Chapter 291: Chapter 291: When This Emperor Rules the World, You Shall Be the King of Humanity
Chapter 291: When This Emperor Rules the World, You Shall Be the King of Humanity
In Mist Province.
The land was engulfed in the flames of war, with smoke rising everywhere.
Corpses were being cleared from the battlefield, piled carelessly by the roadside, their stench of decay permeating the air.
At the end of this long road stood a massive fortress.
Two enormous rock creatures, each over five zhang tall, stood guard at the fortress entrance, wielding giant clubs like fearsome gatekeepers.
Not far away, numerous wolf demons patrolled the area, riding on giant wolves.
Occasionally, bold wild beasts crept closer to gnaw on the corpses.
In the distance, faint sobs echoed.
On the main road, a group of wolf demons was escorting a procession of humans toward the fortress.
Leading the group was a hulking wolf demon, exuding an aura of dominance. It was clearly a demon commander, comparable in strength to a human Core Formation cultivator.
The humans, overwhelmed by the stench of blood and decay, were on the verge of retching.
Yet, none dared stop.
Stopping would mean ending up like the bodies lining the road.
Among the captives was a fair-faced woman holding her young daughter's hand.
The little girl's eyes sparkled as she stole glances at the rough and terrifying fortress.
Suddenly, she noticed a figure standing atop the fortress wall, clad in crimson robes.
She whispered, "Mother, why is there a Daoist up there?"
The woman froze and looked up.
Indeed, a young man with sword-like eyebrows and a cold expression stood on the fortress wall.
But wasn't this the fortress of the demon race?
Why was a human cultivator standing there unharmed, unchallenged by any demons?
On the fortress wall.
Ye Yan's gaze lingered on the group of humans for only a moment before shifting toward the smoke-shrouded north.
"What are you looking at?"
A deep and commanding voice came from behind him.
The voice carried an accent unlike any found in Jing Kingdom's provinces, yet it seemed to blend elements from all across the Nine Provinces.
It was rich, resonant, and imbued with the majesty and dominance of an emperor.
It made one instinctively want to kneel and pay homage.
Ye Yan knew who was speaking.
He resisted the urge to kneel, suppressing his instincts, and replied, "I'm not looking. I'm thinking."
"Oh? Then tell this emperor, what are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking about when the Ten Thousand Demons Nation will suffer a crushing defeat," Ye Yan replied calmly.
"Hahaha!"
The voice behind him burst into hearty laughter.
Ye Yan turned around.
Standing before him was a towering figure over one zhang tall.
The figure was entirely clad in golden armor, thick and radiant.
Only the eye sockets were uncovered, revealing a pair of crimson eyes.
Though his entire body was encased in armor, Ye Yan could still discern features characteristic of the demon race.
Not of a single species, but rather a fusion of several.
"Ye Yan, you're not afraid of death," the figure remarked with a faint smile.
"I fear death," Ye Yan replied calmly. "But I know the Demon Emperor won't kill me because I'm speaking the truth."
The Demon Emperor laughed even louder.
His crimson eyes seemed to glimmer with amusement.
"This emperor appreciates clever people."
"The Ten Thousand Demons Nation lacks people like you."
The Demon Emperor spoke lightly, "Ye Yan, would you like to become one of this emperor's Dragonblood Guards?"
Ye Yan shook his head.
The Demon Emperor's smile deepened. "Why refuse?"
"Those who refuse this emperor, human or demon, without exception, perish."
Ye Yan remained calm. "I've heard the Dragonblood Guards undergo body refinement with flood dragon blood, but it can cause irreversible damage to one's mind."
"Therefore, I refuse."
The Demon Emperor laughed even more heartily. "Then what do you want?"
"I want the Demon Emperor's essence blood," Ye Yan replied seriously.
The crimson eyes beneath the golden armor grew sharp. "Oh? Do you realize that refining this emperor's essence blood is equivalent to becoming this emperor's offspring?"
"I've already witnessed the strength of the Demon Emperor and the Ten Thousand Demons Nation," Ye Yan said calmly.
"So what harm is there in becoming the Demon Emperor's offspring?"
