Great Demon - Chapter 105

The raging wind spiraled upward, suddenly transforming into an Obsidian Dragon. With a twist of its body, the Obsidian Dragon headed straight for the Demon Realm.

Suspended above the Demon Realm was a lone floating isle—Shangxi City.

Shangxi City stood in stark contrast to the Demon Realm, yet none of the demons below dared to intrude and investigate. Even the Demon King’s main hall refrained from sending spies, allowing Shangxi City to hover overhead undisturbed. Fortunately, the demons and devils within Shangxi City remained quiet, causing no trouble.

The Demon King’s main hall was always sparsely staffed with maids, as if the Demon King disliked the presence of others. The vast palace was eerily silent, with even the few maids present speaking in hushed tones, fearful of disturbing the one who resided within.

Inside the main hall, Yueyin sat on the lavish throne. Her jet-black hair was dry and unkempt, her complexion pale as death. Ever since parting ways with the Vermillion Phoenix that day, she seemed to have stepped even closer to the gates of death.

The maid beside her was deeply worried and whispered, “Your Majesty, you have not taken your medicine today.”

Yueyin shook her head, keeping her eyes tightly shut, her head tilted back as if something constricted her throat. Her slender, frail neck looked as though it could snap at the slightest force.

Who would have thought that the ruler of all demons had grown so weak—so fragile that even a breeze might topple her?

“Wait a little longer,” Yueyin’s voice was feeble, barely able to form words. Her fingers twitched on the armrest as if she had lost track of time. After a long pause, she finally asked, “Has it been five days since the Vermillion Phoenix left?”

“Not quite five days,” the maid replied anxiously.

Yueyin opened her ashen-gray eyes, filled with confusion, and shook her head. “I must have lost track of time again.”

“Your Majesty, if you rest well, you will surely recover soon,” the maid said, though her evasive gaze betrayed her own lack of conviction.

Yueyin raised her hand, pressing her index finger against her forehead, and murmured, “My sea of consciousness is already in chaos… a sign of impending death.”

“If the one in the Devil Realm, whose three hun souls are unified—” The maid hesitated before daring to speak.

“Watch your words,” Yueyin abruptly interrupted. “Bring me the medicine.”

The maid quickly fell silent, saying no more. She turned and fetched the freshly brewed medicine. The thick, pitch-black liquid emitted a pungent sourness, hinting at its unbearable taste. With a sweep of her palm over the bowl, the once-cold medicine began to steam with warmth.

“Your Majesty, the medicine is ready,” the maid said cautiously.

Only then did Yueyin reach out to take the bowl. Her hand trembled, nearly spilling the liquid. Yet, her expression remained unchanged as she lowered her head, seemingly unbothered by the bitter scent. Tilting the bowl, she drank it all in one go.

The maid took the empty bowl and stepped back.

Yueyin’s fingers suddenly clenched tightly against the armrest. She shut her eyes, her tightly gritted teeth audibly grinding together, as though enduring unbearable pain.

A long silence followed.

From outside the hall, footsteps approached—slow but deliberate. The overwhelming pressure of the presence made it difficult for anyone to stand straight.

The maid holding the empty bowl fell to her knees with a heavy thud. Even the four great beast statues within the main hall inclined their heads in reverence.

Yueyin’s eyes flew open. A metallic taste of blood rushed up her throat. Her frail neck shifted as she forcibly swallowed it back down. When she lifted her gaze, she saw a silver-haired figure dressed in black—the Vermillion Phoenix—walking steadily through the doors.

Last time, the Vermillion Phoenix had stopped at the entrance. This time, she walked straight toward Yueyin.

Though the Vermillion Phoenix had once merged with the devils, there was now no trace of devilish energy or markings on her. It was as if she had severed ties with the Devil Clan. Yet, Yueyin remembered clearly what the Vermillion Phoenix had said to her the last time they met—words that suggested no intention of parting ways with them.

Yueyin was not surprised. She had known the Vermillion Phoenix would return—sooner or later.

Zhuyou’s steps were slow and light, yet each one felt like a blade slicing into Yueyin’s heart.

