The Third Volume Chapter Twenty: The Demon Clan's City

  I shuddered and looked at Ziyan, saying in surprise: "I'm a spy for the beastmen, are you just going to let me harm the entire human nation while I'm in Longshen? Don't deceive yourself, okay? After all, my race is different from yours."

  "Zi Yan said strongly: "How are you different, don't you also have a quarter of human blood?" I sighed and said: "Forget it, I don't want to wear a mask to be human anymore, I'm tired, really really tired."

  Ziyan also tried to persuade me: "But Zixue will miss you, she will be reluctant to part with you."

  I helplessly said: "I also can't bear to part with her, but this isn't something I can decide. Now I only have the road back to the Beastman Country. I believe Zixue will forget me." Ziyan suddenly hugged my arm tightly, half of her slender body clinging to me, her voice suddenly very low: "But I also can't bear to part with you."

  I was startled in my heart, thinking I had misheard: "You, what did you say?"

  Ziyan plucked up the courage, staring at me unyieldingly, and said loudly word by word: "I say, I also can't bear to part with you." My whole body felt as if it had been electrocuted, numb and unable to move. Although I knew Ziyan had a crush on me, I didn't expect her to express her feelings so clearly.

  After a while, I barely calmed down the ups and downs of my heart: "Don't talk nonsense, we are good friends, next time there is an opportunity, I will go to Longshen to see you."

  Ziyan's face was red and swollen, but her tone was very firm: "Don't avoid me, you know I'm not talking about that. I like you, genuinely like you. Zi Xue can be with you, why can't I? You need to return to the Beastman Country, I won't stop you. Men should do what they're supposed to do. I only ask one thing of you."

  "What?" I asked blankly.

  Ziyan took a deep breath and said as calmly as possible: "I'm asking you to give me the same chance as Zixue, let me wait for you for three years too, okay?"

  My mind went blank, my eyes widened in shock, and I stared at Ziyan speechlessly. Ziyan's eyes turned red as she choked out the words: "Is it that... is it that I don't even have a chance to wait?"

  I lifted my hand and gently wiped away her tears: "Why are you so good to me, I don't deserve it!"

  "Is it worth it or not, isn't up to you to decide, let me wait for you, okay? Don't mind about Riva's affairs, I've never liked him. You, you're the first person to enter my heart, and I'm already so shameless as to express my inner feelings, but you won't even give me a vague chance? You're so cruel."

  "Yan, I'm fine, okay, if you're sure."

  A beautiful smile reappeared on Zi Yan's face, her appearance of pear flowers in the rain made me feel exceptionally moved: "I'm sure, I'm certainly sure, don't worry, my sister should also be willing to wait for you, I can definitely persuade her to accept me, as for Ah Xue, I understand her better than you."

  I felt a heavier burden on my heart because I made another promise: "If I don't die in three years, I will definitely come back to find you."

  Zi Xue covered my mouth and said, "Don't say such unlucky words, you'll definitely be fine, Lei Xiang—" I nodded.

  "Hug me, okay?"

  When I heard her request, I felt that all the blood in my body was boiling, and I recklessly held her in my arms, quietly and forcefully embracing her.

  Ziyan's soft and delicate body was tightly embedded in mine, two pure hearts constantly intersecting.

  We listened to each other's rapid heartbeat, and even the bonfire beside us seemed to soften. I gently lifted her chin with one hand, looked at her enchanting cherry lips, and slowly pressed down.

  Ziyan closed her eyes, waiting for me to leave my mark on her. Just as our lips were about to touch, a strong white light suddenly burst out of Ziyan's body, and with a loud crash, I was blown away by this sudden power and heavily collided with a nearby tree. Ziyan quickly flashed over, and I spat out a mouthful of blood, my eyes filled with an incredulous expression: "You... why..." Ziyan cried out, calling my name, as if explaining something, but my consciousness had already become blurry. The sacred power of the light element was engaged in a mortal struggle with the heavenly magic within me, and this struggle would decide my life or death. Under the intense pain that spread throughout my body, I fainted into Ziyan's arms. When I woke up, I was still leaning against Ziyan, who was propped against a large tree, her face covered with several crystal-like tears.

