Chapter 169: Another Person

The Yama of the Realm of Spiritual Restoration could offer only limited information. Beyond confirming that the culprit was a wood-spirit demon named Lin Ting, he knew little else — only that a century ago, a soul-warden had escorted this spirit from the southern reaches of the demon realm, from a place called the Eternal Forest. His true form, however, remained unknown.

Since none of them were familiar with the demon realm — their only prior visit being to the Demon King’s Palace — they decided to start there.

The Demon King, upon seeing them arrive, was delighted. “Divine Healer Yun! It’s been ages! How have you been?” he said, smiling ear to ear. But even as he spoke, his eyes kept darting behind her expectantly. “You came alone? No one with you? When are they arriving?”

Yuan Jiang: “…”

Bai Yu: “…”

Excuse me — are we invisible?

After scanning the entryway several more times and finding no one else, the Demon King finally turned back, disappointment written all over his face — until his gaze landed on the cold, expressionless man standing at Yun Jiao’s side.

“Eh? Chen’er? Weren’t you supposed to be cultivating in the rear hall? Why are you here with the Divine Healer?”

At once, a visible twitch appeared on the man’s brow — the faintest sign of impending doom.

Sensing the danger, Yun Jiao reacted faster than lightning, stepping sideways to block the Demon King’s line of sight. “That’s not important!” she said crisply. “Your Majesty, we’re here today because we need your help.”

The Demon King’s attention shifted immediately. “Oh? What is it you need from me?”

Yun Jiao asked, “We’re searching for a wood-spirit demon named Lin Ting. His cultivation is quite high. Have you ever heard of him?”

The Demon King furrowed his brow, thinking hard before shaking his head. “That name doesn’t ring a bell. But… the wood-spirit tribes…” His voice trailed off, and a flicker of unease crossed his face.

“Is there something special about them?” Yun Jiao prompted.

He sighed. “Wood spirits live long, but it’s almost impossible for them to awaken sentience. Only those with extraordinary fortune can ever become demons. Because of that, every tree or vine that succeeds in cultivation becomes a great power — even in the early stages, they can outmatch most other tribes. Yet, being rooted in stillness, most have no desire for conflict or companionship. They shun the outside world, ignore royal summons, and dwell apart from the rest of demonkind. So…” He spread his hands apologetically. “I’m afraid I can’t help you much regarding the wood-spirit clans.”

Their faces darkened. If even the Demon King knew nothing, finding Lin Ting would be difficult indeed.

“Then,” Yun Jiao asked, “what can you tell us about the Eternal Forest? What kind of place is it?”

At that, the Demon King’s eyes widened. “The Eternal Forest?”

“You know it?”

His expression turned complicated, his tone lowering. “That forest lies at the far southern edge of the demon realm. Legend says that ten thousand years ago, a cataclysmic war swept through there — the first Demon King perished in that battle. Even now the area remains filled with chaotic demonic energy and cutting winds. Few demons dare to set foot within it.”

“The first Demon King?” Yun Jiao repeated, surprised.

He nodded. “Yes — and rumor says she was also of the wood-spirit clan.” He gave them a worried look. “Divine Healer, the Eternal Forest is perilous beyond measure. You would be wise not to venture there lightly.”

“Thank you for the warning,” Yun Jiao said politely. After asking a few more questions about the forest and its denizens — learning little more — she rose to take her leave.

The Demon King, however, leapt up in alarm. “You’re leaving already? You came all this way — stay a while longer!”

“No need, Your Majesty. We still have business.”

“Wait, wait!” He waved his hands frantically. “Just a little longer — please?”

“Truly, we must go.”

“Don’t! If you stay, maybe he’ll come soon!”

“Who?”

“The one who beat me up last time, of course!” His eyes lit up, his face flushing red. For a dignified seven-foot monarch, he suddenly looked alarmingly bashful. “If you’re here, surely he’ll appear again! I’ve been waiting… I still remember how it felt when he hit me— ah, such nostalgia—”

Yun Jiao: “…”

Are you seriously a masochist?!

凸(艹皿艹)

Oblivious to her expression, the Demon King continued dreamily, “Please, Divine Healer, make him come quickly. Ever since that day, I can’t stop thinking about him—”

BOOM!

Before he could finish, a thunderous impact sent him hurtling through the air. A blast of icy energy swept across the hall, and the Demon King’s body shot through wall after wall, finally crashing outside the palace in a shower of debris.

Ye Yuan stood where he’d been, face black as stormclouds, murderous aura rolling off him. Apparently last time hadn’t been enough.

The others stared in silence.

Yuan Jiang and Bai Yu looked at the string of gaping holes in the walls, then back at the dark-faced ancestor, then at Yun Jiao — their eyes full of confusion.

What just happened? Why is the Ancestor suddenly angry?

Yun Jiao glanced at them both. Some truths were better left unknown. She grabbed her Ancestor’s arm. “Finding Lin Ting is more urgent. Let’s leave now.”

“Huh? Why?” the two asked instinctively.

She stopped, gave them a completely calm look, and said solemnly, “Given your genders… staying here any longer would be very dangerous.”

Yuan Jiang: “…”

Bai Yu: “…”

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Once they were safely several li away from the palace, Yuan Jiang frowned. “Little Niece, I think the Demon King was hiding something.”

Yun Jiao nodded. “It’s likely related to that first Demon King. Matters of ancient rulership are often… politically sensitive.”

Yuan Jiang thought for a moment. “I don’t know much myself. The upper realm and the demon realm rarely interacted. But I’ve heard that in the age before that first monarch, the demon tribes were divided and chaotic, constantly invading the mortal world. The cultivators of the Celestial Order hunted demons day and night; it was almost a war of extermination.”

“And then?” Yun Jiao asked.

“Then the first Demon King appeared. She united the clans, forbade them from crossing into the human realm, and brought an uneasy peace. But later, for reasons unknown, she fell — and the throne passed on. The wolf-demon we met today,” he added with a glance backward, “is the third Demon King since then.”

(End of Chapter)