41: I'm betting everything on this trust!

Gulp~

Chen Qingxuan's scalp tightened.

Could his identity as a member of the Human Race have been exposed?

No.

If his identity were exposed... Ji Li wouldn't possibly still be treating him this well.

"There are three people who claim to be from the Demon God Valley. They say someone they sent to the Demon Emperor Palace some time ago never returned, so they came specifically to investigate," Ji Li explained before questioning, "Didn't you say no one knew you came to the Demon Emperor Palace? Why are they able to come here looking for you? Exactly how many people know about the Demon Emperor Bloodline?"

Demon God Valley?

Upon learning the visitors' identities, Chen Qingxuan felt as if struck by a blow to the head.

Well, I'll be!

They weren't here for him... but for the person he had tricked and killed last time.

Was that guy really from the Demon God Valley?

Chen Qingxuan instantly panicked.

Fortunately, Ji Li hadn't yet guessed the truth. She only thought the three were here to find Chen Qingxuan, who was being kept at the Demon Emperor Palace. As for the 'imposter' who was killed...

She had long since cast him from her mind.

After all, Chen Qingxuan was the one who helped her daughter's Demon Emperor Bloodline awaken and found a way to develop it... Considering all the practical circumstances...

Chen Qingxuan seemed more like the one from the Demon God Valley.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Ji Li's willow-leaf brows furrowed slightly, her ruby-like eyes fixed on Chen Qingxuan.

"...Ahem!"

Coming back to his senses, Chen Qingxuan said, "Well... I'm not going, okay? You can tell them I've already left."

"How can you not go?" Ji Li retorted, "I was counting on you to verify if they are genuine or not. By the way, you still haven't answered my question... Besides you, does anyone else know about the Demon Emperor Bloodline?"

"Of course not."

Chen Qingxuan declared with utmost certainty.

These words weren't a lie... Even if the entire Demon God Valley came, they couldn't possibly know.

Hearing Chen Qingxuan's firm tone, Ji Li didn't question it further, but she still wanted him to judge the authenticity of the three men's identities;

to prevent them from being infiltrators from an external force.

Chen Qingxuan said guiltily, "Judging their authenticity is simple, right? I can sneak a peek and know. There's no need to meet them, is there?"

"You seem very afraid of meeting them?" Ji Li narrowed her phoenix eyes.

"Afraid of them... haha," Chen Qingxuan feigned nonchalance, "I'm just worried about misunderstandings. After all, you forcibly kept me at the Demon Emperor Palace. What if they think you... assaulted... ahem, forced me to stay... and then, after returning, use the power of the Demon God Valley against you?"

Ji Li raised her chin, "In that case, you should go and explain it to them clearly. You accepted my daughter as your disciple. You stayed voluntarily."

"..."

The corner of Chen Qingxuan's mouth twitched slightly;

What a 'voluntary' stay.

The next moment, a thought suddenly popped into his head—

Wait, isn't this the escape opportunity I've been waiting for?

Thinking of this, Chen Qingxuan's attitude changed instantly, "Alright, I'll go with you... But let's agree first, I'll control the pace of the conversation later."

"No problem."

Ji Li readily agreed... In the main hall.

Three men stood in the center, looking at Ji Li and Chen Qingxuan as they approached.

Ji Li secretly transmitted her voice, "Do you recognize them?"

Chen Qingxuan shook his head slightly;

Without waiting for Ji Li to react, he spoke first, "Are the three of you the envoys from the Demon God Valley?"

The three men sized up Chen Qingxuan;

The leader didn't respond, instead looking at Ji Li, "Demon Lord, who is this person?"

"No need to be curious about my identity."

Without waiting for Ji Li to speak, Chen Qingxuan walked straight up to them;

While circling and examining the three men, he pretended to doubt their identities, "You claim to be from the Demon God Valley. Do you have any tokens to prove your identity?"

During this time, Ji Li simply watched quietly.

"Naturally, we do."

