The Call from the Past

The cold glow from the magic array on the walls cast shifting silhouettes of two figures, their light and shadows intertwining incessantly.

Just the swaying of their shadows, their postures and movements, was enough to set one's pulse racing—it was hard to imagine how indecent the actual scene might be.

"Xia Lun! I was wrong… I was really wrong."

"I can’t take it anymore… I’m sorry, I’ll never say those things again… Please stop…"

"Please… spare me, Xia Lun…"

"Mmm—Master, please forgive me…"

Xia Lun knew full well that Aina was only saying these things.

Once she recalled the indulgence and pleasure of this moment, she’d dare to provoke him again next time.

Such was the playful dynamic between husband and wife.

Xia Lun gently lowered Aina, her delicate, petite frame still trembling faintly—clearly, she had endured considerable damage in their "battle."

Compared to her earlier arrogance and haughtiness, Aina now looked utterly vulnerable, sprawled across the bed in a posture of complete surrender, as if ripe for the taking.

Xia Lun lifted Aina’s chin and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

Aina let out a soft moan, her eyes glazed with desire, as if brimming with springtime dew. "Xia Lun, let’s rest first…"

"Alright, alright." Xia Lun caressed her cheek affectionately before lying down beside her.

Aina: "Xia Lun… you’re lying on my hair."

Xia Lun: "Ah, my bad."

He shifted slightly, then pulled Aina on top of him instead.

"Let me recover a bit…" Aina squirmed uneasily as she accidentally brushed against a certain threat.

Xia Lun obediently refrained from any further movement.

After a while, Aina stirred again, and the heavenly sensation of her touch returned.

"J-just stay like this… don’t move," Aina whispered, her breath warm against his ear.

"You don’t have to push yourself," Xia Lun murmured, twirling a strand of her silver-white hair between his fingers.

"If it’s just this much… it’s fine." Carefully bracing herself against Xia Lun’s chest, Aina leaned down, pressing herself against him.

But desire was like a boulder rolling down a mountainside—or a wildfire. Once ignited, it could not be stopped.

Xia Lun was certain he hadn’t moved a muscle. It was Aina who had willingly opened Pandora’s box.

Their fingers intertwined, and the expression on Aina’s face was nothing short of exquisite.

Her usually cool, composed features now looked as if they were melting—a sight Xia Lun could never have imagined in the past.

"Xia Lun, Xia Lun! Xia Lun…"

Aina murmured his name repeatedly before sealing her lips over his, her mouth trembling against his own.

In their inseparable embrace, the battle reached its conclusion.

"I really can’t anymore, Xia Lun…"

The Demon King’s surrender marked the Hero’s victory.

Xia Lun drew back the curtains—it was already evening, the sun dipping behind the mountains, casting its final golden glow.

Crimson clouds burned across the horizon, layered like molten gold, resembling the hellish furnace Aina had once unleashed.

"Want to go out for a stroll?"

Xia Lun glanced at Aina, still lying on the bed.

He’d probably satisfied her enough that she might change her mind.

"Xia Lun, if you don’t let me rest, I’ll really die… Hmm? Go out? Sure, Xia Lun, I’ll do whatever you say."

Aina scrambled up from the bed, hastily slipping into her dress as if afraid he’d reconsider.

Xia Lun smirked. "Shall we continue tonight?"

Aina’s expression stiffened slightly, but she refused to back down. "Th-that’s up to you."

Unable to help himself, Xia Lun chuckled and pulled her into his arms, earning a mildly reproachful look from her.

The time between sunset and nightfall passed unusually quickly.

By the time the two were ready to leave, darkness had already settled.

As they stepped out, they happened to run into Liyana and Mo Lini returning, their arms laden with shopping bags.

Mo Lini’s cheeks were flushed, clearly having enjoyed herself.

"Good evening, Aina! How was your afternoon?" Liyana remained her usual boisterous self. "Olie City is huge! Where did you two go?"

Aina smiled faintly. "We visited quite a few places."

Mainly from the carpet to the sofa, and then from the headboard to the foot of the bed.

Liyana: "Really? We’re heading back to rest. Are you two going out again?"

Xia Lun cleared his throat. "Just grabbing a bite and enjoying the night scenery."

"Alright, we won’t interrupt your date. See you later!" Liyana waved before turning to leave with Mo Lini.

"Wait." Xia Lun suddenly sensed something amiss. "Where’s Musen?"

Liyana’s face froze.

"Ah… I think I left him at the library…"

Xia Lun’s eye twitched. "Seriously?"

Liyana flustered. "I-I’ll go get him now! The library shouldn’t be closed yet—"

A book fell from the air, landing squarely on Liyana’s head.

"No need. I returned on my own," Musen’s muffled voice came from within the sacred tome.

"Ah! Musen, I’m so sorry, you’re just so easy to overlook…"

"It’s fine." Musen replied flatly. "I anticipated your carelessness. I’ve been used to it since a thousand years ago."

Liyana: "Hehe…"

Xia Lun and Aina paid little mind to the minor incident.

Soon, the two found a restaurant.

"What do you feel like eating? How about honey-glazed pancakes?" Xia Lun pointed at the menu.

"No!" Aina refused outright.

Xia Lun raised an eyebrow. "Really? They look good, and I recall you having a sweet tooth."

"Just… not this one." Aina seemed troubled.

She could never forget the taste of sugar crystals battling in her mouth.

Seeing the growing resentment in Aina’s eyes, Xia Lun was baffled.

After sharing a sweet, affectionate meal—feeding each other bites—the two wandered aimlessly through the streets, soaking in the tranquil atmosphere.

"Things really are different now," Xia Lun mused.

In the past, most cities were pitch-black at night, with the occasional drunkard sprawled on the roadside, crawling and retching.

Now, the city was aglow with lights, shops still bustling on either side of the streets, and even more pedestrians than during the day—a lively spectacle.

Before they knew it, they had returned to Ankora Square from earlier.

Well… it was the city center, after all. Practically every road led here.

Under the hazy night, the statue of Lady Ankora was veiled in shadows, her features indistinct.

Xia Lun gazed up at the statue, lost in thought.

Then, a faint whisper reached his ears.

"Please… whoever you are, wherever you come from… lend me your power…"