Chapter 126

"I wonder when General Hu came to the Great Desolation Mountains?"

Big Xiong downed his cup of wine in one gulp, feeling thoroughly refreshed and at ease. It was his first time sitting at the same table as General Bai; previously, he was always relegated to standing guard and waiting for orders. Looking at the flower-like beauty sitting opposite him, he could not help but ask.

However, his words had barely trailed off.

Suddenly, a slender human figure in green robes with white hair, exuding an ethereal demeanor and an aura as deep and vast as the abyss, appeared in the empty seat left vacant by General Bai.

In a single instant.

Both Big Xiong and Hu Mei'ning sitting across from him immediately noticed the cyan-robed figure that had materialized without any warning, and the expressions on their faces instantly froze.

Neither of the two demons had any idea how the other had appeared.

Neither dared to make the slightest rash move!

Because the moment the cyan-robed figure appeared, a vast and terrifying aura enveloped both of them.

It made them acutely aware with crystal clarity that any untoward movement would undoubtedly spell immediate death.

The cyan-robed figure sat in the main seat, merely casting a glance at the two demons across the stone table before ignoring them entirely. Looking at the table full of wine and delicacies, he turned his head to the half-demon maidservant beside him and said, "Bring me a set of bowls, chopsticks, and a wine cup."

The half-demon maidservant immediately fetched a clean set of bowls, chopsticks, and a wine cup with a dazed look in her eyes.

The cyan-robed figure picked up the wine flagon, poured himself a cup, and drank it down in one go. He then picked up his chopsticks and calmly began to taste the food on the table.

Flanked on either side.

Big Xiong watched the scene unfold, not even daring to breathe heavily. With a terrified expression, he slowly turned his head to look at the rabbit demon Hu Mei'ning opposite him, only to find her complexion identical to his own—equally stricken with panic.

The two demons dared not speak, dared not make any large movements, and certainly dared not look at the cyan-robed figure who was the source of all this terror.

They could only sit rigidly together like wooden stakes, cold sweat pouring profusely from their foreheads and bodies.

Heaven have mercy.

At this moment, given a choice, they would rather have been turned into actual wooden stakes than sit before this banquet table.

Even the phrase "sitting on pins and needles" fell far short of describing their current state of mind.

Panic, oppression, and the invisible terror gripping their minds tortured them mercilessly.

Who knew how much time had actually passed.

When the sound of footsteps echoed from the back of the cave.

Big Xiong and the utterly tormented Hu Mei'ning felt as though they had caught a glimpse of salvation, their spirits perking up in unison.

Bai Yunxiao walked out from the back, and upon seeing an extra cyan-robed figure sitting in his seat, his footsteps abruptly halted.

This was Langlang Mountain, his General's Cave. Who on earth was this?

Instantly sensing something amiss, Bai Yunxiao stopped in his tracks and looked over at Hu Mei'ning and Big Xiong at the table.

He saw that their faces bore expressions of terror and pity—expressions that were clearly a silent plea for help directed at him.

At that moment, Bai Yunxiao's expression rapidly turned grave.

To be able to reduce Hu Mei'ning and Big Xiong to a state where they were utterly powerless to resist, forced to sit there pleading for rescue without even daring to utter a sound.

Such an entity was certainly someone he could not defeat, even if he were to face them head-on.

Various thoughts regarding the severity of the situation flashed rapidly through his mind.

Bai Yunxiao took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the shock in his heart, and asked, "May I ask who Your Excellency is?"

"What brings you to my Langlang Mountain?"

Bai Yunxiao asked with extreme courtesy.

Hearing the voice coming from behind.

The cyan-robed figure downed the wine in his cup in a single draught, then turned around. Looking at Bai Yunxiao—who was still clad in silver armor, though its grade had clearly improved—he smiled and said, "An old friend is right before you, Elder Brother, can you no longer recognize me?"

The cyan-robed figure was naturally Lu Wufei.

