Chapter 60: A Tyrant Can Also Be a Hero (5)

* * *

“……”

* * *

“*Chomp* *Chomp*”

“……”

“*Gulp*! Hey, over there, give me that. Is that duck meat?”

“...You're asking for it without even knowing what it is?”

“It looks good. Just give it to me. I'm about to starve to death.”

“Oh, right.”

“Get me some wine too.”

“Will one bottle be enough? I'll order five or six.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

Xu Liang's way of shoveling all kinds of food into his mouth was reminiscent of a monk in deep meditation. Wei Honglian realized for the first time that a person with their eyes rolled back in hunger could seem devout.

With a dubious look, she refilled Xu Liang's glass and asked, “Sir, now that you've had your fill, can you talk a bit?”

“I haven't had enough yet.”

“...”

“Give me that stir-fried vegetable too.”

“Here you go.”

It took less than a moment for the amount of food that could satisfy five strong men to disappear.

“*Gulp*! Phew, now I can live.”

“Didn’t the Criminal Law Hall give you food?”

“They did. But it was tasteless leftover rice and dried vegetable scraps.”

“Really?! Even for the Third Young Master, they gave you such food?”

“Of course. All prisoners should be treated equally, right? The Third Young Master shouldn’t receive special treatment.”

“You didn’t even leave a good impression on them, yet you can say that.”

“It’s the truth.”

Xu Liang gulped down the wine and swished it around his mouth a few times before swallowing.

Drinking after rinsing his mouth with such strong liquor was quite unusual. Wei Honglian clicked her tongue in disgust.

Ma Dongfil asked, “So, the Criminal Law Hall won’t be able to touch you anymore?”

“That’s right. In fact, there’s nothing they can do. The issues with Wei Dazhu and Jinma Dazhu were just part of the conflict between me and Hongweimen.”

“I’m relieved.”

“There’s no need to be relieved. As they say, life is full of unexpected turns. This time it went smoothly, but who knows what will happen next time we get entangled.”

Wei Honglian thought to herself, ‘Is he really younger than me?’

The Third Young Master was said to be in his early to mid-twenties.

While age doesn’t necessarily determine one’s abilities or insight, the Third Young Master was quite exceptional. The glimpses of his life he occasionally showed were enough to rival even the most seasoned veterans.

In short, he was a ‘precocious old soul.’

It wasn’t a fitting description for a grown adult, but she couldn’t think of a better way to put it.

Wei Honglian, who was thinking about Xu Liang, flinched. She had noticed his gaze fixed on her.

“Dazhu Wei.”

“Yes?”

“What are you doing? My glass is empty. Fill it up.”

“Tch, you can do it yourself.”

“If you were going to do it, why did you keep filling it?”

“Did I?”

“Never mind. Do you want a drink too?”

“Sure.”

Xu Liang hesitated as he was about to fill her glass.

“By the way, why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be working?”

“Well, no specific orders have come from above, so I’m just on standby.”

“Can you drink while on standby?”

“This much won’t even affect my liver. You know that.”

“You’re doing well, Dazhu Guangma.”

While saying this, he filled her glass to the brim. Wei Honglian grumbled, “If you’re going to fill it, why do you do it like that?”

Ma Dongfil asked, “So, is everything over now?”

“Yeah, for now.”

“What about the Fourth Young Master’s side or the higher-ups...”

“Hongweimen is crippled and can’t move. The higher-ups are also trying to keep the conflict among the candidates under wraps, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”

Xu Liang leaned back in his chair, looking somewhat exhausted.

“It’s a temporary pause, for now.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Yeah, I did this time.”

Not only the physical fight but the mental strain was quite significant.

He was always vulnerable to such complex conflicts. The lack of a clear target to focus on made his head spin.

“You all worked hard too. Running around for me was a hassle.”

“Why would you say that?”

Wei Honglian nodded as she picked at a duck leg.

“I worked hard. My internal injuries haven’t fully healed yet.”

