Chapter 0.89 An Excellent Emperor’s Son-in-Law
The ancient, long-flowing stone pillars exuded a soul-stirring demonic power at all times, their materials of forging unknown.
Qin Gou arrived before the Tenth Pillar, drew a drop of pure blood from the Faceless Hermit, and pressed his palm into the icy demonic pillar.
“Boom.”
The demonic pillar trembled, and the section at its apex wriggled strangely, as if alive, finally transforming into a statue wreathed in demonic flames, gazing down upon all beings.
This scene also appeared in the Abyss Palace, drawing the attention and awe of countless people… The paragon of righteousness, Fairy Li Yuanzhen, skipped and led the applause.
“Ding. Congratulations to the Host for achieving the position of the Tenth Pillar Demon Lord of the Abyss and completing the mission ‘If I Become a Demon, Part Two’. Rewards include sixty thousand Merit points, five lottery draw chances, Celestial Master’s Single Thought Boots (a magic artifact for Qiu Qianyue), a Demon Master’s Wrath Talisman, and permission to upgrade this System once.”
“Ding. Upon upgrading, this System will temporarily enter a dormant state for several days. The Host is advised to first seek a stable and safe location.”
Qin Gou infused his eyes with spiritual power and carefully examined the Tenth Demonic Pillar. He found that this statue was vastly different from any he had seen before, even those crafted in his own image. It was remarkably lifelike and astonishingly vivid, with not a hint of excessive beautification… It was rather infuriating.
“This title…”
“How is this possible?”
Exclamations from the other Demon Lords rang out one after another.
Qin Gou focused his gaze and saw several ancient demonic characters appearing on the middle section of the stone pillar.
‘If you die, the Purgatory Gate shall open, the Great Night shall engulf the heavens, and endless calamity shall befall.’
‘The Tenth Pillar of the Abyss, Zhenyu Demon Lord.’
“Zhenyu?!”
“Is this targeting Senior Yan specifically?”
The current First Pillar Demon Lord, Yan Suoyun, was known by the epithet ‘Arid Prison’.
“The title naturally generated by the demonic pillar always carries some special significance, but it doesn’t necessarily relate to this Seat,” Yan Suoyun said with a light laugh, waving a hand dismissively. Yet, he pondered the meaning of this title. Did it imply that if his benefactor were to die, and without his restraint, Nine Saint Monarch, or some other entity, would bring about the world’s utter destruction?
Everyone was also utterly perplexed. How could the usually strong and domineering First Demon Lord suddenly become so agreeable?
Demon Lord Jia Ren’s gaze flickered between Qin Gou and Yan Suoyun, and she thought with sharp jealousy, “Could it be that Qin Gou, like Demon Lord Duyou, is a favored junior of Senior Yan? That old man who likes pretty boys! He’s probably taken a liking to the powerful regenerative life force of the Faceless Hermit clan…”
“As the Demon Lord newly appointed to Zhenyu, shall I, Demon Lord Fanyin, take you on a tour of the tower to help you familiarize yourself with it?” Lu Changli said at this moment, approaching Qin Gou with a hearty laugh.
“Thank you, Demon Lord Fanyin!” Qin Gou, who had been looking for an excuse to speak with Lu Changli alone, immediately nodded in agreement.
As they walked through the tower, Lu Changli acted like an enthusiastic elder, tirelessly and patiently introducing Qin Gou to everything.
Qin Gou seized the opportunity, ensuring they were alone before intending to inquire about Lu Zhili. However, Lu Changli spoke first, a warm smile on his face, “The esteemed name of Brother Qin Gou has long been thundering in my ears!”
“Demon Lord Fanyin has heard of me?” Qin Gou’s expression showed slight surprise. Could it be that Lu Changli had guessed his true identity from the name ‘Qin Gou’?
“Of course,” Lu Changli replied, hands behind his back, a smile playing on his lips. “Does Brother Qin Gou know of Qin Yuan, the Emperor’s Son-in-law?”
