Chapter 70

"The borderland demons suffering from miasma can be saved by the plants I cultivated earlier. You can talk to the Southern Barbarian King about that."

"Foreign invasion? Don't even try that with me. What kind of moron would charge through clouds of poison to invade us? You trying to use 'foreign enemies' as an excuse to request resources? I'll turn you into the resource!"

Though the battle was over, the issues between various clans still remained. During the victory feast, the tribal chiefs brought up their problems with Kei.

"Anything else?"

Kei glanced around the leaders of the demon tribes.

"Great Demon King, about the conflicts between us… Let me say first, our Barkfang Tribe has always been peace-loving—they provoked us first!"

"Bullshit! You dogs were the ones barking first!"

"You're all liars! You ganged up to bully us!"

Tempers flared instantly as the tribes started shouting accusations.

Of course, no one dared to actually fight in front of Kei—they could only argue with red faces.

"Conflicts like these—I can suppress them, but I can't hold them down forever. The simplest solution?"

"Duel it out."

"But not between your entire tribes. That would cause too much bloodshed. My suggestion: clan chiefs step into the ring."

"Winner takes all. And one more thing—life or death doesn't matter on the ring. If you really think your grievances are serious enough—then fight to the death. I'll be your witness."

Once he finished speaking, the noisy crowd of demons fell instantly silent.

They were rowdy because they knew it was just talk. But a real deathmatch? No thanks.

"Any other questions?"

Kei shifted on the hard throne. Honestly, this 'royal seat' was nowhere near as comfy as Ha's furry back.

"I'd like to ask—how do you plan to govern the Southern Kingdom from now on?" the Southern Barbarian King asked.

"Govern? I don't plan to govern at all. I've spent time among every tribe here, and I think… you're all best off handling your own business."

"Each tribe has its own traditions, its own lands, and its own problems. Me trying to remote-control all of that? Nah. Better for you chiefs to handle your own clans."

Kei wasn't the type to cling to power. If anything, he believed more in the power of his fists than the power of titles.

He had enough confidence in his strength—let them govern themselves. Even if one or two rebel, it'd just be another Little Prince.

"Wise words from the Demon King!"

"We shall follow the Demon King's lead!"

"All hail the Demon King!"

The tribal leaders burst into cheers. They'd expected tighter control—not complete autonomy.

But this only increased their respect for him. To let go of power so easily? That was true strength.

No one wanted to end up like the last guy who challenged him.

"Oh right—one more thing. A unified law across all tribes: those who use poison indiscriminately shall die."

Kei remembered this important rule. These folks were poison experts, but they had no concern for collateral damage. It wasn't rare for a poison fight to kill dozens.

"Death penalty for poisoning? But Demon King, this is the Southern Kingdom…"

"I'm not negotiating. If you can't do it, I'll find someone else who can. Understand?"

"Y-yes! Understood!"

They got the message loud and clear: Kei didn't interfere often, but when he did, his word was law.

From there, the feast continued, and future plans were discussed naturally.

"Wait… this is really happening?" Poison Old Man nodded in agreement with Kei's decisions, impressed by his handling of every matter.

But Poison Granny was deeply confused.

How had the entire kingdom just… accepted him?

And the princess… what was she doing glued to his side like that?!

"Old man, are you sure this is okay?"

"Sure is! Local autonomy, decisive laws, building unity and order—what's not to like?"

"I mean—are you seriously okay with a human becoming our king?!"

"Oh… you mean that." Poison Old Man blinked, then smacked his head.

"Right! We forgot to hold the coronation!"

"THAT'S NOT THE PROBLEM!!"

Poison Granny wanted to cry. Was her husband truly senile now?

"Don't worry. Just look at Luolan," Poison Old Man grinned, pointing at the young princess.

In just three years, the former crybaby had grown into a beautiful maiden.

She leaned against Kei with affection glowing in her eyes, arms wrapped around his like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"She's totally in love with the Demon King. Just like her mother."

"If I were a woman, I'd fall for him too. A man who faced a hundred thousand enemies for a single promise? That's romance."

"You're a dog, that's disgusting."

Poison Granny kicked the drunken husky aside.

"But if they get married, him becoming king is natural!"

"Exactly. He's human—he'll be gone in a century. That's plenty of time for Luolan to grow, earn her own prestige, and take over."

"In the end, the throne still returns to the Huandu family. He's the perfect choice!"

Poison Old Man chuckled.

Compared to Huandu Qingtian, Kei was a hundred times better.

"You really are clever, old man!"

Poison Granny finally understood.

The throne of the Southern Kingdom… really did belong to Kei now.

As the feast reached its peak—

"Will you marry me?"

"Hm? Are you serious?"

"Of course! In the Southern Kingdom, it's not shameful to love someone—it's something to be proud of!"

"And I fell in love with the strongest man in the world! I'm extra proud!"

Luolan raised her chin, but her eyes were nervous.

"Will you marry me?"

She tugged at his arm with puppy eyes. "Even if it's just to make me happy, can you say you'll marry me?"

"…Sure."

