Chapter 59: The Demonic Emperor Sweeps Across the Six Realms

"A phoenix?"

This name truly startled Qin Jiajia. "Do such creatures actually exist?"

"Of course not the kind of divine beings you see in novels and television dramas," Cheng Xiaomeng explained. "In reality, much like the 'immortal legends' surrounding cultivators, dragons and phoenixes are essentially powerful demons that have attained success in their cultivation. As their realms ascend, the demonic entities themselves undergo evolution, developing distinct otherworldly characteristics that set them apart from ordinary animals."

"So that's how it is." Qin Jiajia scratched her head. "I used to think that monsters修炼 to the end would all transform into human forms..."

"It's not that demons transforming into humans never happen, but in truth, they don't make up a large percentage within the demonic race. Most successfully cultivated demons choose to alter their original appearances instead."

"For instance, the *Classic of Mountains and Seas* records a species called the Luyu, describing a monster with a fish-like body, twin wings on its back, and a call resembling a mandarin duck. Wherever it appears, great floods follow. This is a fish demon that encountered the pure qi of heaven and evolved bird wings—this kind of transformation is the primary path for the demonic race."

Finishing this explanation, Cheng Xiaomeng watched Qin Jiajia's expression and couldn't help laughing.

"Well? Does it feel quite different from the stereotypes?"

She continued, "Even so, don't assume the demonic race is merely a group of simple beasts just because of these outward appearances."

"Perhaps those minor demons with low cultivation are no different from ordinary beasts, but any demon with accomplished cultivation possesses an intellect no inferior to that of a human. This is most evident in that Demon Emperor, the phoenix."

"According to historical records, right up until the Ming Dynasty, there were still several demon kings within the Central Plains, each leading their own tribes scattered across various regions. But after the phoenix made its move, all the demon kings were subdued by it. One could say that the demonic race of the Central Plains was unified by it alone."

"Following that, the phoenix cleared out the Qishan region, gathering demons from all over into its fold. Over the span of several hundred years, the number of demons congregating at Qishan grew increasingly vast, truly forming an independent nation. That is why it came to be known as the Qishan Demon Realm."

"Unlike previous powerful demons, the phoenix did not follow the demonic race's customary brutal tribal ways. Instead, it established a genuine demon nation, taking millions of demons under its wing to civilize them, thereby creating an independent demon culture and order."

"Take this simplest rule, for example—any subject within the Demon Realm who wishes to enter or leave human society must obtain the approval of the Demon Emperor. Because of this, for centuries since the Ming Dynasty, there have been very few instances of the demonic race invading human territories on a large scale."

Qin Jiajia listened with her mouth slightly agape. This sounded remarkably like the demonic version of the King of Qin sweeping away the six states; no wonder that phoenix bore the title of "Emperor."

"If you put it that way, then your expedition to the Demon Realm this time... isn't that essentially diplomacy?"

"Putting it that way isn't entirely wrong. Historically, cases of human-demon exchanges have actually been quite frequent."

Cheng Xiaomeng nodded. "If nothing else, take Qishan, where this Demon Realm is located. Since ancient times, it has been the habitat of avian demonic tribes. As early as the establishment of the Western Zhou Dynasty, there was the legend of 'Phoenixes singing at Qishan.'"

"The *Discourses of the States* records that 'when the Zhou flourished, the Jiufeng sang at Qishan.' The Jiufeng is a fledgling phoenix. The meaning is that the rise of the Western Zhou originated from the cries of the phoenix. From our perspective today, it should mean that the Western Zhou Dynasty reached a certain pact with the Qishan demons of that era. While acquiring their power, they also adopted the phoenix bird as the nation's totem. This should be the earliest recorded instance of human-demon interaction."

"In the present day, the Qishan Demon Realm has a similar legend, though in a sense, it's an inverted version."

Saying this, Cheng Xiaomeng coughed twice. She had delivered her previous speech almost without pause, evidently having done considerable research, and by now her throat was feeling rather dry.

She turned to pour a cup of water, taking a sip to moisten her throat before continuing.

"I mentioned earlier that the Demon Realm possesses its own distinct culture, which includes unique festivals."

"Every year on the twenty-fourth day of the ninth lunar month, the Demon Realm holds a Flower Viewing Assembly, inviting all subjects and foreign guests to celebrate together—it is essentially the Demon Realm's National Day. Our trip this time is precisely to attend this assembly."

