Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

Li Yuan felt a chill run down his spine and exchanged a glance with Zhao Lingyun; both of them were deeply shaken.

The two were led deeper into the cave.

The further they went, the more obvious the traces of human excavation became, and the wider the passageway became. Eventually, they were led into a huge cave.

The cave is rugged and savage, decorated with various animal bones, and in the center of the ground is a pool burning with eerie green flames.

At the end of the road is a high platform. On the platform is not a throne, but a large stone chair carved from a single piece of black crystal.

At this moment, a figure was sitting upright on the stone chair.

He wore a magnificent dark gold robe and was tall, but his face was covered by an ancient-style dark gold mask, which concealed the upper half of his face, revealing only his chin and lips.

The mask was engraved with strange patterns. Even through the mask, one could still feel a cold and domineering imperial pressure, which made Li Yuan and Zhao Lingyun's bodies stiffen and their souls tremble, almost causing them to kneel down.

This is the Demon Emperor? A true ruler of the demon race!

But clearly, this was just the natural pressure emanating from him, and he wasn't deliberately targeting the two of them. Otherwise, given their current condition, they would have coughed up blood immediately.

Beneath the stone chair, the Azure-Eyed Eagle King folded its wings and stood respectfully with its head bowed. The Silver Wolf Strategist had also reverted to its original form and was prostrate on the ground.

"Your Majesty, the person has been brought here," the Blue-Eyed Eagle King said.

The Demon Emperor nodded slightly, his gaze slowly sweeping over the two of them. His gaze seemed to penetrate flesh and blood and look directly at the origin of their souls.

"State your name."

The Demon Emperor's voice was deep and resonant.

Li Yuan raised his head, neither humble nor arrogant: "I am Chen Zhuo, a demon-suppressing guard from the Chang'an Demon Suppression Division."

"My name is Zhao Lingyun, a junior officer in the garrison of Tiger Wolf Pass." Zhao Lingyun gritted his teeth, desperately resisting the demonic power.

The Demon Emperor's gaze lingered on Li Yuan for a moment, but he didn't delve into it. He propped his head up with one hand, looking somewhat bored.

"Did anyone join your trip to the Northwest at the last minute?"

Li Yuan's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that the Demon Emperor's target was really him? He recalled Mr. Mo's instructions before his departure and Li Chongwen's whereabouts, and his heart sank.

However, he still didn't quite understand why a demon emperor would go to such lengths to acquire him, even if he possessed a level nine talent.

"We were ordered to investigate an old case. All of our companions are colleagues from the Demon Suppression Division. There are no temporary additions."

Li Yuan answered in a deep voice.

A strange light flickered in the Demon Emperor's eyes, and Li Yuan instantly felt a cold intent invade his sea of ​​consciousness.

He groaned, his face pale, veins bulging on his forehead, desperately clinging to the last vestige of clarity in his mind, yet deliberately feigning a blank expression.

"I will ask you one more time: Who are you? Is there anyone special accompanying you on this trip?"

Li Yuan's voice was hollow, "I am Chen Zhuo, Chen Shuo is my cousin, and we are both colleagues from the Demon Suppression Division on this trip..."

A moment later, the thought receded like a tide. The Demon Emperor was silent for a moment, then said indifferently, "It seems you really don't know. Very well, take him away and keep a close watch on him."

He then lazily waved his hand. The Blue-Eyed Eagle King immediately signaled the snake demon to take the two away.

This time, however, they seemed to have taken a different path. As they passed through a dark cave, an excited voice suddenly came from inside.

"My lords, has my son come to rescue me? His Majesty the Demon Emperor promised me that he would release me as long as my son came."

A figure lunged forward, grabbing the fence and shaking it violently. Li Yuan paused, recognizing the voice... He knew it all too well.

It was Li Chongwen, the original owner's biological father. He was indeed still alive, and he was imprisoned here.

