Xie Jianwei met with the Little Skeleton before he left.

The Little Skeleton was still his usual well-behaved and sensible self, bubbling over with joy the moment he saw Xie Jianwei coming over. Just one look at him like this was enough to melt Xie Jianwei’s heart into complete mush.

What could he say? This dreamscape was certainly interesting.

The Little Skeleton was like Lu Li in his youth on the desolate star—relying on him, trusting him, and loving him with his whole heart. Rieve, on the other hand, was the Lu Li who had ascended to the rank of Marshal after fighting wars across the north and south—holding immense power and draped in glory, yet with only one person in his heart and mind.

Regardless of which period his lover came from, they were all his lover.

Although an accident had caused both of them to appear at the same time, to Xie Jianwei, they were both Lu Li.

The Little Skeleton asked him, “Are you going out?”

Xie Jianwei replied, “I might be going out for quite a long time this time. Will you wait for me in the Middle Realm?”

“Can’t I come with you?” the Little Skeleton asked.

Xie Jianwei shook his head gently. “I’m very sorry.”

The Little Skeleton expressed his disappointment: “It’s alright…”

Xie Jianwei took his white skeletal claw and rubbed it against his own cheek. “Wait for me.”

The Little Skeleton nodded and said, “Okay.”

Xie Jianwei went to find Lorne next.

Lorne was currently getting ready for the colorful and varied nightlife that was about to begin. Seeing Xie Jianwei appear by his doorway, he was quite surprised: “What’s up? Want to go out and paint the town red with your bro? You don’t want your Little Skeleton anymore?”

Xie Jianwei got straight to the point: “I’m going out for a while.”

“Go ahead,” Lorne didn’t take it too seriously. “A mission in the Human Realm?”

Xie Jianwei stared at him and said, “It might take quite a long time.”

Only then did Lorne start to care: “Is it tricky? Need help?”

“I actually do have a favor to ask of you.”

“Why so polite with me? Speak up if something’s on your mind.”

Xie Jianwei said, “I hope you can help me take good care of the Little Skeleton while I’m away.”

Lorne was somewhat astonished. “You’re not taking him with you?”

Xie Jianwei nodded.

Lorne was very smart after all. His expression instantly turned solemn: “You aren’t heading to the Demon Realm, are you?”

Xie Jianwei knew it was impossible to hide it from him, so he admitted, “Yes. The Little Skeleton needs a body, so I must go make contact with a High Demon.”

Lorne looked at him suspiciously: “Rieve?”

Xie Jianwei lowered his eyes. “Not him.”

Thinking back to past events, Lorne felt completely uneasy: “I’d better come with you!”

“Listen to me.” Xie Jianwei looked at him with utmost seriousness. “I have no one else I can entrust this to. I won’t be in danger, but I can’t leave him unattended.”

Lorne sized him up…

Xie Jianwei continued, “This is my request. Please take good care of him, and don’t let him know where I went or what I went to do. I will be back as soon as possible.”

Lorne wavered awkwardly: “You… what on earth…”

“Trust me,” Xie Jianwei urged. “I’m handing the Little Skeleton over to you.”

With such a solemn entrustment, what else could Lorne say?

“If anything happens to you, I won’t be able to handle all of this.”

“Mm, rest assured. Six months at most.”

Hearing this timeframe, Lorne let out a sigh of relief.

Six months might seem long to a human, but to a Grim Reaper, it was so short it was hardly worth mentioning. Some lazy homebody deities could go into “solitary meditation” for decades on a whim.

Xie Jianwei made full preparations before setting off for the Demon Realm.

The Night of the Heavenly Canopy was not a fixed calendar date, but a natural phenomenon of the Demon Realm. Whenever human resentment accumulated to a high enough degree, this night—which was equivalent to a grand festival for demons—would descend.

Since the rate at which human resentment gathered was variable, it occurred more frequently during times of war or disaster, and significantly slower during times of peace.

When Rieve was still in the Heavenly Realm, the Night of the Heavenly Canopy occurred only once every few decades. Naturally, after he completely adapted to his identity as a demon, the rhythm of the Night of the Heavenly Canopy became chaotic.

If Lu Li went to the Human Realm to stir up trouble, the night would arrive more frequently. If he did not meddle in the Human Realm, it arrived relatively slowly.

It was precisely because of this that Xie Jianwei had the chance to catch one.

