Chapter 2529: A Major Matter
While Zhang Ruochen was still deliberating how to answer appropriately, a hoarse yet resonant voice suddenly rang out from outside the demon hall: "The Destiny Temple's Divine Maiden, Bore, has arrived!"
Everyone's gaze turned toward the entrance.
The new Divine Maiden possessed a graceful and elegant appearance, with a refined temperament. Though her cultivation was not yet profound, a mysterious radiance enveloped her body, making it difficult even for Supreme Realm Great Saints to see through her completely.
This was the power of the twelve God Venerables' blessings, transformed into protective divine radiance.
Accompanying her was a black-clad man who was nearly in a state of nothingness. Only Great Saints could perceive his existence, and only those above the Thousand Questions Realm could make out his form.
He was the most mysterious figure of this generation in the Destiny Temple—Que.
Bore and Que paid their respects to Yan Yu and the Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor before taking their seats one after another.
They sat directly opposite Zhang Ruochen and Yan Yu.
The atmosphere suddenly grew quiet and strange.
Yan Yu remained composed and whispered a reminder to Zhang Ruochen: "Ruochen, you still haven't answered your uncle's question from earlier."
Zhang Ruochen withdrew his gaze, filled a cup of wine, and said, "Miss Zhexian is a woman of true temperament."
"That's it?" Yan Yu asked.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I haven't had much contact with Miss Zhexian, so I dare not make a hasty judgment. That remark comes from the heart."
Yan Zhexian's eyes revealed a hint of disdain. So-called true temperament could be either a strength or a weakness.
Was that praise or criticism?
Yan Yu pondered for a moment, also filled his cup, and smiled. "A woman of true temperament might suffer greatly in conflicts with enemies, but as a friend or wife, she is an excellent choice."
Wasn't that too direct?
Zhang Ruochen merely smiled and drank, not daring to respond.
Yan Yu continued, "Since you haven't had much contact, get to know each other more in the future. Discuss insights on cultivation, visit famous sites and ancient relics."
"Certainly, certainly," Zhang Ruochen said.
Yan Yu was quite satisfied with Zhang Ruochen's response.
If Zhang Ruochen had praised Yan Zhexian's beauty or talent, Yan Yu would have been displeased instead.
Other cultivators could compliment a woman's beauty, but Zhang Ruochen could not—his reputation preceded him, and such words would make him no different from a lecherous fiend.
Other cultivators could praise Yan Zhexian's talent, but Zhang Ruochen could not—his own talent was too outstanding, and such words would seem hypocritical.
Zhang Ruochen understood Yan Yu's intent, so he dared neither praise nor criticize Yan Zhexian. The answer of "true temperament" had inadvertently aligned with what Yan Yu wanted to hear.
Yan Yu sighed slightly with melancholy. "Xian'er's father was my elder brother, whose talent surpassed even mine. He had the potential to be ranked among the Eon-level geniuses. Unfortunately... ah..."
"Second Uncle, do not grieve. The path of cultivation is fraught with peril. As cultivators, we must always be prepared to meet our end in the yellow earth."
Zhang Ruochen had looked into Yan Zhexian's background and knew that her father, Yan Yucheng—the foremost of the Yan Clan's Five Talents—had encountered a divine-level enemy a hundred years ago. Forced to break through to the divine realm in battle, he failed and perished, his divine form annihilated.
Of course, that deity had been swiftly subdued by the arriving ancient gods of the Yama Clan and was still imprisoned within the clan, suffering torment akin to hell.
To deter the world, that deity's entire clan had been slaughtered to the last.
First there was the Destiny Temple's Divine Son Yuqiu, then Yan Yucheng—on the path to godhood, everyone must tread carefully, as if walking on thin ice.
Yan Yu regained his composure and said, "Ruochen, your uncle also has a heartfelt remark. The tallest tree in the forest invites the strongest wind. You are even more dangerous than my elder brother."
Did Zhang Ruochen not know this?
With Yan Yucheng's background, he had still died tragically.
Zhang Ruochen's talent surpassed Yan Yucheng's, but his background was inferior. One could imagine how perilous his path ahead would be.
Yan Yu had hinted clearly enough. Though Yan Yucheng had died, the deity who forced his hand had paid a terrible price. What deity would dare to act against a Yama Clan prodigy without fear?
Yan Yucheng had only one daughter, Yan Zhexian. If Zhang Ruochen married her, that deterrent power would also protect him.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Second Uncle, I understand your meaning, but this matter is not mine to decide alone."
Yan Yu patted Zhang Ruochen's shoulder and smiled elegantly. "That remark is enough. If you have the intention, be a bit more proactive and nurture the relationship. If you truly cannot come together, your uncle will not force you."
