“Well, this is…” Wei Honglian glanced at Hong Weimen with a subtle look in her eyes.
Hong Weimen maintained his cold expression, but the whites of his eyes were bloodshot.
“Hmm, isn’t this dangerous?”
Everyone could see that he was being thoroughly humiliated by Seo Liang right in front of them. If it were her, she would have drawn her sword without a second thought and swung it wildly. That was the difference between Wei Honglian and Hong Weimen—the difference between someone who lived by madness and someone who navigated the world through politics.
Hong Weimen coldly muttered, “You’re quite skilled at mocking people with your wicked words. But then again, Third Brother has always been like that.”
His words denied everything Seo Liang had said while also mocking him.
Naturally, Seo Liang wasn’t fazed in the slightest. The Demonic Cult had no sense of propriety to begin with. Only if their relationship had deepened would he have been angered by such mockery.
“I won’t waste words. Today’s rudeness will be forgiven by my magnanimity…”
“How magnanimous of you to try and kill someone you call ‘brother’ from behind, you petty fool.”
For a moment, a flash of killing intent passed through Hong Weimen’s eyes. He hadn’t expected Seo Liang to bring up such a matter in this setting.
“You should choose your next words carefully.”
“Me? Do I have to? Why?”
“Are you really trying to turn this into a mudslinging fight?”
It was a roundabout way of speaking, but for Hong Weimen, it was the most direct expression he could muster. He had always avoided this topic whenever it came up.
And that had been the right choice. At least, as a successor candidate who wanted the support of the demonic sect members, it was the proper conduct.
“So, I can’t do that?”
“...!”
“Doesn’t everyone know that we candidates are bound to fight to the death? It’s not like we’re playing hide-and-seek. Is this really a topic we need to avoid?”
The atmosphere in the area instantly turned icy cold, incomparable to before.
Hong Weimen, who had been staring silently at Seo Liang, finally spoke. “Are you here to declare war?”
He had decided that further persuasion or pretending not to know was pointless.
Seo Liang smirked. “Now we’re finally getting somewhere.”
“...”
“I’m not here to declare war. I came to make a separate proposal.”
“If that were truly your intention, you could have come to my residence earlier.”
“If a superior comes to your doorstep, shouldn’t the subordinate crawl over with gratitude? You’re the one who kicked away the courtesy I extended.”
It wasn’t a wrong statement. But Hong Weimen also had something to say.
“Judging by your behavior, you don’t seem like someone who values courtesy much. If you had a purpose, why didn’t you just barge in with your usual rudeness instead of summoning patience to wait?”
Seo Liang’s response was a masterpiece. “I wanted to stir up some chaos.”
“...!”
“I knew you’d drag your feet. You even showed me to a special room. When else would I get the chance to enjoy fine food and drink in such a luxurious place?”
“...”
“I was just waiting around, half for fun.”
The corner of Hong Weimen’s eye twitched. He wanted to blow that damn bastard’s head off right then and there.
“So, what do you want to say?”
His words had become shorter.
Seo Liang glanced around casually before dropping a bombshell. “How about we settle this cleanly today?”
“...?!”
“You don’t like scheming behind the scenes either, do you? You’ve been humiliated by me, so you must be holding in some anger.”
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying…?”
Seo Liang tapped his sword lightly. “I am the sword. What are you?”
Whether it was a martial duel or a fight to the death, he meant to settle it all in this one bout.
Hong Weimen was speechless. “Are you joking with me now?”
“Do you really think I’d waste my time playing games with someone like you?”
“If you’re throwing reckless moves because there are many people watching…”
“Don’t assume everyone is like you. That’s a bad habit.”
Seo Liang’s indifferent attitude left not just Hong Weimen but everyone else at a loss for words. Even Wei Honglian, who had been watching from behind with a wide grin, thought, “What kind of lunatic is this?”
“One last question.”
“What?”
“Did you really come all this way with the intention of doing this?”
“What else could I do? Our fourth brother is hiding away, too scared or ashamed to show his face. I hate playing mind games. Whether I win or lose, wouldn’t it be better for both of us to settle this cleanly?”
