Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

Riding the yacht, Yang Yu approached the scattered islands on the sea.

Some watchtowers made of stone or wood gradually appeared in their view.

On top of the watchtowers, Spiny Scale Lizards were standing, keeping an eye on the sea; below the surface, Poison Fishmen replaced the Spiny Scale Lizards, patrolling and protecting the underwater territory of the lizards.

Noticing Yang Yu and his group approaching, the Spiny Scale Lizard sentinels cast their gaze toward them from afar, while the Fishmen began emerging from the sea.

The Fishmen sprayed water jets, while the Spiny Scale Lizards used streams and gas to draw a barrier pattern in the air, signaling no further passage.

Guiding the yacht, Yang Yu slowly stopped in front of a watchtower.

The tall and thin Spiny Scale Lizard on the watchtower cleared its throat, raised its voice, and shouted to Yang Yu and his group: ”Listen up, you people ahead.

If you continue forward, you will step into our territory.

Entering our territory without permission is equivalent to being our enemy.

If you have strayed here by mistake, leave quickly.”

Seeing that the Spiny Scale Lizard’s attitude was reasonable, Yang Yu walked from the cabin to the bow, shouting across the sea to the Spiny Scale Lizard on the watchtower:

”Friend of the Spiny Scale Lizard tribe, we have something very important to discuss with you.

Over here, we have some injured Spiny Scale Lizards that need care.”

The Spiny Scale Lizard on the watchtower was skeptical until it spotted a tall, injured Spiny Scale Lizard leaning against the side of the cabin. Only then did the sentinel quickly climb down the watchtower, swim across the sea, and come to the front of the yacht.

The lizard by the cabin limped to the railing, casting a sharp gaze with its single eye into the sea.

The approaching lizard stood upright in the sea, looking incredibly alert:

”Good afternoon, Chong Du, truly sorry for not welcoming you sooner. Might I ask what brings the officer here and what orders you have?”

The One-eyed Dragon Spiny Lizard let out a low growl, revealing an expression that didn’t wish to bring up a certain matter, and said:

”The task failed...”

”Failed?”

The Spiny Scale Lizard sentinel was quite surprised; even Chong Du couldn’t handle it? What kind of task was it?

The One-eyed Dragon Lizard clicked its tongue, saying: ”For now, keep the specifics and my return confidential from the leader. He is probably still waging battles; I don’t want to affect his morale with this failure.

Everything I went through, I will personally tell him once I have completed what I need to do and the leader has returned.”

The sentinel responded powerfully: ”Understood.”

The One-eyed Spiny Lizard glanced at Yang Yu and his group, introducing them to the sentinel: ”These people are our benefactors.

At that time, we were almost wiped out, but thanks to him, we managed to escape alive.

In gratitude, I decided to take them to the recently discovered Underground Maze for strategy.

This too needs to be kept secret from the leader...”

”Understood!” The sentinel responded powerfully again, then hesitated, ”But Chong Du, the leader has said the Underground Maze is too dangerous, with traps filling the Ninth Floor, beyond ordinary people’s capability to strategize... Are you really going to lead them to strategize it?”

Just as the One-eyed Spiny Lizard was about to speak, Yang Yu interjected.

”Don’t worry. We are quite confident in our abilities.

Our skill was enough to break through encirclements and get them out alive.

Originally, we came for the Underground Maze, fully prepared, sure of victory.

Rest assured, we’ve had thorough discussions on the boat; this is quite a fair deal.

If we strategize that Underground Maze, we will give you 60% of the treasure as protection fees for being on your territory.”

The One-eyed Spiny Lizard concurred: ”Exactly.

Initially, I had some complaints, but hearing their proposition, I too felt relieved.

The situation was too critical at the time; I had no other choice.

We have all witnessed their prowess.

Since it can’t be conquered, the treasure is essentially zero until professionals step in.

I wish no further explanation; do as I’ve instructed.

Find some people to care for our surviving warriors; they are under a hitherto unseen Sleep Magic that will take a few days to wake from, so let them recuperate here.

You know where the Underground Maze is, right?

I need to properly rest, so you will lead me to the Underground Maze.

Remember what I’ve said.

The matter of my failure must be kept quiet, resolve it as much as possible.

Alright.

Bring people to receive our surviving tribesmen.

Once again, the Sleep Magic on them is very special; do not attempt to dispel it prematurely.

Once everything is over, take me straight to the Underground Maze.”

”Yes!” the sentinel once again responded powerfully.

The One-eyed Dragon Spiny Lizard, looking weary, hobbled back near the cabin and downed a glass of pure green Clover Juice.

Bai Jin used magic to carefully send the two surviving Spiny Lizards to the sentinel at the post.

The sentinel swam over, quickly confirming both Spiny Scale Lizard comrades were breathing.

Directing another Spiny Scale Lizard on watch and other Fishmen to care for the survivors, the sentinel once again dove into the sea, guiding Yang Yu and the others to the not-yet-fully-strategized Underground Maze.

During the journey to the Underground Maze, Yang Yu and the others attracted the attention of other Spiny Scale Lizards.

But Yang Yu had He Meng, transformed into Chong Du, repeat his trick, feigning fear of the leader and a desire to make up for his mistake, deceiving the inspections of the Spiny Scale Lizards time and again, traveling unhindered to the newly discovered Underground Maze.

Everything went so smoothly that everyone on the ship felt something was amiss.

Could it be that the Spiny Scale Lizards saw through them and planned to lead them step by step into the Underground Maze and then capture them like turtles in a jar?

The least worried of all was He Meng, transformed into Chong Du.

He Meng felt that his acting skills, under Yang Yu’s guidance, had become superbly refined, coping effortlessly, with no flaw detectable.

Yang Yu could only wave a Clover in front of He Meng, reminding him not to lower his guard.

The sentinel dove deep, explaining the context to the Spiny Scale Lizard guarding the Underground Maze. The guard floated up to confirm the situation.

He Meng, feigning a limp, once again fooled the inspection.

The person in charge said: ”Well then, Sir, and everyone else, please follow me.”

Yang Yu and his group exchanged glances, each taking out a small bottle, using their skills to summon Floating Bubbles, and leaped into the sea.

The bubbles slowly descended, their vision gradually covered by the clear seawater, while the accompanying Spiny Scale Lizard sentinel also accompanied them downwards.

Underwater, the Spiny Scale Lizards were encased in bubbles, as if donning white armor, with every breath producing a small, expanding bubble above their heads.