Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Yanyun City, located in the southern part of Bozhou, was a medium-sized city with a population of three million. Its location was unremarkable and its terrain was ordinary. There were many similar, inconspicuous cities within the Heavenly Sword Dynasty.

However, very few people knew that King Yama’s Palace had a stronghold in Yanyun City.

As the number one dark power in the Central Plains, King Yama’s Palace not only had countless experts but also strongholds spread across the various Daozhou. With the exception of a few special ones, nearly every Daozhou had a stronghold. But the Palace had a mysterious origin and acted in unpredictable ways. Therefore, its strongholds were all different and difficult to detect. The organization was also so vast that many forces, even if aware of a stronghold’s existence, would turn a blind eye as long as they themselves were not harmed.

Inside the City Lord’s Mansion of Yanyun City, the short and stout City Lord was attending to his daily duties. He was known for his amiable personality, always wearing a smile and treating the citizens with incredible patience, which had earned him a reputation as a good official far and wide.

But what no one knew was that this short and stout City Lord also held the position of Deputy Director in King Yama’s Palace.

The hierarchy within King Yama’s Palace was strict. Below the Palace Master, the Ten Great Yama Kings held the highest status, followed by the Ten Great Shadow Marshals and the Seventy-two Divisions. These divisions each had their own responsibilities, their reach covering the entire Central Plains. Some powerful Daozhou were overseen by a Director, but Bozhou—while one of the nine great Daozhou of the Heavenly Sword Dynasty—was not Sword Province. Therefore, it only had a Deputy Director presiding over it.

As the short and stout City Lord was attending to his official duties, a cold, urgent voice suddenly sounded in his ear. "My Lord, there is urgent news!" The voice seemed to materialize out of thin air, yet the City Lord showed no surprise. He was clearly accustomed to such occurrences.

"Speak!"

The word "urgent" did not affect the City Lord’s mood. He continued to handle his official duties methodically and without haste.

"Intelligence indicates that the Nineteenth Prince’s army has set off, and their target appears to be us. The army is now not far from here!" the cold voice reported swiftly, daring not to delay. This was a major event that required a decision from the Deputy Director.

The news of the Nineteenth Prince being ambushed at the Chaotic Burial Ground had already spread throughout the nine Daozhou of the dynasty. A Rotten Corpse Saint from King Yama’s Palace had even died in the attack, which was a matter of immense consequence. Therefore, when the Nineteenth Prince called for revenge, many set their sights on King Yama’s Palace. Based on the ambush, the Palace was the clear mastermind.

But King Yama’s Palace held immense power, and no one dared to speculate or discuss it openly. Moreover, the Nineteenth Prince had headed directly for Nanshu Jian Gong, so many believed he dared not target King Yama’s Palace.

The short and stout City Lord shared this view. As a Deputy Director of King Yama’s Palace, he knew just how vast the organization was, boasting more than one Great Emperor Realm expert among its ranks. Although the Heavenly Sword Dynasty was powerful, it was still no match for King Yama’s Palace. He didn’t believe the Nineteenth Prince had the audacity to seek revenge against them and thought he would at most pressure local sacred grounds like Nanshu Jian Gong and Heart Sword Sacred Palace.

However, when his subordinate reported that the Nineteenth Prince’s army was approaching, a flash of astonishment appeared in his eyes. But he had become the Deputy Director of King Yama’s Palace not only through his Saint Realm strength but also his exceptional wisdom, and he quickly regained his composure.

"Gather everyone! Prepare for battle!"

The short and stout City Lord put down his brush. He did not ponder for long before quickly making his decision. This was Bozhou, the territory of the Heavenly Sword Dynasty; it was too late to flee. With the Nineteenth Prince’s army bearing down on them, escape was impossible. Fleeing now would only make them living targets, leading to a swifter death.

The only way forward was to meet them in battle and snatch life from the jaws of death. Of course, he also hoped the majesty of King Yama’s Palace could deter the enemy into retreating. As for making some concessions, he felt there was room for negotiation, as long as they didn’t make exorbitant demands.

It’s been a hundred years since anyone has dared to challenge King Yama’s Palace. I don’t believe you’ll take this risk! A flash of steely conviction shone in the stout City Lord’s eyes.

The might of King Yama’s Palace was built on a history of illustrious victories; it had once obliterated a sacred ground overnight and even defeated an Imperial Clan head-on. For a hundred years, no one had dared to challenge the authority of King Yama’s Palace. If the Nineteenth Prince truly did so, he would be igniting a war between the Heavenly Sword Dynasty and King Yama’s Palace.

This is a crime the Nineteenth Prince cannot afford to bear!

But preparing for the worst was always wise. The short and stout City Lord quickly rose and walked out to mobilize his forces for the Nineteenth Prince’s arrival.

Outside Yanyun City, a dark mass of people flew rapidly closer from the distance, resembling a looming black cloud that pressed down on the entire city, making it hard to breathe.

"What’s happening? Why are enemies attacking?"

"No, not enemies, look! Isn’t that His Majesty’s Imperial Guard? And the Golden Chariot—that’s the Nineteenth Prince!"

"Good heavens, the Nineteenth Prince has come with an army! Is he going to destroy Yanyun City? Could his target for revenge be here?"

Inside Yanyun City, countless citizens felt this oppressive atmosphere and looked up. Seeing the Imperial Guard and Su Han stirred a frenzy of fear and shocked discussion. Su Han’s campaign for vengeance was already renowned throughout Jiuzhou. Many knew he was leading his forces in retaliation and had already visited Nanshu Jian Gong and Heart Sword Sacred Palace, but no one had expected him to come to Yanyun City.

Li Mingliang’s voice boomed, resonating throughout the city. "Everyone, stay where you are and do not move! His Highness has come solely for the stronghold of King Yama’s Palace and wishes no harm to the innocent!" His announcement served as both a warning to the citizens and a declaration to the members of King Yama’s Palace.

"A stronghold of King Yama’s Palace? There are people from King Yama’s Palace in the city?"

Hearing Li Mingliang’s words, the citizens erupted in an uproar. The notorious reputation of King Yama’s Palace was known to all, terrifying enough to make people pale and lose sleep. No one could have imagined that a stronghold of King Yama’s Palace lay hidden within the small city of Yanyun. Although some were skeptical, most of the citizens believed it. After all, why would the Nineteenth Prince mobilize such a massive force if he wasn’t absolutely certain?

"Fissure Puppet Saint, come out! Or must I come and drag you out myself?" Wei Ying’s sharp cry rang out like the shriek of a great roc, echoing in all directions. Her piercing gaze shot straight toward the City Lord’s Mansion.

The Heavenly Sword Dynasty had long known about this stronghold but had simply turned a blind eye. Now that Su Han sought revenge, they had naturally chosen this one, as it was the closest.

WHOOSH!

A shaft of Holy Light burst forth from the City Lord’s Mansion and landed before the army. It was the short and stout City Lord. He was none other than the Fissure Puppet Saint, who possessed the formidable power of the Saint Realm Sixth Layer.

At this point, the Fissure Puppet Saint no longer bothered with his disguise. His opponents already knew who he was, and playing dumb would only end badly. But he still had a degree of confidence, for behind him stood the mighty King Yama’s Palace.

His eyes blazed as he stared intently at Su Han on the Golden Chariot. "Nineteenth Highness, are you truly intent on provoking a war between two Immortal Forces?"