Perhaps it was the will of the heavens, still waiting for Ye Chuxue to come and redeem him. At this moment, Mo Yuan was utterly wretched.
In order to cure the "vile affliction" plaguing his body, he had no choice but to risk returning to the demon realm and seek out his mother's former subordinates. Unexpectedly, someone leaked the news. His mother's old allies were wiped out, and he was hunted down, forced to flee for his life.
Everything that could go wrong, did.
Now, he had finally escaped with his life. But he had no idea where to go next. The flaw in his body remained unresolved. His cultivation had stalled. Yet those two—father and son—were living comfortably on the throne of the Demon Sovereign.
They hoarded every resource his mother had left behind, pampering the son of a concubine while oppressing the trueborn child.
All of it, the work of that beast.
Mo Yuan's expression was dark and twisted. Years of suffering had long since pushed him into a shadowed state of mind. But misfortune never came alone. Before he could even catch his breath, his pursuers appeared once again, blocking his path.
"Mo Yuan, where do you think you're running off to now? You'd better surrender while you still can. If you're lucky, the Demon Sovereign might just spare your life."
Wang Da held a hammer in one hand, eyes full of viciousness as he glared at Mo Yuan.
That useless wretch still dared to run? Because of him, they had been cursed out like dogs. If they failed to bring him back again, they'd all be in deep trouble. He was flanked by three or four thugs, each of them at least at the peak of Foundation Establishment.
This time, there would be no escape for Mo Yuan.
"Save your breath. If you have the guts, then kill me."
Mo Yuan sneered, bloodthirsty amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth. That beast was still waiting to use his blood to open the Demon Sea. There was no way he would kill him now.
"Hmph. Still running your mouth? Fine. Today, I'll show you what it means to scream and still have heaven ignore you!"
With that, Wang Da and the others charged at him.
A chaotic fight broke out.
Meanwhile, Song Wanníng was watching quietly from the shadows, unhurried and composed. She was waiting for the right moment to act.
In his past life, Mo Yuan had been utterly devoted to Ye Chuxue, all because she had saved him several times, making him feel redeemed.
If Ye Chuxue could do that, then so could she.
In that previous life, although Mo Yuan never personally acted against the Song family, he had played no small role in the hunt for Song Wanníng. Back then, she had already fallen into demonic cultivation. Hiding in the demon realm should have been perfect. But by then, Mo Yuan had returned to the seat of Demon Sovereign.
At Ye Chuxue's command, he ordered a sweeping hunt for her across the entire demon realm, forcing her to flee like a stray dog.
Now, seeing him in such a state, Song Wanníng felt delight blooming in her chest. She had more or less grasped a key method to counter the will of the heavens: if someone else can do the work, why get your own hands dirty?
As the "devoted second male lead," Mo Yuan had status and fate on his side. His early suffering had only served to strengthen the bond between him and Ye Chuxue.
So the best strategy was to pit them against each other. Let the heavens decide who to favor. And if she could send one of them to their death without lifting a finger, even better.
Song Wanníng's gaze sharpened briefly, a glint flashing through her eyes before she returned to her usual languid calm.
Meanwhile, Mo Yuan was finally overwhelmed by the combined assault and collapsed to the ground.
The pointed spike on Wang Da's hammer pressed against his neck. Blood beaded quickly along the blade. "Hmph. You're coming with me to see the Demon Sovereign."
Wang Da pulled out a Binding Immortal Rope and tied Mo Yuan up.
"Pah!"
Mo Yuan spat fiercely, his glare burning with hatred.
These dogs. They all deserved to die.
But no matter how sharp his gaze, it was useless now. He could only watch helplessly as they dragged him away.
Then, a figure suddenly descended from the sky and landed right in front of him. Dressed in a long black robe, the figure's aura was concealed beneath a wide bamboo hat. Still, judging from the elegant boots, this person was likely a woman.
Wang Da and the others were startled. Their expressions turned stern.
"Who are you? How dare you interfere in the affairs of the Demon Sovereign?!"
They immediately prepared to fight. Song Wanníng didn't reply. She merely released her spiritual pressure—and in the next instant, the group was sent flying.
Their bodies arced through the air like ragdolls. When they hit the ground again, each of them was already injured.
"Who are you?"
Wang Da was trembling, the hand holding his hammer visibly shaking. This woman's cultivation was terrifying. They had no chance against her.
Seeing Song Wanníng slowly raise her hand, they panicked. None of them dared to utter a single threat as they turned and fled in terror. They used every possible escape technique they knew, desperate to put distance between themselves and her.
Fortunately for them, Song Wanníng didn't seem interested in giving chase. When they were finally far, far away, Wang Da dared to stop and catch his breath.
"Damn it! A high-level cultivator showed up out of nowhere and scared the hell out of me!"
"Good thing we ran fast. Otherwise, we'd be corpses by now!"
"That Mo Yuan actually had someone powerful backing him. This is serious. We need to report to the Demon Sovereign immediately!"
…
Bound by the Binding Immortal Rope, Mo Yuan's limbs were tied tight. His eyes held no gratitude, only deep suspicion and gloom. He didn't believe anyone would be kind enough to save him. He stared straight at Song Wanníng, unblinking.
Then, the bamboo hat was lifted, revealing a face both familiar and strange. Mo Yuan froze.
Why was it the owner of the auction house?
He had only seen Song Wanníng once, right before the auction began.
But that stunning face, those eyes that seemed to look down on the world—no one could ever forget them.
"It's you?"
Mo Yuan immediately began to suspect her motives. Had she come to settle scores?
But he had gained nothing from that auction. If anything, he'd been tricked by that wretched woman.
Mo Yuan clenched his fists tightly. The darkness around him grew heavier.
Song Wanníng looked at him coldly. Her voice carried a sharp undertone.
"Why are you here? You quit the auction house?"
Her words revealed several key things.
Song Wanníng had no idea he had stolen any pills. She didn't even know he'd left the auction house.
Of course. He had only been a low-ranking assistant. If he disappeared, he disappeared. Who would care?
Mo Yuan let out a bitter laugh. But then, an idea formed. This woman's cultivation was extraordinary. If he could make use of her, perhaps he could escape the constant pursuit.
So he made up a story.
"Reporting to Zhēnjūn, this disciple happened to spot a demon cultivator's trail. I was discovered and captured by them, dragged into the demon realm…
I managed to escape with great difficulty, but I've been hunted ever since. Those people claimed to be under the Demon Sovereign's command. I don't even know what I did to offend him…"
He lowered his head, trying to appear pitiful.
Behind his back, Song Wanníng's lips curled faintly.
As expected, Mo Yuan never failed to disappoint.
"Those demon cultivators are far too arrogant. This is outrageous!"
Song Wanníng snapped, her voice full of righteous fury. Then her tone softened.
"Don't worry. With me here, that Demon Sovereign won't get his way.
Come. Let's leave this place."