You Can't Kill Him

Facing the Left Envoy's maniacal laughter, no one showed any sign of panic.

Jiang Ningshu replied dismissively, "Mm-hmm, I know."

"Oh, you saw through it? I thought I hid it well."

Indeed, he had—if not for Su Luo's diary, Jiang Ningshu truly wouldn't have noticed.

Seeing the Demon Lord's calm demeanor, the Left Envoy grew irritated. This wasn't the reaction he had envisioned.

No fear? You really don’t understand your situation.

"As you can see, this place is sealed off. No one will come, and no one will know if you die here."

"I can tell," Jiang Ningshu said.

Why was he so composed?

The Left Envoy couldn’t figure it out. This wasn’t how he imagined it would go. Even with the strongest mental fortitude, there should at least be some reaction.

Watching the Demon Lord in despair should have been a delight—not this.

Oh, still trying to intimidate me, huh?

The Left Envoy smirked. "Demon Lord, your arrogance suggests you still don’t realize I know you’ve lost your cultivation."

"I know that too."

The Left Envoy froze. No, this wasn’t right.

If you know everything, doesn’t that make me look foolish?

His expression darkened. Clearly, forcing the Demon Lord to beg through sheer power was the only way.

Suddenly, his gaze fell on Su Luo, and a ridiculous possibility crossed his mind.

"Demon Lord, you’re not pinning your hopes on Su Luo, are you? I summoned him here precisely because you’ve grown too close. Consider him company for your journey to the afterlife."

The Left Envoy sneered at Su Luo. Don’t blame me—blame yourself for siding with the Demon Lord.

Su Luo sighed. This time, he had no choice but to risk his life.

Lately, it’s been one high-stakes battle after another.

"You can’t kill him." Jiang Ningshu’s aura erupted, his oppressive might surging and enveloping the Left Envoy.

Instantly, the Left Envoy felt an overwhelming pressure, gasping for breath as he staggered back. Even after facing it countless times, the Demon Lord’s presence was terrifying—more so than before.

"Stop bluffing! This is all you’ve got. You’ve lost your cultivation!"

The Left Envoy roared, stepping forward to reclaim his ground as he unleashed his own aura to resist.

But in terms of sheer presence, he was still outmatched.

No matter. Combat isn’t just about aura.

Regaining his footing, the Left Envoy straightened up. "Why stay silent? Attack! This little trick won’t kill me or save you."

Jiang Ningshu withdrew his pressure. Fine, let strength speak for itself.

Seeing this, the Left Envoy smirked in triumph.

"Take a look around. This is the burial ground I prepared for you."

"Pity there’s no audience, but after your death, I’ll use your corpse to pave my path to becoming the Demon Lord."

"Demon Lord… die here."

The Left Envoy was already fantasizing about the aftermath.

He’d display Jiang Ningshu’s corpse before the Heavenly Demon Sect, proclaiming himself the one who slew the Demon Lord.

Only then would others submit, solidifying his new reign.

Su Luo stepped forward, one foot after another. "Lately, it’s been one thing after another."

With that, he positioned himself in front of the Demon Lord.

The Left Envoy wasn’t surprised. "You, fighting me? That’s almost laughable. But I suppose you’ve got no choice."

"Yeah. Care to enlighten me?"

"Enlighten you? Ridiculous. But since you’re the Demon Lord’s lackey, I’ll offer you a deal—kill him, and I’ll spare your life."

Of course, it was a lie. Slaying the Demon Lord was his privilege—a necessary ritual.

Otherwise, how would he answer when questioned?

Not everyone could be fooled by lies.

Besides, without personally killing the Demon Lord, how could he claim the throne?

Su Luo didn’t respond. In a flash, he appeared before the Left Envoy, his sword already slashing.

The Left Envoy was bisected—but it was merely a clone. The real one had already retreated, standing behind the decoy.

Staring at his severed clone, the Left Envoy was forced to reassess Su Luo.

He hadn’t dodged out of choice—he couldn’t. The clone was his only escape.

"I didn’t expect such skill from you. I underestimated you."

Now serious, the Left Envoy began pacing—left, then right, repeating the motion as clones multiplied around him, his true form blending into the crowd.

A cautious, methodical approach.

Su Luo remained unfazed. If anything, he felt confident he could kill the Left Envoy.

The Left Envoy excelled at clones, but splitting his power was a weakness.

Su Luo knew his techniques well. No matter how many clones he spawned, Su Luo could pinpoint the real one instantly.

That nullified his advantage.

Of course, the Left Envoy’s strength wasn’t for show. His clones weren’t harmless.

Su Luo only had an edge—the fight would still be grueling.

He steeled himself for battle.

Seeing this, the Left Envoy grew even more wary.

"Su Luo, was it? You’ve hidden your talents well. No wonder the Demon Lord favors you. But do you really think you can kill me?"

He remained confident. Su Luo had surprised him, but that alone wasn’t enough to shake his belief in victory.

"Let’s find out."

As Su Luo and the Left Envoy prepared to clash, Jiang Ningshu flicked his wrist—the Heavenly Demon Sword materialized in his grip.

"Add me to the mix, and you’re dead."

He stepped forward, pointing his blade at the Left Envoy.

Only to be mocked by Su Luo: "Don’t interfere. You’re not ready yet. Leave him to me."

At the Nascent Soul Completion stage, Jiang Ningshu would only be a liability. Protecting him would divide Su Luo’s focus, turning a winnable fight into a loss.

Hearing this, Jiang Ningshu didn’t react with anger. Instead, the corners of his lips curled into a cryptic smile.

At the same time, an inky demonic energy—thick as rolling smoke—spread rapidly, engulfing the surroundings.

The energy was frigid and sinister, as if dredged from the depths of the underworld, carrying boundless pressure and the stench of death.

Jiang Ningshu’s cultivation surged—Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core… and still climbing.

With each breakthrough, he regained a trace of the demeanor befitting a Demon Lord—the effortless, overwhelming dominance of one who could overturn heaven and earth with a wave of his hand.

The Left Envoy’s face twisted in disbelief. Had the Demon Lord regained his cultivation?

Or… had he never lost it to begin with?

Either possibility spelled disaster.

Now, he felt fear.

A Demon Lord with power and one without were incomparable.

His entire plan hinged on Jiang Ningshu being powerless.

Was it too late to beg for mercy?

By now, Jiang Ningshu’s cultivation had reached Nascent Soul Completion.