Left and Right Hand Men, Divided in Opinion

"What did you say?"

"The one currently in charge of the Alchemy Emperor Manor is a dog?"

"Hahahaha!"

"Interesting, truly interesting."

"Who would have thought that Yao Niming would fall so low? With no one to help him, he turned to demon beasts?"

"And a dog, at that?"

Upon hearing the report from the Left Dharma Protector, the Blood Slaughter Emperor burst into uncontrollable laughter.

He recalled how, in the past, he had to tread carefully under Yao Niming’s gaze in the Alchemy Emperor Manor, and the thought filled him with frustration.

Now, at last, he could finally hold his head high.

"Lord, are we truly going to act tomorrow?"

"But according to our rules, the time set in the Blood Slaughter Edict hasn’t yet arrived," the Right Dharma Protector asked doubtfully.

"It’s just two days early. After all, this is the Immortal Alchemy Emperor we’re dealing with—delays invite complications."

"Still, today’s reconnaissance gave us a good idea of the strength of Alchemy Emperor City."

"Only one Emperor-level expert stands with him?"

"It seems the news of the Immortal Alchemy Emperor’s impending demise has indeed worked in our favor."

"Kid, I don’t understand—why are you helping me?"

The Blood Slaughter Emperor glanced at Yun Xiao nearby, deeply puzzled.

After all, Yun Xiao was a rising star in the alchemy world, with extraordinary talent—so much so that even Yao Niming had considered taking him as a disciple.

He had the chance to become Yao Niming’s successor, with the Immortal Alchemy Emperor even intending to pass on his legacy to him. Why, then, would he make such a choice?

Hearing the Blood Slaughter Emperor’s question, Yun Xiao smiled faintly.

"I have no interest in the Immortal Alchemy Emperor’s legacy."

"What he can achieve, I can achieve as well."

"My legacy, I will forge myself."

"But I wish for the Xuanhuang Realm to have only one Alchemy Emperor—me, and no one else."

The Blood Slaughter Emperor frowned slightly as he studied Yun Xiao. The young man had ambition, but something about his reasoning seemed off.

If the Immortal Alchemy Emperor was nearing his end, why the rush? Even if Yun Xiao wanted to carve his own legend, what did that have to do with the Immortal Alchemy Emperor?

It was unnecessary, completely unnecessary.

The Blood Slaughter Emperor suspected Yun Xiao’s true motives might be different, but since the young man wasn’t forthcoming, he didn’t press further.

After all, the Blood Slaughter Emperor didn’t see Yun Xiao as a threat. What storm could a mere youngster like him possibly stir?

Whatever his real intentions were, they no longer mattered.

In any case, the Blood Slaughter Emperor’s decision to crush Alchemy Emperor City would not change.

"By the way, you mentioned that Chen Chang’an isn’t in Alchemy Emperor City."

"Is he really as formidable as you claim?" the Blood Slaughter Emperor asked.

The Blood Slaughter Emperor had first learned of Chen Chang’an’s name from Yun Xiao. Initially, he hadn’t paid it much mind, but when Yun Xiao mentioned that Chen Chang’an had withstood divine retribution, he couldn’t help but take notice.

Today, he had sent the Left Dharma Protector to the Alchemy Emperor Manor with one objective—to see if Chen Chang’an was present and, if so, to test his strength.

Unfortunately, the Left Dharma Protector had not encountered anyone matching Yun Xiao’s description.

"Blood Slaughter Emperor, I wasn’t the only witness to what happened that day."

"Do you think someone who can defy divine retribution would be weak?"

"If it were you, could you face such a calamity with absolute confidence?"

Yun Xiao’s words made the Blood Slaughter Emperor frown again. The remark was unsettling, but when he searched his heart, he had to admit—did he truly have the confidence?

The Blood Slaughter Emperor had never witnessed divine retribution, but if it was anything like the legends, it would surely surpass even the might of heavenly tribulations.

He doubted he could withstand it as effortlessly as Chen Chang’an had.

"If this man is truly so monstrous, then acting sooner might indeed be the right move."

"Should we… move even earlier?"

The Blood Slaughter Emperor hesitated. Chen Chang’an’s absence now didn’t guarantee he wouldn’t return.

With the Blood Slaughter Hall already at Alchemy Emperor City’s doorstep, retreating would only invite ridicule.

"Lord, now that we’ve come this far, we cannot retreat."

