Chapter 379: Like Looking in a Mirror

“Old Kui, I’ll admit that this place is much more concealed, but honestly, discussing this here isn’t all that different from talking in the private room.”

Hearing this, the Void Emperor smiled bitterly. “I know it doesn’t make much difference, but at least it gives me some peace of mind.”

Gu Ning’an nodded. “Then tell me—what do you know about the gray thread?”

The Void Emperor’s expression froze, and after clenching his teeth, he said, “Mr. Gu, to be honest, I can’t speak about anything related to this gray thread you mention. You’ll have to figure it out yourself.”

Gu Ning’an fell into deep thought upon hearing this, while Doubao widened his round eyes. “What the hell!”

“You dragged Mr. Gu all the way to your lair, and this is all you have to say?”

“This is no different from taking off your pants just to fart!”

“Are you messing with us?!”

Facing Doubao’s barrage of complaints, the Void Emperor sighed helplessly. “It’s not that I don’t want to say—it’s that I can’t…”

Doubao glared. “Your mouth is right there—”

Back then, Shi Yi had said the same thing—that I had to find the answer myself…

Gu Ning’an raised a hand, signaling Doubao to stop his rant. “Old Kui has his reasons. If he can’t say, then he can’t say. No point in forcing it.”

“The Flood Dragon Emperor and you—you’re not from the same era, are you?”

Seeing that Gu Ning’an wasn’t going to press further, the Void Emperor breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replied, “Right, right! That little flood dragon is much younger than me—he’s only a millennium-old great demon.”

“Reaching that level in just a thousand years is partly due to his talent, but also…” the Void Emperor tapped his forehead, his meaning clear without needing further explanation.

Gu Ning’an nodded. “Do you know why the Flood Dragon Emperor has always wanted to leave Northern Huangtian?”

“I do.”

The Void Emperor chuckled. “That little flood dragon thinks he’s the chosen one destined to revive the demon race. He believes he’s inherited its fate and thus must act—to create a demon kingdom, break free from shackles, and establish a haven for all demons.”

“A demon cultivator with ambition, huh…” Gu Ning’an paused briefly, then continued, “Do you have anything else you can say? If not, I’ll go find the Flood Dragon Emperor.”

The Void Emperor cupped his hands. “Within the lands of Great Wu, every living being is already caught in the game. I urge you, Mr. Gu, to tread carefully…”

“Thank you.” Gu Ning’an gave the Void Emperor a meaningful look, then turned to the little creature on his shoulder. “I’m heading to find the Flood Dragon Emperor—you’re not coming with me. I have some history with him, and once I leave, he might hold a grudge against you and even the entire Blaze Bug clan.”

“History?” Doubao radiated a soft moonlight-like glow. “Then I have to go! I’ll go back and call Granny and the others—we’ll all go together!”

“Catch him off guard and blow him up!”

“Enough, enough! Stop making trouble for Mr. Gu!”

As the Void Emperor spoke, he pulled Doubao off Gu Ning’an’s shoulder and cradled him in his hands. “Your Blaze Bug clan may be numerous, and you have a few elders, but to a great demon, your self-destruction is no different from firecrackers—at best, it just makes a little noise.”

Feeling Doubao struggle in his grasp, the Void Emperor pressed down to hold him in place. “If you really want to help Mr. Gu, then focus on training. Once you grow stronger, you’ll eventually have the chance to assist him properly.”

Understanding that the Void Emperor had a point, Doubao stopped struggling and said seriously, “Mr. Gu, don’t worry—I’ll train hard until I have the power to blow up the Flood Dragon Emperor!”

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an couldn’t help but smile. “Just focus on training—don’t spend all day thinking about blowing people up.”

“Got it! Safe travels, sir!”

Watching Gu Ning’an’s departing figure, Doubao stared blankly for a moment. But then, as he felt a rough hand rubbing the wings on his back, he urged, “Void Emperor! Quit rubbing! Put me down!”

“No rush, no rush. I still have some things to ask you.”

The Void Emperor sat down with Doubao in his arms, flipped him over, and held him up to face him. “Alright, tell me—when we were in the private room earlier, what exactly did Liuying’s letter say?”

“Hmm?” Doubao narrowed his eyes. “Why should I tell you?”

Void Emperor was momentarily stunned, then tried to coax him. “Why shouldn’t you tell me? Liuying is my wife, after all. Shouldn’t I have the right to know what she left in her letter?”

“No way!” Doubao replied immediately. “The letter clearly said it was for Mr. Gu. Besides, if he didn’t tell you, why would I?”

Realizing that persuasion wasn’t working, the Void Emperor cleared his throat and changed tactics. “Friend Dou, your Blaze Bug clan has obtained a cultivation method, but this is your first time walking the path of cultivation. Wouldn’t your progress be much faster if a powerful demon guided you?”

“I…”

“Think about it—I’ve lived for countless years as a great demon. If you tell me what I want to know, I’ll personally become your clan’s guide on the path of cultivation. How about that?”

“No need!” Doubao said firmly. “The Blaze Bug clan may be in decline, but we would never betray our benefactor for some petty gain!”

“You call me petty gain?” the Void Emperor’s voice sank, his sharp, eagle-like gaze locking onto Doubao, radiating an indescribable pressure.

“Your Blaze Bug clan wouldn’t want to perish in the desert just after acquiring a cultivation method, would you?”

The hairs on Doubao’s body stood on end as he retorted, “Are you threatening me?”

Void Emperor sneered. “Hah, you can think of it that way.”

“Fine!” Doubao gritted his teeth. “Then go ahead and kill us all! Let’s see if Mr. Gu comes after you or not!”

…Such a tough bone to chew.

The Void Emperor silently set Doubao down, then suddenly changed his expression, his voice choking up, “Daoist Dou, look at me—I’m getting old, and I don’t even know how much longer I’ll live!”

“I have just this one small wish—can’t you grant me that?”

“Have a heart, Daoist Dou, great master Dou!”

“If that doesn’t work, I’ll kneel to you!”

As he spoke, the Void Emperor actually made a move to kneel.

Doubao took a few steps back, his round little eyes fixed on the Void Emperor.

The Void Emperor, halfway down, glanced at Doubao and asked in confusion, “Why aren’t you stopping me? Are you really going to let me kneel?”

Doubao tilted his head. “I couldn’t stop you even if I wanted to.”

“You little rascal! So you won’t budge no matter what, huh?” The Void Emperor’s expression changed again as he feigned anger. “You dare cross me? Just you wait!”

Doubao nodded. “Mhm! You just wait for me to tell Mr. Gu on you!”

The Void Emperor’s body trembled slightly. He frowned. “Can you not use Mr. Gu against me every time?”

Doubao shook his head. “Nope.”

Void Emperor: …

After a long silence, Void Emperor let out a deep sigh. “Fine, fine. Then how about this—I’ll help you cultivate. Do you want that?”

Hearing this, Doubao immediately responded, “Yes! Doubao thanks the Void Emperor!”

Looking at the little bug’s ability to bend and stand firm at the right moments, the Void Emperor couldn’t help but feel an odd sense of familiarity—

…It was like looking in a mirror.