10 – Intimate Whispers: Luring the Enemy Deep Shouldn’t Be This Deep…
Luring the enemy in shouldn’t go this deep…
The lens refracted a faint glimmer, stirring an inexplicable delusion—to draw closer, to see what unfathomable darkness lay hidden behind the transparent glass, even if swallowed by that crimson hue.
The immortal herb knew nothing of the ways humans seduced one another, yet she felt that when the Demon Lord asked with such a face and voice, smiling, it truly seemed like genuine enticement and seduction art.
Sensing Wuzhi’s heartbeat quicken, Liu Wuzhi asked blankly, “Baili Xuanye? Is he your family?”
Baili Zheque scoffed disdainfully, “Back then, when he sealed my twelve meridians with Demon-Sealing Nails, poured a bowl of Heaven-Burying Abyss Water over me, and tossed me into the Immortal Sect Realm, he did indeed use that title.”
A severely wounded demon falling alone into the Immortal Realm would surely suffer endless bullying.
Liu Wuzhi frowned, “Then he definitely isn’t your family.”
Seeing her utterly unguarded expression, Baili Zheque’s bloodthirsty gaze darkened, “Quite skilled at playing the fool.”
Their mutual probing, in the eyes of the onlookers, appeared as the Demon Lord and the beauty whispering intimately, so immersed that they had no time to attend to even such a significant matter as selecting a Guardian.
…Love affairs hinder great deeds, Sovereign Lord! You are meant to unite the Three Realms—don’t get trapped in this!
Time was nearly up. Only two remained standing on the arena: one a man shrouded in darkness, the other a woman with skin glowing faintly green.
The green one perfectly matched the immortal herb’s aesthetic.
Just as she began to show a hint of appreciation and anticipation, the Demon Lord waved his hand, and a crystal identical to the earlier one shot out like a meteor. Before her eyes, it seemed as if the New Year’s Eve fireworks had exploded across the city—a crimson sea surged and churned, and the half of the arena where the woman stood shattered into pieces. In comparison, Liu Wuzhi’s earlier throw had been nothing more than a firecracker.
The dark-skinned man, who had been at a disadvantage: ?
Did the Sovereign Lord kill the formidable opponent to help him become the new Ember Ruins Guardian?
But then, the Demon Lord slapped the beauty in his arms, sending her flying, “Half an incense stick’s time remains, just enough for my beloved consort to join the battle.”
Liu Wuzhi: ??
Dark-skinned man: ??
The slender, delicate girl landed on the edge of the half-destroyed arena, facing the burly, muscular man in a standoff.
This was a woman favored by the Sovereign Lord—could she fight or not?
The dark-skinned man glanced up at Yuan Lan, who was overseeing the battle from above. The other man fanned himself leisurely, “On the arena, life and death are your own responsibility. Those who fear may step down voluntarily.”
That delicate-looking pretty boy—he could usually take down ten with a single punch. As long as he won this arena match, he would be promoted to one of the Five Great Guardians, standing on equal footing with him, and never again have to endure his arrogant displays.
Where great rewards are offered, brave men will emerge. The dark-skinned man rubbed his fists together, eyeing Liu Wuzhi, “This subordinate apologizes in advance.”
So-called harem beauties were nothing more than playthings who relied on their looks to serve others. With just a little intimidation, scaring her into fleeing the arena herself, this match would be a complete victory.
The ground where the Demon Lord had set off the fireworks was littered with severed limbs and remains. Liu Wuzhi first tried to piece together the green-skinned sister’s torso, troubled by the mismatched shapes, before turning to see the dark-skinned man charging at her with a fist.
Instinctively, she tried to dodge but inadvertently stepped on a pool of sticky blood and flesh, slipping and stumbling in a curved arc before landing with a “thud.” The dark-skinned man’s punch missed, and he nearly lost his balance from the momentum.
Truly a beauty dispatched by the Sovereign Lord—so cunning!
Seeing the fire in his eyes, Liu Wuzhi hadn’t yet grasped what was happening when the man swung his fist at her again.
The paper-thin figure could never withstand such a heavy blow. Just as her delicate features were about to shatter, a purple feather drifted before her eyes, blocking the wind—seemingly light, yet it cleanly sliced through the black skin.
