Protect Our Patriarch
Book 5: Chapter 138: The Immortal Emperor has arrived!

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"Since you're already here, don't be in such a hurry to leave." The Demon Emperor looked at Wang Fugui with a gentle demeanor, speaking as if he were conversing with a younger family member, "It's been a long time since I've met such an interesting child like you. Do you play chess?"

"Well... I know a little." Wang Fugui glanced at his expression, remaining calm and polite, "If Your Majesty is interested, I can accompany you for a couple of games."

"Not interested." The Demon Emperor shook his head, "I've never been able to sit still, and I find those who pretend to be profound over a chessboard quite annoying."

Wang Fugui was speechless.

Your Majesty, if you don't like chess, why bring it up? Are you trying to tease me?

"Yongxi, that old fellow, likes chess. He says something about how the chessboard is like the world, with strategy, calculations, tactics, battles, and sacrifices." The Demon Emperor clasped his hands behind his back, his tone both nostalgic and slightly mocking, "He talks a good game, but in the end, isn't he still trapped in the small corner of the Yan Kingdom, living a life of melancholy? While I, on the other hand, have already taken control of the Demon Dynasty, turning clouds with a flip of my hand."

"In my opinion, the most important thing is to have a strong fist. As they say, 'one force defeats ten strategies.' Any scheme is futile in the face of absolute power. Fugui, do you agree?"

"Your Majesty has your own understanding and perspective. After all, you are one of the pinnacles of human combat power today. Anyone who disagrees can be punched into submission." Wang Fugui sighed, "For small figures like us, sometimes we have to be more calculating, making the most of limited resources."

"Do you like tea?" The Demon Emperor suddenly changed the subject.

"Well... I do like it." Wang Fugui nodded honestly, "Drinking tea can calm the mind and cultivate a steady character."

"You're right. I don't like tea, which is why I'm more impulsive and prone to violence." The Demon Emperor agreed wholeheartedly, "Unfortunately, I'm just a projection of divine thought here, unable to enjoy tea with you, so let's drink wine instead."

Wang Fugui was speechless.

Your Majesty, your thought process seems a bit off. If your projection can't drink tea, can it drink wine?

Not only did he feel this way, but Eunuch Hai and Princess Jiabao exchanged puzzled glances as well.

When the Demon Emperor's projection suddenly descended, they were initially stunned, then overjoyed. But who would have thought that after all the chatter, the Demon Emperor would want to drink with Wang Fugui?

"Though I'm young and not good with alcohol, if Your Majesty wants to drink, I can accompany you for a couple of sips." Wang Fugui rummaged through his storage ring and pulled out a jar of wine and a set of wine utensils.

The wine was a rare aged treasure, "Golden Marrow Amber Paste," just looted from the imperial treasury.

This wine was brewed from various precious spiritual herbs and celestial grains, said to be over ten thousand years old. Over the long years, it had evaporated to a golden amber paste, and each sip was extremely beneficial to Basalt cultivators.

There were only ten jars left, and in the past, only the newly enthroned Emperor of Southern Yan could qualify to open one jar, but now Wang Fugui had taken them all.

He originally intended to take them back to honor his elders...

"Let this old servant serve the two distinguished guests." Eunuch Hai stepped forward, brought over tables and chairs, and invited the guests to sit, then poured each of them a cup.

The Demon Emperor sat down with pleasure and drank the wine in one gulp.

His wide black sleeves brushed across the table, his eyes slightly narrowed, exuding an indescribable sense of freedom and ease.

After drinking three cups in a row, he finally stopped, sighing, "What a fine 'Golden Marrow Amber Paste.' I only had half a jar when Yongxi ascended the throne. This wine is too strong, and the medicinal properties are rich. Fugui, you're still young, half a cup is enough, more would harm your body."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Wang Fugui took a small sip, feeling the amber paste dissolve in his mouth, spreading through his body like fire, invigorating him and opening all his pores.

With each breath, it seemed as if a lot of impurities were expelled from his body.

The wine was excellent, but with Wang Fugui's current constitution, he indeed couldn't drink much, only occasionally taking a sip to accompany the Demon Emperor.

