Chapter 13: Deceive You? Insult You?

The term "Demonic Heart" was terrifying. Yet, he knew he could never fuse with it himself. However, it was quite beneficial to grant it to his subordinates—especially those who were truly loyal. No matter how much their personalities changed, as long as their loyalty to him remained unwavering, it was of no consequence.

...

Time passed slowly. Half an hour slipped away in the blink of an eye. At that moment, before Yu Qiye’s eyes appeared a monstrous creature—or more accurately, a ferocious beast. Its size rivaled that of a giant elephant. Its eyes were bloodshot, veins coursing visibly. Muscles bulged like small hills across its entire body. A wild, maddening aura radiated in all directions.

“Thank you, master,” the divine mastiff prostrated itself before Yu Qiye, its face full of gratitude. The transformation of its body didn’t bother it; what mattered was strength. And now, it had grown stronger by at least one or two levels. That indescribable power surged through its frame, compelling it to howl at the sky. Yet it dared not—such was the respect it held for its master. It would not disturb him.

“You seem to like it,” Yu Qiye smiled.

“The master’s methods are truly unfathomable,” the divine mastiff said with inexplicable reverence. A mere flick of his right hand had boosted its power by two levels. Moreover, the mastiff could sense that this had not exhausted its potential. In other words, its strength had been greatly enhanced without damaging its foundation. Even the highest immortals or Buddhas would find such a feat difficult.

“As long as you’re satisfied.” With a light laugh, Yu Qiye turned and headed toward the Crow’s Nest Cave. The divine mastiff promptly followed at his heels.

...

Yu Qiye was delighted to have tamed the divine mastiff. The successful bestowal of the Demonic Heart further revealed new possibilities to him.

“Xue’er is also worth cultivating.”

Though Xue’er lacked a "loyalty" attribute, she had known Yu Qiye for a long time. Their bond was deep, and she was someone Yu Qiye deeply trusted. Thus, he intended to nurture her. As for which attribute to grant her, Yu Qiye still had to consider carefully.

Returning to the Crow’s Nest Cave, Qingqiu Xue had already prepared the dishes. One couldn’t help but admit—she was skilled in cooking. It was evident that the fox clan was more than just outward appearances resembling humans; even in other ways, they were gradually aligning with human traits.

“Your Majesty...” Qingqiu Fox greeted him but her expression quickly shifted as she glanced behind Yu Qiye.

There, a small black dog had appeared.

...

“Who is he?” Qingqiu Xue’s gaze was wary.

“He is the divine mastiff, now loyal to me,” Yu Qiye explained.

“I see.” Hearing this, Qingqiu Xue’s expression softened. Then, as if realizing something, a look of astonishment dawned on her face.

“Even a demon general-level existence is willing to submit to Your Majesty?”

She bit her lip thoughtfully, a complex emotion stirring within. Truly, the king was a prodigy! Before, they had been nearly equal in strength, but now even a demon general bowed before him.

Just then, Yu Qiye’s voice whispered into Qingqiu Xue’s ear.

“Xue’er, send someone to investigate if there are any powerful demons around recently.”

“Your Majesty, are you planning to expand your territory?” Qingqiu Xue asked in surprise.

“Something like that,” Yu Qiye nodded, admitting it. Expansion was a pretext; the true goal was to seize new attributes. Not only did he need to harvest various attributes for himself, but his attribute repository also required suitable additions.

Earlier, he had searched repeatedly but found no fitting attribute for Xue’er. It was understandable—most of the good attributes Yu Qiye had absorbed himself. He was unwilling to give her anything mediocre or worse.

...

Seasons passed swiftly. Months slipped away. During this time, Yu Qiye roamed between Qing Mountain and Fruit Blossom Mountain. On Qing Mountain, he was the Demon King—cold, extraordinary, the youngest, most mysterious, and most fearsome presence nearby.

On Fruit Blossom Mountain, he seemed like an ordinary bird, drinking from the Greedy Spring, pecking at spiritual fruits, and occasionally perching on the Monkey King’s shoulder.

Yet one day, near the Water Curtain Cave, Yu Qiye sensed an unusual commotion.

