Chapter 67. Those Who Smelled (2)

"Damn it! The more I think about it, the angrier I get. I don't understand why I have to be here, dealing with these stinking things."

"Leader."

"What?"

"Even though we have an alliance with their organization, you should be more careful with your words..."

"What?"

"I'm sorry."

"You insolent fool! Do you want to go back to that stinky pit and chew on rat meat again? Where do you get the nerve to talk about being careful with words?"

"..."

"Remember why I brought you, who can't even wield a sword properly, as the deputy leader. Got it?"

"Yes."

"Go get me some alcohol."

"..."

"Why? Are you going to start quoting the rules about not drinking during missions? How did you have the nerve to plot a rebellion if you follow the rules so well?"

"That's..."

"Shut up and get me some alcohol!"

The middle-aged man bowed his head and retreated.

The old man, leaning against the rock, watched the man's back with a vexed look.

"Foolish brat. He doesn't even know who his master is, and he's causing trouble, ending up being caught for plotting a rebellion."

After grumbling for a while, he glanced to the side.

From the dark forest in the distance, a strong scent of blood could be felt. The sound of something being torn apart was eerily heard.

Disgust appeared on the old man's face.

"Who would have thought they'd still act like this even here. They're all the same, unable to control their habits."

He really felt disgusted. Everywhere he looked, there were people he didn't like.

And he also didn't like the leaders of the city who had sent him on this mission.

'Theft? What a joke. It's just a fancy word for robbery.'

He couldn't believe he had been assigned to such a despicable task. He wanted to cut off the heads of the leaders who gave this order and hang them on the city gates until they rotted.

'Hmm.'

At least, it was fortunate that the people who would be robbed by his hands were not just anyone. If they were insignificant, he wouldn't have bothered even if his neck was on the line.

'Has it been about ten years since I last encountered those guys from that area?'

His eyes formed a small crescent.

"I hope this will be a decent entertainment."

* * *

Zhu Hua opened her eyes.

Xu Liang asked bluntly, "Did you sleep well?"

Crack!

Her upper body shot up like lightning. She moved so quickly that a terrifying sound came from her back.

Xu Liang's face naturally frowned.

"If you hurt your back, I'll get scolded by the Prefect."

"Sir?"

"Why are you so surprised?"

Zhu Hua looked out the window in confusion. The sky, now dark with sunset, was dyed a deep red.

"I've been out for half a day."

"Make it a full day."

"Excuse me?"

"A day and a half."

Zhu Hua was shocked.

"Really...?"

"Fortunately, I forced you to sleep. Your body was exhausted after breaking free from the demonic possession. Even with high-level cultivation and good conditioning, the body is still the body. Unless you're a supreme expert, you need to rest when you need to."

"..."

"Well, you've rested well, so it's fine."

Zhu Hua bowed her head.

She never thought her body would be so exhausted.

Come to think of it, she had only focused on conditioning her body through cultivation, never examining the tiniest details.

'Unqualified.'

Was it because of the joy of being alive, or an excessive sense of responsibility, or simply arrogance?

She thought that once she broke free from the demonic possession, she only needed to move forward.

She knew she needed to recover her body, but she only thought about the past events that had caused her harm.

'How can I help others when I can't even take care of myself?'

Seeing the signs of self-reproach on Zhu Hua's face, Xu Liang, who had been watching her silently, shrugged.

"Are you hungry?"

"Excuse me?"

"Are you hungry? You've been lying down for two days, so you should be."

Hunger hit her. Only then did she realize her lips were dry.

Xu Liang took a bundle from under the carriage seat.

"These are rice balls and dried meat made by the transport team. Eat as much as you want, but don't overdo it."

"Sir...?"

"I already ate. I'm not particularly hungry."

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it. It's because of you that I'm here."

Zhu Hua flinched.

She didn't know why Sir wanted to leave the sect secretly.

Usually, successors don't leave the sect, but did he really need to push himself this hard?

She decided not to be too curious for now. At least for now.

"Excuse me, then."

"Sure, enjoy your meal."

Zhu Hua chewed the rice ball.

It was made with various finely chopped vegetables, probably at the Prefect's order.

Seeing this, she felt she was still lacking. She might have been worried, but she wouldn't have taken care of such small details.

She was grateful for the kindness and affection, feeling inadequate in many ways after waking up.

"Finished?"

"Yes."

"There's less than I thought. You'll get punished if you leave food."

"Oh, then I'll leave this..."

"We have plenty of food."

"...I'll finish it."

"Are you full?"

"Excuse me? Ah... yes."

"Then give me the rest."

Zhu Hua handed the remaining rice to Xu Liang with a puzzled look. Was he going to eat it even though he wasn't hungry?

Xu Liang spoke.

"Jinhao, come here."

Swoosh.

Zhu Hua flinched. A small fox with golden fur had appeared from under the seat.

Though a cub, it had long legs. Its tail was almost as big as its body, making it look very fluffy.

Jinhao climbed onto Xu Liang's lap and lifted its head.

Xu Liang gave Jinhao the dried meat.

