In that case, all one needs to do is prove oneself.

Seeing that Su Luo had no intention of explaining, Jiang Ningshu turned to ask Little Yu.

"What's wrong with him?"

"Su Luo has been in a bad mood lately. Let him have some space."

"What happened?"

"Well... it's hard to say." Little Yu understood the stakes—revealing the truth would only harm Nangong Xiyun.

Jiang Ningshu didn’t press Little Yu further and went straight to Nangong Xiyun instead.

In a secluded corner, the two spoke in hushed tones.

"What’s going on? Did something happen between you two recently?"

"Nothing..." Nangong Xiyun would never confide in Jiang Ningshu. If she did, Jiang Ningshu would surely mock her.

She had been waiting for her cover to be blown, and now it had happened.

Jiang Ningshu let it go, assuming it wasn’t a big deal, but she still had something to say.

"You caused quite a stir the other day."

She was referring to the incident in the labyrinth.

"It wasn’t that big a deal. What, are you planning to arrest me as the Demon Lord?"

"Not at all. The Heavenly Demon Sect can handle itself. But you—making such a scene, aren’t you afraid Su Luo will find out your true identity?"

He already knows. Nangong Xiyun sighed inwardly. "Whatever. I’ll deal with it myself."

"Good. Just don’t drag Su Luo down with you while you’re hiding here. He’s important to me now."

"Oh? How important?"

"That’s none of your concern."

"Anything else? If not, please leave. This humble abode isn’t worthy of hosting the great Demon Lord."

"Su Luo hasn’t kicked me out yet. You don’t get to decide. By the way, when are you planning to come clean? Let me know—I’d love to watch."

Jiang Ningshu refused to leave, deliberately needling Nangong Xiyun.

Nangong Xiyun’s hands trembled. Before her exposure, Jiang Ningshu’s words wouldn’t have bothered her. But now, every remark felt like salt rubbed into an open wound.

She didn’t know how to reconcile with Su Luo—it didn’t even seem like he wanted to.

Add Jiang Ningshu’s constant jabs, and she had no way to retort. It was unbearable.

Still, she forced herself to appear unbothered.

"It’s fine. But you’re no different—you’re hiding things from Su Luo too."

Jiang Ningshu merely smiled. Having regained her second-stage powers, she no longer cared.

"I’m not like you. I can tell Su Luo anytime."

"Go ahead. I’d love to see how that turns out." Nangong Xiyun could use it as a learning opportunity.

"I’m waiting for the right moment." Jiang Ningshu preferred to reveal herself during her own storyline.

She figured the first-stage recovery arc was coming soon. When Su Luo wrote about it in his diary, she’d make her move.

That would be more convincing.

"You’re just bluffing."

"Save the taunts. I have my own pace—you won’t change that."

"Fine, fine. So, can you leave now?" Nangong Xiyun still wanted to try reconciling with Su Luo.

"Why should I? I came here for Su Luo."

With that, she went to lounge beside Su Luo, joining him in idleness—slacker number two.

"You and A’Yun seem to be getting along well lately?"

Su Luo hadn’t eavesdropped, but he was curious about their relationship.

"Not really."

"It’s good if you talk more." Su Luo figured it was for the best—Jiang Ningshu would eventually defect from the Heavenly Demon Sect, and befriending Nangong Xiyun could be beneficial.

Jiang Ningshu chatted casually with Su Luo. Compared to Little Yu or A’Yun, she preferred talking to him.

But Su Luo seemed distracted.

Meanwhile, A’Yun was being unusually attentive to him.

Jiang Ningshu didn’t get it.

Eventually, Su Luo couldn’t stand lounging anymore and retreated to his room, seeking solitude.

But peace eluded him. He quietly opened his diary.

He hadn’t planned to write, but Nangong Xiyun’s revelation had left him reeling.

After days of reflection, he still struggled to accept it. With no one to confide in, he sometimes felt like screaming from a mountaintop.

But this was the Heavenly Demon Sect—making a scene wouldn’t do. The diary was safer.

[I never thought this diary would become my emotional outlet. I only meant to record the plot.]

[Recent events have been surreal. My most trusted subordinate, A’Yun, is actually Nangong Xiyun.]

[I could accept A’Yun being a spy for the Seven Stars Sword Sect—but why her?]

[It makes me feel like a clown. I even lectured her on cultivation—how embarrassing. She doesn’t need training!]

[I’ve been deceived before, but never by Nangong Xiyun.]

[How do I face her now?]

[Maybe it’s best to avoid her. She can be the Seven Stars Sword Sect’s Nangong Xiyun, and I’ll walk my own path. Better for everyone.]

[...]

Su Luo scribbled more random thoughts, but they all circled back to Nangong Xiyun.

He set down the pen and took a deep breath. Enough.

He felt slightly better now.

As for Nangong Xiyun—was he angry? Resentful? Not really.

Being fooled just meant he was outmatched. Su Luo had endured enough setbacks to take this in stride.

The initial shock had worn off. Now, he was just puzzled—why would Nangong Xiyun personally infiltrate as a spy?

The moment he learned A’Yun was Nangong Xiyun, A’Yun died in his heart.

That was the real pain.

He’d spent so much time with A’Yun.

As for developing feelings for Nangong Xiyun? Su Luo dismissed the idea outright. Everything about A’Yun had been an act—that’s what hurt.

He picked up the diary again.

[Let it go. A’Yun is gone, and I have my own path.]

[From now on, I’ll focus on the plot. Whatever Nangong Xiyun does is none of my concern. I have plans of my own.]

[She’s trying to play the emotional card, but I won’t fall for it again.]

[Goodbye, A’Yun.]

[Honestly… A’Yun was a good person…]

Su Luo closed the diary, steeled his resolve, and decided to move forward.

Meanwhile, Nangong Xiyun watched Su Luo return to his room, feeling lost.

He probably hated her now—didn’t even want to see her.

Maybe she should leave for a while?

But leaving might make reconciliation impossible.

If she walked away now, they might become strangers forever.

What was Su Luo doing in his room?

Nangong Xiyun was curious but would never peek. Getting caught would only make him despise her more.

Then she noticed the diary update.

The entire entry was about her.

As expected, she’d hurt Su Luo deeply.

Wait—

Something felt off.

Rereading it, Su Luo didn’t seem to resent her that much.

He was just mourning the loss of A’Yun’s facade. But her feelings had been real.

Aside from hiding her identity, she’d never lied to him.

A realization dawned on Nangong Xiyun.

If that was the case, all she had to do was prove herself.