The Demon Lord's Second Life[BL]

The jade halls of the Imperial Palace glowed beneath the rising sun, but peace had long since fled from within its golden walls.

"Your Majesty," a soft, quivering voice spoke through the haze of incense. "My… my husband did not return to our chambers last night…"

Mu Shuirou, clad in her finest moon-embroidered silk, lowered her veil with trembling fingers. Her cheeks glistened with carefully placed tears.

The Empress Dowager's fan snapped closed with a harsh clack.

"What did you say?" she hissed, voice shrill.

Mu Shuirou clutched her hands together, feigning helplessness. "He… he's been sleeping elsewhere. I've done everything I can as a wife. I tried to please him, to care for him. But he's still out there, hiding in another sect… Yunxiao Sect."

Gasps rippled through the chamber.

The Empress Dowager stood in fury, throwing aside her silken sleeves. "How dare he dishonor his royal wife?!"

"I didn't want to complain, truly," Mu Shuirou added, her voice soft as silk but poison beneath. "But… what if he's been seduced by someone? Maybe even that… demon from the north?"

CRASH!

The Emperor slammed his jade scepter into the ground.

"General Lin!" he barked.

A stoic general entered and bowed deeply. "Your Majesty."

"Take the Crown Prince back from Yunxiao Sect. Imprison him in the Eastern Tower for defying the crown. Until further notice, he is stripped of his title and privileges!"

The order echoed like thunder.

Mu Shuirou lowered her gaze, hiding the cold glint in her eyes.

———

Meanwhile in Yunxiao Sect...

Peace didn't last long.

It began with a single thunderous knock at the Yunxiao gates.

"By decree of His Majesty—! Open the gates at once!"

The Liu Twins looked up from their sparring session.

Jiang Fenglie, who had been feeding one of the spirit beasts, blinked. "What now?"

Then came the armored imperial guards, over a dozen in number, storming in with banners held high.

Sect Leader Ruyan's brows furrowed. "What is the meaning of this?!"

The lead general raised the scroll. "By the Emperor's command, the Crown Prince is to be taken into custody and returned to the palace. He is accused of abandoning his royal duties and violating Imperial conduct."

The air turned cold.

Mo Tianzun stepped forward from the training hall, his long robe billowing with spiritual force. "What violation?"

Before the general could answer, Longxuan appeared from behind the pillar.

"No need," the prince said calmly. "I'll go."

Tianzun's eyes widened. "Longxuan—"

"I said I'll go," Longxuan snapped. But his voice was not aimed at the guards—it was aimed at him.

The soldiers moved to surround him, but Tianzun stepped forward.

"I'll come too—"

"No," Longxuan said, avoiding his eyes. "You've done enough."

The silence that followed was ice cold.

Zhenhai stepped forward. "Prince—"

"Don't," Longxuan said sharply.

Fenglan winced. "We didn't even do anything."

Jiang Fenglie looked between them. "I swear this is all Shuirou's fault. Or the Empress Dowager. Or both."

Huayin looked at Shuiyun. "Is this… royal drama?"

"Mm. High-tier one."

Tianzun stood still. But his voice was calm. "Let him go."

Everyone turned.

His white hair swayed in the breeze, and though he smiled gently, his eyes betrayed the ache behind them. "If the Emperor wants him back… then it must be done. He is still the prince."

Longxuan's fists clenched. "Why do you always do this? Why do you always let go?"

"I have to," Tianzun whispered. "Because I've decided… I'll walk this path alone now."

There was a long pause.

Then Longxuan turned away. Without another word, he allowed himself to be escorted by the guards. As they passed through the gates, his back was rigid—but his heart screamed louder than he ever had.

.

.

That Night...

Tianzun sat alone at the edge of the cliff outside the Yunxiao Sect.

The moonlight bathed the snow-covered rocks in silver.

He drank quietly from a small porcelain cup. No one had followed him—not the twins, not Huayin, not even Shuiyun. Perhaps they knew he needed the silence. Or perhaps they were just grieving too.

He didn't cry.

He didn't scream.

He only stared into the stars, wondering when it had all turned to ash.