Unlike last time, he was followed by a large flock of birds and beasts.
The birds and beasts were extremely graceful, making the immortals and gods present extremely envious. However, judging from the aura around them, they were probably all powerful demons, not people they could even consider targeting.
The demons, now in their original forms, carried several enormous crystal boxes, which shimmered with dazzling light under the daylight, making one wonder what precious gifts might be inside.
The crystal box was placed in the hall, and the demons transformed into human form, standing behind the Demon Emperor and staring intently at the God Emperor.
The God Emperor's heart sank. With this display of force, both ceremonial and military, the Demon Emperor was determined to force him to make a choice today.
However, the divine realm is currently in dire straits, and if it were to readily agree to the Demon Emperor's request, who knows how much it would suffer.
"Demon Emperor, if you wish to marry Yan'er, you must act as if you are asking for her hand in marriage. My agreement is useless; she must agree—after all, a forced marriage is never sweet."
The God Emperor narrowed his eyes and unceremoniously passed the question to Ling Yan.
The Demon Emperor's face stiffened, and he cursed the old fox in his heart. Whenever the God Emperor issued an edict, who in the God Realm would dare to disobey?
However, Lingyan's status is special after all. If she doesn't agree, it doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with the God Emperor not pressuring her further.
He tilted his head slightly, looking at the protagonist of today's event.
A beautiful woman, dressed in gorgeous clothes, sat indifferently below the God Emperor, appearing completely detached from the situation.
"Tsk."
This was the first time the Demon Emperor had truly looked at the woman he wanted to marry, and a genuine interest flashed in his eyes as he let out a gasp of surprise.
"I have long admired the deity's grace and charm. I have come here today with the sincere intention of asking for your hand in marriage. I hope the deity will grant my request."
This should have been a sincere request, but when it came from the Demon Emperor's mouth, it was full of arrogance and coldness.
"Hold him back."
Just as Ling Yan was about to speak, the God Emperor's secret message appeared in her mind.
At this moment, Lingyan could neither respond nor allow the Demon Emperor to become enraged, thus causing a complete falling out between the gods and demons.
Now, a carrot needs to be dropped in front of the Demon King.
A sense of sorrow welled up in Lingyan's heart. For the sake of the gods, it seemed she truly had no other choice.
--------------------
Author's Note:
I'm back! (Crazy typing away!)
Chapter 151 The Supreme God and the God of War (Part 11)
============================
"One year—if you can win my favor within a year, I will agree to your request."
Ling Yan pursed her lips, her face expressionless, and uttered a promise, word by word.
—The sword should be finished by now, after a year.
The Demon Emperor narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze, like that of a hawk, fixed on Ling Yan, as if trying to see through all the thoughts buried deep in her heart.
The hall was completely silent; everyone held their breath, and you could hear a pin drop.
Ling Yan looked back without fear, her expression open and honest.
The Demon Emperor turned his gaze to the God Emperor, a slight smirk playing on his lips, before bursting into a hearty laugh.
"Very well! I will grant your request, Your Majesty. This matter is far more interesting than I imagined."
It's unclear where the Demon Emperor got his confidence from, or what got into him. Despite such a clear excuse for delaying, he actually agreed.
The fact that the demons who accompanied him did not object at all demonstrates the immense authority of the Demon Emperor in the demon realm.
The ever-suspicious and sensitive God Emperor couldn't help but begin to doubt the Demon Emperor's purpose. Was he truly here today to propose to Lingyan, or was he using the pretext of marriage to do something else?
"Report—The Abyss of Gods and Demons has fallen by more than half!"
An urgent military report interrupted the God Emperor's thoughts; the most pressing matter was to stabilize the battle situation.
Gu Zhong's sudden disappearance destabilized the army, and the soldiers from the divine realm, who had not yet received sufficient training, found it increasingly difficult to withstand the demon realm's offensive.
The God Emperor looked at the Demon Emperor and gritted his teeth.
"Demon Emperor, you don't want to see the God Realm fall either, do you?"
"God Emperor, just say what you want. I can't understand such roundabout ways."
The Demon Emperor impatiently picked at his ear. The God Emperor felt a tightness in his chest and looked at Ling Yan with a sullen face.
"Demon Emperor, if you are truly sincere, can you help the God Realm temporarily repel the demon race's attack?"
Upon receiving the God Emperor's hint, Ling Yan sighed, softened her tone, and spoke with a hint of pleading.
"Since it is a request from a supreme god, I am naturally happy to oblige."
The Demon Emperor put away his sour face towards the God Emperor and became amiable. He immediately dispatched several powerful demon generals to return to the Demon Realm to muster troops and head towards the Abyss of Gods and Demons.
Looking at the scene before him, the God Emperor's face was as black as ink, and his eyes were filled with gloom.
"However—I would like to request an opportunity to travel together. Surely the High God will not refuse?"
