Fate-Defying Demon Emperor-Chapter 289 - 276: Found
The entire Tianqing Dynasty was surrounded, three layers deep, allowing entry but no exit. Martial artists with powerful auras held key positions, diligently scanning every person within the dynasty, hoping to find Su Han and put an end to it all.
Although the Tianqing Dynasty was a small nation, it still had a population of eighty million and over one hundred thousand martial artists. To scrutinize each individual was akin to searching for a needle in a haystack, a task with no end in sight. However, this was the Seven Stars Sect's strict command. Although the martial artists complained, they dared not disobey.
A streak of rainbow light whistled through the sky as it approached—it was none other than Ye Chuanfeng.
"Junior Brother Qian, what's the current situation? Are there any clues to Su Han's whereabouts?" Ye Chuanfeng went directly to Elder Qian to inquire about the latest news.
Elder Qian, who had become Ye Chuanfeng's top lackey, reported with a flattering smile, "Sect Master, we've already set up an ironclad siege outside the Tianqing Dynasty, ensuring not a single suspect can escape. However, the dynasty has a vast population. Scrutinizing everyone individually is like searching for a needle in a haystack and will take a significant amount of time."
"Continue the search, regardless of the cost," Ye Chuanfeng ordered. "We absolutely cannot let him escape this time."
Ye Chuanfeng was determined to capture Su Han alive. After all, with Zi Qiong dead, he would have to answer with his own life if he failed. Between life and death, he could not afford to be careless.
"Yes, Sect Master, rest assured! I will conduct a careful search and not give that little beast any opportunity to slip through!" Elder Qian respectfully accepted the command and swiftly went to make the arrangements.
A sharp glint flashed in Ye Chuanfeng's eyes. As long as you are still here, you'll never escape my grasp! He took a step forward, crossing into the territory of the Tianqing Dynasty as his Divine Sense spread out to envelop the masses. Unwilling to wait idly, he decided to begin the search himself, vowing to find Su Han.
Meanwhile, outside the encirclement, the Great Qian King had finally arrived. His unique identity made him a traitor in the eyes of the Seven Stars Sect, so he did not dare pass through the siege. He could only halt on the outskirts and wait.
I hope they can capture Su Han this time! The Great Qian King dared not show himself, much less take action. He could only stand outside the encirclement and wait patiently, but the killing intent in his heart was no less than Ye Chuanfeng's. He blamed Su Han entirely for his current plight—a hatred so deep that all the water of the three great rivers could not wash it away.
The Earth Fiend Demon Sovereign and his two companions had traversed the entire Qingzhou and therefore arrived a bit late. Ye Chuanfeng received word of their arrival almost immediately and went to intercept them.
"Earth Fiend Demon Sovereign, this is Qingzhou," Ye Chuanfeng said coldly, blocking their path. He held no goodwill toward the Heavenly Demon Cult. "Your brazen intrusion—are you trying to provoke another war?"
"Ye Chuanfeng, our purpose here is the same as yours. We have come for Su Han," the Earth Fiend Demon Sovereign said with a grin, clearly prepared for this encounter. "As long as he remains at large, neither of our sides can rest easy." He took the initiative to propose an alliance. "I've already posted a divination task within the Demon Slayer Sect and believe we'll get a response soon. Why don't we join forces to find Su Han and execute him on the spot?" After all, they now had a common enemy.
A divination task! Ye Chuanfeng's brows furrowed slightly. He had heard of the Divination King and had some faith in his abilities, despite him being in a distant province. However, cooperation was out of the question. He disliked Su Han, but he disliked the Heavenly Demon Cult even more.
"This is an internal matter of the Seven Stars Sect. I would prefer if you did not intervene," Ye Chuanfeng said indifferently, his gaze fixed on the Earth Fiend Demon Sovereign and his two companions. "Just stay here. Inform me if you receive any news. As for Su Han, I will find him myself."
Seeing Ye Chuanfeng's attitude, the Earth Fiend Demon Sovereign knew that saying more would be futile. He could only wait for an opportunity, believing that one would present itself whether Su Han was found or not.
In the following days, the encirclement led by Elder Qian continued its tireless search. Each martial artist was screened at least three times, and the number of suspects grew to over a thousand. But in the end, there was still no trace of Su Han, as if he had simply vanished from the face of the earth.
The search was far from over, however, as the Tianqing Dynasty had a population of eighty million. The longer it dragged on, the more disadvantageous the situation became for Ye Chuanfeng.
"Sect Master, do you think that little beast could have escaped before we arrived?" Elder Qian cautiously voiced his suspicion. If Su Han had already fled, then all their efforts were in vain, and they had given him the time and opportunity to get far away.
Ye Chuanfeng's face darkened. He had considered this possibility as well. If it were true, Su Han might have already fled beyond Qingmo Province, making the search a true needle in a haystack.
"There's news from the Demon Slayer Sect!" Just then, the Earth Fiend Demon Sovereign's expression shifted as he suddenly spoke up. "The Divination King has indeed taken the task I posted. He has divined that Su Han is still within the Tianqing Dynasty!"
The Earth Fiend Demon Sovereign took the initiative to share this information. He was willing to pay any price to kill Su Han, even if it meant collaborating with the Seven Stars Sect. This news was a godsend, causing both Ye Chuanfeng's and Elder Qian's eyes to light up. The Divination King had previously predicted Su Han's return to the Tianqing Dynasty, which had allowed the hawk-nosed man and his four comrades to succeed in their ambush. Ye Chuanfeng had considerable faith in his predictions.
So, Su Han had not escaped. He was still somewhere within the dynasty. This made the task much simpler; they just had to continue the search, and they would find him sooner or later.
"Pass down my order! Continue the search! We must find him!" Ye Chuanfeng swiftly commanded.
Following this development, the Earth Fiend Demon Sovereign and his companions were given special treatment. They were allowed to join the investigation inside the Tianqing Dynasty, albeit accompanied by an elder from the Seven Stars Sect. And so, the three of them, along with the previously arrived Qin Wushuang, formed a group of four Supreme Realm powerhouses from the Heavenly Demon Cult and entered the dynasty to conduct their own thorough investigation.
Nevertheless, the population of the Tianqing Dynasty remained vast. Even with confirmation of Su Han's presence, screening every single person was a monumental task.
One day, Ye Chuanfeng's eyes lit up as he quickly looked toward the distant sky. Xuan Song is here!
A streak of rainbow light approached swiftly, revealing the tall and imposing figure of Xuan Song. Although Xuan Song was only in the Heavenly King Realm, his innate talent and status were both superior to Ye Chuanfeng's. More importantly, he was a close confidant of the Tian Lou Saint, so Ye Chuanfeng was naturally respectful and dared not offend him.
"Ye Chuanfeng, the Saint Heir has commanded me to assist you!" On his way over, Xuan Song had already learned the full story of Zi Qiong's demise and that Ye Chuanfeng was here to capture Su Han. That was why he had come straight to this location.
WHOOSH!
Xuan Song reached out and retrieved the Heavenly Penetrating Mirror from his Storage Ring. Although it was only a Semi-Holy Artifact, it was a powerful tool for deduction, no less effective than the Divination King of the Demon Slayer Sect.
Xuan Song activated the Heavenly Penetrating Mirror and began his calculations based on the clues provided by Ye Chuanfeng. Soon, the image of a small border town materialized on the mirror's surface.
"Found him!"
