I Want to Understand You Deeply

Situ Xuan said offhandedly, "Is that so? Then you've had it pretty rough."

Vassago froze, his handsome brows and eyes looking at Situ Xuan in surprise. He had not expected this young man to give such a response. No sympathy, no comfort, none of the emotions he had imagined—only a light, airy remark tinged with a bit of indifference.

Situ Xuan felt Vassago's gaze on him and curled his lip. "What? You want me to say something to talk you through it? Or do you want me to comfort you a little?"

He waved a hand. "Dream on. You chose to do this yourself. Who could stop you? If I've got that kind of time, I might as well go outside and find a few Demon Gods to fight."

Vassago laughed when he heard that.

His laughter was not loud, but it echoed through the empty palace with a long-lost ease. It had been a very long time since he had heard words like these. The people around him were either awed, obedient, or cautiously trying to please him. No one spoke to him like this.

"Yes. I chose to do this myself. What is there to complain about?"

Situ Xuan gave a scoff and shook his head. Then he turned to look at Vassago, his tone carrying confusion. "Speaking of which, why did you bring me here in the first place?"

Vassago's smile slowly faded, and that gentle, profound light surfaced again in his orange-red eyes. He did not answer right away. Instead, he lowered his head and looked at his own palm, where that faint cluster of starlight slowly pulsed under his gaze.

"I want to make a deal with you."

Situ Xuan raised an eyebrow.

A deal.

To him, that word was more interesting than a threat.