Chapter 106: The Treasure Pavilion

After browsing for an hour, Ye Sansi finally found something that piqued his interest: a bronze mirror. It appeared identical to any ordinary mirror found in the mortal world, yet Ye Sansi felt it possessed a distinct spiritual aura.

The Monarch explained, "Brother Sansi, this mirror was a keepsake left by my mother. I couldn't bear to leave it in the Demon Realm, so I had someone smuggle it out. I do not know what utility it may have, but whenever I look at it and think of my mother, I feel a sense of warmth."

Upon hearing that it was a memento of the Monarch’s mother, Ye Sansi felt it inappropriate to pry further. Just then, he spotted a suit of golden armor gleaming in the distance and diverted the conversation: "Brother King, what is that armor..."

The Monarch leaned forward, peered at it, and laughed. "Oh, that is a formidable treasure. It can deflect a fatal blow. However, it has been sitting in the treasury ever since I acquired it, never once used. I am not certain if its effectiveness is truly as legendary as claimed."

"Why not put it to the test, Brother?" Ye Sansi suggested jokingly.

"A fair point. Let us test it," the Monarch replied. To Ye Sansi’s surprise, the Monarch took the suggestion seriously. He used his magic to levitate the golden armor.

Since the matter was set, Ye Sansi understood the intent. With a wave of his arm, he summoned his blade, *Sky Wrath*, and sent it streaking toward the armor.

The moment the weapon and the armor collided, sparks showered the room, blindingly bright. Both the Monarch and Ye Sansi shielded their eyes with their arms. Only when they heard the heavy *thud* of the armor hitting the ground did they dare to open their eyes to see which was superior.

Ye Sansi saw *Sky Wrath* hovering in the air and extended a palm to catch it. There was an inherent connection between him and his blade; after the clash, he could sense that the weapon was unharmed. It was, after all, a divine armament; the edge remained razor-sharp, its fierce aura undiminished.

The Monarch approached the armor, crouched down, and inspected it closely. Finding not a single scratch, he exclaimed in amazement, "This armor is truly extraordinary! Had I taken that strike of yours head-on, I would have been severely injured, yet this armor remains unscathed. Brother Sansi, you must accept this. Wear it, and let it protect you."

"Brother, I cannot! This is a precious treasure. How could I possibly accept such a valuable gift?"

"Brother Sansi, if you respect me as your brother, then listen to me: take this armor and wear it! If you do not respect me..."

Seeing the Monarch’s insistence, Ye Sansi quickly responded, "Brother, how could I ever disrespect you? I will accept the armor. Thank you for this generous gift; I am truly grateful."

As Ye Sansi prepared to bow, the Monarch quickly pulled him upright, laughing, "Did I not say? When it is just the two of us, there is no need for such formalities. We are brothers; do not concern yourself with courtly etiquette."

Ye Sansi donned the armor, but to his surprise, it transformed from a physical object into a stream of golden light that began to seep into his body. Though he felt a moment of panic, he found himself unable to move. Fortunately, *Sky Wrath* did not react, signaling that the light was harmless, so he waited as the armor fully integrated into his being.

A short while later, the armor vanished entirely. Exhausted, Ye Sansi collapsed to the floor. The Monarch, stunned by this outcome, rushed to use his magic to check on him. After a moment, the Monarch let out a sigh of relief and smiled. "You are fine, Brother Sansi. You merely exhausted your spiritual energy to fuse with the armor. A few hours of rest will restore you. I apologize—I did not know what this armor would do, and yet I gave it to you, putting you in such danger."

Supported by the Monarch, Ye Sansi stood up, straightened his posture, and laughed. "Do not worry, Brother. The power of this armor is immense; it forced its way into my body, which is why I was so drained. However, I can sense that it is here to assist me, with no ill intent." He stretched his limbs, already feeling the vitality returning.

"Brother, I do not need to return to my room," Ye Sansi said. "This armor is indeed a treasure. In such a short time, I feel my strength recovering rapidly; I am already back to half my capacity."

"Half? I never imagined the Hetero-Demon Realm held such a treasure. It is fate that you are the one to wear it, ha-ha!"

"Ha-ha, Brother, you are too kind. It is getting late, and I find myself hungry. Shall we go find something to eat? I shall be staying in the Hetero-Demon Realm for quite some time, and the treasury is vast—there will be plenty of time to explore it later."

"Very well," the Monarch agreed. "I once heard you enjoy the cooking of Elder Peng’s household. Shall we go and impose upon them for a meal?"

"Ha-ha, it seems you have a fondness for the mortal world, Brother—you speak quite like one of them now! Very well, Elder Peng’s wife makes the best food in the world; I never tire of it."

The Monarch, though calculating, truly held Ye Sansi in high regard. Beyond the armor, he had even shared secret techniques reserved only for the rulers of the Demon Realm. As they walked toward Elder Peng's residence, the Monarch pondered. Ye Sansi noticed his silence and teased, "What is it, Brother? Are you having second thoughts about giving away such a precious treasure?"

The Monarch snapped back to reality and laughed, "How could I? I never go back on my word. Besides, the more valuable the treasure, the happier I am to have given it to you."

Ye Sansi sighed, "It is a pity that in this world, there are so many delicacies that you cannot consume. When we arrive at Brother Peng’s, you..."

"It is of no consequence," the Monarch interrupted. "I may not be able to ingest food, but I can still place it in my mouth, chew, and savor the flavor before setting it aside. Is that not a way to experience it?"

"A fair point," Ye Sansi nodded.

They reached the stone house and walked in. Elder Peng and the Rabbit Demon were inside chatting. Seeing the Monarch, they hurried to bow, but the Monarch waved them off. "No need for formalities. Brother Sansi mentioned that your cooking is exceptional, so I have come to impose upon you. Are we welcome?"

"Welcome, of course! Please, Your Majesty, take a seat. Brother Sansi, please sit as well. I shall brew some tea..." Elder Peng was flustered by the unexpected visit. His wife, the Rabbit Demon, chuckled at his nervousness and bowed to the guests. "My lords, please sit and have some tea. I shall prepare a meal immediately; it will be ready soon."

The Rabbit Demon was well-loved throughout the realm. Without her, the Hetero-Demon Realm would be like a starving tiger—fierce and brave, but lacking the strength to hunt. She was the one who personally funded the supplies for the great demon armies, easing the burden on the common folk. She held no official title, living simply among the people, and she did not fear the Monarch.

"I trust you, Brother Sansi," the Rabbit Demon said with a smile. "If you truly enjoy my cooking, I am delighted. I shall prepare extra. Now, if you will excuse me."

As she left, Elder Peng poured the tea. Seeing his flustered state—fumbling with the tea service—Ye Sansi couldn't help but chuckle. The atmosphere in the room was warm, far removed from the cold calculations of the royal court.