Chapter 73: Rebirth (Part 3) "Important? What could there be between you...

Lian Qiang pondered in the silence of the room. It wasn't that she didn't want to speak freely, but she just didn't want to express her pain directly.

She was afraid that those negative emotions would be expressed too strongly, but would only be treated lightly.

"...My time in the demon world wasn't as difficult as I thought, nor was it as smooth as I thought."

Although Jiang Lang saved her, that was all. He could not and would not give her too much protection. And in the demon world, although there were some cruel and bloodthirsty cultivators as Lian Qiang imagined, most of them were numb and chaotic.

No one would bother her, and no one would pay any attention to her. Everyone was like this, living quietly, or dying silently.

Life and death are common occurrences wherever you are.

Lian Qiang could understand their state of mind. In this place devoid of life, if one remained constantly awake, how could one face the uncertain future? How could one digest the dead air within oneself?

"I originally thought that surviving was the most important and difficult thing, but later I realized that wasn't the case."

Lian Qiang worked very hard to own a small courtyard for herself to live in. It was then that she realized that her carefree life in her childhood was all due to the hard work of her family.

Now, she is alone, with no one to rely on and no one to depend on.

"...I also met one or two friends who lent me a hand. They helped me a lot, but later, they couldn't survive the thunder tribulation and died. I don't even know their names."

Receiving no response, Lian Qiang continued to speak slowly. She couldn't describe her feelings at that moment. Lian Qiang couldn't help but accept death. She only knew that in such a vast demon world, there wasn't a single suitable place for her to be buried.

"Everything here is cold and icy. I used to dislike going out because I always felt lifeless and tired, and out of tune with the outside world. But in the Demon Realm, I look forward to Lang assigning tasks to me every day so that I can go out."

...She didn't want to be the only living being. If she stayed here forever, Lian Qiang was afraid that she would be driven crazy.

Yet, this place became the place where she felt most at home.

Thinking of this, Lian Qiang moved a little, and her loose hair rubbed against the pillow, making a crackling sound. She actually felt like laughing at an inappropriate time.

"You..." It was Chi Xingji's voice, and the tone seemed a little trembling, "Don't be too sad."

"I'm not sad. It's all in the past." Lian Qiang heard her say this calmly. These things happened so long ago that time had long since worn away the traces of them. She wanted to focus on the future, not the past.

The past shaped her, but the hardships she endured allowed her to move forward into the future better.

Having said this, Lian Qiang was already extremely tired. She turned over and, drowsy, she seemed to hear Chi Xingji's barely perceptible "I'm sorry".

She just thought it was the beginning of a false dream.

That night, Lian Qiang had a rare good and clear sleep. She attributed it to her return to the demon world, and she felt more at ease.

When Lian Qiang woke up, Chi Xingji was gone and the ground was empty, and she became anxious.

She pushed open the door and found the courtyard empty as always. For a moment, Lian Qiang's mind was in turmoil.

Chi Xingji wouldn't abandon her and leave at this moment, but at this critical moment, she didn't want to see any accidents...

Lian Qiang was deep in thought when someone opened the door and walked in. It was Chi Xingji. Before she could react, she subconsciously let out the breath that had been stuck in her chest.

Chi Xingji only took one look and understood the reason why she was so relaxed. He asked, "Are you looking for me?"

"Yes," Lian Qiang admitted frankly, believing she wasn't the one who should feel guilty. "I was worried someone would act on their own again and leave without saying goodbye. I wouldn't know anything until someone else told me."

She was referring to the time Yue Lingjun leaked the secret. The pent-up resentment had long since dissipated, and now she was just discussing the matter, at most with a hint of ridicule. But to Chi Xingji's ears, it had a deeper meaning.

"...I was wrong before. I didn't mean to deceive you." Chi Xingji was silent for a moment, then lowered his brows and said sincerely, "Today, I was just afraid of waking you, so I thought about looking for a suitable bookshelf. I couldn't find one, so I found some books instead."

He moved, revealing the object in his arms, proving that what he said was true.

"Since I know you don't like it, I will... act with caution in the future and try not to make the same mistake again."

Lian Qiang spoke out of turn. She had intended to be sarcastic, but was caught off guard by such a formal reply.

After thinking about it again, Lian Qiang simply nodded in agreement, accepting it with peace of mind. It wasn't her who made the mistake, so why should she feel guilty about it?

"It's really not nice to leave so many books lying around. What else do you need? I'll help you buy more."

There was a hint of selfishness in these words. Lian Qiang asked him to speak more naturally. Chi Xingji didn't know whether he didn't notice it or he noticed it but didn't want to point it out, so he didn't comment.

"I have one more thing to tell you—I'll probably go back to get the spirit tree soon. I'll be back soon."

If he hadn't mentioned it, Lian Qiang would have really forgotten about it. While secretly laughing at how quickly his words came true, she asked, "You just said it, and you're already going to fulfill it? Do you want me to go with you?"

"No need," Chi Xingji shook his head decisively, "The journey is long and bumpy, and rebuilding your body is no easy task. You'd better stay and recuperate."

Chi Xingji had made up his mind, so Lian Qiang didn't force him to do it, to save herself the trouble. She was about to turn around and go back to catch up on some sleep when she saw Chi Xingji still standing there, as if hesitant to speak.

"Is there anything else?" Lian Qiang decided to ask proactively and give him a hand.

