"Wait, there you are!" Old Fox suddenly appeared not far away and grumbled, "You made it really hard for me to find you."
"Help me save someone!" Eddie shouted angrily, rushing over to grab Old Fox's collar and tried to pull him towards the teleportation gate.
"You foolish, foolish child, let go! The person has already been rescued. Going to save them with your sister on your back would be reckless," Old Fox quickly stopped Eddie's impulsive actions.
Eddie and Sophia were astonished when they heard that Fourth Mother had already been rescued.
Could it be that Old Fox had saved her?
How did he know that Fourth Mother and Sophia had been kidnapped?
"Of course, I stayed behind to protect her. What if the enemy was still there and attacked Sophia? If you weren't here, how could I leave her alone?" Eddie didn't think it was a good idea to leave Sophia behind.
Even though it was inconvenient to carry her while trying to save someone, it was much better than leaving her alone.
Leaving Sophia alone would make her anxious and prone to overthinking, and she might be an easy target for the enemy.
Eddie wouldn't leave his sister behind no matter how tired he was.
As for Fourth Mother, she had already been rescued, and that was the best news they could hope for. Eddie and Sophia hugged each other, rejoicing.
After confirming multiple times, Eddie realized that Old Fox was not lying. He felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him.
He hadn't contributed at all and had been running around for nothing. But no matter what, Fourth Mother had been rescued.
Old Fox didn't take credit for the rescue and waved his hand. "It wasn't me who saved her; it was His Majesty and Marshal Yew who personally intercepted and rescued her. "
"By the time I found out, she had already been saved. I was only responsible for finding you two. The person who tried to abduct Fourth Mother is one of the subordinates of the Thousand Demon King, and they are very powerful. "
"Marshal Yew and General Wild-Wind both suffered some injuries, but fortunately, His Majesty is unharmed. "
"Let's go; your Fourth Mother is waiting for you. This time was really dangerous. Without the innate talent for calling by the National Teacher, the abductor would have succeeded. I didn't expect the Thousand Demon King's forces to be so strong."
When Old Fox mentioned the Thousand Demon King, his expression became even more solemn.
"Grandfather and General Wild Wind are both injured? Who exactly is this Thousand Demon King?" Sophia was startled.
In the Dragon Soaring Continent, although Elder Yew, also known as Elder Dragon, might not be the strongest expert, he was highly renowned. He was practically invincible on the battlefield and had achieved great fame for defending a fortress against a siege of 200,000 soldiers with only 500 men for an entire month.
Although the location was extremely advantageous, his remarkable feat made him unmatched among generals and commanders. It was this battle that earned him the nickname 'Yue Iron Wall.'
In that battle, Elder Yew had lost one of his arms, but it didn't deter him from staying on the relentless stage of war.
On the contrary, he became even more extraordinary, achieving countless victories throughout his life, nearly undefeated in countless battles, and becoming the most trusted military god among the Great Xia Empire.
As for General Wild Wind, he was even more remarkable. While he didn't have Elder Yue's commanding skills, his personal strength was unmatched.
Just the title 'Thousand Bones' was enough to indicate the kind of person General Wild Wind was.
The objects of his slaughter, whether they were human soldiers from the Dragon Soaring Continent or demons from the Abyssal Army, far exceeded tens of thousands.
So, people had given him the nickname 'Wild Wind of a Thousand Bones.'
Therefore, when Old Fox mentioned the Thousand Demon King, it was clear that he was not to be underestimated.
General Windstorm, and Emperor Alexander joined forces and had to defeat two opponents before returning. It was evident that the enemy's strength was terrifying.
However, The King of Demons was unfamiliar to them.
Who was he?
Was he a demon lord from the Abyss, a human renowned for his prowess, or perhaps a king hiding under an alias?
As Eddie contemplated these questions, a subtle furrow appeared on his brow. The grave expression on the face of Old Fox, who was known for his cunning, added to the sense that this individual was far from ordinary.
