King of Creation Chapter 1787 - 1772: The War Has Just Begun

"Hahahaha...."

Within the East Arrival Pavilion of the Luoyi Imperial Palace, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long of the Great Zhou emitted a hearty laugh, his voice resounding in all directions as he absorbed the reply Chief Eunuch Yu Chaoen had just delivered.

"I was indeed thinking how this young brat could possibly track down the Demon Clan’s army when even the Void Hunting King failed to do so. It turns out, it was all a ruse.

However, it was a brilliantly crafted sham, executed with exceptional skill!"

"Yet, on the other hand, this young fellow is still considered honest, choosing to confess truthfully to me; it wasn't in vain that I have nurtured him time and again."

Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long gazed at the Jade Scroll clutched in his hand, a jovial laugh escaping him, which inexplicably puzzled Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu.

He genuinely couldn't fathom how Ye Zhen had managed this feat, orchestrating a deception that elicited such hearty laughter from Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long.

Consequently, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu found himself exceedingly curious.

However, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu was acutely aware that given his position and status, the more curious he became, the swifter his demise would likely be. If the emperor desired him to know, he would naturally impart the knowledge.

Conversely, if the emperor wished to keep it concealed and he persisted in seeking the answer through any means, death would undoubtedly loom close.

Fortunately, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long held a degree of trust in Wu Yu.

"Wu Qing, there's no need to feign ignorance, I see you're struggling to contain your curiosity. I shall permit you a glimpse, but heed my words, Wu Qing: this matter is for your eyes and ears alone. It must not be committed to any record, nor must you disclose it to anyone.

Should this affair be exposed, you will be held accountable first."

With these words, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long casually tossed the Jade Scroll he held towards Wu Yu.

The latter received the Jade Scroll, unable to suppress a quiet sigh of resignation.

Despite his intense curiosity, upon hearing Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long's stern admonishment, his desire to uncover this secret vanished.

A secret that even Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long felt compelled to urge utmost caution about must be extraordinarily significant.

If it were to leak, regardless of whether Wu Yu was the source, he would still find himself in grave trouble.

But now, with Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long having explicitly addressed him, he had no alternative but to examine its contents.

After merely a single glance, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu's expression underwent a distinct change.

"So that's how it was...."

Now, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu began to grasp why Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long had erupted in such hearty laughter upon viewing this Jade Scroll.

The explanation Ye Zhen provided was not only plausible and rational but also elucidated the circumstances behind Ye Zhen's prior entanglements with the Demon Clan.

In truth, when Ye Zhen was initially confronted by Chief Eunuch Yu Chaoen and questioned under Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s Secret Decree, he too felt a degree of bewilderment.

The inquiry centered on how Ye Zhen had discovered the traces of this Demon Clan army.

Why was it that numerous Void Hunting Kings had failed to locate it, yet Ye Zhen managed to find and eradicate it within a mere half-day?

This question carried considerable weight and sensitivity.

If Ye Zhen failed to provide a satisfactory answer, he risked losing Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long's trust and Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu's backing.

Without the emperor's trust and Wu Yu's support, especially with the ever-watchful West Patrol Xio Qiangu harboring a palpable desire to see Ye Zhen eliminated, his downfall would not be far off.

However, the conundrum lay in the fact that the truthful answer itself was equally sensitive and difficult to articulate.

Ye Zhen had initially considered presenting the heads of Demon Clan slaves, acquired from the Chaotic Sky Island Market, as his response to Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long.

Yet, after careful deliberation, he ultimately decided against this course of action.

The physical characteristics and the heads of mere slaves differed significantly from those of actual warriors.

Ultimately, Ye Zhen opted for a truthful account.

His response was honest, yet selective in its details.

He directly asserted that the information was obtained from enslaved Demon Clan leaders from that region. As for the reason behind Ye Zhen possessing enslaved Demon Clan leaders,

Ye Zhen also offered a truthful explanation. It stemmed from an incident years prior when he and Princess Changle found themselves stranded within the Demon Clan's territory, seizing the opportunity to enslave the two Demon Clan leaders.

At that time, their survival within the Demon Clan's domain depended on the subjugation of those two Demon Clan leaders, which ultimately enabled their successful escape back.

These very individuals had now served him once more.

Coincidentally, following Ye Zhen and Princess Changle's escape back then, Yu Chaoen had questioned them about the specifics, and both Ye Zhen and Princess Changle had alluded to this very event.

Therefore, this narrative seamlessly dovetailed with past accounts.

Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long's suspicions concerning Ye Zhen were completely allayed, and his trust in Ye Zhen deepened even further.

