278 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Yan Zhao lifted her head, gazing at the silhouette ahead. Nan Gongyin didn't turn back. The blood-red mist gathered around her, inch by inch, forming into the shape of a Bloodshadow Spear. As the spear materialized, it accentuated the cold and lethal air emanating from Nan Gongyin's back. "Fear no changes," Nan Gongyin told Yan Zhao and the others. "With me here, you may act freely." Chapter 303 With that said, Nan Gongyin strode towards the courtyard. Ren Qingyue watched Nan Gongyin's distant silhouette, and surprisingly, her anxious heart calmed. Her apprehension and worries were suppressed by a stronger force that refused to rise again easily. She couldn't help but think: No wonder Master became so close with Nan Gongyin. Those who didn't know Nan Gongyin believed her to be a ruthless existence. But since Ren Qingyue had known her, she'd never seen Nan Gongyin kill indiscriminately. Immortals, humans, or demons — fundamentally, they're all the same. A sudden breeze swept through the courtyard, and Nan Gongyin's imposing silhouette vanished into thin air. Yan Zhao tugged at Ren Qingyue's sleeve. "Senior sister." Ren Qingyue turned around to face Yan Zhao, accidentally meeting her gaze, and heard Yan Zhao ask, "Shouldn't we go save your mother?" "Yes." Ren Qingyue nodded, "Let's go." Yan Zhao quickly unfurled the Divine Art Scroll, writing: Qingyao Palace. A burst of golden light flared and extinguished, and the two were instantly shrouded in a halo and disappeared without a trace. · In the Demon Palace's Imperial Library. "Crown Prince!" someone rushed in from outside, speaking with urgent panic. He intended to burst straight in but was stopped by two Demon Palace attendants before reaching the library. Tu Shanyu recognized the voice and looked up from the mountainous pile of documents, calling out to the guards outside: "Let him in." Soon, the door opened. The newcomer hurried in, kneeling with a thud, "Your Highness! Something terrible has happened. The people you sent to capture the Pristine Princess are all dead!" Hearing this, Tu Shanyu's pen trembled, leaving a clear ink stain on the document and smudging the original content. His expression shifted from shock to anger, then to disbelief. "What did you say? Repeat it!" The visitor felt Tu Shanyu's anger, shivered with fear, but braced himself to repeat his statement. The moment his words ended, a jade teacup shattered on the ground, sprayed into fragments. The kneeling man trembled, not daring to raise his head even when the shards cut his cheek. Tu Shanyu roared, "They're all dead, so why did you come back alive?!" Watching helplessly as the experts sent by the Celestial Realm were slain by Nan Gongyin, his cowardly subordinates didn't dare to step forward, running away instead. How dare they act proud, expecting praise for their 'wisdom'? "Do you even know who they were?!" Tu Shanyu was filled with fury. The man shrank his neck, not daring to speak. Tu Shanyu gritted his teeth, eyes blazing: What a fool! No longer able to restrain himself, Tu Shanyu raised his hand to strike when a sudden chill ran down his spine. A shiver overcame him before he immediately realized something and withdrew his hand. Suppressing his anger, he coldly said, "Withdraw." The demon expert was puzzled but didn't dare question further, fearing Tu Shanyu might kill him in his anger, making him join those mysterious experts in death. As soon as Tu Shanyu allowed it, the man scrambled up and fled. He couldn't help but harbor some resentment. Those experts who died by Nan Gongyin's hand weren't even from the demon race, yet Tu Shanyu was so harsh to his kind. He would never be a fair ruler. Were it not for the circumstances, with Tu Shanyu's external allies too powerful, those who resisted either were killed or expelled from the Demon Palace. Even the Pristine Princess's whereabouts were unknown. Who in this palace genuinely obeyed Tu Shanyu? Including himself, they only feigned allegiance while secretly watching to see how long Tu Shanyu could remain arrogant. Once the man left, a figure slowly appeared behind Tu Shanyu, shrouded in mist, concealing his features and expressions. The intense pressure made Tu Shanyu break into a cold sweat. It felt like a mountain pressing down on him. The words exchanged earlier must have been overheard by Huan Yun, the Immortal Sovereign. Those celestial experts were provided by Huan Yun to assist him. But now, they had all perished at Nan Gongyin's hands. He feared the Immortal Sovereign's wrath, which might end their collaboration. He hadn't truly gained control yet. Right now, Qiongqiu seemed under his authority, but he lacked true power. The people's loyalty lay with his mother—no, that cold-hearted woman didn't deserve to be called his mother. She was Tu Shanyao, a woman willing to go to any lengths to consolidate her power. Yet no one in Qiongqiu saw through her guise. Everyone believed in the deep affection between her and his late father. His poor father died still plagued by remorse, hoping for Tu Shanyao's forgiveness. But Tu Shanyao had no use for him; his very existence had become a hurdle in her quest for dominance. She had to eliminate him. Whenever Tu Shanyu thought of these, he burned with fury. No matter what, he had to avenge his father and reclaim everything that rightfully belonged to him from Tu Shanyao. To achieve his grand plan, he needed the support of Huan Yun, the Immortal Sovereign. Now, while his wings were not yet spread wide, he had to bow and scrape. Once he reclaimed his power and truly became the next Fox Emperor, he would bring peace to Qiongqiu. No one would control him—not Tu Shanyao, nor Huan Yun, the Immortal Sovereign. Tu Shanyu lowered his eyes, hiding his fierce determination, and spoke with utmost respect: "Immortal Sovereign, to what do I owe your presence?" "I already know what happened," the Immortal Sovereign spoke, his voice cold and distant, like a god looking down on ants, "Do you have anything to say?" They were the ones he sent to assist Tu Shanyu, yet due to Tu Shanyu's poor decisions, they were all lost. Tu Shanyu knelt