Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix - Chapter 385

Chapter 385: After All – Monsters Can Never Change… Right?
In the darkness of a large academy room. The gloomy light from the half-blocked window reflected shadows across the walls. The classroom itself was empty of life, with a layer of dust on the old wooden desks and chairs and a thick layer of cobwebs in the corners of the room. The whole place appeared like it had been abandoned for a long time.

A soft beeping sounded, followed by the dark shadow figure, shaped like a person illuminated by a small light stepping over a pile of rubble. The person moves slowly across the classroom.

The figure stopped, the beeping sounding again, before the light shone up, revealing the face of the figure.

Shang Luo, his handsome angular jaw and stiff face, looked at the number on his handheld communication device, the model older than most Silvara models. This was one specifically from the Emerald Empire. ‘Father…’

He answered the call before a deep and commanding voice filled the silent room. “Shang Luo, how is the mission? Have you managed to approach the target?” The moment his father spoke, Shang Luo’s body jolted, standing up straight despite being alone in the darkness.

“I am currently in the target’s class and have approached him as a friend, Father.”

“Good, I knew my son wouldn’t fail me. You should know the importance of this mission; if the Shang family wants to rise further, we need the wealth and technology of the Silvarian Dogs, but we also need to deal with that prince. No matter what way we have to do so.”

Shang Luo grits his teeth. “Father, if I am successful, will I be called back home and given more responsibility?” He was desperate to have his father praise him, but the fear of being replaced by his younger siblings caused the greatest stress within his heart.

“Of course, I have three sons, but only you can be trusted with such an important task.”

Shang Luo’s eyes shined before his father spoke again. “Remember, no matter what, kill the Silvarian Dog Prince or discover secrets regarding the defending troops of Lyndwrym fortress; use anyone close to him if needed; they will be your primary targets; the rest are just useless nobodies.”

Shang Luo swallowed deeply.

‘Father, you don’t understand how powerful that prince is… If I go head to head, then even Mu Yue might not survive.’

Shang Luo knew what kind of strength his rival had and was confident in his abilities; however, compared to the prince, he was nothing.

‘I have to make sure that he doesn’t realise my intentions if he finds out I’m lying to him… I have to seriously date that commoner if she reveals my secrets too soon. Then father and everything I’ve worked towards will collapse!’

“Shang Luo, there is no option of failure. Do you understand?”

Shang Luo nodded his head before realising his father couldn’t see him. “Yes, Father!”

“Good, then carry out the mission; if you need assistance, call eunuch Xiao Wu anytime. He is the one I have posted as your information and support.”

What made Shang Luo feel depressed was that a lower-level eunuch and not even the head eunuch was his support; Shang Luo realised he could only half trust his father’s words about being replaced. ‘If I don’t succeed…’ A sharp glint shone in his eyes, the darkness flickering with his emerald aura before it calmed down. ‘Then I will lose everything.’

‘I need to make sure the prince is not suspicious; I can’t do anything until he truly trusts me. Only then can I find the secrets Father desires and take revenge on the Silvarian dogs that took a Mother from me.’

“Yes, Father!”

The phone clicked, leaving Shang Luo slumped in the darkness, his body weak as he realised how stressful the situation he was in was. ‘Mu Yue is not simple; I am sure she has her agenda because of the past. However, that prince is not simple either; if the rumours are true, then I don’t even know how many people will die if I betray them.’

“Haa…” Shang Luo’s other phone trembled, a vibration echoing as his shoulders dropped. “Hmm? Who is this?” Then he opened his phone to find Cil Mavis had prepared a small message that showed part of the Silvaran language and lesson that he didn’t quite grasp in a simple yet detailed format.

“This…” Shang Luo stared before a soft smile formed. ‘This damn commoner, why does she do things that are so unneeded…’ Although he thought such words, he spent several minutes reading the message and her small message at the end in silence.

“Haaa…” Shang Luo stood, his face pale, before he put his phone away. ‘I need to make sure Mu Yue trusts me and monitor her. I can’t afford to have her realise my plan. Nor break my cover in front of the prince.’ He then looked at his phone once again, intending to ignore Cil’s helpful message, but something spurred him to open his phone to type a thank-you message in response.

***

Meanwhile, back in the Emerald Empire, the King sat in his private study with both eyes closed, a sad look on his face as another stood silently on the opposite side of his desk.

“Father, are you really allowing me to head to the east to help with the management of the monster scum?” A youthful voice came from the male’s lips, his eyes and hair almost identical to Shang Luo’s. However, his face was softer and carried a more elegant shape. This was his half-brother, Shang Liu, five years younger than his older brother, yet a whole stage stronger.

