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墨書 Inktalez
Jun Chong directly took me back to the Underworld Palace, where I was allowed to live a life of luxury. The only restriction was that I couldn't leave the Underworld Palace; everything else was fine.
The shadow was shy and stayed in the Dragon Spring Palace. Aside from the Maid, Jun Chong was the only one who appeared here.
However, ever since he returned to the underworld, he had become busier. I heard that the Demon Realm had been unusually quiet lately, no longer launching large-scale attacks or causing destruction as before. But the Underworld had been quite restless; many Vengeful Spirits were eager to break free, and the barrier sealing them outside had already been reinforced once.
"Disrupting the order of the underworld from within, diverting its combat power." A Maid carrying a tray passed by and whispered to another person, "I heard this while delivering tea to the King and Lord Rongzhi. This must be a plot from the Demon Realm."
"Really? That's terrifying," the other person replied, looking somewhat frightened. Suddenly, she added, "Isn't the King planning to ally with the Su Family through marriage to deal with the Demon Realm? Why has there been no movement all of a sudden? There were even talks about arranging a wedding!"
"Shh!" The Maid immediately covered her mouth and glanced around. After confirming there were no eavesdroppers, she spoke softly, "I heard it's because the King is unwilling to let go of the Su Family's chief for a woman."
"Is it that woman living in Dragon Spring Palace?"
"Yes. She is the King's favorite; I don't know where she came from. But when I was coming from the front hall just now, I heard that the Su Family's chief has come to the underworld, claiming he wants to retrieve his shadow."
"Huh?"
Just as they were whispering, I ran out from behind a stone pillar and blocked their path, nervously asking, "Has Ayi come? Is Su Yi here to find me?"
Both of them were taken aback upon seeing me; they trembled all over and suddenly knelt down with a thud. "We know we were wrong! We know we were wrong!"
"Is it Su Yi?!"
I was furious, and one of them nodded vigorously. "I saw her go to Underworld Palace; she should be with the King right now."
I ran towards the Underworld Palace, ignoring the calls behind me, only wanting to see Su Yi. "They said she came to reclaim her shadow, and I am her shadow. Ayi is really not angry anymore; Ayi is the best. Ayi—"
I saw Su Yi standing on the steps in front of the Underworld Palace, dressed in pure white, her figure graceful and spirited.
Hearing my shout, Su Yi turned around, joyfully opening her arms to me and smiling, "Wing Spirit, come here quickly."
"Ayi, is it really you? That's wonderful, Ayi." I threw myself into Su Yi's embrace, tears of happiness streaming down my face.
Su Yi's expression was gentle, her usual smile present as she affectionately patted my head.
"Don't cry. It was my fault before, so I'm here to apologize. I was foolish to mistake fondness for love. How could someone fall deeply in love with someone they barely know? I misunderstood his kindness towards me and took it out on you. I hope you won't mind. And don't be so naive; just because someone treats you well doesn't mean you should believe everything. You're too innocent."
Su Yi's words puzzled me, and even my shadow seemed taken aback. Looking up at Su Yi, I asked, "Ayi is saying that Jun Chong's feelings for me are fake? His kindness was meant to mislead me?"
Su Yi squinted her eyes and pinched my cheek without answering, merely smiling. The meaning was clear, but at that moment, Anxin believed her.
So without hesitation, I told Su Yi, "Ayi, I want to go home with you. I don't want to stay here or be by Jun Chong's side; I only want Ayi."
Just then, Jun Chong stepped out of the hall and heard every word clearly. His previously expressionless face suddenly darkened with displeasure, a palpable chill radiating from him.
Shizui and Jun Rui were a moment late in coming out, but their keen hearing combined with my loud declaration revealed their understanding of the situation.
However, when Jun Rui saw Su Yi, his smile widened even more. "Su Yi, why didn't you let me know you were coming? I would have come to greet you."
"How could I trouble you?" Su Yi responded gracefully in every gesture, completely different from her earlier fierceness. She bowed to Jun Chong before continuing, "I came this time to bring back my shadow—"
"Your shadow has long since died." Jun Chong coldly interrupted Su Yi without hesitation. "She belongs to me."
My feet suddenly left the ground, floating towards Jun Chong, who firmly held me in his embrace. I struggled and shouted at him, "Let go of me! I hate you! I want to go home with Ayi!"
Jun Chong said nothing, allowing me to thrash about and cry. In the end, he reached out to wipe away my tears, looking at me with a tenderness that only he could show in my pure black eyes.
"Do you really want to go back with her?"
His soft inquiry reminded me of how Su Yi had treated me before. Yet, I felt that his kindness was sometimes even more gentle and considerate than Su Yi's. At least he gave me something real, something substantial—like this flesh-and-blood soul.
These were things Su Yi could not provide, but he did.