"The King of Ten Thousand Demons, is a formidable fiend," Old Fox began to explain. "He was a human powerhouse from three thousand years ago, notorious for his brutality and practicing incredibly sinister martial arts. "
"Consequently, a coalition of warriors sealed him away. However, his devoted followers have persisted through generations, accumulating power and periodically attempting to break the seal. Almost every century, they engage in a bloody battle to unleash the King of Ten Thousand Demons."
Old Fox continued, "The descendants of these followers have formed alliances with the demon realm and maintain close ties with the Temple of Dark Magic. "
"They possess remarkable survival skills and are challenging to eradicate. Rumor has it that they've even attained innate abilities, making them a formidable underground force. In recent decades, about fifteen years ago, they made a failed attempt to act. "
"Now, it appears they are once again on the move. If these malevolent fanatics succeed in opening the 'Heavenly Ladder' and acquiring the 'Resurrection Crystal,' then the King of Ten Thousand Demons will be unleashed. "
"It's likely that our world will descend into a living nightmare, with rivers of blood flowing."
As Old Fox spoke, he cast a deliberate glance at Sophia, Eddie's sister. Eddie found this puzzling. Why was Old Fox looking at Sophia when discussing the followers of the King of Ten Thousand Demons? Did Sophia have some connection to the resurrection of this dark entity?
Through Old Fox's teleportation portal, Eddie and Sophia arrived at the grand hall of the imperial palace. There, they saw Mother Grace, who had narrowly escaped captivity.
Mother Grace appeared pale, bearing the emotional scars of her recent ordeal.
She was wrapped in Emperor Alexander's scholar's robe, her bare arms and feet exposed, and her disheveled appearance hinted at the possibility of mistreatment.
Eddie's heart skipped a beat, overwhelmed with anger and distress.
Witnessing Sophia rushing toward Mother Grace, their tearful reunion was heart-wrenching.
"Mother!" Sophia tightly embraced her, tears streaming down her face.
Emperor Alexander sighed softly, turning away to give them some privacy.
He reassured Eddie, "Fortunately, the rescue came just in time. The consequences could have been dire. Eddie, this isn't your fault. In fact, it's our negligence. The King of Ten Thousand Demons' followers are cunning, planting agents within the Yue family. By the time we noticed something was amiss, they were already in action."
General Windstorm, known for his brevity, chimed in, "Those tavern women were your agents, weren't they? They acted swiftly upon receiving word, rescuing Mother Grace before anyone else could. Without them, Mother Grace's life would have been in grave danger."
Emperor Alexander added, "You'll stay in the palace for a while. While I can't vouch for other places, the palace should be relatively secure."
An elderly man with white hair entered the room, carrying a young girl in his arms. The girl was sobbing uncontrollably.
As soon as she spotted Eddie, she leaped into his arms, wailing at the top of her lungs. Her cries filled the palace, reflecting her fear and anguish.
Unlike Mother Grace and Sophia, who held back their tears, she didn't restrain herself, unleashing her pent-up emotions in full force.
"Don't cry, sweetheart, don't cry," Eddie hurriedly consoled her, holding her close.
"My darling, Aeley, come here. Let Mommy hold you!" Mother Grace quickly released Sophia and rushed to embrace the young girl.
"Big brother, Little Third Brother!" But the young girl stubbornly clung to Eddie, refusing to let go.
She twisted her body and held onto him tightly, ignoring everyone's attempts to separate them.
It seemed that the bond between her and her brother was unbreakable, even against her mother's wishes.
"Aeley, Mommy thought she'd never see you again!" Mother Grace sobbed as she held Eddie in her arms, tears streaming down her face.
"Sniff!" Sophia also joined the embrace, hugging both her brother and mother tightly, tears flowing freely.
"Mother Grace, your clothes..." Eddie noticed that Mother Grace, while hugging both him and her daughter, had an unusual appearance.
It was evident that she wasn't wearing any undergarments. Could it be that she had been mistreated by the assailants?
Coughing discreetly, General Windstorm intervened, "Don't worry, Mother Grace. We arrived just in time, and your clothes happened to be torn during the rescue."
He reached out, gently patting Eddie's shoulder.
