Chapter 106: The Son of the Demon Emperor

The disciples of the Heavenly Book Academy were fully prepared and departed from the Jade Balance Hall, ready to descend the mountain.

Ahead, as far as the eye could see, the Divine Protection Array of the Yu Danzong had already risen with the wind.

Yuan Li, the head of the Yu Danzong, along with several Elders from the Inner Court, had arrived at the mountain gate—but clearly not to see them off, for they were all gazing far down the mountain, their expressions grim.

Yuan Caimei, dressed in a fine gauze skirt, was also present, watching her father scroll through a document in his hands, her brow deeply furrowed.

“What has happened?”

“The demon race has come to pay respects at the mountain.”

“?”

The Heavenly Book Academy group arrived at the mountain gate and looked down the path to see over a dozen strange beasts lined up beneath the Divine Path of the Yu Danzong, their bodies covered in scales, horns and antlers sharp and fierce.

A demon warrior wielding a silver spear stood atop the path, a fresh scar still unhealed across his face, a row of scales missing from the left side of his neck.

Most striking of all was a young man with Yao blue eyes, standing before the mountain gate array, his aura overwhelming.

“This man’s aura is incredibly strong.”

“Yes, even comparable to Chu Xian of the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion.”

He Lingxiu’s hand descended, palm pressing against the hilt of her sword, her expression alert.

You Buyu mirrored her motion, but his sword intent was directed at Ji You, for he had noticed Yuan Caimei instinctively hiding behind Ji You.

Women naturally gravitate toward men who make them feel safe, and Ji You, at that moment, had slightly extended his arm, as if to shield her.

But what troubled him more was that the demon warrior he felt he could never defeat was now also gazing toward Ji You amid the crowd.

“Long time no see. Didn’t expect to meet you here.”

“?”

As his words faded, all eyes around them turned astonished—even Yuan Li, the head of the Yu Danzong, looked surprised and turned toward Ji You.

The Son of the Demon Emperor could speak to the head of the Yu Danzong because his status was equally exalted.

Yet none in the gathering understood why he would address an outer-court disciple of the Heavenly Book Academy, and why he showed no trace of condescension.

Under the gaze of all, Ji You smiled slightly: “Long time no see.”

“Would you care to fight Aqiu again? That sword strike left him deeply humiliated.”

“We’re in a hurry to continue our journey, and this is the Yu Danzong’s territory—why not postpone it until later?”

The young demon looked at him: “I am Ye Han, ninth son of the Demon Emperor. Might I ask your true name, brother?”

Hearing this, the disciples around them erupted into murmurs, voices rising in clamor.

They suddenly realized—the demon warriors who had clashed with Ji You on Changsheng Street were these very ones.

Yet none had expected this young man to be the Son of the Demon Emperor.

Ji You bowed forward: “Allow me to properly introduce myself—I am Bai Ruilong.”

Bai Ruilong: “?”

“Brother Ji, you’re truly humorous. The first sword I received in the Nine Provinces—I must know who wielded it.”

Ji You’s smile faded. He turned to Yuan Caimei and lowered his voice: “Why have the demons come to the Yu Danzong?”

“They say they’ve come to buy elixirs.”

Upon hearing Ji You’s question, Yuan Caimei whispered softly, refusing to meet his gaze, her eyes looking elsewhere.

Since last night, she had not known how to face Ji You; thoughts of him lingered heavily in her mind, just as Yuan Chen had predicted—she felt a quiet envy toward Yan Shuyi.

Thinking of the younger sister of the Little Judge of Lingjian Mountain, Yuan Caimei pressed her lips together.

On that day in Ningcheng County, she had thought it their first meeting—but later, seeing their intimate behavior, she realized it was not.

Especially when Yan Shuyi sent Zhuo Wanqiu to accompany them; though she claimed it was for their protection, looking back, it seemed more like she was sent solely to guard Ji You.

Her own confusion about how to act toward him stemmed partly from this.

Hearing Yuan Caimei’s answer, Ji You gazed down at the demons, his expression thoughtful.

Wen Zhengxin had previously said that demons, by nature, were distant from the Dao of Heaven, making cultivation difficult.

But the Yu Danzong’s elixir arts were also inherited from the Dao of Heaven—meaning demons, too, could take elixirs to comprehend the Dao.

It seemed that after leaving Shengjing, this demon party had come directly to Danshan to purchase elixirs for transport back to the Snow Realm.

For the Yu Danzong, this was an extremely dangerous signal.

Supplying demons with elixirs to aid their cultivation posed a direct threat to humanity—the Seven Immortal Sects would surely intervene.

Selling them elixirs was absolutely out of the question.

And Ji You’s guess was correct: Yuan Li had already told the young demon earlier that the Yu Danzong currently lacked sufficient quantities of the elixirs they required, and to return another day.

“I will come again.”

Ye Han’s Yao blue eyes glinted as he turned to Yuan Li and spoke.

With that, he turned and descended the mountain.

Seeing no immediate threat, the Heavenly Book Academy disciples took the opportunity to bid farewell to the Yu Danzong members.

Yet none relaxed their vigilance, for they noticed the Son of the Demon Emperor had not left after descending—he was still gazing up the mountain.

Most crucially, the demon wielding the spear was now staring at Ji You, his spear intent steadily rising.

“Young Master Ji, be careful.”

Yuan Caimei could not help but call out a warning.

Ji You nodded and stepped beyond the Yu Danzong’s array—when, at that very moment, the spear emitted a sharp, resonant hum.

But as battle seemed imminent, Ye Han, standing behind him, tapped Aqiu on the shoulder and narrowed his eyes toward the highest peak of Danshan—the Yao Guang Hall.