  I checked my body and fortunately, the dark magic within me was extremely pure. Although my meridians were severely damaged, they still held their ground, slowly forcing out the light elements from my body, which also saved my life.

  What brought me good fortune out of misfortune was that in the conflict between the two elements, many meridians that were fractured and damaged were actually unblocked.

  I moved my hands and feet a bit, and the pain had eased up a lot. I patted Ziyan's small face and called out: "Wake up."

  Zi Yan opened her drowsy eyes: "Ah! Lei Xiang, you're awake. Are you okay?" I nodded, furrowing my brow as I looked at her and asked: "I'm fine, what's going on here?"

  "I don't know what's going on either. I was born with a soft white glow emanating from my body, and my father had me checked by a powerful light magic master who said I have an unknown sacred power inside me that's very strong but doesn't affect my body. When I was seven, I encountered a pervert while playing outside who seemed to have pedophilia and tried to kiss me, but he got blown away by a beam of light just like what happened to you earlier. All I could feel was the power surging out of my body, but I couldn't control it at all. As I grew up, I learned light magic and progressed very quickly, but even now, I still can't control that mysterious power. My teacher said that maybe when my magical powers become stronger in the future, I might be able to control it. Sorry again for hurting you."

  Hearing her say that, I could only admit to being unlucky. I said with a mixture of laughter and tears: "I didn't expect that I would be treated the same as a pervert." Ziyan's small face turned red as she said: "I will intensify my training, in the future when you... get close to me, it definitely won't be like this again."

  I hope so, who would want to marry a wife who can only watch and not move? I sighed and said: "This is all in the future, I won't touch you again from now on. You shouldn't blame yourself too much either, this isn't your fault. I'll seize the time to practice, then send you back."

  Zi Yan nodded silently. From that day on, Zi Yan took charge of my daily life and food, and the task of finding fruit was completely handed over to her. Zi Yan took care of me meticulously, just like a gentle wife taking care of her husband, and I could no longer feel the coldness and arrogance from her as before.

  And I, with all my heart and soul, started practicing again. Having had the experience of repairing meridians once before, this time I didn't take any detours, and my recovery went very smoothly. Half a month later, my body had basically recovered, and my dark magic had made some progress. The fourth layer of the Tianmo Jue was surprisingly easy to practice, and in just a few months, I had already reached the middle stage of the fourth layer.

  "Lei Xiang, take a rest for a while and have something to eat." Ziyan is calling me to dinner.

  "Here I come." I, who had already taken off my mask, ran to her side like a kid, "Wow, today's fruits are so abundant!"

  Ziyan smiled and said: "Yes, today I and Heilong have circled a big circle, it seems that we don't need to go out again for two days."

  I picked up an unknown fruit, took a bite, and the sweet juice instantly filled my mouth: "Delicious, really delicious. Right, Ziyuan, my injury has almost healed, we should set off soon."

  Ziyan's expression darkened, and she said, "Don't rush, take a few more days to rest, it won't be late when you're fully recovered."

  She couldn't bear to part with me, but we had to part ways eventually, it's inevitable. I sighed and said: "Don't be like this, okay? You've already said that for the third time, the sooner we part, the sooner we can reunite, right?"

  Ziyan played with the fruit in her hand and bit her lip: "Alright, let's pack up and go."

  At this time, a sly look suddenly flashed in her eyes, and she said: "But do you know which direction we should go?"

  I was stunned, yes, which direction should I go to get back on the road? When I first ran out to chase Mo Yue, I still roughly remembered the direction, but after fainting, it was completely Zi Yan controlling the Black Dragon, how would I know where to return from. This is a troublesome matter.

