The Yincha Demonic God was furious, almost wishing he could wipe out this bunch of incompetent fools!
But that is the nature of the Demonic Clan; each is selfish and only looks out for their own interests. Even under the same Demonic Godās command, they harbor different intentions, making it impossible to tightly unite, only slightly better than a loose pile of sand.
Between the Demonic Gods, there is constant deceit and backstabbing.
The Yincha Demonic God had already lost two Demonic Kings, significantly weakening his power. If he were to kill more Demonic Kings, it would not only be of no benefit to him, but might also provoke the covetousness of others Demonic Gods.
If he were too harsh on his subordinate Demonic Kings, they might covertly pledge allegiance to other Demonic Gods, which would be greatly detrimental to him.
Reluctantly, he resorted to severely scolding them, knocked some sense into each of his Demonic Kings, deprived them of part of their wealth as punishment, and finally let them go.
After all the Demonic Kings had left, the anger churning within Yincha Demonic God finally subsided a bit.
However, the resentment still weighed heavily on his heart, unable to dissipate.
In his view, the reason for such a dire situation was the current lack of a strong and capable Demon Lord.
Only an incredibly powerful and wise Demon Lord could suppress the various Demonic Gods, gathering the demonic clanās scattered forces into a cohesive rope, rather than engaging in endless internal strife as they do now.
Therefore, it is imperative to welcome back the Demon Lord!
"Send orders out; from today, our Yincha Demonic God Hall lineage will temporarily retract for defense and enter a recuperation period." The Yincha Demonic Godās icy vertical pupils contracted slightly, with a glimmer flashing in his eyes.
Although this battle was fought poorly, it was ultimately not a complete failure, at least Wu Mingyan had successfully been rescued back, initially infiltrating the humans.
With her presence, the plan isnāt considered a failure.
What does this present loss amount to? As long as the Demon Lord returns, all losses will eventually be recovered tenfold or a hundredfold!
...
Around the same time.
The Great Drought of Changning Wangās.
Inside the Secluded Dragon Cottage, Wang Shouzhe and Emperor Ziāan were staring at each other.
This time, Emperor Ziāan didnāt even bring Wang Shizhao, leaving him to oversee the situation in Return to Dragon City.
"I have a suggestion," Wang Shouzhe said as he poured tea.
"Speak freely, Shouzhe," said Emperor Ziāan with a gentle and amicable demeanor. "Our monarch-subject relationship is extraordinary, any thoughts you have, I will approve them all."
"I see Your Highness visiting my Wang family often, why not just relocate the capital to Changning? It would save you from the constant travel," Wang Shouzhe said with a sarcastic undertone. "That way, you can always benefit from exploiting my Wang family."
"Shouzhe, oh Shouzhe, has the relationship between us monarch and subject deteriorated to such a degree?" Emperor Ziāan looked innocent. "Couldnāt it be that I miss you very much, specifically coming to visit you?"
"Your Highness usually only acts for personal gain. Tell me, what contribution to the state would you have me make this time?" Wang Shouzhe grumbled, "Donāt beat around the bush, just be honest."
"I heard you brought back a āGreen Immortal Islandā and are planning to establish it as a Sacred Land," Emperor Ziāan chuckled after sipping his tea. "I donāt ask for much, can you let the Da Qian Court have a share? Just ten percent will do."
"Are you doing this for Wuās Family to get a share, or is it for the court?" Wang Shouzhe asked with a leisurely demeanor.
"Naturally, itās for the court," Emperor Ziāan said helplessly. "Our Da Qian Court is striving to catch up with the Immortal Dynastyās pace, theoretically in the future a prefectural governor should be of Divine Power Territory, but right now our Da Qianās Divine Power Territory is either a Prince, a Marshal, a Sacred Land Enlightened One, or a Prominent Familyās Old Ancestor. There is no proper path for promotion to county guard or prefectural governor~"
"Very well, as long as the court invests the necessary funds and effort, we can allocate ten percent to the court," Wang Shouzhe sighed, "Everything follows the contract and regulations and must be notarized in the Immortal Dynasty."
