"Rise."

Wang Wu sized up the four Great Demons for a while, but instead of getting straight to business, he paced outside the grand hall for a moment, then smiled and asked, "How should I address you all?"

"Reporting to the Grand General, I am Master Ya, currently the Chief of the Royal City Tax Bureau."

A Third-Grade Great Demon with a tuft of black feathers on his head cautiously stepped forward, wearing a flattering smile. However, his strength was truly lacking; a Third-Grade Great Demon with only one Demon Pill — did this crow get into the Royal City Tax Bureau through the back door?

However, considering that this was also a flying type, there was a chance he was a distant relative of the Left Demon Emperor's family, a trusted confidant, loyal enough.

"Grand General, I am Master Xi, the second Chief of the Royal City Tax Bureau."

An older gentleman who looked relatively more agreeable stepped forward to introduce himself, though his expression was somewhat indifferent. Hmm, this was a magpie demon, which could also be considered a type of crow demon.

However, this one had two Demon Pills, clearly a formidable figure.

"Grand General, I am Master He, the third Chief of the Royal City Tax Bureau."

The third one was also an old man, very ancient, speaking with gasps as if he were in the final stage of life, the aging stage. However, this Master He was likely the one in the Royal City Tax Bureau who could truly get things done.

"Grand General, I am Master Yan, the fourth Chief of the Royal City Tax Bureau."

The last one was unexpectedly a young man, appearing to have a lifespan of only about a hundred years, comparable to Xiong Shiliu, with bright eyes and a vibrant spirit. Importantly, he also had two Demon Pills, counting as a prodigy among the Demon Race.

However, judging by his looks, it seemed he was harboring some grievances.

Oh, he's a swallow demon.

Well, the Royal City Tax Bureau was completely taken over by birds.

In fact, even the two thousand little demons were all birds.

Is it because bird-type demons fly fast?

Quite possibly, indeed.

Just like how Wang Wu had his own Bloodline Talent and corresponding Bloodline Secret Techniques, bird-types were the same. There were also sea demons, water demons, and beast types; who didn't have their own specialties?

"Who was managing the Royal City Tax Bureau before?"

"Reporting to the Grand General, before you, the Royal City Tax Bureau was managed by Grand General Ming Guang." Master Ya stepped forward to answer.

"Oh? Ming Guang, what's his background? And why is he no longer in charge?" Wang Wu was very curious.

"Reporting to the Grand General, Grand General Ming Guang was the third son of the Left Demon Emperor, but the heavens are jealous of talent. He unfortunately perished in the siege of Wushui City during this attack."

"Ah, I see, that's truly a pity. Well then, Master Ya, could you introduce the current situation of the Royal City Tax Bureau to me?"

"This... this, I dare not say..." Master Ya stammered, while also signaling with his eyes to the eldest Master He.

Wang Wu pretended not to see.

"What is there to be afraid of? I will pardon you, now speak quickly!"

The last two words, Wang Wu released his full momentum, and as his Qi Blood boiled, Master Ya seemed to be instantly isolated, seeing nothing but blood-red. How could his mere one Third-Grade Bright Demon Pill withstand such pressure?

Instantly, blood flowed from all his orifices, and with a thud, he knelt down, barely able to maintain his human form.

"I'll talk, I'll talk, please spare me, Grand General!"

Master Ya's eyes rolled back, but his mouth moved uncontrollably fast: "This northward migration of the Royal City is strongly advocated by Princess Lark. She believes Dragon and Snake City is the front line against the Human Race, so we must concentrate our power to counter their retaliation. However, many lords do not agree, mostly complying in appearance only."

"Helplessly, Princess Lark could only retreat with the Royal City and some willing families to leave, but those who remained were hard nuts to crack. They dare comply in appearance only even against Princess Lark, so how could our so-called Royal City Tax Bureau dare to collect taxes?"

"In fact, the Nine Tribes of the Southern Wilderness have already decided today to adjust the Royal City Tax Bureau... I know nothing, please spare me, Grand General!"

When Wang Wu withdrew his Qi Blood pressure, Master Ya was already slumped on the ground, unable to maintain his human form, just short of losing control of his bowels.

"Could the three of you kindly tell me, who exactly are the Nine Tribes of the Southern Wilderness? I'm new here and only heard of the Southern Wilderness Demon Race, but haven't heard of these Nine Tribes."

Wang Wu cheerfully looked at the elder Master He, the sarcastic Master Xi, and the indifferent Master Yan.

Finally, the aged Master He spoke.

"Grand General, you are a descendant of a noble lineage, the heir of the Bear Demon Emperor, this old one doesn't wish to put you in a difficult position. To speak frankly, this insistence by the Left Demon Emperor to attack Wushui City was an outright mistake."

"Just look, not only did it suffer heavy injuries itself, but also lost three sons, two grandsons, one daughter, and nearly wiped out the Celestial Demon Legion, along with the three Demon Emperors of the Peacock Race and their three-thousand-year foundation in the Southern Wilderness, all lost in this battle."

"This old one asks you, was this battle worth it?"

"It's not that we the Nine Tribes are flipping the table and being unreasonable, seeking betrayal. Instead, what is to become of the future of the Southern Wilderness Demon Race? You came from the West Wilderness, you know exactly how the West Wilderness Demon Race is now. At this time, what to do, this old one believes you should have an idea."

