Hooves trod the road formed from Otherworld Flowers.
Niu Ba spoke to Cheng Yu with a mysterious look on his face.
"Yun Yang, I think I've figured something out."
Cheng Yu looked at Niu Ba.
"What is it?"
Niu Ba continued.
"That woman standing in the sea of flowers just said the lady traveling with us was a Phoenix. But as far as I know, there are only a handful of Phoenixes in the Demon Race. Could she be..."
Cheng Yu stroked Niu Ba's head with an amused smile.
"Looks like she's exactly who you think she is."
Shock spread across Niu Ba's bovine face as he muttered to himself.
"Then this... this is huge. She's His Majesty the Son of Heaven's own aunt! I've actually met someone like that, and she's even involved in the Demon Race's biggest scandal..."
As he spoke, Niu Ba's face fell. He looked at Cheng Yu miserably.
"Yun Yang, do you think they'll silence me?"
Cheng Yu laughed.
"Didn't you say the Demon Son of Heaven was completely impartial about this? What are you afraid of?"
Niu Ba replied gloomily.
"That's what people say, but what if..."
Cheng Yu patted Niu Ba's head.
"You worry too much. If everyone in the Demon Race were forbidden from mentioning it, maybe you'd have something to worry about. But the Demon Dynasty issued an edict acknowledging it, and even allowed it to be discussed in schools. That means the Son of Heaven doesn't really mind.
"Besides, didn't you hear about the Northern Abyss Islands on the way here? The Demon Son of Heaven stationed troops there to pressure Humankind into letting the Demon Race Eldest Princess return safely to the Demon Race.
"If we escort the Demon Race Eldest Princess home this time, wouldn't that be a