After Luo Xinlan's death, Jiang Ningshu felt an emptiness in her heart, devoid of any sense of security.
"Su Luo, tell me, who can I trust now?"
"Don't ask the same question twice, Demon Lord."
Su Luo wouldn't offer a single word of comfort, perhaps because he himself had no answer.
It seemed there was no one in the Heavenly Demon Sect whom the Demon Lord could trust, not even herself.
"Sorry, can you stay with me for a while?"
Suddenly, Jiang Ningshu burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.
Su Luo, with a hand resting on his shoulder, felt it was inappropriate to leave.
Reluctantly, he stayed by her side, listening to her cries.
It was only then that Su Luo remembered: why had the Demon Lord's strength recovered so quickly?
But given the atmosphere, it wasn't the right time to ask. He would have to wait for another opportunity.
Fortunately, her recovered strength was only at the Nascent Soul level, not enough for her to act without restraint. She still had to tread carefully within the Heavenly Demon Sect.
Though perhaps not as carefully as before.
And so, Su Luo silently accompanied Jiang Ningshu as she cried for hours.
As she wept, Jiang Ningshu began to recount her story with Luo Xinlan, starting from their youth.
Su Luo wanted to interrupt—he already knew most of it—but seeing her in such a state, he decided to let her speak.
He remained silent throughout, simply listening.
"Sorry, and thank you for staying with me."
"Don't apologize. You're the Demon Lord, after all."
Jiang Ningshu nodded, wiping her tears.
"You can go back now."
Jiang Ningshu planned to bury Luo Xinlan, her last friend. From now on, she would be alone.
Su Luo nodded and left.
This wasn't something he could comment on. Staying silent was the best course of action.
He would check on Jiang Ningshu later to see how she was doing.
By then, it was already dark, and Su Luo returned to his residence.
Yun was waiting at the door.
"You're back so late. Did something special happen?" Yun asked, as it was indeed later than usual.
"Nothing much."
There was no need to elaborate on such matters.
"Oh." Yun suddenly sniffed at Su Luo. "What's this? You smell like... another woman's fragrance?"
"It's the Demon Lord's."
There was no point hiding that.
"What happened? What happened?" Yun's face lit up with curiosity.
"We talked about some things."
"What things?"
"That's not for you to know."
"Come on, tell me!"
"Your pleading won't work."
Seeing Su Luo's firmness, Yun gave up. Pushing further would only annoy him.
"That's great, Su Luo. If you've gotten close to the Demon Lord, don't forget about us. Take us along too."
"Haha, I'm enough to handle things. We don't need the Demon Lord."
"Right, of course. I've always believed in you, Su Luo."
Yun's sudden change of attitude made Su Luo uncomfortable.
This wasn't right. How could Su Luo compare to the Demon Lord? Shouldn't Yun keep doubting him so he could boast more?
But Yun insisted on her absolute loyalty to Su Luo, even surpassing her loyalty to the Demon Lord, leaving Su Luo with nothing to criticize.
"Su Luo's back?"
This time, it was Little Yu who appeared. She had just finished her training and looked exhausted.
"Yeah, how was it? Tough, huh?"
Su Luo had designed a rigorous training regimen for her.
"It's fine. If it makes me stronger, I can handle it."
"Good. You've been training hard for days. It's time to rest. Tomorrow, I'll take you around the Heavenly Demon Sect."
"Okay!" Little Yu said happily, looking forward to the next day.
It wasn't the Heavenly Demon Sect that excited her, but the chance to spend time with Su Luo.
Seeing their conversation, Yun decided it was best not to press further about earlier.
Lately, the Demon Lord had been seeking Su Luo out often. Had something happened between them?
The diary didn't mention much about the Demon Lord, and Nangong Xiyun found it hard to investigate her affairs.
Nangong Xiyun felt that things were becoming more complicated.
Maybe she should find a chance to meet the Demon Lord?
But on second thought, if she were discovered, her identity as Yun would be compromised.
Nangong Xiyun quite liked her current life.
She would find another opportunity to probe into the Demon Lord and Su Luo's relationship later.
...
The next day, Su Luo took Little Yu out.
When it came to the Heavenly Demon Sect, the first place to visit was naturally the Heavenly Demon Palace.
"Little Yu, that's where the Demon Lord resides."
They could only look from afar. Without an invitation, no one could approach casually.
"Is the Demon Lord really as powerful as the legends say?"
Little Yu had heard many rumors about the Demon Lord, but even with her current cultivation, some seemed exaggerated.
"Yes, she's very powerful."
Su Luo couldn't deny that. At her peak, the Demon Lord was formidable.
"Stronger than you, Su Luo?"
"That's hard to say. I haven't reached my peak yet."
"Can I become that strong too?"
Little Yu thought that if she could reach such a level, she could ease Su Luo's burdens and help him achieve his goals.
"Of course. It's only a matter of time. I believe in you. One day, you might even be able to punch and kick the Demon Lord."
"No, no, no! It's not that easy."
Such exaggerated praise made Little Yu blush, feeling unworthy.
Su Luo laughed at her reaction. She was just too adorable.
But then, a voice spoke up from behind.
"If possible, could you refrain from punching and kicking me?"
It was the Demon Lord, Jiang Ningshu, standing behind them.
Su Luo was instantly embarrassed. He had been overheard, and by the person in question.
"Demon Lord, I was just joking. Don't take it seriously. What brings you here?"
"Finishing what I didn't complete yesterday."
After burying Luo Xinlan, Jiang Ningshu had kept vigil at the grave all night. She had just returned when she overheard Su Luo's conversation.
"I see."
Little Yu subtly moved behind Su Luo, cautiously observing the woman before her.
So this was the Demon Lord?
As Little Yu studied her, Jiang Ningshu also took a moment to look at Little Yu.
"You must be Little Yu. I've heard quite a bit about you."
Little Yu nodded, retreating further behind Su Luo.
She wasn't afraid of the Demon Lord because of her aura, but rather because this was her first encounter with such a legendary figure. She felt shy—no, more than shy.
Jiang Ningshu glanced at Su Luo and Little Yu, briefly reminded of Luo Xinlan. But she quickly shook her head. That was all in the past...
"You two seem close. I won't disturb you any further."
With that, she walked toward the Heavenly Demon Palace.