Chapter 253: He Is Everywhere

Just as Luo Yan had expected, the chaos in Black Wind Fortress was not limited to Black Wind Fortress.

In just half a day, the aftermath of the chaos was transmitted to the nearby Demon Capital, setting off a huge storm throughout the Demon Capital.

The "Demon Capital Daily" took the lead in reporting on this plague officially.

While the "Abyss Times" obtained first-hand information, once again standing from the perspective of the lower-tier demons to take the lead.

They not only conducted a deep excavation into the background of the plague and the turmoil, but also pointed the spear directly at the conflict between the Delagong family and the Demon King of Lei Ming County, which was no longer a secret recently, and implicitly pointed out that destroying the magic crystal cannon factory and the new equipment production line in Black Wind Fortress was an outright betrayal!

They were naturally telling the truth; the Delagong family had utilized the war between Hell and the surface humans from the beginning... but for Hell and humans, who hadn't done similar things?

This was actually the least important thing.

However, just like the Delagong family using the mobility of magic crystal cannons to make a point, when there were enough important people who needed it to be important, it could be heavier than everything else, even if it was light as a feather.

Especially at this juncture when the Delagong family was about to be put on the scale to be weighed.

Not only that.

In the spirit of "in for a penny, in for a pound," the "well-known reporter" Miss Aisha Beier once again dug up the Saerduo Port incident from more than a month ago, biting hard on the fact that General Saibeisi had once been Zakeluo Delagong's old subordinate.

Participating in the power struggle of big shots as a commoner was a sure way to die, whether in the Aosi Empire or in Hell, but Aisha Beier still did it.

This was naturally not because she wasn't afraid of death.

It was because someone guaranteed her that the masterminds involved in this incident were dead meat, and they would soon be stepped on by ten thousand feet.

She didn't need to worry about the Delagong family settling scores after they recovered, because they wouldn't have the time to spare a foot for her.

Aisha Beier hesitated for a long time, finally deciding to take a gamble.

Her status in the newspaper office today was entirely because everyone believed she had a relationship with the Demon King, able to get intelligence that ordinary reporters couldn't, and able to write reports that ordinary reporters couldn't.

If she lost this relationship, she would lose everything she possessed in minutes, whether it was Lulu's fawning or the boss's attentiveness.

Of course, what finally made her decide was because she had a good impression of the Demon King.

People who mixed with him seemed to be doing well, and he never let small characters like her do things that were sure to die... for example, jumping out to take sides when the situation wasn't clear, and chasing after General Saibeisi's butt to bite.

Even though they had just met, and she hadn't left a good impression on him when they first met, and even her "handle" was in his hands.

Carrying the beating herself, and eating meat together with everyone... the entire Hell probably couldn't find such a good leader!

If it weren't for not finding anything she could do on the front line, she would even want to go to the Graveyard to join this lord!

The boiling public opinion was burning on the edge of the Demon Capital, and the voices of dissatisfaction were far from just the bottom-tier demons; the middle-tier and even high-tier demons were also increasingly uneasy about the Delagong family's behavior, changing from having many complaints to outright dissatisfaction.

It was true that the interests of Black Wind Fortress were occupied by Luo Yan, but to say that other demons didn't benefit at all was an exaggeration.

The raw materials for producing magic crystal cannons came from the nearby Huishi Ridge mining area, and the shutdown of the magic crystal cannon factory would directly affect the mining income of several neighboring baronies, and the daily life of the hundreds of thousands of laborers gathered in Black Wind Fortress was also a huge cake.

They were like a piece of meat growing on the Demon Capital; even if they were insignificant usually, stabbing a knife into it would make it bleed.

And now it wasn't even a question of bleeding or not; the wind direction of public opinion was developing in a direction that was spiraling out of control.

A Demon King who spread corrosion for the Demon God on the outside and spoke for the soldiers on the front line on the inside was not only suppressed by the noble forces within the Demon Capital, but this evil noble also meanly poisoned the Demon King's territory, harming the Demon God's subjects!

They indeed had no hard evidence to prove this, but the big shots at the hearing attributed the disastrous defeat at Saerduo Port to magic crystal cannons, didn't they also not produce evidence?

Wasn't that also an assumption?

At least their assumption was a bit more logical, even if these logics contained some simple wishes...

Demon Capital, deep in the Parliament Building, sat a grim and solemn council chamber.

This council chamber was located in an unknown corner of the Parliament Building, and only members of the core power circle of the Demon Capital were qualified to set foot here.

It was said that this place was the closest to the Demon God besides the temple in the very center of the Demon Capital and the offices of the cabinet ministers.

