Han-jio's tone was firm. "That was then. Now, all three of you have grown stronger. This mission will test not only your strength, but your unity. There is a demon—one unlike the others. He has been haunting a village, slaughtering innocents and severing their hands. He must be destroyed."
The air turned heavy. Even Xu-lang's usual smirk faded slightly.
Finally, he spoke. "Very well. Let's go now."
"Not yet," Han-jio interjected, raising a hand. "To face him, you'll need help. Three Immortal Souls must join you."
Xu-bing tilted his head. "Immortal Souls? As in… we have to kill someone for their souls?"
Han-jio promptly smacked him on the back of the head. "Idiot! I meant three individuals whose unique powers will aid your mission."
The princes exchanged glances.
Han-jio began explaining. "The first soul is a military soldier—an unmatched fighter. Xu-aing, you will be responsible for finding him."
Xu-aing nodded firmly.
"The second soul is a healer, skilled in the art of recovery. Xu-lang, you will locate this one."
Xu-lang crossed his arms. "Fine. A healer will come in handy."
"And the third," Han-jio continued, his tone deepening, "is a possessor. A mysterious soul rumored to dwell within the forests of Starlight Village. Xu-bing, this one falls to you."
Xu-bing's eyes widened. "The forest? That's the most difficult one! No, no—I'll take the healer instead."
Xu-lang's lips curved into a mocking smirk. "Coward."
Shen-min, who had been silently watching, finally raised her hands in a nervous clap. "W-well… good luck, everyone! All the best!"
All eyes turned toward her. She froze.
Han-jio's gaze lingered. "Shen-min. You will accompany Xu-lang."
Her jaw dropped. "Wha—?! No way! I refuse!"
"You wished to return to the human world, did you not?" Han-jio reminded her.
Shen-min's lips quivered. She wanted to cry. "Yes, but… can't I go with First Prince Xu-aing instead?"
Han-jio's voice was unyielding. "No. Xu-aing will travel with Ven. You will go with Xu-lang."
Shen-min's heart sank to the pit of her stomach. Her eyes darted to Xu-lang's smirking face, and she groaned inwardly.
Out of all the princes… why the devil himself?!
Shen-min's voice trembled as she looked down, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her sleeve.
"But… Master Han-jio…" she whispered, "I… I don't want to go with the Fourth Prince…"
Master Han-jio's sharp eyes immediately fixed on her. His tone was calm, but there was an unspoken weight in his words.
"Why?" he asked slowly, "Do you have some *problem* with Xu-lang?"
The question made Shen-min freeze. She turned her face slightly, her gaze brushing against Xu-lang, who stood silently at the corner of the chamber, his piercing eyes never leaving her. That cold and unwavering stare burned her more than fire. Flustered, she quickly lowered her eyes again and spoke in a rush,
"N-no, Master… it's not like that. Please… just let me go with Third Prince Xu-bing instead. I'll be more useful there, I promise…"
Before Master Han-jio could respond, Xu-bing raised his brows in surprise, but the Master only gave a faint smile.
"Xu-bing will not be going alone. I've already decided to assign Mao, one of my strongest soldiers, to accompany him. That team is settled. As for you…" He paused, his tone sharpening as if to allow no further debate. "You will follow Xu-lang. This matter will remain confidential—none outside this room must know. And remember, tomorrow morning, each of you must set out for your assigned mission."
With those words, Master Han-jio swept his long sleeves and left the chamber. Xu-bing, still a little unsettled, quickly followed behind.
The silence that remained was heavy. First Prince Xu-aing's eyes softened as he looked once at Shen-min. She, however, was nervously glancing toward Xu-lang, and that made Xu-aing's grip tighten on the hilt of his sword. Without a word, he turned and walked away, the cold steel of his blade glinting faintly as he disappeared beyond the door.
The door had barely closed when Xu-lang, with a sudden burst of force, slammed it shut again. The loud *bang* echoed through the chamber, making Shen-min jump. She clasped her hands together, her lips parting in a fearful murmur.
"F-Fourth… Prince…"
Xu-lang moved closer. His steps were slow, deliberate, each one pulling the air tighter around her chest. When he finally stood before her, the intensity in his gaze was suffocating. His voice was low, dangerous.
"So…" he said, leaning slightly forward, "you are so eager to go with me, hm?"
Shen-min's breath hitched. She stumbled back a step, shaking her head quickly.
"No! No, it's not like that! You misunderstand, Your Highness. I didn't *want* to go with you. I only… I only asked Master to let me go with First Prince Xu-aing instead…"
The moment Xu-lang heard Xu-aing's name slip from her lips, his entire aura shifted. Anger flashed in his eyes. Without warning, he grabbed her wrist, pulling her so close that there was barely the distance of a single breath between them. Shen-min gasped, her heart racing wildly against her chest, the sound almost loud enough for him to hear.
"You…" Xu-lang hissed through clenched teeth, "you dare speak of Xu-aing in front of me? You think he's the right choice for you?"
Shen-min's lips parted, but no words came. She was trembling, her breath uneven, her thoughts scattering. Her voice finally cracked out in a desperate whisper,
"Y-your Highness… I didn't mean—"
Before she could finish, Xu-lang raised a finger and pressed it firmly against her lips, silencing her. His gaze pierced her soul as he spoke, each word dripping with menace.
"Stay away from Xu-aing. Whatever you think of him… erase it. Nothing in this world is as it seems. Remember that."
Shen-min's entire body shook under the weight of his presence. Her lips quivered against his touch, her heart pounding so violently that Xu-lang smirked. He could *hear* it, feel it.
"Your heart…" he murmured darkly, "it beats too fast. Almost as if it fears me… or maybe… desires something else."
He released her suddenly, stepping back with a sly grin. Without another word, he turned and strode toward the door, his long robe brushing against the stone floor. The door creaked open and closed behind him, leaving Shen-min breathless and trembling in the silent chamber.
---
… in the Demon Clan's lair.
Far away, under the shrouded skies of the Black Mountain, Demon Master Du-feng sat in meditation. His dark aura coiled around him like living shadows. His thoughts were restless, haunted by an image that refused to fade—the faint silhouette of a human wielding a cursed black sword, a blade leaking red energy strong enough to tear through demons.
His brows furrowed as he clenched his fists tightly.
"You Xi…" he muttered, his voice rumbling like thunder, "I never thought I would see him again… at the very place where it all ended… the Black Mountain."
His fury grew, his nails digging into his palm until black energy flared from his eyes, spilling like liquid darkness.
"Xi…" Du-Feng growled, his voice heavy with hatred. "You dare cross my path again? This time… I will finish what should have been ended long ago."
The shadows around him quivered violently, as if responding to his rage.