Chapter 956: Can No Longer Be a Prince

Zhao Lin had never seen anything so bizarre.

Countless specks of light dotted the mountain like fireflies. Lanterns lit up one after another, making the dark midnight peak appear as bright as day. Yet, this dazzling brilliance only deepened an unspeakable eeriness, striking a fear so profound it kept onlookers at bay.

“That's... that's...”

Zhao Lin stammered, harboring a deep unease.

“The Demon Market,” Chen Changsheng answered.

Zhao Lin did not dare step inside. But as Chen Changsheng walked forward, he realized he was just as terrified to stay put.

Even as a former king, he remained deeply afraid of the unknown.

Figuring that staying near Chen Changsheng would at least offer some protection—given the man’s genuine abilities—he gritted his teeth and hurried after him.

“Wait for me!”

Zhao Lin scrambled forward, finally catching up to Chen Changsheng’s relaxed pace.

They were fortunate enough to arrive just as the market opened. Such a vast array of Lanterns only burned on nights when the demons gathered to trade.

Chen Changsheng handed a fan mask to Zhao Lin.

“What is this?” Zhao Lin asked in confusion.

“Just put it on.”

Zhao Lin slipped the mask over his face, while Chen Changsheng cast a Daoist technique to conceal his own aura.

As they neared the foot of the mountain, they saw a long line of demons waiting to buy Lanterns. Some were half-human, half-beast, while others looked no different from ordinary mortals.

At this sight, the usually bold Prince of Wei trembled. His lips quivered uncontrollably, and beneath the glow of the Lanterns, his face turned completely pale.

Chen Changsheng looked over at him. “If you’re afraid, just don’t look. There is no shame in keeping your head down.”

Zhao Lin scoffed. “I am not afraid.”

Chen Changsheng smiled and moved forward with the line.

Zhao Lin looked up. Slowly, the terror clutching his chest began to fade. “Just what are you planning to make me do here?” he asked.

The Prince of Wei was no fool.

He was merely a little slow to react.

“Saying that proves you really are scared,” Chen Changsheng noted. “Otherwise, with your temperament, you wouldn’t have even bothered to ask.”

Zhao Lin’s throat went dry. “I hadn't thought about it,” he said, his voice turning hoarse. “I never once considered what you were dragging me into. Murder and arson are one thing, but these creatures right in front of me? How could I possibly deal with them? I can’t do this. Find someone else.”

Chen Changsheng patted his shoulder lightly. “Rest easy. It is nothing too dangerous.”

“I don't trust a single word you say.”

“True, it isn't exactly safe either.”

“Son of a bitch!”

Zhao Lin yanked his sleeve free. “I quit. I am leaving right now.”

Chen Changsheng gave him a mild glance. “Go on, then. Leave.”

He made no attempt to stop him, stepping aside to clear the path so Zhao Lin could walk away.

Driven by a surge of temper, Zhao Lin actually stormed right back the way they had come.

As a man who had once ruled from on high, Zhao Lin knew his own limits better than anyone. He absolutely refused to touch things beyond his depth. He cherished the lives of his people, and he cherished his own life equally; he simply lived with a little less dignity now.

Watching him go, Chen Changsheng said nothing. He simply turned back and continued waiting in line.

The line stretched out for quite a distance.

The Demon Market was exceptionally bustling tonight.

Demons from all directions had caught wind of the gathering and flocked to the market to join the excitement.

As they waited in line, the demons chatted idly among themselves.

“Hey, I heard the lords have already expanded the Demon Market into distant regions. There are two or three new branches now, and they’ve been recruiting demons lately with quite a heavy payout.”

“One of the demons from our mountain went. The last time a messenger demon brought us a letter, he said he was working right alongside the lords over there, making a killing.”

“And get this...”

Much like humans, the demons loved to gossip about everyday trivia.

The atmosphere was incredibly lively.

Chen Changsheng actually rather enjoyed the bustle. The constant, mundane chatter of the surrounding demons made the dark night feel grounded and reassuring.

“Speaking of which, the recent events in the Mortal World have blown up into quite a big deal.”

“I heard about that. They say the King of Wei surrendered, and now the realm is split in three. The lords are saying that Prince Jin is recruiting capable people, and he's even hiring demons. A powerful demon from near our mountain actually went over, and I heard he even got appointed as some kind of general.”

“The Twelve Generals. They're all demons.”

“Right, right, right.”

“But why would anyone want to go? Those humans are wicked to the core. It's no good, no good at all.”

“That's where you're wrong. According to the traveling lords, this is a massive opportunity. If Prince Jin ascends the mortal throne, every single demon under his command will receive an Investiture Scroll.”

“Like a celestial official?”

“Yeah. Though they probably won't be as powerful as the celestial officials from the old days.”

“Ah, no wonder.”

Chen Changsheng’s heart gave a slight pause. Rubbing his chin, he murmured, “Has it already begun...?”

It seemed some demons had already figured it out.

With the realm stabilizing and qi destiny surging, this fated opportunity tied to qi destiny had become increasingly obvious.

The upcoming struggle between the three factions was going to involve far more than just ordinary soldiers slaughtering one another.

It couldn't exactly be called a good thing, but it wasn't strictly bad either.

The key would be to keep the conflict controlled within a limited scope, minimizing the devastation.

This was exactly why Chen Changsheng had made this trip.

He had a premonition that cultivators and demons would intervene in the looming war between the three factions. If left unrestrained to wage a mass slaughter, the nature of the conflict would change entirely.

Even though such a slaughter would generate profound sinful karma and invite the disgust of heaven and earth, the possibility could not be ruled out.

Just as he was pondering this, the sound of approaching footsteps caught his ear.

Chen Changsheng glanced back, only to see the masked Zhao Lin trudging back toward him.

“Why are you back?” Chen Changsheng asked.

Zhao Lin shot him a look. “I’ll take another look around. If it’s manageable, this prince will work with you.”

Chen Changsheng smiled. “Made up your mind that quickly?”

Zhao Lin rolled his eyes. “I treated you like a brother, yet here you are pushing me into a fire pit.”

“Who said it’s a fire pit? This is a great opportunity. Some would beg on their knees and still never get it.”

“Didn’t you tell me I wasn’t suited for cultivation?”

“But you possess considerable talent in other areas.”

“Which areas? My handsome looks?”

Chen Changsheng looked at him, momentarily speechless. “Do you genuinely not know what you, the Prince of Wei, are best at?”

Zhao Lin raised his eyebrows slightly. “I can no longer be a prince.”

“Who asked you to be a prince in the Mortal World?”

At those words, Zhao Lin stiffened.

He opened his mouth, stammering, “What do you mean?”

Chen Changsheng looked at him calmly. “Do you still not understand?”

In the blink of an eye, the urge to flee sprouted in Zhao Lin all over again.

This time, he wanted to run even faster than before!

Zhao Lin shook his head repeatedly, muttering, “That won’t work. How could that ever work...”

Suddenly, he froze. Staring fixedly at Chen Changsheng, he blurted out, “You want me to help the demons?!”