Chapter 48 A Late Night Visit
Chapter 48 A Late Night Visit
“Run away?”
I had never imagined my father would say such words. Yet this was already the second time he had mentioned them. Something wasn’t right. He had changed since the last time I saw him.
Father nodded. “Yes, run away. Rather than dying in vain, it is better to retreat for now. Find a place to train hard, then return for revenge once your strength is sufficient.”
“Lei Xiang, your decision was correct. If you had only trained in the techniques I taught you, you would never have reached my current level.”
“In terms of physique, you are clearly inferior to your two brothers. But now it seems you are the only one who might surpass me.”
“When your strength grows and you can contend with a Four-Winged Fallen Angel, you must challenge Gu Chuan or the Demon Emperor in my stead.”
“This is my only request of you. Of course, if you cannot accomplish it, do not force yourself. I only hope you will surpass your father and achieve what I never could.”
I frowned. “Father, what’s wrong with you? Did something happen?”
“Ah.” Father shook his head, his expression dim. “Nothing is wrong. Just remember what I said.”
“Before I forget, between your two elder brothers, who do you think is most suitable to inherit my throne?”
“You are certainly out of the question. After all, you do not possess the massive physique of a Behemoth. The king of the Behemoth race must have a pure bloodline.”
Although I had always known I was unfit for the throne, hearing it still made me slightly uncomfortable.
“I have never wished to become the Behemoth King, so I will not compete with my brothers.”
“But Father, why ask me this now when you are still in the prime of your life?”
Father glanced at me. “Nothing. I simply want to hear your opinion.”
“During this campaign, I discovered that you possess qualities your brothers lack. I want to know who you believe is most suitable to lead the Behemoth race and develop our potential.”
I considered the matter for a moment before speaking.
“I think Eldest Brother is the most suitable.”
“I am not saying this because I hold resentment toward Second Brother, but because of their natures.”
“Eldest Brother is honest and straightforward, though somewhat slow. Second Brother is stronger and more cunning, but he is domineering and arrogant.”
“Under Eldest Brother, the Behemoth clan may not flourish greatly, but it will not decline either.”
“But Lei Hu does not know his limits. He acts without thinking and lacks compassion. If he became the Behemoth King… I would fear for the future of our clan.”
A faint light flashed in Father’s eyes. He nodded slightly.
“Perhaps I have been too biased.”
“Lei Hu resembles me when I was young. That may be why I favored him.”
“But in recent years he has only disappointed me. His only redeeming quality is his fighting ability.”
“Your words have awakened me. I will consider your opinion carefully.”
Father’s behavior only deepened my suspicions. I was certain he was hiding something, but since he refused to tell me, there was nothing I could do.
So I changed the subject.
“Father, can we trust Gu Chuan to keep his word? He won’t launch a sneak attack after signing the pact?”
Father shook his head. “No, he will not.”
“Once someone reaches a level like ours, lies are beneath them—especially regarding promises.”
“We have never been particularly friendly, but I know he would never resort to such despicable methods.”
“Besides, didn’t you already analyze the situation? Peace is the Demon Race’s best option.”
I nodded.
“I hope tomorrow goes smoothly. Then we can return home and report our success to His Majesty.”
Father straightened his towering body, completely blocking my view.
“I need to rest now. You all take care of matters here.”
With that, he turned and left.
His tall and solitary figure left a deep impression on me.
Even if I resent him, I will fulfill his wish.
One day, I will challenge a Four-Winged Fallen Angel.
Demon Race Main Camp
Gu Chuan slowly emerged from meditation. The black mist surrounding him was absorbed back into his body.
When he opened his eyes, he saw Griffin and Gwynn watching him anxiously.
Mi You asked gently, “Uncle Gu Chuan, are you alright? Did you fight the Behemoth King? Are you injured?”
After returning to the Demon Race camp, Gu Chuan had immediately begun healing himself without explaining anything.
He shook his head and sighed.
“No wonder Su Cha suffered such a defeat. There are several talented individuals among the Beastmen.”
“It seems it will be impossible to stop the development of the Beastmen race.”