The Demon Realm had a specialized measurement system; once human resentment reached capacity, the Night of the Heavenly Canopy was bound to descend.

Disguising himself as an Incubus once again, Xie Jianwei rushed to the Demon Realm before nightfall.

Because it was a night of revelry, Xie Jianwei slipped in quite easily, hiding in a corner as before to secretly observe Lu Li.

Lu Li detected his gaze almost instantly. He knit his brows, feeling somewhat irritable.

He couldn’t explain what was wrong with himself.

It was just an Incubus, yet the subtle mannerisms that inadvertently resembled Xie Jianwei irritated him deeply.

He couldn’t help thinking: Even an Incubus can be so steadfastly affectionate, so why did Xie Jianwei…

At that thought, Lu Li felt a burning sensation in his chest, so intense that his heart throbbed with stifling pain.

He didn’t want to see that Incubus anymore, nor did he want to be watched by him.

He knew what it felt like to crave what one could never have, so he didn’t want to grant him any more unrealistic fantasies.

Lu Li stepped down from the dais, walking directly toward Xie Jianwei with a clear purpose.

Xie Jianwei also needed to touch him; the precondition for the pain-transfer spell was physical contact, otherwise it could not be cast.

As Lu Li approached, Xie Jianwei bowed to him.

Lu Li waved his hand. “Come out with me for a moment.”

Xie Jianwei felt somewhat surprised and joyful. Although he tried his best to conceal his emotions, too much still leaked through.

Lu Li averted his gaze and strode ahead.

Upon leaving the banquet hall, the sky outside was already gradually being blanketed by thick ink.

Lu Li got straight to the point: “Don’t ever appear in front of me again.”

Xie Jianwei froze for a moment.

Lu Li said, “I know what you want, but I cannot give it to you.”

The moment these words were spoken, Xie Jianwei shook his head frantically: “You don’t have to give me anything! I just… I just…”

“Well, I find it annoying.” Lu Li’s tone could hardly be called pleasant.

Xie Jianwei looked up at him, his deep purple eyes brimming with panic and insecurity: “I-I’m sorry.”

“It has nothing to do with you; it’s my own problem.” Lu Li paused, but met his gaze anyway. “Let’s leave it at that. Forget about me as soon as possible!”

After saying this, he averted his eyes again with extreme speed.

Xie Jianwei let out a gentle smile, the affection between his brows overflowing: “Your Excellency, you really are very gentle.”

Lu Li felt as if he had heard a joke and was about to utter more cruel words to make this little Incubus give up… when he caught sight of that smile.

Tender and deep, entirely filled with affection, it was like a pile of unwrapped candies wafting a tempting sweetness.

Lu Li stared unblinkingly. In a daze, he felt as if he had returned to those most wonderful times.

He had almost forgotten what kind of gaze Xie Jianwei used to look at him with.

The moment that sword pierced his heart, the Xie Jianwei in his memory who was full of love for him became a illusion—a flower in the mirror, a moon in the water.

Ethereal and fleeting, visible yet impossible to see clearly.

Because his mind was saturated with experienced pain and despair, he could no longer believe in that initial beauty.

After all, such beauty was nothing more than an endless torture to the current Rieve.

Lu Li closed his eyes and said, “You’re overthinking things, I…” Before he could finish his sentence, a sudden surge of violent pain struck him without warning. The sensation felt as if his bones were cracking, causing him to stagger.

The little Incubus immediately held him up, asking, “Your Excellency? Are you alright?”

Strange enough, the instant the little Incubus touched him, a warm current swept through his whole body, and that terrible pain vanished.

The pain-transfer spell succeeded—though Lu Li naturally didn’t know that.

His expression was filled with confusion: “It’s nothing.”

“That’s good.” The Incubus quickly withdrew the hand supporting him. Whether it was an illusion or not, Lu Li felt that in just this single moment, the little Incubus beside him had turned as pale as paper.

“You…” Lu Li looked at him and asked, “Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

The Incubus shook his head, his voice very low: “I’m just a little sad… because I won’t be able to look at Your Excellency anymore.”

Lu Li: “…”

The Incubus seemed to catch a faint breath, his voice dropping even lower: “Then… I won’t disturb you any longer.”

Having said this, he turned around and walked away.

In the complete darkness of the night, High Demons still possessed exceptional vision.

He could see the Incubus walking away into the distance, his straight back, his slender legs, and…

Lu Li’s pupils shrank abruptly.