with a thud. "Please grant me another chance, Immortal Sovereign!" The Immortal Sovereign sneered, "Why should I trust you? With results like these, I doubt your strength can support your ambition." Tu Shanyu's face went pale, resentment darkening his heart, hands clenched so tightly they drew blood as nails dug into palms. The celestial beings were disgustingly arrogant. But he had to endure. Lowering his head further, Tu Shanyu ensured his voice sounded sincere, "I realize my mistake and will be more cautious henceforth." The Immortal Sovereign glanced at him, about to speak further when an unusual aura flickered briefly. He frowned, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes. At the same time, someone rushed to the library's entrance, shouting, "Crown Prince, Your Highness, something terrible has happened!" If not for the Immortal Sovereign's presence, Tu Shanyu might have cursed out loud. This was the second time someone said something terrible had happened. What could be worse than the sudden demise of the Immortal Sovereign's men? The door was knocked on vigorously, nearly breaking open at will. Seeing this, the Immortal Sovereign’s figure wavered before merging into the void, disappearing without a trace. In the next instant, the library door burst open. Tu Shanyu quickly stood, ready to question angrily, but was interrupted by the man shouting, "Something terrible happened! Your Highness! An assassin is in the palace!" An assassin! Tu Shanyu's face changed immediately. The words of reproach were swallowed back. He asked, "What identity does the assassin have?" "We don't know yet!" The man shook his head frantically, face filled with panic. "The palace guards can't stop them. By their movements, they might be the left or right guardians of the Demon Lord Nan Gongyin!" The Demon Lord Nan Gongyin! The left and right guardians?! Tu Shanyu closed the distance instantly, grabbing the man's collar. "Are you sure?" The man answered with difficulty, "I saw it with my own eyes!" Tu Shanyu was momentarily dazed. How could the left and right guardians under Nan Gongyin suddenly appear in the demon palace? Could it be that Tu Shanyao was colluding with Nan Gongyin, and that they had abruptly come to Qingqiu to rescue Tu Shanyao? Once this thought clicked into place, a cruel glint flashed in Tu Shanyu’s eyes as he curled his lips into a sly smile. "Issue the orders: gather all our forces and blockade Qingyao Palace. Capture them at any cost!" "Yes, sir!" With that, the subordinate took his leave, and Tu Shanyu gestured for the door to close. He then turned to address the empty space behind him, "The left and right guardians are Nan Gongyin’s trusted underlings. If I can capture them and present them to the Immortal Sovereign, could this atone for my current failures?" The space rippled, and Huan Yun, the Immortal Sovereign, appeared in the room once more. "You're too naive," Huan Yun said. "I won't help you today. If you can resolve this on your own, then we will discuss cooperation." Tu Shanyu was stunned at this statement. Before he could muster a plea or argument, Huan Yun had already vanished quietly. No matter how Tu Shanyu called out, the Immortal Sovereign did not reappear. An unsettling anxiety crept into Tu Shanyu's heart. Lei Shuang and Jiang Ying were merely the left and right guardians, not the Demon Lord herself, yet this had sent Huan Yun scurrying away in haste. After the assassination attempt on Tushan Xun, Tu Shanyu had completely seen through the nature of humanity. There was no pure haven in this world. Everyone is scrambling for fame and profit. If he wished to survive and avoid being trampled, he had to become ruthless, cold-blooded, and fierce. Even the Immortal Sovereigns of the Celestial Realm were no different. Tu Shanyu turned and swiftly left the study, summoning his trusted followers to head to Qingyao Palace personally. Today, he would tear away Tu Shanyao's false facade and let the demons see who the Fox Queen they admired and respected truly was! However, as the gates of Qingyao Palace came into view, Tu Shanyu had to halt his steps. Before him stood a lone figure on the empty ground. Nan Gongyin leaned against her Bloodshadow Spear, surrounded by a large swath of fallen demon soldiers, not a single one left alive. Tu Shanyu drew in a sharp breath, instinctively stepping back. His movement alerted Nan Gongyin. She slowly lifted her gaze, coldly sweeping over Tu Shanyu and the demon experts behind him. With a slight scoff, she remarked, "You're too late." Chapter 304 Despite his fear, Tu Shanyu hesitated. Before coming here, it never occurred to him that he would face Nan Gongyin. If it were merely the left and right guardians of the demon clan, his forces might still manage. But now, it was the Demon Lord herself blocking his path. Why had Nan Gongyin come to the demon realm? Tu Shanyu's rigid thoughts struggled to process, ultimately landing on a conclusion: it was Tu Shanyao! Tu Shanyao had long advocated for reconciliation with the demons, forging an alliance with them. It was highly likely that the assassin who infiltrated Qingshuang Residence was sent by Nan Gongyin! Once he thought of this possibility, all the cause and effect linked together, providing Tu Shanyu with compelling evidence to accuse Tu Shanyao of being a traitor to the demon clan. His eyes turned red with fury, blood pounding hotly to his temples as he raised his arm and shouted, "Tu Shanyao colluded with the Demon Realm, seeking to destroy our demon clan's legacy of hundreds of thousands of years. It is only right for me to take power and purge these aberrations!" "I, Tu Shanyu, swear here today to capture and kill Nan Gongyin. Those who die shall be honorably buried, and their families cared for. Whosoever captures the enemy leader shall be awarded with high rank!" The demon experts behind Tu Shanyu, who were initially hesitant to advance, stopped in their tracks upon hearing his words. "May the spirits of our fox ancestors protect us!" Tu Shanyu declared, slashing open his palm and letting a spray of blood fall to the ground. "Help us drive these demon scoundrels out of our realm!"