The next day.
In the Demon God Hall, the demon god meeting proceeded as scheduled, and Xu Xian once again stepped into this grand hall filled with crimson mist.
The difference this time was that he didn't have to carry his own chair.
Of course, the table that symbolized the authority of the demon gods was also gone.
It was quite a shame.
Xu Xian felt a pang of regret; if they had given him a bit more money back then, he wouldn't have ended up refining that giant table into something else.
He didn't blame himself for being extravagant; he blamed the demon gods for being so small-minded.
As the demon son, Xu Xian naturally sat in the seat of honor and received the homage of the various demon gods.
Xu Xian didn't waste any time. As soon as he sat down, he went straight to the point.
"I heard you were all looking for me."
"I assume it's regarding the matter of the Emperor's Tomb."
Xu Xian had only one word for it.
"Go."
"We must go."
"It is time to let the worlds outside know that our Demon Abyss still stands."
He further expressed his willingness to lead the group himself.
He vowed with absolute certainty that he would return in triumph from this trip to the Emperor's Tomb.
His confidence was more than just overflowing; it was practically spilling out.
The arrogance of the demon son, Bai Mang, was within the expectations of the demon gods. It was normal for someone with true ability to be a bit conceited.
However...
They still offered a kind reminder that this trip would be different from those in the past.
This time, it was a global contention.
Setting aside the Golden Generation of the Wendao Sword Sect, whose momentum was at its peak and could not be underestimated, the descendants of the demon immortals from the mysterious lands of the North Sea were even more significant. It was even possible that descendants of the True Dragon Clan might enter the tomb to compete.
It was better to be cautious and make more preparations.
Xu Xian waved his hand dismissively and said arrogantly, "Hmph... You all worry too much. The Golden Generation of the Wendao Sword Sect doesn't even catch my eye. As for Xu Xian, he is nothing more than a trivial target waiting to be killed. As for those descendants of demon immortals you mentioned, it's fine if they don't show up, but if this demon son runs into them, I will flay them, eat their flesh, and drink their blood."
He was arrogant beyond measure.
The expressions of the demon gods were more than just colorful.
However, it had to be said that their previously uneasy hearts actually calmed down after just a few words from Bai Mang.
Their demon son might be a bit greedy, a bit lustful, vain, wild, irresponsible, eccentric, and loved to show off, but his strength was undeniable.
The scene of him manifesting sanctity in the Nether Capital was still a topic of great interest and remained unforgettable.
Perhaps this time, under his leadership, the demon race truly could become the biggest winners in the Emperor's Tomb and return with great opportunities, leading to the revitalization of the demon race.
Even the Wendao Sword Sect would have to avoid their sharp edge.
The meeting began with Bai Mang's boasting and ended with it as well. The demon gods dispersed one after another, returning to their respective tribes to prepare for the departure to the Blazing Fortress.
To ensure that the younger generation of the Demon Abyss wouldn't be intercepted and killed halfway, Bai Mang ordered that the demon gods would mobilize in full, and the elites of the demon guards, Nether Guards, and Demon God Guards would be reassigned to the Blazing Fortress temporarily.
Such a massive mobilization drew dissatisfaction and confusion from the demon gods.
Why go to such lengths as to move the entire race?
Xu Xian's reason was simple and clear.
He said he would definitely win.
Everything inside the Emperor's Tomb would belong to him, and no one else could touch it. The reason for these preparations was to prevent those from the human, demon, and spirit races outside the Demon Abyss from becoming envious and trying to ambush him when he returned in victory.
At that moment, the demon gods were left stunned.
He hadn't even gone in yet, and he was already thinking about what would happen when he came out?
That was a bit... too far-sighted.
Still, he was the demon son, so they decided to listen to him. Such a possibility did exist, even if it was very small.
But what if? Having a larger presence was never a bad thing; it was better to be prepared.
