...
After leaving Chao Yiming hanging for a moment and seeing him sweat with anxiety, the Demon Emperor finally waved his hand impatiently, "Alright, alright, I believe your Chao Clan wouldn't dare. Everyone knows the storyteller was just speaking the truth. What's all this talk about spreading rumors? Disperse, disperse~"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Chao Yiming, feeling as if he had been granted amnesty, quickly ordered his family guards and soldiers to retreat.
However, just as they breathed a sigh of relief and began to leave in a rush, the Demon Emperor suddenly called out to them again.
"Wait."
"Your Majesty?"
Chao Yiming looked at the Demon Emperor nervously, thinking he was about to cause more trouble.
But the Demon Emperor merely nodded towards the chaotic state of the tavern and said indifferently, "Compensate for the damages to the merchant's property. Also, if your Chao Clan doesn't want to be criticized, then conduct yourselves properly. Stop doing things that invite criticism."
"Yes, yes, yes, we will compensate accordingly. Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty." Chao Yiming sighed in relief, nodding and bowing repeatedly. He swiftly handled the compensation matters and then led his family guards away in a hurry.Once they left, the tavern became lively again.
The cultivators who had avoided disaster thanks to the Demon Emperor also breathed a sigh of relief and immediately surrounded him with gratitude and flattery, each more sycophantic than the last.
"Alright, alright~ It was just a small matter, not worth mentioning. Everyone, carry on with what you were doing~" The Demon Emperor waved his hand generously, then called to the storyteller on stage, "You there, continue with the story."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The storyteller, though apprehensive, dared not disobey and immediately resumed the story. Seeing the Demon Emperor's satisfied expression, he gradually relaxed.
The others, seeing this, understood and returned to their seats, continuing to eat and drink while loudly condemning the actions of the Chao Clan, adding more praise for the Demon Emperor and the Third Prince in their conversations.
It seemed as if fate itself was against him, with misfortune at every turn. Even drinking water almost led to discovery by demon soldiers several times. If not for the ample supplies in his storage ring, including healing pills and various life-saving treasures, he might not have made it back.
But fortunately, he had returned.
Once back at the Demon Dynasty base, all his troubles would be over.
Though this time, Gong Lao and the three regiments of the Asura Legion were lost in the outer regions, causing significant losses to the Chao Clan, he was, after all, the most outstanding heir of the Chao Clan. As long as he sincerely apologized to the Ancestor and sought the intercession of a few elders, given his past performance, the Ancestor would likely grant him a chance to redeem himself through meritorious service.
With these thoughts, Chao Qianjue was eager to return, pushing aside the Celestial Realm guards to make his way inside.
"Stop!" Chen Yuanshuang sternly blocked him, maintaining a businesslike demeanor, "Young Master Chao, even though I recognize you, I still need you to show your 'Pass Token.' It's the rule! To prevent anyone from disguising themselves as you."
With that, he gestured, and two gate guards stepped forward, demanding the Little Demon Lord to present his pass token.
"You! You all!!"
Seeing the two gate guards, the Little Demon Lord's anger flared, glaring at Chen Yuanshuang, "Who gave you the audacity to speak to me like this?!"
In the past, Chen Yuanshuang wouldn't dare utter a word in his presence, always seizing the opportunity to curry favor. Even if he had to check the pass token due to protocol, he would do so respectfully and personally. When had he ever used such an attitude?
Not to mention, he only sent two gate guards over, not even bothering to move himself. This attitude was clearly an insult!
"Naturally, it's the 'Base Gate Management Regulations' that give me the audacity." Chen Yuanshuang, seeing his attitude, smirked sarcastically, "Young Master Chao, you're a big shot, please don't make things difficult for a humble gatekeeper like me."
"You!"
The Little Demon Lord was seething with rage, but realizing he had bigger issues to deal with, he decided it wasn't worth escalating over this minor matter. He suppressed his emotions and flashed his pass token, "Satisfied now?"
Unexpectedly, Chen Yuanshuang didn't let him off so easily. He took the pass token, carefully checked and verified it, and after questioning Chao Qianjue, finally waved his hand, "Indeed, it's Chao Qianjue. Let him through, everyone."
The Little Demon Lord retrieved his pass token, shot a cold glare at Chen Yuanshuang and the other gatekeepers, and then proceeded through the gate.
He would remember this grudge.
However, he hadn't gone more than ten paces when he heard Chen Yuanshuang spit lightly and mutter, "Still thinks he's the Little Demon Lord, truly shameless."
