The music from the television continued playing in the background.
Bright stage lights flashed across the screen as the audience screamed for their favorite rock star.
But inside the living room, Xin Yi no longer moved.
Her arms slowly lowered from the position she had been dancing in, and her cheerful expression disappeared instantly.
"Satan Lu Yin," she said quietly.
Her head bowed respectfully.
The temperature in the room suddenly dropped.
A faint dark mist began swirling near the center of the living room floor.
From that mist, a tall figure slowly formed.
Long dark robes.
Cold crimson eyes.
The overwhelming presence of someone who ruled the deepest parts of Hell.
Liu Yin.
The King of Hell looked around the room briefly.
His gaze paused for a moment on the television screen where Yi Chen was still performing energetically before thousands of fans.
Lu Yin raised one eyebrow slightly.
"Humans and their endless noise," he muttered.
Then his gaze returned to Xin Yi.
"My favorite demon," he said slowly.
Xin Yi kept her head lowered.
"Yes, Master."
Lu Yin clasped his hands behind his back and walked slowly across the living room.
His movements were calm, but every step carried authority.
"You have done well tonight," he said. "Minister Jiangchen's soul now burns in Hell where it belongs."
Xin Yi bowed her head.
"I simply carried out your command, master."
Lu Yin nodded slowly.
"Continue serving Hell with this level of excellence," he said. "And perhaps one day, when I step down from the throne, you may be the one worthy enough to take my place."
A flicker of excitement passed through Xin Yi's chest, though she kept her expression calm.
But Lu Yin's gaze suddenly hardened.
"Do not grow comfortable, Xin Yi," Lu Yin said coldly.
"Power attracts enemies. Even in Hell."
Xin Yi immediately lowered her head again.
"I understand, master," she replied. "I will not fail you."
Lu Yin gave a quiet chuckle.
"That is exactly why you are my favorite."
He studied her carefully.
"For twelve years you have served me on Earth."
"Twelve years of flawless missions."
"Twelve years of obedience."
Xin Yi felt a small sense of pride rise inside her chest, though she kept her expression calm.
Lu Yin continued speaking.
"You hunted every man who dared harm women."
"Every sinner you encountered was sent straight to Hell."
He paused briefly.
"And you have never once failed."
Xin Yi slowly lifted her head slightly.
"It is my honor to serve Hell," she said.
Lu Yin nodded approvingly.
"Yes. And that loyalty is something I value."
He walked past her toward the television, glancing again at the stage performance on the screen.
The loud music was still echoing through the apartment.
Lu Yin frowned slightly.
With a small flick of his fingers—
The television switched off instantly.
The living room fell silent.
Xin Yi blinked.
For a brief moment she looked disappointed, but she quickly hid the expression.
Lu Yin turned back toward her.
"There are few demons who possess your discipline," he said.
Then his crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
"And that is why I will say something I have never said to anyone else."
Xin Yi felt curiosity stir within her.
"What is it, Master?"
Lu Yin studied her quietly for a moment, his crimson eyes glowing faintly.
"You already understand the path before you," he said slowly.
His gaze locked onto hers.
"If you continue serving Hell with this level of excellence…"
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Then, as I said before, the throne may one day be yours."
Xin Yi's heartbeat quickened.
She had dreamed of that possibility for years—rising above every demon, ruling the infernal realm itself.
But hearing Lu Yin acknowledge it aloud made the ambition feel far more real.
She lowered her head deeply.
"Thank you for your trust, my king."
Lu Yin nodded once.
"Continue proving yourself."
"I will," Xin Yi replied firmly.
Lu Yin watched her for another moment before turning away.
"Your next assignment will come soon."
His body began dissolving slowly into dark mist.
"But for now… enjoy your evening."
Within seconds, the King of Hell disappeared completely.
The cold pressure in the room vanished along with him.
Silence filled the apartment again.
Xin Yi remained standing in place for several seconds.
Then suddenly—
She grabbed the TV remote.
"Seriously?" she muttered.
She pressed the power button quickly.
The television turned back on.
Luckily, Yi Chen was still performing on stage.
Xin Yi immediately smiled.
"Oh thank goodness!"
She dropped back onto the couch and continued watching the performance.
As Yi Chen sang, Xin Yi sang along with him again.
Every lyric.
Every line.
She knew them all perfectly.
"You're amazing, Yi Chen," she said happily while watching the screen.
Her earlier serious expression had completely disappeared.
But in the back of her mind, Liu Yin's words echoed again.
You may very well become the next ruler of Hell.
Xin Yi smiled to herself.
"That would be interesting," she murmured.
Eventually, the performance ended.
The cheering crowd slowly faded as the television program switched to commercials.
Xin Yi stretched her arms.
"That was worth the wait."
Then her stomach suddenly growled.
She blinked.
"Oh."
She hadn't eaten dinner.
And now it was already very late.
Xin Yi walked toward the small kitchen area and opened one of the cabinets.
Inside were several cups of ramen.
"Perfect."
She grabbed one and began preparing it quickly.
A few minutes later, she sat at the small dining table with the steaming cup of ramen in front of her.
She lifted the chopsticks and took a bite.
"Not bad."
As she ate, she began humming one of Yi Chen's songs again.
The tune echoed softly through the quiet apartment.
Despite being a demon sent from Hell, Xin Yi looked completely relaxed.
After finishing the ramen, she tossed the cup into the waste bin and walked toward her bedroom
She turned off the lights in the living room before climbing onto the bed.
The room grew quiet.
Xin Yi stared at the ceiling for a moment.
Her mind slowly drifted back to Lu Yin's words.
You may become the next ruler of Hell.
Her lips curved slightly.
"That has always been the plan," she whispered.
For years she had worked harder than every other demon.
Completed every mission.
Followed every order.
All for one reason.
Power.
One day, she would rule Hell itself.
With that thought lingering in her mind, Xin Yi finally closed her eyes and drifted into sleep.