Chapter 28: Demon Palace Part 3

It was as if a grand symphony had struck a discordant note, causing the plan to collapse in chain reactions, gradually descending into chaos.

Mu Tianzi did not admit his mistake, and the Demon Generals dared not voice any doubts.

“You messed things up.” Mu Tianzi said coldly.

Mr. Qin dragged his broken body into the black water, where he began struggling and howling in agony.

Yan Yan frowned and looked toward the black water. Mr. Qin’s ruined body was slowly being repaired by the black water.

“He was run through by the Wisdom Sword.” Yan Yan said softly.

Mr. Ying said, “Dealing with this generation’s Exorcists isn’t easy.”

Mu replied, “But far simpler than the strong foes of past generations. Even with both in Kaifeng, it shouldn’t have led to such a great defeat. Those two young men—one a Half-Demon body, the other unable to fully wield the Wisdom Sword. Not even the Phoenix could protect them.”

Yan Yan approached the steps before the Throne and looked up at Mu.

“You made a stupid mistake!” Mu Tianzi suddenly roared in fury.

Yan Yan trembled uncontrollably.

Mr. Ying remained silent. In the black water pool, Mr. Qin’s form bobbed and sank as he said tremulously, “Heavenly Sovereign… Heavenly Sovereign…”

“What did I order you to do?” Mu Tianzi said coldly.

Mr. Qin’s voice rasped, “Lure Zhao Ji into demonism, bring back Li Chaosheng, the other Immortal Seed from Kunlun…”

Mu Tianzi said, “After knowing they were all there, why did you alert the enemy? You wasted a Seed!”

Mr. Qin trembled and said, “Heavenly Sovereign, Heavenly Sovereign… By rights, there shouldn’t have been any mistake. You said Xiao Kun wouldn’t follow them back to Kaifeng…”

“Heavenly Sovereign,” Yan Yan bowed and said, “We could go back now and perhaps capture that boy.”

“No need,” Mu said gravely. “They have nowhere to escape. The many causes are converging toward the ‘result.’ Fate will arrive, and no one can stop it.”

Mu stood, surveyed his surroundings, and extended his arm. A pitch-black bird flew in from one side and perched on his shoulder.

“Mr. Ying,” Mu Tianzi ordered, “Next, they will surely head together to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves to seek the Heart Lamp’s whereabouts. Though we don’t know which of them will try to obtain the Heart Lamp, once it appears, it will be the best opportunity. Stay close. I’ll instruct Mr. Liu to assist you fully. Use this chance to finish them off completely.”

Mr. Ying acknowledged and transformed into a comet trailing black Qi, departing the Heavenly Demon Palace. Mu remained seated on the Throne. The symbols on the massive Golden Wheel high above his head gradually dimmed.

In Kaifeng City, A Huang had arranged its bird friends to stand watch, overseen by a White Falcon. Xiao Kun hung the Demon Shaking Bell in the center of the hall. If it rang, the White Falcon would fly at top speed to find them, and the Exorcists would rush back to Kaifeng to investigate.

The best arrangement would have been for Xiang Xian to stay behind while the other took Wu Yingzong and Chaosheng to Gaochang Kingdom to seek the Heart Lamp. But Xiang Xian could not bear to leave Xiao Kun. After much discussion, they decided to set out together.

“I think this isn’t very meaningful,” Xiao Kun considered and said frankly. “Even with the falcon reporting and finding us in time, we can’t use the Golden Dragon anymore. In other words, we can’t fly.”

“What?” Xiang Xian had arranged everything and was about to leave when he heard the bad news.

Xiao Kun said, “The Dragon Soaring Jade has been corrupted by Demonic Qi.”

Xiang Xian said, “When did this happen? How could it be invaded by Demonic Qi?”

Xiao Kun said, “I can’t control it. Want to try?”

“It’s alright, isn’t it!” Chaosheng had ridden this Golden Dragon more than once and had grown fond of it. Though the Golden Dragon could not speak, Chaosheng saw it as a friend.

Xiao Kun showed his Dragon Jade Pendant. It had turned inky black. When Magical Power was injected, faint Demonic Qi dispersed. The Demon Shaking Bell in the hall immediately rang “ding-a-ling.”

As the Exorcism Division had packed their luggage and prepared to depart, Xiao Kun informed them of the Dragon Jade Pendant’s Demonic Qi corruption.

“Why didn’t you say yesterday?” Xiang Xian said.

“I tried every method,” Xiao Kun said. “None could expel the Demonic Qi.”

That day in the Wansui Mountain Imperial Palace, during the fierce battle, Xiao Kun had ridden the Golden Dragon toward Mu Tianzi. The Golden Dragon was gravely wounded, vanished in midair, and was retracted into the Dragon Jade Pendant. After that, it gradually blackened. Xiao Kun had wanted to resolve it alone without worrying his companions, but the Demon King was too powerful. He was at a loss.

“We can’t release it here,” Xiang Xian thought and said. “Find a spot outside the city.”

And so the group left the city for the outskirts wilderness. Xiao Kun said, “Get ready. It might go berserk.”

Xiang Xian said, “What if it goes berserk? Are we supposed to use the Wisdom Sword on it?”

Xiao Kun sighed.

“If we can’t subdue it,” Xiao Kun said, “we’ll have no choice.”

Chaosheng said, “No, we can’t! There must be a way! I don’t want you to kill Xiao Jin!”

Chaosheng not only liked this dragon but had even named it.

“Let’s release it first and see.” Xiang Xian said.