Chapter Nineteen: Unintentional Remarks in the Main Hall

The conflict between Ao Li and Guan Shanyue over the obsidian mine intensified, with both sides deploying troops in the mining area and engaging in frequent small-scale clashes. News of each other seizing supplies and robbing transport teams kept reaching back to the Demon Palace.

Ultimately, this almost public internal power struggle was formally presented to the Daqing Hall.

When Shang Jiuya stepped into this magnificent yet suffocating palace again, the shadow cast by the towering dome seemed even heavier than usual.

The debate quickly erupted around the mineral vein. Ao Li's representative and Guan Shanyue's strategist engaged in a fierce verbal battle, their words sharp as knives, accusing each other of "greed and overstepping their bounds" and "using their military power for personal gain," turning the council hall into another battlefield.

The First Elder, You Chi, sat at the head of the elders' seat with his eyelids half-closed, seemingly resting. However, the slight opening in his eyes revealed an indifference that was pleased to see the successors tearing each other apart and weakening each other. The Second Elder, Gong Liang, made no attempt to hide his bias towards Guan Shanyue, repeatedly emphasizing the benefits of "coordinating" resources, and pressing Ao Li step by step with his words, intending to subdue him.

Fifth Elder Changdong's brows furrowed deeper and deeper, his knuckles unconsciously tapping the stone armrest. He was utterly fed up with this endless infighting, especially since this matter directly interfered with the border legion's resource allocation, touching upon his core interests. Seventh Elder Qingcheng sat silently to the side, like a craftsman examining a broken magical artifact, assessing the chaos before him. Ninth Elder Xingyuan remained hidden in the back, his gaze lowered, seemingly detached from the situation.

The atmosphere inside the hall was tense, and the argument reached a stalemate. Relying on their power, Youchi and Gongliang were about to forcefully push through a plan that was clearly unfavorable to Ao Li.

Shang Jiuya's heart pounded heavily in her chest; the opportunity was fleeting.

Just as You Chi cleared his throat, preparing to deliver the final blow—

Shang Jiuya suddenly gasped, her voice soft but carrying a sense of bewilderment at witnessing the quarrel in the Supreme Hall, and weakly interjected:

"Elders..." Her voice trembled slightly, perfectly portraying the weak and uneasy Demon Lord, "Please...please forgive my presumption...Fourth Brother and Ninth Sister are both pillars of the Demon Realm. Such a struggle...is depleting the very foundation of the Demon Realm's vitality...I've heard...I've heard that there have been unknown forces spying on the Western Beacon Tower recently. If an external enemy takes advantage of our internal strife..."

As she finished speaking, she seemed to suddenly realize how inappropriate her words were. She stopped abruptly, lowered her head in panic, and gripped her sleeve tightly with her slender fingers, looking extremely frightened and uneasy.

That unfinished sentence, like a silent thunderclap, cleaved through the noisy argument in the hall.

In an instant, the hall fell into an eerie silence.

Youchi opened his eyes fully, a sharp glint of displeasure flashing in his gaze as he looked at her. Gongliang frowned, clearly annoyed by the sudden interruption and his "inappropriate" concern.

Changdong, who had been suppressing his anger, suddenly raised his head. The Western Frontier! Fengsui Fortress! That was the key defensive point of his legion, a front line he could not afford to lose. "Internal depletion of resources, external enemy's watchful eye"—these eight seemingly casual words pierced his most sensitive nerve with unparalleled precision.

Yu Chi coughed lightly, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority, attempting to steer the out-of-control agenda back on track: "His Majesty's concern for the Demon Realm is understandable. However, the Fifth Elder will make his own decisions regarding border defense. The most urgent matter is to determine the ownership of the mine and quell the internal strife."

However, cracks had already appeared, and seeds of doubt had been sown. Although the subsequent proceedings, under pressure from You Chi and Gong Liang, forcibly passed a proposal favoring Guan Shanyue, the atmosphere in the hall had completely changed. Chang Dong remained expressionless and eerily silent throughout. Ao Li's representative stormed off in anger.

Shang Jiuya lowered her head deeply, shrinking back into the shadow of the throne, as if she were weak from the shock of her earlier "slip of the tongue." No one paid much attention to her anymore, but she knew, especially for Changdong, that thorn concerning his practical interests had been deeply embedded.

The meeting ended in a tense and unpleasant atmosphere. Shang Jiuya only wanted to return to the Ziguang Palace as soon as possible, with Li Yue following closely behind, his wary gaze sweeping over every corner of the corridor.

However, just as they passed a patch of strangely beautiful magical plants—

A beam of light suddenly burst forth from the dense thicket of demonic plants, shooting straight into Shang Jiuya's back.

