"The Beast Emperor isn't human, so he naturally doesn't count," Black Fiend Judge said.
"Huh? He really isn't human? Didn't someone say the Beast Emperor was actually human but practiced techniques similar to those of demon beasts, which is why he calls himself the Beast Emperor?" At this, the surrounding elders were all quite surprised.
"Those are nothing but rumors. The Beast Emperor is a demon beast — it's just that no one knows exactly what kind of demon beast he is, because in that era, no one could force the Beast Emperor to reveal his true form," Black Fiend Judge said.
"I see." Everyone nodded one after another.
"Oh right, Lord Judge, who do you think was the one who rescued Chu Feng today?" an elder asked curiously.
"It could be anyone. It might be a reclusive expert, one of the Ten Immortals, someone from our Three Palaces, or even someone from the Four Clans. Everything is possible," Black Fiend Judge said.
"Huh? Someone from the Four Clans too? Lord Judge, forgive my offense, but that doesn't seem very realistic, does it? The Four Clans can barely wait to kill Chu Feng — why would they save him?" someone said.
"You don't understand. Chu Feng possesses a supreme treasure and his talent is far too heaven-defying. Setting aside the supreme treasure on his person, which easily invites deadly trouble, his talent alone makes him a threat to many."
"So what I'm saying is, anyone could have saved him — but the one who saved him might also be someone who wants to harm him," Black Fiend Judge said.
"So that's how it is. Understood." Everyone looked as though a fog had lifted, but then they said worriedly, "Lord Judge, if someone truly has ill intentions, isn't Chu Feng in great danger?"
"I don't want him dead either. After all, he carries the hope of our human race. But given today's situation, it really wasn't appropriate for us to intervene. We must report this matter to the Palace Master."
With these words, Black Fiend Judge gazed into the distance and murmured, "When someone schemes against this child, someone else must protect him. Otherwise, relying on himself alone, I fear he'll struggle to grow. I hope the Palace Master will be willing to shield this boy."
………………
Meanwhile, the armies of the Four Clans had already set off on their return. Among the vast, orderly, and awe-inspiring host, there was a resplendent golden war chariot. Inside it sat the six Supreme Elders and four Clan Chiefs.
And besides these individuals, there was one more — the Hundred-Transformation Mudman who had assumed Chu Feng's appearance.
Yet now, even the four Clan Chiefs had to stand, while the Hundred-Transformation Mudman sat together with the six Supreme Elders, his gaze betraying not a trace of restraint or nervousness. Though merely a first-grade Martial Emperor, he carried himself as though he were on equal footing with the elders of the Four Clans.
"If Chu Feng doesn't die, the consequences will be endless. Your Four Clans will never know peace. Given that Chu Feng's temperament, if he grows strong in the future, it would hardly be surprising if your Four Clans were wiped out entirely." The Hundred-Transformation Mudman sat there fiddling with his fingers, as though discussing something utterly trivial.
"We're well aware of that. Otherwise we wouldn't be so eager to eliminate him. You said you have a way to deal with Chu Feng — what exactly is it?" the Supreme Elder of the Nangong Imperial Clan asked.
"Simple. Raise the bounty. Someone will eventually sell you information about Chu Feng," the Hundred-Transformation Mudman said.
"Raise it further? Isn't the current bounty already enough?" all four Clan Chiefs said almost in unison.
"Not enough — far from enough. If you add an Imperial Armament to what's already on the table, then it'll be enough," the Hundred-Transformation Mudman said.
"What? An Imperial Armament? You want us to offer the Imperial Dragon Seal as the bounty?"
"Out of the question. Absolutely not. The Imperial Dragon Seal is the foundation upon which our Four Clans stand." All the elders shook their heads.
"Even if you offered the Imperial Dragon Seal as a bounty, no one would believe you. Everyone knows how important the Imperial Dragon Seal is to you."
"My master can lend you an Imperial Armament. However… he has one condition," the Hundred-Transformation Mudman said.