Chapter 154: Lord of the Demon Palace
Chapter 154: Chapter 154: Lord of the Demon Palace
"I see. So those two knew each other all along..."
Zhu Ge fell into thought after listening to Liu Jianjian.
The Red River Dragon Python and the Plague God Sparrow had long been acquainted. According to legend, years ago, when the Red River Dragon Python was nearly killed by the Yuan Yang City Lord, it was the Plague God Sparrow who intervened and saved it.
The Plague God Sparrow, however, resided within the sphere of influence of a city in Nanyue Mianhuang called Xiaolong City.
The area around Xiaolong City was rich in ironwood trees, which were suitable for making cutting boards and were also a good material for producing charcoal. As a result, there was frequent trade with the border of Red River Prefecture.
The Plague God Sparrow resided atop one of these ironwood trees, presiding over a vast ironwood forest through which the Red River flowed.
So, one could say the Red River Dragon Python and the Plague God Sparrow were inextricably linked.
However, amidst all this, the Strong Monkey King seemed to have glimpsed some figures from the Human Race.
"They say those humans had green faces and long fangs, wore hoods, and kept their bodies completely hidden in the shadows," Liu Jianjian described vividly.
"For all we know, those people could be the Great Witches of the Barbarian Race!"
"That is a possibility." Zhu Ge nodded slightly.
’This time, why had the True Monarch of the Lantern and True Monarch Minmian come?’
’The True Monarch of the Lantern is a Guyu Official, in charge of keeping records.’
Furthermore, Zhu Ge suspected that the True Monarch of the Lantern was the current leader of the Shi Family.
’Why did he come here?’
’It was because True Monarch Minmian was coming here.’
’If True Monarch Minmian was coming, the Historical Record must document it.’
’Why?’
’Because True Monarch Minmian is a Cold Snow Official, who presides over extinction.’
’And this time, True Monarch Minmian had annihilated all the Great Realm experts in Nanyue Mianhuang.’
’Perhaps beings even more powerful than the Great Realm experts were annihilated too, but Zhu Ge and the others were at too low a level to be aware of it.’
’As for why True Monarch Minmian would want to annihilate the experts of Nanyue Mianhuang?’
’The reason was simple: the Da Sheng Dynasty was teetering on the brink of collapse, with one foot already in the grave.’
’And so, the countless border tribes, like those in Nanyue Mianhuang, began to seize the opportunity to stir up trouble.’
’And that was why True Monarch Minmian had come.’
It really did make sense.
Great Realm experts were lords of their own territories; how could they act so recklessly?
And yet, that Great Witch and the Plague God Sparrow had brazenly crossed the border. Not only had they attacked and robbed the Yuan Yang City Lord, but who knew how many insect plagues and pestilences they had unleashed throughout the entire Red River Prefecture?
"What are the current whereabouts of the Great Witch, the Red River Dragon Python, and the Plague God Sparrow...?" Zhu Ge mused. "Is their location known?"
"They’re said to be uninjured, but their whereabouts are unknown." Liu Jianjian sat on a pile of white bones, toying with the skull of some Demon Beast.
"The verbal order the Strong Monkey King’s followers received was to let all the non-humans within Red River Prefecture fend for themselves and plunder to their hearts’ content."
’Fend for themselves and plunder to their hearts’ content?’
Zhu Ge’s heart sank.
That simple command, just a few words, spelled untold suffering for the common people.
Of course, they had been fending for themselves all along.
But back then, True Monarch Minmian had yet to make his move, so Red River Prefecture was relatively calm.
Now that True Monarch Minmian had acted, countless Great Powers in Nanyue Mianhuang had fallen. There was no telling how many First, Second, and Third Realm beings would pass through Red River Prefecture on their way to Nanyue Mianhuang to seek their fortune.
If some of those passing through were powerful members of the Human Race who would right wrongs when they saw them, then things might be alright.
But what if there weren’t?
Even that would be manageable, as long as they didn’t run into any of the malevolent non-human types.
Otherwise, the various cities—already in a precarious state—would surely face utter annihilation.
"Have the Strong Monkey King go back secretly and continue preparations to attack the city. Don’t let anyone know that he has submitted to us."
"Oh, and before he leaves, have him leave behind information on all the Third Realm Essence-Devouring Demon Beasts within Red River Prefecture."
