Transforming into a stunningly beautiful fox spirit, leaving a scar on the heart of a prodigy.

Late at night.

The rain gradually subsided, leaving only the dripping sound of water falling from the eaves.

The campfire burned out its last bit of oil, crackling and bursting into a spark. The embers flickered in the darkness, illuminating half of Gu Xiang's profile.

He remained in that position, leaning against the barrier, one leg bent, his hand resting on his knee.

The robe was dry and wrinkled, draped over Su Qing's body. He himself was only wearing a thin undergarment, yet he seemed not to feel the cold.

"How have you been these past few years?" Su Qing's voice came from behind, tinged with a hint of probing and caution.

Gu Xiang stared at the flickering sparks in front of him, remaining silent for a long time.

How did you get through it?

Is it reviewing memorials day after day, until your eyes are sore and tearful?

Is it waking up in the middle of the night countless times, instinctively reaching for the empty bed beside me?

Still in the imperial palace, facing attacks from hundreds of officials, he used the most ruthless means to crush his opponents underfoot.

"It's alright," Gu Xiang said calmly. "Li Yu became emperor and appointed me prime minister. The Great Zhou Dynasty is in dire need of reconstruction, and there are many things to do. When I get busy, I forget about the days."

"You're lying." Su Qing exposed him without any mercy. "The bald guy said you're a living Yama now, even the gods are afraid of you."

Gu Xiang twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a self-deprecating smile.

"You can't be afraid." Gu Xiang looked down at his palm, where the lines seemed to still carry the indelible scent of blood. "In this world, when reasoning fails, you can only instill fear. Only when they are afraid will they obey, and only then can the Great Zhou be at peace."

Su Qing didn't say anything.

She turned around and pressed her back against his through the barrier.

Through the thin fabric of her clothes, she could feel the stiffness in Gu Xiang's back and the powerful beating of his heart.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

That was her heart.

Now, his heart beats so steadily and powerfully.

"Is your heart... still working?" Su Qing asked softly.

Gu Xiang's body trembled violently.

He raised his hand and pressed it hard against his chest. There, with Su Qing's words, came a violent throbbing. It was as if his heart had heard its master's call and wanted to burst out of his chest.

"It works well." Gu Xiang's voice trembled slightly. "It's very obedient. Except... when I miss you."

What will you do when you miss me?

"It hurts," Gu Xiang said. "It hurts so much I can't breathe. Sometimes when I'm reviewing memorials, the pain suddenly makes me unable to hold the pen. Sometimes when I'm walking down the street, the pain is so bad I have to hold onto a wall to keep my balance."

Fool.

This isn't just heartache; it's clearly lovesickness that's seeping into your bones.

With its seven orifices and keen intellect, it sensed Gu Xiang's obsession and his unforgettable longing, which is why its heartbeats moved in sync with his emotions.

"The Imperial Preceptor said that this heart is the Phoenix Dao Fruit," Gu Xiang continued, his tone as calm as if he were talking about someone else. "It's transforming my body. I now cultivate Confucianism and Taoism, and practice the Righteous Qi, but the blood flowing in my veins is that of a demon. Sometimes when I look in the mirror, I don't even feel like a human being."

"Nonsense," Su Qing retorted, "You are a human being."

Gu Xiang smiled.

He turned around and looked at Su Qing through the barrier.

"Su Qing," he called her name, "Come back with me. Back to the capital, or back to Qingniu Town. I'm not going to be prime minister anymore. Let's go farming and sell roast chicken."

Su Qing felt a pang of sadness when she saw the expectation in his eyes.

She shook her head.

"I can't get out." Su Qing pointed to the sycamore tree above her head. "This old tree is very stubborn; it won't let me leave."

"I'll chop it down." A fierce glint flashed in Gu Xiang's eyes, and his aura surged, with faint crimson flames dancing in his eyes.

"No," Su Qing quickly stopped him. "It meant well. Besides..."

Su Qing paused, her gaze falling on Gu Xiang's brow.

There was a faint black mist swirling there, a trace left by excessive killing.

"Lord Gu, your forehead looks dark." Su Qing stretched out her finger and lightly tapped his forehead through the invisible barrier. "How many people have you killed in these three years? The smell of blood on you is stronger than that of me, this man-eating fox spirit."