Perhaps after knowing each other for a while, it was indeed impossible to fall in love with someone. Just as he said, it was simply because I made him feel comfortable that he treated me so well.
Su Yi had once said that any kindness shown to you must be repaid. But I wanted to go back with Su Yi while also wanting to repay him. He had also mentioned that the best way to repay him was to stay by his side.
As the saying goes, one cannot have both fish and bear's paw. I knew I had to make a choice between them.
"Not speaking means you agree," Jun Chong suddenly released me and took a step back. The intense look in his eyes flickered away from my face as he turned to look elsewhere. "In that case, I set you free."
His step back struck my heart like a blow; his letting go made me feel like an abandoned child, no longer cherished by anyone.
I wanted to reach out and grab his sleeve but lacked the courage. I told myself that I belonged to Su Yi and that this was not where I should stay; I could repay him at any time.
Holding back the tears that threatened to spill, I hadn’t even turned around when Su Yi suddenly spoke up, "If the King of Hell is willing to let go, Su Yi thanks you for that. However, Su Yi has come here on behalf of my master for a matter concerning the safety of both the human realm and the underworld. May we discuss it further?"
"Su Xun intends to cooperate?"
The question came from Rong Zhi, and Su Yi nodded. "Indeed. The rest depends on the King of Hell's intentions."
Jun Chong said nothing and turned to walk into the palace. Jun Rui approached Su Yi with a gentle smile, saying, "This way, please."
"Thank you."
Jun Rui was momentarily taken aback by her fleeting smile and looked away awkwardly, but still politely replied, "You're welcome."
The group turned to enter, leaving only Rong Zhi and me behind. Rong Zhi sighed and glanced at me, saying, "You should go rest now!" After speaking, he also turned to go inside but suddenly stopped, his ears twitching as if he heard something. He then turned back to me and took my hand. "Let's go! I'll walk you back." Pausing for a moment, he pulled out a clean white handkerchief from his pocket and wiped away the tears that I hadn't realized had fallen. "Here, wipe your tears. Don't cry; it will hurt him."
I was taken aback, looking at him with misty eyes. "Ayi?"
"Anxin," he said gently. "I know Su Yi is very important to you; your existence is tied to hers. But even your parents can have their bad moments—though that doesn't apply to everyone. What I want to say is that you know in your heart who truly cares for you. Goodness isn't just on the surface; true goodness won't make your heart bleed but will fill it with warmth."
I placed my hand over my heart, feeling its rhythm. Although I knew it wasn't a real heart, it was my source of life.
Su Yi's kindness made me feel comfortable, yet it also caused me pain. Jun Chong's kindness brought me comfort too, filling my heart with joy like the warmth of sunlight.
"I—" I bit my lip. The changes in Su Yi were too drastic for me to ignore. But as Rong Zhi said, she was like my parents; even if they treated me poorly, I couldn't just let go and leave. "Anxin used to be Wing Spirit; Wing Spirit belonged to Ayi, while Anxin belongs to Jun Chong."
"Then do you prefer Anxin or Wing Spirit?" Rong Zhi asked gently, like a caring big brother, holding my hand as he guided me along. "Once you figure out this question, you'll be able to make a choice."
Anxin or Wing Spirit? Jun Chong or Su Yi?
I had no idea what Su Yi and Jun Chong discussed. Even when night fell, Su Yi still hadn't come to see me; only the passing maid informed me that Su Yi had settled in the Underworld and wouldn't be leaving for now.
I sighed in relief; at least she hadn't forgotten about me.
Unable to sleep, I began counting stars: "One star, two stars, three stars." The stars in the Underworld weren't as beautiful as those on Earth, yet they weren't as dull as those that followed; they possessed a unique beauty of their own.
"You are the fourth star, a star that will remain in my heart even in death."
A pair of hands reached from behind, tightly embracing me. The scent of alcohol wafted over, and before I could see who it was, my lips were met with softness, followed by a domineering force that filled my mouth with the taste of wine, leaving me unable to spit it out, only able to swallow.
"Anxin, if you really walk towards Su Yi, I will kill you and won’t let you leave me even for a moment. You belong to me."
Jun Chong held me tightly, burying me in his neck. His heated breath sent a tingling sensation through me that I found hard to adapt to. I wanted to struggle and escape, but he only tightened his grip, eventually toppling us onto the bed.
"Jun Chong."
I called out weakly, fear lacing my voice. I didn’t know what he intended to do; my white undergarment loosened from the tugging, revealing translucent skin beneath.
Jun Chong swallowed hard, his throat moving. "Anxin, don’t leave me alone in this loneliness; it feels unbearable."
Three thousand black strands cascaded like ink spilled across a canvas, framing deep eyes that shimmered like obsidian, inexplicably quickening my heartbeat.
"Jun Chong."
He leaned down, lightly brushing his lips against mine. "Anxin, from now on, call me like this."
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