From the fake emperor to the concubine

"How could this happen? How could this happen?" Qi Yang slumped to the ground, as if he had lost all his strength.

The plan was originally foolproof.

With two hall masters from the demon race making a move, let alone ordinary members of the Zheng family, even Zheng Tianhao himself might not be a match.

But now, this young man named Zhang Yunfan has single-handedly turned the tide of the entire battle.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Qi Yang pounded the ground in fury. "Why does such a monster exist?"

He knew very well that with the loss of two demon clan leaders, the operation had completely failed.

Not only that, but it would also be difficult to explain to the Demon King.

According to the previous agreement, if the operation fails, the Demon Heart Sect will bear full responsibility and will also have to compensate the demon race double for their losses.

The deaths of two hall masters are a loss that the Demon Heart Sect cannot afford.

"No, we absolutely can't let this go!" Qi Yang gritted his teeth and stood up. "Even if it costs me my life, I will kill that brat!"

He carefully observed the battlefield in the distance and noticed that Zhang Yunfan was visibly swaying after killing two hall masters in succession.

"Have you exhausted your strength?" A glimmer of hope flashed in Qi Yang's eyes.

Indeed, although Zhang Yunfan successfully killed two demon clan leaders, the cost to him was extremely high.

In particular, the final sword strike, "A sword's light chills nineteen provinces," almost drained all the spiritual power from his body and even burned his essence blood.

Although he appears to be normal on the surface, he is actually at his last gasp.

"The opportunity has arrived!" A crazed glint flashed in Qi Yang's eyes.

Although he lost the support of two demon clan leaders, his own strength should not be underestimated.

With his late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation and the unorthodox nature of the "Heart-Eating Demon Art," he still has a high chance of defeating a Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator who has exhausted his power.

"Zhang Yunfan, since you've ruined my plan, let's die together!" Qi Yang grinned as he leaped off the mountain and charged toward the battlefield.

On the battlefield, Zhang Yunfan was struggling to stay afloat as he checked the injuries of the Nanshan Sect members.

Although he had killed the black dragon, the effects of the poisonous fog had not completely dissipated, and the situation of several Nanshan Sect disciples remained very dangerous.

"Quickly, take the antidote pills." Zhang Yunfan took out his own pills and distributed them to everyone.

"Thank you so much, Brother Yunfan, for saving our lives!" the elder of the Nanshan Sect said gratefully. "If you hadn't arrived in time, we would all be dead here today."

"We're all allies, no need to be so polite," Zhang Yunfan said with a forced smile, but his face had already turned somewhat pale.

The continuous fierce battles had pushed his body to its limit, and he was now simply pushing himself to the limit.

Just then, Zheng Tianming realized something was wrong.

"Yunfan, you don't look well, do you?"

"I'm fine," Zhang Yunfan waved his hand and said, "I'm just a little tired."

"Something's wrong!" Zheng Hui suddenly shouted, "Someone's coming! And they don't seem friendly!"

Everyone immediately became alert and looked in the direction Zheng Hui pointed.

A figure rushed towards them like a whirlwind, moving at incredible speed and radiating intense killing intent.

"It's Qi Yang!" Zheng Tianming recognized the person who came and his expression instantly turned serious.

"The Demon Heart Sect Master? What's he doing here?" the Nanshan Sect elder asked in shock.

"It seems the mastermind behind this has finally decided to take matters into their own hands," Zhang Yunfan sneered, but his body swayed slightly.

Qi Yang quickly rushed in front of the crowd, his eyes filled with a frenzied killing intent as he stared intently at Zhang Yunfan.

"Boy, is it you who killed Blood Eagle and Black Flood Dragon?" Qi Yang asked through gritted teeth.

"As you can see," Zhang Yunfan said, forcing himself to stand up straight, "now it's your turn."

"Hahaha! My turn?" Qi Yang laughed wildly. "Kid, do you think you still have the strength to fight?"

"I can see that you expended a great deal of energy just now, and you're now at your last gasp!"

Qi Yang's words startled everyone present, and they then noticed Zhang Yunfan's unusual behavior.

“Yunfan, you…” Zheng Tianming looked at Zhang Yunfan with concern.

"I've indeed expended a lot of energy," Zhang Yunfan frankly admitted, "but killing you is still more than enough."

Although he said that, Zhang Yunfan knew very well that his current state was indeed very bad.

Normally, he would be confident in dealing with an enemy of Qi Yang's caliber. But now that his strength is exhausted, his chances of winning are indeed slim.

"More than enough?" Qi Yang sneered. "Then let me see just how much more capable you are!"

"Heart-Devouring Demonic Art - Blood Demon Soul Devouring!"

