WBICDPH Chapter 112

Chapter 112: What Is Love?

Isn’t love a burden? It doesn’t make people lose themselves, but instead makes them stronger.

Xiao Lanqi lowered his eyes and thought for a moment, then shook his head.

“But we Heavenly Demons don’t have love. We don’t even have the concept of family. We take partners only to follow our instincts and reproduce. Succubi and charm demons might imitate humans and talk about love, but that’s just for cultivation. Even without love, we’re still strong.”

“Hmm…”

Chu Tingxue seemed to catch the problem. He set aside his white jade wine flask, propped himself up on the small table beside his chair, and looked at Xiao Lanqi seriously.

“Then let me ask you—what’s your purpose in coming into this world? What are you striving for in life? Why do you live?”

Xiao Lanqi tilted his head and answered without thinking, “To become stronger.”

“And why do you want to become stronger?”

“To become an outstanding Heavenly Demon.”

“And why do you want to be an outstanding Heavenly Demon?”

“It’s…”

Xiao Lanqi faltered. He frowned and snapped, “Why do you have so many questions?”

“Come on, just answer me,” Chu Tingxue coaxed.

“Fine, I’ll answer you—reluctantly.”

After thinking for a long time, Xiao Lanqi hesitated before replying, “So I can fight alongside my mother… so she doesn’t have to be so tired. Does that count?”

“Of course it counts!”

Chu Tingxue looked delighted. “Little demon, that’s love. You love your mother, and you want to protect her—that’s why you want to become stronger, right?”

“I do not!”

“Stop being stubborn! Seriously, is it really that embarrassing to admit you love your mother?”

Chu Tingxue couldn’t help laughing at him. “If everyone lived like you, Heavenly Demons, wouldn’t life be unbearably lonely? If you don’t believe me, think about this—if you had to leave Mingzhu Tian right now and cut off all contact with your mother, wouldn’t it hurt? Having someone you care about isn’t a bad thing. If I have something to hold onto, I’ll leave myself room when making choices. And if I ever reach a dead end, I’ll know that even if the whole world betrays me, the people who love me will still stand behind me and support me.”

He took a sip from his wine flask and smacked his lips.

“No wonder your kind is so sparse and constantly at war. You’re all lone wolves—how can your race prosper like that? You keep calling yourself ‘this one’—your mother wouldn’t happen to be Xiao Lanyue, would she? I’ve heard of her. She’s an excellent leader. She must love you very much. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be sitting here discussing this with me today. She’s probably already seen the problems within your race and is trying to change things, starting with you. But overturning instincts built over ten thousand years won’t happen overnight. There will be resistance, and many won’t understand her. Your mother has a long road ahead.”

“…So you’re saying my mother is trying to change the nature of Heavenly Demons?”

“Exactly. My master and I were just discussing your kindness recently. The constant war in Mingzhu Tian ultimately comes from how self-centered Heavenly Demons are. Without emotional bonds, with everyone striving to dominate and acting arrogantly, how can there be unity? Unity requires emotion and shared benefit—but you have neither.”

He glanced at the green-eyed young demon beside him and added, “You’ll inherit the position of ruler someday, right? Honestly, even though you’re rude, hot-tempered, and always say the opposite of what you mean, I like you. If your mother can’t accomplish what she set out to do, I hope you’ll carry on her will and lead your people well.”

“Why?” Xiao Lanqi was surprised. “You’re human, and I’m a Heavenly Demon. We’re supposed to be enemies. Why would you care about us?”

“Kid,” Chu Tingxue chuckled, “don’t you think everything in this world seems arranged somehow? Who decided what’s good or evil? Who says which path is right or wrong? We live under the same sky, stand on the same ground. In a bigger sense, we’re all one family. We should live together peacefully, not in opposition. If your kind were to disappear, it might disrupt the balance of the world. This world belongs to everyone. True harmony is when all races thrive together.”

Seeing Xiao Lanqi grow more confused, Chu Tingxue ruffled his hair.

“You’re still young—it’s normal not to understand. When you grow up, you’ll get it. For now, go back to your mother and tell her you love her.”

“Don’t touch my hair!”

Xiao Lanqi shook him off and stood up. “I’m leaving. Talking to you is a waste of time! And what was that introduction earlier? ‘Little brother’? Who’s your little brother? I already have a brother—you’re just a human! You’re not qualified to be my brother!”

Chu Tingxue laughed and hooked an arm around his head. “Oh? Then next time you come challenge me, I’ll crush you so thoroughly you’ll have to call me ‘brother’!”

Xiao Lanqi struggled furiously. “Impossible! You only barely beat me today—next time, I’ll win!”

