Jiu Shen carefully held Hestia who had received minor injuries from her battle with the demonic general. She was brought back to the store by Defender Duanmu who immediately left after bidding farewell. The old man appeared to be in a hurry, so Jiu Shen didn't stop him from leaving.

"Master, I have failed to live up to your expectations. And I even allowed that detestable demon to escape from my grasp!" Hestia said with a look of remorse and self-blame. Her hatred towards the demon general also soared which was evident in her burning gaze.

She was stronger than the demon general by a minor realm since she was a mid stage 8th-rank Divine realm cultivator, while the demon general was merely an initial stage 8th-rank Divine realm body enhancer.

If she wasn't distracted with her thoughts at that crucial moment, then she could have defeated that demon without a problem. But during that time, it was as if something at the depths of her soul was awakened. She felt like she had suddenly recalled something about herself but everything seemed too blurry for her to realize what it was.

Jiu Shen shook his head and held Hestia's shoulder gently. He then glanced at her and sighed. "Hestia, you don't have to blame yourself for this. Besides, the mission I gave you was only to protect those humans and allow them to safely go back to the imperial palace."

Hestia raised her head and looked at Jiu Shen with a look of dejection and puzzlement. "Master, the moment I saw that demon, something within me seemed to have been evoked. I don't know how to explain it, but... It feels like I have remembered a few things about myself. But I don't understand anything about it... I-" She held back her tears as she spoke in a trembling voice.

Jiu Shen released another sigh and a rare look of gentleness flickered in his silver eyes. "Hestia, it's hard to explain this now, but I will tell you the truth about your origin."

Hestia was confused but she still felt warmth in her heart when she saw the look of concern in her master's usually indifferent eyes.

Lu Sulan and Theia who were standing behind Jiu Shen tactfully left the room and provided the two their privacy.

"You have already died and you're someone who was given the chance to reincarnate in order to serve me. And as to why you were distracted when you saw that demon... My guess is that your death had something to do with them..." Jiu Shen did not tell her about everything since his identity was too sensitive to be divulged. But what he said to her was not a lie either.

Hestia covered her mouth with her dainty hands and her eyes flickered with surprise. "Master... That means all those hazy memories that surfaced within my mind earlier... they were something that happened during my past life?"

Jiu Shen glanced at her calmly and nodded his head. "Hm, that should be the case... If you wish to gain your freedom, you're free to do so. Don't worry, I won't stop you." He said indifferently, but there was a faint ripple in his heart when he said those words.

Hestia's eyes widened, and she could no longer control her tears from streaming down her face. "No! Master, ar- are you... throwing me out? No!" Hestia held Jiu Shen's arms while looked at him with sorrow.

Jiu Shen's felt a prickling sensation slowly spreading in his heart when he saw the tear-stained face of Hestia. He thought that he had already trained his emotion to become rigid and cold, but the sensation he was feeling now was certainly out of his expectations. 'To think that after billions of years, a woman's tears can still make my heart waver...' He mocked himself, but he didn't know why he was feeling relieved instead.

Jiu Shen pulled Hestia to his embrace and rubbed her back gently. "I will never do that. I'm sorry for suddenly saying that to you..."

Hestia was surprised at her master's actions. She didn't think that Jiu Shen who was usually composed would actually hold her affectionately in his arms.

She felt her heart beating wildly as if it was about to leap out of her chest. All the worries she was recently feeling was thrown at the back of her mind as she inhaled Jiu Shen's natural manly scent. She then buried her face in his chest and quietly listened to his rhythmic breathing. 'Jiu Shen... Just what am I to you? No matter what it is, I will cherish this moment forever...'

Jiu Shen was oblivious to Hestia's thoughts as he absentmindedly rubbed her back. A familiar yet unfamiliar feeling rose in his heart as he held Hestia in his arms.

"Master, can you hold me like this for a little bit more?" Hestia asked without looking at Jiu Shen, but she felt bashful when those words left her mouth.

Jiu Shen's poker face broke into a smile. "Mn." He replied softly.

* * *

Inside the throne room of the Silver Wing Empire's imperial palace.

"Are you speaking the truth, Duanmu?" The emperor's dignified voice echoed in the throne room.

Defender Duanmu nodded his head and replied in a grim voice. "Your Majesty, this subordinate will never lie to you about such matters. This time, we're lucky enough to gain the help of Young Miss Hestia. If not for her, the fourth prince and the fifth princess would have... Sigh!"

Emperor Elyk sighed in relief. "It must be Wine Master Jiu who ordered her to protect you guys. And we now owe him a huge favor..."

Defender Duanmu remained silent after that.

Emperor Elyk closed his eyes as he gathered his thoughts. "After the continental war fifty thousand years ago, no demons dared to step foot in our Profound Dragon Continent. Our ancestors already made an agreement with them to stay out of each other's territories. But to think that there is actually someone among them who dares to go against this agreement! Are they not afraid of the Alliance?" He muttered as he tapped his fingers on the armrest of his throne.