The Lords of the Mammon Demon Race seated around the long table—members of both the Sabonis family and the Vox Demon Race—all changed expression instantly. For countless years, the major tribes of the Demon Race had not only struggled against the Zhence Imperial Dynasty but also endured pressure from the Lucifer lineage.

Successive Great Demon Kings had aimed to reduce the fiefdoms of the various tribes, while the tribes, in turn, had always strived to expand theirs. This resulted in a constant tug-of-war marked by bestowing land, reclaiming it, reducing it, and then bestowing it anew.

The current Great Demon King possessed not only peak personal combat prowess but also a brilliant, strategic mind. The six great Demon Races, caught between his patronage and suppression, had all seen their fiefdoms shrink. Few demons could gain any advantage in the presence of this Great Demon King.

Now, upon hearing the words "reduce fiefdoms," the expressions of the Mammon Demon Race elders darkened considerably.

"Did my son die for nothing?" Sabonis Febir spat out hatefully. "If my son had died at the hands of Lucifer Liushui, I would accept it! But he was killed by one of Lucifer Liushui's mere retainers—and a half-breed at that!"

This time, even the Mammon demons of the Vox family looked grim. For a great Mammon demon to be slain by a half-breed was a disgrace that, if spread, would damage the glory of the entire Mammon Race.

Vox Hete leisurely sipped his tea. The death of a Sabonis family demon was certainly cause for some pleasure, but this half-breed situation needed addressing. Otherwise, other demons might truly believe the Mammon Race was easy prey.

"This half-breed must be killed. Not only killed, but we must demand compensation from Lucifer Liushui," Vox Hete slowly set down his teacup, smiling as he felt the gazes of the other demons. "According to the intelligence provided by Vox Taylor, this half-breed is exceptionally arrogant—he doesn't even seem to respect Lucifer Liushui."

For the first time, Sabonis Febir nodded in agreement, adding with clear dissatisfaction, "Damn the Lucifer bloodline; every last one of them is an arrogant swine!"

"Precisely! Arrogant people rarely tolerate another arrogant person," Vox Hete adjusted his posture and smiled. "Lucifer Liushui must have taken this retainer only recently. She likely dislikes what happened today as well. If we offer her a small concession and then exchange for this retainer..."

"We exchange for him..." Sabonis Febir snorted coldly. "What compensation is there in that?"

"Do we need that compensation?" Vox Hete laughed. "We only need to strike a deal with Lucifer Liushui, offering her a significant benefit. Then, she grants us a superficial benefit, making the other demon tribes see that even the Royal Family must compensate us. Isn't that enough?"

The Mammon Demon Race elders nodded in complete agreement. Sabonis Febir's eyes darted around. "Then this benefit given to Lucifer Liushui..."

"Naturally, your Sabonis family will provide it," Vox Hete interjected. "Your family's demon was the one who died. We are stepping in to mediate; are we expected to cover the cost of this benefit?"

The faces of the Sabonis family elders changed drastically. Greed was an inherent trait of the Mammon Race; not a single one was willing to part with their possessions for any other demon.

"Sabonis Febir, this concerns your son. Even though we are of the Sabonis lineage, we must settle accounts clearly. Your family bears this expense."

"Exactly! Although the Tenth Princess demon may not become the next Great Demon King, rumor has it that the Crown Prince has a certain interest in his full sister. If she were to become a consort to His Majesty the Great Demon King someday, that would be troublesome."

"Indeed! That little gossip can easily stir up trouble! Sabonis Febir, you cover this cost."

"You... you all..." Sabonis Febir was boiling with rage inside. His son was newly dead, and now he had to foot this bill! If he had known, he might as well not have sought revenge! Let his son stay dead!

"Enough, enough. Since it is settled," Vox Hete stood up, smiling at the financially bled Sabonis Febir. "I will accompany you with the Mammon Tribunal's contingent. Your son is dead; you cannot hide your head in a tortoise shell. What about the honor of our Mammon Race?"

Sabonis Febir’s face darkened, unable to stop cursing inwardly. Now this Vox was bringing up Mammon honor—where was he before?

Seated at opposite ends of the long table, the patriarchs of the Sabonis and Vox families exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement. To them, the matter was simple: satisfy Lucifer Liushui's appetite, appease the dignity of the Mammon Race, and finally, kill that arrogant half-breed.

"Since it's decided, let's leave now," Sabonis Febir urgently stood up and headed toward the door.

"Is there any need to be in such a hurry?" Vox Hete chuckled. "Going tomorrow should be fine, right? Duzun City is right on the border of our Mammon territory anyway..."

