My Demon Friends

Chapter 745 - 705 Problems

It was the third day in the small mountain village.

Dawn had broken not long ago.

Zhou Li huddled under the covers playing with his smartphone. He was also keeping an eye on the time. He planned to get up about ten minutes before Miss Zheng started cooking breakfast. Then he would go downstairs to wash up, start the fire, and incidentally, break off a piece of the sausage cooked last night to roast in the flames.

People who love labor are just this diligent.

CLICK!

The doorknob turned, and the door opened.

Zhou Li looked up, puzzled, only to see Brother Nan, neatly dressed, walking in. She looked calm. She walked to his bed, stood before him, and said,

"Good morning."

"What's up?"

"Nothing much. I just came to inform you of a few things. The details of the Migration Plan have all been finalized, and all the involved Demons have rehearsed it multiple times in the Mirror Zone without error. Therefore, we will officially open the portal connecting the two places in the real world this evening. This means that starting tonight, we will officially launch this grand plan. After about 52 hours of preparation, the Old Land World will leave this planet under our drive."

Having said this, she paused, watching Zhou Li calmly before continuing, "We have caused a lot of trouble in your human world over the years, and for that, I am truly sorry."

"Huh?"

Wrapped in his blanket, Zhou Li was dumbfounded. He felt awkward and helpless, unsure if he should remain in bed or get up. As for how to respond, he was even less sure.

His mind was a whirl of complex emotions.

After about a dozen seconds, he finally reacted, "Your Highness is too polite. Besides, I have no right to accept or reject this apology on behalf of the human world... And this, this... isn't this news a bit too sudden?"

"Sudden?"

"A... a bit..."

"It's only that you weren't ready," His Royal Highness, the Elm King, chuckled lightly, cracking a joke in a relaxed manner. "Just in time before the New Year, giving your Young Heavenly Masters a holiday."

"That's true."

On reflection, the Migration Plan had indeed undergone numerous simulations in the Mirror Zone a long time ago. Yu Country had been ready for a while.

It was just that he had been too indolent and obtuse.

His Royal Highness, the Elm King, smiled slightly. "I must leave here temporarily to go to the Mirror Zone. I will also separate from your girlfriend. At the latest, I will safely bring her back to you in three days. If you have any concerns, you can ask them now."

"Ummm..."

Zhou Li hesitated. He wanted to ask His Royal Highness, the Elm King, to take him along, but he also felt he should stay to accompany Miss Zheng and Huai Xu.

The reason he wanted to go was to find out whether Hong Ran would stay. He also wanted to see Brother Nan as soon as possible after everything concluded. Hong Ran was always unwilling to tell him if she would stay or not; perhaps she herself hadn't decided. She probably wanted to stay, but once in the new world, the Demons of the old Yu Country would need her.

Unable to resolve his dilemma, he decided not to do anything, although this in itself was another choice.

Zhou Li began to consider what question to ask His Royal Highness, and he did have one. So he sat up a little, glancing at the lifeless Old Monster sprawled on the neighboring bed.

"Your Highness, does the departure of the Old Land World affect the Demons who choose to stay?"

"The impact is significant, but we managed to eliminate most of it. We've spent most of our time and effort on this aspect during the preparation for the entire Migration Plan. We left behind one of the treasures of Ling'an Country. It can replace some functions of the Old Land World to a certain extent, but only some, and not for long.

"So, after the Old Land World departs, Demons will be unable to enter it. Their Spiritual Power itself won't weaken, but certain abilities will disappear.

"For example, abilities that rely on the Old Land World for Instantaneous Movement will no longer be available."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Li couldn't help but glance to the side.

The Old Monster still lay motionless, as if he had long been aware of this.

So, the Great Devil King who used to appear and disappear at will wouldn't be able to do so anymore? Hands and feet that were never dirty would now need washing? No more instant cross-regional hops for stealthy snacking... And would he need to use the bathroom after eating?

Zhou Li opened his mouth but ultimately didn't ask.

His Royal Highness, the Elm King, continued, "Moreover, the Demons' lifespans will shorten. As the treasure wears out from intensive use and gradually ages, the Demons will also age. When it stops functioning, that will mark the time of death for all Demons who remain on Earth. Our simulations through the Mirror Zone estimate this process will take around two hundred years."

"Two hundred years..."

Zhou Li glanced to the side again.

The Old Monster still didn't move, as if asleep, yet his eyes were open, staring at the ceiling.

That's probably equivalent to the lifespan of a normal Heavenly Master...

