Darkness covered the Nether Realm.
The sky was filled with black clouds, and the ground seemed to breathe with a strange, heavy energy. Flames flickered in the distance, casting shadows that moved like living things.
At the center of this dark world—
Sat the Demon King, Hei Yan.
His presence was overwhelming, like a force that could crush everything beneath it. Behind him, the shadow of a three-headed hellhound flickered faintly, its eyes glowing in the dark.
In front of him—
Kneeling on one knee — was Wuming, The Ghost Blade of the Abyss
The silence in the hall was heavy.
No one dared to speak.
Then—
Hei Yan's voice echoed.
"How could you fail to kill her?"
Each word was slow, cold, filled with anger.
Wuming lowered his head. "My Lord—"
"Answer me," Hei Yan interrupted.
The air grew even heavier.
Wuming did not lift his head. "There was… interference."
A pause.
Hei Yan's eyes narrowed. "Interference?"
Wuming continued, "A man appeared. He was not ordinary."
The hall became silent again.
Hei Yan leaned slightly forward.
"Not ordinary?" he repeated.
His voice carried a dangerous calm.
"Yes," Wuming said. "His strength was beyond that of a mortal."
A low, dark laugh escaped from Hei Yan.
"So," he said slowly, "you are telling me… you failed because of a human?"
Wuming did not respond.
That silence— was his answer.
In the next moment—
A wave of dark energy spread through the hall.
The ground trembled slightly.
Wuming's body stiffened, but he did not move.
"You disappoint me," Hei Yan said.
His voice was no longer loud.
But it was far more dangerous.
Wuming lowered his head even further. "I accept my failure."
Hei Yan stood up slowly.
Each step he took echoed through the hall.
"Failure," he said quietly, "is not something I tolerate."
The shadows around him moved like flames.
"Do you understand?"
"Yes, my Lord."
Hei Yan stopped in front of him.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then he spoke again.
"Next time… you will not fail."
Wuming finally raised his head slightly. "There will be no next failure."
Their eyes met.
One filled with absolute power.
The other—with cold determination.
Hei Yan turned away.
"Go," he said.
Wuming did not hesitate.
He disappeared into the darkness once again.
The hall fell silent.
But the anger—remained.
Far away from the Nether Realm—
In the Mortal Kingdom—
The General Wu Mansion stood quiet under the night sky.
Soft lantern light flickered along the corridors.
But inside—there was no peace.
Lady Wu Caixia walked back and forth in the main hall.
Her hands were tightly clasped together.
Her face was filled with worry.
"It is already this late…" she murmured.
A maid stood nearby, lowering her head. "Madam, please do not worry too much. Miss is will return safely."
But Lady Wu Caixia shook her head.
"She has never stayed out this long without sending word," she said.
Her voice carried unease.
The doors of the mansion remained open.
Servants stood quietly, waiting.
Listening.
Hoping.
Lady Wu Caixia stopped and looked toward the entrance.
The night outside was dark.
Empty.
"Where are you…" she whispered softly.
A servant stepped forward. "Should we send people to search for her?"
Lady Wu Caixia hesitated.
Then she nodded. "Yes. Send them immediately."
The servant bowed. "Yes, Madam."
He quickly left.
The hall grew quiet again.
Lady Wu Caixia slowly sat down.
Her hands still did not relax.
"She left in the morning," she said softly. "And now…"
Her voice trailed off.
A maid stepped closer. "Madam, Miss Wu Jinhai is not someone who can be easily harmed."
"I know," Lady Wu Caixia replied.
Her eyes lowered.
"But no matter how strong she is…"
"She is still my daughter."
The words were soft.
But filled with deep concern.
The wind outside moved gently, causing the lantern flames to flicker.
Time passed slowly.
Every moment felt longer than the last.
Lady Wu Caixia looked toward the door again.
Still waiting.
Still hoping.
"Jinhai…" she whispered.
"Come back safely."
Somewhere on the road—
Two figures walked under the night sky.
Wu Jinhai.
And Qiao Yu Zhen.
The path was quiet.
Only the sound of their footsteps could be heard.
Wei Zhenyu followed slightly behind them.
No one spoke for a while.
Then Wu Jinhai finally said, "You said it was not safe."
Qiao Yu Zhen nodded. "Yes."
She looked ahead. "Then why help me?"
A short silence followed.
Then he replied, "Because I could."
Simple.
Direct.
Wu Jinhai glanced at him.
But said nothing more.
The night continued around them.
Far away—
A worried mother waited.
And in the darkness—
A demon prepared for his next move.
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