Lan Ling suddenly thought of something. Why had Little Rakshasa King pretended to be extremely fond of Mengtuoluo?
Because of her beauty?
Absolutely impossible!
To be honest, the Little Rakshasa King’s level of beauty among men surpassed Mengtuoluo’s level of beauty among women.
Moreover, someone like the Little Rakshasa King, a thinker of the Demon Clan and an absolute powerhouse, certainly would not have much interest in women.
There had to be another reason why he pretended to favour Mengtuoluo.
“Wait…” Lan Ling said. “Your Highness, why did you marry Mengtuoluo, and why do you appear to favour her so much?”
Little Rakshasa King said, “She is a spy from the Motuo Empire.”
Lan Ling was stunned, then said, “I see.”
Little Rakshasa King said, “She thought she had disguised herself very well, and she told me everything that had happened in the human kingdom. However, her desire for blood had already exposed her identity. Moreover, she is a virgin, so if I am not mistaken, the master behind her should be County Princess Na Xue of the Motuo Empire.”
“County Princess Na Xue?” Lan Ling had never heard this name before.
Little Rakshasa King said, “A very cruel and decisive woman. She killed all her brothers and sisters and drained their blood, thereby becoming the sole heir of Prince Di Sha. This woman is extraordinarily beautiful, and she will use any means necessary to become stronger. Over the past few years, she has personally fought all the battles to finish off the remaining forces in the Northern Wilderness. The number of Northern Wilderness tribes she has slaughtered is at least over ten million.”
Ten million…
Even Lan Ling, a butcher himself, could not help taking a sharp breath when he heard this number.
Little Rakshasa King said, “Because of her extreme thirst for blood, the Demon Clan in the Northern Wilderness, although their Demon Blood lineage is not particularly strong compared with that of humans, can still produce powerful Demon Blood energy after the blood of hundreds of thousands of people is boiled and refined. This is how she became incredibly powerful. Throughout the Northern Wilderness, and even within the Motuo Empire, her reputation makes everyone tremble with fear.”
Lan Ling simply could not imagine what it would look like to boil and refine the blood of hundreds of thousands of people at once, then absorb the essence of their Demon Blood lineage.
“Now, the entire Northern Wilderness has been completely unified by the Motuo Empire,” Little Rakshasa King said. “This restless County Princess Na Xue then turned her attention to the Southern Wilderness. Because the Fallen Land lies between the Northern and Southern Wildernesses, the Motuo Empire is destined to be unable to launch a large-scale invasion of the Southern Wilderness. So County Princess Na Xue adopted another strategy, sending countless spies into the Southern Wilderness to control many important Demon Clan leaders. And she seems to have taken an interest in me. She probably wants to use me as a vessel to unify the entire Southern Wilderness.”
“You mean Mengtuoluo has already been embraced by County Princess Na Xue?” Lan Ling asked.
“She probably has,” Little Rakshasa King said.
With this, the reason became very simple.
Little Rakshasa King had pretended to favour Mengtuoluo in order to deceive County Princess Na Xue and lower the Motuo Empire’s guard.
If Mengtuoluo were killed, however, it would naturally alert the enemy.
Of course, Little Rakshasa King was now willing to kill Mengtuoluo because, compared with Lan Ling, he considered Mengtuoluo’s value insignificant.
Lan Ling said, “What role does County Princess Na Xue play in your plans?”
Little Rakshasa King said, “If the Heavenly Fiend King sweeps across the entire Demon Clan territory and becomes impossible to stop, then County Princess Na Xue will need to lead the elite forces of the Motuo Empire into the Southern Wilderness to halt the Heavenly Fiend King’s advance.”
“Use wolves to swallow tigers?” Lan Ling asked.
Little Rakshasa King nodded. “Yes, that is a very accurate description.”
Lan Ling said, “With the great war that is about to break out, who do you think will win?”
Little Rakshasa King said, “If not for the unexpected factor that is you, the unified front of the Demon Clan Empire led by the Heavenly Fiend King should win.”
Lan Ling said, “Why? The Demon Clan Alliance has six major Demon Clans, while the unified front of the Demon Clan Empire led by the Heavenly Fiend King has only two and a half Demon Clans.”
Little Rakshasa King said, “The Demon Clan Alliance may have six major Demon Clans, but it has no absolute leader, so it is destined to be unable to unite. Although the unified front of the Demon Clan Empire has only two and a half Demon Clans, both the Demoness Kingdom and the Winged Clan are absolutely brave and noble races. They will give everything they have in war. The Demon Clan Alliance, however, will have different intentions despite sharing the same bed, and they may even hinder one another. If you did not exist, I would remain pessimistic about this war.”
Lan Ling said, “So that is why you wanted to bring in the Motuo Empire, and why you were willing to humour Mengtuoluo. You were preparing for what might happen.”
