Chapter 95

The Seat of the Strong

In the vast training ground, a high platform was set up, and in the middle, a luxurious tiger-skin chair was placed. In front of the platform, numerous martial arts experts knelt, some of them bound with sturdy iron chains. Behind them, the injured sat, and those who were too severely wounded to kneel lay at the very back. On either side, other experts stood armed, as if surrounding them.

Moxiang, wearing a luxurious robe embroidered with a golden dragon and a silver tiger in combat, slowly walked out and sat on the tiger-skin chair on the platform. This luxurious robe was worn only once by the leader of the Devil Sect during the enthronement ceremony, and it would be burned after the ceremony, ending its short life. Burning this expensive robe symbolized the hope that, after shedding blood to become the leader by defeating many competitors, there would be no more chaos.

"Three-Faced Elder!"

Elder Xiaomian, upon hearing the call, slowly stood up and ascended the platform.

"I believe you will assist me on the path of the Devil. Bring the sword."

One of the subordinates brought the sword that Elder Xiaomian usually favored, the one he received from the leader when he became an elder, and presented it to Moxiang. In ancient times, the Devil Sect chose nine weapons of exceptional quality, second only to the leader's personal weapon, the Asura Devil Sword, to be the symbols of the elders. These were received again whenever a new leader was enthroned or a new elder was appointed. When a new leader was enthroned, the elders returned their weapons, which were then redistributed during the ceremony. Not receiving a weapon from the new leader meant being dismissed as an elder.

Elder Xiaomian received the sword from the new leader and respectfully fastened it to his waist. Moxiang watched him with a calm expression.

"I will entrust you with the Asura Devil Corps as before."

"I am deeply honored."

Moxiang turned his gaze from the bowing Elder Xiaomian to Wuying Shenma. Wuying Shenma, a rising expert, had distinguished himself under Zhang Renge's rule and became the leader of the Zixing Wannema Corps. While his personal martial arts skills were slightly inferior, he was a unique figure among the Devil Sect's experts for his extensive reading of military strategy. Thanks to this, he achieved significant results in the recent group battles. Of course, this also meant that Moxiang's side suffered greatly.

Wuying Shenma led the Zixing Wannema Corps and the outer guards in a fierce battle against the Black Wind Corps until just before he learned of Zhang Renge's escape. Although the Zixing Wannema Corps' individual martial arts skills were far superior to those of the Black Wind Corps, the latter was well-equipped with various offensive and defensive weapons, allowing them to barely maintain a stalemate.

If the battle had continued for a longer time, the Zixing Wannema Corps, with their superior numbers and individual skills, would have won. However, reality was different. Just as they were gaining the upper hand, they received the report of Zhang Renge's escape.

Without hesitation, Wuying Shenma led his subordinates to quickly withdraw from the battlefield. A group worthy of the title "elite" can advance and retreat, especially retreat, with incredible speed. Guan Zhi, who had been preparing for a full-scale attack, was momentarily taken aback when his opponents suddenly disappeared. Realizing they had retreated, Guan Zhi quickly sent a messenger to Moxiang.

Moxiang swiftly dispatched the Tianlang Corps to capture the Zixing Wannema Corps and eventually found them. If he had not sent the Tianlang Corps, who were even more formidable, they might have successfully joined Zhang Renge.

Moxiang looked at Wuying Shenma with a bitter smile. Wuying Shenma, who had made the greatest contribution to Zhang Renge's escape, was now bound before him. To capture the Zixing Wannema Corps, Moxiang had to dispatch the Tianlang Corps, which created a large gap in the encirclement to pursue Zhang Renge. During this time, Zhang Renge slipped away.

"What do you intend to do?"

Wuying Shenma looked straight at Moxiang. His life and perhaps the lives of his subordinates depended on his next words.

"I believe I have shown sufficient loyalty to Leader Zhang Renge. If you accept me, I will serve you with all my heart."

"Good. Guan Zhi and Tianli Duxing have spoken highly of you. They said you caused them a great deal of trouble."

Despite Moxiang's intense gaze, which seemed to pierce his soul, Wuying Shenma answered calmly. However, cold sweat trickled down his back, as he could not hide his inner turmoil. He pretended to be resolute, not wanting to show any weakness.

