The Demon Overlord's Son Who Integrated the Rogues of the Chaotic Star Territory and Gradually Rose to Power
The Demon Overlord’s Son Who Integrated the Rogues of the Chaotic Star Territory and Gradually Rose to Power
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, several days had passed.
The Beyond was in an uproar over Gu Changge dispatching his army to hunt down Bandit Thirteen, and things were far from peaceful.
In practically every ancient city, cultivators and living beings could be found discussing the matter every single day.
Bandit Thirteen were utterly wicked and infamous, burning, killing, and plundering—there was no evil they would not commit.
But due to the terrain of the Chaotic Star Territory, they were extremely difficult to hunt down.
After attacking passing merchant caravans, they would seize the goods and flee without a trace, leaving the various passing factions and caravans in endless misery.
Moreover, the Chaotic Star Territory bordered the various heavens and was the mandatory route for transporting goods from the Heavenly Arms Domain, famous for artifact refining—a position as critical as a throat.
Over millions of years, who knew how many... resources Bandit Thirteen had plundered from the caravans of the Heavenly Arms Domain.
Now that they had been annihilated by Gu Changge, the resources obtained made many Dao Lineages and factions green with envy.
Of course, many people were also well aware that the army Gu Changge had dispatched to annihilate Bandit Thirteen was already enough to destroy an ordinary faction.
And his losses were not small either—in this great battle, over a hundred Ancient Battleships alone had been destroyed.
It was precisely for this reason that, in the eyes of many, Gu Changge subsequently dispatched terrifying forces to search everywhere for Bandit Thirteen.
This matter also sounded an alarm in the hearts of many Dao Lineages and cultivators—they could no longer regard Gu Changge as merely a young prodigy.
His wings had gradually grown full, and he had begun to reveal his edge and claws in the Beyond.
The destruction of the Purple Mansion was the best opening act.
Now, anyone who offended Gu Changge had to consider the terrifying consequences they would bear.
Subsequently, after annihilating Bandit Thirteen of the Chaotic Star Territory, Gu Changge ordered the various clans of the Immortal Ancients to secretly dispatch their clan experts to integrate those... rather scattered rogues near the Chaotic Star Territory.
After all, only a fool would pass up such a fine piece of resources lying right there.
Gu Changge was naturally no great saint. Having dealt with Bandit Thirteen, he planned to prop up a new force to occupy the Chaotic Star Territory.
Bandit Thirteen had been filthy rich all these years.
No matter...
which Dao Lineage it was, they all coveted that region. Though none dared say much openly, they were all stirring restlessly in the dark.
Now that Gu Changge had secretly integrated this new force, the other Dao Lineages dared not say anything either.
Rogues backed by a power and rogues without backing were two entirely different matters.
The Chaotic Star Territory was vast and boundless, situated in a remote expanse where multiple continents connected, with countless caravans and cultivators passing through every day.
Not to mention the many Transportation Arrays and Ancient Altars along the way—any cultivator passing through had to pay an extra fee.
Over time, it naturally became a treasure-bowl-like land of riches in the eyes of many factions and Dao Lineages.
And what Gu Changge had his eye on was precisely this advantageous terrain. Controlling the Chaotic Star Territory was no trouble for him.
Before this, besides... Bandit Thirteen, there were hundreds of rogues large and small within a million miles. Though scattered, their strength lay in numbers.
Even Bandit Thirteen would have found it difficult to integrate them all.
And these rogues were all vicious, ferocious types who licked blood off their blades, having survived countless life-and-death battles—their strength far exceeded cultivators of the same realm.
With Bandit Thirteen completely annihilated, these... rogues large and small also grew ambitious, each wanting to expand and dominate the surroundings.
Only their ambitions did not last long—they were swiftly suppressed by the armies and cavalry Gu Changge dispatched.
And the terms Gu Changge gave them were simple: submit, or die.
With the precedent of Bandit Thirteen before them, these... scattered small-time rogues naturally dared not resist.
Just like that, the many rogues of the Chaotic Star Territory gradually coalesced from a pile of loose sand into an embryonic form.
Though still no match for Bandit Thirteen at their peak.
But because Gu Changge was backing them, their overall strength far exceeded that of the former Bandit Thirteen by countless times.
Though the various Dao Lineages and cultivators of the Chaotic Star Territory knew exactly who was pulling the strings behind the scenes, they could only swallow their anger, not daring to voice it.
They could only silently pray that these rogues, under Gu Changge’s control, would restrain themselves somewhat and not commit every evil like the former Bandit Thirteen.
Gu Changge then arranged for Ji Qingxuan to go over and temporarily take charge of management.
Through a period of observation, he had already seen Ji Qingxuan’s capability and ambition.
