Chapter 1315: Great and Little Demon Queens

The man looked refined and courteous, but when he opened his mouth, his teeth were surprisingly black, giving off a chilling impression.

Zu'an frowned, sensing from just a few words that the man harbored an unfriendly attitude towards their group.

It was well-known that with Yu Yanluo's peerless beauty, men usually instinctively acted more kindly towards her, hoping to leave a good impression.

Such an attitude could only signify animosity between the two parties.

The other party was remarkably young to hold a position like Zongzheng, clearly indicating a strong family background. Wait, Zongzheng, the official responsible for imperial clan members?

Just then, Xingnu's spiritual voice transmission reached his ear: "This Zongzheng official is named Hei Chiran. His father is Hei Chifei, the current Grand Minister of Works. Furthermore, he is the current Emperor's maternal uncle; his sister is the Demon Emperor's original wife, the Grand Demon Empress, and the Crown Prince was born to the Grand Demon Empress."

Zu'an realized, no wonder. He had defeated the Golden Crow Crown Prince earlier, causing the Crown Prince's reputation to plummet. How could the Crown Prince's maternal relatives not hold a grudge?

Yu Yanluo was clearly implicated because of him.

Wait, since there's a Grand Demon Empress, could there also be a Lesser Demon Empress?

However, given the current situation, it wasn't convenient to ask further.

Hei Chiran casually sized them up, then said with a cold face, "The Demon Emperor has decreed that private fights between clans are forbidden during the conference. You have openly violated this. Guards, seize them and throw them into prison to await judgment."

"Yes!" As he spoke, the Golden Crow Guards stepped forward, preparing to make arrests.

Zu'an said in a deep voice, "Your Excellency didn't even ask a single question. You're arresting people indiscriminately the moment you arrive. This will hardly convince anyone, will it?"

"Who are you?" Hei Chiran scrutinized him with a sidelong glance, his black teeth looking particularly repulsive.

No wonder his surname was Hei Chi (Black Teeth); it was truly fitting.

The Lion clan members nearby laughed, "He seems to be some 'Big Stick General' under Queen Medusa."

Hei Chiran snorted coldly. Due to his official position, he had some knowledge of important positions across various clans and had never heard of any "Big Stick General." It was clearly an unofficial title, so he naturally didn't take it seriously. "Anyone dares to call themselves a general," he scoffed. "How can our conversation, as high-ranking officials, tolerate your interruption?"

Zu'an's expression turned cold. This guy truly deserved a beating. He had dared to hit even the Golden Crow Crown Prince, let alone this petty Zongzheng.

Just as he was about to act, another cavalry troop suddenly galloped from a distance. "Where is the scoundrel who injured my elder brother?" a voice boomed. "Do you dare to fight me?"

No sooner had the words fallen than a troop of cavalry had already galloped closer. Unlike Hei Chiran's glittering, golden-armored guards, this troop wore black armor from head to toe and exuded a thick aura of malice, clearly formed from years of tempering on battlefields.

The person at the lead wore a large black cape with black and gold crows embroidered on his clothes. He stood eight feet tall, with a majestic and resolute appearance and a dignified bearing. His presence was even more extraordinary atop a tall horse.

Zu'an's expression became solemn as he observed. This person's aura was very powerful, already at the Grandmaster realm, and in no way inferior to the Golden Crow Crown Prince he had encountered before.

The knowledge he had received previously in the human realm suggested that the demon race was in decline and no longer a significant force. Yet, in the demon realm, he saw these young generations, each more outstanding than the last. Although Grandmasters Yan and Yun had explained that their power came from bloodline inheritance and thus the total number of masters was destined to be limited, his personal experience showed that there were quite a few of them. Would they become a great disaster for the human race in the future?

Seeing this group of people, Hei Chiran's expression subtly changed, but he quickly concealed it. "Why has the Second Prince come?" he asked.

Zu'an's heart stirred. The Second Prince – this was the Golden Crow Crown Prince's younger brother. He had certainly made many enemies. First, the Lion clan came to avenge their brother, and now the Golden Crow's younger brother had come to avenge his elder brother?

The Golden Crow Second Prince said in a deep voice, "I heard the Snake clan's envoy arrived at the Royal Court. Naturally, I had to come see which human could defeat Crown Prince brother. I believe that human most likely used some cunning tricks. As his younger brother, I will defeat him and avenge my elder brother."

Hei Chiran's eyelids twitched. Although this fellow claimed he was here to avenge his elder brother, his loud voice was clearly emphasizing to everyone that the Crown Prince had been defeated by a human.

The Crown Prince couldn't win, yet he came to win. To put it nicely, it was brotherly affection and respect, but anyone familiar with the Royal Court's situation knew this was simply an attempt to step on the Crown Prince to gain renown for himself.

So he didn't have a pleasant tone either. "The Second Prince need not trouble himself with this," he said. "We just asked; that human has already returned to human society."