  I scratched my head: "I don't know, if all else fails, we can only walk in one direction, and see where it takes us. We'll definitely find a village or something, and then we can figure out the direction." That's what I did when I first arrived at Longshen and got lost.

  Ziyan smiled slightly and said: "It's best if you can never find the right path, then you won't leave me."

  I gently stroked her light blue long hair and smiled: "I don't want to be separated from you either, but..."

  Ziyan covered my mouth and said, "I understand, let's eat something first, then I'll pack up, and we can go."

  Three days later, we finally walked out of the dense forest. Five days later, we encountered... I and Ziyan looked helplessly at the magnificent city in front of us. Compared to the Dragon God's city, this demon tribe's city was at least medium-sized or above.

  "What's wrong, are you going in or not?" Ziyan asked me.

  I bitterly smiled and said: "With our human characteristics, we'll be caught as soon as we go in!"

  Ziyan said: "What are the characteristics of the demon clan?" I looked at her and replied stupidly: "There should be characteristics, I'm not very clear."

  Ziyan smiled complacently and said, "Don't know, huh? I do."

  "Do you know?"

  "Of course, she's a talented woman after all. High-ranking demons are actually hard to distinguish from humans in appearance, they just have much whiter skin than humans. The eyes of the highest-ranking demon royal family are purple, while ordinary high-ranking demons are not much different from humans."

  I suddenly realized: "You're so white, dressing up as a demon should be no problem, but I..." My skin can't be said to be white, it's completely bronze.

  Yan smiled and said, "You're so silly, have you forgotten your Fallen Angel transformation? Even if you don't transform, your eyes are still purple-black, although not very pure, but it should be enough to get by."

  "Yes, I have a demonic royal bloodline, it seems that this hybrid also has an advantage." "Then shall we go in?"

  "Of course, we can go play in the demon clan, that's great!" She looked exactly like a little girl.

  "Come on, Black Dragon, let's go take a look at the Demon Clan."

  As soon as I entered this demon city, I didn't feel any difference from the dragon god city, except that occasionally high-level demons would pass by with their demonic beasts, and some differences could be seen. I found that the people around us looked at us with strange eyes, and even some were afraid. Am I a killer king or something? I don't know what they're so afraid of. Zi Yan leaned on my broad shoulder, pointing and gesturing at the surrounding scenery, excited beyond words, completely without any sense of crisis in an alien tribe.

  "Ziyan, you found out, didn't you? They look at us as if they're a bit afraid."

  "I discovered this early on, what's so strange about it, they must have taken you for a noble of the demon tribe. You don't know, according to the empire's historical records, the demon tribe has an extremely strong sense of hierarchy, even stronger than that of the dragon gods, where one rank above can crush people to death. It is precisely this system that makes the entire demon tribe disunited and unable to develop."

  I looked at the tattered clothes on my body and smiled bitterly: "With our wretched appearance, we're still nobles."

  Ziyan seemed to remember that she had used all her underwear to bandage me, and her face suddenly turned red. She lay on me without saying a word. "Can the Demon Clan use gold coins?"

  "Should be okay, currency doesn't discriminate between races, it's all the same everywhere."

  "Let's find a place to settle down first and tidy ourselves up. Looking like this, we can't even pretend to be nobles."

  "Look, Axiang, is that an inn up ahead?"

  I've gotten used to her calling me that, ever since we left the forest, she's insisted on it, saying it's more intimate. I couldn't do anything about it, so I just let her be. Currently, Ziyan is as clingy as Zixue was, although I don't know if there will be any results in the future, but for now, I'm really enjoying my days with her. In the depths of my heart, I also don't want to part with her.

  "Hello, what service do you need?"

  I returned to my usual apathetic self and said lightly: "Get us two guest rooms."

  The waiter said nervously: "Yes, yes, please follow me. But we only have one luxury suite left, it's a suite, you see..."

  I frowned and said: "Am I that scary? One set is just one set." Anyway, it's not like I'll do anything with Ziyan, so let's just stay in one room.

