While the Demon King rebuilt the demon realm and reorganized his army, and the God King oscillated between gloom and newfound vigor, Makino Feitian remained eerily calm, as if nothing had happened. His soldiers, however, buzzed with post-battle excitement.
"Mengjiang, order everyone: today's events are classified. No leaks to outsiders, or face military law. Publicly, call it a training exercise to acclimate your legion to war's vibe. Clear?" I instructed Mengjiang upon returning to Yanhuang Star. Gods, wings tucked, looked human enough, but demons' telltale horns screamed their identity. Who knew if they had spies on Flying Dragon Star?
"Understood, Majesty," Mengjiang saluted. I didn't disembark the warship, flying straight to Flying Dragon Star's palace. My wives, save Xue'er, knew nothing of my outing. Xue'er, intuitive, sensed something but, ever considerate, didn't pry. Her worried glance checked for injuries, stirring my heart with grateful warmth. Caring is a beautiful bliss. My reassuring look brought her a smile lovelier than flowers, leaving me entranced. With a wife like this, what more could I want?
As my wives joyfully swarmed me, Meilina stood apart, her expression forlorn. She'd fallen hopelessly for me. Missing me daily gnawed at her; worry and longing consumed her. Nightly dreams replayed our joyful moments, but waking left only tears. Why stir my heart if you don't love me? She wronged me—I kept my distance because her unclear past could leave us both regretful.
Her pained look pierced me. Though I'd kept Meilina at arm's length, she held a place in my heart. Spy or not, this emotional torment was unfair. If she fought for her race's survival, she was innocent from her perspective. I decided: spy or not, I loved her, ready to face any danger together. "Na'er, I love you," I said, pulling her close, kissing her deeply.
"Feitian, I love you, I love you," Meilina sobbed, clinging to me. "Na, I don't need your story. You're my wife—that's enough," I whispered, kissing her earlobe. "No," she shook her head stubbornly, tears soaking my chest.
"Na'er, I've wronged you," I said, wiping her tears. Her months of pent-up emotion and grievance exploded, her sobs earth-shaking, heart-wrenching. Xue'er, Shasha, and the others rushed to comfort her.
"Na-na-jie, you love Tian-gege that much? Mimi too!" Only naive Mimi would say something so childlike among my wives.
Wiping tears, Meilina's voice softened. "Yes, Na'er loves Tian-gege—enough to give my life." "Heh, Na-jiejie, aren't you older than Tian-gege? Why call him brother?" Mimi asked, puzzled, sparking laughter from the wives.
Meilina gazed at me tenderly. "He'll always be Na'er's brother."
In the palace bedchamber, as Mimi, the adorable nympho, stripped and hopped onto the bed, eager to "fight for a baby," Meilina knew she was now my official wife—no more watching others revel while she stood aside.
"Feitian, sisters, I have something to confess," Meilina said, resolute.
"Na'er, if it pains you, don't speak. As family, we trust you," I said. Her confession now hinted at a tragic past. As her lover, how could I let her relive that hurt?
"No, I must finish, or I'll never find peace," she said, flashing a captivating smile.
"Alright," I relented. Denying her might stifle her chance at a new start.
"Thank you, Feitian," she said, grateful, as I held her delicate hand. "I'm not a demon merchant's daughter. I'm the Demon King's daughter—the demon realm's princess." Her words hit like a thunderbolt, stunning the wives. Seeing their shock, Meilina gave a bitter smile—pain's peak. I'd suspected as much; her month in the Beast Forest showed noble roots. I squeezed her hand, sending a reassuring look.
If that shocked them, her next words were a bombshell. "And I arranged both assassination attempts on Feitian." "What?!" Even Xue'er gasped, let alone the others. Stunned, they glanced at me, marveling I'd survived a month in the forest with my would-be killer.
"Don't you hate me, Tian?" Meilina asked, voice breaking. I pulled her into my arms, kissing her lips, wiping her tears. "Na, I don't hate you. I understand your burden. A princess sent to assassinate me? That screams untold hardship. No father risks his child in a hopeless fight. Yet you stayed, not fleeing—your heart's been in agony."
"Feitian, thank you, I love you," she wept. Silly girl, saving all your tears for today? I couldn't fathom the pain her fragile frame endured.
"Princess!" her maids, Little Red and Little White, cried too. "Her Highness has suffered so much." Their tales revealed Meilina's tragic life, her painful trials. The trio sobbed together.
The wives, moved, wept too. "Na'er, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you to relive this. I feel cruel. Forgive me," I said, unprepared for her bleak past.
"No, Feitian, you're wrong. I'm not forgiving you—I'm thanking you. You let me unburden my heart. I feel lighter. I know you all doubted me; now, we're all free," Meilina said, exhaling, as if shedding a heavy load.
"Sorry, Na'er-meimei," Xue'er said, guilty. "It's fine, jiejie. I'd do the same. I was wrong to dodge my feelings, making excuses. Today, I'm glad I spoke, untying my knot. I realize how much I care for Feitian," Meilina replied.
"Alright, all's well—get to bed!" Mimi, ever lustful yet pure, piped up. Laughter erupted. "Did I mess up?" she asked, tilting her head.
