Chapter 404: Chapter 272 Before the Battle

Feng Jiu’s lips curled into a cold smile as she spoke to the approaching Bodhisattva.

She had no previous grievance with the Buddhist Sect and should not have been so discourteous, but since the Buddhist Sect had once pursued Lin Fang, Feng Jiu naturally felt the need to stand up for him.

Guanyin couldn’t figure out when she had offended this Demon Emperor.

One should know that when the Demon Court had fallen, the Buddhist Sect had been nothing more than a small faction tucked away on the Xiniu Continent.

"Amitabha Buddha, how virtuous, how virtuous! Poor monk Ci Hang greets the Demon Emperor," Guanyin said with a bow, her expression unchanging.

Feng Jiu couldn’t help but admire the composure of this Bodhisattva of Buddhism; her own rude remarks seemed to fall on deaf ears, truly extraordinary.

"May I inquire why the Venerable Guanyin has come all the way to Luzhou in the North?" Feng Jiu asked, staring into Guanyin’s eyes with a grave tone.

"The poor monk has come to deliver salvation, seeing that this land is on the verge of war."

"Since when has the Buddhist Sect cared about the affairs of Luzhou in the North."

"The Buddha said, ’All living beings are equal.’ Our compassionate Buddha regards even the Demon Clan with the same benevolence."

"What a thick-skinned Buddhist Sect," Feng Jiu said with biting irony.

They claim all beings are equal with every utterance, yet in reality, they have already assigned ranks in their hearts. If not for having been to Xiniu Continent herself, Feng Jiu might have been fooled by Guanyin’s sympathetic demeanor.

In the past, they were not short of forcefully bringing monsters to salvation with military might, but now they speak of treating everyone equally, of the equality of all beings.

"It is you who are attached to appearances, benefactor; everything arises from cause and effect."

"Forget it, I won’t spar with you. I’ve had enough of your Buddhist Sect’s smooth talk. Just tell me, what’s your business at my Demon Court."

"To be frank, the Heavenly Court is about to amass a great army to march against Luzhou in the North, and the Jade Emperor has sabotaged our Buddhist Sect’s fortune, hence we wish to form an alliance with the Demon Emperor to jointly resist the Heavenly Court," Guanyin revealed.

"Oh! It’s rare for you to have such considerations, but the affairs of Luzhou in the North don’t need your concern. Better to look after your own patch of land," Feng Jiu said with a smile.

The news of Marx’s escape from Mount Ling had been the talk of the town, and even Feng Jiu in Luzhou in the North had heard of it, hence her remarks.

"In that case, the poor monk shall take her leave. If in the future your Majesty the Demon Emperor requires our assistance, simply notify us," Guanyin said with a smile.

She hadn’t expected to forge an alliance so quickly, anyway; the Heavenly Court was a common enemy for all, and she believed that the Demon Court would one day need the help of the Buddhist Sect.

This visit was merely to lay the groundwork for future interactions, making them more convenient later on.

With those words, she stepped on a cloud and headed straight for the West.

Watching her depart, Feng Jiu remarked with a hint of reproach, "The Buddhist Sect won’t take action until they see the rabbit—probably waiting to set their terms when we’re badly hit by the Heavenly Court."

"That’s to be expected. After all, they are second only to the Heavenly Court in power. Although they have taken a serious blow from the Jade Emperor’s schemes this time, a dying centipede wriggles still—they are among the supreme powers in the Three Realms. And with our Demon Court in dire need of revitalization, they naturally do not wish to lose the initiative," the Demon Master added with a smile.

Ever since the news of Marx’s escape came about, they realized that the Buddhist Sect would soon extend an olive branch, as the enemy of one’s enemy is a friend, a saying that is applicable throughout the Three Realms.

However, during internal meetings, everyone agreed that the Buddhist Sect could not be relied upon. If they could not maintain an equal standing, such an ally would only turn the Demon Clan into cannon fodder.

"Strength is the real truth. To make the Buddhist Sect lower their proud heads and talk to us on equal terms, we must display powerful strength. No one in this world would talk about fairness with the weak," Feng Jiu said, clenching her fists.

"But now that the Bodhisattva has personally come to Luzhou in the North, it’s likely that the Heavenly Court’s attack will come in just a few days. We need to start preparing in advance," the Demon Master said with a sigh.

The Jade Emperor is a cautious person, and the Divine Exorcist Great Sage knows the Demon Clan like the back of his hand. They won’t give the Demon Court much time to breathe; the time they’ve managed to buy was largely thanks to the Buddhist Sect.

But the thought of facing a brutal war just when they had achieved some results filled the Demon Master, who had devoted his life to the Demon Clan, with indignation.

"Let them come if they dare. This time, I must knock out the Heavenly Court’s teeth; otherwise, they’ll really think Luzhou in the North is an easy target," Feng Jiu said, full of fighting spirit.

She knew how important it was to develop, but the enemy did not give her that opportunity. Therefore, only war could make the enemy stop their ambition to annihilate the Demon Court.

"It’s a pity that Lin Fang isn’t here. He has many tricks up his sleeve and is flexible-minded; he surely would have a better solution," Feng Jiu sighed.

"It would be the same even if he were here. Remember the stories he used to tell? Strike one punch to avoid a hundred more. No power has risen smoothly without going through life-and-death crises and showing great strength. Why else would all living beings in the Three Realms respect you?" the Demon Master said with a hearty laugh, seeming many years younger, with an unstoppable sharpness radiating from him.

"If they want war, then we’ll give them war!"

With a single command, the entire Luzhou in the North sprang into action. As news of the impending Heavenly Court invasion arrived, the demon populace became filled with righteous indignation.

They had only just experienced some good times, but now they had to face the aggressively approaching Heavenly Court anew.

For the demons living in Luzhou in the North, their hatred for the Heavenly Court would take days to fully express.

Thus, the moment the command arrived, they exploded like a barrel of gunpowder ignited.

Countless monsters once again took up arms, called upon their former brothers, began gathering food, building fortifications, and preparing for war.

And in the Demon Capital, armies began to assemble, these were the forces the Demon Court had spent immense resources on, built specifically to confront the Heavenly Soldiers.

Clad in armor and wielding sharp blades, they emitted a fierce aura from head to toe.

The prolonged turmoil in Luzhou in the North had forged a martial spirit on this land. With the best equipment, they were confident in tearing those invaders to pieces.

The Demon Master and Feng Jiu, accompanied by several Great Saints and followed by officials of the Demon Court, inspected the troops.

When met with a temperament as wild as the Primeval Wilderness, smiles of brilliance appeared on everyone’s faces—an army this powerful was the foundation of their standing.

"Well done. As long as the Heavenly Court dares to come, this time we’ll make them regret it," the Flood Dragon Demon King said with a grim smile.

For many years, he had been chased and hunted down by the Heavenly Court, forced to flee everywhere, and wherever he went, he encountered those ubiquitous Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, a constant source of irritation.

Now, with such a powerful army of his own, it was time for revenge.