Chapter 118: A Brief Moment of Peace

In the eighth millennium, on the twelfth day of the third month of the Sword Qi Era, news spread throughout the Demon Domain that Moran and Muyan, leading a million elite Demon Race troops against the Human Race, had suffered a devastating defeat. Their entire army was wiped out.

The whole Demon Domain was plunged into deep sorrow. Hundreds of millions of demons were lost in grief and couldn’t pull themselves out of it.

They were shocked and heartbroken by the failure of the war, overcome with longing and mourning for their fallen kin.

Every face was marked by sadness and anger. No one could accept this harsh reality, and the Demon Domain was shrouded in tangled, bitter emotions.

The Demon God King, Lin Mo, was especially furious. This defeat brought him a level of anger and disappointment he had never known. He’d believed that, with two Demon Saints leading the way, such a crushing loss—total annihilation—should’ve been impossible.

The utter destruction of his elite forces was an outcome he could never have predicted.

He understood this blow was crippling for the Demon Race—not just losing a massive portion of their power, but crushing their spirit in the process.

He made up his mind to send ten million demon soldiers to invade the Human lands and avenge Moran, Muyan, and their million-strong army.

But when the vanguard reached the rift’s seal, they discovered in shock that the barrier had been completely restored—intact, without so much as a crack.

They were consumed by helpless fury. None of them could figure out who managed to strengthen the seal so quickly, or how it became so unbreakable.

Tempers boiled over. Unable to accept the truth, they tried everything to break through the seal, but it didn’t budge an inch.

In the end, all they could do was walk away, seething and unsettled, now wary of whoever had such mysterious power.

………………

“Some rejoice, others grieve. The ways of the world drift like clouds—one moment laughter, the next tears; all things come and go, and joy and pain never last.”

Even though the Human Race had claimed victory this time, not a single person could find real happiness.

Weariness and sorrow were written across their faces. Tears shimmered in their eyes.

The sheer cruelty and destruction of war tore at every heart.

Many families had lost loved ones. Others had lost their homes. The tragedy of being torn apart haunted the land, playing out again and again.

People couldn’t forget the scenes of devastation, nor the countless lives vanishing in the flames of war.

But there was no time to sink into grief. The race to rebuild their homes couldn’t wait. They had to act quickly.

Wrapped in sadness, a sense of responsibility and duty spurred them on—to avenge those lost, and to bring new hope to the battered land.

So the Humans threw themselves into rebuilding. With their own hands, they worked day and night, patching broken city gates and raising fallen walls.

They toiled on undaunted, unafraid of hardship, desperate to bring life back to their homeland. Working together, they hung new gates where the old ones had collapsed and straightened buildings that had crumbled.

Every effort was made to restore every corner, until the land bloomed once more with the beauty and promise it had once known.

………………

Sky Sword City—a bustling, booming metropolis. But just outside its edge, tucked deep within a quiet, thick forest, stood a small cabin, silent and tiny amid the trees.

Inside that cozy, simple cabin, a handsome young man had been lying unconscious for days. This was Gu Xiaoyao.

Bai Ting paced anxiously at the bedside.

Her eyes brimmed with worry and concern, her heart full of longing for Gu Xiaoyao.

She gently clasped his hand, silently wishing her warmth could reach him through the haze.

Bai Ting had stayed close these last few days, caring for him without rest.

She dipped a cool towel and lightly dabbed his forehead, hoping to bring him a sliver of comfort.

But no matter what Bai Ting tried, Gu Xiaoyao didn’t wake. The weight of helplessness and pain pressed heavy on her heart.

She had no idea how to bring him back, blaming herself the whole time. “Young Master Gu should’ve been free to roam the world, but for protecting me… now he’s lost in this sleep.”

With hands clenched together, Bai Ting sat uneasily by the bed, watching Gu Xiaoyao in silence, terrified he might never open his eyes again.

She prayed to the heavens, begging for a miracle—just to see Gu Xiaoyao wake up safe and sound.

Days slipped by, but Bai Ting never left his side.

Her own strength was failing, but she believed as long as she didn’t give up, he’d come back to her.

At last, on a bright morning, Gu Xiaoyao’s fingers twitched. Bai Ting’s head shot up in surprise as he slowly opened his eyes.

There was confusion in his gaze at first, but when he saw Bai Ting, a soft warmth flickered in his eyes.

Overcome with emotion, Bai Ting threw her arms around Gu Xiaoyao, tears spilling down her cheeks.

“Thank goodness you’re awake, Young Master Gu… If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be like this.”

Gu Xiaoyao smiled faintly. “Miss Bai, you don’t need to blame yourself. Even if I had the chance to choose again, I’d make the same decision.”

“What day is it now? I feel like I’ve been asleep for ages—I can’t remember anything that happened after.”

Through her tears, Bai Ting finally managed a smile. “You’ve been unconscious for five days, Young Master Gu. That day, the demon tried to attack us—”

“But in the nick of time, a senior came and saved us. She stopped your wounds, then I brought you here to this little cabin.”

A sense of dread ran through Gu Xiaoyao. He strode out even without his coat, taking in the green earth and clear blue sky as the wind swept his hair.

“Come, put this on. It’s chilly outside,” Bai Ting said, draping a coat gently over his shoulders.

She stood quietly by his side, treasuring this fleeting moment of peace.

“The world will find its peace again—I promise you these tranquil days will return.”

“Jinxuan, it feels like our wish might finally come true. That day will come!”