TBR CH22.1

A demon palace may host many guests, but it can have only one master.

At this moment, the ruler of the entire demonic realm, with great interest, lowered the wine goblet in his hand and looked at the young man kneeling in the grand hall, teary-eyed.

Beside the young man, the veil that had once concealed his face had fallen to the ground. Yet, the person who had knocked it down now appeared as if struck by lightning, unable to utter a single word.

No—he did speak, but to no avail.

Just moments ago, Wusu had been trying to find a reasonable excuse for his little lover. But now, he saw his beloved kneeling in supplication before another man, seemingly about to reveal something, his eyes filled with both dependence and fear.

If not for the inappropriate setting, Gu Shishu would have laughed outright at this absurd one-man farce.

Only a moment ago, the Yao King had been suspicious that Gu Shishu had forcibly taken Shen Nian. His eyes had been full of doubt, constantly darting toward the hall. But now, he found himself facing accusations that he was, in fact, the villain.

If he were not blind at this moment, he should have realized—

The reliance and obedience in Shen Nian’s eyes were directed at the Demon Lord seated high upon the throne.

And all his fear and avoidance were entirely reserved for Wusu.

“Nian Nian.”

For the first time, the Demon Lord spoke this name with slightly less discomfort—after all, the Yao King’s current expression was quite amusing.

“Did you know the Yao King beforehand?”

“I…” Shen Nian bit his lip as if mustering all his courage. As soon as he finished speaking, his body weakened and slumped slightly.

“I know him. But it is absolutely not as His Majesty the Yao King claims. My lord, I… I dare not say.”

The beautiful young man’s eyes brimmed with tears, filled with grievance and unease, as if burdened with an indescribable secret he could not reveal, evoking deep sympathy.

Upon hearing Shen Nian admit to knowing him, the Yao King’s eyes lit up for a brief moment.

Gu Shishu almost felt sorry for him.

Sure enough, after hearing the full sentence, the Yao King’s expression became wonderfully complex once again, and he nearly blurted out a desperate rebuttal. He tried to awaken Shen Nian’s memories of him, hoping that, in an instant, the youth would transform back into the cherished lover in his heart.

But Gu Shishu spoke first.

He acted like an easily swayed monarch, eager to grant his beauty a chance to absolve himself first.

“Do not be afraid. Speak freely.”

The Demon Lord turned his gaze to the Yao King, knowing the latter would have no choice but to agree.

“No need to be impatient, Your Majesty. I, too, am unaware of the full story. If you have nothing to hide, why not listen to Young Master Shen’s explanation?”

Sure enough, though the Yao King’s expression remained dark, he fell silent. He fixed his gaze upon the kneeling youth, his eyes swirling with conflicting emotions—shock, heartbreak, sorrow, and agony. He had yet to give up hope.

Perhaps… Nian Nian had lost his memory and no longer recognized him.

Desperately, he clung to this belief, deliberately ignoring the fact that his beloved, who should have been in secluded cultivation, had instead appeared in the Demon Lord’s palace and repeatedly avoided him. He comforted himself with this thought.

If… if that were truly the case, then given another chance, Nian Nian would fall in love with him again. Even if he had lost his memories, they had once been soulmates, each other’s one and only. He refused to believe that Shen Nian could have given his heart to another.

If Gu Shishu could hear his thoughts, he would merely shake his head.

Shen Nian’s behavior did not resemble someone who had forgotten—it was evident that he was deliberately avoiding and evading. Next, he would surely—

“Your Majesty.”

The Child of Fate’s gaze held only cold avoidance and fear.

“I… I have already sought refuge with His Lordship. He cherishes and protects me, granting me a place to stay. Can you please stop—stop pursuing me?”

“What did you say?”

Wusu could bear it no longer. He nearly lunged toward Shen Nian, but the youth, filled with terror, flinched backward. Tears immediately fell from his eyes, making him appear truly helpless and forced into this situation.

“My lord.” At once, he turned to Gu Shishu, seated upon the throne. “The Yao King did indeed… but I was forced! I could only seize the first opportunity to escape him! That’s why… that’s why I’ve been avoiding him all these days. I don’t want to see him again. I am so afraid. But I dared not disturb your plans, so…”

Lowering his eyes once more, he murmured,

“My lord, even if you do not believe me, it does not matter. My heart belongs only to you. I do not want you to misunderstand.”