Now that he had located the territory of the Great Desolation Mountains.

Unless the entire demon clan of the Great Desolation Mountains had migrated elsewhere, moving merely from the northern region to the southern region and changing territory within the mountains made searching for it a relatively simple task.

Lu Wufei had merely captured a few demons within the Great Desolation Mountains to interrogate them.

He quickly learned that the territory of the Third Great King, White Face, had entirely relocated within the former stronghold of his old enemy, Fengyun Ridge.

Not only that, but he also casually inquired about the exact mountains and cave dwellings inhabited by the Second Great King and the First Great King of the Great Desolation Mountains.

Once the locations and directions were clear, finding them became easy.

In less than half a day's time.

Lu Wufei had found Langlang Mountain, where his elder brother Bai Yunxiao resided.

He found the General's Cave.

And right on cue, he witnessed Bai Yunxiao feasting with two demons inside the cave.

Whereupon he had quite naturally taken a seat at the table.

The moment Lu Wufei spoke.

Bai Yunxiao's expression, which had just been solemn and heavily guarded, underwent yet another dramatic shift.

Hearing that familiar voice, and looking at the figure before him whose demeanor bore a seventy-percent similarity to the younger brother Bailang of his memories.

Bai Yunxiao reacted immediately, his expression rapidly transitioning from stern vigilance to pleasant surprise and profound joy.

Just as he was about to speak.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak—"

At that moment, a large white rat with smooth, silvery-white fur burrowed out from the collar of Lu Wufei's cyan-robed chest.

Seeing such a distinctive large white rat.

Bai Yunxiao finally reacted completely, crying out with immense delight, "Younger Brother!"

"You've finally returned..."

"Elder Brother, long time no see."

Lu Wufei said with a smile.

Immediately afterward, he released his suppressive aura over the two demons at the table.

Nearby, Hu Mei'ning—having endured a wave of terror, thrills, dramatic twists, and sudden turns—felt her body instantly lighten. Her heart settled profoundly, and she beamed a brilliant smile toward the cyan-robed figure whom Bai Yunxiao called his younger brother.

Yet on the other side, Big Xiong—who had only recently condensed his demon core and attained the realm of a Demon Commander, glorying in it for less than an hour or two—felt his heart grow increasingly bitter, complicated, and deeply sorrowful.

Compared to knowing the identity of this cyan-robed figure now.

He would have preferred to remain oppressed like that just a moment before.

Rather than accepting that his mortal enemy possessed a cultivation base that had reached an unfathomable realm.

This was truly harder for him to bear than death itself.

However, no one cared about Big Xiong's inner thoughts at this moment.

With Lu Wufei's return.

Bai Yunxiao immediately instructed his subordinates to replace the banquet with a larger table and feast.

Very soon.

After a flurry of activity below.

Lu Wufei, Bai Yunxiao, Hu Mei'ning, and Big Xiong were seated around a larger stone table.

The wine and dishes on the table were also replaced with fresh, piping-hot ones.

This time, however.

The protagonist had become Lu Wufei.

He conversed with Bai Yunxiao, while Hu Mei'ning and Big Xiong sat alongside them purely as accompanying guests.

"Since Younger Brother left, it has been nearly thirty years."

Bai Yunxiao poured Lu Wufei a full cup of wine and said, "Time truly flies."

"Indeed."

Lu Wufei raised his bowl. Seeing this, Hu Mei'ning and Big Xiong immediately raised their wine bowls in unison.

Lu Wufei clinked his bowl with Bai Yunxiao nearby, nodded toward the rabbit demon and the bear demon at the side, and downed his wine in one gulp.

Although treated differently.

The fact that the other party had even glanced in their direction could already be considered giving them face.

Sensing that the other party's aura was as deep as an abyss and that his strength was at the very least in the Demon King realm, Hu Mei'ning felt not the slightest impropriety in his behavior. Instead, she felt respected and beamed with smiles.

