The next morning, Lin'er was already waiting outside. As I opened my eyes, I saw Qiu Yu standing sweetly by the bed.
Seeing I was awake, she told me Lin'er was waiting outside.
"Demon King, you're awake. The Elder has been waiting outside for a long time."
"Why didn't you wake me?"
"The Elder said you've been busy lately, so he didn't want me to disturb you."
I patted my head, still a bit dizzy, but quickly got up, dressed, and headed out.
As soon as I opened the door, I saw Lin'er waiting outside.
I teased him, "Why didn't you send someone to deliver a message? You had to come yourself. Are you afraid I'll run away?"
Lin'er was amused by my jest and replied.
"The Demon King has been busy lately, and I didn't want to disturb your dreams, so I waited here for a while."
"Where are the Elders?"
I guessed he had come to discuss the next phase of our plan, which would require the presence of the Elders.
"They are already waiting in the garden."
This surprised me. We usually held meetings in the main hall. Why the garden today?
Seeing my surprise, Lin'er explained.
"It was the Elders' idea. We've all become numb from staying in the hall all the time. It's better to walk and talk in the garden."
It seemed this wouldn't be a formal meeting, so I said, "Hurry and take me there."
Lin'er led the way, and I followed him into the garden. As we entered, I saw four figures admiring the flowers and plants.
I called out, "Elders, I'm here."
Hearing my voice, the Elders turned around in unison and asked with a slight smile, "Demon King, did you sleep well last night?"
"I slept well, but I had a few drinks with Ye Changfeng and the others yesterday, so I'm still a bit groggy this morning."
Elder Mo Xuefu looked at my tired dark circles and chuckled.
"It seems the Demon King really can't hold his liquor. We'll have to tell them not to drink so often in the future."
I waved my hand and said, "Let's forget about that. Besides drinking, they only know how to wield swords and spears. If we stop them from drinking, we might as well cut off their livelihoods."
The Elders couldn't help but burst into laughter at my words, and then they got down to business.
Elder Wan Gu spoke first.
"We have already conquered Nan Hai City, Dong Yue Town, and Xi Zi Kingdom. Now, only Bei Shen Du remains.
However, they have been inactive lately. Even after several cities were destroyed, they haven't sent any troops. I find it suspicious."
Wan Gu's suspicion was not unfounded. We were far away in Xi Zi Kingdom, and Bei Shen Du hadn't taken the opportunity to attack Dong Yue Town or Nan Hai City.
Given Bei Shen Du's strength, it would have been no problem to take either Dong Yue Town or Nan Hai City.
Yet, they hadn't dispatched any troops or set any ambushes. It was truly strange.
Elder Hei Yi analyzed, "I suspect Bei Shen Du is preserving its strength, possibly preparing for a final, desperate battle with us."
I asked, "What are our chances of winning?"
The Elders shook their heads simultaneously. Elder Zhu Liu Yun said.
"To be honest, Demon King, in the current situation, although we have a large army, far exceeding the defending forces of Bei Shen Du.
However, these new recruits are all brute strength with no combat experience.
In terms of both strength and combat capability, we are far inferior to Bei Shen Du.
This is why it has stood tall through thousands of years of change and turmoil."
His words made me worried. If that were the case, we would surely face defeat.
However, Elder Mo Xuefu offered a different perspective.
"Although we are greatly inferior in strength, when it comes to schemes and stratagems, and winning with fewer forces, we are confident.
If we delve deeper into this, I believe they are still a step behind the Demon King."
That was only natural. When I was in the human world, I often read 'The Art of War' and 'The Thirty-Six Stratagems'.
What I enjoyed most was 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms', which was a true testament to military strategy and tactics.
Lin'er added.
"Then, if we want to win, we can only attack by surprise and catch them off guard.
This battle will likely decide the victor, so we must be fully prepared."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Unknowingly, we had walked halfway through the vast garden.
Just then, in the lotus pond, a single lotus flower quietly bloomed.
Elder Wan Gu was very surprised to see this lone lotus flower. He looked around; the surrounding lotuses had either withered or died.
Only this one stood tall and graceful.
Elder Wan Gu couldn't help but exclaim.
"This flower has bloomed at the perfect time. I've visited this garden several times before and never seen the lotuses bloom.
