Shadow Mask Group
82 - Young General, Tao Mu II

In a large room with many books on the edge of the room, there was a work desk with someone sitting behind the table.

In front of the left desk of the room, there is a long chair as intended for guests. There were also two young men sitting there.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" said the handsome man who was about 35 years old behind the desk. It was Xiao Gui, the demon emperor. On his head was a pair of horns.

"It'll be troublesome if I tell dad. So I came here without telling you" said the handsome young man who had deep black eyes and hair. It was Liu Chen. He stood in front of Xiao Gui's desk.

"Eh, by the way... Where are General Lin and General Xi?" said Emperor Xiao.

"Ah, they. I assigned something to them. I also asked them not to come. They initially resisted and were very stubborn going along. But I continue to reject them. So don't blame them if they don't keep me here right now. Because it's not their fault. This is my own wish."

Emperor Xiao sighed, "You are this.. Fuckin."

"Dad, you got a greeting from someone."

"someone? Who?"

"Your old friend. My teacher, his name is Zhao Feng."

Emperor Xiao glared in disbelief at the name, "W-how did you know and know him?"

"That's confidential. But clearly, the teacher told you not to get lost again. He also said 'sorry, I can't be a good friend to you'. That's what the teacher said."

"Hahaha, he said 'sorry can't be a good friend to you'? It should have been me who said that", Emperor Xiao laughed incisively. "I was the one who killed my own friend. It was also I who brandished the sword at him and killed him without hesitation. He must hate me now. Because I'm the one who made him and his friends die."

Liu Chen shook his head, "Teachers don't hate fathers. He wants you to come back to consider him a friend. Because the teacher also considers father as his friend."

"He still thinks of me as a friend?", Emperor Xiao shook his head. "I took his life. But he still calls me friend? What kind of man is he really? He was too kind to consider me a friend after what I did to him", Emperor Xiao fell silent and recalled his time with Zhao Feng.

His first meeting with the man. Then all the things they did together. Eventually, they held swords at each other and hurt each other. When he remembered it, it made Emperor Xiao sigh.

"Dad, I'll go right now. We want to go on an adventure in this world. Because our purpose here is for that" Liu Chen said.

Emperor Xiao awoke from his daydream, "Just stay here."

Liu Chen shook his head, "A day's journey to get here, not to rest here."

"Well.. All right, you're stubborn. If you've decided, it's hard to change it. But you have to go with some demon generals, to protect you."

"No! I don't want any Demon Generals coming with me. That's not gonna be fun. They will ban me a lot. I won't be able to have fun when there are them." Liu Chen said firmly.

"No, you must be protected by some General."

"I don't want to, don't force me."

"There is no objection. You must obey your father's words."

"At that time I obeyed the words of my father who wanted to send two Generals and I agreed, even if I had to. So now I refuse. I don't want any Generals on my adventures."

"Your safety number 1. You can't refuse to be escorted by the General."

"But I don't want to!"

Han Liangyi and Song Quon had only witnessed the debate between father and son. They can't do anything. So they can just be quiet. They are also even seen as just a living decoration.

After 1 hour of arguing, Liu Chen finally won in the debate.

"All right, I give up. Your stubbornness is very difficult to overcome" Emperor Xiao said.

"Hehe, it should have been like that since then," Liu Chen said. He stared at Han Liangyi and Song Quon who looked bored. "Let's go now."

Both of his friends were tired. They were tired of having to wait a long time and listen to the two people's debate.

"If you see me. Don't try to send the General to watch over me in silence. Because when that happens and I know it, then hehe~", Liu Chen smiled grinningly. "They'll be my toys. You know, no, whoever is my toy will have what kind of fate?", Liu Chen smiled wickedly.

"I will not send a single General to watch over you silently" Emperor Xiao said swiftly. He looked at Han Liangyi sharply, "You must protect my son. If something happens to her, then you know the consequences."

Han Liangyi felt somewhat claustrophobic after Emperor Xiao finished his sentence. Because he felt a huge pressure on his body. He immediately said quickly, "Ba-good. I'll take care of him."

