Chapter 227 - 192: The Way Out

"Do you know the history of our family’s rise to power?"

The man shook his head in ignorance. Since his birth, his family had already reached its pinnacle, and his father had always been extremely secretive about the past, never discussing it in detail with the family.

Therefore, for many years, he was unclear about how his family had risen to prominence, only having vague indications that it had something to do with the destruction of the Demon Court.

However, he always scoffed at these rumors, as a family like theirs had too many enemies, and every so often, gossip and rumors would emerge, which were hardly credible.

Thus, the man shook his head very honestly.

A bitter smile appeared on Old Qing Jiao’s face as he continued, "It is normal that you do not know. From the beginning, I had people erase that part of history; no one in this region knows about my past."

"But once you leave here, naturally, there are people who talk at length, and there was a time when I was a Great General in the Demon Court."

Old Qing Jiao’s words left his son somewhat shocked; he hadn’t expected that those rumors outside were actually true.

Seeing the shocked expression on his son’s face, Old Qing Jiao nodded and said, "Yes, I am a traitor to the Demon Court. All this wealth and status have been obtained through the blood of the Demon Court."

"My friends, my brothers, they all died in that battle. I am the chief culprit, a criminal of the Demon Court."

"Now, with the imminent return of the Demon Emperor, this is an unstoppable torrent of fate. It is time for me to find a way to secure a future for our family."

Having said this, Old Qing Jiao fixed his gaze intently on the man and said, "You have been detached from the family since childhood; none of the family’s sordid affairs concern you. Today, I will give you a sum of money. Take some of our people and go to Dongsheng Shenzhou. Do not stay in this land of conflict."

The man looked at his father in surprise, never expecting that the reason his father called him today was for this matter.

"But!"

"There are no buts. This is your responsibility. If we all die, you are the hope of our family," Old Qing Jiao said with a heavy sigh.

He placed his aged hand on the man’s shoulder and spoke with deep earnestness, "They are right. I am a traitor. My heart holds only the family; there is nothing such as the Demon Court to me."

"Therefore, when a greater benefit presented itself before me, I did not hesitate to choose betrayal, betraying my former comrades and brothers, for the sake of our family’s rise."

Images of many faces flashed through his mind, those who till their deaths did not believe he would betray them. Their eyes shone with disbelief, and whenever he recalled this, an indescribable emotion surged through his heart.

Perhaps it was this emotion that made him choose not to dodge when the poisoned sword struck him; his entire life had been for the family, but that sword had been for himself.

For those past memories, and also for the camaraderie of fighting side by side.

Now, with the Demon Emperor’s imminent return, the time of reckoning has come. He was more than deserving of death, but the diligently nurtured family could not fall because of this. This earnest Old Third was the contingency plan he had prepared.

In Dongsheng Shenzhou, such a person is much more likable, but not suited for the chaotic Luzhou in the North.

On a night as black as pitch, Qing Jiao Family’s Old Third quietly left Luzhou in the North with a group of disillusioned family members aboard a large ship, heading eastward.

His departure did not draw much attention, after all, he was just a child neglected by the family; who would care about his departure.

Unknown to others, Old Qing Jiao concealed himself by the shore, quietly watching the departure of the fleet, and heaved a deep sigh, hoping only that Old Third’s journey would go smoothly and successfully secure a future path for their family.

"The Demon Emperor has returned!" came a ghostly voice beside his ear.

Turning around, a face full of fright, Black Robe was standing right behind him.

"We’ve always known this day would come, haven’t we? Otherwise, why would you choose to live alone?" Old Qing Jiao, with his hands clasped behind his back, gazed out at the churning ocean and said in a low voice.

"I’m not satisfied!" Black Robe said through clenched teeth.

"Why should they dictate our fate, not just those from the Demon Court, but the Heavenly Court as well, always putting on airs. Every time I see them, I can hardly resist the urge to trample them underfoot."

Old Qing Jiao glanced at Black Robe’s ferocious face and then said, "Your condition doesn’t seem right; don’t let it drive you to madness. I’ve long told you that using that Dharma Technique could be problematic."

He keenly sensed that under this tremendous pressure, Black Robe seemed to have undergone a significant change in temperament, especially considering the Cultivation Technique he practiced, which immediately gave rise to ominous premonitions in his mind.

"Don’t worry, my condition is quite good, and it has nothing to do with the Cultivation Technique," Black Robe said dismissively, waving his hand.

Seeing his reaction, Old Qing Jiao didn’t feel like saying anything more. After all, they were not close friends; had they not both been traitors of the Demon Court seeking comfort in numbers, their personalities would likely have prevented them from becoming friends.

"What are your plans for the future?" Black Robe turned around, his crimson eyes staring at Old Qing Jiao’s aged face.

This was his purpose for coming here. Given the current situation, with the return of the Demon Emperor seeming unstoppable, he felt as if he could see his own death, hearing the death knell ringing in his ears.

Therefore, he needed someone who shared his plight to share this pressure.

Old Qing Jiao responded with a self-deprecating laugh, "Folk like us, our thoughts are insignificant. Believe it or not, it won’t be long before someone from the Heavenly Court contacts us."

No sooner had he spoken than a figure descended from the sky, both recognizing him as a confidant of the Marshal of the Celestial River Naval Forces.

"Good to see you both!" the man said with a smile as he landed, greeting Old Qing Jiao and Black Robe.

Black Robe immediately grimaced and said, "My mood might be much better if I didn’t have to see your face."

He knew all too well that this person’s presence meant trouble, most likely concerning the revival of the Demon Emperor. The smile was probably just to lull him into a false sense of security.

"Lord Black Robe really has a way with words. Haven’t we always cooperated pleasantly? Moreover, with the return of the Demon Emperor and the reestablishment of the Demon Court, your fate as traitors is predictable. From this perspective, we are natural allies," the newcomer said softly.

Upon hearing this, Black Robe immediately became angry, feeling that the visitor was threatening him. Just as he was about to lose his temper, Old Qing Jiao pulled him aside.

Old Qing Jiao spoke gravely, "Tell us, what is it that brings you here today?"

With a smile still on his face, the visitor said, "The Marshal would like to invite you both to hunt the Demon Emperor together."

"Hunt the Demon Emperor, he dares to say that indeed," Black Robe said contemptuously.