Chapter 1119 - 931: Illusion Demon King

Thirty thousand Unity Worms, all exterminated at the same time?

It wasn't just Black Nanny who felt a jolt of terror; Luo Xian'er's expression also changed. She snapped her head back, once again looking toward the city's nightscape, still bustling and bright.

Those spiritual insects were Black Nanny's local companion bugs, nourished long-term by her true body. Black Nanny could sense the life and death of every single worm. If she said they were all killed at the same time, then there could be no mistake.

The death of thirty thousand Unity Worms in itself was nothing. Even having thirty thousand Unity Worms scattered throughout this city all killed at once was nothing; there were many who could do such a thing—for example, she, the Bone Demon King, could accomplish it with a casual raise of her hand.

Only, if she were to make a move, this city would have to be reduced to ash, buried along with those worms.

At the very least, she could not do what had just happened: slaughter thirty thousand Unity Worms dispersed throughout various corners of the city, while the whole city remained calm and completely unaware. She herself hadn't even sensed anyone making a move.

As she always said, the power of an attack and the strength behind it are not proven by how much noise the strike makes.

After a few deep breaths, Luo Xian'er slowly said, "To only kill the Unity Worms scattered throughout the city without disturbing anything else, to control such widespread power and such a wide-range fluctuation to this exquisitely subtle degree—his strength must have reached the realm where he can deploy a domain. Without eyes that see through everything, it would be impossible to achieve this level of precision. A true expert has come to this city!"

Black Nanny wiped the black blood from the corner of her mouth and asked in startled doubt, "A domain? My King, who could it be?"

Luo Xian'er's expression grew heavy. "This is the realm I've always been pursuing. In this world, there are only those few people who can reach it. We're targeting Shi Chun on Heavenly Court territory—who else could it be? It seems the commotion caused by our arrival has already alarmed the Heavenly Court into sending an expert to sit in town."

Black Nanny staggered away from the chess table, shaking, and said angrily, "We haven't done anything to Shi Chun, yet with just one move he exterminates my thirty thousand companion bugs, leaving my Primordial Energy severely damaged and my cultivation fallen. Who is he, to be so vicious!"

Luo Xian'er turned back to look at her and sighed. "Your worms likely already discovered Shi Chun's hiding place. If he'd only killed the worms that found the target, you could still determine the approximate location. But he wiped them all out in one go, all dead at the same time—you naturally lose the basis for your judgment. This is also a warning to us!"

Black Nanny lurched to stand before her, bracing herself against the wall. "With an expert sitting in town to protect him, we likely won't get another chance to act. What do we do, leave?"

Luo Xian'er snorted. "What do you take Feng Xi and Bi Dao for, kindly souls? That madman Bi Dao being willing to patiently stay in this mountain was never normal; eight or nine times out of ten he has the same idea we do. We know there's an expert here—they might not. We can't be the only ones to take a loss, can we? We've already shifted our assets and spent the money; can't we at least stay and enjoy the show?"

Black Nanny nodded slightly, understanding what she meant, and at the same time took out a Mother-child Talisman to check. After reading it, she looked up in surprise and said, "My King, Chai Wenwu has left Butterfly Valley and already invited the Illusion World King Bai Sheng out."

They had also begun paying attention to the movements of Heavenly Domain Dingnan Prefecture. Chai Wenwu's whereabouts were no secret to them; it was only that the Xun Gate was congested, making it inconvenient to come and go on this side—otherwise the message could have arrived even sooner.

"Bai Sheng?" Luo Xian'er's expression tightened at once. She slowly turned her head to look out the window, muttering under her breath, "Coming down the mountain so easily…" She thought of how easily she herself had come down the mountain and naturally understood why Bai Sheng could be invited out so readily. She couldn't help but let out a sardonic snort. "I don't know whether it's Chai Wenwu being fearless out of ignorance, or that Shi Chun, daring to provoke even that monster."

In another secluded courtyard, Kuang Yao Bi Dao, upon hearing the report, suddenly looked up. "Bai Sheng is here?"

The old man with the golden belt nodded and even made a point of holding up the Mother-child Talisman in his hand, letting the other see the contents.

Once he confirmed the news, even Kuang Yao Bi Dao showed a trace of dread on his face, as if recalling some rather unpleasant experience. "Of all the people Shi Chun could have provoked, why provoke him? This time Shi Chun is likely doomed."

The things that inspire dread aren't necessarily brute force; some things are far more terrifying than strength.