Gwynn asked, “Father, what exactly happened?”
Gu Chuan replied, “There was a Twin-Headed Wolf and a Lernaean Hydra in the enemy camp.”
Gwynn was shocked.
“A Twin-Headed Wolf and a Lernaean Hydra? What are those? Are they powerful?”
Gu Chuan nodded solemnly.
“Very powerful. None of you could match them in a duel.”
Griffin looked unconvinced.
“How can you say we would lose when we haven’t even fought? No matter how strong they are, they are still Beastmen.”
“They dared to invade our territory. We should slaughter them until not even a piece of armor remains.”
“Father, tomorrow I will gather our troops and drive those beasts out of our land.”
Gu Chuan’s expression darkened with anger.
“Stop this nonsense!”
“You are no longer a child. Why are you still so reckless?”
“If I allowed you to lead the army, you would suffer the same fate as Su Cha.”
“Tomorrow we will sign a pact with the Beastmen to maintain an alliance.”
“Remember this clearly. I have already agreed to this pact according to His Majesty’s wishes.”
“No one is to cause trouble.”
“I do not want to have to enter the Beastmen camp again just to save you.”
“And I meant what I said—you cannot defeat them.”
“My injuries today were not caused by the Behemoth King.”
“They were inflicted by the combined forces of the Twin-Headed Wolf, the Lernaean Hydra, and a human youth.”
“Among them, only the Lernaean Hydra was injured by my attack.”
“Do you still believe you could defeat them?”
When Mi You heard that a human had been involved, her eyes lit up.
“Uncle Gu Chuan, what did the human look like?”
Gu Chuan turned to her, his expression softening slightly.
“The human was about two meters tall, with a strong build and green hair. He was quite handsome.”
“He could use chi and was rather formidable.”
“That is all I remember.”
“Why do you ask? Are you interested in him?”
“Su Cha might have been right. That human may be the one who brought these changes to the Beastmen clans.”
“Although the Behemoth King was nominally their leader, he was nowhere to be seen when I arrived at Stanla City.”
“I’m not sure whether the rise of the Beastmen is a good thing.”
The Gu twins exchanged glances, each seeing doubt in the other’s eyes.
Mi You shot them a warning look, reminding them of their promise.
Satisfied, she asked, “Uncle Gu Chuan, are we really going to sign a pact tomorrow? Wouldn’t our soldiers have died in vain?”
Gu Chuan smiled.
“Little Princess, you still do not understand politics.”
“When necessary, the man who killed your father yesterday can become your ally tomorrow.”
“The Beastmen have been quite restrained in this war.”
“Although Dunder Province has lost considerable wealth, if we continue fighting, we will lose far more.”
“And do not forget—we share a common enemy: the Dragon God Empire.”
“They also desire a ceasefire.”
“Both sides risk being attacked if they continue fighting during this dangerous time.”
“The Beastmen simply wish to regain their dignity.”
“There is no need for us to fight to the death over such a matter.”
“You still have much to learn.”
Mi You pouted.
“I understand, Uncle.”
“I thought there would be a war to fight. Who knew it would end like this? How boring.”
“You can continue discussing serious matters. I’m going out for a walk.”
Gu Chuan reminded her, “Princess, do not go too far. Remember the promise you made to His Majesty.”
Mi You puffed out her cheeks. “I know, Uncle.”
With that, she turned and ran outside.
Gu Chuan looked at his sons, his expression turning serious.
“I know both of you have been training diligently, but your strength is still limited.”
“You should also know that we recently lost ten Fallen Angels in a short time.”
“Fallen Angels are not invincible.”
“Be cautious. Never provoke enemies you cannot afford to face.”
“And keep an eye on the princess. Our mission is nearly complete, and I do not want trouble arising at the last moment.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Good. You may leave.”
Griffin and Gwynn stepped out of the commander’s tent.
Griffin asked quietly, “Brother, do you think the human Father mentioned could be Lay?”
Gwynn nodded.
“From Father’s description, it is very possible.”
“But if Lay is truly His Majesty’s illegitimate son, why would he be in the Beastmen camp?”
