Chapter 1082: The Schemes of an Emperor

"Your Majesty, Demon Ruler, the only reason I risked my life to infiltrate the demon race's sacred land was to seek justice for the late Qiongqi Demon Emperor!"

Ling Feng paused to compose himself, then began recounting in detail how, on that fateful day, the Silver Wolf Demon Emperor had exploited the Qiongqi Demon Emperor's weakness to launch a hidden attack, inflicting a grievous wound.

"Nonsense. Utter nonsense!"

Silver Wolf Demon Emperor's expression hardened. Grinding his teeth, he declared, "Your Majesty, the Qiongqi Demon Emperor and I were sworn brothers. We shared the bond of blood brothers. How could I possibly harm him?"

"Whether it is nonsense or not, the Qiongqi Demon Emperor's child is the best proof."

Ling Feng summoned the little Qiongqi and spoke in a clear voice. "If you never plotted against the Qiongqi Demon Emperor, then with the bond of sworn brotherhood between you, why did he entrust his orphan to me, a human, instead of to you? Silver Wolf Demon Emperor, will you still deny it?"

The moment the little Qiongqi appeared, the balance shifted in Ling Feng's favor. Entrusting his orphan to Ling Feng had already been a sign of immense trust on the Qiongqi Demon Emperor's part.

"Laughable. Truly laughable. You must have taken advantage of Big Brother Qiongqi's weakness to steal away his child and make him your pet. And now you dare to present him as evidence."

"Enough. That will do!"

Silver Wolf Demon Emperor tried to press his argument, but Canglong Demon Ruler, seated on the high platform, raised his hand to stop him.

"What a splendid drama, filled with twists and turns!"

Canglong Demon Ruler's gaze settled on Ling Feng, and a faint smile touched his lips. "Human boy, for the sake of the Qiongqi Demon Emperor, with whom you shared only brief encounters, you have gone to such lengths. That is truly commendable."

"Your Majesty, you..."

Silver Wolf Demon Emperor's face changed again. It seemed the Canglong Demon Ruler was leaning toward belief in Ling Feng's account.

"Enough. Hold your tongue. I will deal with you later!"

Canglong Demon Ruler's sharp glare silenced the Silver Wolf Demon Emperor, who lowered his head and dared not speak further.

Ling Feng felt a weight lift from his chest. Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, he said evenly, "Righteousness comes first. A man must know what he will and will not do. Your Majesty overpraises me."

"No, you deserve the praise, for you knew this journey meant certain death."

Canglong Demon Ruler's gaze turned cold. "I should thank you for revealing the truth. But to me, truth is not so important."

"What... what do you mean?"

A bad premonition stirred in Ling Feng's chest.

"You are a general of the human race. You should understand which holds more value to me, a dead Qiongqi Demon Emperor or a living Silver Wolf Demon Emperor."

Canglong Demon Emperor paused, then said, "You have shown me the Silver Wolf Demon Emperor's ambition. I will keep a close watch on him, but he is still a dog that bites, and I intend to keep him. Do you understand?"

Ling Feng's expression changed.

In that instant, he realized he had underestimated the depth of imperial cunning.

For those at such heights, justice and truth were meaningless when weighed against power and advantage.

Even if Silver Wolf Demon Emperor had betrayed and killed Qiongqi Demon Emperor, Canglong Demon Ruler would still keep him, because that dog still served a purpose.

𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Human boy, I thank you, but I must also kill you. If word spreads that a human dared to trespass into the Canglong Sanctum, it would tarnish its prestige. Therefore, you must die!"

Ling Feng clenched his fists. His exposed identity had sealed his fate. If not for that, he might have brought down the Silver Wolf Demon Emperor and walked away alive.

Perhaps the unease he had felt in recent days had been a warning of this moment.

Now he stood at the edge of the greatest crisis of his life!

Even so, Ling Feng had never been one to submit to fate. Even before a demon ruler, he would not resign himself to an easy death!

"You seem unwilling," Canglong Demon Ruler observed with a smile. "Or do you think you have a chance to escape?"

"In Your Majesty's presence, even if I am unwilling, what difference does it make?"

Ling Feng snorted coldly. "I simply never imagined that the great emperor of the demon race would have such a narrow heart."

"You need not try to provoke me with such tactics."

Canglong Demon Ruler smiled faintly. "If I killed you outright, you would die unsatisfied. So, as a reward for revealing this truth to me, I will give you a chance. An opportunity to kill the Silver Wolf Demon Emperor!"

"Your Majesty, I..."

Silver Wolf Demon Emperor dropped to his knees, kowtowing in desperation. "Your Majesty, I have never harbored disloyalty toward you!"

"To think that a demon emperor's courage is less than that of a human boy!"

Canglong Demon Ruler's cold snort was followed by a wave of his hand. Silver Wolf Demon Emperor was sent tumbling forward, landing opposite Ling Feng. His demonic core was sealed by Canglong Demon Ruler's demonic essence, reducing his cultivation to the demon king level.

"Human boy, I have heard you can suppress a mid-tier demon king. I have sealed the Silver Wolf Demon Emperor's cultivation at the king-tier level. If you can kill him within half an hour, I may spare your life. If not, you will die without regrets."

"Fine," Ling Feng replied without hesitation.

Refusal meant certain death. Acceptance at least offered a chance.

"Good. Decisive!"

Canglong Demon Ruler laughed heartily and turned to the Silver Wolf Demon Emperor. "Silver Wolf, what about you?"

The Silver Wolf Demon Emperor clenched his fists and sneered. "Your Majesty, I have only one question. May I kill him in this duel?"

"Of course. If he can kill you, you can kill him."

Canglong Demon Ruler tapped the armrest of his throne. "Human boy, if you wish to survive, kill Silver Wolf within half an hour. If it ends in a draw, you will still die."

"There will be no draw!"

Bloodlight flickered in the Silver Wolf Demon Emperor's eyes. Even sealed at the king-tier level, he was still a peak demon emperor. Ling Feng might be unusual, but killing him would be as easy as crushing an ant.

"Little wretch, I will make you suffer before you die. I will avenge my son's humiliation and pain!"

His voice was like a chill from the depths of the Nine Nether Hells.

"

Hehe,

if I could turn your son into a fool, today I can help you become a dead wolf!"

Ling Feng's eyes were cold. Against the Silver Wolf Demon Emperor at full strength, he would have stood no chance. But with his opponent's cultivation suppressed, the battle, though difficult, was not unwinnable.

"It seems you are both ready," the Canglong Demon Ruler said.

With a casual wave, Canglong Demon Ruler lit an incense stick in the three-legged cauldron before the hall. "Before this incense burns out, I expect you to decide the outcome!"