The massive lion galloped through the vast forest like a streak of silver lightning.
On the broad back of the lion, Gu Baiying’s arms tightened around the person he was protecting.
Zanxing had fallen from the Five-Wheel Pagoda, and Gui Yansheng was nowhere to be found. Half of his Xiao Yuan Orb had been taken, and he had sustained considerable injuries from the previous battle with Gu Baiying and the others. Cultivating the Asura Ghost Path already required a personal cost, and at this moment, Gui Yansheng could no longer continue using his energy. Amid the chaos, he had used the Asura Umbrella to escape.
Zanxing’s condition was troubling.
Since half of the Xiao Yuan Orb had entered her body, Zanxing had not regained consciousness. The demonic energy within her was chaotic and violent, as if her soul was undergoing an invisible ordeal of tempering and tearing. The demon clan was worried about Zanxing and decided to first take her back to Heishi City.
The Demon Extermination Army had already suffered severe damage due to Gui Yansheng’s use of the Two-Life Buddha Wheel, and they were in no position to stop the demon clan’s actions. As Gu Baiying prepared to leave with Xiao Shuang, Pu Tao stopped him. Standing in front of Gu Baiying, her eyes reddened: “She is of the demon clan. You cannot stay with demons!”
“Move aside.”
“Don’t forget that you are the leader of the Demon Extermination Army!”
“Fellow Daoist Pu,” Tian Fangfang stepped forward and cut in sharply: “If it weren’t for my junior sister stopping Gui Yansheng in the Buddha Wheel and shattering the Buddhist pagoda’s reincarnation, you might still be trapped there. My junior sister is at least half your savior. Are you saying that all you people from the Xiang Ling Sect are so indiscriminate?” The usually good-natured man spoke harshly for the first time: “Jealousy makes one ugly.”
Pu Tao bit her lip, tears streaming down her face.
Tian Fangfang chased after Gu Baiying: “Martial Uncle, wait for us. We need to go too!”
The members of the Taiyan Sect, concerned about Zanxing, decided to accompany them to Heishi City. Before departing, they instructed Nie Xinghong of the Yinfeng Sect to inform their sect of what had happened. Although Nie Xinghong was somewhat greasy, he was quite clear-headed about important matters and was not as hostile towards the demon clan and Zanxing as the Chihua Sect was.
On the demon side, the Skeleton Woman glanced back at the people on the lion, feeling somewhat vexed: “Lord Xiao Shuang, are we really taking them back to Heishi City? They are from the sect!”
“The Young Princess considers them friends, and they helped her in the Buddha Wheel,” Xiao Shuang replied.
Madam Zhao Ling coldly remarked: “It’s one thing for those few people, but why should Gu Baiying be allowed to go? His relationship with that sect’s female disciple is well known throughout the Demon Extermination Army. Such an unfaithful man should be dragged out and chopped up to feed the dogs if he comes to Heishi City! He wouldn’t want to rekindle an old flame with the Young Princess, would he? The princess is soft-hearted, and if…”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Xiao Shuang interrupted Madam Zhaoling: “I don’t think Gu Baiying is entirely heartless towards the Young Princess. This is a personal matter for the Young Princess and shouldn’t involve us. Besides…” He smiled amiably: “He probably hasn’t been to the Chaos Palace yet.”
Skeleton Woman’s eyes lit up: “That’s right. With the Chaos Palace and Lord Xiao Shuang, there are seven favored concubines!”
“Hahaha, what a great idea!” Mountain Spider laughed upon hearing this: “I imagine Gu Baiying will find the seven favored concubines to be a real mixture of bitterness and sourness—both bitter and sour!”
“How could that be?” Xiao Shuang smiled gently, maintaining his usual warm tone. “Gu Baiying is the Young Princess’s martial uncle. Heishi City will certainly give him a proper reception.”
Continuous rain fell over Heishi City.
The rain draped over the dark stone mountain, making the already ominous city even gloomier.
In front of the main hall, Xiao Shuang stopped Gu Baiying and the others who were about to enter: “Please wait here. The Young Princess is currently injured and needs to return to the hall to rest. You all should wait outside.”
“I-I-I!” Men Dong jumped up: “I have the Immortal Spirit Vein and can heal! I can come in with you!”
Xiao Shuang smiled slightly, his demeanor polite and gentle: “Immortal Master, you jest. The Young Princess is of the demon clan, and you are of the human race. How can human medical techniques heal a demon? Please wait outside.”
“How can human medicine not treat demons?” Tian Fangfang asked, puzzled. “When my junior sister was injured at Gufeng Mountain, didn’t we heal her at the sect?”
“Previously, the Young Princess had not yet awakened her Heavenly Demon Bloodline. Now that she has awakened it, her demonic energy has been severely depleted after the battle and needs to be nurtured in the Demon Energy Pool.” He glanced at Zanxing in Gu Baiying’s arms: “Immortal Master, if we delay further…”
Gu Baiying fixed his gaze on him while Xiao Shuang maintained his smile without speaking.
After a moment, Gu Baiying silently handed Zanxing over to Xiao Shuang.
“Rest assured, Immortal Master. The Young Princess is the future ruler of Heishi City, and we will take good care of her.” Xiao Shuang had Zanxing taken to the Chaos Palace and then bowed to the others before following inside. Mountain Spider glanced back at Gu Baiying before turning and entering the hall.
Watching Xiao Shuang’s retreating figure, Tian Fangfang rubbed his chin: “Why do I feel like there’s something hidden in his words? Did you see his smile? It was like a knife concealed behind a grin.”
“Exactly,” Men Dong fumed: “He actually looks down on my medical skills—how arrogant!”
“Ahem,” Mu Cengxiao cleared his throat: “What should we do now? They’ve all left.” The demons seemed to look down on their sect members, showing no regard for them. Even though it was raining, they hadn’t offered any shelter or even an umbrella, leaving them to stand in the rain in front of the hall.
“Martial Uncle?” Meng Ying looked at Gu Baiying.
He stood at the entrance of the Chaos Palace, his expression calm, but the others felt a chill in the air.
As they were uncertain about what to do, someone beside them said, “I’ll go ask.”
The speaker was Master Mingjing. For some reason, he had also accompanied the demon clan back to Heishi City. It seemed he had some connection with the demons. The others looked at him, and Tian Fangfang asked in confusion: “How do you intend to inquire?”
Mingjing stepped forward, just as the Skeleton Woman came out. He spoke softly: “Miss.”
The term Miss evidently pleased the Skeleton Woman, who smiled and, with her eyes shining, asked him: “What can I do for you?”
“Excuse me, is the Demon Queen currently in the hall?” Mingjing’s voice was gentle, his expression calm. In the dark, eerie rain of Heishi City, his handsome face seemed to carry an enigmatic charm.
“You’re looking for the Queen?” Skeleton Woman was slightly taken aback, then covered her mouth and smiled: “The Queen is very busy and not easily seen. If you have something to say, you can speak to me instead.” She leaned in with a suggestive air.
Mingjing took a step back and opened his palm: “If you would, please deliver this to the Queen.”
In his hand lay a small silver clasp, delicately crafted with a lustrous sheen.
It was a beautifully designed heart-shaped lock.
“I see,” Skeleton Woman’s gaze grew understanding for a moment, then she looked at Mingjing. “Please wait here.”