“He is a blood relative of my clan, a junior of mine. However, I left the clan long ago, and though I’ve met him a few times, we are not close.”
Lu Changli’s lips curled upwards. “This Emperor’s Son-in-law is a rare and outstanding young man! I often guide him and know him to be exceptionally intelligent, outwardly beautiful and inwardly wise, capable and diligent, and eager to learn! The Faceless Hermit clan is truly worthy of its reputation as one of the seventy-two ancient clans, with talented individuals emerging in abundance!”
So, Lu Changli was using ‘Qin Yuan’ to curry favor with him? Just as he had previously used the same method to coerce and entice ‘Ying Wusheng’ to stand on his side.
It’s done.
The Emperor’s Son-in-law Qin Yuan is a versatile pawn, used wherever needed! Lu Changli probably mentioned him all day long, either to gain an advantage or to get close, not even bothering to change his words.
“Demon Lord Fanyin flatters me too much?” Qin Gou immediately furrowed his brows, feigning displeasure. “From what I know of the Emperor’s Son-in-law Qin Yuan, his aptitude is mediocre, and his cultivation is low. How can he possibly deserve such praise from Demon Lord Fanyin? His greatest merit is merely being blessed by heaven, coincidentally possessing a refined exterior, a pretty boy with a dashing and exceptionally handsome appearance!”
“What?!” Lu Changli, who had never even met the Emperor’s Son-in-law, was first startled. Then, without hesitation, he put on an expression of displeasure and argued forcefully, “Brother, even if you are Qin Yuan’s elder, I will not allow you to slander this outstanding young hero in such a way! You must know that even your esteemed name was personally conveyed to me by him. Moreover, Brother, you yourself said that you haven’t returned to the clan for a long time, and people always change. How can you continue to view him with your old perspective?”
“Has the Emperor’s Son-in-law Qin Yuan truly become so outstanding?” Qin Gou looked utterly shocked.
Lu Changli nodded vigorously and sincerely, “He is indeed that outstanding! Unparalleled and extraordinary!” In his heart, however, he felt immense frustration. It was so difficult to casually create a connection.
For a moment, Qin Gou almost burst out laughing. A thousand words in his heart condensed into a single word: ‘Satisfied’. Although Lu Changli hadn’t truly met him before, these evaluations were entirely Lu Changli’s own imaginings. Yet, these imaginings were precisely the undeniable truth!
“Indeed, one should view a person with new eyes after some time apart. In that case, my clan and Demon Lord Fanyin truly have a connection.”
“Precisely.” Lu Changli smiled faintly, waiting for this very sentence. “Before Brother was officially elected the Tenth Pillar, I had the highest hopes for you. Now, I am even more eager to get closer to you, Brother.”
“Oh? I happen to have a presumptuous request, and I hope Demon Lord Fanyin will guide me.” Qin Gou cupped his fists and said politely, “May I ask where the Holy Queen Lu Zhili is currently?”
“You wish to see Lu Zhili?” Lu Changli’s eyes lit up.
“Yes, if not for the Holy Queen’s selection, how could I have been elected the Tenth Pillar so easily? It was too hasty then, and I haven’t even had a proper chance to thank the Holy Queen.” Qin Gou smiled gently and charmingly.
“I see. A small matter. I shall lead the way for you.” Lu Changli nodded slightly and led Qin Gou in another direction, then suddenly asked for no apparent reason, “May I ask, Brother Qin Gou, are you married?”
Qin Gou replied without hesitation, “Yes.”
“That’s good.”
Qin Gou looked bewildered.
Lu Changli, however, continued to smile without speaking. One of the reasons why Lu Zhili, now reincarnated as the ‘Heartstriker Snake Woman’, was looked down upon by various Abyss races was that no matter what race she became a Dao Companion of, the offspring she bore would always be Heartstriker Snake Women. If this newly appointed Zhenyu Demon Lord had no other Dao Companions, his own matters would be more troublesome.
