The Demon King's heir
3 - XIU HUAN II

A few months before the death of the previous King.

Houyuan Mountain is a cool mountain range with no magic animals to interfere with. In a remote village, Xiu Huan appeared to be stopping in front of an outdoor restaurant. He watched as several families were talking to each other in front of the dining table regardless of what was happening around him.

”It's great to be able to talk like them. If only I had someone to talk to.” muttered Xiu Huan who noticed. ”... I can't be born without parents, right? They all left and I lived alone. There is no such thing as a brother even though I wished so much that I cried blood. Who can I come to now?”

Xiu Huan stared at one of the mountains that were there. In the middle of the mountains, there was a golden tree that was so shining even though it was still day. Xiu Huan was lured to come to the place immediately. He started walking there with no one to stop him.

Arriving at the top of the mountain, Xiu Huan saw no one but a simple temple with a golden tree growing not far from the temple. The tree seemed to be emitting an energy that could defeat the demonic energy around it. In the past, people often came here so that demonic energy would not affect their minds. However, since the war ended, no one had visited here in a few years.

”It's so relaxing.” mumbled Xiu Huan while touching the tree. He felt the wind slowly blow past his face and the heat of the sun that was happening, was no longer felt by him.

”It looks like you're getting interested in the tree.” said a woman who walked behind him holding the hand of a five-year-old boy.

Hearing him, he immediately made Xiu Huan face behind and look at the woman. ”... I came to see it. Obviously this tree is different from the trees around it.” said Xiu Huan.

The woman was dressed like a mountain priest. His long black hair was broken down to above his knees and on his clothes was a golden yellow pattern that formed a beautiful pattern. He walked up to the tree and watched it for a while.

”This tree has existed since hundreds of years ago when the war between humans and demons still occurs. The priests who were here believed that this tree came from the sky which was planted directly by a god. This tree exists to ward off the demonic energy that comes to affect the human mind. However, since the war is over, not a single person has come to visit.” was obviously a woman while touching the tree while her Son was sheltering behind her back.

Xiu Huan was silent for a while and said, ”I understand. You're the priest in these mountains. You must know how to take away another's grief."

She smiled and stopped touching the tree. ”... You must feel lonely after seeing the people who live in the village there. They can talk to each other and laugh together whereas you very rarely get it.” said the woman.

Xiu Huan was stunned for a moment. His gaze then gazed in the other direction and replied awkwardly. ”... Yep. Such is. I haven't had anyone since I left Master 16 years ago.”

”Then, there is no harm in meeting your Master. You may not feel lonely anymore. Or, find someone who needs you. That feeling will probably disappear slowly.” continued the woman.

”I doubt.” a short Xiu Huan while rubbing the nape of his neck. ”... Master probably won't recognize my face anymore or even forget me.”

The woman smiled as she patted Xiu Huan on the shoulder. ”... A Master cannot forget his own student. Just like your parents. Like whatever attitude change you show and no matter how much evil you do, they will still know you.”

Xiu Huan fell silent to think about it for a while. ”... You may be right.” he said as he bowed in front of him. ”Thank you for giving me a way out.”

Xiu Huan replied a moment later, ”My name, Xiu Huan from Nanxin.” region

The woman smiled and replied, ”It's nice to meet you, Xiu Huan. My name is Yi Qingqi and this is my Son, Zhou Luan. You can come here whenever you want. I'll always be here."

Xiu Huan directly replied, “Thank you. I will definitely visit here.” he replied as he turned back to him. ”... Then I'll go to see him. I'll be right back when my business is done.”

When he saw her leave, Yi Qingqi looked worried about something. Suddenly his premonition became bad as if indicating that there would be an incident that he did not want. ”... I hope that doesn't really happen. Please, protect him who wants to meet his Master.” muttered Yi Qingqi.

Yi Qingqi tried to look back. However, when he did, Zhou Luan was no longer there. He was surprised and tried to look around. However, he did not manage to find Zhou Luan who should still be nearby. ”... Where'd he go?"

At the same time, Xiu Huan was descending the mountain by passing a staircase made of stone. He himself realized that Zhou Luan was currently following him from behind. However, as he did not pay much attention to it, he continued to pass one by one rung of stairs and waited until the boy stopped following him.

However, after he reached the foot of the mountain, Zhou Luan still followed him. He himself did not know why the boy just kept following him like this. Could it be that there was something to be said by him at the moment?

Just as Xiu Huan was about to turn his head towards Zhou Luan, suddenly his attention was immediately drawn to the sound of footsteps approaching him.

The male figure walks with both legs that look lame. His eyes looked cloudy and there were several wounds all over his body. He does not breathe and has no heart. For the first time, Xiu Huan saw Luo Hein as he was about to die due to the punishment received by him.

”Teacher! What happened to you?!” said Xiu Huan who immediately ran over to Luo Hein as he was about to lose consciousness.

While running towards him, Zhou Luan seemed to do nothing and just watch him from a distance. However, just as Xiu Huan had been nearby with his anxious-looking expression, Luo Hein's hand pierced through his left chest and pulled his heart out slowly.

Xiu Huan felt extremely shocked after Luo Hein did all this to him. Both of his eyes widened and his lips tightly clenched as if he was holding his blood from coming out.

”G~ Master? What are you doing?” xiu Huan asked with his troubled tone before finally, his heart was completely expelled by Luo Hein thus making him fall backwards.

Luo Hein instantly ate his heart voraciously like a young man who had never eaten for days. However, a few seconds later, he realized that he had killed his own disciple! Though at that time Xiu Huan intended to visit him but, he killed him instead like this?!

”Stupid! What have I done?!”

Luo Hein looked dispirited and felt very sad as he looked at Xiu Huan's face lying on the ground. ”... Please, I'm sorry. I can't control myself. Sorry.” Luo Hein said regretfully before he finally took out his crystal shards then, placed them on Xiu Huan's hollow left chest.