The golden-belted old man nodded with a sigh. "With the Illusion World King personally coming down the mountain, though he's arriving late, there's a good chance he'll find the man before we do."

Bi Dao said, "Luo Xian'er certainly isn't going to just sit there and watch the show. Her search won't be slow either."

The golden belt said, "We've been shadowing them in secret, but we still haven't seen any movement."

Their original plan here was the mantis stalking the cicada, the oriole behind—searching on their own while tailing Luo Xian'er's side to be ready to follow.

Feng Xi, also a distinguished guest, received news of the Illusion Demon King coming down the mountain at the very first moment as well. After silently pondering for a while, he turned and ordered his attendant, "Get ready to tail Bai Sheng. He might find Shi Chun before we do."

The attendant hesitated. "Trying to tail Bai Sheng will be very difficult."

Feng Xi said, "Do your best."

Just as the three Great Demons of the Demon Realm successively received the news, within the crowd surging through the Xun Gate, Chai Wenwu had already accompanied the Illusion Demon King's group out. The latter was likewise wrapped in a cloak, concealing his true appearance.

As before, Bai Sheng did not wish to openly expose his identity, so Chai Wenwu had no choice but to pay out of his own pocket to cover the travel costs for the group, then led the honored guests out through the crowd.

As soon as they emerged, someone immediately came up to meet Bai Sheng's subordinates and discreetly handed over a Jade Scroll.

After the messenger withdrew, that Jade Scroll was passed into the hands of Demon King Bai Sheng.

With all the commotion stirred up by Heavenly Domain Dingnan Prefecture, Bai Sheng's people had immediately gone out to investigate the situation. By now, any information that could be gathered had been swiftly compiled following Bai Sheng's arrival and presented to him for review.

Taking advantage of the brief pause while the honored guests were catching their breath, Chai Wenwu quickly stepped aside, took out a Mother-child Talisman, and sent Shi Chun a message, informing him about Bai Sheng's arrival.

While sending the message, he kept glancing back from time to time at Bai Sheng and his group.

In his line of sight, the newly arrived Bai Sheng and his entourage were taking in the surroundings, and that was also what everyone else saw.

What no one knew was that the real Bai Sheng was already standing right beside Chai Wenwu, watching with his own eyes as Chai Wenwu sent the message to Shi Chun. His true body was not concealed in the slightest, yet not a single person around them could see him.

Shi Chun's reply came quickly, telling Chai Wenwu to inform Feng Chi—Feng Chi would see to the arrangements.

Chai Wenwu, who had been periodically glancing back, immediately took out another Mother-child Talisman to communicate with Feng Chi. After Bai Sheng set down the Mother-child Talisman in his hand, Chai Wenwu went over to Bai Sheng's side to extend an invitation.

He had originally planned to use his privileges to escort the group directly by flight to the Commander Mansion, but Bai Sheng waved his hand. "The important business can wait. Since we've just arrived, why not stroll around this interesting place first? City Lord Chai doesn't mind, does he?"

Chai Wenwu hurriedly said, "I don't mind, I don't mind. I am willing to be your guide. I wonder what the Great King wishes to see?"

He hadn't brought many subordinates back with him, and Xun Gate was very strictly guarded; always leading a whole group in and out was troublesome.

Bai Sheng pushed up the brim of his hat with a finger to widen his view a little, swept a glance over the city's scenery, and said, "It's been long since I tasted the mortal world's smoke and fire. Let's first sate our appetite; we can stroll after we eat. Find somewhere quiet and private."

"Alright, alright." Chai Wenwu immediately reached out to lead the way. Being able to eat and drink with such an important figure made him feel honored; in the future it would be a fine story to brag about.

He did not forget business, though. He took out the Mother-child Talisman, intending to contact Feng Chi to inform her that the reception plan had changed.

Bai Sheng glanced over and said, "We're here for peace and quiet. Don't draw more people in."

Chai Wenwu hastily nodded and bowed. "Very well, as the Great King wishes. I'll just let the people on the mountain know, so they don't wait at the mountain gate and think something's gone wrong when they don't see us."

The group then melted into the streets and alleys.

Deep inside the residence, the Red-clothed Woman was still reclining on the couch, eyes closed, as though resting.

Shi Chun, who had been reading, had already climbed off her. After sending his reply, he did not go back to rest his head on the beauty's body with a book in hand, but paced in the room, lost in thought.

