Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

In the dungeon, Li Yuan and the other person huddled together, seemingly dozing off.

After treating Zhao Lingyun's injuries, to prevent the guarding demons from noticing, Li Yuan used his divine sense to teach him the incantation of the Concealing Breath Technique.

"This method can not only conceal one's aura, but also prevent demonic energy from eroding one's intelligence." Li Yuan's voice rang in Zhao Lingyun's mind.

This was a technique taught by Mr. Mo, which was extremely wondrous. Zhao Lingyun followed the incantation and circulated it. After a while, the energy in his body was indeed smoother, but he still looked listless on the surface.

He opened his eyes, nodded and smiled slightly at Li Yuan. The past grievances had been wiped away, and now the two were just friends who had gone through thick and thin together.

Tiger Wolf Gorge, the secret chamber of the central army.

Chu Jinghong dismissed his attendants, leaving only a solitary lamp, as if waiting for someone. A guard outside announced, "My lord, the distinguished guest has arrived."

"Please come quickly."

The curtain was lifted, and a figure slowly walked in. The person was wearing a large black cloak with the brim of the hood pulled down very low, covering most of his face, revealing only his strong jawline.

He walked with a steady gait and his aura was restrained, appearing to be an ordinary person with no cultivation.

Chu Jinghong stood up and respectfully cupped his hands, saying, "You must be tired from your journey."

The man took off his hood, revealing an extremely ordinary face, about forty years old. He nodded slightly.

"Lord Chu, it has been ten years since we parted ways in Chang'an. How have you been?"

"This is not good. His Majesty has been enraged this time. If the situation in the Northwest cannot be stabilized, I'm afraid the world will change drastically."

Chu Jinghong spoke frankly.

"How is the situation here?"

Seeing how solemn he was speaking, the man raised an eyebrow and asked in a deep voice.

"It's a bit tricky."

Chu Jinghong didn't stand on ceremony and briefly recounted the recent battle situation in Liangzhou, as well as the capture of Li Yuan and other matters.

"The other side has a demon king in charge, whose specific identity has not yet been determined, but the fact that they can mobilize the Azure-Eyed Eagle King and a group of demon kings means they are no ordinary people. Moreover, Mr. Mo went out to investigate, but there has been no news of him since then, so he has probably been held up by someone."

After listening, the visitor remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Li Yuan, is it really just because of your level nine talent that you're being targeted?"

"Perhaps he harbors other secrets that have aroused the covetousness of the demon race, but as a prodigy of our human race, the more they fear him, the more it proves his limitless potential for the future, doesn't it?"

As Li Yuan's superior and his son's good friend, Chu Jinghong would naturally favor Li Yuan to some extent, even knowing that he harbored a secret, but he didn't care.

"Indeed, who among us cultivators doesn't have a few secrets?" The newcomer didn't seem to care much. "Of course, we should save people, but figuring out the true intentions of the demon race is the most important thing."

"Exactly." Chu Jinghong breathed a sigh of relief. "I have a feeling that the things behind this chaos in Liangzhou are far deeper than what we see on the surface."

The mysterious man glanced at him: "You suspect their target isn't just Liangzhou?"

"The fact that even Mr. Mo was held back shows that they had planned this all along and had big ambitions. It's not just about Li Yuan; it's very likely that this was just a smokescreen to mislead our judgment."

The mysterious man said no more, only nodded: "I understand."

Chu Jinghong smiled and personally poured a cup of tea for the mysterious man: "With you here, I feel at ease."

The two talked for about half an hour in the secret room. When Chu Jinghong reappeared in front of everyone, he was accompanied by an ordinary-looking guard.

Soon after, Chu Jinghong summoned Chen Shuo and the others.

"Tomorrow, someone will disguise himself as Li Yuan and enter Tiger Wolf Gorge," Chu Jinghong whispered. "This person was transferred from the Longyou Circuit Command."

Chen Shuo was taken aback: "Does Your Excellency mean to use a stand-in to attract the other party's attention?"

