Hong Weiwen smiled and raised a wine bottle. "Please, have a drink."
"Thank you," the middle-aged man, who appeared to be well over forty, replied politely as he held his cup.
"I should have visited you more often, but I’ve been busy with various matters. I’m ashamed it took me this long to come see you," the man said, waving his hand dismissively.
"Please, don’t say such things. It’s an honor just to have you visit," Hong Weiwen replied.
"Haha! Of course, I was already grateful earlier. Even if you scold me for being transparent, there’s nothing I can do about it."
"Not at all. As someone who should suppress internal conflicts within the sect, it was my duty to act."
"How could I not know that? But as someone who also avoids unnecessary disputes, I simply wanted to express my gratitude."
"There’s no one in the sect who doesn’t recognize your dedication, Young Master."
The exchange of flattery continued, each knowing full well that it was nothing more than a formality. Yet, such conversations were necessary, like a sheath for a sword. They served to restrain each other from drawing their blades and inflicting fatal wounds—until the moment one decided the other was no longer useful.
If either of them felt the other had no further use, the blade would be drawn immediately. A cold, ruthless blade that severed ties without hesitation.
"Will the guest hall affairs be handled at Huanxi Garden?"
"Of course."
"If you wish, Young Master, just say the word. I’ll send my people to assist you from time to time."
Hong Weiwen’s eyes sparkled for a moment.
A high-ranking official from the Punishment Hall offering to lend his men for guest hall affairs? To those unaware, it might seem like an odd remark, but to those in the know, it was a shocking proposal.
Lending Punishment Hall members for such tasks implied creating secret spaces akin to small prisons within the Young Master’s residence. The members of the Punishment Hall were skilled craftsmen and laborers, and their knowledge of the labyrinthine paths and prisons within the hall was kept strictly confidential.
The corner of Hong Weiwen’s mouth twitched upward. He wants something from me.
In politics, there was no such thing as a free gift. If one gave something, they expected something in return. And if someone offered something, it was crucial to consider what they might want in exchange.
Those who broke this unspoken rule didn’t last long. This was the politics Hong Weiwen had learned over the years.
So, he declined the offer.
"That won’t be necessary."
"...Is that so?"
"Yes. But instead, may I ask for something else in return?"
"Something else...? What might that be?"
At that moment, the middle-aged man’s ears perked up. It seemed he had received a message through a secret transmission.
Hong Weiwen smiled.
"Yes."
"..."
"Please bury the current situation."
"...You mean to ignore this conflict?"
"That’s right."
The man’s expression turned serious.
"You may not be aware, but many sect members have witnessed this incident."
"I’m sure they have."
"..."
"So, I believe it can serve as a sufficient replacement for the gift you originally intended to give me."
"..."
"How about it? My bag still holds many things."
After a moment of contemplation, the man nodded.
"I’ll bury it."
"Thank you."
"But that’s as far as it goes. Burying this matter isn’t easy, given the reputations of the Demon and True Demon factions. If the higher-ups intervene..."
"I’ll step in then. You won’t suffer any harm. And..."
"..."
"When the person I’m targeting gets involved in this situation, even the Punishment Hall can move freely. That way, there’ll be no room for complaints."
The man laughed and raised his bottle.
"This time, I’ll follow your lead."
"I’ll gratefully accept."
The two exchanged drinks, their cups clinking.
In Hong Weiwen’s eyes, an invisible killing intent surged. I’ll show you that not all battles are fought with swords.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The rain of blades was like a torrential downpour.
The sheer number of blades was terrifying, but the killing intent emanating from them was even more so. Yet, Ma Dongpil’s martial prowess was dazzling as he deflected every threatening attack with a single longsword.
However, Ma Dongpil’s condition wasn’t great.
"Huff! Huff!"
His breathing was ragged, and his body was covered in blood.
Individually, none of his wounds were severe. But collectively, they had caused significant blood loss, comparable to a serious injury. If he hadn’t used pressure points to stop the bleeding, he would have collapsed long ago.
"Hey! Fall back already!"
"Stop being stubborn and take care of yourself!"
"You’re half-dead, and you’re still spouting nonsense? Come on, you bastard!"
For a brief moment, Ma Dongpil seriously considered knocking out Wei Honglian before dealing with the enemies in front of him.
"Stop being so noisy."
"Is this guy for real?"
"Because of you, my sword feels heavier... Ugh!"
Clang!
Ma Dongpil took another step back. The True Demon faction member who had swung his sword at him was forced back over a dozen steps, disrupting their formation.
It was an incredible display of strength. Ma Dongpil’s martial arts focused on heavy and powerful swords, so even in his current state, his destructive power was unmatched.
But Wei Honglian’s face twisted in frustration when she saw this.
"You idiot! What are you doing?!"
"I told you to stop being noisy."
"Do I look like I’m in a position to be quiet? If you’re going to fight, do it properly! Why aren’t you using your killing moves?!"
She was right. Wei Honglian wasn’t just shouting behind Ma Dongpil for no reason.
Despite facing the relentless assault of nearly fifty True Demon faction members, Ma Dongpil refused to use his killing techniques. If he had, the battle would have been much easier.
In his usual blunt tone, Ma Dongpil replied, "We’re only clashing because of the situation. In the end, we’re all sect members, aren’t we?"
"Hey!"
"And I’m the third captain of the Law Enforcement Hall. My sword is only pointed at the sect’s enemies, not its members."
"..."
"At least, not unless they’ve done something deserving of death."
"We’re going to die at this rate, you fool!"
"I won’t let that happen."
"This isn’t just a simple conflict—it’s a life-and-death battle! What kind of idiot fights while considering the enemy’s feelings?!"
