Undercurrent in the Royal City

In the Imperial Capital of Yundu,
inside the palace.

“Protectorate Duke.”

A man with blue-green hair knelt on one knee, eyes lowered.

He dared not meet the gaze of the heavy silhouette before him.

“Neizhu… how is the experiment in Sin City progressing?”

The Protectorate Duke stood with his back turned, voice hoarse.

“My lord, the report from there says…”
“Total failure…”

Neizhu replied solemnly, voice trembling slightly.
“And… a strange youth interfered—ruined our subordinates’ plans.”
“Now, control of Sin City has fallen into the hands of Qi Yue’s daughter.”

Silence filled the hall—
as if the next second, punishment would descend upon Neizhu.

“All failed… that was to be expected.”

Unexpectedly, the Protectorate Duke showed no strong emotion,
which made Neizhu exhale in relief.

“After all, human limitations… are still insufficient to bear the blood of the Sky Demon Clan…”
“In that case, Sin City’s final embers have burned out.”

The Protectorate Duke gazed down at Neizhu.
“You know what comes next.”

Neizhu’s pupils contracted.
“Please give me your orders, my lord.”

“You will lead a force to cleanse Sin City—every living thing within it.”

“What about the daughter of General Qi Yue…”

“That is none of your concern.”

Neizhu broke into a cold sweat, quickly replying:
“Yes, my lord… I shall depart immediately.”

“No rush. Wait a few more days.”

The Protectorate Duke said slowly.
“In a few days, the Princess will visit Sin City for inspection. Go then—deal with both problems at once.”

Hearing this, a chill ran up Neizhu’s spine.

Killing Qi Qiao? Understandable.
But now, he was being ordered to assassinate the Princess?

Though the King had long vanished, the Princess was the symbol of imperial authority.
Did this man truly understand what he was doing?

Neizhu opened his mouth—but his throat was too dry to speak.

Seeing Neizhu silent, the Protectorate Duke stared at him.
“Neizhu… how long have you served me?”

“My lord, thirty years.”

“Thirty years…” The Protectorate Duke said softly.
“Don’t you think Qi Yue has lived too long?”
“The position of Supreme Commander of the Holy Heaven Army… should be given to someone new.”
“The Holy Heaven Army—the empire’s absolute power—must be utterly loyal… utterly obedient… to me.”

These words surged through Neizhu’s veins like a drug.
All hesitation vanished—he could barely suppress his inner joy.

“Your humble servant… will die a thousand deaths to serve you.”

Voice trembling, Neizhu turned and left.

He understood the meaning behind those words.
He had waited for this day too long.

Supreme Commander of the Holy Heaven Army…
He had desired that title for decades.

But Qi Yue was simply too strong—so Neizhu could only watch, helpless,
for thirty years.

Now—finally—the day had come.

After Neizhu left, a shadow appeared silently—
gliding like a ghost to stand beside the Protectorate Duke.

If Bai Ci were here, he’d instantly recognize—
this figure looked exactly like the so-called “Sky Demon” he’d encountered in the old man’s house.

The Protectorate Duke clearly sensed the presence.
He broke the silence:

“You shouldn’t be here.”

“Sin City… holds many secrets.”

The voice from the shadows carried no emotion.

A complex look flickered in the Protectorate Duke’s eyes.
“There’s no time left. Even if great secrets lie hidden, they’re not meant for us to uncover.”
“The demon seal has been broken. Garuda will soon return.”
“If we don’t find a weapon capable of opposing him before then… humanity—and our Sky Demon Clan—will face only extinction.”

The figure in shadow said nothing—clearly agreeing.

The Protectorate Duke continued, murmuring:
“The disaster when Sin City was attacked by demons… was a warning.
Humans, though Sorcerers exist, are physically too weak. Even a Seventh-Tier Sorcerer becomes mere food against those ravenous beings.”

The shadow’s voice grew heavy with resignation:
“We truly have little time left…”

The Protectorate Duke nodded slightly.
“That’s why we must quickly find a way for humans to adapt to Sky Demon blood.
Only then can we transform the vast human population into warriors strong enough to fight them.”

He walked to the end of the hall.
“If Neizhu fails… kill him.”
“And deal with Qi Yue’s daughter… and all other witnesses.”

Sin City.

Three days had passed since Xiya disappeared.

Thankfully, the decrease in monsters brought rare peace to the city—
allowing Bai Ci a brief moment of relief.

After several days of negotiation, Luo Yu and Qi Qiao had reached a cooperation agreement.

Now, an eerie calm blanketed Sin City.

According to Qi Qiao,
Castel had been murdered in prison the very next day.

That act exposed the traitor within the Holy Heaven Army.

“Wait for good news,” Qi Qiao had confidently told Bai Ci.

But Bai Ci knew—he couldn’t rest yet.

If Xiya wasn’t here… and Garuda returned…
could he really kill him alone?

“Long time no see, Xiao Bai Ci.”

Bai Ci was just about to return to his room—
to rest and ease his exhausted body and mind—
when a voice stopped him.

Hearing it, his heart sank. This isn’t good.

“After all this time apart, you’re trying to avoid me? Big sister will be heartbroken~”

It was Lilith—the innkeeper.

With that, she swayed her serpentine waist, wrapping Bai Ci’s arm around her chest.

Feeling the softness, Bai Ci sighed helplessly.
“What wind blows you in today?”

“Don’t be so cold! We finally meet again, and your girlfriend’s gone—planning to lock your heart away?”

Lilith purred, oozing feminine charm—a ripe peach ready to burst. Any normal man would crumble.

“If you don’t mind… come walk with big sister today.”

Bai Ci shook his head, resisting.

He instinctively resisted her near-sexual harassment.

“Don’t be like that, dear brother. Even saving the world requires moments of rest, doesn’t it?”

Lilith said slyly.

Bai Ci sighed deeply.

If he didn’t fulfill Lilith’s request today,
he’d probably be kicked out tomorrow.

After all—he was still staying here for free…

Reluctantly, Bai Ci agreed.

He didn’t realize how many in the Shiyu Church would die for the chance to walk with Lilith.

Moments later, changed into casual clothes, Bai Ci followed Lilith out of the inn.