Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

ZHAO YUAN ZHOU

The moment Bing Yi's pure demon blood entered Zhuo Yi Chen's forehead and was absorbed into his mind, Zhu Yan knew that things would turn from bad to an epic disaster that could kill Xiao Zhuo faster than the broken connection with the Cloud Light Sword that was previously endangering his life. Just seeing him lying on the bed unconscious and in pain was bad enough on its own right, but now adding a demonization on top of it was even harder to swallow and impossible to reverse, not to mention it was once again his fault.

It seemed that even if the last thing he wanted was to cause more calamity to Zhuo Yi Chen, it seemed that he was destined to harm him in every way possible before ending his life in his hands. Of course, it was completely unfair to Zhuo Yi Chen and at this moment he was beginning to believe that the fate between them was really a curse that he didn't know how to lift to save him. If he hadn't lost control of his malicious energy and crack the sword when Yi Chen had try to save him, he wouldn't be lying on that bed with death lurking at his feet.

In bed, the handsome face of Xiao Zhuo reflected the pain he felt while the demonic blood of his ancestor ran through his veins, poisoning his human cells and transforming him from the inside out. At that moment, Zhao Yuan Zhou perfectly understood Cheng Huang and his obsession to go back in time to save the woman who he loved more than his life. Being honest with himself, if he could change the past, he would have already done so, starting with getting rid of the oath that Xiao Zhuo made to the heavens influenced by his proposal to teach him the true way of using his sword and ending for not being manipulated to lose control of himself and hurt him to this point.

"Xiao Zhuo... I'm sorry... I never wanted this to happen... I never wanted to see you suffer like this... it's too painful to see and I can't help it," Zhao Yuan Zhou whispered to the unconscious man in bed just before leaning down to kiss him gently on his forehead and resting his own over his.

"But not matter what it takes... I will try to keep you alive, even if for a couple of days or weeks. There must be something that at least can restore the broken sword and the link that you two share. The restoration may not save you completely, but at least it will give you more time to try something different. My core... if it became the only way to your salvation, it is yours to take it... I have no regret in exchanging my life for yours. From the beginning it was always on your hands." He said softly as he carefully press his lips into Xiao Zhuo's.

His intention was not exactly to kiss him, although he gently part Xiao Zhou's lips, but to give him a some of his energy, so that he could fight the changes that Bing Yi's blood was doing in his weak body. However, for someone else who just came inside the room, it really seemed like he was taking advantage of Zhuo Yi Chen while he was sick and that was exactly what Wen Xiao thought when she entered the room, barely illuminated by the faint fire of dying candles and the moonlight.

"Zhao Yuan Zhou! What are you doing? He is sick, for heaven's sake! Get a hold of yourself, you pervert monkey!"

"Ape, I am an ape." He sighed as he looked at the enraged goddess.

"I don't care if you are an ape or monkey, you are a pervert either way! Get away from him!" She demanded as she stormed closer.

"No can do, I'm transferring energy to Xiao Zhuo before his body is completely taken by Bing Yi's blood." He say calmly as he look back at the sleeping beauty.

"Transferring energy? Do you think I will believe that excuse? Don't make me laugh. Since when do you have to kiss someone to transfer energy? Last time you didn't dare do it that way, otherwise he would have killed you on the spot!" She shouted at him as she reached out to grab the big demon's arm and give him a piece of her mind, but her hand bounced off as it touched a protective barrier around Zhou Yi Chen's bed.

"My apologies, my dear goddess, but this time, Xiao Zhuo is in no condition to sit and enjoy the transfer with my hand all over his back. His condition is not to be joked about and I owe him that. The less energy he has to restrain the demonic blood, the closer he will be to falling under Bing Yi's influence. If I don't act now, as perverted as my path may seem, he is more likely to awaken like me in the blood moons." He explained and Wen Xiao swallow the rest of her insults and sighed, getting a chair and sitting at the border of the barrier.

"Will he really become like you if the process keeps up?" She asked worriedly.

"Yes. A full human is not meant to carry the blood of any demon, let alone one as powerful as Bing Yi, even if he is his descendant. His connection to the sword may have slow the process if whole, but not so much when its broken. I'm afraid Zhuo Yi Chen is in great danger now."

"Will he survive this?" She asked.

"He has to... I can't let him die without a fight. The restoration of the sword is our only hope for now, but eventually, if we don't find another way, he will need a core to survive becoming a full demon and that will only happen with the sacrifice of another great demon's core. I will gladly offer him mine..." He whispers.

"Zhao Yuan Zhou!" She shouted his name for the second time as she stood up in protest, but he only smiled kindly at her.

"No matter how much you hate it, the fate Zhuo Yi Chen and I share can't be changed, just because he is less inclined to keep his promise now. Since the beginning he was meant to kill me and he had good reasons to do so. I deserve to die at his hands or give my life for him."

"You both are important to me, Xiao Zhou. As a goddesses I will find a way for you two to bypass that cursed oath!"

"It's not just the oath, Wen Xiao... our connection is deeper than that. At first, I didn't think much of it. He was easy to tease and I liked to do it just to make fun of him." He said smiling tenderly, remembering all those times he made him blush or angry. "But after we became closer, I realized there was more to our story than we thought. Your father said it himself at the time when I first came here. He told both of us that my death at the hands of Xiao Zhuo was not a prophecy, but a curse. You know that, right?" He asked her.

"Yes, but..."

"Then ask yourself why killing me, the demon who stole the lives of his father, his brother and his fellow demon hunters is a curse. For him, it shouldn't be a curse at all, but a blessing from the heavens, shouldn't it?"

"Well, if you put it that way, it would seem so, but..."

"But, it's still a curse, why?" Zhao Yuan Zhou asked her again.

"I... well I don't know the answer to that, but..."

"It's because we were destined to get close enough to each other for it to become a curse, for it to become a burden instead of a release. It's a curse because he will doubt, because he will hate it with every fiber of his body, because I too will realize that what I am asking of him is too cruel, because next to him my resolve will waver and my desire to die will begin to crumble because we are bound together in a way that the two of us never will be, Xiao Xiao." He said as he watched her hold her breath in surprise at his words, even as she herself had realized that her true feelings were closer to someone else than Zhao Yuan Zhuo.

"But what we have is still there..." She pressed.

"What we have is the bond of the goddess token. The bond that the magic that binds us together makes us feel so that I am compelled to protect you rather than kill you, as I was about to do at that time when I lose control and kill your master. We have known each other for many years before that and yet we never developed a feeling deeper than affection and friendship, but after the token split, we began to wrap ourselves in its magic. I didn't mind it then, but it's different now that Xiao Zhuo is dying because of me, because I'm destined to break him one way or another and I hate it. I'm really starting to feel the weight of this curse and it hurts like hell, as much as when I lose control over myself. I don't know what really happened between Bing Yi and Ying Long, other than their known legend, but if they name this a curse, maybe they also went down this road way before us."

"Xiao Zhou... are you... do you love Yi Chen?" She dare ask, although she was not that surprise this time. At that Zhao Yuan Zhou stood up from Yi Chen's bed and came closer to the goddess, quite ready to open his heart to her like he had never done before.

"Love? I'm not really worthy of his love, no matter what I think it is, but I feel our bond deepening, especially now that Bing Yi's blood is coursing through his veins, now that he is becoming a demon himself. It's like a wake-up call, as if his blood is calling me to respond, to be honest with myself, to surrender to what had been brewing deep inside me, little by little, by my own choice, by my own desire, I can't run away from that....." Zhao Yuan Zhou started to say but was interrupted when at that moment, Yi Chen's eyes opened to reveal a pair of bright blue eyes that turned to look directly at them.

"Xiao Zhuo!" Wen Xiao shouted as if surprised by the sudden move when they were having such a heart to heart conversation, however, Zhuo Yi Chen looked directly at Zhao Yuan Zhou as if he was trying to see as deep into him as his soul and Zhao Yuan Zhou trembled under his bright blue eyes, realizing that just as he had feared before, the one in front of him was not his adorable Xiao Zhuo the Demon Hunter Commander, but Bing Yi himself, or the remnants of his soul anyway.

"Ying Long..." Yi Chen whispered to him.

"Xiao Zhuo, this is Zhao Yuan Zhou, don't you remember him? Zhu Yan, the great demon?" Wen Xiao asked, not realizing that he was no longer his childhood friend and try to hold him to get him back on bed forgetting that the bed had a barrier and the one on her arms was an awakening demon.

"He is not Xiao Zhuo, get away from him!" But at that moment, Bing Yi acted on instinct and to push her away from him, he grabbed her by the neck with force and threw her away as if she was made of paper. With his demonic speed, Zhao Yuan Zhou was able to catch her before she could fall to the ground, but in doing so, he let Bing Yi pass him by the side.

"Freeze!" he commanded with his one-word spell which of course, failed miserably, only causing Bing Yi to look at him with a smirk.

"You have to do better than that, Zhu Yan." Bing Yi said before walking out of the room as if he owned the place.

"Wen Xiao, are you okay?" He asked as he touched her neck with his healing hand.

"Forget about me and go after him before he can hurt someone else."

"Let me heal you first."

"Go! He must be stopped before he leaves the Bureau!" She yelled pushing him away.

"I'll take care of him, then I'll come back and finish healing you."

"Don't be noble now, he's the one you really love."

"Right." He whisper as he stood and ran after his possessed demon hunter, turned great demon.

By bad luck, just as Bing Yi was coming out in the rain, near the pound where his blood has rested for eons inside the five-colored stone at the bottom of that pound, Ying Lei saw him getting soaked in the rain and with curiosity and concern at the same time, called out to the Commander.

"Mr. Zhuo, you are already awake. That's good, but why are you getting wet out there? You should go back to rest..." Ying Lei innocently suggested without expecting what came next, which was a strong surge of cold energy hitting him all over his body, sending him flying backwards towards the offering table, spitting blood and gasping in deep pain.

The commotion, of course attracted the attention of Pei Si Jing, who ran toward the pound upon hearing someone screaming in pain with her short sword in hand, as she did't have her bow and arrows at hand at that time of a quiet night.

She expected some kind of intrusion from outsiders, but what she witnessed was far worse than she could have ever imagined. Her Commander stood in the rain with glowing blue eyes, like a majestic ice god emanating waves of energy so strong it was difficult to even breathe, let alone get close enough to attempt anything. On the ground, Ying Lei clutched his chest with one hand and tried to shield himself from the deadly cold energy with the other.

"Pei Si Jing, get away!!" Ying Lei yelled, but how could she leave him alone when he was hurt?

"ZHUO YI CHEN! What are you doing?! STOP IT!!!" She screamed as she pointed her dagger at his left shoulder and threw it with all the force she could muster under the pressure of the demonic energy, but the dagger was easily repelled by a simple flick of the Commander's finger. His gaze then focused completely on her, and despite her training as a warrior and her combat experience, she had to admit that his gaze was terrifying. As if she were standing before a sacred mountain along with all the rivers of the world trying to crush her under their weight.

"Get lost," The Commander whispered, and for a moment she thought she would die at the hands of the greatest demon she had ever met, because this demon could not be her kind and caring Commander. He was too great, too terrifying in power and majesty to be anything less than a great demon or even a fallen god.

Whatever it was, Pei Si Jing was certain that with just a flick of his fingers, she would die, and she regretted not being able to see Wen Xiao and her brother one last time. Then, the next wave surged toward her, and she closed her eyes in resignation, just as her brother manifested in front of her to protect her with his own wood body. Zhao Yuan Zhou interposed himself between the Commander and the two of them with his own thick barrier of malicious energy to stop the wave.

The collision of the two forces created a huge water bubble that froze around them all and instantly shattered, scattering ice fragments everywhere. If the great demon hadn't protected Ying Lei like he had the Pei brothers, he would have died right there.

"Bing Yi! Release Yi Chen from your control or you'll kill him! He still has a human body without a core and the Cloud Light Sword  just broke! He's already dying, your descendant, the product of your flesh and blood! Please, release him now!!" Zhao Yuan Zhou appealed to the great demon's sense of filial duty, and to his surprise, the elder demon have a better look at himself and frowned at the result of his quick check of it.

"The sword must be reforge. Go to my Clan forbidden area, it will be his only hope... the curse, you must find a way to break it this time Zhu Yan." Bing Yi said and fainted as he released the weakened body of the awakened young man.

Zhao Yuan Zhou got a hold of Yi Chen before he could hit the cold and wet stone floor of the Demon Hunting Bureau and lift him bridal style close to his body.

"Ying Lei, you are seriously hurt, follow me and I will heal you as soon as I put Xiao Zhuo back in bed. He is already too weak to wake up for the next coming days, so there is no need to take any action for what just happen. He was possessed by Bing Yi's blood and not even I could defeat him even if he possessed a human body." He said to both Ying Lei and Pei Si Jing, because she was the kind of woman who will seek justice above all, but luckily, Bing Yi's control have only affected them, not anyone outside their team, which was a relief.

At least until his Xiao Zhuo wake up and find out what had been done in his absence of mind. That even if he had not kill anyone, he had hurt his close friends and family.

"It will be alright... I will be there for you..." Zhao Yuan Zhou whisper to the man in his arms before he kiss his forehead and walked back to his room, to resume his energy transfer, although he will not dare to use the same way in front of the others. He sighed at the thought of the look his dear goddess would give him after their previous conversation. Yes, maybe he was a perverted white ape... or as everyone called him... a perverted white monkey.

AN: LOL. I hope someone like this. I kind of keep confusing the names as they are so alike, damn, so if I miss a correction, let me know. Bad English anyways, even after so many years writing it. I'm such a hopeless case. Lol. Thanks for reading.

Chapter Text

Deep inside his mind, Zhuo Yi Chen sat on a stone, gazing at a grayish shore in the distance. The wind was gentle and warm, as if inviting him to enjoy the peace the place offer, even as his heart was in turmoil. There was something inexplicable pressing down on his body, as if a force was trying to keep him in place, preventing him from moving, but without actually harming him.  Zhuo Yi Chen could feel that his body had weakened considerably, though he couldn't remember why he felt so drained, nor why he was there to begin with.

The last thing he remembers was being face to face with his ancestor in a very cold place covered with falling snow and it was such a shocking surprise to be in the presence of someone so legendary and pillar of his Clan, that he had lost his ability to speak  for a moment, completely frozen in place and just look at him as if he were gazing into an enchanted mirror. 

In terms of appearance, Yi Chen thought they looked very much alike, almost a perfect copy of his ancestor, except for the great demon's long gray hair and his shining ethereal blue eyes, as deep as an ocean of stars. Once, Zhao Yuan Zhou had told them that, to demons, long gray hair was beautiful and showed their strong power to others, and looking at Bing Yi wavy ash gray hair falling like waterfall on his back, he had to admit that he couldn't agree more.

However, in terms of power, they seemed to have nothing in common, as Bing Yi's body radiated such a powerful concentration of demonic energy at its core that only the gods possess, while he could hardly bear the pressure to get close enough to the legendary great dragon without falling on his knees.

"My Ying Long was so willing to sacrifice himself for the common good... but he never thought twice about my feelings until the end. He was too cruel to me, just as your Ying Long is just as cruel to you in this life..." Said Bing Yi, and before he could ask any questions, Zhuo Yi Chen ended up waking up on that endless ocean shore, more confused than ever.

The last time he was there was when they were working on Ran Yi's case and his ability to control dreams. At some point he got caught up and fought against Zhu Yan before realizing it was all a nightmare. He knew the place belonged to the wilderness, but he had no idea why he was there or what was happening to him.

"Apparently, this is his favorite place in the wilderness." A voice said behind him and Yi Chen turned his head to look at the owner of the voice that now sounded familiar.

"Bing Yi..." Whispered Zhuo Yi Chen, not too surprised this time.

"I'm sorry for what I did to you before, Zhuo Yi Chen. I was not aware of your circumstances or the danger you were in. I felt the connection between our souls when my blood was released from the stone and I took the opportunity." He explained as he sat beside him.

"What do you mean? What circumstances are you referring to? I have no idea what's going on, why I've been stuck in this dream or for how long. Are you really my ancestor Bing Yi?" Zhuo Yi Chen keep asking, and the great dragon smiled fondly at him.

"As I said, I'm sorry that I took over your body and left you in the dark about what happened to you on your Demon Hunter Bureau, but I can give you the answers if you still want them. Although I must warn you that it will hurt to know what happened while you were trapped in my demonic energy. I was wrong... I'm sorry." Bing Yi apologize and Yi Chen just wonder of what kind of dream he had been trap into this time.

"This isn't a dream, but the shared consciousness of two soulmates who crossed paths in a previous life. Right now, your great demon Zhu Yan is transferring energy into your body because you're dying..." Bing Yi began to tell him the story and just as he expected, his young reincarnation's memories were affected by the broken bond with his sword and his demonization.

"What?!" Zhuo Yi Chen shouted, suddenly standing up in shock.

"Don't you remember what happened to you in your last fight?" Bing Yi asked calmly.

"My last battle? What do you mean? I was trying to save Zhao Yuan Zhou after his malicious energy took over, and... I failed to seal him and then... Li Lun possessed Bai Jiu's body, and I couldn't harm the boy..."

"Ah, that was too noble of you, but it was to be expected of someone with my blood. Nevertheless, in a real battle in were everyone risked their lives, sparing someone will become your doom, as it happens to you, because Zhu Yan crack the sword before and your 'boy' shatter it with his young hands after. Thus breaking you along with it..."

Finally understanding his predicament, Zhuo Yi Chen cursed under his breath and sat back down. Of course, he didn't regret not killing Bai Jiu under Li Lun's influence, but now that his sword was broken, he couldn't save himself, let alone the possessed boy.

"If the sword broke, he's wasting his energy on me. The bond I share with the Cloud Light Sword is not the usual one. The sword chose me as its master, and our fates will be forever linked, both in life and in death."

"Indeed, the sword is one of the kind, meant to be used to its full potential with the one who is equally linked to me and Ying Long in equal terms."

"Linked to Ying Long? I may be your descendant, but I have no connection with Ying Long at all." Zhuo Yi Chen said.

"I wouldn't be so sure if I were you. After all, the sword was born from Ying Long's bones and soul," Bing Yi said with a sadness he couldn't hide.

"Legend says you two were friends who became enemies, that you killed him to stop his madness to destroy the world," Yi Chen whispered as he looked out at the ocean waves. Beside him, Bing Yi sighed wearily.

"We were friends, but never enemies. All legends tend to drift away from the truth as time goes on, and more is written into the story."

"So, what really happened between you two? Can you tell me?"

"I love him, and just like you, he forced me to kill him so that his sacrifice could save the world from the darkness that was destroying it."

"You love him? You mean you were actually lovers?" He asked in surprise, not expecting that bombshell to be dropped on him out of the blue.

"Not lovers, but definitely more than friends. For us, loving each other was enough. There was no need for a more physical relationship when our souls were intertwined on a higher level. We complement each other in ways not even lovers could. It never occurred to me to desire more of Ying Long than what we had, and what we share was abundant that we never mind crossing boundaries... only when I lost him to his own sword in my hands did I begin to yearn for more, and so the curse began."

"You mean the curse where the owner of the Cloud Light Sword vows to kill the vessel of the malicious energy? The one Zhu Yan and I are meant to fulfill?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked, now more curious than ever to know the origin of his cursed curse.

"Yes. When Ying Long sacrificed himself to illuminate the darkness in the sky, the darkness itself could only survive in a container destined to create more chaos, creating an endless circle of light and darkness that Ying Long never anticipated. Since the circle was born from us, the chaos of the world, which is also part of the creation, also chose to follow in our footsteps, and in each of our reincarnations, we hate and love each other until only one of us survives. Usually, Ying Long's reincarnation always chooses to sacrifice himself, but before that, both of them will fall in love and suffer greatly... just as you two are beginning to experience right now," Biny Yi said sadly as she looked into the young man's eyes.

"I don't love him." Zhuo Yi Chen refuted, but Bing Yi just laughed.

"Young man, who are you trying to fool? You are undoubtedly my reincarnation in this era, and I can see how much you're starting to like his company, and you're already regretting making that oath. You are no different from me than I was centuries ago and it will only get harder as you keep up walking this path." Bing Yi assured him.

"So can you break this curse?" asked Zhuo Yi Chen in the hope that he could be saved from what he knew was coming his way and hated it.

"To be honest, I don't know. We started the circle, but it was something none of us anticipated so we couldn't foresee the end." Hearing that, Yi Chen felt like crying out all his frustration and inability to break free from a cruel cycle that had already cost him so much and caused him so much pain. 

If Zhu Yan had simply taught him how to use the Cloud Light Sword properly, if the great demon had simply given him the knowledge necessary to kill him for good, then he would never have had to suffer or be torn between their blood feud and the growing feelings nestling deep within his heart. It was a curse indeed, and a very cruel one that he could not escape now that their relationship had grown so close and in a way to be even closer.

"This is unfair..." He whisper as tears run down his cheeks.

"I know... it was unfair to me too. He left me to save the world, but I was left for so long longing for his presence as I became a mortal. He broke me in so many ways that can only be considered pitiful, but I still manage to hold on to a small part of him, just as Nuwa saved that drop of my blood so that you might break the cycle this once."

"Just how?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked eagerly.

"I can teach you the spell, but the rest will depend on your own luck and actions. Perhaps if Nuwa pity us enough, we can finally break free from this emotional hell."

"Then teach me and I will do my best to find a way." Yi Chen said with hope and Bing Yi smiled at him, praying that this time his soul can finally be complete in the way it was meant to be.

ZHAO YUAN ZHOU

"Xiao Zhao, will this endless energy transfer be enough to suppress Bing Yi's blood and stabilize his deteriorating condition long enough to enter the forbidden part of the Bing Yi Clan?" Wen Xiao asked for who knows how many times already.

"I can't be sure, but I assure you that I am doing everything I can to save him." He replied as he concentrated on giving Xiao Zhuo all the energy he could bear in his weakened body.

"Wen Xiao, let him do what he needs to. We're all worried about Commander Zhuo's condition and survival," Pei Si Jing said, putting her hand on the goddess shoulder to try to calm her down.

"It's already been three days! Why can't he wake up?" She asked, frustrated not only by Xiao Zhuo's worsening condition, but also by how badly things had turned out thanks to the Chongwu's Camp disastrous intervention. If it weren't for them, Zhu Yan wouldn't have lost control when all his senses were sealed, nor would he have crack the Cloud Light Sword, which ended up broken at the hands of a friend turned traitor, turned friend once again, turned into a possessed enemy at the end.

"His condition was bad enough after the sword was broken, and it only worsened with his demonization, so for him to be alive and able to endure the past three days is already a heavenly blessing," Ying Lei told the distraught goddess.

"I couldn't have said it better," Zhao Yuan Zhou nodded, his eyes still closed in concentration.

"But it's hard to see him cry in pain as he sleeps." She said sadly.

"Trust me, I know. I know his pain better than anyone else as it's also my own." Zhao Yuan Zhou whisper.

"Oh, Xiao Zhao... I'm sorry... I just want him back as much as you do. He is as much my family as he is my friend." She sincerely apologize, which he knew it was not even necessary as they all were a bit sensitive about Xiao Zhuo's condition.

"Perhaps we can go to the Bing Yi Clan forbidden part and find a way to reforge the sword before he wakes up. If the sword is whole again, it might help improve his condition," Ying Lei offered the group.

"That place hides much more than any of you can imagine. After all, it is forbidden for a reason and no Clan secrets will be revealed to outsiders, remember?" Zhao Yuan Zhue sighed a bit tired.

"So even if he wakes up, he might not be in a condition to travel there, let alone face the secret demons of his own clan," Pei Si Jing reminded them of one more obstacle in their path.

"He will be strong enough. I'm making sure of it." Zhao Yuan Zhou said as he felt Xiao Zhuo's energy finally starting to stabilize.

"Then..." Ying Lei whisper a bit lost.

"Then we wait. I feel like it won't take much longer for him to wake up, so I advise everyone to stay outside Ying Lei's barrier, just in case he awakens as a demon again." Zhao Yuan Zhou suggested and everyone took a several steps back, to be on the safe side and avoid another disaster like last time, where they could not prevent either Xiao Zhuo's demonization or the display of power that Bing Yi was capable of in another person's body.

Fifteen minutes later, while Zhu Yan was still stabilizing his demonic energy, Zhuo Yi Chen opened his eyes taking in a breath of air that kept them all alert for any sign of Bing Yi's second awakening. However, what happened next was something no one, absolutely no one, expected to happen, of all the things that could shake them all.

Just after Zhuo Yi Chen opened his eyes, with bright blue eyes and panting, Zhao Yuan Zhou cast a one-word protective spell against the team. Meanwhile, Xiao Zhuo, sitting on the bed, stared at Zhu Yan as if he had seen him for the first time in his life. After a moment of hesitation in which everyone held their breath for what attack could come next, he simply  pulled Zhu Yan close and... kissed him on the spot.

"Hmm, by the gods, what kind of attack is that?" Ying Lei wondered as he watched in amazement at the strangest way to disarm an opponent in his life.

"Xiao Zhuo?" Zhu Yan, equally stunned by the sudden kiss whispered against the other lips, unsure of who he was kissing, whether Bing Yi or his beloved Commander. However, as if waking from a long trance, Zhuo Yi Chen suddenly realized what he was doing, right in front of the whole team no less, and pushed Zhu Yan away in embarrassment.

"Oh my..." Pei Si Jing hide her laughter with her hand, while Zhuo Yi Chen blushed like crazy, and the great demon still sit in the bed smirked quite pleased.

"That was quite the welcome, Xiao Zhuo. Can we repeat? I wasn't sure who I kissed before." The great demon mocked and Zhuo Yi Chen took the closest thing he had, which was his pillow, and threw it in his face while still blushing as if his face was caught on fire.

"It wasn't me!" He shouted, though no one believed his claim.

"Well, Xiao Zhao, you were absolutely right to assure us that Xiao Zhuo would have enough energy for the journey to his clan's forbidden area," Wen Xiao added, and this time no one could hold back their laughter.

"I say it wasn't me!" But they just laugh harder. The initial bright eyes might have make them believe in his claim, but his insistence as he blushed so furiously only betrayed him. Everyone knew he was a bad liar. A very bad liar and for the more serious bad things that the team needed to tell him, such a happy time was indeed a blessing.

AN: Thanks for reading, I hope it's coming around fine. Was Yi Chen the one Zhu Yan kissed? I leave that to you guys, I just want for you to have your fun. Thanks again for the surprising, yet amazing support, I really wasn't expecting it. Thanks.

Chapter Text

After that magical moment where everyone had forgotten all the bad things that had happened in the last few weeks, only because of their Commander's impulsiveness in kissing the great demon after waking up from his deep unconsciousness, it was time to return to reality and all the difficulties it brought with it. For Zhuo Yi Chen, it was time to hear about the things he did when he was controlled by Bing Yi and face the punishment he deserved for his actions, even when he had not been aware of them, but they were still done by his body.

Feeling the tension rising in their young Commander, the team of friends fell silent as they stared at each other, waiting for someone to break the sudden change on atmosphere and seriousness on their Commander's handsome face. But no one really wanted to be the one to give Zhuo Yi Chen the account of what had happened inside their Demon Hunter Bureau, let alone what his ancestor had done to Wen Xiao and Ying Lei, which thankfully didn't end in tragedy.

"Just tell me what I did when I was controlled by Bing Yi. I need to know..." Zhuo Yi Chen broke the silence himself and looked at them in return.

"Xiao Zhuo, where you aware of Bing Yi's control on you?" Zhao Yuan Zhou asked, almost horrified, at the thought that his beloved could suffer a worse fate than him, and witness everything Bing Yi did without being able to stop it.

"No. I was not aware of anything that happened after Li Lun broke my sword and nearly killed me, but I was told I was possessed by my ancestor's blood as my body began to undergo the process of my demonization which is still incomplete. You see, while I was trapped within my own consciousness, Bing Yi and I connected as if we were part of the same soul, and it was then that he told me he did things he wasn't proud of with some of my friends... so now, tell me what he did while using this body."

The silence grew heavier as his words lingered inside his bedroom and Wen Xiao looked at his childhood friend with a mixture of sadness and pity, as did Ying Lei, who subconsciously tried to avoid Zhuo Yi Chen's gaze when the other fixed his sights on him, suddenly fascinated with the small pond inside the Commander's bedroom.

"Ying Lei... tell me..." Zhuo Yi Chen ordered and the young mountain god was about to find an excuse to leave the room, when someone else took the sad task upon himself.

"Xiao Zhuo, don't force him to tell you. If you really want to know, I can show you," Zhao Yuan Zhou offered in Ying Lei's place, which was a great relief to the mountain god, as he didn't want to be the one to make Zhuo Yi Chen as miserable as the great demon was after finding out what he did when his mind was taken over by the malicious energy on the blood moons.

"No. That would be too cruel, Xiao Zhao, but if he need to know, I will tell him myself, but after asking everyone to leave us alone," Wen Xiao said as she looked at Zhuo Yi Chen as if asking for his approval.

"Wen Xiao, it's okay if you want to tell him, but not alone. The last thing I want is for what happened that night to repeat again. I'll stay by your side and make sure he keeps his distance from you and Ying Lei," Pei Si Jing said, approaching her with an almost defiant expression.

"I have no idea of how badly I acted against you before, but I assure you, promise you, Pei Si Jing, that I will not be possessed again. That one time, Bing Yi possessed me was because he had just awakened after centuries of suppression inside a stone, back when chaos still ravaged this world. I'm aware that night he was still acting like a chaos demon use to kill, but everyone here knows that the great dragon was no ordinary demon and that even Nuwa wished to preserve him with that single drop of blood. Now that we are in the process of uniting, he will not take control of me against my will unless absolutely necessary. I will never knowingly harm any of you, and even less now that I'm back to be myself." Zhuo Yi Chen coldly told her.

"I know how protective you are of Wen Xiao and I am glad that she takes you as her guardian to protect her from anyone who wants to harm her, including me too, but I am still your Commander for the short time I have left. If even after this promise you have further objections, then so be it and I will accept Zhu Yan's offer." He finish saying, which only make the tension in the room raise.

"Xiao Zhuo, you don't need to promise any of that. We've been friends for so many years, and as your aunt, I couldn't protect you from harm before the Cloud Light Sword broke. Sister Pei knows that what you did was beyond your control and will understand that we must close this sad chapter before moving on to the next. Besides, there's no such thing as the short time you have left... because we are a family, and as one, we will all do whatever it takes to save you from being destroyed by something you didn't ask for. It's also my fault that the five-colored stone broke under Li Lun's power. If I had been stronger then, I could have prevented everything that has forced you into this fate. I'm sorry..." she said as she walked over and hugged him tightly.

"I'm not afraid of you, and I never will be, Xiao Zhuo..." She whispered, and unable to contain himself, Zhuo Yi Chen held her just as tightly, and he broke into her warm kind arms and wept uncontrollably.

The others watched in relief as Zhuo Yi Chen unburdened himself with the goddess's kind words. Zhu Yan even wiped away a tear, happy that perhaps now his beloved could forgive himself for something he didn't want to happen and put that dark chapter of his life behind him. Perhaps what happened to Xiao Zhuo was also a message from the gods to him; to do the same and stop blaming himself for everything he did, only in body and not in soul.

"I'm sorry too... for hurting you... because now I know I did hurt you... forgive me... you know I would rather kill myself than lay a hand on you..." He whispered to her as he sobbed into her shoulder.

"Of course I know... you have always been a beautiful man with a soft and pure heart."

"I'm not pure anymore..."

"Why? Because you kissed a white monkey?" Wen Xiao teased him and Yi Chen smiled as he subconsciously looked at Zhu Yan, who looked moved and offended at the same time.

"About that... Wen Xiao, I... sorry..." He closed his eyes and buried his head deeper into her shoulder, both embarrassed and in pain.

"What about? The kiss?  Xiao Zhuo, you can have him all you want if that's what you have hidden in your heart, although I don't know why will you doom yourself like that so willingly. He is too troublesome for a kind beauty like you. Maybe you should sign a contract with him like I did, so he can keep his hands and lips to himself."

"I hear that." Zhu Yan sighed, but Yi Chen blushed.

"See? He even eavesdrop on others so shamelessly."

"I'm not eavesdropping. You are talking in public."

"I asked to be left alone."

"Alright then, as you wish, my dear goddess."

"I'm kidding. I think is time for the two of you to actually have a heart to heart talk. Xiao Zhuo..." She gently let go of him and cupped his face in her hands.

"Don't feel bad for loving someone you think you shouldn't. Your fates have been intertwined for so long that everything else pales in comparison. I give you my blessing as your friend, aunt, and goddess. I too have my own destiny to follow, and it's not with a perverted monkey like him. Though I guess it's my win in the end." She smiled at him, and Yi Chen smiled back, eternally grateful for everything she did for him, for her kindness, her warmth, and her understanding.

"Thank you... I mean it." He said with his heart completely open to her.

"There's no need to be thankful. In fact, it's good that things turned out this way so we can both better understand the depths of our hearts. Although I hate to admit it, the monkey got there first."

"You're welcome." Zhu Yan snorted, and ignoring him, Wen Xiao stood up and bent down to kiss Xiao Zhuo on the forehead before turning to the great demon.

"You're not jealous, are you? I'm still his aunt, so I can do that much to my beloved Xiao Zhuo, right?"

"I prefer my kisses somewhere else, so that's perfectly fine with me. You can give them as much of those as you want, I approve." The great demon teased her back with a wide smile.

"Oh, for heavens sake! You!" Zhuo Yi Chen shouted in outrage and Wen Xiao laughed as she walked past Yu Zhan, feeling completely liberated.

"Then I will keep my eyes on your kind for him, oh great monkey demon..."

"It's an ape!"

"Oh, please, never mind that. Pei Si Jing, I leave her in your capable hands... take care of her." Zhuo Yi Chen told the archer as Wen Xiao smiled fondly at her.

"Of course." Pei Si Jing smiled and Wen Xiao extended her hand for her dear sister to take.

"Come, let's leave them alone for a while," Wen Xiao said, extending her hand to Ying Lei as well, who took it with visible affection. There was a reason Wen Xiao had been chosen as the next Baize Goddess, and Ying Lei was very proud of it. The woman was more than deserving of her title.

AN: Oh my, how did it turn from a heartwarming moment to a perverted comedy at the end? I guess is the lack of sleep. LOL. Thanks for reading and I hope you like it.

Chapter Text

After finally being left alone in the room, Zhao Yuan Zhou smiled at the pale man who was still sitting on his bed, relieved that at least something had worked out for them, for what Wen Xiao did with Zhuo Yi Chen had given him relief and at least one thing less to think about and worry about. He had to admit that he now owed her one more thing he could not pay in this life, along with the death of her master at his hands. It seemed that fate was willing to make him suffer in whatever way he chose. Whether it was Wen Xiao and the bond of the Baize token or Zhuo Yi Chen, his soul mate, he simply had his hands full with the blood of their loved ones and nothing could change it, no matter how much he wished for it.

"I know what just happened was a bit unexpected, but it doesn't matter. The most important thing is how you feel right now. The pain should still be there, even if you've hidden it from others, and I'm not just talking about the emotional pain..." Zhao Yuan Zhou told him, and Zhao Yi Chen looked outside. His room was open, allowing the moonlight and night breeze to cool the room.

"The pain is still there, but I can bear it for a while. As I said earlier, I really meant that Bing Yi and I are becoming one, so if I die, the remnant of his soul in me will too. The process of my body transforming into a demon has been delayed, which will gone me some extra time... although if the sword isn't repaired soon, it won't mean anything. I will still be destroyed by his demonic energy eventually." Zhuo Yi Chen confessed.

"So... did he tell you how you can save yourself?" Zhao Yuan Zhou asked hopefully.

"Restoring the Cloud Light Sword will help me with my degradation, and Bing Yi said there's a way to reforge it, but as for becoming a demon... he said it will depend on the decisions I make once I reach the forbidden area of my Clan."

"It's not like he can stay awake all the time, Zhu Yan. If he doesn't sleep to slow the process of his energy ravaging me from within, I'll die sooner." 

"Ah, right... then let him sleep as long as he can. We'll find a way to solve this riddle. I promise I'll save you one way or another," Zhao Yuan Zhou said to Yi Chen with all the seriousness in the world. It wasn't that he didn't know how to save him, for he knew a simple and safe way to do it and planned to use it if there was no other way out.

Seeing the great demon so serious, Zhuo Yi Chen sighed wearily. Even if Bing Yi hadn't warned him about transferring a core from one great demon to another, he could see that Zhu Yan had already thought about it. He was, indeed, just like Ying Long in his previous life, always trying to sacrifice himself for someone else, for the greater good, or for his loved ones. 

To think that Zhu Yan, the strongest demon in the wilderness, was nothing more than a heartless, bloodthirsty beast was completely wrong. In many ways, the demon who looked at him so tenderly was far better than more than half the human population and their dark hearts. After all, malicious energy was the manifestation of those dark emotions, and now he painfully understood that. Zhu Yan simply carried that darkness for them, unable to help himself, just like him when Bing Yi possessed him.

"Saving me doesn't include transferring your core to me, Zhao Yuan Zhou. You're more readable than you think, and to be honest, I'm looking forward to you wanting to live instead of forcing me to kill you. Believe me, the first time you asked for it in a previous life resulted in the curse we both face now." Zhuo Yi Chen confessed to the great demon, who raised an eyebrow at his words.

"Previous life?" He asked, slightly puzzled.

"You, Zhu Yan, vessel of the world's malicious energy, are as much Ying Long as I am the reincarnation of Bing Yi, already confirmed by the great dragon himself. The curse they placed on us without even knowing it's the result of their 'I want to die to save the world, and you, my soulmate, should do it because I would only want to die at your hands.'" Zhuo Yi Chen finished speaking, watching amusedly at Zhu Yan jaw drop in shock.

“What?” The great demon asked as he suddenly slid onto the bed so fast that Yi Chen barely had time to take a breath in before he found himself mere inches away from being chest to chest with him. Ever since he woke up, Zhao Yuan Zhao had been sitting in the middle of the bed, so it wasn’t difficult for him to be close to the other in the blink of an eye.

"Do you want to know their true story, not the incomplete legend we were told?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked in return.

"Of course, I am all ears."

"How about a cup of tea first? To be honest, I'm a little cold right now," Zhuo Yi Chen whispered, and Zhao Yuan Zhou couldn't help but glance at Yi Chen lips, which were truly a little blue from the cold.

"Get lost, you pervert monkey."

"Ape."

"Whatever... I’m in no condition to play games."

"Well, tea is. Can you get up or would you rather I carry you to the table outside?"

"I can walk just fine!"

"Are you sure about that? Your body has been weakened for three days in bed."

"You!" But Zhao Yuan Zhou simply smiled at him.

"Xiao Zhuo, don't get mad, I swear I only have your best interest in my heart."

"I highly doubt it. Now go make me some tea, will you?"

"Okay, your wish is my command." The great demon said that as he stood up and went to prepare the Commander's tea. He watched as Zhuo Yi Chen got out of bed and walked slowly to the table outside. The night was clear, so he had a beautiful view of the stars shining in the dark sky. The stars that Ying Long had created with the radiance of his sacrifice and love for the world.

How does a noble god-like demon with the power of creation end up cursing himself in his future reincarnations? He knew that Nuwa was grateful for his sacrifice and liked Bing Yi, so it was really Chaos who had seen the opportunity to screw things up and curse them eternally? If so, then how could they break the curse, because Chaos was also a god and part of the balance between light and darkness that the heavens so firmly maintain.

"Xiao Zhuo, don't think too much about things beyond your understanding. If I really am the reincarnation of Ying Long, then something divine is at play and it will be useless for us to try to break free from that cycle," Zhao Yuan Zhou said as he placed the pot on the fire next to the table.

"I don't believe we can't break free of it, and Bing Yi believes that too. He said the proof of that is that his blood, which had been suppressed by the stone for so many centuries, was so easily broken by a single tree demon no matter how powerful he is. He certainly wanted to try to destabilize the stone with his demonic energy, but under normal circumstances, it should have been impossible, otherwise the demons would have taken over the heavens long ago.The five-colored stone was an element for mending the heavens... how come it broke so easily, and just when I was at my most vulnerable?"

"Do you think Nuwa knew about the curse and took Bing Yi's blood to stop it when the time was right? That she is somehow trying to correct the mistake?"

"Otherwise a celestial stone shouldn't be broken by any demon, and in the same way Ying Long's sword, made from his bones and soul with the power of creation, wouldn't have been broken like that. Being the reincarnation of its creator, only you could damage the sword, only you could give Li Lun the satisfaction of breaking it and putting me in bed, right next to the stone that had protected my clan for centuries."

"It kind of make sense."

"So the next question is: why were your senses sealed so you lost control and damage the sword? Why did the sword break in the first place? Why did I have to become a demon with Bing Yi's blood?"

"So you could go to your clan's forbidden area. It's said there's a secret well-guarded by an ancient demon there."

"A demon who might give us some answers..."

"And salvation. You're not out of the woods yet, Xiao Zhuo."

"Right... that too." He sighed.

"Take some tea to warm yourself. Tomorrow we can travel to your clan forbidden area and see what is there waiting for us. Salvation or destruction, we will face it together." Zhao Yuan Zhou whisper as he served Yi Chen his tea.

"Then you believe all of this...?"

"I have no reason not to. We all know you don't lie and I witness with my own eyes Bing Yi's awakening. To be honest it was terrifying..."

"Will you show me?"

"Only if you insist..."

"I insist..."

"The come here and kiss me..."

"You stupid monkey!"

"Ape, for heavens sake."

"You don't deserve to be called ape..."

"Yet, that's what I am..."

"I have never see your true form."

"This building is too small for me to manifest."

"Just how big are you?"

"As big as a mountain..."

"Ying Long was a dragon..."

"He die and I inherit a new shape."

"An annoying one."

"Still one you want to save..." Zhao Yuan Zhou whisper and Yi Chen stared at him for a moment, lost into the events that make them enemies, to then become friends and now soulmates. It had been a strange journey, full of ups and downs, dangers and pain.

"Don't make me, Zhu Yan... please don't make me kill you. It will break me as much as it broke Bing Yi."

"I cannot promise what I don't know will happen in the future... but I will promise that I will not seek dead anymore. I have hurt you enough for ten lifetimes... I don't want to break you more than I already have..."

"Then, stay alive... stay with me..." Yi Chen said seriously.

"As you wish..." Zhu Yan smiled mischievously as he pulled Xiao Zhuo by his hanfu and kiss him from the other side of the small table.

"Zhao Yuan Zhou, you pervert..." Xiao Zhuo said breaking the kiss after realizing he was starting to respond it.

"You kiss me first.. this is only retaliation." Zhu Yan teased him.

"That wasn't me..."

"I know demonic energy better than anyone, Xiao Zhuo. Don't fool yourself."

"Fine! I'm off to bed, I have enough warm for the night."

"Oh? I assure you you can have more..."

"You're impossible. Leave me al..." And then Xiao Zhuo stopped mid-sentence, feeling something thick rise in his throat and coughing up blood.

"Xiao Zhuo!" And at that instant, Zhu Yan stood up, lifted the other man back onto the bed, and wiped the blood from his lips and chin with his sleeve.

"Don't worry, it's nothing... I'm dying after all."

"Don’t make jokes like that, I won’t let you die." Said Zhao Yuan Zhou emotionally.

"Then think of me killing you with my own hands... which is worse?"

"It was never my intention to hurt you with the oath. I did not expect us to become so close."

"But it happens anyway."

"What is done cannot be undone."

"But it can be changed."

"What do you mean?"

"You can still release me from my oath and I sincerely hope that you will before this is all over..." Zhuo Yi Chen whispers before a black void takes him as he faints in his bed, leaving behind a great worried demon and the spark of an escape from his promise to heaven in the burning.

AN: Thanks for reading. I hope this theory of mine make sense and don't ruin the story. Until next time, see you again. Hopefully.

Chapter Text

WEN XIAO

Leaving the stubborn couple behind, the three returned to the main hall, mostly in silence until Ying Lei had offered to prepare something for them, as Zhuo Yi Chen had woken up and although he was still in the process of turning into a demon, for the time being, the Commander was still human and needed to replenish the energy he had lost over the past three days.

"Ying Lei... I don't think you should interrupt them anytime soon, because, well... they have a lot to talk about tonight. So, how about you get some rest and go to sleep? Tomorrow will be a difficult day for everyone, especially when you help us restore the Kunlun Gate and then right toward the Bing Yi's forbidden area. I'm sure the restoration alone will put some strain on your powers, so the more rested you are the better it will be for you." Wen Xiao told him so and Ying Lei smirked amusedly as he looked at the two women holding hands as if it was the most natural thing in the world between the so-called 'sisters'.

He wasn't stupid, and after what he'd seen and heard, he had a pretty good idea of ​​how things were going, and he didn't care. For gods and demons, there were no rules about who to love, like in the human world. If you had feelings for someone, nothing stopped you from trying to win them over, regardless of their gender. He'd already noticed the attraction between the Commander and the great demon, but he hadn't given them much hope, since Zhao Yuan Zhou also showed interest in the goddess, and she seemed to reciprocate, although her relationship with the huntress seemed closer or deeper.

"Sure, sure... I'm leaving now, have a good night together... I mean, in each other's good company," Ying Lei told them as he headed to the kitchen to prepare something to boost his energy, because it was absolutely right that he would need to be at his best for whatever happened tomorrow.

"Sister Pei... did he just suggest that we..." Wen Xiao whispered as she watched the little mountain god's retreating figure and Pei Si Jing smiled.

"Yes, he did, though it shouldn't surprise you since you were as bold as the Commander back there. I guess he's grown up. He's not as innocent as he used to be, but that is not a bad thing for him at all," Pei Si Jing said, and as they looked at each other, they ended up laughing.

"I guess I really was too daring... ah, poor Ying Lei.... Caught between two troublesome couples at such dangerous times." She laughed some more, but the huntress did not.

"Wen Xiao... Did you really mean that you would entrust yourself to me and leave behind your relationship with the great demon?" She asked the goddess seriously.

"Of course I mean it. Aside from the magic of the token that binds the great demon and me, we only have friendship in our hearts. I suppose that at that time, when he lost control under the influence of the malicious energy, my master feared that Zhao Yuan Zhou would kill me as well, and used the magic of the token splitting it into two to restrain him, ensure my safety, and my future protection. I mistook that magical bond for something other than my true feelings, and Xiao Zhao realized this truth before I did. I'm sorry, Sister Pei... my true feelings are with you if you wish for them." Wen Xiao said as she held her breath waiting for the true answer to her feelings.

"As I said before, I will watch over and protect you with my life, Wen Xiao, not just out of duty, but because it's what I desire. I may not be your best option, but as long as you wish, I swear to be with you for life." Pei Si Jing offered, and Wen Xiao walked over to hug her tightly.

"I gladly accept your offer, and there really is no better choice than you, huntress Pei Si Jing. As I told Xiao Zhuo before, that perverted monkey only brings trouble and pain that I don't need. It's a shame Xiao Zhuo has to deal with that, but I'm sure he'll know how to handle it and find his own happiness. Their destinies have been intertwined since long before we met, and if it weren't for my master's sudden intervention, I would never have come between them." When Xiao assured her and kissed her softly on the cheek.

"Now, let's enjoy each other's company, as Ying Lei says... The night is chilly, and some tea will be most welcome, along with the wonderful company." She smiled and took Pei Si Jing's hand to lead her down the hall, almost playfully running to their destination.

ZHUO YI CHEN

Morning had come too early for Zhuo Yi Chen, who woke up with a sharp pain that seemed to cover every inch of his body, but as duty called, he still got out of bed and took a cold bath and dressed for that day double event, the first being the restoration of the Kunlun Gate. Last time it had been a disaster that still ended with Zhu Yan losing control of himself, even when it hadn't been his fault and he had been a little hard on him at the end of it, but this time everything was going to be different. The second, his journey to the forbidden area of his Clan, where he hoped to find answers to his questions and with a little luck, his salvation, as he was told he may find.

Even if what Bing Yi had told him didn't end up being his salvation, at least if they managed to restore the Cloud Light Sword, he would not only be able to last a little longer, but also save Bai Jiu from Li Lun's control. It pained him deeply that the young doctor had been trapped in the pagoda tree's power over his body, just like Zhu Yan had been with his malicious energy and he had been trapped under Bing Yi's control. It was the worst feeling he had ever felt, and he hoped he could free his young friend from that all-consuming pain.

Once out of his room, very soon, Zhao Yuan Zhou joined him and looked at him as if evaluating whether to allow him to stay out of bed or drag him back to it. However, given the fact that they needed to finish what they had started for the sake of both the wilderness and the human world, there was no way Zhao Yuan Zhou would stop him from doing what he thought was right, plus he didn't have that much time to rest and recover when his only way to save himself was in another place they could reach that very same day.

"Xiao Zhuo, if the pain becomes too unbearable, I can go to the forbidden area on my own." Zhao Yuan Zhou offered, and Zhuo Yi Chen snorted.

"You're in no better shape than I am. With your senses sealed, your demonic energy is as messy as mine. I can handle it, so there's no need for you to try to play the hero with me." Zhuo Yi Chen rebutted, making the great demon sigh.

"That was harsh, my beloved..."

"I'm not your beloved."

"Are you still denying it? Even when your entire body screams at you not to?"

"My mind controls my body, not the other way around." Yi Chen continue walking ahead.

"What a cold statement."

"I now have Bing Yi's blood, which is as cold as ice, so don't expect anything warm from me." Zhuo Yi Chen mocks the big demon this time, feeling a little less pain when he tries to have fun instead of focusing on what he could not undo.

"Oh, but ice can melt, and I happen to carry an eternal fire, remember? How about we give it a try? I promise you won't regret it." Zhao Yuan Zhou teased him instead and smiled rather smugly when he saw Yi Chen blush before storming off towards the meeting room. So much for being ice cold when he only shows heat right on his face, Zhao Yuan Zhou said to himself as he followed his blushing demon hunter.

As they entered, the rest of the team waited patiently for them to appear and begin planning for what was coming. There were no signs of further attempts to stop the restoration of the Gate, but just in case, they had to be prepared for the worst-case scenario, which they hoped wouldn't involve another red moon.

Last time, Zhuo Yi Chen wondered why Zhu Yan didn't try to kill him like he had the others, when he was on his knees, 'quite vulnerable', pretending that his one-word spell had worked, only to receive two pats on the head, almost affectionately. He wondered if Zhu Yan inner demon was simply playing along with his pretense or with Zhao Yuan Zhou feelings, while locked away.

Whatever it was, the fact was they'd already tried to kill each other more times than he'd liked. Just thinking about another round gave him the chills, and not exactly because of Bing Yi's demonic energy. He was nearly exhausted by all the dilemmas he'd faced since they'd begun to know each other and grow closer, and he desperately wanted it to end. That was just one more question he needed to seek an answer to in the forbidden area of his clan, to find out if there was a way to break the curse and finally have time to heal the wounds of the past.

In the end, they planned everything they could think of and went to Kunlun Mountain to finish the job. Zhuo Yi Chen and Pei Si Jing kept alert to any sign of intrusion as the goddess and the great demon performed their ritual of restoring the Gate and sighed relieved when nothing unexpected happened. It was quite rare that anything would go the way they wanted, so they counted their blessings and focused on their next destination, which was now more concerning, giving the fact that even though Zhuo Yi Chen was a high-ranking member of the Bing Yi clan, his sick body as a child has been robbed of being told about the secrets of the place or the dangers. In that place they walked blind, with only the information that Zhao Yuan Zhou could give them about the rumors he had heard in the wilderness.

However, as they stood before the restored Gate, ready to enter the wilderness, something did happen and Li Lun, inside Bai Jiu body, appeared to try to either stop them from reaching the forbidden area or follow them closely, in search of whatever secrets his Clan offer to those daring enough to set foot on it.

