Chapter 659

Chapter 659: Doubting Life

Lu Chao Chao truly wanted to curse.

No wonder the Heart-Questioning Stone showed no reaction before—this brat had separated his heart demon!

Now, after countless reincarnations, he had become an entirely new individual.

Under normal circumstances, he might never have regained his memories. But now, the world was in chaos, and the common folk were mutating under the influence of formations, stirring even the heart demon of Xuan Yu into restlessness.

At this moment, he lifted his gaze toward Lu Chao Chao.

Over the past five years, he had grown rapidly. Once a frail and skinny youth, he now had broad shoulders and a slim waist. His deep-set eyes carried an underlying ruthlessness.

Inside, he was sharp-edged, decisive in slaughter, no longer the same hostage prince he once was.

Now that his memories had returned, he bore a power that evoked fear.

He was Xuan Ji Chuan, yet also not Xuan Ji Chuan.

Judging by his demeanor, it seemed he had not yet fully merged with Xuan Ji Chuan’s memories.

Looking down from a superior height, he sneered and effortlessly snapped the iron chains with a mere flick of his fingers.

Lu Chao Chao: “?!!”

The man dragged the broken chains attached to his feet as he stepped forward, the clinking sound echoing ominously.

This was not Xuan Yu.

His heart demon had long detached from Xuan Yu, deepening over countless lifetimes, forming an obsession beyond measure.

He was now a complete and independent being.

“I never thought… there would come a day when I would recover my memories…” he murmured, a crimson glint flashing in the corners of his eyes.

“Xuan Yu, oh Xuan Yu, you coward! Since you dare not desire her, I shall take your place…”

“To you, she is the unreachable moon in the sky, a distant light to be admired from afar. But to me, the moon must be held close, belonging only to me.”

“Her radiance must shine solely upon me.”

“If you will not act, then I shall!” His voice was low and hoarse, his eyes brimming with obsession.

“Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, I will find you and trap you by my side, allowing no one else to covet you!”

Xuan Yu had never dared to voice his heart demon aloud, for his greatest obsession was none other than his own master.

Lu Chao Chao lowered her head guiltily, stealing a glance at Xuan Ji Chuan’s feet—he had already stepped right in front of her.

He was tall and towering, casting a shadow over her as he coldly scrutinized her. “Who are you?”

His gaze held a hint of confusion as he studied her.

Lu Chao Chao…

The little girl had twin buns tied up with long silk ribbons, her chubby cheeks still round with baby fat. She was nothing like the peerless Sword Sovereign Sunshine of her past life.

Xuan Ji Chuan, now a tall and imposing figure, loomed over her, while she barely reached his thigh.

She swallowed hard.

Then, without hesitation, she lunged forward and clung to his leg, her voice quivering with grievance, “Father… don’t you recognize me?”

The fierce and imposing heart demon froze, his murderous aura solidifying in an instant.

His entire demeanor wavered—his very sense of reality shaken.

He lowered his gaze, carefully examining the teary-eyed, innocent-looking child.

Lu Chao Chao’s round eyes shimmered with tears as she whimpered pitifully, “Father King, did I do something wrong? Do you not want me anymore? Daddy, don’t abandon me… I’ll be good, I promise…” She sniffled and quietly sobbed.

She even clung tightly to the hem of his robes, looking terrified.

The heart demon attempted to lift his foot, but the child was latched onto him, hanging there like a stubborn little leech.

“I… am your father?” He pointed at himself, his handsome face filled with bewilderment. One moment he regained his memories, and the next—he was a father?!

He had a child?!

Lu Chao Chao’s bright eyes shone with admiration. “Yes! Daddy… you even named me Chao Chao. Please don’t leave me behind…” She cautiously looked up at him.

Upon hearing her name, the heart demon trembled violently.

He knew his own obsession with Lu Chao Chao.

Was this really a name he would have chosen?

For a brief moment, the heart demon was thrown into turmoil.

He even had a child?!

“How could I have a child?” he muttered, visibly shaken.

“Daddy, do you not like Chao Chao?”

The question completely stumped the heart demon.

He even rubbed his forehead in frustration. Why hadn’t he fully merged with Xuan Ji Chuan’s memories yet?! Damn it, he needed to know what had happened!

But at this moment, the little girl before him gazed at him expectantly, as if the mere word “no” would cause her to wail uncontrollably.

For some inexplicable reason, the heart demon didn’t want her to cry.

This was bad… was this the power of blood ties?

His mind swirled in disarray as he looked at Lu Chao Chao’s adoring gaze. Irritation swelled within him.

Perhaps… he had emerged at the wrong time.

Was he here just to coax a child?

A strange sense of betrayal crept up his spine, as if he were forsaking his very purpose. Faced with this little girl’s pitiful plea, his unwavering conviction wavered.

And the moment his conviction faltered, he found himself being pulled back into the depths of memory.

Such was the power of reincarnation.

The heart demon pressed a hand against the wall, his eyelids growing heavier.

That single word—”Daddy”—had made him question his entire existence.

His eyes fluttered shut, and just before he lost consciousness, he saw the little girl covering her eyes as tears spilled down her cheeks, murmuring over and over, “Daddy… Daddy…”

It seemed… their father-daughter bond was rather strong.

Moments later, Xuan Ji Chuan groggily sat up, rubbing his temple. “Hiss…”

“Chao Chao? Why are you here?” His eyes widened in alarm.

“Get out! Damn it, I already ordered them never to bring you here!”

“Why are you crying?” Xuan Ji Chuan hurriedly pulled her into his arms, gently wiping away her tears.

He knew something was wrong with himself.

Since childhood, he had always felt the presence of another entity within him—a figure clad in fiery red robes, standing above the heavens, revered by countless souls.

Too many had looked up to that figure, and he had been among them.

Ever since then, another consciousness had lurked within him.

Xuan Ji Chuan understood—it was a part of himself.

Overbearing, temperamental, devoid of human emotions. It was still him.

Occasionally, it seized control, and whenever it withdrew, the palace would be left trembling in fear.

One day, they would fully merge.

But Xuan Ji Chuan refused to lose control in front of Lu Chao Chao.

He feared she would see his darkness.

Seeing his eyes clear of desire, Lu Chao Chao secretly sighed in relief. “You were acting all weird and ignoring me… You scared me…”

Xuan Ji Chuan was puzzled.

That consciousness had always fought him for dominance—why had it retreated so easily?

As Xuan Ji Chuan led Lu Chao Chao out, a trembling eunuch knelt on the ground, deathly pale.

“I forced him to bring me in. You are not to harm him,” Lu Chao Chao declared, sparing the eunuch’s life. Xuan Ji Chuan could only relent—he always hid his ruthlessness before her.

After personally escorting her to the posthouse, he returned to the palace.

That night, the young emperor slept soundly.

But in the darkness, a cold-faced youth appeared soundlessly.

Little Heavenly Dao’s eyes burned red!!

Standing by the bedside, he glared at Xuan Ji Chuan.

As if staring past him, into another soul.

Damn it all!