With ashen-gray eyes, Yueyin feebly watched as the Vermillion Phoenix approached. Only when she stood directly before her did Yueyin lower her gaze abruptly, realizing that her eyes stung unbearably.

Zhuyou examined Yueyin’s frail appearance and asked, “You would go this far for the Demon Clan? You even drank that medicine?”

Yueyin said nothing. Beneath the crushing pressure of Zhuyou’s presence, her whole body trembled. She pressed her lips together, enduring the bitter aftertaste of the medicine before finally speaking. “Your Grace has already allied with the Devil Lord—why involve the Demon Realm?”

Her words implied that even the entire Demon Realm could not compare to a single Vermillion Phoenix. Since the Vermillion Phoenix was already part of this conflict, what need was there for the Demon Realm to be drawn in?

Zhuyou chuckled at her response. As she stepped closer, her luminous face, pale as the moon, appeared even more innocent and pure. She leaned forward slightly, locking eyes with Yueyin’s gray pupils, and spoke slowly. “In the Devil Lord’s plans, the Demon Clan is indispensable.”

Yueyin’s eyes widened instantly. The irises were so faded that only a small hint of black remained, making them resemble fish eyes. Her voice cracked as she asked, as if seeking confirmation, “Then… in Your Grace’s plans, does the Demon Realm have a place as well?”

“It is essential,” Zhuyou replied.

Yueyin clenched her fists tightly, her entire body trembling. Even her mind felt foggy, and her head swayed as if she were on the verge of collapse. Her words came out with great difficulty, each syllable forced from her lips. “But the Demon Realm has remained in seclusion for so long… If dragged into this, we may only have the strength to defend ourselves.”

“That is enough,” Zhuyou said curtly.

The maid, still kneeling with her head lowered, did not understand the conversation between the two. She could not comprehend it, nor should she. It was fortunate that she didn’t.

Yueyin understood immediately. After a long silence, she finally nodded and said, “If Your Grace so wills it… then the Demon Realm will enter this turbulent era.” Her eyes brimmed with sorrow, her rims reddening as if she were on the verge of tears.

Zhuyou let out a faint chuckle. Straightening her posture, she took a step back and said indifferently, “That medicine will do you no good if you keep drinking it. If you truly wish to prolong your life, you should abandon it soon.”

Yueyin’s lips tightened, her pupils contracting in shock. A rare trace of astonishment crossed her pale face.

Zhuyou turned slightly to the side. “The Devil Lord resides in Shangxi City. If the Demon King wishes to negotiate, you may visit in person.”

The handmaid suddenly raised her eyes—this was something she actually understood.

“Choose a day to enter the city and meet.” Yueyin coughed heavily, her entire body trembling with the effort.

Zhuyou was quite satisfied. She took a step forward, then abruptly paused and added, “This Ten-Thousand Withering Vine may help you rapidly increase your cultivation, but it does so by consuming your lifespan. Worse still, it is addictive—if you miss even a single day, your spiritual consciousness will be wracked with unbearable pain, something no ordinary person could endure.”

The handmaid’s hands trembled, and with a loud crack, the bowl shattered on the ground. Clearly, she had not known what she had been serving all this time.

Yueyin let out a long sigh. “Do you think I was unaware?”

The handmaid stared blankly at Zhuyou as she walked away. Only when the oppressive aura receded did she manage to get up from the floor, silently picking up the broken shards. After a long moment, she muttered, “Every day, Your Majesty instructed me to prepare this medicine, but I never imagined… You were having me kill you.”

“I had no other choice.” Yueyin shook her head.

“And now?” The handmaid looked up at her.

“Now, it seems there is a way forward.” Yueyin exhaled in relief, thinking to herself—fortunately, she had not agreed too hastily before. If she had truly allied with the Devil Lord, how could she possibly contend with this Vermillion Phoenix?

***

Leaving the main hall, the Vermillion Phoenix soared toward the floating Shangxi City. Upon landing, she walked with uncharacteristic caution.

Even when she had previously entered the city with Guanshang’s hun soul fragment in her grasp, she had not been this careful. But now, she carried the reincarnation of Hua Lingjun in her mustard seed pouch.

