Chu Hanjin glanced at Yue Lin.

After that, he looked toward the alley where the child had disappeared.

“…”

Raising an eyebrow slightly, Chu Hanjin said nothing, only stating, “The person from this morning, I’ve sent them away.”

As expected, Yue Lin lowered his gaze with a sneer, “You’re always siding with the righteous sects.”

There was a faint trace of jealousy in his tone. Chu Hanjin remained silent for a moment before saying, “Thank you.”

Yue Lin’s eyes flickered, “Thank me for what?”

Chu Hanjin replied, “It wasn’t me who saved that person. It was you.”

Yue Lin’s face remained expressionless for a while before he casually said, “It has nothing to do with me. As far as I’m concerned, I’d rather see a few more righteous sect people dead. This time, you secretly let someone go—I won’t hold it against you, but…”

He continued sternly, “Don’t let there be a next time.”

“…”

Yue Lin’s contradictory words left Chu Hanjin speechless.

Though his tone was harsh, Chu Hanjin couldn’t sense any real threat.

Since Yue Lin refused to acknowledge his own kindness, Chu Hanjin didn’t push further. They returned to the courtyard, where Chu Hanjin noticed that all the servants had been replaced. Gone were the people arranged by Bai Gu; now, there was an entirely new set of faces.

Not only that, but a protective barrier had been set around the residence, and formations had been laid beneath the ground, turning the place into an impenetrable fortress.

Yue Lin said, “You’ll stay here for a while and focus on resting. I have things to attend to, so I won’t always be able to stay by your side.”

Chu Hanjin asked, “What matters?”

Yue Lin glanced at him, “Reclaiming the position of Demon Lord.”

Of course, the transition of power required his attention—meeting with other clan leaders, saints, and dealing with various affairs.

Chu Hanjin said nothing more, “Go ahead and handle your business.”

His indifferent response, as though he had no stake in anything, irritated Yue Lin. He couldn’t help but say, “Fine, when I return to the throne, you’ll be the Demon Clan’s consort. Doesn’t that excite you at all?”

“…” Chu Hanjin gave him a look, “No, not really.”

Yue Lin snorted, “That’s fine too.”

Entering the house, Chu Hanjin noticed a few changes. The previously dry furnace was now blazing with fire, and the sword-forging pool was filled with boiling spiritual energy and magma, busy forging a sword. The clanging of metal echoed in the air.

Chu Hanjin could sense the abundant spiritual energy in the inner chamber. Countless spirit stones and roots had been brought here, all of the highest quality.

The candlelight illuminated Yue Lin’s face as he explained, “My old sword has rusted. I’m planning to forge a new one and remove the tarnish.”

In the Demon Clan, power was the only voice that mattered.

Chu Hanjin stood by the sword-forging pool, the intense heat making him turn his head away. The molten metal bubbled in a green hue, with ice flowers blooming within it. With just a glance, Chu Hanjin could recognize it as bihan iron.

This rare metal was buried deep in the mountains, difficult to find, and even harder to mine. When Mu Lianchun had forged a sword in the past, it had taken him ten years to gather enough bihan iron, and then even more resources and effort to complete the sword. The process had been long and exhausting.

Chu Hanjin was about to take a closer look when Yue Lin grabbed his wrist, “Don’t get too close. It wouldn’t be good if you fell in.”

Chu Hanjin stopped and noticed a treasure box on the other side of the pool. It was emanating strong spiritual energy, even leaking from the edges of the lid.

Chu Hanjin asked, “Is that the spiritual stone you plan to infuse into the sword?”

Yue Lin opened the box, revealing several fragments of dark red stones. The outer surface resembled human skin, and the core within flowed like human blood.

“Blood Demon Stones?”

Yue Lin nodded, “Yes. Only a few pieces remained in the Demon Clan’s treasury, so I brought them here.”

Chu Hanjin acknowledged, “Blood Demon Stones are rich in spiritual energy. They’re quite suitable for forging sword spirits.”

Yue Lin’s gaze darkened as he stared at him, “But the best material for forging a sword spirit is not spiritual stones, wood, or beasts. The finest medium has always been humans.”

Hearing this, Chu Hanjin shook his head.

That was the difference between the righteous path and the demonic path. It wasn’t as though the righteous sects didn’t know that human spirits made for powerful sword spirits. But while they refrained from such acts, the Demon Clan had no qualms about abducting people and treating their flesh like mere stones to be thrown into the fire.

As Chu Hanjin focused on the sword in the molten metal, he suddenly felt a pair of hands gently rest on the back of his neck.

Turning slightly, he met Yue Lin’s golden gaze, “Your bones are excellent, and your spiritual energy is pure and clear. Do you know how perfect you would be as a sword spirit?”