"Mr. Zhuo, go ahead first. I'll stall them as long as I can," Ying Lei shouted as he made a hand seal for a barrier that would hold the intruders and give the rest of the team a chance to enter the forbidden area before anyone else.

"Ying Lei, what are you saying? He's still a great demon, and you might not be able to hold him off for long," Zhuo Yi Chen told him. But the mountain god simply smiled at him.

"I know my limits, but I also know his... Go! I'll be fine!"

"I won't leave anyone behind!"

"You're too injured to fight anyone. I can hold them off long enough for you to achieve your goal. There's no greater honor for me than helping my Commander and friend stay alive!"

"Idiot! I want everyone to stay alive, not just me!"

"Of course you do, and that's precisely why you need to be saved. Such a noble soul deserves nothing less. Zhao Yuan Zhou, take him and save him for me! I'll wait here for your successful return!" The mountain god shouted and before Zhuo Yi Chen could protest further, the great demon did as he was told and grabbed Yi Chen as he pressed his hand on the entrance of the Gate at the same time Wen Xiao and Pei Si Jing did and they disappeared inside the Gate.

"Ying Lei!" Zhuo Yi Chen shouted as soon as he returned to the other side, and Zhao Yuan Zhou pulled him close and held his face with both hands.

"Xiao Zhuo, he knows what he's doing. Everything will be okay." But Zhuo Yi Chen was not having it and pushed Zhu Yan away.

"No! It's bad enough losing Bai Jiu, I won't lose another friend!"

"He's Ying Zhao's grandson, Yi Chen, and no matter how far Li Lun has strayed from his true self, he will never kill anyone related to our former master. Please, we have to move on..."

"He's right, Xiao Zhuo... we have to go! Please, before Li Lun and Ao Yin come to get us..." Wen Xiao also pressed on, and Zhuo Yi Chen cursed under his breath in frustration. He wished he wasn't so weak, so he could protect his loved ones from their enemies and keep them together properly as it should be.

However, that was only his wish, while the reality was that he was in no condition to fight Li Lun without his sword, of all his enemies. They were already fortunate that the tree demon hadn't prevented the restoration of the seal, and if it was because Li Lun wanted Bing Yi's hidden treasure, then he must keep him away from him at all costs.

"Fine... lead the way and let's get this over with." Zhuo Yi Chen said as he tried to calm himself down. There was no point in getting angry, when there were still things to do and friends to return back as soon as possible.

Most of the journey to Qijuan Cave, where the Bing Yi Clan’s forbidden area was located, was spent in silence, as Zhuo Yi Chen was still visibly shaken by leaving Ying Lei behind. Everyone understood his hesitation, but to them, his life was also precious, and the little mountain god only wished to preserve it. Even so, Zhao Yuan Zhao guided him as close to his beloved as he dared, just in case he tripped over any of the many bones lying in the snow at their feet.

"I'm guessing many demons have tried to seize Bing Yi's secret treasure over the centuries, judging by the number of bones left behind," Wen Xiao said as he gripped Pei Si Jing's arm tighter than she intended.

"Of course, demons of all kinds will try to seize what the great dragon left here. No human in his Clan seems able to remove it or even want to have it around, as Bing Yi's true nature, before asking Nuwa to make him mortal, was too powerful for his descendants to use," Zhao Yuan Zhou said as he walked through the cave.

"So, do you know what it is, Xiao Zhuo?" Wen Xiao asked curiously.

"No. Most of my clan's secrets have escaped me since I was a sick child, never destined to lead it." Zhuo Yi Chen replied sadly, and Zhao Yuan Zhao closed his eyes in pain for a second.

"Do you know, Zhao Yuan Zhou?" Pei Si Jing asked the great demon to distract him from his sudden guilt.

"From an ancient treasure that could grant eternal life, or a thousand years of cultivation in one fell swoop, to granting a single wish, anything was possible for demons risking their lives. The only certain thing the legend of the wilderness has, is that it is closely guarded by an ancient beast," he said as he looked straight ahead.

"I suppose that's true, and it seemed quite busy fending off intruders," Wen Xiao observed.

"Ancient beasts were on a league of their own. They were closer to gods than demons, which was why Bing Yi was revered as such by the humans he protected," Zhao Yuan Zhou explained, suddenly holding Zhuo Yi Chen when he tripped over a larger bone, breaking his fall. He expected the young Commander to break free from his grasp faster that he could blink, but to his surprise, the young man let him hold on as they continued deeper, until he stop.

"I think it's best if I walk the rest of the way alone. I'm a descendant of Bing Yi, plus his blood runs through my veins, which should protect me from any beasts lurking about. I feel a sort of pressure very similar to the one I felt when Bing Yi had me under his control, and it's... incredibly strong. You can wait for me here, and if I don't return within the hour, go and look after Ying Lei for me..."

"No," the three of them told him at once, causing him to look at them in resignation.

"Why do you always oppose my decisions? Am I still your commander?" Zhuo Yin Chen protested, and Wen Xiao smiled.

"No one is left behind, right, Commander? Those were your words just now," She said sweetly, while Pei Si Jing hid a laugh.

"She is right, Commander... your words, not ours." Pei Si Jing added and this time Zhao Yuan Zhou laughed.

"Xiao Zhuo, you've lost the round, so there's nothing you can do to stop any of us. No matter what happens, we'll face it together, just like we promised," Zhao Yuan Zhou said, making his grip on his arm even tighter, as if he was truly afraid he would do something foolish and separate from them to face danger alone.

"Very well, let's go." He agreed, and they continued their walk until they reached the end of the tunnel, to a larger open space, with falling snow and blue fires that never seemed to go out.

They drew even closer, but upon reaching a wide stone staircase, they stopped in their tracks as a heavy pressure surged from all around them at once, paralyzing them, rendering them unable to take a single step forward. The pressure caused Zhu Yan, who was holding Yi Chen, to let go completely, and they all buckled slightly under the ancient, demonic pressure.

“Who dares to enter another’s sacred place?” A deep voice asked and something inside Yi Chen stirred. Was it Bing Yi? Would he take control of him again? Zhuo Yi Chen wondered as he panted, but before he could panic, he felt Zhu Yan’s hand on his shoulder, transferring a hint of energy into him to stabilize him. Zhuo Yi Chen could only imagine the extreme strain Zhu Yan felt as he moved his hand even an inch, not to mention reaching all the way to his shoulder. Seriously... he was too much... but his heart flutter nevertheless.

"Who ask?" Zhou Yi Chen dare to ask his captor and Zhao Yuan Zhao almost choked on his own saliva.

"Are you mad? He is a very powerful ancient demon... don't be disrespectful." Zhao Yuan Zhou whisper.

"He is my ancestor, why am I been disrespectful just for asking who he is?"

"There are better and polite ways to ask a beast that can kill you in an instant."

"I just asked..."

"But in a very commanding way."

"I am a Commander, is how I ask things."

"Not here, you don't."

"Then why don't you ask him yourself, oh almighty great demon Zhu Yan..."

"For the heavens sake, shut up, both of you! This is neither the place nor the time for lovers bickering." Wen Xiao did her best to resist the pressure she was under and talk some sense into the two idiots next to her.

"We are not lovers." Zhuo Yi Chen refuted.

"Sure you act like one." Wen Xiao disagree and to their surprise, the voice they had hear before laughed, deeply and terrifying at the same time.

"It doesn't matter who I am, but your eyes look so much like his... so, descendant of Bing Yi, why did you come here so weak?" The voice asked next, and the pressure disappeared, to his immense relief.

"My Cloud Light Sword is broken. I came here to see if there's any way to restore it," Zhuo Yi Chen said, lowering his gaze, a little embarrassed for delivering such bad news to the ancient demon, who had protected his clan's treasure for centuries without fail, while he shattered the precious heirloom in the short time he mastered it.

"Oh, I didnt expect that the Cloud Light Sword could be broken one day." The voice say sadly.

"I'm sorry, it was my fault." Zhuo Yi Chen whisper.

"How was it your fault, when it was me who crack it in the first place. If you need to blame someone for the damage done, I am that someone." Zhao Yuan Zhou said as he looked at the top on the stairs in defiance.

"Even so, I let my ancestors down. I came to ask for help... please. I don't mind what happen to me, but the sword is needed to save someone else. A friend." He pleaded sincerely.

"Is there a way to restore it?" Wen Xiao insisted on her own.

"The five-colored stone can restore it, but as I can see it, you have destroyed that too." The voice said almost in a sight.

"How do you know that?" Pei Si Jing asked as she looked around.

"The demon tattoo on his neck means he had absorbed Bing Yi's blood suppressed in the stone. From that there is no return. The young man will become a demon soon."

"Is there is a way to stop the process? Bing Yi himself is trying to delay it." Zhao Yuan Zhou asked.

"Of course he will delay it, I see the deep connection between their souls. It's a shame that he forced it in the beginning, weakening the young man to this point. However, there is a way to save him, on one condition," the voice said, and for a moment, Zhuo Yi Chen thought he heard Bing Yi growl inside.

"What condition?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked as he felt Zhu Yan's hand on his.

"Since Bing Yi left to the mortal world, I was left alone and it's cold and lonely here. Every minute is like an eternal torment. Bing Yi's descendant, listen carefully. My condition is for you to chose one of your travel companions to stay here with me. Then I will tell you how to restore the sword and how to save yourself." The voice said and Zhao Yuan Zhou pressed his grip on him further.

"What that suppose to mean?" Wen Xiao asked next.

"Freeze one of them and let that person here forever. What do you think of that?

"I won't leave anyone behind. I rather die and let the sword remain broken before that." He answered and as soon as he did, a strong, freezing wind began to swirl around them, trapping the feet of the other three in deep ice.

"Then all of them should stay." The voice said as more cold wind started to freeze them over.

"Xiao Zhuo!" Zhu Yan cried, anticipating what was going to happen next. But since his feet were also trapped in the ice created by the demonic energy, he could do nothing but watch as his beloved resigned himself and spoke his last words to his friends one by one until he turned to him.

"Don't be angry with me, Zhu Yan... if you were in my place, I know you would do exactly the same. In a way, this is a better ending for me than going through the pain of having to kill you with my own hands."

"I'll free you from the oath! I promise! Please don't do this to me..."

"I have no choice! I'm dying anyway, so saving you is better than everyone dying here!"

"I won't allow it! We promise to face everything together!"

"And we did it while we could, but even you can't withstand this power! So let me be your hero for once!"

"I don't need a hero! I need you!"

"Not this time... I'm sorry, but not this time. Once I'm gone and the Cloud Light Sword is reforged, find the next sword master and ask him to save Bai Jiu."

"There will be no other master, Yi Chen! If you die, so will the rest of the world! I will destroy it with my own hands!"

"Empty words won't work with me, Zhao Yuan Zhou. I know you care too much for you to even think about it and knowing that I will hate it... I wish there was another way for this to end with the happy ending we wanted, but since it's come to this, live for me, please..."

"No! I said no! I won't lose you..." But the rest of his words caught in his throat as Yi Chen clung to him in a desperate embrace and kissed him with all his might. He didn't care that Wen Xiao and Pei Si Jing were watching him as he poured out all his pent-up feelings in the kiss, because there wouldn't be a next time. No more chances for Wen Xiao to pull out the aunt card and scold him for kissing someone else so blatantly.

"Live for me..." Zhuo Yi Chen repeated once he ended the wet kiss, as both of them had shed tears while kissing.

"Yi Chen!"

"I'm sorry... Wen Xiao, take care of him..." He whisper as he turned and walked up the stairs like a prince ready to die for his country. The wind make his dark silky blue robes flutter around him, making Zhu Yan yearn for him even more. His noble beautiful man that could not be replaced for anything.

"Yi Chen! Stop it, Yi Chen! Please... Yi Chen!" He struggle to get out of the ice as his beloved keep walking up without looking back. Wen Xiao and Pei Si Jing also try their best to get free and stop their Commander.

"I chose myself!" He hear Yi Chen yell and to everyone horror, they watched at the same whirlwind of cold air envelop him in a cocoon, freezing him up little by little and Zhu Yan struggle harder and harder to free himself from the ice.

"I Zhu Yan, the great demon, vessel to all the malicious energy of the world, ask the heavens to release Zhuo Yi Chen from the oath he took under my influence and my desire to die in his hand. As a punishment for the broken vow, I will offer my life. If he can't leave, then let me die along with him." Zhu Yan said  and ignoring the desperate pleas of the goddess, he keep forcing his energy into the ice until he got free of it and follow his beloved steps.

"Zhu Yan! What are you doing? I ask you to live for me!"

"I can't. Not without you!"

"You promise me before not to seek dead!"

"There is no real life without you!"

"Stop it! I want you to live!"

"I wanted to die, what better way to do it than with the man I love!"

"Don't! Idiot, please don't!"

"Maybe in our next reincarnation we can break the curse..." Zhao Yuan Zhou whisper as he was about to touch his shoulder and commanded for the spell to break, both of them were trapped in the ice... frozen in time and deep feelings.

AN: Sorry I didn't include his goodby to Wen Xiao and Pei Si, but this chapter was turning too long. Bellow, the first two pictures, are one of those scenes that make me love this drama so much. It was such a lovely touch. Thanks for reading and soon we will come to something tangible. Also, I didn't like they dismiss Ying Lei as not part of their group as he obviously was, so in return I will give him the place he deserve it and  try my best to save him this time. Who's with me?

Chapter Text

ZHU YAN/ZHUO YI CHEN

Zhao Yuan Zhou didn't know what to expect after catching up to Zhuo Yi Chen and trying to free him, but no matter what he might have imagined, it certainly wasn't what he saw at that moment. As far as he could see, there was only a vast land of rocks and darkness, with a few embers of fire falling here and there, and a blood-colored storm with red lightning occasionally illuminating the desolate place in the distance. He turned around, searching for the one who should also be in the dimension where they had been trapped, perhaps for life, but he saw no one, which drove him even closer to panic.

"Yi Chen! Zhuo Yi Chen! Xiao Zhuo!! Where are you?!" The great demon cried out as he ran looking for him, but his cries were useless, for no matter how much he ran and shouted his name, there was no trace of him anywhere.

"Please... please, let me at least be with him in this desolation! You can keep me here as long as you want, but let me be with him one more time!" Zhu Yan pleaded with the ancient beast that had trapped their minds there and, almost as if obeying his plea out of pity or understanding, he heard a soft groan behind a nearby rock that brought tears of relief to his eyes. With the heart in his throat, Zhu Yan ran to him, finding his beloved demon hunter lying on the ground, with traces of blood on his jaw and lips, which was a worrying sign that he was even more injured.

"Xiao Zhuo! Xiao Zhuo!" He took him in his arms and gently wiped the blood with his fingers. The action made Zhuo Yi Chen groan once more and Zhu Yan hugged him harder to try to give him some of his warmth, when he felt Yi Chen was as cold as ice on his arms.

"Everything will be alright... we're together now," Zhu Yan whispered, tenderly hugging him and placing a soft kiss on the top of his head.

"Idiot... you shouldn't be here with me," Zhuo Yi Chen whispered as he slowly opened his eyes and looked around.

"That was mean, Xiao Zhuo... without you I have no place to be."

"Liar... you have a place with Wen Xiao and the duty to help her protect the Wilderness." Zhuo Yi Chen whispered before closing his eyes again and letting his head rest on the great demon's chest.

"It's true that I have a duty to protect the Wilderness, but it is not love that binds me to her." Replied Zhu Yan as he gently stroked Zhuo Yi Chen's long black hair.

"Then what is it that binds us, Zhu Yan?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked and felt soft lips kiss him briefly, too briefly for his liking.

"It's love and guilt, pain and happiness, despair and salvation, as well as a curse that has made us begin our journey with hatred, but end it with longing and desire. Does that sound right to you, Xiao Zhuo, or am I wrong?" He asked the man in his arms, who smiled slightly.

"No. We're surrounded by so many emotions that sometimes it's hard to name just one," He whispered wearily.

"I'm sorry... Xiao Zhuo. I'm sorry for hurting you when I couldn't help it, completely lost in the malicious energy I was born with, and for when I could have spared you further suffering and asked you to take my life when you were most vulnerable and unwilling to do so." Zhu Yan murmured against the top of Yi Chen's head before resting his own over it.

"It doesn't matter now, Zhu Yan, because first, you free me from my oath, and second, we're trapped here in this dark and barren world for eternity. I guess our plan went down in flames because we found neither answers nor salvation." Zhuo Yi Chen sighed.

"I think it's too soon to give up, Xiao Zhuo. I'm still a great demon, remember?" Zhu Yan did his best to cheer him up.

"No, you're the shadow of a great demon, with your senses sealed even now. In fact, we're both in bad shape, completely unprepared to face dangers greater than we could bear. My ancestor was too mean to a dying descendant like me..."

"No mean, but bored to death..." Zhu Yan corrected and Zhuo Yi Chen smiled.

"What is this place anyways? It's as if there's no life here, too dark and oppressive, not to mention silent and cold," Zhuo Yi Chen said, trembling, as Zhu Yan hugged him tighter.

"I suppose this is the primordial world, the ancient world where your ancestor Bing Yi lived and fought. This is the world before the stars started to shine int the night, before Ying Long sacrificed himself to give it more life. The funny thing is, somehow, deep down, this place makes me want to become a star too..." Zhu Yan admitted and Zhuo Yi Chen slapped his chest in disapproval.

"You and your desire to die. I suppose it can't be helped, since you were him in another life, right?"

"Yes, but that's Ying Long, not Bing Yi... so why do I feel like Bing Yi's presence isn't completely here... it's more like..."

"Ying Long only?"

"Yes. I can't put my finger on it, but there are lingering feelings here; sadness, loneliness, longing, loss, and sacrifice. I may be wrong, but this dimension isn't what I expected from a great dragon like Bing Yi, much less when you don't seem to be comfortable here."

"But if this place is Ying Long's creation, why is it in Bing Yi's forbidden area? I know they were soulmates, but... Oh... I see..." Zhuo Yi Chen gasped in surprise, thinking of something.

"What?"

"Help me up, Zhu Yan."

"Do you know anything about this?" The great demon asked, lifting his beloved easily, but without letting go completely, in case he was too weak to stand for long.

"Bing Yi was too much in love to let go of Ying Long altogether. He used a spell to keep a small part of Ying Long’s soul inside what was left of him..."

"Oh? So, at the top of the stairs... those bones preserved there, are not from Bing Yi but from Ying Long?" Asked Zhu Yan as understanding dawned on him.

"The Cloud Light Sword came from Ying Long’s bones and what was left of those bones would certainly be a treasure that he would keep as well as the precious soul he could not retain in his lifetime."

"So that's  how the legend of a treasure born and for which so many demons risked their lives."

"Yes. The bones and soul of Ying Long. Just as Nuwa preserved Bing Yi blood, so did he with the person he loved."

"But Bing Yi became mortal and could no longer stay here after that."

"That’s why this place feels so lonely and oppressive. Just like you said before, it’s longing... no wonder he wanted company as desperately as even a dying man and his idiot death lover mate will do, to pass the time. He... he was also left behind..." Said Zhuo Yi Chen with sadness as he looked around more closely.

That should have been a special place where two souls could bond for eternity, but instead they ended up alone. It was heartbreaking to say the least, but earlier, when Bing Yi's blood entered his body, he felt the same thing from Bing Yi, the same loneliness and unfairness. Those two...  and them were so alike, it was uncanny.

Seeing Zhuo Yi Chen so affected by the emotions in the place, Zhao Yuan Zhou gently turned Zhuo Yi Chen so they could stare at each other. After cupping his pale but beautiful face, he kissed him tenderly, meeting no resistance this time.

"Whatever happens, we won't end up like them," Zhu Yan tried to reassure him as he kissed again, though there was nothing to be assured of when they were trapped forever.

"Any idea how we can escape from this place? I'm worried about what might still happen to Wen Xiao and Pei Si Jing. I also wonder if they were told how to repair the sword. We still need to save Bai Jiu from Li Lun and find out if nothing really happened to Ying Lei. I know I volunteered to be here, and I was going to comply, but since you came uninvited and left them alone, I can't give up so easily and give up their protection,” Zhuo Yi Chen said as he broke away from the kiss.

"This is a domain, and a very powerful one if it's still standing after so many centuries. With the power of creation, this domain can only be destroyed by a god or by whoever created it in the first place," Zhu Yan explained, and Yi Chen placed his hand over his heart as a sudden pain assailed him.

"Xiao Zhuo!"

"If this is truly Ying Long's domain, then we can't do anything, since your connection with him hasn't been established yet. But what about Bing Yi? Can my connection with him break it?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked weakly and Zhu Yan, sensing his condition worsening, picked him up and placed him on a large rock so he would sit and rest.

"You're in no condition to push yourself any further than you already have. You said I have a death wish, but you're no different from me. How could you ask to be frozen in a forbidden cave when you were already dying?"

"That's exactly why."

"Xiao Zhuo, being too noble isn't a virtue, but a curse that will one day kill you, as is happening right now."

"I had no choice, right? Would you rather I chose Wen Xiao or Pei Si Jing?"

"Not them, me!"

"Ah, why this again? When am I going to get it through your mind that I don't want you to die? Yes, you killed my brother and father, whom I love with all my being and part of me hates you with a passion for it, but in the end, it was the malicious energy that killed them, and I understand that now! Please, stop that... it hurts too much, so don't make it worse!" Zhuo Yi Chen cried out in pain, and Zhu Yan hugged him with a heavy heart. While there was undeniable love between, there was also pain, a kind of pain that may never heal.

"I'm sorry... I won't do it again. I'm sorry... calm down, Xiao Zhuo... please calm down..." He whispered to the man who was now hugging him as if his life depended on it, sobbing into his chest, completely exhausted in mind and body.

"We have to leave..." Zhuo Yi Chen whispered as he tried to control himself.

"I'll think about it. Don't worry... there must be something we can use. Maybe I can try my one-word spell and see if it works." Zhu Yan suggested and Yi Chen sighed.

"I'll ask Bing Yi..."

"No, you're too weak..."

"Zhu Yan..."

"Xiao Zhuo, if my death is off limits, then so is yours," Zhu Yan whispered as he gently pulled him in for another kiss, hoping to distract him enough to give up the idea.

"I wish we could have what you two have achieved, even after so much pain and struggles. It's not that I didn't love Bing Yi enough, but because if I deepened our relationship, our separation would be harder to accept and overcome. By not acting on my feelings for him, I was considerate of what would be less painful to his heart." Someone else said behind him and Zhu Yan immediately stood up and place himself in front of Zhuo Yi Chen, ready to use the one-word spell at any given second.

"You're so protective of him, I love that." Ying Long told them both, and beside him, Bing Yi snorted.

"It's rude to interrupt others' intimate moment, you know? Be ashamed of yourself Ying Long." Bing Yi complained as he glared at his beloved yet cruel soulmate.

"Oh, my apologies. It's just that, well... watching from afar is also rude Bing Yi, are you ashamed of yourself then?" Ying Long smiled in turn at his beloved dragon. The kind of smile that melted all the ice Bing Yi had erected to protect himself from the endless pain of his loss.

"Never mind that, what you did is still wrong. The child's health is precarious at best, and you make it worse by freezing him to the bone just to test his resolve. I could have told you how worthy they are if you'd only asked. You knew I was inside the child from the moment you saw my mark on his neck." Bing Yi complained as two other stunned demons watched them argue in disbelief.

"Sure, sure, but who left me alone in a cold cave with no one to talk to for centuries?"

"You left me long before I did, and it wasn't because I wanted to. I couldn't stay there anymore."

"Well, don't be angry. Shouldn't you run up to me after so long without seen each other and do something like what your child did to my reincarnation and hug me tight and then kiss me? We can be less boring this time around." He joked, infuriating Bing Yi even more.

"You've lost your mind over the centuries, haven't you?" Bing Yi refuted, and Ying Long laughed even harder.

"Of course not! Relax... I'm not bullying your child anymore; I just thought he needed a little push to get things moving, and you saw how well that worked out."

"Really? You forced him to this point and he can't even stand right now."

"Ah, don't worry, I'll make it up to him with an extra special gift for the same price."

"Do it then."

"Hmm... What the hell is going on?" Zhuo Yi Chen finally asked, still sitting on the rock.

"You did it again, don't ask in such an authoritarian way," Zhu Yan scolded.

"This is ridiculous. I think we're both dead and in hell," Zhuo Yi Chen said in frustration as he rubbed his forehead.

"You're right, this is really ridiculous, Ying Long. Please explain to them how the curse started and if it can be broken," Bing Yi suggested, and Ying Long braced himself for a long explanation that would hopefully end with the happy ending he couldn't give his Bing Yi.

"Let me resume it for you first. The one who started this curse was the remnants of the god-turned-demon, Chaos and it was already too late when I realize and warned your Clan of the destiny all Cloud Light Sword masters will face."

"Great, we are so dead..." Zhu Yan mutter under his breath and Yi Chen stared up at him.

"Shut up." He commanded, and Zhu Yan sealed his lips in absolute obedience. Seeing them, Bing Yi smiled fondly, promising himself that he would make this young man, still a child to him, grow up to be so powerful that no one could take anything from him or harm him.

He had begun to appreciate the family Yi Chen had formed, and from the mountain god who had already more than proven his worth, the young doctor Zhuo Yi Chen wanted to save, the goddess he wanted to protect, the huntress who was his shield and strength, to the demon he had fallen in love with, he would make sure to keep them all by his side until they had their happy ending and beyond and he was sure that Ying Long, couldn't agree more.

AN: Thanks for reading, this chapter have two versions, but I was kind of afraid that I got a little overboard with the other version been theory extreme, so I end up with this one which was softer. I hope it works and that you enjoy the reincarnation square presented here. Until next time, hopefully, take care.

Chapter Text

Still Inside The Domain

"Do you mean to say that the malicious energy controlling Zhu Yan during the Blood Moons is Chaos itself?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked, staring at the demon dragon in surprise.

"He is, though he is much weaker than he was when he was the cosmic seed of the universe, sowing chaos before heaven and earth parted. At the beginning of time, Chaos was so out of control that he became one of the four evils of the world (Hun Dun) and fought against the other gods for so long that his power began to weaken and disperse under the force of stronger gods and goddesses. Realizing that he was losing the battle, his only way out to preserve himself was to escape to the primordial Wilderness, where the demons ruled after the separation of heaven and earth. But I... well, I put an end to his "reign of eternal darkness" by becoming the moon, the sun and the stars that now illuminate the night, forcing him to survive in the accumulation of malicious energy coming from the dark nature of mortals, which ended up sealed inside a vessel. My reincarnations, to be exact. Since I almost destroyed him, he makes sure to make me pay for it every time my soul comes back to life." Ying Long explained to the two men who were listening the long story of his history with Bing Yi and how it all began with great interest.

"But then how can we get rid of him and please don't tell me that Zhu Yan really needs to die." Zhuo Yi Chen said a little emotionally and Zhu Yan smiled at him as he took his hand, entangling his fingers with his and lifted it up to deposit a soft kiss on the back of his hand.

"Chaos' existence in this world is like the balance of the two forces of yin and yang, his being an extreme yin energy that comes not only from himself, but also from the darkness within the hearts of mortals. Luckily, it is so contained that it can only act on nights of extreme yin energy, which are the blood moons, so getting rid of it requires extreme pure yang and a very complicated, not to say very powerful, purification spell with the power of life." Ying Long answer as Zhuo Yi Chen's heart started to throb so fast in fear that even Zhu Yan could tell he was about to panic.

"Xiao Zhuo, don't be discouraged... let him finish first. Everything will be fine..."

"No, it won't be. Don't you see? Even if I had killed you with the Cloud Light Sword, it would only have dispersed the malicious energy back into the world until the next vessel was reborn. The circle wouldn't be broken, and both your sacrifice and my pain in killing you would have been in vain."

"Not exactly." Bing Yi replied, and Zhuo Yi Chen looked at him.

"What do you mean?" Yi Chen asked.

"The Cloud Light Sword would have purified his soul for his next reincarnation, freeing him from it, but Chaos is energy itself, which means it can possess him at birth. Then the cycle would repeat itself."

"Is there any difference between what I said and what you said?" Asked Zhuo Yi Chen, who didn't see it.

"Yes. Dying by any means other than the Cloud Light Sword would have kept his soul bound to Chaos each time he was reborn, attracting evil energy in return and becoming the next vessel. Being purified by the sword will free him from Chaos's control over his soul, meaning he would not be born as a vessel in his next life."

"But if his body can be possessed later..."

"Even if possession is inevitable, his life, like yours with my blood, will be weakened by a power he was not born to possess. His next reincarnation may die at the very moment of his possession."

"Which still repeats the cycle."

"Yes, but to a lesser extent and it will further weaken Chaos with each attempt it makes. Eventually he will be forced to use someone else." At that, Zhuo Yi Chen paled even more and closed his eyes in pain.

"So it's inevitable that I kill him?" He asked while Zhu Yan smiled sadly, before Ying Long walked toward him and without warning, placed his fingers in between his forehead and muttered a word.

"Sleep." Ying Long whispered and Zhuo Yi Chen got hold of him in astonishment.

"What...?"

"Seal." Ying Long muttered a second one-word spell and sighed.

"Why did you do that?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked as he held Zhu Yan closer to him in protection of another spell.

"Don't worry, he was not harmed." Bing Yi reassured him. "What we are going to tell you he cannot hear, as Chaos while dormant is still there." He added and Zhuo Yi Chen widen his eyes in more surprise, hoping to hear something other than killing the man he loved.

"So, there is a way?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked hopefully, and this time Ying Long smiled quite confidentially.

"Yes. What Nuwa left behind was more than just a stone that could suppress Bing Yi's power for future use. The stone itself has the power to seal even the most powerful demon of ancient times... not to mention that it keeps Chaos out of the heavens, so it can contain Chaos and protect the great demon's soul from further possession." Ying Long explained and Zhuo Yi Chen was honestly unsure if laugh or cry at that.

"The stone is as broken as the sword... that's what Zhu Yan told me when we talked about what happened when I was bedridden." He whispered as he looked down at his great demon.

"Who said it's broken? No demon can destroy a divine stone left behind by the most powerful goddess in heaven, and with a purpose, too." Bing Yi told the young man.

"But..."

"The stone was meant to break itself at the right time, and it will also repair itself when the time comes to act... but before that, we have two problems to solve first." Ying Long pointed out.

"The sword..." Yi Chen whispered again.

"Restoring the sword may be a bit tricky, but saving you, Zhuo Yi Chen, is something else entirely. To obtain what you need for the restoration, you must go to the east part of the Wilderness to ask for a dragon scale. However, obtaining it is not easy, as it must be given voluntarily and not taken by force, no matter how desperate one is. Otherwise, whoever attempts to snatch a dragon scale by force will be poisoned and suffer a painful death soon after. There is no cure or salvation for that." Ying Long began to explain with the warning.

"What about my demonization?" He asked looking at Bing Yi.

"That requires a core." Bing Yi said as he looked at Ying Long.

"The bones I left behind still contain much of my power and are enough to make it into a core." He said, and as realization dawned on Yi Chen, he shook his head.

"No. That means you'll have to sacrifice yourself again, so no. Let's find another way..." Zhuo Yi Chen said as he hugged Zhu Yan.

"I told you he was an exceptional pure soul. So pure that he is the definition of yang. He reminds me of you." Bing Yi said to Ying Long, who smiled pleasedly.

"It's yours after all.... Child, I mean, Zhuo Yi Chen, I've been gone for centuries and what ties me to this place are the bones sealed here." Ying Long said, but seeing no understanding in the young man's eyes, he sighed.

"Which means that once he becomes your bones and core, he will be released from this cave and become a part of you, the same way I am. Which means we will both remain mostly dormant inside you until you die." Bing Yi explained and this time, his child finally smiled.

"You said mostly, right?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked in confirmation.

"Yes, as once you get a core, you need to train it..... Zhuo Yi Chen, whether you save Zhu Yan in this life and all the following lives will depend on how strong you can make your core in a very short time. Bing Yi is water and ice dragon, a dragon with the power of life (water) and I am a dragon with the power of creation and light (purification). With such strong powers at your disposal, no malicious energy or darkness will be able to stand in your way... but only if you manage to be able to use and maintain those powers to save him."

"I understand, and I assure you I'm no stranger to rigorous training. I just need to understand how demonic energy works with a core." Zhuo Yi Chen said as he was completely clueless in the ways of demonic cultivation.

"Then, it's a good thing you have a great demon who knows all about demonic cultivation by your side, huh?" Ying Long pointed at the sleeping man in his arms.

"Can I have another one...? He's not exactly the best teacher around and knowing how mischievous he is, his training may take a while." Zhuo Yi Chen joked with the unconscious man, and Bing Yi chuckled as he looked at Ying Long.

"Don't worry, the strongest spells, the ones you need to perform when the time is right, you'll get from us and only us." Ying Long assured him.

"Then it's a deal," Zhuo Yi Chen said before the other two demons smiled at him, and with one last glance at his reincarnation, Ying Long muttered the last one-word spell he was going to use.

"Break." He whispered, and soon, Zhu Yan and he returned to their frozen bodies, with the ice already cracking all around them. As soon as he was able to move, Zhuo Yi Chen turned to look at Zhu Yan, who was now wide awake, and hugged him tightly while Wen Xiao and Pei Si Jing ran towards them finally shouting their names in uncontained joy to see them alive.

Wen Xiao bumped into the two embracing men and joined them as she reached to wrap her arm around them both. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sobbed between them. Zhuo Yi Chen smiled at her and with one arm gently stroked her back, while with the other he continued to hold Zhu Yan close.

"You pair of inconsiderate demons! How dare you do this to us?! You owe me so much! So much, do you hear me?! I was... I thought you both were gone... Stupid demons... I cried so much... What would I do if you never came back? Zhuo Yi Chen! I'm not your aunt anymore! And you...! I'm expelling you from Baize's protection..." Wen Xiao shouted as she punched them both once the relief hug ended.

Zhuo Yi Chen looked over Wen Xiao's shoulder as she punched him with barely a shred of strength, to Pei Si Jing and nodded, who responded with a shy smile and a nod back.

"Wen Xiao, please don't hurt my Xiao Zhuo. He's still very weak," Zhu Yan said to the goddess, who suddenly realized he was right and rubbed his arm instead of hitting him.

"So... it didn't work?" Wen Xiao asked fearfully as she looked at Xiao Zhuo with more tears.

"No, it worked," Zhuo Yi Chen told her, wiping her tears away with his fingers. The gesture was meant to calm her down, but a certain demon coughed in disapproval, which only caused Wen Xiao to punch the great demon in the arm, this time harder.

"He's family, you jealous monkey."

"You said you're not his aunt anymore." The great demon refuted, and Wen Xiao this time kicked his leg, causing Zhu Yan to cry out in pain while Pei Si Jing smiled.

"Hey, that was unfair... I was frozen in ice..."

"Unfair, my as..."

"Wen Xiao, it's not over yet." Zhuo Yi Chen said, interrupting the sentence before turning around and walking towards the end of the cave where Ying Long's bones rested.

Right there, in front of the bones that would become his core and salvation, he knelt on the ground and bowed respectfully to Ying Long, hoping the gesture would please him, since he was now going to be a part of him.

"No need for that child, I am already more than happy to help you on your hard road. It is I who started this...it is I who owe you more than I can ever repay you in this life. Get up...it may hurt a lot, but then again the great demon can always carry you back if you faint." Ying Long said mischievously and Zhuo Yi Chen blushed brightly for a moment before he felt the pain hit him hard as the bones began to transfigure into incandescent dust that entered his chest.

Honestly, he felt the temptation to scream his heart out, but he held back the scream as Wen Xiao and Pei Si Jing were also there, thus he only gritted his teeth in pain. He felt his body being reforged from the inside out, making way for the core and dragon bones that will hold Bing Yi's demonic energy and it was such an intense pain that for a moment he thought he was going to actually faint.

However, with his eyes closed and tears streaming down his face, he endured the pain until it finally subsided, and he staggered before Zhu Yan took a chance and lift him up.

"Are you okay, Xiao Zhuo? I can ease the pain if it's too much..." Zhu Yan offered, but he simply shook his head.

"No, it's fine... This is what he felt when he gave his bones to forge the sword... it's a fair price for such a precious heirloom." Zhuo Yi Chen whispered as he closed his eyes and felt the enormous difference the power of the bones created in his now demonic body. He also felt Ying Long's core and energy merge with Bing Yi's in perfect harmony and he smiled faintly.

"I can feel it..." Zhuo Yi Chen whispered as he touched his stomach. Seeing his pleased expression, Zhu Yan couldn't pass up this opportunity.

"What? Our son?" He joked, and Zhuo Yi Chen blushed even more as he tried to wriggle out of the demon's embrace.

"It's the core, you perverted monkey! The core!" Wen Xiao and Pei Si Jing laughed out loud as Zhu Yan ignored his lover's attempts to break free from his arms and carried him down the stairs. At that moment, Zhu Yan was experiencing the happiest moment in a long, long time.

AN: Lol. Thanks for reading. There will be many differences from here on as well as some things stay the same. I hope you like this. It was a little difficult for all the nonsense to sound right. Lol.  See you soon, please take care.

Chapter Text

ZHUO YI CHEN

Shortly after leaving the forbidden area of ​​the Bing Yi clan, they decided to fetch Ying Lei so that everyone could remain together, make plans for their next move, and recuperate from such a grueling and emotional experience. Yi Chen was still unaware of the true power and essence of his new core, which was now a combination of abilities from the most powerful demons of ancient times. However, he planned to learn as much as he could about how to use it and get the most out of it. There were things Zhu Yan still didn't know, and one very powerful spell Yi Chen wasn't sure he could actually cast.

Wen Xiao and Pei Si Jing were already familiar with the story, so Zhu Yan told the young mountain god what had transpired in Ying Long's Domain. He also discussed with him about the dragon scale that was required to fix the sword. Ying Lei gazed at the Commander with the same awe Bai Jiu would have if he were still there with them, listening in amazement as he changed from a mortal into a great demon—likely a very strong dragon—albeit in excruciating pain. Zhuo Yi Chen could not control his sadness when he saw that look on Ying Lei's face when he was seated quietly in a meditative position. It was so alike that it gives him pain.

He wanted to save Bai Jiu as much as he wanted to keep Zhu Yan alive, but to do so, he still needed to reforge the sword and find a way to free him without risking his life. Yes, he knew what to do once the sword was whole in his hand, but getting Li Lun, distracting him, or fooling him for long enough to be able to purify him was no easy task.

"Don't worry, Mr. Zhuo... we'll get Bai Jiu back and I'm sure he'll be very happy to see what you've become." Ying Lei said to Zhuo Yi Chen seeing the sadness in his eyes, as clear as day, and Yi Chen smiled slightly at him.

"Finding Li Lun when he doesn't want to be found will be hard..." Yi Chen whispered as he closed his eyes.

"I agree. Last time he appeared because he wanted to stop us from finding a way to restore the Cloud Light Sword, and now that we know how and the Commander has become a full demon, he'll be more cautious when he appears again, most likely when he has some advantage." Pei Si Jing said.

"Oh, come on, don't look down on me. I'm a great mountain god after all and I have my ways. Listen, just when Li Lun showed up to try and stop us at the Kunlun Gate and we got into a fight, I managed to throw some very special spices mixed with my spiritual power on both of them. The properties of these spices are such that even if they get into a storm the smell will not wash away. So no matter where he hides, I'll be able to smell and find him." Ying Lei assured him with his usual enthusiasm, which made Zhuo Yi Chen smile, this time proudly before the daring feat of the young mountain god.

"Your keen sense of smell is a great help, along with your ingenuity with spices, Ying Lei. Well done! You are truly a mountain god." Yi Chen told him, and the young man almost blushed with joy. It wasn't that often that Zhuo Yi Chen praised someone, and Ying Lei honestly didn't expect that he would ever be able to impress him in any way beyond his good cooking.

"Oh my... did... did Mr. Zhuo just praise me? This is so very rare and unexpected... I don't even know what to say after that." Ying Lei said cheerfully while rubbing the back of his neck in good embarrassment, under the watchful gaze of Zhu Yan, who was not as amused as the mountain god.

"After traveling through the forbidden area and become a full demon, Xiao Zhuo's ability to use sarcasm improved, that's all." Zhu Yan mocked the mountain god, seeing him way too happy for his liking, however, his words caused both of them to turn to look at him in turn with cold glances, not just Ying Lei.

"Really? So asking Ying Long to find a way to save you without me killing you was also sarcasm, right?" Yi Chen asked, and his gaze seemed to chill Zhu Yan to the bone. The latter trembled under its weight and swallowed hard, only managing to give him an apologetic smile.

"Of course not, Xiao Zhuo. My bad... don't be mad." The great demon apologized while raising his hand in defeat, though obviously insincerely, prompting Wen Xiao to approach Pei Si Jing and whisper to her ear.

"Who would have thought that the great demon of the Wilderness would end up dancing in the palm of the mortal-turned-another-great-demon he mocked so badly before? He's so done for... and he ask for it too..." Wen Xiao almost laughed, while Pei Si Jing agree wholeheartedly.

"I heard that..." Zhu Yan said as he looked at Wen Xiao, but she merely winked at him mischievously.

"The problem is that the sword needs the dragon scale, and it must be handed over voluntarily. Ying Long said we should travel east to the Longyu Clan." Zhuo Yi Chen said as he looked at Zhu Yan to tell them more about the Dragon Clan.

"They have always lived in isolation in the eastern part of the Wilderness, that's true, but after the Gate collapses, I hear they disappear, so they could be anywhere right now. Also, freely giving away a dragon scale will be more difficult than finding them, as there are some... consequences... that no one in their clan will like." He said, deliberately concealing the part involving a dragon offering his life in return, as the last thing he wanted was for Xiao Zhuo to find out about that trick if he hadn't already.

As a newly 'born' dragon demon, it was too early for Xiao Zhuo to be powerful enough (despite gaining a very strong core as a starting point) to fully manifest in his dragon form, which would give him the chance to give away his own scale after a first transformation. Something that would always scare the hell out of him if it ever happened, as there were always unexpected life and death circumstances around them, so he kept it hidden.

"About that, I may have a way with at least one dragon location and with enough luck maybe her willingness as well..." She said as the others looked at her in surprise.

"Do you know where to find a dragon?" Ying Lei asked first and Wen Xiao nodded.

"What dragon?" Pei Si Jing asked next beside her and Wen Xiao sighed before looking at her with deep sadness and immediately the huntress offered her hand to the goddess to give her support. Between them no words were needed to know when to offer their sympathy and she had been the one to ask the question in the first place.

"Princess Longyu herself." She told them and both Zhuo Yi Chen and Zhu Yan looked at each other before focusing their gazes on Wen Xiao in Pei Si Jing's hands. Ying Lei was a bit at a loss as to why they all looked worried, so Wen Xiao answered his unasked question for him.

"She was the one who killed my biological father and the reason Fan Ying adopted me. That's why I went to the Demon Hunter Headquarters to study the demons I was chosen to protect as the next goddess," Wen Xiao told her, and Ying Lei then understood the sudden change in mood.

"Ah... well... that's hard..." Ying Lei said to her shyly.

"Wen Xiao... we can look for the other dragons if it's too strenuous for..." But Wen Xiao was not going to be any less determined than the rest of them who had also gone through their particular tragedies and had already sacrificed so much so that the balance between dimensions and races would continue.

"Xiao Zhuo, we don't know where the dragons went and it could take us weeks or months just to find a hint to point us in the right way and right now we don't have such time to waste. The longer Bai Jiu is possessed the harder it will be for him to return. I can take care of the Princess, I just need to confirm something with Bai Yin. I will talk to her and once I get my answer, I will go get the Princess."

"Did the previous goddess imprison her? Because, Li Lun escaped from her prison when the Gate collapsed, so is she still there..." Ying Lei asked.

"My Master did imprison her and that's why I need confirmation. Considering her crime, her seal was one of the strongest she cast, so there's a good chance she's still there." Wen Xia replied.

"Then we all should go together..." Zhuo Yi Chen insisted, but once again Wen Xiao was not having it.

"There is really no need for that, just a few simple questions do not require all of us to be present and besides, you can use the remaining of this evening to rest and get a better understanding of the demonic energies you now have within you. Inheriting a powerful core will be hard to master and I bet some monkey is dying to teach you all the tricks that a great demon can do with it." Wen Xiao mocked Zhu Yan, but it was Zhuo Yi Chen who blushed like crazy, while Zhu Yan laughed quite pleased.

"Fine with me, what do you say, Xiao Zhuo?" He asked his demon hunter with an almost devious grin.

"Training yes, but nothing more than that." Zhuo Yi Chen warned him as he looked at Zhu Yan as if he really intended to do more than just tell him how to use a demon core.

"I never suggested otherwise, Xiao Zhuo. What were you thinking when you said that? Care to explain? I'm all ears..."

"You! Perverted monkey, why are you pretending to be pure and innocent? It's not like anyone here doesn't know how mischievous you are." And Ying Lei nodded to the Commander's point. Once a great demon was truly smitten, anything was possible, and, given Zhu Yan's personality, using training as an excuse to do something more was almost mandatory, he thought.

"Ah, yes, that's true, but isn't that precisely what you like most about me? I dare you to say otherwise. We can already tell by that beautiful, albeit red, face of yours right now."

"It's anger!" Zhuo Yi Chen shouted, but Zhu Yan just smiled.

"Of course... a blush from so much anger... how cute..." Zhu Yan said and Ying Lei once again nodded his head mindlessly agreeing as well. At that moment, Zhu Yuan arched an eyebrow, as if disapproving of anyone else finding his Xiao Zhu cute and after Pei Si Jing cleared her throat while looking meaningfully at the young mountain god, Ying Lei finally got the message and smiled while rubbing the back of his neck.

"Hey, don't misunderstand, it's true that Mr. Zhuo is sometimes... quite cute, but that doesn't mean anything..." Ying Lei explained and Zhuo Yi Chen sighed.

"Don't worry, Ying Lei, he knows it, we all know it, so don't let it get to you. Apparently it's in his nature to be like this." Zhuo Yi Chen said a little wearily and Wen Xiao gently patted his back.

"You're got it hard, Xiao Zhuo... so are we agreed? I'll talk to Bin Yin while you deal with your great demon?" Wen Xiao asked, and Zhuo Yi Chen had no choice but to agree.

"Fine. Let me know when you're ready to bring the Princess, and we'll take care of her together. Everyone can lay down until then." Zhuo Yi Chen said, and Wen Xiao nodded.

After that, Zhu Yan escorted the rest of the team to a place where they could spend the night. Wen Xiao, having spent years in the Wilderness in her training, was already familiar with the place, so they arrived at their rooms without worry. Well... for Zhuo Yi Chen, being alone with Zhu Yan after everything that had happened between them inside Ying Long Domain was a cause for concern, but he was sure it wouldn't be something he couldn't handle.

Or maybe not, since once they were left alone with the door closed, Yi Chen couldn't help but get nervous. They had already kissed several times, not to mention calling each other soul mates, touching, carrying, caressing, confessing and going to extremes to save one another, so lying there and trying to cultivate his core was going to be pretty hard. This was Zhu Yan, after all.

"Don't be so nervous, Xiao Zhuo, I'm not going to do anything we haven't done before..." The great demon keep it up for a little more and Zhuo Yi Chen try to resign himself for what could come next.

"That's a lot, huh?" He said as he sat down in a lotus pose right in the middle of the bed and closed his eyes.

"It certainly is, do you have a preference? It can be... hard..." Zhu Yan teased and to his regret, Zhuo Yi Chen still blushed.

"Zhu Yan... please, no more teasing. I'm really at my limit. There is so much to do and I have so little time left. Please help me..." Zhuo Yi Chen pleaded to his great demon sitting behind him with a loving look in his eyes.

"Don't plead, Xiao Zhuo.... I know this is not the time to engage in anything other than concentrating on what we have to do to save the others. I promise I won't make any more jokes from now on. Just listen to my instructions and try to follow them as best you can. You're talented, so I'm sure you'll get the hang of this in no time."

"Alright, how do I start?" Yi Chen asked as he felt Zhu Yan's finger on his back.

"There are seven points in the demons' channeling power, much like the mortal chakras, but a little different from them, those seven points are not lined up in a straight line, as you may be used to knowing in mortal meditation. Demons have them in the center of the forehead for focus, in both shoulders for strength, in the heart for flow, in both hands to channel power out, and in the stomach for storage, which is exactly what a core is. The reason a demon spends centuries forging a core is because the demonic energy stored in the stomach needs to reach a level of dimension, which is the highest level that allows a demon to be powerful. The stronger your core (dimension) is, the more power you can store and never exhaust it all at once. For a demon to fully depleting a core is the same as death."

"Understood. So, since they are not aligned, how do I channel them? Do I start with the one on the forehead, or the hands, the shoulders...?"

"Each demon has its own way of channeling, there is not just one. The more you concentrate on one, the more powerful that point will be. For me, it's the hands, for my one-word spells and the forehead for other spells. Since you now have two demonic energies in you, you will have to figure out which one you want it to be at the top. Bing Yi's energy is more in the flow, like a water master he was, to channel it out. Ying Long, however, his power of creation probably requires all seven points, so dying could have trigger the explosion of his core and send the power into the sky. I can't be sure about that, of course, since I don't really know how the power of creation works, but at least now you can get an idea of how to control and use your channeling points and your core."

"So can I use one-word spells too?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked a little too excited and Zhu Yan smiled.

"That will depend on you. The core you obtained is strong enough to store the power necessary to use them, but be careful. No one-word spell can surpass your casting capacity. For example, I cannot use a one-word spell to kill all living beings at once, because my power is not enough to do it. If I try, my core might suffer a backlash, as if the power I channel is hitting me from within instead of manifesting itself. It can kill me outright or leave me on the verge of death."

"Alright, so don't overdo it..." Yi Chen whispered as he tried to channel the demonic energy flowing from his shoulders to his hands and back to his stomach, filling his core as he repeated the process with concentration.

The sensation was strange, a little confusing at first, for despite the harmony between Bing Yi and Ying Long's energies, their essences remained distinct. At times, he coughed blood as they collided in his core, but as he concentrated harder, he managed to separate them and channel them to opposite sides of his body. Right for Bing Yi and left for Ying Long. As for the flow, he spiraled them, one at a time, down his core to store them more orderly.

He did this for what could have been hours, until he felt ready enough to attempt a one-word spell. When he opened his eyes in the glow of two powers, his eyes changed from the usual bright, deep blue of Bing Yi's possession to an intense blue-green with flashes of azure. Then, he channeled power into his fingers and whispered...

"Move." Yi Chen commanded the teacup on the side table, and the cup practically smashed against the wall into a million pieces, causing Zhu Yan to whistle in approval.

"A little dramatic, but it was fine... like I said, you're talented," Zhu Yan told him, and overjoyed, Yi Chen turned around to hug him and, despite his initial refusal to do anything but train, kissed his great demon, forgetting about everything else for a moment.

Zhu Yan let him kiss him as much as he wanted, pulling him closer as the kiss intensified, but just when Zhu Yan thought things were about to escalate, there was a knock on the door, and Yi Chen, as if waking up from a trance, pushed Zhu Yan away, nearly falling off the bed himself.

 "Mr Zhuo. Wen Xiao is ready to summon the Princess. She said is urgent." Ying Lei said from the other side of the door as Zhuo Yi Chen blushed and tried to control his labored breathing.

"Alright, we'll be there soon." Zhu Yan replied, looking at Xiao Zhuo in amusement.

"Okay... I hope everything's okay over there. I know it's none of my business, but there's no need to throw things around. Be more gentle..." Ying Lei added, as Yi Chen's blush deepened, prompting Zhu Yan to laugh hard.

AN: This is getting too long, so I will end it here. Hope you like this 'little' treat. Until next time, take care.

