Even after killing the various demon generals, the three of them could not immediately enter the next game. After all, the hint stated that only the new demon king could decide whether the team could clear the game. Although You Yi had become the next demon king without a doubt, he still lacked a ceremony.
The Ceremony to Become the Demon King.
Fortunately, they did not have to wait long; the ceremony could be held the day after tomorrow, at the Five Corners Square.
The soldiers of the four legions, having lost their leader, were like headless flies, gathering aimlessly in the square. They were disrupted and absorbed by the Lust Legion, which transformed into a large, unique force. The demons, who were already low in loyalty, showed no desire to avenge their deceased former leader. Instead, they all expressed admiration and flattery towards the current leader, their awareness of the situation astonishing.
You Yi, dressed in a black robe with long hair flowing down, stood at the front, with Xin Meng and Qi Xiao Kui flanking him.
In the high sky ahead, an indescribable wave emanated. Looking up along that invisible wave, one could see the golden throne that represented supreme power and honor.
The throne floated in mid-air, with dazzling gems and brilliant gold interwoven, exuding a dreamy allure.
It was exactly the same as what they had seen in the mural at the beginning.
The old demon king, in his most arrogant and proud moments, sat on this throne, trampling the six demon generals and all the demons beneath him, viewing others as mere ants. In the end, however, he grew old and frail, unable to maintain his seat, and fell from the throne. The other six fought among themselves, each wanting his life, while his hand still reached out towards the throne.
This shows the allure of the throne, or rather, what is truly captivating is the supreme power it represents.
However, when Xin Meng was dazzled by the splendor, an unrelated thought suddenly popped into his mind—perhaps the Greedy Demon General wanted to become the demon king simply for this large chunk of gold!
When the old arrogant king was still around, the Greedy Demon General could see this solid gold block every day, yet could not obtain it. One could only imagine how large his psychological shadow had grown over the years…
He accidentally made eye contact with Qi Xiao Kui and found that she also wore a sympathetic expression. It seemed they were thinking along the same lines.
The ceremony to become the demon king was quite simple. As long as You Yi flew forward and sat on the throne, the demons below would kneel in worship, and that would complete the process. At that time, with just one word, they could clear the game.
Although they knew this was merely a procedure, there were still hundreds of demons standing in the square, and his… teammate was about to become the king of these people. Just thinking about it was a bit exciting!
It felt as if he were the one going up there. Xin Meng held his head high, bursting with excitement, even happier than You Yi.
You Yi glanced at him and strode forward, while Xin Meng hurriedly jogged to catch up. Qi Xiao Kui, being perceptive, wisely stayed behind.
When the two reached the base of the throne, You Yi suddenly stopped, turned around, and faced Xin Meng.
Xin Meng, facing him, cheerfully urged, “Hurry up, hurry up! You’re about to become the demon king! That’s amazing! It’s a pity we can’t record it; I really want to capture this moment!”
But You Yi did not move; instead, he reached out his hand towards him.
Xin Meng was taken aback, and then thought, could it be that You Yi wanted to do something like those domineering emperors in certain novels, daring to embrace the empress while ascending to the throne to show that his kingdom was shared with the person beside him?
Although… although the idea of an empress was a bit off, if he wanted to take him up there, it wouldn’t be too bad…
Perhaps it was the overly safe environment, or perhaps it was the imminent clearing of the game. As Xin Meng relaxed, his thoughts ran wild, nearly making his face flush. He quickly stopped his wild imagination; if the other party found out, how embarrassing would that be…
He nervously placed his hand on You Yi’s palm, which was quickly grasped. A force pulled him in, and Xin Meng found himself falling into the man’s embrace.
Qi Xiao Kui, watching from a distance, felt her face heat up, secretly cursing these two for constantly forcing others to eat dog food. It was infuriating! She really wanted to burn this pair of dog boys!
She turned her head to the side.
However, the change happened in an instant.
When she heard Xin Meng’s scream, she immediately turned back, and the scene before her left her in shock, mouth agape!
You Yi was holding Xin Meng’s hand with both of his, and Xin Meng’s hand had somehow been slipped a very sharp dagger. At that moment, the dagger was only partially visible, its blade buried deep in You Yi’s left chest, piercing straight into his heart!
Xin Meng screamed, trying to pull his hand away, but You Yi held on tightly, refusing to let him escape. Instead, he leaned in and gave him a bloody kiss.
His mind went blank. Xin Meng, tears streaming down his face, shook his head frantically, yet his lips were still captured. Then, something hot entered his mouth, and before he could react, it slid down his throat. The taste of blood filled his mouth, mingled with the familiar scent that belonged to a man…
Xin Meng felt as if he were dying from the pain, his heart aching so much that he couldn’t utter a word. The color drained from his face, and his legs went weak, unable to support him, nearly collapsing to the ground.
Why… why did it have to be like this…
Was this a nightmare…?