"We’ve already moved the timeline forward—why not go all the way and crush Alchemy Emperor City outright?"

The Left Dharma Protector had always been impulsive, and after the treatment he’d received at the Alchemy Emperor Manor, he was itching to lead a charge into the city and unleash carnage.

"No!"

"Lord, if Chen Chang’an truly possesses such power, what would be the consequences of destroying the Alchemy Emperor Manor?"

"We still need to clarify the relationship between Chen Chang’an and the Immortal Alchemy Emperor."

"Are there people within the Alchemy Emperor Manor whom Chen Chang’an cares about? That must also be ascertained."

"We cannot afford to be careless or reckless."

"One misstep could lead to disaster."

"I implore you to reconsider!"

Unlike his hotheaded counterpart, the Right Dharma Protector was the strategist of the Blood Slaughter Hall—thoughtful, thorough, and cautious.

"What kind of talk is that?"

"Are we supposed to retreat just because Chen Chang’an is strong?"

"Wouldn’t that make our Blood Slaughter Hall a laughingstock?"

"If he’s formidable, does that mean our Lord is weak?"

"You’re always so timid—have you forgotten you’ve already broken through to the Emperor realm?"

"Our Blood Slaughter Hall now has three Emperors. Are we to fear a single Chen Chang’an?" the Left Dharma Protector retorted angrily.

"Enough!"

"What are you two arguing about?"

"Both of you make valid points."

"We must probe, but we cannot retreat."

"Here’s what we’ll do—send someone into Alchemy Emperor City to gather intelligence discreetly."

"Right Dharma Protector, I’ll give you half a day."

"After that, I will lead our forces to attack Alchemy Emperor City."

The Blood Slaughter Emperor’s tone was firm.

"Understood. I will make the most of this time."

The Right Dharma Protector couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss, yet he couldn’t pinpoint what.

Thus, he resolved to enter Alchemy Emperor City personally to investigate.

After the Right Dharma Protector left, Yun Xiao glanced at the Blood Slaughter Emperor and said with a smile, "My role here is done. I’ll take my leave."

"Oh? Don’t you want to witness the fall of Alchemy Emperor City and the death of the Immortal Alchemy Emperor?" the Blood Slaughter Emperor asked.

"I truly don’t care about such things."

"I merely found it amusing and lent you a hand—nothing more."

"My task is complete. There’s no reason for me to stay."

With that, Yun Xiao turned and walked away, much to the Left Dharma Protector’s displeasure.

"That brat is far too arrogant. Does he really think he’s someone important?" the Left Dharma Protector fumed.

"Let him be. He’s just an ambitious young man."

"Still… we shouldn’t let our guard down."

"Send someone to tail him discreetly. See where he goes."

"As you command, Lord."

Though Yun Xiao had provided crucial intelligence, the Blood Slaughter Emperor couldn’t shake the feeling that the young man had ulterior motives. Yet Yun Xiao had been evasive, offering no clear answers.

If not for Yun Xiao’s negligible strength—posing no threat—the Blood Slaughter Emperor might have eliminated him on the spot.

Meanwhile, the Right Dharma Protector disguised himself and slipped into Alchemy Emperor City.

After some inquiries, he came to a conclusion: Chen Chang'an was a mysterious and formidable figure, not one to be trifled with.

Though these people didn’t know much about Chen Chang'an, rumors about him had spread throughout Alchemy Emperor City following the last heavenly punishment.

Sitting in a corner of the tavern, the Right Dharma Protector began carefully retracing the origins of this entire affair.

He needed to calm himself and think clearly—how had the feud with Alchemy Emperor City escalated to this point?

Something about the situation felt off. Moreover, the Blood Slaughter Hall wasn’t entirely confident they could emerge unscathed from this conflict.

As the brains of the Blood Slaughter Hall, it was his duty to weigh the pros and cons and make the most prudent decision.

While the Right Dharma Protector was deep in thought, a large yellow dog suddenly appeared beside him without warning.

Seeing the dog, the Right Dharma Protector was taken aback—such creatures were a rare sight here.

"Someone in Alchemy Emperor City actually keeps a dog?" he muttered in surprise.

"You’re the dog."

"Your whole family are dogs!"

Huh?

Holy shit, the dog’s a spirit?

It can talk?!

Wait… no… this—this damn thing is a demon beast?!