The Demon Master Kunpeng's Suspicion

Chapter 48: The Demon Master Kunpeng's Suspicion

The shadows of Lingxiao Palace were like congealed ink, while the cold light from the coiling dragon's golden pillars reflected off Kunpeng's sinister profile. His feather fan swayed gently, yet the breeze it stirred could not disperse the turbulent doubts in his eyes.

Below the steps, Ji Meng's upright figure was like a sword fresh from its sheath. The faint silver moon-mark around his neck shimmered with dark gold. Though the wisp of Chaos Qi deep within his demon core was faint, it stabbed into Kunpeng's soul like a needlepoint—that was a source power even Eastern Emperor Tai Yi's Chaos Bell had failed to nurture!

"Seven days to heal a fatal wound, and Break and then Establish to obtain a chaotic origin..." Kunpeng's feather fan abruptly stopped. He sneered inwardly. Ridiculous!

Kunpeng unconsciously rubbed the ribs of his feather fan. His demonic power quietly seeped into the void, probing toward Ji Meng like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

Speed of recovery: his throat had been pierced, and his demon meridians had been shattered. Wounds like these could not be healed without a Primordial Saint Medicine. No matter how pure the spiritual energy of the Small Courtyard was, how could it replace the years of work required to use Solar True Fire to refine away impurities and Moonlight Jade Dew to harmonize Yin Yang? A full recovery in seven days—unless... Ji Meng had never suffered a fatal wound at all! Had he merely been heavily injured by Gong Gong after the Witch-Demon Battlefield defeat, in full view of everyone? Or was it a ploy to escape by faking his death?

Chaotic origin: this was the threshold of touching the Sage realm! Demon Emperor Di Jun had wielded the River Diagram and Luo Book for ten thousand years, while Tai Yi had refined the Chaos Bell since time immemorial, yet neither had obtained such an opportunity. What virtue or ability did Ji Meng possess? If that Small Courtyard truly possessed the power to bestow chaos, why would its Courtyard Master hide among mortals? Such an "opportunity" looked more like an illusion carefully woven for them!

Kunpeng stared into the void as the scenes deduced by the River Diagram and Luo Book churned through his sea of consciousness:

Isolated from the Heavenly Dao: the Chaos Bell's waves vanished like mud cows entering the sea, while the River Diagram and Luo Book's deductions were shrouded in layers of mist. Everything in the Primordial Wilderness existed beneath the Heavenly Dao. The only ones capable of evading the probing of both treasures were the remnant souls of Chaos Demon Gods—or... something that did not exist at all!

An ordinary appearance: a stone house, a Vegetable Plot, a Clay Jar—how could such mundane objects bear the Chaos Dao Charm? If it were truly a Sage's Dojo, Purple Qi Comes from the East would stretch thirty thousand li, while Golden Lotuses would surge from the earth and awe the universe! That talk of "growing vegetables and simmering soup" looked even more like a clumsy smokescreen!

The title of "puppy": calling a Demon Commander a dog or pig was not an insult, but a sign of fear! If he truly were an unrivaled existence, he could annihilate a Demon Commander with a single thought. Why would he pretend to heal him and bestow him a name? He was probably lacking in strength and using an empty title to win him over!

Kunpeng's hawk-sharp gaze swept across the hall from the high platform like two bolts of lightning. Wherever his eyes passed, it seemed as though nothing could escape his penetration.

Below the steps, Ji Meng's figure stood out especially. A layer of silver-gray scales covered his back, like cold, hard steel that gleamed with a chill. These scales were not only a symbol of his formidable strength, but also proof of the countless battles he had endured.

Although Ji Meng's posture was respectful and he bowed slightly, seemingly filled with awe toward Kunpeng, beneath that apparently humble exterior lay a sharpness that could not be ignored. Every movement he made was exceedingly cautious, as though he were suppressing some power within him, waiting only for the right moment before erupting like a volcano.

The position of Envoy of the Sacred Edict: with a single phrase from Di Jun—"purge the internal corruption"—the authority over the demon army had been subtly transferred. Ji Meng had once been loyal, but after obtaining this "opportunity," who could say he would not develop rebellious intentions? This so-called "unity" might be the beginning of forming a faction!

Contradictory words: he had claimed that the Courtyard Master lived in seclusion and kept a low profile, yet also said that the master had bestowed the thunderous method of Cut Grass and Remove Roots. Why would someone living in seclusion meddle in the disputes of the Demon Court? Such intentions clearly sought to undermine the very foundation of the Demon Court!

His feather fan swayed gently, and a strange smile curled up 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 fortune of the Demon Court. I request that Your Majesty send Nine Infant to investigate in secret. If he should happen upon even the slightest opportunity..."

Di Jun narrowed his golden eyes. "Approved. But he may only observe from a distance and must not approach!"

Kunpeng lowered his head, concealing the cold glint in his eyes. Nine Infant? Just a reckless brute! He would make the perfect whetstone—

If Nine Infant returned safely, then the truth of the Small Courtyard could be investigated, and Ji Meng's words might be believed.

If Nine Infant perished, it would be ironclad proof that Ji Meng had colluded with outsiders and set a trap to murder his fellow officer!

If Nine Infant were severely wounded, even better! Kunpeng could personally wield the River Diagram and Luo Book, trace the origin of his injuries, and point straight to the true form of that "Sage" of the Small Courtyard!

Outside the hall, dark clouds churned across the sky as lightning flashed and thunder roared, as though the entire world were enveloped by a mighty force. The Demonic Cloud was like ink, rolling and roaring, seemingly heralding the arrival of an earth-shaking storm.

Amid this heart-stirring scene, Nine Infant accepted his orders and departed. Its figure moved as swiftly as lightning, instantly transforming into a streak of crimson that shot away like a meteor, vanishing into the boundless horizon.

Kunpeng stood in the hall, gently waving his feather fan. His gaze passed over layers of dark clouds and looked toward Buzhou Mountain. The corners of his lips lifted slightly into a cold smile filled with disdain and mockery.

"Ji Meng, Ji Meng, do you really think your lies can deceive Heaven and earth?" Kunpeng pondered inwardly. "When Nine Infant's blood stains the scorched earth, that will be the day your true form is exposed! Let us see how you will face the consequences and how you will explain this monstrous lie!"