The Spirit Realm.
Xia Lun observed everything that had happened as a bystander.
Aina’s consciousness detached from Ankula’s body and returned to Xia Lun’s side.
“Aina, you’re being mischievous again.”
Xia Lun smacked Aina’s buttocks in annoyance, producing a crisp sound.
“Xia Lun, how dare you treat me like this?” Aina narrowed her eyes, exuding a faint demon king’s aura.
“Is that not allowed?”
Aina huffed. “Hmph, of course it is. After all, you’ve done this plenty of times when you’re behind me at night.”
Xia Lun: “…”
“But this time is different. If you can’t give me a proper reason for hitting me, I won’t let it slide… I’ll punish you very cruelly later.” Aina glared at him fiercely.
Xia Lun gulped. Why did he feel a little… excited?
“A reason? I have three for you. First—why did you bully Aina?” Xia Lun asked sternly.
He had clearly seen how Aina, using Ankula’s body, deliberately provoked his past self.
Aina: “Oh? Is that not allowed? It was me, after all.”
Xia Lun: “Of course not. Aina is my beloved. I’d never allow anyone to bully her… no matter when or where.”
“Because in my past memories, the one who possessed Ankula did the same thing to me… If I didn’t do this now, the timeline would be disrupted, and things would get messy.” Aina gave a reason Xia Lun couldn’t refute.
Xia Lun clicked his tongue. The Demon King wasn’t so easy to deal with.
“Then, second question—why did you kiss my past self right in front of me?” Xia Lun stared at her gloomily.
“Oh heavens, Xia Lun, are you jealous… of yourself?” Aina covered her mouth in exaggerated shock. “You’re truly something else.”
“I don’t have those memories. To me, it felt like watching you kiss someone else.” Xia Lun locked eyes with her.
A faint smile curled at the corners of Aina’s lips.
“Still, this trip to the past wasn’t without its rewards.”
A wisp of spiritual light emerged from Aina’s hand, slowly merging into Xia Lun’s body.
The vast gaps in Xia Lun’s memories were gradually filled, and the recollections of Ankula resurfaced in his mind.
Including the moment Aina had pinned him mid-air and forcefully kissed him.
Xia Lun licked his lips, savoring the memory.
“So… that’s what happened back then.”
“I only kissed you for your sake—to copy a fragment of your past self’s memories.” Aina sighed dramatically. “And yet, a certain hero here only cared about being jealous… How disappointing.”
“My apologies, my dear.” Xia Lun leaned down and kissed Aina’s cheek.
Only then did Aina look satisfied.
It seemed the saying wasn’t just true for women—men who knew how to act spoiled also had it good.
“Now, one last thing.” Xia Lun booped Aina’s nose. “You were inside Ankula’s body at the time.”
Aina’s expression stiffened slightly. She had gotten carried away and forgotten that detail.
Ankula would likely recall everything Aina did while possessing her—like tenderly caressing Xia Lun’s face…
“I… I erased that girl’s memories before leaving.” Aina defended herself. “She doesn’t remember anything…”
Xia Lun: “That was Ankula’s body.”
Aina: “Since when do men care about such things? Xia Lun… You’re surprisingly prudish. It was me in that body, and you’ve regained those memories. Everyone wins in the end.”
Xia Lun shook his head and sighed. “There’s nothing wrong with being prudish.”
A flush of shame crept into Aina’s heart.
She had sacrificed much for Xia Lun… but she’d underestimated his devotion to her.
“I’m sorry… Xia Lun, I was wrong. You must have felt awful when I did that…”
His past self had known nothing about Aina from the future. Being kissed by a stranger—it was unfair to him.
She had been selfish.
“It’s fine. I forgive you.” Xia Lun smiled and pulled Aina into his embrace. “I understand now.”
Aina nestled against him and nodded softly.
“Let’s go back.”
Holding hands, they stepped through the rift in spacetime. The world around them blurred and shifted until they returned to their familiar era.
In the plaza, the two standing before the stone statue regained their senses.
Nothing around them seemed to have changed—the streets were still bustling with people, and the city glowed with countless lights.
Xia Lun felt as though he’d awoken from a long dream. His mind was clear, his spirits lifted, as if a lingering shadow had finally dispersed.
Aina stood quietly beside him. They’d been holding hands before entering the Spirit Realm, and they still were now.
She remained silent for a long while.
“What’s wrong?” Xia Lun ruffled her hair.
“I made a mistake, Xia Lun.” Aina reminded him.
Xia Lun: “I already forgave you, didn’t I?”
“But I still messed up. That’s a fact… And mistakes deserve punishment.” Aina insisted, her face hidden as she lowered her head.
Xia Lun immediately understood. With a playful yelp from Aina, he swept her up into his arms.
Even after indulging all afternoon… he still felt full of energy.
Back in their room, Xia Lun took a deep breath.
“Are you sure? Is this really what you want, Aina?”
“Must I repeat myself? You’re so mean, Xia Lun…” Aina looped her arms around his neck, pressing close to whisper in his ear, her voice sweet and teasing. “How will you punish me, Xia Lun?”
“Then… massage my shoulders.” Xia Lun sat on the bed and began removing his outer garments.
Aina puffed her cheeks. She knew he understood her hint.
This Xia Lun wasn’t the pure-hearted boy from before.
“Since it’s a punishment, you can’t use anything below the shoulders.” He added.
Aina blinked. Without her hands, the only movable part left was… her mouth.
“Changed your mind? Should I pick another punishment?” Xia Lun shrugged.
“N-No.” Aina licked her lips. “Hero… you’re such a shameless pervert.”
“And you’re no better, Demon King.”