"With teeth that can bite my fingers, you can probably crush dried meat like rice."

Crunch, crunch!

Jinhao chewed the dried meat enthusiastically. As Xu Liang had guessed, it swallowed the meat in no time.

Zhu Hua's mouth dropped open.

"Sir, that fox...?"

"Hmm? Oh, this friend is called Jinhao."

Jinhao.

What a straightforward name. The fox had golden fur, so it was called Jinhao. Whoever named it had a terrible sense of naming.

After Jinhao quickly finished two pieces of dried meat, Xu Liang offered a rice ball.

'Oh.'

Could he give a rice ball to a fox? It even had vegetables in it.

Her worry was unfounded.

Nom, nom!

It chewed each bite deliciously.

Predators sometimes eat grass. Usually, it's when they feel bloated and need to vomit.

But Jinhao wasn't like that. It ate the rice and vegetables as if they were delicious dishes.

Watching it, she felt it could chew and swallow anything a living creature could eat.

Burp.

Jinhao burped loudly and lay down next to Xu Liang. It licked its mouth and soon fell asleep.

Xu Liang chuckled.

"Eat and sleep, sleep and eat. You don't care about anyone, and you play when you want. You have a very good life."

"Sir."

"Hmm?"

"Is this fox... raised by Sir?"

"Well, more like it follows me on its own. I've fed it a few times, and I've grown attached to it."

"I see."

She had never seen anyone raise a fox. Not even a dog or a cat.

Xu Liang, who had been looking at Jinhao with a pleased expression while tidying up the bundle, suddenly frowned.

'Damn it.'

It had been two days since they left the sect.

It would take about ten days by carriage to reach the area adjacent to Jiangxi. With two days gone, they had about eight days left.

'This is suffocating. Should I just run away now?'

Grip.

The veins on his hand holding the bundle bulged.

Hold on, hold on. This is still Guangdong, where the Heavenly Horse Sect's influence is extremely strong.

Not only that, the sect's influence extended to Guangxi, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, and Yunnan.

If he had his former strength, it might be different, but with his current strength, he would definitely be caught.

No, even if he regained his former strength, it would be dangerous. He was a Demon King now, not the Demon King of the past.

Without absolute martial arts that could overwhelm everyone or a brilliant plan to deceive everyone, escape was impossible.

'Let's observe the situation. I didn't expect to be free this time anyway. I shouldn't rush, damn it.'

The transport team wouldn't go directly to Jiangxi. They would stop at two branches in Guangdong.

He should check the branches while they're there.

How strong are they? How systematic is their communication network? How quickly can they control the area if they move with determination?

If it seems impossible, he'll give up. If it seems feasible...

"Sir."

"Hmm? Oh, you called?"

"..."

"Why? If you called, say it."

Zhu Hua hesitated for a moment. But she had to confirm, so she gathered her courage.

"Where... will Sir sleep?"

"Here. Where else?"

"..."

"Is that uncomfortable for you?"

"No, no!"

Zhu Hua was greatly flustered.

Of course, it would be uncomfortable. They were of the opposite sex, and he was of high status. It could lead to bad rumors for both of them.

But how could she say it was uncomfortable to his face? If he was her divinely appointed master, she should be overjoyed despite the burden.

"I'm sorry, but you'll have to bear with it. I need to keep an eye on your condition anyway."

"I... I'm fine."

"It won't be long. In about five days, the wheels will start rolling. After that, I'll sleep elsewhere."

"It's... fine, Sir! If Sir is uncomfortable, I can sleep elsewhere..."

"There's no need to say 'it's fine' or 'thank you.' I'm a rather indifferent person, so I don't really care. Understand?"

"...Yes, Sir."

"Good."

At that moment, Xu Liang's ears perked up.

"I'll be back after getting some fresh air. Rest."

"Be careful."

Clunk.

After Xu Liang left and closed the carriage door, Zhu Hua sighed and saw Jinhao lying on the soft seat opposite.

"You really look comfortable."

Jinhao's ears perked up, and it quietly smacked its lips, still lying down.

Zhu Hua closed her eyes and leaned back in the seat.

She felt strangely exhausted.

* * *

"Sir, you're here."

"Did you call me?"

Ma Dongbi scratched his head awkwardly.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have, but I called you to the forest rashly..."

"Please."

"Excuse me?"

"Please, don't say that. I'm already frustrated to death."

"..."

"Never mind. What's the matter?"

Sir hadn't left the carriage once during the journey. This was the first time they had met since the Hongweimen incident, and it felt completely natural.

He thought it was fitting for Sir, but Ma Dongbi quickly stiffened his expression.

"I had to bring you here because you need to know this in advance."

"What is it?"

Ma Dongbi took a neatly folded letter from his robe and handed it to him.

"What's this, so well hidden... Huh?"

"..."

"Is this true?"

"Yes. The reason they sent the Law Enforcement Hall with us is probably because of this, Sir?"

Swoosh.

Xu Liang's eyes, staring at the letter, emitted a chilling light.

"The Grand Elder of the Righteous Heaven Alliance is in southern Jiangxi, you say."