The body he had been leaning against, the man’s body, could no longer support his weight due to the loss of life, and it fell backward, taking him down with it. Xin Meng made no other movements, and amidst Qi Xiao Kui’s screams, he simply fell, lying on the man’s chest. His head spun, not from the impact, but from the sight of jumping golden stars, growing more and more numerous and larger… He opened his eyes wide but saw nothing, and finally, everything went completely dark.
He fainted.
When Xin Meng woke up again, he was lying on the ground, and Qi Xiao Kui was squatting beside him, looking at him with a worried expression. He felt something at the corner of his eye and turned to see Qi Xiao Kui using a handkerchief to wipe his tears. The white handkerchief was completely soaked, dripping with water.
Qi Xiao Kui did not dare to tell him that he had been crying continuously while unconscious, only managing a forced smile as she said, “You’re awake?”
His body felt as if something had changed, becoming lighter and stronger, as if the previously crippled strength had surged to an incredible level.
However, Xin Meng still felt weak. This weakness rose from deep within, and no matter how strong his body became, this feeling of exhaustion made it nearly impossible for him to speak.
He turned his head, and You Yi lay beside him, quietly with his eyes closed.
Even when asleep, this man was still so handsome.
But he no longer breathed.
A sharp, dense pain surged again, growing more intense, as if an invisible hand was squeezing his heart, tearing it apart at will. He gasped for breath, as if he couldn’t get enough air!
Qi Xiao Kui was frantic. She had not expected things to develop this way. Thinking back to how she had previously complained about their excessive affection, it was now a situation of sorrow. She thought for a moment and stammered, “It’s… it’s okay… he just… just died… once, he’s not really dead…”
After saying that, she saw Xin Meng’s face twist in pain at her repeated use of the word “dead.” She wished she could slap herself a few times for being so clumsy with her words!
Usually, when she was feeling down, it was Xin Meng who comforted her. He always knew just what to say to make her feel better and at ease. Yet now, when it was his turn to need comfort, she had only poured salt on his wounds!
She knew very well that although he wasn’t truly dead, the feeling of having personally killed her beloved was something that ordinary people could hardly bear.
Even if the next game brought him back to life, the sensation of the knife piercing flesh had once been real, lingering like a shadow, and as long as he had memories, it would accompany him for a lifetime!
What was You Yi thinking?!
Did he not like Xin Meng very much? Why would he suddenly do this?
Did he not realize how cruel this was for Xin Meng…?
But on the other hand, if this could give Xin Meng power, allowing him a greater hope of survival in the future, then sacrificing his own life would be worth it. This, indeed, was true love…
Qi Xiao Kui’s feelings were complicated, yet she could not fathom it thoroughly. She had no romantic experience and could not personally understand such a deeply etched emotion. She had once silently envied it, but now, seeing Xin Meng in such a state of despair, she didn’t know whether to feel fortunate or disappointed for not having such experiences.
In a game, four people died: three completely vanished, and one chose to die. Among the two who remained alive, one was at a loss, and the other felt that living was worse than dying.
Yet the game still had not ended. As long as the new demon king had not appeared and declared the game cleared, it would continue.
Xin Meng’s body was filled with strength, yet he could not even crawl. Rationally, he knew that the next game would bring the other back, but emotionally, he could not accept this outcome. He had personally plunged the dagger into the other’s body…
He felt as if his heart was about to stop…
But just then, he suddenly felt something beating in his chest.
His tear-soaked eyelashes trembled, and Xin Meng opened his eyes wide in shock, pressing his hand firmly against his chest. He carefully felt and discovered another heartbeat, overlapping with his own!
This is… the heart of the demon king?
No! It’s You Yi’s!
You Yi’s heart, inside his chest!
Xin Meng’s hands and feet began to tremble, but not from fear. He took a breath, finally gathering some strength, and with Qi Xiao Kui’s support, he got up from the ground.
Hundreds of demons still stood in the square, silent, all quietly watching Xin Meng, their expressions as cold and emotionless as machines. Qi Xiao Kui, standing beside Xin Meng, couldn’t help but take a few steps back in fright, feeling a chill run down her spine from their gaze.
But this terrifying scene did not catch Xin Meng’s attention at all. He lifted his head and looked at the throne floating in the sky.
A strange warmth spread from beneath his feet. Xin Meng raised one leg and stepped into the air, then followed with the other.
It was as if there was an invisible staircase leading from the ground to the sky. Qi Xiao Kui, her eyes wide in shock, forgot to blink as she watched Xin Meng step confidently into the air, moving closer to the throne with each step.
Finally, he stood before the throne.
Looking at the smooth, polished seat, Xin Meng felt warmth beneath his feet, and his eyes also felt warm, tears falling drop by drop.
My kingdom, shared with the one beside me…
He sat on the throne.
“The new demon king has been born!”
“Long live the new demon king!”
Hundreds of demons knelt down in an instant, collectively shouting towards the high-up Xin Meng, marking the emergence of the new demon king of the Demon King’s Castle, completely ending the past of competing heroes!
Xin Meng covered his chest with his hand, lowered his eyes, and softly said, “Clear… the game…”
…
In a white space.
“…”
“Is this not the result you wanted?”
“…”