"I've already taken care of the criminals who intended harm. Thanks to your loyal subordinates, they protected you and stayed with the carriage until they saw me rescue Mother Grace. Despite their humble backgrounds, I deeply admire them. They can be considered heroines among women."
"My subordinates?" Eddie was puzzled. He didn't have any subordinates to his knowledge.
A cloud of doubt shrouded his mind, as if a stormy uncertainty had taken hold. He couldn't put his finger on what was wrong.
Was it the timing of the King of Ten Thousand Demons' followers' appearance, their actions, the rescue process, or even something about his supposed subordinates?
It all felt unsettling.
Eddie's mind grew increasingly chaotic, and a throbbing headache washed over him. In an attempt to alleviate the dizziness and pain, he instinctively closed his eyes and channeled his inner energy.
However, instead of relief, the energy seemed to exacerbate the pain, as if countless needles were piercing his brain from the inside out, intensifying his discomfort.
Amidst the overwhelming distress, he had a sudden epiphany. There was a special state within the invisible sword energy, known as the "Heavenly Eye."
The Heavenly Eye wasn't something easily achieved. It required reaching an exceptionally high level of mastery. Eddie began to grasp the concept, but the pain in his head persisted, leaving him in a state of perplexity.
Eddie never thought that he could now reach... Although it was only the most basic level, it was still extremely rare. What was most important was that if he opened the "Heavenly Eye," it would undoubtedly complement his innate talent, the "Wisdom Eye," and might even merge into a new ability.
The first realm of the "Heavenly Eye" was known as "Clairvoyance."
To be precise, this most basic realm aimed to enhance visual acuity, and it couldn't be considered a true "Heavenly Eye." It was merely the starting point, scratching the surface.
"Ah!" Eddie covered his eyes, feeling a burst of golden light flashing before him. In the end, something seemed to break free, causing him to cry out in pain.
Everyone was startled by his sudden cry, wondering if this young man had lost control of his temper and was about to explode.
Both Grandpa Windstorm and General Windstorm looked at him nervously.
The current Eddie wasn't the same young boy who stormed into the Yew Family Castle in the past.
He had made remarkable progress, and his actions were not to be easily restrained. Even Emperor Jun Without Worries, in light of Eddie's behavior, felt a bit cautious.
If this young man went berserk, he was prepared to intervene. They couldn't afford to let him demolish the palace.
"What's wrong, Third Son?" Mother Grace was taken aback, taking two steps back before approaching and asking with concern.
"I understand now. Mother Grace, let's go home. I'll pack up our belongings and find a place where no one knows us," Eddie said, hugging the young girl who was still sobbing in his arms. She clung to him, regardless of his reactions.
"Go... go back?" Mother Grace was frightened. "Or, Third Son, you can go back, pack up, and then we can move."
"You should all stay here. I'll have someone deliver your belongings, and you can all stay in the palace," Emperor Jun Without Worries said, trying to persuade Eddie. "The Great Xia Imperial Palace doesn't have the same rules as other places. You don't need to worry."
"Third Son, let's stay." Mother Grace also tried to convince Eddie.
"Big brother... Big brother..."
Yue Bing knew her older brother's nature and that he disliked being indebted to others. Furthermore, her mother had taught her the importance of self-reliance.
She didn't object to staying but felt that she should at least express gratitude to Emperor Jun Without Worries and her grandfather for rescuing her mother.
It seemed somewhat impolite not to do so.
"Ice, you stay away for a moment, hold the little girl and wait for me!" Eddie pulled the reluctant young girl out of his embrace and placed her in Yue Bing's arms.
The young girl resisted at first but eventually gave in, sobbing loudly. She seemed to be frightened by Eddie's actions.
Everyone was puzzled by why he insisted on persuading Mother Grace to leave the palace.
"Third Son, I know you're stubborn, but you should also listen to His Majesty and your grandfather. After all, you're still young..." Mother Grace wiped away her tears.
"Don't say any more. You, this imposter! I had my suspicions about you from the beginning. I just didn't have the ability to see through it until now. And now, I can see clearly that beneath this facade of Mother Grace, there hides a cunning female fiend."
Eddie drew his Ashen Blade, aiming it at the stunned Mother Grace, his killing intent surging.
