Heart of the White-haired Demon

The Underworld's throne room pulsed with malevolent energy. A man sat upon the throne, his presence commanding attention. His long, black hair cascaded down his back like a waterfall of night, adorned with intricate, silver trinkets that glinted in the dim light. His face was chiseled, enigmatic, and imposing.

The Demon king.

Attired in black, with subtle, crimson accents, he exuded an aura of dark majesty. His eyes burned with inner fire, casting a glow over the assembled demons. They cowered, sensing their lord's ire.

The demon king's gaze fell upon a cowering subordinate. "You dare to tell me that my son has vanished?" His voice was low, menacing, and deadly. "Like a snowflake in the presence of sunlight?"

With a sudden motion, he hurled his cup at the subordinate, who flinched, expecting impact. The cup halted inches from his face, suspended by an unseen force.

The demon king's anger boiled over, and he rose from his throne. "If none of you can find my son, I will slaughter every last one of you!" His roar echoed through the throne room, striking fear into the hearts of his minions.

A subordinate, dressed in dark, crimson robes, stepped forward. "Great Lord, we have searched far and wide, but there is no sign of the prince since the battle with Jian Wushi."

The man's gaze turned glacial. He stretched out a hand, and dark energy ensnared the subordinate, drawing him closer. The man struggled, suspended in mid-air, as the demon king's eyes blazed with fury.

"You will find my son," he hissed, his voice dripping with malice. "Or you will suffer a fate worse than death."

The subordinate's eyes widened in terror as the demon king's grip tightened, his dark energy suffocating.

The demon king's grip on the subordinate's throat tightened, dark energy constricting his airway. The subordinate's eyes bulged, his face purpling.

Just as the demon king was about to deliver the final blow, a high-ranking official burst into the throne room. "Great Lord!" he exclaimed, bowing deeply.

The demon king's gaze snapped toward the newcomer, his eyes blazing with fury. "Speak," he growled, his voice dripping with malevolence.

The official trembled, but continued, "I've received news, Great Lord. The prince...he was banished from the kingdom."

The demon king's anger exploded, his face contorting in rage. "What do you mean my son was banished from my own kingdom?" His thunderous voice shook the throne room, causing rocks to tremble and echoes to reverberate.

The subordinate, still suspended in mid-air, shuddered violently. The official cowered, fearing for his life.

"Who was responsible?" the demon king demanded, his voice low and deadly.

The official hesitated, knowing that his next words could seal his fate. "I-I don't know, Great Lord. The report only mentioned that the prince was banished by a powerful entities."

The demon king's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. His grip on the subordinate's throat tightened, and the man's eyes widened in terror.

The demon king's sinister smile sent shivers down the spines of his subordinates. He dropped the trembling subordinate, who collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.

"I'm asking this for the last time," the demon king said, his voice dripping with malice. "Who was responsible for banishing my son, the heir of the throne of this kingdom?"

A nervous subordinate rushed forward, knocking others aside. "Great Lord, I overheard a rumor...not really a rumor, but I wasn't sure, so I didn't share..." He trembled, fearing retribution.

The demon king's gaze locked onto the subordinate. "Speak," he commanded.

The subordinate swallowed hard. "I heard it was the Conference of Evil, Great Lord."

The demon king's laughter sent chills through the assembly. "Conference of Evil, hm? Okay."

He pointed at the subordinate who had revealed the information. "You are getting a promotion."

The subordinate thanked him, relieved, and retreated into the crowd.

The demon king turned to the high-ranking official, Chengxi. "Chengxi, please."

Chengxi bowed deeply. "Yes, Great Lord."

"Summon the Conference of Evil," the demon king commanded. "I think it's time we had a talk."

Chengxi nodded, his expression grim, and departed to carry out the demon king's orders.

The demon king's smile grew wider, his eyes burning with anticipation. The Conference of Evil had no idea what was coming for them.

As Chengxi departed to summon the Conference of Evil, the demon king's gaze swept across the assembly. His eyes lingered on the subordinate who had revealed the crucial information.

"You," the demon king said, his voice low and mysterious. "Come forth."

The subordinate, Zhi, approached cautiously, his eyes cast downward in respect. The demon king's presence was imposing, and Zhi could feel the weight of his gaze.

"Your name?" the demon king asked, his tone firm but curious.

"I am Zhi, Great Lord," the subordinate replied, his voice steady despite the tremble in his hands.

The demon king nodded, his expression unreadable. "Zhi, your loyalty and bravery will be rewarded. You will serve as my personal attendant from this day forward."

Zhu's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly bowed to acknowledge the honor. The demon king's words were laced with an underlying tone, one that hinted at both reward and warning.

As the demon king dismissed the assembly, the atmosphere in the throne room grew thick with anticipation. The Conference of Evil would soon face the demon king's wrath. Whispers spread among the departing demons, their voices hushed but their concern palpable.

In the shadows, the demon king's guards watched with keen interest, their faces impassive but their eyes gleaming with curiosity. They knew that the demon king's power was growing, and that the consequences of crossing him would be severe.

The demon king's smile grew wider, his eyes burning with anticipation. The Conference of Evil had no idea what was coming for them.

___

In a secluded clearing, Lian sat cross-legged on a moss-covered rock, his eyes closed as he focused on his breathing. Suddenly, a soft breeze rustled the leaves, and Lian's eyes snapped open.

A figure emerged from the shadows, their features indistinct. "Lian," the figure whispered, their voice like a gentle wind.

Lian's eyes widened. "Ah! Who are you? Are you a ghost?"

The figure drifted closer, their face still obscured. "I am someone who knows your true nature," they replied, their voice dripping with mystery.

Lian's expression turned puzzled. "My true nature? You mean I'm not just a clumsy mortal or awkward disciple?"

The figure's silence was palpable.

Lian's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Ooh! Am I a secret prince? Or a hidden dragon?"

The figure's response was dry. "Not exactly."

Lian's face fell, but he quickly rebounded. "Then what am I?"

The figure's voice dropped to a whisper. "You, Lian, are..."

Suddenly, the figure vanished into thin air, leaving Lian staring at the empty space.

"Hey! Come back! What am I?" Lian shouted, looking around. " It's not right to keep someone hanging!"

The only response was the rustling of leaves, whispering an ominous warning: "The truth is coming, Lian. Be prepared."

Lian grinned. "I'm ready! I think. I'm sure I can surpass old Ling."

And with that, the clearing fell silent, leaving Lian with more questions than answers.

'Did I just talk to a ghost! Oh no!'