Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

GURGLE!

The Third Prince’s head slid from his neck, his blood-stained face still etched with terror and indignation.

I am the Third Prince of the Heavenly Sword Dynasty, a prodigy on the Hidden Dragon List, destined to make a name for myself in the Central Plains. How could I possibly die here?

The Third Prince’s indignation dissipated with the wind. His soul was shredded by the Slaughter Sword Intent, leaving no chance of escape. Only after death did his terror-filled eyes finally see his killer clearly.

An ordinary waiter!

Of course, this was Su Han’s disguise, not a real waiter. Unfortunately, whether it was the waiter or Su Han, the Third Prince could see nothing; he was utterly dead.

To find something by sheer luck after searching for it far and wide!

Gazing at the dead Third Prince, Su Han’s eyes flashed with delighted surprise. He had only intended to use this opportunity to get acquainted with Liu Xu and ask about Fairy Sister Yun Xian. He never expected to witness such a major battle, much less conveniently eliminate one of his two greatest enemies.

The scions of these major powers were not easy to deal with. Not only were they powerful, but they also possessed Forbidden Techniques, Saint Treasures, and even life-saving talismans like the Great Emperor’s Seal. If Su Han had attacked directly, it would have taken considerable effort to kill the prince. Instead, he had simply lucked out.

Liu Xu’s strength was indeed formidable. She had managed to defeat the Third Prince and had come close to killing him.

Su Han reached out, pulling the Third Prince’s corpse into his Bronze Ring. He then immediately activated the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art to consume the bloodstains and erase all traces of the kill.

After doing so, Su Han stepped through the breach in the Profound Water Saintly Shield and entered the room, having already reverted to his appearance as the Nineteenth Prince. He wasn’t yet ready to reveal his trump card, Thousand Changes and Transformations, to anyone.

”Who are you?”

Sensing the Third Prince’s death, Liu Xu was startled. Seeing Su Han walk in, she gripped her Hundred-Battle Holy Sword tightly, on high alert. Su Han wore a Python Robe and a Golden Crown, an attire so similar to the Third Prince’s that Liu Xu immediately identified him as royalty.

But why would a prince of the Heavenly Sword Dynasty come to this small inn so late at night? And why would he have been right outside the door, only to kill the Third Prince on sight instead of saving him?

It was all a mystery. Liu Xu didn’t know Su Han’s identity or his intentions, but she knew the man before her was anything but simple. She was now seriously injured and had already used her Great Emperor’s Seal. If she fought the prince before her, she would almost certainly die.

”This is no place to linger. Come with me,” Su Han said.

A gap had been torn in the Profound Water Saintly Shield, and the fluctuations from the battle had already begun to leak out. Su Han could already sense several unfamiliar auras approaching.

Liu Xu sensed them too, and her expression changed. However, she didn’t know if Su Han was friend or foe. To her, staying put seemed safer than leaving with him. She quietly began to channel her energy into the Profound Water Saintly Shield, intending to use it for protection.

”Divine Prohibition Heavenly Method!”

Su Han saw through her intentions instantly and his brow furrowed. He didn’t want to reveal his identity. Since Liu Xu was unwilling to leave, he decided to take her by force and explain later.

The moment he activated the technique, Liu Xu’s body went rigid. She was completely unable to move, let alone control the Profound Water Saintly Shield. She stared at Su Han in horror, but he said nothing more. Using the Secret of the Soldier Character, he stripped the Profound Water Saintly Shield from her control, then grabbed her and teleported away.

Not long after they vanished, the inn’s waiter and other guests rushed to the scene. Seeing the destroyed room and feeling the terrifying residual aura, their faces paled, and they fled in a panic. The city guard soon arrived to surround the small inn, and other powerful cultivators gathered to watch the commotion.

Su Han paid no mind to the events at the inn. He had already erased all traces of his own aura. As for the auras of the Third Prince and Liu Xu, the battle had been too intense to clean up completely in such a short time. Besides, someone had to take the fall for the Third Prince’s death, and Liu Xu was the perfect scapegoat. Su Han certainly wasn’t going to interfere with that.

Guiding Liu Xu through the shadows, Su Han eventually arrived at a secluded courtyard. It was a property secretly purchased by the Nineteenth Prince, unknown to outsiders. Su Han, accessing the prince’s memories, knew it was the perfect place to hide Liu Xu.

”Your injuries are severe. You should heal first,” Su Han said, releasing her from the Divine Prohibition Heavenly Method and returning the Profound Water Saintly Shield.

Liu Xu looked at him, her heart filled with deep confusion. She could tell he had no killing intent, not even any hostility. In fact, he had saved her life and even returned her precious shield.

But why?

She was certain she had never met Su Han, nor did they have any conflicting interests. She couldn’t understand why he had saved her. Did he have ulterior motives?

”Are you trying to win my favor by playing the hero and rescuing the damsel in distress?” Liu Xu asked, forgoing her injuries to demand an answer. She couldn’t be at ease otherwise.

Her narcissistic question was actually a test. She had a keen sense for emotional shifts, and if Su Han truly had a hidden agenda, it wouldn’t escape her notice. She was a prodigy from the Ancient Liu Family and ranked on the Hidden Dragon List. Even the Third Prince had tried to curry favor with her. It wasn’t a stretch to think others might want to use her to gain some advantage. Otherwise, she couldn’t figure out why Su Han had saved her.

”You’re overthinking it,” Su Han replied, his expression perfectly calm, betraying no emotion. While he did want to get to know her and ask about Fairy Sister Yun Xian, he wouldn’t be so reckless as to reveal his intentions now. ”I had a grudge against the Third Prince. You helped me kill him. I saved you once to return the favor. That’s all,” he said plainly, using the Third Prince as an excuse to lower her guard.

”You’re the Nineteenth Prince!”

Hearing his words, Liu Xu instantly made the connection and guessed his identity. She had heard much about the Nineteenth Prince since arriving in the Heavenly Sword Dynasty and knew about the assassination plot in Nanyang City. His explanation clicked everything into place.

So that’s how it is. No wonder he appeared at the inn. It seems he was following the Third Prince.

Her wariness subsided as she pieced it all together herself, sparing Su Han the need for further explanation.

”Go heal your injuries. This place is secluded; no one will disturb you,” Su Han said with a dismissive wave.

Though still cautious, Liu Xu felt more at ease now that her main question was answered. She didn’t leave the courtyard but sat down cross-legged, took out some Healing Pills and consumed them, and activated the Profound Water Saintly Shield as a precaution against Su Han.

Seeing this, Su Han said nothing more. He simply stood where he was, quietly waiting for her to finish healing.

Just then, however, he felt a sudden stirring and glanced down at his Bronze Ring.

The Black Cloud Demon God had awakened.