The young man's demonic eyes had been fixed on the girl's eyes. Finally, after confirming that this demon princess had not lied, he withdrew his gaze and said softly, "I apologize for the disturbance, Your Highness."
After saying this, he left gracefully and did not stay here any longer.
The girl was expressionless, indifferent to the young man's departure.
After an unknown amount of time, she left the spot and headed towards a certain place.
……
……
Among the demons residing in the capital city were many undoubtedly influential figures. They might not necessarily enjoy living under the eyelids of the Demon Emperor, but if the Demon Emperor wanted them to stay, they would not be able to leave.
The residence of the High Priest was located in the southern part of the city, quite far from the imperial palace. This demon was the number two figure in name. Oftentimes, he was considered the executor of the Demon Emperor's will. He was the most loyal follower of the Demon Emperor. However, everyone believed that this situation would inevitably change at some point. Many thought that the current time might be that turning point. Therefore, early on, many prominent figures gathered in front of the residence to pay their respects.
The sedan chairs parked in front of the manor emitted terrifying auras. The big shots inside waited for the High Priest to open the door, and there seemed to be a hint of pressure in the air.
However, the entrance of the manor remained tightly shut, and no one opened it to welcome these prominent figures of the demon race.
At this moment, the High Priest was sitting under the porch, looking at the closed gate and sensing the terrifying auras. In his eyes which reflected the vicissitudes of life, there were some emotions that were difficult to decipher. A tea bowl was placed on the table in front of him, and a nearby stove was currently brewing tea.
A faint fragrance of tea wafted through the air, making the High Priest snap out of his thoughts. He looked at the tea bowl, paused, and then took out another one. Extending his hand to lift the teapot, he poured two cups of tea and said, "Being so disrespectful, it's no wonder His Majesty doesn't like you."
As he spoke, a breeze swept through the veranda, and a figure appeared before him.
The arrival was not considered too tall but had a slender figure. He wore a snow-white robe and had an extremely handsome face. His eyes, however, resembled a deep and bottomless well, making it impossible for anyone to discern his thoughts.
After glancing at the High Priest, the newcomer sat down slowly and got straight to the point, "I only have one question: How is His Majesty's injuries after the confrontation with the human monarch?"
The High Priest furrowed his brows slightly, and pushed one of the tea bowls toward the newcomer before asking, "Why do you think that His Majesty would be injured?"
The High Priest chuckled, "A figure like His Majesty, how could he be injured by a human?"
The person said indifferently, "We have known each other for many years, and now you still want to use these words to deceive me?"
The High Priest paid no attention and just drank a sip of tea, experiencing the slightly bitter taste that many demons were destined not to appreciate. He said with vicissitudes of emotion, "In fact, those great demons' proposal to completely wipe out the human race many years ago made no sense at all. If the human race was completely gone, what would we demons eat?"
The person glanced at the High Priest and said, "Demons who have achieved success in their cultivation don't have much interest in food."
The High Priest chuckled, "But there are too many demons at the lower levels, especially those who have just taken human form. They have no resistance toward food. When they smell the fresh blood of the human race, they get excited. In the demon region, these kinds of demons are the most numerous, and you can't deny that."
The person was somewhat impatient, "Why care about these things?"
The High Priest glanced at that person and was silent for a while before saying, "That's why your temperament is not suitable to be the Demon Emperor."
The person said calmly, "Whether I can become the Demon Emperor or not depends on my abilities, not my temperament."
The High Priest nodded, "Of course, whether you can become the Demon Emperor depends on whether you are truly the strongest in the demon race. But without a doubt, His Majesty is currently the strongest, and he will be for countless years to come. The opportunity you're waiting for has not yet arrived. Since there's no opportunity, it's best to remain patient. Even if you have to pretend, pretend to be more docile."
"Still the same sentence, I don't believe His Majesty isn't injured." The person's gaze was scorching, as if he could see the chair inside the imperial city with just one glance.
The High Priest sighed, "Let's take ten thousand steps back, even if His Majesty is injured, you shouldn't harbor any thoughts. You're not shrewd enough. If you think about making a move at this time, you'll definitely suffer, and it might even be pushing yourself into the abyss. I wouldn't say these words to anyone else, but since you consider me a friend, I advise you not to."