"No mistake, but tonight we rest. Tian-gege's with Na-jiejie," Xue'er said, pulling her hand. Meilina, touched, was speechless. Mimi, reluctant, dressed slowly, then grabbed Meilina's arm. "Na-jiejie, let's both join Tian-gege. You can't handle him alone—he's that good. Ask Xue'er-jiejie!" Her wild talk, masking her own desires, amused us.
"Sure," Meilina agreed, blushing happily. "Hah, thanks, Na-jiejie! Brother, hop up!" Mimi dove onto the bed. Can't she think of anything else? Meilina, seeing my exasperation, hugged me from behind.
"Feitian, take me." What's more enchanting?
Xue'er shot me an understanding nod, leading the other wives out.
In the two months since the campaign, I'd pushed military districts to train harder and tightened surveillance on the god and demon realms. Intel showed gods unchanged, but demons rebuilt war-torn Yelu City and ramped up training. Planning revenge on gods? Possible.
Today was the Sky Dragon Empire's first military council. The eager faces below—war-crazed youths, none over thirty—made me chuckle. Civil officials were the exception.
"Big bro—er, Majesty! Just say the word, but my legion's vanguard!" Alang shouted, face flushed. "Easy, everyone's in. Look at you—generals stay cool, unshaken by anything, got it?" I warned. Unchecked, he'd blunder in real combat, with no take-backs.
"Got it, just hyped," he said, feigning a girly pout. Is he trying to kill me? A man acting coy—shudder.
"Enough jokes. Let's talk strategy," I said, clearing my throat. "We'll split into two fronts. All units, except garrisons, prepare to hand over to relief troops. Yellow and Black Dragon Legions hit demons. White and Green Dragon Legions hit gods. Yanhuang Military District preps for post-war occupation. Given god-demon traits, intimidation's preferred—minimize casualties. If unavoidable, adapt. Questions?" I scanned the generals.
"Majesty, we're not landing?" Ahu asked. "Your warships stay in space, linked with ground forces, always vigilant. Support where needed. The unknown's the scariest. In space, you're a mystery, making them fear strikes from nowhere. Gods and demons are tough, magic adept, but space-blind. Our edge is orbital, not terrestrial. Staying aloft curbs their desperation, preventing mutual destruction. Our goal's conquest and recruitment, not annihilation. Clear?"
"Clear!" the generals roared, standing.
"Good. Prep now—depart at 6 a.m. the day after tomorrow. I'll host a victory banquet in the palace for your return."
The day neared. Gods and demons never dreamed humans would strike. Thrilled, I returned to the palace. "Why so happy?" Shasha asked, approaching.
"We're deploying soon—how's that for exciting?" I said, kissing her. "Really?" she asked, eyes gleaming. "Would your husband lie?" I teased, faking anger.
"Alright, I believe you, good boy," she cooed. Boy? I'm a father! Are men forever kids to women?
"Tian, you're attacking demons?" Meilina's voice. Damn, forgot she's the demon princess. No hiding now—better she decides herself.
"Na'er, yes. I won't lie," I said, holding her trembling form. "Why?" she asked, lost. The Demon King wasn't kind, but demons were her kin. No one could accept this easily.
"Na'er, words won't change things. This war's inevitable. We're not just fighting demons—gods too."
"What?!" Meilina gasped. Humans, weakest of the three realms, beating demons was a fluke in her mind. Now, challenging both supreme races simultaneously? Is he mad? Yet, knowing Feitian, he wasn't reckless. What was his trump card?
Seeing her worry, I held her tighter, offering warmth. "Na'er, demons invaded for land; gods hit demons for the same. Now, post-war, we strike—a chance we can't miss. I'll end the three realms' strife, stopping massacres like the demon-human invasion. I want peace, equal growth, no race despised."
"You said gods and demons fought. Who won?" she asked, clutching my shirt. "Neither—stalemate," I said, detailing the war. "I didn't want mutual destruction, so I tipped the scale for your father. Else, two million more would've died."
"Tian, I understand. I won't stop you, but please spare my father. If he knew your strength, he wouldn't have invaded humans. We were wrong," Meilina said, fearing for her father. Saving him would settle her debt.
"Don't worry, I'll spare him. There might be better solutions than war. Unification and free lives are my goal. Gods and demons aren't as thriving as humans. We have purpose, not aimlessness from long lives and power limits. Unification blends strengths, prevents wars. Understand my heart?"
"I do. I'm tired. I'll rest," Meilina said, drained. "Go rest. Don't overthink—I promise a good resolution," I said, knowing her princess duty lingered.
Her duty was inescapable, but I feared no betrayal. Strength ruled. We knew god-demon details; they saw us as millennia-old relics. Know yourself, know your enemy—victory was certain. The real challenge was post-war harmony among three feuding races, a millennia-old grudge not easily resolved.
With my loves' understanding, I wasn't alone. This war, for a cosmic empire, was our first step. Crossing it, the universe would embrace us.
Long lives demand action, or it's a waste, heh. Guess I'm no saint. Today, I saw my duality—ninety-nine percent good, one percent bad, right? (Public Book snorts: "Die, narcissist!")
Reader's Corner: Yo, readers, Feitian's gearing up to smack gods and demons, and Meilina's heart's torn! Will his space gambit crush both realms, or will her princess loyalty spark betrayal? What's Xue'er hiding? Drop your epic predictions in the comments—let's decode this cosmic clash!