  Ziyan lightly pinched me and didn't say anything in opposition.

  "No, no."

  Looking at his frightened appearance, I didn't say anything else. The waiter led us to a very luxurious suite. The entire floor was covered with long-haired carpets made of beast skin, which felt soft and comfortable underfoot. Various paintings hung on the walls, and the room could only be described as resplendent. The outer house was the living room, where the thick and sturdy sofa looked very comfortable. On the other side of the wall was a huge decorative fireplace. Entering the inner house, the massive bed took up almost half of the room, and decorations made of various precious stones filled the entire room.

  Even if she was the duke's daughter, Ziyan couldn't help but stare: "Ashang, do we have to be so extravagant?"

  I smiled slightly and said, "What's wrong with that? Isn't it better to live comfortably? I don't care about the money, let's just stay here."

  The waiter asked tentatively: "Are you still satisfied here?"

  I nodded and said, "Alright, let's leave it at that. Is there a clothing store around here? We just came from the front lines, look at our worn-out state."

  The waiter hastily said: "Yes, yes, yes, I'll bring a tailor over in a moment to make two sets for you. Is that okay?"

  The treatment of the demon clan is really good, everything is so convenient, this time I'll just be a big brother. I said coldly: "That's good, let it be like that, send us some more food, make it exquisite, understand?"

  "I understand, I'll go prepare it for you right away."

  His thoughtful service made me feel at ease, so I tossed him a gold coin and said: "This is for you, hurry up, we've traveled a long way and need to rest early. My horse was just put in your stable, just throw some good fodder next to it and that's all, no need to groom it, my horse has a bit of a temper, I'll take care of it myself tomorrow."

  The waiter held up the gold coin with a bitter face and said: "Sir, this small one can't be taken, serving you is a honor for me."

  "Cut the crap, take it and go, I'm different from others, got it?"

  The waiter was taken aback, clearly having never seen a noble like me before, and didn't dare say anything else, turning around and leaving.

  As I watched him leave, I said to Ziyan: "It seems what you said is right, the hierarchy concept here is really strong. I haven't even spoken any heavy words yet, and look at how scared that waiter is."

  Ziyan smiled and said, "You put on that coffin face, no one would dare to offend you, not even in the Dragon God's place." She turned around and fell onto the large sofa, stretched her waist and comfortably said, "So comfortable, you try it too."

  I suppressed the urge to kiss her, sat down beside her with a faint smile and said: "The environment here is really good, I hope it won't be exposed too quickly. When I sent Hei Long to the stable just now, I asked and found out that there are thousands of miles between here and the pass, so we don't have to rush in the next day or two, let's rest for a few more days before sending you back."

  "Great, great! I also want to learn more about the local customs and people here." It's clear that she's genuinely happy. "Knock, knock, knock!" The sound of knocking on the door comes from outside. I grab the nearby Mo Ming, one must be cautious when in a foreign land. Opening the door, I let out a sigh of relief, it's just someone delivering something.

  Three waiters and a demon over forty years old came in. The previous waiter put down the things and said, "Sir, here are underwear and some food, this is Tailor-sama."

  The tailor's status was apparently higher than that of the waiter, who seemed very respectful when introducing him. The tailor stepped forward quickly and said: "Sir, I'll take your measurements now, is that all right with you?"

  I nodded and threw the ink aside. The tailor's movements were very quick, and he took our measurements at the fastest speed. I reminded him: "For this lady's clothes, you just need to choose a good material, and mine needs to be warrior attire, understand?"

  "I understand, I won't disturb your rest."

  With her undergarments on, she could finally take a bath. What's more comfortable than taking a hot shower? She changed into clean white undergarments and after eating just a few mouthfuls of food, Ziyuan snuggled into the blankets on her large bed and fell asleep.

  I also wanted to go, but she blushed and drove me out.

