The Imperial Palace's Hall of Judgment was colder than Wuhen Cliff.
Not because of the open windows or marble floors—but because of the air of betrayal.
Crown Prince Longxuan knelt on the cold jade tiles, wrists bound in chains of celestial steel. His robes were bloodstained, his eyes dark and sleepless. But he did not beg.
Not once.
Above him, on the throne carved of dragonbone and gold, sat the Emperor—expression unreadable, flanked by officials and deities.
"You dared to love the reincarnation of MoTianzun," the Emperor finally said. "Not only that, you concealed it from your father, fromyour people… fromyourancestors."
Longxuan did not raise his head.
"I did."
A murmur spread through the court.
"And do you regretit?" the Emperor asked.
Apause.
Then—
"No."
That single word slammed through the chamber like a divine strike.
The Emperor rose to his feet.
"Then you are no longer fit to wed for love. You are no longer fit to decide your fate. Since you have chosen a path againstheaven—heaven shallchoosefor you."
A girl stepped forward from behind the curtains, her robes shimmering like spring water.
Concubine Mu Shuirou.
The fox-like smile she wore was delicate and sweet—but her eyes glimmered with quiet victory.
"You shall marry Mu Shuirou in threedays' time," the Emperor declared. "And all records of the traitor Lin Xuanji shall be erased. He will be remembered not asyourlove—but as amistake."
Longxuan's heart squeezed, but he did not speak.
Because he knew if he did, he would say something that would make things worse for Xuanji.
He had no power now.
Only silence.
And silence tasted like ash.
———
Far away, beyond the palace and the judgment halls, the Liu Twins returned to Yunxiao Sect.
Fenglan barely spoke.
Zhenhai walked a few paces ahead, hands clenched at his sides.
When they stepped through the silver barrier and up the cloudlit stairs to the main hall, the scent of sandalwood and plum blossoms met them.
Sect Leader Ruyan sat beneath the ancestral banners, flanked by inner elders. Beside her, a young woman in cyan robes stood tall and stiff—her face pale with concern.
"Xuanji," she whispered as soon as she saw the blood on Fenglan's sleeve. "Where is my brother?"
It was Qingyu.
The Young Mistress of Yunxiao Sect.
Ruyan's eyes narrowed as she rose to her feet. "Where is Xuanji?"
Fenglan fell to his knees.
"Gone," he said in a cracked voice. "He—fell. Wuhen Cliff."
"No…" Qingyu shook her head, taking a step forward. "That can't be—he wouldn't just—he's not—"
Zhenhai knelt as well, biting his lip.
"It was Liu Shengjie," he said, voice like stone. "He… accused him of being Mo Tianzun. And pushed him."
Silence swept the hall.
Ruyan looked as though the heavens had cracked open above her head.
Qingyu collapsed to her knees, tears already forming.
"No… no—he's not the Demon Lord—he'smy brother!"
Zhenhai whispered, "Even if he is… he never once hurt anyone who didn't hurt him first. He saved a whole village not to gain but to help."
"And the Crown Prince?" Ruyan asked, voice trembling between rage and heartbreak.
"They… were inlove."
Everyone in the hall froze.
Qingyu covered her mouth with both hands, her shoulders shaking.
Ruyan turned toward the burning incense.
"What have you done, Shengjie…" she whispered. "What have you done…"
Outside, the clouds began to stir.
As though heaven itself had heard the story—and would no longer remain silent.