NOVPUBWhen the Demon Wand appeared, Demon Thirteen was seen holding it, his right hand making a light sweep.
The Mad Wind blew, fanning the fierce flames that billowed across, setting the whole courtyard ablaze.
The three individuals were greatly shocked, the elderly one holding a withered stick that, once planted in the ground, instantly grew into the Sky-reaching Great Tree.
This tree was rich in Spiritual Energy, enveloping him completely within.
Meanwhile, the middle-aged man beside him was surrounded by a brilliant golden glow, from which emanated the faint sound of a lion’s roar. His muscles bulged impressively, exuding an overwhelming presence.
As for the last child, his forehead bore a red brand. 𝓷ℴ𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝒸𝓸𝓶
At this moment, he transformed into two heads, letting out a sinister laugh, while various ghastly faces swirled around him, creating a truly spine-chilling sight.
As the sea of fire swept over them at this moment, the three were yelling loudly.
"Demonic fire scorches the heavens," sneered Demon Thirteen.
Following that, the sea of fire turned pitch black, like dark, thick ink staining half of the sky.
The sound of crackling and popping emerged from within.
Once the demonic fire burned out, the three didn’t even have the chance to scream before they were extinguished within it.
The surrounding courtyard was burned to the ground, and after Demon Thirteen killed the three of them, he pointed the Demon Wand, aiming to strike down the Consort of Duke Liang.
Just as the Consort was about to perish in the flames, a large palm suddenly emerged from the void, clashing with the Demon Wand.
With a "boom", the infinite space all around shattered.
Demon Thirteen took half a step back, while a muffled groan came from the void, and that whole area of space collapsed.
With just one move, their strengths and weaknesses were made clear.
"Everyone, stop," followed by a light shout.
Then, at the entrance of the courtyard, a man in a green robe strode forward assertively, flanked by two guards.
His gaze was stern, his face slightly sunken, and his eyes were like those of a hawk, captivating and soul-piercing.
He bore a beard, black and as long as an index finger, and he naturally carried the authority of someone of high rank.
"What are you doing?" the man asked with a frown.
Then, the void cracked open, and the person who had clashed palms with Demon Thirteen also stepped out.
It was a spirited old man dressed in a roomy green robe, standing quietly behind the man.
"Husband," exclaimed the Consort, still shaken, as she quickly came to her senses.
She looked at Xu Zimei frightfully and said to the man, "He tried to kill me."
"What, it’s alright for you to kill me, but not for me to kill you?" Zimo replied with a light laugh.
"Who are you?" Duke Liang asked, looking at Zimo.
"You should ask your lady," Zimo answered.
He looked at the man in front of him, Duke Liang, who was the overseer of Liang City.
But it must be mentioned that Great Liang is one of the most powerful forces in the Nine States.
Although Great Liang rose with the support of Liang City, Great Liang also administers Liang City.
Which is to say, though Duke Liang manages Liang City, he is only a member of the force that is Great Liang, not the ruler of Great Liang.
...
The Consort fell silent for a moment, only to lower her head and whisper a few words into Duke Liang’s ear.
"Nonsense," Duke Liang snorted coldly, scolding the Consort, "Since when did my palace’s authority come under your command?
Honger should sort out his own matters. Why are you interfering?"
"I only feared that Honger’s Way of Inquiry was not firm," the Consort replied timidly, her head bowed.
"Young Master Xu, I apologize to you on behalf of the lady.
"She too is deeply concerned for her child, I hope you won’t hold it against her," said Duke Liang, looking at Xu Zimei with an apologetic tone.
"How about this, I’ll hold a banquet at the mansion as an apology to Young Master Xu."
"There’s no need for a banquet, I just hope there won’t be a next time," Xu Zimei said indifferently, waving his hand.
"Otherwise, she must die, whoever stands in the way shall also perish."
After Xu Zimei finished speaking, he turned and left with Demon Thirteen.
Duke Liang watched Xu Zimei’s departing figure, his eyes slightly narrowed, and he said no more.
"My lord, I didn’t do it on purpose," the consort said tentatively from the side.
"Of course, I know you didn’t do it intentionally. Those ministers were summoned by me.
Do you think they would listen to you without my command?" Duke Liang said calmly.
"Ah, then why did you just now?" the Consort of Duke Liang asked, somewhat astonished.
"Honger is the prime candidate in this generation of Great Liang to compete for Destiny.
Suddenly being defeated like that, I also wanted to test what makes this youth so extraordinary," Duke Liang said lightly. "I can’t show my hand, otherwise, it would be awkward if we tear each other’s faces; I could only use the lady’s name.
It’s just that I didn’t expect to find out nothing and ended up losing three ministers in the process."
"Then why didn’t you keep him at the palace just now?" asked the Consort of Duke Liang, puzzled.
Duke Liang chuckled, then shook his head and said, "My lady, you may go back first."
Watching the consort’s retreating figure, Duke Liang turned around to look at the green-robed elder next to him and asked, "What happened just now?"
"Very strong," the green-robed elder extended his right hand.
The entire palm was turning black, with faint Demonic Qi corroding it.
He said solemnly, "Unless the elders of Great Liang take action, no one within Liang City can detain him."
"Investigate his identity, let it be for now," said Duke Liang. "I will report this matter to Great Liang."
...…
After leaving Duke Liang’s residence, Xu Zimei went to the central area of Liang City to apply for a travel token.
The application for the travel token took place in a very spacious hall.
There were three long queues arranged in the hall; there were still many people heading to Void Valley.
After all, unlike other Forbidden Lands where there is no return from death, some are willing to take this risk.
It wasn’t until the afternoon that Xu Zimei managed to get the travel token.
The token itself had no special requirements; the troublesome part was that each token was for one-time use only. If one wished to go a second time, they had to reapply.
"You stay in Liang City," Xu Zimei said to Demon Thirteen.
"Take care of the Consort of Duke Liang tonight and then meet up with me in Void Valley."
"Young master, why didn’t you just kill her now?" Demon Thirteen asked, somewhat puzzled.
"To kill her would mean making an enemy of Great Liang, which I am not afraid of, but going to Void Valley, I don’t wish to waste time," Xu Zimei explained.
"Besides, even if I annihilated Great Liang, I wouldn’t gain any benefit; killing the consort will serve as a warning to Duke Liang, that’s sufficient."
"I understand," nodded Demon Thirteen.
After saying goodbye to Demon Thirteen, Xu Zimei did not linger and slowly headed toward Void Valley.
In fact, Nightmare was already enroute, capable of finding its own way as long as he knew the directions.
The distance between Liang City and Void Valley was quite long, and Xu Zimei was not in a hurry, quietly meditating and practicing in the sedan chair.
The setting sun in the sky turned into a streak of afterglow; under the enormous shadow of Liang City, Xu Zimei gradually vanished into the horizon.
