Chapter 515: Since You've Given Me So Much, I've Decided To Be Merciful To You (1)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Xiao Jianghe looked at Zhou Shu with hesitation.
"Just say what you have to say." Zhou Shu smiled. "It's not like you to hesitate."
Xiao Jianghe took a deep breath and finally asked, "Why are you helping the demons, Your Highness?"
Before submitting to Zhou Shu, he had been deceived by Emperor Wei Wu and became a sinner who lured the Demon Realm army to invade the Ten Nations Continent. For this reason, he had sworn an oath to fight to the death to atone for his sins.
He hated demonic beasts.
But now, Zhou Shu had actually helped Yao Li to break through to the Demon King realm. Not only this, but he even wanted to help the other great Demons. Wasn't this defecting to the enemy?
Although Xiao Jianghe was unwilling to believe that Zhou Shu would join the demons, he was worried that he would repeat the same mistake. If that happened, he would really be too ashamed to continue living.
"You suspect that I want to collude with the demons like Emperor Wei Wu?" Zhou Shu smiled. One look at Xiao Jianghe, and he knew what he was thinking.
Xiao Jianghe opened his mouth. Although he didn't say anything, his expression betrayed his thoughts.
"Would you believe me if I said that Yao Li's breakthrough was just an accident?" Zhou Shu smiled.
"I trust you. It's just—" Xiao Jianghe said.
"It's indeed too much of a coincidence. I didn't expect that after all my nonsense, Hu Li would actually believe me. Not only did he believe me, but he even broke through to the Demon King realm.
"If it were me, I'd also find it a little unbelievable.
"But, Jianghe, have some faith in me." Zhou Shu patted Xiao Jianghe's shoulder. "What good will it do me to join the demons?
"I would be out of my mind if I joined the demons. I'm not Emperor Wei Wu.
"Yao Li's breakthrough was an accident," Zhou Shu said seriously. "I was just fooling them when I said I would teach the Great Dao to the Great Demons.
"My own realm is still a distance away from the Great Demon realm. How can I help a Great Demon break through to the Demon King realm?
"If they do what I say, they might suffer cultivation deviation."
Xiao Jianghe had never heard of someone suffering cultivation deviation, but it didn't stop him from understanding its meaning.
Although Zhou Shu said this, to be honest, Xiao Jianghe didn't think much of it.
The king might not know his own ability, and he might not have any intention of helping the demonic beasts, but he could not help it. A casual sentence from him might benefit the demonic beasts greatly.
For example, the king claimed that he didn't understand the art of war. In the end, he had casually made a remark and shocked Meng Bai, Wang Mu, Bai Qiancheng, and the others. They were still studying the kind of warfare he mentioned.
A person like the king couldn't be inferred by common sense.
Xiao Jianghe himself had benefited a lot from following Zhou Shu.
He wasn't worried that the king would betray the human race now. What he was worried about was that the king might go overboard.
If he really created a few more Demon Kings for the Demon Realm, it would be more than troublesome.
Zhou Shu wasn't as worried as Xiao Jianghe. What happened to Yao Li, or rather, Hu Li, was definitely an accident.
Who knew that he could break through to the Demon King realm just by saying, 'We have nothing to lose. If we're not convinced, we'll fight!'?
This was simply unreasonable.
But this gave Zhou Shu an opportunity. At the very least, the crisis of the camp being surrounded by Hu Li's army was temporarily resolved.
He bought the camp a few months. It was a huge gain.
He would think of a way to fool them during Hu Li's advancement ceremony. How many demonic beasts could he destroy?
This was Zhou Shu's current plan. Of course, it would be good if he could make a small fortune.
Didn't those Great Demons say that they would give him whatever he wanted?
They were so enthusiastic. It wouldn't be nice to reject them.
"There is something I need you to do, Jianghe," Zhou Shu said solemnly. "It's not enough for you to go alone. Bring the Criminal Army and have my brother's Hundred Wars Armored Army cooperate. Also, bring Yin Chengshan, Chen Ji, and the others. If Yang Hong returns, bring him along."
Zhou Shu continued with a solemn expression, "I want you to do everything you can to stop Yao Qing from appearing at Hu Li's advancement ceremony!"
Zhou Shu was pretending to be Yao Qing. If the real Yao Qing turned up, it would be troublesome.
Although Zhou Shu was confident that his divine ability Myriad Transformations was ever-changing and flawless, no matter how stupid the demonic beasts were, they wouldn't listen to him anymore.
"Stop Yao Qing?" Xiao Jianghe's expression was also very solemn. He knew very well how the appearance of the real Yao Qing would affect Zhou Shu.