Sweat stains?

He stared at the ground in surprise.

What was going on? How could this Incubus be sweating so much?

Lu Li wanted to call him back to ask, but when the words reached his lips, he swallowed them back down.

Forget it. Even if he felt unwell, he shouldn’t meddle. What he ought to do was draw a clear line and make him give up hope. That was the correct thing to do.

Heaven knew how Xie Jianwei managed to walk away.

This bone-eroding pain was far more real than imagined. How was it mere bone-eroding? It felt like breaking every single bone one by one and shoving them violently into the flesh, provoking every single nerve to scream and wail.

Pain, pain, pain—the kind of head-exploding pain.

Yan Ke was extremely worried: Sir, are you alright?

Once Xie Jianwei saw Lu Li leave, he couldn’t walk anymore. Slumping down against the wall, he panted softly: “It doesn’t matter.”

Fortunately, the Little Skeleton didn’t know about this, otherwise this dreamscape would surely collapse.

Yan Ke was very anxious: You have to endure this raw pain through the entire night. It sounded horrifying just thinking about it.

Xie Jianwei stopped making sound. He closed his eyes, striving to adjust his breathing.

When pain is unavoidable, adapt to it.

Aligning the rhythm of breathing with the overwhelming waves of pain could serve to briefly numb the nerves.

This night was very long; he could only take it slowly.

Meanwhile, Lu Li, who had returned to the banquet hall, remained unsettled.

In fact, every time the Night of the Heavenly Canopy approached, he would experience this feeling, but today it was exceptionally pronounced.

It felt as though something he was unaware of was taking place.

It was very important—something he shouldn’t be kept in the dark about—yet he remained entirely ignorant.

As the irritability in his heart grew, countless images flashed through his mind.

There was Xie Jianwei leaning in his arms with a smile; Xie Jianwei passionately kissing and embracing that human; and even that final, icy Xie Jianwei who pierced his heart with a gaze full of hatred…

And finally… he unexpectedly thought of that Incubus.

The Incubus who smiled in a way that looked so much like Xie Jianwei.

Lu Li tilted his head back and downed a glass of wine. The burning alcohol coursed down his throat, yet failed to douse the restlessness in his heart.

Among the chaotic thoughts, one was particularly absurd.

He actually entertained the wild fantasy that the Incubus was Xie Jianwei.

How could that be? How could Xie Jianwei ever set foot in the Demon Realm? Xie Jianwei had long hated him to the core because… he had killed the human he loved.

With a loud bang, the wine glass was crushed to pieces in his grip.

Yan Ke, who was beside him, spoke up: “Your Excellency?”

Lu Li snapped back to his senses, saying softly, “It’s nothing.”

Having followed him for many years, Yan Ke knew his mood was usually foul during the Night of the Heavenly Canopy.

He suggested: “Would Your Excellency like to go out for a walk?” The banquet hall was a bit too noisy.

Lu Li was indeed getting increasingly annoyed by the noise. He stood up: “Fine, I’ll go out to catch some fresh air.”

He walked out of the hall, originally intending to stroll around the Ink Lake, but his feet seemed to move on their own accord, bringing him back to the spot where he had parted ways with the Incubus.

The sweat stains on the ground had long vanished, yet in a daze, Lu Li felt he could still see them.

He actually knew his own mind very well, and understood what he was thinking.

He was still refusing to give up; like a madman, he craved that one-in-a-trillion chance.

What if… just what if that Incubus really was Xie Jianwei?

Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

Yet relentless denial could not make the thought go away; instead, it burned brighter and crazier, driving him to verify it.

Just to take a look, Lu Li tried to find a more reasonable excuse for himself. After all, that little Incubus seemed unwell, so I’ll just check on him to see if he needs help.

With that thought, Lu Li finally took his step forward.

He hadn’t walked far when he heard a short groan.

It was a repressed, muffled grunt of excruciating pain that seemed entirely impossible to restrain.

Lu Li’s heart leaped. He quickened his pace, turned a corner, and saw a man curled up by the wall.

He was soaked through with cold sweat. Beautiful black hair clung to his pale cheeks, and his near-transparent lips trembled slightly. His already alluring appearance had gained a touch of sickly beauty.

Lu Li clenched his fists, bending down to look at him: “What’s wrong with you?”

Hearing his voice, Xie Jianwei raised his head abruptly. Panic flooded his eyes, and he seemed to want to speak, but perhaps his body was in too much distress—opening his mouth produced nothing more than rapid gasps.

