Chapter 22: Showdown

Princess Shunde had three wishes. The first was for the jiaoren to speak human words. The second was for him to grow legs. The third was for him to serve without rebellion.

Now, Princess Shunde's first wish had been granted. And it was Ji Yunhe who made it happen. At the beginning of this competition, she was determined and confident that she could make him speak before Lin Haoqing.

But..

Not like this.

The light from the sky streaked in from broken walls, and stopped exactly one foot in front of the high seat. Lin Canglan sat in the shadows, his eyes looked more shady due to the contrasting light. His face was covered with wrinkles as deep as rolling hills.

Qing Shu stood behind him, more concealed than his shadow. Lin Haoqing stood on the right side of the hall in the daylight. At first glance, he looked tall and steady and his face was calm, as if he were still the gentle big brother Ji Yunhe had known.

Other demon masters stood along both sides of the hall. Everyone watched in silence as Ji Yunhe walked step by step toward the master's high seat, and finally stopped three feet before Lin Canglan.

"All hail the Valley Master," she knelt down and saluted as usual. Lin Canglan smiled, and the folds on his face deepened a little more.

"Arise. You are now a meritorious servant of the Demon Valley."

"Thank you, Valley Master." Ji Yunhe got up and remained standing in the center of the hall.

Lin Canglan continued, "The jade phoenix has caused pandemonium inside our valley and took away Snow March. A number of demon masters were killed, injured or still missing..." He coughed twice, seemingly in discomfort.

"The court was furious. They have sent the Grand Master to hunt down both the demon bird and Snow March."

Ji Yunhe's face remained emotionless, but her heart sighed with relief. Still wanted meant not caught yet. Snow March was free and safe. This chaos had at least granted one person's freedom.

"The court originally wanted to condemn our valley, but, well, you..."

Lin Canglan pointed to Ji Yunhe, "you completed Princess Shunde's first wish. She was very pleased and spoke in our favor to the emperor. Yunhe, you have brought mercy upon the Demon Valley."

Releasing the jade phoenix was a threat to national security, yet getting the jiaoren to speak was a private matter.

This current emperor... Ji Yunhe scornfully laughed inside her head. This little emperor was truly incompetent. It was apparent that his sister, Princess Shunde, held more power. Ji Yunhe's face showed no trace of what she thought to herself.

"Yunhe just got lucky."

"Valley Master," a man walked out from the side and saluted Lin Canglan.

"It is fortunate for us that the stubborn jiaoren spoke, but I have a few questions I would like to askes for Master Warden to answer."

Ji Yunhe glanced at him. This was one of Lin Haoqing's men. Lin Haoqing was trying to cause her some trouble. She stayed silent.

Lin Canglan would know of Lin Haoqing's intentions. If Lin Canglan allowed this, then it would be Lin Canglan who wanted to trouble her.

The only one she needed to deal with inside this hall was Lin Canglan. Lin Canglan stared at the man for a moment and coughed twice,

"Proceed."

Ji Yunhe took a breath. This old fox, he really just could not handle anyone living in peace.

"Yes. I would like to know, when we fought with the jade phoenix, Master Warden was nowhere in sight. Master Warden is highly capable but did not fight such a strong enemy with us, may I ask, where where you and what were you doing at the time? This is my first question."

"Secondly, you all know that jiaoren is stubborn. Master Warden disappeared with him. Where did they go and what did they do? Why did they appear in the backyard of Li Feng Hall? This is my second question. Thirdly, after they reappeared, when Master Warden fell unconscious, the jiaoren guarded her and protected her with his life..."

Protected her with his life...

Changyi, you silly fish, did you have to...

Ji Yunhe's heart fluttered emotionally, but she did not dare to let it show.

"After being captured, the jiaoren's first words spoken were to inquire about her safety. I want to know, what is the relationship between him and Master Warden?"

The demon master stopped. Ji Yunhe turned her head and asked him, "Are you done?"

Her eyes were cold, and the person who had asked the questions was visibly frightened. He forced himself to be calm.

"Master Warden, please provide some answers."

"Basically, you just want to know what exactly I have been doing all this time. There is nothing to hide."

Ji Yunhe looked around at the crowd. "I did not participate in the battle with the jade phoenix because after the cat demon broke the seal, I saw the crack in the ground heading straight for the jiaoren's prison. I was worried about him running away, so I went ahead to check on it. The battle with the jade phoenix was extremely important, so was ensuring the jiaoren did not escape. All of you fought with your lives to protect the reputation of the Demon Valley, to keep the jiaoren secure was also our duty."

"And with the jade phoenix, whether I helped or not wouldn't make a difference. But to handle the jiaoren, I alone would suffice."

Ji Yunhe spoke loudly and confidently. Her words were neither fast nor slow. The demon masters looked at each other, and no one stood out to refute her.

"I found him and his cage embedded in the cracks between the rocks, and was wondering about what to do when the Ten Square Formation reactivated. You all should remember what it was like." The crowd nodded their heads.

"The jiaoren and I disappeared because we were pulled in by the Ten Square Formation."