Below, the Mingcang Disciples, upon seeing this, were filled with joy and shouted one after another, "The True Master has returned, the True Master has returned."
The tunneling light made a turn and descended onto the Dharma Platform. Zhang Yan withdrew the surrounding radiance and stepped forward. Wei Zihong came forward with a bow and said, "Master."
Zhang Yan said, "Zhu Bogao has been slain by me, and now there are no remains. Zihong, send a disciple to the Yu Yuan Tribe and order them to surrender according to the terms of the Challenge Letter within three days. If they do not comply, I will use Divine Skills to level their tribes numbering in the millions."
At this time, Han Wangke came up and bowed, saying, "Junior Brother, since I have come here, I haven’t exerted much effort. How about I handle this matter?"
Zhang Yan looked over, nodded, and smiled, "Since Brother Han requests it, I shall trouble Brother to make a trip." He raised his sleeve, took out the Seal, and handed it to him, saying, "Brother, take this with you."
Han Wangke carefully put it away, bowed once more, and then took flight with the tunneling light towards the Jin River.
Not long after, he arrived at the riverbank, and loudly declared below, "I am the emissary of Mingcang. Zhu Bogao is dead. Call someone who can make decisions to come out and speak."
His voice carried far and wide, and after a moment, the river water churned, and a little demon dressed as a scholar cautiously floated up, repeatedly bowing and saying, "Please wait a moment, True Master, someone has gone to report."
Subsequently, responding to his call, a Fish Demon, broad-shouldered and over ten feet tall, carried up a Cloud Couch, followed by two beautiful maidservants. The scholar bowed and bowed, saying, "True Master, please sit."
Han Wangke said flatly, "No need."
The scholar was taken aback, turned around, and scolded the maidservants standing there, "Did you not hear the True Master speak? Quickly scram."
The two maidservants and the Fish Demon hurriedly retreated into the river in a fluster.
About half an hour later, the river suddenly parted like a fountain, releasing strands of demon energy, and then the Yu Yuan Tribe’s horned tent great ship emerged from beneath the water. Over a hundred demons stood at the bow, with over ten Powerful Fourth Transformation Realm Cultivators, all burly, wearing helmets and armor, holding Divine Weapons, looking fierce and brave.
Their leader was a thin elder, dressed in brocade with large sleeves, wearing a Liang Crown, and high shoes. His gaze met Han Wangke, and he leaped forward, bowing and saying, "I have kept the True Master waiting. I am He Bi. May I know the True Master’s name?"
Han Wangke’s gaze shifted downward, noticing several dozen Fish Jades of varying sizes hanging from the large carp dragon belt at the elder’s waist, and was slightly surprised.
He had some knowledge of Demon Tribe rituals, knowing that one must have the allegiance of at least ten tribes to warrant one Fish Jade. This elder possessed so many, indicating a status in the Yu Yuan Tribe comparable to Zhu Bogao, so he returned the bow and said, "I am Han Wangke of the Mingcang Sect."
Elder He asked again, "The True Master claims all Demon Kings are dead; is there any proof?"
Han Wangke pulled back his large sleeve and took out the Seal, placing it in his palm and opening it for all to see, saying, "Everyone should recognize this artifact."
Those on the ship, upon seeing the Seal, showed visibly changed expressions. Some involuntarily gasped, yet Elder He’s expression remained unchanged, calm, and he sighed, saying, "Since His Majesty is gone, I am barely able to take charge of tribal affairs. If the True Master has any decree, you may speak with me."
Han Wangke listened to his words, sized him up, and his expression softened slightly before explaining his purpose.
Elder He pondered for a moment, then stepped aside with a gesture of invitation, saying, "This is not the place to speak. Please, True Master, come aboard for a discussion."
Han Wangke immediately agreed, following him onto the great ship and into a spacious room. Elder He invited him to sit, ordered tea to be served, then instructed the attendants to leave. With a wave, he set up prohibitions and whispered, "May I ask, True Master, where is Zhu Bogao’s corpse?"
Han Wangke said, "It’s already turned to dust."
Elder He seemed to relax and said, "I have long wished to serve under the Upper Sect. Unfortunately, Zhu Bogao’s powerful mana and secret dealings with the Demon Sect left me and the clan elders powerless, not deliberately making things difficult for the Upper Sect."
Han Wangke uttered an understanding ’oh,’ turned slightly, and asked, "Forgive my offense, Daoist He. As a Demon Cultivator, why entertain such thoughts?"
Elder He said, "To be honest, when your Sect’s former leader led twelve Grotto Heavens to campaign against our Beiming, my ancestor was once ennobled by your Sect, which led to our clan’s prosperity. Although the decree and records were lost later, there’s not a day I don’t think of serving the Upper Sect."
Han Wangke, surprised, said, "So that’s the connection between Elder He and our Mingcang Sect. No wonder, no wonder."
Outwardly looking surprised, his heart wasn’t entirely convinced, for during those campaigns against Beiming, it wasn’t uncommon for Demon Cultivators to have been ennobled by Mingcang Sect.
Yet, during the sect’s internal chaos hundreds of years ago, many of them tore up the decrees and records, either establishing their factions or joining the Eight Divisions. As he needed this person now, there was no need to expose this.
Elder He continued, "Though Zhu Bogao is dead, his kin and the clan king may not be willing to surrender willingly. Within two days, I will deal with them and lead the tribe ashore to submit to the Upper Sect."
Han Wangke nodded, "That would be ideal."
The two spoke a few more words, and Han Wangke was about to return when Elder He stopped him, saying, "Please wait, True Master Han. I have a grand gift here for True Master Zhang."
With a wave of his hand, he lifted the surrounding prohibitions and sent out a spell. Shortly after, a tall Fish Demon entered, carrying someone tightly under each arm.
Han Wangke’s eyes flashed with a strange color. He immediately stood up and took a closer look, saying in a deep voice, "Demon Sect Practitioners?"
Elder He also stood, saying, "These two were found on the riverbank, already heavily injured. I deduced they intended to spy during True Master Zhang’s battle with Zhu Bogao, inadvertently caught in Divine Skills, ending up like this."
Han Wangke chuckled, turned around, and said, "Daoist He, you’ve done well. I’ll take these two with me. After I return, I will certainly speak on your behalf to Junior Brother Zhang."

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