"Regarding this Flower Viewing Assembly, there is also an accompanying legend."

Cheng Xiaomeng took another sip of water. "It is said that during the human Tang Dynasty, the Demon Emperor phoenix once received guidance from an immortal, traveling alongside them for a thousand years, witnessing the sights of the mortal world while absorbing human wisdom and mindset. It is precisely because of this that it was able to single-handedly establish the order of the Demon Realm."

"In legend, the day the Demon Emperor met the immortal was the twenty-fourth day of the ninth lunar month."

"Of course, the truth of this legend remains open to debate. However, the phoenix indeed designated this day as the Demon Realm's most significant festival. Only on this day is it possible to catch a glimpse of it in person. Normally, let alone outsiders like us, even the subjects of the Demon Realm rarely get to see it."

She spoke fluently and with great enthusiasm. Not only Qin Jiajia, but several other researchers nearby were listening with rapt attention.

Immortal blessings, mandate of heaven, sweeping away the six states, founding a nation—these elements piled together formed the absolute template of a sovereign. Even if the protagonist wasn't human, it still made one's heart race to listen.

"Sister Cheng knows so much in detail; you've even thoroughly researched the legends inside the Demon Realm."

"Oh, I just crammed all this over the past few days," Cheng Xiaomeng waved her hand dismissively. "After all, this is a rare opportunity, and I don't even know if my turn will ever come around again, so I naturally had to learn more."

"Judging by this, the Demon Emperor's achievements outshine most cultivators," another person remarked with emotion. "If it weren't a demon but a human cultivator, it would probably have been rated at the strategic level long ago."

"It's not impossible even if it's not human," Zou Peng interjected from the side. "If the one being evaluated for the strategic level this time were that Demon Emperor, I would definitely lead the charge and rush to the frontlines of the investigation. Too bad it's not."

"Oh? The business you mentioned earlier was about going for a strategic-level evaluation?" Cheng Xiaomeng turned her head upon hearing this. "Which mighty figure is it this time?"

"I haven't looked at the specific details yet, just that the name is Zhou Qing. Both the Sanitation Bureau and the Tianji Institute have nominated him."

Qin Jiajia, standing nearby, abruptly raised her head.

"Eh? It's him? I seemed to have heard that name from the Sanitation Bureau a few days ago. They said his strength is terrifying. To think even the Tianji Institute has nominated him—it seems he truly has some substance."

Cheng Xiaomeng pondered for a moment. "Then you must do your best. A strategic-level evaluation is such a great assignment. Catch onto one, and the merit ledger will be enough to coast on for ten years."

"A good assignment?" Zou Peng rolled his eyes. "How do you know whether that Zhou Qing can pass the evaluation?"

"You always have to have dreams; what if they come true?" Cheng Xiaomeng said. "If this person is rated at strategic level, you, as the accompanying investigator, will probably be directly promoted to a full director. Then my position as the research group leader will have to be handed over to you."

"That sounds genuinely wonderful. Since you think this assignment is so good, how about the two of us swap? I'll go to the Demon Realm for the expedition, and you can come investigate this Zhou Qing?"

"Let's forget about that." Cheng Xiaomeng waved her hands sheepishly. "Look at the time, I need to go pack my things for the business trip. See you!"

The rapid footsteps faded outside the door. Zou Peng watched his fiery group leader disappear through the doorway, sighed with a hint of helplessness, and cast a gaze filled with thinly veiled envy toward the empty space.

"Director Zou..." Qin Jiajia spoke up at the right moment. "May I participate in the investigation of that Zhou Qing you mentioned?"

"You want to participate?" Zou Peng glanced at her with some surprise. "Investigations like this require personnel with over ten years of experience, and you aren't even part of the Super Research Institute's system. It's definitely not possible."

"......" Qin Jiajia pressed her lips together.

"Instead of worrying about that, you should be finishing your secondment and returning to the Sanitation Bureau soon, right? Take advantage of these next few days when things are quiet to focus on your cultivation. That's the most crucial thing for you."

"Constant... alright."

*(Author's note: My thoughts have been a bit blocked these past two days. After finishing the second chapter, I wasn't satisfied and ended up deleting the whole thing. I'm reorganizing my thoughts right now, so everyone don't wait up. It will definitely be updated within the 25th, orz)*