Xiao Jianghe wasn't thinking that the appearance of the real Yao Qing would ruin Zhou Shu's plan. But if the real Yao Qing appeared, it would definitely bring Zhou Shu great danger!
"Don't worry, Your Highness. I will definitely do my best to stop Yao Qing. Even if the Criminal Army only had one soldier left, I will definitely not let Yao Qing appear in Hu Li's advancement ceremony!" Xiao Jianghe said gravely. "The only problem is, Your Highness, how can I find Yao Qing?"
If he couldn't find Yao Qing, it would be useless no matter how capable he was.
After all, in the Demon Realm, it was impossible for him to seal off all roads leading to Hu Li's advancement ceremony.
"That's easy," Zhou Shu said. "According to my understanding of Yao Qing, if there's nothing special, he will stay in his lair and cultivate. I will draw a map for you of where he lives."
Chapter 516: Since You've Given Me So Much, I've Decided To Be Merciful To You (2)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
One of the important reasons Zhou Shu had chosen to pretend to be Yao Qing was that Yao Qing was a shut-in. If there was nothing important, he would not leave his home.
If not for the huge commotion caused by Hu Li's advancement ceremony, Zhou Shu wouldn't have needed to worry about the real Yao Qing appearing.
Zhou Shu had just handed the map to Xiao Jianghe and found an excuse to send him out of Hu Li's camp when he was called over.
"Demon King Hu Li, were you looking for me?" Zhou Shu arrived at Hu Li's tent.
"Yao Qing, come here quickly."
Hu Li had already completely stabilized his cultivation, and his face was full of excitement. Breaking through to the Demon King realm could make him happy for 300 years!
"I've thought carefully about what you said about the celebration. It makes so much sense!" Hu Li continued. "Your father's blood flows in your body. Your thoughts are indeed different from demonic beasts like us."
Zhou Shu was speechless.?Is this a compliment or a curse?
"I'm the only one who advanced to the Demon King realm in the past thousand years! The thirteenth Demon King of the Demon Realm, isn't that awesome?!" Hu Li said triumphantly. "How can I not let those fellows who used to look down on me know something so awesome?
"There's a human saying. What's it called? If you don't show off when you're rich, it's like walking in the dark in beautiful clothes—"
"If the rich don't return to their hometown, it would be like wearing brocade and walking in the dark," Zhou Shu said speechlessly.
Although there were no allusions from Earth in this world, similar things had happened, so there was this saying on the Ten Nations Continent.
"Damn it. That's what I said!" Hu Li cursed. "Humans are so cunning. They can talk so beautifully. I can't learn this no matter how hard I try.
"It's a good thing you've enlightened me. Otherwise, I'd still be fighting with these words.
"Anyway, that's what I mean. I, Hu Li, have made a comeback! I must let those people who looked down on me in the past experience it!"
Hu Li continued, "So, the celebration you mentioned suits me. If we're going to do it, we'll do it big.
"Nephew, you're smarter than me. I want to ask you to help me prepare this matter." Hu Li patted Zhou Shu's shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm a Demon King now. I definitely won't let you work for free."
"Demon King Hu Li, you're being too polite," Zhou Shu said. "You and my parents are old friends. We're not outsiders. It's my honor to help you."
"Nephew Yao Qing, I'm f*cking liking you more and more." Hu Li patted Zhou Shu and laughed loudly. "Why didn't I realize that you were so likable?
"In the past, you were like a shut-in, always cultivating behind closed doors…"
"I used to be young and insensible. Now it has dawned on me, and I've turned over a new leaf," Zhou Shu said. "I'm happy to help you, Demon King Hu Li, but I have a request."
"Yao Qing, feel free to speak. There's no need to hold back when you're talking to me." Hu Li thumped his chest.
"Actually, it's nothing. I can't handle the preparation of the ceremony alone, so I have to borrow some manpower from you, Demon King," Zhou Shu said. "Demon King, as you know, I've never liked leading troops. Last time, I suffered a huge loss when I fought the humans. All the demonic beasts under me are gone."
"Oh, I was wondering what it was about." Hu Li waved his hand. "It's just demonic beasts. All the demonic beasts under my command will be handed over to you, Nephew Yao Qing.
"As long as you do a good job for the advancement ceremony, not only will I let you use all the demonic beasts under my command, but you can use all my resources as well.
"I have only one request. This celebration must be grand. It must be grandiose!
"I want those demonic beasts to know that I'm now the thirteenth Demon King of the Demon Realm! How dare they look down on me and say that I will never become a Demon King for the rest of my life. I'll show them this time!"
