Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 30: Probing

Wang Chuan listened to all this, his expression unchanged. The Sixth Princess failed to glean anything from his face and seemed slightly disappointed, letting out a sigh.

"Heaven’s White Jade Capital, twelve towers and five cities. An immortal strokes my crown, bestowing longevity in my youth—Your Highness, this is your poem, isn't it? The scenes you described are flawless, as if you’ve witnessed them yourself. Are you truly the reincarnation of a sage? Did you really receive guidance from a holy one? Does the White Jade Capital truly exist?" The Sixth Princess gazed at him intently, her eyes unyielding as she questioned him.

"It's none of your business," Wang Chuan replied, seeing no need to answer. He stood, ready to leave.

"Your Highness, please listen to me," the Sixth Princess hurried to detain him. "The White Jade Capital did indeed exist. Our demon clan had ancestors who were once close to its dwellers, so our knowledge of it far surpasses that of your human race. The visions in your poem are almost identical to the reality."

"Yet the world believes in the Martial Academy. It's because everyone knows that, from time to time, the Academy appears to recruit disciples. The most recent was when they took your mother, the Grand Princess, was it not? But as for the White Jade Capital, who in this world still remembers it? Two thousand years have passed, its whereabouts lost. Surely, something happened back then that caused its sudden disappearance. Now, all that remains is on paper, recorded in ancient tomes." The Sixth Princess sighed again. "Then suddenly, this poem emerges, and everyone is saying you’ve come back from the dead, enlightened by a sage. Now the world believes you are the sage reborn."

"But are you truly the White Jade Capital’s immortal returned to the mortal realm? Do gods and saints still walk the earth? Can you make me believe all this?"

Wang Chuan smiled. This woman truly hit the mark.

Clever—far too clever.

The tale he fabricated relied on mystique and the allure of legend, which confused the masses. But for those in the know, it was no longer so mysterious.

His smile, in the Sixth Princess’s eyes, appeared all the more profound and enigmatic, impossible to decipher. She realized she could not test him further and let it go.

"Your Highness, do you know that the chaos in Fu City is because a demon god’s ancient lair is about to emerge, drawing in the fate of the world?" the Sixth Princess said.

"A demon god? So it's a demon god," Wang Chuan replied with interest.

Among the demon clan, their demon gods were roughly equivalent to the human god and saint ranks—it depended on the specifics. High-rank demon gods could rival saints; they were the true sages. Lower-ranked were comparable to war gods.

"Our knowledge of the demon god’s lair far exceeds any other force’s, because ten thousand years ago..." The Sixth Princess sighed. "Your Highness must remember."

"The war of gods and demons," Wang Chuan nodded. "You were on the demon side."

That was likely why, after the war, their entire race was exiled from the central plains to dwell on distant immortal isles—a forced expulsion.

"What else do you know about the lair? Why choose to cooperate with me?" Wang Chuan asked. "Your demon clan has some mighty figures, and if you have the advantage, no one else can compare."

"Wang Chuan, you are a man of great destiny, shrouded in mysteries," the Sixth Princess replied. "I have a feeling formidable enemies will appear. We need your help. By then, we’ll each get what we want—cooperation means mutual benefit. We can help you too, can’t we?"

She now called him by name, her attitude earnest.

Mutual benefit?

Wang Chuan nodded. "We can try. But are you representing the demon clan, the fox clan, or just yourself?"

"Wang Chuan, you are truly too clever," the Sixth Princess sighed. "Let me be honest—the demon clan is divided, much like your six kingdoms. I have no support from the others. I hope that by gaining something from the demon god’s lair, I’ll have more leverage. This is a secret, but I can tell you openly. Just don’t reveal our clan’s situation."

"Enough, I’m not interested in anything else," Wang Chuan said. "When will we act? When will the lair emerge?"

"No rush. My fox clan is still waiting for news; other demon races are sure to act as well," the Sixth Princess replied. "I’ve set up spies everywhere, carefully watching all movements. As soon as there’s word, we’ll move immediately."

She spoke as if she already held the entire situation in her grasp, full of confidence.

Wang Chuan glanced at her—since when had the demon clan become so powerful?

"Let’s hope all goes smoothly," Wang Chuan said, standing to leave.

"What, you have such a distinguished guest and didn’t tell me?"

At that moment, a voice echoed from afar. Wang Chuan frowned, watching the light and shadows shift before him. Soon, a woman in a fox-fur cloak appeared.

This woman was regal and voluptuous, her skin like jade, her eyes moist and full of seductive charm. Any ordinary man who saw her would feel an irresistible urge to pounce and ravish her.

"Fourth Sister, why are you here?" The Sixth Princess’s face darkened at the sight of the newcomer. "Also, this is the fox clan’s inner grounds—no men are allowed. What are you doing bringing a man here?"

The Fourth Princess had indeed brought a man with her.

This man, holding a folding fan and dressed as a scholar, looked every bit the refined gentleman, though his expression was arrogant and cold.

Wang Chuan studied his features and felt something was off.

The Fourth Princess sneered. "So it’s fine for you to bring a man in, but not for me? Don’t think you can do as you please just because you sweet-talked the Ancestor into handing you oversight. One day, I’ll settle the score with you! And this gentleman is Young Master Qing of the Frog Clan. He’s allied with us for the lair—he’s determined to see it through."

