Tang Dynasty: Inherit the Evil Sword Immortal and destroy gods and demons with one thought!-Chapter 40 - Your Majesty, the Demon Lord Has Struck Tang!

Chapter 40: Your Majesty, the Demon Lord Has Struck Tang!
In Huizhou City, Demon Lord Chong Lou loomed above, his demonic might dwarfing the worst mortal calamities. A purple-black shroud of despair enveloped the city, a hellish cage where life and death hinged on his whim. His blood-red eyes narrowed, scanning the populace. That single glance sliced like a blade at their throats, freezing all in place.
Crown Prince Li Chengqian pressed against the city wall, wishing to meld into it, praying Chong Lou’s gaze passed him. Fate betrayed him. Chong Lou’s eyes locked onto him.
Whoosh!
In a flash, the Demon Lord stood before him. Li Chengqian’s heart nearly stopped; only the wall kept him upright. Chong Lou’s aura, an abyss, pressed down. “Where is he?” he demanded.
Terrified, Li Chengqian stammered, “I… I don’t know…” Chong Lou’s stare bore through him, probing. Then, he noticed the 200,000 soldiers subtly encircling him. “Hm!?” Rage flared. These ants dared defy him? “Those who bar me, die!” His voice thundered, unleashing a surge of demonic qi.
Boom!
Like a tsunami, it swept half the city. Tens of thousands of soldiers, struck as if by a hammer, spat blood and flew backwards.
Chong Lou snorted, his icy gaze disdainful, deeming them unworthy of further action. Even true gods blocking him would lose their heads. With a final glance at Huizhou, he tore space and vanished.
Thud!
Li Chengqian collapsed, soul-shaken, having briefly contemplated his funeral. Limping, he staggered down the wall, diving into his carriage. “To Huaiyang! I’m done with this cursed place! Back to Chang’an, to the Eastern Palace!” he shouted. The carriage rattled off, the crown prince fleeing in disgrace. News of Chong Lou’s rampage raced to Chang’an.
Chong Lou came for Li Qiye and left for him, but Tang teetered toward chaos because of him. Yet, Li Qiye remained unperturbed. In the Demon-Sealing Tower’s Blood Demon Sky Pool, he sat at the centre, clutching the Demon-Suppressing Sword, its spirit dimmer than the day before. The evil sword from his sea of consciousness, however, grew sharper, now thirty per cent formed.
Whoosh!
He dispersed his evil qi, water rippling outward. Pleased, he glanced at the boulder across the pool, where a shy figure hid, its reflection dancing in the waves. A faint smile curved his lips. Shaking his head, he strode to the twelfth layer’s exit.
Dragon Kui emerged, patting her chest. “Phew… not caught.” Yesterday’s dip in the pool had healed her wounds and boosted her strength in mere hours. Today, she’d crept back early, soaking happily, absorbing the pool’s qi. Meanwhile, Li Qiye, atop the tower, frowned. The Nine Calamity Stars’ alignment with the ecliptic had hastened slightly—an anomaly for forces beyond the Six Realms. What could alter their course? Dismissing it as a boon, he sat cross-legged.
The Heavenly Demon Emperor approached, grave. “Master, Chong Lou visited Yangzhou and Huizhou, searching for something.” Li Qiye sensed more. “Your thoughts?” The Emperor hesitated. “I suspect… he seeks you. Chong Lou is a battle-mad fiend. Your strike likely piqued his interest.” Li Qiye’s brow rose—Chong Lou was intriguing. “Anything else?” The Emperor bowed. “Two oddities: the Water Virtue Star hasn’t appeared, yet Chang’an’s water elements have doubled. And a purple glow flickers in Chunyang Mountain.”
In Chang’an, a courier galloped along the official road, clutching an urgent letter from Huizhou. Waving a banner, he roared, “Three-thousand-li express! Three-thousand-li express! The Demon Lord has struck Tang!”