Lu Meng's dantian pulsed with intense pain. Trembling, she pushed herself up, her body covered in bloodstains.
"That slut, the one who runs the charm shop! How dare she!"
Seeing Xiao Zi's displeased expression and about to make a move, Lu Ji quickly stood up and blocked in front of Lu Meng.
"Lu Chen Ling, is this why you abandoned the demon race!"
For a woman! He, the dignified Demon Emperor, could actually abandon the entire demon race!
The demons atop the Hundred Demon Hall instantly came to their senses, their gazes fixing on Bai Ran, filled with hatred.
What an shameless human woman! So she was the root of all this trouble!
She was the one who caused the Demon Emperor to abandon his race, she was the one who caused constant internal strife within the demon race!
Xiao Zi laughed in exasperation, clenching his fists. "Truly a bunch of idiots!"
Her red dress fluttered, her figure exquisitely shaped, her peerless face, truly possessing a certain fox-like charm that could bewitch a ruler and sow chaos in the court.
Bai Ran pursed her lips, chuckling softly, and twirled a few strands of her dark hair with her fingertips, her movements alluring.
"How clever, I never thought of such a method."
She walked forward and gently lifted Xiao Zi's chin, her demeanor utterly languid yet captivating.
"Since the accusations have been made, it would be a shame not to try them out, to not live up to their earnest efforts."
Despite Bai Ran's teasing, Xiao Zi's expression was somewhat somber.
Xiao Gui had returned with him as part of the demon race, yet was now being subjected to endless insults and slander from the demon populace.
She didn't have to endure this... it was all his fault...
Xiao Zi's expression was dejected, his lower lip bitten until it bled. "Xiao Gui, I..."
"Since that is the case, then I shall not be polite."
A resolute female voice rang out. Xiao Zi paused, looking at the person before him.
He saw Bai Ran smiling confidently and defiantly, her unrestrained posture dazzling, momentarily blinding him.
"After all, you are my family."
Her bright eyes, filled with a smile, met Xiao Zi's, which were clouded with gloom.
Xiao Zi was stunned, lowered his gaze, and let out a soft laugh. A warmth spread from his chest, gradually enveloping his entire body.
"As long as it's you, there's no need to seduce. I will naturally fall for it."
As the two looked at each other, Xiao Zi's inferiority, timidity, and cowardice all vanished into nothingness at this moment, disappearing without a trace.
Lu Ji gritted his teeth, undisguised hatred in his eyes. "Human, you admit it!"
"You seduced the Demon Emperor away from the demon race! All of this is your fault!"
Bai Ran sighed, shaking her head, and looked at him as if he were an imbecile. "If such a foolish demon were to be the Demon Emperor, the demon race would likely perish before long."
Xiao Zi, standing beside her, nodded in agreement. "Precisely."
"What do you plan to do? If you kill Lu Ji here, it will not only fail to subdue the masses but will also be branded with the crime of 'righteous extermination of kin'."
Bai Ran's arrival had significantly calmed Xiao Zi's anger and made him more rational.
Xiao Gui was right. The most important thing for a ruler was to win the hearts of his people.
Now that these powerful families had defected to Lu Ji, killing them without reason would instead deplete half the demon race's strength.
By then, even if Xiao Zi reclaimed his position as Demon Emperor, no one would be willing to submit to him or genuinely pledge their loyalty.
The entire demon race would be plagued by internal and external troubles.
Xiao Zi pondered for a moment and abandoned the idea of brutally punishing the demon race.
"Then let us compete."
Lu Ji frowned, unable to fathom Lu Chen Ling's thoughts. "Compete in what?"
"Between you and me, who is more suited to be the emperor of this race."
Xiao Zi narrowed his eyes. "If I lose, I shall never set foot in the demon race again!"
Lu Ji's heart sank. From a young age, Lu Chen Ling had been exceptionally gifted and outstanding, and in governing the demon race, he was a natural emperor.
To defeat him was almost as difficult as reaching the heavens.
Lu Ji clenched his fists, then slowly loosened them. A strange smile appeared on his face, as if he had thought of something, and he seemed relieved.
"In that case, I will compete with you."
A cold glint emanated from his eyes, and his tone was unfriendly. "However, the rules must be set by me."
Xiao Zi sneered, his demeanor calm. "Go on."
Lu Ji's gaze turned fierce. He hated Lu Chen Ling's aloof demeanor the most!
They clearly shared the same blood as brothers, yet their talents were as different as heaven and earth!
Lu Ji had to look up to him, to submit to him in everything he did. Lu Ji was unwilling!
"The top nine families of the demon race, whoever has more support will be the emperor."
Upon hearing this, Bai Ran raised an eyebrow. The top families of the demon race had already defected to Lu Ji, making this rule a tyrannical one for Xiao Zi.
Xiao Zi let out a cold snort and glanced at Hua Yun beside him. "Go fetch paper and brush."
Words without proof were useless, and the demons in the hall were all Lu Ji's people.
Hua Yun was taken aback, quickly fetched paper and brush, and handed them to Lu Ji.
He took them, glared at Xiao Zi, and hastily wrote down a promise, then bit his finger and made an imprint.
After both parties had signed the agreement and made their imprints on paper, the competition officially began.
"The time limit is one month," Lu Ji said, his eyes dark.
Xiao Zi put away the agreement and, with Bai Ran, left coldly, without responding to Lu Ji.
Hua Yun watched their retreating backs, her gaze complex.
Family... was it?
No wonder she could enter that eastern courtyard and be so highly regarded by the Demon Emperor. She smiled in understanding.
"Hua Yun! Who exactly is that slut!"
An enraged female voice called out. Hua Yun turned and saw Lu Meng's face contorted with anger, her eyes seeming to spew fire.
"Are your ears deaf?" she sneered, glancing up and down at Lu Meng. "Didn't that woman say she was the Demon Emperor's family?"
Saying that, she didn't want to see these two disgusting faces any longer and left without waiting for Lu Meng's reply.
Lu Meng's clenched fists trembled, her breathing rapid. "Slut! Both of you dare to treat me like this!"
She turned back to stare at Lu Ji, her eyes venomous. "I will definitely help you win! And then I will cut those two into a thousand pieces!"
Lu Ji felt a surge of anger. He slowly stood up, his eyes filled with cold indifference and resentment.
"Lu Meng, what makes you think I need your help?"
"What right do you have to help me?"
She was merely a woman offered as tribute, and by having some connection to him, she dared to act so presumptuously!
How could he, Lu Ji, need her help? She truly thought too highly of herself!
Lu Meng's body stiffened, and she stared blankly at the person before her. "Deputy General Lu...?"
As she spoke, she tremblingly reached out to tug at Lu Ji's sleeve, only to be forcefully pushed away by him.
Lu Ji's cold, sharp gaze swept over her, and Lu Meng, gritting her teeth, lowered her head and slowly withdrew her hand. "Yes..."
He looked at Lu Meng and narrowed his eyes. "All the power and status you have now were bestowed upon you by me."
"Watch your words. If you become arrogant and ignore even me."
"Then I will show you no mercy!"