The system didn't care. It simply gave him the information on where to find Zuran at that moment.
And Ren recalled: The Demon God had sold Zuran off after he was useless to him. He had sold him into a slave marriage to the Death Sea Clan, in exchange for a rare herb that helped unseal him: The Death Rose.
"So I have to go there and get him back?"
[Yes. You have less than 5 hours to do that before he is officially married. After that, you cannot take him from the Death Sea anymore.]
Ren sighed. "Damn. I guess I really have to go rescue someone who wants me dead."
But he couldn't blame the poor, loyal lad who was used and dumped by the heartless Demon God. If it were him, he'd also want to kill his master.
"Okay then. Lead the way with the remaining information. Let's get this done with."
Ren made his way to the exit of the sealed cave. A purple, abyssal portal that would lead him out of the mountain appeared.
Ren placed a hand against the portal as he looked in. He could see the people down the mountain. There were hundreds of people standing before it—beast demon people.
They were half-human and half-beast. Some had horns; some had furry ears sticking out. Some had long tails, and some had hard, short ones. They wore different attire based on their clans: some in red, some in black, some in purple, and some in green.
Ren wasn't surprised by the scene. He could tell they were beast demons from different clans. Some were from monkey clans (half-human and half-monkey beings), some were deer clans, some were from bird clans, and the like. All beast demons.
They had gathered to witness the awakening of their sole Demon God. These beast demons had spent a thousand years praying for his return. Years of praying, offering sacrifices, and hosting rituals were finally paying off as the clouds turned purple.
They were singing and dancing, celebrating the return of the Demon God—the one who would redeem them from the shame the heavens had put upon them, the one who would come and fight back for their glory.
They were all happy.
Ren didn't hesitate much. He walked through the portal, and a purple light filled the air.
The crowd stood still, watching the beautiful purple sky dance. Lightning and clouds filled the sky, and everywhere seemed darker.
"He's here!"
"The Nine-Tailed Demon God is here!"
"He has finally returned!"
"All hail the great God of the Demons! All hail our salvation!"
While they cheered and sang, Ren appeared before them.
He stood there, his purple garment loose without a belt. His hands were swallowed in its sleeves, and his hair almost covered his face. He looked a mess.
Ren looked up at them, meeting their curious gaze.
Only one person was brave enough to step forward: an old man with a long white beard and hair, a chubby appearance, and a long horn. He peered at the man before them.
"Great Demon God YeHu? Have you finally returned to save us?"
Ren said nothing. His eyes surveyed the area for a moment, and immediately, they all fell to their feet, bowing and hailing his name.
"He will save us!"
"He is here!"
"All hail the great Demon God!"
"The only hope of all demons!"
Ren blinked. He waited for them to quiet down before he finally spoke.
"I, the Great Demon God..."
They were all bowing, waiting for him to make his great speech.
"...have officially retired and will no longer get involved with any of your deeds!"
"....."
Thunder and lightning ceased. The sky went clear, and everyone looked up at the Demon God.
"Huh?" The old man was shocked.
"Everyone should go and do as they please. Attack the heavens if you wish. But don't get me involved again." He flashed them a smile as he pushed his hair aside. "As for me, I'm officially retiring and living a peaceful, repentant life! Amen!"
He said this as he turned and walked off.
Soon, he had disappeared into the woods, leaving the crowd kneeling there, staring in shock and confusion.
"What just happened?" the tortoise beast questioned.
"Maybe that's not the Demon God...?" the deer suggested.
"Let's wait some more. Maybe the real one will come," the antelope said. And they continued chanting and praying on their knees before the Nine Mist Mountain.
---
The Death Sea Clan was the land of snakes—a dark land surrounded by the dark sea, running with abysmal waters that encircled most of the land.
Above these waters were pathway lands made of rock at different spots, scattered and disjointed. The paths were big enough for people to gather or walk through.
The biggest rock at the spot made up a tower. And in this tower lived the Death Sea King.
Today was the wedding ceremony of the Sea King's only daughter. She was being married off to Zuran, and their wedding was already set.
It was held outside. The rocks served as spots for the snake demons to stand and witness the grand ceremony. They were already being filled by them—snake beasts who had human upper bodies and snake tails, slimy fin-like ears, and scales around their bodies. Some had full human forms.
The snakes chatted amongst themselves about the strange wedding arrangements between the snake clan and a strange demon boy whose identity was still unknown to them.
They didn't seem to understand the reason for it, but none dared question the Death Sea King on this.
The Death Sea King sat on his throne at the upper rock. His black, silky robe covered him completely. His hair was long enough to sweep the floor, and his pale face matched his cold aura.
Behind him stood two guards, half-human and half-snake. They both held spears dutifully.
And on the center stage of the event, standing on the rock decorated for the occasion, was the groom. He was dressed completely in a red garment and had a red hood over his head, covering his face from the crowd.
"Where is the Princess?" the Death Sea King asked one of the guards.
"I think she's still getting ready inside," said the guard.
The Death Sea King cleared his throat. "Go and bring her out now. We don't have time to waste; it's already the auspicious time."
"Yes," he nodded as he turned and disappeared in a cloud of black dust.
---
The Princess sat before her huge pearl mirror. She was alone, gently combing through her hair. She wore her red garment, her face pale and painted with makeup for the occasion. She looked dangerously beautiful.
Soon, she felt someone standing behind her. She tried to move, but her body was frozen.
"Who is that?" she asked, panicking.
"Does that matter?"
"What... what do you want...?" Her voice quavered in fear.
A scoff came as the calm voice said, "I'm here to pick up my husband."