Chapter 1978 - 1977: The Old Turtle’s Warning

Chapter 1978: Chapter 1977: The Old Turtle’s Warning

The old turtle took a sip of Monkey Wine, and then began to speak to himself.

"As I see it, the emergence of the Fire Phoenix Clan is a disaster rather than a blessing. I’m afraid another storm of blood will arise."

"A disaster rather than a blessing, how do you say this?"

"Yes, don’t tease us, old turtle." The surrounding members of the Demon Clan heard the old turtle start with a bombshell and immediately urged him.

The old turtle spoke unhurriedly: "In the past, the Dragon Emperor and Empress jointly ruled the Demon Country, creating unprecedented accomplishments for the Southern myriad clans, bringing order to our Southern mountains, and establishing the foundation for the strength of the Southern Demon Clan today."

"However, the joint rule of the Emperor and Empress only lasted for half of a Sixty-Year Cycle before it ended. Then the Empress was assassinated, and the Vermilion Bird took over as the new Clan Leader of the Fire Phoenix Clan. What happened next you should have all heard about."

The old turtle didn’t elaborate on that part of the sealed history, which had long become a melodramatic tale spread across the camp.

"The Vermilion Bird colluded with humans and betrayed our Demon Country on the day of a grand wedding, shaming the Dragon Emperor deeply. Later, the Fire Phoenix Clan, aware of its faults and due to the Vermilion Bird’s betrayal, retreated to seclusion, with the Dragon Emperor ruling the Demon Country to this day."

"We all know this already, but what does it have to do with your talk of a bloodstorm?"

A member of the Demon Clan impatiently asked.

Other members of the Demon Clan also started discussing, but the old turtle was in no rush; he sipped his drink, while the robust Ape Clan member couldn’t help but shout: "Enough with the chatter. If you all understand so much, why still linger here?"

Though the Ape Clan wasn’t one of the Eight Gold Tribes, they did hold a significant place in the Candle Dragon Demon Country, even having some status in the Demon Capital, considered second only to the Eight Gold Tribes.

The surrounding members of the Demon Clan were disgruntled at being reprimanded, yet upon seeing the physique of the Ape Clan member, could only settle down.

"Old turtle, continue."

The robust Ape Clan member looked at the old turtle, who smacked his lips and glanced at him, continuing: "Currently, the Demon Country is led by the Dragon Emperor, and the Eight Tribes, Ten Demon Generals, and millions of Demon Soldiers all view the Dragon Emperor as their leader."

"The past is gone; it’s not easy to make a comeback. The Fire Phoenix Clan has been dormant for a millennium, and even though Feng Yang is extraordinarily powerful, this era is no longer like a thousand years ago."

With that, the old turtle waved his hand: "That’s all I’ll say. If you understand, good; if not, there’s nothing more to be done."

The old turtle finished speaking, picked up the bamboo tube, and walked away.

"That old turtle, what he said was equal to saying nothing; we all know this."

"Exactly, just creating mystery. I thought there would be some special gossip."

"I understood; the old turtle is telling us to stay away from the Fire Phoenix Clan." Not all members of the Demon Clan were thoughtless; some absorbed the old turtle’s words, which, while not profound, clearly presented a fact.

The robust Ape Clan member watched the old turtle’s back thoughtfully, as a baby-faced but muscular Ape Clan girl approached.

"Brother, everyone’s gone, what are you thinking about?"

"Let’s go."

The robust Ape Clan member snapped back to reality, turned to his naïve sister, and said affectionately: "It’s nothing; let’s head back."

The two walked through the camp, resembling a marketplace, with the Barbie-like Ape Clan girl glancing at the robust member.

"Brother, didn’t that old turtle hit the nail on the head with his words? I may not fully understand, but I can tell he was warning us. The Feng Yang from the Fire Phoenix Clan who arrived might be a harbinger of disaster, and getting involved with him could lead to a bloody calamity. Am I right?"

The Barbie-like girl wasn’t as simple as her muscular appearance suggested; she wasn’t a brainless sweetheart either.

Seeing the robust Ape Clan member not responding, the girl continued: "Brother, were you thinking of getting involved?"

The robust member sighed: "A millennium ago, my Vajra Ape Clan was one of the pillars of the Fire Phoenix Clan. When I succeeded as clan leader, I received ancestral teachings."

"Ancestral teachings?"

The girl widened her almond eyes at her brother.

"Alright, don’t ask about specifics."

The Barbie-like girl pouted: "Even if you don’t say it, I can guess. I saw the murals on the ancestral stone wall. My Vajra Ape Clan does have connections with the Fire Phoenix Clan, but brother, that old turtle has a point. Today is not the same as before; it’s not a thousand years ago."

"That Feng Yang is just one person; how much of a stir can he cause? If the Fire Phoenix Clan really wanted a comeback, why send him alone?"

"Does the Fire Phoenix Clan truly believe he can singlehandedly gather supporters and challenge the Dragon Emperor’s authority in the Demon Country?"

"Frankly, had he not showcased his strength today, who would still remember the Fire Phoenix Clan?"

The robust member Yuan Ye shook his head: "Perhaps this is just a test by the Fire Phoenix Clan; let’s watch."

"After all, as the old turtle said, if the Fire Phoenix Clan intends a comeback, it certainly won’t be peaceful. The Dragon Emperor wouldn’t allow it, and neither would the Eight Gold Tribes nor the Ten Demon Generals. Let’s see how they plan to break the impasse, and if they can’t, my Vajra Ape Clan certainly won’t jump into this pit."

Yuan Ye intended to wait and see; though ancestral teachings existed, generations had passed, and the ancient ape ancestors were long buried. As for them, they had limited impressions of the Fire Phoenix Clan.

For a time.

The entire camp buzzed with discussions, yet the old turtle’s words quickly spread. Though somewhat alarmist, those members of the Demon Clan with some sense found the old turtle’s words reasonable.

Despite the Fire Phoenix Clan’s former glory, a millennium had passed.

Now, for the Fire Phoenix Clan to regain the apex and co-rule with the Dragon Emperor, it’s far from simple; who would agree?

Thus, this Feng Yang appeared strong, but his true potential was uncertain.

The gossip soon reached the central camp, into the ears of Gu Feng, the Captain of the Wolf Clan.

"Ha, don’t concern yourself; no need to deliberately convey it, it’s fine as is."

Gu Feng waved his hand, sending the Wolf Clan scouts away. Regarding outside gossip, Gu Feng felt it was quite suitable.

Inside Gu Feng’s former captain’s tent, Ran Yue lifted the curtain and entered.

"Li Feng, things are not looking good."

"Oh?"

Li Feng turned to the arriving Ran Yue: "What happened?"

Ran Yue quickly recounted the information she heard outside to Li Feng: "You had people set flags recruiting demon trusted aides, while I wandered around the nearby Demon Clan market to see if I could find anything useful, accidentally overhearing some unfavorable news for us."

"Apparently, an old turtle said something about how times have changed, the emergence of the Fire Phoenix Clan is a disaster rather than a blessing, possibly leading to rivers of blood."

"Once the old turtle spoke, our recruitment order became virtually useless, with hardly any demons stepping forward."

"Oh."

Ran Yue heard Li Feng respond indifferently, and anxiously scratched: "Don’t just say ’oh’; what do we do now? At this rate, we might not recruit many, and the ones here might become unsettled."