From her vantage point high above, Mu Qiuhan naturally saw that the demonic general just now was looking for her.
She also happened to know that this person was a trusted aide under Leng Yi, named Leng Yao. He was Leng Yi’s own nephew and had entered the Void Refinement realm several years ago.
Although this could be considered top-tier talent among the younger generation in the Demon Realm, it clearly wasn’t enough to qualify him as a Grand General of the Imperial Guard.
Why did Leng Yi give him his token?
Could it be that he really intended to eliminate her discreetly, so he could firmly secure his position as Demon lord?
Mu Qiuhan curved her lips, a cold smile hanging at the corner of her mouth.
Fortunately, when she met Wei Liangfeng before, she had deliberately hidden her true appearance, otherwise, the matters concerning her in the Taiqing Immortal Sect would likely not have been kept secret.
But then she thought again, if he truly went around asking everyone in a carpet search fashion like Leng Yao, in such a large Immortal Sect, it was inevitable that he would run into someone who knew her.
Her whereabouts might soon be impossible to conceal.
It seemed Leng Yi still didn’t dare to search for her too openly, which was why he sent people to investigate in private.
But looking at Leng Yao’s actions, he clearly wasn’t trying too hard to avoid notice, which was why he so boldly took out that portrait recognizable to everyone in the Demon Realm.
Perhaps Leng Yi hadn’t fully informed Leng Yao of his purpose in searching for her?
Mu Qiuhan’s thoughts circled around, while beside her, Shang Ningye and Chuxue exchanged glances several times.
A wave of fear washed over Shang Ningye’s heart.
It was fortunate she had been a few seconds late just now; if she had truly activated her spiritual energy, the whereabouts of the few of them would likely have been exposed at this moment.
That group of soldiers wasn’t a major threat; escaping from their grasp completely unharmed shouldn’t have been particularly difficult.
But the person who appeared later seemed to have a cultivation base even higher than Mu Qiuhan’s, especially since he looked like he was specifically searching for Mu Qiuhan.
What was he looking for Mu Qiuhan for?
Could it be that the demonic woman from last time realized Mu Qiuhan had stolen her magic artifact and sent someone to investigate?
Shang Ningye glanced at Mu Qiuhan with some worry.
If she were to confront that person directly, there would likely be a tough battle.
Mu Qiuhan might be able to temporarily resist the opponent’s attacks using her various strange techniques, but she hadn’t yet entered the Void Refinement realm after all, and the gap in cultivation base wasn’t something a few techniques could bridge.
Furthermore, if this were to draw in the higher-ups of the Demonic race, things would truly become troublesome.
Two Mahayana realm cultivators were not to be trifled with.
Shang Ningye had to remind herself again that she couldn’t act impulsively anymore.
While the safety of the disciples wasn’t a small matter, Chuxue and Mu Qiuhan’s safety was even more important.
She should be able to clearly distinguish what was more and less important.
If her momentary impulse caused them to fall into danger, Shang Ningye couldn’t imagine how much she would regret it.
As she was thinking, she suddenly heard a demonic soldier speaking softly below.
“‘What do you think is really going on with the Lord? I heard that although this campaign is under the banner of revenge, in reality, those few individuals are all searching for the Lord in private. Is the Lord really still alive? If that’s truly the case, why is General Leng still holding the position of Demon lord to this day?'”
The leading demonic soldier shook his head at him.
“‘Hush, do you want to die!'”
He carefully listened for a moment to the surrounding sounds before saying, “‘We’ve never seen that person before, yet he’s carrying the Grand General’s token. I suspect he’s probably one of that person’s people. General Hua has repeatedly ordered us not to discuss matters of the Ruler; have you forgotten?! Calling that person ‘General’ openly—are you trying to make your head sit less steadily on your shoulders?'”
Seeing the other soldier’s stunned expression, the leading demonic soldier added, “‘Let’s not poke our noses into other people’s business. Getting the captives back safely is our mission. We finally caught two alive; General Hua will definitely be happy to see them. If nothing goes wrong on the way, maybe we’ll even get a reward.'”
The other demonic soldier had now figured out the crux of the matter.
Matters concerning the position of Demon lord weren’t something they, mere soldiers, could casually discuss.
Leng Yi might not have been able to do anything about General Hua, but dealing with them, these mere soldiers, was more than enough.
He instantly broke out in a cold sweat as well, nodding mutely and saying nothing further.
The squad quickly resumed their original formation and silently headed into the distance.
Mu Qiuhan listened to the two men’s conversation from the treetop, thinking, It seems Wu Ling still hasn’t fully obeyed.
She must have already contacted Chu Yue and Hua Ganglie in private, otherwise, the current situation wouldn’t be like this.
She sighed inwardly.
Had the clan just undergone two major battles, with numerous losses yet to recover, only to be plunged into internal strife because of her?
What was Leng Yi thinking?
She had already entrusted the Lord’s Seal to him for safekeeping, signifying that she wouldn’t interfere with clan affairs for the time being and everything would be decided by him.
Wasn’t that enough?
Did he have to have that position of Demon lord to be satisfied?
Should she seize the opportunity to test Leng Yi and the others’ intentions?
But was this truly the right time?
Mu Qiuhan hesitated for a moment.