“Didn’t he say he was going to carry out a mission in the Dragon God Empire?”
“The princess also claimed he is not His Majesty’s son.”
“Could he have lied to us?”
Griffin shook his head.
“I don’t think so.”
“If he weren’t His Majesty’s illegitimate child, how could he possess the physique necessary to cultivate the Demonic Arts?”
“Besides, Lay said the princes would never acknowledge him.”
“Even if he is an impostor, what can we do?”
“If he hadn’t saved us that time, we would have already met the Demon God.”
“Whatever the truth is, he still saved our lives.”
Gwynn sighed.
“Let’s leave it alone.”
“As long as we avoid conflict with him, we will keep our promise to the princess.”
“We will act as if we never met him.”
While speaking, the two brothers returned to their tent.
Behind them, a slender and alluring figure slowly appeared from the shadows.
A faint smile curved at the corner of her lips.
Night fell.
I wandered alone through a somewhat deserted district inside Stanla City. I had finally managed to find a little free time and decided to take a look around the most prosperous city in Dunder Province.
First Brother had already regrown his head and returned to his quarters to restore his cultivation. The Wolf God had gone off to look for new curiosities. Mink was currently serving as captain of the guards. For once, I had a rare moment of solitude.
Yellow leaves rustled across the ground as a cold wind swept through the street. My mood was calm and peaceful.
For once, I didn’t want to think about anything.
I simply walked wherever my feet carried me. For a brief moment, I felt completely detached from the flames of war.
My mind gradually emptied until I was thinking of nothing at all.
When I finally grew tired of walking, I leaped onto the roof of a tall building and reclined against the tiles, gazing up at the clear, star-filled sky.
The peaceful scene made me drowsy.
Just as I was about to drift into sleep, a sharp gust of wind struck toward me.
Although I had been completely relaxed, my instincts remained alert. I rolled aside and narrowly avoided the attack.
I stood up and straightened my back.
About ten meters away stood a figure wrapped entirely in black.
I carefully examined the attacker from head to toe. Judging from the slender, well-developed figure, the person was a woman.
Moreover, she seemed somewhat familiar, though I couldn’t recall where I had seen her.
“Who are you?” I demanded in a harsh voice. “You have quite a lot of courage to attack me.”
The woman simply stared at me with her bright eyes and said nothing.
Her silence irritated me.
I gathered my Mad God Chi and formed a protective shield around my body, preparing to strike. I couldn’t afford to show mercy simply because she was a woman.
The woman suddenly laughed, her voice clear like the ringing of silver bells.
“You seem to have none of those qualities at all—raising such a strong guard against me.”
Her voice immediately set off alarms in my mind.
I stared at her and said, “You… could you be the Demon Princess, Mi You? How did you get here?”
After recognizing her identity, I immediately became cautious and carefully observed our surroundings.
The quiet stillness of the night confirmed that no one else was nearby.
Mi You pulled away the mask covering her face, revealing her stunning features.
She giggled. “Not bad. You recognized my voice. It seems you haven’t forgotten me.”
“As for how I got here… that wasn’t easy. But I’m not going to tell you.”
I had not forgotten how her people had assassinated Wolf and my subordinates.
But I also knew that killing her here would create irreconcilable hatred between the Beastmen and the Demon Race.
I frowned.
“Gu Chuan reached an agreement with us today. So why are you sneaking into our camp in the middle of the night?”
“And return my horse, Black Dragon.”
Mi You sneered.
“Black Dragon? Hmph. I’m not returning him.”
“He’s living much better with me—eating well and enjoying luxury every day. You only put him through hardship.”
“As for why I came here…”
Her expression suddenly changed. The playful sneer vanished, replaced by a chilling coldness.
“I still have a score to settle with you.”
“Explain why you injured me last time.”
“Not only that, you dared to pretend to be my father’s illegitimate child.”
“I truly cannot understand you.”
“You helped the Dragon God Empire before, and now you’re helping the Beastmen.”
“Do you really hate the Demon Race that much?”
“And how is it possible for you to transform into a Fallen Angel?”
I snorted.
