The Intentions of the Crimson Demon

That same night, at the Crimson Demon Palace, the Small Priest accepted an invitation and traveled a thousand miles across the Nether Pool from the Nether Hall.

Seeing that Chi Ming had been waiting for a long time, she asked, "Uncle Ming, why the urgency? What do you need from me?"

Chi Ming got straight to the point. "Do you know what your sister has been up to lately?"

The Small Priest replied with a question of her own. "Why ask so suddenly?"

"I am the one asking you," Chi Ming said.

The Small Priest responded calmly, "What else could she be doing? Hasn't sister been investigating that single sword strike outside the Ze Capital?"

She was feigning ignorance while knowing the truth.

Chi Ming did not bother to delve deeper. He recounted everything the demon gods had discussed that day and detailed the shifting situation in the Nether Capital over the past month, providing his own analysis.

After listening, the Small Priest's expression shifted between light and shadow.

Though she stayed within the Nether Hall, she knew a fair amount about the events occurring in the Nether Capital. The boy named Bai Mang was no longer a secret within the circles of the heavenly demon race.

She also knew that her sister had approached this boy in a particular way. She knew it was her sister’s intentional actions that had made the matter known to the entire city.

As for why her sister was doing this, she could guess a few reasons, but she wasn't certain.

Now, a third-class demon named Bai Mang was publicly practicing the 【primordial demon art · Nether Fire Secret Art】, which directly threatened the fundamental interests and bottom line of the heavenly demon race.

It was no surprise to her that the various demon gods were privately plotting to nip this threat in the bud. It was exactly as she had expected.

Jin Yu was not overly worried. She believed that since her sister had taken these actions, she must have anticipated the current situation. She surely had a counter-plan or her own secret intentions.

Only...

She did not quite understand why it was the Crimson Demon, Chi Ming, telling her all this instead of someone else.

She tested him with her words. "Uncle Ming, do you have some plan in telling me this? I don't quite understand."

Chi Ming lowered his eyes, his gaze flickering between dark and dim. What were his plans? He couldn't even explain them clearly to himself.

Or rather, even if he did speak the truth, it wouldn't be very credible. After all, his discord with the High Priest was something even the common mortal demons in the city could talk about. If it wasn't known by everyone in the world, it was close enough.

If he claimed he was acting for the public good, it would inevitably sound too hypocritical. After thinking for a moment, he decided it would be more practical to speak from a place of self-interest.

He answered, "I won't hide it from you. That book, the 【Nether Fire · Secret Art】, wasn't given to that child by your sister, but by A Ji."

Jin Yu's pupils constricted in slight shock.

After a brief pause, Chi Ming continued, "That child named Bai Mang did save A Ji’s life, after all. For certain reasons, I cannot step out to protect him, but I won't kick him while he's down. Your sister and I have political disagreements, but that is limited to the matter of the Nether Gate. In other aspects, at least regarding the restoration of the demon race, my stance has never changed."

Jin Yu nodded. "I understand."

Some things did not need to be explained fully; a hint was enough. Jin Yu understood Chi Ming's thoughts. In fact, to some extent, Chi Ming and Jin Qing were the two individuals in the entire Demon Abyss with the most similar ideologies and values. Regardless of what they did, their stances and attitudes were always clear—they both considered things from the perspective of the entire demon race.

They did not merely consider the interests of the heavenly demon race.

The only difference was that Chi Ming was occasionally pedantic, leaning his focus toward the heavenly demon race. Meanwhile, her sister had treated the heavenly demon race with the same standard as everyone else from beginning to end.

Perhaps it was because Chi Ming, as the patriarch of the Chi family, had too many burdens. Jin Qing, on the other hand, had no relatives left but herself and was free from such attachments.

Chi Ming said indifferently, "I have said what I needed to say. As for what you and your sister choose to do, that is up to you."

Jin Yu pressed her palm to her chest and bowed slightly. "I will accept this kindness on behalf of my sister, Uncle Ming. I will also relay your well-meaning intentions to her. Jin Yu will take her leave now."