“Yes,” Little Rakshasa King said. “Bringing in the Motuo Empire is far better than bringing in the Divine Dragon Temple. Moreover, the Motuo Empire is destined to be unable to enter the Demon Clan territory on a large scale, so only its strongest and most elite forces could move south. According to my original plan, I intended to bring in the elite forces of the Motuo Empire when the Demon Clan Alliance was about to be defeated, play the role of a saviour, and use the Motuo Empire to unify the entire Southern Wilderness and establish the Demon Clan Empire.”
Lan Ling said, “County Princess Na Xue will not let you use her for nothing. If the entire Demon Clan territory falls completely into the hands of the Motuo Empire, you will become a sinner for all eternity.”
Little Rakshasa King shook his head. “That will not happen, because County Princess Na Xue’s ambitions are too great.”
Lan Ling was stunned, then nodded, agreeing with Little Rakshasa King’s reasoning.
According to the normal course of events, if Little Rakshasa King brought in County Princess Na Xue’s forces and ultimately turned the tide, defeating the unified front of the Demon Clan Empire led by the Heavenly Fiend King.
By then, the entire Demon Clan territory would have been devastated by war, and the obstacles preventing the unification of the Demon Clan would instead have disappeared.
Na Xue and Little Rakshasa King working together really could unify the entire Southern Wilderness and establish the Demon Clan Empire.
County Princess Na Xue had extremely great ambitions. She would absolutely refuse to remain under the control of the Motuo Empire. Therefore, once the Demon Clan Empire was established, she would instead regard it as her homeland and make it the greatest undertaking of her entire life.
At that point, the person most determined to resist the Motuo Empire and guarantee the unity and integrity of the Demon Clan Empire would actually be County Princess Na Xue herself.
Therefore, although Little Rakshasa King was using County Princess Na Xue, he was also helping her achieve her ambitions.
Moreover, the possibility of his plan succeeding was extremely high.
He truly was a wise man. Before the great civil war of the Demon Clan had even begun, he had already considered the strategic arrangements that would follow its conclusion.
County Princess Na Xue played an extremely important role in his plan, and could even become his true wife for the rest of his life and the co-ruler of the Demon Clan Empire.
No wonder he had married Mengtuoluo and behaved so intimately with her.
“But now, everything is over!” Little Rakshasa King sighed. “After I die, all my plans will turn to ashes.”
Lan Ling also felt extremely frustrated.
The Little Rakshasa King before him was the first true wise man and genuine strategist he had encountered since arriving in the Demon Clan territory.
Black Demon Banner Lord was also an outstanding leader, but he was merely a ruler who could preserve what had already been established. Neither his breadth of mind nor his vision could compare with that of a true great strategist.
The Little Rakshasa King before him undoubtedly could.
“But fortunately, you appeared…” Little Rakshasa King smiled. “Neither the Heavenly Fiend King nor I are suitable candidates to unify the Demon Clan Empire. Neither of us possesses absolute power or absolute destiny, so we both need to borrow external strength. The Heavenly Fiend King needs to rely on Princess Di Nie, while I need to rely on County Princess Na Xue. You are different, because after all, you are His Majesty the Demon Emperor…”
When he said His Majesty the Demon Emperor, his expression became slightly teasing.
“So I conveniently and justifiably handed this enormous burden over to you,” Little Rakshasa King said. “Unfortunately, I have too little time left and cannot protect you for very long.”
Lan Ling’s face twitched.
Now, there was a problem before him. Should Mengtuoluo be killed?
She was indeed insignificant, but behind her stood County Princess Na Xue.
Little Rakshasa King suddenly said, “Lan Ling, there is something I am only saying casually.”
Lan Ling said, “Please go ahead.”
Little Rakshasa King said, “The situation is developing too quickly. Although you possess the destiny of heaven and earth, the Heavenly Fiend King and Princess Di Nie are simply too powerful. So County Princess Na Xue may also be a very great source of support for you. If I married her, I could not suppress her, and the future Demon Clan Empire might be ruled by her. But if you married her, you might be able to suppress her, and she might willingly become your Demon Empress. So… although I am about to die, County Princess Na Xue can marry you. In the future, although you will become incomparably powerful, you will also need an extremely powerful assistant. County Princess Na Xue is a very good choice, as long as you can keep her under control.”
Lan Ling said nothing. After thinking for a while, he said, “Then let’s not kill Mengtuoluo for now. After County Princess Na Xue arrives, we can kill her.”
“Good!” Little Rakshasa King nodded.
Lan Ling thought of another question and said, “The great war is about to begin. The Heavenly Fiend territory borders three major Demon Clans, the Yun’e Clan, the Rakshasa Clan, and the Earth Fiend Clan. Which one do you think Princess Di Nie will attack first?”
A playful smile appeared at the corner of Little Rakshasa King’s mouth. “If I do not let you go home, your Flame Demon Banner army will attack the Blue Demon Banner territory next door and create a civil war. You think the Rakshasa Royal Clan will be extremely afraid of a civil war breaking out at this time, which would attract the Heavenly Fiend King’s attention and cause him to choose my Rakshasa Clan as his first conquest target. So you think that when the time comes, I will have no choice but to compromise and obediently let you go, right?”
