The secluded location chosen by the long-haired man was indeed excellent: located in the northern part of the Missile Mountain Range, amidst the mountains, not too close yet not too far from the tourist area, but surrounded by uninhabited land. The mountain range served as a natural barrier, making it very convenient for murder and hiding corpses.

Moreover, it was also some distance away from the search area of the Joint Investigation Team.

Bright Leoport walked step by step to a spot ten paces from Qiao Muyi, sighed softly, and said, "When you chose to flee to the Missile Mountain Range, specifically to the place where I had once killed the Source of Disaster in the mountains, I knew you had some means of tracing clues. Truly worthy of the Demon King. But you're too good at keeping your cool, even managing to catch my tail and try to find the most critical witness... Too bad, it's all gone."

Qiao Muyi furiously spun her Qi Cyclone, all her spells ready to be unleashed. Her high ponytail, tied up for ease of movement, fluttered in the wind as she asked coldly, "Was it you who killed him just now? And with a method working from the inside out... What mechanism did you plant in him? Are you the one who granted him power? Are you also the one who used my name to nurture Demon King's Followers and create Sources of Disaster? What exactly is your purpose?"

Bright laughed. "You ask so many questions all at once, I don't even know which one to answer first..."

Qiao Muyi's muscles tensed, her waist and legs seemingly hiding infinite strength. She said, "I'm listening. The night is still long."

Bright shook his head, looking somewhat regretful as he replied, "Never mind... A plot should be buried along with the victim, not exposed to the sunlight... And besides, I don't have any plot. I just happened to pass by, happened to meet the Demon King, and happened to be able to kill the Demon King, that's all.

"However, as a companion of justice, I have a friend who has some words he wants to tell you. I'll convey them for him: Oh Demon King, in this world, no one hopes more than my friend that you become a Demon King who wreaks havoc on all living beings—no one. Unfortunately, you'd rather run around, racking your brains to escape, than fulfill my friend's expectations.

"Even so, you've discarded even the dignity of being the Demon King, turning the sweet candy in this expectation into tasteless trash. Your evil doesn't even match that of the waste lying on the ground."

Bright sighed, twirled a strand of his blond hair, and asked, quite puzzled, "Does being a foolish mortal under the sun, then living through sickness and dying of old age, appeal to you that much?"

At that moment, Qiao Muyi used "Detective's Eye" to scan the surroundings. Finding no trace of anyone else, she confirmed that he had come alone.

Bright anticipated I might come here and kept this information from others... Just as I guessed, he is indeed the mastermind.

Qiao Muyi had thought that when she confirmed the identity of the mastermind, she would be angry, excited, unable to suppress the urge to charge forward with killing intent. But now, she was unnaturally calm. The slight fear and sorrow in her heart quickly transformed into a chilling determination to kill and a protective resolve.

Bright Leoport was born to the Lei Ao Consortium, one of the Federation's top ten conglomerates, and was its prime heir; his father was a regular on the Federation's wealthiest list. He himself was the second most powerful figure among the Watchers, his combat power second only to Angel Zack. His heroic reputation as the "End Sword User," famously called "Prince," was known worldwide.

Qiao Muyi had hesitated to confirm he was the mastermind, fearing that if Bright truly was behind it all, she would have no idea how to confront him.

Under normal circumstances, she couldn't even get close to Bright, let alone assassinate someone comparable to a Fourth Stage Expert like him. Even if Qiao Muyi found evidence, the best outcome would likely be the Mysterious Country and the Federation pointing fingers at each other. The Federation would undoubtedly refuse to prosecute Bright—a Fourth Stage Expert, a consortium heir, and a man of immense power.

Whether in terms of strength or influence, Qiao Muyi was unable to challenge Bright. On the contrary, Bright could use his wealth to stir up public opinion, instantly twisting her into the true Demon King through immense Resentment.

Qiao Muyi did not know Bright's real intentions, but his appearance now provided her with the best opportunity.