Big Xiong, on the other hand, felt increasingly miserable in his heart, yet he dared not show the slightest trace of it on his face.

He could not discern Bailang's strength, but judging solely by the aura the other party had previously and currently emitted, this Bailang was even more powerful and terrifying than the Third Great King whom he had encountered at close range.

From this, he could deduce that the other party's cultivation strength was at the very least at the Demon King realm.

How could this fail to fill Big Xiong's heart with pain, grievance, wretchedness, and even a trace of heartfelt terror welling up from the depths of his soul?

Now that Bailang was so powerful, would he still remember their past grudges?

And what about General Bai's intercession—would the other party still grant him face?

Especially since he had now advanced to a Demon Commander, making his strength much greater than before.

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Would the other party go back on his word and deal with him?

At this moment.

Big Xiong's heart had long since lost any lustful thoughts toward the rabbit demon Hu Mei'ning; all that remained was lingering fear.

Because he increasingly felt that Bailang before him would not let him off.

If this had happened before his breakthrough, he certainly would not have thought this way, because he was entirely insignificant in the other party's eyes, and he had General Bai's protection.

But now...

Perhaps he should have broken through a little later...

Perhaps then he wouldn't have run into this white wolf...

At this moment, Big Xiong actually felt a sense of regret in his heart for having broken through to become a Demon Commander today.

Yes, terror had made him regret it—regret breaking through on this very day...

Lu Wufei naturally knew nothing of Big Xiong's inner thoughts.

He took a bite of food, cast his gaze toward Big Xiong who was sitting to the side lost in thought, and casually remarked, "Commander Xiong's progress in strength has been astonishing; you are now in the Demon Commander realm, a truly felicitous and celebratory occasion."

He spoke the truth. Ordinary demons without special fortuitous encounters, who could break through the late Demon General stage and become a Demon Commander in less than thirty years, could definitely be considered exceptionally talented.

Just look at Langlang Mountain.

Counting from the time Lu Wufei transmigrated up to the present, nearly fifty years had passed.

In fifty years, excluding Bai Yunxiao—who broke through on the battlefield due to accumulated foundation—

And excluding Lu Wufei, who possessed a golden finger and became an unexpected disciple of Wuzhuang Temple.

Across the entire Langlang Mountain, having relocated their residence four times, endured several minor skirmishes, two major battles, and countless minor demons perishing along the way—

Putting everything together, across a full fifty years, only one Demon Commander like Big Xiong had been born, which spoke volumes.

Look again at the subordinates under the Third Great King, or the number of minor demons under Generals Longtail and Earth Dragon.

How many years had passed before the centipede spirit Broken-Foot and the black bear spirit Red-Eye were born as generals? That told the same story.

Big Xiong truly possessed talent.

Lu Wufei did not know whether this fellow had been stimulated or driven by his own appearance to perform so exceptionally.

Regardless, this fellow was already a Demon Commander now. Although he posed no threat to himself, he posed a considerable threat to the Crow Monster, Red-Skin, and the others.

As demons.

Lu Wufei knew the habits of demons all too well.

Big Xiong probably hated him to the bone in his heart by now.

However, since the fellow was previously merely a Demon General and could make no waves, Lu Wufei could spare his life for the sake of his elder brother Bai Yunxiao.

Now that he had actually become a Demon Commander, he could no longer be left alive.

After all, if the other party launched an attack against the Crow Monster and Red-Skin while he was away, they would definitely be unable to withstand it.

Therefore, he needed to find an opportunity to deal with him properly.

As for his previous promise to his elder brother Bai Yunxiao, it had already become void the moment Big Xiong became a Demon Commander.

He believed his brother would understand.

At most, Lu Wufei would simply settle accounts with Big Xiong when he wasn't around or when he wasn't on Langlang Mountain.

Big Xiong likewise knew nothing of Lu Wufei's inner thoughts.

If he had known, he probably would have been plotting ways to flee right then and there.

