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Morning After the Gift
The palace awakes beneath a pale, misty dawn. Servants whisper as they sweep the stone corridors—rumors of the Demon Lord's unexpected favor spreading faster than fire.
Liao Tingyan walks through the courtyard quietly, the black jade pendant resting against her chest. Its surface feels faintly warm, pulsing with energy. She can still sense traces of Sima Jiao's aura within it.
She doesn't understand why he gave it to her—but she knows such favor from him is as dangerous as punishment.
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The Hall of Flames
Later that morning, Sima Jiao appears in the training yard where disciples practice demonic arts. The moment he arrives, everyone kneels.
His gaze falls on Tingyan. "You. Step forward."
Her stomach tightens, but she obeys.
Without warning, a blast of black fire erupts from his hand. The flames snake toward her, surrounding her completely. Disciples gasp in horror—but the pendant on her neck glows, forming a protective barrier.
When the fire fades, Tingyan stands unharmed.
Sima Jiao's lips curl slightly. "It works. Good."
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A Lesson in Power
He turns to the disciples. "You see? Loyalty earns protection. Disobedience earns pain."
No one dares move or speak.
Then, his tone drops colder. "Remember this well. Even my mercy can burn."
He dismisses them with a flick of his sleeve.
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Jealous Eyes
Later, as Tingyan walks through the corridors, disciples watch her with a mixture of fear and resentment.
"She was nearly burned alive," one mutters.
"Yet she came out untouched," another whispers.
"She must have his blessing. Or curse."
Tingyan says nothing. She feels the pendant's faint pulse again—steady, alive, as though Sima Jiao is watching through it.
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The Demon Lord's Mood
That night, the palace grows quiet. Tingyan lights a single candle in her quarters, trying to steady her thoughts.
Suddenly, the candle flame trembles—and he appears. Sima Jiao materializes out of shadow, standing by her door as if he had always been there.
She drops to her knees instantly. "Demon Lord."
He glances around her room. "You fear me less now."
"I… I wouldn't dare."
He smirks faintly, stepping closer until his presence fills the small chamber. "You should. Because I am the only one keeping you alive."
His fingers brush the jade pendant at her neck, and for a fleeting moment, his eyes soften—then harden again.
"Don't remove it," he warns. "It binds you to me."
Then he disappears into mist, leaving her alone with the fading echo of his voice.
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The Quiet After
Tingyan touches the pendant and shivers. It glows faintly against her skin, whispering with dark power.
Outside, thunder rumbles over the valley. Somewhere deep in the palace, the Demon Lord sits in silence, his expression unreadable.
He tells himself it's only control. But something far more dangerous is beginning to grow between them.
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✨ End of Episode 14 — The Demon's Shadow