Descendant of Duke Wen

The woman looked up at Chen Zhou, her gaze clear.

"I am Tao Tuantuan of the Peach Clan."

"This is Yang Dingding, from the Ghost Ram Clan."

Yang Dingding stood beside Tao Tuantuan. Hearing her speak so politely, he grew anxious.

"Tuantuan, why are you being so polite to Wan Xiu's lapdogs?"

He glared, his hand still gripping his large blade tightly. Blood continued to seep from his wounds, but he remained oblivious, warily watching Chen Zhou and Jian Huaishuang.

"These two clearly aren't up to any good. When that swordsman fought me just now, his death qi was exactly like those monsters under Wan Xiu!"

Tao Tuantuan sighed, walked over, and patted his arm.

"Dingding, I asked earlier. Neither of these lords lied; they are not Wan Xiu's men."

Hearing this, Dingding believed her. He knew of Tao Tuantuan's ability; if she said there was no problem, then it was definitely true.

"Is that so..."

He lowered his blade, the ferocity on his face vanishing instantly into awkwardness. He looked at Jian Huaishuang and said apologetically.

"My apologies, brother. I heard someone say Wan Xiu's lapdogs had returned, and I just lost my head for a moment."

Jian Huaishuang looked at him expressionlessly, saying nothing.

Dingding felt even more awkward under his gaze. He scratched his head so vigorously it seemed he might tear his scalp.

Tao Tuantuan spoke softly from the side, "Dingding, if I saw correctly, that lord only used thirty percent of his strength when he fought you."

Dingding was stunned.

"Thirty percent?"

Tao Tuantuan nodded. "If he had gone all out, you wouldn't have stood a chance."

Dingding fell silent for a moment before letting out a chuckle and cupping his fists toward Jian Huaishuang.

"Then I really must thank you for showing mercy, brother!"

His gesture was grand and forceful, making a loud thud as if he were trying to break his own hands.

Jian Huaishuang still didn't speak, only nodding slightly. Dingding didn't mind; he stowed his blade with a laugh and walked back to Tao Tuantuan's side.

Chen Zhou looked at Tao Tuantuan and asked, "You actually know of Wan Xiu?"

Tao Tuantuan nodded, her expression calm. "I won't hide it from you, Lord. My ancestor was Duke Wen, one of the Three Dukes serving under the former Master of Tianchi Province, True Lord of Purity and Filth."

Chen Zhou raised an eyebrow.

Duke Wen?

Purity and Filth had indeed mentioned that he had three dukes: Wen, Martial, and Wu.

Duke Wen managed internal affairs, handled supplies, and reassured the people. Duke Martial held military power, commanded the demon army, and led campaigns. Duke Wu oversaw sacrifices, communicated with heaven and earth, and performed divinations.

He hadn't expected to encounter a descendant of Duke Wen here.

Tao Tuantuan continued, "A thousand years ago, True Lord of Purity and Filth fell into a trap set by Wan Xiu. He consumed the Golden Buddha, intending to purify Tianchi Province, but instead, madness consumed his mind."

"My ancestor, Duke Wen, fought desperately but was eventually defeated. Before his death, he left a command for our clan to hide underground and endure, waiting for the right time."

Chen Zhou looked at her and asked, "You actually know the truth of what happened back then?"

Tao Tuantuan was slightly taken aback, seemingly confused by Chen Zhou's question.

She thought for a moment before saying sincerely, "Lord, although I did not experience those events personally, my ancestor left behind many notes and records detailing that history."

"True Lord of Purity and Filth was framed. Wan Xiu is the real culprit."

Chen Zhou smiled.

"Isn't that a coincidence?"

Tao Tuantuan was stunned.

Chen Zhou said, "We just came from True Lord of Purity and Filth's side. We only parted ways a short while ago."

Dingding's eyes widened instantly as he looked at Chen Zhou in disbelief. "What?"

He lunged forward, nearly bumping into Tao Tuantuan, and stared intently at Chen Zhou.

"You're saying Lord Purity and Filth is still alive?"

Chen Zhou nodded. "You could say he's still alive."

Dingding's voice cracked. "Is he... is he sane?"

Chen Zhou said, "He is. He's with me now."

Dingding froze in place, his mouth agape, unable to speak for a long time.

Then, his eyes suddenly reddened.

"He's sane... he's sane..."

He muttered to himself, repeating it several times. Then he suddenly crouched down, covering his face with both hands, his shoulders trembling.

Tao Tuantuan looked down at him and let out a soft sigh.

She looked at Chen Zhou and said seriously, "Everything the lord says is true."

Dingding trembled on the ground for a while before suddenly standing up and messily wiping his face with his sleeve.

"Forgive me for making a scene before the lord."

He sniffled and grinned, though his eyes were still red, making him look somewhat comical.

"I'm just too happy. Lord Purity and Filth is alive and sane... I..."

As he spoke, his voice choked up again. He quickly shut his mouth and took a deep breath.

Chen Zhou found his behavior interesting.

This man's personality was similar to Poison-Wing's—emotions worn on his sleeve, simple-minded, and easy to read.

He looked back at Tao Tuantuan.

She stood there with a faint smile, watching Dingding with a gentle gaze.

But Chen Zhou noticed something.

When he had said that Purity and Filth was alive and sane, Dingding's first reaction was disbelief followed by pure, undeniable joy.

It was genuine happiness that couldn't be faked.

But Tao Tuantuan was different. Her first reaction had been a slight furrowing of her brow.

Though it lasted only an instant and was quickly masked by joy, Chen Zhou had seen it clearly.

What did that momentary frown mean? It was a rather intriguing reaction.

Chen Zhou made a mental note of it but remained composed. He reached into his robes and pulled out a large handful of pills.

They were red and white, stinking to high heaven with a thick scent of blood.

They were all first-stage Flesh-Reconstitution Pills.

"Since we've met, consider it fate."

Chen Zhou handed the pills to Tao Tuantuan. "Take these and distribute them to the demons of the underground city. Let them fill their stomachs first."

Tao Tuantuan looked at the handful of pills, her nostrils flaring as she sniffled them.

As a plant-based demon, her sensitivity to flesh and blood energy was stronger than other races. She could feel that the energy within these pills was incredibly dense.

They were far more enticing than the mushrooms in her basket. A single pill would be enough to sustain a low-level demonling for days, and there were at least a hundred here.

She looked up at Chen Zhou, a trace of complexity flashing in her eyes.

"Lord, this..."

Chen Zhou waved his hand. "Take them. I have plenty more."

Tao Tuantuan was silent for a moment before taking the pills and bowing deeply.

"Thank you, Lord."

Dingding leaned in, looking at the pills in Tao Tuantuan's hand, and curiously poked one.

"Can you eat this stuff?"

He picked one up, sniffled it, and frowned.

"It stinks. It smells just like those monsters of Wan Xiu's."

Chen Zhou smiled. "You can give it a try."

Dingding hesitated for a moment before popping the pill into his mouth.

After a couple of chews, his eyes began to glow brighter and brighter.

"This is good stuff!"