Vivian struggled to keep her expression steady. She was genuinely stunned as she gazed at the newcomer.

Before her stood a silver-haired girl in an exquisite gown, crimson eyes gleaming with indescribable nobility and beauty. Though not tall, her face surpassed anyone Vivian had ever seen. Even Vivian—who never felt inferior, not even before her own sister—couldn’t help but feel a pang of inadequacy.

Could such perfection truly exist?

And this goddess… was *his* wife???

She was torn: relieved he hadn’t settled for someone unworthy, yet horrified he’d found someone impossibly perfect. Vivian had scorned Li Wei for carelessly marrying—but now, faced with the breathtaking reality, she was utterly dumbfounded.

“Finished?” Li Wei asked casually, glancing at Tsukika without missing a beat.

In front of others, he had to maintain the appearance of their relationship. No hiding this “wife.” Openness bred less suspicion. Besides, Tsukika’s identity was far too sensitive. It wasn’t that her background couldn’t withstand scrutiny—it was that anyone who dug too deep wouldn’t survive the consequences.

Still, Li Wei found the Demon Lord’s timing oddly convenient. *Was she tailing me?* Unlikely. After securing the cultivation method, Tsukika had left first—at his request—to “plant evidence.” He’d expected resistance to being exploited again as labor, yet her effortless agreement surprised him. Maybe she needed an excuse to slip away for her own schemes. But even if she acted right before his eyes… he was powerless to stop her.

Like knowing he’d be “used” again tonight—could he honestly claim he’d hold out? No way. Lately, Tsukika had treated him as a training dummy, honing… certain skills. Combined with her innate advantages and ability to shift forms at will, Li Wei realized with despair: it was no longer about whether he could perform. Now, he had to desperately hold back from surrendering too soon. He’d rather face her teasing gaze than earn the Demon Lord’s pity.

—Shaking off the thought, Li Wei revised his judgment. More likely, the Demon Lord had returned home earlier, noticed Vivian, stayed hidden to observe, and only emerged when the moment felt right.

As he pondered, Tsukika approached with a playful smile. “Of course I’d return after finishing my tasks.” She tilted her head. “What’s wrong? Blaming me for interrupting your chat with this little girl?”

Though shorter than Vivian, Tsukika’s presence alone crushed her. Vivian instinctively stepped back, still reeling from the girl’s beauty, momentarily speechless. Then Tsukika looped her arm through Li Wei’s, rose on her toes, and planted a casual kiss on his cheek—as if no one else existed. Vivian jolted as if struck by lightning.

Everything she’d secretly cherished, longed for, dreamed of… was now, right before her eyes, claimed so effortlessly by a stranger. The kiss was intimate, practiced—as if repeated hundreds of times. Li Wei showed no resistance, only faint, resigned tenderness. *Indulgent affection.*

Huh.

What felt off?

This couldn’t be fake. Just a performance to provoke her? To grab attention?

Vivian searched desperately for flaws—but the love simmering in those crimson eyes was so potent, jealousy surged violently within her. Those eyes held the Li Wei she’d once yearned for. And she had won him. So effortlessly?

*Where did this thief even come from?*

Daring not to meet Li Wei’s calm gaze, Vivian turned to Tsukika with a voice she didn’t recognize: “Who… are you really?”

“I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced,” Tsukika said sweetly. “I’m Tsukika. As you see, the Chosen Hero’s wife.” Her crimson eyes held Vivian—brimming with subtle disdain and amusement.

*Tsukika.*

Same name as the Undying Demon Lord. Yet Vivian’s mind refused the connection. No sane person would imagine the Undying brazenly appearing behind human lines… let alone becoming Li Wei’s wife. *Dismiss the obvious!*

She glanced at Li Wei. Seeing no denial, her voice trembled: “…Did you two only recently meet?”

When had someone this breathtaking crossed paths with him? She’d been by his side for years—how had she never seen Tsukika? *Not my fault.* It must’ve happened after he was expelled. Vulnerable. Taken advantage of.

*So this stunning wife is why he’s happy?* Vivian admitted—if she were a man, she’d struggle to resist such allure. A born femme fatale.

*But Li Wei… how could you fall for a woman of dubious origins? She has a daughter from another man! Can’t you see her scheme?*

Before Vivian could speak, Tsukika chimed: “Not at all. Li Wei and I have known each other for years.”

Vivian froze.

Li Wei had zero urge to deny it. Because it was true. He’d witnessed the Undying’s birth. Lived through that pivotal moment.

“Impossible!” Vivian’s voice shook. “If you’ve known each other so long, how have I never seen you?”

“We haven’t met,” Tsukika said, tilting her head, “but I’ve known of you, Vivian—sister to the Sword Empress, right? As for why you never saw me? Perfectly natural. *This man* protected me fiercely.” She gestured toward Li Wei. “Hunting Demon Lords was perilous. He was a thorn in every Demon Lord’s side—even many humans’. Imagine if they’d discovered his fragile, helpless wife.” She smiled gently, pinching the sleeping cheek of the child on Li Wei’s back. “But the Chosen Hero left me one precious treasure when we parted seven years ago.” She gazed at Li Wei, feigning adoration—only he saw the mischievous glint in her crimson eyes. “Isn’t that right, my lord?”

What could Li Wei do but nod? He saw her mischief—but playful scheming beat violence any day.

Noting Vivian’s shattered expression, Tsukika blinked innocently, her face radiating purity surpassing even Tiffany’s. “Miss Vivian… still not convinced?” She leaned in. “Surely you don’t think *my* Chosen Hero would accept a woman of unknown origins—with another man’s child—as his wife? After knowing him so long… you couldn’t harbor such a ridiculous misconception, could you? Surely not… surely not?”

Her words slammed Vivian against an invisible wall. Breath caught. The truth battered her—but a small part believed. Gritting her teeth, Vivian forced out: “Then… why return to him *now*?”

“Oh~” Tsukika clasped her hands, eyes shimmering with mock gratitude. “I almost forgot—I owe *you* thanks, Miss Vivian.”

ξ( ✿＞◡❛)

“Thank *me*? For what?” Vivian asked blankly, unease coiling tighter. Tsukika’s sweet smile now looked demonic.

“For freeing my husband,” Tsukika chirped. “After defeating the Annihilation Demon Lord, he lost his power. Yet this stubborn man clung to his ‘noble mission,’ abandoning us—his poor wife and child. But compared to saving humanity, such ‘scumbag behavior’ seems trivial, doesn’t it?” She beamed. “Thankfully, *you*, in your wisdom, solved it! Why let him waste time on a useless title? Freeing him from the ‘Chosen Hero’ fantasy was kindness. These past days… he’s finally embracing reality.” She added with mock solemnity: “So thank you. You did the *absolutely* right thing~ If my daughter were awake, she’d thank you too, you wonderful ‘kind soul’~"

Li Wei sank deeper into silence.

…