Wandering Swordsman |

The night was as dark as ink, seeping into every inch of the Wulin Alliance's rooftops.

Inside the bridal chamber, the dragon and phoenix wedding candles had burned down to their last flames, their flickering light casting the shadows of the three figures gently onto the embroidered curtains, overlapping and intertwining like a knot of hearts finally woven by fate.

The intense heat has subsided into tranquility.

A light quilt covered them, revealing only the skin above their shoulders and necks—Shen Mo's chest was slightly sweaty, and his breathing gradually evened out; Situ Meng lay on her left, her black hair cascading down like a waterfall, her cheeks still flushed, her eyelashes lowered, looking both tired and shy; Murong Qing leaned against him on the right, her fingertips unconsciously stroking his arm, a satisfied smile on her lips, as if a long-awaited reunion had finally come to a perfect end.

Shen Mo lay on his back, his gaze fixed on the top of the tent for a long time, his heart churning like a surging tide.

The moonlight flowed silently outside the window, while inside, only the three of them breathed together, warm and intimate.

But at this most vulnerable moment, a heavy secret pressed down on his heart like cold iron—how should he bring it up?

He slowly turned his head and looked at Situ Meng.

As if sensing something, she looked up to meet his gaze. Her eyes were as clear as ever, but now held a newfound affection and trust.

But it was this trust that made him choke up and unable to speak.

If I told her the truth, would she still feel so safe and secure leaning against me?

If she knew that I was the master of the Heavenly Demon God Sect, the sect behind the demonic cult that invaded the Central Plains back then, would she feel... deceived?

Situ Meng gazed at the struggle in his eyes, then suddenly gently grasped his hand, her voice as soft as a night breeze caressing the strings of a zither: "Husband...you have something on your mind, don't you?"

Shen Mo was taken aback, then hesitated to speak.

She smiled, a smile filled with understanding and determination: "Whatever you want to say, I believe you. Back in Qingcheng Mountain, you descended from the sky and saved me—I knew then that you were no ordinary person."

She paused, then gently traced his brow bone with her fingertips: "Go ahead and tell me. I'm listening."

This one sentence was like a spring breeze melting ice.

Shen Mo took a deep breath and finally spoke, his voice low and solemn: "Meng'er... In fact, I have an identity that I have never told you—I am the master of the Heavenly Demon God Sect in the Western Regions."

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent. Even the candlelight seemed to hold its breath.

Murong Qing had already heard Shen Mo mention it before, so she didn't show any fear. Instead, she pretended to be very curious and stared at Shen Mo, saying softly, "Continue."

Situ Meng was stunned for a long time, then suddenly a light of realization flashed in her eyes, and she blurted out, "No wonder! Back at Qingcheng Mountain, you made Situ Changkong wary, and even Jade Void Master couldn't stop them! Yet you were able to save me from them... So you're actually the master of the Heavenly Demon God Sect!"

There was no fear, no doubt, only realization and heartache in her eyes: "My husband, during the years you disappeared... did you suffer a lot?"

Shen Mo was deeply shaken, and his eyes welled up with tears.

He had expected to face questioning, alienation, or even a complete break. But what Situ Meng gave him, just like Murong Qing, was understanding and compassion.

He gripped the two women's hands tightly, his voice trembling slightly: "When I disappeared back then, I was kidnapped by Fu Sheng of Qilin Village... After rescuing Xie Xin, I was seriously injured and on the verge of death. It was Juechenzi, one of the twelve masters of the Heavenly Demon God Sect, who took me away... I represented the Moon Demon Pavilion and entered the Demon Refining Mountain... In the end, I subdued Hua Tianyou and became the new Heavenly Demon God."

Situ Meng gently nestled into his embrace, her voice firm as a vow: "Shen Mo, from this day forward you are my husband. Whether you are the Sword God or the Heavenly Demon God, I will always stand by your side."

Murong Qingyi nestled closer and said softly, "What I want has never been your title, but you as a person."

Shen Mo closed his eyes and sighed deeply, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

At this moment, he was no longer the Heavenly Demon God who ruled the Demon Sect, nor the Sword God revered by all in the Central Plains martial arts world, but simply a husband who could finally reveal his true self.

