Chapter 50. The Gates of Hell Open (4)

Creak!

A member burst through the door and rushed in.

"Fourth Deputy Chief!"

The middle-aged man, Jin Xingzhu, frowned.

"What insolence is this? I said this is a place to honor a distinguished guest. I told you to handle minor matters among yourselves."

"Something terrible has happened!"

"What could be so urgent that you make such a fuss?"

"Chaos has erupted at the Jinma Corps camp! It’s said that Third Young Master suddenly barged in and turned the camp into a mess!"

Hong Weimen’s eyes gleamed.

Jin Xingzhu involuntarily stood up from his seat.

"The Jinma Corps camp? You mean Third Young Master caused a commotion at the barracks?"

"Yes!"

"Where did you get this information?"

"From the Jinma Corps members themselves!"

Jin Xingzhu’s gaze turned to Hong Weimen.

Hong Weimen nodded.

"He’s finally causing trouble."

"Looks like we need to take action, then?"

He meant to confirm if the 'target' they had discussed earlier was correct.

Hong Weimen smiled.

"You are one of the ten deputy chiefs of the Criminal Law Hall. If the policy of the Criminal Law Hall is clear, we cannot stand idly by when chaos erupts within the school. I believe it’s right for you to act according to your judgment."

Jin Xingzhu turned to the member.

"Dispatch the Black Crow Corps! Determine Third Young Master’s current location!"

"The Black Crow Corps, sir?"

"Yes. Capture all the demons involved in the chaos! There should be no exceptions based on status!"

The member’s face tensed, understanding the implicit command to bring even Third Young Master to the Criminal Law Hall.

"Understood, sir!"

The member left, and Jin Xingzhu smiled.

"I thought we might need to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, but it seems things will be easier than expected."

"Indeed."

However, Hong Weimen’s face was unusually serious, knowing that Xuliang was far from an easy opponent.

"It should be easier."

* * *

Smack!

"Ugh... Ah?"

Wei Honglian slowly opened her eyes.

Xuliang, with a nonchalant expression, flicked his fingers. Despite the momentum that suggested he would beat her to a pulp, he ended up delivering just one slap.

"Kept trying to hit you, but you’re all half-dead, so I can’t even do that."

"Eh?"

"What do you mean, 'Eh'? What, look at this?"

Rumbling.

The aura seeping out of Wei Honglian’s body was visibly dangerous. The dense demonic energy from her severely injured body seemed ready to explode at any moment.

Xuliang clicked his tongue.

"Good job, good job. This is why you get called crazy, you know."

"Eh?"

He placed his hand on Wei Honglian’s forehead.

Wei Honglian flinched.

"Relax."

Whoosh!

Instantly, Xuliang’s true energy surged into Wei Honglian’s upper dantian.

Wei Honglian’s mouth gaped open.

Forcing demonic energy into the upper dantian was a risky technique, one that few dared to attempt, even if they could.

'No! Wait! Hey, you crazy bastard!'

She wanted to turn her head but found herself unable to move a finger, as if her pressure points were struck.

But surprisingly,

"…Huh?"

Xuliang shook his hand and grumbled.

"You really take a lot of effort, you."

"Eh?"

"How long are you going to stand there, huh! Go to the corner and tidy yourself up! I have work to do, you troublemaker."

Wei Honglian’s eyes wavered.

'What?'

Sizzle.

The rampant Qingxian Demon Power calmed down, and the open meridians returned to their original state. The raging aura and intense anger subsided.

What’s going on? How did this happen?

As she stood there with her mouth agape, Xuliang turned to Ma Dongfil.

"Are you okay?"

"Eh?"

"Are you okay, huh?"

"Y-Yes, I’m fine."

Xuliang’s frown deepened.

Ma Dongfil’s condition was far from fine. He had no serious injuries, but he had dozens of minor ones.

'If I hadn’t stopped the bleeding in time, he would have bled to death.'

Xuliang turned to the Jinma Corps members.

Startled!

All fifty-odd Jinma Corps members stiffened with tension.