Was this really something a person of the Third Young Master’s status could say?
As Hong Weimen stared at Seo Liang, a look of disappointment gradually spread across his face. “Is this all you are?”
He had thought there was some hidden scheme, given the unexpected behavior. He had assumed there were layers of traps beneath the recklessness that others couldn’t even imagine.
But that wasn’t the case. That bastard was serious.
Hong Weimen turned around. “Clean up the guest hall! Call the workers and clear the debris! Build a new structure within a month!”
His voice boomed with authority, completely ignoring Seo Liang and his group. The moment he realized Seo Liang was serious, all interest and tension toward him vanished.
Ma Dongpil frowned. Wei Honglian growled like a beast. They knew Seo Liang had gone too far, but to be ignored like this…
Hong Weimen shouted again. “What are you all doing? Move now, or else…!”
At that moment.
Thud, thud.
“...!!”
Whoosh!
Hong Weimen quickly turned and lowered his stance.
Seo Liang smiled. “Why?”
“...”
“Did the back of your neck tingle?”
Hong Weimen’s eyes wavered. “What?”
In an instant, his back was drenched in sweat.
Just as he was about to give up and return to his residence, he felt the illusion of a strange beast—whether a tiger or a wolf—charging at him with its jaws wide open.
The beast’s breath at his ear. The stench of blood and killing intent. If he hadn’t reacted immediately, he might have lost his life.
“That guy, his reflexes are top-notch. He’s well-trained.”
“...?”
“I thought he might have been poisoned by some bad herbs, but it seems not. The subtle hallucinogenic properties in the medicinal power enhanced the efficiency of his solo training. Is this the method of the Red Demon Sect?”
“...!”
“As expected of a prestigious demonic family. Their approach to martial arts is unique.”
A look of shock, unknown to anyone else, crossed Hong Weimen’s face. “How?”
The reason he always smoked herbs wasn’t for leisure. It was for training.
Solo training was a practice based on imagination. By setting up an imaginary opponent and predicting various variables, one could spar and then understand the strengths and weaknesses of their martial arts.
It was similar to gaining enlightenment through meditation. A master at a high level could see through an opponent’s strength and reactions without even crossing hands.
The Red Demon Sect maximized the efficiency of this training through the use of drugs. The herbs Hong Weimen always smoked were a special type called “Illusion-Conquering Grass,” created by the Red Demon Sect itself.
“Well, it’s a fresh approach…”
Swoosh.
Seo Liang drew his sword again.
Unlike before, when he had deliberately caused trouble, a dense killing intent now emanated from the blade.
“But in the end, it’s just a game of imagination.”
“...!”
“Let’s see how effective martial arts gained from mere fantasies can be.”
“...”
“Come on in. I’ll let you make the first move.”
Zing!
A thick purple demonic energy began to rise from Hong Weimen’s body.
The shock of having one of his secrets exposed, combined with the seriousness of Seo Liang’s provocation, caused the Demonic King’s Martial Arts to activate on its own.
Thud.
A glint flashed in Seo Liang’s eyes.
As Hong Weimen lowered his stance and glared at him, a change occurred in his hands.
“His nails… interesting.”
Hong Weimen’s nails sharpened instantly, becoming as smooth and black as polished obsidian.
“They say the Demonic King’s Martial Arts have many strange techniques. Indeed.”
Swoosh.
Seo Liang pointed his sword at Hong Weimen. At the same time, a majestic aura erupted from his body.
Wei Honglian’s eyes widened. “Unity of Divinity and Humanity.”
It was the same state she had seen at the Purple Mist Pavilion. To Hong Weimen, Seo Liang’s form might no longer be visible.
Whoosh.
The wind blew, stirring the killing intent and fueling the rising chill of anger.
It was truly a moment on the brink of explosion. A direct confrontation between successor candidates, something rare in the history of the Demonic Cult, was about to unfold before everyone’s eyes.
At that moment.
“Stop!”
Boom!
The gates burst open, and a group of people rushed in.
“Stop! Stop this at once!”
