...
"Calm down a bit," Long Yan glared at him, "You're a crown prince now, after all."
"Yes, yes, Ruobing is right, calm, I need to be calm." Shentu Jingming took several deep breaths to barely regain some composure, but his eyes were still filled with disbelief as he looked at Wang Shouzhe, "Brother Shouzhe, are you joking with me? Taking down the Demon Sovereign... Isn't that a bit outrageous?"
"What's so outrageous about it?" Long Yan retorted impatiently, "If Shouzhe says he can do it, then he can. Just ask yourself what your attitude is. Or do you still have some fantasies about the Demon Sovereign?"
She had always had blind faith in Wang Shouzhe, and this trust was built on Shouzhe's repeated flawless strategies, consistently crushing his enemies.
"Of course, I support Ruobing. I also think that old Demon Sovereign is too much, truly not a good thing, I have no objections to taking him down." Shentu Jingming quickly clarified his stance, though he still felt a bit uneasy, "However, this matter is too big for me to decide. I fear I must consult with the old... uh, the Ancestor."
"Naturally," Wang Shouzhe smiled, "In that case, Brother Jingming, please invite the Demon Emperor over."
"Alright, alright, I'll invite him right away."
Shentu Jingming immediately took out the Demon Emperor's Order and activated it without another word.
In the next moment.Flames of red lotus magic rose, and vast energy gathered like a vortex, instantly condensing in mid-air into the imposing figure of the Demon Emperor.
Perhaps because he was summoned directly from the outer regions, the Demon Emperor was clad in battle armor, with black armor entwined with fiery patterns, exuding an overwhelming aura of dominance.
The powerful pressure of a True Demon swept through with his appearance, instantly filling the small courtyard.
"Jingming, what danger have you encountered? Why did you activate the Demon Emperor's Order?" The Demon Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings, ready for battle at any moment.
"Ancestor, this is Master Wang Shouzhe of the Wang Clan, he wishes to discuss something with you." Shentu Jingming stood up respectfully and explained the situation.
In front of outsiders, he still gave the Demon Emperor face.
But the Demon Emperor was nearly infuriated.
Refining a Demon Emperor's Order took great effort, consuming a vast amount of True Demon energy, and required a wisp of his soul within. It was meant for the younger generation to use in emergencies for self-preservation.
Yet this brat used it just to discuss something with him, as if the Demon Emperor's Order was free?
He really wanted to strangle this wastrel to death.
"Shouzhe greets Your Majesty the Demon Emperor."
Wang Shouzhe slightly cupped his hands in salute, and Wang Fugui and Long Yan followed suit, while Liu Ruolan, who was sitting nearby, glanced at the Demon Emperor's projection with a peculiar gleam in her eyes, seemingly eager to try something.
"Master Shouzhe? So you're the Master Shouzhe frequently mentioned in Zhaoyu's letters, indeed a man of extraordinary bearing, a dragon among men."
Seeing Wang Shouzhe and the others speak, the Red Abyss Demon Emperor temporarily set aside the idea of reprimanding Shentu Jingming, instead observing Wang Shouzhe with interest.
To have raised such outstanding children as Wang Yingxuan and Wang Fugui, this ancestor was certainly not simple.
However, to the Red Abyss Demon Emperor, no matter how exceptional Wang Shouzhe was, he was still a junior, and he viewed him from a superior perspective.
"Ancestor, let me explain Master Shouzhe's intentions to you." Shentu Jingming hurriedly pulled the Red Abyss Demon Emperor aside and whispered a few words.
The Demon Emperor's expression quickly turned strange.
He tried to maintain a calm demeanor, but his eye twitched uncontrollably: "Master Shouzhe wants to take down the Demon Sovereign?"
He looked at Wang Shouzhe with an increasingly peculiar gaze, filled with doubt and disbelief: "Even if you can gather the forces to take down Chao Qianchuo, that old guy is cunning and suspicious. How can you lure him into a trap?"
Take down the Demon Sovereign?
Ha, how? The Red Abyss Demon Emperor also wanted to take him down, but was it possible?
"Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, I naturally have my methods and confidence." Wang Shouzhe had anticipated the Demon Emperor's reaction and was unfazed by his doubts, speaking calmly, "This matter cannot be explained in a few words. Since you're here, let's invite the Immortal Emperor as well, so we can discuss the follow-up matters together."
Saying this, Wang Shouzhe glanced at Wang Fugui.
Wang Fugui understood and also took out an Immortal Emperor Order.
Upon activating the Immortal Emperor Order, brilliant immortal spirit energy surged forth, instantly forming a graceful figure.
It was the projection of the Immortal Emperor.
