Chapter 675

In the year 6141 of the Xia calendar, Haigang City.

Small Shadiao saw the Fox King that he had met before, who was now a prisoner. The fox tribe underestimated Lin Jiang’s control over the Alliance of Three Countries, and their spying activities were almost transparent to Lin Jiang.

Lin Jiang had never taken action against them before, just wanting to see what tricks they could come up with. But since the withdrawal of the Leon Base, Lin Jiang ordered to capture all the Demon Kings. As for their undercover agents in Huaxia, they also suffered a devastating blow.

"Brother…"

Small Shadiao whispered, wondering why Lin Jiang brought him here. Was it to set an example or for something else?

"Let’s go, Small Shadiao."

"Brother, I’m feeling a bit scared."

"Scared of what? I wouldn’t harm you."

"I am a demon…"

"You are my brother."

Lin Jiang gently said that he owed a debt to Small Shadiao. He had endured severe torture for him without revealing his identity. They had a friendship of thousands of years, so Lin Jiang would not harm Small Shadiao.

"Brother, please speak clearly. Otherwise, I am scared and can’t sleep at night."

"Okay, I’ll be clear. You can be a demon or a human, it’s up to you. Just don’t betray me. We have always been brothers. My wealth is shared with you, and I’ll give you medicinal pills and treasures. Live well, okay?"

"Okay, okay."

Small Shadiao nodded quickly. He really didn’t want to deal with such matters, like conflicts between different races, it was too difficult for him. He felt torn between two worlds and that’s why he acted indifferent.

"Alright, I have a large area of land in Cloud Mountain with many spiritual herbs planted. You can guard it for me. You’ll have everything provided for eating, drinking, and enjoying yourself, and I’ll send you the medicinal pills regularly."

Lin Jiang nodded, he wasn’t planning on letting Small Shadiao go back, as they might have to face each other on the battlefield someday. So he arranged for Small Shadiao to stay in Cloud Mountain, ensuring he would have material comforts, as long as he stayed within the area.

"Okay, then what about the Fox King and them…"

"They will have a kind outcome."

Lin Jiang said, but he lied to Small Shadiao, because Lin Jiang had already decided to send them to the research institute for study.

Research on gene elixirs has never stopped. Previously, Qingyun was the fastest in this regard because they had the most Demon Humans. Later, with the spiritual energy recovery, the gene source of gene elixirs was switched to monster beasts. Huaxia gradually caught up with Qingyun’s progress. The research in this area is very advanced. There is a greater demand for monster beasts. Now that Lin Jiang finally has four-tiered Demon Kings, he will not miss this opportunity. They will be turned into experimental subjects and will have a very tragic outcome.

Small Shadiao had no doubts and quickly accepted this result. The enmity between the Yao tribe and the human tribe cannot be changed. Countless mortals in the Penglai Continent have died, and killing each other has become a normal thing.

Small Shadiao left, and Wu Li personally took him to the Cloud Mountain Manor. Cao Ying slipped out from the side.

"Is it taken care of?"

"Yes, sent Small Shadiao to Cloud Mountain, don’t come back to Penglai. Just tell everyone that he was killed."

"Hehe, the Yao tribe also has something similar to the Soul Lamp, it can’t be kept secret."

"It doesn’t matter, I just seek a peace of mind."

Lin Jiang shook his head, he knew he couldn’t hide it, and he didn’t want to, he just wanted peace of mind.

"Your state of mind is indeed troubled, try to solve it before Tao Achieving, otherwise you won’t pass the Heart Demon test at Tao Achieving."

"I know, I will solve it."

Lin Jiang said, he understood the reasoning, but it was difficult to do, so in these years he had actually done a lot of foolish things.

"Okay, I’ll do you a small favor, consider it as practice, Li Qing wants to see you, I’ve arranged for tomorrow at noon."

"Expected she would come, just didn’t expect it so soon."

"Hey, aren’t you mad?"

"What’s there to be angry about?"

Lin Jiang shook his head, Cao Ying was overthinking things again.

······

The next day at noon, Li Qing arrived at Lin Jiang’s mansion, where Lin Jiang welcomed her solemnly, as Li Qing represented the Ying Continent.

"Master…"

"Stop, don’t call me master."

"Master, I…"

"I’m not joking, please don’t call me master. We are no longer master and disciple."