A spirit creature?

Wang Chuan raised his eyebrows.

"Who let you act on your own in such important matters? You’ll get us all killed!" The Sixth Princess’s brows furrowed.

"So you’re Wang Chuan? I hear you’re quite the celebrity among the humans. In this venture for the demon god’s lair, if you serve well, we won’t treat you unfairly," the man suddenly stepped forward, standing squarely before the Sixth Princess, tapping his folding fan against his palm.

His tone was exceedingly arrogant.

How arrogant!

"Courting death! You dare provoke me?" Wang Chuan’s killing intent surged. For those who challenged him, he preferred to strike first.

Without another word, Wang Chuan shifted and lunged at the man.

"How dare you!" Young Master Qing roared in fury. His folding fan flicked, sending currents of air like dragons toward Wang Chuan.

Blades of force lanced at him, enveloping and restraining him at once.

The fan transformed, ready to strike him down.

Wang Chuan’s fingers spread, tapping rapidly, shattering each attack. His hand, now claw-like, reached for Young Master Qing.

The man’s figure flickered, agile as an eel.

Wang Chuan stepped forward, fingers pressing down, and the force in the void finally subdued his foe.

Instinctively, the man activated his body’s protective aura, like a turtle withdrawing into its shell, impervious to all harm.

Wang Chuan sneered, and with his other hand unleashed a wave of energy like a tide, as if countless flying swords pierced down, slicing his opponent to pieces.

Within his protective sphere, Young Master Qing howled, unleashing all his powers, even his soul attempting to flee.

But Wang Chuan, once he acted, showed no mercy—his ruthlessness absolute.

A tide of fire surged, enveloping him, annihilating even his soul.

The stench of burning flesh filled the air; a wisp of smoke curled upward as Young Master Qing’s face twisted in agony, his life nearly extinguished.

"Stop!" the Fourth Princess shouted, her voice shrill as sword-light slashed toward Wang Chuan.

"Paltry trick!" Wang Chuan caught her sword energy with his clawed fingers, crushing it with a squeeze.

He flicked two fingers, shooting them at the Fourth Princess.

"Aah!" Her face turned ashen, and she screamed, glaring at Wang Chuan with venomous hatred.

"In your next life, be humbler. Best reincarnate as a dog—remember that," Wang Chuan said, his fingers crackling with thunder. In a flash, Young Master Qing was reduced to pure energy and various divine arts, all absorbed into Wang Chuan’s body.

"You killed him! You actually killed him!" The Fourth Princess was shocked, trembling uncontrollably as the man she’d brought vanished without a trace.

She hadn’t expected Wang Chuan to be so ruthless, directly refining her companion.

"Do you realize that Young Master Qing was the frog chief’s favorite son? By killing him, you’ve brought disaster on yourself! You’re dead!" Hatred twisted her beautiful face.

"Sixth Princess, what if I kill your sister as well?" Wang Chuan was indifferent, still murderous, and made to strike the Fourth Princess.

"Madman! You’re insane..." the Fourth Princess cried, fleeing at once and disappearing from sight.

He was too terrifying, utterly mad.

The Sixth Princess’s soul had yet to settle; her chest heaved as she gasped for breath.

Wang Chuan seemed inclined to give chase, but after a moment’s thought, let it go. "Forget it. If I see that woman again, she won’t survive."

He simply disliked her—she gave him an unpleasant feeling.

"Choosing me was a wise decision," Wang Chuan told the Sixth Princess. "Come find me when you have news."

She nodded.

Wang Chuan left for real.

The Sixth Princess waited a long time before the Fourth Princess cautiously returned.

"Is he gone?"

"Gone," the Sixth Princess replied.

The Fourth Princess collapsed to the ground, clutching her chest, still in shock.

"That man... is too... too powerful..."

"Do you regret it?" the Sixth Princess asked.

"No, but I can’t help being worried," the Fourth Princess said. "He’s truly formidable. If he grows any stronger, he’ll become a legend, a myth. If only he could join our fox clan, we’d have another god or saint, and the rest of the demons would be beneath us."

"But he’s too difficult to control—unpredictable, almost demonic himself. He seems to know we’re plotting against him," the Sixth Princess sighed.

"What? How can that be?" the Fourth Princess was shocked.

"Heh, in truth, you’ve developed feelings for him," the Fourth Princess suddenly remarked. "Among our fox clan, you’re the most talented and proud—no suitor among the demon youth ever pleased you. But now you fancy Wang Chuan, don’t you? Yet even I find him unsettling—his methods are ruthless, he comes and goes as he pleases. If such a man fell for you, that would be a blessing. To capture such a man would advance our powers further—especially you, little Six. You might break through and become a myth yourself. You’re the most gifted of us. But if you get too close and he ensnares you instead, it wouldn’t be worth it."

The Sixth Princess was silent for a long while before replying, "Wang Chuan is too strong—so strong he frightens me. The frog clan will need an explanation."

"How can such a man exist? It was like facing an ancient demon god—I was so cautious, afraid to make a mistake," the Fourth Princess said, patting her chest. "Will he really kill me next time we meet?"

"I’ll speak with him," the Sixth Princess decided. "With his help, our exploration of the demon god’s lair is as good as certain."

"By the way, what divine art does he practice? Its power is terrifying."

"I cannot tell."