Chapter 95. The Beginning of the Bashun Festival (4)

The Heavenly Demon Sect, known as the den of devils in the Jianghu, exuded a livelier atmosphere than ever before.

"Hey! Be careful there!"

"Ugh?!"

"Phew, almost caused a big accident... No, why is this iron pillar so heavy?"

"You idiot! Of course iron pillars are heavy!"

"Hehe."

Throughout the outer area, massive stages were being set up. These were the stages of wandering theater troupes that brought joy to everyone, regardless of age, by weathering the storms of the Jianghu.

"Ahhh! It's hot!"

"Hey! Be careful when moving it!"

"I feel like I'm going to die!"

"Did this guy learn martial arts just to use them like this? He can't even lift a pot!"

"Grind! Let the master chef try, then!"

"That guy? You won't have lunch today!"

"Huh? Are you going to be so cheap?"

Various taverns were bustling with several times more ingredients and dishes being delivered than usual. Already, countless martial artists had gathered, forming a dense crowd.

The new sect had been lively since dawn. As the sun rose and approached noon, the atmosphere became explosively vibrant.

Wei Honglian, watching the scene from a distance, shook her head.

"Even the most spirited people can seem endearing when they go too far. It's like an anthill out here."

The number of people was so vast that it was almost impossible to count. Not only were they members of the Heavenly Demon Sect, but influential figures from the entire demonic martial world had gathered as well.

During such times when outsiders entered en masse, problems were likely to arise. If they caused trouble, it would be difficult to resolve since they were not members of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

However, this was merely a concern. The Bashun Festival actually had fewer incidents than the banquets hosted by the Righteous Alliance or the Iron Blood City.

The reason was that this was the Heavenly Demon Sect.

As the headquarters of the demonic martial world, the Heavenly Demon Sect was revered as a sacred site.

In fact, if a troublemaker appeared, the members of the sect often resolved the issue among themselves before any sect enforcers were dispatched.

But there was no need to suppress the rising excitement.

For the next four days, the Heavenly Demon Sect would be the most vibrant place on the continent.

Of course, where there is light, there is also shadow.

"Keh!"

The middle-aged man, dragged along while spitting blood, looked truly pitiful.

His limbs were all broken, and he seemed to be on the brink of death from severe internal injuries. The ones dragging him were members of the Punishment Hall.

"Huh? What's going on there?"

"They say he was a spy sent by the Iron Blood City."

"Wow! They have the nerve to try to plant spies in the sect."

"He's not the only one. Two spies sent by the Righteous Alliance were already caught. They tried to join the sect as soon as the outer city gates opened."

"They're crazy, crazy."

"That's why the righteous factions are no good. They don't understand the way of the world."

"Either way, the sect enforcers will have a hard time."

Wei Honglian chuckled at this from a distance.

"Hey, Ma. Don't you feel anything when you hear that? Don't you feel a bit guilty?"

"..."

"If I were you, I'd ask for the Young Master's permission and go help out. Oh, the cold-hearted Ma Enforcer. If your colleagues found out you're just enjoying yourself by the Young Master's side, they'd cry their eyes out."

"My duty is to closely guard the Young Master. I don't know anything else."

"...Such a cold guy. A heartless guy."

"Anyway, why are you here?"

Wei Honglian, with her hands on her hips, puffed out her belly.

"Nothing to do."

Ma Dongfil felt exasperated by Wei Honglian's straightforward answer.

Some people are like onions, with layers upon layers, and some are like bottomless pits, with no end in sight.

"Do your subordinates say nothing?"

"Say nothing? They probably talk behind my back. If they said it to my face, they'd be done for. They're not that stupid."

"Sometimes, I even admire your personality."

"Quite an honor. But what about the Young Master?"

"He went to buy food."

"Food? Really?"

Ma Dongfil smacked his lips.

"He said even simple street food would be delicious. What a humble person he is."

"Why are you making excuses for him?"

"I'm not making excuses; I'm just stating the facts."

"Shut up."

"Watch your words."

"You only need to be careful with the Young Master, not with me."

"You're not careful with the Young Master, which is the problem."

"Such a rigid guy. Anyway, why does the Young Master keep such a pedantic person around...?"

At that moment,

Snap!

"Ugh!"

Wei Honglian, clutching the back of her head, rolled around.

Xu Liang, who had approached from behind, shook his fist.

"Your head is as hard as a rock? Are you going to gossip when there's no one around? Do you want to die, really?"

"Ugh! It's not gossip!"

"Then what is it? Flattery? Praise? Adoration?"

"..."

"Just try it once more, and see what happens."

Wei Honglian grumbled as she got up.

"The Young Master is really too much. Why does he treat me like this?"

"Are you the one who's too much? How can you not know why I act this way? Do you carry your head as a decoration?"

"Your words are too harsh!"

"..."

"Sorry."

Xu Liang, who had burst out laughing, laid out the food he had bought in front of the two.

"Hey, try these. They have duck, pork, and vegetables on skewers. It's a real mess, a real mess."

Xu Liang offered one to Ma Dongfil, who politely accepted it. Wei Honglian, on the other hand, looked somewhat reluctant.

Xu Liang frowned.

"What? Don't you want to eat? If you don't, give it to me."

"No, that's not it."

"Then what?"

"...You seem really happy, don't you?"

Xu Liang looked at the two, seemingly surprised.

"Are you not happy? It's a festival! When will you see such a scene again!"

Every year, right?

Ma Dongfil couldn't bring himself to say it. He didn't want to ruin the high spirits of the excited Xu Liang.