“You came here just to ask questions?”
“Why should I answer any of them?”
“But you do have courage to come here seeking revenge.”
“Perhaps you’ve trained enough to become a Four-Winged Fallen Angel?”
“Regardless, this is your final warning. Disappear from my sight.”
“Otherwise I cannot guarantee your survival.”
“I do not intend to hold back.”
“Your subordinates killed eighteen of my brothers last time, and I haven’t taken revenge yet.”
“But if you dare provoke me again…”
Mi You pouted.
“Stop acting so frightening. I was only curious and asked a few questions. What’s wrong with that?”
I snorted coldly.
“Curiosity killed the cat.”
“Since we are about to sign a non-aggression pact, I will spare you.”
“Leave Stanla City immediately.”
Mi You lifted her chin defiantly.
“What if I refuse?”
My anger flared.
“You… fine.”
“It’s not as if I didn’t give you a chance.”
I waved my hand and a surge of yellow Mad God Chi shot toward her chest.
Mi You cried out in alarm and leapt aside, narrowly dodging the attack.
Her face flushed red with fury.
“You… how dare you!”
“Darkness condense within my soul. To have fallen is to be freed. Awaken! The myriad magical powers slumbering in my blood!”
A dark aura erupted around her.
Two wings tore through the back of her clothes, and her originally purple eyes turned black.
I had not intended to hurt her. The attack was merely meant to scare her into leaving Stanla City.
Instead, it only enraged her further.
Her transformation exerted pressure on me, but I knew this was neither the place nor the time for a battle.
Even without transforming, I was confident I could hold her off for a while.
“You crazy girl,” I said. “What exactly are you trying to do?”
Mi You’s body trembled violently as dark magic poured from her.
The clothes covering her body withered away and drifted to the ground like falling butterflies, revealing her alluring figure clad in tight leather armor.
Her slender arms were smooth and toned, and her flat abdomen and long thighs were completely exposed.
She smirked wickedly.
“Even my father, the Demon Emperor, has never dared strike me.”
“Yet you injured me before—and now you attack me again.”
“I will never forgive you.”
I stared at her coldly while secretly circulating dark magic to maintain my composure. It was the only way to avoid being distracted by her charm.
“And what will your hatred accomplish?”
“Do not forget that I control this city.”
“Leave now while nothing has happened.”
“Otherwise… what do you think the Demon Emperor would offer in exchange for his daughter?”
I expected Mi You either to flee or attack in anger.
Instead, she smiled mysteriously.
“You may regret saying that.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Why would I regret it?”
“You’ll understand when you see this.”
Mi You pulled a handkerchief from inside the breastplate of her armor and flicked it toward me. The edge moved so quickly it sliced through the air like a blade.
I focused on the cloth and circulated Mad God Chi around my fingers before catching it cautiously.
Mi You retreated ten meters and raised both hands to show she would not attack.
Naturally, I lowered my head to examine the white handkerchief.
A faint sweet fragrance drifted from it.
This scent… it must be Mi You’s.
But when my eyes fell upon the embroidery, my vision blurred.
I froze.
A small purple budding lily was embroidered on the cloth.
Below it were two delicate characters.
Zi Yan.
Even if I had never seen her use this handkerchief, I knew it belonged to Zi Yan.
Her handwriting was unmistakable.
She had a habit of not placing the character at the far right corner—something only those closest to her would know.
There was no doubt.
It was hers.
I clenched the handkerchief tightly and suddenly lunged toward Mi You.
I intended to capture her immediately, but the ten-meter distance between us gave her time to react.
Mi You snorted coldly and blocked my charge with the black qi surrounding her body.
She flapped her wings and soared into the sky.
“If you want to know where she is, follow me.”
Then she turned and flew away without looking back.
At that moment, I no longer cared about anything else.
“Darkness condense within my soul. To have fallen is to be freed. Awaken! The myriad magical powers slumbering in my blood!”
My body swelled as I transformed into a Fallen Angel.
With my enhanced vision, I could clearly see Mi You flying through the night sky.
I spread my black feathered wings and pursued her.
Mi You was not flying very quickly.