What Zhang Ruochen needed was the Yama Clan's support and deterrence.
The Yama Clan wanted Yan Zhexian to marry Zhang Ruochen for several reasons. First, the world knew Yan Zhexian was pregnant with Zhang Ruochen's child. If they could not be brought together, where would the Yama Clan's face be? Where would Yan Zhexian's reputation be?
Second, Zhang Ruochen's edge had already been revealed, and his future achievements were limitless.
Third, the Blood Absolute Family was on the rise. Xue Jue War God had long shaken the world, and both Underworld King and Xue Hou were potential deities rarely seen in an eon. Marrying into Zhang Ruochen's family would effectively draw the entire Blood Absolute Family into their fold.
This was an investment difficult to calculate!
However, the Yama Clan clearly valued Yan Zhexian's feelings. Otherwise, they would have forcefully decided for her long ago, and Yan Yu would not have had to personally speak so much to Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen already knew that he and Yan Zhexian had no such relationship, but he also knew that the child in her womb carried his bloodline. He did not dislike Yan Zhexian, and if they truly came together, he could accept it.
But for him to take the initiative—that was utterly impossible.
It seemed he had never actively pursued any woman.
Let fate take its course.
The sacred banquet began.
Enchanting demons in seductive dance costumes swayed gracefully.
Sacred realm maidservants from various clans played instruments from different realms.
...
The earlier conflict with the Death God Temple was swept away. Zhang Ruochen's mind became ethereal, free from any thoughts, devoid of impurities, immersed in the dance and music.
After three rounds of wine, Zhang Ruochen was already slightly tipsy.
This "Red Dust" was indeed a renowned sacred wine of the world, with a potent aftereffect that left even Great Saints feeling lightheaded, tempted to rise and dance with the beautiful demon maidens.
Zhang Ruochen would not be so undignified, but Cang Jie was already flushed red and drunkenly charging in, one arm around a demon maiden, laughing without end.
No cultivator mocked him. It was normal for a Saint King to be unable to suppress the wine's power.
But when the Grand Minister of Works charged in, many Great Saints were stunned.
Could a Buddhist Bodhisattva have so little self-control?
Zhang Ruochen quickly had the Second Minister of Works drag him back.
A song ended.
The demon maidens in dance costumes withdrew, supporting the unconscious Cang Jie as they left.
Suddenly, the Grand Minister of Works stood up from his seat and chased after them. "Demonesses, if you have the skill, take this humble monk with you too!"
The Second Minister of Works seemed to find his senior brother too embarrassing. This time, he struck hard, slapping a "Six Desires Palm Seal" onto the back of his wrinkled head, knocking him unconscious before he calmed down.
The Second Minister of Works dragged the Grand Minister of Works's obese body back and said, "Uncle Master, senior brother drank too much. He seems lost in the Red Dust. What should we do?"
Zhang Ruochen forced down his embarrassment and said, "It's fine. This wine can enhance a cultivator's spiritual power and sacred soul. Let him walk through the Red Dust once—it's a good thing!"
The Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor sat at the highest seat and glanced at Yan Yu, moving his lips slightly to say something.
Yan Yu looked sideways at Zhang Ruochen, seeming to understand something, and shook his head with a smile.
The Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor raised his voice and said, "Today's sacred banquet is both to entertain our honored guests and to discuss a major matter. Let Second Young Master Yan speak on it!"
Yan Yu sat cross-legged without rising and said, "Everyone should know that three bursts of origin light have appeared in the Hundred Clans Royal City. Three times. The origin power was exceptionally pure and dense, suggesting that the Origin Divine Temple may be about to emerge."
In the hall, all the Earth Demon Clan's Great Saints showed shocked expressions.
They had not known that the Origin Divine Temple was about to emerge. Though they had guessed something major was happening in the Hundred Clans Royal City, they had not expected the truth to be so astonishing.
Since the Yama Clan wanted to borrow the Earth Demon Clan's power in the Hundred Clans Royal City, they naturally had to tell them the truth.
Yan Yu continued, "The place where the origin light surged is the Night Yaksha Clan's sacred ground, Night Rain Sea."
Bore said, "Second Master, speak plainly. Surely you don't mean to attack the Night Yaksha Clan?"
"Of course not! The Night Yaksha Clan is no ordinary small clan—it has endured for eons. Now that the gods have gone to the Jade Desolate Realm, the Hell Realm cannot easily start such a large-scale war."
Yan Yu went on, "Many forces know that the Origin Divine Crystal is about to appear, but they are all selfish, never considering the interests of the Hell Realm. Only the Yama Clan and the Destiny Temple can stand above these forces and take action before the Origin Divine Temple emerges."
Bore understood. "Second Master means to first expel the Heavenly Court cultivators?"
