Chapter 97: Deception

Chapter 97: Deception

"Bastian won't go," Bastian replied almost instantly, without any hesitation after a brief contemplation.

Muershi, the narrator, chuckled and said, "Why would a demon voluntarily visit Alruda's castle if there's nothing wrong? That's quite naive."

"Something must be up," Wen Ying commented. "Feng Luo and Lai Yehua are going there tonight."

Upon hearing that two high-ranking demons were also involved, the surrounding demons started to take Wen Ying's words more seriously, no longer assuming he was digging his own grave.

Tiger Soul and Li Jie, seated in the front row, turned their curious gazes toward him.

"Do you know why Alruda wants to see them?"

"I'm not sure, but it seems to be related to the Lucifer Academy. I thought it wouldn't be safe for a single demon to eavesdrop, so I plan on gathering a few others and taking turns to pass by and catch snippets of their conversation," Wen Ying shared his idea with a casual air.

Muershi, who was most enthusiastic about his phone, revealed a conflicted expression on his usually carefree face before declaring, "I'll accompany you tonight."

Wen Ying turned to look at him in surprise. "Didn't you say you wouldn't go back there for the rest of this semester after your last visit?" Although he didn't know what had transpired between Alruda and Muershi during the latter's departure from the dining table, Muershi's evident fright suggested a significant psychological impact.

Muershi noticed Wen Ying's expression and said in a bad mood, "I'm still the Extremity Evil Bird, after all..."

"Won't you be afraid of losing more feathers over there?"

Wen Ying's voice was as calm as a straight line without any fluctuations, reminding Muershi of the time when he had his feathers plucked by Wen Ying. His face twitched, "Alruda wouldn't pluck feathers from just one spot." Only Wen Ying, that damn guy, would focus on one area and pluck him bald.

Out of the small amount of friendship he still had, Wen Ying asked tactfully, "Are you really going?"

Muershi blinked and turned his head, "Just joking, I have something tonight, I can't go."

Wen Ying showed a regretful look. The break time passed quickly, and soon, the class bell rang. Wen Ying continued to ponder how to convince Lan Jiaying and the others to go back with him at night.

To deceive... No, to invite demons who were hostile to him to play at Alruda's castle was no easy task.

After the history class, Wen Ying glanced at Poros sitting in his seat and then at Lan Jiaying and Wu Shaluo walking out of the classroom. A few seconds later, he stood up and chased after them.

Muershi watched Wen Ying's departing back and muttered, "This guy isn't keen on making money from selling magic cards anymore. Something big must be happening."

Lan Jiaying walked forward, occasionally glancing behind. After a while, Wu Shaluo couldn't hold back and turned around with a frown, "What are you following us for?"

Wen Ying stepped forward, aligning himself with them. "There's something I need to discuss."

"Cut the crap," Wu Shaluo's devilish features were marred with displeasure. He took a few steps forward, towering over Wen Ying with his height and build. "Spit it out if you have something to say."

Wen Ying had tricked Wu Shaluo fewer times than Lan Jiaying. Although Lan Jiaying still held a sense of pride when facing Wen Ying, an unbidden wariness had begun to sprout in his heart. From past experiences, whenever Wen Ying approached him proactively, it usually spelled trouble.

Lan Jiaying was also curious to see what game Wen Ying was playing this time.

"The Extremists seem to have come looking for us..." As soon as Wen Ying spoke, both Lan Jiaying and Wu Shaluo's expressions turned more serious.

"When I left this morning, I sensed that they were following me," Wen Ying continued. "I probably provoked too many enemies during the mid-term exams, so they're seeking revenge now."

With these words, Lan Jiaying and Wu Shaluo understood the reason behind Wen Ying's visit.

Wu Shaluo scoffed and reached out to clasp hands. "So timid. You want us to walk home with you after school today?"

"It's not about being timid," Wen Ying countered earnestly. "It's about turning the tables and hunting them down."

