Falling Moon Valley lay a hundred miles away from Hollow Ridge. The land was rugged, and the bright moon hung in the deep night, its flowing light as beautiful and enchanting as silver.

After the lord's wedding, Du Meng had left Hollow Ridge to return to the Jiutian Realm, while Wu Yimei settled in the Falling Moon Valley.

A human made town stood several dozen miles away from the Falling Moon Valley. For the past century, Wu Yimei had stationed there, strictly enforcing the Lord's laws. The demonic cultivators dared not disobey even slightly, and there had been no incidents of bullying against humans. Gradually, many ordinary people had started living there, and it had become a large city with a sizable population.

Although the demonic cultivators never interfered in human affairs, it didn't mean that everything inside was perfect.

In the deep alleys of the city at night, were the dimly lit corners that nobody cared about.

The sound of chaotic footsteps echoed.

On the dirty and muddy path, a group of black-clad individuals chased after a mother and daughter.

The woman held the hand of the girl, fleeing in panic without choosing a path. The girl, about seven or eight years old, was dressed in delicate clothes, but at the moment, they were covered in mud and dirt. Her hair was dishevelled, and suddenly...

The sound of a sharp weapon piercing through a body—

The woman looked down, seeing the blood-stained blade tip protruding from her chest. The light in her eyes gradually faded, and she weakly fell to the ground, releasing the hand she was holding onto the girl...

The girl knelt beside the woman, rain falling on her face, mixing with tears. She lifted her head, casting a hateful gaze at the people in front of her, but felt powerless and hopeless...

The group of black-clad men gathered around, intending to kill the girl and eradicate any potential threats. Suddenly, a cold wind blew, and a man dressed in a black robe with a hood stood on the eaves.

Rain fell on him, even dampening the hem of his clothes.

He stood there quietly like a ghost, his face hidden in the shadows.

The group of black-clad men instantly realized he was a demonic cultivator, as only they could be so silent and use spells to avoid water. They felt nervous but quickly calmed down.

Not bullying ordinary people was the iron law of the Demon Lord, and this was the territory of the Great Demon Lord Wu Yimei. While he was cold-blooded and ruthless, he strictly enforced the rules. For over a hundred years, there had been incidents of demonic cultivators harming people within the radius of the Falling Moon Valley. However, similarly, they wouldn't interfere in the fights and disputes among ordinary people... So even if they were demonic cultivators, what could they do? They wouldn't meddle in other people's affairs...

The leader of the black-clad men lifted the girl, respectfully saying, "We didn't mean to disturb the senior. We'll leave now."

With a wave of his hand, they prepared to retreat.

The girl, caught by the man, suddenly showed a fierce look in her eyes, biting the man's hand. The man, who had been worried about the demonic cultivator, yelped in pain and loosened his grip, allowing the girl to escape.

The girl rushed to the front of the black-robed sorcerer, her black eyes burning like flames in the night. She said, "Save me. If you save me, my life will be yours."

Wu Yimei lowered his gaze, observing the girl. Her frail body trembled slightly, yet her eyes reflected an unyielding determination.

For a moment, Wu Yimei's gaze drifted into the past, recalling events from over a hundred years ago.

Back then, his mother, violated by a serpent demon, gave birth to him. Unable to keep him by her side, she hid him in a cave, nurturing him in secret. He lived in darkness, accustomed to its embrace, never considering leaving, for the outside world was alien to him. That small cave was his entire world.

Until one day when his mother did not come back.

Human lives were as insignificant as ants. He left the cave and stealthily entered the city, only to discover that his mother had accidentally offended a noble and was publicly beaten to death. He retrieved her body and that same night, infiltrated the nobleman's residence.

Half of his being was tainted with the impure blood of demons. Though still a weak child, he could temporarily unleash his demonic power. He killed many, but soon his strength waned, and he collapsed amidst the corpses.

Lying among the dead, barely clinging to life, he watched as the remaining enemies gathered around. He knew his end was near, yet he felt no regret or fear, resigned to his hopeless existence.

But then, a youth appeared before him.

The youth's frigid gaze betrayed no emotion as he casually wielded a broken iron blade, casting a chilling smile. With a single glance, he swiftly dispatched the remaining assailants.

In the courtyard, only the youth and him remained.

The youth glanced at him coldly and asked, "Do you want to live?"

Wu Yimei pondered for a moment and replied, "I don't want to die."

Yes, he merely wanted to live. Life held no profound meaning for him. He had never truly lived like a human, yet he was not ready to die either. He would not let others easily take his life. Given the slightest chance, he would eliminate his enemies.

It was an instinct ingrained in his very being.

A decade passed in the blink of an eye.

The once youthful figure had ascended to become the Sovereign of Demons, while he became his disciple.

*

Ten years passed in the blink of an eye.

