"The Demon Sealing Grotto will support me?" Yan Hara raised an eyebrow, genuine surprise flickering in her eyes. "Thatâs quite the unexpected offer. However, I must askâwhat if I am not trying to challenge Qian Chu for his position? What if I am just trying to increase my position for my own benefits?"
Zhou Yanfei paused briefly before speaking, his gaze steady. "Thatâs difficult to believe. I may not know everything about you, but I know enough to say youâre not the type to act so selfishly. And those youâve been rallyingâtheyâre all individuals who are not under Qian Chuâs influence."
"If youâre not aiming to challenge Qian Chu, then whatever youâre planning must be something that will shake the very foundation of the Demon Sealing Clan."
"You sound very confident in that statement."
"Thatâs just the feeling I am getting from you."
"Well, unfortunately, I have no intention of challenging Qian Chu," Yan Hara said, lying without the slightest hesitation.
She couldnât afford to trust Zhou Yanfei so easilyânot when there was no telling if his offer was sincere or if spies loyal to Qian Chu were lurking within the chamber.
Zhou Yanfei narrowed his eyes slightly, but he didnât continue to dwell on the topic and said, "Letâs talk about something else then. During the Supreme Demon Sealer Qualifications... What happened?"
"Why are you asking me that again? I already told you everything back then." Yan Hara raised her eyebrows in a puzzled manner.
"My memories are getting a little hazy these days, so why donât you remind me?"
Yan Hara rubbed her eyes and let out a soft sigh. "As Iâve said before, I was in the midst of battling the Demon Emperor when I was suddenly seized by the Demon Sealing Flag. At the time, I didnât understand what had happened, but I later learned it was Qian Chu who had saved me."
She paused briefly before adding, "Thatâs also why I have no intention of challenging him. I could never turn against the one who saved my life."
Naturally, sheâd already realized that it was Yuan who saved her that day, but it was true that she initially thought it was Qian Chu who saved her life.
"Ah, yes. I recall now," Zhou Yanfei said, his voice laced with curiosity. "Though, I find it rather strange that Qian Chu saved you, yet allowed the others to perish. Why is that? Are you two perhaps... involved in that kind of relationship?"
Yan Haraâs expression turned cold as she said with quiet fury, "Even if youâre the Demon Sealing Grottoâs leader, I wonât allow such disrespect."
Zhou Yanfei quickly offered a courteous nod. "My apologies if my speculation came off as offensive. But that only deepens the mysteryâwhy did he save you? To my knowledge, Qian Chu has never intervened personally for anyone before."
"Youâll have to ask Qian Chu since I have no idea what heâs thinking."
Zhou Yanfei let out a heavy sigh. "That day, three of our most gifted Demon Sealers lost their lives, while the Demon Sealing Clan suffered not a single casualty. We will not rest until the truth is unveiled, and those responsible are held accountable."
"..."
Yan Hara fell silent. There was nothing she could say to defend that incident, as she understood how guilty the Demon Sealing Clan looked. She had been there, but held no control over what had transpired. And even if Qian Chu had truly tried to orchestrate their deaths as an accident, they had no proof.
"I will ask you one last time. Do you know what happened on that day?" Zhou Yanfei asked again a moment later.
"No." Yan Hara instantly responded with an adamant face.
"In that case, thereâs nothing more to discuss. Should you choose to challenge Qian Chu or want to switch sides, you may contact us again. And before you leave, weâd like you to pass a message to the rest of the Demon Sealing Clan."
Zhou Yanfei paused briefly, his expression turning cold and his gaze radiating killing intent.
"We, the Demon Sealing Grotto, hereby declare war on the Demon Sealing Clan. From this moment forth, any member of your clan who dares approach us will be killed without mercy."
Yan Haraâs eyes widened with disbelief. "What happened to not turning on each other because of the looming threat?! You called it foolish just minutes ago!"
Zhou Yanfei responded with a cold sneer.
"I was talking about you, Yan Hara. It would be foolish to eliminate a Demon Sealer of your caliber. But the rest of the Demon Sealing Clan?" He scoffed.
"Theyâre nothing but dead weightâfodder in the face of war against the demons. Purging them would be a mercy, not a loss."
"Th-Thatâsâ!"
"Why are you so shocked?" Zhou Yanfei said. "You of all people shouldâve seen this coming. Our factions have been at each otherâs throats for decades, and it was only a matter of time. This war didnât begin with us. Your Demon Sealing Clan lit the fire. We only sought to hone our Demon Sealing Aura and hunt demons, but your people forced our hand."
Although Yan Hara couldnât refute Zhou Yanfeiâs words, she still sought a path to reconciliation. A war between them now, with the looming threat of demons, would be nothing short of catastrophic.
Just as Yan Hara struggled to find a solution, Yuan finally broke his silence and calmly said, "If you donât mind, there are a few things I would like to say."
"Huh?" Zhou Yanfeiâs gaze snapped to Yuan, his eyes sharp with disdain. "This conversation is far beyond your station, boy. Do yourself and your master a favor: keep quiet and walk away before you make this any worse."
Despite the threat, a tranquil expression remained on Yuanâs face as he spoke, "I understand your fury over the loss of your Demon Sealers. However, both factions bear some responsibility for what transpiredâand if blame must be assigned, Qian Chu bears the greatest burden. To condemn the entire Demon Sealing Clan for the actions of one man would be both unreasonable and shortsighted."