My Demonic Arts were already stronger than hers, so I caught up quickly.
Noticing that I was close behind, she accelerated and began weaving through the sky.
I dared not lose her and followed closely.
“Where is Zi Yan?” I shouted.
Mi You glanced back and smiled sweetly.
“Follow me.”
My mind was in complete chaos.
Soon I had lost all sense of direction, blindly chasing after her.
Even if it was a trap, I would accept it.
To me, Zi Yan was more important than anything else.
Finally, Mi You descended into a forest and landed on the ground.
I followed and landed before her.
She narrowed her eyes and studied me thoughtfully.
“Among all the Fallen Angels…”
“You have the most handsome transformation.”
I stared at her fiercely, swaying slightly as I prepared to charge again.
Mi You quickly stepped backward and cried out in alarm, “You’d better not act rashly! Otherwise your Zi Yan will disappear forever.”
I forced myself to suppress the rage boiling inside me and spoke with cold contempt.
“Hurry up and hand over Zi Yan, or I will kill you.”
Mi You looked at my furious expression and giggled. As she slowly walked toward me, she said, “I won’t release her. And you can’t kill me—if you do, you’ll never see Zi Yan again.”
My hands were already raised, yet I couldn’t bring myself to strike.
I let out a helpless sigh.
“What exactly do you want? What must I do for you to release Zi Yan?”
Mi You turned her back toward me and shook her head lightly.
“Release her? I’ll think about it.”
“First, you must answer a few questions. If I’m satisfied, I might tell you where she is.”
She held my weakness firmly in her grasp.
I clenched my teeth.
“Ask. But remember—if Zi Yan has lost even a single strand of hair, I will make you repay it a hundredfold.”
Mi You turned back with a smile. She placed a hand on my shoulder and leaned close, gently blowing against my cheek. A faint fragrance drifted toward me.
It was the scent of cymbidium orchids.
I glared at her.
“Well? Ask.”
Her palm slid slowly from my shoulder to my chest as she leaned closer.
“First tell me who you really are. Why can you transform into a Fallen Angel?”
I had expected that question.
For Zi Yan’s sake, I answered without hesitation.
“I possess mixed blood—Demon Race, Beastmen, and Human.”
Mi You looked at me in surprise.
“So you also have Human and Beastmen blood? I couldn’t tell.”
I glared coldly at her.
“The Behemoth King, Lei Ao, is my father. My name is Lei Xiang.”
“I consider myself a Beastman. That is why I helped the Beastmen race and fought against the Demon Race.”
“But because of my demon bloodline, I can cultivate the Demonic Arts.”
“Is that enough for you?”
“Now tell me where Zi Yan is.”
Mi You tilted her head slightly, as if pondering.
“I need more details.”
“If you are a Beastman, why did I see you among the armies of the Dragon God Empire?”
I answered impatiently.
“Can’t I be an undercover agent?”
“Now tell me where Zi Yan is. My patience has limits.”
Mi You suddenly asked, “Do you love her?”
“Of course,” I replied immediately. “Zi Yan is one of the people I love most.”
Mi You pouted.
“That answer isn’t sincere at all.”
“‘One of the people I love most,’ hmph. I wonder how sad she would be if she heard that.”
I glared at her fiercely.
“Whether she would be sad or not has nothing to do with you!”
“What exactly do you want from me?”
Mi You’s expression darkened.
“You hurt me last time. I won’t let this matter go so easily.”
“I have an idea.”
“Cut off both your arms, and I’ll tell you where Zi Yan is.”
I snorted coldly.
“Are you dreaming?”
“How could I cripple myself before confirming Zi Yan’s safety? If I did that, rescuing her would become impossible.”
Mi You’s eyes flashed with anger.
“You don’t trust me?”
I raised my head and looked toward the night sky before answering calmly.
“Are you worthy of my trust?”
“You—!”
“Fine,” she snapped angrily. “Since you don’t believe me, you can forget about seeing your beloved Zi Yan ever again.”
“Hmph.”
My eyes flashed coldly as murderous intent erupted from my body. The wings behind me spread wide.
