Chapter 518: My Lackey, I Want To Be The Richest Man in the Demon Realm (2)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
"I've seen Yao Qing before. He's an extremely powerful first-rank demonic beast," Cao Chenyang said. "With our strength, it won't be easy to kill him.
"Even if we mobilize our entire army and attempt to kill Yao Qing, I'm afraid the commotion will be too big. At that time, if our location is exposed, the gains won't make up for the losses."
"Are you scared?" Xiao Jianghe said angrily.
"General Xiao, don't be agitated. We're all worried about His Highness's safety. However, we still have to plan things carefully. Otherwise, not only will we not be able to help His Highness, but we might even harm him," Meng Bai persuaded.
Xiao Jianghe snorted, but he didn't say anything else.
Cao Chenyang continued, "Our goal is to not let Yao Qing appear in front of others, lest he exposes His Highness' identity.
"Then, I think there may be a way I can do it."
"What do you have in mind?" Xiao Jianghe said in a muffled voice.
"Yao Qing is a hybrid of human and demon. His father is Ji Lutian, a human Grand Craftsman!" Cao Chenyang said. "To be honest, we have exchanged letters before and can be considered friends.
"I'm confident that I can persuade Ji Lutian to help. If he helps, it won't be difficult for Yao Qing to disappear for a while."
"You can't tell outsiders about His Highness disguising himself as Yao Qing!" Xiao Jianghe said seriously. "I don't trust Ji Lutian!"
"General Xiao, do you think he can't guess if I don't tell him?" Cao Chenyang smiled bitterly. "His son is at home, but another one appeared outside. Do you think he doesn't know that one of them is fake?
"No matter what, we have to find a way to get in touch with Ji Lutian. Otherwise, the matter will definitely be exposed."
Everyone nodded. Cao Chenyang rarely spoke, but his words were reasonable and thoughtful.
"Prince Cao, how confident are you in convincing Ji Lutian?" Bai Qiancheng asked. He first gestured to Wang Mu before continuing, "Moreover, can we trust Ji Lutian? I'm not suspecting your country's Great Craftsman Ji Lutian of defecting, but he has lived in the Demon Realm for so many years and even had a son with the demon race. This concerns His Highness' safety, so we can't be careless."
Wang Mu didn't say anything. Ji Lutian was a Grand Craftsman of Great Qin. It would be a bad idea to say he believed Ji Lutian. It would be even worse if he said that he didn't believe Ji Lutian.
Thus, he'd rather be an outsider and wait for everyone to plan.
"General Bai's concern is also my point," Meng Bai said. "We don't know Ji Lutian well. We can't guarantee what he's thinking now."
"Ji Lutian didn't betray the human race," Cao Chenyang said seriously. "Have you forgotten? He helped me return to the Ten Nations Martial Arts Tournament battlefield. If not for him, I would have died in the Demon Realm."
"It could also be his trick," Bai Qiancheng said.
Although Cao Chenyang was a first-rank martial artist, he was not a general.
Meng Bai, Bai Qiancheng, and even Wang Mu were generals who had led armies for many years. They had seen too many schemes and plots. Their thought processes were naturally different from Cao Chenyang's.
Cao Chenyang fell silent. After a while, he continued, "If Ji Lutian has really changed sides, then what we're discussing is meaningless. Once the news of the Demon King's advancement ceremony spreads, Ji Lutian will definitely know that Yao Qing is an imposter."
They all fell silent. This was indeed a big problem.
If Ji Lutian really betrayed them, Yao Qing's matter wouldn't be hidden from the demons no matter what.
"There's another way." Xiao Jianghe's killing intent surged. "Kill Ji Lutian too!
"It's better to kill by mistake than risk His Highness!"
Xiao Jianghe's face was brimming with killing intent. He didn't care who Ji Lutian was. As long as he threatened his king's safety, he would kill him!
"It's not that easy." Meng Bai shook his head. "Ji Lutian is also a first-rank martial artist. If he has really changed sides, there will definitely be many experts protecting him.
"Don't forget that Yao Qing's mother is a Great Demon.
