Chapter 40
When they returned to the gates of Kunlun, the atmosphere immediately felt wrong.
Hundreds of soldiers were already gathered.
The banners of the Chongwu Camp fluttered in the cold mountain wind.
At their front stood Zhen Mei.
Beside him was Fan Ying and several officials from the Demon-Hunting Division.
Weapons were drawn.
Eyes fixed on one person.
Zhao Yuanzhou.
The moment they arrived, Zhuo Yichen nearly lost his balance from exhaustion.
Without a word, Zhao Yuanzhou steadied him…
One arm wrapped firmly around his waist.
Only after making sure Yichen could stand did he slowly let go.
Zhen Mei stepped forward.
“The demon Zhao Yuanzhou is hereby ordered into custody.”
The soldiers immediately tightened their formation.
Wen Xiao’s face darkened.
“What nonsense is this?”
“The mission is not even over.”
Zhen Mei sneered.
“A demon remains a demon.”
Before the argument could escalate, Wen Xiao turned toward Pei Sijing.
Her voice was calm.
“You hold the Prime Minister’s authority.”
“The decision is yours.”
Everyone looked toward Pei Sijing.
Silence fell.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
Then Pei Sijing spoke.
“Hand Zhao Yuanzhou over to the Chongwu Camp.”
The words landed like thunder.
Wen Xiao froze.
Bai Jiu’s eyes widened.
Even Ying Lei nearly choked.
“What?!”
Yichen’s heart sank.
His hands clenched instinctively.
Not because he feared for himself.
Because Zhao Yuanzhou had just endured the Blood Moon.
Had just lost Ying Zhao.
Had just watched Li Lun disappear.
His injuries had barely begun healing.
And yet now-
they wanted to take him away.
Yichen immediately stepped forward.
His face pale.
His body still weak.
“No.”
The single word came out sharper than expected.
The soldiers instantly became nervous.
Zhen Mei narrowed his eyes.
“Commander Zhuo.”
Yichen ignored him completely.
His attention remained on Zhao Yuanzhou.
For some reason…
The demon looked unusually calm.
Too calm.
As though none of this mattered.
As though he already knew something everyone else didn’t.
Then Zhao Yuanzhou smiled.
A gentle smile.
The same one he always used whenever Yichen worried.
“It’s alright.”
“No, it’s not.”
“It is.”
“It isn’t.”
“It is.”
“It isn’t.”
The argument happened so naturally that Bai Jiu covered his face.
Even now?
Really?
Zhao Yuanzhou chuckled softly.
Then he reached out.
His fingers brushed against Yichen’s cheek.
The commander froze.
Immediately.
As always.
Before anyone could react, Zhao Yuanzhou leaned forward.
And pressed a soft kiss against Yichen’s forehead.
Everyone:
“…”
Wen Xiao instantly covered Bai Jiu’s eyes.
Ignoring everyone else, Zhao Yuanzhou gently took Yichen’s hands.
Then lifted them to his face.
Closing his eyes briefly.
As though memorizing the warmth.
The feeling.
The proof that Yichen was still here.
Still alive.
Still beside him.
When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet.
“Nothing is going to happen.”
Yichen stared at him.
Despite the situation, Zhao Yuanzhou laughed.
“If anything happens…”
Yichen’s eyes immediately sharpened.
“Don’t.”
“I’m just saying-“
“Don’t.”
Zhao Yuanzhou sighed.
“You never let me finish dramatic speeches.”
“Because they are terrible.”
“They’re beautiful.”
“They’re terrible.”
“They’re poetic.”
“They’re embarrassing.”
Behind them, even Zhen Mei looked confused.
Why did it feel like he was interrupting a married couple instead of arresting a dangerous ancient demon?
Finally Zhao Yuanzhou squeezed Yichen’s hands once.
Just once.
Then released them.
The warmth disappeared immediately.
And for some reason-
that hurt far more than either of them expected.
As soldiers began moving forward, Zhao Yuanzhou glanced back one last time.
Their eyes met.
Neither spoke.
Neither needed to.
Because some promises didn’t require words.
And some bonds could not be broken by chains.
No matter how hard the world tried….
✨✨✨✨❄️❄️❄️❄️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️
That night, the camp was unusually quiet.
The celebration from previous days had long vanished.
No one could sleep.
Not after everything that had happened.
Not after Zhao Yuanzhou had been taken away.
Near the fire, Ying Lei sat silently, staring at the flames.
For the first time in a long while, he wasn’t talking.
Wen Xiao glanced at him.
“What’s wrong?”
Ying Lei’s expression softened.
“My grandfather knew.”
Everyone looked at him.
“He knew this would happen.”
