Misery: There is a pawn shop here

Chapter 209

"You mean, that person was able to reproduce the power of the Zhu Emperor in the illusion?"

In the Flame Demon City, Yama Hanba returned and recounted his experiences during his ordeal at the Heavenly Pillar to Jiu Huo. Upon hearing that Yama Hanba had encountered Yin Huang Zhu Wu within the illusion, even Jiu Huo was taken aback. Yin Huang Zhu Wu was the undisputed Emperor of the Otherworld, the King of the Ghost Clan, possessing extraordinary abilities. Having slumbered for many years, how could the power of a mere pawnshop owner be so terrifying?
"I can't be sure how he did it, but judging from the strength he displayed, the Zhu Huang in the illusion was exactly the same as the one I remember. The existence of the pawnshop makes him even more mysterious and unpredictable."

"Since it is a neutral force, let's allow it to exist for now."

A pawnshop was able to set up a checkpoint by impersonating the Emperor Zhu. In Jiu Huo's view, this was undoubtedly an insult to the demon race. However, given the current situation, they had no choice but to put it aside for the time being. On this point, Yanmo Hanba and Jiu Huo were in agreement.

"That's the only way." Yama Hanba nodded and said, "Regarding the follow-up strategy, before the final battle with the righteous path, I intend to find a way to cooperate with the group of Southwest Mang people who came to the Demon Realm earlier, to clear away the shady currents and eliminate the righteous path's support."

"Now that the fault lines have been repaired and the Demon Realm has sufficient military strength, the Demon Lord's strategy is perfectly acceptable."

With the rift in the Otherworld connecting and the three races uniting, the forces of the Otherworld, if they were to unleash their full power, would be enough to crush any side on the field. To Jiu Huo's surprise, Yama Hanba did not target Lian Emei as his primary objective this time.

"Furthermore, what is the Demon Lord's opinion on the matter of using swords and halberds to subdue demons?" Jiu Huo then added.

"Nonsense!"

The strong who conquer the battlefield are always arrogant. He had seen Yu Ren Fei Jing's sword before. Although Yu Ren Fei Jing's swordsmanship and speed might be superior to Yuan Huo Tian Huang, who was also known for his speed, in his eyes, Yu Ren Fei Jing's strength was far from enough. To say that he would die at the hands of Yu Ren Fei Jing and another person was a ridiculous joke.

"In my opinion, although that person had a deal with Youjian Pawnshop and lost his power, those words came from Youjian Pawnshop, so we must be wary. It would be better to eliminate him while the righteous path is still distracted by other matters. No matter whether the pawnshop's prediction is true or false, it will not come true."

"Hmm... In that case, let Shesheng Tongzi handle this matter. With his current strength, he is more than capable," said Yanmo Hanba. "The rest of the troops will accompany me to conquer Yiliu."

“Since the general strategy has been decided, I will not try to persuade you any further,” Jiu Huo said. “The Wansheng Rock side has been severely damaged by Xi Mie Tianlai and will find it difficult to make any moves in the short term. In this battle, the Demon Lord must strive for a swift victory.”

"Your Majesty, rest assured, Yama Hanba is well aware of Beichen Yuanhuang's strength and will certainly not underestimate her."

After the strategy was agreed upon, Yama Hanba did not delay any longer and went straight to the main hall to summon the generals to prepare for the battle.

"Once the shroud is cleared, I can prepare for the final battle against the righteous path." Jiu Huo sighed, turning back to look deeper into the otherworldly demon realm. The one she longed for was still sleeping there, and the mention of Yama Hanba stirred up the Demon Queen's longing once more.

But Jiu Huo is still Jiu Huo after all, and he calmed down the next moment.

"According to intelligence, Lian Emei has recovered from her illness. Our advantage may not be as significant as we imagined. The righteous path should unite with all parties, and the demon realm should also form alliances," Fu Yingshi said in a deep voice as he entered the hall.

"After the battle with Yiliu is over, I will discuss it with the Demon Lord again. For now, let's focus all our efforts on preparing for the battle against Yiliu."

"yes." ……

……

In the afternoon at Misty Valley, sunlight filtered through layers of verdant bamboo, scattering shimmering gold across the azure water. A bamboo raft rested quietly in the middle of the water, a skewer of fish sizzling on a charcoal fire at the stern, but no one paid it any attention. An old witch huddled at the bow, her face wrinkled like dried orange peel, her cloudy eyes occasionally glancing at the man in the blue robe in the center of the raft.

"Cough cough cough," she coughed again, feigning an air of illness. "Young master, and these two young ladies, you say you've come for an old woman like me? Haha, what a joke, not funny at all." As she spoke, a poison needle as thin as a cow's hair slid down from her sleeve, its tip gleaming eerily green in the sunlight.

“Yes, I also don’t find this kind of joke funny,” Li Xuanxiao said with a smile, looking at the old witch in front of him. “So, from the beginning until now, do you think your little tricks have really worked for us?”

"Huh?" The old witch was taken aback, then shook her head repeatedly, "This..."

Li Xuanxiao lowered his head and picked up a piece of golden-brown roasted fish. "Just now, under the guise of handing me the fish basket, you smeared 'Muscle-Dissolving Powder' on my sleeve, and then blew 'Bewitching Smoke' into the charcoal fire while you were coughing. What a pity..." As he spoke, he flicked his finger, and an invisible force accurately struck the old witch's sleeve, the poison needle falling into the water with a "ding".

Watching this scene from behind, Yan Qingcheng was filled with questions. After leaving Wan Hua Lou, Li Xuanxiao had brought the two of them to Yanxia Valley, ostensibly for a spring outing, water play, and barbecue. However, not long after, an old witch-like woman appeared, and Li Xuanxiao forcibly detained her. If Li Xuanxiao hadn't mentioned it, she wouldn't have known that this old woman had been secretly up to so many tricks.

Jueqing Shu, who was behind Yan Qingcheng, had traveled the martial world for much longer. At first, she didn't notice anything, but as time went on, she realized that the "old witch" being held back by Li Xuanxiao was probably just a disguise. As for her hidden methods, Li Xuanxiao had already dealt with them before she could even make a move.

"Alright, these poisons won't do any good. I really only came here to play in the water. But since you've already shown yourself, it wouldn't hurt to stay and rest for a while. Or do you want me to reveal your name before you'll submit?" Li Xuanxiao spat out a few thorns into the water and looked at the old witch in front of him.

"Real...real name?" The old witch blinked nervously, as if she wanted to say something more.

Li Xuanxiao simply shook his head. "What can I say? 'You won't give up until you're at your wit's end, Lao Wuyan?'"

"what!"

As soon as she finished speaking, a look of surprise flashed across the old witch's face, but she quickly returned to normal. Facing Li Xuanxiao, her tone of voice suddenly changed, revealing the voice of a young woman.

"Who exactly are you, and what brings you to Misty Valley?"

"The purpose of our visit?" Li Xuanxiao smiled. "It's simple: to play in the water and admire the flowers. We've already enjoyed the water, as for the flowers..."

Li Xuanxiao tilted his head slightly, looked at Lao Wuyan and smiled, "Since you already know it's useless, why not take off this disguise?"

(End of this chapter)