My Unique Emperor (Part 2)

The truth

As the weight of their mutual longing settled in the air, Tianlan stepped forward, breaking the silence. She presented a small, elegantly crafted box, its exterior adorned with intricate patterns. Inside lay a collection of letters—sealed, untouched, and forgotten. These were the letters that had never found their way to Princess Mirai, letters that contained the emperor's deepest thoughts and unwavering devotion.

Both the emperor and Mirai stood astonished, their hearts pounding with anticipation.

Tianlan, in that moment, transformed into a beautiful woman whose body started to glow, radiating a soft, ethereal light.

Emperor Zhou Keung's voice trembled as he recognized her, his eyes widening with awe and reverence. "Goddess of light," he mumbled, his voice barely audible amidst the overwhelming emotions that engulfed him. He could scarcely believe that the divine being before him had graced their presence.

As the luminous goddess gently placed the box on the table, she spoke with a voice that carried wisdom and compassion. "You must tell her the truth," she said, her words resonating with a weight that pierced their souls. And just as quickly as she had appeared, she disappeared, leaving behind a sense of purpose and an unyielding resolve in the hearts of the emperor and Mirai.

The emperor, his heart heavy with the burden of his past, could not bring himself to meet Mirai's gaze. How was he going to reveal to her that he was the demon king, the very embodiment of darkness and chaos? The knowledge of his true identity threatened to shatter the fragile bond they had cultivated, but he knew that the time for secrecy had come to an end. With a deep breath, he mustered the courage to hold Mirai's delicate hands within his own.

"Mirai," he whispered, his voice filled with equal parts fear and love, "Do you believe in me? In us?" His eyes searched for a glimmer of trust, desperately hoping that their connection was strong enough to weather the storm that was about to engulf their lives.

Mirai, her eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and concern, nodded slowly. "Zhou Keung, my heart knows no bounds when it comes to you. Whatever it is that weighs heavy on your soul, I am here to listen and to stand by your side, always."

The emperor felt his heart swell with gratitude for her unwavering support, and yet, the truth he was about to reveal threatened to tarnish the purity of their love. Gathering his thoughts, he began recounting the tale of his past life, his voice laced with regret and longing.

The room was dimly lit, with only a single candle flickering on a wooden table before him. Its feeble glow cast eerie shadows on the walls, mirroring the turmoil within his soul. Zhou Keung's eyes were filled with a haunted emptiness, reflecting the profound loss he had endured.
H

e told everything to her.

He had been sent as a hostage to the Kingdom of Qingshui, where the people perceived him as weak and incapable. They never suspected his true nature—a cultivator who had reached the awe-inspiring ninth level of divine peak. Zhou Keung kept his abilities hidden, fearing that his powers would be seen as a threat, leading to his demise.

In an unexpected turn of events, the king of Qingshui defied convention and treated Zhou Keung as his own son. The ruler arranged his marriage with the fourth daughter, Zhang Ming Yue, whose beauty was as enchanting as a blue lotus in full bloom. Their life together was blissful, a fleeting period of happiness amidst the chaos that surrounded them.

But fate, ever cruel and capricious, had other plans in store. During an expedition with the Grand Preceptor, a revolt orchestrated by the Marquis and Prince Regent tore through the kingdom. Zhang Ming Yue fell victim to their treachery, her life extinguished by seven brutal stabs. The news of her tragic demise shattered Zhou Keung's world, leaving him broken and inconsolable.

Overwhelmed by grief, Zhou Keung's mind succumbed to darkness, and he became demonized. Centuries passed, and he emerged as the most formidable demon lord, invincible and unchallenged by the gods themselves. Seeking vengeance for his lost love, he struck out against the heavens, his army decimating everything in its path.

But amidst his reign of terror, a goddess of light appeared before him. Clad in radiant golden robes, she bore an aura of sarcasm as she addressed him. She presented an opportunity—an opportunity to reunite with Zhang Ming Yue in the mortal realm. However, there was a catch. In exchange, Zhou Keung had to relinquish his army and return to the demon realm.

Desperate to be reunited with his beloved, Zhou Keung accepted the goddess's offer. Little did he know that the price he would pay was far greater than he could have imagined. The goddess revealed that their reunion would occur five thousand years later, but he would inhabit a different body.

She instructed him to end his own life, and Zhang Ming Yue would be reborn as the third daughter of Zhang Yong, with her appearance mirroring her previous form—hair like shining rubies and eyes that captivated all who beheld them.

Doubt gnawed at Zhou Keung's heart as he contemplated the goddess's proposition. Was this a cruel trick, a ploy to manipulate him once again? Fearing the unknown, he sealed his powers and memories, along with the possessions of the goddess, inside a small green gem—a memory fragment. It was a safeguard against the uncertainty, a protective barrier that concealed the truth of his existence.

Zhou Keung's resolve was unyielding. He would not succumb to the goddess's demand without first understanding the full implications of her words. In doing so, he hoped to shield Mirai, the one he cherished in this lifetime, from the pain he had endured throughout his previous existence.

Thus, he entrusted the memory fragment to one of his loyal subordinates, with instructions to deliver it only when Zhou Keung regained the strength to wield its power. It was a final act of defiance against the goddess's whims, a defiant declaration that he would determine his own destiny.

Zhou Keung gazed deeply into Mirai's eyes, his heart heavy with uncertainty. They had been through so much together, their love tested by the trials and tribulations of life. In a moment of vulnerability, Zhou Keung mustered the courage to ask a question that had been gnawing at his soul: "Mirai, do you hate me?"

Mirai's expression softened, her eyes filled with understanding and compassion. With a gentle smile, she shook her head and replied, "No, Zhou Keung, I don't hate you." Her words carried a warmth that washed away his fears, and a flicker of hope ignited within him.

Moved by the depth of their connection, Zhou Keung reached out to embrace Mirai, their bodies intertwining in a tender embrace. In that shared moment of solace, the world around them faded away, leaving only their hearts beating in synchrony. Their embrace spoke volumes, reaffirming the bond they shared.

With their doubts cast aside, Zhou Keung couldn't contain the overflow of emotions within him. He spoke with a voice brimming with sincerity, "Mirai, I love you more than words can express. You are the light that guides me through the darkest of times. You complete me in ways I never thought possible. I am endlessly grateful for your presence in my life."

Mirai's heart swelled with happiness, feeling the depth of Zhou Keung's love pour into her soul. She realized that, despite any previous doubts, their connection had weathered the storms and emerged stronger than ever before. Mirai knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she too loved Zhou Keung with every fiber of her being.

Their love story reached its pinnacle as they decided to embark on the sacred journey of marriage. Surrounded by family and friends, Zhou Keung and Mirai exchanged vows, promising to stand by each other's side through thick and thin, to love and cherish one another for all eternity.