Ma Dongfil looked at her with a disapproving eye. Given what she had done in the middle, she shouldn’t have said such things lightly.

Xu Liang chuckled.

“Yeah, you worked hard. Thanks to you, I was able to take them down one by one.”

“Hehe. I knew you would understand, Sir.”

“Alright, that’s it.”

The sudden statement made both of them widen their eyes.

Xu Liang pushed himself up from the table.

“Since things are more or less settled, it’s time to return to your respective organizations. Dazhu Wei, especially Dongfil, you’ve been too close to me.”

“...Yes?”

“Are you just a law enforcer? You’re not a regular member; you’re a squad leader. You need to get back to your duties.”

“Oh...”

“And Dazhu Wei.”

Wei Honglian’s face stiffened.

“Stop running around and focus on your responsibilities.”

“I’m already doing that, you know.”

“Good, keep it up. Like before.”

“...”

“Since we’re done eating, I’m heading in. Anghua will worry.”

With that, Xu Liang descended the stairs, leaving only Ma Dongfil and Wei Honglian on the fifth floor.

“...”

After a moment of awkward silence, Wei Honglian grumbled and lifted her glass.

“He’s really heartless. Did he have to cut it off so coldly?”

While she didn’t mean to sever ties, the idea of returning to their regular duties lingered in her mind.

After draining a few more glasses, Wei Honglian finally revealed her true feelings.

“Tch, it’s so disappointing. We’ve been through so much together, and he’s being too harsh.”

Well, even without the Third Young Master’s words, it would have ended up that way eventually.

In a way, it could be seen as his consideration. He was telling them to focus on their duties instead of getting involved in unnecessary matters.

Wei Honglian said to Ma Dongfil, “Don’t you think so, Ma...”

She couldn’t continue.

Ma Dongfil’s face was as usual, stern. But Wei Honglian found it hard to talk to him easily.

She scratched her head, looking at Ma Dongfil.

“Um... there’s still some wine left. Do you want a drink?”

“...”

“Hey.”

“...”

“If you don’t want to, just say so.”

“Give me some.”

“Huh? You’ll drink?”

Ma Dongfil didn’t repeat himself. Wei Honglian, savoring the taste, filled his glass.

They went through three rounds of silent drinking.

Wei Honglian, subtly observing Ma Dongfil, finally spoke.

“Are you disappointed?”

“It’s not that.”

“Then why does your face look so twisted?”

“...Just.”

Ma Dongfil sighed. He had been sighing a lot lately.

“It’s just how I feel.”

It was a statement she could somehow understand. After all, unlike herself, Ma Dongfil had been with the Third Young Master for almost a year.

Wei Honglian refilled his glass.

“People’s relationships are like that. Sure, you might feel bad, but what can you do? There’s no reason to.”

“...”

“You’ll probably run into each other again. He’s not going anywhere.”

At that moment,

“Wooaaah!!”

“Invincible New Sect! Ten Thousand Horses Bow! Third Young Master...”

“Hey, you brats! Be quiet! The Third Young Master is passing by!”

“What? Hey! Move! Don’t block the Third Young Master’s path!”

The loud voices startled both of them.

“What, what is it?”

A moment later.

*Bang* *Bang* *Bang*!

Xu Liang, who had climbed up at an incredible speed, was panting heavily.

They were even more shocked by his pale, frightened face.

“Third Young Master! What’s wrong?”

“*Pant* *Pant*!”

Xu Liang, quickly scanning the surroundings, his eyes lit up as he saw the window.

“Oh, good! Over there!”

He dashed to the window and turned to the two of them.

“Hey, you brats! Stop drinking and get in! How can you be so irresponsible...”

*Thud* *Thud* *Thud*!

“*Gasp*! Those brats?!”

Xu Liang opened the window wide and leaped out.

“*Gasp*! Third Young Master?!”

*Whizz*!

Xu Liang, like a bird, flew through the air and plummeted to the ground.

*Bang*!

Ma Dongfil, startled, rushed to the window and looked down.