Chapter Text

ZHUO YI CHEN

"Xiao Zhuo... I think the one who should be on the lookout for someone else doing something perverted is me. I've lost count of the times you've kissed me out of the blue... more than I have, for sure..." Zhu Yan teased him, and Yi Chen sighed while looking at his great demon.

"I admit that sometimes I lose a bit of control... This whole demon thing is new to me, and ever since I became a full demon, it's been harder for me to contain certain emotions." Zhuo Yi Chen confessed, and Zhu Yan approached his beloved.

"Mortals have too many restrictions that we demons don't have. You will soon realize how attractive something can be, from smell and sight to taste. I told you before that for a demon, having gray hair was beautiful, a sign of power, yet you stepped on mine. Then you were still a mortal, so let me ask you again, Xiao Zhuo. Are you attracted to gray hair now?" He asked and Yi Chen swallowed hard as he looked at Zhu Yan's beauty and knew he could not deny the attraction his appearance caused in him.

Even as a human, his feelings for the great demon had gradually changed from hatred to annoyance and then to friendship. Just before his body absorbed Bing Yi's blood, his feelings intensified into soulmate territory, and he found himself observing him more closely, finding him attractive, understanding his pain, and wishing to save him from himself. The change had been subtle at first, but upon becoming a demon, it intensified to such an extent that he now struggled to control it. It was undeniable that the way he viewed him from his new demonic perspective made Zhu Yan's appearance truly exorbitant.

"I am, it's beautiful..." Yi Chen finally admitted, although the word beautiful didn't really describe how gorgeous he was.

"Beautiful to a point of wanting to kiss me again?" Zhu Yan asked next.

"Yes."

"Then what are you waiting for, Xiao Zhuo?"

"We should go meet with Wen Xiao. She said is urgent..."

"Certainly, it can wait a few seconds."

"If we kiss is not going to be seconds."

"Oh? For how long do you want it to last, Xiao Zhuo?" He asked way too close for Yi Chen to think straight.

"It's not for how long I want it, Zhao Yuan Zhou, is for how long I get lost on it." Zhuo Yi Chen whisper as he closed his eyes, sensing Zhu Yan closer to a point he could feel his breath brushing his lips.

"Don't worry, Xiao Zhuo, I can get you out of that abyss before you lose yourself..." Said the great demon as he closed the distance between them and kissed him. Yi Chen didn't resist the kiss, but he tried to focus on something else, as they had urgent matters to attend to. However, it was difficult to tear himself away from those soft, warm lips, that rich, sweet peach scent, that throbbing energy inviting him in, the feelings that bound them so intimately, not to mention the hands holding him in place.

If Ying Lei hadn't called them when he did, by now they would probably be doing things far less innocent than kissing, and the heat of his body was just one step away from melting his new core in waves of desire and need. No, there was no way he could control it yet; it was too new, too raw and unbridled, and he was completely hopeless in the face of all these new sensations he wasn't used to. Circumstances beyond his control had lit that previously forbidden fire into a blaze and now he simply didn't know how to extinguish it or if he really wanted to let it go out.

Perhaps becoming a demon had indeed changed him in more than just physical terms, such as his new compulsion to call him Zhu Yan, instead of his usual Zhao Yuan Zhao, or intensifying the feelings that were already there but he had repress them. Either way, he was doom, thus this time he let Zhu Yan take control of their kiss and hoped for the best. 

The great demon was more experienced with all his centuries of cultivation and was aware that Wen Xiao was waiting for them to be one step closer to repairing the sword they needed to save others. Thus he give in, letting Zhu Yan explore his mouth and press them closer as he pleased and just when Yi Chen thought that the heat would derail him once more, Zhu Yan pulled back, though completely out of breath.

"Was that enough for you, Xiao Zhuo? It wasn't long enough to burn you out, but it wasn't fast enough to leave you wanting more." Zhu Yan whispered in his ears, causing Zhuo Yi Chen to blush as his body shuddered.

"You teasing demon..." At that, Zhu Yan smiled.

"That's me... a mocking demon who loves you, Zhuo Yi Chen..." Zhu Yan whispered in his ear for the second time and something inside him stirred at the confession, but before Yi Chen could seal that feeling in another heated kiss, Zhu Yan placed a finger on his lips and gave him a gentle smile.

"Let's finish this later.... Let's go." He stood up while extending a hand to his lover, but Yi Chen was too caught up in his raw feelings to not say it back.

"I love you too, Zhu Yan..." Yi Chen confessed and accepted the offered hand, letting the great demon help him to get off the bed to press him against himself once again.

“Don't tempt me so much, Xiao Zhuo, or it will take hours for us to leave this room. You were appealing to me before, but now you're irresistible. Change works both ways, Yi Chen, remember that...” Hearing such words, Zhuo Yi Chen blushed deeply and, knowing embarrassment all too well, he pushed Zhu Yan away and opened the door to leave in the hopes of calming his beating heart, followed closely by his amused great demon.

It was a good thing that the place was cold with all the water surrounding it, because Zhuo Yi Chen was in a melting stage, thus he needs something to anchor him back into his compelling reality. So he walked forward in great strides, ignoring the great demon behind him who was probably having the time of his life as he watched him run away as fast as he could.

Love, of course, complicates things far more than hate, and it will take time to get used to all the ups and downs that its presence brought. Still, a part of him was glad that he became a demon with less need to restrain himself than when he was a mortal, because it made things easier for him to deal with, than just focusing on his conflicted feelings and also gave him a reason for Zhu Yan to stop thinking about death. If the great demon was in love and he was loved back, then he had no reason to want to die, let alone at his hands. So, Yi Chen was relieved and hoped that for once things would go his way and they could reach a happy ending.

The kiss, although it seemed to last for hours, was actually only a few minutes, so the rest of the team didn't have to wait long for them to show up. Although Zhuo Yi Chen's ears, still on fire, gave those gathered a glimpse of what happened behind their close door. Wen Xiao smiled at them, glad that everything had gone well, though deep down she was worried about her own crisis, when finding that she had been poison, which she decided to hide from them, including her beloved huntress. They have more pressing matters at the moment and she still has time to think of a solution before was too late.

"Wen Xiao..." Zhuo Yi Chen began, knowing how difficult it would be for her to see the woman who had murdered her father, but she stopped him by raising her hand and looking at him.

"It's fine, Xiao Zhuo, your aunt is strong at heart, even if she seems weak in every other way. I assure you that the day will come when I will surpass even the great demon." She said as she looked at Zhao Yuan Zhao, who sneered before casually covering his mouth.

"I'm sure you will. Were you able to find the princess then?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked, and she nodded.

"Yes. Her seal was still in place, so I undo it, and she's about to join us right now." She informed them, as they were a bit late  for her first explanation, and Zhuo Yi Chen felt a surge of pride for her.

"The problem is, given her bad experience with men in the past and the reason for her rampage back then, she is quite unwilling to deal with men, so I think it's best for everyone to leave, except for the great demon. I may need him at some point." Wen Xiao told them, and Zhao Yuan Zhao looked at her intrigued, as if trying to guess her next move, which didn't bode well for him if he read her right.

"Goddess, can you specify what great demon you mean, because there are now two of them." Asked Zhao Yuan Zhou and Wen Xiao chuckle.

"The white monkey, of course." She said sweetly.

"Ape."

"Monkey..." Yi Chen refuted.

"Xiao Zhuo, not you too..."

"What do you mean, not you too? I called you that way from the beginning."

"Are you angry because of what I said before? I was just pouring my heart out to you, nothing more..." Zhao Yuan Zhou teased him back and, right on cue, his ears flamed up almost instantly, making his great demon laugh.

"Fine! I’m leaving, but I hope you, oh great monkey, do your part right."

"What part? She said the princess hates men and I can prove to you here or, more preferably, in private, that I am indeed a male.” Zhao Yuan Zhou squeezed Xiao Zhuo's button harder, further intensifying his blush and Ying Lei couldn't contain himself this time and burst out laughing.

“You perverted monkey, have some shame! Wen Xiao, he's all yours...” Zhuo Yi Chen said to her as he turned around and started to walk away, but was grabbed by Zhu Yan before he could take more than a few steps.

“Xiao Zhuo, don't be angry.... I need to cast a spell on you, so don't go yet.”

“What spell?” Zhuo Yi Chen asked suspiciously as he looked at his big demon seriously.

“A spell for you to listen to everything that will be said here. I can use a one-word spell on the others, but not on you, remember?” Which was true, so Yi Chen simply sighed and closed his eyes, not wanting to really see what he planned to do next.

Fortunately for him, Zhu Yan simply used the energy from his forehead and transferred it directly to Yi Chen’s, as he had done on other occasions, and then let him go. He then cast the one-word spell with the others who later joined Zhuo Yi Chen to wait for the princess to arrive.

It didn't take long for the dragon princess to arrive there and both Wen Xiao and Zhao Yuan Zhou greeted her, though not with much warmth, as even Wen Xiao wasn't very happy with her presence despite her previous assurance that she was fine with the meeting.

Some feelings were hard to suppress, after all, and even if Zhu Yan himself had killed her Master, at least she knew that he wasn't the one who had actually dealt the killing blow, but the malicious energy whiting him and before that they have been the best friends. None of that existed with the princess, so it was harder to come to terms with that loss.

"Baize Goddess." The princess greeted her and then looked at the great demon beside her with a hint of displeasure.

"Are you Zhu Yan?" She asked.

"See? I told you that everyone in the Wilderness know me." Zhu Yan said quite pleased.

“Of course, you're notorious enough to be wildly recognized. Nothing to be proud of though.” She finished saying and the great demon swallowed his pride as the Goddess smiled and so did the others listening from afar.

"Baize Goddess, why did you free me and why ask me to come here?" The princess asked curiously to know her reasons, although she already have an idea of why.

“I'm going to be honest with you. I want to ask for a dragon scale.” Wen Xiao said bluntly and the princess smiled knowingly.

"I see. I wonder why so many people suddenly want to get their hands on a dragon scale." She said, and Zhu Yan frowned at the implication of her words.

"Who else asked for it?" He voiced his concern.

"That's not for you to know, and is not like it matter anyway, because at least one of them has already gotten what he deserve, and the other will soon too." She said, looking directly at Zhu Yan, which didn't sit well with Yi Chen, who watched her dark gaze on him.

"Fair enough. Then..." Wen Xiao try to change the direction of the conversation as she felt the tension on the great demon, but she was suddenly interrupted by the princess.

"Forgive my rudeness, Goddess, but why do you need a dragon scale? I’m sure you know it won’t be easy to get." The princess asked in turn and a group of demon hunters held their breaths in the distance, hoping that the Goddess would give her a sufficient reason to voluntarily offer hers.

"I was poisoned with something that can't be detoxified by ordinary means. I was told that only a dragon scale can save me from a slow painful death." She said after a brief pause, and Ying Lei clapped, impressed by the convincing story she was telling.

"She is too good at this, huh? That was well thought." Ying Lei praise her quick wit.

"Beside books about demons, she must have read some novels in the archive." Yi Chen said as he thought of it.

“Novels? When I was young my grandfather wouldn't let me read any, so why does the Demon Hunter Archive have them and so easy to find? He said they were too vulgar.” Ying Lei asked and Zhuo Yi Chen sighed as Pei Si Jing looked hopelessly at the young mountain god.

"The novels that Wen Xiao read in the Archive are not the same ones your grandfather refers to. I don’t even know why they told you about those... did you ask for them?" Yi Chen rubbed his forehead with frustration.

"I’m totally innocent in that. I was just curious when I saw one of the old mountain gods with one."

"I guess guarding a frozen mountain for centuries can be a bit... boring." Added Pei Si Jing and with her straight face to that. Ying Lei almost laughed, if they were not interrupted by the conversation that took place bellow.

"Poison? Who say that to you? Who told you about the properties for a dragon scale?" The princess asked not fully convinced.

"Bai Yan, the descendant of the Divine Tree of Jianmu. She told me of the scale and naturally, I release you so I can live." Wen Xiao said.

"We all want to live and so do I. Why should I help you of all people?"

“One, though I may resign myself to die, my beloved cannot live without me. He has already threatened me with his life, so if I die, so will he...” Hearing Wen Xiao say that with such seriousness almost made Zhu Yan, Zhuo Yi Chen and Pei Si Jing spill blood from their mouths at the same time.

"What the hell? That's too much, Wen Xiao..." Yi Chen whisper still in shock.

"Is she taking your place in that story she's telling the princess, Mr. Zhuo? I mean, you and Zhao Yuan Zhou already had that story, so..."

"What nonsense..." Pei Si Jing exclaimed sharply as she looked at the beautiful woman with an even more stoic face, which Ying Lei found a little chilling.

Zhao Yuan Zhou was so bewildered that he didn't even have time to react, except to stare at her in utter disbelief. Miraculously, he almost immediately masked his incredulity when she pinched his arm to keep pretending.

"Right, Zhu Yan?" Wen Xiao asked, and Yi Chen winced in pain, while Ying Lei wanted to throw up. That act was too bold...

"Of course... I didn't expect you to tell anyone about our forbidden love. You took me by surprise..."

"They say love doesn't always have a happy ending. I said they don't know the kind of love that transcends barriers, fate and time, the kind where sacrifice is both a blessing and a curse, the kind where one cannot live without the other, of two souls becoming one. The kind of love we have..." She said, and Zhu Yan looked at her as if she had seen through all his barriers and reached his heart, because that was the kind of love he felt and shared with Zhuo Yi Chen. Oh, he's going to kill me after this, you owe me big time, Wen Xiao.

"What she say is the truth, my kind of love is beyond words and I would rather die to part ways like this. Once, her Master told me that one day I will find the person who makes me want to live and even if I doubt her back then, her word could not be truer. I did find that person and I promise to stay by hi... her side forever." Zhao Yuan Zhou said as he took her hand.

"You're so dead..." It was the expression that described what Ying Lei saw in both Zhuo Yi Chen and Pei Si Jing at that moment. May the gods have mercy on them after their souls are snatched away once the deed is over.

"Second, you owe me a life for taking my father away from me. He was innocent and had nothing to do with what someone else did to you. Have you forgotten? Because I haven't." Wen Xiao said this from the bottom of her heart, and in that moment of profound pain that everyone understood, everything in that little charade was forgiven.

"I have not forgotten about your pain... but I still have my own and is no less than yours. I was despicably deceived by a mortal that acted like a demon and he even didn't care that others die in his place. It was never my intention to kill innocent men, just the ones who toy with my heart for a scale." The princess pushed back, unfazed.

"Been a dragon with a powerful and desirable gift is not easy, Goddess. Once you have been used to the extreme, not even your pure heart could come out unscratched. I wanted to kill his wife and unborn child in my justify rage. I was willing to offer my life to him for the love he so adamantly confessed to me, just to find that he only wanted to save her from her fate by sacrificing me in turn. My revenge may not have played as I intended, for which I will take responsibility, but the crime commit against me was not light either." She said and Zhuo Yi Chen closed his eyes for a moment, thinking that if he had born a dragon instead of becoming one by chance, he may have suffer that same betrayal that all dragons could face. Never sure if someone approach him for who he was or for what they could get from him.

"That's harsh..." Ying Lei said as he looked at Zhuo Yi Chen.

"It is, but a crime is a crime and those who die were still innocent." Yi Chen said softly.

"I don't think she will give in, no matter how convincing Wen Xiao story is..." Pei Si Jing whisper as she looked at Wen Xiao with sadness. 

"I agree." Yi Chen said, however...

"Not matter how rightful your revenge may be, the fact still remain that you killed innocent people, including my father. That sin cannot be reversed, but can make amends." Wen Xiao offer the princess.

"I will pay you back what I owe you, but I want something in return." Princes Longyu told her while Zhu Yan was caught between the sad stories of the two women.

"What is it?" Wen Xiao asked finally after a moment of silence.

"My scale for his inner core." The princess said as she pointed at the great demon and they all froze in astonishment and horror.

AN: Thanks for reading, I hope you have some fun with this one. Until next time, take care.

Chapter Text

"Did I hear it right? Does she want his core too?" Ying Lei was the first to recover from the shock, as Zhuo Yi Chen struggled to contain the beast inside him. His eyes began to glow with an intense blue-green luster, the power within him churning at the threat to Zhu Yan's life. No way was he going to hand over his inner core to that woman. It had already cost him much pain and sacrifice to make the great demon give up his death wish, and now, cruelly enough, the opportunity presented itself to him again.

However, he didn't care how hard fate or Chaos tried to make them kill each other. He wouldn't allow it, no matter how much the opportunity was thrown in their faces. Zhuo Yi Chen, the mortal, was bound by the oath he swore to the heavens, but Zhuo Yi Chen, the demon, had thrown that oath free, and hell would freeze over before he was forced to deal a killing blow that would destroy them both. Thus, his anger was flared.

Why have so many people recently demanded Zhu Yan's death? He had already suffered enough sins that he could not control, and so others believed they had the right to own his core as if it belonged to them? Oh! What insolence and boldness! No one has that right, absolutely no one could demand from him to give his life for their own ends! First she dares to hurt Wen Xiao, when killing her father by mistake, as a collateral damage, and now she wants to take away his man? Yi Chen almost laughed hysterically.

Well, let see if she could do it right in front of him. He may have been a recently converted demon, but the demonic energy he possessed wasn't insignificant at all. It belonged to the two most powerful dragons of their era, and deep inside, Yi Chen could feel their presence growing along with his anger. As the commander of the demon hunters, he's supposed to be impartial and fair, but as a lover, there was no way he would allow such a thing. It was wrong!

So Zhuo Yi Chen concentrated his inner energy in his right hand, ready to use his new ability to cast a one-word spell the moment that princess dared to even touch Zhu Yan's hair. As his fingers charged with blue demonic energy, Pei Si Jing felt the pressure of her commander's anger becoming the deadly weapon he was about to unleash, and in an attempt to prevent it, she stood in front of him to stop him.

"Zhuo Yi Chen!" She yelled at him, but he simply continued to concentrate his energy.

"Don't worry, Pei Si Jing, I'm not possessed, but if she touches him or if she tries to hurt him in any way, then my actions will not be an act of recklessness, but of protecting those I love and it is justified. What happens from this moment on doesn't depend on what I do, but on what she tries. I'm sure you would do the same if the princess tried to directly hurt Wen Xiao, or am I wrong?" Zhuo Yi Chen then turned his face to look at her and Pei Si Jing understood with relief that Yi Chen despite his anger, was in total control of his body and what he said really made sense.

It was one thing to ask Zhu Yan to give her his core voluntarily in exchange for her scale, but it was quite another that she tried to take it by force. If that ever happened, then her commander was right and she would assist him if the need arose. So Pei Si Jing pulled out her bow and pointed it at the princess and both waited for her next step, along with Ying Lei who could only see with dread the whole thing.

Far down, Zhu Yan instantly understood the disaster everything could become if there was any intention to act instead of ask. He felt Yi Chen's demonic energy ignite as he watched them from his hiding place, and even the dragon princess shuddered at the pressure that threatened to unleash. His lover was furious, very furious, and if he didn't do anything to calm him down, they might end up fighting. Wen Xiao, at his side, knew this too, so she glanced briefly at the hidden team, shook his head, and turned her attention back to the princess.

"This demand is unexpected, so give me time to make a decision." Wen Xiao tried to buy them more time to find a way out of that mess.

"Fair enough. I'll give you an hour. Call me when you're done making decisions, but only with the inner core of the great demon Zhu Yan can we exchange lives. I'm sure the demon hunter hiding nearby is quite powerful, but so am I. I'm asking only for an exchange, so that he can keep his demonic energy to himself. Once a dragon gives its word, it will not be broken." The princess said before turning to leave, not without glancing into the distance, still feeling the pressure of a beast that could, in fact, crush her instantly. 

She had only heard of dragons fearing one particular demonic power in the past, and that was Bing Yi's, the ancient dragon who could even slay gods with his sword. His power was like rivers of ice crushing mountains, breaking through with nothing to stop it, a force that could save or destroy, for many demons had fallen to his sword. His power was frightening, but though she had trembled beneath it, she could tell that the demonic energy contained had not reached even a tenth of its full potential. Bing Yi's vessel was still new to power, but with more time, he could become terrifying.

 "Xiao Zhuo, it's fine now, let it go and come down." Zhu Yan whisper and he looked at his direction and sighed when he sense the pressure release. It was a good thing that Bing Yi had chosen as his vessel such a level headed descendant, because if it was someone else, that meeting could have end up in a blood shed.

Soon the others came down, with Zhuo Yi Chen in front without taking his eyes off his great demon. Seeing that, Zhu Yan smiled and winked at him, to see if he could replace that serious expression of his with something more tender, but his demon hunter was obviously in no mood for jokes. So he walked ahead of the others with the air of an avenger or rather a god of death, ready to smash anything that threatened the lives of his loved ones.

"Xiao Zhuo, you are too serious..." Zhu Yan said to him and Zhuo Yi Chen looked at him in disbelief, as if he could not understand how he could make jokes when his situation right now was so serious.

"Isn't this problem serious enough for you? She's demanding your inner core! Are you going to tell me that you'll gladly hand it over to her?" He asked angrily and Zhu Yan shuddered, because even though his Xiao Zhu was quite hot when he was angry, he was also chilling to the bone, Bing Yi's energy leaking out no doubts.

"Calm down Xiao Zhuo, we can think about it, we still have an hour." Zhu Yan tried his best to appeal to him, but Zhuo Yi Chen wasn't having it.

"You're crazy if you think I'm going to let you try to sacrifice yourself again. I'm done with that, got it?"

"Ah, you love me so passionately that you actually can't live without me, huh? Wen Xiao hit the nail on the head when she described our kind of love." Zhu Yan kept trying and Zhuo Yi Chen then turned quite exasperatedly towards Wen Xiao, moving away from his great demon.

"Wen Xiao, it's impossible to deal with him right now. Tell him something, tell him we won't accept that deal, that is not an option." He practically implored the woman who had just finished writing down what she needed to let the others know about what she had planned and held the notes over her stomach as she stood up from the edge of the pound she had sat on earlier, and faced her companions. Yi Chen just slightly behind her, which was perfect for what she had in mind.

"Alright Xiao Zhuo, I'll take care of this..." She said as she showed the others what she had written while Yi Chen was still unaware of the brewing storm that would hit him harder than the princess's outrageous demand.

"Thank the gods, please reason with him before he completely overwhelms me. I'm having trouble staying in control when he goes back to his death wish." Zhuo Yi Chen admitted, and because he was distracted, he didn't see them looking at each other and then at Wen Xiao, as if they were really going to anger a powerful new demon, very protective of his lover.

Seeing their expressions of fear and hesitation, Zhu Yan almost laughed. If they needed to act, and he had already thought of a way out of that mess, he would be the one to face Xiao Zhuo's wrath alone.

"Xiao Zhao, you heard him. You both have gone through enough suffering, we should look for another way out of this." Wen Xiao started to act, hoping that Xiao Zhuo would hold back as he had done before when things start to heat up.

"What other choice do we have? Yes, Xiao Zhuo was saved from being killed by Bing Yi's demonic energy, but what about others? What about Bai Jiu, who is still waiting to be rescued, and the Cloud Light Sword is his best chance at freedom?" Zhu Yan pointed out, causing Yi Chen to frown.

"I want to save him as much as anyone else here, Zhu Yan, but this isn't the way..."

"Why isn't this the way, Xiao Zhuo? It's my inner core!"

"It's my sword! And your life! I assure you, I won't trade you for any sword in this world. It have take me so much pain to get to this point, and as much as I care about Bai Jiu and believe me, he's like a little brother to me, I won't sacrifice anyone I care about anymore!"

"Zhuo Yi Chen! His life is worth more than mine!" At that, Yi Chen broke down and grabbed Zhu Yan by the robes, and pulled him towards him.

"What did you say?" He hissed. 

"I've already committed so many sins and lived longer than I should have."

"Don't give me that again."

"Please, Xiao Zhuo... let's not do this..."

"Then keep your promise! You said you wouldn't seek death anymore."

"It wasn't my idea to exchange my inner core for the scale!"

"Exactly, so why should you comply?"

"Then how will you save Bai Jiu? Tell me..."

"There should be another way."

"The sword is still bound to you, Xiao Zhuo! Even if you were lucky enough to receive a demonic core, blood, and bones, the sword is still as much a part of you as your demonic energy. The longer you delay restoring it, the more you risk losing control. The sword purifies your demonic energy, keeps you under control, and the more you test your demonic power, the more you can lose yourself in it." Zhu Yan pushed him away, and Zhuo Yi Chen was speechless for a moment, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"I won't lose control."

"Are you sure about that? Aren't you already struggling with it?"

"I can handle it."

"No, you can't. Xiao Zhuo... please, let me do this for you."

"No! I refuse!"

"Zhao Yuan Zhou! Don't go too far..." Wen Xiao warned him, while the others were at a loss as to how they could interfere in such a love affair. Pei Si Jing, in particular, was glad that her intervention was not necessary, as she was not good at acting, and it was painful to see Zhuo Yi Chen heartbroken over the person he loved the most.

"Xiao Zhuo is right, Zhao Yuan Zhou. Is not right to sacrifice one for another. At the end, someone we love will still die and worthiness had nothing to do with that. We all know that Bai Jiu betray us once and that almost cost you your life..."

"Wen Xiao, you..." Zhu Yan was surprised that she resorted to that, although what had been said so far was more or less truthful, including what he just told Xiao Zhuo about losing control.

"That was uncalled for Goddess." Pei Si Jing resigned herself to that task.

"True, Bai Jiu is still young and easy to manipulate and that's the reason we need to save him." Ying Lei added.

"Not this way..." Yi Chen insisted.

"Don't you feel pity for him? We all know how easily scare he is and now he is trapped inside his own body, trapped in a kind of darkness that he can't escape from. Yes, he make mistakes, but so all of us along the way and at least he was brave enough to recognize his error and try to rectify it. He even cut his own skin to prove it, so how much reckless he could become if there was the need, if any of you were in his position, because it could have been any of us who got possessed. It could have been you, Mr Zhuo... what would Bai Jiu will have done to save you? I bet that a core would have been gladly given for the one he admires the most..." Ying Lei told him and Yi Chen gave a step back in pain as more tear fall from his eyes and unable to see him break that much, Zhu Yan had enough of that painful acting.

"You are right, Ying Lei... for Xiao Zhuo, I will indeed gladly give not only my inner core but my heart too. Fight no more, this is my curse, let's end it once and for all." He said that while gathering internal energy from his core and shaping it into a spherical shape to resemble it and right in front of his horrified lover, he smashed it with his own hand, spitting out some blood before falling to the ground.

Although the energy he gather was not his real core, it was still inner energy that in his weak state did cause some damage, even if it wasn't permanent. However, the worst part was not the physical pain he cause to himself, but feeling Yi Chen arms holding him with a desperate yell. He will apologize for that a million times over after he awakes, but until then, he let the void take him and hoped that all those hard truths that were voiced were enough to get them the scale.

AN: Was it too dramatic? I was hearing very emotive music when writing this, so it turn out this way. I hope it doesn't disappoint, but those struggling moments where the best of the show. Thanks for reading, until next time, please take care.

Chapter Text

"Zhu Yan! Zhu Yan!" Zhuo Yi Chen shouted at the unconscious great demon in his arms, but he was completely out cold,  so Yi Chen carried him back to the room they shared and placed him on the bed. The rest of the demon hunters followed, though not too closely, for they shared a great sense of guilt for what had happened and what was yet to come and dared not anger their commander further.

"Xiao Zhuo..." Wen Xiao said from the open door of the room, but Zhuo Yi Chen stopped her by raising his hand as he sat on the bed next to Zhu Yan's weak body.

"Not now Wen Xiao... let me take care of him first, then we talk. I will expect a full explanation from all of you, because that was not his real core and if Zhu Yan faked this, then you..." Ying Lei shudders when he sees him stare at them with such a cold gaze, and he bows unconsciously to ask for forgiveness.

"I'm sorry, Commander Zhuo... please don't get too angry. We have the best intentions at heart, I swear." Ying Lei pleaded, unable to bear his harsh glare as he felt the icy energy emanating from his enraged boss.

"I said later... his energy is still unstable, and that's the priority right now." Zhuo Yi Chen said as he directed his attention to man in bed. The fool, why get to such extremes to forge a false core? How did he miss the silent message they all share in that look that baffled him for an instant, but he dismissed it while arguing with his great demon? He'd been so blatantly deceived it was embarrassing.

"Alright, you take care of Xiao Zhao and I'll take care of the princess. This fake core, created under these conditions, should be enough to convince her of its authenticity. After all, it was still made from his malicious energy, and his pain while creating it was not feigned at all." Wen Xiao said as she turned to leave with the small red orb that cost Zhao Yuan Zhou to further weaken its power gently pulsing in her hand.

"Wait... Why, Wen Xiao? Why put on such a show for a fake core?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked, and Wen Xiao smiled sadly.

"They were watching us. Princess Longyu can communicate with all creatures in the water, and when I sat down by the pond, I saw many fish gathered near us. She was spying on us from the pond. If we want her scale, we had to convince her that Zhu Yan was willing to die first." 

"That was too extreme..."

"I know, but if it works, we'll get the scale while keeping the great demon alive. A good deal for us, Xiao Zhuo... Surely you understand that forgiving is better than losing and we will ask for your forgiveness." She said, and Yi Chen sighed, closing his eyes and focusing on stabilizing the great demon's energy. 

Leaving them alone, Wen Xiao walked away, followed closely by Pei Si Jing and Ying Lei. The apology could wait, but not the princess action. If she was deceived, as Xiao Zhuo had been, then they win, if not, then they lose far more than she was willing to let go.

The core felt real enough to give her hope, but if that failed, she wasn't above pushing the princess into a wave of guilt by telling her all of her years-buried feelings about her father's death and how it had destroyed her world and changed her destiny. If there really was nothing else, then at least she could make amends for the irreversible damage caused by the princess's careless actions. If the princess thought her revenge was justified, then Wen Xiao would ask her to justify hers.

"Wen Xiao... are you alright?" Pei Si Jing asked, reaching out to take her hand, as if to reassure her that everything would be okay.

"I am. It just doesn't feel right to deceive my best friend even if it's for his own sake. Heaven knows he has more than enough to deal with without us adding to it."

"I know, but I'm sure he will think about it and understand why we did it." Pei Si Jing tried to comfort her as she gently squeezed her hand.

"Yes, he will. His kind personality doesn't allow him to hold grudges for long, but we should still prepare for a lot of cold stares until he can swallow it down." Wen Xiao said and Pei Si Jing smiled in agreement.

"How long do you think he'll be like that? To be honest, it's a little scary when all his cold energy is focused on you as he stares at you." Ying Lei confessed, his skin crawling just thinking about it.

"I don't think it's going to be for long with us... for Xiao Zhou though..."

"Yes, the great demon is definitely doom." Ying Lei agreed with Wen Xiao's suggestion. 

"No doubt." Pei Si Jing confirmed.

"Pei Si Jing, Ying Lei, I think I need to deliver this core on my own, so stay here and wait for me to come back. Right now I'm sad enough to play the role of a devastated woman who loses her lover. It will be fine..." Wen Xiao offered, but Pei Si Jing was not quite willing to let her go alone.

"I should go with you, just in case she was not convinced." Pei Si Jing said, as even if the princess looked weak, that was not the case as her true nature was wicked enough to want to kill even a pregnant woman out of heartbreak and jealousy.

"I think she was. Even a fish should understand the raw feelings Xiao Zhuo show there. He's too much in love and too afraid of losing him and that can't be faked. Their feelings and struggles were real and Xiao Zhuo's desperate yell when the great demon fell... even I could not hold my tears."

"But then she'll know that you two lie to her by pretending you're a real couple. She will realize that those in love are the two great demons." Pei Si Jing tells her worriedly.

"Maybe, but I still have a hidden card."

"But even so... it will be too risky, Wen Xiao..." 

"Please stay here, Si Jing. There will be a time in where I need to walk this path alone, so let me do this... and if anything goes wrong, you can step in and save me." Wen Xiao smiled at her as she gently kissed the back of their clasped hands and after a moment of silence, Pei Si Jing let go of her hand.

"Fine, just be careful. I will be watching."

"Sure... wish me luck." The goddess whisper to her as she came closer to the huntress and give her a soft kiss on her lips.

"We need to be more proactive, so next time is our kind of  love the one I describe." Wen Xiao softly caressed the huntress beautiful face. Despite her stoic look, Pei Si Jing was a kind soul that had unfortunately carry too much painful weight in the past.

"Ying Lei, please turn around..." Pei Si Jing warned the young mountain god before taking the goddess in her arms and kissing her back, not with a fleeting kiss like hers, but with a passionate one that made Ying Lei spin on his heels so fast he almost tripped with his own feet.

"I swear there are lovebirds everywhere! Bai Jiu, I miss you so much and I hope you can come back soon..." Ying Lei whispered as he walked away from all that pink madness.

Back in the room of the two great demons, Zhuo Yi Chen transferred some of his energy to Zhu Yan, to try to replace the one he had lost. The transfer had given him time to calm down and process everything that had happened, along with Wen Xiao's explanation. It had been bold of her to even think of that solution, but he had to admit that it wasn't wrong for the goddess to use whatever was necessary to save lives. Yes, both Wen Xiao and Zhu Yan  had taken advantage of his feelings, with Ying Lei, mainly, sowing guilt in his heart, but under the circumstances, it was a well-thought-out plan with a good chance of working.

Although the act was embarrassing, he could deal with it, but Zhu Yan getting hurt was not something he could easily allow. It was frustrating to see him like this, always putting others first, always taking unnecessary risks, always believing himself unworthy, which was a complete nonsense.

"Zhu Yan... please stop doing this to yourself, it's unhealthy and I hate it..." Xiao Zhuo whispered to his unconscious demon as he continued to work on his energy in the hopes to make him a bit stronger for him to wake up.

Ten minutes later, Zhu Yan finally stirred in his bed, and Yi Chen stayed with him until the great demon opened his eyes and looked at him. Only then did he leave his bedside and get up to leave the room, knowing that he was in no mood to be around his foolish demon. He need some time to cool.

"Xiao Zhuo, please don't go. I'm sorry..." Zhu Yan said faintly as he sat in bed, and Yi Chen stood for a moment before the door without turning to look at him.

"That's exactly the problem, Zhu Yan. You always regret your actions, but you never stop doing them. You should also think of how that makes me feel..." Yi Chen said before he opened the door and got out leaving a sad demon behind. He knew that what happened was probably inevitable, yet he wasn't sure for how much longer he could take it, because each time Zhu Yan put himself in danger it killed something inside him too.

Out into the hall of the strange place, half submerged in darkness as only illuminated by the endless candles he wandered around until he got to the place where a big dry tree stood tall. The place of power, the place of promises, the place that got the strongest hold of the Wilderness and just as he thought in putting his hand over the rectangular stone, someone else showed up and called his name from behind.

 "Commander Zhuo, is the great demon okay?" Ying Lei asked and Yi Chen was a little surprised that the one who went after him was the young mountain god. He expected Zhu Yan to crawl out of bed if necessary and follow him to beg for forgiveness until he relented, however, Ying Lei was the one standing there with visible nervousness at that.

"Yes, at least what happened this time can be fixed. He will be fine once he rest and regain his lost energy." Yi Chen said, and Ying Lei smiled slightly.

"That's good... Wen Xiao and Pei Si Jing went to see the princess on their own, so I thought of..."

"What? Why didn't you tell me? That woman is dangerous, I swear, no one respect me  anymore..." Yi Chen said as he was about to leave, but Ying Lei grabbed his arm to stop him.

"It's not that we distrust or disrespect you, Commander, quite the opposite of that, because we care for you more than what you give us credit. Before, when you were still a mortal, you also used to do things on your own to protect us and ended up in trouble. The great demon worried about you too, we all do..."

"I can handle myself Ying Lei."

"Of course you can, but what I want to point out is that in that aspect, the two of you are quite similar. Zhao Yuan Zhou wants to protect you as much as you do, but it's not just you two who want to protect each other, we all want the same thing. It's not something we plan to do, it's not something that can be prevented either, Commander Zhuo, it's just in our system, it's instinct for all of us. That's what makes us the family we are now..."

"Ying Lei... you..."

"To be honest, if I could do anything to protect Bai Jiu, I would have done it, even if it meant putting myself in danger, getting hurt, or losing my life. I admire and cherish that kid with all my heart, so if I can help, there's nothing to think about, I will do it, just like the great demon does, whenever something goes wrong. So please don't be too angry with him or us... Protecting those we love is in our nature, and I apologize for what I said earlier, I meant not harm." Seeing Ying Lei's sincerity, Yi Chen could only sigh as his heart warmed. That young mountain god, just through words alone, made him feel better and part of something bigger. For that, he was infinitely grateful.

"Apologize for what, Ying Lei... what you said to me was not wrong and I know it was not meant to hurt me. It was your own feelings that you have hide deep within you, like the rest of us. I shouldn't have been so angry, but I guess... I guess I'm too overprotective of Zhu Yan, but it's not like he gave me a break either." Yi Chen sighed and Ying Lei smiled as he rubbed his nose.

"Indeed, he runs head on into the first sign of danger..."

"He is an idiot."

"That too for sure..." Ying Lei played along, but when he realized what he had agreed to, he looked at Yi Chen and after a moment of silence, they both laughed.

"I'm sorry Ying Lei, I tend to be too serious, but I assure you I care for all of you."

"I know, you had show it enough times already."

"Then let me promise you that regardless of whether we get the scale or not, I will find a way to not only bring back Bai Jiu, but also to protect the rest of you. Sword or not, I am a demon now and no matter what, you are all my people, my friends and my family and I will not give up any of you without a fight."

"Same here... damn, you're too cool to be true, no wonder he admire you so much... me too I guess." Ying Lei confessed a little embarrassed and Yi Chen smiled fondly at him as he walked over to put an arm around his shoulder.

"Don't ever say that out loud again, or a great demons will give you a hard time." Yi Chen teased him as he pulled him back to the way they came.

Zhu Yan, who had actually followed him from a distance, smiled at them. He certainly did not deserve such ties and family, but he gladly accepted them with all his heart. A great and pure lover, a goddess best friend, a caring mountain god, a protective huntress, and a childish yet adorable young doctor that all of them cherished a lot. To ask for more was outrageous...

AN: I wanted a chapter for the team to bond, so they can trust and understand one another in a way is beautiful and I think Ying Lei is the perfect candidate for peacemaker aside from Wen Xiao. Hope you like it, more fun stuff for the next one, as Yichen will still be cold to Zhu Yan for a while and then more flaring emotions. By the way, what Yichen told Ying Lei stands, he will indeed save them all somehow. Until next time, take care.

Chapter Text

Zhu Yan watched almost fascinated as his Xiao Zhuo walked back with his usual composure and calmness. He had to admit that he owed one to the mountain god for lifting the spirits of his beloved demon hunter when he was in need of someone to extend a helping hand. As impressive as Yi Chen was as a mortal, his past and early losses had weighed so heavily on him that he had closed his heart to protect himself. Now, as a demon, that dam was beginning to crack and he needed someone to guide him when he was in the dark.

Unfortunately for Zhu Yan, that someone could not be him when Yi Chen was angry with him like right now and as much as he wanted to be by his side to be his pillar of support, he could not. Ying Lei had grown up on Kunlun Mountain under the care of his wise grandfather, so it was a good thing to have him around when neither Wen Xiao nor he himself was there to pat him on the back when he was down. However, being grateful was one thing, but letting him admire his Yi Chen so much was another, so when the two were close enough for them to see him he stepped in and blocked their way.

"Little mountain god, that demon beside you is rightfully mine, so please don't get too carried away with my man when I'm not around." Zhu Yan said in a mocking tone, though it carried a tinge of seriousness that Ying Lei could have heard a mile away. Why were male demons so damn jealous? He only told the commander that he admired him, it wasn't like he was confessing to him. Ying Lei thought as he shook his head in disapproval, although it only prove that Zhuo Yi Chen was right on point when warning him not to praise him in front of Zhu Yan.

"Zhao Yuan Zhou, who are you calling your man? First of all, if you don't care about my heart, why should it be yours? Secondly, whoever asks you to listen to others is rude and you have no right." Zhuo Yi Chen said as his anger began to flare again. So much for Ying Lei work in trying to cool him down, the mountain god sighed in defeat.

"Xiao Zhuo, I said I was sorry..." Zhu Yan said as he followed his angry lover, who decided to ignore him as best he could, by simply walking away. Ying Lei, on the other hand, let them go far ahead as they argued like an old married couple along the way.

"Like I said before, words means nothing to me, monkey." Yi Chen told him coldly as he stride faster.

"Yi Chen, I swear it wasn't even my idea, it was Wen Xiao's demand that we act to fool the princess. I have no choice but to deceive you."

"Funny, you said it was Wen Xiao's demand, but I failed to see how she forced any of you, even though I was behind her. Deceiving me is fine, you perverted monkey, but hurting yourself in front of me when I clearly opposed it's... is... is cruel!" Yi Chen paused for a moment to look at Zhu Yan to reinforce his argument, then turned around and continued walking.

"I'm sorry, Yi Chen, I won't do it again."

"I've heard that before, and you know what? It keeps getting repeated."

"Please Yi Chen... that wasn't my fault, it just happen to be necessary."

"Yes, in the same way it's necessary for me for you to get lost!"

"Xiao Zhuo! Please, don't be heartless, I'm still weak... Xiao Zhuo! I swear I will repent... Yi Chen!" Zhu Yan kept trying as he followed Yi Chen, while Ying Lei laughed amusedly behind them, seeing how far the great demon had fallen from grace. It was evident to everyone that the commander controlled their relationship, and it didn't look like it was going to change anytime soon.

Some time later, when everyone gathered after Wen Xiao's success in obtaining the princess's scale, they sat down around a stone table to celebrate the good news with food and drink. Even if things didn't end well for the princess, at least her sacrifice would give them the opportunity to repair the sword, which in turn would help them save the innocent and prevent further tragedy.

"I must say, the goddess's plan, though a little unorthodox, was sound. Honestly, I was surprised when she said that she and the great demon were a couple, and right under the commander's ears, no less. How bold, goddess!" Ying Lei remarked as he sipped some wine from his cup. 

Perhaps it was because the wine was already starting to take effect, or perhaps it was simply his nature, that Ying Lei felt they should spend time together more often, and going over the events of that day seemed like a good way to start. After all, the commander and the great demon were still feuding, and perhaps a little fun would help them make up.

"Sorry, Xiao Zhuo, it's not that I wanted to take your great demon away, I just needed a good story and someone to back it up. Your aunt was wrong..." Wen Xiao said, though she tried to hold back her laughter at Zhu Yan's mortified expression as he drank from his flask.

"You can have him all you want." Yi Chen offered before downing his glass in one gulp.

"Xiao Zhuo!" Zhu Yan protested as Zhuo Yi Chen looked away.

"Come on, guys, don't be like that, we all know how much you love each other." Wen Xiao chimed in with a sweet smile.

"Then you tell him, oh mighty goddess. It's your fault that he is still angry at me after all..." Zhu Yan complained, and Pei Si Jing covered her mouth with a hand to hide a silent laugh.

"Xiao Zhuo, next time I'll help you trick the monkey. It was just bad luck that you were behind me when I showed the others what I wrote." Wen Xiao tries to persuade him further.

"No bad luck, it was necessary or the whole thing was going to fall apart. He doesn't know how to lie." Ying Lei just had to rub salt in Yi Chen's wound.

"Stupid mountain god, you're not helping, shut up..." Zhu Yan chided the young man as he felt Yi Chen tense up beside him.

"Ah, sorry... but the important thing is that it worked." Ying Lei tried to correct himself, though the whole thing had been hilarious, especially the commander's repeated rejections of the great demon's attempts at forgiveness.

"Thank the gods it worked, otherwise the whole drama would have been for nothing," Wen Xiao joked as she looked at the two great demons, and Zhu Yan rubbed his forehead in frustration.

"I swear, you're all useless. Please stop the teasing, I'm already on the brink."

"Then fall down already." Yi Chen told him coldly.

"Xiao Zhuo, don't be harsh. I'm doing my best to make it up to you."

"As if apologizing will do you any good..."

"Then tell me what you want and consider it done."

"Kiss him... that usually works." Wen Xiao suggested to Zhu Yan.

"Wen Xiao!" Yi Chen shouted in real outrage.

“It's not like you haven't done it before, right? Let me tell you, life is precious, Xiao Zhuo, so enjoy it while you still can...” Wen Xiao said with a touch of sadness that did not go unnoticed by the huntress. Yi Chen however melt in embarrassment.

“Oh, please, no more kissing, I've seen more than enough for one day.” Ying Lei protested, but seeing his opportunity, Zhu Yan shamelessly pulled Yi Chen towards him so quickly that the commander didn't have time to stop or brace himself for the impact and while holding him tightly, he kissed Yi Chen. 

Sensing that the commander was resisting the kiss, Zhu Yan simply summoned his dark energy to cocoon them, as he had done before in Qing Geng's Village, and softened the kiss, loosening his grip so that Yi Chen wouldn't freak out, or at least that was the intention, because at the end, his beloved did end the kiss suddenly.

"Zhu Yan! You... let me go!"

"Xiao Zhuo, please be angry with me all you want, but don't let this tear us apart. It's a shame that I have to follow Wen Xiao's suggestion so abruptly, even forcing us to hide from others, but you really leave me no choice. Yes, hurting myself in front of you was wrong, but if I hadn't acted, the other option was death. Which of the two would have hurt you more?" He asked wholeheartedly and after a moment of silence, Yi Chen sighed.

"Can they see us inside this barrier?"

"No."

"Can they hear us?"

"No."

"Fine, I will let you go this time..."

"Then..."

"Then just finish with what you started..."

“Gladly.” Zhu Yan smiled before closing the small distance between them and kissing him. Surrounded by his energy, he didn't hold back the kiss because he had been itching for it since the last one and judging by Yi Chen's passionate response, so had he.

Minutes later, when the kissing was over, Zhu Yan broke the barrier and acted as if nothing had happened as Yi Chen's face and ears burned. There was no need for the others to ask about the result of their hidden time.

“Well, now that everything is back to normal, here Xiao Zhuo, the dragon scale to repair the Cloud Light Sword.” Wen Xiao offered him the box containing the scale that had given them so much pain.

"Wait, there's no rush. This is the only scale we'll ever have in our hands, and since we don't know how to repair it yet, we should wait for Bai Yin to guide us in this endeavor." Zhu Yan said, and Yi Chen looked at him suspiciously, because Zhu Yan basically snatched the box from his hand.

“I think he's right. This affair is a matter of success or failure, and nothing can go wrong or there will be no more chances.” Pei Si Jing said she saw nothing wrong with the great demon's reasoning.

"Then, for the time being, this dragon scale should be in the hands of..."

"Me!" Ying Lei interrupted Zhu Yan with dramatic enthusiasm, raising his hand.

"You? Why you?" Zhu Yan asked, looking at the mountain god as if he were crazy.

"Well, why not? Do you think I'm incapable of protecting something that can save Bai Jiu and the commander?" Ying Lei asked defiantly.

"Well, yes..." Zhu Yan answered truthfully.

"Why you! Just to be clear, I'm the only one who can track that scale if it happen to be caught in the wrong hand."

"I can too, after all, I'm a great demon."

"That's no longer the case is it? Haven't you weakened after having your senses sealed?"

"Even so, I'm better than you."

"Okay, that's enough. Zhu Yan, give Ying Lei the chance. He cares about Bai Jiu as much as we do." Yi Chen intervened causing Zhu Yan to stare at him with his mouth open in disbelief and the young god with happy admiration.

"Xiao Zhuo... are you still angry with me?" Zhu Yan asked him.

"No. Ying Lei will prioritize the scale over anything else and not even you can argue that." Yi Chen said quite tired at that point.

"Alright, but since Li Lun want to stop us from repairing the sword so badly, let me seal it." Zhu Yan said as he used his one-word spell to do it, then give the young mountain god the box.

"If Li Lun comes for it, remember to guard it well..." He warned Ying Lei.

"Of course. No matter what it takes, I will keep it safe." He said with solemnity.

"Fine." Zhu Yan hissed.

"Then I think we should rest for the rest of the night. To be honest, I'm quite tired. As soon as Bai Yin returns from her trip, we can take the next step, whatever it may be." Yi Chen stood up and, after taking a last sip of wine in his glass, turned to leave.

"Xiao Zhou, you've really did a number on him this time. Please take good care of him..." Wen Xiao told him and ignoring her, Zhu Yan silently followed his lover back to his room.

"Xiao Zhuo..."

"I'm very tired, Zhu Yan. Either you share the bed with me or sleep on the floor, it's your choice."

"Just sharing?"

"Yes, don't you want to? It'll certainly be better than sleeping on the floor for sure."

"Then how about a warm hug? Your energy is so very cold..."

"Alright... do whatever you want. I won't be conscious anyway..." Yi Chen said as he lay down on the bed and took off his boots. 

"You really are tired..."

"I am, so please behave yourself."

"Fine, I can do that... at least for one night." Zhu Yan added with a mocking smile, getting into bed next to his cold demon.

"We will see about that..."

"Oh, trust me, one day you will beg me for more..." Zhu Yan said wickedly as he hug him, making Yi Chen smile.

"Keep dreaming, you pervert monkey..."

"Ape... white ape..."

"Still monkey..." Yi Chen whisper as he closed his eyes and enjoy of his white ape warmth.

AN: For those who wanted the cold shoulder dramatic show of those two, here the long version. Hope you like it and until next time... well I'm off to sleep, is almost midnight here, so any mistake will be corrected later, because my eyes itch so much. See you soon.

Chapter Text

Been so close to the man he loves, feeling his even breathing, the firmness of his body under his hold, the softness of his long silk hair flowing down his slender back, with his beautiful relaxed face right over his heart and the faint warm that escaped from Bing Yi's energy, Zhu Yan, of course was unable unable to fall into blessed slumber, even when Yi Chen had long since fallen asleep on his chest.

The temptation was great for the great demon, because that sleeping beauty holding him back, placing his leg between his in an innocent search for comfort and warmth while he rested, was nothing more than pure sin for his unbridled heart. How could he have even thought that sleeping next to Yi Chen was a good idea? Because it was more torture than anything else when his mind and body were overloaded trying to contain that fever that refused to die, even after hours of failed meditation.

"Xiao Zhuo... you were too cruel when inviting me to share your bed. You're too tempting for my weak heart. Were you seeking revenge by casually suggesting it?" Zhu Yan whispered to the sleeping man on his chest and sighed, still unable to rest. For restraining his passion alone, someone out there should be offering him the greatest treasure in all the realms. Yet, what he gets is an aching heart and more body heat than he can handle, even with Yi Chen's cooling energy encircling him.

In the end, unable to calm down, Zhu Yan decided that he needed to get away from that death trap called Zhuo Yi Chen and very carefully, he untangled himself from his demon hunter and walked away, hoping to get his mind back on track while his lover rested.

So he wandered around for a while until he saw a figure dressed in white, whom he knew like the back of his hand, sitting on a rock, gazing into the distance as if lost. Her melancholic expression was such that Zhu Yan wondered what could have caused it. Despite his predestined love for Zhuo Yi Chen, he still felt the same affection for the goddess as he did for her Master, Zhao Wan'er. So, he silently joined her and sat down beside her, taking her by surprise, almost making her jump in fright.

"Zhao Yuan Zhou, you scare the hell out of me!" She said as she put a hand over her heart to try to calm down, but the great demon only smiled mockingly at her.

"You shouldn't be here alone. The Wilderness is not a safe place and you should know that." He said as he watched her more closely. Her complexion was paler than usual, but so much had happened to them in such a short time that it was not surprising, but something felt out of place.

"I know, but this place has always been a safe haven for me until that tragic day..." She looked up at the night sky.

