After some indeterminate period of time, Han Ling wakes up feeling immense pain, which confuses him—wasn't he dead?
Upon opening his eyes, Han Ling sees only darkness; every breath causes enormous pain. Moving his limbs was impossible—they seemed completely broken.
"Just when I finally thought I was going to die," Han Ling felt a bit irritated in his heart. He had given a speech exposing his feelings and vulnerabilities, preparing to die, but then he didn't die.
However, feeling the state his body was in, Han Ling deduced that his death wasn't far off, since his body seemed even more destroyed than before—all the bones in his body seemed broken, the flesh torn, and organs crushed.
"It's a miracle I'm still alive and conscious. Whoever made this attack was very cruel, wanted to make sure I died." Even saying this, Han Ling doesn't judge, since he had done many bad things—shattered bones and crushed organs were child's play compared to what he had done.
Suddenly, a flood of images invades Han Ling's mind, making him understand a little about his current situation.
He had reincarnated. His current identity was Lin Yan, a young man who had been betrayed by his sister and died.
Remembering Lin Yan's death, Han Ling felt like laughing. That was one of the most pathetic and ridiculous ends he had ever seen.
Lin Yan, as someone gentle and pure-hearted, never suspected the evil that hides in other people's hearts.
Even if he hadn't been betrayed by his sister, at some point he would have been betrayed—someone with his personality was simply perfect to deceive.
Stopping those thoughts, Han Ling didn't mind having transmigrated, and he felt happy in his heart now that he would finally die, but he still wished Han Xinrou were by his side—it was a need of his heart.
Han Ling's consciousness sinks deeper and deeper into darkness, his eyelids growing heavier and heavier.
It seemed like he was going to die again. However, a warm sensation takes over his being. Han Ling was not prepared for this pleasant feeling that suddenly came.
Han Ling feels his body regenerate and become better than before, allowing him to open his eyes and catch a glimpse of a stunning woman standing by his side.
She was there, motionless like an immortal painting, lighting up the place with her presence. She wore a long white dress, as pure as the untouched snow on heavenly peaks. The fabric seemed made of mist, flowing gently even in the absence of wind.
Her hair, black as freshly dissolved ink, cascaded down her back. A small jade clasp held a rebellious strand behind her ear, highlighting her serene beauty even more.
But it was her eyes that truly captivated him—they were deep and clear like a crystalline pond, containing a darkness in their depths, a darkness strangely familiar to Han Ling.
She was beautiful. But not a vulgar or worldly beauty—it was the kind of beauty that made cultivators forget their Dao, mortals stop breathing, and the heavens hesitate to send lightning.
Han Ling was not impressed by her beauty—his heart had space for only one woman. However, he was curious about this woman's intentions. What did she want from him to save him from death?
"Um... Could you tell me who you are? And why did you save me?"
The woman remains silent, not even bothering to answer Han Ling's question, observing him in silence.
Han Ling crosses his arms as he looks at the woman, making it clear that he wouldn't move or stand up until she answered his question.
"You really haven't changed... Han Ling," the woman said with a soft voice, a hint of a smile crossing her eyes.
Han Ling's body tensed upon hearing those words. Han Ling was his name, but no one should know that—he was supposed to be Lin Yan to everyone else. So how did this woman know?
Han Ling hides his discomfort with a smile as he thinks of a suitable answer for the woman. But his thoughts are interrupted by her voice.
"Han Ling... Did you really think you'd get rid of me that easily?"
Han Ling immediately recognized that overly sweet tone of voice—it was the same tone Han Xinrou used when she was alone with him.
"Uh... Xinrou?" Han Ling says hesitantly, unsure of what to expect, deep down hoping that she really was Han Xinrou.
"Correct~" Han Xinrou says with the same overly sweet tone of voice, which sounded like a heavenly sound to Han Ling's ears.
He thought he had lost her forever. His heart couldn't take another separation—just when he had managed to reconcile with her after so many years alone.
Without her, his life felt dull and lifeless; only after leaving her did he realize how important she was to him. However, he never had the courage to look for her—after all, he was the one who left her.
Now that he has her back, he will never let her go again.
Han Ling immediately gets up and tries to walk toward Han Xinrou, only to trip over his own legs and fall to the ground. He still hadn't gotten used to his new body, so it was hard to move.
"Are you that eager for me?" Han Xinrou laughs softly at Han Ling's fall, teasing him about it.
Han Ling gets up quickly, trying to brush the dust off his clothes, only to give up shortly after, since his clothes were all stained with blood—what would a little more dust matter?
"Han Xinrou... Did you forgive me for abandoning you?" Han Ling says with a hopeful voice. He wanted to be sure Han Xinrou had forgiven him—if not, how could he forgive himself for leaving her behind?
"Hmm... I haven't thought about it yet. I love you, and that's all that matters." Han Xinrou brings a finger to her cherry lips, making a contemplative expression as she responds with a firm voice: "But you know... my heart still aches from being away from you for so long."