The pressure that hit Han Liangyi's body disappeared like the wind. Han Liangyi sighed in relief.

"Good," Emperor Xiao said with a satisfied smile.

Why did Emperor Xiao entrust Liu Chen to Han Liangyi? That was because Han Liangyi had a higher cultivation level than Liu Chen.

"See you", Liu Chen walked away to the door and opened it. Also out.

Han Liangyi and Song Quon saluted Emperor Xiao. "We're leaving, Emperor Xiao."

Emperor Xiao nodded, "Take care of yourself as well."

Both nod. Han Liangyi and Song Quon went outside.

When walking a few meters from the study, someone from the side immediately bowed respectfully. "His Highness the prince."

Liu Chen glanced towards the demon. "Stand."

Straight away, the demon stood up. He also offered a token. "Your Majesty told me to give this to His Highness the prince."

Liu Chen accepted it. After a good look, Liu Chen knew that it was a token so that he could return to the human world. He smiled at the demon, "Thank you General Ding."

"You don't have to thank me, Your Highness the prince," said the general who turned out to be the great General, Ding Bang.

Liu Chen stuffed the token into his space ring, "Ah yes, a few years ago when I was here as a foreign human, I came with a friend of mine. Then two of my friends you take. One of my friends was controlled and attacked us. Then one other friend, his past memories came back. Hm.. Who unsealed the memory seal on my friend?" liu Chen said flatly. But his gaze stared intently at General Ding Bang.

He asked this to General Ding Bang because at that time he knew that General Ding Bang was near the village that held the lantern festival. So General Ding Bang must have known.

"A-ah that.. It is General Jing Mi" General Ding Bang said, bowing his head. "Looks like you're gonna be in trouble, General Jing. I can't interfere."

"Ah, General Jing. Hm.I remember. It turned out to be General Jing who had unsealed my friend's memory. Because of him, I got into trouble. General Ding, tell General Jing 'when I come back from my adventure, I want General Jing to see me'" Liu Chen smiled kindly.

However, General Ding who saw that smile felt a different way. Not the hospitality he felt. But intimidation, as if Liu Chen said that he should do what the young man ordered well. He was jolted when he saw Liu Chen's irises turning red and emitting a cold, ruthless lightning. "That eye... Sky weapon," Inner General Ding Bang was startled.

Not many knew that Liu Chen's red eyes were a sky-level weapon. Even Liu Chen himself did not know that the red eyes his teacher gave him were sky-level weapons. Not many knew there was a celestial weapon that was in the shape of an eyeball.

"Well, I'll tell General Jing later" General Ding Bang said nervously. He was very curious where Liu Chen could find that eye-shaped celestial weapon. But he did not dare to ask. After all, he thought it was rude to ask something to a prince.

Liu Chen nodded in satisfaction and smiled, "Good. Thank you General Ding. I said goodbye", he went straight away with Han Liangyi and Song Quon.

Now Liu Chen's irises are back in pitch-black.

"Did Your Majesty know about that celestial weapon?" muttered General Ding. He decided to meet Emperor Xiao, to inform him of this.

After being away from General Ding Bang, Han Liangyi began to raise his voice, "You know him?"

Liu Chen nodded, "General Ding has lived a long time. In my first life, he was already there. So did General Jing. That's why I know them."

Han Liangyi nodded, "But he didn't look at me or Quon at all and he didn't look at us."

"That's because General Ding doesn't like humans. Maybe he behaved well in humans only to me who is half human and my mother who is a whole human. I don't know how he behaved in front of my mom. But I believe, General Ding is being kind to my mother" Liu Chen said.

Han Liangyi and Song Quon nodded in understanding. "Where are we going now?" said Song Quon. Liu Chen did not have time to answer, the sound of shouting muffled the three of them.

"You two?!" a voice said like surprise.