From Wu Yimei's perspective, whether Yan Sui was a human, a demon, a fairy, or any other being, it didn't make a difference. When Yan Sui urged him to continue living, he found himself with nowhere else to turn, uncertain of what to do next, so he simply followed Yan Sui's guidance.

Over time, following Yan Sui became his routine, despite recognizing Yan Sui's own inner struggles and uncertainties about living as a human being. However, these concerns didn't trouble him. At least, he was no longer as vulnerable as an ant, subject to being crushed at will.

Everything he possessed now had been bestowed upon him by Yan Sui.

Then, one day, the transformation initiated by Yu Yijun's return began to unfold.

The youth who had saved him, once a sorcerer of disdain, changed. He was no longer the puppet of vengeance but seemed to have regained his soul, trusting Yan Sui without hesitation, smiling at him, caring about what he liked to eat, taking him to explore the mountains and rivers, encouraging him to appreciate the scenery around him. He treated Yan Sui with kindness and warmth, treating him like a human being.

It was everything that Yan Sui had never experienced before, nor had he ever dared to hope for it.

In that moment, Wu Yimei had his doubts.

Yet, it was impossible for someone to possess the body of Yan Sui, nor could anyone deceive his eyes by pretending to be him. Perhaps it was Yan Sui who changed under Wu Yimei's influence. That's what he told himself.

Most importantly, Wu Yimei did not resent this change. He didn't want to delve deeper.
He received something from his master that he hadn't been able to obtain in the past decade, prompting him to realize that he hadn't truly cared about anything all along.

Being trusted, cared for, and taken seriously was a feeling he had never known. He wanted to continue staying by the side of humans.

Even after Xie Huai took his place and became the most important person by Yan Sui‘s side, Wu Yimei never thought of leaving. He cherished the warmth and wanted to continue following the figure of that person.

The demon Lord had never distanced himself from Wu Yimei. He still trusted and cared for him. However, in the second year of their marriage, Yan Sui told him the truth; he wasn't his Yan Sui; he was an outsider. The real Yan Sui had succumbed to madness and died during the siege of Cloudbank Peak on that day.

For some reason...

When Wu Yimei learned the truth, he was surprised.

It was as if his suspicions had been confirmed, buried deep within his heart and only now coming to light.

Since that was the case, should he leave the human?

But if he left, where could he go?

He had long been accustomed to following others, not knowing how to live alone. If he didn't have a singular goal, then what was the meaning of his existence?

He didn't hesitate for long, indicating that he was willing to continue serving.

Yet, Yan Sui told him that he should go and explore.

He would continue to trust him as always and welcome him back at any time, but his world shouldn't revolve around Yan Sui alone. Wu Yimei also had the right to his own life.

But what constituted his own life?

Wu Yimei didn't understand.

He left Hollow Ridge and settled in Falling Moon Valley.

For centuries, he ensured the laws of Yan Sui were enforced, remaining a loyal subordinate. Apart from that, he didn't know what else he could do or what he wanted to do.

*

However, in a moment...

He looked at the girl under the eaves and recalled his past self.

That day, someone had pulled him out of the pile of corpses, changing his fate. Perhaps he could change someone else's fate too.

He wanted to save her.

It was the first time he wanted to do something, not because of his lord's command, but simply because he wanted to.

Although it seemed like a lot of thought, it was actually just a fleeting moment.

The man in black rushed forward to take the girl away, but Wu Yimei raised his hand and gently waved it. The man froze in place, unable to move.

Wu Yimei slowly lifted his hood, revealing his cold crimson eyes. He looked at the girl, his voice cold and hoarse, "I promise you."

A sudden light of joy flickered in the girl's eyes.

Wu Yimei paused, his gaze sweeping over the terrified group of men in black. He said slowly, "I won't kill mortals. If you want revenge, take your own decisions in the future."

The girl nodded vigorously.

Being saved was already satisfying; of course, she would seek revenge with her own hands!

Wu Yimei looked at the girl's young and resolute face. Although she was still a child, her strong determination for life was different from his past self...

He lifted the girl with one hand, leaving behind the frightened people, disappearing into the darkness of the night.

*

The demon cultivators in Falling Moon Valley were recently surprised to see their leader bringing back a mortal!

Moreover, it was a seven or eight-year-old girl.

Where did she come from?

Under Yan Sui's strict rules, the demon cultivators dared not bully mortals, and Yan Sui himself led by example. Naturally, the girl couldn't have been seized by Wu Yimei. Could she have been bought? Although demon cultivators might buy concubines, wasn't she too young for that? It would take at least ten more years for her to grow up!

What use could a little maid be bought for? It was not even convenient as a servant. Could it be that she was bought to be a daughter?

The demon cultivators found it impossible to believe.

Their leader had a cold and gloomy personality. How could he possibly have the patience to raise a child?

The little girl entering Falling Moon Valley was like a lamb entering a wolf's den. If it were any other mortal, they would have been terrified, but she was quite brave.

