At this moment, Tu Hu was devoid of his usual awe-inspiring majesty and the approachable demeanor he sometimes possessed.

To look upon him was to feel that he was a contradictory collection, at times seemingly non-existent, at others as naturally formed as heaven and earth. He appeared to be in a perpetual state of “change.”

Yet, everyone present understood that the Tu Hu of this moment could already be called a True Monarch. Furthermore… he had not just proven his Dao this day. The lack of a phenomenon accompanying his breakthrough, and the fact that a newly proven True Monarch would find it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to successfully plot against and ensnare an Illusion Demon Monarch, all pointed to this truth.

However, before today, Lord Tu Hu of Min He Temple had been a figure riddled with contradictions – his bloodline, his identity, his position. These myriad troubles had stirred up discontent throughout the ranks of Mu Country. His cultivation had also remained consistently at the level of a contemporary True Person.

Even Jin Gonghao, hailing from the Jin family with his first-class vision and intelligence network, had never heard of a second Tu Hu in this world, nor had he ever heard of reaching the level of divine-human union.

The scene before him connected too many threads. He was first shocked, then angered, his emotions fluctuating wildly. His hand tightened and loosened, loosened and tightened, finally only able to murmur, “So that’s how it is.”

So that’s how it is…

At this time, the Cang Lang Combat Arena was silent. Whether suppressed or isolated, no one paid it any mind. The interrupted duels would, of course, not resume. And the lingering shock of today would likely only serve as fodder for future tea-time conversations.

Meanwhile, Qing Ya Terrace had fallen into a different kind of silence.

The dark curtain in the sky had dispersed, and the brilliant daylight streamed down. Although the combat platform was damaged beyond repair, at least the gloom had been swept away, revealing the light.

Dou Zhao looked expressionlessly at the Yan Dao powerhouse who had just suppressed the Illusion Demon Monarch, silently extending his hand.

Tu Hu smiled, casually flipping Tian Xiao and sending it back into Dou Zhao’s palm. “This is indeed a blade that suits you.”

Dou Zhao remained silent, finding the statement utterly meaningless.

Jiang Wang, holding his long sword, calmly looked at Tu Hu and simply asked, “Why me?”

Frankly speaking, if not for being in Mu Country today, if not for being at the Supreme King’s Court, if not for representing Qi Country as an envoy… Jiang Wang would not have uttered a single word. He had experienced too much and witnessed too much.

Given today’s situation, it was difficult for him not to form a connection – could Tu Hu have been using him to set up this scheme? Could that encounter with the Chang demon in the border wilderness have also been part of Tu Hu’s design?

Those high-and-mighty powerhouses, casually using the world as a chessboard and common people as pieces, were not uncommon. For grander ideals and greater undertakings, some sacrifices were always deemed acceptable. While Jiang Wang did not agree with this, he would have simply buried everything in his heart, waiting for the day when he had sufficient strength to defend his own principles with his sword, and then he would have sought an answer.

But today he was the envoy of Great Qi, and thus he absolutely could not remain silent. Because by holding this envoy’s token, he represented the dignity of a nation. He could be unskilled in social graces, solely focused on cultivation, because the Qi Court had never intended for him to handle diplomatic relations; he was merely here to listen and observe. But he had to uphold the dignity of his country, and for this, he would not hesitate to draw his sword. A Qi envoy could not be easily humiliated!

At this moment, it was not he who was questioning Tu Hu.

It was the Great Qi Empire asking – what gave you the audacity to risk the envoy of my Great Qi?

“This lonely one! Helian Yunyun!”

Helian Yunyun stood up at this moment. Across the distance separating the viewing platform and the combat arena, she touched her heart with one hand and bowed respectfully towards Jiang Wang. “In the name of the Great Mu imperial clan, I offer my apologies to Marquis Wu An. Marquis Wu An has traveled far as our guest, and as a representative of Great Qi, he is furthermore a figure this lonely one has always admired! Regardless of the reasons, you should never have been placed in danger within Mu Country, and within the Supreme King’s Court! This brings shame upon this palace. The matter of today, this lonely one will provide an account!”

Her words were of giving an account, but in reality, she was demanding one. She was subtly assisting Jiang Wang in seeking an explanation from the Yan Dao powerhouse, Tu Hu.

Tu Hu immediately said, “I believe I can explain this matter clearly.”