The man hastily withdrew his strength and retreated, only to see swarms of Dusk Crows descending like a dark cloud, cawing chaotically: “Zhizhi! Zhizhi!”
The scale powder of the Netherworld Butterflies condensed into a protective barrier, tightly enveloping the young woman struggling to rise from the pool of blood and corpses.
“Thank you,” Liu Wuzhi said with genuine gratitude, helping to pick out relatively intact remains to feed them.
Witnessing this scene, the black-skinned man, who had been swept off the arena by the gust from the butterfly wings, was utterly dumbfounded.
Life Beasts only obey their master. Demon Lord, aren’t you going a bit too easy on her?
In his daze, the time limit arrived.
Liu Wuzhi was still bonding with the fortunate butterflies and crows when a corner of deep purple fabric intruded into her vision. Looking up, she saw Baili Zheque staring down at her gloomily, his aura even more oppressive than before. “Was this also part of your plan?”
Controlling his Life Beasts, disrupting the Guardian competition.
Liu Wuzhi blinked her eyelashes, blood still dripping from her cheeks, and corrected him, “Earlier, you were the one who told me to get along with them, and you were also the one who just threw me down.”
The subtext was: this situation is entirely of your own making.
Being liked by the Demon Lord’s Life Beasts—she couldn’t help it either.
The young woman looked utterly innocent. Baili Zheque gritted his teeth fiercely, a breathy sound escaping his lips like the frustration of someone who had been outsmarted. After a moment, he laughed in extreme anger. “Then, as you all wish.”
Liu Wuzhi didn’t understand who else was included in that “you all,” but the Netherworld Butterfly beside her had already transformed into a solid token, landing in her palm. It felt heavy and substantial, engraved with ancient, intricate patterns.
Yuan Lan reacted swiftly, instantly teleporting forward and bowing to Liu Wuzhi. “Jie Hui pays respects to the new Ember Ruins Guardian.”
Those below the stage who had miraculously survived also knelt one after another. “We greet the Ember Ruins Guardian, Lady Wuzhi!”
Liu Wuzhi: “…!”
This Demon Lord is truly insane!
Though utterly baffling, now that she had become the new Ember Ruins Guardian, she could follow the Demon Lord to the Defiled Realm.
Compared to the Guardian token, Liu Wuzhi still preferred the little broken bell. After all, fixing a bell was surely easier than pleasing the Demon Lord.
Now, not only did she have to accompany the Demon Lord on a solo mission, but she also had to deal with the antagonist and then find a way back to the Immortal Sect. It was all too chaotic.
Filled with distress, Liu Wuzhi returned to the rear palace to pack her belongings, only to be blocked by a crowd of beauties.
“We heard that Sister Wuzhi has been appointed as the new Ember Ruins Guardian,” said the beauty who had mocked her that morning, now beaming with a smile as if she were a different person. “I was blind earlier and offended you many times. I hope Sister won’t hold it against me.”
Being favored by the Sovereign Lord, spending three whole days in the death cell, and then being granted a private audience in the main hall—these were already beyond belief. Now, she had even risen to become one of the Five Great Guardians. Not adapting to the changing winds would be sheer foolishness.
Liu Wuzhi listened in confusion but could sense the sincerity in the woman’s words. She accepted the congratulatory gift offered by the beauty and responded with a forgiving smile.
Seeing how approachable she was, the others immediately swarmed closer, chattering all at once—some praising and offering advice, others gifting money and supplies for the journey. A few even argued over who would help Liu Wuzhi organize her belongings. The once tense rear palace now brimmed with harmony, though a few nobles still couldn’t swallow their pride, occasionally casting jealous glances from afar.
The task of packing various belongings was taken care of by everyone, so Liu Wuzhi began to tidy herself up. She picked up the ribbons covered in glitter and re-tied her little bun and bow.
These ribbons were found in Wuzhi’s hidden pouch. She used them as hair ties simply because she found the sparkling fabric exceptionally beautiful.
Unbeknownst to her, her act of tying her braids with ribbons soaked in Reverse Scale Powder had long been projected into the main hall of the Demon Palace through the Ember Ruins Guardian’s token.
