"Oh, I see." Xiao Yao stroked her chin as if in deep thought, "Xiang Liu, I am not as naive as I once was. After claiming my title as the Grand Princess of Haoling, what do you think I have been doing apart from helping my brother ascend Xiyan's throne, huh?"

"I don't care. Now leave." Xiang Liu's voice was cold as ice. A lifetime ago, he had said something similar to Xiao Yao and meant it. Now, though, he felt the exact opposite. 

Scooting closer, Xiao Yao caressed the demon's cheek, "Xiang Liu, I wish I had met you earlier. I wish we hadn't gotten off on the wrong foot."

"Your words are useless. And my time is precious," the demon growled; shrugging the woman's hand, he rose to his feet. "Goodbye, princess."

"Not so fast, demon." The Grand Princess grabbed Xiang Liu's hand, and try as he may, the latter failed to free himself and flee. 

Something had changed inside her. It had made her strong. At the place where their hands touched, Xiang Liu could feel her spirit power buzzing. 

'What happened when I lost consciousness?' he wondered. Turning to face the reason for his existence, he slowly reached out to touch Xiao Yao's heart: the home of her spirit power. His hand lingered inches from her bosom. She was not his; he didn't want his touch to sully her. No, he didn't need to acquaint himself with her heart; only Tushan Jing was entitled to do that. 

Xiang Liu's hand dropped back to his side, but what he had dared not to do, Xiao Yao did with ease. Stepping closer, she brought his palm to her chest. "Do you hear it?"

The demon nodded. Xiao Yao's heart sang the same song as his. However, unlike before, her spirit was brimming with power. But that was not all. What he was hearing did not make sense. Not in the least. The power within her, he was highly familiar with it. It belonged to his master: the king of Chenrong. Xiao Yao was the daughter of the king of Houling, yet her spirit power resonated with his king. Why? 

As the general of the Chenrong army, letting her go would be as bad as committing treason. But as someone who wanted her safe, he knew he had to. He couldn't give her what she needed: all of himself. Chenrong would always come first. He knew her; she would never be satisfied with that. In the end, she would be disappointed. That was the last thing he needed. Moreover, she loved Tushan Jing. There was no place for him in her heart. He was destined to wait for her till death claimed him, knowing they could never be.  

Chapter word count: 459
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ord count so far: 5161