“Third Young Master!!”

Wei Honglian’s eyes widened.

Falling from the fifth floor, there was no place to land.

No matter how skilled a martial artist, falling from such a height would result in more than just a broken bone.

“Are you...”

“*Scream*!”

The two of them gaped.

Xu Liang, hopping on one leg, looked quite comical. His nose was bleeding, and he had various scratches, but overall, he seemed fine.

“*Damn*! My leg almost got crippled!”

If it weren’t for the leg strength he had cultivated through the *Nine Heavens Earthly Body Technique*, it wouldn’t have ended so well. He survived thanks to his agility and the ability to absorb impact, not just his physical durability.

Of course, even without that, his durability was beyond human limits.

Xu Liang looked up and gestured to the two of them.

“You two! Drink moderately and get in! Got it?!”

With that, he left Huayang Tower, limping but managing to use his lightness technique, which looked quite ridiculous.

Ma Dongfil, who had been staring at Xu Liang, couldn’t help but chuckle.

Wei Honglian scratched her head.

“Seems like he’s in a good mood, doesn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“Still, why did he suddenly...”

At that moment, people stormed into the fifth floor.

They were the Inner Sect members. Despite their different appearances and affiliations, their excited expressions were all the same.

“What? Where did the Third Young Master go?!”

“Did he go out the window?”

“*Gasp*! Really?”

“*Amazing*. They say he had a showdown with the Criminal Law Hall Chief, and indeed, his martial arts are as impressive as his personality!”

“*Sigh*! I really wanted to greet him properly.”

The room was a cacophony of noise, like a bustling market.

Wei Honglian, watching them, grabbed a nearby Inner Sect member and asked.

“Hey.”

“What?!”

It was a mistake by the Inner Sect member, who didn’t recognize her as Dazhu Guangma. But given his excitement, Wei Honglian didn’t hold it against him.

“Why are you all like this? Is there a problem with the Third Young Master?”

“Problem? What problem? Why are you saying such terrible things?!”

Wei Honglian’s face turned dubious.

“Then why are you all making such a fuss?”

“The Third Young Master slashed the Criminal Law Hall Chief, didn’t he?!”

“Why...”

Wei Honglian’s mouth dropped open. She finally understood why these simple-minded people were making such a fuss.

Unlike the Law Enforcement Hall, the Criminal Law Hall was notorious within the sect. If you got on their bad side, even innocent crimes could be added to your record, leading to imprisonment.

Even the rebellious Inner Sect members had to tread carefully around the Criminal Law Hall members. The Third Young Master had not only slashed the notorious Criminal Law Hall Chief but also shown his strength in a fierce battle with the Fourth Young Master.

‘These ridiculous people. Just for that...’

She was speechless, but then she realized that their enthusiasm wasn’t just about that.

“He’s so straightforward! That’s what a true Inner Sect member is!”

“Exactly. When did we start crawling like the righteous sects?”

“*Wow*, I’m looking forward to the Third Young Master’s future.”

Ma Dongfil couldn’t help but chuckle.

They weren’t just excited because the Third Young Master had slashed the Criminal Law Hall Chief. They were thrilled by his fierce battle with the Fourth Young Master and his bold actions afterward.

Rumors of Xu Liang’s conflict with the Fourth Young Master had been circulating for a while.

When the spectacular battle erupted yesterday, and Xu Liang’s bold actions followed, they were completely captivated.

‘Still, he’s the Third Young Master.’

It’s common knowledge that candidates should be greeted with reverence. These people were so excited that they forgot such basic etiquette.

What excited them, what made them so enthusiastic.

‘Does it mean that the current New Sect is bound by strict and harsh rules?’

While the righteous sects or official organizations might be different, this was the Heavenly Demon Sect.

The primary virtue of the demon sect was being bold and fierce. If you weren’t, you weren’t a true Inner Sect member. The strict rules introduced for the sect’s growth inevitably caused dissatisfaction among the Inner Sect members.