Seeing that the Yao King had already risen from his seat, the golden hue in his eyes now streaked with blood-red, about to reach for Shen Nian’s robes, the young man frantically sought help from Gu Shishu with pleading eyes. Holding back his amusement, Gu Shishu waved his sleeve, casting a spell to block Wusu’s outstretched hand.

He could not allow them to chase each other around his palace—it would be far too unsightly.

The spell was not unbreakable, but it was enough to make Wusu pause and regain a modicum of composure.

Gu Shishu had helped him! Shen Nian clutched his wildly beating heart, finally feeling a little at ease. Taking deep breaths, he carefully planned his next steps.

He had to convince Gu Shishu of his unwavering devotion.

At this point, there was no turning back. He had to completely sever his ties with the Yao King.

Wusu lifted his vertically slit pupils, now fractured with pain, and forced himself not to look at Shen Nian. Instead, he stared icily at Gu Shishu.

“What does Your Lordship mean by this?”

Gu Shishu, however, appeared even more puzzled as he asked,

“Your Majesty, given your reaction… could it be that this Shen Nian in my palace is the same ‘Nian Nian’ you speak of?”

Wusu glanced at the tear-streaked youth beside him—the one whose eyes had once been filled with nothing but him, but who now discarded him as if he were worthless, fearing even to be near him.

His face was still the same unparalleled beauty he had once praised countless times, yet in this moment, it was growing increasingly unfamiliar, as if he were no longer the man who had once haunted his dreams night after night.

In an instant, the overwhelming joy of reclaiming a lost love turned into the devastation of betrayal.

The Demon Lord feigned complete ignorance, while Shen Nian—Wusu could have found a reason to excuse him, to convince himself otherwise. But he could not deny the sheer terror and estrangement in the young man’s voice.

Wusu was still unwilling to give up. He did not respond to Gu Shishu’s question, but his repeated interrogations left no room for doubt as to the answer:

“Nian Nian, do you not remember? You swore to be with me. I still carry the gift you gave me, intending to hold our Daoist partner ceremony as soon as you emerged from seclusion. Do you truly refuse to acknowledge our past feelings?”

Gu Shishu also spoke, his tone unpleasant, as if dissatisfied with being inexplicably drawn into this matter, yet also carrying a trace of doubt toward Shen Nian. His words were no less than fuel to the fire:

“Young Master Shen, the Yao King has told me many things about your time together. If they are true, then I have been unjustly made into a villain. The two of you had better clarify things properly.”

“No—”

Shen Nian’s face finally drained of all color. He instinctively backed away from the Yao King, retreating several steps in a row.

What should he do? He could no longer salvage his relationship with the Yao King, but he absolutely could not afford for Gu Shishu to doubt him any further.

“It was all forced upon me.”

In Wusu’s eyes, his lover’s once-exquisite face was now contorted by hatred and fear, his voice sharp and grating.

“Everything he made me do was against my will. I want nothing to do with the Yao King ever again—please, my lord, grant me your protection!”

Seeing his words take effect, Gu Shishu was satisfied.

From Shen Nian’s perspective, Gu Shishu was still under the influence of the “Irresistible Charm” system. Now that the beauty before him had sworn his loyalty in tears, naturally, he had to show some favoritism. This would not only reassure Shen Nian but also deepen the blow dealt to the Yao King.

When the matter concluded, Gu Shishu’s gaze darkened as he surveyed the so-called “Child of Fate” kneeling before him.

He no longer needed to maintain any pretense.

However, now was not the time. He still intended to give the Yao King a final chance to see the truth for himself. So, lowering his voice slightly, he spoke:

“Do not be afraid. If it was not of your own will, how could I possibly blame you?”

Still reeling from the shock as if struck by lightning, Wusu finally came back to his senses upon hearing these words.

He stared at the young man before him, then at the Demon Lord seated above, his expression shifting between doubt and disbelief. He watched as the youth, upon hearing Gu Shishu’s reassurance, finally seemed to have his wish fulfilled. His eyes glowed with syrupy affection, never once glancing in Wusu’s direction. It was as if Gu Shishu’s words alone had been enough to satisfy him completely.

“My lord’s kindness is beyond measure. I… am deeply grateful. With your words, I fear nothing.”

The two of them—before his very eyes—had begun their affectionate display.

