Chapter 420: “Abdication”

As soon as Lei Zhen’s filthy words fell, the scene plunged into a deathly silence. In that moment, it felt as if even the air had solidified. Everyone’s breathing grew cautious and shallow.

A look of disbelief spread across every face, as if they had just witnessed something utterly impossible.

After a long while, Lei Zhen spread his hands and chuckled. “Great Demon sense something, yet even after I’ve cursed this much, the mud loach flood dragon still hasn’t come to kill me. What does that tell you?”

Beside him, You Ying stood up in agreement. “It means the Flood Dragon Emperor is likely already dead—or as good as dead!”

“Think about it—if you follow this thread of logic, it all becomes clear. That whore didn’t strike back despite all the provocations we threw at her… not because she’s magnanimous, but because she fears we might fight back desperately and expose the flood dragon’s death!”

At this point, Lei Zhen’s tone shifted, his voice laced with malice. “So why not drag that bitch down from her horse today? Let us take power instead—wouldn’t that be delightful?”

“Very delightful!” You Ying laughed loudly, then reached through the air and pulled a nearby music girl into his arms.

She let out a terrified scream, eyes filled with fear, yet her body couldn’t move at all.

You Ying’s pale face leaned in as he gently caressed her cheek and said softly, “Don’t be afraid.”

As he spoke, he lowered his head and kissed her.

Moments later, when he looked up again, the girl in his arms had already turned into a shriveled corpse…

Seeing this, Lei Zhen smacked his lips and laughed. “Brother You Ying, mortal women can’t handle you. But that bitch might be just right.”

You Ying licked his lips and exchanged a knowing smile. “Exactly what I was thinking…”

…

Night fell like a thick curtain of ink, draping the land in deep, oppressive darkness.

Sudden gusts of wind howled from all directions, carrying a piercing chill like invisible beasts raging around the military camp.

Trees struggled and bent under the gale, branches clashing with eerie, mournful creaks.

All of a sudden, the sky split open with silver-white cracks.

“Silver snakes” darted like dragons through the clouds, slicing through the darkness and illuminating the entire camp. Each flash of lightning was followed by deafening thunder that reverberated across the heavens, jarring the soul.

Soon after, a torrential downpour began, as if the celestial river had burst. Countless raindrops turned into sharp arrows, violently striking the ground. The demon clan’s tents trembled under the storm’s onslaught, giving off repeated slapping sounds.

Inside the largest tent at the center of the camp, Liu Shi frowned. “It’s the middle of the night. If there’s something urgent to report, speak quickly!”

Before her, Lei Zhen took out a scroll and solemnly said, “By decree of the Flood Dragon Emperor, the acting regent is to abdicate and hand command of the demon army over to me.”

The Flood Dragon Emperor would never give you such an order!

This bastard is trying to defect… Liu Shi remained expressionless and replied coolly, “Impossible. I just met with the Flood Dragon Emperor earlier. He even gave me several tasks beforehand. Why would he now ask me to hand over the regency to you?”

Hmm?

Is this bitch pretending, or did she really see the Flood Dragon Emperor?

Doubt flickered in Lei Zhen’s heart, but he handed the scroll forward with a composed expression. “I wouldn’t know. But the scroll bears the Flood Dragon Emperor’s mystical energy. One glance and the acting regent will know if it’s real or not.”

Sensing something off, Liu Shi took the scroll while subtly shifting her position, using her peripheral vision to observe the tent’s surroundings. The moment she opened the scroll, a sudden sting pricked her finger.

The scroll was poisoned—You Ying’s doing!

As she felt her mystical energy begin to stagnate, Liu Shi casually glanced at the forged words inside the decree, then calmly headed for the tent’s exit. “This is a serious matter. I’d better go ask the Flood Dragon Emperor directly…”

Because her act was so flawless, Lei Zhen even thought the poisoned needle had missed her.

He stood there stunned, his eyes fixed on Liu Shi’s back.

It wasn’t until he noticed her body flicker and bolt out of the tent that he lunged after her. “Still acting, bitch?!”

However, before Lei Zhen could rush out, the tent flap was yanked open again.

You Ying had grabbed Liu Shi by the neck and dragged her back inside.

“Well done, Brother You Ying!”

“That bitch’s acting was so convincing, she nearly fooled us!”

“A mere trifle. Once hit by my poison, no one escapes.” As he hurled Liu Shi violently to the ground, You Ying exhaled a cloud of poisonous mist to shroud her, then added, “Alright, now it’s foolproof.”

With mystical energy frozen and her limbs weak and numb, Liu Shi struggled to prop herself up and snapped, “You plan to rebel?”

“Rebel?”

“Rebel against who?”

Lei Zhen crouched down beside her with a mocking grin, gripping her chin and snarling, “Are we rebelling against you, the acting regent, or against that dead mud loach?”

Liu Shi’s expression remained unchanged. She calmly shot back, “Tired of living, are you?”

Smack!

Lei Zhen backhanded her, knocking her to the ground. “Still putting on a show, bitch? You’ve been bluffing us for ten years, and you’re still trying to intimidate us now?”

Liu Shi spat out a mouthful of blood, her voice steady. “You’re afraid—I can feel it…”

Lei Zhen sneered. “Afraid? Afraid of your damn mother!”

“Heh.” A vivid smile curled at Liu Shi’s lips. “The look of you flustered and furious is truly pitiful.”

Even at this point, her composed expression and lack of fear unsettled Lei Zhen. But the pain echoing from the depths of his soul managed to suppress the dread he felt toward the Flood Dragon Emperor.

“Drop the act. No matter how good you are at pretending, facts are facts.”

“If that dead mud loach were still alive, why hasn’t he come to save you?”

At that, Lei Zhen gestured toward You Ying. “Brother You Ying, we owe it to your poison for capturing this bitch alive today.”

“Please—avenge yourself for the soul whip first!”

“Oh? You’re not going first, General Lei?” You Ying sounded surprised, but his body had already moved. He leaned in close to Liu Shi, and his fingers morphed into two sharp fangs, piercing her neck.

After a moment, he withdrew the fangs and grinned darkly. “Acting regent, I remember you used to serve under Hei Shui as a Lustful Ghost, didn’t you?”

“This poison I gave you… should help you remember how to serve as a Lustful Ghost again…”

Ptooey!

A mouthful of bloody spittle landed on You Ying’s face. Liu Shi, her face flushed, gritted her teeth and growled, “You scum of the demon clan, trying to destroy the Flood Dragon Emperor’s century-long plans—you deserve to die!”

Hearing this, You Ying gave a playful smile. He slowly wiped the blood from his face, his snake pupils narrowing: “Kneel.”