Chapter 249: Hunting Ground! Preaching!

Once more, twice more, but never a third.

Chu Yang has already given them enough chances, but these jianghu folk only see pills in their eyes.

Since you like courting death, then go die!

The warships capsized, countless people fell into the sea, and before long, large swaths of blood‑stained water surged out.

"Hehe, Your Majesty the Emperor, if you stand down and leave, I promise not to strike the remaining Human Race; if you refuse to see reason…"

The old ape's gaze turned to the Qi Family Army, threatening, "Your loyal soldiers are unlikely to keep their lives!"

"Old beast, what grand boasting!" Qi Jiguang looked up with a cold sneer, "My Ming Empire soldiers fear not a single death; if you have the skill, come try!"

Deputy General Chen Dacheng drew his sword and roared, "I, your humble servant, am willing to fight to the death alongside Your Majesty!"

The roars of nearly a thousand warships rose and fell, shaking the cosmos.

"Fight to the death!"

"Fight to the death!"

One call, a hundred responses! Hundreds of thousands of soldiers' qi and blood coalesced into a crimson dragon, breaking through the clouds.

The wordless pressure was like a mountain pressing on the Mountain‑Moving Giant Ape's shoulders; however vast his powers, he could not lift the spirit and vigor of the three armies.

"How dare you!"

The old ape's qi surged to a ferocious extreme, raising the falling‑iron staff to smash down fiercely.

"Ten Thousand Forms Heaven Pull."

The massive falling‑iron staff was seized by an inexplicable suction; no matter how hard the old ape strained, the staff remained motionless.

He turned his head toward Chu Yang, his violent eyes a pool of blood‑red; the next moment, without hesitation, he abandoned the iron staff and punched Chu Yang.

"Stubborn and dull, then go die!"

Within the Demon Realm, among the three great Demon Emperors and twelve Demon Kings, in terms of arm strength, the Mountain‑Moving Giant Ape is unquestionably the strongest; even pitting other Demon Emperors and Kings against him, none can match him.

The old ape unleashed a full‑force strike; as the qi waves rolled, the surrounding space peeled away like bark.

Demonic filth coursed unchecked through his body with demonic power; soon he would become fully demonic. Even so, the old ape was willing to stake his life, fighting with all his might to kill the Human Race emperor before him.

He fought for his life not only for himself, but for the billions of the Demon Race.

Chu Yang also delivered a punch, the Mixed Heaven Five Absolutes, a single blow of five forms, containing the power of the five spirits: wind, fire, thunder, earth, and water.

Nine Heavens Mysterious Wind.

Heavenly Fire Scorches the Plains.

Formless Startling Thunder.

Overturn Mountains and Seas.

Wind Snow Ice Sky.

Using the power of a hundred dragons and a hundred beasts to drive the Mixed Heaven Five Absolutes, Chu Yang's strength rose to its peak amid the anomalies.

A punch, vigorous and drenched in vigor.

Compared with the Mountain‑Moving Giant Ape, Chu Yang was as tiny as a grain of rice's light, yet his fist shone like the brilliance of sun and moon, illuminating the world.

The two fists collided.

Rolling qi waves lifted the sea surface, and a earth‑shaking, sky‑rending roar suddenly erupted.

The Qi Family Army's thousand warships were nearly capsized, blown hundreds of meters away by the qi waves.

The sea below seemed suddenly pressed down by something, revealing a half‑mile‑wide semicircular void; countless sea peoples were crushed into powder by an unseen force.

When the waves calmed, Qi Jiguang and countless soldiers standing on the deck steadied their gazes toward the heavens.

Everyone's bodies shivered! The towering Mountain‑Moving Giant Ape, which once stood head‑to‑sky, now had only half a body; everything above its waist had vanished.

Mountain‑Moving Giant Ape.

Dead! "Old Monkey!"