Sensing the tone of both sides, Zu'an thought, "It seems I misunderstood. These two sides don't have a good relationship."

"He actually went back?" The Golden Crow Second Prince was greatly disappointed. "That's right, after defeating Crown Prince brother, how could he dare come to the Royal Court to seek death? Hahaha!"

Leaving behind a string of arrogant laughter, he then led his cavalry troop galloping towards the city. It seemed that with the person who defeated the Golden Crow Crown Prince absent, no one present could pique his interest.

Hei Chiran's face turned grim, his complexion almost as black as his teeth.

He roared angrily, "What are you all standing around for? Arrest them!"

"Yes!" The Golden Crow Guards, as if awakening from a dream, immediately lunged towards the Snake clan members.

The Snake clan guards drew their weapons, preparing to resist. However, the disparity in strength between the two sides was vast, and furthermore, they were currently in the Royal Court. If a real conflict broke out, they would likely not survive.

At this moment, Zu'an directly stepped in front of everyone and roared, "Who dares?"

This loud roar was like a clap of thunder from a clear sky, causing the Golden Crow Guards to turn pale, and many of their mounts bolted in fright. The scene immediately devolved into chaos.

Lion Min and his brothers nearby exchanged confused glances. "How is this guy's roar so similar to their royal clan's unique Lion's Roar technique?"

But how could this be possible? Very few in the Lion clan were even qualified to learn it.

At this, Hei Chiran observed the scene and said grimly, "What, do you intend to resist arrest?"

Yu Yanluo stepped forward and said calmly, revealing a Golden Crow Token, "As the leader of a clan, I was invited by the Demon Emperor and came bearing a Golden Crow Token to attend the conference. Yet, before even entering the Royal Court, I am being arrested and imprisoned. Is the Demon Emperor truly inviting our clan leaders here for a meeting, or does he intend to use this as an excuse to round up all of us clan leaders?"

They were now close to the Royal Court, and among those passing by nearby were also leaders or representatives of other minor clans. Hearing this, they chimed in, feeling a sense of personal danger.

Seeing the aroused public sentiment, Hei Chiran's expression changed. He worried about causing a major incident and quickly said, "Don't be an alarmist. It is a fact that you just injured someone, and you indeed violated the Demon Emperor's command. Therefore, please return for investigation. As for whether you are guilty thereafter, the Demon Emperor himself will judge. What, do you doubt the Demon Emperor's wisdom?"

He sneered inwardly. If they were truly arrested, they would be held for a period first. The Demon Emperor was busy with myriad affairs; how could he bother with such a small matter?

Yu Yanluo had managed a large clan for years and was accustomed to the treacherous schemes of officialdom; how could she easily fall for it? "We naturally do not dare to question the Demon Emperor's wisdom," she said. "It's just that the Demon Emperor appointed so many officials precisely to share his burdens. If the Demon Emperor had to personally investigate every matter, I fear he might fault Your Excellency for dereliction of duty."

Hei Chiran's face was grim. This demoness was truly sharp-tongued.

Yu Yanluo did not give him a chance to argue and continued, "Who truly initiated the conflict just now? There are many passersby here; Your Excellency can verify it."

At this, Lion Min nearby said coldly, "Of course, you were the first to act. You agree, don't you?"

After speaking, his sharp gaze swept across the surroundings, and a wave of oppressive aura directly spread out.

The people from the minor clans instantly fell silent with fear. Who would dare to risk offending the powerful Lion clan to uphold justice?

Yu Yanluo's delicate brows furrowed. This was indeed a bit troublesome now.

Zu'an laughed heartily, "Using a Grandmaster's power to intimidate others—as if others can't do the same."

After speaking, an equally powerful oppressive aura spread out, even more terrifying than Lion Min's.

Now, let alone the several Lion clan princes, even Hei Chiran's expression changed. "When did the Snake clan become so powerful?" he wondered. "An unofficial general under them actually possesses Grandmaster cultivation."

If not for this person's appearance and even realm differing from what the Golden Crow Crown Prince described, he would have even suspected this guy was the one who defeated the Crown Prince.

Just as both sides were at a stalemate, a series of clinking sounds from jade pendants and wind chimes rang out, and a refreshing fragrance permeated the air.

Several exotic beasts pulled a luxurious, fragrant carriage past. It was accompanied by many eunuchs and palace maids, and the outer perimeter was guarded by elite Golden Crow Guards, vigilantly watching for potential dangers.

A gentle breeze brushed past, causing the light gauze around the carriage to flutter, as if stirring one's heartstrings.

Around the carriage roof were various bead curtains and bells, and the pleasant music heard earlier came from these small adornments.

And as the light gauze fluttered, one could vaguely discern a graceful and charming silhouette seated inside the carriage.

After seeing this carriage, a group of people dismounted. Hei Chiran led them in bowing, "Greetings, Lesser Demon Empress!"