Chapter 71. He closed the door without realizing a demon had come out (1)

"Seems like the cleanup is almost done. You can rest now."

At Wenhou's words, over fifty men slumped to the ground.

Despite the warm climate, the cold rising from the ground was quite intense. Even on a good day, winter was still winter. It wasn't a temperature conducive to resting.

One of the men, perhaps uncomfortable with the seating, brushed off his buttocks and approached Wenhou.

"Leader."

"What is it?"

"Are you not going to rest, Leader?"

"Never mind. Maybe it's because I ate too much at Qing Shui Sect, but my stomach isn't feeling too good."

The man grumbled.

"You must have enjoyed it. I heard that the head of Qing Shui Sect lives in extreme luxury."

"With all the porcelain and carpets, he lives like a king."

"Damn, if it were me, I'd just stay there and live in luxury. Why go through the trouble of joining the alliance and meeting the Elder?"

Wenhou's eyes sharpened.

"You, can't you watch your mouth?"

"Ah, I'm sorry."

"Even walls have ears. If something leaks out, don't even think about saying it out loud."

The man scratched his head awkwardly.

"By the way, when is the Elder expected to arrive?"

"You, trying to change the subject?"

"I'm genuinely curious. We need to know when he's coming to rest properly, right?"

"I don't know. It should take about half a day."

"Half a day? That long?"

"The place is quite far away."

The man sighed.

"I always wonder if it's safe for him to go there alone. Didn't he only take the head of Qing Shui Sect with him?"

"Such a place? Do you even know where it is?"

"Not exactly. But it's probably similar to the Qing Shui Sect, right?"

Wenhou shook his head.

"They say it's where the Elder's mother is buried."

"Really? So the Elder is coming here to pay respects to her grave?"

"What did you think it was for?"

"…Just wondering."

"He's been doing this for a few years now. He used to make excuses for not visiting his mother's grave, saying he was too busy. But he always said he had to make time to visit her."

The man stroked his chin, surprised.

"So the Elder has a side like that."

"You, what about you?"

"Ah, I'm sorry. I'm being too presumptuous…"

"The Elder is a remarkable person. We may be here under the pretense of seeking success, but it's hard to find someone as human as him."

"That's true."

"So be careful not to let anything about the Elder slip out. If it causes him trouble, it will affect our prospects too. Understand?"

"Don't worry."

"You're the one I worry about the most, you."

Wenhou scratched his head and walked over to where the men were gathered.

"Alright, is there anything to eat?"

"You said you ate a lot at Qing Shui Sect and that your stomach was upset. Why are you asking now?"

"It was fancy, but too greasy and rich. I couldn't eat much."

"Hehe, you can't even tell the difference between expensive food. Looks like you're not destined for greatness, Leader."

"Really, you guys?"

As they joked and teased, one of the men frowned.

"Hey… what's that?"

"What is it?"

"That scene over there looks strange."

"What's strange?"

"Is that the forest? Why are the trees breaking like that?"

"What are you talking about?"

Wenhou turned his head to where the man was looking.

At the same time, a loud explosion echoed.

Boom!

It sounded like the air was not just torn but burst. Trees on either side were shattered and flew into the air.

Wenhou's eyes widened.

Swoosh!

A terrifying figure was approaching at an incredible speed. The person's hair was blown back, and their face, indistinguishable, looked demonic.

Even more frightening, the figure had a massive sword, as tall as a person, strapped to their back.

Behind them, a golden light flickered and followed.

Wenhou couldn't help but shout.

"Everyone, be careful!"

Crack!

In the midst of the storm, the figure leaped into the air.

'Air stepping?'

Air stepping (虛空踏步, Xukong Tabo), Lingkong Xudao (凌空虛道).

The highest level of lightness technique, allowing one to walk on air at will.

The figure leaped in the air, and it was clearly air stepping, but the explosive movement made it hard to be certain.

The mysterious demon, blocking the sun, descended.

Swoosh!

The sound of a string breaking, the demon gripped the massive sword with both hands as they descended.

Whoosh!

A crimson, blood-like aura of demonic energy erupted from the demon's body, and fear filled Wenhou's face.

"Get out of the way!"

Boom!

* * *

"Hmm?"

Zheng Yilong glanced back.

Wu Jinghua tilted his head.

"Why are you doing that?"

"…It must be my age. I'm hearing things."

Wu Jinghua chuckled.

"That's not something the great Meirian Jianxian (美髥劍仙) would say."

"Hehe, you're the only one who still treats me like a person."

"Treating you like a person? You're one of the most influential figures in the Yitian Alliance. You're being too dramatic."

"Don't say that. Do you think all young people are like you? They treat respect for elders as less valuable than a pebble on the street."

"Haha! I'm over fifty, and you still call me young? Well, it's not a bad thing to hear."

Zheng Yilong looked at the distant, shadowy forest.

A large man was sitting on a rock, and behind him, 'beasts' with glowing red eyes were crouched in the bushes.

"Those are the famous beasts."

"I don't know if they're famous, but they are the beasts."

At that moment, the man turned his head.

The man's eyes, looking at Zheng Yilong, sparkled.

Swoosh.

An invisible aura emanated from the man's body. At the same time, a pungent smell, like that of a carnivore, filled the air.

Wu Jinghua waved his hand, annoyed.

"Smelly things."

But Zheng Yilong didn't show any reaction.

He stared at the man and asked calmly.

"What is your name?"

"Yulang (嵂狼)."

"Yulang… indeed."

A sigh of admiration escaped Zheng Yilong's lips.

"You are Yulang, the beloved disciple of the Beast Palace Master, one of the two closest to becoming the next Palace Master?"

The man, Yulang, had a green glow in his eyes, with a small black dot in the center, like a wolf's eye.