Wusu clenched his teeth, finding the scene before him unbearably offensive, entirely false. After hearing such heart-wrenching words, if he still believed that Shen Nian had truly loved him before, he would be a fool.

But as for the accusations of coercion, Wusu had never done any such thing to Shen Nian.

“You liar.”

The Yao King’s voice was low and cold. Having ruled for so long, a single utterance from him sent shivers down Shen Nian’s spine, making him instinctively retreat once more, turning to Gu Shishu in tearful supplication:

“My lord, my lord, please help me—I am not lying.”

“You truly are despicable.”

Wusu gritted his teeth, watching as the once-beloved figure sought refuge in another’s arms, his tear-streaked face pitiful and fragile. The memories he had once cherished now festered into something rotten. At this moment, all he could feel was the blood rushing to his head, realizing he had been made a complete fool.

Without hesitation, he unleashed a killing strike toward Shen Nian, his demonic energy laced with violent fury. Shen Nian’s legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed to the ground. However, just before the blow could land, a surge of demonic energy deflected it, narrowly cutting a few strands of his hair.

“In my domain, surely the Yao King would not resort to bullying?”

The Demon Lord finally descended from his pristine jade steps, his footsteps echoing through the palace. The surrounding attendants, still stunned by the scene that had just unfolded, remained silent. Upon seeing him approach, they all lowered their heads in submission.

He raised his hand, though he made no immediate move. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the Yao King.

“If you persist, Your Majesty, I will have to take action.”

It was a threat.

Wusu gritted his teeth but ultimately abandoned his attempt to strike again. He would never forgive Shen Nian—he wished to skin him alive—but now was not the time. He was no fool.

This was the Demon Lord’s stronghold. Even if he had the strength for battle, he would suffer great losses. Gu Shishu’s power ranked just beneath the Dao itself.

But those who betray will always face retribution.

He had waited in silence for centuries for the perfect moment to exact his revenge. Once his prey was in his grasp, there would be no escape—only despair and death.

Yet staying in this palace for even another second was humiliating. The surrounding attendants, though silent with their heads bowed, seemed to mock him without words, witnessing his disgrace.

At least the contract had been fulfilled—Gu Shishu had handed over Fu Tingxue to him. A venomous hatred simmered in Wusu’s heart, seeking an outlet.

Gu Shishu watched the shifting emotions on Wusu’s face. Ultimately, his dull, reptilian pupils settled on Shen Nian once more.

Those in power cared deeply for their dignity, but Wusu seemed to be making one final, desperate attempt.

His voice was cold as he spoke:

“I will give you one last chance, Nian Nian. If you come to me now, I will forget everything that has happened.”

Shen Nian shook his head frantically.

Gu Shishu sighed internally. In a situation like this, why continue to struggle?

The love and devotion forged by the “Irresistible Charm” system rested on a foundation of illusion. When wounded by betrayal, one would eventually see that everything was hollow. And when the grand illusion crumbled, the last desperate attempt to grasp at something—anything—only served to prove that one had indeed been made a fool.

The Yao King turned his gaze to Gu Shishu once more, his expression complicated. In the end, he merely spat out a few cold words:

“This man is nothing but a faithless wretch. The Demon Lord has been deceived.”

With that, the Yao King staggered away.

Gu Shishu did not stop him.

Had Shen Nian been more self-aware, he might have sensed that something was amiss. Gu Shishu had always been a sovereign unto himself—if anyone wronged him, he would exact vengeance without hesitation, just as he had done in the past with Fu Tingxue.

But Shen Nian was consumed by the euphoria of his perceived triumph.

“My lord.”

Still half-kneeling, he lifted his gaze, confident that his smile would be alluring enough to captivate anyone. He looked expectantly at Gu Shishu, and then—

Shen Nian’s gaze collided with a pair of dark, emotionless eyes.

Gu Shishu simply looked at him coldly, as if he were gazing at a lifeless object. No matter where Shen Nian searched, he could not find a trace of warmth.

What was going on? Shen Nian almost thought he had seen wrong. But under that gaze, he had nowhere to hide. He felt as if all his secrets had been laid bare, and an even more intense shiver of fear and coldness surged through him, stronger than at any moment before.

The other man gave him an arrogant yet indifferent smile.

“Child of Fate, we can finally have a proper conversation.”

---

The way he had entered the grand hall today—so confident, so triumphant—was now a stark contrast to his current disgrace.

