Zero was used to imagining the worst-case scenario in his mind.
He had imagined the reasons the two of them might break up.
For example, Jingliu realizing their personalities didn't match.
Or their relationship gradually turning dull, losing its freshness.
Or love turning into something more like family.
In his view, love and familial affection could not be mixed together.
Zero had imagined many scenarios, but the only thing he never considered was his own identity.
He had never thought that his identity would be exposed to others.
At this moment, his thoughts were like code that had accidentally used the wrong symbol and thrown an error, frozen in place. Even his expression was hard to maintain.
If his lover, his friends, and his superior, along with the elders who had met them as a couple and even helped plan their engagement banquet, had all been deceiving him…
Zero probably wouldn't be like Jingliu… calmly speaking with the one who started it all.
He knew very well that in his current state, he was extremely likely to make a wrong judgment. So he could only think carefully, struggling to choose his words.
Zero tried to put himself in her shoes.
If he were Jingliu… aside from the issue of identity, he would definitely want to understand the reason behind everything.
"Shuhu is sinister and cunning, intending to seize Ambrosial Arbour."
"As for Yingxing… that's an internal matter of the Vidyadhara, and will be handled by Dan Feng."
Zero raised his hand and lightly patted the back of Jingliu's hand, trying to soothe her emotions.
"Don't worry, they'll be fine."
Jingliu lowered her gaze, looking at their overlapping hands.
When she discovered that the people around her had been working together to deceive her, she was angry.
What difference was there between lies and betrayal?
Originally, Jingliu had planned to think carefully about their relationship after they talked things through.
So she returned the agreement to the marshal.
If Jingliu were in Luofu, she could have confided her frustrations to Baiheng, and after a few rounds of drinks, she could have taken her sword to spar with Dan Feng.
After training for a year or so, maybe her anger would have faded.
Unfortunately, she didn't have the time to be angry.
While carrying out official duties, one should stick to principles and prioritize the interests of the Xianzhou, rather than only considering personal feelings.
After arriving at Luofu, Jingliu didn't stop for a moment and came straight to the Scalegorge Waterscape.
She hadn't expected that even now… Zero was still considering her feelings.
Jingliu was a Cloud Knight, the Sword Champion.
With the souls lost beneath her blade, she had built the undefeated legend of the Cloud Knight Army.
Compared to being protected by others… she was more used to being the one who protected.
But the one soothing her now was her lover, Zero.
Even though he had lied to her and deceived her, that heart of hers, once impervious and unbreakable, softened uncontrollably when their eyes met.
Jingliu thought, this was normal.
Who wouldn't like Zero?
Anyone would be moved by this.
Forget it. In public, she should at least give her lover some face.
Whatever conflicts they had could be resolved at home.
Jingliu couldn't bring herself to say anything harsh to Zero, so she could only analyze things over and over, word by word.
She sharply noticed the problem.
Zero said they would be fine.
But he didn't say that he himself would be fine.
Jingliu raised her eyes. Her gaze was focused, with a faint hint of obsession, as she softly asked, "What about you?"
Zero froze.
Then, what responded to Jingliu was the same gentle smile as always, no different from before.
"With the 'Reignbow Arbiter' stationed at Luofu, what could happen?"
Jingliu hooked her arm through his without mercy and pointed out the issue directly, "You didn't mention yourself."
Zero, "…"
'Can you not nitpick words like that?'
He was used to playing word games.
But he had never expected that one day he would be the one at a loss.
Zero controlled his expression, tilted his head, and took the initiative to change the topic, "Is there anything else you want to ask?"
Jingliu stared at him steadily and spoke as if to herself, "Next, I'll speak. You listen."
"I asked you before how you were doing. You said you had no worries about food or drink and were living well. The only hardship you'd experienced was coffee."
Halfway through, Jingliu suddenly stopped.
She realized that her tone didn't sound like she was talking to her lover, but more like she was scolding a subordinate.
She tried hard to control her emotions, but the moment the words left her mouth, they changed.
Jingliu took a deep breath and tried to lower her voice to control her tone.
"But Chanzhen and the others said you don't eat, don't drink, and don't sleep..."
Zero opened his mouth, but before he could explain, Jingliu added another sentence, "You think you're a long-life species, so you won't starve or collapse from exhaustion, is that it?"
Zero felt like he couldn't defend himself at all.
Do players care about their health bar? Do they eat when they're at full health? Do they care whether it's day or night in the game while doing daily missions?
Jingliu's eyes stung. She blinked quickly a few times, forcing the tears back.
"And also, I asked if you'd be tired. You said yes. At least you didn't lie about that."
"There are 21.9 million system hours of online work time… so what about offline?"
Jingliu didn't know what expression to make, so she could only imitate Zero and force a stiff smile.
"You've never lied to me, but the truth you tell doesn't equal the whole truth."
Jingliu shook her head and sighed.
"Should I trust you?"
Zero slowly pulled his arm out of Jingliu's embrace.
"I'm sorry. I deceived you."
"Let me introduce myself again."
"I've had many identities."
Zero looked down at his lover.
"Thousands of years ago, I was a general of Yaoqing."
"After that, I was the marshal of the Xianzhou."
"When the Interastral Peace Council was established, I was a supervisor of the star seas."
"Besides these identities..."
Jingliu's breathing hitched.
This was the first time Zero had shown her that familiar expression he used, one that belonged solely to someone in a position of power.
His expression was gentle, his gaze full of affection.
No, to be precise, it was indulgent.
It didn't feel like he was looking at his lover, but more like he was watching a small animal play.
Zero chuckled softly, "I also have many interesting nicknames."
"For example, a heartless madman, a tyrant who delights in slaughter…"
In his mind, Zero had countless ways to dress up and justify his actions.
But looking at those burning red eyes so close to him, he no longer wanted to use so-called word games to deceive her.
Jingliu was his lover.
She was the purest, most genuine intimate relationship he had chosen for himself.
Since this relationship began with Jingliu, then let it end with him.
In a gentle tone, he said, "As you guessed, I was the one who led the Xianzhou people to pursue the 'Abomination of Abundance.'"
"I was the one who started wars across the universe."
"Any other questions?"
Zero turned his head away, avoiding Jingliu's gaze.
"Seems like there aren't any."
He walked forward on his own.
"Alright, during official duties, it's strictly forbidden for personnel to handle personal matters..."
After only a few steps, Zero stopped.
He slowly lowered his head, looking at the pair of arms tightly wrapped around him, and gently reminded her, "Jingliu, you should return to your post."
"General Tengxiao approved half a day off for me."
Jingliu hugged her lover tightly from behind.
She stopped holding back her emotions and let her tears fall.
'Clearly, I'm the one crying, so why…'
'...do you look like you're in even more pain than I am?
"I just…"
'I just feel like you need a hug.'
Right before speaking, Jingliu changed her words, using a tone with a faint trace of a smile,
"I just… need a hug."