The person shook his head, "His thoughts run deep, so he plans a lot and has many considerations. Therefore, many things are hidden beneath the truth. Perhaps at this moment, he's extremely weak, it's precisely an opportunity for everyone. If we don't act now, we might regret it later."
The High Priest listened to these words and fell into silence for a long time without rushing to speak.
"You're his closest friend, and you know his condition best. You're also my friend. If he's extremely weak at this moment, you should tell me. I'll personally end his life, and you'll remain yourself, with no difference."
The High Priest looked at him. In the end, he still shook his head.
……
……
Not far from the imperial city, deep within an alley, there was a small courtyard.
The girl walked in, and soon she saw an old woman waiting for her here.
Seeing the old woman, the girl's expression softened, "How is Royal Father's condition now? There are undercurrents surging in the capital city, and I'm afraid they will make a move to kill Royal Father during the court session in three days."
The elderly woman in front of her was naturally a remarkable figure. She had lived in the imperial city for many years and had cared for the young girl since childhood, sharing a deep bond with her. Hearing these words, the wrinkles on the old woman's face bunched up, looking like ravines, carrying the profound scent of the years.
"Someone like His Majesty, it's naturally impossible to die easily. However, the current state of the capital city isn't where Your Highness should return to. Your Highness, you should leave immediately." The old woman's anxious voice sounded out. She genuinely treated the princess, whom she had watched grow up since childhood, as her own daughter and did not want her to encounter any danger.
The girl frowned, "Is there anywhere safer in this world than by Royal Father's side?"
If her royal father was truly going to die at the court session in three days, then hiding anywhere would not make any sense.
Because the newly-appointed Demon Emperor would definitely find a way to kill her.
The old woman said, "If there is no safe place in the Demon Realm, Your Highness should go to the humans. With some caution, it will always be safer than the Demon Realm."
The girl's expression turned somewhat unpleasant upon hearing this.
"Grandma, is Royal Father's condition truly so severe?"
For a demon princess to flee the Demon Realm and willingly enter the territory of humans, what did it imply?
Did this not mean that the current situation of the Demon Emperor had become extremely precarious?
The elderly woman looked affectionately at the girl with her turbid eyes and said with pity, "It hasn't reached such a dire situation, but the capital city is currently facing a great bloodshed, it's not a pleasant sight for you to witness."
The girl shook her head and asked, "Grandmother, can I see Royal Father before the court session?"
"His Majesty won't see anyone before the court session. Your Highness won't be able to see him either. In fact, if you can't see His Majesty now, waiting until the day of the court session or afterward won't make much difference. Even if Your Highness doesn't go to the human territory and goes elsewhere, it won't necessarily be a problem."
The old woman said softly. "The situation in the capital city has already been determined, and Your Highness' worries or concerns won't change anything."
The girl fell silent for a long time. She was not dumb and naturally understood that the current situation was indeed as described by the old woman. After a few more words, the girl had made up her mind to leave the capital city today.
The old woman watched the seemingly delicate girl with some heartache and said, "If something really happens to His Majesty, when Your Highness returns to the Demon Realm a few years down the road, you'll become the Empress of our Demon Realm."
Although the Demon Emperor had many princes, the old woman felt that the girl in front of her was the most suitable person to become the Demon Empress.
The girl did not say anything, just turned around and walked out of the courtyard, disappearing into the wind and snow.
As the bloodline of the Demon Emperor, she was born resolute. Since she knew that staying here was useless, she decided to leave.
In fact, she had always had this idea, but initially, she wanted to leave after seeing her royal father. Now, since that was not possible, she would leave.
Whether she went to the south or to vast, uninhabited places, she would grow stronger. When the day came for her to return, she would reclaim everything that belonged to her.
……
……
The wind and snow continued.
It was quiet inside the imperial city, the snow piled up on the ground and countless demon servants continuously moved about in the imperial city. But when passing by the great hall, everyone lowered their heads, daring not to look at anything.
They all knew that His Majesty was currently inside this palace, but at the same time, they were also aware that His Majesty's physical condition at this moment was not likely to be good.
Many were eager to know various things, and the only means they could rely on were probably these demon servants.
