Chapter 131: 130 Half-Demon King – 6K Subscription Request, Chapter Two Slightly Later

Bird demons are terrifying not because of their pursuit of pure love, but because they take the initiative to strike; no matter what kind you are, once they set their eyes on you they will begin a frantic pursuit.

Refusing once or for a short period is useless; you must sternly refuse for about ten years before they will give up on you.

But once you have shown them any hint of favor, even a tiny bit, even if it isn't romantic but merely goodwill, they will immediately assume you are interested in them.

Then they will unilaterally declare a partner relationship with you; from there you have only two choices: one is to devote yourself to living together, never wavering.

Or simply kill them.

Bai Tan's current predicament is exactly this; the fellow's nerves are overly blunt, believing whatever the other says.

"What are you actually thinking?" Wang Wu asked while feeding Bai Tan with yin‑ji true Qi, "She never even showed her true form to you, and you believe her just because she says she isn't a bird demon?"

"Even if you can't recognize it yourself, wouldn't you have your family help investigate? What were you thinking?"

"I, I, I…" Bai Tan lay on the ground, looking at the fainted Xiao Ya in the distance, tears streaming from his eyes, "I really, I really don't know her, she is…"

"Sigh." Wang Wu exhaled, then turned his gaze to Xie Yu, who had arrived by his fiancé's side, her eyes on Bai Tan filled with worry and tenderness.

Xie Yu sustained no serious injuries, because Wang Wu had been on guard over Xiao Ya, so she escaped harm.

But Bai Tan truly had no way out; Wang Wu didn't have time to stop him, and the fellow rushed forward and was stabbed in the abdomen by that short dagger.

He lifted Bai Tan from the ground and placed him in Xie Yu's arms; seeing the worry and sorrow on her face, Wang Wu comforted her:

"It's fine, I've already stabilized his wound; luckily I acted quickly, otherwise if the demon pill shattered there'd be no way to save him."

"Th‑thank you, Brother Wang…" Xie Yu sniffed, her eyes slightly reddened.

The commotion here naturally soon attracted the relevant government demon officers; several Broken Delusion realm great demons dressed in uniforms resembling human city constables had already arrived at their side.

Looking at the fallen Xiao Ya and Bai Tan, their expressions were far from pleasant.

"Xiao Ya!!!"

At that moment, a handsome youth with snake scales on his face arrived, and upon seeing the unconscious Xiao Ya on the ground, his expression changed instantly and he rushed over.

"Xiao Ya! Xiao Ya!" he called, lifting her from the ground; seeing her broken arms, his eyes were filled with pain and pity.

After confirming Xiao Ya's condition was not serious, merely unconscious, he finally looked toward Bai Tan's side; although Wang Wu was the one who acted, his hateful gaze remained fixed on Bai Tan:

"You beast…"

He lifted Xiao Ya from the ground, walked to Bai Tan, and the snake‑scaled youth's eyes burned with fury:

"You bastard!! You already have Xiao Ya, why are you chasing after someone else??"

"How come you haven't died…"

"I, I…" Bai Tan could no longer speak; his lips were completely colorless, and his body trembled continuously.

"Sigh." Seeing him like that, Wang Wu realized the fellow had gotten himself into a big trouble.

"Xiao Ya" being Bai Tan's childhood sweetheart clearly shows she also hails from Demon City, and her status is notable; her cultivation realm also reveals it.

A Broken Delusion realm bird demon—if one wants to resolve this matter, it will likely be very troublesome.

However, this matter no longer concerns Wang Wu; it has already left his jurisdiction.

He is merely a companion + bodyguard, responsible only for protecting Bai Tan and Xie Yu's demonic bodies, not for handling emotional grievances.

Xie Yu clearly loves Bai Tan, because the way she looks at herself is completely different from how she looks at Bai Tan.

When she looks at him, Xie Yu's eyes contain only pure desire. When she looks at Bai Tan, there is an added emotion called "love".

Bai Tan also loves Xie Yu; the intensity of their mutual entanglement rivals that of Wang Wu and his wives.

Of course, Wang Wu can also see that Bai Tan quite loves Xiao Ya.

But clearly, between Xiao Ya and the other female demons, he can only choose one side.

"So how do you plan to choose?"

After staring at the three demons for a while, Wang Wu asked Bai Tan.

"I, I…" faced with Wang Wu's question, Bai Tan still couldn't regain normal speech, stammering: "I…"

"What do you want back?"