Lu Li reached out to touch him: “Where does it hurt?” Although Incubi lacked the powerful recovery rate of High Demons, demons as a species possessed sturdy physiques; ordinary ailments were never a concern.

Just as Lu Li’s hand approached, Xie Jianwei shrank back, making a futile gesture of resistance with his immobile body.

Lu Li’s fingers trembled slightly as he said softly, “Don’t worry. I know a bit of medicine, I can help you…”

Xie Jianwei shook his head vigorously, unable to speak or move, capable only of shaking his head to express refusal.

Lu Li paused: “What on earth happened to you?”

Xie Jianwei looked up at Lu Li, his eyes overflowing with entreaty. That desperate, unwilling desire to not be touched was clear for anyone to see.

Yet the more he resisted, the more Lu Li wanted to touch him.

His heart beat wildly—the thump-thump-thump sound seemed to echo in his own ears. That absurd thought surfaced once again. He must be driven insane by missing Xie Jianwei, so insane that he imagined him being here.

But what reason would he have to be here? What reason would he have to disguise himself as an Incubus and appear before him? And what reason would he have to secretly watch him for centuries?

Let’s confirm it.

As long as I touch him and channel power into his body, all disguises will be shattered.

It doesn’t matter anymore, Lu Li thought. Things can’t get any worse than they are now.

So let’s try.

Lu Li had probably never been this nervous in his entire life. His fingers trembled uncontrollably, like a death-row inmate waiting for his sentence.

—No way out, yet clinging to a sliver of hope.

He finally touched him. Stiffening his resolve, Lu Li unleashed the power within his body, letting it penetrate completely into the defenseless Incubus.

In an instant… the disguise crumbled like a collapsing sandcastle.

Pitch-black hair turned into a striking silver, and the sexy facial features transformed into something exquisite to the extreme…

Lu Li had no idea how to react.

Xie Jianwei.

It really was Xie Jianwei.

How could an event with a one-in-a-trillion probability descend right in front of him?

With his disguise stripped away, Xie Jianwei seemed unable to hold on any longer; his body sloped to the side, and he passed out.

Lu Li hurriedly caught him in his arms. As that warm, familiar body fell into his embrace, Lu Li experienced an indescribable surge of emotion.

It was just like the feeling when he first met him in the distant Heavenly Realm.

A single glance, a lifetime of downfall.

From that moment on, he was cursed by a curse named Xie Jianwei.

Lu Li sat there dumbfoundedly holding him through the night.

There were many things he couldn’t figure out, but his mind went entirely blank.

He could only see the person in his arms, staring without blinking.

He couldn’t recall anything, nor could he think of anything.

Hatred, resentment, the despair of being betrayed—all vanished.

Holding him, it felt as though he possessed the entire world.

The next morning, when Xie Jianwei woke up, his mind was still somewhat dazed. It was as if the pain from last night was still stamped into his body; a slight recall made his nerves shudder.

“Mm…” Xie Jianwei let out a pained groan.

The person holding him tightened his arms abruptly.

Xie Jianwei looked up, and their eyes met in the cool morning air.

Xie Jianwei panicked and struggled, trying to sit up.

However, Lu Li pinned him firmly in his arms, giving him no chance to leave.

Xie Jianwei said, “L-Let me go.”

Lu Li spoke with a raspy voice: “What on earth is going on?”

Xie Jianwei avoided his gaze, refusing to speak.

Lu Li asked him, “Why disguise yourself as an Incubus? Why come to the Demon Realm? Why keep watching me in secret?”

“I didn’t,” Xie Jianwei lowered his head and hastily denied.

Lu Li leaned in close, his red eyes completely filled with his reflection: “Do you know that I dreamed of capturing you and keeping you by my side?”

Xie Jianwei’s body suddenly stiffened.

Lu Li’s breath fanned against his ear: “Why throw yourself into the net?”

It was a question, yet one filled with a heavy sigh.

Xie Jianwei suddenly raised his head. They were extremely close, as if moving just a tiny bit more would bring their lips together.

Lu Li looked at him unblinkingly, but soon his eyes widened sharply.

Xie Jianwei kissed him, using a clumsy, chaotic method to kiss him wildly.

Lu Li’s head buzzed. Cupping the back of his head, he invaded his mouth.