Facing Lu Wufei's praise, he immediately replied respectfully, "It is merely due to sheer luck..."

"It is merely due to sheer luck..."

As he spoke, Big Xiong promptly picked up his wine bowl once more, bowed toward Lu Wufei, and downed it in one go.

Lu Wufei smiled and said nothing more.

His gaze then shifted to the sole unfamiliar female demon commander present—who happened to be a pure and pretty female rabbit demon.

A quick note here: not all female demons, upon reaching the Demon General stage and gaining the ability to fully transform into human form, could transform into attractive human appearances.

Much depended on racial talent.

Female demons of races born with ugly or rough appearances—such as frogs, toads, oxen, elephants, and bears—no matter how they transformed, found it very difficult to become beautiful maidens.

For instance, the toad demon naturally possessed a large belly; upon transforming into human form, its belly would basically remain much larger than an ordinary person's. This was a physical trait that also affected transformation.

For instance, the monkey demon had excessive body hair;

For instance, oxen and elephants were simply too large in stature, meaning the "Eight-Foot Lady" after transformation was no joke.

Because these were innate flaws—no, innate limitations.

As for female demons of species with slender, well-proportioned, or petite physiques—such as leopards, cats, and rabbits—

Upon reaching the Demon General stage and transforming into human form, certain physical traits of their bodies would be reflected accordingly.

For example, a cat demon might retain cat ears;

A leopard demon would have long legs;

A rabbit demon would naturally come with eye shadow, and so forth.

However, certain traits of these demons would add bonus points during human transformation.

Coupled with having seen the image of a human beauty to use as a model for simulation,

Their chances of becoming beauties were higher than those of ordinary demons.

In short, even after becoming a demon, it was not easy to become handsome or pretty whenever you wished.

That required both innate conditions and acquired effort.

In short, becoming handsome or beautiful was no easy task.

Beauties and handsome men were resources.

In whichever world you were in.

Of course, provided your cultivation was powerful enough and your strength high enough, you would always find a way.

Yet conversely, when your cultivation was profound, you could effortlessly command beauties and handsome men.

Thus, mere physical shells would no longer matter as much to you.

Looking at the pure female rabbit demon before him.

Lu Wufei was just about to speak.

The rabbit demon Hu Mei'ning took the initiative to speak up, introducing herself: "Little demon Hu Mei'ning greets General Bai."

Through Bai Yunxiao's introduction, Hu Mei'ning had already learned some basic information about the other party.

However, since the other party had not revealed his full cultivation, she simply followed suit with her address.

Facing the self-introduced rabbit demon.

Lu Wufei nodded.

His elder brother Bai Yunxiao had already sent him a voice transmission.

The rabbit demon's original clan came from the demon pack of Snake-Coil Mountain, which had since been disbanded, but that was not the main point.

The crucial point was that behind her stood a Demon Ancestor-realm fox demon, who had taken her in as a disciple.

And that fox demon was currently the Demon Ancestor backing the Great Desolation Mountains.

Such news was of great importance to Lu Wufei.

He had returned this time for revenge, and he was determined to kill the Great King of the Great Desolation Mountains.

Although he did not know why the Demon Ancestor backing the Great Desolation Mountains had changed from the Yellow-Robed Monster to a fox demon,

If he wanted to kill that old demon, he would inevitably cross paths with a Demon Ancestor-realm—that was to say, an Immortal-realm—fox demon.

Given his current cultivation, although he did not fear Immortal-realm great demons,

Having some precautionary measures could only do good.

He was just wondering whether to plant a spiritual marker on this rabbit demon.

However, looking at the female rabbit demon before him, he felt her aura seemed somewhat familiar.

After lingering a few more glances,

Sensing her aura, Lu Wufei began to secretly calculate in his mind.

Although he had never specifically studied the Dao of Divination,

He had read scrolls on the subject in the library of Wuzhuang Temple.