Meanwhile, he listened to the Demon Emperor's endless tales of youthful friendship with Emperor Yongxi, from meeting as young men, getting into trouble together, chasing girls, and then fighting on the outer region battlefield.

The wine encouraged conversation, and it seemed the Demon Emperor hadn't talked about these things with anyone for a long time, so once he started, he couldn't stop.

Wang Fugui had to patiently listen to his ramblings, occasionally agreeing with a few flattering words, while secretly thinking.

The Demon Emperor in his youth was simply a rogue and a scoundrel, getting into fights and causing trouble everywhere. If he were born in the Wang's Clan, who knows how many times Ancestor Grandfather would have broken his legs.

Unknowingly, the last sip of wine in the jar also entered the Demon Emperor's mouth.

He put down the cup, exhaled comfortably, and said, "Fugui, now you know how close I am with Yongxi, right? You sure have some nerve~ daring to lead troops to attack the Yan Kingdom's imperial palace and rob everywhere."

"Your Majesty, you're mistaken." Wang Fugui seemed to have anticipated this, calmly replying, "Plundering enemy wealth during war, using war to support war, is a conventional tactic to strengthen oneself and weaken the enemy. Surely, Your Majesty doesn't refrain from touching a hair in enemy territory during war? Ultimately, it was Southern Yan's arrogance that exposed a huge flaw, giving me the opportunity."

"Well said." The Demon Emperor praised, "You really suit my taste, not only are you exceptionally talented, but you're also eloquent, smart, and calm in the face of danger. To have such character and achievements at such a young age is truly rare, comparable to me in my youth."

Why does this sound so familiar?

Wang Fugui's mouth twitched.

Once upon a time, the Immortal Emperor seemed to have said something similar.

Though he was secretly mocking, he still maintained a graceful demeanor, modestly saying, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty, but how can I, Fugui, compare to you?"

The Demon Emperor looked at him approvingly, "What a pity~ we're on different sides, otherwise we could have been friends despite the age difference. But now, it's safest to nip such an outstanding talent like you in the bud."

Uh...

Wang Fugui's face stiffened.

It wasn't that he was frightened by the Demon Emperor's words, but he remembered that a few days ago, he had just threatened the young talents of the Yan Kingdom with similar words.

Karma really does come quickly.

"Your Majesty, is it appropriate for someone of your stature to bully a fourteen-year-old child?" Wang Fugui asked weakly, "Shouldn't you maintain some dignity?"

"It's not appropriate. It does indeed damage the dignity of a ruler." The Demon Emperor shook his head and sighed, "But I am, after all, the Demon Emperor of the Red Moon Demon Dynasty, and with your talent, you will surely become a great threat to my Demon Dynasty in the future. For the long-term peace and stability of the Red Moon Demon Dynasty, I have no choice but to be shameless."

"But Your Majesty, you're just a projection here. Are you sure you can keep me?" Wang Fugui blinked and asked.

"Hehe, you probably don't understand." The Demon Emperor smiled casually, "Though my projection can only exert mid-Void Realm combat power, my combat awareness and the many profound techniques I master are not something ordinary Void Realm cultivators can compare to. Even if those two Void Realm guardians hiding in the shadows want to rescue you, they won't make it in time."

"Fugui, I advise you..."

However, before he could finish his sentence.

Suddenly.

An invisible spatial fluctuation flashed, and Wang Fugui, sitting in front of the Demon Emperor, seemed to be swallowed by something, disappearing without a trace.

In the distance, Wang Bao Cai also quickly fled, spreading his roots and running away.

He was just a fifth-grade little sapling, how could he fight the Demon Emperor's projection? At times like this, it was best to hide as far away as possible.

The Demon Emperor's smug expression suddenly froze, surprised, "A spatial treasure, huh."

Is this kid really that clever?

Almost simultaneously with Wang Fugui's disappearance.

An old female voice rang out, "Ji, let's work together to hold off the Demon Emperor."

Before the voice had even faded, Nanny Rong, dressed in green, appeared not far away.

In the sunlight, her aged face was tense, her eyes filled with unprecedented seriousness.

