"The Beast Emperor isn't human, so he naturally doesn't count," said the Black Fiend Judge.
"Huh? He's really not human? Didn't someone say the Beast Emperor was a human who cultivated techniques similar to those of demon beasts, and that's 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 during that era, no one was able to force the Beast Emperor to reveal his true form," the Black Fiend Judge explained.
"I see." The crowd nodded one after another.
"Oh, right, Lord Judge — who do you think it was that rescued Chu Feng today?" one elder asked curiously.
"It could be anyone. It might be a reclusive hermit, one of the Ten Immortals, someone from our Three Palaces, or even someone from the Four Clans. Anything is possible," the Black Fiend Judge said.
"Huh? It could even be someone from the Four Clans? Lord Judge, forgive my presumptuousness, but that doesn't seem very realistic, does it? The Four Clans can't wait to kill Chu Feng — why would they save him?" someone said.
"That's where you're wrong. Chu Feng possesses supreme treasures, and his talent is far too monstrous. Never mind the supreme treasures on his body, which are enough to invite assassination — his talent alone makes him a threat to many."
"So what I'm saying is, anyone could save him. But the person who saves him might also be someone who wants to harm him," the Black Fiend Judge said.
"So that's how it is. This subordinate understands now." The crowd looked as though a veil had been lifted from their eyes, but then they asked worriedly, "Lord Judge, if someone truly harbors ill intentions, wouldn't Chu Feng be in grave danger?"
"I don't want him dead either. After all, he carries the hope of our human race. But given today's circumstances, it's not easy for us to intervene. We'll need to report this matter to the Palace Master."
At these words, the Black Fiend Judge gazed into the distance and murmured, "If someone wants to harm this boy, then someone must protect him. Otherwise, relying on himself alone, I fear he won't be able to survive to full maturity. I hope the Palace Master will be willing to protect this boy."
………………
At that moment, the Four Clans' armies had already begun their return journey. Among those vast, orderly, and imposing legions of troops, there was a chariot blazing with golden light. Inside the chariot sat six Supreme Elders and four Clan Chiefs.
But beyond these individuals, there was one other person — the Hundred-Transform Mud Man, who had taken on Chu Feng's appearance.
Yet in this moment, even the four Clan Chiefs had to stand, while the Hundred-Transform Mud Man sat alongside the six Supreme Elders, not a trace of restraint or nervousness in his eyes. Despite being only a first-tier Martial Emperor, he carried himself as though he were on equal footing with the Four Clans' elders.
"If Chu Feng doesn't die, there will be endless trouble. Your Four Clans probably won't know a day of peace. Given Chu Feng's temperament, if he grows to maturity in the future, it would not be at all surprising if your Four Clans were exterminated down to the last man." The Hundred-Transform Mud Man sat there fiddling with his fingers, as though discussing something utterly trivial.
"We don't need you to tell us that. Otherwise, we wouldn't be in such a hurry to eliminate him. You said you have a way to deal with Chu Feng — what exactly is it?" asked the Supreme Elder of the Nangong Imperial Clan.
"Simple. Raise the bounty. Someone will eventually bring us intelligence on Chu Feng," the Hundred-Transform Mud Man said.
"Raise it again? Isn't the current bounty already enough?" all four Clan Chiefs said almost in unison.
"Not enough. Far from enough. If you add one Emperor Armament to the current bounty, that will be enough," the Hundred-Transform Mud Man said.
"What? An Emperor Armament? You want us to offer the Imperial Dragon Seal as a bounty?"
"Absolutely not. The Imperial Dragon Seal is the foundation upon which our Four Clans stand!" The Four Clans' elders all shook their heads.
"Even if you offered the Imperial Dragon Seal, no one would believe it. Everyone knows how important the Imperial Dragon Seal is to you."
"My master can lend you one Emperor Armament. However… he has one condition," the Hundred-Transform Mud Man said.
"What condition?" the crowd asked together.