Sheng Lingyuan could only inhale air into his throat, it wouldn't go any further.

Without breath to support him, speaking was difficult, so his voice was very soft.

"Is this the first day you know me?" he asked clearly.

"Don't do this, please...stop it!" pleaded Xuan Ji.

Sheng Lingyuan was too weak to speak and gave him a cold smile.

"I'll undo it for you, won't you let me undo it? Just wait for me...give me some time!" Xuan Ji hurriedly tried to pull the tangled flame-colored threads, but there were too many "ends" and it was easy to tie them up but difficult to untie them.

It was like he was inheriting the silliness of the mermaid clan, the more he rushed, the more he couldn't find a clue!

The madman was already very annoyed, so he ignored him. Him flesh was cut open by the violent demonic power, but quickly healed. The severed heart vessels turned from red to black.

The flame-colored threads from the mermaid's secret language were corroded by the magic, and Xuan Ji, who couldn't find the end of the thread, became even more flustered.

Xuan Ji finally broke down in the tangled mess of threads: "I beg you...Lingyuan, please don't do this...I'm begging you..."

Something warm fell onto Lingyuan's hand, and he felt a dampness.

He was stunned for a moment, and a look of confusion flashed across his demon-like face.

Hesitating, he reached out and lifted Xuan Ji's face.

Then his hand felt like it had been burned, and he quickly pulled it back.

Xuan Ji...cried.

His eyes had turned red from their earlier acting showdown, reminiscent of the deafening wails of his childhood.

But now, his tears were held back silently, his shoulders stiff as if made of iron, only his hands trembling uncontrollably.

The surging demonic energy emanating from Sheng Lingyuan seemed to freeze the heavy tears in place.

Suddenly, he snapped out of his rage, a strange thought popping into his head.

"Did I hurt his heart?" Sheng Lingyuan belatedly wondered.

The fiery threads were spreading everywhere, threatening to bury them both.

No one spoke as Xuan Ji deftly grasped the end of the threads, his lips moving silently as he dissolved the entanglement between the two with the mermaid's secret language.

He remained expressionless, with droplets of water clinging to his eyelashes.

Sheng Lingyuan watched the tear with trepidation as the demonic energy gradually receded from his meridians. His exhausted heart fell back into his chest, and the abyss-like darkness in his eyes dissipated.

As Xuan Ji tilted his head, the tear hanging from his eyelashes fell, startling Sheng Lingyuan, who raised his hand.

At that moment, he suddenly felt a release, and the invisible bindings disappeared.

The fine threads that covered his body turned into flames and returned to Xuan Ji.

The forbidden technique... the Mountain Vow and Sea Oath, was completely taken back by its master.

The connection between the two, which had lasted for thousands of years, was completely severed. Whose heart belonged to whom, whose blood was taken away by whom, they were now each on their own.

The faint mental connection also disappeared.

Xuan Ji stood up, and Sheng Lingyuan instinctively grabbed him.

"The oath has been broken," Xuan Ji said, suppressing his voice as he turned his back to him. "I apologize for my rudeness, Your Majesty. I will take my leave. Please find someone else to organize the documents for you."

Sheng Lingyuan remembered something and awkwardly let go of him.

Xuan Ji was exhausted and didn't even want to look at this madman anymore. He turned around and left.

In one breath, he descended halfway down the mountain, then abruptly turned around and rushed back like a gust of wind.

Sheng Lingyuan didn't even have enough strength to stand up and was stunned as he knelt among the scattered documents, watching the person who had left and returned at the door.

The morning light outside the window was everywhere, making the small cabin on the mountaintop even more cold and desolate.

Xuan Ji strode towards Sheng Lingyuan with a fierce look, his features blurred by the backlight.

Without even a greeting, he launched into a torrential tirade, demanding justice: "I just want to ask, Your Majesty, was I misled by those big fish in the Heavenly White Jade Palace and became delusional? Even if you did have feelings for some creature, it wasn't me. You only love a little fool who can't taste the sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy tastes without your guidance! Just like that useless person you imagined in the chaotic time stream, he has no thoughts, no heart, and is happy with just a little sweetness. He'll forget everything no matter how long he lives!"

Sheng Lingyuan couldn't bear the strong light and had to shield his eyes with his hand, squinting painfully.

After waiting for half a minute, Xuan Ji didn't hear a response and sadly realized that he might have brought this upon himself - Sheng Lingyuan probably wanted to cut out the part about the Heavenly White Jade Palace and wouldn't mind agreeing with this statement.

That old bastard was capable of anything.

But then he heard Sheng Lingyuan say softly, "No."

Xuan Ji was stunned. "I have never had any improper thoughts towards the Sword Spirit," Sheng Lingyuan adjusted his posture slightly, relaxed his back, leaned against the wall, and looked calm and serene, making the person across from him, whose eyes were still red, look even more disheveled.

"I thought, when the war is over and peace is restored, I will let Prince Ning become the emperor. He is meticulous, compassionate, and a better ruler than me. I am only good at fighting and politics, and I have no patience for the economy and people's livelihoods. At that time, I didn't know what kind of person I was and even had the audacity to think about 'seeking far and neglecting what is near.' If I had stayed away, my 'mother' would have missed me a little.

I planned to take you back to Dongchuan. Dongchuan was destroyed because of me, and I want to replant peach blossoms in the burnt land and gather the old people of the Witch Clan... Prince Ning has always been close to the witch people, so he should be able to help me. By then, I will only have two things left in my life: rebuilding Dongchuan and watching you grow up."

Xuan Ji couldn't help but hold his breath.

Suddenly, he had a vague feeling that his tantrum just now had accidentally cracked open a thousand-year-old clam, and if he missed this opportunity, he might never have a chance to find out the truth again.

In that moment, he felt blessed and blurted out, "Brother Lingyuan."

"When you grow up, even if I don't die of old age, my beard will be white and my temples gray," Sheng Lingyuan seemed to smile a little. "These childhood fantasies wouldn't be a worry. By then, they will naturally dissipate like a spring dream, nothing to worry about."

He also had expectations for the future.

His wish was small... just to see the flowers he had poured his heart and soul into bloom once before he passed away.

That's all.

"But those thoughts were forbidden," Sheng Lingyuan's voice was so light that it was almost inaudible. "I dare not wish anymore."