"Putting that aside..." Tristan took out his phone and handed it to Shin. "Have you seen what's happening online? I saw it after landing in the neighboring city and already asked Junho to trace the source."
Shin had been entirely focused on Yeri and had scarcely looked at his phone, much less social media.
His gaze fell on the screen.
The trending topics were exploding with reports claiming that both Yeri and Calin Ricci were 'dead'.
According to the fabricated story, Calin had finally revealed her true colors, tracked Yeri down, and the two had fought each other to the death.
The narration was outrageous with fake eyewitness accounts, AI-generated photos and videos.
Yet despite how absurd it all was, countless people were believing every word of it.
"I've seen love triangles with two men and one woman, but damn, I can't even blame these two women for fighting to the death. After all, the prize is Shin Keir. It's really a new generation now. 😭" one of the top comments read.
"I'm happy both of my rivals are gone, lol. Calin Ricci had been pretending to be elegant while hiding her true vicious nature. As for Yeri Zhi, she's been playing the delicate and fragile act, just as hypocritical as Calin. Heaven was watching and didn't let either of these poisonous women end up with Shin Keir," another commented, only to be immediately bombarded with replies:
"Dumbass, don't forget Yeri was pregnant. Whether it's true or not doesn't change the fact that Shin Keir loves her."
"Even if these two women really unalived themselves, it still wouldn't be your turn. Don't be so delulu."
From hundreds to thousands of comments, SJ Entertainment, particularly Saeki Jie, released an official statement declaring that the agency would pursue legal action on behalf of their artist, Yeri Zhi, against those spreading rumors, defamatory statements, and false news.
However, the announcement only ignited another wave of controversy.
Netizens were shocked to see Yeri Zhi's name instead of Calin Ricci's, considering the latter had once been one of the agency's top artists.
Many quickly accused SJ Entertainment of abandoning Calin and, worse, replacing her with her longtime rival. No wonder, they claimed, Calin hated Yeri even more.
"In dramas, the male lead's friends always follow whatever the main character says. Looks like it isn't that far-fetched after all and even happens in real life. Everyone knows Saeki Jie is one of Shin's closest friends."
"How did Yeri Zhi end up under SJ Entertainment's management? Is she planning to debut or something? Honestly, I applaud her. Is this her revenge against Calin, who kept targeting her? By slowly taking everything that used to belong to Calin?"
"There are so many comments, but think about why Saeki Jie released an official statement. Doesn't that mean the news about Yeri Zhi being dead isn't true? How credible are these so-called sources anyway?"
Shin barely frowned as he looked at the chaos unfolding online.
"Look into Yeri's classmates as well," he said to Tristan. "It must be one of them."
He then checked his phone and almost forgot about Yeri's parents. Since they couldn't reach Yeri and had likely seen the news, the Zhi couple must have been just as anxious.
As expected, there were several missed calls and messages from Master Zhi.
"Check her condition first. I'll make a few calls," Shin instructed.
Tristan stepped closer to Yeri, his expression turning solemn.
Judging by the black veins that had spread across her entire body, her condition was even worse than last time.
Just as he reached out to touch her forehead, a small shadow darted behind him.
Prince Xati pointed at Yeri and shouted, "Who is this human? Why do both of you care so much about her? Why can I feel Empress Mother's essence within her? Did this human steal it?"
Tristan pondered for a moment before a meaningful smile curved on his lips.
"Would you believe me if I told you she's the Empress?"
The little prince's face immediately twisted in outrage. "Preposterous! You blasphemous demon who discarded your honor and wore the filthy skin of a human deserves to be executed! You and that mad emperor both deserve to die- "
Before he could finish, Shin returned after making his calls and silenced him with a single ability.
Prince Xati "..."
Stomping his feet in fury, he tried to lunge at Shin, but his body refused to obey.
Shackles formed from the restraints of the Light Realm coiled around him, suppressing every movement.
Tristan shifted his attention to Shin. "There's nothing I can do. Last time this happened, you already know her body couldn't handle it. It's too risky to enter her mind again. And besides..."
He paused, glancing at Prince Xati before looking back at Shin.
"Go on."
Understanding Tristan's intention, Shin distorted the surrounding space. Even with the little demon standing nearby, he would no longer be able to hear their conversation.
"If the little prince truly has the key," Tristan said quietly, "then perhaps it's time he learns the truth."
It wasn't impossible that Prince Xati possessed the key.