After she said that, Chi Xingji seemed to have made up his mind. He put away the book and magic, reached into his sleeve with his free hand, and took out a hairpin.

His intentions were obvious. Lian Qiang's heart skipped a beat. As she watched him approach, she didn't know where to focus her gaze. It wasn't until Chi Xingji stopped that her helpless hands and feet finally regained some strength.

"...I saw it by chance, and I think it suits you very well."

Lian Qiang lowered her gaze and took a closer look - it was a hairpin carved from warm white jade, with a half-open lotus on the head. It was obviously not similar to the ones on the backs of the two people's hands, but it made people associate them with each other for no reason.

It’s not uncommon for the Demon Realm to sell such gadgets, but Lian Qiang never expected that someone would buy it and give it to her. This person... is Chi Xingji.

While she was stunned, Chi Xingji misunderstood her, thinking that she didn't like it and didn't want to accept it. His eyes dimmed and he wanted to take it back. Lian Qiang didn't have time to think about it. They shook hands, and each of them grabbed one end, and the hairpin just hung in the air.

In the end, Lian Qiang withdrew her hand first, lowered her head slightly, and said calmly, "...Isn't it that Immortal Lord doesn't understand the meaning of giving someone a hairpin?"

Chi Xingji's answer was also expected: "Of course I understand."

The conversation ended at that point, but the two of them understood each other tacitly. Chi Xingji took the opportunity to take another step forward.

It wasn't until he was only a few inches away that Lian Qiang remembered that she had woken up in a hurry, her hair was untidy, and now it was extremely messy.

However, it was too late. Chi Xingji's hands had already touched her hair, but he didn't move for a long time. When he spoke again, he said with a hint of laughter: "It seems that there is no place to stay."

Lian Qiang was furious and wanted to give up and leave. Chi Xingji didn't dare tease her anymore and simply inserted the hairpin into the loose bun at the back of her head, giving it a home.

After finishing, Chi Xingji was about to step back. In this split second, Lian Qiang raised her hands as if possessed by some mysterious force.

——It was a hugging posture.

Chi Xingji could have avoided this not-so-intimate hug by just leaning back a little, but he didn't struggle. Instead, he acquiesced and even moved a little closer, making the offensive hug even more real.

Then, Chi Xingji also raised his hand.

Lian Qiang vaguely thought that this seemed to be their first real hug since their reunion.

It wasn't forced by the situation, it was just a pure... hug.

The two of them parted at a leisurely pace. Lian Qiang touched the hairpin on her hair, feeling its warmth. She lowered her head and said, "...Thank you."

Chi Xingji nodded slowly, not even looking at her: "No need to thank me. It really suits you."

Lian Qiang didn't know when he left. She only knew that the sound of her heartbeat penetrated her ears, almost deafening.

Chi Xingji left two or three days later. Lian Qiang didn't find it hard to get used to being alone again, perhaps because she had hope in her heart.

When she had nothing to do, she would try different ways to style her hair, and then spend a long time looking in the mirror, hoping to find the hair accessory that would best match the hairpin.

When she regained consciousness, Lian Qiang would feel ashamed and annoyed at herself for being so addicted and wasting time. But then she would change her mind and think that having such ordinary troubles was a blessing.

She counted the days, guarded the yard, and waited for Chi Xingji to return, but she didn't expect that someone else would enter the yard first.

When Jiang Lang came, Lian Qiang was shocked by his solemn expression before she had time to feel happy. She had to stand aside and keep silent.

The Demon Lord looked around and said with a tone of regret: "As expected, you are hiding here. Why did you make the same mistake again?"

Again? Catching the deeper meaning in Jiang Lang's words, Lian Qiang's eyelids twitched. She timidly tried to peek at his expression, but seeing that he was still stern, she dared not look again.

"Are you still trying to hide this from me?" Jiang Lang found a place to sit down, showing no sign of giving up. "What did you say when you said goodbye to me? I want you to repeat it word for word."

Although Lian Qiang didn't have the ability to repeat everything, she vaguely remembered...that she had omitted some of the bold words.

Seeing her guilty look, Jiang Lang became even more angry: "Let's not talk about anything else for now - you have repeatedly broken the rules of the demon world for him. I won't punish you yet, but does Chi Xingji really think this is his home and he can come and go as he pleases?"

"We're already trying our best to disguise ourselves... We don't want to alarm anyone." Lian Qiang knew she was in the wrong and spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito.

Jiang Lang almost slammed the table and stood up. "Who are you trying to alarm? You brought him to my Demon Palace, and as soon as I came out of seclusion, I was greeted by that foul-smelling immortal aura. Should I even thank you? I've been here for so long, and you haven't even offered me a glass of water. Can your subordinate be any more incompetent?"

"You're so meticulous, you noticed details that others didn't notice," Lian Qiang said, hurriedly pouring tea and water for him. "Thank you for taking the trouble to care for me as soon as you got out of quarantine."

"Don't give me that." Jiang Lang glanced at her. Although he didn't say anything, he actually enjoyed it very much, and even his anger subsided a lot.

Seeing that Jiang Lang was in good condition, Lian Qiang's previous concerns about his seclusion were alleviated, so she proposed a plan at the right time: "I brought him back this time because I have something important to discuss with you."

"Important? What could be important between you two? Don't tell me you're getting married next month and want me to sit at your head?"

Hearing this, Lian Qiang wanted to smash the teapot beside her into the face of this unruly demon king: "Jiang, Lang!"