It had been another busy day. Dong Hua felt himself becoming restless to be with his Xiao Bai. He had watched how her presence filled any scene with laughter and love all day. He had wanted all of it only for himself. He knew it was not right on his part to feel this way. But he couldn't help it. His Xiao Huli was his. He wanted all her smiles. All of her. Only for himself. 'Dong Hua, Dong Hua. You are supposed to be a deity devoid of any desires. Since when did you become like this? '  he wondered to himself.

After several hours, they finally put Gun Gun to bed and went to their bedroom to rest. As soon as he closed the door, he pulled his wife close. Without waiting a moment, he tucked her under his chin and sighed. "At last, you are with me," he said. "Um? Dijun, I have been with you all day today," Feng Jiu asked, confused. 

"Hm. But you were not in my arms all day. This is where you belong, my Xiao Huli," he replied making her chuckle. "Dijun, you are so..." she whispered. Blushing pink, she burrowed herself in his embrace. 

"Xiao Bai, I don't like to share you with anyone else. I wish I could have you to myself all the time. You are mine, " he insisted and then pulled her even closer to prove it.

She melted at his words. "I am all yours, Dijun. Only yours. Always. All yours." she tried to assure him.

Whatever little restraint was holding him back from devouring her broke at her words. He fisted her hair and kissed her rosy lips with hunger. 

-----

After a long time, they both lay in each other's arms. Sated and blissed out. But a tinge of sadness crept up in Dijun's mind. He had to do it. He had to explain things to her, and then he had to send her away. It was for the best.

He sat up with determination and pulled her up to rest on his chest. "Xiao Huli, we need to talk," he said softly.

"What is it, Dijun? Are you worried about something?" she immediately sensed the change in his emotions.

"Xiao Bai, the more I think about it, the more I feel like what Zhe Yan suggested makes sense. It will be best if you could get trained by him. He can guide you on how to control and wield your powers. Also, Gun Gun needs to start his training too," he paused as she sat up to face him with a question in her eyes.

"Gun Gun? But he is just a small kid. Isn't he too young to start his training?" clearly, she was worried.

"Xiao Bai, there's something you need to know," he placed a privacy barrier around them and began explaining to her. 

"Gun Gun's powers are developing rapidly. I want to send him to Kunlun along with Ah-Li to get trained with Mo Yuan. He will greatly benefit from training there. He will also be protected from anyone who might want to harm him. Kunlun mountain is naturally abundant in divine energy, and demons cannot survive in that environment. Your Gu Gu trained at Kunlun, so you must know the difference that training brought to her powers. I think we should give Gun Gun a chance to be a disciple there. I will personally talk to Mo Yuan and brief him about what happened in the Demon Realm so he will take necessary precautions," Dijun paused to give her a chance to process this.

A slight frown came to her lovely face, but she quickly controlled herself and spoke decisively, "You are right, Dijun. It will be best for Gun Gun."

"But why do I feel like you are not happy, Xiao Bai?" Dijun asked sensing her hesitation.

"Dijun, I have never stayed away from our son except for the time when I went to the starlight ward, and then I was unconscious after. He means so much to me. I would have probably destroyed my own spirit if it weren't for him. I can't help worrying about him, wanting him to always be safe and happy. I know it is right for him to get trained at Kunlun. But I will miss him terribly," she spoke earnestly. 

Dijun could not stop the sharp pang of jealousy he felt. It was irrational. He knew it, but he could not help. This child was someone he loved, but he was also someone Dijun was jealous of. He laughed at his own situation. His heart was full of contradictions.

"Are you making fun of me, Dijun?" Feng Jiu asked, feeling offended. She had not expected her husband to laugh at her when she was telling him her deepest feelings.

Dijun understood how his unexpected chuckle would have appeared to her, and he realized his error. "I am sorry, Xiao Bai, for offending you, but I wasn't laughing at you. I was laughing at myself. I have always been known as a rock - unfeeling, distant, cold. But you make my heart feel all kinds of things. I love you, and I love our son. But when you speak so fondly of him, I can't stop myself from feeling jealous. I am not used to handling so many conflicting emotions. I never thought I would be in this situation ever. I was laughing at the irony of it all," he held her hands in his and explained to her. 

She only saw the sincerity in his eyes. It was true. He was known to be a man of few words and fewer emotions. She realized that being with her must have felt like being on a roller coaster for him. 

"I can understand, Dijun. But like I always say, you have my whole heart for my whole existence. No one can take your place. Each of my roles - a daughter, a wife, a monarch, a mother - is important to me. I try to do my best for each of them equally. But when it comes to you - nothing else matters more. You are the thing that brings meaning to my very existence. Remember, even when I had Gun Gun, I came to you as soon as I learned of you being alone in the starlight ward. Knowing I might not get out alive. I will always do that. I will always put your needs above all else," she said smiling. 

He returned her smile and brushed his knuckle over her nose. Pulling her close, he placed a lingering kiss on her forehead. 

"Xiao Bai, you are heaven's blessing to me," he said and meant every word. She sighed contentedly.

He then pulled her back to his chest and explained everything else he needed to. Gun Gun's powers, her upcoming ascension trial, his suspicion about the fake Dong Hua and fake Feng Jiu - he described everything and also shared his plan. 

Feng Jiu was astounded to say the very least. She was also quite impressed with her husband's plan. He was the only one who could have unified all the realms. He was an ace strategist. 

-----

A couple of days later, Tai Chen palace saw several changes. 

Dijun announced that Gun Gun would be accompanying Ah Li to Kunlun for his studies. Everyone was impressed and unhappy. They were impressed that the young one was already considered powerful enough to study at Kunlun. They were unhappy that he would have to be away from Tai Chen Palace. In just a short period of time that the boy had lived with Tai Chen Palace immortals, everyone had come to adore him. He was fun and happy and quite easygoing. He was also studious and polite, and very well-mannered. Everyone around him would miss him.

Dijun also announced that he and his Dihou would go into seclusion for some time to recuperate fully and to prepare for Dihou's upcoming heavenly trial. He would be the only one to interact with Dihou during this time. He would be training her and also would be interfacing with the rest of the world on her behalf. He enlisted the help of key officials from Quingqui, including Bai Yi, to help Dihou manage her responsibilities. 

-----

The next day Mo Yuan was invited to Tai Chen Palace. After meeting with Dijun, Dihou, Bai Zhen, and Zhe Yan, Mo Yuan left for Kunlun along with Gun Gun. 

Bai Zhen and Zhe Yan bid farewell to Dijun and Dihou and left for Peach Blossoms forest. Dihou took their leave first and went to the inner area to start her seclusion. When Dijun saw the two deities off, he discreetly handed over a silk handkerchief to Zhe yan. The handkerchief had a phoenix flower embroidered on it and smelled of peach blossoms.