The Illusion Demon King had arrived. To have another Demon King drawn here so soon—while not entirely beyond his expectations—the speed at which they were gathering, plus the fact that those two Demon Kings had confirmed Feng Xi's identity and still were unwilling to leave, all stacked together gave him a faint sense that something was off.

Looking back and seeing the Red-clothed Woman still feigning sleep, he also felt that this woman seemed unusually quiet today.

At the mountain gate outside the Commander Mansion, Feng Chi, having received Chai Wenwu's notification, still went early to wait outside. After all, the honored guest's status was there; the respect due had to be shown.

She did not find it dull to stand there looking up at the stars. Too many honored guests had come—of the twelve Great Demons of the Demon Realm, four had already appeared here.

She had never seen even one before; now they were arriving one after another, while her master refused to show his face and left everything for her to handle. It gave her quite a bit of pressure. Fortunately, in her days as a madam at the brothel, she had accumulated plenty of experience in receiving and sending off guests.

Up on the mountain, after Black Nanny put down the Mother-child Talisman, she immediately reported, "Great King, Chai Wenwu has gone shopping with the guest."

Luo Xian'er turned back in puzzlement.

In another guest courtyard, Bi Dao was also very puzzled. Hearing the report, he turned and said, "Shopping? Are you sure your lookout really saw that?"

"This…" The old man with the gold belt hemmed and hawed, not daring to be too sure.

In another room, Feng Xi, upon hearing the report, pushed open the window. "That monster still has the leisure for such things? Keep a close eye on him. Be careful what tricks he's up to."

"Yes." The attendant accepted the order.

By this time, Chai Wenwu and his group had already arrived at a relatively high-class restaurant in the city. They took a private room and, as the nominal host, Chai Wenwu generously ordered dishes.

Once the food and wine were quickly served, host and guest raised their cups and exchanged pleasantries. Then the door opened, and the restaurant's zither player and dancing girls came in, saying they wished to perform music and dance for everyone.

Chai Wenwu immediately looked to Bai Sheng for his opinion; after all, this Demon King had said he wanted peace and quiet.

Who knew Bai Sheng would lightly slap the table and say, "Excellent."

So the door was closed, music and dance began, the zither tones were graceful, and the dance postures enchanting.

Seeing Bai Sheng clapping along with the rhythm of the dance, seemingly very pleased, Chai Wenwu also happily beat time to add to the merriment.

After a brief bit of amusement, Bai Sheng suddenly stood up and walked straight to Chai Wenwu's side. In front of everyone, he reached out and felt around Chai Wenwu's Qiankun Bag, then picked out a Mother-child Talisman from within.

Confirming that the markings on the talisman were the same one Chai Wenwu had previously used to contact Shi Chun, he immediately took it to one side and, using the secret code that Chai Wenwu and Shi Chun shared, sent a message to Shi Chun: My lord, there is an urgent matter that must be reported face-to-face.

At this moment, Chai Wenwu was like a blind man with eyes wide open. All he saw was a restaurant waiter opening the door, coming to his side to serve another dish and brushing against him; he did not see Bai Sheng walk up to him at all.

In the deep, secluded courtyard, Shi Chun no longer had the heart to read, nor did he go to gather the warm, soft beauty on the couch into his arms. Sitting alone in a chair, he was pondering deeply.

Suddenly, a message from Chai Wenwu arrived. He took it out and read it without suspicion.

First, the secret code matched. Second, this was his own turf, under his very nose; he did not believe Chai Wenwu could run into any real trouble.

After reading the contents of the message, he estimated that Chai Wenwu indeed had something urgent. However, he did not want too many people to know that he had a private residence here where he kept a beauty hidden away. Not to mention Chai Wenwu—he didn't even want Wu Jinliang to know.

So, no matter how urgent the matter, he would not allow Chai Wenwu to come here.

After a brief consideration, he replied with a meeting place: Yuling Mountain.

Putting away the Mother-child Talisman, Shi Chun walked to the couch, bent down to hold the Red-clothed Woman and kissed her, whispering, "I have something to take care of. I'll be back soon to keep you company."

The Red-clothed Woman looped her arms around his neck. In her bright eyes, now open, there was a trace of wanting to speak yet holding back, a hint that she did not want him to get up. But in the end she said nothing, merely cupped his face, gave him a returning kiss, and considerately let him go.

After Shi Chun left, she slowly closed her eyes again, once more entering a state of quiet repose.