Far away, the overflowing elixir energy suddenly receded, finally falling into silence.

The demons had entered the Nine Provinces now because their Emperor had judged that humanity’s Dao of Heaven had faltered, and cosmic fortune would scatter anew across the Nine Provinces.

But upon arriving at Danshan and witnessing the vast elixir energy spilling forth, he had for the first time questioned his father’s judgment.

The Sacred Vessels were humanity’s Dao heritage—if the Dao of Heaven had truly failed, how could such magnificent energy be emitted, even for a single day and night?

At that moment, Yuan Li and the others of the Yu Danzong also turned to gaze at the Yao Guang Hall, their expressions tinged with regret.

“The elixir furnace has returned to its source…”

“Damn it—I thought it might last for years…”

“Such events are rare and unpredictable. Even one day and night is a blessing from the Dao of Heaven.”

“...”

The news of the demons’ visit to the Yu Danzong for elixirs quickly reached the Heavenly Book Academy and the other Immortal Sects. In the Hall of Affairs, the three Directors sat upon their thrones, discussing the matter in hushed tones.

Since the Qiling Incident, both the demon race and the barbarians had grown far more active.

Long ago, the Demon Emperor had declared that when humanity lost Heaven’s favor, his people would return—a statement that now stirred unease.

The Demon Emperor’s lineage were ancient dragon-blooded beings, with extraordinarily long lifespans; the current Demon Emperor had lived nearly as long as the head of the Heavenly Book Academy.

The longer one lives, the more one has seen—far more than any youth.

To them, all mortals beneath the heavens, save the few surviving Transcendent Elders, were mere youths.

Later, Director Qin Ang went to the Inner Court, entered the Purple Bamboo Meditation Grove, and reported the matter to Zuo Qiuyang, who was playing Go with the Master of the Longevity Hall, Chai Hu—both men frowned deeply.

“After the Ancient Lost Clans disrupted the Dao of Heaven, Heaven began selecting sages among all races, sparking the Ancient War.”

“Then war erupted everywhere, flames nearly reduced Qingyun’s world to ashes—until Heaven bestowed Sacred Vessels, binding cosmic fortune exclusively to humanity.”

Zuo Qiuyang murmured with deep eyes: “Now both demons and barbarians seek to enter the Nine Provinces—could it be they believe Heaven is selecting new sages, and are preparing to reclaim cosmic fortune for their own clans, igniting this chaotic war?”

Chai Hu looked up at Zuo Qiuyang: “It must be the Qiling Incident that stirred their hearts.”

“Qiling…”

Zuo Qiuyang recalled the crimson heavenly light descending that day, his black Go stone pinched between his fingers.

Though the elder of the Zheng family had not ascended, he had indeed drawn down celestial light and even stepped onto the Path to Immortality.

Only the divine thunder had struck him down, causing his failure.

Logically, if humanity’s Dao of Heaven were intact, such an event could not have occurred—but since it did, something must be wrong.

The demons and barbarians likely think the same—hence their desire to seize cosmic fortune and reshape the Dao.

Yet masters like Zuo Qiuyang, who had reached the peak of the Upper Five Realms, could calculate heavenly fate—and yet could detect no flaw.

Especially that day, when the Nine Heavens thunder shook the Nine Provinces, it seemed to confirm all was well.

“Not to mention our Heavenly Book Academy’s Scripture still shines brightly across the Nine Provinces, and the Yu Danzong’s Great Furnace—yesterday, its elixir energy overflowed again. How could anyone claim humanity’s cosmic fortune is fading? I simply cannot fathom what the demons and barbarians are thinking.”

Director Qin, standing outside the hall, raised his head at these words: “How shall we resolve the demons’ request for elixirs at the Yu Danzong?”

Zuo Qiuyang turned, thought for a moment, then said: “Refuse them in the name of the Heavenly Book Academy. Once they accept reality, they will return to the Snow Plains.”

“The Yu Danzong… fears unrest.”

“Demons and barbarians have been neighbors for generations—if they truly united, the Han Tie Pass would have fallen long ago, and the world would have already collapsed. Since it hasn’t, why would a few elixirs cause them to turn hostile?”

Zuo Qiuyang rolled the Go stone between his fingers, then added: “Where are You Buyu and the others now?”

Director Qin replied: “We just received word—they stayed at the Yu Danzong for a day and night, just in time to witness the demons’ visit. They’ve now resumed their journey.”

Zuo Qiuyang turned to You Yingqiu: “Your nephew is remarkably eager about this matter.”

Chai Hu chuckled and placed his Go stone: “It’s about time.”

“But his mortal desires are too strong—he may hinder his cultivation.”

“If Your Sister You isn’t worried, why should you be?”

Chai Hu frowned: “Was it your decision to send them to Lingjian Mountain to seek answers?”

Zuo Qiuyang looked up: “Yes. The Hall of Affairs falls under my jurisdiction.”

“Did you consult Master?”

“For matters of this magnitude, I naturally sought his counsel. Why do you ask?”

Chai Hu found it strange: “Master is the one who most desires peace in the world—sending a direct disciple to Lingjian Mountain to seek the Dao at this moment is like adding fuel to the fire, yet he agreed.”

Zuo Qiu Yang chuckled softly: “The Dao Seeking Sect and Lingjian Mountain joined forces to attack our Tian Shu Academy—out of face, we must go. A great war would throw the situation into chaos, but a small battle is better than swallowing this insult.”

“But Lingjian Mountain’s direct disciples are not to be underestimated…”

(Requesting monthly votes… requesting subscription… or2)

(End of chapter)