Hu Li was smug. He wanted to teach all those people who had looked down on him a lesson.
It seemed that he had indeed been looked down upon in the past.
Although he had been a Great Demon in the past, there were also differences between Great Demons. Some senior Great Demons had looked down on him.
Now that he had caught up and broken through to the Demon King realm, becoming the first demonic beast to break through to this realm in a thousand years and the thirteenth Demon King of the Demon Realm, he indeed had the right to be proud.
…
When Zhou Shu left Hu Li's camp, even with his experience, he felt like he was in a dream.
Hu Li handed over the military power of his demonic beast army just like that?
This was an army of two million demonic beasts!
Not only that, but Hu Li's own treasure vault was completely open to Zhou Shu!
Previously, Hu Li was only a Great Demon, and his cultivation was far inferior to Demon Queen Tushan. But Hu Li had another identity, which was the leader of the tiger demons.
He led an army of two million demonic beasts. This was not something that Demon Queen Tushan could compare to.
In terms of rare items, Tushan's treasure vault far exceeded Hu Li's. But in terms of the number of treasures, she couldn't compare to him.
Hu Li had given Zhou Shu all the authority to enter and exit his storeroom. In other words, if Zhou Shu wanted, it would be easy to empty his storeroom.
In any world, apart from war, the richest people were involved in construction and organizing events.
Holding an advancement ceremony for Hu Li, even if Zhou Shu didn't have any bad intentions, was enough to make an ordinary demonic beast rich.
Zhou Shu would be letting down Hu Li's trust in him if he only took a little!
He felt that he would already be generous if he only left a pair of underwear for Hu Li.
Hu Li, oh, Hu Li, don't blame me,?Zhou Shu thought.?I only wanted to trick you, but you gave me too much. If I don't take it, I'll be looking down on you.
But you won't lose out. Speaking of which, being the poorest Demon King in the Demon Realm is still impressive, right? It sounds much better than being the thirteenth.
Zhou Shu couldn't help smiling. "You, come here!"
He raised his hand and called the passing Yao Jun over.
"Is there something wrong?" Yao Jun said coldly. Because of what Zhou Shu had said, Lord Yao Li had broken through to the Demon King realm, but he hadn't gained anything. He was feeling depressed now. Could it be that he was too stupid?
As soon as he saw Zhou Shu, Yao Jun couldn't help doubting himself. Therefore, when the other demonic beasts approached Zhou Shu, he had avoided him.
"You know this, don't you?" Zhou Shu waved his hand. There was a tiger tooth in his hand. It was the size of an adult's fist and as white as jade. There was even light flowing on it.
"The commander's seal?" Yao Jun's expression changed slightly. This was Hu Li's commander's seal. Holding this commander's seal was equivalent to becoming Hu Li's spokesperson. He could mobilize an army at will!
Thinking of what Lord Hu Li had said in public, Yao Jun didn't doubt the authenticity of the commander's seal in Zhou Shu's hand.
"Greetings, Lord!" Yao Jun cupped his hands and bowed to Zhou Shu, or rather, to the commander's seal in his hand.
"It's good that you recognize this." Zhou Shu nodded in satisfaction. "Lord Hu Li has given me full authority to organize the Demon King advancement ceremony for him. The army is at my disposal. I'm short of a messenger, so you can be my messenger.
"Pass down my orders. Recall all the soldiers outside. Within ten days, they must return to Lord Hu Li's territory!"
"Understood!" Yao Jun said in a deep voice.
After saying this, he couldn't help saying, "Yao Qing, although you are Lord Hu Li's benefactor, please show me some respect. You clearly know my name!"
"Really? I'm not good at remembering unimportant matters," Zhou Shu said calmly.
Yao Jun was furious.?My name is unimportant?
What a bully!
Yao Jun clenched his fists. If not for the fact that he was holding Hu Li's commander's seal, he would definitely beat him up until his face was covered in blood!
"Don't mind me. I'm a blunt man. I have to speak the truth even if it offends others," Zhou Shu continued. "I've told you and Lord Hu Li the same thing. In the end, Lord Hu Li broke through to the Demon King realm, but you remained in place. It's not surprising that I forgot your name, right?"
Chapter 517: My Lackey, I Want To Be The Richest Man in the Demon Realm (1)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
"Tell me. Am I stupid?" Yao Jun asked in a hoarse voice after pulling a demonic beast over.
The demonic beast was more shocked than him. He stammered, "L-Lord Yao Jun, I don't know."
If you don't know, that means I'm really stupid!
Yao Jun felt a little lost.
I didn't realize I was so stupid. Everyone knows it except me.
The demonic beast he had grabbed carefully took a few steps back and then fled.
