"I care!" Gongsun Yajiu's eyes were resolute.
She knew that, for the demon clan, no matter how much Xiao Fan had helped in this mission, the fact that he was human meant no demon would care, let alone feel grateful. Demons would never feel indebted to humans. To the demons, any help from humans was just fate, and they never saw humans as equals.
Once, she had thought the same. But after spending time with Xiao Fan, she felt his compassionate heart. To him, humans and demons—or any race for that matter—were no different.
During their months together, Xiao Fan would sometimes share his vision of an ideal world—a world where all beings were equal, without distinctions of high and low. Whenever Xiao Fan shared these thoughts, she would scoff, but gradually, his ideas influenced her.
Xiao Fan had helped her, and now she would help him.
Gongsun Yajiu glanced at her father, Gongsun Bo, disappointed, then continued forward with Xiao Fan in her arms.
If she couldn't trust her own father, she couldn't trust anyone else. She decided it was safest to keep Xiao Fan by her side, even knowing the consequences this choice might bring.
Watching this, Gongsun Bo stamped his feet in frustration. "Daughter, don't act on impulse! Do you know what consequences your actions will bring?"
"Think not just of yourself, but of our tribe's honor!"
Gongsun Bo continued to persuade her, but Gongsun Yajiu ignored him.
Seeing that his words had no effect, Gongsun Bo decided to forcibly take Xiao Fan. But just as he moved, he fell into one of Gongsun Yajiu's illusions. By the time he snapped out of it, she was already far ahead.
Members of Gongsun Bo's tribe, seeing Gongsun Yajiu act so rashly, disregarding the tribe's honor, were furious, their words growing increasingly harsh. They forgot that their current honor was entirely due to Gongsun Yajiu.
They had come to welcome her back to the demon clan, but now they were criticizing her for reckless behavior.
Truthfully, the surrounding tribes also hadn't expected such a drama.
Among the crowd, the Holy Sons and Holy Daughters watched with meaningful smiles. This trip had indeed been worthwhile.
They proceeded to the sacred land, anticipating that Gongsun Yajiu would face not rewards but the stripping of her Holy Maiden status.
Seeing that persuasion was futile, Gongsun Bo reluctantly followed to the sacred land, hoping there was still a chance to turn things around.
Demon Sacred Land
The Council of Elders convened in an ancient, solemn palace.
A vigorous, imposing man sat at the head of the hall—the current demon clan leader.
On either side of him sat dozens of venerable elders from various tribes, the most respected figures in the demon clan.
The demon leader and these elders formed the Council of Elders, making crucial decisions for the demon clan.
Above them were the demon guardians, who did not participate in daily decisions unless it was a significant matter affecting the entire clan, like the attack on the dragon clan.
Every demon warrior would be rewarded for their part in the victory, but the Council of Elders was only involved in deciding the special rewards for someone like Gongsun Yajiu.
While Gongsun Yajiu had not yet arrived, the Holy Sons and Holy Daughters were already whispering to their respective tribe elders, their eyes gleaming with intrigue.
Despite prioritizing the clan's overall interests, the elders had personal ambitions. Having the next demon clan leader come from their tribe would be ideal.
The demon leader was aware of the situation outside and had a contemplative look.
Soon, Gongsun Yajiu arrived with Xiao Fan. After carefully placing Xiao Fan beside her, she respectfully bowed to the demon leader and the elders.
"Greetings to the demon leader and elders."
At this, all eyes focused on Xiao Fan, not Gongsun Yajiu.
Before the demon leader could speak, the elders began to sternly reprimand her.
"Gongsun Yajiu, do you realize your crime?"
"Esteemed elders, what crime have I committed?" Gongsun Yajiu responded calmly.
She had anticipated this situation.
"As a Holy Maiden, consorting with a human disgraces our clan," one elder accused.
Another elder added, "You care more for a human than our clan. You are unfit to be a Holy Maiden!"
"To prevent Gongsun Yajiu from endangering our clan, I propose stripping her of her Holy Maiden status immediately!"
"Do the elders agree?"
"Agreed!"
"Agreed!"
"…"
Over two-thirds of the elders expressed agreement.
Gongsun Yajiu's fingers turned white from clenching. Though she had expected this, she was still enraged by the elders' hypocritical faces. Their lofty rhetoric was just a guise for giving their tribes' Holy Sons and Holy Daughters a better chance at leadership.
Throughout the process, the demon leader remained silent. Finally, seeing Gongsun Yajiu's defiant expression, he spoke.
"Holy Maiden Gongsun, since the elders doubt your loyalty, prove your innocence by killing this human beside you."
"I assure you, if you kill the human, not only will you retain your status, but you will be elevated to Grand Holy Maiden."
The elders were stunned. If Gongsun Yajiu became the Grand Holy Maiden, her position would be unshakeable, ensuring her as the future demon clan leader.