Qi Yang suddenly launched an attack, and the blood-red demonic energy surged towards Zhang Yunfan like a tide.

These demonic energies can not only attack the physical body, but also erode the cultivator's consciousness, making them extremely insidious techniques.

Zhang Yunfan barely managed to raise the Void-Breaking Sword to defend himself, but his current condition was far too poor.

Although the sword light was still there, its power had been greatly reduced, and it was no longer able to completely block Qi Yang's attack.

"puff!"

A mouthful of blood spurted from Zhang Yunfan's mouth, and he staggered back several steps.

"Yunfan!" Zheng Tianming and Zheng Hui exclaimed at the same time, wanting to rush forward to help.

"Don't come any closer!" Zhang Yunfan shouted, struggling to stop them. "This is a fight between him and me!"

"Still putting on a brave face?" Qi Yang laughed smugly. "Kid, I admit your strength did exceed my expectations, but you're no match for me now!"

"Blood Demon Devour!"

Qi Yang launched another attack, this time even more powerful than before.

Zhang Yunfan fought back desperately, but his poor condition prevented him from performing at his normal level.

Soon, more wounds appeared on his body, and his condition became extremely dangerous.

"Hahaha! This is the consequence of opposing my Demon Heart Sect!" Qi Yang laughed wildly. "Today, I will kill you, this genius, in front of everyone, and see what the Zheng family has left to rely on!"

"Don't even think about it!"

Just as Qi Yang was about to launch a fatal blow, a majestic voice came from afar.

Immediately afterwards, a golden light descended from the sky, blocking Zhang Yunfan's path.

Qi Yang's attack struck the golden light and was instantly neutralized without a trace.

"Who?" Qi Yang was startled and quickly took a few steps back.

The golden light faded, revealing the figure of a middle-aged man.

"Clan leader!" Zheng Tianming, Zheng Hui and the others exclaimed in surprise.

The person who arrived was Zheng Tianhao.

"Yunfan, are you alright?" Zheng Tianhao asked with concern, while looking at Qi Yang warily.

"Clan leader, I can still hold on," Zhang Yunfan said with a forced smile, but his body was already swaying precariously.

Zheng Tianhao carefully observed Zhang Yunfan's condition and was secretly alarmed. Although Zhang Yunfan said he was fine, his condition was clearly very bad. Not only was his spiritual energy exhausted, but even his essence blood was depleted.

"Good lad, he actually pushed himself to this extent." Zheng Tianhao felt both heartache and pride.

To be able to kill two mid-stage Golden Core demon clan leaders with only early Foundation Establishment cultivation is nothing short of a miracle.

However, the cost is also huge; if not treated in time, it may leave permanent damage.

"Zheng Tianhao!" Qi Yang gritted his teeth, glaring at the man before him. "You've come at the perfect time. Today I'll kill you too!"

"You think you can take me?" Zheng Tianhao sneered. "Qi Yang, it seems you still don't have a clear understanding of your own abilities."

"Then let's give it a try!" Qi Yang went completely mad.

Having lost the support of the demon clan leader, he had no way out. Rather than returning to face the demon king's wrath, he might as well fight to the death here.

"Blood Demon Under Heaven!"

Qi Yang unleashed the strongest move of the "Heart-Eating Demon Art," and crimson demonic energy instantly enveloped the entire battlefield.

This is his trump card, and his last resort.

But Zheng Tianhao remained unusually calm in the face of this attack.

“A trivial skill,” he said casually, then slowly raised his right hand.

"Mountain and River Suppression Technique - One Palm to Subdue the World!"

The golden light reappeared, but this time its power was several times stronger than before.

Before this golden light, Qi Yang's Blood Demon World was like snowflakes meeting the scorching sun, instantly melting away.

"What?" Qi Yang was shocked.

His strongest move was so easily neutralized by Zheng Tianhao?

"This is impossible!" Qi Yang shook his head in disbelief. "How could your strength be so great?"

"Because I have a good ancestor," Zheng Tianhao said calmly, "while you are just a pathetic wretch lost on the evil path."

After saying that, he prepared to launch a counterattack and completely eliminate Qiyang, this scourge.

But just then, a rapid alarm sounded from afar.

"Clan leader! Something terrible has happened!" A member of the Zheng family rushed over. "A major incident has occurred at the Blood Fiend Sect!"

"What is it?" Zheng Tianhao asked, frowning.

"Young Master Zheng Chengbai has been kidnapped! And his kidnappers are at the Blood Fiend Sect, threatening to use his life to force our retreat!"

Upon hearing this news, Zheng Tianhao's face instantly turned ashen.

