Yang Yun's expression remained unchanged. He spoke slowly.
"My clan holds an unending blood feud with the Demon race. Over the years, we've devoted ourselves to eradicating them. This demon might have had a past conflict with my clan and thus targeted me specifically."
As he spoke, Yang Yun wore an expression of guilt.
"If that's truly the case, then I was the one he came for. Unfortunately, I've dragged all of you into it."
He looked remorseful.
Everyone quickly rushed to comfort him.
"Slaying demons is our duty. What's there to be afraid of?"
"Besides, you're the one who saved us this time."
"There's no need to feel burdened."
Under their reassurances, Yang Yun allowed a small smile to form.
"As long as you don't blame me for implicating you all, I'm relieved."
"How could we blame you for this?"
"The fault lies with the despicable Demon race."
"Don't overthink it."
Yang Yun gave a slight nod, then looked up obediently at Yun Jin.
"Sister Yun, what about you? Are you mad at me?"
Yun Jin met Yang Yun's gaze, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
This Demon Sovereign… truly lives up to the title of male lead.
The novel was framed as a heroine-centered story, told from the female protagonist's perspective.
But in truth—
All real power rested in the male lead's hands. Though marketed as a female-led tale, all the narrative bias favored the male protagonist. So it was no surprise that Ye Danxia's Luck plummeted so easily. While the male lead's Luck—no matter what—could never be diminished.
Compared to Ye Danxia, Yang Yun was indeed a far more formidable opponent.
However—
This was as far as it went.
Yun Jin's smile was soft. "How could I blame you for something so minor? Although… what he wanted to say seems to be something else entirely?"
She turned to look at the Demon race leader.
"Am I right?"
The Demon leader's expression shifted subtly.
His mission this time was simple: kill the Demon Sovereign.
But clearly, he wouldn't be able to accomplish it through his own strength alone.
That left only one final option—
Expose Yang Yun's true identity, and let the humans take care of him. As long as Yang Yun died, the outcome would be fulfilled.
The Demon leader opened his mouth, preparing to denounce Yang Yun. He knew well enough that just speaking wouldn't convince these humans. So, he reached into his robes, intending to retrieve the blood bead that confirmed a Demon Sovereign's identity.
Yang Yun's eyes turned cold in an instant.
A single glance from him—
The black-robed figures moved as one, launching a fierce attack on the Demon leader.
This man had to die.
At that moment—
Yun Jin stood directly in front of the Demon leader.
And this strike wasn't held back in the slightest.
The clear intent was to eliminate Yun Jin along with the Demon leader.
"Xiao Jin!" Lin Ya cried out in alarm, charging forward immediately.
But—
He barely made it a few steps before the violent shockwave struck, flinging him through the air and slamming him hard into the ground.
Tian Po Sword suddenly expanded, manifesting an enormous divine projection. It shielded against the combined assault of all the attackers.
Then, it dissolved into a sword mark and returned to Yun Jin's forehead.
"Young Master, energy depleted," Tian Po Sword spoke helplessly.
It would need to recharge before it could unleash such power again.
Yun Jin gave a nearly imperceptible nod. "Rest well for now, Senior Tian Po."
Tian Po Sword, knowing that Lao Huo remained hidden nearby, was reassured and retreated to begin recharging.
"What are you trying to do?"
In that brief moment—
Disciples from the Tianxing Sect rushed forward to shield Yun Jin. They stood between her and Yang Yun, their eyes now tinged with clear wariness. Compared to some unknown boy who'd appeared out of nowhere, they naturally trusted Yun Jin far more.
This person—it was one thing for him to want to kill the Demon leader.
But just now, he'd clearly tried to kill Yun Jin as well.
Such actions were difficult for anyone to comprehend.
Yang Yun's expression darkened slightly.
That massive sword had managed to withstand the combined strike of so many.
Good. Very good indeed.
"Little brother," Yun Jin smiled lightly at him. "You're really that eager to silence someone for good?"
Her voice was light as air, but it landed like a hammer on Yang Yun's chest.
Expressionless, Yang Yun replied, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"That's fine." Yun Jin turned back toward the Demon leader. "You wanted to say something? Go ahead."
The Demon leader quickly produced a red bead. It glowed with a strange, bewitching light. Yun Jin took it casually. The bead was still hot to the touch.
"This is the bead atop the Demon Sovereign's crown. It's steeped in demonic aura throughout. Once refined, the bead glows red and heats up when a Demon Sovereign is nearby."
The Demon leader spoke in one breath.
Whenever a Demon Sovereign is near, the bead turns red and burns.
The crowd's expressions subtly shifted.
Right now, the bead was glowing red and burning hot…
That could only mean—
Before anyone could draw the obvious conclusion, the Demon leader declared:
"That child is the Demon Sovereign, currently recovering from injuries after cultivating the Ninefold Nirvana Codex!"
Everyone turned simultaneously toward Yang Yun. A flash of astonishment flickered in their eyes.
That child?
The Demon Sovereign?
It didn't seem plausible at all, yet their gazes were now laced with suspicion.
Yang Yun listened calmly.
Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.
"I'm just a poor little boy. Do you truly believe his nonsense? If I were the Demon Sovereign, why would a demon try to kill me?"
"Simple," the Demon leader said, barely able to contain himself. "That so-called Demon Sovereign is nothing but a filthy half-blood. We never acknowledged him! Only by killing him can our bloodline be purified and our race restored to glory!"
A trace of madness gleamed in his eyes.
A lowborn mixed-blood demon dared to become the Demon Sovereign?
To the noble bloodlines, that was the ultimate disgrace.
The Demon Sovereign had to die.
The crowd's pupils constricted. Slowly, they turned to look at Yang Yun again.
So it was true… he really was the Demon Sovereign?
"Little brother, do you have anything left to say?" Yun Jin suddenly smiled.
Yang Yun narrowed his eyes.
The way things were unfolding had taken him by surprise. He had descended from the skies to save these people. Shouldn't they be overflowing with gratitude?
Yet now the narrative had veered off course.
Tracing it back, it all began when Yun Jin saved that demon.
Yang Yun had a sudden realization.
This Yun Jin… she had likely known his true identity from the start.
That's why—
She had taken every step deliberately, guiding the demon toward revealing it.
Now, the others were stunned at the word 'Demon Sovereign.'
But Yun Jin? She remained calm and unshaken.
Yang Yun studied her for a moment before he, too, smiled.
"Sister Yun, I get the feeling you don't like me very much. Maybe there's been a misunderstanding between us."
Yun Jin narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Since there's such a big misunderstanding between us," Yang Yun stepped forward, his smile pure and innocent, "why don't I just kill you?"
Yun Jin stared at him, expressionless.
Yang Yun laughed softly.
"You saved a demon for no reason, then colluded with him to falsely accuse an innocent child. Such behavior is no different from the Demon race. So I must kill you. And if anyone asks, that's my reason. What do you think? Is that a good enough excuse?"
Yun Jin blinked.
"Sounds perfectly reasonable."
Yang Yun nodded.
"Good. That's all I needed to hear."
The innocence in his eyes vanished, replaced by a chilling sharpness.
His voice was icy.
"Yun Jin slandered me. If I don't kill her, I will never be at peace. Step aside now and you won't be implicated. Stay in my way—and you die with her."