Chapter 107: A Gathering of the Three Heroes

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Seeing Ye Sansi laugh heartily, the king was puzzled and softly asked, "Brother Sansi, why do you laugh?"

Ye Sansi waved his hand and squinted with a smile. "Brother King, Brother Peng is an immortal. When he speaks, he is steady and measured, and his actions are neither hurried nor slow. I thought I had encountered a long-lost immortal spirit. But even such lofty immortals have moments of impatience and may forget the tea ceremony they have upheld for so long."

Hearing Ye Sansi's playful words, Immortal Peng felt a bit embarrassed, lowered his head, and laughed softly. "You flatter me."

Ye Sansi lifted his teacup again, blowing on it to cool the tea, then asked, "Brother Peng, tell me, is this tea sour, spicy, or bitter?"

Immortal Peng did not answer, and the king quickly interjected, "Brother Sansi, is this tea truly so magical? Can its flavor change?"

Ye Sansi chuckled, "The essence of this tea is only known to Brother Peng. I only half understand..."

Scratching his head with a flushed face, Immortal Peng said, "Brother Sansi, please don't tease me. Today, since the king has come, I was just anxious not to be negligent."

"Oh?" The king smiled and asked, "Elder Peng, we have known each other for many years and stand as equals in the Realm of Strange Demons. I consider you a close friend. Even after your ascension, you have not forsaken me. If I asked you to do something, no one would say a word. So why should you fear me?"

Every word the king spoke was sincere. In his heart, he already regarded Immortal Peng as a brother, someone he would exchange life for life with.

Immortal Peng understood the king’s feelings and thus, their daily interactions resembled brothers rather than ruler and subject. Peng admired and loyally assisted the king.

Laughing heartily, Peng said slowly, "Great King, how could I fear you? It’s just that you’ve come all this way; I must treat you well, so I was anxious. Ha ha, thinking of my clumsy manner makes me laugh. I wonder how the tea tastes—I’ll let you try."

Ye Sansi sipped carefully, closed his eyes to savor the flavor, then suddenly opened them wide and exclaimed, "Not bad at all! The taste of this tea exceeds my expectations—very good. Though bitter, it gradually turns sweet. Drinking it clears the throat. It seems Brother Peng’s brewing method does not lose the tea’s true flavor."

Immortal Peng poured himself a cup and took a sip. Indeed, as Ye Sansi said, although the brewing was rushed, the tea’s original flavor remained intact. Peng smiled, "Brother Sansi, this is what I call the way of tea... The most important part is the selection of ingredients. If the leaves are good, even a less-than-perfect brew will yield a fine tea..."

While speaking, Peng glanced at the king, signaling toward Ye Sansi. The king, perceptive, understood Peng’s meaning and thought: Elder Peng’s words carry a deeper message. He evidently holds Ye Sansi in high regard. Indeed, Ye Sansi is a rare genius. If we could win him over, our Realm of Strange Demons would be greatly strengthened.

The king smiled and said to Ye Sansi, "Brother Sansi, do you grasp the deeper meaning in Elder Peng’s words?"

"Deeper meaning? I haven’t thought deeply and don’t understand. Please, Brother King, enlighten me."

The king placed his teacup in the center of the table and said, "Brother Sansi, though I do not understand the principles within this tea, I can taste it. You have tasted it too and know it is bitter yet sweet, with excellent flavor, truly good tea. Do you know why?"

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"Brother Peng said it is because the tea leaves are of superior quality, so even if the brewing is imperfect, the taste remains good..."

The king laughed heartily, "Ha ha ha! Brother Sansi, how could you not know? The tea leaves here refer to you. I say you are exceptionally gifted. From what I have seen, your aptitude and insight are remarkable—a true prodigy. Even if not brewed perfectly, you will achieve great things. Our Realm of Strange Demons can offer you the best environment to nurture your talents..."

Ye Sansi understood the king’s intentions, but having already sworn allegiance to his master and joined the Immortal Isle sect, he could not easily switch to the Realm of Strange Demons.

Moreover, immortals and demons are like fire and water—born enemies. If his master learned he consorted with demons, he would be disappointed and might even expel him from the isle, shattering his dream of cultivating immortality to protect the world.

Hearing the king’s attempt to recruit him, Ye Sansi quickly replied, "Brother King, I understand your meaning, but this is a serious matter. I cannot agree lightly. After all, I have sworn to my master and have friends and family on the Immortal Isle. It would be inconvenient. But I do appreciate your kindness."

Ye Sansi’s refusal was reasonable and respectful, allowing the king to save face and not feel offended—only slightly disappointed.

The king nodded slowly and smiled, "Very well, Brother Sansi, you are loyal and honorable. I cannot force you. If you have time in the future, come visit the Realm of Strange Demons. That will make me very happy."

