A Calculated Alliance and a Heart’s Awakening

In fact, based on the information the High Priest had just revealed, Xie Haizhu had already vaguely suspected that the original host likely knew about the Demon Race.

However, Xie Haizhu was someone who valued concrete evidence before making judgments. It was difficult to fully trust what the High Priest had said.

But when combined with Rayne’s intelligence, this suspicion transformed almost into certainty.

Still, the intricate details remained unclear, and Rayne evidently knew nothing further. Thus, Xie Haizhu redirected the conversation back to their initial topic.

“Regarding your master’s condition, I will assist, but not at this moment,” she stated.

“Of course, I’m not so benevolent as to ask for nothing in return. Present the medicines you’ve prepared.”

Xie Haizhu understood that offering help without expecting anything in return would not only burden the recipient but also sow seeds of suspicion, potentially turning a good deed into something detrimental.

Therefore, she proactively requested the items Rayne had prepared as exchange, and then continued, “While you may not intend to fully betray the Empire, surely you don’t wish to see innocent commoners suffer, do you?”

“I hope you can tell me: with all the destructive actions the Empire has recently undertaken, are they planning a large-scale offensive?”

This was the primary reason Xie Haizhu had sought to speak with Rayne. Compared to the Demon Race incident, the impending imperial invasion, set to occur in just over two months, was far more urgent for the Vermillion Bird Kingdom.

From Rayne’s past actions and the intelligence he provided, it was evident he was a warrior with a profound sense of chivalry. Such a person was ill-suited to be a military commander or a spy, possessing little loyalty to their nation.

This presented Xie Haizhu with a perfect opportunity to extract information about the imperial invasion. She didn’t need much; simply getting him to speak on the matter would lift the reincarnation restriction, allowing her to prepare the Kingdom in advance.

To Xie Haizhu’s immense delight, Rayne, without a moment’s hesitation or any attempt at concealment, divulged the internal details.

“I don’t know the specifics, but a major operation is certainly underway,” he revealed. “It will likely commence within three to six months, and they won’t be using conventional methods.”

“Instead, they’ll employ techniques unearthed from ancient ruins, possibly involving ultra-long-distance teleportation arrays…”

It would happen. It was inevitable.

If it were merely a few Battle Beasts, even without her, and even if the Vermillion Bird Grand Formation failed, the Kingdom would not be utterly defenseless.

However, the Empire had teleported in one War Lord and twenty Battle Lords. After the Royal Capital fell, the Kingdom’s borders were breached, leaving it leaderless and leading to its demise in an incredibly short span of time.

In this life, however, Xie Haizhu would absolutely not permit such a tragedy to recur.

“I am very grateful for your information,” Xie Haizhu declared. “Next, I will imprison you and make the announcement throughout the entire Kingdom.”

“My deepest gratitude, esteemed Xie Haizhu. Your immense kindness is something I shall never forget!” Rayne responded.

Once the news of his arrest spread, the Empire would find it difficult to accuse him of treason. Even if they claimed he might surrender under torture, they could not use that to tarnish Rayne the War Lord’s reputation.

As long as his master remained uninvolved, Rayne would be content.

Moreover, being imprisoned would allow Rayne to prove the accuracy of his earlier intelligence. This would, in turn, facilitate Xie Haizhu’s future assistance in lifting his master’s seal.

For Xie Haizhu, who had considered everything so meticulously, even though this was a trade for his information, it was enough to earn his profound gratitude.

With Rayne’s matter settled, Xie Haizhu symbolically bound him. She then guided Xie Shenai back towards Li Tianming and the others.

The Seven Heroes of the Eastern Expedition had long since recovered, yet they now understood the vast disparity in their strength after the earlier suppression.

They had refrained from approaching rashly, even retreating slightly to a distance where they wouldn’t hinder. Now, seeing Xie Haizhu return safely, they collectively exhaled in relief, their faces lighting up with joy.

However, Li Tianming still harbored some concern, for…

“Is everyone alright?”

Hearing this voice, Li Tianming turned back in astonishment, only to see a red-haired youth eagerly approaching from the rear.

Who else could it be but Xie Shenhong?

Li Tianming couldn’t help but redirect his gaze, observing Xie Haizhu standing calmly at the center of the crowd. The “Xie Shenhong” who had rushed to the front possessed no demonic energy, nor any signs of deceit in their body.

At the very least, there was nothing to suggest they were a puppet or an imposter.

Before long, Wendy arrived, leading the reinforcements. They took away the remnants of the enemy who still drew breath or had already perished.

The group then boarded transport vehicles, heading back towards the Royal Capital.

Li Tianming, “Xie Shenhong,” and Xie Shenai shared a compartment in the same transport vehicle, as he was the primary person in charge of the operation.

Shortly after, “Xie Shenhong” disintegrated into countless water droplets and vanished. Xie Haizhu instantly appeared before the two of them.

