“Inside the Demon Lord’s Hall of Lianhuazhou.”
Mo Gei Lian and A Rui both felt a little restrained. This was their first time on the territory of a State Demon Lord, and they couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
By contrast, Ye Yu remained completely unfazed. After all, in the Demon Realm’s dreamscape he had been a frequent guest in the halls of various Demon Kings—he had even married one and served as Demon Lord himself. Such a place no longer held any novelty for him.
After Hou Mingjie led them into the great hall, she respectfully stepped aside, her deference plain to see. Just as Ye Yu was about to look for a seat, a young man with a face full of pockmarks entered, beaming as he said, “You must be from the Chimo Hall—what an honor to finally meet you. I am Bai Miaoxiang.”
His enthusiastic greeting left A Rui momentarily at a loss; ever shy, he took half a step back. Mo Gei Lian forced an awkward smile and looked to Ye Yu, who raised an incredulous brow and asked, “Bai Miaoxiang?”
Honestly, no matter how one looked at it, the name sounded decidedly feminine. A pockmarked man named Bai Miaoxiang was decidedly jarring. Yet Bai Miaoxiang showed no embarrassment. He laughed and said, “That’s right—that’s my name. My father chose it, and I can’t very well change it, can I? Please, sit, don’t be so tense.”
Ye Yu didn’t refuse. He found the nearest seat and sat down. Mo Gei Lian did the same. A Rui remained hesitant and tried to stand behind them, but a single glance from Ye Yu halted him. Reluctantly, A Rui took the seat next to Mo Gei Lian.
Bai Miaoxiang observed all this but said nothing, turning his attention to Ye Yu. “I watched the battle footage that Little Jie sent me—truly spectacular. To defeat a Demon Emperor–Realm foe with a Demon Lord–Realm power... such strength is awe-inspiring. In time, you will surely carve out your place in the Demon Realm.
“And you, Mo Gei Lian, leader of the Chimo Hall, you’ve trained an exceptional disciple. As the Demon Lord of Lianhuazhou, it brings me great joy to see talents like you appear.
“But tell me, would the three of you be willing to serve me?”
Mo Gei Lian glanced at Ye Yu. After hearing his inner-voice response, he spoke slowly, “Our Chimo Hall is based here in Lianhuazhou, and you are the State Demon Lord. Naturally we heed your command. However, Little Jie mentioned a Celestial–Defying operation planned for six months from now. Might you share more?”
Bai Miaoxiang waved his hand. “That’s just an idea for now—nothing concrete. By the way, rumor has it your Chimo Hall possesses the strongest Body-Refinement Technique in the Demon Realm. May I have a look?”
Ye Yu smiled and shook his head. “That’s only hearsay—nothing real.”
He returned the question in kind. You joker, laughing here while trying to pry our methods from us. Who do you think you are?
Hou Mingjie, standing to one side, snapped, “How dare you speak to the Demon Lord so casually!”
At her words the smile vanished from Ye Yu’s face. What did she expect him to say? You...?
Before Hou Mingjie could continue, Bai Miaoxiang cut in, “Little Jie, mind your manners with guests.”
“Apologies, Demon Friend Ye—my steward is thoughtless. Please forgive the embarrassment.”
Bai Miaoxiang gave a small wave, and Hou Mingjie stepped forward. Smack! A crisp slap rang out as Hou Mingjie was sent sprawling.
Both A Rui and Mo Gei Lian’s expressions darkened. Bai Miaoxiang’s smile never wavered. Softly he asked, “Demon Friend Ye, what atonement do you propose?”
Ye Yu shook his head. “Not nearly enough. Better to kill her outright.”
At that, every face in the hall froze in shock.
Big brother, do you really have no sense of human decency? Normally, after the host has disciplined the steward, you’d magnanimously say it’s forgiven—that she acted overly rashly. But to suggest killing her outright... you break every convention.
Bai Miaoxiang’s smile stiffened as ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) he considered his reply. But Ye Yu cupped his hands and said, “Demon Lord, we have other matters. We won’t stay long. If you ever need our help, just ask.”
With that, Ye Yu rose and led Mo Gei Lian and A Rui out of the hall. Bai Miaoxiang watched their departure, baffled. He realized he could not read this Demon Lord–Realm upstart. What leverage did he possess to act so brazenly?
Hou Mingjie picked herself up, anger blazing in her eyes. “Demon Lord, these people are detestable. If you truly desire their methods, why not simply detain them?”
Indeed, when she sent Ye Yu’s battle footage, Bai Miaoxiang’s mind had raced with ideas. If a dream demon could attain such physical might, then surely, as a Blood Demon, I could too! Thus he intended to bring Ye Yu and Mo Gei Lian here—to recruit them, and to seize that legendary supreme technique.
His motives mirrored those of Wen Yinqing. The rumor couldn’t be false—Chimo Hall must possess such a wondrous method, or why else could Ye Yu, a dream demon, leap two realms to defeat the Demon Emperor–Realm’s Tian Yongfu? Bai Miaoxiang had coveted it eagerly.
He had even considered detaining them by force. But Ye Yu’s audacity chilled him. To speak so freely within the Demon Lord’s Hall—this young man must have formidable backing.
After a moment’s thought, Bai Miaoxiang gave orders to observe every move of the Chimo Hall. When the time was right, they would exploit Ye Yu’s inner demon as a foothold to sway him.
At his command, Hou Mingjie could only nod.
Moments later, Mo Gei Lian, Ye Yu, and A Rui had returned to Chimo Hall.
“Big brother, you mean I should hide the Demon-Subduing Celestial Rod and never let Demon Lord Bai Miaoxiang see it?”