Judging from his tone, he seemed to have reached a deal with the Demon Emperor, exchanging his son for his freedom.

That's definitely something he'd do.

Li Yuanqiang suppressed the disgust churning in his heart and slowly turned his head. Behind the fence, a disheveled face was revealed. Although the clothes were tattered, the person did not look haggard and seemed to have not suffered much.

Li Chongwen's gaze swept over Li Yuan without lingering, clearly not recognizing him, and his expression showed some disappointment.

"Who are you? Why were you brought here?" he asked, frowning.

"You are... Li Chongwen? You're really still alive?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chongwen's eyes lit up. "It's me! You recognize me? Are you from the Tang Dynasty? Do you know the whereabouts of my son, Li Yuan? He has an unparalleled level nine talent."

"My name is Chen Zhuo, a member of the Chang'an Demon Suppression Guard. I am here to investigate the mystery of your disappearance at Poyang Lake. I have seen your portrait."

Li Yuan looked at Li Chongwen with an excited expression, but it was definitely not the expression of a son seeing his father. "As for your son Li Yuan, everyone in Chang'an knows him. He is a prodigy of the Divine Martial Academy and is currently in seclusion for cultivation."

Sure enough, the hope in Li Chongwen's eyes grew even stronger. "Are you from the Demon Suppression Division? If you have the chance, please send a message to Yuan'er for me. Tell him that I am suffering here, but His Majesty the Demon Emperor is magnanimous. As long as he is willing to come, he will surely release me."

Looking at Li Chongwen's selfish face as always, Li Yuan sneered inwardly and deliberately sighed, "I originally came here for your case, but now that I'm in jail, even if I wanted to help you, I can only say that I'm powerless to do so."

Zhao Lingyun remained silent with her head down, seemingly uninterested in the matter.

Before Li Chongwen could say anything more, the snake demon escorting him finally lost his patience and shoved Li Yuan, yelling, "Stop talking nonsense! Get out of here!"

The two were taken back to their original cages. This time, the number of guards outside increased to four, and their presence was much stronger.

The two did not exchange words, but rested against the cold stone wall, each lost in their own thoughts.

Judging from Li Chongwen's appearance, he did not look like someone who had been imprisoned for a long time. Although his hair was disheveled, his complexion was normal, and he spoke with a strong voice.

Moreover, the two guards clearly stopped them on purpose to let them talk. It seems that the Demon Emperor was not at ease and used Li Chongwen to test them again.

It is said that Li Yuan is very filial. If he suddenly saw his father come back to life, he would be extremely excited and rush over to recognize his father.

This was indeed a vicious move. Fortunately, I had no feelings for Li Chongwen at all; otherwise, I might have given myself away upon seeing him for the first time.

It seems that his good father has long since sided with the Demon Emperor and doesn't care about his son's life at all.

At this moment, Li Chongwen, who had been in the main hall, was now dressed neatly and prostrating himself on the ground. "Your Majesty, these two are not my sons. However, given Yuan'er's filial nature, they should be in Tiger Wolf Gorge."

The demon emperor glanced at him lazily. "Is that so? What suggestions do you have?"

"My son is very filial. If I write him a letter, he will surely come to my rescue," Li Chongwen said with a fawning expression.

The Demon Emperor tapped the armrest lightly with his fingers, remaining silent for a long time. Li Chongwen lay prostrate on the ground, sweat beading on his forehead, yet he remained motionless, not daring to even breathe.

"It's worth a try."

After a long silence, the demon emperor finally spoke, "However, let that demon-hunting guard write this letter. If it succeeds, I will not go back on my word."

"Yes, yes, I understand. Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!" Li Chongwen kowtowed repeatedly, his face beaming with joy.

Tiger and Wolf Gorge.

At this moment, Chen Shuo's face was ashen. "It was my carelessness... I failed to protect him."

He jumped to his feet. "No, I have to go out of the pass to save him!"