When she heard this news, Su Yan froze.

It took her a while to get her emotions back under control. Finally, she smiled as if she didnt want to burden anyone and asked casually, how did you run into him? Isnt he working for the demons now?

As soon as she finished her sentence, she laughed self-deprecatingly. Thats right, he works for the demons. You were just out fighting them, why wouldnt you run into him?

Her tone was indifferent as she asked and answered her own questions.

Ye Zichen watched as she forced herself to smile. For a long time, he said nothing.

Whatre you looking at me like that for? Su Yan batted her eyes and smiled. You dont think Id let him influence my state of mind, do you? Come on, Im not as fragile as you think.

It was that same smile as before: a smile unwilling to weigh others down. If you werent familiar with her, you perhaps couldnt see through it but Ye Zichen could. He saw it in the angle of her lips and the way she narrowed her eyes.

It was as if shed practiced it hundreds or thousands of times; it was a fixed pattern engraved into her mind.

He watched her a while longer. Finally, he couldnt help but ask, is that really what youre thinking?

It is, she said with a decisive nod. Its true: Su Yiyun was my brother back in the Modern Realm and he was always good to me. If wed gone on living in the Modern Realm, he might have stayed that doting older brother forever. Unfortunately, this isnt the Modern World. Hes no longer my loving big brother.

Well go back sooner or later.

Deep within his heart, Ye Zichen had always seen returning to the Modern Realm as his goal. Regardless of whatever else was going on, this wasnt the place they truly belonged.

You dont need to push yourself too hard. Su Yan smiled and shook her head. Being here feels quite good too. My friends and lover from the Modern Realm are here with me. Besides, if we really do go back, I dont know how Id explain it.

Explain what? asked Ye Zichen in confusion.

Where Su Yiyun went. Su Yan cocked her head to the side and took a deep breath. Hes my uncles beloved only son. If Uncle asks where he went, what should I tell him? I cant just say Yiyun went off to join the demons and is working as their formations grandmaster, nos can I? That wouldnt work too well.

Su Yans tried her best to keep her tone as facetious as possible. From time to time, she even stuck out her tongue and laughed. She didnt want Ye Zichen to worry on her behalf.

She was timid.

She still wasnt accustomed to this place or to her life here.

Although Su Liuer and Su Zhu treated her well, like a princess, this still wasnt her home.

But she didnt want her weakness to influence Ye Zichen. She wasnt stupid, and even if she was, shed still know the person in her heart was already shouldering an enormous burden, a load heavy enough to crush just about anyone.

She didnt want to become a burden to him or increase the weight on his shoulders, not even a little.

Sometimes, she truly envied Xia Keke. She was always smiling foolishly, no matter what was going on. It was as if shed never worried about anything, nor had she ever made others worry on her behalf.

Little did she know, Ye Zichen knew her far too well. How could he not know what she was thinking?

Thats true. Ye Zichen decided not to expose Su Yans act. Instead, he smiled at her and said determinedly, but I still want to go back.

Mm, no matter where you go, Ill follow you. Su Yan smiled sweetly at him, then fidgeted with the hem of her clothes. My brother. Su Yiyun. Has he really completely thrown his lot in with the demons?

He has. Ye Zichen responded to her tentative question decisively, leaving no room for doubt. In the ambush earlier, we could have finished off a lot more of the demons, which would have been a great help in our future battles. Then he appeared and put an end to their losses. In the past, I couldnt be certain but now I know for sure: he truly has sided with the demons.

Oh. Thats truly a pity, Su Yan sighed.

Then she said gravely, when the time comes, you absolutely must not be softhearted. Since youre certain hes allied with the demons, you have to put aside your former friendship.

I will. Ye Zichen still sat on the ground. Now, he tightly clenched his fists and frowned into the sky. When the time comes, I absolutely wont show mercy. No one can stop me from taking hold of the future. No matter who gets in my way, Ill handle them personally, even if its Ol Three himself.

Thats good. Now that youve said that, I can finally relax. Su Yan smiled and nodded. She put her hand to her forehead and peered up into the clouds. I wont disturb you any longer then. Ill go now, then?

Alright.

Then, just as she was on the verge of leaving, she stopped. Her beautiful face was tense as she repeated herself, seemingly afraid Ye Zichen had forgotten. When the time comes, dont show any mercy. Got it?

I wont.

When she saw Ye Zichen, she turned and left. However, the instant she turned away, her shoulders shook and her warm smile grew devastatingly bleak.

As Ye Zichen watched her leave, he muttered to himself, Im sorry.

Then his gaze grew cold. I cant show mercy, not even if I wanted to, not even if youre. Su Yiyun.

The vast and powerful demon army swept through the sky. By now, there was no longer any trace of sadness in their eyes.

A great battle was about to begin. Even if Black Dragon hadnt warned them, they knew better than to let their emotions sway them.

Gu Li stood before the army, shoulder to shoulder with Black Dragon, yet hed felt a cold chill down his spine the whole way here.

Suddenly, he spoke. I never would have guessed that, after that first ambush in the canyon, we wouldnt encounter anything at all on our way here.

Black Dragon looked at him coldly and snorted, what, you wanted another one?

Your Excellency, youre too sensitive. Gu Li shrugged helplessly. Since they didnt try to ambush us again, it seems theyve decided to simply fight to the death.

I dont need you to remind me of that, replied Black Dragon coolly.

Then he arched his brows and asked, were almost in their inner sanctum, yet I havent seen any of your subordinates even after all this time. Surely youre not planning to make the demons fight the Beast Region on their own while you reap all the benefits?

How could I? Since were working together, I couldnt possibly do something like that. Youve led your entire army to battle. My subordinates will naturally participate as well.

With that, a line of dark shadows came into Black Dragons line of sight. They approached from afar, led by three indistinct figures.

Before long, the three hurried to Gu Lis side.

Gu Li, Your Excellency.

The three arrivals were none other than the Zombie Progenitors: Jiangchen, Hanba, and Houqing. An endless army of hungry, vicious blood zombies followed behind them.

Gu Li nodded at them, then smiled at Black Dragon. Look, Your Excellency. My people are all here.