Leave the Demon Lord Behind

The Heavenly Demon Sect was on the move, yet unsure of their destination. The Demon Sovereign had not given any orders, and the recent ambush had left them disheveled and simmering with frustration.

Of course, no one dared voice dissent against the Demon Sovereign.

Their immediate goal was simply to find a place to regroup.

The Left Envoy pondered whether to launch an immediate assault on the three targets and then flee back to the south.

It wasn’t a bad plan. The allied sects would never expect them to strike again so soon.

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became. Decision made.

But should he consult the Demon Sovereign?

Given her recent display of power, ignoring her might seem disrespectful.

Yet, truth be told, though the Demon Sovereign had saved the Heavenly Demon Sect, the Left Envoy refused to acknowledge it.

She was all bluster. If Di Haoran hadn’t been caught off guard, she would have been powerless.

The Left Envoy glanced at the Demon Sovereign, who was still with that person—Su Luo.

Speaking of which, where were Sui Changsheng and Luo Ta?

A sinking feeling took hold. He had assumed those two would make quick work of Su Luo, so he hadn’t paid much attention after assigning them the task.

To think they couldn’t even handle such a simple matter. Useless.

It never crossed his mind that Su Luo might have killed them—only that they were still searching.

"Everyone, follow me," the Left Envoy commanded.

No one moved. They remained behind the Demon Sovereign, going wherever she went.

Anger flared, but a glance at the Right Envoy and the other Demon Lords reminded him they weren’t on his side. Now wasn’t the time to gamble.

Fine. He’d deal with the Demon Sovereign after returning south.

The Left Envoy feigned indifference, pretending he’d never spoken, and fell back into step behind the Demon Sovereign.

As they marched, the Right Envoy sensed the Heavenly Demon Sect was nearing its end.

The Demon Sovereign was weak. The Left Envoy was incompetent. The others were even worse.

This should have been the Earthly Fiend Sect’s golden opportunity, but reality was cruel—they were in worse shape, lacking the strength to seize it.

What a waste. After climbing so high, he’d never accomplished anything significant for his sect.

The Right Envoy needed to plan for the Earthly Fiend Sect’s future. With the Heavenly Demon Sect gone, they’d naturally become the leading demonic faction—but without the power to back it up. Their fate was predictable.

The North End Demon Lord sighed inwardly. His undercover identity was about to crumble. Back in the Emperor Heaven Sect, how would he exploit his position?

Worse, his time with the Heavenly Demon Sect might become a stain on his record, earning him sidelong glances.

The South End Demon Lord also weighed his options. With the Heavenly Demon Sect in shambles, should he kill a few of their members for spirit stones? Or better yet, slay the Demon Sovereign herself—the reward would be unimaginable.

But he’d have to wait until the Left and Right Envoys were dead.

The West Extreme Demon Lord lamented the loss of a perfect scapegoat. Without the Heavenly Demon Sect, he’d have to return to his original organization, the Shadows.

The Shadows lived by one rule: stay low, lower, lowest.

---

The Demon Sovereign walked alongside Su Luo.

"Jiang Ningshu," she asked, "what next?"

Su Luo hadn’t elaborated in his diary, and since she was following his lead today, she didn’t bother thinking for herself.

"Just be ready to leave."

Originally, Luo Xinlan would have escorted Jiang Ningshu through the allied sects’ encirclement. But with Luo Xinlan gone, Su Luo had to take her instead.

"Mm." Jiang Ningshu nodded. "By the way, why do I sense so much hostility?"

"Natural. When disaster strikes, everyone fends for themselves." Su Luo’s tone carried implication, though he doubted the Demon Sovereign would grasp it. Surely she wouldn’t suspect her top subordinates were all scheming behind her back.

Jiang Ningshu, however, asked, "Can you fly?"

That was her only concern.

"Ridiculous. I’m going to be the—" Demon Sovereign’s man.

Not the time, especially not in front of the current Demon Sovereign.

"Never mind. No, I can’t fly."

"You sound like you’re sweet-talking me."

"Misunderstanding. Everything I do is for myself, not you."

"Still, it’s comforting. Thank you."

"Now you’re the one sweet-talking."

"Maybe."

At least conversing with Su Luo wasn’t unpleasant.

Then Su Luo sensed it—the allied sects were coming.

Everything was proceeding as foretold. He relaxed.

Meanwhile, the Heavenly Demon Sect, spotting their pursuers, grew brazen rather than fearful.

"Ha! They dare chase us? Do they not fear our Demon Sovereign slaughtering them all?"

"Looks like they’re delivering themselves to their deaths."

"Perfect. With the Demon Sovereign, victory is assured."

Her earlier performance had left them intoxicated with confidence.

"Time to go. I’ll take you."

Su Luo grabbed Jiang Ningshu’s hand and vanished. Only a few titled Heavenly Demons noticed.

Though the Demon Sovereign was the center of attention, the enemy’s approach from behind diverted most eyes.

No one would suspect Su Luo had taken her—if anything, it should be the other way around.

The Demon Sovereign must have her reasons.

Except, of course, for the highest-ranking few.

Once the Demon Sovereign was gone, the Left Envoy and others who knew the truth fled as well.

The Left Envoy even played his role, shouting, "Scatter! Don’t hesitate!"

The sudden shift stunned the Heavenly Demon Sect. Why flee when they could fight?

They searched for the Demon Sovereign, desperate for her command.

But where was she?

Gone.

The realization struck like lightning. Panic erupted. The Heavenly Demon Sect scattered in disarray.

The allied sects showed no mercy, cutting down those too slow to escape.

Di Haoran blocked the Left Envoy’s path, confidence laced with mockery. "Where’s your Demon Sovereign? Why isn’t she here?"

It aligned with Lin Xuan’s claim—perhaps the Demon Sovereign wasn’t as formidable as believed.

"Dealing with you doesn’t require her presence," the Left Envoy retorted, still upholding the facade.

But he had no intention of fighting to the death. Escape remained the priority.

"Today marks the end of the Heavenly Demon Sect," Di Haoran declared.

The Heavenly Demon Sect faced annihilation.

Half their forces were already trapped—such was the might of the allied sects.

The Emperor Heaven Sect alone could rival them, let alone with reinforcements.

---

Su Luo had been leading Jiang Ningshu for some time.

Next, he’d find Little Yu and Yun, then return south. After that, things would quiet down.

It should have been straightforward.

But now? Unlikely.

Su Luo’s expression turned serious—a rarity.

Nangong Xiyun stood before them.

Her gaze flicked to Su Luo’s hand, still gripping Jiang Ningshu’s.

"Leave the Demon Sovereign behind."

Her voice was ice. The sword in her hand grew colder.