This sudden blow had struck Wusu so hard that he was nearly lost in despair. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Shen Nian’s face, and the venomous, scornful look directed at him. That was not the Nian Nian he remembered.

The Nian Nian in his memory had been so beautiful, so obedient.

But now, the image of that beauty was fading, replaced by an ordinary, tear-streaked face—one that now appeared unbearably ugly. What once captivated him now filled him with icy doubt.

And a bone-deep hatred.

His disgraceful retreat just now had been nothing but a lapse of emotion. Although he feared the Demon Lord’s strength and had no guarantee of victory, if Shen Nian had only spoken up for him, Wusu would not have hesitated to fight.

Yet Shen Nian had spewed nothing but slander, showing not the slightest regard for their past.

Right in front of him, he had fawned over another man, pleading his loyalty.

Just thinking about it made Wusu’s chest throb with pain again. The scene replayed in his mind: Gu Shishu shielding Shen Nian, while Shen Nian, in full view of all, publicly denounced him and declared his heart belonged solely to Gu Shishu.

It was as if his dignity had been trampled into the dirt.

But to seek immediate revenge would be unwise. Gu Shishu had been deceived as well. His real target for revenge was Shen Nian—but Shen Nian was now under Gu Shishu’s protection. He needed to be patient.

If he was going to strike, it certainly wouldn’t be here, in the Demon Realm, challenging the Demon Lord’s authority.

…That was what reason told him.

But the seething anger and venom within him threatened to consume his very being. He could only clench his teeth, swearing again and again that he would make this traitor suffer—make him die in utter ruin. His fingers dug into his arm so sharply that it barely kept him from losing control.

At first, the pain in his chest was just a dull ache. But now it was growing unbearable.

The agony crept up gradually, yet in an instant, it erupted into an unbearable torment that crashed over Wusu’s consciousness. He clutched his chest, his hatred mingling with his suffering, threatening to burn away every drop of demonic blood in his veins, scalding him into madness.

A familiar pain, in a familiar place.

Wusu curled up, his hair disheveled and damp with sweat, clinging to his face. He no longer resembled a supreme ruler but rather a lost specter wandering the night, his agony fueling an overwhelming thirst for vengeance.

Yes…

Clutching his wound, Wusu recalled that this old injury had tormented him for centuries. Every time the pain resurfaced, it stirred within him an insatiable craving to take revenge on the one who had inflicted it.

And now, that very person was languishing in the Demon Palace’s dungeon, barely clinging to life—left entirely at his disposal.

This was stipulated in his contract with Gu Shishu. The law of heaven had already taken effect—there would be no backing out.

If he couldn’t exact his revenge on the lover who had betrayed him, then he could at least torment the enemy who had haunted his thoughts for centuries.

He had nearly lost his mind, like a beast starving for blood. Given the mere chance to see it spilled, he would rush forward without hesitation. If some unfortunate prey happened to cross his path now, he would not stop until their bones were shattered, their marrow drained dry, their body a vessel for his hatred and wrath.

The pain in his chest sharpened. His thoughts, already frigid, turned to solid ice, transforming him into a mindless monster.

He staggered toward the dungeon. His sharp, dark claws began to elongate into something more beast-like, their edges gleaming like razor-sharp daggers. Black demonic energy coiled around his fingers, suffused with lethal intent.

The guards stationed outside the dungeon instinctively stepped aside upon seeing the Yao King approach.

His entry was shockingly unimpeded.

Gu Shishu must have already given the order—after the banquet, there would be no restrictions on him. He was free to carry out his revenge however he pleased.

Good. Wusu’s pain and resentment needed an outlet.

He had already decided—he would crush the immortal’s bones, piece by piece.

Inside the dungeon, the prisoner sat slumped against the cold stone wall. Fu Tingxue’s wrists and neck were bound by celestial-restraining chains, his ankles shackled in place by heavy iron locks. Hearing Wusu’s approach, he raised his gaze, slightly surprised.

Wusu instinctively found the sight of his eyes offensive.

A powerless prisoner, already reduced to this wretched state by Gu Shishu’s torment—

And yet, those eyes, as cold as frost and as bright as the moon, held not a trace of humiliation. Only faint surprise, so light it was almost imperceptible.

Wusu grinned.

He would break that arrogance, shatter that icy indifference.