Behind her, a magnificent Azure Luan phantom was slowly manifesting, spreading its wings in the sunlight. With a high-pitched cry, a terrifying pressure suddenly erupted.

"Boom!"

A mighty wind suddenly roared between heaven and earth.

Centered on Nanny Rong's location, a terrifying aura connected heaven and earth, making the whole world seem to dim in that instant.

Amidst the mighty wind, Nanny Rong gripped a round fan and swung it fiercely.

A phantom of an Azure Luan, entirely condensed from wind attribute energy, suddenly shot out, charging towards the Red Moon Demon Emperor.

The terrifying aura instantly locked onto the black-robed figure.

Seeing this, the Red Moon Demon Emperor remained unhurried, raising his hand to unleash a palm strike.

A vast surge of demonic energy suddenly erupted, instantly transforming into a giant hand that covered the sky, meeting the Azure Luan head-on. Black demonic flames burned on the giant hand, incredibly sinister and dangerous.

Compared to Nanny Rong, his movements were as fluid as flowing water, carrying an air of ease, yet the power was no less formidable.

Clearly, for the Demon Emperor, this level of battle posed no pressure.

But just as the Demon Emperor made his move, a figure shrouded in gray-black mist quietly appeared at his side.

Amidst the mighty wind, her long crimson hair danced in the wind, her plain white dress fluttered, yet she seemed like a ghostly shadow, silent and without presence.

This figure was naturally Ji Yue'er, the Wang's Clan's enforcer.

As the master of the Cha Nu Yin Demon lineage, Ji Yue'er excelled not in frontal assaults, but in ever-changing movement techniques and unpredictable attack methods.

In the past, her opponents weren't very strong, so she acted more casually, but now facing the projection of the Red Moon Demon Emperor, she naturally brought out her full strength.

The gray-black mist had unknowingly spread, intertwining with the sweeping mighty wind, indistinguishable from each other, becoming her best cover, allowing her to silently approach the Demon Emperor.

A pitch-black, hook-like Divine Spirit Artifact appeared in Ji Yue'er's hand, and seizing the moment when the Demon Emperor was dealing with Nanny Rong's attack, she took her chance, swinging the hook fiercely towards the Red Moon Demon Emperor.

A close-range strike!

"Boom!"

A terrifying power erupted at close range.

A gray-white giant snake, shrouded in black mist, suddenly appeared behind Ji Yue'er, its fierce aura accompanied by a surging bloodline power pouring into the hook.

A cold gleam burst from the tip of the hook, incredibly intimidating and dangerous.

The Red Moon Demon Emperor squinted his eyes, quickly glancing at Ji Yue'er, but his form instantly disintegrated, transforming into a cloud of black mist.

The hook plunged directly into the black mist.

A vast energy exploded.

Simultaneously, the radiant Azure Luan had already collided with the black flame demonic hand.

A terrifying energy shockwave suddenly erupted.

Black demonic flames, azure winds, and gray-black demonic energy rolled and swept out, the terrifying aura soaring to the sky, the dazzling energy light causing the heavens and earth to change color.

This was a battle between three Void Realm powerhouses, the energy level incomparable to ordinary battles.

Under the violent energy impact, the surrounding buildings shook uncontrollably, roof tiles and pavilions in the courtyard disintegrating, countless sands and stones flying wildly, while the nearby Eunuch Hai and Princess Jiabao Qiu Daoyu were directly blown away, even the soldiers in the distance turned pale, scrambling to dodge.

Meanwhile, at the center of the energy vortex, the three figures separated after a brief clash, each occupying a position, forming a triangle as they faced off.

The Red Moon Demon Emperor still stood with his hands behind his back, calm and composed, while Nanny Rong's expression grew increasingly grave. Ji Yue'er was even paler, her entire being tense with nerves.

As a newly promoted Void Realm first-level cultivator for just over a hundred years, her cultivation was the weakest among the three, without even a single Dao artifact, naturally making her the most anxious.

However, despite her nerves, she showed no sign of retreat.

If the Demon Emperor's true form were here, the combined assault of Nanny Rong and Ji Yue'er would be insignificant, but after all, it was only a projection of the Demon Emperor that had come.