"Shouzhe, our relationship..." Emperor Ziāan looked aggrieved.
"Donāt. Our relationship is good, but even brothers need to have clear accounts, let alone weāre not real brothers," Wang Shouzhe said, "Contracts are the foundation of lasting peace. When we both are no longer around, this contract ensures that the descendants of Wuās Family and Wang family can get along peacefully, and so can the relationship between the Wang family and the court."
"Shouzhe, your foresight is admirable," Emperor Ziāan ceremoniously saluted.
As they were talking.
A household head came to report: "Family Head, Young Master Fugui requests your presence at the āIdle Manās Residence,ā he says itās a matter of importance."
Idle Manās Residence, of course, is Wang Fuguiās own abode.
"Oh, Fugui, that kid sure puts on airs," Emperor Ziāan feigned anger with a look of righteous indignation. "Two Old Ancestors are here, heās not even coming to pay respects, and dare send someone to summon us? Heās really something~"
"Now, Your Highness, donāt just seize opportunities to act as an elder. Our familyās Fugui has always been self-restrained and courteous, surely heās tangled up in something and canāt get away, hence this desperate measure," Wang Shouzhe was nonchalant, and as he spoke, he stood up, elegantly rising with a light flying technique heading towards Fuguiās Idle Manās Residence.
"Wait for me, letās go together."
Emperor Ziāan couldnāt hold back his curiosity, he leaped into the air and followed, ready to see the excitement.
Before long, they arrived at the entrance to the Idle Manās Residence.
At the courtyard entrance, a servant was already waiting. Upon seeing them, he immediately came forward to greet them one by one and then led them into the courtyard.
As they walked, he constantly apologized on behalf of Wang Fugui: "Family Head, this was a sudden situation, our young master had no other option but to send someone to invite you, it wasnāt intentional neglect."
In conversation, they had already arrived by the pavilion in the courtyard.
There Wang Fugui was, in that pavilion, but not sitting; instead, he stood there respectfully, repeatedly bowing towards a crystal screen, "Yes, yes, what Your Majesty says is correct, Fugui will definitely keep it in mind."
And that crystal screen was being held by a clone of Wang Lixian, evidently helping to facilitate a video call.
Wang Shouzhe and Emperor Ziāan were quick-witted people, when they saw this, they exchanged a glance and immediately understood.
Who else but the Immortal Emperor of the Immortal Dynasty could make Fugui behave so?
Emperor Ziāan was invigorated, quickly scurrying over to bow to the crystal screen, "Emperor Ziāan of Dongqian, paying respects to the Immortal Emperor."
Wang Shouzhe watched, unable to suppress a thousand emotions in his heart.
Poverty really is the knife that kills the pig, huh? Look at what it has reduced the once heroic Wu Mingyuan to?
With a sigh in his heart, he tidied his attire, walked forward slowly, and respectfully saluted the elegantly attired Immortal Emperor in the crystal screen, "Shouzhe greets the Immortal Emperor."
"So you are Wang Shouzhe?" The Immortal Emperor directly ignored Emperor Ziāan, looking Wang Shouzhe up and down with interest, "The Family Head Shouzhe is indeed as the rumors say, handsome and poised, no wonder you can nurture so many outstanding talents for the human race."
Hmm?
Wang Shouzheās heart skipped a beat, he felt that these words sounded very familiar.
Thinking carefully, he suddenly realized.
Recently, whenever Emperor Ziāan visited the Wang family, he would start with a wave of compliments, right? The Immortal Emperorās words were just more elegantly phrased, his demeanor slightly more reserved and dignified, but essentially not much different.
Could it be, the Immortal Emperor has finally reached the point where he cannot resist squeezing his family for benefits?
...