One day, Xu Tianming went into the forest to search for medicinal herbs for his master. Without realizing it, he had wandered into a forest near the borders of the Demon World.
As he searched carefully among the thick
undergrowth—
"Who are you?"
A voice suddenly called out.
"This is our territory."
Xu Tianming froze.
The voice sounded young—around his own age.
He slowly turned around.
Standing behind him was a boy dressed in black robes, his presence calm yet imposing. A faint, unfamiliar aura surrounded him—dark, but not chaotic.
It was Mo Yanluo.
Xu Tianming's eyes widened slightly.
He had never seen a demon before.
Yet… this boy did not look like a monster.
He looked human.
Mo Yanluo's sharp eyes observed him carefully.
"You're from the righteous path, aren't you?" Mo Yanluo asked coldly. "What are you doing here?"
Xu Tianming hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to fight or speak.
But he sensed no immediate killing intent.
So he answered honestly.
"I came to find medicinal herbs… for my master."
Mo Yanluo narrowed his eyes slightly.
"For healing?"
Xu Tianming nodded.
"Yes."
For a brief moment—
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them attacked.
Two boys.
Raised to become enemies.
Standing face to face for the very first time.
And neither of them knew—
This meeting would change their fate forever.
Xu Tianming had always believed his master's words.
Kill the demons. They are the enemies of the world.
Yet, standing face to face with a demon boy of his own age, he felt no killing intent—only confusion.
"Are you… a demon?" Xu Tianming finally asked.
Mo Yunluo nodded without hesitation.
"Yes."
Xu Tianming frowned.
"Did no one ever tell you to kill people from the Heavenly Sect?"
"No,"
Mo Yunluo replied calmly.
"My father and my uncle only told me one thing—never attack unless someone attacks first."
That answer stunned Xu Tianming.
"My master tells me every day to kill demons," Xu Tianming said slowly. "But… I don't feel like doing that. Not without a reason."
Mo Yunluo looked at him seriously.
"My father and my uncle are good people. They never kill without cause. Your people are the ones who hunt us down, even when we do nothing."
For a long moment, silence stretched between them.
Then Mo Yunluo smiled faintly.
"Do you want to meet them?"
Xu Tianming hesitated—but only for a moment.
"…Yes."
The Demon Sect was nothing like Xu Tianming imagined.
There was no blood, no screams, no slaughter. It looked like a normal village—quiet, orderly, alive. The only difference was the people themselves. Demons walked freely, laughed, trained, lived.
Because he walked beside the Demon Holy Son, no one questioned him.
They entered the palace.
Dark, vast, and beautiful.
Black-armored soldiers stood in perfect formation. At the highest seat, upon twin thrones, sat Mo Zhu, the Demon Lord… and Li Feng, the Shadow Emperor.
The moment Xu Tianming stepped forward, both of them knew.
The child of the Heavenly Sect.
Yet neither spoke it aloud.
Li Feng studied the boy silently.
Pure eyes. No hatred. No arrogance.
A dangerous thought crossed his mind.
If this child were guided properly… if the righteous poison in his heart were removed…
Li Feng stood up.
"Come," he said warmly. "Sit down. Eat with us."
Xu Tianming froze.
This was not how demons were supposed to act.
"You are Mo Yunluo's friend, aren't you?" Li Feng continued. "There's no need to be afraid here."
As they ate together, Xu Tianming's questions poured out—about demons, about cultivation, about the war, about why both sides hated each other so deeply.
Li Feng answered every single one patiently.
And with every answer, something inside Xu Tianming began to crack.
If demons are truly evil… then why does this feel more human than the Heavenly Sect ever did?
From his throne, Mo Zhu watched silently.
He understood Li Feng's intention.
This child was not an enemy yet.
And perhaps… he never needed to be.