At this moment, the Immortal Emperor seemed to have just finished court, still wearing the imperial crown and robes, exuding an aura of majesty and dignity, embodying the essence of an empress.
With her presence, Wang Shouzhe's humble courtyard seemed to gain a touch of nobility.
"Fugui, could it be..."
The Immortal Emperor had just descended, ready to greet Fugui, but upon seeing the Demon Emperor's projection, her expression immediately darkened: "Red Abyss, so it's you causing trouble."
With that, a terrifying pressure erupted, bearing down on him.
"Mu Yun!" The Demon Emperor was so angry he almost cursed, immediately countering with his own aura, "Don't think that just because you've advanced to the mid-stage True Immortal, you can disregard this emperor and suppress me at will. We're both projections, do you think I'm afraid of you?"
"Red Abyss, this emperor's fists are bigger and arms are thicker, so what if I suppress you? If you have the ability, advance to the mid-stage too!" Immortal Emperor Mu Yun, having advanced to the mid-stage, had indeed become more temperamental, immediately intensifying her pressure.
"You..."
The Demon Emperor was infuriated but helpless.
There was no way around it; in a one-on-one fight, the mid-stage had a significant advantage over the early stage. Before the Immortal Emperor advanced, he could still contend with her, but now he was almost always on the receiving end, and in a real fight, he would definitely be beaten.
Seeing that it was about time, Wang Shouzhe cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty the Immortal Emperor, the Demon Emperor is a guest after all, please restrain yourself."
The Immortal Emperor glanced at Wang Shouzhe, a sudden smile appearing on her bright face: "Since Young Master Shouzhe has spoken, I shall comply."
With that, she withdrew her aura and gracefully landed beside Wang Shouzhe.
Comply?
The Demon Emperor had just relaxed when he was startled by the Immortal Emperor's tone.
He looked at the Immortal Emperor, who was standing half a step behind Wang Shouzhe, with suspicion: "Mu Yun, why are you being so polite to this junior?"
Polite was an understatement.
Immortal Emperor Mu Yun's attitude towards Wang Shouzhe seemed to carry a hint of reverence, subtly displaying the demeanor of a subordinate.
"You don't understand. Speak politely to the young master, or don't blame this emperor for being ruthless." Immortal Emperor Mu Yun snorted coldly, showing no courtesy to the Demon Emperor, as if her good manners were reserved only for Wang Shouzhe.
Uh...
Wang Shouzhe was speechless.
Ever since the last time they pretended to be master and servant, he wasn't sure if the Immortal Emperor was too playful or too immersed in the role, but she kept calling him "young master"...
Suddenly, Wang Shouzhe felt a chill down his spine.
He glanced up and saw Liu Ruolan sitting not far away, smiling at him and Immortal Emperor Mu Yun, her eyes playful and profound.
"Ahem!"
Wang Shouzhe hurriedly changed the subject: "Your Majesties, the Immortal Emperor and the Demon Emperor, let's discuss the matter of the Demon Sovereign first. The situation of the human race has undergone earth-shaking changes, and the joint resistance of the Immortal and Demon Dynasties against the Demon Realm is an irreversible trend."
"However, the Demon Sovereign is still going against the tide, not only instigating internal wars among the human race but also attempting to destroy our Wang Clan."
"Indeed, Chao Qianchuo must be eliminated for the human race to have peace." The Immortal Emperor also sneered repeatedly, "If Young Master Shouzhe needs it, Mu Yun can mobilize my true body for you to command."
"But..." The Demon Emperor still hesitated, "Chao Qianchuo is ultimately one of the two True Demons of our Demon Dynasty. Is there no other way?"
"Actually, I would also like to spare Chao Qianchuo, as True Immortal and True Demon level combat power is crucial for the human race, and having one more is an additional strength." Wang Shouzhe sighed, "Unfortunately, I've already given him a chance, but he didn't reflect or seize it."
These thirty years were not only for the Wang Clan to prepare for war but also for the Demon Sovereign to reflect. If the Demon Sovereign could abandon his ambitions and stop causing trouble, Wang Shouzhe naturally wouldn't take action.
"As the saying goes, to secure the outside, one must first settle the inside. Only by resolving the huge hidden danger of Chao Qianchuo can we unite to resist the Demon Realm and gradually engage with the Holy Domain World, developing our Shenwu World into something stronger."
"Holy Domain World?" The Demon Emperor was shocked, "Does Master Shouzhe have information about the Holy Domain World?"
He naturally knew of the Holy Domain's existence, but he never expected Wang Shouzhe and the others to already be planning to engage with it.
Have they grasped some definite channel?
"Indeed, we have some clues. But the future direction depends on Your Majesty's own choices." Wang Shouzhe finished speaking and then half-closed his eyes, leaving the Demon Emperor some time to think.
