Chapter 260: Chapter 259: Those Were Merely Under the Guise of Deities

Ji Shengyue’s mind went blank, her hands involuntarily tightening around the hem of her clothes.

It was a subconscious reaction, a result of her extreme tension and rigid posture.

All because she saw someone appear whom she never, ever expected to see.

It wasn’t just Ji Shengyue. Zong Yajuan’s eyes were also filled with shock and disbelief.

The figure that had suddenly appeared at the forefront of the Vampire Clan members...

...was none other than Xiao Cangqing, who had long since vanished from the Great Jing Empire.

Everyone had assumed that after Xiao Cangqing was taken by the Vampire Clan,

he would surely meet a gruesome end. They believed he was long dead, beyond any doubt.

Even Xiao Cangqing’s own brother and sister had no intention of looking for him.

Yet now, Xiao Cangqing had appeared.

His skin had become as pale as a member of the Vampire Clan, and sharp fangs were faintly visible at the corners of his mouth.

He wore a smile that was both noble and tinged with cruelty, its curve sending a chill down one’s spine.

"Your esteemed Majesty, the Queen of the Great Jing Empire, are you shocked to see me?"

Xiao Cangqing spoke, his voice a strange and unnerving monotone.

He strode toward Ji Shengyue step by step, finally stopping right in front of her.

Ji Shengyue’s back was pressed tightly against the cold wall.

She couldn’t help but rise onto her tiptoes, trying to press herself closer to the cold surface to avoid any contact with the man Xiao Cangqing had become.

Ji Shengyue had no idea what was going on with Xiao Cangqing.

Why would he appear alongside members of the Vampire Clan?

Moreover, judging by the glances the Vampire Clan members cast—some deliberate, some not—toward Xiao Cangqing,

she could see a respect that stemmed from their very souls, from the marrow of their bones.

This reverence had reached a fanatical, pathological, almost insane degree.

"No need to be afraid. After all, I was once the new National Guardian War God of the Great Jing Empire, appointed by your own hand, was I not?

It’s just that some... dramatic changes later, I became a thorn in your side, Your Majesty. I presume you’ve already had my family hunted down.

Let me see... did you have them ground to dust? Or perhaps flayed alive?"

When he spoke of his family and their presumed vicious fate, Xiao Cangqing’s tone was surprisingly calm.

His emotions showed no flicker of change, as if he were discussing a matter that had nothing to do with him.

It was as if they weren’t his family at all, but characters in some story he’d heard.

"No, no, I didn’t.

Your family is living very well. They have nice houses and good food.

Your brother and sister were brought to the Royal Palace. They’re working for me now, and I’m using all my resources to train them.

If you don’t... if you don’t believe me, I can have your brother brought here right now."

Ji Shengyue explained frantically. The pressure radiating from Xiao Cangqing was simply too intense.

This oppressive feeling didn’t come from any physical aura he was emitting,

but from the sheer force of his will.

It was as if Xiao Cangqing was born to rule, and she was born to submit.

The feeling was absurd, yet Ji Shengyue felt utterly helpless against it.

Most vexing of all, she had the feeling that submitting to Xiao Cangqing was somehow right and proper.

This time, hearing Ji Shengyue’s words, a flicker of surprise finally crossed Xiao Cangqing’s eyes.

In Xiao Cangqing’s mind, considering Ji Shengyue’s vindictive nature, his family should have ceased to exist long ago.

Not only would they be dead, but they would have suffered immense torture before their end. How else could someone like Ji Shengyue vent her petty rage?

From another perspective, if he were in Ji Shengyue’s shoes, he would have likely used equally cruel methods to retaliate against a traitor.

"Go bring Xiao Xicheng here at once!"

Ji Shengyue looked at Zong Yajuan urgently, turning her head slightly.

Out of Xiao Cangqing’s line of sight, she gave Zong Yajuan a meaningful look.

’There’s still one thing I haven’t told Xiao Cangqing.

I sent Xiao Cangqing’s sister, Xiao Jin’Er, with the Bizarre Combat Group into the Great Xia Empire’s territory.

The goal was to cause some destruction in the Great Xia Empire.

But they ran right into Chu He on his return, and the entire Bizarre Combat Group was instantly vaporized over the sea.

The members of the Vampire Clan had slipped away beforehand, leaving the Bizarre Combat Group completely defenseless.

In that chaotic annihilation, Xiao Cangqing’s sister, Xiao Jin’Er, disappeared without a trace.

I sent people to investigate afterward, of course, but finding one person in the vast ocean? It’s practically impossible.

Her body was likely obliterated in the destruction, not even a trace left behind.’

Fortunately, Xiao Xicheng was still here.

At least bringing Xiao Xicheng would be enough to prove to Xiao Cangqing that she wasn’t lying.

But Xiao Jin’Er’s situation... that was a problem.

"I’ll go get him right now," Zong Yajuan said, nodding quickly. But just as she took a step, Xiao Cangqing waved his hand dismissively.

"That’s enough. Don’t bother. I’m not the man I once was. I’ve already severed all ties to the past," Xiao Cangqing said, shaking his head.

Neither Ji Shengyue nor Zong Yajuan understood what he meant.

Only the faces of the Vampire Clan members showed a glimmer of understanding.

Xiao Cangqing had no intention of explaining himself. "I came this time," he said, "to reintegrate the Great Jing Empire."

"Half of the Great Jing Empire’s territory is now overrun by Evil Spirits causing trouble everywhere. It’s time for a cleanup."

"And after that? Are you planning to move against the Great Xia Empire?"

Ji Shengyue didn’t doubt Xiao Cangqing’s current power.

Even if he didn’t act personally, his Vampire Clan followers alone...

...could restore the entirety of the Great Jing Empire in a matter of days.

But Ji Shengyue didn’t believe he would help her for no reason. He definitely had an agenda.

But other than dealing with the Great Xia Empire, she couldn’t imagine what else his purpose could be.

"You’re half right.

It’s less about moving against the Great Xia Empire and more about moving against Chu He."

Xiao Cangqing casually sat down in a chair. "Only by reaching my current level can I see things from a perspective I never could before.

I need the Great Jing Empire to be my eyes and ears, to keep a close watch on the Great Xia Empire, and especially on Chu He’s every move.

I will send members of our Blood Race to take control of the Great Jing Empire.

Right now, treacherous undercurrents are surging across Blue Star. Many powerful beings are making their preparations." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"If we watch the Great Xia Empire and spy on Chu He, we’ll be easily exposed. We might provoke Chu He into making an example of us.

The White Elephant Empire is the perfect example.

Even Deities like Shiva, Brahma Heaven, and Vishnu were no match for him. He’s simply terrifying."

Ji Shengyue said, her voice laced with fear.

"Deities? Those few were just pretenders, hiding behind the title."

Xiao Cangqing sneered. "True Deities are beyond anything you can possibly imagine."