"That's right." Chu Jinghong nodded. "They specifically asked for Li Yuan, so let's give him one and try to figure out their strengths and weaknesses later."

"You'll need to be in charge of tomorrow's deal; I'll be there to back you up."

"Yes."

Chen Shuo immediately agreed in a deep voice.

The following day, at Tiger Wolf Pass, a young man, escorted by several powerful experts, rode his horse into the pass.

Although this person had a weathered look, he had handsome features and a tall, upright figure. He was none other than Li Yuan, the legendary genius of the Divine Martial Academy.

The news spread quickly within the pass, and the demon clan sentries who had been monitoring from outside the pass immediately relayed the information back to Black Wind Ridge.

"Li Yuan? He really appeared in Tiger Wolf Gorge?" Upon receiving the message, the Blue-Eyed Eagle King was somewhat surprised. "So fast?"

The message quickly reached the Demon Emperor Chen Su, and the Silver Wolf strategist's eyes flickered: "Your Majesty, this matter is strange. Could it be that the human race is setting a trap to lure us in?"

The Demon Emperor Chensu sat upright on a stone chair, casually twirling a starstone in his hand, and let out a low, cold laugh: "Trying to lure me in? Interesting. It seems that Chu Jinghong thinks I'm a three-year-old child."

"Your Majesty, what's our next step..." the Eagle King asked tentatively.

"Since they want to put on this show, I will play along." The Demon Emperor slowly stood up, his dark gold robe fluttering without wind, exuding an aura of domineering arrogance. "I will personally make a trip to Tiger Wolf Gorge. I want to see just who Chu Jinghong has invited."

"His Majesty is going in person?" Silver Wolf strategist exclaimed in surprise. "Tiger Wolf Gorge is now teeming with experts. Chu Jinghong must have set a trap. What if..."

"What if?" The Demon Emperor glanced at it indifferently, sending a chill down the Silver Wolf strategist's spine. He swallowed the rest of his sentence. "A bunch of chickens and dogs, do they even deserve my fear?"

"Go to the dungeon and bring that brat out. I want to see what other tricks he can pull."

"Yes, Your Majesty is wise!" The two dared not persuade him any further and accepted the order in unison.

In the dungeon, Li Yuan was meditating cross-legged when he suddenly heard footsteps. He opened his eyes and saw the Azure-Eyed Eagle King appear outside the cage.

"Boy, get up. His Majesty wants to take you out for a stroll." The Eagle King grinned, revealing his gleaming white fangs, his eyes full of mockery.

"Where to?"

"You'll find out when we get there." The Eagle King waved its claws impatiently. "Stop talking nonsense, let's go!"

A thought flashed through Li Yuan's mind: Could it be that they were going to exchange hostages? He glanced at Zhao Lingyun beside him, realizing that if he left, it would be even harder for Zhao Lingyun to escape.

"Sure, but he has to come along too."

He pointed at Zhao Lingyun.

Silver Wolf strategist was taken aback, then sneered, "Bring him along? A half-dead burden, what's the point of bringing him along? Kid, don't push your luck!"

"He came with me and is a colleague. If I leave alone and leave him here to die, I will not be at peace with myself."

Li Yuan stared coldly at the Green-Eyed Eagle King, refusing to back down. "Either I go with him, or you take my corpse with you in exchange."

As he spoke, he raised a sharp stone and placed it against his neck. "I believe my cousin would never exchange a hostage for a corpse."

"you……"

The Eagle King was shocked, never expecting that this human boy would be so fiercely independent, willing to die to take his companions with him.

Zhao Lingyun, standing beside him, stared at him in shock, repeatedly gesturing for him to leave quickly. He was naturally proud and never imagined that Li Yuan would go to such lengths to save him.

The Azure-Eyed Eagle King stared at Li Yuan with a sinister look, remaining silent for a long time. He had originally intended to subdue Li Yuan, but was worried that something might go wrong and ruin the Demon Emperor's grand plan.