Seeing that Ji Li didn't stop Chen Qingxuan from taking over, the leader was tactful and immediately produced a token jade pendant;

The jade pendant was... identical to the one Chen Qingxuan had produced before!

Originally, the Demon God Valley didn't have such a thing at all, but some damned scoundrel had actually labeled the Demon God Valley with this jade pendant token;

Now, the entire Western Region regarded the jade pendant as proof of the Demon God Valley!

Therefore, before coming to the Demon Emperor Palace, the three had prepared thoroughly in advance to avoid unnecessary trouble.

"...Ahem!"

Chen Qingxuan almost couldn't hold back.

Looking at the familiar jade pendant style... he truly hadn't expected the Demon God Valley to be so adaptable.

The next moment, he began scheming and said, "Then let me ask you, where is the Demon God Valley located?"

"What?"

The leader frowned;

After glancing at Ji Li, he looked displeased at Chen Qingxuan, "Your Excellency, who exactly are you? Don't you know our Demon God Valley never discloses its base location to outsiders?"

"They're fakes!" Without further ado, Chen Qingxuan turned to look at Ji Li.

Ji Li's expression shifted slightly, "Is the jade pendant also fake?"

"Whether the jade pendant is real or fake is not important," Chen Qingxuan said calmly, "What's important is... they are fake people!"

"Nonsense... we are from the Demon God Valley."

"Demon Lord, who is this person... don't believe his wild talk."

"Kid, what gives you the right to say we're fake?"

The three men immediately became anxious.

Without Chen Qingxuan needing to speak, Ji Li said coldly, "You claim to be looking for the Demon God Valley envoy who first came to my Demon Emperor Palace. Now he stands right before you... and you don't recognize him?"

"What?"

Upon hearing this, the three men were stunned.

They all looked at Chen Qingxuan, then at each other in disbelief... Finally, they all shook their heads.

Facing his companions' bewildered expressions, the leader reacted, "Demon Lord, you've been deceived... This young man is not someone sent by our Demon God Valley. He is the fake one!"

If it were before, perhaps Chen Qingxuan would have felt guilty.

But now, Chen Qingxuan revealed a calm smile, "Ah, yes, yes, yes. I'm not from the Demon God Valley. I'm the imposter... you three are the real ones."

"You..."

Seeing Chen Qingxuan's mocking expression, the three men flew into a rage;

But compared to the previous Demon God Valley envoy, they didn't attack Chen Qingxuan in anger. Instead, they kept declaring to Ji Li—

That Chen Qingxuan was fake!

Seeing the timing was about right, Chen Qingxuan threatened, "Let me tell you the truth. Over ten days ago, there was also someone impersonating the Demon God Valley like you. But he couldn't produce a jade pendant, nor could he tell the location of the Demon God Valley's base... So now, his corpse is already cold."

Whoosh—

Upon hearing this, the three men shuddered.

They weren't fools. How could they not guess that the person sent earlier... had already been killed?

Boom—

"If you cannot prove your identities, then confess who ordered you to impersonate the Demon God Valley... Otherwise, don't blame me for unleashing a massacre." As Ji Li's words fell, a surge of Demonic Power transformed into oppressive force, descending upon the three like a mountain.

Currently, her trust in Chen Qingxuan... had reached the point where she felt comfortable entrusting her daughter to him.

Whoever Chen Qingxuan said was fake, was fake.

Thud—

The terrifying oppressive force instantly made the three men feel as if facing a formidable enemy.

In their panic, a middle-aged envoy immediately said, "Hold on, we know where the Demon God Valley is... we can prove our identity."

"Oh? Where?"

Chen Qingxuan's eyes lit up.

"No!"

The leader immediately stopped his companion.

The middle-aged envoy looked at the leader, "The situation is urgent. We can't let this scoundrel continue swindling under the Demon God Valley's banner. Even the Demon Lord has been deceived... At worst, we can relocate our base afterward."

"Yes, Elder Chen. We have to relocate every hundred years anyway," another person chimed in.

Thus,

After a brief dispute, the three men still revealed the location.