They look towards the voice. There was a demon who was quite handsome and looked the same age as Liu Chen. But the devil is actually hundreds of years old. He was the demon Liu Chen and Song Quon had met. He was the devil who had once greeted them.

"Tao Mu" muttered Liu Chen and Song Quon.

Liu Chen got to know Tao Mu when he and his friends were intent on finding information about the demon race.

He attacked Liu Chen. However Liu Chen immediately repelled Tao Mu's attack with ease. Because his current cultivation level was greater than Tao Mu.

"Listen to me first, don't just attack" Liu Chen said.

"Why should I listen to you?!", Tao Mu again attacked Liu Chen with a punch. While Liu Chen, again repelled all attacks. He had no intention of attacking Tao Mu at all. So he only fended off all those demonic attacks.

Han Liangyi was sitting on the floor a bit away from the fight. He looked relaxed with his chin propped up on his right hand. Besides, Song Quon also seemed to be sitting quietly.

"Come Chen! Defeat him, don't keep fending off his attacks!" said Han Liangyi who seemed to give spirit.

"Heh, do you think Chen is in the tournament? Huh uh?" said Song Quon.

"Well.. I just give her some spirit" Han Liangyi said casually.

"If you give spirit, do not be like that. But like this", Song Quon immediately stood up. He also took a deep breath. "The...!! The spirit..!! Don't lose to him..!! Chen beat him..!!"

Song Quon's voice echoed within the palace. Many guards came because of the loud voice of Song Quon.

When they saw what was happening, they were shocked that Liu Chen was fighting with someone.

Tao Mu stopped the attack. He jumped back and forth. "Why are you always fending off my attacks and how can you not be hit by one of my attacks?!" said annoyed.

Liu Chen replied casually, "Heh, it's easy. Because my cultivation level with you is different."

Tao Mu looked around because he could see the many guards gathered, he immediately shouted. "You guys, catch that man. He's already dared to come here"

There were no guards flinching from his place. They all looked at Tao Mu angrily. Getting angry gazes from all the guards made Tao Mu confused, "Why are you guys looking at me like that?! Quickly catch him and his two friends!"

Instead of obeying Tao Mu's words, all the guards surrounded the demon while brandishing their spears and swords.

Tao Mu caked both of his hands, "What are you doing?! Do you want to betray by helping that human being?!" said angry.

"Do you want to die, General Tao?! The person you are calling is His Highness the prince with his two friends!" say they're in unison.

Tao Mu widened his eyes, "Prince.." he muttered blankly.

Liu Chen laughed looking at Tao Mu's expression, "We meet again, huh? Tao Mu's. All of you, get your weapons out of Tao Mu."

"But prince.. General Tao.."

"Leave it. Eh?! The general?! So, you are a General, Tao Mu?!", surprised Liu Chen.

Tao Mu was still staring at Liu Chen blankly. He did not expect it turned out that the person he had met at that time was a prince. He even attacked the prince. Fortunately, he was not serious at all.

Liu Chen again said after calming down, "Why are you guys quiet? I told you, get your weapons out of Tao Mu"

"Ba-well prince", all the guards instantly put away their respective weapons.

"Now you can go back to your respective places. Then don't tell anyone about this. You understand?!" liu Chen said firmly.

"Well prince, we'll excuse you", all the soldiers standing guard saluted immediately. After that, they immediately left.

"Haish.", Liu Chen shook his head. He walked closer to General Tao Mu, as well as Han Liangyi and Song Quon. General Tao Mu's gaze was blank after hearing all the soldiers' words.

"General Tao, right?" said Liu Chen.

Tao Mu simply nodded with a blank look towards Liu Chen. It looks like a living corpse.

Liu Chen waved his hand in front of Tao Mu's face because from earlier, the young man who looked the same age as him looked silent. "Hello, Tao Mu! Did you hear me?"

Suddenly Tao Mu dropped himself on the floor and looked like prostrating. "I'm sorry for the disrespect of that servant, prince! I really didn't know it. My law prince! Punish me!"

