Chen Yu stood on the city wall of the fortress, a smile playing on his lips.
Liao Dao was still the same Liao Dao as before, even though he had now ascended to the management ranks within the demon tribe, commanding numerous demonic creatures.
Even so, it hadn't changed him.
A person's temperament was forged over years, and it wouldn't alter significantly without extraordinary upheavals.
Liao Dao had indeed been on the run.
Perhaps he had once fallen into a deep abyss, scrambling in all directions under the pursuit of survivors.
However, none of that could change his personality.
At most, it would only intensify his hatred for Chen Yu.
Chen Yu had genuinely feared that Liao Dao might undergo a sudden emotional shift, but now it seemed Liao Dao wasn't worth particular concern; they only needed to focus on how to deal with the demonic creatures.
Relatively speaking, he was more concerned about Ye Cheng.
That person whom Jiang Yaqing had repeatedly instructed him to pay close attention to, someone Chen Yu had only met once, yet who had lodged himself in Chen Yu's memory.
He almost wished that it was Ye Cheng standing below the fortress.
If it were him…
Then this game of chess might become even more unpredictable.
"Ye Cheng?!"
Below the city, Liao Dao frowned, his gaze fixed on Chen Yu atop the battlements.
"Who is he?"
"He's pretending, isn't he starting to put on a show?" Chen Yu narrowed his eyes and chuckled. "Liao Dao, we're old acquaintances, we know each other inside out. Is it really worth your while to play this charade with me here?"
"Who's pretending?"
Liao Dao scowled and let out an angry snort.
"I have no idea who Ye Cheng is. Don't spout such nonsensical things at me."
"Must I spell it out?"
From atop the city, Chen Yu sighed and shook his head.
"I know very well the relationship between you and Ye Cheng. You managed to escape my martial world pursuit order, didn't you rely on Ye Cheng for that? We're already here, and it's pointless for you to keep hiding it."
"I truly don't know who Ye Cheng is!"
Suddenly, Liao Dao seemed provoked by Chen Yu's words and yelled up at the city.
This genuine emotional outburst made even Chen Yu frown.
It didn't seem fake!
In the instant Liao Dao yelled, Chen Yu could sense that he genuinely didn't recognize Ye Cheng.
How could this be?
Jiang Yaqing had personally stated the connection between Liao Dao and Ye Cheng. It was unlikely that Jiang Yaqing would lie to him. In the entire underground realm, there were very few people Chen Yu truly trusted, and Jiang Yaqing was one of them.
She had no reason to deceive him with such information.
Moreover, even based on Chen Yu's own investigations, all signs pointed to Ye Cheng behind Liao Dao. Even if Jiang Yaqing was mistaken, it was impossible for Chen Yu's own memory to be flawed.
Yet, Liao Dao spoke with such earnestness.
Given his composure and intellect, he shouldn't be able to maintain such a flawless facade.
If that were the case…
Had his memory been stripped away?
Chen Yu was filled with suspicion.
"I think you're just being difficult. You always say strange things out of nowhere, talking about Ye Cheng... Who is this person? I've never even heard of him. Don't pin anyone on me." Liao Dao scoffed with disdain. "Do you know who I am now?"
Something was not right!
The more Liao Dao acted this way below the city, the more Chen Yu felt that the situation was amiss.
"Then how did you escape?"
"What?"
"The pursuit order I issued against you." Chen Yu knitted his brows. "Back then, everyone in our region considered you a piece of ripe meat. In such circumstances, you still managed to survive. Don't tell me you did it all by yourself."
"Who do you think you're looking down on?" Liao Dao shouted.
"You!"
Without even half a second of hesitation, Chen Yu spoke without reservation, leaning forward to look down at Liao Dao.
"Don't I know what kind of person you are?"
"If you truly had that kind of capability, would you have been dealt with by me to that extent?"
"Hurry up and tell the truth."
In Liao Dao's eyes, Chen Yu was clearly his mortal enemy.
Yet—
Chen Yu's words seemed to possess a certain magic, making him involuntarily answer his questions.
"I was saved by our Lord."
"Who?"
"Hmph, you'll be scared to death if I tell you." Liao Dao suddenly snorted proudly. "The Seventh King of the Demon Tribe, Skamaka. I was favored by the King and went to the demon tribe, where I endured hardships from within to reach this position."
Chen Yu turned his head at the mention of this.
Without the little demons present, they knew very little about the demon tribe. Only the Black Donkey, who had integrated the soul of a divine general, had some understanding of the demon tribe.
"There truly is such a King."
Sensing Chen Yu's gaze, the Black Donkey spoke, knowing his thoughts.
"Indeed, the demon tribe once had a King named Skamaka."
"That's right, back then he seemed to be a low-tier among the Kings. I didn't expect that now he has become the Seventh King of the demon tribe. You must not underestimate the demon Kings, boss."
Listening to the Black Donkey's low murmurs, Chen Yu frowned.
It was actually true!
He gazed intently at Liao Dao below the city, his brow furrowed. Could it be that he and Jiang Yaqing had misjudged, and Ye Cheng was truly not involved in this incident?
It shouldn't be.
Based on Liao Dao's demeanor, Ye Cheng had never appeared in his memories. This was simply unreasonable.
"Stop thinking about it."
Seeing Chen Yu remain silent for a long time, Liao Dao also snorted with disdain.
"Chen Yu, don't say I didn't warn you."
"Our King has long coveted your Fengqi City. It's a pity that the City Lord who once garrisoned this territory was someone even our King had to treat with some caution, which is why we haven't taken the city yet."
"Now that the old City Lord has fallen."
"This city rightfully belongs in our King's grasp."
"If you have any brains."
"Then quickly open the city and surrender. Perhaps if I'm in a good mood, I can put in a good word for you with the King, and ensure your lifelong prosperity and wealth."
"If you insist on resisting futilely."
"The outcome, you should be clear, those hundreds of thousands of demon spirits behind me are not just standing there to scare you."
Liao Dao continued his threats from below the city.
Unbeknownst to him, Chen Yu, standing on the city wall, had his eyebrows furrowed into the character "川."
Liao Dao didn't know Ye Cheng.
Then where did the intelligence and information he and Jiang Yaqing had come from?
Why was such information being spread outside?
Furthermore, judging by Liao Dao's words, this King had been coveting the Fengqi Territory for some time. Therefore, Liao Dao's current expedition was solely to seize the territory of Fengqi City, and he had no other ulterior motives. This meant that he might not be part of the same faction as the Seventh Prince.
He would appear just as Chen Yu was about to leave the city.
Coincidence?
Then who were the demons collaborating with the Seventh Prince? What were their schemes? Where were their forces stationed?
"Do you know the Seventh Prince of the Tatu Kingdom?"
Chen Yu asked in a low, stern voice. Liao Dao frowned, his triangular eyes narrowing.
"Useless!"
"Chen Yu, let me tell you, don't mention people to me. I don't fall for that. What seventh prince, eighth prince, even if the King of the Tatu Kingdom stood here, your city would still be lost."
"Even Jesus couldn't save you, I'm telling you!"