A voice filled with anger rang out, but it wasn't the snake‑scaled youth's; it was another imposing middle‑aged man's voice.

Looking at the voice's owner, Wang Wu was stunned, because the other's strength seemed far beyond the norm.

The Entering Method realm is currently the pinnacle of the true Dao power system in human society; cultivators at this realm can reach at least sixty mach in speed.

The highest tier of Entering Method can double that, achieving a terrifying speed of one hundred twenty mach.

The assassins' hometown ranks its strongmen by speed, and although this world lacks that terminology, speed can still be used to grade levels.

The demon before us, judging by the intensity of his internal energy, is far stronger than that tier. He surpasses all the Entering Method masters Bai Tan saw when he was previously controlled by his master Yin Shenli.

But this is normal, because the demon power system differs from humans', being ancient; the strongest among the demon race can even match the Great Shang Dynasty's "Great Witch" in combat power.

From ancient times to the present, at least for now, the pinnacle of the demonic Dao power system remains the undisputed ceiling among all power systems ever used by humans.

However, the demon race finds reaching this level difficult, requiring an extremely long time.

Di Xin, universally acknowledged by the Shang Dynasty as the strongest ever, became the world's most powerful demonic cultivator at the age of forty‑seven.

But for a demon to reach the combat level of a Great Shang Dynasty witch, even the most talented demon prodigy still needs several hundred years.

But in this world, even if one becomes the world's number one, they still can't withstand a Great Zhou specially made intercontinental missile; an elite unit's military killing formation can also strangle a Great Witch‑level strongman.

"No matter how skilled, one still fears a kitchen knife," applies here as well.

The number of strong ones in Demon City is huge; from Wang Wu's glance, true realms are everywhere, while Broken Delusion is scarce… okay, saying Broken Delusion is rarer than dogs is exaggerated, but Broken Delusion is still relatively few.

However, the city does have a massive number of true‑realm demons; roughly one in three demons on a street sweep are true realm.

A demon king above the Entering Method realm, a fainted Broken Delusion bird demon, and the Broken Delusion realm snake demon holding her.

And four Broken Delusion realm great demons dressed in constable‑like uniforms.

In the demon society beyond Ten‑Thousand Great Mountain, a Broken Delusion realm would certainly be called a "demon king", but here it still falls short.

The demon king above the Entering Method realm looks somewhat like the snake‑scaled youth holding Xiao Ya; it's unclear if they're father and son.

"Bai family's boy, make your choice now."

The middle‑aged snake demon approached Bai Tan, looked at him and said, "Xiao Ya and you are also childhood sweethearts; I can see that you love her as well."

"Choose her, or perhaps you…," he glanced at Xie Yu, but emitted no sense of oppression, clearly showing no hostility.

He also glanced at Wang Wu and nodded at him, being quite friendly toward him.

"You are Xie Feng's daughter, aren't you?" the middle‑aged snake demon asked.

Xie Yu nodded.

"Although I feel a bit sorry for you, I truly cannot act, nor can I find a way to act," he said with apologetic expression, "I might later go to White Chi City to talk with your father and Brother Bai."

After hearing the middle‑aged man's words, Xie Yu fell silent.

She naturally understood what his words meant: her engagement to Bai Tan was likely to be cancelled. Though Xiao Ya's exact status was unknown, it was evidently extraordinary and highly noble.

As for Heavenly Python City, its power certainly surpasses that of White Chi City by a great margin.

White Chi City is merely a demon city within the Li River of Chu lands; although its influence makes it a hegemon in the river region, it would be insignificant when placed among the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.

"I can't help you with this matter,"

Seeing this stomach‑churning emotional drama, Wang Wu stepped back a few paces, indicating his powerlessness.

"I… I understand…" Xie Yu lowered her head, her expression gloomy.

"Alright, since you've arrived at your destination and still have this matter to handle, I won't disturb you any further," Wang Wu said, having retreated to the point of nearly joining the onlookers.

"I truly can't solve this for you; staying here is pointless, so I'll go wander elsewhere first."

Wang Wu certainly couldn't intervene in such family affairs; the only thing he could do was try not to cause any demon deaths.

Bai Tan deeply loves Xie Yu, without doubt, but he also harbors the same love for Xiao Ya.

But the problem now is that Xiao Ya clearly has no intention of sharing Bai Tan's affection with other demons.

"Fine, enjoy yourself, Brother Wang…"

Tears swirled in Xie Yu's eyes, yet she still bid farewell to Wang Wu.

