Chapter 35: The Worst, Not the Strongest (3)

The demonic martial world is a place where the strong survive.

The strong are treated well, while the weak are devoured. Both the strong and the weak recognize this to some extent as a matter of course. This is different from the righteous martial world, which values principles and righteousness over mere brute force.

However, the demonic martial world, specifically the Heavenly Demon Sect’s principle of the strong surviving, had its own advantages.

Even if you were the offspring of a strong person, if you were weak, you would be eliminated. Conversely, if you had the ability, you could be treated well regardless of your background.

This was the reason why Wei Honglian, a descendant of the Wei family, which was the last to harass the Heavenly Demon Sect in Hunan Province before being wiped out, could become the leader of the Inner Sect’s worst combat unit, the Devilish Demon Corps.

Xuliang recalled the document given to him by Xiaoyanxin.

‘Wei Honglian. Age thirty-two. Joined the sect at nine and showed promise after five years, being transferred to the Inner Sect. Promoted to Devilish Demon Corps member at twenty due to her remarkable talent and ruthless nature. Engaged in a life-or-death duel with the previous leader and won after a fierce battle of over three hundred strikes, becoming the leader at twenty-eight.’

Even from this brief information, one could tell how ruthless she was. It’s impossible to create such a glorious history without considerable courage and drive, regardless of martial arts skills.

‘An interesting one.’

Wei Honglian looked at Daoweijing.

"I'm sorry. I'll apologize on her behalf."

Daoweijing waved his hands.

"No, no, it's fine!"

"But it seems the innkeeper knows this girl?"

"Yes! She occasionally comes to the main inn for meals."

"Did she come this month?"

Daoweijing tilted his head.

"This month... "

Suddenly, the deputy leader, Chagwang, glared at him. Daoweijing’s face turned pale again.

Wei Honglian’s eyes deepened.

Crack!

"Ugh!"

Chagwang fell like a frog.

"Who do you think you are to glare at me like that?"

"Cough! Leader, it's not like that..."

"This brat, you came here, didn't you?"

"It's just that..."

"I told you to stay in your quarters until the feast, didn't I? Did you dare to disobey my order?"

"Please, let me explain..."

Crunch.

Wei Honglian clenched her fist. A sense of overwhelming power, comparable to that of a Vajra Warrior, radiated from her fist.

"Have you been slacking off lately? If you thought I would let you off because it's feast day, you were mistaken."

She swung her fist.

Punch, punch, punch!

Chagwang’s body jolted with each punch.

There were no screams. Chagwang knew that if he screamed, he would get hit even more.

Wei Honglian’s pupils gradually turned red.

The way she licked her lips was like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

"Doing such things as a deputy leader. When are you going to get rid of that third-rate thug mentality?"

Crack!

Daoweijing’s mouth dropped open.

This is a bone-breaking sound, isn't it? Did she really break his bones? It's still feast day, though?

Wei Honglian snorted.

"Dismissed."

Whoosh!

Chagwang immediately got up. He wanted to collapse and roll around, saying he was about to die, but he didn’t dare to.

"Do you think I went too far?"

"No!"

The reflexive answer.

Xuliang, who was watching the scene with great interest, could tell from Chagwang’s answer that he was sincere.

'Of course.'

In any organization, disobeying orders is a capital offense. If breaking an arm is the price, it’s a good deal. It’s surprising that Wei Honglian would end it at that level.

"I’m ending it here to avoid ruining the mood. If you do this again, I’ll really take your head."

Chagwang’s face turned pale. Wei Honglian had never gone back on her word.

"I will remember that!"

Only then did Wei Honglian’s expression soften.

"Bring in the others."

Chagwang staggered out the door.

"Hey, you guys! Come in!"

The Devilish Demon Corps members rushed in. They had heard the sounds of beating from outside and didn’t dare to speak a word as they climbed the stairs.

Wei Honglian shouted.

"Hey, you guys! What’s wrong with you? Why are your shoulders drooping on such a good feast day? Order some drinks quickly!"

The Devilish Demon Corps members were clearly simple-minded. The inn became lively in an instant at Wei Honglian’s shout.

"Wow, how long has it been?!"

"I haven’t had a drink in half a year..."

"Ah! I’m going to drink until my throat is sore today!"

It was like a seal being broken.

Laughter filled the air as the Devilish Demon Corps members occupied the floors from the first to the fourth.

Wei Honglian said to Daoweijing.

"Did you receive the feast money in advance? Give the kids whatever they want. If they’re satisfied, I’ll add two hundred taels."

As an innkeeper, Daoweijing should have been grateful enough to bow deeply, but his expression was still not good.

Wei Honglian tilted her head.

"Innkeeper."

"..."

"Hey! Innkeeper!"

"Huh? Yes?!"

"Why are you sitting there like a zombie? Move quickly."

Chagwang glared from the side, urging him to move quickly as the leader had said.

At that moment, the chefs came out of the kitchen with the food.

The chefs, not the waiters, were bringing out the food. This unusual situation made Wei Honglian and Chagwang blink.

Daoweijing quickly gestured.

"Quickly, quickly, bring it out!"

What... did he expect such a low posture?

While the two were puzzled, the nervous chefs headed for the first-floor window, not even glancing at Wei Honglian and Chagwang.

The two followed the chefs with their eyes.

"The food... is ready."

Xuliang nodded.

"You could have just done it as usual. Why go to such lengths?"

"No, no!"

"Where’s the drink?"

Daoweijing quickly approached the chefs and took out two bottles from his sleeve.

