Divine Envoy

"The governance of Hidden Forest Mountain was strict. They couldn't wander around the caves as they pleased, Chu... you had to be careful later." Cat King spoke to Chu Liang nervously.

This was a stone cavern hollowed out through a vast stretch of the mountainside. Even with such broad space inside, after setting up the wedding venue and accommodating the many guests, it still could not hold every demon.

Thus, the weaker little demons held their feast outside.

For demons with the strength of the East Mountain Cat Clan, if they were ranked strictly, they ought to have been eating at the downstream ditch at the foot of the mountain. It was only thanks to basking in the bride's family's favor that they could barely squeeze into a designated area inside.

Still, the demons walking back and forth around them were all great demons they normally revered, so Cat King could not help feeling on edge.

Because he knew that someone in his group had slipped in today to stir up trouble.

"I'll play it by ear." Chu Liang pretended to look around curiously and said quietly, "Don't be so nervous either. You look like you've got a guilty conscience. Loosen up a little."

"Oh, all right..." Cat King nodded and began undoing the belt around his trousers...

"Hey, hey, hey, brother." Chu Liang grabbed him. "Loosening up and opening up are two different things..."

"No, I'm taking out the wedding gift for Tiger King." Cat King explained.

After fumbling around for quite some time, he pulled out a pearl of middling quality. It was as large as an egg, though, and was surely worth no small sum.

Given the East Mountain Cat Clan's living conditions, being able to produce such jewelry was already no easy feat. It was probably a family heirloom.

No wonder his face was full of pain. Turning around, he told the few little cat demons he had brought, "Later, you'd better eat plenty and get your money's worth! If you can't finish, take it with you. Don't leave any for them!"

The other guests had also brought generous gifts. Though the Demon Race in the mountains was mostly not wealthy, the demons present were all prominent figures in the area, so none of their offerings were too shabby.

Over there, an elderly fox demon in a little cap acted as master of ceremonies. After recording each gift, he loudly announced which demon king had sent what.

There were plenty of pearls, jade discs, coral, and agate. It was also Chu Liang's first time learning that demons, too, regarded exquisite human artifacts as treasures.

After returning with the bride, Tiger King first went to the rear hall of the cavern to change clothes.

The moment Chu Liang first saw Tiger King, he sensed a restless stirring from the Red-Name-Slaying Sword left within the White Tower.

It seemed... this sword of justice had finally encountered evil drenched in bloodshed.

It yearned to slay a red name!

Tiger King truly appeared to be someone who had committed countless atrocities, and that gave Chu Liang several more degrees of confidence in today's plan.

Just as the hall was bustling with noise and excitement, a shout suddenly came from the cave entrance. "Lord Divine Envoy has arrived—"

In an instant, every demon in the cavern fell silent. The place became so quiet one could hear a pin drop, and all the demons turned to look toward the entrance.

There stood an additional tall figure in a black cloak and bronze mask.

"Who's that?" Chu Liang asked quietly.

"I don't know." Cat King shook his head.

"Then why did you suddenly stop talking?" Chu Liang asked in puzzlement.

"Everyone else stopped talking... so I got scared too." Cat King looked utterly candid.

"..."

That reminded Chu Liang of those times when a terrifying face appeared in the rear classroom window. As long as one person speaking suddenly fell quiet, before long everyone would become silent, though in truth many had not even seen what happened.

The black-cloaked man addressed as Lord Divine Envoy strode in quickly. Four little demons followed behind him, jointly carrying a long object covered in red silk and tied with a large red flower. It was impossible to tell what it was.

"Oh, my, my! Lord Divine Envoy, you have graced us with your presence! This little one failed to welcome you from afar; please forgive me, Lord Divine Envoy!" Tiger King immediately came out from the rear to greet him, incomparably respectful, without a trace of his earlier overbearing arrogance.

"Tiger King, there is no need for such ceremony." The so-called Divine Envoy spoke in a steady voice and smiled faintly. "I heard that today is your wedding day, so I specially brought you a gift. Come!"

With a wave of his hand, the little demons behind him lifted the red silk.

With a rustle, a nine-foot halberd flowing with dim golden light was revealed beneath the silk. Ancient and weighty, sharp and chilling, it faintly carried an indescribable divine aura.

"Wow—" The gathered demons erupted in uproar.

Any demon with even a little discernment could tell just how powerful a weapon this was.

It was absolutely an ancient divine weapon!

"This..." Tiger King's eyes immediately shone. "This is a divine weapon..."

"Indeed. This item is called the Mountain-and-River-Subduing Halberd, an ancient divine weapon ranked one hundred and fortieth on the human race's Myriad Treasures Record." The Divine Envoy smiled. "Tiger King is a hero of this age. Only with such a divine weapon can you dominate the world!"

The Mountain-and-River-Subduing Halberd?

Only then did Chu Liang realize why it had looked familiar at first glance. He had seen it in the Myriad Treasures Record of the human world.

But he clearly remembered that the record stated this item belonged to the Heavenly Gang Sect, one of the Nine Heavens.

This Lord Divine Envoy had actually managed to seize such a divine weapon from the Heavenly Gang Sect?

Just what was his background?

"Such a divine weapon... how did Lord Divine Envoy obtain it?" Tiger King naturally knew how great a boost an ancient divine weapon could provide. He stroked the halberd's shaft, unable to put it down.

"Haha, it was quite a coincidence. On the way here, I happened to encounter a human genius. His skills were not weak, but his brain did not work very well. With a small trick, I took his weapon. Seeing that this treasure was perfectly suited as a wedding gift for Tiger King, I brought it here." The Divine Envoy said.

"Good, good, good! Many thanks, Divine Envoy!" Tiger King exerted force with one arm, gripping the Mountain-and-River-Subduing Halberd and swinging it twice.

The air boomed and rumbled. Every demon who sensed that icy glint felt a chill run through their entire body.

Bang!

Tiger King drew back his hand in satisfaction and planted the halberd upright on the ground. Even that motion carried the force of wind and thunder.

Such was indeed the might of an ancient divine weapon.

"Since we have this opportunity, why not announce that news as well?" Tiger King looked at the Divine Envoy and asked.

"Indeed. That is also why I came." The Divine Envoy nodded.

"Good!" Tiger King climbed onto the high platform and called out, "Fellow demons gathered here today, I summoned everyone to join together not only because I am getting married, but because there is also important news to announce!"

"These days, I have traveled among the mountains and spoken with many demon kings, asking you to submit under my Hidden Forest Mountain." Tiger King swept his gaze across the crowd, his majesty so imposing that the gathered demons below did not dare meet his eyes. "And I can lead you to accomplish something great!"

"Now, I shall tell you what that great matter is!"

At this point, Tiger King suddenly turned his head and respectfully invited the Divine Envoy onto the high platform as well, yielding the stage to him.

The Divine Envoy stepped onto the platform, and an aura of solemn majesty rose around him.

"Fellow members of the Demon Race, some among you know that I come from Seven Kings Ridge, west of the Western Regions. We envoys travel throughout the human world for the sake of delivering a message to you."

"God."

"Will soon return!"