Her tone becomes darker and more threatening as she continues: "I think I'll only forgive you completely when you've received proper punishment."
Han Ling immediately kneels on the ground, ready to accept any punishment from Han Xinrou, making her laugh softly as she says: "You fool, I don't want to hurt you."
She waves her hand, pulling a collar from her spatial ring and handing it to Han Ling.
The collar has a tag with a few words written on it: "Property of Han Xinrou. Touch and die."
"There, now you can put it on," she said with a gentle smile and a loving voice, but one that carried a hidden threat.
Han Ling smiles, happy at the prospect of finally being forgiven by Han Xinrou.
As for the collar being humiliating, Han Ling didn't see it that way. The collar was just another proof of how much Han Xinrou loved him.
As soon as Han Ling puts on the collar, it locks around his neck with magic, only to be removed with Han Xinrou's permission.
After that, Han Xinrou pulls Han Ling into her arms and says in a soft and childish voice, but with a glint of madness in her eyes: "Awnn... Just look at you... so obedient, so mine..."
"You left me once... but now... now I truly have you." Han Xinrou smiles, running her fingers along Han Ling's neck, then over the collar.
"And even if one day you try to run away again... this collar will remind you who your owner is." Han Xinrou lightly taps the tag on the collar with her finger.
"With me. Forever." She finishes with a possessive kiss on Han Ling's lips.
Han Ling reacts immediately, wrapping his arms around her, kissing her with the hunger built up from all those years apart, prolonging the kiss as much as possible.
As the lust and hunger grow, Han Ling's hands begin to wander shamelessly, caressing Han Xinrou's body.
Han Xinrou breaks the kiss, slapping Han Ling's sneaky hands while panting and saying flirtatiously: "Ah ah ah... You're so impatient..."
Han Ling holds Han Xinrou's hand, kissing it as he says: "You're right, I'm being too hasty. We still have plenty of time for that."
Han Xinrou observed Han Ling with half-closed eyes, still panting from the intense kiss they shared. Her cheeks were flushed, not from embarrassment — but from restrained excitement. The hand he kissed trembled slightly, not from fear, but from desire... and from self-control to not act on her urges.
"You... are different," Han Xinrou whispered, her voice soft as silk but sharp as a blade. "Before, you were cold, indifferent... now you're all sweet, almost submissive. Is that because of guilt? Or because you finally realized how much you need me?"
"A bit of both, sister," Han Ling replies with a smile, clearly pleased with the effect he had on Han Xinrou.
Han Xinrou froze for a moment upon hearing the word "sister," the sweetness disappearing from her expression for a moment, replaced by something darker and colder.
"Sister?" She repeated the word with disgust. "After everything we've been through, I'm still just your sister?"
Han Ling stroked Han Xinrou's long black hair, as if admiring a work of art.
"Alright, what do you want to be called?"
Han Xinrou thought for a few moments and said: "Mistress. From now on, I'm your mistress. You'll do whatever I want."
Han Ling's cold eyes narrowed as he looked directly into Han Xinrou's crystalline eyes.
"Mistress," Han Ling whispered softly.
Han Xinrou acted as if she hadn't heard and said: "Oh? I'm sorry, I didn't hear that. Could you repeat it?"
"Mistress!" This time, Han Ling shouted loudly, as if afraid Han Xinrou hadn't heard.
The sound of the word "Mistress" echoed through the dark abyss, shattering its usual silence.
Hearing that sincere shout, Han Xinrou widened her eyes for a moment, as if unprepared for the pleasure it gave her. She immediately brought her hands to her mouth, her eyes shining like a child who had just received the greatest gift.
"Ahh...!" Han Xinrou gave a little jump, clapping her hands with uncontrollable joy, spinning once on her heels. Her radiant expression contrasted frighteningly with the silent darkness of the abyss around them.
"You said it! You really said it!" She ran to Han Ling and threw herself into his arms, pushing him backwards to the ground with a sudden movement, lying on his chest.
"My sweet darling..." She looked down at him with teary eyes, her hands framing his face.
"You are mine. Mine forever. My toy, my lover, my disciple, my everything."
Han Ling just chuckled softly, eyes half-closed, enjoying the warmth of her body on his.
"You're enjoying this a little too much, Xinrou."
Han Xinrou bit her lower lip upon hearing that and tightened her grip on his shoulders, as if holding onto something precious that might disappear.
"It's Mistress Xinrou to you, naughty darling..."
He raised his hand and ran his fingers through her hair, gently pulling her closer. "Xinrou... you're so beautiful... It makes me want to devour you."
Han Xinrou's eyes sparkled at Han Ling's words, and then she lowered her lips to his, but before kissing him again, she whispered with a vicious smile: "I'm finally going to taste the sweetness that was denied to me my whole life."
***
End of chapter