After transmigrating into the body of the protagonist's childhood friend, he was targeted by a

The hall was silent for a moment.

Most of the elders nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with the First Elder's words.

Only a few strong-willed individuals disagreed.

"The Grand Elder is kind-hearted, but betraying the sect is a grave crime. So what if he killed a few heretical cultivators? It might just be internal strife within the demonic path. If he returns, how can the disciples be convinced? I'm afraid it will break the sect rules!"

As soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately retorted: "No matter how great the sect rules are, they can't be greater than the principles of heaven and the hearts of the people. If he really wanted to turn back, Tianheng Sect wouldn't even give him a place to stay. Wouldn't that chill the hearts of the people? Besides, he has Yu Linzhou behind him."

Mentioning Yu Linzhou caused everyone's expressions to become subtle.

Everyone knows that Yu Linzhou is fiercely protective of his own.

If Lin Zhixu returns, anyone who dares to mention the word "severe punishment" will likely be the first to suffer.

The Grand Elder gently raised his hand: "Let's put this matter aside for now. The most urgent task is to confirm his whereabouts and ascertain the situation in the Demon Realm. As for how to deal with him, we'll discuss it when he returns. Dismissed."

Everyone stood up and bowed their heads, saying, "Yes."

……

Inside the main hall of the Demon Palace.

Agu was standing below the steps, embellishing his story.

"My lord, this man is absolutely untrustworthy! I have said long ago that he still cherishes the righteous path!"

Li Hanshan sat at the head of the table, surrounded by black mist, his mood gloomy.

He had been troubled these past few days, and after hearing Agu's words, the demonic energy around him became even more agitated.

Just then, the palace doors were pushed open.

Lin Zhixu walked in slowly, followed by Xiao Hei.

He appeared perfectly normal, as if he had simply gone out for a walk.

Agu immediately fell silent, shrank to the side, and wore a gloating expression on his face.

Li Hanshan looked coldly at Lin Zhixu: "You're back. Do you have anything to explain?"

Lin Zhixu didn't stop until he reached the center of the hall, then stood still, his tone calm: "No. I released the people, and I destroyed the cave."

Li Hanshan's black aura suddenly surged: "Fool! Do you know what you're doing! Or do you really have thoughts of defection, as Agu said?"

Lin Zhixu shook his head: "I didn't."

"Then why did you do that!"

Lin Zhixu looked straight at him: "I am human, even if I've become a demon, I'm still human. Just like everything you've done is for the demon race. I'm just not actively harming them, what's there to be angry about?"

"Is the only purpose of keeping me alive to harm innocent people? If so, then I have truly misjudged you."

Li Hanshan was taken aback by what he said.

It seems to make a lot of sense.

Agu looked nervous, afraid that he would be fooled.

"My lord! Don't let his words fool you! No matter his reasons, he has still disobeyed your orders! If he dares to disobey today, will he rebel tomorrow? How is this any different from betrayal!"

Li Hanshan realized what was happening.

"Agu is right. I sent you to learn the ways of evil cultivators, what kind of hero are you trying to be?"

Lin Zhixu was puzzled: "Why should I learn the ways of evil cultivators? Is doing bad things the way of evil cultivators? You only told me to go out with Agu, you didn't tell me to kill anyone. In what way did I disobey your orders?"

Lin Zhixu: "Besides, aren't you keeping me alive to deal with Tianheng Sect and Yu Linzhou? Does whether I kill these civilians or not have anything to do with this?"

"Or are you saying that if I kill them, you can defeat Yu Linzhou immediately?"

Li Hanshan: "..."

Li Hanshan was speechless.

He really thought Lin Zhixu's words made perfect sense.

What he needs is Lin Zhixu's talent, his status, and the bond between him and Yu Linzhou.

What does the life or death of those mortals have to do with his true great cause?

Furthermore, he had always known that Agu disliked Lin Zhixu and wanted to cause him trouble, yet he was led astray by Agu.

I almost lost my most valuable piece over such a trivial matter.

Aguda cried out anxiously, "My lord! This is sophistry! You can't..."

"That's enough," Li Hanshan interrupted him. "I know what I'm doing."

He looked at Lin Zhixu, his tone softening slightly: "You're quite the smooth talker. I'll let this go this time, but don't let it happen again. If you act on your own again, I won't be so lenient."

Lin Zhixu nodded: "Understood."

Before leaving, he glanced at Agu with disdain.

Ah Gu was so angry he almost ground his teeth to powder.

He could only watch helplessly as Lin Zhixu walked out of the main hall unharmed, not a single hair missing.

After Lin Zhixu left, Li Hanshan's gaze fell on A Gu.

Agu's legs went weak under his gaze, and before he could even beg for mercy, a wisp of black energy shot over.

He was sent flying by the blow, crashing heavily into a stone pillar before rolling to the ground and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Useless trash." Li Hanshan's voice was icy. "You almost ruined my plans. Didn't I tell you not to provoke him? But you, not only did you provoke him, you even dared to set your sights on me."

Agu trembled violently, scrambling to his knees and kowtowing desperately: "My lord, spare me! I know I was wrong! I was only... I was thinking of the demon race!"

"For the sake of the demon race?" Li Hanshan sneered. "You're only thinking of your own personal grudges, aren't you? I have a great use for him. Do you think I would choose you over him?"

Agu's face turned deathly pale, and he couldn't utter a single word.

Li Hanshan stood with his hands behind his back, his voice cold: "From this day forward, go to the Northern Wilderness and guard it. Do not return without my order. If I hear of you causing trouble again, don't bother coming back; I will personally finish you off."

A chill ran through Agu's heart.

The northern wilderness is barren, and the bitter cold seeps into the bones.

Going there would be tantamount to exile.

But he knew that Li Hanshan had already shown him mercy, and if he argued any further, he might not even be able to save his life.

He bowed down, his forehead striking the ground heavily: "Yes. Your subordinate obeys."

Li Hanshan didn't look at him again, and disappeared into the depths of the main hall as black mist.

Agu slowly got up, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and looked towards the direction of the palace gate, his eyes filled with resentment.

That kid only said a few words, and he ended up like this.

He remembered this grudge.

A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan; he endured it.

Sooner or later, he would make Lin Zhixu pay a hundredfold.

……

Time flies, and three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Without Agu causing trouble around him, Lin Zhixu's days in the Demon Palace went quite smoothly.

He was intelligent and had a deep understanding of people's hearts. As long as he didn't cross Li Hanshan's bottom line, Li Hanshan would turn a blind eye to everything else, big or small, and let him do as he pleased.

Gradually, the entire Demon Palace came to accept Lin Zhixu's transcendent status.

Apart from Li Hanshan, he was practically an uncrowned king.

If you want something, just say the word, and the people below will run faster than rabbits.

However, most of the time, Lin Zhixu ignored the people in the Demon Palace.

He lived a secluded life, spending his days either cultivating or wandering around the Demon Palace with Little Black.

In the past three years, Lin Zhixu's cultivation has progressed by leaps and bounds.

The demon generals both respected and feared him, secretly hating him to the core, but on the surface they could only be as obedient as servants.

Because Lin Zhixu has grown up, he takes his anger out on them whenever things don't go his way.

If they resist, he will go to the Lord to complain, and the Lord will protect him.

The people in the Demon Palace were living in unbearable misery.