"Even if we mobilize all our forces, we won't be able to kill a Great Demon."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Xiao Jianghe said in frustration. "All of you are known as Gods of War, but you're all so useless?"
Meng Bai's, Wang Mu's, and Bai Qiancheng's expressions changed.
"Right now, this is all just speculation on our part." Wang Mu said. "It's still uncertain if Ji Lutian has betrayed us.
"Although I'm speaking from the standpoint of Great Qin, I believe that the people of Great Qin will definitely not join the demons!"
Wang Mu's expression was serious as he continued, "I think we have to find a way to determine Ji Lutian's current situation first."
"So?" Everyone asked questions.
"I'm going to meet Ji Lutian with Prince Cao!" Wang Mu said. "If Ji Lutian has really betrayed us, then the news of our army should be enough to make him expose himself."
Meng Bai and Bai Qiancheng looked at each other. This method was very dangerous for Wang Mu and Cao Chenyang.
If Ji Lutian had already betrayed them, the two of them would be entering a tiger's den.
"It's worth a try." Cao Chenyang said seriously.
Although he didn't believe that Ji Lutian would betray them, there was no harm in trying. As for his own safety, he didn't care much.
When Cao Chenyang entered the Demon Realm back then, he had never thought that he would be able to get out alive. It was already a blessing that he could survive until now.
For the sake of the human race, so what if he died?
"Generals, have you thought about how we can contact Ji Lutian?" Mi Ziwen, who had been listening, suddenly spoke.
This was the Demon Realm, not the Ten Nations Continent. They couldn't meet anyone they wanted.
Once the demonic beasts discovered their traces, they would be hunted down. Not to mention seeing Ji Lutian, they might not even be able to survive.
"I know where Ji Lutian lives," Cao Chenyang said. "But it's indeed difficult to get there."
"It doesn't matter how difficult it is!" Meng Bai said. "We're not freeloaders. We can't pin everything on His Highness alone.
"If we can't handle such a small matter, then all of us deserve to die!
"Everyone, no matter what, we must guarantee that there are no accidents during the advancement ceremony of Demon King Hu Li!"
If outsiders heard Meng Bai's words, they would think that they were bodyguards for the Demon King Hu Li's advancement ceremony.
Who would have thought that the advancement ceremony of the 13th Demon King would shake the entire Demon Realm, and the executive director was actually a human?
And now, this director was excitedly drawing blueprints in the camp of the Demon Realm army.
Back when Zhou Shu was in Great Xia, Emperor Yuan Feng had given him a piece of land to build the Huaxia Pavilion.
After the construction of the Huaxia Pavilion began, Zhou Shu arrived at the Ten Nations Martial Arts Tournament battlefield before it was completed.
He wondered what the Huaxia Pavilion had become. Back then, Zhou Shu had made many plans for the Huaxia Pavilion.
Now, his interest in planning broke out again. Although this would be built for a Demon King, it had to be grand. Otherwise, how could he trick Demon King Hu Li into paying?
On the outside, it looked luxurious. But on the inside, it was shabby. Zhou Shu had heard too much about this in his previous life.
Even if he had never done it in his previous life, he knew those tricks by heart.
His goal was to empty Demon King Hu Li's pocket and make him the poorest Demon King in the Demon Realm. For this goal, he was full of energy!
After this was done, if he couldn't become the richest man in the Demon Realm, he would admit defeat!
Chapter 519: My Life Is Up To Me, Not The Heavens. As a Demon, I Should Be Yao Aotian (1)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
"Demon King Palace?" Demon King Hu Li's eyes lit up, and his gaze seemed corporeal.
Zhou Shu was amused.?The Demon King realm is really interesting.
"That's right, Demon King Hu Li. I've seen it. The place you lived before was just a cave."
Zhou Shu had already returned to Demon King Hu Li's territory with him.
Hu Li was the leader of the tiger demons, and the place he originally lived was actually not too bad.
But demonic beasts were not as particular as humans. The residence of Hu Li was just a house casually built with stones. It was spacious, but it was not worth mentioning in other aspects.