"This is the Five Liang Liquid from Sichuan. It’s a recent batch with a rich aroma."

Transporting Five Liang Liquid from Sichuan to here must have been a significant effort. Daoweijing had even taken out his own treasure.

Xuliang scratched his head.

"You didn’t have to go to such lengths."

"No, no! It’s an honor for me..."

"Strong-smelling alcohol doesn’t go well with light dishes."

"Ugh!"

Daoweijing prostrated himself.

"Please, kill me!"

"Huh? I just meant... get up. I’ll accept your sincerity. Please bring a lighter alcohol."

"Yes, sir!"

Daoweijing rushed into the kitchen.

Wei Honglian frowned.

'What’s with that guy?'

Seeing her expression, Chagwang, whose face was red with embarrassment, approached Xuliang with a limp. Despite his confident stride, his broken left arm made him look quite pitiful.

"Hey, you!"

Xuliang glanced at Chagwang.

"Me?"

"Who else is here, brat!"

Instantly, the chefs and waiters froze.

Wei Honglian felt the atmosphere on the first floor turn cold.

Xuliang smiled.

"Why me?"

"Are you part of the Inner Sect?"

"Sort of, I guess."

"Brat, don’t you know the Devilish Demon Corps has rented this place for the day?"

"Rented, or did the innkeeper scare everyone away?"

"What!?"

"Is it officially rented? Did you leave a document?"

"Look at this guy?"

Xuliang snorted.

"You do your feast, and I’ll enjoy myself. Is there a problem with that?"

"This brat really!"

Sssss!

A pale mist rose from Chagwang’s body, his demonic aura surging with anger.

Xuliang’s eyes sparkled.

'Impressive.'

He was almost at the level of a peak expert.

Of course, he wasn’t at a level that would impress Xuliang. To a super expert like Xuliang, who was among the top ten in the world, everyone was the same.

The key was in his spirit.

Despite his hot-tempered and impulsive nature, he would undoubtedly achieve more than his skills suggested in battle.

This wasn’t just true for Chagwang. Most of the Devilish Demon Corps likely had this tenacious and ruthless spirit.

Chagwang growled.

"Since it’s a good day, I’ll let it slide this once. Get out now!"

Considering the Devilish Demon Corps’ reputation, it wouldn’t be strange for him to draw his sword right there. Chagwang was showing leniency.

Naturally, it didn’t affect Xuliang at all.

"I don’t like fighting, so I’ll let it slide this once."

"What?!"

"Do whatever you want. I don’t care."

"Damn you!"

Clank!

Chagwang’s hand reached for his waist, ready to draw his saber.

At that moment,

"Stand down."

"Leader?"

"Don’t act rashly. Stand down."

Chagwang hesitated but stepped back. He couldn’t disobey his leader, who was like a god to him.

Wei Honglian approached Xuliang.

Xuliang looked up at her.

Grip.

Wei Honglian’s hand, hidden in her sleeve, tightened.

'Strong?'

The eyes of the person looking up at her were as clear and cold as ice. It was impossible to read his thoughts.

'I don’t know about his strength... but he’s definitely not weak.'

He looked to be in his mid-twenties. His face, despite his build, looked young enough to be called a youth.

'He doesn’t seem to be an ordinary person.'

Everyone here, from the innkeeper to the chefs, was paying attention to this young man. He must be quite skilled.

Wei Honglian stared at Xuliang, and Xuliang looked up at her.

Xuliang’s lips curved into a smooth smile.

"My neck hurts. If you have something to say, sit down."

Wei Honglian’s eyelids trembled.

Chagwang’s mouth opened reflexively.

"Is this brat trying to die?"

Xuliang and Wei Honglian ignored him. Chagwang’s breathing grew more intense, but he didn’t act rashly in front of his superior.

Wei Honglian spoke.

"Who are you?"

"Let’s exchange names?"

"We know you’re from the Devilish Demon Corps."

"It’s harder not to know. They all look crazy."

Sssss!

Killer intent rose from Chagwang’s body. He was on the verge of exploding.

Wei Honglian’s eyes deepened.

"You don’t seem reckless enough to start trouble first. Was I wrong?"

"You’re joking. Who started it, you or me?"

"..."

"And I said, if you have something to say, sit down."

"Why should I listen to you?"

"Because my neck hurts?"

Wei Honglian’s pupils, which she unconsciously licked, gradually turned red.

"You’re making a bad choice."

Xuliang’s smile deepened.

"Let’s see who finds it uninteresting."

At that moment, Daoweijing, who had come out of the kitchen, shouted in a pale face.

"Leader!"

Wei Honglian glanced at him.

Under normal circumstances, he would have lowered his eyes, but now, Daoweijing was in a hurry. The atmosphere was so unpredictable that he hadn’t even had a chance to explain who this person was.

"That, that person, you shouldn’t—"

Clang!

Chagwang drew his sword and placed it on Daoweijing’s shoulder.

"Uh!"

"What did you say?"

Daoweijing swallowed.

"Please, don’t—"

Chagwang laughed coldly.

"Give me thirty reasons why I shouldn’t. Then I’ll let you live."

He meant to kill him if he said anything ridiculous. Daoweijing closed his eyes tightly.

"He’s the Third Young Master of the sect!"

"..."

"He’s the disciple of the Sect Leader!"

"..."

Wei Honglian and Chagwang were shocked and looked at Xuliang.

Xuliang shrugged.

"Twenty-nine more, innkeeper."