The low tone in Yue Lin’s voice sent a chill down Chu Hanjin’s spine, making him break out in a cold sweat. He frowned, “What are you getting at?”

Yue Lin shook his head, “I’m just reminding you.”

The first time Chu Hanjin lost his memory, he had been taken to the sword formation that Yue Lin had once created, where someone had attempted to turn him into a sword spirit using forbidden magic. It was Yue Lin who had saved him back then.

Chu Hanjin said, “I’m well aware.”

Yue Lin clicked his tongue, “Until we find the one who harmed you, I won’t feel at ease.”

He looked back at the sword in the pool, “This sword will need to be forged properly. A few Blood Demon Stones won’t be enough.”

Chu Hanjin sensed something deeper in his words, as if Yue Lin was pondering or weighing a decision. Unable to hold back, he asked, “Would you use humans to forge a sword?”

Yue Lin glanced at him, “If necessary, of course.”

“…” Chu Hanjin didn’t know what to say to that. Persuading him seemed pointless. Those who had a true sense of morality wouldn’t resort to such methods, and those who were willing to do so would never listen to reason.

His expression grew complicated, prompting Yue Lin to chuckle, “Enough. You should get some rest.”

Without waiting for a response, Yue Lin closed the door.

With no other options, Chu Hanjin went to bed.

The next few days passed with the sword forging process in full swing. Forging a sword could take anywhere from three to five days, or even half a month. Yue Lin usually only returned in the evenings, leaving during the day.

Meanwhile, Chu Hanjin spent his time in the courtyard, eating pastries, drinking tea, and admiring the scenery, all while peacefully nurturing his child.

After a while, the monotony set in. One afternoon, as Chu Hanjin dozed in the courtyard under the sun, he heard a voice from the wall.

“Hey, hey, hey!”

Chu Hanjin opened his eyes to see the child from the other evening, perched on the wall with his toy dangling from a string tied to his coat. The child winked at him, “Come here, come here!”

“…”

Chu Hanjin remained silent for a moment before getting up and walking to the corner of the courtyard, “Did you come looking for me?”

The child grinned, “Yeah! Do you want to come out and play?”

Chu Hanjin raised an eyebrow, his clean, white face tilting slightly as he asked, “What do you want to do?”

The child blinked, “You’re not from around here, are you? I can show you around, take you to some fun places. Otherwise, being alone with no friends is way too boring.”

Chu Hanjin pressed his lips together, hesitating for a moment before agreeing, “Alright, I’ll come out now.”

The child nodded and fell off the wall with a thud, followed by an “Ow!” as he dusted the dirt off his clothes. Chu Hanjin couldn’t help but smile slightly as he walked out of the courtyard. The child waved enthusiastically, “Long time no see!”

Chu Hanjin smiled back, “Long time no see.”

The child extended his dirty hand, “Hold my hand.”

Chu Hanjin asked, “Why do you want me to hold your hand?”

The child replied matter-of-factly, “I’m showing you around, so of course you have to hold my hand. Otherwise, we might get separated.”

Raising an eyebrow in mild exasperation, Chu Hanjin took the small hand in his own, “Alright, let’s go.”

The child’s face lit up with satisfaction, squeezing Chu Hanjin’s fingers as they walked.

Chu Hanjin teased, “What should I call you?”

The child scratched his head, “Just call me Xiao Jiu.”

“Xiao Jiu?”

“Yeah, my mom loves wine, so she named me Xiao Jiu.”

Without waiting for Chu Hanjin to react, the child grabbed two of his fingers and tugged him along, “I’ll lead the way!”

Chu Hanjin followed as they strolled down the street.

After a while, Xiao Jiu asked, “You’re definitely not from here, right?”

Chu Hanjin replied, “That’s right. I just arrived.”

“Good! Since you’re new here, I’ll take you to eat something delicious.” He pointed at Chu Hanjin, “But you have to pay. I’m just a kid, I don’t have any money.”

Wondering what the child was up to, Chu Hanjin sighed inwardly, “I’ll pay.”

The marketplace was bustling and lively during the day. Xiao Jiu led him from one food stall to another, trying a little of everything but never letting Chu Hanjin eat too much. Just a few bites here and there, all while making playful conversation that brightened Chu Hanjin’s mood considerably.

However, while eating sticky rice cakes at a stall by the bridge, Chu Hanjin took a bite and felt a wave of nausea rise from his stomach.

He covered his face with his sleeve and stepped away to a quieter spot.

Xiao Jiu peered up at him, concerned, “What’s wrong with you?”

Feeling the familiar discomfort of morning sickness, Chu Hanjin’s head spun as Xiao Jiu gently held his hand, patting his back, “Feeling better?”

Chu Hanjin finally caught his breath, “A little.”