"I had no choice."

Moxiang smiled and handed him the symbol of an elder.

Moxiang accepted most of those who had practiced orthodox Devil Sect martial arts, except for Elder Hegewushang. He ended his long life by being torn apart by five horses.

Due to Zhang Renge's successful escape, all the experts he had cultivated, including the Sashixue Shimada, were executed. His blood relatives also could not escape death, as it was a unwritten rule of the Devil Sect not to spare the bloodline of the previous leader. Thus, while some gained wealth and power with the new leader, many others lost their lives.

Wrinkled skin, a single sunken eye. He looked like an old man on the verge of death. This frail figure, who seemed unable to even catch a chicken, had thick chains around his body and a heavy shackle on his only leg.

Was it necessary to mistreat such a weak old man? But those who knew his past would unanimously say that such caution was essential, for he was the former leader of the Devil Sect, the strongest sect in Central Plains.

Moxiang felt a warmth in his eyes at the pitiful end of a once towering and powerful martial artist. However, he deliberately spoke in a cold tone.

"It's been a while, Leader."

The leader, who had undergone tremendous cultivation to have a body as strong as Mount Tai and as powerful as the sun, had rapidly aged due to the loss of most of his internal energy. He slowly opened his single eye, which had been half-closed, and turned his gaze.

"Hmph, it's you. Seeing me in this state must be quite satisfying, isn't it?"

Despite the pitiful situation, the leader remained dignified, and Moxiang smiled. For a moment, he recalled the strong and proud leader of the past. However, his smile soon faded, and he shook his head slowly with a sad expression.

"Not really, Leader. There were times when I wanted to tear you apart, but that's in the past."

"Hahahaha, hmpf! You've always been honest. I should have trusted you, but I couldn't. Hmpf, because I was full of lies, I thought others were too. A liar can never trust others, hmpf."

Moxiang looked at him straight.

"I think what you're saying now is a lie. The leader I knew was always honest, except for the moment of betrayal."

"Hahahaha, hmpf! That's why you need to learn more. People are treacherous and love lies. They betray each other for the slightest benefit. Can't you see that from my current state?"

"At least from my perspective, the leader was not like that. What I still don't understand is why, if you were willing to pass the leader's position to me, you were wary of me. If not, this wouldn't have happened..."

The leader let out a hollow laugh and answered with difficulty.

"Hehehe... Still don't understand, huh? You're a foolish friend. Hmpf! From the beginning, I never intended to pass the leader's position to you or Zhang Renge. It was just to reassure you and him. You never wanted to be the leader, but hmpf hmpf! Zhang Renge cleverly deceived me. Cough, spit! If I had known he coveted the leader's position, he would be the one tied here. Is that a satisfactory answer?"

"To some extent."

"Now that your curiosity is satisfied, give me and my friend some peace. And him too."

The leader slightly lifted his chained left arm to point to an old man bound in a similarly miserable state.

"Extending our lives any further would be too cruel for both of us."

"Do you not want to live? I can restore your previous internal energy. Of course, you'll need to solve the physical issues yourself, but many warriors have overcome the loss of limbs, eyes, or legs. It's up to you how you overcome it."

The leader slowly shook his graying head.

"No, it's all unnecessary. A king of tigers should live a tiger's life to be happy. Don't force a miserable existence on me any longer."

"Zhang Renge escaped and is still alive. Don't you want revenge?"

The leader twisted his lips into a smile.

"I'll leave that to you. Don't think I'm cunning. It's a wisdom that comes naturally after living a life like this, hmpf hmpf. I can hardly speak now. Will you do the last part for me?"

"May you rest in peace, Leader."

"You too."

The leader's death was sudden yet peaceful. The Moxun Sword, as if understanding its master's heart, cleanly separated the leader's head from his body, along with the tangled chains.

Moxiang, without even thinking of sheathing the Moxun Sword, stared blankly at the head that had fallen to one side. After a moment, he ordered his subordinates in a sterner voice.

"Follow the law and give the leader a grand funeral!"

"Understood!"

"And give peace to him as well. He was once the master of the righteous martial world. Handle it with proper respect!"

"Understood!"

Before Moxiang had taken three steps, a dull thud echoed through the basement.