This newly integrated band of rogues happened to serve as a whetstone, helping him test Ji Qingxuan’s abilities.
One or two decorative vases were enough—as far as... Gu Changge was concerned, he still preferred women who were useful to him, ideally ones who could actually help him.
At first, Ji Qingxuan never imagined Gu Changge would trust her so much, entrusting her with such a heavy responsibility. Her heart was nervous and apprehensive for a time, but more than that, she felt a swelling ambition and excitement.
She secretly swore in her heart that she must not let Gu Changge down.
After all, this was precisely the opportunity Gu Changge had given her to demonstrate her abilities—she had to seize it firmly! Watching Ji Qingxuan leave the True Immortal Academy, token in hand, heading for the Chaotic Star Territory, Gu Changge withdrew his gaze.
He silently picked up the tea on the table, took a light sip, then picked up a Communication Rune.
On it were matters concerning Xiao Ruoyin’s cultivation during this period, which Yan Ji had reported in exhaustive detail.
What Gu Changge cared about most was whether Xiao Ruoyin had... recovered the memories of the High Priestess of Destiny.
But from the looks of it now, Xiao Ruoyin still needed a long time before recovering her memories. As for what realm her cultivation had reached, Gu Changge did not care.
“Master, there is news of the remnants of Bandit Thirteen you ordered captured.”
At this moment, a follower suddenly came to report from outside the hall.
Gu Changge’s thoughts returned, and he asked indifferently, “Oh, what news?”
“The mysterious strategist behind Bandit Thirteen appears to be connected to the Demon World’s turmoil six thousand years ago.”
The follower said respectfully, “According to the intelligence gathered, that mysterious strategist seems to have considerable ties to the Solar Demon Overlord of the former Demon World. He was later hunted down on Empress Yao Xi’s orders, fled all the way out of the Demon World, and finally vanished without a trace. Who would have thought he actually slipped into the Chaotic Star Territory and became Bandit Thirteen’s strategist.”
“To have such a connection with the Demon World? Could my karmic tie be of this nature?”
Hearing this news, Gu Changge was somewhat surprised, then waved his hand. “Understood. You may go. The moment his whereabouts are found, send men to capture him immediately.”
“Yes, Master.”
Soon, the follower departed.
Gu Changge pondered for a moment, then picked up his brush intending to write a letter. He felt this matter might be related to that returned son of the Demon Overlord in the Demon World.
According to the information he had gathered, the former Demon World had six great Demon Overlords, among whom the Solar Demon Overlord and the Lunar Demon Overlord had the closest relationship.
And the Solar Demon Overlord’s offspring, named Jun Bufan, was childhood sweethearts with the current ruler of the Demon World, Empress Yao Xi—the two even had a Marriage Agreement.
Only, six thousand years ago, the Demon World fell into great chaos. The Solar Demon Overlord’s own son perished in that turmoil, and the Five Demon Overlords vanished without a trace.
Though the Lunar Demon Overlord was Empress Yao Xi’s mother, she too was rarely seen nowadays.
Officially she was said to be in seclusion, but whether she had been placed under house arrest by Empress Yao Xi or had long since been murdered, no one knew.
As far back as the Demon World’s turmoil six thousand years ago, Empress Yao Xi’s reputation had not been good. Her doing such things seemed perfectly normal to many.
Poisoning her fiancé, slaughtering the various demons who resisted—the Demon World beings who died at her hands were simply beyond count.
Her methods were so cruel they made one’s heart palpitate. There was even a rumor that the mere mention of Empress Yao Xi’s name could stop a child’s crying at night.
Gu Changge recalled the Fortuity event triggered some time ago when he first entered the True Immortal Academy.
The returned son of the Demon Overlord.
At the time, he had warned Empress Yao Xi about it, but because he had other matters to attend to, he had not taken it to heart.
“From the looks of it now, this Demon Overlord’s son has probably already risen to power. As expected, one of great Fortuity will drag a Fortuitous One into the open. For me, this is also a fine harvesting opportunity.”
Gu Changge connected this to that... blind middle-aged man, and suddenly formed this conjecture.
“If that is the case, then this person is most likely to flee to the Demon World...”
Gu Changge narrowed his eyes and summoned his followers again, ordering them to keep constant watch on the Transportation Arrays of every ancient city leading to the Demon World.
After arranging this matter, Gu Changge began writing a letter, intending to sound out Empress Yao Xi’s stance.
The last time he met Empress Yao Xi at the True Immortal Academy, though he had flattered her a few times and appeared to be on good terms with her,
Gu Changge knew full well that with her shrewdness, she could not possibly trust him so easily.
At most, it was the appreciation of kindred spirits at first meeting.
