Chapter 15: The Great Demon

The next day, under Ye Hanzhou’s flying kick, Ye Jiuyao was dragged behind, wearing a mournful face, all the way to the martial arena.

As for Bai Yijian, his fate was even more miserable.

When Bai Yijian arrived at the arena, Ye Jiuyao immediately announced that he was now one of them. The others, eager to show their enthusiasm, showered him with their own brand of “affectionate care.”

After this round of care, Bai Yijian’s tender, fair cheeks bloomed like a fresh flower, looking oddly charming.

“All right, let’s continue one by one today. Is there anyone willing to show me their Yuan Techniques?” Ye Jiuyao couldn’t bear to watch anymore; after all, this was his first disciple, and yet he’d been so thoroughly embarrassed.

“I will!” Just as the others hesitated, Ye Hanzhou stepped forward. The guidance he’d received from Ye Jiuyao the previous day had led to a breakthrough in his Yuan Techniques, making him forget all about the bodily pain he’d suffered.

“Father, promise me first—no revenge for kindness. Let me sleep in tomorrow.”

“Agreed.”

Ye Hanzhou didn’t hesitate and accepted immediately. Ye Jiuyao’s aura flared, and Ye Hanzhou hurried to defend himself, demonstrating his technique.

Ye Jiuyao watched closely, committing every move to memory. After a dozen exchanges, he was already executing it with ease. A few more moves, and he had mastered it. By the end, he performed the technique to perfection, reaching its highest state.

The onlookers were amazed. Though Ye Hanzhou was being suppressed, Ye Jiuyao didn’t simply overpower him; instead, he forced him to unleash his full potential, pushing him further with every move.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Ye Hanzhou lay on the ground groaning loudly, unable to stand from the pain, cursing Ye Jiuyao all the while.

“You unfilial son, to lay such a heavy hand on your own father…”

“Father, I said I’d guide you by pushing your limits. Otherwise, how would I know where your potential lies? And if I don’t know that, how can I guide you?”

“Well… that makes sense.” Ye Hanzhou thought for a moment and felt Ye Jiuyao had a point. He grew sullen and lay back, nursing his aches.

Two hours later, the ground was littered with groaning figures—even Bai Yijian was lying among the heap, his expression full of grievance.

His flushed, tender face seemed to say, “Master, you said to act according to your expressions—but you acted with your hands and feet instead…”

For five consecutive days, Ye Jiuyao was kicked awake by Ye Hanzhou every morning.

Yet Ye Jiuyao suppressed his morning grumpiness, but when it came to teaching, he was merciless.

Every time, the person being instructed ended up flat on the ground, unable to rise. Still dissatisfied, Ye Jiuyao would deliver a final blow, claiming it was necessary because his teaching hadn’t been thorough enough.

Ye Hanzhou and Luo Yuanhuang were the special focus of his “care.” Each day, Ye Jiuyao left the two of them for last.

Only when Ye Hanzhou could no longer get up did Ye Jiuyao wave contentedly and head off for a feast. Eventually, he simply had the meals brought to the pavilion, so he could eat and then sleep right there.

And so, day after day, for a whole month.

“Hey, good morning everyone! I just finished my break and feel fantastic. How about you all?”

“Father, why didn’t you kick me awake today? I feel strange without it…”

Ye Hanzhou stood at the back of the crowd, eyeing his son warily. The stick he once wielded had been handed over to Bai Yijian as a wooden sword. The former kingly presence was gone.

“Jiuyao, enough with the jokes. From now on, sleep as much as you want and eat to your heart’s content—your old man will never object, and everyone here can be my witness,” Ye Hanzhou said grandly, shielding Luo Yuanhuang in front of him. The others looked at him with disdain, but he didn’t care in the slightest.

“My father has spoken, so… let’s begin today’s training…”

“No, please! Demon King Jiuyao…”

In the midst of their mournful cries, the air grew so silent you could hear a pin drop.

A month of special training had driven the loyal ministers of Great Zhou to the brink of despair. Only on Sundays and Saturdays, when Ye Jiuyao took a break, did they feel the world was still a good place.

After a month in this living hell, everyone suffered, but Bai Yijian had it worst. He was forced from a chubby little boy into a human stick.

Privately, they all started calling Ye Jiuyao the “Great Demon King,” but today, someone let it slip out loud.

“Oh? Seems the training wasn’t tough enough. Let’s change it up—now you’ll run laps around the imperial palace. No Yuan energy allowed, only your physical strength, and you don’t stop until I say so!”

Thinking it would be easy, everyone agreed without a second thought—except Bai Yijian, who looked thoroughly perplexed.

“Master, can I skip training? I’d rather go home and inherit my family’s fortune. Honestly, being rich isn’t so bad…”

Ye Jiuyao’s face darkened. Though he wasn’t the most dutiful master, this boy was just too unmotivated—always looking for an easy way out.

With a cold snort, Ye Jiuyao released his terrifying aura, enveloping the palace and sealing off all escape routes.

“All right, start running. If you stop without my order, lightning will strike. Oh, and one more thing—using Yuan energy will get you struck by lightning too.”

Just as they were about to begin, Ye Jiuyao added this last remark, and those hoping to cheat instantly wilted.

Bai Yijian wore a look of deep resentment, but even so, as a child in the Kai Shen Realm, he joined the exercise. Very soon, everyone realized they were in trouble.

Especially Luo Yuanhuang and Ye Hanzhou—these two top experts were the first to feel the strain.

Their legs trembled as they hunched over, gasping for breath, but they kept running, sensing a force from above locking onto them. Ironically, it was Bai Yijian, the little cultivator, who seemed to be having the easiest time.

“Oh, right, I forgot to mention—the higher your cultivation, the greater the pressure. The harder it is to run,” Ye Jiuyao said, wolfing down his meal and suddenly realizing this fact. Everyone glared at him, wishing they could thrash him then and there.

After several hours, someone couldn’t take it and secretly used Yuan energy. Instantly, thunder boomed in the sky and a bolt of lightning struck down.

“Ahh!” The unfortunate minister was scorched inside and out, his robes instantly reduced to strips—luckily a few strips covered his essentials, sparing him the ultimate embarrassment.

“Hahaha…”

The others stopped to clutch their waists, laughing heartily—only to be struck down by bolts of lightning themselves for stopping.

“Hahaha…”

Now it was the first victim’s turn to laugh, but he dared not stop, having learned his lesson after a single strike.

“Stop!”

Three hours later, Ye Jiuyao finally called a halt. Everyone collapsed to the ground, utterly exhausted and devoid of hope.

“Ye Jiuyao!” Ye Hanzhou exploded in anger as soon as they stopped, only to be greeted by another bolt of lightning.

With a bang, Ye Hanzhou was left standing like a charred wooden statue, his hair frizzed, smoke curling from his mouth, and his face twisted in rage.

“Haha… well, you see, I forgot to mention—since your cultivation and wisdom are unmatched, Father, I added a little extra difficulty. Purely unintentional…”

The others wanted to laugh but dared not, their faces contorted as they suppressed the urge. At the same time, the title “Great Demon King Jiuyao” was now etched even deeper in their hearts.