Exquisite kissing skills could not be displayed when one’s heart was in disarray, but because of the deep love in his heart, no matter how rough, clumsy, or frantic the kiss was, it became the most beautiful thing.

So beautiful it was like fireworks across the sky, leaving one dizzy and enchanted.

At least Lu Li retained a shred of sanity and didn’t take him in broad daylight.

Still, he barely managed to make it back into the room. The moment the door closed, Lu Li pinned him against it.

Xie Jianwei said urgently, “Enter, just come inside.”

Lu Li completely satisfied him.

Both of them emitted a synchronized, gentle sigh.

It must have hurt; he was in pain, and he too was squeezed to the point of pain.

But so what?

Apart from this frantic, desperate lovemaking, what else could satisfy a soul that had been hollowed out for centuries?

Lu Li thought of nothing, asked nothing, and minded nothing anymore.

Xie Jianwei was in his arms, beneath his body, within his reach.

Just this alone brought complete contentment.

Don’t run away again.

It doesn’t matter if you love me or not, just please don’t leave again.

Only this single sentence remained in Lu Li’s mind.

For a day and a night, they were like mindless wild beasts, intertwined in a desperate embrace.

Lu Li didn’t speak, and Xie Jianwei didn’t plead for mercy; he would only whisper softly when he almost couldn’t take it anymore: “I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’m sorry.”

Lu Li could hear it, but he didn’t know what he was apologizing for.

Was it for changing his feelings? Or for that final sword thrust?

Or was he not apologizing to him at all?

Afraid to overthink, Lu Li didn’t want to think about it either.

The more he thought, the sadder he became. He would rather shut everything out and focus solely on the present.

Xie Jianwei finally couldn’t endure it anymore and passed out amid repeated climaxes.

Lu Li stopped. He hadn’t ejaculated yet, but he couldn’t bear to torment him any longer.

Holding him, he sat motionless through the night.

When Xie Jianwei woke up, he would kiss him again.

The two seemed isolated from everything, completely immersed in this space where time, place, and future did not matter, possessing each other.

However, it was impossible for Lu Li to stay indoors forever.

On an unknown day, a knock came from outside the door.

Lu Li snapped awake.

Yan Ke’s voice sounded: “Your Excellency, are you alright?”

Lu Li finally set Xie Jianwei down, stood up, and went out of the room.

Xie Jianwei had also spent the past few days in a daze.

Having just survived the bone-eroding pain, he stayed up day and night messing around with Lu Li to strike while the iron was hot. Even with the resilient body of a Grim Reaper, he was reaching his limits.

Yet there was no other way; it had to be done.

What happened back then was no longer something that could be cleared up with words alone.

Moreover, since “Xie Jianwei” hadn’t explained for hundreds of years, the current Xie Jianwei could only refrain from explaining for now.

Xie Jianwei understood why “Xie Jianwei” hadn’t spoken up.

There were likely several reasons. First was the stabbing incident; regardless of the reason, Xie Jianwei had indeed done something that almost killed Rieve. Second was probably related to Lu Li’s rebirth as a demon.

Using the life of his beloved as a catalyst, how long could a Xie Jianwei who frantically burned his life force for centuries endure?

If he couldn’t last much longer, telling Lu Li the truth would only result in a tragedy in the end.

Rather than letting Lu Li watch him die while full of love, it was better to let it turn into hatred.

When a lover dies, one loses the motivation to live.

When an enemy dies, one merely unloads a burden and lives more easily.

“Xie Jianwei” thought this way, but the real Xie Jianwei didn’t.

Back when they faced the life-and-death battle with the Centipede Clan, Xie Jianwei had told Lu Li: “If we live, we live together; if we die, we die together.”

When Lu Li tried to act tough, Xie Jianwei blocked his retreat directly: “If you die, I will never live alone.” Saying that, he added softly, “If I die, please be sure to accompany me.”

Living and dying together was the source of power that made Lu Li invincible.

What Lu Li wanted was definitely not what “Xie Jianwei” thought—sacrificing oneself so the lover could live.

What Lu Li truly wanted was what Xie Jianwei had said—struggle to live together if possible; if not, let their ashes keep each other company, without regrets either way.

Death was not terrifying; watching one’s lover sacrifice themselves in secret was what was truly terrifying.

How could Xie Jianwei bear to let that happen?

Of course, neither of them would die—neither in reality nor in the dreamscape.

After Xie Jianwei rested for a short while, Lu Li returned.

