Thoughts returned to the present moment.

Ever since that final scene flashed back in his mind, Wang Xiaole's gaze was fixed tightly on the charred body that exuded a burnt smell.

A few seconds later, there was no one else who noticed Bexibo's body.

Just as the original soul returned to the body, Bexibo bounced up like a zombie and immediately started to flee.

Wang Xiaole had no intention of letting him escape freely, so he tightly gripped the sword in his hand and swiftly pursued ahead.

Locked onto by Wang Xiaole, Bexibo was thinking about how many years it would take him to create another fly clone as he fretted during his escape.

Fortunately, his worry did not last too long, as a sword struck from behind.

Bexibo, who only had time to turn his head, didn't have time to dodge when he noticed the sword.

"You demon king!"

With insufficient demon king power, Bexibo, after roaring in anger before his demise, was then cut down by the sword.

Now, Wang Xiaole could skillfully sheathe his sword, all while looking up at the sky with a dual focus, silently saying to himself:

"Sia, you no longer need to worry about repeating roles in the future."

In fact, at that moment when he killed the demon king, according to the rules, he had gained the qualifications to become the new demon king.

The decision ceremony for the new demon king could only be held at the "Seven Demon King Conference";

It was unknown whether his luck was good, as the conference was scheduled to take place shortly after the demon king's death…

Let's not worry about the future for now, but instead focus on tonight.

Due to his great achievement, when Wang Xiaole returned to the capital with Baishui and others, he became the hero of the country.

The beastkin, who already held a favorable view of humans, let alone those who had previously harbored prejudice against humans, couldn't help but applaud him at this moment.

Amidst the cheers, a certain action was necessary.

Before Wang Xiaole entered the royal palace, the people who had heard the news all at once lifted him over their heads, then forcefully tossed him into the air.

During this period, shouts of "One, two, three" continued without interruption.

If it weren't for the beastkin who were later called home by their families, even at that moment, Wang Xiaole would not have landed properly;

Likewise, he wouldn't have fallen back to the ground the next moment due to the lack of someone catching him.

Thud!

As he landed on his back, he finally understood:

In this day and age, the so-called 'heroes' might not be as reliable as a simple bowl of rice in some people's eyes!

If there were those who quickly chose to forget Wang Xiaole's contributions;

Naturally, there would also be those who couldn't forget his performance that day and would ponder about the future.

Representing the latter group were undoubtedly Baishui and Baixiong.

That night, Baishui uncommonly called her son-in-law into the room and, facing away from him (out of dislike), said:

"It's about time to seek new 'blood' for the royal family."

If it were two vampires discussing such a topic so late at night, "blood" would likely be taken literally.

However, in the beastkin kingdom, the discussion was between two cat-shaped individuals, so "blood" definitely carried a different connotation.

In reality, what Baishui meant was to help the Baishis find and accept a new young talent.

Only the strongest could sit on the throne.

However, the bloodline of the royal family, like any other, inevitably weakened over time.

The most obvious example was Bai Meow's mother, who couldn't fight at all and was essentially a gentle person without any means of self-protection.

Therefore, decades ago, the Baishui couple began to search for a suitable son-in-law;

They intended to find a suitable protector for their daughter by marrying her off to a powerful male.

Ultimately, Bai Meow's mother set her sights on the young Baixiong, and many events followed, which will not be mentioned here for now, but in summary:

"Is Her Majesty the queen planning to find a suitable mate for my obedient daughter; then, like me back then, have him temporarily assume the throne when needed until a new king emerges in a generation?"

This was how Baixiong understood it and expressed his personal opinion:

"This matter is urgent. The next generation of the kingdom in recent years is inadequate, unable to even find a 'potential collapsing country' strongman;

Those weak ones, no matter how suitable they are in other aspects, definitely won't be able to protect my obedient daughter."

"The most suitable candidate is already right here, isn't he?"

Baixiong didn't see Baishui's face directly, but at that moment, he couldn't help but believe that the queen in front of him was smiling.

"As long as he has enough strength and won't harm my granddaughter, he doesn't necessarily need to be sought within our own kind."

"Are you saying, Your Majesty?"

"The most suitable candidate is the human youth who killed the demon king that even you might not be able to defeat, and whom young Bai Meow has grown quite close to!"