“Is that so? Who’s the one who talks big every time but never wins? Hahaha… Fine, I’ll wait. Next time, I’ll definitely lose to you!”

“Look at you, so smug!”

Xiao Lanqi gritted his teeth. “I’ll remember this humiliation. When I reach adulthood, I’ll repay it tenfold!”

“Oh? Planning to grab my head? Then you’d better grow taller.”

“Just wait!”

“Sure, sure—when you’re taller than me, you can carry me around like a chick for all I care.”

Chu Tingxue’s carefree teasing always drove Xiao Lanqi up the wall.

Before leaving, Xiao Lanqi glanced back once more. Seeing Chu Tingxue sprawled in his chair, drinking again, he turned and left without looking back.

After he’d gone some distance, Chu Tingxue shouted after him, “Hey! Little demon! When I marry Jiantao, I’ll let you know—come to the wedding! And don’t come empty-handed—bring some of that Heavenly Star Silver and carve me a pair of dragon-phoenix bracelets!”

Who tells someone not to come empty-handed and even specifies the gift?

Xiao Lanqi ignored him, just raising a hand to show he’d heard.

On the way back, Xiao Lanqi kept thinking about Chu Tingxue’s words.

He felt lost again.

His brother said love was bad. Chu Tingxue said love was armor—that it makes people stronger. His mother seemed to be trying to change their race, rejecting loneliness and coldness, learning from humans, trying to love those around her—trying to love him.

Xiao Lanqi didn’t know what to do anymore.

He thought… maybe he needed to talk to his mother.

He rushed back to Mingzhu Tian, eager to see her, to ask how she was, to speak with her.

But when he arrived, he sensed an unfamiliar, overwhelming demonic aura spreading throughout the realm.

A bad feeling crept into his heart.

He hurried into the main hall and saw Xiao Lanyue putting on her armor.

Her injuries weren’t healed. Her face was still pale.

“Your Highness, what are you doing?” he asked, frowning.

“An enemy invasion. They’ve reached our borders,” she replied calmly. “Where were you just now? Go back to your room and stay there. Don’t leave the palace until this is over.”

“But you’re still injured—you can’t fight like this!”

Without realizing it, Xiao Lanqi spoke in the same stern tone she once used on him.

“I’ve grown up. I can fight. Let me go.”

Xiao Lanyue’s eyes shifted slightly.

“Are you… worried about me?”

He looked away, uncomfortable. “N-no! I’m the young lord of Mingzhu Tian. It’s my responsibility to protect it, not hide under your wings forever.”

Though he denied it, she understood.

Something in her finally eased. She smiled—tired, but gentle.

“I see, A-Qi. If you want to go, then come with me. Fighting at my side has always been your dream, hasn’t it?”

Hearing her call him that, Xiao Lanqi froze for a moment.

He lowered his gaze and nodded.

This was his first time stepping out of her protection, his first time witnessing the cruelty of real battle—and seeing his mother as she truly was in war.

The woman who was always gentle with him became a ruthless force before her enemies, wielding the sacred blade Zhanhuang, radiating the oppressive might of an ancient six-headed dragon.

He stayed at her side, protecting her from sneak attacks, while she appeared like a god whenever he was in danger.

For the first time, he understood what Chu Tingxue meant.

Having something to protect… gives you strength.

Those who love you will always stand behind you, reminding you that you’re not alone.

As the battle drew to a close, Xiao Lanqi stood beside her, hesitated, then lightly tapped her cold armor.

“Mother…”

The word made Xiao Lanyue freeze.

She couldn’t remember how many years it had been since he last called her that.

She looked at him—now tall enough to meet her gaze without kneeling.

“What is it?” she asked softly.

He felt awkward under her attention. Looking away, he muttered, “I always thought love was bad. But I met someone… someone like an older brother. He said love is good, not a burden. I didn’t believe him. But he told me to tell you…”

Scratching his head, he blurted quickly, “I think… I kind of love you.”

Xiao Lanyue stood there for a long moment.

Then she smiled.

“What did you say?”

“…Nothing! If you didn’t hear it, forget it—it wasn’t important anyway!”

“A-Qi, it is important. Hearing you say that makes me very happy.”

She gently touched his hair, then asked seriously, “But tell me—why do you think love is bad?”

“I—because—”

He was about to answer when she suddenly sensed something. Her expression sharpened.

He fell silent.

She signaled to a nearby guard.

“Your orders, my lord?”

It was Fang Zong, leader of the Twelve Guards and her most trusted subordinate.

Realizing it wasn’t the right moment, Xiao Lanqi stepped back and kept quiet.

Xiao Lanyue’s expression turned cold.

“Fang Zong… he’s here.”