Why Tomorrow

【The Demon Lord emerged, her terrifying aura instantly cowing most of the crowd. Even Di Haoran couldn't help but retreat several steps. He hadn't expected the Demon Lord to have grown so formidable.】

【The Demon Lord made her grand entrance, marking her first official appearance before the masses.】

【And the pressure only intensified.】

【Realizing the odds were against him, Di Haoran immediately shouted for the allied sects to retreat.】

【This was the Demon Lord's domineering debut—without even lifting a finger, she had forced her enemies to flee.】

【At this point, even the Left Envoys began to think the Demon Lord might actually be useful after all.】

【The tables had turned. Emboldened by their leader, the Heavenly Demon Sect disciples started jeering, hoping the Demon Lord would vent their grievances for them.】

【Yet the Demon Lord merely said, "Let's go," then led the way out of the Shattered Bone Abyss, much to the sect's disappointment. Still, they quickly assumed she must have some deeper plan and followed without question.】

【Was this over? Not quite. After the retreat, Lin Xuan couldn't shake a growing unease. Why hadn't the Demon Lord struck? Though he'd been close enough to feel her overwhelming presence, something felt... off.】

【Through meticulous recollection, he pieced together subtle clues and arrived at a startling truth.】

【The Demon Lord might not be as powerful as everyone believed.】

【The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became.】

【He went to Di Haoran with his theory. Though partially persuaded, the latter wasn't willing to gamble on it.】

【Lin Xuan, however, staked his life on the claim and pressed his argument.】

【Finally swayed, Di Haoran gave him a chance.】

【They pursued the Heavenly Demon Sect once more, ready to withdraw at the first sign of danger.】

【Yet the sect was routed without the Demon Lord lifting a hand—seeming to confirm Lin Xuan's suspicions.】

【Thus, the Heavenly Demon Sect suffered a crushing defeat, slinking back to the south in disgrace.】

【The Demon Lord's inaction would later spark a chain of consequences, but that was a problem for another time.】

【Lin Xuan, without a doubt, had become the hero once again. Had it not been for his insight, they would never have routed the Heavenly Demon Sect so decisively.】

Su Luo closed the diary.

【Diary entry completed. Reward: Constitution +1, Strength +4, cultivation advanced by one tier. Current cultivation: Late-stage Dongxu.】

A modest reward, but more than welcome—he'd been feeling underpowered lately.

Surveying his newfound strength, Su Luo felt pleased.

Then a thought struck him: Now that the Demon Lord has recovered to the Nascent Soul stage, could this affect the plot?

But he quickly dismissed it. Still just Nascent Soul—far from enough to sway the tides of battle.

Overthinking it.

After writing, Su Luo stepped outside. Little Yu was still training, while Yun lounged in his recliner.

He almost scoffed, "Useless as mud," but then remembered he wasn't much better himself. Fair enough.

"Little Yu, take a break," he called.

"What's wrong?"

"Something's happening tomorrow. Actually, just leave early."

Better to send her ahead, just in case.

"What about you, Su Luo?"

"I've got some things to wrap up. Don't worry, I'll catch up." He handed her the rendezvous point.

"Alright."

Little Yu understood—Su Luo's expression hinted at serious trouble. She packed quickly and left.

Meanwhile, Yun rose from the recliner, offering it to Su Luo. "Shouldn't I leave too?" she asked casually.

"Why would you? You're my right hand."

"True. I'll charge into battle for you. Any orders?"

"Just stay sharp tomorrow."

Yun frowned. Not good enough—tomorrow, I'll have to take point.

As she massaged Su Luo's shoulders, she ventured, "Is it really safe for Little Yu to go alone?"

"You sound like you're hinting at something."

"Not at all. Just concerned. The allied sects are swarming outside—it's dangerous."

"So?"

"Let me protect her."

"Since when are you so eager?" Su Luo found it odd—Yun usually followed orders without question.

"What kind of question is that? Little Yu and I get along well. I care about her too."

"Fine, go ahead." Su Luo didn't mind. Once chaos erupted tomorrow, it'd be better if she were gone anyway.

Yun sighed. My role keeps expanding. The later it gets, the more scenes I'm in. How much longer can I keep up this act around Su Luo?

Well, might as well last as long as possible.

Su Luo settled into the recliner, ready to wait out the night.

Or so he thought—until an interruption arrived.

The Demon Lord, Jiang Ningshu, had come.

This time, Su Luo couldn't even muster the energy to rise and greet her properly.

"What, not happy to see me?"

"Not at all. You're the Demon Lord—you go where you please."

"Where are the others?"

"Sent them off on business."

"I see." Jiang Ningshu took the seat beside him.

Silence settled between them.

Jiang Ningshu was contemplating whether to act according to Su Luo’s diary entry tomorrow.

To be honest, it made her feel like she was being meticulously manipulated. Ignorance was bliss, but now that she knew, an inexplicable defiance surged within her.

Jiang Ningshu said, “How about we go out too?”

“No, what’s so great about outside?” Su Luo sat up abruptly, dead serious.

“But I want to go.”

“...How about the day after?”

“You seem nervous?” Jiang Ningshu didn’t actually think Su Luo was nervous—she just said it to make her so.

“Not at all. I’m fine.” Su Luo was confident in her acting skills.

Yet the moment those words left Jiang Ningshu’s lips, Su Luo did feel a flicker of unease.

“So, what role do I truly play in your heart?” Jiang Ningshu asked outright.

“You are my most revered Demon Lord.”

Hearing that, Jiang Ningshu’s heart ached. Su Luo didn’t hold her in her heart at all.

“I’m upset. I’m going out to clear my head.”

Su Luo grabbed her arm. “Wait, let’s talk this through?”

“Be my friend.”

Su Luo’s expression twisted into something indescribable at Jiang Ningshu’s words.

“My Lord jests. I am unworthy of being your friend.”

She meant it. In the future, the Demon Lord would cleanse her name and rise above, while someone like Su Luo was destined to drown in darkness.

“I don’t care. If you agree, I’ll obey you tomorrow.” Jiang Ningshu knew it was a low blow, but with someone as stubborn as Su Luo, she had to play dirty.

The offer was undeniably tempting.

But one question lingered.

“Why tomorrow?”

“Because half of today is already gone. I don’t want you to shortchange yourself.”

Su Luo nearly choked up. She really… I could cry.

With things put so plainly, refusing felt impossible.

“...Fine.”