He had sent Yan Ke to investigate a few things. The reason he didn’t go himself was that Lu Li was constantly worried that the moment he looked away, Xie Jianwei would run off.

Although he still didn’t know the reason for Xie Jianwei’s appearance here, Lu Li would definitely not give up this opportunity.

When he walked in, Xie Jianwei happened to wake up. Though the two had engaged in countless intimate acts, they now didn’t know what to say.

Lu Li asked, “Do you want to eat something?”

Xie Jianwei shook his head.

Lu Li said nothing more either.

After a long pause, Xie Jianwei said, “If you have things to do, you can…”

Before he could finish, Lu Li sneered, “Want to leave?”

Xie Jianwei gripped the bedsheet tight, saying softly, “No.”

Looking at his white knuckles, Lu Li’s heart throbbed with waves of pain. He knew he was useless, but he hadn’t expected to be useless to this extent.

If Xie Jianwei begged him with tears, he might really let him go.

He couldn’t bear it; even after everything he had done, he still couldn’t bear to see him suffer.

Truly… beyond redemption.

Thinking of himself like this made Lu Li somewhat irritable, and his words grew harsher: “Don’t even think about going anywhere. Just stay here obediently.”

Xie Jianwei said gently, “I won’t leave, but you don’t have to stay here the whole time.”

“You think I’ll still believe what you say?”

Xie Jianwei pursed his thin lips, speaking slowly, “You need to replenish your strength, right?”

Without hunting souls, High Demons would starve to death.

Lu Li replied, “Rest assured, I’ll take you with me. With a Grim Reaper helping, what kind of soul wouldn’t be easily captured?”

Xie Jianwei shook his head: “That will attract the attention of the Middle Realm.”

How could Lu Li not understand what he was saying? He was just…

Xie Jianwei repeated, “You can lock this room. I really won’t go out.”

“What kind of room could lock up a Six-Star Grim Reaper like you?” Just as he said this, Lu Li’s eyes lit up abruptly.

Xie Jianwei let out a sigh of relief: Finally got the point, my Big Li. His hints were practically explicit.

Lu Li stood up suddenly and went out to find Yan Ke without a word.

When he returned, he was holding a rope in his hand.

Xie Jianwei had suffered from this rope before; as long as he was bound by it, he would lose all his power…

“No, you can’t tie me up with this!” Xie Jianwei said anxiously.

Lu Li’s face darkened: “What? So you really do want to escape?”

“No.” Xie Jianwei was genuinely anxious. He said, “Trust me, Rieve, I really won’t leave, I…”

Lu Li said coldly, “I don’t trust you.”

As his voice fell, the rope was already wrapped around Xie Jianwei.

Once bound, even if the rope was untied later, all his power would remain sealed.

Without power, he couldn’t use magic spells.

The spell that absorbed pain on behalf of another also required power to execute.

And now… he couldn’t use it anymore.

Xie Jianwei sat there dazed. Lu Li couldn’t bear to see him like this; afraid his heart would soften, he simply turned and went out.

Yan Ke sighed in relief: Great, half the mission is successful!

Xie Jianwei was tired and lay flat on the bed.

Seeing that he was in a good mood, Yan Ke became chatty: Next, we just wait for the Night of the Heavenly Canopy to arrive.

Xie Jianwei unexpectedly dropped a line: “What should I do?”

Yan Ke: Ah?

Xie Jianwei couldn’t help curving his lips: “Lu Li is just too cute.”

Yan Ke: “…”

“I don’t dare play pity too hard, for fear his heart will soften and he’ll send me back to the Middle Realm.” As Xie Jianwei said this, his eyes curved into crescent moons.

Yan Ke was caught completely unprepared by this wave of dog food.

Hey, don’t be like this! You guys are clearly in a bitter, tragic romance, what’s with this sweetness? Take this seriously!

Strategist Xie felt sweet in his heart, his mind entirely filled with Lu Li. He really wanted to leave the dreamscape right now and give the real Big Li a big kiss.

To have a lover who loved him this much was enough for a lifetime.

The Night of the Heavenly Canopy arrived much earlier than Xie Jianwei had anticipated.

Perhaps the “Divine Will” in the dark was calling out to him, causing a modest disaster to occur in the Human Realm—well, apologies to the human extras.

In short, human resentment accumulated extraordinarily fast this time, and the Night of the Heavenly Canopy was imminent.

