Chapter 1140: The Demon King’s Birthday Banquet |
The willow tree spirit saw Qin Sang’s hesitation and said softly, "These three treasure vaults may all contain valuables, or everything may be stored in only one of them. If you intend to steal the treasure, there will soon be a good opportunity. On the day Demon King Qianji holds his birthday banquet, when the celebration is underway, you could slip in amid the chaos."
"A demon king holds a birthday banquet?" Qin Sang was startled, then immediately realized he had once again fallen into a habitual way of thinking.
Once great demons awakened spiritual intelligence, whether enlightened by the Imperial Elixir or having transformed on their own, their wisdom did not fall short of humans. There was nothing strange about hosting a birthday banquet.
After entering Heavenly Demon Hill, Qin Sang had already noticed that many demonic beasts behaved with even greater concern for etiquette than humans, as though they feared being mocked for having attained the Dao while still retaining their wild nature.
"Beasts and monsters, when still benighted, do not know the year or month of their birth. We spirits of plants are even more so. Thus, most demons regard the day they suddenly awakened spiritual intelligence and learned to absorb the essence of heaven and earth for cultivation as their birthday." The willow tree spirit offered a brief explanation. "After Demon King Qianji transformed, he hosted a banquet every time his lifespan reached another full sixty-year cycle. On that day, he would leave his cave dwelling, and other demon kings acquainted with him would send lesser demons bearing gifts of congratulations. It would be the most chaotic time in Myriad Serpent Abyss, perhaps the perfect chance to steal the treasure. The next banquet will be next year…"
Qin Sang calculated on his fingers. It was already late autumn. The banquet would take place in only a few months.
The willow tree spirit’s proposal was promising, but they knew nothing about the treasure vaults. Qin Sang could not guarantee he would open them one by one without alerting Demon King Qianji.
"Mr. Qin, the old macaque and I still have some strength left. We could infiltrate together with you," the willow tree spirit said.
"No! You must remain outside. Under no circumstances can you appear before Demon King Qianji!" Qin Sang rejected the suggestion without hesitation.
If something went wrong, he believed he had a fair chance of escaping.
The willow tree spirit and the old macaque did not possess such abilities. If they were exposed, death would be certain, and Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea would also be implicated.
Hearing this, a strange glint flashed through the willow tree spirit’s eyes, but it merely nodded silently.
After a moment’s thought, Qin Sang said, "Please continue gathering intelligence about Demon King Qianji’s banquet. Find out whether any other demon kings will attend in person. Before taking such a risk, I must first secure the fastest route out of Myriad Serpent Abyss."
"Understood!" The willow tree spirit accepted the order and departed.
Qin Sang pondered for a long time before returning to his cave dwelling. He woke Bai and explained his plan.
"Your evasion technique is strong. At best, it can match a demon king’s. But you do not possess the Jade Liquid of Three Radiances, and your true essence cannot compare to a demon king’s. Fleeing alone will not suffice," Bai reminded him calmly.
Qin Sang understood. He was still no match for a Transformation Realm great demon. Fortunately, he had already prepared a countermeasure.
"I purchased Wuhuan Pills and a set of forbidden artifacts designed to trap opponents. This array is even more valuable than the pills. You will personally preside over it and set an ambush along my escape route in advance. Even a demon king will find it difficult to break free instantly once caught. At that time, we can calmly choose to flee or launch a surprise attack using the twelve-devilish-banner array," Qin Sang said.
Seeing that Qin Sang had long since made arrangements, Bai raised no objections and agreed to assist in the theft.
After the Swan Goose Demon King departed, Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea returned to calm.
Qin Sang cultivated diligently within his cave dwelling and continued refining his sword array.
Before he knew it, another half year had passed.
***
Myriad Serpent Abyss lay south of Yuncang River, near the edge of the desert.
Countless abysses crisscrossed the region like a fishing net, the longest stretching for tens of thousands of li and linking directly to the desert.
Myriad Serpent Abyss was only part of this vast abyss. After Demon King Qianji occupied it, the surrounding lands became his territory and took on the name Myriad Serpent Abyss.
Mountains and forests encircled the abyss, lush and green.
It was midsummer, and the heat was oppressive, yet within Myriad Serpent Abyss a lingering chill never dissipated.
On this day, sand and dust swept through the air. Groups of lesser demons rode demonic wind and mist into the abyss.
Inside, a festive atmosphere filled the entire abyss. Even unawakened lesser demons sensed the joy and danced wildly.
Demon King Qianji’s cave dwelling stood at the deepest part of the abyss, while the banquet was held at the most beautiful location within Myriad Serpent Abyss, along the shore of a dark lake.
By nightfall, lanterns and decorations filled the area, and luminous pearls the size of human heads were embedded everywhere.
A group of beautiful women moved like butterflies among flowers. Smiling, they carried wooden trays and walked back and forth among grotesque demonic beasts without a trace of fear.
Golden tables and jade counters displayed jade liquid, fine wine, and exquisite delicacies arranged in neat order, their fragrance thick in the air. On the stage, human women performed music while snake demons danced.
Though the snake demons retained their bodies, they wore floral crowns. Their scales shimmered pink or violet. Their vertical pupils no longer felt cold but instead seemed laden with emotion. Their movements were seductive to the extreme, and even the flick of their forked tongues carried a peculiar charm.
There was no sense of horror. In fact, they captivated the lesser demons even more than the human women. The lesser demons felt their inner fire surge and howled wildly.
Inside the cave dwelling, Demon King Qianji heard the commotion outside and burst into hearty laughter. He turned to the stunning half-human, half-serpent demon beside him and said, "My lady, the auspicious hour is upon us. If we don't show ourselves, the little ones will lose their patience."
"What is the hurry? If they cannot wait, let one of your favored concubines accompany you out." The snake demon was dressing herself and cast him a sidelong glance.
Though half human and half serpent, she, like Snake Granny’s spirit beast, had not broken through to the Transformation Realm and was only at the middle stage of the Demonic Core Realm.
"Sigh! She is merely a plaything. How can she compare with my lady? On my birthday, only your personal company can make it complete!" Demon King Qianji patted his chest with righteous fervor. "I recently obtained a batch of excellent spiritual wine. It's a pity my father-in-law is occupied with trivial matters and cannot come drink with me."
"Foolish! Since when does a father-in-law personally celebrate his son-in-law’s birthday?" The snake demon glared at him.
Demon King Qianji laughed loudly. "My fault! My fault! I will personally deliver the celestial wine to my father-in-law another day."
The snake demon leaned lightly against him, smiling enchantingly. She lifted her arm and said in a soft, clinging tone, "Honey, will you not help me up?"
"As you wish…"
***
The appearance of Demon King Qianji and his wife triggered cheers like crashing mountains and roaring seas.
The auspicious hour arrived, and the banquet began.
Demon King Qianji and his wife took their seats of honor. Subordinates sent by other demon kings stepped forward one by one to present congratulatory gifts. The lesser demons under his command then offered tribute in turn, wishing their king everlasting fortune and lifespan.
Celestial music echoed through Myriad Serpent Abyss, like a hidden paradise.
Unbeknownst to them, a lone figure had already slipped into the shadows and was quietly making his way toward the demon king’s cave dwelling amid the chaos.
"Fortunately, no other demon kings have appeared so far. The guards here have indeed reduced considerably, and their attention has been drawn toward the banquet ahead…" Qin Sang concealed himself within the darkness and cautiously observed the path before him.