The return to the Demon Palace was quieter than usual.
No one spoke.
Not because there was nothing to say.
But because too much had happened.
Mo Zhu walked ahead, his posture straight, his expression calm as always. But the dark stain slowly spreading across his robes betrayed the truth.
He was injured.
Li Feng noticed it first.
His eyes darkened slightly.
"Chenxi," Li Feng said firmly, his voice echoing softly in the palace corridor. "Take him to his chamber."
He didn't wait for an answer before turning his gaze toward Bai Yuchen.
"And you. Come with me."
Yuchen froze.
His heart skipped.
Before he could respond, Li Feng reached out and gently—but firmly—grasped his wrist.
Not forceful.
Not violent.
But impossible to refuse.
Yuchen followed.
Behind them, Chenxi stepped closer to Mo Zhu.
"My Lord… your wound…"
"It is nothing," Mo Zhu replied calmly.
But Chenxi could smell the blood.
He could feel the instability in Mo Zhu's aura.
Without another word, Chenxi supported him, guiding him toward his chamber.
Mo Zhu's chamber was dimly lit, illuminated only by soft blue spirit lamps.
Chenxi helped him sit down on the edge of the bed.
Mo Zhu's breathing was steady.
But his chest rose slower than usual.
The injury had been severe.
Mo Zhu looked at him.
"Chenxi."
"Yes, my Lord."
"…Remove my robes."
Chenxi froze.
"M-My Lord…?"
Mo Zhu's gaze didn't waver.
"The wound is on my chest."
Chenxi's fingers trembled slightly.
He moved closer.
Slowly.
Carefully.
He reached out and loosened the dark robes.
The heavy black fabric slid down.
Revealing Mo Zhu's body beneath.
His pale skin reflected the dim light.
His physique was flawless.
Strong.
Elegant.
Beautiful in a way that didn't seem human.
And right at the center of his chest—
Was the wound.
Dark.
Deep.
Still faintly bleeding.
Chenxi's chest tightened.
"You were hurt because of me…"
Mo Zhu didn't answer.
He only watched Chenxi.
Chenxi quickly grabbed the medicine placed nearby.
His fingers were gentle as he applied the healing paste to the wound.
Mo Zhu's muscles tensed slightly at the contact.
Not from pain.
But from something else.
Chenxi wrapped the cloth bandage carefully around his chest.
Making sure it was secure.
Making sure it wouldn't reopen.
"There," Chenxi whispered softly.
Mo Zhu's hand moved suddenly.
Grabbing Chenxi's wrist.
Before Chenxi could react—
He was pulled forward.
And seated directly onto Mo Zhu's lap.
"My Lord—!"
Chenxi's eyes widened.
"You are injured!"
Mo Zhu's arm wrapped around his waist.
Holding him in place.
"It does not matter."
His voice was lower now.
Softer.
More dangerous.
"You were safe."
Chenxi's breath caught.
Mo Zhu lifted his hand.
His fingers gently touched Chenxi's cheek.
"…I would take that wound again."
Chenxi's heart pounded violently.
"My Lord…"
Mo Zhu leaned closer.
Their foreheads nearly touched.
"You still do not understand, do you?"
Chenxi couldn't move.
Couldn't breathe.
Couldn't think.
Mo Zhu's lips brushed against his.
Soft at first.
A question.
Not a command.
Chenxi didn't pull away.
That was all the answer Mo Zhu needed.
The kiss deepened.
Slow.
Possessive.
But not cruel.
Not forced.
Chenxi's fingers instinctively gripped Mo Zhu's shoulders.
The world outside disappeared.
There was no Demon Palace.
No danger.
No fear.
Only warmth.
Only closeness.
Only him.
In another chamber, Li Feng stood near the bed, his back turned to Yuchen.
He didn't speak immediately.
Yuchen stood awkwardly behind him.
"…My Lord?"
Li Feng exhaled slowly.
Then turned.
His golden eyes locked onto Yuchen.
"…I am injured."
Yuchen blinked.
"You are?"
Li Feng stepped closer.
"I require treatment."
Yuchen hesitated.
"…Where?"
Li Feng stepped closer again.
Close enough that Yuchen could feel his warmth.
"Here."
He placed Yuchen's hand against his chest.
Yuchen's breath caught.
Li Feng's heart was beating fast.
Far too fast.
"You see?" Li Feng whispered. "It hurts."
Yuchen realized immediately.
It wasn't a physical wound.
It was something else.
Something deeper.
"My Lord…"
Li Feng's hand moved to Yuchen's waist.
Pulling him closer.
"I was afraid."
Yuchen froze.
"…Afraid?"
Li Feng nodded slightly.
"That I would lose you."
Yuchen's heart shook.
Demon Lords were not supposed to fear anything.
And yet—
Li Feng had feared losing him.
Li Feng leaned closer.
His lips brushed against Yuchen's ear.
"…Stay."
Yuchen didn't resist.
He couldn't.
Li Feng guided him gently onto the bed.
His touch wasn't violent.
It wasn't possessive.
It was careful.
Reverent.
As if Yuchen was something fragile.
Something precious.
Li Feng's fingers traced along Yuchen's arm.
Slow.
Gentle.
Yuchen shivered.
"…Li Feng…"
It was the first time he had said his name.
Not "My Lord."
Not "Demon Lord."
Just his name.
Li Feng froze.
His eyes darkened.
"…Say it again."
Yuchen's face flushed.
"…Li Feng."
This time, Li Feng kissed him.
Deep.
Hungry.
But filled with emotion he could no longer hide.
Yuchen didn't stop him.
Didn't push him away.
Instead—
He held onto him.
And for the first time since arriving in the Demon Realm—
He didn't feel like a prisoner.
He felt like someone who belonged.
The next morning—
The training grounds were filled with the sound of clashing weapons.
Mo Yanluo swung his spear lazily, clearly distracted.
Xu Tianming dodged easily.
"You're not focusing," Tianming said.
Yanluo sighed dramatically.
"How can I focus?"
Tianming raised an eyebrow.
"And why is that?"
Yanluo smirked.
"Our fathers have forgotten us."
Tianming laughed.
"That obvious?"
Yanluo nodded seriously.
"I'm certain they're still in bed."
Tianming nearly choked.
"You shouldn't say things like that."
Yanluo leaned closer conspiratorially.
"I saw Uncle Li Feng earlier."
"And?"
"He was holding his back."
Tianming froze.
"…Holding his back?"
Yanluo nodded solemnly.
"I believe he fought a very intense battle."
Tianming stared at him.
Then burst out laughing.
"You're unbelievable."
Yanluo grinned.
"…Tell me something."
Tianming tilted his head.
"What?"
Yanluo twirled his spear absentmindedly.
"Do you prefer girls… or boys?"
Tianming blinked.
"That's sudden."
Yanluo shrugged.
"Well?"
Tianming thought for a moment.
"…I don't know."
Yanluo smiled.
"…Maybe we'll figure it out someday."
Tianming smirked.
"Maybe."
They returned to training.
But both knew—
Things were changing.
The Demon Palace was no longer cold.
No longer empty.
It was becoming something else.
Something warmer.
Something more dangerous.
Because now—
There were hearts involved.
And hearts—
Were far more fragile than bodies.