"Dongfil."

"Yes, Young Master."

"Did you hold back?"

"…Yes."

"Why? From the injuries, it looks like they attacked without hesitation."

"They are members of the Jinma Corps. They are not targets for the Law Enforcement Hall’s third captain to draw his sword against."

Xuliang looked at Ma Dongfil with a cold gaze.

Ma Dongfil bowed deeply.

This was different from when Wei Honglian had cursed. Their relationship and the weight of his words made it impossible for him to react any other way, no matter how principled he was.

At that moment, Xuliang’s voice echoed in his ear.

"That guy, every time I see him, he has some unexpected side."

"Eh?"

"Smart people don’t need to be principled, and principled people find it hard to be smart. But you’re not a brainless principled person."

"…"

"Belief and stubbornness are different. Belief can end with personal loss, but stubbornness can harm others. If I had come later, you wouldn’t have been safe. Do you admit that?"

"…Yes."

"Because of you, that crazy guy almost died. Right?"

In fact, if Wei Honglian hadn’t caused a commotion, this wouldn’t have happened.

But Ma Dongfil wasn’t the type to shift blame. His mind didn’t work that way.

Just the fact that the situation had become complicated because of him was enough reason to reflect.

"It’s my fault."

"Right. Knowing that is enough…"

"I know it’s my fault, but if the same situation arises again, I will act according to my principles."

Xuliang’s eyes widened.

"Even if you admit it’s stubbornness?"

"I would rather die with my stubbornness than draw my sword against a fellow disciple. Of course…"

Ma Dongfil smiled.

"Under the premise that the opponent is not a criminal deserving death."

"…Hmm."

"My reflection is sincere. But I need time to reconsider what is right. Pretending to understand when I don’t would be lying to you, Young Master."

Ma Dongfil bowed.

"I ask you to understand my sincerity."

As a disciple of the sect leader, that’s how it is. Despite this, Ma Dongfil revealed his inner thoughts, showing the deep bond he shared with Xuliang.

Xuliang chuckled.

"Well, that’s that."

Xuliang looked at the Jinma Corps members again and muttered.

"What should I do with that guy?"

He wasn’t referring to the Jinma Corps members but to Song Jing specifically.

Xuliang walked toward the Jinma Corps members.

The Jinma Corps members’ faces showed confusion. Ma Dongfil had called this young man 'Young Master,' so he must be one of the sect leader’s disciples, but they weren’t sure.

Regardless, their leader was Song Jing. The Jinma Corps members spread out, preparing for Xuliang’s approach.

At that moment, a powerful demonic aura surged from Ma Dongfil.

Sizzle!

A burning aura of anger, so intense it seemed to boil with killing intent.

"How dare you draw your swords in safety! Can you not show respect to Third Young Master immediately?!"

His voice echoed loudly.

The Jinma Corps members’ faces turned pale. They realized this young man was indeed one of the sect leader’s disciples.

At that moment, a suppressed voice came from Song Jing.

"Prove… it."

"What?"

"You say you’re Third Young Master, but who knows if you’re really him."

Ma Dongfil’s eyes trembled. He could tolerate being attacked, but he couldn’t tolerate such words in front of Young Master.

"How dare you…!"

Song Jing roared.

"How dare you speak so freely in safety! I am the leader of the Jinma Corps! You are not someone to be taken lightly, a mere captain of the Law Enforcement Hall!"

It was a roar like a beast’s.

In fact, Song Jing was just as anxious.

He knew the situation but couldn’t ignore the fact that the young man was Third Young Master. Even if he had doubts, who would dare impersonate Third Young Master within the sect?

'Damn it!'

But he had to act tough, knowing what Fourth Young Master Hong Weimen wanted.

Moreover, Third Young Master seemed to have some connection with Wei Honglian, as evidenced by his calming her down.

The anger towards Wei Honglian had transferred to Third Young Master, Xuliang.

Regardless of the reason, Fourth Young Master would likely back him up, and most importantly, his pride was too wounded to just bow.

Indeed, other reasons didn’t matter.

