"My son… I would love to meet my future daughter-in-law as well. Bring her home with you. I'll prepare all your favorite dishes," his mother had written warmly in her letter.
Tian Hao was seated in his chamber, the letter still in his hand. After reading it several times, he leaned back in his chair and drifted into a light nap.
Just then, Mei Lan quietly entered his room.
"Tian Hao… are you asleep?" she asked softly.
He slowly opened his eyes and gave her a gentle smile.
"My mother wrote to me. She asked me to bring you home tomorrow," he said, sitting up. "Will you come with me?"
"Of course. I'd love to," Mei Lan replied without hesitation, a faint blush touching her cheeks.
Tian Hao chuckled softly. "For the next few days, let's forget about the troubles with the Demon Sect. We deserve some time for ourselves too."
Mei Lan nodded. "Yes… just the two of us."
The next morning, they prepared early. As the sun rose, casting golden light across the sect grounds, the two of them set off toward Tian Hao's family home in a carriage, unaware that fate had already begun weaving its next cruel design.
The road beyond the Heavenly Sect was quiet.
Too quiet.
Golden sunlight filtered through ancient trees as Tian Hao walked beside Mei Lan, her white robes fluttering gently in the wind.
"Once everything settles," Tian Hao said smugly, "the elders will surely acknowledge me. Shadow Emperor or not—demons are demons. They will fall eventually."
Mei Lan smiled softly.
"As long as I'm by your side, Tian Hao, power will always come to you."
Suddenly—
A weak cough echoed from the roadside.
They stopped.
At the edge of the forest, a ragged figure lay against a broken tree. His clothes were torn, blood staining his chest, his breathing shallow and uneven.
Mei Lan's eyes widened.
"…Li Feng?"
Tian Hao froze.
Impossible.
He walked closer, sneering.
"So you're still alive?" Tian Hao laughed.
"I heard you died like a dog."
The man lifted his head slowly.
His face was pale. His cultivation felt… nonexistent.
"I… just want to go home…" he whispered hoarsely.
Mei Lan hesitated.
For a brief moment, something flickered in her eyes.
"Tian Hao… should we—"
"Take him," Tian Hao interrupted coldly.
"Let him see what he lost."
They carried him.
Step by step.
Straight into hell.
The House in the Mountains
The house looked ordinary.
Wooden walls. Old lanterns. Peaceful silence.
Too peaceful.
The moment Tian Hao crossed the threshold—
CLICK.
The door slammed shut.
The world twisted.
The sky outside vanished, replaced by crimson clouds and swirling demonic mist.
Mei Lan screamed.
"This—this isn't possible!"
The ragged man stood upright.
Perfectly fine.
No injuries.
No weakness.
Black mist coiled around him as his posture changed completely.
Slow. Calm. Sovereign.
A mask of obsidian formed over his face.
"You finally realized?" he said softly.
Tian Hao staggered back.
"YOU—!"
The mask cracked.
Fell.
And Li Feng stood before them.
Not the broken disciple.
Not the abandoned son.
But the ruler of shadows.
Shadow Emperor.
Mei Lan's legs gave out.
"Li… Feng…?"
Her voice trembled.
"You… you were supposed to be dead…"
Li Feng smiled.
A smile colder than death.
"I was," he said.
"Thanks to you."
The space behind him tore open.
Black flames surged.
And from them stepped Mo Zhu, eyes burning with demonic authority.
Tian Hao collapsed to his knees.
"D-Demon Lord?!"
Mo Zhu didn't even look at him.
"Brother," he said calmly,
"Shall I handle this?"
Li Feng shook his head.
"No."
He walked closer.
Each step crushed Tian Hao's will.
"You told me once," Li Feng said softly,
"That everything I had… belonged to you now."
He crouched, gripping Tian Hao's chin.
"Power."
"Status."
"Her."
Tian Hao sobbed.
"I was wrong! I was wrong! Please—!"
Li Feng turned to Mei Lan.
She was crying.
"Li Feng… I didn't mean it… I was confused… I—"
"You chose power," Li Feng interrupted.
His eyes were empty.
"So did I."
He raised his hand.
Dark chains burst from the ground, wrapping around Mei Lan's limbs.
Her screams echoed endlessly as her cultivation was torn apart piece by piece.
Soul.
Meridians.
Dantian.
Erased.
Li Feng leaned close, whispering:
"You loved strength."
"So die knowing you never truly had it."
Her soul shattered.
Gone.
Li Feng stood.
Tian Hao crawled backward, madness in his eyes.
"No… no no no—!"
Mo Zhu finally moved.
One step.
One hand.
Tian Hao's body exploded into black mist.
No corpse.
No soul.
No reincarnation.
Silence returned.
Li Feng stood alone for a long moment.
Then Mo Zhu placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Is it over?"
Li Feng closed his eyes.
"…No..This is only the beginning.."
He put the mask back on.
And the Shadow Emperor & Demon lord walked away.