Kei thought about it. She was sweet, beautiful, a princess—what reason did he have to say no?

"Really?!"

Luolan squealed with joy and hugged him tightly.

"Wait, wait—are you just saying that to make me happy?"

"You know I never lie."

"Then… let's pinky promise?"

"No need. My word is stronger than any pinky promise."

"Then it's settled! When's the wedding?"

"…A few years from now. When you're older. After I return from the Central Plains."

Luolan was still young—Kei figured it'd be best to wait.

Even if the demon world didn't have age laws, she was still a bit too young.

"You're leaving?"

"Yes. Someone sent me a big 'gift' not long ago. I need to return the favor."

He meant the Yi Qi Dao Alliance—the ones who tried to mess with him.

He had let them go once.

But that didn't mean he'd forgiven them.

"I'll wait for you to come back."

Luolan knew she couldn't follow. The Central Plains was not a place a young demon princess could travel to.

She'd wait for him—right here in the Southern Kingdom.

[The next morning, the feast ended. You and Ha left the Southern Kingdom.]

[The demon tribe leaders also returned to their homes, beginning the reforms you laid out.]

[Initially, many grumbled—but none dared disobey your name.]

[Half a month later, new towns were built on the borderlands.]

[Villages gathered together, forming towns protected by plants that absorbed miasma.]

[A month later, your law against indiscriminate poisoning was fully enforced.]

[Public safety vastly improved. Feuds between clans lessened. The ones that didn't… were settled in the arena.]

"…Wait, what?"

Huandu Qingtian had just returned and learned everything that happened.

"My throne's gone… my daughter's gone… what the hell happened?!"

But watching Luolan's lovestruck gaze, he could only sigh.

"…Forget it. Guess I'm retired now."

He took a puff of smoke in defeat.

[By the third month, researchers used your plants to invent anti-poison pills.]

[The Hundred Million Merchant Guild reached out to the Southern Kingdom.]

"We're on the same side! We also follow the Divine Doctor!"

"Is that so?"

"Absolutely! We were personally sent to help build trade! We've got spiritual tools from the East, rare ores from the North, desert sands from the West—anything you need!"

"You've got good stuff. But how will we pay?"

"Herbs. Poison ingredients. Silks. All of that is valuable!"

"We even have new anti-poison pills. What can you offer for those?"

[Trade blossomed. The once-isolated Southern Kingdom began connecting to the outside world.]

[Even though you had left, your name only grew more revered.]

[On your way to the Central Plains, you met a radiant, golden little man.]

[He called himself—Third Prince of Ao-Lai.]

[He sensed something different in you… Stronger than any Demon King. Someone worthy of being an ally.]

In the chat group—

[Hardworking Deadbeat]: @Ao-Lai Second Princess, quick question—what's your little brother like?

[Ao-Lai Second Princess]: That punk? Stubborn, bad-tempered, always fighting!

[Ao-Lai Second Princess]: Doesn't listen to anyone—not even me! I should've beat some sense into him back when I still could!

[Ao-Lai Second Princess]: But I'll admit it—he's strong. Strong enough that even I can't handle him anymore.

She was lively, like a monkey. The group was filled with her chatter—she alone carried 90% of the conversation.

[Ao-Lai Second Princess]: Why are you asking anyway?

[Hardworking Deadbeat]: Just curious.

[You and the Third Prince talked for a long time. The more you spoke, the more he appreciated you.]

[Eventually, the topic shifted—to mind and body.]

"What remains after death? The body… or the soul?"

"What is the root of strength—willpower, or the body?"

You pondered for days.

"…Even if I lose all my strength and will, I can still start over. That's what 'preserving the mind' means. Power comes from the heart."

"…But if I only train my body, chasing physical strength, abandoning will—then that's 'preserving the body'."

The prince nodded. But that wasn't the answer he sought.

"If I lose everything—what remains?"

"…I thought long and hard. In the end, there's no answer."

"Strength is relative. To an ant, a bug is powerful. To a bug, a man is terrifying."

"Mind and body—both are vital. No strong will? No strength. No strength? No strong will."

"In the end, the question has no answer."

So Kei stopped thinking.

He just believed in one thing—grind.

As long as he was conscious, he would grind endlessly.

Strength until nothing could stand in his way.

"If I win—I live. If I lose—I die. No need for whining or worry."

"Hahaha! Well said!"

"You're the most interesting person I've met."

"Care to try a move?"

"Bring it on."

The prince summoned a golden staff. Light surged across the heavens.

"Mist of Ao-Lai, Fragrance of Huaguo—One Staff Fixes the Sea, Ten Thousand Demons Bow!"

Kei raised his golden Ripple blade.

No frills. No tricks.

Just pure strength, all out.

["Unyielding Will" Trait Activated! Your spirit has been enhanced. Physical strength slightly increased!]

[Your Gourmet Cells tasted the flavor of growth—Minor enhancement obtained!]

Kei wanted to shout a move name, but… all he could think of was—

"…I'm just gonna hit you as hard as I can."

(End of Chapter)

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