The others chimed in, "Can't believe he still has the face to act so arrogant. If it were me, I'd find a hole to hide in, too ashamed to show my face."
"He's from a noble family, not like us."
"So what if he's from a noble family? Enjoyed so many resources for nothing, might as well have invested in a dog~"
These remarks were like knives stabbing into the Little Demon Lord's heart. He was furious but couldn't turn back to retaliate, leaving him momentarily frozen.
However, just then.
Suddenly.
Their chatter ceased.
After a few breaths, someone said, "The watchtower reports a returning army, judging by the banners, it seems to be the Third Prince's Red Tiger Regiment."
"The Third Prince is returning to the base? That's great!"
"Hurry, let's go welcome them!"
"Bro, let me fix my appearance, how do I look?"
"It's not like you're going on a date, why worry about your appearance?"
"It's different, making a good impression on the Third Prince could lead to great opportunities."
The gatekeepers were suddenly energized, their attitude a stark contrast to when they faced the Little Demon Lord.
Amidst the chatter, a mighty army gradually appeared in their view from afar.
Flags fluttered, dust billowed.
The rumbling of hooves echoed from afar, carrying a powerful momentum that made hearts tremble.
Clearly, it was the Third Prince's army.
"Open the gates, line up to welcome them." Chen Yuanshuang ordered, "Fire the signal flare, notify the higher-ups!"
Bang, bang, bang!
Fireworks exploded in the sky.
With the Third Prince's return, the entire Demon No. 2 Base became bustling, with many soldiers and officers gathering to welcome the Third Prince's return.
The Little Demon Lord Chao Qianjue was dumbfounded.
What was going on?
He could understand being looked down upon and sneered at for losing a major battle and fleeing. But who was Shentu Jingming? He just went to support the Eastern Line Defense Area, was it really worth such a grand welcome?
While the Little Demon Lord was puzzled, the Third Prince's army had already reached the gate.
The army gradually slowed.
Then, it split down the middle, and a small group of people emerged.
At the forefront of this small group were a man and a woman, both riding red tigers, looking extraordinary and dignified.
These two were, of course, the Third Prince Shentu Jingming and Ancestor Long Yan, who was using the alias "Wang Ruobing."
Surrounded by elite guards, the Third Prince and Wang Ruobing were the first to enter the gate.
Seeing the soldiers lined up to welcome them, the Third Prince was invigorated, waving warmly, "Family, I, Shentu Jingming, have returned."
"Welcome back, Your Highness." Chen Yuanshuang led the gatekeepers in a rousing cheer.
At this moment, he didn't mention checking the pass token.
"Hey, isn't this Chen Yuanshuang from the Chen Clan?" The Third Prince greeted warmly, "I remember you're a bit older than me, and back in the Demon Court, you were quite the notorious rascal. I heard you've been doing well since coming to the outer battlefield."
Chen Yuanshuang quickly nodded and bowed with a smile, "How can I compare to Your Highness? You were once known as the 'Demon Court's Young Generation's Greatest Troublemaker,' and I always believed you'd accomplish something extraordinary."
"Hahaha, Yuanshuang, you're quite amusing. Come visit my residence sometime, we can chat and catch up."
"Thank you, Your Highness. Can I bring my brothers? They're all admirers of Your Highness."
"Of course."
The two chatted as if they were long-lost friends.
The Little Demon Lord Chao Qianjue listened, his face growing darker, and was about to leave when he noticed a familiar-looking officer behind Shentu Jingming.
His pupils contracted, and he whispered, "Yuchi Wentian?"
Not only Yuchi Wentian, but several other commanders and deputy commanders of the Asura Legion were also behind the Third Prince. Moreover, the original Asura Legion troops were now mixed within the Red Tiger Regiment.
This made the Third Prince's forces appear particularly large and imposing.
"Isn't that the Little Demon Lord?" The Third Prince rode forward, exclaiming in surprise, "So you're still alive, that's wonderful."
Little Demon Lord?
Everyone paused, their attention shifting to the Little Demon Lord.
The officers of the Red Tiger Regiment couldn't help but show disdain and mockery on their faces.
As for the original Asura Legion officers, their eyes darted around, initially looking guilty as if caught in the act. But then they realized, it was the Little Demon Lord who abandoned them first. If not for the "timely" arrival of the Immortal Dynasty's forces, they would have been wiped out.
Being absorbed by the Third Prince wasn't shameful.
Why feel ashamed?
So, they quickly regained their composure, no longer avoiding the Little Demon Lord's gaze.
