Chapter Seven: The Little Demon King, Toyed in the Palm

“Since you have doubts, Senior, allow me to clear them up for you…”

“The Third Demon King was said to be the Demon Emperor’s closest brother-in-arms, but his death was shrouded in mystery—no one ever discovered the culprit. When the Demon Emperor heard of the Third Demon King’s demise, he flew into a rage, immediately mobilized the demon army, and attacked the Ten Demon Cities. He conquered them all!”

“The Demon Emperor was truly a man for the ages—such is the measure of a real man!” Lu Huan sighed, then continued spinning his tale. “Once the Demon Emperor unified the world, he ordered the three rival factions to hand over the murderer. But none of them had any idea who killed the Third Demon King, so they couldn’t produce a scapegoat. Enraged, the Demon Emperor commanded that anyone who had ever harbored a grudge against the Third Demon King—hundreds of thousands—be buried alive! Terror swept the land, and the Third Demon King became a taboo known to all. No one dared speak his name, for fear of invoking the Demon Emperor’s wrath.”

Lu Huan swallowed hard. “Please, Senior, don’t blame me! This is… the sort of thing that could cost a man his head… I’m terrified, so please, don’t ever mention it again…”

Hmph! Think you can outwit me? Look at you now—dazed and buzzing, aren’t you? The Third Demon King? What a simpleton!

Pan Wu couldn’t know what Lu Huan was thinking, but his own soul was indeed ringing like a struck bell.

He never imagined… The Demon Emperor had gone to war for his sake, attacking the Ten Demon Cities, and even after unifying the world, had not forgotten to avenge him… Pan Wu wept.

Demon Emperor! Your old servant failed to be at your side when you needed me most! I am ashamed!

Though he had no tears, his soul trembled so violently that it stirred the star energy in the cultivation chamber, bringing it to a virtual boil.

“Young man!” The Third Demon King, Pan Wu, fought to keep control, lest the boiling star energy explode his pitiful soul to nothingness.

I don’t want to die—not yet. I must see the Demon Emperor again!

“I—I am the Third Demon King of whom you speak—Pan Wu!”

Eh? Old Cai’s translation device is truly miraculous—down to the very interjections! Lu Huan marveled, but as for what the tadpole creature said, he’d guessed long ago, and found nothing surprising. This big oaf was just… too adorable!

Still, Lu Huan considered himself a consummate actor, and the show had to go on.

His expression changed in a flash. He took two steps back in alarm. “What? You’re the Third Demon King?”

“Senior, that’s no joke! You’ll get us both killed!” Lu Huan checked the door nervously. Not content, he locked it, pulled all the curtains, then dropped to the floor, patting his chest as if to calm his pounding heart.

“Please, Senior, don’t tease me—if you lose your head, don’t drag me down with you!”

Pan Wu was momentarily speechless—who the hell wants you to die with me?

“I know it’s hard to believe. Earlier, when I claimed to be the Fire King, it was only to protect myself. I had no idea the demon race had unified the world. If you hadn’t explained the current situation, I wouldn’t have dared reveal my true identity.” Pan Wu explained, as gently as possible.

“Then… how can you prove it?” Lu Huan was gleeful inside—he’s hooked!

“…”

Pan Wu’s mind went blank. I am the Third Demon King—why do I need to prove it?

He gathered his thoughts and asked, “How should I prove it?”

Lu Huan stroked his chin. “Well… there’s some basic information about the Third Demon King on the StarNet. If you introduce yourself, I’ll check it against what I find.” He waved his wristwatch, indicating he’d already pulled up the data.

Pan Wu thought it a good idea, and so he rattled off his age, height, rank, cultivation methods, and several significant events from his life.

Lu Huan nodded along as if confirming each detail, when in fact he was just scrolling through the data, occasionally repeating key points for emphasis.

“What color underwear do you prefer?” Lu Huan suddenly asked.

“Huh?” Pan Wu was stunned. “That’s on StarNet too?”

“Of course!” Lu Huan answered matter-of-factly, eyeing the cultivation chamber and stifling a laugh. “It was supposedly leaked by your old maidservant…”

Pan Wu accepted it—must be Cuihua; he had indeed favored her in those days. “I love freedom—I wear none!”

Lu Huan’s eyes widened. Not only free, but breezy too!

“Emmm… All correct, but everything you said is public information. Anyone could look it up on StarNet. That doesn’t prove you’re really the Third Demon King!”

Pan Wu grew anxious. Then why did you ask so intently—even about my underwear?

“Then, my young friend, how should I prove it? What would convince you I am truly the Third Demon King?” Pan Wu had no choice; he still needed Lu Huan to take him to the Demon Emperor, so he had to win his trust.

Lu Huan’s eyes spun as he stroked his chin. “Got it! Tell me how you ended up like this—why did the Demon Emperor think you were dead? The cause of the Third Demon King’s death is still a mystery. If you can give a plausible story, I might believe you.”

A good idea!

Pan Wu agreed and began his tale: how he’d established contact with a high-ranking official of the Republic, helped him rise to power, then projected his soul across dimensions, traversed the space barrier to Qingfeng Mountain, and explained his plan, his purpose for coming, and the cooperation he’d established with that high-ranking official. Finally, he speculated that he may have crossed the river of time itself in a temporal storm.

No wonder he’d been so easily duped—Lu Huan realized the Third Demon King wasn’t just a simpleton; he’d practically deceived himself!

Impressive! In his heart, Lu Huan gave Pan Wu a big thumbs-up.