Having obtained the specific location, Chen Qingxuan sighed with relief as if a weight was lifted, and also felt no more restraint, "Madam, kill them!"

"Huh?"

Ji Li was taken aback.

But out of trust in Chen Qingxuan, she decided to act first and ask questions later.

Boom—

Ji Li suddenly lashed out with a palm strike.

In an instant, before the three could even react, a swift and violent palm imprint shot towards them with terrifying speed.

Without even a chance to scream, they were instantly pulverized into dust by the immense impact, their flesh and blood carried by the residual force out of the hall... The entire process took less than the blink of an eye.

Only after dealing with the three did Ji Li ask, 'Was the location they gave false?'

'No... it's real... That is the true location of the Demon God Valley.'

'What?' Ji Li was greatly shocked upon hearing this. 'If it's real... why did you have me kill them?'

'Because they are not people from the Demon God Valley... They are not from the Demon God Valley!' Chen Qingxuan raised his handsome face, beginning to put on a masterful performance. 'Why... why do they know the location of the Demon God Valley... Could it be they have already found the Demon God Valley... Then my family, my clansmen... No... It can't be?'

By the end, Chen Qingxuan began to act flustered and utterly distraught.

'This... You...'

Ji Li was also stunned.

Watching Chen Qingxuan gradually lose his composure, for a moment, the many questions in her heart had no time to be voiced.

She could only first try to calm Chen Qingxuan. 'First, calm down a little... You suspect the Demon God Valley is in trouble... that some force has found it, is that it?'

Facing Ji Li's concern, Chen Qingxuan pretended to be too preoccupied to pay attention, muttering to himself, 'My father... my mother... my Second Uncle... Could they be in danger... No, I must go back... I must return to the Demon God Valley.'

'Don't be hasty... I will send people to investigate the situation immediately.'

Ji Li was completely bewildered.

Truly, Chen Qingxuan's masterful acting, the three parts panic, three parts worry, and four parts agitation on his face, made it impossible for her to distinguish truth from falsehood;

There was even less time to suspect anything.

After all, what ill intentions could a person of such deep loyalty and righteousness possibly have?

'My Lady... I must go back myself now... Otherwise, I won't be at ease.' Chen Qingxuan, his face full of worry and his expression tense, met Ji Li's gaze.

Seeing him in such a state for the first time, Ji Li found herself momentarily unable to refuse. 'Alright, I will personally accompany you there.'

'Thank you, my Lady...' Chen Qingxuan first pretended to instinctively thank her, but then, as if suddenly coming to his senses, added, 'No, that won't do, my Lady. You must stay at the Demon Emperor Palace to guard Qian You... I feel this matter is not so simple... Qian You carries the Demon Emperor Bloodline... Although logically outsiders shouldn't know, given the current situation... You must stay and keep a close watch on Qian You... Absolutely must not let her leave the Demon Emperor Palace... You must also inspect the Demon Emperor Palace thoroughly, ensuring no one can break in, understand?'

'...'

Ji Li's lips parted slightly, words caught in her throat;

Out of rationality, she certainly couldn't let Chen Qingxuan leave alone—that would be no different from releasing a tiger back to the mountains.

But out of emotion and trust, for a Revered Master who was still worried about her daughter's safety even now... even though reason told her she couldn't let her guard down with Chen Qingxuan;

Yet, anyone with a shred of humanity... wouldn't be able to voice suspicion, right?

And Chen Qingxuan wasn't foolish enough to think such tactics alone would make Ji Li yield, so he added after speaking, 'However, my Lady, I have a request... Since you cannot accompany me... With my strength alone, if I encounter danger, it would be difficult to protect myself. I hope you can send some powerful individuals to accompany me. This way, we can also better handle any crisis at the Demon God Valley... But the number shouldn't be too large, to avoid drawing attention. Their strength must be sufficient to ensure my safe return... Is that acceptable?'

'No problem!'

This time, Ji Li answered without the slightest hesitation;

Because Chen Qingxuan's final request, while seemingly seeking help, also gave her an opportunity to keep a hand in play.