His words shocked everyone in the room.
This included Emperor Jun Without Worries, Grandpa Windstorm, and even the white-haired Royal Tutor, who all furrowed their brows deeply.
The Mother Grace they had just rescued turned out to be an imposter? Was this imposter an enemy?
If that was the case, where was the real Mother Grace?
Eddie, who had just entered, was so certain that Mother Grace was fake. What was the basis for his judgment?
"Eddie, don't joke around. I'm not fake. I'm not! I am your Mother Grace!" Mother Grace saw the Ashen Blade and shuddered, exclaiming while trying to defend herself.
"Don't pretend anymore. You have too many flaws. Even if I hadn't seen through the disguise you put on, I would still have suspected you weren't genuine." Eddie raised three fingers.
"First, I received a telepathic message from the dean just now. She told me that Mother Grace was captured not long ago, and you were rescued more than an hour ago. "
"My real Mother Grace was abducted on a bamboo raft, while you were rescued from the carriage. General Windstorm's words can confirm that you are not my Mother Grace."
"Secondly, little Ailee's reaction. Even if she clings to me, she would never refuse her mother's embrace. Her mother is always her first choice. However, you..."
Eddie continued, "Thirdly, you don't resemble my Mother Grace at all. Do you understand? You've only taken on her appearance but lack her essence. My Mother Grace would never wear another man's clothes, let alone remain half-naked with only an outer garment. "
"She is a virtuous woman. If the enemy tried to defile her, she would choose to bite her tongue and end her own life immediately rather than suffer. She may be timid in everyday life, but she remains calm in times of crisis. "
"Even if I'm covered in blood, even if the world is falling apart, as long as I'm there with Bing and Ailee, she is still a mother, a great mother who holds up the sky for us. She would never be as easily moved or cry out for help as you did. "
"At home, she always defers to my decisions because she sees me as the young man of the house. In public, she is my mother, and she would never allow any disrespect towards elders. She would never easily leave our warm home... "
"If you were truly Mother Grace, you would only stay if both Bing and I agreed. Otherwise, you would never stay in this palace. Yet you, without any consideration, decided to stay and pretended to persuade me. "
"As for your appearance, it's even more obvious that you're a completely different woman. I could see through it easily, even though I'm not very familiar with Princess Jean. But for my mother, who raised me and cared for me, could I possibly make a mistake?"
"Hahaha!" The fake Mother Grace suddenly changed her voice, and a black light enveloped her like a mist.
When the mist-like black light reentered her body, the fake Mother Grace had transformed into a seductive woman.
She was even taller than Mother Grace, even surpassing Eddie in height, and her voice was filled with sensuality.
She pointed her sharp, black nails at Eddie. "The Sect Master warned me to be especially cautious of you, but I didn't pay much attention to it. Now, it seems the Sect Master's words were not unfounded. You, this little troublemaker, are indeed a challenging opponent."
Emperor Jun Without Worries and Grandpa Windstorm exchanged glances. They seemed to recognize this woman, and their expressions gradually became solemn.
The white-haired Royal Tutor smiled and said, "So, it's the Hundred Transformations Demon Sovereign. No wonder you managed to deceive all of us. I always felt that something was amiss, but the Gifted Talent Telepathy didn't respond... If it weren't for young Eddie discovering it in time, you might have fooled us completely."
The old fox, who had been silent all along, also nodded. "Indeed, you disguised yourself very convincingly, and deliberately not wearing clothes made us reluctant to look closely, making it hard to suspect. But now that it's out in the open, where is the real Mother Grace? While the Hundred Transformations Demon Sovereign is one of the Four Demon Sovereigns of the Ten Thousand Demons Gate, you should reconsider your own strength before thinking about leaving."
"You have a lot of people on your side, and if I fight, of course, I can't beat you. But I can't let you stay."
The Hundred Transformations Demon Sovereign sneered. "Apart from the two old geezers, who can keep up with me, the rest of you are insignificant in my eyes.
If it weren't for the agreement among the strong not to kill emperors like you and disrupt the country, I would have eliminated all of you, including the Sect Masters and Overlords.
