Mount

A moment later.

The Fire Crow Taoist slowly regained consciousness, his vision clearing to reveal the sinister grin of Gu Qingfeng.

"Ah!"

He let out a startled cry, nearly fainting again from terror, but Gu Qingfeng grabbed him by the scruff and yanked him upright.

Slap! Slap!

Two heavy smacks landed on his face.

"Feeling awake now?"

"Y-y-yes..." The Fire Crow Taoist nodded frantically.

"Good. Let’s continue."

The Fire Crow Taoist’s legs immediately gave way, nearly collapsing under his own weight.

"My lord, this humble demon has exhausted all his demonic energy. I truly can’t go on."

"Really? Nothing left?" Gu Qingfeng asked, half-skeptical.

"Absolutely, not a single drop remains!"

"Oh. Then you’re useless now." Gu Qingfeng raised his fist, preparing to smash the Fire Crow Taoist’s skull.

The Fire Crow Taoist’s face paled in horror. This man doesn’t follow the usual script at all!

Panicking, he shrieked, "My lord, spare me! Don’t you want to know who sent me? Aren’t you the least bit curious how a great demon like me, at the sixth level of Dragon Transformation, could waltz so deep into the heart of the Great Yan Dynasty without resistance? Or how I knew your exact whereabouts?"

Gu Qingfeng’s fist paused mid-air. "Now that you mention it, I am a little curious. Should we go through the formalities?"

The Fire Crow Taoist nodded like a madman. "Ask away, my lord! I’ll tell you everything!"

Whack!

"Why the hell should I ask? You just listed all the questions—just answer them!"

The Fire Crow Taoist grimaced, adjusting his nearly broken beak. "It was the Crown Prince of the Great Yan Dynasty. He contacted the Ten-Thousand Demon Nation, promised them benefits, and then I was sent here."

"Ah, the Crown Prince. Not surprising."

With that, Gu Qingfeng raised his fist again.

"W-wait! My lord, I’m still useful! Very useful!" the Fire Crow Taoist pleaded, cowering in fear.

"What use do you have?"

"My lord, I noticed you traveled here by palanquin. Might this humble demon have the honor of serving as your mount?"

"You?" Gu Qingfeng’s face twisted in disdain. "A measly sixth-level Dragon Transformation demon? And a crow, no less? Even Demon Pu is better than you. Riding you would be an embarrassment."

The Fire Crow Taoist was speechless. Since when was the sixth level of Dragon Transformation something to scoff at?

"My lord, don’t judge me just because I’m a crow. I carry a trace of the Golden Crow’s bloodline! That’s why I possess such mastery over fire. Riding me would be almost like riding a Golden Crow—just a tiny bit less impressive!"

Gu Qingfeng couldn’t help but laugh. "You really know how to flatter yourself. But fine, I might as well keep you. You said you’re from the Ten-Thousand Demon Nation? What’s that place?"

"The Ten-Thousand Demon Nation is a kingdom of demons and monsters—the largest demonic faction in existence. Just cross the Two Realms Mountain in the far west of the Great Yan Dynasty, and you’ll reach its lands."

"Oh." Gu Qingfeng nodded. "So it’s paradise. Nice place."

He was intrigued. Keeping the Fire Crow Taoist might not be a bad idea—at the very least, he could serve as a guide.

"Fine. Swear your loyalty to me."

"Eh?" The Fire Crow Taoist blinked, wondering if he’d misheard. Swear loyalty? Who still believes in verbal oaths these days?

He had fully expected to be branded with a curse or have his soul fragmented. As long as he survived, he could always find a way to break free once he returned to the Ten-Thousand Demon Nation.

But this man actually wanted... a promise?

Hahaha... No way. Is there really someone this naive?

"Y-yes! This humble demon swears it!" The Fire Crow Taoist raised his featherless wing in haste, spewing the most extravagant oaths he could think of.

An oath cost nothing, so he piled on the theatrics—pledging undying loyalty, swearing on his ancestors, even invoking absurd curses on himself.

Gu Qingfeng listened, satisfied. "Didn’t expect you to be so sincere."

Once the oath was complete, the Fire Crow Taoist asked eagerly, "My lord, does that suffice?"

"It does. From now on, you’re my mount."

I’m saved! The Fire Crow Taoist rejoiced inwardly. The moment Gu Qingfeng lifted the spatial seal, he’d bolt.

As a crow with a trace of the Golden Crow’s bloodline, he had absolute confidence in his speed.

But just as he was fantasizing about escape, a thin, ethereal line materialized in the air—an Oath Thread—binding itself to him.

The Fire Crow Taoist froze, his mind blank. He dumbly traced the thread with his eyes... and saw the other end connected to Gu Qingfeng.

Wait...

Why does this look so familiar? I’ve seen it in ancient texts before...

Oh no.

The Heavenly Demon Chronicles—

His thoughts screeched to a halt. His beak fell open, his entire body petrified.

"Y-y-you... a-a-are... a... Heavenly Demon!"

Whack!

Gu Qingfeng smacked him. "Quit stuttering! What’s so shocking about a Heavenly Demon? Control yourself—you’re my mount now. Don’t embarrass me!"

Thud.

The Fire Crow Taoist collapsed to his knees, trembling. "This lowly demon was blind! I failed to recognize your exalted true form—forgive my—"

"Enough. Keep it quiet. This stays between us."

"Y-yes! Understood!"

Suddenly, his broken bones didn’t matter anymore.

A Heavenly Demon! A being even mightier than the gods of legend! This must be his incarnate form in this realm! To serve such an unfathomable existence... I wouldn’t trade this even for the throne of the Ten-Thousand Demon Nation!

"Good. For now, I don’t need a mount. I have a task for you instead."

"Command me, exalted one! This humble demon would walk through fire for you!"

Gu Qingfeng nodded and explained his plan—to raid the Demon Suppression Prison and gather demons, mentioning his allies, Li Qianren and Su Mei.

Though the Fire Crow Taoist didn’t understand why he needed demons, he dismissed the thought. An existence like his must have profound reasons beyond my comprehension.

"Go, then." Gu Qingfeng dispelled the spatial barrier.

The Fire Crow Taoist kowtowed deeply before taking flight, glancing back repeatedly with reluctant reverence.

Among demons, strength was everything—their hierarchy was far more brutal than humanity’s. Survival of the fittest was carved into their bones. Now that he believed himself tied to a Heavenly Demon, the Fire Crow Taoist saw only glory ahead.

This is my chance to rise—to stand above all others!

And so, he flew off, already scheming how best to serve his newfound master.