CHAPTER 480: CHAPTER 480 : THE FINAL WAR (3)

In the Demon Realm, feasts were a paradoxical blend of savagery and revelry. While their inherent bloodlust often led to bouts of internecine slaughter, these outbursts were strangely interwoven with a celebratory spirit. Demons might slay a rival’s brother during the festivities, yet such an act wouldn’t necessarily spark a feud. In fact, it wouldn’t be uncommon for the slayer to then court the deceased demon’s sister later that very night. Such was the twisted logic of a demonic banquet -- a chaotic blend of violence, lust, and a bizarre form of demonic camaraderie.

However, this gruesome camaraderie had its limits. Demons, for all their bloodlust, took a perverse offense to being interrupted mid-feast. Slaying them while they savored their meals wasn’t seen as a valiant act, but a rude breach of etiquette.

The sole obstacle preventing the demons from retaliating against the rulebreaker was his fearsome status. It was the newly crowned Second Demon King, a being second only to the absolute ruler, the First Demon King.

Thus imagine the demons’ utter relief when the First Demon King’s attention was drawn by the ruckus and he personally arrived at the site of the bloodshed to inspect the cause of the ruckus.

"What’s going on here?" He asked, directing his question at Qiao Wei. In the heart of the throng, surrounded by hulking demons twice his size, the human being stood resolute.

At Qiao Wei’s feet, two or three demons writhed in pain, crimson color staining the ground from wounds inflicted by Qiao Wei’s swift hand.

Nearby stood a cage, previously full of young women destined for a nightmarish feast that night. Its iron bars hung fractured and askew, gaping open like a silent scream. The young women in question had already vanished into the sheltering embrace of the adjacent forest.

Qiao Wei calmly turned to look at the First Demon King and said, "What is it? With so many villages you pillaged and countless innocent villagers you killed, can I not kill some of you?"

The First Demon King crossed his arms before his chest and shot Qiao Wei a smirk.

"If you are overcome with bloodlust, are you interested in obliterating the next village? Oh, wait. I think I have a better idea."

The high-ranking demon closed the distance between them and placed a hand on Qiao Wei’s shoulder.

"Why don’t we visit one of the so-called Ten Great Sects in this Human Realm? Although they have the power to save the puny human beings around them, they cower behind their precious gates, turning blind eyes to the suffering just beyond their walls. Despicable, wouldn’t you say?"

Qiao Wei’s face contorted with pain when the First Demon King’s poisonous aura entered his body, seeping into his bones, and clouding his judgment.

"Yes, but..."

A wave of dizziness crashed over Qiao Wei, blurring his vision and threatening to pull him under. He strained to hold on to focus, the world tilting precariously around him.

"Why do you have to attack the human beings?" He slowly asked. "They are innocent and weak."

His question gave rise to a round of snickers.

"Of course, it’s because they are innocent and weak!" One demon hollered in a mocking tone.

Silver Yin Sword arced through the air in one swift motion, cleaving said demon in two clean halves before the mocking sneer vanished from his face.

Terror widened the demons’ eyes as they scrambled back three steps in unison.

"Right."

The First Demon King calmly wiped the blood off his sword and flashed his subordinates a gleeful smile.

"The strong shall prevail, and the weak shall perish. That applies to everyone, human beings and demons alike."

"No," Qiao Wei slowly said. "I disagree."

A hollow chuckle rasped from the First Demon King’s throat. As he had suspected, expecting Qiao Wei to fully embrace his dark side was a fool’s hope. After all, the man used to be a Crown Prince of the Heavenly Empire. Vengeance, a searing hunger, was the only fire that truly stoked Qiao Wei’s actions.

"It’s alright," the First Demon King draped an arm around Qiao Wei’s shoulder like an affectionate comrade. "When are you planning to launch an attack to the Golden Dragon Palace? How much longer do you wish to tolerate the Heavenly Emperor?

Liu Yichen.

Qiao Wei’s knuckles grew white as he clenched his fists. Bloodlust simmered in his eyes. The precarious balance between the realms, he decided, was partly Liu Yichen’s fault.

The former Grand Chancellor had long been a thorn in his side, his morning court pronouncements revealing a shallow mind brimming with foolish notions.

But before the former Heavenly Emperor could purge the court of such incompetence, the treacherous wolf had bared its fangs.

"Tomorrow," Qiao Wei said through gritted teeth. "I will take my troops to invade the Golden Dragon Palace tomorrow."

"Wonderful," the First Demon King commented. "In that case, why don’t you rest for the night? Tomorrow is an important day for you."

"Mmm."

Before leaving, Qiao Wei threw one last look at the round of demons, who flinched under his burning glare.

The First Demon King smiled as he watched Qiao Wei retreat.

Everything unfolded according to his diabolic plot.

Blinded by love and devotion for the Crown Prince, Supreme General Zhang Fengxi was unable to take proper action against the "Second Demon King".

Now a mere shell of his former self, he lay in a vegetative state, unable to serve the empire and the ruler he swore to protect.

With the Heavenly Empire’s strongest protector incapacitated, the path to ultimate dominion lay open.

Soon, Qiao Wei would unleash the full fury of his vengeance and take the Heavenly Emperor’s life.

His action would leave the whole empire teetering on the brink of collapse.

Within days, all three realms would fall within the First Demon King’s grasp.

He alone should rise as the ruler above all creatures.

Demons should walk freely across three realms, a tide of chaos unconstrained by the natural order.