Feng Zikang uttered just two words, and the large man blocking the path suddenly went limp, unable to move. He could only watch as Feng Zikang and Zhu Qian'er brushed past him and walked away.

"Feng Yi, what are you doing?" the Young Sect Master roared in fury.

The man named Feng Yi froze, inexplicably realizing he had just let the Young Sect Master’s intended target go free. To remedy his blunder, he lunged forward again, reaching out to grab Zhu Li'er’s arm.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Feng Zikang let out a cold snort, shoved Zhu Li'er forward, and without even turning around, a flash of sword light erupted from somewhere, severing Feng Yi's outstretched hand.

"If someone insists on courting death, there’s nothing I can do," he said lightly. Feng Yi clutched his bleeding arm, howling as he tumbled to the ground.

"How dare you!"

The Young Sect Master slammed his hand on the table, and several figures leaped forward, blocking Feng Zikang's path.

"Friend, you’ve injured a man from our Paishan Sect. Are you really planning to just leave like this?"

They stood in a menacing line, their faces contorted with ferocity.

The Paishan Sect, having long resided near the frontier among demonic beasts, was one of the Seventy-two Great Sects, yet their methods were tyrannical, vastly different from the Central Plains sects. They were accustomed to arrogance; in this small territory, the Paishan Sect was supreme. Uttering their name alone was usually enough to deter anyone from provoking them.

Who would have thought this man could casually chop off the hand of a Paishan Sect disciple? If he were allowed to leave so easily, wouldn't it be a massive loss of face for the sect?

Feng Zikang remained unmoved, merely asking calmly, "Then what do you people want?" His tone was so light, it was as if he were discussing something utterly irrelevant.

"What do we want?" The Young Sect Master snorted and stood up. "You injured my Paishan Sect disciple. There’s no need for further talk—commit suicide, and leave this woman behind."

"Right!" The thugs shouted in unison, surrounding Feng Zikang with hungry, menacing gazes.

Feng Zikang gave a cold chuckle. "So that’s it. Too bad, I don’t want to die." He swept a chilling glance across the group, looking at them as if they were already dead men.

"Then you all must die!"

Before the words fully faded, sword light erupted. The men only saw a blur before Feng Zikang had already sheathed his blade and was slowly walking forward.

The thugs stood frozen, watching him and Zhu Li'er pass through the crowd unimpeded.

"What are you all good for?" The Young Sect Master rushed forward, furious, intending to slap each of them, when he saw the men suddenly stagger. Their heads then tumbled from their shoulders, their bodies collapsing softly to the ground. Not one was left alive.

"Ah!" The Young Sect Master’s legs turned to jelly from fright. Though his own skills were decent, they were barely comparable to his fellow disciples. For this person to kill so many in the blink of an eye—what level of cultivation must he possess?

He finally knew fear. When he had numbers on his side, he dared to bully the weak. Now, left utterly alone, a bone-deep chill seized him, and he involuntarily sank to his knees.

"My father is the Sect Master of the Paishan Sect! Senior, spare my life!" After all, the Paishan Sect was one of the Seventy-two Great Sects; it commanded some respect. Shaking uncontrollably, he finally remembered to invoke his father’s name to beg for mercy.

"Oh?" Feng Zikang smiled slightly and turned back. "Why should you beg me for mercy?"

The Young Sect Master’s face was ashen. "Senior’s power is boundless. This junior was blind and failed to recognize Mount Tai. I offended you. Please, spare my life!"

Feng Zikang gave a faint smile and sighed. "Actually, I rather wanted to spare your life, but..." He shook his head and turned to leave.

Cold sweat poured down the Young Sect Master's back. He couldn't figure out why the man was leaving. Was he not being killed? What did his earlier words mean?

"It’s a pity," Feng Zikang’s voice drifted back to him, "you are already dead."

"Ah!" The Young Sect Master cried out, suddenly realizing his body was ascending. He could even see his own legs rising past his head. Then he reacted: it wasn't his body rising—it was his head falling!

"Aaargh!" A final, soul-tearing scream was the last sound he ever made in the mortal world.

After a long pause, the tea shop owner hesitantly approached. Seeing the pile of corpses, he noted that Feng Yi, the one whose hand was severed first, had already expired long ago.

"Young Master Feng, you truly are ruthless," Ghost King Tu praised sincerely, nodding repeatedly. "Not a single one left alive."

