Chapter Ninety-Nine: Deceive the Heavens and Cross the Sea

After thinking for a moment, Manghuang quietly went over to Chilian’s side. Seeing him approach, Chilian said nothing and simply watched him in silence.

Manghuang glanced around, then bent down close to Chilian’s ear and whispered, “It would be unwise to move Demon Night now. If someone is still watching the demon tribe in secret, this would only expose us.”

Chilian’s expression turned serious. “This place has already been exposed. It’s no longer safe! If the two of us lose the Cauldron of Creation, the commander will not spare us.”

Seeing how anxious Chilian was, Manghuang smiled softly.

Chilian, noticing Manghuang’s composed, calculating look, grew impatient and urged him on. “If you have something to say, say it. If you have nothing, then shut up. Can’t you see I’m worried? What are you putting on airs for?”

“Ahem.” Manghuang chuckled without taking offense. Mangyuan, watching the two of them whispering to each other, was utterly baffled.

“Let Xuantiangang take a stand-in, split into several groups, and leave from different directions,” Manghuang said. “As for the real Demon Night, he stays with the demon tribe. Heh.”

The more Chilian listened, the brighter his eyes became. When Manghuang finished explaining, he burst into laughter.

“Wonderful! Wonderful! Brilliant! That is truly a masterstroke!”

Then Chilian closed his eyes. After sending a mental message to Xuantiangang, he opened them again and smiled darkly.

Mangyuan could bear it no longer and rushed forward. “I say, what secret are you two scheming over now? One minute you’re anxious, the next you’re grinning like villains!”

“Don’t rush. You’ll understand soon enough,” Chilian said.

Just as he finished speaking, Xiong Batian walked in. Chilian then erected a spiritual barrier to prevent eavesdropping.

“Xiong Batian! I order you to find a hidden place and keep Demon Night concealed for me. Also, from this moment on, Liu Xin is forbidden from entering or leaving the room.”

Xiong Batian looked at Chilian in confusion. “Elder Chilian, wasn’t Demon Night already exposed? This place is no longer safe.”

Chilian waved him off impatiently. “You don’t need to ask so much. You will be told what you need to know. Go and carry it out.”

At Chilian’s rebuke, Xiong Batian’s face darkened. He endured it, clasped his hands, and left.

Watching Xiong Batian depart, Manghuang glanced at Chilian and could not help asking, “That Xiong Batian doesn’t seem very reliable. He may hide it well, but I can tell there’s killing intent in the way he looks at us.”

“Hmph. A self-important fool. If it weren’t for his two sons, I would have killed him long ago. Still, rest assured—he doesn’t dare play any tricks.”

“I hope so.”

Manghuang remained uneasy, but said no more. Mangyuan looked at him, then stepped up beside Chilian and anxiously asked again, “Just what plan are you hiding from me? It’s driving me mad.”

Seeing Mangyuan’s restless expression, Chilian laughed heartily, then explained Manghuang’s scheme.

“Amazing! Truly amazing! This is a brilliant scheme to deceive heaven and cross the sea. First, it draws everyone’s attention. Second, Demon Night’s safety will no longer be a concern.”

The three of them exchanged a glance and laughed.

After Liu Qing’s exposure, he fled the territory of the bear tribe and continued to observe from the shadows, hoping to catch sight of Demon Night.

At that moment, Xuantiangang led a troop soaring into the sky. In the center of the formation, a figure lay on a reclining chair, carried by others; the silhouette strongly resembled Demon Night. Liu Qing considered probing with spiritual power, but feared alerting the enemy, so he could only continue tracking Xuantiangang.

Not long after Liu Qing left, several more groups in the same disguise took to the skies. Along the way, Liu Qing observed Xuantiangang’s group and discovered that the strongest among them was only Xuantiangang himself. Immediately, he began to consider seizing the target by force.

Seeing that they had already left the territory of the bear tribe far behind, and that reinforcements from the demon race would not arrive any time soon, Liu Qing felt it was more than enough time to rescue Demon Night. He struck first, dashing straight toward the figure on the reclining chair.

Just as Liu Qing reached the chair, the figure on it leapt up and attacked him.

“Damn it! I’ve been deceived!”

With a single palm strike, Liu Qing sent the figure flying and confronted Xuantiangang. Xuantiangang gestured for his men to stop, then cupped his fists toward Liu Qing in a show of respect.

“Dean Liu, you are an elder. How could you attack us by stealth?”

Liu Qing knew this was only Xuantiangang stalling for time, and impatiently cut him off with a wave.

“Xuantiangang! Speak honestly. Where have you hidden Demon Night? You are no match for me. You’d best tell the truth!”

Xuantiangang laughed loudly. “Hahaha! Ah, Elder Chilian truly is clever. This feint has indeed fooled you!”

Picking at his ear, Xuantiangang said carelessly, “Which group Demon Night is in? Truth be told, I don’t know either. I’m afraid Dean Liu will have to find him himself. Hahaha!”

Liu Qing’s face darkened so much it seemed water could drip from it. With a cold snort, he turned and chased off in another direction.