"They’re not enemies; they’re sect members."
Wei Honglian bit her lip. In a way, his stubbornness was almost admirable.
At that moment, a sneer filled with killing intent rang out.
"What a bunch of nonsense."
Song Gyeong stepped out from among the True Demon faction members.
After a brief rest, his body radiated a powerful demonic energy once more. He had likely taken an internal injury medicine provided by his subordinates.
"What are you all doing? Hurry up and pin down that fool!"
Song Gyeong flicked his finger.
"Wei Honglian. Stop hiding behind that brat and come out."
"Who’s hiding, you bastard?!"
"Then come out already! Since when does the Demon Faction Leader hide behind someone and just suck their thumb?!"
Wei Honglian, already frustrated to death by Ma Dongpil, was further provoked by Song Gyeong’s taunts. Her eyes turned bloodshot.
Whoosh!
Ma Dongpil’s eyes widened.
A deep blue demonic energy, thicker than ever before, erupted from behind Wei Honglian.
The problem was the madness mixed within it. It was even more intense than the madness she had exuded during the incident at Zimiru.
"Leader Wei!"
"You bastard!!"
Boom!
Ma Dongpil’s eyes widened in shock.
He tried to stop her, but it was impossible. In the blink of an eye, she leaped past him and charged at Song Gyeong. It was hard to believe she was the same person who had been on the verge of collapse just moments ago.
Song Gyeong growled.
"Good timing!"
Boom!
The two collided, their powerful energies creating a massive shockwave that sent over a dozen True Demon faction members flying to the sides.
Wei Honglian’s eyes were bloodshot.
Her arms felt like they were about to break, but the pain only fueled her madness. The whites of her eyes turned red, and her pupils glowed like ghostly flames.
An extreme madness surged from her entire body.
The madness stimulated her demonic energy, which in turn shook the core of her five desires and seven emotions. The shaken core gathered demonic energy, which reached the source of her life force—her primordial essence.
Song Gyeong’s hand twitched.
Thud!
His head snapped to the side.
Blue veins bulged on his neck. If not for the demonic energy and tough muscles he had mustered with all his strength, his head would have been blown off by that strike.
What the hell is this?!
He had avoided death, but he was still dazed. His vision blurred, and his legs wobbled.
How can a body on the verge of death unleash such power?!
Swish!
Song Gyeong instinctively swung his hand. A faint white light traced through the air—a hand technique, the Snow Mountain Ghost Sword, executed at the sixth level.
It was a martial art performed in an instant, but its power was undeniable. Truly worthy of being called the True Demon Faction Leader.
But.
Crack!
"Argh!"
Song Gyeong was forced back again.
His wrist was dislocated at a strange angle, and the back and palm of his hand were torn and mangled.
The unexpected pain jolted him awake. His left arm, already broken, now had a shattered wrist.
The only silver lining was that his legs regained strength, and his dizziness subsided.
Song Gyeong looked up.
Wei Honglian was charging at him with a face twisted like a demon’s. Her right arm was also dislocated and broken, but she showed no signs of pain.
Whoosh!
Song Gyeong’s eyes widened.
An intense blue demonic energy erupted from Wei Honglian’s body as she charged at an incredible speed.
It was a concentration of demonic energy he had never seen before, even in her prime. A level of power he couldn’t even dream of wielding at his current level.
Is she...?
A look of dread crossed Song Gyeong’s face.
Is she tapping into her primordial essence? She’s insane!
The primordial essence was the source of life. Right now, Wei Honglian was drawing upon the essence she should have spent over a lifetime, all for this charge.
This wasn’t just a matter of risking her life—it was madness on a whole different level. Even if she survived this battle, the aftereffects could leave her a cripple for life.
Do you hate me that much?!
Song Gyeong bit his lip.
No matter what, he didn’t want to draw upon his own primordial essence because of Wei Honglian. After all, it wasn’t something one could use at will.
Crack!
Song Gyeong shouted, "I am the True Demon Faction Leader!"
Boom!
A deafening explosion followed as the two were sent flying backward.
The shockwave was incomparable to anything before. Even the True Demon faction members, who had been relentlessly pressuring Ma Dongpil, turned their heads in shock.
"Cough!"
Song Gyeong, with all his limbs broken, spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Hack!"
Wei Honglian also coughed up blood.
But it was fine. Though her arms were broken, her legs were still intact.
Whoosh!
The blue demonic energy surged once more. Her body was in terrible condition, but the demonic energy she emitted grew even fiercer.
"Raaah!"
With a roar that could have been a scream or a battle cry, Wei Honglian charged again. Her blood-soaked figure was reminiscent of a demon from hell.
A faint shadow of fear crossed Song Gyeong’s face. He hadn’t expected that damned woman to come at him again, ready to die.
"Block her!"
The startled True Demon faction members quickly moved to shield Song Gyeong. Despite the intense demonic energy, they were much faster than the exhausted Wei Honglian.
Just as Wei Honglian was about to collide with them.
Thud!
"...?"
A crisp impact sound echoed as Wei Honglian was sent flying far away.
The True Demon faction members looked bewildered. Why was Wei Honglian, who had been charging with the intent to kill everything in her path, now lying sprawled in the distance?
At that moment.
"Wei Honglian."
Everyone’s gaze turned toward the source of the voice.
There stood a handsome young man, his face flushed red and twisted in anger as he glared at Wei Honglian.
Wei Honglian, who had just regained her senses, widened her eyes in shock.
The young man, Seo Ryang, roared, "You damn bitch!"
Whoosh!
Seo Ryang charged at Wei Honglian with incredible speed, his fist swinging toward her.
Wei Honglian’s eyes snapped shut.