The realization hurt.
Ying Zhao had walked into his death fully aware of what was coming.
Ying Lei lowered his head.
“But he also left something behind.”
He produced a small jade token.
“Before he died, he asked Lu Wu to help find a way to purify the Yao Water.”
A small spark of hope returned to the group.
At least they still had a path forward.
At least Zhao Yuanzhou’s sacrifices had not been meaningless.
Unfortunately, the capital had other plans.
By dawn, a decree arrived.
The Prime Minister’s seal was unmistakable.
The order was simple.
Execute Zhao Yuanzhou immediately.
The executioner would be none other than Zhuo Yichen.
The weapon:
The Yun Guang Sword.
The hall erupted into discussion.
Officials spoke over one another.
Some demanded immediate action.
Others remained silent.
Zhuo Yichen stood in the center of the chamber.
Still exhausted.
Still injured.
Yet standing straighter than anyone present.
An official sneered.
“A demon remains a demon.”
Another nodded.
“The order is clear.”
Zhuo Yichen’s eyes turned cold.
“Clear?”
His voice echoed through the hall.
“Then perhaps all of you should explain something to me.”
The room fell silent.
Yichen stepped forward.
“Who solved the Water Demon case?”
No answer.
“Who uncovered Chenghuang?”
Silence.
“Who protected Sinan Water Town?”
More silence.
“Who repeatedly risked his life for humans?”
His voice grew sharper.
“Who fought Li Lun?”
“Who stopped the Blood Moon from destroying the Three Realms?”
Every question struck harder than the last.
No one answered.
Because everyone knew.
The answer was always the same.
Zhao Yuanzhou.
Yichen’s gaze swept across the hall.
“He had countless opportunities to abandon us.”
“He didn’t.”
“He could have chosen himself.”
“He didn’t.”
“He spent centuries trying to suppress the darkness within him.”
“He solved cases.”
“He protected innocents.”
“He fought evil.”
“He sacrificed more than any of us.”
The hall remained silent.
Unable to refute a single word.
Then someone laughed mockingly.
A senior noble.
One of the older ministers.
“How touching.”
Several officials smirked.
The man continued.
“Perhaps that’s why Commander Zhuo is so emotional.”
The implication hung heavily in the air.
Another official added,
“An omega should never have inherited the position in the first place.”
The room grew colder.
“He fell in love with a demon.”
“What greater disgrace is there?”
“Now he’s willing to oppose the court for him.”
Some officials nodded.
Others looked uncomfortable.
The insults continued.
As though everything Yichen had accomplished suddenly meant nothing.
As though his rank.
His victories.
His sacrifices.
Had all disappeared.
Reduced to one thing.
An omega.
And someone in love.
For a moment-
the hall believed he would remain silent.
Instead-
Zhuo Yichen laughed.
A short laugh.
A dangerous laugh.
The kind that made everyone immediately regret speaking.
Slowly, he looked at them.
One by one.
His eyes like ice.
“Interesting.”
Nobody spoke.
Yichen folded his arms.
“So that’s your argument?”
Silence.
He nodded.
Then smiled.
A terrifying smile.
“When the world is falling apart…”
His voice remained calm.
“…when demons and humans are on the verge of war…”
“…when the Bai Ze Amulet is damaged…”
“…when countless lives are at risk…”
He took another step forward.
“And the best argument a room full of respected alphas can produce…”
The smile vanished.
“…is who I love?”
The entire hall froze.
Yichen’s gaze sharpened.
“You call yourselves leaders?”
No one answered.
“You call yourselves protectors?”
Silence.
“You sit comfortably in this hall while others bleed for this world.”
His voice echoed through every corner.
“And instead of discussing solutions…”
He pointed directly at them.
“…you discuss my personal life.”
Several officials lowered their heads.
Unable to meet his eyes.
Yichen wasn’t finished.
“No wonder the world is in trouble.”
The words hit like a blade.
Then came the final strike.
Cold.
Precise.
Merciless.
“You accuse me of being emotional.”
“Yet you’re allowing your prejudice to outweigh reason.”
“You accuse me of loving a demon.”
“Yet you ignore everything he has done.”
“You call yourselves alphas.”
His gaze swept across the room.
“All I see are cowards hiding behind titles.”
Nobody spoke.
Nobody dared.
Because every word was true.
Yichen straightened.
His robes swaying slightly.
Proud.
Unyielding.
“The world doesn’t care whether its savior is an alpha, beta, omega, human, or demon.”
His voice rang clearly through the hall.
“It only cares who stands up when everyone else sits down.”
Absolute silence followed.
Not a single official could answer him.
Because for the first time-
someone had said aloud exactly what they all needed to hear.