Usually, hearings involving general affairs of Hell were supervised by one councilor.

Only when the discussed topic involved the core power layer of Hell would the doors of this supreme council chamber open.

Not only that, meetings held here needed to be supervised by at least two cabinet ministers, and five high-tier demons above the rank of minister had to be present.

No matter what result the meeting decided, it would be regarded as the unanimous opinion of all factions in the Demon Capital and the will of the Demon God himself, and all demons would unconditionally comply.

Only one situation would be an exception—

That was civil war!

Dark blue magic flames danced on the walls, casting eerie shadows that couldn't be fathomed, and heavy magic barriers were layered, like a silent fortress, completely isolating all prying eyes.

Inside the meeting hall, a semicircular obsidian long table reflected the dim candlelight.

And in the center of that long table, a huge floating crystal projected the scene of Black Wind Fortress—

Only to see in the twisted flames, towering ruins and broken streets stood, and densely packed goblins were like locusts plundering everything they could plunder, the chaos just like human society on the surface.

That was the scene filmed from the air by the information department's affairs officer through a recording crystal.

When the guards of Black Wind Fortress gathered to suppress the chaotic goblins, it was already an hour after the chaos occurred.

"... The process of the matter is like this. It is said that the cause was a plague, and according to our subsequent investigation and evidence collection from the magic workshop of Professor Aidoniya of the Higher Demon Academy, it can be confirmed that the cause of this plague was a magic potion called 'Corruption Blood'."

The Minister of Information swallowed a mouthful of saliva, looking nervously at his immediate superior, then continued at a rapid speed.

"The conflict between the lord of Black Wind Fortress and the Delagong family is an open secret, and even the civilians of Black Wind Fortress have already sensed it, so that poison was like a fuse that ignited the piled-up gunpowder, and the irrational goblins pointed their spears directly at the local major chambers of commerce."

"Could it be self-directed and self-acted by the lord of Black Wind Fortress?" A succubus draped in dark red robes whispered, doubt flashing in her eyes.

However, just as her voice fell, the high-tier adjudicator from the Truth Force shook his head and said in a low voice.

"The lord of Black Wind Fortress submitted key evidence of the Delagong family's involvement; when the plague broke out, Zakeluo Delagong's servant tried to silence the chairman of the Serrated Chamber of Commerce. And according to the latter's own statement in the recording, he indeed participated in the poisoning act..."

"Where is that guy?" The succubus draped in dark red robes asked immediately, "This is a key witness; if we can find him, perhaps we can know more details."

The high-tier adjudicator looked at her, then looked at the Minister of Information.

The latter raised his chin, pointing to the crystal in the center of the conference table.

"He fled in fear of crime, and encountered a mob on the way to escape Black Wind Fortress... now he's probably hanging on a street lamp."

"..."

"So his last words are probably the only testimony?"

"Night Song's corpse can also be considered one; combined with the Delagong family's recent activities in the Black Wind Fortress area, I think this can be called iron-clad evidence... if this isn't enough to prove that they deliberately poisoned, I'm afraid next time they won't be taking risks in the suburbs of the Demon Capital!"

Whispering spread across the conference table, and some of the voices evolved into arguments.

However, most people's opinions were consistent—

This struggle had gone too far!

Especially the Delagong family, they had made a big deal out of things again and again, turning the originally secret struggle into a scandal known to everyone, so even if they wanted to wipe their asses, they couldn't.

The two cabinet ministers—Minister of Information Kalamosi Melusine and Minister of Religion Geligao Suolun—sat at both ends of the long table, one on the left and one on the right, watching all this with cold gazes.

As a succubus, even in this tense atmosphere, Kalamosi maintained the composure and elegance of a noble. He wore a sophisticated ink-blue robe, the gold embroidery on the collar depicting the administrative seal of the Demon Capital.

As the direct superior of the information department and several other departments, he held the entire public security, administration, and intelligence system of the Demon Capital in his hands.

At this moment, his slender fingers tapped the table lightly, a hint of playfulness appearing in the corners of his eyes, but more of deep thought.

"... What a mess."

He sighed lightly, the corners of his mouth hooking slightly, interrupting the increasingly fierce argument at the conference table.

"I understand the Delagong family's dissatisfaction with losing their territory, but... isn't this a bit over the line?"

While saying this, Kalamosi cast his gaze toward the opposite side of the conference table—the cabinet's Minister of Religion.

This lich emitting the aura of the underworld was silent at the moment, the translucent ghost-green soul fire burning slowly in his eye sockets. He was shrouded in heavy magic robes, and black obsidian gems were inlaid on his chest, symbolizing the supreme adjudicatory power of the Truth Force.

