Chapter 41: Lilia (Wrong number sent)

The one who once reached out to him in his moment of death, yet parted ways because of differing stances…

Liliya.

Liliya’s gaze slowly swept across the front of the Imperial Allied Forces.

When her eyes landed on Luo Ling, a fleeting trace of surprise flashed in those soul-stirring, bewitching eyes, quickly turning into deeper amusement and a complex, unreadable emotion.

“Oh my? Isn’t this our ‘cute’ little Luo Ling?”

“What a surprise. In just a few years, you’ve grown so much—you even became the Commander of the Crusade?”

Liliya covered her mouth with a light laugh, her voice alluring to the bone.

“But, bringing so many ‘toys’ with you, did you come to play some kind of game with big sister?”

Her words were playful, carrying the unique allure of a Succubus, but Luo Ling heard no trace of the past in them—only cold mockery and the pride of a Demon King’s general.

Luo Ling took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the turmoil in his heart.

The “Dawnbringer” sword gripped tightly in his hand emitted a faint hum.

He knew he could not afford the slightest wavering at this moment.

He was the Commander of the Imperial Allied Forces, bearing the lives and hopes of countless people.

“Liliya.”

Luo Ling’s voice was cold, devoid of emotion.

“Put away your tricks! Step aside, or die!”

“Die?”

Liliya acted as if she’d heard the greatest joke in the world, laughing so hard her chest trembled, making many soldiers in the Allied Forces breathe faster, their eyes flashing with strange light.

“Little Luo Ling, what silly things are you saying? Would you really bear to kill me?”

Liliya parted her red lips, her voice melodic and soft, with a touch of coyness and certainty.

Her gaze instantly turned mournful, those autumn-water-like eyes filled with endless sorrow and grievance.

She stepped forward with light, elegant strides, like a graceful spirit fox, moving toward Luo Ling step by step.

As she drew closer, the Charming Power she exuded grew stronger, like invisible threads silently entwining the hearts of everyone present.

“Do you remember?”

“Back in that forest, who bandaged your wounds when you were hurt? Who found food for you when you were hungry? Who… kept you company and warmed you when you were alone and helpless?”

Liliya’s voice was like a gentle yet penetrating breeze, drifting into Luo Ling’s ears like a spell, battering at his heart and mind.

Luo Ling’s once-steady gaze faltered slightly upon hearing these words.

Those long-buried fragments of memory, awakened by some mysterious force, surged forth like a tide.

It was a past too painful to recall.

Once, on his long path of cultivation, Luo Ling faced unprecedented danger.

In that forest filled with peril, he wandered alone, lost in a thick fog of confusion that enveloped him tightly.

The darkness around him seemed ready to devour him, his heart filled with fear and despair.

Just as he was about to be swallowed completely by the darkness, Liliya appeared.

Her gentle smile, like a ray of sunlight piercing the gloom, brought Luo Ling a trace of warmth.

She carefully bandaged his wounds, her delicate movements as if cherishing a precious treasure.

When hunger overcame him, she tirelessly found food, watching his ravenous eating with eyes full of concern.

On those long, lonely nights, she quietly kept him company, speaking softly, her words dispelling the darkness in his heart and giving him a faint but priceless light.

Luo Ling’s eyes grew hazy, lost in those memories he could not break free from.

He seemed to see himself and Liliya once again, leaning on each other in the forest, facing the storms together.

Every detail from those days flashed through his mind like a movie.

However, just as Luo Ling was sinking into the whirlpool of memories, an Old General in the Allied Forces, his gaze sharp, sensed Luo Ling’s abnormal state.

Knowing the power of Liliya’s Charming Power, he felt a surge of alarm and shouted:

“General Luo, do not be bewitched by her!”

This thunderous shout crashed in Luo Ling’s ears like a great bell, yanking him back from the abyss of memory to reality.

Luo Ling jolted, his eyes instantly regaining clarity as he looked at Liliya, his heart filled with complicated emotions.

He understood—the Liliya before him was no longer the pure, kind girl of the past.

Now she stood with the Demon King’s Army, an enemy.

Luo Ling’s gaze became clear again.

“What’s past is past!”

“Now, you are a Fang of the Demon King. I am the Commander of the Crusade.”