Lan Ling nodded.
Little Rakshasa King said, “Indeed, everyone thinks this way, including my father. But… the Heavenly Fiend Clan will definitely not choose the Rakshasa Clan as its conquest target.”
Lan Ling said, “Then which clan do you think the Heavenly Fiend Clan will invade first?”
“The Earth Fiend Clan,” Little Rakshasa King said.
The Earth Fiend Clan? Among these three bordering Demon Clans, the Earth Fiend Clan was the strongest.
In fact, among the Eight Great Demon Clans, the strength of the Earth Fiend Clan was second only to that of the Heavenly Fiend Clan.
Under normal reasoning, the Heavenly Fiend King could never possibly attack the Earth Fiend Clan first. Who would deliberately choose the hardest opponent first?
This was truly an unexpected answer.
Little Rakshasa King said, “How about we make a bet? Whoever loses has to run naked around the Little Rakshasa King’s residence.”
Lan Ling immediately shook his head.
Little Rakshasa King had clearly considered this outcome more than once. Without absolute confidence, how could he possibly have said it with such certainty?
Then Little Rakshasa King sighed. “Unfortunately, nobody listens to what I say. My father does not listen, and neither does the Earth Fiend Clan’s Demon King. Instead, they treat it as a joke. Princess Di Nie is clearly carrying out strategic deception, yet the Demon Kings of the Demon Clan Alliance are rushing to fall into her trap, deploying large numbers of troops along the border between the Rakshasa Clan and the Heavenly Fiend Clan.”
Then Little Rakshasa King said, “After the Heavenly Fiend King destroys the Earth Fiend Clan, he will definitely send an envoy to persuade my father to have the Rakshasa Clan join the unified front of the Demon Clan Empire. My father will fall for it once again and force me to divorce Nishang, then marry Princess Diling of the Heavenly Fiend King.”
Then Little Rakshasa King waved his hand and said, “Enough, I will not talk about it anymore!”
His tone was filled with desolation and disappointment towards the Demon Clan Alliance.
“Enough, it is very late… Let us part ways!” Little Rakshasa King said. “Try to come to Rakshasa City more often in the future. Create an opportunity for Princess Sha Yan to see your true appearance and make her fall completely in love with you. You must get her pregnant as soon as possible.”
Lan Ling nodded, then bowed to Little Rakshasa King.
Little Rakshasa King respectfully returned the bow.
Lan Ling left, while Little Rakshasa King remained standing where he was.
“By the time you truly become His Majesty the Demon Emperor, I will already be dead, so I will not have to kneel before you. Not bad, not bad…” Little Rakshasa King muttered to himself. “All my life, I have simply refused to kneel before anyone.”
At this moment, the Shadow Warrior appeared again, carrying a box.
Inside the box was a genuine Starry Sky Demon Power meteorite. The black hole energy body that Mengtuoluo had used to frame Lan Ling had indeed been replaced by Little Rakshasa King.
“Master, I have found out!” the Shadow Warrior said. “This thing was given to Princess Consort Mengtuoluo by Prince Youming.”
Prince Youming, the illegitimate son of the Rakshasa King, had a mysterious background and extremely powerful cultivation. He was Lan Ling’s greatest rival in his bid for the Rakshasa Clan.
“This woman… she really is restless!” Little Rakshasa King said. “I really wish I could go and crush her to death right now!”
The Shadow Warrior said, “Why did you not tell Lord Lan Ling about this just now?”
“Why tell him? So that he knows I once saved his life and owes me a favour?” Little Rakshasa King shook his head. “Have you never heard the saying? Never let an emperor owe you a favour, otherwise you will die horribly.”
The Shadow Warrior said, “But you are protecting him. Isn’t that also a favour?”
Little Rakshasa King smiled. “You are only a shadow. What do you understand?”
Then he waved his hand and said, “Enough. Go back and sleep.”
After returning to his bedchamber, Mengtuoluo pretended to wake up from a deep sleep. Looking sleepy and bleary-eyed, she said, “Husband, you’re back.”
“Yes, did I wake you?” Little Rakshasa King said in the gentlest possible voice. “Go back to sleep, darling.”
This was the same person who had just said that he wanted to crush Mengtuoluo to death. Yet now, he was speaking in a gentleness she had never heard from him before. Even a woman like Mengtuoluo would have been intoxicated by it.
Therefore, whether Mengtuoluo was killed or not did not matter at all.
Before this truly monstrous Little Rakshasa King, she could not cause the slightest disturbance.
The next day, Lan Ling took Yudie and left Rakshasa City, returning to the Flame Demon Banner!
…
At the same time!
A shadow appeared in the former Princess Residence of the Raging Waves Kingdom.
“I have come from the Southern Wilderness. Please report to Her Majesty the Queen that I have an important matter to report! It is extremely urgent and extremely important!”