His voice was deep and cold, as if from the deepest part of the seabed.

"This is no longer a question of being over the line, but an act of deliberately destroying the order of Hell!"

His gaze swept slowly over the ministers present, and he continued with a majestic and aged voice.

"... Whether it is poisoning the water source or deliberately guiding the chaos in Black Wind Fortress, these have already shaken the foundation of Hell's rule."

As a lich who had lived for a thousand years, his words were few, yet they carried great energy.

After all, many times, his opinion was consistent with the Demon God's position—

That was that their families could fight however they wanted, but they couldn't shake the faith of the demons of Hell in the Demon God.

And even less can it shake the foundation of His Majesty Bayeli!

The ministers discussed in low voices, the atmosphere temporarily heavy, but much more relaxed than just now.

Not every demon could grasp the Demon God's meaning in the first instance, but now both cabinet ministers had expressed their positions, which undoubtedly meant that the Demon God was not standing on the side of the loyal Delagong family this time.

That human born in the temple, who dared to stand up in a time of crisis and take over the labyrinth of Lei Ming County—the Demon King—might not be unworthy of the Demon God's grace.

An official from the Ministry of War draped in black robes took the lead in breaking the silence, saying coldly: "The Delagong family has gone too far! Black Wind Fortress is a satellite city of the Demon Capital, and a key military production base! And what did they do? Bribe a group of goblins to poison another group of goblins! I can't even stand to watch! Regardless, this chaos has threatened the supply of

"Someone must be held responsible for this!" another minister slammed the table fiercely.

"Kamu Dragon must be arrested!" someone shouted angrily, "He is the head of the Dragon family and must be held responsible for this!"

Looking at the ministers expressing their stances one after another, the smile on Karamos's face was bright, though the coldness in his eyes did not diminish much.

Given the situation of the Dragon family, asking to hold the patriarch accountable was likely playing dumb while knowing the truth.

"Heh... you and I both know that Kamu Dragon is just a fool; the real mastermind is someone else."

His gaze swept across the room, his voice carrying a hint of low hoarseness, "According to intelligence gathered by our Intelligence Department, the one who truly orchestrated all of this is Zakro Dragon."

A commotion erupted in the conference hall.

"Zakro?" A high-tier demon from the Ministry of Finance frowned slightly, his voice hesitant, "That elder? But... I remember he had already retired, having resigned from all positions over a century ago and handed over all power and titles to his child, Regi Dragon."

As he spoke, the high-tier demon secretly glanced at Geligao Suolun, who was sitting at the other end of the conference table.

This minister couldn't be considered a backer of the Dragons, but Zakro and he had a deep connection.

"Heh." Karamos took in his small movements, the corners of his mouth rising slightly, yet he acted as if he hadn't seen it, revealing a meaningful smile, "A retired old thing writing letters to the front line every few days—that doesn't look like a retired old man at all."

As he spoke, he threw a letter onto the table; it was the private letter General Saibeisi had sent to the rear two months ago.

In that private letter, General Saibeisi had implicitly mentioned the problem of the poor mobility of the magic crystal cannons sent to the front line.

Although it was just a private complaint, as a front-line officer, he shouldn't have written such things in a letter.

Seeing the letter thrown on the table, the high-tier demon from the Ministry of Finance's pupils shrank slightly, and the other high-tier demons present couldn't help but sit up straight.

Geligao Suolun cast his gaze toward Karamos, the flame shaking within his skull flickering slightly.

"... You even managed to get this letter."

Karamos nodded slightly, facing the statue of the Demon God on the wall, and said respectfully.

"For the safety of Hell, I have the duty to check some suspicious letters for His Majesty the Demon God."

Geligao said expressionlessly.

"Then why are you only bringing it out now?"

Karamos revealed an embarrassed smile. "Well... it's shameful to say, but I actually only 'accidentally' found it recently."

Geligao didn't say anything, just stared at him for a while, then moved away his pupils, which were burning with eerie netherfire.

Karamos made an expression of relief, yet everyone present knew it was just the ancestral performance art of the Melusine family; no one would be naive enough to think a demigod-level demon would be scared by another demigod-level lich.

Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Karamos shrugged his shoulders regretfully.

Then he slowly folded his hands and leaned back in his chair, his originally soft gaze suddenly turning cold and sharp.

"Then I'll get straight to the point: evidence gathered by the Intelligence Department proves that Kamu Dragon is nothing more than a puppet patriarch. As an accomplice, his incompetence led to this disaster and he deserves to be punished. However, we also cannot let the real culprit go, the one who colluded with front-line officers to concoct the Sardo Port tragedy—Zakro Dragon!"