Their hurried yet disciplined footsteps were impressive. Over thirty black-clad experts, exuding a blade-like aura, appeared.
“Third Young Master, please sheathe your sword! Fourth Young Master! Fourth Young Master, step back!”
Seo Liang frowned.
What’s this? These black-robed guys ruining the feast?
At that moment, Wei Honglian’s face twisted. Her expression, radiating a madness close to killing intent, was quite striking.
“The Black Illumination Guards of the Punishment Hall!”
They were the elite force dispatched by the Punishment Hall to handle internal conflicts that were difficult to resolve. If the demonic sect members were known as terrifying demons in the martial world, the Black Illumination Guards were the embodiment of terror to those very demons.
Seo Liang’s eyes lit up. “The Black Illumination Guards? The Punishment Hall’s suppression squad!”
As notorious as they were, their skills were said to be top-notch. Each of their martial arts was on par with Wei Honglian’s.
Uniquely, they all wore pure white masks. The masks, with only the eyes visible, gave off an eerie, hollow appearance that instilled a strange fear in those who saw them.
One of the Black Illumination Guards, with a red dot near the left eye of his mask, stepped forward between the two.
“I am the Seventh Captain of the Black Illumination Guards of the Punishment Hall.”
Even when facing the two highest-ranking figures in the sect, he did not kneel. It was a testament to the immense authority of the Black Illumination Guards.
The Seventh Captain slightly bowed his head. “People are watching. We ask that you stop here.”
Though his words were polite, the pressure in his voice was anything but ordinary.
Hong Weimen, who had been watching Seo Liang with tense eyes, suddenly turned his head toward the gate at the sensation of someone approaching.
“Sinhye.”
It was none other than Sinhye who had called the Black Illumination Guards. It seemed he had reported to the Punishment Hall during the investigation to prepare for any unforeseen events.
The Seventh Captain shouted at the demonic sect members in the guest hall. “Quickly, clean up the surroundings!”
The startled sect members scattered. The Black Illumination Guards instilled a different kind of fear than their master, the Fourth Young Master. With a captain-level figure present, this was no longer a place for them to linger.
Seo Liang, who had been quietly watching Hong Weimen, let out a soft chuckle. “You’ve got good subordinates.”
“...”
“Your life was saved by your subordinates. Take good care of it from now on.”
Clack!
With a decisive motion, Seo Liang sheathed his sword and turned around.
“Wei Dazhu, Ma Zong. Let’s go.”
“Ah, yes!”
Seo Liang walked out of the gate without looking back. Ma Dongpil followed suit.
However, Wei Honglian turned around and let out a short growl.
Surprisingly, it was directed at Hong Weimen.
“I thought you had some backbone, but I’m disappointed.”
Hong Weimen’s face twisted involuntarily.
The Seventh Captain stepped forward. “Dazhu Wei, please leave as well. We advise you to return to your residence and reflect.”
Wei Honglian let out a short scoff but didn’t argue further.
And so, the short yet intense incident came to an ambiguous conclusion.
Sinhye hurried over to Hong Weimen. “Young Master! Are you alright?”
“Sinhye.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Call the True Demon Dazhu immediately.”
A glint of killing intent flashed in Hong Weimen’s eyes.
“If he wants a proper fight, it’s no longer polite to keep avoiding it.”
“Damn it! I’m ashamed to have laughed and chatted with him at the same table! If it were me, I’d have thrown the first punch out of sheer embarrassment! Ugh.”
Wei Honglian kept grumbling.
For a demonic sect member, pride was as important as life. To endure such a situation without acting was unthinkable. In Wei Honglian’s eyes, Hong Weimen was no longer a demonic sect member.
Ma Dongpil sighed. “Still, it’s a good thing the fight didn’t escalate.”
“What are you talking about? It’s just the beginning.”
“What do you mean…?”
“Didn’t you see his eyes? He was humiliated in front of all his subordinates. Even if he doesn’t show it, his heart must be boiling with rage.”
Seo Liang smirked. “Keep an eye on the True Demon faction’s movements. Whether today or tomorrow, they’ll definitely make a move soon.”