Chi Ming remained silent.

The Small Priest, Jin Yu, quietly withdrew.

Outside the hall, separated by a single wall, a maidservant was acting suspiciously and snuck away.

Inside the hall, Chi Ming's ears twitched, and his gaze turned cold.

The new commander of the Crimson Demon Guards arrived as ordered. After Jin Yu left, he stepped into the hall and bowed respectfully. "Chi Wu, General Commander of the Crimson Demon Guards, pays his respects to Your Excellency."

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

Chi Ming said lightly, "Do you know why I summoned you?"

"Please instruct me, Your Excellency."

Chi Ming narrowed his eyes and asked, "If... I asked you to risk your life to protect a third-class demon, would you go?"

Chi Wu looked up slightly, meeting the eyes of the deity on the throne. A third-class demon? He already had an answer in his heart. Though he felt a sense of internal resistance, he averted his gaze and replied respectfully, "Whatever Your Excellency commands, Chi Wu shall do."

"Without asking for a reason?"

Chi Wu affirmed, "Without asking for a reason."

A flash of satisfaction crossed Chi Ming's eyes. The interests of the heavenly demons were interconnected. Among the eight great families—leaving aside the Jin family, which was nearly extinct—the remaining seven shared deep bonds. No matter how much the demon gods disagreed, it was inevitable that the younger generations would have ties and connections. Intermarriage between the seven families was the norm; for a heavenly demon, if you traced back three generations, you would surely find a relative in another family. Each little clique was inseparable.

His Chi family was no exception.

As the patriarch, Chi Ming knew better than anyone that while Chi Yan's betrayal was unexpected, it was still within the realm of reason. This time was no different; the kings and marquesses of the Chi family had already met with the other seven families in private to discuss the matter. Chi Ming didn't even have to think to know what they would choose. When core interests were involved, there was no room for negotiation.

This was why he had expressed at the demon god hall that he would not participate nor interfere. It was a statement for the other nine demon gods, but wasn't it also a statement for the members of the Chi family? He was still the patriarch, after all, and he had to avoid certain troubles.

Having received a satisfactory answer, he asked again, "Even if I don't say it, you should know who that person is, right?"

Without hesitation, Chi Wu blurted out, "I know. The third-class demon in Vagrant Alley, Bai Mang."

Chi Ming instructed, "Pick some trustworthy men from the Crimson Demon Guards and have them hide in Vagrant Alley. If you see that boy named Bai Mang manifest the nether fire, then protect him at all costs..."

Chi Wu respectfully replied, "I obey your will."

Chi Ming said slowly, "I hope you do not betray my trust. The taste of being betrayed is truly unpleasant."

Chi Wu immediately declared his stance. "Rest assured, Your Excellency. I will not. Like you, I am willing to sacrifice everything for the great cause of our race."

Chi Ming gave a slight smile. "Go then."

Chi Wu withdrew, the sound of his iron armor clanking.

Chi Wu understood why Chi Ming wanted to save Bai Mang: because of the nether fire. The nether fire was a divine fire, a sacred fire recorded in the demon records. And if it were to be ignited in this era, it would be a fire of hope.

Even though he never believed that a mere third-class demon could truly summon the nether fire that had been missing for countless ages.

In truth, Chi Ming didn't think Bai Mang could do it either, which was why he had tacitly allowed the heavenly demons to hunt him. However, for some reason, a voice deep within his sea of consciousness kept reminding him—what if?

He had never seen the boy named Bai Mang, but he knew the boy could kill a seventh rank at the sixth rank. He also knew the boy was closely related to that immortal sword strike. So...

He asked himself as well, "What if?"

He had to give the demon race a glimmer of hope. Thus, he had told the Small Priest and sent out Chi Wu. Likewise, if Bai Mang truly could summon the nether fire, he wouldn't mind personally stepping in to protect him at the critical moment.