Killing was common, but Feng Zikang slaughtering an entire party over a minor disagreement showed genuine ferocity. In Ghost King Tu's eyes, this was the kind of resolve needed to achieve great things.

"If they intended to kill me—whether they spoke idly or meant to act—I naturally strike first. Since the sword was drawn, why leave any witnesses alive? Let his father come deal with me." Feng Zikang didn't even know the Young Sect Master's name; naturally, he didn't care. He simply didn't want to invite trouble. The Paishan Sect was one of the Seventy-two Great Sects; the leader might well be a Core Condensation expert. While Feng Zikang didn't fear him, there was no need to invite unnecessary trouble. Killing them all off neatly sufficed. Who would believe that the famous Feng Zikang was behind it anyway?

"My Lord speaks wisely," Long Que also nodded frequently as he piloted the cloud carriage forward. At regular intervals, Feng Zikang would dismount to observe carefully, occasionally killing a few demons to inquire about local conditions. According to the intelligence gathered, the demons from the Sea of No Return who had invaded the Central Plains were now scattered, hiding in the border regions, eager to withdraw from the Central Plains and unwilling to fight further. These minor demons knew nothing of any other plans; he wondered if they intended to start conflicts elsewhere.

"These minor demons surely know something," Ghost King Tu shook her head. "My Lord, to truly uncover secrets, I fear we must enter the Sea of No Return."

"The Sea of No Return..." Feng Zikang gave a wry smile. Although he was quite confident in his current strength, he still didn't wish to throw his life away. The five Demon Kings there were all late-stage Core Condensation to Nascent Soul level, not to mention the Soul Transformation level old monster, the Netherworld Master. While they dared not show themselves easily in the Central Plains, in the Sea of No Return, he would be nothing more than a morsel of food seeking death.

"With my current strength, the Sea of No Return is still off-limits."

Ghost King Tu nodded again. Feng Zikang clearly understood his own capabilities and wasn't inflated by his recent fame; acting with restraint was the mark of someone capable of great deeds. A hint of a smile touched her lips, then she turned serious, bowing respectfully to Feng Zikang.

"My Lord, there is something I wish to ask you."

Feng Zikang noticed her strange expression and knew there must be something unusual. "Ask whatever you must."

Ghost King Tu glanced back at Zhu Li'er, sighed, and said, "Today, seeing how my Lord was enraged to kill over Zhu Li'er, I know you harbor some regard for my little girl. If that is so, I only have one question for you." She stared wide-eyed, her face etched with anxiety. Though she was a cunning, long-established Great Devil, in front of her daughter, she was eternally just a mother. "Can this Puppet Art truly be undone?"

Feng Zikang was slightly taken aback. He pondered for a long moment before looking up and nodding firmly. "Ghost King Tu, you have worked hard for me these past few days and earned considerable merit. Since that is the case, I can tell you this: Yes, the Puppet Art can indeed be undone. However, the merit earned by you and your daughter is not yet enough for that level." He surmised that Ghost King Tu's implication was that she had something to offer, but first, she needed confirmation that the Puppet Art could be reversed.

Feng Zikang was not one to be easily swayed. Ghost King Tu had proven useful since submitting, having conquered several territories. Moreover, he was now at the Foundation Establishment stage and didn't fear any sudden treachery from her, so he told her frankly.

Ghost King Tu's eyes grew red. She suddenly dropped to her knees and kowtowed to Feng Zikang. "My Lord, from this day forward, Ghost King Tu will sincerely serve you as her master. If you agree that once I earn enough merit, you will release my daughter from the Puppet Art and restore her senses—is that acceptable?"

This dignified Foundation Establishment Great Devil was bowing willingly before him. Feng Zikang smiled faintly. "That was the original agreement. My military doctrine dictates rewards for merit and punishment for faults. If you perform well, I certainly won't treat you unfairly."

Hearing his affirmation, Ghost King Tu gritted her teeth. "Since you agree, then Ghost King Tu is willing to earn great merit right now: I will take My Lord into the Sea of No Return!" She changed her address to Feng Zikang as 'My Lord' (Zhugong), just like Long Que.

"Oh?" Feng Zikang was slightly surprised. He had just stated he wasn't going to the Sea of No Return, yet Ghost King Tu suddenly proposed leading him there, claiming it as great merit. Could it be...?

"I have an old acquaintance within the Sea of No Return. I can lead you there to seek refuge. We certainly won't arouse suspicion. My Lord can stay there temporarily to investigate and discover the plot of these demons!" Ghost King Tu's tone was firm, without a trace of hesitation.

