At that time in the Demon Realm, Qu Congchun and Shen Fugui had already met Hua Jiuming. Back then he was recuperating in Juque Prefecture, so running into him was normal. But only Qu Zhengding had ever told Qu Congchun about Hua Jiuming’s true identity—no one else, not even Shen Fugui, knew. Now, however, as servants of Mo Tianjun and Ye Yu, Qu Congchun and Shen Fugui understood everything. Yet to keep Hua Jiuming from suspecting, the act had to go on.
Shen Fugui sneered, “On what grounds do you question my young lord?”
Hua Jiuming cast a sidelong glance, his gaze mocking as if observing ants at play. In these lowly Five Realms, someone dared to challenge him? Foolish beyond measure.
Just as Hua Jiuming prepared to strike, Qu Congchun kicked Shen Fugui to the ground. “You cur, how dare you speak to a senior like that? Get out!”
Shen Fugui struggled upright and, stifling a groan, obeyed. Meanwhile Qu Congchun bowed deeply to Hua Jiuming. “I am Qu Zhengding’s son, Qu Congchun, paying respects, senior. My father spoke to me once or twice about you.”
“Boy, don’t be so smart-mouthed. Those who talk back to me won’t survive!” Hua Jiuming smiled slightly.
In the next moment, before Shen Fugui could leave the hall, his body ruptured from within—he was dead.
In the central Celestial Realm, inside Three Corpses Hall, Ye Yu frowned in annoyance. The Shenyu Kongxin Jue allowed a caster to see everything perceived by the controlled. So when Hua Jiuming reached Shen Fugui, Ye Yu already knew. He had intended merely to steady his demon allies’ hearts, yet this false god had acted outright. So rude.
Beside him, Mo Tianjun used his own secret technique to view everything Qu Congchun saw. He, too, knew Shen Fugui was dead.
He whispered with a laugh, “No matter. I’ll pull up the footage and we can watch together.”
Though Ye Yu had tricked him twice before, they were allies now. Information was meant to be shared.
Ye Yu did not refuse.
With Mo Tianjun’s swift hand movements, a clear first-person scene appeared before them, high-definition enough to show the split ends of Hua Jiuming’s hair. This false god’s hair quality left much to be desired.
Ye Yu arched an eyebrow. Mo Tianjun’s technique, like Shenyu Kongxin Jue, let him see through the eyes of the controlled. Whether it had limits or not, the point was clear: they must be wary of him from now on.
Meanwhile, at the Juque Prefecture headquarters in the eastern Celestial Realm, Hua Jiuming, having slain Shen Fugui, sat slowly upon the main seat. His gaze drifted carelessly to Qu Congchun. An invisible pressure slammed into Qu Congchun, who collapsed to his knees.
“When my father first met me, he spoke on his knees. You will do the same. Now tell me, why did your father die while you live?” Hua Jiuming tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table. His voice was soft yet induced a dizzy haze in Qu Congchun’s mind.
Qu Congchun murmured, “When my father was killed, I was leading the demons in an assault on an immortal sect. Only after several hours did I receive the news of his death, so I never saw his murderer. But my subordinates reported that the killer was an immortal named Ye Yu.”
Inside Three Corpses Hall, Ye Yu watched and looked to Mo Tianjun, who replied earnestly, “The false god used a hypnosis technique. I can’t control him anymore.”
Ye Yu smirked. “Can’t control him? Nonsense. How would those demons know my name? Brother, even your act is unconvincing.”
In truth, Mo Tianjun had deliberately given Ye Yu’s name to drag him into suspicion. There was no way this false god knew only Mo Tianjun’s title and not Ye Yu’s. This served as payback for the jade talisman incident.
Back at Juque Prefecture, Hua Jiuming ceased tapping. Qu Congchun instantly snapped out of his stupor, drenched in sweat. Though he knew he’d been manhandled, he dared not show any sign of awareness—he played the lowly ant perfectly.
Hua Jiuming said lightly, “Foolish demons, heed my advice: never trust your subordinates too much. Weak as they are, they are easiest to deceive. To be honest, your father’s killer was not Ye Yu, but Mo Tianjun of Three Corpses Hall. That arrogant fool took your father’s jade talisman and dared to contact me—arrogance to the extreme. As for Ye Yu, that’s just a false name.”
“What?” Qu Congchun’s shock was genuine, not feigned. His controller Mo Tianjun must be going mad, having tried to implicate Ye Yu yet rebuffed and lectured in turn.
Mo Tianjun’s grievance soared to the heavens. He swore at Hua Jiuming’s ancestors, and when he later caught Ye Yu’s smirk, his mood shattered entirely.
Hua Jiuming continued, “Don’t look so startled—anything can happen. Now you have two tasks. First, dispatch your demons to locate Mo Tianjun. Second, contact the other Demon Lords and resume the Heavenly Campaign. Consider this realm a gift from me. If you encounter any difficulty, I will assist.”
Qu Congchun bowed ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) his head deeply, silent at first, then spoke in a low voice, “Senior, what shall I do to repay you?”
Nothing is given freely—no love or hate without reason. Hua Jiuming never offered gifts without purpose. To both Qu Zhengding and Qu Congchun he had promised rule of the Celestial Realm. There was certainly a motive.
At last, Hua Jiuming’s eyes shifted. He smiled, “Boy, you’re much smarter than your father—a promising talent. Honestly, I had you seize the Celestial Realm only to force out an old foe. His survival is very important to me.”
Qu Congchun pressed his head to the ground and cried out, “Thank you for your guidance, senior. I will organize our demons for a grand assault on the Celestial Realm to fulfill your wishes.”
