Host, Don't Be a Coward

Though Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor seemed so straightforward now, the moment he finished speaking, he realized what he'd let slip.

Had Zhu Ding confessed everything?

Or had Lotus Sword Emperor already discovered some clues?

If that was really the case, hadn't he just deliberately lied?

At the same time, Dongfang Xuetong, whose anger had eased a little, was also filled with doubts.

She'd previously thought that Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor had to be involved in the attempt to kill Xiao Yao.

But judging from his tone and expression just now, it was very possible he knew nothing about it, and Zhu Ding had simply acted on his own.

Xiao Yao, sitting on the courtyard wall, had naturally thought of this too, so he spoke up. "Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor, your subordinate Shātu Demon Sage tried to kill me. If you truly had nothing to do with this, then let my master handle Shātu Demon Sage. What do you say?"

He wants me to abandon Zhu Ding. But if I do, with Lotus Sword Emperor's methods, she might really uncover the truth.

When that happens, I'll definitely be exposed.

But if I don't abandon him, that proves I'm at least somewhat involved, and I'll be exposed all the same.

What a sinister little brat!

Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor hadn't expected a boy who still looked too young to have grown a full coat of hair to put him in such a difficult position. He'd surely become a great menace in the future. No wonder Zhu Ding, who'd experienced it firsthand, had been so determined to kill him!

"Lotus Sword Emperor, do you feel the same way?"

Dongfang Xuetong gave a slight nod, keeping all her attention fixed on Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor. If he dared make a wrong move, she would suppress him before he could act.

Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor had wanted to make a move, but his keen sense of danger stopped him.

Why do I feel like Lotus Sword Emperor could kill me?

I'm clearly ninth on the Great Emperor Ranking, while she's tenth!

Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor was completely baffled, but he still had to deal with the situation at hand.

"Zhu Ding is, after all, one of my subordinates. If I let you deal with him, where would that leave my dignity?"

Dongfang Xuetong was far more assertive than before. "Ghost Fiend, I understand that you want to save face, but Zhu Ding not only made my Direct Disciple and my kin turn against each other, he also secretly placed an order with the Dark Palace."

"If you insist on keeping Zhu Ding, then I unilaterally declare that our duel is off."

That was right!

Unlike Empress Shangyuan, who stood alone, Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor had four other Demon Emperors backing him.

The strongest among them ranked second on the Great Emperor Ranking and also second on the Empress Ranking. She was Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor's senior sister, too.

Though Sister Susu had promised to protect her, Sister Susu was far too elusive, appearing and disappearing like a dragon.

Unless Dongfang Xuetong faced a life-or-death crisis, Sister Susu wouldn't make a move—not even show herself.

Seeing Lotus Sword Emperor's utterly resolute expression, Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor suddenly didn't know what to do.

But soon, a stroke of genius occurred to him.

The Dark Palace belonged to Empress Shangyuan. Lotus Sword Emperor had surely offended Empress Shangyuan this time, so there was no need for him to go all out against Lotus Sword Emperor.

"Fine! I can give up Zhu Ding. But what do you plan to do about the Dark Palace and Empress Shangyuan?" Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor paused briefly, then continued, "So you still..."

"Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor, my master just killed Empress Shangyuan with a single sword strike. The shattered Divine Talisman Diagram on the ground is proof. Of course, you can also ask Shātu Demon Sage and that Saint Realm cultivator from the Dark Palace." Xiao Yao interrupted him smugly.

Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor's previously self-satisfied expression froze.

He'd planned to take advantage of the feud between Lotus Sword Emperor and Empress Shangyuan to secretly kill Xiao Yao.

He'd never imagined Empress Shangyuan was already dead. No wonder Zhu Ding had rushed to see him so urgently!

"Lotus Sword Emperor, what do you plan to do with Zhu Ding?"

Dongfang Xuetong waved her delicate hand, and Xiao Yao, who'd been sitting on the courtyard wall, suddenly appeared in front of her. Then she parted her red lips and spoke with unusual gentleness.

"Disciple, what do you think we should do?"

Xiao Yao had more or less figured out that his master couldn't kill Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor, but that didn't mean she couldn't make things unpleasant for him.

So he put on all the innocence befitting a twelve-year-old and deliberately spoke in a sweet, coquettish voice. "Master! Don't you know the Sword Slave Seal of the Emperor Tier?"

"Why not put it on these two Saint Realm cultivators and make them my bodyguards? That way, we can also find out who was behind this incident."

Dongfang Xuetong found Xiao Yao's act utterly obnoxious, but he wasn't directing it at her. He was trying to annoy Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor.

So she gave a light nod, her face full of delight. "Excellent. Let's do that!"

Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor looked rather panicked. He knew he was about to be exposed, and he also understood just how loathsome Xiao Yao, with his Chaos Body, could be.

Given the current situation, if he didn't come clean, he still wouldn't escape blame.

"Lotus Sword Emperor, I was the one who gave the order."

Dongfang Xuetong wasn't surprised. Forget those of the Demonic Path—even cultivators who practiced other paths, upon seeing Xiao Yao's immense potential and realizing they couldn't have him, would naturally choose to destroy him.

That was why she'd said earlier that she wouldn't continue her duel with Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor. She felt she shouldn't expose Xiao Yao too early.

After all, this world still had Emperor Tier cultivators stronger than her. Even if she protected Xiao Yao every moment, he could still be assassinated.

"The duel is canceled, and you must not tell any outsiders about this."

Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor's gaze went blank. He could agree to the second demand, but he absolutely couldn't agree to cancel the duel.

It was a scheme he'd devised with the other four Demon Emperors, and they'd prepared for it at great length.

"Why cancel the duel? What does this have to do with the duel?"

Dongfang Xuetong naturally couldn't reveal her true thoughts, so she simply threw a tantrum. "Who knows whether you'll try another underhanded trick in secret? I don't want to duel an opponent like you."

"Lotus Sword Emperor, I swear I absolutely won't do anything like this again." Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor quickly raised his hand and swore an oath.

But Dongfang Xuetong's gaze remained icy, and she clearly didn't believe him. He could only continue, "If anything like this happens again, the duel will be awarded to you by default."

That offer was truly tempting.

But Dongfang Xuetong had already made up her mind. She didn't care anymore!

Right now, all she cared about was teaching Xiao Yao and protecting him better.

Though she hadn't said anything, Xiao Yao had lived two lifetimes and could see how much his master was doing for him.

"Master, what do you get if you win this duel?"

Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor immediately realized there was a chance. Before Dongfang Xuetong could reply, he described the rewards. "Young man, if you defeat my disciple Wang Teng, your master's rank on the Great Emperor Ranking will rise to ninth. You'll also be able to make one request, as long as our Demonic Path forces can fulfill it."

Seeing that Xiao Yao didn't seem particularly interested, Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor continued, "Not only that, to show my apology, I'll give you an Emperor Tier protective treasure, win or lose."

Xiao Yao had already realized this was a trap.

[Ding! Host, don't be a coward! You have this system. How could you possibly lose?]

True! Xiao Yao thought.

Then he looked at Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor and said, "That's not enough!"

Not enough? Isn't this kid a little too greedy?

Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor was seething inside, but on the surface he could only smile and ask, "Then what else do you want?"