As Long as You Promise to Be Xu Mu's Wife

According to the storyline so far, the basis for this ranking had never been explained in detail.

It was only mentioned that the sect master of Kunlun Mountain, while drinking and chatting with a few close friends, casually ranked the top combatants in the secular world.

Now, hearing Hao Yang say this, he realized it was indeed the case.

It only included those who had been active in recent years.

This was because Xu Mu immediately thought of someone: Xie Wangwei, whom he had encountered previously.

He could be certain that Xie Wangwei was much stronger than Gu Yongming.

However, the assassin organization led by Gu Yongming made the list, yet Xie Wangwei's name was nowhere to be found.

This proved that the ranking only accounted for active individuals, and there were still many hidden experts who simply hadn't revealed themselves.

Xu Mu continued to study the formation where he was.

Hongyu, meanwhile, knelt in front of Fu Jinyu. "Empress, I have failed you."

Fu Jinyu stood with her hands behind her back, restoring her previous noble demeanor. "Hongyu, I'm only giving you this one chance."

Hearing this, tears began to stream from Hongyu's eyes. Pressing her hands against the ground, she whispered, "Last time, when Xu Mu was healing your injuries, I was the one who notified the Regent."

Upon hearing this, Fu Jinyu's gaze turned fierce. Immediately after, she looked toward Xu Mu. How did this kid know?

"Among the few of us that time, didn't one person go missing?"

"When the Regent rushed over, he killed one of them first. The purpose was to absolve me of suspicion so I could continue to stay hidden by your side," Hongyu choked out, wiping her tears with her sleeve.

"Why? Why did you betray me? How have I ever wronged you?!"

Fu Jinyu's eyes also held a hint of sorrow.

After her father's death, Hongyu was the person she trusted the most, bar none.

Earlier, when Xu Mu said Hongyu might be a traitor, she instinctively disbelieved him. She even suspected Xu Mu, thinking he had ulterior motives.

Deliberately trying to sow discord between them.

"I... I don't know what to say. When the late King was alive, I was fiercely loyal to you with no second thoughts. But after the late King died, the Regent approached me for a talk."

Hongyu explained, "He said the late King was foolish. Our Heavenly Demon Tribe will eventually go to war with the Human Race, and as a woman, you are unsuitable for the role and incapable of convincing the masses."

Hearing this, Fu Jinyu asked, "Is that what you think too?"

"I never thought you couldn't convince the masses. I just felt that you were indeed unsuited to lead the Heavenly Demon Tribe into war against the Human Race. I watched you grow up; I know your personality."

Hongyu paused and said softly, "Empress, your heart is not ruthless enough."

"So you've been following Fu Cheng since then?"

Fu Jinyu took a deep breath.

"Yes. I would frequently pass your information to him. Your succession to the throne was approved by the late King, so the Regent couldn't directly overthrow you. However, he didn't expect your talent to be so formidable, reaching the Transcendent Realm in just a few short years."

Hongyu shook her head. "And not long ago, you even reached the mid-stage of the Transcendent Realm, putting you on par with the Regent. He panicked."

"Then last time, when I was injured by an expert..."

"It should be him. Before you were injured, he asked me about your whereabouts."

Hongyu nodded.

"It seems this Fu Cheng is extremely anxious. He's afraid that once my strength surpasses his, he will be the first one I make an example of."

Fu Jinyu sneered repeatedly and asked again, "Just now, when Xu Mu asked for your phone and you refused, was it because it contained your call logs with him?"

"No, I delete the logs every time we speak. This time, before entering the ruins, I sent him another message and hadn't had the time to delete it yet."

Hongyu explained, "I also informed him in advance that you and I were coming to the ruins. He told me to send him the location once we entered."

"So he plans to bring experts to kill me again."

Fu Jinyu shook her head slightly.

"Actually, the Regent's previous plans were quite methodical, and he managed to win over many experts within the tribe. It was only when you entered the mid-stage of the Transcendent Realm that he began to grow impatient. Currently, you two are evenly matched in strength; this is his final gamble."

After Hongyu finished speaking, she pressed her forehead hard against the ground, waiting for Fu Jinyu's judgment.

Fu Jinyu thought about it and found it made sense. Right now, they were both at the mid-stage of the Transcendent Realm, so Fu Cheng still had means to resist.

Once she entered the late stage of the Transcendent Realm, Fu Cheng would have absolutely no chance.

He wouldn't even dare to return to the tribe, fearing he would be killed the moment he showed his face.

From hiring experts to kill her previously, to personally coming to kill her when Xu Mu was healing her.

And finally, the current ruins.

His goal was to eliminate her; only then could he be safe.

"It looks like he brought experts with him again this time."

Fu Jinyu clenched her fists. "Then let him come! Even if I die, I'll drag him down with me!"

"Empress, you absolutely must not. If both of you die, our Heavenly Demon Tribe will practically be destroyed," Hongyu said loudly.

Working under Fu Jinyu these past few years, she had a deep understanding of the Heavenly Demon Tribe's foundation.

The Heavenly Demon Tribe ruled over several other tribes, but those tribes only submitted due to the Heavenly Demon Tribe's power.

If the two mid-stage Transcendent Realm experts of the Heavenly Demon Tribe died, those tribes would inevitably rebel.

After all, their Heavenly Demon Tribe wasn't like the Jiuli Tribe, which still had powerful ancestors holding down the fort, making even the Sanitation Department hesitate to act rashly.

"Then what do you mean? Should I submit to him? Or should I just obediently wait for death?"

Fu Jinyu asked sternly.

"I..."

Hongyu didn't know what to say either. She couldn't possibly persuade Fu Cheng to surrender.

If she dared to say a single word, Fu Cheng would definitely kill her first.

"Empress, you have Xu Mu."

Hongyu suddenly noticed Xu Mu, who was studying the formation. "He has a good relationship with Mr. Hao Yang. As long as Hao Yang helps, we can definitely turn danger into safety this time."

Fu Jinyu turned her head to look at Hao Yang.

At this moment, he looked like a fool, his mouth wide open, catching drops of liquor from a mineral water bottle.

"I'd rather die than ask him for help."

Fu Jinyu snorted coldly.

"I actually can help."

Hao Yang sat up from the ground and said to Fu Jinyu, "I just heard your conversation. Your subordinate said you aren't ruthless enough. Based on that alone, I think you're still worth saving."

Hearing this, Hongyu immediately moved toward Hao Yang on her knees. "Senior, I beg you to save the Empress. Even toward your Human Race, the Empress has never been driven to exterminate everyone."

"What's the use of you begging me? I want her to beg me."

Hao Yang pointed at Fu Jinyu.

Upon hearing this, Hongyu immediately got up and went to Fu Jinyu's side. "Empress..."

"You want me to kneel and beg him? The bloodline of my Heavenly Demon Royal Family is not that lowly!"

Fu Jinyu snorted coldly. "I am not someone who clings to life and fears death. Who doesn't die? It's just a matter of dying sooner or later."

Hongyu originally wanted to continue persuading her, but after thinking about it, she gave up.

She knew what kind of person Fu Jinyu was.

"As long as you agree to be that kid's wife, I can save you for his sake."

Hao Yang smiled and looked at Xu Mu over there. "Of course, words are empty. You must give him some real proof of your commitment."

"You... why are you so invested in him? You wouldn't happen to have been brought here by him, would you?"

Fu Jinyu clenched her delicate fists and glanced at Xu Mu over there.

This kid was insidious and cunning; it might very well be his doing.