Chuxue felt the squad of demonic soldiers had already gone far away and gradually relaxed.
It turned back to look at Mu Qiuhan beside her and directly voiced the doubts in Shang Ningye’s heart.
“Why was that person looking for you just now?”
Hearing this, Mu Qiuhan thought, Oh no.
Never mind, perhaps this is fate. She doesn’t need to dwell on this matter anymore.
She didn’t answer Chuxue, but her gaze was fixed directly on the faintly visible road ahead.
Sure enough, not long after, the figure of the man in black emerged from the vegetation and reappeared before them.
Mu Qiuhan knew the importance of striking first.
She told Shang Ningye and Chuxue to stay put and lightly leaped down from the branch herself.
She stood firm at the base of the tree, watching as the man walked closer and closer, his steps slowing, and the expression on his face becoming increasingly complex.
Mu Qiuhan lightly curved her lips.
Having such a reaction indicated he had a guilty conscience and further proved that Leng Yi truly had ulterior motives.
She hadn’t deliberately released any oppressive aura, but despite the distance of only a few steps, cold sweat was already streaming down the man’s forehead.
“What is the meaning of that expression?”
Mu Qiuhan’s tone was playful, but her eyes were already icy.
“Weren’t you just searching for this Lord? Did seeing me now surprise you so much? Or rather, did you think this Lord should have been dead long ago?!”
Her former majesty was still present after all, and under Mu Qiuhan’s step-by-step pressure, the man finally couldn’t bear it and dropped to his knees with a thud.
“This subordinate wouldn’t dare.”
Mu Qiuhan seized the opportunity to step forward and grasped the vital point on his neck.
“Wouldn’t dare? I think you’re quite daring!”
She tightened the grip of her hand.
Only when she felt the person in her grasp was trembling all over did she loosen her hold slightly.
“Where is Leng Yi? Why didn’t he come?”
Leng Yao, having his vital point held, was already panicking intensely.
He was afraid he would die here today.
He somewhat regretted taking on this head-losing task from his uncle.
It was because he had personally witnessed the scene of the Lord self-detonating her Core that he didn’t believe the rumors within the clan about the Lord still being alive.
He had thought this trip would be quite easy, who would have known…
His uncle must truly be mad. Knowing the Lord was still alive, how could he possibly have such an idea?
How could he think the Lord would have a moment of weakness!
And even try to take the Lord’s life at an opportune moment!
That was the Lord who could come back to life even after dying!!!
Mu Qiuhan waited for a moment. Seeing Leng Yao’s eyes flicker, yet he didn’t answer, she gradually lost her patience.
The grip in her hand tightened again.
“I’m asking you, where is Leng Yi?!”
“The Lord, he…”
Leng Yao was startled as soon as he spoke.
He knew he had said the wrong thing and quickly changed his words, “Lord, General Leng should be with General Hua at this moment, discussing the next steps.”
Ever since they attacked Longxuan Mountain, General Hua hasn’t even bothered with the etiquette between ruler and subject, constantly keeping a close eye on my uncle, giving him no possibility whatsoever of acting alone.
Otherwise, for something so important, why would Uncle send me?
Thinking of this, Leng Yao became even more frightened.
General Hua probably knows some inside information as well; otherwise, he wouldn’t disregard the new ruler’s dignity and push things to this extent.
Only I was kept in the dark, foolishly used as a pawn.
He even resented his uncle at this moment, wondering if it was still possible to switch sides now.
Leng Yao waited for a moment, unable to wait for Mu Qiuhan to speak.
A wave of panic washed over his heart again.
He was afraid the Lord wasn’t satisfied with his answer and would crush him to death in displeasure, so he asked somewhat ingratiatingly, “Lord, do you need me to summon my uncle over?”
The implication was that he seemed to want to use himself as bait to lure Leng Yi over.
Mu Qiuhan understood his meaning as soon as she heard it.
However, she didn’t feel happy because of this; instead, a faint sadness arose in her heart.
Leng Yao like this was more than a hundred thousand times worse than his uncle, Leng Yi.
Although his cultivation base had reached the Void Refinement realm at this moment, it wasn’t impossible for him to gradually enter the Integration realm in the future.
However, this person was incapable of great tasks.
The reason Leng Yi sent him this time, while certainly due to Hua Ganglie and Chu Yue, was also because many generals and outstanding young men in the clan were lost in the previous battles, and this battle might have casualties as well.
Leng Yi might truly have no one else left to use at this point.
Mu Qiuhan sighed inwardly.
Now was truly not the time for internal conflict.
She took a pill from her storage ring and stuffed it into Leng Yao’s mouth.
Then she slapped his back with one hand, forcing him to swallow the pill.
Mu Qiuhan released Leng Yao.
“From now on, go to the High Priest for the antidote each month.”
Her voice sounded somewhat weary.
“Go back and tell Leng Yi not to be too greedy. Help this Lord manage the clan’s affairs well, and he won’t lack rewards in the future.”
She waved her hand, intending to let Leng Yao leave at this.
However, a voice sounded from a distance, drawing closer in the air.
“Who is so audacious as to impersonate the Demon lord!”
Mu Qiuhan’s heart turned cold.
In an instant, she mobilized the spiritual energy throughout her body, protecting several key areas.
Before she could even look up, the owner of that voice appeared before her eyes.