Perhaps due to his confidence, possibly because he didn't want any accidents, or maybe because he didn't want to ruin his prince-like image, Bright had come alone to deal with her, without the support of the Watchers or any leverage from his connections.

Shatter him here, and all future troubles will be rooted out!

Moreover, when Qiao Muyi faced Bright up close, she felt an inexplicable throbbing in her heart—like a Giant Squid meeting a Sperm Whale, or the Yamata no Orochi meeting the great golden-winged Peng bird. It was a hatred akin to that for a natural enemy, making her realize that killing Bright would bring her great benefits!

This is the best opportunity; he is alone!

Now that he's in front of me, there's no way out. It's too difficult to run away at this distance, and Ren Suo is behind me; there's no retreat!

For Ren Suo, for myself, for the Resentment I bear...

Dazzling Blood Light erupted from Qiao Muyi's eyes, and a Spiritual Energy fluctuation like Black Flame erupted from her body. Her Six Senses, Physical Strength, Explosive Power, and Insight instantly reached their peak!

Fortunately, having been completely filled with Ren Suo's love these past few days, all her negative emotions had been purified, allowing her to burn them efficiently and cleanly!

Demon King's Descent!

Looking at Qiao Muyi, whose expression was like a crazed beast and whose aura was sharply evident, Bright couldn't help but exclaim, "If only you had used this posture to kill everything in your path earlier, how wonderful that would have been... So, Demon Lord, it's time for your life to end here. Use your power to become a stepping stone for my ascent to the Throne, though you could have been my direct path to heaven..."

"It's not too late now!"

The White Flame Dragon, shining with boundless light, burst forth in the sky like Chlorotrifluoride spilling wildly. The soil exploded into flames upon contact, forcibly carving a path of hellfire that lit up the entire mountainside!

Bright strolled leisurely; not only did he not dodge, but he even advanced. With a slight wave, his Formless Sword Gang scattered the White Flame Dragon and annihilated the burning flames!

"The gap between you and me is too great," said Bright. "You should have been stronger than me, and I should have been strenuously catching up to you. Now it's reversed, and you simply can't be my opponent.

"Your abilities, in the words of your country, are like the difference between the bright moon and a firefly..."

As he spoke, Qiao Muyi continuously cast spells—indestructible Sword Qi, treacherous Earth Spikes, and Fossil to Mud, all launched at Bright!

Bright shook his head slightly. "Struggling in vain!"

With a low shout, his longsword drew an invisible cross, completely destroying both the Sword Qi and the Earth Spikes. He stomped, and the ground, not yet turned to mud, shattered instantly under his foot, sending earth and stones flying!

And with this kinetic energy, he closed the distance to Qiao Muyi!

"Don't be afraid, it won't hurt. It'll be over in an instant," Bright said with a smile, like a dentist coaxing a child.

Qiao Muyi remained silent, a trace of Despair in her eyes, rapidly retreating and dodging, continuously Casting Spells!

She combined "Smoke" and "Earth Spike" to form a small-scale Meteor Fire Rain!

Then she used "Fossil to Mud" and "Ice Cascade," a powerful terrain-restraining spell!

These were her fully strengthened combination spells, their damage potential absolutely capable of threatening a Fourth Stage Expert—Thunder Bear Ursa was the best proof!

However, these spells hadn't even touched Bright's windbreaker before he effortlessly cut them down with his Sword Qi. All the spells dissolved into Spiritual Energy as soon as he slashed them, unable to maintain their form.

Demon King's bane...

A strange thought surfaced in Qiao Muyi's mind: He isn't obliterating the spells; he's obliterating the Spiritual Energy guiding my spells—the deadly Spiritual Energy greatly enhanced by the Demon King's might!

At that moment, Bright suddenly pulled out a semi-automatic pistol equipped with a silencer. But Qiao Muyi was extremely vigilant, immediately creating a Fiery Flame barrier to block the bullets, which burned up completely in mid-air!

"Seems I need to put in a bit more effort..." Bright muttered, discarding the pistol. He held the longsword in both hands, assuming an upper stance with the tip pointed at Qiao Muyi, and said seriously, "Do you know why I chose the sword as my weapon?

