The atmosphere instantly grew tense, but Song Wanning offered no explanation.

The more indifferent she acted toward him, the less suspicious Mo Yuan would be.

She needed to gain Mo Yuan’s trust as quickly as possible. After all, she didn’t have much time to play along with his act.

After finishing the roasted meat, she resumed her meditation. Mo Yuan didn’t rest either, closing his eyes to meditate and cultivate.

With Song Wanning nearby, he was extremely cautious. He worried she might discover his identity as a Demon Cultivator and attack him.

The night passed just like that. Early the next morning, the two prepared to leave the cave, but before they could even step outside, their path was blocked once again by Mo Yun and Mo Yu.

The two Demon Monarchs’ expressions were foul, and their gazes on Song Wanning were as if coated in poison.

If not for Song Wanning’s interference, they would have captured Mo Yuan long ago. Why else would they have needed to venture into the Ten Thousand Demon Cave?

This place was riddled with restrictive spells, leaving them disheveled and battered.

Looking at Song Wanning, who appeared fresh and revitalized, only fueled their anger.

Song Wanning met their murderous glares with a flash of disdain on her face.

’They took a whole night to get here. What a waste of time.’

"You two are certainly persistent!"

Mo Yuan, now wide awake, couldn’t help but sneer sarcastically.

Just the thought of Mo Yun and Mo Yu’s two-faced nature filled him with killing intent.

’If I ever get the chance to return to the Demon Palace, I’ll make sure these traitors die without a proper burial!’

"Enough nonsense, Young Master. Come back with us!"

Mo Yun tapped her whip idly, but her eyes were devoid of any warmth. "If you’re willing to come back with us, we can leave your Cultivation intact. How about it?"

As she spoke, her gaze remained fixed on Song Wanning, a deep wariness in her heart.

’This woman must know how to disable these restrictive spells, or she never would have made it this far so easily.’

’Therefore, the chances of stopping them inside the Ten Thousand Demon Cave are even lower than outside. We’re more likely to get hurt ourselves.’

"Do you think that’s possible?"

Mo Yuan simply curled his lip. "Or do you think I’m that stupid? Dying sooner or later, what’s the difference?"

"The Demon Lord is your father. He just misses you dearly and wants you to come home. Why must you assume the worst of him?"

Mo Yun ripped away Mo Yuan’s disguise, exposing his identity directly.

Over their past few encounters, she had noticed something was off. Mo Yuan didn’t even dare to use his Demonic Qi in front of Song Wanning...

It didn’t take a genius to figure out that Mo Yuan was definitely hiding his identity.

Sure enough, the moment her words fell, Song Wanning looked at Mo Yuan with a stunned expression.

Mo Yuan’s heart skipped a beat. The instant Song Wanning looked at him, he felt a pang of guilt.

But he quickly straightened his back, returning Song Wanning’s gaze with a hint of defiance.

"You’re the Demon Lord’s son? You lied to me?"

Song Wanning’s eyes were utterly frigid, her gaze like a blade scraping across his skin.

Mo Yuan pressed his lips together, offering no explanation.

Mo Yun’s gloating voice cut in again. "Oh my, you didn’t tell this young lady your real identity? That’s not right of you. She risked her life to save you, how could you deceive her?"

"Then again, you’ve been spouting lies since the day you were born. Lying is second nature to you, so why would you feel the slightest bit of guilt?"

Mo Yun continued to relentlessly sow discord, and Song Wanning’s expression grew as cold as frost.

Mo Yuan clenched his fists, his heart sinking into an abyss.

He knew it. Once his true identity was revealed, no one would be willing to help him.

"Young lady, I know you were deceived by him. You can go. We won’t make things difficult for you."

Mo Yun shot Mo Yu a look, and the two of them cleared a path.

Their purpose was to capture Mo Yuan; there was no need for a life-or-death battle with someone else.

This was the best course of action for everyone involved.

And Song Wanning, after giving Mo Yuan a disappointed look, did indeed choose to leave.

Her figure retreated swiftly, gradually vanishing from sight without a hint of reluctance.

Mo Yuan stared at her back, his entire heart turning to ice.

’I shouldn’t have expected anything from anyone.’

’In this life, I’m just a pitiful wretch, destined to be abandoned. No one will ever be good to me!’

As soon as Song Wanning was gone, Mo Yun scoffed. "Tsk, tsk. And here you thought you’d found a patron?"

"Take a good look at yourself. No one would be willing to oppose the Demon Lord for your sake!"

With that, she and Mo Yu attacked Mo Yuan again.

This time, they held nothing back. Their first strike was aimed at crippling his Cultivation.

"SPURT—"

Mo Yuan was slammed violently against the wall. He coughed up mouthfuls of blood, collapsing to the ground, unable to move.

He watched quietly as the two of them raised their palms to strike again, his eyes filled with nothing but cold desolation.

He closed his eyes in despair, ready to accept his unjust fate. But the next second, he heard Mo Yun cry out in alarm.

His eyes shot open to see the figure who should have left. She had appeared before him once more.

Dressed in crisp black robes, her eyes were cold, her movements swift and domineering.

In that moment, Mo Yuan didn’t know what to think.

He just stared at her blankly as something seemed to slowly blossom within his eyes.

"What are you spacing out for? Hold on to me!"

Song Wanning’s sharp command jolted him from his thoughts.

By the time he came to his senses, Song Wanning was already carrying him away.

She weaved through the Ten Thousand Demon Cave with him, the two infuriated Demon Monarchs following close behind, cursing up a storm.

But it was as if he couldn’t hear them at all.

His gaze was fixed on Song Wanning’s face. It was as cold as ever, yet his heart unknowingly began to warm.

A tiny flame flickered to life in his eyes, breathing a spark of vitality back into his gloomy self.

...

After a series of evasive maneuvers, the two finally managed to shake off the two Demon Monarchs again.

Song Wanning landed and coldly pried his hands off her.

"You’re safe now. I’m leaving."

She turned to leave almost without a second thought.

The warmth that had just begun to blossom in Mo Yuan was instantly extinguished. He shot out a hand and grabbed Song Wanning.

"What are you doing?"

Song Wanning turned to look at him with a frown, her face clearly screaming, "I’m furious."

Mo Yuan pressed his lips together, holding on to her tightly, refusing to let go.

He was afraid. Afraid that if Song Wanning left now, he would never see her again.

"I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to lie to you..."

"I was just afraid you’d mind my identity as a Demon Cultivator... but none of this was my choice."

"I have no place in the Demon Clan. I’m just trying to survive, to avenge my mother!"

It had taken all his remaining courage to say those words.

He didn’t want to lose this single glimmer of warmth.

Mo Yuan was like a small, sensitive, and fragile animal, looking at Song Wanning with a gaze that was both stubborn and pleading.

Even though he was a head taller than Song Wanning, he looked like a pitiful child begging for an adult’s affection.

A pitiful background, fragile nerves, a tragic fate, and an uncommonly handsome face.

Had it been anyone else, they would have likely been moved to pity by now.

Unfortunately for him, the person before him was Song Wanning.