This statement was like a bombshell that immediately shook Baixiong to his core;

Driven by emotion, Baixiong almost stood up from his wheelchair.

The reason Baixiong wrapped bandages around his face was primarily to conceal the temporary deformation of his facial features;

Otherwise, if he were to go out with this appearance, it would easily spread a rumor:

"The pig-headed beastkin have seized the throne, replacing our feline king, openly appearing in public!"

His legs were broken when he was thrown into the air and landed back on the ground;

For a time, Baixiong could only use a wheelchair instead of walking.

All these consequences were the result of a certain person and that person's "unavoidable" fist.

Every time he felt pain from the wounds, Baixiong couldn't help but curse that unscrupulous person silently in his heart, unknown to anyone else.

Of course, the events of the day weren't the sole reason why Baixiong found it unacceptable;

The only reason he rejected Wang Xiaole was simply:

"I will never let that boy become my son-in-law, even if I have to die… No, even if I die, I will return as a ghost to stop him!"

Because Baixiong was a father, and all fathers in the world despise a being called a "son-in-law";

His mention of "finding a suitable candidate" earlier was just an offhand remark, as if he had really wanted to find someone, he wouldn't have waited until now.

"Quiet, keep it down. It's late at night."

While making a hushing gesture with his right hand, Baishui didn't forget to let his left hand move, taking aim at Baixiong's chest with a strike based on feeling.

Thud!

The force of the blow was not light, and Baixiong's waist immediately bent, his head hanging lower than his chest.

"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah" (soft, plaintive cries).

"Think carefully, you betrayer: Although I am still young and plan to live up to a hundred and eighty years, you, this good-for-nothing guy, won't die for the next twenty or thirty years;

However, considering our identities, we can't afford to let our granddaughter be unprotected for even a moment."

"Ah, ah, ah, it can't be that boy. Even if it could be someone else, it definitely can't be him, ah, ah, ah, ah!"

Baixiong was clear:

With Wang Xiaole holding the title of Dibiles' consort, if his daughter was with him, wouldn't she end up as a concubine?

If such a situation arose, in the future, wouldn't his daughter have to adhere to the whims of that human's main wife?

"Absolutely not. Even if you kill me, I, as your son-in-law, will never agree to this marriage."

"Then I'll just have to kill you!"

With that, Baishui raised a small fist.

Baixiong, almost in a reflex, quickly backed the wheelchair away into the corner of the room.

Baishui didn't need to turn around to see that comical reaction, and her mood remained quite cheerful, as could be discerned from her tone:

"It was just a joke; I never mentioned finding a husband for my obedient granddaughter nor did I imply the royal family absorbing 'blood.' You misunderstood!"

"I don't quite understand."

"I simply want to find a protective figure for my obedient granddaughter, and the most suitable candidate happens to be that young man; I will bestow this mission upon him at the ceremony tomorrow."

Baixiong began to grasp the situation:

"If it's not about finding a mate for my granddaughter, and the entrusted person is a human, then a suitable position must be offered."

"Regarding the position, I've already decided. It is an actual position of authority that has never been held before; from now on, that youth will be our country's..."

Just then, a conveniently timed gust of wind suddenly blew loudly, drowning out the last three words, which were only heard by Baixiong alone.

The next day, Wang Xiaole, who had made significant contributions, finally had a breakfast that wasn't burnt tree bark but a local-style noodle dish.

Just like the previous night, Bai Meow secretly sneaked out of the room and crawled into the bed of her "big brother";

Hence, this meal was shared between the two of them.

With only one pair of chopsticks, they maintained the gesture of taking turns eating;

Later, there was a sudden and rude pounding on the door.

"Kid, get up! There's something very important today. After breakfast, you must go to the main hall inside the palace."

"Ah, got it."

Due to his previous experience, Wang Xiaole no longer felt flustered, and he didn't hurry Bai Meow back to the room.

They continued what they were doing, and even though the sound of slurping noodles never stopped inside the room, Baixiong always believed it was just one person making the noise.

"One last reminder: after you finish eating, don't go wake up Bai Meow. Her door is still closed now, she must be sound asleep. You are not allowed to disturb her after you wake up!"

"Of course, how could I possibly disturb Bai Meow?"

As he replied like this, Wang Xiaole carefully glanced at the little girl in front of him.

As if acknowledging the "big brother's" words, Bai Meow nodded obediently without making any noise.