"Wen Xiao... I'm sorry for taking your Master away from you..." He said with an aching heart as tears threatened to fall down his face.

"It wasn't you, Xiao Zhao. I know better than anyone how much my Master meant to you and how hurt you are that you were forced to take her life. Your pain is as hard as mine..."

"It is. Zhao Wan'er was special to me. She was the sister I chose to have, my best friend and confidant, and her death at my hands is impossible to make up for. As long as I live, that guilt will cling to me like a second skin, just like the death of Yi Chen's family..." He said, and Wen Xiao gently took his hand in hers in a gesture of friendship and tenderness.

"Please don't tell me you still want to die. Xiao Zhuo will be heartbroken if he hears it." She said, and he gently shook his head as he looked away.

"Not anymore. Back then, I had no reason to live. All I had left was that endless guilt eating away at my heart, but then he came along..." He smiled softly. "He came and shook my world and my resolve. My fated enemy, my fated killer, my reason for wanting to die at his hands... he changed everything, and instead of giving me release, he gave me love and brought me back to life."

"That sounds romantic... who would have thought that you have in you?" Wen Xiao joked.

"I truly love him." Zhu Yan confessed.

"I know, but your love is too passionate and dramatic..." She say as a way of teasing, but the great demon at her side sighed as if defeated by fate itself.

"It's too passionate alright... I can't even lie down next to him without feeling the fire burning me from the inside out... too much fire, he is so hot that I find it too hard to resit..." He said naughtily and she pushed him away in fake disgust, making him laugh for a moment as he sat down again.

"You know, I'm kind of jealous of you too." Wen Xiao close her eyes feeling the night breeze on her pale face.

"Why? Aren't you and Pei Si Jing in love too?" Zhu Yan asked curiously.

"We are, but our love is not fated, like yours."

"What's so great about predestined love? To be honest, it carries a lot of pain within it red string. Nothing you want to experience firsthand, trust me."

"Yes, but it's also strong and relentless, deep and unbreakable, fearless, loving, passionate, reliable, unimaginable, always ready to resurface again and again with each new opportunity at life. I wish I'd known Pei Si Jing before all her tragedies and mine. I wish we had that same instant connection that would give us more time..." She stopped, realizing that she had carelessly let her secret slip out in front of a cunning great demon and Zhu Yan grabbed her hand this time.

"What's wrong with you, Wen Xiao? You have all the time in the world to build the relationship you want with her." He said, reading her pulse, which seemed irregular, as if she were... poison...

"Xiao Zhao..." She withdrew her hand, but it was too late, as he was already aware of her condition.

"How did this happen? When? Wen Xiao, you... that story you made up... it wasn't made up completely. You were already poison."

"Xiao Zhao, please don't tell anyone, especially Xiao Jing or Xiao Zhuo, or they'll waste our only chance to restore the sword."

"What kind of poison is this?"

"I don't know. When I spoke with Bai Yan alone, I told her about the strange feeling I get when using the Baize Flute and asked her to check it, and she found it was poison, but she didn't know which one."

"So that's why she went out on such a sudden errand?"

"Yes, she's trying to find out more about it and see if there's a cure."

"How long will that take her?"

"I don't know, a few days maybe..."

"We don't have that much time to waste." He said as he stood up to leave and she did the same but to stop him as she grabbed him and turned him so he was facing her.

"Please, Xiao Zhao, don't be too hasty, we still have time. She said is slow, that it deepens with each use of the token."

"Then you are forbidden to use it until is strictly necessary."

"I know that, just don't tell the others."

"They will find out eventually and then how will you explain it to the huntress that you deliberately keep it from her?"

"I think she already suspect that there is something wrong with me."

"Then she is better than me, I should have notice before. This is Li Lun's doing, right? Well, more my doing for let it happen, for been the reason it happen..."

"Xiao Zhao, it's not your fault!"

"Yes it is and it serves me right. We still have a contract and if you die, so will I..." He said as he turned to leave, but once again he was stopped, this time with words.

"No we don't, I tore that contract to pieces when I was told about the poison." Hearing that Zhu Yan felt anger rising up his throat.

"Wen Xiao! You... do you really want to die? That contract will keep your life as a priority no matter what happen."

"And who said I want that priority now? If you are forced to keep me alive, forced to even choose between Xiao Zhuo and me in a worse case scenario, then that contract is nothing but a burden I don't want!"

"I will never let things go far enough for me to have to choose between the two of you."

"Yes, but even I know that if something like this ever happens you will choose the one you love and I want you to chose him above all, so that's why I said nothing. If the sword is not restored, his life will still be at risk and I rather die than let that happen. So, Zhao Yuan Zhou, you better say nothing or you will be the one losing Xiao Zhuo..." Wen Xiao demanded and Zhu Yan for once wanted to cry his heart out. 

Why was everything so complicated? Just hours ago they had averted one disaster and now they were thrown back into another and the worst part was that he was powerless to stop it... so much for his claim that he wasn't going to let it get to that point when he had it right in front of him to slap him in the face.

"I will keep quiet for now, but I won't make a promise that they won't find out on their own..." He said and this time he stormed away without turning back.

Elsewhere, Ying Lei was feeling restless, so he went for a walk and returned to Kunlun Mountain, where he felt more comfortable in the cold night air of the snowy mountains. Despite his years running away from there, Kunlun Mountain was still his home, and he was its protector. Thus, he sat right in front of the Wilderness Gate and gazed at the box in his hand. It weighed very little in physical terms, but in terms of responsibility, it weighed as much as the mountains surrounding him. In his hand were the lives of Bai Jiu and Zhuo Yi Chen, and it was something he had asked to carry, so he couldn't afford to fail.

However, just then, when Ying Lei was lost in his thoughts and responsibilities, he hears footsteps behind him and something else that he actually expected not to encounter so soon. So he looked back to find his commander standing there for no reason at all. There was nothing out of place in his appearance, no hair out of place, no demon tattoo left out, no indication that his strong presence as a full demon was fake... the only thing that was different from the real Zhuo Yi Chen was the smell. Oh, she was indeed improving.

"Commander Zhuo... why are here?" Ying Lei whisper as he hide the box behind his back and ready himself for what look like an inevitable fight.

"I was worry about Li Lun showing up, so I came to keep you company."

"There is no need to worry about that. The scale is safe, I assure you that."

"But it wouldn't hurt for me to take a look, right?" The one in front of him said it in a way that seemed almost flirtatious. How dare she act like that with that appearance? It was girly at best and sinful at worst. 

The commander would have blushed with anger to see himself acting like that when everything about him was seriousness and control. So, when she tries to approach, he wastes no more time pretending that she was the commander and unsheathes his huge knife to defend himself.

"Ying Lei, what does this mean?" She asked in a weird way.

"Oh, come on. Stop pretending, it's a little creepy."

"Creepy how? Isn't this the way I always am?"

"You wish. He'll never flirt, not even with the great demon... And besides, your scent gives you away, Ao Yin!" He screamed as he attacked her, but she avoided his first slash, which he expected, however, he was already making his second, that she stopped with her bare hands and use her demonic energy to strike back, making him fall dropping the box in the snow, which she grabbed and ran. Ying Lei run after her once he left a warning for the others.

Zhu Yan needed more than water or fresh air to cool himself this time, so he too chose to cross back into the Kunlun Mountains to think of another way out of this new mess, when he saw signs of a fight right there as if just happened and became alarmed, looking around to find Ying Lei's warning shining brightly on a wall.

"Oh, come on, why can't anything go right tonight?" Zhu Yan wondered. He was about to follow the young mountain god when someone stopped him behind him.

"Xiao Zhao! Where are you going? We still have to wait for Bai Yan to return." Said Wen Xiao, who had just arrived from the Gate.

"We have a new problem. Ying Lei is in trouble." Zhu Yan said, pointing at the characters on the wall.

"Ao Yin? Did she come for the scale?" Wen Xiao asked in alarm, but Zhu Yan simply took a few steps forward, only to be called again, this time by someone who made his blood run cold. It was curious how his body reacted so strongly to Yi Chen, when it was sometimes too hot to stand it and sometimes freezing cold making him tremble.

"Yi Chen..." Zhu Yan whisper as he turned to look at him in all his glory. For how long he had been awake or how much he had hear or find out it was unclear, but judging by his hard expression it was not something promising for him.

"Would you mind explaining what's going on behind my back?" He asked coldly and Zhu Yan hoped it was some kind of jealous accusation or something equally simple to explain.

"You were fast asleep, right?"

"I was until you got out of bed. Do you think I wouldn't notice you leaving no matter how gently you do it?" Asked Yi Chen, and Wen Xiao rubbed her forehead a little wearily.

"Xiao Zhuo, let me explain..." Wen Xiao try...

"I'm not prone to spy my own people, especially the ones I trust, Wen Xiao. I know why he left, so this is not about you two talking, is about that..." He said as he pointed at the wall.

"Ao Yin took the scale, we were about to go after Ying Lei..." Wen Xiao explained, but Yi Chen's gaze never left Zhu Yan.

"Is that true, Zhu Yan? Did Ao Yin take away the scale from Ying Lei?" He asked and something inside the great demon told him that this was not the time lie.

"I never said that, Wen Xiao did..." Zhu Yan corrected him with a kind of calm he wasn't really feeling.

"Yes, she assumed, just like the rest that Ying Lei got the scale to guard when he didn't."

"So you notice, Xiao Zhuo? I guess you deserve my deepest praise."

"I deserve no praise, I let you do it, because I thought you will worry about him letting Li Lun take it."

"And he did... well, not the scale, but the box anyways."

"But you didn't warn him that the box was empty? What's wrong with you two?!" Wen Xiao asked in exasperation.

"Ying Lei's life will not be in danger by Li Lun's hand. Despite everything that happen in the past, he respect the old man too much to harm his grandson which is the only thing left of him in the world."

"Then were you going to rescue Ying Lei or something else?"

"Yi Chen, what is this? What makes you suspect me after everything we have been through?"

"I can ask the same or will you rather deny that you are hiding something from me right in my face." At that even Wen Xiao hold her breath as a moment of silence make them all tense.

"I am hiding something from you, but not by my choice. If you want to know why, then ask her that..." Zhu Yan said as he pointed at Wen Xiao, who closed her eyes, now unable to avoid telling Yi Chen about her poison.

"You are too cunning, Zhu Yan..." She accused him.

"Don't blame me Wen Xiao, I told you I will keep it, but I will not be responsible if others find out on their own."

"You stupid monkey, you practically corner me."

"They deserve to know."

"It not necessary at a time like this."

"You also told me to choose him above all, so if he wants answers he gets them." Zhu Yan remained her and Yi Chen could not help himself but to blush a little.

"Fine! I was poison when using the token back when Li Lun possessed Bai Jiu in full." She bluntly confessed, making Yi Chen speechless for a moment.

"What?" He asked in astonishment.

"She is poison." Zhu Yan responded.

"I head that!"

"But you asked, Xiao Zhuo..."

"I was in shock!"

"Guys, please, no more fights."

"What kind of poison?" Yi Chen asked.

"I don't know."

"Wen Xiao..."

"I really don't know... I was told of the poison by Bai Yan and she is still out there looking for answers, so until she comes back, there is nothing much I can tell you." She insisted and Yi Chen have no other choice than to accept her words.

"Fine, then we talk about this tomorrow, I need to go look for Ying Lei."

"Xiao Zhuo, he is going to be fine." Zhu Yan said as he grab his arm to prevent him from leaving.

"I not having that. You said Li Lun respect the old man, but that was before he became this vicious."

"Li Lun wants the scale and he will find out Ying Lei doesn't have it and guess what he will do next?" Zhu Yan asked softly as he rubbed Yi Chen's arm.

"He will come back." Yi Chen said as he calm down.

"Yes, he will be back the same as Ying Lei... we just need to wait." Zhu Yan said as he pulled him closer.

"Then we wait..." Yi Chen responded as he walked down the stair and sat in wait for both answers and a friend.

AN: Thanks for reading, I hope you like it, I may edit a little tomorrow as is too late for me now. Until next time, take care.

Chapter Text

Being tricked so rudely by Zhu Yan, no doubt, was hard for Ying Lei to swallow, though not completely unexpected, but seeing Bai Jiu's body in such a weak state, pale, sick and barely able to move when he was always so full of energy broke his heart, even when the one possessing him at that moment was his mortal enemy and it pains him greatly to see his best friend like this.

Ying Lei didn't know what to do at a time when his heart yearned to fight to bring Xiao Jiu back to them, but his body was too weak to approach the pagoda demon even when he was at his weakest. He had only recently experienced the great pain and loss of his grandfather sacrifice, but losing someone so dear, so close to his heart and soul, so young and full of vitality with a bright future ahead of him, was almost unbearable, and he wanted to scream in frustration and beg for the nightmare to finally end, so he did.

"Li Lun! Please set him free, he doesn't deserve to die as well... Give Bai Jiu back to me! Li Lun! Release him before it's too late! I already lost my grandfather, please I don't want to lose him too, he's too young..." Ying Lei pleaded from the bottom of his heart with tears in his eyes, hoping that the pagoda demon would at least be moved by his words of loss, but all he got was Li Lun using a spell to silence him for good.

"What good will it do to release him now, little mountain god? Old or young, whether he deserves it or not, the fact is, no matter what, he will die. Blame Zhu Yan for destroying my original body if you want to blame his death on someone else. It's not like I wanted to die either. This is just as painful for me as it is for you." Li Lun said as he returned to where Ao Yin sat on a stone, as in his final moments, he felt quite nostalgic and alone. 

It was hard to imagine that his former best friend had dared to burn him alive, after so many centuries of sharing their lives as brothers and as soulmates. But despite the pain, he had seized a second chance at life in someone quite fitting for him, only to lose it in a careless slip, when he had planned his revenge so carefully for years. To be honest, it was all so laughable that it made him want to cry.

So much work and precious lifespan thrown away in a mere moment of ignorance. Betrayed by the very same man that betrayed the dragon princess and now he was as ruined as the princess that gave her life for revenge, unable to fulfill his wish just as much as hers. It was the worst ending he could have imagined, though at least he wouldn't die alone. He would take with him someone those damned mortals and Zhu Yan cared about so much. Serves them right... for all the suffering he went trough at Zhu Yan, as well as that of ambitious mortals.

"My Lord, I was useless. I could not get the scale to save you, I failed..." Ao Yin whisper as regret, pain and sadness assaulted her heart. Li Lun meant so much for her that she will gladly give her life for him and do whatever it takes to keep him alive. She had already lose him once and a second time was something she could not stand it, but still she failed... and she regret it more than anything.

"It wasn't your fault Ao Yin, it was Zhu Yan cunning scheming that fail us. He even risked the life of his mountain god by lying to him, and they dare call me evil..."

"You are not evil! When I was tortured and imprisoned by those despicable mortals, you were the only one who took pity on me and gave me freedom. If there is anyone who deserves to be called evil more than the demons born of malicious energy, its those cunning mortals who kill indiscriminately. What did I do to them to deserve to be caged and beaten? We were all just mere material for their experiments and where was the Baize Goddess when we died unjustly? What right do they have to think they are any better?" Asked Ao Yin resentfully as tears streamed down her face and Li Lun, quite moved gently wipe them away with his fingers.

"Yes, none of them are better, and for trying to change that unjust system, I was locked here. In this cold, empty place that restricts us, while mortals enjoy everything we've been denied. I hated this place so much after realizing how much the gods have failed us, and yet, I was locked here for an eternity of suffering... It's so unfair and pitiful that now, at the end, I've come here because I have nowhere else to go."

"For years, I have lived the freedom of the mortal world at the cost of my life of cultivation with every possession. I travel everywhere and experience the wonders of their creations as well as their lies, their hypocrisy and the darkness of their hearts. However, this cold and barren place that had held me against my will is what remains because I never found another place to belong after he betrayed me.... When we were friends, every place we went to was ours, every moment we lived was cherished, but then he chose those mortals over me and even left me carrying unbearable pain and suffering, while he enjoyed life with Zhao Wan'er before killing her, and then with those low-life hunters." Li Lun confessed to Ao Yin.

"He will also meet his end and at the hands of those he chose." Ai Yin try to console him, but Li Lun only smiled sadly.

"For him is different, Ao Yin. Zhu Yan wants that death quite desperately, so he will die gladly at the hands of Zhuo Yi Chen, even if he now have feelings for him. It will give him release and freedom from all his regrets... while I will die alone and hating it until the end..."

"My Lord, you are not alone, I'm here with you and I will follow you whatever you go."

"Don't you fear death?"

"I fear to be left behind more. If you die, then I will follow." She whisper and Li Lun extended his hand toward her.

"Then, let's find a grander place to die and someone else to die with us." Li Lun mutters as he gathers his energy and get away in a sea of leaves, leaving behind a desperate Ying Lei, unable to do more than wish for things to end differently as he weeps and call Bai Jiu's name in vain.

Back at Mount Kunlun two figures sat on the steps of the temple of the mountain gods in waiting under the cold night air with only a bottle of wine to warm their bodies as Yi Chen was still quite worried about his missing friend. Zhu Yan could only sit as close to his beloved as possible while drinking his wine occasionally as he did not dare to tease him when he had so many things on his mind. Still, the night was cold and his body longed for Yi Chen's closeness, so he satisfied his need by just placing his head on his shoulder to at least breathe in his rich scent of pure spring water.

"Xiao Zhuo, I swear that Ying Lei is going to be alright. Please trust me, I will never do something bad enough that will put at risk our relationship." Zhu Yan whisper as he nuzzle his neck, making Yi Chen snap out of his daze and look back at him.

"Is not that I don't trust you, just that Li Lun is no longer the man you once knew." Zhuo Yi Chen said as he pull Zhu Yan closer.

"His feelings for me may have changed, but the old man's haven't. Ying Zhao was like a father to both of us, so even if he hates me, at least he won't hurt a descendant of his so lightly. If Ying Lei had proven himself too powerful to be a threat to him, he might try to kill him, but Ying Lei is still a young mountain god, a teenager in mortal terms, and his cultivation is of no concern to Li Lun at this point. He won't bother with him unless necessary."

"Then may I ask what kind of relationship you two had before you separated? Were you lovers?" Yi Chen asked out of the blue, more curious than anything else, and Zhu Yan smiled, seeing an opportunity to spice things up.

"Why are you asking now? Are you jealous?" He teased.

"Of course not! It's just that he's very persistent and likes to play with your heart and feelings most of all. It's obvious that something is pushing him to this point, and it's not necessarily a betrayal, if you ask me." Zhu Yi Chen pointed out, but Zhuo Yan simply moved his head to kiss the ice tattoos on his neck.

"Demons don't love the same way as mortals. I doubt love is what fuels his quest for vengeance."

"What do you mean by that? How different can love be between demons and mortals?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked, not minding Zhu Yan's mischievous kiss on his neck, as the sensation over his sensitive skin was quite pleasant.

"Demons aren't born into this world like mortals, so we don't see things the same way they do. A demon can be born from a tree that draws enough malicious energy to cultivate it and obtain a primordial spirit or demonic essence. The more years a demon accumulates that energy, the more powerful it will become, to the point of being able to shapeshift. However, even when a demon takes on a mortal appearance, that doesn't mean it views life the same way. For a demon, there's no need to love in mortal terms, because we become who we are by what we do ourselves. Mortals need connections because that's their way of surviving; they need to gather in large groups for protection, while they need to learn to advance and thrive. They love passionately because their lives are short and out of necessity to  preserve the specie."

"We demons are born alone, cultivating and growing with our own power, making us more independent than mortals, and in most cases, we prefer to stay away from other demons and follow our path as we please. Therefore, since we live such long lives and cultivate for centuries, love is not something we seek .As long as there is malicious energy to cultivate, demons will always exist, from all kinds of plants to a wide variety of animals and beasts, so we don't need to procreate to maintain our legacy."

"Of course, fall in love can happen to any demon if their souls are compatible enough to attract each other, but since time is not a limitation, demons like Bing Yi and Ying Long don't feel the need to rush it or even act on it like mortals does. Usually, only demons that have closer contact with the mortal world, like myself, understand passion and desire it. Li Lun and I knew each other since we were kids, and we were both equally strong, living under the same guidance of the mountain gods. However, only I was captivated by the mortal way of life. Therefore, Li Lun's obsession with me is not the kind of love the two of us share, but something else entirely."

"He never understood why I was so fascinated by mortals, nor why I wanted to become one. He was only disappointed that I wanted to be less than what I was born to be and reject his way of thinking when we no longer believe the in same things. It's disappointment and resentment that drives him, for me choosing what he hates so much and hurting him in the process. For someone who thought we were one and the same when we were young, it's hard to forget when you're proven wrong. Will you call that love?" Zhu Yan asked and Yi Chen look up to the stars.

"If time doesn't matter, then maybe yes... Li Lun may have not been as trilled as you with the mortal world, but he had wondering around for long enough while possessing people to understand love now." Yi Chen softly told him and Zhu Yan reluctantly moved away from his position so he could look at Yi Chen better.

"The last time we face each other he still didn't understand me, nor why I did those things he hate. Either way, you don't need to worry for another love rival, Xiao Zhuo, I only love you." Zhu Yan said and Yi Chen was on fire as he pushed Zhu Yan away.

"You! Don't say such nonsense, I'm not jealous, you pervert monkey!" Zhuo Yi Chen exclaimed but Zhu Yan only laughed as he pulled him closer.

"Glad to hear that, now, what about a kiss to prove it..."

"Stupid monkey, don't try to take advantage, we are not here to have a romantic date."

"But is such a perfect night, it will be a shame not to enjoy our closeness and the solitude of our surroundings. Here there is only you and me... and the wine that burns in our hearts." Zhu Yan whispered as he approached his beautiful dragon and Yi Chen closed his eyes, quite unable to resist the attraction between the two and just as their lips were about to meet, there was the sound of hurried footsteps approaching, causing Zhu Yan to curse under his breath, as they were so close, so very close, yet, Zhuo Yi Chen regained his composure and stood up to meet the visibly stricken Ying Lei.

"Zhao Yuan Zhou, you evil demon, you gave me an empty box!" Ying Lei accused him, and Yi Chen stepped between them to try to calm him down.

"Are you okay, Ying Lei? Did you run into Li Lun? Did he hurt you in any way?" Zhuo Yi Chen began to ask, and Ying Lei, still wrapped in his emotions, shook his head to answer his many questions, unable to hold back his tears.

"I'm fine... but Bai Jiu... Bai Jiu is dying... and I couldn't do anything to stop it..." The young mountain god said so sadly that Yi Chen understood all too well his pain, so he placed a hand on Ying Lei's shoulder to show he cared, but the young man was too hurt to hold back and hugged the commander tightly as he sobbed into his chest.

Zhuo Yi Chen has always been compassionate, but when it comes to comforting others, he admitted he was not the best, so he only pat Ying Lei's back slightly and he looked over the great demon at his side, expecting him to be at the very least annoyed that Ying Lei had hug him, but instead he saw sadness on Zhu Yan eyes. Was he blaming himself again for what happen to Bai Jiu? Or was it because both the young physician and his former friend were about to die? Perhaps both at the same time.

"Ying Lei... as soon as the sword is restored, I promise we will bring him back. We are not going to let him die so easily, so please... just give us a little more time." Zhuo Yi Chen try to calm him down, but the young god was heartbroken and saw no light at the end of that tunnel that could save the young doctor in time.

"We are out of time... he is really sick... and even Li Lun thinks he is going to die soon." Ying Lei whisper between sobs. The others didn't see Bai Jiu in his current state and how heartbroken it had been to be completely powerless to at least reach the scared kid trapped inside his own body. If he had just been less selfish, more responsible and cultivate properly under the tutelage of his grandfather, maybe by now he would have grown powerful enough to have the strength to save and protect those he cares about.

"Bai Jiu is not going to die so easily, little mountain god. His true power may not be awaken yet, but just like with you, in his veins runs the blood of a god and a powerful one at that, so even if he is poison, is not going to kill him right away. We still can save him, so don't give up on him just yet. It's unlike you." Zhu Yan said and Yi Chen almost sighed in relief. His great demon was most of the time mischievous, but at least when it matters he was quite reliable.

"You're right..." Ying Lei said, letting go of the commander and wiping away his tears. "I won't give up on him until the end."

"That's the spirit, now go and have some rest. Tomorrow we may have all the answers we need and the chance to save him..." Zhuo Yi Chen said to the young man with a gentle smile, and Ying Lei wanted to thank the commander for his kindness, but seeing the great demon beside him looking at him like he wanted to eat him alive, he reconsidered. The last time he expressed his admiration, the great demon warned him not to get carried away, so it was better to appreciate him in silence.

"Commander, I think he may come here and confront the great demon soon." Ying Lei warned them and Yi Chen patted his arm gently.

"Let him come, we will be ready and it will save us time to try find him again when the Cloud Light Sword is back in my hand." Yi Chen whisper reassuringly.

"Yeah, Ying Lei... we still have unfinished business here, so we will appreciate the privacy... you don't mind, right?"

"Zhao Yuan Zhou!" Yi Chen yelled.

"Fine, you are too impatience, great demon. I guess the older you are, the more possessive you become. Is not like there is anyone here that can steal him from you... even the goddess is taken."

"Ying Lei!" Yi Chen yelled again,  yet the mountain god simply walked away quite emotionally drained to deal with passionate demons in their honeymoon period.

"Zhu Yan, you... that was rude and inappropriate." Yi Chen admonished him, but Zhu Yan only had one thing on his mind and that was to finally kiss his cold dragon and so he brought the dragon back into his arms and, taking advantage of his surprise, kissed him passionately. Yi Chen was usually more controlled than that, but in the hands of the man he had grown to love, he had no choice but to surrender to Zhu Yan until they had enough to clench the mutual passion.

Elsewhere, there was another couple who also shared a profound moment where all truths were told and the feelings were equally heartbreaking. Pei Si Jing was already aware that something was wrong with Wen Xiao, but she never expected it to be poison and in the Baize token no less.

"Wen Xiao... Were you going to tell me about this, if the others haven't figured it out before?" Pei Si Jing asked as she looked at her with her usual impassive face, but deep inside her a storm was brewing in her heart that threatened to break out at any moment.

"No." Wen Xiao said honestly to her beloved, hoping that she will not take it the wrong way.

"Why?" Pei Si Jing asked calmly staring at her joined hands and waiting patiently for her answer.

"How can you tell the person you love that you are poison and with the possibility to die sooner or later? I have already said it aloud when all of you thought it was acting and to be honest it didn't feel any less painful."

"Can it be detoxify?"

"I don't know yet. Maybe there is an antidote somewhere in the Chongwu Camp, because all this scheming most be the work of Wen Zongyu."

"If there is something there I will find it, I promise."

"Pei Si Jing, you are not really a spy, right?" Wen Xiao asked and Si Jing smiled at her.

"No. I have instructions from the great demon to keep a eye on them and act from time to time when is convenient for us, but I'm done with them for good. I will never work for those who love destruction and hate so much."

"So Zhao Yuan Zhou is the one behind all those suspicious actions? No wonder nothing takes him by surprise. That cunning monkey is always a step ahead of all of us. It only amaze me that Bai Jiu was able to fool him so thoroughly."

"He is so young and appear so innocent that is hard to believe he can do so much harm. None of us really expect that... not even I."

"Yeah, but I feel bad for how things turn out. It must be hard to lose control of your own body and be manipulated by someone else and go as far as to try killing your own friends."

"It's the same with the great demon and the commander. All of them were victims of possessions in some way."

"That's right. We seem to have the worst luck in life, all of us. I don't think that none of us was spare of tragedy at some point in our lives."

"But we survived and united. This time will be no different, Wen Xiao. Whatever it takes, I will find a way to save you, though I know it won't be just me who thinks that. Knowing the taunting demon and the commander, they won't stand idly by while your life is in danger."

"As long as is not the use of the scale, I will be glad with anything else."

"Zhao Yuan Zhou had the scale now, right?"

"Yes... but he will not risk Xiao Zhuo's life, not now that the contract between us is gone."

"You have many years of friendship with him in the past, he will not let you die and nor will I." Pei Si Jing assure her as she kiss the crown of her head when Wen Xiao placed her head on her shoulder.

"I wonder if we will get to enjoy a happy ending..." Wen Xiao whisper as she squeezed her hand gently in search of comfort and warmth.

"I'm sure we will. That's why we have been fighting against all odd for quite sometime now. The two great demons have their curse to break, Ying Lei have a friend to save and I a lover. With enough determination and will, we should prevail."

"I hope so... all Baize Goddess have end up tragically."

"If Zhao Yuan Zhou and Zhuo Yi Chen can break their long cycle of curses, so can you. I believe we all can." Pei Si Jing said and Wen Xiao's heart flutter in her chest. Even if she end tragically, at least she was glad to have by her side not only someone who loves and cherish her, but also a great little family that will go to any length and pain to keep them safe.

"I'm a bit tired..." Wen Xiao whisper as she closer her eyes.

"Go ahead and sleep. I'm strong enough to carry you if I need to." At that Wen Xiao smiled.

"Bridal style?" Wen Xiao asked dreamily.

"More like on my back..." Si Jing burst her bubble without any mercy.

"That's too bad..." Wen Xiao pouted.

"Then, do we give it a try?" Pei Si Jing offer, but the goddess moved away faster than the huntress imagine she could.

"No thanks, I don't really want to fall." She said as she stood to walk back, but before she could turn around, she find herself been lifted off her feet, not by Pei Si Jing, but by her brother Pei Si Heng, who appear out of nowhere, just like the last time.

"Don't worry, sister, I got you... we are family now, after all." He said to the goddess while winking at her and Wen Xiao laughed quite moved.

"Fine, brother, take me away..." She said as she grab him by his shoulders and smiled happily as they walked back.

AN: This one was quite long, but it builds their relationship as they faced hardships. This is my first time writing girls love, so if it feels too forced or not believable, please forgive me. Still, I hope you like it and until next time take care.

Chapter Text

Early in the morning of the next day, Zhuo Yi Chen wakes up wrapped in the arms of his great demon. With all that had happened the night before, they went back to bed quite late and talked about the things they might soon face, such as Li Lun's return to take desperate revenge on them in the dying body of their dear young friend and Wen Xiao's poison, which they still don't know if they will be able to detoxify or find an antidote.

"You wake up too early, Xiao Zhuo. You can rest for a few more hours. I doubt anyone will disturb us when the sun is barely shining in the sky." Zhu Yan held him closer and give him a soft kiss on his forehead.

"Didn't you sleep at all?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked as he raised his head to look at his mocking smile.

"Of course not, how am I going to fall asleep with such a handsome young man glued to me all night? I'll have you know that you have a tendency to touch me all over while you sleep, not to mention entangle your firm legs between mine like a coiled dragon ready to give me the most pleasurable kind of torture and..." Yi Chen hurriedly pulled away from that demon while blushing profusely.

"Forget it, you are impossible even this early in the morning." Yi Chen said as he sat.

"But it's true,  I couldn't get a lick of sleep last night, my desire burns quite bright when you touch me like that." Zhu Yan keep up the teasing, while enjoying the sight of his lovely dragon flushed face. He was so easy to tease that he just couldn't help it.

"I was asleep, how will I know I was touching you? Wait... you're lying, you perverted monkey, right?" Zhu Yan laughed.

"Of course not, let me tell you, being a perfect gentleman is pretty hard..."

"Yeah, you are definitely lying because hell will freeze over before you turn yourself into a gentleman of any kind. Let it rest Zhu Yan, we can begin our day in a better way than bickering."

"Oh? My apologies, Xiao Zhuo let me make it up to you then." And before Yi Chen could stop it, his great demon was kissing him in the way that make his blood rush and his mind go blank, only focusing in the soft sensation of Zhu Yan's lips on his and the way his body yearned for more.

They kissed for a few minutes before Yi Chen pulled away somewhat reluctantly, still believing himself to be a mortal with limitations on holding his breath. His heart was already a beating mess in his chest, as was his labored breathing from holding it while they kissed. As a demon, they could kiss all day without a problem, but he didn't feel like a true demon yet, so he allowed his mind to stop the frenzy midway. It was a bit embarrassing, but until he came to terms with his new, stronger, almost immortal body, things were destined to end awkwardly.

"Xiao Zhuo... it's fine..." Zhu Yan whisper as he cupped his beautiful blushing face in his warm hands.

"It will take me some time to get used to my new identity. Maybe I should cultivate my inner energy instead of being swept away by your passion."

"It's not just mine, Yi Chen, it's yours too and cultivating it is fine as well. You're so new to this that you need all the practice you can get, but it's okay to have a little fun in between."

"You enjoy teasing me too much, don't you?"

"Of course, but that's only because I seriously love you, because I seriously consider you my soul mate and want you as such."

"I... Zhu Yan... I love you too, but... I have never been in a romantic relationship with a woman, much less with a man..." The confession was unnecessary, as everyone knew of his single status, as well as his clumsy way of showing his emotions.

"We still have a lot of time ahead of us. There's no need to rush. Despite the way I tease you and sometimes get a little carried away, I can wait for you to set your own pace. Demons have a lot of patience and this is just the beginning between the two of us. Don't be embarrassed, because I love that awkward side of you as much as everything else you are."

"Ah, don't say things like that, you're only making me more embarrassed." Zhu Yan laughed again.

"Come on, Yi Chen, we all know how much you enjoy praise." He said and Yi Chen burned brighter, unable to fully deny his claim.

"Seriously, Yi Chen, you're too cute for your own good." Zhu Yan whisper as he hug him so lovingly.

"I'm not that vain... Zhu Yan."

"I know... let's just give your cultivation a try. The more you are aware of the powers you held the more ready you will be to face any danger. Last time you concentrate into one-word spell, now concentrate in something else."

"Like what?"

"Whatever you feel ready to try. This place has so much water around it that it can give you an advantage in a fight, if you can harness the true range of your senses. If what Ying Lei told us earlier is true, and I know it is, then Li Lun can make his appearance at any time and even if you don't have the sword, your demonic power can make up for it. Bing Yi's cold energy is your inheritance since birth, so it should be easier for you to master, while Ying Long is still a mystery to both of us and it will take a while to even figure out how it works."

"Okay..." Yi Chen muttered as he sat in the lotus position to cultivate his inner energy more efficiently. Certain spells required hand seals, but he would acquire them naturally once he learned more about what he could do with them. For now, he would let Zhu Yan guide him through the basics.

"Close your eyes and concentrate the demonic energy of Bing Yi on your focus point on your forehead, feel the water element flowing out of these stone walls, past the door and out into the hallway. Let your senses wander around, slowly, very slowly, just to take them in and have a better understanding. Make them part of your energy... make it call to you, like an element of life and let it linger... waiting for you like a parent for a child. Don't force it... just feel it as if it were something inside you, your demonic blood that wants to unite... that's it, Yi Chen, let your demonic energy run unbound and be part of the sense of this place, let it feel you and then, grab it and bend it to your will... this element is not just a weapon, it is also life, so treat it with respect." Zhu Yan gave instructions as Yi Chen did as he was told step by step, feeling the water element flow and join his energy in a peaceful dance. If there was anyone out there watching the display of power, they would have seen a beautiful spectacle of water dancing everywhere, with countless little dragons of bright bluish water and droplets floating around.

The effort of controlling so much water from a distance took its toll, making his forehead sweat and his ice tattoos to flare brighter, but the sensation of commanding the water at will was invigorating, so he held on, mentally feeling every movement of the water, controlling each drop as if they were pieces in a game of Go. Everything was beautiful in his mind, as if he were right there in the middle of the temple, and he smiled, enjoying the sensation despite the effort, because it made him feel more alive than ever.

Zhu Yan also smiled at the sight of Yi Chen genuinely having fun at something so simple. With his own senses he could feel his display as if he had seen it with his own eyes and he had to admit that Yi Chen must indeed be a water dragon, because it all felt so natural, so pure as his heart that it took his breath away. However, he could do more than that, Zhu Yan was sure of it.

"How about ice?" Zhu Yan asked and Yi Chen smiled wider as he moved his hands to make a compression seal and the water froze, turning into crystal clear ice tiny balls of ice that reflected the light of the endless candles.

"Burst." Yi Chen whispered as he commanded and the ice rainbows exploded into millions of pieces, falling harmlessly into the flowing water once again to renew the circle of life.

"That was very beautifully done, Yi Chen..." Zhu Yan praised his young dragon, who was opening his eyes while breathing heavily, though there was happiness in his bright blue eyes.

"Is still took me a lot of energy..." Yi Chen said as he rested his tired body on Zhu Yan, that gladly hold him on his arms.

"The more you practice, the easier it will get." Zhu Yan whisper to his ears and Yi Chen assented in agreement.

"I need to gather more energy and store it on my core. I'm still not use to this flow." Yi Chen admitted as Zhu Yan rubbed his back.

"Get some rest first. It won't do you any good to push yourself too hard when there's no danger nearby. Just maintain the same feeling in everything you try. Gather the energy, feel the flow, connect with the essence you're using, and command it. Once the Cloud Light Sword is restored, you can use it as an extension of your senses, it will help you guide your demonic energy and purify it if necessary." Zhu Yan gently laid him down on the bed and kissed him tenderly as a reward for such a wonderful display.

"Understood..." Yi Chen replied as he pulled Zhu Yan closer, placing his arms around his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his body heat as their lips met again, but this time with more ferocity as Yi Chen felt more confident in giving in to his own need. It was easy to lose himself in Zhu Yan's love, but since he chose to make the great demon his lover instead of his mortal enemy, to the point of even defying the heavens, then he really needed to play his part and stop freaking out.

So he indulged Zhu Yan's love, and his own, as he savored that forbidden fruit he couldn't avoid, neither by fate nor by his own choice. No matter how their story began, no matter how painful and difficult to accept, the feelings born of understanding and closeness were as real as their initial enmity. Yi Chen could no longer contain it, at least not as a demon, because now everything felt different, as if he had been reborn from the ashes of the suffering mortal he was, torn between filial duty and the growing love for his mortal enemy, into a hopeful demon who could make a difference this time and challenge his path of tragedies. Now he had hope that he was strong enough to save his loved ones, and especially the man who until recently had only wanted to die at his hands.

"Yi Chen..." Zhu Yan whisper against his lips, but Zhuo Yi Chen was not yet ready to end it, so he avoided it by grabbing down his neck with one of his hands while the other remained on his shoulder. He could feel the demonic energy still flowing like a wrapping cloth inside of him, making him only more conscious of the weight and heat of the great demon atop him. His scent was already bewitching, but when they were kissing it was inebriating and he need it.

"Yi Chen..." Zhu Yan try again, but that only gained a soft moan of protest from Yi Chen, still unwilling to part from him for long enough to whisper more than his name.

"My beautiful Yi Chen... I said you need to rest not to play with my weak heart..." Zhu Yan whisper once he could finally stare at the man bellow him a few more minutes later, with a kind of desire that was starting to make his eyes go reddish and his own demonic energy to manifest.

"Who's playing? Isn't this what you wanted all night?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked as he try to regulate his labored breathing, with his arms still around his lover neck.

"Indeed, you are definitely what I want most of all, but certainly not now... is such a bad timing, but someone is coming..."

"Please, not Ying Lei again, it's so early..." Yi Chen sighed closing his eyes, while letting his arms fall at his sides. With such a defeated expression, Zhu Yan could only smile at him with sympathy and give him a quick kiss as a peace offering.

"Don't worry, is not him this time, but the one we have been waiting for since last night. I guess you were so trap into your demonic energy and kissing that you fail to notice her divine presence, but I assure you we can end this at some other, less pressing time... let's go." Zhu Yan said as he help Yi Chen to sit again and then both of them were out bed and into the wet hallway.

As expected, Bai Yan was already waiting for them, as she had sensed and witnessed Zhuo Yi Chen's earlier display of energy and expected them to come looking for answers as soon as possible. Ying Lei also sensed Bai Yan's return and soon welcomed them with his usual enthusiasm.

"Good morning, commander, great demon, shall I have the girls join us as well?" He asked and Yi Chen was glad it hadn't been them, whom he had decided to wake up, otherwise it would have been another awkward moment for him to handle.

"That won't be necessary, Ying Lei. Wen Xiao is the Baize Goddess and and she will know her token had return. I'm sure she will be here soon to join us and I know you must have a lot of questions to ask me." Bai Yan guessed correctly, as Zhuo Yi Chen most of all was dying to have some answers to his many questions.

"We heard that the Baize's token was poisoned, just like Wen Xiao's, is that true?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked first. Although he would never doubt Wen Xiao's words, this would give Bai Yan the perfect opportunity to realize that everyone already knew the truth about her situation, and hopefully, she would have the answers they needed so desperately.

"Those who poisoned her knew very well what they were doing and left her little to no choice to stay alive." She said seriously, which made the men in front of her even more worried.

"So there is no antidote or cure we can use, no matter how difficult it is to obtain?" Zhuo Yi Chen asked, shocked, clenching his fist in frustration.

"There is no antidote that we know of, and I ask all the old mountain gods around the Kunlun Mountains. In that matter, there is nothing we can do to help her." She said and Zhuo Yi Chen closed his eyes for a moment, feeling Zhu Yan's hand on his back as he approached.

"Then, only the dragon scale is left." Zhu Yan bluntly suggested, not that Yi Chen was not going to offer it to her, but he was bested by his lover who did it first, and the woman's eyes widened in surprise at the suggestion, as if the thought hadn't even occurred to her.

"No, you can't use the scale to detoxify the goddess; there's only one option when the scale can only be used once. I know it may sound cruel, and as her friends, you might not be willing, but her fate is destined to be tragic, like all the other goddesses before her." Bai Yan tried to explain, but none of the men seemed to want to bear the burden of sacrificing the goddess for the sake of her son, which was wrong for more than one reason.

"I know your son is important and we must save him no matter what it takes, but Wen Xiao's life is just as precious as his. I don't know why we are always having these kinds of impossible decisions to make whether they are fake or real, but the answer will always be the same. I don't sacrifice one for another..." Yi Chen said with the same frankness, and Ying Lei felt caught between two possibilities that he equally couldn't prioritize, because even though Bai Jiu was very important to him, so was the goddess.

"It's not like that, Xiao Zhuo... she's right, and the scale should be used to repair the sword, not to save me." Wen Xiao said from behind them, and they all turned to look at her, their expressions varying from sorrow, disbelief, and resignation.

"Wen Xiao, this is a real situation now and we can't..."

"Xiao Zhuo, I know what you mean, but it's okay. The reason why Bai Jiu has priority over me is more significant than releasing him from Li Lun's control. You all should know by now that he is not an ordinary half god, he is a very special one that we can't let him be possessed for much longer." Wen Xiao interrupted him before he could finish his obvious disapproval.

"What do you mean by that?" Ying Lei asked.

"Between my son and the sake of the wold, I will choose the world despite how much pain it brings to me. The reason my son must be bring back is not because I cant make that hard decision, but because is the less destructive choice of the two. The goddess, much to like the malicious energy inside the great demon is an endless cycle. When one die, then there will be another very shortly, but Bai Jiu is different because as a mix of two great powers, the power of life and dead duels within him. Beside been able to revive inheriting with his blood he can also absorb the world vitality leaving everything barren." Bai Yan started and Wen Xiao follow.

"Been too young, he is not fully awaken yet, but if Li Lun were ever to fully possess Bai Jiu's power, then he could bring dead and famine to the world just as deadly as a chaos beast." Wen Xiao explained.

"But he is poison... most likely with the same one as the goddess." Ying Lei pointed.

"Someone who possessed the power to bring back the dead will not die that easily." Zhu Yan said as he understood what was truly at stake now.

"But we can't let Wen Xiao die just like that..." Yi Chen still protested, but was stopped by Wen Xiao herself as she softly placed one hand on his face.

"Xiao Zhuo... my Master once warned me that been a goddess was like taking the burden of the world on our shoulders to ensure that it stayed whole and safe. I knew from the start the one day, just like her, I may end up giving up my life to save it... is what it means to be a goddess... is my fate, just like been cursed is yours..." She said sadly and Yi Chen swallow the rest of his protest down his throat. It was not like he was giving up on saving her, but that he was going to find another way for her and to do that, he needed help.

Thus, he slightly looked at Pei Si Jing, who was already expecting this from him and she assented to him in understanding. Later, when the sword was whole again, they will look for what else could be done to save her and Pei Si Jing, already was a step ahead.

"Alright then... how can the sword be restored?" Yi Chen asked as he slightly squeezed Zhu Yan's hand so he too could understand that the matter of Wen Xiao's poison was not really over.

"The power of the Cloud Light sword was forged by the most powerful demons of ancient times, thus nothing in the mortal world can be used to reforge it. The only way to do so now is using the ever burning wood inside Zhu Yan's body to smelt it and make it whole again." The silence that followed was deafening as Zhu Yan and Yi Chen stared at each other for a moment.

"Why is like this again? I guess we truly are cursed..." Yi Chen said tiredly of having one blow after another, but this time it was Zhu Yan's turn to calm him down.

"Me using the ever-burning fire is different from been poison, Xiao Zhuo, is not going to kill me at least..."

"Not killing you? That thing burned Li Lun's body to nothingness."

"Don't panic, I assure you that will not happen to me. It's been inside of me for so long, it will not kill me."

"Is inside you core!"

"Yes, but the malicious energy inside of me will prevent it from consuming me as it had done so far."

"And it had been enough while you were at your best, but that's not the case right now."

"Yi Chen, if Wen Xiao can accept dying from poison for the sake of the world, I can accept to damage my inner core for a while."

"Zhu Yan!"

"It's okay... I will be heavily drained and weak for a long time, but we are not curse enough to not have a way out. Your energy can be freezing, which can help me relief from the burning and heal me to some degree. With your new demonic energy you can also protect me better. Trust me Yi Chen... we need to do this." Zhu Yan took his hand and to his surprise he wrote the character of Wen Xiao's name follow by 'to save her' and Yi Chen really didn't see another way out of that one.

"Alright, but I will need time to cultivate and gather enough energy for what's coming, so I suggest we do this later at night." Yi Chen suggested and having no objections, he turned to leave, not without giving Pei Si Jing a commanding look she knew perfectly well what it meant.

A few minutes later, as Yi Chen sat on the steps back to Mount Kunlun, Pei Si Jing sat beside him, already knowing what he would ask. 

"I knew this was going to happen, so I took some liberties, so I hope you don't mind Zhuo Yi Chen." She said calmly, and Yi Chen nodded approvingly.

"I don't, so what can be done to save her?" He asked.

"I still have spies working for me at Chongwu Camp. Zhao Yuan Zhou knew about this from the beginning." She felt the need to clarify this so there wouldn't be any misunderstandings or suspicions like last time. 

"I trust you, and I know how cunning he is... you don't have to worry about me suspecting him, either."

"I know you won't, given the nature of your current relationship." 

"We need to find out if they have an antidote." 

"I've already taken care of that, and someone from Chongwu Camp will be here in a few hours."

 "Well done, I'll meet them personally, just in case."

"We can both do that, but weren't you going to cultivate until nightfall?" At that, Yi Chen couldn't help but blush slightly. 

"I can't cultivate with him around, at least not for too long... he distracts me..." Pei Si Jing smirked.

"Commander, no matter where you go, he'll always be around." 

"I know... but I hope he can get lost for a few hours..." Yi Chen joked. 

"I can't." Zhu Yan's voice was swept away by the sudden wind that assaulted them in a spell that made Yi Chen smile in spite of himself.

"Damn monkey." He cursed.

" Ape... it's ape..." Another wave of wind hit them.

"Alright Zhu Yan, come here already... you are only covering us with snow with that cheap spell." Zhuo Yi Chen said as he dusted himself of the snow with an amused smile on his beautiful face.

"You seem more cheerful now, commander.... I'm glad he can do for you more than hurt you and give you trouble."

"We haven't broken the curse yet, so it's too early to say for sure. Take good care of Wen Xiao and keep her close, I know she must be in pain as much as Zhu Yan will be soon. When the men from the Camp arrive, we'll have them give us some real answers."

"I'm sure we'll get what we want... but the great demon will have to suffer regardless..." Pei Si Jing said as she stood up and walked away, passing by Zhu Yan, who happily took her place on the stairs next to his lover.

"I will be fine, Yi Chen..." He said to his beautiful dragon that simply rest his head on his shoulder as soon as he have him close enough.

"You will not be fine... but I will be there for you for as long as it takes." He whisper and Zhu Yan smiled.

"So will I... we will find another way to change all the bad fortune we seem to attract."

"We can always bite it back." Yi Chen said as he close his eyes to enjoy the moment before he went back to cultivate until the ones for the Camp arrive.

AN: Thanks for reading. I try many AI words to pictures converter to try display what Yi Chen did with his control on water, but it was a total failure as you can see in the last picture. Hope you like this, until next time, take care.

Chapter Text

Inside Yi Chen Domain

His cultivation under dire circumstances turned out to be the best thing for him to go on, because as he concentrated harder, thinking about the poisoning of Wen Xiao and Bai Jiu, not to mention the possible damage to Zhu Yan inner core and the excruciating pain from using something no mortal or demon should temper with, he managed to access his own dimension, his own domain within his core.

He wasn't sure what to expect from something created by the demonic energy of two ancient demons, but certainly, what he didn't expect was for it to be an exact replica of Zhuo's state before the Demon Hunter Bureau had been permanently establish there following his family's death. Just seeing the snow-covered backyard where his brother had beautifully danced with the Cloud Light Sword before him and where he used to practice on his own after he had so painfully and forcefully inherited it, bring tears to his eyes. 

This was initially a sacred place in his heart, a place of past blissfulness, of brotherly affection, of wise teaching, of anxiously waiting for their return to a warm home, but now it was the symbol of his inner struggle. The stigma he had chosen to bear by allowing his love for his mortal enemy to grow to the point of no return. It was no longer the warm home, but the cold reality he faced in solitude and of a loss that will never be erased. He deserved the pain that place bring now, as even if Zhu Yan was not directly the one killing them, their blood was still tainted by his evil energy and it was a remaining of a resolve he had choose to carried.

"Those of the Bing Yi bloodline had always been dramatic when forming dimensions. You guys are too serious, it's painful to see... and cold." Yi Chen new the owner of that voice that he have it so engrave in his heart, but since Zhu Yan was not there, or at least not yet, then there was only one other option left.

"Ying Long..." He said as he turned to look at Zhu Yan's original soul, as well as his, with Bing Yi close by looking somewhat offended.

"What do you mean dramatic? I was never like that, and my inner dimension was basically the same as yours, so why complaining on the child cherish memory." Bing Yi disagree wholeheartedly, which make Yi Chen smile, but Ying Long only scoffed.

"The child, as you call him, is only torturing himself and even you can't refute that no matter how comfortable it is to have a roof over this endlessly falling snow, it will only bring him bad memories." Ying Long remarked sadly and Bing Yi swallowed his response, for indeed he was right about that.

"I'm glad to see you both." Zhuo Yi Chen give the respect they deserve as he bowed in front of them in an honorable gesture that Bing Yi approved of, but Ying Long found unnecessary.

"Ah, no need. It's not like we're actually alive, we're just a remnant of energy in your inherited blood and bones. Like I said, those of the Bing Yi Clan are too formal." Ying Long sighed as Bing Yi bowed in response.

"Sometimes, formalities are necessary..." Bing Yi insisted regardless of his protest.

"He is your reincarnation! Meaning he is part of you."

"Then the more so..."

"You are impossible!"

"Ying Long, cut the nonsense, he is here for a reason."

"Fine! At least the child is more flexible than you." To his surprise, Yi Chen couldn't help but laugh at their antics. He really hoped that he and Zhu Yan didn't sound like that, because it was both embarrassing and amusing at the same time.

"See? He is fine, no descendant of mine will inherit a weak heart." Bing Yi praise him and Zhuo Yi Chen coughed as he blushed slightly.

"Don't spoil him too much..."

"As if your reincarnation haven't done that before and in such volumes... I should be jealous."