The hall was silent, and Yuan Lan watched with a pounding heart.
This spy was far too audacious, openly wearing an item linked to Baili Xuanye and flaunting it right before the Sovereign Lord’s eyes! Was she afraid the Sovereign Lord wouldn’t notice, or did she think he was blind? Perhaps even her competition for the Guardian position was deliberate.
The Demon Lord gazed at the illusion, his expression calm and unperturbed.
Yuan Lan steadied his emotions as best he could and stepped forward, kneeling and bowing. “According to my investigation, the Defiled Realm’s Realm Lord’s dealings in Reverse Scale Powder are indeed true. However, recently, the Realm Lord has only been meeting with the top bidder at the Auction. This journey is fraught with ambushes. It would be wise for me to take the overt path, while you and Jin…” He glanced at the illusion of the girl who seemed to accept everything without any imposing presence and still couldn’t bring himself to utter “Ember Ruins Guardian.” Instead, he said, “…Lady Wuzhi take the covert path. Should anything go wrong, we would still be well-prepared.”
The Calamity-Darkness Guardian had served the Demon Lord for centuries but still underestimated his master’s capriciousness. Choosing a Guardian was such a significant matter, yet the Sovereign Lord hadn’t even set conditions for a martial contest. In the end, he even appointed a spy as a Guardian—luring the enemy in was one thing, but not to this extent!
His mind was in turmoil, but the Demon Lord rose as if it were none of his concern. “During my absence from the palace, let Ming Hai guard it.”
Mentioning his colleague, Yuan Lan couldn’t help but add, “The Nether Bones Guardian has been corroded by the resentment of vengeful spirits and often loses his senses. If he continues killing, I fear it will damage his demon essence.”
Besides, although they were both Guardians, how could Ming Hai—a brute with brawn but no brains—shoulder such a heavy responsibility? What if another spy infiltrated the palace?
The Demon Lord passed by him and shattered half a crystal on the spot, as if to say: Kill, or die?
Respecting humanity? Showing compassion to subordinates? A joke. In the Demon Palace, there were only useful people and the dead.
“But there are still many traitors in the palace…” Yuan Lan hesitated, then fell silent under the Demon Lord’s impatient gaze.
Forget it. He had already reported that there was more than one spy in the palace. Rather than having the Sovereign Lord slaughter everyone outright, it was better to pretend not to know.
Even if Ming Hai couldn’t hold the Demon Palace, the Sovereign Lord could always fight his way back.
The opulent silver-purple robes slowly swept past his eyes, and a final command was tossed down from above: “Tell Wang Tan to retrieve the Spiritual Plant.”
The Delusive Epiphyllum Guardian, Lü Xiao, had only ever cultivated poisonous plants, so Yuan Lan thought he had misheard. “Spiritual Plant? Don’t only Immortal Sects have those?”
Before his words faded, the hem of the robe before him had vanished.
Yuan Lan knelt alone in the empty hall for a long while before finally realizing: They were to seize it.
The question was, the Sovereign Lord had always looked down on anything from the Immortal Sects before. Why the sudden change of heart?
In the lingering projection from the token, the Demon Lord appeared out of thin air beside the spy beauty. Amidst the astonished and fearful gazes of the harem, he lifted her up. The girl’s slender waist was held in one hand, and the Reverse Scale Powder ribbon on her braid traced a sparkling arc in the air. Her struggles only accentuated the full, delicate curves of her figure.
Yuan Lan watched, his eye twitching. The fluttering ribbon on her braid seemed not to be lashing the air but whipping at his nerves.
The Ember Ruins Guardian in charge of punishment? More like “lust”!
With just the two of you alone in the Defiled Realm, Sovereign Lord, you must stay firm—don’t let things get out of hand!
Author’s Note:
#Current State of Disunity in the Demon Realm
Onlookers: It’s over, the Demon Lord must have fallen for her [cracked]
Demon Lord: Do not attempt to bewitch me [eye roll]
Zhizhi: Want to go home [chin in hand]
Next chapter opens a new map. After finishing this mini-dungeon, we’ll start planting grass and petting dragons. Once conditions are ripe, I’ll dump the Demon Lord and run—everything is proceeding according to the outline~