The Sword and Axe Mantis was a Third Realm Demon Beast that had only recently advanced in the last few decades; it wasn’t a veteran like the Strong Monkey King.
It was a pity the Profound Tiger hadn’t come this time. According to the Strong Monkey King, that tiger had already run off to Nanyue Mianhuang to try its luck.
Otherwise, there would be three Third Realm Demon Beasts here in Six Paths Valley.
"Alrighty! Master, you go on and cultivate. I’ll go check on the situation outside and gather some information on those people."
Liu Jianjian went out, full of enthusiasm.
Zhu Ge fell silent at her words.
’Somehow, I feel like Liu Jianjian is even more unreliable than Zhu Sisi.’
’Still, the things Liu Jianjian and Zhu Sisi do are never truly harmful, just minor mischief.’
So, Zhu Ge let them be.
Sure enough.
Just as Zhu Ge was complaining to himself, Liu Jianjian had already gone outside. With her hands clasped behind her back, she walked up to the dozen or so people gathered there.
By now, most of the dozen or so people were eating, drinking, or relieving themselves; after all, they had been standing there for more than ten hours.
But even while taking care of their bodily needs, they kept their eyes fixed on the valley at all times.
Seeing Liu Jianjian approach, many of them immediately stopped what they were doing.
"Don’t panic."
Liu Jianjian smiled, a powerful aura emanating from her body.
Everyone present was a mortal, so none of them knew Liu Jianjian’s level of Cultivation.
But they could feel the pressure she exuded—a pressure that stemmed from the depths of their very souls, like that of a natural predator.
"I am the Palace Master of the Demon Palace. I have come to get a better understanding of your situations, which will make it easier to arrange for your entry into the palace later," Liu Jianjian said, affecting a profound tone.
She was a Second Realm Demon Beast, after all. Though she was normally timid and conflict-averse, she wasn’t afraid of those whose realm was lower than her own.
The reason she had hunted Zhu Ge in the first place, coveting his treasures, was precisely because he had only been in the First Realm at the time.
Liu Jianjian hadn’t anticipated Zhu Ge’s strength, and as a result, she was now his number one handmaiden.
Still, when she put on this act now, she looked quite the part.
"Let’s start with you." Liu Jianjian walked over to the man on the far right.
The man was toying with a pair of scissors in his hand. When he saw Liu Jianjian approach, he quickly bowed.
"Greetings, Palace Master."
"Mm. Tell me about yourself," Liu Jianjian nodded.
"Palace Master, my name is Zhang Bajian, from Jianshui City. People call me the ’Double-Edged Sword,’ and I’m skilled with..." Zhang Bajian immediately began his introduction, but was cut off halfway through.
"Are you married?" Liu Jianjian asked.
Zhang Bajian froze for a moment, then his lips trembled as he answered, "N-Not yet."
"Have you ever been engaged? Or perhaps... had illicit relations with someone?" Liu Jianjian asked, feigning casualness.
Zhang Bajian froze again. "Never..."
A look of disappointment flashed in Liu Jianjian’s eyes, but she quickly hid it. "Have you noticed anything noteworthy lately? Hmm, besides matters related to my Six Paths Palace, of course."
"Noteworthy events?" Upon hearing this, Zhang Bajian immediately began to rack his brain. After a few seconds, he said gravely, "I’ve heard that the outskirts of Mengzi City are under siege by Essence-Devouring Demon Beasts. This is truly a critical moment upon which our very survival depends..."
"Stop!" Liu Jianjian shook her head and moved on to the next person.
Seeing her expression, Zhang Bajian’s face immediately turned pale.
The next person was a young woman known as the Earth Hook Hand.
"Your turn. Tell me about yourself," Liu Jianjian said faintly.
"I am Bai Chi, the ’Earth Hook Hand.’ I am not yet married," Bai Chi answered.
"Oh? And in terms of romance... ahem, do you have any thoughts on marriage?" Liu Jianjian asked again.
Bai Chi shook her head.
Liu Jianjian sighed inwardly and was about to ask another question.
But Bai Chi spoke up directly, "Speaking of things I’ve noticed recently, only one comes to mind. There’s a rumor going around that the Jianshui City Lord’s daughter is now running a tavern somewhere in the city..."
"Oh?" Liu Jianjian’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.
"Such a juicy secret? Tell me everything, quickly!"