After settling the matter with a few words, the Demon Emperor spoke to Lingyan again. Although it was a seemingly polite inquiry, it brooked no argument.
"···good."
Despite her reluctance, Lingyan could not refuse. The God Realm was in complete chaos and had no choice but to rely on the Demon Realm.
She had hoped that by getting rid of the Demon Emperor for the time being, she could finally have some peace and quiet.
Who would have thought that the Demon Emperor seemed genuinely intending to fight this god who disliked him to the bitter end.
He simply stayed in the God Realm, ignoring the God Emperor's constant sarcasm, refusing to leave and instead wandering aimlessly around the God Realm every day. Occasionally, he would go to the Wuji Palace to do a series of things that feigned deep affection but ultimately left everyone speechless.
For example, they might suddenly bring in a bloodthirsty behemoth covered in exotic treasures as a gift, or they might bring in a group of demons skilled in singing and dancing to perform on the spot, or even find some sentimental poems from some unknown realm and recite them with great emotion, their loud voices resounding throughout the entire divine realm.
Such behaviors are countless.
Overwhelmed with annoyance, Lingyan could only use the excuse of seclusion to forge swords and hide in the sword workshop. However, she couldn't do this every time; she would have to go out and deal with some matters one or two times.
What's even more puzzling is that, despite being dealt with so perfunctorily, the Demon Emperor was neither anxious nor angry, and continued to do as he pleased every day.
With the assistance of the demon race, the battle at the front gradually stabilized, and rumors spread throughout the myriad realms that the Demon Emperor was deeply in love with the Goddess Lingyan, and that his loyalty was as clear as day and night.
If anyone could see it more clearly, it would only be Ling Yan herself.
One day, when the noise of musical instruments outside the palace became unbearable again, Lingyan couldn't help but summon the Demon Emperor into the palace.
"Has the Supreme God finally been moved by me?"
The Demon Emperor, with what he considered a dashing and cool smile, asked with a hint of smugness.
"Demon Emperor, there is no one here. You don't need to put on an act anymore. You are not in love with me, so why are you pretending to pester me?"
Lingyan rubbed her temples, which were throbbing from the noise, looking completely puzzled.
"You jest, High God. If I didn't like you, why would I go to such lengths to pursue you, using my reputation as a raft for your divine race to trample on?"
Raising an eyebrow slightly, the Demon Emperor's face showed a hint of displeasure, seemingly because he was unhappy about being questioned.
"I can better distinguish whether a so-called pursuit is just a pretense or a genuine expression of affection."
She raised her eyes, her gaze sharp and intense, and stared directly at the Demon Emperor.
"...It sounds like the High God has quite a bit of insight into matters of love and romance?"
After a moment of silence, the Demon Emperor chuckled again, meeting Ling Yan's gaze with a hint of playful inquiry.
Ling Yan's heart skipped a beat, and a figure she could never forget suddenly appeared before her eyes. In a panic, she stopped thinking about it and pulled her thoughts back to the present.
"You jest, Demon Emperor. But the word 'affection' is the most complex, and only sincerity can touch it."
Although these words were somewhat evasive, they still reflected Ling Yan's true feelings.
"oh?"
Narrowing his large, round, golden eyes, the Demon Emperor was half-believing and half-doubting, lost in thought.
"So what exactly is the Demon Emperor trying to achieve by acting this way?"
Seeing his reaction confirmed her suspicions, and Lingyan quickly pressed for an answer.
"It is enough for the Supreme God to know that the demon realm needs you and I need you."
The Demon Emperor remained silent for a moment, gave her a deep look, but did not answer her directly.
"God! God!"
The fairy maid who had been deliberately sent away by Lingyan suddenly shouted loudly outside the palace, her voice filled with urgent excitement.
A premonition suddenly rushed into Ling Yan's mind. She didn't have time to think about the deeper meaning in the Demon Emperor's words and immediately summoned the people in.
"What is it?"
"Gods—The Abyss of Gods and Demons—"
The fairy maid who entered the hall was still panting heavily, which showed that she had not been near the Wuji Hall from the beginning and had obviously been traveling non-stop.
"The divine realm has reclaimed the Abyss of Gods and Demons!"
Her excitement and joy were palpable.
"Have you reclaimed the Abyss of Gods and Demons?"
The Demon Emperor, however, did not seem happy; his expression turned gloomy and inscrutable.
"It's Lord Gu Zhong—she's back!"
"What?!"
These words truly stirred up a tidal wave in Lingyan's heart, and she suddenly stood up.
An undisguised surprise and joy emanated from her, lightening the previously somber atmosphere considerably.
The Demon Emperor looked at her in surprise. This goddess was now in a completely different state than she had been in recent days. Some magical power was at work on her, making her completely transformed.
However, the appearance of this war god from the divine realm, who had escaped death, was not good news for him; some things needed to be re-planned.