After Being Reborn, My Nemesis Mistook Me for a Substitute

The Demon Lord Bieshu, notorious throughout the Demon Realm, fought his mortal enemy Yan Xuexia to the death. In the end, he was pierced through the heart by a single sword and died on the spot. Humans and demons alike celebrated his death. Several years after Bieshu had been laid to rest in a dignified coffin, he opened his eyes in a spirit-summoning formation laid by his mortal enemy. He had become a ghostly servant whose soul was bound to his enemy's sword. Bieshu swallowed his anger. Fortunately, he'd never taken off his mask while alive. To keep his enemy from recognizing him and scattering his soul, he decided to endure the humiliation and wait for his chance. But gradually, he began to sense that something was off about his mortal enemy. * Yan Xuexia poured him a drink. "My treat. This is strong liquor from three hundred years ago. Do you like it?" Bieshu was silent. ...It's passable. Yan Xuexia took him for a stroll. "Come walk with me. This is the grandest Lantern Festival. Are you feeling any better?" Bieshu was aloof. ...It's all right. Yan Xuexia took him hiking. "The wind is cold on the cliff. Here, wear my clothes. I once fought a great battle here with an old friend, and barely won." Bieshu was annoyed. What a coincidence. This lord fought a great battle here too, and only lost because he let his guard down. * He thought his mortal enemy was actually pretty decent, until he found out that the usually aloof and upright Immortal Lord Yan was hopelessly in love with an old friend who didn't return his feelings. He had kept the man's wine cup and lantern, and even burned paper offerings for him. Bieshu refused to be someone else's substitute. He broke free of his control and returned to the Demon Realm. But to his surprise, his mortal enemy stormed in, dressed in white now stained red with blood. Immortal Lord Yan leaned on his sword and smiled at him. "A hundred years ago, my old friend said that if he were still alive, he'd take my life a hundred years later." "I've come to keep our appointment, Brother Bie." * Yan Xuexia had been hopelessly in love with someone he couldn't have, until one day he got the chance to keep that person by his side. Deeply possessive, scheming top × free-spirited Demon Lord bottom Sweet story of mutual secret love, one-on-one Theme: Friendship first, competition second