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Bound by His Command
The night after her fated selection, Liao Tingyan's life changed forever. Where other disciples lived freely within the sect, she now followed in Sima Jiao's shadow.
He gave no explanation, no reason—only an order:
"You will stay by me. Obey, and you live."
Her heart sank with each word. She had never wanted notice, never wanted power. Yet in a single breath, the Demon Lord had turned her into his personal servant.
A Cruel Lesson
The next morning, she accompanied him into the main hall. Disciples lined the floor, trembling as Sima Jiao descended from his throne. His eyes swept the room like a blade.
One disciple, too slow to bow, caught his attention.
"Disrespect," Sima Jiao said lazily, lifting a finger.
Spirit Fire flared. The boy screamed as the flame ate away at his soul until nothing remained.
The hall fell into silence again.
Beside him, Tingyan stood frozen. Her stomach churned, but she kept her face blank, afraid to draw his gaze.
The Demon's Amusement
Later, when they were alone, she finally dared to whisper, "Why did you choose me?"
Sima Jiao leaned back, his lips curving into a faint, dangerous smile.
"Because you amuse me."
She flinched. Amuse? Was her life nothing more than a toy in his hand?
The Weight of Fear
That night, Tingyan lay awake, the image of the burning disciple haunting her mind. Around her neck, the jade pendant pulsed faintly, a reminder of the chain that now bound her to him.
No matter how she struggled, she could not escape.
And outside, in the darkness, Sima Jiao stood watching from the shadows, his expression unreadable—eyes fixed only on her.
✨ End of Episode 2 — A Servant of the Demon Lord