As she manifested a soundproof barrier, she also conjured green tea and a tea set, savoring the brew.

“You two should drink as well; don’t be shy.”

“Thank you, Sister,” Xie Shenai replied.

****

Li Tianming picked up his teacup. The teacup’s craftsmanship was flawless, as was the soundproof barrier.

Yet, he knew perfectly well that Xie Haizhu still hadn’t remembered anything. But for some reason, his initial impatience and anxiety had dissipated.

‘It seems you’ve realized what it is you truly pursue.’

In truth, Li Tianming also understood, but the question remained: ‘Is this truly acceptable?’

Whether Xie Haizhu was the “original” Xie Haizhu was not something he deeply cared about. He only cared about the outcome.

For everyone to return safely, and for Xie Haizhu to regain her strength, as was the case now—this was what he yearned for.

However, such a utilitarian mindset couldn’t help but fill Li Tianming with shame.

‘What could be wrong with it? Everyone is happy; such a pursuit is a good thing.’

‘But my methods…’

“Since you already know where you went wrong, then isn’t the solution simple?” Xie Haizhu said with a faint smile. “Apologize, correct your actions, and pursue the same desired outcome through better means, transforming both the process and the result into something good.”

‘I… indeed.’

Li Tianming couldn’t help but give a bitter laugh, mocking himself for being so obsessed, for being so foolish.

“Don’t just say it; the person you should apologize to is right in front of you,” Xie Haizhu prompted.

Upon hearing this, Xie Shenai froze, quickly waving her hands. “No, Sister, it’s alright. There’s no need for Brother Tianming to…”

“When did this fellow ever deserve for you to call him ‘Brother’?” Xie Haizhu feigned annoyance, cutting her off. “He absolutely must apologize.”

“But…”

“Yes, Lady Haizhu is correct… Xie Shenai, I deeply apologize. I used to resent you, blaming you as the culprit who caused Lady Haizhu’s amnesia, all to alleviate my own guilt. I am truly sorry.”

Li Tianming knelt, bowing his head profoundly, appearing as though he would not rise until forgiven.

Seeing this, Xie Shenai was about to utter words like “it’s alright,” but Xie Haizhu held her back.

“Xie Shenai, this fellow is incredibly stubborn,” Xie Haizhu explained. “If you say it’s fine and you don’t care, he’ll agonize over it all day. However, if you scold or hit him, he’ll actually feel satisfied.”

Li Tianming was utterly speechless, unable to utter a single word of rebuttal.

Xie Shenai, too, was momentarily at a loss for words. But soon, she understood: her sister was guiding her.

She then looked earnestly at Li Tianming, recalling all that had transpired in recent days, and shook her head.

“Brother Tianming, what are you saying? Haven’t you always been protecting and helping me?”

Indeed, despite Li Tianming harboring much dissatisfaction towards Xie Shenai in his heart, he had never once faltered in his duty to protect her.

He claimed he hated leaving Xie Shenai alone at home, yet what he was actually doing was striving to resolve the incident, tackling the crisis from its very source.

His acting was exceptionally poor, easily seen through by Xie Shenai, yet even though he could have displayed an expression of aversion, he still went through all these superfluous motions.

Yes, he did so in pursuit of a good ending. But in that good ending, she, Xie Shenai, was one of the beneficiaries.

Truly, how could she have been so foolish? How could she have conceived such a completely nonsensical thought as ‘it’s fine even if I’m disliked’ back then?

Indifference was unacceptable. What she should do was—

“Thank you, Brother Tianming.”

Li Tianming, who had been bowing his head, widened his eyes slightly. He wanted to refute, to deny, but for some unknown reason, not a single word escaped his lips.

“Because this is also the good outcome you longed for,” Xie Haizhu stated.

‘Did he yearn for others’ gratitude? For the things he had done?’

Li Tianming felt a pang of guilt, but immediately recalled Xie Haizhu’s earlier words. True repentance was not merely expressed verbally, but demonstrated through change.

He rose, bowing deeply to Xie Haizhu. “Lady Haizhu, thank you for your constant care and guidance… I will strive to do better in the future.”

“Mm, keep it up… Anything else?”

“After this, I will apologize to everyone else.”

“As you should.”

Gazing at the blue-haired maiden who smiled with satisfaction, Li Tianming’s final inner struggle finally eased.

From beginning to end, Xie Haizhu had always been Xie Haizhu… No.

More accurately, they had all been mistaken. The current Xie Haizhu was clearly becoming even better than before—

“Tianming, don’t you think humanity is too corrupt?” she asked. “Even with a great enemy before them, they still scheme against each other, indulging in selfishness, pleasure, arrogance, and indolence… Do such humans truly deserve salvation?”

At the very least, her eyes now shone with light. They brimmed with hope.