Three days had passed since the Nian Beast wreaked havoc in Humankind's Baiyue Prefecture on the Southern Continent.
Inside the Jade King's Residence, Cheng Yu still stood before Mirror Lake. Steward Yu came up behind him and said softly,
"Prince, Lord White Elephant, the Minister of Rites, requests an audience."
Cheng Yu nodded.
"Show him in."
Before long, Steward Yu led in a young man with a kindly face and a well-fed figure.
Steward Yu said softly to White Elephant,
"Lord White Elephant, the Prince is just over there. This old servant will go no farther. Please."
With impeccable courtesy, White Elephant said to Steward Yu,
"Thank you, Uncle Yu."
Steward Yu was very senior. Back when White Elephant was still a callow youth, Steward Yu had already been a renowned Great Demon. Calling him "uncle" was not merely a mark of respect for his seniority, but even more so for his strength. After all, this was still a world where strength commanded respect.
Steward Yu waved a hand with a chuckle.
"I hardly deserve that, hardly deserve it. You are a pillar of the Demon Dynasty. Such courtesy puts this old servant to shame."
White Elephant also chuckled.
"What are you saying, Uncle? In both strength and seniority, you more than deserve the title."
Steward Yu smiled and waved a hand.
"Ha ha, you flatter me. Go on over. Don't keep the Prince waiting too long."
At that, White Elephant said no more. After thanking him, he walked over to Cheng Yu.
About five paces behind Cheng Yu, White Elephant cupped his hands and bowed.
"Prince."
Without turning his head, Cheng Yu said,
"The formal demand from Humankind's Great Qin Celestial Dynasty has arrived, hasn't it?"
White Elephant dropped his genial demeanor and said softly,
"The Prince is perceptive."