Chapter 191: The Courtyard Surrounded by Wind and Snow
Chen Changsheng was not Shang Xingzhou; he did not possess the ambition or will to completely eradicate the demon race. But he had his own thoughts.
He hoped that the demon race would become extremely weak, so weak that in the long years ahead, they would never again dare to harbor any designs against the human race.
The Demon Lord’s expression was very calm, without any trace of anger. He said, “Then you would trade with us, the two imperial houses might even intermarry, and you would forcibly ban the use of the divine race’s script and language, leaving only their paintings and statues? How coincidental—that is actually my plan as well.”
Chen Changsheng looked at the tea in his cup, which was gradually freezing, and said nothing.
Under the starry sky, there was nothing truly new.
This conversation, or rather negotiation, had reached a point where there was no possibility of continuing.
The Demon Lord asked, “What I don’t understand is, since your resolve is so firm, why did you come to see me?”
Chen Changsheng replied, “Because I wanted to know why you wanted to see me.”
The Demon Lord looked into his eyes and said, “Even if you’re unwilling to negotiate peace, we can still cooperate.”
Unable to negotiate peace, yet still able to cooperate—naturally, this was aimed at a third party.
This was also what Chen Changsheng had found most puzzling before coming.
The current situation was that the demon race had decided to ally with Xue Lao Cheng, so their target was naturally the human race.
What did the Demon Lord mean by cooperation now? Did he think that Madam Mu could no longer control the situation? Would the demon race ultimately maintain their alliance with the human race?
If that were the case, what reason did Chen Changsheng have to cooperate with him?
“The situation has changed.”
The Demon Lord looked up at the goose-feather snow falling from the sky and said, “On that night four days ago, the entire flavor of White Emperor City changed.”
Chen Changsheng knew what he was referring to and said, “I don’t need to feel uneasy.”
The Demon Lord shook his head and said, “I don’t know what the White Emperor is thinking, and neither do you.”
Chen Changsheng noticed that he said “White Emperor,” not “Madam Mu.”
The Demon Lord said, “I’ve always suspected that the White Emperor is pretending to be asleep.”
Chen Changsheng was silent for a moment, then said, “It’s also possible that he’s truly incapacitated.”
The Demon Lord looked at him with a hint of mockery and said, “Do you always tend to think of the worst in everything?”
Chen Changsheng replied, “I’m actually thinking of the best.”
Both of them understood each other’s meaning.
The Demon Lord said, “You’re too naive. Anyone who underestimates the White Emperor will be punished, even including my great father.”
Chen Changsheng said, “If the White Emperor isn’t severely injured and imprisoned, then what is he hiding from the world to do?”
The Demon Lord replied, “Naturally, he’s sitting on the mountain and watching the tigers fight… Don’t forget, he was originally the most domineering tiger in the world—cold and ruthless, yet seasoned.”
Chen Changsheng said, “You seem to be afraid of him.”
“Old men are terrifying; they have a rotting stench.”
A look of disgust appeared on the Demon Lord’s face, as if he truly smelled something foul.
Chen Changsheng said, “What does this have to do with me?”
The Demon Lord looked into his eyes and said, “We’re both carrying heavy shells, crawling forward step by step. It’s exhausting.”
Chen Changsheng remained silent.
The Demon Lord’s gaze deepened. “Let’s help each other and throw off those heavy shells. How about it?”
Chen Changsheng looked at him calmly and said, “You want me to kill my master?”
“So what? I killed my own father. Besides, that teacher of yours is a madman anyway.”
A strange expression appeared on the Demon Lord’s face as he said, “I just don’t understand why he can’t stand you.”
Chen Changsheng didn’t explain. This was a matter between him and Shang Xingzhou, not something to be shared with outsiders.
“On your own, you can’t kill Shang Xingzhou.”
The Demon Lord said, “I can help you. Once all the old bastards are dead, then we can fight it out. Wouldn’t that be satisfying?”
Chen Changsheng said, “If I struggle with my teacher, the demon race will gain the greatest benefit.”
The Demon Lord said, “I understand your meaning, so before that, I will also show my sincerity.”
Hearing this, even though Chen Changsheng had no intention of going along with it, he couldn’t help but be stunned into silence.
In the northern demon domain’s snowy plains, who else could be as important as Shang Xingzhou?
Chen Changsheng had never imagined that the Demon Lord had been preparing all along to turn against the greatest contributor to his ascension, even a figure akin to a teacher!
He hadn’t imagined it, so naturally, he found it hard to believe. All these emotions showed in his eyes.
The Demon Lord knew this was indeed difficult to convince him of, but he couldn’t give the reason.
“If you agree, I naturally won’t compete with you for Xu Yourong or that female student of yours. I could even give you my sister.”
The Demon Lord looked at Chen Changsheng with a smile and said, “After all, she’s always been with you.”
Chen Changsheng still couldn’t understand and said, “What exactly do you want?”
The Demon Lord said, “I’ve already said what I want. If you make up your mind later, feel free to write me a letter.”
Chen Changsheng said, “A letter?”
The Demon Lord said, “Back then, the great scholar Tonggu and your generation’s Pope often exchanged letters. We can follow their example.”
Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and said, “If we both manage to leave White Emperor City alive, I will reply to your letter.”
Yes, staying alive was the prerequisite for everything.
Not to mention how many dangers were hidden in White Emperor City, they themselves were each other’s greatest threats.
No matter how much talk of peace, cooperation, help, or even friendship was mentioned in this conversation.
If given the chance, they would absolutely kill each other without hesitation.
Like at this moment, when the conversation ended.
The snow kept falling.
The only tree in the courtyard had turned white.
The only color came from that small clay stove.
Because the small clay stove and the teapot were still hot, and for some reason, the water in the pot never boiled dry.
Chen Changsheng and the Demon Lord stopped talking and sat quietly for a long time, gradually turning into two snowmen.
……
……
Outside the courtyard, there were countless snowmen.
Farthest away were the chieftains of the demon race’s various tribes, along with some powerful experts.
On the carriage path near the stone wall stood several hundred death warriors of the Xiang clan, led by Xiang Qiu, watching ahead with vigilance.
The Xiang clan chieftain stood at the very front, having already turned into a towering snowy mountain.
But he was not the closest to the courtyard.
The closest to the courtyard were five carriages. The Western Wilderness Daoist Hall’s archbishop and priests stood behind the carriages, appearing extremely respectful.
Besides the five carriages, there was also a group of people standing in the wind and snow outside the courtyard.
Among them were yamen runners, a little girl selling cosmetics, a fortune-teller, an old man selling sesame candy, and a blind zither player.
The Xiang clan chieftain stared at the blind zither player, his expression extremely grave.
As one of the strongest in the demon race, already half-step into the sacred realm, why couldn’t he see through the background of this blind zither player?
And who were the people inside those five carriages?