The Kun Peng, tightly suppressed by the sun‑and‑moon light, let out a wail, its terror at its peak; in terms of strength, the Mountain‑Moving Giant Ape is the strongest among the three Demon Emperors, yet it was killed by a single human punch.

This Ming Empire emperor is a born monster, unbeatable by anyone, unless the Demon Race's co‑sovereign appears here intact.

Tears filled Kun Peng's eyes; it cried out, then immediately gave up resistance, allowing the sun‑and‑moon light to erode its body, blood and flesh raining from the sky.

Chu Yang shook his cuff; a massive suction drew Kun Peng's flesh and blood inward, followed by half of the Mountain‑Moving Giant Ape's corpse and the iron staff.

Qi Jiguang and the soldiers widened their eyes; the scene they just witnessed was beyond comprehension, not explainable by any martial arts.

In fact, from Chu Yang's first move to now, all his methods defy martial‑arts explanation; in everyone's mind, he resembles a deity, surpassing even an emperor.

This technique, "Sleeve Universe," was created by Chu Yang by fusing the Seamless Extension Spell and Ten Thousand Forms Heaven Pull with other magical abilities.

It differs greatly from the original version, but currently suits him well; the effect is decent, and with further refinement it might even be used against strong opponents.

With Kun Peng and the Mountain‑Moving Giant Ape dead, the Nine‑Tailed Celestial Fox immediately surrendered, turning into a pitiable human‑shaped form, collapsed on the shore.

She can no longer fight; not to mention she can't win, her internal demonic filth is nearly overwhelming, and continuing would only bring death either way.

If she turns demonic, the descendant Demon Race on the island would be infected instantly, rendering all their hard‑won efforts futile.

"I am willing to accept execution; I beg Your Majesty the Emperor to spare some bloodline for my Demon Race, and not to exterminate us completely!"

The Nine‑Tailed Celestial Fox wept and pleaded, her delicate body trembling.

Chu Yang indifferently shook his head, "You have no right to set conditions with me; if you disagree, you may revert to your original form and spar with me."

"If you can withstand my punch without dying, I will give the Demon Race a chance to survive."

The Nine‑Tailed Celestial Fox's face turned deathly pale, she forced a bitter smile, "Even the old monkey cannot endure your punch; how could I? Please grant me your mercy, Your Majesty."

"The Human Race already has alchemy; if you eradicate the Demon Race, what would you use for refining pills?"

"Please, Your Majesty, think it over."

Chu Yang said with a half‑smile, "You want me to turn this island into a pasture, breeding the Demon Race for medicinal use?"

The Nine‑Tailed Celestial Fox suddenly shivered, lowered her head and sobbed, "The cosmic order cycles, retribution is inevitable; for decades the Demon Race fed on humans, now it's time to repay the debt."

Chu Yang heard the subtext in her words, stared at her with cold eyes, "You mean to say that someday the Human Race will also be repaid for its blood debt with blood, turn again into blood food, and become part of the cycle?"

A huge hand pressed on the Nine-Tails Celestial Fox's crown, and she instantly felt her heart race, closed her eyes, thinking she was about to die.

Her liver and gallbladder seemed to split, her spirit unguarded, the Nine-Tails Celestial Fox could easily have been seeded with a demonic seed by Chu Yang, yet she felt little until the hands left her crown.

Chu Yang's mouth curved upward, saying with a half‑smile, "I think that's no longer possible."

The Nine-Tails Celestial Fox didn't know what that meant, and uneasy feelings lingered in her heart.

"A million spirit demons, and not a single Japanese on the island left."

After speaking, Chu Yang turned and left, returning to the dragon ship.

The Nine-Tails Celestial Fox knelt and kowtowed, looking reverent.

Qi Jiguang stepped forward, and seeing Chu Yang had not killed the Nine-Tails Celestial Fox, asked in confusion, "Your Majesty?"

Chu Yang laughed, "That fox demon said it well: for decades the Demon Race has taken the Human Race as blood food; now it's time to repay the debt. Killing them all outright is far too easy."