Xiao Jiu’s face was innocent as he asked, “Are you sick?”

Barely holding back a grimace, Chu Hanjin muttered, “Yes, I’m sick.”

Xiao Jiu gently touched his arm again, his expression still innocent and cute, “It’ll be okay. The sickness will fly away soon.”

Hearing this, Chu Hanjin couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Lowering his gaze, he sighed inwardly but said nothing. When Xiao Jiu suggested, “Shall we go shopping now?” Chu Hanjin wordlessly followed him.

They arrived at a small craft shop, where the walls were lined with wooden toys, mechanical gadgets, marbles, music boxes, children’s rattles, rocking horses, diabolo spinners, shadow puppets, and various other knick-knacks.

Xiao Jiu grabbed a wooden horse, eyes sparkling, “I want this!”

Chu Hanjin said, “I’ll buy it.”

Next, Xiao Jiu picked up a rattle, “And I want this too.”

“…”

These were clearly baby toys.

Chu Hanjin was on the verge of exasperation, but the little boy was too endearing to refuse. With a sigh, he nodded, “I’ll buy that too.”

Xiao Jiu beamed, clutching an armful of toys as they left the shop. He looked up at the sky and declared, “It’s lunchtime.”

Chu Hanjin teased again, “Aren’t your parents worried about you skipping lunch?”

Xiao Jiu thought for a moment before shaking his head, “Nah, they’re busy with the shop. They don’t have time to make me lunch. I usually eat with other people anyway.”

His logic was sound, so Chu Hanjin didn’t argue, allowing himself to be led by the soft little hand to a nearby restaurant.

Xiao Jiu set his toys down and carefully brought a fruit plate to Chu Hanjin, “You’re not feeling well, so you should eat more fruit.”

Chu Hanjin nodded, “Alright.”

Xiao Jiu peeled an orange, a banana, and some grapes for him, presenting them with a proud smile, clearly seeking praise.

Chu Hanjin smiled, unable to resist. He patted the boy’s head, “Thank you.”

Xiao Jiu nuzzled into his hand like a little kitten, grinning from ear to ear.

“…”

Chu Hanjin found himself amused.

As they laughed together, Chu Hanjin felt his spirits lift.

After feeding him the fruit, Xiao Jiu suddenly remembered something, “There’s a shop in the southern part of the city that sells delicious tamarind cakes. Give me a few coins, and I’ll go buy some for you. I promise you’ll love the taste.”

Chu Hanjin handed him a few coins, speaking softly, “Go ahead.”

Xiao Jiu dashed down the stairs.

Chu Hanjin sipped his tea and waited for his return.

This was the largest restaurant in the Demon Realm’s capital, bustling with activity. Just as Chu Hanjin refilled his cup, he overheard voices nearby.

“Finally, I’ve been waiting for you! Let’s go inside and talk.”

“My master couldn’t come in person, so he sent me with a message. You don’t mind dealing with someone of my low status, do you?”

“Of course not.”

The voices sounded familiar to Chu Hanjin. He turned to see a man with an empty sleeve draping one side of his body. It was Yue Lin’s old friend, Liang Shan, walking with a well-dressed man toward a private room.

Liang Shan noticed Chu Hanjin, his face stiffening for a moment before he forced a smile and approached, “It’s you.”

Chu Hanjin instantly became wary but kept his expression neutral, “Hello.”

Liang Shan scratched his head awkwardly, “Why are you eating here alone? Isn’t Yue Lin—uh, I mean, the Lord—keeping you company?”

“He’s busy,” Chu Hanjin said simply.

“Ah, that guy!” Liang Shan chuckled, “Back when we were just brothers, I used to tell him all the time. When he gets busy, he forgets everything. He’d forget to eat, forget to dress himself properly, and now he’s even forgetting about his own wife, leaving you to sit here by yourself. No wonder no one ever liked him back then, haha!”

Meanwhile, the well-dressed man who had accompanied Liang Shan to the restaurant noticed Chu Hanjin and quickly turned away, disappearing into the private room as if nothing had happened.

Liang Shan pulled out a chair but didn’t sit down. Instead, he asked, “How about we eat together? I’ve been meaning to invite you and the Lord for a meal, but he’s always so busy. We’ve been friends for over ten years, so I know exactly how he gets when he’s like this.”

Chu Hanjin replied, “I don’t mind eating together, but I have a friend with me. I’ll need to ask if they’re okay with it.”

Liang Shan nodded, still smiling, “I’ll wait. Let’s see if your friend agrees.”

He seemed nervous, sweat beading on his forehead. Despite his unease, he kept glancing at Chu Hanjin, clearly wanting to say something. Finally, after a brief pause, he cautiously broached the topic.

“I heard… you haven’t been feeling well?”