"An old acquaintance?" Feng Zikang looked at Ghost King Tu playfully and smiled faintly. "What kind of old acquaintance?"

What kind of acquaintance would compel Ghost King Tu, in her current state as a Ghoul Mother, to lead him there without raising suspicion? Feng Zikang needed to understand such a relationship.

Ghost King Tu’s expression shifted, but she knew this obstacle had to be overcome. She glanced pityingly at her vacant-eyed daughter, gritted her teeth, and said, "That acquaintance is Zhu Li'er's father."

"What?" Feng Zikang’s face darkened. "Ghost King Tu, stop spewing nonsense! Didn't you once say you found this daughter after consuming a red fruit on the back mountain?"

Ghost King Tu had indeed told Huo Zhongguang that story previously. After that, there was no mention of Zhu Li'er’s father. Where had this father sprung from now?

Ghost King Tu gave a bitter smile. "What I said then was the truth, but due to propriety, how could I discuss such shameful matters with a man? I used a euphemism, the 'unbuckled boot' analogy, to gloss over it. It’s true I ate a red fruit and became pregnant, but there are other things between eating the fruit and the conception." Though she was ancient, she still appeared as a beautiful woman in her prime, and speaking of such a shameful matter caused her cheeks to burn with unbearable embarrassment.

"Oh?" Feng Zikang didn't care if she was embarrassed; he wouldn't stop until she explained clearly.

It turned out that the 'red fruit' Ghost King Tu consumed was an aphrodisiac wild fruit. Being a spirit body, intercourse with a human would invariably lead to death; she couldn't conceive normally. Coincidentally, a Demon King, injured and unconscious, passed by the back of her mountain. Ghost King Tu was consumed by desire at that moment. Ignoring propriety and shame, she stripped the Demon King bare and enjoyed herself.

Feng Zikang listened, dumbfounded, wondering what the injured Demon King felt upon waking.

"He is a very good man. Although I was the aggressor, he was willing to take responsibility for me and the child in my womb. But I didn't want to rely on him, so we separated these many years." Ghost King Tu lowered her head further, recalling the passionate events of the past, unable to stop her cheeks from flushing. However, being stubborn by nature and unwilling to be dependent on anyone, she regretted her past independence now that she was in this condition. But now that she had sworn allegiance to Feng Zikang, those romantic ties meant little to her.

"If I bring my daughter to visit him, he surely won't deny us. You can simply say you are a benefactor escorting us there, and he will certainly repay the favor. Then I can stay on the mountain and investigate thoroughly."

Feng Zikang nodded slightly, then studied her appearance. "If I bring you looking like this, won't he be suspicious?" Zhu Li'er was vacant, and Ghost King Tu had transformed into a Ghoul Mother. Even if that Demon King was deeply affectionate, he wouldn't be completely devoid of suspicion.

"My Lord’s Puppet Art—as long as it's not activated, it’s undetectable during normal interaction. I will simply say that I refined myself into a Ghoul Mother, but the backlash affected my daughter, leaving her vacant. He certainly won't suspect anything." Ghost King Tu was the type of woman who would do such a thing; her man wouldn't find it strange. Feng Zikang nodded too, thinking this explanation had no obvious flaws.

He deliberated for a long time before finally agreeing to this risky plan. He had already considered venturing into the Sea of No Return himself, but the disparity in strength made him unwilling to risk it. However, infiltrating it would drastically reduce the danger, and getting close to a Demon King would greatly increase the chances of obtaining intelligence. He knew this current situation was deeply tied to his future, and he wanted to know about it as early as possible if even a sliver of hope existed.

"Since that is settled, we will head to the Sea of No Return tomorrow. If this operation succeeds, I will remove Zhu Li'er's Puppet Art."

Ghost King Tu was overjoyed, bowing and thanking him repeatedly.

"However..." Feng Zikang’s gaze sharpened as he swept over her coldly. "Only I in this world can undo this Puppet Art. If you dare harbor any wicked thoughts, don't blame me for being merciless."

Ghost King Tu shuddered and immediately knelt down. "My Lord, rest assured. I am merely a Ghoul Mother. You can observe my every word and action through Zhu Li'er; any devious thought would be apparent to you. Moreover, I sincerely serve you now; how could I possibly harbor other ideas?"

Feng Zikang glanced at her, seeing her genuine fear and panic, and finally nodded with satisfaction.