"Sooner is better," Sabonis Febir urged repeatedly, inwardly seething. His son was dead, and now he was facing financial loss. Allowing that half-breed to live another second was torture for him.

Kill him! Kill him immediately!

"Very well!" Vox Hete rose with an exaggerated look of reluctance, following behind Sabonis Febir while sighing repeatedly. "You are always so impatient. If you hadn't been so eager to make your son a City Defense General that day, your son wouldn't be dead now."

Sabonis Febir felt a strong impulse to turn around and freeze Vox Hete's mouth shut with an Arcane Ice Bullet.

The sun had just crested the horizon, and the demon lands, having slept through the night, basked in the warmth, appearing utterly peaceful. But Vox Taylor was far from relaxed.

Last night, the Mammon Demon Elder Council had swept into Duzun City with the entire Mammon Tribunal force. If he hadn't known that a full war was not currently raging, Vox Taylor would have believed the Lucifer Dynasty was on the brink of collapse, deploying even the Mammon Tribunal.

This was the Mammon Race's most elite, strongest force! Its status was equivalent to the Lucifer Royal Family's Shadow Division! While the Tribunal's elites might be slightly inferior to the Shadow Division, trying to find several armies comparable to the Mammon Tribunal among the Zhence Imperial Dynasty and the Barbarians combined would be fruitless.

When he heard that Lucifer Liushui was asleep, Sabonis Febir almost stormed straight into the Tenth Princess's chambers but was restrained at the last moment. He had waited hatefully in the main hall all night.

Creak...

Lucifer Liushui's door slowly opened. "Oh? Lord Taylor, what brings you here so early in the morning...?"

"Your Highness the Princess..." Vox Taylor wrung his hands as he slowly articulated the words he had rehearsed, ensuring he wouldn't offend Lucifer Liushui. "Yesterday, your retainer killed Sabonis Fiel..."

"Mm..." Lucifer Liushui knitted her brows, a faint displeasure crossing her face. "What? Is the Sabonis family coming to trouble this Princess? This Jiliu Feijing is truly too reckless; he has caused this Princess so much hassle. I shouldn't have accepted him as a retainer. But if Sabonis expects this Princess to simply hand over her retainer... Hmph hmph..."

A hint of a smile secretly flickered in Vox Taylor’s eyes. Judging by the Princess's words, she was also displeased with the half-breed. The Elder Council understood the Princess well; this sounded like the matter was open to discussion.

"The Sabonis family sent demons overnight..." Vox Taylor said with feigned distress. "I heard they even brought the Mammon Tribunal..."

"The Mammon Tribunal?" Lucifer Liushui's expression changed, her voice suddenly rising with clear indignation. "What is the meaning of this? Are you Mammon demons planning rebellion? Or do you think this Princess is easy to bully?"

"That’s not the meaning, not at all, Your Highness has misunderstood."

Vox Taylor frantically waved his hands, secretly delighted. Although the Princess looked angry, the moment she heard 'Mammon Tribunal,' a swift flicker of apprehension crossed her eyes. Clearly, she was also wary of the Tribunal’s power. This made negotiations much easier!

The Elder Council was indeed astute! Vox Taylor admired them inwardly. They were applying hard pressure with the Mammon Tribunal while simultaneously offering concessions the demons couldn't refuse—using both hard and soft tactics simultaneously. Even a princess of the Lucifer Royal Family would have to compromise under these circumstances and hand over Jiliu Feijing, the demon who killed her subordinate.

"Recently, there have been many bandits in my small domain, which is why I dispatched the Mammon Tribunal for security," Vox Taylor pretended to explain. "Please don't read too much into it, Princess."

Lucifer Liushui nodded with a forced, thin smile. "Is that so."

"Yes, yes."

Vox Taylor quickly plastered on a smile. Whether the Princess truly believed him was irrelevant. The fact remained: the Mammon Tribunal was present. If the Princess refused to hand over the demon who killed Sabonis Fiel, the Tribunal would take matters into their own hands! Even if it cost them a price, they would uphold the honor of the Mammon Race.

"Then lead the way! This Princess wants to see which Sabonis family member has come this time."

Lucifer Liushui clasped her hands behind her back, her brow furrowed with dissatisfaction and deep thought. She followed Vox as they entered the main hall of the City Lord's manor.

Sabonis Febir rapidly tapped his fingers against the table, betraying his agitated heart.

Vox Hete leisurely sipped his tea, coldly observing the demon who had been his rival for years. He rejoiced internally; the Vox family could now firmly control Duzun City, leading to greater benefits flowing into the Vox coffers.