Finally, leaving the Demon God Palace, Xu Xian prepared to return to the Nether Hall, but was intercepted by Chi Ming on the way, who said he wanted to invite him to dinner and asked Xu Xian to give him some face.
Was he joking? How much was face even worth?
He gave it readily.
Xu Xian wasn't a petty person, so he followed along.
He said it was dinner, and it truly was a dinner. In a magnificent hall under brilliant lights stood a large table filled with delicacies from the mountains and seas.
There was everything that flew in the sky, ran on the ground, or swam in the water.
It was the height of luxury.
Xu Xian told himself that in his two lives combined, he had eaten many meals, but this was the first time he had seen one so extravagant.
Unfortunately, despite the table full of delicious food, not a single bite entered his mouth.
It wasn't because it didn't taste good, but because Xu Xian had no intention of eating at all.
At the seventh stage, why would he still need to eat?
He didn't even have an appetite for the flesh of a beast god, let alone this.
However, the wine from Chi Ming's house was truly excellent.
It was good wine.
Xu Xian told Chi Ming to give him a few bottles when he left.
Chi Ming was a bit speechless, but knowing Xu Xian's temperament, he didn't think too much of it and asked how many bottles he wanted.
Xu Xian replied with three words: the more, the better.
After three rounds of drinks, Xu Xian stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "Brother Chi, I understand your intention in inviting me to dinner. You can rest assured. I've watched Xiao Ji grow up. I will naturally look after her during the trip to the Emperor's Tomb. Nothing will happen to her."
Chi Ming clicked his tongue and said, "Does the demon son think I invited you to dinner just to have you look after my Xiao Ji?"
Xu Xian said as a matter of course, "Otherwise?"
It wasn't like he wanted to be his father-in-law, right? That wouldn't work; they were different species.
Chi Ming said in a meaningful tone, "Demon son, let me ask you, does Xiao Ji have the final say in whether she goes or not?"
Xu Xian's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean by that, Brother Chi? Did Xiao Ji tell you she doesn't want to go? Could it be that you're forcing her to go?"
Chi Ming stared straight at Bai Mang. "What do you think?"
Xu Xian felt a bit guilty, but his eyes didn't waver. Using the slight buzz from the wine, he played dumb while knowing the truth, shaking his head and saying, "I don't know."
Chi Ming stopped there and didn't press further, but his meaning was already very clear.
His daughter didn't listen to him; she only listened to Bai Mang.
Whether she went or not, Chi Ming didn't have the final say, and neither did Chi Ji.
Only Bai Mang's word counted.
If Bai Mang told her to go, she would go. If Bai Mang told her not to, she wouldn't.
The Crimson Demon was very honest. He said his daughter had average aptitude, and whether it was her personality, intelligence, or talent, she was destined to never dominate the world like others. His requirements weren't high; he just wanted her to stay alive. It didn't matter if she didn't get any opportunities from the Emperor's Tomb.
However, since she was chosen by Bai Mang and was willing to follow him, then Bai Mang had to be responsible for her.
It wasn't the kind of responsibility between a man and a woman, but the responsibility of a superior to a subordinate.
Since she was doing the shady work for you, you couldn't let her take the blame.
She could be your shadow, but you couldn't treat her as a literal shield. Otherwise, as her father, he would not stand for it.
Parents' love is truly profound.
Since Chi Ming had spoken so clearly, how could Xu Xian not understand? He was just short of saying outright: I know you're using my daughter as a body double.
The dinner invitation was a facade; the warning and testing were the reality.
Xu Xian didn't feel resentful, but he was secretly alarmed.
He had been found out after all. Chi Ming saw through it, the Small Priest saw through it, and likely the other demon gods saw through it too. They just didn't say it.
He thought to himself that they really were a bunch of old foxes with incredibly sharp eyes.
He couldn't help but complain to the little book spirit, "These old things are not easy to fool. This is going to be difficult!"
Rate on N.U.