“Yes.”

Shang Liu’s eyes brightened, his chest swelling with excitement before a cold and heavy pressure descended upon him. “Father?!” Shang Liu coughed, falling to one knee as sweat beaded his forehead, and the King opened his eyes; his aura was that of a dragon, his emerald eyes carrying a domineering pressure that crushed Shang Liu beneath him.

“Liu, although your older brother is out on a very important task, do not forget the difference in your ability and his. Suppose you become drowned in self-importance and don’t keep focused on the importance of the empire over your gain. You will end up like him.”

Shang Liu’s teeth clenched, his eyes lowering. “Father, what about the rumours? Are they true? Are you truly planning to replace Luo and put me in his position when he returns?”

The pressure increased twofold; blood began to ooze from the nose of Shang Liu as he looked terrified of his father. “I warned you, these thoughts lead to his downfall. If you continue to think this way, Liu, then you will end up dead like your mother! Remember, you have many siblings who CAN take your place.”

Shang Liu’s entire body trembled, his eyes widening before the pressure disappeared. “Your elder brother may be arrogant and thinks far above his station, but he has always accomplished my orders and is worthy of being an heir to the Shang Family.”

“But…”

“Liu, I have warned you enough. This is me placing my trust and expectations in you. Consider it your first and last chance to surpass your elder brother and take his spot.”

Shang Liu’s body and mind were elated despite the crushing pressure, his heart beating heavily as he nodded his head. “Yes, father.”

“Now leave. Report to the head eunuch immediately for your preparations.”

Shang Liu bowed before leaving, his eyes carrying a bright sparkle that could only be seen by a desperate individual.

The king closed his eyes and sighed.

“Liu, Luo, please, I know what I’m doing is right. I have no choice. Cough, Cough!” The King’s body trembled after his coughing, holding his hand to his lips; a thick bloody fluid covered his palms. “I have done too much, corrupted my body all for this empire, so until you are ready. I will continue down this path so you both might walk proudly without these accursed illnesses.”

The king stood weakly before walking into the next room, revealing a large bed in the centre with a beautiful woman lying on her side, her body frail and sickly. Her skin was white as a sheet, with her black hair spread across the silk sheets like a blanket.

This woman was connected to countless machines; as the king staggered over and plugged one of the sharp needles into his arm, the next moment, a dark… black sludge started seeping from the woman’s body, flowing back into his arm. “My beloved wife, I will find a way to save you… even if it costs my fate and destiny to collapse.”

She was Shang Luo’s mother, who was rumoured to have been killed by the Emperor himself. However, the truth was much more complicated.

“Cough, Cough!” Blood seeped from the King’s lips, the black sludge disappearing within his veins as his wife’s health returned, her cheeks regaining a slight flush of colour. This same process he had continued for almost twenty years now, and finally, the progress was showing signs of success.

However, his own body was not strong enough to handle the strain; his hair had turned white, his body frail, and his soul exhausted as he sat next to his wife with a tired smile. “I hope you wake up soon, my love, if our sons knew the truth and that their mother was the same, but to protect them both from needless suffering…”

He chose this little act as his weak aura slowly collected to restore his normal appearance as the emperor; he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

‘I hope you both remain strong and can mature a little more. I wait for the day I can tell you both..’

***

Back in the Silvaran empire, Mu Yue was currently on her phone, speaking quietly as the class was taking a break.

“Sister, are you feeling better now?” Last night, she suddenly stopped getting replies from Mu Xue, and because she worried something had happened ended up spamming her all night… However she only responded with a strange message after four hours, then this morning it was announced she was taking a break from studies.

Mu Xue’s soft, tired voice came from the other end of the line. “Sister, I’m sorry for not responding, I was feeling very tired last night and couldn’t even move.”

The sound of Mu Xue’s voice sounded hoarse. However, Mu Yue felt a strange feeling that something was off. “Sister, is everything ok? Your breathing sounds a little strange, and there’s this strange sound in the background?” Mu Yue lowered her voice before she heard a different type of voice from her sister, and her face became red.

She looked around and realised Asura wasn’t in class and disappeared a while ago, and then the identity of that wet, slapping sound from the call.

‘Oh my god… My sister is having sex?!’

“Sister?! Hang up, I’ll call later, and don’t do it during school hours!”

“Ahh, wait, I’m not…!” Mu Xue’s embarrassed voice came through before Mu Yue hung up, and her entire face was red, her heart beating quickly.

‘How can she be so shameless… Ah, this is embarrassing! Why do they always do those things?! I have known sex criminals who do it far less!’