Among them, there were naturally many who were inexperienced, but with the palace gates closed, even if they received information, there was no way to spread it outside.
Everyone was waiting for the court session three days later.
After an unknown amount of time, perhaps just a moment, the doors of the great hall suddenly opened. With a creaking sound, the nearby demon servants were stunned for a moment.
But shortly after, those demon servants all knelt down, prostrating themselves on the ground with their heads pressed against the icy snow.
As a cold wind swept through, the Demon Emperor walked out of the great hall. He was dressed in a spacious emperor robe, but his complexion was somewhat pale.
To claim he was uninjured after the battle with the Great Liang Emperor, few would believe it.
Although there were no onlookers during that great battle, after investigations along the banks of the Onan River, most people gave that Great Liang Emperor an extremely high evaluation. In other words, if the Demon Emperor had truly found it so easy and carefree, the Great Liang Emperor would not have been able to reach the banks of the Onan River in the first place.
The Demon Emperor slowly walked to the platform in front of the great hall, standing at the railing and allowing the snow to fall, dyeing his hair white.
At some unknown point, another demon servant appeared behind him, bowing respectfully.
The Demon Emperor said calmly, "Can't even wait for three days?"
The demon servant kept his head low, his thoughts unknown.
The Demon Emperor slowly said, "Since you don't want to wait, then We won't keep them waiting either. Open the palace gates; today We will convene the court session ahead of schedule."
No one expected that the Demon Emperor, who had not appeared in public since returning from the Onan River to the capital city, would utter such astonishing words in front of these demon servants on his first appearance.
They originally thought the Demon Emperor would try to delay as much as possible, and the court session three days later might not even be held on time. However, who could have anticipated that the court session would be moved up.
Now that the Demon Emperor had spoken, there was nothing more for them to say. The demon servants rose one by one and went to prepare everything needed for the court session.
The demon servant behind the Demon Emperor did not immediately leave but stood there behind him. Suddenly, he said, "Your Majesty, think thrice."
The Demon Emperor turned around, looked at the demon servant who had accompanied him for many years, and said, "We haven't written much of the story of my life. How could We die at their hands?"
After saying this, the Demon Emperor walked toward the great hall where the court session was to be held.
……
……
The decision to convene the court session was made hastily, but many important figures had been waiting for this day, so there was no opposition, and no issues arose. Shortly after the palace gates opened, these prominent figures had already arrived in front of the imperial city.
Leading the way was the High Priest, the most loyal follower of the Demon Emperor.
Following him were several significant figures from the royal court, all big shots with astonishing cultivation bases.
Their expressions were solemn, because they might be doing something major today.
Although such events had occurred countless times in the history of the demon race, when you read about it in historical records, you could not even claim to be a witness, and now you were about to become a participant.
This was naturally different.
Therefore, everyone remained quiet, walking through the accumulating snow without a sound.
Soon, they arrived at the great hall.
They saw the Demon Emperor with a pale complexion, seated high on the throne symbolizing the highest authority in the demon race.
The High Priest stepped to the forefront and then knelt down in front of everyone.
Regardless of the subsequent outcome, the Demon Emperor was still the Demon Emperor at this moment.
Many prominent figures then knelt down.
This was their respect for the Demon Emperor.
The Demon Emperor watched all these silently.
After an unknown amount of time, when those prominent figures stood up again, the entire great hall remained quiet.
Suddenly, someone spoke, "Is Your Majesty's body unharmed?"
The person stared at the Demon Emperor, but in reality, their gaze was fixed on the throne.
The Demon Emperor ignored him and looked at the High Priest.
The High Priest furrowed his brows slightly.
"Your Majesty, in the battle against the human race monarch, logically speaking, you shouldn't have allowed the human monarch to leave the demon realm no matter what."
"The human monarch arrived at the Onan River and left unscathed. This is a disgrace to the entire demon race."
They spoke many words, but the implication was clear.
Listening to these voices, the Demon Emperor's gaze gradually turned cold. He slowly said, "If you want to force Us to abdicate, there's no need to say so much."
Glancing at everyone in the great hall, the Demon Emperor said calmly, "If you want the throne, come and snatch it!"