"He is considerate of his past and feelings."

"They are also his..."

"Stop making a big deal about me not acting like Zhu Yan when I had the chance. This is getting old Bing Yi, I can kiss and love you all you want while we stay here... Is that alright?" At that Bing Yi smiled with satisfaction, but Zhuo Yi Chen only blushed more.

"We got a deal..." Bing Yi approved as he came closer to Ying Long and fearing they will bluntly kiss right there, Yi Chen panic.

"Please I don't want to know more... can we focus in something else?" Yi Chen intervened before things could get out of hands. He was unsure of what kind of things two dead spirits could do inside his inner core, but he sure didn't want to find out, because it was like watching himself and Zhu Yan in an outsider point of view, much like the ones the others like to tease him so much.

"We know what you want, Zhuo Yi Chen and we can help you greatly this time. There are two things that you must know." Bing Yi explained first.

"The first one is that the ever-burning fire can be fully remove from Zhu Yan's core and be used to secure an antidote from the ones who poison your friends. Although he will still inevitable need to feel the burning pain of the fire, but you can help him sooth his pain with your cooling energy." Ying Long continue.

"I need the sword to remove the fire, right?" Yi Chen was still was a bit reluctant to make him suffer, but if there was really no other choice, then he will come to terms to witness it and do his best to make it bearable.

"Yes. The sword was initially meant to be used by the greatest ancient demon of the Wilderness, so in the hands of mortals, even if they were descendants, it will never reach its full potential, but you now have Bing Yi's blood, my bones and core, so the reforged sword will respond to you as it was meant to be from the beginning. You just need to learn how to remaster it." Ying Long explained as Bing Yi walked toward him and to be face to face with him.

"There is so much you were not told or teach by your circumstances as a sick child and your family opting for keep you out of the demon hunting training, which is regrettable yet understandable, but now things will be different. No longer you will learn my bloodline skills from outsiders, from here on you will learn them from me." Bing Yi said as he placed his fingers on his forehead and force out a trail of memories to directly place them into Zhuo Yi Chen mind.

The flow of memories make Yi Chen's body tremble in his lotus position back inside the room he shared with Zhu Yan, which was patiently observing his progress as he cultivate in silence and focus, but now that he was starting to show signs of strain on his deep cultivation, Zhu Yan was unsure of how to approach his sudden surge of energy and the possible consequences. 

It was one thing to guide someone while they were cultivating under instruction, as he had done before, and quite another when they reached a profound state of cultivation on their own, without his intervention, as Yi Chen was doing now. Under such circumstances, it was risky to interfere with a solo cultivation, as it could be detrimental. Furthermore, if the situation got out of hand, it could also be risky if not stopped before it could do serious damage.

He knew that neither Bing Yi nor Ying Long will purposely hurt him, for which when he first saw tears fall down Yi Chen face, he only watch him sadly, but did nothing to stop it and hoped it will be over soon, but now something mayor was taking place and his inner core was starting to become unstable, although not to a point of been damaging, but it was definitely taking his toll.

Zhuo Yi Chen's forehead began to glow a deep blue and he gasped in pain as his body went limp and he lost his balance. Zhu Yan acted quickly and grabbed Yi Chen from behind as he sat down with him between his legs, allowing his lover body to rest on his chest as he internally struggled with whatever was happening inside his mind and body.

"Come on, Bing Yi... please don't bully my beautiful dragon, he's just a newborn demon... don't push him too hard or he might snap." Zhu Yan said as he tried to keep Yi Chen comfortable on his chest and away from the edge of the bed, but Yi Chen arched his body in more pain as he gripped both of Zhu Yan's thighs tightly, trying to contain the pain instead of screaming it out.

"Yi Chen!" Zhu Yan cried as he hugged him tighter, just in case what was happening inside him caused him to lose control. As long as Bing Yi cared about his descendant, he doubted that would happen again, but old demons worked mysteriously as they tried to achieve their goals. So Zhu Yan ignored the pain Yi Chen was causing by squeezing him so tightly it was sure to leave bruises and kept him restrained until whatever was happening inside him was over and Yi Chen regained consciousness.

That happened a few minutes later, as Yi Chen struggled with the pain under his grip and flutter his eyes opened slowly, adjusting his vision to the candle illuminate room, momentarily losing his bearings, until he felt Zhu Yan's warm body behind him, almost holding him for dear life.

"Zhu Yan... it's okay, I'm fine. You can let go of me now." Yi Chen whisper to him as he tried to even out his breathing.

"I can let go whenever you want, but what about you, Xiao Zhuo, will you let go of me too?" Zhu Yan asked and only then did Yi Chen realize that he was grabbing his great demon by the thighs quite hard and was finally aware of his intimate position, right in between his legs with his back pressing on his chest. 

So his first thought was to panic and move away, but what was the point of getting tense and pulling away, when he had already accepted him as a lover. Even Bing Yi was looking to have a deeper relationship with Ying Long, after they were both long dead, whatever was possible or not, so he had to take the chances, because even if it was a bit embarrassing, at least he had a opportunity to be with him before he died. He then relaxed and let go of Zhu Yan, but did not attempt to move from where he lay.

"I... I'm sorry... did I hurt you?" He asked a bit ashamed of himself for not realizing sooner that he was actually hurting Zhu Yan, but he simply kiss his cheek.

"I'm a great demon, Yi Chen, so I'm fine. A bit of roughness for your sake gives me more pleasure than hurt, but... can we kiss before you explain to me what happen? It will be a waste not to when I have you close like this..." And he didn't have to finish what he was saying as Yi Chen turned his body to straddle Zhu Yan and kiss him without hesitation.

It felt good to have Zhu Yan's arms over his lower back, to feel their chest pressing against one another, to feel the softness of his lips capturing his, the heat that starts in his lower abdomen and the firmness of his hips bellow him. Before he had been scandalized by Bing Yi and Ying Long's proximity, but he had to admit that they were far worse. Bing Yi should be jealous indeed.

"Oh? This is a pleasant surprise... what did they do to you in there?" Zhu Yan teased him once their kiss was over.

"Is more like what they didn't do. Any news from Chongwu Camp or Pei Si Jing while I was cultivating?" He asked as he pass both arms around Zhu Yan's neck.

"They send a message to meet outside Mount Kunlun. They said they will only meet with you, although I don't think that's wise, so I should..."

"When, Zhu Yan?"

"Nightfall."

"Good, I will go alone like they want. I may not have the sword with me right now, but I'm far from been defenseless, right?" Yi Chen asked and Zhu Yan smirked.

"You are getting better at playing me right back. Ying Long must have teach you something..." He said sarcastically.

"It wasn't Ying Long, but Bing Yi..." Yi Chen joked just before he trap Zhu Yan lips into another heated kiss.

Later, at dusk, he and Pei Si Jing, who insisted on going down the mountain with him, walked to the place indicated by Chongwu Camp. Yi Chen was sure that Zhu Yan, Ying Lei, and even Wen Xiao were somewhere nearby, and were even using the eavesdrop spell on them, but it didn't matter. At this time, there were no secrets that could be revealed and cause misunderstandings among them. That was the kind of thing that the Chongwu Camp's used as a weapon to divide and conquer while playing with their hearts. But not this time.

"Pei Si Jing, you can go back to Mount Kunlun and wait with the others... I'm suppose to meet with however comes on my own and I assure you that I can take care of myself if anything goes wrong."

"This is about Wen Xiao, Zhuo Yi Chen and Chongwu Camp cannot be trusted to play fair. I am aware of your new powers and congratulate you, but I am as committed as you are to finding an antidote to their poison. This exchange cannot be taken lightly." She told him with a solemn tone of voice that was so like her, so he agreed and they stood in silence until someone finally decided to show up from the Camp.

"We meet again, Zhuo Yi Chen, although I was expecting you to follow the instructions and come alone." Wen Zongyu said as he stop in front of him and look at Pei Si Jing.

"Is not like you came alone either, so we are even." Zhuo Yi Chen reply accordingly with his accusation, letting him know he was not easily intimidated, nor to command.

"Very well, now tell me what you want to meet with us in such a rush. I am a very busy man after all." The man said as he enjoy seen a flicker of anger in the deep blue eyes of the young demon.

"As if you don't know. You poison Wen Xiao, right? I thought you will be delighted to boost that fact in my face at first sight." Yi Chen said and Pei Si Jing was actually impressed he could nail down the man like that.

"I was just showing you some mercy, but that's right. I made Li Lun in possession of  Bai Jiu poison the goddess token. Every time she use it will only seal her fate faster, but if you want me to be more detailed, then I admit that I also make sure to poison Bai Jiu's medicine pipe, just to be on the safe side. Is that enough boosting for you, Commander Zhuo?" He asked back with a pleased smile that Yi Chen ignored.

"I guess it suffice, but committing such treacherous sins like poisoning an innocent women, selected as the next Baize goddess precisely for the purity of her heart, certainly have a motive and giving our last encounters, I guess is still Zhao Yuan Zhou's inner core right?" Yi Chen pressed.

"Of course. Even you have to admit that exchanging the inner core of an extremely evil demon, that even dare to kill not only your family but single-handedly obliterate almost all the demon hunters in the Bureau is fair and rightful. As you said, the goddess is pure and noble, so what is there to stop you for saving both her and Bai Jiu's life. You haven't forget about the blood debt he owes to you, right? It will be such a disappointment for your caring brother in the after life to find out his brother betray his love and loyalty for carnal desires..." At that Pei Si Jing instinctively grabbed Yi Chen by the arm, fearing he was going to strike the man somehow for his disrespect and insult, but Yi Chen was already expecting far more than that from a vermin like him.

"Is true that he owes me a blood dept that could never be forgotten, but you are wrong in thinking that what makes me change my mind is just carnal desire. I have always been a man of discipline, so a simple desire means nothing to me, what ties us together is something that not even my brother could blame me for, as it had passed from many of our family generations, a curse we have know that exist for centuries of Cloud Light Sword masters, a will of the heavens." Yi Chen defend himself quite honorably and somewhere down the mountain Zhu Yan was taken aback by his words. How could he not love a noble man like that?

"You can give me all the reasons you want, real or otherwise, but the fact still remains that two of your comrades are going to die poisoning if you don't hand me over Zhao Yuan Zhou core. One single life in exchange of two others, I think you can do that simple math."

"I can, but what I can't understand is why so fixated in his core. You have wickedly collided with strong demons before. What makes Zhao Yuan Zhou's so special?" Yi Chen asked, although he already knew the answer.

"For the Ever-Burning fire, of course. I can give you the poison antidote, but you will bring me Zhao Yuan Zhao's real core in exchange without fail. If you want to save them, that is, oh noble Commander. You have until tomorrow morning to bring it or lose your chance to save your beloved goddess and doctor forever." Wen Zongyu finalize, and Zhen Mei came closer to give him a rectangular wooden box before they leave for good thinking they have won.

"Zhuo Yi Chen... they came prepare, but I can't tell if they really have an antidote in their hands." Pei Si Jing whisper his name as they watch them retrieve.

"Don't worry, even if everything else fails, I still have a way." He said as he thought in the things he learn from Bing Yi and Ying Long, specially the second one they told him after Bing Yi pass on his sword techniques that gives him so much hope.

"Such as..." Pei Si Jing insisted in knowing what he was planning.

"You will know if the times comes. Let's try this Ever-Burning Wood first." He said as he walked away along with her back to Mount Kunlun where a great demon, a goddess and a mountain god await them.

AN: Thanks for reading, the second thing that Ying Long told Yichen... well, it's a plot secrets, Yi Chen inheritance. Lol. Until next time, please take care.

Chapter Text

The time had finally come to restore the Cloud Light Sword, although Zhuo Yi Chen wasn't particularly happy about this. Indeed, he was relieved that the sword would return to its previous state and possibly even more powerful and deadly than before, with the potential to save not just Bai Jiu and Wen Xiao but also the man who would build it through his own suffering. 

However, it was that pain that made his heart clench, because deep down, he didn't want to witness it, let alone be the cause. Even so, as much as he hated to make him suffer, there was no escaping it. Thus, there he was, directly in front of Zhu Yan, looking at him with a variety of feelings that Zhu Yan knew perfectly well and could even feel his sympathy, even though he was not the one who would suffer while deliberately harming himself.

"Xiao Zhuo, don't look at me so defeated. This is so we all get something worthwhile any pain, and it's not that I don't deserve it."

"Don't say that..."

"But it needs to be said, Xiao Zhuo, since I can no longer atone for my sins with death because of my love for you and my own will, at least please let me believe that enduring this pain and damaging my core will make them less heavy and more bearable. Also, let me believe that by doing so I can pay you back even if just a little for your own suffering, so that it will not go completely unpunished, which is still unfair for you, even though I was not aware of my actions." Zhu Yan said in a low voice as they looked deeply at each other.

"I no longer blame you for what you did Zhu Yan..." Yi Chen told him sincerely, feeling like he needed to make it clear, just in case it wasn't before.

"I know, Xiao Zhuo, otherwise you would never have chosen me as your lifetime lover. Then again, as a newborn dragon, you should know that from here on you will be guided by your instincts more so than you will wish for, and as your chosen mate, you will feel more driven to protect me more intensely than usual, which makes it easier for you to let go of certain things that you couldn't before as a mortal."

"Zhao Yuan Zhou! Have a little shame, for heaven's sake! We're not alone, so what's the point of talking about dragon instincts and lifelong mates now?" Yi Chen asked as his face gained a hint of pink under the amused gaze of their audience which was the rest of their team plus Bai Yan. Zhu Yan, however, wasn't fazed in the slightest and leaned close to whisper directly into his ear.

"I need to tell you this now, so you understand what will happen to you when you see me suffer and your instincts kick in, making it difficult for you not to lose control. A chosen mate, even one you haven't claimed yet, is more important to a dragon than its own life. That's why you've been struggling so hard these past few days, knowing my life could be in danger."

"And you chose now of all times to tell me something this important? Are you mad?" Yi Chen whisper back, quite conscious that the others were eagerly watching them whispering back and forth with such intimate proximity.

"We have other pressing matters to take care of first, then you wanted to cultivate and right after we got distracted by kissing, follow by more cultivation and more kissing..."

"Pervert monkey, don't go saying things like that so openly..."

"Don't be shy now when it was you who asked me to tell you why I didn't tell you before..."

"You!" Yi Chen sighed. "Never mind, you are a hopeless case. There is no need for you to worry about me, I can control myself, I assure you that."

"Please, make sure you can. I will tell you now is hard to repress demon instincts."

"It was hard to suppress mortal ones and I did just fine."

"You're joking, right? Have you forgotten our first meeting? Did you restrain your desire to pierce my heart at the first opportunity you had back then?" Yi Chen shuddered as he recalled the moment he first saw him and the intense desire to kill the one who destroyed his family, and how he attacked him on the spot, despite Fan Ying having told him not to. In fact, he was forced to desist from his revenge, but after that, he restrained himself many times.

"Well, I... it was a bit later, but I did suppress my instincts..."

"You were stopped, which is different."

"Zhao Yuan Zhou, we don't have time to discuss every single detail of our bumped relationship and we have a very attentive audience here."

"Oh, don't mind us, Xiao Zhuo. It's a very interesting learning experience for those of us who have not yet reach the mates stage." Wen Xiao said as she looked amusedly at Pei Si Jing, who smirked back at her.

"Wen Xiao, please, don't encourage him..." Yi Chen said as he rubbed his forehead.

"I'm not, it's just that you need to loosen up a bit. We all know this is going to be very hard, specially for the two of you, so a little bit of fun to relax you, will not do any harm..." She said and Yi Chen look at Zhu Yan, which gently placed a hand over his cheek.

"She is right, relax... no matter how bad it may look, I will survive it." He said and Yi Chen closed his eyes as his head slightly leaned into his touch, making the great demon smiled.

"Alright..." Yi Chen whisper and Zhu Yan slowly brushed his cheek with his fingers before withdrawing his hand fully. The gesture was very caring and Yi Chen heart throb on his chest with the love he felt for him.

"We can begin now." Zhu Yan said softly and Yi Chen stood in front of the rectangular stone he had seen before Ying Lei interrupted his stroll the night before.

He placed the dragon scale and the Cloud Llight Sword fragments on top of the stone and mentally prepared himself for what would come next. He wasn't sure how long the fire would need to burn to complete the process, but he was ready to act if necessary, especially if Zhu Yan fainted. As a dragon with reinforced bones and muscles, he could easily carry him at the very least.

Zhu Yan lowered his gaze as he placed his hand over all, deep in thought for a few seconds. He had been there when he swore to protect the Wilderness, though the one in front of him back then was Li Lun, not Yi Chen. However, perhaps it was a twist of fate that led them both to be there at some point, and that their commitment also aligned so perfectly to perhaps forge another oath, but one that wouldn't be broken like all the others.

Taking a deep breath, the great demon summoned the ever-burning fire from his core over the scale and sword fragments. As the fire exerted its magic, they began to melt and float from the stone into the air. Zhu Yan felt the fire searing him from the inside, instantly burning his right hand that controlled the fire and the sleeve of his dark robe. Zhu Yan did his best to contain the pain, however, being burned alive was something he could not completely endure, for the scorching fire was a hellish agony, the heat unbearable, the burnt skin, even with his healing abilities, was a greater torture than he imagine. Thus he could not hide his pain for long.

The instant Yi Chen saw and smelled the smoke of Zhu Yan's burning flesh, his eyes flashed a deep blue-green as his heart felt as if it were being pierced by hundreds of needles. The pain his man was experiencing from being burned by the unforgiving flames was quite palpable and unimaginable. Although Zhu Yan's sacrifice for them all was admirable, it was also terrifying and something Zhuo Yi Chen didn't want to witness ever again in his life.

It was such an horrible sight that Yi Chen's body tensed like never before, his eyes moistened with tears falling freely, his heart seems to be out of control on his chest with heartbreak, his cold energy spiking waiting to be release and his hands balled into fists to the point of turning white from the pressure he held them in frustration and deep empathy. Soon, his demonic energy began to destabilize more and more, because his inner demon was also raging with a kind of self anger for allowing Zhu Yan to go trough that torment, that was hard to fight back.

He could now understand why Zhu Yan had warned him about instincts and he close his eyes in concentration to pull himself back in control of his messed up emotions. Still, the temperature of the air around them began to drop rapidly as Yi Chen inner demon subconsciously tried to cool Zhu Yan down as the fire keep working its magic, melting the scales back onto the metal of the sword to recompose it.

"Yi Chen... I can handle this.... calm down..." Whispered Zhu Yan faintly, already having difficulty standing, when seeing him caught up in his own crossroad of allowing his suffering because it was necessary and at the same time hating it passionately wanting to make it stop. 

His hesitation resulted in his demonic energy responding to his will in turn and the others felt the icy air around the hot flames, with Pei Si Jing drawing Wen Xiao closer to give her some of her body heat, while Ying Lei hugged himself as he rubbed his arms. Only Bai Yan was completely unaffected and Yi Chen cursed under his breath, for the last thing he needed was to add worry to his already agonizing lover.

"Yi Chen..." Zhu Yan barely manage to said and Yi Chen heart felt like breaking and putting a hand over his heart he concentrate harder, while praying that it will be over soon.

Then, when the fire had restored the sword after the most agonizing few minutes, Yi Chen summoned his own cold demonic energy, a blend of Bing Yi and Ying Long, to complete the process and take the now reforged sword into his hands. The collisions of energies, along with the dying fire, rose up in a column of light from the power he now possessed, draining some of his previous cultivation. But he didn't care, for the deed was done, and Zhu Yan could finally let go.

As soon as the fire was extinguished in his hand, Zhu Yan spat out blood from his damaged core, but Yi Chen was already there, holding him close and gently wiping the blood from his lips. His heart was beating so hard inside his chest that Yi Chen thought Zhu Yan could hear it loud and clear. The agony was over and now he could finally try healing him or at least sooth his pain, but Zhu Yan needed something more badly than to heal. He had once have a vision of that moment and he wanted to make it happen more than anything.

"Xiao Zhuo... a long time ago, right here in where our hands rest, over this stone, I vow to protect the Wilderness along with Li Lun, but we part ways in bad terms. Now, the two of us are here, facing the very same choices, that could have make us forever enemies as well, but instead, we understood each other and the hatred give place to deep love that need no words. I remain committed to protecting the Wilderness, but will you also be willing to do the same with me? A promise to protect not only mortals, but demons as well..."

"Great demon, isn't that already your job with the goddess?" Ying Lei interrupt him, making Zhu Yan almost spit more blood because of it, Wen Xiao and Pei Si Jing to role their eyes, while Yi Chen smiled.

"Actually, now that you mention it... it is." Yi Chen tease him.

"No, it's not, I fired him." Wen Xiao teased in turn.

"Please, I'm been serious here, I'm about to faint..." Zhu Yan murmur and Yi Chen hold him closer as the Cloud Light Sword still in one of the hands he used to hold him shined brightly, recognizing Zhu Yan as a demon, although the hue of the shine this time was a bit less blue and more white, perhaps in recognition of him been Ying Long's reincarnated soul.

"The answer will always be yes. I will promise, Zhu Yan, that for as long as I live I will share your burdens, not matter what they are, you can be at ease now..."

"That's so good to hear... I'm so lucky to have found not only my one and only soulmate, but my true home as well..." And he fainted right into Zhuo Yi Chen's arms, who lift him easily, tenderly kissing his forehead before he walked away in a hurry to place him back in bed.

The next couple of hours he focus his energy into soothing his pain and giving him enough to start healing the burnt skin, even if his damage core will take longer to fix, at least his great demon could rest pain free for the night.

There was still one task that will break his heart a second time, but getting rid of that troublesome fire that had already hurt him so fiercely, it was worth the shot, so they will not seek his core anymore and Zhu Yan could recover more easily. There was also the the exchange for the antidote in the morning, but he will wait until Zhu Yan recover consciousness and be strong enough to stand.

Several hours later, Zhu Yan wake up to a candle light room with Yi Chen by his side holding him. Zhu Yan could tell that his dragon was not fully asleep, but simply resting, but he could not restrain his desire to admire him. Despite been a demon for such a short period of time, Yi Chen's demonic energy was growing so fast that what started like a pond of spring water was now becoming a huge lake, follow by a raging river, to end up transforming into a full ocean and when that ocean materialize, he will become a full flesh dragon able to take his true form and everything that comes with it.

Meaning that when Yi Chen mature enough, things will change between them to more serious term and his dragon will feel the need to claim him, a thing he was looking forward to, but for now, he admire his natural beauty, the way he breathed, the way his soft hair cling to his dark blue clothes, the softness of his features and the tempting lips he wanted to kiss so badly.

"Are you alright?" Yi Chen suddenly ask him and Zhu Yan smiled as Yi Chen open his enchanting blue eyes.

"You have take good care of me." He said as he moved close to him.

"Do you still feel pain?" Yi Chen asked as he gladly accepted Zhu Yan's weight over his chest.

"No, is all gone... only my core remain damage." He whisper.

"Sorry about that, but not even I, as I am now, can help you heal your core for good. The only thing I can do is transfer you my energy so you can use it to heal yourself a bit faster."

"It's fine... but as long as the fire is still inside me, it will keep hurting me..." Zhu Yan said as his face was just inches from Yi Chen's.

"I can remove it..."

"I know..."

"But you are still weak."

"I have enough strength to do this."

"It will hurt again."

"Yes, but for just a few seconds. I know you will be very careful, but also fast."

"I assure you that I will do my best on both."

"Of course..."

"Then do we try it now?" Their breath almost tangle together in their closeness.

"Just let me enjoy something first... then we can have some wine as in a date, to make it less life threatening."

"Fine, what do you want now then..."

"You know what..." Zhu Yan smiled just before Yi Chen pull Zhu Yan's head down to kiss him like he haven't before. His heart still ache for having to witness such cruelty and deep inside he wanted to make it up to him for been unable to do nothing more than watch and make him worried, so he kissed him with more than just passion, he kiss him with a heart full of love and gratitude for his selfless act.

In his arms, Zhu Yan melted under such devoted kiss and for a moment he thought that perhaps he will not have to wait until Yi Chen fully matured, if he could kiss him so bewitchingly like that now. He had suffer one of the worst kind of pain just a few hours back, but if it make Yi Chen's feelings flare, then he just gained an extra blessing. One he will make sure to take advantage before it faded completely, so he keep the intensity of the kissing until both of them were out of breath.

Zhu Yan was now basically atop Yi Chen, looking down at him with reflected desire on those beautiful blue eyes that were now a shade of teal. If he push him just a little more to his brink, perhaps their mutual fire could consume them both, but if they lose it completely, then he risked making Yi Chen do things he was yet not ready to control.

"Zhu Yan..." Yi Chen whisper with open desire in his soft voice. It was obvious to him that Yi Chen was open to the possibility of more, his usual cool temperature had changed for full body heat instead, as well as the desire reflected in his brighter eyes.

"I want you... but I guess I'm getting too greedy..." He said and Yi Chen face was instantly flared red. No, he was still not ready for a claim.

"Is this about that mate claim thing you so casually tell me before?" Yi Chen asked a bit confusing. He thought they were already lovers, so what was so different about a change of word?

"It is and yet is not. We better get moving or I will not be the only one consumed by fire tonight. Better finish this when fully aware of what you are doing, which I will explain to you... another day." He said as he get out of bed.

"Wait, why another day? Tell me now..."

"You need to concentrate in your next task, Xiao Zhuo and I assure you that knowing you, if I tell you now, you will not be able to concentrate at all."

"That's unfair, Zhu Yan..." Yi Chen told him as he got out too.

"Don't worry, we have all the time of the world..." Zhu Yan said as he place both his hand at his hips to pull him close and kiss him one more time before they head out, with Yi Chen Cloud Light Sword, shining on his hand.

AN: First, I think that Ying Lei's interruption was a little bit annoying, but I wanted to point that it was kind of weird for Zhu Yan in the drama, who was already committed to guard the Wilderness along with Wen Xiao (his beloved), to actually ask Yichen to protect it along with him instead (do you agree with that too?). Second, I think is time for a little bit of spicy, so let me know your thoughts. Thanks for reading, I hope you like it. See you back next time.

Chapter Text

Once they left the room, Zhuo Yi Chen was very attentive to Zhu Yan's every move, from the way he walked to the feel of his waning Demonic Energy and his mocking expression. He observed every detail that could indicated he was unfit for what they were about to attempt. He was confident he could pull it off, just as Bing Yi had taught him personally, and he would never risk Zhu Yan's life knowing it was destined to fail, so he was confident it would work. What he wasn't so sure about was whether Zhu Yan could withstand any more damage to his weakened body or not.

"Xiao Zhuo, if I can endure being burned alive, I can endure a sword stab, so don't look at me like I'm going to faint at any moment, because even if I'm weak, I'm still a great demon." Zhu Yan pointed out, and Yi Chen sighed despite himself. It seemed he had always been too transparent and unable to hide even a simple concern.

"I'm that obvious, huh?"

"You always have been, which is why you're such a terrible liar."

"I guess you're right... I just don't want to make things worse. I know we're in a bit of a hurry, but if you're not in shape..."

"Xiao Zhuo..." Zhu Yan stopped and took Yi Chen's hands to pull him closer, so that their gazes were also close. "I love how you love me, believe me, but you need to have more confidence in my abilities as a great demon. I've suffered far more than a little hurt over the years, and I'm strong enough to do this small thing for the greater good. Can you trust me a little more?" He asked as they stared at each other and, with a slight blush, Yi Chen nodded.

"I'm sorry... I trust you... maybe it's just that I want to protect you so badly..." Yi Chen try to explain what he really couldn't with just words, but Zhu Yan stop him when giving him a feathery kiss.

"I know... it's in your blood now like I said before, but you shouldn't let it cloud your resolve. We'll do it, because two lives depend on it and even if it fails, which I don't think it will, considering you're going to try in the first place, it's something that must be done... and as recompense for causing you so much anxiety, we can finish what we started before leaving the room... to whatever extent you want it to take it..." At that Yi Chen blush escalate to a new level of hotness.

"Must you always end up embarrassing me like this?" Yi Chen protested as he felt the heat raise under his intense gaze even more.

"Of course. I am mischievous by nature, been a white ape great demon and all..." He smiled as Yi Chen chuckle.

"Monkey... a troublesome monkey..." Yi Chen said as he kiss him this time, not with just a touch meant to quiet him, but with everything he had.

There was something awakening inside him every time they become more intimate, something he couldn't put a name to, couldn't pinpoint what exactly it was, but it raised along with his love for Zhu Yan. Whether that was what the great demon said he needed to know later, he couldn't be sure, but certainly, their relationship grew stronger, their bond tightening with each trial they faced.

"Yi Chen... if you keep kissing me like this... I'm afraid we will never go anywhere but back to bed..." Zhu Yan murmur between heated kisses.

"You start it..." Zhu Yan laughed.

"If I did, then let me be the one to stop it before it gets impossible to refuse..." Zhu Yan said as he hugged him tight in pure blissfulness. "You have no idea of how much this mean to me, Yi Chen or how much I have come to love you... but in moments like this I fear it is only a dream..."

"Is not..." Yi Chen responded while he gently parted from his hold to cup Zhu Yan's face in his hands. "I may be new to love and this may not have start easily, but what we got now is as real as you and I standing here, surrounded by the faint light of candles in a stone hall that will lead us to yet again another test of our resolve."

"It's not a test this time... it's a life exchange, my Xiao Zhuo. Come or we will lose our chance before morning comes." Zhu Yan took his hands and gently pulled him toward their final destination. Ying Lei had brought some wine from Mount Kunlun, so they took one of the bottles and went to the stone table to taste it under the dimness of the place. It suited their romantic mood perfectly and more so when Yi Chen used one of his jade pedants in their drink and serve it, to show Zhu Yan how much he cared for him.

"I think this is the first time we drink wine alone." Zhu Yan said who received the cup with happiness from Yi Chen's hand.

"Not exactly. We have a previous chance to have a drink together in privacy before this." Yi Chen corrected him, but no matter how hard he tried, Zhu Yan couldn't recall such an occasion. Yes, they had drunk before, and in that place not long ago, but they had been in the presence of others, not alone.

"When? I do not remember been alone with you like this before. That one time in your room back at home, but it was tea." He said as he stared at the full cup.

"When you lost control of yourself, back when your senses were sealed, I came to your house with two jars of wine. I sat across from you, hoping to have a memorable time before we faced each other. I didn't know if I could stop you or if I would be forced to kill you, so I came prepare for the worst. In the end we couldn't have that drink and you know the rest and how it all turned out." Yi Chen told him, recalling that endearing but terrible moment when things could have gone worse than they did.

"Oh...I don't remember much about that time. The last thing I recall is you calling out to me before everything else went red and silent. Still... it's best that we never have that kind of experience again. The malicious energy had hurt us both for long enough... so this drink you just poured me is for the chance we were given to go through all those hardships and still be able to be with each other and have this drink." Zhu Yan said with affection in his soft voice.

"We've traveled such a bumpy road to get to this point, but that's in the past..." Yi Chen really felt that way. It wasn't that all was forgotten, but that he could live with the guilt of loving his enemy, because he knew from his own experience how hard it was to become a puppet in your own body, unable to do anything about it. After hearing that Zhu Yan smiled faintly.

"Yi Chen..."

"I mean it. I know we will both live with some level of guilt and regret, but even though part of me still hates you, the other part of me loves you just as much. When I first saw you, I was thrilled to finally have the chance to avenge my family. My brother and father were very loving and their loss inside my pained heart was too great to let go, even when I realized that you did it under the control of malicious energy." The sadness in Yi Chen's voice as he uttered those words broke Zhu Yan's heart but he kept his silence until Yi Chen have his repressed feelings all out.

"Then I became a demon by force, out of my own control and hurt those close to me. Wen Xiao, I almost strangled her with my own hands, even though she had always been a beacon of light in my dark life, I hurt her without even realizing it. Ying Lei, who had always been there, supporting us, giving everything he had for our sake, I also hurt him with just a wave of my hand... Pei Si Jing, I could have killed her just like all of them. It is a terrifying experience that I now know well. So you had no choice back then and although it doesn't atone for the sins committed, at least it gives room to healing and move on. To love... and be loved..." Yi Chen finish as tears run down his face, making Zhu Yan so moved that he wanted to simply embrace that beautiful man for life. He truly didn't deserve it, but he was beyond glad to have it for however long that lasted.

"Having a soul mate makes this life worthwhile. Zhao Wan'er once told me that someday I would find that person who would make me want to live... and she was right. I have no words to describe what I feel right now, but it is nothing less than a strong devotion for someone I don't deserve, but love with everything I have anyway. Xiao Zhuo... my beautiful Yi Chen, you have changed and healed me in so many ways that I don't even know how I can ever repay you in this life, let alone the next one. I know that love is simply not enough to match your kindness and caring heart, yet if Bing Yi were a third of what you are I can understand why Ying Long loves him so much and how his descendants bright like stars."

"You don't need to compensate me any more than you already have. It is thanks to you that I am still alive and that this sword was reforged at the cost of your suffering and depleted energy, not to mention your damaged core. You said I am kind, but your kindness knows no bonds either. You cared for an elder mountain god, who loved you so deeply that he gave his life to save yours, even Zhao Wan'er in her last moments had cared for you dearly enough to give you half of her token to protect you and Wen Xiao, your endless pain is heartbreaking, just like all your sacrifices to protect us every step of the way, hurting yourself instead. You will go to any extreme to save others and love mortals as if they were your own kind. It is you, being the vessel of the malicious energy, no... it is the cruelty of the curse that Chaos has cast upon you that has robbed you of your otherwise perfection."

"Perfection is what describes you so flawlessly..." At that Yi Chen blushed and with a smile on his face raised his hand to toast to all that was said open-heartedly. Zhu Yan, in turn, raised his and drank from his cup, not taking his eyes off his bewitching dragon. There was no need to say more, only to do what they had come to do.

"Are you ready?" Yi Chen asked and Zhu Yan simply stood up and open his arms.

"No matter how things turn out... whether this works out or not... I... I'm glad I crossed paths with you and even be blessed with something I could only dream of. Thank you... and I love you..." He whispered as tears of deep love threatened to fall down his face.

"No need to thank me... this is something I can't and will not fail, for you, for Wen Xiao and for Bai Jiu."

Yi Chen said as he unsheathed his sword and infused it with his power, causing the cold steel to glow bright blue in power and his energy to soar, while his hair flowed like strands of silk in the wind, affirming his beauty. 

Under such a spell, Zhu Yan watched his lover make his sword fly towards him and pierce his skin with a kind of grace that he thought, would make time stand still around them and completely mesmerized by his precise elegance, the pain he felt paled in comparison to the magic of his sword absorbing the fire from his core and out along with some blood rushing out his mouth. By fate or simply bad luck, Wen Xiao had stumbled upon such an ethereal yet deadly scene of seen two of her most precious men kill each other, that made her scream at the top of her lungs.

"Zhuo Yi Chen! What are you doing?!" She rushed towards them as if her life depended on it, just in time to catch Zhao Yuan Zhou before he fell onto the nearby stone seat. Her fury and sudden appearance were shocking, causing Yi Chen to freeze for a moment in surprise. She wasn't supposed to see this encounter between them, much less when it seemed like Yi Chen was about to exact his revenge, which was far from what he was doing.

"Zhao Yuan Zhou!" She cried as she helped him sit up and looked at the blood he had spat out of his mouth. She wiped it away with the sleeve of her white dress before glaring at Zhuo Yi Chen, as if the Yi Chen of her entire life had transformed into something she didn't recognize.

"What the hell was that for, Zhuo Yi Chen?! Did you lost it! He's your lover and no matter how much you hate him, he wasn't in control of his actions when he took away your family! I know that pain too, but I know better than to blame him for something he didn't know he did!" She screamed as tears streamed down her face from both rage and pain that although they have a deep love for each other it turned that hatred won out. 

Shocked by her sudden accusation, Yi Chen was unable to defend himself, so Zhu Yan grabbed her hand and forced her to look him in the eye.

"Wen Xiao! I'm fine, this isn't what it seems. Calm down." He said in an attempt to calm her down, but the shock of seeing Yi Chen strike Zhu Yan with his sword was too great.

"Stop being stubborn! I just saw him almost kill you with the very sword you forged!" She exclaimed furiously, and this time, Yi Chen finally reacted.

"He is not being stubborn Wen Xiao, he really is fine. I know coming to see such a shocking scene scared you, but you should know that I would never kill him with my own hand after we became lovers." Yi Chen could not hide the accusation in his voice, which made Wen Xiao look at the great demon doubtfully.

"Is true... what we did was very dangerous but it was planned between us." Zhu Yan said still weaker than Yi Chen liked.

"What do you mean? Explain yourselves!" She demanded, still angry with both of them this time.

"Yi Chen was teach by Bing Yi how to extract the Ever-Burning fire from my core and we try it just now and succeeded." Zhu Yan said as he looked at the red fire dancing around the sword Yi Chen was still holding, then as if suddenly realizing that the fire was still on the sword, he transferred it to the wood inside the box Zhen Mei offered them for the true fire.

"Have you two gone mad? Is this something you try so casually? What if it failed?" She asked as she looked from one to the other.

"I will not risk his life casually. The only reason I even try it was because I was confident I could pull it of." Yi Chen defend himself as Zhu Yan smiled at him quite pleased.

"He is so amazing..." The great demon whisper and Wen Xiao rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Zhao Yuan Zhou, you are so wiped out by love that is hard to believe you are a great demon. You two scare the hell out of me! Apologize!" She claimed and seen that there was no way around after scaring her that badly, both of them did.

"This is mostly for you, Wen Xiao. We can now exchange the fire for the antidote and detoxify you. Is a win win situation, that not even you can turn down. It was just unexpected that you have come when you did, which make me realize, are you alright? Is so late in the night, why are you still around instead of resting?" Zhu Yan asked and Wen Xiao relaxed a bit.

"I couldn't sleep... and now I will have nightmares after this..." She pouted which was more cute than intimidating, making Yi Chen's heart soften, as usual.

"I'm sorry... perhaps I can help you with your lack of sleep." Yi Chen offer as he came closer to her.

"How?" She asked and just as he had practice before, Yi Chen concentrate his inner energy and whisper a one-word spell to her.

"Sleep." He commanded with his power and catch her falling figure before she hit the ground, lifting her on his arms like she weight nothing.

"That was well done. Go ahead and put her back to bed, otherwise Pei Si Jing will have your head. I will wait for you in back in our own room." Zhu Yan said as he close the box and took the Cloud Light Sword in his hand, feeling only a tingly sensation, as if the sword was just playing with his recognized energy.

"Alright, I will be back shortly, have some rest, you deserve it..." He suggested, but he forgot of how his mischievous great demons was.

"Is not resting what I have in mind..." Zhu Yan whisper on his ear as he pass him, leaving him behind with a fainted goddess in his arms and his body feeling the heat.

AN: This is my favorite scene in the whole drama, so I hope I give it justice. The drama make it so precious and beautiful is hard to get it even close. I loved the bond of those two in this scene that, sorry Wen Xiao, I don't believe Zhu Yan was really invest in you as his true love. Of course, that's my personal view. Hope you like this version and a warning for maybe next chapter, that may contain adult reading. I will place three flames 🔥🔥🔥 in such chapters to give you a hint of what to expect. Thanks for reading, see you next time.

Chapter Text

Zhuo Yi Chen didn't have to walk far to find Pei Si Jing patiently waiting for Wen Xiao's return. Whether she witnessed what had just happened and how she ended up in his arms, he couldn't tell, as her expression remained as impassive as ever. But since she didn't ask for an explanation and he knew how protective she was of her, perhaps the huntress knew everything all along. They walked back to the room the two women shared in silence, and Pei Si Jing opened the door for him to lay Wen Xiao down on the bed.

"I have no idea if you know why she's like this, but if not, don't worry. She needs to rest, and my spell can help her sleep for the rest of the night. For now, it's impossible for me to detoxify her with my demonic energy, so it's up to you to keep an eye on her condition until we get the antidote tomorrow. You're the one closest to her, after all..." Yi Chen end up explaining anyways.

"Thank you, Commander, for looking after her. Like you, she also has a lot to deal with right now, and the poison in her blood isn't helping." Pei Si Jing offered in return, and Yi Chen couldn't suppress the urge to sit on the edge of the bed next to Wen Xiao and take her pulse.

What he found was what he expected of someone dealing with a deadly poison that was messing with her system, even more so than when the token was incomplete. He close his eyes for a moment and give her a bit of his energy to at least try to heal what he could, even if he could not get rid of the poison, it will help her protect her vital organs, giving them more time.

"She told me she was having trouble sleeping. What I give her may reduce the effects of the poison for a little longer." Yi Chen confessed as he looked at the huntress, who this time couldn't hide her inner worry under his gaze.

"She's been like this for a while, so I'm glad for anything that can keep her alive." She said while staring at the woman finally sleeping, after wondering around for the last two night in a row.

"I care for Wen Xiao just as much as you do, Pei Si Jing. She's still my best friend, after all, and no matter the cost, I'll make sure she survives this ordeal. I disagree with Bai Yan that it's her destiny to die for the sake of the world. We shape our fates with our actions, good or bad, and if we can break one cursed cycle, we can break the second as well. Let me know if her condition worsens. We just extracted the Ever-burning fire from Zhu Yan's core... she won't suffer from this poison much longer." Yi Chen said, standing up to walk over to Pei Si Jing and touch her shoulder sympathetically.

"What if this exchange fails? I don't trust Wen Zongyu any more than the rest of his henchmen. He could be lying, for all we know. And then what?" She asked, looking at him with genuine worry, and Yi Chen smiled gently at her.

"What we always do with everything else Pei Si Jing, we find another way... as long as we don't give up, no matter what, sooner or later an opportunity will present itself." He answered her and walked away, leaving her alone with her thoughts. As he retreated, he didn't see Pei Si Jing looking at his back, with the same kind of admiration Bai Jiu or even Ying Lei showed whenever they were impressed by his heroic actions or words.

"Thank you, Zhuo Yi Chen... you are truly her best friend." She whispered.

🔥🔥🔥

Yi Chen, on the other hand, had other things to think about, like the offer Zhu Yuan had so brazenly thrown in his face. Kissing had been fine, even desired, but further intimacy was something that excited him as much as it scared him. Excited because he loved that perverted monkey with all his heart and just the thought of his contact with his skin made him shudder with anticipation, but scared because he was... well, quite inexperienced in that regard and feared he would end up embarrassing himself under a heat that was completely new to him.

The last thing either of them needed right now was for things to get so complicated that they became a burden, and he feared that was precisely what might happen. However, he also couldn't deny Zhu Yan something that was expected between lovers, and it wasn't as if the opportunity would present itself that often when they were traveling in a group rather than alone. He desired Zhu Yan, of that he had no doubt, but to what extent... just thinking about it made his face burn at all the possibilities where he could end up disappointing him.

Who said love was easy? Who said love equals happiness? Who said love couldn't fail? Who could guarantee him that if they started a deeper relationship everything would go smoothly until the end, because so far their relationships have been nothing but a mess.

"Damn monkey... don't go blaming me if this ends in disaster, you even deserve it for screwing up with me like this!" Yi Chen fought with himself internally, as he approached his room and stood there for a moment before working up the courage to open the door and come face to face with the source of his frustration.

However, what he found once he opened the door was not a teasing great demon waiting patiently for him, ready to throw himself upon him with passionate kisses that will dispel all his doubts, but a half-naked monkey sleeping peacefully on his side of the bed without a care in the world, while all his struggles and insecurities seemed to have been for nothing and vanished in useless smoke. Fury then assailed him.

"What the hell is this?" Yi Chen asked as he approached the bed, but the sight was so beautiful, with Zhu Yan resting his head on his strong right arm, his long hair pulled back in a casual bun, his closed eyes revealing long lashes, then tantalizingly soft lips, his handsome face was relaxed and free of any pain, making him look younger and sinfully innocent for a vessel of malicious energy, his chest was barely concealed by a sheet half exposing him naked and with competently flawless skin, that he was even forced to swallow his heart back at such a dangerous sight. How is it possible that looking at a sleeping man for just a few seconds can be so mesmerizing to the point of making his whole body heat up not just in flames, but in actual tangible desire?

"Zhu Yan? Zhao Yuan Zhou?" Yi Chen called, but the monkey didn't even flinch, frustrating him even more.

"Are you really asleep, leaving me like this?" He whispered next, but when he got no response, Yi Chen could only stare in resignation and clear defeat. Even though Zhu Yan was only wearing black trousers and a sheet barely covering him, he had to admit that what he had suffered that day must have tired him out so much that he fell asleep while waiting for his return, even though he hadn't been gone that long.

"Fine, you deserve to rest... I give you that." Whispered Yi Chen as he sat down on the edge of the bed and took off his boots and outer robes, leaving only his inner one in place, to get some sleep too... well, if he could under the circumstances of having a very desirable demon by his side who wasn't even modest enough to keep his many layers of luxurious hanfu clothing on. He sighed as he lay down on the bed beside him anyway, closing his eyes to a night of hot torture. Perhaps it should serve him right for unconsciously doing the same to Zhu Yan twice.

A few minutes later, however, Zhu Yan moved closer to him to rest his head and bare chest on top of his. His hair tied in a bun brushed his jaw so lightly that it made his blood boil with the feathery touch and, once again, he found himself in a state of panic.

"Xiao Zhuo... your heart is still out of control even if I give you time to calm yourself." He heard Zhu Yan mutter into his chest and he let out a chuckle.

"Were you pretending to be asleep from the beginning?" Which he obviously did, making Yi Chen sigh with a mixture of amusement and annoyance.

"I could feel your tension from miles away, so I gave you a way out. This is not something I would force you to do no matter how much I want you." He said calmly and Yi Chen really couldn't blame him because he wasn't completely wrong. Although his tension was not the result of his unwillingness, but of his fear to embarrass himself and fail.

"You were not going to force me to do anything I wasn't willing to do." Yi Chen assured him and Zhu Yan raised his head to look at those blue eyes that he loved so much.

"Are you willing now then?" Zhu Yan asked so softly that Yi Chen swallowed hard.

"I was always willing... Though I must remind you that I don't have any experience in the art of love." Hearing that, Zhu Yan smiled quite beautifully into Yi Chen's eyes.

"Love needs no experience Yi Chen, just instincts and feelings. There is no need for you to get frustrated by thinking too much. Do what you want the way you want, letting your instinct guide you where you need to go. My love for you is strong enough to go at your own pace, fast or slow, experienced or inexperienced, it doesn't matter to me. What I want is more than a body, what I truly want is your beautiful soul... a soul bonding." Zhu Yan explained as he moved closer to be at eye level with him.

"Soul bonding? Is that what you were referring to earlier?" Yi Chen asked curiously.

"Yes. Dragons are revered by mortals for a reason. Despite being beasts with high level of cultivation, just like other demons, they also possess a touch of divinity that no other beast in the Wilderness possesses. The first dragons were divine beasts tasked with protecting the realms, so they've always been special. That's why Nuwa always held Bing Yi in great affection more than any other beast. In a way, he was also a god."

"And because they're special, there are things only dragons can do, like claiming a mate. When a dragon falls madly in love with someone and wants to be with them for life, they can unite their souls. You could say it's the most extreme kind of marriage there is, because the bond between two souls is for eternity and it cannot be undone." He said, and Yi Chen thought about it for a moment, before he smiled at his expectant great demon.

"Is this soul bond something physical, like sex between mortals?" Yi Chen asked blushing, just to be sure of what he was thinking was on the right track.

"Not necessarily. A soul claim is not something physical, but spiritual... like us entering Ying Long's domain."

"Then, I think we are already soul bond Zhu Yan. Maybe Bing Yi and Yin Long beat us to it, because the curse we share has been fed by that bond for centuries now. We had been so closely linked in the past that it had become a kind of prophecy in my Clan since Ying Long passed it on, remember?" Yi Chen pointed and Zhu Yan could see the merit in that thought and perhaps he was right.

"Is possible..."

"So you wanting me to claim you, is perhaps the effect of that previous soul bonding... but I have no idea of how that's done." He said a little disappointed in his ignorance about dragon demons lore, his own kind.

"Come on, don't look so disappointed Yi Chen, is just normal for a baby dragon not to know about advance, mature spells you were not suppose to use just yet..." At the mention of baby dragon Yi Chen face was on fire.

"Who's a baby dragon? You pervert monkey, don't call me th..." But the rest of his sentence was lost into Zhu Yan's lips when he close the short distance between them in a kiss that took his breath away.

That single spark of passion was enough to bring his spiraling feelings back to normal, and Yi Chen finally relaxed under Zhu Yan's exploration of him. His lips were just as soft as they always were and as hungry as their last ones when the desire had escalate into a blaze, thus he let go of his previous doubts and simply enjoy what was offer.

They kissed for a long time, as Zhu Yan was in no hurry and Yi Chen's brain had shut down soon after they started kissing, to give way to a mode of following his heart that he had denied himself for so long. He let Zhu Yan set the pace, following him as if his life depended on it. So, when the great demon's hand slipped down to the ribbon of his inner robe, Yi Chen knew that the time had come to take the next step into a deeper relationship, to explore and touch, awakening that part of him that had lain dormant throughout his life until now.

"Yi Chen... how far do you want this to go?" Zhu Yan asked as they parted slightly and Yi Chen slid his hands down Zhu Yan's bare back, making the great demon shiver as he looked at him.

“I don't know... it's my first time after all.” He said and Zhu Yan smiled complacently.

"I know. Then how about one step at a time and see where it takes us?" Zhu Yan offered it to his lover, who gladly accepted kissing him once more.

Thus the exploration begun and Yi Chen felt his arousal harden when Zhu Yan undo the ribbon and open his thin black robe, taking a moment to admire him before he proceed to worship him. Yi Chen close his eyes and try not to moan too loudly when he felt Zhu Yan's wet warm tongue liking down his neck all the way to his clavicle and pectorals in where he stop to admire Yi Chen's flushed skin.

He was beautiful in every aspect, but under the shade of desire Yi Chen was divine and it was his mission to make him enjoy his first time been touched, his first time been loved in this way. Thus he trapped one of Yi Chen's excited nipples in his mouth and suck it. The rushed extremely pleasing sensation of that make Yi Chen arch his body in a deep moan, unable to hold it as he panted hard under Zhu Yan's playful tongue.

Yet Zhu Yan didn't stop playing around with his skin, kissing, slightly bitting, touching and tasting almost every inch of his chest. Yi Chen was in such a state of blissfulness that he could barely register anything other than what Zhu Yan was doing to him, making him experiencing new sensations in waves he could not resist, but that were starting to be engraved in both mind and heat. He was completely at his great demon mercy and he love it.

"Zhu Yan..."

"I'm just starting..." He whisper as he continue his exploration with both, hands and mouth together. Yi Chen shiver more with all the sensations his sensitive skin was feeling and his arousal was now rock hard, throbbing inside the soft fabric of his pants, still on and even more so when Zhu Yan's hot hand pass his navel and into the border of his pants. Been touched so close to the source of his desire, he almost came right there, for which Zhu Yan moved his hand away, as he didn't want to overwhelm him in his first time that fast.

"Look at me Yi Chen..." Zhu Yan murmur and Yi Chen obeyed, letting him see the brightness on his now teal eyes that make him look even more beautiful.

"Please don't stare at me like that... is... is..."

"Sinful?" Zhu Yan teased as Yi Chen blushed harder.

"It's alluring..." Yi Chen corrected.

"Oh? Then, you want me Yi Chen?"

"Of course, what kind of question is that? I am already this hard... do you need more proof than that?" Yi Chen asked with incredulity and Zhu Yan laughed.

"No, then come and do whatever you want with me..."

"What? No, wait..."

"Don't panic now Yi Chen, I know you can do far more than what I have show you..." Zhu Yan said as he let go of Yi Chen and lie down on his back ready to be pleased before finishing what he started with him.

