Chapter 21 The Search for the Token
Rong Che seemed eager to lock me away.
The journey back to Yu Jing was shortened by two days.
I leaned on A Li as I stepped down from the carriage and looked at the towering Yun Tai Palace, still dazed.
"Imperial Princess, we are back."
A Li had served me for years and was like a sister.
She had noticed my distraction and thought I had not recovered from the news of the Demon Emperor's death. She tried to comfort me.
"The Demon Emperor's passing was not your fault. Do not blame yourself too much."
"Even for yourself and for the Demon Emperor, you must pull yourself together."
I lowered my eyes and nodded, forcing a tired smile. "I know."
A Li relaxed and stayed by my side.
She saw me touching the half-mask in my hands from time to time.
Xie Ning had bought it for me at the lantern festival in Lan Shan.
A Li sighed again and asked quietly.
"Imperial Princess... are you still thinking about Young Valley Lord?"
When I did not answer, she hurried to encourage me. "As the saying goes, when the old leaves, the new arrives."
"Imperial Princess only knew Young Valley Lord for a few days. People's hearts are hard to read."
"In the future, the eligible young masters in Yu Jing are plenty. Imperial Princess can choose anyone whose looks and ability surpass Young Valley Lord."
She did not know what had happened that night.
She only heard from Rong Che that Xie Ning and I had a big fight.
A Li knew I had my reasons for not telling her certain things.
She was sensible enough not to ask.
I took her hand and asked softly, "A Li, do you think it would be good or bad if Rong Che became the Demon Emperor?"
A Li thought for a moment and shook her head.
"This servant does not know, but..."
She looked at me and smiled, a little embarrassed.
"This servant always thinks it would be better if Imperial Princess became the next Demon Emperor."
I froze for a moment.
A Li continued. "Imperial Princess is kind and never mistreats us servants."
"Everyone in Yun Tai Palace praises Imperial Princess for ruling with both kindness and authority."
"But Imperial Princess still needs a helper to ascend the throne," she thought for a while. "Someone who can clear away the villains for Imperial Princess."
"If we speak of strong power, then the Wolf Clan's Xie Ning would be good..."
A Li stopped abruptly, as if realizing something.
She lowered her head awkwardly. "Imperial Princess, I did not mean to mention him."
I lowered my eyes and forced a smile.
We passed the pavilions and reached the Demon Emperor's sleeping quarters.
Everything remained exactly as it was when I left.
Demons did not hold elaborate mourning rites like humans.
Each demon beast's departure was quiet.
They silently licked their wounds and never looked back.
Like a drop of water vanishing into a lake.
Once I confirmed Rong Che had not followed, I told A Li to guard the door.
"Stop anyone who tries to enter."
I said calmly, "Even Rong Che."
A Li saw my serious expression and nodded firmly.
I entered the room.
I cast a barrier and hurried to the Demon Emperor's bed.
In my previous life, I only learned before my death that the Demon Emperor's passing was no accident.
Rong Che, the adopted son he valued most, had slit his throat.
The Demon Emperor was weak after coming out of seclusion.
Rong Che seized the chance.
At that time, Xie Ning and I had already been driven to a cliff by Rong Che. He told me about the Demon Emperor's final moments as if granting mercy.
"I gave him a choice. I asked if he would pass the Demon Emperor title to me, but he hesitated until the end."
"Do you know? The other silver token he gave me was also fake!"
Rong Che's smile had been crazed.
"It turns out he never saw me as family. He even guarded against me."
"If my parents had not died saving him, I would not have fallen to this state!"
Rong Che drew his bow, arrow aimed at my Xie Ning.
He lifted his eyelids, his tone cold and dark.
"Now I give you a choice, Imperial Princess."
"Will you leave with him and die by my hand, or return to my side?"
...
I focused and searched the walls and headboard of the Demon Emperor's bed.
The Yin Yang Token was split in two. Only when the gold and silver tokens combined would it be complete.
The Demon Emperor had given me the gold token as a protective charm.
He had given the other silver token to Rong Che.
Although the silver token could not summon soul beasts, it contained the thousand-year cultivation and artifacts of past Demon Emperors.
Since the silver token the Demon Emperor gave Rong Che was fake.
The real one should still be hidden inside the room.
Sweat beaded on my nose. My heart pounded, and my hands trembled.
If I could find it, I could avenge the Demon Emperor.
I searched every piece of furniture in the room but found no hidden compartment.
Had Rong Che already found it?
I frowned slightly.
I suddenly found several scrolls inside a jar by the bed.
I opened one and saw Mother's portrait.
As I was about to put it back, an idea struck.
I searched through the other scrolls for a long time and finally found one.
It was a small portrait Mother had painted of me as a child.
In the painting, a blue phoenix rested by a fairy pool.
I touched the scroll and felt a faint trace of spiritual power at the phoenix's tail feathers.
I cast a spell to probe it. Soon, a silver token appeared in my hand.
Before I could examine it closely, noise erupted outside.
It sounded like A Li arguing with someone.
I quickly hid the scrolls and pushed open the door.
A Li was kneeling beside Rong Che, trembling.
"A Li—"
I rushed forward to help her up. "What happened?"
Rong Che glanced at her, his tone indifferent. "Nothing. I merely asked your maid a few questions when I saw her acting suspiciously."
"She refused to speak and insisted on blocking me from entering."
Rong Che looked at me and smiled faintly. "What were you doing in the room just now?"
He spoke each word slowly.
My throat tightened under his unwavering gaze.
I looked up and said softly, "I told A Li to guard outside."
"I wanted to spend some time alone with the Demon Emperor."
Rong Che did not speak. He only looked down at me.
He seemed to be searching my face for any sign of guilt.
My eyes reddened as I met his gaze.
After a while, Rong Che sighed. "Of course. The Demon Emperor always doted on you."
He reached out and patted my head.
"Do not cry. I promised the Demon Emperor I would take good care of you."
I lowered my eyes and nodded.
"Then I will return to my own quarters first."
Rong Che watched me leave, then suddenly called out.
"Imperial Princess—"
My steps halted. My heart rose to my throat.
Cold sweat soaked my back.
But I did not dare turn around.
Rong Che walked up and stood beside me.
He lowered his eyes and smiled lightly. "I just remembered the Demon Emperor once gave you a gold token."
"I heard it can summon soul beasts."
"I would like to see it as well."