Ultimately, his pride made him overly excited and unable to control himself.

"What are you doing?! Immediately capture and kneel those arrogant bastards…!"

"Will proving it be enough?"

"…?"

Xuliang smiled.

A cold smile, starkly different from the one he showed Ma Dongfil.

"Will proving I’m Third Young Master be enough?"

"…!"

"Right. It’s a fair point. Why would you think I’m Third Young Master just because you’ve seen me? If this is a bluff, you’d be bowing to a scoundrel, and when you find out later, it would be a shameful thing for a demon who lives by pride."

"…"

"But I have no other way to prove I’m Third Young Master."

At that moment,

Sizzle.

A dark red demonic aura spread from his feet, consuming the ground.

Rumble. Rumble.

The sky, already dark, seemed to be struck by lightning.

Rumble!

A massive, rusted iron gate, like a mountain, slowly opened.

Clank! Clank!

A huge chain, tightly bound, barely allowing the gate to open a few inches.

The old Hell Gate, still bound by chains and rust, stopped there.

But it was enough.

To show the real demons here what true demons were, that much opening was enough.

Flash!

Song Jing’s mouth gaped open.

The Jinma Corps members’ eyes glazed over, and Ma Dongfil involuntarily bowed. Wei Honglian, sensing the ominous aura, was stunned.

Rumble!

A brilliant red demonic aura, burning fiercely. A blood-red current, ominously surging.

The true opening of the Yinying Demon Power, the Di Di Yu Guan Gui Men Shi (Underground Hell Gate Official Demon Technique), revealed its malevolence for the first time.

Boom!

With just one step, it felt like a giant had moved.

Xuliang’s mouth opened.

"Say it again."

Hiss.

A faint red mist spread with his breath.

"Who am I?"

Clank! Rumble!

On a distant hill, a fox emitting a colorful glow howled fiercely.

The demonic light in Xuliang’s eyes, now tinged with a sinister golden glow, flickered.

"Say it! Who am I!"

Flash!

"Kweeek!"

All fifty Jinma Corps members fell, spewing blood.

Even without an attack, they fainted from the overwhelming aura of a true demon.

Drip.

Blood tears streamed down Song Jing’s eyes.

He stood there, mouth agape, staring at Xuliang.

Crack! Crack!

How he realigned his bones was unknown. Adjusting his misaligned leg bones with demonic energy, he staggered toward Xuliang and knelt.

"…P, Please forgive me."

"The answer I want isn’t that. Answer my question."

Xuliang growled.

"Who am I?"

"Ugh."

"Who am I, I asked!"

Song Jing squeezed his eyes shut.

"You are Third Young Master!"

Pfft! Blood spurted from his seven orifices. The storm of demonic energy, like sunlight, created a terrifying pressure.

"You are definitely Third Young Master! A noble of our sect!"

"…"

"I made a mistake out of arrogance! Please forgive me with your great mercy!"

A satisfied smile spread across Xuliang’s face.

"You recognize me as Third Young Master."

"Yes! Of course!"

"How should we deal with your mistake of demanding proof in front of me?"

"…Kill me, please."

"…"

"Kill me, please!"

He seemed unaware of what he was saying, shouting with a blood-spattered face that was already as pale as a corpse.

Hiss.

At that moment, Xuliang knelt on one knee.

The two men made eye contact.

Song Jing felt a shock that made him feel like his mind was flying away.

A golden demonic eye, impossible to look away from, yet impossible to turn away from.

"Do not kill me."

"Aah!"

"Instead of killing you."

Xuliang smiled, revealing prominently sharp canines.

"Let’s put on a show together."

"Y-Yes?!"

"…"

"Give me your orders!"

Xuliang whispered in his ear. No one heard what he said to Song Jing.

A moment later.

"Stop!"

A group of black-clad figures rushed from a distance.

"Ah? You came just in time."

If they hadn’t come, he would have gone to them.

Xuliang stood up easily, grinning and raising his hands.

"Surrender."

"…?"

"Do as you please."