"We must let their descendants live under the fear imposed by the Human Race, just as the southern common folk have lived in fear for the past decades."

"Only then will the hatred in my heart be dispelled." Chu Yang and Qi Jiguang together gazed at that island.

"From now on, East Japan shall be the Ming Empire's hunting ground, generation after generation."

……………………

The Demon Race's three emperors suffered two deaths and one wound, and the war ended with it.

The Qi family army stayed to guard Wang Long City, while Qi Jiguang accompanied Chu Yang back to the capital.

With this victory, the world trembled.

The common folk lined the streets to welcome them.

In contrast, the martial‑world sects were filled with mournful cries, almost every household in white mourning.

The swing of the Mountain-Moving Giant Ape shattered the entire martial world; to think that even the top sects dared to go to Wang Long City for a share, while the minor sects lacked such courage.

Then, from the heads and elders of those renowned sects down to elite disciples, most perished in the great sea.

Now they are all in a lean season, while the small sects thrive.

The timing was just right; after Chu Yang returned to the capital, she ordered Zheng Dongliu to consolidate the Brocade Guard's forces and make a tour of the martial world to set rules.

From now on, founding a sect or school requires imperial approval, and even successors to sect heads must come to the capital for inspection.

As alchemical pills continue to spread, more future Grandmaster‑level experts will emerge, even Grandmasters will sprout like bamboo after rain, and sect management will need to be stricter.

The Brocade Guard's burden will grow, requiring recruitment of more experts from the populace.

At that thought, Chu Yang thought it better to ride into the martial world and wipe out these mountain sects cleanly, to avoid future administrative trouble.

After learning Chu Yang's idea, Zheng Dongliu hurried to dissuade her, saying the rebellion had only just been quelled, and the people had barely begun to enjoy a few days of peace, so it was better not to stir up war.

Moreover, given the current situation, all sects across the world are subjugated by Chu Yang's might, living in constant fear, as if treading thin ice; they have no second thoughts, and even staying alive makes their hearts quake.

Chu Yang heard this and abandoned the notion of riding into the martial world.

Time flew, and after more than half a month, a dispatch arrived from the northern frontier reporting that the remaining three Demon Kings of the Demon Race had been executed.

Zhuge Zhengwo, Gu Santong, and Guo Bujing each killed one.

In the continued duel with a Demon King, Guo Bujing broke through, becoming the fourth Grandmaster promoted in the court.

The Demon Race was utterly defeated, most were wiped out by the main army, and only a small fraction fled to the far north, where the climate is extremely harsh and unsuitable for deep incursions.

The end of the northern campaign signified the complete conclusion of the war between humans and demons.

Now only demons remain…

………

Imperial Study.

"Your Majesty really intends to go alone into danger?!"

"I will not allow this to happen; if Your Majesty must go, then first push this old minister out to be beheaded!"

Zhuge Zhengwo, having returned from the frontier, along with Zheng Dongliu and others, stood opposite Chu Yang in the great hall.

With the world now pacified, Chu Yang summoned everyone to brief them on state affairs, intending to go alone to seek the Ten Thousand Demon Realm, which provoked strong opposition.

Zheng Dongliu was the most agitated; after such hard‑won peace, if Chu Yang met any mishap, another wave of bloodshed could follow—how could he stand by while Chu Yang went reckless?!

The seasoned Zhuge Zhengwo also disagreed, "The Divine Marquis Residence has already sent people to search for the Ten Thousand Demon Realm, but there is no news yet; if Your Majesty is impatient, Brother Gu and I can intervene personally; please reconsider."

Guo Bujing clasped his fists and said, "I can also go; the Six Gates and the Divine Marquis Residence, working together, should be able to trace any clue. Your Majesty must not endanger yourself."

Among the civil officials, Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui stood aside, glaring at Chu Yang with bulging eyes; Hai Rui, standing by a pillar, was ready to charge at Chu Yang at the slightest provocation.