His Royal Highness, the Elm King, said, "We have communicated all this to every Demon. The Demons who chose to stay have also chosen to accept these changes."

Zhou Li nodded once more.

"No more questions."

"Then I will take my leave."

With that, she turned to leave.

"Your Highness—"

Zhou Li called out to her, then cupped his hands in salute. "Take care!"

His Royal Highness, the Elm King, looked at him, smiled at the gesture, and then continued out of the room.

The door closed automatically.

Zhou Li turned to look beside him.

Today, the Old Monster was a fake.

Zhou Li looked left and right, picked up his phone's charging cable, and tossed it onto the adjacent bed.

THUD.

The Old Monster finally turned his head.

"What?"

Zhou Li stared at him for a moment before flinging back the covers and saying, "Get up."

"I'm not lighting the fire!"

"I'm planning to roast a piece of sausage."

"Oh!"

The Old Monster quickly threw off the covers and got out of bed—

He hadn't even taken off his clothes to sleep!

BUZZ. BUZZ.

A slight vibration.

Zhou Li took out his phone; it was a message.

Yin Le: Yu Country just sent us an official dispatch stating that the Old Land World will leave Earth and move to the stars within three days. Are you aware of this?

Yin Le: Are you there?

Yin Le: Are you awake?

These three messages had arrived almost simultaneously.

The typing speed of a Heavenly Master, as terrifying as ever.

Seeing that Yin Le looked poised to send him a voice call immediately, Zhou Li quickly typed back—

Zhou Li: I'm aware.

Yin Le: I knew you were.

Zhou Li: Barely earlier than you all.

Yin Le: There's also a letter of apology.

Yin Le: Aside from our country, all countries with established Heavenly Master Departments within the overlapping territory of Yu Country have received one. It seems America received one too. Tsk, I always thought the Demons of Ling'an were a bunch of aggressive, war-loving, ill-mannered creatures.

Zhou Li: Is that so.

Yin Le: My superiors asked me to confirm with you whether this is true or just one of their schemes. I told them Demons don't lie or engage in conspiracies, but they're still not sure.

Zhou Li: I think it's true.

Yin Le: Sigh.

Zhou Li: What's wrong?

Yin Le: I feel conflicted.

Zhou Li: Didn't expect them to leave so suddenly?

Yin Le: Yes.

Yin Le: But I don't know how to express it.

Yin Le: We've been in a standoff for so many years, experiencing struggles, peace, and even times of mutual aid. I thought this coexistence would end in our era. I also had many ideas I hadn't yet realized. I didn't expect it to actually end, and certainly not in a way that had nothing to do with me.

Yin Le: I know that no matter what, their departure is a good thing, but it's just so frustrating.

Zhou Li: This span of time is very long for an individual, but for a world, it's just a moment. It's as if they were merely making a stopover on Earth, pausing briefly before departing again.

Yin Le: You have a point there.

Yin Le: Anyway, I'm feeling very complicated right now. Tell me, without Demons, will we Heavenly Masters still have a reason to exist?

Zhou Li: We will.

Yin Le: For warfare and special operations? That feels like a downgrade.

Zhou Li: Possibly.

Yin Le: So, will there still be Heavenly Masters in the future?

Zhou Li: His Royal Highness, the Elm King, said it's highly probable.

Yin Le: When you become as powerful as Master Ming, remember to follow his example and prohibit countries from using Heavenly Masters in war. War machines that look like ordinary people are too terrifying.

Zhou Li: I'll do my best.

While they were talking, Zhou Li had already gone downstairs. After quickly washing up, he sat before the stove. Continuing to chat with Yin Le on his phone, he looked up at Miss Zheng and said, "His Royal Highness, the Elm King, said she has already gone to the Mirror Zone. The Old Land World is about to leave."

Miss Zheng simply nodded lightly and hummed an acknowledgment.

The fire was lit.

The firelight flickered on his face, making it feel scorching hot, yet his mind grew increasingly clear. Zhou Li unlocked his phone screen again and found Hong Ran's WeChat contact.

Zhou Li: Sister, have you decided? Are you leaving or staying?

Zhou Li: If you're leaving, I'll come find you now.

Zhou Li: If you're staying, come find me later.

No response.

Zhou Li replied to another message from Yin Le, then turned off the screen. He tossed about ten pinecones into the stove and stared into the flames, deciding not to think about anything.

The pinecones, burning fiery red like a blazing pagoda, would occasionally burst with a pop, scattering sparks.

This was the perfect time to space out.