"Not expel—annihilate them all. If our strength is sufficient, the Ten Dark Powers can be cleared out as well." Yan Yu's gaze turned sharp, like a drawn sword.
The Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor said, "After the three bursts of origin light, the Heavenly Court has indeed sent many cultivators to investigate. If the Destiny Temple issues a decree for all clans to act together, we can root them out."
"But the Ten Dark Powers are more troublesome. They are deeply entrenched in the Hell Realm's borderlands and the Hundred Clans Royal City, making all clans wary. Some clans are even controlled by dark forces behind the scenes."
Yan Yu said, "Then let's start by rooting out the Heavenly Court cultivators. What does the Divine Maiden think?"
"I have no objections," Bore said.
"Good. Xuan Disha, draft a sacred decree. The Divine Maiden and I will stamp the command seals of the Yama Clan and the Destiny Temple upon it, then send it to the clan emperors of the city, ordering them to act accordingly." Yan Yu displayed the authority of a half-god, addressing even the Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor by name.
Then Yan Yu asked, "How many sacred armies has the Destiny Temple dispatched to the Hundred Clans Royal City?"
Bore clearly did not want to reveal too much. "Second Master need not ask. No matter how strong the Heavenly Court's experts are, the Destiny Temple can crush them."
The Yama Clan and the Destiny Temple—one was the supreme clan, the other could command the entire Hell Realm. As the leaders of these two great forces discussed major matters, Zhang Ruochen naturally kept his mouth shut and focused on drinking.
Only after their discussion ended did Zhang Ruochen ask Yan Yu, "Is Klafilin dead?"
Zhang Ruochen had originally wanted to ask about Kailuo Dishi but changed his words after thinking about it.
Yan Yu did not overthink it, assuming Zhang Ruochen wanted revenge for the arrow. He sighed. "The Paradise Realm sent five experts to stir up trouble on Ice King Star. I killed two half-gods, but Kailuo Dishi and Klafilin escaped."
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Where did they flee?"
"They are hiding in the Hundred Clans Royal City, in the Wolf Demon Clan's sacred ground. Otherwise, they would not have escaped," Yan Yu said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Is the Wolf Demon Clan controlled by the Paradise Realm?"
Yan Yu shook his head. "Not necessarily. The Wolf Demon Clan actually has a deep blood feud with the Paradise Realm, having nearly been wiped out by the Radiant Divine Temple. There are many clansmen in the Wolf Demon Clan's sacred ground. It's very possible that a few are controlled by the Paradise Realm. But investigating it is troublesome."
"Since Second Uncle knows this, why did you reveal that the Origin Divine Temple is about to appear in front of all the Earth Demon Clan's Great Saints?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Yan Yu stared at Zhang Ruochen.
The two locked eyes, then simultaneously smiled with understanding.
Suddenly, Yan Yu asked, "How did Fei Zhong die?"
The smile on Zhang Ruochen's face stiffened slightly.
Yan Yu laughed. "No need to be so tense. Your uncle doesn't suspect you of anything—just curious. Since his puppet body appeared on you, you should know how he died."
"Ji Fanxin killed him," Zhang Ruochen said.
Hearing this, the Second Minister of Works, sitting nearby, trembled all over, his eyes snapping wide open. He told himself to stay calm and not reveal anything to his uncle master.
Seeming to realize his reaction was too intense, he pressed his palms together and roared loudly, "He deserved to die!"
Yan Yu only glanced at the Second Minister of Works before shifting his gaze away. "And the memories of Huangtu and Xian'er—she erased those too?"
Zhang Ruochen knew it was hard to hide anything from someone like Yan Yu, so he nodded and said with difficulty, "If I hadn't erased their memories, they would have died. This was all I could do."
"Ji Fanxin's cultivation is formidable—she is not one to easily compromise. Ruochen must have paid a heavy price to save them, right?" Yan Yu kept his eyes fixed on Zhang Ruochen.
"These things are not worth mentioning. Regardless, Miss Zhexian is carrying my child. How could I stand by and watch her be killed?" Zhang Ruochen said.
"I will relay that to Xian'er."
Yan Yu smiled and asked no more.
As for how much of Zhang Ruochen's words he believed, only he knew.
Then Xuan Zehai came over to speak with Zhang Ruochen, hoping he would stay as a guest in the Earth Demon Clan. Zhang Ruochen did not refuse. After all, Peach Blossom was in the city and might emerge at any moment to deliver a fatal strike.
Staying within a clan's sacred ground was relatively safer.
After the sacred banquet ended, Zhang Ruochen, carrying the Grand Minister of Works on his shoulder with the Second Minister of Works, along with the five experts of the Death God Temple, had just stepped out of the demon hall when a voice came from behind: "Zhang Ruochen, can we talk?"