"Greetings, Your Highness." The Little Demon Lord greeted indifferently, then turned his attention to Yuchi Wentian and the original Asura Legion officers, "Yuchi, it's great that you survived. Did His Highness save you?"
"Greetings, Young Master Chao." Yuchi Wentian stepped forward, politely saluting, "Indeed, His Highness saved us."
"Good, very good." The Little Demon Lord, though displeased with the "Young Master Chao" address, was slightly excited.
With Yuchi Wentian and the Asura Legion soldiers alive, his culpability was significantly reduced, which was undoubtedly a great relief for him.
He immediately said, "Come with me back to the camp. I will make amends for my brothers."
"I'm afraid we can't follow Young Master Chao's orders." Yuchi Wentian unexpectedly refused.
"?" The Little Demon Lord frowned, "Deputy Commander Yuchi, what do you mean?"
Yuchi Wentian sighed, "We were defeated, nearly annihilated, becoming a routed army. Fortunately, the Third Prince absorbed us. We are now under His Highness's command, integrated into the Red Tiger Regiment, and I will serve as a deputy commander."
"What?" The Little Demon Lord was shocked and angry, "Yuchi Wentian, how dare you betray the Asura Legion, betray me, betray the Demon Lord? You, you, you, how dare you!!"
Hearing him mention betrayal of the Demon Lord, Yuchi Wentian's expression showed a hint of fear. Having served under the Demon Lord, he naturally held both respect and fear for him.
"Qianjue, you're wrong." The Third Prince intervened, standing in front of Yuchi Wentian, frowning at the Little Demon Lord, "We're all part of the Demon Dynasty's army, fighting for the survival and rise of the human race. How is Yuchi following me a betrayal?"
"How is it not betrayal?" The Little Demon Lord was furious, "Our Chao Clan and the Demon Lord invested countless resources to build the Asura Legion. Switching allegiance so easily, what is it if not betrayal?"
"Chao Qianjue, watch your words." The Third Prince's expression turned serious, "The Asura Legion applied for a legion number as a regular army of the Demon Court, still receiving military pay from the Demon Court, not your Chao Clan's private army!"
"Military pay? With the meager pay from the military, could it sustain an elite force like the Asura Legion?" The Little Demon Lord was exasperated, "Though the Asura Legion isn't our Chao Clan's private army, over ninety percent of its support comes from our Chao Clan and the Demon Lord, so naturally, it should follow our Chao Clan's orders."
"Wow, your Chao Clan spends big to support the Demon Court's regular army, and you expect it to follow your orders." The Third Prince feigned shock, "Is the Red Moon Demon Dynasty's royal family named 'Chao' or 'Shentu'?"
"You..." The Little Demon Lord realized his slip, quickly calming down, "Your Highness, the Red Moon Demon Dynasty is, of course, named 'Shentu.'"
"No, no, no, the Red Moon Demon Dynasty doesn't belong to 'Shentu,' it belongs to all noble families. We, the Shentu Clan, merely manage it on behalf of everyone." The Third Prince corrected seriously, "Please, Young Master Chao, correct your thinking."
The Little Demon Lord's face turned red and white.
For the first time, he felt the cunning of Shentu Jingming. In his eyes, Shentu Jingming was just an incompetent prince he never took seriously.
He never imagined he would be rendered speechless by him one day.
Chao Qianjue didn't know that the Third Prince Shentu Jingming was exceptionally talented in verbal sparring, often leaving even the Demon Emperor too angry to eat, ultimately resolving it with a slap. For him, this was routine.
"Wise Third Prince, illustrious Third Prince."
The surrounding crowd, witnessing this for the first time, was thrilled, showering the Third Prince with flattery.
The Little Demon Lord was fuming, searching for words to retort.
Just then, two powerful figures descended from afar.
The newcomers were two Lingxu Realm powerhouses.
One was the commander of the Demon No. 2 Base, the renowned Demon Lord Youshuang, and the other was the Demon Lord's close confidant, Elder Yun.
As soon as Demon Lord Youshuang landed, he greeted the Third Prince warmly, "Your Highness, you truly made a stunning impact~ Congratulations on winning great honor for our Demon Dynasty, and welcome back victorious."
"Senior Youshuang, you're too kind." The Third Prince quickly saluted, appearing humble, "My achievements are all thanks to your excellent command and leadership."
Flattery never fails.
These words of shared credit made Demon Lord Youshuang feel slightly gratified, realizing that not everything during this period was bad.
"Demon Lord." The Little Demon Lord also greeted.
