[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h":3,"chapter-devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-105":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Devouring Evil, Exterminating Demons Across All Heavens",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2267050,4426,"Chapter 105: An Unrefusable Challenge","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-105",105,"\u003Cp>In the Nanzhao Royal Palace, tall, lightly armored guards stood everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the side hall, bronze dragon sculptures coiled around massive pillars, each dragon’s back bearing eighteen lamp trays.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tonight, all the dragon lamps were lit with the finest “Fentuoli Hua” lamp oil, emitting little smoke but a fragrant lotus scent that illuminated the entire side hall as brightly as daylight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This lamp oil had been a gift from Tibet long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the soothing fragrance of this oil, it was the perfect time to clutch prayer beads and silently recite sutras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Duan Zhong’s prayer beads had been still for quite some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had just heard the king’s news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Tang diplomatic mission that had departed early and arrived in Nanzhao had been ambushed and slaughtered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was expected—no doubt Zheng Hui had disguised the corpses as cargo and smuggled them into the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then Duan Zhong heard something more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them were thirty-seven corpses belonging to Tibet!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui produced a lump of scrap metal shaped like a golden cake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Zhong recognized it clearly—it was the shattered remains of the Chiri Wheel. With this, it was undeniable “hard evidence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Tibetan High Priest, along with thirty-six senior monks, had been key allies in his grand scheme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them dead?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had only sent them to kill a diplomatic mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Has the Tang now sent out diplomatic missions composed not of civil officials and guards,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But of a band of elite assassins?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This matter is indeed difficult.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yimouxun spoke slowly; he wore no royal regalia, only a golden-green brocade robe, a golden crown, and golden earrings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gold ornaments dangling from his earlobes were shell-shaped, about the size of a thumb, engraved with the unique patterns of the Bai people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are allied with Tang, yet their diplomatic mission was killed on our soil. Though we’ve broken our pact with Tibet, we have no intention of going to war with them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we claim they met by chance and fought each other, and we took no part, we still need both sides to believe it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yimouxun said, “I know both of you have exceptional talents, so I’ve summoned you to deliberate: how should Nanzhao respond, so we can explain this clearly without losing our dignity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui said, “I suggest we proactively invite Tang to send a second diplomatic mission, subtly indicating we will fully cooperate in investigating the fate of the first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Zhong spoke up: “Won’t this action undermine our prestige?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty just said we must not lose Nanzhao’s dignity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Zhong’s prayer beads began turning again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I propose that Your Majesty not mention this matter to Tibet directly. Let me send a private letter hidden within Buddhist scriptures to explain it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tibet truly values its alliance. If Your Majesty is willing to renew the pact with Tibet, and I add my private letter, this should suffice to bury the matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, together, we confront Tang and declare that it was the Tang diplomats who launched the first attack on the Tibetan envoys. Though their two nations have fought often, to act thus on Nanzhao soil—this fault lies entirely with Tang, not us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui smiled: “Are you planning to invite Tibet’s garrison back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Zhong stared straight at Yimouxun, his expression earnest. “I have missed my chance; I am old. I only wish to serve the state.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When we first attacked Tang, we nearly had our capital overrun, and only secured our later victory by allying with Tibet—naturally, we had to make many concessions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But now, Nanzhao can stand idle. Even if we renew our alliance with Tibet, we can still show goodwill to Tang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mobilizing armies drains national strength—it’s not a decision to be made lightly. As long as we maintain alliances with both sides and remain inactive, neither will dare mobilize against us; instead, they will value us more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yimouxun felt the sincerity in Duan Zhong’s gaze and his expression subtly shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had always distrusted Duan Zhong, this argument was undeniably reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This approach truly seemed most aligned with Nanzhao’s interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though rumors had spread through the streets—assassinations, secret Tibetan masters entering the realm—all pointing to secret orders from the Duan family, plotting treason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as Duan Zhong himself said, his family had already missed its chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the Grand High Priest!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tibet had lost such a high-level master—why would they still send Duan Zhong reinforcements?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, if Yimouxun himself wished to renew the alliance with Tibet, why would Tibet continue supporting Duan Zhong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui saw this and felt dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clever Duan Zhong—three words, and he had swayed the king’s mind again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, your greatest conflict with Tibet isn’t about sending troops—it’s about differing governance philosophies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui hurried to say, “Tibet’s situation is urgent. They don’t want a passive ally—they want a partner with matching ideals, one who will jointly invade Tang and stand at the front.