Tu Yan turned his head, his face darkening.
He quickly shielded his daughter, Tu Jiaojiao, behind him.
The newcomer was a steward, a fourth-level Mortal Realm expert, someone who could crush Tu Yan with a single finger.
This man had long coveted Tu Jiaojiao, but because the Remnant Snow Demon General also had his eye on her, he had restrained himself.
Now, with the Remnant Snow Demon General dead and his followers scattered, each seeking new masters, the steward rushed to confront Tu Yan the moment he heard the news.
“Lord Steward, my daughter is still young and not in a hurry to marry. Please show mercy!”
Cold sweat beaded on Tu Yan’s forehead.
He knew well that in Demon Fortress City, no one would uphold justice for a slave. If this steward killed him and took his daughter, he’d have no recourse.
“Father, don’t worry. If he dares touch me, I’ll kill myself. I’d never marry someone like him.”
Tu Jiaojiao would never forget how one of her close friends was ruined and killed by this steward.
Whenever he was angered elsewhere, he’d return home and take it out on the women there. Dozens, if not hundreds, had died by his hand.
“Kill yourself?”
The steward sneered, “You think you can kill yourself? The weak don’t even have the right to choose how they die. If I don’t let you die, you won’t. If I want you dead, you’re dead!
Now, I’m giving you one last chance. Have your daughter come with me quietly, and we can all stay civil, no need for tempers.”
The steward stood there, grinning at Tu Yan and Tu Jiaojiao, as if everything was under his control, certain no one could snatch this prize from his grasp.
“My dear daughter, your father has failed you!”
Tu Yan couldn’t bear to see his daughter defiled by this beast in human clothing. He resolved to fight, even if it meant dying with his daughter here, a clean end to their lives, better than her suffering endless abuse before death.
“Father, you haven’t failed me. In the next life, we’ll still be father and daughter!”
Tu Jiaojiao, though young, was resolute.
“Tch, such grand heroism, such touching father-daughter bonds. What a pity. Now, Tu Yan, go die!”
The steward sneered dismissively, then leapt forward, striking at Tu Yan with a palm while his overwhelming aura surged, crushing Tu Jiaojiao so she couldn’t even attempt suicide.
Bang!
A shocking scene unfolded.
The steward, like a cockroach that had just taken flight, was instantly swatted down.
In mid-air, a figure hovered, his face cold and stern.
“Outrageous! Who are you!”
The steward struggled to his feet, wiping blood from his mouth, shouting at the figure in the air.
Yet his face betrayed deep fear.
Understandably so, as Ling Xiao’s earlier strike had severely injured him.
He believed that if the attack hadn’t been so hasty, he’d already be dead.
Ling Xiao glanced at the steward, his eyes glinting with killing intent, and spat out a single word: “Scram!”
“You bastard, do you know my superior is Elder Tang? Though the Remnant Snow Demon General is dead, Elder Tang now serves another Demon General. If you dare cross me, you’re crossing Elder Tang and the Demon General!”
The steward desperately wanted to flee but was unwilling to leave empty-handed.
He knew he was no match for Ling Xiao but hoped to intimidate him with the Demon General’s authority, forcing him to back off.
This way, he’d save face and his life.
“You talk too much. You’ve already missed your best chance to live!”
Ling Xiao despised men who preyed on women, especially since Tu Yan and Tu Jiaojiao had shown him kindness.
Moreover, Tu Yan had been his childhood idol, a great hero.
Already in a foul mood, Ling Xiao was further provoked by the steward’s threats.
With a casual flick, a sword qi shot out, piercing the steward’s head instantly.
“Ah! I recognise him! He’s the new Demon General, the one who killed the Remnant Snow Demon General!”
“No wonder he’s so fierce, even daring to kill a steward!”
The crowd began to murmur, some recognising Ling Xiao.
In front of a Demon General, a steward was nothing.
Especially since Ling Xiao had just slain the Remnant Snow Demon General, his fearsome reputation was spreading. Had the steward known it was Ling Xiao, he likely wouldn’t have made such a foolish mistake.
“Tu Yan and his daughter are truly lucky. The old Remnant Snow Demon General died, and they’ve now connected with a young Demon General. No one will dare touch them now.”
“Exactly. This new Demon General is a walking calamity. Whoever crosses him dies.”
“No wonder he didn’t care about the steward. A mere steward is nothing before a Demon General.”
“You two must have been frightened. In the future, if anything happens, just use my name! Farewell!”
Ling Xiao cupped his hands in salute, then soared into the air and left.
It wasn’t until his figure vanished in the distance that Tu Jiaojiao stuck out her tongue and said, “So everything he said was true. He really is an incredible expert!”
“Jiaojiao, let’s go. Pack up, we’re heading out to sea!”
Tu Yan was stunned for a while, but soon thought of something.
With Ling Xiao in Demon Fortress City, no one would dare bully them. But if Ling Xiao left for a mission, they’d be in trouble.
The best plan was to hide at sea for a while and return once Ling Xiao’s submarine returned.
Though his cultivation was low, he had many connections. He’d already heard that the new Demon General would be stationed on the submarine tomorrow.
He even knew Ling Xiao was the new Demon General.
He just hadn’t expected this young man, with whom he’d only had a brief encounter, to actually step in and save them.
…
The next morning, Tu Yan’s family left by boat.
Meanwhile, Ling Xiao arrived at the dock.
Joining him to oversee the submarine were two other Demon Generals: Thousand Hands Demon General and Fire Wolf Demon General.
Thousand Hands Demon General was a woman, around sixty or seventy, though she looked in her thirties, still quite elegant.
Fire Wolf Demon General, her husband, was of similar age, also appearing in his thirties, with a robust physique.
“Greetings, you two!”
Seeing their friendly smiles, Ling Xiao responded warmly.
“Greetings, Ferocious Beast Demon General!”
Ferocious Beast Demon General was Ling Xiao’s title, given by the Second Fortress Master.
“Just call me Ling Xiao. This isn’t your first time overseeing the submarine, is it?”
Ling Xiao asked.
Thousand Hands Demon General nodded, “Indeed. Overseeing the submarine is usually safe, but as you know, the deep sea is full of dangers. Anything can happen. There have been times when the submarine returned with no one on board. Over a dozen Demon Generals have gone missing because of this.”