Yi Chen breathed hard for a moment before he move to sat right over Zhu Yan's lap, straddling him as he took off his robe to get it out of the way. The sight bellow was so tempting that Yi Chen's heart was in a mess inside his chest, but that didn't stop him from reaching down and try to equally please his man.

He wasn't as experienced, so his touch and exploration was done with trembling hands, but for Zhu Yan that was even more pleasurable than a long time lover's touch. He fought the impulse of giggling when Yi Chen caressed a sensitive spot or when his long raven hair tickle his skin as it moved along with him. It was because of that he had tied his, but the experience was quite amusing and definitely wanted, so he simply smiled at times and moaned in pleasure at others until the desire was too much to hold.

Feeling both of them were ready to come, Zhu Yan flipped them both to be atop of Yi Chen and pull out Yi Chen's pants as well as his to finally see him completely exposed and ready for him. Since it was their first time in almost everything, Zhu Yan opted for the easier way out and laying atop him, he rubbed both of their arousal together, making Yi Chen almost go mad with pleasure as well as his own until they come together as they whisper their love for each other.

The rest of the night a blur in the arms of the one they belong to.

AN: Sorry, nothing too graphic for now as I am more into the feeling that the act itself, hope you don't mind because is their first time after all. This whole scene inspired by the photo bellow. Thanks for reading and I hope you like it. It was done to show their deeper bond and respect for each other. Until next time, please take care.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Yi Chen woke up wrapped in the arms of the man he loved, the man who had given him so much pleasure just a few hours ago and the man who had held back his desire, just to make sure he was comfortable enough with that first experience where he showed him so tenderly how to please and be pleased and he was grateful for that.

However, there was no time to indulge in that passion a second time, as there were more pressing matters to attend to for the sake of Wen Xiao and Bai Jiu. Later, if they still had the chance, they could pick up what they had left unfinished, as he was sure that Zhu Yan was simply taking his sweet time to teach him step by step how to be a full lover, given his inexperience. Nevertheless, he got out of bed, carefully untangling himself from Zhu Yan's warm arms, and grabbed his clothes to put them on.

Last night, Yi Chen had summoned water to cleanse themselves after they finished arousing themselves, so at least they were clean, even if they had remained naked for the rest of the night under a blanket, because the pleasant feeling of Zhu Yan warm skin against his cooler one had lullaby him to sleep. As he put on his pants and his multiple layers of robes and was about to reach for his belt, he felt Zhu Yan's arms hugging him from behind as he kissed his neck. This made Yi Chen smile, and he turned his head to kiss him back, but on his cheek.

"Did you enjoy our exploration last night?" Zhu Yan asked, pressing his naked body even closer so that Yi Chen could feel every muscle in his body as he take in his rich scent.

"I did enjoy it very much." Yi Chen replied, leaning into that strong body he loved so much.

"Then, do you want some more?" Zhu Yan tempted him, and Yi Chen blushed as he gulped.

"I do want more... but not now. The sun has already risen and I need to get the antidote before Wen Zongyu changes his mind." Yi Chen said and Zhu Yan sighed.

"Then let me help you with that..." Zhu Yan took Yi Chen's belt from his hand and gently put it around his slim waist and closed it behind his back. "Let me comb your hair next... it's all messed up right now." He suggested, but Yi Chen preferred for him to put on some clothes so he declined the offer.

"I'll do my hair, so please put on some clothes, because having you naked moving around is distracting..." Yi Chen said as he finger-combed his long, silky black hair until it was completely untangled, gathering it up into a ponytail at the top of his head and then tying his dark headband. When he turned around, Zhu Yan was already fully dressed in his usual elegant robes as perfect as ever.

"How did you do that?" Yi Chen asked in amazement as he was sure Zhu Yan had not move an inch, too busy staring at him since he started combining his hair.

"I have my dressing spells. Do you want to practice one? I'd be happy to teach you." 

"Oh really? I thought you'd be more interested in undressing me than dressing me again." Yi Chen joked, and Zhu Yan laughed. 

"You're getting better at come back. Shall we go?" Zhu Yan took a few steps forward when Yi Chen stopped him by grabbing his arm. 

"Stay here and get more rest. You need it after everything you endured yesterday. I know you seem good enough for what we did last night, but I can tell you're very weak right now." 

"Xiao Zhuo, I can tolerate weakness, but what I can't bear is you finding yourself alone with a man as sinister as Wen Zongyu, whom I don't trust at all. We started this together, so let's keep it that way until the end."

"I will be in no danger, I promise."

"Xiao Zhuo..."

"Zhu Yan..." They stare at each other for a minute before Zhu Yan sighed in defeat.

"What about something in the middle? I go with you down the mountain and keep my distance when we are close to the meeting place. That way you can go alone, but if they try something, I will be close enough to help."

"Then you come back here to rest, deal?"

"Deal and let's seal it with a kiss..." Zhu Yan suggested as he pull Yi Chen toward him and kiss him nice and slow until they were out of breath.

"We have to go now..." Yi Chen whispered taking the long box that contained the Ever-Burning Wood with one hand and his sword with the other. Zhu Yan led him out of the room toward their next destination on Mount Kunlun while placing his hand on Yi Chen lower back. Of course, they found Pei Si Jing already waiting for them, ready to fight side by side with their commander, which caught Yi Chen's attention when he saw her alone.

"Where's Wen Xiao?" Yi Chen asked as they stooped before leaving for the meeting place.

"Your spell worked too well, and she's still asleep." She told him, and Yi Chen looked at Zhu Yan worriedly. He was new to spells, so perhaps he had overdone it without meaning it.

"Don't worry, I'll go check on her. Pei Si Jing, I'll leave him in your hands. Make sure he doesn't get into trouble."

"Of course."

"You're aware that I can hear both of you perfectly, right?" Yi Chen asked, looking at them both, and Zhu Yan smiled as he put his arm around his lover's shoulders.

"Of course." He winked at him and gave him a light kiss on the cheek before walking back to the room where Wen Xiao was resting peacefully. Although Yi Chen was worried as they descended the mountain, Pei Si Jing was confident that Wen Xiao was fine. She was breathing more regularly than the previous nights, her pulse was steady, and she seemed relaxed despite the pain she was feeling from the poison. She simply slept a little longer or so she believe anyways.

They made their way down the mountain until they were close enough to the rendezvous point for Yi Chen to ask Pei Si Jing to wait for him there, and this time she did so without hesitation, knowing that Zhuo Yi Chen, the demon hunter, commander, and heir of the two strongest demons in existence, was more than capable of taking care of himself, despite their previous teasing. She was only there to support him in case those from Chongwu Camp played too dirty to let it pass.

When Zhuo Yi Chen arrived alone at the foot of the mountain and into the forest, Wen Zongyu and Zhen Mei were already waiting for him, so he walked toward them until Wen Zongyu asked him to stop.

"Did you bring the real thing or just a fake? You don't seem devastated by the death of your... friend, so I doubt that what you got there is real at all." The man said, and Yi Chen opened the box so the two could take a look inside. To his surprise, Wen Zongyu finally came face to face with what he had obsessed over for years.

"The Ever-Burning Wood... I finally have it!" Wen Zongyu exclaimed as he took a step forward, but Yi Chen stopped him.

"It's not yours yet. Where's the antidote?" Yi Chen asked, and the other man took a small bottle out of his long sleeve and showed it to him.

"Put the Ever-Burning Wood there, and then you can have this." Zongyu pointed to a flat stone near Yi Chen, who complied as he slowly approached the rock and placed the box on it. He then took a few step back.

"Give me the antidote!" Yi Chen shouted and the man throw it into the air and just when Yi Chen was about to catch it, someone else did it for him. It was Ao Yin and immediately  Yi Chen went after her.

His expression is one of unwavering determination, his eyes sharp like the edge of his Cloud Light Sword who radiates a bright glow, illuminating his features and will to take the antidote back. Yi Chen lunges forward with swift precision, his sword slicing through the air towards Ao Yin. She evades with remarkable agility, her body twisting in mid-air as she counters with a flurry of slashing strikes aimed at him.

"This is mine now!" Ao Yin taunts, her voice smooth yet laced with menace as she flickers behind him like smoke.

"Dream on!" Yi Chen steadies himself as he replies, turning to face her just in time to block another vicious swipe from her claws. He can feel the power radiating off her like she is as desperate as he is for the antidote, yet only one of them could have it and it was not going to be her.

As their duel escalates, flashes of light illuminate their combat, the Cloud Light Sword gleams brighter against Ao Yin's shadowy figure each time it connects or deflects an attack. They dance through the clearing, each movement punctuated by grunts and gasps with both of them wanting to have the upper hand.

Despite Ao Yin's agility and ferocity, Yi Chen was still the strongest, as not only did he have his sword more powerful than ever, but he also had his own demonic energy that could power his strikes until he finally found an opening and brought her down with a powerful kick. Ao Yin gasped on the ground as pain assaulted her stomach. The antidote had fallen from her hand when Zhuo Yi Chen had first attacked her, and now she was both defeated and without the very thing she risked herself for.

Once he took care of her, Yi Chen focuses on those from the Chongwu Camp and saw Wen Zongyu so transfixed into the Ever-Burning Wood, that he moved forward, boosted by his demonic energy and struck him directly in his heart. Zhen Mei was stunned for a moment before he was about to unsheathe his sword, but Yi Chen was faster and in the blink of an eye, he has his Cloud Light Sword at his neck, while Wen Zongyu agonized trying to reach the deadly fire with his bare hand.

"The Ever-Burning Wood... so close... I can finally have it... it will be... mine... all mine." Wen Zongyu whispered as he crawled on the ground to reach the product of his obsession with ragged gasps. Too late, Yi Chen realized that the man was deluded enough to try to touch it even at death's door.

"Mortals cannot touch it directly! You will burn!" Yi Chen screamed, but the man reached for the fire anyway. To his horror, Wen Zongyu touched it with trembling but determined hands, and in just a few seconds, the man burned intensely as he screamed, turning into black ash on the spot. Yi Chen gulped in terror as he watched the man burn to death, glad that his Zhu Yan was a great demon strong enough to prevent the fire from doing the same to him a long time ago.

Ao Yin was quite affected by that sight as well, but she was there on a mission to save the one she loved, so taking the opportunity that Zhuo Yi Chen was busy with Zhen Mei, she searches for the bottle that contained the antidote and grabs it, opening it to take out the contents in her hands, but to her surprise, nothing came out, nothing at all.

"Where's the antidote?!" She yelled at Zhen Mei in frustration, but the man simply stared at her with a blank expression.

"There's no antidote." He said, and Yi Chen moved his Cloud Light Sword, now with a fierce brilliance, closer to his throat, to the point of drawing blood.

"What do you mean? Do you want to die too?" Yi Chen pressed on, but even with such a powerful sword slicing through his skin, there was nothing he could do to try and save himself.

"The poison in Li Lun, as well as the Goddess Wen Xiao, is incurable. You can kill me now, but that fact will never change, unless someone with demonic energy is willing to absorb the poison into their own body. That's the only way, but it also means that whoever takes the poison will also die eventually." Zhen Mei said, and Yi Chen was once again thrown into a position where he needed to find another way out or die.

Back at Mount Kunlun, Pei Si Jing was following Bai Jiu who suddenly materialized in a whirlwind of leaves and walks towards the entrance, making her leave Zhuo Yi Chen by himself as she is worried that Li Lun would do something against Wen Xiao or even Zhao Yuan Zhou now that he was at his weakest to finally settle the score now that he was going to die.

"Bia Jui!" She shouted openly, hoping her young friend would find a way to escape from his inner prison, but the person who turned to look at her was undoubtedly Li Lun, who was still controlling Bai Jiu's body.

"Wait Pei Si Jing! That's not Bai Jui!" Ying Lei shouted from behind her, but she already knew who he  was. She was just waiting for a reaction that might never come.

"Why are you here? Ao Yin is fighting for your life down the mountain. Why come here now?" She asked, fearing that he was actually looking for Zhao Yuan Zhou.

"Leaves return to their roots, in that respect, mortals and demons are the same. You have no need to worry about me doing anything against you. I can't even take the steps necessary to enter the place where I wish to die..." Li Lun whispered as blood spewed from his mouth and he fell onto the white snow, staining it red.

"Is it really too late for you?" Ying Lei asked sadly, for it pained him to see a dear friend die in front of him and not be able to do anything to prevent it.

"This time is your win... although the death of your friend along with me can also be called your loss." He smiled faintly.

"Then why don't you just give him back already?" Ying Lei asked, as if he was going to see him die, at least he would like to be able to say goodbye.

"If you wanted me to die so badly, it serves you right if you can't get back what you want..." Li Lun said weakly.

"My grandfather should be very disappointed with you in the afterlife." Ying Lei said as he look down at Li Lun who simply sighed.

"Then I will apologize to him when we meet again soon."

"Don't act so conceited, you won't see my grandfather in the afterlife. He was an honorable mountain god who gave his life to save not only the one you wanted to destroy, but the entire Wilderness as well. His soul will rest in a higher plane than yours." Ying Lei corrected him, and Li Lun chuckled.

"That's right..." He whispered, and in a flash of white, a figure rushed toward the fallen young man and held him close. It was Ao Yin, who obviously hadn't obtained the antidote.

"Ao Yin..." Li Lun whispered, using his true eye to allow her to see him as he truly was in his final moments.

"I failed you, my Lord... there was no antidote..." She said, almost sobbing.

"It was an impossible task from the beginning... I should have known Wen Zongyu would not play fair with the demons, when he didn't even spare the goddess." Li Lin barely managed to whisper.

"You're wrong... no matter how much he wanted your death, I won't allow it."

"You have no choice..."

"Yes, I do... you give me freedom when I was in despair and a place to be happy in this cruel world, and in return, I will give you back the life I owe you, as well as my love..." She said, gently kissing Li Lun's forehead and absorbing the poison into her body with her hand at the same time.

"No... what are you doing?" Li Lun protested, trying to take her hand off him.

"Detoxifying you." 

"Stop... I don't need you to do this for me... I accept my fate..."

"But I don't."

"Ao Yin... I said stop..." Li Lun struggled to break free, but was too weak to do so.

"I'll never let you die if I can help it. I should have died a long time ago anyway... dying for you is my wish and my honor." He said as he absorbed the poison faster.

"No! Stop! Stop!" He struggled harder, but she was the one who finally let go of him, as the poison began to take effect in her body and she spat out blood, falling to the snow in her true form.

"Ao Yin! Ao Yin!" This time, Li Lun was the one holding her in his arms with desperate need.

"I'm glad I managed to save you." She smiled at him as she gently placed her hand on his cheek.

"You're not going anywhere, so don't give up now." He whisper as he cover hers with his.

"I'm not a great demon like you, nor a half god like the boy, so the poison will kill me faster, but it doesn't matter... Live well for me, my Lord, remember me as I am... and don't regret anything." She whispered looking at his beautiful face one last time before turning into a cloud of glittering dust in his arms and Li Lun cried and then screamed his heart out before finally fainting.

AN: Thanks for reading darlings and see you next time. Happy Mother's day, by the way to all those who celebrate it on Sunday and even if you don't, happy mother's day!! By the way, does anyone out there knows the name of Bai Jiu's father? If you do, please let me know. Thanks.

Chapter Text

The instant Li Lun fell into the snow, Ying Lei approached him and shook him to see if he would react. However, Bai Jiu's body was completely relaxed, unconscious. Without a second thought, Ying Lei lifted his young friend's light body and carried him to the nearest room he could find within Mount Kunlun. Pei Si Jing initially followed him, but then decided it was prudent to warn the great demon about what had happened and that Bai Jiu was there, still possessed by Li Lun, except now he was free of the poison.

She found Zhao Yuan Zhou still with Wen Xiao. They were talking in low voices, as they always did when they were together, as if whispering secrets to each other. They had no real romantic relationship, but their friendship ran deep, and Pei Si Jing always counted on the great demon to help Wen Xiao when she couldn't. She was about to knock on the door when Wen Xiao's voice told her to come in, and so she did. She found Wen Xiao still in bed and the great demon sitting on the edge.

"What's wrong? Where's Xiao Zhuo?" He asked, hoping they would both return together instead of just her.

"Things didn't go as expected, and we have something urgent to attend to right now," She said, and the great demon abruptly stood up.

"Is Yi Chen alright?" Was the first thing he asked, and despite herself, Pei Si Jing smiled. Of course his first concern would be his handsome lover, and why not? Everyone knew that their relationship was deepening day by day, and there was nothing wrong with that.

"He was fine when I left. The commander can take care of himself. However, Li Lun arrived here just a moment ago and after... something happen, he fainted right outside the main gate. Ying Lei brought him over, but I think you should know before the commander returns. I know there are mixed feelings between you and Li Lun, so this is your only chance to resolve them before Zhuo Yi Chen takes him out of Bai Jiu's body for good with his Cloud Light Sword." She explained and Zhu Yan looked at Wen Xiao for a moment before she nodded in understanding, and he hurriedly left.

"Thank you, Si Jing, for warning him before Xiao Zhuo returned. They may be enemies now, but they were friends for centuries, and that's very hard to forget, even when they're now at odds. Xiao Zhao has a kind soul and doesn't want to kill him without giving him a chance at redemption, just as Xiao Zhuo did to him. This is a good opportunity to clear up misunderstandings and start afresh," Wen Xiao said, and Pei Si Jing nodded.

"How are you? Is your condition worsening?" Pei Si Jing asked, and Wen Xiao invited her to sit where the great demon was while she patted the bed beside her.

"I'm fine, don't worry. Tell me more about Li Lun, what happened to make him faint? Did he succumb to the poison already? Why did he come here?" Asked Wen Xiao in a row, but that made her realize that Ao Yin had told Li Lun something she didn't want to believe and if it was true... then she wasn't sure how Wen Xiao was going to take the news that for her to be saved, either Zhuo Yi Chen or Zhao Yuan Zhou would have to die instead.

She was sure that if both men knew the way to save her from her poison, neither of them would tell the other and choose to sacrifice themselves in silence, when Wen Xiao would hate and regret it for the rest of her life. In that impossible situation, there was no way out without someone dying, and to be honest with herself, she was tired of repeating that same pattern over and over in loop.

Why couldn't they just do what heroes in stories always do? Fight against the evil master, win the war, and have a happy ending? She didn't like tragedies, she already had enough of them, not to mention Wen Xiao, Zhuo Yi Chen, and Zhu Yan. They all deserved a comfortable life, so why was it so damn difficult to achieve something so simple?

ZHU YAN

Ying Lei stood beside Bai Jiu's resting body, observing him with a variety of feelings that Zhu Yan could read like an open book. The little mountain god felt great affection for the young doctor and he was certain that, given more time and a few years, they could even become more than just friends. However, Li Lun's interference was only complicating things more than they should have been and escalating what should have taken its own natural course.

"Little mountain god... what happened?" Zhu Yan asked him, and Ying Lei wasn't sure what to tell him. 

What Li Lun and Ao Yin had inadvertently revealed in their last encounter was a bombshell that could explode in so many ways that it was hard to predict the outcome. He was sure that if he told the great demon what he had witnessed, he would try to take the poison out of Wen Xiao, but also, if Zhuo Yi Chen found out too, then he would do so as well, not wanting his lover to die, as he was already quite determined to avoid that even at the cost of his own life. So what to do, tell him or not? Or maybe it was Wen Xiao who would take things into his own hands? Oh, why was it always so complicated? He thought as Zhu Yan stared at him, already aware that his struggle was not a simple one.

"Ying Lei... if you can't tell me because you're conflicted, I can always take that memory from you. Yi Chen is immune to my spells by my own choice, but that doesn't apply to you." Zhu Yan took the option out of his hands and Ying Lei sighed in true relief. If the great demon forced its way into his memory, whatever happened next was not his fault, so he closed his eyes and let Zhu Yan use a spell on him, taking away that particular memory and seeing it with his own eyes.

"I see... Please don't tell Xiao Zhuo about this and buy me some time if you can. I have unfinished business with Li Lun before he brings Bai Jiu back." Zhu Yan said, and Ying Lei couldn't help but feel guilty.

"You know he doesn't want you to die. He's made that clear more than once." Ying Lei was still trying to convince him.

"I know, but letting him die isn't an option either, is it?" Zhu Yan asked, and Ying Lei looked at him sadly.

"No," he whispered. "But perhaps there is another way... Bai Yi is a great doctor, perhaps when he wakes up, he can make his own antidote."

"Antidotes are complicated... perhaps there aren't any. Not even his mother could find one."

"Zhao Yuan Zhou, this can't be the way this ends. So many have already sacrificed their lives for us to come this far..."

"We don't make the rules..."

"That's funny coming from you. Since when do you let others make the rules for you? Weren't you and the commander going to break your curse? No matter what others think, as a mountain god, I refuse to believe we have no choice but to continue choosing between you and Zhuo Yi Chen. I'm also half demon, half god, so I can remove the poison from her as well."

"You won't, and I'll make sure of it. I already owe your grandfather a debt that I couldn't repay even if I lived another thirty thousand years. Ying Lei, even though I haven't shown it much to you, since you sometimes go too far with my Yi Chen, I assure you that I still care about you. Besides, think how sad Bai Jiu will be if he wakes up and finds you gone. I assure you, he won't be pleased at all, none of us will, and even Yi Chen will agree with me."

"But I don't want either of you to die!" Ying Lei shouted, and Zhu Yan's expression softened with affection.

"Thank you for the offer... truly, it is an honor to have such a caring great mountain god by my side, but you are the old man's grandson, and you have already lost too much..." Zhu Yan moved his hand to form a seal and cast two consecutive spells on Ying Lei, which Ying Lei felt take root deep within his core to ensure the commands will hold.

"Live. Protect." Zhu Yan whispered before turning around and leaving.

Perhaps he had overdone it a bit with Ying Lei, but it was for his own good, and no matter how the situation turned out, he couldn't take any more of old Ying Zhao than he already had, and he was sure that Yi Chen wouldn't mind. Well... since things were already so bad, Zhu Yan headed back to the stone table where he and Yi Chen had shared a drink the night before. It was the perfect place to end one relationship where he had started another, even if the nature of said relationships was different, as he was madly in love with one and felt a little guilty and regretful about the other.

He was sure that once Li Lun woke up, he would go look for him there, as he would make sure of it by releasing what little energy he had left. In his earlier conversation with Wen Xiao, he had told her his plan and she would make sure that the others, including Yi Chen, would follow suit. Once Bai Jiu was free from Li Lun's control, he would spend one more night with his beloved before going to Wen Xiao and transferring the poison to himself. It was not the plan he wished for, but it was the only one he could tolerate, as he would prevent Yi Chen from doing so at all costs.

Therefore, he summoned a Go board with the black and peach polished stones and began arranging them on the board in such a way as to give Li Lun a huge advantage should he wish to exploit it. Zhu Yan knew that no matter what happened, it would be final and Li Lun would either accept his offer or reject it. He preferred for Li Lun to choose redemption, but if he didn't, then it was up to Yi Chen to make him yield.

Li Lun did not take too long to appear and Zhu Yan sat up straight and waited patiently for the young man to sit opposite him and he did so. Once facing each other, Zhu Yan stared at Bai Jiu's face and noticed the huge difference in his appearance under Li Lun's control and the one that most closely matched his personality, which was his own. Everything about that Bai Jiu was dark, from his hair, clothes and energy, it was quite pitiful and he hoped that after today, he would return to normal and annoy Yi Chen to no end. It was always amusing to see Yi Chen's hair being pulled and he even missed the boy's screams.

"Here we are again, Zhu Yan... sitting on opposite sides when, once upon a time, you even gave me your true eye. Isn't that sad?" Li Lun asked as he use it on its rightful owner.

"It is, which proves that life is unpredictable." Zhu Yan said as he look at the real Li Lun. On him, all that darkness felt right and even gave him an air of elegance.

"How long has it been since we played Go so peacefully like this?" Li Lun asked, staring at the board.

"Sad to say, but I don't remember anymore." Zhu Yan whispered.

"Is Zhuo Yi Chen the only thing you remember now?"

"We've never played Go together, so no."

"Oh, I'm sure you have something better to play with him than a boring game."

"True, but I still cherish the old days."

"That's a lie."

"Really? Then why do you think I brought you here?"

"To plot against me. After so much time among humans, you've surely learned their dirty tricks."

"I belong to a team where there's no room for tricks, let alone dirty. As with everything else with life, there is good and evil in every species. The only difference between one and another is the choices you make of your own free will."

"But I never wanted to be like humans, that was your dream, not mine."

"Yet you associate with the very humans you despise and end up alone, inside a child."

"You play your games, so I played mine. In the end, only one of us will win, while the other will lose everything."

"Li Lun... did you forget? It was you who once told me we can draw too." Zhu Yan said softly, tears threatening to spill out.

"Draw?"

"Yes... you still have a chance to make up for it. Part of what you did was my fault, so I'm willing to give you a way out, just like the chance those beside me gave me."

"You were always surrounded by caring friends, you lucky bastard."

"It wasn't luck, but sincerity. You can make true friends too, Li Lun... it's just that your approach isn't right."

"Alright, then tell me how?" At that, Zhu Yan was silent for a moment as tears streamed down his cheeks.

"There is a way... but first you have to leave Bai Jiu's body and let him free." Zhu Yan said, and saw how his old friend felt even more hurt by his words.

"Leave? I don't have another host, so will you give me yours?" Li Lun asked almost spitefully.

"I can't do that..."

"Of course you can't... Zhu Yan, so your idea of my redemption is what? That I die?" He asked as more tears fell from Zhu Yan's eyes.

"Not exactly die, but..."

"Liar! If you had cared for me as much as your current friends, you would never have asked me to die!"

Li Lun, wrapped in his dark robes that billowed around him, exuded an aura of hatred and resentment. His eyes shone with betrayal as he summoned his dark energy, a whirlwind of black and blue smoke emanating from his entire body. With a ferocious shout that echoed off the stone walls, he unleashed a gust toward Zhu Yan. The ground trembled beneath them as the energy collided with the stone table, shattering it into countless fragments that exploded. 

Zhu Yan reacted instantly, his body fluttered into action, dodging the debris flying toward him. He mustered his own dark energy, the remnants of his strength coursing through him like wildfire, hoping it would be enough to withstand Li Lun’s relentless attack until Yi Chen arrive, for he would sense that fight and rush to his side. With every ounce of willpower ignited within him, Zhu Yan counterattacked with swift blasts, each one resonating with a dark red smoke that contrasted sharply with Li Lun’s darkness.

The two exchanged blows in a frenzy of movements, but soon Zhu Yan felt himself fading away under Li Lun’s relentless onslaught. Just as Li Lun’s demonic energy surged forth again, aiming to send Zhu Yan flying into oblivion, Zhu Yan braced for impact as he soared into the air, helpless against the pull of gravity. Suddenly, strong arms caught him just before he touched the ground. Relief assailed Zhu Yan as he spat blood on the floor, but it didn't matter. Yi Chen had arrived and he was glad to be in his safe arms, firmly hold against his chest.

"Zhu Yan! Are you alright?" He heard Yi Chen's worried voice, but he just tried to breathe more easily.

"Did she tell you about the plan?" He asked Yi Chen in a whisper.

"Yes, but..."

"Zhu Yan! You're just a shadow of your former self, no different from a human! You're no longer worthy of being my opponent!" Li Lun shouted, interrupting Yi Chen, making him mad.

"That's fine by me, Li Lun... because from now on, I'll be your opponent." He said defiantly, his gaze raised. There was no fear in his eyes, but anger at Li Lun for having hurt the one he loved so blatantly.

"Be careful Yi Chen... he is strong, but that's Bai Jiu's body." Zhu Yan warned him.

"I know, Wen Xiao... take care of him. Ying Lei, protect them both." Yi Chen said as he left Zhu Yan with her and moved forward, summoning the power of his Cloud Light Sword, which shone brightly in response to his fury. His steely determination shone in his bright eyes, as he prepared to face Li Lun. By his side stood Pei Si Jing, fierce and unwavering. Her hands skillfully nocked an arrow, ready to strike.

When the battle begins, Li Lun unleashes a torrent of demonic energy. With a swift movement, he summons twisted, vines from the cracks in the stone, writhing towards them like animated serpents. Then, he launched a kick to the side, but Zhuo Yi Chen was ready and simply blocked it with his forearm. Pei Si Jing fired her arrow, its trajectory slipping with deadly precision between the triangle of his arms and Bai Jiu's floating body. He wasn't afraid of the arrow, for he trusted her completely, but it was scary of how easily she could have killed someone else.

"Focus on Bai Jiu! I will get you an opening!" She shouts as she exchanged a glance with Zhuo and released more arrow just as vines lashed out toward them. Her arrows flew true and struck Li Lun's sprawling vines one by one.

Li Lun moved like a puff of smoke, his body fluid and agile, dodging Yi Chen's desperate sword strikes. Although, each blow sliced ​​through the air with lethal precision, Li Lun remained elusive, a dark figure intertwined with nature itself. Vines twisted around him, thrumming with life and anticipation, ready to strike at any moment. Yi Chen's heart pounded as he dodged another thrust.

As Yi Chen lunged again in another attempt to at least stop him, Li Lun seized an opportunity. Suddenly, Pai Si Jing screamed, her hand caught in one of the vines. She teetered on the edge of danger as another vine slithered toward her throat like a snake about to strike. Just then, her brother appeared like a storm breaking through the clouds. With swift precision, he drew his sword and slashed at the vine before it could touch her.

“Get back!” He shouted to Pai Si Jing as she stumbled away from danger, her eyes wide in shock but filled with gratitude. Their bond shone brightly in that moment, a reminder that even amidst chaos and fury, family ties were unbreakable.

Meanwhile, Ying Lei stepped forward, chanting softly under his breath and making a seal with his hands. He pointed his hands at Li Lun and summoned a seal that shone with a golden glow. It shone brightly as it expanded, attempting to envelop Li Lun in its containment spell.

But Li Lun wasn't easy to contain either. With a sweep of vines, he momentarily broke Ying Lei's sea, dark energy crackled around him as he responded with gnarled roots that shot out at him. Suddenly, Pei Si Heng leaped forward, deflecting the vines with swift movements befitting a master.

“Focus on freeing Bai Jiu!” Pei Si Heng urged Zhuo Yi Chen as he deflected another attack aimed at Ying Lei. The bond between them was palpable. Each of them fighting to free a dear friend from a cruel prison that had kept him confined for far too long.

Yi Chen seized upon this moment of diversion and charged forward with determination blazing in his eyes. He raised his Cloud Light Sword high above his head, but once again he could not give the killing blow and Li Lun mock him.

"The Bing Yi Sword Technique is powerful, but failing to land the finishing blow is your downfall, Zhuo Yi Chen." Li Lun said with a murderous gleam in his eyes, sending out several vines at once to dispatch him once and for all.

"NO!!!! YI CHEN!!!" Zhu Yan cried in horror at the sight of so many vines about to attack him. He wished he could protect him with his life if necessary, but he couldn't, as his spells were useless against him and he couldn't teleport. However, it was Ying Lei who lunged in front of Zhuo Yi Chen, ready to be stabbed to death. But, to everyone's surprise, all the vines bounced off the reddish barrier that suddenly covered Ying Lei, with the protection Zhu Yan had thrown at him earlier during their previous argument.

"For the heavens, that was so close!" Ying Lei exclaimed as he touched his chest to check if he was unharmed and sighed in relief when he saw that he had no injuries.

"Ying Lei, how...?" Yi Chen asked, but seeing a real opportunity, he pulled Yin Lei closer to quickly whisper his plan in his ear.

"Alright, let's try it!" Ying Lei shouted as he lunged at Li Lun. His barrier activated every time he tried to kill him, causing Li Lun to retreat in fright for the first time, but Pei Si Jing stopped him by shooting more arrows and Pei Si Heng attacking him with his dagger, giving Ying Lei time to catch him in his arms. Once in his hold, he activated the containment spell for insurance, while making sure to keep Bai Jiu glued to his chest.

“Now, Zhuo Yi Chen!” Ying Lei shouted and Yi Chen infused his Cloud Light Sword with the power to extract Li Lun's spirit from Bai Jiu and lunged forward, easily breaking through the containment barrier and stabbing into the young doctor's stomach, just enough to absorb Li Lun's essence into the sword.

Wen Xiao ran toward them with a tree root in his hand, showing it to Li Lun for the first time. The pagoda demon recognized it immediately and subconsciously looked at Zhu Yan in the distance.

"What did you do?!" He screamed, a torrent of blood gushing from his mouth from the exertion of being stabbed with a powerful magic sword that absorbed his essence.

"The pagoda tree is your primordial tree. If you extract your inner core from Bai Jiu's body and transfer it to the root, after cultivating for a hundred years inside the sundial, you will be able to regain your human form in a very short time." Wen Xiao explained, and Zhu Yan approached to finish what he had started.

"I told you I had a way... you were too impatient to listen to me..." Zhu Yan said, approaching Yi Chen for support, which he offered with his free hand.

"Unfortunately for you, you will now be forced to." Yi Chen said as he saw the black and blue energy cover the steel of his sword. Li Lun chuckled.

"Fine, let's draw this time..." Li Lun whispered as he looked directly at Zhu Yan before all his energy was absorbed by the Cloud Light Sword. Then, Yi Chen touched the root in Wen Xiao's hand with the tip of the sword, and the demonic essence was transferred back to its origin.

Bai Jiu's body collapsed onto Ying Lei's, who lifted him in his arms while Yi Chen healed his superficial wound. The mountain god then looked at Zhu Yan.

"I owe you my life and Bai Jiu's. Now I understand why my grandfather gave his life for you. Thank you. My grandfather's sacrifice was not in vain, and I will do my best to honor his wish and help you achieve a happy ending." Ying Lei told him seriously, but Zhu Yan clung even tighter to Yi Chen.

"Do you hear that, Xiao Zhuo? The little mountain god is making advances at me now..."

"Oh, forget what I said, I take it back." Ying Lei almost rolled his eyes and walked away with the person he cared the most right in his arms. The others laughed for a moment, glad that this chapter of their lives was finally over.

AN: Ah, Ying Lei LIVES!! Hurray! I manage to save him, now I need to save Bai Jiu! Another warning that next time Zhu Yan undress Yi Chen he is going all out, no filter! Thanks for reading, until next time take care.

Chapter Text

Since Bai Jiu would soon recover, Ying Lei asked for a celebration to mark the special occasion, even though not all of their problems had been resolved. There was still the matter of the poison in Wen Xiao, but it was a topic most didn't want to address just yet, so Ying Lei made sure to keep them all busy with good food and drinks. 

They sat down at the table, as they had not long ago, and for once, their spirits lifted. They ate and drank while chatting animatedly, until Bai Jiu ran to Yi Chen in a hug, nearly knocking him off his seat, while the young doctor sobbed into his neck.

"Calm down, calm down... it's okay, Xiao Jiu... you're free now..." Whispered Yi Chen as the boy hugged him tighter.

"I hurt you... I hurt all of you..." Whispered Bai Jiu into the crook of his neck as he cried loudly.

Yi Chen wasn't very good at calming others down, let alone someone as dramatic as Bai Jiu. He looked to Zhu Yan for advice, but his great demon only hunched his shoulders. He then turned to Wen Xiao, but she merely smiled at him and raised her cup of wine. His gaze then turned to Ying Lei, almost pleading, and the young mountain god sighed before standing up and gently pulling Bai Jiu away from him. Then, Bai Jiu turned to hug Ying Lei as if his life depended on it, while crying some more.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." Bai Jiu sobbed, and Ying Lei rubbed his back, trying to comfort him.

"It's okay... it wasn't you, and we all know it. In fact, we're happy to have you back, and this celebration is for you. Are you hungry? There's plenty of food, and I even prepared something special for you." Ying Lei gently pulled him away to look at the young man.

"What?" Bai Jiu asked, wiping away his tears.

"Almond cheese, a whole jar. I know it won't be the same as the one your mother made for you, but it's something I put my whole heart into." Ying Lei explained, pointing to the brown jar in the center of the table, as more tears streamed down Bai Jiu's cheeks.

"I... thank you. I'm sure it will be delicious." Bai Jiu smiled as Ying Lei passed the jar to him.

"Sit down and try it... if you don't like it, there are plenty of other things you can eat. I made your favorites."

"No, this is fine." Bai Jiu said, a little embarrassed as he hold the jar close to him like it was a precious thing and Ying Lei's heart fluttered with happiness.

"Xiao Jiu..." Yi Chen whispered his name, and the young doctor turned his head to look at him.

"Yes?"

"Welcome back... we all missed you." Yi Chen told him and Bai Jiu almost screeched in happiness, as he blushed deeply. Ying Lei rubbed his face in utter defeat. The commander was too ruthless, Pei Si Jing thought as she saw the exchange firsthand, while Zhu Yan and Wen Xiao laughed.

They had a great time together, but there was still the task of sending Li Lun's root to the sundial for cultivation, so they agreed to go together and even spend the rest of the night there. Since time passed differently inside the sundial, the time they would spend there would be very little in the real world, so no real harm done.

However, once inside the sundial, they each go their separate ways and agree to meet at dawn. Wen Xiao and Pei Si Jing went off on their own to spend some time together, while Bai Jiu and Ying Lei sought out more adventure, with Ying Lei telling him everything he missed while he was trapped. Zhu Yan and Yi Chen went to Li Lun's birthplace to place his primordial root on the large stone where he had once been imprisoned. Zhu Yan sat there for a moment, quite tired as most of his energy was drained and Yi Chen stood by his side like a ethereal sentinel.

"Why did you confront Li Lun alone, knowing you were in no condition to face him like this? Zhu Yan... I know you have a kind of blind faith in him, from all the years you spent together as friends, but it wasn't going to be the same for him. What if I had arrived a little later..." Yi Chen stopped mid-speech, imagining how disastrous it would have been if he had arrived just a few seconds later, and Zhu Yan, seeing his distress, took his hand and intertwined it with his.

"I know it was a bit risky, but it worked out in the end."

"You tried your best, and you got hurt too."

"Nothing my precious baby dragon can't fix..."

"Don't call me that!" Zhu Yan smiled.

"Okay... sit with me, Yi Chen. I'm a little tired." Hearing his soft request, Yi Chen complied and sat beside him, letting Zhu Yan lean on his body and wrapped him up so that he could rest a little better, his head comfortably resting in the crook of Yi Chen neck.

"Yi Chen, can Wen Xiao's poison really not be detoxified?" Zhu Yan asked in a very low voice, and Yi Chen involuntarily tensed and remained silent for a moment.

"That's what Zhen Mei said. The poison has no antidote." Yi Chen whispered into Zhu Yan's silky hair, not lying, though not completely truthful either. Zhu Yan closed his eyes and suppressed a sigh.

"Then, we can only find another way..." He said, thinking that they were both withholding truths. It wasn't because they didn't care, but because they cared too much, and it was difficult to let go of the person they loved so deeply. However... neither of them was going to let Wen Xiao die like that either. It was an impossible decision, but one Zhu Yan would gladly make, if it meant Yi Chen would live.

"Yi Chen, I love you." It was time to give everything to his beloved dragon. If he absorbed the poison in his current weakened state, he wouldn't survive long. So he swallowed his sadness and promised himself that tonight Zhu Yan would be completely his. If he was going to leave Yi Chen, even if it was because he had no other choice, he would give him something for Yi Chen to remember, a part of him that would remain even after he was gone.

"I love you too, Zhu Yan..." Yi Chen was deep in thought, not unlike Zhu Yan, so they looked at each other before kissing, not with the usual passion, but with tenderness, sweetness, and a deep longing. Then Yi Chen sat Zhu Yan on his lap to deepen the kiss, and when he finished, he help Zhu Yan stand and to walk away with a mission in mind. The same one Zhu Yan had planned.

WEN XIAO/PEI SIJING

It was a cold night, even inside the sundial, but Wen Xiao didn't mind, as her lover held her arm as they strolled through the desert. She had so many things on her mind, but she was glad that at least some of them turned out well, like Ying Lei being saved by the Zhu Yan spell and Bai Jiu returning to them. It was a joyful night, as they celebrated and spent time together not just as a team, but as friends who had overcome hardships, life, and death.

"Wen Xiao... what do you think? You're too quiet, and I'm worried seeing you like this," Pei Si Jin asked, and Wen Xiao smiled sweetly at him.

"It's a good night. I don't want to ruin it with something inevitable," she said, and Pei Si Jing stopped, forcing Wen Xiao to look at her.

"You know what they're hiding from you, right?" Pei Si Jing asked, and Wen Xiao's smile faded.

It's hard not to notice so many people trying to act normal when it's obvious they're looking at me more often than I'd like. Both Xiao Zhuo and Xiao Zhao are pitifully hiding their inner struggle. You can always tell when they want to sacrifice themselves for someone, in this case, me. She admitted, and Pei Si Jing squeezed her hand tightly.

"They care so much about you, I would too if I weren't a mere mortal. If I had a demonic core, I wouldn't hesitate to give my life for yours..." the hunter confessed sincerely, and Wen Xiao was almost moved to tears.

I know you too will join their list of foolish, yet very caring people. I know my destiny, and I don't want to take anyone's life to prolong my own. It's not who I am, it's not why I was chosen to be the next goddess, or what I've been through. It moves me so much to think that so many of you would give your lives for mine, but I don't want you. I won't live knowing that I'm sharing time with someone I love... You understand, right?

It was a cold night, even inside the sundial, but Wen Xiao didn't mind, as her lover held her arm as they strolled through the Wilderness. She had so many things on her mind, but she was glad that at least some of them turned out well, like Ying Lei being saved by the Zhu Yan spell and Bai Jiu returning to them. It was a joyful night, as they celebrated and spent time together not just as a team, but as friends who had overcome hardships, life, and death.

"Wen Xiao... what are you thinking? You're too quiet, and I'm worried seeing you like this." Pei Si Jin asked, and Wen Xiao smiled sweetly at him.

"It's a good night. I don't want to ruin it with something inevitable." She said, and Pei Si Jing stopped, forcing Wen Xiao to look at her.

"You know what they're hiding from you, right?" Pei Si Jing asked, and Wen Xiao's smile faded.

"It's hard not to notice so many people trying to act normal when it's obvious they're looking at me more often than I'd like. Both Xiao Zhuo and Xiao Zhao are trying hard to hide their inner struggle. You can always tell when they want to sacrifice themselves for someone, in this case, me." She admitted, and Pei Si Jing squeezed her hand tightly.

"They care so much about you, I would too if I weren't a mere mortal. If I had a demonic core, I wouldn't hesitate to give my life for yours..." The huntress confessed sincerely, and Wen Xiao was almost moved to tears.

"I know you too will join their list of foolish, yet very caring people. I know my destiny, and I don't want to take anyone's life to prolong my own. It's not who I am, it's not why I was chosen to be the next goddess, nor for what I've live for. It touches me deeply to think that so many of you would give your life for mine, but I don't want you to. It won't be living knowing that I'm borrowing time with the life of someone I love... You understand, right?" Wen Xiao asked and she nodded, then brought Wen Xiao's hand to her lips to kiss it softly.

"Yes. I knew you'd object to them sacrificing themselves for you. You're as noble hearten as the others, and that's why I love you so much..." Pei Si Jing said before cradling Wen Xiao's beautiful face in his hands and kissing her forehead.

"How lovely, Si Jing..." Wen Xiao smiled tenderly.

"Do you want one more?" She asked with an amused, raised eyebrow.

"Sure!" Wen Xiao exclaimed mischievously, and Pei Si Jing placed another kiss on her temple, then on her closed eyes, then on her nose, and finally a soft touch on her lips. It was that warmth and sweetness that broke the dam in Wen Xiao's heart, and, hugging Si Jing tightly, she wept.

"I'm sorry, Si Jing... this should be a happy night but..." Wen Xiao subbed into her chest and Si Jing hold her closer.

"I know is unfair to you... is unfair to all of us to be honest... just let it out Wen Xiao... you deserve it and I am here for you for as long as I can." Si Jing whisper to her ear and Wen Xiao  press them together a little tighter, trying to take Si Jing's warm and empathy like a safe net.

"I'm so glad to have you... it's such a dark time for me..." Wen Xiao was in no mood to hide her true feelings from the one she cared the most.

"And we will do all we can to turn this darkness into something shining. You still with us and so there is still hope." Si Jing said and Wen Xiao smiled, feeling a bit better, but he didn't let go of Pei Si Jing, instead, they look for a place in where to lie down and stayed in each other arms for the rest of the night.

BAI JIU/YING LEI

"Um... Xiao Jiu, can I ask you something without scaring you?" Ying Lei asked as they wandered aimlessly through the Wilderness.

"What's wrong? You've been awfully quiet since we arrived, and you were the one who promised a night of adventure and hidden treasure." Bai Jiu said accusingly.

"Well... I wanted to get away from those two pairs of lovebirds." Ying Lei admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Which two pairs of lovebirds? What are you talking about?" Bai Jiu asked sincerely, and Ying Lei smiled mischievously.

"I guess you were away for a while, huh? You see... after you broke Zhuo Yi Chen's sword... I mean, Li Lun, his life was in grave danger, and that's why one thing led to another. In short, the great demon Zhu Yan and commander Zhuo Yi Chen confessed to each other and even kissed a few times... not that you want to witness it, it's... awkward, even though they're both handsome, but..."

"What??? They are what???"

"Yeah... it caught me off guard too, and..."

"I'm dead!!! I hug Xiao Zhuo in front of the great demon!! He's going to kill me!! I know he's very possessive, and my Xiao Zhuo... I'm doom..." The young man panicked, and Ying Lei laughed as he realized it was the usual Bai Jiu, all dramatic and afraid of Zhu Yan.

"It's okay, he knows you're just a kid, so there's no need to worry about him. I, on the other hand, have been warned not to get too close to the commander."

"You dared!?" Bai Jiu looked at him suspiciously. 

"Of course not! Good heavens! I value my life more than that. Anyway, let's not get off topic. The point is, as we already told you, the commander is now a great demon, most likely a dragon with a demonic core. Li Lun poisoned the Baize's token, and now Wen Xiao is also poisoned with the same thing as you were, and the only way to extract the poison is for someone with demonic energy to absorb it into their body... which is what both of our great demons are planning to do on their own."

"What!? And now you're telling me this!? What's wrong with you? I need to check on her and..."

"Then you can prepare an antidote for her? Because... you know how those two great demons are, one is already in love with death, and the other is too noble to let it pass..."

"Oh, no. No one will die under my care, much less the man I admire the most! This is all my fault, so yes! I'll prepare an antidote or die trying! You'll see... where are they?" Bai Jiu asked, looking around, completely lost. 

"This way, young master..." Ying Lei pointed humorously and somewhat reverently, causing Bai Jiu to raise his chin, like a child of noble birth, and walk in that direction with a smiling Ying Lei behind him.

EXPLICIT 🔥🔥🔥 ZHU YAN/YI CHEN 🔥🔥🔥CONTENT

There were rooms in the place where they fought with Cheng Huang, and Yi Chen opened the door of one of them to let Zhu Yan in. The room was already illuminated by the soft glow of candles, giving the place an atmosphere of warmth and a scent of immeasurable love. That part of the sundial's memories was empty, so they were alone until morning came, when they had to make difficult choices.

However, this night, for both Zhu Yan and Yi Chen, was a night of surrender, of offering themselves without limits, without boundaries, without secrets, just two souls united, two hearts beating as one, two bodies sharing more than physical contact, feelings as deep as oceans.

Tonight, the air crackled with unspoken desire, an electric tension that shimmered in the space between them. Zhu Yan, radiated an aura of mystery and allure, his tall, slender form barely contained within the elegant folds of his dark robes. His long, gray and black hair cascaded around him like a waterfall of silk, framing a face that could only be described as otherworldly.

Yi Chen, exuded an ethereal beauty, his dark blue eyes glinting like sapphires under the soft glow of the candles. His long, black hair framed his angular face in a way that accentuated his sharp features, a perfect counterpoint to Zhu Yan ancient grace. Zhu Yan turned toward him, his dark eyes already showing hints of red reflecting the dim light, and the corner of his mouth curled into a knowing smile.

"Tell me what you want, Yi Chen, because I want to show you, how much I love you. Not just with words, but with every touch, every kiss... every whisper of your name." He murmured, his voice smooth as silk but laced with an urgency that sent a shiver down Zhuo Yi Chen's spine. He was aware of the importance of what was going to happen and he want it.

"You're not the only one who wants to show how much love you feel. I want to do the same, and I want this to be special. Something we haven't done before, something much deeper. I want to go beyond exploration... to bond." The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Zhu Yan's expression shifted, the love in his eyes deepening into something more profound, because Yi Chen was ready to claim him.

"I am at your mercy." Zhu Yan whisper far too close to his ear, his voice low and inviting, the promise resonating between them like a heartbeat.

With newfound resolve, Yi Chen leaned in, capturing Zhu Yan's lips with his own in a passionate kiss. It was a kiss that spoke of hunger and longing, a deep seated yearning that had been building for far too long. Zhu Yan responded with equal fervor, his hands finding their way to Yi Chen's waist, pulling him closer until there was no space left between their bodies.

Yi Chen was delighted with the sensation, his heart racing as he pressed against Zhu Yan hard body. The taste of him was intoxicating, sweet and smoky, like the finest wine. As their mouths moved together, he felt their souls intertwine, the barriers that once separated them dissolving into the night.

However, Yi Chen craved more than just kisses. The fire within him blazed hotter and he found himself pushing Zhu Yan into the nearby bed, his hands pinning his wrists above his head. Zhu Yan's body arched beneath Yi Chen, his breath coming in short gasps as Yi Chen's lips trailed down his neck, leaving a path of fire in their wake. Then, he found Zhu Yan's nipple, sucking and nipping at the sensitive bud, causing his great demon to moan in pleasure and his hands to tangled in Yi Chen's hair, guiding him lower, his body aching with need. Yi Chen's lips trailed a path down his stomach, his tongue dipping into his navel before continuing lower.

Yi Chen's fingers tease the waistband of Zhu Yan's pants and his hips bucked upwards, seeking more contact, his body aching for release. Then his hand slipped beneath the waistband, wrapping around Zhu Yan's hard length, making him groan, his hips jerking upwards as Yi Chen began to stroke him, his thumb teasing the sensitive head. Zhu Yan's hands grabbed the sheets as he shiver with the intensity of the sensation, the hand of his beloved set in giving him everything he wanted and more. Then Yi Chen strokes became faster and harder and Zhu Yan was a mess under his young lover teasing, to a point he wanted to bite something, anything in where he could hide the building growl of the beast he was deep inside, his primordial spirit.

"That's the way..." Zhu Yan said between gasp, but Yi Chen wanted to give him more to enjoy, so he pull off his pants completely as well as all his clothes and send them flying to the floor.

Zhu Yan's cock stood proud and hard, a bead of pearly liquid glistening at the tip. Yi Chen's eyes met Zhu Yan's, for approval, but his great demon was already lost in pleasure, so he took the length into his hand and mouth, his tongue swirling around the sensitive head. Zhu Yan's hips bucked, a gasp escaping his lips as he took him deeper, his throat constricting around the head of his cock.

A little more teasing and Zhu Yan mix of gasps and even growls make him built his own desire harder. He wanted to give Zhu Yan everything, to show him the depths of his feelings, to make him feel cherished and adored. Zhu Yan's hands gripped the sheets into fists, his body writhing with pleasure as Yi Chen's mouth worked him slowly, his tongue and lips driving him to the brink of madness. He could feel the pressure building, his body tensing as he neared the edge.

"Yi Chen.. you are too good." Zhu Yan moaned and he finally pulled back, gazing into Zhu Yan's eyes, which shimmered with something raw and primal.

"Tell me what you want." Yi Chen whispered, his voice thick with expectation. Zhu Yan's lips curled into a sensual smile and a glimmer of mischief dancing in his eyes.

