"Heaven is not destroying me!" Xiao Man was extremely excited, "Demon Lord, Xuanxin Heavenly God, you've arrived just in time. If you were any later, you'd be collecting my corpse."
Xuanxin glanced at Xiao Man and said slowly, "I intended to collect your corpse first upon arrival. I didn't expect you to still be alive."
Xiao Man pouted, "Demon Lord, won't you control your wife? I'm your benefactor, after all. Look at her attitude, it's infuriating."
The Demon Lord put his arm around Xuanxin's waist, acting like a doting husband, "My lady is not wrong. You are the one who is infuriating."
"Yes, yes, it's me who is infuriating. I'll leave the big monster upstairs to you two, and I'll deal with the small monsters below."
"Agreed." Xuanxin flickered and instantly appeared before the Demon King. The Demon Lord followed closely behind. The Demon King felt a desire to retreat the moment he saw Xuanxin. If it were just Xuanxin alone, he could still fight hard, but with the addition of the Demon Lord, he was clearly at a disadvantage!
Moreover, there was a brat watching from below, ready to deliver a fatal blow the moment he showed the slightest weakness!
The thirty-six stratagems, escape is the best!
The dignified Demon King actually fled without fighting!
The Demon Lord and Xuanxin, who had suffered greatly because of the Demon King, could not let him go and immediately pursued him.
The people of the Heavenly Demon Clan were stunned when they saw their Demon King flee. In their understanding, their Divine Lord was omnipotent, their greatest reliance. But now, their reliance had fled, abandoning them!
When the Nine Nether Flames ignited, the Heavenly Demon Clan did not despair. When the Demon Extermination Array was raised, they still did not despair. But when the Demon King fled, a sense of despair arose in the hearts of the Heavenly Demon Clan!
If even their god had abandoned them, who else could save them?
"Don't let him go, I still don't know Tian Ze's whereabouts."
"I know where Tian Ze is," Xuan Ling walked forward, his tone calm. He had initially assumed Xiao Man and the others were doomed, but unexpectedly, they had found a way to survive against all odds.
"Where?"
"He's leading two Nascent Soul experts to a place by order," Xuan Ling looked at Xiao Man and abruptly asked, "It's said they're going to capture someone."
"Who?"
Xuan Ling frowned, "I haven't heard this person's name either, but they should be one of your clansmen, surnamed Xiao."
Xiao Man's heart skipped a beat. A clansman surnamed Xiao, there weren't many among her clan with that surname, and none of them were here. If someone could threaten her, she could only think of one person!
"Xiao Jun Yan!"
"Yes, it's Xiao Jun Yan!"
Xiao Man's body swayed, and Nangong Yu quickly supported her, "Don't worry, even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs. Tian Ze is Jun Yan's biological father; he won't harm him."
"If Tian Ze were still the Tian Ze you knew, perhaps not. But the current Tian Ze has no memory, no emotions, and only obeys the Demon King's orders. If Xiao Jun Yan falls into his hands, his situation will be dire."
On Yong'an Continent, the weather was favorable, and the country was peaceful and prosperous.
The current Emperor, though only of a weak crown age, had outstanding achievements. Coupled with the assistance of many capable officials and renowned generals, he was deeply loved by the people.
"Your Majesty."
Xiao Jun Yan quickly hid the small portrait in his hand. "Uncle, is there something?"
"Your Majesty, there is a distinction between ruler and subject..."
"Uncle, there's no one else here, so don't bring up that old formality." Xiao Jun Yan stood up and helped Xiao Luo to sit down. "Have the Scarlet Feather Army sent any news back?"
Xiao Luo shook his head. Twenty years had passed, and they still hadn't found any trace of Xiao Man and Nangong Yu; they seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth.
"Are my mother and father really still alive?"
"I believe they are still alive," Xiao Luo said with certainty. "We will find them."
Xiao Jun Yan took a painting from the drawer. It depicted Xiao Man. The woman in the painting held a sword, looking heroic and spirited. Upon closer inspection, one could see a three-tenths resemblance between Xiao Jun Yan and Xiao Man.
"I grew up listening to my mother's stories, but I've never seen her," Xiao Jun Yan stroked the person in the portrait. "When will I ever see her?"
"Your mother worries about you the most. I believe that as long as she is alive, she will find a way to return and see you," Xiao Luo's tone was full of certainty. He knew his sister's personality well. As long as Xiao Man was alive, she would definitely return, not to mention Nangong Yu was with her.
"Uncle, it's been twenty years. If mother is still alive, why hasn't she returned?"
Xiao Luo opened his mouth, not knowing how to answer. He himself didn't know why Xiao Man hadn't returned in twenty years, but he had a feeling Xiao Man was still alive.
"Uncle, do you also suspect that mother has already met with misfortune?" Xiao Jun Yan asked softly, looking at the person in the portrait.
"No, I believe she's alive. Perhaps she's been held back by something that prevents her from returning."
"What could have held her back for twenty years?" Xiao Jun Yan gave a bitter smile. "I'm truly afraid that by the time I have grandchildren and am old, I still won't have waited for her return."
"Your Majesty, Duke of the State, General Zhan has returned, bringing a few people with him."
Both of them stood up simultaneously, "Have they found my mother?"
The person who came shook his head, "No, this person... their identity is rather strange. Prime Minister Wen has already rushed there."
"Weng Weng rushed there?" Xiao Jun Yan was confused. Why would Weng Weng rush there so urgently?
"Uncle, let's go and see too."
"No rush, let me go and see first," Xiao Luo placed a hand on Xiao Jun Yan's shoulder. "Since General Zhan didn't bring the person directly to you, it means this person is problematic. Wait for me to confirm first, then it's not too late for Your Majesty to meet them."
Zhan Tianque stood outside the door, his gaze fixed on the person inside the room. This person had been inquiring about the Emperor's whereabouts and was discovered by the Scarlet Feather Army. Curiosity piqued, he went to investigate and found that this person looked exactly like the deceased Wen Mohan!
"General Zhan, why have you urgently summoned me?" Prime Minister Wen, being advanced in years, was practically carried over.
Zhan Tianque glanced into the room, "Prime Minister, allow me to ask presumptuously first, do you only have one son?"
"I have only had one son in my life."
"Could it be twins, and one was taken away?"
Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Wen became enraged, his beard bristling, "Who could steal a child from the Prime Minister's residence? I was by my wife's bedside when she gave birth. Do you think I'm senile?"
"Not at all, I was just asking out of curiosity," Zhan Tianque pondered for a moment and then asked, "Prime Minister, do you think it's possible in this world for two people with no blood relation to look exactly alike?"
"General Zhan, do you think that's possible?"
Zhan Tianque pulled Prime Minister Wen closer to the door, "Prime Minister, come here, come and see the person inside. Do you recognize them?"
Prime Minister Wen looked suspicious. He knew countless people; what kind of person would warrant such secrecy?