Xie Jianwei was naturally very “anxious.” For several days in a row, he was like an ant on a hot pan, unable to sit or stand comfortably.

Lu Li naturally noticed it. He thought he simply couldn’t stay put any longer and wanted to leave. The thought agitated him, and fearing he might soften his heart, he deliberately reduced the number of times he returned.

Yet without keeping an eye on Xie Jianwei, he felt uneasy. Reminding himself not to go back, his feet nevertheless brought him into the room.

Lu Li: “…”

Seeing him return, Xie Jianwei welcomed him with a gaze full of pleasing eagerness.

Lu Li said directly, “I won’t let you restore your power.”

Xie Jianwei said anxiously, “Just for one day, is one day okay? Just let me restore my power when the Night of the Heavenly Canopy descends.”

Lu Li looked at him with suspicion: “What do you want to do?”

Xie Jianwei couldn’t explain, only insisting obstinately: “After the Night of the Heavenly Canopy passes, I’ll find the rope to bind myself, really. Just one day, one day is fine.”

A thought flashed through Lu Li’s mind, recalling Xie Jianwei trembling in severe pain during the last Night of the Heavenly Canopy.

Lu Li asked him, “Is there anywhere you feel unwell?” Although Xie Jianwei was in extreme pain that day, he was completely fine once the day passed. He had checked him over as well, but couldn’t find any issues.

Xie Jianwei said, “It’s nothing, I just… on that day… um…” He couldn’t make up a suitable excuse.

Lu Li didn’t believe him, unable to stop his mind from wandering to terrible possibilities.

The more he thought, the more uneasy he felt, and the more uneasy he felt, the less likely he was to let him restore his power.

Lu Li said, “Not even for one day. Don’t even think about it.”

Xie Jianwei opened his mouth, his expression filled with unhideable anxiety.

The resentment level reached its threshold, and that very night was the Night of the Heavenly Canopy.

Xie Jianwei grew even more anxious, pacing back and forth in the room all day long. Nervous and panicked, he looked utterly distracted.

Although Lu Li didn’t enter the room, he kept a close eye on him.

Seeing him so anxious, his suspicions grew stronger.

Yan Ke was beside him, and Lu Li asked casually, “Does the Night of the Heavenly Canopy have any effect on Grim Reapers?”

Yan Ke said, “It shouldn’t. In past years, Grim Reapers have come to the Demon Realm to sightsee on this day.”

Lu Li looked at Xie Jianwei and said, “Then why does he insist on restoring his power today?”

Yan Ke shook his head; he didn’t know either.

Lu Li pondered for a moment, then asked, “Does the Night of the Heavenly Canopy… cause pain to anyone?”

He spoke offhandedly, but a little demon beside Yan Ke whispered, “…There actually are people who hate the Night of the Heavenly Canopy.”

Lu Li looked at him: “The Heavenly Clan?”

The little demon hurriedly bowed to Lu Li and said, “Not the Heavenly Clan, but demons.”

“Oh?” Lu Li grew interested. “What’s that about? Tell me.”

The little demon said excitedly, “Has Your Excellency heard of non-native demons? That is, demons transformed from humans.”

Lu Li had vaguely heard of it, but wasn’t very familiar: “I heard they became demons through some forbidden art?”

The little demon said, “Yes! Non-native demons hate the Night of the Heavenly Canopy very much. I heard it’s a punishment for them. Because they were people with heavy sins in the human realm, they are attacked by human resentment on this day, experiencing bone-eroding agony.”

Bone-eroding…

Lu Li suddenly remembered the excruciating pain of his bones shattering during the last Night of the Heavenly Canopy.

Yet that pain vanished very quickly.

Why did it vanish…

Because… Lu Li stood up abruptly—because the Incubus transformed from Xie Jianwei had touched him.

Lu Li remembered the Incubus’s pale face and the frantic, drenched sweat in that instant.

Pain transfer.

He had heard Xie Jianwei mention this spell long ago.

That was a very long time ago, when they spent days and nights together and talked about everything.

Xie Jianwei had once said half-jokingly, “This pain-transfer spell, I reckon only I can use it nowadays.”

Lu Li had teased him, “Teach me, if you get hurt, I can take it for you.”

Xie Jianwei had just smiled and shaken his head.

Lu Li had leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Aren’t you the most afraid of pain? Just a little bite makes you shiver.”

In the end, Xie Jianwei never taught him that spell.