61. Guess Who I Am
“Your Majesty… are you certain about this?”
On a hill not far from the entrance to the Heart of Blazing Flame, the Grand Elder asked hesitantly, “Even if that Immortal Master doesn’t find out, or blames the Myriad Demons Palace, can you truly be at peace?”
He was referring to Shangguan Long’s arrangements.
Sacrificing innocents to the dragon vein, then using secret techniques to erase their memories.
Even if they sensed something amiss, they would only suspect the demonic cultivators in the palace.
Shangguan Long’s expression remained calm. “Do I have a choice?”
“The demonic sects are watching, the relationships between the Four Kingdoms are deteriorating, and strengthening the dragon vein is crucial. I can’t just summon a quasi-immortal level blacksmith.”
“Even the Hundred Paths Mountain sects are scheming against each other. As the Emperor, I have to consider all aspects and cannot prioritize morality over this opportunity.”
“Grand Elder,” he turned, his eyes filled with a chilling ruthlessness, “I can have the dragon assist you. What are our chances of defeating that Immortal Master together?”
The Grand Elder’s eyes widened in shock.
Directly confronting the Immortal Master… was His Majesty truly capable of such a thing?
“…I don’t know.”
“Heh.” Shangguan Long chuckled, his hands behind his back. “My plans are foolproof… What!?”
He suddenly frowned, his expression changing to disbelief. “The dragon vein… something’s wrong with the dragon vein!?”
This was a serious matter.
The dragon vein was connected to the Shangguan family’s and the entire empire’s fate. It was the source of the land’s power, the key to the empire’s prosperity, and it couldn’t be compromised.
Alarmed, Shangguan Long ordered the Grand Elder to stay guard while he rushed towards the dragon vein.
He arrived alone at the canyon.
Although the dragon vein still resembled a flowing golden river, the immense spiritual energy and dragon soul essence within it were slowly fading.
“No!” Panic finally appeared on Shangguan Long’s face. “The dragon vein should have lasted longer. How could this be!?”
“It should have,”
A female voice suddenly came from behind him, “but if someone wants it to die sooner, do you think I can’t do it?”
He turned around and saw a seemingly ordinary girl.
Plain appearance, plain figure, and questionable fashion sense.
If she were on the street, he wouldn’t even notice her in the crowd.
But this ordinary girl’s hands glowed with a dark light, and the dragon vein’s power was flowing into her body.
Clearly, she was the culprit.
“You’re that cultivator who withdrew…” Shangguan Long, recognizing her face, said in surprise, “Do you… do you know what you’re doing!?”
Miss Gong seemed to have been waiting for him.
—If he hadn’t appeared, she would have probably exploded.
Not only was the venom still coursing through her, but the sheer power of the dragon vein, forcefully absorbed into her body, was like swallowing a nuclear bomb.
“Hmph.” Gong Yiling stopped absorbing the energy, crossing her arms and sneering. “Are you blind? I’m sending a warning.”
She ripped off her disguise.
Beneath the drab clothes was a revealing black dress with a high slit, revealing her long, slender legs. A light gray shawl partially covered her shoulders and collarbones.
The exposed skin, accentuated by the translucent shawl, looked alluring, and her long brown hair, flowing freely, added a touch of demonic charm to her ethereal beauty.
Her face was also different. Although half-hidden by a black veil, her dark eyes sparkled with mischief, and the light purple eyeshadow enhanced her seductive aura.
Shangguan Long was momentarily stunned by her beauty, then finally registered her earlier words.
“Feeding…!?”
“It seems Your Majesty still doesn’t know who I am.”
In an instant, as demonic energy and venom surged from her, Shangguan Long’s eyes widened in realization. “You’re the Flame Python!”
“…Huh?”
Gong Yiling almost broke character.
Dude, didn’t you know the Flame Python was dead? Did Shangguan Yaochang not tell you?
She was about to claim she was the Vice Palace Master of the Myriad Demons Palace, a high-ranking demonic cultivator known for her ruthlessness and bloodshed, a terrifying figure in the novel.
It was a perfect lie, considering the Myriad Demons Palace was indeed involved.
“I see.” Shangguan Long frowned, analyzing the situation. “That Shangguan Yaochang was deceiving me! He was covering for you, allowing you to infiltrate right under my nose!”
—Why did he think she was the Flame Python? Did she look like one?
Miss Gong pouted.
But…
Since he was so cooperative, she might as well play along.
After all, she was experienced in impersonating others and making false claims.
“So what if I am?” Gong Yiling sneered, taking a step forward. “But Your Majesty, coming here alone… are you that confident in your strength?”
“Hmph.”
After the initial shock, Shangguan Long’s face darkened, but he showed no fear. “Do you think I came unprepared?”
He quickly took out a scroll from his sleeve.
As he unfurled it, ink paintings of legendary treasures appeared, and he pointed at one of them with two fingers.
A holy light shot towards the sky, and the treasure slowly descended into his hand.
“Demon, you were severely injured in the Yanxing Great Forest. Do you think I fear you now?”
Gong Yiling stared at the object in his hand, her eyes widening. “This is…?”
“The Demon Subduing Bell. Although ineffective against non-demons, it’s your kind’s bane.”
“Die!”