“Your Majesty, if you are so far-sighted, truly your Dao heart is enlightened! Within the five insects, only three classes—names and forms—are not under the control of Lord Yama,” a white old ape with a hunched back said.

“Which three?” the Monkey King asked loudly.

“The immortals, Buddhas, and the sacred ones... these three exist only within the Yanfu world, in the ancient cave and immortal mountains.”

Then, the old ape shifted tone.

“Your Majesty, if you worry about life and death, why not journey to famous mountains, seek renowned masters, and learn the path to immortality?”

Hearing this, the Monkey King’s eyes brightened, joyfully exclaiming, “Excellent, excellent!”

...

Not far away, Yu Qiye transformed into a black blood crow, standing on a branch, staring at the scene in a daze.

“What’s going on? Could it be the Monkey King is apprenticing earlier than expected?”

He recalled the Monkey King had planned to stay on Fruit Blossom Mountain for many years before seeking the path to immortality. But now...

More than that, Yu Qiye’s attention was drawn to the aged long-armed ape nearby. This old “monkey” seemed to know quite a lot.

[Race: ???]

[Rank: ???]

[Attributes: ???]

...

Well, well, that explained why this old monkey knew so much. Some great figure was beginning to make moves.

Just then, seemingly sensing something, the long-armed ape—though his eyes were dim with age—suddenly raised his gaze towards the black blood crow not far off. His eyes sparkled with a sharp light, and an overwhelming pressure crashed down like a tidal wave.

“Caw caw...” A cry pierced the air, rousing the Monkey King from his intoxication with the pursuit of immortality.

“Brother Crow, you’ve arrived,” he said.

“Come, come, I’m preparing to travel the four seas, seek famous mountains, and apprentice under a master. Will you accompany me?” the Monkey King asked.

As soon as his words fell, the immense pressure vanished. It was clear someone did not want the Monkey King to discover something.

“Caw caw, caw caw...” Yu Qiye responded with consecutive cries, decisively spreading his wings and flying to perch on the Monkey King’s shoulder.

He had come for the Monkey King—not only to seize his attributes but also to apprentice alongside him.

In this world, Dao was seldom passed down, and magic even less so. Few paid attention to beings like them—covered in fur, bearing horns, born of wet eggs. Yet Master Bodhi was certainly one such figure. If Yu Qiye could ride on the Monkey King’s journey to apprentice under Bodhi, it would be an extraordinary stroke of fortune.

“Looks like Brother Crow is willing to accompany me on this journey. Haha, with you here, I won't be lonely,” the Monkey King laughed.

“Caw caw, caw caw...” The crow’s cries served as a reply.

...

Tomorrow, the Monkey King would begin his apprenticeship.

Hence, tonight was a night of unrestrained revelry.

Numerous monkeys celebrated wildly—some serving wine, others gathering fruit. The scene was lively and joyous.

Yet, no one noticed a black crow spreading its wings and flying away. It was Yu Qiye.

He planned to bid farewell to his many subordinates.

“I will be gone for nearly ten years. If any of you cannot wait, you are free to leave,” Yu Qiye said as he took human form, looking at the four leading demons: the wild boar spirit, the scorpion spirit, Qingqiu Xue, and the newly-subdued divine mastiff.

“Master, please rest assured. Once we follow you, it is for life! Where the Crow’s Nest Cave exists, we are here,” the divine mastiff spoke human words, determination shining on its face.

“Hmm.” Yu Qiye nodded slightly and glanced at Qingqiu Xue, whose expression was complex. Her alluring eyes shimmered as if sparkling with tears.

“Your Majesty, may I accompany you?” Qingqiu Xue pleaded.

“This journey holds great fortune but also great peril. I can go alone,” Yu Qiye replied.

With that, he transformed into a black crow and soared into the night.

Yet, as his figure vanished into the dark sky, a chilling voice echoed throughout the Crow’s Nest Cave.

“If any demon dares bully or insult you,”

“Endure and evade...”

“When I return, I will ensure they never reincarnate, their souls utterly destroyed.”