The Demon Emperor pondered for a moment and finally compromised: "Very well, the trend is set, and even if I say anything, it may be futile. Master Shouzhe, I don't care how you contend with Chao Qianchuo, but this emperor will not participate in the siege of Chao Qianchuo."
This was his bottom line.
"Rest assured, neither the Immortal Emperor nor the Demon Emperor need to participate." Wang Shouzhe leisurely took a sip of tea and continued, "But Crown Prince Jingming must participate, and we will use the Heavenly Recording Disk to record the entire process."
Shentu Jingming was stunned: "I'm just a crown prince who hasn't even reached the Divine Realm, isn't it a bit out of place for me to join the team besieging the Demon Sovereign?"
"Naturally not. I heard that the Shentu Clan has an ancestral treasure, the [Red Lotus Karma Fire Diagram]. It's a one-time consumable talisman treasure, and while its power doesn't match the Holy Emperor's Wrath, it's far beyond a True Immortal Strike and has some binding effects." Wang Shouzhe said leisurely, "This item happens to be given to Crown Prince Jingming for self-defense, and it should play a significant role in battle."
The Demon Emperor's face changed, grabbing Shentu Jingming's ear: "Are you a blabbermouth? Why are you revealing all our family secrets?"
"Ouch, Ancestor, so many people are watching~~" Shentu Jingming wailed.
"Hmph!" The Demon Emperor released him but snorted coldly at Wang Shouzhe, "Young Master Shouzhe is indeed calculating. You're trying to make the Shentu Clan pledge allegiance and bind us to the same boat."
"However, if Chao Qianchuo dies, and the one mastering the [Nether Fiend True Demon Scripture] is Wang Ruobing, who belongs to your Immortal Dynasty, it will disrupt the balance of power between the Immortal and Demon Dynasties, affecting the entire Shenwu World's power structure. You must give this emperor a clear explanation."
"The balance of power between the Immortal and Demon Dynasties?" Wang Shouzhe glanced at the Demon Emperor with a faint smile, "Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, in the absence of you, the Immortal Emperor, and the Immortal Sovereign, these three True Immortal and True Demon realm powerhouses, how do you think we plan to besiege Chao Qianchuo?"
"......"
The Red Abyss Demon Emperor was momentarily stunned.
He had been preoccupied with considering the gains and losses, only now realizing.
Indeed, Wang Shouzhe had clearly stated that neither he nor Mu Yun the Immortal Emperor needed to participate in the siege. And from his tone, even Lingxuan wasn't involved. But there were only so many True Immortal and True Demon realm powerhouses among the human race...
The more he thought about it, the more he felt something was amiss, and his expression suddenly changed: "Could it be that you already..."
In an instant, the Red Abyss Demon Emperor felt a chill.
Because Wang Shouzhe had said "besiege," not "eliminate"!
To besiege implies overwhelming numbers, at least three against one, right? Damn it, how much strength is the Immortal Dynasty hiding?!
For a moment, the Demon Emperor genuinely wanted to ask who exactly was going to besiege Chao Qianchuo and how many True Immortal realm powerhouses the Immortal Dynasty actually had. However, the words stuck in his throat, and he ultimately couldn't bring himself to ask.
Firstly, it was obvious that this was a secret of the Immortal Dynasty, and it was inappropriate for him to ask.
Secondly, he was genuinely a bit scared, afraid that Wang Shouzhe might give an answer that would terrify him.
Forget it~ He wouldn't ask. Once everything was settled, he'd know what he needed to know.
"Your Majesty, think about it. This time, for Chao Qianchuo to deal with our Wang Clan, he merely moved his lips, and those vassal states and various forces responded immediately. Did Your Majesty feel respected?" Wang Shouzhe posed another sharp question.
"Hmph!" The Red Abyss Demon Emperor's expression fluctuated, and after a long silence, he finally made up his mind, "Fine, I'll have Crown Prince Jingming and Zhuo Lao assist you. You can record the process however you like. However, this emperor also has a condition."
"Oh, Your Majesty, please speak." Wang Shouzhe's expression remained calm, as if he had anticipated this.
"I want the boy Fugui to marry Zhaoyu." The Demon Emperor waved his robe, speaking with great momentum.
"Ah!"
Wang Fugui was taken aback.
As a junior, since Ancestor Grandfather was in charge, he had been quietly serving tea and water to the elders, not uttering a word. But unexpectedly, the Demon Emperor suddenly targeted him.
"Red Abyss, you shameless old thing, have you no shame?" Immortal Emperor Mu Yun was almost furious, "Our Princess Chunnan has long been destined for Fugui."
