Chapter 7. Meeting the Sect Leader (2)

Swish. Swish.

A magnificent ceremonial robe was carefully draped over broad, muscular shoulders. The wildness exuding from his disheveled hair and broad build mixed perfectly with the nobility the luxurious robe created. A beautiful woman with a blank expression adjusted his attire, while other women knelt at his feet, heads bowed.

Far behind them, a middle-aged man prostrated himself.

"I congratulate the Sect Leader on your great achievement."

Click.

The man's attire was now complete.

Rustle.

The women bowed and retreated, their movements cautious but incredibly swift.

The man in the ceremonial robe picked up a large wine cup from beside him. He still had his back turned, his face hidden.

Gulp, gulp.

He slowly emptied the cup without spilling a single drop, then asked,

"Where is the third one?"

The prostrated middle-aged man replied,

"He is currently on the move in a carriage. He will arrive at the palace within the hour."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, Sect Leader."

The man in the ceremonial robe refilled his cup with the bottle. The clear liquid pouring out was Jian Nan Chun, a famous liquor from Sichuan.

The cup was emptied again almost immediately. The pace was not rushed; it took nearly half an hour to empty the large, gold-adorned cup three times.

Like any other liquor from the Central Plains, Jian Nan Chun was quite potent. Yet, the man seemed completely unaffected, even after drinking it as if it were water.

"Great Law Master."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"Escort the third one to the Judgment Pavilion."

The middle-aged man's eyes flickered for a moment.

But only for a moment.

"I understand."

The middle-aged man bowed respectfully and left.

The man in the ceremonial robe yawned lazily.

"Is it winter?"

* * *

Knock, knock, knock.

The carriage was not moving particularly fast, which made the ride inside quite comfortable.

Tian Xiazhen swept his gaze over the interior.

'Impressive.'

This was no ordinary carriage. It was large, with gold-plated interiors and plush cushions.

It was so comfortable that one could easily fall asleep just by sitting and closing their eyes. A half-day nap here would surely alleviate all fatigue.

Power certainly has its perks. If the carriage for disciples is this luxurious, what must the Sect Leader's carriage be like?

'Sect Leader.'

Tension was evident on Tian Xiazhen's face.

'So, I'm really going to see him.'

He had vaguely thought he might see him once in his life, given his involvement in the martial world. The old man, the leader of the Yi Tian Alliance, would likely send him to the Devil Sect at some point.

He never imagined he would meet the Sect Leader in this life.

'What kind of person is he?'

No one in the martial world who has enemies is uninterested in the current Heavenly Demon. It's impossible, considering he might be the strongest in the vast world of the Nine Provinces.

Despite never showing his true martial prowess, he has always been a candidate for the title of "First Under Heaven," and still is.

The intense mystery surrounding him only fuels curiosity.

'No, the important thing isn't how strong he is, but what kind of personality he has.'

He can't possibly be a good person. As the leader of the Devil Sect, the worst group in the martial world, he can't be a good person.

He's definitely a bad person, but how bad is he? It's hard to gauge.

If he's so bad that it's impossible to even talk to him... in fact, meeting him now might be dangerous.

He shook his head inwardly.

'He can't be that bad. We can at least communicate.'

While under the Yi Tian Alliance, Tian Xiazhen realized that there are many commonalities between the righteous, evil, and demonic factions.

One of them is that none of them want a foolish leader.

If the Devil Sect Leader was as evil as rumored, the Heavenly Demon Sect wouldn't have lasted this long.

A person that simple couldn't govern such a massive organization.

He must be incredibly intelligent and able to control his emotions.

A person who can control their emotions can never be fully immersed in good or evil, as they understand the pros and cons of both.

Therefore, Tian Xiazhen concluded that the Devil Sect Leader couldn't be that ruthless.

Lost in his fantasies about the Devil Sect Leader, Tian Xiazhen soon sprawled out.

"Alright, alright. Worrying won't make things better. I've already committed to this, so I might as well meet him."

He rolled around on the plush cushions for a while.

But only for a while.

"Damn it!"

Tian Xiazhen suddenly sat up, clutching his head.

"Damn it! I should have been more cautious!"

But it's the Devil Sect Leader, the current Heavenly Demon. How many of the past Devil Sect Leaders have been called Heavenly Demon? Less than ten.

And the current leader is one of those less than ten.

How strong must he be to call himself the Heavenly Demon?

'Hmm?'

Tian Xiazhen snapped his fingers.

Right, maybe the Devil Sect is just spreading rumors?

Maybe he's not that strong, and they're just trying to save face...

"Damn it."

That's impossible, you fool!

The title "Heavenly Demon" is on par with a divine name in the martial world. They wouldn't use such a noble title just to save face.

Ultimately, what's important is his character, not his martial prowess.

'But... it would be a comfort if he were weaker.'

Tian Xiazhen, who was nervously biting his nails, suddenly changed his expression.

'No, I'm not that weak, am I?'

In his previous life, he was one of the Ten Great Martial Experts.

Although he specialized in assassination rather than direct combat, that's just what he was trained for.

'Besides, I fought with dignity when I had to.'