With a sharp motion, I drew Black Sable and stepped toward her.
Mi You saw my terrifying expression and instinctively stepped back.
Trying to sound confident, she asked, “Wh-what are you planning to do?”
“Hmph.”
“I will capture you and take you to the Demon Emperor.”
“Then I will exchange you for Zi Yan.”
“I doubt the Demon Emperor would sacrifice his own daughter for the sake of an insignificant human.”
Mi You drew her slender sword and pointed it toward me.
“Don’t act recklessly!”
“I came here alone. No one but me knows where she is.”
I stopped and stared at her suspiciously.
Her eyes showed a hint of panic, yet they remained clear.
I could tell she was telling the truth.
Rage exploded within me.
I suddenly swung Black Sable downward.
A thick arc of black energy surged forward, carving a deep trench through the ground as it rushed toward Mi You.
She cried out in alarm and leapt aside.
“I’ve answered everything you asked,” I said through clenched teeth. “Now tell me where Zi Yan is.”
For her sake, I forced myself to calm down.
Mi You smiled faintly, clearly pleased to regain the upper hand.
“You were so fierce earlier.”
“I wonder if I should tell you anything after seeing that attitude…”
I rested Black Sable on my shoulder and asked impatiently, “What do you want?”
Mi You giggled.
“Didn’t I already say?”
“Cut off both your arms, and I’ll tell you.”
“You…!”
“How do I know you won’t lie after I cut off my arms?”
“Among all the people in the Demon Race, you are the one I trust the least.”
Mi You snorted.
“Hmph! If you don’t believe me, then forget it.”
“I’m leaving.”
Her wings beat lightly as she rose into the sky.
“Wait!” I shouted, leaping upward to chase her.
Just as I was about to catch up, Mi You suddenly turned.
A cold flash shot toward me.
Her narrow sword thrust straight at my chest.
Because I had been charging forward at full speed, I couldn’t dodge.
I hurriedly slashed Black Sable across my body.
Clang!
The two swords scraped against each other with a sharp metallic ring.
Using the momentum of the clash, Mi You flipped backward and shot upward into the air.
But her blade still left a wound on my shoulder.
From above, countless sword afterimages descended toward me.
Although Mi You’s Demonic Arts had not improved significantly, her control over dark magic had clearly become more refined.
Under her relentless attacks, I became somewhat flustered.
Still, I managed to create a defensive sword screen with Black Sable, deflecting her strikes.
Her attacks were not extremely powerful, but it would be dangerous to let them hit me.
After all, she was still a Fallen Angel—only one level below me.
Even though I blocked all her attacks, I could feel my qi channels falling into disorder.
Perhaps Mi You’s stamina was running low.
For a brief moment, her sword slowed.
I seized the opportunity.
Spreading my wings, I shot backward at high speed, escaping her attack range.
Mi You laughed softly.
Suddenly countless ghostly blue lights burst from her body, spreading across a thirty-meter area.
I instantly realized I could not evade this attack.
I quickly formed a defensive barrier with dark magic.
But the blue lights passed through it as if it didn’t exist and continued rushing toward me.
At that life-or-death moment, my true potential erupted.
I swung Black Sable, creating a vortex of Mad God Chi and dark magic around me.
The swirling force deflected several of the ghostly lights just enough.
Seizing the opportunity, I folded my wings and dropped straight downward, slipping out of the storm of blue lights.
Just as I thought I had escaped, my right arm suddenly went numb.
My heart sank.
One of the attacks had struck me.
Without daring to face Mi You directly, I activated my cultivation to seal the wound while accelerating my descent.
Mi You pursued relentlessly.
Before I could recover, she dove straight toward me.
Her body and sword aligned into a single streak like an arrow.
I spread my wings to slow my fall, switched Black Sable to my left hand, and gathered all my strength.
This time I activated Heavenly Berserk.
A massive surge of black energy shot toward Mi You.
She clearly hadn’t expected me to launch such a powerful attack while injured.
She cried out in surprise as black light surrounded her body.
At the same time, she swung her slender sword and charged directly into the oncoming blast of dark energy.