Rise of the Demon God

"What the heck? What are you saying? I already told you I have wives," Long Chen let out as he took a step back, unintentionally.

"I heard about that. And I even saw them last night. But I have realized that I made a mistake last time. You weren't the bad guy that I thought you were," Yu Ling told Long Chen as she gazed into his eyes, looking sad. 

"It was someone from your family that lied to me and made me think like you weren't the right guy. I made the mistake of not verifying the claims, and I'm really sorry for that. I want you. Please forgive my mistakes, and let's fulfill the promises of our parents?" she suggested.

"I think you didn't understand what I was saying. I have wives already!" Long Chen repeated his statement. "Who do you want to be with a married man when you can get better guys?"

"So what if you have wives? Many strong people have more than one wife. I don't care about your wives. I'll adjust with them. Make me one of them as well," Yu Ling told Long Chen.

"I'm sorry, but I can't," Long Chen let out, shaking his head. It's not you; it's me. I'm just not in the right mind to marry again. Moreover, my time is already occupied, and I can't stay here for long. I'll leave tonight. So please find someone better for you," Long Chen replied, using an old excuse. 

Yu Ling smiled as she shook her head. Sadness could be seen in her eyes as she stood up. "I guess I expected this already. Thank you for not hating me."

"I'm not lying when I say that you're the best woman a man could ask for. Unfortunately, I can't be that man. I already have too much on my plate. Please forgive me," Long Chen responded as he noticed the woman sad.

"Not at all. Don't be sorry. I feel lighter now that I told you the truth. I'll always regret my stupidity and not taking the chance when I had it. But now, I think I can keep this as a lesson in my heart. I don't know if I'll find another guy I like or not, but you'll always hold a special place in my heart," Yu Ling told Long Chen as she lowered her head.

"Don't think negatively. Of Course, you'll find someone," Long Chen said as he stepped forward and placed his hand on Yu Ling's head.

"Can we at least be friends then?" Yu Ling asked, sighing.  

Long Chen soon took off his hand as he started walking away. Ling was disappointed as she understood what it meant. It was also a no.

She started walking back towards her Clan, disappointed.

Long Chen, on the other hand, walked to a shop that was near him. 

Approaching the shop, he picked up what seemed like an expensive necklace. Without letting the owner complain, he tossed a gold coin towards the owner before he ran back to Yu Ling.

"Here, keep it," he said as he stopped before her while raising his hand towards him. 

"Why are you giving this to me?"  Yu Ling asked Long Chen, confused. 

" You asked to be my friend. I'm saying yes. Treat it as a farewell gift from a friend since I'll be leaving. Who knows, this might even help you get through your bottleneck," Long Chen answered. "Come on, take it."

"Can you place it on my neck?" Yu Ling asked Long Chen. 

"Alright."

Long Chen walked behind Yu Ling and placed the necklace around her neck.

"Thank you," Yu Ling thanked Long Chen.

"Let's go back now," Long Chen answered as he started walking back. 

Ling followed behind, staring at his back. 

It was only now that she understood. It wasn't her mistake that made Long Chen go away from her. Instead, it was their destiny. Their destiny was to be friends and not lovers. 

No matter what she did, she wouldn't have ended up with Long Chen. As for her stupidity, that only helped that destiny come true faster. Even if she hadn't found that, Long Chen wouldn't have married her.

Her world was right here, grounded in reality. Long Chen, on the other hand, was destined to touch the stars. Their paths were never meant to merge. 

As she realized this, it was as if a heavy stone was removed from her heart. She could feel that she was again able to feel the Qi of nature like before. 

'Is my bottleneck gone? Hah, so he really came to my life like an angel to heal me. Long Chen... Thank you. And I'm sorry for everything I did. I'll never forget you. I wonder if you'll remember me when you reach your destination,' Ling thought as she smiled. 

A single tear trickled down her cheeks, but she clearly wiped it. She had now understood why it all happened. It was a lesson for her.

After wiping her tears, she caught up to Long Chen and walked right beside him. 

"Here, take it," she told Long Chen as she also raised her hand towards him. 

Long Chen glanced at her hand to see a coin.

"What is it?" Long Chen asked curiously as he noticed the coin. "Are you giving me money?"

"It's not money. It's something special. Just keep it with you. Treat it as a farewell gift from me," Yu Ling told Long Chen.

"I'm taking it, but can you at least tell me what it is?" Long Chen asked. 

"It's my protective charm. My mother gave it to me when I was young. She said it would protect me. So far, it seemed to have protected me. But I think you deserve it. Take it," Yu Ling told Long Chen. 

"But it's your mother's heirloom. I can't take it," Long Chen replied, shaking his head. He refused to take it.

"If you don't take it, I'll think that you haven't forgiven me. Take it," Yu Ling insisted. "Moreover, I have more things from my mother."

Long Chen knew that she was lying. It was clear on her face. It didn't seem like she had more of such things. This was precious for her.

"How about you give me something else?" Long Chen asked. "Something else that I want from you?" 

"What do you want? Tell me. I'll give you," Ling said without any hesitation.

"A promise that you'll take care of my Long Chen members. Those guys might not be the best of people but still, treat them well. Even though they changed names, they'll be the last members of the Long Clan in this world," Long Chen told Ling.