He showed no arrogance befitting a Yan Dao cultivator who had transcended the mortal realm, and could even be described as exceptionally gentle. With a bitter smile on his face and a frank demeanor, he said, “The history of the struggle between the human and demon races has continued since ancient times. As the leader of the demon race on the death line, the Illusion Demon Monarch’s probing of the grassland has never ceased. Today was an excellent opportunity for him, and I believe he prepared for this day for a very long time. It was impossible for him to descend personally to the King’s Court, so he needed a bridge, and Marquis Wu An, you were one of his choices.”

“Today’s events were not initiated by me choosing you, but by the Illusion Demon Monarch choosing you. If you ask why you were chosen, I believe from the perspective of the Illusion Demon Monarch, there are many reasons. For example, your strength is not bad, you have enough carrying capacity, which allowed his Chang demon’s illusory skull to quickly form. For example, he encountered you not long ago in the border wilderness, presenting him with the opportunity to plant his means. For example, your extraordinary identity meant that you would not receive the most thorough scrutiny, thereby maximizing the concealment of his actions.”

“As for me. Before the Illusion Demon Monarch made his move, I did not know how he would ultimately choose to cut into today’s situation. Of course, I do not deny that after encountering you in the border wilderness that day, I had some suspicions, but at that time I found no definitive clues. And at that time, my confrontation with the Illusion Demon Monarch was originally intended to lure him into a trap, and the situation was also very dangerous, so there was no time to carefully investigate; I could only let you leave first.”

“Later, in the Guang Wen and Ye Chu Wu Hall, when I, the one sitting in Min He Temple, learned that you had encountered the other me in the border wilderness, I specifically spoke with you for a long time. At that time, the two of us did not communicate. I, the one sitting in Min He Temple, was actually always observing you, wanting to find traces of the Illusion Demon Monarch. Both of ‘us’ were wary of the Illusion Demon Monarch’s methods, but regretfully, neither of us found any traces on your person. As a Demon Monarch who achieved the Dao with the ‘Finger Snap Birth Extinction Illusion Demon Skill,’ his methods are always unfathomable and secretive.”

Jiang Wang listened quietly, then simply said, “The Illusion Demon Monarch’s methods are indeed unfathomable. Lord Tu’s arrival today was also very timely.”

Tu Hu pondered slightly, then said, “You surely still remember the female Chang demon you just saw? When you were in the border wilderness, you had already seen her before and fought with her. She was Wan Yan Qingping of the Wan Yan family, a famous divine-arrival prodigy back then. At the same time, she had long been controlled by external forces. As for which force controlled her, I will not say.”

“After I informed the head of the Wan Yan family, I prepared means on her. And I arranged for her to die in the border wilderness, for the Illusion Demon Monarch to capture her spiritual essence and turn her into a Chang demon. This also became an important reason why I could appear in a timely manner today.”

A Chang demon was almost a symbolic representative of the Illusion Demon Monarch, yet Tu Hu could start with this and successfully lay down his means. The difficulty and effort involved were undoubtedly immense and could not be explained in a few words. And Tu Hu had originally used Wan Yan Qingping as a lead to catch a series of significant figures. After utilizing her value while alive to the fullest, he then sent Wan Yan Qingping to the border wilderness, plotted against the Illusion Demon Monarch, and utilized her value in death… He naturally didn’t need to explain all of this clearly. Now, he simply wanted to explain to Jiang Wang why he could arrive so promptly.

How could Jiang Wang only have an impression of Wan Yan Qingping? In that encounter in the border wilderness, two thousand six hundred li away, Wan Yan Qingping was the Chang demon who brought him the greatest pressure. At that time, he had already made preparations for a desperate fight, and planned to first eliminate this woman.

He sighed at Tu Hu’s abilities and methods, but these were not enough to convince him.

“Your esteemed country’s protection of the Cang Lang Combat Arena was also very timely,” Jiang Wang said.

He was naturally referring to the three powerhouses who had sealed the Cang Lang Combat Arena in the first instance and had still not fully revealed themselves. To say that Tu Hu had not prepared in advance, that he had been completely unaware of when the Illusion Demon Monarch would launch his attack, was something he would absolutely not believe.

You arrived so timely, and the arrangements were so targeted, and then you claim you knew nothing and that it was all a coincidence. Who could possibly believe such words?