Wei Honglian also kept quiet, but not out of affection like Ma Dongfil; she simply didn't want to be on the receiving end of his temper.

Xu Liang pulled the two along.

"Let's eat quickly and go watch the performance!"

"Performance?"

"Why? Don't you want to see it?"

The two exclaimed in unison.

"We want to see it!"

"Great!"

Xu Liang, elated, led the way.

Having spent his life in the shadows, when had he ever enjoyed such a festival? He had only seen it from a distance, never experiencing it firsthand.

Naturally, he was overjoyed.

Wei Honglian, following Xu Liang quietly, whispered to Ma Dongfil.

"Hey, Ma."

"Ma Dongfil."

"Is the Young Master really that excited? Is he usually like that?"

"Even if I tell you to be careful with your words, you don't listen."

"Just say it quickly."

"...I don't really know. I didn't expect him to be this excited."

Despite his frequent jokes and light tone, Ma Dongfil saw Xu Liang as an untouchable master.

Sometimes he seemed absent-minded, but it was seen as human, and his impressive appetite and drinking capacity were seen as hearty.

But today's Xu Liang was different. He seemed genuinely happy, not just putting on a show.

'After all, the Young Master always showed his true self.'

Ma Dongfil smiled.

'The Young Master needed this kind of atmosphere from time to time.'

From Gaozhu Lin to the recent battle with the Beast Palace.

Xu Liang had not had a single day of rest. Even if he slept all day or drank until dawn, it wasn't real rest.

Though he didn't say it, he must have lived each day under the tension that only high-ranking people feel.

Ma Dongfil's expression, as he looked at the smiling Xu Liang, seemed much softer than before.

This was partly due to Xu Liang's influence, but also due to the ease that came with the growth of his martial arts.

Wei Honglian, however, interpreted the soft smile differently.

'Is this guy...?'

After a moment of thought, Wei Honglian spoke cautiously.

"Ma."

"What is it?"

"You... aren't, are you?"

"What do you mean, aren't I?"

"...Never mind."

"You're being too vague."

You're too dense.

Wei Honglian, brushing off the goosebumps on her arm, quickly ran to Xu Liang.

"Young Master! Let's go together..."

Snap!

"Ouch! Why are you doing that again!"

"I told you not to call me Young Master."

"Do you think there's only one Young Master here? How many First Young Masters, Second Young Masters, and Third Young Masters are there among the sect members who joined?"

"Huh? I never thought of that."

"..."

"Did you just curse in your head?"

"Give me one skewer."

"Bad girl. I'll let it slide this time."

Thus, the three arrived at the place where the wandering theater troupe was performing.

The performance had already started.

It was a common play in the Jianghu, about the sole survivor of a destroyed family overcoming numerous adversities to become the greatest hero in the Jianghu.

Though the plot was incredibly childish, the actors' performances were very impressive. As a result, the audience was completely engrossed, holding their breath.

As the play reached its climax, the audience erupted in cheers.

"Wow!"

"Next part! Next part!"

"What? Is that it for them?"

"Will they be the only ones performing next?"

Xu Liang took a deep breath.

"I can't ignore a performance, can I? Impressive. It's been a long time since I've been this focused... Huh?"

He blinked.

"Why are you crying?"

"..."

"Hey, crazy girl."

"What kind of...!"

"..."

"Sorry."

"Enough, why are you crying?"

"Huh?"

As Wei Honglian wiped her eyes, tears streamed down her face.

Her runny nose also moistened her lips. She wiped her face with her sleeve.

"Ugh! Damn, I'm so embarrassed."

Xu Liang, who was about to grumble, suddenly paused.

'Come to think of it.'

Wei Honglian was the sole survivor of the famous Wei family from Hunan, which had been destroyed.

After joining the sect, she became the youngest leader of the inner battle unit. Why she joined the sect was unknown, but it was the Heavenly Demon Sect that had destroyed her family.

Xu Liang stared at Wei Honglian. Though she was wiping her face, tears kept streaming down, showing her intense emotions.

'Everyone carries their own story... or something like that.'

Who doesn't have a story? Despite her usual bold and lively demeanor, Wei Honglian knew sorrow.

He patted her shoulder.

"Don't try to hold back your tears if you want to cry."

"..."

"You crazy girl... no, weirdo... Anyway, what can I say... Life is truly..."

"Enough already?"

Xu Liang scratched his head. He had never comforted a crying person before and didn't know what to say.

After a moment of thought, he blurted out,

"At least you grew up to be a girl who can wield a sword like a pro. So what?"

Wei Honglian looked at Xu Liang in shock.

"...Really shocking."

"Huh?"

"Hmph! Fine! I'll go eat some skewers and watch another performance!"

Wei Honglian quickly left. She was embarrassed by her tears, but Xu Liang, unaware of this, was confused.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"..."

"Dongfil?"

"I will... keep quiet."

Xu Liang smacked his lips. Upon reflection, it was indeed a random thing to say.

"Damn, but you are good with a sword, right? Really picky... Huh?"

Ma Dongfil scratched his head.

"Y-Young Master?"

"..."

"Ahem! If I may say... This time, you went too far."

"Dongfil."

"Of course, I don't mean that the Young Master did anything wrong..."

"Here."

"Huh?"

Xu Liang smiled.

He was looking at the distant outer city gate.

The massive flag fluttering at the entrance of the open gate.

On the flag were the two characters "Ma Jian" (Demon Sword).

"The real culprit's family is here."