My Arch-Nemesis Cried and Begged Me Not to Die

[The main story is told in third person and is complete. Next book launches in May.]

By the time I made a name for myself among the immortal sects, he was already a demonic cultivation prodigy notorious across the land. Our paths crossed at the height of our power, and we fought for ten days and ten nights in the Endless Sea. He shattered my core, and I pierced his spiritual mansion.

Neither of us came out ahead.

The Demon Realm's guardian found him, and after a century of seclusion, he emerged as the new Demon Lord, feared by all.

I dragged my frail, ailing body into obscurity and scraped by in an obscure little sect, with only a few years left to live.

We met again at a bustling cultivation gathering. Countless old acquaintances no longer recognized me, but he knew me at a glance and struck without hesitation.

With a smack, I was sent spitting three mouthfuls of blood and passed out on the spot.

When I opened my eyes, he stood beside me, looking grim. “How did you become a cripple?!”

I coughed so hard it felt as if my lungs were coming apart, then rolled my eyes at him. “Just as you wished. I'm dying.”

He refused to accept it. After going to great lengths to find my lost sword, he insisted that I fight him again. With no choice, I took it from him, only to hear it clatter to the ground. My old sword had slipped from my grasp.

His eyes widened in shock. I remained calm and unafraid.

That's right. I can't even hold a sword steady anymore.

I'd already accepted my fate, but he refused to give up. He went mad pouring all kinds of restorative treasures from the immortal sects into me, searching far and wide for strange experts to heal my injuries. He even took the opportunity to wipe out the enemy who had destroyed my entire family.

I was touched. “You're being so good to me. Don't tell me you like me.”

“Bullshit!” His face twisted. “I just want to beat you fair and square one more time! Yan Jingyu, if you're going to die, you'll die by my hand!”

My death drew closer by the day. He was so anxious he couldn't sleep at night, and his hair fell out in handfuls.

I ate well and slept soundly, strolling around the Demon Palace every day, teasing demons and monsters while lazily awaiting my death.

When I had a year left to live, I saw him sitting on the roof, staring into space. I stood below and held out my arms. “Hey, pick me up!”

He glanced at me, then abandoned his usual brutality. Without a word, he reached out and brought me up.

I settled down securely and went right back to calling him the pet name he hated most. “Liao Xiaomei, I'm really going to die. Stop wasting your time...”

Before I could finish, the infamous ruler of the realm bowed his head, and tears streamed down his face.

Me: “...”

No, wait. Can't I just keep practicing? I'll try to return to my former peak before I die, so I can have one last proper fight with you!

Hey, hey, stop crying...

The fallen moon X the brutal, proud sun

* The shou didn't become useless because he fought the gong. He'll regain his fighting ability later.

* Includes a sex-before-love storyline, with lots of melodrama. The characters are all flawed.

* Please discuss the plot rationally. Don't harass or attack the author over it. Comments may be deleted.

Theme: Even when everything has changed, stay true to yourself and keep striving.