If Jiang Wang’s attitude towards Tu Hu the day before in Min He Temple was one of gratitude mixed with restraint and caution, then after this encounter today, his attitude had clearly become more distant.

Tu Hu, having achieved divine-human union, naturally felt this deeply. He sighed lightly, then suddenly transmitted a message into Jiang Wang’s mind:

*I know it’s very difficult to dispel Marquis Wu An’s doubts today, and I can fully understand, as anyone would feel the same way. So, I want to tell you a secret… concerning my hidden divine ability. It can certainly dispel your doubts. However, this matter, once spoken by me, should not be spread after entering your ears. Are you willing to listen?*

Jiang Wang subconsciously wanted to nod in agreement, but his thoughts suddenly blurred. Within the Five Mansions Sea, the divine ability seeds of black and white also seemed to subtly jump. A careful look revealed no movement. But he had a vague feeling… that this might be the wrong choice.

*Jiang Wang, ah Jiang Wang, what virtue or ability do you possess to listen to the hidden divine ability of a Yan Dao True Monarch? What qualifications do you have to listen, and what qualifications do you have to keep such a hidden ability?*

He immediately cut off the thought in his heart and spoke aloud: “I have heard that in ancient times, gentlemen believed that there was nothing that could not be said openly. Jiang someone is not a person who likes to pursue matters to the root, but merely a person who has narrowly escaped disaster and needs a reasonable explanation. If Lord Tu feels that it cannot be explained clearly, or that I do not deserve an explanation, then you can say nothing. If Lord Tu feels that it can be explained clearly, it would be better to speak openly and honestly to everyone, rather than just me. Just now, the Illusion Demon Monarch made his move across the boundary, and the danger not only involved me, but also Brother Dou, and even the various people watching on-site. It was all unwarranted disaster.”

“How could Lord Tu have words that are inconvenient for me to hear? But Dou someone also indeed wants to hear an explanation.” Dou Zhao said, “Your hunting demons is a proper matter. Hunting demons and bringing a demon monarch into your King’s Court is also your freedom. But to disregard the safety of an envoy from another country, I, representing Chu Country, express my bewilderment at this. I do not know what kind of behavior this is?”

There is a saying, “Reason is straight and strong.” Because they held the reason, Jiang Wang and Dou Zhao, cultivators of the divine-arrival realm, could seriously demand an explanation from Tu Hu. Of course, the premise of “reason is straight and strong” was having an environment where reason could be spoken. The Qi and Chu behind Jiang Wang and Dou Zhao were the foundation for their ability to speak so boldly.

At this moment, the attitudes of Jiang Wang and Dou Zhao already had a touch of forcing. Especially Jiang Wang exposing Tu Hu’s secret transmission, which undoubtedly put him in an awkward position.

But Tu Hu showed no sign of annoyance, simply saying very calmly, “Then I will explain in detail.”

“I have been setting this trap using Wan Yan Qingping for nearly a hundred years. During this time, I have repeatedly ventured deep into the border wilderness to hunt demons, lure the Illusion Demon Monarch’s attention, and exert influence over him. The other me, who cultivated in the Cave True realm, was often on the brink of death under the Illusion Demon Monarch’s watchful eye. It was even more difficult to accomplish anything significant. I could only subtly, meticulously, seek a breakthrough. This century-long scheme has only formally concluded today.”

“The most ideal outcome for this scheme today was to drag the Illusion Demon Monarch from the myriad realms’ desolate grave and kill him on the spot, but this was not achieved. He ultimately struggled free. I only achieved the sub-optimal goal.”

He flattened his palm, allowing Jiang Wang and Dou Zhao to clearly see the constantly changing five-colored human face in the center of his palm. “This is a false face of the Illusion Demon Monarch. According to my understanding, the Illusion Demon Monarch only has nine false faces in total, which are the foundation of his cultivation. With this one peeled off, he will not be able to recover without a hundred years of arduous effort.”

He looked towards Jiang Wang and slowly said, “Marquis Wu An must also understand what this means. So, I must say that I truly admire Yu Beidou. He was able to achieve something similar with Cave True cultivation.”

“Of course, by saying this, I do not wish for you to acknowledge the risks and sacrifices. You have traveled far as honored guests and should only receive respect and reverence, and have absolutely no obligation to dedicate anything to my plan. To take a step back, both of you are pillars of your countries, and talents of the world. To take a step forward, you can almost be regarded as the future of the human race. I believe that if I could have informed you of this scheme in advance, you would also have agreed to the risk, but to inform you afterward is deceit. And to use deceit to promote the development of a scheme, no matter how grand the initial goal or the final outcome, is certainly not a friendly act towards the parties involved.”

