Chapter 94

"It seems that the Elder of Suomian is returning."

High-ranking experts were rushing over, emitting an overwhelming demonic aura. One of the experts from the Shumada said this upon seeing them.

If there were a duck among a group of chickens, it would be easy to spot, but the situation was different now. Both Moxiang and Zhang Renjie were pivotal figures in the Devil Sect, and their subordinates were the same. If the opponents were from the righteous factions, they would have quickly recognized them as enemies from the aura and martial arts they exuded. However, the figures charging forward with incredible lightness skills were undoubtedly using the Devil Sect's martial arts and emitting formidable demonic auras.

The members of the Suramarichandai, led by the Elder of Suomian, possessed slightly higher skills than the warriors of the Tianlang Corps. Therefore, although the demonic aura emitted by the Tianlang Corps members was slightly weaker, it was still very similar to that of the Suramarichandai, making it difficult to distinguish between them. Thus, it was extremely hard to realize that the approaching figures were enemies.

When the Tianlang Corps approached, Park Yong was leading 500 members of the Sasa Xue Shi Corps to support the Zixing Man Corps. The returning group and the one about to leave for the battlefield inevitably mixed together, and that was when the sword fighting began.

It was only when dozens of Sasa Xue Shi Corps members were struck by a surprise attack and their heads shattered, rolling on the ground, that Zhang Renjie's side realized they were not allies but enemies. The 500 members of the Sasa Xue Shi Corps and the 800 members of the Tianlang Corps engaged in a fierce melee.

"What are you doing?"

A deafening roar echoed, so loud that it could have burst eardrums. Some of the weaker martial artists fainted from the sound, but there were no such weak individuals here. However, everyone was startled by the powerful demonic aura contained in the roar, and the chaotic battle momentarily paused.

A man in his mid-40s, with a furious expression, appeared with about ten subordinates.

"What are you doing? Did you call me just for a family squabble?"

The man shouted at Zhang Renjie with a fierce look, but Zhang Renjie had no time to turn his head. He was too preoccupied with glaring at a man in black who was smirking from a distance.

"Can't you hear me, Sect Leader?"

"Ah? Yes, Supreme Sect Leader."

Zhang Renjie cleared his throat to buy time, quickly thinking and slowly speaking. His mind was still in chaos, and he needed a moment to organize his thoughts.

"Hem, hem, I requested support from the Council of Elders to deal with a traitor."

"Surely you know that the Council of Elders, according to the sect's laws, does not interfere in any matters unrelated to the sect's rise and fall?"

At this point, Elder Hekewu quickly interjected.

"Yes, that's why I requested support from the Council of Elders, Supreme Sect Leader. I know that the Council of Elders maintains neutrality in internal power struggles. However, if Vice Sect Leader Moxiang mobilized an army, wouldn't that be different? According to the laws, involving external forces in sect matters is punishable by execution."

The Supreme Sect Leader looked around and then said in a disinterested tone.

"Where is this army? I don't see any outsiders."

"About 7,000 troops from Menghu Ling are being blocked by Elder Wuying Shen. That's why you don't see any outsiders here."

"Is what he says true?"

Moxiang smirked at the Supreme Sect Leader's question.

"Half of it."

"Are you admitting to involving external forces?"

The Supreme Sect Leader glared at Moxiang with a fierce expression, but Moxiang replied casually, almost as if deliberately provoking the Supreme Sect Leader.

"No, I'm admitting to bringing in the troops. Many of my subordinates are former members of the disbanded Zanhuang Heifeng Corps. Anyway, Supreme Sect Leader, please step aside. This is a matter between Zhang Renjie and me."

Moxiang's informal speech enraged the two elders who accompanied the Supreme Sect Leader.

"Shut up! Just because the Supreme Sect Leader has retired doesn't mean his authority is low enough for you to look down on him."

But their angry voices were cut off by the Supreme Sect Leader.

"You should be the ones to be quiet. The sect's laws are based on power. If this young man's martial arts are stronger than mine, there's nothing I can do. The Zanhuang Heifeng Corps has already been disbanded. Absorbing them doesn't count as involving external forces. The Council of Elders will remain neutral, so you two should resolve this yourselves."

The Supreme Sect Leader left hurriedly, as if there were a foul smell in the air.

Now that the interference was gone, Zhang Renjie's subordinates and Moxiang's subordinates were still holding their weapons and glaring at each other, but they hadn't started a full-scale fight. Moxiang slowly stepped forward.

"Instead of needlessly sacrificing subordinates, wouldn't a one-on-one duel be better?"

The distance between Moxiang and Zhang Renjie was about 10 zhang (about 30 meters). At this distance, an ambush was impossible. Zhang Renjie, who was fully focused on the distance, sighed in relief when Moxiang stopped approaching and used the technique of transmitting voice through qi to convey his intentions, leaving room for negotiation in case it failed.

*There's no need for a duel. I admit defeat. I didn't think you would act so quickly. I will retire according to the laws. What choice does a loser have?*

Moxiang smiled at Zhang Renjie's words.

"Did you think you could get away so easily? Once you've crossed me, you'll find rest in the afterlife."

At the same time, Moxiang's body shot forward.

Zhang Renjie knew that facing Moxiang in a direct duel without the Tianma Xue Jian Dao was suicidal, so he declared his retirement. It was just words; if he could get through this situation, he planned to join Elder Ouyang Yun and look for the next opportunity. According to the Devil Sect's principles, they did not harm those who declared retirement, so 'retirement declaration' was Zhang Renjie's last resort. However, Moxiang had no intention of letting him go, so Zhang Renjie had to come up with another plan.

"Attack!"

"Roar!"

Following Zhang Renjie's order, the Devil Sect's experts leaped to attack Moxiang. They thought Zhang Renjie was about to fight Moxiang to the death. Moxiang cut down the experts rushing at him from all sides and charged toward Zhang Renjie. However, Zhang Renjie was not foolish enough to engage Moxiang in a direct sword fight. He gathered his maximum power and launched a single strike of the Black Death Demon Palm at the charging Moxiang, then quickly fled.