Moreover, once one's cultivation reached a certain level, many minor divine arts and spells shared common principles and could be mastered by analogy.

The art of divination was something he now also understood to a degree.

With her aura in hand,

Combined with the sense of familiarity the rabbit demon gave him,

Lu Wufei quickly realized that this rabbit demon was actually the very same female rabbit demon he had encountered right at the beginning of his time in Langlang Mountain—shortly after his transmigration—during that battle where Langlang Mountain and Snake-Coil Mountain mutually harvested each other like leeks, and whom he had ambushed at the start.

Back then, he had even extracted his first pot of gold as a demon from her: a spiritual herb, a spatial storage divine art, and a wealth of cultivation knowledge.

Later on,

He had encountered this rabbit demon a few more times.

The last time seemed to be when he left Langlang Mountain to head into the human world in search of immortals to study under and seek the Dao.

He had robbed this rabbit demon once more within the territory of Snake-Coil Mountain.

Recalling rapidly in his mind all his past intersections with this rabbit demon,

Lu Wufei couldn't help but smile inwardly.

His affinity with this rabbit demon was truly quite profound.

He simply hadn't expected this rabbit demon to become the disciple of a Demon Ancestor-realm great demon, and to have advanced so rapidly to the Demon Commander realm.

Presumably, the other party must have encountered some fortuitous encounter or opportunity.

Still, since he himself could become a disciple of Wuzhuang Temple,

It was hardly surprising for other demons to encounter fortuitous opportunities.

Lu Wufei could tell that the rabbit demon had not reached the Demon Commander realm very long ago.

Considering that every time he ran into this rabbit demon, it never brought bad luck, only good things,

At this thought,

He hesitated no longer.

With a slight shift of his mind.

A tiny, virtually imperceptible white wolf hair immediately detached from his body and drifted toward the pure-featured, brightly smiling female rabbit demon sitting at the opposite table.

Now knowing this rabbit demon's true identity,

Lu Wufei instantly understood that her general temperament was by no means the pureness and beauty she displayed on her face,

Rather, she was a thoroughly clever, witty, and cunning individual.

However, he did not mind; he was fully capable of handling this rabbit demon.

At that moment, sensing that his white wolf hair had drifted onto her pink long dress,

Lu Wufei smiled faintly at Hu Mei'ning, then turned his head, picked up his wine bowl, and continued chatting with his elder brother Bai Yunxiao.

Meeting his smile,

Hu Mei'ning suddenly felt a wave of heat surge in her chest. She politely returned the smile, then picked up her wine bowl and downed it in a single gulp.

The crisp, sweet, and refreshing wine entered her belly,

And Hu Mei'ning felt the sudden surge of heat instantly suppressed.

She lowered her head in deep thought.

Such a situation was something she had never encountered before.

Yet very quickly, she deduced the general reason.

Although she could not discern the true form of the cyan-robed great demon before her, his appearance, physique, and demeanor were indeed exceptionally striking.

She had seen quite a few demon kings—and even demon ancestors—following her master, but she had never laid eyes on a great demon whose demeanor surpassed the one before her.

From the very beginning, the aura he exuded did not feel like that of a normal demon, but rather resembled an enlightened true immortal of the human Daoist sects.

And this had been verified through his conversation with Bai Yunxiao: this fellow had genuinely entered the immortal gates.

Outstanding appearance, extraordinary demeanor, coupled with an aura as deep as the ocean and a cultivation base at the very least in the Demon King realm—such an outstanding great demon...

It was hardly surprising that her heart had stirred and her body had reacted accordingly.

"No way!"

Facing this unfathomable great demon,

Hu Mei'ning's mind remained exceptionally clear. A stirring of the heart was rare, but her own safety was paramount.

Thinking of this,

She immediately picked up another wine bowl filled by the half-demon maidservant and gulped it down.

Only then did she thoroughly suppress the restless desires in her heart.

"Tonight when I return, I must report this matter to Master..."

"Mm."