Since Guanshang had also tried to capture this reincarnation, it was clear that what Hua Lingjun had seen in the Turbid Mirror was no trivial matter. Fortunately, Xuanqing had turned retreat into an advance, barely managing to keep him safe.

How had Guanshang’s devils restrained themselves for two hundred years before making a move? Could it be that something had changed with Xuanqing?

Zhuyou pinched the tiny mustard seed between her fingers. Only after concealing her aura did she make a round of Shangxi City—but she found nothing of note.

Eventually, her steps led her to Jianxiang Pavilion. Though the water demon and that cat demon weren’t particularly useful, they were at least serviceable. With a slight turn of her foot, she entered.

The pavilion was no longer as lively as before, but it was still bustling. In just two days, the scent of cosmetics had thickened again. Laughter rang from all directions, making her ears buzz—it was giving her a headache.

Upon appearing, she cast a concealment spell over her face. Anyone who saw her now would be unable to recognize her.

In the courtyard, a dark shape surfaced in a pool of water—it was the water demon’s head. She stared at Zhuyou for a long moment before rubbing her eyes, feeling an inexplicable sting.

The water demon found this odd. It had been a long time since she had seen a woman who was so harsh on the eyes. And yet, this woman had sharp features and a tall, slender figure—hardly the sort to be difficult to look at. The last time she had felt this way…

A realization struck her. She lowered her voice into a hoarse whisper, “Your Grace… you’ve returned?”

Zhuyou paused by the pool, lowering her gaze to the water demon. For a moment, she did not feel like answering—what kind of question was that, as if she lived in Jianxiang Pavilion? She parted her lips and asked flatly, “How did you recognize me?”

At that, the water demon no longer restrained her voice and chirped, “Your Grace carries an extraordinary presence—I could tell at a glance!”

“You certainly know how to flatter.” Zhuyou smirked faintly.

Summoning her courage, the water demon asked, “Since Your Grace is back, why hasn’t Lady Huoshu returned with you?”

Zhuyou raised an eyebrow at the question. “I just came to check on Jianxiang Pavilion.”

“Lady Huoshu hasn’t shown herself in two days—this place was nearly thrown into chaos.” The water demon shook her head.

“Isn’t Jianxiang Pavilion always chaotic?” Zhuyou remarked truthfully.

The water demon glanced around and lowered her voice again. “Your Grace may not know, but this is a different kind of chaos. Some demons and devils in Shangxi City have heard that the Devil Lord has returned. They’re clamoring to see you but, unable to find you, have been pestering Lady Huoshu instead.”

Zhuyou lifted her gaze toward the distance. She saw some demons idly toying with silk handkerchiefs, looking completely at ease—hardly as if they were desperate to find her. The ones visiting the pavilion seemed more eager to drown themselves in indulgence.

The water demon climbed out of the pool, dripping wet. Her long hair clung to her pale face, and her hands and feet were wrinkled from soaking. She forced a smile and added, “I wouldn’t dare deceive Your Grace. The reason those demons and devils aren’t in a hurry is that… they’ve already gone down to the human world.”

Zhuyou’s expression turned sharp. “Gone down?”

The water demon nodded. “Didn’t Lady Huoshu follow you to the Mortal Realm? Those demons and devils believe that one is also down there, so they all rushed after him.”

She suddenly fell silent, for Zhuyou was staring at her with cold, piercing eyes. Any trace of innocence had vanished, leaving only a terrifying intensity.

“I took Huoshu to the Mortal Realm?” Zhuyou let out a quiet chuckle, though her eyes held no amusement.

The water demon fell silent, uncertain whether she should speak further.

Zhuyou asked, “Who started this rumor?”

“It came from the streets, but as for who first spread it… I don’t know.” The water demon slowly sank back into the water.

Zhuyou let out a quiet scoff. It seemed that in her absence, some devils had started running wild.

“If Your Grace wishes to find out, you might ask that white-browed rat demon,” the water demon cautiously suggested. “He’s not as sharp as Wu Buzhi, but within Shangxi City, his eyes and ears are everywhere.”

Zhuyou remembered that rat demon. Back when the tiger demon returned, Huoshu had used that white-browed rat to track him down. She lowered her gaze and asked, “Where is he?”

The water demon replied, “Anywhere there’s a rat hole, you’ll find him.”

