Chapter 1450

Three days later.

Inside the Mangshan Demon Palace, the Mangshan Snake King personally reported the situation and also sent a specially prepared soup to His Majesty the Demon Emperor, which he had brewed from various precious spiritual medicines; its therapeutic effect was excellent, greatly aiding the recovery of the Mangshan Demon Emperor's injuries.

"Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, this soup prepared by your subordinate from various precious spiritual medicines and the essence blood of various demon beasts has excellent therapeutic effect on your wounds; please be sure to drink it."

The Mangshan Snake King, his true feelings showing, knelt down, holding the soup with both hands, his loyal and devoted appearance moving.

The Mangshan Demon Emperor reached out and took the soup, placing it on the nearby table, not drinking it immediately, but instead praised the Mangshan Snake King: "You have good intentions, Shan Mang; I know my own condition best, you need not worry—your task is to watch those humans outside and the several Demon Kings of the Mangshan Demon Palace, to prevent them from moving against this Emperor."

"Also keep an eye on Xu Kongwang over there—report where he goes and what he does; you must watch him closely, absolutely not let him escape your sight."

The Mangshan Snake King answered respectfully: "Yes, Your Majesty the Demon Emperor."

"Get up; here, you need not kneel, we are not in a superior-subordinate relation, and from now on you need not do so either." The Mangshan Demon Emperor reached out, helped the Mangshan Snake King to his feet—a smooth motion that was touching.

The Mangshan Snake King, overcome with emotion: "Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, I…"

The Mangshan Demon Emperor nodded at him, saying: "No need for that; between us, we need not worry about empty formalities—I am well aware of your loyalty to this Emperor, no need to show it."

"Yes, Your Majesty the Demon Emperor." The Mangshan Snake King, overcome with emotion, nearly knelt to thank the Emperor's favor, which eased his heart greatly; this move of winning hearts, many would be bought by him and then be loyally devoted.

"Go on; I will drink the soup." The Mangshan Demon Emperor waved his hand, showing no displeasure, nor saying he wouldn't drink, but letting him leave first, not in a hurry to drink the soup; the Mangshan Snake King clasped his hands and retreated, daring not to linger, nor speak further.

After he slowly withdrew, the palace held only the Mangshan Demon Emperor alone; he lowered his head, gazing at that bowl of soup, sunk in thought.

A moment later, the Mangshan Demon Emperor snorted coldly: "Hmph, want to poison this Emperor? Shan Mang, Shan Mang, it seems you truly harbor divided loyalties."

"Who exactly are you collaborating with to make you move against this Emperor? Hmph."

He raised his hand; the soup in the bowl rose with the wind, hovering in midair. Upon contacting the spiritual qi of heaven and earth, the soup began to change color—from its initial milky white to subsequent green, then purple, and finally azure.

The shifting colors made his complexion grim; then, with a casual pinch, the soup was engulfed in flames and melted away in an instant.

An azure qi drifted within the palace; the Mangshan Demon Emperor held his breath, waved his hand, and the poisonous qi dispersed with the wind.

His gaze turned cold and frightening.

"Shan Mang, I never expected you too would betray this Emperor; it seems no one in the Mangshan Demon Palace is worthy of this Emperor's trust—heh heh heh—everyone wants to rise, wants this Emperor dead; how could this Emperor let you have your wish?"

"This Emperor will not die easily; I will survive to the end, then send you all to your deaths one by one."

The Mangshan Demon Emperor coldly gazed outside; he saw the Mangshan Snake King, who had not left, standing outside waiting, as if awaiting him to finish that bowl of soup before coming in to deal with him.

Half an hour later.

The Mangshan Snake King departed and returned, re-entering the palace interior; he saw the Mangshan Demon Emperor seated in the high place, lofty above, watching him enter the palace. The Mangshan Snake King had long guessed all this, neither shocked nor afraid, but raised his head and smiled at the Mangshan Demon Emperor.

He revealed a plain smile, with no danger at all.

"Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, you indeed were on guard against me; that bowl of soup of mine must have been destroyed by you, right?"

"Hmph." The Mangshan Demon Emperor snorted coldly, his eyes icy and merciless.

He raised his right hand, pointing at the Mangshan Snake King, and said coldly: "Shan Mang, this Emperor wishes to know why."

"Everything you have—your techniques, resources, status, indeed all you possess—was granted by this Emperor; without this Emperor, you are nothing, yet you stand opposed to this Emperor and even act against it; this Emperor does not understand."

"We are basically in the same boat; why do this?"

"After this Emperor falls, the Demon Emperor's throne will be yours; can you not even wait a few years?"

The Mangshan Demon Emperor rose to his feet, his aura shifting abruptly.

Boundless demonic might surged toward the Mangshan Snake King, enveloping him, attempting to force him to kneel.

The Mangshan Snake King chuckled: "Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, blame it on your longevity—who knows how many more years you'll live? A hundred? A thousand? Even longer? I've waited so many years, I can't wait any longer."

"You always claim your lifespan is short, yet each time you break through, you can live for a thousand years; each time it's the same—what am I to do?"

"In the end, my lifespan reaches its end, while yours remains as before; that throne, even if I were to pass away sitting, I could not ascend it—do you say I ought not be anxious? I also do not wish to act against you, my benefactor, who granted me everything; I originally did not want to do this."

"All I can blame is your living too long, Your Majesty the Demon Emperor—for my sake, for the Mangshan Mountain Range, please go die."

That throne, he must ascend, must control all resources.

Then let himself break through, become a true Mangshan Demon Emperor, not someone's lackey—when useful, give you a couple bites to eat; when not, you are those couple bites.

He has always known that the Mangshan Demon Emperor was using him, always wanting to bind him, then control him.

Over these many years, he has repaid the kindness; now he wishes to live for himself.

The Mangshan Demon Emperor fell silent, unable to refute; the fact is so, he indeed cannot refute.

"You have always wanted this throne?"

Hearing this, the Mangshan Snake King burst into loud laughter: "Hahaha, who wouldn't want the Mangshan Demon Emperor's throne? Throughout the Mangshan Mountain Range, any demon beast that has gained spiritual intelligence desires that seat; and you, my Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, you wouldn't think I have no interest in the throne, would you?"

"That was merely to put you at ease, to deceive you; you won't believe it, will you?"

"Today, since I have come, it is to ask Your Majesty the Demon Emperor to abdicate; from now on, I will treat you well and will not let you suffer grievance."

Upon hearing this, the Mangshan Demon Emperor's face grew even darker, his eyes fixed tightly on the Mangshan Demon King.

His fingers shot straight at him, moving in anger to kill him.

"Shan Mang, do you know what you are doing?"

The Mangshan Snake King, not to be outdone, erupted with demonic power, clenched his fist, and threw a punch at the Mangshan Demon Emperor.

"Bang."

At the moment the fists collided, the Mangshan Snake King's other hand also clenched and threw a punch head-on.

The Mangshan Demon Emperor snorted coldly, disdainfully saying: "Overestimating oneself."