"I thought it was some Void Realm expert from the Immortal Dynasty, but it turns out to be Nanny Rong by the Immortal Emperor's side." The Demon Emperor greeted Nanny Rong with a smile.

With just one move, he recognized the two.

"Old woman Yun Rong greets Your Majesty the Demon Emperor." Nanny Rong slightly bowed, saluting the Demon Emperor, but her eyes remained vigilantly fixed on him.

The Demon Emperor no longer looked at her, his gaze shifting to Ji Yue'er, his smile turning cold, "Yin Snake Demon Concubine, you have quite the nerve! Not only did you betray the Demon Dynasty, but you also dared to lay a hand on me!"

Ji Yue'er instinctively shivered, her golden snake eyes narrowing, revealing fear and panic.

Before coming here, she never imagined that one day she would fight against the Demon Emperor.

"Your Majesty, you're mistaken."

At this moment, Wang Fugui's figure suddenly appeared from the space.

The commotion caused by the three Void Realm experts' clash was immense, yet he remained unaffected, clearly utilizing spatial techniques.

The move he used was the True Immortal treasure of the Great Qian royal family, "Ancestor Panpan's Protection."

Ancestor Wu Panpan of the Wu's Clan was a legendary figure in the Shenwu Royal Dynasty, said to have reached the Celestial Realm at the age of sixteen, far surpassing Wang Fugui.

Originally, "Ancestor Panpan's Protection" was limited by immortal spirit energy, once activated, it would consume all the immortal spirit energy before it could be deactivated, and required seeking help from a True Immortal Realm to recharge.

However, after Wang Shouzhe's additional development, when controlled by Wang Lixian, it became an invincible treasure, capable of being activated and deactivated at will, with manageable consumption, no longer a one-time use.

As he spoke, a beautiful little girl appeared beside Wang Fugui.

She was one of Wang Lixian's avatars hidden within the treasure space.

Now that Wang Lixian's power had greatly increased, reaching the ninth level, she could split into three avatars, one in Northern Zhou, one studying at the Clan School, and the other here.

Emperor Longchang doted on Wang Fugui immensely, lending him the "Jade Bracelet" treasure for protection when he went to the Immortal Dynasty.

All along, Wang Fugui wore "Ancestor Panpan's Protection" on his arm, just not revealing it.

"You really are elusive, kid. What did I say wrong?" The Demon Emperor glared at Wang Fugui.

Wang Fugui remained calm, righteously saying to the Demon Emperor, "Ji's defection to our Immortal Dynasty camp was naturally out of desperation. I believe Your Majesty, with your vast intelligence network, can't be unaware of her situation."

"To escape the Little Demon Lord, she had to take the risk of cooperating with the Blood Child Demon Lord, who was arrogant and unaware of being manipulated. What choice did Ji have but to betray?"

"That's right." Ji Yue'er's eyes also firmed up, "Your Majesty couldn't possibly be unaware of my situation, yet you turned a blind eye, and now you blame me for betrayal. What kind of logic is that?"

"Hmph~ that's an internal matter of the True Demon Hall, how could I interfere at will?" The Demon Emperor, having weathered many storms, remained unfazed even when exposed, "However, I can give you a chance. If you return to the right path, I will pardon your crimes and order Chao Qianjue not to harass you."

"Your Majesty's kindness, Yue'er appreciates." Ji Yue'er took a deep breath, fear flickering in her eyes, "The Little Demon Lord seeks not only my primal yin but intends to use dark arts to refine my essence blood and primal yin to enhance his bloodline aptitude. If successful, his bloodline aptitude would greatly increase, becoming the first 'Heavenly Son' in Demon Dynasty history!"

"With such a huge temptation, how can Your Majesty guarantee the Little Demon Lord won't take risks? Can you protect me every day, or would you confront the Demon Lord for the sake of a mere Void Realm cultivator without power or backing?"

With each question, the Demon Emperor's expression grew more awkward.

After all, the Yin Snake Demon Concubine spoke the truth. If the Little Demon Lord truly became a bloodline "Heavenly Son," it would have significant strategic importance for the entire Demon Dynasty, and forcibly protecting her would surely provoke much opposition.

