Long Brow Daoist turned back and looked at Ye Qiu with dissatisfaction. He asked, “You shouted for this poor Taoist to stop. What do you want?”
Ye Qiu said, “I am telling you that I plan to leave the demon clan tomorrow morning.”
“Ah?” Long Brow Daoist looked utterly astonished. Then he muttered, “Leaving so soon? This poor Taoist has not had enough fun yet.”
The little white fox laughed. “Taoist, if you cannot bear to leave, why not stay in the demon clan for a while longer? I will certainly instruct those young and charming little demons to attend to you properly.”
“How could I impose like that?” Long Brow Daoist said, “To be honest, I truly cannot bear to leave. Being with those young and charming little demons makes this poor Taoist feel decades younger. The Sovereign’s kind offer… I refuse.”
“I want to follow the little brat.”
“I want to protect him!”
Long Brow Daoist spoke with such righteous indignation and noble spirit that those who did not know better might think how formidable he was.
Elder Monkey said, “Master, why not stay in the demon clan a bit longer?”
The other elders also looked at Ye Qiu eagerly.
Clearly, they too could not bear for Ye Qiu to leave.
Ye Qiu said, “All elders, ever since I arrived in the demon clan, I have been indebted to your care. I have been very happy here.”
“However, I still have matters to attend to and cannot linger long.”
“When I have time in the future, I will return to visit you all.”
“But Master…” Elder Monkey wanted to persuade further, but the little white fox raised her hand to interrupt him.
“Elder Monkey, Changsheng has made up his mind to leave. There is no need to persuade him further.”
The little white fox said, “I summoned you all here to discuss this with you. Once Changsheng leaves the demon clan, he will face constant dangers. This Sovereign has decided to send people to protect him.”
“Originally, I wanted to accompany Changsheng and ensure his safety, but he said the demon clan cannot be without a leader for a day and did not agree to let me protect him.”
“Therefore, I can only select from among you. After all, you are not only elders of our demon clan but also the strongest experts in our demon clan.”
“What are your thoughts?”
As soon as the little white fox finished speaking, the ten great elders spoke in unison.
“Sovereign, this subordinate is willing to protect Master!”
Er…
The little white fox looked troubled.
Elder Sheep said, “Sovereign, you may not know, but several days ago, this subordinate already discussed this matter with the other elders.”
“We wanted to ease the Sovereign’s worries, but the situation was the same as now. Everyone wanted to protect Master.”
“Even now, we have not decided on the final candidates.”
The little white fox felt a headache. The ten great elders each had unique skills and impressive cultivation. Deciding which ones to send to protect Ye Qiu left her undecided for the moment.
“Changsheng, why not you decide yourself?” The little white fox decided to pass this difficult problem to Ye Qiu.
Immediately, the ten great elders looked at Ye Qiu and volunteered eagerly.
Elder Tiger said, “Master, let me protect you. If anyone dares to bully you, I will slap them dead with one paw.”
Elder Monkey said, “Master, take me and Little Chicken. I can refine pills, and Little Chicken can refine artifacts.”
Elder Sheep said, “Master, it is better to let me and Rabbit accompany you! I can hear others’ inner thoughts. If anyone harbours ill intent towards you, I can detect it immediately. Rabbit can see through things and will be of great help to you.”
Elder Snake said, “Master, I am alone with no attachments. If anyone dares to touch you, I will block the blade for you.”
Elder Dog said, “Master, let me protect you instead. My tracking arts are unrivalled under heaven, and my nose is extremely keen.”
Elder Horse said, “Master, take me. If we encounter enemies, if we can fight them we will, if not I will carry you on my back and run. I guarantee no one can catch us.”
Elder Ox said, “Master, wherever you go, I will go.”
“Enough!” Elder Bear let out a deep shout, reprimanding the other elders. He said, “With your level of cultivation, let alone being unqualified to protect Master, I fear that as soon as you leave, you would be slaughtered by the human race.”
“Do not forget, the human race views us as their number one enemy.”
“Master, let Old Bear protect you instead.”
“Among the ten great elders, I have the highest realm. I am at the Great Saint cultivation level. Even if we encounter the Infinite Heavenly Venerable, I can help you escape.”
Ye Qiu asked, “Elder Bear, if we truly encounter the Infinite Heavenly Venerable and you help me escape, what about you?”
Elder Bear’s face was resolute. “I will perish together with him!”
The little white fox said, “Changsheng, I think Elder Bear is good. His cultivation is high, and I would feel reassured with him protecting you.”
Ye Qiu smiled faintly and said, “Elder Bear, I am very touched that you are willing to risk your life to protect me. However, I do not plan to take you away from the demon clan.”
Elder Bear urgently said, “Master…”
“Listen to me.” Ye Qiu interrupted Elder Bear and said, “Elder Bear, your primordial spirit was injured and has not fully healed. You should remain in the demon clan to continue recovering.”
“Moreover, Mei’er’s cultivation has dropped realms. You are the foremost expert in the demon clan and should assist Mei’er in guarding it.”
“When I need you, I will send a message to the demon clan.”
Ye Qiu continued, “Elder Sheep, you and Elder Rabbit are deeply attached like glue and lacquer. There is no need for you to follow me into battles and killings.”
“Besides, the demon clan has many affairs, large and small, that still need you to handle.”
“So you and Elder Rabbit should stay in the demon clan as well!”
Ye Qiu then said to Elder Monkey, “Old Monkey, your current task is not to protect me but to find a way to win over Elder Chicken. I wish you two affectionate demons a happy ending.”
“Remember, do not take the wrong pills again, or Elder Chicken might ignore you once more.”
“Elder Horse, Elder Snake, Elder Tiger, Elder Dog, I sincerely appreciate your good intentions as well.”
By this point, the little white fox had understood Ye Qiu’s meaning and asked, “So, you plan to take…”
“I plan to take Elder Ox away from the demon clan and have him protect me.” Ye Qiu said.
“Thank you, Master.” Elder Ox grinned broadly and even glanced proudly at the other elders.
The reasons Ye Qiu chose Elder Ox were, first, that Elder Ox was a saint-level powerhouse, a top-tier expert even in the Eastern Wasteland.
Second, Elder Ox was obedient and had no attachments.
Finally, although Elder Ox was not the sharpest, he was sufficiently loyal.
Considering these three points, Elder Ox was the best candidate to protect him.
“Is one Elder Ox enough? Why not select a few more?” The little white fox was somewhat worried.
“No need.” Ye Qiu said, “Currently, the rift between the human race and the demon clan has not been eliminated. Too many people would instead easily cause incidents.”
“Alright!” The little white fox said, “Elder Ox, go back and prepare later. Depart with Changsheng first thing tomorrow morning.”
“The rest of the elders, you may all return as well!”
“Yes!” The ten great elders bowed and withdrew.
“Why are you still not leaving?” The little white fox saw Long Brow Daoist standing motionless and asked.
Long Brow Daoist said, “I am waiting for the little brat.”
“Is there something?” Ye Qiu asked.
Long Brow Daoist shook his head. “Nothing.”
“Then why not scram?” The little white fox kicked Long Brow Daoist flying. Then she pulled Ye Qiu back to the sleeping palace, lay down on the spirit bed first, gazed at Ye Qiu with enchanting eyes, and beckoned with her jade finger. She said, “Fine weather and beautiful scenery. Do not let it go to waste.”
“Husband, come quickly.”
“Love your servant fiercely!”
