Refining the Mountains and Rivers

The Demon Envoy immediately rushed to the Sky Hub Division. His face was dark and his eyes were as cold as ice. He asked, "Elder Qing, just how long will it take before the channel can be restored?"

Qing Ruhong lightly said, "Now that the channel has collapsed, we cannot send people in to make a complete estimate of what the degree of damage is. But in my opinion, the chances of fully repairing the channel aren't too high."

The Demon Envoy's face turned thoroughly black. As he looked around at the Sky Hub Division that was in utter confusion, he barely managed to suppress the rage in his chest. This wasn't the time to be holding people accountable.

"Elder Qing, you should understand how great the importance of the Demon Realm channel is. I hope you can do your best to fix this situation!"

Qing Ruhong was silent for some time. She nodded. "Demon Envoy, there is no need for you to worry. As the head of the Sky Hub Division, this is my duty."

The Demon Envoy cupped his hands together and hastily left.

Looking at his back, a complex look appeared on Qing Ruhong's indifferent face. After a period of uncertain silence, she finally sighed.

Because of how important the Demon Realm channel was to the lineage of the Holy Palace, besides the main transmission channel, there was another spare channel located in the Holy Palace.

Due to her position, Qing Ruhong was able to know of this secret. If she were to reveal this, the impact of the main channel being destroyed would instantly vanish. But after hesitating for a long time, she chose to remain silent.

Yao Bin had made no mistakes. Moreover, he was the Holy Palace's Holy Son so his dignity couldn't be offended…but Frost's life, was he to disappear just like that?

The seed of hate in her heart had finally taken root.

…

The previous Demon Monarch had a frigid expression. He coldly said, "After the matter with Bai Xinyuan, a great internal investigation was conducted throughout the three great influences of the Demonic Path, so how did a little fish escape, much less manage to touch the Demon Realm channel? An Yang, you were too negligent!"

The Demon Envoy bitterly smiled and bowed deeply, "Teacher, Bai Xinyuan's case has made all three sides extremely nervous. An investigation was started, beginning from the top down. In order to avoid alerting any hidden spies and having them cause as much damage as possible before they were found, for a while we hadn't taken into account the very lowest level…"

"Humph!" The previous Demon Envoy didn't hide his disappointment. He thought for a moment and then quietly said, "Can Qing Ruhong's words be trusted?"

The Demon Envoy furrowed his eyebrows. "Teacher might be overthinking things. Elder Qing is a prideful person. She shouldn't do something that would harm the entire Demonic Path. Your disciple believes her words."

The previous Demon Envoy noticed his stoic and steady stance and his face softened a little. "I am not suspecting that she played a role in this matter. If Qing Ruhong wanted to ruin the Demon Realm channel, it wouldn't be something as simple as this."

The Demon Envoy's thoughts stirred. "Is teacher thinking about the matter of repairing the channel?"

The previous Demon Envoy was expressionless. "Don't forget what happened with the spirit of the Endless Sea Great Array. That little girl Qing is also someone I watched growing up. Even though she appears cold and indifferent on the outside, she is someone who heavily values sentiment and feelings."

The Demon Envoy bowed. "This disciple understands. I will pay attention to this matter."

The previous Demon Envoy closed his eyes. After several breaths of time he coldly said, "Because the throne of the Holy Monarch has been empty for all these years, whenever we compete with the Immortal Sect we have always been holding back. It seems that they have forgotten that when it comes to slaughter and destruction, we are far more skilled. Pass out orders to have the Shadows begin moving. Have them give a warning to the Immortal Sect to not be so reckless!"

…

Eastern Sun City.

Because of the ceremony to visit and worship the Holy Son, this originally bustling city was much livelier than usual. Right now, the streets were filled with elegant and beautiful cultivators, most of them accompanied by guards.

A considerable number of these people were juniors who had accompanied their fathers and grandfathers to open their eyes. These were young masters and misses who were highly respected in their own territories, and none of them were easy to deal with.

In a short several days, several fights broke out throughout Eastern Sun City. Fortunately, although these juniors were arrogant, they weren't brainless. None of them made too big a fuss of things.

If any problems were to occur in Eastern Sun City in the current situation, that would be offending the honor of the Holy Son Palace.

But there were always exceptions, and there were even some people who acted completely intentionally. For instance, right now in this long and narrow street, the Ning Family just happened to meet Fang Changling.

A number of juniors stood behind Fang Changling. Right now, he was looking at the group of people in front of him, his gaze falling upon a girl wearing a white veil. Her appearance was blurry and hidden, but the fragrance that came from her still caused the eyes of several people to brighten.

"Old Sir Ning, we haven't seen each other for just a dozen some days so why do you look so thin and haggard? For some things, it's always best to look past them. Why keep worrying so much?" Fang Changling smiled as he spoke, his expression rather sincere.

Ning Rufeng was expressionless. "My body is quite well. Patriarch Fang need not worry about my present condition. I have other matters to attend to today, so I will excuse myself first." He led his people forward.

Fang Changling stepped in front of him. "There is always a reason behind meeting; why be so estranged with me?" His eyes glanced over. "This is your niece Ning Liang, right? She really was born beautiful. Hah, what a pity! I hear that Old Sir Ning came to Eastern Sun City not just to visit and give obeisance to the Holy Son Palace, but also to look for a husband for your niece. Old Sir Ning, please take a look. Those behind me are the most outstanding juniors of my Fang Family. How about tying our families together through marriage? We can look after each other from now on!"

