The Demon Emperor's words echoed in the great hall, and the words "come and snatch it" rendered the entire hall silent.
In the history of the demon race, there had been countless demon emperors, but it seemed that none had been as straightforward as the current one. He laid bare everyone's thoughts; an unexpected move.
Someone felt uncomfortable hearing this and shook his head, "We're also considering the long-term prosperity of the demon race. If Your Majesty isn't strong enough to make the demon realm submit, why not step down from the position?"
The Demon Emperor looked at the demon who spoke, his expression unchanged, and asked, "If We willingly passed the position to you, will you spare Us?"
Throughout the history of the demon race, no emperor forced to abdicate had ever peacefully lived out the rest of their days. In fact, when a demon emperor ascended to the throne, they became closely tied to the supreme power of the demon race. Once dethroned, the only thing awaiting them was death.
There was no other path.
"Since Your Majesty couldn't make that human monarch stay, it means Your Majesty is no longer suitable to lead our demon race. If that's the case, why persist?"
A white-haired great demon spoke, his eyes sharp, revealing undisguised killing intent and greed. The supreme and unparalleled power of the demon emperor was an irresistible temptation for any great demon who had stepped into the Nepenthe Realm. However, usually, they could conceal their greed, but now they were unwilling to hide it.
The Demon Emperor looked at that great demon and said indifferently, "We are a little curious, with the likes of you guys, do you think you can kill that human monarch after taking Our seat?"
The fact that the Great Liang Emperor could fight all the way to the Onan River and then leave the Demon Realm without being detained already demonstrated the strength of that human monarch. In other words, if even the Demon Emperor could not detain him, how could anyone else make him stay?
"Your Majesty, no matter what, the subjects of the Demon Realm are now humiliated due to Your Majesty's actions. It seems that no matter who it is, they will be happy to watch Your Majesty step down from the throne now."
Voices continued to sound out, filled with a particular emotion.
The Demon Emperor smiled and repeated his previous words, "As We said before, if you want the throne, come and snatch it yourselves. However, there are so many of you, but only one throne."
"At this point, Your Majesty, why provoke further discord?"
Another great demon spoke, sighing softly, "After Your Majesty abdicates, things will ultimately resolve itself."
The Demon Emperor listened to this and did not speak, only looking forward with a pair of deep eyes.
After an unknown amount of time passed, the Demon Emperor slowly stood up and asked, "Is this the consensus among all of you?"
His voice echoed in the grand hall, as if issuing a final question.
Silence enveloped the hall.
The High Priest suddenly spoke, "Your Majesty, this subject is willing to pledge my life to follow Your Majesty!"
He suddenly knelt down again, expressing his attitude toward the Demon Emperor in front of him, also conveying his stance to the other great demons.
In fact, by doing so, he even sealed off his own retreat completely. The events happening in the imperial city today would undoubtedly be a major event for the entire demon race. Moreover, the great demons who entered the imperial city must face a choice. Those prominent figures who were unwilling to make a choice had already found various reasons not to attend the court session. By not participating, no matter what happened today, it would not affect them. If the Demon Emperor won, they would continue to be his loyal subjects. If the Demon Emperor lost, they would naturally pledge allegiance to the new Demon Emperor.
Not arriving in the imperial city, not meeting the Demon Emperor, there would be no need to choose. This was the best scenario.
But since they came, they were naturally faced with a choice.
Regarding the High Priest, in fact, before this, no one suspected that he would choose to betray the Demon Emperor. After all, the title of the most loyal follower was often inconsequential. In the stories of the demon emperors abdicating throughout history, countless similar incidents had occurred. Now, in their eyes, it should not be an exception.
However, not all stories had the same ending.
The High Priest was an exception.
After the High Priest made his stance known, a hint of panic flashed across everyone's eyes.
The High Priest's cultivation level was also unfathomable. Being able to occupy this position was naturally not solely due to his relationship with the Demon Emperor.
If he chose to stand by the Demon Emperor's side, then today's event would not be that easy.
"High Priest, you must think carefully!"
A great demon spoke, its voice icy.
The High Priest remained silent, still kneeling on the ground.
The Demon Emperor was expressionless. Looking at the great demons before him, he said calmly, "We know you all have been waiting for this day for many years. Fortunately, We have also been waiting for this opportunity for many years."
As he spoke, the doors of the great hall closed with a loud bang.
The Demon Emperor looked at the closed doors, incomparably calm.
Inside the hall, a deathly silence prevailed.
……
……
The palace gates of the imperial city had long been wide open. The demons that were supposed to arrive had already come, but there were always those who arrived late.
For example, the figure in the snow-white robe.
Entering the imperial city through the palace gates, one must first pass through an extremely long corridor. At the end of the corridor was a high platform, where someone was currently overlooking the newcomer at the end of the corridor.
The two were friends. Furthermore, they had met not long ago. At that time, one was sipping tea, while the other did not partake.
Standing on the high platform was the High Priest.
He looked at the person in front of him and said calmly, "Su Ning, if I were you, I wouldn't get involved in today's matter."
Seeing his old friend call out his name so solemnly, Su Ning's expression changed slightly. Standing in place, he remained silent for a long time before shaking his head. "I've waited for today for many years. If I don't take action now, there may not be another opportunity. I understand your intentions, but my decision can't be swayed."
The High Priest frowned, feeling a sense of reluctance in his heart as he said, "His Majesty is definitely not a reckless person. You should reconsider today's action..."
The High Priest sighed. As a subject, there were certain words he could not express too clearly. After all, he had to consider the thoughts of the Demon Emperor.
"I don't believe it. Even if he has a plan, he must be injured in that battle against the human monarch. Can I not win him even when he's injured? I've cultivated bitterly for many years and did not put in less effort than him."
Su Ning stared at the High Priest and asked, word by word, "Do I not have a chance?"
The High Priest did not speak and just stepped aside, letting this great demon who had already made up his mind to have a life-and-death match with the Demon Emperor leave.
Su Ning came to his side and suddenly said, "If I truly cannot win, then burn me and scatter my ashes in the Onan River."
The High Priest sighed, "Why go to such lengths?"
Su Ning did not speak.
……
……
Clad in a white robe, Su Ning seemed to merge with the wind and snow as if becoming one with heaven and earth.
He walked for a while. The path was not long, yet in his eyes, it felt like the longest road of his life.
But no matter how long a road might seem, there would come a time when it reaches its end. He finally arrived before the grand hall where discussions took place. Looking at the tightly closed doors, Su Ning's expression remained unchanged, but the next moment, his expression still changed.
The doors did not open, yet a blood-red color slowly seeped through the gaps in the doors.
Staining the white snow.
Su Ning stood before the doors, sensing a fiendish aura.
He had felt this fiendish aura many years ago. Because it was too powerful, too difficult to contend with, he had been avoiding the owner if that fiendish aura all these years. Now, when he finally gathered the courage to face it, he realized that the aura had grown much stronger.
Aren't you already severely injured?
Why are you still so powerful?
Questions lingered in Su Ning's mind, but at this moment, he would not voice them.
He gazed at the great hall's door, imagining that someone behind those doors was also watching him.
The gazes of the two met in mid-air, and the great hall's door could not withstand the intensity of these two powerful gazes, eventually shattering and exploding.
Blood splattered onto the white snow.
Su Ning saw the scene inside the grand hall, his expression becoming incredibly solemn.
Within the hall at this moment, there were bodies strewn about, with only one figure still standing.
It was naturally that unparalleled Demon Emperor.
Looking at Su Ning standing at the door in white, the Demon Emperor said, "You finally dare to come and see Us?"