If she let Chen Qingxuan leave alone, she definitely wouldn't be at ease, but if she could send trusted subordinates to follow him... presumably no accidents would occur.

Moreover, she had a suitable candidate in mind. 'I will have Xuan Ling accompany you. You can rest assured about her strength; no force would dare harm you... She will definitely bring you back safely to the Demon Emperor Palace.'

'Thank you, thank you, my Lady.'

Chen Qingxuan appeared deeply moved;

This eased Ji Li's originally complicated feelings considerably.

But before departure, she specifically said to Chen Qingxuan, 'This venerable one has never trusted an outsider like this before. You must not disappoint me... Qian You is still waiting for you at the Demon Emperor Palace, alright?'

'Don't worry, I will definitely return!'

Chen Qingxuan met her gaze with a look of certainty.

'Mm!'

A rare gentleness appeared on Ji Li's face.

This time, she chose to stake everything... on believing in Chen Qingxuan!

...Demon God Valley.

Nestled deep within a mountain range in the Western Region, in a crevice, with no signs of human habitation for a hundred miles around. Even with a map, finding this place would be unlikely.

After several days of travel, Chen Qingxuan and Xuan Ling finally arrived.

But the two did not enter directly.

Gazing at the peaceful, village-like Demon God Valley, Xuan Ling felt puzzled. 'Why does this place not seem to have experienced any disturbance?'

'One cannot judge things by appearance alone.' Chen Qingxuan observed the surroundings while thinking about how to make his escape. Escaping openly would likely be very difficult.

Xuan Ling frowned and said, 'You'd better not try any tricks, otherwise... I'll have no choice but to take your head back to the Demon Emperor Palace.'

'...'

Chen Qingxuan curled his lip;

Faced with the consistently arrogant Xuan Ling, he did not argue or defend himself... Anyway, this time, she would be the one crying as she returned to the Demon Emperor Palace to beg for forgiveness.

Not long after.

Chen Qingxuan thought of a plan. 'We'll enter the Demon God Valley together, but split into two routes. You take the left side, I'll take the right... Remember to keep an eye on me at all times, and absolutely don't let me get into danger.'

'Why do it this way?' Xuan Ling asked suspiciously.

'I sense something off about the atmosphere in the Demon God Valley... but I can't quite put my finger on it.'

Chen Qingxuan pretended to be mysterious.

Having said that, he then tried to provoke her. 'You're not worried I'll run away, are you? Come on, this is my home... But if you're really afraid I'll escape, we can move together... it's just easier to miss clues that way.'

'Hah~ Afraid you'll run away?'

Xuan Ling sneered.

Not to mention how powerful her strength was, ever since leaving the Demon Emperor Palace, she had been locking onto Chen Qingxuan's aura. He wouldn't be able to fly away even with wings!

'If you're not afraid, good... Then I'll enter from the right first. Remember, you take the left.'

With that, Chen Qingxuan flew off first.

'You...'

Xuan Ling hesitated, words unspoken;

She had intended to stop Chen Qingxuan, but recalling how he had provoked her throughout the journey, as the saying goes, even a clay figure has a temper.

If she spoke up to stop him now, she was afraid Chen Qingxuan would seize the opportunity to mock her again.

Considering she had already locked onto Chen Qingxuan's aura with her Divine Thought, and they were within the valley, there was simply no chance for him to escape from under her watch;

In the end, Xuan Ling still flew towards the left side.

On the other side.

Seeing Xuan Ling actually fly towards the left, Chen Qingxuan smiled.

The next moment, he hid behind a large boulder and began to remove his disguise.

Ever since entering the Western Region, he hadn't just disguised his appearance; he had also used a Magical Artifact to alter and maintain his aura.

Therefore, Xuan Ling's method of locking onto his aura was completely useless—

Totally pointless!

'Sword, come!'

After changing into another disguise, Chen Qingxuan stirred his Divine Thought slightly.

*Whoosh—*