Refining the Mountains and Rivers

As the Fang Family was plotting to enjoy a delicious meal, Qin Yu was also discussing with the Demon Envoy about what land he would be given to him.

"Since Your Highness has not obtained the recognition of the entire Demonic Path, according to customs it isn't suitable for you to stay in the Holy Palace before you succeed the throne of the Holy Monarch. So, the matter of your future land needs to be decided as soon as possible." The Demon Envoy smiled as he spoke. With a flick of his sleeves, a map unfurled in front of him. "I have chosen several places for Your Highness. Please take a look and see if any of them are to your liking."

Concerning the matter of his land, the two of them had already discussed it several times before. Qin Yu wasn't too familiar with the markings on the map. When he glanced over them, he could tell that they were all top tier locations. Not only was the environment good but the resources were rich and plentiful. Moreover, in the surrounding regions there were several large and reputable noble families of the Demonic Path. Thinking over it, these people should all be his direct subordinates in the future.

"Then let's choose this place." Qin Yu smiled and pointed.

The Demon Envoy looked over and nodded. "Your Highness has chosen well. Although this place doesn't have the largest area, the other characteristics of the region suit you best." He paused and then continued, "When Your Highness visits your land you will need a decent vanguard. Besides your own guards, would you like to draw some people from the True Demon Guard?"

Qin Yu shook his head. "I am the Holy Nether Guard Commander, so I have no reason to choose people from the True Demon Guard."

The Demon Envoy understood his thoughts. "With Your Highness' status, while you cannot eliminate the ban on the Endless Sea, it would be fine to bring some people out. This matter can be arranged immediately. In around two days, Your Highness may head over."

"Then I'll have to exhaust Lord Demon Envoy." Qin Yu cupped his hands together and saw the Demon Envoy out. As the Demon Envoy left the hall, a light flashed in his eyes.

Who was the mysterious old man hidden in that great hall?

Because he had his own worries, Qin Yu didn't mention this to the Demon Envoy when he left the Holy Palace. He simply had some more thoughts to mull over.

…

The Demon Envoy ordered some people to deal with the matter of the Endless Sea. After sending them away, he stepped into the hall and bowed, "Teacher."

"For now, it seems that His Highness is a person who places great weight on friendship." The previous Demon Envoy sat quiet and motionless. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

The Demon Envoy nodded. "That is indeed so. I have already investigated the matter with Bai Xinyuan. Besides two of his old servants, there are no other problems."

The previous Demon Envoy lifted a teacup. "Although that is the case, you still cannot be too negligent. As for His Highness' status, even now I am not fully assured."

The Demon Envoy revealed a hesitant look. "Then teacher's meaning is…the trip to the Demon Realm…"

The previous Demon Envoy said, "Make the preparations first. Once you have verified that there is no problem, we will immediately set off."

"This disciple understands."

…

Cloud Grove City, Mu Family Residence.

Although there was no change on the outside, the dwelling had lost the dignity and prestige it had before. The entire mansion was covered in an atmosphere of panic.

The new Holy Son had appeared and it wasn't someone from the Mu Family.

Everyone in the Mu Family knew what this meant.

Without accident, their current happy days would soon come to an end. As for what would happen after that…no one dared to think about it!

In an underground temple, Mu Yunli was without expression. He held a jade talisman in his hand. "You want to succeed the throne of the Holy Monarch? It isn't that easy. The Mu Family still has the opportunity to resist!"

But once he made this step, he would no longer be able to turn back.

A great internal struggle was fought within Mu Yunli. Finally, he let out a deep sigh. There was a hard light in his eyes. It was these people that wouldn't give the Mu Family a path to survive. With such a great family, it wasn't like they could stretch out their necks and allow others to behead them.

"Big brother, perhaps I really was mistaken…but I have no other choice….I have no other choice…"

His muttered whispers reverberated through the walls of the underground temple. A yin chill rose up in the air and the candles flickered in the wind, like devilish figures swaying from side to side.

…

The Holy Land small world had no obvious changings of the four seasons. But right now even though he was bathed in the warm sunlight, Liang Shou still felt a cold chill sweep through his body as his face was pale white.