The voice was like a thunderclap piercing the darkness, lingering for a long time over the silent conference table.

The atmosphere at the conference table became heavy again, and some high-tier demons who couldn't withstand the pressure couldn't help but wipe the sweat from their foreheads.

The Cabinet intended to move against the Dragon family!

And this time, they were playing for real!

!

The demons speculated about the Intelligence Minister's intentions while quietly observing the Religious Minister's reaction.

Geligao didn't seem enthusiastic about protecting Zakro, but perhaps he was weighing the pros and cons; after all, no one could read an undead's expression unless the undead laughed out loud on their own.

As for Karamos, his attitude seemed somewhat aggressive.

Although the Dragon family going too far was one thing, it was hard not to suspect whether there was lobbying from another force behind this.

Regardless, the pawn Zakro had placed in front of him had completely lost its effect, and the clues from the demon intelligence department directly pierced through the armor the former had carefully set up.

Precisely because of this, the demons who had intended to speak up for the Dragon family also subconsciously suppressed the urge to speak and chose to wait and see.

And those demons who coveted the resources held by the Dragon family began to breathe rapidly, a glimmer of greed gradually appearing in their eyes.

A demon's lifespan is too long; if you want to replace someone in a chair, it usually takes over a hundred years.

The fall of one Dragon family could free up at least a hundred chairs symbolizing power!

If the magic crystal cannon factory at Black Wind Castle was just a piece of cake, then this was a hundred granaries.

As for Sardo Port?

What the hell is the use of taking that place? Are you going to use it to trade with humans?

You'd still have to send a suicidal Demon King to guard it!

The atmosphere in the conference room was treacherous and uncertain; some were indecisive, others were sharpening their knives.

Geligao Suolun listened in silence throughout, seemingly weighing the pros and cons for a long time.

Finally, perhaps having made up his mind, he slowly raised his head, his cold soul fire flickering slightly.

"Whether it's the patriarch or the mastermind behind the scenes... they must all pay the price for their stupidity!"

His voice was like an echo from the depths of a tomb, without a trace of emotion, "Since Zakro Dragon is suspected of being involved, then arrest him as well!"

The conference hall suddenly went quiet, followed by a flurry of whispers and murmurs.

A moment later, Karamos smiled, as if he had long expected this answer.

"... Since the Religious Minister has spoken, then this matter is easy to handle."

He clapped his hands lightly, his smile carrying a hint of playfulness.

"Then, next is the question of how to execute the arrest. If you don't mind, the Military Intelligence Department is willing to be of service, after all, this involves the front-line army—"

Geligao Suolun slowly stood up, scanned the crowd coldly, and said in an unquestionable voice.

"This is a betrayal of His Majesty the Demon God, and it should be handled by the Truth Department, sending adjudicators to punish the traitors of Hell."

Karamos narrowed his eyes, then chuckled: "Oh? Then it seems this matter is settled."

Geligao Suolun didn't answer, just turned slowly, his figure turning into a wisp of cold soul fire, disappearing into the air.

In the conference hall, the ministers exchanged complex glances, silently conveying their opinions.

At this moment, in the closed conference room of the Demon Capital, a decisive verdict had already been reached—

The traitors were about to meet their end!

At the same time, in the temple at the center of the Demon Capital, a long and low funeral bell slowly tolled under the moonlight, the solemn sound echoing through the silent streets. Hearing the solemn and grave bell, passing pedestrians stopped one after another, casting surprised and awe-filled gazes toward the temple at the center of the Demon Capital.

Guided by the bell, armored undead knights stepped out slowly; they wore battle armor engraved with ancient inscriptions, and eerie green soul fire leaped silently under their helmets, just like warhorses galloping on the battlefield!

And behind them, the red-robed adjudicators had faces as calm as water, radiating a suffocating majesty.

The demons and undead along the way stepped aside one after another, lowering their heads, not daring to look directly at the overly dazzling magic light.

Whispered discussions spread through the crowd.

To make the Truth Department take action at this time, there is no doubt it can only be one thing...

The Dragon family is likely in deep trouble!

Above the Demon Capital, the amethyst dome was flickering with treacherous light, just like the eyes of the Demon God.

At the same time, on Fierce Ghost Street in the West District of the Demon Capital, Luo Yan walked into the temple where Priest Jeffrey worked, carrying pastries and fruits he had bought on the way.

It was just in time for the end of prayers, and the children were all playing under the statue of the Demon God.

