Bai Ran stared fixedly at his right hand, her gaze unwavering.
"Your arm is severely injured. If it's not treated soon, I fear it may have to be amputated."
Jing Cheng was taken aback. He looked down at his numb right hand and let out a wry smile. "Then that would be troublesome."
As silver needles were inserted one by one, sweat beaded on Bai Ran's forehead, dripping down. She looked as if she was about to collapse, utterly exhausted.
How could she not be tired? Jing Cheng looked at Bai Ran, who was not much older than him, his heart filled with concern.
This human child had been tending to the injured demons in the manor all day, toiling without rest. She must be nearing her limit.
In all his years, he had never witnessed a human dedicate themselves to the demon race with such devotion.
"Human child, what is your relationship with His Majesty, the Demon Emperor?"
His tone was tinged with a smile, and his eyes were full of solicitude for her.
"Family."
The two words, spoken crisply, surprised Jing Cheng. "You don't mind the demons' identity?"
Human hearts were inscrutable. He had encountered humans who appeared kind, only to be utterly deceived in the end.
The human heart was difficult to fathom, containing both good and evil, making it hard to discern.
Their kindness was often predicated on self-interest.
The sharp-toothed elephant demon lost its tusks, the tiger-striped demon its fur, becoming mere trophies in the eyes of humans, beautiful adornments.
"What's the difference between demons and humans?" Bai Ran raised her eyes, a hint of confusion on her pale face.
Jing Cheng looked into her eyes, opened his mouth, but could not utter a word.
After a long pause, he chuckled deeply. "There is no difference. It's just that humans perceive us as different."
Humans found their fur beautiful, their beastly claws beautiful, their fangs beautiful.
And so, they waged war, hunting them wantonly.
In the end, it was merely the greed of the human heart at play.
"I once saw with my own eyes humans stitching our hides together to create a giant banner," Jing Cheng's smile turned bitter.
It was made from the fur of hundreds, thousands of demons, of all colors and patterns. It represented the lives of countless demons.
Bai Ran listened quietly, her heart heavy. "I'm sorry..."
Jing Cheng shook his head. "Human child, you need not apologize."
The demon race had good and evil, and so did humans. They were simply unfortunate enough to encounter those with malicious intent.
Bai Ran pursed her lips, offering no reply, merely moving the silver needles with quiet concentration.
"Your medical skills are extraordinary."
As Bai Ran withdrew the silver needles, she heard this compliment. "Patriarch Jing, you are too kind."
She stood up, her dantian's spiritual energy completely depleted, her arms aching.
Glancing back, Xiao Zi stood not far away, gazing at the sky, lost in thought, his posture tinged with loneliness.
Jing Cheng smiled and turned to leave. "Human child, thank you for always staying by His Majesty, the Demon Emperor's side."
Thank you... Bai Ran remained silent. Whether it was Hua Yun or Patriarch Jing, they were all grateful she stood by Xiao Zi.
"Little one, do you think I am useless?"
Under the night sky, his voice was low, carrying a hint of desolation.
Unable to protect his people, he had fled the demon race in cowardice. Upon his return, he discovered more of his subjects injured and dead because of him.
"Never."
Her voice was faint, but Bai Ran spoke without hesitation.
Xiao Zi managed a smile and lowered his head. "The power and status that others crave so fiercely are worth nothing to me."
Bai Ran pursed her lips and finally asked the question that had been on her mind.
"If you win the competition and become the Emperor of the demon race again, will you still stay by my side?"
Once Xiao Zi reclaimed control of the entire demon race, he would be overwhelmed with affairs concerning their kingdom.
If he were to become Emperor again, he would certainly not be able to stay by Bai Ran's side, nor could he accompany her constantly as before...
Xiao Zi's brow furrowed deeply, a knot of unresolved sorrow.
He wished to remain by the little one's side, yet he could not abandon the entire demon race. At this moment, his mind was in a haze, a dull ache throbbing within him.
"Well, the future is for the future to decide."
Bai Ran smiled faintly. Though her heart ached with a thousand unspoken sentiments, she knew she should not try to keep him.
Under the bright, starry sky, she and Xiao Zi were temporarily staying in Jing family's courtyard.
The space rippled, and a dark figure appeared, standing before Bai Ran.
Returning from her cultivation, she slowly opened her eyes. "Long Jin Han?"
Long Jin Han's expression was grim, his handsome brows knitted together.
Jing Feng had reported that the little girl had been abducted by the Demon Emperor, prompting his immediate arrival.
He sighed softly and sat down beside Bai Ran. "If you need any help, just say the word."
"It's nothing." She shook her head. "I just feel that even as a ruler, one is often not in control of one's own destiny."
Long Jin Han's eyes darkened. His slender, well-defined fingers gently clasped Bai Ran's small hand, playing with it.
"This is the price of power." Loneliness pervades the heights; those at the apex are the most solitary.
"Long Jin Han, how did you become the Demon Lord of the Demon Realm?" Bai Ran looked at him, her fingers tracing the lines on his long, slender digits.
He paused, his thin lips parting. "My hands are stained with blood."
"Any voice of dissent, and I would personally silence them."
The Demon Realm had always revered strength above all else, not lineage.
Long Jin Han possessed the greatest power, thus he was the Demon Lord. Conversely, if someone stronger emerged, he would be unceremoniously discarded.
It was cruel, yet it was fair.
Bai Ran's hand tightened slightly. Long Jin Han had faced the powerful individuals of the entire Demon Realm alone and ultimately became its sovereign.
The Demon Emperor, on the other hand, was chosen by his people. Xiao Zi, possessing the most excellent qualities, naturally became the Emperor of the demon race.
"You're reluctant to let the Demon Emperor leave?"
In Long Jin Han's eyes, an enigmatic glint flickered.
Bai Ran nodded. "Though I am reluctant, I am also helpless."
Feeling a sharp pain in his chest, Long Jin Han tightened his grip on Bai Ran's hand.
He did not wish for any man to be near the little girl, especially not a veritable fox spirit.
But...
Long Jin Han stood up, his back appearing somewhat forlorn. "I understand."
Seeing his dejected figure, Bai Ran felt as if her heart were being squeezed in a vice, making it difficult to breathe.
If Long Jin Han had a woman by his side, someone as close to him as Xiao Zi was to Bai Ran, she would also feel hurt.
"Are you preparing to leave?" The warmth from his hand had not yet faded, and Bai Ran clenched her fists.
Long Jin Han stood with his back to her, yet he evoked an irresistible sense of pity.
Upon hearing Bai Ran's words, Long Jin Han, who was about to depart, paused and then turned back to sit down.
"No, I am reluctant."
Looking at his lonely profile, Bai Ran pursed her lips, reached out, and gently turned his face to meet her gaze.
"It's you I like, Long Jin Han. Do you understand?"
A warmth bloomed on her lips, and Long Jin Han's eyes trembled.
After a long moment, he gently cupped the back of Bai Ran's head, deepening the kiss.