"Lanlan, why are you so distant from me? I haven't seen you for just a brief period of time, so what happened?" All of his joy from leaving the Endless Sea had completely disappeared.

Hai Lanlan's eyes revealed a trace of hardship. She knew how Liang Shou felt towards her and she was moved by his sentiment, but when it came to matters of the heart, that wasn't something that could be forced.

It was just that the Liang Family had looked after her and taken care of her over the years, so there were some words that she found difficult to say. But now, she could no longer delay, otherwise she would be wronging him too greatly.

"Brother Liang, I have always respected you and regarded you as a true brother. But besides that, there is nothing else in my heart. I hope that Brother Liang can respect my decision and control yourself."

After she spoke, Hai Lanlan bowed and left.

Watching her leave, Liang Shou swayed about, nearly falling to the floor.

This clearly wasn't how it should have been! When they were in the Endless Sea, Lanlan had always been close and intimate with him. They were fated to be star-crossed lovers, so how had things deteriorated in such a short period of time?

He grabbed onto a stone fence, supporting himself. All he felt was weakness and aching in his body. But Liang Shou didn't want to disgrace himself in front of others. He took several steps forward and walked through the flowers on the side of the road, sitting down in the bushes. He closed his eyes, not wanting to think of her, but the only images that appeared were of Hai Lanlan.

After a long period of time, a thought suddenly appeared in Liang Shou's mind. Perhaps this woman who he had once sworn to protect with his life would never return.

As this thought appeared, pain and sorrow submerged him. It was like an arrow pierced through his heart, and even breathing became difficult!

It was only after hearing the sounds of conversation that Liang Shou managed to compose himself.

"Big sister, do you see that even though Miss Hai is usually cold and indifferent, she is actually tense and focused around His Highness the Holy Son."

"Shut up! It isn't for us to speak of such things!" She glanced about and only relaxed when she saw no one around.

The clearly younger girl stuck out her tongue. "I'm not the only one who's saying this, everyone is! But, I think this is also reasonable. His Highness is such an excellent individual, who wouldn't fall for him?"

"The more you speak the more insolent you become. If you keep being so loose-lipped I will report this to the steward and have you sent away."

"Ahh! Big sister I know I was wrong, so please be merciful and don't do that to me!"

Sitting in the flower bushes, Liang Shou watched as the two maids slowly walked away. His breathing gradually deepened and his hands were clenched tight in a fist, so tight that his nails dug into his flesh and dripped blood. Even so, he didn't feel any pain.

He had grown up together with Hai Lanlan since they were children and had a deep understanding of her personality. She was such a cold and arrogant person, so how could she take a liking to Yao Bin in such a short period of time?

Moreover, when he first entered the Endless Sea, she hadn't concealed her loathing towards Yao Bin. This was something well known throughout the entire city!

It definitely wasn't like this! Definitely not!

It must be Yao Bin taking advantage of his current status and doing something to Hai Lanlan. Only because of this would she be so indifferent to him today…yes, yes! Hai Lanlan being so distant towards him was not because she felt nothing towards him, but because she was protecting him!

Some people were like this. When they saw a potential favorable turn while they were deep in despair, they would stubbornly grab onto it. Then, they would make this possibility larger and larger until it occupied their entire mind, never considering that this was simply their own one-sided wishful thinking.

Liang Shou had fallen into this trap. As he thought about how Yao Bin must have threatened Hai Lanlan, he felt as if a knife tore through his heart.

Hai Lanlan was a flower bud he had treasured and loved growing up. He wished he could hold her in his hands and protect her…how could this be…how dare he…

Drops of blood flowed down his fingers and splattered on the ground.

When Hai Lanlan left, she was still feeling a bit restless in her heart. Liang Shou had always been an obstinate and stubborn person. She hoped that he wouldn't provoke any trouble.

After noticing him not returning for some time, she sent some people to the back garden to see if an accident happened to him.

When these people arrived, they saw Liang Shou staring towards the direction of the two maids with a dazed look on his face. They couldn't help but tease him.

Liang Shou forced out a smile. When he learned that Hai Lanlan was the one who sent them over, his heart felt both incomparably warm and incomparably bitter. He increasingly believed that his suspicions were true.

Lanlan still had him in her heart…

Yao Bin!

Yao Bin!!