In front of me, what's so impressive? I am a Little Innate, after all."
"Reliant on external forces, and you still boast about being a Little Innate? You're just full of hot air!" Eddie was furious, and his strength was unsealing layer by layer.
He raised the Rune Array, a dazzling and colorful array, with spiritual energy flowing in his right hand. He grabbed the Hundred Transformations Demon Sovereign's throat, overpowering her. The entire palace trembled with a resounding boom.
As the Hundred Transformations Demon Sovereign screamed in pain, Eddie mercilessly stomped on her towering chest. He showed no mercy, and his actions were cold and ruthless.
Even Grandpa Windstorm, Emperor Jun Without Worries, and General Windstorm had their jaws nearly drop.
Did this young man defeat the Little Innate-level Hundred Transformations Demon Sovereign with just one move?
What kind of power was needed for that? Even if it was a formidable innate expert, it wouldn't be so easy to knock the Hundred Transformations Demon Sovereign down with a single blow.
The Hundred Transformations Demon Sovereign, known for terrorizing the world over two hundred years ago, was a fearsome woman who drained the vitality of men.
She was a notorious demoness. Just one move, without any resistance, and this young man managed to bring her down?
"This is... truly unbelievable," Eddie exclaimed.
"Immediately reveal the whereabouts of my Mother Grace, or I will give you a fate worse than death!" Eddie exerted pressure with his foot, making the chest of the Shapeshifting Sorceress crack and creak, as if it could break at any moment.
"Otherwise, you'll wish you were dead! You talk about the Covenant between Primordials, but let me remind you, I never signed any such thing. "
"In fact, I've never even heard of it! I will kill you, and ten thousand Primordials won't be able to save you. Damn it, you dared to impersonate my Mother Grace to deceive me! Since you won't talk, then fine, I'll grant you the most gruesome death!"
Eddie's anger escalated as he mercilessly crushed the Shapeshifting Sorceress's chest, breaking one rib after another.
"You're a Primordial, you're a Primordial! You can't kill me... According to the Covenant among Primordials, Primordials cannot attack or kill those beneath them, especially not other Primordials. I am the Revered One of the Myriad Demons Sect, our sect's leader. I participated in the Covenant with your kind. "
"The Myriad Demons Sect won't kill people like you, and you Primordials cannot kill our kind either. If you violate this Covenant, it will lead to a world-shattering war, and you will be the enemy of all Primordials. You'll face endless calamities. You absolutely cannot kill me, and you must let me go!" The Shapeshifting Sorceress gasped and pleaded through bloodied breaths.
"A Primordial... you're actually the seventh Primordial in Great Xia?" The Grandmaster was on the verge of fainting. No wonder the Supreme Elder of the Bright Heart Sect mentioned not exceeding thirty; what does that even mean? This kid is only twenty years old! "You kept this from me, old man!" Grandpa Yew's entire body quivered with excitement. Who would have thought that the Primordial who had caused such a sensation throughout the country was his own grandson?
Even more surprising, this grandson of his had usually appeared as the most useless one.
His most outstanding son, Quinn Yew, couldn't reach the Primordial realm.
Unexpectedly, it was his own grandson who had endured for over ten years, acting as if he were useless for more than a decade, who had finally reached the Primordial realm, an accomplishment that no one in the Yew family had achieved for a thousand years. "
"Moreover, he might be the youngest Primordial in the entire Dragon Soaring Continent, a Primordial at just twenty years old! Alexander felt a slight headache as he muttered, "No wonder that girl, Jean, looked at him differently... "
"This is bad; it messes up the hierarchy. Won't I have to address him as 'senior'? This is really a mess..."
"Stop talking about the Covenant among Primordials; I've never signed it, and I've never even heard of it!"
Eddie retorted angrily. "I want to kill you, and even a hundred thousand Primordials won't be able to stop me. Damn it, how dare you transform into Mother Grace's appearance to deceive me! Since you won't talk, then fine, I'll grant you the most gruesome death!"
Eddie's anger surged, and he forcefully pressed down on the Shapeshifting Sorceress's chest, breaking her ribs one by one.