Rise of The Demon General Chapter 806. Reporting Back to the Domain Lord

Amon narrowed his eyes. ’A fugitive?’ he mused. Yet, upon further reflection, it wasn’t entirely surprising. Eight years had passed without a word, and Yao Ai had indeed warned him that her agents would pursue him if he failed and remained alive. It appeared she had followed through on her threat.

Amon addressed his pursuers, "There’s no need for needless trouble. I shall report to Her Ladyship directly."

"That is not permissible. As I stated, resist, and you will face immediate..."

One of the soldiers cut off the one speaking to Amon.

"What is it?" the speaking soldier inquired, annoyance coloring his tone.

"Squad leader, his cultivation..."

"What about..." the squad leader began, then trailed off.

His expression shifted dramatically as he truly paid attention to Amon. He had approached Amon with the assumption that the fugitive possessed the dual cultivation levels of the Intermediate Lord Stage and the Peak Malicious Stage, based on his records. However, the Amon before him now radiated a completely different level of power.

Amon's Concealed Ghost Body technique could no longer mask his true cultivation, making him appear a stage weaker. He had become too potent for this art once he surpassed the Fiendish Stage. While he could still obscure his presence with intense concentration, it was no longer sufficient to deceive others into believing he was a weaker cultivator.

Anxiety gripped the squad leader. He had dared to approach because he believed Amon still possessed the recorded cultivation levels. Even if Amon's power had grown over the past eight years, it should have only advanced by half a stage at most. He had never anticipated that Amon's infernal cultivation would now be a full two stages higher.

He glanced around at his subordinates, all of whom were merely Fiendish Stage cultivators. He recalled that Amon had previously defeated a Peak Fiendish Stage cultivator, much like himself, but fighting so many Fiendish Stage cultivators simultaneously was a different matter entirely. Now, after discerning Amon's true cultivation, his confidence had evaporated. Even with the arrival of the other half of his squad, he doubted their ability to overcome Amon. Furthermore, the reports indicated Amon's capability to vanquish opponents with superior cultivation levels.

"Sir... What are our orders?" a follower whispered to him.

The leader remained silent, unable to provide an answer.

Amon, his patience wearing thin, pressed, "Are you going to act, or not? If not, I will depart now. Attempt to stop me at your own risk. I will not hesitate to employ force. You have been warned."

Amon turned and began to walk away. The squad members looked to their leader for direction. The leader, however, simply continued to stare at Amon, a statue of indecision.

Just then, the remaining half of the pursuers arrived. One of them questioned, "What’s the hold-up? Why did we let him go? Isn’t this our chance to claim the bounty reward?"

"Bounty your head!" The leader struck the head of the soldier who had just spoken. He then singled out another, "This is your fault! Why did you have to spot him and bring us all this trouble? Now we’ll be the laughingstock when we return empty-handed."

The soldier being chastised felt a surge of injustice. "Didn’t the leader commend me when I reported identifying Amon using my far-sighted eye art? Why am I being scolded now?"

"Let’s head back!" the leader exclaimed, his tone laced with frustration. "Damn it! What a complete waste of time!"

*

After several days of arduous travel, Amon finally reached Saintly Sin City. He proceeded directly to the Carrion Tower to report to Yao Ai, intending to demonstrate that he had neither failed nor abandoned his assigned mission.

As he flew closer, he spotted Yao Ai seated upon her throne atop the Carrion Tower. The Vermillion Vulture was also present beside her. Adhering to protocol, Amon descended to the tower's base, intending to enter from below. The guards stationed there tensed immediately upon recognizing him, instantly aware that he was a wanted fugitive.

"Halt! You are under arrest!" they bellowed in unison.

"Step aside! I wish to see Her Ladyship," Amon stated.

"That is impossible. You are to be detained until..."

Their words were abruptly silenced by Yao Ai’s commanding voice echoing from above, "Allow him entry."

It seemed Yao Ai had also noticed Amon as he approached. The guards promptly complied, granting Amon passage into the tower. One guard made to escort him, but Amon, moving with astonishing speed, left him speechless as he vanished ahead. Amon required no guide; he had visited this place once before, and the memory of its labyrinthine corridors remained vivid. In a short span, he reached the tower's distinctive mushroom-shaped summit.

The Vermillion Vulture let out a piercing shriek as Amon materialized, fixing him with a menacing glare.

The colossal beast was not the only one to greet him. Yao Ai’s powerful voice, resonating with an authority that hammered into his mind, spoke, "You possess the audacity to return after such a prolonged absence."

Amon replied, "I required time. The mission you entrusted to me was not simple, but I have successfully completed it."

