Demon Master Kunpeng's Suspicion

Chapter 48: Demon Master Kunpeng's Suspicion

The shadow of Lingxiao Palace pooled like frozen ink, the cold light of the coiled-dragon golden pillars reflecting on Kunpeng's sinister profile. His feather fan swayed gently, but the breeze it stirred could not dispel the storm of doubt churning in his eyes.

Below the steps, Ji Meng's upright figure stood like a drawn sword, the faint silver crescent on his neck flowing with dark gold light. The wisp of Chaos Qi deep within his demon core, though faint, pierced Kunpeng's divine soul like a needle's tip—it was a primal power that even Eastern Emperor Tai Yi's Chaos Bell had failed to nurture!

"Seven days to heal a fatal wound, Break and then Establish to obtain the Chaos origin..." Kunpeng's feather fan stopped abruptly. A cold sneer formed in his heart. "Absurd!"

Kunpeng's fingers unconsciously stroked the ribs of his fan as his demonic power silently seeped into the void, probing toward Ji Meng like a venomous snake's tongue.

Speed of recovery: A throat pierced through, demon meridians utterly shattered—such injuries could not be healed without a Primordial Saint Medicine. No matter how pure the spiritual energy of that little courtyard, how could it replace the long, painstaking work of Solar True Fire refining turbid qi and Moonlight Jade Dew harmonizing yin and yang? Seven days to heal? Unless... Ji Meng had never suffered a fatal wound at all! A defeat on the Witch-Demon Battlefield, struck down by Gong Gong before countless eyes? Or perhaps a cicada-shedding-its-shell scheme!

Chaos origin: This was the very threshold of touching the Sage realm! Demon Emperor Di Jun had wielded the River Diagram and Luo Book for ten thousand years, Tai Yi had refined the Chaos Bell since time immemorial, and neither had obtained such fortune. What virtue or ability did Ji Meng possess? If that little courtyard truly had the power to enlighten one to Chaos, why would its Courtyard Master hide in the mortal world? This so-called "fortune" was more like a carefully woven illusion!

Gazing into the void, Kunpeng let the deductions of the River Diagram and Luo Book churn through his sea of consciousness:

Sealed from the Heavenly Dao: The Chaos Bell's sound waves vanished like a stone dropped into the sea; the River Diagram and Luo Book's deductions were shrouded in thick fog. All things in the Primordial World lay beneath the Heavenly Dao. To evade the scrutiny of both could only mean a remnant soul of a Chaos Demon God... or something that simply did not exist!

Banal appearance: A stone house, vegetable plots, a Clay Jar—how could such mundane objects bear the weight of Chaos Dao Charm? If it were truly a Sage's Dojo, Purple Qi would come from the East for thirty thousand li, and golden lotuses would surge from the earth to shake heaven and earth! That talk of "growing vegetables and boiling soup" was more like a clumsy smokescreen!

The name "Little Dog": Calling a Demon Commander a dog or a pig—this was not humiliation, but a sign of weakness! If he were truly a supreme being, a single thought could annihilate a Demon Commander. Why bother with the pretense of healing and naming? Likely, his power was insufficient, so he used empty titles to win loyalty!

Kunpeng's gaze, sharp as a hawk's, swept across the hall like twin bolts of lightning. Wherever his sight landed, it seemed to pierce through everything.

Below the steps, Ji Meng's figure stood out prominently. His back was covered in a layer of silver-gray scales, like cold, hard steel gleaming with a chill light. These scales were not only a symbol of his formidable strength but also a testament to the countless battles he had endured.

Though Ji Meng's posture was respectful, slightly bowed as if filled with reverence for Kunpeng, beneath that seemingly humble exterior lurked a barely concealed sharpness. Every movement he made was extremely cautious, as if suppressing some inner power, waiting only for the right moment to erupt like a volcano.

The role of Envoy of the Sacred Edict: With a single phrase—"purge internal corruption"—Di Jun had covertly transferred authority over the demon army. Ji Meng had been loyal in the past, but after obtaining this "fortune," who could say he wouldn't develop treacherous intentions? This so-called "unity" might be the beginning of factionalism!

Contradictory words: He claimed the Courtyard Master lived in low-key seclusion, yet also said he taught the thunderous method of "Cut Grass and Remove Roots"—why would a recluse meddle in the disputes of the Demon Court? Such a mindset was clearly meant to destabilize the foundation of the Demon Court!

With a gentle sway of his feather fan, a sinister smile curled at the corner of Kunpeng's lips. He bowed and stepped forward, his voice slithering like a venomous snake: "Your Majesty is wise. However, the appearance of a Sage concerns the fate of the Demon Court. Your subject requests permission to send Nine Infant to investigate in secret. If there is even a sliver of fortune..."

Di Jun's golden eyes narrowed slightly. "Granted. But observe from afar only—do not approach!"

Kunpeng lowered his head, hiding the cold gleam in his eyes. Nine Infant? A brute! Perfect as a whetstone—

If Nine Infant returns safely: The little courtyard's true nature can be probed, and Ji Meng's words may be worth believing.

If Nine Infant dies: It will be ironclad proof that Ji Meng colluded with an external enemy to set a trap and murder a fellow officer!

If Nine Infant is gravely wounded: Even better! He can personally wield the River Diagram and Luo Book, trace the injury back to its source, and directly expose the true identity of that little courtyard's "Sage"!

Outside the hall, dark clouds churned in the sky, lightning flashed and thunder roared, as if the entire world was being enveloped by a mighty force. The Demonic Cloud roiled like ink, howling and surging, as if heralding an earth-shattering storm about to break.

Amid this breathtaking scene, Nine Infant accepted the order and departed. His figure shot out like lightning, instantly transforming into a streak of red light that vanished like a meteor into the vast horizon.

Kunpeng stood in the hall, gently waving his feather fan. His gaze pierced through the layers of dark clouds, staring into the distance toward Buzhou Mountain. A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth, carrying a hint of disdain and mockery.

"Ji Meng, Ji Meng, do you really think your lies can fool the heavens?" Kunpeng mused to himself. "When Nine Infant's blood stains the scorched earth, that will be the day your true colors are revealed! Let's see how you clean up this mess, how you cover up this monstrous lie!"