"I want you to take me, Yi Chen. Show me how deep your love runs." The words sent a jolt of electricity through Yi Chen, igniting a fire that consumed him whole.

He nodded, his heart racing as he shifted his weight, positioning himself above Zhu Yan. Their eyes locked, and in that moment, a silent agreement passed between them, a promise of an impeding sacrifice, of surrendering to the passions that bound them. Then Yi Chen, guided by instinct, gently parted Zhu Yan's legs to have better access and very carefully push one finger in, just to see how his great demon will take it.

"Oh, yes, that's it." Zhu Yan praise him, the thrill of submission glimmering in his eyes and Yi Chen flushed, then leaned down, capturing Zhu Yan's lips once more, their mouths moving in a fervent rhythm, a dance of dominance and surrender. With each kiss, he felt himself slipping deeper into the abyss of their shared connection. Zhu Yan could feel Yi Chen's own hard length pressing against his stomach, and he longed to feel it inside him. He wanted Yi Chen inside him, filling him, making him whole. With a soft moan, he pushed back, his body opening up to Yi Chen's cock.

Yi Chen's breath hitched as he positioned himself in between his great demon legs, his silky long hair brushing against Zhu Yan's thighs. He reached his cock and guide it to his entrance, wetting it his his own precum while Zhu Yan watched, his breath hard as Yi Chen entered him slowly, their eyes never leaving each other's, their bodies moving in perfect sync. Zhu Yan moaned softly, his body stretching to accommodate Yi Chen's size, the sensation was initially painful, but only for a short moment, then it became what he expected, a swirl of exquisite pleasure of feeling him inside, hot and hard, throbbing with the new sensation.

"Oh gods..." Yi Chen gasped as he felt Zhu Yan's tight heat envelop him and his eyes fluttered shut, a low growl of his own, raw and even dragon-like escaping his lips as Zhu Yan grabbed Yi Chen's back filled with soft hair, wanting for him to give him everything he had. Then Yi Chen start to move inside him, slowly and carefully, allowing both of them to adjust and feel. There was no rush and what they were sharing was far too important.

"Yi Chen... Yi Chen..." Zhu Yan could feel every trust deep inside him, but also Yi Chen's care and caution not to hurt him, which he wasn't, so he help him and his hands went to Yi Chen's hips, helping him set the pace, urging to move faster, to let go of his restrain and enjoy.

"More... don't hold back." Zhu Yan whisper and Yi Chen obeyed, giving himself to what he wanted and the rhythm grew faster, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps. The pleasure was intense for Zhu Yan too, a wave of heat and desire that threatened to consume him. He could feel his orgasm about to spiral up, his cock harder than ever under the pressure of Yi Chen's weight over him. Then Yi Chen reached him as he moved, wrapping his hand around Zhu Yan's cock and stroking it in time with his own movements.

"Zhu Yan... I love you..." Yi Chen said as his eyes brighten, his skin filling with more ice tattoos, running down his chest, his arms, his navel, his hips and legs, all glowing with the intensity of their feelings for each other. Zhu Yan almost came when he felt something else inside him, a soft caress on his inner core, then a healing energy enveloping him, filling him, trying to mend what was broken. Then his heart almost burst with something warm, a mark invisible to the naked eye, but binding him to the man he loved, sharing his feelings as well as his own. Zhu Yan arched his body with a kind of pleasure he couldn't bear, it was too strong. Yi Chen had claim him and a part of him was now merged within himself.

"I'm coming." Zhu Yan panted, his eyes shining red with pleasure in response of his claiming, they were one now. Yi Chen nodded, his own orgasm barreling down on him.

With a final, desperate fast trust, Yi Chen came, his hot seed spilling inside Zhu Yan while shivering as he did it with a low growl. The sight of it, coupled with the feeling of Yi Chen's tight heat milking his cock, sent Zhu Yan over the edge. He came hard, his seed filling Yi Chen's hand like a fountain.

Then, Yi Chen collapsed onto Zhu Yan's chest, his breath hot and heavy against his neck. His ice tattoos starting to fade, leaving only the ones on his neck. Satisfy, Yi Chen wrapped his arms around his great demon, holding him close as their hearts slowly returned to normal. He could feel the bond pulsing in his core, the acceptance, the merge of their two souls, the mark he had left on Zhu Yan's heart, the essence he released into Zhu Yan's own core, a protection against his inner demon, his way to avoid him to get out of control even in blood moons.

"That was... incredible and you claim me." Zhu Yan murmured, pressing a kiss to Yi Chen's temple and Yi Chen chuckled, lifting his head to meet Zhu Yan's gaze.

"I did... you are mine now." Zhu Yan laughed softly as he place a hand over his core.

"I am and you left me something cute too." Zhu Yan said and Yi Chen frowned.

"Cute? I thought it was all quite passionate, I fail if you only find it cute..." He pouted and Zhu Yan laughed.

"Don't worry, my passionate soulmate. What you did with me is beyond what I expected. What I mean is that the essence you left in me took shape and now is a very tinny cute baby dragon."

"A dragon? That's kind of..."

"Cute?" Zhu Yan insisted.

"Odd. I mean I am a dragon, but I haven't even take my true form yet..."

"Well, now I have a guess and let me tell you, I love it. He is curling around my inner core, trying his best to heal it... but since it's a slow process giving he is the size of coin, he got frustrated and is now liking it. It's too cute!" Zhu Yan laughed and Yi Chen smiled.

"Glad you like it then."

"It's your gift, your protection for me, your love and desire to mend me."

"Can he do it?"

"With time, yes. He takes energy from you and use it on me, but he is so tiny..."

"It doesn't matter, if this tiny dragon is as stubborn as me, then he will succeed."

"I think he will, I already feel better than before, stronger even... thank you." Zhu Yan moved to kiss him one more time.

"By the way, dragon instincts are powerful... I love it all... and now I am quite invigorated." Zhu Yan whisper as he mischievously traced one hand down Yi Chen's naked chest.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I know I did." Yi Chen whisper as he closed his eyes, feeling Zhu Yan's hand go lower.

"How about we do it again, but this time, I'm on top?" Yi Chen open his eyes, bright with renewed desire once more, and he nodded.

"Deal." And so, they did and after they finish, they lay down in bed wrapped in each other arms.

AN: Some bonding and a little love here and there and a mayor one. I hope you like it, the last two pictures of Yi Chen baby dragon protecting Zhu Yan's core. How cute! Until next time, please take care.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Zhuo Yi Chen awoke from his slumber, wrapped in Zhu Yan's arm, completely rested and feeling the presence of his great demon in every breath he took. The union of their souls allowed him to do so and he could tell that Zhu Yan's health was improving, more so than he thought, which was good. However, it also meant that they were bound together in such a way that it was impossible to untangle them. Of course he did not regret bonding with Zhu Yan, because saying so was a blatant lie, but it made him feel guilty for Wen Xiao, because if he absorbed her poison as they were now, united in body and soul, it meant that the poison would affect not only him, but also Zhu Yan, so if he died, his great demon will soon follow.

"Xiao Zhuo, you're worrying so much so early in the morning... I know this soul bonding was unexpected, but it was inevitable. We were both planning to sacrifice ourselves for each other, and a higher power overruled our decisions..." Zhu Yan told him as he gently brushed Yi Chen's long hair down his bare back with his fingers.

"She doesn't deserve to die... If there's a higher power that prevents us from sacrificing our lives, why not save hers too? She's suffered so much, this isn't how I picture the fate of a goddess, especially one already willing to die for the world... It's... it's..."

"It's not fair, I know, Yi Chen. I may not be in love with her, but I still care for her as much as her master... but right now, I can't help her no matter how much I want to, even when your baby dragon is doing its best to restore my core... I'm sorry..."

"Zhu Yan... don't be sorry... You've already sacrificed too much for all of us. It's me who is sorry for not being able to help her now that she needs it the most. I feel so... so useless."

"That's not true... Yi Chen..." He made Yi Chen look up at him.

"Don't say that again, you're not useless. Maybe I can absorb the poison, and then you can try extracting it with the Cloud Light Sword, like you did with the Ever-Burning Fire and Li Lun with Bai Jiu..."

"Will something like that work? It's poison..."

"Yes, but I'm sure that kind of poison might have traces of demonic energy, they love to use demon blood on most of what they do, and if it does, you can purify it."

"That's too risky, and I've already stabbed you more times than I'd like. It may not even work and you are still recovering, I'll absorb it myself and..."

"What? Stab yourself? That's even riskier... and only you can use the Cloud Light Sword. No, I won't allow it."

"Then what? I'm not letting you die..."

"Xiao Zhuo..."

"I said I won't let you and that's final. I have a spell that can detoxify her... it's just I'm not strong enough to cast it yet, my cultivation is too low right now, and by the time I can, it will be too late."

"What spell?" Zhu Yan asked as he stared at his lover in alarm.

"One that Ying Long teach me..."

"Ying Long's power is creation. What kind of spell did he teach you that requires strong cultivation? Xiao Zhu, you must be careful, he is just like I was before I met you and if I'm not allowed to die, then so do you, because..." But the rest of the words were lost into the kiss Yi Chen give him, making him forget about warning him about demons with death wishes and the deadly consequences  they could bring.

"You worry too much..." Yi Chen whisper in between kisses and Zhu Yan melted into every single one of them. Then they left their bed and head out to their meeting place and wait for the others to show up while holding hands.

Pei Si Jing and Wen Xiao arrived first. They stood very close, while also holding hands, and both Yi Chen and Zhu Yan felt guilty for not having found a viable way to detoxify her. However, Wen Xiao looked at them as if seeing them in a completely new light.

"What's wrong?" Asked Zhuo Yi Chen, tilting his head.

"Xiao Zhuo... I know it's impolite and improper to ask what you're doing when you're alone with the great demon, but... it's just..." She faltered, unsure whether to burst out laughing or simply hold it back.

"What?" Yi Chen persisted, blushing slightly.

"You both radiate some kind of intertwined energy." Pei Si Jing said for Wen Xiao, which cover her mouth with her sleeve.

"What? We are not!" Rebutted Yi Chen, looking down at himself, then at his great demon which snicker at him.

"Do we shine in your eyes, goddess?" The great demon asked Wen Xiao, who was still trying to contain her laughter. 

"You are, quite a lot." She said.

"It is the soul bonding. For a while it will change the way others see us. Don't panic, Xiao Zhuo, it will disappear soon enough and it's the prof I am all yours." Zhu Yan mocked Yi Chen, who blushed instantly.

"You shameless monkey..."

"Soul bonding? Never hear of that." Pei Si Jing admitted as she look at Wen Xiao, to see if she knew about the term.

"Soul bonding is how dragons claim their mates for eternity. Even upon death, in their next life their souls will reunite and fall in love again, even if they end up sworn enemies in that life. Just as they were at the beginning of this one. I wonder if it's a coincidence or if this isn't their first soul bonding to begin with." Wen Xiao ponder in the way those two have started their relationship as enemies, yet they end up as deep lovers.

"I think the first soul bonding start with Bing Yi and Ying Long..." Zhu Yan suggested and to Wen Xiao it make perfect sense.

"It's a very deep way to declare love, but you both should know that it also have consequences." Wen Xiao looked at Yi Chen, doubting he was aware of what he had sign himself in.

"He knows... we're connected in body and soul. There's no way around it, nor can we undo it either, which leaves us with only one thing left to say. I'm so sorry, Wen Xiao... we both wanted to free you from the poison, but... well, even though Yi Chen is so young, he wishes to give me something so special that he ended up calming me in his dragon way without realizing it, and I accept it with an open heart. Now I can't risk his life along with mine and neither can he..." Zhu Yan looked at her with genuine sadness reflected in his eyes, as did Yi Chen beside him, who seemed ready to kneel and beg for forgiveness, which of course was quite unnecessary. She smiled at them.

"You don't need to apologize, Xiao Zhou, it's not your style nor is it necessary. Even if both of you could absorb the poison inside me, I wouldn't allow it. You both mean so much to me, so why would I let you die in my place? Do you think I will have the courage to go on living with such a weight on my shoulders? You both should know better than to try something I will never agree to, and if it is my destiny, no matter how hard it is to accept, I will be no less than my Master and the first goddess. Whatever happens, I will do my best to keep going until I can go no further."

"Wen Xiao..." Zhuo Yi Chen was already at the border of tears after hearing such raw heartbreaking feelings.

"No, Xiao Zhuo. I know how noble you are, and you've already proven that you'll sacrifice yourself, not just for me, but for all of us. I'm so grateful that you're still willing to do it again for me, but you see..." She walked over to him and took his hand. 

"You have something to live for now, someone you chose with such desire that you joined your life with his, and that is very precious, very special, and deserving of the greatest honor. He loves you too, you know? So much that he'd even burn himself for you... It's such a beautiful love that even I envy you, so don't try to ruin it now with something I didn't ask for or want. Value yourself more, because you are special too. Bai Jiu admires you as his older brother and so does Ying Lei, Pei Si Jing respects you as an honorable, upright man and commander of the demon hunters, you are the reason the great demon wishes to live after courting death for so long and I... I am your proud aunt and you are my adorable and handsome nephew who I want to be happy because you deserve it so much..." Just at that moment, Yi Chen couldn't hold himself back and hugged her while crying along with her.

"I'm sorry Wen Xiao... I'm so sorry... I fail you..." At such a scene, even Pei Si Jing shed tears and Zhu Yan had to take a deeper breath to hold it in, just as he could feel every overwhelming feeling Yi Chen experienced when he hug Wen Xiao, as if they were his own. He could feel his guilt for failing her when she needed him most, his fear of losing her, his frustration at not being able to do more even though he was now a great demon in full bloom, and his deep sadness at how she could die at any moment. At such a sight, Bai Jiu and Ying Lei walked over to meet them, but they remained silent, watching two old friends comforting each other in the face of adversity. 

Bai Jiu was unaware of what the others had shared to get to this point, but it broke his heart to see not only Wen Xiao, but also his beloved big brother Zhuo Yi Chen suffer, and he vowed to himself to find a cure for the goddess, for she did not deserve the fate that he had played a part in, even if it was against his will and the two great demons had already made enough sacrifices. This time it was up to him, and he was determined to make it up to her for his many failures in the past, as well as the others.

They let them cry until Wen Xiao separated from Yi Chen and gently wiped away his silent tears. Then she smiled at him, considering it unfair, as her handsome nephew still looked gorgeous after crying while she was a complete mess.

"Let's go back, Xiao Zhuo..." She said, taking his arm and he nodded, looking at Zhu Yan, who gladly offered his arms to Wen Xiao to better support her. Then they left the sundial to return to the observatory.

It was a beautiful day outside the sundial, and the view of Tiandu City was as beautiful as ever, but soon, someone called Wen Xiao, and everyone turned to see Bai Yan walking toward them hurriedly.

"Mom! What's wrong?" Bai Jiu also rushed to greet her.

"It's the people of Tiandu. They're in trouble. You must seal the city immediately." She said, and Wen Xiao and Zhu Yan looked at each other.

"Why? What's going on?" Wen Xiao asked as she approached.

"It's the plague... it's spread throughout the city and must be contained as soon as possible." Bai Yan explained, and seeing the urgency of the request and having experienced one not long ago, Wen Xiao, as the Baize goddess, sprang into action with Zhu Yan. With their combined power, they sealed the city, and Wen Xiao used her golden eyes to see if the plague was the work of some demon, but she saw nothing like it, not even traces of evil energy.

"There's nothing..." She said just before spitting out some blood. Pei Si Jing immediately approached her, holding her firmly and carefully wiping the blood from her mouth, looking at her with deep worry, yet she remained silent.

"Are you okay?" Asked Zhu Yan, but she shook her head.

"It's nothing... don't worry. I can still hold on for a little longer and we have work to do in town, with our people." She said weakly.

"I'm going to check on you, but we should go back to the city and see what's going on first. We already have a formula for one type of plague, and if it's the same, it'll be a matter of gathering the ingredients." Bai Jiu urged them, and they returned to the city with Ying Lei's portal, to investigate what was going on there during their absence.

AN: Thanks for reading. I leave it here, because the next chapters are more likely to be very long, so I hope you don't mind. See you next time, please take care.

Is anyone interested in another Zhu Yan/Zhuo Yichen story? A full Alternative Universe?  I'm debating myself into publish it now or wait until I have several chapters done. Let me know your thoughts.

At the beginning of time, in a long struggle between gods and demons, a rift opened in the human world, causing the human and demon realms to converge, wreaking chaos to humanity. To survive, humans were forced to fight the demons with a force of their own, and thus the Demon Hunting Bureau was born, comprised of the most talented men and women, with equally powerful skills to combat the threats of the demon world. 

Zhuo Yichen is a skilled young demon hunter, blessed with the blood of a dragon god, and his mission is to eliminate all demons to keep their cities safe. Zhu Yan is the strongest demon, blessed with the blood of a demon god, and his mission is a mystery that baffles hunters, as he was not really conquering the human world despite his overwhelming power, yet not fully stooping demons from crossing to their side. However, after a fierce encounter with Zhuo Yichen in the Forest of Convergence, when something unexpected threatened both realms, everything changed. Now he not only needed to join forces with Zhuo Yichen, but also fall in love with him as they grew closer. Fantasy AU.

Chapter Text

Once in the city and having a close look at to what was happening, they all knew that they have their hands full with that plague that giving the magnitude of it, could not be anything else than planned for some malicious reason. 

It was clear that everything pointed towards the Chongwu Camp, but there was no real time to delve into the creation of evil by malicious men, because the people of Tiandu were suffering and they had nothing to do with one side or the other, so they focused on searching for the cause of the plague and how it could be cured once they found the source.

Zhu Yan, Zhuo Yi Chen, Ying Lei, and Pei Sijing went out to search for clues about the cause of the disease and its rapid spread. Bai Jiu stayed behind at the Bureau to first check on Wen Xiao and see if he could find a way to detoxify and save her. He wasn't called a genius for nothing, and he couldn't let down either Wen Xiao or his beloved Zhuo Yi Chen, who had expected great things from him by choosing him for his team. It was about time he proved his worth and did something to turn things around once and for all.

"How is it?" Wen Xiao asked as he took her pulse, and he sighed.

"I will not lie to you, it's not good. This poison is the product of a twisted mind, but since I've studied with him for many years, even if I've never seen his true self, I know his ways." Bai Jiu told her, and Wen Xiao didn't know if it was good or bad.

"Can it be detoxified?" She asked.

"Yes and no. There's demon blood mixed with poisonous herbs. I can make an antidote for the toxic herbs he used in the mixture, but I don't know how the demon blood he used detoxifies. I have no experience with demon blood uses, but that doesn't mean I can't work around it. Don't worry... I'll think of something, but in the meantime, I'll make something to detoxify you, at least partially." Bai Jiu promised her and Wen Xiao was relieved that at least she wasn't going to die in the next few hours, as even if she couldn't be fully cured, it would at least give them time to find another way.

"Thank you, Xiao Jiu. Even so young, you're an amazing doctor." She praised him, but Bai Jiu didn't think he deserved it. It was because of him that she was poisoned in the first place, and just as nothing could change the fact that the great demon Zhu Yan killed the demon hunters on Mount Kunlun that bloody moon night, including Zhuo Yi Chen's brother and father, nothing could change the fact that he was the one who poisoned Wen Xiao and nearly killed both his beloved Xiao Zhuo and Ying Lei, not to mention the great harm he inflicted in Zhu Yan.

"Take some rest for now and when the medicine is ready, I will look for you." He suggested, but Wen Xiao could not just lie in bed when there was so much work to do around and so many people ill inside the Bureau too.

"I will check on father's condition and then yours, since I am already poison, I'm better suited to tend them until you can figure out how to cure this plague." She offered and Bai Jiu assented in gratitude.

"I promise it will not take too long. We will save the people of Tiandu as well as those we love. Don't over do it, though you need rest too." Bai Jiu warned her, but she just smiled and then left to tend the people they care for.

Zhu Yan used the newly recovered energy from his bond with Yi Chen to try to locate the source of the plague, as it must surely be the work of a demon if it did indeed involve Chongwu Camp, and was pleased to discover that despite not being in his previous best form, both his physical exchange with Yi Chen and the essence he left within him were working wonders on his damaged core. His little dragon, aside from being a cute little thing, was quite the hard worker, just like the one he belonged to.

"I got it Yi Chen, follow me." Zhu Yan said as he walked without hesitation toward where he pick the trace of the scent of a demon that shouldn't be around. The mere thought that it might still be nearby, in who knows what twisted and impossible form, was sad and more heartbreaking than his death.

"What's wrong? Is it a demon on the loose?" Yi Chen asked, and Zhu Yuan wished he could answer with a yes, but the reality was different.

"It's not loose, but it will definitely haunt us, if it really is who I think it is." Zhu Yan replied, further piquing Yi Chen's curiosity as he kept up with his hurried pace.

"Who?" He asked, and Zhu Yan turned his head to look at him for a second before answering.

"Fei." The great demon respond, and Zhuo Yi Chen stopped in his tracks, surprised to hear that name after his core turned to glittering dust in the wind.

"You're joking, right?" Yi Chen asked, as he fell in step with his great demon once again.

"No. It's his scent... not all of it though. It's mixed with something else, something I don't know exactly what it is... but maybe Bai Jiu does know. The Chongwu Camp may have kept many things from him in the past, but he is smart and talented. The rest is up to him, but I'm sure he'll find a way to deal with this like he did in the past." Zhu Yan said, and the two of them walked into one of the houses at one side of the city.

Inside was a small family consisting of a child and a mother, both bedridden from an illness they couldn't cure. But Yi Chen couldn't leave them like that, so he used his demonic energy to at least alleviate their symptoms so they could rest better. Zhu Yan did the same to the child and took away the big sachet the boy was holding with all his strength. It was a cruel sight to see a child's innocence been used for such a great evil and it anger Zhu Yan as much as it did Yi Chen.

"Is it there?" Yi Chen asked when they finished tending the family and left the house.

"Yes. There's blood inside. Fei's blood."

"That should be impossible. We both saw Fei disappear without a trace."

"I agree it should be impossible, but with the evil way Camp Chongwu operates, I don't think that impossible applies to them anymore."

"But this kind of thing is too much to be overlooked even by King Xiang. This is no different than suicide. Why go to such lengths?" Asked Yi Chen as they walked back to the agreed meeting place with Pei Si Jing and Ying Lei before returning to the Bureau.

"I think they don't care about human rules anymore, which makes me suspect even more that Wen Zongyu isn't dead at all."

"But I saw him burn to ashes with my own eyes, and by the fire of the Ever-Burning Wood, no less. That can't be faked."

True... but they've been creating demons left and right, without remorse or fear of the consequences. That only means one thing, Chongwu Camp in Wen Zongyu's hands is merely a means to an end, a way to put his obsessive desire for revenge into action, and he will stop at nothing to achieve it, even if he becomes the very thing he hates. So tell me, what kind of bird can rise from its ashes?" Zhu Yan asked, and Yi Chen gasped in astonishment.

"A phoenix! But obtaining a phoenix core should be even more impossible. There are very rare, practically gone for centuries and only living in old legends."

"Not if a blind dragon princess was involved. She probably gave him the phoenix pearl she possessed. Her blind love had no room to doubt her beloved until she realized he was using her to force her to give him her scale to save his wife. That idiot gave that monster the means to become even more powerful. Let's return quickly, Xiao Zhuo... we need to make serious plans and treat this plague as an act of treason against humanity." Zhu Yan quickened his pace even further to regroup with the rest of the team as soon as possible.

Soon after, everyone came before Bai Jiu, handed him the sachet, and told him about their assumptions and findings, which was a lot for a child to take on in one go, yet he paced back and forth trying to see the bigger picture, so as not to fall for the trick that had been set up to trap them.

"I'm sure they caused this plague to force us to do something, but what's the catch?" Ying Lei asked the group as he mimicked Bai Jiu, walking in the opposite direction of the young doctor, and they eventually collided.

"Stop that you idiot, I'm trying to do some serious thinking here." Bai Jiu protested, and Ying Lei opted to sit by the koi pond with Pei Si Jing.

"They obviously want us to try to save people, it's the only reasonable explanation to involve an entire city in their plans." Yi Chen reason.

"Yes, but why? Assuming there's a cure, and Bai Jiu has to find it and use it to cure people... then what's the point of making them sick?" Pei Si Jing asked, and in that instant, everyone understood the answer and shouted in unison.

"Ingredients!" 

"They want us to use a particular ingredient... but I... haven't studied the plague yet. What kind of harmful ingredients do they want me to give them?" Bai Jiu asked nervously and Yi Chen approached his younger brother and placed his hands on his shoulders.

"So far, they've used demon blood, or something related. Whatever it is, the Cloud Light Sword can easily find it, we got this." Yi Chen told him with a doting smile, which made him even more nervous, as the great demon was looking at him as if it wanted to eat him. Bai Jiu gulped and smiled shyly back, which Zhu Yan found amusing. The boy was too easy to tease.

"Let's go to Bai Jiu's work clinic first and test the ingredients. If they were going to use them to take down this city, they should have already made them available at any time." Pei Si Jing suggested, and everyone headed there to check if she had guessed correctly.

Yi Chen stood, pointing the hilt of his Cloud Light Sword at the long wooden cabinet and its numerous boxes, one by one, until he finally got a bright reaction with one of them right in the center. Bai Jiu checked the name of that particular box and it was not so surprising to the young doctor, to find out that it was the paralysis fruit that Wen Zongyu had developed by himself.

"I should have known it would be the one he had me use to seal the great demon's sense of smell. This plague spreads by fragrance, which is why it stinks so much. Of course, in time, I'll remember it and use it to stop the spread, sealing people's sense of smell and treating the other symptoms like I did with the true Fei's previous plague." Bai Jiu explained, but as Yi Chen brought the sword closer to the box and the glow also intensified.

"It's more than that, for this strong reaction of the Cloud Light Sword, it's as if I'm standing in front of a powerful demon." Yi Chen opened the box, took one round fruit, and passed it to Zhu Yan to see if he felt the same he did when he touch it.

"This isn't a fruit... it's a demon core." Zhu Yan confirmed his suspicions, and everyone was shocked by the terrifying implication of what those bastards were planning to do to innocent people.

"This is outrageous! They wanted to turn the entire city into demonized humans? What kind of madness is this? I... I can't believe it!" Ying Lei was furious, and no one could blame him, because they all felt the same.

"But it's a good thing we discovered it in time." Pei Si Jing whispered, though rage was evident on her face.

"However, without this fruit, the plague will continue to spread. Even if I can treat the symptoms, it won't be completely eradicated." Bai Jiu pointed out in frustration, but at least they knew what they were up against.

"Focus on finding something that can replace this fruit, and I'll find the wood that repels diseases from Qing Geng Village. Besides, I think she deserves to know that someone is using Fei's blood for no good." Yi Chen offered, and Ying Lei stepped in to hand the Commander the Shanhai Portal, allowing them to come and go with ease.

"Thank you, take care of Bai Jiu. We don't know what else they have planned, and I'm sure they must still have spies around." Yi Chen said to Ying Lei, and the man was instantly full of determination, as if he had been tasked with protecting the most valuable treasure in the world.  Zhu Yan smirked.

"The little mountain god is so easy to please." Zhu Yan joked.

"Leave him alone, we have important matters to attend to. Pei Si Jing, take care of Wen Xiao as well... and see if you can do anything to prevent Chongwu Camp from knowing that we discovered their plans." 

"Don't worry, this time it's personal. I'll make sure they get what they deserve tenfold." She said, with a hint of something dangerous brewing in his heart, a kind of revenge she wouldn't forgive anyone behind this repulsive plot.

"Good, we'll be back soon." Yi Chen said, gently tapping Bai Jiu on the shoulder to encourage him and then Zhu Yan used his demonic energy to activate the Shanhai Portal back to the entrance of the little bird goddess village.

Once the golden dust cleared, they were glad to see that the village was as lively as they had left it, teeming with the life of busy streets, merchants selling their wares, businesses open for customers, lots of noise from daily activity and happy, healthy people enjoying the blessing their goddess brought them.

"I'm glad that at least this village has returned to what it was and stayed that way. Plagues are such depressing sights, bringing so much sadness and pain... I must say, humans can overcome demons if they really put their minds and hearts into it." Zhu Yan said, and Yi Chen couldn't agree more, even if he was once human.

"We're lucky that only a handful of humans are this twisted, otherwise we'd be spending too much effort hunting humans instead of demons." Yi Chen whispered as he walked through the busy market.

"Hmm. Then we should rename our current Demon Hunting Bureau the Human Hunting Bureau." At that joke, Yi Chen chuckled.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that. We have enough mischievous demons to deal with, and I had the biggest one right on my side." He sneered, and Zhu Yan laughed.

"You're getting good at comebacks, my beautiful and lovely mate." Zhu Yan teased him, seeing a slight blush on the tips of his ears.

"Don't call me that..." Yi Chen whispered through gritted teeth.

"No? Then what about my dear wife?"

"You..."

"Is that one no good either? Then what about, husband?"

"Zhu Yan! Cut the nonsense! What I meant was, don't call me that in public. Being mates is fine, that's what we are, after all, but that's just between us." Yi  Chen blushed.

"Ah, Xiao Zhuo, you are too cute when shy, do you know that?" And Yi  Chen charged forward hoping to outrun an impossibly mocking great demon. Zhu Yan however, was like his shadow, always close and quite amused with his cute dragon demon.

They arrived at Qing Geng's Lingxi Villa, and, having sensed them approaching from the village entrance to her door, she greeted them with a smile before noticing the pulse of energy coming from the great demon Zhu Yan, which didn't belong to him, but to Zhuo Yi Chen. Her eyes widened for a moment as she realized why he was enveloped in another demon's energy, knowing that he had been claimed by a dragon as a mate and that their souls now resonated together as if they had become one. It was an impressive sight, the ultimate kind of love elevated to the highest level possible.

"Qing Geng, I'm glad to see you. I see things are going wonderfully around here. Are you happy to be a goddess again?" Zhu Yan asked, while Yi Chen sighed.

"Yes, I am. Since you're here so suddenly, I suppose you need my help?" She asked as she let them in, stepping aside so they could enter.

"Unfortunately, yes. The villains are becoming too arrogant and this time they're wreaking havoc on an entire city." Zhu Yan told her, and she looked at him in surprise.

"What do you mean by that? What happened to Tiandu City?" She asked in return.

"Chongwu Camp managed to create another plague in the city, and unfortunately, it's not much different from the last one here." Yi Chen explained, and she was stunned by his words, doubting they were true, even coming from such a serious demon hunter.

"That can't be possible. I assure you, Fei is gone forever, without a trace. Believe me, I've tried to find even the smallest bit of his energy and I haven't found anything at all." She insisted, not knowing how else to convince them of the truth she knew by heart.

"We don't doubt you, Qing Geng. Just take a look at this and tell me what you think." Yi Chen handed her one of the fake fruits. As she held it, she gasped as she felt the demonic energy emanating from what looked like fruit, but was far from it.

"A demonic core disguised as a fruit? Where did you get it?" She asked as she handed back the tainted object, wanting nothing to do with it.

"Wen Zongyu left this little surprise in Bai Jiu's medicine cabinet, ready to give it to the sick citizens of Tiangu." Zhu Yan took the object in his hand.

"But how did he get such a wicked core? It's not the kind of core we demons have cultivated for centuries, but something created out of nothing." 

"Your guess is as good as ours. We know he became a phoenix demon with the Ever-Burning Fire at his disposal, so there are very few things impossible for him right now, including bringing Fei back, or at least something resembling him in blood." Zhu Yan told her, and Qing Geng covered her mouth with her hand, horrified.

"It can't be... That's too cruel..." She said sadly, tears streaming down her young and beautiful face.

"Qing Geng, we can handle this imposter on our own, it's our duty. But I thought you had the right to make your own decisions, as he was very special to you before Li Lun appeared and distorted the bond you two shared. If you want to return with us and discover how much of the real Fei this one had, I'd gladly give you the chance to decide what to do with him." Yi Chen said as gently as possible, giving the goddess a moment to compose herself.

"I'll go with you." She decided resolutely.

"Okay, then wait for us. We need the same ingredients as last time. I hope the tree has more branches now, there are many more sick people in the city than here in this village." Yi Chen gently touched her arm sympathetically.

"We'll be back soon." Zhu Yan pulled Yi Chen toward the direction of the tree, and they walked in silence until they finally reach it. It had grown quite a bit since last time, which was good for them, as they now had a lot to bring it to Bai Jiu.

"Okay, let me take care of this." Yi Chen said as he drew his Cloud Light Sword and slashed several blows before sheathing it, expecting many of its thin branches to fall. However, to his great dismay, only one fell at his feet. Zhu Yan, beside him, lowered his gaze and tried to hold back his laughter, opting to try a spell of his own.

"You work hard, Xiao Zhuo, let me try this time. Fall." He commanded with his one-word spell, and immediately, a pile of branches rained down on a very piss off Zhuo Yi Chen.

"Ah, Xiao Zhuo... it wasn't on purpose... just a slight miscalculation..."

"Miscalculation, huh?" Yi Chen gritted his teeth.

"Yes... let me find something to carry the branches..." Zhu Yan tried to escape.

"You wicked demon, come back here!" Yi Chen grabbed him by the shoulder, threw him over the branches he had cut, and 'mercilessly' hit him with one of them. That just made Zhu Yan laugh out loud, as if he was being tickled. Yet he let his raging dragon have his way with him to vent his frustration and have some fun at the same time as at one point Zhu Yan pull him down to fall over him and kiss him senseless. 

Once Qing Geng thought that the two great demons were taking too long to come back, she went to check on them and had to hold back her laughter at the scene unfolding before her eyes, not to mention to look the other way when they start kissing. 

Eventually she gave them a bag to gather and carry the branches, and stared at the great demon Zhu Yan's head in where a branch was still laying over his hair. Yi Chen, after his lover cleared his throat, removed the slippery branch and placed it along with the others.

"There, all done. Can we go now?" Yi Chen asked, and she smiled before nodding in agreement. Zhu Yan activated the Shanhai Portal, and they quickly returned to the Demon Hunting Bureau to give Bai Jiu the wood he needed and help him with his research on the one ingredient they needed to replace.

AN: It's getting a bit long, so I will leave it here. Thanks for reading and The Convergence, for those who are reading it too, will be update soon after this one. Until next time, take care.

Chapter Text

The weather in the now sealed city began to deteriorate, as the stillness of the once bustling city turned into an empty shell as the rain fell like an ominous cloud of uncertainty and death. Bai Jiu now had almost everything needed to get the citizens of Tiandu back on their feet, but he still lacked the key ingredient that would eradicate the plague for good. Even with Qing Geng's extra help, they still needed to find the elusive ingredient that could save the people instead of turning them into demons against their will.

Outside the archive, gusts of wind howled through the narrow streets, causing leaves to spiral like frightened spirits. Inside, however, it was as if time had stood still. Bai Jiu's heart raced as he combed through the records, his fingers trembling with anxiety to finally find something that might be useful to him before it was too late. His two days of searching felt like an eternity as he sifted through tales and legends with the weight of countless lives on his young shoulders.

As dusk fell, casting an eerie twilight glow through the windows, Bai Jiu sat at the round table, surrounded by the majesty of the archive and its many rows of ancient scrolls and books awaiting his attention. The flickering light from the oil lamps cast an ethereal glow around him, illuminating an environment he knew like the back of his hand. It was a welcoming place with a soft scent of calming incense wafting through the cool rainy air. However, Bai Jiu sat there with palpable frustration at not having found what he was looking for.

The others had come to help him search at intervals, as he had instructed them to mass-produce the cure for the symptoms, with Qing Geng overseeing the process, and were therefore preoccupied with their own work of tending to the sick. As the long hours turned into a cold night, Bai Jiu was simply too exhausted, yet unable to rest as his mind raced with thoughts of those suffering outside. Each patient he could not save felt like a dagger to his heart, thus he push himself to his limit, hoping that somewhere a merciful god took pity on him and guide him  where he needed to go. To find a way trough the sickness as well as the poison on Wen Xiao as well. 

Then, almost like a divine answer to his silent prayers amidst a flurry of scrolls and open books, Bai Jiu heard the heavenly sound of approaching bells and knew that his beloved older brother, Xiao Zhuo, had come to see him, as he always did. He smiled sincerely at the sight of him carrying a tray of food and drinks.

"Xiao Jiu... I know time is short, but you can't neglect your health either. Don't only read, eat something too, Ying Lei prepare this for you with all your favorites." Yi Chen said tenderly to the young man, placing the tray in front of him and sitting beside him, ensuring that he ate and not set it aside to immerse himself in his research for the second night in a row.

"Thank you, Xiao Zhuo Ge." Bai Jiu said as he picked up his chopsticks and began to eat, to reassure his brother and hero, who had treated him so warmly from the start, despite his deception at some point. Also to show his gratitude to Ying Lei, who always took good care of him, was always there to protect him, pamper him, feed him with the best dishes and have fun with him in ways he couldn't with others. So he ate in good spirits, under the watchful eye of his brother.

Yi Chen watched him eat, taking pleasure in caring for someone so import to him. He had Wen Xiao as a good friend and aunt, Bai Jiu as his younger brother, Ying Lei as his trusted reliable friend, Pei Sijing as his pillar of support, and Zhu Yan as his soul bound mate. Although the losses he suffered in his youth could never be erase or replaced, he had forged new bonds that were equally as valuable.

Once Bai Jiu finished dinner, Yi Chen filled his cup with hot tea. The coolness of the rain outside made the archive colder, so the tea was like a warm blanket for both body and soul. Bai Jiu accepted the tea with a shy smile and that made him realize that the great demon who usually stuck around his beloved brother was not around this time.

"Xiao Zhuo Ge, is everything okay between you and Zhao Yuan Zhou?" He asked timidly as he sipped his tea, and Yi Chen smiled gently at him.

"Yes, why?" Yi Chen asked curiously.

"He's not around, and I remember Qing Geng mentioned earlier that you two had a some kind of weird fight back in her villa." He said, avoiding eye contact with him, so he didn't see Yi Chen's slight blush and smirk.

"He's a troublesome demon, but surprisingly, we get along quite well. There's nothing to worry about us." 

"Are you really together? I mean, more than just friends? Ying Lei said you're basically married now."

"In my dragon way, yes. Does it bother you?" Yi Chen asked softly.

"Ah, no, of course not. It's just that the great demon is so possessive and terrifying..." Yi Chen smiled.

"Don't worry if he's a bit possessive around me. He knows better than to interfere in something he has no right to. He may act and appear imposing, but it's his way of teasing others. I assure you, he cares about every member of this team, even when he gets annoyed sometimes."

"Yes, I know. So you love him?"

"I love him, very much, and now our lives are linked."

"Ah... it should be nice to have such deep ties." Bai Jiu said as he lowered his gaze.

"Xiao Jiu, what's bothering you? You know you can trust me, right?" 

"Oh, yes!" The young doctor exclaimed fervently.

"Then... is it the plague? I'm sure we'll find the answer here, somewhere, I will help you search..."

"Hmm, it's not that." Bai Jiu whisper and Yi Chen could feel his tension, so he gently offer him the bells that he loved so much.

"Here... hold on into them and tell me what's in your mind. I will listen for as long as you need me and it will help ease your heart." Yi Chen offer and Bai Jiu was happy to have him there with him, so he took the bells and hold them tight in his hand.

"I'm quite happy with the bond our team has, we're like a little family, we look out for each other, we support each other and we face the good times and the bad times as one. It's a nice feeling, but I guess I've been away for so long that I've forgotten about another kind of bond, one that scares me, because it was me who severed the link in my ignorance and now I don't know how to fix it."

"You mean Situ Ming, your father?"

"Yes. He is quite sick, just as much as Wen Xiao's father is, yet... even though I'm worry and want to make sure he is doing fine and assure him that I will not give up hopes in bringing this plague to an end... is not me, but Wen Xiao who takes care of him."

"Xiao Jiu... there are some things that requires time to get into the right place. You can use me and Zhu Yan as an example of that. At the beginning I only wanted to kill him, to avenge the unjust death of both my brother and father, not to mention the pain I endured in their absence, the rage that fueled my determination to some day pierce his heart with the very same sword that lie over the snow in Mount Kunlun that he tainted with their blood." Yi Chen paused for a moment when he saw a tear run down Bai Jiu's youthful face and he wiped it away with his hand.

"That should have been very awful..."

"And it was, but as we knew each other better, I realize that not everything was as black and white as I believed, that they were a wider variety of colors that I was missing, because my hatred was blinding me in more than one way. Yes, it was Zhu Yan's body who killed my family but not his soul, not his will and not his consciousness. It take me to be on his same shoes to fully understand his pain, his guilt, his wish to die, his desire for redemption, his sacrifices and love and to love him back didn't take that long... as it will your father is you allow yourself for your relationship to grow slow yet steady until it can flourish into the tenderness of a real father to his son."

"That sounds beautiful, Ge..."

"It doesn't need to sound beautiful, it just need time to become a reality. Give it a chance Xiao Jiu, no fear, no expectations, just an opportunity to know each other and get closer. Then, you can both enjoy the happy life you have before things go wrong. Yes, you make a mistake, but your father is still here, waiting for you to come to him, waiting for you to give him a chance to be a real father... and you only need to wish to be his son. The rest will come naturally..." Bai Jiu was so moved that he hug his Ge quite tightly as he cry on his chest.

"Thank you, Xiao Zhuo Ge... you are the best brother I could have. I'm so glad to have met you, to have your guidance and protection, your patience and kindness." Bai Jiu whisper as he sobbed and was more overwhelmed when he felt Yi Chen's arm close around him and wrap him in his warmth.

"Xiao Jiu... there is no need to thank me for anything... I'm glad you give me the opportunity to be a big brother and that means the world to me."

"You are so kind... why did you end up loving a scary great demon?" At that Yi Chen laughed.

"Who know? But let me tell you, he is close..." Yi Chen whisper to the young doctor still hugging him and Bai Jiu bolted away in such hurry that he fell into the floor, making Yi Chen laugh some more as he help him back to the floor cushion.

"You don't need to be so scare, he may tease you, but he will never harm you." Yi Chen assured him as he slightly patted Bai Jiu's back in amusement.

"Xiao Zhuo Ge, that was mean..." He pouted.

"No, it wasn't, you are more like yourself now. What about I help you look for this elusive ingredient?" Yi Chen offer and Bai Jiu beamed with happiness.

"I will like that..." He whisper as he took one book and start reading and so a few more hours passed and still no findings and eventually Zhu Yan show up in the archive to claim back his lover without a hint of shame.

"Is my turn to have him back now... you cannot monopolies his time now that you are back." Zhu Yan tease the young doctor.

"Hush, you shameless monkey... Xiao Jiu, don't take his nonsense to heart." Yi Chen dismissed his lover antics.

"It's okay, Xiao Zhuo Ge. I know the great demon cannot stop me from been close to you, because you are my Ge now." Bai Jiu said as he looked at Zhu Yan with a challenge.

"Oh? That's fine, but since your Ge is a married man now, then you should start calling me brother-in-law instead of great demon. What about that?" At that, Bai Jiu's face burned hot red, which pleased Zhu Yan greatly, but Zhuo Yi Chen couldn't stand his teasing any longer, so he grabbed his arm and pulled him away from his younger brother, muttering something about possessive, wicked, impossible and shameless demons.

A little later Ying Lei came to help him in his research as well and as they read and bickered about this or that from time to time, not to mention throwing things at each other, something caught Ying Lei's attention.

"Xiao Jiu, you're bleeding. Look..." He pointed at the bamboo slip scroll he was reading, which had a drop of blood on one edge. They both watched as the blood seeped into the bamboo and sparkled with golden particles before sprouting a few leaves, just like that cypress tree had in the last plague. 

"Your blood sure is incredible. It can even revive a dead bamboo tree slip that's who knows how many centuries old." Ying Lei said casually, but something inside Bai Jiu simply clicked, and he froze as he stared at the finger that had been slightly cut when Ying Lei threw him a scroll.

"It can revive... it can revive! Ying Lei, you're a genius!" Bai Jiu shouted as he pulled Ying Lei into a tight embrace, too elated to care about what might seem improper for the mountain god. This left Ying Lei paralyzed with sudden emotions for a few seconds before he caught his breath when the young man finally let go of him. 

"What was that for?" Ying Lei asked, a little embarrassed, but Bai Jiu's mind was full of ideas that he needed to put down on paper before they could slip away from him.

"Do me a favor and tell the others to come back, especially Wen Xiao. Well, you can bypass Xiao Zhuo Ge and the great demon for now, as they might be very busy with..." He blushed briefly at the thought of what two newlywed demons might be doing in private, but he sprang back into action and made way at the table for everything he needed. 

"Forget the others, just call Wen Xiao. I need to try something to remove her poison once and for all. Hurry, there's a lot to do. Go!" Ying Lei also ran to Fan Ying's room, where Wen Xiao was tending to her ailing father, and knocked on his door with the urgency that Bai Jiu had instilled in her.

"Ying Lei? It's late, and my father needs to rest." Wen Xiao said as soon as she opened the door and saw him. But the mountain god had a mission, so he grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the room, leading her briskly into the hallway.

"Ying Lei! What's going on?" 

"I think Xiao Jiu found a way to detoxify you. He needs you to test something, and if it works... you'll be poison-free..." He explained in the brief moment when he paused to look at her and smiled, finally seeing hope in her previously melancholic expression. Things were finally looking good, and Ying Lei was glad he had done his part.

AN: This is a fast update, but this story is heading to the end, so I am pumped up! I find the relationship between Yichen and Bai Jiu so cute and heartwarming and Bai Jiu and Ying Lei are cute as well. 🥰🥰 Thanks for reading and until next time, take care.

Chapter Text

Wen Xiao had given Bai Jiu a few drops of her blood so he could test whatever he was preparing, along with Ying Lei, who enthusiastically helped him with everything he needed, from bringing him bowls, herbs, spoons, a mortar, and so on. They were so focused on their work that they didn't notice Pei Si Jing and her brother had come to join her after exchanging blows during their nighttime training. Not finding her with her father, they had headed to the archives and were now sitting next to her, with Pei Si Jing holding her hand in her lap.

"It's going to work. I have a good feeling about it." Pei Si Jing whispered to Wen Xiao, who nodded, happy to have her nearby in case the medicine failed despite Bai Jiu's hard efforts.

"Where are Xiao Zhuo and Xiao Zhou?" Wen Xiao asked, and Pei Si Jing shrugged.

"Don't worry, I'll get them for you." Pei Si Heng offered as he turned to leave the archives and head towards Zhuo Yi Chen's private chambers. He knew of the two demons recent 'union', which was why no one wanted to go near his room, just in case they were in the process of indulging in their mutual passion and spiritual bond. However, since an antidote could be created to save a valuable member of their team, it was a good reason to risk disturbing their... rest.

However, inside Zhuo Yi Chen's private room, there was nothing that could be considered hot or revealing in the rainy night as Yi Chen was in deep meditation, cultivating his energy while sitting on a cushion outside his room and Zhu Yan watched him tenderly as he drank from his peach tea, the new addition his beloved brewed just for him before he start meditating. 

As Yi Chen cultivated, Zhu Yan could feel his energy being transferred to his core, the little baby dragon coiling around it getting stronger, mending it just little faster than before. Of course, he should be cultivating too, but Yi Chen had told him that since he was going to be in deep meditation, he needed to be on standby, in case something happened and one of them was needed. Also, he was worried that Yi Chen would overdo it and then no one would be there to help him back from his meditation, so he relaxed and admire his beauty as his body slightly glowed with the energy of two powers.

It was a good thing that his dragon was getting better at cultivation, but Yi Chen's power was growing too fast, which worried him, because he was starting to cultivate a kind of power that was new to him. Zhu Yan knew Bing Yi's energy like the back of his hand, because it was the energy that flowed through Yi Chen's veins, but Ying Long's power was a mystery, it was like the cosmos, a mixture of stars, moons, suns, planets and the essence of life, the power to create, protect and purify and Yi Chen was drifting into that ocean while handing a part of it to him, to anchor him. To heal him.

At times like this, how could he not fall in love with him again, when he went so far to make him whole again? To protect and save the people close to him and those he had never met.  Yi Chen knew a great battle was coming and was preparing for it, and Zhu Yan only wished he could be of better help than just stealing his energy.

At that thought, the little baby dragon in his core fumed a little angry, as if rejecting the idea of ​​stealing from Yi Chen, for the transferred energy was a gift, a proof of a true love that knows no bonds. Zhu Yan smiled and touched his heart, closing his eyes, feeling Yi Chen's energy filling his drained core. It was an invigorating feeling that went beyond cultivating one core, because Yi Chen was cultivating two at once, and his body was feeling the change he was making in it. His malicious energy, for example, was more contained and, to be honest, gave the feeling that it was trying to escape Yi Chen's intrusion.

Then, something outside their room caught Zhu Yuan's attention, and he went to open the door before Pei Si Heng could get close enough to knock. Seeing the great demon outside the room was a relief to Si Heng, as it would at least save him some embarrassment if they really were... dual cultivating or something among that line.

"What's wrong, Pei Si Heng? Did something happen to Wen Xiao?" Zhu Yan asked, and Si Heng shook his head to reassure the great demon, that his visit wasn't to deliver bad news.

"She's fine and will recover soon if things go according to plan. Bai Jiu, think there's a way to detoxify her poison, and he's preparing a strange antidote to test it on her blood. I came to find you two to let you know, as the others are already there." He told him, and Zhu Yan stared at the closed door for a moment, as if focused on something, before walking away and signaling Pei Si Heng to follow him.

"Aren't you going to tell Zhuo Yi Chen? He wanted to save her more than anyone." Si Heng asked, a little at a loss, not understanding why the great demon had left his his beloved dragon behind. After all, they were consummated mates now and it was just unexpected that they could part ways so soon.

"Xiao Zhuo is cultivating and in a such a deep state, I can't interrupt him suddenly. He needs to harness the energy he had gather before coming out of his meditation." Zhu Yan explained.

"How long will that take? I know very little about cultivation, as I was born a human too."

"For a natural demon it could last for centuries, but since is Yi Chen, it will be a few hours or a few days, it depends, but since we were on standby, I'm guessing he'll be done by late tonight or in the morning. I'll know when he's conscious, and if there's an emergency, I can use my soul bond to tug at him a little, to let him know we need him, and bring him back."

"That soul thing sounds impressive..."

"It is... let's hurry." Zhu Yan quickened his pace, and they soon entered the archives. There, he saw Wen Xiao, who smiled at him, but frowned when she didn't see Xiao Zhuo with him.

"He's in deep cultivation for now, but I'm sure we can take care of everything, and if we still need him. I'll call him back." Zhu Yan explained even though she didn't ask him anything.

"That's good, come sit with us." Wen Xiao patted a cushion to her left and he sat there, noticing that everyone in the room was staring at him, including Ying Lei and Bai Jiu, who stopped their frantic work to gaze at him with a strange look.

"What?" Zhu Yan asked, and Wen Xiao smiled mischievously at him.

"You're kind of glowing." She said.

"Dual cultivation?" Pei Si Heng asked as he disguised it with a cough and Ying Lei covered Bai Jiu's ears while Pei Si Jing hid a smile with her hand.

"In a way, it's dual cultivation, but not the dirty one everyone is thinking. You see, Yi Chen is cultivating two cores at once and transferring some of his energy to me, hence that glow that mesmerizes you all. He's mending my core right now." Wen Xiao's eyes widened in surprise.

"How is it that he can cultivate two cores at the same time? Isn't that very difficult, almost impossible?" Bai Jui asked, distracted for a moment.

"Normally, yes, but we have a soul bond, and he has complete grasp on my core, which is part of his claim, so he can transfer his energy to me as if my core were his own."

"He is so amazing, my Xiao Zhuo Ge... Now that he's a demon, he is much, much more awesome." Bai Jiu said with a dreamy expression on his young face.