  I lay on the sofa, eating delicious and exquisite snacks, feeling much more relaxed in body and mind.

  I sat with Ziyuan in the grand hall, looking at each other and couldn't help but burst out laughing. I was wearing a black warrior outfit, with a black cloak draped over my shoulders, and a bright red gemstone tied to my chest. The same gemstone adorned my black hairband, only smaller. Ziyuan explained that black is the most revered color of the demon tribe, and they must have thought I was of the highest rank to dress me like this. The tailor had a good eye; he made Ziyuan a gray long gown that complemented her pale blue hair perfectly, making her look both elegant and refined, yet not lacking in simplicity. When she first put it on, I was stunned for a full minute.

  As the saying goes, people need clothes and Buddhas need gold. With our new outfits on, we look just like a high-class demon couple.

  The hotel owner had originally prepared a private room for us, but I asked to change it to the main hall. It's just a meal, is it that particular? In order to cater to Ziyuan's taste, I specifically ordered some light dishes. She was used to eating fruit and suddenly eating large fish and meat would not be easy on her digestive system.

  This inn is considered to be of a relatively high grade in this city, and there aren't many guests. Only about twenty percent of the seats are occupied, mostly by some higher-ranking demons. At the entrance of the main hall, there's even a sign that says "Lowly people and magical beasts are not allowed inside." It can be seen how deeply ingrained the concept of hierarchy is in the minds of demons.

  The dishes of the demon tribe may not be as exquisite as those of the dragon god, but compared to our beastman tribe, they are much stronger and have a unique flavor. Of course, I still eat like before, wolfing down food like a cow chewing on peonies.

  Ziyan's high education was evident from a young age, although she didn't eat much, but looked elegant and moving. "A Xiang, slow down your eating, don't forget, you are now a noble."

  "The nobles also need to eat their fill, wait until I'm half full and then pay attention." We were eating on this side, when a group of people came in from outside, about twenty or so, dressed luxuriously, each with an arrogant look. "Boss, give us ten rooms, and also, that high-class room our master stayed in last time is also wanted, hurry up and prepare it."

  Looking at their ferocious appearance, the boss's face turned somewhat pale under the magical lamp light: "Right, sorry gentlemen, there are still ten rooms available, but that upper room has been occupied by other distinguished guests, you see, is it..."

  "What's going on? Who lives here is asked to move out. Our family is a high-ranking aristocracy, hereditary earls. Can you afford to offend us?"

  Ziyan smiled slightly at me and said in a low voice: "I think they want our room, if not, we can just give it to them."

  I smiled and said: "Aren't you the one who values strength the most? At this time, it's only right that I protect you. How can I let you go out?"

  "Ugh, this isn't the Dragon God's place, we're still not safe. Let's not look for trouble. Do you think I'm so unaware of the situation? You're underestimating me."

  Her lovely appearance made me a bit infatuated: "That can't be helped, isn't this just the perfect opportunity for me to show off my noble strength? Just wait and watch the good show."

  At this time, a demon had already grabbed the boss's collar and was about to take action.

  I lightly plucked, a chopstick flew out and landed right on the demon's hand. The demon let out a pained cry, blood flowing down his hand, and cursed loudly: "Who dares to ambush me? You don't want to live!"

  I stood up straight, adjusted my clothes, and said in a low voice: "It's me, I don't want to live anymore. What, are you going to send me on my way, sir?"

  "Son of a bitch..." He stopped cursing when he saw what I was wearing and looked at me cautiously.

  I strode up to him, narrowing my eyes and glaring at him. Suddenly, I swung out with a slap, sending him flying: "You lowly servant, speak more cleanly from now on. Where is your master? Let him come out and talk." Anyway, since I was dressed as a noble, I naturally had to be a bit overbearing, which suited my status.

  A soft and feminine voice came over: "I am his master, when beating a dog one must consider the master, are you humiliating me? Which family are you from?" The guards scattered, and a middle-aged man with a full head of golden hair and a slightly stout build walked out. From his appearance, he was absolutely male, but that voice just now... A layer of goosebumps suddenly appeared on my back.

