Chapter 5: I Have Something to Tell You

As time passed, every last member of the Imperial House of the Eastern Sovereign fell in pools of blood—none survived. Night Demon Nine drew out a tattered cloth and carefully wiped his hands clean. Only after he had meticulously checked them to his satisfaction did he walk toward Luo Qingyu.

The people of the Great Zhou, upon seeing his approach, parted fearfully to make way for him. Those old ministers and the once-proud young elites of the dynasty now dared not mock or sneer. Their faces were pale with terror, but there was also respect in their eyes for the one who stood above all others—such was the order of this new world.

If a person possessed overwhelming strength, and was not a monstrous villain, they would naturally command both awe and reverence, though more often than not also fear. At this moment, Night Demon Nine was precisely such a figure.

“Send someone to guard this place from now on. The grudge against the Eastern Sovereign’s imperial clan is mine to avenge—on the condition that you keep her safe,” Night Demon Nine said coldly as he looked at the assembled group, his face devoid of warmth. Had they not shielded Luo Qingyu just now, they would already be dead.

“Yes, yes, of course, we will…” the old ministers hurriedly replied, while the so-called prodigies of the younger generation were struck dumb with fear.

“Let’s go.”

Night Demon Nine led Luo Qingyu away, displaying his formidable cultivation. In an instant, the terrifying power of the Qi Fusing Realm burst forth, so overwhelming that the old ministers and youths collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Cold sweat streamed down their foreheads, and all thought of resistance vanished. They were already preparing to keep Night Demon Nine’s actions a secret, determined to take the truth to their graves.

“Nine, your cultivation…”

“Barely at the Qi Fusing Realm,” Night Demon Nine replied with a teasing smile. “After all, with eating and sleeping every day, even a pig would fatten up.”

Luo Qingyu was momentarily speechless, but her radiant smile lingered. She gazed at Night Demon Nine, lost in thought, measuring this man who had become her ideal. The more she regarded him, the more aware she became of her own shortcomings.

“Can you teach me to cultivate?”

“Huh? Oh, ha! Are you planning to raise pigs? The fat and round kind…”

“Just you wait…!”

…

The two hurried back to the Emperor’s Hall, where many ministers were already waiting.

Meanwhile, chaos had erupted in the Eastern Sovereign’s imperial clan. Moments ago, the Crown Prince’s life token had shattered, as had those of the mid-tier pillars of their house. The fate of the young elites needed no mention—not a single survivor remained.

Life tokens recorded a person’s very survival; once shattered, it meant certain death. This was enough to drive them all to madness. Huang Wuji glared with bulging, bloodshot eyes at the assembled lords, all of whom were Qi Fusing Realm cultivators brimming with power.

“This is outrageous! The Great Zhou has declared war on us! There’s nothing left to say—let’s go to war!”

“Indeed. In the struggle among the Five Realms, Luo Zhouwu is dead, and the Hall of the Yellow Spring is now our mortal enemy. Let’s win them over. With two great powers allied, the Great Zhou will not be able to stir up any more trouble!”

…

“Very well. In three days, we shall annihilate the Great Zhou and claim supremacy over the Central Realm. We will avenge our kin!” At last, Huang Wuji slammed his fist down, and the council nodded in agreement.

…

In the Emperor’s Hall, all those who should have arrived were present.

“I have already arranged for someone to guard the Yuan Crystal Mine. There is no need to discuss the matter further,” Luo Qingyu announced, immediately stirring up a storm. Many officials stood up to question her.

“May we ask, Your Majesty, who has been appointed? What are their abilities? Their loyalty…”

“May we ask, Your Majesty, does this person have experience…”

…

In an instant, the hall was filled with noise, more like a marketplace than a council chamber, as everyone bargained and squabbled.

Night Demon Nine stood beside Luo Qingyu, observing with cold eyes the ugly faces below. He could not help but sigh inwardly.

“My Empress is so kind, yet you insist on pushing her. If not for the fact that you’re needed to prop up the Great Zhou, I’d slaughter you like dogs.”

Luo Qingyu sat upon the imperial throne, her expression unruffled. When the noise tired her, she leaned back and propped her face with a jade hand, gazing down at the assembly with sleepy eyes.

Suddenly, the commotion on the council floor ceased abruptly.

“Qingyu, it’s time to speak,” Night Demon Nine gently woke her.

“Oh…”

Luo Qingyu, still drowsy, gazed down once more and spoke.

“Have you all finished? Then let us adjourn. The Yuan Crystal Mine will be managed by my husband, with Luo Yuanhuang as his assistant. Does anyone object?”

Startled, Luo Yuanhuang’s eyes widened. Even just cultivating near the Yuan Crystal Mine would bring rapid progress, given the vast energy that seeped from it—rivaling even some spiritual veins.

He immediately stepped forward with both hands raised in support, completely ignoring Night Demon Nine. After all, a glutton and sluggard like him would surely hand over management of the mine eventually. It was an enviable appointment.

However, the rest of the officials were far from satisfied, and someone immediately spoke up in protest.

“Your Majesty, we object! How can a good-for-nothing like Night Demon Nine be put in charge? Prince Luo Yuanhuang is more than suitable, but as for him—absolutely not!”

“We second the motion!”

…

In an instant, more than ninety percent of the ministers echoed the objection, while the remaining few stared at the floor, as if the matter had nothing to do with them.

“He is my husband. What is mine is his, and all of Great Zhou belongs to him. How could he not be entrusted with a mere Yuan Crystal Mine?”

“If anyone dares to speak out of turn again, they will be punished for insubordination!”

Night Demon Nine looked at his Empress, surprised to see such assertiveness in her. After a moment’s thought, he understood, and a smile appeared on his face.

“But the marriage isn’t official yet. How can you call him your husband?”

Still, one minister pressed on. Night Demon Nine’s gaze fell upon him, instantly discerning his identity.

“Prime Minister Li Gao, do you believe I am unworthy of Qingyu?”

“I do,” Li Gao answered bluntly, without the slightest hesitation.

“Qingyu, if you’re tired, just rest. Leave the rest to me.”

“Mm. They’re still useful for now…”

Seeing Luo Qingyu’s increasing drowsiness, Night Demon Nine bent down and whispered softly. Luo Qingyu nodded knowingly, reminding him one last time before leaving.

After years together, she knew Night Demon Nine’s weakness: herself. When it came to her, he never tolerated disrespect from anyone. Even Ye Hanzhou had suffered his wrath—what terror would he unleash when truly angered?

Thus, she offered her warning.

“Enough. You needn’t hold back any longer. And let me tell you—within three or five days, the Hall of the Yellow Spring and the Eastern Sovereign’s clan will be marching upon us in full force.”

After killing Huang Junyi and the others, Night Demon Nine knew the Eastern Sovereign’s clan would soon send their armies. They would have many concerns, and would surely ally with the Hall of the Yellow Spring. With Huang Wuji’s personality, an attack would come within three to five days.

That was why he spoke as he did.

When the two returned, Luo Qingyu simply mentioned that they had seized the Yuan Crystal Mine and needed someone to manage it, without revealing any details. Naturally, the ministers remained ignorant.

“What?!”

The officials cried out in shock, utterly horrified.

In that instant, they forgot Li Gao’s objections, the dispute over the Yuan Crystal Mine, and whether Night Demon Nine was worthy or not.