“Between us, there is only enmity, not friendship!”

“Enemies, not friends?”

Liliya stopped, her smile fading, replaced by a nearly sorrowful mockery.

“Yes, enemies, not friends… What a grand and righteous excuse.”

“Humans are always so skilled at forgetting and betraying.”

Her gaze turned icy, her aura changing in an instant.

If before she was an abyss of temptation, now she was a venomous snake.

“Since you’re so heartless, don’t blame big sister for being ruthless!”

With a charming cry, Liliya’s figure vanished.

“Watch out!”

Luo Ling reacted instantly.

Almost as soon as Liliya disappeared, he raised the “Dawnbringer” in front of him.

“Clang!”

A crisp, metallic clash rang out, sparks flying.

Luo Ling felt a tremendous force from the sword, along with a chill and fiercely corrosive energy trying to invade his body.

He grunted, retreating several steps with both man and horse before stabilizing.

Where he had stood moments ago, Liliya’s figure quietly reappeared.

At some point, a dagger glowing with eerie green light had appeared in her hand, its tip pressed against the spine of “Dawnbringer.”

“Not bad. Your reflexes have improved.”

Liliya licked her lips, dangerous light flickering in her eyes.

“Looks like you really haven’t been slacking these years.”

Luo Ling said nothing, his gaze growing even colder.

He knew Liliya’s strength far surpassed ordinary high-level Succubi.

As one of the Demon King’s four great generals, her combat power was not to be underestimated.

That earlier strike, though light, contained a sinister and corrosive force.

“All troops, fall back! Form the Battle Array! Leave this to me!”

Luo Ling ordered in a deep voice.

He didn’t want to see needless sacrifice among his soldiers.

Liliya’s Charming Power was too dangerous for the army; only by taking her on himself did he have any chance.

Though worried, the soldiers knew the Commander’s order was correct.

They immediately began a disciplined retreat, forming the Battle Array and watching the confrontation with wary eyes.

“What’s this?”

“Trying to fight big sister one-on-one?”

Liliya’s enchanting eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a captivating smile as she spoke in a sweet voice.

Her words sounded like music from heaven, yet seemed to carry an invisible magic that relentlessly battered Luo Ling’s heart.

“Or do you want to ‘repay’ big sister’s kindness from the past like this? If you join the Demon King’s Army and give up your so-called hero status, we could still be together.”

A glimmer of expectation and longing shone in her autumn-water eyes, filled with endless tenderness.

Luo Ling looked at Liliya before him, a mix of emotions in his heart.

Once, in those dark days, Liliya’s warmth and care were like a faint light guiding him forward.

Those precious memories, like gems, were carefully treasured deep in his heart.

Yet now, the two of them stood on opposing sides, enemies.

“Liliya, for old times’ sake, I remember, but I cannot betray my mission and beliefs.”

“What the Demon King has done has brought endless pain and disaster to this continent.”

“As a hero, I am duty-bound to protect the people of this land.”

Luo Ling’s voice was calm, yet held unwavering resolve.

At his words, Liliya’s eyes dimmed, soon replaced by fierce determination.

“Little Luo Ling, are you really so heartless?”

“Are you telling me our beautiful memories can be cast aside so easily?”

Her voice trembled with unwillingness and anger.

But Luo Ling ignored her taunting words.

He took a deep breath, circulating his inner power to its limit.

The Starshine Battle Armor glowed brightly, and “Dawnbringer” hummed, its blade shimmering with starlight.

“Liliya, I’ll say it one last time. Step aside!”

Liliya’s smile vanished completely, her eyes filled with cold killing intent.

“Refuse a toast, and you’ll be forced to drink punishment instead!”

“If you’re determined to die, then big sister will grant your wish!”

“Let you truly understand the gap between us!”

Before she finished speaking, Liliya’s figure blurred again.

This time, not just one—dozens of identical figures split and charged at Luo Ling from all directions.

Each carried a deadly aura of seduction and lethal force.

At the same time, countless vines slithered out of the shadowy forest like venomous snakes, winding toward Luo Ling.

The sweet, cloying scent in the air grew even thicker, ceaselessly gnawing at his will.

Notice: The same series was there in the raws too.