Before Shang Jiuya could even feel fear, the chill of death had instantly seized her soul, leaving her body stiff and unable to react!

"Your Excellency!"

Li Yue, who was always on high alert, burst out with astonishing speed, shoving Shang Jiuya forward and simultaneously ramming his left shoulder, which was covered with sturdy shoulder armor, into the deadly ghostly light.

The corrosive magic collided with the sturdy magic armor. Although the ghostly light failed to penetrate the armor, it suddenly exploded, transforming into a chilling, bone-corroding magic that instantly wrapped around Li Yue's shoulder. The armor shattered at a visible speed, and Li Yue let out a painful groan as his entire left arm instantly lost sensation. He staggered a step, but his right hand had already drawn his sword, tightly protecting Shang Jiuya behind him.

"Assassins! Protect the Emperor!" he shouted, enduring the excruciating pain.

The surrounding guards were startled awake and hurriedly drew their swords, rushing towards the demonic plant. However, the place was already deserted, leaving only a faint trace of fading magical energy—the attackers had missed their target and fled immediately, their methods swift and efficient.

Shang Jiuya was pushed away by Li Yue and fell to the ground. Only then did she feel a belated sense of fear sweep over her, causing her to tremble uncontrollably.

Assassination! A sneak attack carried out in broad daylight in the corridors of the Demon Palace, with no cover whatsoever!

If it weren't for Li Yue... if it weren't for him shielding the enemy with his own body...

She couldn't imagine the consequences.

Who is it? Guan Shanyue's revenge? Ao Li's warning? Shiyi Niang's poisonous hand? Or... does You Chi feel that she, this pawn, is becoming restless and wants to eliminate her ahead of time?

The guards searched without success and returned in fear. Despite his severe injuries, Li Yue ordered increased security and quickly escorted the nearly exhausted Shang Jiuya back to the Ziguang Palace.

With the palace doors tightly shut and his temporary safety confirmed, Li Yue could no longer hold on. He knelt on one knee, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. The chilling, corrosive magic continued to erode his arms and body.

"Li Yue!" Shang Jiuya rushed forward, and together with Bai Yu, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, they hurriedly helped treat his wounds. Seeing the deep, bone-revealing wound, and Li Yue's face taut with extreme pain, anger, fear, and a sense of powerlessness that almost suffocated her surged up.

"Your subordinate... is alright." Li Yue gritted his teeth, his voice hoarse from the pain. "Your Majesty... is well, that's good."

Are you alright?

Shang Jiuya looked up abruptly. How could she be unharmed?

This time, Li Yue saved her, but what about next time? And the time after that? Li Yue can't be by her side every moment. No matter how elite the Shadow Guards are, they can't completely replace her own strength.

She has always devoted herself to scheming and plotting, weaving intelligence networks, and stirring up conflicts among various parties. She believed that with her wisdom and schemes that surpassed this world, she could navigate among the wolves and advance step by step.

But she was wrong, terribly wrong!

This is the Demon Realm, a world where the strong prey on the weak and strength reigns supreme, not the peaceful and prosperous China of real life.

All schemes, both overt and covert, require the support of the most basic strength. She herself was too weak to even dodge a sudden, hidden arrow. She was so weak that she needed her most loyal subordinates to shield her from death with their own flesh and blood.

This bloody scene shattered her last shred of hope. She thought of Rong Jiang—her beloved daughter, the woman who unified the Underworld, the Demon Realm, and the Monster Realm, ultimately becoming the Underworld Empress. Rong Jiang's ability to rule the Underworld, commanding the Demon King, the Ten Kings of Hell, and even the Chief Judge Si Ge, known as the Underworld's greatest warrior, was not solely due to her unparalleled wisdom, but also her absolute strength that dominated the entire realm and reigned supreme in the Underworld! She was undoubtedly the number one person in the Underworld!

Wisdom and strength are not a choice, but two wings that must be possessed simultaneously. Lacking either one, one cannot truly soar through the heavens, much less survive in this hellish abyss.

"Immediately...use the best medicine! At all costs!" Shang Jiuya's voice still trembled. "Bai Yu, go and get that bottle of 'You Tan Life-Sustaining Ointment' from the storeroom! Li Yue, your injuries must be treated immediately! Guarding the area outside the hall will be temporarily taken over by Shi Gu!"

Looking at Li Yue's pale yet resolute face, at the hideous wounds, an incredibly strong thought erupted in her heart like a volcano: Power! She must possess power! Not just the power of political maneuvering, but the real, tangible power of the demon realm that belonged to her, enough to protect herself and even kill her enemies!

“From this day forward,” she said, emphasizing each word, “I will truly begin my cultivation.”