"Hm...?" From her throne, Yao Ai arose and glanced back. Her attention wasn't on Amon’s words, but rather on the fact that he continued his advance toward her without impediment. She had anticipated Amon would collapse to his knees after her aether-charged voice assailed him. With evident interest, she inquired, "Your cultivation..."

"I reaped a fortunate encounter while undertaking the mission," Amon replied cryptically.

"... You mentioned completing the mission?"

"Indeed, the Cryanids have retreated back into the misty frontier. They pose no further threat to us."

"Is that so...?"

"Has the military contingent you dispatched to reinforce the border not yet reported back? Communicate with them; they ought to have reached the border by now."

Yao Ai continued to scrutinize Amon for another moment before retrieving an item from her spatial ring. Amon initially presumed she would employ a communication talisman, but instead, she produced a crystalline orb. The sphere, initially a dull grey, began to clear, its somber hue receding like a dissipating mist to reveal a pristine white. A second later, a visage materialized within the crystal ball.

"Your Lordship," the apparition within greeted.

"Dictator Diu Cay, I commanded you to lead an expedition to eradicate the Cryanid horde at our borders. Provide a status update on this endeavor."

’Diu Cay,’ Amon mused. He recognized the name but had never encountered the individual. This person was Yao Ai’s second-in-command, holding the sole distinction of the Dictator title. His cultivation level was at the Intermediate Overlord Stage within the Devil Realm, establishing him as the second most formidable figure in the Mercy Realm.

"Reporting, Your Lordship. It appears the Cryanids have departed. Since my arrival two days prior, I have dispatched scouts to patrol the extensive borderlands. We have been unable to locate any Cryanids. Testimonies from some of the few survivors we encountered indicated they witnessed the swarm migrating en masse back towards the misty border."

"Why did you not inform me immediately?"

"My apologies, Your Lordship. My intention was to ascertain with certainty that the Cryanids had truly retreated before submitting my report."

"Hm... Maintain border patrols for one month as a precautionary measure against their potential return. Prior to your return to the capital, establish a defensive perimeter along the border and assign three of the surviving warlords to station there."

"And what of the settlements that have been devastated?"

"Leave them be. Should the populace desire to reconstruct these settlements, they are at liberty to do so independently."

"Understood. I shall execute your directives."

Diu Cay’s countenance dematerialized from the crystal ball, which reverted to its prior grey state. Yao Ai then carefully stored the artifact.

"Precisely how did you accomplish this feat?" Yao Ai inquired of Amon.

He responded, "I infiltrated the Cryanid hive and eliminated the entities that held dominion over them."

"Are you referring to the human-Cryanid abominations? My subordinates apprised me of these entities. If my recollection serves, the reports stated that you were the individual who first identified the existence of these beings."

"That is correct, and I succeeded in affixing a tracking enchantment to one of them. This enabled me to trace their path back to their nest. It entailed tremendous exertion and considerable patience, but I managed to dispatch every single one. With those hybrids eradicated, the Cryanids are no longer under any external control. Consequently, they have reverted to their natural habitat, the misty border."

"What precisely are these hybrids? How did they come into being?"

Amon offered a shrug. "Their elimination was a demanding enough task. I had no inclination to investigate their origins. For all we know, they could simply be aberrant products of nature."

"Hm...," Yao Ai turned aside, falling into silence. Amon could not ascertain whether she accepted his fabricated account.

Yao Ai’s expression conveyed deep contemplation. After a period of reflection, she directed her gaze back towards Amon. He perceived a distinct hesitation in her demeanor, indicative of an internal conflict. This uncertainty soon dissipated as she reached a resolution. Ever since Amon’s arrival on this upper level, he had detected a subtle aura of murderous intent emanating from Yao Ai. This palpable hostility had now vanished entirely.

"Well done, Slayer Amon. You have truly achieved the impossible," Yao Ai commended.

"You harbored doubts about my capability to succeed, did you not?" Amon inquired.

Yao Ai emitted a soft chuckle. "Does that distinction hold any significance now? The crucial point is that you have substantiated your prowess. I now perceive that your perceived arrogance is matched by your actual merit. It is plausible that you can indeed accomplish what you declared years ago from this very rooftop."

"I am always capable of fulfilling my declarations," Amon asserted.

"Very well. I suppose I shall tolerate your overconfidence for a while longer. I recall your assertion that you could formulate a strategy to alter the existing equilibrium in my favor, provided I furnished you with adequate intelligence regarding Hai Di and Lang Man."

"Indeed, I did."

Yao Ai produced a small, crimson crystal. "This is a data crystal. Contained within is the comprehensive information I have amassed over several centuries concerning my two rivals."