Chapter 34. It's the Worst, But Not the Strongest (2)

The Demoniac Corps.

Simply put, it was a unit swarming with mad demons.

The Heavenly Horse Sect was fundamentally a religious organization. There was no need to name a unit in such a way. In fact, if the name was too provocative, it would only invite ridicule or suspicion from others.

However, no one, neither inside nor outside the sect, dared to underestimate the Demoniac Corps.

"Encounter the Demoniac Corps, and you will surely die."

It was a unit devoid of any trace of humanity. There was no room for compromise or dialogue. The Demoniac Corps, the worst of the worst, would tear into their enemies like rabid beasts, regardless of who they were.

And their notoriety was indiscriminate, which was why the Zimei Tower (紫眉樓) had entered a state of high alert from You Shi (酉時) today.

Dowei Jing, the owner of Zimei Tower, had sent all the maids out of the sect by Shen Shi (申時) and lined up ten waiters, standing in the middle himself.

It was a truly exemplary attitude of a merchant awaiting a distinguished guest, though the tension was more palpable than the solemnity.

Dowei Jing glanced at the window.

In about an hour, those mad demons would come swarming in. However, he couldn't keep the children waiting just because there was some time left.

If they arrived earlier than scheduled and found any fault, today would be a living hell.

'Sweat is breaking out on my back.'

Damn it...

'Why did I have to lose the bet!'

Just thinking about it made him feel wronged.

The moment the Demoniac Corps announced their banquet, the owners of the inner city's luxurious taverns held a meeting to decide which tavern would host the Demoniac Corps' banquet.

The subtle competition turned into a debate, and the endless debate eventually evolved into a bet.

And in the battlefield of a bet that was essentially a matter of life and death for the entire tavern, Dowei Jing ended up losing.

The Demoniac Corps, known for their rare full banquets due to frequent missions, made Dowei Jing's misfortune evident.

'Anyway, let's get through this well. I heard that if things go wrong, the Demoniac Corps' leader will even curse the elders.'

If he could insult the Nine Great Demon Lords of the Council, one could imagine how temperamental he was.

If things went wrong, it would be better to die than to suffer such torment.

Dowei Jing wiped his forehead repeatedly and shouted.

"Brats! Get your formations right! Hey, over there! Why aren't you standing properly?!"

At that moment.

Creak!

Suddenly, a silence fell over the tavern.

Dowei Jing's face turned pale. The sweat on his forehead evaporated, and the hair on his body stood on end.

Squeak.

The first-floor door slowly opened.

Dowei Jing, who quickly straightened his posture, saw a robust man standing against the sunset.

Swallow!

The sound of swallowing echoed from various places. Not only Dowei Jing but also the waiters and chefs were tense.

Dowei Jing shouted.

"Welcome to Zimei Tower!"

"Welcome!"

The people lined up on both sides bowed deeply. The angle of their bows was sharp, and their voices echoed loudly, making the ceiling tremble.

A moment of silence.

The silence was broken by an incredibly cute cry.

"Ah!"

'What? What's that sound?'

Dowei Jing tilted his head. Who could be making a sound like a baby animal?

He slowly straightened his back and looked around.

And the young man he faced.

"Isn't the welcome a bit too grand?"

The young man's face was filled with bewilderment as he spoke.

Dowei Jing's eyes wavered.

"Who...?"

The young man, Xuliang, scratched his head.

"Of course not, right?"

"Who are you? Our Zimei Tower is not accepting any other guests today..."

"I'm Xuliang."

"Excuse me?"

"People call me the Third Young Master."

What's a Third Young Master? Is it something to eat?

The sudden word made Dowei Jing's thoughts unable to function properly. The same went for the waiters and chefs.

Xuliang looked around.

"I heard this tavern can easily accommodate five hundred people. Why is it so empty today? No customers?"

"Excuse me?"

"Well, since I'm here, there's no other choice. My feet hurt, and my back aches. I'm too lazy to go elsewhere, so just give me a seat."

What is this unexpected familiarity?

While Dowei Jing stood awkwardly, tilting his head.

"...Third Young Master?!"

A single word from someone completely changed the atmosphere.

'Third Young Master? Which Third Young Master? What? The Third Young Master? The Third Disciple of the Sect Leader?'

Dowei Jing's face turned pale in an instant.

"Ah!"

"Ugh?!"

"Cough!"

Everyone, showing various dramatic reactions, knelt down.

"Unbreakable Sect! Ten Thousand Demons Bow! We greet the Third Young Master!"

The resounding voices made the entire tavern vibrate.

Jinhao, who seemed to have a sore ear, buried his head in Xuliang's neck.

Jinhao, who was petted a few times by Xuliang, rubbed his ear.

"If you're going to make such a fuss every time we meet, I won't be able to come to the tavern often in the future."

"Ah, ah! Excuse me?"

"Since it's inconvenient, I'll have you all stand up now."

"Understood!"

Swoosh!

Everyone, led by Dowei Jing, stood up immediately.

He walked to a window seat, looking around the first-floor tables.

Dowei Jing bowed deeply and followed behind Xuliang. His extreme caution was evident from the way he walked on tiptoes, making no sound.

As soon as Xuliang sat down, Dowei Jing knelt immediately.

He cried out desperately, as if spitting out blood.

"Your visit to our tavern is truly a great honor!"

At the same time, the waiters and chefs shouted.

"An honor!"

Xuliang frowned. Jinhao, who quickly hid in his arms, covered his ears with his front paws.

"Enough. What's the best dish here?"

"Excuse me?"

"I asked what the best dish is."

"Well, how...?"

"Did I come to the tavern for nothing? I came for good food and drinks, didn't I?"

