Chapter Thirteen: The Sorrow of Fathers

At Jiang Yuan's command, the entire wasteland resounded with the clash of armor and the shouts of soldiers. Soon, they charged into the ancient and mysterious forest, where towering trees soared above and vines grew unchecked, with no roads to speak of.

Of the hundred thousand troops, three thousand were specially chosen to clear the way. No one knew how far they had advanced, but still, not a single trace of the demon clans could be seen.

Jiang Yuan sensed something amiss and spoke to his side, “Jiao, go ahead and investigate. Why do we see no sign of the demon clans?”

“Your son obeys.” Yin Jiao replied with a respectful salute and withdrew.

Possessing a rare treasure and fearing nothing, he plunged deep into the primeval forest.

“General Huang, Lord Zhang, what do you make of this?” Jiang Yuan asked Huang Feihu and Zhang Kui beside him.

“There may be a plot,” Huang Feihu replied respectfully.

Well said! That was as good as saying nothing at all.

Even someone as blunt as Huang Feihu could sense something was wrong, much less Jiang Yuan, who didn’t bother to acknowledge Huang’s empty comment.

Huang Feihu realized he’d spoken in vain, gave a dry laugh, and fell silent.

Jiang Yuan turned to Zhang Kui. Zhang Kui’s expression remained unchanged; he was a man of action and spoke directly, “The crown prince ventures alone; it could be dangerous. Should I go to assist?”

“No need. If Jiao can’t overcome even this, how could he hope to rule the Shang dynasty one day?” Jiang Yuan replied offhandedly.

“Your Majesty speaks truly.” Zhang Kui answered quietly and remained still.

Jiang Yuan, idly toying with Daji in his arms, gazed intently into the depths of the forest. Today, he would see whether these so-called sages dared to make such a blatant move against him!

Before long, Yin Jiao appeared before the army, holding a snake demon in his grasp, and soared directly to Jiang Yuan. With a proud expression, he said, “Father, this is the demon I captured while scouting ahead. It belongs to the snake demon clan, the main force behind this rebellion!”

Jiang Yuan’s gaze turned icy as he looked at the snake demon in Yin Jiao’s hand.

Name: Snake Fence

Title: Third Young Lord of the Snake Demon Clan

Realm: Earth Immortal

Possessions: Xuanhuang Snake Gall, Azure Scales

Cultivation Method: Luoshu Poison Manual

Loyalty: 0

Favorability: 0

Tyrant Points Available: 20

Upon seeing this information, Jiang Yuan was infuriated. Damn it, how could the third young lord of the snake clan be even less valuable than a mere mortal like Fei Zhong? How useless must he be, and how unpopular in his clan, to end up like this?

“So the snake clan is leading this rebellion?” Mo Donggui asked coldly.

He had not yet unleashed his tyrannical might against Snake Fence, fearing he might frighten him to death—the snake demon looked fragile, as if a gust of wind might topple him.

“Yes… no, no, not really,” Snake Fence stammered.

“Well, is it or isn’t it? You were just spared, and you’re still not grateful? My father is speaking to you! Are you trying to die by being so evasive?” Yin Jiao threatened, ready to strike the timid snake demon.

“Jiao, don’t be hasty. Let’s see what he knows,” Jiang Yuan intervened.

“Yes, Father.” Yin Jiao replied respectfully.

“Speak then. Why is it, and why is it not?” Jiang Yuan looked down upon Snake Fence coolly.

He had already decided: if Snake Fence uttered a single word that displeased him, he would kill him without hesitation. Twenty tyrant points—he’d be foolish not to take them.

“Your Majesty, the snake clan did take part in this rebellion, and we are indeed the main force, but not all snake demons should be condemned. I have never harmed any humans. Because of this, I was abandoned when the army retreated,” Snake Fence replied miserably.

“And so what? If I choose to punish, I’ll punish the entire snake demon clan, regardless of your virtue!” Jiang Yuan snorted, intimidating him.

He could see that Snake Fence’s mind wasn’t entirely sharp; he was so timid that a scare might make him spill everything.

“Your Majesty, please calm yourself! The snake demon clan is innocent! I once saw Lord Ji Meng visit my father, and they seemed to be discussing something in secret. Shortly after, my father announced he would rebel and invade humanity.”

“Throughout all this, I was merely a bystander, completely unaware. There are many snake demons who are innocent bystanders as well. Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly!” Snake Fence, hearing Jiang Yuan threaten the entire demon clan, didn’t need much prompting; he confessed everything he knew, pleading repeatedly.

Jiang Yuan looked at Snake Fence’s weak demeanor—useless, and now a traitor to his own kind, confessing his father’s actions without hesitation. What a sorrowful son!

“So you think the demon clan deserves understanding?” Mo Donggui maintained a formal expression.

“I do, Your Majesty,” Snake Fence declared with absolute conviction, afraid Jiang Yuan wouldn’t see his sincerity.

“If that’s so, tell me where your father is now. When I go to question him, I’ll know the truth,” Jiang Yuan’s tone softened slightly.

Snake Fence’s heart leapt with joy—did this mean the king believed him and intended to pardon the snake demon clan?

“Your Majesty, my father and the others should be at Jin Heng Peak three hundred miles away. I lack the strength to keep up with their retreat, but I am certain that their base is at Jin Heng Peak!” Snake Fence replied proudly.

Even Jiang Yuan was taken aback by Snake Fence’s eagerness to expose his father’s location—was he trying to earn favor?

Beside him, Huang Feihu and Zhang Kui exchanged odd glances at the third young lord of the snake demon clan. Was this child dropped on his head at birth?

Was this grand army of over a hundred thousand just here for a show? If their blades didn’t taste blood, wouldn’t people laugh at them?

For a moment, both generals felt sympathy for the snake clan king—having such a son must be a source of endless worry.

“In that case, you will lead us to Jin Heng Peak. When the time comes, advise your father well—tell him everything, good and bad, honestly, and I will give it due consideration,” Jiang Yuan patted Snake Fence’s shoulder, as if entrusting him with a great task.

Snake Fence, as if inspired by a tremendous honor, became energetic and replied eagerly, “I will not disappoint Your Majesty! I will persuade my father to turn from evil!”

Now, even Jiang Yuan felt sympathy for the snake clan king. So, the offspring of demons could also lack brains. Snake Fence truly was missing a few strings in his mind!