"But isn't such a transfer dangerous even with a soul bond? I mean, cultivating two cores requires an enormous amount of energy that he simply can't muster on his own without suffering a backlash." Ying Lei said worriedly.

"It's dangerous... very dangerous, but he is too stubborn to do anything other than the impossible made possible, because he can also use two powers at once. To be honest, I have to keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't overdo it."

"Don't overdo it? He's already doing it big time." Ying Lei pointed out the fact, which, of course, was absolutely right.

"Then you should go back..." Wen Xiao suggested, afraid that something bad might happen while he was alone.

"No, we're connected, and I'll know instantly if anything goes wrong or gets out of hand. I believe he had the guidance of Bing Yi and Ying Long to help him with this new kind of literally dual cultivation. I can sense a trace of their spirits with him, so don't worry for now. This is important too, and he want me here. He was willing to absorb your poison, Wen Xiao, so you know how much he cares for you." Zhu Yan said and tears threatened to fall from her eyes, but she held them back and simply squeezed the great demon's hand.

"I know... and I am very grateful for it, with you too. You are both equally special foolish demons." She joked and Zhu Yan chuckle.

"Glad you approve. Now, tell about this strange antidote Pei Si Heng told me about."Bai Jiu explained the concept of his Divine Wood Clan bloodline inheritance that can revive and revitalize, therefore, it is able to neutralize both poison and disease, as if he could absorb the vitality of anything draining it dry, he could also return it, thus preventing people from getting sick again for a short period of time as his divine blood was not fully awakened, but enough to prevent the spread of disease.

"But if your blood can heal, why were you dying from this same poison while Li Lun controlled you?" Pei Si Jing asked.

"Well, I'm not sure of why it didn't work at that time..." He said, a little embarrassed.

"It was Li Lun's core. He forcibly took control of his body and used his core to make it possible, nullifying Bai Jiu's innate ability to revive, as his body was in conflict with itself. Li Lun tainted it and corrupted his blood with a demonic energy that shouldn't be there. I don't think Li Lun was as compatible with Bai Jiu's body as he claimed, otherwise he might have used it to destroy this world, like Bai Yan fear it may happen if Li Lun fully merged with him." Zhu Yan explained.

"So, will it work now? I mean, Li Lun is gone, but perhaps the disaster he caused is still present?" Pei Si Heng asked.

"It will work, I'm sure of it. Li Lun is gone for good because I did that.. which is what gave me this idea in the first place." He pointed to the bamboo scroll that had grown small branches and leaves in one corner.

"I see... then your divine power is back. Try it in Wen Xiao's blood and see what happens." Zhu Yan suggested, and Bai Jiu nodded. He had already prepared a serum and extracted some of her blood earlier. So all that remained was to test it and see if it really worked or if something was still missing.

Bai Jiu swallowed hard as he took the bottle of the antidote serum, where he had mixed the herbs that would neutralize the toxicity of the herb used in Wen Zongyu's poison and his own blood to counteract the demon blood. With trembling hands, he opened the bottle and a single drop fall into the bowl where he had taken Wen Xiao's blood, holding his breath, anticipating what would happen.

At first, nothing seemed to happen, and Bai Jiu's heart sank at his failure. But when he thought that all his efforts had been in vain and that he had wasted Wen Xiao's blood in her weakened state as well as his own, then something happened. Everyone stared at the bowl of blood and serum and the reaction that was taking place inside it. Black smoke emanated from the small amount of blood, which had turned a darker red due to the poison, and dissipated into golden dust, like when demons die and the blood glows golden for a second, returning to its bright, healthy red.

"Did it work?" Ying Lei asked in amazement, and Zhu Yan smiled.

"Yes, and I think just one drop is enough to neutralize the poison. Well done, Bai Jiu! You did very well." Zhu Yan praised the young doctor, who, surprised, opened his mouth in shock, and Ying Lei gently closed it, placing a finger on his chin with a sigh.

"I helped too, you know?" Ying Lei pouted, and Bai Jiu snapped out of his sudden trance and patted him on the shoulder.

"You did, thank you. We worked well together." Bai Ju said, and Ying Lei's face lit up with uncontainable happiness. Then, the little mountain god hugged him tightly, lifting him off the ground and spun him around, while Bai Jiu happily begged for mercy while giggling.

After the excitement calmed down a bit, Wen Xiao drank just a little sip from the vial, and the same thing happened to her after a few seconds of waiting. The demonic energy was expelled from her body and the poison neutralized, leaving a golden glow on her skin for a moment, before it returned to normal. 

Wen Xiao hugged Pei Si Jing with total happiness and, ignoring the stares of those present, kissed her with abandon, as she had long wanted to do. Pei Si Jing, for her part, didn't hold back either and gave in, forgetting everything else except her and the rich feeling of blissfulness.

“Let's give them some privacy... they have earn it.” Zhu Yan whispered as he turned around to leave the archive and return to his beautiful lover, still cultivating for both their sake and when he was done, he would show him how grateful he was and make sure to put up a barrier around their room, soundproof and all. He smirked to himself, just with the thought of what was yet to come.

AN: Sorry not THAT kind of dual cultivation in this chapter. LOL. Sorry if the cure may seen quite simple to be believable, but then again, this is only fanfiction, for fun. Thanks for reading and until next time, take care.

Chapter Text

Zhu Yan had planned to show his gratitude to Yi Chen in a very pleasant way, but in reality, once Yi Chen finished his cultivation two hours after midnight, he was so exhausted that Zhu Yan had to carry him to bed to rest after such an impossible feat, lying beside him while looking at him again as if he were the most intriguing work of art in the world.

"I'm not that interesting..." Yi Chen whispered as he hugged the great demon tighter. He was lying on Zhu Yan's chest, with one arm around his waist and one leg between his. Apparently, this was his favorite position, much to Zhu Yan's despair, as each time he did this, it meant a long night of suffering and temptation for the great demon.

"Are you still awake? Xiao Zhuo, get some rest. You need it, even though you're a demon now. Cultivating two cores at once was insane and dangerous, not to mention draining you to the point of nearly fainting."

"But I managed to strengthen your core and reduce its damage, which was worth the exhaustion it caused. We're facing something powerful and evil, and we can't afford to face it with less than we have. It was because of me that you damaged your core, and what I just did is just a small way of making up for it." At that, Zhu Yan turned in bed to be face to face with his lover.

"Xiao Zhuo... you don't have to repay me anything, because I'm the one who owes you too much, and not even offering my life could make it up to you..."

"Zhu Yan, that's over now..."

"Yes, I have the blessing of your kind heart, but I still owe you, Yi Chen, more than I can ever give you back..."

"You think too much..." Yi Chen said before closing the distance between their faces and kissing him to shut him up as he savored the sensation of their lips melting into one, awakening their deep mutual desire and spiritual bond. Each kiss was a spark of an inextinguishable fire, deep and ancient, blessed and cursed at the same time.

"Zhu Yan... If you are so set in giving something back, then this is the way... I only want your love... not your sacrifices, not your guilt, not your need to repay me back, because having you close, like this is all I need." Yi Chen said as they kissed in bed for a long time before things got heated and at the end, Zhu Yan did end up using that barrier as he gave Yi Chen exactly what he had asked of him.

"Yi Chen, I love you..." Zhu Yan whisper as he felt Yi Chen's tongue run down his neck, warm and wet, his hands busy undressing him, trowing away all that keep him from touching him, from taste him, from giving his great demon pleasure and be pleasured back. Then in a tangle of skin against skin they make love, they shared their energy and give in to spell bonding their souls, their bodies and their feelings, intensifying the sensations ten fold. Zhu Yan moaned unto his deep pleasure and so did Yi Chen, until they were both fully satisfy and spent in bed while holding each other, whispering their love and eternal commitment.

The next morning, there was so much to do that they finally decided to split up after they spend a few hours of the morning distributing the cure to the citizens. Bai Jiu had already prepared the plague cure in massive quantities, which only needed his blood, and since one drop was enough, the serum he had already prepared covered almost everything that was already prepared. 

They had also prepare dried plums to give with the medicine, to keep the appearance that they were giving away their demon cores. To help him with the distribution, Ying Lei, Wen Xiao, and Qing Geng stayed behind, while Zhu Yan, Zhuo Yi Chen, and Pei Si Jing went to Chongwu Camp to try to find the cause of the problem, whether it was the authentic Fei or a fake.

Pei Si Jing had already made the necessary preparations for their infiltration, and so, their plan was set in motion on two fronts. Yi Chen felt the tension building inside him, though most of it was released through lovemaking, the tender touches, the care, love and the pleasure they found in each other had make wonders, but what was coming wasn't anything simple, and he was aware of the many risks they could run into.

"I wonder what kind of devious method they used to hide the evil of this place. It oozes dark, restrained demonic energy." Yi Chen said as they descended some stairs into a dungeon-like chamber. The perfect place to hide their demons and the evil experiments that both demons and humans had suffered through.

"Demon blood, of course. They seem to love that very much." Zhu Yan replied, making sure to stay close to his lover.

"But this farce ends today, one way or another, the Chongwu Camp will cause no more harm to either demons or humans." Pei Si Jing assured them as she followed them.

"How did they manage to fool the King so badly? They killed so indiscriminately that it should have raised suspicions left and right." Yi Chen asked as his sword began to glow a faint blue.

"There are many corrupt officials supporting Wen Zongyu. Whatever they have been deceived or have done for their own twisted self-interest, will be for others to find out, and they will be punished if they deserve it. Our mission is to find Fei, whether he's a fake or not." Zhu Yan said as they went deeper into the dungeon, eventually reaching some cells at the end of the dark dungeon. Upon entering, they found someone tied to the wall.

The man's face was hidden by the hood of his cloak, but a few strands of curly white hair could be seen, like Fei's, though Zhu Yan felt something was different about his demonic energy.

"Is that him? The real Fei?" Asked Pei Si Jing, looking at him.

"It's not quite him... his energy feels strange, as if what they wanted to preserve was the disease he can spread, a body without a soul, a puppet they could use to their advantage. And judging by his injured wrist, they used his blood to provoke this plague and spread it through the air to maximize its effect." Zhu Yan replied.

"So he doesn't have a consciousness?" Asked Yi Chen.

"I don't think so. I'm guessing they used something created from the real Fei, probably when Wen Zongyu went to Qing Geng Village under the guise of being one of the doctors trying to cure the plague. This man isn't dead, but he's not really alive either." 

"What do we do with him?" Pei Si Jing asked.

"Let's leave him here for now and see what else they have..." Zhu Yan suggested, and Yi Chen headed to another cell where a man was also chained to the wall, but sitting on the straw-covered floor.

"There's someone else here, and I think he's human." Yi Chen said, but as he approached and knelt beside him to check his vital signs, his sword glowed brighter, indicating that the man was no longer human. Zhu Yan, also knelt beside the man and placed his hand on his stomach and sure enough, what he felt was the core of a demon, the same type they had found in Bai Jiu's ingredients.

"A demon core..." Zhu Yan whispered.

"How come he had a demon core? How could Chongwu Camp do things like that?" Yi Chen asked.

"Because I finally created a way to truly demonize humans." Said a voice from the other side of the cell, and everyone turned to look at Wen Zongyu and by his side was Zhen Mei. They went out to confront the man who was supposed to be dead, but they were sure he was better than ever and his presence there confirmed their suspicions.

"I have a feeling you were still around, since you like playing with demons so much. Don't tell me you turned yourself into a cat demon with nine lives?" Zhu Yan mocked, but he just chuckled, indifferent to the joke.

"I assure you, I'm much more than a simple cat demon." Wen Zongyu said, looking at them with a pride that seemed misplaced.

"You seem to be proud of becoming the very thing you abhor so much. How ironic..." Yi Chen said.

"I'm truly proud of my true rebirth. I no longer suffer the limitations of a human life."

"What a hypocrite..."

"Aren't you the same Zhuo Yi Chen? You turned into the very demon you hunt and then fell in love with another one who even killed your family. You can't speak of hypocrisy." 

“I didn’t become a demon by choice, I was turned into one by force. Although I already had a deep blood relationship with the one who made me a demon. And about me loving a great demon, well, his death won’t bring them back to life, but his life is now mine. It’s better than losing everything at once, at least I gain something from it. What do you gain by becoming a demon? A phoenix demon, right? Because if you rise from the ashes, there’s only one explanation.” Yi Chen asked as he gave Zhu Yan’s arm a light squeeze to let him know that he wasn’t serious, he was just get back to that wicked man.

"Oh? At least you're a clever man. What do I gain, you ask? Well, I gain freedom, I gain the power to wreak revenge on all those who should be exterminated from the mortal lands, I gain new life, and most of all, I gain the power to create demon cores. With my phoenix power and my Ever-Burning fire, I can do whatever I want, and then I'll have the perfect team of demonized humans at my service."

"Dream on, monster." Pei Si Jing nearly spat the words out.

"Today is the last day you play with the lives of others, demons or not." Yi Chen added subtly, but the man simply laughed at them, as if he had everything to gain, as they knew he would believe, so none of them took his laughter seriously.

"It's too late for you to try to stop me from playing with the lives of others. In fact, thanks to your help, my demonic cores have spread throughout Tiandu City, gradually transforming into demonized humans starting tomorrow."

"What do you mean?" Zhu Yan asked the part.

"The fruit you distributed in the cure Bai Jiu created. It wasn't fruit he gave them, but the demonic cores I made, lying dormant and waiting for the right opportunity."

"You evil spawn. You use Bai Jiu for that too?" Zhu Yan was the best actor among them, as Yi Chen wasn't a good liar and Pei Si Jing was uncomfortable with it, so they let him be as dramatic as he wanted.

"Of course. The boy was always a means to an end."

"You're taking advantage of a child's innocence!" Yi Chen shouted with true anger at such words.

"There was no innocence in his thirst for revenge!"

"The boy had a misunderstanding with his father, and you knew about it. Yet, you use him to go against his own father, then his friends, and now you use him to kill the people of Tiandu!" Yi Chen's Cloud Light Sword glowed brightly, as if ignited by his fury.

"He also had demon blood in his veins! He deserves his own damnation. Soon, there will be no demon hunters or anyone else to stop me from killing all the demons in this world, full or half. I will send them all back to hell, where they belong!"

"Then let's start with you, monster!" Yi Chen grabbed his sword to unsheathe it, but Zhu Yan stopped him when Pei Si Jing took out the Shanhai Portal and handed it to Zhuo Yi Chen. Then she drew her bow, ready to act at any time.

"So much for your bravado! You are only cowards who only know how to run away." Wen Zongyu laughed and Pei Si Jing shot her arrow between Zongyu and Zhen Mei. They move away to avoid the arrow with Zhen Mei taking cover behind a wide stone column and Wen Zongyu throw a fireball at them, which Yi Chen easily reflected and moved to restrain him along with Zhu Yan and according to their previous plan, they use the portal to be transported to Mount Kunlun where everything was going to meet an end one way or another.

When Yi Chen opened his eyes again, he found himself standing with Zhu Yuan in the cold of the snowy mountain, which was his strong suit. Ice and water were his strength, while for the phoenix fire it was its weakness. Furthermore, Mount Kunlun was the birthplace of all gods, the location of the star constellation that sustained the existence of the Wilderness, balancing the two realms with the energy of creation. This was the place where he was most dominant, and if Ying Long had been right the last time he cultivated alongside Bing Yi, this was the place where he was closest to be a god and hopefully invincible.

"Yi Chen..." Zhu Yan whispered beside him as they looked at Wen Zongyu, hovering above the entrance to the Kunlun Mountain Temple, and Zhu Yan lightly hold his shoulder reassuringly.

"I've got this, Zhu Yan... if the gods favor us today, this monster will die without a trace of its soul, you will be freed from your malicious energy, and the curse will be broken." He said, and upon hearing that, Zhu Yan looked at him with several alarm bells ringing in his mind.

"Xiao Zhu, what are you planning to do? What kind of power did Bing Yi and Ying Long offer you to end this? Powerful spells always come at a price and will put your life in danger... Yi Chen..."

"Don't worry, Xiao Zhu, the last thing I want today is to die on an icy mountain with you. Our bond is still strong, so I'm not going to give up my life and drag you down with me."

"Then..."

"Trust me... that's all I ask. No matter what happens, no matter what you witness, no matter the odds, trust in me and the love that binds us together forever." Yi Chen said with such conviction that Zhu Yan had no choice but to trust him completely. Even if all else failed, at least they would die together.

"I said we won't die today... how little faith you have..." Yi Chen sighed, and Zhu Yan smiled apologetically. Because they were so linked, that if you didn't deliberately block your mind, their thoughts would be connected and open to each other like a book.

"My mistake, Xiao Zhuo... do what you must, and I'll do my best to help you achieve it. I do trust you." He said, and was very tempted to kiss him right there, if it weren't for the patient presence of the man who looked at them without haste or concern, as if giving them the time to say their goodbyes before dying.

"Good, now let's take care of this hot bird and roast it once and for all." Wen Zongyu laughed just before launching a series of fireballs in their way.

AN: Because the fight may be quite long, I will leave it here, but don't worry it will continue soon. Thanks for reading and see you next time, take care.

Chapter Text

As the barrage of fireballs rained down, Yi Chen was ready to intercept them with his own shield, where the fire crashed harmlessly. Zhu Yan stood behind him, proud of his lover, even though he had yet to show his true strength, and was certain that he would fascinate him and make him fear for his life at the same time, with whatever he had planned to end their curse.

Yi Chen countered the fire with a wave of his own power over water and ice, sending it back at Wen Zongyu to stop his fireballs, freezing them as their powers collided, sending them hurtling downwards like harmless volcanic rocks. However, as they crashed against the hard surface of the bridge they were standing on, red smoke emerged, and Zhu Yan knew it was nothing good, probably some kind of poison, and turned to warn Yi Chen not to inhale it. But it was too late, as his beloved was already staggering, and he caught him before he could touch the snowy ground.

"Yi Chen! Yi Chen! Wake up!" Zhu Yan shouted, shaking him a little to see if he would respond to the stimulus, but his beloved was unconscious, immersed in whatever that monster had sent his mind into.

"There's no use calling him, because no one can wake him from the Dream of Indulgence, and unlike the dream created by Ran Yi, if you die in this dream, you die for real." Wen Zongyu said, enjoying the despair the great demon had experienced just at the beginning of their fight. He had to admit that it was thrilling to see the supposedly strongest demon in the Wilderness on his knees, hugging his useless lover and unable to help him.

However, despite what Wen Zongyu believed, Zhu Yan was not helpless when it came to helping his beloved dragon, for they were united in body and soul, and he only needed an moment to awaken Yi Chen's consciousness with their spiritual bond. Thus, he let Yi Chen remain on his knees and summoned his umbrella to fight Wen Zongyu until he could bring him back.

 He might not have been at his peak yet, but he was strong enough to put up a good fight against that demon. With his piercing gaze fixed on Zhu Yan, Wen Zongyu unleashed bursts of flame that shot across the bridge like fiery serpents, colliding with Zhu Yan's umbrella, charged with his malicious energy. The clashing waves of demonic energy exploded around the bridge, causing it to shake from the force of the impact.

"You are better than I expected, as a shell of your former self, but since your lover is trapped in dreams, you're growing desperate." Wen Zongyu mocked in a soft yet malicious voice and Zhu Yan's heart raced at those words, as the image of Yi Chen flickered in his mind, his sweet smile, his beautiful blue eyes that now saw nothing but illusions.

"He won't be trapped in your dream for long, he is stronger than what you take him for." He said defiantly, channeling his power into his umbrella as he unleashed a wave of shadowy tendrils aimed straight for Wen Zongyu. The dark tendrils coiled through the air, but were met with a wall of flame. A violent explosion erupted between them, enveloping the bridge in swirling smoke and sparks. Zhu Yan cast a shield with his one-word spell in front of him, so Yi Chen will not be hurt by the vicious counterattack that scorched the stone where he stood with Yi Chen just behind him.

"Whatever you said, but your time is running out." Wen Zongyu taunted, his voice smooth but laced with venom as he stepped forward. Flames coiled around him in response to his words, each step igniting sparks upon the ancient stones beneath him.

Zhu Yan gritted his teeth, feeling the weight of despair weighing on his shoulders. He only needed a minute to reach Yi Chen, who was still trapped in a relentless dream, but defending him distracted him from reaching his soul. Then, defiantly, Zhu Yan raised his umbrella as dark energy gushed forth like an unleashed tempest. In that moment of confrontation, Zhu Yan's mind raced not only for himself but also for Yi Chen, who unexpectedly raised his sword to place it at his neck. He knew the reason why Yi Chen would do such a thing. Yi Chen had realized that he was trapped in a dream and was about to break free from it like he had with Ran Yi. But that wouldn't free him; instead, it would kill him with his own hands.

"NOOOO! YI CHEN, STOP!" Zhu Yan shouted as he turned and swooped down to prevent his beloved from accidentally committing suicide, but Wen Zongyu wasn't going to let such a heavenly opportunity pass him by without making the most of it. 

As Zhu Yan hold the sword to prevent it from slicing into Yi Chen's neck, Zongyu launched a sneak attack at both of them with his flames. Zhu Yan, now with his hand occupied holding the sword blade, was unable to stop the oncoming attack as his umbrella was unable to contain it. He could only try to shield Yi Chen with his own body, praying that the blow wouldn't kill him instantly, so that Yi Chen could at least survive it.

Zhu Yan braced for the impact, but two things happened at once. First, the baby dragon that was previously so lovingly mending his core abandoned it, with his essence transforming once again, and instead of coiling around his core, the now human-sized blue dragon coiled around them both protectively, breathing out a torrent of icy water laced with rainbow energy at the oncoming flames. Second, a whirlwind of leaves also surrounded them, giving them an extra layer of protecting, making Zhu Yan smiled, not only because Yi Chen's dragon had fully manifested and saved them both, but also because someone else had come to their aid when they least expected it. 

"Li Lun..." Zhu Yan whispered as the dragon protecting them exhaled smoke through its nostrils, rebuking the man who had started it all. However, the great demon was grateful for having appeared when they needed help.

"It seems having a dragon as a partner has its advantages. Perhaps you didn't need me to interfere after all, Zhu Yan." Li Lun said as he looked back once he materialized in his human form.

"He's such a cute dragon, isn't he?" Zhu Yan asked, as the dragon nuzzled him, making him laugh.

"Good heavens! Is this the kind of situation where you should be toying with your lover's dragon spirit?" Li Lun asked annoyingly.

"How long did you cultivate inside the sundial?" Zhu Yan asked, ignoring his previous remark.

"Five hundred years, so my cultivation is not in danger. If you really need my help... I am willing to give it to you... I owe it to you and to him as well anyways." Li Lun said as he looked at him for a few seconds before looking back at Wen Zongyu.

"Thank you, Li Lun... I mean it."

"Yes, you've always had that air of nobility around you, which is why you're such a good fit for him, you're both too forgiving. What do you need? You already have a protective dragon hugging you as if its life depended on it. Well, maybe it does. If Zhuo Yi Chen dies, you two will too."

"I just need a minute to snap Yi Chen out of the poisonous dream he's having."

"Interesting... He sacrifices himself even in his dreams?" Li Lun chuckled.

"Of course. Can you handle Wen Zongyu? He had turned into a phoenix demon, and with the Ever-Burning fire to boot."

"You're joking, right? Didn't that fire kill me once?" Li Lun asked incredulously, watching Wen Zongyu smirk at his hesitation. 

"I'm sorry for that, but yes... that is precisely the fire he can control at will now." Zhu Yan said, ignoring the pain in his hand cut by Yi Chen's Cloud Light Sword.

"Li Lun... you couldn't defeat me before or now, not even after cultivating for another ten thousand years. Aren't you afraid of being reduced to ashes again?" Wen Zongyu mocked mercilessly as he summoned his fire, just to show him he wasn't joking. Li Lun used his Truth Eye to closely observe the monster the man had become, and he gasped for a second at what he saw.

"It's a phoenix alright. Just as Zhuo Yi Chen's dragon spirit protected you, he also had that fire bird protecting him too. How did you expect to defeat it with your current condition and a barely awakened young dragon?" Li Lun asked, though he already knew the answer even before Zhu Yan said it.

"Because someone has to do it, and Yi Chen isn't just a newly awakened dragon... give me a minute and you'll see for yourself."

"Zhu Yan, that fire will indeed burn me to ashes..."

"Are you backing out?"

"Of course not! Even if it kills me, I need to redeem myself for being tricked by that monster. I promised to protect the Wilderness with you, but I can't promise that any of us will survive this fight." Li Lun said as he was about to summon his power, but just then, the blue dragon protecting Zhu Yan and Yi Chen opened its mouth again to breathe its power into Li Lun, covering him with the rainbow energy it had used before, the power of Ying Long. Li Lun looked back at the dragon, who seemed to be looking at him amused.

"What was that for?" He asked Zhu Yan, who smiled.

"Divine protection... you're willing to die for us, and that makes you his best friend, at least until this fight ends. He also had a very tender heart." 

"It's not a real dragon, just a small part of your lover's essence."

"Be grateful, Li Lun... this dragon spirit just blessed you with a shield against that fire."

"Oh? Is that so? Well... Let's put it to the test! Hurry and bring Zhuo Yi Chen back, because if this doesn't work, we're all goners." Li Lun said as he threw a wall of roots as wide as the bridge to contain the fire Wen Zongyu had unleashed on them again.

Trusting that Li Lun would do his part this time, under the watchful eye of the once baby dragon, now a young dragon, he closed his eyes and focused on his spiritual bond with Yi Chen, softly calling his name, telling him that his dream was not like Ran Yi's, but something more, a poison that he could dispel with his own purifying sword. The Cloud Light Sword was already bathed in his blood, so Zhu Yan only tapped it with his finger to make it resonate with their bond.

In his dream, Zhuo Yi Chen suffered many losses, from Wen Xiao, Pei Si Jing and Ying Lei, to Zhu Yan, and even Bai Jiu. The latter made him realize that the absence of the bell in his hair made that nightmare just that, a devastating and heartbreaking dream from where he could wake up. However, as he tried to escape, something seemed to stop him.

Then he heard Zhu Yan's soft voice calling, the pull on his soul, and the vibration of the Cloud Light Sword calling him to wake up. So, he dropped the sword and sat in the lotus position, taking the pill Bai Jiu had given him before they part ways, for such an emergency and swallow it. Right after, he gathered the power of Ying Long to purify himself, along with the effect of the pill containing Bai Jiu's own blood. Soon, he awoke to the real world, where he and Zhu Yan were enveloped by an azure dragon... the same one Zhu Yan had called cute so many times.

"Welcome back, Xiao Zhuo..." Zhu Yan whispered to him when he saw him open his eyes, which shone with a mixture of blue and green.

"Zhu Yan, sorry to keep you waiting... little dragon, make sure to keep him safe no matter what happens next, the rest is up to me, but rest assure. I will end this madness once and for all." Yi Chen said and Li Lun wondered what the hell he could do when he was weaker than that phoenix demon.

"Zhuo Yi Chen, he's a phoenix demon you can't defeat. Stay back and let me handle it. I know you don't trust me, but I don't mean you any harm, I swear... your little dragon spirit can also vouch to that." Li Lun explained.

"You came..."

"Did you expect me to show up?"

"In a way, yes. You're always lurking around Zhu Yan, whether he want to or not."

"Do I detect jealousy?" Li Lun asked mockingly, holding back the endless barrage of karmic fire with his root wall and the energy-repelling shield protecting him.

"There's no such thing with a soul bond. Step back... I'll take care of him."

"Can you? He should be stronger than you."

"In the past he was, not so much now, not here."

"Then let me give you a gift... It should be yours anyway, since you're so tied up now. I don't want you chasing me to the ends of the earth to get it back."

"What do you mean...?"

"What once belonged to him, the Truth Eye..." Li Lun said as he walked towards Yi Chen. After standing behind him and performing the necessary hand seal over Zhuo Yi Chen's eyes, he transferred the power to him, allowing him to see Wen Zongyu as he really was.

"There, now he is all yours... now go do what you must. I will take care him along with your dragon spirit."

"Thank you... but this will not make up for the damage you did, to us, to him, to Bai Jiu and the many lives you manipulated and twisted." Yi Chen said as he stared at him, but Li Lun simply chuckle.

"So righteous to your core... don't worry. I will atone for my sins as you see fit." He whisper.

"Is not me who will decide your fate, only Wen Xiao and Zhu Yan, as current guardians of the Wilderness, selected by the Baize token have that right."

"Xiao Zhuo... you are a guardian of the Wilderness too. You make the promise under the Baize spirit watch, you are part of this as much as Wen Xiao and me."

"He is still your friend, is fair for you to you to decide his punishment."

"Please, no matter who decides, there's a fire monster right there who needs punishment more than I do right now, and he's so confident that he's given us so much time for this nonsense while he waits patiently." Li Lun pointed, and everyone looked at Wen Zongyu, who grinned even wider.

"I'm glad you noticed me again. Shall we finish this fight? I'm getting bored, and I have plenty to rejoice about, after I'm done with you all. I have an army of demonized humans to take care of once their core awakens." The man said, and this time Yi Chen laughed.

"I'm sorry, but you don't have that army. We discovered your plan and your demon cores the very moment we realized you were causing a plague so we could cure them. It took Bai Jiu a while to get around your predetermined solution, but like the genius he is, he found a way to not only to bypass your fruit-camouflaged cores, but also detoxify Wen Xiao. In a way, you've already lost, demon." Yi Chen taunted at the man, and well deservedly so, but that information infuriated Wen Zongyu to the boiling point.

"Lie! I'm sure he gave them the Paralysis Fruit! It was the only way Bai Jiu could stop the spread of the plague!" Wen Zongyu shouted furiously, as flames began to engulf him, mimicking his fury.

"Oh no, that wasn't the only thing he could use. As you should know... he has divine blood too..." Yi Chen explained.

"He's just a child! He hasn't awakened!"

"Yet, apparently, for most of us with ancestral blood running through our veins, it's not necessary to be fully awakened to use it. Let me show you, Wen Zongyu, the true form of my ancestor Bing Yi and the terrifying power he possesses, along with that of his companion, Ying Long..."

"Wait, Yi Chen..." Zhu Yan was instantly alarmed, but Yi Chen looked at Li Lun, who understood what he meant and grabbed his arm.

"Just trust him..." Li Lun whispers to the great demon and they both watch Zhuo Yi Chen surrounded by a cloud of unknown power, his skin starting to change into bright blue scales, his hair turning white with a soft blue shine and in a flash of blinding light they have to cover their eyes with their hands, Yi Chen's human form fades away to give way to a beautiful serpentine azure dragon that soared into the clear sky with a mighty growl that seems to reach for the heavens.

In Zhu Yan's eyes, Yi Chen's dragon form was hypnotically ethereal, otherworldly, and overwhelmingly beautiful, and his heart skipped a beat at the majesty of his dragon in its true form. Its scales shone light blue in the sunlight, its small horns were covered in soft white fur, its eyes were electric cerulean, and its chest and belly were smooth white, with its strong short legs tipped with sharp claws.

"Yi Chen..." He blurted out his name as if in a trance and Li Lun was tempted to close his dropped jaw in annoyance with his own hand. Yes, the young dragon was undoubtedly a magnificent sight, just as he was in his human form, but beauty was useless against the evil of the demon he was set to defeat. 

For his part, Wen Zongyu felt the powerful demonic energy of the transformed dragon and knew that with his human form, he would lose, so he too let the fire of his phoenix consume his body and transformed into an equally enormous fire bird, with strong wings that with each movement sent warm waves of heat into the cold mountains. And so the battle of the titans began.

Atop the mountain's jagged summit, two formidable beings faced each other. Zhuo Yi Chen, the blue dragon demon, glimmered like a shard of ice against the fiery backdrop. His scales shimmered with an ethereal sheen, catching the light of his massive form, which was tipped with frost. Opposite him stood Wen Zongyu, the phoenix demon, resplendent in vibrant reds and golds that seemed to flicker like living flames. His wings radiated with karmic fire, crackling with energy that danced playfully in the air around him.

The tension between them crackled with demonic energy, they were enemies embodying elemental forces, water and ice versus fire and rebirth. As they circled one another in the air above Mount Kunlun temple, their eyes locked in a fierce contest of wills.

Wen Zongyu struck first, unleashing a torrent of blazing fire that spiraled toward Zhuo Yi Chen like a serpent seeking its prey.

"You will not survive against me!" His voice roared, echoing off the cliffs like thunder. Zhuo Yi Chen responded with a swift movement, summoning a wall of ice that erupted from the ground before him. The icy barrier absorbed his flames effortlessly before shattering into glittering shards that fell like frozen rain onto the battlefield below.

"This is where creation reigns supreme." Yichen declared confidently, his breath forming misty clouds in the crisp air.

As their powers clashed, a dance of fire and ice, the atmosphere thickened with palpable energy. Snow began to swirl around them as Zhuo Yi Chen commanded water from hidden springs beneath Mount Kunlun to rise and crash down upon his adversary. Each drop sparkled as if infused with starlight, encasing Wen Zongyu momentarily in an intricate prison of glistening ice.

But Wen Zongyu was not so easy to defeat and he summoned his demonic energy to dissolve the icy bonds surrounding him. With a fierce cry, he spread his wings wide and unleashed waves of poisonous flames that twisted through the air like serpents seeking their mark.

"From ashes I rise!" He proclaimed defiantly. With every blow exchanged, rocks crumbled underfoot and molten earth bubbled up from fissures as nature itself seemed to respond to their battle, a reflection of their struggle for supremacy over the other.

Zhuo Yi Chen, however had no fear to be defeated in those sacred mountains, thus he called upon his power of creation once more. He summoned forth torrents of frigid water that spiraled into an immense vortex above them, freezing solid mid-air into an enormous spear made entirely of ice mixed with the reflection of stars, the power of the constellation the gods had left behind, a magnificent sight to witness by Zhu Yan and Li Lun, that were hopelessly watching their fight, but unable to help in such titanic battle.

With an earth-shaking roar that echoed throughout Mount Kunlun's valleys and picks, he hurled it towards Wen Zongyu. Caught off guard by his sheer force and determination, Wen Zongyu attempted to dodge but was ultimately ensnared by its icy grip as it shattered around him in an explosion of frost and flame. The overwhelming power coursing through Zhuo Yi Chen surged forth one last time, a wave of crystal-clear water crashing down over the demon burning form.

The purity of it, mixed with the equally eternal energy of creation, penetrated every inch of the phoenix's body, purifying it from the inside out, without giving way to another circle of rebirth, for Ying Long had granted him with more than just purification, he had granted him the spells that could create stars and kill even the gods themselves, let alone a phoenix demon who resorted to dirty tricks to keep himself powerful and alive.

With a piercing cry, the phoenix's inner core, located in one of its wings, was shattered by the purifying energy of the second dragon power, causing the phoenix to explode into millions of shimmering particles like a rainy, clear, and cold shower, charged with the power of life, of the beginning, of the stars and the moon, of the celestial constellations and the sun. 

No evil power could withstand it, and so, somewhere within Chongwu Camp, the phoenix ashes that ensured Wen Zhongyu's rebirth exploded in on themselves, like if a river of purifying power had come down over its ashes until nothing remained and they were gone with the wind.

This scene was witnessed by Pei Si Jing, who had stayed behind to fight Zhen Mei. He had attempted to use his dream scales against her, but as she had swallowed one of Bai Jiu's pills infused with his blood before they infiltrate into the Chongwu Camp, they had no effect on her, and she was able to fight back and defeat Zhen Mei. Just as Zhen Mei dissolved into a cloud of glittering particles, the water within the dungeon glowed a deep blue, turning it crystal clear before it shot straight towards Wen Zongyu's altar in a torrent of purifying force, infused with Yi Chen's power of creation. Upon contact, they exploded and dissolved into the divine water, before settling back in place.

As silence settled over the mountain top like falling snowflakes after a storm's fury had passed, Zhuo Yi Chen stood victorious amid remnants of steam rising from both fire and ice meeting underfoot. With the sun rays fully shining behind him now casting golden light across Mount Kunlun's majestic heights, he allowed himself a moment to admire the view before his final task. Then gathering all his strength, he cast the spell Ying Long had show teach him before, the remnants of the five colored stone that had been hide inside his robes before the fight, came out of his dragon body, surrounding him a cloud of rainbow dust shining in the light of the sun.

As cold rain began to descend in heavy sheets, each drop bore a weight of creation and purification, a testament to Yi Chen's victory. He stood amidst the aftermath, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he transformed back into his human form. Though his physical appearance had reverted, traces of his dragon heritage remained. His skin shimmered subtly in places, small blue scales catching the last light of day like scattered sapphires across a canvas of porcelain.

Before him, bathed in his rain, lay Zhu Yan, the great demon he loved, still vulnerable and weakened. Their souls intertwined in a bond deeper than mere love and Yi Chen's heart raced at the sight of Zhu Yan's pallid face marred by shadows of dark energy swirling around him like malevolent smoke. With determination hardening his resolve, Yi Chen approached. The rain poured relentlessly, drenching them both as he stop in front of Zhu Yan.

"Hold on, it's almost over." He whispered, voice steady despite the tumult around them. He reached out with trembling hands, placing them gently against Zhu Yan's chest, over where he sensed that dark energy coiled like a serpent.

Gathering what remained of his power, the very essence that could create life and cleanse evil, Yi Chen focused intently. Streams of cerulean light began to emanate from his palms, intertwining with strands of shadow that clung to Zhu Yan like a shroud.

"I will free you, my Xiao Yan." He murmured fiercely as he poured every ounce of strength into expelling the darkness, internally keeping his pray, his focus into summoning the one who could end it all with all his might, with Bing Yi's blood, with Ying Long's power.

Zhu Yan's eyes fluttered open briefly, deep pools reflecting both fear and trust as they met Yi Chen's determined gaze. For a moment, their souls resonated together into the highest level, a harmony echoing through the cold of the mountains.

Then Yi Chen felt it, an overwhelming force coming from above, as the sky seems to part in golden thunders and the figure of a beautiful woman descended from the heavens themselves. Her presence regal and powerful, draped in flowing robes of shimmering with rainbow energy and pristine whites, that seem to flutter as if alive. Her long hair flows like a waterfall of silk down her back, adorned with delicate ornaments that sparkle against her radiant skin.

Nuwa holds aloft five colored stones, each a vibrant hue of red, blue, green, yellow, and white, forming a perfect pentagon around her outstretched hands. Her eyes gently resting on the two men intertwined in red strings with a faint gold surrounding it, yet not powerful enough to cast away their curse. Then, she used the stones that pulse with an inner light, absorbing the darkness swirling around from the young dragon's effort to expel it from the great demon Zhu Yan, his soul bond lover.

Bing Yi’s very blood called to her from the depths of the boy’s soul. She owed him to free him from the Chaos curse, owed Ying Long for his sacrifice in driving the darkness out of the Wilderness and taking on the endless cycle of reincarnations that had wounded his soul time and time again.

The stones glow brighter, illuminating her surroundings and casting kaleidoscopic reflections on the icy surfaces around her. The winds shift, the rain stooping as they rise dramatically as if responding to her call. They gather around Nuwa and swirl fiercely in a cyclone of colors. Suddenly, from within the depths below rises a dark mist, the essence of Zhu Yan's malicious energy seeking to escape, although there was none this time.

Nuwa's brow furrows in concentration as she channels all her divine strength into absorbing this chaos into the stones. The ground beneath her quakes slightly as if resonating with their confrontation, the mountains standing witness to this epic battle between good and evil.

With a final surge of power and focus, Nuwa brings the stones closer together until they collide softly yet firmly, a brilliant flash erupts from their union as they create a radiant barrier against the chaos darkness. The malice begins to dissipate like smoke caught in sunlight, trapped forever within these sacred stones. The malicious energy was now gone and chaos trapped inside the five colored stones, the endless cycle of vessels finally over.

“Nuwa… please his core...” Yi Chen whispered weakly, too exhausted to hold on much longer. And she breathed into Zhu Yan with her divine energy, creating a protection around the great demon's core, mending it and filling it with the power he once have, Ying Long's power of creation, the power to renew the Wilderness that had been left in the dark for so long. Both Zhu Yan and Li Lun were stunned to see the goddess descend from the heavens to answer the divine dragon’s spell prayer, not to mention to be in her presence and be healed by her.

"My child, you have done your part well. This world is blessed with you pure heart and kindness. Rest now." She said and then Yi Chen's vision blurred, fatigue dragged him under like an anchor to the depths below. He felt himself slipping away, a soft sigh escaping his lips before darkness enveloped him and Zhu Yan hugged him as tears of happiness fell from his face. His beloved had succeeded, freed him from his curse, and now they could have a future that wasn't set in stone.

AN: I guess this is the end? Maybe an epilogue to show how things progressed after they win and break their curse? Well, at least everyone survives, no one dies and they will have their happy ending. The combination of Bing Yi's blood, Ying Long power of creation and Yi Chen's pure heart make it possible for him to summon Nuwa trough her five colored stone. The last pictures are of her, I made many versions, but I could not decide between those two. LAst picture, the chibi cute version of their fight. LOL. See you next time.

Chapter Text

Many things happened after the descent of the goddess Nuwa. In addition to the Chaos being removed from Zhu Yan and replaced by Ying Long's original creation power, both his core and the scars on his back were also healed. Bai Jiu's divine blood awakened just as the heavenly rain fell upon the city, while they were still administering the cure for the plague, further healing the people and purifying the land. This, of course, granted him longevity, and Ying Lei, excitedly told him they could be a team or more like partners in crime for a long time and said he would teach him how to cultivate his own core, already formed by Yi Chen and Nuwa's divine energy.

Pei Si Heng had also been touched by the ash-purifying water in the Chongwu Camp dungeon and was granted a new kind of life that keeps his soul firmly fixed in his wooden body, so that he could remain in his human form permanently, much to Pei Si Jing's delight, now with the chance to right the wrongs of the past since she had his brother back, even if he was still a wood demon, but honestly no one cared about that.

However, the one who was changed the most was Wen Xiao herself. Nuwa realized that the Baize token hadn't been enough for her to fulfill her role as a goddess, as long as she remained human, so she integrating its energy directly into her body and creating a divine core that would grant Wen Xiao the true power to maintain the balance between the realms and fight her own battles if necessary, alongside her friends. She no longer needed protection, no longer needed a token to use her new abilities, and, furthermore, she could share her divinity, so she could choose and train the next goddess for when she felt the need to retire. The cycle of the Baize goddess no longer existed, for she was now a true goddess, but she could always choose a successor.

With so much divine power, she could grant Pei Si Jing immortality, so they could be together as lifelong partners and her team would remain vigilant and strong for generations to come, always ensuring justice that not even the King could try to ignore or stop, as Nuwa herself had commanded humans to respect the demons who do no harm and warned the demons in turn not to abuse innocent humans.

The Bureau was then finally able to judge humans who committed crimes against innocent demons, punishing them according to the severity of the crime, from a few days in jail to the death penalty if the crime was similar to the one Wen Zongyu attempted in Tiandu City. The same punishment system, of course, also applied to demons, as it already existed in the Demon Hunting Bureau, which had always been fair from the beginning, unlike the later-established and now completely disbanded Chongwu Camp. Members of Chongwu Camp who committed heinous atrocities were punished according to their crimes, as were court officials who proved equally guilty and cruel to demons and humans alike.

Afterwards, Fan Ying was appointed Prime Minister, specifically in charge of everything related to demons. Situ Ming remained in charge of the Demon Hunting Bureau along with Yichen and the demon hunting team became a sensation, a legend among legends, able to even summon gods. Thus the Bureau finally got the needed founds to restore it and bring it back to their former glory, to the time Yi Chen's family have been there and complete.

Fei, the fake Fei was left in Qing Geng's custody, just as she had requested, and the two of them went into the Wilderness to look for a place where they could stay without causing any more harm to anyone else, nor being bothered by others with malicious intent.

Zhu Yan, with his newfound power of creation, and Wen Xiao, like a true goddess, transformed the Wilderness, restoring it to something similar to the human realm over the years, turning it into a paradise for demons who eventually no longer wanted or needed to escape a dying realm. Thus, peace was established and the balance between the two worlds was renewed.

Li Lun remained in the Wilderness, helping Wen Xiao in every way possible to make it a better world and atone for his own sins. Pei Si Jing also remained with Wen Xiao as her guardian, teaching her from basic defensive moves to mastering offensive moves with a bow and dagger, and protected her during long periods of cultivation alongside Li Lun and their dear Xue Long.

Ying Lei and Bai Jiu remained together, running a joint business in the same building called Fangs of Fortune. One floor was a Teahouse and dining, and the other a clinic accessible to all, rich or poor. Pei Si Heng worked with both of them when he had nothing to do at the Bureau, where he was staying, or when he was not visiting his sister.

Zhu Yan and Yi Chen stayed together (along with someone else for the first year) between the Bureau and the Wilderness, spending half their time in each realm. At the Bureau, they trained new recruits (as they were now quite famous) and guarded the city, giving the people a greater sense of peace and the assurance that a divine dragon and a blessed great demon were watching over them. In the Wilderness, they helped the demons build a new way of life, full of hope and prosperity.

Twice a year, and sometimes even more, the entire team would reunite for celebrations or festivals, to spend time as the family they had become, even if they had partially go on different paths. Of course, it was practically mandatory for Yi Chen and Zhu Yan to dine at Ying Lei's Fangs of Fortune, while he remained at the Bureau, as Bai Jiu insisted that he visit at least once a day to fulfill his brotherly duties of looking after his younger brother, even when he grew into a full-fledged adult, with a happy mountain god as a very caring lover.

For Zhu Yan, it was about time they ended up together, as Ying Lei had worked hard to win Bai Jiu's affection during the years they spent working together. Yi Chen was also relieved that they had finally found their own happy ending, even if it had taken them a full ten years to reach it.

As for them, after the first year in where they share their lives with someone very dear to both of them, they mostly shared Yi Chen's room in the Bureau, which was still his ancestral home, but sometimes they stayed at Zhu Yan's Peach Blossom where they enjoyed greater intimacy. One night, Zhu Yan had a dream, something quite unusual for him as he usually rested next to Yi Chen, hugging him while he slept (as that was the one human habit he didn't know how to get rid of) and woke up crying with an intense emotion that Yi Chen had never seen him display before, apart from when they were making love.

"Xiao Yan... what happen? What's wrong? Why are you crying like that?" Yi Chen asked tenderly, hugging him and gently rubbing his back to try to calm him down. However, it took some time to calm him down, as Zhu Yan's endless grief suddenly manifested all at once.

"I have a dream..." Zhu Yan finally replied after the tears stopped running down his cheeks and his heart reached peace.

"It's okay... do you dream with Xue Long? I do, all the time, I miss him, but life needs to go on, he is fine where he choose to be..." He whispered as he hugged him and kissed Zhu Yan's forehead.

"It's not that... it's a dream about someone from my past... our past..." Zhu Yan said softly, and Yi Chen wondered who else it could be.

"My Zhu Yan, who can make you cry like this? I can't remember anyone who has affected you so much, unless it's Wan'er?" He asked, but Zhu Yan hugged him tighter.

"I've made peace with her before. It wasn't her..." He whispered as he closed his eyes, and then Yi Chen remembered. Someone from their past...? His older brother and his father? 

"Is it... my brother and..."

"Yes... their death has weighed on my heart for so long. Even with you by my side, even with your forgiveness, their death still clings to me like a second skin..."

"Then... can you tell me..."

"Zhuo Yixuan spoke to me... he told me that although what I did was a sin, it was a sin committed only by Chaos, a force that even the gods have a hard time dealing with... he said he doesn't blame me, nor does your father, and that making you happy in his place, caring for you, protecting you no matter what, is how I've already atoned for that sin... he said he frees me from my guilt, as there is nothing to forgive. Their souls will eventually be reincarnated, and perhaps when they return to this world, you will be able to have them back, be a happy family again... that Nuwa will grant them that blessing... and you will know when that time comes." Zhu Yan explained, and Yi Chen sighed softly.

"I'd love to have them back... I miss them too..." Yi Chen whispered into Zhu Yan's hair.

"I feel free... so much lighter... for being forgiven, once again." Zhu Yan said as tears streamed down his face, but this time, Yi Che gently wiped them away.

"You were forgiven a long time ago, Zhu Yan, otherwise, I wouldn't be so madly in love with you..."

"Ah, Xiao Chen... come and seal that promise with a kiss, the way we both love it..." Yi Chen smiled before fulfilling Zhu Yan's wish. They kissed for a long time before one thing led to another and they discarded their clothes so they could explore and enjoy their ultimate form of love. They would never tire of it, never part, for their lives were bound by something heavenly.

The End?

Wait, it's not over yet! There's a story that hasn't been told. Who is Xue Long? Well, that baby dragon born from Yi Chen's essence that worked so hard to heal Zhu Yan's core, that adorable baby dragon that once protected him from Wen Zongyu, that grew and took form outside Zhu Yan's core, to keep them both safe, have also received his own power from Nuwa.

In a way, the little dragon became their son, since it was born from their demonic and divine energy and cultivated inside the sundial for a whole month under Li Lun's guidance until it reached human form. When he emerged from it, it had been as a gorgeous young man, dressed like Yi Chen in two tones of blue robes, tall, slender, adorable turquoise eyes, beautiful handsome face and blue hair with short bangs at both side of his face and Li Lun had been permanently fixated in him, as much at he had been with Zhu Yan before him. They had name him Xue Long (Snow Dragon).

Xue Long had great affection for Zhu Yan, and follow him everywhere for a whole year, just as Bai Jiu did for Yi Chen, as it was his duty to heal him when his core was damaged. But seeing Zhu Yan so happy with Yi Chen, his core fully heal, and the world was no longer in chaos, he decided to stay in the Wilderness and help Li Lun with his promise to protect demons. Of course, both Zhu Yan and Yi Chen greatly loved their 'son', but he also had the right to choose his own path, the one he found most comfortable.

Thus, Li Lun, while fulfilling his duty in the Wilderness, trying to repair the damage he had caused with his own hands, had someone at his side to help him and someone to keep an eye on him so he will never go astray again. The little dragon had deep ties with Zhu Yan and Yi Chen, so the goddess Wen Xiao constantly teased Li Lun due to his growing fascination (crush) with the young dragon.

However, Li Lun was aware that the Xue Long was not just any dragon, but also a divine being, not to mention that he had two fathers who could annihilate him the instant he attempted to make a move on him. But in the end, after eight years of patience and the little dragon slowly falling in love with him, Zhu Yan give in and approve of their relationship. Although Yi Chen was not as enthusiastic, he was easily persuaded by his mischievous lover.

It wasn't that they weren't under supervision, as during the half year that Zhu Yan and Yi Chen spent in the Wilderness, Xue Long stayed with them to live happily as a family. Li Lun would have to adapt or give up on him, but it wasn't like him to cave in or give up. So for the rest of the year, he had Xue Long to himself, he made the most of the opportunities, and go as far as Xue Long would let him, unable to go as far as he wished, given Xue Long stubborn and shy nature, just like Yi Chen, but satisfy with their growing relationship. Still, Li Lun was happy to have a second chance at life, a second chance to make things right and a second chance to love and be loved back.

Thus, only one wood demon named Pei Si Heng had no love interest, not because he lacked suitors, as they were all admired heroes, but because he hadn't yet been bitten by the love bug like the others. However, since he was immortal, in time, when the moment was right, he too would find his other half.

The End

AN: Thanks for reading this story so far and I hope it give you joy along their journey, as it did me and if you like it, please kudo and comment, that will make me happy too. If you feel disappointed instead with this ending, that fine too, I will thank you for reaching the end nonetheless. Bellow is dear baby dragon, now young man Xue Long. He is hot, Li Lun you lucky tree, but I warn you he is as dominant as Yi Chen, so don't get him wrong. 🤭😂😂😉