Chapter 140: Two Choices

"Thank you, Master, for saving my life!"

Night Owl knelt before Jun Wushuang, kowtowing in gratitude.

"This matter began because of me; it is I who caused you to suffer."

Jun Wushuang used the Heaven-Swallowing Demon Art to purge the toxins from Night Owl's body, then produced a healing pill and fed it to him. Soon, Night Owl’s condition stabilized. Though he remained weak, his life was no longer in immediate danger.

"Master, after the tomb exploration ended, the Feather Demon King received a message via a ten-thousand-mile transmission talisman from the Great Heavenly Demon Sage, ordering him to hunt you down and retrieve the Poison Corpse!"

As he recovered, Night Owl recounted the events of the past month.

"The Great Heavenly Demon Sage!" Jun Wushuang’s eyes narrowed.

This time, he had thoroughly offended the Great Heavenly Demon Sage. Not only had he ruined the Sage's plans, but both Demon Wind-Fury and the Feather Demon King were dead. However, Jun Wushuang felt no fear. When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, earth covers it. If he were to shrink back out of fear when faced with opportunity, he would not be Jun Wushuang. If he had to do it all over again, he would still choose to seize it. A warrior must compete! If one does not compete, why bother with cultivation? Wouldn't it be easier to simply live as an ordinary citizen?

Moreover, Jun Wushuang had remained cloaked in black throughout the encounter; aside from Night Owl and Beiming Ye, no one knew his true identity. He was not afraid of the Great Heavenly Demon Sage coming for him. Of course, paper cannot wrap up fire. Sooner or later, the Sage would find out. But by then, who knew how much Jun Wushuang would have grown? Sages were powerful, but they were not invincible.

"What do you intend to do now?" Jun Wushuang asked, looking at Night Owl.

Every disciple of the Black Demon Cult who had come to Jiangning City, except for Night Owl, had perished. For the Black Demon Cult, this was undoubtedly a major event. Coupled with the watchful eye of the Great Heavenly Demon Sage, Night Owl would surely face grave danger if he returned. Yet, if he did not return, he would never escape the Cult's pursuit.

"Master, I wish to return," Night Owl decided. "Firstly, if I were to defect directly, it would be an admission of guilt, and I would certainly be hunted down. But if I return, there is still room for maneuver. Secondly, the Great Heavenly Demon Sage harbors murderous intent toward you. If I return, I can report any news to you in a timely manner."

Night Owl cleverly buttered him up. Although he was greedy for life and afraid of death, the influence of the Demon Seed made him fiercely loyal to Jun Wushuang. Furthermore, he was a smart man; having survived in the Black Demon Cult until now, he naturally had his ways.

"Are you certain?" Jun Wushuang stared at him. Returning meant a life-or-death struggle. Acting as a mole was walking on the edge of a blade.

"Master, I am certain!" Night Owl nodded solemnly.

"Very well. Since that is your choice, I respect it. However, before you go, I have a gift for you. Close your eyes and clear your mind!"

Jun Wushuang said no more. He pressed two fingers together like a sword and touched the center of Night Owl’s brow. Soon, a cultivation technique was transmitted into Night Owl's sea of consciousness.

"This is the *Hellish Crimson Fiend Art*, a Heaven-tier technique. It will help you break through your shackles and become stronger."

Jun Wushuang then produced a storage ring. "These treasures are enough for you to break through to the Marquis Realm. I suggest you wait until you have broken through before returning to the Black Demon Cult; a Gold-rank disciple carries more weight."

Jun Wushuang was never stingy with his own people. Although Night Owl was his demonic servant, his unwavering loyalty—even in the face of death—was enough to earn him such rewards.

"Thank you for your generosity, Master! This subordinate will surely cultivate with all his might and not disappoint your expectations!" Overjoyed, Night Owl knelt and kowtowed three times. To him, this was an immense stroke of fortune.

The next day, Night Owl’s injuries had largely healed. He bade farewell to Jun Wushuang and set off alone. For Jun Wushuang, subduing Night Owl had originally been a means to get close to the Feather Demon King. Now, however, Night Owl had become his mole, embedded within the Black Demon Cult to gather intelligence. Perhaps this chess piece would yield significant gains.

"First, I must find my father, then it is time to return to the Imperial Capital!" With those thoughts, Jun Wushuang left with his demon puppet.

***

Luoyang City was the largest city in the vicinity of Jiangning. Since the discovery of the tomb, most of the citizens from Jiangning had migrated there. The Jun family had also arrived in Luoyang. Both Jiangning and Luoyang were under the jurisdiction of Qingzhou Prefecture.

The Crown Prince had been severely injured, and the Great Qian Emperor was furious. Nangong Li, the Prefect of Qingzhou, had immediately led an army to suppress the remnants of the Black Demon Cult. Currently, Nangong Li was staying at the Prefectural Residence in Luoyang.

Inside the City Lord's mansion, Nangong Li was summoning Jun Zhantian.

"Your subordinate, Jun Zhantian, greets the Prefect!" Jun Zhantian strode in and bowed. As the former City Lord of Jiangning, he was an official of the imperial court and addressed himself as such.

"Audacious! How dare you not kneel when meeting the Prefect!" the Lord of Luoyang City barked, acting like a sycophant.

"According to the laws of Great Qian, when a subordinate meets the Prefect, a bow is sufficient; kneeling is not required!" Jun Zhantian stood on moral high ground, holding his ground firmly.

"What if I insist that you kneel?" Nangong Li, dressed in official robes, stared coldly at Jun Zhantian, his aura imposing.

Nangong Li was not only the Prefect of Qingzhou but also the second son of Nangong Qing and the younger brother of Nangong Xiong. The enmity between Jun Wushuang and the Nangong Clan was irreconcilable. Although Nangong Li was stationed in Qingzhou, he hated Jun Wushuang to the bone. Now that he had an opportunity to deal with Jun Zhantian, he had no intention of showing mercy; he intended to use this as a pretext to strike.

"I request the Prefect to produce an imperial decree; otherwise, I am entitled to refuse!" Having studied the laws of Great Qian, Jun Zhantian remained unfazed even before Nangong Li.

"Jun Zhantian, are you tired of living?" the Luoyang City Lord shrieked, "How dare you speak to the Prefect like that! Do you believe I won't break your legs and throw you out?"

Nangong Li raised a hand, silencing the Luoyang City Lord. He stared at Jun Zhantian and sneered.

"Jun Zhantian, I will not mince words with you. You have a good son. Not only did he kill the heir of my Nangong Clan, but he also insulted us in public and boasted that he would eradicate our clan within a year."

"My Nangong Clan is one of the Four Great Clans, with distinguished military service and exceptional contributions to the Great Qian Empire. We are a family of merit; how can a small family like yours compare?"

"A son's debt must be paid by the father. As his father, you should pay for the damage Jun Wushuang has caused my clan."

Nangong Li made no effort to hide his hostility. He openly declared his intent to abuse his power to target Jun Zhantian.

*Boom!*

The powerful pressure of the ninth-level Marquis Realm descended upon Jun Zhantian.

"I will give you two choices. First, kneel and kowtow, break your own hands, and become a dog of my Nangong Clan from this day on. I might spare your life."

"Second, I will charge you with the crime of colluding with the Black Demon Cult. Not only will you die, but your entire Jun family will be wiped out."

"Make your choice!"