harleyscars Page 188
Page 188
HJJ Phoenix's face was like a dye vat, turning blue and white in turns before settling into a dark, iron-blue color that was a mixture of rage and humiliation.
He looked at his son, now a specimen, on the table, then looked up at Zhou Ye, who stood calmly before him.
beat?
Or not fight?
This thought battled fiercely in his mind, causing his magic to overflow uncontrollably, making the red wine on the table ripple.
He had the dignity of a head of family and a superior demon to fight. His son being delivered to their doorstep was a blatant provocation; if they didn't retaliate, where would the Phoenix family's reputation be?
But he witnessed the entire battle firsthand.
That woman named Nami single-handedly crushed her son's "Queen" with a magical feast that could be described as a miracle.
And this Zhou Ye in front of us is even more outrageous.
He didn't even see how the other party made the move; his own son, a supreme demon, was sealed away so casually.
Can I win if I go myself?
What if... what if I lose too?
The Phoenix family didn't just lose face; they had their faces ripped off, thrown on the ground, and then stomped on!
But if we don't fight, we'll just accept it.
Then his own daughter, Levi... the jewel that his family cherished, was about to become this human's possession!
That's a pureblood demon from the Phoenix family!
In this suffocating atmosphere, Zhou Ye suddenly dropped his aggressive demeanor.
The smile on his face disappeared, replaced by an unexpected peace.
"No need to be nervous."
Zhou Ye's voice was calm, as if he were stating a trivial matter.
"Just admit defeat."
"I don't want Rias to feel awkward."
"As for the bet, it was just a verbal agreement. Whether it is executed or not is not binding on either party. I don't want anyone to have a difficult time dealing with it."
This statement was even more damaging than his previous boast of annexing the entire family.
It was like an invisible hand that instantly crushed the courage that Hitchley had just mustered, the courage to gamble everything.
What do you mean?
What does it mean to "not want Rias to feel embarrassed"?
What does it mean that "verbal agreements are not binding"?
This is no longer just a humiliation.
This is mercy! This is charity!
It's about a victor, standing at an unattainable height, telling a loser: "I'm not going to argue with you anymore, because my friend is watching, so don't make things difficult for her."
The veins on Hitchcock's forehead throbbed; he felt like his lungs were about to burst.
"You...you're pitying me?!" he squeezed out the words through gritted teeth.
Zhou Ye shook his head, sat back down in his chair, and picked up the glass of red wine that was floating in the air.
"No, I was just giving my friend face."
He spoke frankly and matter-of-factly.
At that very moment, all the demons of the Phoenix family in the spectator room turned their gazes to the two people sitting nearby who hadn't said much from beginning to end.
Rias Gremory.
And her brother, the current "Demon King" Lucifer, Sirzechs Gremory.
Rias's expression was somewhat complicated. She hadn't expected Zhou Ye to suddenly pull her out and lift her up so high.
And Sazex, the red-haired demon king, had been watching everything with a keen interest ever since Zhou Ye appeared.
Now, his smile was even wider.
The demon nobles present instantly understood everything.
They finally realized that Zhou Ye's earth-shattering declaration about the betting game wasn't meant for Hicks at all!
That was meant for Sazex!
In this way, he was showing the demon king his muscles and fangs: I have the ability and the courage to swallow the Phoenix family whole.
His current words demonstrate his shrewdness and emotional intelligence: "But I will not do that because I respect your sister and I give face to the Gremory family."
One press, one release.
One is hard, the other is soft.
They manipulated a demonic family that had stood for millennia.
This is not something a reckless person would do.
This is a top-tier political player!
Hitches realized this too, and his body swayed as if all his strength had been drained away in an instant.
He lost.
In terms of force, his son was crushed.
In terms of momentum, he was driven into a corner by the opponent's bet.
Politically, he was used by the other side as a stepping stone to submit his pledge of allegiance to the Demon King.
Utter and complete defeat.
"Ha ha……"
Higellas let out a dry, unintelligible laugh, then slumped back into his seat, which seemed to appear out of thin air and catch him securely.
“I…we, the Phoenix family…”
He opened his mouth, but the words "I admit defeat" felt as heavy as a mountain, and he couldn't bring himself to say them.
"Zhou Yejun is really an interesting person."
Just then, the red-haired demon king Sazex finally spoke.
His voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
He stood up, walked slowly to Zhou Ye's side, and his gaze fell on the space cube that imprisoned Leval.
"Such exquisite spatial control ability is unparalleled, even in the entire Underworld."
Sazex's eyes were full of admiration.
"but,"
He changed the subject, looking at CJ McCormick.
"The Phoenix family is, after all, the backbone of the devil."
"If it were to decline like this, it would indeed put me in a very difficult position."
These words were said to Zhou Ye, and also to give Hitchcock a way out.
Zhou Ye shrugged.
"So, as I said, all you have to do is admit defeat. As for Miss Levier in the bet, I never intended to force a lady."
He looked at Rias, whose face was pale, and gave her a gentle smile.
"I'm just here to help my friend and get revenge."
Rias looked at Zhou Ye, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew Zhou Ye was helping her, but the way he did it made her feel like she owed him a huge favor.
Sazex nodded in satisfaction.
He looked at Hiljes, his gentle tone now carrying a hint of command befitting a demon king.
"Cijeres, Zhou Yejun has already given you enough face."
"Now, make the decision that the head of the Phoenix family should make."
Hitches' body trembled violently.
He knew that the Demon King had already put an end to this matter.
He slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, all the resentment, anger, and humiliation in his eyes had turned into a deathly calm.
He stood up, and bowed deeply to Zhou Ye, his proud back bent low.
"We lost this ranking game."
"The Phoenix family concedes defeat."
Chapter 156 Affirmation from the Brother-in-Law
HJJ Phoenix's proud head finally bowed.
That phrase, "We lost," seemed to drain the marrow from his body, causing him to hunch over and never straighten his back again.
Standing behind Sazex, Rias finally let out a long breath that she had been holding in for a long time.
ended.
The enormous trap her parents had set for her, the engagement that was driving her almost insane, has finally come to an end in name only.
She clenched her fists instinctively, her nails digging into her flesh, using the slight pain to confirm that this was not a dream.
Of course, she also knew that things weren't that simple.
The entrenched, corrupt old fogies in the underworld will never let go so easily of an "outsider" who challenges the old order.
They always find new excuses and reasons to attack her, the Gilmore family, and even Zhou Ye.
And then there's Kirkbor, that reckless warmonger...