“So, the first thing I want to say is – I did not deceive you. Involving Marquis Wu An was not my design. No matter how grand the reason, Mu Country would absolutely not use an envoy of a friendly country as bait. Especially not today, in this Supreme King’s Court.”

“Marquis Wu An, you might as well consider whether your decision to go to the border wilderness might have been influenced by anyone? Were your chosen route and time guided? The Illusion Demon Monarch was setting up a trap against me at that time. His actions, were they something that the other me in the Cave True realm could stop?”

“I did use special methods and nearly a hundred years to mislead the Illusion Demon Monarch, making him believe that today was the opportune time. But I could not determine where he would strike from. So, my preparations were aimed at this specific time point today, not at a specific person or position. As for why the seal could arrive so timely, it’s because at this time point today, several elders have always been waiting for orders in the King’s Court.”

He did not say what methods he used, or how he misled the Illusion Demon Monarch, but Jiang Wang thought that it must be related to the Illusion Demon Monarch’s earlier angry shout of “Huna Ba.” Huna Ba was the guardian wolf god. The word “guardian” was extraordinary in meaning.

In what situation could the guardian wolf god possibly have a problem, and only then be regarded as an opportunity by the Illusion Demon Monarch? Jiang Wang restrained himself and did not delve deeper into thought.

Tu Hu looked deeply at Jiang Wang, then said, “You can also know that the Illusion Demon Monarch’s methods are absolutely impossible to be easily discovered. I spent a hundred years laying this trap, and the Illusion Demon Monarch, sitting on the death line, did not cease for a hundred years. People scheme against tigers, and tigers also scheme against people. Before the final outcome, who could say for certain who would win or lose?”

“How many means he secretly hides on the grassland, how many bridges he has built, we do not know. But Marquis Wu An was absolutely not the only one he targeted. Just in this recent period of time, during his pursuit of me in the border wilderness, many people were involved. It’s just that among those people, very few could endure.”

“Until before today, I could not completely determine if he would enter the trap, much less determine how he would enter the trap. I did suspect that he might utilize Marquis Wu An to do something, but I could not make a big fuss to investigate. Firstly, it would definitely scare him away. Secondly, Marquis Wu An might not necessarily agree.”

This point was indeed true. If Tu Hu had suddenly told Jiang Wang earlier that he might be influenced by the Illusion Demon Monarch and asked him to open his mind for investigation, he would absolutely not have agreed. As an envoy of Qi Country, how could he be completely unguarded towards a foreign True Monarch?

Tu Hu continued, “Today’s Supreme King’s Court, the great array is already open. Besides me, there are still four other Yan Dao powerhouses waiting for orders! If demon qi appears in any corner of the King’s Court, there will be a Yan Dao powerhouse who can rush there in the first instance. This is precisely the preparation we made for today.”

“Therefore, no matter what happens in the King’s Court today, Marquis Wu An’s safety can be guaranteed. This is also the reason why I did not conduct further investigation on Marquis Wu An earlier.”

“Furthermore, the Illusion Demon Monarch descended to this Cang Lang Combat Arena across the boundary, using Marquis Wu An as a landmark and demon qi as a traction. I was also able to arrive in a timely manner by using Zhang Mo as a landmark and following the Illusion Demon Monarch’s actions.”

Tu Hu explained all the considerations, and the overall logic was indeed clear. With his status as a Yan Dao True Monarch, and having peeled off the Illusion Demon Monarch’s false face today, completing this matter destined to shock the world, to be able to explain so seriously was already an exceptionally good attitude.

And he said again, “But speaking of one thing, speaking of ten thousand, both of you hold the token of envoy and have traveled far to the grassland, arriving as noble guests. You should have calmly appreciated the scenery of the grassland, yet you unexpectedly suffered this shock. This is undoubtedly our Mu Country’s inadequate hospitality.”

He touched his chest with one hand and bowed with extreme sincerity. “Please allow me, in the name of Min He Temple, to represent Mu Country and offer my apologies to the two ambassadors.”

Jiang Wang and Dou Zhao immediately turned to the side, unwilling to accept this bow. How could two divine-arrival cultivators casually receive the bow of Yan Dao Tu Hu?