But the mission the Third Demon King described, his cooperation with the high official—this was monumental!

Lu Huan’s scalp tingled. If Pan Wu succeeded, even if the Republic didn’t collapse, billions would lose their homes and families! Not to mention whatever “cooperation” they’d agreed on…

Lu Huan’s composure faltered. He forced a bitter laugh… He’d thought the pile of demon crystals in the ruins was scary enough, but in just one chapter, he’d learned of something even more terrifying. This was more than a great terror—Lu Huan couldn’t even find the words to describe it… He was left anxious, weak, and utterly at a loss.

Pan Wu saw Lu Huan’s distress and knew his words had shaken him. He tried to reassure him: “Don’t worry, my young friend. Now that the Demon Emperor has unified the world, we are all citizens of the Empire. Those plans and schemes are meaningless now. In the future, we’ll serve the Demon Emperor together. If you don’t mind, after I see the Demon Emperor, I’d like to become sworn brothers with you! So long as I have a bite to eat, you’ll never go hungry!”

Who’s your “we,” huh? Sworn brothers, my foot! Who knows if you’ll even survive!

Lu Huan scoffed inwardly, already plotting what to do—this Third Demon King entering the realm was urgent business!

“Really?!” Lu Huan feigned delight, waving his hands. “Then, Senior—no, Brother—you must hurry and see the Demon Emperor!”

“…”

If I could go myself, would I be begging you here?

Pan Wu cursed Lu Huan silently, extending his regards to his ancestors and every relative.

“I’d like nothing more, but as you can see, all that’s left of me is this soul…” Pan Wu could only coax him along, step by step. As long as he kept Lu Huan muddled, there was hope of reaching the Demon Emperor.

“Oh, right!” Lu Huan slapped his forehead as if anxious, as though someone had stolen his money. “So what should we do?”

“It’s simple!” Pan Wu almost wept with relief—finally, he’d persuaded him. “You take my soul to see the Demon Emperor.”

“But… I can’t even get an audience. The Demon Emperor isn’t someone I can just go and visit!”

“Er…” Pan Wu was speechless. He’d forgotten—this kid hadn’t even broken through to become a Star Practitioner. How could he possibly meet the Demon Emperor?

“You just say you’ve found the Third Demon King’s soul. The Demon Emperor and I were as close as brothers—he’ll summon you for sure!”

“Oh, Brother! The Demon Emperor is busy ruling an empire—how could my message possibly reach him? And who’d believe it? Everyone knows the Third Demon King’s been dead for over five hundred years, and now I come along claiming otherwise? Brother, would you believe that?”

“Uh…” Pan Wu was at a loss. “Then what do we do?”

Lu Huan eyed the screen, inwardly exasperated—this big oaf really was the Third Demon King? Pathetic!

He had no choice but to nudge him along. “Well, Brother, you say you left your body for a mission, suffered an accident, and the man you cooperated with—I’ve heard of him. I might be able to arrange a meeting through some connections. Do you have something that could confirm your connection? If I can gain his trust and have him vouch for you with the Demon Emperor, there’s hope!”

That’s it!

Pan Wu’s soul quivered—this could work!

He explained in detail how to contact the man, how to confirm his identity—he even repeated it three times to make sure Lu Huan wouldn’t make a mistake.

Once Lu Huan had memorized everything, he said, “Brother, even earning his trust isn’t enough! I don’t know if he’s trustworthy. If I bring you along, he might fear being implicated and just wipe us both out on the spot!”

“I think it’s safer if I go alone, claim to be your disciple, and say I wish to meet the Demon Emperor through his introduction. That way, it won’t affect his interests and he’s less likely to refuse.”

Pan Wu praised Lu Huan’s caution and wisdom, declaring it his good fortune to befriend him. Lu Huan waved his hands in mock humility.

“Do you have anything that could convince the Demon Emperor?” Lu Huan continued his ruse.

“Uh…” Pan Wu hesitated. With only his soul remaining, he possessed nothing of substance.

Lu Huan was getting anxious—this blockhead’s stupidity was exhausting!

“Brother, do you think the Demon Emperor is familiar with your cultivation method?”

Pan Wu cried out that he was, and immediately recited the entire technique.

It turned out most demon cultivation techniques originated from the Demon Emperor. Pan Wu’s own “Undying Spring Scripture” was the Demon Emperor’s personal creation. In fact, all twelve of the Emperor’s personal guards—the Demon Kings—practiced it. They were both servants and friends to the Demon Emperor.

Created by the Demon Emperor himself? Lu Huan marveled. Wasn’t the Demon Emperor just one of the twelve guards?

“Excellent!” Lu Huan exclaimed. “With this, I’ll surely get you an audience with the Demon Emperor!”

Pan Wu was deeply moved, promising to reward Lu Huan generously once he saw the Demon Emperor.

“Brother, seeking an audience will take time—I won’t be able to guard you closely. I’ll have to trouble you to enter this special pouch of mine for safekeeping.”

Pan Wu was even more grateful, insisting it was only right.

Thus, the Third Demon King climbed into Lu Huan’s special container and was tucked away in the pouch.

Whew—

Lu Huan slumped into his chair. Though he appeared calm, he was terrified, his back soaked in cold sweat.

This was trouble—what ridiculous luck! A plant. A plant. Just a plant!

He closed his eyes, sorted through everything Pan Wu had told him, and felt a splitting headache, his brow furrowed.

He exhaled slowly, tapped his watch, and dialed a number…

“Xiaoyu, I want to go home—”