Chapter 48: The Doubts of the Crowd

Luo Yun had only told him that all blame would be placed on Zhou Xiaoxiao, and that he would help them cover up, ensuring her identity remained hidden.

As for Zhou Xiaoxiao's true identity, Luo Yun and the others had not revealed it to him, but they assured him that one day, they would tell him everything.

Before leaving, Luo Yun had suggested that, if he wished to know what kind of person Zhou Xiaoxiao was, he should ask Hua Manlou and his companions.

Driven by curiosity, he had approached them and inquired about Zhou Xiaoxiao’s character.

Upon hearing this, Hua Manlou’s expression twisted between resentment and amusement, his heart full of stories. “Zhou Xiaoxiao is a strange old man, yet also a mischievous child at heart. He comes and goes without a trace—I’ve only ever caught a glimpse of him.”

“That old rascal does anything he pleases, easily offends anyone, but even so, he never truly harms people. At most, he plays tricks and mocks you to your face…”

Listening to Hua Manlou’s explanation, Qin Lang felt utterly bewildered, unable to make sense of it. The description left him speechless.

Nevertheless, he did not dwell on it. From Hua Manlou’s words, he gathered a rough idea of who Zhou Xiaoxiao was.

Zhou Xiaoxiao was an eccentric elder who delighted in playing tricks on people—regardless of whether they were of the demon race, he would tease them all the same.

Those he targeted were rarely prepared, and often left wishing they could die from embarrassment or frustration—only after realizing what had happened did they burn with indignation.

Yet Qin Lang wondered, how did Luo Yun and his group know such a person, and why had they assured him that Zhou Xiaoxiao would help shield him?

“Could it be that this old man knew me in a previous life?”

Qin Lang murmured to himself, full of doubts.

...

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. By the clear riverbank, Qin Lang and his companions paused to rest, savoring delicious roast meat.

Throughout their journey, they had encountered no trouble, nor had they been intercepted by the demon race.

Not a single demon had appeared, and they had not met anyone attempting to rescue Liu Qingyao, which left them puzzled, unable to make sense of the situation.

The more the demon race behaved like this, the greater their unease, suspecting they might soon face an unexpected crisis.

“Not a single demon has shown up—could it be that Uncle Luo and the others have already dealt with them all?”

Leisurely eating roast suckling pig, Qin Lang mused to himself.

Luo Yun and his group had said they would remain close, responsible for his safety.

Any danger approaching him would be eliminated one by one.

Now, with the demon race absent and not even a shadow seen, he began to suspect that perhaps they had all been wiped out.

Indeed, the reason for their peace and the absence of any rescue attempt for Liu Qingyao was entirely due to Luo Yun and his companions.

All demon race experts who tried to rescue Liu Qingyao or approach Qin Lang’s group had been secretly slain by Luo Yun and the others.

“I hope Uncle Luo’s actions don’t attract the attention of the Immortal Dynasty.”

At this moment, Qin Lang felt not relief but mounting concern, fearing troublesome matters might implicate him.

With demons neither approaching nor rescuing Liu Qingyao, suspicion would surely arise—someone was interfering behind the scenes…

Quietly chewing his roast meat, Hua Manlou gazed at Liu Man ahead of him. “Brother Liu, the demon race hasn’t sent any experts to rescue Liu Qingyao—could there be some hidden plot?”

The absence of demon experts made him suspect that perhaps they had abandoned Liu Qingyao.

But it didn’t make sense—the demon race would never forsake someone as important as Liu Qingyao. If they hadn’t given up, why hadn’t they come to rescue her?

Hearing this, Qin Lang’s nerves tightened, swallowing hard, suddenly feeling a chill of fear.

Had Hua Manlou not brought it up, he could have dismissed it, but now, the question unsettled him greatly.

Liu Man paused, knife in hand, his expression grim as he shook his head. “I’m not sure, but regardless of the reason, since the demon race hasn’t sent experts, we must remain vigilant and cautious against any unforeseen events.”

“Brother Liu is right. The demon race’s failure to send experts for Liu Qingyao must mean they’re plotting something.”

Wang Zimo nodded in agreement.

There was no way the demon race would act without reason. Their absence surely signaled a grand rescue plan in the making.

Moreover, their plan included Qin Lang—not to rescue him, but to eliminate him while rescuing Liu Qingyao.

Qin Lang knew too many secrets; if he lived, not only would their years of scheming fail, but countless demons might fall as well.

Not far away, Liu Qingyao herself was even more anxious and uneasy than the others.

...

Now she was about to be escorted to the capital of the Great Xia Dynasty, and the demon race could not possibly have sent no experts to save her.

If they drew any closer to the Immortal Dynasty’s capital, they would completely lose the chance to rescue her, and she would be close to death.

The only explanation was that all the experts sent by the demon race had already fallen—killed in secret.

After finishing his meal, Qin Lang walked step by step to Liu Qingyao. “Beautiful lady, what are you thinking about? Are you wondering why your demon race experts have not come to rescue you?”

“You, so beautiful, and yet you chose to do something so reckless. Don’t you realize that if you do this, it will be a declaration of war against the Immortal Dynasty?”

Liu Qingyao’s gaze was cold as she replied, “Since ancient times, the battles between humans and demons have always raged. Do you think we care about such things?”

“Heh.”

Qin Lang’s laugh was icy as he stared at her. “The ancient wars between humans and demons were all instigated by your kind, forcing ours to eradicate you, hunting down any demon who lingered in human lands.”

“It’s true that we started the war, but your people are hardly innocent.”

A flash of murderous intent crossed Liu Qingyao’s brows, her eyes shining coldly. “If you hadn’t hunted us for our demon cores, we would never have launched a war against you.”

Humans, in pursuit of demon cores to enhance their cultivation, hunted demons mercilessly, forcing them to flee and hide, struggling to survive.

In retaliation, the demon race was compelled to wage war, slaughtering humans to avenge themselves.

On the eve of war, victory belonged to the demons, chasing humans everywhere, until in the end, the tide turned and humans launched a fierce counterattack.

Thus the demon hunters rose to prominence...

Qin Lang fell silent, uncertain what to say.

Though his previous incarnation had left him little memory, over the years in the Celestial Prison, he had learned much about the history between the human and demon races.

He also knew something of the history between humankind and the demonfolk...