Chapter 616: Human Traitor

What kind of human could thrive in the current war between humans and demons? He thought of someone.

The Supreme Elder of the Giant Sect! Fang Taiji! To surrender to the demon race and gain their trust, he killed seven of his own elders, solely to pledge allegiance to them!

This human elder before him must have committed an act of extreme betrayal against humanity. Only then would the demons trust him completely, with no worries about him returning to the human side.

Ling Shu showed him great respect, stepping forward to greet him, "Elder Han, please take the main seat." Even Liu Li was surprised and quickly went to greet him, "Teacher, is that you?"

The elder before them was none other than Han Feidao, the imperial tutor arranged by the Demon Emperor for Liu Li. He had taught her for three years.

The curriculum included human language, culture, customs, and more. Besides that, he had also taught Liu Li many life lessons. Liu Li held this human teacher in high regard.

In fact, Han Feidao had not only been Liu Li's teacher; many tribes had also invited him to instruct their younger generations. At least thirty percent of the noble children were considered his students.

Consequently, he commanded great prestige among the demon race. Few demons treated him as just a human anymore. Even Ling Shu directly referred to him as an elder of the demon race, showing his acceptance.

Han Feidao, over eighty years old, was frail and walked with a faltering gait. He appeared to have no cultivation. Yet, his expression was rigid and humorless, giving off an unapproachable aura.

"So, Liu Li is here too," Han Feidao said, looking at Liu Li with a stern face. "How is it that I hear you are to marry a human? Is this true?"

Liu Li looked embarrassed. She secretly glared at Ling Shu. Was this guy intentionally bringing Han Feidao here to put pressure on her? Luckily, she hadn't left earlier. Otherwise, she would have been accused of disrespecting Han Feidao, and the Demon Emperor would have punished her again.

"Teacher, this was all arranged by my imperial father," Liu Li stammered.

Han Feidao snorted, "Then you should cancel it! Humans are nothing but a vile race, full of scheming, forgetting righteousness for profit, and utterly selfish. Marrying them would taint your Demon Emperor bloodline!"

To disparage him and the human race so brazenly in front of Jiang Fan, how could Jiang Fan pretend he didn't hear it?

"Old man, since the demon race calls you 'teacher,' you must be educated, right?" Jiang Fan retorted. "Have you not heard the story of Su Shi and Foyin?"

Only then did Han Feidao notice there was another human present. His gaze settled, and seeing Jiang Fan's human form and the chains on his hands and feet, he immediately knew who he was.

His expression grew even colder as he said disdainfully, "So it's you! Even in your presence, I must say this! You are unworthy to be a consort of my demon race! I will suggest to the Demon Emperor that this marriage be canceled, lest you taint the noble bloodline of the demon imperial family!"

He kept repeating "my demon race!" Jiang Fan found it grating. He had truly encountered a human traitor!

Jiang Fan scoffed, "Those with a Buddha in their heart see everyone as Buddha. Those with filth in their heart see everything as filth! You are defiled yourself, so naturally you find all humans defiled."

Han Feidao snorted heavily, "Impudent! You, a mere captive, dare to speak so presumptuously before me? Get out!"

Ling Shu felt greatly troubled. She had invited Han Feidao to put pressure on Liu Li. Unexpectedly, she hadn't managed to suppress Liu Li; instead, her good brother had gotten into a conflict.

She quickly intervened, saying softly, "Elder Han, yesterday I passed by your academy and saw the couplet at the entrance. Though straightforward in its meter, its wisdom is profound and thought-provoking. 'The hardest crossbow string breaks first...' what was the second half again? This junior is foolish and has forgotten."

Han Feidao slowly replied, "The sharpest blade is easily chipped." Ling Shu realized, "Yes, yes, that's the line. Even a casual couplet from Elder Han provides such deep benefit to this junior."

The anger on Han Feidao's face subsided, and he chuckled, "So you're trying to enlighten me! This couplet advises patience. If you want to persuade me to be patient, just say so directly. Why praise my couplet in such a roundabout way?"

Ling Shu stuck out her tongue and laughed sweetly, "Wasn't it because I was afraid Elder Han wouldn't listen to this junior's advice?" Han Feidao poked her forehead, not hiding his favoritism, and said, "Such a clever little thing!"

A junior who was both articulate and intelligent. Who wouldn't like that?

He looked at Jiang Fan again; he was less overbearing now, but still didn't have a pleasant expression. "I can't be bothered to argue with a junior!" he declared. Then, assisted by Ling Shu, he took the main seat.

After settling Han Feidao, Ling Shu went to Jiang Fan, her face full of apology. "Brother, I'm sorry. I didn't expect it to turn out like this. It's all my fault."

Her every word was 'tea-like'. But it was quite good. As long as there were no ill intentions, what was wrong with being a little 'tea-like'?

"It has nothing to do with you. Is everyone here?" Jiang Fan asked.

Ling Shu replied, "There are still the Ten Stars..." Before she could finish, disordered footsteps sounded from downstairs.

The eight stars, led by Zi Xing, hurried over. The moment they entered, they repeatedly apologized to Han Feidao. "Elder Han..." "Teacher, we're sorry, we were delayed on the way."

Han Feidao's face was grim, and he said nothing. Liu Li lightly scolded, "Zi Xing, what's wrong with you all? Since you knew Teacher was coming, why didn't you arrive earlier? You actually made Teacher wait for you!"

It was excusable if she didn't know. But since the Ten Stars knew, how dare they be so disrespectful?

Zi Xing, with a pained expression, cupped his hands and said, "Young Master Liu Li, strange things are happening in the city. People have been disappearing one after another, and we received an urgent mission to investigate."

Liu Li was surprised. Under the Demon Emperor's very nose, someone dared to cause trouble and abduct demons? How could that be? However, powerful demons would worry about this matter. She believed it would be resolved quickly.

"Quickly, sit down," Liu Li said. "After the meeting, you should escort Teacher back, lest someone targets him."

Zi Xing nodded. But they dared not sit down without permission, all looking towards Han Feidao.

"Since there's a reason, you may sit," Han Feidao said, his expression softening as he nodded slightly.

Glancing at Jiang Fan, who was sitting opposite him, a thought sparked in his mind. "You all sit next to Jiang Fan." Jiang Fan had stirred up public outrage among the demons at Boundary Mountain. When the Ten Stars came here and saw their old enemy, how could they let him off easy?

For this reason, Han Feidao deliberately pointed out Jiang Fan's identity. The Ten Stars would surely be furious upon learning Jiang Fan was here, right?

However, what made Han Feidao's eyebrows slightly arch was the eerie silence in the private room. The eight stars looked at each other, but no one uttered a sound.

Han Feidao was puzzled. No one jumped out to accuse Jiang Fan? That shouldn't be the case.

The demons downstairs were still gathered, loudly demanding to punish Jiang Fan. How could the Demon Ten Stars be so calm?

"Then sit down," Han Feidao said, giving up on his attempt to incite them. But to his surprise, Zi Xing still didn't move.

Not a single one dared to sit there. Who would want to shorten their life by sitting next to Jiang Fan? He had casually slain two stars right in front of the Demon Emperor. Now that the Demon Emperor wasn't present, wouldn't it be even easier and more convenient for him to kill?