Is There Anything About Myself That Deserves Pity

Su Luo stepped out of the room again and returned to her recliner—nothing beat the sunlight outside.

"What were you doing inside?" Jiang Ningshu asked knowingly, having already finished reading the diary updates.

What could she say? Su Luo’s original fate had been tragic, far worse than Jiang Ningshu’s own relatively smooth early life, which had only been marred by betrayal. But in the end, it seemed Jiang Ningshu would get a happy ending.

Compared to that, Su Luo had suffered far more.

"Not telling you." Su Luo had long passed the stage of complaining; she kept all her thoughts locked inside.

But after reliving things so many times, none of it mattered anymore. Su Luo could face it all with ease.

Now, all she had to do was wait for the Mountain Flame Festival to begin.

"You don’t have to say anything. I know you’ve worked hard."

…?

What was this tone? Was there something pitiful about her?

"Are you mistaken? Why are you talking to me like that?"

"Nothing much. I just realized you’ve had it tough too."

"Stop being cryptic. If you have something to say, just say it."

"Haha, getting impatient?"

Su Luo: "…"

Why did this feel so familiar? She had once been the one who knew everything, wearing the same expression and speaking in half-truths to appear profound and mysterious.

Hmph. But the Demon Lord couldn’t possibly be more mysterious than her—because Su Luo knew everything.

Su Luo regained her composure.

But then Jiang Ningshu spoke softly, "You’ve worked hard. Get some rest."

Su Luo didn’t understand. Why was Jiang Ningshu suddenly encouraging her?

Did she even need encouragement?

Jiang Ningshu didn’t answer Su Luo’s puzzled look. Instead, she even reached out as if to pat Su Luo’s head—but Su Luo dodged.

…

The following days returned to peaceful monotony. If not for the plot, Su Luo wouldn’t have even considered stepping outside.

She continued teaching Little Yu.

Things were different now. Su Luo no longer minded teaching her.

Maybe it was because they’d spent so much time together. Su Luo genuinely wanted Little Yu to have a bright future.

As for Yun? She wasn’t a concern. Backed by the Seven Stars Sword Sect, her path was already set in gold.

And Xiao Pa’s growth rate was terrifying—she’d undoubtedly become a powerhouse in her own right. No need to worry there either.

The Demon Lord?

Even less of a concern. All she had to do was regain her strength according to the plot, and her future would be smooth sailing.

"Little Yu, what’s wrong?" Su Luo asked, puzzled.

Little Yu had dragged another recliner over, placing it between Su Luo and Jiang Ningshu.

"Nothing. I just wanted to lie down too."

"Fair enough. Rest if you’re tired." Su Luo didn’t think much of it.

Lately, Little Yu had noticed that Su Luo and Jiang Ningshu’s conversations flowed more naturally—like old friends who had known each other for years.

And their recliners seemed to be inching closer together.

Little Yu wasn’t well-versed in matters of the heart, but as she grew older, she inevitably overheard things here and there.

She might have understood a little, or maybe not.

But letting the two of them continue like this… didn’t seem right.

So, she took action.

As for Yun, Little Yu didn’t have the same concerns. Yun always called herself Su Luo’s most loyal subordinate, so whatever she did seemed normal.

And so, the three of them lay side by side.

Soon, conversation started. Su Luo and Little Yu talked the most, their years of familiarity making their exchanges effortless.

Jiang Ningshu occasionally chimed in.

It was then that Su Luo realized—the Demon Lord had become more talkative. Lately, whenever Jiang Ningshu lay beside her, she not only responded to Su Luo’s words but even initiated topics.

Why?

But asking would be pointless. Jiang Ningshu would just say she didn’t know either.

"Demon Lord, what do you think of Su Luo?" Little Yu asked. She figured lying between them wasn’t solving anything—better to get straight to the point.

"She’d make a good friend."

"That’s it?"

"Yes?" Jiang Ningshu sounded confused. Was there more to it?

Little Yu let out a relieved sigh. Just friends. That was good—nothing romantic.

She must have overthought things. The Demon Lord was noble and esteemed, and while Su Luo was no less impressive, she deliberately hid her strength. Jiang Ningshu probably didn’t even realize how capable Su Luo was.

No way the Demon Lord would fall for Su Luo. Right?

Yeah, definitely overthinking it.

Little Yu returned to her training.

Yun, who had been silently observing from behind, thought Little Yu was too naive.

Wasn’t she letting her guard down too soon?

The Demon Lord lingered here all the time—wasn’t that suspicious?

Well, she’d keep watching.

Yun didn’t interfere. Her role as the loyal subordinate meant she couldn’t pry into anyone’s affairs.

…

To outsiders, Su Luo’s daily life probably seemed like a waste of time.

And it was. But this was her life.

Still, it was time to get busy. The moment had come.

Su Luo had already made arrangements for Little Yu and Yun—this time, she wasn’t taking anyone with her.

"You’re going out? Take me with you," Jiang Ningshu said.

"No. Taking you along would be suicide."

The Left Envoy’s glare was murderous. If not for the Heavenly Demon Sect’s recent setbacks, he would have already stormed in to overthrow the Demon Lord.

"I’ll protect you."

"Don’t bother. You can barely protect yourself."

Su Luo refused outright and left, flying swiftly toward her destination.

Jiang Ningshu could only sigh and return to her own quarters. She couldn’t stay here forever—and she had the distinct impression Yun wasn’t too fond of her.

Little Yu was fine. At first, she’d seemed wary, but for some reason, that had faded. A good kid.

…

By now, Mountain Flame City was buzzing with excitement. Though the war wasn’t yet fully won, the Mountain Flame Festival held special significance for the ancient city.

With the allied sects reporting victories one after another, the celebrations were even more fervent.

There was no way they wouldn’t hold it.

Lin Xuan and his group were treated as honored guests. In the northern regions, Lin Xuan was now a household name—hailed as the new generation’s greatest hope.

A bit exaggerated, but that was the reality.

Unable to refuse their hospitality, Lin Xuan and the others agreed to participate in the festival.

Su Luo watched the lively streets from afar—laughter, singing, dancing…

After a moment, she turned away. Scenes like this no longer suited her.

She headed straight for the volcano.

Meanwhile, Li Siyi slipped away from the group and wandered toward the nearby volcanoes.

And there, she found Su Luo.

Hands behind her back, Li Siyi leaned forward slightly. "What a coincidence."

"Yeah, what a coincidence. Out for a stroll?"

As if. Su Luo was just making small talk.

"I am, actually. Got time to join me?"

"Nope."

But then Su Luo reconsidered. Triggering the volcano’s eruption would be child’s play for her now—nothing like the exhausting ordeal the plot demanded.

So…

"Actually, I do."

Li Siyi’s eyes lit up at her words.