Chapter 133: [Side Story] The Token of Love—Zhu Ming’s Red Thread Bracelet

In the world of Xuanxu.

Within the demon realm, atop Zhangwei Mountain.

The demon god, maintaining the form of the Zhu Dragon, slowly transformed into a human shape amidst a crimson glow. The cold, eerie aura surrounding him gradually mellowed into a serene calmness.

With a casual wave of his hand, the world that Lu Yan had just experienced briefly came to a standstill.

Zhu Ming took something from that world and allowed it to resume its normal course. What he took was the red thread bracelet that Zhongli Mingji had given to his partner, Jin Muhan, on their wedding day.

He lowered his gaze to the red thread bracelet, his dark eyes burning with an intense warmth.

“This is the token of love you gave me.”

How could something of his end up in the mortal realm? Moreover, this was a red thread of fate, symbolizing eternal union and companionship.

Zhu Ming naturally recognized that this red thread was crafted by the Matchmaker in the Heavenly Realm’s Marriage Pavilion. Knowing this only deepened his joy.

It meant that Lu Yan had also fallen for him.

His efforts over six lifetimes had not been in vain. A beautiful fate awaited him and Lu Yan.

But mere affection was far from enough.

He wanted more. He didn’t just want Lu Yan’s love; he wanted Lu Yan to become his life partner.

In the task worlds, they had already married six times, but in the Xuanxu world, they had never truly met.

Logically, his seclusion in the demon realm shouldn’t have been a secret, so why had Lu Yan never come looking for him?

Could it be that Lu Yan feared he wouldn’t live up to expectations?

Zhu Ming touched his face, recalling the evaluations he’d received from the gods before the fall of the divine realm.

‘Cruel and heartless…’

‘Vicious and tyrannical…’

‘Full of malice, untamed and wild.’

‘His fierce appearance alone makes my legs tremble.’

‘That guy is always picking fights. He’s challenged every god in the divine realm. Clearly, he’s a violent troublemaker.’

Zhu Ming tried to recall any god who had a good impression of him, but it seemed there was none.

Even the Lady of the Netherworld, known for her gentle temperament, couldn’t stand him. She’d rather be neighbors with the Asura Realm than live near the demon god.

“Sigh~” Zhu Ming couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.

In the Xuanxu world, there wasn’t a single creature who didn’t fear him.

The demon realm, where he secluded himself, was isolated—neither connected to the Heavenly Realm nor the Mortal Realm, and far from both the Netherworld and the Asura Realm. It was as if he had been cast adrift.

The Xuanxu world was the primary realm among the three thousand worlds. Initially, only the divine realm existed. After the fall of the gods, the divine realm vanished, giving rise to the Mortal Realm, Immortal Realm, Netherworld, Asura Realm, and Demon Realm.

The Heavenly Realm resided in the celestial court, the Mortal Realm on the earth, the Netherworld in the underworld, and the Asura Realm was built next to the Netherworld.

Only the Demon Realm stood alone.

This was because the Demon Realm housed a volatile demon god, and no one dared to cause trouble in his territory.

What was most frustrating was that whenever the demon god Zhu Ming was mentioned in the outside world, it was always accompanied by a litany of terrifying descriptors.

Zhu Ming’s breathing grew heavier, and the joy he had felt earlier completely dissipated.

Damn it! Those rumors ruined everything!

Lu Yan must have heard those vicious rumors, which is why he didn’t want to come and see him.

Zhu Ming clenched his fists.jpg

Sure, he had been a bit of a jerk in the past, but that was just youthful recklessness, wasn’t it?

But he hadn’t caused any trouble in years.

Lu Yan, please don’t believe those rumors! He really wasn’t as ferocious as they made him out to be. He was genuinely, truly, absolutely good to his beloved.

Heartbroken, Zhu Ming began searching for ways to salvage his reputation.

He realized… there were none!

His fearsome reputation had been spread for far too long; there was no way to change it now.

Some things were too deeply ingrained.

“!!!” Zhu Ming now wished he could hunt down and punish every fool who had spread those vicious rumors about him.

How was he supposed to face Lu Yan with such a terrible reputation?

The demon god, who had been pursuing his beloved only to realize he was too ashamed to show his face, was utterly heartbroken.

No! He couldn’t go to Lu Yan yet!

He had to wait, wait until Lu Yan fell deeply in love with him, so deeply that he couldn’t live without him. Only then could he reveal himself. Otherwise, he was afraid he’d be rejected the moment they met.

What if, upon meeting, Lu Yan felt that he was too different from the lover in the small worlds? Their unfulfilled romance would surely end in disaster!

Having thought it through, Zhu Ming nodded firmly.

Yes, he needed to wait a little longer, continue nurturing his relationship with Lu Yan across the three thousand worlds.

Zhu Ming placed the red thread of fate on his wrist and cast a spell to bind it permanently with the red thread on Lu Yan’s hand. This way, in the task worlds, he would be guided by the red thread to find Lu Yan.

Though fate may be written in the stars, sometimes a little push was necessary.

After completing this, Zhu Ming transformed back into his dragon form, coiled up, and prepared for another reincarnation.

He would definitely succeed in winning Lu Yan’s heart.

He had to!

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[Side Story]:

Zhu Ming: I won’t rest until I win my beloved’s heart.

(The ancient Zhu Dragon, who is determined to make their meeting a success, will never be defeated.)

Author’s Note: Anything is possible.