Hu Mei'ning quickly made a decision in her mind, raised her head once more, and flashed a brilliant smile on her fair, tender face.

"What brings Younger Brother here upon his return this time?"

Bai Yunxiao picked up his wine bowl, clinked it with Lu Wufei, and asked via secret voice transmission.

Lu Wufei downed his drink in one go and replied straightforwardly, "Revenge!"

"Revenge!"

Bai Yunxiao was startled inwardly and immediately asked via voice transmission again, "What on earth happened last time?"

"The Third Great King said you defected and killed several generals under the Second Great King!"

"He questioned me about it, but judging by his tone, he didn't seem to hold any blame, nor did he make things difficult for me because of it. As for your brothers, Younger Brother..."

"Those brothers of yours are currently on my mountain."

Hearing Bai Yunxiao's words, Lu Wufei narrowed his eyes slightly and replied, "Those few demons who were originally keeping tabs on me all belonged to the Second Great King. It seems I implicated Elder Brother instead; thank you, Elder Brother, for your painstaking care."

"However, the Third Great King's previous goodwill was entirely hypocritical. Back then, that great demon king wanted to harm me the moment we met!"

"I have a deep-seated blood feud with those three demons!"

"My return this time is simply to exact revenge!"

"However, so as not to implicate Elder Brother, you will need to temporarily lie low and keep out of sight, just in case..."

Listening to the calm tone concealing deep-seated anger from his younger brother,

Bai Yunxiao was inwardly astonished. He finally understood why his younger brother had left behind parting words asking him to look after his brothers back then.

The amount of information was overwhelming; ignoring everything else, he pursued the most crucial matter: "Younger Brother, those three Great Kings are all in the Demon King realm. With your cultivation, how can you hope to defeat them?"

Lu Wufei replied once more, "So that Elder Brother may know, your brother here has now also attained the Demon King realm!"

"Those three old demons are no longer objects of my fear!"

Hearing this.

Bai Yunxiao felt a mixture of shock and silence.

The shock came from Bailang personally admitting that he had achieved the Demon King realm and stepped into the immortal realm.

Although he had harbored suspicions previously, hearing Bailang state that he had attained the Demon King realm still shook Bai Yunxiao profoundly.

It had only been thirty years!

A mere thirty years!

He had struggled mightily just to enter the mid-Demon Commander realm.

Yet his younger brother had actually leaped from the early Demon General stage all the way to the Demon King realm.

This felt even more surreal than a dream.

Yet facts were facts!

His younger brother was sitting right here, and that was a fact!

As for his silence, it stemmed from the realization that his younger brother, newly ascended to the immortal realm, intended to deal with those three demon kings,

While he himself had no idea how to chime in.

His younger brother's strength had leaped to a realm of cultivation he could scarcely hope to reach right now.

He could no longer offer any assistance.

To speak rashly would only cause his younger brother to look down upon him.

Lu Wufei looked at the silent Bai Yunxiao and said nothing for a moment.

He knew the other party must be overwhelmed by the various pieces of information he had just revealed.

Nor was he in any rush.

Paying no heed to the rabbit demon and Big Xiong sitting stiffly to the side,

Lu Wufei took a few bites of food, stroked little Bai who was sleeping in his bosom, and quietly waited for Bai Yunxiao to speak.

After quite a while.

Bai Yunxiao recovered his composure and transmitted his voice once more: "Since Younger Brother intends to deal with those Great Kings, although Elder Brother cannot help, I will certainly ensure I do not become a distraction for you."

"Just tell me what needs to be done, Younger Brother, and do not hesitate to speak."

Lu Wufei did not reply immediately. Instead, he gave a soft instruction to little Bai sleeping in his bosom. Little Bai woke up instantly, let out a squeak, leaped onto the floor, and darted swiftly out of the cave.

Lu Wufei then raised his wine bowl, looked toward the three demons, and smiled, "Come, let's drink."

(End of Chapter)