"Your Majesty, not everything in this world can be solved with brute force." Wang Fugui sighed, shaking his head, adding fuel to the fire, "As the Demon Emperor, you too have many constraints, many sacrifices for the greater good."

"Brat, stop trying to sow discord between me and the Demon Lord." The Demon Emperor's face darkened, flicking a wisp of finger wind to teach Fugui a lesson.

But with preparation, Nanny Rong and Ji Yue'er weren't to be trifled with. They not only blocked the Demon Emperor's finger force but also joined forces to battle him again.

Meanwhile, Wang Fugui, surrounded by his subordinates, moved far away from the unsafe area, taking Eunuch Hai and Princess Jiabao with him.

The Demon Emperor truly lived up to his title, even with just a projection, he managed to suppress Nanny Rong and Ji Yue'er, two Void Realm experts, forcing them to barely hold on.

"Young Master, you should retreat first." Nanny Rong, seeing the unfavorable situation, urged anxiously, "Ji and I can hold on for at most a cup of tea's time."

"No rush, no rush, don't panic." Wang Fugui said, wiping his storage ring, taking out the Dao artifact "Heaven-Shaking Shield" and handing it to the eager Wang Lixian, "Ancestor Lixian, please use the Heaven-Shaking Shield to support the battlefield."

"Rest assured, leave it to me." Wang Lixian was excited, taking the Heaven-Shaking Shield and quickly refining it before deploying it.

It shone brightly, flying through the air, occasionally blocking the Demon Emperor's fierce attacks.

In an instant, the situation stabilized significantly.

Ordinary Divine Realm experts using a Dao artifact would naturally struggle to unleash its full power, but Wang Lixian, as a celestial plant with potential reaching the thirteenth level, could drive immortal spirit energy to control the Heaven-Shaking Shield. Even though it was just an avatar, she could almost fully display its defensive power.

Simultaneously, Wang Lixian revealed her true form, transforming into a lush tree, quickly setting up the Fire Dragon Fruit Formation to harass the Demon Emperor, momentarily giving him a headache.

"Kekeke~ Explosions are art, boom boom boom! Fugui, gather your elite subordinates, let's slay a Demon Emperor for fun today."

In terms of audacity, Wang Lixian far surpassed Fugui.

This made the Demon Emperor quite angry, "You little celestial plant, your tone is too arrogant! Do you think this is all I can do?"

"Ancestor Lixian, calm down. This is just a projection of the Demon Emperor, purely a combination of energy and divine thought. Even if we manage to destroy it, it won't drop any loot. Moreover, he's a very petty and vengeful person, if we destroy his projection, he'll surely hold a grudge and cause us trouble later." Wang Fugui advised kindly.

"Fugui makes some sense." Wang Lixian nodded seriously, "Fighting a monster that doesn't drop loot is boring. Let's spare him today."

The Demon Emperor had never been talked back to like this in his life, his face turning blue, "Fugui, you're right, I am indeed petty and vengeful. I'll remember you. Once I recover, I'll send a projection to show you what grudges mean."

Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking.

Not far away, Yun Mengyu, who had been busy "moving" things in the imperial palace's backyard, hurried over with her guards, "Fugui, don't be afraid, I'm here to support you... Is this the Demon Emperor's projection?"

As soon as she finished speaking, her expression turned cold, pulling out the "Princess Token of Chunnan," pinching her fingers, and infusing profound energy.

In an instant, the Princess Token of Chunnan was activated.

"Boom!"

A surge of immortal spirit energy shot into the sky, a vast divine thought sweeping out.

In the shadows, a graceful figure rapidly condensed in the sky.

It was a beautiful woman with a slender figure, exquisite features, and stunning beauty.

She wore a complex and luxurious imperial robe, her jet-black hair piled high, exuding an elegant and dignified aura, incomparably noble. Even though she had just condensed and hadn't done anything yet, she already exuded an awe-inspiring majesty and dominance.

She was none other than the current Immortal Emperor of the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty, Immortal Emperor Mu Yun!

Before she arrived, her voice had already resounded, "Old Demon Shentu! How dare you, do you really think Yun Tiange is just for show?"

Our Immortal Emperor has arrived!

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