Super Invincible Immortal Doctor
Chapter 1070: Demon Qi Reaches the Sky

Chapter 1070: Chapter 1070: Demon Qi Reaches the Sky

Located at the heart of Liuli Country, Liuli Island is several days by water from Laisong Island, and Hua Qian started her journey with Su Chengyu based on this timeframe.

However, Hua Qian clearly underestimated the speed of Su Chengyu’s Sword Control; in less than half a day, the two had already reached Liuli Island.

Compared to the small fishing village appearance of Laisong Island, Liuli Island finally looked somewhat like a major city.

Yet the overall architectural style still made Su Chengyu somewhat uncomfortable, as everything, from the details to the direction, was all in the style of Dongying.

"After a hundred years of independence, Liuli Country still has the shadow of Dongying everywhere," he mused.

Hua Qian bowed her head in agreement and replied, "After all, with only a hundred years of history, it’s somewhat unfair to expect Liuli Country to have developed its own culture."

"Mm."

Su Chengyu nodded in agreement, and he took up residence with Hua Qian in a Japanese-style villa arranged by the Royal Family.

The relationship between the Hua family and the Royal Family was established after Hua Yingrong had ascended to power. After seizing the position of Family Head, Hua Yingrong somehow got involved with a member of the Royal Family and then contributed the Mermaid Tear Pearl to Liuli Country annually.

It was this that allowed Hua Yingrong, who was then not yet a Nascent Soul, to gradually rise to power, exerting even greater control over Laisong Island than the Dragon Carp clan had during their reign.

Now, with the Hua family back in the hands of the Dragon Carp clan, they decided after a brief consideration to put aside the dignity of the Dragon Carp clan and continue to make contributions to the Liuli Country Royal Family.

Firstly, this would prevent retaliation from the Royal Family, and secondly, without a Demon Emperor, the Dragon Carp clan needed a title to keep their foothold on Laisong Island.

And to reassure the Royal Family, Hua Qian had personally come to Liuli Island precisely to illustrate the current stance of the Hua family.

Although Hua Qian’s strength was somewhat lacking, she was the younger sister of the current Family Head, and with everyone in the Hua family considered, her presence was most appropriate.

Originally, the Hua family had planned to have two Demon Generals accompany them for safety, but once they knew Su Chengyu would be joining, Hua Qian rejected this proposal; she did not want extra people to come along and possibly displease Su Chengyu.

Moreover, Hua Qian was well aware that with Su Chengyu’s company, it would be safer than having a Demon Emperor by their side.

"You’ve arrived earlier than the scheduled time. I will inform their Majesties of your arrival as soon as possible, but the earliest they can receive you will be tomorrow," said the man in court attire who greeted Su Chengyu and his companion. The outfit was similar to modified Japanese garb, but Su Chengyu, not being familiar with the hierarchy of Liuli Country, couldn’t immediately discern the man’s rank.

"It’s alright; it’s us who have come early. Just notify us in advance when there is news," Hua Qian replied in fluent official dialect, showing she had done her homework before coming.

After the man politely thanked Hua Qian, he quickly left their residence.

Once she was certain the man had completely departed, Hua Qian moved from the front to stand behind Su Chengyu.

"Mr. Su, the Liuli Country Royal Family will most likely receive us the day after tomorrow at the earliest. If there is anything you wish to do, Mr. Su, please feel free to do so," she said.

"The day after tomorrow?"

Su Chengyu was somewhat puzzled.

"Just a display of authority. After all, with Hua Yingrong’s overthrow of the Hua family’s leadership, even if the Royal Family chooses to continue cooperating with us, they won’t give us much face; especially since... our clan currently lacks a Demon Emperor," explained Hua Qian.

Su Chengyu quickly understood.

Liuli Country, a small piece of land, does have its set of rules, but it values strength above all, even more so than Xia Country.

No wonder, after regaining power, the Hua family of the Dragon Carp clan chose to continue to attach themselves to the Royal Family. It truly is the best option for them now.

With this thought, Su Chengyu gave Hua Qian another look, "Knowing full well the risks, you still chose to come to Liuli Island in person?"

Hua Qian replied with a light smile, "After a hundred years of proliferation, the Liuli Country Royal Family is no longer what it was a century ago. It’s not just that our Hua family lacks a Demon Emperor. Even if we had one, we’d still need to consider the current weight of the Royal Family. This hurdle is ultimately unavoidable."

"Only a century, yet how has Liuli Country grown so rapidly?"

Seeing that Hua Qian understood exactly what he was asking, Su Chengyu ceased to beat around the bush.

"Liuli Country lies on the border of Dongying and Xia Country, serving as a buffer zone. Despite having to face the pressure from both nations, with greater risk, comes greater reward. Over the years, both Dongying and Xia Country have given Liuli Country many benefits, hoping it would lean towards them."

Su Chengyu chuckled, "Playing both sides? Liuli Country sure has a big appetite. Isn’t it afraid that one side will lose patience and decisively oppress Liuli Country with force?"

Hua Qian shook his head, "That’s not for a minor aristocratic family like ours to worry about. But the growth of Liuli Country over these years is undoubtedly tied to the support from both nations. Of course, Liuli Country makes no secret of its dealings with both countries, inevitably leading to infiltration by both of their agents."

"I understand now."

Hearing what Hua Qian said, Su Chengyu finally grasped the intricacies of the situation.

Liuli Country playing both sides to strengthen itself is something both Dongying and Xia Country are well aware of.

The reason neither has broken off relations is to use Liuli Country as a chessboard for their power struggle.

As a pawn, Liuli Country might feed well from this, but as soon as one side claims victory in the struggle between Dongying and Xia Country, even the well-fed Liuli Country will ultimately become a vassal to the victor.

Liuli Country willingly enters the game as a pawn. As long as it does not show a clear bias, neither Xia Country nor Dongying will completely annihilate it.

But thinking of Ye Qingci’s previous visit to Dongying, Su Chengyu suddenly spoke up, "These days of Liuli Country playing both sides, trying to have the best of two worlds, I’m afraid won’t last much longer."

Upon hearing this, Hua Qian immediately understood what Su Chengyu meant, and a look of concern appeared on her face.

Between the power struggle of Xia Country and Dongying, she naturally favors the currently thriving Xia Country.

But she is also aware of Xia Country’s policies. Should Liuli Country truly become a vassal to Xia Country, as part of the Demon Clan, she can’t help but worry for her own fate.

Seeing the worry in Hua Qian’s thoughts, Su Chengyu spoke frankly, "Don’t worry. Even if Liuli Country indeed becomes a vassal to Xia Country, it’s impossible for them to implement the same exterminatory policies towards the Demon Clan as Xia Country."

"Why?" Hua Qian asked, not understanding.

Su Chengyu turned his head towards the Imperial Palace of Liuli Country, speaking softly, "Have you not noticed the Demon Qi present on top of that tall pavilion?"

Hearing this, Hua Qian’s face changed drastically. She indeed hadn’t noticed this.

"How could that be? The Liuli Royal Family are descendants of the rightful witch lineage!"

Su Chengyu calmly replied, "Two possibilities; either the Liuli Royal Family, like Hua Yingrong, is also cultivating the Demon Clan, or the current Royal Family has already been usurped by the Demon Clan in terms of real power."

Both answers are equally possible, with the former being the lesser evil. But if it’s the latter...

Su Chengyu couldn’t help but suspect that the infiltration of Liuli Country by Dongying might be deeper than what the world perceives.