"The martial arts of the Outer World are said to be different from those of the Central Plains. Even if they seem similar, they are so bizarre that even a high-level expert can be caught off guard."

"…"

"Seeing you, I understand. Your martial arts seem to blend with those of the Central Plains but are also completely different. The aura you emit… even the best experts of the Central Plains would struggle to withstand ten exchanges."

Yulang didn't care about the evaluation. He just stared at Zheng Yilong with his piercing eyes and then turned his head.

Wu Jinghua sneered.

"See? That's what they're like. They don't know the first thing about manners."

"Hehe, they live in a different world. We can't just criticize them for not knowing our manners."

"Why are you so lenient with that guy?"

"Lenient? It's just a greeting, something anyone can do."

"Hmph! Still, it's impressive that you know who he is."

Zheng Yilong nodded.

"I know. I have to. The Four Palaces of the Outer World (塞外四宮) are all powerful organizations, on par with the major sects of the Central Plains.

Even if they are currently lying low, we need to know if they will become allies or enemies."

"I don't see why that's necessary. If they become allies, we can work together; if they become enemies, we can defeat them."

"You need to learn to control your temper if you want to aim higher."

Wu Jinghua snorted.

"No need. I plan to live and die as an active member. Of course, I want the appropriate treatment."

"Hehe."

Zheng Yilong slowly bent his upper body.

"Regardless, I'd like to wrap up this casual conversation. We don't have much time."

"You're a great talker, but I agree. We don't have much time."

"Right, right. So…"

Zheng Yilong's eyes flashed. They were filled with greed and madness, contrasting with his serene appearance.

"Where is the Huashen Baoyu (禍神寶玉)?"

Wu Jinghua tapped his chest.

"It's here."

"Let's finalize the transaction. Hand it over."

"You need to show me the money first if you want to buy something."

"Hehe. You're being stingy, even though we've done business before."

"I have no choice. This time, I'm here as a representative, not for personal gain."

Zheng Yilong nodded.

"I understand."

He took a small gold pouch from his chest.

"Here it is."

"Is this 'it'?"

"Yes. It's twice as good as the previous one. You'll be satisfied when you see it."

"Amazing that you could get such a thing."

"I am the Elder of the Yitian Alliance. It took some effort, but I managed."

Wu Jinghua took a similar-sized gold pouch from his chest and handed it to Zheng Yilong. Unlike Zheng Yilong's red pouch, this one was blue.

"Thank you."

Zheng Yilong smiled as he took the pouch, but his eyes were trembling with excitement. Even the experienced and politically savvy Elder couldn't control his emotions.

Wu Jinghua was inwardly puzzled.

'Huashen Baoyu… Is this bead really that important?'

He knew it was valuable but didn't know its purpose. It didn't emit any special aura, nor was it particularly beautiful.

He hated being curious and asked bluntly.

"What's so special about this bead that you're willing to trade for it?"

"Hehe, what is worthless wood to one person can be firewood to another. Just think of it as something I need."

"I see."

Wu Jinghua clicked his tongue. He was indirectly saying he wouldn't reveal its purpose. He probably wouldn't say it even at the end.

'So stingy, this old man.'

Zheng Yilong, who had put the pouch in his chest, clapped his hands.

"Well, that concludes the transaction."

"Right. Are you leaving now?"

"I'd like to chat more, as in the old days, but I'm very busy. Aren't you busy too?"

"Well, I am, but we could share a few drinks."

"Hehe, that's what I wanted to hear."

Wu Jinghua waved his hand, looking annoyed.

"Bencheng (本城) is nice, but it's full of boring people. There's no one as pleasant as you, Elder."

"The higher-ups will be disappointed."

"Ha! Disappointed? They'll just worry about what's in their mouths. How about it? Want to join the Iron Blood City?"

"He! Are you offering to recruit me?"

"What's wrong with that? It's natural to covet capable people."

"Your words are appreciated."

"Think about it seriously…"

"However…"

"Hmm?"

Zheng Yilong smiled warmly.

"Are you in a position to make such an offer? You're just a branch leader, after all."

"Hmm, if you keep talking like that…"

Boom!

Wu Jinghua's eyes turned red. Zheng Yilong's hand was already in his chest.

Zheng Yilong shook his head.

"Fix your unruly personality in the afterlife."

"Keh…"

Pfft!

As his hand was pulled out, Wu Jinghua collapsed, dead.

"Ah!"

"Branch Leader?!"

Zheng Yilong looked behind him.

"Hmm, how many of these little ones did he bring?"

He looked at Yulang.

"What do you think? You seem full, but how about one more meal with these guys?"

Surprisingly, Yulang's lips curled up.

"Of course."

* * *

"Mother's grave? Bullshit."

"Keh!"

"Speak clearly, or I'll really kill you."

"Choke! I… I only heard… please…"

Xuliang's hand went limp as he stared at Wenhou.

Thud.

Wenhou was the last to fall, and all fifty men were now on the ground.

Xuliang, his body drenched in blood, looked around and clenched his right arm. In his trembling hand was a five-foot-long massive sword given to him by Madongbi.

His arm moved on its own. The smell of hot blood made him want to kill everyone who had fallen.

Crack!

The dark shadow demonic energy burned on its own, even though he wasn't using it.

'Hmph, I knew it would come to this.'

The Dark Shadow True Demon Technique wouldn't calm down. The closed Zhizhao Guan Kui Gate was trying to open on its own.

Xuliang growled like an animal.

"Shit, let's just kill that guy and be done with it."

He would at least get some retribution. Even though he had reincarnated into a different body, the thought of that guy made his severed right leg throb.

"Wait for me, you bastard!"

Boom.

As he felt demonic energy gathering in his feet.

Boom!

Xuliang's body disappeared with a loud explosion.