Ning Rufeng's face darkened. He said, "Patriarch Fang, please watch your words. My granddaughter has no intention of seeking a husband. I thank you for the good intent and I will make sure to keep it in heart!"

"Ahh." Fang Changling nodded in understanding. A strange look came over his face. "Could the rumors be true? The reason Old Sir Ning led his granddaughter all the way to Eastern Sun City was to offer her to His Highness….well, in the end we are still noble families of the Demonic Path, so we should keep some semblance of dignity up. If you just eagerly send up this offering to the Holy Son Palace, aren't you afraid that others will look down on your granddaughter Ning Liang?"

"Shut up!" Ning Yuntao flew into a rage, his eyes looking as if they could eat others. "Fang Changling, stop spouting such baseless accusations! Do you think my Ning Family will let you freely humiliate us!?"

He could clearly see the ill intent in the Fang Family's heart. Fang Changling had first mentioned them 'seeking a son-in-law' in order to mar Ning Liang's reputation, and then he mentioned them offering her up to His Highness; this was clearly to destroy any path the Ning Family had left to survive.

He looked at his quiet niece. As he thought about her calm silence ever since she received the news, his chest filled with intense anger and his eyes turned red.

Fang Changling's complexion darkened. "Ning Yuntao, you are not yet the patriarch of the Ning Family and yet you still dare to be so unbridled. Do I personally need to teach you how to respect your seniors?" Behind him, numerous Fang Family cultivators took a step forward, their eyes shining with violence. Several unscrupulous looks fell on Ning Liang's body.

If there really was a conflict here, they would take this chance to rough her up and feel her body a few times. Not to mention how nice it must feel, but it would also cause her to lose all face. Then, they could see what courage the Ning Family still had to offer her to His Highness.

The Fang Family had already plotted this in advance. The Ning Family master had been stirred into anger, and a fight could break out at any moment. Suddenly, there was a loud shout, "Everyone, stop!"

The surrounding crowd quickly dispersed. A squad of True Demon Guards stepped into the field, led by Shang Yuntai. His cold eyes swept over everyone. "The great ceremony is approaching and chaos is not allowed in Eastern Sun City. I hope that you can all restrain yourselves, otherwise we will be forced to interfere."

Fang Changling frowned. Everything had proceeded smoothly today, but then these True Demon Guards had appeared out of nowhere, upending his plan. Still, they were the subordinates of His Highness the Holy Son, so he couldn't offend them.

Without saying anything, Fang Changling glanced at the steward beside him. The steward immediately plastered a smile on his face and hurried forward, respectfully bowing. "Misunderstanding, this is just a misunderstanding. We are the Fang Family from West Prosperity City. We happen to be old acquaintances with Herald City's Ning Family, so how could we possibly cause a commotion?" With just a few words, the identity of both sides had been made known. But, everyone could clearly see the truth. The steward's smile brightened and he silently passed over a storage ring. "It must have been laborious for you all to keep guard over the city. Here is some wine money. Please accept it as a sign of our respect towards His Highness the Holy Son."

These last words were spoken well. Even though everyone knew that this was a bribe, they still couldn't say anything about it. If it were anyone else, they might have been wary about the prestige of a noble family and have chosen to ignore this problem. But, Shang Yuntai had already experienced his beloved woman being taken away by others and he had no favorable impression at all towards these types of families that abused their power and status.

Of course, the most important part was that His Highness was standing behind him.

"We follow His Highness the Holy Son and are provided for by him. There is no need for the Fang Family to be so thoughtful. I ask that both sides immediately leave."

The steward's smile froze.

Fang Changling let out a deep breath. "Let's go!"

Even though he was unhappy about this, he knew that he absolutely could not provoke these True Demon Guards in front of him.

Ning Rufeng hesitated for a moment. He didn't walk forward to thank them, instead simply nodding his head in gratitude. He took his people and left in a hurry.

Like this, a storm faded away. Seeing that there was nothing else to see, the crowd began to disperse. However, a good number of eyes fell on Shang Yuntai. As they said, like servant, like master. It seemed that these True Demon Guards had a very high standard. If so, His Highness the Holy Son was not likely to be someone who was easy to mess with. Many people felt more fear and awe in their hearts.

"Big Brother Shang, West Prosperity City's Fang Family has been rising these past years and is pretty well known. I know a little of their enmities with the Ning Family. From what I see, all of this is a power struggle between noble families. I fear we'd just be doing a thankless job if we were to interfere with their business." A True Demon Guard quietly said, a worried look in his eyes.

Shang Yuntai faintly said, "I know you are saying this out of good intentions, but you must remember above all that we are True Demon Guards, and as True Demon Guards, the only one who makes decisions is His Highness. If we cannot even complete the task that His Highness gave us, what does it matter if we have smooth relations with everyone? Alright, enough of this. We will continue our patrol."

The True Demon Guards present all revealed ashamed expressions. Just now they had also been secretly resenting and thinking that Shang Yuntai shouldn't have interfered. Luckily, they had all regained their senses. The current Holy Palace now had His Highness. If they still muddled around and forgot what their true mission was, then they likely wouldn't be able to wear their armor for much longer.

Thinking some more, since they had the support of His Highness, who cared if the other party was a noble family? Even if they were guilty of something, who dared to jump out and oppose them? Unless they were tired of living.

Everyone's spirits were lifted. They held their heads up high and a noble light began to shine in their eyes!