After all, among the subjects of Great Zhou, those who would dare to openly admit to enslaving two Demon Clan leaders in the presence of the emperor were exceptionally rare, a statistical anomaly.

Furthermore, there was the corroborating testimony of Princess Changle.

It was no wonder Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long had been overcome with such hearty laughter.

While Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long chuckled heartily, in the Qingzhou Western Patrol Office, West Patrol Xio Qiangu was erupting in fury.

"Still no outcome?"

"Ye Zhen completed the military order for a full day, and you still haven't discovered how he managed it? Utterly useless, every single one of you!"

It must be admitted that Xio Qiangu was quite beside himself.

However, this was entirely understandable.

Xio Qiangu had been anticipating this day for over five years, meticulously planning and scheming, yet he hadn't acted when the five-year period concluded, patiently awaiting the opportune moment.

Six years of intricate planning, an astonishing investment of over twenty million High Grade Spiritual Stones, the deployment of countless personnel, resources, and connections—all aimed at eradicating Ye Zhen.

Yet, in the end, Ye Zhen appeared completely unfazed, remaining undisturbed, a situation that was indeed highly unusual.

Weis Gang also grasped his lord's current state of agitation. After enduring a barrage of verbal wrath akin to a torrential downpour for half the day, he spoke softly once Xio Qiangu had somewhat calmed down.

"My Lord, this matter can only be investigated with time. However, the immediate priority lies in bringing Ye Zhen to justice. Though Ye Zhen fulfilled the Grand Celestial Official's military order, his dereliction of duty, which allowed the Demon Clan army to slaughter tens of thousands of Great Zhou citizens, is an irrefutable fact."

"This accusation, even if it doesn't result in his expulsion from the West Patrol, should at least cause him considerable distress, at the very least, cripple a trusted subordinate of his, sever an arm!" Weis Gang declared, his voice laced with deep animosity.

To be perfectly candid, Weis Gang harbored a greater hatred for Ye Zhen than Xio Qiangu did at this moment.

The inheritance of the Weis Family's estate had vanished just like that.

"Sever an arm of his?"

Xio Qiangu's eyes blazed with vengeance. "For now, this is the extent of what we can achieve! I shall immediately solicit support to impeach him."

....

Following the successful containment of the structured invasion crisis posed by the Demon Clan army, Ye Zhen's inaugural action was to lead his subordinates to the towns ravaged by the Demon Clan forces for an on-site assessment.

To speak with complete honesty, Ye Zhen felt a profound sense of disquiet.

A desolate landscape of devastation, not a single soul left alive!

Some inhabitants from these locales, who had ventured out for business or to attend familial celebrations, returned only to witness their homes annihilated, their families extinguished, their heartbroken cries piercing the very heavens.

For households that had been entirely wiped out, distant relatives from neighboring areas arrived to erect makeshift grave markers.

Mourning pavilions stretched for ten miles, a scene of utter despair.

Ye Zhen's accompanying retinue shared in the pervasive melancholy.

"My Lord, this Demon Clan army is truly devoid of any humanity. Should we ever have the opportunity to set foot upon the Human-Demon Battlefield, I swear to annihilate the Demon Clans and exact vengeance for this ocean of blood!" proclaimed Military Commander Che Ben, his countenance contorted with righteous indignation.

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhen turned his head, fixing his gaze upon Military Commander Che Ben. "Is it solely the Demon Clan responsible?"

The assembled group exchanged bewildered glances, looking towards Ye Zhen, who then slowly articulated, "The tragedy of this Ten-Mile Mourning Pavilion was not solely inflicted by the Demon Clan, but also by the internal traitors who paved the way for their advance!"

Every face grew solemn, for they understood the implication behind Ye Zhen's words.

"The Lord speaks the truth, yet currently, we possess no means of retaliation," Liuu Feng stated, his expression one of dejection.

"Who says there are no means?"

Ye Zhen's demeanor intensified. "Since Xio Qiangu disregards the established rules, then do not fault me for abandoning them as well!"

Liuu Feng's expression shifted immediately, as he hastily inquired, "What does my Lord intend to do?"

"My Lord, whatever needs to be done, simply give the command. I, Gu Tieqi, shall not hesitate in the slightest," Gu Tieqi declared, striking his chest with firm resolve.

"You all must not act. Rest assured, I will ensure Xio Qiangu lives to regret his actions!"

"Heh heh, this is a war, a conflict initiated by Xio Qiangu's blatant disregard for the rules, and this war has just commenced!"

Ye Zhen's sinister laughter echoed, sending tremors through the trusted lieutenants and allies gathered around him.

They understood that retribution from their Wind Patrol Envoy Ye was imminent.