Heart of the White-haired Demon

Lian's impulsive nature took hold, and he blurted, "Are you the Jade Emperor?"

The stranger's expression changed, his eyes widening in surprise, then narrowing in incredulity. He seemed to wonder if Lian had lost his mind.

Without a word, the stranger pushed Lian aside and entered the hut. Lian's eyes widened as realization dawned - the food he had devoured belonged to this enigmatic stranger.

Overcome with guilt, Lian followed the stranger, bowing deeply. "Mister...Jade Emperor, I'm sorry for eating your food. I was starving, and I promise to repay you. Your food saved my life; I owe you a debt of gratitude."

The stranger's gaze remained cold, his expression unreadable. He didn't acknowledge Lian's apology, instead rising to pull him out of the hut. The door creaked shut, and Lian heard the click of a lock.

Lian's mind struggled to catch up. Why was the stranger so upset? He had only eaten food, not committed a grave offense.

As the stranger turned away, Lian rushed to the window, peering inside. The stranger sat serenely, his beauty and elegance mesmerizing.

Lian's guilt persisted. He pounded on the window, shouting, "I'm sorry! Please forgive me!"

The stranger sighed, his expression softening slightly. He rose, his movements fluid, and approached the window. For an instant, their eyes met, and Lian sensed a glimmer of understanding.

Then, the stranger closed the window, shutting Lian out.

Lian's unease grew, fueled by the stranger's silence. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had to make things right.

"Why is he living in the forest?" Lian wondered. "Isn't it dangerous?"

Determined to apologize, Lian returned to the hut, knocking on the door. The stranger opened it, his expression unreadable. Lian knelt, explaining, "Your food saved my life. I'm grateful, but I shouldn't have eaten it without permission."

The stranger slammed the door shut, leaving Lian undeterred. "Okay, first attempt failed," he thought.

Lian spotted an open window and climbed onto a nearby stone to peer inside. "Mister handsome stranger, please listen to my apology," he called out.

The stranger turned, his glare piercing. Lian flinched, losing balance on the stone. He tumbled to the ground, his dignity bruised.

The stranger rushed outside, concern etched on his face. "Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice low and soothing.

Lian's heart skipped a beat. The stranger's concern was a balm to his bruised ego.

Lian's eyes widened as the stranger finally spoke. "You can talk!" he exclaimed, still on the floor.

The stranger's concern briefly gave way to annoyance. "Of course, I can," he said dryly.

As Lian rose, the stranger's expression turned emotionless once more. He rolled his eyes, returning to the hut and locking the door.

Lian's enthusiasm wasn't deterred. He knocked on the door, calling out, "Let's share a drink, since we've met!"

The stranger reopened the door, his gaze piercing. "I don't want to talk; I want peace."

Lian's curiosity got the better of him. "You're brave, Mister Handsome Stranger...or Jade Emperor."

The stranger's eyes narrowed. "Yes, I am the Jade Emperor. Are you happy now? Bye."

Lian's eyes widened in awe. "The Jade Emperor! I've heard so much about you!"

The stranger's expression turned stern. "Don't spread this around. I'm not here to be worshiped."

Lian nodded fervently. "Of course, Your Majesty! I won't tell anyone."

The stranger's gaze lingered, then he stepped back, disappearing into the hut.

Lian remained outside, his mind racing. He had met the Jade Emperor! What were the chances?

Unbeknownst to Lian, a hint of a smile played on the stranger's lips as he closed the door.

Lian lingered outside the hut, lost in thought. Finally, he recalled his original purpose for venturing into Jade Forest: unraveling the mystery of his recurring dreams.

With renewed determination, Lian continued his journey, wandering deeper into the forest. The trees grew taller, casting dappled shadows on the ground. A soft breeze rustled the leaves, creating a soothing melody.

As Lian walked, the silence began to clear his mind. His thoughts turned inward, focusing on the dreams that had plagued him. What did they mean? Why did they feel so real?

The forest's tranquility enveloped Lian, guiding him toward self-searching.

As the sun climbed higher, Lian's exhaustion caught up with him.

He settled beneath an ancient oak, its gnarled branches stretching toward the sky like withered fingers. The rustling leaves provided a soothing background hum, but Lian's eyelids refused to grow heavy.

Every time he drifted close to sleep, the haunting memories of his nightmares resurfaced, jolting him awake. Frustrated, Lian sat up, running a hand through his disheveled hair. The silence was oppressive, weighing him down.

Just as he was about to give up, a melodic tune wafted through the air, crafted by the delicate strings of a guqin. The music was ethereal, weaving a spell of tranquility around Lian. His tense muscles relaxed, and his eyelids began to droop.

The guqin's soothing notes danced on the breeze, conjuring images of serene landscapes and peaceful waters.

Lian's breathing slowed, his mind quieting as the music washed over him. With a soft sigh, he succumbed to the allure of sleep, drifting into a realm of dreams untainted by nightmares.

The guqin's melody continued, a gentle guardian watching over Lian as he slept.

Lian's eyes fluttered open, and he sat up with a start. Darkness enveloped him, the only sound the distant hooting of owls. He rubbed his eyes, disoriented.

"No, no, no, no, no! Master said I shouldn't be out by dusk!" Lian panicked, scrambling to his feet. He looked around frantically, realizing he was still in the Jade Forest.

To calm himself, Lian took a deep breath. "I'll just avoid any creatures and leave." He considered seeking the Jade Emperor's help but decided against it.

Instead, Lian chose to retrace his steps, following the trail he had left earlier. The music that had lulled him to sleep was now absent, replaced by an unsettling silence.

As he walked, the forest seemed to shift around him, making it impossible to navigate. Lian's anxiety grew, but he pressed on, determined to escape.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure caught his attention. Lian approached cautiously, hoping to find guidance. As he drew closer, he noticed the person's black hair, familiar in its style and length.

"Excuse me, brother," Lian said, tapping the person's shoulder.

The stranger turned, revealing a handsome face Lian had seen before. But it was the sight behind him that made Lian's blood run cold – a lifeless body lay on the ground.

Fear gripped Lian, and he turned to flee. However, every time he thought he'd escaped, the stranger reappeared before him.

Exhausted and terrified, Lian tripped and fell. As he looked up, the stranger loomed over him, an unreadable expression on his face.