“All right, enough chatter. How could any of you possibly guess Dame Nangong’s thoughts? If you have time to speculate, you’d be better off focusing on improving your cultivation!”
“Big brother, wait—I’ve got something on my mind I can’t hold in any longer!” the Second Elder croaked, eyes hesitant.
“Then spit it out!” the First Elder snapped.
“Actually, liking and disliking lie but a thought apart. Even if one day ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) you come to dislike, that sentiment itself was built on liking,” the Second Elder confessed in his raspy voice—so melodramatically that the other four elders shot him strange looks.
“I thought you were going to say something profound,” one elder muttered. “Turns out you’re just reciting sad quotes!”
Before they could jeer further, a figure descended through the air. The five elders immediately stood at attention like obedient kindergarten students.
Nangong Jingtang’s tone was calm as she commanded, “You may go about your duties. I have matters to discuss with Ye Yu alone.”
Sensing her intent, the elders tactfully bowed and departed.
Once they were gone, Nangong Jingtang approached Ye Yu and poured him a cup of spirit tea. “To be honest, I’d heard legends of the Futing Rebirth Drum, but never believed it could truly resurrect someone. So regardless of whether the Destiny Great Demon legend is fact, you saved my life!”
Ye Yu said nothing, instead studying her familiar face. Such uncharacteristic warmth from her felt disconcerting.
Without hesitation, Nangong Jingtang continued, “After my rebirth, my mind was incomplete and I relied on you heavily. When you left, loneliness consumed me and the inner demon took root—nearly dooming me forever. It was you who found Bai Ze to purge the demon and saved me a second time. I should have properly thanked you, but in the Manniu territory my memories were still fragmented, and I merely wished to flee. Please forgive me.”
Ye Yu frowned slightly. “Have your memories fully returned now?”
She nodded. “Yes—all the events, and my feelings for you.”
“But I hope you’ll give me time to adjust. I need to distinguish between mere dependency and true feeling.”
Ye Yu agreed. Since her mind and memories were now whole, this was the real her—and such matters couldn’t be rushed.
He drained the spirit tea and said softly, “By the way, have you heard of the Sanctuary? They’re looking for you. Be cautious.”
Her expression darkened. “As expected, what must come will come. Actually, I was once an Envoy of the Sanctuary.”
Ye Yu’s eyes widened. “An Envoy? You?”
Nangong Jingtang recounted the past. Over 300,000 years ago, she had been only at Heavenly Demon realm but, due to her prodigious talent, the Sanctuary invited her to join. She became an Envoy, using Contribution Points to acquire resources and swiftly rose to Peak Demon King. Yet she remained merely an Envoy—no Elder rank. What power did the Elders or the Lord of the Sanctuary hold? She had asked fellow Envoys but was met with knowing smiles. Determined, she resolved to break through to Demon Emperor realm and earn greater standing.
But peace rarely lasts. The Face-Spider Shang Jinling attacked Chaos Demon City, seeking to alchemize it and advance himself. Though Nangong initially refused to intervene—recognizing Shang Jinling as a fellow Envoy—she could not stand by when the Peacock Clan suffered casualties. Confronting him, she urged him to leave, but he ignored her and lectured that the Sanctuary’s rule of the strong allowed him to massacre any territory to break through. When she appealed to the Elders, they forbade interference: “If you don’t like the slaughter, leave with your people.” Enraged, she shattered her communication stone.
Shang Jinling sneered that in the Sanctuary, strength spoke above all—and threatened to kill her as well. At that, she unleashed her power and, sacrificing her life, sealed Shang Jinling beneath Chaos Demon City.
Now, reborn, she realized the Sanctuary sought her out likely to undo that seal and free Shang Jinling.
Having heard her tale, Ye Yu finally understood. He asked, “So...what do you intend to do now?”