Seeing the tears in her eyes, Wang Wu felt sympathy but truly had no means. He sighed, stepped forward to pat her shoulder once more, and then prepared to turn away.

"Young Hero Wang." Yet at that moment the middle‑aged snake demon called out to Wang Wu.

"My father heard that Young Hero Wang has arrived in my Heavenly Python City and wishes to meet him; I wonder if…"

"My father?" Wang Wu halted, puzzled, looking at him, "Who is your dad? Does he know me?"

"My father has never met you, but has long heard of your great name," the middle‑aged snake demon said with a smile.

"I know your character is noble, yet I did not expect you to treat our demon race so kindly, even calling us brothers; it truly earns our admiration,"

"Um, that's normal, right?" Wang Wu felt the demon wasn't good at flattery, making him a bit awkward.

But it doesn't matter.

"If your dad wants to see me, just take me there; I'm idle anyway," Wang Wu nodded, readily agreeing.

"Very well!" Seeing Wang Wu agree so easily, the middle‑aged snake demon's face briefly showed delight.

The delight was brief, because as soon as his gaze swept to Bai Tan, his face instantly fell.

Clearly, this matter was a major headache for him.

"I am Tian Xing," Tian Xing bowed toward Wang Wu, "Please wait a moment; a maid will soon come to escort you to where my father resides."

"Do not send any bird demons over," Wang Wu added.

"Um, that's natural, natural," Tian Xing said, his face also a bit awkward.

After inviting Wang Wu, Tian Xing continued to attend to matters concerning Bai Tan's side. This issue indeed required his involvement, as the identities of both parties were highly sensitive.

After waiting nearby for a while, a woman spitting out a letter approached Wang Wu and led him to the 'King City' of this Heavenly Python City.

'Heavenly Python Palace.'

It seems that whether mountain demons or city demons, they generally take their true form as a surname; for example, Tian Xing's surname comes from being a 'Heavenly Python.'

Over a hundred meters long, capable of soaring through clouds and mist, thus named 'Heavenly Python.'

From the moment the Heavenly Python hatches, it is a true‑realm demon beast; after taking shape, it can consistently reach the Break‑Delusion realm. Its flesh is extremely robust, and once shaped its length can exceed a thousand meters, truly coiling around mountains.

Tian Xing's father, Tian Ling, resides in a remote part of the Heavenly Python Palace; he traveled a long way to reach the destination.

"Young Hero Wang, this is where the Great King resides."

In front of a massive stone gate, the snake‑demon maid tasked with guiding Wang Wu blushed, her legs twitching, and said with a trembling voice.

Although Wang Wu had never really interacted with her—only asked a few questions and chatted briefly on the road—the demon became excited.

"Um, fine, I did meddle a bit, because I saw she was holding back pitifully, so I used my hand to help her release."

But honestly, that was fairly normal, or at least restrained.

Because on his way here, Wang Wu truly encountered a demon that lunged at his face and began gnawing; the creature was too fast for Wang Wu to block.

There is both extreme pure love and extreme debauchery; demon society is indeed fascinating.

Establishing cities and societies does not suppress demons' nature; rather, it lets them unleash it further.

Demon cities everywhere imitate humans, yet the demons living within do not truly think they are human, except for a few spiritual human races.

"Um, you should endure a bit longer." Wang Wu said as the gate slowly opened, "When I get out later, I'll help you again."

"Alright… Ee!!!! Yes!!!"

The other's eyes lit up, their voice trembling even more, volume soaring severalfold.

Without looking at the female snake demon who had already begun shaking violently, as if having an epileptic seizure, Wang Wu stepped straight into the massive open stone gate.

If before entering the gate Wang Wu felt nothing, after stepping inside his previously relaxed heart instantly tightened.

Not because of danger, but because the 'Tian Ling' before him had already…

"Are you a half‑demon?" Wang Wu asked, surprised.

One half is a strikingly handsome young man, the other half a hideously twisted demonic body—that is Tian Ling.

His whole body was immersed in a spring within the stone chamber; Wang Wu couldn't tell what the liquid was—it resembled mercury, but he doubted it was that.

Tian Ling is a half‑demon, a very unusual half‑demon.

Usually, once they enter this state, monsters have absolutely no "reason" left. Even if they occasionally become lucid, it's only fleeting and has no real effect.

In this state, their souls have long been polluted; one could say the death sentence has already been carried out.