I didn't expect only one would bloom today."
Everyone found it novel and moved forward to get a closer look.
Suddenly, they saw a tree at the corner shaking violently, and a pair of black boots were exposed.
The Elders had already noticed someone hiding there and brought him out to question him.
"Who are you, and why are you hiding here?"
The man trembled. Seeing so many important figures in the garden, his legs gave way. He braced himself and stammered.
"I, I am Lai Dun."
Elder Zhu Liu Yun asked him, "Lai Dun, why are you here?"
Lai Dun explained.
"I was originally the gardener of Xi Zi Kingdom. I came to tend to the garden early this morning, and shortly after, the Elders entered.
I wanted to leave, but then I suddenly saw the Demon King arrive. Frightened, I found a place to hide."
This was a minor matter, and I could have let him go with a word. However, I wanted the wise Elders to decide on this small issue.
Elder Mo Xuefu beckoned him closer and pointed to the single blooming lotus in the pond.
"You don't need to be afraid. The Demon King is benevolent and will not blame you. Since you are the guardian of the garden, tell us, what does it mean for only one lotus to bloom in this entire pond?"
Lai Dun cautiously raised his head and looked at the pond, as if he wasn't surprised.
"Oh, that's nothing. With so many lotus buds about to bloom, there isn't enough space for all of them. So, some buds with special abilities accumulate strength while other flowers bloom.
When all the other flowers have bloomed, it will unleash its full potential. At that time, it will be the only lotus in the entire garden that blooms the best and most brilliantly."
His words enlightened everyone, and the perplexing question was suddenly answered.
Elder Mo Xuefu turned to me and asked, "Demon King, how should we deal with this fellow?"
Hearing that he was still to be dealt with, Lai Dun was on the verge of fainting from fear.
I chuckled and said, "Elders, please don't scare him. Let him go."
Elder Mo Xuefu then said to Lai Dun, "Lai Dun, you may go."
Lai Dun seemed relieved, bowed to everyone, and quickly ran away.
We couldn't help but laugh as we watched his flustered, wobbly figure.
Lin'er then remarked, "I never thought such a small flower could hold so many meanings."
Elder Hei Yi chimed in.
"Indeed. But if we look at this flower from a different perspective, we can understand many things. For example, consider it as Bei Shen Du."
Elder Hei Yi's words brought clarity to everyone. Recalling the past events and Bei Shen Du's inaction, a new solution emerged.
"It seems Bei Shen Du has made thorough preparations this time and is determined to have a major confrontation with us," said Elder Zhu Liu Yun.
Lin'er's previous confusion was also resolved.
"I was wondering why we never saw the city lords when we attacked the cities. It turns out they had already moved a large number of troops to Bei Shen Du in anticipation of the decisive battle."
Elder Wan Gu worried.
"I fear that while we were conquering cities and territories, they were already devising countermeasures. This might be an attempt to completely overthrow our Three-Army Alliance."
Elder Mo Xuefu comforted him.
"Don't worry too much yet. We don't know who will win or lose. However, I suspect they will send us a challenge to make us arrogant and rash in our advance, thus securing their victory.
It does seem a bit risky. Fortunately, Lai Dun helped us clear up our doubts."
Lin'er pondered for a long time and finally said.
"If the enemy moves, we don't move. If we move, the enemy doesn't move. I think we should wait for them to send their challenge before making a decision."
The Elders agreed that his suggestion was sound.
"I think this is the most reliable approach. We don't need to worry too much now. We just need to eat well, drink well, and await their arrival."
I then said, "Let's end our discussion for today. Elders, please go back and rest."
"Very well, we shall take our leave."
"Elders, please go slowly."
The Elders departed, but Lin'er remained. I asked him, "The Elders have all left, why are you still here?"
"I have something I want to show the Demon King."
"What is it?"
"You'll know when you see it."
With that, he took out a square red box from his embrace and opened it for me. Inside lay a silver, intricately carved hairpin. He took out the hairpin and said.
"I made this hairpin myself when I was in the village. I originally intended to give it to the person I loved, but that person never appeared. Now, I give it to the Demon King."
I was a little surprised. I carefully took the hairpin and placed it in my hair, asking him.
"How is it? Does it look good?"
"The Demon King looks good in anything."