Gu Xiang subconsciously raised his hand, his fingertips brushing against his brow.

It's cold.

It's like a piece of iron that can't be warmed up.

"I haven't counted." Gu Xiang's tone was flat, as if he were talking about how many steamed buns he ate last night. "I ordered the massacre of those three thousand demons in the Northern Territory. The pit was dug ten zhang deep, and the ground shook when the soil was buried. I also chopped down quite a few of those parasites in the court who only knew how to suck blood. The blood from the execution ground seeped into the paving stones, and it took three days to wash it clean."

As he said this, a surge of righteous energy rose around him.

It was no longer pure golden light, but mixed with dark red blood streaks, like ferocious venomous snakes hissing in the air.

The once blazing campfire was instantly extinguished by this malevolent energy, and the flames turned an eerie, ghostly blue.

"Su Qing." Gu Xiang looked at his palm, the lines of which still seemed to retain the lingering smell of rust. "I'm not cultivating the path of the sage now. The principles of the sage are too soft; they can't save people. I'm cultivating the path of the Asura. As long as I can protect the Great Zhou, protect... those I want to protect, I don't care if I become a demon."

"Do you still want to seek revenge against the Supreme Forgetfulness Sect?" Su Qing asked.

"He must be killed." Gu Xiang nodded. "If he doesn't die, the Great Zhou will be in turmoil. If he doesn't die, you... won't be in turmoil either."

"You can't beat them," Su Qing said bluntly.

"Even if we can't win, we have to fight." Gu Xiang looked at Su Qing with a chillingly firm gaze. "I have this will, I have the fate of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and... this life. As long as I can kill them, even if it means dying together, I will not hesitate."

"Snapped!"

Su Qing slapped the barrier.

"Gu Xiang!" Su Qing roared, her vertical pupils flashing, and the faint phantom of nine tails appearing behind her. "I gave you your life! Who gave you permission to die with me? If you dare to die, I'll..."

"So what?" Gu Xiang looked at her angry expression and laughed instead.

"I'll go find other men!" Su Qing threatened viciously, "Ten! Eight! They'll dance party on your grave every day!"

Gu Xiang's smile deepened.

He reached out and, through the barrier, pressed his hand against hers.

"You won't," Gu Xiang said firmly. "In this world, besides me, no one can stand your temper. And no one... loves you as much as I do."

Su Qing's momentum immediately deflated.

She looked at the man in front of her.

Three years have really changed him a lot.

The scholar who used to blush when teased by her is gone. In his place is a shameless and ruthless man who is so affectionate that she can't resist him.

"Shameless," Su Qing cursed, but a smile played at the corners of her eyes.

"Yes, I am a scoundrel," Gu Xiang admitted readily.

The night wind blew, and the campfire was completely extinguished.

In the darkness, their breathing could be clearly heard.

"Go to sleep," Gu Xiang said. "I'll stay here and keep watch. I'm not going anywhere."

Su Qing nodded.

She was indeed tired.

Reconstructing my physical body had taken too much energy, and after talking to this idiot for half the night, my eyelids were already starting to droop.

She pulled her purple robe tighter around her and huddled under the tree roots.

Gu Xiang sat cross-legged outside the barrier. He closed his eyes, and his divine sense spread out, covering an area of ​​ten miles.

He can sense even the slightest movement.

That night, even the wind at Luofengpo seemed much gentler.

The old sycamore tree stood quietly, its leaves rustling as if it were softly singing an ancient ballad.

Under the tree, one person is inside, and one person is outside.

Though separated by barriers, our hearts have never been so close.

There is only endless longing.

The suffering and pain of the past three years have all transformed into the peace of this night.

Butterfly Loves Flowers: Night Talk

The water clock drips, the wind whispers uncertainly.

The fire is cold and the lamp is dim; we are like shadows facing each other.

Though separated from the vast world of mortals, only your name resides in my heart.

The words speak of vicissitudes, yet the person remains oblivious.

Blood stained the land, but today we enjoy peace.

Do not say that our fate in this life has come to an end; listen to the heart's command in the night rain on the paulownia tree.