"A son of a thousand gold, unable to sit in the hall, let alone a true Dragon Son of Heaven?"

Hai Rui's angry eyes widened, his head less than a foot from the pillar.

"I've already slain the dragon," Chu Yang frowned, saying somewhat displeased, "Next time remember to change your words, or you'll be slapped."

Hai Rui startled, then felt a bit embarrassed, and bowed, "I misspoke, Your Majesty, forgive me."

Chu Yang looked around, saying coldly, "Also, I dislike the title 'Son of Heaven'; from now on, everyone—from the court to the common folk—must stop using it."

Zhang Juzheng heard this, shook his head with a wry smile, noting that this emperor truly was unique—disliking both the self‑reference 'I' and others calling him Son of Heaven, with many odd rules.

Apart from that, he cared about very little; bureaucratic formalities meant nothing to him, preferring simplicity and judging everything by efficiency.

Leaders set the example.

The court's atmosphere was also changing; including the cabinet, all officials now acted based solely on efficiency, sidelining trivial matters.

Thinking of the court's shift, Zhang Juzheng felt greatly gratified; such a scene was once only in his dreams.

"The search for the Ten Thousand Demon Realm is of great importance; before their deaths, the three Demon Emperors of the Demon Race mentioned the existence of a Demon Race Joint Sovereign. I suspect it is linked to the source of demons."

Chu Yang said openly, "This matter has huge impact; you cannot handle it—no number of Grandmasters can—so I must go myself."

Mentioning the Demon Race Joint Sovereign, everyone fell silent.

The Demon Emperor is already an unattainable being; let alone the Demon Race Joint Sovereign?

Zhuge Zhengwo clasped his hands, sighed deeply and said, "I cannot lend His Majesty a helping hand; the old minister feels ashamed…"

Chu Yang waved his hand and said, "When human effort reaches its limit, there is no shame to feel; no matter how powerful the Demon Race is, it has now become an old almanac, and now is the time for the Human Race to rise."

Guo Bu Jing nodded and said, "Please rest assured, His Majesty; we will strive to break through the Grand Master Realm shortly, stay close behind Your Majesty, and pave the way for the Human Race."

Speaking of paving the way, Zhuge Zhengwo's face turned bitter; he had lingered in the Grand Master Realm for a long time yet saw no path.

He looked toward Chu Yang, his gaze hopeful, and asked, "May I ask, Your Majesty, how should we proceed from here?"

Chu Yang gave no reply, but demonstrated Tai Chi to the crowd; among the many martial arts, his deepest cultivation is Tai Chi, a art that aligns with the breath of the source and can be called the foundation of his martial practice.

The meaning of Tai Chi points directly to the Dao, vast and profound.

After watching, everyone was entranced, even Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui, who know nothing of martial arts, were deeply absorbed.

This Tai Chi meaning contains the mysteries of heaven and earth, infinite in implication, stirring something within their hearts.

"Enter the Dao through martial arts; learning martial arts is cultivating the Dao—while excavating the body's potential, one must also seek the true meaning of the martial art."

Chu Yang smiled and said, "If you cannot understand, you may start with my Tai Chi, feel what the Dao is, then inquire where your own martial path lies."

Zhuge Zhengwo clasped his hands and said, "Please, Your Majesty, grant us your instruction."

Chu Yang continued to demonstrate martial performance for the crowd, expounding the most profound Dao.

Until the sun set behind the western hills.

This teaching gradually reached its conclusion.

In the Imperial Study each person gained something; whether they can break through because of it depends on their own destiny.

Chu Yang's path and theirs are actually different; he does not wish to interfere excessively, just as he does not wish to interfere with the development of the Firearms Camp.

Different worlds bear different fruits, and that is what he needs.

On the second day after the teaching ended, Chu Yang left the capital alone.

To seek traces of the Ten Thousand Demon Nation.

(End of Chapter)