Han Liangyi and Song Quon were stunned to see him. General Tao Mu's gaze looked like the eyes of a dead fish. But now? The devil looks like a frightened child because his parents will leave him.

Liu Chen crouched down in front of General Tao Mu. He helped Tao Mu lift his body to stand up. "standing. Don't be like this."

Tao Mu obeyed Liu Chen's words. Now he stands. But his face was down to the ground. He regretted what he had just done.

Liu Chen shook his head looking at it, "Follow your head. I'd like to ask. I'm not going to punish you and I'm not going to tell dad or anyone else about this."

Although Liu Chen spoke sincerely and kindly, Tao Mu still did not want to look at Liu Chen's face. He felt very guilty about the incident. He cursed himself in his heart.

"General Tao! Lift your face and look at me. Do not continue to feel guilty about the incident. It's not your fault. It's only natural that you attack me because you think I'm a stranger. So this isn't all your fault. Now look at me," Liu Chen said firmly.

Finally General Tao Mu looked towards Liu Chen.

"Don't look at me with guilt. Look at me firmly. You are a General" Liu Chen said sternly.

"Good!" general Tao Mu said. Now his gaze became firm.

Liu Chen smiled, "Well.. I wanted to ask you. Where is the mysterious and untouched place of the other demons in this world? I want to go on an adventure there."

"That's.. Forest of blood mist, prince."

"What kind of forest is that? The name alone sounds terrible," Han Liangyi said. His body just got winded hearing his name.

Liu Chen stuck his thumb on his chin. "Is that so? Then, let's just go Liangyi, Quon!" said spirit.

"But prince.. Dangerous there. There was never a demon that survived after going inside. Even a demon with an earth cultivation level could not come back alive. They all disappeared without any news" General Tao Mu said with worry.

"Just calm. We will return safely", Liu Chen smiled. "Oh yes, because we don't know the place.. So you have to take us there, Mu. All at once, you can protect me there later."

Tao Mu swallowed his own saliva. He didn't seem to dare go there. However, he could not have rejected Liu Chen's request so blatantly. So he said, "Sorry prince, I have a guard section in the palace now. So I can't go with you."

"Oh briefly. I will tell father", Liu Chen smiled.

"Dad, I want to take General Tao Mu with me to the forest of blood mist. Don't forbid me from going there" Liu Chen said using telepathy.

"The forest of blood mist?! Nope, no! Don't go there, Gang'er. It's very dangerous there. Never has a demon come out alive from there! "

"Just calm down, General Tao Mu will come with me. Also, you must know there is one of my friends who has a higher cultivation level than me. So I'll be fine. There is no rejection. If you refuse my request, then I won't come back here again and won't see you again."

"Help.. All right, but be careful. I'll let General Tao come with you."

"Well, thank you father!", Liu Chen stopped his telepathy.

He looked at General Tao Mu, saying with a smile, "Dad has allowed you to come with me. So you don't have any more reason not to come with me."

"But my prince has strength that is still weaker than yours. How can I escort you?" said General Tao Mu who is still looking for an excuse.

"It's okay, count count as experience for you. So you have to come."

"Huhuhu, prince do you not understand the forest is dangerous" Inner Tao Mu cried inwardly. He nodded resignedly, "Alright I will follow and keep you there as much as I can prince."

Liu Chen smiled with satisfaction. "Then let's go now!"

"Now prince?"

"Yes, what's wrong?"

Tao Mu shook his head, "There is no prince."

"General Tao, you must take good care of my son. If anything happens to her, then you'll know what I'm gonna do to you."

General Tao Mu gulped his saliva when he got the telepathic message, "Good Your Majesty."

"Let's go. What are you waiting for, Mu?", Liu Chen has already walked first. Song Quon and Han Liangyi followed.

"Well prince", Tao Mu directly followed Liu Chen. "I am happy to meet the prince. But.. The meeting was not good and.. After meeting the prince, I have to take my life to the forest of blood mist, huhuhu. May we be well and come back safely" said General Tao Mu.