"Ah!"

No one had ever thought that the Third Young Master would be a 'guest.' Dowei Jing stammered as he explained the dishes.

Xuliang sighed after listening.

"They're all strongly flavored."

Though it was a mutter, everyone who could hear it did.

Especially the chefs' faces turned so tragic that even patients with contagious diseases would evoke sympathy.

"Whatever dish you desire, I will have it brought to you!"

Dowei Jing, who was sweating profusely, prostrated himself and shouted, and the chefs nodded vigorously.

Xuliang, lost in thought, snapped his fingers.

"Boiled pork in a bamboo tube with stir-fried vegetables, seasoned with a bit of oil. The stir-fried vegetables should be spicy but lightly seasoned."

Swoosh!

Dowei Jing jumped up and approached the chefs. He was so fast that even Xuliang gaped in amazement.

Dowei Jing, with bloodshot eyes, glared at the chefs.

"Make it."

"Excuse me?!"

"Make the best dish, so good that even if two people eat it, one might die without noticing. Use all your skills! Understand?"

"Ah! Understood!"

"If the Third Young Master frowns even once, I'll boil your bones and make soup out of them!"

"We will remember, sir!"

Though the words were whispered, the sincerity and seriousness behind them were beyond imagination.

The chefs, pale-faced, darted into the kitchen like arrows.

Xuliang inwardly clicked his tongue. Despite being terrified, they were determined to make good food.

But it didn't matter.

'Even if it's not good, I can pretend it is.'

After all, the purpose was not the food and drinks.

Thus, all the staff, who were preparing to entertain the Demoniac Corps, now moved to serve Xuliang alone. The waiters, who had already cleaned the place spotlessly, picked up their mops again.

Of course, the cleaning was done very politely and quietly, out of Xuliang's sight. They were afraid he might be bothered.

Naturally, Xuliang didn't pay them any attention. He was busy playing with Jinhao, who had sprawled on the table.

How much time had passed?

Jinhao's ears perked up, and a cold light appeared in Xuliang's eyes.

'They're here.'

Huff.

The demonic aura could be felt from a distance.

'As rumored, or even more.'

They were violent.

Each of them knew how to control their demonic aura, but a raw and unrefined demonic aura seeped through their presence.

'Two hundred members, all at least first-class. As the information on the organizational chart states.'

And one more thing.

'They are battle-hardened.'

Their sensitivity and killing intent, honed through countless battles, were deeply ingrained. Regardless of the organization's nature, they were clearly one-to-a-hundred warriors.

Xuliang scratched his head.

'Will they be well-prepared?'

Well, if not, there's nothing he could do. After all, he was one of the highest-ranking members of the sect, so there was no need to be intimidated.

A moment later.

Bang!

A large man entered with a sound so intense it seemed the door had shattered.

"We're here..."

The man frowned before he could finish his sentence.

"What? You haven't prepared yet?"

The waiters were cleaning gently, and a magnificent flame was rising from the kitchen. The atmosphere was extremely solemn and tense.

Everyone's gaze turned to the man.

His face twisted. The attention was good, but these guys weren't even standing properly...

"Look at these guys? Hey! Where's the tavern owner?"

At that moment, Dowei Jing quickly came down from the second floor, his face drenched in sweat and full of urgency.

"Y-You're here, Corps Leader."

"Isn't it prepared yet? I thought the banquet time was announced properly?"

"No! It's perfectly prepared!"

The man, about to retort, tilted his head.

"Why does your voice sound like that?"

"Excuse me?"

"Why does your voice sound like a thief's balls shriveled up?"

Dowei Jing forced a smile.

"R-Really?"

"See, it's still like that now."

"If it offends you, I apologize."

"Offends... No, no. Hey, tavern owner."

"Y-Yes."

The man nudged the chair next to him with his foot.

"You said everything is ready, but why is it so chaotic?"

"Ah, well..."

"And how do you manage these guys? When a guest comes, they should bow and lower their heads, right? What are they doing, staring blankly?"

As he spoke, the man's face turned red with anger.

"Is this how you start a good banquet day? If you do this, we'll feel let down. Don't you think so?"

"U-Um..."

"And."

The man's eyes turned to the window seat. Xuliang, who hadn't even looked at him, was playing with Jinhao with his fingers.

His eyes glowed with killing intent.

"Who is that kid?"

"!"

"Shouldn't you have sent everyone out in advance when you announced the banquet? Saying everything is ready when it's not? Are you really crazy enough to want to die?"

Instantly, everyone in the tavern, including Dowei Jing, turned pale.

The man roared.

"What are you sitting there for? Drag that kid out immediately!"

Swallow.

"Hey? Why aren't you moving? These guys really!"

He raised his fist. His eyes, full of excitement, suggested he was about to start breaking things.

At that moment.

Smack!

"Ah!"

The man, hit hard on the back of the head, staggered forward a few steps.

At the same time, a cold voice came from outside the door.

"What are you making such a racket for?"

Xuliang's eyes sparkled.

'They're here.'

Thud, thud.

A person slowly revealed himself.

A man with a height of nearly six feet and an appearance that seemed to be in his thirties.

His slightly neurotic eyes and a diagonal scar added a chilling effect. However, apart from these two elements, he had a very handsome face.

A woman with a two-foot-long, nine-inch-wide thick short sword on her back.

"Did I say to clear the way, not to cause trouble? Huh?"

The man bowed his head.

"L-Leader."

Xuliang smiled.

'So, you've arrived.'

The leader of the internal combat unit, the youngest and most violent of the peak demons.

The Demoniac Corps' leader, Wei Honglian (威紅蓮), had arrived.