Moreover, he did not know what attitude Empress Yao Xi held toward the fiancé she had once poisoned.
So he needed to decide his next plan based on Empress Yao Xi’s tone.
If Empress Yao Xi still felt guilt toward that Jun Bufan, he would not mind conveniently helping her destroy...
The Demon World.
Within a magnificent palace wreathed in clouds and mist, standing atop a mountain peak.
A breathtakingly beautiful woman in phoenix robes was writing something at her desk.
Her features were exquisite, her eyes deep and calm, with a touch of pale red makeup between her brows that lent her a somewhat bewitching air.
Beside her stood four tall women holding brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
Some plump, some slender, all lovely in appearance, with smooth dark hair and delicate features—their expressions variously charming, cool, aloof, or serene, each different from the others.
“Your Majesty, this is a letter from the Gu Family’s Young Master of the True Immortal Academy in the Beyond.”
At this moment, a female official outside the hall, her expression respectful, came forward presenting a letter.
Hearing this, the four female officials beside the phoenix-robed woman all seemed somewhat surprised.
The serenely tempered woman among them walked over, received the letter, and presented it before the phoenix-robed woman.
“Gu Changge?”
“Why is he writing to Zhen?”
Hearing this, the phoenix-robed woman also set down the memorial in her hand, her delicate brows lifting slightly, seemingly a bit surprised as well.
At the same time, the words Gu Changge had once spoken to her surfaced in her mind: “Perhaps one could call her an empress for the ages.”
Rarely, the corners of the phoenix-robed woman’s mouth curved up slightly as she gently took the envelope and unfolded it to read.
The four female officials beside her all watched this scene in astonishment. As the female officials closest to Empress Yao Xi, and her confidantes besides, they naturally knew the Empress’s temperament well.
She who was perpetually cold and majestic, difficult to approach, had actually smiled—rarely so! And because of a man, no less.
They naturally knew who Gu Changge was—knew he was the most dazzling, most brilliant young prodigy of the Beyond in recent years, with power that reached the heavens.
Some time ago, he had even destroyed a Supreme Dao Lineage, leaving them shocked, trembling, even terrified, finding it unbelievable, inconceivable, dreamlike.
Was this something the younger generation could accomplish? Even the Demon World’s most dazzling prodigy paled before him, utterly incomparable.
Moreover, when had the Empress become acquainted with Gu Changge? That the two would actually correspond by letter?
“He actually has the time to care about how Zhen is faring these days?”
The curve of Yao Xi’s lips could not help but deepen. She seemed to be in quite a good mood, and the four female officials beside her could all sense this emotion of hers.
It left them somewhat dazed. How long had it been since the Empress last showed such an expression? Probably the last time was when a certain minister, in court, had overridden all objections to support Her Majesty’s reforms and explained Her Majesty’s painstaking intentions.
Yao Xi then carefully read through the letter’s contents once more.
Only then did her jade hand pick up the brush beside her, and she began writing on the paper with lowered wrist—rarely writing it herself, without having the female officials beside her ghostwrite.
This shocked the four women once again.
Just how much did Her Majesty value this? They suddenly grew very curious, wanting badly to see with their own eyes this legendary figure, Young Master Changge.
Before long, Yao Xi finished writing, read it over carefully once more, revealed a very satisfied expression, and only then handed it to the female official beside her, saying indifferently, “Deliver this to Young Master Changge as quickly as possible.”
“Yes.”
The serenely tempered female official accepted the letter, then swiftly left the palace.
“During this period, keep a close watch for Zhen on all Transportation Arrays leading to the Beyond. The remnants not exterminated six thousand years ago show signs of reviving.”
Yao Xi then instructed indifferently.
“Your Majesty, is someone returning to the Demon World?”
The cool-tempered woman, hearing this, seemed somewhat surprised.
Yao Xi glanced at her. She trusted these female officials of hers greatly and had no intention of hiding it from them, saying indifferently, “Young Master Changge recently annihilated Bandit Thirteen of the Chaotic Star Territory. One of their remnants is none other than Bai Kun, the Demon Master who served at the Solar Demon Overlord’s side six thousand years ago.”
“Having offended Young Master Changge, there is now no place left for him in the entire Beyond. So he surmises Bai Kun will flee back to the Demon World.”
“Bai Kun? So it is that man? It is said he possesses the ability to see through the secrets of heaven and reverse the cosmos.”
“That was how he escaped the layers of pursuit and encirclement back then, vanishing without a trace ever since.”
“So he fled to the Chaotic Star Territory.”
Hearing this, the expressions of the several female officials were all somewhat shocked.
Only the cool-tempered woman who had asked the question earlier showed a slight change in expression, seemingly a bit nervous—but it lasted only a fleeting instant.
