"Announcing—the demon army's special envoy enters the hall!"
"Announcing—the demon army's special envoy enters the hall!"
"Announcing—the demon army's special envoy enters the hall!"
With each proclamation, the vermillion doors thundered open.
Fiery red boots stepped over the towering threshold, striding boldly up the white jade steps.
Her crimson hair swept over her shoulders, a scarlet cloak billowed behind her, and she wore a suit of red light armor. Isabel Su walked forward, one hand resting on her sword, the other cradling a helmet adorned with pheasant plumes, her face expressionless.
Following close behind were four fully armed, towering demon giants, each nearly ten feet tall.
All along the way, Skyward Legionnaires and Heavenly Generals lining both sides turned to look.
Apart from Isabel Su, who walked the Sage's Path and had reached the Spirit-Refinement realm, each of these guards was a Traveler's Path cultivator at the Spirit-Transformation stage. Such a lineup for a negotiation was a blatant display of military might.
At the entrance to the hall, Isabel Su halted.
"Special Envoy of the Demon Army—arrives!"
A court herald raised his voice and shouted, then stepped forward, bowed, and respectfully offered his hands: "Weapons are not permitted in the High Sky Throne Hall. May the envoy surrender her sword."
Isabel Su unfastened the sword at her waist and handed it over.
Two great demons behind her stepped forward—one removed Isabel’s cloak, the other took her helmet. Their movements were so deferential they resembled two quails.
The red-furred twin ears atop her head trembled slightly. Isabel drew a deep breath and stepped across the threshold.
Under the silent gaze of the assembled immortals, Isabel Su strode step by step into the quiet High Sky Throne Hall, halted at the center, raised her chin, swept her gaze around the immortals, and saluted: "Isabel Su, Left Volunteer Army Commander of Blossom Mountain, greets His Supreme Majesty the Jade Emperor of the High Golden Heaven. Salutations to all the immortals present."
At once, a twitch flickered at the corner of the Jade Emperor’s eye; every immortal present furrowed their brows.
‘His Supreme Majesty the Jade Emperor of the High Golden Heaven’ is the Jade Emperor’s full, formal title. Even in imperial decrees, it is rarely used.
For countless ages, throughout Heaven and Earth, whether Buddhist or Daoist, all have addressed the Jade Emperor as ‘Your Majesty.’ Though his authority is not as absolute as legend claims, he remains the Three Realms’ ruler under the protection of the Three Pure Ones.
Now, with Blossom Mountain’s demons using this title, their posture is unmistakably that of a rival state. How could the immortals not be shocked?
“Your Majesty, this is the special envoy of the Blossom Mountain demon army,” the Court Herald standing beside the dragon desk reported, bowing respectfully.
The Jade Emperor’s hand tightened unconsciously on the armrest of his dragon throne. He coughed twice and said, “Who commands your army? Why do I not see the marshal’s banner?”
“Our commander is Marshal of Troops and Horses of Blossom Mountain, General of the Imperial Presence, Shortbeak.” Isabel Su replied in a clear, ringing voice.
As soon as she finished, the immortals erupted in uproar. General Lee stepped forward, pointed at Isabel, and shouted, “How dare you! A mere Blossom Mountain demon dares claim the title ‘General of the Imperial Presence’? Are you trying to place that demon monkey on equal footing with His Majesty?”
The Jade Emperor’s face had already turned ashen, but he did not lash out.
At the words ‘demon monkey,’ Isabel’s expression flickered, but she maintained her usual smile and replied, “Heavenly King Lee, what Isabel thinks doesn’t matter; what matters is that this is now fact. Or do you still expect us to revere the Supreme Majesty the Jade Emperor of the High Golden Heaven?”
With that, Isabel slightly raised her chin, looked toward the Jade Emperor, and cupped her hands in salute. “Supreme Majesty the Jade Emperor of the High Golden Heaven—do you agree?”
Her question left the immortals speechless.
General Lee clenched his fists and glared at Isabel, but he dared not act rashly.
With a million demon soldiers at South Heaven Gate, Heaven had lost all control over the Three Realms. With no outside help, this negotiation was too important to the Heavenly Court; they could not afford to throw it away over a matter of titles.
But what was with this fox demon? Shouldn’t she be deeply anxious about their captured king, meek and submissive?
On the dragon throne, the Jade Emperor’s expression grew even darker. After holding back for some time, he snorted and said, “Very well. I won’t quibble over such matters with you. Speak your piece—quickly.”
Isabel Su cupped her hands again, swept her gaze over the assembled immortals, and declared in a clear voice, “By order of our Grand Marshal, Isabel Su respectfully requests that the Supreme Majesty the Jade Emperor of the High Golden Heaven return our king. If Heaven agrees, our million-strong army will immediately withdraw from South Heaven Gate and return to Blossom Mountain in Eastrealm. The 5.6 million demons of Blossom Mountain will once more bow to the Heavenly Court, and Heaven will remain head of the Three Realms. If not, then Heaven should prepare to lose the mortal and underworld realms.”
Her words were delivered lightly, but they were as direct and sharp as a dagger thrust into the Jade Emperor’s heart.
Was this a final ultimatum?
No matter how arrogant Isabel Su might be, at this moment, the immortals who once made the High Sky Throne Hall bustle like a marketplace all chose silence.
Now, no one doubted the demon army’s resolve.
The Jade Emperor’s face had already shifted from blue to purple.
Such terms should have been expected. What the Jade Emperor hadn’t foreseen was the silence of the immortals.
Blossom Mountain’s blockade was different from the old Heavenly Fleet. This time, they had completely severed Heaven’s connection to the mortal world.