Damon and gods have been fighting for centuries. But there has never been success on either side, because both are equally powerful.
That's why they can't end each other's lives. And today, like always, the Damon king was fighting with the Heaven king and other gods, but something was strange today, because only the Damon king was in rage while all the gods were smiling.
"Haoxuan, do you really think I wouldn't know that you kidnapped my son? Return him to me right now, or else things are going to get crazy," the Damon king shouted in anger.
His one and only heir, who was just born one month ago, had been kidnapped by the Heaven king. The Heaven king did that so he could stop more Damons from being born by killing the Damon king's heir.
"Look at you shaking like prey just because your son got kidnapped. But don't worry, I'll send his corpse to you soon."
The Damon king couldn't hold himself back now—not after hearing this. He gave the order to his army, and they attacked the gods.
---
Meanwhile, on the other side—in the dungeon in Heaven where they had kept the Damon king's heir—
He sat still on the high punishment platform, fur dark as midnight, horns curved and smooth like polished stone. His gem-red eyes glowed with quiet intensity, without movement. Small, feline, and devilish—like a demon cub carved from shadow and flame, waiting.
He was looking around everywhere with his small eyes because the Heaven king had set barriers everywhere so that the little child could not escape. And suddenly, heavenly lightning began to fall on that little cub.
He howled in pain, tears flowing from his eyes. He was just scared and didn't know what to do. A new place, unfamiliar pain—everything confused him.
And just then, the dungeon door opened, and a little kid was standing there.
He had sky-blue, long, silky hair tied on his head. Fair skin, a cute and small face. He was wearing sky-blue and ocean-colored robes that were a little loose. His icy eyes looked at the cub with a pitiful expression.
The news had indeed spread like wildfire that the Heaven king had kidnapped the Damon king's heir, and everyone was happy—except Xinzhe. Even though he was the Heaven king's one and only son, and the water god, he didn't like what his father did. And now, seeing him torturing the little cub, he left everything behind and came here.
When he saw the little cub howling in pain and crying, Xinzhe's eyes also became tearful. In the end, he was also just a kid. He used his powers to stop the lightning strikes. He knew what he was doing went against his own father, but he couldn't leave that little cub there, enduring all that pain when he didn't do anything to deserve it.
Xinzhe stepped forward and sat in front of the cub, taking him onto his lap. The cub looked so weak.
"Little beast, go back to the Damon king now, because if you stay here, my father will definitely kill you."
Xinzhe thought the beast cub was weak and pitiful, but he didn't know that the cub was only confused about what to do. That's why he was sitting still, just waiting for the opportunity to escape. And just then, Xinzhe became that opportunity.
The cub licked Xinzhe's hand and glanced at him like he was memorizing his face. Xinzhe came out of the dungeon and let the cub go.
"Go quickly now," he said, and the cub ran away, flying through the air.
Xinzhe stood there, watching the cub, unaware of what was waiting for him.
The demon cub had successfully escaped from Heaven and returned to the demon realm in the underworld. But when the Heaven king found out that his own son had freed the demon cub, he was furious—because the entire Heaven was talking about it.
"Do you realize what you have done?" Haoxuan said. He was sitting on the throne, and Xinzhe was kneeling in front of him, looking down.
Xinzhe's back was bleeding because, in anger, Haoxuan had beaten him with a flame lash.
"Prepare for the execution of Xinzhe right now. You have betrayed Heaven, so you no longer belong here."
Xinzhe was crying but unable to say anything, just looking down as his tears dripped onto the ground.
They prepared everything and killed the little boy. And soon, the news reached the demon world, which left the demon cub heartbroken.
But when Xinzhe died, all the rivers and oceans started to dry. After all, Xinzhe was the water god. Without him, everything was failing. Trees withered. Lands were becoming barren. Haoxuan used his and the other gods' powers to maintain nature in the human world, but it didn't really work.
Xinzhe's soul was scattered as he died, but Haoxuan had saved one piece of it and sent that soul for rebirth.
But Xinzhe was not born again. Everyone waited for his rebirth. Thousands of centuries passed, but still, nothing happened. Haoxuan continued to provide water to humans through his powers, but it was not enough.
In the meantime, the previous Damon king retired, and his son, Mo Anluo, took the throne. He was waiting for Xinzhe more than anyone.
One day, Anluo was sitting on the throne, listening to reports, when a spy came running.
"My lord, I have learned that the god of water, Xinzhe, has finally been reborn, but he is now a normal human who doesn't remember anything."
Anluo stood up from his seat quickly. He hadn't expected to hear such good news today.
"Where is he now?"
"Apologies, my lord, but I don't know that. Heaven has kept that information confidential."
"Very well." And suddenly, the spy's head fell from his neck, sliced off by Anluo.