From sneaking out of the palace, picking fights with demon beasts, stealing forbidden scrolls, to causing countless other disasters, the little prince was just as troublesome and quite formidable in power and abilities compared to other demons.
Moreover, he had inherited not only a portion of Shin's abilities as the Demon Emperor but also part of the once-feared curse that belonged to the throne's Empress, Jewel. That alone made the little prince's powers just as terrifying.
"Go back to the demon realm and throw him into the Abyss for me," Shin finally said.
Tristan was rendered speechless.
Did he think returning to the demon realm was as easy as knocking on a neighbor's door?
First of all, there was the time difference between the human realm and the demon realm. If he returned there now, by the time he came back, the body he currently occupied as Tristan Felan would likely be old and decrepit.
Second, how could he casually throw the little prince into the Abyss without a trial?
The palace elders would certainly raise objections. Although they had once feared and opposed Empress Jewel while she was alive, for some inexplicable reason, they had become unusually fond of this little troublemaker.
Tristan could only assume Prince Xati had inherited a portion of Empress Jewel's bewitching ability as well, making other demons instinctively adore him.
"I'll do as you say," Tristan said with a helpless shrug. "But I may not be able to return as Tristan Felan anymore."
Shin glanced at the little demon, who struggled like a captured beast. If not for the restraints binding him, he would have already wreaked havoc once again.
Besides, even if Prince Xati were imprisoned in the Abyss, there was no guarantee he wouldn't escape and find another way into the human realm.
Suddenly, something occurred to him and his eyes narrowed.
When he had left the demon realm, his profound spiritual cultivation had allowed him to split his consciousness. One part of him remained in the demon realm as its emperor, while another existed here as Shin Keir.
So how had his other self failed to notice that this little abomination had escaped the palace?
With long strides, Shin walked over, grabbed Prince Xati by one leg, and lifted him upside down.
"Why didn't the elders and the gate guardians realize you weren't in the palace?" he asked coldly.
"Let go of me!" Prince Xati screamed furiously, thrashing in the air. "I refuse to be touched by the very demon who murdered his own Empress!"
Shin remained expressionless. He was just about to slam the little prince against the wall when the Light Realm being stopped him.
"Emperor Hexion," the being said calmly, "the worsening weather isn't merely because you aren't suppressing your abilities. This realm can still sense your overwhelming aura, especially with a demon prince who isn't inhabiting a human body. The more agitated he becomes, the more unstable this world's weather will grow."
Shin "..."
Unfortunately, beating the answer out of Prince Xati using ordinary human methods was clearly not an option.
It wasn't that Shin wasn't aware of all this. The problem was that once this little demon learned the truth, just like before, he would undoubtedly compete with him for Yeri's attention.
A sinister thought crossed his mind as the mad emperor. In fact, he had long wanted to erase Prince Xati from existence. Yet, no matter how often the thought surfaced, he could never bring himself to do it.
As much as they despised each other as father and son, Prince Xati was the living proof that he and Jewel had once shared something that could never be replaced.
In the end, with a simple snap of his fingers, Shin transferred his memories to the little demon.
How he had arrived in the Human Realm.
How a strand of Empress Jewel's essence had accompanied him.
And how that very essence had become the present-day Yeri.
For a long moment, Prince Xati simply stood there.
The boundless rage and destructive aura that had consumed him moments ago completely vanished.
"Did you use another forbidden scroll?" Shin asked. Although his voice remained cold, it was no longer filled with the same murderous intent as before.
Prince Xati gave a blank nod, his gaze never leaving Yeri.
Tristan let out a whistle before leaning closer to Shin.
"When someone's determined, there are always countless ways," he muttered. "When they aren't, there are only countless excuses. Barely any time has passed in the Demon Realm, yet your son has learned surprisingly fast."
Shin shot him a flat look.
Learned what? More ways to break the rules and create disasters?
"It's all your fault!" Prince Xati suddenly shouted, his eyes burning with accusation and hatred. "If you hadn't used your sword back then... Empress Mother wouldn't have..."
His voice caught in his throat.
Although the little prince now knew that Yeri had once been Empress Jewel, he still didn't know the devastating truth.
Should Shin tell him?
That Jewel's death had been orchestrated by none other than by herself?
Should he shatter the illusion the little prince had treasured all this time?
That the Empress Mother he loved so dearly had been incapable of genuine emotion?
That every bit of affection she had shown him might have been nothing more than a role she chose to play?