Just this won't convince me

Seeing Jiang Ningshu's current disheveled state, Su Luo remarked, "Demon Lord, mind your demeanor. If you keep acting weak, your crown will fall."

"The one before you is just a person named Jiang Ningshu, hehe..."

Jiang Ningshu even closed her eyes, nuzzling her face against Su Luo's shoulder.

After sharing so many heartfelt words with Su Luo, her mood had lightened considerably.

But just as this moment should have remained perfect, Jiang Ningshu suddenly thought of another question.

"So, how are you going to face Nangong Xiyun?"

That was a good question, and Su Luo was still pondering it.

If Nangong Xiyun's feelings for him were fake—or even if he could convince himself they were—it would be easier. Su Luo would feel no burden and continue walking his own path.

But if Nangong Xiyun's words were genuine, the weight would be unbearable.

Moreover, having come this far, Su Luo felt there was no turning back. After spending so much time in the Heavenly Demon Sect, was there even a chance for redemption?

Perhaps, but deep down, Su Luo didn’t want to whitewash himself. Everything he had done so far was by his own will.

A setup by the system? Don’t make him laugh. Su Luo had relived his life so many times that he’d long since profited beyond measure.

In the end, it was still Su Luo who chose his path with his own will.

He had no regrets, so he wouldn’t go out of his way to justify his actions.

"How to face her? One step at a time."

Su Luo guessed he would have to let Nangong Xiyun down.

"Su Luo, even you have moments of uncertainty."

"Yeah, I’m just an ordinary person too."

Su Luo carried Jiang Ningshu out.

"Your palace is nearby."

"Of course, we’re going to yours. You’re not planning to abandon an injured person, are you?" Jiang Ningshu lightly bumped her head against Su Luo’s twice.

Sorry, but he’d never seen such a formidable "injured person."

Jiang Ningshu didn’t even have any serious wounds.

"Fine, fine."

But since she insisted, Su Luo took her back to his residence.

As soon as they entered, Little Yu was the first to greet them.

"Su Luo, you’re hurt." Little Yu’s voice was laced with heartache.

"Just a scratch."

Then Su Luo spotted Nangong Xiyun.

Nangong Xiyun spoke up, "Let me heal you."

She had already noticed Jiang Ningshu on Su Luo’s back.

Jiang Ningshu gave her a faint smile.

Who had they fought? Nangong Xiyun was curious.

"Alright, I also have something to ask you."

Su Luo set Jiang Ningshu down. Since Nangong Xiyun hadn’t left, this was good—they needed to settle things.

Jiang Ningshu prepared to watch the show, eager to see how things would unfold and what they would say.

With her here, Nangong Xiyun probably wouldn’t make any drastic moves.

But then Little Yu pulled her away.

Little Yu believed this was a matter between the two of them—they needed to talk it out alone.

Finally, only Nangong Xiyun and Su Luo remained.

Nangong Xiyun began healing Su Luo.

After a moment of silence, Su Luo spoke.

"So, what do you mean by all this?"

Without hesitation, Nangong Xiyun replied, "I like you."

After days of adjusting, she had regained control over herself—at least enough to say this without feeling shy.

Su Luo was stunned. He hadn’t expected her to cut straight to the point.

"Are you serious?"

Nangong Xiyun leaned in and kissed him.

A long moment passed.

"I’m serious."

Should Su Luo be happy?

Yes, he was.

But what came after?

His rationality hadn’t abandoned him yet. "This makes things difficult for me. Did it ever occur to you that I might reject you?"

"I just wanted to express my feelings. Su Luo, right now, I only want you to know that I stay by your side not because of any ulterior motive—but because I like being with you."

"Honestly, I don’t fully believe you."

It was wise to be cautious. Su Luo truly struggled to accept that Nangong Xiyun had no other purpose in staying with him.

"Like"? Maybe this was just a ploy to gain his trust.

Then again, Su Luo also doubted that. Because she was Nangong Xiyun—her pride would never allow her to use such methods for any goal, no matter what it was.

So Su Luo was torn. He both believed and didn’t believe, unable to convince himself either way.

"I know. Time will prove everything."

"That alone isn’t enough to convince me."

Nangong Xiyun kissed Su Luo again.

She was growing accustomed to it—perhaps even addicted?

At the very least, it didn’t feel bad. The initial shyness was gone, replaced only by sweetness in her heart.

"Stop, stop. This won’t solve anything."

She was too passionate. Su Luo had never seen this side of Nangong Xiyun before. Where was her usual aloofness? Had she played the role of "A-Yun" so well that she’d lost her original personality?

Nangong Xiyun sighed. "Because right now, I have no other way to prove myself."

Besides, kissing Su Luo both proved her feelings and let her indulge—wasn’t that a win-win?

If Su Luo didn’t believe her, maybe she should just keep kissing him until he did? This idea suddenly popped into Nangong Xiyun’s mind.

What kind of logic was that? Yet she genuinely considered it a viable plan.

Su Luo studied Nangong Xiyun. There were no signs of deceit—but maybe he just couldn’t see them.

Suddenly, Su Luo leaned in and kissed her.

Nangong Xiyun closed her eyes and met him halfway.

But Su Luo pulled back quickly.

She hadn’t avoided him.

There was a difference between initiating a kiss and receiving one.

The initiator was prepared, but the one being kissed might reveal their true emotions instinctively if caught off guard.

If Nangong Xiyun had shown even a flicker of avoidance or disgust, it would have been telling.

But she hadn’t.

Which only made things more complicated. What now?

Su Luo sighed. "Nangong Xiyun, I have my own path to walk—one I must see through to the end, no matter what."

"Mm."

"I can’t give you what you want."

"Mm."

"So… I’m sorry."

"Don’t apologize. Su Luo, I like you, but I don’t expect you to change anything. Whatever you do, I won’t stand in your way."

"That doesn’t sound like something you’d say."

Nangong Xiyun hugged him, whispering in his ear, "But this is who I am."

Su Luo gave a bitter laugh. Stop saying things that move me—it’s too easy to waver.

"You’ll regret this. You’re the one who’ll lose out. I won’t change myself." Su Luo clung to his resolve.

"Su Luo, you don’t have to do anything special for me. Just be your usual self. It’s because of who you are that I like you."

Nangong Xiyun didn’t need Su Luo to change. She didn’t want him to feel burdened by her feelings. All she wanted was to spend ordinary days with him.

Even if it meant staying as his subordinate, she didn’t mind.

After her identity was exposed, Nangong Xiyun finally understood—this was all she desired. She never wanted to return to those days when Su Luo kept her at arm’s length.

Hearing her words, how could Su Luo not waver?

"Fine. But if anything happens in the future, don’t blame me. You brought this on yourself."

Those words were as much for himself as for her. He chose to believe Nangong Xiyun—and would bear the consequences.