Chapter 354: A Heinous Act

In less than the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, Madam Xu had roughly explained her intentions.

The reason she sought out Gu Ning’an was entirely due to what she had heard about him from the Hunting Arena.

Upon learning that the Fifth Prince was cooperating with the Flood Dragon Emperor, she—being the Void Emperor’s wife and second only to him in Eternal Slumber City—wanted to involve herself in Great Wu’s affairs as well.

Gu Ning’an paused before saying, “I understand why Madam Xu has sought me out… But you have yet to explain what purpose these mortal women will serve.”

Madam Xu smiled. “Mr. Gu, ever since humans and demons came into existence, they have never been able to coexist in harmony. Do you know why?”

Gu Ning’an replied, “There are many factors at play; it cannot be generalized.”

Madam Xu nodded. “Indeed, countless factors contribute to this… But ultimately, it all comes down to differences in race. If they were of the same kind, humans and demons would naturally be able to live together.”

Gu Ning’an said, “Go on.”

“Except in specific circumstances, most human-demon unions cannot produce offspring.”

“This is a natural boundary, a distinction between species.”

At this, Madam Xu’s voice lifted slightly as she smiled. “However, I have now developed a technique that can break this racial barrier, allowing mortal women to conceive demon offspring!”

“The offspring born from this fusion of human and demon blood—I call them ‘half-demons.’”

“Words alone are unconvincing, so I invite you to witness this new race with your own eyes.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a woman with disheveled hair was dragged forward by demon soldiers.

Her gaze was vacant, and she wore an excessively loose robe, yet her belly was grotesquely swollen, as if she were carrying triplets.

Madam Xu stood up, walked to the woman’s side, and gently placed a hand on her stomach before continuing, “When a demon cultivates this technique and mates with a mortal woman, a half-demon can be born within a month.”

“The half-demon race is born without a throat bone, making them structurally similar to humans.”

“But from the moment they are born, they possess the naturally superior physique of demons.”

“Their intelligence is also on par with that of an enlightened spirit demon from birth.”

“There are many more advantages to half-demons, but I won’t go into detail now. If you are interested, I can have someone deliver a full report to you later.”

With that, Madam Xu clapped her hands. A crisp pa! pa! rang through the air.

The vacant-eyed, pregnant woman suddenly let out a piercing scream—so sharp and chilling that it made one’s scalp tingle.

The next moment, she collapsed onto the ground, her grotesquely swollen belly beginning to pulse violently!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

A rhythmic pounding echoed, like a warrior’s war drums!

Splurt!

A line of blood sprayed into the air as the woman’s stomach tore open!

From within emerged a creature with scarlet fangs, pointed ears, and yellow eyes—its head resembling that of a dog, yet with a humanoid body!

This so-called half-demon, as named by Madam Xu, had a grotesque form. It possessed the muscular build of a human, but with razor-sharp claws at the ends of its limbs.

Though it had just emerged from the woman’s body, it was already the size of a five-year-old child.

“Khak—Khak!” A guttural, inhuman sound rasped from its throat as the half-demon leapt forward, lunging straight at Madam Xu!

Its bared fangs made its intent clear—it sought to rip apart everything in sight!

Yet, despite the sudden attack, Madam Xu remained utterly unfazed.

The demon soldiers guarding her had already thrust their spears forward, skewering the bloodthirsty half-demon like a pincushion…

He does have some courage. As a mere mortal, he showed not a hint of fear in the face of such a scene…

Madam Xu gained a bit more respect for Gu Ning’an and smiled faintly. “Mr. Gu, what do you think of this method?”

Gu Ning’an did not answer. Instead, he asked in return, “Have you ever considered that for mortal women, being forced into this process is nothing but a death sentence?”

“So what if they die?”

Magistrate Wei waved his hand dismissively. “It’s just a mortal. The world is full of them—there’s never a shortage.”

“But you must realize that her offspring would embark on an entirely new path of cultivation… That is something truly glorious for their lineage!”

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an glanced at Magistrate Wei. The latter involuntarily shivered under his gaze, even instinctively retracting his right leg, which had been resting on the chair.

A moment later, realizing he had been intimidated by the mere gaze of a mortal scholar, he found it embarrassing. Just as he was about to snap at Gu Ning’an for staring at him, he heard the scholar ask, “Does the Void Emperor know about this method?”

Madam Xu hadn’t expected this question. She pondered for a moment before confidently replying, “Of course he does. So I hope Mr. Gu won’t underestimate us.”

“Our proposal for cooperation represents the Void Emperor’s will as well.”

“Even though the Fifth Prince already has the Flood Dragon Emperor’s support, an additional great demon as an ally can only be an advantage.”

“I believe Mr. Gu fully understands what it means for two great demons to take sides.”

“And with the half-demon method added to the mix… I trust Great Wu will soon reach an era of unprecedented prosperity.”

At this, Gu Ning’an raised a hand to interrupt. “If this method truly becomes widespread, will mortals even have a place to survive?”

“That’s exactly why I despise scholars like you!”

Magistrate Wei sneered. “Even without this method, Great Wu is already plagued by refugees. Mortals lost their place in this world long ago.”

“Acting like you care for the common people—how hypocritical!”

Ignoring Magistrate Wei’s mockery, Gu Ning’an turned to Madam Xu and said calmly, “May I take a look at this half-demon method?”

Magistrate Wei scoffed. “You? A mere mortal? Do you even understand such things?”

“…Forget it. Let him see.”

Madam Xu waved a hand, pulling a yellow-covered book from her sleeve and handing it to a demon soldier, who then presented it to Gu Ning’an.

The book was about a finger thick, with no title on the cover—evidently something Madam Xu had casually taken.

Flipping through it at an astonishing speed, Gu Ning’an scanned from the first page to the last before closing it and saying flatly, “Such heretical arts defy the natural order. Using them will bring divine retribution.”

The moment he spoke, even Madam Xu—who had played the ‘white face’ role thus far—couldn’t help but frown.

“Mr. Gu, I respect you—not just because of you, but because of the Fifth Prince and the Flood Dragon Emperor behind him. I suggest you recognize your place.”

“Sis! Why waste words on him?”

“How about we just kill him and see if the Flood Dragon Emperor would really go out of his way for some self-righteous scholar?”

The moment Magistrate Wei spoke, the surrounding demon soldiers locked onto Gu Ning’an…