Zheng Chengbai is not only an important member of the Zheng family, but also a descendant deeply loved by the patriarch. If anything were to happen to him, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Damn it!" Zheng Tianhao cursed angrily, then looked at Qi Yang.

Sure enough, Qi Yang smiled smugly upon hearing the news.

"Hahaha! Zheng Tianhao, now you know how powerful I am, right?" Qi Yang laughed wildly. "Your precious clansman is in my hands now. If you don't want him to die, you'd better obey me!"

"Qi Yang, you despicable scoundrel!" Zheng Tianhao was furious.

"Despicable?" Qi Yang wasn't ashamed at all; he was proud of it. "I'll use any means necessary to achieve my goal!"

"Now, immediately order your men to cease all operations, or Zheng Chengbai's life will be in danger!"

Zheng Tianhao was caught in a dilemma.

If we agree to Qi Yang's conditions, today's victory will be in vain, and it will only embolden the enemy.

But if he doesn't agree, Zheng Chengbai's life will be threatened, and he won't be able to answer to his ancestors.

Just as Zheng Tianhao was hesitating, Zhang Yunfan suddenly spoke up.

“Chieftain, do not hesitate,” he said weakly but firmly, “take us away from here immediately.”

“Yunfan, but what about Chengbai?” Zheng Tianhao said worriedly.

“Trust me, Cheng Bai will be fine.” A glint of light flashed in Zhang Yunfan’s eyes. “Besides, I have a way to save him.”

"You have a way?" Zheng Tianhao looked at Zhang Yunfan with suspicion.

"Now is not the time for explanations," Zhang Yunfan urged. "Retreat immediately, don't give the enemy a chance to react."

Although Zheng Tianhao did not understand Zhang Yunfan's intentions, he still chose to believe him.

"Everyone, retreat immediately!" Zheng Tianhao ordered.

"Want to leave? Not so easy!" Qi Yang tried to stop him.

However, Zheng Tianhao was much stronger than him and easily blocked his attack.

"The Suppression Technique of Mountains and Rivers: Moving Mountains and Filling Seas!"

A powerful force formed a barrier, temporarily keeping Qiyang out.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zheng Tianhao picked up the weakened Zhang Yunfan and led everyone to a quick retreat.

"Damn it! They got away!" Qi Yang cursed angrily, but it was too late to chase after them.

Watching Zheng Tianhao and the others walk away, Qi Yang revealed a sinister smile.

"You can run away, but you can't hide. Zheng Chengbai is still in my hands. Let's see how long you can keep up your arrogance!"

Meanwhile, during the rapid retreat, Zheng Tianming couldn't help but ask, "Yunfan, you just said you had a way to save Chengbai, what is it?"

Zhang Yunfan gave a weak smile: "It's simple, just charge straight in."

"Charge straight in?" Everyone was shocked. "But Cheng Bai is still in their hands."

"Don't worry, Cheng Bai will be fine," Zhang Yunfan said mysteriously. "And I guarantee that it won't be long before Qi Yang regrets his decision today."

Although Zhang Yunfan spoke with great confidence, everyone was still filled with doubts.

After all, with hostages in the hands of the enemy, how easy is it to rescue them?
Back at the Zheng family mansion, Zhang Yunfan was taken directly to the most central cultivation chamber by Zheng Tianhao. This place was rich in spiritual energy and enhanced by various cultivation-aiding arrays; it was one of the most important locations in the Zheng family.

"Yunfan, you should rest first. Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything." Zheng Tianhao looked at Zhang Yunfan, who was pale, feeling both worried and shocked.

Just now on the battlefield, he personally witnessed Zhang Yunfan, with his early Foundation Establishment cultivation, kill two mid-Golden Core demon clan hall masters in succession. Even he, the clan leader, found such a feat unbelievable.

"Thank you, Clan Chief." Zhang Yunfan nodded weakly. "I need some recovery pills, the higher the quality, the better."

“Of course.” Zheng Tianhao immediately instructed his clansmen, “Go to the medicine storehouse and bring all the recovery pills you can find; the better the better, the more you need.”

"Yes!" The tribesman hurriedly left.

A short while later, several clansmen carried in several boxes. The boxes were filled with all sorts of precious pills, including some top-grade ones.

"Is this enough?" Zheng Tianhao asked.

Zhang Yunfan glanced at the pills, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes: "That's enough, thank you, Clan Chief."

"Don't mention it, you deserve it," Zheng Tianhao waved his hand and said, "If you hadn't shown up in time, the losses today would have been even greater."

"Siling, you stay outside and keep watch. Don't let anyone disturb me," Zhang Yunfan said to Wei Siling. (End of Chapter)