me alone… How could I possibly forget you? How do you expect me to forget you… My mind is already filled with only you, you bastard…”
The silver-haired girl knelt by Xia Lun’s bed, shedding tears. Her face was exquisitely carved, like an artist’s masterpiece, but now she was crying so piteously that it made one’s heart ache.
The pair of dark red bat wings folded behind her indicated that she was not human.
How strange, so she could cry too.
It was the first time Xia Lun had seen it.
After all, she was the Demon King—powerful, elegant, and aloof. Tears truly didn't suit her at all.
He had spent most of his life awakening her emotions, just to see the smile bloom on her face.
It was such a pity to see her crying like this now.
Xia Lun tremblingly extended his right hand, “Aina…”
“I’m here.” Aina quickly grasped Xia Lun’s right hand, “I’ll always be by your side, I’ll never let you leave me…”
Aina, with tears in her eyes, forced out an awkward smile.
“That… is truly reassuring.” Xia Lun reached out and caressed the girl’s cheek, “But… I’m sorry, you still need to find a way to forget me.”
Finally, Xia Lun’s hand slowly fell.
“No… don’t! Xia Lun! Open your eyes! Open them now!”
Aina clutched Xia Lun’s hand tightly, screaming in despair.
“I command you to get up right now! Yes, get up and kiss me, okay? Just like before…”
“Just kiss my cheek…”
“Huh…?”
“Xia Lun… why aren’t you speaking?”
“Your hand has become so cold…”
“This is a prank, isn’t it?”
“Please don’t scare me, this really isn’t fun…”
Aina sobbed helplessly; even with all her immense power, she was powerless at this moment.
“I am the Demon King!”
“If you die, I will rule humanity!”
“Did you hear that, Xia Lun? You’re the Hero, you’ll definitely come to stop me, won’t you…?”
“Please… please don’t leave me…”
…Xia Lun could no longer hear the sounds outside, nor could he feel any warmth.
His consciousness was constantly dissipating.
Is this what death feels like?
How strange, it seems somewhat familiar… Aina still seemed to be calling his name.
He wanted to respond to her.
But it seemed he could no longer do so.
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry.
He had left her alone… The promise to be together forever… It seemed he couldn’t fulfill it… He didn’t know how much time had passed; there was no concept of time in the endless void.
Eternal silence was the only theme here; no consciousness, no sound, no touch, no color.
In the endless chaos, a pure white soul fire began to burn.
At first, it was just a faint flicker, but then it flared up suddenly, like a rock thrown into a calm lake, and the ripples of life spread greedily.
His long-dissipated consciousness began to re-condense.
Who… am I?
Aina, Aina Giselle.
No, I am not Aina. Aina is the most important person to me, my wife, my lover, my everything.
To think of her name first… Xia Lun, yes, I am Xia Lun, Xia Lun Morian, that is my name.
Where is this? So dark, so cold… Suddenly, Xia Lun felt a powerful pull, drawing his consciousness uncontrollably towards a certain place.
Then, like a slight electric shock, an indescribable sensation of pleasure spread throughout his body.
Senses… various senses reoccupied Xia Lun’s soul.
He could feel his body; flesh began to fill, occupying the void of his soul; Xia Lun perceived his own existence.
So warm.
His heartbeat, like a powerful drum, restarted the engine of life.
Finally, Xia Lun opened his eyes.
The long-lost sensation of light made Xia Lun squint.
Where is this?
Before him was an unfamiliar ceiling made of neatly arranged logs, looking quite rustic and natural.
The air was filled with a faint scent of wood.
Xia Lun slowly sat up and looked around.
His current location was a wooden cabin. His bed was covered with a warm, thick white fur, stripped from some animal… or monster, he didn't know.
He had no memory of this place.
“Aina…”
The first thing Xia Lun did after waking up was to call that person’s name.
But he was the only one in the room, for now.
Xia Lun braced himself against the bed and slowly got up.
The room’s layout was simple and tidy. Besides a bed, a table, and chairs, there was also a vintage fireplace.
Xia Lun looked out the window; outside was a world of ice and snow. The howling cold wind, carrying snowflakes, beat against the glass window, making a chilling sound as it trembled slightly.
This kind of weather… it would be very dangerous to go outside, so it was better to stay indoors for now.
There were still some charcoal embers in the fireplace, radiating a pleasant and reassuring red glow, keeping the room as warm as spring.
On a nearby table was a mirror, reflecting Xia Lun’s current appearance.
He was wearing only a fur loincloth, revealing a muscular, well-defined physique, full of power and beauty.
He had neat black short hair, a chiseled handsome face, and deep, star-like pale blue eyes.
Young, strong, handsome.
“Is this… me? I’ve actually returned to my youthful appearance…” Xia Lun looked at himself in the mirror, stroking his cheek, lost in thought.
He remembered that before he died, he was clearly an old man in his twilight years, with a hunched back, barely able to walk without a cane.
Now he had actually regained his youth; this was simply a miracle!
“And this extraordinary strength… What exactly is going on?”
Xia Lun clenched his fist; his current state was better than ever before, as if he had inexhaustible energy.
“Creak—”
The door opened.
A person Xia Lun knew all too well, carrying wind and snow, walked in from outside.
Silver hair like a galaxy, a face as delicate as a doll, crimson eyes, and even the pair of dark red bat wings behind her… Undoubtedly, she was Aina, his wife, the lover who occupied his thoughts and dreams.
At this moment, Aina was wearing a clean white fur coat, the material seemingly identical to his bedspread. She wore a dark grey hood over her head, covered with a layer of snowflakes.
But Aina’s expression was somewhat stern. She was carrying a bamboo basket. She shook her head, brushed off the snowflakes from her hair, and then placed the bamboo basket on the nearby table.
“Aina!” Xia Lun immediately stepped forward in excitement, opening his arms to her, wanting to embrace her.
But unexpectedly, Aina swiftly dodged his embrace.
Aina looked up, her gaze somewhat cold, and asked, “Sir… May I ask who you are? How did you get into my house?”