Lan Jiaying studied Wen Ying's expression carefully. It didn't seem like he was lying, so he pondered for a moment before asking, "How many of them are there?" Wen Ying had stolen the spotlight during the mid-term exams, leaving Lan Jiaying simmering with frustration. The prospect of dealing with the Extremists now stirred a thrill within him. His right hand, accustomed to holding a blade, involuntarily tightened into a fist.

Wen Ying was indeed not lying. When he came to the academy that morning, he sensed unusual gazes on him. There were indeed Extreme Party members secretly observing him, but they didn't pose any real danger – they were mere minions.

Seeing Lan Jiaying and Wu Shaluo's evident excitement, Wen Ying confirmed his thoughts: demons were naturally combative, and with the mention of the Extreme Party, their guards would surely be lowered.

"More than ten? I didn't pay much attention in the morning because I was afraid of being late for school."

"At a time like this, who cares about being late?" Wu Shaluo couldn't comprehend it at all. "Dealing with the Extreme Party is more important."

Wen Ying said, "What if they left a few weak ones as bait to lure me into a trap?"

Although Lan Jiaying's demonic instincts were roused by the prospect of a fight, he still had doubts. "Why did you come to us instead of looking for Berlos or Muershi?"

"I asked just now, Muershi has something tonight, and I planned on calling Berlos too…" Wen Ying paused and smiled. "I thought it wouldn't be fair to you during the mid-term exams."

Lan Jiaying's lips twitched. If not for the need to maintain his elegant demeanor, he would have lifted Wen Ying's collar and slammed him against the wall. This low-ranking devil was a disrespectful, teasing bastard who spoke in polite tones.

Wen Ying waved his hand. "Anyway, I've called Berlos, so my safety as a demon body shouldn't be a big issue. Do you want to walk with me after school? It doesn't matter to me, but if you do, let me know before the end of classes this afternoon." With that, Wen Ying turned and left.

"Do you believe what he said?" Lan Jiaying asked Wu Shaluo.

Wu Shaluo seemed puzzled as to why Lan Jiaying asked with such gravity, as if pondering over a significant matter. He hesitantly replied, "Your Highness, do you suspect that this is the Extreme Sect's plot? Should we call for more assistance?"

Lan Jiaying's eyes focused as he pondered, but he didn't speak. Wu Shaluo waited for him to speak, only for Lan Jiaying to turn around and continue walking towards their original destination. As they walked, he finally said, "Let me think about it."

When they arrived at Lai Yehua's office, Lan Jiaying inquired upon hearing that Lai Yehua would be going to Aruda Castle at night and thus couldn't help with his training, "Is there something you need to attend to over there?"

Lai Yehua couldn't possibly tell an underage demon that he was being used as material; that would be too embarrassing. So, he pretended to be mysterious and said, "Some personal matters. Why, don't you usually refrain from asking too many questions? Is the evening training so crucial?"

Lan Jiaying shook his head. He had intended to tell Lai Yehua about Wen Ying's revelation, but decided against it. It could wait until after he resolved the issue with the Extreme Sect.

Assured that Lan Jiaying was settled, Wen Ying returned to the classroom and approached Belos. Whispering in his ear, he repeated what he had told Lan Jiaying earlier.

Belos' face remained stern. "You treated me that way over the weekend, and now you want my help?"

The fairy witch who had come to find Essence perked up her ears, as did the latter, eager to hear the gossip.

Wen Ying chuckled apologetically. "Well, you were just too adorable."

Belos remained aloof, reluctantly offering a condition, "Burn that box of yours first."

Wen Ying, smiling, "???"

Perseus noticed the stiffness in Wen Ying's smile, and his own face fell. Already intimidating without anger, the hostility around Perseus intensified. "You're not willing?"

It felt like a classic dilemma, akin to choosing between saving one's mother or girlfriend. Gradually, Wen Ying's smile faded away.