Tu Hu then turned his head to look towards Helian Yunyun. “Does Your Highness have a record of the duel in this arena just now?”

Helian Yunyun nodded slightly.

“Please give me a copy later,” Tu Hu said, then turned back to Jiang Wang and Dou Zhao. “Our grassland people dislike empty words. Since it is an apology, we cannot be empty-handed. As for the compensation for the two of you, I still need to consider it before offering it, so as to be appropriate. Of course, two heaven-blessed prodigies lack nothing, but please do not refuse this small gesture from the grassland people out of etiquette.”

Jiang Wang did not speak.

Dou Zhao also did not.

Tu Hu’s attitude was so sincere, taking care of all aspects. Even though they still had some doubts in their hearts, they said no more. The person before them was, after all, a Yan Dao True Monarch, an existence standing at the peak of transcendence. For ordinary people, they wouldn’t even have the courage to speak in his presence.

Tu Hu then shifted his gaze and looked seriously at the audience seats:

“Miss Huang, Young Master Zhong Li, Master Yuhua, the three of you are also esteemed guests of my Great Mu. Coming to the combat arena to watch was originally a leisure activity, yet you were unexpectedly subjected to this shock. I have also prepared some tokens of appreciation, which will be sent to you later. Please forgive me.”

Yuhua put her palms together and said, “This poor nun has never doubted the safety of the King’s Court. Seeing that demon head proclaim so grandly just now, I merely regarded it as a beastly performance. Lord Tu has been thoughtful.”

Zhong Li Yan, however, remained motionless, pretending that he had not been called by name just now. A person who fundamentally disdained watching the battle between Jiang Wang and Dou Zhao, how could he have been involved with a demon head at the site of their duel? It must be a misunderstanding! It was perfectly reasonable for Tu Hu, after his great battle with the Illusion Demon Monarch, to be momentarily absent-minded and call out the wrong name.

Huang Sheli blinked her eyes and said nothing. When she should receive benefits, she was not polite, but at the same time, being wealthy, she did not care too much about those so-called tokens of appreciation. She had her own focus. She found that Jiang Wang, who had almost been casually crushed by the Illusion Demon Monarch, had a different kind of beauty compared to his usual demeanor. Those weak but strong eyes, that scattered blood energy but still straight spine and waist, and that hand, which didn’t have much strength but still gripped the sword tightly…

Flipping through Buddhist scriptures, only one phrase could describe it: “I see him, and still pity him!”

She then looked brightly at Dou Zhao and couldn’t help but curl her lip. You were just almost crushed by the Illusion Demon Monarch, yet you still have a fighting-heaven-and-earth expression. What’s the matter? One who doesn’t know would still think that the Illusion Demon Monarch was defeated by you… Your style is too monotonous!

Thus, she looked back at Jiang Wang again.

Helian Yunyun stood quietly on the viewing platform for a while. After waiting for Tu Hu to explain clearly, and for Jiang Wang to seemingly acknowledge it, she bowed slightly. “Congratulations, Lord Tu Hu. You were able to peel off the Illusion Demon Monarch’s false face and cause him great fundamental injury. You have rendered great merit to the country and to the human race. This time, inheriting the divine crown and preaching the position of Great Priest is even more rightful.”

Jiang Wang was astonished.

Dou Zhao was astonished.

Huang Sheli was also astonished.

It was said that the inheritance ceremony was almost starting, but Mu Country had always kept the identity of the figure who would inherit the divine crown and preach the position of Great Priest a secret. Various parties had made many guesses, almost naming all the Golden Crown Great Priests on Qiong Lu Mountain, and even some reclusive legendary figures. They had not expected to be wrong about all of them.

They had not expected that person to be none other than Tu Hu!

Tu Hu’s century-long scheme targeting the Illusion Demon Monarch had finally reached its culmination. Why did he choose to conclude it today? Because he was soon to inherit the divine crown and preach the position of Great Priest, and his cultivation could no longer be hidden. Not only would he not hide it, but he wanted to reveal it, to proclaim it.

Today, achieving divine-human unity was actually crowned with the Illusion Demon Monarch’s false face. What kind of maneuver was this?

Furthermore, from Tu Hu’s personal history, and the timing of his scheme and its conclusion… The sudden turn of events in the Mu Zhi war earlier seemed to also faintly reveal some clues!