"······"

Li Qing was momentarily stunned, unsure of how to respond. She thought Lin Jiang would be very angry and was prepared to be belittled by him, but his reaction was unexpected.

"Actually, you don’t need to regard me as your master anymore. I took you in back then because I couldn’t defeat Yang Luo. I was truly afraid of Yang Luo. You know what kind of genius he was. I have lived for so many years and have yet to encounter a more skilled genius than him."

So I hired you all, trained you, nurtured you, brainwashed you repeatedly, all to assassinate Yang Luo, but in the end it was not needed.

Therefore, your mission on my side is over, and our master-disciple relationship has also come to an end, you know, so don’t call me master anymore."

Lin Jiang said that he was not joking. After Li Qing woke up and didn’t come to him, she went to Ying Continent alone. Their master-disciple relationship has ended, and now it’s time for a summary.

"Since you are unwilling to acknowledge me, then so be it. I am here today to discuss the cooperation between Ying Continent and Huaxia."

Li Qing also felt relieved in her heart. Perhaps this was the best way to end things between them. She just took the opportunity to escape a difficult situation.

"Alright, let’s focus on business. So, how do you suggest we cooperate?"

"Currently, the demon race is powerful. Even though Penglai Continent has been destroyed, they are stronger than us. I control Ying Continent, with over a billion humans under me, along with more than five million cultivators, including some outstanding talents. We need time to grow and we need support from Huaxia."

"Sounds good. Is there anything else on your end?"

"With Penglai Continent destroyed, the demon race must find a new place to settle. They cannot come to Shen Continent, and you will not allow it. So, the demon race will either choose Ying Continent or the Abbot. I hope Huaxia will step in to protect Ying Continent."

"Well said, then I might as well tell you that the representative of Fangzhang Continent is faster than you. They came a few days ago and are willing to support any of your families as long as it benefits them."

Lin Jiang said that he can only support one between Ying Continent and Fangzhang, as he needs to give hope to the Demon race. If there is no hope, Demon Queen Lin Fanghua might attack Shen Continent and come after Lin Jiang.

This doesn’t benefit Lin Jiang because he can’t handle either outcome. So, he gives them hope, drags out the time, which is in his interest.

But at the same time, he must support a family with enough benefits, not for free.

"Clearly, supporting us benefits you more because we are stronger. We have the complete inheritance of Wangxian Sect with over a dozen people from the cultivation era – Nascent Soul, Soul Changing, Void Achieving. Ying Continent, under our control, can effectively resist the Demon race. You know it’s not just for a small gain, right?"

"It makes sense, but what do we get from Ying Continent in return?"

"Minerals and markets. I have some extremely rare minerals like Red Blood Essence Stone for trade. Also, Ying Continent’s market is open to Huaxia with the best treatment. With this market, you can keep the mortals of Huaxia stable and provide talented cultivators for you."

"Fangzhang Continent can also provide us with…"

"Tell me directly what you want, and we can discuss what to offer."

Li Qing decided to do whatever it takes to gain support from Huaxia, even if it means sacrificing everything. Survival comes first.

"Let’s talk about it in a few days. Go rest for now, someone will talk to you then."

Lin Jiang waved his hand. There would definitely be a discussion, but it wouldn’t be him. Instead, specialized negotiators would be involved. The intelligence department would reassess the situation in Ying Continent to ensure that all their interests were fully met. This is how official matters are handled, and this is how respect for opponents is shown.

Not wanting to linger, Li Qing quickly left. As soon as Li Qing left, several people emerged from the room.

"Master, I will go kill her."

One of them coldly said. They were disciples later adopted by Lin Jiang and remained loyal to him.

"Why do you want to kill her?"

"She is disloyal to the master. If we don’t kill her, it won’t be enough to calm the anger in the hearts of the disciples."

"Then set aside your anger. The master is not angry yet."

"Master, I…"

"No need, Li Qing will be punished, but not killed directly. She has lost the biggest opportunity in her life, hasn’t she?"

Lin Jiang said lightly, Li Qing’s biggest opportunity was him, Lin Jiang, but now Li Qing has lost it. Without Lin Jiang’s support, it will be even harder for Li Qing to progress further.

"Yes, Master."

Although the group felt uneasy, they didn’t say much. They followed orders, once Lin Jiang gave the command, they would go assassinate Li Qing.