Immortal Peng drank his tea nearby, pleased that his efforts bore fruit. The tea was actually brewed by Peng’s own magic, so its flavor remained excellent. His intention was to make the king truly value Ye Sansi, see him as a talent, teach him magic, and treat him well—a repayment for Ye Sansi’s life-saving aid. After all, Peng’s ascension owed much to him, so gratitude was due.

After some conversation and several cups of tea, the meal was finally served. However, there was no sign of the rabbit demon. Upon inquiry, Immortal Peng smiled, "My wife and children are very understanding. They said if guests are present, she won’t show herself to avoid disturbing us."

Speaking of the rabbit demon, Peng’s face was full of joy and happiness.

Tonight’s meal was sumptuous; Ye Sansi counted thirty dishes, more than could fit on the table, so the plates were stacked. He smiled, "Wow, not a single dish repeats from today’s earlier meal. It seems the elder sister-in-law not only excels in combat but also knows many recipes—truly impressive."

Hearing Ye Sansi’s praise, the king teased, "Brother Sansi, don’t flatter her too much. Look, Elder Peng’s face is turning red."

The three chatted and laughed while eating. The king picked some food and chewed, but instead of spitting it out as expected, he swallowed it.

Seeing this, Ye Sansi was puzzled, "Brother King, why..."

The king waved his hand and smiled, "This food is truly delicious. I haven’t tasted such flavors in many years. If I were to spit it out, I simply couldn’t bear it."

Immortal Peng was concerned, "That won’t do, Your Majesty. I know your condition—your lower abdomen is injured, and eating could trigger old wounds. The pain would be unimaginable. You must not..."

The king smiled and waved off the concern, "No matter. After eating, I will use magic to expel it, preventing any relapse. Don’t worry about me; just enjoy the food before it gets cold."

The three ate together like brothers, though their feelings toward each other were quite complex.

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In the king’s heart, Ye Sansi was still an outsider—someone to be courted but not truly a brother. He wanted Ye Sansi to feel indebted to the Realm of Strange Demons so that when he became great, he would aid them in times of trouble. To Peng, the king considered him a trusted confidant, a brother in arms, even more like an elder brother. Since the Realm’s founding, Peng had contributed the most and cared for him deeply. Even after ascending, Peng remained loyal. If the throne were to be passed on, and Peng was to succeed, the king would have no objections.

Ye Sansi saw both these brothers as kind-hearted men. Though Peng was a great demon who had ascended to earth immortal, his deeds surpassed those of many immortals. Regarding the demon plague in Lingzhou, without his help, it would never have been eradicated. He also taught Ye Sansi the way of tea, with every word sincere, from which Ye Sansi learned much. As for the king, Ye Sansi understood his ambitions and intentions. He was grateful for the kindness and hoped one day to repay their guidance and care.

Peng had no complaints about the king and remained loyally devoted, hoping to protect the Realm of Strange Demons forever. For Ye Sansi, he felt gratitude, respect, admiration, and trust, knowing he was destined for greatness but did not want him to remain in the Realm of Strange Demons.

Peng believed that external immortal sects and worldly trials were what Ye Sansi truly needed. He also wished to praise Ye Sansi before the king to make him see Ye Sansi as a valuable asset of the Realm, so that he could gain more benefits there.

Sure enough, Peng’s subtlety worked. The king suddenly said while eating, "Brother Sansi, since you do not wish to stay in my Realm of Strange Demons, yet we call each other brothers, it feels improper. If the demons outside the palace knew, they would surely mock me."

Ye Sansi smiled, "Why does it matter? If it troubles you, Brother King, what do you intend to do?"

"Brother Sansi, how about I appoint you an elder, ranking just below Elder Peng?"

Ye Sansi quickly shook his head, "That won’t do. There are many senior great demons in the Realm; I dare not rank above them."

"I say you are worthy, so you are. You must know you are my brother. I wanted to grant you a marquisate but feared gossip, so made you an elder instead."

"But—"

"No more buts. This matter is settled. Once the king decrees, it cannot be revoked. Even if you later join an immortal sect and leave the Realm, all demons here will recognize your elder status. Tomorrow, come to the king’s palace, and I will give you a token. If you encounter demons from the Realm outside, you may issue commands directly, and they will obey."

Faced with such firmness, Ye Sansi could not refuse and nodded with a smile. "Brother King, I do not know how many good deeds I did in a past life to meet you and Brother Peng. Such blessings feel like a dream."

The king’s appointment pleased Immortal Peng greatly. He smiled faintly, ate in silence.

The elder position was no ordinary rank. With tens of thousands of demons in the Realm, only ten elders existed. Ye Sansi’s position promised a future beyond imagination...