Outside the window, the moonlight quietly shifted westward, illuminating the bed covered in red silk and intertwined fingers. The secret had been revealed, and trust deepened.

This night was not just about the fusion of love and passion, but also about the recognition of souls.

From then on, his light and darkness were both shared by others.

......

The next morning, as dawn broke, a thin mist, like gauze, gently shrouded the still-dormant rooftops of the Martial Alliance.

Inside the bridal chamber deep within the Martial Alliance, the red candles had burned out, leaving only a wisp of smoke curling and swirling, mingling with the lingering fragrance of last night, drifting faintly in the morning breeze.

Shen Mo slowly opened his eyes, his gaze clear and bright, devoid of any trace of the intoxication of his honeymoon.

He turned to look and saw Situ Meng and Murong Qing lying side by side, their black hair scattered on the brocade quilt, intertwined like vines.

Their breathing was even, their brows relaxed, and a faint smile lingered on their lips—as if the tenderness of last night was still lingering in their dreams.

Shen Mo's heart softened, and he almost gently stroked their cheeks with his fingertips, but then quietly withdrew them.

He knew that this night was not just the completion of the ceremony for them, but also the beginning of their complete letting down of their guard.

He didn't want to disturb this rare peace. He rose silently, his movements as light as a falling leaf.

A plain white undergarment was draped over her shoulders, her belt untied, and she walked barefoot across the soft brocade carpet without disturbing even the last embers on the candlestick.

As he stepped out the door, the morning breeze caressed his face, carrying the subtle sweetness of newly blossoming osmanthus flowers along the Qinhuai River, but it could not dispel the heavy thoughts in his heart.

—Today, there are some things that must be made clear.

He walked through the corridor, his pace quickening, and finally stopped in front of Situ Dengfeng's residence.

Just as he was about to knock on the door, he saw it slightly ajar, and Murong Liang was sitting inside, holding a cup of hot tea, talking and laughing in hushed tones with Situ Dengfeng, as if they were discussing follow-up matters.

The two men were startled to see Shen Mo standing outside the door, then greeted him with smiles, "My dear son-in-law, you're up so early?"

Shen Mo did not smile.

He stepped inside slowly, gently closing the door behind him with his other hand, his expression solemn. His eyes, calm as an ancient pool, subtly revealed a resolute determination.

"My two fathers-in-law," he said in a low but clear voice, "there is something I must tell you. This matter... is of great importance, and we need to invite the senior Guiguzi to come."

Situ Dengfeng frowned. He and Murong Liang exchanged a glance, both reading unease in each other's eyes—Shen Mo was always as composed as a mountain, and even when facing the foreign evil cultivators at the gates of Nanjing, he had never shown such a solemn expression. Now, the day after his wedding, he had actually come to seek him out, and even specifically requested that Guiguzi listen in?

"Could it be... that something has happened?" Murong Liang put down his teacup, the porcelain bottom lightly tapping against the table, making a crisp sound.

"It's not a sudden change, but a truth that must be told," Shen Mo said firmly. "However, this truth must be kept absolutely secret. I request that you two fathers-in-law arrange a place where you will not be disturbed."

Situ Dengfeng asked no further questions and immediately summoned his trusted disciple, whispering, "Go quickly and invite Guiguzi. Tell him... the Sword God has something important to discuss." His tone was calm, but it carried an undeniable authority.

Before long, Guiguzi arrived, stepping through the morning dew. As he entered Situ Dengfeng's residence, his gaze swept over the three of them like lightning. Seeing Shen Mo's unusual expression, he knew that Shen Mo was no ordinary person.

"Mr. Wang, it's not convenient to talk here." Situ Dengfeng stood up and led everyone through three courtyards, finally arriving at a secret room deep within the Martial Alliance. This was a secret place specially set up when the Alliance Leader was established. The four walls were made of cold iron inlaid with stone, soundproof and airtight, so that even the sound of birds flying over the eaves could not be heard.

The room contained only a round table and four chairs. On the table, a bronze incense burner burned ambergris, a calming and soothing fragrance. The smoke rose straight up, like a silent boundary marker.

The door closed, the lock engaged.

Guiguzi stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze piercing: "Shen Mo, what is it that warrants such seriousness from you?"