"You're a Demon King now. I don't know what the other demon kings think, but I think your residence has to be worthy of your status." Zhou Shu pointed at the blueprint. "This is the Demon King Palace that I specially designed for you, Demon King Hu Li. It's definitely the only one in the Demon Realm."
On the blueprint was a magnificent palace. Although Zhou Shu's painting ability was limited, and this blueprint would probably make an expert laugh their heads off, the Demon King was uncultured.
All he saw was the imposing-looking palace.
"Good. This is good!" Hu Li laughed loudly. "This palace is even more imposing than Demon King Ao's palace. Let's build according to this! We must build it according to this!"
"It's best that you're satisfied, Demon King Hu Li." Zhou Shu smiled. "But Demon King, this Demon King Palace—"
Hu Li clapped his hands. "If you have any difficulties, just tell me. I'll solve them!"
Zhou Shu gritted his teeth. "Then, I'll get straight to the point. The construction of the Demon King Palace is extremely expensive, and I'm afraid the things in your warehouse are not enough."
"Is that all?" Hu Li laughed loudly. "It's fine if there aren't enough things. Although there aren't many tiger demons, there are at least a thousand of them. I'll get them to gather the materials."
"Actually, I have an idea." Zhou Shu seemed to hesitate. "It's just that it might affect your dignity, Demon King."
"Tell me about it first," Demon King Hu Li said.
"Since you don't have enough for the construction, I think we can borrow some supplies from other Demon Kings or some rich demons. Then, Demon King Hu Li, you can give them an IOU.
"In any case, with your identity as a Demon King, it's impossible for you to renege on your debt. With your current identity, I think it won't take long for you to pay off your debt."
"I don't understand these things," Hu Li said. "Do as you see fit. Tell me what you need me to do."
"I have to cultivate a divine power in seclusion these few days. When the ceremony takes place, I want to broaden the horizons of all the demonic beasts. You can do as you see fit in my name. As long as you can build the Demon King Palace before the ceremony, you don't have to worry about the costs, no matter how much it is!"
"I'm relieved to hear that, Demon King." Zhou Shu smiled. "Demon King, don't worry. After the Demon King Palace is built, if it's not the most majestic building in the Demon Realm, then I, Yao Qing, won't have any objections if you tear off my head!"
…
Thousands of kilometers away from Hu Li's territory, in a secluded valley, a half-naked humanoid demonic beast cultivating suddenly sneezed twice.
He rubbed his nose in confusion.?Why do I feel cold all over? With my cultivation, I shouldn't feel this way.
A moment later, Yao Ging pushed his thoughts aside.
I'm about to master this Heavenly Saber Art. After I master it, I'll defeat Yao Wudi. Then, I'll be the number one first-rank demonic beast below the Great Demons.
What Yao Qing didn't know was that while he was still thinking about becoming the number one demon below the Great Demons, his other self had already made all the Great Demons bow down to him.
Zhou Shu sat in the middle while Great Demons sat around him with fawning smiles on their faces.
"Nephew Yao Qing, did you ask us here to talk about the Great Dao?" A Great Demon's face was all smiles. Who would have thought that this was a Great Demon who could shake the Demon Realm with a stomp of his foot?
"Let's not talk about the Great Dao for now. We agreed to talk about it during Demon King Hu Li's advancement ceremony." Zhou Shu shook his head. "I've invited everyone here this time because I have something to ask you for help with."
"Nephew, you're treating us like outsiders. What do you mean by helping? Your problem is my problem! You came to me because you think highly of me! If you have anything to say, just say it. I'm not bragging, but there aren't many things in the Demon Realm that I can't do!" Another Great Demon patted his chest.
He wasn't bragging. Great Demons were definitely at the top of the pyramid in the Demon Realm.
The twelve—no, it should be thirteen Demon Kings now, they wouldn't show their faces under normal circumstances.
In a sense, Great Demons were the strongest demonic beasts in the Demon Realm.
