The demon race forbidden ground!
Upon hearing these four words, the faces of all the elders changed in unison. Each one turned solemn.
Yet no one voiced an opinion.
Since Her Majesty had spoken these words, it meant she had already made up her mind to take Ye Qiu into the demon race forbidden ground.
“If you have any thoughts, feel free to speak frankly. I will not blame you,” the little white fox said.
Only then did Elder Bear speak.
“Your Majesty, this subordinate believes the matter requires careful consideration.”
“Back then, after the Demon Emperor established the forbidden ground, he left a decree that only successive monarchs and elders were qualified to enter.”
“Over so many years, apart from successive monarchs and serving elders, no human has ever entered the demon race forbidden ground.”
“If you take Ye Changsheng in, that would violate the rule set by the Demon Emperor.”
The little white fox frowned.
Elder Ox said, “Old Bear, what you just said is incorrect. Apart from successive monarchs and elders, the Eternal Blue Sky Great Emperor once entered the demon race forbidden ground as well.”
“Can Young Master Ye be compared to the Eternal Blue Sky Great Emperor?” Elder Bear replied. “After all, the Eternal Blue Sky Great Emperor had at least half demon race blood in his veins.”
“Moreover, the Eternal Blue Sky Great Emperor’s father was a sage who spread civilisation in the demon race and never left until the final moment of his life.”
Elder Sheep was rendered speechless.
Elder Monkey stepped forward. “Fellow elders, I believe rules are rigid, but people are flexible.”
“I support Her Majesty’s decision.”
Elder Dog said, “Old Monkey, you support it because Young Master Ye is your master, is that not so?”
“Indeed,” Elder Monkey admitted frankly. “That is one reason, but there is another.”
“Do not forget, Master saved our demon race.”
“Had it not been for Master, perhaps our demon race would long ago have been exterminated by the Infinite Heavenly Venerable.”
Elder Dog replied, “Old Monkey, I cannot agree with those words.”
“With Young Master Ye’s strength, how could he confront the Infinite Heavenly Venerable? Was it not because of that golden coffin?”
“That coffin is the supreme opportunity of Immortality Mountain and is related to the Eternal Blue Sky Great Emperor. So in truth, it was the Eternal Blue Sky Great Emperor who saved our demon race.”
Elder Monkey said, “Although Master’s current cultivation is not high, if not for him obtaining the supreme opportunity of Immortality Mountain, who could have confronted the Infinite Heavenly Venerable?”
Elder Dog replied, “Fine. Even if Young Master Ye saved our demon race, Her Majesty has treated him generously and even ordered us to teach him unique skills.”
Elder Monkey shook his head. “In fact, it is Master who has been teaching us divine abilities.”
“Furthermore, Master gave the Demon Refining Pot to Her Majesty and helped her gain control of the Eight Trigrams Treasure Furnace.”
“Such enormous favours, how can they be repaid?”
At these words from Elder Monkey, the scene fell silent.
Indeed, although Ye Qiu’s cultivation was low, his grace towards the demon race was profound.
“Elder Dog, do you oppose me taking Ye Changsheng into the forbidden ground?” the little white fox asked.
“Yes,” Elder Dog said. “I hold no prejudice against Young Master Ye. On the contrary, I admire him greatly. The reason I oppose is that I believe it best not to violate the rule once set by the Demon Emperor.”
The little white fox said, “Fellow elders, does anyone else oppose?”
Elder Bear hesitated for a moment, then said, “Your Majesty, I oppose.”
“Opposition overruled.” The little white fox displayed the authority of a monarch and became resolute.
Elder Bear looked glum. Since opposition was ineffective, why ask everyone in the first place?
“Your Majesty, this is a grave matter. I suggest we decide by vote, with the minority obeying the majority,” Elder Dog proposed.
“Very well. Let us vote. Those in favour, raise your hands.” As the little white fox’s words fell, Elder Monkey was the first to raise his hand.
The other elders followed closely.
The little white fox glanced around and discovered that, apart from Elder Bear and Elder Dog, Elder Sheep and Elder Rabbit also opposed.
This surprised her somewhat.
When Ye Qiu and the long-eyebrowed Daoist first arrived in the demon race, Elder Sheep had accompanied them throughout. Logically, Elder Sheep’s relationship with Ye Qiu was closer, yet now he held an opposing view. That did not add up.
“Could it be…”
The little white fox glanced at Elder Bear. Elder Bear quickly lowered his head, not daring to meet her gaze.
“As I thought, Elder Bear is behind this.”
The little white fox’s expression turned cold. “Apart from Elder Tiger, all demon race elders are here.”
“Elder Monkey, Elder Rooster, Elder Snake, Elder Ox, Elder Horse: five elders in support.”
“Elder Bear, Elder Sheep, Elder Rabbit, Elder Dog: four elders in opposition.”
“It seems the votes supporting my decision are greater.”
Elder Bear shot a look at Elder Dog. Elder Dog understood and quickly said, “Your Majesty, Elder Tiger is not here. I shall go call him to vote. Perhaps he will oppose as well…”
“No need to call him,” the little white fox said. “Since Elder Tiger is absent, it shall be considered an abstention.”
Elder Dog said, “Elder Tiger is unaware of this matter. I think we should still inform him…”
“Unnecessary,” the little white fox said. “I believe Elder Tiger will support my decision.”
Elder Dog asked in puzzlement, “Why is Your Majesty so certain?”
The little white fox replied, “If Elder Tiger dares oppose, I shall immediately strip him of his elder position.”
Elder Dog was stunned.
Your Majesty, you are not playing fair!
“Even if he votes against, it will not matter,” the little white fox said, looking at Elder Dog. “You seem to have forgotten that this monarch also has a vote.”
Elder Dog froze, then involuntarily turned to look at Elder Bear.
Elder Bear pretended to see nothing and remained silent.
The little white fox said, “Why I wish to take Ye Changsheng into the demon race forbidden ground, I am sure you all understand the reason.”
“There is a human saying: help a person to the end.”
“I wish to aid Ye Changsheng once more, so that after he leaves the demon race, he will have the power to protect himself.”
“As for how many benefits he obtains in the forbidden ground, that will depend on his own fortune.”
“Elder Bear, remain. The other elders may withdraw!”
Soon, only the little white fox and Elder Bear remained at the scene.
The little white fox stood with hands clasped behind her back and said softly, “Elder Dog is sometimes clever, sometimes muddled. His opposition to me taking Ye Changsheng into the forbidden ground does not surprise me.”
“What is strange is that Elder Sheep and Elder Rabbit have good relations with Ye Changsheng. Why did they vote against?”
At this point, the little white fox’s expression suddenly changed. In a cold voice, she said, “Elder Bear, you have some nerve. To scheme right under this monarch’s eyes. Do you still have me as your monarch in your sight?”
Elder Bear was frightened and thudded to the ground in prostration.
“I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
Elder Bear said, “I admit that Elder Sheep and Elder Rabbit voted against under my instigation.”
“But I did so entirely for the sake of the demon race, with no selfish motives. I beg Your Majesty to see clearly.”
“For the sake of the demon race?” The little white fox gave a cold laugh. “If this monarch has guessed correctly, the reason you oppose, Elder Bear, is fear.”
“You fear Ye Changsheng entering the forbidden ground.”
“Is that not so?”