Seeing Luo Yan walk into the church with souvenirs, the eyes of those slime, tentacle monster, and other demon-kin children lit up, and they all swarmed up in a flock.

"It's the Demon King!"

"Ooh ooh ooh! The Demon King is here! We're saved!"

"Big bread! Big bread! It's mine!"

"Quick! Quick, someone come play the hero!"

"Why me!"

"You look the most like a human!"

"Bu, but the Demon King looks quite like one too."

"Shut up! Our respected Demon King is clearly a top-tier demon! Drag him out!"

"Alright, alright, you go play over there, don't disturb Mr. Luo Yan."

Looking at these noisy children, the demon-kin nun who hurried over gave Luo Yan an apologetic look, then pulled those children into the dormitory next door.

"It's fine, I see they're having a lot of fun, no need to disturb them... By the way, please help me take these things to the kitchen."

Luo Yan smiled and stopped the demon-kin nun, handing her the bags he was carrying as well as the slime cub hanging on his shoulder trying to eat him.

"I'm so sorry... causing you trouble again." The demon-kin nun who took the things said apologetically.

"Not at all, it's me causing you trouble." Luo Yan smiled and waved his hand, then shooed away the little guys who were clamoring to play the Demon King's servants, and walked to the end of the rows of benches.

Priest Jeffrey was sitting on a bench, praying quietly facing the statue of the Demon God.

Looking at Luo Yan sitting beside him, a kind smile appeared on that wrinkled face.

"You're here, how have you been lately?"

Luo Yan said with a smile.

"Quite well, I was busy before, I just got a moment of leisure, so I thought I'd come see you. I wonder how you've been?"

Priest Jeffrey said with a smile.

"I've always been very well, especially seeing that you've finally grown up, I feel much more relaxed."

Luo Yan touched his nose embarrassedly.

"Sorry, causing you trouble."

"This isn't trouble, but my wish, and of course, your mother's wish too..." Priest Jeffrey shook his head and cast his gaze toward the statue in front of him, as if silently communicating with a Demon God only he could see.

Luo Yan didn't speak, just quietly accompanied the old man. And Hearing You You was floating nearby, curiously examining this temple... it had always been interested in this, wondering if it wanted to get one for itself too.

Seemingly having suddenly thought of something, Priest Jeffrey's face suddenly revealed a smile, and he said in a very soft voice.

"By the way, there's something I almost forgot to tell you."

Luo Yan asked with interest.

"What is it?"

Priest Jeffrey said with a smile.

"Remember when you were little, I always wanted you to inherit this temple?"

Luo Yan was slightly stunned, and said with a wry smile.

"You don't still hold that idea now, do you?"

"I stopped counting on you a long time ago," Priest Jeffrey said with a huff, then paused for a moment, and continued in a gratified tone, "But recently, I found another child suitable to inherit this temple."

"Is it that child?" Luo Yan turned back and glanced at the child who looked most like a human.

Rather than saying he looked like one, it would be better to say he was human, just with red eyes, which are relatively rare for humans.

"Yes." Priest Jeffrey nodded with a smile.

He had once intended to hand this temple to Luo Yan's mother, but many things happened later.

"That's great." Luo Yan was genuinely happy for him; after all, he had no interest in life in the temple.

Priest Jeffrey looked at him, thought for a moment, and then suddenly spoke.

"Do you know why most of the acolytes in the Demon Capital's temple are humans?"

"To find a stable job for the protected animals?" Luo Yan said casually.

"You're talking nonsense again," Jeffrey glared at him with a huff, then clasped his hands together in front of his chest, looking pious, as if praying, and slowly continued, "... because that is our original form. A long, long time ago, we once shared the same body, the same face, and even the same soul."

When studying at the Demon King Academy, Luo Yan had heard similar theories—

In the past, more distant than the First Epoch, whether goblin or demon, whether Imperial or Campbell, all were once the same most ancient human.

It was just that as time passed, under the combined effect of countless subconscious and conscious minds, some people gradually changed into different shapes and formed new ethnic groups.

Which is the so-called "appearance stems from the heart."

But in the end, that was just one of many theories; no one knows what the truth really is.

Priest Jeffrey continued in a pious voice.

"... To stabilize our spirits, to keep our consciousness from drifting in the boundless sea, to keep us from being banished beyond the void by that ever-expanding ambition. Thus He was born, as our anchor, our mirror, our soul... leading us toward the future we hope for."

Luo Yan replied thoughtfully.

"Then where is He?"

Priest Jeffrey smiled faintly, glanced at the lively temple, then cast his gaze out the window, giving an answer that seemed both certain and ambiguous.

"He is everywhere."

(End of chapter)