  He took one look at me and his eyes lit up, exclaiming in a shrill voice: "Oh my, which family's young master is this? He's quite the handsome one, come let grandpa take a look."

  As expected, this guy is one of those with special hobbies. Ziyan also walked to my side at this time, seeing my awkward appearance, she suppressed her smile and said: "What are you, dare to speak to our grandfather like that?"

  The middle-aged man's face changed color as soon as he saw Ziyan, with a complex expression that included jealousy, envy, and disgust. When he heard Ziyan's question, he puffed out his somewhat sunken chest and said: "I am Earl Huster Falsenburg, a hereditary title. What are you? I'm talking to your master, how dare you interrupt?"

  When I heard him insult Ziyan, I suddenly felt a surge of anger and was about to strike. Ziyan quietly pulled my sleeve and smiled: "I'm not something, our master is not either, our master's name is Lei Lusifa, haven't you heard of it?"

  Upon hearing Ziyan's words, the yellow-haired middle-aged man, so-called Count Huster Non-True, suddenly changed his expression and muttered to himself: "Lei Lusifa, Lei Lusifa, you are a member of the imperial family?"

  Ziyan put on a domineering expression and said, "Do you know what's good for you? Scram! You're disturbing our master while he's eating. I'll kill your whole family and make sure this hereditary title of yours is never passed down again."

  Witnessing the dramatic change, I silently watched Zi Yan, waiting to see how she would continue. Hester's flabby face twitched as he forced himself to say, "Who can prove that he is not an imposter?"

  As the protagonist, I must play my part. I took off my cloak and shouted in a low voice: "Ziyan, get out of the way! Dark energy condenses the soul, falling is freedom, wake up, endless magic that has been sleeping in my blood." A strong dark aura emanated from me, filling the entire inn with an eerie feeling.

  Ziyan's face revealed a hint of discomfort, and she retreated to a distant place. My light green long hair instantly turned black, and the pair of wings symbolizing the fallen angel unfolded behind me, gently flapping in the new warrior attire. A dark shadow flashed, I grasped the middle-aged man's neck with one hand, revealing an evil smile on my face, and said coldly: "Is this proof sufficient?"

  Hust's false followers all knelt down on the ground after my transformation, looking at me with pleading eyes and trembling all over. Hust, whose voice was a little hoarse from being grabbed by the neck, trembled as he said: "I believe it, I believe it, Lord Fallen Angel, spare my life."

  The fallen angel is extremely rare even among the demon royal family, and has absolute power over life and death in the demon world. Demoting him from his position was an easy task.

  I loosened my grip and flung him aside, saying coldly: "I'm fighting for my life on the front lines, while you useless cowards are having a good time in the rear. You dare to provoke me? Today I'll take your life." A black mist spread around me, and all the demons present knew that this was a sign that the Fallen Angel was about to strike.

  Xiu Si's eyes were wide with fear, and he kowtowed repeatedly, begging pitifully: "Great lord, spare my life! I truly didn't recognize your greatness. Please spare this humble life of mine. Killing me would sully your noble hands..." Suddenly, I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. My wound had only just healed, and transforming again so soon was a huge burden on me. Since we'd already achieved our goal, there was no need to keep up the act any longer.

  I waved my hand and withdrew the dark magic that had been released. I returned to my normal form and said, "Get out of here."

  "Yes, yes." Xue Ze unexpectedly really rolled on the ground before getting up, making me and Zi Yan burst out laughing.

  "I pointed to the clothes behind me and said: 'In order to confirm your identity, I ruined my newly made clothes and affected my dinner. What do you think should be done about it, sir?'"

  Xiu Si said in a low and humble tone: "I'll compensate, I'll compensate. I'll definitely get you the best clothes. Ah, no, ten sets, to ensure your satisfaction."