"Go and find out where the god of water has taken birth," he ordered. His subordinates nodded and left, because they knew Anluo never thought twice before killing.
"I can't wait to meet you, god of water," Anluo mumbled under his breath with a smirk.
---
On the other side, in the Jinglan Sect, the master's wife had given birth to Xinzhe.
As Xinzhe was born, water began to flow in the sect's rivers. Rain poured over the mountains. It was a sign—the god of water had been born there.
"Honey, we will give all our love to our son," Xinzhe's mom said while patting him.
"Let's name him Xin, okay?"
She nodded.
They were happy with their newborn son, but their happiness didn't last long. There were people in the sect who wanted to kill Xinzhe's father to take his position. They took advantage of an opportunity when he was off guard and resting with his family.
They attacked him, and to save his wife and newborn son, he died. Even so, those people brutally killed his wife and threw the child into the river that had just begun to flow.
---
18 Years Later
In Jiang Town, a small place where many Taoist masters lived, Master Bai had found Xinzhe by the riverside and raised him, teaching him everything he knew.
Now Xinzhe was an 18-year-old young man—so beautiful, from his hair to his face, that anyone could fall for him. But the problem was, the once kind and gentle god of water was now a little different.
"Xin, it's time for you to leave the sect and face the world's problems on your own. Go to Liushui Sect. That's where water magic is taught. You can learn more about your powers there."
"Master, just say it directly. You're kicking me out and don't want to take care of me anymore—why are you beating around the bush?" Xinzhe said, which annoyed Master Bai, but he had gotten used to it.
"I don't want to hear anything. You are leaving right now, and Wen will accompany you on your journey."
Hearing this, Xinzhe smirked—because he and Wen were the number one troublemakers in the whole sect.
By afternoon, they had packed their few belongings and left the sect, saying goodbye to their master, ready to begin a new journey that would open many mysteries—and lead Xinzhe to meet someone he never expected.
---
In the Demon Realm (Underworld)
"My lord, why didn't you go meet him 17 years ago when you already knew where he was?" Anluo's personal guard asked.
Because Anluo had known for all these years where Xinzhe was—but he didn't go to meet him. He only watched him from afar. But now he knew that Xinzhe was leaving the sect with his friend to go east.
"Do I need to tell you everything?" Anluo said, then left. And everyone knew where he was going.
---
Elsewhere
After leaving, both Xin and Wen walked and walked and walked. After a whole day, by evening, they reached a town named Juan, which was decorated from its entry gate.
"Do they have a festival here?" Wen mumbled.
"Hey, let's just go. We'll stay here tonight and resume our journey tomorrow afternoon," Xin said, stepping forward. Wen followed him, even though he had a strange feeling—but he didn't know what it was.
As they entered, they saw lights on every shop and food stall. Many people were there—some buying, some admiring the scenery.
From every angle, the town was beautiful and mesmerizing. Both Wen and Xin smiled as they looked around. And then someone touched Xin's back, making him turn around.
A middle-aged man was standing behind him, smiling.
"Young men, are you new here? I haven't seen you before," he said. He had a fish in his hand.
"Yes, we are new here and looking for a nice inn to stay," Wen answered quickly.
"Oh, I am the owner of the nearest inn. It's very nice, and we have many rooms too."
Wen grabbed Xin's hand. "Come on, let's go."
Xin didn't say anything. He was just looking at the man, who told them to follow him. In a few minutes, they reached the front of a dark inn. That was the name written on the front.
As they stepped inside, there were people eating on the first floor. Guest rooms were on the second floor.
"Wait here, young men. I'll bring the key and show you your room," the man said, heading inside, leaving the two of them waiting.
Xin glanced around because he felt like someone was watching him. But when he looked, he couldn't spot anyone. So he ignored it and looked at Wen.
In five minutes, the man returned with keys in hand.
"Forgive me. I just found out that all our rooms are taken. Only one room is empty, and it's for couples. Is that okay?"
Wen was about to say yes, but Xin stopped him and stepped in front.
"What's your name?"
"My name is Mian Chan. But why are you asking?"
"And who was that woman inside, the one you were talking to so much? Your wife?"
"H-How do you know there was a woman inside? And yes, she's my wife. She manages the inn."
"Hmm. Show us the room then," Xin said.
The man smiled awkwardly and led them upstairs. The door of the room he was offering looked very old, and the lock was different from the others.
He took time opening the door, and when he finally did, he said, "No one has used this room for a long time, since we don't get many couples. But today we're full. I'll send someone to clean the room shortly."
Xin stepped forward—it was dark inside. Already suspicious, he stopped at the door and didn't step further inside. But just then, the man shoved Xin's back, pushing him into the room, and quickly locked the door from outside.
Before Wen could react, someone struck his head, knocking him out.
And the one who hit Wen—was the man's wife. The two of them exchanged glances after slamming the door shut.