"Oh, Qianjue is back too?" Demon Lord Youshuang glanced at him indifferently, "You've worked hard leading the army, go rest for now."
Compared to his enthusiasm for the Third Prince, Demon Lord Youshuang's attitude towards the Little Demon Lord was noticeably colder, maintaining a businesslike distance.
Clearly, the Little Demon Lord's arrogant refusal of his remote command, causing significant adverse effects, had thoroughly angered Demon Lord Youshuang.
If not for considering the Demon Lord's face, Demon Lord Youshuang might have directly punished him severely.
As the base commander, Demon Lord Youshuang had a vast army under his command, wielding significant power. Though he was also in the Lingxu Realm like Gong Litu, his influence was entirely different.
The Little Demon Lord could command Gong Litu at will, but Demon Lord Youshuang was someone even the Demon Lord and Demon Emperor would respect and heed his opinions.
"Demon Lord..."
The Little Demon Lord stiffened, about to speak, but Elder Yun quickly transmitted a message to stop him, "Young Master, don't say anything now."
"Elder Yun..." The Little Demon Lord opened his mouth, still somewhat unwilling.
But before he could continue, Elder Yun grabbed him, "Demon Lord Youshuang, I'll take Qianjue back to rest."
"Alright."
Demon Lord Youshuang waved indifferently, showing no concern.
After Elder Yun forcibly took the Little Demon Lord away, Demon Lord Youshuang warmly linked arms with the Third Prince, "Your Highness, I've prepared a banquet to welcome you. Let's have a drink. You must tell this old man how you anticipated the enemy's moves and achieved such unprecedented feats."
"And your unique method of transmitting messages using the Heavenly Recording Disk, let this old man see it."
"Demon Lord, you're too generous."
"Your Highness is a great hero of our Demon Dynasty, no amount of courtesy is too much."
"All thanks to your excellent leadership, Demon Lord."
"Hahaha~ It's all because of Your Highness's prowess in battle."
Laughter from Demon Lord Youshuang echoed through the Demon No. 2 Base.
...
Han Yue Immortal Dynasty, Immortal Court.
Recently, the Immortal Court was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
The "Defensive Counterattack Battle" victory at the Immortal No. 3 Base was an extremely rare triumph in history, naturally a cause for celebration.
But today.
The Immortal Emperor suddenly received some news, erupting in anger, his authoritative voice resounding through the Immortal Court, "I shouldn't have trusted that brat! I shouldn't have trusted him~~~ Issue my decree, Wang Ningxi of the Changning Wang's Clan in Eastern Gan is forbidden from entering the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty for a thousand years, or else I'll personally break his legs!"
"Calm down, Your Majesty, calm down~~ Your Majesty, please take care of your health~~"
The civil and military officials working in the Immortal Court were startled, rushing to console him.
However, this time, the Immortal Emperor was evidently deeply angered, his fury lingering, causing the entire Immortal Court to be on edge for a while.
Meanwhile, as the Immortal Emperor was "furious."
A cloud ray flying boat quietly left the Immortal Dynasty's territory.
In the VIP dining area, Wang Ningxi was gracefully entertaining a "middle-aged beauty" who still retained her charm.
Though she appeared well-maintained, this "middle-aged beauty" was actually over three thousand five hundred years old.
Her title was "Jade Talisman Immortal."
Though her title included "Immortal," it didn't mean she was a True Immortal Realm cultivator, but rather that her proficiency in talismans was comparable to that of a true immortal.
Indeed, this "Jade Talisman Immortal" was the head of the "Talisman Hall," a key department of the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty, and one of the world's top talisman grandmasters.
"Ningxi, I'm willing to visit Eastern Gan to see the 'technological sanctuary' you described, not because of that shameless love letter from Emperor Longchang." The Jade Talisman Immortal said with a wink, "Don't misunderstand."
"Of course." Wang Ningxi replied seriously, "Our Wang's Clan's technological sanctuary welcomes your guidance, Senior Jade Talisman."
As he said this, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.
His clan frequently assigned him peculiar tasks, and this mission to recruit from the Talisman Hall... he couldn't think of a solution.
Eventually, he accidentally learned that Emperor Longchang had saved the Jade Talisman Immortal's life on the outer battlefield in his youth, and there seemed to be some feelings between them. But Emperor Longchang was already an emperor's son at the time, with a wife and many descendants.
Helpless, Wang Ningxi had to pretend to be Emperor Longchang's messenger...
Your Majesty, you've dedicated your life to the Great Gan, sacrificed so much, surely you wouldn't mind contributing a bit more in your twilight years~~