The Demon Emperor fell silent for a moment before erupting into loud laughter.
"Good, very good."
"However, this drop of essence blood cannot be given to you so easily."
The Demon Emperor extended a finger, pointing toward the group of humans who had just been escorted into the fortress by the wolf demons.
"Kill them all, and I will grant you a drop of my essence blood."
Without hesitation, Ye Yan unleashed a blazing palm strike.
The group of humans, including the mother and her child, were instantly engulfed by the fiery attack.
Pain, wails, and torment.
Even the wolf demon commander and its subordinates were obliterated in the inferno.
Roar! Roar! Roar!
The surrounding wolf demons erupted in furious howls.
Spears and arrows—primitive in design yet gleaming with a cold, eerie light—were aimed at Ye Yan from a distance.
These weapons, though crude in appearance, were potent against spiritual power.
With just one command from the Demon Emperor, they would launch a full-scale assault and kill Ye Yan on the spot.
The Demon Emperor raised an eyebrow. "You killed my subordinates."
Ye Yan replied calmly, "That demon commander and his subordinates repeatedly insulted me, even threatening to twist off my head and use it as a food bowl."
"I simply repaid their actions in the way of the demon race."
The Demon Emperor chuckled in satisfaction and lowered his hand.
Immediately, all the wolf demons withdrew their weapons and began cleaning up the scene.
"Not bad. You've only been here a year, yet you've already learned the ways of the demon race."
"If you hadn't killed him, this emperor would have been displeased."
The Demon Emperor smiled faintly.
At that moment, a wolf demon clearing the remains suddenly let out a cry and collapsed.
A fiery figure burst forth like a streak of lightning, dashing toward the north.
None of the surrounding demons could react in time, and they could only watch as the figure disappeared into the distance.
Ye Yan froze.
Someone had survived his attack, and with such speed and strength, they were clearly at least a Nascent Soul stage cultivator!
Among that group of humans, there had been a Nascent Soul expert in hiding!
Ye Yan turned to look at the Demon Emperor.
But the Demon Emperor didn't even lift a finger, allowing the person to leave unimpeded.
A deep fear suddenly welled up within Ye Yan.
He understood now.
This had all been a trap orchestrated by the Demon Emperor.
"That person is an elder of the Jade Cauldron Sect. I believe his name is He Tianchou."
"He will return safely to Yuzhou, to the Jade Cauldron Sect."
"And from now on, you will be known as a traitor to the Jade Cauldron Sect, a traitor to humanity."
The Demon Emperor's calm laughter echoed from beneath the golden armor.
But to Ye Yan, the sound was like a bucket of ice water poured over his entire being.
It was clear—soon, his name would be infamous across Yuzhou.
Everyone would know him as a turncoat, a human traitor.
This thought, however, lasted only a moment. Ye Yan dropped to one knee and said calmly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for severing my ties of worry."
The Demon Emperor smiled slightly. "It's good that you understand this emperor's painstaking efforts. Rise."
"With your talent, you will undoubtedly become one of this emperor's most trusted aides in the future."
"When this emperor rules the world, you shall be the King of Humanity."
Ye Yan bowed respectfully. "Yes."
"I am willing to serve Your Majesty with all my strength."
"And now, I offer a strategy for Your Majesty."
The Demon Emperor spoke lightly, "Speak."
Ye Yan said, "Currently, the Three Sects and One King are united in harmony, jointly resisting the Ten Thousand Demons Nation's army, making it difficult for us to advance."
"My suggestion is to temporarily halt the northern campaign and spread rumors of internal power struggles among the races."
"This way, without us lifting a finger, the Three Sects and One King in Yuzhou will fall into internal strife and begin to consume themselves!"
🌟 Unlock Exclusive Early Access on Patreon! 🌟
Hello, beloved readers!
Join my Patreon community to enjoy:
📚 Daily Updates: Never wait for new chapters—get your story fix every day!
📖 20 Chapters Ahead: Access new chapters far in advance of Scribblehub/RoyalRoad/Webnovel releases.
Support the creation of the stories you love and dive deeper into my world!
Patreon.com/Alex_Cruise
https://ko-fi.com/anish_44