Chapter 39 - Demon Lord Arrives! Li Chenqian Crumbles!
Chapter 39: Demon Lord Arrives! Li Chenqian Crumbles!
In Chang’an’s Daming Palace, within Zichen Hall, Emperor Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne, brow furrowed. Below, Zhangsun Wuji, Du Ruhui, and Fangling mirrored his unease, grappling with news of Demon Lord Chong Lou’s appearance in Yangzhou. The trio couldn’t fathom why. To Chong Lou, Yangzhou was a speck, crushable at whim. What drew him there?
Zhangsun Wuji, Heavenly Kui Star, pondered before bowing. “Your Majesty, whatever Chong Lou seeks, we should not interfere. His power is beyond our reach, and his neutrality toward Tang suggests no enmity. The Ten Demon Kings are our pressing threat.” Du Ruhui, Left Assistant Star, nodded. “Reports confirm the Golden-Winged Peng King in Nanzhao has completed its transformation, devastating the Moon Priest Sect. We should prioritise the remaining Demon Kings.”
Their logic was clear: Chong Lou was untouchable, and with no conflict, Tang shouldn’t provoke him. The Demon Kings demanded urgent focus. Li Shimin agreed. Tang was battered by storms—Chong Lou was a storm too fierce to court. “Very well,” he said gravely. “What strategies do you have for the Demon Kings?” Fang Xuanling, Right Assistant Star, stepped forward. “Your Majesty, let the dynasty fund sects with resources to hunt the Demon Kings…”
In Huizhou, scars from the mysterious hand’s strike lingered. Within a lavish courtyard in Huizhou City, Crown Prince Li Chenqian lounged on a cushioned divan, surrounded by wine jars and fragrant maids. Gulp, gulp! He chugged, then hurled his cup to the floor. “Get out! All!” The maids, pale, scurried away. Alone, his swollen, pallid face betrayed no princely grace. “Damn it! Li Tai! Li Zhi! You’ll pay!” he snarled, venom lashing his curses.
Since the hand’s emergence, his life had been a nightmare. Li Tai was summoned to Chang’an and hadn’t returned. Spies reported rising water levels there—proof Li Shimin had bestowed “that thing” on Li Tai, a vital prize signalling imperial favour. It meant Li Chenqian was sidelined. Worse, even the meek Li Zhi had claimed Gou Mang’s legacy, while he got nothing. Jealousy and hatred consumed him, his chest burning, his skull throbbing.
“That cursed hand! It trapped me here, costing me everything!” He shoved the table, wine cups crashing. Thud, thud! Urgent footsteps approached. A guard burst in, frantic. “Your Highness, disaster! The Demon Lord is here!” Li Chenqian’s drunken haze cleared. “Which Demon Lord?” The guard quivered. “The Demon Realm’s… Chong Lou.”
A chill hissed through his teeth. “Take me to see!” On Huizhou’s city walls, he felt a torrent of demonic qi from a western peak. Before that supreme force, he was an ant, too scared to breathe loudly despite the distance. “Chong Lou… why here? What’s he after?” His limbs iced over. Even with 200,000 Heavenly Gang troops, he felt no security. Against Chong Lou, they were less than ants. Thankfully, he hadn’t attacked yet.
Li Chenqian prayed, but a cry shattered his hopes. “Y-Your Highness… he’s coming!” Boom! An abyssal pressure descended. Looking up, a towering black silhouette loomed—Chong Lou, his dark purple qi chilling Huizhou to its core. The sun hid, cowed by his aura. Li Chenqian’s teeth chattered, his face bloodless. The 200,000 troops could barely grip their weapons, legs trembling. Nearly a million citizens froze, some fainting on the spot. Chong Lou’s demonic might was terrifying.