"What can this emperor do?" The Demon Emperor pointed at Wang Shouzhe, looking aggrieved and helpless, "Your Young Master Shouzhe is even scarier than Fugui, able to calculate the Demon Sovereign to death. This emperor is also afraid of being used and then discarded like a hunting dog after the rabbit is caught. Only if Wang Fugui marries Zhaoyu, with Shentu blood in the Wang Clan, can this emperor feel secure in allying with you."
"Besides, that brat Fugui has long been known as the [First Prodigal Son of the Human Race], and he's been ambiguous with both Zhaoyu and Chunnan. Marrying one is marrying, marrying both is also marrying."
"No way!" Immortal Emperor Mu Yun retorted angrily, "Our Mengyu will never share a husband with anyone."
"Then let's call it off~" The Red Abyss Demon Emperor assumed a rogue posture, "I'll just go back and have a good chat with the Demon Sovereign's projection..."
"You dog, how dare you threaten this emperor?" Immortal Emperor Mu Yun laughed in anger, "Fine, fine! Aren't you afraid this emperor will crush you?!"
"Crush me, go ahead, aim for my head." The Red Abyss Demon Emperor directly offered his head to the Immortal Emperor, "Anyway, it's just a projection being destroyed, this emperor won't even blink."
Shentu Jingming's face changed.
Ancestor, have you considered my feelings? Your projection being crushed is one thing, but my true self is still in the Wang Clan!
"Then marry them both, without distinguishing between primary and secondary." Liu Ruolan, who had been "accompanying," finally stepped in to settle the matter, "After all, our Wang Clan has had similar situations before."
"Fine! I'll give Ruolan some face." The Immortal Emperor gritted her teeth in anger, "But the child born to our Mengyu must be the legitimate heir."
"Nonsense!" The Red Abyss Demon Emperor was so angry his eyes bulged, "If there's no distinction, why should yours be the legitimate heir?"
"Alright, alright, stop arguing." Liu Ruolan continued to mediate, "Regarding this, our family has had precedents. If there's no distinction, then whoever gives birth first will have the legitimate heir."
This time, even the Demon Emperor and the Immortal Emperor couldn't help but glare at Liu Ruolan.
Your family has quite a few peculiar precedents.
Liu Ruolan blinked her starry eyes, looking innocent.
Let them glare if they want; she was feeling quite pleased. Her Ruolan bloodline produced descendants with great fortune.
"Ruolan, we should ask Fugui's opinion on this matter." Wang Shouzhe coughed lightly, reminding her, "We should go through the motions."
"You're right, our family is quite open-minded." Liu Ruolan "suddenly realized" and beckoned Wang Fugui over, "Fugui, what do you think?"
Wang Fugui dared to be a little stubborn in front of Wang Shouzhe, but in front of Liu Ruolan, he was as obedient as a little lamb. Hearing Liu Ruolan's inquiry, he quickly nodded and said, "I'll leave it to Ancestor Grandmother and Ancestor Grandfather to decide."
"My dear Fugui is so sensible. This matter is indeed difficult for you. But it's also for the great future of the human race, so you must make this sacrifice." Liu Ruolan comforted him.
Sacrifice?
Shentu Jingming, on the side, was moved to tears and couldn't help but mutter, "If such a great fortune is called 'sacrifice,' then let it all come to me. I'm not afraid of sacri..."
Before he could finish, there was a "boom," and he was kicked out of Shouzhe's courtyard by Ancestor Long Yan.
No one paid attention to the foolish Shentu Jingming. Since a preliminary agreement had been reached, everyone began discussing the specific details, and Wang Shouzhe also outlined the subsequent plan.
Naturally, he had informed the Immortal Sovereign in advance, but the Immortal Sovereign wasn't interested in bickering with the Demon Emperor and was busy with the outer region battlefield, so he didn't come.
"That's the general situation." Wang Shouzhe concluded, "However, Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, Your Majesty the Immortal Emperor, and the Immortal Sovereign, you should make more appearances in the Demon Realm, preferably find a Demon God to fight, to reassure the Demon Sovereign."
Given the Demon Sovereign's caution, only when he confirms that these three are occupied will he act boldly.
"Sigh~" The Demon Emperor sighed deeply, "The plan has a high chance of success. You've grasped Chao Qianchuo's weaknesses, calculating his every move precisely. It's not unjust, truly not unjust~"
At this moment, Shentu Jingming finally limped back into Shouzhe's courtyard.
Seeing this scene, he was filled with emotion.
Today's meeting in this small courtyard was truly epic. The fate of the human race was decided in this small space in a short moment.
Thousands of years later, if someone records this history, this meeting in the courtyard might be labeled as a "turning point in history" or a "milestone meeting."
Is this what it feels like to be among the greats?
...