If one had to compare, they were the equivalent of the emperors of the Ten Nations on the Ten Nations Continent but with monstrous strength.
"I'm a little embarrassed to say it." Zhou Shu smiled. "Aren't I helping Demon King Hu Li prepare for his ceremony? According to Demon King Hu Li's request, I want to build a Demon King Palace here."
"This is a good thing. Nephew, do you need help? I'll send ten thousand demon beasts over to help," a Great Demon immediately said
Chapter 520: My Life Is Up To Me, Not The Heavens. As a Demon, I Should Be Yao Aotian (2)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
"Petty," another Great Demon said disdainfully. "I'll send a hundred thousand demonic beasts!"
"I'll send one hundred and fifty thousand demonic beasts!"
"Two hundred thousand from me!"
The Great Demons spoke one after another, as if what they were talking about weren't demonic beasts at all but just a number.
Hundreds of thousands of demonic beasts were sent over casually.
Zhou Shu smiled bitterly in his heart. The power of the Demon Realm far exceeded that of the Ten Nations.
The dozen or so Great Demons in front of him casually sent out millions of demonic beasts.
Their goal was only to please Zhou Shu!
If they really invaded the Ten Nations Continent, who knew how many demonic beasts they could send?
Tens of millions?
There were only a dozen or so Great Demons here. How many more Great Demons were there in the Demon Realm?
With such a great disparity in strength, if not for the existence of the barrier between the two worlds, there would be no need to fight this war at all. The humans had no chance of winning at all.
Zhou Shu sighed in his heart and said, "I have enough manpower. The demonic beasts under Demon King Hu Li are enough. But in terms of supplies…
"The Demon King Palace that Demon King Hu Li wants to build will be the most majestic palace in the Demon Realm. As you know, building such a palace is too expensive."
The Great Demons looked at each other.?We don't know. We don't build palaces.?Other than Demon King Ao, who once built a palace in the Demon Realm, the other Demon Kings, including Great Demons, didn't spend much time on this.
Moreover, even if they built anything, they would just leave it to the demonic beasts under them. They didn't care about how many things were used and how much money was spent.
This was nothing to Great Demons.
But it didn't matter. They were only afraid that Yao Qing wouldn't say anything. If he had any request, they could make him owe them a favor.
If he owed them a favor, they could then ask him for guidance later.
The Great Demons were quite scheming.
"Don't worry, Nephew Yao Qing. With us around, we'll definitely help you carry out Demon King Hu Li's instructions smoothly. We'll settle whatever you lack."
The Great Demons rushed to speak, lest they lose out to the other Great Demons.
Zhou Shu sighed with emotion again.?These Great Demons are so cute.
It was so touching for them to be so eager to provide things to him.
The way they were doing it made him feel a little embarrassed. When they went to war, should he kill them or should he kill them?
Zhou Shu didn't think too far ahead for the time being. "Everyone, please be quiet and let me finish."
The Great Demons fell silent.
If the real Yao Qing saw this scene, his eyeballs would definitely fall to the ground.
Yao Qing had to be careful when he saw these Great Demons in the past.
What about now?
The tables seem to have turned.
Zhou Shu continued, "It can be considered that Demon King Hu Li is borrowing from everyone. Demon King Hu Li will give everyone an IOU."
A Great Demon raised his hand like a primary school student. After Zhou Shu gestured, he said, "Nephew Yao Qing, you're looking down on us. We're all Great Demons, so we have some reputation. We're giving things to you, and we don't need an IOU from Hu Li."
"This Great Demon—" Zhou Shu said.
The Great Demon seized the opportunity and hurriedly said. "Nephew Yao Qing, my name is Yao Baobao."
Pfft!?Zhou Shu spat out a mouthful of saliva and almost spat it in the Great Demon's face.
"Yao…?Baobao1?"
He looked at the Great Demon's bearded face and couldn't bear to look him straight in the eye.
He felt that he would never be able to look at the word 'baobao' the same way again.
"Hehe, my name isn't bad, right?" The Great Demon named Yao Baobao chuckled. "I chose this name myself. I'm a?treasure1."