I took the hairpin down again, put it in my embrace, and thanked him. "Thank you, Elder. I will treasure it well."
"As long as the Demon King doesn't dislike it, then I shall take my leave."
"Go ahead."
After Lin'er left, I returned to my chambers and then burrowed back into my covers to sleep soundly.
I slept until evening. Wan Gui Wang secretly slipped out while I was asleep. He remembered the box Lin'er had shown me earlier.
There was a familiar scent emanating from the box. He was certain that it contained more than just a hairpin.
Lin'er was merely using it as an excuse to hint at something to Wan Gui Wang, implying he had something to discuss with him.
Wan Gui Wang quickly flew out of the chambers, following Lin'er's scent to his courtyard. He flew in through the open window.
Seeing Wan Gui Wang arrive, Lin'er respectfully said, "Lin'er dares to invite the Ghost King here because there are some things I must say."
Wan Gui Wang circled him a few times before flying to the round table, transforming into a shadowy human figure and sitting on a stone stool.
"Speak. What is the matter that you called me here for?"
Lin'er then presented the pre-prepared rosewood box. Wan Gui Wang took the box and opened it, his expression immediately turning to shock.
Inside the small box lay the most important sacred artifact of the Ghost魅 tribe – the "Wan Gui Ling" (Ten Thousand Ghosts Command).
He had possessed this Wan Gui Ling before. However, after his unfortunate death, the Wan Gui Ling naturally passed to the tribal elders.
He had thought that after so many years of wandering, the Wan Gui Ling had long since disappeared. He never expected it to still exist, and in the hands of the elders.
Seeing that he remained silent, Lin'er recounted the origin of the Wan Gui Ling.
"My uncle told me that this Wan Gui Ling is the supreme sacred treasure of our Ghost魅 tribe. It is said that when the Ghost Command is issued, the world will rise together.
This refers to the Wan Gui Ling commanding all ghosts in the world. When the Wan Gui Ling was passed to the Ghost King, the Ghost King, facing his demise, passed the Wan Gui Ling to the elders.
Perhaps the Ghost King is unaware that after your death, many righteous individuals fought to seize the Wan Gui Ling, ambushing and pursuing our Ghost魅 tribe.
For generations, the elders were forced to live in obscurity and lead simple lives to protect the Wan Gui Ling, all for the day when the Ghost魅 tribe would rise again and the Wan Gui Ling would reappear in the world.
And now, the Demon King leads us to conquer three cities. After conquering this last city, we will see the dawn after the clouds clear. At that time, we will far surpass the ancient demon race and rule the world.
However, I am not entirely clear about the purpose of this Wan Gui Ling. Since the Ghost King is still here, let the Ghost King decide."
After hearing Lin'er's heartfelt words, Wan Gui Wang finally understood how much blood and hardship the elders of the Ghost魅 tribe had endured for this day. But now, with Muye's strength, was such a thing truly necessary?
He smiled slightly, closed the box, and pushed it back.
"To win the hearts of the people, this little trinket is useless. It requires decisive action combined with benevolence and righteousness, and a heart dedicated to the people.
Muye has no selfish motives; she has dedicated all of herself to the path of fighting injustice and uniting the world.
Her righteousness has already won her half the hearts of the world. She no longer needs this thing. Our era has passed; this is your era."
Lin'er was deeply moved by Wan Gui Wang's sincere words. His eyes welled up with tears, and he couldn't help but turn away to wipe his tears. He then turned back and accepted the rosewood box.
Wan Gui Wang stood up, walked to his side, patted his shoulder, and said solemnly.
"This battle will be more dangerous than any before it. So, there are some things I fear I won't have time to say. Thank you for all you have done for our tribe. You have worked hard."
Hearing Wan Gui Wang's gratitude, Lin'er's eyes welled up with tears again. The joy of being recognized and affirmed surged through him.
Before Wan Gui Wang left, he said.
"If the past elders could see your achievements today, they would be immensely proud. If your uncle could see them, he would also be proud of you."
With that, he transformed into a wisp of black smoke and flew out the window.
Lin'er watched his receding figure, a warmth filling his heart. He had initially thought Wan Gui Wang would be a stern and rigid person.
He never expected him to be so open-minded and to say so many words of affirmation. He suddenly felt a newfound respect for Wan Gui Wang.