"Because it is elegant, beautiful, and dazzling. My sword, named Xiluda, is a rare and famous blade from an ancient European family, possessing transcendent and unrivaled might. Dying under this sword might give you a bit of comfort... at least you will die elegantly."

With a sonic boom, Bright charged into the small-scale Meteor Fire Rain Qiao Muyi had triggered, extinguishing it completely with several swift slashes!

Qiao Muyi cast the enhanced "Ghostly Rapid Step" to dodge swiftly, but Bright was faster. A distant slash of his terrifying, formless Sword Gang forced Qiao Muyi to dodge drastically.

"Remember, make it elegant," Bright's affable voice said, initially distant, but growing closer.

Qiao Muyi instantly released a curtain of White Flame. It had an immensely wide burning range and a dazzling effect, intense enough to cause Blindness!

However, the silver-white longsword still effortlessly shattered the White Flame curtain, its blade directly targeting Qiao Muyi's head!

Qiao Muyi reacted quickly, spinning on her heels, narrowly avoiding the sword blade. But the Sword Gang that accompanied it still grazed her delicate face, drawing lines of blood!

But due to dodging rapidly twice in succession, Qiao Muyi lost her balance and no longer had the strength to evade!

"Thank you, goodbye." Bright turned his wrist slightly, raising his longsword into a beheading stance.

In that instant, Qiao Muyi had no life flashing before her eyes; she did not think of Lian Jiang, Dong Chengling, or Gu Yueyan. There was no Fear, no anger, and no reluctance in her heart.

All her Willpower focused on the pocket over her left breast, where a "Great Good Fortune" Fortune Slip was kept.

As Bright was about to strike with his sword, a strange thought suddenly came to Qiao Muyi—I curse you, Ren Suo.

I curse you; may you never have romantic luck in your lifetime.

I curse you; may Dong Chengling despise you for your laziness, may Gu Yueyan leave you for being too straightforward, and may Bai Ji realize how cowardly you actually are and seek out other strong men.

I curse you; may you be unloved and unable to love anyone else in the future. May time never fade my memory, and may the years only deepen your love, leaving you to dwell in reminiscence of me night and day.

I curse you, because I am the Demon King, and you are mine. Even if the Demon King is no more, I will forever possess you.

Hehe, you will never know that I'm such a greedy, possessive, bad girl.

In that instant, Qiao Muyi felt a gentle touch on the wound on her face. The familiar and warm sensation made her heart tremble.

At the same time, Bright suddenly sensed something was amiss, and then his face was struck by a Scorching Heat Whirlwind punch!

The fiery punch, imbued with a powerful Whirlwind, instantly pierced his bullet-resistant invisible Battle Armor. It knocked out several of his teeth, and Bright felt his body suddenly grow sluggish!

This punch had 'Armor Break' and 'Suppression' effects, characteristics of the Mysterious Country's spell "Finger Lock," enhanced by several Elemental Spells!

"Don't touch my woman!"

Ren Suo charged into the fray, sending Bright flying with a punch. His expression was calm as he spoke in an unmistakable tone, uttering a line straight out of a cliché TV drama or movie.

Having regained her balance, Qiao Muyi touched her face, only to find that Ren Suo had already healed the wound.

Perhaps there are no truly clueless men in this world. The only question is whether he's being warm to you or not.

Meanwhile, Bright, whom Ren Suo had sent flying, immediately performed a backward roll to regain his footing, retreating several steps to a safe distance before looking up to observe the masked Ren Suo. He quickly recalled who this man was—the Demon King's accomplice, the love-struck fool who had confessed to the Demon King the night before!

Bright suddenly wondered, Why did I overlook this man just now?

If he hadn't charged out and punched me, I might not have even noticed him. And it happened at the very moment I was about to succeed, when my guard was slightly down... They were lucky.

But, fortunately, he came out on his own. Otherwise, if the cleanup wasn't thorough, it would have troubled Father again.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, revealing a twisted smile. "Lovebirds."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.