He was a demonic beast that was not even at the third rank of the Martial Dao. He didn't dare to get involved in the matters of Yao Jun and Yao Qing.
"What's-your-name." Zhou Shu patted Yao Jun's shoulder. "It's fine if you're a little stupid. As the saying goes, the slow start early. As long as you're more diligent than others, you might be able to become a Great Demon in the future.
"If you're stupid and lazy, then you're really hopeless.
"For your own future, come on. Roll up your sleeves and work hard."
Zhou Shu's voice was bewitching.
Yao Jun's head snapped up. His ugly face looked menacing.
"Yao Qing, thank you for letting me know the truth!" he said in a low voice. "If it weren't for you, I'd think I was a genius! I'm nothing but trash!
"You're right. I'm already so stupid. If I'm still lazy, what's the point of living? Tell me what you want me to do. I'll do it with my heart."
Yao Jun's expression was firm. "If you don't find me stupid, from now on, I'm willing to follow you and become your most loyal lackey!"
Zhou Shu was stunned.?Are you serious?
There were no slaves on the Ten Nations Continent.?A first-rank demonic beast like you wants to be my lackey?
He couldn't understand the thoughts of these demonic beasts.
He had just casually said a few words, and Yao Jun believed him?
Didn't he think that if he was really stupid, how could he have become a first-rank demonic beast?
Becoming a first-rank demonic beast was not so easy to achieve.
Even if he believed that he was useless, there was no need to make himself a lackey.
Seeing that Zhou Shu was silent, Yao Jun sighed and said dejectedly, "As expected, you look down on me for being too stupid."
Well, he's not happy that I won't let him be my lackey.
"Not really…" Zhou Shu pondered. "I won't discriminate against you because you're too stupid. I've always believed in the saying that hard work can make up for talent. It doesn't matter if you don't know what this means. You just have to understand that hard work can change fate.
"If you're willing to follow me, as long as there's no problem with Lord Hu Li, I'm fine."
"There's no problem with Lord Hu Li. I'm not his vassal. I have autonomy," Yao Jun said excitedly.
"Greetings, my lord!" Yao Jun fell to his knees and cried out.
"Alright, get up." Zhou Shu put on a dignified expression. "Since you've become my lackey, you have to do what I say without hesitation. Otherwise, don't blame me for being heartless."
"Don't worry, Lord Yao Qing. If I slack off at all, I won't complain even if you kill me!" Yao Jun said loudly.
"Alright." Zhou Shu nodded. "Pass on my orders first. Tell all the demonic beasts under Lord Hu Li to return to his territory.
"Moreover, I'm going to draw some drawings for you. You'll follow the drawings and go mining for me."
"Follow the drawings?" Yao Jun looked ashamed. He couldn't understand what Lord Yao Qing was saying. He, Yao Jun, was indeed useless. He was really too stupid.
Zhou Shu explained, "It means finding exactly the same thing as what I drew for you. Do you understand now?"
"Yes." Yao Jun wished he could find a hole to hide in. He looked at Zhou Shu with gratitude.?Lord Yao Qing is too good to me. He still has the patience to explain such things to me.
He will even help me draw things clearly just in case I don't understand.
Yao Jun's eyes turned red.
"The Demon King Hu Li's advancement ceremony is a joyous occasion for the entire Demon Realm, so I'm preparing to hold a grand ceremony for him," Zhou Shu said seriously. "What I'm asking you to find concerns the construction of the Demon King Palace for Demon King Hu Li. You can't be careless at all, understand?"
"I understand! Lord, although I'm stupid, please believe that I will definitely do my best and not disappoint you," Yao Jun vowed.
"I believe you." Zhou Shu patted Yao Jun's shoulder. "The more there are, the better. The demonic beast army is at your disposal."
"I promise to complete the mission!" Yao Jun went off valiantly.
Zhou Shu laughed in his heart.
Who would have thought that his mining army would return?!
Just the thought of having two million demonic beasts mining for him made him drool.
How many mines would they dig up?
Why did he suddenly feel that these demonic beasts were a little cute?
Zhou Shu shook his head and stepped into a tent.
He had to put on a full show to fool the demons.
…
In the Huaxia Pavilion's Demon Realm branch, Xiao Jianghe faced Meng Bai, Wang Mu, Bai Qiancheng, and the others and said in a deep voice, "For the safety of His Highness, we must kill Yao Qing at all costs!"
Zhou Shu had asked Xiao Jianghe to stop Yao Qing from appearing. But in Xiao Jianghe's opinion, the best way to prevent Yao Qing from appearing was to make him disappear from the world.