Chapter 57
A few days later, the calm did not last.
It never did for them.
Zhuo Yichen stood in the Demon-Hunting Bureau courtyard, sleeves rolled slightly, expression controlled as always-too controlled.
But something had changed.
Thin black veins crept subtly beneath his skin, especially around his neck and wrists, like ink spreading under paper…
Zhao Yuanzhou’s expression darkened slightly.
He already understood.
The body that had resisted demonic possession before… was now paying the price.
Yichen exhaled slowly.
Then, almost like admitting something-
“I finally understand it.”
Zhao Yuanzhou frowned.
“Understand what?”
Yichen’s eyes lowered slightly.
“The feeling of being controlled.”
“I thought I could suppress everything,” he continued. “Like I always have.”
A faint, bitter laugh.
“But it’s not that simple.”
Zhao Yuanzhou didn’t interrupt.
He just listened.
Yichen’s hand tightened slightly at his side.
“…When the energy surges, I can feel it.”
A pause.
“As if I’m not entirely myself.”
His voice became quieter.
“And I understand now… what you went through.”
The demon’s eyes softened instantly.
Yichen finally looked at him.
“If the Yun Guang Sword hadn’t shattered…”
His jaw tightened.
“…I might have killed you.”
The silence that followed was sharp.
“I would have regretted it,” Yichen added.
“Every single moment.”
Zhao Yuanzhou’s hand finally moved.
This time, he didn’t hesitate.
He gently held Yichen’s wrist.
Warm.
Steady.
Alive.
“You didn’t.”
Yichen looked down at the hand.
“…Not yet.”
Zhao Yuanzhou leaned slightly closer.
“Look at me.”
Yichen didn’t want to.
But he did.
The demon’s voice was quiet.
“You’re still here.”
“And so am I.”
Something in Yichen’s expression cracked slightly.
Not breaking.
Just… loosening.
For the first time in days.
Zhao Yuanzhou’s thumb brushed gently over his wrist.
“Being a demon isn’t shameful.”
Yichen frowned slightly.
“That’s not what people think.”
“I don’t care what people think.”
The answer came instantly.
Yichen fell silent.
Zhao Yuanzhou’s gaze softened.
“As long as your heart is kind,” he said slowly, “you are not lost.”
“There is always a way back.”
Yichen’s eyes lowered slightly.
Then, quietly-
“My brother said something similar once.”
Zhao Yuanzhou didn’t respond immediately.
Yichen continued.
“He said it doesn’t matter if the world rejects me.
“…Just don’t reject myself.”
Silence.
Then Zhao Yuanzhou exhaled softly.
“Smart brother in law..”
That earned a small laugh.
Zhao Yuanzhou stepped closer, finally pulling him into a proper embrace.
Yichen stiffened for a second.
Then slowly relaxed into it.
The black veins beneath his skin pulsed faintly… but quieter now.
As if even they were listening.
Zhao Yuanzhou’s voice was low against his ear.
“You’re not alone in this.”
Yichen closed his eyes.
For once, he didn’t argue.
He just held on tighter…
❄️❄️✨✨✨⚔️⚔️⚔️
The dinner that night felt unusually quiet.
The kind of quiet that wasn’t peaceful-but heavy, like something unspoken had already decided the future for them.
Wen Xiao had just finished explaining her plan.
Kunlun Mountain first.
Then the Star Formation.
Then the Ice Yi Forbidden Grounds.
Each step more dangerous than the last.
Zhuo Yichen listened without interruption, fingers resting near his cup, expression unreadable.
But Zhao Yuanzhou noticed the shift immediately.
That slight tightening in his jaw.
That familiar distance forming behind his eyes.
Before anyone could react, Yichen spoke.
“I will go alone.”
The words landed cleanly.
Too cleanly.
Wen Xiao frowned instantly. “What do you mean alone?”
Yichen didn’t look at her.
“I’ve already caused enough risk to everyone.”
Ying Lei opened his mouth, but hesitated.
Pei Sijing’s gaze sharpened.
Yichen continued calmly, as if stating something logical rather than final.
“The Forbidden Grounds are too dangerous. If something happens inside, it will be on me.”
Silence followed.
Then Zhao Yuanzhou spoke.
“No.”
Just one word.
But it cut through everything.
Yichen finally looked at him.
“I’m not asking permission.”
Zhao Yuanzhou’s expression darkened slightly.
“I said no.”
A pause.
Yichen’s voice lowered.
“You don’t understand what’s inside me now.”
“I understand enough.”
The demon stood up slowly.
The air around him tightened.
Not threatening.
Just absolute.
“If you go alone,” Zhao Yuanzhou said, “you’re not protecting anyone.”
“You’re just leaving.”
That made Yichen still.
A flicker of something crossed his eyes.
But he quickly buried it.
“I won’t drag you into another risk.”
Zhao Yuanzhou let out a quiet breath, almost disbelieving.
“…Drag me?”
He stepped closer.
“Yichen.”
His voice softened, but became heavier.
“Since when did you start deciding how I live my life?”
The room went silent again.
Even the fire seemed to pause.
Yichen’s fingers tightened slightly.
“…Since I almost killed people.”
Zhao Yuanzhou froze for half a second.
Then his expression softened-but not in pity.
In frustration.
“No.”
He said it again, firmer.
“You don’t get to punish yourself by disappearing.”
A beat.
Then, quieter:
“That’s not protection.”
Yichen looked away.
His voice dropped.
“I don’t trust my body anymore.”
The words were simple.
But they carried everything.
Zhao Yuanzhou’s gaze softened completely.
Then he reached out-grasped Yichen’s wrist gently.
Warm.
Steady.
Unyielding.
“Then don’t go alone.”
Yichen frowned slightly.
Zhao Yuanzhou continued.
“If there’s something inside you… we face it together.”
A pause.
“And if there’s something trying to take you away from me again…”
His eyes darkened slightly.
“…then I’ll drag you back myself.”
Yichen finally spoke.
“You’re unreasonable.”
Zhao Yuanzhou nodded.
“Yes.”
A pause.
“I always have been.”
That made something in Yichen’s expression loosen slightly.
Just a fraction.
Then he quietly sat back down.
“…Fine.”
The single word surprised everyone.
Even Zhao Yuanzhou.
Yichen added, almost reluctantly:
“But if I lose control…”
Zhao Yuanzhou immediately answered.
“I know.”
A beat.
“And I’ll stop you.”
Silence.
Then Yichen gave a small nod.
“…Arrogant demon.”
Zhao Yuanzhou smiled faintly.
“Love.”
Yichen looked at him.
“…Don’t call me that here.”
“Why?”
“…should I put you in jail?.”
Zhao Yuanzhou leaned slightly closer.
“Okay , Commander….”
That made Yichen pause again.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Zhao Yuanzhou finally sat back down.
The tension slowly eased.
But it didn’t disappear.
Because everyone at that table knew-
the Forbidden Grounds were not just a destination.
They were a test.
Of fate.
Of control.
And of whether two people bound by pain and love could walk into darkness…
without losing each other again.