He might be treated like a nobody elsewhere, but that's the truth.

Killing people in secret wasn't a one-time thing for him. Eventually, he got bored and started entering through the front gate, wearing a mask, killing his target, and leaving calmly.

He was proficient with a wide range of weapons, not just daggers and hidden blades. He was known for using spears, axes, whips, and even a door frame as a weapon.

A master assassin, the strongest in history, who could kill anyone and use any weapon.

That was Tian Xiazhen, the King of Assassins.

"Right, that's it. Whether it's the Heavenly Demon or anyone else, I'm a man who has made a name for myself."

Tian Xiazhen clenched his fist.

A legend in the assassination world, called the greatest of all time!

The worst reaper in the martial world, the first among the Ten Great Martial Experts to come from an assassin's background!

With this, he could at least puff out his chest, even if he couldn't fart. Besides, he was entering as a disciple of the Devil Sect Leader.

There's nothing to worry about.

"Don't be afraid, Tian Xiazhen. Speak your demands with confidence!"

Tian Xiazhen's face was flushed with newfound confidence.

But his confidence quickly waned as the carriage slowed down.

"..."

Tian Xiazhen's left leg started trembling involuntarily, and his fingers drummed on his thigh frantically.

"Cough! Are we almost there? Isn't this too fast... Huh!"

Tian Xiazhen's face stiffened.

'...?'

What is it? What's happening?

'My senses...'

Despite his clear vision, everything seemed dark. He heard a buzzing in his ears and a musty smell tickled his nose. Goosebumps ran down his spine.

'High-level experts?!'

Then, from the driver's seat, gruff voices were heard.

"It's the third son of Xiliang."

"Show me the entry permit."

"Here it is."

"Confirmed. You may enter."

Clippity-clop.

The sound of the carriage horses' hooves.

Drip. Drip.

Sweat dripped from Tian Xiazhen's chin.

'...Damn it.'

As soon as the carriage stopped, one thought came to mind.

'Shit, I walked right into the lion's den.'

Whirr!

His heightened senses, which had been dormant, suddenly activated.

The atmosphere here was so intense that it forced his instincts to sharpen.

'How many high-level experts are there?'

He couldn't sense their presence, but he could feel their unique aura.

This place is a dragon's lair and a tiger's den.

While not at the level of the Ten Great Martial Experts, there are at least five super-high-level experts who could rank among the Hundred Great Martial Experts. And there are probably ten times as many high-level experts surrounding the area.

It feels similar to being trapped in the Yi Tian Alliance and the Iron Blood City's web, but the sense of helplessness is even greater. It's suffocating, making his head spin.

'The Palace of the Demon God, right?'

It seems he has arrived at the Sect Leader's hall.

'The security is incredible. There's no way to break through.'

The security for the Yi Tian Alliance leader was also formidable.

Even without being poisoned by the Blood Thirst, it would have taken three months of preparation to capture the Yi Tian Alliance leader, and the success rate would still be less than fifty percent.

This place is even more secure.

There are fewer in number, but each one is highly specialized in security and possesses top-tier martial prowess.

It's impossible to infiltrate this place, even if he were twice as strong as the King of Assassins in his previous life.

'What the hell! Is the Sect Leader that important? Why would they deploy so many troops to protect him?!'

Tian Xiazhen grumbled inwardly, but it was because he didn't understand the nature of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

The Heavenly Demon Sect is both a martial school and a religion. The Palace of the Demon God is both the Sect Leader's residence and a temple.

To them, protecting the Palace of the Demon God is like protecting a temple.

From the moment they enter the martial arts, they receive specialized training for security.

The most elite guards of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

Even the King of Assassins would find it difficult to infiltrate, let alone a mere reaper.

Clunk!

The sound of a door closing, which he hadn't even noticed opening.

"Sir, please step out."

"Ah, I understand."

Tian Xiazhen tried to hide his tension as he stepped out of the carriage.

"The Sect Leader has summoned you to the Judgment Pavilion. Please follow your escort."

"I understand."

What is the Judgment Pavilion?

'I know nothing, nothing at all.'

He didn't bother to learn more, thinking it would be better to focus on his body. Now, he deeply regrets it. The ominous atmosphere here only amplifies his regret.

Tian Xiazhen followed the escort silently.

How long did they walk?

Finally, they arrived at a small, dark, and gloomy door, barely wide enough for one person. The escort bowed.

"Please enter."

Tian Xiazhen's head tilted slightly to the side.

'The Judgment Pavilion? Isn't it a pavilion?'

No, no. Act like you know. Move naturally, don't raise suspicion.

The escort straightened up and grabbed the door handle.

Creak.

The sound of the door opening was eerily chilling, as if to emphasize that this was the Devil Sect.

The moment Tian Xiazhen stepped inside,

Whoosh!

A blinding light poured down on him, making it hard to open his eyes.

'What the...?!'

He instinctively squeezed his eyes shut.

And a moment later.

"..."

Tian Xiazhen's eyes, which he cautiously opened, widened in surprise.

"What... what is this?"

Before him, a new world unfolded.