"Let's not talk about anything else. Princess Lark is marrying you, using your name, appointing you as Grand General in a hollowed-out Black Tortoise Royal City, and having you collect taxes. Xiong Wu, it's clear they're using you to suppress us the Nine Tribes of the Southern Wilderness. Can you honestly say you're willing to be used? Enjoy being this fool?"

"I'm not afraid to tell you, the old rules became obsolete the moment Princess Lark moved to the Royal City. If she were still in Black Tortoise Royal City, our Nine Tribes would still follow her. Even if she wanted to become the Left Demon Emperor, we would support her. But the foundation of the Southern Wilderness can no longer be weakened! The Southern Wilderness's Spiritual Essence Tax cannot be collected and then sent to Dragon and Snake City, thrown into a bottomless pit!"

Master He spoke with authority, his previously dim old eyes now shining brightly and assertively.

Interesting!

Wang Wu smiled slightly, "So, you think I'm the fool, the scapegoat pushed out to oppose you?"

"Isn't that so?"

It was the young Master Yan who spoke this time, with a face full of disdain, "I've heard you're quite the lover, Wang Wu, tangled with that Wolf Demon in the West Wilderness. And now in the South Wilderness, you bow before Princess Lark. For her, you even dare to oppose the Nine Tribes of the Southern Wilderness."

"Princess Lark just went south last night and moved north again this morning; you didn't even have time to enjoy once. I'm curious, what are you after?"

Good heavens!

Blatant arrogance, no respect for authority.

Is there no dignity left? The Left Demon Emperor isn't even dead yet, and you show such an ugly face.

Putting aside everything else, the three Demon Emperors of the Peacock Race have held the Southern Wilderness for three thousand years; even if they lose, they deserve the most basic respect.

Wang Wu looked at Brother Yan with pity. Initially, he had somewhat esteemed this guy, but trash talks like trash; he acts like he could have done better. In the Battle of Wushui City, Wang Wu wasn't fully convinced at first, but now the victory indeed created strategic space for the Southern Wilderness Demon Race.

All the Left Demon Emperor's sons and grandsons died on the battlefield; do you enjoying the fruits at the rear lack the most basic morals?

One strategic mistake, and it's all wiped away?

With such competence, you think you can spout nonsense in front of him!

Casually pointing to the sky, his internal Qi Blood surged like a tide, consistent from inside out. Instantly, a Qi Blood God-Sealing Talisman formed.

Wang Wu did all this leisurely, skillfully, and effortlessly.

The surrounding Great Demons could clearly see it, see it in detail, but they couldn't open their mouths or do anything.

Including that Master Yan, Wang Wu's every move was visible, clear, and felt wrong, but he couldn't dodge, couldn't escape, couldn't even resist!

He was a dignified Third-Grade Great Demon with two Demon Pills!

He could only watch as Wang Wu casually waved, a thick Qi Blood Sealing falling into his heart, directly immobilizing his Qi Blood, his Demon Pill, his life!

"Grand General, have mercy!"

Finally, when the dust settled, Master Xi had the chance to utter the plea, but his face was already only left with shock and confusion.

Even Master He, who was earlier confident, eyes shining, now looked as if he'd seen a ghost, eyes filled with doubt.

On the other hand, Master Ya, who almost got scared out of his wits earlier, burst out laughing caws!

"Blood Qi Divine Talisman! It's actually the Blood Qi Divine Talisman! Sir, have you advanced to Second Grade?"

Damn it, 'Sir'!

Wang Wu glanced at Master Ya, who immediately fell silent.

Alright, it is indeed the Blood Qi Divine Talisman, originally unleashed by that Second-Grade Giant Whale Demon in the West Sea.

The incantation is — "Command the Four Seas and Eight Wildernesses, lead the blood of all demons, burn my essence, divine talisman calms the heart, urgent as a command!"

Wang Wu has now learned it, and even surpassed it.

He doesn't even need to recite the incantation, doesn't need to consume a Demon Pill, nor any pre- or suffix nonsense. Combined with his terrifying tidal Qi Blood and his understanding of the Five Elements Spirit Array, it's enough.

At this moment, he spoke lightly, his voice not loud, yet it could be heard for miles around.

"It's not your place to comment on how I, Wang Wu, handle things."

"From now on, Black Tortoise Royal City is under my control. I'll collect the Southern Wilderness's Spiritual Essence Tax; any who disagree, I'll destroy them!"

"Of course, I'm a scion of noble lineage; I do things with rules, and I'm reasonable. Before sunset today, I allow you to speak freely, offer suggestions. I came in good faith; do not let down my sincerity!"

"If you don't come, or have no proposals before sunset, I'll assume your tacit consent, and that'll be it for today. Tomorrow, the tax collection will proceed as normal! Those who resist will be killed!"

After saying this, Wang Wu sat back down, patiently waiting.

As for the rest, he didn't want to care, didn't want to communicate, anyway, in the end, it's all about which side has the bigger fist, so let's keep things simple.

You give me face, I give you face.

If you don't give me face, he won't give you face either.

Originally, he worried about the complex myriad issues, but now it's better; directly jumping out with the Nine Tribes of the South Wilderness, noble families, is it? He just loves dealing with these noble families!

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