Afterward, just as Ye Yu and Mo Tian Jun were debating whether to return to the Three Corpses Hall and wait, Shen Fugui—the most loyal dog of Giant Que Prefecture—arrived to «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» report!
“Report, Master! We have completed the task and captured Qu Congchun! Please issue your orders!”
At those words, Mo Tian Jun’s expression shifted slightly. Though he quickly masked it, Ye Yu caught the slightest tell.
“What’s the matter? Do you have news?”
Calmly, Mo Tian Jun replied, “Nothing in particular. I’m only curious—how is it that so many demons obey you? First that Bai demon, now this one whose face... exudes wisdom. Ye Xianyou, your influence must be vast indeed!”
Hearing this, Ye Yu waved his hand and then glanced at Shen Fugui. He asked in a low voice, “Did you learn anything?”
“No, he knows nothing!” Shen Fugui flicked at some blood on the ground—Qu Congchun’s blood—collected after ruthless interrogation. They’d used harsh methods, but Qu Congchun had yielded no useful information. A disappointment, indeed.
“Then if he knows nothing, kill him,” Ye Yu said casually.
In truth, after exterminating Qu Zhengding, Ye Yu had already ordered Shen Fugui to capture Qu Congchun for two reasons: first, to see whether Qu Congchun was truly Mo Tian Jun’s man; second, because as Qu Zhengding’s beloved son, Qu Congchun would most rightly succeed his father—and if he lived, Shen Fugui could not fully control Giant Que Prefecture. He had to be secured at once.
Having received orders, Shen Fugui rose to carry them out. At that moment, Mo Tian Jun could no longer hold back. He spoke, “Wait! Ye Xianyou, could you spare his life? Qu Congchun is my inside man!”
“Oh?” Ye Yu raised an eyebrow, surprised. He had suspected before, but based on Qu Zhengding’s memories, there was no reason Qu Congchun would serve Mo Tian Jun. And Shen Fugui had clearly used lethal force. Yet Qu Congchun endured without betraying Mo Tian Jun—his loyalty seemed astonishing.
Ye Yu thought for a moment, then ordered Shen Fugui to bring Qu Congchun over. The prefectural heir appeared before them, battered and pierced by countless golden spikes, unable to summon even a shred of demonic qi. Shen Fugui had needed three half-Emperor–level warriors just to capture him alive.
Ye Yu glanced at Mo Tian Jun and asked softly, “Mo Tian Jun, is he truly your mole? His hatred burns in his eyes!”
Mo Tian Jun made no reply. He closed his eyes and silently willed control over Qu Congchun’s heart. In an instant, Qu Congchun’s eyes glowed scarlet, then returned to normal. Ignoring the agony of the spikes, he knelt before Mo Tian Jun and said, “Hail the Hall Master!”
Ye Yu observed it all. So Mo Tian Jun possessed a technique to seize hearts after all. That old fox really hid his cards deeply!
“Since he’s your mole, we’ll spare him. But this gives me a new plan.” Ye Yu outlined his idea: elevate Qu Congchun to Demon Lord of Giant Que Prefecture, with Shen Fugui as his deputy, and have them both await Hua Jiu Ming’s return. After all, Hua Jiu Ming had initiated the War Against Heaven—he would likely revisit this region. With internal agents investigating Hua Jiu Ming’s strength, they would learn much.
Mo Tian Jun immediately approved, and the two agreed at once, preparing to depart.
Seeing this, Bai Qingsong hurriedly called out, “Big Brother!”
“Don’t worry—I haven’t forgotten your request. Once you find their whereabouts, contact me directly!” Ye Yu knew perfectly well the lure of the title Demon Lord of the Demon Realm. No one could truly resist it.
But Bai Qingsong’s pride still faltered. Being so directly appealed to made him blush. He stammered an excuse: “Brother, you misunderstood me. I meant I’ll see you off. But the other matters must proceed—I’ll locate them as soon as possible!”
Ye Yu chuckled, and the three set out on the return journey. Bai Qingsong faithfully took point, cutting down or berating any demons in their path, clearing a safe route for Ye Yu and Mo Tian Jun.
Meanwhile, Mo Tian Jun discreetly probed Bai Qingsong’s mind many times with his divine sense, finding no trace of heart-seizing techniques. This puzzled him still more. He could not help asking, “Ye Xianyou, how did you get him to obey so completely?”
“How?” Ye Yu pinched his chin, then spoke softly, “I traded brotherhood for brotherhood.”
Indeed, every time Ye Yu had truly intended to kill him, Bai Qingsong had aligned hands and feet at the same level—kneeling in perfect sincerity.
As Mo Tian Jun pondered the deeper meaning of those words, Ye Yu suddenly paled and vanished from sight.
A hundred miles away, two demons chased a young girl. As they closed in, a sword light flashed, and both demons were torn to pieces. The girl, sensing something amiss, stopped and murmured, “That familiar sword qi... it must be Father!”
Indeed, the girl was Ye Nian, who had ascended from the mortal realm to the Celestial Realm just days earlier. In the next moment, Ye Yu reappeared, enveloping Ye Nian in his arms.
“Nian’er, when did you arrive? I’ve missed you so much!”
“Father, I’ve missed you too!” Ye Nian’s soft voice almost melted Ye Yu’s heart.
At that moment, Mo Tian Jun and Bai Qingsong arrived, likewise startled by Ye Yu’s reaction. They had braced for danger, but instead found a tender reunion.
Mo Tian Jun furrowed his brow, mind racing. “Father? Ye Yu has no offspring in the Celestial Realm... Could this girl have ascended from the mortal world? She’s so young! Has she practiced some special technique?”
As Mo Tian Jun pondered, dozens of demons charged in. Bai Qingsong instantly stepped forward, shouting, “What are you doing? Everyone, get out of the way! I am Bai Qingsong of Dongyao Prefecture!”
A sharp voice rang out from afar, harsh and grating: “You’re worthless—even as an egg! Get lost, all of you!”