Yao Xi was still perusing Gu Changge’s letter and did not notice her expression.
“These years, the rebellious remnants have shown signs of reviving again. Someone must be directing them from the shadows. Who could it be...”
Her brows furrowed tightly as she began considering the questions raised in the reply letter.
Facing Gu Changge, she felt a kindred-spirit sensation of “I was born before you, yet by the time you were born, I had already grown old.”
So she told him of quite a few problems she encountered in her letters, concealing nothing.
Back when she first met Gu Changge at the True Immortal Academy, she had taken note of the matters he spoke of.
So after returning to the Demon World, she began issuing orders to search for the Remnants of the Five Demon Overlords.
Moreover, Yao Xi was very cautious—she arrested people all across the Demon World who shared the same name as her former fiancé.
She knew this method was no different from fishing a needle from the sea, but it was the only method she could think of for now. She understood Jun Bufan’s character and knew that if he were not dead, he would very likely continue using his original name.
As for why Yao Xi suspected Jun Bufan was not dead—
It was because she had discovered that Jun Bufan’s tomb was now completely empty. At some unknown point, someone had stolen his corpse away!
Facing this matter, she was now utterly clueless, which was why she hoped to obtain a solution from Gu Changge.
Though Gu Changge was merely a junior to her, some of his insights and arguments gave her the feeling of clouds parting to reveal the sun.
“Hehe, just as I thought.”
“This Demon Overlord’s son has indeed risen to power. I should find time to make a trip to the Demon World.”
“Having finally come across a ripe crop of leeks, how could I easily let it go?”
Within the True Immortal Academy.
Gu Changge stood with his hands behind his back, smiling faintly. After reading Empress Yao Xi’s letter, he was not particularly surprised.
The questions she asked were things Gu Changge had actually already guessed beforehand.
With the Demon Overlord’s son returned, how could he possibly repeat the same mistakes as six thousand years ago? As long as Jun Bufan was not stupid, he would choose to lay low and develop quietly, showing himself before Empress Yao Xi as little as possible, minimizing his prominence as much as he could.
In the vast Demon World, how difficult would it be to find one Demon Overlord’s son? Harder than fishing a needle from the sea.
It would be strange if Empress Yao Xi could find him. And perhaps even she was not certain whether Jun Bufan was truly dead or not.
Since he could not be found, making him show himself of his own accord—was that not simple?
Subsequently, Gu Changge began writing with his brush.
Since Empress Yao Xi sought a method from him, methods there were aplenty. In his view, Empress Yao Xi was still not ruthless enough.
He had plenty more ways to make Jun Bufan show himself. If he remembered correctly, Jun Bufan had an elder sister back then.
That sister of his had not participated in the Demon World’s turmoil six thousand years ago. She had carved out a territory of her own, making it a Forbidden Area of the Demon World, which no one had dared approach for thousands of years...
Meanwhile, in the Beyond, within an ancient city.
A disguised young man was running a street stall in a remote corner.
Displayed on it were many weapon fragments stained with rust and mud, along with many unrecognizable strange ores, all of considerable age, seemingly freshly unearthed.
Only, while tending the stall, the young man would from time to time glance at the passing cultivators and prodigies, a sharp gleam flickering in his eyes.
“Gu Changge...”
“Remnants of Bandit Thirteen... pity that all of this... no longer has anything to do with me.”
Listening to the discussions of the nearby cultivators, the young man muttered inwardly. Thinking of something, hatred and fury flashed through his eyes.
This person was, naturally, Jiang Chen.
If not for Gu Changge’s “kindness,” how would he have fallen to such a state? Needing to dig graves and rob tombs, selling off the buried grave goods of tomb owners to survive.
If he was lucky, he might encounter a tomb owner who had died not long ago and devour the magic power remaining in their body.
If he was unlucky and encountered a corpse nourished by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and the essence of sun and moon, it might well undergo a corpse transformation, bringing bloody calamity.
Every time before entering a tomb, he had to be on tenterhooks, and also guard against being discovered by the tomb owner’s family.
To temper him, the Elderly Man in Black Robes had not appeared for a long time.
And Jiang Chen did not know where the Elderly Man in Black Robes currently was either. He could only search for hidden tombs among the mountain ranges like this, while cultivating the technique the Elderly Man in Black Robes had left him.
During this period, he had made some small progress, opening up his Spiritual Sea.
Jiang Chen had also once planned to use his skills to go gambling on stones in the various marketplaces.
But the moment he thought about how the final outcome would be him unable to take the goods away—very likely being detained there instead—he gradually gave up.
And these past few days, he happened to hear news that an Ancient Divine Tomb was about to emerge, and he planned to go try his luck.