The girl remained undeterred by the indifference of others. She roamed around Falling Moon Valley, gathering fruits and seeking Wu Yimei's presence for rest.

The demon cultivator stationed outside Wu Yimei's residence was vigilant. Upon seeing the little girl approaching with fruits in her arms, he was puzzled and gestured to shoo her away. The boss detested interruptions. How could a mere mortal be allowed to disturb him?

Just as he was about to oppose her, a cold voice resonated from within: "Let her in."

The cautious girl entered, offering the fruits to Wu Yimei. "I just picked them. They're delicious. I want to share them with you," she said.

The observing demon cultivator peeked curiously from the doorway. Surprisingly, the boss permitted the girl's entry, but surely he wouldn't indulge in such humble offerings?

Wu Yimei lowered his gaze and observed the girl. Despite recently losing her family, she hadn't succumbed to despair. Instead, she sought solace in simple gestures, even if they were awkward, knowing it was all she could do at the moment...

She held the fruits as if they were treasures, her eyes shining with anticipation. Her resilience and determination were evident.

She desired to live and thrive, hence her diligent efforts.

Wu Yimei closed his eyes, recalling his superior's advice to live like a human being. He was uncertain about this concept, but the girl before him seemed to understand...

Her perspective on life differed from his own. Despite facing adversity, she harboured hope for survival. If given the chance, she would grow like a weed.

She would live well.

Wu Yimei instinctively reached out, accepting the fruit from the girl's hand and taking a bite. It had been a while since he last ate since parting ways with His Lord. The fruit was sour, yet its taste was novel, spreading slowly across his palate.

Observing him eat, the girl's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she cautiously inquired, "Can you practice with me?"

The demon cultivator at the door was astonished to see Wu Yimei actually consuming the half-red fruit. How could the boss indulge in such meal? Yet, Wu Yimei conceded, and the determined girl persisted in her efforts, even daring to request training from the boss.

It's merely a few fruits, yet she seeks to change the Master? Quite a bold move indeed!

He couldn't fathom who the boss was, but the Demon Lord was a formidable cultivator capable of vanquishing thousands! Could he be anyone else's boss?!

 

Wu Yimei said coldly: " Okay. "

The demon cultivator who was watching: "..."

The girl was overjoyed, knelt down and said crisply: " Master! "

The demon cultivator was shocked and looked at the scene in a daze. Maybe the boss was just too bored and really wanted to recruit a disciple for fun ... ?

Wu Yimei said coldly: " I'm better than others, it's up to you how much you can learn. "

Then he stood up and said: " Follow me. "

The girl showed a bright smile: " Yes, Master! "

*

A year passed.

Everyone in Falling Moon Valley knew that Wu Yimei, Yan Sui's disciple, was almost like his daughter... the young lady of Falling Moon Valley.

Ever since the young lady arrived, she was either climbing trees to find bird nests or fishing in the river. She was wilder than boys. Of course, she was also very serious about her cultivation, and the demon cultivators who accompanied her in practice found it extremely exhausting...

But Falling Moon Valley was no longer as gloomy as before. It became much livelier. Wu Yimei's subordinates gradually discovered that Wu Yimei also had a patient side. Was raising a child really that enjoyable? They couldn't figure it out...

The news reached the Demon Lord's ears, and he was very pleased, bestowing many treasures upon the young lady.

From then on, the young lady's status was firmly established, and nobody dared to disrespect her. After all, she was protected by the Demon Lord!

Wu Yimei‘s courtyard was still deep in Falling Moon Valley. After a year, many small flowers had grown in the courtyard's stone crevices, vibrant and resilient.

The girl wielded dual blades with sharp edges. She performed a fluid dance with them, feeling as if she had found a treasure. Excitedly, she said, "Master, the treasures given by the Demon Lord are really useful!"

Wu Yimei nodded expressionlessly.

But the girl, with a serious expression, said, "But I know it's all because of you, Master, that the Demon Lord gave them to me!"

Though young, she understood a lot.

Wu Yimei replied, "It doesn't matter."

The girl looked at him earnestly, her eyes bright and black, and said, "But it matters a lot to me."

Wu Yimei thought to himself, ‘Let her be,’ as he was about to leave. But suddenly, the girl came over and hugged his hand. With a bright smile on her small face, she looked up and said, "Master, I want to go out and play. Will you accompany me? The Flower Lantern Festival in May City seems really fun!"

Wu Yimei didn't think he was that bored to accompany an eight-year-old girl to play. But as he lowered his gaze and looked at the girl's expectant eyes, he unexpectedly said, "Okay."

Just this once, not to be repeated.

He reminded himself.

The girl, however, looked at him with surprise and joy, saying, "Master is the best!"

She took Wu Yimei’s hand and walked outside.

Wu Yimei was pulled by the girl and lost in thought for a moment...

He thought, perhaps this is what it means to live.

 

Translator : DarNan