Zhou Shu was speechless.?What's going on? If you're not cultured, can you not talk nonsense?
He gave him a thumbs-up. Against his will, he said, "Good name."
Yao Baobao looked around proudly.?See, even Yao Qing praised my name. It seems that I really have the bearing of a Demon King!
"Lord Yao Baobao, you were wrong." Zhou Shu endured the discomfort and continued. "It's not that I want to borrow things from you, but Demon King Hu Li.
"This Demon King Palace has nothing to do with me. I'm helping Demon King Hu Li manage these things for free. Therefore, the things you're lending are all considered borrowed by Demon King Hu Li, and he will provide the IOUs and repay you in the future.
"All of you are my elders. I definitely can't let you suffer, right?" Zhou Shu continued. "Demon King Hu Li is one of us, and everyone is one of us, so no one can suffer a loss."
"Nephew Yao Qing, you're brilliant!" The Great Demons raised their thumbs.
"We trust your words. Nephew, we'll obey your instructions," Yao Baobao hurriedly said. "If you lack anything, just tell me. I'll ask my demonic beasts to send them over immediately. I'll think of a way to find what I don't have."
"I promise I won't make things difficult for you, Nephew!"
Seeing that Yao Baobao had beaten them to it again, the Great Demons fought to speak.
Zhou Shu nodded in satisfaction. "How about this? The construction of the Demon King Palace is too cumbersome. I don't have time to make a list. What do you have? Why don't you make a list for me?
"If there's something I need, I'll ask you for it. What do you think?"
"Good idea! You're smarter than us. No wonder you were able to help Demon King Hu Li break through to the Demon King realm," Yao Baobao said shamelessly.
The Great Demons looked at him in disdain.?Yao Baobao is too shameless. Isn't it embarrassing to flatter a junior like this?
"Lord Yao Baobao, you flatter me." Zhou Shu felt his hair stand on end. He couldn't help but say, "Lord Yao Baobao, I have a suggestion. I don't know if I should say it."
"Please do, Nephew. I'm all ears." Yao Baobao looked smug.?That's right, I'm all ears. I should have used it correctly.
"Baobao is a good name, but I don't think it's good enough for a lord like you," Zhou Shu said. "I suggest that you change your name to Aotian, Yao Aotian."
Zhou Shu looked up at the sky and spoke in a clear voice. "As the saying goes, my fate is in my hands, not the heavens. As a demon, I should be Yao?Aotian1!"
"As the saying goes, my fate is in my hands, not the heavens. As a demon, I should be Yao Aotian?" Yao Baobao was stunned, and his face revealed ecstasy.
Boom!
A powerful aura suddenly rose from his body. The aura kept rising as if it was about to break through a limit. A thunderclap sounded in the sky.
Everyone, including Zhou Shu, was shocked.
No way?
Yao Baobao was going to break through to the Demon King Realm too?
Is this really happening?
He just couldn't get used to the name Yao Baobao. He just casually said a few words, and he comprehended it?
Isn't the aptitude of these Great Demons too heaven-defying?
The other Great Demons were also shocked. They looked at Yao Baobao enviously, then at Zhou Shu in unison. The green light in their eyes almost swallowed Zhou Shu.
The second one!
If Demon King Hu Li was a coincidence, what about Yao Baobao?
He only helped Yao Baobao change his name, but Yao Baobao was about to break through?
Boom!
Thunder rumbled in the sky for a few moments, then dissipated into the air.
Although Yao Baobao's aura had not broken through to the Demon King realm, it had improved tremendously.
"My fate is in my hands, not the heavens. As a demon, I should be the Yao Aotian! From now on, I am Yao Aotian!" Yao Baobao laughed loudly. "Nephew Yao Qing, you're really my benefactor! With your advice, in another hundred years of cultivation, I, Yao Aotian, will definitely become a Demon King!
"From now on, your matters are my matters. Your enemies are my enemies! Nephew, just you wait. I'll go back now and move all the things in my warehouse over. From today onward, I will personally help you build this Demon King Palace!"