Zhuyou took quite some time to convince herself to go looking for that rat hole. However, since a rat hole wasn’t a living thing and was small and low to the ground, it wasn’t so easy to find.

Leaving Jianxiang Pavilion, she happened to pass by Wu Buzhi’s wooden house and decided to take a look inside. The tea hanging from the eaves was still there, and the stack of paper effigies in the inner room remained untouched. It seemed he hadn’t returned.

If the Demon Clan hadn’t been dragged into this mess, Wu Buzhi would likely still be pretending to be an outsider. Unfortunately, the Demon Clan couldn’t avoid getting involved. She had to find something to lure Guanshang out.

After leaving the wooden house, she finally found a rat hole hidden beneath a bridge after some time.

Zhuyou stood in front of it, contemplating for a long while how to call out the rat inside. Before she could say anything, a white-browed rat poked its head out on its own.

The rat was entirely covered in gray fur, but it had two strikingly white eyebrows. She had never seen a rat with white brows before. In fact, it was rare for a rat to have eyebrows at all.

The white-browed rat spoke in an aged voice, sounding like a mortal over a hundred years old. “Your Grace.”

Zhuyou looked down at him and asked, “Do you know who I am?”

“Of course,” the rat answered immediately.

Zhuyou gave a slight nod. “I had Huoshu watch over Shangxi City for me. These past two days, I called her away, yet suddenly, rumors have spread that I took her down to the Mortal Realm.”

At these words, the white-browed rat immediately understood. Folding its paws together, it said, “The rumors started from a gambling den.”

“The demon who spread the word—is he still in the city?” Zhuyou asked.

The white-browed rat shook its head. “There are too many demons and devils in the gambling den. I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Forget it.” Zhuyou’s eyes darkened. “Then pass along a message for me.”

“What message does Your Grace wish to send?” The rat lowered its eyes respectfully.

“Just say—I have already met with the Demon King,” Zhuyou said calmly.

She didn’t know when Yueyin would arrive in Shangxi City, but she had to make sure Guanshang knew that the Demon Realm had been pulled into this mire.

If Wu Buzhi found out, he’d probably be so enraged he’d fall ill. That ghost usually behaved himself, but if he lost control, he could easily throw Guanshang’s plans into chaos.

The white-browed rat nodded. “Rest assured, Your Grace.”

Zhuyou turned and left, returning to sit atop her frost-covered dragon’s breath.

On the frozen surface, the Vermillion Phoenix—missing for two days—sat once again, though no demon in Shangxi City could see her.

The streets, bright with hanging lanterns, were lively. Demons wandered about, filling the air with clamorous noise. But if they could see the Vermillion Phoenix perched on the eaves above, they wouldn’t be so bold.

The long street was packed with demons, rows of lanterns swaying in the wind as if they knew no fear.

Zhuyou lowered her gaze to the ice beneath her, tapped her fingers against it three times, then slipped into the mustard seed space to dig out the reincarnation of Hua Lingjun.

Inside the mustard seed space, there was nothing but emptiness. No objects had been placed inside, and after all the jolting travel, Hua Lingjun had somehow ended up buried in the ground.

When she unearthed him, he was still unconscious, lying there stiff as a giant radish.

Seeing that his life fire was still burning, Zhuyou sighed in relief. She just didn’t know how much longer it would take for Changying to bring the Reincarnation Pool.

Placing her hand against Hua Lingjun’s forehead, she peered into his sea of consciousness. It was completely barren—not only were his past-life memories absent, but even the soul threads of his current life were barely there.

Just as she withdrew her hand, she suddenly sensed a wisp of breath sweep past her ear.

She abruptly exited the mustard seed space, and when she opened her eyes, she saw Changying sitting beside her, eyes fixed on her lapel.

She wasn’t looking at the lapel itself—she was obviously staring at the dragon scale hidden beneath it.

Zhuyou was momentarily startled. She raised a hand and gave Changying’s shoulder a light push. “Did you bring the Reincarnation Pool?” she asked.

Changying didn’t answer. Instead, she frowned, her tone carrying a hint of grievance as she said coldly, “I went to Changming City, and your maid lied to me—she told me that feather was you.”