"Ah, Young Hero Wang…," Tian Ling, immersed in a certain liquid metal, nodded at Wang Wu and greeted him.

But in the eyes of this half‑demon named "Tian Ling" before him, Wang Wu sees no element representing "demon" at all.

His eyes contain only reason, not a trace of demonic nature.

"How is that possible?" Wang Wu asked, shocked, because if the other could retain reason even in this state, wouldn't the greatest weakness of the monster race be solved?

"It's merely using a spirit vessel to split soul flesh, merely prolonging a dying breath…," seeing Wang Wu's slightly stunned gaze, Tian Ling smiled and explained.

His laugh was somewhat weak, though the life force within his body remained immensely vigorous.

"How old are you already?" Wang Wu asked in astonishment.

"How many years?" Tian Ling stepped out of the pool, draped a white long robe, fastened a belt, and sat at a table in the stone chamber.

"One thousand six hundred seventy‑three…" He lifted his head, pondered for a moment, then said.

"It should be that number, since my birth."

When he heard "spirit vessel splitting soul flesh," Wang Wu instantly understood—it was the same little Heaven‑crafted gadget his wife used.

But he was also surprised; that thing works on monsters too, huh?

At that moment, Tian Ling seemed to notice Wang Wu's doubt, smiled, and said, "Young hero, are you asking whether a Heaven‑bestowed spirit vessel can actually affect my monster race?"

"Ah, indeed," Wang Wu nodded, "I truly didn't expect it; I thought only humans could use this thing."

"Ordinary spirit vessels indeed cannot affect my monster race," Tian Ling also nodded, "However, this vessel was requested by Concubine Daji during the great Shang sacrificial ceremony, specifically for our monster race, so it can be used on us."

"In ancient times, our monster race also took part in the Zhou's rebellion against Great Shang. After the Yin‑Shang fell, Wang Wu, recalling our race's merits in that war, bestowed these spirit vessels upon us."

"I see…"

Wang Wu suddenly understood, but then he glanced at the other; though still very lucid and appearing normal, Wang Wu knew that this one probably couldn't hold on much longer.

"But this thing, I recall, can't continuously suppress a demonic body, and since you're a monster, the effect is likely even weaker, right?"

Speaking of that, Wang Wu thought of Wu Geng, a man from the end of the Shang Dynasty who has been locked away until today; he's probably just a step away from full demonic transformation.

Moreover, when they were in Tongtian City, Wang Wu recalled that Wu Geng's flesh‑bodied form had some issues.

"Indeed," Tian Ling's face also showed a bitter expression, but it didn't last long; soon his smile returned.

"These are tea leaves from my Hundred Thousand Great Mountains specialty, Young Hero Wang, would you like a taste?"

While speaking, Tian Ling used his still‑human hand to pick up the teapot on the table and poured Wang Wu a cup of tea.

This stone chamber didn't house only Tian Ling; there were also two attendants, a man and a woman, who tended to his daily needs, standing in a corner like statues.

"So why did you want to see me?" Wang Wu asked.

"Young Hero Wang, you must be a person from beyond the heavens, right?" Hearing Wang Wu's words, Tian Ling's hand that poured tea paused. Then he lifted his head, his gaze blazing at Wang Wu, and asked.

"But what about the humans on the neighboring star?"

"Where is that?" Wang Wu was stunned.

Tens of thousands of years ago, when the nation ruling this planet was still called "Xia," people had already set foot into outer space.

They established numerous cities and colonies within this Solar System; the Xia people possessed highly advanced space technology and had even discovered extraterrestrial civilizations.

The Xia people's "Sage" power system, compared to individual combat strength, actually pursued "knowledge"—the ultimate truth of the Dao of Heaven and Earth.

Therefore, they were not especially strong in military or individual combat, relying more on another great clan within the nation, the "Yin people," though at that time they were not yet called Yin.

The Yin people split from the Xia clan after the Shang Dynasty was founded, to distinguish themselves from the previous era.

The Xia Dynasty was a republican society; the slave republic was also a republic. The highest leaders rotated among several great surnames, and the "Zi" clan managed the military of the Great Xia Empire.

They were the ancestors of the so‑called "Yin people."

After the Xia people first launched a probe beyond the Solar System, fourteen hundred years later the probe returned from its intended destination, bringing massive information about distant star systems.

This was also humanity's first encounter with other human civilizations beyond the Solar System—very backward and barbaric, with internal elites extremely weak, incomparable to the highly developed Xia society of that era.

(End of Chapter)