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ve tasted that flavor before; their greed is fierce. Will they be satisfied now merely because Your Majesty chooses inaction?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was practically hinting: even if Yimouxun showed goodwill, Tibet would still back someone to usurp the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Zhong smiled lightly, his prayer beads turning smoother than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A nation has millions of people, hundreds of thousands of decrees—how can governance stem from a single source? What ‘philosophy’ remains unchanged for decades?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your words, Master Zheng, sound vague and abstract—too eager to serve Tang’s interests.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Duan Zhong turned to Zheng Hui, his gaze sharpened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tang wants to reclaim lost lands—this time, isn’t their diplomatic mission also trying to get Nanzhao to attack Tibet in coordination?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yimouxun’s eyes flickered, his gaze lowering slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a small change clearly signaled deeper inner turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui felt urgent anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had long known Yimouxun wasn’t firmly committed to submitting to Tang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since his defeat, Yimouxun had gradually developed a governance philosophy no longer centered on plundering Tang people to strengthen the state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Nanzhao’s own Tang subjects and Tang border populations, this was a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he now made a foolish choice, and Duan Zhong ascended…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui suddenly recalled the guests in his mansion—the plan from Haidong, which seemed convoluted to him but still brutally crude in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had once participated in it with some resignation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he desperately hoped someone would rush in to report trouble at the Yi Wang’s mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui hadn’t yet received a messenger—but he heard a voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice drifting from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yi Wang Duan Zhong, I, Haidonglai, have come from Chang’an to Nanzhao to challenge you to a duel!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That booming voice had surely carried for miles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even within the palace, every word was clearly audible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“March 15, Cuiyan in the southern city—life or death. Do not break your word!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yimouxun’s face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui immediately said, “Your Majesty, this voice seems to come from your own residence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, Duan Zhong’s figure had vanished from the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yimouxun watched the fleeting shadow, narrowed his eyes, and turned to Zheng Hui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Zheng, what is going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui wore a look of deep thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told Your Majesty that those Tibetan monks were likely killed by Haidonglai.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I didn’t know he’d appear in the capital and directly strike the Yi Wang’s mansion…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui suddenly realized: “Could the Tang Internal Guard have discovered the close ties between those Tibetan masters and Yi Wang?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yimouxun’s heart trembled slightly: “The Tang Internal Guard truly is terrifying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Nanzhao monarch couldn’t help but recall the era of his predecessor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, Tang’s internal struggles were so fierce that even their top experts rushed to kill their own kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among princes, princesses, and emperors alone, countless guests and experts had perished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the intensity of Tang’s internal strife had dropped dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a few decades, the world had changed utterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yimouxun asked: “Minister, do you think Duan Zhong will accept this challenge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In Nanzhao, the custom of swordsmen dueling is nearly as strong as in Chang’an.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui said, “If a common swordsman challenged a general, we could ignore it—let alone challenge Yi Wang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Haidonglai himself holds high rank and power—he is the commander of the Tang Internal Guard, hailed as Tang’s greatest expert.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With his status, such a public challenge means the entire nation expects Yi Wang to accept this duel openly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yimouxun nodded: “Publicly, Duan Zhong’s prestige rests heavily on his title as Nanzhao’s greatest expert—he must preserve it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui continued: “Privately, Haidonglai is cruel and ruthless, infamous for leaving blood-soaked trails wherever he goes—his very robes are stained with blood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He went to Yi Wang’s mansion—Duan family must have suffered losses. Even with Yi Wang’s discipline, he cannot tolerate certain things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yimouxun nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rose from his throne, paced through the hall, and walked toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall’s lamps still outshone moonlight at the threshold, casting his shadow onto the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Backed by such brilliance, Yimouxun, after deep thought, seemed to grow solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that is the case, I shall issue a decree openly: let Duan Zhong prepare well for the fifteenth of the third month!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1540,"2026-06-19T20:45:51.976Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","97805e7d66bb89da2a70a7cf65ed65101585cccc65f4f147d53b28cc7dd51bec","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-106","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-104",155,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdevouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-cover.jpg"]